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Focus Malaysia
a day ago
- Politics
- Focus Malaysia
Recounting the day Malaysians stopped Najib from jetting off to Jakarta: A sweet victory for the rakyat
ON the morning of May 12, 2018, something truly historic happened at Subang Airport. Just days after losing the 14th General Election (GE14) in a crushing landslide loss, the disgraced ex-premier Datuk Seri Najib Razak and his family appeared to be trying to escape the country on a private jet to Jakarta. But ordinary Malaysians, rightfully furious over their years of corruption and scandals, went to the airport to stop them. They were everyday citizens, not politicians or VIPs. They were teachers, shopkeepers, youth and parents from all races and all walks of life. Tired of seeing UMNO steal taxpayers' money while the people struggled, they stood in front of the airport gates and physically blocked cars from entering. Within hours, the Immigration Department swiftly banned Najib and Rosmah from flying out. Their flight was cancelled. The rakyat had won. Later, Najib was finally arrested. This moment was more than just a protest. It was a message to the world: Malaysians care about justice. It showed that when people come together, they can stop even the dirtiest criminals from avoiding accountability. Emulating a similar feat Now, in 2025, Malaysia faces new problems. Life is more expensive. Unemployed youth are frustrated. The criminal Najib and his family, especially his whinging daughter, are trying to rewrite Malaysian history. UMNO puppets like UMNO Youth chief Datuk Dr Muhamad Akmal Saleh and others are still trying to divide the country. Other Asian nations are quickly out-smarting and out-competing Malaysia. So-called leaders are no longer even pretending to solve problems. But we must remember the airport lesson from 2018: the people have power. Stopping Najib's flight was not just about one thief. It was about protecting Malaysia's future. It showed that democracy is not just about voting. It is also about speaking up, standing firm and uniting together as one people to do what is right. Today, we must carry that same cooperative spirit. If we see corruption, then we must speak out. If we see injustice, then we must act. The work of building a better nation never ends. It needs everyone, every day. What happened at Subang Airport was a tremendously proud moment for Malaysia. It was a peaceful but powerful action. In the words of one senior judge, the people said, 'You are a national embarrassment'. And they made Najib finally face justice. No matter what setbacks Malaysians have experienced since then, no Malaysian should ever forget that triumphant day when the rakyat united to stop a weak but corrupt tyrant. Let that remind us: The Malaysian government belongs to Malaysians – not the other way around. – Aug 11, 2025 Corruption Watch is a reader of Focus Malaysia. The views expressed are solely of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Focus Malaysia. Main image credit: Malay Mail
The Star
29-07-2025
- Business
- The Star
Abolishing tolls would cost govt billions that can be put to better use, says Works Minister
KUALA LUMPUR: The money the government would need to spend on highway maintenance if tolls are abolished can be used for other priorities, says the Works Ministry. Its Minister, Datuk Seri Alexander Nanta Linggi ( pic ), said abolishing tolls is not easy, and the government would have to cough up billions for highway maintenance. ALSO READ: Private car users would have faced steep toll hike without postponement, Dewan Rakyat told 'Instead, these funds can be used in states like Kelantan, Terengganu or the territories of Sabah and Sarawak, which do not use tolls,' he said during Minister's Question Time in the Dewan Rakyat on Tuesday (July 29). He also said there is a possibility that toll rates can be reduced once highway concessionaires achieve their return on investment. 'Then, we can possibly see toll rates, which are considered burdensome now, reduced. That is more practical and realistic. ALSO READ: 'Toll hike delay eases burden on daily commuters' 'There is no need to abolish tolls now, for the benefit of the whole country, especially for states that do not use tolls,' he said. He was responding to a supplementary question by Datuk Che Mohamad Zulkifly Jusoh (PN-Besut), who asked if the government planned to abolish tolls. Ahead of its victory in the 14th General Election in 2018, Pakatan Harapan had pledged to abolish tolls if it came into power.
The Star
16-07-2025
- Politics
- The Star
Umno is now a local party in Sabah, says Ahmad Maslan
KOTA KINABALU: Umno should no longer be seen as a peninsula-based party as it has long-established local roots in Sabah, says Datuk Seri Ahmad Maslan ( pic ). Ahmad, who is Umno's war room secretariat chief and a supreme council member, said the party has been present in Sabah for more than three decades and its leadership today is made up entirely of local Sabahans. "Umno in Sabah is no longer a Malayan party. When a party has existed for 34 to 35 years in the state, it is no longer accurate to call it a 'Parti Malaya'. "It is now both a local and a national party – that is the most appropriate way to describe Umno and Barisan Nasional in Sabah," he said during a dinner with Lahad Datu Umno division leaders on Tuesday (July 15) night. His comments come amid growing sentiment in Sabah's political landscape that the state needs to empower local-based parties – similar to Sarawak – to gain stronger bargaining power with Putrajaya. He also expressed confidence that Umno could reclaim all state seats under the Lahad Datu parliamentary constituency, as it had during its peak in Sabah. In 2018, following its defeat in the 14th General Election, Umno announced that its Sabah chapter would be granted greater autonomy to independently manage its own affairs – including leadership appointments, candidate selection and political strategy – as part of efforts to rebuild support in the state. The move, later formalised in Umno's constitution, aimed to strengthen the party's position in Sabah by aligning more closely with local sentiments and addressing growing calls for greater self-determination, similar to the approach taken by Sarawak-based parties. On May 12, 2025, Sabah Umno chief Datuk Seri Bung Moktar Radin reaffirmed that Sabah Umno continues to hold this autonomy, particularly in candidate selection and state election strategy, despite the Barisan Nasional central leadership managing alliance negotiations at the national level. On July 6, Ahmad said Umno is eyeing between 25 and 30 seats out of total 73 seats in the upcoming Sabah state election, emphasising that the party would focus on constituencies where it has a strong chance of winning rather than contesting widely without impact.
Sinar Daily
10-07-2025
- Politics
- Sinar Daily
My struggle has always been for my race, country and religion
SHAH ALAM – As Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad turns 100 years old today, he stands not just as Malaysia's longest-serving Prime Minister, but as a figure whose enduring dedication to his race, religion and country continues to shape national discourse. At the threshold of a century, Dr Mahathir remains as defiant and reflective as ever. Dr Mahathir continues to stand tall as a symbol of distinguished leadership that remains untarnished by time. - Photo by ASRIL ASWANDI SHUKOR and HALIM WAHID/SINAR In an exclusive interview with Sinar, Malaysia's longest-serving Prime Minister opened up about the milestones, regrets and battles that have shaped his life and legacy. 'I still cannot believe I have reached 100. I thought I would pass away at 70 or 75. "Suddenly I am 99 and now 100. I can only say I am grateful and want to use whatever time I have left. "My struggle has always been for my race, my country and my religion. "That is all I think about, since I have been given time up to this age. Alhamdulillah, I am grateful,' he said. Dr Mahathir's political life spanned multiple eras. From becoming Prime Minister in 1981, spearheading Malaysia's rapid industrialisation, to returning in 2018 at age 92 and setting a Guinness World Record as the world's oldest elected head of government, his political comebacks remain historic. Though he resigned in 2002, his reentry into politics was driven by necessity, not ambition. 'Even though I wanted to retire, to step down and hope that the fight for the Malay people would continue, there were many problems. Many people came to me asking for help. What could I do? I could not avoid re-entering national politics, eventually forming a new party. 'I had hoped that when the party was formed, disappointed supporters of Umno would migrate to it. But they did not. Instead, they went to other parties. "That is why I was disappointed that even in the 14th General Election (GE14), Bersatu only won 13 seats. If we had won 30 to 40 seats, then Bersatu would have dominated Pakatan Harapan (PH), meaning PH would be Malay-led and that would have fulfilled the struggle," he said. When asked why he continues to stay active despite calls for retirement, Dr Mahathir was resolute. Age has not hindered his ability to think clearly, stay mobile and remain engaged. He posed a question to himself: if he is still alive, then what purpose should he serve? 'I have had enough. I have already been Prime Minister. There is nothing more for me. But I still believe that my struggle is not over. "It is the fight to save the Malays and the country. That is what I have to continue to do. If we are alive and do not have a purpose, what is the point of life?' he questioned. Dr Mahathir remains relevant as a reference point for academics and policymakers in exploring economic, technological and future directions, especially in the Asian region. -Photo by ASRIL ASWANDI SHUKOR and HALIM WAHID/SINAR A prolific writer throughout his life, Dr Mahathir said he preferred the written word to speech. He said that one can think deeply about what to record. If something is wrong, one can correct it. But if you speak, you cannot take it back. People will have already heard and judged that that is your view. Addressing his often-quoted phrase, 'Melayu mudah lupa,' Dr Mahathir clarified that Malays tend to forget they were once colonised, extremely poor, scorned and insulted. 'And now, when we are free from that, we forget the struggle it took to escape that shame. The future does not guarantee things will remain the same. "As it changed from colonialism to independence and development, the future might not always bring progress. Disasters might strike and we might be powerless to overcome them,' he said. Though he achieved much, Mahathir remains unsatisfied with the current state of affairs. He is disappointed because he said he can clearly see the threats in front of Malaysia. 'Yet, we act as if we are blind to it. We only want comfort. I've never felt tired. People still ask for my views. Why should I say I am too old to speak? If I have an opinion, I will express it," he said. If he had not become Prime Minister, Dr Mahathir said he still could not imagine a life outside of politics. When asked who was harder to manage, his wife, Tun Dr Siti Hasmah or Malaysia, he chuckled. 'There is no difference. Both are equally hard to manage,' he quipped. Dr Mahathir advised that men or husbands must listen to their wives. "Sometimes there are differences and tolerance is needed. 'We must accept that we cannot change their ways, just like they cannot change ours,' he said. As he looked back on 100 years, Dr Mahathir left behind not just political milestones but a personal testament to struggle, reflection and an unwavering belief in purposeful living. His journey, filled with high expectations, disappointments and resilience, remains interwoven with the story of Malaysia itself.
New Straits Times
29-06-2025
- Politics
- New Straits Times
Tok Mat: Umno, BN open to working with Sabah parties in state polls
TANGKAK: Umno and Barisan Nasional (BN) are open to forging alliances with Sabah-based parties for the coming state election. Umno Deputy President Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan said that BN recognised the need to work with other parties. "We can no longer go it alone. We need other partners to face this state election," he said, adding BN has already agreed to work with Pakatan Harapan (PH) in the polls. He added that the coalition was also exploring cooperation with local parties. "We want to enter the Sabah state election as a strong team, not one that is forced to fend off all sorts of things," he said after officiating the Ledang Umno divisional meeting here today. Mohamad said a strong team would ensure voters are not confused when giving their support, thus enabling them to govern the state. Previously, Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS) rejected political cooperation with BN in this state election. PBS was a former BN component party before leaving the coalition after the 14th General Election, following BN's defeat. The Sabah State Legislative Assembly is scheduled to be automatically dissolved on Nov 11 this year. Earlier this week, Sabah Umno chief Datuk Seri Bung Moktar Radin denied inviting PBS to rejoin the coalition or work together in the coming election. Previously, Sabah Umno chief Datuk Bung Moktar Radin denied inviting PBS to rejoin the coalition or proposing cooperation with the party. This followed PBS' statement that the party would not work with BN in the polls.
