News@9: Today's top headlines - August 8, 2025 [WATCH]
Zara Qairina case — exhumation ordered
The Attorney-General's Chambers has returned investigation papers on the death of 13-year-old Zara Qairina Mahathir to the police, instructing further action including the exhumation of her body for a post-mortem to gather additional evidence.
Peaceful Assembly Act under review
The government is reviewing the Peaceful Assembly Act 2012 after the Federal Court ruled a key provision unconstitutional, with Home Minister Saifuddin Nasution saying amendments will balance constitutional rights with public order and security.
Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim says the ceasefire between Thailand and Cambodia was made possible through the unity and backing of all Asean leaders.
Over 6,000 Malaysians gave up their citizenship in the first half of 2025 to become Singaporeans, according to the home minister.
That's it for News@9.
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New Straits Times
13 minutes ago
- New Straits Times
Peaceful Assembly Act review must uphold Constitution, democratic values
KUALA LUMPUR: The Alliance for a Safe Community has expressed support for the government's decision to revisit the Peaceful Assembly Act 2012, in light of the recent Federal Court ruling which found one of its provisions unconstitutional. Its chairman, Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye, said the ruling served as a timely reminder that national laws must remain consistent with the Federal Constitution, particularly the right to freedom of assembly under Article 10. "We call on the government to ensure that the revised Peaceful Assembly Act not only aligns with the Federal Court's ruling but also enhances Malaysia's standing as a country that upholds human rights, democratic principles and the rule of law. "The right to peaceful assembly is a hallmark of a mature democracy. It must not be seen as a threat, but rather as a legitimate avenue for citizens to express opinions, participate in public discourse and hold decision-makers accountable," he said in a statement. Lee said the revised Act must fully align with Article 10 of the Federal Constitution, allowing peaceful assembly subject only to reasonable restrictions in the interest of national security, public order and morality. It should also remove provisions that impose excessive or disproportionate penalties on organisers or participants, so as not to deter lawful public assemblies. "It must provide clear, reasonable and non-burdensome procedures for organising assemblies, ensuring that administrative requirements do not become barriers to exercising constitutional rights. "It should also uphold the principle of proportionality, whereby any restrictions are strictly necessary and represent the least intrusive means to achieve a legitimate aim. "In addition, it must protect participants from harassment or arbitrary action, with clear guidelines for law enforcement to manage assemblies in a way that prioritises dialogue and de-escalation." Lee said the organisation also supports the Human Rights Commission of Malaysia's call for the government to involve civil society groups, legal experts and other relevant stakeholders in the review process. "Inclusive consultation is vital to ensure that any amendments are practical, balanced and reflective of the aspirations of a democratic society," he said. On Thursday, Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail had said that the government is reviewing the Peaceful Assembly Act 2012 following the Federal Court ruling last month. He said the government is examining all provisions of the Act to ensure they align with democratic principles, human rights and the nation's current needs.
The Star
38 minutes ago
- The Star
South Asian nations mark Asean anniversary, laud exemplary regional cooperation
Asean Day is celebrated every year on Aug 8 to commemorate the founding of Asean in 1967. - Bernama NEW DELHI: South Asian nations extended their greetings to Asean in conjunction with the regional bloc's 58th anniversary on Friday (Aug 8). Pakistan has described Asean as a "shining example" of regional cooperation and Islamabad seeks to deepen its relations with the group for a stronger and more connected Asia Pacific region. Pakistan's Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar in congratulating Asean and its member states on social media platform X on Friday said: "Asean stands as a shining example of regional cooperation, dialogue and shared prosperity. Its journey over the decades has inspired hope for a peaceful and inclusive international order." Pakistan has been a sectoral dialogue partner of the 10-member organisation since 1993. India's External Affairs Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, who greeted Asean on the group's 58th anniversary, reaffirmed the country's commitment to further strengthen its partnership with Asean. "As major demographies with strong economic, civilisational and people-to-people connects, India and Asean have common aspirations and a shared vision for progress and prosperity," the minister said on X. Meanwhile, a number of events were organised in Asian capitals to mark the Asean anniversary. The High Commission of Malaysia in Sri Lanka hosted a dinner with the Asean heads of mission to celebrate the occasion in Colombo on Friday. Sri Lanka's Deputy Foreign Minister Arun Hemachandra joined it as the guest of honour. The Asean Dhaka Committee, comprising the Asean heads of mission in Bangladesh, held a celebration on Thursday. Bangladesh's Culture Ministry Advisor Mustafa Sarwar Farooki was the chief guest at the event held at the Royal Thai Embassy. Malaysian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Mohd Shuhada Othman in his remarks highlighted the Kuala Lumpur Declaration, Asean Community Vision 2045 and promoted the upcoming 47th Asean Summit. The Institute of Strategic Studies Islamabad organised a discussion titled "Pakistan and Asean: Partners in Peace, Progress, and Regional Prosperity" in collaboration with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Asean Committee in Islamabad on Thursday. Asean was formed on Aug 8, 1967 and consists of 10 members - Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam. - Bernama
New Straits Times
44 minutes ago
- New Straits Times
Calls for justice for Zara Qairina transcend borders, political differences
KUALA LUMPUR: The demand for justice for 13-year-old Zara Qairina Mahathir is a shared call that transcends borders and differences, said Sabah Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor. He said the widespread attention on the case extended beyond state and national boundaries. This, he added, was evident as the 13-year-old's death had not only touched the hearts of the people of Sabah but also sparked nationwide concern, including from neighbouring countries. "This clearly shows that justice for Zara Qairina is a shared demand that crosses borders and differences. "We place our trust in the authorities to conduct a transparent and thorough investigation so that justice can be served for Zara Qairina and her family," he said in a Facebook post yesterday. Hajiji urged all parties to remain calm, avoid being influenced by speculation, and allow the ongoing legal process to take its course. "I welcome the latest statement from the Attorney-General's Chambers (A-GC) that further instructions have been issued regarding Zara Qairina's death," he said. Yesterday, the A-GC instructed the authorities to exhume Zara's remains, which had been buried after she was allegedly reported to have fallen from a hostel building. According to the A-GC, the latest move was among several directives issued to ensure a thorough investigation. It said the exhumation was necessary to allow a post-mortem to be conducted on Zara Qairina's remains.
