‘Just like football, can't rely on the sole striker': Johari urges Umno team unity ahead of GE16
UMNO vice-president Datuk Seri Johari Abdul Ghani said the formation of a machinery as a solid team could prove decisive towards achieving success in the general election.
'In football, when we play against another team, you can't just rely on one striker. If you only have one performing striker, while the rest are not, it'll be difficult. So, we must play as a team.
'If the team is right, solid and has no squabbles, particularly in facing the general election, Insya-Allah, 50 per cent of the battle is won. The others depend on issues cropping up in the government and the country,' he said after officiating the Shah Alam UMNO Division delegates meeting here today.
Johari, also the Minister of Plantation Industries and Commodities, advised UMNO members to consider the views of the younger generation, in particular, who form 40 per cent of the total number of voters nationwide.
'They have a very different thinking compared to our ancestors. This happens globally when our audience, who are 18 years old, can automatically become voters.
'If we, as a party, cannot understand the thinking of our youngsters, how are we going to cultivate and constantly produce young leaders who understand?… our problems will be bigger next time.
Commenting on the statement by opposition leader Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainudin yesterday that the opposition is considering tabling a no-confidence motion against Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim in Parliament, Johari said each Member of Parliament (MP) has the right to do so.
'In this Parliament, any MP can table that motion (of no-confidence). Nobody can stop it.
'So, the motion is tabled in Parliament… then we will see who has the support and who hasn't. Parliament will determine this,' said the Titiwangsa MP. — Bernama
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Star
15 minutes ago
- The Star
Malaysia enhancing cooperation with Thailand for trade, says Liew
KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia is enhancing strategic cooperation with the Thai government to facilitate smoother movement of goods through northern border checkpoints, says Liew Chin Tong. The Deputy Investment, Trade and Industry Minister said the collaboration aims to support industries such as Kedah Rubber City (KRC), which require efficient logistics to meet export demands. 'MITI remains committed to strengthening strategic cooperation with the Thai government to facilitate the movement of goods across border checkpoints, including through the Durian Burung entry point,' he told the Dewan Rakyat on Monday (July 28). Responding to a question from Nurul Amin Hamid (Perikatan–Padang Terap), Liew said the initiative involves close coordination with various ministries and agencies, including the Finance and Home Ministries, Immigration Department, Malaysian Border Control and Protection Agency (AKSEM), and the Northern Corridor Implementation Authority (NCIA). However, Liew said infrastructure at the ICQS Durian Burung Complex remains insufficient to support large-scale trade, particularly for container-based operations. To address this, he said the NCIA is spearheading several initiatives, including a feasibility study for a proposed Border Economic Zone to explore economic potential in the Durian Burung area and surrounding regions. He said other efforts include cooperation under the Indonesia-Malaysia-Thailand Growth Triangle (IMT-GT) and the Joint Development Strategy (JDS), which focus on sectors such as halal, logistics, rubber, and tourism. 'The JDS specifically aims to enhance connectivity and trade policy coordination, which in turn strengthens the synergy between both countries,' he said. Liew added that both sides had agreed to improve trade facilitation, including infrastructure upgrades, logistics systems, and streamlined procedures at key border crossings. 'These measures are expected to expedite customs clearance and reduce costs and turnaround time for cross-border goods movement,' he said. While acknowledging proposals to utilise Thailand's Songkhla Port as an alternative export route, Liew said the government is prioritising domestic ports such as Penang and Kuala Perlis. 'This aligns with our broader strategy to enhance the competitiveness of local ports and ensure the economic benefits reach local communities and industry players,' he said. He added that his ministry is open to studying proposals and making recommendations to the Finance Ministry to introduce incentives that would encourage higher usage of local ports by investors, particularly those setting up export-oriented manufacturing facilities.
![[UPDATED] Jo Ghani: 465 federal land encroachment cases recorded since 2015](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.nst.com.my%2Fimages%2Farticles%2Fbhjuharik_1753682342.jpg&w=3840&q=100)
![[UPDATED] Jo Ghani: 465 federal land encroachment cases recorded since 2015](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.nst.com.my%2Fassets%2FNST-Logo%402x.png%3Fid%3Db37a17055cb1ffea01f5&w=48&q=75){kind=small}
New Straits Times
28 minutes ago
- New Straits Times
[UPDATED] Jo Ghani: 465 federal land encroachment cases recorded since 2015
KUALA LUMPUR: A total of 465 cases of encroachment on federal land were recorded from 2015 to May 2025, said Datuk Seri Johari Abdul Ghani. The acting Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability minister said most encroachers use the land for squatter housing, small businesses, food stalls, and car wash operations. "According to the Land and Mines Department, there have been 465 cases of encroachment on federal land from 2015 to May 2025. "The total area of land owned by the Federal government is 215,406 hectares. In the case of Penang, 26 complaints involved encroachment on federal land, affecting 18 land lots. "To deal with encroachment on federal land, the Land and Mines Department will coordinate with enforcement agencies, ministries, and the relevant departments. Under Section 425 of the National Land Code, enforcement notices will be issued to encroachers, for them to vacate the site. The relevant agency must then implement control measures to prevent further encroachment," he said in the Dewan Rakyat during Minister's Question Time. He was responding to a question from Dr Siti Mastura Muhammad (PN-Kepala Batas), who asked for details on encroachments on federal-owned land nationwide, specifically in Penang, the actions taken against encroachers, and whether there are plans to develop the land. Johari said the respective ministry or department must take action by installing signboards, fencing off the area, hiring security guards, and demolishing any illegal structures built by encroachers. "In more serious cases where encroachers refuse to vacate and structures have already been built, legal action will be taken. If found guilty, the penalty may be up to RM500,000," he said. Johari said each parcel of federal land has been earmarked for development based on priorities and allocations approved by the federal government. "To ensure optimal use of federal land, the Land and Mines Department facilitates land conversion for use by other ministries and federal agencies that require it, including through rental and leasing arrangements," he said. He was responding to a question from Datuk Adnan Abu Hassan (BN-Kuala Pilah) on the ministry's long-term strategic plan to address the poor management of government assets, including abandoned buildings, which has led to encroachment and wastage of national resources. Johari said once a ministry or department is assigned a piece of federal land, it becomes their responsibility. If a project or building on the land is abandoned, the respective ministry must rehabilitate and repurpose it. "If the structure is old – over 40 or 50 years – and no longer suitable for use, the land must be returned to the federal government. The government will then consider alternative uses, such as affordable housing," he said.
New Straits Times
an hour ago
- New Straits Times
Govt working with Thai counterparts to facilitate goods movement
KUALA LUMPUR: The government remains committed to strengthening strategic cooperation with the Thai Government to facilitate the movement of goods across border checkpoints, including through the Durian Burung entry point in Kedah. Deputy Investment, Trade and Industry (MITI) Minister Liew Chin Tong told the Dewan Rakyat that the government was working closely with Thai counterparts to ease goods movement across the northern border and to support export needs for industries such as Kedah Rubber City. "Miti remains committed to strengthening strategic cooperation with the Thai government to facilitate the movement of goods across border checkpoints, including through the Durian Burung entry point. "This effort requires close collaboration with relevant ministries and agencies, such as the Finance Ministry, Home Ministry, the Immigration Department, the Malaysian Border Control and Protection Agency (AKPS), and the Northern Corridor Implementation Authority (NCIA)," he said in response to a question from Nurul Amin Hamid (PN-Padang Terap). Liew, however, acknowledged that the infrastructure at the ICQS Durian Burung Complex was still inadequate to support large-scale trade operations, especially those involving the use of containers. He said the government, through NCIA, was implementing several strategic initiatives, including conducting a feasibility study for a Border Economic Zone to identify potential economic opportunities that could be developed in the border area, including the KRC and surrounding regions near Durian Burung. Other initiatives include regional cooperation under the Indonesia-Malaysia-Thailand Growth Triangle (IMT-GT) and the Joint Development Strategy (JDS). "These collaborations focus on development in industries such as halal, logistics, rubber, and tourism. The JDS specifically aims to enhance connectivity and international trade policies, strengthening synergy between both countries. "In addition, the Malaysian government remains committed to enhancing strategic cooperation with Thailand through existing platforms such as the Malaysia-Thailand Joint Trade Committee," he said. He added that both parties had agreed to improve trade facilitation, including upgrading infrastructure, logistics systems, and procedures at border checkpoints. These steps, he said, were expected to accelerate Customs clearance processes while reducing time and costs for cross-border goods movement. "Although there have been suggestions to use Songkhla Port in Thailand as an alternative export route, the government is currently focused on maximising the use of domestic ports, especially in Penang and Kuala Perlis. "This initiative aligns with the government's broader strategy to enhance the competitiveness of local ports, while ensuring the economic benefits are fully realised by industry players and local communities," he said. Liew added that the ministry was also open to studying and proposing recommendations to the Finance Ministry to provide various incentives aimed at increasing the usage of local ports when asked on the ministry's short-term plans to encourage investors to use domestic ports for setting up factories or exporting products abroad.
