Latest news with #PMX
Focus Malaysia
an hour ago
- Politics
- Focus Malaysia
Abang Jo, Fadhlina Sidek named as potential PMX successor as PMXI candidacy gains traction
FALL-OUT from Saturday's (July 26) Turun Anwar rally continues. This time in the form of continued chatter online about potential candidates as PMXI. A list had already been discussed in FocusM by weighing up the pros and cons of each individual's hypothetical suitability for office. These discussions have been rampant on social media. As highlighted by political observer Khalid Karim STEMKITA (@Khalidkarim) on X, the issue is very much at the forefront of Malaysians' thinking at the moment. Apparently, certain dissenters just want the ouster of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim They are not insisting on forming any backdoor government which is an interesting proposition in itself. Did I read it correctly? They want Anwar to turun but NOT for Unity Gov to turun. No intention to tebuk tap but just to change PM. But who is fit to take over from Anwar? Fadhlina maybe — khalid karim STEMKITA (@khalidkarim) July 25, 2025 Khalid ended his post by suggesting current Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek as a potential candidate. The post has generated over 256.2K views, suggesting that the poser is very much in the minds of Malaysians. Of course, many gave their two sen on who could take over with some dismissing the suggestion that the Nibong Tebal MP and PKR women's wing chief is a worthy candidate on grounds that 'she babbles a lot' and 'she's always flip-flopping like there's no tomorrow'. The name of Sarawak premier Tan Sri Abang Johari Openg was also mooted with one commenter pointing to the good job he has done at state level. However, some suggested that he is disinterested with the poster himself dismissing the idea on the basis that there is no way an East Malaysian leader will eventually be made PM. One commenter rightly put it that Abang Jo is not even an MP to begin with. Plantation and Commodities Minister and UMNO vice-president Datuk Seri Johari Ghani was also mentioned with some claiming that he is an expert in economic matters. One commenter even proposed that while PMX can remain the premier, Johari can be made the Finance Minister. Ex-PM Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob was also mentioned in view of his past premiership experience aside from having previously addressed the United Nations (UN) Assembly. One commenter even joked that the Turun Anwar rally was part of ousted PKR deputy president Datuk Seri Rafizi Ramli's 'grand movement', insinuating that it is part of a power grab. Interestingly, incarcerated former premier Datuk Seri Najib Razak was suggested given he 'was good in economic management'. This suggestion was given short shrift by the poster who highlighted various examples of mismanagement of economic affairs under the former Pekan MP. Although the weekend rally was supposedly a PAS-led movement, one commenter claimed that he would not be at all surprised if the attendees were made up of UMNO loyalists. He insinuated that it was a conniving move by UMNO to grab power while publicly maintaining support for PMX. However, not everyone believed that a change would be good as a rotating door at Putrajaya was not good for the nation. One commenter contended that while PMX might not be the best, the lack of viable alternatives mean he will continue to be PM. An effective opposition is what the country needs alongside a competitive environment to improve performance of politicians. Echoing this sentiment, another commenter reckoned that it was better to judge the Madani government upon it completing its term. Constant change would lead to disaster, he claimed. – July 31, 2025
Focus Malaysia
a day ago
- Politics
- Focus Malaysia
PAS lawmaker blasted for ‘monkey-ing' PMX's role as mediator in Thai-Cambodia conflict
Editor's Update: It has been reported that renewed clashes have erupted along the Thailand-Cambodia border hours after PMX's-brokered ceasefire was reached between both nations. The Royal Thai Army has accused Cambodian forces of overnight attacks in Phu Makheua that caused exchanges of fire that lasted into the morning. Renewed clashes have erupted along the Thailand-Cambodia border hours after a ceasefire was reached between the 2 nations. The Royal Thai Army has accused Cambodian forces of overnight attacks in Phu Makheua that caused exchanges of fire that lasted into the morning. 🧵1 — BFM News (@NewsBFM) July 29, 2025 NEVER mind if US president Donald Trump wants to claim credit for brokering peace in the Thailand-Cambodia stand-off. But if one has nothing good to say about Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim who, too, was notably instrumental in the ceasefire accord, better say nothing at all. That was the advice proffered to PAS information chief Fadhli Shaari by DAP lawmaker Syahredzan Johan. The latter pointed out that the Pasir Mas MP was a known acquaintance and is very vocal in criticising PMX. That was fine according to the Bangi MP as it is his prerogative as an opposition MP. But there was no need for Fadhli to mock the efforts of PMX in mediating in the Thai-Cambodia border conflict. He was responding to a since deleted post on Fadhli's social media platforms which depicted PMX's role akin to a monkey mediating between a goat and sheep fighting over a banana. As chair of ASEAN, Malaysia was definitely expected to play a vital role in trying to resolve a conflict that has claimed dozens of lives and displaced thousands. As widely reported, Anwar was successful in brokering a ceasefire between the warring neighbours. Not wanting to allow an opportunity for political point scoring to slip, Syahredzan used this episode of Fadhli's folly to paint a picture of Malaysia under Perikatan Nasional (PN) rule. This was a clear indication of the nation's stance towards any regional conflict with the likes of Fadhli in Putrajaya, warned Syahredzan. Not content with Fadhli merely deleting the offensive post, the DAP national vice-chairman demanded that the PAS legislator apologise to PMX and to the people of Thailand and Cambodia. The post has already generated 1.5K likes, 338 comments, 394 comments and 277 shares at time of writing, underlining that the PAS lawmaker's faux paus has not gone unnoticed. Some commenters stated that Fadhli is seen as one of the Islamist party's brightest sparks. 'Can you imagine what the less bright within the party's ranks are like?' they mockingly asked. One commenter demanded that elected reps have the requisite academic qualifications – notably a diploma or degree – to hold office. Same as when a person is job-hunting, these MPs must be suitably qualified. Lamenting that Malaysians deserve better elected representatives, he argued that such incompetence needed to be erased. One commenter even argued that while DAP is constantly demonised for being anti-Islam, its leaders tend to display greater moral aptitude compared to its peers from the Islamist party. This episode was just an abuse of the freedom of speech, he added. This is just another example of PAS being blinkered in its approach. It is the consequence of playing to the gallery and constant fault finding with PMX and the Madani administration – sometimes it just backfires rather spectacularly. All that Fadhli seems to have succeeded in doing is to bring shame to himself, his party and the nation. – July 30, 2025 Post-script: Even human rights activist and lawyer Siti Kasim who is no PMX fan has stood by the latter in this instance for credit must be given if it's due.
Focus Malaysia
a day ago
- Business
- Focus Malaysia
Time for Malaysians to get used to 'gov't loans come down can also mean national debt goes up'
SUCH seems to be the mind-boggling Economics 101 situation confronting main-on-the-street Malaysians after it was revealed yesterday (July 29) that the Federal government's debt rose to RM1.3 tril as of end-June 2025, up from RM1.25 tril as of end-2024. The increase was apparently driven by borrowings to finance fiscal obligations and fund development projects, according to Deputy Finance Minister Lim Hui Ying. 'Government loans are used prudently to finance strategic development projects such as infrastructure, education, health and social protection programmes,' she told the Dewan Rakyat yesterday (July 29) in response to a parliamentary question by DAP's Beruas MP Datuk Ngeh Koo Ham' on the government's effort to reduce federal debts and liabilities. However, the government's liabilities shrank to RM384.6 bil by March 2025 compared with RM384.8 bil as of end-2024. To ordinary Malaysians, this piece of news came as a shocker for just over the weekend (July 27), Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim had personally warned that unchecked national debt could burden future generation of Malaysians, stressing his government's duty to rein in borrowing before it spirals further. He went on to stress that his persistent warnings about national debt were driven by a responsibility to prevent the burden from being inherited by future generations. As Malaysia's debt level remains high, PMX who is also the Finance Minister further justified that managing it responsibly is crucial to restoring investor confidence and safeguarding the country's economic future. 'Bullets for opposition' Above all else, both the Information Department and PKR Youth were found blowing the trumpet on the Madani government's behalf by citing PMX boastfully announced that 'new debts have been successfully reduced to RM77 bil in 2024 from RM93 bil (2023) RM99 bil (2022)'. 𝙆𝙀𝙍𝘼𝙅𝘼𝘼𝙉 𝘽𝙀𝙍𝙅𝘼𝙔𝘼 𝙆𝙐𝙍𝘼𝙉𝙂𝙆𝘼𝙉 𝙃𝙐𝙏𝘼𝙉𝙂 𝘽𝘼𝙃𝘼𝙍𝙐 𝙉𝙀𝙂𝘼𝙍𝘼 📉 Hutang baharu negara: • 2022: RM99 bilion • 2023: RM93 bilion • 2024: RM77 bilion 1/2 — AMK Malaysia (@AMKMalaysia) July 21, 2025 📉 Hutang Baharu Negara Berkurang! 💪🇲🇾 🗣️ YAB Dato' Seri Anwar Ibrahim: 💵 Hutang baharu 2024 turun ke RM77 bilion. 📉 Berbanding RM99 bilion pada tahun 2022! 🎯 Tanda komitmen kerajaan untuk: ✅ Urus kewangan negara secara berhemat. 📊 Kawal defisit, stabilkan ekonomi. — Jabatan Penerangan Malaysia ❤️🇲🇾 (@JPenerangan) July 22, 2025 Inevitably, unless the Madani government's communications machinery can find a way to explain in layman's term differentials between PMX's narrative of government borrowings have come down vs soaring national debt level, financially-savvy detractors will surely prey on the latest revelation for political mileage. 'Today the PH (Pakatan Harapan) government admitted that the government's debt has reached RM1.3 tril,' penned former UMNO supreme council member Isham Jalil on his Facebook post. 'In the past six months alone, they have added RM50 bil in debt. They said it was for project spending. Once again, I ask, can you please list the projects above RM100 mil that you spent and who got these projects? Added the once special officer to incarcerated former premier Datuk Seri Najib Razak: 'And was it obtained through open tender, selected tender or direct negotiation? Where has the hundreds of billions that you borrowed over the past two-and-a-half years gone to? The rakyat will have to pay these debts later.' Interestingly, another former Najib 'lieutenant' Datuk Eric See-To also took a jibe at the Madani government that ''shall not add' means 'to add RM290 bil' over a period of 30 months'. 'Tidak akan tambah' bermaksud 'tambah RM290 bilion dalam tempoh 30 bulan'. Dec 2022 (sebelum Madani): – Hutang langsung: RM1.079.6b – Liabiliti Kerajaan: RM319.6b – Jumlah hutang & liabiliti Kerajaan = RM1.399 trilion Jun 2025 (lepas 30 bulan Madani): – Hutang langsung:… — Eric SeeTo Lim Sian See (@LimSianSeeEric) July 29, 2025 But the former Barisan Nasional (BN) strategic communication deputy director who also goes by the nom de plume Lim Sian See was checkmated by a seemingly neutral governance critic. 'Eric, twisting the numbers won't change the facts. If you want to play propaganda, let's have some basis,' argued ksampoh@MyOwn Inc (@ksampoh). 'Debt is rising? Yes. But not for pink diamonds, luxury ships or condos. This time it's going up because we want to take care of the people, continue the nation's operations and absorb the global impact. 'Eric, if you're really smart, don't just make noise on Twitter but offer a solution.' By the way, the learned commenter further 'counter-swiped' See-To on the need 'to add RM378 bil over the next nine years (to the national debt) to offset 1MDB, SRC, Aabar & other fraudulent investments'. – July 30, 2025
Focus Malaysia
2 days ago
- Politics
- Focus Malaysia
Amid trust deficit at home, PMX gets a bouquet for settling Thai-Cambodia border conflict
PRIME Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has been experiencing a trust deficit in domestic politics with a slew of controversial policies drawing strong criticism from ordinary Malaysians, not least the implementation of an unpopular SST (Sales and Services Tax) expansion. Saturday's (July 26) Turun Anwar rally saw an estimated 18,000 disgruntled Malaysians – detractors claim that the figure should run into hundreds of thousands – took part in a peaceful march to voice their displeasure at PMX's leadership. However, in his role as a diplomat, in particular the 2025 ASEAN chairman, PMX seems to have scored some brownie points. Announcing the breakthrough on his Facebook page, PMX said disputing parties Cambodia and Thailand had agreed to a ceasefire from midnight of July 28. Clashes between Cambodian and Thai troops have erupted intermittently since May 28 with a fatal skirmish near the Preah Vihear area triggering renewed tensions. The situation escalated further on July 24, leading to several days of armed conflict. The ceasefire agreement which took effect at midnight followed a nearly two-and-a-half-hour meeting between Hun Manet and Phumtham at Anwar's official residence in Putrajaya yesterday (July 28). It was the first in-person meeting between the two leaders since tensions escalated along their shared border. The US co-organised the meeting while China participated as an observer. Also present were US Ambassador to Malaysia Edgard Kagan and Chinese Ambassador Ouyang Yujing. As ASEAN chair, Malaysia is expected to coordinate the formation of an observer team to monitor compliance with the ceasefire. As reported in news portal Scoop, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Washington applauds the ceasefire declaration and is 'grateful to Malaysian PM Anwar Ibrahim for his leadership and for hosting the talks'. He stressed the importance of both parties fully honouring their commitments and confirmed continued US engagement in the Malaysian-led peace process. Leaders of both Thailand and Cambodia also praised Anwar's role in mediating the ceasefire. The Pakatan Harapan (PH) chairman's post has fetched some 20K likes, 2.3K comments and 2.1K shares at the time of writing with plenty of positive feedback and praises – both from Cambodians and Malaysians alike – highlighting that there are aspects of his leadership that still find favour. One commenter acknowledged that PMX was far from perfect but his efforts in instigating a ceasefire was to be applauded. He argued that those who criticise the 77-year-old simply did not know the hardships of war. Others pointed out that the eyes of the world were on Malaysia, keenly observing the mediation process. On this account, PMX seems to have garnered positive feedback in his role as ASEAN chair. Yes, PMX has done well practising the art of international diplomacy. For his own sake, it is hoped that PMX can display such leadership and decisiveness when dealing with domestic issues. His political survival very much depends on it. While such high-profile mediations may offer positive headlines, it is domestic affairs that will determine if he is to be given a further mandate by the Malaysian electorate. In the meantime, the positive media coverage is a welcome respite after the weekend's rally, underlining that in international affairs Malaysia seems to have got the right man for the job. – July 29, 2025
Hype Malaysia
2 days ago
- Business
- Hype Malaysia
RM100 SARA: Everything You Need To Know About The Government Aid Starting 31st August 2025
In recent years, the Malaysian government has implemented initiatives aimed at promoting cashless transactions and assisting citizens with their daily household expenses. Through e-wallet platforms such as Touch 'n Go and ShopeePay, Malaysians who meet the requirements can redeem the government aid announced by the Prime Minister. With Prime Minister Dato' Seri Anwar Ibrahim announcing this year's government aid under the Sumbangan Asas Rahmah (SARA) initiative on 23rd July 2025, selected Malaysians are able to collect a total of RM100 from the government. So, who's eligible, how do you apply, and where can you use it? Here's a guide to PMX's RM100 SARA: 1. Who is eligible for RM100 SARA? Malaysian citizens who are aged 18 and above (born in the year 2007 and above) are able to claim the e-credit from their MyKad. No sign-up or application form needed, as the government aid will be automatically credited to your MyKad starting from 31st August 2025. 2. Where Can You Use RM100 SARA? The RM100 SARA can only be used on official SARA and MyKasih labelled products under the 14 approved categories at all participating stores, including Mydin and Giant. Simply treat your MyKad like a debit card by flashing it during checkout, and keep your receipt to track your spending. Do keep in mind that on first-time spending, you will be required to change your PIN from the first 6 digits of your MyKad to an alternate secure PIN. Items Approved For RM100 SARA Spending: Rice, Eggs, Bread, Flour, Oil Instant Noodles, Canned Food Instant Drinks Seasoning, Biscuits Hygiene & Cleaning Products Medicine School Supplies 3. Where To Monitor Balance & Nearest Participating Stores Fumbling on how to monitor your balance and where the RM100 SARA can be used? Not to worry! The government urges all eligible citizens to download the MyKasih app, where you can track your balance and all nearest participating SARA stores or simply visit their website at The RM100 SARA will also be available to use throughout the year from 31st August 2025 to 31st December 2025. With August closing in on us, the Malaysian government urges citizens to be on high alert for SARA scams in the form of fake links and messages claiming that registration is required for the aid. Malaysians are also advised to check the condition of their MyKad chips that are in bad condition and to have them replaced before Independence Day. Sources: The Edge Malaysia, Twitter Alyssa Gabrielle contributed to this article
