Latest news with #pro-Madani
Focus Malaysia
2 days ago
- Politics
- Focus Malaysia
Can Madani backers' hailing of Yusoff Rawther's acquittal as court freedom still exists hold water?
'THE Kuala Lumpur High Court's decision to acquit Yusoff Rawther of charges related to possessing drugs and a replica firearm clearly proves that Malaysia's judicial system operates fairly, independently and transparently.' Such is the counter argument coming from pro-Madani government influencers after the Kuala Lumpur High Court yesterday (June 12) acquitted Yusoff who was Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim's former research assistant of trafficking cannabis and possession of two fake pistols. 'This case serves as a concrete example of how the principles of rule of law and separation of powers continue to be upheld under the administration of PMX Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim,' penned CIKYANie (@lady_bugg11) on X. This came about as observation pointed to the Madani machinery having mobilised its cybertroopers to rubbish claims of conspiracy and persecution – as per the statement of Opposition Leader Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainudin – which led to Yusoff having to spend nine months and 10 days in prison without bail. Itu kerana dulu mahkamah tidak bebas. Sekarang, mahkamah bebas tanpa campurtangan. Sebab itu, takde mana2 penyokong yang waras terutamanya penyokong Rafizi menggelupor dengan pembebasan penyokong 1Israel ini. Kalau masih ada campurtangan PMX, penyokong 1Israel ini konfirm ke… — Amer Hamzah (@amer7211) June 12, 2025 Additionally, the Opposition has also mooted the idea of suing the police and Home Ministry with such call coming from PAS information chief Fadhli Shaari. Miscarriage of justice The case serves as a grim reminder of how power – when unchecked – leads to selective justice, according to former de-facto law minister Datuk Zaid Ibrahim. 'In Malaysia where law, business and politics are deeply intertwined, the abuse of prosecutorial discretion is not a theoretical concern – it's a real and recurring threat to the rule of law,' tweeted the opposition-slant UMNO member in a reaction to Yusoff's acquittal. 'At the heart of this problem is the public prosecutor's virtually unchallengeable discretion. The current legal position where the Attorney General's (AG) decision to prosecute or not prosecute is almost immune from judicial scrutiny is untenable in a modern democracy.' Based on the KL High Court's judgment, former Bukit Bintang MP and lawyer Wee Choo Keong wondered how the AG could allow the police to charge Yusoff based on insufficient evidence while his appeal for bail was repeatedly denied for nine months. 'Grave injustice inflicted upon Yusoff Rawther! The Madani government must find ways to compensate this innocent young man!' the former DAP lawmaker reacted on X. 'Yusoff's acquittal underscores the need for an in-depth investigation into malpractices by the authorities, transparent accountability and due diligence – especially in high-profile or politically sensitive cases.' In acquitting Yusoff, Judge Datuk Muhammad Jamil Hussin has ruled that the two investigating officers failed to investigate Yusoff's claim that he was a victim of entrapment by a certain individual. 'The police officers had ample time to verify his statement but didn't do so,' contended Jamil, adding that this had prejudiced the accused. Meanwhile, the Malaysians Against Death Penalty and Torture (MADPET) calls for the repeal of provisions in law that deny bail given that Yusoff had been held in remand for more than nine months prior to his acquittal. 'The fact that the police didn't investigate is unacceptable, more so when it a crime that carries the death penalty,' lamented the NGO's co-founder Charles Hector. 'In the case of Yusoff as he sued our PM for sexual harassment/abuse, it becomes even more important to identify who ordered or put the drugs in his car. 'As many suspect that the sitting PM may be involved, a thorough investigation would identify the real perpetrators and clear any doubts about Anwar Ibrahim's involvement.' – June 13, 2025 Main image credit: Bernama
Focus Malaysia
5 days ago
- Focus Malaysia
Anthony Loke told to 'step down with honour' after fatal crash that leaves 9 FRU cops dead
ENOUGH IS enough. Public anger from the viral video of the mother elephant grieving for her dead calf which was knocked down by a container lorry on the Gerik-Jeli East-West Highway (JRTB) over the weekend has yet to subside when nine Federal Reserve Unit (FRU) policemen perished in another fatal crash with a stone-laden lorry in Teluk Intan. This has led to the cyberspace being swamped by calls for Transport Minister Anthony Loke Siew Fook to give up his 'coveted' portfolio. 'If @anthonyloke feels that he's unable to solve this problem of killer lorries and trucks, it would be best that he steps down with honour,' pro-Madani Datuk Jahat Hensem (@datukhensem) reacted to a netizen update on the 8.50am accident along Jalan Chikus–Sungai Lampam yesterday (May 13). Kalau @anthonyloke rasa tak mampu nak selesaikan masalah lori and truck pembunuh ni, mungkin lebih baik berundur secara terhormat. And harap pihak polis and jpj makin tegas lah dengan pihak lorry lepas ni. Anggota awak ni yang meninggal. — Datuk Jahat Hensem (@datukhensem) May 13, 2025 'And I hope the JPJ (Road Transport Department) and the police will be stricter with heavy vehicles after this. It was your crew members who perished.' Meanwhile, Deputy Inspector-General of Police Datuk Seri Ayob Khan Mydin Pitchay has confirmed that the 45-year-old lorry driver involved in the fatal crash has six criminal records – one related to drugs, theft (four) and rape (one). 'All cases resulted in convictions. A urine test came back negative. Despite online claims that he had consumed ketum, no traces of ketum were found, and his urine test results were clean,' Ayob Khan told a media conference at the Hilir Perak police headquarters yesterday (May 13). As the said lorry driver would be brought to the court today (May 14) for a remand hearing, Ayob Khan also updated the media on condition of the nine injured policemen, of which six were in the red zone (critical condition) while three were in the yellow zone (moderate injuries). The trolling on Loke became more intense when a commenter played the race card by claiming that 'if one Chinese dies, he (Loke) will bring a bunch of (DAP) parliamentarians to make a PC'. Thankfully, some netizens cautioned him against making racist remark as there were also Malay transport ministers during the Barisan Nasional (BN) administration yet nobody made a fuss when fatal accidents involving heavy vehicles occurred. Brushing aside racial sentiment. another reckoned that it has to do with people, alluding to '2 or 3 people who died because of unattended potholes'. 'But when Khairi Jamaluddin (then the science, technology and innovation minister) fell and got injured, the issue was settled within one day. It seems that it's fine if the victims are the rakyat so long as they aren't VVIPs'. Other criticism levelled at Loke ranged from not being sensitive to the plight/safety of light vehicle road users and 'more apt at selling number plates' to allowing heavy vehicles (buses lorry, trailers) to be 'road demons' and little action to curb drunk driving. However, some fair netizens came out to defend Loke by recalling that when the JPJ conducted a massive operation against errant lorry driver in October 2023, there were much hue and cry that 'a Chinese minister is persecuting lorry drivers who are moistly Malays'. 'This led to Loke appointing alternative companies to carry out vehicle inspection services. Now when an accident occurs, why are you (still) attacking him?' – May 14, 2025
