
Come back after graduating, Zahid urges M'sian students in NZ
While he acknowledged that salaries in Malaysia might be lower compared to countries like the South Pacific nation, he stressed the importance of their services to fuel the country's growth and economy.
'I urge you to come home, especially those in...

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BusinessToday
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- BusinessToday
PM Rejects Calls To Resign, Pledges Focus On Developing Nation
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has firmly rejected calls for his resignation, stating that he has 'not stolen public funds' and has no intention of stepping down unless he is involved in corruption or abuse of power. Speaking at the groundbreaking ceremony in Penang, Anwar—who also serves as Finance Minister—emphasised his commitment to clean governance and transparent project allocations. He highlighted that no contracts during his nearly three-year tenure have been awarded without proper tender procedures. 'If I had stolen people's money, then sure, they could demand that I step down. But I haven't. I've been Prime Minister for almost three years—there's been no direct negotiated contracts; everything has gone through tender processes,' he stated. On the question of parliamentary pressure from the opposition, Anwar outlined that if they hold sufficient support, they can move a motion in Parliament. 'Use Parliament, criticise. If they have the numbers, they can bring a motion. If I lose, I will resign honourably. That's the democratic way,' he said. Acknowledging that not every issue can be resolved swiftly, Anwar said his government remains committed to working diligently for Malaysian well-being. Related


New Straits Times
an hour ago
- New Straits Times
Malaysia should focus on critical economic sectors in tariff negotiations
IF there was ever any doubt that US President Donald Trump's tariffs were nothing but political, recent American actions have put it to rest. Early this month, Trump announced updated duties on imports from 25 nations through template letters that talked about everything but trade. Malaysia was not spared. Trump's letter to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim raises Malaysia's tariff from 24 to 25 per cent. More worryingly, the revised rate now covers "any and all" of Malaysia's US$43 billion exports to the United States. This means critical exports like semiconductors are no longer tariff-exempt, at least unless a subsequent Truth Social post or amended executive order indicates otherwise. Previously, 45 per cent of Malaysia's exports to the US were explicitly excluded from Trump's "reciprocal" tariffs, primarily in the electrical and electronics (E&E) sector. Barring any deal, about 13 per cent of Malaysia's total exports will become more expensive overnight. US demand for Malaysian goods will come up against intense competition from markets subject to lower tariffs, such as the Philippines and Singapore. Until July 7, US-Malaysia trade talks seemed to be progressing well. Negotiations had entered their second round. Trump's team boasted of signing "90 deals in 90 days". So, what happened? It is premature to conclude that the negotiations failed outright. Even close US allies like Japan and South Korea were targeted despite months at the negotiating table. Trump is raising the stakes out of frustration with the inevitably slow pace of talks. Malaysia has until Aug 1 before the updated tariffs kick in. In the meantime, Putrajaya's priority should be to secure tariff exemptions or reductions in key sectors, including E&E. A critical consideration is that US tariffs are likely to stay for some time. The UK, despite its bilateral trade deficit, could not push tariffs below 10 per cent. Tariffs on Indonesia and Vietnam still hover around 20 per cent. Rather than chasing marginal across-the-board cuts, Malaysia should focus on sectors most exposed to the US, both in dollar terms and as a share of exports. Machinery and E&E products should top the list, as they make up 55 per cent of Malaysia's US-bound exports. This is more important than dismantling all our tariffs and non-tariff measures in the hope of a deal. Such an approach sets a dangerous geoeconomic precedent, leaving Malaysia vulnerable if the US reneges on any deal later. Instead, Malaysia should address legitimate concerns in a calculated way without surrendering policy space. One step is to strengthen legislation against "origin washing", or the transshipment of foreign goods to circumvent US tariffs. Another is to increase imports of high-profile American products, such as aircraft and soybean, to signal goodwill. Domestic regulations no longer serving credible public policy objectives, such as Malaysia's 2022 ban on compliant US poultry imports, should also be revisited. Malaysia must continue to diversify trade, positioning itself as a bridge between the Global South and North. Washington's policies should not distract from the existential task of strengthening economic complexity and equitable growth at home. There is no quick fix to the challenges that the tariffs have created but a strategic, nuanced response will serve Malaysia better. The writer is an analyst at Institute of Strategic & International Studies Malaysia
![[Watch] Still Playing Catch Me If You Can: Did Jho Low Rebrand Himself As Constantinos?](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.therakyatpost.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2025%2F07%2FUntitled1-6.jpg&w=3840&q=100)
![[Watch] Still Playing Catch Me If You Can: Did Jho Low Rebrand Himself As Constantinos?](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fall-logos-bucket.s3.amazonaws.com%2Ftherakyatpost.com.png&w=48&q=75)
Rakyat Post
4 hours ago
- Rakyat Post
[Watch] Still Playing Catch Me If You Can: Did Jho Low Rebrand Himself As Constantinos?
Subscribe to our FREE The hunt for Jho Low, the elusive Malaysian financier at the centre of the massive 1MDB corruption scandal, may have taken a dramatic turn. Two American journalists who previously exposed the multi-billion-dollar scheme now claim they've tracked down Low's current hideout: a luxury residential compound in Shanghai, China. Tom Wright and Bradley Hope, the reporters behind the original 1MDB exposé, revealed their findings during a live broadcast titled 'Finding Jho Low' yesterday. According to their investigation, the fugitive businessman is allegedly living under a fake Greek identity, using the name 'Constantinos Achilles Veis' and carrying a forged Australian passport. The journalists say Low has been holed up in an upscale gated community called They claim their conclusions are based on evidence and new documents provided by various sources, though they didn't elaborate on the specific nature of these materials. A Years-Long Manhunt Low, whose real name is Low Taek Jho, has been on the run since 2018 when Interpol issued a red notice for his arrest. He faces charges in both Malaysia and the United States related to the 1MDB scandal, which involved the alleged theft of billions of dollars from a Malaysian sovereign wealth fund. The case has remained a priority for Malaysian authorities. In May 2023, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim told reporters that 'It involves other countries, it involves intelligence services, Interpol,' Anwar stated. That sentiment was echoed last year by then-Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Razarudin Hussein, who confirmed that authorities were still actively hunting for Low. However, they Living in the Shadows If the journalists' claims prove accurate, Low has managed to evade capture by assuming a completely new identity and relocating to one of the world's most populous cities. The alleged use of a fake Australian passport would represent a serious escalation in his efforts to avoid detection. The 1MDB scandal, which Wright and Hope first brought to international attention, involved the systematic looting of Malaysia's state investment fund. The scheme allegedly financed everything from Low's alleged current lifestyle in Shanghai would represent a continuation of his taste for luxury living, even as he remains one of the world's most wanted white-collar fugitives. Inilah titik peluh rakyat Malaysia. EQUANIMITY namanya 😎 Harganya bernilai USD250juta dollar bersamaan RM857juta pada kadar tukaran wang RM3.50 pada 2014 hanya untuk seketul kapal persiaran mewah milik Abd Jho Low hasil sumbangan ehsan wang 1MDB yg difaraid kpd Abd Jho Low.. — RizQ (@Johann_Eva8) Questions Remain While the journalists' claims have generated significant attention, many questions remain unanswered. The specific sources of their information haven't been disclosed, and it's unclear whether Malaysian or international authorities have been able to verify the allegations. The case highlights the ongoing challenges faced by law enforcement agencies in tracking sophisticated financial criminals who have the resources to assume new identities and relocate across international borders. For now, the man at the centre of one of the world's largest financial scandals remains at large, allegedly living under an assumed name in one of Asia's most cosmopolitan cities. Whether authorities will be able to act on this latest intelligence remains to be seen. The 1MDB scandal continues to reverberate through Malaysian politics and international finance, a reminder of how easily vast sums of public money can disappear when proper oversight fails. Share your thoughts with us via TRP's . Get more stories like this to your inbox by signing up for our newsletter.