Latest news with #Isham
The Star
16-07-2025
- Politics
- The Star
AGC appeals High Court's dismissal of committal bid against Isham Jalil
KUALA LUMPUR: The Attorney General's Chambers (AGC) has filed a notice of appeal against the High Court's decision to dismiss its committal proceedings against former Umno information chief Isham Jalil. The proceedings were related to Isham's public remarks under his full name, Hizatul Isham Abdul Jalil, on the 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) case involving former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak. Isham's lawyer, Jamie Wong, confirmed that her team received an email with the attached notice of appeal from the AGC on Tuesday (July 15) night. "We received the email along with a cover letter from the AGC at 7.28pm," she said. On July 8, judge K. Muniandy dismissed the committal proceedings, ruling that Isham's comments did not pose a real risk of undermining public confidence in the judiciary. The proceedings arose from statements made by Isham during an interview titled "Townhall for Justice: Keadilan Sebenarnya Untuk Siapa", in which he allegedly made remarks concerning the trial and appeal of Najib in the SRC International and 1MDB cases. The remarks were subsequently published on the Facebook page of The Malaya Post on Sept 30, 2023. The AG contended that Isham's remarks included a challenge to the recusal process involving Justice Datuk Collin Lawrence Sequerah (now a judge of the Court of Appeal), who had presided over the 1MDB trial in the High Court. The AG further asserted that the respondent's statements had the effect of scandalising the judiciary and were capable of eroding public confidence in the integrity and impartiality of the judicial institution. - Bernama
The Sun
16-07-2025
- Politics
- The Sun
AGC appeals dismissal of committal bid against Isham Jalil
KUALA LUMPUR: The Attorney General's Chambers (AGC) has lodged an appeal against the High Court's decision to reject its committal proceedings against former UMNO information chief Isham Jalil. The case stems from Isham's public statements regarding the 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) trial involving ex-prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak. Isham's lawyer, Jamie Wong, confirmed receiving the notice of appeal from the AGC late yesterday. 'We were notified via email with the attached documents at 7.28 pm,' she said. On July 8, Judge K. Muniandy dismissed the proceedings, stating Isham's remarks did not threaten public confidence in the judiciary. The case originated from comments made during an interview titled 'Townhall for Justice: Keadilan Sebenarnya Untuk Siapa,' where Isham allegedly questioned the recusal process involving Justice Datuk Collin Lawrence Sequerah, who presided over Najib's 1MDB trial. The AGC argued Isham's statements risked undermining judicial integrity. The remarks were later published on The Malaya Post's Facebook page on September 30, 2023. - Bernama
Barnama
16-07-2025
- Politics
- Barnama
AGC Appeals High Court's Dismissal Of Committal Bid Against Isham Jalil
KUALA LUMPUR, July 16 (Bernama) -- The Attorney General's Chambers (AGC) has filed a notice of appeal against the High Court's decision to dismiss its committal proceedings against former UMNO information chief Isham Jalil. The proceedings were related to Isham's public remarks under his full name, Hizatul Isham Abdul Jalil, on the 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) case involving former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak. Isham's lawyer, Jamie Wong, confirmed to Bernama that her team received an email with the attached notice of appeal from the AGC last night. 'We received the email along with a cover letter from the AGC at 7.28 pm,' she said. On July 8, Judge K. Muniandy dismissed the committal proceedings, ruling that Isham's comments did not pose a real risk of undermining public confidence in the judiciary. The proceedings arose from statements made by Isham during an interview titled 'Townhall for Justice: Keadilan Sebenarnya Untuk Siapa', in which he allegedly made remarks concerning the trial and appeal of Najib in the SRC International and 1MDB cases. The remarks were subsequently published on the Facebook page of The Malaya Post on Sept 30, 2023. The AG contended that Isham's remarks included a challenge to the recusal process involving Justice Datuk Collin Lawrence Sequerah (now a judge of the Court of Appeal), who had presided over the 1MDB trial in the High Court. The AG further asserted that the respondent's statements had the effect of scandalising the judiciary and were capable of eroding public confidence in the integrity and impartiality of the judicial institution.
New Straits Times
16-07-2025
- Politics
- New Straits Times
AGC appeals High Court decision in Isham Jalil contempt case
KUALA LUMPUR: The Attorney-General's Chambers (AGC) has filed an appeal against the High Court's decision to dismiss committal proceedings against former Umno information chief Isham Jalil. Isham's lawyer Jamie Wong confirmed the matter when contacted today. "We received the notice of appeal dated July 15 via email," she said in a WhatsApp message. Judge K. Muniandy, in his decision, said Isham's statements criticising Datuk Seri Najib Razak's corruption trials involving 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB) did not undermine public confidence in the judiciary. The court ruled that the alleged contempt did not have a direct bearing on the specific courts in which the 1MDB and SRC International Bhd cases were heard and decided. Muniandy said the object of the law of contempt was not to protect judges and their dignity, but to safeguard the public's rights by ensuring that the administration of justice is not obstructed. He said the judgments in the corruption cases involving 1MDB and SRC International were clearly based on facts and the law, rather than on emotion or public pressure. The AGC filed the contempt application on Dec 28, 2023, following Isham's remarks in an interview titled "Townhall for Justice: Keadilan Sebenarnya Untuk Siapa?" (Justice: Who Is It Really For?). In his remarks, Isham had criticised the corruption trial and appeal involving his former boss, Datuk Seri Najib Razak, in relation to the 1MDB and SRC International Sdn Bhd cases. The recorded interview, which discussed the trial and appeal proceedings in the SRC and 1MDB cases, was posted on the Facebook page of the Malaya Post on Sept 30, 2023.
Borneo Post
12-07-2025
- Climate
- Borneo Post
Experts: Impactful climate strategies can, and should, set new standards for affordable living
People residing in high-rise, low-cost flats and apartments – comprising residential units with total floor areas of below 900 square feet – are feeling the effects of the heat wave more than others. — Bernama photo AS night falls, Isham Romli opens the windows of her ninth-floor flat to cool down the interior of her home. Residing in Block A of the Lembah Subang 1 People's Housing Project (PPR) in Selangor, Isham is forced to close all the windows at 10am due to the extreme heat in the Klang Valley, where daily temperatures have been reaching 35°C to 40°C. 'Sometimes, if it's not too hot, I leave the windows open during the day, especially when there's a strong wind blowing. 'But I can't open them too wide; otherwise light items in the living room will get blown around. 'I'd like to leave my front door open as well to let more air in, but since my unit faces the staircase and a lot of people pass by, I prefer to keep it shut,' she told Bernama. To avoid being stuck indoors in her 650-square-foot unit all day, Isham, 62, participates in various community activities at the PPR, including running sewing workshops for residents, especially housewives. 'Rather than being cooped up at home in the sweltering heat, the women are encouraged to join our sewing workshops, which also help them generate extra income.' The situation is somewhat different for private sector employee Siti Nuraisyah Abdul Hamid, 35, who rents a unit on the top floor of a six-storey apartment block in Section 2, Wangsa Maju, in Kuala Lumpur. 'The flat I live in is over 30 years old, so its design includes a spacious balcony and plenty of windows, which help with air circulation even when the weather is hot. 'So if I'm home all day, especially while working from home, I don't feel too warm because, in addition to opening the windows, I've decorated my living room and balcony with greenery to provide a cooler and more comfortable environment for everyone in the house,' she said. Isham prefers to keep her door shut due to her unit facing the staircase and a lot of people passing by. — Bernama photo Poor ventilation Isham is among thousands of flat and apartment dwellers affected by the heat wave that has gripped the country since May 10 – the reason for this being the lack of proper ventilation shafts to facilitate air circulation in many newer low-cost strata housing developments. On June 17, the Malaysian Meteorological Department said the influence of the Southwest Monsoon, which began on May 10, had led to dry and hot weather conditions in the country, with the increase in number of dry days expected to continue until September. People residing in high-rise, low-cost flats and apartments – comprising residential units with total floor areas of below 900 square feet – are feeling the effects of the heat wave more than others. This is because their buildings, usually designed with cost-effectiveness in mind, tend to be more compact and congested and lack good air circulation and ventilation systems. In short, their homes are heat traps. Malaysian Institute of Architects Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) chairman Axxu Hoi Jung Wai listed poor ventilation and heat entrapment as common issues in Malaysia's low-cost housing sector, particularly in PPRs and other affordable housing developments. 'Low-cost units are usually very compact – the rooms are small and in many cases, there isn't even space to fit a washing machine in the yard. 'These cramped designs lead to overcrowding and poor air circulation,' he told Bernama recently. According to Hoi, many affordable housing projects today adopt monotonous, high-efficiency layouts like double corridors with minimal windows and no courtyards, reducing opportunities for natural ventilation and light. 'You'll notice that when you visit most low-cost flats, there's often a lingering smell while the air is stuffy due to inadequate airflow.' Hoi, also the managing partner and practicing architect at Axial Design Architects Sdn Bhd, said poor ventilation was not just a by-product of affordability, but also a sign of unsustainable design practices as well. 'In many units, air-conditioning becomes a necessity, not a choice. 'That's not sustainable at all,' he said, referring to the heat build-up in these units, especially during the hot season. Citing older flats like Happy Mansion in Petaling Jaya, Hoi said older designs tended to perform better in terms of ventilation and sustainability. 'Back then, buildings had features like louvered windows, cross-ventilation single-loaded corridors and functional yard spaces but today, such elements have been lost to faster and cheaper construction methods.' Some flat residents resort to decorating their living rooms and balconies with greenery to provide a cooler and more comfortable environment for everyone inside the unit. — Bernama photo Climate-based approach As the impacts of climate change become increasingly evident, more people are thinking about how well their houses can cope with intensifying flooding events, hotter weather and prolonged droughts. According to Hoi, the rising demand for affordable housing should compel the government to lead the way in building homes that are not only cost-efficient, but also climate-responsive and comfortable for long-term living. He urged the government and developers to consider a climate-based approach, which should integrate detailed environmental analysis into the early design phase to enhance the liveability of affordable homes without significantly increasing costs. He recommended that the sun path and shadow analysis be conducted to ensure that the lower floors would receive adequate daylight, as well as avoid the issue of having dark, stuffy interiors caused by densely packed buildings. 'Such analysis can guide better placement of structures and identify optimal areas for playgrounds and green spaces that remain cool and usable throughout the day. 'Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) can also be used to study wind flow and improve natural ventilation between buildings to create tunnel effects that enhance airflow and reduce heat build-up,' he said. Hoi says in many housing units, air-conditioning becomes a necessity, not a choice. — Bernama photo His other recommendations included conducting daylight analysis to identify dark zones in corridors or shared areas and reduce reliance on artificial lighting, improving both comfort and energy efficiency. Developers integrating these simple, but impactful, climate strategies could set new standards for affordable living, offering homes that would not just be accessible but also sustainable, comfortable and future-ready, added Hoi. 'While keeping costs low is important, we can still prioritise liveability and comfort. 'Sustainable designs shouldn't be seen as a luxury — it can and should be integrated into affordable housing to improve residents' quality of life.' Prioritise climate resilience As climate threats such as extreme heat and flooding intensify across Malaysia, building affordable homes that are not only accessible, but also liveable and climate-resilient is becoming increasingly urgent, said Rose Afrina Mansor, climate resilience manager at Think City – an impact organisation focused on improving the liveability, sustainability and inclusivity of cities. She stressed that affordable housing must be designed to withstand environmental pressures without compromising comfort or dignity. Importantly, climate resilience does not have to come at a high cost. 'With the right planning, cost-effective strategies can be integrated into housing design to improve both sustainability and long-term affordability.' Rose Afrina said while tools like the Green Building Index (GBI) could promote green construction, they remained voluntary and were often seen as added costs in the context of low-income housing. To address this, the government had introduced measures such as a 50 per cent reduction in registration fees for affordable housing projects, supporting its push for more liveable and sustainable public housing. 'To move beyond policy into practice, climate resilience can be effectively achieved through the integration of nature-based solutions (NbS) into housing design. 'Approaches such as rain gardens, rooftop and podium greening, pervious paving, and urban tree planting can help manage flood and heat risks while improving thermal comfort and reducing energy use. 'When embedded from the outset, these measures can make affordable homes more climate-ready and comfortable without compromising their accessibility or affordability,' said Rose Afrina. Rose Afrina Mansor She pointed at Malaysia's first urban climate adaptation initiative, the Nature-based Climate Adaptation Programme for Urban Areas of Penang Island, as an example of cost-effective intervention. 'The programme focuses on strategic urban tree planting to lower urban temperatures, with species selected based on their resilience to future climate conditions. 'The Think City's Climate-Resilient Street Tree Species Study supports this effort by guiding the selection of trees that can withstand prolonged heat or drought. 'Urban greening, even with just a few well-placed climate-appropriate trees, is a cost-effective way to reduce the urban heat island effect, improve microclimates and lower energy consumption. 'Nature-based solutions not only reduce environmental risks, but also enhance comfort, improve amenity and the overall quality of life for residents,' she added. Energy efficiency As Malaysia continues to push for more inclusive and sustainable urban living, experts say affordable housing must go beyond just low prices, it must also be energy-efficient and climate-responsive. Malaysia Association of Energy Service Companies president Zulkifli Zahari said much of the discomforts experienced by low-cost housing residents stemmed from not incorporating passive design attributes, which contributed to the energy-efficient design of the building at the very beginning. 'Passive design elements are crucial. Things like building orientation, window shading, roof insulation, natural ventilation, and even building materials and colours, all impact how much heat the building retains. 'When you get these right, you reduce the need for active cooling like air-conditioning or reduce the energy consumption of air-conditioners,' he told Bernama. Zulkifli suggested the government to introduce targeted incentives for developers that used sustainable materials or energy-efficient attributes in low-cost housing, whether in the forms of rebates or subsidies if the project could justify its energy-saving components. 'One of the good opportunities lies in solar energy, which can reduce electricity costs in common areas like corridors or community spaces as well as reduce or minimise management fees. 'If there's a government-backed programme to equip low-cost housing with solar panels, it could ease the burden on residents.' Zulkifli said with the electricity tariffs expected to be adjusted on a monthly basis from July 2025 onwards and climate conditions becoming more extreme, it was time to reimagine affordable housing as climate-resilient, energy-conscious and future-ready. 'It is possible – it's not about making things expensive, but about designing consciously and providing support where it's needed,' he said. According to the Energy Commission (EC), electricity tariffs in Peninsular Malaysia would be adjusted on a monthly basis starting July, instead of twice a year, until December 2027. These revisions, driven by fluctuations in fuel and generation costs, would be implemented through an automatic fuel cost adjustment mechanism. The agency also confirmed that the base tariff per kilowatt-hour (kWh) would increase from 39.95 sen under the third regulatory period (RP3), to 45.4 sen under the fourth regulatory period (RP4). — Bernama (This story was produced as part of the PANAS! Climate Change Stories in Malaysia initiative by Science Media Centre Malaysia with the support of the International Science Council Regional Focal Point for Asia and the Pacific and funded by the Australian Department of Industry, Science and Resources, and led by the Australian Academy of Science. It is also supported by the International Network for Governmental Science Advice Asia [INGSA-Asia], funded by the Québec government and the Fonds de Recherche du Québec). climate flat heat hot Lembah Subang
