Latest news with #goodgovernance
Malay Mail
6 days ago
- Politics
- Malay Mail
Perikatan deputy chief: PM talks reform, but ‘biased' A-G pick fails the test
KUALA LUMPUR, July 24 — Perikatan Nasional (PN) deputy chairman Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainudin has raised concerns over the appointment of a serving civil servant as Auditor-General. He said the move goes against constitutional norms and undermines the principles of good governance and independence. 'According to Articles 7 and 105 (4) and (5) of the Federal Constitution, the Auditor-General should not be appointed from among those still actively serving in the civil service. While it may not be illegal, it certainly goes against the spirit of independence and accountability,' he said during a press conference in Parliament here today. Hamzah argued that the role demands independence from executive influence and questioned the credibility of the appointment, given that the appointee still reports to senior civil service officers, including the Director-General of Public Services and the Chief Secretary to the Government. He also cited the late Tan Sri Hadenan Jalil's appointment as a proper example, noting that Hadenan had resigned from his civil service post before becoming Auditor-General. 'The prime minister (Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim) talks about governance, but when it comes to implementation, it all falls apart. The people will see this as biased. The individual should have resigned before the appointment to maintain independence,' he said. Hamzah then went on to defend growing calls for a public protest this weekend, saying it reflects the people's frustration over unresolved issues and governance failures. He said several civil society organisations including Bersih, C4, IDEAS, Projek Sama, and others had met with the opposition to voice their dissatisfaction over current national issues. 'They are not happy, and when people are unhappy, it builds momentum. That's why many are planning to take to the streets this Saturday. 'Don't blame us. This is the people's response, they are fed up because so many issues have piled up. When I asked my team what issues we should raise today, they said there are a thousand. If each issue affects a group of a thousand people, that's already a million voices. That's how serious it is,' he said. Hamzah urged the authorities not to prevent or suppress the planned gathering and respect the public's right to express themselves.
Zawya
22-07-2025
- Politics
- Zawya
President Boakai Launches Passport Centers in Bong and Grand Gedeh Counties
In a landmark move to bring government services closer to the people, His Excellency President Joseph Nyuma Boakai, Sr. has officially launched the decentralization of passport services in Bong and Grand Gedeh Counties. On Monday, July 21, 2025, President Boakai inaugurated the new Passport Application Center in Gbarnga, Bong County. This launch marks a significant milestone in the Boakai Administration's commitment to good governance, regional inclusion, and equitable access to public services. The initiative is a central feature of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs' National Passport Decentralization Program, which aims to decongest the central passport bureau in Monrovia and reduce the travel burden on Liberians residing in remote areas. President Boakai underscored the importance of the initiative, stating that the new centers will serve the needs of Liberia's leeward counties and bring critical services closer to the people. While Liberia's Minister of Foreign Affairs, H.E. Sara Beysolow Nyanti, simultaneously unveiled the Passport Hub in Zwedru, Grand Gedeh County on behalf of President Boakai. 'In Zwedru, we proudly unveiled our new passport hub as part of President Joseph Nyuma Boakai's launch of the National Passport Decentralization Initiative,' said Foreign Minister Nyanti. 'This is more than a building it is a promise delivered. Citizens of Grand Gedeh and surrounding counties will no longer need to endure long journeys and extended wait times to access their constitutional right to travel.' Foreign Minister Nyanti emphasized the government's commitment to expanding passport services to additional regions in the near future. 'We are determined to ensure that no Liberian is left behind, regardless of geography,' she affirmed. The Zwedru center features state-of-the-art biometric equipment and is directly connected to the Ministry's central database in Monrovia, ensuring secure, efficient, and timely processing of passport applications. The launch reflects the government's ongoing investment in digital transformation and the modernization of public service delivery. The Bong and Grand Gedeh centers are the first of several regional passport hubs to be rolled out under this decentralization initiative. Their launch is part of the official calendar of events celebrating Liberia's 178th Independence Day, underscoring the government's focus on tangible service delivery and national renewal. Local leaders, traditional authorities, youth organizations, and citizens gathered in large numbers in Zwedru to witness the occasion. Many expressed gratitude to President Boakai and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for fulfilling a long-standing regional need for accessible identification services. The Passport Decentralization Initiative is spearheaded by Foreign Minister Nyanti in collaboration with regional and local authorities and exemplifies the government's broader vision for decentralized development and inclusive governance. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Liberia.
Free Malaysia Today
30-06-2025
- Politics
- Free Malaysia Today
Move fast on political financing law, urges Sabah PKR Youth
Hilmie Milus of Sabah PKR Youth said a law on political financing would compel all parties and candidates to publicly disclose their financial sources in a transparent and accountable manner. (Facebook pic) PETALING JAYA : Sabah PKR Youth has called for a comprehensive law on political financing to be quickly put in place at federal and state levels. Its information chief, Hilmie Milus, said Sabah has long struggled with money politics and patronage, eroding good governance and public trust in political parties. 'In reality, political power is often held by those with large financial resources and cronies, turning the political arena into an exclusive space for wealthy elites, not credible individuals with proven leadership. 'This culture has opened the floodgates to corruption, vote buying and project handouts as political rewards,' he said in a statement. Hilmie also said the absence of clear and enforceable rules on political financing created a playing field that disadvantages youths, women, civil society activists and ordinary citizens who have leadership potential but lack financial means. He said the implementation of a political financing law would compel all parties and candidates to publicly disclose their funding sources in a transparent and accountable manner. 'In Sabah, this is urgently needed because far too often, development funds and state allocations are perceived to be misused to finance specific political agendas. 'Transparency in compliance with this act will strengthen the integrity of the democratic system and increase public trust in the electoral process.' Hilmie, a member of the central PKR Youth's leadership, reminded the unity government that introducing a political financing law was part of Pakatan Harapan's pledge for the 2018 general election. Several Gabungan Rakyat Sabah leaders had urged Putrajaya to expedite the tabling of the long-awaited political financing bill following the alleged mining scandal in the state. They said the alleged scandal in Sabah exemplified the need for such a legislation to close any loopholes that businesses could exploit in hopes of seeking favours from politicians. However, in March, law and institutional reform minister Azalina Othman Said said it would be hard for the political financing bill to be passed before the next general election. She had said that the government still required feedback, especially from members of civil society.
Malay Mail
26-06-2025
- Politics
- Malay Mail
At Asean Symposium, Anwar warns against elitism and moral decline
KUALA LUMPUR, June 26 — Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim today reiterated that only positive reforms can ensure the nation's social stability, economic resilience and good governance. Delivering the keynote address at the Asean Symposium 2025 here today, Anwar said the leaders and institutions need to commit to meaningful change to reverse societal decline and instil values rooted in justice and integrity. 'For the growth, we use it for the benefit of our society and mankind. We are grounded with idealism, therefore strong values and ethics. But one, two, three generations passed, and then we find this degradation of ethical values and principles. 'We have lost that idealism. Those in power, we want to emerge well. Those elites, for whatever reasons, either support one side or are obsessed with a particular value or interest, disregarding the totality and the complexity of the economy,' he said. The one-day symposium themed 'Anchoring Asean's Future in Shared Wisdom: Empowering Communities for an Inclusive and Sustainable Civilisation' gathered policymakers, civil society leaders, academics and youth representatives from across the Asean region to deliberate on building a shared, inclusive future for the region. — Bernama
Malay Mail
15-06-2025
- Business
- Malay Mail
Anwar hails progress on LCS project, stresses importance of good governance
LUMUT, June 15 — Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has expressed his satisfaction with the progress of the Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) construction by Lumut Naval Shipyard (Lunas) at the Royal Malaysian Navy (RMN) base here, describing it as commendable. He said the progress demonstrated the government's strong commitment to prioritising national security assets and reflected the Madani government's emphasis on good governance. 'We regard the RMN as a key line of defence, as our waters are not immune to threats such as terrorism, potential foreign incursions and smuggling. That is why I agreed for the LCS project to continue under the Finance Ministry. 'Previous delays stemmed from weak management, governance issues and corruption. If the management is poor, how can we ensure maritime security? That's why good governance is essential,' he said in his speech at the Kenduri Rakyat programme held in conjunction with the Perak Madani Rakyat Programme 2025 at Shariff Hall, RMN Lumut here today. Also present was Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil. Earlier, the prime minister visited the Lunas facility at the RMN base to inspect the ongoing LCS construction works. Meanwhile, Anwar said the government remains attentive to the need to enhance the country's defence assets, with the Defence Ministry being among the ministries receiving the largest allocations in the annual budget. 'Defence ranks third (in terms of allocation), after education and health. For 2025 alone, RM21.2 billion has been allocated - a significant amount for a developing nation,' he said. He added that the move reflected the government's appreciation of the sacrifices made by the security forces and was aimed at ensuring national stability, which is crucial for economic growth. Anwar also said he is often moved when learning of the poor condition of certain security assets that are still in use to safeguard the nation. 'That's why, upon the formation of the Madani Government, I called in all the armed forces chiefs and asked them to outline their priority needs. Based on that, we work to secure sufficient funding to improve our defence machinery and assets,' he said. — Bernama
