Latest news with #resignation
Free Malaysia Today
a day ago
- Business
- Free Malaysia Today
Umno must have 7 ministers with Tengku Zafrul's exit, Zahid tells Anwar
Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said he will get legal advice on whether Tengku Zafrul Aziz is liable for a RM100 million fine having violated an agreement signed before the 15th general election. (Bernama pic) PETALING JAYA : Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi has called for the prime minister to ensure his party is restored to its quota of seven ministers in the Cabinet following Tengku Zafrul Aziz's resignation from the party. Zahid said Umno has only six ministers now, Bernama reported. 'For me, what matters more is that Umno is represented by seven ministers in the Cabinet. Although we are not sure if Tengku Zafrul's appointment was under Umno's capacity or otherwise, the assumption is that it was because he was from Umno. 'With Tengku Zafrul no longer in Umno, the party has a right to request that a minister's portfolio be given to us,' he was quoted as saying after an event in Sarawak today. Zahid also confirmed that Umno has officially received Tengku Zafrul's resignation letter, which was submitted to the party's executive secretary, Sumali Reduan, earlier this morning. 'Yesterday, when we checked (after the news broke), we had not received the letter,' he said. 'But this morning, after checking again, it was confirmed that the letter had been sent to the executive secretary.' On whether Tengku Zafrul violated any agreements signed during the 15th general election (GE15) by leaving the party, Zahid said he would consult Umno's legal advisers. He pointed out that party candidates who leave may face a RM100 million fine based on their sworn statements. 'Tengku Zafrul contested and lost, but was reappointed as a senator. So I need to check with Umno's legal advisers first,' he said. Tengku Zafrul announced yesterday that he had resigned from Umno and all party positions, and would be applying to join PKR, led by Anwar. Citing 'compatibility and suitability', Tengku Zafrul said he decided to leave Umno after seeking advice from friends within and outside the party.
Yahoo
a day ago
- General
- Yahoo
New Lebanon interim police chief resigns; cites unstable village leadership
May 30—The acting police chief for the village of New Lebanon has resigned, citing challenges within the department and village. In a recent letter to village leaders, acting Chief Bill Wortman reflected on his years with the department, a career which culminated in his appointment as head of police during a tumultuous time for the village. Village council fired much of its top leadership in early 2024, including former Police Chief Curtis Hensley, a move that kickstarted more than a year of turmoil among village staff and residents. Hensley was replaced at the time by former Chief Jim Chambers. But Chambers was also fired just months later, landing Wortman the opportunity to lead the department. "The past 15 months have been particularly challenging; even before accepting the position of acting chief, my primary goal was to move the department forward and begin the rebuilding process," Wortman wrote in his one-and-a-half page resignation letter. "Unfortunately, my ability to fully lead and administer the agency was often hindered by both external interference and internal resistance." Wortman was unable to effectively lead, he wrote, due to pressures imposed on him by fellow village employees, council members, and community members. Wortman also alleges he was unfairly blocked from a permanent appointment as chief, the host of issues culminating in a "destabilizing environment," he asserted. "Various individuals ... have attempted to insert themselves into the daily operations of the department in pursuit of personal or political agendas," his letter reads. "... Officers were approached in ways designed to influence departmental structure and decisions, undermining cohesion and morale." The sentiment of Wortman's letter is akin to another penned last year by the police department's union following a vote of no confidence in village administration. In a May 1, 2024, letter to then-Acting Police Chief Jim Chambers, the New Lebanon police bargaining unit outlined reasons for its vote, citing "deep concern and lack of confidence" in the leadership and management abilities of then-Acting Village Manager Rob Anderson, special counsel Michael McNamee, Mayor David Nickerson, and council members Nicole Adkins, Timothy Back, and Melissa Sexton. While Wortman's letter does not directly name anyone, it suggests issues within the village have not improved in the year since that no-confidence vote. He describes council meetings as "increasingly adversarial" and lacking "decorum." "Many of the concerns raised during those meetings could be resolved more constructively through direct communication with the village manager or department heads beforehand," Wortman writes. "Instead, meetings often appear designed to provoke rather than problem-solve." Current Village Manager Bill Draugelis, who was appointed to the position earlier this year, did not immediately respond to a request for comment about Wortman's exit. Village officials also did not respond to questions about who will fill Wortman's role, both in the interim and long-term. Wortman thanked Draugelis in his letter, noting his continued support and "efforts to retain (Wortman) under difficult circumstances." "(Draugelis) has been placed in an incredibly challenging position, forced to manage amid conflicting agendas and ongoing attempts to interfere with his ability to fulfill his role," Wortman writes. During a contentious election in November 2023, New Lebanon voters elected a new mayor and several new councilmembers. What's followed has included a flurry of allegations of misdealing and wasteful spending against the previous administration, an internal investigation that has yet to wrap up, and ongoing division among village administration and the community.
Malay Mail
2 days ago
- General
- Malay Mail
Umno yet to receive Tengku Zafrul's resignation letter, says Asyraf Wajdi
KUALA LUMPUR, May 31 — Umno has yet to officially receive the letter of resignation from supreme council member Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Abdul Aziz, said secretary-general Datuk Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki. In a statement tonight, Asyraf Wajdi said Umno takes seriously the intention of the Kota Raja Umno Division chief to resign in order to join Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR). 'It is highly inappropriate for any party within the Unity Government to accept membership applications from members of other parties indiscriminately. 'This is to avoid disharmony among the parties in the Unity Government coalition, which could fuel ongoing prejudice and suspicion regarding the level of solidarity, sincerity and trust among grassroots members,' he said. Meanwhile, PKR secretary-general Dr Fuziah Salleh told Bernama she would comment on the matter yesterday. Earlier yesterday, Tengku Zafrul announced his resignation as Umno Supreme Council member, Kota Raja Umno Division chief, and Umno member. He also conveyed his intention to join PKR to president Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and Fuziah. — Bernama
Washington Post
2 days ago
- Business
- Washington Post
Czech justice minister resigns over a donated bitcoin scandal
PRAGUE — Czech Republic Justice Minister Pavel Blažek resigned from his post over a bitcoin-related scandal on Friday. Blažek was under fire from the opposition after his ministry accepted a donation of bitcoins and sold them for about 1 billion Czech koruna (more than $45 million) earlier this year. Blažek said that he wasn't aware of any wrongdoing, but didn't want the four-party coalition government led by Prime Minister Petr Fiala to be harmed by the scandal. Fiala said that he appreciated his resignation and believed that Blažek acted with goodwill.
Globe and Mail
2 days ago
- Business
- Globe and Mail
Czech justice minister resigns over a donated bitcoin scandal
PRAGUE (AP) — Czech Republic Justice Minister Pavel Blažek resigned from his post over a bitcoin-related scandal on Friday. Blažek was under fire from the opposition after his ministry accepted a donation of bitcoins and sold them for about 1 billion Czech koruna (more than $45 million) earlier this year. Blažek said that he wasn't aware of any wrongdoing, but didn't want the four-party coalition government led by Prime Minister Petr Fiala to be harmed by the scandal. Fiala said that he appreciated his resignation and believed that Blažek acted with goodwill. Blažek was a close ally of Fiala in the government, and also in his conservative Civic Democratic Party. It's not clear who might replace him. The issue focused on the fact that the bitcoins were donated to the ministry by a person who was previously convicted of drug dealing and other crimes. The opposition has accused Blažek of possible money laundering, because it wasn't clear where the bitcoins came from. It was also not clear why the person donated the bitcoins to the ministry. The issue has been investigated by the police organized crime unit. The scandal took place just months before the Oct 3-4 parliamentary election. The main opposition ANO (YES) party led by former populist Prime Minister Andrej Babiš is predicted to win the vote.
