Latest news with #Anwar Ibrahim
Free Malaysia Today
a day ago
- Business
- Free Malaysia Today
Anwar should stay on as PM for political stability, says Rafizi
Pandan MP Rafizi Ramli said a stable government is needed to manage the current economic challenges and complete the current term. PETALING JAYA : Anwar Ibrahim should remain as prime minister until the end of his term to ensure political stability amid economic uncertainty, says former economy minister Rafizi Ramli. Rafizi, who is Pandan MP, said any change in government now could disrupt efforts to manage growing economic challenges, including slowing growth projections across the Asean region. 'We can't have a change of government right now as we're facing serious economic challenges,' he said in the latest episode of the Yang Berhenti Menteri podcast yesterday. He cited forecasts indicating that countries like Indonesia, Thailand, Vietnam, Singapore and the Philippines could see growth drop by 2% to 3%. If Malaysia's growth falls to 3% or lower, it could pose a serious risk to the country over the next one to two years, he said. He said a stable government is needed to manage the situation and complete the current term. Perikatan Nasional has planned a 'Turun Anwar' mass rally for July 26 to push for Anwar's resignation. Organisers claim they expect up to 300,000 participants, although a similar protest in Shah Alam earlier this month drew just over 300. Rafizi also said he has no intention of criticising or embarrassing Anwar in the Dewan Rakyat when it reconvenes on Monday. This comes after Anwar said he had no plans to take disciplinary action against PKR MPs who expressed differing views on judicial appointments. Last week, 19 PKR divisions in Johor called for Rafizi and eight other MPs to be suspended after they demanded a royal commission of inquiry (RCI) and a parliamentary hearing into delays in appointing top judicial posts. The nine MPs claimed the matter amounted to a constitutional crisis, an allegation which the Attorney-General's Chambers denied. The AGC also dismissed the call for an RCI, stating that the appointment process was proceeding at the time in accordance with the Federal Constitution. Since then, Wan Ahmad Farid Wan Salleh has been appointed chief justice, replacing Tengku Maimun Tuan Mat, who retired earlier this month. The Yang di-Pertuan Agong also consented to the appointments of Abu Bakar Jais as Court of Appeal president and Azizah Nawawi as chief judge of Sabah and Sarawak. All three will be sworn in and receive their letters of appointment at Istana Negara on July 28.
Malay Mail
a day ago
- Politics
- Malay Mail
‘Not their home any more': Rafizi warns PKR risks Umno-style exodus over grassroots anger after party polls
KUALA LUMPUR, July 19 — Former PKR deputy president Rafizi Ramli has reportedly cautioned that rising dissatisfaction among grassroots party members could lead to an exodus that similarly plagued Umno during the 1998 Reformasi movement. Malaysiakini cited him from his podcast Yang Berhenti Menteri suggesting that the discontent stems from the recent PKR party elections, where members questioned the transparency of the process. 'In the madness of grabbing power or positions, don't let it come to making people feel like this is not [their] home any more,' he reportedly said, adding that this will be dangerous to the party. 'When they've moved on, it's not easy to ask them to come back,' he added. Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, then Umno deputy president and deputy prime minister was sacked in 1998 by Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad — leading to the Reformasi movement and formation of PKR. Meanwhile, Rafizi was recently defeated in the PKR number two post by Anwar's daughter Nurul Izzah. He and fellow loser Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad both quit their Cabinet posts, citing the party's loss of trust in them. Since then, he has since one of the biggest critics of Anwar's administration, from issues ranging from the 13th Malaysia Plan to judicial independence. Yesterday, Rafizi led nine PKR MPs to remind the government that the need to strengthen the judicial appointment process continues, despite the finalised top judicial appointments. Rafizi had similar stepped down from politics in 2018 after he was defeated by Datuk Seri Mohamed Azmin Ali to be Anwar's deputy in PKR — before returning to the post and active politics in 2022.
Free Malaysia Today
2 days ago
- Politics
- Free Malaysia Today
Anwar open to talks with Umno leaders over Najib's royal addendum
One hundred and sixty Umno division chiefs have urged Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim to uphold a royal addendum allowing Najib Razak to serve the remainder of his prison term under house arrest. PUTRAJAYA : Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim is prepared to hold discussions with Umno leaders over a royal addendum allowing former party president Najib Razak to serve the remainder of his prison sentence under house arrest. Anwar said he was aware that several Umno division chiefs had recently voiced concerns over the matter. 'I am ready to meet with them, provide clarification if needed, or take any steps necessary to preserve harmony,' he told reporters after Friday prayers here. Attorney-General Dusuki Mokhtar is appealing to set aside a majority 2-1 ruling on Jan 6 that allowed Najib's application to adduce additional evidence on the addendum and order the High Court to hear his judicial review. Umno division chiefs, however, said the attorney-general should 'uphold' the addendum and 'support justice'. They also called on Anwar to implement the addendum. Separately, Anwar said he hoped speculation over alleged interference in judicial appointments will be put to rest following the Yang di-Pertuan Agong's assent to several key postings. 'The allegations of interference have been proven baseless, after weeks of attacks and slander directed at me,' he said. 'I hope that with this explanation, and with the decision endorsed by the Conference of Rulers and approved by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, the slander and anxiety surrounding this issue can now be laid to rest.' In a statement yesterday, the office of the chief registrar said the Yang di-Pertuan Agong had consented to Wan Ahmad Farid Wan Salleh's appointment as chief justice, Abu Bakar Jais's appointment as president of the Court of Appeal, and Azizah Nawawi's appointment as chief judge of Sabah and Sarawak. They will be sworn in and presented with their letters of appointment at Istana Negara on July 28.
Malay Mail
2 days ago
- Politics
- Malay Mail
Anwar says ready to meet Umno leaders over Najib royal addendum but won't pre-empt courts
PUTRAJAYA, July 18 — Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim today said he is ready to meet Umno leaders to discuss the alleged royal addendum decree involving former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak. Speaking to reporters after performing Friday prayers in Presint 14 here, Anwar however said that the matter is now before the courts and should not be pre-empted. 'Yesterday, several Umno division chiefs raised the issue and requested a meeting with me, urging for the implementation of the addendum decree,' he said. 'There are two points I want to emphasise. First, the matter is already before the courts, and I cannot act ahead of the judicial process. 'Second, I have informed the Umno president, deputy president, and leadership that I am ready to hold discussions with them, to provide some clarification before taking any further steps,' he added. Yesterday, several Umno division chiefs have reportedly urged Anwar to stop delaying the implementation of a royal addendum that would allow Najib to serve the rest of his prison sentence under house arrest. Reports said that 160 out of 191 Umno division leaders present at a meeting had endorsed a statement calling for the matter. MORE TO COME
Malay Mail
2 days ago
- Politics
- Malay Mail
Delay no more on Najib's house arrest, Umno leaders tell Anwar as court reopens royal addendum claim
KUALA LUMPUR, July 18 — Several Umno division chiefs have reportedly urged Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim to stop delaying the implementation of a royal addendum that would allow Datuk Seri Najib Razak to serve the rest of his prison sentence under house arrest. Malaysiakini reported that 160 out of 191 Umno division leaders present at a meeting yesterday endorsed a statement calling for the matter. 'We urge the prime minister to take full responsibility and ensure the addendum order is executed, as consented by the previous Agong. 'There is no reason to delay the matter any longer,' Wangsa Maju Umno chief Datuk Seri Shafei Abdullah was quoted saying. He alleged that former attorney-general Tan Sri Ahmad Terrirudin Mohd Salleh concealed the document for over a year, despite confirmation of its existence by the Pahang palace in a letter dated January 4. Shafei said this act violated the principles of transparency and accountability, and accused the AG of disrespecting the supremacy of the Constitution. He also called for the establishment of a royal commission of inquiry (RCI) into Terrirudin's alleged conduct, but stressed that the execution of the addendum must take precedence. Last week, Anwar said his government respects the views of all parties regarding the addendum issue, but emphasises that the document is subject to judicial process. Anwar said that the matter is still under court proceedings. Earlier this month, the Attorney General's Chambers (AGC) conceded the existence of an addendum or 'supplementary order' issued by a former King permitting Najib to serve the remainder of his reduced sentence under house arrest. The confirmation came during a Federal Court hearing on the AGC's appeal against a lower court decision to grant Najib leave to proceed with his court case seeking house arrest. In a 2-1 majority decision in January, the Court of Appeal remitted the case on Najib's claim of the existence of an additional document — purportedly allowing him to serve the remainder of his six-year prison sentence under house arrest — to the High Court to be heard on its merits. In April 2024, Najib filed for judicial review at the High Court seeking an order for the federal government and the Pardons Board to confirm the existence of the house arrest addendum. In his leave application, Najib claimed Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri'ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah issued the order during the Pardons Board's meeting on January 29, 2024, allowing him to serve the rest of his reduced sentence under house arrest.
