Anwar’s pol-sec slams Opposition for turning Urban Renewal Bill into a racial issue

Anwar’s pol-sec slams Opposition for turning Urban Renewal Bill into a racial issue



Prime Minister’s political secretary Muhammad Kamil Abdul Munim slammed Opposition leaders for escalating the proposed Urban Renewal Bill into a racial issue. — Picture by John Bunyan

Friday, 28 Feb 2025 8:20 PM MYT


KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 28 — Prime Minister’s political secretary Muhammad Kamil Abdul Munim today slammed Opposition leaders for escalating the proposed Urban Renewal Act (URA) into a racial issue.

The Angkatan Muda Keadilan (AMK) deputy chief said that Opposition leaders should carefully examine the details of the Bill before taking any actions that offer no real value.

“This Bill should be viewed as an opportunity for both the government and opposition to present proposals, opinions, and constructive feedback, ensuring that the rights and interests of the affected groups are prioritised.

“Such discussions should be guided by the principle of ‘checks and balances,’ rather than using the opposition platform to spread falsehoods or fuel racial tensions over matters concerning the rights and well-being of the people,” he said in a statement.

Kamil also pointed out that the Bill will not grant the government the power to alter the ownership status of land, except in the case of Bumiputera ownership in specific areas as clarified by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and Housing and Local Government (KPKT) Minister Nga Kor Ming.

“Most importantly, the Bill is still in the planning stage, with KPKT actively gathering input and feedback from key stakeholders.

“We believe the public, particularly the youth, will not be swayed by the opposition’s narrow racial politics on issues like the URA, which appears to be an attempt to gain political advantage through shallow and divisive tactics,” he said.

Earlier, Anwar assured that the Bill, set to be tabled in Parliament, will not alter the status of affected lands.

Anwar also dismissed claims that the Bill would lead to the seizure of Malay reserve land, calling such accusations false.

This comes after PAS deputy youth chief Mohd Hafez Sabri announced plans for a large-scale demonstration against the proposed Bill.

Muslims in Malaysia to begin fasting on Sunday

Muslims in Malaysia to begin fasting on Sunday

The atmosphere at the Ramadan crescent moon sighting at Kuala Lumpur Tower, February 28. — Bernama pic

Friday, 28 Feb 2025 8:20 PM MYT


KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 28 — Muslims in Malaysia will begin fasting on Sunday, March 2, Keeper of the Rulers’ Seal Tan Sri Syed Danial Syed Ahmad said.

Syed Danial said the first day of fasting for all states was set according to the order of His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim, King of Malaysia, after being consented by the Rulers.

The announcement was broadcast live on Radio Televisyen Malaysia (RTM) tonight.

On February 20, the Office of the Keeper of the Rulers’ Seal, in a statement, said that the sighting of the new moon for the commencement of Ramadan for Muslims in Malaysia was to take place today (February 28).

A total of 29 locations nationwide were involved in the attempts to sight the new moon, including Baitul Hilal Bangunan Sultan Ismail, Pontian, Johor, Kompleks Falak Al-Khawarizmi, Kampung Balik Batu, Tanjung Bidara in Melaka, Kuala Lumpur Tower and Putrajaya International Convention Centre. — Bernama

PM Anwar warns against exploiting freedom of assembly for slander and deceit

PM Anwar warns against exploiting freedom of assembly for slander and deceit



Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has reminded all parties not to misuse the freedom to hold gatherings by resorting to slander and deceit. — Bernama pic

Friday, 28 Feb 2025 5:53 PM MYT


PUTRAJAYA, Feb 28 — Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has reminded all parties not to misuse the freedom to hold gatherings by resorting to slander and deceit.

The prime minister said while the government now allows peaceful gatherings with minimal restrictions, organisers must cooperate with the police by providing prior notice to ensure public safety.

“... secondly, the issue must be reasonable. This is about urban development and renewal (and) we are trying to help low-income residents, the majority of whom are Malays.

“So why oppose efforts to redevelop these areas?” he told reporters after officiating the Singgah Madani programme at a restaurant here today.

Anwar also lambasted certain parties for exploiting racial sentiments to appear as defenders of Malay rights in urban development issues, despite failing to take meaningful action when they were in power.

“When did you ever fight (for Malay rights)? When you were in power before, there were no efforts to develop impoverished areas, old flats or even help urban Malays. Now, we are the ones working on it.

“That’s why I want to remind everyone not to misuse this freedom (of assembly) to spread lies and slander, especially in the name of Islam and the Malays,” he said.

Anwar said the government’s efforts to uplift the Malay community are often disrupted by a small group driven by envy.

“The real problem they have is envy. They cannot stand seeing others prosper or witnessing positive projects being implemented. I doubt they’ve ever seen the flats in Kampung Kerinchi or Seri Perlis. The conditions there are extremely poor,” he said.

Anwar said urban redevelopment aims to ensure that the underprivileged are not left behind in the country’s progress.

“It is our responsibility to use the law to push for redevelopment,” he said.

Yesterday, Anwar reaffirmed the government’s commitment to championing the Urban Renewal Bill to improve the living standards of urban Malays.

This is following PAS Youth’s reported plans to hold a protest against the government’s proposal to introduce the bill, claiming it could threaten property ownership rights, particularly for lower-income urban residents. — Bernama

NATO Is The Big Obstacle To Peace In Ukraine

NATO Is The Big Obstacle To Peace In Ukraine

by Tyler Durden
Friday, Feb 28, 2025 - 03:25 PM

Authored by Jacob Hornberger via The Future of Freedom Foundation,

During his recent campaign for president, Donald Trump repeatedly stated that he had a secret plan for settling the war in Ukraine.

He suggested that he would be able to resolve the conflict within a day of so of taking office. That obviously was political hyperbole because the war is still going on. Trump and people in his administration are now talking to Russian president Vladimir Putin and Russian officials in an effort to find a way to end the war and possibly even normalize relations between the United States and Russia.

There is one great big obstacle, however, to bringing an end to the Ukraine-Russia conflict. That obstacle is NATO, the old Cold War dinosaur that should have gone out of existence with the end of the Cold War, just like the Warsaw Pact did.



Instead, NATO not only remained in existence, it also ultimately became the root cause of the war between Ukraine and Russia.

It’s that critically important point that is lost on the U.S. mainstream media. For them, the war began at the moment that Russia invaded Ukraine. Nothing that preceded that invasion matters to the mainstream media. What came before the invasion is simply considered irrelevant.

But it’s not irrelevant, especially because it might well prove to be an insurmountable obstacle to a lasting peace between Ukraine and Russia.

With the surprise end of the Cold War, the U.S. national-security establishment — i.e., the Pentagon, the CIA, and the NSA — lost its big official enemy — Russia (or, to be more exact, the Soviet Union), which meant the end of the big Cold War racket that had kept the national-security branch in high cotton in terms of power and taxpayer-funded largess.

The Pentagon, the CIA, and the NSA were panicky. At first, they announced that they were willing to participate in the “war on drugs.” They then converted their old partner and ally Saddam Hussein into an official enemy, who they used to scare the American people for some 11 years. Then, their interventionist and deadly foreign policy in the Middle East brought about the 9/11 retaliatory strikes and they were off to the races again, with the “war on terrorism” replacing the Cold War’s “war on communism.”

But they never lost sight of the possibility of reconverting Russia into a renewed official enemy, as part of a new Cold War, especially given that the anti-Russia Cold War sentiment was so deeply embedded within the American people. That’s when they began using NATO to expand eastward toward Russia’s border by absorbing former members of the Warsaw Pact.

An important thing to note about this was that U.S. officials had promised Russia that NATO would not expand. It would stay, they repeatedly stated, right where it was.

It was a lie. Instead, NATO was used to expand eastward, which enabled NATO’s missiles, tanks, weapons, troops, and planes to get ever closer to Russia’s border. It’s worth mentioning that NATO includes Germany, the nation that wreaked untold death and destruction on Russia in the two world wars.

Why would U.S. officials do that? To get their official enemy — and big cash cow — back. They were not ready to let go of Russia as America’s official enemy. And they knew — as an absolute certainty — what Russia’s reaction would be to having U.S. and German missiles, forces, tanks, planes, and armaments getting ever closer to Russia’s borders. They knew that Russia would react negatively — very negatively. And the reason they knew that was because they knew that that is precisely how they would react if Russia began doing the same thing in Cuba.

Moreover, Russia repeatedly told them what would happen if they threatened to absorb Ukraine into NATO. Russia would invade to prevent that from happening. Thus, not surprisingly, NATO threatened to absorb Ukraine, knowing full-well that that would provoke Russia into invading.

Thus, when Russia did invade, U.S. and European officials and the U.S. mainstream press cried, “Aggression! Aggression!” And they were right from a legal standpoint. Russia had no legal right to invade Ukraine, and Ukraine had the legal right to join NATO. But what U.S. officials, European officials, and the U.S. mainstream press steadfastly avoided confronting — and still avoid confronting — is that, as a practical matter, U.S. officials had broken their promise to Russia not to expand NATO eastward and that, as a practical matter, that was the reason for the Ukraine-Russia war.

Why is all that pre-invasion history important insofar as a peace treaty is concerned? Because if one takes the official U.S.-European narrative seriously — that Russia invaded Ukraine because it is an aggressor nation that is hell-bent on conquering the world — then how do they arrive at a satisfactory resolution of the war, given that the real reason that Russia invaded Ukraine was to prevent Ukraine from joining NATO?

Thus, how does Trump guarantee Russia that Ukraine won’t ever join NATO? Sure, he can give his word. He can even put it into writing. But everyone knows that the U.S. government does not keep its word, and everyone knows that the U.S. government lies. Indeed, everyone knows that the U.S. promised Russia that NATO would not move eastward, and it did anyway.

Moreover, even if Russia believes Trump and takes him at his word, Trump could die from a heart attack tomorrow. Moreover, four years from now, America will presumably have a new president. What then? What assurance does Russia have that a new president won’t suddenly announce that NATO is absorbing Ukraine.

Therefore, the best assurance that Russia could be given would be the total dismantling of NATO.

With no NATO, there is no threat of NATO’s suddenly absorbing Ukraine. Moreover, no more NATO means no more former Warsaw Pact members as members of NATO.

But what are the chances that Trump will bring an end to this Cold War dinosaur? Very slim, unfortunately, which will make it very difficult to arrive at a lasting peace in Ukraine.

DAP polls: Teng wants Guan Eng to stay for now, but not his sister

DAP polls: Teng wants Guan Eng to stay for now, but not his sister

Lee Way Loon
Published: Feb 28, 2025 9:20 AM
Updated: 1:47 PM


Summary

• DAP veteran Teng Chang Khim urges delaying Lim Guan Eng’s removal from the DAP Central Executive Committee (CEC), arguing that the party's new leadership lacks the necessary prestige and track record to fill the leadership void immediately.

• However, Teng opposes Lim Hui Ying’s retention in the CEC, warning against the continuation of a "Lim dynasty" and advocating against family-based leadership succession in the party.

• Teng also calls for party reforms, including changes to the candidate selection process, urging decision-making power to be returned to the CEC or Central Working Committee (CWC) instead of informal small committees.

Embattled DAP national chairperson Lim Guan Eng has received unexpected support from party veteran Teng Chang Khim, who opined that he should be retained in the Central Executive Committee (CEC) for three more years.

Despite being one of the fiercest critics of the alleged "Lim dynasty", Teng argued that the new generation of DAP leaders has yet to establish the credibility and track record needed to navigate the current political landscape.

He first voiced this position in a Jan 23 post on X, sparking speculation given his history of opposing hereditary leadership in the party.

In the 2001 DAP election, Teng, the then-DAP Youth chief, openly urged party chairperson Lim Kit Siang, Guan Eng’s father, not to accept any nominations.

DAP veteran Teng Chang Khim

Under Guan Eng’s tenure as secretary-general, Teng was sidelined from the party mainstream and later stepped away from active politics in 2023.

Speaking to Malaysiakini, Teng clarified that he is not against Guan Eng’s eventual removal but believed it should be delayed.

"We need to assess the situation. While removing him may be emotionally gratifying - since it can feel like a form of vengeance - such feelings are personal. We must consider the broader political landscape," he said during an interview for Malaysiakini’s Chinese-language podcast on Tuesday.

"The purpose of a party election is to elect leaders. This leadership team is entering its second term. Now is the time to strengthen and consolidate their standing."

The podcast was released yesterday on YouTube, Spotify, and Apple Podcasts.

Addressing non-Muslim concerns

Teng cited recent issues affecting non-Muslims, including proposed interfaith guidelines for Muslims attending non-Muslim events.

He argued that the Chinese community perceives the DAP leadership as weak in handling such matters and that Guan Eng still plays a crucial role in articulating the party’s stance.

He added that the government, facing growing pressure from PAS and the "Green Wave", is treading carefully to avoid alienating Malay and Muslim voters.

"When the freedoms and lifestyles of non-Muslims are threatened, it seems that no political leader or MP is stepping up to express a firm position," he said.

"If ‘Tokong’ (an infamous moniker for Guan Eng) is removed, a vacuum will form, and it cannot be filled in the short term. This will weaken the party’s standing within the government."

Warning against party collapse

Teng warned that if Guan Eng is removed now and the next generation fails to gain public trust within three years, DAP risks losing support or even facing collapse.

When asked if Guan Eng should also retain his position as chairperson, Teng responded that rejecting the feudalistic culture of "family rule" was more important.

"Our criticism is not about the Lim family itself, but about the broader culture of passing leadership from father to son or daughter. This mindset has already spread within the party, and we should challenge it.

"If I had voting rights, I would not vote for Lim Hui Ying (Guan Eng's sister, who is contesting a CEC post). Keeping her in the CEC would only perpetuate the Lim dynasty.

"If we are even bolder, we could ensure that Guan Eng’s son does not contest in the next general election to succeed his father. If we can accomplish this, it would be meaningful in reforming the party’s political culture. The focus should not be on whether Guan Eng stays or whether he remains chairperson," he said.

Lim Guan Eng’s sister Lim Hui Ying

Teng also called for reforms in DAP’s candidate selection process, urging that decision-making power be returned to the CEC or Central Working Committee (CWC) as stipulated in the party constitution - rather than being controlled by an informal three- or five-member committee.

DAP's CEC election follows a two-tier process where the delegates first elect 30 members into the CEC, who then internally select the office-bearers, including the secretary-general, the highest post in DAP, comparable with the president’s post in other parties.

Therefore, any leader aspiring to a top position must ensure both themselves and their allies secure enough votes in the first round to stand a chance in the final election.

It is said that Guan Eng, who is the Bagan MP, will be facing a significant challenge in the CEC election on March 16.

***

kt comments:

Teng sure knows his stuff - fully agreed with his proposals.

Pahang Sultan wants end to debate over royal addendum on Najib

 

Pahang Sultan wants end to debate over royal addendum on Najib



Sultan of Pahang, Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri'ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah speaks during a ceremony at Kampung Batu 4 in Kuantan, on June 14, 2024. — Bernama pic

Friday, 28 Feb 2025 9:30 AM MYT


KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 28 — Pahang Ruler Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri'ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah has urged all parties to cease debating a royal addendum regarding ex-prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak’s parson, saying the matter is under legal review and should be respected.

Speaking at the Himpunan Pahang Bermunajat Raja Berdaulat gathering at the Sultan Ahmad 1 State Mosque yesterday, he called for restraint to prevent unnecessary confusion and disputes.

“Regarding the addendum decree, this matter falls under the jurisdiction of the responsible and trustworthy parties,” he was quoted as saying by Malaysiakini, stressing the importance of allowing the legal process to take its course.

He urged the public and stakeholders to respect established laws and procedures rather than engage in speculation or debate that could fuel misunderstandings.

“Avoid creating confusion or unnecessary debates,” he stated, adding that responsible governance requires patience and adherence to due process.

The Sultan also emphasized the values of honesty, trust, mutual respect, and openness in resolving issues, calling for unity and cooperation.

In February 2024, the Federal Territories Pardons Board — chaired by Al-Sultan Abdullah — halved Najib’s sentence from his SRC International trial conviction to six years.

Najib subsequently claimed that Al-Sultan Abdullah had also issued a “royal addendum” for him to serve the remaining sentence under house arrest.

While the existence of the royal addendum has yet to be officially confirmed, Najib’s legal team produced a letter from the comptroller of the Pahang royal household that Al-Sultan Abdullah, who was the 16th Yang diPertuan Agong when he chaired the meeting on Najib’s pardon, had issued such an order.

Earlier this month, Dewan Rakyat Speaker Tan Sri Johari Abdul rejected attempts to discuss the order in Parliament, saying it was being actively adjudicated.

Shouldn’t the Inland Revenue Board be held liable for spoiling a family’s vacation?

Shouldn’t the Inland Revenue Board be held liable for spoiling a family’s vacation?

GOVERNMENT accountability at both executive and administrative levels in Malaysia seems to be in short supply.


This is the conclusion one can clearly make when it was reported that a husband-and-wife couple along with their family were denied getting on board their flight to the Indonesian capital Jakarta on Feb 4 due to an administrative lapse.


The unfortunate Malaysian citizen – Irynn Ching – claimed in a Facebook post that they were prevented from boarding their flight when immigration officials said her husband had been flagged by the Inland Revenue Board (LHDN) for unpaid taxes.


Her post has since garnered 2.7K likes, 665 comments and 2.9K shares at the time of writing,

Ching recounted that despite numerous calls to a number provided, there was no answer. Finally, her husband managed to speak to someone who then clarified that there had been a mistake and there was no outstanding debt to LHDN.

A sad day to remember ....
0400 get ready
0500 to KLIA
0630 checked in
0700 breakfast ...

See more

1.6K

517

2.9K

Deserve compensation

Though they raced towards the departure gate, it was too late. The next available flight to their destination was triple the original fare and they then decided to cancel the trip.

They have lodged a police report as well as with the LHDN with the latter assuring them the matter will be investigated.

Now, there is an admission of fault. The consequence is a ruined family holiday.

Shouldn’t there be some form of compensation?

In any other scenario, this would be the norm. But it appears the Malaysian civil service is allowed a free pass when it comes to costly blunders.



In all honesty, the unfortunate lady understands pretty well that to err is human and that she is ready to move on. Nevertheless, she was highlighting the issue on social media just to raise awareness lest others also stopped from leaving the country for such reasons.

What if it the trip was for a once-in-lifetime event like a wedding? Or worse yet, to say goodbye to a dearly departed friend or relative?

Would the person be so understanding and forgiving?

To set a precedence, fair compensation should be made. Better yet, it should come out of the failing officer’s pocket and not at the taxpayer’s expense.

That’s the kind of accountability that is sorely missing from Malaysian civil service. Apply it and Malaysians will probably see a better level of service – or at the very least no mistakes of the one mentioned above. – Feb 27, 2025



Malaysian with No Taxes Owing
Serdang

Chow, Izzah hold the reins as Penang PH unveils new leadership lineup

Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow (seated, centre) with members of the new leadership lineup of Penang Pakatan Harapan for the 2024-2026 term at Wisma Penang DAP at Jalan Rangoon, George Town. - Penang DAP pic, February 27, 2025


Chow, Izzah hold the reins as Penang PH unveils new leadership lineup

Pakatan Harapan reaffirms continuity and stability with its latest state leadership appointments for the 2024-2026 term



R. Dineskumar
Updated 9 hours ago
27 February, 2025
8:05 PM MYT



GEORGE TOWN – Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow and state PKR chief Nurul Izzah Anwar have been retained as chairman and deputy chairman of the state’s Pakatan Harapan (PH) leadership committee, as the coalition unveiled its new lineup for the 2024-2026 term.

Announcing the appointments, Chow said the coalition would have three deputy chairmen this term, with Penang DAP chief Steven Sim and Amanah secretary-general and state party chief Muhammad Faiz Fadzil also taking up the position.

Penang Amanah deputy chief Dr Zaidi Zakaria, Penang DAP deputy chairman Ramkarpal Singh, and Penang Deputy Chief Minister I Datuk Dr Mohamad Abdul Hamid have been appointed as vice-chairmen, while state DAP secretary Lim Hui Ying remains as the coalition’s secretary.

Additionally, state DAP publicity secretary Joshua Woo has been appointed as the coalition’s election chief for the term.

Meanwhile, 18 individuals have been named as committee members, including several key figures such as state DAP vice-chairman and state executive councillor Zairil Khir Johari, Perai assemblyman and state executive councillor Datuk Seri S. Sundarajoo (DAP), Bukit Tambun assemblyman Goh Choon Aik (PKR), Pantai Jerejak assemblyman and state executive councillor Fahmi Zainol (PKR), Batu Uban assemblyman A. Kumaresan (PKR), and Sungai Pinang assemblyman and state executive councillor Lim Siew Khim (DAP).

Chow expressed confidence that the new lineup would continue strengthening political stability in the state, advocating public welfare, and ensuring the continuity of the coalition’s reform agenda.

“We would like to stress that the close partnership between DAP, PKR, Amanah and Barisan Nasional will continue to be enhanced to ensure continuity of effective administration and sustainable development for Penang.

“Penang PH would like to invite and urge all quarters, including the rakyat and community associations, to keep supporting our efforts in building a more developed, inclusive and progressive state,” he said at a press conference at Wisma Penang DAP.

Asked about his reappointment as state PH chairman despite no longer leading the state DAP chapter, Chow said the decision was made by the coalition’s national leadership, citing his experience in leading the coalition in Penang since its inception.

“I was also chosen due to my ‘continuity’ as the (Penang) chief minister (that allows me) to continue leading the state PH. That was the consideration made by our top leadership,” he said.

He added that public support for the coalition in Penang remains at a “comfortable” level but stressed the need for continuous monitoring and improvement in service delivery by both state and federal governments. – February 27, 2025

Ismail Sabri's sticky situation: A sign that Black book" politics might be at play in Putrajaya this week

By Nehru Sathiamoorthy




It has been over 2 years since Ismail Sabri stopped being the prime minister of Malaysia. In these 2 years, nothing much had happened to him. By all accounts, he probably was leading a leisurely and idyllic life after he stepped down from office. The only news I remember coming out about him in the last couple of years had to do with his advocacy for more humane treatment of stray animals. Other than that, Ismail Sabri for all intent and purpose, seemed like he was no longer keen to lead an active political life, after reaching the career high of becoming the 9th prime minister of Malaysia.

All this changed earlier this month however, when suddenly, out of nowhere, a rumour spread that an understanding had been reached amongst the opponents of Anwar, to topple Anwar’s reign and install a new government with Ismail Sabri returning once again as the 11th prime minister of Malaysia.

What happened next happened at a remarkable pace.

Within weeks, Ismail Sabri was found unconscious in his house and had to be rushed to the hospital.

If you thought his stint in the hospital had something to do with his health, the very next day we found out that four of his aides have been arrested for corruption.

Just one day later on February 24, it was reported that in one of his aide’s house, over RM 100 million has been seized by the anti-corruption agency.

Now, according to the anti-corruption agency, they have been investigating a corruption trail involving Ismail Sabri’s aides for months, and it was just a coincidence that they arrested Ismail Sabri’s aide a day after Ismail Sabri was admitted to the hospital, a couple of weeks after rumours started circulating about how Ismail Sabri had been chosen to replace Anwar as the next prime minister of Malaysia, but to the man on the street, the coincidence is being interpreted as a sign that “black book” politics might still be alive and well in the country’s political landscape.

You see, there is an urban myth in the country which says that that all of the important politicians in the country have their dirty little secrets noted in a black book, that will be kept hidden from the public’s eyes, but only for as long as the politician toes the line and do what they are told, by those who are in power.

The minute they start making their own moves, especially in regards to move that those in power find detrimental to their own position, the secret information about them that is contained in the black book will be unleashed, in a way that will destroy their standing in the court of public opinion or get them in trouble in the court of law.

From allegations of sexual travesty to corruption allegations to sex videos, there are plenty of examples of how black book politics were allegedly used in the Malaysian landscape to thwart the moves of the political movers and shakers in the country.

PMX Anwar himself is allegedly a victim of such “black book” politics , when he was seen to be a threat by those who were above him.

Although he himself had supposedly suffered from the hands of “black book” politics, It is hard to say whether PMX Anwar would not use the method on his opponents, now that he is in the number 1 position in the country.

We must remember that those who are abused aren’t always chastened by the abuse – a lot of times, they will internalise their experience of abuse and use it as a licence to abuse others. Children who suffer abuse in their childhood often end up being abusive parents. The population of Israel, who come from a generation that was ravaged by genocide, is itself practising genocide today.

We must also remember that PMX Anwar is also a well known believer of the theory that corruption, cronyism and nepotism was endemic in the Mahathir regime that lasted from 1981 to 2003. His government is also made up of people who believe that kleptocracy and debauchery were rife in the corridors of power in Malaysia until they took over in 2022.

If you believe that corruption, kleptocracy, cronyism and nepotism is widespread for over 30-40 years until you took office, it is unlikely that you will apply a clean and transparent form of government, when you strongly believe that most, if not all of the people that you form the top echelon of the population, are likely made up of people who rose to high position in the swamp of decadence and debauchery that was the previous regime.

Considering this, we cannot be faulted for assuming that rather than follow the straight and narrow, PMX Anwar might be still applying techniques from the old regime, to “drain the swamp” or remove a thorn with a thorn.

In any case, such incidences as a corruption scandal surfacing in Sabah right before the Sabah state election commences or Ismail Sabri’s aides being caught for corruption right after Ismail Sabri was touted as a replacement for Anwar, will likely fuel the speculation that the current unity government is not above fighting fire with fire.

If this is the case, then all we can hope for in our government, is that it takes heed of the warning by the German philosopher, Friedrich Nietzsche

“Beware that, when fighting monsters, you yourself do not become a monster... for when you gaze long into the abyss. The abyss gazes also into you.”

As they gaze into the darkness to fight monsters, may providence grant Anwar and his cohorts in the Madani government the wisdom, to every now check themselves in the mirror of self-reflection, just to make sure that the darkness they are fighting has not turned them also into monsters.

Recovery, resignation, or death: Three scenarios faced by Pope Francis amid health woes

Recovery, resignation, or death: Three scenarios faced by Pope Francis amid health woes



A woman prays during the rosary for the health of Pope Francis at St Peter's square in The Vatican, on February 26, 2025.— AFP pic

Thursday, 27 Feb 2025 8:00 PM MYT


VATICAN CITY, Feb 27 — Pope Francis is in hospital with double pneumonia for 14 days — the longest hospitalisation in his papacy. The Vatican says his condition is slightly improving but doctors say his prognosis “remains reserved”.

Here are three possible scenarios:

Recovery

The 88-year-old pope, who suffers from a series of health woes but is known for his fighting spirit, appears to be on the mend — though doctors caution he is not “out of danger”.

The pope’s medical team has not yet commented on the length of his hospitalisation but other experts have suggested double pneumonia in someone that age could require a three-week stay at least.

The seriousness of his illness would in any case initially force workaholic Francis to slow down.

“It is hard to imagine Francis resuming his activities at the same pace after such an alarm,” said a Vatican source on condition of anonymity.

“There would inevitably be a transition period,” the source added.

In June 2023, after 10 days of hospitalisation for an abdominal operation, the pope took time to ease back into his schedule, but that was summer, a traditionally less busy period.

The main question is whether Francis would be able to maintain his short-term commitments, starting with the Easter celebrations in April.

2025 is a special Catholic year of festivities, called the Jubilee, and Francis is supposed to be presiding over many events in Rome.

There will also be a question mark over his ability to travel. Though Francis has no official international trips lined up, there is a possible visit to Turkey in May on the cards.



A nun prays at the statue of John Paul II outside the Gemelli hospital where the Pope is hospitalized for pneumonia in Rome, on February 26, 2025. — AFP pic



Death

Should Francis die, the Cardinal Camerlengo — currently Irish-American Bishop Kevin Farrell, will be responsible for managing the day-to-day affairs of the Church until the election of the new pontiff.

Farrell would not have papal powers, but could deal with administrative issues.

He would also convene the cardinals to decide when the pope’s body would be displayed in state, and when to hold the burial, which by tradition takes place between the fourth and sixth day after death.

The funeral, which Francis has insisted on simplifying, would take place in St Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican.

Francis has chosen to be buried in the Basilica of St. Mary Major in central Rome, not in the grottos of the Vatican like previous popes.

Cardinals would then gather in the Sistine Chapel to vote for a new pope in meetings called conclaves.

These would begin between 15 and 20 days after the pope’s death. There are currently 138 cardinal electors — cardinals aged under 80 who are eligible to vote.

Resignation

Speculation around a possible resignation has dogged Francis’s papacy but has intensified now and are expected to continue in the coming months.

“If the pope survives, many imagine that he will want to finish the Jubilee year, but that afterwards, when he is 89, he will face the question of whether or not to resign,” Italian Vatican expert Marco Politi told AFP.

Francis has called a “consistory”, or meeting of cardinals, for the proclamation of new saints — though has not yet set a date.

It was at just such a consistory that his predecessor Benedict XVI announced his shock resignation in 2013.

In recent years, the Argentinian has blown hot and cold on stepping down, saying it is a possibility but also warning papal resignations should not “become a fashion”.

And the fact that he is still working from the hospital seems to signal both his active presence as head of the world’s near 1.4 billion Catholics, and his desire to keep going. — AFP

Anwar urges swift action on five-season padi cultivation project in Kedah

Anwar urges swift action on five-season padi cultivation project in Kedah



Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim surveys a recently harvested padi field after launching the Infrastructure Development Project to support the Five-Season Padi Cultivation Programme over two years at Kampung Pida 4 near Ayer Hitam today. — Bernama

Thursday, 27 Feb 2025 8:15 PM MYT


JERLUN, Feb 27 — Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim wants the implementation of infrastructure to support the ‘five-seasons in two years’ padi cultivation programme in the Muda Agricultural Development Authority (MADA) Phase 1 area to be expedited.

Anwar said the Kedah state government and agencies under the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security (KPKM) must work closely to support the government’s ongoing initiative to boost the country’s rice yield.

Among the efforts required of the state government, he said, was to expedite the land acquisition process to upgrade the irrigation system infrastructure in the area.

“The state government must speed up land acquisition... All this takes time. We can’t afford to compromise anymore, or everyone will be affected (farmers will be dissatisfied),” he said.

He said this while speaking at the Launch Ceremony of the Infrastructure Development Project to Support the Five-Season Rice Cultivation Programme Over Two Years in Muda Phase 1 at Pida 4 Ayer Hitam near here today.

Anwar also urged all relevant agencies to provide progress reports from time to time to the ministry to ensure the programme’s implementation proceeded according to schedule.

He added that he did not want the programme’s implementation to be taken lightly, as the RM1 billion allocation for one area was not a small amount.

At the same time, he said improvements to the irrigation system for padi fields must be expedited, as previously, farmers had to wait up to 40 days to receive water supply.

On Oct 18 last year, while tabling Budget 2025 in the Dewan Rakyat, Anwar announced the implementation of the project in Muda Phase 1, involving an allocation of nearly RM1 billion covering approximately 11,000 hectares.

The project is expected to increase rice yields by 15 per cent and boost the income of 6,100 farmers by 43 per cent. — Bernama

Apex court: Gambling debt not legally binding, unenforceable

Apex court: Gambling debt not legally binding, unenforceable



An illustrative photo shows playing cards and casino chips laid across a gaming table. — AFP pic

Thursday, 27 Feb 2025 4:02 PM MYT


KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 27 — The Federal Court has ruled that gambling debts are not legally enforceable in Malaysia as betting is a vice.

According to Free Malaysia Today, a panel at the apex court unanimously noted that the government has consistently opposed gambling in Parliament, citing its lack of public benefit.

Justice Datuk Nordin Hassan, who chaired the panel, said this was patent from laws such as Sections 24 and 31(1) of the Contracts Act 1950 and Section 26 of the Civil Law Act 1956.

“Public perception of gambling is also without doubt that such activities are something bad and should be discouraged. Thus, gambling activities and their transactions are against public policy,” he was quoted as sayng

The unanimous decision came in an appeal by businessman Ting Ching Lee, who sought to strike out a RM6 million gambling debt counterclaim by tour agent Ting Siu Hua.

The three-judge panel included Chief Judge of Sabah and Sarawak Tan Sri Abdul Rahman Sebli and Justice Datuk Abdul Karim Abdul Jalil.

The court also ordered Siu Hua to pay RM200,000 in costs to Ching Lee.

In its 44-page judgment, the court acknowledged that licensed gambling premises operate in Malaysia but maintained that gambling remains against public policy.

Nordin clarified that gambling debts, including those arising from casino credit facilities, are considered “debts of honour” and not legally binding.

The case stemmed from a dispute where Siu Hua, a casino promoter, attempted to recover a debt incurred by Ching Lee at Cambodia’s Naga Casino.

The Federal Court’s ruling overturned a Court of Appeal decision, restoring the High Court’s original finding that the gambling debt was unenforceable.

A government of silence and denial: The shocking assaults in Malaysian prisons

Murray Hunter


A government of silence and denial: The shocking assaults in Malaysian prisons

P Ramasamy

Feb 27, 2025





The assault of prison inmates is becoming increasingly common in Malaysia, but what is even more alarming is the government’s blatant denial and apparent cover-up of such incidents.

Instead of addressing these human rights violations, authorities remain silent, hoping that public attention will fade.

In the third week of January 2025, around 100 remand prisoners in Taiping Prison were brutally assaulted by 50 to 60 prison wardens.

Reports indicate that one inmate from Penang died as a result of the assault, while another may have died in recent days.

Despite their severe injuries, the prisoners were denied medical treatment and barred from seeing their families.

Following multiple police reports, the case was handed over to Bukit Aman for investigation.

However, more than a month has passed, and the authorities have yet to disclose their findings or announce any action against those responsible.

Meanwhile, the Minister of Home Affairs, Saifuddin Nasution Ismail, has remained conspicuously silent, perhaps hoping the issue will simply fade away.

Shockingly, in less than a month after the Taiping incident—on the day after Thaipusam—another case of brutality emerged.

Thirty detainees held under the Security Offences (Special Measures) Act of 2012 (Sosma) were allegedly assaulted by prison security personnel in Sungai Buloh Prison.

Family members who visited the detainees confirmed the attacks, reporting visible injuries on the prisoners’ bodies.

Yet, instead of acknowledging the assault, Saifuddin outright denied it. His dismissal of clear evidence, including physical marks on the detainees, has enraged family members, who have accused him of lying.

If the so-called transparent and accountable Madani government of Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim cannot even address blatant human rights violations occurring within a short span of time, what kind of governance is this?

For the Hindu detainees in Sungai Buloh, this brutal assault became their Thaipusam “present.”

And yet, Saifuddin continues to speak about “balancing human rights and national security” in the context of Sosma.

How does violently attacking detainees fit into this supposed balance? The reality is that Sosma itself is a draconian law that has no place in a civilized society—unless, of course, Anwar and his loyalists believe Malaysia is undeserving of that label.

While the government struggles to justify the continued existence of Sosma, some apologists—operating under the guise of consultancy and research—have taken up the task of defending this cruel and oppressive legislation. They act as mercenaries, shaping narratives that suit those in power.

If Saifuddin, who was appointed as minister without even winning an election, cannot carry out his duties in line with public expectations, he should seriously reconsider his position.

Simply pleasing Anwar is not enough—governance requires responsibility and accountability.

Malaysians are not fools. The Madani government cannot expect blind acceptance of its denials, cover-ups, and inaction. It is time for real transparency, accountability, and justice for those who have suffered within the very system that claims to uphold the rule of law.



P. Ramasamy

Former professor of political economy at Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) and former deputy chief minister of Penang.

URBAN RENEWAL ACT - THE GOOD AND THE NOT SO GOOD

 

OutSyed The Box

Wednesday, February 26, 2025

URBAN RENEWAL ACT - THE GOOD AND THE NOT SO GOOD

 

I do not disagree with the Urban Renewal Act. Unless you are now living on a tree the house or apartment that you live in are all the result of urban development, urban renewal, the progress of the human race etc. We came down from the trees some time ago.

Melaka town (bandaraya Melaka) is about 500 years old. In Melaka we once lived on Heeren Street (Jalan Tun Tan Cheng Lock) in a house built by the Dutch more than 300 years ago.  So development and renewals have been going on for centuries. 

In our modern era - after Merdeka - our towns and cities are now entering second, third generation redevelopment and reconstruction. The earlier urban areas developed pre-war (before 1945), those areas built in the 1950s, then 60s, 70s, 80s etc are approaching urban decay or are past substantial degradation. We have to rebuild. There is no doubt about this. The Urban Renewal Act will streamline things.

Those of you who are worried that rapacious developers will abuse the act and bulldoze everything into the ground, do you seriously think they need this Urban Renewal Act to bulldoze everything into the ground?  The more crooked fellows  can still bulldoze everything even without the Act. Ask the people in Taman Tun, those Indian people in Penang, that Jalan Duta case and even in Seputeh (ask YB Theresa Kok). When crooked people are involved they dont care about any act.

This Urban Renewal Act is a DAP baby. The DAP has always been the party of the contractors and the developers. There is nothing wrong with that. I hear names like Nga Kor Ming being the main drivers behind tabling this Act in Parliament.  I believe YB Nga is the Minister in charge of Local Government. He should know plenty about urban renewal.

Right in front of my house IOI Properties is developing 430 units of 3-storey townhouses and then also shoplots etc. It is greenfield, not urban renewal. But much needed development. We have 34 million people.  Although personally my wife and I are not too keen on having 3,000 new neighbours. (The boss of IOI is married to the DAP's Miss 'no-plastic-bags').

The not so good is that the Malay people are going to be left out. The Urban Renewal Act will make it easier to redevelop older urban areas. This will lead to 'gentrification'. Simply put the value of properties will go up, prices will move up. Houses will become less affordable. That is gentrification.

For example IOI is launching those townhouses between RM500,000 (lower unit) to over RM600,000  (upper unit). How many people can afford those townhouses? And we live 40 minutes from Bangsar (the center of the universe where my sons were born and raised).

So the Malay people are going to get pushed out. The B40 (majority Malay) and even the M40 will not be able to afford RM500,000 townhouses. The monthly instalment can easily run up to RM3,000 or more.

Who do we blame? I blame the DEB. Dasar Ekonomi Bebal - which is still being perpetuated.  

There are super easy solutions. But they are highly unpalatable to the money making politicians.  This is the real problem.