At 76, Mustapa Mohamed rules out GE16 return, urges young leaders to take helm

At 76, Mustapa Mohamed rules out GE16 return, urges young leaders to take helm



Former Jeli Member of Parliament Datuk Seri Mustapa Mohamed has reaffirmed that he has no intention of contesting in the 16th General Election, saying it is time for a new generation of leaders to take on greater responsibilities. — Picture by Hari Anggara


Summary

• Datuk Seri Mustapa Mohamed, a former Jeli MP, announced that he will not contest in Malaysia's 16th General Election, emphasizing the need for younger leaders to assume greater responsibilities amid evolving political dynamics.
• At 76, he cited his age and diminishing physical strength as reasons for stepping aside.
• While no longer active in politics, Mustapa remains dedicated to supporting Umno by sharing his knowledge and experience, and aims to contribute through academic platforms.
• Having rejoined Umno in June, Mustapa continues to advocate for youth leadership in the nation's future.

First Published: Wednesday, 05 Aug 2026 8:03 PM MYT


PASIR MAS, Aug 5 — Former Jeli Member of Parliament Datuk Seri Mustapa Mohamed has reaffirmed that he has no intention of contesting in the 16th General Election (GE16), saying it is time for a new generation of leaders to take on greater responsibilities.

Mustapa, who rejoined Umno in June through the party’s Rumah Bangsa initiative, said the country’s changing political landscape and evolving voter expectations make it important to provide opportunities for younger leaders.


“I am now 76 years old, and my gait is no longer steady. It would be unfair for any party not to recognise the role of young people...they deserve the opportunity to lead.


“I am no longer active in politics and have no interest in contesting in any general election. Let others, the younger and more capable generation, take the lead,” he told reporters after the “Welcome Home” event held in his honour and the Independence Month celebration organised by the Council of Former Kelantan Elected Representatives here today.


The former Minister of International Trade and Industry said that although he no longer intends to contest elections, he remains committed to contributing to Umno by sharing his experience, ideas, and strategic insights, as well as helping to strengthen the party’s engagement with the people.


“I believe my role now is better suited to supporting younger colleagues by offering guidance, encouragement, and ideas. Physically, I am no longer as strong as I once was, but regardless of the circumstances, we must continue striving to ensure Malaysia regains its excellence,” he said.

Mustapa added that he would also continue contributing through academic platforms by sharing his knowledge and experience with students at public and private institutions of higher learning.


Mustapa left Umno in September 2018 to join Bersatu before rejoining the party in June this year under the Rumah Bangsa initiative. — Bernama

Court declares Seremban-born girl a Malaysian, rules anti-statelessness protection applies to her

Court declares Seremban-born girl a Malaysian, rules anti-statelessness protection applies to her



The Court of Appeal decided that a baby left with an adult should also get the same legal protection as a baby found by the roadside. — Picture by Razak Ghazali


Summary

• The Court of Appeal in Malaysia has ruled that a child intentionally left with another adult by an unknown birth mother, who then disappears, is considered "abandoned" and deserves constitutional protection against statelessness.
• This ruling entitles the child, identified as LS, to Malaysian citizenship, reversing an earlier High Court decision.
• The court determined that the constitutional protection extends to cases where the child is intentionally surrendered to a responsible adult, aligning with the principle that abandonment is the key criterion, not the method of relinquishment.
• This decision requires the National Registration Department to issue a birth certificate and MyKad for LS, recognizing her as a Malaysian citizen.

By Ida Lim
First Published: Thursday, 06 Aug 2026 7:00 AM MYT
Last Modified: Thursday, 06 Aug 2026 8:36 AM MYT


KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 6 — If a baby is left with an adult by an unknown birth mother who then disappears permanently from the child’s life, will the child receive the same constitutional protection against statelessness as a baby found by the roadside or at a baby hatch?

The Court of Appeal has ruled that the answer is “yes”, holding that such a child has been “abandoned” as a newborn.


The decision is significant because it means the child can rely on the Federal Constitution’s safeguards against statelessness and satisfy the legal requirements to automatically acquire Malaysian citizenship.


The ruling arose from the case of a girl, identified only as LS to protect her identity, who was born in Seremban, Negeri Sembilan, and abandoned by her birth mother at a care home within days of her birth.


LS, who turns 14 later this year, does not know the identity of her biological mother.


Her adoptive parents, who legally adopted her through the courts, have cared for her since she was two weeks old after taking her from the care home. They also do not know who her birth mother is.

The National Registration Department (NRD) issued LS a birth certificate identifying her as “Bukan Warganegara” (“Non-citizen”), prompting her adoptive parents to challenge the decision in court on the grounds that she is stateless but should be recognised as a Malaysian citizen.


A stateless person is someone who is not recognised as a citizen by any country.

On Nov 28, 2025, the High Court in Kuala Lumpur dismissed LS’s citizenship application, finding she had not been “abandoned” because there was evidence suggesting her biological mother had intentionally entrusted her to the woman operating the care home.

However, the Court of Appeal has now overturned that decision and ordered that LS be issued a MyKad.



The Court of Appeal decided that a child is still considered abandoned when a birth mother permanently disappears after intentionally giving up the child to a responsible adult or safe person. — Picture by Sayuti Zainudin



Why the Seremban-born girl won her appeal

On Aug 3, a three-member Court of Appeal panel unanimously ruled that LS had in fact been abandoned as a newborn and is therefore a Malaysian citizen.

LS’s lawyer, Agalya J. Munusamy, said Court of Appeal judge Datuk Faizah Jamaludin delivered the court’s broad grounds of judgment.

The appeal centred on three constitutional provisions:

• Section 19B of Part III of the Second Schedule, which protects abandoned newborn children from statelessness;
• Article 14(1)(b); and
• Section 1(a) of Part II of the Second Schedule, which provides that a person born in Malaysia to at least one Malaysian citizen or permanent resident is a Malaysian citizen.

Section 19B creates a presumption that an abandoned newborn was born to a mother who is a permanent resident, allowing the child to satisfy the constitutional requirements for citizenship.

Citing the Court of Appeal’s judgment, Agalya said the key question was whether Section 19B also protects a child intentionally surrendered by the birth mother to another adult before she permanently disappears.

“The core issue to be determined is whether a child who was intentionally or permanently surrendered by her birth mother to an intermediary for the purpose of finding another family to raise her is excluded from the constitutional protection under Section 19B because she was placed in the hands of a responsible adult, rather than being left at the roadside, hospital, baby hatch or other locations,” she told Malay Mail, quoting the judgment.

According to Agalya, the Court of Appeal held that, following the Federal Court’s decision in CCH’s citizenship case, the focus of Section 19B is whether abandonment occurred, not the method by which the birth mother relinquished the child.

“The constitutional protection is not lost merely because the mother selected a safe person with whom she may leave the child.

“An intentional surrender coupled with the birth mother’s permanent disappearance may amount to abandonment,” she said, citing the judgment.

Based on the evidence, the court concluded that LS had been abandoned as a newborn in Seremban and was therefore entitled to rely on Section 19B’s constitutional protection.

The court also held that the burden of rebutting the Section 19B presumption lies with the party challenging it.

In other words, the NRD and the Malaysian government had to prove that LS’s birth mother was not a permanent resident, rather than requiring the child or her adoptive parents to prove a “negative fact” by identifying a mother they did not know.

As the government failed to rebut the constitutional presumption, the Court of Appeal declared LS to be a Malaysian citizen.

The other judges on the panel were Datuk Noorin Badaruddin and Datuk Aliza Sulaiman.

Lawyer Kirthika Padmanapan also represented LS and her adoptive parents, while senior federal counsel Husniyyah Hanapi appeared for the respondents.



The Court of Appeal has ordered that the Seremban-born girl, who will turn 14 this year, be recorded as a Malaysian citizen and be given a MyKad. — Picture by Devan Manuel



Orders made by the Court of Appeal

LS’s adoptive parents, who are not Malaysians, filed the originating summons on her behalf in March 2023 against the NRD director-general, the home minister and the Malaysian government.

Agalya said the Court of Appeal granted seven of the reliefs sought, including declarations that LS is a Malaysian citizen by operation of law under Article 14(1)(b), Section 1(a) and Section 19B of the Federal Constitution, and that she is presumed to have been born to a permanent resident mother under Section 19B.

The court also declared that the NRD had unlawfully violated LS’s constitutional rights by issuing her a birth certificate identifying her as a non-citizen instead of a Malaysian citizen.

Among its orders, the Court of Appeal directed the NRD to reissue LS’s birth certificate showing her as a Malaysian citizen within 14 days and to issue her a MyKad within the same period. No order was made as to legal costs.

On June 30, the Court of Appeal, in a separate 2-1 decision, similarly ruled that a girl identified as “M”, who was born at a clinic in Klang and abandoned by her unknown birth mother a few days later, was also an abandoned child entitled to Malaysian citizenship.

In that case, the birth mother had deactivated her phone number and disappeared without leaving any information that would allow her identity to be established. The Malaysian government has since appealed that decision to the Federal Court.


Recommended reading

What is a “new born child”? Malaysia’s Court of Appeal clarifies citizenship laws for abandoned children
Court of Appeal grants Malaysian citizenship to abandoned Klang teen, rejects Pahang woman’s appeal

Federal Court declares stateless KL-born child adopted by Penang couple a Malaysian citizen, orders issuance of new birth certificate

 

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North Korean Missile Brigade with 120 Advanced Ballistic Missiles Deploying to Ukraine War Frontlines

Asia-Pacific , Missile and Space

Military Watch Magazine Editorial Staff

August-5th-2026

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North Korean KN-24 (left) and KN-23B Ballistic Missile Launches

A senior official from Ukraine’s military intelligence agency (GUR) has reported that the Korean People’s Army is deploying a ballistic missile brigade to the Voronezh region in Western Russia to support strike operations against Ukrainian targets. Ukrainian intelligence assesses that the initial deployment will include six missile launchers and as many as 120 ballistic missiles. The official, Andrii Cherniak, added that North Korea has already delivered an initial batch of 40 KN-23 and KN-24 short-range ballistic missiles to Russia and deployed associated personnel. 

Ballistic Missile Launch from North Korean KN-23 System

Cherniak’s claims were made after Ukrainian sources reported in late July that North Korea had resumed shipments of tactical ballistic missiles to equip frontline Russian Armed Forces units, marking the latest phase in an expanding military partnership between the two neighbours. Russia first began procurements in late 2023 after its own stocks of precision-guided ballistic missiles came under increasing strain due to ongoing hostilities. Russian forces have become heavily reliant on procuring defence equipment from North Korea, and while Russian industry has achieved considerable successes in increasing tactical ballistic missile production, imports from North Korea are increasingly vital to keep Russian ground forces equipped. 

Missile Launch from KN-24 Short Range Tactical System

In late July Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky claimed that North Korea was preparing to dispatch as many as 30,000 additional personnel to Russia, which would represent by far the largest foreign deployment in the history of the Korean People's Army. Zelensky stated that Russia was preparing to receive the additional personnel in the Voronezh region, with preparations reportedly underway since June, and that further ballistic missile supplies were expected. The North Korean KN-24 provides a low cost short range capability that Russia currently has no equivalent to, while the KN-23B provides a much longer range and larger warhead size than its Russian counterpart the Iskander-M, and highly comparable flight characteristics. 

Surface-to-Air Missile Launcher From MIM-104 Patriot Long Range Air Defence System

As the Ukrainian government continues to lobby for greater funding and support, including a license and support to produce interceptors for U.S. Patriot air defence systems domestically, questions have been raised regarding the extent to which it may be exaggerating the extent of the challenge new North Korean missiles could pose to its defences. Cherniak specifically stated that North Korean missile transfers were intended to exploit severe shortages of air defence systems capable of intercepting ballistic missile attacks. The plausibility of this remains in question, however, with Ukraine’s missile defences having been highly constrained throughout the war, while Ukrainian and Western sources have both attested to an interception rate of just 6 percent for the country’s Patriot systems against Russian ballistic missile attacks. 

Ballistic Missile Launch From Iskander-M System

The KN-23 has many significant similarities to the Iskander-M, with the program having produced a much wider range of variants than its Russian counterparts, and having seen the missiles deployed from a much more diverse range of launch vehicles. Commenting on the KN-23’s capabilities, a U.S. Congressional Research Service report highlighted that it “exemplifies the most notable advance” for North Korea in the field of tactical weapons, with the missile observed conducting a complex “pull-up” manoeuvres intended to confuse enemy air defence systems. Regarding its lighter counterpart, the KN-24, the report noted that it “demonstrates the guidance system and in-flight manoeuvrability to achieve precision strikes.”

Can we balance love and hatred for dogs?

Can we balance love and hatred for dogs?

Andrew Sia
Published: Aug 4, 2026 7:33 AM
Updated: 9:33 AM


COMMENT | The killing of pet dog Rocky in Port Klang has revealed the sharp divide between canine haters and lovers.

It was reported that the Klang Royal City Council (MBDK) was on a night operation at Taman Teluk Gedung Indah to catch stray dogs. Fifty residents joined in.

Former Klang MP Charles Santiago said Rocky was allegedly beaten to death by a group of men. This was despite attempts by a family, which had cared for it since it was a puppy, to save it.

He called the incident a “deliberate, brutal killing”.

MBDK counterclaimed that the woman owner had “acted aggressively” when trying to cut the noose around her dog’s neck. Her actions made it “difficult” for council officers to loosen the rope “for the sake of the animal’s safety”, said MBDK.

I’m sorry, but this sounds like damage control, especially the part about “animal safety”. It’s akin to “blaming the victim”.

What complicated matters is that many residents were allowed to join the operation. When such a crowd goes round a housing area hunting dogs, some overzealous men can turn an orderly operation into an angry mob. How could MBDK control the crowd?

Some were enraged, claiming Rocky had bitten somebody. But the lady owner avowed that her pet had never bitten anyone before.

“We raised him since he was small and he was part of our family. He didn't deserve to die like this,” she said.

A video of the incident shared by Charles shows the woman owner begging a shouting group of men to release Rocky. They clearly had more numbers and power than the lady.

Would she have dared to “act aggressively”, as claimed by MBDK? Is it more likely that she was simply desperate to save her beloved pet when trying to cut the noose?

Two-Malaysia divide

Conversely, many Malays point to dogs biting people. These have included attacks by fierce breeds such as Rottweilers and German Shepherds.

A man walking his Rottweilers in April 2025 in Baling, Kedah


Although I love dogs, punishment is needed when pets injure others.

But it’s more fuzzy when stray dogs with no owners attack others. One side says that unlike fierce breeds, street canines usually don’t bite people - unless they are provoked.

The other side says all strays are dangerous and must be hunted down mercilessly. This encourages boys to throw rocks at dogs, as some deem them “binatang kotor” (unclean animals). But dogs can detect hatred and may react in self-defence.

Yet many other animals are deemed “unclean”, including carnivores with fangs (lions, what about cats?), birds with talons (eagles) and also reptiles (lizards, iguanas).

Yet they don’t evoke the same hatred as dogs. Is it because canines are bred by non-Malays?

And not all dogs bite; some just bark. But some people on motorbikes panic and end up crashing as a result.

This happened at Taman Teluk Gedung Indah in Port Klang, when a youth was allegedly chased by several dogs. He lost control of his bike at a road bump and then crashed.

He injured his head and went into a coma, but has since recovered. The photo of him on a hospital bed went viral and seemed to be the trigger that sparked the vengeful mob.

Somehow, this was twisted into claims that Rocky had bitten someone.

But running triggers a dog’s natural instinct to chase you. As a teen, I once tried to outrun a barking dog on my bicycle and then fell.

The dog caught up with me but didn’t bite - my bruises were caused by my own panic. I never repeated that mistake.

The correct response is to stop, get off the vehicle, then look calmly at any aggressive dogs - with compassion if possible - and they will back down. That’s how I’ve dealt with growling street dogs around the world without any problems.

Apart from freaking out, perhaps the motorcyclist didn’t wear a helmet. Is that how he injured his head badly after falling? Dog haters may hurl abuse at me, but let’s be honest and objective about what probably happened.

Compassion in Islam?

It’s disturbing that the crowd was still aggressive even though the lady was on her knees, wailing and begging for Rocky’s life. Even if the dog had no licence, surely some compassion could have been shown?

Islam teaches kindness. Muslims say “Bismillah” every day, invoking the name of the Most Gracious and Most Merciful God. But no quarter was shown to Rocky.

Were people with a “ketuanan” mindset bullying an Indian lady? If the dog was owned by a Mat Salleh, would they have behaved the same way?

Selangor’s Tengku Permaisuri Norashikin expressed deep sadness and anger over recent incidents of cruelty towards pets and stray animals.

Amazingly, this was the fifth time Her Majesty had spoken up about local councils in Selangor mistreating dogs, including in Banting, Shah Alam, and now MBDK. Surely a “royal” body should have higher standards?

Tengku Permaisuri Norashikin


I see this as a failure of the Pakatan Harapan state government, which controls Selangor local councils. We need elections for them to ensure they listen more to residents.

They should do this last good deed before they lose the next elections to the BN-PAS Malay wave.

Sadly, the royal reminder didn’t stop Malays from hurling dog hatred online and even insults against Her Majesty.

One comment went – when it comes to the pets of “bangsa asing” (foreign races), everybody makes noise, but when our children are bitten, all are quiet. One abusive fellow wrote, “Pi mampus la, anjing dah gigit org (go and die, the dog bit someone)”.

Another netizen accused Her Majesty of “talking too much” because the “Chinese were upset”. Another joker slammed her as an elite “T20 person” who didn’t understand reality.

If non-Malays had said similar things, they would have been quickly traced and arrested for insulting royalty.

Several Malays blamed the Indian lady for the dog’s death. Others shifted the topic to drunk drivers, the Carlsberg factory in Shah Alam, and even the death of fire and rescue personnel Adib Kassim during a riot. Anything to justify their prejudice.

Muar MP Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman posted on Facebook that the threat from a few dogs cannot be used to justify another injustice.

But abuse was hurled at him in response, including that his fiancée, Bella, should be bitten by a dog. He then removed his post.

A mob mentality of online bullying seems prevalent. Did the dog hunting “volunteers” in Port Klang have a similar mindset?

Is this sense of racial grievance and victimhood due to political fearmongering? And provocations by cyber troopers that the Malays are “under threat”?

Fair compromise solutions

Three probes into the Rocky killing by the police, Veterinary Services, and the Housing and Local Government Ministry have been announced.

Amid this heated racially-coloured debate, we need calm, clear heads to find fair, compromise solutions.

1) Responsible pet ownership means keeping dogs on a leash outside the house. Local councils should follow the humane trap-neuter-release approach of the Penang Island City Council (MBPP) to control strays.

Tengku Permaisuri Norashikin advocated this in 2024. It’s also done in the Muslim city of Istanbul. Yet Selangor local councils have ignored this. Why?

2) What about cats? I once had a neighbour with eight cats that kept invading my garden to deposit their stinking poop. Nobody compensated me for this nuisance and source of disease.

The dog haters should ask if people can go around catching or poisoning cats? If not, why is cruelty against dogs allowed?

3) Education is crucial. Bukit Bendera MP Syerleena Abdul Rashid said Islam doesn’t support cruelty towards dogs, but instead calls for compassion.

The correct ways to deal with stray dogs, as mentioned earlier, should be spread online too.

4) Any dog catching operations must be limited to council officers, not “volunteers” who may become vigilantes. Offering money to catch strays, as done in Shah Alam in 2024, only encourages more cruelty.

Some may even catch licensed dogs for the money. High redemption fees to release captured dogs are a blatant attempt to tax dog lovers. It’s probably more useful to offer money to catch litterbugs, dirty eateries, and corrupt officials.

Sadly, the killing of Rocky has become a racial issue and exposed how Malaysian society is “retak menanti belah” (cracked and waiting to be split open). We can’t go on this way.

ANDREW SIA is a veteran journalist who likes teh tarik khau kurang manis. You are welcome to give him ideas to brew at tehtarik@gmail.com

As their faith deepens, Malay patients now wonder if public hospitals can replicate Tung Shin’s TCM prowess

As their faith deepens, Malay patients now wonder if public hospitals can replicate Tung Shin’s TCM prowess

PUBLIC healthcare conjures up images of snaking queues, inexorably long waits and lack of space to properly admit and care for patients in need of urgent medical attention.

Ask most patients and they’d tell you they almost expired while waiting or some such less-than-pleasant experience.

Compare and contrast with the experience of Threader @nsheilajamara who had brought her mother to Tung Shin Hospital in Kuala Lumpur for acupuncture treatment – a branch of Traditional Chinese Medicine a.k.a. TCM – that is made available at the medical facility’s Chinese Medical Department.

The poster explained that it was their first visit to a “Chinese hospital” as usually they would seek treatment at Wisma Buddhist Medical Welfare Centre which happened to be closed on that day.


Editor’s Note: Tung Shin Hospital is a not-for-profit, non-governmental community hospital rather than a commercial corporate entity.

It started in 1881 as Pooi Shin Thong, a charity founded by Kapitan Cina Yap Kwan Seng to give free care to poor settlers.


However, she could not hide her amazement at the level of service to patients, exclaiming “Wow, what an experience. It was a real privilege to experience the environment and watch how they operate ”.

“Those with knee pain don’t have to worry about walking far. There is a buggy service,” quipped the poster.

The post has generated 2.2K likes, 224 comments, 460 re-posts and 1K shares at time of writing, denoting that quality and affordable healthcare is an important issue for many a citizen.

Praise was aplenty for Tung Shin Hospital’s level of quality TCM healthcare and medical professionals who can even treat “chronic eczema” without steroid as prescribed by western medicine.

Affordability was mentioned as a key highlight as many patients are unable to afford the fees charged at private healthcare facilities. The poster noted charges ranged from as low RM30 to RM100 (for the treatment for her mother).

Waiting times were also eased by counters that were actually functioning leading to patients’ satisfactory experiences.

One commenter did point out that acupuncture treatment was available at government hospitals, citing Putrajaya and Selayang hospitals among those that do offer such healthcare.

However, it is NOT whether such treatment was available but rather the level of service that is in contention.

Quite a few pointed out that the nominal RM1 fee for public health services was just unsustainable as it would not help cover surging medical costs.

Another disgruntled citizen highlighted that government hospitals also needed to care for Rohingya refugees, thus further taxing the public healthcare system.

Aside from Tung Shin Hospital, the Wisma Buddha Medical Welfare Centre was also praised for providing affordable healthcare “which was even cheaper than Tung Shin Hospital”, according to one grateful patient who thanked those responsible for setting up these non-profit healthcare facilities for the benefit of all Malaysians.

Of course, amid all the positivity about the pleasant experiences, there were still those who sought to create mischief.

One agent provocateur thought that poster being Muslim may run into trouble for seeking treatment at “Wisma Buddha” but was swiftly put in his place by unimpressed netizens.

It was also highlighted that more Malay patients are seeking treatment at “Chinese hospitals”.

Efficient and affordable healthcare is a must for any country striving to be a fully-developed nation. Tung Shin Hospital (and Wisma Buddhist Medical Welfare Centre) has shown that the way forward. – Aug 5, 2026

Proud to be Baby Killers

 

From the FB page of:

Australians against zio onanism

 

The U.S. Planned to Use Kurdish Militias to Destabilise Iran: Iranian Special Forces Just Assassinated Their Leaders

Middle East , Ground

Military Watch Magazine Editorial Staff

August-5th-2026

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Iranian 65th Airborne Special Forces Brigade Personnel

The Iranian Armed Forces have announced that special forces units conducted a cross-border operation into Iraq’s autonomous Kurdistan Region, claiming to have killed eight leaders of armed separatist groups operating near the frontier. According to Iranian military statements, the operation has been underway for several weeks and targeted organisations Tehran accuses of launching attacks and supporting insurgent activity inside western Iran. The announcement nevertheless marks a significant escalation, as it suggests Iranian ground forces carried out operations inside Iraqi territory rather than relying solely on the missile, drone, and artillery strikes that have characterised previous campaigns against Western-backed Kurdish militant groups.



65th Airborne Special Forces Brigade





Tehran has repeatedly accused Iranian Kurdish opposition groups based in northern Iraq, including organisations such as the Kurdistan Freedom Party (PAK), the Democratic Party of Iranian Kurdistan (KDPI), Komala, and PJAK, of collaborating with Western and Israeli intelligence services and attempting to infiltrate Iran. Iranian officials have intensified such accusations since the regional conflict earlier this year, warning that any cross-border operations by separatist groups would be met with military force. Nevertheless, few details have been released regarding the Iranian operation, and neither the specific groups targeted nor their locations have been revealed.



Paramilitary Personnel in Iraqi Kurdistan





U.S. officials have repeatedly alluded to Kurdish paramilitary groups playing an important role in its war effort against Iran. In a March 2026 interview with Reuters, President Donald Trump expressed support for Iranian Kurdish groups conducting operations against Iran, stating: “I think it’s wonderful that they want to do that, I’d be all for it.” He was referring to the possibility of Iranian Kurdish militias crossing into Iran during the conflict. Reuters on March 3 reported, citing three sources familiar with the discussions, that Iranian Kurdish militias had consulted with the United States about whether and how to attack Iranian security forces from bases in Iraqi Kurdistan. According to two of the sources, the objective was to weaken Iran’s military and create conditions for a broader uprising against the government.



Iranian Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Ground Forces Personnel




On March 6 Reuters reported that Israeli officials had held discussions with Iranian Kurdish factions regarding operations to seize towns near the Iranian border, while Trump publicly welcomed the prospect of a Kurdish offensive. CNN subsequently cited multiple U.S. officials reporting that the CIA was exploring options to provide support a Kurdish war effort with the aim of stretching Iranian security forces, encouraging unrest inside Iran, or potentially enabling Kurdish forces to establish control over parts of northwestern Iran. The report stated that discussions were underway with Kurdish leaders in Iraq and Iranian Kurdish opposition groups, although no final decision had been announced. The Washington Post later that month reported that the Trump administration contacted both Iraqi Kurdish political leaders and Iranian Kurdish opposition groups. According to the report, Trump offered U.S. air support and logistical assistance while urging Kurdish groups to participate in efforts to destabilise the Iranian government.

Policy changes alone won’t guarantee return of support, PH told

Policy changes alone won’t guarantee return of support, PH told


9 hours ago
Nora Mahpar


Analyst Lau Zhe Wei says policy changes may have had a greater political impact if done on a large scale before the Johor and Negeri Sembilan polls

Analyst James Chin said that implementing reforms earlier could have helped reduce the wave of PH rejection in Negeri Sembilan, although it would not have enabled the coalition to win. (Bernama pic)

PETALING JAYA: Merely implementing policy changes will not guarantee that Pakatan Harapan (PH) can recoup support as identity politics may still cause the coalition to be shunned by Malay voters, an analyst says.

Lau Zhe Wei.


Lau Zhe Wei of International Islamic University Malaysia said pushing for policy changes now might be “too little, too late” as racial sentiments dominate the political environment.

He said administrative improvements might have had a greater impact on voter support if they had been implemented on a larger scale before the Johor and Negeri Sembilan elections, which PH lost.


He said the political environment had since changed, with policy improvements and implementation unlikely to significantly impact voting trends.

“It may help, but not much. The gap in impact between using ethnic issues and making administrative improvements to win votes is now far too large,” he told FMT.

Azmi Hassan.


Akademi Nusantara’s Azmi Hassan said PH also had to deal with the perception that the unity government was dominated by DAP, and that policy changes alone would not undo this.

He said the perception had already caused the unity government to come under attack, with Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim repeatedly having to deny that DAP undermines the Malays or that top leaders like him are under the party’s control.

PH’s defeat in the Negeri Sembilan polls on Saturday was the coalition’s third consecutive election loss following the Johor and Sabah polls.

DAP deputy secretary-general Steven Sim subsequently said he would meet Anwar to propose policy changes as PH needed to listen to voters and improve government policies while remaining firm on its principles.


Despite retaining nine of 11 seats contested in Negeri Sembilan, DAP was dealt a massive blow when its secretary-general Loke Siew Fook failed to defend his Chennah seat for a fourth term.

After its Sabah wipeout in November, Loke had said the party would work with Anwar to accelerate reforms over the first half of 2026.

DAP will hold a special congress on Aug 16, where 4,000 delegates will decide whether party leaders should remain in their government posts or resign.

Reforms can’t match Malay unity appeal

Ahmad Fauzi Abdul Hamid.


Ahmad Fauzi Abdul Hamid of Universiti Sains Malaysia said implementing reforms would not help counter the appeal of the Malay unity narrative among Malay voters, adding that identity politics was not merely a cycle in Malaysia but a “baseline”.

“Nearly seven decades after independence, and despite real economic development, communal identity still dominates ballots once part of the electorate feels its position is threatened.

“That’s why solutions based on loan write-offs, more handouts, and higher salaries just won’t work. In reality, governance record has never been sufficient on its own as an election rallying cry,” he said.

James Chin.


Fauzi said the Negeri Sembilan polls were a good example as former menteri besar Aminuddin Harun was held in high regard across the electorate, but still soundly defeated in the Umno stronghold of Linggi due to the Barisan Nasional-Perikatan Nasional pact.

James Chin of the University of Tasmania meanwhile said that implementing reforms earlier could have helped reduce the wave of PH rejection in Negeri Sembilan, although it would not have enabled the coalition to win.

DAP leader shames Umno Youth exco for 'tahlil' video on Loke's 'demise' in Chennah

DAP leader shames Umno Youth exco for 'tahlil' video on Loke's 'demise' in Chennah


Published: Aug 5, 2026 11:43 AM
Updated: 4:01 PM



A DAP leader has condemned an Umno Youth exco member who invoked Islamic rituals to supposedly poke fun at Transport Minister Anthony Loke's loss in Chennah during the recent Negeri Sembilan polls.

This comes after Wan Zuhir Wan Ghazali shared a video on social media of a group of men, including himself, sitting on the floor and reciting Islamic prayers in what was described as a tahlil, a prayer gathering for someone who has died.

His caption for the video on Threads said: "Doing tahlil for Loke's burial in Chennah. Condolences."

DAP central executive committee member Sheikh Umar Bagharib Ali slammed the "irresponsible" post in a statement today, arguing that such content could also tarnish Islam's image as a religion that advocates for respect and dignity.

The Johor DAP vice-chairperson stressed that religious ceremonies such as tahlil recitation should not be exploited as "material for mockery, insinuation, or a political weapon".

DAP CEC member Sheikh Umar Bagharib Ali

"Playing with religious symbols and practices for the sake of gaining attention or political advantage is a despicable act that is unethical and contrary to Islamic values.

"It is like placing the sanctity of Islam 'under one's feet'," the senator said.

Affirming that Malaysia needs politics that is mature, civil, and respectful of the boundaries of humanity and the sanctity of religion, Sheikh Umar added that political differences cannot justify insulting a religion or misusing sacred practices.


Call for apology

As such, he urged Wan Zuhir to immediately take down the post, which remains accessible as of press time, and issue a public apology.

Umno Youth member Wan Zuhir Wan Ghazali

Earlier today, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim's official X account also platformed the video, with the post including an in-video caption on brickbats against Wan Zuhir.

The X post on the PKR president's account, however, has since been removed.

Before the post was deleted, government spokesperson and Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil had also reshared it.

Loke lost his bid to defend the Chennah state seat in Aug 1 polls after a close fight with his sole competitor, MCA's Siow Kong Choon, who secured just 688 more votes than the DAP secretary-general.

DAP sec-gen Anthony Loke

The Seremban MP has since announced that he will be resigning as the Negeri Sembilan DAP chairperson.

Addressing a press conference on Aug 3, he also stood by his decision to contest the seat, arguing that his opponents’ tactics should be considered when judging his performance.

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