BTH: Syed Saddiq acquitted, Cyberjaya student murdered & Iran's Ambassador speaks [WATCH]
KUALA LUMPUR: On this week's episode of Beyond the Headlines, hosts Amalina Kamal and Hazween Hassan dive into three major stories shaking Malaysia.
From a stunning court verdict that could reshape the political landscape to a campus tragedy that has ignited a national conversation on safety, and the far-reaching economic ripples of the Iran-Israel conflict, we unpack what these headlines mean for you.
The week's top story is the dramatic acquittal of former Youth and Sports Minister Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman. After a five-year legal battle he described as "hell", the Court of Appeal overturned his 2023 High Court conviction on all four corruption charges, clearing him of a seven-year prison sentence, a multi-million ringgit fine, and caning.
While Syed Saddiq's party, MUDA, calls the verdict a "victory for a new chapter in Malaysian politics" and immediately offers him the presidency back, the fight isn't over. The prosecution has already filed an appeal to the Federal Court.
Next, a heartbreaking story from Cyberjaya has sent shockwaves across the country.
A 20-year-old physiotherapy student was found murdered in her university dormitory, a place meant to be a sanctuary. The case, now being investigated as a murder, has sparked intense public outcry.
In this segment, we discuss how this tragedy shatters the perception of safety in places like university campuses and cities branded as modern hubs.
The incident has ignited a crucial national conversation about security protocols in student housing, accountability, and gendered safety. Are we doing enough to protect our most vulnerable?
Lastly, the direct conflict between Iran and Israel shifts to fragile diplomacy, the ripple effects are already being felt here at home. This isn't just a distant geopolitical issue; it has direct consequences for Malaysia's economy, diplomacy, and citizens.
To get a perspective from the heart of the matter, we caught up with down with Valiollah Mohammadi Nasrabadi, the Ambassador of Iran to Malaysia, for an in-depth discussion on the conflict and its implications for the region.
Watch the latest episode of Beyond the Headlines for more updates and visit NST Online's YouTube channel.
*This episode was recorded on June 26.
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