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Focus Malaysia
13-07-2025
- Business
- Focus Malaysia
'Turun Anwar' rally: A call for unity to save Malaysia from impending crisis of sorts
THE United Rights of Malaysian Party (Urimai) is calling on all Malaysians – Malays, Chinese, Indians and all others who believe in justice and democracy – to participate in the peaceful 'Turun Anwar' rally which is a nationwide call for Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim to step down. Editor's Note: The PAS-backed rally will take place on July 26 (Saturday) at Dataran Merdeka in Kuala Lumpur. Anwar who has yet to complete even one full term in office has betrayed the trust of Malaysians by failing to uphold democratic values. The most alarming issue is his interference in the judiciary – a cornerstone of democracy. His refusal to extend the service of former chief justice Tun Tengku Maimun Tuan Mat despite her stellar record and the quiet removal of other senior judges raises serious concerns of executive overreach. In stark contrast, the term of Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) chief commissioner Tan Sri Azam Baki, a figure mired in controversy has been extended three times under Anwar's leadership. Under Anwar's administration, Malaysia has drifted further into a crisis of inequality. While the PM speaks grandly of foreign direct investments (FDI) and national progress, ordinary Malaysians are left to suffer: The Sales and Services Tax (SST) tax hike has further squeezed the working and middle class. Consumer prices are soaring, placing essential goods out of reach for many. Youth unemployment remains high with no clear policy direction to create meaningful, sustainable jobs. Public healthcare and education systems are under-funded while lavish funds continue to flow into mega projects that do not benefit the rakyat. 'Progress has stifled' Anwar has become a symbol of broken promises and elite capture. The rhetoric of reform has been replaced by authoritarian practices and protection for political allies, ie the use of state institutions like the MACC as weapons against opponents. Malaysia's foreign debt is now in the trillions of ringgit yet Anwar continues to promote the illusion of economic stability. Promised billions in FDIs remain invisible with no factories, jobs or infrastructure to show for them. The people are right to ask: Where is the progress? Where is the prosperity? The so-called Madani Economy has failed to lift the rakyat's quality of life. Instead, Anwar's leadership has plunged the country deeper into political instability, economic stagnation and social discontent. The Turun Anwar rally is more than just a protest. It is a collective cry from the people – a demand for accountability, justice and the restoration of democracy. Malaysians from all walks of life, all races, and all religions must come together to reclaim the future of the nation. Let this be a turning point in Malaysian history. Let us stand united against tyranny, corruption and incompetence. Let July 26 be the day Malaysians rise – not for any political party – but for the nation. – July 13, 2025 Former DAP Bagan Dalam state assemblyman, Satees Muniandy, is today the interim secretary of United Rights of Malaysian Party (Urimai). The views expressed are solely of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Focus Malaysia. Images credit: HarakahDaily
Focus Malaysia
13-07-2025
- Politics
- Focus Malaysia
Rakyat again swamp Agong's FB page to express a host of displeasure against PMX, Madani gov't
DETRACTORS had for a second time flooded the page book of His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim, King of Malaysia to convey a slew of disgruntlements against Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and his Madani administration. The latest was through the comment section of the Johor ruler's post that the appointment of judges to Malaysia's superior courts must be handled with care and integrity to prevent the matter from being politicised. Citing Article 122B of the Federal Constitution, the July 10 statement by Istana Negara highlighted that the Yang di-Pertuan Agong appoints the top four judicial office holders and other superior court judges based on the PM's advice after consultation with the Conference of Rulers. The first time a similar venting of public displeasure happened was three weeks ago when Sultan Ibrahim posted a photo of him meeting PMX who also briefed the former on current developments and various current issues. It cannot be immediately ascertained if such practice of undermining PMX at the highest level is orchestrated by the Opposition in the wake of the PAS-backed Turun Anwar rally at Dataran Merdeka in Kuala Lumpur on July 26 which has targeted to draw some 50,000 participants. What is sure, however, is that running down the public image of a serving PM in such a manner has been unprecedented and is reflective of a sense of desperation in tandem with the escalating public trust deficit on PMX and his Madani administration following the May 23 PKR central leadership polls. In the latest antic, the most popular comment has called for the 're-opening of the (Datuk Seri Ahmad) Zahid Hamidi case file', alluding to the discharged not amounting to acquittal (DNAA) judgment bestowed on the Deputy PM from all 47 charges of criminal breach of trust (CBT), corruption and money laundering in relation to Yayasan Akalbudi funds. The comment was, however, denounced by Madani government backers as 'falling outside the topic'. Another commenter lamented the appointment 'of problematic individual such as PMX' which he described as 'a big mistake for the country' which again necessitated Madani keyboard warriors to come to PMX's defence. A perhaps more balanced view is one which paid tribute to PMX for having mooted judiciary reform by sparking public pressure following the 'looks like me and sounds like me' V.K. Lingam's case yet he himself is now caught in an 'impending judiciary crisis'. However, many Madani backers tend to brush aside concerns over a brewing judiciary crisis on grounds that the 'judges were not sacked as during the Mahathir era but just that they've reached their mandatory retirement age'. One commenter even seized the opportunity to seek the National Palace's urgent intervention to ensure that the case of incarcerated former premier Datuk Seti Najib Raszak 'is tried with due diligence'. At the end of the day, a number of commenters wanted the Agong and the Conference of Rulers to rely on their own discretion to decide on judiciary appointments without intervention from politicians who includes the PM himself. – July 13, 2025 Main image credit: Bernama
