Latest news with #HamzahZainudin
Free Malaysia Today
a day ago
- General
- Free Malaysia Today
Opposition MPs seek to observe PM's reference application court proceedings
Lawyers Azhar Azizan Harun, Takiyuddin Hassan and Zulkifli Noordin have been nominated to attend the High Court proceedings. KUALA LUMPUR : Three opposition MPs have applied for their lawyers to be allowed to observe High Court proceedings on Tuesday, as Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim's counsel argues to refer eight questions of law to the Federal Court for determination, including whether he has immunity from a civil suit scheduled for trial in two weeks. A letter dated today to Justice Roz Mawar Rozain's secretary by legal firm Wan Jawahir & Takiyuddin, sighted by FMT, showed that the application was jointly made by MPs Hamzah Zainudin (Larut), Ahmad Samsuri Mokhtar (Kemaman) and Ronald Kiandee (Beluran). It said the three MPs were interested parties, as the constitutional issues to be ventilated in court would also be raised in the Dewan Rakyat. 'We request that our lawyers be allowed to be present throughout the proceedings as observers to represent the MPs,' the letter said. Lawyers Azhar Azizan Harun, Takiyuddin Hassan and Zulkifli Noordin have been nominated to attend the proceedings. Lawyer Rafique Rashid Ali, who is appearing for former research assistant Yusoff Rawther in response to Anwar's application, said he had been extended a copy of the letter. 'I believe they want the status of amicus curiae (friend of the court) and would want to submit if the judge extends an invitation,' he said. The parties will appear before the judge at 2.30pm on Tuesday and make oral submissions before a ruling is handed down. Rafique said Yusoff would be opposing the application. Roz Mawar has to determine whether the legal questions posed cross the threshold for them to be referred to the Federal Court. The prime minister wants the apex court to rule whether Articles 39, 40 and 43 of the Federal Constitution grant him qualified immunity from a suit filed by Yusoff four years ago. The suit relates to events that allegedly took place before Anwar took office on Nov 24, 2022. In the application, filed by his newly appointed solicitors Messrs Zain Megat & Murad, Anwar said the apex court must decide whether the suit would impair the effective discharge of his executive duties and undermine the constitutional separation of powers. He also wants the apex court to rule whether the continued progress of the suit will offend his right to equal protection under the law, as prescribed in Article 8(1) of the constitution, particularly as he claims that the suit is an abuse of process. Anwar says the suit is premised on a 'manufactured claim' and that he is the victim of 'politically motivated reputational sabotage'. He also wants the Federal Court to rule that the High Court is obliged to hold a 'threshold inquiry' to determine whether the suit constitutes an abuse of process or a threat to public interest, and if so, whether it must be stayed or dismissed 'to preserve constitutional governance'. The application also seeks a determination as to whether Anwar, as the sitting prime minister, is entitled under Article 5(1) of the constitution 'to protection from a vexatious litigant' bringing a suit that is 'strategically timed or politically weaponised to undermine his ability to govern'. Anwar has also applied for the trial of the suit before Roz Mawar, scheduled to begin on June 16, to be stayed pending the outcome of proceedings in the apex court. Yusoff, a grandson of the late Penang consumer advocate SM Mohamed Idris, filed the suit against Anwar in 2021, claiming that he was assaulted at the PKR president's home in Segambut in October 2018. He is seeking general, special, aggravated and exemplary damages, as well as interest, costs and other relief deemed fit by the court. Anwar has denied the claim and filed a countersuit.
Free Malaysia Today
3 days ago
- Business
- Free Malaysia Today
PM should face court, not hide behind immunity, says Hamzah
Opposition leader Hamzah Zainudin (right) said Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim should face court proceedings without seeking immunity. PETALING JAYA : Opposition leader Hamzah Zainudin has criticised Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim for attempting to seek immunity in a civil suit brought against him by a former research assistant. Citing how Article 8(1) of the Federal Constitution guarantees equality under the law, Hamzah said no one, not even the prime minister, is above the law. 'In this latest case, the prime minister must defend his dignity as an individual, and more importantly, the dignity of the office of the prime minister,' he said in a video posted on Facebook. Hamzah said preserving the dignity of the country is an obligation and that public figures, especially the prime minister, must lead by example. 'Justice must be given to all, regardless of rank. Those in power must never abuse the process of justice, as this will lead to the collapse of public trust in leadership and the judiciary,' he said, adding that public trust would crumble if justice was not applied equally. Hamzah also said failure to uphold fairness could scare off investors and tarnish Malaysia's global image. 'Foreign investors will see this country as being ruled by the law of the jungle. The long-term damage will be severe,' he added. On Tuesday, Anwar filed an application at the High Court to refer eight questions of law to the Federal Court, including whether he enjoys qualified immunity under Articles 39, 40 and 43 of the Federal Constitution. The questions are linked to a civil suit filed by his former research assistant, Yusoff Rawther, over alleged incidents that took place before Anwar assumed office on Nov 24, 2022. Separately, the prime minister's senior political secretary Shamsul Iskandar Akin urged all quarters to leave it to the court to decide on Anwar's application. Shamsul warned the opposition against manipulating the legal case for their political narratives. 'Leave it to the court to evaluate (the application). This country has seen far too many episodes of legal manipulation for the sake of political interests,' he said in a statement.
Malaysiakini
3 days ago
- Politics
- Malaysiakini
Empowering Indian community through New National Consensus
LETTER | The greatest virtue of a leader lies in acknowledging weakness- particularly in politics, where such humility forms the foundation for meaningful societal transformation. Recognising flaws in the existing system is the first, most crucial and courageous step towards building a better Malaysia. The idea of a New National Consensus, presented by Opposition Leader Hamzah Zainudin during his keynote address at the Iseas - Yusof Ishak Institute in Singapore last week, represents a bold stride in that direction. It is a visionary pledge that promises comprehensive reform grounded in justice and equity. It outlines a strategic vision for a more glorious Malaysia by addressing deep-rooted issues, especially in the political and economic spheres. Hamzah proposed that the New National Consensus be anchored on three core pillars: shared goals, shared prosperity, and compassionate governance - rejecting vengeful politics, rekindling the spirit of nationhood, and uniting all Malaysians across racial and cultural lines. I had the privilege to attend the event in my capacity as the president of the Malaysian Indian People Party, accompanied by fellow leaders from Perikatan Nasional component parties - Gerakan, Bersatu, and PAS. In addition to the keynote address at Iseas, we also engaged in high-level meetings with Singapore's foreign affairs minister, social and family development minister, senior minister of state for defence, and other senior officials across key ministries. Opposition Leader Hamzah Zainudin Hamzah's central message was clear. Politics and leadership must serve the people. He put forth progressive, inclusive ideas - unlike some leaders who are full of rhetoric, speak in slogans such as 'anak India – anak kita, anak Cina – anak kita, anak Iban – anak kita,' but whose actions in government fall short of these promises. Indian community The Indian community, in particular, continues to grapple with systemic challenges: technical and tertiary education opportunities, unemployment, urban poverty, poor healthcare and underrepresentation in national policy-making. MIPP believes the New National Consensus offers a vital opportunity to uplift and empower the Indian community. We know our constitutional rights. What we need now is a politically structured approach rooted in integrity, welfare, social justice, and inclusivity - an approach that opens a new chapter of hope. Our path forward lies in the strength of the 4E's: education, employment, economic and empowerment. MIPP is ready to lead the charge in crafting a long-term strategy under the New National Consensus for the Indian community, injecting fresh ideas and strengthening impactful programmes like the Malaysian Indian Transformation Unit (Mitra). These 4Es offer more than technical solutions; they represent a new dimension of empowerment for the Indian community. Through grassroots efforts such as RESET 2027, MIPP has been engaging directly with communities to identify pressing needs. These initiatives are not mere technical fixes but a reimagining of empowerment - one that aligns with the New National Consensus's ethos of unity and progress. I echo Hamzah's words - a better Malaysia is not a dream; it is a commitment and PN has laid out this commitment clearly. It is time for the Indian community to embrace it and move forward with confidence and unity. Together, we can turn this vision into reality. Writer is the president of the Malaysian Indian People Party. The views expressed here are those of the author/contributor and do not necessarily represent the views of Malaysiakini.
Malaysiakini
6 days ago
- Politics
- Malaysiakini
Empowering Indian community through New National Consensus
LETTER | The greatest virtue of a leader lies in acknowledging weakness- particularly in politics, where such humility forms the foundation for meaningful societal transformation. Recognising flaws in the existing system is the first, most crucial and courageous step towards building a better Malaysia. The idea of a New National Consensus, presented by Opposition Leader Hamzah Zainudin during his keynote address at the Iseas - Yusof Ishak Institute in Singapore last week, represents a bold stride in that direction. It is a visionary pledge that promises comprehensive reform grounded in justice and equity. It outlines a strategic vision for a more glorious Malaysia by addressing deep-rooted issues, especially in the political and economic spheres. Hamzah proposed that the New National Consensus be anchored on three core pillars: shared goals, shared prosperity, and compassionate governance - rejecting vengeful politics, rekindling the spirit of nationhood, and uniting all Malaysians across racial and cultural lines. I had the privilege to attend the event in my capacity as the president of the Malaysian Indian People Party, accompanied by fellow leaders from Perikatan Nasional component parties - Gerakan, Bersatu, and PAS. In addition to the keynote address at Iseas, we also engaged in high-level meetings with Singapore's foreign affairs minister, social and family development minister, senior minister of state for defence, and other senior officials across key ministries. Opposition Leader Hamzah Zainudin Hamzah's central message was clear. Politics and leadership must serve the people. He put forth progressive, inclusive ideas - unlike some leaders who are full of rhetoric, speak in slogans such as 'anak India – anak kita, anak Cina – anak kita, anak Iban – anak kita,' but whose actions in government fall short of these promises. Indian community The Indian community, in particular, continues to grapple with systemic challenges: technical and tertiary education opportunities, unemployment, urban poverty, poor healthcare and underrepresentation in national policy-making. MIPP believes the New National Consensus offers a vital opportunity to uplift and empower the Indian community. We know our constitutional rights. What we need now is a politically structured approach rooted in integrity, welfare, social justice, and inclusivity - an approach that opens a new chapter of hope. Our path forward lies in the strength of the 4E's: education, employment, economic and empowerment. MIPP is ready to lead the charge in crafting a long-term strategy under the New National Consensus for the Indian community, injecting fresh ideas and strengthening impactful programmes like the Malaysian Indian Transformation Unit (Mitra). These 4Es offer more than technical solutions; they represent a new dimension of empowerment for the Indian community. Through grassroots efforts such as RESET 2027, MIPP has been engaging directly with communities to identify pressing needs. These initiatives are not mere technical fixes but a reimagining of empowerment - one that aligns with the New National Consensus's ethos of unity and progress. I echo Hamzah's words - a better Malaysia is not a dream; it is a commitment and PN has laid out this commitment clearly. It is time for the Indian community to embrace it and move forward with confidence and unity. Together, we can turn this vision into reality. Writer is the president of the Malaysian Indian People Party. The views expressed here are those of the author/contributor and do not necessarily represent the views of Malaysiakini.
Free Malaysia Today
22-05-2025
- Business
- Free Malaysia Today
We want Malaysia to be a high-income nation, says Hamzah
Opposition leader Hamzah Zainudin said Malaysia can no longer remain complacent and that steps must be taken to revive its economy. (Envato Elements pic) PETALING JAYA : Freeing Malaysians from the middle-income trap and taking the nation to a high-income level will form the core of a Perikatan Nasional (PN) government's economic policy, according to opposition leader Hamzah Zainudin. Hamzah, the PN deputy chairman and Bersatu deputy president, said the approach would be based on fairness to ensure shared prosperity. 'Given the current state of our economy, Malaysia can no longer afford to be complacent,' he said at the ISEAS-Yusof Ishak Institute in Singapore today. 'It is time for us to revive the economy, and to move forward smarter, faster, and more equitably,' he said. Hamzah said that for Malaysia, a vibrant and dynamic economy was still within reach 'if we have the will and the capability for structural reform'. He said Malaysians would also have to redefine national priorities, adopt responsible fiscal discipline, and expand the revenue base in a sustainable and strategic manner. The Larut MP said Malaysia must be able to strike a balance between development spending and welfare allocation to protect vulnerable groups. 'Our focus must shift to high-impact investments and capacity-building – in education, women and youth empowerment, digital infrastructure, and technical skills – to prepare our country for the future.' He said PN would ensure fiscal discipline to reduce the nation's over-dependence on debt. 'This will require reforms in the tax system for greater efficiency, eliminating leakage and wastage, and streamlining government services through digitalisation while cutting red tape,' he said. Hamzah said that to expand the revenue base, the government would have to tap new and sustainable sources of wealth such as renewable energy and critical minerals like rare earth while it moves up the global supply chain, especially in semiconductors, to capture higher value-added opportunities. To make it an incentive to increase productivity, he said, bold measures would be introduced to drive economic output, enhance national competitiveness, and generate higher income and tax revenue. The former minister said that to attract quality investments and make Malaysia globally competitive, steps would be taken to enhance transparency and efficiency to improve investor confidence. He said PN would make it a priority to return Malaysia to the Top 10 in the 'Ease of Doing Business' ranking by simplifying licensing, cutting approval times, and aggressively combating corruption. The country has slipped to 12th place in the ranking. 'We are also committed to restoring investor confidence by ensuring political stability, as well as clear and consistent policies, because investors value predictability, not uncertainty.' He said the capital and equity markets would see new and diverse financial instruments to offer domestic and international investors 'a fresh flavour'. Hamzah also said Malaysia must reduce its reliance on external sources for food and labour in order to build a resilient and self-sustaining economy. As of 2023, Malaysia had spent more than RM75 billion on food imports, he said, describing this figure as unsustainable. He said steps would be taken to strengthen food security by boosting the domestic agro-industry and modernising agricultural practices while offering targeted incentives and training to empower young agricultural entrepreneurs. Hamzah said that to reduce reliance on migrant labour, there would be investments in automation, the local workforce would be upskilled, and vocational and technical training would be given priority. 'We will protect workers' rights by encouraging collective bargaining to ensure fairness and dignity for all,' he added.
