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Yahoo
3 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
How losing party posts led to Cabinet exits before — and what's different this time with PKR's Rafizi and Nik Nazmi
KUALA LUMPUR, May 30 — In a span of several hours, two Cabinet members under the Anwar administration — Datuk Seri Rafizi Ramli and Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad — announced their resignation this week after failing to retain key posts in the party leadership. Their abrupt resignation comes after both Rafizi and Nik Nazmi failed to defend their PKR deputy presidency and vice-presidency respectively in the party's recent elections. However, have there been other instances where Cabinet members have resigned or been replaced following changes in their respective party leadership? The short answer is yes. This was hardly the first time, and here is a list of what happened following their losses: Datuk Seri Ong Tee Keat (right) lost his MCA presidency to Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek (left) in 2010. — Picture by Saw Siow Feng 1. Ong Tee Keat dropped after losing MCA presidency In October 2008, then MCA president Tan Sri Ong Tee Keat was elected to his post while Tan Sri Dr Chua Soi Lek was elected deputy president following party polls. However, their appointments set forth a tumultuous partnership as both men could not see eye to eye and would eventually lead to a leadership crisis which took nearly 18 months to resolve, culminating in a re-election in early March 2010. In the 2010 party polls, Dr Chua emerged victorious and Ong failed to defend his presidency. Ong, who was transport minister at the time, was subsequently dropped from Datuk Seri Najib Razak's federal Cabinet in a reshuffle which took place in June the same year. Unlike Rafizi and Nik Nazmi, Ong did not immediately tender his resignation as a Cabinet member after his defeat. He was replaced by Tan Sri Kong Cho Ha — the MCA secretary-general then. Datuk Seri Dr (left) and Datuk Seri (sitting) sharing a light moment in 2013 before their rift in 2015. — Picture by Choo Choy May 2. G. Palanivel losing post following ouster from MIC presidency In June 2015, MIC was plunged into a leadership struggle, with then party president Datuk Seri G Palanivel and his then deputy Tan Sri Dr S Subramaniam that saw both leaders claiming to be president. The struggle stemmed from Palanivel disputing the Registrar of Societies order for MIC to conduct re-elections for the party. The leadership crisis would culminate in Palanivel being ousted by Dr Subramaniam after the party's central working committee (CWC) ruled the former's party membership has been revoked for taking the party to court without a resolution from the CWC. Palanivel, who was natural resources and environment minister, was subsequently dropped from Datuk Seri Najib Razak's federal Cabinet in a reshuffle which took place in July the same year. Palanivel did not immediately tender his resignation as a Cabinet member after losing his party membership and presidency. He was replaced by Tun Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar from Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu. PKR president Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim (centre), flanked by former deputy president Datuk Seri Rafizi Ramli (sitting left) and former vice-president Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad (right). — Picture by Shafwan Zaidon What's next for Rafizi and Nik Nazmi — but also Anwar? The obvious difference with the abovementioned cases was that Rafizi and Nik Nazmi both had resigned. With the PKR party polls now concluded and vacancies in the Cabinet to be filled, a Cabinet reshuffle is the most likely outcome. A day before party polls, Anwar reassured the public that his party's poll was an internal process and had nothing to do with the issue of reshuffling the Cabinet. He said he was powerless to stop other people's ambitions should they wish to resign but affirmed that he has no plans of making changes to his Cabinet line-up just yet. The Prime Minister's Office (PMO) later confirmed it has received letters from both Rafizi and Nik Nazmi requesting leave and resignations from their Cabinet posts. The PMO said Anwar has approved the leave requests from both ministers following a review of their submissions but any further developments regarding the matter of their resignation will be communicated in due course. Anwar also said that there will be no Cabinet reshuffle with the duo are on gardening leave. Meanwhile, Umno president and Barisan Nasional (BN) chairman Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said Umno is willing to accept the vacated Cabinet posts but won't demand them as they 'know the limits to their requests'. Zahid also called the duo's decision 'principled', while praising their contributions to the government. BN is a coalition partner to Anwar's Pakatan Harapan. Its component party Umno, who holds the most seats in BN at 26 out of 30, currently has seven ministers in its line up.
Malay Mail
29-05-2025
- Business
- Malay Mail
How losing party posts led to Cabinet exits before — and what's different this time with PKR's Rafizi and Nik Nazmi
KUALA LUMPUR, May 30 — In a span of several hours, two Cabinet members under the Anwar administration — Datuk Seri Rafizi Ramli and Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad — announced their resignation this week after failing to retain key posts in the party leadership. Their abrupt resignation comes after both Rafizi and Nik Nazmi failed to defend their PKR deputy presidency and vice-presidency respectively in the party's recent elections. However, have there been other instances where Cabinet members have resigned or been replaced following changes in their respective party leadership? The short answer is yes. This was hardly the first time, and here is a list of what happened following their losses: Datuk Seri Ong Tee Keat (right) lost his MCA presidency to Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek (left) in 2010. — Picture by Saw Siow Feng 1. Ong Tee Keat dropped after losing MCA presidency In October 2008, then MCA president Tan Sri Ong Tee Keat was elected to his post while Tan Sri Dr Chua Soi Lek was elected deputy president following party polls. However, their appointments set forth a tumultuous partnership as both men could not see eye to eye and would eventually lead to a leadership crisis which took nearly 18 months to resolve, culminating in a re-election in early March 2010. In the 2010 party polls, Dr Chua emerged victorious and Ong failed to defend his presidency. Ong, who was transport minister at the time, was subsequently dropped from Datuk Seri Najib Razak's federal Cabinet in a reshuffle which took place in June the same year. Unlike Rafizi and Nik Nazmi, Ong did not immediately tender his resignation as a Cabinet member after his defeat. He was replaced by Tan Sri Kong Cho Ha — the MCA secretary-general then. Datuk Seri Dr (left) and Datuk Seri (sitting) sharing a light moment in 2013 before their rift in 2015. — Picture by Choo Choy May 2. G. Palanivel losing post following ouster from MIC presidency In June 2015, MIC was plunged into a leadership struggle, with then party president Datuk Seri G Palanivel and his then deputy Tan Sri Dr S Subramaniam that saw both leaders claiming to be president. The struggle stemmed from Palanivel disputing the Registrar of Societies order for MIC to conduct re-elections for the party. The leadership crisis would culminate in Palanivel being ousted by Dr Subramaniam after the party's central working committee (CWC) ruled the former's party membership has been revoked for taking the party to court without a resolution from the CWC. Palanivel, who was natural resources and environment minister, was subsequently dropped from Datuk Seri Najib Razak's federal Cabinet in a reshuffle which took place in July the same year. Palanivel did not immediately tender his resignation as a Cabinet member after losing his party membership and presidency. He was replaced by Tun Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar from Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu. PKR president Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim (centre), flanked by former deputy president Datuk Seri Rafizi Ramli (sitting left) and former vice-president Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad (right). — Picture by Shafwan Zaidon What's next for Rafizi and Nik Nazmi — but also Anwar? The obvious difference with the abovementioned cases was that Rafizi and Nik Nazmi both had resigned. With the PKR party polls now concluded and vacancies in the Cabinet to be filled, a Cabinet reshuffle is the most likely outcome. A day before party polls, Anwar reassured the public that his party's poll was an internal process and had nothing to do with the issue of reshuffling the Cabinet. He said he was powerless to stop other people's ambitions should they wish to resign but affirmed that he has no plans of making changes to his Cabinet line-up just yet. The Prime Minister's Office (PMO) later confirmed it has received letters from both Rafizi and Nik Nazmi requesting leave and resignations from their Cabinet posts. The PMO said Anwar has approved the leave requests from both ministers following a review of their submissions but any further developments regarding the matter of their resignation will be communicated in due course. Anwar also said that there will be no Cabinet reshuffle with the duo are on gardening leave. Meanwhile, Umno president and Barisan Nasional (BN) chairman Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said Umno is willing to accept the vacated Cabinet posts but won't demand them as they 'know the limits to their requests'. Zahid also called the duo's decision 'principled', while praising their contributions to the government. BN is a coalition partner to Anwar's Pakatan Harapan. Its component party Umno, who holds the most seats in BN at 26 out of 30, currently has seven ministers in its line up.
Malay Mail
28-04-2025
- Business
- Malay Mail
ECRL to supercharge east coast growth, lure fresh Chinese investments under BRI push
BEIJING, April 28 — The completion of the East Coast Rail Link (ECRL) project by the end of 2027 under the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) is poised to unlock the development potential of Peninsular Malaysia's east coast, home to the Kuantan Industrial Park, while attracting more Chinese investments. Belt and Road Initiative Caucus for Asia Pacific (Bricap) president Tan Sri Ong Tee Keat said the project is set to improve the logistical connectivity between the west and east coasts of Peninsular Malaysia. Phase 1 of the ECRL, running from Kota Baru in Kelantan to the Gombak Integrated Terminal in Selangor, is slated for completion by December 2026, with operations scheduled to begin in January 2027. Phase 2, which will connect Gombak with Port Klang, is expected to be completed by December 2027, with operations starting in January 2028. In an interview with Global Times here, Ong said the new phase of high-quality BRI development will give the 'Two Countries, Twin Parks' project a renewed boost with the influx of new economic drivers in digital and green transition from China. 'Collaboration on renewable tech with China's Contemporary Amperex Technology Co. Ltd (CATL) and the location of Huawei's Asean hub in Malaysia bode well to boost Malaysia in realising its agenda for sustainable development,' he noted. According to the World Bank, the full implementation of proposed projects under BRI is estimated to increase trade by between 2.8 per cent and 9.7 per cent for economies along the corridors. Entering into the second decade, Ong, who is also the former transport minister, pointed out that the BRI is heading to a new phase of high-quality development, with priorities on green transition, sustainable digital initiatives, and 'small yet beautiful' projects. BRI is a global infrastructure development adopted by China in 2013 to invest on routes connecting Asia, Europe, Africa, Oceania, and Latin America. In another development, Ong said the Global South and emerging markets economies are increasingly poised to be alternative engines of global growth amid rising protectionism, accounting for over 50 per cent of global gross domestic product growth. 'These developing nations, including Asean, Brics and African Union members are presently the rare bulwarks of multilateralism left in driving regional integration to counter trade fragmentation,' he emphasised. Leveraging on digital economy and diversification of supply chains alongside closer South-South cooperation, Ong said the evolving dynamics are set to reshape the world order into a multipolar model. In particular, he said the China-Asean economic and trade cooperation looks set to scale greater heights this year with the upcoming conclusion of the China-Asean Free Trade Area (Cafta) 3.0. 'Digital economy, green transition, and cross-border e-commerce will be the key initiatives for driving such cooperation,' he said. — Bernama
Associated Press
19-04-2025
- Business
- Associated Press
Global Times: Major infrastructure projects in Malaysia showcase vitality of BRI cooperation
BEIJING, April 18, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- On a recent sunny morning, as the temperature started to climb, the thunderous roar of machinery also appeared to be growing louder at a huge construction site on the outskirt of Kuala Lumpur, the capital of Malaysia. With a towering crane periodically moving overhead, workers in white hard hats and colorful vests also moved around frequently. 'My boss said that we are targeting to finish this Gombak Station by the end of this year. That has been any about a year plus, and it will be completed,' Ridzuan, a Malaysian technical engineer, told the Global Times. Although he has been part of the construction work for months, witnessing the progress firsthand, Ridzuan appeared to be at shock when describing the goal. 'I don't know, but I think if it's another company, this could take at least two years and maybe even up to three years.' The Gombak Station, about 30 minutes away from downtown, is one of the major stops of the East Coat Rail Link (ECRL), a landmark cooperation project between China and Malaysia under the framework of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). The 665-km railway is expected to be completed by the end of 2027, and once completed, will Malaysia's less-developed east coast with its economic powerhouse on the west coast, according to Xinhua. Being built by China Communications Construction Co (CCCC), construction work of the ECRL is currently in full swing. And bustling scene at the Gombak Station offers of crucial window into the strong vitality of China-Malaysia BRI cooperation. Rapid development The ECRL became an important focus as the two countries aim to further upgrade bilateral ties and strengthen cooperation. In a joint statement issued on Thursday, China and Malaysia agreed to promote the implementation of the Belt and Road Initiative Cooperation Plan signed in 2024 and further synergize development strategies. In Kuala Lumpur, locals are quick to point out the long history of exchanges between China and Malaysia that started centuries ago, and the rapid development in bilateral ties since formal diplomatic ties started over 50 years ago and Malaysia was among the first to participate in BRI cooperation. 'In the case of Malaysia, China-Malaysia engagement has a centuries-old legacy to trace… Malaysia is the first ASEAN member state building diplomatic ties with China,' Ong Tee Keat, president of the Belt and Road Initiative Caucus for Asia Pacific and a former minister of transport of Malaysia, told the Global Times. 'Bilateral ties embarked on a fast track in 2013 when Malaysia embraced the BRI.' The rapid development in China-Malaysia BRI cooperation is vividly displayed at major projects in Malaysia. In addition to the ECRL, there are also plenty of signs of the strong vitality in BRI cooperation between China and Malaysia. Rising 452 meters above the heart of Kuala Lumpur's Tun Razak Exchange, the Exchange 106 tower stands as one of Malaysia's tallest structures, a gleaming icon etched into the city's skyline. From the 105th floor, the vibrant panorama of Kuala Lumpur unfolds in breathtaking splendor. Yet, beyond its stunning vistas, this towering marvel serves as a prime vantage point to glimpse the deepening currents of collaboration between China and Malaysia. The 106-story skyscraper was built by Chinese State Construction Engineering Corp (CSCEC) and the speed of construction work, which lasted about 31 months, was marveled by many locals. 'Because of the location, many people can see the daily progress of the construction, so many people actually paid great attention. And many of them think this is truly unbelievable,' Huang Yidong, vice general manager of Malaysia Main Branch of CSCEC, told the Global Times, adding that the project also involved various world-leading construction technologies. Huang said that the Malaysia branch of CSCEC was established in 2013, the year the BRI was launched. 'We comprehensively responded to the initiative,' he said, 'personally, I feel very proud after joining the work in Malaysia over the past nine years, including the Exchange 106 tower project.' Constant upgrading Beyond the speed of its conduction, the Exchange 106 also provides a vantage point into the constantly upgrading of China-Malaysia cooperation. Stepping into the grand lobby of Exchange 106, a sprawling space on the right side commands attention, its bold '5G' signage glowing vividly. 'This is our 5G technology experience zone,' Pei Pei, the tower's marketing manager, told the Global Times, adding several Chinese companies, including Huawei, have rented space inside the building. Emerging technologies are becoming a main focus of China-Malaysia collaboration. The joint statement issued on Thursday also stated that focusing on four key areas of digital economy, green economy, blue economy and tourism economy, the two sides will expand future economic cooperation. The two sides will also support the co-establishment of Belt and Road joint laboratories by universities from the two countries, according to the joint statement. As the two countries continue to deepen BRI cooperation, there are also new emerging trends in bilateral collaboration, apart from major projects like the ECRL and the Exchange 106, thanks to deep, time-honored bonds shared by the two peoples. On a hot Sunday afternoon with grueling heat, a group of young students in uniforms joked and laughed, while enjoying ice creams and drinks inside a drink store inside a shopping mall in Kuala Lumpur. The store's name is very familiar to many Chinese, especially students: Mixue Bingcheng - a Chinese tea drink chain known for its popular flavors and affordable prices and extensive network of stores across China, including in small towns. For the same reason, Mixue has gained widespread popularity in the Malaysian market, with about 80 stores having been opened over the past two years or so, according to Khaw Chong Guan, a Mixue Franchisee in Kuala Lumpur. Khaw said that another critical factor behind Mixue's rapid expansion is the cultural bonds between the two countries that make it easier for Malaysian consumers to adopt to Chinese products. 'When Chinese brands come here, we have Chinese Malaysians to communicate with them, so there is an understanding. And it's easy to bring them to the market here,' he told the Global Times. In addition to the historical cultural ties, tangible mutual benefits are what makes the China-Malaysia cooperation successful. At the construction site of the Gombak Station, Ridzuan was already counting the hours that could be saved from commuting when the ECRL will be completed. 'It can reduce, I think, three hours or four hours. It's good for the people actually,' he said. View original content: SOURCE Global Times
Yahoo
19-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Global Times: Major infrastructure projects in Malaysia showcase vitality of BRI cooperation
BEIJING, April 18, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- On a recent sunny morning, as the temperature started to climb, the thunderous roar of machinery also appeared to be growing louder at a huge construction site on the outskirt of Kuala Lumpur, the capital of Malaysia. With a towering crane periodically moving overhead, workers in white hard hats and colorful vests also moved around frequently. "My boss said that we are targeting to finish this Gombak Station by the end of this year. That has been any about a year plus, and it will be completed," Ridzuan, a Malaysian technical engineer, told the Global Times. Although he has been part of the construction work for months, witnessing the progress firsthand, Ridzuan appeared to be at shock when describing the goal. "I don't know, but I think if it's another company, this could take at least two years and maybe even up to three years." The Gombak Station, about 30 minutes away from downtown, is one of the major stops of the East Coat Rail Link (ECRL), a landmark cooperation project between China and Malaysia under the framework of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). The 665-km railway is expected to be completed by the end of 2027, and once completed, will Malaysia's less-developed east coast with its economic powerhouse on the west coast, according to Xinhua. Being built by China Communications Construction Co (CCCC), construction work of the ECRL is currently in full swing. And bustling scene at the Gombak Station offers of crucial window into the strong vitality of China-Malaysia BRI cooperation. Rapid development The ECRL became an important focus as the two countries aim to further upgrade bilateral ties and strengthen cooperation. In a joint statement issued on Thursday, China and Malaysia agreed to promote the implementation of the Belt and Road Initiative Cooperation Plan signed in 2024 and further synergize development strategies. In Kuala Lumpur, locals are quick to point out the long history of exchanges between China and Malaysia that started centuries ago, and the rapid development in bilateral ties since formal diplomatic ties started over 50 years ago and Malaysia was among the first to participate in BRI cooperation. "In the case of Malaysia, China-Malaysia engagement has a centuries-old legacy to trace… Malaysia is the first ASEAN member state building diplomatic ties with China," Ong Tee Keat, president of the Belt and Road Initiative Caucus for Asia Pacific and a former minister of transport of Malaysia, told the Global Times. "Bilateral ties embarked on a fast track in 2013 when Malaysia embraced the BRI." The rapid development in China-Malaysia BRI cooperation is vividly displayed at major projects in Malaysia. In addition to the ECRL, there are also plenty of signs of the strong vitality in BRI cooperation between China and Malaysia. Rising 452 meters above the heart of Kuala Lumpur's Tun Razak Exchange, the Exchange 106 tower stands as one of Malaysia's tallest structures, a gleaming icon etched into the city's skyline. From the 105th floor, the vibrant panorama of Kuala Lumpur unfolds in breathtaking splendor. Yet, beyond its stunning vistas, this towering marvel serves as a prime vantage point to glimpse the deepening currents of collaboration between China and Malaysia. The 106-story skyscraper was built by Chinese State Construction Engineering Corp (CSCEC) and the speed of construction work, which lasted about 31 months, was marveled by many locals. "Because of the location, many people can see the daily progress of the construction, so many people actually paid great attention. And many of them think this is truly unbelievable," Huang Yidong, vice general manager of Malaysia Main Branch of CSCEC, told the Global Times, adding that the project also involved various world-leading construction technologies. Huang said that the Malaysia branch of CSCEC was established in 2013, the year the BRI was launched. "We comprehensively responded to the initiative," he said, "personally, I feel very proud after joining the work in Malaysia over the past nine years, including the Exchange 106 tower project." Constant upgrading Beyond the speed of its conduction, the Exchange 106 also provides a vantage point into the constantly upgrading of China-Malaysia cooperation. Stepping into the grand lobby of Exchange 106, a sprawling space on the right side commands attention, its bold "5G" signage glowing vividly. "This is our 5G technology experience zone," Pei Pei, the tower's marketing manager, told the Global Times, adding several Chinese companies, including Huawei, have rented space inside the building. Emerging technologies are becoming a main focus of China-Malaysia collaboration. The joint statement issued on Thursday also stated that focusing on four key areas of digital economy, green economy, blue economy and tourism economy, the two sides will expand future economic cooperation. The two sides will also support the co-establishment of Belt and Road joint laboratories by universities from the two countries, according to the joint statement. As the two countries continue to deepen BRI cooperation, there are also new emerging trends in bilateral collaboration, apart from major projects like the ECRL and the Exchange 106, thanks to deep, time-honored bonds shared by the two peoples. On a hot Sunday afternoon with grueling heat, a group of young students in uniforms joked and laughed, while enjoying ice creams and drinks inside a drink store inside a shopping mall in Kuala Lumpur. The store's name is very familiar to many Chinese, especially students: Mixue Bingcheng - a Chinese tea drink chain known for its popular flavors and affordable prices and extensive network of stores across China, including in small towns. For the same reason, Mixue has gained widespread popularity in the Malaysian market, with about 80 stores having been opened over the past two years or so, according to Khaw Chong Guan, a Mixue Franchisee in Kuala Lumpur. Khaw said that another critical factor behind Mixue's rapid expansion is the cultural bonds between the two countries that make it easier for Malaysian consumers to adopt to Chinese products. "When Chinese brands come here, we have Chinese Malaysians to communicate with them, so there is an understanding. And it's easy to bring them to the market here," he told the Global Times. In addition to the historical cultural ties, tangible mutual benefits are what makes the China-Malaysia cooperation successful. At the construction site of the Gombak Station, Ridzuan was already counting the hours that could be saved from commuting when the ECRL will be completed. "It can reduce, I think, three hours or four hours. It's good for the people actually," he said. View original content: SOURCE Global Times
