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Malaysia's Anwar defends extending ‘brave' anti-corruption chief's term
Malaysia's Anwar defends extending ‘brave' anti-corruption chief's term

South China Morning Post

time24-05-2025

  • Business
  • South China Morning Post

Malaysia's Anwar defends extending ‘brave' anti-corruption chief's term

Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim defended an extension of the anti-corruption agency head's tenure, saying Azam Baki has been brave in going after powerful figures allegedly embroiled in corruption and abuse of power. Azam's term as chief commissioner of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) was lengthened by a year starting May 13, the third extension since he turned 60 years old. Protesters hold placards displaying Azam Baki's face during a demonstration to demand that the MACC chief commissioner step down following a stock trading scandal on January 22, 2022. Photo: EPA-EFE He is also the first head of the agency to have his employment prolonged beyond the mandatory retirement age , stoking public debate about Anwar's pledges to improve Malaysia 's governance. 'I don't deny there has been a lot of criticism,' Anwar said in a speech at his political party's national Congress on Friday. 'But believe me, looking at MACC over the past decades, this is the first time they've been brave enough to investigate all the big 'taukehs',' he said, referring to billionaire tycoons and politically-influential individuals. The prime minister said that while he could replace Azam, he was not confident anyone else would dare to upset those holding wealth and power.

Gal Gadot resumes filming her new movie The Runner in London after pro-Palestinian activists disrupted scenes as they protested her Israeli soldier past
Gal Gadot resumes filming her new movie The Runner in London after pro-Palestinian activists disrupted scenes as they protested her Israeli soldier past

Daily Mail​

time23-05-2025

  • Entertainment
  • Daily Mail​

Gal Gadot resumes filming her new movie The Runner in London after pro-Palestinian activists disrupted scenes as they protested her Israeli soldier past

Israeli-born Gal Gadot has resumed filming her new movie The Runner after pro-Palestine protesters disrupted the production over the weekend. Activists disrupted filming on Sunday morning as chants of 'Gal Gadot not welcome here' and 'Gal Gadot you can't hide' were heard as the actress was filming in the streets of London. The actress, who served in the Israel Defense Forces, has previously been vocal in her support of Israel's invasion of Gaza following the October 7 Hamas attacks. Protesters wore keffiyehs over their faces and clanged metal saucepan lids while shouting from megaphones on Waterloo Bridge. Sirens blared out of megaphones as the gathering protestors waved Palestinian flags and dangled a red banner over the railings with 'Stop Starving Gaza ' written in white letters. Gadot could be seen chatting with other crew members as protesters screamed at her from the other side of the bridge: 'Gal Gadot, shame on you.' Scotland Yard officers were called to the area and swiftly moved the protesters away without making any arrest. Despite the interruption over the weekend, Gadot was seen back on set today in running gear filming an intense chase scenes through the streets of Kentish Town. The production team has not issued a public statement regarding the protests, but filming is set to continue under heightened security measures. In 2004, an 18-year-old Gadot was named 54th Miss Israel and went on to represent Israel at Miss Universe. A week after passing on the crown the following year she was conscripted into the Israel Defense Forces (IDF). Gadot served in the IDF for two years, including during the 2006 Israel-Lebanon. 'It was demanding because you give up your freedom for two years but there is something special in giving back to your community,' she told Fashion Magazine in 2016. Following her time in the IDF, the actress has gone on to star as Wonder Woman in the DC Extended Universe films and in several Fast and Furious films Her new movie, the Runner centres on her character, a high-flying attorney, who has to race through London to try to save her abducted son. It is being produced by David Kosse via his new London-based production company Rockwood Pictures. Pro-Palestine activists have been repeatedly targeting Gadot's filming in London. The latest rally is the second in eight days with protestors last holding up the set in Moorgate. A Metropolitan Police spokesperson said: 'Police were called to reports of a small group of protesters on Waterloo Bridge at 8.42am on Sunday, 18 May. 'Officers arrived swiftly and moved them on. No arrests were made.' On Saturday night, Gadot posted a short clip on her Instagram account of her chatting with Israel's Eurovision entrant and Nova Festival massacre survivor Yuval Raphael. Speaking in Hebrew, Gadot said according to The Jerusalem Post: 'Celebrate your creation, it's a creation of love and of so much light.' Yuval reposted the video on her Instagram alongside a heart emoji and the message: 'Gal thank you so much!! 'This call made me so much stronger, you are called Wonder Woman for a reason.' Meanwhile, last Tuesday Gadot's Hollywood Walk of Fame ceremony was hit by warring protestors amid ongoing controversy over her 'woke' film Snow White. Recent claims emerged that a feud was brewing between Gadot and Zegler - who is pro-Palestine - over their opposing stances on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Zegler was tellingly not in attendance at the ceremony The actress, who plays the Evil Queen in the live action remake alongside Rachel Zegler's Snow White, looked delighted as she arrived to receive the accolade - but outside the barriers, drama was unfolding. In dramatic video captured by, police were seen running after a member of the public amid claims 'a pro-Palestine protestor stole a pro-Israel protester's flag.' Pro-Palestine protestors had gathered outside the ceremony carrying signs reading: 'Heroes fight like Palestinians' and 'Viva Viva Palestina.' Israeli actress Gadot who formerly served in the IDF - is staunchly pro-Israel. The unidentified man was seen being grabbed by police and pushed against a wall, as screams rang out from the crowd. Recent claims emerged that a feud was brewing between Gadot and Zegler - who is pro-Palestine - over their opposing stances on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Zegler was tellingly not in attendance at the ceremony. Gadot seemed unaware of the altercation unfolding outside as she posed with her husband Jaron Varsano and their four daughters, as well as Fast & Furious co-star Vin Diesel and Wonder Woman director Patti Jenkins. In an interview published last Tuesday with Variety, Gadot spoke about how she felt compelled to speak out on politics after the October 7 2023 Hamas-led attack on Israel. She said: 'After October 7th [2023], I don't talk politics — because who cares about the celebrity talking about politics? I'm an artist. I want to entertain people. Production was previously halted when activists interrupted filming, chanting slogans and waving Palestinian flags 'I want to bring hope and be a beacon of light whenever I say anything about the world. 'But on October 7th, when people were abducted from their homes, from their beds, men, women, children, elderly, Holocaust survivors, were going through the horrors of what happened that day, I could not be silent. 'I'm not a hater. I'm a grandchild of a Holocaust survivor who came to Israel and established his family from scratch after his entire family was erased in Auschwitz. 'And on the other side of my family, I'm eighth generation Israeli. I'm an indigenous person of Israel. 'I am all about humanity and I felt like I had to advocate for the hostages.' 'I am praying for better days for all,' she continues.

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