Latest news with #LawyersforLiberty
Malaysiakini
2 days ago
- Politics
- Malaysiakini
No legal grounds to probe LGBTQ+ workshop, says LFL
Lawyers for Liberty (LFL) urged the police to stop their investigation against PSM Youth over its LGBTQ+ health awareness workshop. In a statement today, LFL director Zaid Malek claimed police had no legal basis to probe the event and regarded the investigation as amounting to a serious abuse of power by the authority. This followed Selangor police chief Hussein Omar Khan's statement yesterday, who said they have launched an investigation under Section 298A of the Penal Code, which criminalises...
The Star
4 days ago
- Politics
- The Star
PM not seeking immunity, says Anwar's political secretary
PETALING JAYA: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim is not seeking absolute immunity for his office, says his senior political secretary Datuk Seri Shamsul Iskandar Mohd Akin. According to Shamsul, the crux of the issue was whether a civil suit can disrupt the Prime Minister's ability to carry out his duties as the executive branch of the nation. 'This is a valid and lawful consideration to be referred to the Federal Court, the highest judicial authority in the nation, with the jurisdiction to interpret the Constitution fairly and objectively. 'It is very irresponsible to equate this legal application with authoritarianism,' said Shamsul in a statement on Friday (May 30). Shamsul was referring to a statement by Lawyers for Liberty Director Zaid Malek, who called on the Attorney General Datuk Mohd Dusuki Mokhtar to intervene on the issue. This came after Anwar's court filing last week, which reportedly sought to refer eight constitutional questions to the Federal Court, including whether he gets immunity from civil proceedings initiated by his former research assistant Yusoff Rawther. Shamsul said that in countries practising democracy, the issue of qualified immunity was always discussed to balance the need to administer the country and an individual's rights. 'The Prime Minister isn't above the law, but he should not be a target of politically-motivated legal proceedings, which could affect the stability of the country's administration,' added Shamsul. Shamsul urged the public to respect the rule of law and not abuse legal channels to craft their own political narrative. 'The nation has endured far too many episodes where the laws were manipulated for political interest. 'All disputes should be resolved via legal channels, not by manipulating the sentiments of the people,' he said. Yusoff had filed a civil suit against Anwar in 2021, accusing the prime minister of sexually assaulting him at his office in October 2018. Anwar is seeking a ruling from the courts on whether the Federal Constitution's Articles 39, 40, and 43 provide him with qualified immunity against the legal action brought by Yusoff.
New Straits Times
30-04-2025
- Politics
- New Straits Times
Kg Sungai Baru not under Kg Baru, not Malay reserve land
KUALA LUMPUR: The Malay Agricultural Settlement (MAS) administrative board has denied claims that Kampung Sungai Baru is part of Kampung Baru. Its honorary secretary, Shamsuri Suradi, said they have complete documents and official records proving that Kampung Sungai Baru is not part of the land gazetted under MAS management. "The land in Kampung Baru was specifically allocated to the Malays and is recorded in the settlement register. "This registration began in 1900 and continued until the last registration in 1945. We have documented this, and even the land office does not have these records," he told reporters. Yesterday, Lawyers for Liberty (LFL) lawyer and advisor to the Kampung Sungai Baru Residents' Rights Committee, N. Surendran, claimed that the statement by Titiwangsa member of parliament Datuk Seri Johari Abdul Ghani asserting that the land in Kampung Sungai Baru, Kuala Lumpur, is not Malay reserve land, was factually and legally incorrect. Surendran was reported as saying that the entire 220ha of land in Kampung Baru, including Kampung Sungai Baru as part of it, was declared as part of MAS through Gazette No. 1550 dated Feb 16, 1932. Sharing the historical background of Kampung Sungai Baru, Shamsuri said the area was developed by Datuk Harun Idris. "To prevent flooding at the time, the river was straightened. "Once that was done, that was when Harun built Kampung Sungai Baru," he said. He added that all land in Kampung Baru is freehold. "But the land lots in Kampung Sungai Baru are leasehold for 99 years. "Therefore, those claiming that Kampung Sungai Baru falls under MAS must provide evidence to support that claim," he said. Previously, the media reported that Johari, who is also plantation and commodities minister, had proposed that residents discuss with the developer to hand over the development project in Kampung Sungai Baru to a company they trust more. He explained that the suggestion was aimed at restoring public confidence in the development efforts and expediting the project process. The controversy arose following demands from a group of original residents, comprising a minority, who were dissatisfied with the compensation offered. Earlier, in December last year, Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Federal Territories) Datuk Seri Dr Zaliha Mustafa told Parliament that the joint venture between landowners and the developer in Kampung Sungai Baru was based on mutually-agreed negotiations without coercion, pressure, or force.
The Sun
26-04-2025
- Politics
- The Sun
Kg Sg Baru committee seeks govt inquiry into land status
PETALING JAYA: The Kampung Sungai Baru Residents Right Action Committee has urged the government to carry out an inquiry to determine the land status of the area, and whether it should be recognised as a Malay agricultural settlement (MAS). Group chairman Zainab Alias said the inquiry should be carried out in accordance with Chapter 4 of the National Land Code. 'This is because all documents and an official map indicate that this land is a Malay agricultural settlement,' Zainab said at the Lawyers for Liberty office here yesterday. Also present were lawyers for the group N. Surendran and Zaid Malik. Zainab also called for all work being carried out at Kampung Sungai Baru to be halted, pending the inquiry. Should the result prove that the land is classified as MAS, the group demands that the developer return it to the residents. 'Any future development should involve the Kampung Sungai Baru residents. 'The government must initiate necessary negotiations with the developer on behalf of the residents. 'Failing to do so, we (the Kampung Sungai Baru residents) will hold a demonstration at the Federal Territory Ministry on May 7 to demand justice,' she said. The group also demands the government to outright repeal Section 3(1)(c) of the Land Acquisition Act 1960 in the Parliament session scheduled in June. Surendran said the group learnt about the Kampung Sungai Baru MAS status last year. 'This is shocking as by then, the land had already been taken over,' said Surendran, who is former Padang Serai MP. Zaid said Section 3(1)(c) of the Land Acquisition Act 1960 is unconstitutional and should be abolished, adding that the existing law failed to protect the interests of landowners. The Kampung Sungai Baru land acquisition, which was completed in August 2023, was done in accordance with the Land Acquisition Act 1960, involving 110 units that included 37 terrace house lots, 72 flat units and one TNB electricity substation lot. The residents received compensation between February 2022 and January 2023 from the Federal Territory of Kuala Lumpur Land and Mines Office. However, some of the residents held a demonstration opposing the low rate of compensation that was proposed by the developer Ritzy Gloss Sdn Bhd, which was RM450 per square foot.
Malaysiakini
25-04-2025
- Politics
- Malaysiakini
Kg Sg Baru residents demand land inquiry, warn of protest on May 7
The Kampung Sungai Baru Residents' Rights Committee has submitted seven demands to the federal government, including an immediate inquiry into the land status in the area under Chapter 4 of the National Land Code. Speaking at a press conference with Lawyers for Liberty (LFL) in Petaling Jaya today, committee chairperson Zainab Alias said official documents and maps show the land falls within a Malay Agricultural Settlement (MAS), and is therefore categorised as Malay reserve land.
