Wednesday, May 14, 2025

Tell Your Daddy: Public Asks Nurul to Convey Her Opinion to PM on Azam Baki's Extension





Tell Your Daddy: Public Asks Nurul to Convey Her Opinion to PM on Azam Baki's Extension


14 May 2025 • 10:30 AM MYT


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Image Credit: Focus Malaysia


The recent extension of Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) chief Tan Sri Azam Baki’s contract has stirred controversy, with Nurul Izzah Anwar labeling the decision as an unwelcome move. Her remarks have added fuel to an already sensitive issue, given the increasing public scrutiny surrounding the MACC's leadership and its credibility.


Azam, who has held the position since March 2020, was reappointed for another year—his third extension after two consecutive six-month terms. The extension, confirmed by Chief Secretary to the Government Tan Sri Shamsul Azri Abu Bakar, reignited debates about institutional reforms and transparency within the anti-corruption body. Critics have questioned whether continued reliance on the same leadership truly reflects the government’s commitment to tackling corruption head-on.


Nurul Izzah’s stance reflects a reformist viewpoint that has long been associated with her political identity. She emphasized the need for the ruling party to align itself with public expectations for meaningful reforms. However, her comments also opened the door to criticism, with many questioning the sincerity of her opposition given her close ties to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim—her father—who holds significant influence over such appointments.


The Prime Minister previously dismissed earlier speculation about Azam’s extension when a Bloomberg report suggested a decision had already been made. At the time, Anwar stated it was premature to conclude whether a renewal was forthcoming, yet weeks later, the extension was formally confirmed.


The decision has been met with ongoing concern from various quarters who feel the government has not done enough to show progress in curbing corruption. Detractors argue that reappointing the same leadership sends mixed signals about the administration's anti-corruption agenda, especially under the banner of the Madani government, which promotes values like integrity and accountability.


With party elections approaching, Nurul Izzah is vying for the position of deputy president in PKR, and her recent statements appear to be part of a broader effort to position herself as a principled reform advocate. Observers, however, believe that real change will be measured not by rhetoric but by concrete steps toward institutional independence and greater transparency.


As the government navigates both internal political dynamics and external pressure for reform, the controversy surrounding the MACC chief’s reappointment continues to serve as a litmus test for public trust in the current leadership’s commitment to good governance.


Dashcam footage shows out-of-control teen driver in fatal Kuching crash that killed five; pleads guilty to reckless, underaged driving

 




Dashcam footage shows out-of-control teen driver in fatal Kuching crash that killed five; pleads guilty to reckless, underaged driving



The teenager is pictured at the Kuching Courthouse May 14, 2025. — The Borneo Post pic

Wednesday, 14 May 2025 12:31 PM MYT


KUCHING, May 14 —The 15-year-old driver involved in the multi-vehicle fatal accident in Jalan Teo Kui Seng (Jalan Stutong Baru) here in January this year pleaded guilty today to reckless driving that caused the deaths of five people, as well as to underaged driving.

He made these pleas before Magistrate Ling Hui Chuan, who fixed June 17 for sentencing pending his probation report.


The court further granted him a bail of RM5,000 with parents as sureties.

For the first charge, he was framed under Section 41(1) of the Road Transport Act 1987 which is punishable under the same section of the same Act for driving recklessly and causing the deaths of the five people.


The Section provides for a jail term between five and 10 years or a fine between RM20,000 and RM50,000.



For the second charge, he was charged with underaged driving under Section 39(1) of the Road Transport Act 1987, which is punishable under Section 39(5) of the same Act.

The Section carries a fine up to RM2,000 or a jail term up to six months or both.


According to both amended charges, the teenager committed the offences at Jalan Teo Kui Seng here at around 1.10pm on Jan 14, 2025.

The multi-vehicle crash claimed five lives—three men and a woman aged between 16 and 45, who were pronounced dead at the scene, and a 16-year-old boy, who died while receiving treatment at the Sarawak General Hospital.

The teen driver sustained a neck injury and was subsequently detained by the police.

Dashcam footage shared on social media showed an out-of-control car heading from the direction of Jalan Lapangan Terbang towards Jalan Stutong Baru flying through the air into the opposite lane and colliding with multiple vehicles.

The case was prosecuted by deputy public prosecutor Mohamad Fillany Siji while the teenager was unrepresented by legal counsel. — The Borneo Post

RM1m fine, mandatory jail time: Selangor to toughen water pollution law, empower enforcers to snare culprits quickly





RM1m fine, mandatory jail time: Selangor to toughen water pollution law, empower enforcers to snare culprits quickly



Selangor authorities often do not have time to catch culprits who caused water pollution in its rivers. — Picture by Saw Siow Feng

Wednesday, 14 May 2025 11:19 AM MYT


KUALA LUMPUR, May 14 – The Selangor government said it plans to strengthen the Selangor Water Management Authority (Luas) Enactment to impose stricter penalties on environmental polluters, including fines of up to RM1 million and mandatory jail terms of up to three years.

New Straits Times cited Selangor Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari saying the move includes empowering state enforcement officers with broader investigation and prosecution authority to address pollution incidents more effectively.


“Sometimes we detect pollution, but cannot trace the source because it has already stopped – the culprit may have been ‘responsible’ enough to shut it down.

“So, while we manage to contain the issue, unfortunately, we are unable to catch or prosecute the offender,” he told reporters yesterday.


He gave the example of odour pollution, which takes between 18 and 24 hours to reach the Selangor dam.


“If something happens in Batang Kali, it takes about 15 to 16 hours to get here, and the evidence is gone by then. That is one of the challenges we face,” he added.

Amirudin noted that few polluters have been prosecuted under the Luas Enactment, as the cases fall under the purview of the Attorney-General’s Chambers — which can choose to also prosecute under the Environmental Quality Act.


He also announced the development of a comprehensive water master plan to manage Selangor’s water supply more effectively to tackle issues related to both drought and excessive rainfall.

It is expected to be completed within a year and will address components such as water storage facilities, retention pond locations, and flood control measures.

According to Amirudin, over 100 ponds have been identified across Selangor to support these efforts.

Chinese ministers 'tolong resign lah', Melayu ministers 'OK one'


Focus Malaysia:

Anthony Loke told to “step down with honour” after fatal crash that leaves 9 FRU cops dead





ENOUGH IS enough.

Public anger from the viral video of the mother elephant grieving for her dead calf which was knocked down by a container lorry on the Gerik-Jeli East-West Highway (JRTB) over the weekend has yet to subside when nine Federal Reserve Unit (FRU) policemen perished in another fatal crash with a stone-laden lorry in Teluk Intan.

This has led to the cyberspace being swamped by calls for Transport Minister Anthony Loke Siew Fook to give up his ‘coveted’ portfolio.

“If @anthonyloke feels that he’s unable to solve this problem of killer lorries and trucks, it would be best that he steps down with honour,” pro-Madani Datuk Jahat Hensem (@datukhensem) reacted to a netizen update on the 8.50am accident along Jalan Chikus–Sungai Lampam yesterday (May 13).

“And I hope the JPJ (Road Transport Department) and the police will be stricter with heavy vehicles after this. It was your crew members who perished.”

Meanwhile, Deputy Inspector-General of Police Datuk Seri Ayob Khan Mydin Pitchay has confirmed that the 45-year-old lorry driver involved in the fatal crash has six criminal records – one related to drugs, theft (four) and rape (one).

“All cases resulted in convictions. A urine test came back negative. Despite online claims that he had consumed ketum, no traces of ketum were found, and his urine test results were clean,” Ayob Khan told a media conference at the Hilir Perak police headquarters yesterday (May 13).

As the said lorry driver would be brought to the court today (May 14) for a remand hearing, Ayob Khan also updated the media on condition of the nine injured policemen, of which six were in the red zone (critical condition) while three were in the yellow zone (moderate injuries).

The trolling on Loke became more intense when a commenter played the race card by claiming that “if one Chinese dies, he (Loke) will bring a bunch of (DAP) parliamentarians to make a PC”.

Thankfully, some netizens cautioned him against making racist remark as there were also Malay transport ministers during the Barisan Nasional (BN) administration yet nobody made a fuss when fatal accidents involving heavy vehicles occurred.

Brushing aside racial sentiment. another reckoned that it has to do with people, alluding to “2 or 3 people who died because of unattended potholes”.

“But when Khairi Jamaluddin (then the science, technology and innovation minister) fell and got injured, the issue was settled within one day. It seems that it’s fine if the victims are the rakyat so long as they aren’t VVIPs”.

Other criticism levelled at Loke ranged from not being sensitive to the plight/safety of light vehicle road users and “more apt at selling number plates” to allowing heavy vehicles (buses lorry, trailers) to be ‘road demons’ and little action to curb drunk driving.

However, some fair netizens came out to defend Loke by recalling that when the JPJ conducted a massive operation against errant lorry driver in October 2023, there were much hue and cry that “a Chinese minister is persecuting lorry drivers who are moistly Malays”.

“This led to Loke appointing alternative companies to carry out vehicle inspection services. Now when an accident occurs, why are you (still) attacking him?” – May 14, 2025


Ex-Penang DCM P. Ramasamy claims trial to 17 CBT charges involving over RM850,000 in gold, aid payments





Ex-Penang DCM P. Ramasamy claims trial to 17 CBT charges involving over RM850,000 in gold, aid payments



Former Penang deputy chief minister II P.Ramasamy (right) and current Urimai interim chairman entering the sessions court to face 17 counts of criminal breach of trust. — Picture by Opalyn Mok

Wednesday, 14 May 2025 11:07 AM MYT


SEBERANG PERAI, May 14 — Former Penang deputy chief minister II P.Ramasamy has claimed trial to 17 counts of criminal breach of trust charges at the Sessions Court in Butterworth here.

He was charged with criminal breach of trust involving a total sum of RM859,131.29 in his capacity as the Penang Hindu Endowments Board (PHEB) chairman at that time.


Ramasamy was alleged to have misused the property entrusted to him by PHEB to make payments totalling RM779,131.29 through cheques and telegraphic transfers for the purchase of gold for PHEB without the approval of the PHEB board of directors.

This occurred on 13 separate occasions between 2019 and 2023.


He was also charged with criminal breach of trust by making payments totalling RM65,000 between 2020 and 2021 from PHEB to two individuals on different occasions as medical aid without the approval of the PHEB board of directors.


Finally, he was charged with dishonestly making payments totalling RM15,000 to two individuals on different occasions as education aid without the approval of the PHEB board of directors.

Ramasamy was charged under Section 409 of the Penal Code for criminal breach of trust that carries a jail term of not less than two years and not more than 20 years and with whipping.


He shall also be liable to a fine, if convicted.

Shamsher Singh Thind, who represented Ramasamy, asked for a lower bail sum. He said Ramasamy was not a flight risk and had cooperated in full throughout the investigations by MACC.

He said the offence was a non-bailable offence but asked that Ramasamy be allowed bail as he will comply with the bail conditions and surrender his passport to the court.

Sessions court judge Zulhazmi Abdullah allowed total bail of RM78,000 in two sureties for all 17 charges.

He also ordered Ramasamy to surrender his passport and to report to the Malaysia Anti Corruption Commission (MACC) once a month.

Noor Azura Zulkiflee and Nurnanajimatul Idayu Mohd Azuyar prosecuted the case.

Zulhazmi set July 15 for mention of the case.

Lorry driver with six past convictions remanded over Teluk Intan crash that killed nine FRU officers





Lorry driver with six past convictions remanded over Teluk Intan crash that killed nine FRU officers



The lorry driver transporting a load of gravel who was involved in the accident that claimed the lives of nine Federal Reserve Unit (FRU) personnel has been remanded for four days starting today. — Bernama pic

Wednesday, 14 May 2025 11:03 AM MYT


TELUK INTAN, May 14 – The driver of the lorry involved in a crash that killed nine Federal Reserve Unit (FRU) policemen on Jalan Sungai Manik-Sungai Lampam has been remanded for four days, New Straits Times reported.

The remand order, issued under Section 117 of the Criminal Procedure Code, was granted by Magistrate Naidatul Athirah Azman following an application by Hilir Perak police chief Assistant Commissioner Bakri Zainal Abidin.


The order is effective from today until Saturday as investigations proceed under Section 41(1) of the Road Transport Act 1987 for reckless driving causing death.

The 45-year-old suspect appeared in court around 8.50am wearing a black shirt and dark blue tracksuit.


Yesterday, Deputy Inspector-General of Police Datuk Seri Ayob Khan Mydin Pitchay clarified there was no ketum found in the lorry that crashed into the FRU vehicle and the driver’s urine was negative for drugs.

He said the 45-year-old lorry driver had a criminal record of six previous cases, one for drugs, one for rape and four for theft.

However, he said all these cases have already been tried in court and sentencing was passed down.


Earlier this morning, the final honours for nine personnel were completed in accordance with Royal Malaysia Police ceremonial protocols at the FRU Unit 5 base in Sungai Senam in Ipoh.

Nine members of the FRU were killed, while two others sustained injuries, when a lorry carrying stones collided with an FRU truck transporting 15 personnel yesterday.

Yesterday, Bakri said preliminary investigations suggested that a steering wheel failure was believed to have caused the accident.


***


kt comments:

If past convictions have NOTHING to do with current alleged offence, they should NOT be mentioned


White House cuts de minimis rate to 54pc amid new China–US trade deal





White House cuts de minimis rate to 54pc amid new China–US trade deal



Workers work at a production line manufacturing clothing for Shein at a factory in Guangzhou, Guangdong province, China April 1, 2025. — Reuters pic

Wednesday, 14 May 2025 8:56 AM MYT



HONG KONG, May 14 — The United States will cut the “de minimis” tariff for low-value shipments from China to as low as 30 per cent, according to a White House executive order and industry experts, in a move that may ease tensions in a potentially damaging trade war between the world’s two largest economies.

The order published late on Monday offers some relief to major Chinese e-commerce players Shein and Temu and follows a weekend agreement between Beijing and Washington to suspend for 90 days most of the tit-for-tat tariffs imposed on each other’s goods since early April.

Although the joint statement after talks in Geneva did not mention the de minimis duties, the order signed by President Donald Trump said levies for those direct-to-consumer postal shipments will be reduced to 54 per cent from 120 per cent for items valued up to US$800, starting Wednesday.

An alternative flat fee of US$100 per postal package remains in effect, but a planned 1 June increase to US$200 was cancelled.


Different rules apply to packages handled by commercial delivery firms such as United Parcel Service, FedEx and DHL, which had shipped millions of Shein and Temu packages before Trump ended duty-free status for Chinese shipments below the US$800 threshold.

The rate for those packages now defaults to a reduced US tariff of 30 per cent, down from 145 per cent, for Chinese imports, according to two delivery experts who spoke to Reuters on condition of anonymity due to fear of retaliation.

The 30 per cent rate reflects the Trump administration’s decision to reduce China’s “reciprocal” duty to 10 per cent from 145 per cent, plus an additional 20 per cent duty linked to the US fentanyl crisis.


The White House and the US Trade Representative’s office did not immediately respond to requests for clarification.

Trade Representative Jamieson Greer told CNBC on Tuesday that the 10 per cent global duty rate is likely to remain in place to support efforts to rebuild US manufacturing.

Collection difficulties

Commercial shippers usually collect duties from sellers in China before dispatch, but the US Postal Service lacks the capacity to process tariff collections.

Four sources told Reuters that most Temu and Shein shipments are handled by commercial carriers.

Many Chinese consumer goods sent via commercial channels remain subject to much higher tariffs imposed under earlier trade actions or national security probes.

For instance, syringes and surgical gloves face 100 per cent tariffs under a US Section 301 trade action.

One delivery expert said that if sent by postal carrier and valued under US$800, such items could still enter the US for a US$100 fee — an effective rate of 12.5 per cent.

In February, Trump ended the de minimis exemption and introduced different rules for packages handled by postal services and commercial carriers — blaming the exemption for a surge in shipments from Chinese online retailers and an influx of fentanyl and other illicit goods.

The volume of shipments entering the US through the tax-free channel surged in recent years, with over 90 per cent of all packages using the de minimis route.

Of those, about 60 per cent came from China, led by direct-to-consumer retailers such as Temu and Shein.

According to 2024 congressional testimony from a US Customs and Border Protection official, the average value of a de minimis shipment in the 2023 fiscal year was just US$54.

Chinese online retailers Shein — which is reportedly considering a London stock market listing — and Temu, owned by PDD Holdings, as well as US rival Amazon, did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

China exported US$240 billion in de minimis-eligible direct-to-consumer goods globally last year, representing 7 per cent of its total exports and contributing 1.3 per cent to GDP, according to Nomura estimates.

Jianlong Hu, CEO of Chinese cross-border e-commerce consultancy Brands Factory, said a 54 per cent tariff remains “very high”.

“Sellers are probably taking a wait-and-see approach, but in general I think it’s fair to say the boom times of small package delivery from China to the US — the Golden Age — is already gone.”

Shein is more exposed to de minimis policy changes due to its model of rapidly air-shipping thousands of new fashion items each week to Western consumers.

Hu said Shein may still opt to send some packages by air and pay the 54 per cent tariff, rather than switch entirely to slower sea freight.

“If people are buying clothes on Shein and are told the product will arrive one month later, who will buy that?”

Loophole

China’s yuan rose to a six-month high against the dollar on Tuesday, joining a global rally in riskier assets following the broader trade deal between Beijing and Washington.

Trump’s global trade war has disrupted international trade norms, rattled markets and raised concerns of a recession.

The US de minimis rule, which dates back to 1938, has come under fire from both Democratic and Republican lawmakers as a loophole allowing Chinese goods to bypass tariffs and illegal drugs, including fentanyl precursors, to enter the US uninspected, as Reuters reporting has confirmed. — Reuters


Malaysia’s Su-30MKM fighter jet sports new Avatar-themed ‘Toruk Makto’ livery ahead of LIMA ’25





Malaysia’s Su-30MKM fighter jet sports new Avatar-themed ‘Toruk Makto’ livery ahead of LIMA ’25



The Royal Malaysian Air Force’s (RMAF) Su-30MKM fighter jet has been unveiled in a new livery ahead of the Langkawi International Maritime and Aerospace Exhibition 2025 (LIMA ‘25), bearing the special title ‘Toruk Makto’. — Picture via X/@tudm_rasmi

Wednesday, 14 May 2025 9:58 AM MYT


KUALA LUMPUR, May 14 — The Royal Malaysian Air Force’s (RMAF) Su-30MKM fighter jet has been unveiled in a new livery ahead of the Langkawi International Maritime and Aerospace Exhibition 2025 (LIMA ‘25), bearing the special title ‘Toruk Makto’.

In a statement today, RMAF said the new body design of the aircraft was inspired by the legendary creature in the film Avatar, known as the Toruk or ‘The Last Shadow’.

According to the statement, in the fictional film, the title Toruk Makto is given to those who succeed in taming and riding the Toruk — a feat only possible for those with a pure and noble spirit.

In the real world, RMAF said Su-30MKM fighter jet pilots reflected a similar spirit because the aircraft, equipped with 4.5 generation technology, supermaneuverability, and advanced weaponry, was not just a war machine but an ‘iron beast’ that required an operator with a great soul.


“They are the chosen ones, not just because of their prowess, but for the purity of their spirit,” the statement read.



“In the cockpit, a pilot must make split-second decisions, sometimes between life and death. These decisions can only be made by a soul free of ego and personal intent,” it said.

LIMA ‘25, themed “Today’s Innovation, Tomorrow’s Achievements”, will take place in Langkawi from May 20 to 24, and will feature 102 aircraft and 35 naval vessels from various countries.


It remains one of the largest maritime and aerospace exhibitions in Southeast Asia since it was first held in 1991. — Bernama

Trump shocks Riyadh summit with Syria sanctions U-turn, trillion-dollar Saudi deals on the table

 




Trump shocks Riyadh summit with Syria sanctions U-turn, trillion-dollar Saudi deals on the table



US President Donald Trump and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman stand during a visit to At-Turaif World Heritage Site, in Diriyah, Saudi Arabia, May 13, 2025. — Reuters pic

Wednesday, 14 May 2025 8:40 AM MYT



RIYADH, May 14 — President Donald Trump kicked off his trip to the Gulf on Tuesday with a surprise announcement that the United States will lift long-standing sanctions on Syria, and a US$600 billion commitment from Saudi Arabia to invest in the US

The US agreed to sell Saudi Arabia an arms package worth nearly US$142 billion, according to the White House which called it the largest “defense cooperation agreement” Washington has ever done.


The end of sanctions on Syria would be a huge boost for a country that has been shattered by more than a decade of civil war. Rebels led by current President Ahmed al-Sharaa toppled President Bashar al-Assad last December.

Speaking at an investment forum in Riyadh at the start of a deals-focused trip that also brought a flurry of diplomacy, Trump said he was acting on a request to scrap the sanctions by Saudi Arabia’s de facto ruler, Prince Mohammed bin Salman.


“Oh what I do for the crown prince,” Trump said, drawing laughs from the audience. He said the sanctions had served an important function but that it was now time for the country to move forward.


The move represents a major US policy shift. The US declared Syria a state sponsor of terrorism in 1979, added sanctions in 2004 and imposed further sanctions after the civil war broke out in 2011.

Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shibani said on X that the planned move marked a “new start” in Syria’s path to reconstruction. Trump has agreed to briefly greet Sharaa in Saudi Arabia on Wednesday, a White House official said.


Trump and the Saudi crown prince signed an agreement covering energy, defense, mining and other areas. Trump has sought to strengthen relations with the Saudis to improve regional ties with Israel and act as a bulwark against Iran.

The agreement covers deals with more than a dozen US defense companies for areas including air and missile defense, air force and space, maritime security and communications, a White House fact sheet said.

It was not clear whether the deal included Lockheed F-35 jets, which sources say have been discussed. The Saudi prince said the total package could reach US$1 trillion when further agreements are reached in the months ahead.

Saudi Arabia is one of the largest customers for US arms, and the two countries have maintained strong ties for decades based on an arrangement in which the kingdom delivers oil and the superpower provides security.

But relations were strained after the 2018 murder of US-based Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi by Saudi agents in Istanbul caused a global uproar. US intelligence concluded that bin Salman approved an operation to capture or kill Khashoggi, a prominent critic, but the Saudi government has denied any involvement.

Trump did not mention the incident during his visit and called bin Salman an “incredible man.”

“I really believe we like each other a lot,” Trump said.

Trump will go on from Riyadh to Qatar on Wednesday and the United Arab Emirates on Thursday in a trip that is focused on investment rather than security matters in the Middle East.

Several US business leaders attended the event, including Elon Musk, the Tesla chief who has led a government-downsizing effort for Trump in Washington; OpenAI CEO Sam Altman; BlackRock CEO Larry Fink and Blackstone CEO Stephen Schwarzman.

Trump was shown speaking with several Saudi officials, including sovereign wealth fund governor Yasir al-Rumayyan, Aramco CEO Amin Nasser and investment minister Khalid al-Falih as he viewed models for the kingdom’s flashy, multi-billion-dollar development projects.

Bin Salman has focused on diversifying the Saudi economy in a major reform program dubbed Vision 2030 that includes “Giga-projects” such as NEOM, a futuristic city the size of Belgium. Oil generated 62% of Saudi government revenue last year.

The kingdom has scaled back some of its ambitions as rising costs and falling oil prices weigh.

No Israel visit

Trump has not scheduled a stop in Israel, raising questions about where the close ally stands in Washington’s priorities as Trump presses Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to agree to a new ceasefire deal in the 19-month-old Gaza war.

Israel’s military operations against Hamas in Gaza and Hezbollah in Lebanon, and its assassinations of the two Iran-allied groups’ leaders, have at the same time given Trump more leverage by weakening Tehran and its regional allies.

Trump said it was his “fervent hope” that Saudi Arabia would soon normalize relations with Israel, following other Arab states that did so during his first 2017-2021 term. “But you’ll do it in your own time,” he said.

Netanyahu’s opposition to the creation of a Palestinian state makes progress with the Saudis unlikely, sources told Reuters.

Trump on Tuesday called Iran “the most destructive force” in the Middle East and warned that the US will never allow it to obtain a nuclear weapon. He said he was willing to strike a new deal with the Islamic Republic but only if its leaders changed course.

“I want to make a deal with Iran,” he said. “But if Iran’s leadership rejects this olive branch... we will have no choice but to inflict massive maximum pressure.” — Reuters

Robert De Niro calls Trump ‘philistine’, slams tariffs at Cannes





Robert De Niro calls Trump ‘philistine’, slams tariffs at Cannes



Robert De Niro receives the Honorary Palme d’Or during the Opening Ceremony of the 78th edition of the Cannes Film Festival in Cannes May 13, 2025. — AFP pic

Wednesday, 14 May 2025 9:12 AM MYT



CANNES, May 14 — Hollywood star Robert De Niro slammed US President Donald Trump as a “philistine” yesterday as he accepted a lifetime achievement award at the Cannes film festival.

The 81-year-old actor said that “in my country we are fighting like hell for the democracy we once took for granted” against “America’s philistine president”.


De Niro, a fierce and longtime critic of his fellow New Yorker Trump, said the president’s swingeing cuts in funding for the arts and education were deliberate.

“Because art is the crucible that brings people together... Art looks for truth. Art embraces diversity. That’s why art is a threat. That’s why we are a threat to autocrats and fascists.”


The Taxi Driver and Goodfellas star lambasted Trump for threatening tariffs on movies “produced in foreign lands”.

“And now he has announced 100 percent tariffs on film production outside of America. You can’t put a price on creativity. But apparently, you can put a tariff on it. Of course, all these attacks are unacceptable. This is not just an American problem, it is a global one,” he added.

“We can’t just all sit back and watch. We have to act, and we have to act now,” he urged.


The Hollywood legend cried as his friend Leonardo Di Caprio presented with his honorary Palme d’Or prize.

Di Caprio thanked De Niro for recommending him to Martin Scorsese, who has since made six films with the star, from Gangs of New York to Killers of the Flower Moon. — AFP

Gerik police: Fog, poor lighting caused truck to fatally hit elephant calf, not driver negligence





Gerik police: Fog, poor lighting caused truck to fatally hit elephant calf, not driver negligence



A signboard has been installed to remind motorists to drive cautiously along the East-West Highway (JRTB) Gerik-Jeli route. — Bernama pic

Wednesday, 14 May 2025 9:09 AM MYT


IPOH, May 14 — No negligence was found in the accident involving a container truck that fatally struck a male elephant calf at Kilometre 80 on the Gerik-Jeli stretch of the East-West Highway (JRTB) last Sunday.

Gerik police chief Supt Zulkifli Mahmood said preliminary investigations revealed that the area was foggy at the time of the incident, which occurred at 2.50 am. He also noted that the road lacked street lighting.


Zulkifli had previously reported that the baby elephant crossed the road suddenly and was struck by a 28-year-old truck driver, who was transporting poultry.

A viral video on social media showed an emotional scene of a mother elephant attempting to move the truck that had hit her baby. She remained at the site for over five hours, trying to “save” her calf, a heartbreaking display that touched the hearts of many. — Bernama



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Jalur Gemilang-draped caskets mark final rites for nine FRU men killed in lorry crash





Jalur Gemilang-draped caskets mark final rites for nine FRU men killed in lorry crash



Family members and acquaintances of the victims performed funeral prayers for the seven Federal Reserve Unit (FRU) personnel who died in a road accident in Teluk Intan, during the Final Respect Ceremony held at FRU Unit 5 in Sungai Senam, Ipoh. — Bernama pic

Wednesday, 14 May 2025 9:00 AM MYT


IPOH, May 14 — The final honours for nine Federal Reserve Unit (FRU) personnel killed in yesterday’s accident in Teluk Intan were completed in accordance with Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM) ceremonial protocols at the FRU Unit 5 base in Sungai Senam here at 3.46 am today.

The caskets, draped with the Jalur Gemilang, arrived at the ceremony site at 3.13 am from the Hilir Perak district police headquarters (IPD), accompanied by full police honours.


The remains of the seven Muslim personnel were then given funeral prayers led by Ustaz Azrul Zaimi Muhammad Ali at Surau Al-Mustakim.

Earlier, all nine bodies were released from the Teluk Intan Hospital Forensic Department at 12.33 am after the post-mortem process. The remains of the seven Muslim personnel were then brought to the Hilir Perak IPD surau for prayers.


More than 500 individuals, comprising next of kin and police personnel, gathered to witness the final farewell for the fallen heroes. Also present were Deputy Inspector-General of Police Datuk Seri Ayob Khan Mydin Pitchay and Perak police chief Datuk Noor Hisam Nordin.


As soon as family members completed paying their final respects, the remains were then transported to their respective hometowns for burial.

In the 8.50 am incident on Tuesday, nine FRU members were killed when their vehicle, en route to Ipoh after completing an assignment in Teluk Intan, was rammed by a gravel-laden lorry. Eight died at the scene while one succumbed to injuries while receiving treatment at Teluk Intan Hospital. — Bernama

Tuesday, May 13, 2025

Make harsher laws for flag errors, Akmal says after PAS apology










Make harsher laws for flag errors, Akmal says after PAS apology


Published: May 13, 2025 3:26 PM
Updated: 6:17 PM


Summary

  • Umno Youth chief Dr Akmal Saleh says stern action should be taken against Terengganu PAS for its recent Jalur Gemilang blunder.

  • The Merlimau assemblyperson says it would only be fair to reiterate calls for stricter punishments, as previous similar cases had also drawn backlash.


Umno Youth chief Dr Akmal Saleh has reiterated calls for stricter punishments against those involved in offences related to the display of the national flag.

The Merlimau assemblyperson’s remark comes amid an apology by Terengganu PAS after its recent blunder with the national flag. The flag used by the party in a logo had only 11 points on its star and 12 red and white stripes.

The Jalur Gemilang should have a 14-point star and 14 alternating red and white stripes, symbolising the 13 states in the federation plus the federal territories.

Akmal cautioned against normalising mistakes related to the national flag and said it would only be fair to call for stern action against Terengganu PAS, as previous similar incidents involving other quarters had also faced backlash.

“This is why we’re asking lawmakers to draft a law regarding this issue, so that harsher legal actions can be taken.

“If we asked for strict action against a newspaper (and) Education Ministry officers, the same kind of action should be taken against those involved in this case so that a lesson is taught,” he said in a Facebook post today.

Akmal also attached a screenshot of a news article on Terengganu PAS’ apology yesterday. The national flag was featured in a logo promoting the opposition party’s “Himpunan Teguh Memimpin Terengganu” rally slated to take place in Kemaman on May 29 and 31.





Flag errors

The latest gaffe came in the wake of a slew of other errors since last month, when the Jalur Gemilang was published with various defects.

They included Sin Chew Daily’s publication of an illustration featuring the Jalur Gemilang that was missing its crescent moon, while Kwong Wah Yit Poh published a photo of an electronic billboard at Bukit Bintang that displayed the flag with a 13-point star.

An exhibitor at a baby products expo also displayed a video that featured the Jalur Gemilang without the crescent moon.

The government also made such blunders with the Education Ministry’s SPM Analysis Report, featuring an AI-generated picture of a classroom that had a Jalur Gemilang with two stars and eight alternating stripes.

Apart from internal inquiries, authorities have also investigated past cases under various laws such as the Emblems and Names (Prevention of Improper Use) Act 1963, the National Emblems (Control of Display) Act 1949, and the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998.


Teluk Intan deadly crash: DPM says stone-carrying lorry shouldn’t have been on road, logistics firm must be held liable





Teluk Intan deadly crash: DPM says stone-carrying lorry shouldn’t have been on road, logistics firm must be held liable



The impact seen on the Federal Reserve Unit (FRU) lorry involved in an accident with a stone-laden lorry along Jalan Chikus-Sungai Lampam. — Bernama pic

Tuesday, 13 May 2025 5:06 PM MYT


PUTRAJAYA, May 13 — The federal government has insisted today that the logistics company behind the lorry that caused the crash in Teluk Intan, Perak that killed nine Federal Reserve Unit (FRU) personnel must be held accountable.

Acknowledging the tragedy, Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said the fatal collision would never have taken place if the stone-laden lorry had underwent rigorous vehicle inspections such as the one performed by Puspakom.

“For that, we should not just hold the lorry driver responsible, but also the company owning the lorry must be held accountable as well,” he said in a press conference at the Prime Minister’s Department here.

This comes as Hilir Perak district police chief ACP Bakri Zainal Abidin said preliminary investigations suggested that a steering wheel failure was believed to have caused the accident.


Nine members of the FRU were killed, while two others sustained injuries, when a lorry carrying stones collided with an FRU truck transporting 15 personnel on Jalan Chikus-Sungai Lampam at 8.50 am.


In the incident, eight victims were pronounced dead at the scene, while another died while receiving treatment at Teluk Intan Hospital.

Bakri said the driver, in his 40s, who escaped unhurt, was detained this morning under Section 41 of the Road Transport Act 1987.


Transport Minister Anthony Loke later confirmed a special task force would be set up to investigate the cause of the accident.

He said the task force would consist of government and independent experts who would advise the Transport Ministry on the next course of action.

“This will be in addition to the investigation being conducted by the police,” he added.


***


kt laments:

al Fatihah, may our belated policemen rest in peace


Think first, consider realities outside of BAM, Hannah Yeoh tells Pearly-Thinaah





Scoop GFX, May 13, 2025


Think first, consider realities outside of BAM, Hannah Yeoh tells Pearly-Thinaah


Sports minister advises pair to not make hasty decision in going independent and consider the challenges of seeking funding and sponsorship outside the national setup



Fabian Peter
Updated 6 hours ago
13 May, 2025
2:03 PM MYT


KUALA LUMPUR – Youth and Sports Minister Hannah Yeoh believes it is better for the national women’s doubles pair Pearly Tan and M. Thinaah to stay with the Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) rather than make a hasty choice to go independent.

Scoop reported on Saturday that despite initial speculation of a split (with BAM), the world number four pair is expected to sign new contracts with the national body after this week’s Thailand Open.

The move, if confirmed, would end weeks of speculation about their future.

Hannah urged the shuttlers to weigh their options carefully, especially given the realities of funding and sponsorship outside the national setup.

“They need time to think properly, and it’s not as easy as moving out and finding sponsors when you are on your own,” said Hannah after the National Sports Awards in Subang Jaya today.

“Sponsorships really depend a lot on your ranking and the championships you win. There will be low seasons and high seasons. That’s why it’s always safer to be with the association – because the association will always supply the resources.”

The pair, who made history by becoming the first Malaysian women’s doubles team to reach the Olympic semi-finals in Paris last year, had reportedly requested salaries on par with BAM’s top earners – believed to be around RM2 million a year.

Their situation has drawn widespread attention, with some viewing it as a test of how BAM balances player welfare and accountability.

“Pearly and Thinaah are up-and-coming names, and we put a lot of hope in them. I hope they won’t make their decision in a rush, but really put some time into thinking about it,” Hannah added.

Meanwhile, Hannah is confident that newly elected BAM president Datuk Seri Tengku Zafrul Abdul Aziz will play a proactive role in addressing such issues.

“I think with Tengku Zafrul there now, he will make sure that he keeps as many players as possible under the BAM roof.”

Hannah acknowledged that managing an elite sports body is no easy task, particularly for cash-heavy sports like badminton.

“There are a few sports where the ecosystem needs a lot of money, and not just anyone can attract that sort of funding,” she said.

“Some may argue this person never played the sport, but the role of an administrator is not to play – it’s to secure funds and govern the structure. Tengku Zafrul has experience in the government and the corporate world. I believe that’s what the state badminton leaders saw when they elected him. So I wish him all the best.”

At the same time, she added that it would be good if former players are given more opportunities to contribute.

“My hope is that he might also create more room for former players to give back and share their input. The game of badminton today is very different, and it’s important to hear the voices of current players and those who have been there.” – May 13, 2025


Marcos' hold on senate grows shaky while Duterte wins mayor race from jail


BBC:

Marcos' hold on senate grows shaky while Duterte wins mayor race from jail



8 hours ago
Joel Guinto
BBC News



Power, survival and revenge: What’s at stake in the Philippines election?


Dominated by a fiery feud between two political dynasties, the Philippine mid-term elections have thrown up unexpected results that may shake President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr's hold on the senate.

According to the latest count of 80% of the votes, Marcos allies appear to have captured fewer senate seats than expected.

Meanwhile his rival, former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte who is detained in The Hague over his drug war that killed thousands, has been elected mayor of his family's stronghold.

The fate of his daughter Vice President Sara Duterte, who is facing an impeachment trial, remains in the balance.

The mid-terms held on Monday saw 18,000 seats contested, from local officials to governors and senators. It served as a proxy war between Marcos Jr and Sara Duterte, who were one-time allies.

The senate race, where 12 seats were up for grabs, was closely watched as it affects Sara Duterte's trial, which she has called "political persecution".

The popular vice-president, who is widely expected to run for president in 2028, is facing the prospect of a ban from politics, should a jury made up of senators vote to impeach her.

Many people had expected Marcos Jr's picks to win most of the 12 seats. But according to the latest count of 80% of the votes, only six from his camp appear to have won seats, and one of them has also been endorsed by the Dutertes.

In the top five ranking - a barometer of public popularity - only one Marcos-backed candidate, broadcaster Erwin Tulfo, made it.

Meanwhile, at the very top of the list is a Duterte loyalist - long-time aide Christopher "Bong" Go - while at number three is another Duterte ally, former police chief Ronald "Bato" dela Rosa.

The Duterte camp appears to have won at least four seats. They include Marcos Jr's older sister Imee, who recently bolted from her brother's alliance to side with the Dutertes.

What complicates things is that it is still unclear how Marcos' allies in the senate will move on Sara Duterte's impeachment. Their loyalty can shift, as senators also balance their own interests and ambitions with their political allegiances.

Meanwhile, two people who are not affiliated with either camp appear to have also won senate seats.

They are Paolo Benigno "Bam" Aquino, and an Aquino ally, Francis Pangilinan.

Bam Aquino, the cousin of a former president, has in fact clinched second place in the rankings, in what he called a "very, very surprising" result.

It marks the first time in years that voters had chosen outside the Marcos and Duterte dynasties.

The Aquino family was the Marcoses' main political nemesis in the 1980s and early 1990s before the rise of the Dutertes.

It was the assassination of opposition leader Benigno "Ninoy" Aquino Jr in 1983 that galvanised protests against Ferdinand Marcos Sr - the current president's father - culminating in the Marcos family's ouster and exile in 1986.

Monday's result signals their comeback after being wiped out of national politics in recent years.

Getty Images
Ronald dela Rosa (L) and Christopher Go (R) campaign with Duterte's youngest daughter, Veronica (Centre).


***


kt comments:

I luv Pinoy politics for its unexpected turns and twists

👍👍👍😂😁😅😆😊


I will not be silenced




Murray Hunter


I will not be silenced


P Ramasamy
May 13, 2025





I have been informed by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) that I will be charged in the Butterworth Sessions Court on Wednesday, May 14, 2025.

While the details of the charges remain unclear, I understand they are likely connected to my tenure as Chairman of the Penang Hindu Endowments Board (PHEB), a position I held for 13 years.

The allegations appear to stem from a recent report lodged with the MACC, which raised issues concerning the management of Board funds—specifically those allocated for the welfare and education of the Indian community—and the acquisition of the Golden Chariot.

What is deeply ironic is that the person behind this report is none other than the current chairman of the Board, someone who has served even longer than I have.

During my leadership, this individual never raised any concerns at Board meetings. In fact, during my tenure, the Board’s finances were consistently audited by the Federal Audit Department, which never reported any discrepancies or irregularities.

Curiously, this process began only after I resigned from the DAP and all government-affiliated positions, including the Board. Shortly after my departure, the new Board leadership initiated a fresh audit, which culminated in the MACC report. It is also noteworthy that senior DAP leaders in Penang have been actively pressuring the MACC to take action, reportedly with the involvement of one or two federal ministers.

Following the investigation, several former commissioners, including myself, were called in and had our statements recorded. I fully cooperated with the MACC, providing a detailed and objective account of the Board’s operations, funding allocations, and decision-making processes. To my knowledge, no criminal wrongdoing occurred—there may have been procedural issues, but all major decisions were made transparently during monthly Board meetings.

Despite this, it appears that the MACC—an agency ultimately answerable to the Prime Minister—has chosen to proceed with charges against me. I am not aware whether others will also be charged.

I believe this is a politically motivated move, orchestrated due to my decision to leave the DAP and my increasingly vocal criticism of Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim and the Madani government. I have consistently spoken out against Anwar’s failure to uphold the ideals of the reformasi movement and his questionable practice of promoting family members, particularly his daughter Nurul Izzah. My articles and public commentary have challenged the government’s failure to address the plight of the Indian community and have exposed the duplicity in Anwar’s leadership.

My open support for opposition parties in recent by-elections has also been well-documented. The declining support for the PH-led coalition among Malays, Chinese, and Indians is a clear signal that the rakyat is dissatisfied. The government’s fear of my influence—especially within the Indian community—may have led to this attempt to silence me through manufactured charges.

This is nothing short of political persecution. I am prepared to fight these charges vigorously. I will not be intimidated by attempts to use government institutions as tools of political vengeance.

Let it be known: I am ready to stand my ground and defend myself, not just in court, but in the court of public opinion. The truth will prevail.


PROF RAMASAMY TO BE CHARGED IN COURT TOMORROW




Murray Hunter


PROF RAMASAMY TO BE CHARGED IN COURT TOMORROW


Satees Muniandy
May 13, 2025






Penang, 13 May 2025 – Professor Dr. Ramasamy has been instructed by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) to appear at the MACC headquarters in Penang on 12 May 2025 (yesterday). Upon his arrival, he was informed that he would be charged at the Butterworth Sessions Court under Section 23(1) of the MACC Act 2009 on Wednesday, 14 May 2025.

We believe the charges are linked to the procurement of the Golden Chariot in 2017 and welfare assistance distributed to the public through the Penang Hindu Endowments Board (PHEB). These matters have repeatedly been used by detractors to discredit Prof. Ramasamy since 2017 and were long ago brought to the attention of the MACC.

We understand that MACC officers in Penang are acting under instructions from Putrajaya. It is no coincidence that these charges emerge just as Prof. Ramasamy has been openly critical of Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, particularly on issues such as nepotism and governance.

In our view, these charges are clearly politically motivated. We are aware that certain DAP leaders have been persistently lobbying the MACC to pursue this case. With Indian voters increasingly distancing themselves from so-called multiracial parties like PKR and DAP, it appears that the MADANI government feels compelled to silence dissenting voices.

Prof. Ramasamy and URIMAI will fight these allegations in a court of law, and we believe the truth will ultimately prevail. Those in power may attempt to use state institutions to intimidate and suppress critics, but they must remember—power is not permanent.

If Prime Minister Anwar and the MADANI regime believe they can silence Prof. Ramasamy with politically driven charges, they are gravely mistaken.

URIMAI and Prof. Ramasamy remain committed to challenging this regime with greater resolve than ever before.

*Satees Muniandy*

*Secretary*

*URIMAI Interim Council*

Palestinian journalist among two killed in Israeli attack on Gaza hospital


al Jazeera:

Palestinian journalist among two killed in Israeli attack on Gaza hospital

Hassan Eslaih has been killed in Nasser Hospital during treatment for injuries sustained in the previous Israeli attack


Palestinian journalists walk in the funeral procession of their colleague Hassan Eslaih in Khan Younis in the southern Gaza Strip on May 13, 2025 [Eyad Baba/AFP]

Published On 13 May 202513 May 2025



Israel’s army has admitted to carrying out “a targeted attack” on the Nasser Medical Complex in the city of Khan Younis in southern Gaza, killing two people, including Palestinian journalist Hassan Eslaih.

Gaza’s Government Media Office on Tuesday confirmed the killing of Eslaih, who was receiving treatment at the hospital’s burn unit for severe injuries sustained during an April 7 Israeli strike on a media tent located next to the hospital.


Ramasamy expected to be slapped with 17 CBT charges


The Star:

Ramasamy expected to be slapped with 17 CBT charges


Tuesday, 13 May 20255:22 PM MYT


-filepic


GEORGE TOWN: Former deputy chief minister Dr P. Ramasamy is expected to face 17 criminal breach of trust charges at the Butterworth Sessions Court on Wednesday (May 14).

Sources confirmed that the charges would be framed under Section 409 of the Penal Code criminal breach of trust by a public servant or agent, which carries a jail term of up to 20 years, whipping and a fine.


The charges involve the procurement of a gold-plated chariot by the Penang Hindu Endowment Board (PHEB) in 2019 and donations to four charitable organisations.

The former PHEB chairman was called in for questioning at 10am on Monday (May 12).



Ramasamy, 76, was barred from travelling to Indonesia in December 2024.

His lawyer, Shamsher Singh Thind, earlier said Ramasamy would be brought to the Butterworth court on Wednesday (May 14) to face charges under Section 23(1) of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) Act 2009.


***


kt comments:

Hope it's NOT what I am suspicious of, that of Dr Ramasamy criticising PMX.


Rafizi warns PKR at risk of losing Chinese vote ahead of GE16


FMT:

Rafizi warns PKR at risk of losing Chinese vote ahead of GE16


5 hours ago
Elill Easwaran

The PKR deputy president cites internal data showing a 32% drop in support among Chinese voters and a 38% drop among Indian voters


PKR deputy president Rafizi Ramli said PH must be mindful of voter frustrations, especially among fence-sitters.



PETALING JAYA: PKR deputy president Rafizi Ramli has sounded the alarm over waning support for the party and Pakatan Harapan (PH) among Chinese voters, a shift which he said could cost key seats in the next general election (GE16).

Speaking at a campaign event in Kedah last night, Rafizi cited internal data showing that a growing number of Chinese voters who previously backed PH no longer intended to cast their ballots.

“We should be worried about Chinese supporters. Thirty-two percent of them said they won’t vote for PH or PKR. They won’t vote for Perikatan Nasional (PN), either. They just won’t come out,” he said without specifying the baseline for comparison.


Rafizi said the same problem was also emerging among Indian voters, with internal data showing a 38% drop in support for PH within the community.

The economy minister said PH must be mindful of voter frustrations and take meaningful action, especially with fence-sitters watching the unity government closely.


“If prices go up, we can’t go around saying ‘everything is fine’. If the cost of living is hurting people, we need to acknowledge it,” he added.

Rafizi also touched on recent by-election outcomes, saying the transfer of votes between PH and Barisan Nasional (BN), both part of the unity government, was not happening as expected.

“Umno voters are choosing PN. PH voters have supported BN in seats where it’s BN versus PN, but when it’s PH versus PN, BN voters go to PN.

“This shows that BN votes won’t automatically transfer to PH, even if PH and BN work together in the next general election,” he said.

Rafizi also defended the reliability of his internal polling, saying it offered clearer insight than third-party surveys like those by Merdeka Center.

“Merdeka Center didn’t predict the 2018 outcome. They said Najib Razak would win two-thirds. They don’t ask people who they’re voting for. We do,” he said.

In response to criticism over his open campaigning style, Rafizi said he preferred transparency to behind-the-scenes manoeuvring.

“This is better than meeting in hotels and telling branch leaders to bring 40 people for selfies,” he said.


Elected leaders among 28 sacked from PKR for dual membership


FMT:

Elected leaders among 28 sacked from PKR for dual membership


2 days ago
Elill Easwaran

Party secretary-general Fuziah Salleh says verifying such cases is not as straightforward as some assume


PKR secretary-general Fuziah Salleh said PKR only takes action against members if it is confirmed that it is not the last party they joined.



PETALING JAYA: PKR secretary-general Fuziah Salleh says a total of 28 party members, including three recently elected leaders, have been expelled for being confirmed members of other parties.

Fuziah said following the first round of election nominations at the branch level, the party’s central leadership council had initially discussed and endorsed the expulsion of 36 members who had been flagged for dual party membership issues.

“Of the 36, 11 appealed and were reinstated after presenting evidence of their commitment to PKR, including letters of support and records of grassroots activity,” she told FMT.

Further disciplinary action was then taken after the division elections concluded, with three elected leaders – the Jempol and Pasir Salak division chiefs, and Besut Wanita PKR chief – being sacked after complaints were verified.




Fuziah said that in the case of Jempol, action was taken only after due diligence was completed, even though the leader had won the election. A re-election was held for the position.

She said verifying cases of dual party membership is not as straightforward as some assume, especially when evidence is lacking or timelines are unclear.

Fuziah said PKR only takes action against members if it is confirmed that PKR is not the last party they joined.

“We often receive complaints of dual or even triple membership. The first thing I always do is establish which party they last joined.

“If it’s not PKR, then there are grounds for disciplinary action,” she said.

She said the party does not act against members who had joined Umno in the past but later aligned themselves with PKR, pointing to cases dating back to the 1998 Reformasi movement.

“Many followed president Anwar Ibrahim after he was sacked from Umno. Some never formally left Umno but eventually joined PKR. In those cases, it’s clear where their loyalty lies,” she said.

Fuziah acknowledged the difficulty in verifying party membership records, especially when access to other parties’ databases is limited.

“In some parties, we can check. Others, we can’t. That’s why we look for other indicators – like whether the individual holds a position or is seen actively contesting under another party’s banner,” she said.

She said ordinary members are particularly hard to track and a complaint without solid proof is not enough to take action.

“For instance, if someone just appears in a photo with a Bersatu leader, that’s not conclusive evidence,” she said.


Siti Kasim slams Perlis Mufti for rallying Muslims to side Pakistan in military conflict against India


Focus Malaysia:

Siti Kasim slams Perlis Mufti for rallying Muslims to side Pakistan in military conflict against India





PERLIS Mufti Datuk Dr Mohd Asri Zainul Abidin a.k.a. Dr MAZA should not have blindly meddled in the tensed India-Pakistan affairs by urging Malaysian Muslims to back Pakistan simply because it is a Muslim country.

This is because such action could disrupt religious harmony by indirectly pitting Malaysian Muslims against their Hindu compatriots, according to Siti Kasim.

“Where was his voice when allegedly Pakistani armed militants massacred 26 Hindu civilians near Pahalgam in the Indian-administered Jammu and Kashmir (on April 22)?” berated the human rights activist and lawyer in her latest YouTube rant.




“I wonder if Dr MAZA who holds a PhD is aware that there are 200 million Muslim citizens in India which is 10 times the number of the Malaysian Muslim population compared to five million Hindus in Pakistan (which is two to three times the Malaysian Hindu population)?

“India has once appointed a Muslim president who is well-loved by all Indians but has Pakistan ever appointed a Hindu to become its head of state?”

Editor’s Note: Siti Kasim is very likely to refer to aerospace scientist APJ Abdul Kalam who was India’s president from 2002-2007

At the moment, the US-brokered ceasefire agreed upon between the nuclear-armed neighbours over the weekend appears to have held so far, according to BBC.

Ticking off Dr MAZA further, Siti Kasim wondered if the latter is aware that one of the two female commanders of India’s Operation Sindoor is Muslim woman Colonel Sofia Qureshi from the Indian Army (the other is Wing Commander Vyomika Singh from the Indian Air Force).




“If it’s true that India hates Muslims as alleged by Dr MAZA, then is he suggesting that India is out of its mind to allow a Muslim to spearhead Operation Sindoori?” asked the Orang Asli advocate.

“The best is that the All India Imam Organisation’s (AIIO) chief Imam Umer Ahmed Ilyas backs India’s Operation Sindoor against Pakistan as a mark of respect to women who have been widowed in the Pahalgam terrorist attack.”

In Siti Kasim’s contention, such mentality is typical of those with the Ketuanan mindset, ie they made a fuss when Sin Chew Daily erroneously left out the crescent moon in the Malaysian flag but were dead silent when a somehow similar blunder was repeated by the Education Ministry.



“Or become ballistic with the sight of China flags by sounding the Chinese to return to China when they have settled down in Malaysia for a few generations already,” she asserted.

“But they’ve no qualms with the Palestinian and Pakistani flags which they would gladly stand in solidarity with … This is hypocrisy of the highest degree.”

More broadly, Siti Kasim is against Malaysia intervening in the love-hate affairs of India and Pakistan which have for years been indulging in tussles which have sparked four wars since 1947 with numerous conflicts and skirmishes along the way.

In this regard, she wanted Dr MAZA to be called out and be given tongue lashing for his irresponsible action of harnessing religious hatred among multi-faith Malaysians

As the latest development is not a religious issue, let me asked Dr MAZA if his action will make religious relations in Malaysia more harmonious, progressive and peaceful?

Where’re our politicians? All of us have responsibility to live in a plural society by not provoking or exploiting racial/religious sentiments.

We’ve our fair share of internal problems which aren’t resolved, hence we should be grateful by not taking our prevailing peace for granted.

Even our PM has offered himself to be a mediator when problems in our country are piling up … Stop being busybody by minding our own business than to interfere in the India-Pakistan or Palestine-Isarel affairs. – May 13, 2025




Ex-minister defends Zahid over ‘Sabah for Sabahans’ criticism


FMT:

Ex-minister defends Zahid over ‘Sabah for Sabahans’ criticism


12 hours ago
FMT Reporters

Zaid Ibrahim says Jeffrey Kitingan’s reaction was typical of Sabah leaders who take any opportunity to discredit federal leaders for their own failings


Former law minister Zaid Ibrahim said leaders must look at issues as a country and a people.



PETALING JAYA: Former law minister Zaid Ibrahim has defended Ahmad Zahid Hamidi after Sabah deputy chief minister Jeffrey Kitingan hit out at the Barisan Nasional chairman for criticising the “Sabah for Sabahans” sentiment.

Zaid said Kitingan’s reaction was typical of Sabah leaders who take any opportunity to discredit federal leaders for their own failings, especially near elections.

“Sabah’s poverty and lack of progress were mainly due to its elected leaders, who prioritised themselves, leaving the people behind.

“Who manages Yayasan Sabah? Who were the chief ministers all these years? (Were they) from Semenanjung?” he said in a post on X.




Kitingan had lashed out at Zahid for describing the “Sabah for Sabahans” sentiment as divisive.

He said Sabahans did not need the permission or validation of federal leaders to assert what was rightfully theirs, and that Sabah was never meant to be a subordinate state but an equal partner with Sarawak and Malaya in the federation of Malaysia.

He also appeared to warn of Sabah possibly leaving the federation, saying this would ultimately be up to Sabahans.

Zahid had criticised the “Sabah for Sabahans” sentiment as divisive and counterproductive, arguing that maintaining close ties with the federal government was key to the state’s prosperity and development.

Zaid backed Zahid’s remarks, saying leaders must look at issues as a country and a people.

“Stoking the fear of Sabah leaving the federation when they are unhappy with something or the federal leaders worries nobody. Where can Sabah go?

“Our country will not progress if it does not get rid of its obsession with race, religion, and regionalism,” the former Kota Bharu MP said.


Police probe if Pamela Ling fled the country, lawyer demands answers


theVibes.com:

Police probe if Pamela Ling fled the country, lawyer demands answers


Pamela's lawyer Sangeet Kaur Deo has called for an immediate investigation into any role MACC might have in her disappearance.

Updated 12 minutes ago
Published on 13 May 2025 11:52AM


It has been 33 days since Pamela went missing, - May 13, 2025


POLICE are conducting a detailed investigation into the case of Datin Seri Pamela Ling Yueh, who was reported missing on April 9, including the possibility that the individual may have fled abroad.

Putrajaya District Police Chief Aidi Sham Mohamed said that so far, the individual's movement out of the country has been blocked by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) while the team is conducting the investigation.

"The police will also record statements of the individual's children and witnesses will be taken in the near future and are being arranged by the International Police (Intepol).

"So far, a total of 27 witnesses have also had their statements recorded," he said in a statement today.

He said police also ruled out the possibility of other suspects being involved in the case.

Yesterday, the media reported that Interpol was arranging to record statements from Pamela’s son.

Pamela, the wife of a businessman from Sarawak, was reported missing after taking an e-hailing service from Cheras to the MACC office.

Witnesses claimed that the vehicle she was travelling in was blocked by three cars and she was then taken away by individuals wearing police uniforms.

Lawyer calls for detailed probe

Meanwhile, Pamela's lawyer Sangeet Kaur Deo has called for an immediate investigation into any role MACC might have in her disappearance.

She said it has been 33 days since Pamela went missing, and the MACC has yet to explain its actions leading up to her disappearance.

“An immediate, independent, and transparent investigation into MACC’s role is essential.

“MACC said Pamela was only assisting in investigations, then claimed she was a ‘suspect’. Which was it? If she was a suspect all along, why was this not made clear? If she wasn’t, why was she hunted so aggressively?” the lawyer said in a statement.

She added that the MACC released a timeline of events but left out key details such as Pamela being arrested, held in custody, questioned multiple times, and placed under a travel ban that separated her from her children.

Sangeet claimed that Pamela was forced to stay in Malaysia under MACC’s watch, and was separated from her three children in Singapore due to a travel ban that was imposed without any explanation.

“Even when her lawyers sought to lift the restriction, the MACC refused to respond. Just days later, she disappeared.

“The MACC’s integrity is being called into question. Yet, in the face of growing public concerns, the MACC has remained silent," she said.

She called on MACC to answer three matters - Who gave the order to go after Pamela?; Why was she repeatedly pressed over personal matters unrelated to MACC’s legal powers? and why has the MACC chief commissioner stayed silent?

She said Malaysians deserved a corruption-fighting institution that commands trust, not one that fuels mistrust by “retreating into silence when transparency is most needed”. – May 13, 2025



***


kt comments:

While Police are checking on the whereabouts of Pamela Ling, please also check on the mysterious death-falls of (a) Teoh Beng Hock on 16 July 2009, and (b) Ahmad Sarbani bin Mohamad, BOTH being in the custody of the MACC at the time of their sudden deaths.

Teoh Beng Hock


Ahmad Sarbani bin Mohamad


Last updated Oct 14, 2018

Back in 2011, Kit Siang said the MACC must take responsibility not just for Beng Hock’s murder but for the murder of Customs Department officer Ahmad Sarbani Mohamed as well. Today, Kit Siang says the MACC is not to be blamed but Najib who was Prime Minister then must take the blame.

NO HOLDS BARRED

Raja Petra Kamarudin


Lim Kit Siang and Najib Tun Razak are engaged in a public debate regarding Teoh Beng Hock’s murder.

Kit Siang said, since Najib was the Prime Minister on 16th July 2009 (he took over as Prime Minister three months before that) then the Prime Minister must personally take the blame for the murder even if he did not personally murder Beng Hock.

Apek ini sudah nyanyok ke?

What about the murder of 500 other people over the last 30 years, all who also died while in custody? Should the three Prime Ministers over the last 30 years (Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi and Najib) be personally held responsible for these 500 murders as well?

Back in 2011, Kit Siang said the MACC must take responsibility not just for Beng Hock’s murder but for the murder of Customs Department officer Ahmad Sarbani Mohamed as well. Today, Kit Siang says the MACC is not to be blamed but Najib who was Prime Minister then must take the blame.

Apek ini sudah nyanyok ke?


***


kt comments again:

Please read below:


Showing posts sorted by relevance for query TeohSort by date Show all posts

6/01/2017

Let us not forget Teoh Beng Hock


Alas, someone in the DAP might have forgotten
The evil that was perpetuated on a young man
By a Nazi-like organization that has been rotten
Yet easily forgiven by a political flash in the pan


All for grubby politics, none for integrity nor justice
For a man slain on the very eve of his wedding day
Oh we weep, what treachery to become so solicitous
To abandon principles, an evil crime now is gainsay


DAP leader Lim Kit Siang shook hands with Rohaizad Yaakob, a top Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) official to show the opposition’s solidarity with the MACC 

Yet just a year earlier Kit Siang in his article, titled "Malaysians will not rest until justice is done for the killing of Teoh Beng Hock" said DAP and Pakatan Rakyat would continue to highlight the injustice of Teoh Beng Hock’s unresolved murder

what utter bullshit

But I haven't!

When is the MACC going to hand over to the police the person responsible for the untimely death of Teoh Beng Hock?



8/06/2015

Forgetting Teoh Beng Hock


O so soon you've forgotten me
Hey, my late name was Teoh Beng Hock
Is that even in your memory
Or just a wee footnote in history
My story soon to become mere talk-cock


Those who sinned against me
Cursing my family with veritable untold woes
Making Er Jia a fatherless baby
And those men with no pity
Have become icons by you, your new heroes



Thou faithless headless chooks
Have further insulted my already grieving family
Giving the enemy support but not rebukes
Ever greater pain my family now brooks
All because of your sad self-interest treachery

Bhai once said don't be immoral
In desperately seeking victory without morality
Nor should one be ever unethical
But safeguard and value our principle
To never sacrifice and replace with hypocrisy


YOU UNMITIGATED HYPOCRITICAL BASTARDS!





Read also my KTemoc Komposes posts:

(1) Remembering Teoh Beng Hock

(2) The murder of Teoh Beng Hock

(3) I work for the rights of the dead



And read Malaysiakini: