Latest news with #Putrajaya
Free Malaysia Today
an hour ago
- Politics
- Free Malaysia Today
Frequent change of govt is against Islamic values, says Kelantan cleric
Sheikh Wazir Che Awang Al-Makki Hafizahullah said changing the government frequently could negatively affect the advancement of Islam. (Facebook pic) PETALING JAYA : A prominent religious scholar from Kelantan has expressed hope that the unity government under Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim will remain until the end of its term. Sheikh Wazir Che Awang Al-Makki Hafizahullah, deputy chairman of Jabhah Pondok Kelantan, warned that a frequent change of government was 'not in line with Islamic values'. He said it could negatively affect the advancement of Islam and the economy. He was believed to be responding to ongoing efforts by certain quarters – particularly the opposition – to topple the government through a rally scheduled for July 26. Sheikh Wazir, who is adviser to Kesatuan Pondok Kelantan, said constant shifts in government disrupt the lives of ordinary people as well as the development of pondok schools and economic stability. 'In Malaysia, we get a new government every five years – sometimes every two, or even just one year. 'When policies keep changing, it weakens the pondok system and dampens the economy. This is not in line with Islamic values,' he said during a talk at Masjid Putra, Putrajaya, last night. According to Sheikh Wazir, the large turnout at the religious gathering last night reflects strong support for Anwar, who has led the unity government since late 2022. 'God willing, all the challenges and obstacles facing our nation can be overcome. 'May the government led by Datuk Seri (Anwar) be preserved,' he said. Yesterday, Anwar challenged his critics to table a vote of no confidence in the Dewan Rakyat if they wish to take over Putrajaya. He called for those who want to topple the government to follow the proper process. If they did not have the support in the Dewan Rakyat, he said, they must wait for the next general election instead of resorting to street demonstrations or inciting the public. Perikatan Nasional (PN) has planned a 'Turun Anwar' mass rally for July 26 in Kuala Lumpur to push for Anwar's resignation. The organisers claim they expect up to 300,000 participants, although a similar protest in Shah Alam earlier this month drew just over 300. Anwar also called for caution in responding to voices of hatred, including those from a handful of religious figures. However, he did not name them. Former economy minister Rafizi Ramli has also said that Anwar should remain as prime minister until the end of his term to ensure political stability amid economic uncertainty
Malay Mail
3 hours ago
- Politics
- Malay Mail
Rawang rep urges Putrajaya to offer RM10m bounty for Jho Low, calls fugitive ‘symbol of a compromised system'
KUALA LUMPUR, July 20 — Rawang assemblyman Chua Wei Kiat has today urged Putrajaya to offer a RM10 million reward for credible information leading to the return of fugitive financier Low Taek Jho, also known as Jho Low. He said Low's return is important so that he can be tried and punished accordingly in court like former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak. 'If this RM10 million reward can lead to the return of a central figure who has long vanished from public view, it would be a worthy investment in justice. 'It would also send a clear message to the world that Malaysia does not compromise when it comes to combating large-scale corruption,' he said in a statement here. Chua said the amount of the proposed reward is only a fraction of the over RM29 billion in 1MDB assets already recovered by Malaysian authorities. He pointed out that similar reward mechanisms are used by nations like the United States, India and China to apprehend terrorists, or criminals involved in cross-border financial crimes such as money laundering and corruption. 'We must not forget that Jho Low is not just a suspect – he is the symbol of a compromised system, manipulated institutions, and stolen national wealth. 'How can justice truly be served if the man holding the key to the entire scandal remains at large, living a life of luxury abroad?' the Selayang PKR chief asked. Chua added that Jho Low's return is critical to ensuring the 1MDB investigations and prosecutions can proceed without disruption. 'This will help prevent incidents like DNAA (discharge not amounting to acquittal) from recurring due to the absence of key witnesses and insufficient evidence,' he said. It was reported yesterday that Low, has supposedly been located in a luxury neighbourhood in Shanghai, China, where he is said to be living under a false identity and working with entities linked to the Chinese government. Low is allegedly now residing in Green Hills, an exclusive enclave in Shanghai — by taking a Greek alias of Constantinos Achilles Veis using a fake Australian passport.
Malay Mail
4 hours ago
- Politics
- Malay Mail
PM: Muslims must safeguard the legacy of Islamic scholarship
PUTRAJAYA, July 20 — Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has called on Muslims to continue defending the legacy of Islamic scholarship and strengthening the relationship between religious scholars (ulama) and leaders (umara) in facing the challenges of the modern era, including the rapid advancement of artificial intelligence (AI) and digitalisation. He reminded that technological success must be founded on values, ethics, and deep religious understanding, as these have long been the cornerstone of the strength of the Muslim ummah. 'If we do not move in tandem, and if we are not rooted in strong understanding and enlightenment, there is no guarantee of security. 'Malaysia is among the countries spearheading AI development, but without values and ethics, we will only be consumers of Western systems,' he said in his speech at the 'Malaysia Bermunajat 2025' programme themed 'Uniting the Ummah Through Supplication and Knowledge' at Putra Mosque here last night. The programme, organised by the Prime Minister's Department (Religious Affairs), aims to enliven the culture of 'munajat' (supplication) and appreciation of knowledge as the foundation for uniting the ummah and building a society grounded in Malaysia Madani values. The Prime Minister also emphasised the role of pondok institutions as the stronghold of Islamic faith, culture and knowledge during the colonial era. 'At a time when the education system, economy and culture were taken over by colonial powers, only one source of strength remained - the pondok or pesantren, which defended the soul of Islam, knowledge and the spirit of struggle. 'Imagine if, a hundred years ago, when the British took over, there had been no pondok or pesantren, we might have lost our faith, spirit and fighting soul,' he said. He also expressed hope that students of pondok schools would master new knowledge, including in the fields of Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) and AI, to ensure they were not left behind in the mainstream of technological advancement. 'Therefore, pondok students too must be given a place in the modern education system, to master the digital world, while remaining rooted in Islamic scholarship,' he said. Anwar also called on Muslims in the country to rediscover the vast treasures of Islamic knowledge, particularly in the fields of the Quran, hadith, fiqh, law, education - including technology - and national governance, so they did not lose their sense of history and identity in the excitement of pursuing change and technology. Meanwhile, he said Malaysia had become a country that gathered ulama and scholars from around the world to speak, educate, and offer enlightenment to save the ummah and the nation in a free, open and respectful manner. 'We are grateful that this country is peaceful, we are united, and this is the only country that consistently brings together learned ulama from all over the world to speak, teach and provide clarity in the effort to save the ummah and the nation,' he said. The Malaysia Bermunajat 2025 programme, which was also attended by Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Religious Affairs) Datuk Dr Mohd Na'im Mokhtar and thousands of congregants, was graced by the presence of a renowned ulama from Pakistan, Maulana Tariq Jamil. At the event, Tariq delivered a lecture filled with wisdom, emphasising the importance of nurturing a deep connection with Allah and the responsibilities of Muslims towards the surrounding community. — Bernama
Malay Mail
20 hours ago
- Malay Mail
AKPS confirms autogate glitch affecting KLIA, JB checkpoints, blames ‘data integration disruption'
PUTRAJAYA, July 19 — The Malaysian Border Control and Protection Agency (AKPS) has today confirmed a technical disruption affecting the autogate system for foreign visitors at major national entry points since yesterday. AKPS also assured local travellers that the autogate system for Malaysian passport holders remains unaffected and fully operational. 'Preliminary investigations indicate that the issue stems from a data integration disruption, which has caused delays in the cross-checking process within the MyIMMS system. 'As a result, the autogate system for foreign visitors is currently inoperative,' it said in a statement here. To alleviate congestion, it said all manual counters have been activated, and extra personnel deployed to manage traveller flow and maintain orderly queues. This comes as the disruption has caused congestion and long queues at Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) Terminals 1 and 2, as well as the Customs, Immigration and Quarantine (CIQ) Complexes at Sultan Iskandar Building and Sultan Abu Bakar Complex in Johor Baru. The disruption reportedly started around noon yesterday, affecting 200 autogates nationwide. The Star previously reported that authorities have yet to determine the cause of the failure and are investigating possible sabotage or hacking. Since June 2024, autogate access has been extended to visitors from 63 countries, as well as diplomats and their family members. Malaysia has since deployed the QR code system at major entry points starting January this year to cut down on waiting time for foreign visitors.
Free Malaysia Today
2 days ago
- Politics
- Free Malaysia Today
Too early to decide on Nick Adams's nomination as US envoy, says Anwar
Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said the government will give the nomination of Nick Adams due consideration and, at the same time, maintain good ties with Washington. PUTRAJAYA : Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim says it is premature for the government to decide on whether to approve conservative political commentator Nick Adams as the next US ambassador to Malaysia. Anwar said Putrajaya is following the proper protocol in considering foreign ambassadorial appointments. 'It is still too early (to decide),' he told reporters after Friday prayers here. 'Of course, the government will give it due consideration. At the same time, we will maintain good relations between Malaysia and the US.' US president Donald Trump has nominated Adams as Washington's new ambassador to Malaysia. His nomination will need to be confirmed by the US senate before he can assume the role. While no date has been set for the senate vote, Adams is expected to be approved as the Republican-held senate has backed every Trump nominee since he became president in January. Adams's nomination has faced opposition from former law minister Zaid Ibrahim and former health minister Khairy Jamaluddin, who said Malaysia has every right under the Vienna Convention to reject the appointment without providing a reason. Zaid described Adams as a 'right-wing agitator and partisan provocateur' who is unfit to serve as a US ambassador because of his lack of diplomatic credentials. Adams previously criticised alleged efforts to 'teach Islam in schools'. Known to be a staunch supporter of Israel, he has said that those who expressed solidarity with Palestinians supported terrorism. Selangor PAS Youth chief Sukri Omar said accepting Adams's nomination will be seen as an insult to the country's Muslim community and Malaysians who support Palestine. PKR Youth today submitted a memorandum of protest to the US embassy over the nomination.
