PAS surprised by Azam's contract extension, calls for credible MACC
PAS is surprised that the government has decided to reappoint Azam Baki as the MACC chief commissioner for a third time.
Citing the Sabah corruption scandal, among others, the Islamist party's deputy president Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man emphasised for a credible and independent MACC, which would act without fear or favour.
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Daily Express
43 minutes ago
- Daily Express
Hadi stepping down would cause only minor disruption in PAS, says analyst
Published on: Monday, June 09, 2025 Published on: Mon, Jun 09, 2025 By: Anne Muhammad, FMT Text Size: It was reported that Abdul Hadi Awang had hinted at stepping down as PAS president due to health reasons. PETALING JAYA: PAS may experience only a brief period of instability if its president Abdul Hadi Awang were to step down, a political analyst says in response to growing speculation over the party's top leadership. Syaza Shukri said that any successor to Hadi might need some time to gain the full support of members, given the Marang MP's strong charisma and leadership of PAS since 2003, following the death of Fadzil Noor. Advertisement 'I believe that if Hadi is replaced by a trusted figure within the party such as Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man or Takiyuddin Hassan, there won't be major issues, and the party's stability can likely be maintained, especially with the backing of its Dewan Ulama and Syura Council. 'The new leader would need time to build confidence among members and establish legitimacy,' the International Islamic University Malaysia academic told FMT. Last week, Sinar Harian reported that Hadi had hinted at stepping down due to health reasons. It is understood that he expressed this intention to senior party leaders at a recent retreat in Terengganu. The development fuelled speculation on the positions of the PAS president and deputy president ahead of the party's internal election, expected in September. Advertisement Dewan Ulama committee member Mokhtar Senik claimed there had been calls for Hadi to relinquish the top post, although this was denied by state-level leaders. Johor PAS Youth chief Ahmad Nawfal Mahfodz alleged that such efforts stemmed from external parties who were unhappy with PAS's performance under Hadi's leadership. However, Azmi Hassan of Akademi Nusantara said the pressure was coming from within the party as well, as some factions wanted to see PAS emerge as a stronger entity. He also acknowledged the presence of 'quiet movements' signalling the possible need for a change in leadership. 'That's why the ulama faction insists that the party's top two positions must continue to be held by religious scholars. 'But the pressure from the professionals seems more pronounced right now, because there's a sense that PAS needs reform,' he said. Azmi added that while PAS members were known for their loyalty to the party's leadership, many believed that change was necessary, albeit voluntary change and not through force. 'That's why there's a quiet, indirect movement to signal to Hadi that change is needed. And it does seem to be having some effect, hence the talk that both the number one and two positions should remain under the ulama faction,' he said. * Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel and Telegram for breaking news alerts and key updates! * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia
Free Malaysia Today
4 hours ago
- Free Malaysia Today
Decades later, Mahathir still stuck in a dilemma of his own
For young Malaysians unfamiliar with the nation's political history, here's a recap of former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad's obsession with his version of Malay supremacy. In 1970, a year after the May 13 racial riots that followed huge electoral losses for the ruling Umno-led Alliance, Mahathir authored 'The Malay Dilemma', essentially his manifesto outlining his political and racial beliefs. It examines and analyses the make-up of the Malays and the problem of racial harmony in Malaysia. The book claims that the tolerant and non-confrontational nature of the Malays led them to fall under the dominion of others, and that the government must correct Malaysian Chinese hegemony in business. The book was banned by the then prime minister Tunku Abdul Rahman, who felt that it threatened racial harmony. As soon as Mahathir became prime minister in his first term in 1981, he lifted the ban. Many times, Mahathir has labelled all non-Malays as 'pendatang' (immigrants) despite most having been born and bred here, many for at least three generations. He has been unapologetic about this term, insisting that he is correct historically. In his latest bid at wantonly promoting Malay supremacy, he is attempting to bring together all the Malay parties, including his former rivals Bersatu and PAS, while inviting Umno members to join too. His approach appears to be rooted in a perception of threats to Malay identity and interests, which he argues necessitates a collective response from the Malay population. Honestly, there is nothing wrong in any party trying to unite a community. It's not just the Malays, others do it subtly too. Groups in Sabah and Sarawak are also known to use such divisive tactics for political reasons. However, to premise his arguments on a narrative of vulnerability, suggesting that the community faces challenges from other ethnic groups, is tantamount to falsehood, in my opinion. He has sensationalised his concerns about the erosion of Malay rights and the position of the Malay language when there is no such threat whatsoever. He knows hitting the primordial sentiments of Malays will hit the right chord. Figures on Malays in power Claims of erosion of Malay and Bumiputera rights is an utterly reckless claim if one cares to look deeply into who's in charge in the public sector. This is vital because these are the people who formulate government policies and implement them. A check with the government's latest list of secretaries-general and directors-general will show some shocking figures – well, shocking to those who claim that Malays and Bumiputeras are losing their position. The list actually makes Mahathir's assertions laughable. Of the 43 top-most government officers — namely the chief secretary to the government and secretaries-general — only three are non-Malays. Of the 107 directors-general and those of their equivalent ranks, only four are non-Malay. If you take the deputies into account, only about 5% of this total are non-Malay. The heads of security forces and the police, their deputies and senior officers are mostly, if not all, Malays or Bumiputera. The head of the judiciary and the majority of judges are Malays or Bumiputera too. None of the vice-chancellors in public universities are non-Malays. Government scholarships, jobs and placements in public universities stick to the quota system, although it's not a written policy. But most Malaysians accept this reality. Constitutional rights The special rights of the Malays and Bumiputera are securely entrenched in the Federal Constitution, and it's safe to say it will never ever be erased until the majority of Malays decide that they don't need it anymore. Claims that the DAP is trying to remove their special privileges and dilute the political power of the Malays is all hogwash. The DAP leaders themselves are seen as being more compromising these days. All they appear to want is to remain in power to ensure there is non-Malay representation in the government. They know better not to rock the boat. As for Islam and the royalty, they are not only untouchable, but no sane Malaysian wants to even go near these subjects. Besides the constitutional safeguards, there is enough fear among Malaysians to keep their distance. No one in their right senses would ever want to rock this boat as they know the serious consequences that they will have to face. The data on population growth also shows that the percentage of Malays and Bumiputera will reach a super majority in a few decades. When it reaches that stage, political battles will mainly involve Malay parties. Non-Malays will be an insignificant minority. To argue that it's all right for the Malays and Bumiputera to dominate the government since the Chinese control the private sector is akin to comparing apples with oranges. The private sector generates revenue from private investment and pays taxes to help run the government. The government is mainly funded by taxpayers. They must coexist for the betterment of the nation. It is not a competition. Election strategy Most know that the perceived threats to the Malay community raised by Mahathir and his ilk are exaggerated or politically constructed to rally support ahead of the next general election, due by February 2028. Their goal is to bring down Anwar Ibrahim and Pakatan Harapan. Mahathir is leveraging on ethnic solidarity in an attempt to regain influence after previous electoral setbacks, including losing his deposit in Langkawi in the 2022 elections. Mahathir is reckless in taking this approach, as such tactics can exacerbate ethnic tensions in a country that is inherently multi-ethnic, with all citizens enjoying enshrined constitutional rights pertaining to race and religion. The views expressed are those of the writer and do not necessarily reflect those of FMT.
New Straits Times
14 hours ago
- New Straits Times
Former MACC chief urges reform on travel restrictions
KUALA LUMPUR: Former Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) chief commissioner Tan Sri Dzulkifli Ahmad has called for institutional reforms to ensure that any authority enforcing movement restrictions on individuals operates under legal oversight, with full accountability and transparency. He said such reforms are essential to uphold justice for all individuals and to preserve the rule of law. Dzulkifli said the practice of imposing movement restrictions without due process or transparency must be stopped. "This is not merely a personal inconvenience. "It clearly violates Article 9(2) of the Federal Constitution, which guarantees every citizen the right to move freely within Malaysia and to leave the country. "Restrictions imposed without due process or transparency are unethical, unlawful, and unconstitutional. "This practice must end," he said in a statement today. He was commenting on the recent incident involving activist and graphic artist Fahmi Reza, who claimed he was barred from leaving the country after being blacklisted from entering Sabah. Dzulkifli also shared his personal experience of facing travel restrictions imposed by the anti-graft body in 2018. "What happened to Fahmi Reza is, unfortunately, nothing new. Many others have gone through the same thing, including myself. "After the 2018 general election, when there was a change in government and I had retired from public service, I was barred from leaving the country. My applications to perform umrah were rejected twice. "I was shocked, and a check with the Immigration Department revealed that the restriction was requested by the MACC, an agency I once led as chief commissioner. "The travel ban was only lifted during the administration of the country's ninth prime minister (Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob), after I personally requested the MACC to review the matter," he claimed. Yesterday, Fahmi claimed he was prevented from leaving the country after immigration officers at KLIA informed him that he had been blacklisted. Earlier today, Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Razarudin Husain said in a statement that no official travel restriction had been imposed on Fahmi, whose full name is Mohd Fahmi Reza Mohd Zarin. Razarudin, however, said Fahmi's name was placed on a movement monitoring list for internal police reference, as investigations involving him are still ongoing.
