Latest news with #DrMahathirMohamad
Free Malaysia Today
4 days ago
- Business
- Free Malaysia Today
‘Privileged prisoner' Abdullah Ang dies at 79
Jailed tycoon Abdullah Ang pictured in Kuala Lumpur in 1989 when he should have been in prison. (Goh Seng Chong pic) PETALING JAYA : Abdullah Ang, a high-flying businessman who stirred controversy for receiving privileged treatment while in jail, has died at the age of 79. His death on Wednesday was reported by The Star, quoting his former legal adviser Selva Sugumaran as saying that Abdullah had fought a long battle with an illness which saw frequent hospital visits. His funeral will be held in Kuala Lumpur on June 2. Abdullah was the chief executive of the now-defunct Malaysian Overseas Investment Corporation when he was convicted of criminal breach of trust of some RM338,000 in 1986. He was sentenced to eight years in prison and a RM100,000 fine, and did his time in Kajang prison. However, the Malay Mail newspaper revealed in 1989 that Abdullah was able to roam freely outside prison and even had a carpeted prison cell equipped with a refrigerator, video player and waterbed. An investigative report by the newspaper led to Abdullah being pictured in Kuala Lumpur, where he was said to be helping run a family business, when he should have been at a prison-run orchid farm in Mantin, Negeri Sembilan. Former Malay Mail editor Salehuddin Othman said a special home ministry panel which investigated the matter blamed it on weaknesses in the prison system, while then prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad ordered a shake-up of the prisons department to bring it along the lines of the national police structure.
Free Malaysia Today
23-05-2025
- Politics
- Free Malaysia Today
PN, Malay parties can't unite the Malays, says Dr M
Former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad said he wants the Malays to unite and vote for candidates who champion the rights of the majority community. KUALA LUMPUR : Malay-based parties, including Perikatan Nasional (PN), have failed to unite the Malay community, according to Dr Mahathir Mohamad. The two-time prime minister said no single Malay political party is capable of bringing the Malays together. Malay unity cannot be achieved within the confines of political parties as they all 'have their own agendas', he added. 'We want the Malays to unite and vote for fellow Malays. When the next general election comes, there will be ways for the Malays to support candidates who fight for Malay interests,' he said, without elaborating on what those methods might be. 'PN cannot unite the Malays, nor can any other Malay political party. 'These parties have their own agendas and they cannot unite us,' said the former Umno president. He was speaking at the launch of his new book, 100 Pesan Tun: Membina Keluarga Dan Bangsa, here today. In a recent interview with FMT, Mahathir called on all Malay political parties to unite in order to secure the total backing of the Malay rulers. 'If they are united, they can look to the rulers for moral support,' he said. Mahathir, who was prime minister under Barisan Nasional from 1981 to 2003 and later under Pakatan Harapan from 2018 to 2020, also clarified that he is no longer aligned with any political party. Asked whether he would play any role in the upcoming 16th general election or cooperate with any political parties, Mahathir said his focus is solely on fostering unity among Malays. 'I have always promoted Malay unity. Only through unity can Malays regain strength and leadership in the country. 'If the Malays remain divided and fail to come together, they will lose influence and have no role in the 16th general election.' With vast experience leading multiple political platforms over his decades-long career, Mahathir cited the historical resistance to the Malayan Union as an example of effective Malay unity. The Malayan Union was a political structure proposed by the British colonial government in 1946 to unify the Malay states and the Straits Settlements (excluding Singapore) into a single administrative entity. It was intended to simplify colonial administration and promote economic development in British Malaya after World War II. Due to widespread protests and the strong resistance from the Malay community, the British abandoned the Malayan Union plan in 1948. It was replaced by the Federation of Malaya, which restored the powers of the Malay rulers and introduced stricter citizenship requirements. 'We still remember when we fought against the Malayan Union. At that time, the Malays were poor and had no money, but they were able to challenge the British and win,' he said. 'Why? Because they were united. Today, they can't win – because they are not united.'
Free Malaysia Today
22-05-2025
- Politics
- Free Malaysia Today
High Court sets July 21 for contempt hearing against Dr M in ‘Kutty' suit
Ahmad Zahid Hamidi (left) initiated contempt proceedings against Dr Mahathir Mohamad over a press conference held after the latter's court testimony in a defamation suit. KUALA LUMPUR : The High Court here has fixed July 21 to hear Ahmad Zahid Hamidi's committal proceedings against Dr Mahathir Mohamad over a press conference the former prime minister held last year after testifying in his defamation lawsuit. Judicial Commissioner Gan Techiong set the date after Mahathir's lawyer, Mior Nor Haidir Suhaimi, informed the court that they needed more time to file additional affidavits. 'We need to get his (Mahathir's) instructions for the purposes of filing,' he said, adding that Mahathir is currently attending the Langkawi International Maritime and Aerospace Exhibition 2025. Zahid's lawyer, Shahrul Fazli Kamarulzaman, said they had no objection to the deferral of the hearing to July 21. The court granted Zahid leave to initiate contempt proceedings on Jan 7. This followed a press conference Mahathir had held after testifying in his defamation suit. During the press conference, Mahathir produced copies of his identity card as well as the birth certificates of him and his children. Zahid claimed the media conference breached the sub judice rule, potentially impairing the integrity and independence of the judiciary in administering justice. Mahathir filed the defamation suit in 2022, alleging that Zahid had used the name 'Kutty' as a derogatory reference to him. Zahid is alleged to have made the remark at an Umno divisional meeting in Kelana Jaya, Selangor, on July 30, 2017. Mahathir claims the remark implied that he was not born a Malay or a Muslim, and that his original name was Mahathir son of Iskandar Kutty. It also implied that the name Mahathir Mohamad was used to profit himself politically and personally, the former prime minister said. In his defence, Zahid said the name referred to an individual based on information contained in a copy of an old identity card.
Free Malaysia Today
16-05-2025
- Health
- Free Malaysia Today
No shame in checking for breast cancer, says Hasmah
Dr Hasmah Ali with surgeon Harjit Kaur (left) and consultant radiologist SR Sumithra, who helped her in her cancer journey. PETALING JAYA : Dr Hasmah Ali felt persistent pain for four days – and told no one – when accompanying her husband, Dr Mahathir Mohamad on a trip to Manila seven years ago. 'I thought, how could I tell him when he was so busy?' she said today during a sharing session titled 'A Cancer Survivor's Journey' at the Prince Court Medical Centre. She said she booked a check-up on returning to Malaysia, using a different name to avoid public attention. Two days later, she received the diagnosis: hormone-positive breast cancer, a 7mm tumour requiring swift medical intervention. 'The surgery was done on a Saturday, and by Sunday, I was home. I felt no pain afterwards, just relief that the tumour had been removed,' she said. Now 98 and cancer-free, Hasmah recounted her story to raise awareness, particularly about the importance of early detection and regular mammograms. 'Two things to note are shame and fear. Many women are reluctant to come forward because they feel embarrassed or are afraid of what they might hear,' she said. She pointed out that cultural stigma remains a major hurdle, with traditional beliefs and remedies often taking precedence over modern medical advice. 'Women still turn to bomohs. But that is not the way. We must seek treatment from medical professionals, not traditional remedies.' Older women still at risk Consultant breast and endocrine surgeon Dr Harjit Kaur said many women over 55 mistakenly believe that age reduces their risk, while some are deterred by the physical discomfort of mammograms. 'It is still a taboo topic; women in their 20s and 30s are getting breast cancer. So early detection is key, and they should get yearly ultrasounds as well,' she said. Resilience through routine Hasmah said the 48-hour wait for her test results was emotionally taxing. She credits her recovery to a disciplined lifestyle, and five years of hormonal therapy, with no complications. At nearly 100, she now plays the violin daily, a hobby she first took up at the age of 16. 'Don't push yourself too hard. Eat wisely, get enough rest, and keep your mind active,' she advised. She ended her session with a message to all Malaysian women: 'Don't be afraid or ashamed and go for your screenings.'
