Don't trivialise 'Turun' rally attendees' grouses
This comes after Housing and Local Government Minister Nga Kor Ming claimed that some 20 tonnes of rubbish were left behind following Saturday's rally.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Star
3 hours ago
- The Star
US tariff cut signals global trust in Malaysia, says Nga
PETALING JAYA: The United States' decision to reduce tariffs on Malaysian exports to 19% reflects international confidence in Putrajaya's economic governance and diplomatic efforts, says Nga Kor Ming (pic). The Housing and Local Government Minister described the revised tariff rate as a testament to Malaysia's credibility as a reliable economic partner and its effective diplomatic engagement. 'We are grateful for this positive development. It sends a strong signal of trust in Malaysia's economic governance, policy reforms and commitment to fair and rules-based trade. 'The 19% rate achieved without compromising our national sovereignty underscores Malaysia's maturity in international negotiations,' he said in a statement yesterday. Nga, who is president of the UN-Habitat Assembly – which sets policy direction on Sustainable Urban Development and Human Settlements, credited the sustained bilateral negotiations led by the Investment, Trade and Industry Ministry under the guidance of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim. He said progressive trade developments would have a positive impact across sectors, particularly construction and manufacturing. Nga said Malaysia's export of furniture, lighting signs and prefabricated building materials to the United States was valued at US$1.55bil (about RM7bil) in 2024. 'Lower tariffs can enable greater access to quality construction material and technologies at competitive prices, supporting our goal to build smarter, greener and more liveable homes and cities,' he said. Nga also welcomed the planned visit of US President Donald Trump to Kuala Lumpur in October for the 47th Asean Summit, as announced by Anwar on Thursday.
Free Malaysia Today
7 hours ago
- Free Malaysia Today
Turun Anwar rally was not a people's movement, says Maria
Former Bersih chairman Maria Chin Abdullah said she did not attend the July 26 protest because it did not appear to represent the wider Malaysian public or any concrete issues. PETALING JAYA : Former Bersih chairman Maria Chin Abdullah has questioned the intent and makeup of the recent Turun Anwar rally, saying it did not reflect the voice of the people and lacked clear demands. While acknowledging the people's right to assemble, Maria said she did not attend the July 26 protest because it did not appear to represent the wider Malaysian public or any concrete issues. 'So my question is: if you want Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim to step down, the next step should be to table a vote of no confidence in Parliament but that hasn't been done. 'Anwar just presented the 13th Malaysia Plan but there was no mention of a vote of no confidence. So to be honest, I'm not sure what Turun Anwar was really about,' Maria said at youth-based NGO Mandiri's 10th year celebration of the Tangkap Najib rally. The Tangkap Najib rally, held in Kuala Lumpur, was to urge the resignation of then Prime Minister Najib Razak due to his involvement in the 1MDB scandal. Police presence was heavy, and after about 200 protesters gathered, the police moved in to arrest those refusing to disperse, with around 20 to 29 youths arrested. Maria, a former Petaling Jaya MP, said many of those involved in Turun Anwar were politicians and elected representatives and the rally lacked a unifying cause that should resonate with the majority of Malaysians. 'Of course, they have every right to be on the streets but if we want to build a real movement, it has to come from the rakyat. It has to be based on what they're feeling. What are their issues? 'I didn't go (to the Turun Anwar Rally). And if I were to go, I would want to be clear on what the rally is about. And I would want to see it as a representative of Malaysia. 'I'm not saying we did everything perfectly, but the Bersih movement was reflective not only of Malaysia's diverse, multicultural makeup, it also presented the government at the time with very critical issues,' she added. Mandeep Singh, also a former Bersih chairman, said the effectiveness and messaging of the Turun Anwar rally left much to be desired. 'It's the job of the opposition to bring down your opponent. But what is your demand, actually? What are you asking for? Economic reform?,' he said. 'What are your demands? What are you trying to show? At Tangkap Najib there were activists, students, different civil societies and there were people who had no political interests. It was a people's movement. This one is a political movement, just anti-Anwar,' Mandeep said. Police estimated that around 18,000 people attended the Turun Anwar rally last Saturday, though organisers claimed that more than 200,000 rally-goers were present.
Free Malaysia Today
13 hours ago
- Free Malaysia Today
Give New Village residents freehold titles, says Gerakan
New Villages were initially established to curb the communist insurgency in 1948. (Bernama pic) PETALING JAYA : Gerakan president Dominic Lau has called on the government to grant freehold land titles to residents of New Villages to reflect the Madani administration's inclusive ideals. In welcoming the commitment to develop these New Villages under the 13th Malaysia Plan, he said giving the residents freehold titles for their homes would increase the value of their properties and raise government revenue through higher taxes. Lau, who acknowledged the legal limitations under the National Land Code, said this suggestion should still be seriously considered. 'If Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim is truly committed to building an inclusive government, this step should be seriously explored,' he said in a statement. He pointed out that housing and local government minister Nga Kor Ming of DAP previously championed the idea of granting permanent titles while in the opposition. 'I still remember when he made this proposal. He said it was the result of thorough research and believed it could restore justice to elderly residents who were forced to relocate to these New Villages during the 1948 (Malayan) Emergency,' he said, adding that it was time to test Nga's sincerity and commitment. Last year, Nga drew brickbats from opposition parties and Umno for proposing that New Villages, which were initially established to curb the communist insurgency, be nominated as a Unesco world heritage site. Umno had argued that it would impact the position, constitutional status and rights of the Malays. Under the 13MP, the government plans to implement a New Village Development Master Plan which would involve upgrading hawker sites and financing schemes for entrepreneurs. In January, Malaysian Chinese New Village secretariat chairman Khoo Poay Tiong said the areas would be developed as tourist attractions ahead of Visit Malaysia Year 2026.
