Israel bombards Gaza City after ordering Palestinians to flee
Israeli forces killed at least 80 Palestinians in Gaza since dawn with dozens wounded including in an attack on Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital in Deir el-Balah
Monday, June 30, 2025
Political interference in chief justice appointment
A doctor warns against political interference in chief justice appointment
On right - former (late) Lord President of Supreme Court, Tun Salleh Abas
***
Behind closed doors: Mahathir’s 1988 showdown with Salleh Abas
The then-PM, from the beginning to the end, did not even look the Lord President in the eye
16 Jan 2021
Aliran mourns the passing of one of Malaysia’s most illustrious sons, Tun Salleh Abas.
The then-Lord President of the Supreme Court was known for his sharp legal mind and his unyielding courage in upholding judicial independence in the face of political interference by the executive. His grit in trying to uphold the independence of the judiciary earned him the wrath of the Mahathir administration, sparking a judicial crisis in 1988.
Salleh was dismissed unceremoniously from his job as head of the judiciary, along with five other Supreme Court judges. Since then, observers believe the judiciary has never regained the level of independence it once had.
On behalf of all justice-loving Malaysians, we convey our heartfelt condolences to Salleh’s family during this sad time.
The most fitting tribute to Salleh would be to never forget how he stood up for judicial independence under tremendous pressure. For this lonely struggle against great odds, history will regard him as a towering Malaysian.
The then-Lord President of the Supreme Court was known for his sharp legal mind and his unyielding courage in upholding judicial independence in the face of political interference by the executive. His grit in trying to uphold the independence of the judiciary earned him the wrath of the Mahathir administration, sparking a judicial crisis in 1988.
Salleh was dismissed unceremoniously from his job as head of the judiciary, along with five other Supreme Court judges. Since then, observers believe the judiciary has never regained the level of independence it once had.
On behalf of all justice-loving Malaysians, we convey our heartfelt condolences to Salleh’s family during this sad time.
The most fitting tribute to Salleh would be to never forget how he stood up for judicial independence under tremendous pressure. For this lonely struggle against great odds, history will regard him as a towering Malaysian.
It is in this spirit that we reproduce (exclusively from Aliran Monthly 1988, Volume 8 Issue 4) what transpired, from Salleh’s own notes, when he turned up for a meeting at the Prime Minister’s Office on 27 May 1988.
Salleh wrote:
When I arrived at the Prime Minister’s Department, I was met by a policeman who took me by lift to a waiting room.
After waiting for about two or three minutes, I was shown into the Prime Minister’s Office by an officer, whom I did not recognise.
There I found YAB Perdana Menteri seated at his table with YAB Encik Ghafar Baba, Timbalan Perdana Menteri, and Tan Sri Sallehuddin Mohamed, ketua setiausaha negara (chief secretary to the government) seated at the same table opposite the prime minister.
When I entered the room, I gave the prime minister and the others my salam (greetings) very loudly, and he replied my salam (peace be on you).
After l had taken my seat, the prime minister told me that he had an unpleasant duty to perform, and on being asked what it was, he replied that he had been asked by DYMM Seri Paduka Baginda Yang di-Pertuan Agong to tell me that l should step down.
I then expressed my surprise in an Islamic way, saying, “Glory to God, who is free from any partnership.”
Then I asked him for the reasons, and in reply, he said that he was not prepared to argue with me, but finally he said the reason was because I had written a letter to DYMM Seri Paduka Baginda Yang di-Pertuan Agong regarding the state of relationship between the Judiciary and the Executive.
When I told him that I wrote the letter simply because judges, at a meeting on 25 March 1988, had informed me that they were very concerned about the present situation and asked to express their views through me.
YAB Perdana Menteri then said that I made speeches indicating that I am biased and I am not qualified to sit in Umno cases.
I told him that I said nothing of that and the speeches I have made only dealt with the criticisms levelled at the judiciary. I am not at all biased or bipartisan in political matters.
While all this was going on, YAB Encik Ghafar Baba kept his head down while Tan Sri Sallehuddin was writing in a notebook, which he was then holding.
When finally, I said I would not resign, he (the PM) told me that if I stepped down, I would be given everything that I was entitled to.
I told him that I was entitled to nothing since I was not yet 60.
Obviously, he was surprised when told I was not 60 yet. Finally, he said that if I did not step down, he would institute a judicial tribunal with a view to removing me.
I told him I would not resign because if I did, I could not show my face to anyone and I might as well die.
He said that I could see the Agong if I wanted to and he would not stop me from doing so.
I told him that I would not be resigning and he could do what he pleased with me, including going ahead with the tribunal.
As there was nothing else to discuss, I finally said, “Datuk, I should not waste anybody’s time,” and I shook his hand, also Encik Ghafar Baba’s and Tan Sri Sallehuddin’s.
None of these three looked me right in my face, and I could detect Encik Ghafar Baba was strangely silent and Tan Sri Sallehuddin only caught me by the side of his eyes, but he too appeared to be subdued.
The prime minister himself, from the beginning to the end, did not even look me in the eye. He was looking down at his table all the time.
I left his room, and I only saw one policeman outside his room who appeared surprised to see me there.
When I went downstairs, there was nobody even to see me off, and no one called for my driver. I had to go out to look for my driver.
My future is tied up with the fate of this country. I come from an unknown family, and I have reached the top of my profession. I have no desire to leave until I have reached the age of 65 like my predecessors, except the sultan of Perak, who vacated the job because of a call of duty to be the ruler of Perak.
I leave my fate to the judgment of Allah, and as it is Friday, I wish to quote the Qur’an, which says, “No misfortune will fall on us except what has been decreed by Allah. He is our protector and in whom the believers should place their trust.”
This passage from the Qur’an struck my heart as I entered the door of the Prime Minister’s Office, and it remained with me during the course of our discussion till the end and to my exit from his room.
Comms minister: Penang to host Malaysia Day 2025 celebration in Butterworth
Comms minister: Penang to host Malaysia Day 2025 celebration in Butterworth
Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil is seen with Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow at the Komtar building here today. — Bernama pic
Monday, 30 Jun 2025 12:59 PM MYT
GEORGE TOWN, June 30 — The Malaysia Day 2025 celebration will be held at the PICCA Convention Centre @Arena Butterworth on the mainland on Sept 16, featuring a variety of programmes to enliven the event, said Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil.
He said the celebration will begin at 8.30 pm and is scheduled to be officiated by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
"Malaysia Day celebrations are sometimes held in open venues, such as last year at Padang Merdeka in Kota Kinabalu (Sabah), and sometimes indoors, like at Stadium Perpaduan in Kuching, Sarawak, two years ago.
“What’s different this time is that the Cabinet has decided that Sabah, Sarawak and Peninsular Malaysia will take turns hosting the Malaysia Day celebration. This aims to strengthen ties between the states and foster a greater sense of togetherness and patriotism,” he said.
He told reporters this after chairing the Malaysia Day 2025 Celebration Main Committee Meeting with Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow at the Komtar building here today.
Also present were Communications Ministry secretary-general Datuk Mohamad Fauzi Md Isa, Penang state secretary Datuk Zulkifli Long, Malaysian National News Agency (Bernama) chief executive officer Datin Paduka Nur-ul Afida Kamaludin, and directors and other senior officers of departments and agencies under the Communications Ministry and the Penang state government.
Fahmi said he would visit the PICCA Convention Centre today to inspect the venue and review preparations, including the programme content and schedule.
He added that he has instructed the Information Department and the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission, through the MADANI Community and National Information Dissemination Centre, to organise a series of events in conjunction with National Month, including community-level programmes in Penang.
Fahmi said this directive is also intended to further energise and enliven the National Day and Malaysia Day celebrations, while giving deeper meaning to the celebrations for the local community.
He said the celebration will also be attended by Penang Yang Dipertua Negeri Tun Ramli Ngah Talib, Sabah Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor and Sarawak Premier Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg.
Earlier, Fahmi, who is on a two-day working visit to Penang starting today, paid a courtesy call on Chow at the Chief Minister’s Office in Komtar, spending about 30 minutes there.
On June 11, Fahmi announced that this year’s Malaysia Day celebration would be held in Penang, in line with the practice of rotating the annual event between Sabah, Sarawak and Peninsular Malaysia. — Bernama
Quit BN but don’t join PN, says MCA division leader
FMT:
Quit BN but don’t join PN, says MCA division leader
Sungai Petani MCA chief Cheng Joo Choi says the party must rebuild itself as an independent opposition party while focussing on Chinese voters
MCA’s grassroots have called for the party to withdraw from BN amid discontent over its role in the federal administration.
PETALING JAYA: An MCA division leader has backed calls for the party to quit Barisan Nasional, but objects to it joining the opposition Perikatan Nasional.
Sungai Petani MCA chief Cheng Joo Choi said joining PN would only lead to MCA being perceived as hopping between coalitions, which would further hamper support from Chinese voters, Sin Chew Daily reported.
Cheng said MCA must abandon old mindsets and models, and rebuild itself as an independent party in the opposition.
“MCA can no longer just blindly follow orders. We cannot keep working hard without any control over the political game.
“Last year, our division officially passed a resolution to withdraw from BN, but it was not adopted at the state convention. Today, we raise it again because the situation demands a decisive move more than ever before,” he was quoted as saying.
He said MCA has been constrained ever since BN joined the unity government, with the party given a vague role while Umno and Pakatan Harapan integrated their resources and fastened their grip on power.
Cheng said MCA cannot keep relying on political “handouts”, and that, without the trust of Chinese voters, the party would not be able to support any form of political partnership.
“If MCA can’t even secure its own voter base, how can it talk about partnerships? Alliances are, at their core, mutual exchanges of interests.
“We need Malay votes, they need Chinese votes, but if we’ve lost the trust of the Chinese community, what’s the point of the exchange?”
This meant that MCA must go back to being focussed on the needs of the Chinese community, he said.
Cheng pointed out that former MCA president Liow Tiong Lai and current deputy president Mah Hang Soon had poured a lot of resources into their election campaigns in 2022, but still failed to win their contests.
“This proves that without support from the Chinese community, everything is in vain,” he said.
There have been growing calls from MCA’s grassroots for the party to withdraw from BN amid discontent over its role in the federal administration.
MCA’s leadership has said its next course of action would be based on what the grassroots decide on in their annual general meetings (AGM) at the division level.
Last week, MCA president Wee Ka Siong said the party would wait for the AGM for its decision on its future in the unity government.
Dipecat UiTM kes gangguan seksual, pensyarah ‘buat hal’ lagi
FMT:
Dipecat UiTM kes gangguan seksual, pensyarah ‘buat hal’ lagi
3 hours ago
Zeanaaima Mohd Yusof
Pensyarah berusia 52 tahun didakwa kali kedua atas tuduhan gangguan seksual terhadap pelajar
Kes terbongkar apabila mangsa berusia 21 tahun menerusi media sosialnya menceritakan bagaimana dia diminta hadir ke bilik pensyarah tersebut pada 23 April lalu. (Gambar fail)
PETALING JAYA: Bekas pensyarah Universiti Teknologi Mara (UiTM) yang didakwa kerana melakukan gangguan seksual pada 2024, sekali lagi berdepan tuduhan sama membabitkan pelajar sebuah kolej di Negeri Sembilan Mei lalu.
Sumber memberitahu FMT, kali ini lelaki berusia 52 tahun itu didakwa atas tuduhan serangan seksual secara lisan dengan niat mencabul kehormatan seseorang di sebuah kolej swasta di Nilai.
Tertuduh didakwa di Mahkamah Sesyen Seremban pada 21 Mei mengikut Seksyen 354 Kanun Keseksaan, dan digantung tugas hingga semalam.
Pegawai Penyiasat IPD Nilai, Hamimi Ramli, mengesahkan perkara itu kepada FMT dan memaklumkan sedang menunggu arahan lanjut daripada mahkamah.
“Orang kena tuduh (OKT) mengaku tidak bersalah dan dibenarkan ikat jamin RM3,000. Sekarang dalam proses serahan dokumen dan lantikan peguam bagi tertuduh,” katanya ketika dihubungi.
Kes itu terbongkar apabila mangsa berusia 21 tahun menerusi media sosialnya menceritakan bagaimana dia diminta hadir ke bilik pensyarah tersebut atas urusan pembelajaran pada 23 April lalu.
Namun, lelaki tersebut bercakap mengenai seks dan mahu pelajar pengurusan perniagaan itu menaip sesuatu perkataan di komputer ribanya untuk mencari imej berkaitan.
Mangsa yang ketakutan menghantar mesej kepada rakannya untuk meminta bantuan, dan membuat aduan kepada pihak pengurusan kolej serta laporan polis.
UiTM menamatkan perkhidmatan pensyarah itu susulan laporan FMT dua tahun lalu, selepas berdepan tuduhan gangguan seksual apabila meminta pelajar wanita menjawab soalan kaji selidik ‘melampau’ menerusi panggilan telefon.
Dia kemudian didakwa di Mahkamah Sesyen Tangkak pada Mac 2024 dan perbicaraan masih berlangsung sehingga kini.
Sumber memberitahu FMT, kali ini lelaki berusia 52 tahun itu didakwa atas tuduhan serangan seksual secara lisan dengan niat mencabul kehormatan seseorang di sebuah kolej swasta di Nilai.
Tertuduh didakwa di Mahkamah Sesyen Seremban pada 21 Mei mengikut Seksyen 354 Kanun Keseksaan, dan digantung tugas hingga semalam.
Pegawai Penyiasat IPD Nilai, Hamimi Ramli, mengesahkan perkara itu kepada FMT dan memaklumkan sedang menunggu arahan lanjut daripada mahkamah.
“Orang kena tuduh (OKT) mengaku tidak bersalah dan dibenarkan ikat jamin RM3,000. Sekarang dalam proses serahan dokumen dan lantikan peguam bagi tertuduh,” katanya ketika dihubungi.
Kes itu terbongkar apabila mangsa berusia 21 tahun menerusi media sosialnya menceritakan bagaimana dia diminta hadir ke bilik pensyarah tersebut atas urusan pembelajaran pada 23 April lalu.
Namun, lelaki tersebut bercakap mengenai seks dan mahu pelajar pengurusan perniagaan itu menaip sesuatu perkataan di komputer ribanya untuk mencari imej berkaitan.
Mangsa yang ketakutan menghantar mesej kepada rakannya untuk meminta bantuan, dan membuat aduan kepada pihak pengurusan kolej serta laporan polis.
UiTM menamatkan perkhidmatan pensyarah itu susulan laporan FMT dua tahun lalu, selepas berdepan tuduhan gangguan seksual apabila meminta pelajar wanita menjawab soalan kaji selidik ‘melampau’ menerusi panggilan telefon.
Dia kemudian didakwa di Mahkamah Sesyen Tangkak pada Mac 2024 dan perbicaraan masih berlangsung sehingga kini.
Inconsistency in extensions could fuel debate on judicial independence, says Rafizi
FMT:
Inconsistency in extensions could fuel debate on judicial independence, says Rafizi
The former economy minister says questions have been raised over why the top two judges have not been granted extensions, unlike others before them
Rafizi Ramli said if more than half of the Federal Court bench is set to retire, delays in court proceedings are a real concern.
PETALING JAYA: Former economy minister Rafizi Ramli has cautioned that perceived inconsistencies in the upcoming retirements of top judges could intensify public debate on judicial independence.
Rafizi asked why Chief Justice Tengku Maimun Tuan Mat and Court of Appeal president Abang Iskandar Abang Hashim, who are set to retire tomorrow and the day after, respectively, were not granted six-month extensions, unlike four other Federal Court judges.
“If extensions were given to other judges but not to the chief justice and Court of Appeal president, it could worsen the ongoing debate about judicial independence,” he said in a statement today.
Of the seven judges due to retire over the next six months, four have been granted extensions: Chief Judge of Malaya Hasnah Hashim, Chief Judge of Sabah and Sarawak Abdul Rahman Sebli, and Federal Court judges Zabariah Yusof and Hanipah Farikullah.
Rafizi, the Pandan MP, said his remarks were not political, but stemmed from concerns expressed by many in the legal profession who had personally reached out to him.
“It’s a reasonable concern given the current situation, where the possible vacancy of over half the Federal Court bench could significantly slow down court proceedings,” he said.
He urged Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim not to dismiss concerns from the legal fraternity, saying they were rooted in institutional considerations.
Rafizi also said the public debate had been compounded by other recent decisions involving key appointments in enforcement agencies, leading to growing speculation and unease.
He warned that if not properly addressed, the issue could damage Pakatan Harapan’s (PH) credibility.
“PKR and PH have long campaigned to defend judicial independence,” the former PKR deputy president said.
“It would be a tragedy if one day, PKR and PH are accused of weakening that very independence, giving rise to a new generation of youth determined to oppose us.”
Rafizi asked why Chief Justice Tengku Maimun Tuan Mat and Court of Appeal president Abang Iskandar Abang Hashim, who are set to retire tomorrow and the day after, respectively, were not granted six-month extensions, unlike four other Federal Court judges.
“If extensions were given to other judges but not to the chief justice and Court of Appeal president, it could worsen the ongoing debate about judicial independence,” he said in a statement today.
Of the seven judges due to retire over the next six months, four have been granted extensions: Chief Judge of Malaya Hasnah Hashim, Chief Judge of Sabah and Sarawak Abdul Rahman Sebli, and Federal Court judges Zabariah Yusof and Hanipah Farikullah.
Rafizi, the Pandan MP, said his remarks were not political, but stemmed from concerns expressed by many in the legal profession who had personally reached out to him.
“It’s a reasonable concern given the current situation, where the possible vacancy of over half the Federal Court bench could significantly slow down court proceedings,” he said.
He urged Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim not to dismiss concerns from the legal fraternity, saying they were rooted in institutional considerations.
Rafizi also said the public debate had been compounded by other recent decisions involving key appointments in enforcement agencies, leading to growing speculation and unease.
He warned that if not properly addressed, the issue could damage Pakatan Harapan’s (PH) credibility.
“PKR and PH have long campaigned to defend judicial independence,” the former PKR deputy president said.
“It would be a tragedy if one day, PKR and PH are accused of weakening that very independence, giving rise to a new generation of youth determined to oppose us.”
Caitlin Johnstone: Netanyahu Calls Israeli Soldiers’ Admission of War Crimes a ‘Blood Libel’
Consortium News
Volume 30, Number 180 —Monday, June 30, 2025
Caitlin Johnstone: Netanyahu Calls Israeli Soldiers’ Admission of War Crimes a ‘Blood Libel’
The soldiers told Haaretz newspaper they were ordered to kill unarmed Gazans who were seeking food.
Israeli soldier in Gaza, 2024 . (IDF Telegram channel/Wikimedia Commons)
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Israel Katz are publicly denouncing a report from an Israeli newspaper quoting Israeli soldiers who describe atrocities they were ordered to commit in the Israeli military, accusing the report of “blood libels.”
The Israeli newspaper Haaretz has published an article titled “‘It’s a Killing Field’: IDF Soldiers Ordered to Shoot Deliberately at Unarmed Gazans Waiting for Humanitarian Aid,” subtitled:
“IDF officers and soldiers told Haaretz they were ordered to fire at unarmed crowds near food distribution sites in Gaza, even when no threat was present. Hundreds of Palestinians have been killed, prompting the military prosecution to call for a review into possible war crimes.”
https://x.com/jasonhickel/status/1938507822120972440
One Israeli soldier attests that civilians seeking aid are “treated like a hostile force?—?no crowd-control measures, no tear gas?—?just live fire with everything imaginable: heavy machine guns, grenade launchers, mortars.”
“We open fire early in the morning if someone tries to get in line from a few hundred meters away, and sometimes we just charge at them from close range. But there’s no danger to the forces,” the soldier says, adding, “I’m not aware of a single instance of return fire. There’s no enemy, no weapons.”
IDF sources tell Haaretz that Gaza has become “a place with its own set of rules” where they are interacting with civilians with whom “your only means of interaction is opening fire.” Deadly military weapons are used as crowd control to steer the starving populace wherever it’s determined they’re supposed to be, routinely killing desperate aid seekers.
Another soldier describes being instructed to fire artillery shells at a crowd to keep them at a distance, saying, “Every time we fire, there are casualties and deaths, and when someone asks why a shell is necessary, there’s never a good answer. Sometimes, merely asking the question annoys the commanders.”
In quote after quote after quote we read Israeli soldiers describing atrocities they were ordered to commit which they knew were wrong. I guess Israel’s PR machine never counted on some of the soldiers they sent in to perpetrate the Gaza holocaust having an actual conscience.
https://x.com/caitoz/status/1938737242354393414
A joint statement from Netanyahu and Katz denounced the report, accusing Haaretz of publishing “blood libels.”
“The State of Israel absolutely rejects the contemptible blood libels that have been published in the Ha’aretz newspaper, according to which ‘IDF Soldiers Ordered to Shoot Deliberately at Unarmed Gazans Waiting for Humanitarian Aid.’ These are malicious falsehoods designed to defame the IDF, the most moral military in the world,” the statement reads.
“Blood libel” refers to the way medieval Europeans used to falsely accuse Jews of murdering Christian children in blood sacrifices?—?an early form of atrocity propaganda used to justify the persecution of Jews.
So again, just to be absolutely clear, the leader of the Israeli government is claiming that an Israeli newspaper quoting Israeli soldiers describing their own atrocities is antisemitic. And that mountains of testimony from inside the IDF is “designed to defame the IDF, the most moral military in the world.”
What can I even say about that here? It speaks for itself. I have nothing to add.
The more exposed Israel’s criminality becomes, the more absurd the arguments made in its defense are getting.
Caitlin Johnstone’s work is entirely reader-supported, so if you enjoyed this piece please consider sharing it around, following her on Facebook, Twitter, Soundcloud, YouTube, or throwing some money into her tip jar on Ko-fi, Patreon or Paypal. If you want to read more you can buy her books. The best way to make sure you see the stuff she publishes is to subscribe to the mailing list at her website or on Substack, which will get you an email notification for everything she publishes. For more info on who she is, where she stands and what she’s trying to do with her platform, click here. All works are co-authored with her American husband Tim Foley.
This article is from CaitlinJohnstone.com.au and re-published with permission.
Why the outrage over PAS' 'Chinese PM' remark?
S Thayaparan
Published: Jun 30, 2025 8:01 AM
Updated: 10:01 AM
“Non-Malays and non-Muslims had never asked to take the prime minister's position, so why introduce something that was never an issue?”
COMMENT | Now, of course, what PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang’s son-in-law posted was racist. Here’s the thing, though: does it warrant the kind of outrage that non-Malay/Muslim political operatives are exhibiting?
I mean, if they aspired to the highest post in the land, if non-Malay/Muslim children were encouraged to aspire to the highest civilian position in the land, if the system encouraged inclusive participation in political process where non-Malays/Muslims actively pursued the post of prime minister, then I could understand the outrage.
I would be outraged if I were told that there was something wrong if a non-Malay/Muslim were to be the prime minister of this country.
But the system is not set up this way. Non-Malay/Muslim political operatives do not participate in the process as equals. In fact, they make sure that the base and the younger generation of non-Malays/Muslims know their place in the ketuanan system.
The quote that opens this piece is from 2017, when PAS mooted the idea of making a constitutional amendment to make the post of prime minister solely for Muslims.
Non-Malays/Muslims have internalised the fact that they could never be prime minister of this country, and even if they dreamt such dreams, the non-Malay/Muslim political establishment would shut them down.
Remember how MCA weaponised this issue back in the day? In 2011, Lim Guan Eng had to fend off accusations by the MCA that he wanted to be prime minister.
Published: Jun 30, 2025 8:01 AM
Updated: 10:01 AM
“Non-Malays and non-Muslims had never asked to take the prime minister's position, so why introduce something that was never an issue?”
- Lim Guan Eng circa 2017
COMMENT | Now, of course, what PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang’s son-in-law posted was racist. Here’s the thing, though: does it warrant the kind of outrage that non-Malay/Muslim political operatives are exhibiting?
I mean, if they aspired to the highest post in the land, if non-Malay/Muslim children were encouraged to aspire to the highest civilian position in the land, if the system encouraged inclusive participation in political process where non-Malays/Muslims actively pursued the post of prime minister, then I could understand the outrage.
I would be outraged if I were told that there was something wrong if a non-Malay/Muslim were to be the prime minister of this country.
But the system is not set up this way. Non-Malay/Muslim political operatives do not participate in the process as equals. In fact, they make sure that the base and the younger generation of non-Malays/Muslims know their place in the ketuanan system.
The quote that opens this piece is from 2017, when PAS mooted the idea of making a constitutional amendment to make the post of prime minister solely for Muslims.
Non-Malays/Muslims have internalised the fact that they could never be prime minister of this country, and even if they dreamt such dreams, the non-Malay/Muslim political establishment would shut them down.
Remember how MCA weaponised this issue back in the day? In 2011, Lim Guan Eng had to fend off accusations by the MCA that he wanted to be prime minister.
DAP chairperson Lim Guan Eng
"Chua (Soi Lek) is unethical, immoral, and irresponsible for referring to a Facebook page '1M Malaysians Support Lim Guan Eng To Be Prime Minister Of Malaysia' when making his remarks," Guan Eng told the media in Butterworth.
"It seems that the MCA is now working with Utusan Malaysia to attack us; they are in the same boat, playing the same dirty tactics."
Equality
Also keep in mind that the non-Malays/Muslims and the DAP base would never entertain the idea of a non-Malay/Muslim prime minister because that would not be “pragmatic”.
This, of course, proves the big lie that of fighting for equality and the non-Malay/Muslim place under the Malaysian sun is a desideratum of the DAP.
“Equality” is, unfortunately, an all-or-nothing proposition, and while there will always be systemic imbalances that need to be addressed, there should always be equality before the law and a constitution that recognises such imperatives.
I realise that many non-Malays/Muslims do not subscribe to my views on this issue, but ultimately, when we pick through the wreckage of this country, historians will realise that we never really had a chance because we never really had a committed civil rights movement to stem the tide of racial and religious supremacy.
Two years ago, the grand old man of Malaysian politics and someone who, even though I have criticised, I still consider one of the few remaining Malaysian originals, Lim Kit Siang, was investigated by the state for having the audacity to claim that one day Malaysia may have a non-Muslim prime minister.
"Chua (Soi Lek) is unethical, immoral, and irresponsible for referring to a Facebook page '1M Malaysians Support Lim Guan Eng To Be Prime Minister Of Malaysia' when making his remarks," Guan Eng told the media in Butterworth.
"It seems that the MCA is now working with Utusan Malaysia to attack us; they are in the same boat, playing the same dirty tactics."
Equality
Also keep in mind that the non-Malays/Muslims and the DAP base would never entertain the idea of a non-Malay/Muslim prime minister because that would not be “pragmatic”.
This, of course, proves the big lie that of fighting for equality and the non-Malay/Muslim place under the Malaysian sun is a desideratum of the DAP.
“Equality” is, unfortunately, an all-or-nothing proposition, and while there will always be systemic imbalances that need to be addressed, there should always be equality before the law and a constitution that recognises such imperatives.
I realise that many non-Malays/Muslims do not subscribe to my views on this issue, but ultimately, when we pick through the wreckage of this country, historians will realise that we never really had a chance because we never really had a committed civil rights movement to stem the tide of racial and religious supremacy.
Two years ago, the grand old man of Malaysian politics and someone who, even though I have criticised, I still consider one of the few remaining Malaysian originals, Lim Kit Siang, was investigated by the state for having the audacity to claim that one day Malaysia may have a non-Muslim prime minister.
DAP veteran Lim Kit Siang
From reportage: He spoke of the possibility of a non-Malay prime minister in Malaysia when commenting on how Barack Obama, who is African-American, could become the president of the United States after more than 230 years since the founding of the country.
Kit Siang, however, said that for a non-Malay to become the prime minister is a "statement of fact", not a "statement of reality", and he did not expect it to happen within the next 100 years.
According to Kit Siang, his statement was also supported by the fact that the Federal Constitution provides that non-Malays can become prime minister.
PAS and ketuanan establishment
PAS and the ketuanan establishment obsess over a "Chinese PM” because they are acutely aware of how the non-Muslim bumiputera of Sabah and Sarawak have just as much right as anyone (in Malaysia) to aspire to the highest office in the land.
They realise that there is an awakening in Sabah and Sarawak, and who knows what kind of political realignment will emerge from a nationalistic Sabah and Sarawak. And if non-Muslims in Sabah and Sarawak who are bumiputera can become prime minister, why not non-Muslims in the peninsula?
Non-Malay/Muslim political operatives exhibit outrage because it is good politics for their base. It doesn't mean that they want to change the system, and indeed they wouldn’t because this would give ammo to the ketuanan establishment.
Of course, PAS wants to distance itself from what Hadi’s son-in-law said, but that is just for politics, too.
From reportage: He spoke of the possibility of a non-Malay prime minister in Malaysia when commenting on how Barack Obama, who is African-American, could become the president of the United States after more than 230 years since the founding of the country.
Kit Siang, however, said that for a non-Malay to become the prime minister is a "statement of fact", not a "statement of reality", and he did not expect it to happen within the next 100 years.
According to Kit Siang, his statement was also supported by the fact that the Federal Constitution provides that non-Malays can become prime minister.
PAS and ketuanan establishment
PAS and the ketuanan establishment obsess over a "Chinese PM” because they are acutely aware of how the non-Muslim bumiputera of Sabah and Sarawak have just as much right as anyone (in Malaysia) to aspire to the highest office in the land.
They realise that there is an awakening in Sabah and Sarawak, and who knows what kind of political realignment will emerge from a nationalistic Sabah and Sarawak. And if non-Muslims in Sabah and Sarawak who are bumiputera can become prime minister, why not non-Muslims in the peninsula?
Non-Malay/Muslim political operatives exhibit outrage because it is good politics for their base. It doesn't mean that they want to change the system, and indeed they wouldn’t because this would give ammo to the ketuanan establishment.
Of course, PAS wants to distance itself from what Hadi’s son-in-law said, but that is just for politics, too.
Hadi’s son-in-law sparks outrage after using Johnny Lim’s promotion to lieutenant general to craft a fictional “future” where a Chinese prime minister emerges via foreign-born lineage.
Keep in mind when Hadi’s son-in-law says this: “There was no explicit or implicit insult or belittling of the appointment. I meant to say that appointing a non-Muslim bumiputera is a norm, but a non-Malay PM should not be treated as normal like non-Malay appointments in the armed forces.”
This is exactly what the mainstream political establishment, Malays and non-Malays, subscribe to.
And, of course, all of this detracts from the failings of the reform government, which was supposed to bring reforms but instead relies on the BN era social contract to control the non-Malays/Muslims and appease the religious state through tax ringgit.
What did Noam Chomsky say? “The smart way to keep people passive and obedient is to strictly limit the spectrum of acceptable opinion but allow very lively debate within that spectrum - even encourage the more critical and dissident views.
“That gives people the sense that there’s free thinking going on, while all the time the presuppositions of the system are being reinforced by the limits put on the range of the debate.”
Notice how everyone in Pakatan Harapan is attempting to define this outrage about a non-Malay/Muslim getting a promotion (the highest ever) in the armed forces, but nobody in Harapan is asking what is wrong with Malaysia having a Chinese prime minister?
Keep in mind when Hadi’s son-in-law says this: “There was no explicit or implicit insult or belittling of the appointment. I meant to say that appointing a non-Muslim bumiputera is a norm, but a non-Malay PM should not be treated as normal like non-Malay appointments in the armed forces.”
This is exactly what the mainstream political establishment, Malays and non-Malays, subscribe to.
And, of course, all of this detracts from the failings of the reform government, which was supposed to bring reforms but instead relies on the BN era social contract to control the non-Malays/Muslims and appease the religious state through tax ringgit.
What did Noam Chomsky say? “The smart way to keep people passive and obedient is to strictly limit the spectrum of acceptable opinion but allow very lively debate within that spectrum - even encourage the more critical and dissident views.
“That gives people the sense that there’s free thinking going on, while all the time the presuppositions of the system are being reinforced by the limits put on the range of the debate.”
Notice how everyone in Pakatan Harapan is attempting to define this outrage about a non-Malay/Muslim getting a promotion (the highest ever) in the armed forces, but nobody in Harapan is asking what is wrong with Malaysia having a Chinese prime minister?
S THAYAPARAN is commander (Rtd) of the Royal Malaysian Navy. Fīat jūstitia ruat cælum - “Let justice be done though the heavens fall.”
Norwegian fund bars US, German arms makers over Gaza war
FMT:
Norwegian fund bars US, German arms makers over Gaza war
Norway’s KLP drops US firm Oshkosh and Germany’s ThyssenKrupp from its investments, marking a shift in strategy
The fund says it drops Oshkosh and ThyssenKrupp for supplying trucks to the Israeli military that are used in Gaza. (AP pic)
OSLO: Norway’s biggest pension fund KLP said Monday it had dropped US group Oshkosh Corporation and Germany’s ThyssenKrupp from its investment portfolio for selling weapons and equipment used by Israel’s military in Gaza.
KLP – which is separate from Norway’s sovereign wealth fund, the world’s largest – said Oshkosh Corporation was supplying trucks to the Israeli military, which adapts them into armoured troop transport vehicles.
The fund also accused ThyssenKrupp of agreeing to supply Israel’s navy, before the outbreak of the war in Gaza, with corvettes and submarines.
“Companies have an independent duty to exercise due diligence in order to avoid complicity in violations of fundamental human rights and humanitarian law,” Kiran Aziz, head of responsible investments at KLP Asset Management, said in a statement.
KLP, which managed assets worth $114 billion in the first quarter, sold its holdings in Oshkosh Corporation valued at 19 million kroner (US$1.9 million).
It also sold its investment in ThyssenKrupp worth 10 million kroner.
The two companies were excluded on the basis of KLP’s criterion relating to the “sale of weapons to states in armed conflicts that use the weapons in ways that represent serious and systematic breaches of international law governing the conflicts”, KLP said.
The fund emphasised that the two companies had long-established cooperations with the Israeli army, and their deliveries continued after the start of the Gaza war on Oct 7, 2023.
“The transfer of weapons and ammunition to Israel may constitute serious violations of human rights and international humanitarian laws and risk state complicity in international crimes, possibly including genocide,” UN experts warned in June 2024.
Meanwhile, Norway’s sovereign wealth fund, whose assets are valued at around US$1.9 trillion, is also under pressure to divest further from groups accused of helping Israel wage war on Gaza and continue its settlement policy in the occupied West Bank.
UK PM Starmer condemns Glastonbury ‘death to IDF’ chant, calls for BBC to explain broadcast
UK PM Starmer condemns Glastonbury ‘death to IDF’ chant, calls for BBC to explain broadcast
Britain's Prime Minister Keir Starmer speaks to members of the media during a visit to RAF Valley, on Anglesey in north-west wales on June 27, 2025. — AFP pic
Monday, 30 Jun 2025 11:05 AM MYT
LONDON, June 30 — UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer yesterday added his voice to those condemning a British punk-rap group for anti-Israel remarks at the Glastonbury music festival, an incident that has already sparked a police inquiry.
Bob Vylan led crowds in chants of “Death, death to the IDF”, a reference to the acronym for the Israeli military, during their set on Saturday.
British police officers are also examining comments by the Irish rap trio Kneecap, whose members have also been highly critical of Israel and its military campaign against the Palestinian militant group Hamas in the Gaza Strip.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer told The Telegraph Sunday that “there is no excuse for this kind of appalling hate speech”.
“I said that Kneecap should not be given a platform and that goes for any other performers making threats or inciting violence,” he added.
“The BBC needs to explain how these scenes came to be broadcast,” he said, referring to the country’s national broadcaster.
One of Kneecap’s members wore a T-shirt dedicated to the Palestine Action Group, which is about to be banned under UK terror laws.
The festival’s organisers said Bob Vylan’s comments had “very much crossed a line”.
“We are urgently reminding everyone involved in the production of the festival that there is no place at Glastonbury for antisemitism, hate speech or incitement to violence,” the festival said in a statement.
Avon and Somerset police said Saturday that video evidence would be assessed by officers “to determine whether any offences may have been committed that would require a criminal investigation”.
‘Life is sacred’
The chants about Israel’s military were led by Bob Vylan’s frontman Bobby Vylan, and were broadcast live on the BBC, which airs coverage of Britain’s most popular music festival.
“I thought it’s appalling,” Wes Streeting, the Labour government’s health secretary, said of the chants.
“I think the BBC and Glastonbury have got questions to answer about how we saw such a spectacle on our screens,” he told Sky News.
The Israel embassy said in a statement late Saturday that “it was “deeply disturbed by the inflammatory and hateful rhetoric expressed on stage at the Glastonbury Festival”.
But Streeting also took aim at the embassy, telling it to “get your own house in order”.
“I think there’s a serious point there by the Israeli embassy. I wish they’d take the violence of their own citizens towards Palestinians more seriously,” he said, citing Israeli settler violence in the West Bank.
Festival-goer Joe McCabe, 31, told AFP that while he did not necessarily agree with Vylan’s statement, “I certainly think the message of questioning what’s going on there (in Gaza) is right”.
A spokesperson for the BBC said Vylan’s comments were “deeply offensive” and the broadcaster had “no plans” to make the performance available on its on-demand service.
While the BBC reported that Kneecap’s set was not broadcast live over editorial concerns surrounding impartiality, it announced Sunday that an edited version was made available on iPlayer.
It said the edits ensured the content fell within the “limits of artistic expression” in line with its editorial guidelines, and they had put warnings for strong language in the video.
‘A joke’
Kneecap, which has made headlines in recent months with its pro-Palestinian and anti-Israel stance, also led crowds in chanting abuse against UK Prime Minister Starmer.
Starmer and other politicians had said the band should not perform after its member Liam O’Hanna, known by his stage name Mo Chara, was charged with a terror offence.
He appeared in court this month accused of having displayed a Hezbollah flag while saying “Up Hamas, Up Hezbollah” after a video resurfaced of a London concert last year.
The Iran-backed Lebanese force Hezbollah and the Palestinian militant group Hamas are banned in the UK, and it is an offence to express support for them.
O’Hanna has denied the charge and told the Guardian newspaper in an interview published Friday that “it was a joke—we’re playing characters”.
The group, which regularly leads crowds in chants of “Free Palestine” during its concerts, apologised this year after a 2023 video emerged appearing to show one singer calling for the death of British Conservative lawmakers.
Israel began its offensive against Hamas in the Palestinian territory of Gaza after the militants launched an attack that resulted in 1,219 deaths, mostly civilians, according to an AFP tally based on Israeli official figures.
Israel’s retaliatory military campaign has killed at least 56,412 people in Gaza, also mostly civilians, according to Hamas-run territory’s health ministry. The United Nations considers these figures to be reliable. — AFP
Out-Nazi-ing the Nazi's
Each day I find that I am beginning to believe the Nazi-SS (& Gestapo) and the Kempeitai were NOT the worst evil war criminals that I thought them to be.
I am now convinced that the sum of their evil wickedness has by far been exceeded by the Shailoks.
Trump: ‘Very wealthy’ group lined up to buy TikTok, deal could need Xi Jinping’s nod
Trump: ‘Very wealthy’ group lined up to buy TikTok, deal could need Xi Jinping’s nod
A federal law requiring TikTok’s sale or ban on national security grounds was due to take effect the day before Donald Trump’s inauguration on January 20. But the Republican, whose 2024 election campaign relied heavily on social media and who has said he is fond of TikTok, put the ban on pause. — Reuters pic
Monday, 30 Jun 2025 9:12 AM MYT
WASHINGTON, June 30 — President Donald Trump said Sunday a group of buyers had been found for TikTok, which faces a looming ban in the United States due to its China ties, adding he could name the purchasers in two weeks.
“We have a buyer for TikTok, by the way,” Trump said in an interview on Fox’s Sunday Morning Futures with Maria Bartiromo.
“Very wealthy people. It’s a group of wealthy people,” the president said, without revealing more except to say he would make their identities known “in about two weeks.”
The president also said he would likely need “China approval” for the sale, “and I think President Xi (Jinping) will probably do it.”
TikTok is owned by China-based internet company ByteDance.
A federal law requiring TikTok’s sale or ban on national security grounds was due to take effect the day before Trump’s inauguration on January 20. But the Republican, whose 2024 election campaign relied heavily on social media and who has said he is fond of TikTok, put the ban on pause.
In mid-June Trump extended a deadline for the popular video-sharing app by another 90 days to find a non-Chinese buyer or be banned in the United States.
Tech experts quickly described the TikTok kerfuffle as a symbol of the heated US-China tech rivalry.
While Trump had long supported a ban or divestment, he reversed his position and vowed to defend the platform — which boasts almost two billion global users — after coming to believe it helped him win young voters’ support in the November election.
“I have a little warm spot in my heart for TikTok,” Trump told NBC News in early May. “If it needs an extension, I would be willing to give it an extension.”
Now after two extensions pushed the deadline to June 19, Trump has extended it for a third time.
He said in May that a group of purchasers was ready to pay ByteDance “a lot of money” for TikTok’s US operations.
The previous month he said China would have agreed to a deal on the sale of TikTok if it were not for a dispute over Trump’s tariffs on Beijing.
ByteDance has confirmed talks with the US government, saying key matters needed to be resolved and that any deal would be “subject to approval under Chinese law.” — AFP
PM pushes back against lobby to extend CJ's term, calls it politicisation
PM pushes back against lobby to extend CJ's term, calls it politicisation
Summary
- Efforts to lobby for the extension of Chief Justice Tengku Maimun Tuan Mat are a politicisation of the judicial appointments process, says Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim.
- Anwar stresses that the prime minister plays no part in judicial appointments and that he is caught between a rock and a hard place.
- He similarly says that the recent DNAA and acquittals in high-profile court cases are the judiciary’s sole prerogative.
***
kt comments:
PM Anwar is correct in that the recent frenetic frenzied fanatical demands for the contract of out-going CJ Tengku Maimun to be extended is nothing short of 'politicisation'.
PSM's Aru even had the brazen kerbau-ism to suggest the PM's silence on extending CJ Tengku Maimun's ending contract would be reminiscent of the 1988 'Constitutional Crisis'. What balderdash when in 1988 it was the evil doings of a draconian dictator who ousted the Lord President whilst now it's the time ending of the CJ's contract terms - where's the frigging equivalent?
Tengku Maimun's contract may be extended or not extended, depending upon the circumstances, but to apply undue political pressure on the PM is sheer bullying - frigg off pluz!
***
PM Anwar: Judicial extensions not automatic, follow Constitution, not politics
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim (second from right) speaks at the monthly assembly of personnel in the Prime Minister’s Office in Putrajaya on June 30, 2025 — Picture by Raymond Manuel
Monday, 30 Jun 2025 10:47 AM MYT
PUTRAJAYA, June 30 — Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim today said judicial appointments and service extensions are not automatic, but must follow constitutional procedures.
He said this applies not just to judges but also to civil servants nearing retirement.
“Those who understand the Constitution will know the process.There is a commission, there is the Prime Minister, there is the King, and the appointments are discussed with the Conference of Rulers. Everything follows procedure.
“Any officer nearing retirement must follow established procedures. An extension of service is not automatic, yet it has now become a political issue, with campaigns either demanding a reappointment or opposing it,” he said after the monthly assembly for staff at the Prime Minister’s Office here.
Chief Justice Tun Tengku Maimun Tuan Mat is set to retire upon turning 66 on July 2, the mandatory retirement age for judges.
Speculation has been rife about whether her tenure will be extended or otherwise but the government has not yet made any announcements.
Under Article 125(1) of the Federal Constitution, judges may be granted such an extension with the consent of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong.
Anwar also spoke on two recent high-profile court decisions and the following public perceptions that hinted at political interference.
He stressed that he does not interfere in judicial decisions and refrains from meeting senior judges unless necessary, which is on administrative matters.
“I have observed two major recent cases, one involving Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak and the other, Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman, both received DNAA,” he said, using the initials for a discharge not amounting to an acquittal.
“Yet both sides had opposing views. This clearly shows it’s not a matter of principle, but political opinions,” he said.
He said that whether the courts chose to grant a DNAA or otherwise “that is not my responsibility. If they choose not to, that too is not within my control”.
He said his duty as prime minister is to uphold the independence of the judiciary.
Israel kills 72 in Gaza, including hungry Palestinians waiting for food
Israel kills 72 in Gaza, including hungry Palestinians waiting for food
Calls for a ceasefire grow as US and Israeli leaders discuss a potential truce amid escalating violence in Gaza.
Home Minister confirms no Malaysian involvement in Bangladeshi militant group, police dismantle extremist network
Home Minister confirms no Malaysian involvement in Bangladeshi militant group, police dismantle extremist network
Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail has confirmed that no Malaysians were recruited into a foreign militant network linked to Bangladeshi nationals, which was recently uncovered by authorities. — Bernama pic
Sunday, 29 Jun 2025 8:21 PM MYT
BERANG, June 29 — Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail has confirmed that no Malaysians were recruited into a foreign militant network linked to Bangladeshi nationals, which was recently uncovered by authorities.
He said investigations by the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM) Special Branch revealed that the group, which aimed to spread extremist ideology rooted in Islamic State (IS) beliefs, involved only Bangladeshi nationals.
“Their activities were focused on violent extremism with the objective of toppling the government in their country of origin (Bangladesh),” he said.
Saifuddin Nasution was speaking to reporters after launching the Kampung Angkat Madani and Sekolah Angkat Madani programmes under the People’s Volunteer Corps (RELA) 2025 initiative at the Hulu Terengganu District Council Hall here.
“It is important to inform the public that our security forces are on high alert. If such activities are not addressed firmly, they could pose a serious threat to national security,” he added.
Saifuddin Nasution had earlier revealed that police dismantled the foreign militant network with the arrest of 36 Bangladeshi nationals suspected of direct involvement in the radical movement. The arrests were made in a three-phase security operation in Selangor and Johor starting April 24.
In another development, Saifuddin Nasution said the National Scam Response Centre (NSRC) will soon undergo restructuring to enhance its effectiveness, with the Royal Malaysia Police taking the lead, supported by other key agencies.
“Previously, four agencies, the police, Bank Negara, the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) and others, shared oversight of the NSRC which led to certain operational shortcomings.
“Under the new structure, the police will directly receive scam reports, record the necessary details, and notify the relevant banks immediately to freeze the victim’s account. Efforts to recover stolen funds will follow promptly,” he said.
The restructuring will also see the NSRC’s 997 hotline operate 24 hours a day, allowing victims to lodge reports at any time. The number of staff will also be increased to improve response time and victim support.
Saifuddin Nasution added that the proposed improvements have been approved by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and will be implemented soon. — Bernama
Imported fruits getting too pricey? Here are local alternatives that outshine them in nutrition
Imported fruits getting too pricey? Here are local alternatives that outshine them in nutrition
Fruits displayed for sale at the Chow Kit market in Kuala Lumpur June 25, 2025. — Picture by Firdaus Latif
Monday, 30 Jun 2025 7:00 AM MYT
KUALA LUMPUR, June 30 — With the revised and expanded Sales and Service Tax (SST) on imported goods set to take effect next month, Malaysians are bracing for a significant increase in the prices of imported fruits.
Earlier this month, the government announced a targeted SST review that will take effect on July 1, 2025, which will include imported fruits, except apples and oranges.
With the new taxes in place, consumers may find imported fruits like berries, grapes, and cherries becoming more expensive.
However, Malaysia has a diverse range of local fruits that not only rival but often surpass their imported counterparts in nutritional value.
As a result, budget-conscious Malaysians may turn to these local alternatives, which offer both flavour and nutrition.
Local fruits that beat imports
While enjoying a diverse array of fruits from around the world is certainly a delightful experience, it’s equally important to recognise and appreciate the worthy options found locally.
Here’s a list of local fruits that can be a great alternative to their imported counterparts in terms of nutrition and minerals:
Apples vs guava
While apples are often branded as a healthy fruit for their fibre content and low-calorie count, guava steps up with even higher fibre and an impressive vitamin C boost, offering antioxidant benefits that surpass those of apples.
For comparison, 100g of guava contains 5.4g of dietary fibre compared to an apple, which only has 2.4g.
The same amount of guava also has an impressive 228mg of vitamin C, while apple only has 4.6mg.
Blueberries vs mangosteen
Known for their antioxidant properties, blueberries are often sought after for their antioxidant content.
Mangosteen, with its potent xanthones, offers similar antioxidant benefits plus additional anti-inflammatory effects.
Research suggests that xanthones offer a range of potential health benefits, including anti-cancer, and antimicrobial properties.
Grapes vs langsat
Grapes are a popular source of antioxidants and Vitamin K, responsible for bone health and the healing of injuries.
Langsat, on the other hand, offers similar benefits, plus it contains B vitamins that are crucial for energy production.
Strawberries vs rambutan
Both these fruits are rich in vitamin C and antioxidants.
Rambutan also offers vitamin A and other minerals such as manganese, copper, potassium, calcium, and magnesium.
Orange vs papaya
Papaya is a great substitute for oranges when it comes to vitamin C content.
For comparison, 100g of papaya provides over 60mg of vitamin C, which is about 20 per cent higher than an equivalent serving of orange.
Malaysia boasts a variety of local fruits that offer superior nutrition and minerals compared to their imported counterparts. — Picture by Firdaus Latif
Do imported fruits have higher nutritional value?
Despite a common perception that imported fruits are more premium, largely due to their exotic appeal and higher price tags, local fruits may often be a fresher alternative to their imported counterparts.
The perceived superiority of imported fruits is often linked to branding and prestige, overlooking key aspects such as freshness and nutritional value in homegrown fruits.
Additionally, imported fruits, by nature of their long journey from their country of origin, must go through rigorous logistical processes to reach Malaysian shelves.
These processes often include treatments like waxing and deep freezing to stretch shelf life.
For instance, apples and citrus fruits are sometimes coated with a thin layer of wax to preserve moisture and maintain their appearance during the multi-week shipping transit, haulage, and sorting before they hit the shelves.
Such processes and the lengthy journey can often impact their taste, texture or even nutritional value.
In contrast, Malaysian fruits, being locally grown and harvested, offer greater freshness.
Often picked at peak ripeness, the short supply chain from local farms to markets means that they are less likely to undergo any preservation processes, making them an even healthier option.
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