Latest news with #Badrul
The Star
11-08-2025
- Sport
- The Star
Turtles turn the tide after coach Badrul's halftime call
PETALING JAYA: A simple halftime reminder proved the spark for Terengganu's dominant 3-0 win over Penang in their Super League opener on Sunday. In a rain-soaked encounter at the City Stadium in Georgetown, the first half was lively but goalless, with the Turtles carving out numerous openings through French striker Yan Mabella and Brazilian winger Gabriel Silva. Penang goalkeeper Khairulazhan Khalid produced a string of excellent saves, while both teams were denied potential penalties by referee Khairulsyahmi Ahmad Khalidi. At the break, Terengganu coach Badrul Afzan Razali kept his message clear – be patient. 'I reminded the boys to be a bit more patient in the second half. 'We had the ball, so we just needed to make quick attacks and play the right through passes. 'We worked well as a unit and deserved the win,' said Badrul. The response was instant. Four minutes into the second half, centreback Safwan Mazlan split the defence with a pass to Azam Azmi Murad, who fired low past Khairulazhan. Six minutes later, Mabella found Silva, whose toe-poke made it 2-0. Badrul then rotated his attack to keep players fresh, a move that paid off when substitute Khala'if Naskam scored with his first touch in the 88th minute, latching onto fellow substitute Baqiuddin Shamsuddin's through ball. 'Khala'if came in and scored — it was perfect for us,' Badrul said. The win gave Terengganu a flying start to their campaign, while Penang coach Wan Rohaimi Wan Ismail admitted his side 'lost rhythm' after the interval. Terengganu next host Police in Gong Badak tomorrow, while Penang face Melaka in Hang Jebat.
The Star
31-07-2025
- Sport
- The Star
Arrival of towering Landis charges up Turtles' defensive unit
PETALING JAYA: The arrival of towering Brazilian centreback Diego Landis has added serious strength and fierce competition to Terengganu's defensive line. And no one is more aware of that than Safwan Mazlan. The 23-year-old knows he faces a steep climb to earn a regular spot in the starting 11, especially with Landis and seasoned national defender Shahrul Nizam Ros Hasni expected to lead the backline. 'Breaking into the first 11 is no easy task,' admitted Safwan, who featured in 22 of Terengganu's 24 Super League matches last season. 'But I believe in myself and my ability to compete at the highest level. I know I have to push harder and work even more diligently to earn that spot.' Terengganu's centreback depth doesn't end there. Promising national youth talent Ubaidullah Shamsul Fazili and versatile defender Syafiq Danial are also vying for minutes, creating one of the most competitive defensive units in the league. Safwan, however, brings versatility to the table. Capable of playing both right and leftback, he offers tactical flexibility, though even those positions are tightly contested, with the likes of Alif Zakaria, Faris Rifqi, Hairiey Hakim, and Azam Azmi Murad in the mix. Coach Badrul Afzan Razali has used pre-season as a proving ground, rotating his squad to assess form and fitness ahead of the season opener against Penang at the City Stadium in Georgetown on Aug 10. Safwan has featured prominently in those matches and is making every minute count. 'So far, our pre-season has been really encouraging. 'The results have been positive, and we've been able to spot areas for improvement to strengthen the team. These matches have also been crucial in helping players build rhythm and confidence ahead of the league.' Safwan credits Badrul for empowering the next generation of Terengganu stars. 'Coach Badrul has given a lot of young players the opportunity to step up and find their confidence. That support has been vital as we prepare for the Super League.'
The Star
21-07-2025
- Sport
- The Star
Fewer imports, bigger dream
Still part of the plan: Uzbekistan midfielder Nurillo Tukhtasinov (centre) has been retained by Terengganu for the Super League next season. — Terengganu FC PETALING JAYA: Terengganu may be cutting down on foreign firepower, but they are aiming for bigger things in the new Super League season. The Turtles, who had nine import players last season, have trimmed the number to six. Coach Badrul Afzan Razali says the move reflects the club's commitment to building a balanced team, with a stronger emphasis on quality over quantity and greater reliance on local talent. 'Last season we had nine imports, but this year we are moving forward with only six. I'm hoping the current group can deliver improved performances and contribute more meaningfully to the team,' said Badrul. They have retained Uzbekistan midfielder Nurillo Tukhtasinov and signed four new players – Brazilian playmakers Gabriel Silva and Rainderson da Costa, French striker Yan Mabella and Cameroonian winger Junior Ngong Sam. The sixth player is believed to be Brazilian centreback Diego Landis, who will join them from Thai club Khon Kaen United. The 27-year-old Landis, who stands tall at 1.95m, hails from the famed Brazilian club academy Sao Paulo and will be a welcome addition to the Terengganu defence, which is powered by local talents. Badrul admitted that several imports failed to meet their marks last season, and this is the reason to source for new faces. 'Some of our imports last year failed to live up to expectations. That's why I expect the new ones to step up and perform at a higher level,' he added. While foreign players remain a vital part of the club's strategy, Badrul underlined his confidence in local players, pledging to provide them with opportunities to prove themselves. 'Our local players cannot be overlooked. I will continue to place my trust in them to help drive the team's success.' Terengganu will begin the season without star winger Safawi Rasid, whose departure leaves a noticeable gap in the squad. However, Badrul believes Akhyar Rashid, who remains with the team, has the potential to fill the void and take on a greater role. 'Losing Safawi is a loss for the team, but we are now looking to Akhyar and others to rise to the occasion. I am confident they will deliver.' Terengganu will take on Penang at the City Stadium in Georgetown on Aug 10. The season will begin with the Charity Shield game between Johor Darul Ta'zim and Selangor in Johor on Aug 8.
Focus Malaysia
19-06-2025
- Politics
- Focus Malaysia
'Keep it plain simple is PAS's secret to retain power in Kedah – turn up for prayers, ‘kenduri' & funerals'
WHAT agenda? What manifesto? That seems to be the jibe aimed squarely at the chin of Kedah PAS and its apparent plan to retain power in the rice bowl state. Outlining a three-point plan on X, pro-Pakatan Harapan (PH) influencer surmised that the secret recipe for the Islamist party to stay in power include: Attend funerals Attend kenduri (feast) when invited Lead solat prayer as imam once a while 'Lack of infrastructure such as roads, meaningful facilities of any sort or even a manifesto is of little consequence,' the former Kuala Selangor PKR division chief candidate who is a lawyer by profession sarcastically observed. 3 Rahsia PAS mengekalkan kemenangan di Kedah: 1. Ziarah kematian 2. Datang jemputan kenduri 3. Jadi imam solat sekali sekala ***Biarpun jalan takdak, apa facilities pun takdak. Biarpun manifesto si Badrul tu sampai skrg pun takdak. Takpa. Tu semua tak penting🙊 — Faizal Rahman (@FaizalR98528) June 15, 2025 Many seemingly PH backers – including oner Kedah electorate – concurred with the poster, attributing the matter to the village mentality of Kedah folks. One netizen pointed out that Kedahans seem to be in awe of their Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor who is seen as a courageous leader who is unhindered by his political baggage. The Tadika PASTI or PAS-run Islamic Early Childhood Education Centre which provides cheap kindergarten education to the B40 and M40 segment was key in the party's success, argued one commenter. Two years of being continuously exposed to the white circle on green backdrop (as depicted by the PAS logo) would surely endear parents of the children to indirectly support the Islamist party. 'Keep the people stupid and they will remain loyal' seems to be the sentiment of one commenter who argued that such tactics were not privy to PAS but also to UMNO. However, there were some who defended the Kedahans' choice by arguing that to kampung folk, certain things are more important than issues of infrastructure. For them, having sufficient food to eat and receiving occasional aid were enough for them. One commenter did point out that turning up at 'KBSM (kenduri, bersalin, sakit, mati)' (literally, feast, childbirth, illness, death) is an effective method of engaging with the electorate. A presumably pro-opposition commenter challenged the PH leadership to do better for Kedahans aside from spreading malicious falsehoods. 'Do you think we have no internet?' he queried. This being the arena of politics, nothing is quite ever so black-and-white. Malaysians are now well aware of the fluidity of the situation and how perceptions can change very quickly. Yes, the legal eagle here does have a point. PAS does seem lacking in clear direction. Its effectiveness as an opposition party at federal level leaves much to be desired. While Kedah's economy is stagnant, there is argument on the flipside that Kedahans are simply not swayed by PH's promises. If they choose to lead a simple and unfussy life dictated by religion, who is anyone to criticise their democratic choice? As for being ever present at kenduri and social gatherings, what's wrong with that? Isn't that what elected representatives are supposed to do – reach out to their constituents? All the better if there is good food involved! – June 19, 2025
Free Malaysia Today
24-04-2025
- Politics
- Free Malaysia Today
Chegubard wins appeal to lift gag orders on ongoing cases
Bersatu's Badrul Hisham Shaharin was charged with criminal defamation and sedition in separate courts in April last year. (Bernama pic) PUTRAJAYA : The Court of Appeal has allowed an appeal by Badrul Hisham Shaharin, better known as Chegubard, to set aside gag orders barring him from making public comments about his ongoing criminal defamation and sedition cases. A three-member panel comprising Justices Zaidi Ibrahim, Noorin Badaruddin, and Fairuz Zainol Abidin overturned the gag orders previously imposed by the Kuala Lumpur and Johor Bahru High Courts. In delivering the panel's decision, Zaidi said the Bersatu man's appeal had merit and that the prosecution had failed to prove any substantial risk to the fairness of the trial. He also said the appellate court was bound by its previous decision in a similar appeal by Wan Azri Wan Deris, also known as Papagomo, as both cases involved similar facts. 'It must be stated that the submissions made by the appellant in this case are the same as those raised by Papagomo in his. 'In Papagomo's case, the court found that the conditions required to impose a gag order were not met. Since the facts in both cases are the same, the Court of Appeal is bound by the decision made in that appeal,' he said. In January, the Court of Appeal lifted the gag order against Wan Azri, ruling that the prosecution had failed to present any material demonstrating a real and substantial risk to the fairness of the trial. Wan Azri claimed trial in the sessions court in May 2024 to a charge of publishing seditious content against Yang di-Pertuan Agong Sultan Ibrahim on his X account. Badrul meanwhile was charged with criminal defamation in the sessions court on April 29 last year. He was accused of publishing a statement which he had reason to believe would damage the Agong's reputation. The court granted him bail of RM10,000 with one surety and dismissed the prosecution's application for a gag order. On April 30, he was charged again in the Johor Bahru sessions court with allegedly publishing seditious material related to a casino project in Forest City on April 26. The court similarly dismissed the prosecution's gag order application. The prosecution then sought revisions of both decisions at the High Courts. On May 14 and 20, respectively, the Kuala Lumpur and Johor Bahru High Courts allowed the revisions and imposed gag orders on Badrul, who appealed to the appellate court on May 23. Badrul was represented by lawyer Rafique Rashid Ali while deputy public prosecutor Ng Siew Wee appeared for the prosecution.
