NYC Mayor Mamdani shares Rosh Hashanah message with Jewish community

NYC Mayor Mamdani shares Rosh Hashanah message with Jewish community

Zohran Mamdani shared a Rosh Hashanah message to Jewish New Yorkers, wishing those celebrating a sweet and meaningful holiday as they mark the start of the Jewish New Year

New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani enters for a press conference to ask for the release of Federal Counterterrorism Funding in New York City, US, 

September 1, 2026.(photo credit: REUTERS/Heather Khalifa)

ByJERUSALEM POST STAFF

SEPTEMBER 12, 2026 03:39

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani wished Jewish New Yorkers a happy Rosh Hashanah ahead of the Jewish New Year, writing in a post on X/Twitter Friday.

“Shanah Tovah, New York! Wishing all Jewish New Yorkers celebrating a sweet, joyful, and meaningful Rosh Hashanah,” Mamdani wrote.

The mayor added a message of hope for the coming year, writing, “Here’s to a new year filled with health, happiness, and blessings,” while adding a reference to the city’s basketball team: “and yes, even another Knicks championship.”

The post included a video showing Mamdani hosting 10 young Jewish children at City Hall ahead of the holiday. The group, five boys and five girls who appear to be around 5 or 6 years old, sat around a table with a plate of apples and honey in the center, a traditional Rosh Hashanah symbol representing hopes for a sweet new year.

In the 1-minute, 40-second video, Mamdani asks the children how they celebrate Rosh Hashanah, prompting them to explain the tradition of dipping apples in honey and wishing others a “Shanah Tovah.” One child says they wish the apples did not have skins, prompting Mamdani to respond, “Next year we’re gonna do that.” Later in the video, Mamdani slices apples for the children.

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani speaks during the New York Knicks Championship ticker tape parade and victory rally celebrating winning the 2026 NBA Finals on June 18, 2026 in New York City. (credit: Kevin Mazur/Getty Images)

Mamdani shares his own hopes on Rosh Hashanah

Mamdani then asks the children what would make the coming year sweet for them. Their answers include “a jetpack,” “Moshiach (Massiah),” and “family.” Mamdani also shares his own hopes for the new year, saying, “I think for me a sweet new year would be if the Knicks went back-to-back. And if every New Yorker loved life in our city.” He then quietly adds to the child beside him, “and Arsenal winning the Champions League.”

The video concludes with Mamdani and the children standing together and saying, “Shanah Tovah.”
Jewish High Holy Days begin

Mamdani’s message came as Jewish communities in New York and around the world marked the beginning of Rosh Hashanah, the first of the High Holy Days and a period of reflection leading up to Yom Kippur.

The holiday marks the start of the Jewish new year and is traditionally observed with prayer, repentance, and hopes for a sweet year ahead.

Mercy means mercy, nothing less

Mercy means mercy, nothing less


4 hours ago
Hamid Sultan Abu Backer


If the king grants mercy on specific terms, it is the government’s duty to facilitate that royal order

The legal saga involving former prime minister Najib Razak will forever be one of the most controversial chapters in Malaysian history.

Having followed its evolution closely, I have written extensively on its many facets — particularly on issues of procedural fairness and the unprecedented public objections surrounding his royal pardon.



Najib’s ironic legal journey can be summarised as follows.

It is indisputable that the 1MDB and SRC International scandals represent among the most high-profile and fiercely debated legal battles in modern political history.


Observers, commentators, and legal teams have advanced distinct arguments, some asserting that a mistrial or miscarriage of justice occurred. Conversely, proponents of his conviction maintain that the verdict is grounded in overwhelming evidence of abuse of power.

My own perception has long been that Najib was ultimately scammed. Before the 2018 general election, political actors heavily shaped public opinion by claiming Najib had personally stolen the entirety of the 1MDB funds.

Yet the subsequent trials did not proceed on that premise. Had he truly stolen the funds, the entirety of the losses would have been recovered directly from him.

Instead, global recovery efforts spanning multiple jurisdictions suggest he was deceived—notwithstanding that he may have acted irresponsibly in public office and should be held liable.

Recently, many friends, dissatisfied with the royal clemency granted to him, sent me notes, slogans and TikTok videos expressing their unhappiness. In my view, many of these messages bordered on liability under seditious tendency.

One individual asked how the bench would feel if their judgments are tempered with mercy?

My response was simple: “It is the Federal Constitution itself that provides for clemency. The bench has no say in how a sentence is executed or whether a convict is pardoned, provided the rule of law is not breached.”

The Criminal Procedure Code provides that the courts have no obligation to supervise a sentence once it is pronounced. Instead, upon sentencing, the prisoner comes under the custody of the executive branch.


The executive branch has various legal options available to it in law, including parole or house arrest.

On top of that, the Federal Constitution empowers the Yang di-Pertuan Agong to grant mercy. If the king grants mercy on specific terms, it is the government’s duty to facilitate that royal order.

Provisions for pardons, house arrest and parole are common across many Commonwealth jurisdictions.

The problem in Malaysia is that certain individuals and groups selectively disregard the constitution and the principles enshrined in the Rukun Negara.

Unilateral debaters and social media influencers often stir public disharmony, even over legal principles that are well-established across the Commonwealth.

In my view, questioning the king’s constitutional pardon or royal prerogative powers risks falling foul of the Sedition Act if the remarks incite hatred, contempt or disaffection against the rulers and undermine the values enshrined in the Rukun Negara.

It is incumbent upon everyone to uphold the true spirit of pardon—a principle rooted in compassion and justice.

Mercy means mercy, nothing less.

***

Remember what I had said: "STFU or you're derhaka-ing" - wakakaka 😂😂😂

Sacked Negeri Sembilan exco has no authority to suspend duo, says AGC

Sacked Negeri Sembilan exco has no authority to suspend duo, says AGC


The Attorney-General’s Chambers disputes the purported suspension of the state secretary and state legal adviser

The AGC said appointments and suspensions involving the state secretary and legal adviser are under the purviews of the public services commission and judicial and legal service commission, respectively.

PETALING JAYA: The Negeri Sembilan executive council does not have the authority to suspend the state secretary and state legal adviser from their duties, says the Attorney-General’s Chambers (AGC).

The AGC said appointments and suspensions involving the state secretary and legal adviser are under the purviews of the public services commission (SPA) and judicial and legal service commission, respectively, based on Article 37 of the Negeri Sembilan constitution.

“Concerning the appointment of the state legal adviser, the appointment must be made by the judicial and legal service commission while the appointee must be a member of the judicial and legal service,” it said in a statement.


Earlier today, menteri besar Ismail Lasim announced that a special exco meeting decided to suspend Zafir Ibrahim and Muzalmah Mustapha Kamal from their duties as state secretary and legal adviser, respectively.



The status of the state exco itself is in dispute as the Yang Dipertuan Besar of Negeri Sembilan had revoked the appointments of its members on Sunday.



Ismail said state financial officer Masli Razali and lawyer Fahmi Adilah would take over those roles in the interim.

He also said the chief secretary to the government and public services department would be notified of the state secretary’s suspension, as well as the AGC of the legal adviser’s suspension.

This decision came several days after the Negeri Sembilan state administration said it would not proceed with the menteri besar’s request to gazette a proclamation on the purported removal of Tuanku Muhriz Tuanku Munawir as the Yang Dipertuan Besar.

In response to Ismail’s statement, a lawyer for the Rembau undang argued that the exco meeting earlier today was invalid since the 10 exco members, other than Ismail, had their appointments revoked by Tuanku Muhriz on Sunday.

Melaka election ahead: Key players, shifting alliances and the possible implications for Putrajaya

Melaka election ahead: Key players, shifting alliances and the possible implications for Putrajaya



A voter casts his ballot at a polling station in Durian Tunggal during the Melaka state election on November 20, 2021. ― File picture by Shafwan Zaidon


Summary

• As Melaka prepares for upcoming elections, shifting political alliances and recent history are shaping its landscape.
• Traditionally a Barisan Nasional (BN) stronghold, the state slipped to Pakatan Harapan (PH) in 2018 but returned to BN with a two-thirds majority in 2021.
• Currently, BN faces the challenge of maintaining its dominance, especially as it seeks alliances to secure a supermajority.
• Analysts suggest BN may require an alliance with Perikatan Nasional (PN) to maintain its standing, as PH grapples with the need to regain voter trust amid changing political dynamics.

First Published: Wednesday, 23 Sep 2026 7:00 AM MYT


KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 23 — The last time Melaka went to the polls, voters masked up, kept their distance in queues at polling stations and regularly sanitised their hands.

Five years on, the Covid-19 restrictions are gone, but shifting political tides and fluid alliances are set to shape another closely watched state election.


Melaka, traditionally a Barisan Nasional (BN) stronghold, fell to Pakatan Harapan (PH) for the first time in 2018 before BN wrested the state back with a two-thirds majority in the 2021 state election.

BN won 21 seats in the 28-seat state assembly in 2021, while PH secured five and Perikatan Nasional (PN) two.


The assembly’s composition subsequently changed after Rembia assemblyman Datuk Muhammad Jailani Khamis left BN for PAS, reducing BN’s representation to 20 seats. Bemban assemblyman Dr Mohd Yadzil Yaakub was also expelled from Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia and became an Independent while remaining in the Opposition bloc.


Following the formation of the unity government at the federal level in 2022, the five PH assemblymen — four from DAP and one from Amanah — joined the BN-led Melaka administration in 2023.

Chief Minister Datuk Seri Ab Rauf Yusoh announced yesterday that the state assembly would be dissolved today after receiving the consent of Melaka Governor Tun Mohd Ali Rustam, paving the way for the state’s 16th election. The assembly’s term had been due to expire on December 27.


Key players and the big battles

The election will be a significant test of Ab Rauf’s leadership. A first-term assemblyman, he became chief minister in March 2023 after his predecessor Datuk Seri Sulaiman Md Ali stepped down.

Ab Rauf is widely expected to defend his Tanjung Bidara seat for a second term.

Another high-profile contender is Umno Youth chief and Merlimau assemblyman Datuk Dr Muhamad Akmal Saleh.

Akmal, an outspoken critic of DAP, tendered his resignation from the state executive council in January amid tensions over Umno’s cooperation with DAP and the unity government, but Ab Rauf rejected his resignation in April.

On PH’s side, the state’s sole Amanah representative, Adly Zahari, would be among the coalition’s most senior figures contesting the Melaka polls if he defends his Bukit Katil seat.

Adly, a former Melaka chief minister and currently the deputy defence minister, initially remained seated with the government bloc after his four DAP colleagues moved to the Opposition benches in July.

Melaka PH subsequently confirmed that all five of its assemblymen would withdraw from the state administration after the coalition opposed amendments to the state constitution allowing the appointment of nominated assemblymen.

The amendment allows for the appointment of up to seven nominated assemblymen, a measure opposed by all five PH representatives.

Two-thirds unlikely without allies

Pacific Research Centre of Malaysia principal adviser Oh Ei Sun expects BN to retain Melaka by a simple majority but said it would require an alliance with PN to reach a two-thirds majority.

BN enters the election after returning to power in Negeri Sembilan through an electoral understanding with PN.

The results reflected BN’s willingness to tailor its electoral strategy to different political terrains.

In Johor, BN contested all 56 state seats without an electoral alliance and went on to form the state government on its own.

In Negeri Sembilan, however, BN and PN reached an electoral understanding aimed at avoiding contests against one another despite BN remaining part of the PH-led federal government.

Whether a similar arrangement will be replicated in Melaka remains unsettled.

BN has indicated that negotiations with potential partners would take place following the dissolution of the state assembly, while Melaka PH has also been in discussions with Bersatu over a possible “PH Plus” arrangement.

Political analyst Datuk Sivamurugan Pandian from Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) said a BN-PN arrangement could consolidate the Malay vote in Melaka, making it more difficult for PH to make significant gains.

PH has suffered consecutive setbacks in recent state elections, and Sivamurugan said rebuilding confidence among Malay voters and giving greater prominence to local issues would be crucial if the coalition hoped to reverse its fortunes.

“PH has to acknowledge that Johor and Negeri Sembilan were not isolated defeats but are signals of changing voter behaviour,” Sivamurugan said.

Both Sivamurugan and Oh, however, said even a commanding BN victory in Melaka would be unlikely to trigger an early general election.

“The general election is at most about a year away, not two or three years away.

“So, it [forcing a snap election] wouldn’t make much difference,” Oh said, adding that BN chairman Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi’s relationship with Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim would also make it less likely that the federal government would be brought down before the end of its term.

'Stay out of N Sembilan affairs' - disputed territorial chieftains tell PM

'Stay out of N Sembilan affairs' - disputed territorial chieftains tell PM

Published: Sep 22, 2026 7:51 PM


Negeri Sembilan’s disputed territorial chieftains and customary leaders today warned Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim and the federal government against what they described as meddling in the state's affairs.

This was in response to advice issued by the Attorney-General's Chambers (AGC) - which is a federal body - that invalidates Negeri Sembilan state exco's decision to accept the chieftains' disputed April 19 proclamations replacing Tuanku Muhriz Tuanku Munawir with Tuanku Nadzaruddin Tuanku Ja'afar as the state ruler.

In a statement, the chieftains - Mubarak Thahak (Sungai Ujong), Maarof Mat Rashad (Jelebu), Muhammad Abdullah (Johol), and Abdul Rahim Yasin (Rembau) - together with the tunku besar of Tampin and Sungai Ujong’s datuk syahbandar, stressed that they are the ones who hold the authority to remove Tuanku Muhriz from the throne.

They added that state Menteri Besar Ismail Lasim and his exco team were just executing the decision they made.


"Bear in mind that we strongly condemn every effort by certain parties, whether openly or covertly, to violate our prerogatives and constitutional rights in our state.

"We wish to remind the prime minister and the AGC not to interfere in the affairs of the Negeri Sembilan government, particularly our prerogatives under Articles 10 and 11 of the Negeri Sembilan constitution, as the prime minister and the AGC have no jurisdiction to do so.

"The prime minister should not, merely for political gain and influence or in submission to pressure from certain quarters, be willing to do anything without exercising reason and conscience, and should not brazenly violate the principle of constitutional supremacy.

"He should not act beyond his authority or interfere in matters that do not concern him," the statement said.


‘Adhere to state constitution’

The chieftains pointed to Article 71 of the Federal Constitution, which stipulates that any dispute on the right to succeed as a state ruler shall be determined solely by such authority and according to the state constitution.

Any action that violates the provision would be unconstitutional, they stressed.



In their statement, they also advised Tuanku Muhriz (above) to accept that he has been removed from the throne and step down gracefully.

"We also call upon all members of the state civil service to not bow to pressure from any parties and instead abide by the state exco decision, and pledge their allegiance to Tuanku Nadzaruddin as the Negeri Sembilan's 12th ruler."

On Sept 16, the state exco issued a statement declaring the proclamation removing Tuanku Muhriz as Yang di-Pertuan Besar valid and recognised Tuanku Nadzaruddin as the new ruler with immediate effect.

However, the AGC responded by saying the exco's decision is invalid, arguing that the menteri besar and state exco do not have unilateral powers to terminate or vacate the ruler’s office.

It stressed that the proclamation’s validity and effect must be determined through lawful constitutional and legal processes.

READ MORE: Tuanku Muhriz revokes exco appointments, but reading of state constitution disputed

Following this, state secretary Zafir Ibrahim’s office on Sept 18 said they accepted the AGC's advice and would not gazette or implement the proclamation.

Earlier today, Ismail (above) announced the suspension of Zafir and state legal adviser Muzalmah Mustapha Kamal with immediate effect.

He also named state financial officer Masri Razali as acting state secretary and lawyer Fahmi Adilah as acting state legal adviser, pending permanent replacements by the chief secretary to the federal government and the AGC, respectively.

 

Negeri Sembilan MB, exco to meet Tunku Nadzaruddin tomorrow

Negeri Sembilan MB, exco to meet Tunku Nadzaruddin tomorrow

Yesterday

FMT Reporters

The meeting is scheduled to take place at Tunku Ja’afar Gallery in Seremban at 9am.

A media invitation stated that the meeting is intended to be an ‘ice-breaking’ session and to build rapport between Tunku Nadzaruddin Tuanku Ja’afar, the menteri besar, and the exco members. (Facebook pic)

PETALING JAYA:

Negeri Sembilan menteri besar Ismail Lasim and his state executive council members are expected to meet Tunku Nadzaruddin Tuanku Ja’afar tomorrow morning.

According to The Star, the meeting will take place at 9am at Tunku Ja’afar Gallery in Seremban.

The news outlet cited a media invitation which stated that the meeting was intended to be an “ice-breaking” session and to build rapport between Tunku Nadzaruddin, the menteri besar, and the exco members.

Others expected to attend the meeting are the four purported undangs, Tunku Besar of Tampin, and the Shahbandar of Sungai Ujong.

In the latest development, the Negeri Sembilan executive council suspended Zafir Ibrahim and Muzalmah Mustapha Kamal from their duties as state secretary and state legal adviser, respectively.

Ismail announced the suspension of the duo following a special meeting of the state executive council today. However, the status of the state exco is in dispute after the Yang Dipertuan Besar of Negeri Sembilan revoked the appointments of its members on Sunday.

Ismail today also confirmed that all members of the Negeri Sembilan executive council remained in their respective positions, despite the Yang Dipertuan Besar’s decision.

The menteri besar disputed the Yang Dipertuan Besar’s decision, saying that the state ruler could not terminate the tenure of an exco member unless advised or requested to do so by the menteri besar.

Members of the Negeri Sembilan executive council on Sept 16 issued a statement affirming that Tuanku Muhriz Tuanku Munawir’s removal as Yang Dipertuan Besar in April was legitimate and that Tunku Nadzaruddin was the new ruler of Negeri Sembilan.

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Ismail endorsed the statement the following day.

However, the state’s Dewan Keadilan dan Undang said the exco’s decision had no legal effect and that Tuanku Muhriz remained the legitimate Yang Dipertuan Besar.

 

Negeri Sembilan exco can’t suspend top officials, says lawyer

Negeri Sembilan exco can’t suspend top officials, says lawyer

Yesterday

FMT Reporters

Hariz Yusoff, who also represents the Rembau undang, says only the public services commission has power to suspend the officials.

Lawyer Hariz Yusoff said the special exco meeting that decided on the suspensions was invalid since the 10 exco members, other than the menteri besar, had their appointments revoked by Yang Dipertuan Besar Tuanku Muhriz Tuanku Munawir on Sunday. (Bernama pic)

PETALING JAYA:

A lawyer has disputed the Negeri Sembilan executive council’s authority to suspend Zafir Ibrahim and Muzalmah Mustapha Kamal from their duties as state secretary and state legal adviser, respectively.

Hariz Yusoff, who also represents the Rembau undang, contended that Zafir and Muzalmah remained in their posts as the state exco had no direct authority over the state secretary and legal adviser.

Hariz said the state constitution outlined that appointments to those two posts were made by the public services commission (SPA), not the menteri besar or state exco.

He added that even the Federal Constitution stated that the SPA would oversee the appointment, promotion, transfer and discipline of civil servants.

“Menteri besar Ismail Lasim’s own statement acknowledges this fact. He mentions that the new state secretary will be ‘named by the chief secretary to the government’ and the new state legal adviser ‘by the Attorney-General’s Chambers’.

“This is a clear admission that the authority over the two posts falls under other parties, not the state exco. Those without the power to appoint would have no power to suspend,” Hariz said in a statement.

He also argued that the special exco meeting that decided on the suspensions was invalid since the 10 exco members, other than the menteri besar, had their appointments revoked by Yang Dipertuan Besar Tuanku Muhriz Tuanku Munawir on Sunday.

“The menteri besar’s ‘confirmation’ that the posts of the exco members remain valid and legitimate is merely his personal stand. He has no authority to declare His Royal Highness’s order as invalid.”

Earlier today, Ismail announced that Zafir and Muzalmah had been suspended from their duties as state secretary and legal adviser. State financial officer Masli Razali and lawyer Fahmi Adilah would take over those roles, respectively, in the interim.

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This came after the Negeri Sembilan administration said it would not proceed with the menteri besar’s request to gazette the proclamation on the purported removal of Tuanku Muhriz as the Yang Dipertuan Besar.

Hariz questioned Fahmi’s appointment, saying a regular lawyer could not be appointed as the state legal adviser, even as an interim measure.

“The position of state legal adviser is a constitutional position filled by the public service,” he maintained.

The lawyer urged Negeri Sembilan civil servants to continue following instructions from Zafir as state secretary, saying the exco decision was open to legal challenge.