Fadhli questions DAP’s principles on reps switching support

Fadhli questions DAP’s principles on reps switching support


PAS info chief says DAP had no issue with six now-former Bersatu MPs backing the unity government, thereby 'violating' their voters' mandate

PAS information chief Ahmad Fadhli Shaari asked DAP secretary-general Loke Siew Fook whether he agreed that the six Bersatu MPs had violated their mandate by declaring support for the government.

PETALING JAYA: A PAS leader has questioned DAP secretary-general Loke Siew Fook’s consistency on the issue of elected representatives switching support, amid the political crisis in Negeri Sembilan.

PAS information chief Ahmad Fadhli Shaari said Loke had accused Barisan Nasional’s (BN) 14 assemblymen of violating the mandate given by their voters in the 2023 state election, since they contested under the unity pact with Pakatan Harapan (PH).

“I want to ask Loke this: when the six Bersatu MPs declared support for the prime minister, did that violate the mandate given by their voters or not?


“Why did DAP also support the Dewan Rakyat speaker’s decision not to declare those six seats vacant, when they also clearly violated the mandate of the voters who elected them in the 2022 general election?” he said in a Facebook post.

The six Bersatu MPs who declared support for Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim were Suhaili Abdul Rahman (Labuan), Syed Abu Hussin Hafiz Syed Abdul Fasal (Bukit Gantang), Azizi Abu Naim (Gua Musang), Dr Zulkafperi Hanapi (Tanjong Karang), Zahari Kechik (Jeli), and Iskandar Dzulkarnain Abdul Khalid (Kuala Kangsar).

Bersatu later said the MPs ceased to be party members after failing to respond to a notice to confirm their loyalty. Dewan Rakyat Speaker Johari Abdul ruled that this meant they were sacked by Bersatu, allowing the six MPs to keep their seats.

All six are now pro-government, independent MPs in the Dewan Rakyat.

Fadhli, the Pasir Mas MP, said the anti-hopping law did not bar parties from switching support en bloc, only individual MPs from defecting to other parties.

“At least Negeri Sembilan Umno decided en bloc (to retract support for the menteri besar) rather than through individual defections like the six Bersatu MPs.”


The 36-member Negeri Sembilan assembly comprises 17 PH assemblymen, followed by 14 from BN and five from Perikatan Nasional (PN). A majority of 19 seats is needed to form the state government.

Yesterday, the BN assemblymen withdrew their support for Aminuddin Harun and later announced that they had a simple majority to form a new administration, with the backing of PN’s five representatives.

Loke had slammed BN for its actions, saying that forming a “backdoor government” by unseating Aminuddin would be a betrayal of the mandate that the BN assemblymen received from Negeri Sembilan voters.

Aminuddin meanwhile said the Yang di-Pertuan Besar of Negeri Sembilan wanted him to remain in the role until the issue of his majority support in the state assembly is clarified.

Review alliance with BN, DAP Youth urges PH

Review alliance with BN, DAP Youth urges PH


DAP Youth also urges BN chairman Ahmad Zahid Hamidi to intervene in the Negeri Sembilan political crisis

DAP Youth said Negeri Sembilan BN’s attempt to form a new state government clearly contradicts the spirit of the unity government. (DAP Youth pic)

PETALING JAYA: DAP Youth has urged the Pakatan Harapan (PH) leadership to review its alliance with Barisan Nasional (BN) following Negeri Sembilan BN’s withdrawal of support for menteri besar Aminuddin Harun.

The wing said Negeri Sembilan BN’s attempt to form a new state government clearly contradicted the spirit of the unity government.

It added that the alliance with BN, even at the federal level, must be reviewed if there are clear signs that the coalition has a political agenda that would trigger instability.


“DAP Youth condemns all efforts or attempts aimed at forming a ‘backdoor’ government, whether involving political parties or individual (elected representatives).

“This practice damages democracy and builds an unprincipled political culture that prioritises power over the people’s interests,” it said in a statement.

DAP Youth also urged BN chairman Ahmad Zahid Hamidi to intervene in the Negeri Sembilan political crisis.

Yesterday, Zahid said he would meet the 14 BN assemblymen to be briefed on their decision. The Umno president said the move was decided by the state chapter although he was informed about their plan.

Negeri Sembilan BN later said it had a simple majority to form a new state government, with the backing of Perikatan Nasional’s five assemblymen.

DAP Youth said parties that insist on threatening the unity government’s stability should be given the boot, especially from administrations led by PH.


PH also leads the Penang and Selangor state governments with a BN representative in each executive council.

The irony of loss of confidence in Negeri Sembilan MB — Hafiz Hassan

The irony of loss of confidence in Negeri Sembilan MB — Hafiz Hassan


Tuesday, 28 Apr 2026 8:23 AM MYT


APRIL 28 — The case of Nizar v Zambry decided by the Federal Court in 2010 is the lex classicus, as legal experts would term it, on the issue of confidence of the majority of members of a legislative assembly.


In that case, the Federal Court held that the loss of confidence in the Menteri Besar (MB) may not only be established through a vote in the state legislative assembly (SLA) but may also be gathered from other extraneous sources provided they are properly established. Such sources include representations made by members of the Perak SLA that the MB no longer enjoys the support of the majority of the members of the SLA.


In that case, there was a demonstration of support by 31 members of the SLA for Barisan Nasional (BN). This clearly pointed to the loss of confidence of the majority of the members of the SLA in the leadership of the incumbent MB, even without a vote in the SLA.

The Federal Court also held that it was incumbent upon the MB in the circumstances of the case to tender the resignation of the executive council. The term “executive council” by definition includes the MB. If the MB refuses to tender the resignation of the executive council, the MB and the executive council members are deemed to have vacated their respective offices.




Negeri Sembilan Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Aminuddin Harun speaks during a press conference at his official residence in Seremban April 27, 2026. — Picture by Raymond Manuel

So, even if the MB is not removed by the Ruler, it matters not since the MB would be deemed to have vacated his office.


What must follow is for a member of the SLA to seek an audience with the Ruler to present to His Majesty that he has the confidence of the majority of members of the SLA. In the case of the Negeri Sembilan SLA, the number is 19.

The 14 members of Negeri Sembilan Umno and Barisan Nasional have already declared yesterday that they have obtained a simple majority to form the state government through cooperation with five Perikatan Nasional members of the SLA.


The irony is the audience is with the Ruler who is sought to be deposed or removed in accordance with the Laws of the Constitution of Negeri Sembilan 1959.

Second-hand embarrassment? Germany says US being ‘humiliated’ by Iran in peace talks

Second-hand embarrassment? Germany says US being ‘humiliated’ by Iran in peace talks



German Chancellor Friedrich Merz speaks during a press conference after an informal meeting of the European Council in Nicosia on April 24, 2026. — AFP pic

Tuesday, 28 Apr 2026 9:27 AM MYT


BERLIN, April 28 — German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said on Monday Iran’s leadership was ‌humiliating the United States and getting US officials to travel to Pakistan and then leave ​without results, in an unusually abrupt rebuke over the conflict.


Merz also said he not see what exit strategy the US was pursuing in the Iran war- comments that underlined deep divisions between Washington and its European ​Nato allies, which had already been festering over Ukraine and other issues.


“The Iranians are obviously very skilled at negotiating, or rather, very skilful at not negotiating, letting the Americans travel to Islamabad and then leave again without any result,” he said during a talk to students in the town of Marsberg.

“An entire nation is being ‌humiliated by the Iranian leadership, especially by these so-called Revolutionary Guards. And so I hope that ⁠this ends as quickly as possible,” he ⁠added at the venue in the state of North Rhine-Westphalia.


US ⁠President Donald Trump has harshly ⁠criticised Nato allies for ⁠not sending their navies to help open the Strait of Hormuz during the conflict. The waterway has remained virtually shut, causing market turmoil and unprecedented disruption in energy supplies.


Merz reiterated that Germans ⁠and Europeans were not consulted before the US and Israel started attacking Iran on February 28, and that he had conveyed his scepticism directly to Trump afterwards.

“If I had known that it would continue like this for five or six weeks and get progressively worse, I would have told him even more emphatically,” Merz said, comparing it to previous US ⁠wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.


Hopes of reviving peace efforts have receded since Trump scrapped a visit on Saturday by his envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner to ⁠Islamabad, the Pakistani capital.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi travelled to Russia on Monday after failed talks ⁠in Pakistan ⁠and Oman.

Merz said it was evident the Strait of Hormuz had been at least partially mined. “We ​have offered, also as Europeans, to send German minesweepers ​to clear the strait, which has obviously been ‌mined in part,” he said.

He said the conflict was ​costing Germany “a lot of money, ​a lot of taxpayers’ money and a lot of economic strength.” — Reuters

Want to change the N. Sembilan MB? Vote of no confidence still the ‘gold standard’, lawyers say

Want to change the N. Sembilan MB? Vote of no confidence still the ‘gold standard’, lawyers say



Would a press conference or public statement to declare loss of confidence in a menteri besar be enough to result in a change in government? Or would an official vote be required? — Picture by Raymond Manuel

Tuesday, 28 Apr 2026 10:00 AM MYT


KUALA LUMPUR, April 28 — Would the current Negeri Sembilan Menteri Besar lose his position just because a group of lawmakers publicly declare that they have lost confidence in him?

Constitutional lawyers told Malay Mail that the best way or “gold standard” is still for lawmakers to vote on whether they have lost confidence in the Menteri Besar, and that this vote should be done in Negeri Sembilan’s state legislative assembly or Dewan Undangan Negeri (DUN).

When contacted by Malay Mail, former Court of Appeal judge Datuk Seri Mohd Hishamudin Yunus went one step further by saying that a vote in the DUN is the only way to decide if an MB has lost majority support: “Loss of confidence could only be determined by vote in the Dewan.”

Hishamudin referred to the Negeri Sembilan state constitution’s Article XXXVIII (or Article 38), which explains what would happen if a Menteri Besar loses the confidence of the majority of members of the legislative assembly.


“Article 38 does not expressly say how this ‘loss of confidence’ is determined. But constitutional convention requires that this loss be decently and transparently determined by a proper vote on the floor of the Dewan,” he said.




Retired Court of Appeal judge Datuk Seri Mohd Hishamudin Yunus said voting in the state legislative assembly is required by convention to decide if there was loss of majority support. — Picture by Firdaus Latif


Constitutional lawyer New Sin Yew said it has to be proved that a menteri besar “had ceased to command the confidence of the majority of the state legislative assembly (SLA)”, and gave examples of how such uncertainties have been resolved in the past.

“This can be done in various ways — vote of confidence in a SLA sitting, statutory declarations (SDs), interview by the ruler,” he told Malay Mail, basing this on similar past cases in Perak, Selangor, Sabah and at the federal government level.


In the case of the 2009 Perak constitutional crisis, the Federal Court in 2010 decided that the question of whether an MB still has majority support can be determined by other methods, as “there is no requirement in the State Constitution which requires a vote of no confidence to be tabled” in the Perak legislative assembly.

Previously, Malaysia had seen MPs filing in statutory declarations, as well as the Yang di-Pertuan Agong having to step in and interview MPs in 2020 and 2022 to decide who is likely to have majority support to be the prime minister.

While other methods have been accepted in the past, New indicated that a mere press conference would not be enough.

“So I don’t think just 14 people holding a press conference is in itself sufficient to say that MB has lost confidence,” he said.

“But I suppose the gold standard is through the DUN vote of no confidence,” he concluded.



Lawyer New Sin Yew said voting in the DUN would be the ‘gold standard’ to show whether an MB no longer has majority support. — Picture by Sayuti Zainudin


Citing past cases, constitutional lawyer Datuk Malik Imtiaz Sarwar said the ideal method is to have a vote of confidence in the Negeri Sembilan state legislative assembly.

“Ideally, a motion of confidence should be tabled. Alternatively, it must be demonstrated to the Yang di-Pertuan Besar convincingly that the MB has ceased to command the confidence of the majority,” he told Malay Mail when contacted.



Lawyer Datuk Malik Imtiaz Sarwar said putting the matter of whether lawmakers had confidence in the Negeri Sembilan MB would be the ideal way. — Picture by Choo Choy May



Constitutional lawyer Andrew Khoo said a vote of no confidence may not be necessary to determine if the Negeri Sembilan MB has lost majority support, as the courts’ previous ruling in the Perak case have said that the ruler “can use different ways to determine this”.

“But it is the best and most transparent way,” he said of the DUN vote method.

“A vote of no confidence is strictly not required BUT in a situation where things are not clear a vote would be conclusive evidence of support or lack thereof,” he also told Malay Mail.



Khoo explained the process that would usually happen in Malaysia at the federal level and at state governments such as Negeri Sembilan’s, in a situation when the top government leader loses majority support.

“In the Westminster-style democratic system practised in many countries, the head of government would need to inform the head of state if s/he has lost the support of the majority of members of the legislative assembly, and tender her/his resignation.

“The head of state would then invite a person who s/he believes has the support of a majority of the members of the legislative assembly to form a new government,” he said.

He said Malaysia’s Federal Constitution imposes this same process or system on all state governments, based on the Constitution’s Section 2 of Part I of the Eighth Schedule (Provisions to be Inserted in State Constitutions).

So for Negeri Sembilan for example, a Menteri Besar who no longer has majority support could either call for fresh elections by asking the state ruler to dissolve the state legislative assembly, or resign if the ruler does not dissolve the assembly as requested.

Khoo noted that the state ruler “has sole and absolute discretion whether to dissolve or appoint someone else”.


Leading a minority government

Khoo said the current Negeri Sembilan Menteri Besar, Datuk Seri Aminuddin Harun, could still stay on and lead a minority government.

“So he would lead a minority PH government since he would still lead the largest bloc of 17 ADUNs,” he said, referring to the 17 Pakatan Harapan (PH) lawmakers in the 36-seat Negeri Sembilan DUN.

He said Aminuddin’s minority government could have a “supply and confidence” arrangement with Perikatan Nasional (PN) lawmakers, and cited then prime minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob’s 2021 deal with political rivals PH as an example.

Based on the UK Parliament’s glossary, a minority government is when a political party decides to form government alone instead of form a coalition with another party, and this can happen when no single party has a clear majority of lawmakers.

A minority government would need other parties’ lawmakers to provide support for laws to be passed, the glossary said.

Yesterday, Negeri Sembilan’s 14 Umno state lawmakers declared in a press conference that they had lost confidence in the current MB, while five Perikatan Nasional (PN) lawmakers said in a separate press conference that they were ready to work with the Umno representatives.

Aminuddin, who is also Negeri Sembilan PH chief, yesterday said he was advised by the state ruler to continue serving as MB, until the situation becomes clearer.

The Negeri Sembilan Umno lawmakers last night in a press statement claimed that Umno (and the larger Barisan Nasional coalition it belongs to) now has simple majority to form a new state government, due to the support from the five PN lawmakers.


Recommended reading:

The Negeri Sembilan political crisis: What we know so far

N. Sembilan MB to remain in office after 14 Umno assemblymen withdraw support

MB says Umno reps should have just tabled no-confidence motion in N. Sembilan assembly

Umno reps claim simple majority to form N. Sembilan government with five Perikatan assemblymen

Loke: DAP rejects ‘backdoor government’ in Negeri Sembilan, says constitution must prevail

Former Rafizi aide James Chai arrives at MACC over RM1.11b semiconductor probe

Former Rafizi aide James Chai arrives at MACC over RM1.11b semiconductor probe



Chai Jin Shern, also known as James Chai, is currently based in London and was seen dressed in a white shirt, seated in the passenger seat of a white Proton Persona before entering the building accompanied by several individuals. — Picture by Choo Choy May

Tuesday, 28 Apr 2026 11:05 AM MYT


PUTRAJAYA, April 28 — Former aide to Datuk Seri Rafizi Ramli, Chai Jin Shern, also known as James Chai, arrived at the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) headquarters today to give his statement over a RM1.11 billion government-backed semiconductor project.

According to the New Straits Times, Chai arrived at MACC headquarters at 9.59am.

Chai is currently based in London and was seen dressed in a white shirt, seated in the passenger seat of a white Proton Persona before entering the building accompanied by several individuals.


He arrived in a white Proton Persona accompanied by his lawyer, according to Utusan Malaysia.


On April 1, MACC said Chai had been identified as a person of interest to assist in its investigation.

The commission had earlier issued a notice to trace him on March 4, before receiving a letter dated March 9 from his lawyers stating that he was unable to attend for questioning due to travel costs and work commitments.


MACC later responded on March 13, granting an extension for him to appear on March 31. However, he again did not confirm his attendance.

Following this, MACC issued another letter on April 1 requiring him to appear within two weeks.

On February 12, MACC received a report on alleged misappropriation involving RM1.11 billion in investment funds linked to a former senior minister.

Earlier reports said MACC had recorded statements from 17 witnesses, including officials from the Ministry of Economy and agencies such as the Malaysian Investment Development Authority (Mida).

Seven dead, at least 81 injured as trains collide outside Jakarta

Seven dead, at least 81 injured as trains collide outside Jakarta



This aerial photograph shows ambulances gathered after one train collided with another at Bekasi Timur train station in Bekasi on April 27, 2026. — AFP pic

Tuesday, 28 Apr 2026 8:42 AM MYT


BEKASI, April 28 — Rescuers were racing to reach survivors Tuesday morning outside Indonesia’s capital Jakarta after two trains collided overnight, killing at least seven people and injuring dozens.


Anna Purba, a spokeswoman for the state-owned KAI rail company, told local television in the early morning hours that seven people had been killed in the crash and 81 were injured.

She said rescuers were working to get to two people still trapped, alive, in the wreckage.

One survivor told AFP of the horrific moments after a long-distance train slammed into the stationary commuter train she was in, trapping people inside mangled carriages.


“I thought I was going to die,” Sausan Sarifah, 29, told AFP from her bed at the RSUD Bekasi hospital where she was admitted with a broken arm and a deep cut to one thigh.


She was on her way home from work, she said, when her train stopped at the Bekasi Timur station some 25 kilometres from Jakarta.

“It all happened so fast, in a split second,” Sausan recounted.


“There were two announcements from the commuter train. Everyone was ready to get off, and then suddenly there was the sound of the locomotive, really loud,” she said.

“There was no time to get out, and everyone ended up piled up inside the train, crushed on top of one another. I don’t know how the person underneath me is doing.”

She said she had feared suffocating to death in the human pile-up, and worried that some pinned underneath didn’t make it.

“Thank God I was on top, so I could be evacuated quickly,” said Sausan.

According to Franoto Wibowo, a spokesman for rail operator KAI, a taxi appears to have clipped the commuter train on a level crossing, causing it to come to a standstill on the tracks, where it was hit.

At the station, chaotic scenes unfolded in the aftermath of the crash, with rescue workers shouting for oxygen tanks as ambulances stood by in a snaking queue, lights flashing.

An AFP reporter at the scene witnessed people being carried out of the wreckage on gurneys and loaded into waiting ambulances as hundreds of bystanders looked on, some seemingly in shock.

As rescuers worked to free many more trapped in the crushed train carriages, deputy house speaker Sufmi Dasco Ahmad said the toll could rise.

“Judging from the evacuation process that is still under way, it is possible that the number of victims may continue to rise,” he told reporters at the scene.

Franoto told Kompas TV the military, fire brigade, the national search and rescue agency, and the Red Cross were aiding in the evacuation effort.



Rescuers work at the site where a passenger train locomotive pierced through the rear carriage of a commuter train at Bekasi Timur Station in Bekasi on April 28, 2026. — AFP pic



Passengers trapped

Jakarta police chief Asep Edi Suheri said the long-distance train had crashed into the last, women-only, carriage of the commuter train.

All the victims were in the commuter train, and all 240-odd passengers on the other train had been evacuated safely, according to Purba.

The collision caused “significant damage to several train carriages”, the Jakarta search and rescue agency said in a statement.

“The incident caused a number of passengers to suffer injuries, and several victims were reported to be trapped inside the carriages due to the force of the impact,” it added.

The agency said rescuers were “carrying out the evacuation process for the trapped victims using extrication equipment to free them from the wrecked train structures”.

Eva Chairista, 39, told AFP she had rushed to the RSUD hospital after hearing that her sister-in-law, who she named only as 27-year-old Fira, had been injured in the crash.

She arrived to a frenetic scene of medical triage.

“The doctor told us to be patient, there are many whose condition is worse than my sister-in-law’s,” she said.

The last major train crash in the Southeast Asian country killed four crew members and injured about two dozen people elsewhere in West Java province in January 2024.

Transport accidents are not uncommon in Indonesia, a vast archipelago nation where buses, trains and even planes are often old and poorly maintained.

Sixteen people were killed when a commuter train crashed into a minibus on a level crossing in Jakarta in 2015. — AFP

Pakistan still seeks to bridge US, Iran gaps despite failure of face-to-face talks

Pakistan still seeks to bridge US, Iran gaps despite failure of face-to-face talks

By Steve Holland and Asif Shahzad

April 27, 2026

2:35 PM GMT+10

Updated 42 mins ago



Summary

• Trump: 'If they want to talk, they can come to us'
• Araqchi lands in Russia after trips to Pakistan and Oman
• Iran demands blockade lifted before any negotiations begin
• Oil prices rise 2%, US stock futures down in Asian trade

WASHINGTON/ISLAMABAD, April 27 (Reuters) - Work has not halted to bridge gaps between the United States and Iran, sources from mediator Pakistan said, despite the failure of face-to-face diplomacy after Donald Trump ​called off a trip by his envoys and said Iran should phone when it wants a deal.

Iranian sources disclosed Tehran's latest proposal, which would first seek to end the war and resolve ‌the stand-off over Gulf shipping, while pushing wider talks about Iran's nuclear programme until later. That suggestion is unlikely to satisfy Washington, which says nuclear issues must be resolved from the outset.

Hopes of reviving peace efforts have receded since the U.S. president scrapped a visit on Saturday by his envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner to Islamabad, the Pakistani capital, where Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi shuttled in and out twice over the weekend.

Araqchi, who also visited Oman, arrived on Monday in Russia to meet President Vladimir Putin, a longstanding ally.

With the warring ​sides still seemingly far apart on issues including Iran's nuclear ambitions and access through the crucial Strait of Hormuz, oil prices resumed their upward march when trade reopened on Monday. Brent crude was up around ​2.5% at around $108 a barrel.

"If they want to talk, they can come to us, or they can call us. You know, there is a telephone. We have nice, secure ⁠lines," Trump told "The Sunday Briefing" on Fox News.

"They know what has to be in the agreement. It's very simple: They cannot have a nuclear weapon; otherwise, there's no reason to meet," Trump said.

ISLAMABAD REOPENS AFTER LOCKDOWN TO HOST TALKS

Senior ​Iranian sources, speaking on condition of anonymity, told Reuters the proposal carried by Araqchi to Islamabad over the weekend envisioned talks in stages.

A first step would require ending the U.S.-Israeli war on Iran and providing guarantees that Washington cannot start ​it up again. Then negotiators would resolve the U.S. blockade and the fate of the Strait of Hormuz, which Iran aims to reopen under its control.
Only then would talks look at other issues, including a longstanding dispute over Iran's nuclear programme, with Iran still seeking some kind of U.S. acknowledgment of its right to enrich uranium for what it says are peaceful purposes.

In a sign that no face-to-face meetings are planned any time soon, streets reopened in Pakistan's capital Islamabad, which had been locked down for a week in anticipation ​of talks that never took place. The luxury hotel that had been cleared out to serve as a venue was again taking reservations from the public.

Pakistani officials said negotiations were still taking place remotely, but there were no plans ​to convene a meeting in person until the sides were close enough to sign a memorandum.

"The draft will be negotiated remotely till they reach some consensus," said a Pakistani source familiar with the negotiations.

Washington, which says its main war aim has always been ‌preventing Iran ⁠from obtaining a nuclear weapon, has demanded Iran give up a stockpile of highly enriched uranium and forgo further enrichment, a step needed to make a bomb.

Although a ceasefire has paused the U.S.-Israeli strikes on Iran that began on February 28, no agreement has been reached on terms to end a war that has killed thousands, driven up oil prices, fuelled inflation and darkened the outlook for global growth.
Both sides could be settling in for a test of wills to see who can endure economic pain before making concessions.

Iran has largely blocked all shipping apart from its own from the Gulf through the Strait of Hormuz since the war began. This month, the United States began blockading Iranian ships, which Iran ​says must be halted as a condition for talks.

TRUMP ​FACES DOMESTIC PRESSURE TO END WAR

With his approval ratings ⁠falling, Trump faces domestic pressure to end the unpopular war. Iran's leaders, though weakened militarily, have found leverage in negotiations with their ability to stop shipping in the strait, which normally carries a fifth of global oil shipments.

While Araqchi met Pakistani officials, Trump, speaking in Florida on Saturday, said he cancelled his envoys' visit due to too much travel ​and expense for what he considered an inadequate Iranian offer. Iran "offered a lot, but not enough," he said. Iranian officials had already played down any suggestion that Araqchi ​might meet Americans while in ⁠Islamabad.

Stacked bar chart showing what voters think about candidates who support Trump's position on Iran

Shafee refuses to elaborate on Najib’s legal moves, says matters beyond him

Shafee refuses to elaborate on Najib’s legal moves, says matters beyond him



Datuk Seri Najib Razak’s lawyer, Tan Sri Muhammad Shafee Abdullah, has declined to comment on developments involving the former prime minister. — Picture by Sayuti Zainudin

Monday, 27 Apr 2026 4:04 PM MYT


PUTRAJAYA, April 27 — Datuk Seri Najib Razak’s lawyer, Tan Sri Muhammad Shafee Abdullah, has declined to comment on developments involving the former prime minister, including the withdrawal of his appeal over an alleged addendum order linked to a house arrest bid and reports of a fresh application for royal pardon.

Speaking to reporters after proceedings at the Court of Appeal, Muhammad Shafee said the matters were beyond his purview.


“There are things that are beyond me. I cannot comment. I do not know,” he said.

When pressed further, he reiterated: “The correct quotation is, I cannot comment.”


Earlier today, court documents revealed that Najib had withdrawn his appeal against the High Court’s decision dismissing his application for judicial review over an alleged addendum order. The purported order would have allowed him to serve the remainder of his prison sentence under house arrest.


Separate reports have also cited sources as saying that Najib recently submitted a new clemency application to the Federal Territories Pardons Board.

Referring to his earlier remarks on the matter last month, Muhammad Shafee appeared reluctant to elaborate further.


“You have quoted all that before. Why do you need a special answer this time? You all want to make it more interesting. I cannot comment,” he told reporters.

Najib, 72, has been serving his sentence at Kajang Prison since Aug 23, 2022, following his conviction for misappropriating RM42 million from SRC International Sdn Bhd.

However, a royal pardon granted on Jan 29, 2024, reduced his original 12-year prison sentence to six years and lowered his fine from RM210 million to RM50 million.

Court documents also show that Najib has withdrawn a separate appeal against the High Court’s refusal to grant him leave to initiate committal proceedings for contempt against former attorney-general Tan Sri Ahmad Terrirudin Mohd Salleh. — Bernama

Farmer charged with murder over Kota Tinggi shooting that killed three at restaurant

Farmer charged with murder over Kota Tinggi shooting that killed three at restaurant



The accused Lim Lian, who was charged for murder, being escorted by policemen at the Kota Tinggi court complex today. April 27, 2026. — Picture by Ben Tan

Monday, 27 Apr 2026 12:52 PM MYT


KOTA TINGGI, April 27 — A 71-year-old farmer was charged at a Magistrates’ Court here for the fatal shooting involving two men and a woman at a restaurant last week.

The accused Lim Lian nodded his head after the charges were read out by an interpreter in Mandarin before Magistrate Nurkhalida Farhana Abu Bakar.


No plea was recorded as murder cases fall under the High Court’s jurisdiction.

According to the charge sheet, Lim is accused of shooting dead two men, identified as Wong Poh Soon, 61, and Chen Kwai Hwa, 64, together with a Vietnamese woman, Tran Thi Trang, 37, at a restaurant at Jalan Delima in Taman Kota Jaya here at about 1.30pm on April 19.


He was charged under Section 302 of the Penal Code for murder.


The offence is punishable by the death penalty or 30 to 40 years in prison and a minimum 12 strokes of the cane.

The prosecution was conducted by Deputy Public Prosecutor Eizlan Azhar, while counsel Belinda Low represented the accused.


No bail was offered as murder is a non-bailable offence.

The court fixed May 13 for mention, pending the transfer of the case to the High Court.

It was reported on April 19 that three people were killed in a shooting outside a food outlet in Kota Jaya here.

The suspect, identified as a local, had allegedly shot the victims using a Benelli shotgun at 1.40pm.

He was later arrested about 200m from the scene of incident and was later remanded for seven days before being charged.

Police later confirmed that the suspect had a valid firearms license for the shotgun based on his agricultural needs.

Police believe that the incident was due to a RM50,000 debt owed to the suspect.

‘Tok Min is far better than me’: Rafizi praises Aminuddin’s humility, prays for MB and wife

‘Tok Min is far better than me’: Rafizi praises Aminuddin’s humility, prays for MB and wife



Former minister Datuk Seri Rafizi Ramli has voiced support for Negeri Sembilan Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Aminuddin Harun, describing him as ‘like an elder brother’ and praising his humility despite years in office. — Bernama pic

Monday, 27 Apr 2026 4:15 PM MYT


PETALING JAYA, April 27 — Former minister Datuk Seri Rafizi Ramli has voiced support for Negeri Sembilan Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Aminuddin Harun, describing him as “like an elder brother” and praising his humility despite years in office.

In a post on X, Rafizi said he had called Aminuddin in the morning to check in.


“He laughed and sounded cheerful, saying he had just visited two schools and planned to visit four more, but stopped briefly at a stall for breakfast with his wife,” Rafizi wrote.

Rafizi added that he was not worried about Aminuddin, whom he affectionately referred to as “Tok Min”, calling him “a good man, far better than me”. He recalled knowing Aminuddin from the time he lived in a single storey terrace house and drove a Proton Exora, noting that his character had remained unchanged even after years as Menteri Besar.


“Whatever happens, I believe Tok Min and Kak Wan will not be shaken. There is wisdom in everything. That is the strength of someone who understands that rank and position are merely a trust, a responsibility on loan,” Rafizi said.

N. Sembilan MB to remain in office after 14 Umno assemblymen withdraw support

N. Sembilan MB to remain in office after 14 Umno assemblymen withdraw support



Negeri Sembilan Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Aminuddin Harun will continue in office after the Royal Highness Yang di-Pertuan Besar of Negeri Sembilan, Tuanku Muhriz Tuanku Munawir has advised him to carry on administering the state. — Picture by Raymond Manuel

Monday, 27 Apr 2026 5:22 PM MYT


SEREMBAN, April 27 — Negeri Sembilan Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Aminuddin Harun will continue in office after the Royal Highness Yang di-Pertuan Besar of Negeri Sembilan, Tuanku Muhriz Tuanku Munawir has advised him to carry on administering the state.

He said this is despite 14 Umno assemblymen withdrawing their support for the current administration.


“I have formally presented the latest position on the state government’s backing to his Royal Highness, outlining the shift in support among 14 Umno assemblymen.

“Following due consideration, his Royal Highness has advised that I continue discharging my duties as usual pending clearer developments on the matter.


“The move is in line with legal provisions and the State Constitution, with the state administration expected to proceed as normal until there is definitive clarity on the government’s majority,” Aminuddin told reporters at his official residence here.


MORE TO COME

RETURN LABUAN TO SABAH — PUTRAJAYA MUST ANSWER, NOT EVADE

Murray Hunter
Apr 27, 2026


RETURN LABUAN TO SABAH — PUTRAJAYA MUST ANSWER, NOT EVADE

Daniel John Jambun






RETURN LABUAN TO SABAH — PUTRAJAYA MUST ANSWER, NOT EVADE

Borneo’s Plight in Malaysia Foundation (BoPiMaFo) issues a direct challenge to the Federal Government:

Will Putrajaya respect Sabah’s rights — or continue to ignore them?

The call to return Labuan is no longer coming from activists alone.

It is now coming from the very leader who oversaw its cession — Harris Salleh.

When the architect of the decision calls for its reversal, the issue is no longer historical.

It is a matter of national accountability.

1. PUTRAJAYA CANNOT HIDE BEHIND PROCEDURE

Yes, Labuan was ceded through legal process.

But let us be clear:

- there was no referendum

- there was no direct consent of the people

- there were expectations of development that remain disputed

Procedure was followed. But trust was broken.

2. LABUAN IS PART OF A LARGER PATTERN OF FAILURE

The Labuan issue does not stand alone.

It reflects a consistent pattern:

- Sabah’s 40% revenue entitlement under Article 112C and 112D of the Federal Constitution remains unresolved

- Commitments under the Malaysia Agreement 1963 continue to be diluted

- Critical national findings remain unimplemented

Sabah has given.

Putrajaya has delayed.

3. FROM REGRET TO RESPONSIBILITY — HARRIS MUST LEAD

BoPiMaFo calls for the immediate establishment of a:

LABUAN REVIEW AND RESTORATION COMMISSION

And we take a firm position:

Harris Salleh must chair this Commission.

Not as a symbol of blame.

But as a figure of accountability.

If he now says Labuan should be returned, then he must lead the process to determine:

- what was promised

- what was delivered

- what must now be corrected

4. PUTRAJAYA MUST COMMIT — OR EXPLAIN ITS REFUSAL

BoPiMaFo demands that the Federal Government:

- publicly state its position on the return of Labuan

- agree to an independent review process

- commit to consultation with Labuan residents and Sabahans

- outline the constitutional pathway forward

If Putrajaya refuses, then it must answer one question:

Why is the will of the people acceptable in theory — but ignored in practice when it concerns Sabah?

5. THIS IS NO LONGER ABOUT LABUAN ALONE

This is about:

- constitutional integrity

- federal–state balance

- the credibility of national commitments

From Labuan…

to the 40% revenue entitlement…

to the implementation of national findings…

Sabah’s rights have been treated as negotiable.

BoPiMaFo rejects this entirely.

The time for silence has passed.

The time for procedural excuses has passed.

The time for accountability has arrived.

BoPiMaFo affirms:

Sabah’s future will not be decided by historical convenience — but by present truth and constitutional justice.

“If Putrajaya can take — it must also be prepared to return.”

Daniel John Jambun

Borneo’s Plight in Malaysia Foundation (BoPiMaFo)

Break Away or Fade Away? DAP’s High-Stakes Gamble Ahead of GE16

Malaysia's #1 Content Aggregator


OPINION | Break Away or Fade Away? DAP’s High-Stakes Gamble Ahead of GE16


26 Apr 2026 • 1:00 PM MYT

Kpost
Operation Consultant who is a keen observer of politics and current affairs

Image Credit: Concept by Chatgpt, Edited by GeminiAi


As Malaysia edges closer to the next general election, a provocative question is gaining traction in political circles: should the Democratic Action Party (DAP) walk away from Pakatan Harapan (PH) and contest solo to safeguard its non-Malay support base, particularly among its traditional Chinese working-class loyalists?



The argument is as bold as it is divisive.


On one side, analysts suggest that the current political climate is drifting toward sharper ethnic voting patterns - DAP consolidating Chinese-majority constituencies while PAS strengthens its grip on Malay heartlands. If this trend holds, both parties could emerge as formidable forces in GE16, albeit on opposite ends of Malaysia’s political spectrum.



For DAP, the concern is not just about winning seats, but about preserving its identity and credibility. Once seen as a vocal political force, the party now faces the burdens of incumbency. Critics argue that by remaining within PH, DAP risks being perceived as playing “second fiddle” - despite having the largest number of MPs and being expected to wield significant influence in policymaking, it remains constrained in its public positioning. Over time, this perception could erode its support among grassroots Chinese voters who expect stronger advocacy on longstanding issues.



Universiti Sains Malaysia’s Ahmad Fauzi Abdul Hamid has cautioned that DAP must carefully reassess its options. He points out that dissatisfaction is quietly brewing among Chinese grassroots groups, particularly over unresolved matters like the United Examination Certificate (UEC). Resistance from within PH itself, including elements in PKR, only compounds the frustration. As pressure mounts, DAP’s rank-and-file may demand clearer, more assertive positioning - something harder to achieve within a coalition framework.



Adding to the uncertainty is the growing internal friction within PKR, particularly the widening rift involving Rafizi Ramli’s faction. Such divisions could weaken PH’s appeal among urban and non-Malay voters, indirectly affecting DAP’s electoral fortunes. If splinter factions or alternative coalitions emerge, the vote base could fragment further, opening doors for parties like MCA, MIC, or Gerakan to stage a comeback.


Yet, going solo is no guaranteed victory.


Political analyst James Chin notes that DAP’s dominance remains largely intact due to its historically large majorities. However, he warns that credible, high-profile challengers - especially those campaigning on governance and integrity - could pose real threats in key urban constituencies. The risk is not widespread collapse, but strategic erosion.



There is also a deeper, more uncomfortable question: would a DAP exit from PH accelerate Malaysia’s drift toward race-based politics? A scenario where DAP and PAS dominate along ethnic lines may be electorally efficient, but it risks undermining the multiracial foundation that coalitions like PH were built upon.


Ultimately, DAP stands in a dilemma. Staying in PH means balancing compromise with influence - often at the cost of having clear goals but lacking the power to execute them. Leaving, however, means reclaiming independence while risking isolation in a fragmented political landscape.



GE16 may not just be a contest of seats, but a defining moment for DAP’s political soul. Will it choose a comfortable, window-dressing coalition with a few cushy positions but little real power - one that could gradually chart its downfall - or take a riskier, independent path to retain its core support? Going solo to win the election first, and then partnering with a new, like-minded coalition for pragmatism, may be a better choice.


The choice DAP makes could reshape Malaysia’s political map for the next cycle of governance.



By: Kpost

Najib drops his appeal for house arrest, court records show

Najib drops his appeal for house arrest, court records show



Datuk Seri Najib Razak, who has been a prisoner since August 2022, has cancelled his Court of Appeal bid to serve the rest of his SRC jail term at home. — Picture by Sayuti Zainudin

Monday, 27 Apr 2026 7:00 AM MYT


KUALA LUMPUR, April 27 — Former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak has stopped his court attempt to be put on house arrest in the SRC case, which means he is no longer asking the courts to enable him to spend the rest of his six-year jail term at home.

The goal of Najib’s appeal was to be allowed to serve the remainder of his term at his Kuala Lumpur home, instead of Kajang Prison.

But Najib has now dropped or cancelled this appeal, and continues to remain in prison.

Based on court documents sighted by Malay Mail, the law firm representing Najib (Shafee & Co) had on April 3 informed the Court of Appeal that it was filing a Notice of Discontinuance for the appeal.

In the notice of discontinuance dated April 2, there was only one sentence to inform the courts that Najib would no longer pursue his appeal for house arrest: “Please take note that the appellant named above wishes to terminate and withdraw this appeal against the respondents without liberty to file afresh and with no order as to costs.”

In that notice to the court, Najib did not give any reason for why he was permanently cancelling his appeal for house arrest.

On April 14, the Court of Appeal’s deputy registrar Adilah Mohtar officially recorded that the Notice of Discontinuance filed by Najib’s lawyers was in order, and recorded the appeal as being struck out.


Now that Najib has dropped his court appeal for house arrest “without liberty to file afresh”, it means that he can no longer file an appeal again in this case for house arrest.

When will Najib’s six-year jail term in SRC case end?

Najib has been a prisoner since August 23, 2022, when he began serving his 12-year jail term over the misappropriation of SRC International Sdn Bhd’s RM42 million.

In 2024, the Yang di-Pertuan Agong in a Pardons Board meeting decided to reduce Najib’s jail term to six years, and also reduced his fine from RM210 million to RM50 million.

Najib’s reduced six-year jail term would end either in August 2028 or August 2029, depending on whether he pays the RM50 million fine.

Criminal lawyers previously told Malay Mail that Najib’s imprisonment in the SRC case could end even earlier in August 2026 or August 2027 (again depending on whether he pays the fine), if he is given the typical one-third remission or reduction of jail time for prisoners with good behaviour.

Najib would be either 73 or 74 by then.


Najib’s separate 15-year jail term in the 1MDB case

Separately, on Dec 26, 2025, the High Court found Najib guilty on all 25 charges involving more than RM2 billion in misappropriated 1MDB funds, and sentenced him to prison and fines.

The High Court ordered Najib to start serving his 15-year jail term in the 1MDB case after he completes his six-year jail term in the SRC case.

Najib is appealing against his conviction and sentence in the 1MDB case.

When contacted by Malay Mail after a case management last Friday, Najib’s lawyer Wan Mohammad Arfan Wan Othman confirmed that the Court of Appeal has scheduled May 22 as the next case management date for the appeal.

Arfan said the lawyers are currently waiting for the High Court’s written judgment in the 1MDB case, and the next case management would be for further updates on the status of the judgment.

On March 26, Najib’s lead defence lawyer Tan Sri Muhammad Shafee Abdullah reportedly denied that his client had filed a new application for a royal pardon.

Media converge on MB’s residence as emergency meetings follow Umno’s withdrawal of support in Negeri Sembilan

Media converge on MB’s residence as emergency meetings follow Umno’s withdrawal of support in Negeri Sembilan



Media gather outside the menteri besar’s residence in Seremban. — Picture by Soo Wern Jun

Monday, 27 Apr 2026 3:22 PM MYT


KUALA LUMPUR, April 27 — Media personnel have begun gathering outside the official residence of Negeri Sembilan Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Aminuddin Harun, following Umno’s decision to withdraw support for his administration.

Aminuddin has called an emergency meeting at his residence this afternoon in response to the development, which involves all 14 Umno assemblymen in the state retracting their backing for the PKR leader.


Without Umno, Pakatan Harapan holds 17 seats, short of the 19 required to form the state government.

Separately, Negeri Sembilan DAP, which holds 11 seats, convened an emergency meeting at its state headquarters in Kemayan Square, chaired by secretary-general and state chairman Anthony Loke.


The meetings were confirmed by Nilai assemblyman Arul Kumar Jambunathan, with DAP representatives expected to head to the Mentri Besar’s residence after their discussions.




Negeri Sembilan Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Aminuddin Harun has called an emergency meeting at his official residence in Seremban after Umno withdrew support for his administration in Negeri Sembilan. — Bernama pic


Loke said a press conference would be held later at Aminuddin’s residence, although invitations had yet to be issued at the time of writing.

Negeri Sembilan Umno chief Datuk Seri Jalaluddin Alias said the decision to withdraw support was linked to an ongoing dispute involving four chieftains seeking to remove the Yang di-Pertuan Besar of Negeri Sembilan, Tuanku Muhriz Tuanku Munawir, from his position.


He added that an official letter would be submitted to the state assembly speaker and secretary.

Meanwhile, Perikatan Nasional’s five assemblymen have said they are prepared to work with Umno’s 14 representatives to form a new state government and ensure stability.

An MACC Witness Has Now Dragged Anwar’s Name Into a Corruption Probe — And Rafizi Already Warned About a “Jho Low 2.0”

Malaysia's #1 Content Aggregator


An MACC Witness Has Now Dragged Anwar’s Name Into a Corruption Probe — And Rafizi Already Warned About a “Jho Low 2.0”


26 Apr 2026 • 4:00 PM MYT

TheRealNehruism
An award-winning Newswav creator, Bebas News columnist & ex-FMT columnist

Image credit: Malaysia Now

For years, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has positioned himself as the face of reform, transparency, and institutional accountability.


But now, a fresh controversy is threatening that image — because an individual reportedly treated as a credible witness by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) has publicly uttered the names of both Anwar and his former political secretary, Farhash Wafa Salvador Rizal Mubarak, in video clip in connection with an ongoing corruption investigation.



And this is precisely the kind of political risk that Rafizi Ramli warned about months ago when he cautioned Anwar that Farhash could become his “Jho Low 2.0.”
A witness trusted by MACC is now naming names

According to reports, Parti Pejuang has urged authorities to investigate both Anwar and Farhash following the emergence of a new video clip involving businesswoman Sofia Rini Buyong.



"Wasn't Sofia Rini an important witness in the case involving Shamsul Iskandar? This means the MACC (Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission) and the Attorney General believe Sofia Rini's testimony.


The MACC, PDRM (Royal Malaysia Police), and KDN (Ministry of Home Affairs) have no other choice. Farhash and Anwar must be investigated.


The MACC needs to issue a notice under Section 36 of the MACC Act 2009 in the names of Farhash and Anwar. Both of them must declare their assets," Pejuang information chief Rafique Rashid Ali said.



Sofia is not a random political commentator making allegations from the sidelines.


She has reportedly served as an important witness for MACC in a corruption case involving businessman Albert Tei and former aide to the prime minister Shamsul Iskandar Mohd Akin.


That distinction matters.


As Pejuang information chief Rafique Rashid Ali pointed out, if Sofia is being relied upon as a witness in a corruption investigation, it suggests that both MACC and the Attorney-General’s Chambers consider her testimony serious enough to examine.



In the newly surfaced video, Sofia allegedly mentioned both Anwar and Farhash by name.


That alone does not prove wrongdoing.


But it does raise an unavoidable question:


If investigators consider her credible enough in one corruption probe, can authorities simply ignore allegations when they implicate individuals closer to the center of power?


Rafique argued they cannot.


He called on MACC, the police, and the Home Ministry to investigate both men and urged MACC to invoke Section 36 of the MACC Act 2009.



That provision allows the commission to compel individuals to declare their assets and makes it a criminal offence to refuse or provide false information.


Failure to comply can result in up to five years imprisonment and a fine of RM100,000.


That is not a trivial request.


It reflects growing pressure for authorities to demonstrate that anti-corruption laws apply equally — whether the individual involved is a businessman, an opposition politician, or the prime minister himself.
Sofia has also denied certain allegations

It is equally important to acknowledge that Sofia has denied being a proxy for Shamsul.



After earlier videos emerged last year, she said allegations made against her by Albert Tei were defamatory.


She also explicitly denied ever meeting Anwar regarding the allegations raised.


“I want to stress here that I am not a proxy for Shamsul. And I must clarify that I have never met or held any discussions with PMX regarding the allegations made by Albert.”


That denial should be taken seriously too.


At this stage, these remain allegations — not proven facts.


But denials do not eliminate the need for scrutiny.



They make scrutiny even more necessary.
Rafizi saw this danger coming

What makes this story even more politically explosive is that Rafizi had already publicly warned Anwar about Farhash.


And he used one of the most politically radioactive comparisons possible.


He said Farhash could become Anwar’s version of Jho Low.


That was not rhetorical exaggeration.


Rafizi’s warning was rooted in concerns about how politically connected individuals can leverage access to power to rapidly build corporate empires.


He described how influential but unelected figures could become middlemen between businesses and government contracts.



His warning was blunt:


“Malaysia has already been burned once by the Jho Low saga.”

He cautioned that Malaysia should never again allow an unelected individual with opaque influence to operate near the center of government.


And yet concerns surrounding Farhash continued to grow.


Since Anwar became prime minister, Farhash has reportedly accumulated stakes and positions in multiple major companies.


He became linked to HeiTech Padu Berhad, which was shortlisted for the RM1 billion National Integrated Immigration System project.



He was also tied to major mining interests that sparked public controversy.


Farhash has denied wrongdoing and has filed multiple defamation suits against critics.


But the broader issue was never merely legal.


It was political.


It was about perception.


And in politics, perception often becomes reality long before court rulings arrive.
Reform credibility is now on the line

Anwar built his political career by attacking corruption under previous administrations.


He condemned elite impunity.


He promised a cleaner Malaysia.



That is why this controversy is uniquely dangerous.


If people begin to believe that corruption investigations stop where political convenience begins, the reform narrative collapses.


And if names linked to the prime minister continue surfacing in corruption controversies, comparisons to the past will only intensify.


This does not mean Anwar is guilty.


It means the burden of transparency is now even higher.


The government cannot demand accountability from others while treating allegations involving its own inner circle as politically inconvenient noise.



The lesson of the 1MDB era was simple:


Ignoring early warning signs often creates larger disasters later.


And Rafizi’s warning may now look far less dramatic than it once did.

Police arrest bus driver for reckless driving after running red light, crashing into three cars on Jalan Klang Lama

Police arrest bus driver for reckless driving after running red light, crashing into three cars on Jalan Klang Lama



Police have arrested a bus driver in his 40s after he allegedly ran a red light and crashed into three cars on Jalan Klang Lama yesterday. — Picture via social media

Sunday, 26 Apr 2026 7:37 PM MYT


KUALA LUMPUR, April 26 — Police have arrested a bus driver in his 40s after he allegedly ran a red light and crashed into three cars on Jalan Klang Lama here yesterday.

Petaling Jaya police chief ACP Shamsudin Mamat said the suspect has been remanded for three days starting today to assist in an investigation under Section 42(1) of the Road Transport Act 1987 for reckless and dangerous driving.

“The suspect is believed to have run a red light around 6.20 pm yesterday and crashed his bus into three cars.

“One driver sustained minor injuries, while the other drivers were unharmed. The bus driver tested negative for alcohol and drugs during initial screening,” he said in a statement today.


Shamsudin added that police received a report about the incident at 8.06 pm yesterday.


He also urged any witnesses to come forward and assist with the investigation by contacting Traffic Investigating Officer Insp Mohd Nazar Md Kasim at 012-5653395, or the Petaling Jaya District Police Headquarters operations room at 03-79662222. — Bernama

PAS sets bold Melaka goal in state election, minimum 15 out of 28

PAS sets bold Melaka goal in state election, minimum 15 out of 28



PAS election director Datuk Seri Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor believes his party can win as many as 21 seats out of 28 in the next Melaka state election, saying four seats currently held by DAP are challenging. — File picture by Shafwan Zaidon

Sunday, 26 Apr 2026 4:53 PM MYT


MELAKA, April 26 — PAS is aiming to capture Melaka in the coming state election, with the floor target set at 15 of the 28 seats in total.

Its election director Datuk Seri Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor is confident the party can win as many as 21 seats or more, the New Straits Times reported.

“We see 24 seats as not too difficult. If the strategy is right, we can go further. The minimum target is 15 seats, but the potential is there to reach more, possibly up to 21,” he was quoted as saying at a PAS event in Bukit Katil yesterday.

Sanusi, who is also Kedah Menteri Besar, said only about four seats currently held by DAP are seen as more challenging, while the remainder present strong opportunities for PAS.


He called on party machinery to intensify preparations and strengthen grassroots campaigning ahead of the polls.


“Winning Melaka would carry significant symbolic value and boost the standing of PAS, demonstrating its capability to govern effectively,” he was quoted as saying.

In the 2021 Melaka state election, Barisan Nasional (BN) won 21 seats, Pakatan Harapan secured five, and Perikatan Nasional – of which PAS is a component – took two.

***

If PAS were to win Melaka, we can say goodbye to good olde fashion Malaysian democracy.

WATCH: The World This Week — ‘War on Hold’

Consortium News
Volume 31, Number 113 — Saturday, April 25, 2026


WATCH: The World This Week — ‘War on Hold’

Former C.I.A. analyst Ray McGovern and ex-U.N. weapons inspector Scott Ritter join The World This Week to discuss the latest developments in the Iran war as Donald Trump cancels his realtors’ return to Islamabad. 8 pm EDT, Saturday.

Guests: Ray McGovern and Scott Ritter. Interviewer: Joe Lauria. Producer: Cathy Vogan.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi was already in Islamabad with a written proposal to end the war to present to the United States. The Iranian foreign ministry said the proposal would have been transmitted through Pakistani mediators and not directly to Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, the New York real estate agents that Donald Trump initially was sending to the Pakistani capital on Saturday.

Vice President J.D. Vance, who led the U.S. side in the failed talks earlier this month, was being held behind in Washington “on standby … if we feel it’s a necessary use of his time,” said Karoline Leavitt, the White House press secretary.

But on Saturday, Trump abruptly canceled Witkoff and Kushner’s departure.

“I’ve told my people a little while ago, they were getting ready to leave, and I said, ‘Nope, you’re not making an 18-hour flight to go there. We have all the cards,’” Trump said in a statement. “They can call us anytime they want, but you’re not going to be making any more 18-hour flights to sit around talking about nothing.”

Having said he would not meet directly with Trump’s envoy, Araghchi had left Pakistan before the cancellation of the U.S. delegations’ flight, according to Western and Iranian outlets. Press TV reported:


“The Iranian delegation left Islamabad before US envoys, Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, were expected to travel to the Pakistani capital to meet with mediators.

US President Donald Trump, however, later told Fox News that he had canceled the visit.

Tehran had previously said that there was no plan for the Iranian delegation to meet with the American representatives in Islamabad.”

Huge differences remain in the standoff between the two sides in a war that has been on hold since Trump blinked and extended a ceasefire “indefinitely” last Tuesday. Iran wants sanctions lifted and assets unfrozen; an end to the U.S. blockade of Iranian ports; a vow of U.S. non-aggression and the removal of U.S. troops from the Middle East.

The U.S. wants the Strait of Hormuz opened, an end to nuclear enrichment by Iran and a hidden stockpile of 60 percent enriched uranium. It seems the U.S. is no longer demanding that Iran give up its ballistic missile defense.

There could be room for a deal on the enrichment issue. At the first round of talks, Iran proposed a five-year, monitored suspension of all nuclear enrichment, even though Iran is permitted to enrich under the Nuclear Non-proliferation Treaty (NPT). The U.S. countered with a proposal for a 20-year suspension.

Before Trump had agreed to extend the ceasefire indefinitely, he threatened to destroy Iranian power plants and energy infrastructure. Iran has vowed to retaliate in kind against Gulf Arab states and Israel. A resumption of hostilities promises to bring about extensive regional destruction that would plunge the world into a long-term economic crisis of historic proportions.

Despite saying the U.S. “holds all the cards,” the U.S. and Israel had failed to achieve all of its war aims: overthrowing the Iranian government, destroying its ballistic missiles, seizing a stockpile of 60 percent enriched uranium and its capacity to enrich more.


1917 Again in Russia?

McGovern and Ritter will also discuss the battlefield in Ukraine and the domestic situation in Russia after the leader of the main opposition party, Russian Communist Party leader Gennady Zyuganov, told the State Duma: “If you don’t quickly take measures – financial, economic and other measures -then by autumn what await us is what happened in 1917.”

Qualifications fraud threatens integrity of Malaysian higher education

Murray Hunter
Apr 25, 2026


Qualifications fraud threatens integrity of Malaysian higher education

Having a reputation for fake certificates or slack regulation of qualifications is a direct threat to the aims of the Malaysian Higher Education Blueprint (MHEB) 2026-2035





This is my latest column in The Vibes

QUALIFICATIONS fraud is quite easy to understand, it is passing off certificates as being genuine, accredited and regulated when they are not.

For a country like Malaysia, having a reputation for fake certificates or slack regulation of qualifications is a direct threat to the aims of the Malaysian Higher Education Blueprint (MHEB) 2026-2035.

It also leaves students who have borrowed money to attend universities and colleges victims receiving certificates and diplomas that have no accreditation status in Malaysia.

Simply put, qualification fraud means misrepresenting non-regulated certificates and diplomas as being regulated by a national accreditation authority such as the Malaysian Qualifications Agency (MQA).

Historically, Malaysia has been very susceptible to qualifications fraud due to the proliferation of British and other overseas degrees touted by private education institutes around the country. This went unregulated until the MQA was formed back in 2007.

However, even with the assistance of the MQA there are several unaccredited foreign qualifications still on offer from both public and private higher education institutions in Malaysia.

Some institutions offer UK degrees and qualifications promoting them as being “British Accredited.”

However, investigations with the UK authorities found a different story. The UK accreditation agencies made it clear that any UK qualification offered outside of the UK by an overseas higher education institution is not regulated by the UK authorities.

In November 2024, the MQA CEO Datuk Professor Dr. Mohammad Shatar Sabran issued a stern warning.

No qualifications should be issued by local higher education institutions unless they are accredited in Malaysia by the MQA.

The latest case to gain attention are the Level 4 and 5 certificates issued by the Chartered Management Institute (CMI) from the UK.

Unaccredited CMI certificates are offered through as many as 21 local higher education institutions.

It is apparent that in most cases the universities involved were not aware of the accreditation issues when they offered CMI certificates as ‘Dual Accredited’ degrees, packaging them with their own valid certificates.

Fortunately, as a direct response to the controversy, several universities have already taken decisive action.

Asia Pacific University (APU) has stopped advertising CMI certificates, the Malaysia University of Science and Technology (MUST) has reportedly ended its contact with CMI.

It is also understood that UiTM is also reviewing their position in offering CMI certificates through their campuses.

A number of other universities are also in the process of reviewing CMI certificates following the lead of APU and MUST.

Even though the MQA has stressed that higher education institutions issuing unaccredited qualifications erodes public trust in the higher education system and may cause students to invest time and resources in credentials that lack legal and professional standing, the Ministry of Higher Education (MOHE) has been lax in enforcing the issue of accreditation.

The ministry has been contacted several times by the writer but has so far not provided any reply or public clarification.

The ministry’s current silence is raising concerns among stakeholders who are calling for more robust regulatory enforcement to protect students and the reputation and integrity of Malaysian higher education.

Questions are also being raised about Malaysian higher education institutions relying on additional endorsement of local degrees by foreign organizations rather than emphasizing the quality of MQA regulation alone.

The dangers of qualification fraud extend beyond individual cases, posing systemic risks.

The circulation of unregulated certificates undermines confidence in Malaysian graduates and diminishes the national reputation for academic excellence.

Employers struggle to distinguish genuine qualifications from fraudulent ones, leading to unfair hiring practices and lost opportunities for deserving candidates.

Moreover, students who unknowingly pursue such credentials may face setbacks in their career progression, unable to secure jobs or further study due to invalid certification.

Some Malaysian universities are now taking the matter into their own hands by adopting blockchain-powered “Zero Fake Certificates” credentialing through a system called BlockchainCert by a local organisation called MasChain.

Such tamperproof and instantly accessible and verifiable digital certificate systems are adding integrity to Malaysian higher education.

To safeguard the future of higher education in Malaysia, stakeholders must prioritise transparency and regulation.

The MQA’s guidance highlights the importance of verifying programme accreditation and ensuring that qualifications are recognised both locally and internationally.

By addressing qualification fraud proactively, Malaysia can protect its students, uphold the integrity of its educational institutions, and maintain its standing as a centre of academic excellence in the region. – April 22, 2026

Classical move with a twist

Classical move with a twist

By Philip Golingai

Sunday, 26 Apr 2026

Who’s in, who’s out? The ‘war’ between Hamzah (left) and Muhyiddin has left the former without a party. But moves are afoot to bring Hamzah back into the opposition bloc – which could see former opposition chairman Muhyiddin exiting it. — Filepics/The Star


INSIDE Perikatan Nasional’s structure, there’s a possibility that a Trojan Horse move is being readied for partyless Larut MP Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainuddin.

It is a plan to turn a Perikatan affiliate party into a custom-built political vehicle for him, his 18 former and present Bersatu MPs, and his grassroots supporters, so they can all secure a future within the opposition coalition.

The gate for Hamzah, who was sacked as a Bersatu deputy president, is being opened through Berjasa, which, alongside Pejuang, was accepted into Perikatan as an affiliate member (ahli bersekutu).

This is not the Berjasa of old. The party has undergone a strategic rebranding and constitutional shift to shed its image as a fringe Islamist group. Formerly known as Barisan Jemaah Islamiah Se-Malaysia, the party is now positioning itself as Parti Berjasa Malaysia. By opening its membership to non-Muslims, Berjasa is ensuring that Hamzah’s transition isn’t framed as a “Malay exodus”, but as a broadening nationalist front.

This shift provides a vital legal home for Bersatu’s non-Muslim rebel MPs. This includes suspended former Bersatu vice- president Datuk Seri Ronald Kiandee (MP for Beluran in Sabah) and Datuk Ali Biju (MP for Saratok in Sarawak). By becoming a multi-ethnic vehicle, Berjasa allows these non-Muslim Bornean politicians to become members of the party.

Berjasa has come a long way. It started in 1977 as a PAS splinter party founded by Datuk Muhammad Nasir during a leadership crisis in Kelantan. If it is elevated to a full component of Perikatan, it would mark a historic homecoming – a return to its PAS-aligned roots. Pejuang, headed by Datuk Seri Mukhriz Mahathir, is also expected to be accepted as a full component party within Perikatan.

This will further cement a new power bloc that bypasses the Bersatu leadership. The power dynamic within the coalition has shifted decisively, and it is now firmly under PAS’s control. The chairman is Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Samsuri Mokhtar of PAS, and the secretary-general is Datuk Seri Takiyuddin Hassan of PAS.

Bersatu and Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin lost control of the coalition when the Bersatu president was forced to resign as chairman early this year. Furthermore, the secretary-general post is no longer held by a Muhyiddin loyalist, as Datuk Seri Azmin Ali was replaced by Takiyuddin.

With 19 MPs (Hamzah plus his 18 loyalists), a rejuvenated Berjasa will instantly become the second-largest party in Perikatan, dwarfing what remains of a hollowed-out Bersatu, which has about six MPs.

In the standard Trojan Horse move devised by Odysseus, you hide something inside a gift to get it through a guarded gate.

In this scenario, the gate is Perikatan, a tattered Bersatu could be deemed the guards, the gift is the political shell of Berjasa, and the hidden soldiers are Hamzah and his legion of MPs, assemblymen, and supporters.

But in this case, I call it a Reverse Trojan Horse because Hamzah isn’t outside the gates trying to sneak in; he is already inside the coalition structure as an MP backing Perikatan and who is backed by PAS, which has taken control of the coalition.

The brilliance of the possible Berjasa manoeuvre lies in its cunning against Bersatu. For Muh-yiddin, staying in Perikatan after the move would mean acknowledging that archrival Hamzah has successfully entered Perikatan. Muhyiddin’s party would be relegated to third place in the coalition, behind PAS and Berjasa. Bersatu would also have to give up contesting incumbent seats held by former and present Bersatu MPs who join Berjasa.

If the Berjasa Reverse Trojan Horse manoeuvre happens, Bersatu and Muhyiddin must decide whether they want to remain in the opposition coalition. If the party leaves, Muh-yiddin would like King Priam, who was left to watch his Troy (Bersatu) burn from the inside before being forced to abandon the throne of his kingdom.

In the classics, the Trojan Horse was a “gift” from Odysseus that ended a 10-year stalemate. In 2026, Hamzah’s Berjasa manoeuvre serves a similar purpose, breaking the deadlock between the opposition’s warring factions.

But unlike the Greeks who sacked Troy and sailed away, the “Odysseus” from Larut has no intention of leaving. If the Reverse Trojan Horse move happens, and Hamzah bypasses the guards – ie, Bersatu – and gets inside, he will simply have to wait for the old leadership (Bersatu) to depart so he can claim the keys to the kingdom.

In this reverse twist, the horse wouldn’t just bring an end to the war, it would bring a new king.