At least 7 Palestinians killed by Israeli forces over past 48 hours in Gaza

 

At least 7 Palestinians killed by Israeli forces over past 48 hours in Gaza

A further nine bodies were recovered from under rubble, according to Gaza’s Ministry of Health.

By Al Jazeera Staff

Published On 4 Jul 20264 Jul 2026

At least 16 Palestinians have been killed in Israeli attacks or recovered from beneath rubble over the past 48 hours in Gaza, according to health officials.

Gaza’s Ministry of Health said on Saturday that hospitals across the besieged enclave had received the bodies of 16 Palestinians, seven of whom had been killed in recent attacks by Israeli forces, while nine were recovered from under the rubble of destroyed buildings.

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The ministry said that 16 people had been injured over the same period, adding that more victims remain under the rubble as ambulance and civil defence personnel have been unable to reach them.

The ministry did not specify the circumstances surrounding the deaths and injuries.

The latest killings come despite Israel and Hamas agreeing to a United States-brokered “ceasefire” in October. Although large-scale fighting has largely paused, Israeli attacks on Palestinians in the enclave have continued.

According to the ministry, Israeli army violations of the ceasefire have killed 1,066 people and wounded 3,445 others since the truce took effect.

The latest casualties bring the overall death toll from Israel’s genocidal war on Gaza since October 2023 to 73,090, with 173,550 others injured, the ministry added.

During the nominal ceasefire, the Israeli military has also continued expanding the area under its control inside Gaza while issuing forced displacement orders.

In late May, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he had instructed the military to expand its control to more than 70 percent of the Gaza Strip.

Under the ceasefire deal, the parties were expected to move to a second phase after Hamas released the remaining captives covered by the first-stage deal in exchange for Palestinians held in Israeli prisons.

That phase was meant to include disarmament by Hamas and a gradual Israeli military withdrawal from Gaza.

However, negotiations have remained stalled for months, with Hamas’s disarmament and the scope of an Israeli withdrawal continuing to be the main obstacles.

OPINION | Tony Pua's Case Will Pit "Keluhuran Perlembagaan" Against "Kesetiaan kepada Raja Dan Negara"

Malaysia's #1 Content Aggregator


OPINION | Tony Pua's Case Will Pit "Keluhuran Perlembagaan" Against "Kesetiaan kepada Raja Dan Negara"


4 Jul 2026 • 3:00 PM MYT

TheRealNehruism
An award-winning Newswav creator, Bebas News columnist & ex-FMT columnist

Image credit: Malay Mail

DAP Adviser Tony Pua is still under investigation for touching on the constitutional monarchy system and Rukun Negara.


Home minister Saifuddin Nasution Ismail said the investigation paper was referred to the Attorney-General’s Chambers on May 25 before being sent back to the cops.



“Police are continuing their investigation to complete the probe paper before a final decision (on the case) is made,” he said in a written parliamentary reply.


What is the case against Tony ?


Well, to cut a long story short, it is because when asked to be obedient to the Selangor Sultan's "titah" in line with the "Kesetiaan kepada Raja Dan Negara" part of the Rukun Negara, Tony objected to the Titah under the premise that upholding the "Keluhuran Perlembagaan" part of the Rukun Negara requires that one insists that the manner that monarchy exercises its power does not exceed the limits provided for it in the constitution.



If this case goes to court under the charge that Tony has desecrated the "Kesetiaan kepada Raja Dan Negara" part of the Rukun Negara, and Tony defends himself by saying that he is merely upholding the "Keluhuran Perlembagaan" part of the Rukun Negara, this case is going to cause us to contemplate the possiblity that the Rukun Negara is in conflict with itself.


That the case will play out in the courts will also likely pressure the "Kedaulatan Undang Undang" part of the Rukun Negara, when the courts are placed in the unenviable position of choosing between two parts of the Rukun Negara that is conflict with each other.



In conclusion, if Tony's case goes to trial, it might be Tony that is in the docks, but it is actually the Rukun Negara that is on trial.


Considering that, perhaps the authorities need to think very deeply as to whether they want to take this case trial, and put themselves in a "damned if you do and damned if you don't " situation.

OPINION | Reading Between the Lines: Was TMJ Asked to Leave Malaysia?

Malaysia's #1 Content Aggregator


OPINION | Reading Between the Lines: Was TMJ Asked to Leave Malaysia?


4 Jul 2026 • 6:30 PM MYT

TheRealNehruism
An award-winning Newswav creator, Bebas News columnist & ex-FMT columnist

Image credit: Malay Mail


Reading between the lines of what veteran journalist Kadir Jasin recently wrote, I cannot help but wonder whether the Tengku Mahkota of Johor (TMJ) may have been advised to leave the country until after the Johor election concludes on July 11.


To be clear, Kadir never explicitly said it was TMJ.



Neither did he write that the individual had been asked to remain outside the country until the state election ends.


Instead, Kadir wrote yesterday (June 30) that he had been informed by several fellow journalists that "a certain well-known member of the Royal Family of a certain state in Tanah Melayu has been advised to take a leave of absence and not to be in the country for a certain period of time."



He then appeared to leave a clue by noting that the person's departure coincided with his birthday.


When I checked the dates, I found that TMJ's birthday falls on June 30.


As for my belief that the period of absence could last until the Johor election concludes, that is entirely my own interpretation.


Two days earlier, on June 29, Kadir had also written that he had received information suggesting that the Johor Palace had taken concrete steps to "separate itself" from the coming Johor election.


Putting those two writings together, I have come to my own conclusion that Kadir may have been referring to TMJ, and that the leave of absence may have been intended to last until the election is over.



Again, let me be quite clear, this is my reading of what was written, not something Kadir explicitly stated.


But if this be the case, why might such advice have been given?


If I were to venture a guess, it could be because His Highness the TMJ, through various public signals and expressions, has appeared to be unusually engaged with the Johor election, to the point that some observers—including myself—have begun wondering whether the Johor Palace itself is becoming part of the political contest.


Among the most prominent figures to raise this issue was former UMNO leader Puad Zarkashi, who openly claimed that Johor UMNO had become a puppet of the Johor Palace before subsequently leaving the party that he has been a member of fore at least 30, or perhaps even 40 years.



If my interpretation is correct, what message would be conveyed by advising the Crown Prince and Regent to temporarily stay away?


To me, the signal would be that the Johor Palace wishes to remain above partisan politics.


Personally, I consider that reassuring.


Malaysia's politics has become increasingly turbulent and chaotic is recent days. Many Malaysians feel that if political instability were ever to spiral out of control, the constitutional monarchy may the only institution in the country that the people can count on to preserve stability.



If the Johor Palace is consciously distancing itself from the electoral contest, it reinforces the notion that the monarchy is very conscious of its role as stabilizing force, and can be counted on by the people to be a neutral arbiter, that will be well positioned to reinstitute order, if our politics were to descend into chaos.


If that is indeed the message being sent, then I am quite it will indeed be very welcome by the people.


Daulat Tuanku.

OPINION | Bangsa Johor? We Penangites Don’t Brand Identity

Malaysia's #1 Content Aggregator


OPINION | Bangsa Johor? We Penangites Don’t Brand Identity


4 Jul 2026 • 2:00 PM MYT

Fa Abdul
FA ABDUL is a former columnist of Malaysiakini & Free Malaysia Today (FMT)

Image credit: Fa Abdul

I had to laugh when I read the statement by state Umno about Bangsa Johor.


According to the report, Bangsa Johor is this grand identity meant to unite Malays, Chinese, Indians, and everyone else into a single people.


Then I remembered a friend from Muar. Ask him where he's from and he'll never say "Johor." Instead, he'll proudly tell you, "Muor."



In fact, I've met quite a number of people from Muar who identify far more strongly with being Muar natives than simply being Johoreans. They have their own dialect, their own food, their own culture, and a pride that's rooted in their district long before anyone coined the phrase Bangsa Johor.


One article I came across even quoted a man saying he identifies with Bangsa Johor in official settings, but first and foremost, he's a son of Muar.



That sounded far more honest to me because that's how identity usually works - it grows naturally.


Nobody has to convince you to love the place you grew up in.


Nobody needs to launch it with a slogan.

Image credit: Fa Abdul


Meanwhile, here in Penang, nobody is walking around shouting, "Bangsa Penang!"


We don't have to. We're already Penangites.


It's an identity that wasn't created in a press conference or promoted in a political speech. It simply grew over generations.


No one from Air Itam or Balik Pulau introduces themselves as “orang Air Itam” or “orang Balik Pulau” before saying they’re Penangites.



Even those from Butterworth (who never miss a chance to remind everyone that the mainland is also Penang) wear the Penangite badge with pride.


And the moment someone from another state declares that Penang food is overrated, a fellow from George Town, auntie from Balik Pulau, uncle from Butterworth, and a guy from Bukit Mertajam, will form a united front, ready to defend char koay teow, assam laksa, and nasi kandar like it’s a matter of national security.


Now that’s state identity.

Image credit: Fa Abdul


Better yet, Penangites are so proud of our island that we don't even limit membership to those born here. Fall in love with Penang long enough and we'll happily adopt you as anak angkat Penang.



No interview.


No application.


No membership card.


Just love Penang, and you're one of us.


Perhaps it's because we're up north, so we're a little more laid back. A little more kampung.


We'll argue passionately over char koay teow, nasi kandar and whether you should call it hokkien mee or prawn mee, then invite you to join us for supper anyway.

Image credit: Fa Abdul


Now, before Johoreans come after me, yes, I know this is a stereotype. But every Malaysian has one.


KL people think they're the centre of the universe.



Penang people think our food is the centre of the universe.


And Johor?


Well, maybe living next door to Singapore has rubbed off a little. Sometimes I feel Bangsa Johor carries itself with the same energy as someone saying, "We're practically Singapore."


Relax.


You're still one of us.

Image credit: Fa Abdul


As for unity, I don't think it comes from giving people a new label.


Walk into a mamak shop in Penang and you’ll see Malays, Chinese, Indians, and everyone else sharing tables.


Walk into a Chinese coffee shop and you’ll find customers from every race ordering breakfast like it’s the most normal thing in the world.



Walk into an Indian banana leaf restaurant and you’ll hear everyone suddenly fluent in selective Tamil, calling anneh for some sooru like they’ve been doing it all their lives.


That’s just everyday life here in Penang.


Nobody announces it.


Nobody brands it.


Nobody gives it a catchy name.


It simply happens because that's how Penangites have lived for decades.


Perhaps that's why I find the whole Bangsa Johor narrative rather amusing.


Real identities aren't announced. They're lived.


They aren't created because a politician says they exist. They're created because generations of people believe they belong.



If one day someone tells me I need a new slogan before I can feel proud of my home, I'll politely decline.


I'm already a Penangite. That's more than enough.

Image credit: Fa Abdul

 

Ukraine Places First Order for U.S. Patriot Air Defences: Effectiveness Remains Limited Against Russian Missiles

Eastern Europe and Central Asia , Missile and Space

Military Watch Magazine Editorial Staff

July-4th-2026

---

Launcher From MIM-104 Patriot System

The Ukrainian Defence Ministry has placed its first order for MIM-104 Patriot long range air defence systems, after United States officials made clear that donations of the systems would cease. Approximately 100 interceptor missiles, likely a variant of the PAC-3, are being financed through a $1 billion European Union-backed loan, with an urgent diplomatic appeal to nearly 40 partner countries for immediate transfers of missiles from existing stockpiles. The procurement marks an important shift in Ukraine's approach to sustaining its strategic air defence, as rather than relying almost exclusively on donated interceptors from allies, Kiev is moving toward direct purchases. Alongside the EU-funded acquisition, Ukraine also has a separate long-term agreement supported by Germany for the procurement of hundreds of PAC-2 missiles. 

Missile Launch From Patriot Air Defence System

The latest initiative follows one of the largest Russian aerial attacks of the war, which highlighted the growing strain on Ukraine's supply of anti-ballistic missile interceptors. The attack involved nearly 500 attack drones and 77 missiles, including 25 ballistic missiles, as Russia's evolving strike strategy increasingly combines hundreds of drones with ballistic and cruise missiles in complex saturation attacks. Large drone waves force Ukraine to activate lower-tier air defences and generate hundreds of radar tracks, while ballistic missiles follow shortly afterward, placing heavy demands on the country's limited inventory of Patriot interceptors. This layered attack profile is intended to complicate target prioritisation and exhaust Ukraine's most capable missile defence assets. 

Missile Launch From MIM-104 Patriot System

The effectiveness of the Patriot system has increasingly been called into question since the first systems donated by the U.S., Germany and the Netherlands were combat tested from May 2023. Former Deputy Chief of General Staff of the Ukrainian Armed Forces General Igor Romanenko in October 2025 warned that Patriots could no longer provide a viable defence against Russian attacks, with their effectiveness having “fallen from 42% to 6%.” He attributed this to software upgrades to Russian ballistic missiles, which have increased their speed and manoeuvrability as they approach their targets. This corroborated statements made days earlier by Ukrainian and Western officials similarly warning that the effectiveness of the Patriot against missile attacks by Iskander-M and Kinzhal systems had fallen to just six percent. 

Ballistic Missile Launch From Iskander-M System

In early October chief of communications for Ukrainian Air Force Command Yuri Ignat observed that the ability of Russian ballistic missiles to follow new flight patterns and more complex trajectories “complicates the work of Patriot, because the system operates in automatic mode when intercepting ballistic missiles. It becomes harder to calculate the point where the interceptor missile will collide with or detonate near the enemy missile.” Launches from multiple directions have further complicated air defence efforts, with Ignat lamenting: “If the ballistic missile can approach from different directions, detection by a single system is not possible… It is necessary to have several systems, several radars, which can detect targets and cover the city from different directions.” Unlike Russian, Chinese, and North Korean systems which can engage targets 360 degrees around them, the Patriot is limited to a 120 degree arc of fire, which is a weakness the Pentagon is seeking to address by developing a new variant.

Ukrainian Patriot System Milliseconds Before Destruction By Russian Iskander Ballistic Missile Strike

Patriot systems have taken significant losses since beginning to be used in Ukraine, with losses having been confirmed by drone footage on multiple occasions from March 2024. As by far the highest value military assets in Ukrainian service, with a cost of approximately $2.5 billion, each loss of a system represents a severe blow to the country’s air defence capabilities, particularly at a time when the country’s supporters in the Western world are struggling with major shortages and are thus unable to easily replace losses. The very large scale donations of Patriot systems to Ukraine have left European and U.S. stockpiles severely depleted, which has been exacerbated by the much more rapid depletion of U.S. stockpiles during hostilities with Iran in June 2025 and February-April 2026. 

Fate of Gaza Strip eclipsed by Middle East war

Fate of Gaza Strip eclipsed by Middle East war



Palestinians attempt to extinguish a fire allegedly set by Israeli settlers on wheat fields in the village of Salem, east of Nablus, in the occupied West Bank, on July 3, 2026. Violence has escalated in the West Bank, which Israel has occupied since 1967, since the start of the Gaza war in October 2023. — AFP pic

First Published: Saturday, 04 Jul 2026 1:20 PM MYT


GAZA CITY, July 4 — The Gaza war was the spark that touched off years of Middle East conflict culminating in the US-Israeli war with Iran, but as Washington and Tehran wrangle over terms for peace, the devastated territory’s fate seems largely out of mind.


“Ever since the United States went to war with Iran, the whole world has forgotten Gaza and its tragedy. We no longer have anyone standing by us,” Palestinian Ahmed Jamali, 53, told AFP from the displacement camp in Gaza where he lives.


“We are weak and oppressed, and Israel is doing whatever it wants: killing, destroying and occupying Gaza, while no one in the world lifts a finger.”

The apparent inattention paid to the Palestinian territory is all the more striking because it sits at the heart of the chain of events that plunged the region into its most dangerous confrontation in decades.

Hamas’s unprecedented October 7, 2023 attack on Israel triggered a devastating military response in Gaza, drawing in Tehran-backed allies like Hezbollah in Lebanon and Yemen’s Houthi rebels — and eventually Iran itself.


What began as a local war between Israel and Hamas evolved into a regional conflict and, in turn, a direct confrontation between arch-foes Tehran and Washington.

More than two-and-a-half years later, Gaza remains mired in a severe humanitarian crisis, and despite a fragile ceasefire reached between Israel and Hamas in October 2025, efforts to bring the war to a definitive end have stalled for months.


Although Iranian officials initially spoke of an agreement to end the Middle East war that would encompass the entire region, the preliminary text endorsed by Tehran and Washington last month contains no mention of Gaza.

For analysts, that shows a shift in regional priorities.

“It reflects Hamas’s declining strategic value in Iran’s eyes,” Hugh Lovatt of the European Council on Foreign Relations, told AFP.

Iran has long armed and financed Hamas as part of its “axis of resistance” — an array of regional forces opposed to Israel and the US — but the October 2023 attack appears to have fundamentally altered that relationship.

“Iranians do not really care about Gaza. Hamas was an ally, not an Iranian tool,” said Israeli military expert Eado Hecht.

“It betrayed them. They did not want war in autumn 2023, it was too early for them.”


‘Gradually fading’

Michael Milshtein, another Israeli military analyst, argued that Tehran’s calculations have shifted elsewhere.

“It places greater value on preserving Hezbollah as a pillar of the regional balance,” he said.

The diplomatic focus has also shifted, with a growing sense of international fatigue over Gaza.

“Gaza is gradually fading from international attention,” said Lovatt.

One diplomat involved in negotiations described a widespread belief among governments that “most actors see the issue as insoluble in the short to medium term”.

Another veteran diplomat based in Jerusalem told AFP that Gaza’s absence from the discussions reflected political paralysis rather than progress.

“Gaza is absent from the agreement not because the war is over, but because no credible political framework exists for the day after,” he said.

Israel insists that Hamas must fully disarm before any political transition can begin, while Hamas refuses to surrender its weapons without guarantees that an alternative Palestinian governing authority will replace it.

Neither an international stabilisation force nor a credible transitional mechanism has emerged in the months since the ceasefire took effect, both of which were called for in the US-brokered framework that halted the fighting.


Cairo talks

Behind the scenes, negotiations over Gaza’s future continue in Cairo.

The talks bring together Palestinian factions, including Hamas, alongside the Board of Peace set up by US President Donald Trump and regional players including Qatar and Turkey.

“Trump may want to give this process a chance,” said a source close to the negotiations.

“Whether it succeeds remains to be seen.”

Although few details have emerged publicly, diplomatic and security sources told AFP that negotiators are working on a roadmap combining the gradual disarmament of Hamas with the creation of transitional governing authorities for Gaza.

Israeli media has reported that the government would reject such a framework.

“For now, this diplomatic process exists only around the negotiating table,” Lovatt said.

“There has been progress, but reconstruction remains a distant prospect, and nothing is changing for the people on the ground.”


Return to combat?

With diplomacy stalled, concerns are mounting that the fighting could yet resume.

Israeli media have reported military preparations for a possible summer 2026 offensive against Hamas should political negotiations fail.

But military expert Hecht cautioned against assuming that contingency planning meant another war was inevitable.

“Having the military opportunities is not the same as having the political opportunity,” he said.

“Preparations are not the same as implementation.”

Analyst Milshtein argued that Israel had little leverage left.

In his view, Washington could ultimately pressure Israel to accept a phased disarmament of Hamas alongside a transitional political framework — or even to withdraw from Gaza.

“Alternatively, Israel could embark on another military adventure. Given this government’s record… (it) cannot be ruled out,” Milshtein said, adding that Israeli leaders still lacked a coherent long-term strategy. — AFP

Israel Plotted to Kill Iranian Negotiators to Derail US Talks

Consortium News
Volume 31, Number 179 — Saturday, July 4, 2026


Israel Plotted to Kill Iranian Negotiators to Derail US Talks


Two top Iranian negotiators were reportedly removed from the U.S.-Israeli target list, but Israel remained bent on assassinating them, according to The New York Times and The Washington Post

Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi in 2024 during confirmations of President Masoud Pezeshkian’s cabinet. (Mehr News Agency/Wikimedia Commons/CC BY 4.0)

By Jake Johnson
Common Dreams

Trump administration officials reportedly believed that the Israeli government intended to assassinate Iran’s top negotiators — including the country’s foreign minister — during peace talks with the U.S., in an effort to sabotage diplomacy.

The New York Times reported Thursday that


“American concerns about the targeting of two particular Iranian officials — Abbas Araghchi, Iran’s foreign minister, and Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, the speaker of the Parliament — spiked during delicate ceasefire negotiations that began in April.”

Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf, Iran’s Parliament speaker, in December 2025. (Mehr News Agency/Wikimedia Commons/ CC BY 4.0)


In response, the U.S. “went so far as to ask other countries in the region to warn Iran about the possibility Israel could target the two officials,” according to the Times, which cited unnamed current and former American officials.

The U.S. and Israel have killed dozens of top Iranian officials since launching their illegal joint war in late February.

But the allied countries reportedly removed Araghchi and Ghalibaf from their target list in late March, opening the possibility of high-level negotiations to end the war.

But Israel remained bent on targeting the negotiators, according to the Times, whose reporting was later corroborated by The Washington Post.

The Times detailed one dramatic incident in April, when Ghalibaf was planning to travel to Pakistan’s capital to meet with U.S. Vice President JD Vance:


“Pakistani fighter jets escorted the Iranian airplanes carrying a delegation of more than 70 Iranians from the border of Iran to Islamabad and back again when the session was over.

But on the way back to Tehran, an Israeli security threat emerged.

Iran’s security forces notified the plane carrying Mr. Ghalibaf back to Tehran that they had picked up intelligence that Israel planned to attack the plane and that two Israeli fighter jets had entered Iran’s airspace from its western border near Iraq, the two officials said.

Mahdi Mohammadi, a senior adviser for Mr. Ghalibaf, who accompanied him to Islamabad, confirmed this account on his social media page. The plane made an emergency landing in the city of Mashhad, Iran’s closest airport to the Pakistani border, and the Iranian delegation traveled some eight hours by land back to Tehran, Mr. Mohammadi and the two officials said.”

The Post reported that “cracks emerged” between the U.S. and Israeli approaches to the war following Israel’s assassination of top Iranian national security official Ali Larijani in March.

“They’ve wiped out everybody,” Trump told reporters in late March, suggesting Israel’s assassination campaign was making it difficult to find potential negotiating partners.

Trump signing the memorandum of understanding with Iran at the Palace of Versailles on June 17 as U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio looks on. (White House /Daniel Torok)



Trita Parsi, executive vice president of the Quincy Institute for Responsible Statecraft, wrote in response to the new reporting that

“Israel is a state that, on paper, is a U.S. partner, but in reality is so extreme in its obsession to undermine U.S. diplomacy that it even tries to assassinate those the U.S. engages with in crucial negotiations.”

“I can’t recall a government as terrified of peace as the one running Israel,” Parsi added.

At present, the Israeli government — led by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu— is endangering tenuous U.S.-Iran peace talks with its continued occupation of and assault on Lebanon, which Iran has highlighted as a key factor in the negotiations.

Visiting occupied southern Lebanon earlier this week, Netanyahu declared to Israeli troops that “our insistence is that we will not leave… until the threat is removed.”

Trump, or right, on Dec. 29, 2025, receives news at the Mar-a-Lago Club in Palm Beach, Florida, that Netanyahu, facing him across the table, will award him the Israel Prize, (White House /Daniel Torok)


Parsi wrote earlier this week that “beyond his long-standing desire to use American force to subjugate Iran to Israeli domination and achieve a regional balance favorable to Israel,” Netanyahu “now also has stark political and personal reasons to restart the war” with Iran.

“The [U.S. and Iran’s memorandum of understanding] has come at a steep political cost for Netanyahu,” wrote Parsi.


“His prospects for reelection in October are weaker than they have been in months. Once seen as the Israeli leader uniquely capable of delivering President Trump, he now confronts the prospect that both the war and the ensuing diplomacy will leave Israel in a strategically weaker position—undermining the very case he has made for his leadership.”

“And of course,” Parsi added, “if he loses the elections, he will likely spend the next few years in jail, as he will lose his immunity as prime minister and face trial over corruption charges.”



Jake Johnson is a staff writer for Common Dreams.

This article is from Common Dreams

***

Netanyahu is just a selfish self-centred self-interest S-Whole who wages wars, assassinates people and kills babies for his own personal salvation and tribute to his god the baby-eating Moloch.

NETANYAHU OFFERING KILLED PALESTINIAN BABIES TO HIS GOD LORD MOLOCH

Ong warns Pua's response to S'gor ruler may cost Harapan Malay votes in Johor

Ong warns Pua's response to S'gor ruler may cost Harapan Malay votes in Johor

Mohd Farhan Darwis
Published: Jul 4, 2026 2:03 PM
Updated: 5:03 PM


Selangor ruler Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah's rebuke of DAP's Lim Guan Eng and Tony Pua over the LRT3 cost review may dent Pakatan Harapan's Malay support in several Johor seats.

Former Bangi MP Ong Kian Ming said Pua's response to the Selangor sultan could be perceived as disrespectful.

"They will see Pua's (Facebook) post as disrespectful to the Selangor sultan, and these few Malay voters will be less inclined to vote for Harapan candidates," he told Malaysiakini.

However, Ong (above) opined that the issue is not the main factor that will determine voting patterns.

Instead, he said Harapan's biggest challenge is the failure to counter the narrative surrounding Onn Hafiz Ghazi as a popular menteri besar.

In this Johor state election, DAP is contesting in 17 seats, with seven of them seeing straight fights against MCA candidates representing BN in Bekok, Tangkak, Bentayan, Yong Peng, Mengkibol, Penggaram, and Pekan Nenas.

DAP veteran Boo Cheng Hau also shared the view that issues touching on the royal institution, religion, and race (3R) are influential on voter sentiment.

"However, it is hoped that we focus more on daily cost of living issues, such as the price of goods, inflation, water, environment, and the socio-economic development of Johor as a developed state," he said.

Boo Cheng Hau


The former Skudai assemblyperson said two-way communication between politicians, regardless of party, and the institution of Malay rulers needs to be proactively strengthened.

"I believe DAP leaders have become more mature and prudent when issuing statements involving public interest and the palace's concerns because the institution of Malay rulers commands the highest respect among all segments of society," Boo added.


‘Did not understand importance’

On July 1, the Selangor sultan decreed that Lim and Pua did not understand the importance of the LRT3 project when they downscaled its scope during the change of government in 2018, including by cancelling five stations and reducing train capacity.

His Highness also expressed appreciation to Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim for continuing the project.

In response, Lim and Pua issued a joint statement defending the decision to rationalise the project.

Tony Pua (left) and Lim Guan Eng


Afterwards, DAP secretary-general Anthony Loke said the government will request an audience with the Selangor sultan to provide an explanation regarding the project's cost.

The transport minister said that the government accepted Sultan Sharafuddin's views and would explain the circumstances surrounding the project's implementation.


No effect on Chinese voters

Meanwhile, Ilham Centre executive director Hisomuddin Bakar said Chinese voters in Johor are not bothered by the issue given the "cool" atmosphere of the state election's climate, particularly for the community.

Hisomuddin Bakar


However, he reminded DAP to be cautious in handling issues involving the royal institution so that it does not backfire.

"Do not drag Chinese voters into a fight with the palace. This matter needs to be handled delicately by DAP.

"For Bangsa Johor, matters involving the palace are sensitive. For Malay voters, they will turn out in large numbers (in this state election)... DAP must be careful; otherwise, it will trigger the emotions of Malay voters.

“Like pulling hair out of flour so that the flour does not scatter - if it scatters, the implication in Johor is that Harapan as the federal government might face the same fate as in Sabah," he said, citing the Malay proverb to do things carefully so that it does not result in problems later.

He was referring to the Sabah election in November last year, in which Harapan suffered heavy losses by losing most of their contests.

Similarly, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) political analyst Mazlan Ali also held the view that the issue is not expected to have a major impact on voting patterns in Johor as it is more of a local issue in Selangor.

Mazlan Ali


"This is not the first time Pua has made such a statement... previously, there was also a statement from the Selangor sultan.

"But in Johor, things are still running smoothly. It hasn't caused any disruption, and we haven't heard BN using this Selangor issue. Selangor is quite far from Johor," he said.


Too sophisticated to predict

In the meantime, Bersama leader Rafizi Ramli said today's voters are too sophisticated to predict.

In his opinion, the perception that royal decrees can influence voting patterns is a mere assumption, with no basis in data.

"To be honest, unless you conduct a survey - and there is not enough time to do so right now - I feel my opinion does not matter.

"Secondly, I think no one can assess it. Even if you ask the prime minister or the caretaker Johor menteri besar, I think they are not in a position to assess it.

"This is because voters today are very smart and sophisticated. Anyone who claims they can read what is on the voters' minds, you know they are just politicians talking nonsense," he told Malaysiakini in Kluang yesterday.


Additional reporting by B Nantha Kumar

***

Impossibly arrogant, recalcitrantly stubborn, too frigging proud, he just can't let go when his conceit has been slighted, wakakaka. 

PM Anwar declares war on support letters, says crony loans destroy agencies and entrepreneurs

PM Anwar declares war on support letters, says crony loans destroy agencies and entrepreneurs



Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim stressed that the practice of using letters of support, political connections and cronyism in approving financing for entrepreneurs must be stopped. — Bernama pic

First Published: Saturday, 04 Jul 2026 4:27 PM MYT


PUTRAJAYA, July 4 — Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim stressed that the practice of using letters of support, political connections and cronyism in approving financing for entrepreneurs must be stopped.

Anwar, who is also the Finance Minister, said the practice only harms government agencies and causes many businesses to fail.

“If you only use letters of support, that is a move to cover up agencies. We have inherited this for decades.

“Loans are given because of closeness to certain people or yellow, green, blue letters. This is what is destroying us,” he said when opening the SPaRK 2026 organised by Perbadanan Ushawan Nasional Bhd (PUNB) here today.

The Prime Minister said the government could not prevent business failures that occurred due to market factors, but would not tolerate the misuse of public funds.

He said there were cases of aid recipients who only used the funds to improve their lifestyle, including moving to a more luxurious office and buying a vehicle, before the business eventually failed.

“It does not matter if some businesses fail due to market factors or economic conditions. “But what is important is their transparency and seriousness in running their business,” he said, stressing that government assistance should only be given to entrepreneurs who truly have the commitment and capability. — Bernama

Anwar says Bumiputera empowerment is national priority, not just agencies’ responsibility

 

Anwar says Bumiputera empowerment is national priority, not just agencies’ responsibility



Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said government agencies must align their policies and programmes to ensure the Bumiputera development agenda is implemented comprehensively. — Bernama pic

First Published: Saturday, 04 Jul 2026 2:52 PM MYT


PUTRAJAYA, July 4 — The Bumiputera empowerment agenda is no longer the sole responsibility of specific agencies but a national priority to be pursued by all ministries, government agencies and government-linked companies, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said.

He said government agencies must align their policies and programmes to ensure the Bumiputera development agenda is implemented comprehensively.

According to Anwar, the government has introduced the Bumiputera Economic Transformation Plan 2035 (PuTERA35), with implementation regularly monitored and all ministries and agencies required to report their progress.

“All MADANI Government agencies are responsible for delivering the nation’s policies. Those policies are aimed at driving economic growth while ensuring fair and equitable distribution,” he said when officiating the SPaRK 2026: Business Transformation programme organised by Perbadanan Usahawan Nasional Bhd (PUNB) here today.

The Prime Minister said the government has no plans to establish a new Bumiputera agency, opting instead to strengthen existing institutions and ensure that all ministries and agencies play their respective roles.

Anwar, who also serves as Finance Minister, said the approach would accelerate policy implementation while preventing overlapping functions among agencies.


“I think continuing with the old way of doing things while expecting better results is not going to work.

“For that reason, I am not inclined to establish a new Bumiputera agency, but rather to ensure existing agencies are strengthened,” he said.

Meanwhile, Anwar said the government will continue to focus on driving national economic growth without neglecting fair wealth distribution to the people, emphasising that economic development must be implemented in an inclusive manner, so that all segments of society continue to benefit.

“We do not prevent anyone from working hard to drive economic growth, whether in artificial intelligence (AI), quantum computing, the digital economy or the energy transition. However, at the same time, we must ensure that distribution is fair,” he said.

Anwar also said the government is adopting a “raising the ceiling” approach to boost the country’s economic competitiveness, while at the same time “raising the floor” to support those still in need. — Bernama