Latest news with #Hashim
New Straits Times
14 hours ago
- Politics
- New Straits Times
Pas to name PM candidate after PN secures mandate
KANGAR: Pas will only name its candidate for prime minister once Perikatan Nasional (PN) is given the mandate to form the government, said the party's spiritual leader, Datuk Hashim Jasin. Hashim said there was no urgency to put forward a "poster boy" before the coalition wins power, either in the near future or after the 16th General Election (GE16). "For now, we are not naming anyone. Once we have the mandate, we will choose a leader who can carry out the responsibility," he said. Hashim said that Pas had no shortage of qualified leaders to take on the role, and that both professionals and religious scholars were capable of leading the country, Utusan Malaysia reported. Citing Kelantan as an example, he said the appointment of the late Tan Sri Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat in 1990 showed that leadership could emerge from within once power was secured. "People doubted Nik Aziz when we first took over Kelantan, but he led the state government for over 22 years, bringing stability, good governance and meaningful reforms guided by Islamic values," he said. Hashim added that the same approach would apply if PN were to lead the federal government. "We may not have a visible candidate now, but if given power, we will present someone suitable and govern better than the current administration," he said. Hashim's remarks followed criticism of the opposition bloc after last weekend's "Himpunan Turun Anwar" rally, where the public was urged to reject Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim's leadership. The opposition has since been challenged to name an alternative candidate if it truly intends to push Anwar out. Anwar, responding to the rally, said the opposition should submit a vote of no confidence in the Dewan Rakyat instead of rallying in the streets. Anwar added that opposition leader Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainudin had repeatedly raised the matter, but no formal action had followed.
Iraqi News
2 days ago
- Politics
- Iraqi News
Hawizeh Marshes burn, activists allege over 90% destruction
Baghdad ( – The Hawizeh Marshes, a vital wetland ecosystem spanning the Iraq-Iran border, have been burning for days, with preliminary estimates indicating that over 90% of the marshlands have been consumed by fire. The resulting dense smoke and emissions are having a direct and severe impact on local residents, while the environmental devastation is described as an unparalleled catastrophe, with more than 3,000 square kilometers reportedly incinerated. Local sources are decrying the events as a 'real genocide.' Concerns are mounting over the cause of these widespread blazes. Local resident Mustafa Hashim, speaking on the situation, noted that while traditional, limited burning of dry reeds by locals for buffalo feed did occur in the past, such fires were inconsequential and easily contained by the water-logged environment. He asserted that the current scale of destruction in Hawizeh is fundamentally different and is being caused by crews involved in constructing a border barrier with Iran. These crews are allegedly burning reed forests to facilitate the movement of machinery and to clear areas for excavation and backfilling operations. The smoke plumes have reportedly covered Maysan Governorate almost entirely. Amidst the unfolding disaster, there is growing criticism over the response, with Hashim lamenting the absence of firefighting aircraft that would typically operate around the clock in other countries facing similar events, alongside a perceived lack of accountability for those responsible. Adding to the outcry, activist Aya Mansour posted on Instagram, 'At this very moment, a humanitarian catastrophe is unfolding in Hawizeh Marshes. Continuous fires are burning everything in their path, without any spotlight. There is ethnic cleansing, genocide, and forced displacement of residents for continued oil expansion. The water in the marsh has dried up, animals have died, and now what remains of the land is burning, and no one is speaking out or showing solidarity with the residents who are being subjected to suppression and displacement from their land.' She concluded with a plea for support for the Marsh Arabs of Hawizeh, emphasizing that 'our silence will one day be held accountable.' These escalating incidents occur against a backdrop of ongoing environmental concerns in the region. Al-Sharq Al-Awsat newspaper had previously published an article in May titled 'Hawizeh Marshes on the Iranian-Iraqi border threatened by oil exploration,' which highlighted the dangers of expanding oil exploration operations to the marsh's ecosystem and its inhabitants.
India Today
5 days ago
- Politics
- India Today
How a pendant could get Suresh Gopi into jaws of law
Union Minister and veteran actor Suresh Gopi is under legal scrutiny after he was seen wearing a necklace allegedly with a leopard-tooth pendant, a potential violation of the Wildlife Protection Act. The Kerala Forest Department launched a probe into the matter after a Youth Congress leader, AA Muhammad Hashim, lodged a complaint with of a leopard tooth, a violation of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, can attract a jail term of three to seven years along with a who filed the complaint with the Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) of Thrissur in June, which was forwarded to the Pattikkad Range Forest Officer, demanded the confiscation of the alleged pendant and a scientific analysis to verify whether the ornament indeed contained a real leopard tooth. In his complaint, Hashim had stated that he had seen TV visuals of Gopi wearing the ornament at two functions, one in Thrissur and another in KannurThe Pattikkad Range Forest Officer had summoned Hashim to record his complainant, who is also an office-bearer of the Indian National Trade Union Congress (INTUC), sought the confiscation of the pendent as he recorded his statement with Kerala's forest officials on Monday, July 21, reported The Hindu also urged authorities to verify when the ornament worn by the actor was created, apprehending that the ornament could be "manipulated", according to the bolster the investigation, the complainant provided media footage from TV channels showing Gopi wearing the ornament alleged to be made of leopard tooth and requested access to original videos to verify the authenticity of the DERELICTION OF DUTY: HASIM IN COMPALINT AGAINST SURESH GOPIHashim contended that Gopi's actions were a clear violation of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972. In the complaint, the Congress functionary argued that Gopi, the Minister of State Petroleum and Natural Gas in the Union Cabinet, must explain the origin of the alleged leopard tooth necklace, according to a report in a Kozhikode-based news outlet, argued that someone sworn to uphold the law cannot be seen flouting it, calling the act a serious breach of constitutional Pattikkad Range Forest Officer, after issuing a notice to the complainant to appear before him to record his statement, said that any further steps in connection with the complaint would be taken after verifying the complainant's statement and any documents or evidence he gives, reported news agency GOPI LIKELY TO BE SUMMONED: REPORTFollowing the registration of the complainant's statement, The Hindu report added, the Kerala Forest department will issue a notice to Gopi asking him to produce the pendant and appear before the Divisional Forest Officer, Thrissur, for an Lok Sabha MP will be asked to explain the nature and source of the authorities will also examine whether the pendant allegedly worn by the BJP MP is an actual wildlife trophy or a synthetic forest department considers Suresh Gopi's in-person appearance crucial, as only he can provide direct information about the pendant in question, according to the will also have the option of filing a written statement to the questions raised by the enquiry future course of action will be decided after obtaining his statement, a highly-placed Forest Department source told The OF GOPI WEARING ALLEGED LEOPARD PENDENT WENT VIRALThe complaint was filed after the Kerala Forest Department in April arrested Malayalam rapper Vedan (Hirandas Murali) for allegedly wearing a leopard tooth incident reignited attention to previous controversies involving celebrities and wildlife items — notably, actor Mohanlal's long-standing case involving elephant tusks, and the recent visuals of Gopi wearing a pendant resembling a leopard tooth.A picture of Gopi wearing the alleged pendant resembling a leopard tooth went viral on social media after the Malayalam singer's told the Hyderabad-based news outlet South First that after Gopi was seen wearing the alleged pendant during his visit to a temple in Kannur in June, he later appeared at a public event in Thrissur wearing it again."Visual evidence has already been submitted to the state police chief," Hashim told the WILDLIFE PROTECTION ACT SAYS ABOUT ANIMAL TROPHIESThe Wildlife Protection Act of 1972 states that only individuals with a valid certificate of ownership are permitted, after the Act's commencement, to acquire, receive, or possess any captive animal, animal article, trophy, or uncured trophy listed under Schedule I or Part II of Schedule II, unless it is per the Act, possessing a leopard tooth may attract a jail term of between three and seven years and a fine."The minister has not responded to the complaint. We have not received any request from the police or the Forest Department," Gopi's assistant told the South First in a report published on April the minister is yet to respond to the allegations.- EndsMust Watch
The Hindu
21-07-2025
- Entertainment
- The Hindu
Complainant seeks confiscation of suspected leopard tooth jewellery worn by Union Minister Suresh Gopi
The suspected leopard tooth pendant, which Union Minister and actor Suresh Gopi was recently found sporting in a chain, shall be confiscated and a scientific analysis carried out, the complainant in the case has sought. The complainant, A. A. Muhammad Hashim, an office-bearer of the INTUC Young Workers Council, raised the demand while giving his statement to forest officials on Monday (July 21, 2025) . The Pattikkad Range Forest Officer had summoned Mr. Hashim, who had approached the Divisional Forest Officers of Thrissur and Kannur with the complaint, on the day to record his statements. Mr. Hashim also raised the demand for ascertaining the period of the making of the ornament worn by Mr. Gopi, apprehending that the ornament could be 'manipulated.' Media links of the visuals aired by TV channels in which the actor was seen wearing the suspected ornament were handed over to the officials. The complainant also demanded that the original visuals be obtained from the TV channels to check the veracity of the complaint. In his complaint, Mr. Hashim had stated that he had seen TV visuals of Mr. Gopi wearing the ornament at two functions, one in Thrissur and another in Kannur. Prompted by Vedan incident Mr. Hashim said he decided to take up the case following social media discussions that ensued after the arrest of popular rapper Vedan (Hirandas Murali) for wearing a suspected leopard-tooth-studded pendant. The Forest department acted against the singer after being alerted by police, which arrested him for possessing ganja. The investigation in the case was progressing, according to forest officials. Possession of a wildlife trophy, which includes cured and uncured animal parts, is an offence under the Wildlife Protection Act 1972. Those found guilty can get a jail term of up to seven years and a fine or both.
The Hindu
06-07-2025
- The Hindu
Possession of suspected leopard tooth: Union Minister Suresh Gopi to be summoned
Actor and Union Minister Suresh Gopi, who was recently seen sporting a chain with a pendant resembling a leopard tooth, will be summoned shortly to ascertain whether the pendant is a wildlife trophy. The Kerala Forest department will issue a notice to Mr. Gopi shortly asking him to produce the pendant and appear before the Divisional Forest Officer, Thrissur, for the inquiry. Mr. Gopi will be asked to explain the nature and source of the pendant. The department will also ascertain whether the pendant is a wildlife trophy or an artificial one. As per Wildlife Protection Act The Wildlife Protection Act 1972 prescribes that no one other than a person having a certificate of ownership, shall, after the commencement of the Act, acquire, receive, keep in his control, custody or possession any captive animal, animal article, trophy or uncured trophy specified in Schedule I or Part II of Schedule II, except by way of inheritance. Offences related to animals such as leopards, which are included in Schedule 1 of the Act, including the possession of a trophy, can attract a jail term between three and seven years and also a fine. Complaint Muhammad Hashim, an activist of the Youth Congress in Thrissur, had approached the State Police Chief (SPC) and Forest officers with the complaint. Mr. Hashim filed a complaint with the Divisional Forest Officers of Thrissur and Kannur in June as the office of the SPC informed him that the forest officers were the competent authorities to act in such cases. The actor, who attended a few public functions in Thrissur and Kannur, was seen sporting a chain with a pendant resembling a leopard tooth. The use and display of such an article is an offence and hence action shall be initiated against him under the Act, demanded Mr. Hashim in his complaint. News clips of the events attended by Mr. Gopi in which he was seen wearing the suspected ornament were attached to the complaint. If the pendant is found to be a wildlife trophy, he should be proceeded against, said Mr. Hashim. Personal appearance The personal appearance of the actor before the Forest officer is indispensable, as information regarding the suspected article will have to be obtained from him. He will also have the option of filing a written statement to the questions raised by the inquiry officer. The future course of action will be decided after obtaining his statement, highly placed Forest department sources indicated. Recently, the department had arrested popular rapper Vedan (Hirandas Murali) after he was found wearing a similar ornament. The singer, who had to spend a day in jail, was released on bail later.
