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Free Malaysia Today
a day ago
- Politics
- Free Malaysia Today
Takiyuddin files motion to refer Anwar to rights and privileges committee
PN MP Takiyuddin Hassan accused Anwar Ibrahim of misleading the Dewan Rakyat about where the authority lies to prosecute Dr Mahathir Mohamad over the Batu Puteh issue. (Bernama pic) PETALING JAYA : The opposition has submitted a motion calling for Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim to be referred to the Dewan Rakyat's rights and privileges committee for allegedly misleading the House on the Batu Puteh issue. Takiyuddin Hassan (PN-Kota Bharu) said the motion was submitted to Dewan Rakyat Speaker Johari Abdul this morning under Standing Order 36(12), which concerns misleading the House. The motion follows Anwar informing the Dewan Rakyat that the Cabinet had decided not to pursue legal action against former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad over his role in the Batu Puteh case due to his advanced age. Takiyuddin, the opposition chief whip, said Anwar had misled the Dewan Rakyat by implying that the authority to prosecute Mahathir over the Batu Puteh issue lay with the prime minister and his Cabinet, rather than the attorney-general (AG). 'Does this imply that the prime minister is interfering in legal matters, overriding the courts and even the AG's powers?' Takiyuddin said in a press conference at Parliament alongside other opposition MPs. He added that the authority to decide on prosecutions lies with the AG, as stated in Article 145(3) of the Federal Constitution. 'But the prime minister has shown the House – and by extension, the whole world – that this is how a Malaysian prime minister behaves: misleading Parliament and abusing power. 'Therefore, I have submitted a motion on behalf of Perikatan Nasional to refer him to the rights and privileges committee,' he said. A royal commission of inquiry (RCI) last year found that Mahathir had likely acted deliberately to influence the Cabinet to discontinue review applications regarding Batu Puteh's sovereignty in 2018, despite the views of international consultants who said the applications had a reasonable likelihood of success. The RCI recommended that a police report be lodged against Mahathir, saying a criminal investigation could be initiated under Section 415(b) of the Penal Code for cheating. Earlier today, Anwar brushed off Mahathir's remarks that the former prime minister did not need immunity from legal action in the matter.
Free Malaysia Today
2 days ago
- Free Malaysia Today
Fresh probe paper into 2013 death of tahfiz student handed to prosecutors
Wan Ahmad Faris Wan Abdul Rahman's body was found by a dormitory supervisor on Dec 14, 2013. (TikTok pic) PETALING JAYA : The fresh investigation paper into the death of a tahfiz student in 2013 has been referred to the Kelantan deputy public prosecutor's office, home minister Saifuddin Nasution Ismail said today. Saifuddin confirmed that police had reopened their investigation into the death of Form 4 student Wan Ahmad Faris Wan Abdul Rahman after the Kota Bharu coroner's court ruled in June 2016 that he was murdered by an unidentified person. He did not specify when the fresh investigation was launched. 'The police recorded the statements of 14 witnesses, including taking further statements from the chemist and pathologist who conducted the autopsy on the deceased. 'The investigation paper into the sudden death report was submitted to the Kelantan deputy public prosecutor's office on April 28 for further action,' he said in a written parliamentary reply. He was responding to a question from Ahmad Fadhli Shaari (PN-Pasir Mas), who wanted to know if the ministry was willing to open a fresh probe into Wan Faris's death. Wan Faris's body was found by a dormitory supervisor on Dec 14, 2013, after he detected an odour coming from a toilet at the dormitory. An autopsy classified it as sudden death and ruled out any criminal involvement. However, a coroner's court ruled in June 2016 that Wan Faris was murdered by an unidentified person. In November, the victim's parents, Wan Abdul Rahman Wan Yaacub, 73, and Ruhani Hussin, 69, said they were informed by the police in August 2023 that the investigation into their son's case had been classified as 'no further action' since September 2020. The Attorney-General's Chambers had found that the testimonies of all witnesses failed to identify those responsible, and the evidence was purely speculative. The couple urged the AGC to reopen the case, and also sent a letter to Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim pleading for a fresh investigation.
Malay Mail
3 days ago
- Malay Mail
Kelantan cops defend Kemumin homestay raid, say 20 attendees admitted being gay
KOTA BHARU, July 23 —Police have clarified that the recent raid on a private gathering at a homestay in Kemumin was conducted based on valid intelligence and evidence, with no intent of discrimination. Kelantan police chief Datuk Mohd Yusoff Mamat said the operation was carried out to maintain public order and safeguard moral values. He said intelligence revealed that invitations to the event, 'Majlis Malam Mesra Komuniti & Santai-Santai' were shared via WhatsApp among a select group, with no involvement from any official body such as an NGO or the Ministry of Health. 'On the day of the event, the Kelantan Police Task Force began surveillance at 5pm and observed around 100 individuals gathering to eat and socialise. The raid was carried out at about 1am to ensure public safety,' he said in a statement last night. He added that 20 individuals at the premises admitted to being part of the gay community. Among them were a man from Perak and a student from a higher education institution in Besut, Terengganu, while the rest were locals from Kelantan. Mohd Yusoff also said that checks on their mobile phones found three individuals in possession of pornographic videos involving same-sex acts. 'All three were charged under Section 292 of the Penal Code and pleaded guilty in the Kota Bharu Magistrate's Court on July 20. They were fined between RM3,000 and RM4,000,' he said. The raid also uncovered hundreds of condoms and several boxes of HIV medication at the premises. He advised the public not to spread unverified information and to continue cooperating with authorities to preserve harmony in the state. Yesterday, the Kelantan government reminded all parties to inform local authorities and relevant agencies in advance before organising any events, to avoid confusion, misunderstanding, and negative public perception. Deputy Menteri Besar Datuk Dr Mohamed Fadzli Hassan said any event, including health-related programmes, should be conducted properly and in accordance with existing procedures and regulations. — Bernama
Free Malaysia Today
4 days ago
- Politics
- Free Malaysia Today
Kelantan open to talks with AIDS council, cops over LGBT event
Kelantan deputy menteri besar Fadzli Hassan said programmes touching on sensitivities must be approved by the relevant authorities. PETALING JAYA : The Kelantan government has expressed its willingness to meet with police and the Malaysian AIDS Council regarding the recent organisation of a programme related to lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender communities in Kota Bharu. Deputy menteri besar Fadzli Hassan said they were seeking to discuss and gain a clearer understanding of the event so the matter can be resolved diplomatically, and to dispel any unfounded allegations. 'Perhaps the mistake was not the organiser's. That's why it needs to be investigated first so that police are not wrongly blamed by the public. 'The police have their job, the AIDS council also has its responsibilities. 'Any programme that goes against the state government's policies and the customs of Kelantan's people is something we simply cannot accept,' Bernama reported him as saying at the Kota Darulnaim Complex today. Fadzli said programmes touching on sensitivities, especially when held within village communities, require permission from the relevant authorities such as the Kelantan Islamic religious affairs department, police and others. He said the state government can also take appropriate action if any event is found to have violated any of its regulations In mid-June, Kelantan police raided an LGBT-related event involving more than 20 men at a bungalow on Jalan Kemumin in Kota Bharu. Kelantan police chief Yusoff Mamat was reported as saying the operation was conducted based on tip-offs and intelligence gathered by a special task force, following complaints. A search of the premises uncovered hundreds of condoms and several boxes of HIV medication stored in a special room believed to be used as a storage place by the organisers. The Malaysian AIDS Council said it had conducted an outreach session on June 17 in Kemumin to engage with high-risk communities as part of HIV prevention efforts before the police raid. The programme, which ran from 8pm to 2am, was part of a strategic approach by the health ministry to deliver more inclusive and community-centred HIV treatment services.
Free Malaysia Today
4 days ago
- Free Malaysia Today
Labourer in Kelantan charged with raping teen daughter
The 38-year-old man faces eight to 30 years in prison and at least 10 strokes of the rotan if convicted by the court. PETALING JAYA : A 38-year-old labourer has been charged in the Kota Bharu sessions court with raping his teenage daughter in March. The accused claimed trial after the charge was read to him before judge Zulkifli Abllah, Harian Metro reported. He was charged with raping his 16-year-old daughter in a car at Jalan Pasir Mas-Salor in Kota Bharu at about 4am on March 31. The charge was framed under Section 376(3) of the Penal Code, which provides for between eight and 30 years in prison and at least 10 strokes of the rotan, upon conviction. Deputy public prosecutor Ahmad Faiz Fitri did not offer bail for the accused, who was unrepresented, saying the charge against him was serious. The court fixed Aug 24 for mention.
