Latest news with #political cooperation
Malay Mail
5 hours ago
- Business
- Malay Mail
In historic first, DAP MPs attend Zahid-led TVET briefing at Umno HQ
KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 1 — More than 30 DAP MPs visited the Umno headquarters in a rare display of cross-party cooperation, in what Kota Kinabalu MP Chan Foong Hin called a sign of growing maturity in Malaysia's political landscape. The group attended a briefing on technical and vocational education and training (TVET) earlier this week at Menara Dato Onn, led by Deputy Prime Minister and Umno president Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi. The visit marked the first time such a large number of DAP lawmakers had set foot in the headquarters of their one-time political adversary. Reflecting on the visit, Chan said on Facebook that the gesture reflected the unity government's commitment to working across party lines. 'We are working to overcome ideological and party differences for the sake of national progress. Nation-building requires unity, not uniformity — and that's the spirit we're committed to,' he wrote. Based on a group photo from the event, the DAP leaders who attended the briefing included party secretary-general Anthony Loke, adviser Lim Guan Eng and vice-chairman Chong Chieng Jen. Also seen were Umno vice-president Datuk Seri Johari Ghani and secretary-general Datuk Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki. Chan also described the event as one of several key developments this week that signal the government's direction, including the tabling of the 13th Malaysia Plan by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and a revised US tariff rate that could benefit Malaysian exporters. The unity government, he acknowledged, was 'not perfect' — but he stressed that its leaders were serious about fulfilling their responsibilities. 'PMX has proven that his strategy works — and it's time we continue to stand behind him,' Chan added, citing the tariff revision as a sign of the prime minister's steady diplomacy paying off. DAP and Umno, once fierce rivals, now share power under the Anwar-led unity government formed after the 2022 general election.
Malay Mail
19-07-2025
- Politics
- Malay Mail
Muda denies formal pact with Perikatan after Muhyiddin meet, but says Opposition needs strong voice to keep govt in line
KUALA LUMPUR, July 19 — Malaysian United Democratic Alliance (Muda) said today that no decision has been made yet regarding any formal cooperation, following the meeting with Perikatan Nasional (PN) chairman Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin. Its acting president Amira Aisya Abd Aziz said while the Opposition parties present who attended the meeting had clear differences, they shared concerns over key national issues. 'I believe there are a number of key issues that concern us all,' she said in a statement here. 'These include the rising cost of living affecting the people, the worsening abuse of power, and the unfulfilled promises of reform.' She said Muda is open to working with any party aligned on policy and principles, citing its previous political understanding with Socialist Party of Malaysia and its collaboration on the Urban Renewal Act with Parti Pejuang Tanahair. In addition, she said discussions on political cooperation will be carried out collectively within the Muda leadership. 'Muda believes that the Opposition must be a firm, principled and strong voice to hold the government accountable to the responsibilities it has been entrusted with,' she said. Muda was previously aligned with government coalition Pakatan Harapan, but has since joined the Opposition bloc. Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia president Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin yesterday said he held a meeting with leaders of several opposition parties to discuss forming a coalition focused on national interests. Muhyiddin said the proposed coalition aims to provide a united opposition front and reinforce the check and balance function in and out of Parliament. PN component parties Gerakan and Malaysian Indian People's Party were present — but not PAS. Other parties represented included Muda, Parti Pejuang Tanahair, Parti Bumiputera Perkasa Malaysia (Putra), People's Progressive Party, Berjasa, United for the Rights of Malaysians Party (Urimai), and Malaysian Advancement Party.
Free Malaysia Today
12-07-2025
- Politics
- Free Malaysia Today
PN rejects cooperation with GRS at Sabah polls
Perikatan Nasional leader Muhyiddin Yassin said in Sandakan that PN was open to exploring electoral alliances with other parties in preparation for the Sabah election. (Facebook pic) PETALING JAYA : Perikatan Nasional has rejected any political cooperation with Gabungan Rakyat Sabah at the coming Sabah state election, with PN chairman Muhyiddin Yassin saying the decision was because of what he described as a betrayal by GRS after its leaders, then in Bersatu, left in 2022. 'It's very difficult to work with GRS because the party has already turned its back on us. If you were in my position, would you want to work with them?' said Muhyiddin, who is also Bersatu president. 'I was the one who came up with the name GRS when they first started. Back then, it wasn't just Bersatu in the coalition – there were other parties too. I named it GRS, but it wasn't officially registered,' he said at a party event in Sandakan, according to Utusan Malaysia. Muhyiddin said PN was open to exploring electoral alliances with other parties in preparation for the Sabah polls, and would evaluate every state seat once the Sabah state assembly is dissolved. GRS was formed as an informal coalition of Sabah parties, including Sabah Bersatu, and formally registered in March 2022. Sabah Bersatu leaders left the party in December 2022, a month after a unity federal government coalition was formed by Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim comprising Pakatan Harapan, Barisan Nasional and Gabungan Parti Sarawak. The Sabah coalition had pledged support for Anwar's unity government but Bersatu was in the opposition in Parliament. Sabah Bersatu chief Hajiji Noor, who was also the chief minister, said the decision to leave the party was unanimous, and was based on the premise that the status quo was no longer tenable. GRS then dropped Bersatu as a coalition member and Hajiji announced that he would lead the semi-dormant local party Parti Gagasan Rakyat Sabah, which was accepted as a GRS member. In January, PN deputy chairman Hamzah Zainudin said PN may contest at least 18 of the 73 seats in the Sabah election, which are expected this year. The state assembly's term expires in November, but may be dissolved sooner. PAS deputy president Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man confirmed in May that PAS would contest at least six seats under the PN banner. GRS is in discussions with PH and BN about an electoral alliance, after the two peninsula-based parties announced they would join forces for the election, leading PH chairman Anwar Ibrahim to call for the PH-BN alliance to work with GRS. Hajiji has warned that GRS was prepared to go solo if PH teamed up with BN and maintained that Sabah-based parties should form the backbone of any alliance and lead the state government.
LBCI
11-07-2025
- Politics
- LBCI
President Aoun reaffirms state's sole authority over arms, rejects normalization, and urges unity
Lebanese President Joseph Aoun stressed the importance of national unity and cooperation between all political factions and the state during a meeting with a delegation from the Arab and International Affairs Council. He said such collaboration is essential to protect Lebanon, strengthen its institutions, and confront potential conspiracies. 'The decision to ensure the exclusivity of weapons in the hands of the state has been made and is irreversible,' Aoun stated. 'The authority to decide on matters of war and peace belongs solely to the Cabinet. Peace, for us, is the absence of war, and that is our current priority in Lebanon. As for normalization [with Israel], it is not on the table in Lebanon's current foreign policy.' President Aoun also emphasized Lebanon's commitment to maintaining good relations with Syria while underlining a mutual respect for the principle of non-interference in each other's internal affairs. He praised the role of Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri, noting his contribution to preserving stability, supporting state-building efforts, and reinforcing the principle of exclusive arms under state authority.
