Latest news with #politicalreform
BBC News
3 days ago
- Business
- BBC News
BBC World Questions arrives in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
On Tuesday 10 June, BBC World Questions will come to Malaysia to debate the country's political and economic future in the country's cosmopolitan capital, Kuala Lumpur. The former Prime Minister is in jail for corruption; the new PM has promised an ethical society, but does Malaysia have the institutions to deliver that? US tech money has poured into the country, but as President Trump's tariffs prepare to bite, should Malaysia look to China or to the West as its key strategic partner? Petrol prices, freedom of speech and institutional reform are all big issues in this dynamic trading nation. Jonny Dymond is joined by a panel of political leaders to debate important questions raised by a live audience in Kuala Lumpur for World Questions Malaysia. The panel will include: Senator Dr Fuziah Salleh - Secretary General of Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) and Deputy Minister for Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Dr Tricia Yeoh - Associate Professor of Practice at the University of Nottingham Malaysia's School of Politics and International Relations Wan Ahmad Fayhsal – MP, Bersatu Party and former Deputy Minister of National Unity Other panellists to be announced shortly. Gwenan Roberts, Commissioning Editor, BBC World Service English, says: 'We are delighted to bring BBC World Questions to Malaysia at such a pivotal time, as the country grapples with complex questions about political reform, economic direction, and national identity. This programme is all about giving people a voice on the issues that matter most to them - and we're excited to hear directly from Malaysians about the country's future.' The programme will be recorded in front of a live audience on Tuesday 10 June at the Petaling Jaya Performing Arts Centre (PJPAC). There will be a reception beforehand with refreshments starting at 6.00pm. For members of the public, register to be in the audience on the BBC Shows and Tours website. For press accreditation please contact: BBC World Questions: Malaysia will be first broadcast on World Service English on Saturday 14 June. It will be available online, on BBC Sounds and on most other podcast platforms. It is produced by Charlie Taylor. Listen to World Questions on BBC Sounds About BBC World Service BBC World Service delivers news content around the world in English and 41 other language services, on radio, TV, and digital. BBC World Service reaches a weekly audience of 320m (BBC Global Audience Measure 2024). BBC World Service English is an English-language radio and online network that broadcasts internationally. BBC World Service English reaches a weekly audience of 84m (2024), broadcasting news and current affairs programmes, documentaries and podcasts. For more information, visit RD
Washington Post
7 days ago
- General
- Washington Post
Maryland's primary elections are unconstitutional, lawsuit alleges
About 10 years ago, Dona Sauerburger, a longtime Maryland Democrat disillusioned with America's two-party system, decided to become an independent voter. But that choice, she said, was immediately disenfranchising because Maryland residents who register as unaffiliated with a political party are not allowed to vote in primary elections. So for years, Sauerburger protested outside primary polling places and advocated for change before state lawmakers in Annapolis — without success.
Yahoo
27-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Factbox-What is behind the political tension roiling Bangladesh?
DHAKA (Reuters) -Bangladesh's interim government, led by Nobel peace laureate Muhammad Yunus, faces mounting discontent among citizens and discord among political parties over its plans for elections. After deadly student-led protests forced long-time Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to flee to India last year, authorities face delays over promised reforms, growing protests, and political division, despite appealing for national unity. Here are the key issues fuelling the unrest and uncertainty: ELECTION DISPUTES The interim government has yet to set a firm election date, after Yunus said national elections would be held sometime between December and June of next year. The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) of former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia wants polls held by December. Last week, it said it continued support for Yunus' government would be "difficult" without a firm election plan. Army chief General Waker-Uz-Zaman also piled on pressure last week, by calling for elections by year-end and airing dissatisfaction over the political situation. The National Citizen Party, born out of last year's deadly student-led protests, insists elections must wait until key reforms are completed. REFORM DEADLOCK Progress has been slow on sweeping institutional reforms Yunus promised after Hasina's exit. His government set up the National Consensus Commission (NCC), a panel of seven, to forge consensus on recommendations by six reform panel. The NCC said its first round of dialogue with political parties showed broad support for some changes, such as restoring the caretaker government system and judicial independence. But sharp disagreements cloud more complex proposals for constitutional reform, a two-chamber parliament, and decentralisation of the judiciary. A second round of talks with political parties on reforms will begin in the first week of June. LAW AND ORDER Bangladesh's unstable law and order situation feeds people's anxiety, with growing street protests by civil servants, teachers, and political activists in recent weeks disrupting life in major cities, such as Dhaka, the capital. The unrest worries citizens, who fear it could spiral out of control if a political consensus is not reached soon. BAN ON HASINA'S PARTY The Awami League's registration was suspended this month, effectively barring it from contesting future elections but redoubling concerns about inclusiveness when polls are next held. Yunus' press secretary, Shafiqul Alam, called for efforts to escape a war-like situation he said prevailed after the Awami League ban prompted attempts to destabilise the government. In a Facebook post, Hasina's son, Sajeeb Wazed, blamed the crisis on what he called "Yunus' politics of vengeance".
Independent Singapore
25-05-2025
- Politics
- Independent Singapore
Dynasty or Democracy? Nurul Izzah's Comeback Sparks Uproar in PKR as Rafizi Cries Foul
Anwar Ibrahim is renowned for his out-of-the-box thinking, which has kept him politically resilient in Malaysia despite the many formidable challenges he has faced throughout his career. His political journey took a dramatic turn in 1998, when he was abruptly dismissed from his post and subsequently jailed. This shocking episode ignited the Reformasi movement—a grassroots push for political reform—that steadily gained momentum and ultimately contributed to the downfall of Barisan Nasional in the historic 2018 general election. Despite decades of political turbulence, betrayals, and backstabbing—common features of Malaysia's political landscape—Anwar remained a central figure. His persistence was rewarded in 2022 when he finally ascended to the prime ministership. However, controversy continues to follow him. Within his own party, Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR), Anwar is now facing accusations of employing the very same political maneuvers he once condemned. Critics allege that he manipulated internal party dynamics to pave the way for his daughter to defeat the most serious challenger to his leadership, Economy Minister Rafizi Ramli—positioning her as his political heir apparent. Yet, unlike past instances where his strategic moves garnered public support, this time, his actions within the party are not resonating with the electorate. This disconnect has cast a shadow over PKR and the broader Pakatan Harapan coalition, which now governs in an uneasy alliance with Ahmad Zahid Hamidi's Barisan Nasional. To fully grasp the challenges Nurul Izzah faces in the months and years leading up to the next general election, it's important to consider the warnings Rafizi Ramli raised during his Hiruk campaign ahead of the recent party elections—an election he ultimately lost to Nurul. The country now watches closely to see whether Rafizi will follow through on his threat to resign from his ministerial post in Anwar Ibrahim's cabinet following his defeat. His campaign had drawn massive crowds and strong support both online and at town hall meetings—support that Nurul currently lacks. Her political capital diminished significantly after she stepped away from active politics following her marriage to a Chinese-Malaysian analyst and her unexpected loss in the 2022 general election for the Permatang Pauh seat, a long-time family stronghold in Penang. In the lead-up to the recent party elections, Nurul Izzah made a sudden return to the political scene. She reclaimed her title as the 'Reformasi Princess' and mounted a challenge for the party's deputy presidency, directly opposing Rafizi. Undeterred by accusations of nepotism and allegations of attempting to establish a political dynasty—given that her mother is an MP and her father is the sitting Prime Minister—Nurul pressed forward with her campaign. See also Key questions as flight MH17 remembered five years on However, Rafizi has accused her of aligning with entrenched party 'cartels'—groups allegedly involved in money politics—who he claims manipulate internal elections by sidelining competent candidates and consolidating control within the party machinery. Nurul Izzah will have to live with the accusations, especially as videos have surfaced showing individuals who voted for her allegedly spending money or making statements suggesting they were acting on instructions from Anwar. These videos imply that funds—reportedly sent by billionaires to the Prime Minister—were used during the party elections but were not officially recorded as campaign expenses. But not everything is cloudy for Nurul. A PAS leader in Kelantan, the bedrock of the Parti Islam Se-Malaysia or PAS, described the upcoming general election as an unpredictable battleground, warning that a united PH-BN coalition could lead to PAS losing up to 15 state assembly seats in Kelantan, excluding already vulnerable areas. He urged PAS to move beyond rhetoric, stay organized, and engage with the public to avoid defeat. He urged PAS's Muslimat (women's wing) and supporters to prepare diligently for the 16th general election, stressing the need for proactive leadership to counter the PH-BN coalition. He cautioned against complacency, likening it to the hare that starts strong but fails in the race, emphasizing this as a real lesson, not a scare tactic. He highlighted Nurul Izzah Anwar's election as PKR deputy president as a significant challenge, particularly for Muslim women, viewing it as a strategic political move with national implications. Mohd Amar noted the influential appeal of women in politics, especially among the majority female voters, warning that without vigilance, this could reshape the country's political landscape. Despite significant backlash from PKR supporters on social media over Rafizi Ramli's ousting from party leadership, a key advantage for PKR and the PH coalition is their current position in power. Anwar Ibrahim hopes the new leadership, particularly Nurul Izzah Anwar, will generate fresh momentum for both the party and the coalition. With time being limited, there is optimism that Nurul Izzah will leverage her charisma to unite the party, rally supporters, and mobilize voters, positioning herself as a strong candidate for Malaysia's first female Prime Minister.
Arab News
25-05-2025
- Politics
- Arab News
Bangladesh government calls for unity to prevent ‘return of authoritarianism'
DHAKA: Bangladesh's interim government, which took over after a mass uprising last year, warned on Saturday that unity was needed to 'prevent the return of authoritarianism.' The South Asian nation of around 170 million people has been in political turmoil since former prime minister Sheikh Hasina was ousted by student-led protests in August 2024, ending her iron-fisted rule of 15 years. After a week of escalation during which rival parties protested on the streets of the capital Dhaka, the government led by Muhammad Yunus said political power struggles risked jeopardizing gains that have been made and pleaded for people to give it their full support. 'Broader unity is essential to maintain national stability, organize free and fair elections, justice, and reform, and permanently prevent the return of authoritarianism in the country,' it said in a statement. Yunus, the 84-year-old Nobel Peace Prize winner who returned from exile at the behest of protesters last year, says he has a duty to implement democratic reforms before elections that are due by June 2026 at the latest. However, the government warned that it had faced 'unreasonable demands, deliberately provocative and jurisdictionally overreaching statements,' which it said had been 'continuously obstructing' its work. Sources in his office and a key political ally said on Thursday that microfinance pioneer Yunus had threatened to quit. 'If the government's autonomy, reform efforts, justice process, fair election plan, and normal operations are obstructed to the point of making its duties unmanageable, it will, with the people, take the necessary steps,' Saturday's statement said, without giving further details. Wahiduddin Mahmud, who heads the finance and planning ministry, insisted that Yunus will not step down early. 'We are going to carry out the responsibilities assigned to us,' Mahmud told reporters on Saturday. 'We can't simply abandon our duties.' Yunus held talks on Saturday evening with key political parties, including those who have protested against the government this month. His press secretary Shafiqul Alam insisted that the parties all had 'full trust' in Yunus, with an all-party meeting scheduled for Sunday. Yunus met leaders of the powerful Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), seen as the election front-runners, who are pushing hard for polls to be held by December. 'Any excuse to delay the election may open the door for the return of dictatorship,' senior BNP leader Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain said after the meeting. 'The interim government and its allies will be held responsible for such a consequence.' Yunus has said polls could be held as early as December but that holding them later — with the deadline of June — would give the government more time for reform. But Hossain said that reforms, justice and elections were not 'mutually exclusive goals.' According to Bangladeshi media and military sources, army chief General Waker-Uz-Zaman also said this week that elections should be held by December, aligning with BNP demands. Bangladesh has a long history of military coups, and the army retains a powerful role. The upcoming elections will be the first since Hasina fled to India, where she remains in self-imposed exile in defiance of an arrest warrant to face trial for crimes against humanity related to last year's police crackdown on protesters, during which at least 1,400 people were killed. Shafiqur Rahman, the leader of Jamaat-e-Islami, the Muslim-majority nation's largest religious party, said after his meeting with Yunus that he had asked for an election timetable — saying he was open to a later date if it allowed for reforms. He also said he had sought 'progress in the ongoing trials' of those from Hasina's ousted regime. Nahid Islam, leader of the National Citizen Party (NCP) made up of many students who spearheaded the uprising that ended Hasina's rule, has said he wants later elections to allow time for 'fundamental reforms.' He fears rival parties want swift elections to 'assume power.' Speaking after meeting with Yunus, he said the NCP had 'demanded a specific roadmap for reforms, trials, and the election of a constituent assembly.' Islam, an ally of Yunus who previously served in his cabinet, speaking earlier on Saturday, warned that he had seen 'indications' that a 'military-backed government could re-emerge — one that is anti-democratic and anti-people.'
