Latest news with #IlmuanMalaysiaMadani
New Straits Times
6 days ago
- General
- New Straits Times
DAP to issue statement on Teoh Beng Hock case, says Loke
PETALING JAYA: DAP secretary-general Anthony Loke said his party will issue a statement on the Teoh Beng Hock case soon. He however did not indicate a specific time for the statement's release. "We will issue a statement," he said at a press conference after the Higher Education Ministry's Ilmuan Malaysia Madani forum titled "Transport for the People: Balancing Affordability, Quality and Sustainability of Public Transport." Yesterday, it was reported that the sister of Teoh Beng Hock demanded transparency and accountability from the authorities after the Attorney-General's Chambers (A-GC) and police decided not to pursue further action in the 2009 case. Beng Hock's sister, Lee Lan expressed her dismay over the decision for no further action (NFA), especially given that multiple court rulings had established the death was not due to suicide or an accident. She said that the Court of Appeal had ruled in 2014 that Beng Hock's death was caused by the actions of individuals, including Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) officers, and demanded that the police investigate the case under the proper criminal provisions. She also called for those currently in the government to act appropriately as they had in the past stood by the fact that he was killed. Last month, the Teoh Beng Hock Association for Democratic Advancement called for DAP's five ministers to resign in protest over the NFA. Association chairperson Ng Yap Hwa said the ministers - Loke, Gobind Singh Deo, Nga Kor Ming, Sim Chee Keong, and Hannah Yeoh - should take responsibility on the party's behalf for failing to fulfil promises to seek justice for Beng Hock. Beng Hock's family had earlier been informed by police that their latest investigation into the case had been classified as requiring no further action or NFA. On Nov 21 last year, the High Court had directed the police to complete their long-delayed investigation into the death more than 15 years ago. Beng Hock died on July 16, 2009 at the fifth floor of Plaza Masalam, Shah Alam, after being questioned for hours by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC). An inquest was held and the coroner returned an open verdict. However, the Court of Appeal in 2014 ruled that his death was caused by "one or more persons unknown", including MACC officers. In 2019, police launched an investigation under Section 342 of the Penal Code for wrongful confinement. Prior to 2018, two special investigation teams were set up – one in 2011 and the other in 2015 – to look into Teoh's death, but both cases were classified as NFA by the public prosecutor.
New Straits Times
6 days ago
- Business
- New Straits Times
Anwar shares royal compliment on Malaysia's medical expertise
PETALING JAYA: Sultan of Brunei Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah praised the quality and expertise of doctors at the National Heart Institute (IJN) after receiving treatment there. Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim conveyed this during the Higher Education Ministry's Ilmuan Malaysia Madani forum titled "Transport for the People: Balancing Affordability, Quality and Sustainability of Public Transport." "His Majesty told me that, as someone with exposure to and experience with some of the world's best medical centres, he was very satisfied with the quality of service, excellence, and expertise of our doctors at IJN," he said. Anwar added that while the government welcomes criticism, Malaysians should also recognise national achievements, especially in healthcare. "So while we allow criticism, which is not a problem, we must also recognise the strengths we have, and there must be the drive to push ourselves to do better," he said. The Sultan of Brunei was in Kuala Lumpur for the 46th Asean Summit with other regional leaders. On May 27, he was reportedly feeling fatigued and was advised by health experts to rest at IJN. Anwar also spoke about his conversation with President of Guinea-Bissau General Umaro Sissoco Embaló, during which he asked why Malaysia was chosen despite limited bilateral trade. "His answer was that he follows developments here and sees Malaysia as a country on the rise, with significant potential. That's why he chose to come," he said. Embaló arrived today for a three-day visit—his first since taking office as president in February 2020. Malaysia and Guinea-Bissau established diplomatic relations in November 1974. In 2024, Malaysia's total trade with Guinea-Bissau reached RM4.1 million, with Malaysian exports amounting to RM4.04 million and imports standing at RM0.06 million.
New Straits Times
6 days ago
- Business
- New Straits Times
Govt mulls housing above train stations to ease congestion
PETALING JAYA: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said the government is reviewing a proposal to build housing projects above railway stations to help ease traffic congestion. The plan is being studied with Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL), and regulatory amendments are in progress. "This means the (public housing) project would be built above (the railway station). It will include commercial housing.... not all units will be public housing, but some of them will be. This are among the measures that will be taken (to ease traffic congestion)," he said at the Ilmuan Malaysia Madani forum hosted by the Higher Education Ministry. Also present at the forum were Transport Minister Anthony Loke, Prasarana Malaysia Bhd president and group chief executive officer Mohd Azharuddin Mat Sah and Universiti Putra Malaysia vice-chancellor Datuk Professor Dr Ahmad Farhan Mohd Sadullah. Anwar also addressed the construction of vertical schools under the Kota Madani development, saying they will follow strict safety standards and improved designs. "In Kota Madani Putrajaya, vertical schools will indeed be introduced, and parking will be underground. The residential level will be a proper garden, while the school will be located above. If a school has a lift, it will be dedicated for school use only. So, one can walk from level 14 down to the kindergarten or school, but the construction will be subject to strict conditions," he said. He said the Kota Madani project in Penang will involve 10,000 housing units in Seberang Jaya and Batu Kawan, in South and Central Seberang Perai respectively. "This will include vertical schools, fire stations, and clinics all within the vicinity, so people won't have to bear transportation costs. Otherwise, the MRT won't be viable as people won't use it. This can help reduce the burden on public transportation," he said. Meanwhile, Loke said his ministry and the Ministry of Housing and Local Government are reviewing a plan to reduce or remove parking spaces in flats near railway stations. He said the plan requires policy amendments and has not yet been finalised.
New Straits Times
6 days ago
- Politics
- New Straits Times
Cabinet to discuss policy on low-altitude airspace, drone mobility
PETALING JAYA: The government will look into a policy for the use of low-altitude airspace and drone mobility, said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim. Responding to a question regarding the use of low-altitude airspace for mobility at the Higher Education Ministry's Ilmuan Malaysia Madani, Anwar said drone operations so far have been limited to remote areas, and acknowledged the need to study the matter further. "We will take this into the cabinet meeting tomorrow," he said at the forum titled "Transport for the People: Balancing Affordability, Quality and Sustainability of Public Transport." Also present at the forum were Transport Minister Anthony Loke, Prasarana Malaysia Bhd president and group chief executive officer Mohd Azharuddin Mat Sah and Universiti Putra Malaysia vice-chancellor Datuk Professor Dr Ahmad Farhan Mohd Sadullah. Commenting on the same matter, Loke said Malaysia does not yet have a strategy in place when it comes to low-altitude mobility, particularly the use of drones below 1,000 metres. "We don't yet have a strategy on things like supposed parking or urban mobility. Drone mobility is still in its early stages, especially in terms of technology to carry people or passengers. "There are many proposals from private companies to introduce cargo drones, but we don't yet have a legal framework," he said. However, Loke saidthat for now, the government is focusing more on land-based transport systems. "Even with autonomous vehicles, we don't yet have a legal framework. There are guidelines and pilot projects being carried out in Cyberjaya, but no legislation yet. I think we will look into it, but for me this is not an immediate priority," he said.
