Latest news with #BersatuSupremeCouncil
Free Malaysia Today
03-05-2025
- Politics
- Free Malaysia Today
Asking Bersatu to dissolve an outdated, irrelevant proposal, says Wan Saiful
Wan Saiful Wan Jan said dissolving and joining another might make sense for a small or insignificant party, but Bersatu is not small. PETALING JAYA : Bersatu Supreme Council member Wan Saiful Wan Jan has dismissed a proposal for the party to disband and reunite with Umno, describing it as outdated and irrelevant. He said the current political landscape is marked by various parties forming coalitions and working together to form governments. 'If it's a small party, maybe it's appropriate to consider dissolution. But this suggestion came from Umno veterans, so it reflects a mindset that should have long been retired,' he said in a Facebook post. Wan Saiful said Malaysia is in a new political era, with multiple parties forming coalitions and working together to form governments. 'That's the political reality today that may not be realised by those still stuck in the past,' he added. He was responding to Umno Veterans Club secretary Mustapha Yaakub's call for Bersatu to dissolve and rejoin Umno, likening the move to Semangat 46's return to the party in the 1990s. Mustapha's remarks came after Bersatu deputy president Hamzah Zainudin said the party was open to working with Umno because of their shared ideological values. Wan Saiful, the MP for Tasek Gelugor, also claimed that Umno no longer holds the upper hand in national politics and is surviving mainly through the support of Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim. 'We must remember, if not for party hopping and the scramble for government funds, Bersatu would still have more MPs in Parliament than Umno,' he said.
Free Malaysia Today
01-05-2025
- Business
- Free Malaysia Today
Govt must bite targeted RON95 subsidy bullet, says Wan Fayhsal
Wan Ahmad Fayhsal Wan Ahmad Kamal says the recent 26-week net foreign outflow experienced by Bursa Malaysia was 'not a good indicator of market confidence'. PETALING JAYA : An opposition MP has urged the government to be decisive in implementing key policies, particularly as regards the rationalisation of RON95 petrol subsidies slated for the middle of this year. In an exclusive interview with FMT, Machang MP Wan Ahmad Fayhsal Wan Ahmad Kamal said unclear policies risk undermining investor confidence. He said this, in turn, would have an adverse impact on the nation's foreign and domestic direct investments. 'If (rationalising RON95 petrol subsidies) needs to be done because of a shortfall in the nation's revenue, it has to be done properly. No flip-flop announcements. 'If the government wants to do unpopular things, just do it. Bite the bullet. March ahead and rally the people because this way, the rakyat can at least be prepared to face the challenges ahead,' he said. Wan Fayhsal, a Bersatu Supreme Council member, said the foreign outflow of funds experienced by Bursa Malaysia over 26 consecutive weeks between October 2024 and the end of last month was 'not a good indicator of market confidence'. He warned that such trends could have negative repercussions on small and medium enterprises. Wan Fayhsal said the blueprints and policy frameworks introduced under Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim's leadership were not being effectively communicated to civil servants or the public. 'The execution is not properly done and lacks clarity, and that's why the money (foreign investiment) is not here. When you do not communicate your policy well, investors will hesitate to invest for the long run. 'We are ahead of our neighbouring countries when it comes to manufacturing semiconductors, but this is a historical legacy that was not born under Anwar's government,' he said. The rationalisation of RON95 petrol subsidies, originally planned for 2024, has been postponed to mid-2025, drawing criticism from various quarters over a lack of clarity in its implementation mechanisms. In October last year, economy minister Rafizi Ramli told Bloomberg the government was bracing for a public backlash over its plans to roll back petrol subsidies. Last month, the Petrol Dealers Association of Malaysia called for clarity on various concerns over its implementation, including as to eligibility, the use of MyKad to identify qualifying recipients, and its costs and financial implications. However, Rafizi said in March that the government had yet to determine how eligibility will be determined despite the Cabinet having reviewed four proposals. It was previously reported that the government was in the midst of reworking the existing T15 income classification which would be announced by the first quarter of this year. The T15 classification refers to the top 15% of income earners in Malaysia. 'Deaf ears' Wan Fayhsal claimed the government has also ignored complaints regarding a proposed electricity tariff hike. 'Trade associations complained to the prime minister and urged him not to raise the tariff yet because they are not ready for it, saying its implementation will impact their operations. 'I believe it fell on deaf ears,' he said. In December, Tenaga Nasional Bhd proposed a new tariff schedule with a base rate of 45.62 sen per kilowatt-hour for Peninsular Malaysia, up from the current 39.95 sen/kWh, set to be implemented starting July 1, 2025. In response, the Malaysia Shopping Malls Association warned that a potential increase in electricity tariffs, together with other rising operational costs, would place enormous financial pressure on both operators and consumers. The Malaysian Iron and Steel Industry Federation, Malaysian Plastics Manufacturers Association and the Federation of Malaysian Manufacturers have also objected to the proposal and appealed to the government to reconsider the planned tariff hike.
Free Malaysia Today
30-04-2025
- Business
- Free Malaysia Today
Malaysia can be ‘Asian Tiger' with visionary leadership, says Wan Fayhsal
Wan Ahmad Fayhsal Wan Ahmad Kamal says the government must correct the education system's entire value chain to promote science, technology, engineering and mathematics. PETALING JAYA : Malaysia can still achieve 'Asian Tiger' status if led by a visionary prime minister who can unite Malaysians across all racial and religious divides, says an opposition MP. In an exclusive interview with FMT, Bersatu's Wan Ahmad Fayhsal Wan Ahmad Kamal said the country must recalibrate its policies and shift its value systems to achieve this vision. 'I believe such a vision still holds water for our future generations. What we need now is a recalibration of our focus areas to better position ourselves for success. 'We should aspire to claim that title over the next 50 years,' he said. The term 'Asian Tigers' was popularly used in the 1980s and 1990s to describe the fast-growing economies of Taiwan, South Korea, Singapore and Hong Kong — all of which have since achieved high-income status. Malaysia was tipped to be the fifth 'Asian Tiger', but its economic growth was derailed by the 1997 Asian financial crisis. The Bersatu Supreme Council member said Malaysia checks all the boxes to achieve high income status. He pointed to the country's strategic location at the heart of Asean, its relative immunity to major natural disasters, and the rich tapestry of diverse cultures and traditions present. 'All these 'ingredients' must be 'cooked' by a prime minister who has the vision to rally all Malaysians transcending race and religion. 'We have multilingual talents. We are proficient in English, and that would easily attract investment, compared to our neighbouring countries,' he said. Wan Fayhsal also said the nation's leaders would need to be committed to a reform agenda that prioritises long-term progress over political expediency. 'The agenda has to be democratically inclusive, and it has to involve everyone, not just the royalties and politicians, but also every single rakyat who pays tax in the country,' he said. Education reform Another crucial step for Malaysia to achieve high-income status, he said, is to reform the education system with a stronger emphasis on fostering interest in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM). Wan Fayhsal said the government's lack of promotion in these areas has resulted in a shortage of role models for the younger generation. 'We all know very well that the youth are currently not interested in venturing into hard sciences or technical sciences. 'That is why the entire value chain of the education system must be corrected and reformed with the right model and syllabus,' he said. However, Wan Fayshal also urged educators not to overlook liberal arts subjects that nurture imagination and creativity, noting that some of the most innovative technologies on the market have come about by blending together humanities and engineering.
Free Malaysia Today
30-04-2025
- Business
- Free Malaysia Today
Don't compare M'sia with ‘real tigers', Zaid tells Wan Fayhsal
Former law minister Zaid Ibrahim said Bersatu's Wan Fayhsal Wan Ahmad Kamal should 'stop dreaming' about Malaysia's prospects of being an 'Asian Tiger'. PETALING JAYA : Former law minister Zaid Ibrahim today responded to the claim by a Bersatu man that Malaysia could still achieve 'Asian Tiger' status if led by a visionary prime minister, saying the country could not be compared with 'real tigers' such as China, South Korea, or Singapore. Bersatu Supreme Council member Wan Ahmad Fayhsal Wan Ahmad Kamal had said in an exclusive interview with FMT that such a prime minister should have the 'vision to rally all Malaysians transcending race and religion'. However, Zaid said that Wan Fayhsal should 'stop dreaming'. In a post on X, he said even Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, whom he had previously thought to be a visionary, was unwilling to dismantle current policies. 'Stop comparing us with the real tigers. Our politicians and civil service are not the best, and our education and economic policies are archaic. The corrupt and rent seekers are protected. 'We give preferences to selected groups, but they are not to be questioned. 'We are a feudal oligarchy cemented by a religious bureaucracy the Renaissance man himself dared not recalibrate and reform,' he said in what was believed to be a veiled reference to Anwar. The term 'Asian Tigers' was used in the 1980s and 1990s to describe the fast-growing, now high-income economies of Taiwan, South Korea, Singapore and Hong Kong. Malaysia was tipped to be the fifth 'Asian Tiger', but its economic growth was derailed by the 1997 Asian financial crisis. Wan Fayhsal nevertheless said Malaysia checked all the boxes to achieve high-income status, pointing to its strategic location at the heart of Asean, its relative immunity to major natural disasters, and its diverse cultures and traditions. 'All of these 'ingredients' must be 'cooked' by a prime minister with the vision to rally all Malaysians transcending race and religion,' he said.
Free Malaysia Today
25-04-2025
- Politics
- Free Malaysia Today
PN open to forming govt with moderate parties, says Bersatu leader
Saifuddin Abdullah says Bersatu's new ideology is premised on moderation and inclusivity. PETALING JAYA : Perikatan Nasional is open to working with moderate parties to form the next federal government, says Bersatu Supreme Council member Saifuddin Abdullah. In an exclusive interview with FMT, Saifuddin said he is confident PN will retain its 74 parliamentary seats, but conceded that the coalition would need to look to allies to help it reach the 112-seat majority needed to form a government. 'We must always remain open to moderate elements from other parties. 'PN must decide whether to cooperate with parties like DAP, either before or after the next general election,' he said. The 15th general election resulted in a hung Parliament, with no coalition winning a simple majority. A unity government was later formed under Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, comprising Pakatan Harapan, Barisan Nasional, Gabungan Parti Sarawak, Gabungan Rakyat Sabah, and several independents. Then Yang di-Pertuan Agong Sultan Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah had earlier proposed a PN-PH unity government, which the PN leadership rejected. Wan Fayhsal Wan Ahmad Kamal. Fellow Bersatu Supreme Council member Wan Fayhsal Wan Ahmad Kamal echoed Saifuddin's remarks, saying the national political landscape has shifted to such an extent that no party can expect to govern alone. However, the Machang MP said any alliance must conform with PN's core principles which are based on the Federal Constitution. 'If these principles are respected, then I believe anyone can work with PN to build a strong and stable government,' he said. Bersatu's moderate agenda Saifuddin said moderation lies at the heart of Bersatu's new ideology, unveiled by party president Muhyiddin Yassin last July with the aim of positioning the party as an inclusive and forward-looking 21st century-ready national force. He said the ideology is premised on five key principles – inclusivity, democracy, moderation, integrity, and compassion – and reflects the party's commitment to serving all segments of society. The former foreign minister also said Bersatu has opened its doors to other communities by establishing non-Malay and non-Muslim wings, granting them equal status alongside the party's Youth and Women's wings. 'Moderation is crucial for Malaysia. We must not veer to the far right or left. We must stay in the centre,' he said. Saifuddin is confident the strategy will boost PN's appeal in mixed constituencies, which the coalition hopes to capture through component parties such as Gerakan and the Malaysian Indian People's Party, as well as PAS's non-Muslim wing. 'Recently, we've seen a number of leaders from Chinese-based parties joining Bersatu's associate wing in Johor and Pahang, something that's never happened before. 'This is a promising trend as we head towards GE16,' he added.
