Yemen's Houthis announce 'maritime embargo' on Saudi Arabia

Yemen's Houthis announce 'maritime embargo' on Saudi Arabia

3 hours ago
David Gritten

EPA
The Houthis said the embargo was a response to a Saudi blockade of ports and airports in Yemen


Yemen's Houthis have announced a "maritime embargo" against Saudi Arabia.

The Iran-backed group's military spokesman said it would begin immediately and was in retaliation for a Saudi blockade of ports and airports in Houthi-controlled north-western Yemen.

He gave few details about the embargo but a Houthi media official said they were closing the Bab al-Mandab Strait, which is the southern gateway to the Red Sea, to Saudi vessels.

There was no immediate comment from Saudi authorities.

The Red Sea has become crucial for oil shipments from Saudi Arabia during the US-Israeli war with Iran, which has led to the effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz in the Gulf.


Second tanker in three months hijacked off Yemen by suspected Somali pirates

Yemen's Houthis launch missiles at Saudi Arabia after strikes on Sanaa airport

Potential Houthi threat to Red Sea shipping could further damage global economy


It comes a week after the most significant escalation in the largely dormant conflict between the Houthis and Saudi Arabia since an informal truce took effect in 2022.

The Houthis said they had launched missiles at Abha airport in south-western Saudi Arabia in response to air strikes on Sanaa's airport that they blamed on the kingdom.

The strikes were claimed by the Saudi-backed Yemeni government, which said it had wanted to prevent an Iranian plane from landing in the capital without authorisation.

Yemen has been devastated by a civil war that began in 2014, when the Houthis ousted the government from Sanaa. The conflict escalated in 2015, after the Saudi-led coalition of Arab states intervened in an attempt to restore the government's rule.

The fighting has reportedly left more than 150,000 people dead and triggered one of the world's worst humanitarian crises, with more than 22 million people in need of some form of aid, according to the UN.

On Monday, Houthi military spokesman Yahya Sarea said Saudi Arabia had imposed an "unjust and oppressive siege on our dear people for nearly 12 years, plundering our resources and imposing a comprehensive blockade on our ports and airports by land, sea, and air".

He then announced that the group had decided to respond by declaring a "maritime embargo against the criminal Saudi enemy, based on the equation of 'an eye for an eye'".

"Any foolish act committed by the reckless Saudi enemy through all escalation will be met with a comprehensive and decisive escalation," he added.

Sarea did not provide any further information about the embargo, but the deputy head of the Houthi media office, Nasruddin Amer, wrote on X that the group's forces were "closing Bab al-Mandab to Saudi enemy ships".

The Bab al-Mandab Strait, a 32km-wide (20-mile) waterway located between south-western Yemen and the Horn of Africa. It connects the Gulf of Aden with the Red Sea, which is linked to the Mediterranean by the Suez canal.

Soon after the start of the Gaza war in October 2023, the Houthis began attacking merchant vessels in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden with missiles, drones and small boats, saying they were acting in support of the Palestinians.

Four ships were sunk, nine crew members were killed, and commercial traffic through Bab al-Mandab hit a record low as shipping companies rerouted their vessels around southern Africa.

Although the Houthis paused their attacks in response to the Gaza ceasefire last October, the number of transits through the strait has yet to return to previous levels, according to data from the International Monetary Fund.

In response to the situation in the Strait of Hormuz, Saudi Arabia has diverted more than 70% of its crude exports to the Red Sea port of Yanbu.

About 4 million barrels per day (bpd) have been shipped from there in recent weeks, compared with about 973,000 bpd a year earlier, according to data from Kpler and Signal Ocean.

Total petroleum volumes transiting Bab al-Mandab also rose to 7.4 million bpd in June, or about 7% of global output.

Mohammed Albasha of the US-based risk advisory firm Basha Report said it was not yet clear whether the Houthis would begin targeting vessels heading to Saudi Arabia.

"Even if no ships are attacked, the announcement alone is likely to disrupt shipping and create uncertainty for Saudi ports. Whether the Houthis move from threats to direct action remains the critical issue," he told Reuters news agency.

Don’t go overboard with rhetoric, Fahmi tells Khairy

Don’t go overboard with rhetoric, Fahmi tells Khairy


Yesterday
Faiz Zainudin


The PH communications director says the coalition has consistently championed and protected Malay and Muslim interests

PH leader Fahmi Fadzil (left) said former Umno Youth chief Khairy Jamaluddin is not the only person who understands Malay issues.

JEMPOL: Pakatan Harapan communications director Fahmi Fadzil has dismissed a claim the federal government is not paying enough attention to Malay sensitivities, saying PH has no shortage of Malay-Muslim leaders to champion the community’s interests.

Responding to Khairy Jamaluddin’s suggestion that Barisan Nasional and Perikatan Nasional’s cooperation in the Negeri Sembilan election was meant to signal to PH the need to pay greater attention to Malay sensitivities, Fahmi said Khairy is not the only one who understands the community’s issues.

“As a Malay, I am very aware of and sensitive to the various issues being raised. My late grandfather and grandmother were Umno members. My late grandmother was a staunch Umno supporter who fought for the welfare of Malays and Muslims.


“How could I ever abandon those values?” he told reporters after attending the Ziarah Kasih programme at Felda Palong 2 today.

Fahmi said Khairy’s repeated emphasis on Malay and Islamic issues appeared to be driven more by a desire to remain politically relevant and rebuild his support base following his return to Umno.


“He was out of Umno for quite some time. Now that he’s rebuilding his support base, he’ll say whatever he thinks is necessary to make sure people notice him,” he said.

Fahmi also rejected the notion that PH lacked Malay-Muslim leaders who defended the interests of the community and the faith.

“Is Anwar Ibrahim not a Malay-Muslim? Is Mohamad Sabu not a Malay-Muslim? Is Dzulkefly Ahmad not a Malay-Muslim? Are Amirudin Shari and Aminuddin Harun not Malay-Muslims?

“Let’s stop spreading falsehoods. Remember, as Muslims, if we speak falsely, we will be answerable in the hereafter.


“My advice to Khairy is: don’t go overboard.

“Don’t become so fixated on certain views that you end up denying the presence of Malay-Muslim leaders in PH and reinforcing false perceptions about the coalition,” he said.

Yesterday, Khairy, a former Umno Youth chief, said BN had chosen to cooperate with PN in the Negeri Sembilan state election to send PH a signal.

He said some Umno members felt the federal government was not paying enough attention to Malay sensitivities and had also failed to fulfil various promises it had made.


Khairy also claimed that PH often used Umno’s presence in the unity government as an excuse for failing to implement its reform agenda.

MUDA stakes claim to Penang CM's post, eyes all 40 seats

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MUDA stakes claim to Penang CM's post, eyes all 40 seats


20 Jul 2026 • 11:00 AM MYT

Carolyn Khor
Former ministerial press sec., ex-UNV, and independent researcher/writer

From left: Siranjeev Ram, Syed Saddiq and Danial Majeed. Credit: Danial Majeed


GEORGE TOWN: Muda Penang has set its sights on the state's top job by fielding its chief minister candidate and is prepared to contest all 40 state seats at the next election.


The party's central executive committee members representing Penang, Muhammad Danial Abdul Majeed and Siranjeev Ram S. Sanjeeviramah, said the goal was to form the next state government.



“If the state election were held today, Muda Pulau Pinang is prepared to consider contesting all 40 state constituencies with one goal, which is taking over the state administration,” they said in a joint statement.


Danial said the decision to field a chief minister candidate was driven by shifting voter sentiment towards DAP in Sabah and Johor, as well as Muda's desire to offer Penang voters an alternative.



He said Penang deserved “a truly new choice” instead of having to choose between what Muda described as “two equally disappointing options”.


Without naming any party, Muda took aim at the political status quo, challenging established parties in the state.


“Bring your big names, machinery and tactics. We know how to play this game too,” they said.


Muda said many would dismiss its ambitions as unrealistic, much as many had once believed Barisan Nasional could never lose Penang.


“Many will say we are crazy. But many also once said it was impossible for BN to be toppled in Penang.



“History has always favoured those who dare to challenge it,” they said.


At the 2023 state election, Muda contested three seats.


Muda’s highest vote count, 803, was secured by Lee Kim Noor in Batu Uban, whereas Priyankaa Loh Xiang Pin received 472 votes in Pantai Jerejak. Vikneswary Harikrishnan received 253 votes in Perai, and all three lost their deposits after failing to secure the 12.5% threshold.


Then party president Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman had described the campaign as offering voters an alternative rather than threatening Pakatan Harapan's majority.



The latest announcement came on the same day the Federal Court upheld Syed Saddiq's acquittal on four charges linked to Armada funds, ending a legal battle that had shadowed the party since 2021.


“Syed Saddiq is free. Muda returns with fresh breath,” said the duo in their opening remark.


Responding to criticism over its poor showing in Johor, the party said many laughed when Muda lost in Johor.


“They forget — Johor politics is not Penang politics.”


They added that Muda Penang does not intend to merely make up the numbers, split the vote or simply go through the motions this time.



“We are here to challenge the government.”


Dr Lim Yu Xiang, a dentist, is currently Muda Penang's interim chairman.


He serves as the honorary secretary of the Malaysian Dental Association (MDA) Northern Zone and was the organising chairman of the 20th Penang Dental Conference held in 2023.

Carolyn Khor is an independent journalist who contributes to several print and online publications. Selected articles from her archive are published here for Newswav readers.

***

I am MOST excited by the above MUDA declaration, wakakaka.

Ten killed as Russian attacks on merchant ships in Black Sea intensify

Ten killed as Russian attacks on merchant ships in Black Sea intensify

Just now
Laura Gozzi

Andrii Sybiha
Attacks on cargo ships in the Black Sea have increased as Russia seeks to disrupt the last maritime export corridor outside of Ukraine


The death toll of a Russian strike on a cargo ship off the coast of the Ukrainian city of Odesa has risen to 10.

The Guinea-Bissau-flagged ship was hit by Russian cruise missiles on Sunday, the Ukrainian Air Force said, causing a fire.

A search and rescue operation was launched and lasted all night. By Monday morning, Ukraine's seaports authority said nine crew members had been killed, as well as one of its pilots.

In recent weeks, the Odesa region has come under sustained attack.

Twenty-eight people died in Russian strikes on the region in July alone, governor Oleh Kiper told Ukrainian TV on Monday.

Russian attacks on cargo ships in the Black Sea have also increased.

Sunday's attack on the Guinea-Bissau-flagged Golden Leo ship was the deadliest of its kind.

These usually foreign-flagged ships carrying international crews sustain Ukraine's last remaining maritime export corridor to transport cargo down the Romanian and Bulgarian coastlines and onwards to Turkey.

Maritime exports account for over two-thirds of Ukrainian agricultural exports, for a value of roughly $9bn (£6.7bn) - an essential source of revenue for Kyiv.

Fighting in the Black Sea was at a stalemate for most of the four-and-a-half years since Moscow first launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

While Ukrainian ships were unable to move further than the area surrounding Odesa due to Russian control of much of the coast, Kyiv's drones forced Moscow to keep its assets safely tucked in its naval bases in the eastern Black Sea.

But Russia's ramping up of attacks against cargo ships is likely meant to deter foreign companies from buying Ukrainian products and using its Black Sea maritime corridor.

On Sunday, Ukraine's Prime Minister Serhiy Koretskyi said his government and the military command were "preparing decisions that will enhance the safety of navigation and help protect civilian vessels and seafarers" from Russian attacks.

Despite the constant shelling, Odesa remains a prime holiday destination for Ukrainians.

Governor Oleh Kiper said earlier this month that air raid shelters had been set up in 40 beaches in the region which were open to the public - but warned that seaside locations could be particularly dangerous because drones and missiles are often launched from the sea.

For its part, Ukraine too has ramped up its attacks on Russian assets in the Black Sea and the Sea of Azov.

On Monday, Ukraine's drone forces commander Robert Brovdi said 183 vessels had been struck in July. While this figure has not been independently verified, the BBC has seen evidence of damage to numerous vessels in both the Black Sea and the Sea of Azov on satellite.

Elsewhere in the country, Russian strikes killed five people in separate attacks on eastern and southern Ukrainian cities.

According to the UN, June saw the highest number of Ukrainian civilians killed and injured since April 2022. At least 293 civilians were killed and 1,990 injured.

For its part, Kyiv also continued to hit logistics facilities and an oil depot in Russia's Moscow region. Sergei Sobyanin, the mayor of the Russian capital, said Kyiv had launched 400 drones towards the region overnight on Monday, although most were shot down. Local authorities later said 10 people had been injured as a result.

And local authorities in Russia's Belgorod border region said a Ukrainian drone strike on a bus had killed five people, including a child, on Monday. Ukraine has not yet commented.

Many Israelis' dual citizenship makes entry ban harder to enforce

Many Israelis' dual citizenship makes entry ban harder to enforce

By Wong Chun Wai

Sunday, 19 Jul 2026 | 1:10 PM MYT

KUALA LUMPUR: One common question raised by many Malaysians on social media following allegations that Israelis had participated in the Network School in Johor Bahru is how they could have entered the country.

There have also been angry comments that the authorities had not done their work. From the remarks made, one can conclude that these netizens are unaware that many Israelis hold dual citizenship.

There is no official count of how many Israelis hold dual citizenship or a second passport, but the reality is Israel allows dual citizenship in many circumstances.

The Tel Aviv government claims that it does not maintain or publish a comprehensive registry of citizens' other nationalities.

But from reports, a commonly cited estimate is that around 10 per cent of Israeli citizens hold another citizenship, which would be roughly one million people based on Israel's current population. However, this is a reported estimate rather than an official statistic.

The Network School, an international co-living and co-working tech commune located in Forest City, Johor Bahru, has been in the news, following allegations of Israeli participation.

Silicon Valley investor Balaji Srinivasan founded and operates this "startup society'' for digital nomads and developers.

Following the crackdown, Balaji has reportedly said the planned RM500 million expansion in Malaysia is now on hold.

In a lengthy post on social media platform X, he directed barbs at activist group Malaysia Protest 4 Palestine (MP4P), which had cited the presence of Israeli content creator Nusier Yassin, better known as Nas Daily.

The media has reported that Israeli-Palestinian vlogger Nas Daily had in 2022 said he managed to enter Malaysia despite the ban by entering Johor Bahru via Singapore using a Saint Kitts and Nevis passport.

An academic study by Yossi Harpaz estimated that around 344,000 Israelis held citizenship of a European Union country (based on 2019 data), though that did not include all dual nationals.

The most common second citizenship is generally believed to be that of the United States - often considered the largest single group, with estimates suggesting that more than 200,000 Israeli-American dual citizens live in Israel.

We can assume that the figures did not include Jews who were born in the US or whose ancestors had migrated to the US earlier.

The other countries where Israelis reportedly hold citizenship are France, reflecting decades of immigration; Russia, said to be due to the large wave of immigration from the former Soviet Union beginning in the 1990s; and the United Kingdom, through immigration and descent.

Other commonly held second citizenships include those of Poland, Romania, Hungary, Portugal, Argentina, South Africa, Australia and Ethiopia, depending on family origin and immigration history.

Reports quoting academic research and polling said that in the US, there are more than 200,000 Israelis holding dual American citizenship.

Online reports quoting the Middle East Eye said Israeli military data indicates that over 50,000 active duty personnel hold foreign passports, primarily from the US, Russia, France, the UK and Ukraine.

In short, there is nothing to stop any Israeli holding these foreign passports from coming into Malaysia.

Immigration director-general Datuk Zakaria Shaaban has said a total of 256 foreigners from 40 countries inspected in relation to Network School hold social visit passes while another 10 have professional visit passes under the nomad category.

He said the 10 nomad pass holders comprised four US citizens, three Russians, two Australians and one Indian.

Zakaria said his department had yet to find evidence that Israeli nationals were present at Network School, but would continue its investigations and share its findings with other agencies.

It would not be easy to detect Israeli presence as there is no official public list of Israeli citizens who also hold US passports, and for many public figures, citizenship status is private.

Malaysians, both Muslim and Christian pilgrims, who have visited Jerusalem, with approval from our Home Ministry and Immigration, would have surely met many Israelis who speak in an American accent and admit to holding American passports.

Another common sight in Jerusalem is that these Israelis proudly put up billboards that proclaim JerUSAlem to show its American ties.

The controversy certainly needs to be handled properly and amicably as Malaysia welcomes investments and talent. At the same time, the country would not tolerate any form of disrespect or threat from anyone. More importantly, Malaysia's position against Israel is clear and well known, and we make no apologies. – Bernama

Datuk Seri Wong Chun Wai is the chairman of BERNAMA and a National Journalism Laureate

Revised MM2H losing its shine

Revised MM2H losing its shine

By Brian Martin

Friday, 17 Jul 2026


Higher financial barriers and stricter rules risk shrinking the number of applicants

MALAYSIA is frequently ranked as one of the top retirement destinations for expatriates, largely because it offers a high standard of living at a very affordable price. Now locals may not agree with this (our low wages, etc), but the fact remains that exceptional value, low cost of living, world-class healthcare, language proficiency, food and culture, infrastructure and diverse landscapes are all major draws for not only expat retirees but also digital nomads.


Arguably though, the biggest draw for relocation is the Malaysia My Second Home (MM2H) programme. It offers a structured pathway for expats to obtain long-term, multiple-entry visas (ranging from five to 20 years depending on the tier).

The programme allows retirees to settle down legally, buy property, and sometimes enjoy tax exemptions on foreign-sourced income.


But while the financial requirements have seen revisions over the years, the recent 2025–2026 overhaul, with its tiered structure and markedly higher barriers, risks deterring precisely the broad middle-class cohort that sustained the programme’s numbers and reputation.

A Korean acquaintance of mine who also happens to be an MM2H agent lamented the fact that these stringent rules have deterred expats from her country.

“Last month I took a large group of them to view property in Mont Kiara. They loved it there, but when I explained the MM2H ­criteria, almost all of them are put off.

“For example, the Gold ­category requires a US$500,000 (RM2.03mil) fixed deposit and a minimum property purchase of RM1mil for a 15-year renewable visa. The FD requirement is unrealistic and buying a condo or landed property is fine, but it also comes with a caveat that the property can only be resold after 10 years,” she said.

Only the Platinum category permits working or running a business. It comes with a 20-year renewable visa but requires a US$1mil (RM4.07mil) fixed deposit and a minimum property purchase of RM2mil.

In the past, the MM2H programme attracted the middle-class expats, but the new financial requirements are proving a barrier to this segment.

Herein lies the deterrent effect. The high-end expats who could meet the requirements are not coming to the country because places like New Zealand, Australia and Canada offer them a pathway towards Permanent Residence (PR) status whereas Malaysia only gives them a long-term visa.

There are a number of Facebook Groups that try to assist new expats or interested parties access MM2H. Reading through some of these comments gives you an idea of the constraints and red tape involved.

Application is not a straightforward online self-service exercise. New participants must work through a Tourism, Arts and Culture Ministry-licensed MM2H agent.

These agents prepare and submit the full dossier (passport, financial proofs, medical reports, letter of intent, etc.) via the One Stop Centre (OSC MM2H), after which the Home Ministry via the Immigration Department manages final approval.

Processing typically takes several months. Reputable agents provide end-to-end support, including guidance on compliant property purchases and fixed-deposit placement.

Purely direct or fully digital self-application is not the primary or encouraged route under current guidelines.

Thailand is the clear regional rival of Malaysia when it comes to attracting long-term visa expats. But here, we retain some key advantages in political stability, English proficiency, cultural diversity and urban amenities.

However, the new MM2H framework narrows the competitive gap that once favoured us on ease of entry.

Many middle-class applicants find Thailand’s menu more graduated and less capital-intensive at the entry level – you can rent indefinitely, prove income rather than lock large sums and test the waters with lower friction.

Malaysia’s tightened criteria and added obligations – higher liquid-capital requirements, mandatory property ownership that ties funds for a decade, layered agent and transaction costs, as well as the absence of a straightforward PR pathway – are likely to shrink rather than expand the applicant pool.

The middle-class segment that quietly bolsters tourism receipts, supports secondary property markets outside prime Kuala Lumpur enclaves and integrates into local communities may simply look elsewhere, or default to shorter tourist or digital-nomad visas. Higher tiers will still attract the wealthy, but volume and broad economic multipliers could suffer.

Malaysia has genuine strengths as a second-home destination. The reforms appear designed to raise quality and economic contribution – these are legitimate goals.

Yet if the net result is a programme that feels more like an exclusive, high-entry investment vehicle than an accessible long-stay welcome, we risk losing the very demographic that made MM2H popular and sustainable.

This programme was one of our most successful soft-power and economic initiatives.

A review that considers optional (rather than compulsory) property elements for the various ­categories, clearer long-term residency incentives after sustained contribution, or streamlined digital elements to moderate agent costs would better balance quality with volume.

The middle class still wants what Malaysia offers. The question is whether our welcome mat now feels inviting or merely expensive.

> Editor's Note: An earlier version of this column incorrectly stated that property bought under MM2H cannot be resold to locals. It has now been amended.

Malay tsunami forming in Negri Sembilan?

Malay tsunami forming in Negri Sembilan?

By Joceline Tan

Saturday, 18 Jul 2026 | 3:27 PM MYT


SOME had referred to the unveiling of the Barisan Nasional election candidates for the Negri Sembilan election as “the return of Tok Mat”.

Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan or Tok Mat was a three-term Mentri Besar (MB) but, no, he is not interested in returning to the post.

The reference to his return lay in the context of the way he commanded the stage ahead of an election that will be much more intense and has much more at stake than the one in Johor.

“I guess it was his demeanour and understanding of local sentiments. He rallied the crowd,” said lawyer and Umno politician Ainul Aizat Ahmad Ishak.

Tok Mat has travelled the world as the Foreign Minister but he lapses into the quaint local dialect or “loghat Nogori” when in front of a home audience and it gave the Wednesday night event that uniquely Negri Sembilan flavour.

Unlike Johor, where the outcome was a foregone conclusion, both Pakatan Harapan and Barisan seem equally confident in Negri Sembilan.

Election night will be a nail-biting moment although cynical onlookers are wondering if more drama lies ahead given the way the other claimant to the throne has been making his presence felt in the state.

Moreover, a situation is developing where both the former MB and the caretaker MB, Datuk Seri Aminuddin Harun, popularly known as Tok Min, will be playing key roles in the election.

Tok Mat, who is state Barisan chairman and Umno deputy president, is defending his seat in Rantau.

Tok Min, in a surprise move, has relocated from his Sikamat seat to Linggi, one of five state seats in Port Dickson where he is the MP.

It is like asking voters to compare the track record of the two men and the party they represent.

This could be Tok Min’s toughest election yet because Pakatan is still struggling with Malay support. The election might be his Waterloo.

Pakatan leaders have heaped praises on Tok Min who is the poster boy. He has also been portrayed as a victim, cornered into calling a snap election after Umno and PAS assemblymen withdrew their support.

They also blamed state Umno chief Datuk Seri Jalaluddin Alias for collapsing the state government.

The Umno side, in defending Jalauddin, said they only wanted Tok Min to take responsibility for mishandling the palace crisis. Umno politicians claimed they would have gone on supporting the state government under a new MB.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim is expected to lead the Pakatan campaign and has warned all parties not to touch on the palace crisis.

Actually none of the parties would want to be seen taking sides in the crisis that has rocked the foundation of the state’s unique Adat Perpatih system and pitted the state’s co-rulers against each other, with the Yang Di Pertuan Besar on one side and the Undang Yang Empat on the other.

It is like pretending not to notice the elephant in the room because the crisis has consumed the local folk who talk about it in the warung, when they mingle after praying at the surau and even among family members at home.

According to a lawyer from Seremban, Pakatan’s decision to convene in Kuala Pilah for the announcement of its election candidates was, rightly or wrongly, seen as a nod towards the Seri Menanti seat of the ruler which is located there.

Barisan chose to unveil its candidates in Paroi which, with 60,704 registered voters, has the biggest catchment of votes.

Anwar was at his fiery best when addressing the Pakatan faithful in Kuala Pilah. He was upset about the snap polls which he said were unnecessary.

He lashed out at those who tried to forge a backdoor government as greedy for power, hungry for projects and hypocrites who did not care about the people.

All that angry rhetoric was aimed squarely at Umno and the Prime Minister said he felt deeply betrayed.

It requires a simple majority of 19 out of the 36 state seats to form the government but only a strong majority can guarantee a stable government that can then attempt to mediate in the palace crisis.

The polls have also become the public stage for the end of two partnerships - one between PAS and Bersatu, the other between Pakatan and Barisan.

What has happened to the special cikgu-and-anak murid relationship that Anwar has with Umno president Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi?

Is it over? Has the student broken free from his mentor?

How much longer can they sit together in Putrajaya, smiling and nodding at each other while going in different directions?

Will Anwar be constantly looking over his shoulder in his Cabinet of frenemies?

Has the Madani government become a house of cards?

At the heart of the troubling circumstances is the fact that the Negri Sembilan election has narrowed down to a battle for the Malay votes.

“The election will be decided by where the Malay votes go, it’s a battle for the Malay heart and mind,” said Ainul Aizat.

Malays leaders have reached the conclusion that if 90%of Chinese voters swayed to DAP, it is time for Malay voters to sway to Malay parties.

Pictures of Umno and PAS leaders mingling like old friends at the nomination centres on Saturday morning have flooded social media, sending a message loud and clear to the Malay base.

The perceived electoral understanding between Umno and PAS must not be underestimated.

A confluence of the blue and green waves might become a Malay tsunami.

Negri Sembilan: Testing a new political equation

Negri Sembilan: Testing a new political equation

By Philip Golingai

Sunday, 19 Jul 2026

All set: Election Commission officials preparing for the nomination process yesterday. — MUHAMAD SHAHRIL ROSLI/The Star


REMEMBER the jajaran baru (new alignment) I mentioned might happen in a previous column “Mighty strange bedfellows"? Well, it has officially manifested in the Negri Sembilan state elections, for which campaigning kicked off yesterday.

The state polls have drawn complex, multi-cornered battle lines: Pakatan Harapan is contesting all 36 seats, standing against an informal electoral pact comprising Barisan Nasional (25 seats) and a fractured Perikatan Nasional faction (11 seats split among PAS, Wawasan, Gerakan, and MIPP). Standing alone against both blocs is Bersatu, which is contesting 24 seats.



This jajaran baru was already in the making before the recent Johor state polls, when clear signals emerged that PAS was actively pushing for a new opposition configuration.


Even though PAS faced Barisan in 11 seats during that race, it strategically instructed its supporters to vote for Barisan in constituencies where it was not contesting. While PAS ultimately won zero seats under the Perikatan banner in Johor, it was viewed as a calculated loss for the sake of a bigger battle.

The Negri Sembilan polls will serve as the ultimate litmus test for whether this new alignment is viable. On paper, the pact looks as dominant as France did when it was touted to win the World Cup – but the quality of the execution on the ground remains to be seen.

Negri Sembilan is fundamentally different from Johor, which is a historic Barisan stronghold that it is capable of ruling entirely on its own. Should this newly forged political alignment prove successful on polling day on Aug 1, it will severely disrupt the delicate equilibrium of the national unity government across three major fronts.

First, a failure in Negri Sembilan will ignite an existential dilemma for DAP and its non-Malay backing. Having long served as the electoral bedrock of Pakatan by guaranteeing solid non-Malay support, the party now finds itself vulnerable. The Johor election demonstrated that its traditional base can soften when voter sentiment shifts. If DAP performs as poorly in Negri Sembilan as it did in Johor – where it lost four of the 10 seats it won during the 2022 polls – the party will face intense internal pressure over its alliances.

A second poor showing will force a defining debate at the party’s rescheduled National Congress on Aug 16, when delegates might question whether holding Cabinet positions is worth the electoral cost.

Ultimately, any formal exit or scaled-back participation by DAP would create the perception that the federal alliance led by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim could fall like a Jenga tower.

A precedent for this friction has already been set at the state level. DAP recently announced its immediate withdrawal from the Umno-led Melaka state government, moving its four assemblymen to the opposition bloc. The party’s official reason was its staunch opposition to a newly passed constitutional amendment allowing the appointment of unelected, nominated state assemblymen, which it slammed as a violation of democratic principles.

However, some observers have dismissed the move as mere political posturing. In Pahang, DAP quietly remains within the Umno-led government despite the presence of nominated assemblymen. Furthermore, back in 2018, Sabah DAP’s then treasurer-general accepted a nominated assemblyman post.

This ideological instability highlights a deeper systemic fracture. When parties are forced to constantly shift their principles to protect local turf, the broader structural architecture begins to warp. And that brings us to the second major front: the battleground for Malay voter legitimacy.

On paper, a tactical understanding under which PAS transfers its grassroots machinery to Umno candidates poses a direct, structural threat to Pakatan. Anwar’s coalition faces the serious threat of losing its support completely in the Malay heartland. Without commanding a credible share of the Malay vote, the Federal Government will face a persistent crisis of political legitimacy, irrespective of its raw parliamentary numbers in the Dewan Rakyat.

Finally, a victory for this new alignment will drastically shift the internal balance of power and pave the way for a broader federal realignment. An empowered Umno, coming off strong performances in this new configuration, will hold absolute leverage over the prime minister.

This federal leverage is exactly where the macro-maths of Parliament transforms into a high-stakes game of political Jenga. If an empowered Umno decides to cash in that leverage, walk away from the government, and formalise this new alignment at the national level, the entire structural integrity of the federal administration changes in an instant.

Imagine the Dewan Rakyat as a 220-seat Jenga tower. Under the current arrangement, the government bloc stands tall at 151 blocks (seats), while the opposition bloc sits with 69.

The government bloc is anchored by Pakatan Harapan (77 seats), Barisan Nasional (30), Gabungan Parti Sarawak (23), Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (seven), ex-Bersatu Rebels (six), Parti Warisan (three), Sabah Independents (two), and one seat each from Sabah STAR, Parti KDM, and Parti Bangsa Malaysia. Standing opposite them, the opposition bloc comprises PAS (43), Parti Wawasan Negara (19, including Bersatu MPs whose hearts are with Hamzah), Bersatu (six), and Muda (one).

Structural integrity changes the moment a major pillar moves. If Barisan slides its 30 blocks out from the government pile and lands them squarely on top of the opposition pile, the tower flips instantly. The government’s stack shrinks to 121 blocks.

At the same time, the opposition shoots up to 99, completely shattering the ruling coalition’s massive 82-block advantage and leaving the prime minister hanging onto a razor-thin 10-seat safety margin above the 111-seat majority line.

From there, it only takes a few disgruntled regional players or independents wiggling their blocks out of the remaining pile to bring the framework down entirely.

Of course, blocks on the opposition side can also switch back. When push comes to shove, Bersatu with six MPs could support the unity government for the sake of ... unity (which is a political party’s favourite excuse).

But excuses won’t hold the tower up forever. If the jajaran baru delivers a crushing blow in Negri Sembilan and ripples into the upcoming Melaka polls, the unity government’s entire Jenga tower could come crashing down.

 

U.S. Aircraft Take Heavy Losses as Iran Strikes Key Bases Across the Middle East

Middle East , Aircraft and Anti-Aircraft

Military Watch Magazine Editorial Staff

July-19th-2026

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U.S. Army UH-60 Black Hawk Helicopters

Iranian missile strikes against U.S. military facilities in Jordan, launched in response to U.S. attacks, have caused considerable damage. The New York Times, citing an assessment based on satellite imagery, verified videos, and official statements, reported that a significant number of UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters were damaged. The reported losses add to growing evidence that Iran’s retaliatory strikes achieved considerably greater effects against U.S. military infrastructure than initially acknowledged. The Black Hawks were among numerous aircraft and military assets stationed at Muwaffaq Salti Air Base and other facilities in Jordan that came under repeated ballistic missile and drone attacks. Recent attacks on the base also resulted in the deaths of two U.S. service members and left another missing, underscoring that Jordan has become one of the principal fronts in the widening regional conflict. These casualty figures do not account for the deaths of contractors, who play central roles at all major frontline facilities including in many cases in combat. 

Muwaffaq Salti Air Base After Iranian Strikes

Although the exact number of helicopters affected has not been officially disclosed, damage to multiple UH-60s represents a potentially important operational setback. The Black Hawk serves as the U.S. Army’s primary utility helicopter, carrying out troop transport, casualty evacuation, special operations support, logistics, and command-and-control missions. Unlike fixed-wing combat aircraft, helicopters parked on forward operating bases are often difficult to disperse during periods of sustained missile attack. Their large rotor systems, exposed fuel tanks, and limited hardened shelter availability make them particularly vulnerable to fragmentation from ballistic missile warheads or nearby impacts.

F-15E Fighters at Muwaffaq Salti Air Base

According to assessments compiled from satellite imagery and open-source evidence, Iranian missile attacks have damaged at least 17 U.S.-associated military sites, including 11 American military installations, with radar systems, communications infrastructure, aircraft parking areas, and logistics facilities among the primary targets. The Black Hawk damage in Jordan is only one component of wider aviation losses sustained during the conflict. Open-source reporting and official statements have documented the destruction or damage of MQ-9 Reaper drones, transport aircraft, helicopters, aerial tankers, and airborne warning aircraft across several bases. These included the reported destruction of at least one F-15E fighter on July 19. The U.S. Armed Forces have sought to minimise losses by dispersing aircraft away from major facilities. 

She urged Khan to take a more cautious approach to warrants against Israel

Who is Sarah? What we know about the Malaysian lawyer at the centre of the Karim Khan case


After choosing to speak publicly for the first time, the woman known only as Sarah has become one of the most closely watched figures in an unfolding case that has drawn global attention


Updated 34 minutes ago · Published on 20 Jul 2026 3:23PM

Yet despite the spotlight, remarkably little is known about her. - July 20, 2026


FOR months, she was known only as an anonymous International Criminal Court (ICC) staff member whose allegations against former chief prosecutor Karim Khan sent shockwaves through the world’s top war crimes court.

Now, after choosing to speak publicly for the first time, the woman known only as Sarah has become one of the most closely watched figures in an unfolding case that has drawn global attention.

Yet despite the spotlight, remarkably little is known about her.

Sarah has identified herself only by her first name. International media organisations have continued to withhold her full identity, citing privacy concerns as investigations and proceedings linked to the case continue.

What has emerged is that Sarah is a 39-year-old Malaysian lawyer who had been serving at the ICC before joining Khan’s office as his special assistant. The role placed her among the prosecutor’s closest aides, accompanying him on official overseas missions and high-level engagements.

She has described herself as a practising Muslim and said she underwent extensive security vetting before being entrusted with one of the court’s most sensitive positions.

Sarah’s allegations first surfaced in 2024, but she remained out of public view until recently, when she gave her first televised interview explaining why she decided to come forward.

In the interview, she alleged that Khan’s behaviour escalated over time before culminating in sexual assault during an official overseas trip. Khan has consistently denied the allegations, maintaining there was never a sexual relationship between them, consensual or otherwise.

Sarah also pushed back against claims circulating online that she was acting on behalf of any foreign intelligence agency or political interests, saying such accusations ignored the rigorous background checks required for staff working directly with the ICC prosecutor.

The case has since evolved into one of the biggest crises in the ICC’s history.

Khan has been suspended following an internal investigation, although he continues to deny wrongdoing and has argued that the process against him has been unfair.

For now, Sarah remains a largely private figure. Apart from her age, nationality, profession and role at the ICC, few personal details have been disclosed publicly. – July 20, 2026



***

Strong protest: Irresponsible interview attempts to influence ICC member state voting


Is Sarah being used by certain powers to discredit a Prosecutor, or is she using this to gain favour with these powerful nations and advance her own career?

Updated 35 minutes ago · Published on 20 Jul 2026 5:34PM

Friday’s vote will determine whether the ICC can uphold the principles of fairness, independence, and due process that it demands of others. - July 20, 2026


TODAY I listened to Sarah's exclusive interview with CNN’s Christiane Amanpour pertaining to her allegations against ICC chief prosecutor Karim Khan. My thoughts are as follows:

1. The timing exposes a clear intent to sway votes

Sarah’s decision to grant an exclusive CNN interview just one week before the ICC Assembly of States Parties vote is no coincidence. With 125 member states set to decide on Prosecutor Karim Khan’s future, this carefully staged public appearance has one purpose: to bypass proper legal procedures and pressure member states through media manipulation. Anyone who respects the rule of law must firmly reject this tactic.

2. The Independent judicial reviews have already cleared the Prosecutor

The most decisive rebuttal to Sarah’s claims is that three independent legal processes have fully examined her allegations.

- The UN OIOS conducted a thorough investigation.

- The ICC Presidency appointed an independent judicial panel of 3 senior jurists – Seymour Panton (Jamaica), Paul Lemmens (Belgium), and Bess Nkabinde Theron (South Africa). After three months reviewing thousands of pages of evidence, they unanimously concluded that the evidence did not establish misconduct or dereliction of duty.

Sarah’s interview merely recycles old complaints that have already been dismissed.

3. There is a question mark over Sarah’s motives and credibility.

Sarah claims her complaint was unrelated to any foreign government, yet multiple facts point in the opposite direction:

- She urged Khan to take a more cautious approach to warrants against Israel.

- Immediately after Khan issued arrest warrants, the US sanctioned the ICC and threatened that “any action against Israel is an action against you.”

Is Sarah being used by certain powers to discredit a Prosecutor, or is she using this to gain favour with these powerful nations and advance her own career?

4. The ICC Presidency’s conduct is a grave breach of due process

Even more alarming is that after the independent judicial panel delivered a finding of no misconduct, the Presidency did not accept that conclusion – instead, it suspended Khan and referred the matter to the Assembly of States Parties.

This stands in complete opposition to the fundamental principles of the rule of law.

Conclusion

This interview is a blatant attempt to substitute trial by media for due legal process. I strongly call on all member states to reject such media influence and base their judgment on the unanimous findings of the independent judicial panel based on a due process of law.

They should recognise this case for what it is – not a proven misconduct case, but allegations already dismissed by professional judicial bodies, now politically weaponised to serve a specific agenda.

Friday’s vote will determine whether the ICC can uphold the principles of fairness, independence, and due process that it demands of others. - July 20, 2026

Datuk Dr Siva Ananthan

Dr Siva Ananthan is a graduate in Law from the University of London and is 40 years veteran of the legal fraternity, having founded Advance Tertiary College in 1987. He has also served as a Governing Council Member of the ASEAN Law Association, as President of the National Association of Private Educational Institution and as a Director of the Pan Pacific Association for Private Education.

Will ‘Malay unity’ chase Chinese out of M’sia? Loaded Wanita PKR leader’s query sparks confusion

Will ‘Malay unity’ chase Chinese out of M’sia? Loaded Wanita PKR leader’s query sparks confusion

SUCH was the poser by PKR Kota Melaka division’s women’s wing head Zubaidah Ali on her social media account.

With the term being used by predominantly UMNO and PAS right now to drum up support, it is usually accompanied by narratives that seek to demonise DAP and by extension the Chinese community that the party is perceived to champion.


Look no further than the many pronouncements by firebrand UMNO Youth chief Datuk Dr Muhamad Akmal Saleh for evidence.

Hence the pointed question that highlights the absurd assumption that any successful attempt at a muafakat (Malay co-operation or consensus) will lead to a mass exodus of Malaysian Chinese from these shores.


Zubaidah’s Facebook post has generated plenty of feedback with many netizens also highlighting their suspicions about the movement to unite the Malays.

Some commenters noted that it was the Malays who will quarrel among themselves if there were no Chinese in Malaysia. It was further observed that the Malays are an envious bunch who did not like their own kind to succeed.

This generalisation was followed by a more considered comment by one Saiful Azmi Hamzah who noted that many Malays were dependent to not only Malaysian Chinese but also to Mainlanders to earn a living.

“The Malays need them more than they need you from an economic standpoint” was the salient observation here.

It was also sarcastically suggested that all Chinese citizens in Malaysia be chased out and are replaced by Rohingya and Palestinian Muslims. “Malaysia will become No. 1 advanced nation in the world” mocked the commenter.

Wearing party colours proudly on his sleeve, this obviously PKR supporter chided supporters who swallowed 3R (race, religion and royalty) rhetoric by corrupt politicians only to end up paying for their debts.

“Only the foolish see the wealth of others as a threat,” he surmised.

A political observer used the recent political imbroglio in Perlis as a prime example of Malay in-fighting that did not involve DAP (or the Chinese) to malign the walaun (slang for ultra-conservative PAS supporters) who subscribed to the idea of Malay unity.

However, it did appear that a number of netizens have misinterpreted the statement as extreme 3R (race, religion and royalty) rage-bait when the intention is quite the opposite.

Some commenters were clearly unaware that the poster is a PKR politician and the statement was made with a healthy dose of irony.

Perhaps, political commentary should be free of irony and sarcasm lest the intentions are misconstrued.

Fact of the matter is that this simple query has asked out loud just what will Malay unity solve – will the Chinese all disappear and a utopia-like Malaysia-for-Malays-only emerge?

That may well be the wish among a certain demographic but the absurdity of the suggestion highlights the thin ground on which Malay unity movement is based upon. – July 20, 2026

While Spain battles Argentina, a mamak shop was hosting another battle

While Spain battles Argentina, a mamak shop was hosting another battle

By CS Ming
3 hours ago

THERE are many places where football fans gather to watch a big match. Stadiums, sports bars and friends’ houses are obvious choices.

But in Malaysia, there is one venue that deserves to be recognised as the country’s unofficial national stadium—the humble mamak restaurant.


It does not matter whether you support Manchester United, Liverpool, Johor Darul Ta’zim or your local Sunday league team.

The moment a major football match begins, every mamak table transforms into a tactical command centre where everyone suddenly becomes a football expert, referee and manager all at once.

Unfortunately, football passion occasionally spills over into something far less sporting.


A viral video circulating online captured what appears to be a large brawl at a mamak restaurant during the Spain versus Argentina match.

The footage shows chairs being thrown, customers scrambling for safety and punches being exchanged between what claims to be two groups of different races.

kamaghul deghaman

@kamaghul

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Orang tengok bola dekat mamak sebab nak have fun. Korang pulak sibuk nak bergaduh. Masing-masing ada darah argentina ke??

2:55 PM · Jul 20, 2026

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The biggest mystery, however, is not who landed the first punch. It is who was actually supporting Spain and who was cheering for Argentina. No one seems to know.

Maybe someone celebrated Spain’s goal a little too enthusiastically.

One thing is certain. The fight looked far more physical than anything taking place on the football pitch.

Football has often been called “the beautiful game”, but somewhere between celebrating your team’s victory and using a plastic chair as an improvised weapon, the spirit of the game seems to have taken an early substitution.

Lost amid the chaos was probably the mamak owner, who had likely expected nothing more dramatic that evening than customers asking for extra sambal.

Instead, he found himself wondering how many tables, chairs and plates would survive until closing time.

From the video, one can observe the name of the restaurant, “E & Y Sahul. A quick check on google maps revealed several branches of the same name in Johor Bahru.

As for Spain and Argentina, one side may have walked away with football’s ultimate prize.

But judging by the video, the fiercest contest of the night may have taken place thousands of kilometres away at a Malaysian mamak, where the only trophy anyone was fighting over was the right to have the final word.

Because in Malaysia, football is never just ninety minutes. Sometimes, it comes with free live entertainment.—July 20, 2026

Main image: @kamaghul (X)