Act immediately to reopen PN office, Bersatu leader urges Azmin

Act immediately to reopen PN office, Bersatu leader urges Azmin

Hariz Mohd
Published: Jul 5, 2025 7:27 PM
Updated: 9:27 PM


Summary

• Tasek Gelugor MP Wan Saiful Wan Jan urges Perikatan Nasional secretary-general Azmin Ali to rectify the closure of the coalition’s headquarters in Kuala Lumpur.

• The headquarters at Solaris Dutamas was purportedly closed as rent was not paid.

• Bersatu leader Saifuddin Abdullah brushes off BN chairperson Zahid Hamidi’s plan to wrest seats from PN in the next general election.

Perikatan Nasional’s top leadership was urged to act immediately on the alleged closure of its headquarters in Kuala Lumpur due to non-payment of rent.

This followed a report by news portal Free Malaysia Today this morning, quoting an unnamed party source that the PN office in Solaris Dutamas had been closed since March.

Tasek Gelugor MP Wan Saiful Wan Jan, who is a Bersatu supreme council member, said he was unsure of the claim’s veracity but said it must be taken seriously if true.

“If it is true that the office has been closed, this is something worrying, and I hope the PN secretary-general (Azmin Ali) will take immediate action to ensure the office can be reopened.

“We (PN) need an official space to serve as our office, and I hope the coalition’s leadership will take this matter seriously,” he told reporters after a Selangor Bersatu event in Seri Kembangan today.

According to the report, PN allegedly stopped paying rent for the office. It also claimed that PN’s top leadership had not held any meeting since its leadership reshuffle last year.

Malaysiakini has reached out to Azmin (above) for comments on the allegations.

PN deputy chairperson Hamzah Zainudin, who was the previous secretary-general, also urged reporters to direct their queries to Azmin, claiming he was “unsure” of the issue.

Perikatan Nasional deputy chairperson Hamzah Zainudin

“We wait for an official explanation from the PN secretary-general, perhaps they are looking for new premises or have found one,” he told the media after launching a Bersatu meeting in Selama, Perak, as quoted by Berita Harian.


Rakyat will decide between BN and PN

Meanwhile, Bersatu supreme council member Saifuddin Abdullah brushed off BN chairperson Ahmad Zahid Hamidi’s vow to wrest parliamentary and state seats from PN in the next general and state elections.

He told reporters in Seri Kembangan that anyone can say anything they wish because “it is free of charge”.

Saifuddin reminded Zahid that despite the deputy prime minister’s optimism that BN can defeat Bersatu and PAS, the final decision will be in the hands of the people.

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Bersatu supreme council member Saifuddin Abdullah

“Anyone can claim that they can win this or that seat. When Bersatu went into GE15, some even predicted that we could only win six parliamentary seats at the most.

“But we won over 30 seats. So, when it comes to making claims, it’s free of charge. Anyone can claim, but the rakyat knows,” said the Indera Mahkota MP during a press conference at a hotel in Seri Kembangan.

Saifuddin and Wan Saiful were there for the launch of the annual general meetings for 14 Selangor Bersatu divisions.

When asked why the programme involved only 14 Selangor Bersatu divisions out of a total of 22, Wan Saiful, who is the Bangi Bersatu division chief, claimed it was due to technical issues.

He dismissed that it had to do with a rumoured internal split between Bersatu president Muhyiddin Yassin and Hamzah.

According to Wan Saiful, the group launch was planned at the last minute and caused several divisions to be unable to join.

“Actually, we invited all divisions. But we faced technical issues, where we could only secure this venue at the last minute.

“An annual general meeting notice has to be issued (at least) seven days before, so only those which have sent out theirs and are free today could participate.

“There should have been more, but two other divisions also could not change their schedule, while the rest are holding their respective meetings as we speak, so they cannot be here,” he said.

Umno veteran tells Hishammuddin to lower ego for party's sake

Umno veteran tells Hishammuddin to lower ego for party's sake

Haspaizi Zain
Published: Jul 5, 2025 7:04 PM
Updated: 9:13 PM



Summary

• Umno Veterans secretary Mustapha Yaakub tells Hishammuddin Hussein to lower his ego and appeal his suspension since the party's leaders are open to reconciliation.

• Mustapha says Umno Youth chief Dr Akmal Saleh's bid to reunite Hishammuddin with the party will fail as long as the former defence minister refuses to appeal the decision.

An Umno Veterans Club leader advised Hishammuddin Hussein to lower his ego at a time when the party leadership has shown openness to reconciliation.

Its secretary-general Mustapha Yaakub said Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi is merely waiting for Hishammuddin to submit an appeal letter.

"The Umno supreme council is only waiting for a brief letter from Hisham (Hishammuddin) ‘apologising if there was any wrongdoing’ to resolve his suspension.

“According to Hisham, he is holding on to principles. Only he knows what principles he upholds. He does not want to back down. As a result, he is seen as egotistical.

“By writing the letter, it would mean he has lowered his ego. The president has shown signs of wanting to reconcile for the sake of the party," Mustapha (above) told Malaysiakini today.

He was commenting on Sembrong Umno's recent resolution - for the second consecutive year - urging the party leadership to revoke the suspension imposed on Hishammuddin, who is the division’s former chief.

However, the Umno supreme council stressed that the application for the readmission of suspended or sacked members would be considered should it come from the individual themselves, without the involvement of any third parties.

Hishammuddin Hussein


Hishammuddin later responded in a Facebook video, hinting he will not file any appeal based on principle, claiming he was not given a fair hearing before the suspension was made.

Earlier today, Umno Youth chief Dr Akmal Saleh expressed his willingness to be a bridge to reunite former Umno leaders who had faced disciplinary action, including Hishammuddin.

Believing that Umno belongs to all Malays, Akmal stressed that all parties should be united, including former party leaders who were sacked or suspended.

Akmal said this step could be achieved if all parties involved would reflect on their egos and sacrifice for the sake of the party.


Akmal may fail

Meanwhile, Mustapha said Akmal’s effort would be unsuccessful if the former Umno vice-president does not submit an appeal letter.

"Akmal's good intentions in being the mediator to free Hisham of his suspension will not work as long as Hisham insists on his stance of not apologising.

"If Akmal can persuade Hisham to do so, then it will be a success," he said.

Umno Youth chief Dr Akmal Saleh


Umno suspended Hishammuddin’s membership for six years following a supreme council meeting held at the end of January 2023.

Others who were punished along with Hishammuddin included former Tanjung Karang MP Noh Omar, former Jempol MP Salim Sharif, and former Tiram assemblyperson Maulizan Bujang.

Why are GLCs selling off overseas assets secretly?

Murray Hunter


Why are GLCs selling off overseas assets secretly?

In the spirit of Steadyaku47
Jul 05, 2025





A little bird (a couple actually) has told me that an order had been given at Khazanah (Malaysia’s sovereign investment fund) to sell off overseas assets and quickly repatriate funds back to Malaysia.

The reasons given was to bring back in foreign exchange to support the Ringgit and ensure Khazanah pays a high dividend to help keep down the budget deficit, and make it look like public debt is not increasing at the rates it was 2020-2022.

This is partly why the Ringgit has improved from 4.70 to USD a year ago, to 4.22 to the USD today. Looks like great economic management until you see the smoke and mirrors behind it.

That sort of explains why MAHB was sold at the fire sale price. The sale just didn’t make sense.

Well, Madani is selling off Malaysian investments abroad to manage the Ringgit and lower the deficit. Not very sustainable, but people won’t realise what really happened until well after Madani is gone.

Years of Malaysian investments made abroad, just like Singapore’s Temasek Holdings has long been doing to build up Singapore’s wealth is being undone in Malaysia for short term gain.

Enough said.

PN HQ staff laid off without pay after office shuttered

PN HQ staff laid off without pay after office shuttered - source

Haspaizi Zain
Published: Jul 5, 2025 8:00 PM
Updated: 10:14 PM


Summary

• A PN lawmaker claims that staff working at the coalition's headquarters have been laid off without pay.

• The source also claims that PN has not yet appointed a treasurer, six months after the post was vacated.

A Perikatan Nasional source claimed that administrative trouble affecting the coalition's headquarters in Kuala Lumpur has also resulted in layoffs.

"I asked my friends working at the office, and they told me they had been laid off for almost two months and they haven't been paid yet," the source, who is an MP, told Malaysiakini.

Earlier today, FMT cited sources to report that PN's headquarters at Solaris Dutamas had been closed since March.

Party leaders are claiming to be unaware of this development, with PN deputy chairperson Hamzah Zainudin saying he was in the dark as he was no longer the coalition's secretary-general.

Hamzah was replaced by Azmin Ali as PN secretary-general in December. Malaysiakini has contacted Azmin for comments.

Coalition treasurer

Meanwhile, besides woes at the party's headquarters, the PN source said another administrative matter that remains unresolved is the appointment of a new coalition treasurer.

The source said the post had remained vacant since Terengganu Menteri Besar Ahmad Samsuri Mokhtar resigned as PN treasurer last December.

"But I don't know if (PN chairperson) Muhyiddin Yassin has quietly made an appointment," the lawmaker added.

Malaysian prime minister’s own political party is in collapse

Murray Hunter


Malaysian prime minister’s own political party is in collapse


Jul 04, 2025



Anwar Ibrahim with party spokesman Fahmi Fadzil on the right.


While Malaysian prime minister Anwar Ibrahim is on an official visit to Italy, Spain and Brazil to attended the BRICS summit, his own Peoples’ Justice Party (PKR) is in rapid collapse at home.

News is emerging from chat groups and pundits there are mass branch resignations of members across more than 200 branches nationwide. Some branches just don’t exist anymore.

The party vote for deputy president, where Nurul Izzah Anwar, Anwar Ibrahim’s daughter challenged incumbent Rafizi Ramli, who was minister of economy until he resigned a few weeks ago showed that some 16,000 members out of 30,000 eligible, did not even bother to vote in this nationally publicized dual. This just indicates the level of apathy within PKR itself, with such an important event for the future of the party.

PKR has gradually been losing electoral support since 2013. In the 2014 general election PKR received 20.39 percent of the national aggregate vote, and in 2022 PKR only received 15.72 percent of the vote. Before the November 2022 general election Pakatan Harapan, the coalition PKR heads was not expected to form the government. However, in an umbrella coalition stitched together and approved by the former king Sultan Abdullah, Anwar became the prime minister.

This represented the crescendo of 27 years of struggle for Anwar to become prime minister as a reformer, who would dramatically change the country. Many even heralded the event as a new ‘Merdeka’ or independence for the nation.

However, very quickly people became dismayed when Anwar appointed Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, who was facing criminal charges at the time as deputy prime minister. Then, many political cronies were given seats on the boards of government linked companies (GLCs) against PKR policy, leading to much dismay in the party. Anwar supporters would say that he had little choice because he needed to ‘give in’ due to being in coalition with UMNO.

The next shock to PKR supporters was the reduction in sentence of former prime minister Najib Razak’s prison term from 12 years to 6 years, and a reduction of his fine from RM 210 million to RM 55 million. PKR campaigned very heavily against corruption and saw that the ‘chief kleptocrat’ was being given favouritism in the Pardons Board. There was a clear message here. Corruption is OK for the elite.

Over the last couple of months there has been a distinct fall in trust for Anwar. Its not just the failure to end institutional race favouritism, inaction of the rising cost of living, failure to stem corruption, the rising cost of goods, decline of freedom of speech, failure to initiate law reform and repeal draconian legislation, and U-turns in policy. It’s the nature and style of leadership of Anwar that is putting people off.

This is not what most PKR members had worked hard over many years for.

The once charismatic leader who delivered inspiring speeches that made him a political hero have just gone and been replaced with arrogance, detachment, and empathy lacking approaches to government. Anwar’s hypocrisy can’t be hidden as its not just about one or two cases anymore. Anwar’s hypocrisy is seen almost across the board. Those who see Anwar speak in person just see a tired and defeated looking man.

The resignations of Rafizi Ramli as minister of economy and Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad on May 28, after both lost their party positions at the PKR elections, sent a clear message that all was not well in the cabinet. Rafizi’s revelations since his cabinet departure confirm this. Both Anwar and his home minister Saifuddin Nasution Ismail both asked them publicly to reconsider their decisions, a sign they had made a strategic mistake in allowing both to become free agents not bound by cabinet solidarity.

Today, there are no reforms, no economic miracles, no renaissance in society, and greater racial division than ever. There is never ending news of political cronies receiving court discharges without acquittals (DNAA), putting the Attorney General and judiciary under suspicion of political influence. There is a mediocre cabinet, with no rising and aspiring stars that will carry on the philosophy of reform further after Anwar’s time as leader. There is a total leadership vacuum.

Even Anwar’s daughter Nurul Izzah Anwar, once deemed the ‘princess of reformasi’ is just another source of ridicule for the people. While the party is falling apart, Nurul is off talking about native rights in Sarawak, failing to address critical party issues. Anwar, the leader of ‘reformasi’, once leading massive street protests against the government is now getting protests in the streets asking him to resign.

Most PKR members now see the party has abandoned all the reforms it once championed. Most of the ‘Otai” or old timers have become quiet, except for a few loyalists who are finding it much harder to make apologies for Anwar. There is still an army of troll on social media trying to make PKR look good, but now there are too many academics, commentators and professionals who have just walked away.

PKR secretary general Fuziah Salleh is now regularly making public statements denying the party is not losing members, renascent of the Iraqi information minister Bagdad Bob, who kept denying Bagdad was being bombed during the Iraqi war. This indicates a party in quick decline.

The tipping point appears to be the new Sales and Service Tax (SST) increases and the failure of Anwar to extend the term of Chief Justice Tungku Maimum Tuan Mat. Later this month, Anwar’s application for immunity on the case Yusoff Rawther has made against Anwar Ibrahim for sexual assault will be heard. Should Anwar win the appeal for immunity, many will say he is trying to hide the truth.

Should Anwar lose the appeal, the affidavits will reveal alleged sexual misconduct by the now prime minister, which may make his position as PM untenable. Yusoff Rawther was recently acquitted for dealing in narcotics, leading to the question of not just who planted the drugs, but who gave the order to do so?

Anwar’s brand image is badly tarnished with citizens complaining on the king’s Facebook page about him. The wave of membership resignations appears to have a ‘domino’ effect, where the party is being drastically weakened to the point there will be few people out in the hustings to help in the next general election. No one expects PKR to be able to improve upon its 31 MPs next general election. Public statements by deputy president Nurul Izzah that PKR will win 13 seats in the coming Sabah state election just has a hollow ringing.

Its was almost certain that Anwar would run a full term as prime minister, having the opportunity during his tenure as prime minister to win the hearts and minds of voters. This is beginning to look it won’t be the case. Indian, Chinese, and professional Malay voters are deserting him very quickly. There is a great possibility PKR will be decimated and hold less than 20 seats in the next general election just two years time. PKR as a party will be little more than a memory of a glorious past.

Saifuddin says travel warnings on Sabah east coast outdated, urges diplomats to see security progress first-hand

Saifuddin says travel warnings on Sabah east coast outdated, urges diplomats to see security progress first-hand



Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail (fourth from left) speaks to members of a foreign delegation during a security briefing and site visit at the Eastern Sabah Security Zone (ESSZone) on Bohey Dulang island, Semporna. — Bernama pic

Saturday, 05 Jul 2025 6:47 PM MYT


SEMPORNA, July 5 — Travel advisories against Sabah’s east coast no longer reflect the reality on the ground, where enhanced security measures and a tourism boom have taken root, Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail said today.


He said Malaysia is actively engaging with foreign governments to correct these perceptions — including through site visits such as this weekend’s tour of islands off Semporna, which were once plagued by kidnapping incidents over a decade ago.

“The doubt stems from perception, so how do we change that? That’s why we bring them here — there’s no substitute for first-hand experience,” he told reporters during his visit to the islands here.


Saifuddin said data showed that tourist arrivals in Sabah’s east coast have been rising — even from countries that once issued travel warnings.


In 2022, 64,470 tourists visited the area, with a healthy spread of nationalities including a significant number from Europe. As global travel resumed, the numbers surged to 313,128 in 2023 and 319,479 in 2024. As of May 31 this year, 107,412 tourists have already been recorded.

“These aren’t just any tourists — many of them are from countries that had previously issued travel advisories, whether from Europe, the US or East Asia. They’re proof that people are coming, even from countries that once issued warnings,” Saifuddin said.


He added that Japan was currently reviewing its advisory following similar engagements last year.

“While Japanese arrivals are still relatively low compared to China, we’re seeing progress,” he said.

Saifuddin said Malaysia’s strategy was to invite diplomats and foreign officials to witness the on-ground situation for themselves, followed by engagement through diplomatic channels.

“While Sabah is doing its part with tourism promotion, we are focusing on engagement and improving the perception of security — because ultimately, travel advisories carry a lot of weight.

“Instead of doing nothing and relying on second-hand sources — which isn’t ideal — we take proactive steps. We brought them here so they can engage directly with us and we can explain things clearly.

“This is the approach I believe in. There is no substitute for physical, face-to-face engagement,” he said.

Saifuddin said the goal is to see travel warnings revised or lifted by countries that still advise against visiting Sabah’s east coast.

“Looking at the visitor numbers, I believe we are moving in the right direction. We’re doing the right thing,” he said.

Countries such as the United States, United Kingdom, Ireland, New Zealand and Australia currently maintain travel advisories against the east coast of Sabah due to past kidnappings linked to insurgent groups from southern Philippines.

The zone covers coastal areas from Sandakan to Tawau, including offshore islands and popular dive sites around Semporna.

This weekend’s engagement programme involved 15 foreign diplomats from 10 countries — Belgium, Canada, China, Australia, Ireland, the United States, Spain, New Zealand, South Korea and Germany — who engaged with local security and government authorities.

The delegation, accompanied by security officials and media, visited Omadal island — home to local and Bajau Laut communities — as well as scenic destinations like Sibuan, Bohey Dulang and Mataking, where security operations are stationed.

US ambassador to Malaysia Edgard Kagan said there has been “tremendous progress” in Sabah’s east coast security since his previous visits between 2014 and 2017.

“It’s been 11 years since I first came here, but the transformation is very, very impressive. Coming offshore today and seeing how much development there’s been — the resorts, the increase in tourism — I think it’s extremely impressive.

“It really speaks to the tremendous effort that has gone into ESSCOM, from all the different parts of the Malaysian government involved,” he said.

Kagan said it was evident that there has been significant improvement in the past decade, backed by supporting data.

“Coming here and seeing this first-hand is incredibly valuable,” he said, adding that he would report his observations and the data back to Washington.

“I don’t want to get ahead of ourselves, because this is obviously a complex process. But I think it is very clear that there has been significant progress that reflects a real commitment by the government of Malaysia,” he said.

Kagan also acknowledged longstanding US-Malaysia cooperation in the area, including radar systems supplied by Washington, training efforts and support in establishing ESSCOM, as well as other assets and assistance provided.

“It’s clear the resources are being put to good use, so I’m very confident there’s been improvement. We will have to make the appropriate reports to the deciding authorities in our capital,” he said.

Palestinian Bedouins facing 'NAKBA" in West Bank

Facing settler threats, Palestinian Bedouins forced out of rural West Bank community



A man rides a horse next to the remains of an Iranian missile that fell an outpost near the Israeli settlement of Tekoa in the occupied West Bank, on 29 June 2025, in the aftermath of the 12-day war between Israel and Iran. — AFP pic

Saturday, 05 Jul 2025 9:00 PM MYT



JORDAN VALLEY, July 5 — Thirty Palestinian families left their home in a remote area of the Israeli-occupied West Bank on Friday, saying they were forced out after years of persistent harassment and violence by Israeli settlers.


The families, members of the Bedouin Mleihat tribe from a shepherding community in the Jordan Valley, began dismantling homes built with iron sheets and wooden boards on Friday, overwhelmed by fears of further attacks.

“The settlers are armed and attack us, and the (Israeli) military protects them. We can’t do anything to stop them. We can’t take it anymore, so we decided to leave,” said Mahmoud Mleihat, a 50-year-old father of seven from the community.


As the Palestinians took down their encampment, an Israeli settler armed with a rifle and several Israeli soldiers looked on.


Palestinian communities in the Jordan Valley, a sparsely populated region near the Jordan River, have faced escalating harassment from settlers in recent years, including violence.

Israeli human rights group B’Tselem has documented repeated acts of violence by Israeli settlers against Palestinians in Mu’arrajat, near Jericho, where the Mleihat tribe lives. In 2024, settlers armed with clubs stormed a Palestinian school, while in 2023, armed settlers blocked the path of vehicles carrying Palestinians, with some firing into the air and others hurling stones at the vehicles.


“We want to protect our children, and we’ve decided to leave,” Mahmoud said, describing it as a great injustice.

He had lived in the community since he was 10, Mahmoud said.

Israel’s military did not immediately respond to Reuters questions about the settler harassment faced by the Bedouin families or about the families leaving their community.

Asked about settler violence in the West Bank, Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar told reporters on Monday that any acts of violence by civilians were unacceptable and that individuals should not take the law into their own hands.

Activists say Israeli settlement expansion has accelerated in recent years, displacing Palestinians, who have remained on their land under military occupation since Israel captured the West Bank in a 1967 war.

B’Tselem representative Sarit Michaeli said the Mleihat tribe had faced “intense settler violence” that included, theft, vandalism, and assault. This week, she said, the settlers had established an informal outpost near the Palestinians’ home.

The military was failing to protect Palestinians from attacks by settlers, who she said acted with impunity.

Aaliyah Mleihat, 28, said the Bedouin community, which had lived there for 40 years, would now be scattered across different parts of the Jordan Valley, including nearby Jericho.

“People are demolishing their own homes with their own hands, leaving this village they’ve lived in for decades, the place where their dreams were built,” she said, describing the forced displacement of 30 families as a “new Nakba”.

The Nakba, meaning “catastrophe” in Arabic, refers to the mass displacement of hundreds of thousands of Palestinians from their homes during 1948 at the birth of the state of Israel.

Most countries consider Israeli settlements a violation of the Geneva Conventions which ban settling civilians on occupied land; Israel says the settlements are lawful and justified by historic and biblical Jewish ties to the land. — AFP

***

Frigging land-robbing shailoks

World Facing Up To 70% Tariffs – How US-Vietnam Trade Deal Provides Clue To Trump’s Tariff Level On China

World Facing Up To 70% Tariffs – How US-Vietnam Trade Deal Provides Clue To Trump’s Tariff Level On China


July 4th, 2025 by financetwitter



With merely days before Washington’s reciprocal tariffs come back in full force, global attention turned to Vietnam on Thursday (July 3) after Donald Trump announced a trade deal with Hanoi. Under the agreement, which the U.S. president proudly called the “Great Deal of Cooperation”, the U.S. will charge 20% tariffs on Vietnamese exports to the United States.

That is significantly below the 46% rate Trump had imposed in early April, before he issued a 90-day temporary reprieve. Vietnam, meanwhile, will charge “zero tariffs” on U.S. products. Trump immediately declares victory, blowing his own trumpet – “Vietnam will do something that they have never done before, give the United States of America TOTAL ACCESS to their Markets for Trade.”



But there was something else. Trump has decided to slap a whopping 40% levy on goods “transhipped” to the U.S. through Vietnam – twice the 20% rate on regular imports from Vietnam. While the Dealmaker-in-Chief did not mention China explicitly, the new provision clearly was designed to target a backdoor used by Chinese exporters ever since the first US-China trade war started to dodge the U.S. tariffs.


U.S. tariffs on Chinese goods have been cut back to around 55%, down from as high as 145% in early April after Trump made a spectacular U-turn to prevent empty shelves in the domestic market. But Trump’s new trade deal with Vietnam provides a clue about the tariff rate that Chinese goods would land, as talks between Washington and Beijing continue following their recent truce.

Beijing and Washington reached a trade framework last month following talks in London, which remains in effect through mid-August. As part of the deal, China agreed to resume shipments of rare earths – key inputs for wind turbines, smartphones, electric vehicles and military hardware. In return, the U.S. will ease export restrictions on ethane, chip-design software and jet engine components.


The 40% tariff on transshipped goods suggests that even if tariffs on China are eventually reduced, they’re unlikely to fall below that threshold. Here’s why – if China’s duties were to fall to 35% (for example), China would get back its competitive edge hence encourage Chinese firms to shift operations back, and American companies will have little incentive to go back to the U.S.


On the other hand, if tariffs on Chinese goods are to rise to 45% or higher, companies would find it more profitable to continue transshipping goods from Vietnam to the U.S. Essentially, the 40% tariff on transshipped goods would become a new benchmark whether China will export to the U.S. directly or via Vietnam. Of course, Trump may change his mind suddenly, leading to chaos again in the global economy.

“The 40% figure in the Vietnam deal might reflect a broader conviction in the Trump administration about the appropriate tariff level on China, which would be similarly reflected in other bilateral deals. However, I am skeptical that Trump has a specific red line for minimum tariffs on China” – said Gabriel Wildau, a managing director at Teneo focused on political risk analysis in China.

However, at least for now, signs are showing that the two largest economies in the world are following through on the terms of the London agreement. The White House has lifted recent export license requirements for chip design software sales in China, and approved U.S. ethane exports to China without additional approvals, largely because Beijing has a trump card – rare earths.


Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said Chinese rare earth magnets are flowing, although they haven’t yet bounced back to the levels seen before Chinese imposed export curbs in early April. The U.S. remains hopeful that China will further ease restrictions on those exports after their London deal, although there were reports that buyers were forced to pay premium price for rare earth minerals.



Beijing has warned that it would respond to deals that came at the expense of Chinese interests and the decision to agree to a higher tariff on goods deemed to be “transshipped” through Vietnam could face retaliation. Based on China’s position as Vietnam’s largest trading partner and key source of inputs for domestic production, any retaliatory steps could have a significant impact on Vietnam’s economy.

Vietnam was one of the main beneficiaries of a new landscape in the global supply chains in the wake of Trump’s first term and the Covid-19 pandemic. Factories mushroomed around Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City as Chinese and Western firms looked for ways to diversify their production base amid the strains of the pandemic and increasing geopolitical rivalry between Washington and Beijing.


China on Thursday said it has taken note of the US-Vietnam trade deal and is currently assessing the situation. “We’re happy to see all parties to resolve trade conflicts with the US through equal negotiations, but firmly oppose any party striking a deal at the expense of China’s interests,” – He Yongqian, a spokesperson for the Ministry of Commerce, said at a briefing.

Apart from Vietnam, Beijing is growing increasingly cautious about U.S. efforts to strike trade deals that could isolate China. With a July 9 deadline approaching, when Trump’s higher “reciprocal” tariffs are set to take effect, U.S. officials are ramping up negotiations with key partners in Asia and Europe. But Vietnam had a very weak negotiating hand due to its strong dependency on trade with the U.S.

Other emerging market economies in the region, especially Malaysia (24% tariff) and Cambodia (49%), might or might not enjoy the roughly 50% discount on the initial tariffs imposed like Vietnam. Almost every Southeast Asian country has offered lower-to-zero tariffs for American goods such as agriculture products, commodities and automobiles just to appease the U.S. president.




It’s worth noting that the Trump family has recently announced development projects in Vietnam. The country’s government approved a plan by the Trump Organization and local business Kinh Bac City Development to invest US$1.5 billion in hotels, golf courses and luxury real estate. The Trump Organization is also scouting for locations to build a Trump Tower in Ho Chi Minh City. Therefore, Vietnam appears to enjoy special discount on U.S. tariffs.

It would be interesting to see if Cambodia and Malaysia will also suffer the same 40% levy on goods “transhipped” to the U.S. through their respective countries. If the punishment is less severe, then it would open a new door for transshipment. Malaysia isn’t likely to enjoy a tariff of 10% as that baseline was already reserved for Singapore, which buys more from the U.S. than it sells.

The countries in the region may not want to offend either the U.S. or China. But Washington is very keen to use tariffs as a leverage to disentangle the global supply chain from China. As a key trading partner and investor in the region, China looms large in the negotiations. Southeast Asian countries will have to ensure that whatever deals they strike are not worse than what Beijing extracts from Washington.


Because Trump has called for tariffs as high as 50% on the EU, which could be a tactic to extract maximum concessions from the 27-nation bloc, China may end up with a tariff rate higher than that. On Friday (July 4), President Trump said the U.S. will start sending notices to inform many trading partners of unilateral tariff rates of up to 70% – more than almost all the reciprocal rates that the POTUS had floated earlier.

So far, the Trump administration has struck trade pacts with the U.K. and Vietnam, and an on-again, off-again truce with China. Others such as the European Union and Japan have been struggling to secure agreements. While the White House is giving priority to talks with essential trading partners, the U.S. doesn’t have the capacity to negotiate in detail with every global counterpart.



Vietnam, and other Asian countries for that matter, may act tough initially by taking steps to crack down on illegal trade rerouting through tougher policing of rules of origin certification, just to make Donald Trump happy and to give him something to brag. Over time, everyone, including Trump and his successors, may close both eyes over trans-shipping.


The fact remains that many different types of goods made in Vietnam, including clothing, furniture and electronics, use components made in China. Exactly how the U.S. plans to determine whether a product from Vietnam would qualify for a 20% tariff or a 40% tariff isn’t clear. The U.S. has to depend on detailed information from foreign customs authorities to identify whether trans-shipping or re-labelling actually happens.

Regardless of how Trump plays with the numbers to isolate Beijing, trans-shipping will continue to happen simply because illegal re-routing of Chinese products will be hard and too time-consuming to catch. Heck, the U.S. does not know how much such activity exists. It can’t even catch illicit fentanyl coming across its own border, what more Made-in-China goods being re-labelled as Made-in-Vietnam or other countries.

Military Watch:

Will Iran Use North Korean Hwasong-10 Ballistic Missiles in its Next Round of Strikes on Israel?

Middle East , Missile and Space

Military Watch Magazine Editorial Staff

July-5th-2025

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Hwasong-10 Ballistic Missile Launch

Following the cessation of Iranian-Israeli hostilities in a ceasefire  June 24, 11 days after they had been initiated, speculation has continued to grow regarding how Iran may respond to a possible new wave of attacks on its territory. Prior Iranian strikes on Israeli targets made use of a wide range of missiles, from the lower end Shahab-3 which began to enter service in the late 1990s, to the solid fuelled Fattah which uses a hypersonic glide vehicle for guidance. While Iran’s ballistic missile development has for decades relied heavily on components and technology transfers from North Korea, the country has also procured a small number of North Korean missiles ‘off the shelf’. Although the vast majority of these procurements were short ranged Hwasong-5 and Hwasong-6 models sold during the 1980s and 1990s, a small number of Hwasong-10 missiles were also reportedly transferred. When acquired in the mid-2000s, they were by far the most capable in the Iranian arsenal. 

Hwasong-10 Ballistic Missile on Parade

U.S. and South Korean intelligence reported the Hwasong-10’s entry into service in 2006, after reports in January that year indicated that it had been flight tested in Iran under North Korean supervision. These exports were a particularly sensitive issue at a time when a Western attack on Iran was under consideration. In 2009 a secret telegram distributed by the office of the U.S. Secretary of State highlighted concerns that the Hwasong-10’s engine “represents a substantial advance in North Korea’s liquid propellant technology,” and “allows North Korea to build even longe range missiles – or shorter range missiles with greater payload capacity – than would be possible using Scud-type technology.” Experts would note that footage of Hwasong-10 engine testing “showed a plume with a much clearer colour than Scud-type engines using simple IRNFA and Kerosene propellants, indicating a more energetic propellant with revolutionary implications for the performances of its future missiles. This was one of the clearest indications that the country’s missile program had reached a far more advanced stage.” An enhanced longer ranged variant of the missile able to strike up to 4000 kilometres away entered service in the Korean People’s Army in 2016, but was quickly followed by its more advanced successor the Hwasong-12 in 2017, and by the next generation Hwasong-16 in 2024. 

Kheibar Shekan Ballistic Missile Launch

If reports regarding the transfer of Hwasong-10 ballistic missiles are correct, they may be utilised in future rounds of Iranian strikes on Israeli or Western targets. The missile class’ primary effect on Iranian security, however, appears to have been the transfer of related technologies allowing Iran to develop the Khorramshahr series of ballistic missiles, which are the most capable in its solid fuelled arsenal. The most modern missile class in this family, the Kheibar Shekan, is currently Iran’s sole ballistic missile class known to have been equipped with multiple warheads, which has placed a significantly greater strain on Israeli air defences. Iran just days before the initiation of Israeli attacks first tested a new variant of the Kheibar Shekan, which integrated a particularly large 2000 kilogram payload. The variant is expected to carry more reentry vehicles, with a significant possibility remaining that its service entry will be accelerated at a time when such missiles have the potential to cause significant difficulties for Israeli air defence efforts. While the transfer of Hwasong-10 technologies to Iran is near certain, the transfer of complete missiles two decades ago, the numbers that may have been delivered, and Iranian plans for their use, all remain uncertain. 

Madani's nightmare about to begin

Madani's nightmare about to begin

Mariam Mokhtar
Published: Jul 5, 2025 9:00 AM
Updated: 11:00 AM



COMMENT | The Madani administration’s nightmare is just about to begin.

Leaving the top post of chief justice (CJ) empty without a designated successor on the day the much-respected former CJ, Tengku Maimun Tuan Mat, retired is unacceptable.

Her retirement date was not a secret. It has been known for years.

We may never know the real reason why Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim failed to extend her tenure, but he and his aides have not at all considered the wide-ranging consequences of their actions.

What this saga has done is to paint a more negative picture of him and his administration. Sadly, the reputation of the judiciary will also be dragged down.

Anwar’s inaction has also highlighted a lack of leadership, signalled to the rakyat an institutional breakdown and reflected poor management practices.

This will only lead to a further loss of trust and erosion of confidence in the coalition government and a decline in our faith in the judiciary.

Only an irresponsible leader will think that the power vacuum in the judiciary is not dangerous.

Fearless, balanced, fair

More’s the pity, especially as Tengku Maimun has, through her own stellar leadership in the past six years, managed to restore our trust and confidence in the judiciary. She was fearless, balanced and fair in her judgments.

Tengku Maimun, who was appointed Malaysia’s first female CJ in 2018, has been described by Universiti Malaya’s Prof Emeritus Shad Saleem Faruqi as “transformative” with her independence and landmark judgments.

PM Anwar Ibrahim arriving in Rome, Italy for an official visit


Anwar may have thought that he had avoided the rakyat’s opprobrium because he had to attend to matters of state, on his official visit to Italy, France, and Brazil.

But as his visit coincided with Tengku Maimun’s official day of retirement, his absence was all the more jarring and only fuelled further speculation.

We may recall that the convicted felon, Najib Abdul Razak, would also plan overseas trips to avoid various crises at home.

Nevertheless, Anwar’s failure to extend Tengku Maimun’s contract by six months, which incidentally is stipulated under Article 125(1) of the Constitution, was highly irresponsible.

On the defensive

Stung by the criticisms, Anwar went into defensive mode and accused his critics of politicising the appointment of judges. He even had the brass neck to claim that the prime minister plays no part in judicial appointments.

He said, “... regarding civil servants, or judges, when any official reaches their retirement age, there is a procedure in place. One does not get their tenure extended automatically upon retirement.”

MACC chief commission Azam Baki

He failed to explain how the MACC chief’s tenure was extended thrice.

It is disingenuous of Anwar to claim that the PM has nothing to do with judicial appointments. Of the nine members of the Judicial Appointments Commission (JAC), five members are the PM’s appointees.

Of the five, one is a Federal Court judge, whilst the remaining four non-judges are selected after prior consultation with the Malaysian Bar, the Sabah Law Association, the Advocates Association of Sarawak, the attorney-general of the Federation, and the attorney-general of a state legal service.

None are from the executive or public service.

It is clear that the PM’s five appointees have the majority and decisive vote, and can exert considerable influence in recommending who becomes a judge.

Just imagine these appointments as a version of Najib’s “You help me, I help you” axiom. It is something we know that happens in everyday life. A boss and an employee. A benefactor and beneficiary. The politician and his constituency. A lecturer and his pupil.

Think power, position, perks and promotion. Why bite the hand that feeds you?

Why not extend Tengku Maimun’s tenure?

Acting Chief Justice Hasnah Hashim


Two days after the former CJ’s retirement, the chief registrar of the Federal Court announced that the Chief Judge of Malaya, Hasnah Hashim, would temporarily serve as the chief justice until the vacancy was filled.

Why overload her work with both the powers of the CJ and her own? This preposterous decision appears as if it were a knee-jerk reaction to our criticisms.

It would have made perfect sense to allow Tengku Maimun to continue for another six months without disrupting both women’s roles and the smooth functioning of the courts.

In the judicial/constitutional crisis of 1988, the judiciary was emasculated by the erstwhile prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad.

After an internal Umno dispute about election rigging in 1987, High Court judge Harun Hashim declared Umno “an unlawful society”.

A livid Mahathir sought revenge, with the forced suspension and removal of the Lord President of the Supreme Court, Salleh Abas, and two other senior judges.

In the second scandal, 19 years later, the VK Lingam video clips showed how Malaysian justice was sold to the highest bidder.

The nation was in turmoil, and a royal commission of Inquiry was set up. In 2009, the Malaysian Bar proposed the formation of the JAC to vet judicial candidates.

These judicial scandals sent shock waves throughout Malaysia and the world.

Last March, Tengku Maimun spoke at the 24th Commonwealth Law Conference in Malta and urged the removal of the role of the PM in the appointment of judges.

Removing the PM’s role had also been echoed three years earlier by Negeri Sembilan Yang di-Pertuan Besar Tuanku Muhriz Tuanku Munawir.

Malaysians desperately yearn for judicial independence and constitutional supremacy, but as recent events have shown, are we at risk of another judicial crisis?

MARIAM MOKHTAR is a defender of the truth, the admiral-general of the Green Bean Army, and the president of the Perak Liberation Organisation (PLO). Blog, X.

Why Shahidan is bad for Malaysian athletics

FMT:

Why Shahidan is bad for Malaysian athletics


Re-electing the current president of Malaysia Athletics on Sunday threatens to cement stagnation when the sport is crying out for revival

Malaysian athletics currently languishes without a coherent strategy or clear identity, and has shown no tangible improvement.

This troubling regression can be directly traced to the president of Malaysia Athletics (MA) and his management team, whose misguided priorities and inertia have stifled progress at every level.


It’s unfortunate that Shahidan Kassim seeks to cling to the MA presidency.

His continued tenure as president threatens to overshadow genuine leadership reform precisely when the sport urgently requires a revival.


Re‑electing Shahidan in the MA election on Sunday would likely entrench the very stagnation that has long hampered our athletes’ progress.

Shahidan and three other veteran administrators, Karim Ibrahim, Mark Ling and Wan Hisham Wan Salleh are competing for the No 1 post.

Each has served in administrations that delivered modest successes yet oversaw growing dysfunction.

None can claim flawless stewardship; the crucial question is whether any will inject fresh vision or simply uphold the status quo.


An effective president is a bridge‑builder, someone who not only crafts a bold strategic vision, but also turns it into operational excellence, fully appreciating the relentless demands of elite sport.

He must honour the autonomy and expertise of athletes and coaches, and foster a culture of mutual respect, collaboration and shared accountability.

Shahidan has had his chance, let’s move on from him.

During his three-year term, Shahidan failed to usher in a new era of resurgence, leaving Malaysian athletics in a state of gloom.


Rather than galvanising the sport, he presided over a widening gap between Malaysia and its regional rivals.

He has condemned the country to further mediocrity, stifling progress and talent development, while further delaying the structural overhaul.

Shahidan’s tarnished tenure

Malaysia’s halcyon days in regional track and field, when the nation strode the podium with confidence, are long behind us.

Once imperious at the Southeast Asian Games (SEA), and a constant challenger at Asian level, our athletes now scramble for a single bronze.

The recent Asian athletics championships in Gumi, South Korea, delivered a stark indictment.

Malaysia’s 29 athletes managed only a solitary bronze medal, claimed by men’s discus thrower Irfan Shamsuddin with a modest 58.82m effort.

That lone podium finish pales against the haul of our neighbours: Thailand’s seven medals, the Philippines’ gold, Singapore’s silvers, and Vietnam’s humble return.

Such performances exposed a deeper malaise — an erosion of talent and training standards.

Yet, there has been no serious examination of the fiasco in Gumi.

An independent inquiry would have helped us understand why established talents have all flopped in South Korea.

Shereen Samson Vallabouy, the US-based 400m bronze medallist at the 2023 Asian Games, clocked a sluggish 54.80 in the heats and failed to reach the semi-finals.

Khairul Hafiz Jantan, once a promising sprint star, clocked 10.71 in the 100m heats, far from his personal best.

Zaidatul Husniah Zulkifli, who holds the national women’s 100m record of 11.49, ran a season best of 11.65 in the heats, but in the final, clocked 12.01 to finish eighth and last.

The disqualified 4x100m men’s relay team were victims of a bungled baton exchange.

National hammer thrower Grace Wong and discus star Queenie Ting also underwhelmed, their best efforts landing three and four metres shy of their respective national records.

Did Shahidan and the MA management recognise this as a watershed moment, a siren for renewal?

With the SEA Games looming in December, time is rapidly running out for meaningful action.

Beyond quick fixes

There are no quick fixes to Malaysia’s athletic woes.

The sport’s illness requires a complete diagnosis and a commitment to long-term rebuilding.

This means honest assessments, embracing independent reviews, and acting decisively on recommendations.

It also involves fostering a transparent leadership that is genuinely committed to athlete development and excellence.

The current crop of athletes, some of whom showed flashes of promise at the recent championships, deserve a system that supports their growth.

They need access to better coaching, more competition, and a culture that celebrates perseverance and resilience.

A future in doubt or hope?

So, what can the new leadership do? Can the new president and his team turn the tide?

The answer hinges on their willingness to confront reality, prioritise athlete growth, and implement transparent, calculated reforms.

They must foster a culture of accountability, invest in coaching and facilities, and ensure that talented athletes receive the support they need to excel.

More importantly, they must move beyond personalities and politics.

The focus should be on building a sustainable ecosystem for athletics, one that encourages young talent, provides exposure, and nurtures a winning mindset.

Yet MA’s operations have been insular.

A vibrant athletics culture thrives on grassroots engagement – school meets, club competitions, district championships – that feed into national squads.

Under past administrations, these structures have shrunk.

The incoming leadership must prioritise connectivity: between clubs, districts and the national body; between athletes and administrators; and between Malaysia and international athletics networks.

Malaysia’s problem is not a lack of individual talent but a systemic failure to cultivate and sustain it.

A call for courage and change

Sunday’s election is not just about choosing leaders but about deciding whether the sport will continue to falter or rise anew.

Malaysia’s past glories are not lost forever, but they will remain just that — history — unless a new, bold leadership emerges to reimagine the sport’s trajectory.

It’s time for courage, honesty, accountability, and a genuine duty to excellence.

Only then can Malaysia hope to reclaim its place on the athletics map, fix its dignity, and inspire a new generation of champions.

Can the new president spark a convincing recovery, or will he merely extend the stagnation?

Anthony, another one lah

Kajang police: Express bus driver distracted while using Waze, unaware of Nilai height barrier before crashing into it



An express bus had hit a height restriction barrier in Nilai. — Picture from Facebook/Eware Ware

Saturday, 05 Jul 2025 4:29 PM MYT


KUALA LUMPUR, July 5 – The express bus which crashed into an overhead height barrier near Nilai last night was due to its driver reportedly failing to notice the structure while using the Waze navigation app.

Kajang police chief Asst Comm Naazron Abdul Yusof said the bus, which was travelling from Kuantan to destinations in Negeri Sembilan and Melaka, became stuck underneath the barrier due to the impact.


“The driver was not aware of the barrier when the incident occurred, and he was also using Waze for navigation,” he was quoted telling The Star.

The case is being investigated under Section 43(1) of the Road Transport Act 1987 for careless and inconsiderate driving.


Earlier, it was reported that seven individuals, including the driver, sustained minor injuries after the express bus they were travelling in hit a height restriction barrier on Jalan Arab Malaysia-Bukit Mahkota in Nilai last night.


Nilai Fire and Rescue Department operations commander Azmi Hamid said the injured comprised four men and three women, who are in their 30s to 50s.

Naazron added that the bus was carrying 22 people, including three children, when the crash occurred.

Four of those injured were taken to Hospital Serdang, while three others were sent to Hospital Tuanku Ja’afar in Seremban.

Who needs a successor? Dalai Lama tells followers he may live to 130

Who needs a successor? Dalai Lama tells followers he may live to 130



Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama attends a long-life prayer offering ceremony at the Main Tibetan Temple in McLeod Ganj, near Dharamsala, July 5, 2025. — AFP pic

Saturday, 05 Jul 2025 3:16 PM MYT


DHARAMSHALA, July 5 — The elderly Dalai Lama on Saturday said that he hopes to live until he is over 130 years old, days after he sought to allay speculation over his succession by saying he would reincarnate upon his death.

The Tibetan Buddhist spiritual leader was speaking during a ceremony organised by his followers to offer prayers for his long life, ahead of his 90th birthday on Sunday. The Dalai Lama previously told Reuters in December he might live to 110.

“I still hope to live for over 130 years,” the Dalai Lama told hundreds followers from around the world who gathered in the northern Indian hill town of Dharamshala, where he has lived after fleeing Tibet in 1959 in the wake of a failed uprising against Chinese rule.

“We have lost our country and we live in exile in India, but I have been able to benefit beings quite a lot. So, living here in Dharamshala, I intend to serve beings and the dharma as much as I can,” he said, referring to the teachings of the Buddha, according to a translation of his speech.


Beijing views the Dalai Lama as a separatist and has insisted that its leaders would have to approve his successor as a legacy from imperial times.


The Dalai Lama has previously said that he would reincarnate in the “free world” and this week told his followers that the sole authority to recognise his reincarnation rests solely with his non-profit institution, the Gaden Phodrang Trust. — Reuters

Shah Alam preacher arrested after wife claims he shared sex videos of her and his other spouses

Shah Alam preacher arrested after wife claims he shared sex videos of her and his other spouses



A preacher's mobile phones contained several sex videos involving the suspect and his wives, as well as compromising images of several other women. — Picture by Hari Anggara

Saturday, 05 Jul 2025 4:33 PM MYT


KUALA LUMPUR, July 5 – Police have reportedly arrested a preacher following allegations by his second wife that he distributed intimate videos involving her and his other spouses.

New Straits Times reported Shah Alam police chief Asst Comm Mohd Iqbal Ibrahim saying the woman lodged a police report on June 16, leading to the arrest of the suspect and the seizure of two mobile phones and a laptop.

“Initial investigations found that the mobile phones contained several sex videos involving the suspect and his wives, as well as compromising images of several other women,” he said.

The man was remanded for four days and has since been released on bail.


The case is being investigated under Section 509 of the Penal Code, Section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998, and Section 14 of the Minor Offences Act 1955.

‘Seats will be recaptured’: Zahid says Umno conducting studies to identify PAS, Bersatu-held areas to target next GE

‘Seats will be recaptured’: Zahid says Umno conducting studies to identify PAS, Bersatu-held areas to target next GE



Umno President Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi speaks at the Sri Gading Umno Division Conference launch in Parit Raja, Batu Pahat. — Bernama pic

Saturday, 05 Jul 2025 4:26 PM MYT


BATU PAHAT, July 5 — Barisan Nasional (BN) has expressed its intention to recapture several seats currently held by Bersatu and PAS in the upcoming General Election (GE).

Its chairman Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said that, for this purpose, various studies and surveys would be conducted to identify potential seats the party has a strong chance of winning.


“We will work hard... and the seats will be recaptured by Umno candidates in the upcoming GE,” he said when officiating the closing ceremony of the Sri Gading Umno Division Delegates' Meeting here today.

Also present were Johor Umno Liaison Committee chairman and Menteri Besar Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi, as well as Sri Gading Umno Division chief Datuk Mohd Lassim Burhan.


Ahmad Zahid, who is also Umno president, urged all members not to be swayed by the ‘UMDAP’ narrative propagated by the opposition, stressing that the current political cooperation involves a coalition between Barisan Nasional (BN) and Pakatan Harapan (PH).



“In BN, we also have MCA and MIC; in PH, there are DAP, PKR, and Amanah. So, let’s not fall for the opposition’s propaganda aimed at driving a wedge between BN and PH just so they can resort to the ‘tebuk atap’ (backdoor) tactic again,” said the Deputy Prime Minister.

Ahmad Zahid said the political cooperation currently being forged is a reality that all party members must accept and understand to ensure the stability of the government and to pave the way for Umno’s return to dominance.


“If we want to win, we must find a way to win. While we are in government, we must work seriously. We cannot expect victory if we are complacent, if we fight among ourselves, if we betray one another, or if we allow others to attack us without defending ourselves,” he said. — Bernama