Latest news with #Act2023
The Star
11 hours ago
- Business
- The Star
'Economy grew better than expected', PM defends reforms
PUTRAJAYA: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has defended the government's handling of the economy, asserting that although the reforms may be challenging, they are beginning to yield real and positive results. Speaking at the monthly gathering of Finance Ministry staff, Anwar acknowledged public concerns and online criticism that the government is not managing the economy well, overspending, or making life harder with new taxes and reduced subsidies. "We are burdened with a tired fiscal system, weighed down by old debts and a narrow income base," he said. "But like it or not, we must reform, even if it's tough," said Anwar on Friday (June 20). Anwar stated that the country's economy is improving in several key areas. Malaysia has jumped 11 places to 23rd in the world in the latest global competitiveness ranking — the best score since 2020. "The economy grew by 5.1% in 2024, better than expected. The unemployment rate is down to 3.0%, the lowest in 10 years, and the ringgit has strengthened, gaining over 5% against the US dollar this year. "This shows the world is recognising our reforms and investors are responding positively to the direction we're taking." He said Malaysia's financial discipline is also gaining international praise. The International Monetary Fund (IMF) recently commended the country's efforts to control spending and debts, particularly the introduction of the Fiscal Responsibility Act 2023. "Government spending is now more careful, with fewer new debts and a shrinking fiscal deficit, which dropped to 4.1% in 2024." Anwar also stated that reforms are not about abandoning the people. "Instead, help is being delivered in a more targeted and effective way, where in 2023, 85% of households were unaffected by changes to electricity subsidies. "Diesel subsidies were adjusted in 2024 to reduce government spending without raising the cost of goods, as the logistics sector continued receiving support." He said the expanded sales and service tax (SST) changes starting in July 2025 will not affect essential goods. "We're not just saving money, we're using it better, for the people who truly need it." With more efficient use of funds, the government has been able to increase support where it matters most. Anwar said a record RM13 billion in cash assistance through the STR and SARA programmes will benefit nine million Malaysians, or 60% of the adult population. "Budgets for public services have also grown, with RM64bil allocated for education and RM45bil for healthcare in 2025. We're making sure these savings go back to the people — in the form of better aid, education, healthcare, and public transport." Anwar said Malaysia can no longer afford to do things the old way. Reform is hard, but necessary. "This is a journey of courage and commitment," he said. "With teamwork, understanding, and the will to do the right thing, we can carry out this trust with full responsibility." He urged civil servants and the public to stay united, work hard, and believe in the path the country is taking.
Irish Daily Mirror
7 days ago
- Irish Daily Mirror
Terrified student gets 3-year restraining order against ex: 'He's following me'
A terrified young student has been granted a three-year restraining order against her ex-boyfriend after alleging he threatened and stalked her around Dublin. The South American woman, who cannot be named for legal reasons, applied for the order at Dublin District Court. In evidence, she recounted how after their relationship of a couple of years ended a few weeks ago, her ex started following her. The student told the court she was afraid, and alleged, "He is saying he will attack me." Asked if he had followed her regularly, she said he had done twice in the previous week, once to work, and after school. Giving evidence with the assistance of an interpreter, the visibly upset student said that he was threatening her, following her to school, to her home, and to her job. They did not have any children. Her former partner did not attend the scheduled hearing to contest the claims against him. Judge Anthony Halpin accepted the sworn evidence tendered by the woman. He granted the civil restraining order to protect her from the man's activities. He stipulated that he must not follow, watch, or beset the applicant or put her in fear or use language that threatened the applicant. He also warned that the man would not communicate with her. Judge Halpin directed gardai to serve a copy of the order on the man, which is to remain in force for three years. Breaching it can result in the subject of the order being brought to court, jailed for up to a year, and a maximum €4,000 fine. The restraining orders were introduced in the Criminal Justice (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2023 as a remedy for people seeking protection. The District Court may issue an order to prevent the respondent from violence or threats, stalking, harassing or approaching the applicant's home, work, or school. It can last up to five years but may be shorter depending on the presiding judge's assessment.
The Sun
25-04-2025
- Politics
- The Sun
Hearing of prosecution's review bid vacated
PUTRAJAYA: The Federal Court here today vacated the hearing of the prosecution's review application challenging the top court's earlier 2-1 majority ruling that it (the Federal Court) has the jurisdiction to review death sentences that had been imposed on four prisoners whose sentences have been commuted by the Pardons Boards. Lawyer Datuk representing two of the four prisoners, told the media that the hearing did not proceed today to allow the parties to explore the possibility of applying the Federal Court's ruling to 123 other prisoners who are in the same situation as the four. He said a case management has been fixed for June 3 for parties to update the court on any development. On Aug 27, last year, the Federal Court ruled in a split decision that it had the jurisdiction under the Revision of Sentence of Death and Imprisonment for Natural Life (Temporary Jurisdiction of The Federal Court) Act 2023 (Act 847), to review the death sentences that were imposed on the four for drug trafficking offences. The majority decision, made by Justices Tan Sri Harmindar Singh Dhaliwal and Datuk Hanipah Farikullah, held that the 30-year prison sentences imposed on the four prisoners should take effect from the date of their arrest, and not from the date their pardons were granted. Justice Datuk Nordin Hassan dissented. Following this, the prosecution filed a review application under Rule 137 of the Rules of the Federal Court 1995, contending that the judges who decided the majority ruling had acted beyond their jurisdiction. Meanwhile, lawyer Abdul Rashid Ismail, representing Zambian national Mailesi Phiri, told the media that the jail terms of 123 other prisoners were calculated from the date of their respective Pardons Board's clemency decision, rather than from the date of their arrest. 'This means that the time they spent in custody prior to the granting of the pardon has not been taken into account, resulting in longer prison terms beyond the 30-year jail term set under Section 39B (2) of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952,' he explained. The Federal Court had in August last year allowed the four individuals – G. Jiva, 55; P. Balakrishnan, 48; Thai national Phrueksa Thaemchim, 41; and Phiri, 47 – to commence their 30-year jail terms from the date of their arrest. Sivananthan is representing Jiva and Balakrishnan, while lawyer K. Simon Murali is representing Phrueksa. Deputy Public Prosecutors Datin Asmah Musa, Tetralina Ahmed Fauzi, Ng Siew Wee, and Solehah Noratikah Ismail are appearing for the prosecution.
The Sun
25-04-2025
- Politics
- The Sun
Federal Court delays hearing on death sentence review case
PUTRAJAYA: The Federal Court here today vacated the hearing of the prosecution's review application challenging the top court's earlier 2-1 majority ruling that it (the Federal Court) has the jurisdiction to review death sentences that had been imposed on four prisoners whose sentences have been commuted by the Pardons Boards. Lawyer Datuk representing two of the four prisoners, told the media that the hearing did not proceed today to allow the parties to explore the possibility of applying the Federal Court's ruling to 123 other prisoners who are in the same situation as the four. He said a case management has been fixed for June 3 for parties to update the court on any development. On Aug 27, last year, the Federal Court ruled in a split decision that it had the jurisdiction under the Revision of Sentence of Death and Imprisonment for Natural Life (Temporary Jurisdiction of The Federal Court) Act 2023 (Act 847), to review the death sentences that were imposed on the four for drug trafficking offences. The majority decision, made by Justices Tan Sri Harmindar Singh Dhaliwal and Datuk Hanipah Farikullah, held that the 30-year prison sentences imposed on the four prisoners should take effect from the date of their arrest, and not from the date their pardons were granted. Justice Datuk Nordin Hassan dissented. Following this, the prosecution filed a review application under Rule 137 of the Rules of the Federal Court 1995, contending that the judges who decided the majority ruling had acted beyond their jurisdiction. Meanwhile, lawyer Abdul Rashid Ismail, representing Zambian national Mailesi Phiri, told the media that the jail terms of 123 other prisoners were calculated from the date of their respective Pardons Board's clemency decision, rather than from the date of their arrest. 'This means that the time they spent in custody prior to the granting of the pardon has not been taken into account, resulting in longer prison terms beyond the 30-year jail term set under Section 39B (2) of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952,' he explained. The Federal Court had in August last year allowed the four individuals – G. Jiva, 55; P. Balakrishnan, 48; Thai national Phrueksa Thaemchim, 41; and Phiri, 47 – to commence their 30-year jail terms from the date of their arrest. Sivananthan is representing Jiva and Balakrishnan, while lawyer K. Simon Murali is representing Phrueksa. Deputy Public Prosecutors Datin Asmah Musa, Tetralina Ahmed Fauzi, Ng Siew Wee, and Solehah Noratikah Ismail are appearing for the prosecution.
The Star
25-04-2025
- Politics
- The Star
Hearing of prosecution's review bid vacated
PUTRAJAYA: The Federal Court here on Friday (April 25) vacated the hearing of the prosecution's review application challenging the top court's earlier 2-1 majority ruling that it (the Federal Court) has the jurisdiction to review death sentences that had been imposed on four prisoners whose sentences have been commuted by the Pardons Boards. Lawyer Datuk representing two of the four prisoners, told the media that the hearing did not proceed on Friday to allow the parties to explore the possibility of applying the Federal Court's ruling to 123 other prisoners who are in the same situation as the four. He said a case management has been fixed for June 3 for parties to update the court on any development. On Aug 27, last year, the Federal Court ruled in a split decision that it had the jurisdiction under the Revision of Sentence of Death and Imprisonment for Natural Life (Temporary Jurisdiction of The Federal Court) Act 2023 (Act 847), to review the death sentences that were imposed on the four for drug trafficking offences. The majority decision, made by Justices Tan Sri Harmindar Singh Dhaliwal and Datuk Hanipah Farikullah, held that the 30-year prison sentences imposed on the four prisoners should take effect from the date of their arrest, and not from the date their pardons were granted. Justice Datuk Nordin Hassan dissented. Following this, the prosecution filed a review application under Rule 137 of the Rules of the Federal Court 1995, contending that the judges who decided the majority ruling had acted beyond their jurisdiction. Meanwhile, lawyer Abdul Rashid Ismail, representing Zambian national Mailesi Phiri, told the media that the jail terms of 123 other prisoners were calculated from the date of their respective Pardons Board's clemency decision, rather than from the date of their arrest. "This means that the time they spent in custody prior to the granting of the pardon has not been taken into account, resulting in longer prison terms beyond the 30-year jail term set under Section 39B (2) of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952,' he explained. The Federal Court had in August last year allowed the four individuals - G. Jiva, 55; P. Balakrishnan, 48; Thai national Phrueksa Thaemchim, 41; and Phiri, 47 - to commence their 30-year jail terms from the date of their arrest. Sivananthan is representing Jiva and Balakrishnan, while lawyer K. Simon Murali is representing Phrueksa. Deputy Public Prosecutors Datin Asmah Musa, Tetralina Ahmed Fauzi, Ng Siew Wee, and Solehah Noratikah Ismail are appearing for the prosecution.- Bernama
