News@9: Today's top headlines - July 21, 2025 [WATCH]
About 100 bus drivers staged a pre-dawn strike in Johor Baru over pay cuts, stranding thousands of commuters during peak rush hour.
No show
Pandan MP Datuk Seri Rafizi Ramli did not attend the Parliament sitting today, his aide confirmed.
Employee probed
Sunway Construction Group said one employee is being investigated by the MACC over subcontractor dealings.
Consumer Credit Bill
The Dewan Rakyat has passed a bill that paves the way for a new commission to regulate non-bank credit providers and protect consumers.
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The Star
an hour ago
- The Star
Auditor-General's Report exposes entrenched weaknesses in public sector governance, says Lam Thye
KUALA LUMPUR: Urgent and decisive actions are needed in response to the latest Auditor-General's Report, which once again exposes entrenched weaknesses in public sector governance, says Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye. The social activist said the recurring issues of financial mismanagement, procurement irregularities, and non-compliance with procedures revealed a "troubling culture of negligence and impunity" within certain government agencies. 'The same systemic failures keep surfacing year after year, and yet we continue to see a lack of accountability. "These are not just technical lapses. They point to deeper problems in the way public resources are handled," he said when contacted on Saturday (July 26). The Auditor-General's Report, tabled in Parliament earlier this week, outlined multiple instances of overpayments, delays in project implementation, and procurement without proper documentation — findings that have become all too familiar to the Malaysian public. Lee criticised the apparent lack of transparency and integrity among some officials, stressing that the government must move beyond merely acknowledging the report's findings and instead act firmly to rectify the problem. He said civil servants found guilty of misconduct or serious breaches should face swift disciplinary action or be prosecuted. "Without real consequences, we will never see deterrence," he added. He also called for internal audit units to be made independent and empowered to conduct real-time monitoring rather than just post-mortem audits. "A publicly accessible online dashboard should be introduced to track government procurement and project implementation. 'Let the public hold officials accountable," he said. Lee said high-risk departments must undergo regular integrity checks to identify and prevent corruption early. "The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) should be given broader powers, including the ability to summon not just civil servants but ministers if necessary. 'It is unacceptable that while taxpayers are fulfilling their obligations, those entrusted with managing public funds continue to act carelessly or worse, dishonestly," he said. He added that Parliament must play a more active role in enforcing accountability, rather than merely observing proceedings.
Free Malaysia Today
an hour ago
- Free Malaysia Today
I wanted education portfolio in Cabinet, says Rafizi
Pandan MP Rafizi Ramli said children must be taught to be honest and civic-minded rather than be a minister who steals from every direction. PETALING JAYA : Former economy minister Rafizi Ramli says he would have preferred to be the education minister, calling it the most important portfolio for reforming the country. 'If I could, I would want to be education minister, but I don't think people would like it,' he said on the latest episode of the Yang Berhenti Menteri podcast yesterday. The Pandan MP said education is the foundation for long-term change, particularly in dismantling a culture of corruption, and that institutional reforms alone are not enough. 'Yes, this culture can be changed. Everything starts with education. That's why I always criticised Fadhlina Sidek (education minister),' he said. 'Everything begins from school. We need to teach children that there are different models of success. It's better to live an honest, ordinary life, take care of others, and be civic-minded than to become a minister who steals from every direction.' Rafizi also joked that if he took up the portfolio, he hoped people would not remember him only for the government's black shoes policy. He was referring to Pakatan Harapan's first administration in 2020 when then education minister Maszlee Malik announced a switch from white to black school shoes, saying black shoes were easier to keep clean. The move drew much criticism and ridicule amid concerns over declining education standards. Rafizi said he accepted the economy portfolio out of necessity, following the 2022 general election (GE15) that resulted in a hung Parliament and the formation of a unity government. He said there was an urgent need to stabilise markets and restore public confidence in the government's economic management. 'But you can't fix the economy if you don't fix the education system,' he said.
Malay Mail
a day ago
- Malay Mail
Loke: Protest tomorrow if you wish, just take the train
KUALA LUMPUR, July 25 — Transport Minister Anthony Loke has encouraged participants of tomorrow rally at Dataran Merdeka to use public transport to reduce congestion in the city centre. He said all public transport services including trains will continue operating as usual on the day. Loke stressed that the Madani government upholds the right to peaceful assembly, even for groups opposed to the administration. 'We must not return to an era that suppressed democracy to the point of shutting down Parliament,' he said. He added that public transport must keep running to ensure that the majority of Malaysians can carry out their weekend plans without disruption. Loke took the opportunity to remind Klang Valley users that the subsidised MY50 travel pass can now be renewed online via the Touch 'n Go app. He also highlighted the RM6 MyCity Pass, which offers unlimited daily travel on LRT, MRT, BRT, Monorail and Rapid Bus services, and will be digitised by year-end. The minister urged all rally-goers to ride public transport and help ease traffic flow in the capital.
