Obsession with PM post hinders Malay unity, says Saifuddin
Ex-Bersatu man says national interests must always take precedence over party and personal interests
Indera Mahkota MP Saifuddin Abdullah said efforts to build Malay-Muslim unity must be centred on a new political culture based on knowledge, wisdom, and service, with a moderate, balanced, and progressive outlook.
PETALING JAYA: The obsession of certain politicians with becoming prime minister stands in the way of efforts to establish Malay-Muslim political unity, says an opposition MP.
Indera Mahkota MP Saifuddin Abdullah said national interests must always take precedence over party and personal interests, adding that preoccupation with chasing the top post would wreck unity.
“We cannot become obsessed with wanting to become prime minister or the top leader,” he said in his Merentas Ruang column published by Sinar Harian.
The former Bersatu leader also said efforts to build Malay-Muslim unity must be centred on a new political culture based on knowledge, wisdom, and service, with a moderate, balanced, and progressive outlook.
The former federal minister said these efforts must be led by a new line-up of leaders who were credible and respected by Malay figures across various sectors, whether politics, business, academia, or public service.
“It cannot be led by someone who does not have the respect of the majority of Malay leaders,” said Saifuddin.
He added that unity was not about political survival or the supremacy of the majority. “Instead, it is about a wise and inclusive majority who want to shape a political configuration that crosses all spectrums for a better Malaysia.”
US President Donald Trump speaks to the press upon arrival at Morristown Municipal Airport in Morristown, New Jersey, June 20, 2025. — AFP
Friday, 10 Apr 2026 9:57 AM MYT
WASHINGTON, April 10 — The coalition that propelled Donald J. Trump back to the White House is facing a historic internal collapse.
In a vitriolic social media broadside, the US president has declared war on his most prominent media allies, labelling them “low IQ” and “nut jobs” for opposing his administration’s ongoing military conflict with Iran.
The outburst, posted on Truth Social today, signals a total rupture between President Trump and the alternative media vanguard — including Tucker Carlson, Megyn Kelly, Candace Owens, and Alex Jones — who have become increasingly vocal critics of the US-Israel strikes launched against Tehran last month.
‘Stupid people’
Trump, who defeated Kamala Harris in the 2024 election to reclaim the presidency, did not mince words regarding the pundits who once formed his ideological backbone. He accused the group of being “stupid people” who have “one thing in common: Low IQs.”
“I know why Tucker Carlson, Megyn Kelly, Candace Owens, and Alex Jones have all been fighting me for years,” Trump wrote, claiming they are only seeking “cheap publicity” for their “third-rate podcasts.”
The president saved his sharpest barbs for Carlson, calling the former Fox News host a “broken man” who “should see a good psychiatrist.”
He also targeted Candace Owens, mocking her legal disputes with the First Lady of France and disparagingly comparing her appearance to that of the French First Lady.
The "MAGA" civil war appears rooted in the unpopularity of the March 2026 military intervention in Iran.
While Trump sought to frame the conflict as a matter of “winning and strength” to prevent Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons, his former media allies have warned that the war is a betrayal of the “America First” non-interventionist platform.
In the post, Trump, who spent years deriding CNN as “Fake News”, boasted that the network had given him a “100% Approval Rating,” while accusing his former allies of being “hailed” by the “Radical Left” for their anti-war stance.
Trump also referred to his formerly staunch defender, Marjorie Taylor Greene, as “Marjorie ‘Traitor’ Brown,” suggesting the former congresswoman’s opposition to the Iran strikes has made her an enemy of the administration.
The deepening instability within the US executive branch adds a layer of volatility to an already tense global situation.
The March strikes on Iran have already sent shockwaves through global energy markets, and a fractured US administration could lead to further unpredictability in the Persian Gulf, a critical region for the world and Malaysia’s oil interests and trade routes.
Despite the backlash from his base, Trump remained defiant.
“MAGA is about WINNING and STRENGTH in not allowing Iran to have Nuclear Weapons,” he asserted, concluding that the United States remains the “hottest” country in the world under his leadership.
Police are searching for a 24-year-old Pakistani man suspected of child sexual crimes, among others, who escaped from the Sungai Buloh Prison on April 9, 2026. — Picture by Choo Choy May
Friday, 10 Apr 2026 9:27 AM MYT
SUNGAI BULOH, April 10 — Police are tracking a Pakistani remand detainee who escaped from Sungai Buloh Prison yesterday.
Sungai Buloh district police chief Superintendent Mohd Hafiz Muhammad Nor said the suspect, identified as Muhammad Hassan, 24, is wanted in connection with several serious offences, including sexual crimes involving a child.
He is facing charges under Sections 377C and 392 of the Penal Code, as well as Section 14(a) of the Sexual Offences Against Children Act 2017, along with additional immigration-related offences, local Malay daily BH reported today.
The suspect was last seen wearing an orange T-shirt and black long pants, according to the senior police officer.
Given the nature of the offences, police advise the public to exercise caution while the suspect remains at large.
Anyone with information on the suspect’s whereabouts are advised to contact investigating officers Inspector Muhendran at 010-4304383 or Inspector Azamuddin at 016-5661597, or reach out to the nearest police station.
Police also reminded the public not to circulate unverified information or speculation that could disrupt investigations or cause public alarm.
Kuala Lumpur police chief Datuk Fadil Marsus (pictured) confirmed the investigation of one of their own is suspected of masterminding the spate of Kepong luxury home robberies. — Bernama pic
Friday, 10 Apr 2026 9:11 AM MYT
KUALA LUMPUR, April 10 — Police have confirmed that a suspended senior officer arrested over a string of armed robberies in Kepong was previously attached to the federal police headquarters in Bukit Aman.
City police chief Datuk Fadil Marsus said the suspect, a Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP), had been serving in the Commercial Crime Investigation Department prior to his suspension on January 23, the New Straits Times reported today.
“The suspect is believed to have played a central role in orchestrating the group’s operations, including planning and coordinating their movements,” Fadil was quoted as saying.
The DSP was among six suspects — including two bodyguards — detained over multiple break-ins targeting expatriate homes in Kepong, Fadil previously said.
The group, aged between 31 and 51, allegedly posed as police officers to gain entry into the homes, with one suspect wielding a pistol-like object to intimidate victims.
Investigations indicate the syndicate made off with high-end vehicles — including a Toyota Alphard, Rolls-Royce and Bentley — as well as a safe, RM24,200 in cash, US$1,200, jewellery and two gold bars, bringing total losses to over RM4.4 million.
Police also found that the bodyguards involved had used legally licensed firearms during the robberies.
Fadil described the case as a serious breach of integrity within the force, stressing that such misconduct undermines public trust and violates the core duty of police personnel.
He added that authorities will take firm action regardless of rank, and that investigations into the case are ongoing.
Shipping remains at a standstill in the Strait of Hormuz despite the ceasefire agreement between the United States and Iran, dampening hopes for a resolution to one of the worst global energy disruptions in history.
Only a handful of vessels have transited the critical strait since Washington and Tehran on Tuesday announced a two-week pause in fighting, according to ship tracking data.
Five vessels crossed the strait on Wednesday, down from 11 the previous day, and seven transited on Thursday, according to data from market intelligence firm Kpler.
More than 600 vessels, including 325 tankers, are still stranded in the Gulf due to the blockage of the strait, according to Lloyd’s List Intelligence.
“While some vessel movement has resumed, traffic remains very limited, compliant shipowners are likely to stay cautious, and safe transit capacity is expected to remain constrained at maximum 10–15 passages a day if the ceasefire holds, without consideration of tolls applied,” Kpler trade risk analyst Ana Subasic said in an analysis on Thursday.
The waterway, which usually carries about one-fifth of global oil and liquefied natural gas (LNG) supplies, typically handled about 120-140 transits before the US and Israel launched their attacks on Iran on February 28.
On Thursday, US President Donald Trump accused Iran of failing to live up to its part of the ceasefire agreement, which includes a commitment to allow “safe passage” through the waterway for two weeks.
“Iran is doing a very poor job, dishonorable some would say, of allowing Oil to go through the Strait of
“That is not the agreement we have!”
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi earlier accused the US of not honouring the deal, warning, in reference to Israel’s ongoing attacks on Lebanon, that it had to choose between a ceasefire or “continued war” via its ally.
“The world sees the massacres in Lebanon,” Araghchi said in a post on social media.
“The ball is in the US court, and the world is watching whether it will act on its commitments.”
After plummeting on the back of the ceasefire announcement, oil prices have begun to tick up as markets digest the reality that maritime traffic remains effectively halted despite the truce.
“This moment requires clarity. So let’s be clear: the Strait of Hormuz is not open,” Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber, the CEO of the United Arab Emirates’ state-run oil company, ADNOC, said in a social media post on Thursday.
“Access is being restricted, conditioned and controlled. Iran has made clear – through both its statements and actions – that passage is subject to permission, conditions and political leverage. That is not freedom of navigation. That is coercion.”
Brent crude, the international benchmark, stood at $96.39 as of 02:00 GMT on Friday, after falling below $95 a barrel on Wednesday.
Asia’s main stock markets opened higher on Friday, following overnight gains on Wall Street driven by hopes of a resolution to the war.
Japan’s benchmark Nikkei 225 was up 1.8 percent in early trading, while South Korea’s KOSPI and Hong Kong’s Hang Seng Index were up about 2 percent and 1 percent, respectively.
An Israeli Apache helicopter releases a flare as it flies over the border with Lebanon, in northern Israel, April 9, 2026. — Reuters pic
Friday, 10 Apr 2026 9:26 AM MYT
WASHINGTON, April 10 — Israel and Lebanon will hold talks in Washington next week, a State Department official said Thursday, amid mounting international concerns that Israel’s bombings could shatter an already fragile US-Iran ceasefire.
Israel’s heaviest strikes on Lebanon since Hezbollah entered the Middle East war in early March killed hundreds on Wednesday, rattling the uneasy truce between Washington and Tehran less than 48 hours after it came into force.
“We can confirm that the Department will host a meeting next week to discuss ongoing ceasefire negotiations with Israel and Lebanon,” the US official said.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had earlier on Thursday ordered his ministers to seek direct talks with Lebanon, pushing for Iran-backed Hezbollah’s disarmament.
But a Lebanese government official told AFP that Beirut required a truce before starting any negotiations with Israel, a day after the deadly strikes across the country.
Neither Israel nor Lebanon have publicly confirmed the US talks for next week.
Hezbollah said it was engaged in close quarters combat against Israeli forces on the ground in southern Lebanon on Thursday, as Lebanese authorities said Israeli strikes killed at least 303 people and wounded 1,150 the previous day.
The Iran-allied group also said it had fired rockets towards Israel on Thursday in response to what it called a violation of the ceasefire.
Israel’s army Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir visited ground troops inside Lebanon on Thursday, telling them Hezbollah had suffered a “heavy blow” from the strikes a day earlier.
Netanyahu’s order for direct negotiations with Lebanon’s government was focused on disarming Hezbollah and establishing peace, according to a statement from his office, but he offered no immediate respite from the aerial attacks.
A Hezbollah lawmaker later reiterated his group’s “rejection of any direct negotiations between Lebanon” and Israel.
‘They’re wrong’
Israel’s military on Thursday issued a new evacuation order for Beirut’s southern suburbs and said it was striking Hezbollah launch sites in Lebanon.
Fearing the truce may be in jeopardy, Brussels, Moscow and Ankara demanded that the US-Iran ceasefire be extended to Lebanon.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz warned that “the severity with which Israel is waging war there could cause the peace process as a whole to fail, and that must not be allowed to happen.”
“Let’s be really clear about it, they’re wrong,” British Prime Minister Keir Starmer told ITV News when asked about Israel’s insistence that Lebanon was not covered by the ceasefire.
Iran’s parliamentary speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf said Tehran sees Lebanon as an “inseparable part of the ceasefire,” while President Masoud Pezeshkian said Israel’s strikes rendered “meaningless” talks with US envoys planned for the end of the week in Pakistan.
‘Where is Hezbollah here?’
Both Israel and the United States insist the fighting in Lebanon is not covered by the ceasefire.
“Our message is clear: anyone who acts against Israeli civilians, we will strike them. We will continue to hit Hezbollah wherever necessary,” Netanyahu said in a social media post.
Lebanon’s civil defense said several bodies were still under the rubble following Wednesday’s strikes.
“We don’t know where my niece is... the rescue teams have been working tirelessly since yesterday, but they haven’t found her,” Beirut resident Taha Qarqamaz told AFP.
“Look, these are school notebooks, class notes, books! Where is Hezbollah here? There is no Hezbollah in this neighborhood!” protested his friend, Khaled Salam.
President Donald Trump claimed victory in the Middle East war after agreeing the two-week truce with Iran to allow talks between US and Iranian negotiators aimed at ending a conflict that has already killed thousands and plunged the global economy into turmoil.
Tehran’s ambassador to Pakistan deleted a social media post saying an Iranian delegation would arrive in Pakistan on Thursday.
An official at the Iranian embassy in Islamabad told AFP the post was removed “because of some issues” and refused to say whether the delegation was still expected.
High-stakes talks
If the Pakistan talks go ahead, a key point of contention remains the Strait of Hormuz, through which a fifth of the world’s oil as well as vast quantities of natural gas and fertilizer pass in peacetime.
Iran announced alternative routes on Thursday for ships travelling through the strait, citing the risk of sea mines.
MarineTraffic data showed that the Gabon-flagged MSG passed through the strait on Thursday, the first non-Iranian oil tanker to do so since the ceasefire was announced.
Trump warned Iran against imposing a toll for ships passing through the strait.
“They better not be and, if they are, they better stop now!” Trump said on his Truth Social platform.
Kuwait reported significant drone damage Thursday — the latest in hundreds of Iranian missile and drone attacks on Gulf countries since the war began, underscoring fears that the truce may not hold. — AFP
***
Shailoks DELIBERATELY assaulted Lebanon to sabotage the ceasefire because Satanyahu wants the war against Iran to continue, until Iran has been completely Gaza-rised. The shailoks are damn shit-scared of the Persians, and they want a wankee umbrella.
In the early morning attack at the Ulu Tiram police station on May 17, 2024, two police constables, Ahmad Azza Fahmi Azhar, 22, and Muhamad Syafiq Ahmad Said, 24, were killed, while Corporal Mohd Hasif Roslan, 40, was shot and injured; the 21-year-old attacker, Radin Luqman, was later shot dead. — Bernama pic
Friday, 10 Apr 2026 9:13 AM MYT
KUALA LUMPUR, April 10 — A university student told the High Court here yesterday that the father of the attacker in the Ulu Tiram police station attack case had claimed that “the blood of police, soldiers and government officials is permissible to be shed”.
Muhamad Farhan Haiqim Mohd Isa, 24, said the first accused, Radin Imran Radin Mohd Yassin, 64, personally told him that while they were detained together at the Seri Alam Police lock-up in Masai, Johor, following the May 2024 attack.
In the 2.30am incident on May 17, 2024, two police constables, Ahmad Azza Fahmi Azhar, 22, and Muhamad Syafiq Ahmad Said, 24, were killed, while Corporal Mohd Hasif Roslan, 40, was injured after being shot. The attacker, 21-year-old Radin Luqman, was later shot dead.
Muhamad Farhan, the prosecution’s third witness, said this during examination-in-chief by deputy public prosecutor Yazid Mustaqim Roslan on the second day of trial involving five family members of the attacker, who face nine terrorism-related charges before Judge Nurulhuda Nur’aini Mohamad Nor.
“During our conversation, the man suddenly broke down. When I asked why, he said he was upset because his son did not invite him to join the attack on the police station.
“The man also claimed that it was halal (permissible) for them to shed the blood of police, soldiers and government officials. He added that he rarely left the house, but if he did, he had a duty to wage jihad to spread his beliefs,” the witness said.
During proceedings, Muhamad Farhan also identified Radin Imran and the second accused, Radin Romyullah, in the dock.
He added that while they were held in the same lock-up, Radin Imran had also expressed an intention to kill his own brother for refusing to follow his teachings.
Recalling the incident, Muhamad Farhan, who was an industrial trainee at the time, said he had been at the station with his former girlfriend to lodge a report on sexual harassment.
“While I was speaking with an officer (Ahmad Azza Fahmi) outside the station, a man dressed in black and wearing a mask entered the compound on a motorcycle.
“He parked at the side of the station. Shortly after, the officer went to check on him. About 15 minutes later, I heard loud screams. I rushed inside to seek help before my former girlfriend, and I hid under a table as the situation became dangerous,” he said.
Muhamad Farhan said several gunshots were heard minutes later, prompting him to call the emergency hotline.
“After that, everything went quiet until an ambulance arrived. We were later escorted across the pedestrian bridge in front of the station. It was dark and silent, and I was frightened and confused as I did not know what had happened,” he said.
He was later contacted by police, taken to the Seri Alam police station to have his statement recorded and remanded for seven days to assist investigations.
According to the charges, Radin Luqman’s mother, Rosna Jantan, 61, faces one count of failing to provide information related to terrorist ideology at a house in Kampung Sungai Tiram, Johor Bahru, between April 2017 and May 17, 2024.
His father, Radin Imran, faces four charges, including promoting terrorist ideology, supporting terrorist acts, possessing firearms for terrorism-related activities and owning materials linked to terrorist groups.
His brother, Radin Romyullah, 36, faces two charges of supporting and possessing materials related to the Daesh terrorist group, while his two sisters, Farhah Sobrina, 25, and Mariah, 20, are charged with deliberately failing to provide information related to terrorist ideology.
Bloomberg via Getty Images The University of Michigan said a researcher died after falling from a campus building on 19 March
China has called on American authorities to investigate the death of a Chinese semiconductor researcher in the US, who was found dead after "hostile questioning" by law enforcement there.
US media have identified the researcher as Danhao Wang from the University of Michigan. Wang died shortly after talking to federal investigators, CBS News reported.
The University of Michigan said in a statement that it was investigating "a possible act of self-harm", after a researcher's fatal fall from a campus building on 19 March.
Liu Pengyu, a spokesperson for the Chinese Embassy in the US, told the BBC on Thursday that they were "deeply distressed by this tragedy".
He said China has "repeatedly lodged solemn representations with relevant US government agencies and universities regarding this case", and have contacted the victim's family to "provide active assistance with the aftermath".
He also reminded Chinese students in the US to "heighten their safety awareness" and "handle US law enforcement actions appropriately".
While the embassy declined to confirm the deceased researcher's identity to the BBC, Liu earlier identified him to the South China Morning Post as Danhao Wang from the University of Michigan.
Both the university and the Chinese foreign ministry have also declined to confirm the researcher's identity, citing respect for the family and personal privacy.
Wang was an assistant research scientist of electrical and computer engineering, according to his profile on the university website. His research interests involved semiconductors.
China's foreign ministry first addressed the case on 27 March, when it said a Chinese scholar had taken their own life "after being subjected to hostile questioning by US law enforcement personnel".
Such actions "seriously violate Chinese citizens' lawful rights, poison the atmosphere for people-to-people exchanges between the two countries and continue to create a serious chilling effect," the ministry said.
It added that the US should conduct a "full investigation" and provide a "responsible explanation" to the researcher's family and Chinese authorities.
Foreign ministry spokesperson Mao Ning reiterated calls for a US investigation on Wednesday, when asked about Wang's case by the BBC.
"China will continue to take what is necessary to firmly defend Chinese citizens' legitimate and lawful rights and interests," she said.
Wang's death is the latest case to draw attention to the status of Chinese academics in the US as tensions between the two rival nations persist.
After Chinese-American neuroscientist Jane Wu from Northwestern University died by suicide in 2024, her family sued the school, claiming that the university had treated her poorly while she faced a years-long federal investigation into her ties with China.
The US has tightened its scrutiny of Chinese students on American campuses in recent years, citing national security concerns.
In 2020, during US president Donald Trump's first term, he signed an order barring Chinese students and researchers with suspected military ties from obtaining US visas.
Last year, the Trump administration vowed to "aggressively" revoke the visas of Chinese students, especially those linked to the Chinese Communist Party or studying in critical fields. Months later, the US made a U-turn on the hard line stance, issuing 600,000 Chinese student visas as Washington and Beijing engaged in trade talks.
Just hours after the United States and Iran announced a ceasefire in the war that has dominated news headlines around the world and pushed oil prices to new heights, Israel bombarded Lebanon on Wednesday, killing hundreds, injuring thousands and prompting Iran to reimpose its blockade of the Strait of Hormuz.
The bone of contention: whether or not Israel’s relentless strikes on Lebanon were included in the ceasefire at all. Pakistan, which brokered the agreement, said they were. Israel said they weren’t.
Later on Wednesday, the US sided with Israel, with President Donald Trump calling the violence in Lebanon “a separate skirmish” even though Hezbollah had entered the war in defence of Iran.
In Israel, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has come under intense political pressure since the US and Iran signed the ceasefire, which had little or no active involvement from Israel.
None of Israel’s war aims, which Netanyahu had assured his country were the basis for what he framed as an existential battle with Iran, had been achieved, angering those who supported the war.
Furthermore, under the terms of the truce published yesterday, a 10-point peace plan put forward by Iran has been accepted as a starting point for negotiations due to begin this weekend in Islamabad.
Under early descriptions of the Iranian plan, Iran would retain its nuclear stock and could benefit financially from levies charged on shipping traffic through the Strait of Hormuz and from tariffs and sanctions relief promised by Israel’s ally, US President Donald Trump, on his Truth Social account.
This is far from the 15-point list of demands the US previously put forward to Iran, which would have seen the strait completely reopened without conditions, and Iran giving up its enriched uranium stocks, ending its ballistic missiles programme and promising to stop arming proxy groups in the region, such as the Houthis in Yemen, Hezbollah in Lebanon and a flurry of armed groups in Iraq.
Arguing that Lebanon is exempt from the ceasefire agreement, Israel launched the most extensive bombardment on its neighbour in recent months on Wednesday. In the space of about 10 minutes, the Israeli military carried out more than 100 strikes on what it claimed were Hezbollah targets, hitting Beirut, southern Lebanon and the eastern Bekaa Valley, killing at least 254 people, 91 of them in the capital, Beirut, alone.
The attacks have been condemned by numerous nations and international organisations, including Spain, France, the United Kingdom, the United Nations and Pakistan, which brokered the ceasefire deal and stated explicitly that Lebanon was included.
Responding to the strikes, Iranian state media announced that its government was now considering walking away from the truce and has already announced that restrictions on the economically vital Strait of Hormuz will be reimposed.
For its part, Israel says it is not trying to kill the ceasefire by launching strikes on Lebanon. Charles Freilich, Israel’s former deputy national security adviser, told Al Jazeera that the motivation for the strikes arose solely from the “opportunity to hit numerous mid to high-level Hezbollah fighters, not spoil the ceasefire, which both the US and Israel maintain does not include Lebanon”.
‘Provocateurs-in-chief’
Some analysts are sceptical, however.
“Israeli officials will no doubt claim that this was a super sophisticated operation against necessary security targets, perhaps embellishing those arguments with claims of deep intel and technological penetration and sophistication, and you will probably have the usual mainstream Western media outlets slavishly parroting the Israeli line,” former Israeli government adviser Daniel Levy told Al Jazeera, before explaining that such operations typically combine two principal features.
“The first is, sadly, an Israeli devotion to death and destruction, largely for its own sake, to spread terror and upend state capacity in various places in the region, and to upend civilian life,” he said. “And, secondly, a very transparent attempt to prolong the broader war against Iran, to collapse any ceasefire prospects, and to act as provocateurs-in-chief.”
Politically, support within Israel for the war may have weakened, however. Many of those who initially supported the war on Iran have been unsparing in their criticism of a potential pause in the conflict negotiated by the other two parties at Israel’s apparent expense.
Posting on X, opposition leader Yair Lapid claimed that Prime Minister “Netanyahu has turned us into a protectorate state that receives instructions over the phone on matters pertaining to the core of our national security”.
Democrats leader Yair Golan was equally scathing. “Netanyahu lied,” he wrote on X. “He promised a ‘historic victory’ and security for generations, and in practice, we got one of the most severe strategic failures Israel has ever known.”
Israeli opposition leader Yair Lapid has been unsparing in his criticism of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu following a ceasefire he claims Israel was excluded from [Evelyn Hockstein/Pool via AP]
“Netanyahu is in real trouble, and he thinks he has to wreck the ceasefire to get out of it, just as he did previously in Gaza,” Member of the Knesset Aida Touma Sliman of the left-wing Hadash party, which has opposed the war from the start, told Al Jazeera. “The ceasefire has lost him a lot of support, even among those who backed the war. None of his war aims have been achieved and it looks like he is losing control to the Trump administration,” she said.
“Don’t forget, we’re heading towards elections,” she added, referring to the vote currently slated for October, “and Netanyahu’s dropping in the polls. He needs something he can claim is a victory.
“And that’s why he did what he did,” she said, of Wednesday’s barrage on busy Lebanese neighbourhoods that killed hundreds, including women, children and medical workers, according to emergency workers on the ground. “He conducted a massacre in Lebanon.”
***
Ya loh, everyone knows that - those murderous shailoks are scared of Iran and until the Persians are being thrashed kaukau, the shailoks won't rest in peace.
ONE wonders how PAS supreme leader Tan Sri Hadi Awang can so conveniently derived at the conclusion that “Muslims have yet again been cheated” merely to drive home the message that it is unfair for Peninsular Malaysia to be subjected to fuel price hike while Sabah and Sarawak are spared from any spike.
For starters, the cleric reasoned rather simplistically that Malaysia “is not included in the Iranian blockade of the Strait of Hormuz” given Iran appreciates “that many brave Malaysians refuse to side with the US and Israel who are “clearly aggressors against sovereign Muslim nations”.
“At the same time, Malaysia has its own oil and gas wells and many other resources that can be a solution alongside neighbouring Muslim countries,” he argued in his latest Minda Presiden PAS rant.
“The real problem that occurs is the many leaks and misconduct in management.”
Even if he had wanted to undermine the ruling Madani government, Hadi’s unsubstantiated statement without proper research and fact check only gives the impression that he is merely plucking his argument out of the sky or thin air while embellishing them with Quranic verses to undermine his political foes.
Contrast what the esteemed seven-term Marang MP did with that of veteran journalist and blogger Datuk Seri A. Kadir Jasin who also disagreed with the Madani energy policy.
Probably given the latter’s inclination as an economic/financial journo, Kadir always substantiate his argument with both facts and figures in his global energy crisis discourse.
“Yes, it’s a global crisis,” he remarked in a recent Facebook post to counter Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi who snubbed Madani critics at finger-pointing amid the current swelling energy prices while justifying that “the nation is in crisis preparedness mode.
“But the Madani government raised fuel prices by 101% while global crude prices rose by 60%.”
Or like former Barisan Nasional (BN) strategic communication deputy director Datuk Eric See-To who has prolifically ‘attacked’ the Madani administration over the fuel price spike, especially with regard to diesel which he claimed is a lifeblood of the nation’s economy, hence can trigger vast inflationary pressure.
Again, like National Journalism Laureate Kadir, the loyalist of disgraced former premier Datuk Seri Najib Razak substantiated his claims with facts, figures and in-depth research.
On the contrary, many staunch PAS followers will fall flat or be truly convinced with Hadi’s shallow yet spiritually-powered rhetoric which is embellished with Quranic verses while appealing to their emotion.
There is no reason to raise oil prices because previously he (Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim) has made a shocking statement that he can solve the oil price issue in less than 24 hours,”
But today he has resorted to cowardice by giving the excuse of global oil price hike is caused by the US and its allies following the closure of Strait of Hormuz by Iran.
But the fact is, Malaysia is not included in the countries that are blocked because Malaysians support Palestine and the Islamic Republic of Iran which is being invaded. – April 8, 2026
Thean Hock Keong temple in Butterworth, Penang, which said its planned Aidilfitri open house on April 11 has been fully cancelled following objections from state religious authorities. — Picture via Facebook
Thursday, 09 Apr 2026 3:10 PM MYT
KUALA LUMPUR, April 9 — A Penang temple has flatly denied that any event will take place on April 11, pushing back against a state leader’s claim that a “unity” banquet would go ahead in place of its cancelled Aidilfitri open house.
In a media statement today, Thean Hock Keong said reports that the Penang Zhao Zi Long Cultural and Arts Association would take over as organiser were “not true”, stressing that no programme — whether under its name or otherwise — is being held on that date.
“There is no event organised by our party on April 11, 2026,” it said, adding that the planned “Unity Event” or Hari Raya Aidilfitri open house had been fully cancelled in respect of the Penang Islamic Religious Affairs Department (JHEAIPP).
The temple also distanced itself from any separate gathering reportedly scheduled for 8pm at Dewan Panorama in Bagan Ajam, amid what it described as growing confusion.
The denial comes hours after Penang Deputy Chief Minister I Datuk Mohamad Abdul Hamid said a “Majlis Jamuan Perpaduan” (Unity Banquet) would be held in Butterworth on April 11, organised by the Zhao Zi Long Cultural and Arts Association together with local residents.
He said the event would proceed under the coordination of the National Unity and Integration Department, following advice that unity-related programmes fall under its jurisdiction.
Earlier, JHEAIPP had barred the Butterworth-based Thean Hock Keong from hosting an Aidilfitri open house, saying such celebrations fall under Islamic religious activities requiring approval from the Penang Islamic Religious Council (MAINPP).
In its statement today, the temple said it had complied with the directive, cancelling the programme despite maintaining that its intention was to foster unity and strengthen community ties.
It noted that concerns raised by the state mufti — that a Chinese temple organising an Aidilfitri event could create confusion and sensitivities — would equally apply to any similar programme linked to the temple, including one organised by the Zhao Zi Long association.
“As such, to avoid any misunderstanding and undesirable implications, we have decided to cancel the programme,” it said.
The temple also defended its earlier plans, saying all food prepared for the event would have been halal and supplied by local Malay traders, with the programme funded by the temple and held under the auspices of the National Unity Ministry.
It further sought to clarify that its promotional materials had stated the event would be held in front of the temple, not within its premises, and questioned why this had been raised as an issue.
While expressing disappointment, the temple said it would abide by the authorities’ decision to cancel the open house, even as it pointed to a similar event organised by a Buddhist group in Johor earlier this year that did not draw objections.
It urged both JHEAIPP and the deputy chief minister to avoid issuing statements that could further confuse the public, reiterating that its “ultimate intention” had been to promote unity.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim arrives for the Ministry of Transport’s monthly assembly in Putrajaya April 9, 2026. — Picture by Yusof Isa
Thursday, 09 Apr 2026 10:05 AM MYT
KUALA LUMPUR, April 9 — Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim today called on civil servants to strengthen both delivery and public communication, saying government officers play a key role in ensuring policies are understood on the ground.
Speaking in his first address to the Transport Ministry at its monthly assembly, Anwar said officials must not only implement policies efficiently but also help explain them clearly to the public, especially amid ongoing economic challenges.
“We have the right to give opinions… but we cannot judge or respond based on wrong facts,” he said.
“That is why government servants must help explain — not to defend blindly, but to clarify.”
He stressed that in a fast-moving information environment, incomplete or misleading narratives can easily confuse the public if left unaddressed.
“Some people speak with only a little understanding but present it as if it is certain. This does not help — it only confuses the masses,” he added.
At the same time, Anwar said the civil service must continue to deliver results, noting that Malaysia’s public sector has shown it can perform under pressure.
“Sometimes they ask for six months, or even until 2027 to implement policies, but I say no — we don’t have that kind of time.
“Bring the target forward, and the best part is that all of you can deliver and do it well too,” he said.
He said such urgency has often led to stronger outcomes, pointing to the ability of civil servants to adapt when given clear direction and support.
“When there is semangat (spirit), unity, many things can be resolved faster than expected,” he said.
Anwar also urged officials not to focus solely on shortcomings, but to recognise progress made within a short period.
“Don’t just talk about problems all the time. Yes, problems exist — but look at what has been achieved,” he said.
He added that reforms within the public sector are still ongoing and will take time, particularly in addressing past weaknesses and leakages.
“We cannot solve everything immediately… but we must continue to improve and correct what is wrong,” he said.
As an example, Anwar pointed to the recovery of RM15.5 billion in lost national revenue through leakages in the past two years, which has helped sustain government subsidies for the people in the face of the global energy crisis.
“This is not because of one or two people, not because of the prime minister,” he said.
“It is because of the strength of the public service, working together with others to improve the country.”
He also encouraged more open discussions within ministries, saying internal meetings should allow feedback from all levels rather than being dominated by top-down directives.
“It should not be a monologue… give space for views from below,” he said.
Despite criticism from some quarters, Anwar said Malaysia’s civil service continues to perform well, and urged officials to maintain their efforts.
“I know all of you are working hard… continue doing your best for the country,” he said.
An activist waves the Palestinian flag as part of a civilian flotilla aiming at breaking the Israeli blockade of the Gaza Strip leaves the port of Barcelona August 31, 2025. — AFP file pic
Thursday, 09 Apr 2026 8:49 AM MYT
CAIRO, April 9 — Malaysia will continue to prioritise the humanitarian crisis in Gaza despite escalating conflicts, geopolitical uncertainty and rising tensions across West Asia.
Sumud Nusantara Command Centre (SNCC) director-general Datuk Sani Araby Alim Araby, said Malaysia remains resolute in carrying out the 30-container humanitarian aid mission to Gaza, despite mounting challenges, to support the increasingly vulnerable Palestinian population.
He said global economic uncertainties, including currency instability against the US dollar and the crisis in the Strait of Hormuz, have significantly increased procurement costs for the mission.
“For non-governmental organisations (NGOs) supporting Gaza, rising costs have a direct impact. Most purchases are made in US dollars rather than ringgit, and currency fluctuations add a substantial burden,” he told reporters after inspecting final preparations at the Mapim-Al Khair warehouse here.
Sani Araby said concerns over a wider regional conflict have not dampened the Malaysian delegation’s determination to push through the blockade imposed by the Zionist regime on the Palestinian people.
The mission will deliver 374 tonnes of essential supplies, expected to benefit 100,000 people in Gaza.
He noted that while the 30 containers represent only a small portion of the needs of Gaza’s 2.2 million population, the initiative sends a clear message that Malaysia will not allow basic humanitarian rights in the territory to be denied.
“At a time when the world appears to be heading towards broader conflict, we must strengthen unity and focus on efforts that enable us to contribute to Palestine’s liberation,” he said.
The 30-container humanitarian mission to Gaza 2026, organised by the Malaysian Consultative Council of Islamic Organisation (Mapim), involves the delivery of 30 containers carrying 374 tonnes of aid for Palestinians in Gaza.
The mission is also joined by Malaysian media personnel, including a reporter and a photographer from Bernama. — Bernama
THE arrest of three social activists during a protest at a speech by Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) chief commissioner Tan Sri Azam Baki has sparked concern over a potential regression in freedom of expression.
The incident occurred during a public engagement session attended by Azam on Tuesday (April 7), where three activists three activists were arrested following a peaceful protest at the World Trade Centre Kuala Lumpur linked to the #TangkapAzamBaki campaign.
The campaign calls for the arrest and investigation of the MACC chief whom protesters allege owns excessive corporate shares.
MCA Youth secretary-general Saw Yee Fung said the individuals were engaged in a peaceful act and did not pose any threat to public order.
She described the incident as part of a broader pattern of authorities using state power to suppress public voices and foster a climate of fear.
“In any democratic society, the right to express views peacefully, particularly on matters concerning the integrity of public officials and institutions, is a fundamental liberty,” she stressed.
“This right is protected under Article 10(1)(a) of the Federal Constitution, which guarantees freedom of expression for all Malaysians.”
Saw questioned the legal basis for the arrests, noting that the individuals did not cause disorder, incite confrontation, or engage in any form of violence.
“Under such circumstances, on what legal basis were they arrested? Were such actions necessary and proportionate? The authorities must provide a clear and transparent explanation,” she said.
She added that even if the protest was deemed disruptive, enforcement authorities could have opted for less severe measures.
Saw Yee Fung (Image: Akhbar Rakyat)
“The appropriate response would have been on-site engagement, advisories, or a request for them to leave, rather than resorting to arrest and detention for investigation,” she said.
“Such a response is excessive and sends a dangerous signal that dissent is increasingly being treated as unlawful. If this continues, any form of civic expression could be at risk.”
Saw also criticised what she described as inconsistency in the government’s stance on freedom of expression.
“It is particularly disappointing that Pakatan Harapan, prior to assuming power, consistently championed freedom of expression and opposed the suppression of dissent,” she said.
“Yet now in government, enforcement actions appear more severe and far-reaching. This inconsistency undermines its moral standing and raises serious doubts about its commitment to institutional reform.”
She further questioned enforcement priorities, noting that concerns surrounding Azam’s integrity have yet to see a comprehensive and transparent resolution.
“Instead, the public is witnessing media organisations being investigated, journalists being questioned, and now even activists being arrested,” she said.
“This raises a fundamental question: are enforcement agencies safeguarding the public interest, or diverting attention from matters that warrant proper investigation?”
Saw warned that heavy-handed enforcement could erode institutional legitimacy over time.
“A responsible government must distinguish clearly between criticism and genuine threats. While such responses may suppress dissent in the short term, they risk undermining social stability in the long run,” she said.
She added that the incident could also affect Malaysia’s international standing.
“If even peaceful demonstrations are no longer tolerated, how will the international community assess Malaysia’s democratic maturity and commitment to the rule of law?” she said.
“This may affect not only human rights perceptions, but also investor confidence in the country’s governance environment.
“Enforcement should be based on law, not political pressure. Once public trust is weakened, the impact on national governance will be serious.” ‒ April 9, 2026
APRIL 9 — Destination currently reads, nowhere. He’s fading faster than expected.
It’s as though after being kicked out of Bersatu, Hamzah Zainudin stands in the parking lot, toying with his smartphone while it is on flight mode and pretending to book a ride.
Raised in Umno, to posture is second nature but the Larut strongman is steadily losing momentum by, well, just posturing.
The defiance shown after his sacking by Bersatu by having a gathering the day after with most of the party’s MPs in attendance was a strong start but two months are about to pass and few outside or inside Perikatan Nasional are aware what the leader of the Opposition is up to. Or where he intends to go.
Everyone is fairly certain who he is against, however hardly anyone is aware what he is for going forward.
PAS have appointed a chairman for PN and by June, do not hold your breath, they’d appoint a new Leader of Opposition from their ranks.
When that happens, unless other developments precede it, he’d be without a party, a coalition or a meaningful position.
It’ll just be Larut in Dewan Rakyat, seated next to Muar and Bukit Gantang in the Siberia of the lower chamber. Political indecision is a career-killer even in risk averse Malaysia.
It probably makes a lot of people at Umno’s headquarters chuckle. How about them apples?
The author argues that Hamzah Zainudin’s post-Bersatu trajectory is marked by indecision and lack of direction, with his failure to articulate a clear political path risking his relevance as support within Perikatan Nasional wanes and rivals move to fill the vacuum. — Picture by Sayuti Zainudin
The Attrition Method
He had a charmed life in politics till about eight weeks ago.
Hamzah jumped ship from Umno in 2018 to a Bersatu chaired by Mahathir Mohamad. By the time president Muhyiddin Yassin’s crew ousted Mahathir from the party and as prime minister, Hamzah was already a senior figure in the nascent party.
Appointed home minister in the pandemic Cabinet. When PN failed to deliver in GE2022, it was still an up for Hamzah as he was catapulted to become the coalition’s face in parliament as leader.
Last year in June, Hamzah worked with the leadership to prop himself up as deputy president, thanks to pliant Ahmad Faizal Azumu or Peja relegating himself from deputy to vice-president, to enable the manoeuvre. And being declared at the party’s October polls as the unopposed number two was just a step away to the top post.
Thereafter, lead the party and coalition to GE16 and the highest office in the land.
That quickly? Can be if it is a charm offensive in tandem with an internal ouster of Muhyiddin. Dance with the committee while assassins wait in the dark with silencers.
Gathered statutory declarations (SDs) from 120 division chiefs asking for a polite leadership succession. To Hamzah it was stratagem, to Muhyiddin it was a hostile takeover.
A series of sackings and suspensions followed, culminating with Hamzah’s own axing.
Future researchers cannot claim it a misunderstanding, as there were elaborate and painstaking efforts to undermine the president with the active role of the Perak Man. A hundred-twenty division chiefs do not randomly submit SDs.
Traded blows, in the sick-bay
Hamzah knew a standoff was building from the year-end Perlis putsch which precipitated Muhyiddin and allies’ resignations from PN posts. Yet it seemed the only thing he was ready for was for Muhyiddin to hand over the reins rather than fight.
Both were bloodied by Hamzah’s sacking. The ex-deputy had 18 MPs but no platform. They’ll wait but not forever. Politicians must consider options. Former Srikandi chief and Melaka chieftain Mas Ermieyati Samsudin has a state election in December, which determines her own political future. She backs Hamzah, for now.
Muhyiddin has perhaps six MPs including himself. While he can enjoy Hamzah’s struggle, he’d rue his party’s diminished stature. Even more so when there’s a global economic situation to rival the 2008 meltdown. Sitting governments are often punished and the benefactors will be the Opposition parties.
The Bersatu implosion forces PN to stutter as PAS is ill-equipped to step up due to its own deformities.
Surf conditions are perfect, and they cannot find a single surfboard among them to ride the wave to glory.
Panderers are Yellow Pandas
Knowing how Hamzah got to this predicament and PN’s preoccupations with being preoccupied explains the malaise. Yet, seeing Hamzah’s no-agenda method explains his own ineptitude.
The initial conversation was refashioning the inactive Parti Keluarga Malaysia, which unfortunately shares the abbreviation of the defunct Parti Komunis Malaya (Malayan Communist Party). It seems Hamzah is less comfortable to speak about the PKM ties.
He cannot just pack and leave one major party for another and expect seamless integration. The entry of ex-PKR leaders into Bersatu lent to the power struggles between him and Muhyiddin.
PAS is a 75-year-old party which has navigated itself firmly as a cleric led movement the last 40 years. How does a soon to be 70 quantity surveyor turned Umno-style corporate bigwig position himself in PAS? And does he also drag along his 18 MPs?
Being open to options in the first week was prudent. Not narrowing choices after two months starts to give a scent of uncertainty. Which then makes supporters nervous. Umno is aggressively seeking to recoup ex-leaders who bolted, that’s the majority of MPs with Hamzah.
If the new leader does not deploy a pathway to power for the followers, and the old grand party opens its doors, doubt seeps in.
Mas Ermieyati is the Public Accounts Committee chair and grassroots leaders in Melaka, Umno only get stronger with her back as Masjid Tanah MP. Ronald Kiandee is a six-time incumbent at Beluran and can up Umno’s appeal in Sabah and give a valuable seat to tip the count on election night.
Umno rubs its hands with glee in anticipation in case Hamzah is a zero, they can become the hero and embrace old guards back into the fold.
While Hamzah has succeeded in the past, it has been on the shoulders of giants in Umno and Bersatu. Now, when the opportunity presents itself to him to kick off his own vehicle he displays more hesitation than enthusiasm.
It’s fun being angry and rewarded for wild fury all the while, but leading at the top means having a vision.
We must have been around this news cycle several times now. Trump killed people in the Caribbean sea, then he killed people in Venezuela, then he killed people in Iran, now he’s killing people in Cuba--and that doesn't count all the weapons the US sent to use on people in Gaza and Lebanon of course
