No Further Action Against Dr M Did Not Override AG's Decision
The Prime Minister said the decision was made by the Cabinet, despite the Royal Commission of Inquiry (RCI) having recommended otherwise.
'The RCI had recommended that criminal investigations be initiated against Tun Mahathir for betraying the country and for follow-up action to be taken.
'So, I did not override the Attorney-General's decision; it was a Cabinet decision. Although the wrongdoing was a serious betrayal, considering the circumstances and situation, we proposed that it need not be taken further,' he told reporters after attending the 50th Prime Minister's Cup Debate Finals here today.
Anwar was responding to Perikatan Nasional (PN) chief whip Datuk Seri Takiyuddin Hassan's motion to refer him to the Parliamentary Rights and Privileges Committee over his remarks on the RCI into the Pulau Batu Puteh issue.
Previously, Anwar said the government has decided not to proceed with action against Dr Mahathir due to age-related considerations.
The RCI on the Handling of Matters Related to the Sovereignty of Batu Puteh, Middle Rocks and South Ledge had recommended that criminal investigations be initiated against Dr Mahathir.
That recommendation was among those included in the 217-page RCI report that was distributed to Members of Parliament in the Dewan Rakyat.
-- BERNAMA

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


New Straits Times
an hour ago
- New Straits Times
King's state visit to Russia underscores deepening bilateral ties
MOSCOW: The state visit by His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim, the King of Malaysia, to Russia from Aug 5-10 has been described as the highlight of the diplomatic ties between the two countries, said Malaysia's ambassador to Russia, Datuk Cheong Loon Lai. He said the visit is the highest-level ever made and the first by a Malaysian Head of State to Russia since diplomatic relations were established in April 1967. "His Majesty's state visit, at the invitation of Russian President Vladimir V. Putin, is a recognition of the five decades of diplomatic ties with Malaysia, which was among the earliest Asean countries to establish ties with the then Soviet Union. "This visit also reflects the crucial role of the institution of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong in the context of international relations," he told Bernama here today in conjunction with Sultan Ibrahim's state visit. Cheong said the visit will begin in Moscow, where His Majesty is scheduled to hold an official meeting with Putin at the Grand Kremlin Palace. Both leaders are expected to discuss potential cooperation in the fields of trade and investment, higher education, technology and innovation, people-to-people ties, digital transformation, agriculture and food security, as well as regional and international issues. "This highest-level visit will certainly have a high impact in increasing the momentum and positive trend of bilateral relations between Malaysia and Russia. "It sends the message that Malaysia is serious and committed to efforts to strengthen and improve bilateral relations with Russia in all fields, particularly strategic cooperation and people-to-people ties," he said. Cheong said Malaysia has always valued its relationship with Russia, which is built on a pragmatic approach, openness and mutual respect. He said the Russian government welcomes His Majesty's state visit and has extended its full cooperation and support to ensure its success. Sultan Ibrahim is scheduled to arrive in Moscow on Tuesday and will be accorded a state welcome ceremony at the Kremlin on Wednesday, before holding an official meeting with Putin and attending a state banquet hosted by the Russian President. His Majesty is also scheduled to visit the Russian Automotive Technology Development Company (NAMI), as well as the Tochka Kipeniya Technology and Innovation Hub. On Friday, Sultan Ibrahim will travel to Kazan, the fifth largest city in Russia, for an audience with the Rais (Head) of the Republic of Tatarstan, Rustam Minnikhanov, at the Kazan Kremlin. Both parties are expected to discuss potential collaboration in the trade, investment, halal industry sectors and agricultural technology. His Majesty is also scheduled to attend a reception ceremony hosted by Minnikhanov and visit the Kazan Helicopter Plant to observe the manufacturing operations of civilian, defence and rescue helicopters. Russia is currently Malaysia's ninth-largest trading partner among European countries and 28th globally, with bilateral trade valued at RM11.46 billion (USD2.48 billion) in 2024. For the period January to June 2025, Malaysia-Russia trade volume was recorded at RM4.13 billion (USD945.7 million).

The Star
2 hours ago
- The Star
Study needed before implementing early education for five-year-olds, says Fadhlina
KOTA BARU: The Education Ministry is examining the technical and operational aspects before the implementation of early childhood education starting at the age of five under the 13th Malaysia Plan (13MP). Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek said the move is important to ensure the implementation of the policy runs smoothly and meets the objective of strengthening the country's early education foundation. She said the policy is ready and is being examined by her ministry in depth to ensure the implementation will bring a positive impact. "The Education Ministry will also hold a special briefing for the media to provide a comprehensive explanation on this move," she told reporters after presenting the Early Schooling Assistance (BAP) for Form Six Students Semester 1 Year 2025 at Kelantan state level at the Education Technology Resources Sector, Pengkalan Chepa, here, on Sunday (Aug 3). Fadhlina said the study will also look into the needs of teaching resources, infrastructure and the readiness of all parties involved. Last Thursday (July 31), Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, in tabling the 13MP, announced that the government would make preschool education compulsory starting at the age of five to strengthen early childhood education and improve the results of the national education system. — Bernama


New Straits Times
2 hours ago
- New Straits Times
Technical aspects of compulsory preschool education to be fine-tuned
KOTA BARU: The Education Ministry (MOE) is now examining the technical and operational aspects before the implementation of early childhood education starting at the age of five during the 13th Malaysia Plan (13MP). Its Minister Fadhlina Sidek said the move is important to ensure the implementation of the policy runs smoothly and meets the objective of strengthening the country's early education foundation. She said the policy is ready, now MOE is examining it in more depth from the technical and operational aspects so that its implementation will really have a positive impact. "We still have five years during the 13MP and the MOE will also hold a special briefing for the media to provide a comprehensive explanation on this move," she told reporters after presenting the Early Schooling Assistance (BAP) for Form Six Students Semester 1 Year 2025 at state level at the Education Technology Resources Sector, Pengkalan Chepa, here, today. Fadhlina said the study included looking at the needs of teaching resources, infrastructure and the readiness of all parties involved. Asked to comment on the possibility of changing the entry age for Year One to six years or for students to sit for Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) at the age of 16, she said the matter would be announced after the details were made. On Thursday, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, in tabling the 13MP at Dewan Rakyat, announced that the government would make preschool education compulsory starting at the age of five to strengthen early childhood education and improve the results of the national education system. – Bernama