PM Anwar condemns Israel's airstrikes on Damascus, calls for peace
The attacks resulted in civilian casualties and targeted key government sites, including the Defence Ministry and areas near the presidential palace.
Anwar stated, 'These strikes constitute a clear violation of international law and the 1974 Disengagement Agreement between Israel and Syria.'
He emphasised that Syria has suffered greatly over the past decade and its people deserve stability, not further aggression.
Malaysia has expressed solidarity with Syria, urging an immediate halt to such violations and a return to humanitarian principles.
The airstrikes occurred as Israel resumed operations in southern Syria's Suwayda province, citing protection for the Druze minority.
However, Syrian forces had deployed to the region following deadly clashes between armed groups. - Bernama
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Borneo Post
2 hours ago
- Borneo Post
Asserting the privileges of the natives of Sarawak
The columnist is looking forward to the day when the government, both federal and state, would each reveal the details of the quotas for each racial group in the country so that the various indigenous groups would know exactly what their allocations of quotas are, respectively. — Bernama photo THOSE Sarawakians who are commemorating July 22 of each year as Sarawak's Independence Day (now styled Sarawak Day) would render a great service to the indigenous community in the state, if the thrust of their agenda would also include the assertions of the native privileges, as enshrined in both the state and the federal constitutions. I would give the name: the '227 Movement'. They could be a force to reckon with in Sarawak or be treated with due respect, if they were organised as a non-governmental organisation (NGO) and were registered with the Registrar of Societies (ROS). In the course of asserting the native privileges, they would be on the right side of the law; if their representation would be submitted in writing and in the proper format, and would go through the proper channel. A regular follow-up with persistency is necessary. Working closely with the people in the mass media would be a bonus. This is one legitimate channel to use if the movement is to be effective in terms of championing the cause of the natives and the non-natives alike in Sarawak. I'm quite sure that the leaders of the movement are familiar with the knowledge of the background of the formation of the Federation of Malaysia, including thorough understanding of the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63), read together with the Cobbold Commission Report, the Inter-Governmental Committee Report (IGC) and other related literature on Malaysia. It is possible that amongst the readers of this column, there may be strong supporters of the movement. For their ease of reference, I have copied the relevant texts of the relevant provisions of the State's Constitution. Today's column is confined to the reference to the powers of the Yang Di-Pertua Negeri of Sarawak. Another column on the same subject is possible if there is sufficient interest in the discussion on the interests of the indigenous peoples of Malaysia. For the time being, read the Constitution of Sarawak (as of June 23, 1981): 'Article 39. (1) It shall be the responsibility of the Yang Di-Pertua Negeri to safeguard the special position of the Natives and the legitimate interests of other communities in accordance with the provisions of this Article. '(2) The Yang Di-Pertua Negeri shall exercise his functions under this Constitution and under State law in such manner as may be necessary to safeguard the special position of the Natives and to ensure the reservation for natives of such proportion as he may deem reasonable of offices in the public service and of scholarships, exhibitions and other similar educational or training privileges, or special facilities, given or accorded by or with the approval of the State government. '(3) The Yang Di-Pertua Negeri may, in order to ensure in accordance with Clause (2) the reservation to Natives of offices in the public service and of scholarships, exhibitions and other educational or training privileges or special facilities, give such general directions as may be required for that purpose to the Commission, or to any authority charged with responsibility for the grant of scholarships, exhibitions or other educational or training privileges or special facilities; and the commission or authority shall duly comply with the directions. '(4) In exercising his functions under this Constitution and under State law in accordance with Clauses (1), (2) and (3), the Yang Di-Pertua Negeri shall not deprive any person of any office in the public service held by him or of the continuance of any scholarship, exhibition or other educational or training privileges or special facilities enjoyed by him. '(5) This Article does not derogate from the provisions of Article 38.' That Article 38 states: 'All persons of whatever race in the same grade of the service of the State shall, subject to the terms and conditions of their employment, be treated impartially.' Today, in this column, I am merely referring to the Constitution of Sarawak. It would be good for those of my readers to read the provisions of the Federal Constitution as well. Read Article 153 (about 'Reservation of quotas in respect of services, permits, etc.' for the Malays and natives of any of the States of Sabah and Sarawak). Meanwhile, I am looking forward to the day when the federal government and the state government would each reveal the details of the quotas for each racial group in the country so that the various indigenous groups would know exactly what their allocations of quotas are, respectively. That would enable them to monitor the application of each provision of the law in real cases. Any comments from the 227 Movement leaders? * The opinions expressed in this article are the columnist's own and do not reflect the view of the newspaper. 227 Movement natives sarawak day
The Star
7 hours ago
- The Star
Asean News Headlines at 10pm on Saturday (July 19, 2025)
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Shanmugam * SIA, Cathay Pacific cancel flights as typhoon nears Hong Kong * Singapore Police to assist Indonesia in baby trafficking probe * New auto pet wash service in Singapore's Buona Vista draws flak, but firm stands by its safety * Critical infrastructure in Singapore under attack by cyber espionage group: Shanmugam * 'May you find rainbows in your skies': Outpouring of support for Jetstar Asia staff as closure looms * No train service across entire Bukit Panjang LRT line in Singapore due to power fault Indonesia: * Earthquake in Indonesia's East Java damages 16 houses; no human casualties reported yet * Indonesian superstars Tulus and Juicy Luicy to headline the much-anticipated inaugural Ruang Inspirasi Festival in KL * East Kalimantan man arrested for grooming, extorting Swedish teenager * Authorities partially close Mt. 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Thinaah reach Japan Open final / Sze Fei-Izzuddin smash into Japan Open final
The Star
8 hours ago
- The Star
Philippines population hits 112.7 million, but annual population growth rate slowed to 0.80 per cent
MANILA (Bernama-PNA): The Philippines' population stood at 112,729,484 as of July 1, 2024, according to the official results of the 2024 Census of Population (POPCEN), which President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. declared official, the Philippine News Agency (PNA) reported. Marcos issued Proclamation 973, directing the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), in coordination with the Presidential Communications Office (PCO), to disseminate the population data by province, city/municipality, and barangay to all concerned government agencies and offices. The census was conducted by the PSA from July to September 2024, using July 1, 2024 as the reference date, according to the proclamation signed by Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin on July 11. The PSA said the population count covered all 18 administrative regions and included Filipinos in embassies, consulates, and missions abroad. The 2024 figure reflects an increase of 3.69 million from the 109.04 million recorded in 2020. The annual population growth rate slowed to 0.80 percent from 2020 to 2024, compared to 1.63 per cent between 2015 and 2020. According to the PSA, the deceleration in population growth may be attributed to lower fertility and birth rates, higher mortality during the Covid-19 pandemic, and reduced migration. The conduct of a mid-decade census was mandated under Executive Order 87. July 2024 was earlier declared National Census and Community-Based Monitoring System Month under Proclamation 627. - Bernama-PNA
