Latest news with #politicalstability
Malay Mail
10 hours ago
- Business
- Malay Mail
‘Political developments are normal': Umno-PKR unity intact despite Tengku Zafrul exit, says Johari Ghani
BATU PAHAT, May 31 — Umno's cooperation with Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) within the unity government remains intact despite Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Abdul Aziz's resignation from the party, said Datuk Seri Johari Abdul Ghani. Johari, who is Umno vice-president, said both parties must remain united in their efforts to ensure the country's political stability. 'For example, in government, I play a role in national development as a minister. Political developments are normal, but they should not affect the strength of our coalition within the unity government and the country,' he said. He was speaking to reporters after officiating the Madani Adopted Village (KAM) programme handover ceremony for the Plantation and Commodities Ministry (KPK) at Kampung Parit Bilal here today. Yesterday, Tengku Zafrul, who is Minister of Investment, Trade and Industry, announced his resignation as an Umno Supreme Council member, Kota Raja division chief and party member. On today's programme, Johari, who is also Plantation and Commodities Minister, said a total of RM2.5 million has been allocated to Kampung Parit Bilal and Kampung Parit Ahmad under the KPK Madani Adopted Village initiative. The funds will go toward implementing various development projects, including upgrading educational facilities, houses of worship and basic infrastructure, he said. He said the initiative also involves strategic cooperation with relevant ministries and agencies, the Batu Pahat district office, Johor state development office, village development and security committees (JPKK) and local community leaders. 'Among the activities planned are entrepreneurship training, such as chocolate-making courses and outreach programmes under the Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) MyCommodity initiative,' Johari added. — Bernama
Free Malaysia Today
11 hours ago
- Business
- Free Malaysia Today
Tengku Zafrul's resignation won't strain Umno-PKR ties in unity govt, says Johari
Umno vice-president Johari Ghani said Umno and PKR must continue to cooperate as part of the unity government for the sake of political stability in the country. PETALING JAYA : Umno vice-president Johari Ghani has brushed off concerns that Tengku Zafrul Aziz's resignation from the party will affect ties between Umno and PKR in the unity government. Johari, who is also the plantation and commodities minister, said the two parties must continue to cooperate for the sake of political stability in the country, Bernama reported. '(In) politics, this is normal. It (Tengku Zafrul's resignation) should not disrupt the unity government or the country,' he was quoted as saying after an event in Kampung Parit Bilal, Batu Pahat. Tengku Zafrul, the investment, trade and industry minister, yesterday announced that he had resigned from Umno and all party positions, and would be applying to join PKR, led by Anwar Ibrahim, who is also the prime minister. Citing 'compatibility and suitability', Tengku Zafrul said he decided to leave Umno after seeking advice from friends within and outside the party. His move has sparked a backlash from Umno leaders. Party secretary-general Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki called it 'highly inappropriate' for any component party in the unity coalition to accept members from other parties without proper consultation. Umno Supreme Council member Puad Zarkashi warned the party must not be blamed if its grassroots begin losing confidence in Anwar over Tengku Zafrul's acceptance into PKR. Meanwhile, Umno Youth, Wanita Umno and Puteri Umno have urged Tengku Zafrul to resign from his Cabinet post.
Reuters
3 days ago
- Business
- Reuters
South Korea's presidential election by the numbers
SEOUL, May 29 (Reuters) - South Koreans go to the polls on June 3 to elect the country's 21st president, aiming to restore political stability after months of turmoil and fill a power vacuum following the botched attempt by former leader Yoon Suk Yeol to impose martial law. Here are some details about South Korea's election system: The election is held in a single round and the candidate who receives the most votes is deemed the winner and entitled to serve one five-year term. The top three candidates based on a recent Gallup Korea poll are the liberal frontrunner Lee Jae-myung of the Democratic Party, with 49% public support, followed by his main conservative rival Kim Moon-soo of the People Power Party with 35% and another conservative candidate, New Reform Party's Lee Jun-seok, on 11%. All of the six candidates remaining in the race are men with no women in the final lineup for the first time since 2007, according to the National Election Commission (NEC). South Korea has only had one female leader, Park Geun-hye. The youngest candidate is Lee Jun-seok, who is 40, and the oldest is Kim Moon-soo at 73. There are 44.39 million eligible voters, with women accounting for 50.5% of voters, according to data on the electoral roll from the interior ministry. South Korea is one of the world's fastest ageing societies and the number of voters aged above 60 accounts for about a third of the electorate, outstripping the 28% share of those in their 20s and 30s. Gyeonggi Province is home to the largest number of voters, accounting for 26.4%, followed by Seoul at 18.7% and Busan at 6.5%. A total of 205,268 people overseas voted between May 20 and 25 in 118 countries, the NEC said. South Korea's acting President Lee Ju-ho said on Monday the government was "transparently disclosing the entire process of the presidential election", according to his office. The National Election Commission will air CCTV surveillance footage of rooms storing ballots from early voting, with their entrances sealed before counting starts and transported ballots given police escorts, Lee said. After votes are cast, ballots will be initially sorted by machines and then election workers will count them, the NEC said. The official election campaign is relatively short in South Korea in a bid to contain costs. It started on May 12. There are 3,568 polling stations across the country open for early voting that will be allowed between May 29-30. Election day on June 3 is a public holiday and voting will run from 6 a.m. until 8 p.m. with an indication of the results likely to start emerging that evening or early the next day. On June 4, the National Election Commission is expected to verify the results and the inauguration of the new president will be held. SOURCES: National Election Commission, Gallup Korea
Free Malaysia Today
4 days ago
- General
- Free Malaysia Today
Sarawak stable because ‘divisive' DAP not in state govt, says Sim
Sarawak deputy premier Dr Sim Kui Hian said Gabungan Parti Sarawak must be on guard against enemies both within and outside the state, and even within the ruling state coalition. (Bernama pic) PETALING JAYA : Sarawak has enjoyed prolonged political stability because DAP has never been part of the state government, says deputy premier Dr Sim Kui Hian. He claimed DAP was divisive and polarising, adding that it had not shed these attributes over time, Dayak Daily reported. The Sarawak United Peoples' Party (SUPP) president added that the Bornean state was a beacon of unity and progress at a time when the entire world, including Peninsular Malaysia, was bogged down by disunity and politicking. 'We are blessed with political stability under the visionary leadership of Sarawak premier Abang Johari Openg. This is because we do not have DAP in the Sarawak government. 'They are always divisive, polarising and politicking, disguising their actions as championing the people's cause,' he was quoted as saying in the Sarawak legislative assembly today. Sim, a vice-chairman of Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS), said GPS must be on guard against enemies both within and outside Sarawak, and even within the ruling state coalition. FMT has reached out to several Sarawak DAP leaders for comment.
Reuters
23-05-2025
- Business
- Reuters
Moody's lifts outlook on Italy to 'positive'
May 23 (Reuters) - Moody's on Friday raised its outlook on Italy to "positive" from "stable", citing improved confidence following a "better-than-expected" fiscal performance last year and a "stable" political environment, which will support the government's plans. The credit ratings agency also maintained its "Baa3" rating on Italy.
