Latest news with #Bersatu
Free Malaysia Today
12 hours ago
- General
- Free Malaysia Today
Anti-hopping law irrelevant for Dewan Negara, says ex-president
Former Dewan Negara president Rais Yatim said senators do not represent their political party directly, only implicitly. PETALING JAYA : Former Dewan Negara president Rais Yatim has dismissed calls for the anti-hopping law to be extended to members of the Senate. Rais said the anti-hopping law was irrelevant to the Dewan Negara as senators were not elected by the people but appointed by the respective state governments or the king, Utusan Malaysia reported. He said the law should only apply to the Dewan Rakyat as MPs were elected by electoral mandates while representing their political parties. 'Senators do not represent the party directly. Their appointments do not explicitly mention the party, only implicitly. Therefore, they cannot claim to represent Umno, Bersatu, or any other party. 'It is different from the Dewan Rakyat, where elected representatives contest on party tickets and are elected by the people. In that context, anti-hopping laws are appropriate, but not for the Dewan Negara,' he said. The veteran politician, who used to be in Umno before joining Bersatu, was commenting on Tengku Zafrul Aziz's decision to quit Umno to join PKR. Umno had asked its legal bureau to look into the implications of Tengku Zafrul's exit, specifically in terms of the party-hopping law and on his status as a senator.
Free Malaysia Today
4 days ago
- Business
- Free Malaysia Today
‘New national consensus' must reject discrimination, says PN MP
Saifuddin Abdullah said there needs to be a new kind of politics based on the struggles of various races, as well as moderation and reducing extreme polarisation. PETALING JAYA : Perikatan Nasional's (PN) vision of a 'new national consensus' must include components that promote inclusivity and reject discrimination, says Indera Mahkota MP Saifuddin Abdullah. Saifuddin, a senior Bersatu leader and former foreign minister, said the proposal announced by PN deputy chairman Hamzah Zainudin was significant, as it sought to unite all levels of politics and civil society, regardless of race, religion, or region. Saifuddin Abdullah. He said any such framework must be grounded in religious values, historical and cultural experience, and the founding principles of the nation as outlined in the Federal Constitution and Rukun Negara. 'To uphold inclusivity means enhancing the spirit of developmental partnership and consultation between the three key sectors of society – government, business, and civil society – in the decision-making process,' he said in a commentary published by Sinar Harian. 'There needs to be a new kind of politics based on a multiracial struggle, moderation, and centrism, while reducing extreme polarisation.' Saifuddin said the public sector must empower itself through commitment, expertise, and the use of technology, while the business community must strengthen its competitiveness to support Malaysia's growth as a trading nation. 'The government should facilitate the business sector by acting as a 'shareholder', not merely a 'tax collector'. 'Civil society must become more professional. The world of volunteerism has been enhanced with new approaches (such as the solidarity economy and social entrepreneurship),' the Bersatu Supreme Council member added. On the principle of rejecting discrimination, Saifuddin said no one should be left behind, marginalised, or be underserved. 'More specifically, there must be no discrimination against citizens based on religion, race, descent, birthplace, or gender.' Hamzah outlined his vision for a 'new national consensus' on May 22 at the ISEAS–Yusof Ishak Institute in Singapore. He said the initiative aimed to bridge Malaysia's political and social divides and chart a path towards a more prosperous future. His proposal centred on three core pillars: shared goals, shared prosperity, and compassionate governance.
Free Malaysia Today
4 days ago
- Business
- Free Malaysia Today
I learned of RM12.5mil legal fees only after suit filed, Muhyiddin tells court
Bersatu president Muhyiddin Yassin denied that he had met lawyer Haniff Khatri Abdulla in 2018 to discuss his legal fees. KUALA LUMPUR : Bersatu president Muhyiddin Yassin told the High Court here today he only came to know of lawyer Haniff Khatri Abdulla's claim for RM12.5 million in legal fees for services rendered when a civil suit was filed. Muhyiddin said he had 'presumed' Haniff's legal services rendered to Bersatu since the party's formation nine years ago were pro bono. He said Haniff may have sent an invoice and subsequent reminders to Bersatu between January and March 2021 for the RM12.5 million, but 'I did not receive them'. 'At that time, I was busy managing the country and dealing with the (Covid-19) pandemic,' he said, adding that party matters are managed by the office bearers, namely the secretary-general and executive secretary. Muhyiddin also acknowledged that Haniff represented Bersatu in several civil cases before the 2018 general election. To a question by Haniff's lawyer, Nizamuddin Hamid, on whether he or any other Bersatu leader had objected to Haniff representing the party in court, the former prime minister said no objections were raised. Nizamuddin: Haniff said you met him (in 2018) to discuss his legal fees. Did this meeting ever take place? Muhyiddin: It never happened. When Justice Akhtar Tahir asked Muhyiddin why Bersatu did not respond to Haniff's invoice, he said if the party had done so, it would appear as though it agreed that the legal fees needed to be paid. 'We thought his (Haniff) services were rendered pro bono. Suddenly, out of the blue, he issued a bill. 'We felt that we need not do anything, and let this court decide,' he said. Haniff filed his lawsuit in 2021, seeking to recover RM12.5 million in legal fees from Bersatu, which he named as the first defendant, for services rendered. He also named Muhyiddin, Bersatu deputy president Hamzah Zainudin and treasurer Salleh Bajuri as the co-defendants. He alleged that before filing the suit, he had issued an invoice to the party for services rendered but received no response. In its defence, Bersatu claimed that Haniff had provided his legal services on a pro bono basis from 2016 to 2020. The hearing continues on June 3.
Malaysiakini
5 days ago
- Politics
- Malaysiakini
Mas Ermieyati dares Asyraf to answer Mara woes, slams legal threat
A Bersatu lawmaker has hit back at Mara chairperson Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki, accusing the latter of using legal threats to silence public criticism regarding Mara's funding and transparency. Masjid Tanah MP Mas Ermieyati Samsudin stressed that the issues she had raised regarding the delays and weaknesses in Mara's technical and vocational education and training (TVET) education loan were based on complaints submitted to her by concerned parents and students.
Free Malaysia Today
5 days ago
- Business
- Free Malaysia Today
Asyraf to sue Bersatu MP over claims linked to Mara funds
Mara chairman Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki says Bersatu's Mas Ermieyati Samsudin has been levelling a series of allegations against him. (Bernama pic) PETALING JAYA : Mara chairman Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki has initiated a legal suit against Bersatu's Mas Ermieyati Samsudin over claims linked to the agency's funds. In a Facebook post, Asyraf said he was initially reluctant to entertain such claims, but Mas Ermieyati had gone overboard with her allegations. 'See you in court YB Mas.' Asyraf also said an opposition MP in Melaka had been levelling a series of allegations against him, including accusing him of not funding technical and vocational education and training (TVET) students. He said he had no problem with criticism, such as taking issue with a non-executive chairman visiting Mara institutions without informing the management. 'But once they start slandering the institution to smear its image, I have no choice but to sue for defamation,' he said.
