Puad: MPs' revolt against Anwar would outclass PAS' street rallies
In a Facebook post today, he contended that Pandan MP Rafizi Ramli and his band of MPs withdrawing support would be more potent against Anwar.
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New Straits Times
23 minutes ago
- New Straits Times
Budget 2026 to sharpen Malaysia's edge in high-value sectors
PUTRAJAYA: Budget 2026, to be tabled on Oct 10, will focus on enhancing Malaysia's competitive edge in high-value industries such as semiconductors, renewable energy, the Islamic economy, digitalisation and Artificial Intelligence (AI), while also raising the floor through inclusive and targeted measures. The budget – the fourth under Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim's leadership – will be the first to support the development policy framework of the 13th Malaysia Plan (13MP). At the start of the first engagement session this morning, which saw the participation of nearly 300 stakeholders from various sectors, Finance Minister II Datuk Seri Amir Hamzah Azizan said the upcoming budget aims to reflect the aspirations of all Malaysians. "Budget 2026 is the first to support the 13MP. The measures introduced will continue to raise both the ceiling and the floor, grounded in good governance," he said. Despite the ringgit emerging as one of Asia's best-performing currencies – strengthening to RM4.23 against the US dollar, a nearly five per cent gain as of Aug 5 – the government remains committed to taking Malaysia to greater heights. Amir Hamzah said Malaysia's regional competitiveness remained intact, following the United States' decision to lower tariffs to 19 per cent – rates now on par with those granted to regional peers such as Indonesia, Cambodia, and Thailand. To further build economic resilience, the government will prioritise empowering Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) to produce goods and services that are distinctly "Made by Malaysia." He added that Budget 2026 will also focus on raising the floor – through improved delivery of government services, reforms in education and healthcare, enhanced social protection, and targeted assistance for vulnerable groups. This morning's session also served as a platform to gather feedback on improving the ease of doing business in Malaysia. Budget 2026 is the first to be developed based on policies introduced during Anwar's administration – rather than those inherited from previous governments.
Focus Malaysia
an hour ago
- Focus Malaysia
'PMX's directing MCMC to probe Muhyiddin's denial of backing RON95 subsidies for foreigners blatant abuse of power'
PAS has cried foul over an open statement by the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) instructing the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) to investigate Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin's denial regarding allegations that he defended foreigners to receive fuel subsidies. Its information chief Fadhli Shaari has described such action against the Perikatan Nasional (PN) chairman as 'a serious abuse of executive power' that entails political interference in an enforcement body that is supposed to act independently and professionally. 'TS Muhyiddin's denial doesn't constitute any element of threat, insult or improper communication that can be imposed under Section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998,' countered the Pasir Mas MP in a Facebook post. 'This section only applies to the dissemination of obscene, false content that is offensive, threatening or harassing and doesn't cover denials of political statements raised in the Dewan Rakyat.' Moreover, Fadhli argued that instructing the MCMC to investigate a denial statement of a political nature could be interpreted as 'an abuse of office to obtain political advantage and suppress an opponent'. 'This could potentially fall under the scope of Section 23 of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission Act 2009 which provides for the offence of using public office or position to obtain a bribe or benefit.' The PAS lawmaker further contended that 'MCMC is not an executive tool', hence cannot be arbitrarily directed. 'According to Section 4(2) of the MCMC Act 1998, the MCMC shall exercise its functions independently and not be subject to instructions from any party except as expressly provided in law,' justified Fadhli. 'Therefore, oral or public instructions by the Prime Minister (PM) to the MCMC on matters that touch on personal political disputes are inappropriate and contrary to the spirit of institutional independence.' Above all else, the PM's latest action can be seen as violating Bersatu president's rights as a citizen guaranteed by Article 10(1)(a) of the Federal Constitution, namely the right to freedom of expression. 'In fact, Article 8(1) guarantees that all persons are equal before the law and are entitled to fair protection,' stressed Fadhli. 'When government agencies are used to investigate individuals for political statements that do not violate the law, then this principle of justice and equality has been violated.' At the end of the day, Fadhli proposed that the Parliamentary Select Committee (PAC) summons both the MCMC and PMO to provide an explanation on the basis and justification for such directive. 'In fact, if this is not an abuse of power, what other name is more appropriate to describe such action?' wandered the former PAS Youth chief. 'Malaysia is a country of law. Nobody, not even the PM, can arbitrarily use government agencies to silence his political enemies. This action must be questioned and be held accountable.' – Aug 7, 2025
The Star
an hour ago
- The Star
Singapore and Indonesia discuss developing military training facilities
Singapore Defence Minister Chan Chun Sing (right) speaking with Indonesian Defence Minister Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin in Indonesia on Aug 5. - CHAN CHUNG SING/FACEBOOK SINGAPORE: Singapore and Indonesia have discussed jointly developing military training facilities in West Kalimantan, Baturaja and the Siabu Air Weapons Range, which will give both militaries more opportunities to learn from each other, said Defence Minister Chan Chun Sing. Besides a possible project in Baturaja in South Sumatra for army training and another in Pekanbaru in Riau for air force training, Singapore's special forces will carry out inaugural training in West Kalimantan in the coming months 'to try out the facilities in the area', he said on Wednesday (Aug 6). The two countries' air forces will also be commencing joint fighter air patrols soon, Chan said in a Facebook post on Aug 5, following his meeting in Jakarta with Indonesian Defence Minister Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin. Chan was in Indonesia for a two-day introductory visit that ended on Aug 6. At his meeting with Sjafrie, the two ministers reaffirmed the strong and longstanding bilateral defence relations between Singapore and Indonesia. On Aug 5, Chan also delivered a lecture to 250 future Indonesian leaders at Indonesia's National Resilience Institute. He noted that Singapore and Indonesia have many things in common, including a shared interest in upholding the international rule of law and in building their respective national identities on their multiracial, multi-religious backgrounds. Beyond strong economic ties – Singapore is Indonesia's largest investor, and Indonesia is also one of the Republic's top trading partners – he noted the long history of security cooperation between the two countries, with their first bilateral exercise, Exercise Eagle Indopura, conducted in 1974. There are now regular exercises between the armies, navies, air forces and special forces of both sides, as well as joint naval and air patrols such as the Malacca Straits Patrol launched in 2004, the Coordinated Patrol Singapore-Indonesia launched in 2023 between the navies, and the upcoming Singapore-Indonesia Coordinated Patrol between the two air forces, he noted. The latest Defence Cooperation Agreement (DCA) is yet another example of both sides constantly looking for new opportunities to work together, added Chan. The DCA, which was signed in 2007 and took effect in 2024, clarifies arrangements for the Singapore Armed Forces' training in Indonesian waters and airspace, while respecting Indonesia's sovereignty over its territory and preserving Singapore's rights. The DCA and its implementation arrangement between both countries' armed forces will remain in force for 25 years. At the lecture, Chan urged the two countries to continue to nurture mutual trust and cooperation between peoples from both sides, so that Singapore and Indonesia can continue to build on their strengths and complement each other for mutual growth. 'Singapore stands ready to partner Indonesia in the next bound of growth,' said Chan, who was a military attache in Indonesia more than 20 years ago. 'We are constantly looking for opportunities to strengthen our relationship with Indonesia, to look for win-win projects that we can work with you on.' On Aug 6, Chan met Indonesia's Vice-Coordinating Minister for Political and Security Affairs Lodewijk Freidrich Paulus, and the pair exchanged views on how both countries can further cooperation in the security sector. They also discussed ways to deepen mutual understanding and readiness through professional and people-to-people exchanges, said Mindef in a statement. Chan said at the end of his trip that his conversations with his Indonesian counterparts made clear that many challenges faced by both Singapore and Indonesia are similar, and that the two countries are exploring collaboration in cyber security and the protection of critical infrastructure. 'Many of them are common challenges that we need to overcome together, especially in a world that is much more uncertain at this point in time,' he said. - The Straits Times/ANN
