Latest news with #BatuPuteh
Focus Malaysia
2 days ago
- Politics
- Focus Malaysia
Will Mahathir succeed in pressuring Anwar to make another U-turn on Batu Puteh?
FORMER Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad appears to have Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim on the back foot over the Batu Puteh dispute. Mahathir is demanding an apology from Anwar, but says he will only deserve one if proven innocent in court. The real question now is whether Anwar will bow to Mahathir's persistent challenge and reopen the case files that were shelved. For Mahathir, this would mark a significant political win, forcing Anwar into yet another U-turn on an issue previously positioned as critical to his administration's accountability stance. Yesterday, Mahathir reiterated that he is unafraid of prosecution, provided there is clear evidence he acted wrongly in the 2008 decision to withdraw Malaysia's challenge over Batu Puteh at the International Court of Justice (ICJ). 'If I did wrong, take me to court and try me. If it's true I sold (Batu Puteh), if it's true I gave it away, then I will be punished. But if it's not true, then the person accusing me should apologise,' Mahathir said. He was responding to Anwar's earlier remarks that the Cabinet refrained from pursuing legal action due to Mahathir's advanced age, even though the Prime Minister still held him responsible for the loss of the island to Singapore. Mahathir defended his administration's decision as one based on facts and legal reasoning. Whether Anwar will hold firm or shift course remains to be seen. —July 27, 2025 Main image: Malay Mail
The Star
3 days ago
- Politics
- The Star
Rakyat air their concerns
Exercising their right: Protesters gathering during the Turun Anwar rally at Dataran Merdeka in Kuala Lumpur. — AZHAR MAHFOF/The Star KUALA LUMPUR: Crowds gathered at five major points in the capital city, calling for Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim to step down as Prime Minister as they voiced their discontent over his leadership. Despite the rain and haze, the demonstrators grouped at Sogo shopping mall, Masjid Negara, Pasar Seni, Masjid Jamek Sultan Abdul Samad and Masjid Jamek Kampung Baru before marching to Dataran Merdeka. The grievances at the Turun Anwar rally yesterday ranged from 'dishonoured promises' to taxes, and what they deemed were failed reforms and political intimidation by the government. Chants of 'Turun Anwar' were heard in Bahasa Malaysia, Tamil and Chinese. Among those who addressed the rally was former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad. He challenged Anwar to take him to court if he is wrong in the Batu Puteh issue. 'This country has courts, judges and public prosecutors. But Anwar did not use these,' he said. 'You are not a judge, you are a prime minister. You cannot decide who is guilty. Only the judges can determine whether I am wrong or not,' he said. Dr Mahathir spoke of how he had resigned from office when he lost the support of his party, not even the people. Perikatan Nasional chairman Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin accused Anwar of not being mindful to the plight of Malaysians. 'The value of the ringgit has dropped but the cost of goods has gone up,' he said. Perikatan secretary-general Datuk Seri Azmin Ali said the rally was an early signal that the Anwar administration would fall. Opposition Leader Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainudin warned that more assemblies would come. 'We do not want RM100, Anwar. We want Anwar to step down,' he said, referring to the cash aid announced on Wednesday. PAS deputy president Datuk Seri Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man said they had gathered 'to take down a leader who has not fulfilled his promises'. Among the attendees was restaurant manager Mohd Amri Ismadi, who drove from Ipoh. 'Everyday has been a struggle, especially in recent years. We are expected to tighten our belt. 'Do we have to cut corners until we lose what remains of our modest life?' said Mohd Amri, who is in his 30s. Store keeper Shamsul Safawi, 55, who attended the rally despite being unwell, said he wanted to add to the show of the people's discontent. 'What is most upsetting is the empty promises. I feel it is best he steps down and let other leaders take over, ' he said.
Malay Mail
3 days ago
- Malay Mail
Police: Missing crash victim found walking by roadside, clad only in underwear, 1km from Kulim crash site
KULIM, July 26 — A crash victim who was reported missing after the car he was driving skidded and caught fire on Jalan Batu Puteh-Labu Besar near here yesterday, was found safe early today. Kulim police chief Supt Zulkifli Azizan said the victim, identified as Mohd Solehin Abd Latif, 28, was found on the roadside in Batu Puteh heading towards Labu Besar. 'At 8 am today, while police were patrolling the crash site, a 39-year-old man reported that a man clad in only his underwear was seen on the roadside walking towards Labu Besar. 'Based on the information, the search and rescue (SAR) team went straight to the location of the discovery and confirmed that the man was indeed the victim they were looking for,' he said when contacted by Bernama today. According to him, the crash victim was found at 8.40 am, having wandered off about 1km from the incident site. 'The victim's condition was stable, with only minor scratches on his body. He was then taken to the Sungai Kob police station before being handed over to his family. The search was officially called off at 10 am,' he said. Earlier, the victim was reported missing after his Perodua Kancil car was involved in a crash and found burnt in a ditch on the roadside at 5.30 am yesterday. The victim was said to have driven out alone, and only his wallet, identity card and phone were found at the crash site. The victim's family is said to have also scoured the nearest hospitals, including the Baling Hospital and Kulim Hospital, but were unable to trace him. — Bernama
Malay Mail
3 days ago
- Malay Mail
Police: Missing crash victim found walking by roadside, 1km from Kulim crash site
KULIM, July 26 — A crash victim who was reported missing after the car he was driving skidded and caught fire on Jalan Batu Puteh-Labu Besar near here yesterday, was found safe early today. Kulim police chief Supt Zulkifli Azizan said the victim, identified as Mohd Solehin Abd Latif, 28, was found on the roadside in Batu Puteh heading towards Labu Besar. 'At 8 am today, while police were patrolling the crash site, a 39-year-old man reported that a man clad in only his underwear was seen on the roadside walking towards Labu Besar. 'Based on the information, the search and rescue (SAR) team went straight to the location of the discovery and confirmed that the man was indeed the victim they were looking for,' he said when contacted by Bernama today. According to him, the crash victim was found at 8.40 am, having wandered off about 1km from the incident site. 'The victim's condition was stable, with only minor scratches on his body. He was then taken to the Sungai Kob police station before being handed over to his family. The search was officially called off at 10 am,' he said. Earlier, the victim was reported missing after his Perodua Kancil car was involved in a crash and found burnt in a ditch on the roadside at 5.30 am yesterday. The victim was said to have driven out alone, and only his wallet, identity card and phone were found at the crash site. The victim's family is said to have also scoured the nearest hospitals, including the Baling Hospital and Kulim Hospital, but were unable to trace him. — Bernama
New Straits Times
4 days ago
- Politics
- New Straits Times
Govt never interfered in A-G's Batu Puteh decision, says Anwar
PUTRAJAYA: The government has never interfered with any matters under the Attorney-General's (AG) jurisdiction, including the action to be taken towards former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad in the Batu Puteh case. Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said this was despite the recommendations made by the Royal Commission of Inquiry (RCI) into Batu Puteh, Middle Rocks, and South Ledge for criminal investigations to be taken against Dr Mahathir. He said this in response to a motion submitted by Perikatan Nasional (PN) to refer him to the Parliamentary Special Select Committee on Privileges, over a statement he made in the Dewan Rakyat regarding the Batu Puteh issue, which allegedly misled the House. "The task force had proposed that a report be filed against Dr Mahathir for alleged betrayal of the country, and that further action be taken. "So, I did not bypass the A-G's decision. "Although the offence was serious, taking into account the context and circumstances, the cabinet proposed that the matter not be pursued further," he said when met by reporters after the 2025 Prime Minister's Cup Debate Finals.
