Haters gonna hate
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Haters gonna hate - Azam Baki unfazed
PKR's 'enduring friendships' and grounded chairs
Teoh Beng Hock - NFA and broken promises
Haters gonna hate - Azam Baki unfazed
Azam Baki, whose tenure as MACC chief commissioner has been extended for a record third time, is under no illusion about his popularity or the lack thereof.
But the 62-year-old graftbuster is not losing sleep over it.
'I know that people do not like me. This is a free country,' he said when asked about an upcoming protest against him.
The protest, organised by Sekretariat Undur Azam Baki (Step Down Azam Baki Secretariat), aims to express public dissatisfaction over his continued leadership.
That his reappointment comes under a prime minister and coalition who had previously been vocal critics has raised eyebrows, prompting speculation that Azam may have some political leverage over those in power.
And the chorus of discontent even includes the prime minister's own daughter, who called the extension 'unwelcome'.
HIGHLIGHTS
PKR's 'enduring friendships' and grounded chairs
As the PKR election enters its final stretch, deputy president hopeful Nurul Izzah Anwar praised Rafizi Ramli, assuring that their friendship remains strong despite the heated contest.
To lighten the mood, party information chief Fahmi Fadzil quipped he was relieved the polls stayed free of flying chairs and broken ballot boxes - true to Nurul Izzah's 'peace' campaign.
Sharing the stage with her, Fahmi couldn't resist a subtle jab at Rafizi's 'Hiruk' campaign, adding, 'My only regret is that at the central level, in the past week or two, it became a bit too 'noisy' (hiruk-pikuk).'
Nurul Izzah, daughter of PKR president Anwar Ibrahim, emphasised she is running on her own merit and not riding on her father's coattails.
'They call it nepotism, but I never used power. Every step I took was my own - on the streets, among the people, fighting for true justice,' she said.
HIGHLIGHTS
Teoh Beng Hock - NFA and broken promises
The authorities have classified the police investigations into the death of former DAP political aide Teoh Beng Hock as 'NFA' (No Further Action), much to the disappointment and anguish of his family.
His sister Teoh Lee Lan said the outcome fails to reflect the promises previously made by Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim.
Beng Hock's death in 2009, when being questioned overnight by the MACC, has been a significant point of contention and campaign rhetoric for Anwar and his coalition for more than a decade.
Despite Anwar now serving as prime minister and Pakatan Harapan leading the government, his family questioned whether they remain 'trapped in the era of BN's rule'.
'The same MACC remains unaccountable. The same police force refuses to investigate the MACC. The same opaque conclusions are drawn, and the same murderers walk free.
'On Aug 1 last year, Anwar urged the Teoh family to trust the 'new police force' and the 'new system' under his administration. But what has this so-called 'new system' brought to the Teoh family? Only continued disappointment,' said Lee Lan.
HIGHLIGHTS
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The Star
17 minutes ago
- The Star
Two down for PKR in Cabinet
PETALING JAYA: A day after the Asean summit concluded, Datuk Seri Rafizi Ramli has made good on his promise to quit as Economy Minister. Another person aligned with Rafizi in the party elections, Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad, has also resigned. Both tendered their resignation from the Cabinet to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim. Rafizi announced his departure as Economy Minister at 1.45pm yesterday and just over two hours later, Nik Nazmi said he was leaving as Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability Minister. Last week, during the PKR polls, Rafizi lost his party deputy presidency to Anwar's daughter Nurul Izzah while Nik Nazmi finished fifth among 11 candidates in the vice-presidency race. There were only four positions for vice-president being contested. Rafizi said his resignation will take effect from June 17 and he will be on leave until June 16. 'My recent defeat in the PKR polls means I no longer have the mandate from my party to translate the people's agenda, as envisioned by PKR, into government programmes. 'As practised in countries that prioritise democratic principles, leaders who lose in party elections must make way for those who have won,' said Rafizi. 'I am confident that the programmes to improve the country's economic structure, pioneered by the (Economy) Ministry, will continue to be successfully implemented. 'My final duty as the Economy Minister has been completed with the preparation of the 13th Malaysia Plan (RMK13), which has been finalised and is awaiting presentation at the next Parliamentary session,' he added. On May 7, Rafizi had said he would step down from his Cabinet post if he lost in the polls. Nik Nazmi, meanwhile, said his resignation will take effect from July 4. He is on leave until July 3. Echoing Rafizi's sentiments, Nik Nazmi said he was appointed as a minister when he was a PKR vice-president. Since he lost his post, he decided to resign. 'I am waiting to return to serve as an MP and focus on my area in Setiawangsa. 'To quote the late Britain MP Tony Benn: 'I left the Cabinet to focus more on politics and public service',' said Nik Nazmi. Nik Nazmi was appointed as the Natural Resources, Environment and Climate Change Minister in December 2022, and the Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability Minister in Dec 2023. He said he had done his best to carry out necessary reforms within the civil service. 'The successes include amendments to the Environment Qualities Act 1974, as well as improvements in transparency in the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA). 'Malaysia is also among the countries that tabled the National Biodiversity Strategies and Action Plan (NBSAP) to curb environmental destruction and deforestation,' he said.
The Star
17 minutes ago
- The Star
Nurul Izzah: Fearless Rafizi will remain relevant
Taking over: Nurul Izzah paid tribute to Rafizi (right) for his ideas. — Photo taken from Nurul Izzah's Facebook PETALING JAYA: A 'fearless' Datuk Seri Rafizi Ramli will continue to shape the country's future through meaningful ways even if he is not in the government, says Nurul Izzah Anwar. The new PKR deputy president, who beat Rafizi in the party election, said he was never afraid to confront those in power or to speak the truth. She said her predecessor's ideas and policies changed the country's discourse, especially in terms of governance, transparency and economic justice. 'I respect him. Many of his ideas will not be forgotten. Instead, they will be continued, refined and implemented, not because they came from him or me, but because they are best for Malaysia. 'This country needs bold ideas and steps, and I believe he has a lot more to contribute,' she said on her Facebook page yesterday. Her statement came after the Pandan MP announced his resignation from his Cabinet post as Economy Minister yesterday, Separately, Nurul Izzah spoke about how her focus remains on strengthening PKR. 'As part of the first step, we will introduce mandatory training specific for party leadership at central, state and branch levels on the Anti-Money Laundering Act (AMLA), corruption and tax compliance,' she said. Former Rembau MP Khairy Jamaluddin, who was sacked from Umno in 2023, had urged Rafizi not to quit despite his defeat. Rafizi, he said, had strong resilience and was still able to contribute ideas even without a key position. However, the former health minister acknowledged that Rafizi's situation was different from his own. Khairy, who challenged Umno president Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi in 2018 and lost, said he had chosen to remain in the party after the defeat. 'When I was sacked, I had no choice. I had no issue with the party; I had merely offered myself for the presidency. 'My relationship with Zahid remained good. So, to Rafizi, keep fighting!' he told Sinar Harian during a visit to the Karangkraf Group Complex on Tuesday.
The Star
17 minutes ago
- The Star
Not the end of the line for the two party stalwarts, say analysts
PETALING JAYA: The resignation of Datuk Seri Rafizi Ramli and Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad from the Cabinet is not likely to be the end for them. Instead, it could mark the start of a rebound ahead of the next party polls and 16th General Elections, say analysts. They believe the two still have many allies within the present PKR leadership. Rafizi and Nik Nazmi might be preparing to go for the party's top two positions at the next PKR polls in three years, said Dr Azmi Hassan, senior fellow at Nusantara Academy for Strategic Research. 'Their strategies are much clearer now. 'They are trying to realign their fight in PKR for the top two posts when Anwar's term as Prime Minister ends,' said Azmi. He said Rafizi has allies within the present PKR vice-presidency and central leadership committee line-up. 'Rafizi will not abandon PKR. He will strategise for the next three years for the ultimate post – the party presidency,' said Azmi. He also agreed that Rafizi was appointed as Economy Minister because of his position as party deputy president. 'It is not so much for his acumen or expertise on economic matters. 'So, it is the correct decision by Rafizi (to resign). 'It looks good for him,' said Azmi, referring to Rafizi's public image. Universiti Sains Malaysia's political analyst Prof Dr Sivamurugan Pandian said Rafizi's decision is in line with what he said during the campaign period. 'He is holding on to his word to avoid anyone questioning his political integrity. 'It is expected that Nik Nazmi would follow in Rafizi's footsteps, given the Setiawangsa MP lost his vice-presidency. 'It's a question of principle and political integrity,' said Sivamurugan. Both Azmi and Sivamurugan believe there will be a Cabinet reshuffle in the near future, as the Investment, Trade and Industry Minister Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Abdul Aziz's tenure as senator will also end this December. 'It is timely for the PM to retain, drop or make new appointments,' added Sivamurugan. Last week, Anwar said the Cabinet would not be reshuffled after the PKR polls, but he would not stop any ministers from resigning if they wish to do so. During the party polls, Rafizi lost the deputy presidency post to Anwar's daughter Nurul Izzah, while Nik Nazmi lost the vice-presidency race in an 11-cornered fight.
