Bank Islam on the brink? FAM partnership in peril amid heritage player fallout

Bank Islam Berhad’s 12-year partnership with the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) is reportedly under review. - Scoop gfx, November 10, 2025


Bank Islam on the brink? FAM partnership in peril amid heritage player fallout


Bank Islam Berhad’s long-running partnership with the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) is reportedly under review, as the Shariah-compliant bank weighs reputational risks from the ongoing “heritage player” controversy



Sandru Narayanan
Updated 2 hours ago
10 November, 2025
8:30 PM MYT

KUALA LUMPUR – Bank Islam Berhad’s 12-year partnership with the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) is reportedly under review amid the ongoing controversy surrounding the seven heritage players.





The scrutiny comes after FAM removed the bank’s name from its official website as a partner and sponsor, raising questions about whether the Shariah-compliant institution is distancing itself from the governing body due to reputational concerns.

A source within FAM told Scoop that discussions between the bank and the association are expected soon.

“A meeting will be held as the bank is concerned about the negative associations arising from this controversy,” the source said.

“FAM and Bank Islam only recently renewed their strategic partnership under a memorandum of understanding running until 2027. Should the bank withdraw, it would be a serious setback for FAM.”

The source added that Bank Islam is particularly sensitive about its public image, noting that FIFA has repeatedly described the case as involving document forgery.

“The bank has also faced scrutiny from conservative Muslim groups who question why it should be associated with an organisation under investigation by FIFA, which they argue contradicts Islamic principles,” the source added.

Bank Islam has been a long-standing supporter of Malaysian football. Its strategic partnership with FAM, now in its fifth renewal, includes joint marketing initiatives and the Team Harimau co-branded Debit-i Card programme.

The card, which has more than two million users, allows fans to show support for the national football team while accessing digital banking services such as ATM withdrawals and cashless payments locally and abroad.

Under the agreement, RM2 from every card issuance, annual fee, and replacement fee is contributed to FAM to fund youth development programmes and nurture emerging football talent.

Beyond financial support, Bank Islam also organises fan activation events, both online and on-site, including match-day booths, co-branding activities, social media campaigns, and competitions aimed at engaging supporters of the Harimau Malaya squad.

The partnership also promotes digital banking and cashless payments, aligning with Malaysia’s broader push towards a cashless society.

The controversy centres on Malaysia’s use of seven heritage players during the third round of Asian Cup qualifiers, including individuals from Argentina, Brazil, Spain, and the Netherlands, who were later found to have submitted falsified documents claiming Malaysian ancestry.

In September, FIFA’s Disciplinary Committee fined FAM a total of 350,000 Swiss francs (approximately RM1.9 million) and handed 12-month bans to each of the seven players.

FAM’s appeal was subsequently rejected, and the case is now headed to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), with a verdict expected by early 2026.

If CAS upholds the sanctions, Malaysia could face severe consequences, including annulled results, lost points, and exclusion from the 2027 Asian Cup qualifiers. – November 10, 2025

Proof Of Cheating – Palmero Returns To Spain, Loan Deal Terminated

Proof Of Cheating – Palmero Returns To Spain, Loan Deal Terminated


November 8th, 2025 by financetwitter



On March 20, 2025, the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) submitted two names to FIFA for eligibility to play for Malaysia – Gabriel Palmero andHector Hevel. Coincidentally and amusingly, both players’ ancestors were born in Malacca. Palmero’s supporting birth certificate showed his grandmother was born in Malacca on May 17, 1956, while Hevel’s grandfather was purportedly born in Malacca Straits on Feb. 3, 1933.



Four days later (March 24), FIFA replied to FAM that Hevel appeared to be eligible to play for Malaysia based on the information provided. On June 6, perhaps encouraged by FIFA’s positive response, the emboldened FAM submitted five more names – Facundo Garcés, Rodrigo Holgado, Imanol Machuca, João Figueiredo, and Jon Irazábal – with more similar supporting birth certificates.



Garcés’ grandfather was born in Penang on May 29, 1930, Holgado’s grandfather was born in George Town (July 27, 1932), Machuca’s grandmother was born in Penang (August 16, 1954), Figueiredo’s grandmother was born in Johor (Sept. 26, 1931) and Irazábal’s grandmother was born in Kuching (Feb. 24, 1928). On the same day of FAM’s submission, FIFA gave the same positive reply for Machuca and Irazábal.



By June 9, FIFA finished sending all seven letters to FAM with the same reply – they all appeared to be eligible to play for Malaysia based on the information provided, just in time before the June 10’s match between Malaysia and Vietnam in the AFC Asian Cup qualifiers. Malaysia would beat Vietnam 4-0, with Figueiredo and Holgado scoring in the 49th and 59th minute respectively.



It was Malaysia’s first win against Vietnam in a decade. The fabrication of documents appeared to be working, at least that was what FAM thought – till the football’s governing authority FIFA received formal complaint the next day (June 11) regarding the eligibility of five of the players – Palmero, Holgado, Machuca, Irazábal and Hevel. All hell was about to break loose.



Malaysia’s celebration was cut short as a can of worms has been opened. The complainant – Vietnamese officials – stated “reason to believe that certain foreign-born players are ineligible to represent the Malaysian national football team”, citing that “their naturalisation process and international debut took place within a questionable timeframe”.




The secretariat for FIFA’s disciplinary committee opened investigations, with subsequent findings enough for the secretariat to be satisfied that forged documents were used. FIFA proceeded to slap a fine last month of 350,000 Swiss francs (RM1.85 million or US$438,960) on FAM, and a fine of 2,000 Swiss francs and suspension from all football-related activities for a year on the players.



In truth, all the seven foreign players who passed off as Malaysian-born players were born on another continent, and never in Asia, let alone in Malaysia. Evidence, which surprisingly FIFA managed to obtain with ease, showed that all the “grandpa or grandma” of the 7 naturalised players were born in Argentina, Brazil, Spain, or Netherlands, but never in Malaysia.



The simple fact that the original documents proving that the birthplace of all the seven players’ grandparents were thousands of miles away from Malaysia is already the biggest red flag that the FAM, Sports Ministry, the Government of Malaysia, and even the Royal House of Johor were involved – either directly or indirectly – in the biggest forgery of the world’s football community.




And the simple fact that the FAM and the relevant authorities had taken the trouble to doctor the documents to hide the actual birthplace suggests that Malaysia knew from the beginning about FIFA rules for naturalized players – requiring a genuine link to the country, which can be established by being born there, having a parent or grandparent born there, or residing there for a minimum of five years after turning 18.



Because the foreign players don’t have residence proof of having stayed in Malaysia for at least 5 years after turning 18, or proof that their parents were born in the country, the easiest way to cheat is to claim that their grandparents were born in Malaysia because a dead man speaks no tales. Can you imagine news media trying to interview their “non-existent” parents in Penang or Malacca?



FAM and seven heritage players were sanctioned by FIFA’s Disciplinary Committee after being found guilty of violating Article 22 of the FIFA Disciplinary Code related to document forgery. This is where both Johor Crown Prince Tunku Ismail Idris and former Court of Appeal judge, Hamid Sultan Abu Backer, don’t understand as they desperately try to defend the indefensible.




Mr Hamid, attempting to twist and spin, has argued that FIFA’s decision constitutes a “jurisdictional error” that encroaches on the authority of Malaysian courts. The provision of Article 22, he claims, only applies to cases involving forgery or falsification of documents – not to situations where a document was officially issued by a government authority.



There are two huge problems with the ex-judge’s argument. First, based on his brilliant logic, Malaysia, or any country for that matter, could win the FIFA World Cup tomorrow by paying and naturalizing Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, Vinicius Junior, Jude Bellingham, Rodri, and Erling Haaland through fabrication of documents, which Malaysia’s National Registration Department (NRD) would gladly rubber-stamp.



Second, FIFA’s authority includes governing the global sport of football, organizing major international tournaments like the World Cup, and establishing and enforcing rules and standards for the game. It simply means FIFA’s rules apply to FAM and not the other way round. As long as Malaysia wants to compete internationally, FIFA’s rules – not “Ketuanan Melayu” – are supreme.




If the Football Association of Malaysia does not like the FIFA’s rules about naturalization, it can always go fly kite, set its own rules and compete domestically within Malaysia. Who is Malaysia to argue that FIFA encroaches on the authority of Malaysian courts when the other 210 member associations of FIFA across six continents professionally subscribe to the same rules?



Someone should remind ex-judge Hamid that the FIFA’s rules were designed to prevent the abusive practice of “nationality shopping”, where a football association seeks players who have been overlooked in their home countries by offering them a financial incentive and new citizenship. Imagine the chaos when Portuguese Cristiano Ronaldo agrees to represent Malaysia, only to jump to Saudi Arabia the next day due to a better offer.



Tunku Ismail, widely seen as the key figure in recruiting foreign-born talent to boost the national squad through short-cuts, but accused by former Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad as the main player in the document fabrication scandal, has sparked more laughter when he hilariously accused FIFA’s decision as “politically motivated”. Exactly what could FIFA gain politically is beyond comprehension.




Obviously, the Johor regent – who owns Johor Darul Ta’zim, the club that three of the footballers play for – was incredibly upset that the forgery had been exposed and his players are demoralized. Playing a reverse psychology game to paint himself as innocent, the royalty offers to be a scapegoat in the scandal involving the Malaysian national football team’s heritage players.



But the silly game won’t get any sympathy vote at an appeal session with the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) after FIFA rejects FAM’s appeal. It’s not rocket science that CAS will similarly reject Malaysia’s appeal for obvious reason, not to mention that in 2024 alone, the CAS upheld 89.5% of FIFA’s decision in cases that came before the tribunal.



Even before the CAS could hear FAM’s appeal, more proof has emerged showing how the seven heritage football players were nothing but fake Malaysian players. In another blow to the dignity and sovereignty of Malaysian football, Spanish third-division club Unionistas de Salamanca have officially announced that they have terminated the loan of Gabriel Palmero.




“Unionistas de Salamanca Football Club have reached an agreement with Club Deportivo Tenerife to terminate the loan of player Gabriel Palmero, following notification received from FIFA on Sept 25 and the rejection of the player’s appeal on Nov 3,” – said an official statement from Unionistas on Friday (Nov 7) evening. This announcement is a further slap in the face of Malaysia.



Not only does this show that the Home Ministry has given a special privilege to Palmero by breaking the law of dual-citizenship, but it also shows that the 23-year-old Spanish player does not belong to Malaysia from the beginning, despite his so-called Malaysian citizenship. He was being loaned from Spain, lending credence to FIFA’s decision to penalise FAM and the player for document forgery.



Heck, the FAM, Sports Minister Hannah Yeoh, Home Minister Saifuddin Nasution, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim and even the “above the law” Johor Regent Tunku Ismail were all as quiet as a church mouse after the Spanish third-division club abruptly ended the loan of Palmero, forcing the left back to return to his second-division club CD Tenerife.




Worse, Tenerife also followed by announcing that Palermo’s contract with the club ended on Nov 7. With both Palermo’s loan to Unionistas de Salamanca and his contractual relationship with Club Deportivo Tenerife having ended on Nov 7, Palmero is now without a club. Palmero, who had put up a brave face by declaring “Lucharla hasta el final” (Fight to the End) last month, is now uncertain about his future



The burning question is why isn’t the Malaysian heritage player Palmero staying in Malaysia after Unionistas de Salamanca and CD Tenerife reject him, but chose to return to Spain instead? Another heritage national player, Imanol Machuca, had already returned home to Argentina from Malaysia to rejoin his club, Velez Sarsfield. It appears they have zero loyalty to Malaysia, and Malaysia has zero control over their contract.



Earlier, Colombian club, America de Cali were reported to be in the process of terminating their contract with the Argentine-born Holgado following the FIFA suspension. La Liga club Deportivo Alaves have removed center-back Facundo Garces from their squad after FIFA imposed a 12-month ban on him for using falsified documents to obtain naturalization.




Even when the 12-month ban ends, it will be highly difficult for the players to return to play for Malaysia. When FIFA said the FAM’s forgery of birth certificates “constitutes, pure and simple, a form of cheating”, it had effectively tarnished the country’s image on the global stage. The damage is done, and foreign football players are expected to avoid this country with a 10-foot pole.



More importantly, while getting banned from football for a full year at a player’s prime could stall development and even ruin rising career, the after-effects of FIFA’s 12-month ban on Malaysia’s seven heritage players show that they are never true Malaysian players to begin with, but were merely loan players from Argentina, Brazil, Spain, or Netherlands whose grandparents had never set foot, let alone born, in Malaysia.

Was the Pyramid of Giza inspired by Nasi Lemak? We can only wonder

Was the Pyramid of Giza inspired by Nasi Lemak? We can only wonder

By CS Ming
4 hours ago





WHILE an unfortunate lecturer from the International Islamic University Malaysia has invited tons of ridicule for saying the Romans learned shipbuilding from the Malays, we like to think this is true.


It would be a source of great national pride for the Romans, which were once the greatest fighting force in the world, to consult with us, however implausible the idea may be.


Prof Solehah Yaacob’s remarks have since opened a can of worms and the memes are pouring in. The latest one was a post on X by netizen @Erkekork, suggesting that the Pyramid of Giza was inspired by the shape of the Nasi Lemak.


Netizens were tickled pink by the cartoon and the comment section was equally hilarious. “Haha. Stop giving her ideas. She might just say this next time,” said @ManjitSinghG5 while @AzZagazig advised not to claim everything like a neighbouring country.


He came short of mentioning Indonesia by name. The picture comments were even better:







Another netizen, however, pointed out that at least the lady was a professor unlike the netizens who were bad mouthing her.

Then there was the winner of the comment section, who said it was lucky that the man did not present the pharaoh with the Nasi Tompang.

For those not in the know, here is a photo of the Nasi Tompang, so we can already imagine how the pyramid might turn out if it was used as a reference.



Fun fact, the Nasi Tompang is a traditional dish from Kelantan, commonly sold in Kota Bharu and particularly at the Kubang Pasu Market. Traditionally, it served as a staple meal for travellers or farmers in Kelantan to take with them to the fields.

It consists of soft rice wrapped in banana leaves, folded into a conical shape. Inside the wrapping are various side dishes such as omelette, meat floss, chicken curry, fish curry or prawn curry, along with sweet sambal and cucumber. Sounds delicious, but definitely not a stable model for a structure. —Nov 10, 2025

Common sense triumphs over academic theories

Common sense triumphs over academic theories

By YS Chan
31 minutes ago





ON Dec 31, 2022, Prof Dr Solehah Yaacob, an Arabic language lecturer and professor of linguistic thought from the International Islamic University of Malaysia (IIUM) delivered a lecture at Masjid Gombak Setia. It was recorded in a video which went viral recently and was widely ridiculed by the public.


Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Zambry Abd Kadir responded by saying that university lecturers should stick to their area of specialisation and not give views on matters out of their scope of expertise. IIUM expressed regret and clarified that the claim was her personal opinion, not the official position of the university.


Instead of remorse, she doubled down on her assertion by issuing a statement last Sunday expounding her theory. I am not an academic and have never studied in any university but I am happy with the little common sense that I have, which can be rare today, even among those with high academic qualifications.

Who were the Romans and Malays, and what spoken or written languages were used by the Malays to teach and Romans to learn? Did mere observation count?

About 2,052 years ago from 27 BC, the Romans were a considerable force for five centuries until they fell in AD 476. These two dates marked the rise and fall of the Roman Empire. They conquered many territories surrounding the Mediterranean Sea, went as far north as England, and east to Mesopotamia (Iraq).


During the Roman Empire, several Indian civilisations flourished in Southeast Asia as evidenced by significant archaeological findings of Hindu and Buddhist temples, sculptures and artifacts; and inscriptions in Sanskrit and Pali. One of the earliest known was the Funan Kingdom covering parts of Thailand, Cambodia and Vietnam.

Nevertheless, the earliest discovered civilization in Malaysia was at the Sungai Batu archaeological site in Kedah, part of the larger Bujang Valley complex, with evidence dating back to at least 788 BC. There, the oldest remaining structure is a clay brick monument, known as Candi 11, which was built around 110 AD.

During the Roman Empire and the ancient kingdoms of Kedah, the inhabitants in the peninsula were very different from the Malays of today. They were Hindus, Buddhists or practised animism. Islam was founded 500 years later and spread by Arab traders initially, and later also by others such as Indian and Chinese missionaries.

Lest we forget, Malay is not necessarily a race or ethnicity. According to Article 160 of the Malaysian Constitution, a Malay is someone who professes Islam, habitually speaks the Malay language, and conforms to Malay customs. Naturally, Solehah wishes to define or interpret certain things differently to fit her agenda.

I was a tourist guide half a century ago and took great pride in showing foreigners where boats were built in Pulau Duyong, 13km from Kuala Terengganu. They were made from chengal wood and renowned for their craftsmanship, but business has declined to the extent there had been no new orders for several years.

During my secondary school years in the 1960s, I frequently cycled to the Port Klang jetty from my new village just to watch cargo ships berthed alongside the wharf or midstream, and port workers or islanders would travel a short distance by sampans from the jetty to reach the ferries.

The arrangement was to protect the livelihood of the sampan rowers but later, ferries were allowed to berth and passengers could embark and disembark directly from the boats to the jetty. Occasionally, I fished at the cargo jetties on the right side of the passenger jetty. Farther to the right was where sampans were built.

In recent decades, I could not see a single one. These giant rowing boats that could seat many passengers are a sight to behold. How I wish at least one is preserved by a museum or local authority. I would be happy to travel a long distance just to view nostalgia.

However, I am not bothered to travel all the way to watch a great wall or giant pyramid, which were built at the cost of many human lives. I am not moved by claims of past glories, regardless whether they are facts or fictions.

Only what happened since the end of the last world war in 1945 have a great impact on us now and the future.

Communities boasting about their past, real or imaginary, would continue to be backward. Those looking at the future would focus more on science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) for studies, research and industry. It requires hard thinking, but many prefer to memorise or believe without questioning or challenging.

Finally, if the Romans could sail to Southeast Asia, why would they need to learn about ship-building from the locals? If humans could land on Mars one day, would the taikonauts learn about spaceship building from the Martians? ‒ Nov 10, 2025



YS Chan is master trainer for Mesra Malaysia and Travel and Tours Enhancement Course and an Asean Tourism Master Trainer. He is also a tourism and transport business consultant.

Zara claimed she was disturbed by ‘tomboyish’ schoolmate, says witness

FMT:

Zara claimed she was disturbed by ‘tomboyish’ schoolmate, says witness

The 32nd child witness says the schoolmate had apparently once almost followed the teenager into the bathroom when she was bathing

Zara Qairina Mahathir died at Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, on July 17, a day after she was found unconscious in a drain near her school’s hostel. (Facebook pic)

PETALING JAYA: A witness in the inquest into the death of Zara Qairina Mahathir said the teenager claimed she had been disturbed by a “tomboyish” female student who was obsessed with her.

Lawyer Syarulnizam Salleh quoted the 32nd child witness as saying this during today’s proceedings conducted in camera before coroner Amir Shah Amir Hassan at the Kota Kinabalu coroner’s court.

He said the witness, a close friend of Zara since primary school, said Zara told her the student had apparently disturbed her while she was sleeping, and once almost followed her into the bathroom when she was bathing.


“The witness also said that in June, Zara used the witness’s TikTok account to send a message to someone the witness did not know, telling the person not to disturb her in school or on TikTok,” Sinar Harian reported the lawyer as saying.

Syarulnizam also quoted the witness as saying that in May last year, the witness and Zara started taking turns to write in a shared diary.


“Besides the two of them, no one else was allowed to read it. The last time the witness saw the diary was in February 2025,” he said.

Syarulnizam and lawyers Shahlan Jufri, Rizwandean M Borhan, Luqman Syazwan Zabidi, Farrah Nasser and Elhanan James represent Zara’s mother, Noraidah Lamat.

Zara, 13, died at Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Kota Kinabalu on July 17, a day after she was found unconscious in a drain near her school’s hostel in Papar.

The inquest continues.

***

Her story always makes me sad - someone's daughter died in an unexplained manner and at such a young age.

Saifuddin ‘working on’ fresh probe into Koh, Amri’s abduction

FMT:

Saifuddin ‘working on’ fresh probe into Koh, Amri’s abduction

3 HOURS AGO
Kirthana Arumugam

Home minister non-committal on timeframe, says he first wants an ‘explanation’ on the special task force's report on the pair’s disappearance

Pastor Raymond Koh was abducted in 2017 while activist Amri Che Mat disappeared in 2016.

PUTRAJAYA: Home minister Saifuddin Nasution Ismail says he is “working on” the High Court’s order for the police to reopen investigations into the disappearances of Pastor Raymond Koh and activist Amri Che Mat.

Saifuddin was non-committal on when the police would reopen their investigations, saying he needed to first obtain a “complete explanation” on the special task force’s reports on the pair’s disappearance.

He said understanding the full context of the special task force’s reports was necessary before determining the next course of action.


“Nonetheless, my main focus is on the court’s decision which specifically ordered the police to act (by reopening their investigations). That is what I’m working on with the police,” he told reporters here today.

“From now on, it falls under my responsibility to determine the next step, because of the court’s decision ordering the cops to do two things: reopen investigations, and produce Koh (and Amri) and show proof of his existence and whereabouts.”

He again pointed out that the cases occurred before he became the home minister, but maintained that he will not use that as an excuse to delay action.

MORE TO COME

Malaysia’s intellectual crisis

FMT:

Malaysia’s intellectual crisis

5 HOURS AGO
Letter to the Editor

This is not about one professor or one bad paper – it is about a system that no longer seems to value truth, rigour, or integrity

From Syerleena Abdul Rashid


When a university professor claims that the ancient Malays could fly or that Romans learned shipbuilding from us, it is tempting to laugh – until you realise that this is not an internet parody, but a symptom of a national ailment.


It is a symptom of a much larger, and sadder, truth: Malaysia is facing an intellectual crisis.

The recent expose of certain academic journals citing satirical news websites as credible sources confirms what many of us have quietly feared: that the culture of academic excellence in this country is collapsing.


The institutions that were supposed to produce our best minds are instead tolerating, even rewarding, mediocrity.

This is not about one professor or one bad paper. It is about a system that no longer seems to value truth, rigour, or integrity.

It is about how we, as a nation, have become too comfortable with intellectual laziness – where getting published matters more than getting it right, and where holding a title is seen as more important than holding an idea that can withstand scrutiny.

Our universities once stood proudly as places of debate, innovation, and courage. They were meant to challenge dogma and nurture curiosity.


Today, too many have become echo chambers – careful not to offend, careful not to question, careful not to think too deeply.

When critical inquiry is replaced by blind loyalty and discourse is seen as disrespect, knowledge itself begins to die. Anti-intellectualism slowly creeps in with quiet acceptance.

We see it happen when lecturers stop asking hard questions because it is safer not to, when students quote Wikipedia and call it research, and when members of the public believe anything that goes viral must be true.

And what happens when a society stops thinking critically?


It becomes easy to manipulate, and therein lies the real danger: not bad professors, but a nation that no longer knows how to separate fact from fantasy.

We must find the courage to reverse this decline. It begins with honesty and accountability in our academic institutions.

Peer review must be real, not performative. Promotion should be based on quality, not seniority or political convenience. We need to value scholars who challenge us, not flatter us.

We must also reimagine how we teach. Education should not be about memorising facts, but about developing the ability to question them. Students should learn how to think, not just what to think.

Because when we raise a generation that only repeats without reasoning, we create citizens who follow without understanding.

We often say that Malaysia needs reform in politics, the economy, or governance. But before all that, we need a reform of the mind. We need to rediscover the joy of thinking, the courage to question, and the humility to admit when we are wrong.

We are a nation built on diversity and brilliance, from engineers and doctors to artists, writers, and teachers.

Malaysia cannot afford to betray that legacy by settling for intellectual shortcuts. The future of Malaysia will not be decided by slogans or sentiment, but by the strength of our ideas.

If we fail to reclaim the culture of truth and thought, then anti-intellectualism will not just embarrass us – it will destroy us from within.



Syerleena Abdul Rashid is the MP for Bukit Bendera from DAP.

15 Minute Primer on India by JAYANTH BHANDARI

 

OutSyed The Box

Sunday, November 9, 2025

15 Minute Primer on India by JAYANTH BHANDARI

 

 

Muhyiddin’s corruption trial begins March 2026, former PM faces seven charges of power abuse

Muhyiddin’s corruption trial begins March 2026, former PM faces seven charges of power abuse



The trial of former prime minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, who faces seven charges of power abuse by soliciting RM232.5 million in bribes and receiving RM200 million in illegal proceeds, will begin in March 2026 at the High Court here. — Picture by Sayuti Zainudin

Monday, 10 Nov 2025 3:06 PM MYT


KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 10 — The trial of former prime minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, who faces seven charges of power abuse by soliciting RM232.5 million in bribes and receiving RM200 million in illegal proceeds, will begin in March 2026 at the High Court here.

Judge Noor Ruwena Md Nurdin has set 29 days for the trial, scheduled for March 9-11; April 13, 16, 28 and 29; May 25 and 26; July 6-10, 13-17 and 27-29; and Aug 17-21, 26 and 27 next year.

The trial dates were fixed after deputy public prosecutor Datuk Wan Shaharuddin Wan Ladin and defence lawyer Chetan Jethwani, representing Muhyiddin, reached a mutual agreement.

“The next case mention is set for November 27,” the judge said, adding that November 18 has been scheduled to hear Muhyiddin’s application for the temporary release of his passport.


According to Wan Shaharuddin, the prosecution intends to call about 30 witnesses to testify during the trial.

The 78-year-old Pagoh MP, who was both prime minister and president of Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu) at the time of the offences, faces four counts of abusing his position to solicit RM232.5 million in bribes linked to the Jana Wibawa project from three companies, namely Bukhary Equity Sdn Bhd, Nepturis Sdn Bhd, and Mamfor Sdn Bhd, as well as from Datuk Azman Yusoff, for the benefit of Bersatu.

The alleged offences took place at the Prime Minister’s Office, Perdana Putra, Putrajaya, between March 1, 2020, and August 20, 2021.


Muhyiddin also faces three charges of receiving RM200 million in funds derived from illegal activities, allegedly transferred by Bukhary Equity Sdn Bhd into Bersatu’s accounts at AmBank and CIMB Bank in Petaling Jaya and Kuala Lumpur between February 2021 and July 2022.

Muhyiddin, who was absent from today’s proceedings after being granted a court exemption, had his representation to drop seven charges rejected by the Attorney General’s Chambers (AGC) on August 22, this year. — Bernama

Thailand suspends Malaysia-brokered peace deal with Cambodia after landmine blast injures two soldiers

Thailand suspends Malaysia-brokered peace deal with Cambodia after landmine blast injures two soldiers



This file picture shows Malaysia’s Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, Thailand’s Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, Cambodia’s Prime Minister Hun Manet and US President Donald Trump holding up documents during the signing of a ceasefire deal between Cambodia and Thailand on the sidelines of the 47th Asean Summit in Kuala Lumpur October 26, 2025. — Reuters pic

Monday, 10 Nov 2025 3:52 PM MYT


BANGKOK, Nov 10 — Thailand’s fragile peace deal with Cambodia is hanging by a thread after two Thai soldiers were seriously injured in a landmine explosion near the border, prompting Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul to suspend the agreement barely a month after it was signed, Bloomberg reported.

The soldiers were on routine patrol in Thailand’s Si Sa Ket province today when they stepped on what the army suspects were newly planted mines.

It was the seventh explosion in four months, following a series of blasts in July that triggered the deadliest clashes between the two neighbours in years.

“Everything we have been doing until now will be stopped until there is more clarity,” Anutin told reporters, according to Bloomberg.


“What happened shows that the hostility hasn’t decreased as we thought it would. So we can’t proceed any further from here.”


Anutin said Thailand would freeze all activities under the Kuala Lumpur peace accords — a US- and Malaysia-brokered deal inked in October — including the planned release of 18 detained Cambodian soldiers.

The suspension comes as both sides had been preparing to withdraw heavy weapons from border zones and begin joint landmine clearance operations between November and December.


The 18 Cambodian troops have been held in Thai custody since July after border skirmishes broke out in disputed areas, Bloomberg noted.

Cambodia’s Ministry of National Defence has yet to respond to requests for comment.

Thailand has also been urging Cambodia to clamp down on cyber-scam syndicates operating across the border, an issue that has further strained relations in recent years.

The prime minister has instructed the foreign and defence ministries to lodge a complaint with an observer team of South-east Asian military officials overseeing the peace process.

He is scheduled to visit the injured soldiers in Si Sa Ket tomorrow and chair a meeting to reassess Thailand’s position on the accord.

The Thai-Cambodian border has long been a flashpoint, particularly near the historic Preah Vihear Temple.

Tensions flared in July when a series of cross-border exchanges killed dozens and displaced thousands, marking one of the worst confrontations in more than a decade.

The October peace deal, signed in Kuala Lumpur under Malaysia’s chairmanship of Asean, was hailed as a breakthrough aimed at restoring stability and improving military cooperation.

But the latest mine attack, Bloomberg reported, has cast doubt on whether the fragile truce can hold.

For Malaysia and other Asean members, the escalation underscores the fragility of regional peace efforts and the enduring volatility along South-east Asia’s most militarised border.

Kedah finalising legal team over Penang ‘lease’ payment

FMT:

Kedah finalising legal team over Penang ‘lease’ payment

Menteri besar Sanusi Nor says the team completed its study and presented the final report to the state executive council members, assemblymen and relevant MPs on April 15

Kedah menteri besar Sanusi Nor previously demanded RM100 million a year from the federal government as a ‘lease payment’ for Penang island and Seberang Perai.

PETALING JAYA: Kedah is in the final phase of appointing a legal team to initiate court action over the state’s status and relationship with Penang, says menteri besar Sanusi Nor.

He said this comes after Sultan Sallehuddin Sultan Badlishah in 2023 called for Kedah’s history, especially the question of Penang being “leased”, to be transparently clarified.

Sanusi said the state government subsequently formed a research team of history and legal experts to thoroughly investigate the matter, Berita Harian reported.


“This includes carrying out in-depth analyses, preparing documents and initiating legal proceedings in court,” he was quoted as saying while tabling Kedah’s 2026 budget at the state assembly today.

“The team has completed its study, and the final report was presented to the state executive council members, state assemblymen, and relevant MPs on April 15.


“God willing, further developments will follow within the next month or two.”

In 2021, Kedah demanded RM100 million a year from the federal government as a “lease payment” for Penang island and Seberang Perai.

Sanusi said the federal government had been paying RM10,000 annually on Penang’s behalf for decades, before raising the sum to RM10 million in 2018 after the matter was raised by Sultan Sallehuddin at the Conference of Rulers.

He also argued that both territories were leased by the Kedah sultanate to the British in 1791 for 10,000 Spanish dollars.


However, the Penang government maintains that the sultanate effectively ceded the territories after Merdeka.


Some historians have also pointed out that no formal lease document exists, suggesting the “lease” narrative may have stemmed from a historical misunderstanding.

US Pizza Malaysia comes under fire over packaging featuring Lord Murugan’s image

Malaysia Hindhudharma Maamandram, a prominent Hindu organisation, expressed its deep concerns and strong condemnation over a recent packaging design by US Pizza Malaysia. - Social media pic, November 9, 2025


US Pizza Malaysia comes under fire over packaging featuring Lord Murugan’s image


The new design is panned by the Hindu community, with calls for immediate withdrawal and an apology



A. Azim Idris
Updated 19 hours ago
9 November, 2025
2:21 PM MYT

KUALA LUMPUR – US Pizza Malaysia has come under fire following the release of a new pizza box design featuring the image of Lord Murugan, a highly revered Hindu deity.

The packaging, which also includes secular cartoon illustrations of Malaysian landmarks, local animals, and characters consuming pizza, has sparked backlash for its perceived disrespect towards Hindu beliefs.

In a statement, Malaysia Hindhudharma Maamandram, a prominent Hindu organisation, expressed its deep concerns and strong condemnation over the design. While acknowledging the possible intent to promote inclusivity and celebrate Malaysia’s cultural diversity, the group argued that the execution was profoundly flawed and deeply offensive to the Hindu community.

“The attempt to incorporate Hindu culture into commercial packaging, specifically by featuring a major deity, has resulted in an act of sacrilege rather than celebration,” the statement read.

The organisation further condemned the association of Lord Murugan’s image with commercial food packaging, particularly given that the boxes may contain non-vegetarian food, including beef, substances that are strictly prohibited and considered sacredly offensive to many Hindus.

The inclusion of such sacred imagery on packaging that will ultimately be discarded as trash was also strongly criticised.

“The mixing of sacred religious imagery with secular, commercial depictions of characters consuming food trivialises deeply held religious beliefs,” the statement continued.

The group expressed particular concern over the disposal of the pizza boxes, which, as single-use items, are destined for the garbage immediately after use.

“The inclusion of a sacred image on disposable packaging displays a complete and unacceptable disregard for the holiness of the deity,” Malaysia Hindhudharma Maamandram said, highlighting the lack of respect for the religious practices of millions of Hindus in Malaysia.

The incident has raised wider concerns about its potential impact on interfaith harmony in Malaysia. The organisation warned that such thoughtless appropriation of religious imagery risks undermining the delicate balance of respect and understanding between the country’s diverse communities.

“This is a serious lapse in cultural awareness and professionalism, and it poses a threat to the interfaith harmony that Malaysia has long worked to foster,” it added.

In light of the controversy, Malaysia Hindhudharma Maamandram has called for immediate action from US Pizza Malaysia.

The group demands the immediate cessation of the use and distribution of the offending pizza box design, along with a formal, unconditional apology to the Hindu community in Malaysia.

Additionally, the organisation has urged US Pizza to implement a robust process of cultural and religious consultation for all future marketing and packaging materials to prevent a recurrence of such insensitivity.

“We urge US Pizza Malaysia to treat this matter with the utmost seriousness and take swift remedial action to restore trust within the affected community,” the statement concluded. – November 9, 2025

State actors not afraid of what they did to Koh, Amri

State actors not afraid of what they did to Koh, Amri

S Thayaparan
Published: Nov 10, 2025 7:00 AM
Updated: 1:45 PM



“The logical inference drawn from the totality of the evidence is that the abduction involves state actors, whether acting directly or indirectly, or with the knowledge, acquiescence, or support of others within the police infrastructure (in which) the defendant’s inability to provide a credible alternative explanation further supports this conclusion.”

- Judge Su Tiang Joo

COMMENT | The state actors involved in the kidnapping of Pastor Raymond Koh and social activist Amri Che Mat are probably inconvenienced by the latest verdict but are not threatened by it.

These people are cut from the same cloth as the state actors, some of whom are within the state security apparatus, who protect the wanted kidnapper of M Indira Gandhi’s child.

You have to understand that the state actors who kidnapped Koh and Amri probably believe that what they did was righteous and sanctioned by their superiors, enabled by the religious apparatus. You better believe there is enough plausible deniability to cover the behinds of various political operatives.

Who had the power to order a tactical squad to kidnap Malaysians for whatever reasons? Who had the authority to issue such commands?

Who felt secure enough that their crime would go unsanctioned by the former Umno state? Who had the political influence to concoct such a manoeuvre, which bypasses the traditional state security apparatus and mete out whatever fate had befallen these people?

CCTV footage of the abduction of Raymond Koh


Whoever these people are, they were confident that the narratives of the state security apparatus would shield them from repercussions of the former Umno state and, here is the important part, they may very well be shielded from successive governments’ sanctions as well.

Madani in no position to sanction offenders

This is why Koh’s wife, Susanna Liew, when expressing her disbelief that the Madani government would file an appeal against the decision, said the following.

“Why did they not do anything based on their own commissioned report, which they had complete control over, is baffling.

“This is a finding by a body commissioned by the cabinet itself, the highest branch of the executive in the country.”

That is when you realise that nothing was going to be done ab initio (from the beginning).

Everyone involved in this conspiracy understands that the Madani government is in no position to expose or sanction them.

In fact, if Madani were to actually do something to shine a light on these state actors, it would create such chaos that it would benefit the religious opposition.

Let us be very clear - there will be a large section of the polity who will believe that whatever happened to Koh and Amri was well within the political and moral authority of the state. This, of course, is the unpleasant reality about these cases.

This judgment and its fast-track appeal by the Madani government are a shocking legal and public indictment of the police and the various incarnations of the Home Ministry.

But they are also a reminder of the unchecked, unsanctioned, and unacknowledged existence of the deep Islamic state.

Bureaucracy, propaganda, education

Some folk scoff when I use the term deep Islamic state. This is understandable.

After all, political operatives like to blame their political failings and failed campaign promises on some sort of cabal whose sole existence is to maintain the status quo, even though various iterations of political coalitions have never strayed from the social contract politics which define mainstream politics of this country.

In 2019, DAP veteran Lim Kit Siang attempted to blame the slow-to-non-existent reforms on the deep state.

“The deep state is, in fact, an important reason why institutional and political reforms for a ‘New Malaysia’ are not as rapid as they should be,” he said.

DAP veteran Lim Kit Siang


All of this is complete bunkum, of course. Reforms are slow or non-existent because there is no political will.

There is no political will because everyone wants to maintain the status quo, but wants their respective bases to believe that they are offering something new.

But there is a “deep Islamic state”. It is a result of the vast religious bureaucracy, the doctrinal teachings of propaganda endeavours like the National Civics Bureau (Biro Tata Negara), the religious education system, and foreign influence, either through education or experience in foreign theatres of war.

What we are talking about here are “fellow travellers” who enjoy the support, either knowingly or unknowingly, of the Malay/Muslim political apparatus, who believe they are setting the religious agenda, but in reality, are being manipulated by fascist elements with agendas of their own.

These travellers aim to subvert the constitutional bedrock of this country and turn this country into an “Islamic” state, even if it’s not the agenda of the Malay bureaucracy, royalty, plutocrat class or political brokers, whose definition of an “Islamic state” is relatively benign, if compared to the forces who are using it.

Abductions recorded

But forget all of this for a moment. There is allegedly a video recording of Koh’s kidnapping.

As stated in Suhakam’s report: “(The investigating officer) said it happened (during) broad daylight, it was very quick... He said the fact that someone was taking a video, (would) fit the police operation method.”

Keep in mind that Koh had been harassed by the state before, and in 2011, championed by then Selangor state exco member Hasan Ali, there was a raid on Koh’s charitable centre.

Here is a description of the “raid” that Hasan claimed was not a raid, according to witness Pastor Daniel Ho.

“Around 30 Islamic religious and police officials entered the church compound in Selangor without a warrant and began taking videos and photographs.”

Therefore, that imagery of the state recording the event crops up again. The fact of the matter is that whoever kidnapped Koh, and no doubt Amri too, had recorded these operations for unknown purposes.

Longtime rights activist Kua Kia Soong was right, as he usually is when it comes to most things in this country, when he said that the appeal is “an act that can only be seen as protecting institutional impunity.”

This is the point. These state actors understand that Madani and any government after will protect them.



S THAYAPARAN is commander (Rtd) of the Royal Malaysian Navy. Fīat jūstitia ruat cælum - “Let justice be done though the heavens fall.”

***

Even Anwar is afraid of them.

Experts shoot down Dr M’s common Asean defence policy proposal

FMT:

Experts shoot down Dr M’s common Asean defence policy proposal

Yesterday
Chan Kenn Jin

They say differing national policies and stances on foreign affairs of member states stand in the way of a unified defence and security policy for the bloc

Dr Mahathir Mohamad recently proposed that Asean draw up a defence and security policy to strengthen its ability to deal with powers such as the US and China.

PETALING JAYA: A foreign policy analyst and a defence expert have poured cold water on former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad’s proposal for a unified Asean defence and security policy, describing such a move as unfeasible and impossible.

International Islamic University Malaysia’s Phar Kim Beng told FMT the idea was not feasible, citing Asean’s composition of vastly different political regimes.

“What makes sense on paper does not necessarily translate into workable military doctrine.


“Different regime types won’t pool their sovereignty together to allow anyone to lead all member states in a uniform manner,” said the IIUM professor of Asean studies.

“He (Mahathir) has confused and conflated strength in numbers with a defence pact. The 11 member states of Asean do not necessarily share common national interests as each of the countries have different political economies and priorities,” said Phar.


Mahathir had called for a common Asean defence and security policy to strengthen the bloc’s ability to deal with powers such as the US and China, saying differing national policies have weakened the bloc’s ability to protect its collective interests.

Responding to a question on whether Asean should adopt a defence framework similar to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (Nato), Mahathir said greater cooperation on security matters would enable the region to respond more effectively to territorial incursions and geopolitical pressure.


Flawed comparisons

Phar called the comparison between Asean and Nato as flawed and misleading, citing the structural and commitment differences between the two groupings.


He said Nato was a military alliance and said Article 5 of its treaty provides that an attack on one member is considered an attack on all, thereby requiring a collective declaration of war by its members.

“Asean, on the other hand, is a political and security community that at best is based on an unclear concept of cooperative security,” he said.

Phar suggested that Asean instead focus on internal balancing and economic reforms to ensure the bloc is resilient against bullying by foreign powers.

“Without a strong and common economic foundation, adversaries can pick member states apart through divide-and-conquer strategies,” he said.


False neutrality

Meanwhile, Universiti Malaya defence analyst Lam Choong Wah said a common Asean defence and security policy was impossible, given the biased stances taken within the bloc on foreign affairs.

“On paper, we have a neutral position in Asean but in practice, some of our member states have already taken sides. If you look at Singapore and the Philippines, they are pro-US whereas Cambodia is pro-China.

“We can’t even resolve our own divisions among members. It would be impossible to implement a common defence policy,” he said.

Lam also drew comparisons with the European Union (EU) and highlighted the challenges it faces despite being a more unified grouping of countries.

“Asean is a very loose coalition, unlike the EU, which has much stronger and more concrete integration among its member states. But even the EU struggles to manage its members,” he said, citing Hungary’s repeated vetoes against stricter sanctions on Russia.

Focus on internal cohesion

Lam added that Asean should focus on building internal cohesion to ensure trust and unity among member states.

“Certain countries in Asean are very easily provoked and persuaded to take sides. If one country takes sides, it would destroy the internal political trust among Asean members.”

He also called for greater internal strategic discussions among members, describing current efforts as insufficient. “We have the Asean defence ministers meeting but this is not enough.”

IIUM lecturer defends claim Romans learned shipbuilding from Malays

FMT:

IIUM lecturer defends claim Romans learned shipbuilding from Malays

Solehah Yaacob says her conclusion is based on a research hypothesis developed through ‘extensive study’ since completing her PhD in 2005

Solehah Yaacob, an Arabic language lecturer from IIUM, was ridiculed for claiming that ancient Romans may have learned shipbuilding from Malay seafarers. (Facebook pic)

PETALING JAYA: An International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM) lecturer who was ridiculed for saying that ancient Romans may have learned shipbuilding techniques from Malay seafarers has doubled down on her claim.

Arabic language lecturer Solehah Yaacob said her remarks were made based on a research hypothesis developed through “extensive study” since completing her PhD in 2005.

“My hypothesis, grounded in classical Arabic sources, proposes that the Romans acquired aspects of the art of shipbuilding from the peoples of the Malay Archipelago,” she said in a statement today.

“Unlike the Europeans, who were largely continental, the Malays were a maritime civilisation.”

Solehah said her hypothesis is supported by numerous references, including PY Manguin’s “The Southeast Asian Ship: An Historical Approach” in the Journal of Southeast Asian Studies, and RL Smith’s book “Premodern Trade in World History”.

She also said the Malays’ superior nautical knowledge and shipbuilding skills made them among the earliest masters of the sea.

‘Romans did not engage in significant seafaring’

Solehah pointed out that the Roman empire did not engage in significant international maritime activities until after 31 BCE, following its conquest of Egypt.

She said the Romans lacked advanced seafaring capabilities before this period, as even the route between Rome and Egypt was relatively short and did not require true oceanic navigation.


“However, the Romans, Vikings, and Slavs were all known for seeking high-quality iron to forge weapons for warfare and conquest. Several Arabic sources mention ‘Al-qalʿa al-Rumi’ – literally ‘the Roman sword of Qalʿa’ – also referred to as ‘Al-Sharbuqan’,” she said.


Signs point to ancient Kedah

Solehah said classical Islamic scholars such as Al-Biruni also noted that the art of iron-smelting was developed in Qalʿa, which according to Arab philosopher Al-Kindi, was situated in ancient Kedah.

“What we know for certain is that the quality of European timber at the time was unsuitable for long-distance oceanic voyages.


“This likely prompted the Romans to seek experienced navigators from Egypt, and possibly from the Indian or Malay worlds, who could guide them towards the source of Qalʿa iron,” she said.

She also said supporting evidence from museum archives in Australia noted that the finest deep-sea shipbuilders originated from Austronesia, or modern-day Indonesia.

“Historical newspaper reports even record the striking statement, ‘The first man to sail around the world was a Malay’,” she said.

She noted that the term “Malay” predates the term “Austronesian”, which was only coined by European Orientalists in the 19th century.

“Before this label emerged, who were these seafaring peoples? Clearly, during the period of the Srīvijaya Empire – known as the Great Maritime Malay Kingdom – our ancestors were already recognised as Malays.

“Their predecessors, too, must have been Malays, inheriting an ancient and continuous tradition of seafaring, navigation, and exploration,” she said.

“With these clarifications, I sincerely hope that all forms of slander, insult, disinformation, and ridicule circulating across social media, tabloids, and official news outlets will come to an end.”

Suspended 7 heritage players mulling legal action against FAM, says report

FMT:

Suspended 7 heritage players mulling legal action against FAM, says report

A source says their one-year ban imposed by Fifa has affected their livelihood

It was reported that foreign lawyers are in discussion with the seven players to consider suing FAM for its ‘technical error’ when submitting their names for an Asian Cup tie. (Malaysia NT pic)

PETALING JAYA: The seven naturalised footballers at the centre of a controversy involving the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) are mulling legal action against the national football governing body following their suspension by Fifa.

Quoting sources, Harian Metro reported that the players were weighing their options after FAM acknowledged that an administrative error had led to their 12-month ban.

“It is understood that foreign lawyers are in discussion with the seven players to consider suing FAM for the technical error which the association itself has confirmed,” the unnamed source was quoted as saying.


The source said it was not surprising that the seven would sue FAM, considering that the suspension has affected their livelihood. In some cases, the footballers lost their jobs after their clubs terminated their contracts following the controversy.

“The move to seek compensation is also aimed at clearing their names so they can find new clubs once their suspension ends,” the source added.


On Sept 26, Fifa sanctioned FAM and the seven national players after FAM was alleged to have submitted doctored documentation to field them in an Asian Cup qualifier.

FAM was fined 350,000 Swiss francs (about RM1.8 million) while each player was fined 2,000 Swiss francs (about RM10,560) and suspended for 12 months from all football-related activities, effective from the date of notification.

The seven are Gabriel Felipe Arrocha, Facundo Tomas Garces, Rodrigo Julian Holgado, Imanol Javier Machuca, Joao Vitor Brandao Figueiredo, Jon Irazabal Iraurgui and Hector Alejandro Hevel Serrano.

All seven featured in Malaysia’s Asian Cup 2027 qualifier against Vietnam on June 10, after which Fifa received a complaint regarding the eligibility of several of them.

Fifa said FAM and the seven players were sanctioned for breaching Article 22 of its disciplinary code, which relates to forgery and falsification.

FAM later blamed the sanctions on a technical error in the submission of documents by its staff.

On Nov 3, Fifa rejected FAM’s appeal against the sanctions imposed on the national football body and the seven players.

It also affirmed the imposition of the sanctions on FAM and the seven players “in its entirety”.


FAM has since said it may take its case to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).

It has been reported that Arrocha, also known as Gabriel Palmero, has been released by his club, Club Deportivo Tenerife, following his one-year suspension.

The termination of Arrocha’s contract by the Spanish second division club came a day after it was reported that third-division club Unionistas de Salamanca had terminated his loan to the club.

Why Saudi Arabia won’t normalise with Israel despite Trump’s optimistic claims

Why Saudi Arabia won’t normalise with Israel despite Trump’s optimistic claims



A billboard by the ‘Coalition for Regional Security’ Israeli political-security initiative with the Hebrew slogan ‘a time for war, a time for settlement; now is the time for the “Abrahamic Covenant”’ is displayed in Tel Aviv on June 26, 2025. — AFP pic

Sunday, 09 Nov 2025 9:00 PM MYT


DUBAI, Nov 9 — US President Donald Trump has been talking up the prospects of Saudi Arabia agreeing to normalise ties with Israel, but it is unlikely to happen when Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman visits the White House this month.

The establishment of diplomatic relations between Israel and Saudi Arabia after decades of enmity could shake up the political and security landscape in the Middle East, potentially strengthening US influence in the region.


Trump said last month he hoped Saudi Arabia would “very soon” join other Muslim countries that signed the 2020 Abraham Accords normalising ties with Israel.

But Riyadh has signalled to Washington through diplomatic channels that its position has not changed: it will sign up only if there is agreement on a roadmap to Palestinian statehood, two Gulf sources told Reuters.


The intention is to avoid diplomatic missteps and ensure alignment of the Saudi and US positions before any public statements are made, they said. One said the aim was to avoid any confusion at or after the White House talks on November 18.


The Crown Prince, widely known as MbS, “is not likely to entertain any possible formalising of ties in the near future without at least a credible pathway to a Palestinian state,” said Jonathan Panikoff, former deputy US national intelligence officer on the Middle East.

MbS is likely to try to use his influence with Trump to seek “more explicit and vocal buy-in for the establishment of a sovereign Palestinian state,” said Panikoff, who is now at the Atlantic Council think tank in Washington.


Trump’s upbeat comments on Abraham Accords

Next week’s visit is the Crown Prince’s first to Washington since the 2018 killing of Washington Post columnist Jamal Khashoggi, an MbS critic whose murder in the Saudi consulate in Istanbul caused global outrage. MbS denied direct involvement.

The United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Morocco have already normalised ties with Israel under the Abraham Accords, and Trump has said he expects an expansion of the accords soon.

“We have a lot of people joining now the Abraham Accords, and hopefully we’re going to get Saudi Arabia very soon,” he said on November 5, without offering a timeline.

In a television interview broadcast on October 17, he said: “I hope to see Saudi Arabia go in, and I hope to see others go in. I think when Saudi Arabia goes in, everybody goes in.”

But the agreement signed by the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Morocco sidestepped the issue of Palestinian statehood.

The two Gulf sources said Riyadh had signalled to Washington that any move to recognise Israel must be part of a new framework, not just an extension of any deal.

For Saudi Arabia – the birthplace of Islam and custodian of its two holiest sites, Mecca and Medina – recognising Israel would be more than just a diplomatic milestone. It is a deeply sensitive national security issue tied to resolving one of the region’s oldest and most intractable conflicts.

Such a step would be hard to take when Arab public mistrust of Israel remains high over the scale of its military offensive during the war against the Palestinian militant group Hamas in Gaza, despite a fragile ceasefire in the conflict that followed the Hamas-led attack on southern Israel on October 7, 2023.

Saudi Foreign Ministry official Manal Radwan has called for a clear, time-bound Israeli withdrawal from the Gaza Strip, the deployment of an international protection force and the empowerment and return of the Palestinian Authority to Gaza.

These steps, she said, are essential to the establishment of a Palestinian state – the prerequisite for regional integration and the implementation of the two-state solution.

With Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu staunchly opposed to Palestinian statehood, Saudi Arabia sees no immediate prospect to satisfy Trump’s demand that it normalise ties with Israel, the sources told Reuters.

Progress on that front depends on concessions neither Washington nor Israel is currently prepared to make, Saudi officials say.

Trump and crown prince set to seal defence pact

Saudi officials are intent on steering the Trump-MbS meeting towards defence cooperation and investment, wary that the politically charged issue of normalisation of ties with Israel could overshadow the agenda.

The meeting is expected to seal a pivotal defence pact defining the scope of US military protection for the de facto ruler of the world’s top oil exporter, and to cement America’s military footprint in the Gulf.

The prospective deal has, however, been scaled back.

Two other Gulf sources and three Western diplomats said the defence deal falls short of the full, Congress-ratified treaty Riyadh once sought in exchange for the long-promised normalisation of ties with Israel.

The agreement, loosely modelled on an arrangement with Qatar that was established through an executive order in September, expands cooperation to include cutting-edge technology and defence.

Riyadh, according to the two Gulf sources, pushed for provisions to allow future US administrations to elevate the pact to a full treaty – a safeguard to ensure continuity for a non-binding pact, vulnerable to reversal by future presidents.

“It’s not the treaty they want, they might not see it as perfect but it’s a stepping stone (to a full treaty),” said David Makovsky, a fellow at the Washington Institute, where he directs a project on Arab-Israeli relations.

The linkage between the defence pact, normalisation with Israel and Palestinian statehood has produced a complex negotiating equation, pushing Riyadh and Washington to settle for a limited defence deal in the absence of progress on the other two tracks, the Gulf sources and Western diplomats said.

That compromise, they say, could eventually evolve into a full treaty if normalisation advances.

“The Saudi-American negotiations have undergone a fundamental shift in environment and context following the developments in Gaza since October 7,” said Abdelaziz al-Sagher, head of the Saudi-based Gulf Research Institute think tank.

He said the direct linkage between normalisation of ties with Israel and Palestinian statehood remained, but Riyadh now wanted Saudi national security requirements addressed separately.

“The Saudi position is clear: meeting the Kingdom’s national security demands will help shape its broader stance on regional issues, including the resolution of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict,” he said.

Threat from Iran receding

A NATO-style defence pact appears a distant prospect, given the shifting regional calculus and the political hurdles in Washington.

Iran, the main threat once driving Riyadh’s pursuit of binding US guarantees, has been strategically weakened over the past year by Israeli strikes on its nuclear and military infrastructure.

Tehran’s proxies – the Hezbollah movement in Lebanon, Hamas in Gaza and the Houthis in Yemen – have also suffered heavy blows.

With pressure from Iran easing, the appetite for a treaty requiring two-thirds congressional approval has diminished, especially in the absence of normalisation with Israel.

The two Gulf sources said such a pact would likely come with conditions, including curbs on Saudi Arabia’s expanding economic and technology ties with China, complicating Riyadh’s drive to balance strategic autonomy with US security guarantees.

The current deal would expand joint military exercises, deepen cooperation between US and Saudi defence firms, and include safeguards to limit Riyadh’s military-industrial ties with China, the sources said.

It would also fast-track advanced US weapons sales to the kingdom, bypassing the delays and political hurdles that have stalled previous deals. — Reuters