Latest news with #DrMahathirMohamad
Free Malaysia Today
18 hours ago
- Business
- Free Malaysia Today
Ikhlas deregistered 3 years ago, RoS confirms
RoS director-general Zulfikar Ahmad said Ikhlas was deregistered on Nov 24, 2022 under the Societies Act 1966. (RoS pic) PETALING JAYA : Pertubuhan Ikatan Usahawan Kecil dan Sederhana Malaysia (Ikhlas), an NGO advocating for small-time entrepreneurs, was deregistered three years ago, the Registrar of Societies (RoS) has confirmed. RoS director-general Zulfikar Ahmad said Ikhlas, which had listed former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad as its patron, was deregistered on Nov 24, 2022 under the Societies Act 1966 for failing to submit annual financial statements, Scoop reported. According to the portal, the NGO was led by Ridzuan Abdullah, who is also a secretariat of NGO Gabungan Ikhlas Malaysia. Gabungan Ikhlas Malaysia was reported to have issued statements in early January on the addendum linked to Najib Razak, the country's sixth prime minister. Ridzuan however declined to comment or confirm the deregistration of Ikhlas when contacted by Scoop. Two years ago, it was reported that Ridzuan had been charged with 12 counts of filing fraudulent claims with the Social Security Organisation to obtain incentives from the Penjana Kerjaya 2.0 Programme, totalling RM378,000. He was alleged to have submitted documents with inaccurate salary information, indicating that the employees listed had not actually been paid those amounts. The charges were framed under Section 18 of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission Act 2009.
Free Malaysia Today
3 days ago
- Politics
- Free Malaysia Today
Tok Mat ‘realistic' on need for Umno to stay in govt, says analyst
Mohamad Hasan said the party would end up being 'spectators' if it were to quit the unity government. PETALING JAYA : Political analysts have expressed support for Umno deputy president Mohamad Hasan's assertion that the party must stay in government to champion the Bumiputera agenda effectively. Hisommudin Bakar, executive director of think tank Ilham Centre, said Mohamad—widely known as Tok Mat—was being 'realistic' in his view on the matter. Hisommudin Bakar. He said Mohamad was well aware that the party would only be in a position to shape pro-Bumiputera policies and exert its influence on the community's narratives within the national framework if it stayed in government. 'The Bumiputera agenda can only be effectively implemented if it is championed from within the government,' Hisommudin told FMT. He said that parties outside the government lack the necessary tools and institutional support to deliver tangible benefits to the community, leaving them heavily reliant on rhetoric and populist slogans to win support. On Sunday, Mohamad said it would be better for Umno to remain in government where the party could 'drive new agendas suited to today's realities'. Otherwise, Umno would end up being merely spectators, he added. The Umno deputy president's comments came two weeks after former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad announced the formation of a loose Malay unity alliance to 'save' the community from what he described as political and economic decline. Universiti Malaya's Awang Azman Pawi said any attempt by Umno to advance a particular agenda independently of the government would result in mere pressure and proposals that 'go nowhere'. He said this was evident when Umno joined the opposition following its defeat in the 14th general election in 2018. 'The Bumiputera agenda was no longer prioritised at certain levels of policymaking, and there were even proposals to reduce race-based policies in the name of meritocracy.' Awang Azman Pawi. However, Awang Azman said Umno's relevance—and its appeal to younger voters—now depends on its ability to embrace and actively champion issue-based politics. 'Voters today do not judge parties solely by their past struggles, but by their policy implementation and its impact on daily life, especially in areas such as the cost of living, education, employment, technology, housing and administrative integrity,' he said. Awang Azman noted that Umno has already begun shifting its Bumiputera narrative from race-based entitlements to inclusive, development-driven policies that benefit all communities. Both analysts agreed that staying in the unity government provided Umno a 'strategic leverage' to protect the party's agenda and redefine its relevance. 'If Umno can translate the Bumiputera agenda into one that is more issue-based, inclusive, and grounded in integrity, then remaining in government is not just about survival. It will be about transformation,' said Awang Azman. Disheartened but not surprised, says Zaid Former law minister Zaid Ibrahim, however, offered a contrasting perspective, saying he was 'disheartened, but not surprised' with the Umno deputy president's justification for staying in government. Zaid Ibrahim. In a recent post on X on Tuesday, Zaid said Umno lost the support of the Malays because the party had abandoned its principles. 'It failed to take decisive action against corruption and abuse of power when the public demanded it most. 'What has Umno done since joining (the) Madani (government) to restore trust or advance meaningful reform? Nothing,' he said. Zaid claimed that, despite Umno's presence, the government has yet to draw up economic policies that 'genuinely uplift Malays'. 'Where are the bold structural changes to education, entrepreneurship, and GLC governance that could make a difference? We see none,' he said.
Free Malaysia Today
4 days ago
- Politics
- Free Malaysia Today
PN calls for review of Article 121
PN chief whip Takiyuddin Hassan said judicial independence is the foundation of a mature democracy. (Bernama pic) PETALING JAYA : Perikatan Nasional (PN) has recommended that Article 121 of the Federal Constitution be reviewed with the aim of restoring the judiciary's original powers as a co-equal branch of government. In a statement, PN chief whip Takiyuddin Hassan said judicial independence was the foundation of a mature democracy. 'Malaysians have a right to a legal system that functions 'without fear or favour' – one that is firm, fair, and independent. 'The decisions made now will shape public trust in the judiciary for decades to come,' he said, adding that the judiciary should be protected from any form of interference. Before 1988, the constitution stated that judicial power was vested in the High Court of Malaya and the High Court of Sabah and Sarawak. However, an amendment made during the tenure of former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad said the jurisdiction and power of the court 'may be conferred by or under federal law'. Takiyuddin, a lawyer by training, also called for the Judicial Appointments Commission to be given full autonomy to carry out its duties without political pressure, especially from the executive branch. He said that recommended candidates must be chosen based on merit, integrity, and seniority, not political affiliations or preferences.
Free Malaysia Today
7 days ago
- Politics
- Free Malaysia Today
Umno won't back Malay unity efforts with ‘hidden political motives', says Zahid
Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said Umno will remain part of the unity government 'we helped establish'. (Bernama pic) PETALING JAYA : Umno will not support any movement that claims to unite the Malays but is actually rooted in personal political ambition, says party president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi. Zahid said any genuine effort to unite the Malay community must be built on shared ideals, not disguised attempts to revive political careers. 'We in Umno will never accept any form of secretariat that claims to unite the Malays under the guise of politics. 'We remain in Umno, and we will continue to be part of the unity government we helped establish,' he was quoted as saying at the Bagan Datuk Umno division meeting today. Zahid is believed to be referring to former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad's proposal for a 'Malay secretariat committee' to unite the Malays and restore their political power. Announcing the formation of a loose Malay unity alliance on June 4, Mahathir said he would invite Umno members to join it in an effort to 'restore Malay power' in the government. He stressed, however, that he was not inviting Umno as a party to join the alliance. Zahid described the secretariat's formation as 'a political move driven by the failure of a former prime minister who lost public support'. 'When someone finds that none of their party's candidates won in the last election, and all lost their deposits, only then do they suddenly want to find a way to 'unite the Malays'. 'And yet, it was that very person who previously divided the Malays,' he said. He outlined Mahathir's political journey – from leading Umno and becoming prime minister, to forming new parties after being ousted, only to lose his deposit in a recent general election -and said his attempt to form a secretariat was merely an effort to compensate for his political shortcomings.
Focus Malaysia
09-06-2025
- Politics
- Focus Malaysia
Will intra-racial or ethnic unity illuminate or darken Malaysia?
THE call by two-time premier Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad for an umbrella of greater unity among Malays brings an eerie feeling to all mature, educated, and level-headed Malaysians. Greater Malay unity contradicts the very fabric of 'unity in diversity' envisioned at the formation of Malaya and later Malaysia by our founding fathers. The question now is whether intra-racial unity will illuminate Malaysia—or darken and dim it. Tipping the balance against the very spirit of our formation and subsequent nation-building will bring negative repercussions both nationally and internationally, affecting our nation economically and politically. In the colorful tapestry of Malaysia, the national identity is sewn together by a rich blend of cultures—primarily Malays, Chinese, Indians, and various indigenous peoples. Now, among this delightful variety, a question lingers: Is it enough for people of the same race to stand closely together, or do we need to stretch our hands across the ethnic lines to build a truly united nation? This little piece argues that while unity within a single group may give a sense of belonging, it is that intermingling of communities—both in politics and daily life that truly nurtures a lasting bond among all Malaysians. A thoughtful person named J.S. Furnivall once described a plural society as one where different racial groups live side by side, much like guests at a grand wedding reception, each enjoying their own food without much mingling. Malaysia fits this bill perfectly; ethnic groups have their own schools, political parties, and even places of worship. In such a setting, for national harmony, it's not just about being cosy within your own circle but also about making connections with the others. Though intra-ethnic unity is necessary to some extend, it has its own limitations and it is insufficient. The desire for ethnic-based unity has been a familiar feature in Malaysian life and politics. The Malays often gather around UMNO, the Chinese rally with the MCA or DAP, and the Indians find a voice through MIC and current multiple Indian parties or other community groups. This cosy internal bonding certainly helps the communities to voice their particular needs and desires. However, as wise voices had previously pointed out, there lies the risk of becoming too self-contained, like a beehive that doesn't allow other pollinators. A constant emphasis on intra-group solidarity can create walls instead of bridges, making it hard to build trust and encouraging narratives that view relations between groups as a competition rather than a collaboration. Since independence the nation was build based on inter-racial/ethnic competition among races which cannot continue to be the trajectory for future nation building as the world has moved towards the 'earth is but one country and mankind its citizens' tenet. As we venture into the present political landscape of Malaysia, the significance of inter-ethnic unity shines through. Since the time of the 2018 general election, there have been notable shifts in political coalitions that highlight both the prospects and challenges of different ethnicities coming together, which leads to inter-ethnic unity. The current Pakatan Harapan (PH) unity government champions reforms, good governance, and inclusivity. Though it has faced some criticisms about ethnic imbalances, it remains one of the most ethnically diverse alliances in Malaysia's journey. Following the 2022 elections, the advent of unity governments, which brought together several coalitions, mark a pragmatic embrace of multi-coalitional governance. Despite their differing ideologies, these partnerships underline the necessity for cooperation across ethnic and geographical lines to uphold national steadiness. The real unity is not merely a matter of politics; it seeps into the daily grind of life. Inter-ethnic solidarity should be nurtured through, social economic and institutionalised integration. There must be education reforms that promote multicultural understanding and national harmony. A fair economic policies that shift from race-based views to need-based frameworks, striving toward a shared prosperity vision should be the hallmark. Initiating civic engagement and youth activism where the younger generations forge a Malaysian identity that transcends race must be framework towards every government machinery. While unity among a single ethnic group can surely bolster community strength, it is the cooperation across different ethnic lines—politically, economically, and socially—that lays the groundwork for Malaysia's brighter future. The evolution of the country's political frameworks reflects a delicate, yet sincere, effort towards multi-ethnic governance. As Malaysia strides forward, embracing this spirit of inter-ethnic solidarity will be the secret recipe for national resilience, unity, and inclusive growth. We cannot continue to operate on intra-ethnic, which we did since independence, as the world has moved forward for inclusivity and integration in all dimensions. ‒ June 9, 2025 Maran ( KT Maran) Seremban, Negri Sembilan The views expressed are solely of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Focus Malaysia. Main image: The Borneo Post
