Latest news with #Malays'
New Straits Times
3 days ago
- Politics
- New Straits Times
Analysts: Opposition rally more about election messaging than toppling PM
KUALA LUMPUR: Political analysts said the Turun Anwar protest appeared like an attempt to sway public sentiment, acting as groundwork for election messaging rather than a realistic attempt to force Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim's resignation. "The rally appeared more like a calculated effort by opposition leaders to sway public sentiment, spotlight government failures, and lay groundwork for election messaging, rather than a realistic attempt to force Anwar's resignation via legislative means. "While the rhetoric was about demanding Anwar's resignation, the opposition seems to lack parliamentary strength for a legitimate no‑confidence motion," University Malaya political analyst Professor Dr Awang Azman Awang Pawi said. He added that with a lack of parliamentary motion, resignations, and Anwar remaining in office, the rally didn't produce institutional or leadership change. Meanwhile, Sunway University political scientist Professor Wong Chin Huat said that the rally was an attempt for Perikatan Nasional (PN) to remain relevant. "So, if Anwar steps down and a new government is formed with most of the existing Madani parliamentarians, the new government is likely to continue most of Madani's policies PN condemns. PN knows this. "PN needs this protest just to stay relevant – its momentum is residing whenever the prospect of regime change appears dim. "And of course, Hamzah's supporters are pushing for his own rise by testing the water with 'Naik Hamzah' (opposition leader Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainudin) placards," Wong said. However, while PN hoped to capitalise on the discontent over institutional reforms and democratic backsliding, Wong said, other than Malaysian United Democratic Alliance (Muda) which sent a representative to participate, no other party or NGO which represented the liberal-minority constituency played along with PN. He added that the rally was an attempt to push a narrative that Anwar has lost the Malays' support, and Umno, Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS), Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS), and others would leave the government. To Wong, the rally was a failure compared to the 2018 Anti-ICERD Rally, which saw a turnout over 50,000. Nonetheless, it seemed to have relative successes. The organisers' claim that the turnout would be higher than yesterday's 18,000 people, successfully drew national and regional media attention to the event, Awang Azman said. The media previously reported that Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainudin claimed that the turnout would reach a million. "Media traction and policy responses were gained, but there was no toppling of leadership, and turnout was modest enough for the unity government to claim democratic legitimacy," the analyst said. The professor also said that ahead of the rally, the prime minister's announcement of RM100 cash aid for all Malaysians and slashing Ron95 petrol prices to RM1.99/litre, was deemed as a catalysed government response to the rally. "It's widely interpreted as an effort to defuse public anger and dampen turnout. "The administration's decision to respond with targeted aid and fuel price relief reflects a willingness to listen and adapt which indicates responsiveness rather than confrontation," Awang Azman said.
Malaysiakini
16-07-2025
- Politics
- Malaysiakini
PAS' 'leaders for life' show lack of capable successors
YOURSAY | 'This ensures younger upstarts with new ideas don't rise and overthrow these dinosaurs.' PAS leaders usually remain until death - Takiyuddin Coward: It's PAS' choice on the issue of the term of office for its leader. However, this does sound like monarchic behaviour. In Perikatan Nasional, you only have PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang. In PAS, I can see only two other real leaders. The first is you, Takiyuddin Hassan, the party's secretary-general. However, while we see some signs of intelligence, you don't have any track record. The other is Terengganu Menteri Besar Ahmad Samsuri Mokhtar, whose only claim to leadership is that he is better than the rest. That is not a credit to him because the quality of the rest is frankly not up to scratch. Even then, he has nothing to show for in Terengganu. This is a red flag because he has been there for a long time. However, the most crucial issue here is Hadi. Is there only one able to stand up to Bersatu? Not even you, Takiyuddin, can do it? Although I am expecting and looking forward to a big ignominious fight between PAS and Bersatu when Hadi relinquishes his post, unlike some PAS leaders, I don't wish for anything bad to happen to him. That time will come and hopefully result in a better Malaysia. I don't care if it is at the expense of PAS or Bersatu. They are both expendable. Doc: I guess, Takiyuddin's statement is to ensure 'incompetence' carries on unhindered in PAS. It is also to ensure the younger generation of leaders with new ideas and experiences don't rise to overthrow these dinosaurs. PAS' modus operandi of blaming non-Malays and DAP for all the Malays' misfortune is being championed by the geriatric guards in PAS for aeons. But it is still effectively hoodwinking the Malay population. So, I guess, there is no reason to change the leadership. VioletOrca0545: The party that always claims that others are communists appears to be acting worse than communists. Whomever you choose as president is still human. Humans make mistakes, humans change, and there will always be someone better. By insisting a leader must be there until he or she dies, you are deifying whoever you choose as a leader. You are claiming that the person is perfect until the day he/she passed on. As a Muslim, you should know that the concept of perfection is only applicable to God and God alone. A Muslim can contribute to Islam regardless of whether he/she is president of the party or not. MerdekaMerdekaMerdeka: According to the Malaysiakini report, 'Takiyuddin cited previous PAS leaders - including former president Fadzil Noor and former spiritual adviser Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat - as examples of those who remained in office until their deaths. 'So, in Islam, as long as we are able, we continue to struggle for Islam.' Takiyuddin, you are 100 percent correct. Ergo, one does not need to be affiliated with any political body to propagate Islam. One can even do it on one's deathbed. So, what is PAS trying to spin? Ahmad Dusuki Abdul Rani, an independent preacher who graduated from Al-Azhar University in the field of syariah and law, went further to label those challenging the clerical leadership as 'devils among humans and genies'. Hang on, Dusuki, isn't everyone at PAS the one and the same? This is a man-made criterion stemming from selfishness and greed. DontGetMeWrong: Well, it is not a surprise that PAS leaders, as well as their hardcore supporters, stick to the party for life. We hardly heard of any PAS leaders or supporters jumping ship. What are the reasons? It is because PAS has the exclusive rights to heaven for those who vote and support the party? How gullible can one be? Annonimous 4500: Yes, PAS leaders remain united until death. Is it because of their statutory declaration to the party before being selected as a candidate for the general election? Something is seriously wrong with all political parties which practice such a policy. This should be made illegal in today's modern world. HoyoHoyo: Hello Takiyuddin, this is exactly what was wrong with PAS. Your outdated leaders and religious teachings can usually remain until death. But the world has changed. The change is more rapid now. With bilateral trade realignment, shifts in geopolitics and advances in artificial intelligence, you are still inside a cave. Without reforms in leadership and doctrinal rules, death awaits PAS. Turnedback: What sort of silly reasons to allow someone who cannot contribute to hold on to power and position until he dies? This indicates that PAS cannot find a suitable candidate for the party; they are not willing to progress and direct the party. How are they going to run the country with such a mindset? The above is a selection of comments posted by Malaysiakini subscribers. Only paying subscribers can post comments. In the past year, Malaysiakinians have posted over 100,000 comments. Join the Malaysiakini community and help set the news agenda. Subscribe now. These comments are compiled to reflect the views of Malaysiakini subscribers on matters of public interest. Malaysiakini does not intend to represent these views as fact.
Malaysiakini
15-07-2025
- Politics
- Malaysiakini
PAS' 'leaders for life' shows lack of capable successors
YOURSAY | 'This ensures younger upstarts with new ideas don't rise and overthrow these dinosaurs.' PAS leaders usually remain until death - Takiyuddin Coward: It's PAS' choice on the issue of the term of office for its leader. However, this does sound like monarchic behaviour. In Perikatan Nasional, you only have PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang. In PAS, I can see only two other real leaders. The first is you, Takiyuddin Hassan, the party's secretary-general. However, while we see some signs of intelligence, you don't have any track record. The other is Terengganu Menteri Besar Ahmad Samsuri Mokhtar, whose only claim to leadership is that he is better than the rest. That is not a credit to him because the quality of the rest is frankly not up to scratch. Even then, he has nothing to show for in Terengganu. This is a red flag because he has been there for a long time. However, the most crucial issue here is Hadi. Is there only one able to stand up to Bersatu? Not even you, Takiyuddin, can do it? Although I am expecting and looking forward to a big ignominious fight between PAS and Bersatu when Hadi relinquishes his post, unlike some PAS leaders, I don't wish for anything bad to happen to him. That time will come and hopefully result in a better Malaysia. I don't care if it is at the expense of PAS or Bersatu. They are both expendable. Doc: I guess, Takiyuddin's statement is to ensure 'incompetence' carries on unhindered in PAS. It is also to ensure the younger generation of leaders with new ideas and experiences don't rise to overthrow these dinosaurs. PAS' modus operandi of blaming non-Malays and DAP for all the Malays' misfortune is being championed by the geriatric guards in PAS for aeons. But it is still effectively hoodwinking the Malay population. So, I guess, there is no reason to change the leadership. VioletOrca0545: The party that always claims that others are communists appears to be acting worse than communists. Whomever you choose as president is still human. Humans make mistakes, humans change, and there will always be someone better. By insisting a leader must be there until he or she dies, you are deifying whoever you choose as a leader. You are claiming that the person is perfect until the day he/she passed on. As a Muslim, you should know that the concept of perfection is only applicable to God and God alone. A Muslim can contribute to Islam regardless of whether he/she is president of the party or not. MerdekaMerdekaMerdeka: According to the Malaysiakini report, 'Takiyuddin cited previous PAS leaders - including former president Fadzil Noor and former spiritual adviser Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat - as examples of those who remained in office until their deaths. 'So, in Islam, as long as we are able, we continue to struggle for Islam.' Takiyuddin, you are 100 percent correct. Ergo, one does not need to be affiliated with any political body to propagate Islam. One can even do it on one's deathbed. So, what is PAS trying to spin? Ahmad Dusuki Abdul Rani, an independent preacher who graduated from Al-Azhar University in the field of syariah and law, went further to label those challenging the clerical leadership as 'devils among humans and genies'. Hang on, Dusuki, isn't everyone at PAS the one and the same? This is a man-made criterion stemming from selfishness and greed. DontGetMeWrong: Well, it is not a surprise that PAS leaders, as well as their hardcore supporters, stick to the party for life. We hardly heard of any PAS leaders or supporters jumping ship. What are the reasons? It is because PAS has the exclusive rights to heaven for those who vote and support the party? How gullible can one be? Annonimous 4500: Yes, PAS leaders remain united until death. Is it because of their statutory declaration to the party before being selected as a candidate for the general election? Something is seriously wrong with all political parties which practice such a policy. This should be made illegal in today's modern world. HoyoHoyo: Hello Takiyuddin, this is exactly what was wrong with PAS. Your outdated leaders and religious teachings can usually remain until death. But the world has changed. The change is more rapid now. With bilateral trade realignment, shifts in geopolitics and advances in artificial intelligence, you are still inside a cave. Without reforms in leadership and doctrinal rules, death awaits PAS. Turnedback: What sort of silly reasons to allow someone who cannot contribute to hold on to power and position until he dies? This indicates that PAS cannot find a suitable candidate for the party; they are not willing to progress and direct the party. How are they going to run the country with such a mindset? The above is a selection of comments posted by Malaysiakini subscribers. Only paying subscribers can post comments. In the past year, Malaysiakinians have posted over 100,000 comments. Join the Malaysiakini community and help set the news agenda. Subscribe now. These comments are compiled to reflect the views of Malaysiakini subscribers on matters of public interest. Malaysiakini does not intend to represent these views as fact.
Yahoo
06-06-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
‘They need a fighter': Dr Mahathir announces ‘big umbrella' committee to unite Malays
KUALA LUMPUR, June 5 — Former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad has reportedly announced the formation of an informal Malay committee, describing it as a 'big umbrella' to unify the Malay community. According to a report in Malaysiakini, Mahathir met with other political leaders in Putrajaya — including PN chairman Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, Bersatu deputy president Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainudin, and PAS deputy president Datuk Seri Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man — before making the announcement. 'They (Malays) need fighters to champion their cause. Right now, they don't have a dedicated fighter,' he was quoted as saying 'We're not concerned with other problems, we just want to focus on one struggle — the struggle to save the Malays,' he reportedly added. According to the report, Mahathir said that the Malays' problems could only be solved if Malays once again led the government. He reportedly added that the movement was open to all Malays, including Umno members, provided they supported the same cause.
Borneo Post
05-06-2025
- Politics
- Borneo Post
‘They need a fighter': Dr Mahathir announces ‘big umbrella' committee to unite Malays
According to a report, Mahathir met with other political leaders in Putrajaya including Muhyiddin, Hamzah and Tuan Ibrahim before making the announcement. – Bernama photo KUALA LUMPUR (June 5): Former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad has reportedly announced the formation of an informal Malay committee, describing it as a 'big umbrella' to unify the Malay community. According to a report in Malaysiakini , Mahathir met with other political leaders in Putrajaya — including PN chairman Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, Bersatu deputy president Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainudin, and PAS deputy president Datuk Seri Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man — before making the announcement. 'They (Malays) need fighters to champion their cause. Right now, they don't have a dedicated fighter,' he was quoted as saying 'We're not concerned with other problems, we just want to focus on one struggle — the struggle to save the Malays,' he reportedly added. According to the report, Mahathir said that the Malays' problems could only be solved if Malays once again led the government. He reportedly added that the movement was open to all Malays, including Umno members, provided they supported the same cause. – Malay Mail big umbrella Mahathir Mohamad Malay committee
