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New Straits Times
21 hours ago
- Politics
- New Straits Times
[UPDATED] Anwar: Let Najib's legal process run its course
PUTRAJAYA: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has urged calm and respect for the judicial process amid mounting calls for Datuk Seri Najib Razak to be placed under house arrest. He said the legal process must be allowed to proceed without interference, and that differing opinions should be expressed within the bounds of the law. "There is no issue with the ongoing court proceedings. "Everyone is entitled to their views, and we respect that. But let the process unfold properly," he told reporters today. He was responding to calls from Umno urging the government to enforce a royal addendum which allegedly allows the former prime minister to serve the remainder of his sentence under house arrest. Umno secretary-general Datuk Seri Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki had issued a statement appealing for mercy and calling for house arrest, citing Article 42(1) of the Federal Constitution, which confers the King the power to grant pardons and reprieves. The article gives the King the constitutional power to pardon or reduce sentences for offences under federal jurisdiction and in court-martial cases. Asyraf said Umno hoped that Najib would finally be granted this, based on a decree issued over a year ago. On Feb 2, 2024, the Federal Territories Pardons Board halved Najib's sentence to six years for misappropriating RM42 million from SRC International, meaning he could be released as early as Aug 23, 2028. It was later revealed that the previous Agong, Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri'ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah, who chaired the Pardons Board at the time, had also issued the royal addendum allowing Najib to serve the remainder of his sentence under house arrest. The Attorney-General's Chambers (A-GC) this week confirmed in court the existence of the royal addendum during its appeal against a judicial review application filed by Najib. Anwar, however, maintained that matters related to the judiciary must remain free from executive interference.
Focus Malaysia
a day ago
- Politics
- Focus Malaysia
Open letter to Agong: Upholding the integrity of the judiciary in the appointment of top judges
Letter to editor WITH the utmost respect and loyalty, I write to Your Majesty as a concerned citizen deeply invested in the preservation of justice, rule of law and institutional integrity within our beloved Malaysia. The Judiciary stands as the final bastion of hope for justice, equity, and constitutional governance. However, recent developments have cast a troubling shadow over public confidence in this vital institution. Allegations of judicial misconduct, procedural irregularities and claims of external interference – whether substantiated or under investigation – have raised legitimate concerns about the health of our judicial system. In such a climate, the process of appointing top judges assumes even greater importance. The weight of this responsibility lies not only with those who nominate but ultimately with Your Majesty whose constitutional discretion serves as a safeguard against the erosion of judicial independence. Editor's Note: The Conference of Rulers is expected to decide and announce the appointment of the new Chief Justice today (July 16), according to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim. It is respectfully urged that, in considering appointments to the highest offices of the judiciary, Your Majesty: Insist on transparent and meritorious selection: Candidates must be evaluated based on integrity, independence and a demonstrated commitment to constitutional values, free from political or external influence. Candidates must be evaluated based on integrity, independence and a demonstrated commitment to constitutional values, free from political or external influence. Encourage full disclosure: In light of recent allegations, it is vital that any concerns surrounding nominees be publicly addressed and cleared through transparent mechanisms before confirmation. In light of recent allegations, it is vital that any concerns surrounding nominees be publicly addressed and cleared through transparent mechanisms before confirmation. Uphold the constitutional spirit: The Judiciary must not only be impartial but be seen to be so. Confidence in judicial impartiality is crucial to national stability, investor confidence and the moral fabric of our society. Your Majesty's unique role as the protector of the Federal Constitution and symbol of national unity is especially vital in times of uncertainty. Malaysians look to the Throne not only for guidance but for assurance that justice shall never be compromised by expediency or hidden interests. May Allah continue to grant Your Majesty wisdom, strength and compassion in the service of the nation. Daulat Tuanku. Member of Public@CITIZEN Kuala Lumpur The views expressed are solely of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Focus Malaysia. Images credit: Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar/Facebook
Malaysian Reserve
2 days ago
- Business
- Malaysian Reserve
Tech exports and project delivery show progress under NIMP
by AUFA MARDHIAH MALAYSIA is seeing strong gains in exports and industrial execution under the New Industrial Master Plan 2030 (NIMP 2030), with higher tech exports and faster delivery of approved projects, according to the Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industry (MITI). Manufacturing value-added rose 4.1% year-on-year (YoY) in the first quarter (1Q25) to RM95.7 billion, while median wages in the sector increased to RM2,745. Minister Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Tengku Abdul Aziz (picture) said the median wage increased by RM145 to RM2,745 compared to RM2,600 in 1Q24 for the manufacturing sector. As part of NIMP's push to boost economic complexity, Malaysia has secured RM52 billion in advanced industry investments so far, with 23,211 potential jobs created and over 4,500 engineers trained. Exports in targeted sectors also saw solid growth between January and May this year. Electrical and electronics (E&E) exports rose 20%, machinery and equipment by 14.6% and medical devices by 7.8%. From 2021 to 1Q25, 86.4% of approved manufacturing projects were implemented — totalling over 3,000 projects — a move Tengku Zafrul said helps small and medium enterprises (SMEs) benefit faster from investment inflows. 'Of the total approved investments, a small number of projects may not proceed due to reasons such as changes in the company's strategic direction, but this accounts for less than 3%,' he said today. Digital investments continue to rise, with RM310.7 billion approved since 2021, mostly in data centres. 'Every ringgit spent on data centres yields a RM6.60 return for the wider economy,' he added. To support exporters, MITI disbursed RM15 million in Market Development Grants in the first half of 2025 (1H25), generating RM2.88 billion in export sales. Focus markets include Latin America, Africa, West Asia and ASEAN. Malaysia also improved its global competitiveness, rising 11 places to 23rd in the IMD World Competitiveness Ranking — its best showing since 2020. 'These improvements were driven by strong export growth and market diversification,' Tengku Zafrul said.
Borneo Post
2 days ago
- Business
- Borneo Post
Sabah records highest number of agricultural holdings in Malaysia
Jeffrey (seated centre) at the launching ceremony of Interim Report of the 2024 Sabah Agriculture Census released by the Department of Statistics Malaysia (DOSM) on Tuesday. KOTA KINABALU (July 15): Sabah has the highest number of agricultural holdings in Malaysia, recording a total of 159,259, according to the Interim Report of the 2024 Sabah Agriculture Census released by the Department of Statistics Malaysia (DOSM) on Tuesday. The launching ceremony of the report was officiated by Deputy Chief Minister I cum Sabah Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food Industry, Datuk Seri Panglima Dr Jeffrey Kitingan, at the Sabah International Convention Centre (SICC). Also present was Chief Statistician of Malaysia and Commissioner of the 2024 Agriculture Census, Datuk Seri Dr Mohd Uzir Mahidin, alongside heads of departments and representatives from federal and state agriculture agencies. Jeffrey said the majority of the holdings are in the crops sub-sector, accounting for 140,018 holdings, followed by capture fisheries (14,903), livestock (2,242), aquaculture (2,164), and forestry and logging (162). The data also highlights the demographic landscape of Sabah's agricultural sector, which consists of 156,635 individual holdings. Notably, over 70 per cent of these individual farmers are aged 46 and above. About 35 per cent of them reported having no formal education or academic qualifications. 'This provides us with a clear picture of Sabah's current agricultural profile. It also underscores the urgency to craft targeted and inclusive policies that will attract younger generations to participate in this sector,' Jeffrey said. The Interim Report on Agricultural Labour revealed that 325,805 individuals are involved in agricultural activities across the state. This figure comprises 136,030 active owners and partners, 160,415 salaried workers and 28,676 unpaid family workers. In terms of cultivated land, Sabah recorded 1.782 million hectares in 2023. Of this, 1.574 million hectares or 88.3 per cent were harvested areas, mostly under corporate agricultural holdings, particularly in oil palm plantations. The sector also contributed significantly to Sabah's economy, recording total sales of RM25.06 billion in 2023. Organisational or corporate agricultural holdings contributed the lion's share at 81.5 per cent, while individual holdings accounted for 18.5 per cent. The crops sub-sector contributed 82 per cent of total sales, followed by livestock (7.9 per cent), capture fisheries (5.9 per cent), forestry and logging (3.0 per cent) and aquaculture (1.1 per cent). Sabah remains among the top contributors to the nation's agricultural performance. It accounts for 17.4 per cent of national crop sub-sector sales, ranking within the top four states. For capture fisheries, Sabah is among the top three contributors with 13.8 per cent, while forestry and logging contributed 19.6 per cent of the national output. At the district level, Keningau recorded the highest number of individual agricultural holdings in Sabah with 14,100, followed by Ranau (12,862) and Kota Marudu (12,627). In terms of sales value, Kinabatangan led with RM4.15 billion, followed by Tawau (RM3.93 billion) and Lahad Datu (RM3.50 billion). Meanwhile, Uzir said that DOSM has published 15 Interim Reports of the 2024 Agriculture Census at the national level, detailing statistics for the overall agricultural sector and five specific sub-sectors, crops (both agri-commodity and agro-food), livestock, fisheries, aquaculture and forestry and logging. Additionally, 14 more detailed reports have been released covering specific commodities and sectors including oil palm, rubber, paddy, pineapple, kenaf, cocoa, pepper, fruits, vegetables, other crops, livestock, fisheries, aquaculture and forestry and logging. Uzir also stressed the importance of integrated digital data management in agriculture. DOSM has developed TaniStats, an integrated digital platform combining data from the 2024 Census, upstream and downstream sector statistics, food security indicators, the MyAgroPrice dashboard, and other agricultural data sources. He emphasised the need for inter-agency cooperation to keep the system updated and fully utilised. Looking ahead, besides conducting the Agriculture Census every 10 years, DOSM plans to introduce short-term agricultural surveys starting in 2026 to ensure statistics remain relevant and responsive to current trends. In the context of regional leadership, Malaysia will chair the 15th ASEAN Community Statistical System Committee (ACSS15) in 2025 to further strengthen regional statistical cooperation for sustainable development. On the international front, Malaysia has achieved a milestone by ranking first globally in the Open Data Inventory (ODIN) 2024/25 report, surpassing 198 other countries, a significant leap from its 67th position in 2022/23. In line with this achievement, the government has declared October 20 as National Statistics Day (MyStats Day), themed 'Statistics: The Pulse of Life'. The Fourth World Statistics Day will also be celebrated on October 20, 2025, themed 'Driving Change with Quality Statistics and Data for Everyone.' Public access to data is available through OpenDOSM NextGen, a digital platform offering data catalogues and visualisations, accessible at
New Straits Times
3 days ago
- Business
- New Straits Times
Ambalat needs quiet diplomacy, not open debates
The recent pledge by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and Indonesia's President Prabowo Subianto to pursue peaceful, mutually beneficial economic cooperation deserves praise for its pragmatic foresight. The pledge in June includes several promising prospects. Among them is a plan to jointly explore and develop the contested oil- and gas-rich Ambalat block in the Celebes Sea, off the eastern coast of Sabah. If this initiative proceeds, it would mark a welcome step away from the longstanding impasse over unresolved maritime boundaries between the two countries. For Malaysia, this peaceful mechanism for managing maritime territorial disputes is neither new nor unprecedented. Among ASEAN members, Malaysia pioneered the approach by signing joint development agreements — first with Thailand in 1979, and later with Vietnam in 1992 — enabling shared exploration and development of hydrocarbon reserves across vast contested areas in the Gulf of Thailand. In the context of international law, this arrangement is consistent with provisions in the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, which allow collaborative measures to be implemented while disputing parties seek a final resolution over the contested area. In the case of Ambalat, the intention of both countries to manage the dispute peacefully aligns with the principles embodied in the ASEAN Charter. Certain parties, though, voiced objections to jointly developing Ambalat's oil and gas resources with Indonesia. However, the public uproar also highlights a deeper issue: the misguided notion that the details of delicate negotiations and high-level meetings between leaders or government officials must be made public. Not all diplomatic negotiations are created equal, nor should they be subject to real-time public scrutiny. Some issues, especially those involving maritime territorial and boundary disputes like the Ambalat seabed, are highly technical, legally complex and inherently sensitive. Openly debating these topics risks turning nuanced discussions into populist spectacles. The reality is that maritime boundary delimitation requires expertise in international law, hydrography and history — fields in which few laypersons or politicians are truly knowledgeable. Keeping the negotiation process private, at least to a certain degree, helps prevent misunderstandings or misinterpretations that could inflame tensions or derail delicate talks. Until finalised outcomes are reached, negotiators need private space to discuss sensitive issues, test ideas, make concessions and propose creative solutions without fear of immediate political backlash or public pressure. When talks unfold under the glare of public opinion, even a hint of flexibility is often seized upon as a sign of weakness, pushing parties to retreat into rigid, uncompromising stances. At certain stages, confidentiality in negotiations — even beyond the context of the Ambalat dispute — is essential to protect national interests and security. Prematurely revealing positions can weaken Malaysia's bargaining power and expose strategic vulnerabilities. Once negotiating lines become public, adversaries can exploit them, and domestic critics can pressure leaders or negotiators into rigid stances that leave no room for compromise or manoeuvring. Beyond joint development of economic resources in the disputed maritime areas, are there alternative options to manage or resolve the Ambalat dispute peacefully? Third-party dispute settlement mechanisms are one possibility worth considering. Malaysia has previously referred its maritime sovereignty disputes to the International Court of Justice (ICJ) for adjudication, notably in cases involving the Sipadan and Ligitan islands with Indonesia, as well as Batu Puteh and two maritime features with Singapore. Nonetheless, pursuing this judicial route may not be the preferred option for Indonesia. When the ICJ awarded Sipadan and Ligitan to Malaysia in 2002, the judgment sparked protests in several Indonesian cities. Had every stage of the current Ambalat discussions been made public, nationalist fervour on either side could have derailed progress. Demanding full disclosure of every twist and turn of negotiations is unrealistic and counterproductive. In the case of Ambalat, success depends not only on what leaders decide, but also on society's willingness to trust the process. After decades of stalemate in the Ambalat dispute, we should give diplomacy the space it needs to succeed.
