Defence system procurement now on G2G basis, says Anwar
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
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Sun
35 minutes ago
- The Sun
US senators push ‘sledgehammer' sanctions bill against Russia for Trump
WASHINGTON: US senators are advancing a bipartisan bill designed to give President Donald Trump sweeping sanctions powers against Russia, described as a 'sledgehammer' to pressure Moscow. The move comes as US-Ukraine envoy Keith Kellogg prepares for a visit to Kyiv, with Trump promising a major statement on Russia. Republican Senator Lindsey Graham confirmed strong Senate support for the bill, which would empower Trump to impose severe economic measures, including 500% tariffs on nations aiding Russia. 'This allows the president to go after Putin's economy and those propping up his war machine,' Graham told CBS News. Trump, who has grown increasingly critical of Russian President Vladimir Putin, hinted he may back the sanctions after months of restraint. 'I'm looking at it very strongly,' Trump said during a cabinet meeting, though he stopped short of confirming he would enforce the measures. The proposed sanctions could extend to major economies like China, India, and Brazil if they continue trading with Russia. Graham emphasized the bill's potential to force an end to the Ukraine conflict, calling it 'leverage to bring peace closer.' Ukrainian leaders also welcomed the proposal, stating it could strengthen diplomatic efforts. Meanwhile, discussions continue on unlocking frozen Russian assets worth billions for Ukraine's use. Democratic Senator Richard Blumenthal stressed the urgency, saying, 'The $5 billion the US holds should be accessed now.' - AFP
New Straits Times
an hour ago
- New Straits Times
Asian markets mostly rise on lingering trade deal optimism
HONG KONG: Most Asian markets rose Monday as investors digested Donald Trump's latest trade war salvos that saw him threaten to hit the European Union and Mexico with 30 per cent tariffs. The US president's outburst came after a series of announcements last week including warnings of 50 percent levies on copper and Brazilian goods, 35 per cent on Canadian goods, and a possible 200 per cent charge on pharmaceuticals. While observers warn the measures could deal a hefty blow to the global economy, investors are largely optimistic that governments will hammer out agreements before the White House's August 1 deadline. In announcing his latest measures on Saturday, Trump cited Mexico's role in illicit drugs flowing into the United States and a trade imbalance with the European Union. The move threw months of painstaking talks with Brussels into disarray. European Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen has insisted the bloc still wants to reach an accord – and on Sunday delayed retaliation over separate US duties on steel and aluminium as a sign of goodwill. EU officials threatened in May to impose tariffs on US goods worth around 100 billion euros (US$117 billion), including cars and planes, if talks fail. French President Emmanuel Macron backed efforts to reach an agreement that "reflects the respect that trade partners such as the European Union and the United States owe each other." But he urged the bloc to "step up the preparation of credible countermeasures" if the two sides fail to reach an agreement. Analysts also pointed out that the levies against Mexico and Canada come even after Trump agreed a trade deal with the two during his first administration. Still, Asian investors brushed off Friday's losses in New York and Europe, remaining hopeful that governments will strike deals with Washington and avoid the worst of the tariffs. Hong Kong, Shanghai, Sydney, Seoul, Singapore, Manila and Jakarta all rose, with Tokyo, Wellington and Taipei edging down. Bitcoin hit a new record high of US$119,490. "It is hard to say whether the muted market response over the week is best characterised by resilience or complacency," said National Australia Bank's Taylor Nugent. "But it is difficult to price the array of headlines purportedly defining where tariffs will sit from 1 August when negotiations are ongoing." Traders are also keeping a nervous eye on the Federal Reserve as Trump continues to berate boss Jerome Powell for not cutting interest rates soon enough, saying Sunday "I hope he quits", and adding "He should quit." Reports also said the president's allies were targeting the Fed chief over his handling of an expensive renovation at the bank's headquarters, with some suggesting they were building a case to have him removed over it. However, strategists warned that such a move would bring the independence of the central bank into question and send US Treasury yields soaring and the dollar plunging.
New Straits Times
an hour ago
- New Straits Times
Israeli airstrikes kill 43 in Gaza amid ceasefire deadlock
GAZA CITY: Gaza's civil defence agency said Israeli air strikes on Sunday killed more than 40 Palestinians, including children at a water distribution point, as talks for a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas stalled. Delegations from Israel and the Palestinian group have now spent a week trying to agree on a temporary truce to halt 21 months of devastating fighting in the Gaza Strip. On the ground, civil defence agency spokesman Mahmud Bassal said eight children were among the 10 victims of a drone strike at a water point. Israel's military blamed it on a "technical error" when targeting a fighter in the Nuseirat refugee camp in central Gaza, adding "the munition fell dozens of meters from the target." Washington is Israel's top ally and Donald Trump has been pushing for a ceasefire, with the US president saying Sunday he was hopeful of a deal. But there was no immediate sign an end to the fighting was near. Strikes across the Palestinian territory on Sunday killed at least 43 people, including 11 at a Gaza City market, Bassal said. In Nuseirat, resident Khaled Rayyan told AFP he was woken by the sound of two large explosions. "Our neighbour and his children were under the rubble" of a house hit, he said. Another resident, Mahmud al-Shami, called on the negotiators to secure a ceasefire deal. "What happened to us has never happened in the entire history of humanity," he said. "Enough." The Israeli military, which has recently intensified operations across Gaza, said that in the past 24 hours the air force "struck more than 150 targets." It released aerial footage of what it said were fighter jet strikes attacking Hamas targets around Beit Hanoun, in northern Gaza, showing explosions on the ground and thick smoke in the sky. Media restrictions in Gaza and difficulties accessing many areas mean AFP is unable to independently verify tolls and details provided by the civil defence agency and other parties. The war was sparked by Hamas' Oct 7, 2023 attack on Israel, which led to 1,219 deaths, most of them civilians, according to an AFP tally based on official figures. Of the 251 people taken hostage by fighters that day, 49 are still held in Gaza, including 27 the Israeli military says are dead. Hamas-run Gaza's health ministry says that at least 58,026 Palestinians, most of them civilians, have been killed in Israel's retaliatory campaign. The United Nations considers those figures reliable. UN agencies on Saturday warned that fuel shortages had reached "critical levels", threatening to worsen conditions for Gaza's more than two million people. "Only 150,000 litres of fuel have been allowed in over the past few days – an amount that covers less than one day's needs," the head of the Palestinian NGOs Network in Gaza, Amjad Shawa, told AFP on Sunday. "We require 275,000 litres of fuel per day to meet basic needs." Talks in the Qatari capital Doha to seal a 60-day ceasefire and hostage release were in the balance on Saturday after Israel and Hamas accused each other of trying to block a deal. Despite the deadlock, Trump said "hopefully we're going to get that straightened out over the next week", speaking to reporters Sunday as he echoed similarly optimistic comments he made July 4. Hamas wants the complete withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza, but a Palestinian source with knowledge of the talks said Israel had presented plans to maintain troops in more than 40 per cent of the territory. The source said Israel wanted to force hundreds of thousands of Palestinians into the south of Gaza "in preparation for forcibly displacing them to Egypt or other countries." A senior Israeli official said Israel had demonstrated an openness "to flexibility in the negotiations, while Hamas remains intransigent, clinging to positions that prevent the mediators from advancing an agreement." Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said he is prepared to enter talks for a more lasting end to hostilities once a temporary truce is agreed, but only if Hamas disarms. Netanyahu on Sunday evening faced renewed pressure to secure the release of all hostages when protesters beamed images of captives onto buildings near his Jerusalem office. "The absolute majority want a deal even (at the cost of) ending the fighting," Yotam Cohen, whose brother Nimrod is still being held, told AFP.--AFP
