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New Straits Times
2 hours ago
- New Straits Times
Anwar: Defence deals now strictly G2G to prevent graft
KUALA LUMPUR: The Madani government remains consistent in its efforts to combat corruption, even with the procurement of defence systems now conducted on a Government-to-Government (G2G) basis without the involvement of agents or commissions, said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim. He said the government recently held discussions with France and Italy to ensure transparency in defence procurement deals. "This is unheard of, because procurement of weapons has historically been one of the most corrupt areas, where people steal money. "So, what is our basic principle? Go directly government to government, and avoid this manner of taking or squandering money through so-called commissions," he said in an interview on France 24, published on the network's online platform today. Speaking in the 'Tête-à-tête' programme hosted by Marc Perelman, Anwar was asked about allegations that he was pursuing a political vendetta against former Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad and his family via investigations by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC). Anwar responded that anti-corruption probes have been conducted transparently involving many leaders, including those aligned with the government coalition and Sabah state assemblymen, among others. "It's not about whether someone is a former finance minister or prime minister, it doesn't matter. The question is how did you get these billions? The children themselves have declared under oath that they have more than a billion…. "...I believe it is my duty to ensure that this kind of corruption stops. Secondly, any funds stolen from the people must be returned, we want to improve our schools, we want to help the poor," he said. Anwar, who is now attending the BRICS Leaders' Summit in Rio de Janeiro, had previously embarked on his working visits to Rome, Italy, and Paris, France, since July 1, before arriving in the Brazilian city on Saturday. - BERNAMA
The Star
3 hours ago
- The Star
Defence system procurement now on G2G basis, says Anwar
Malaysia's Prime Minister Anwar bin-Ibrahim gestures during the BRICS summit second plenary session in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on July 6, 2025. BRICS leaders descended on sunny Rio de Janeiro, but issued a dark warning that US President Donald Trump's "indiscriminate" import tariffs risk hurting the global economy, warning they are illegal and arbitrary, according to a final summit statement. (Photo by Pablo PORCIUNCULA / AFP) KUALA LUMPUR: The procurement of defence systems will now be conducted on a Government-to-Government (G2G) basis without the involvement of agents or commissions, said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim. He stated that the government had recently held discussions with France and Italy to ensure transparency in defence procurement deals. "Go directly government to government, and avoid this manner of taking or squandering money through so-called commissions," he said in an interview on France 24, published on the network's online platform on Monday (July 7). Speaking in the 'Tête-à-tête' programme hosted by Marc Perelman, Anwar was asked about allegations that he was pursuing a political vendetta against former Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad and his family via investigations by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC). Anwar responded that anti-corruption probes have been conducted transparently involving many leaders, including those aligned with the government coalition and Sabah state assemblymen, among others. "It's not about whether someone is a former finance minister or prime minister, it doesn't matter. I believe it is my duty to ensure that this kind of corruption stops. Secondly, any funds stolen from the people must be returned, we want to improve our schools, we want to help the poor," he said. Anwar, who was attending BRICS Leaders' Summit in Rio de Janeiro, had previously embarked on his working visits to Rome, Italy and Paris, France since July 1, before arriving in the Brazilian city on Saturday. – Bernama
New Straits Times
4 hours ago
- New Straits Times
Sacked Russian transport minister found dead hours after Putin fired him
MOSCOW: Russia's sacked transport minister has been found dead in his car outside Moscow with a gunshot wound and the principal hypothesis is that he took his own life, state investigators said on Monday, hours after President Vladimir Putin fired him. A presidential decree published earlier on Monday gave no reason for the dismissal of Roman Starovoit after barely a year in the job, though political analysts were quick to raise the possibility that he may have been dismissed in connection with an investigation into corruption in the region he once ran. Reuters could not independently confirm these suggestions, though a transport industry source, who declined to be named due to the sensitivity of the matter, said Starovoit's position had been in question for months due to questions about the same corruption scandal, which centred on funds earmarked for fortifying Russia's border with Ukraine in the Kursk region. There were conflicting reports about the timing of Starovoit's death. Russia's Investigative Committee, which probes major crimes, said in a statement it was working to establish the precise circumstances. Various Russian media cited law enforcement sources as saying a pistol belonging to Starovoit had been found alongside his body in his car. Before being appointed transport minister in May 2024, Starovoit had been governor of the Kursk region for nearly five years. Three months after he became transport minister, Ukrainian troops crossed the border into Kursk in the biggest foreign incursion into Russian territory since World War Two and were only pushed out earlier this year after fierce fighting and widespread destruction. In April this year, Starovoit's successor as governor, Alexei Smirnov, was charged with embezzling money earmarked for defence purposes amid accusations that the funds earmarked for border defences had been stolen, leaving Kursk more vulnerable to Ukrainian attack. Pressed earlier on Monday by reporters on whether his dismissal meant Putin had lost trust in Starovoit over Kursk, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said "a loss of trust is mentioned if there is a loss of trust." "There is no such wording in the (Kremlin) decree." Starovoit's dismissal comes at a time of significant challenges for Russia's transport sector as the war in Ukraine drags on for a fourth year. Russia's aviation sector is short of spare parts and Russian Railways, the country's largest employer, is grappling with soaring interest costs as high rates - needed to curb higher inflation exacerbated by the war - take their toll. The Kremlin said Andrei Nikitin, a former governor of the Novgorod region, had been appointed acting transport minister and it published photographs of him shaking hands with Putin in the Kremlin. Asked about Nikitin's swift appointment, Kremlin spokesman Peskov said: "At present, in the president's opinion, Andrei Nikitin's professional qualities and experience will best contribute to ensuring that this agency, which the president described as extremely important, fulfils its tasks and functions." Two transport industry sources said plans to replace Starovoit with Nikitin had been in the works since before last month's International Economic Forum in St. Petersburg. The transport ministry declined to comment on Monday. At his meeting with Putin, Nikitin spoke about working on the huge task of digitising Russia's transport industry in an effort to reduce cargo bottlenecks and ensure smoother cross-border flows of goods. --REUTERS If you are feeling depressed or stressed, know that help is available. All you have to do is reach out. The Befrienders is an example of a place you can call if you have suicidal thoughts or feeling overwhelmed. They provide emotional support 24/7. For more info, visit or contact 03-76272929. You can also contact Talian Kasih at 15999 (24/7), BuddyBear Helpline at 1800-18-2327 (BEAR) (daily 12pm to 12am), Mental Illness Awareness & Support Association (MIASA) at 1-800-820 066 (24/7), and the Health Ministry - Mercy Malaysia Psychosocial Support Helpline at 03-2935 9935.
