Fahmi to sue govt
Good morning. Here's what you should know today.
Key Highlights
Fahmi to sue govt
37pct of May NS trainees absent
Lynas expands to Kelantan
Fahmi to sue govt
Artist-activist Fahmi Reza will sue the government.
This is after Fahmi was barred from leaving the country on Saturday.
The prime minister sought answers, and police explained that the artist is not on a travel ban list, just a list of individuals who are under investigation.
Top cop Razarudin Husain chalked the travel restriction down to "confusion" at the airport.
Fahmi, however, is not satisfied with the explanations, saying they were merely passing blame instead of taking responsibility.
HIGHLIGHTS
37pct of May NS trainees absent
There were supposed to be 550 trainees partaking in the May-June session of the National Service (NS) 3.0 programme.
However, a whopping 37 percent did not report for duty, citing health reasons and job commitments.
The Defence Ministry said it will do a probe before resorting to disciplinary action.
HIGHLIGHTS
Lynas expands to Kelantan
Lynas has signed a memorandum of understanding with the Kelantan government.
Last week, the Kelantan government asked the state to supply mixed rare earth carbonates as feedstock for Lynas' refinery in Gebeng, Pahang.
This could mark the beginning of a shift in the Kelantan government's natural resource extraction policy, from timber to rare earth.
This, in a state where ecological shifts have had a major impact on annual floods.
HIGHLIGHTS
Views that matter
In case you missed it
Other news that matter
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Barnama
15 hours ago
- Barnama
Defence Ministry Keeping Close Watch On Iran-Israel Conflict
KOTA TINGGI, June 21 (Bernama) -- The Defence Ministry will continue to closely monitor developments in the Iran-Israel conflict, given its potential implications for regional security and national interests, said Defence Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin. He said the situation is alarming as it could escalate into a broader conflict, including disrupting the global supply chains, impacting the world economy, and endangering the safety of Malaysians in the region. 'We are monitoring the developments. When a world war breaks out, all countries are affected, oil prices surge, supply chains are disrupted, global trade is hampered, and trading nations like Malaysia will also feel the impact,' he said.
The Star
16 hours ago
- The Star
South Korea says defence spending against GDP already ‘very high'
US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth (left) talks to Singapore's Prime Minister Lawrence Wong during the 22nd Shangri-La Dialogue summit in Singapore on May 31, 2025. - Photo: Yonhap SEOUL: South Korea's Defence Ministry on Friday (June 20) hinted at concerns over an announcement by the Donald Trump administration that its Asian allies are subject to the 'new standard' of spending 5 percent of gross domestic product on defence. South Korea's defence spending, which stands at some 51.2 trillion won ($37.5 billion) or 2.32 percent of its GDP, is already 'very high,' the ministry noted in a statement. "Among key US allies, South Korea is one of the countries that has an extremely high defence spending to GDP ratio," the ministry said in a statement. "We have continuously hiked our defence spending in consideration of our serious security situation involving North Korea's nuclear and missile threats.' South Korea will continue its efforts to maintain necessary capabilities and posture for the defence of the Korean Peninsula as well as regional peace and stability, the ministry said. Seoul's statement follows remarks made earlier this week by US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth, regarding a 'new standard' now in place for all US allies' defence spending, 'including in Asia.' Hegseth's remarks, made during a hearing before the Senate Armed Services Committee, are aligned with US President Donald Trump's call for NATO members to increase their defence spending to 5 percent of their GDP. This is more than double the 2 percent defence spending guideline agreed upon by the leaders of the trans-Atlantic alliance in 2014. Last month, Hegseth, during the Shangri-La Dialogue, an annual defence forum held in Singapore, said that it 'doesn't make sense' for key US allies in Asia to 'spend less on defence' than countries in Europe, despite dealing with 'more formidable threats,' including North Korea provocations. Concerns are rising in South Korea over reports that Trump may shore up South Korea's defence spending while the US adjusts the role and reduces the size of the US Forces Korea. A May report by The Wall Street Journal claimed that the Trump administration is mulling the option of pulling some 4,500 personnel out of the 28,500-strong USFK and relocating them to other locations in the Indo-Pacific region. Last month, Hegseth directed Under Secretary of Defense Elbridge Colby to draw up a US national defence strategy that focuses on burden sharing with allies as the nation navigates to deter threats from China. More than doubling defence spending would deal a heavy blow to South Korea, as it would cost Seoul over 100 trillion won to meet the 'new standards' suggested by the Trump administration. An expert pointed out that it would require the government to significantly reduce other budgets allocated to areas, including welfare, to uphold such a scenario. 'It won't be an easy process for Seoul as it would be required to cut back budgets set aside for other matters, including welfare, and funnel (the funds) into defence spending if the 5 percent of GDP rule is applied,' said Yang Uk, a research fellow at Asan Institute for Policy Studies. Observers say that if South Korean President Lee Jae Myung decides to participate in the upcoming NATO summit scheduled for June 24-25 in the Netherlands, an opportunity might arise to discuss the defence cost issue with Trump. However, the presidential office here has yet to confirm whether Lee will attend the summit, as of press time, but said the previous day that it is coordinating the details of a potential summit with Trump. First Vice Foreign Minister Park Yoon-joo said in a Friday interview with Yonhap News TV that 'the current situation where the US has been requesting several countries to shore up their defence costs is true.' He vowed to review the matter in detail and continue 'close negotiations' with Washington. - The Korea Herald/ANN
The Sun
3 days ago
- The Sun
Crackdown on online sale of banned products
PETALING JAYA: The government is ramping up efforts to crack down on the online sale of banned products, including vape liquids laced with narcotics, with a high-level meeting set to take place soon, said Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil. Speaking at a weekly media conference yesterday, he said the meeting, involving the Domestic Trade and Cost of Living, Health and Communications ministries, reflects growing concern over illegal products being openly sold online without adequate control. 'Following the meeting, we will present the outcomes to the Cabinet, which will be followed by appropriate action, either against the sellers or the platforms enabling such sales.' On updates to the Online Safety Bill, Fahmi said the next step is for the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission to finalise a draft of the regulations that would be enforced under the Bill. 'Once that is done, a regulatory committee will be established by the Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Law and Institutional Reform), who will have oversight powers over the Bill's implementation. This process is expected to take place in the coming weeks.' Fahmi said there are no major updates regarding the Sales and Service Tax (SST), but the second finance minister is expected to provide further clarification soon. He said the government takes public feedback seriously, and that revenue from the expanded SST would be used to fund schools, hospitals and other public projects. 'With stronger efforts to curb leakage and corruption, we believe SST collections would benefit more Malaysians.' Fahmi said ministers were briefed on the draft of the 13th Malaysia Plan by Economy Ministry Secretary-General Datuk Nor Azmie Diron. The plan is expected to be tabled in Parliament during the session beginning July 21, and presented on July 28. Amid escalating regional tensions involving Iran, Fahmi said the Foreign Ministry has made arrangements for registered Malaysians, including those working, studying or representing agencies to depart Iran, with visa preparations completed. He said their departure is expected by June 20.
