Latest news with #Ratu
Scoop
3 days ago
- Politics
- Scoop
Fiji FICAC Saga: Suspension Rescinded, Appointments Revoked
Fiji's prime minister says the country's president has reviewed his decision to suspend the Commissioner of the Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption, and rescinded the suspension. However, President Ratu Naiqama Lalabalavu has instead revoked the initial appointment of Barbara Malimali as Commissioner. Sitiveni Rabuka wrote on Facebook that this was to implement the first recommendation in chapter eight of a Commission of Inquiry (COI) report in accordance with legal advice. Lalabalavu has also withdrawn the rescission of the appointment of Lisiate Fotofili as acting deputy FICAC Commissioner and his return to his substantive position in the judiciary. Instead, he has revoked his initial appointment as acting deputy Commissioner - also "in accordance with the first recommendation in chapter eight of the COI report". The Fiji Law Society issued a statement on Sunday saying suspending the Commissioner of FICAC without the advice of the Judicial Services Commission is unlawful. Society President, Wylie Clarke said the prime minister has no constitutional role in the appointment or discipline of the Commissioner and acting deputy Commissioner of FICAC. Barbara Malimali - who was also the Electoral Commission chairperson - was revealed as the new FICAC commissioner last September. The announcement was causing a stir due to it being unclear if she held the Electoral Commission chairperson role at the time of for appointment - raising concerns about conflict of interest. Then, Malimali was taken for questioning by FICAC officers, sanctioned by the anti-corruption agency's acting deputy commissioner Francis Puleiwai. The Law Society statement this week said the "FICAC saga" has distracted the Fijian government for many months and the Society had hoped the COI report would bring that to an end. Fiji Opposition leader, Inia Seruiratu, has called on the Government to make the COI report public. Rabuka said he is committed to release of the report which is funded by the people of Fiji. "However this will be done in a manner to ensure that investigations are not prejudiced, civil rights of accused persons are respected and the rule of law maintained," he said.
The Star
30-04-2025
- Business
- The Star
Skills training to uplift B40 women in Johor
(Seated from left)JPA operations and supervision division assistant general manager Kamaruzaman Munasir, YPKDT chief executive officer Noor Faezah Md Esa and PTP chief financial officer Syahrul Nazri Mohd Sai'on at the launch ceremony. Looking on are JPA board member Dr Mohd Zuhan Mohd Zain (left) and Khairin-Nisa. THIRTY underprivileged women from Johor, including single mothers and those facing financial hardship, are set to gain skills training and economic empowerment through the newly launched Ratu programme. Initiated by Port of Tanjung Pelepas (PTP) in collaboration with Johor Port Authority (JPA) and Yayasan Pembangunan Keluarga Darul Ta'zim (YPKDT), Ratu aims to uplift women from the B40 group by equipping them with essential skills for financial independence and entrepreneurship. Johor women, family and community development committee chairman Khairin-Nisa Ismail praised the collaboration between PTP, JPA and YPKDT, describing it as a strategic partnership focused on creating lasting impact for the community. 'I am confident and optimistic that this synergy between PTP, JPA and YPKDT serves as a catalyst for continued initiatives that transform lives, shaping a more progressive and inclusive society. 'Ratu, in Bahasa Malaysia, stands for Rintis (Pioneer), Aspirasi (Aspiration), Tegar (Resilient), and Unggul (Superior). 'As implied in the name Ratu, we hope to see the women who receive this support rise beyond the B40 category and step forward as future leaders in entrepreneurship,' she said during the launch ceremony. JPA chairman Rosnan Fathlal said JPA's commitment extended beyond port operations, with a strong focus on education, training and socio-economic development. 'As the regulatory authority overseeing one of Malaysia's most vital maritime gateways, JPA recognises the importance of fostering socio-economic development alongside industrial growth. 'Our collaboration with PTP has long been established, and we are pleased to join hands with YPKDT in this meaningful endeavour. 'By working together, we are able to create a more significant and lasting impact, ensuring that underprivileged women across Johor receive the necessary support and opportunities to achieve financial independence and sustainable livelihoods,' he said. PTP chairman Tan Sri Che Khalib Mohamad Noh also spoke on PTP's dedication to diversity, highlighting that it had paved the way for women in male-dominated industries. 'Beyond the Ratu initiative, we are also aligning with Ekonomi Madani's aspirations to increase women's participation in the workforce. 'It is a privilege to witness the tangible progress we have made, as PTP is home to Malaysia's first women marine harbour pilot and first rubber-tyred gantry (RTG) crane operator, alongside a growing number of women prime mover drivers,' he said. As PTP celebrates its 25th anniversary and JPA its 50th, this initiative marks a milestone in their ongoing efforts to uplift communities. Since its inception, PTP has impacted over 2,120 individuals through its CSR initiatives. With Ratu, women from Johor Baru, Gelang Patah, Iskandar Puteri and Pasir Gudang now have access to training, resources and support networks that empower them to build a better future for themselves and their families.
New Indian Express
26-04-2025
- Health
- New Indian Express
Madhusudan Sai conferred Fiji's highest honour for humanitarian work, hospital initiatives
BENGALURU: Humanitarian leader Madhusudan Sai was conferred Fiji's highest honour, the 'Companion of the Order of Fiji', by the President of Fiji Ratu Naiqama Lalabalavu at the State House of Fiji on Friday. Madhusudan Sai's influence in Fiji is reflected through the creation of the Sri Sathya Sai Sanjeevani Children's Hospital, the first state-of-the-art, fully free children's hospital in the South Pacific. The hospital focuses on providing treatment to children of any background. His other initiative, the Sai Prema Foundation in Fiji, works for social welfare and humanitarian service across the nation, addressing issues like healthcare, education, disaster relief, and food security.
South China Morning Post
10-03-2025
- Politics
- South China Morning Post
Indonesia jails transgender woman for TikTok comment about Jesus' hair, sparking outcry
An Indonesian court sentenced a transgender woman to more than two years in prison Monday for an online remark about Jesus' hair, a local official said, in a case condemned by rights groups. Advertisement Ratu Thalisa was found guilty by a court in Medan city on the western island of Sumatra of spreading hatred under a widely-criticised online hate-speech law in a TikTok livestream, Dapot Dariarma of the local prosecutor's office said. The judge handed the woman – a Muslim according to court documents – a sentence of two years and 10 months, he said. In the livestream in October, Ratu was reportedly shown talking to a picture of Jesus on her smartphone and telling him to cut his long hair. Ratu, who sold beauty products online, was reportedly responding to a comment that told her to cut her hair to avoid appearing like a woman. This prison sentence is a shocking attack on Ratu Thalisa's freedom of expression Usman Hamid, Amnesty International Indonesia executive director Rights groups, who have slammed the electronic information law as too vague and open to misuse against religious minorities, called for the sentence to be quashed.
