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Free Malaysia Today
10 hours ago
- Politics
- Free Malaysia Today
It's a judicial matter, Anwar says on Najib's DNAA
Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said the discharge not amounting to an acquittal granted to Najib Razak is 'a question for the attorney-general'. (PMO pic) SUBANG JAYA : Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has refused to comment on the conditional discharge granted to Najib Razak earlier today, saying it is a judicial matter. 'I'm not going to weigh in, this is a question for the attorney-general,' he said when met by reporters after performing the Friday prayers in Puchong, here. Najib was granted a discharge not amounting to an acquittal (DNAA) earlier today in his RM27 million SRC International Sdn Bhd money laundering case. Justice K Muniandy made the ruling in the High Court, saying there was nothing to show that the prosecution was 'able to proceed with the case for the time being, or proceed within a reasonable time.' Last week, Najib's counsel Shafee Abdullah submitted that it was unfair for his client to wait indefinitely for a fixed trial date as the prosecution was unable to provide a timeline to gather the 807 exhibits used in the previous SRC trial. Najib, 71, had asked for the three money laundering charges, brought against him in February 2019, to be withdrawn. In a later case which began on April 3, 2019, Najib was slapped with seven charges of abuse of power, money laundering, and criminal breach of trust involving RM42 million in SRC funds. On July 28, 2020, the High Court convicted the former prime minister of all seven charges. His appeals from his conviction and sentence were dismissed by the Court of Appeal on Dec 8, 2021 and the Federal Court on Aug 23, 2022. He received a partial pardon in January last year and is currently serving a reduced six-year prison term.
Free Malaysia Today
10-06-2025
- Politics
- Free Malaysia Today
Wong Chen must stick around and deliver
From Nurul Anna Mausar Subang Jaya MP Wong Chen announced yesterday that he will be going to France for a break. But it's more than a family holiday as he said he is contemplating his future in politics and expressed a deep concern over the slow pace of reforms. Perhaps he should consider some of the lessons of the French Revolution during which the government collapsed into terror and anarchy when rival factions turned on each other. Of course, Malaysia's scenario is not remotely comparable to that period of history, when the French Revolution devoured its children. Nonetheless, we saw the chaos that followed the Sheraton Move of 2020, which was partially rooted in factional strife within Wong's own party. I would urge Wong to take the time to recharge his battery and come back stronger. Yes, reforms have been taking their time but a few have been accomplished, many others are in the pipeline, and more can be done further down the road. Don't give up now, when so much hangs in the balance. Reforms have been achieved through the abolition of the mandatory death penalty, the passage of the Parliamentary Services Bill 2025, the Malaysian Media Council Bill 2024, and amendments to the Whistleblower Protection Act 2010. Other reforms have been promised in the short term, such as amendments to the Peaceful Assembly Act 2012, a review of the Judicial Appointments Commission Act 2009, proposed term limits for the prime minister, and the enactment of laws on urban renewal and freedom of information. Still more are under review such as separating the powers of the attorney-general and public prosecutor. Maybe even the full abolition of the death penalty. We have to acknowledge some political realities: the Madani government is an unwieldy multi-party coalition with differing degrees of commitment to reform. That's not an excuse. Just reality. For example, local council elections might be hard to push through as Pakatan Harapan has a very strong presence in Malaysia's urban centres but many other parties – both within and outside of the coalition – have a vested interest in preventing the return of such polls. One thing I am sure of: the likes of Wong must not surrender now. Instead, they must redouble their efforts. Nurul Anna Mausar is a law student and an FMT reader. The views expressed are those of the writer and do not necessarily reflect those of FMT.
Free Malaysia Today
06-06-2025
- Business
- Free Malaysia Today
Rental aid for Putra Heights gas explosion victims extended to next April
The explosion on April 1 sent flames more than 30m high, with temperatures reaching 1,000°C, and left a 9.8m-deep crater at the site. SHAH ALAM : The Selangor government will continue providing rental assistance to victims of the gas pipeline explosion at Putra Heights in Subang Jaya at least until April next year. State housing and culture committee chairman Borhan Aman Shah said the RM2,000 monthly rental assistance will ensure victims have appropriate shelter until their homes are repaired. 'Initially, the state government agreed to provide rental support for six months, but we have decided to extend it for up to a year or more, especially for homes that were completely destroyed, as rebuilding will take time,' he said in a statement today. 'For houses that were partially damaged, assistance will also continue until repairs are fully completed. 'The aid will only be discontinued once the occupants are able to return to their homes.' Borhan said the state government will monitor the progress of the repair to ensure efficient use of funds allocated for the assistance. On April 30, menteri besar Amirudin Shari announced that the Selangor government had allocated RM2.73 million in rental assistance to 455 families affected by the incident, covering six months from April. The Petronas gas pipeline fire on April 1 sent flames more than 30m high, with temperatures reaching 1,000°C. The blaze took nearly eight hours to extinguish and left a 9.8m-deep crater at the site.
Free Malaysia Today
06-06-2025
- General
- Free Malaysia Today
A sombre Aidiladha for Putra Heights gas inferno victims
The gas pipeline fire destroyed 81 houses, with more than 40% of the structures sustaining structural damage; 81 other houses were partially destroyed and 57 houses were affected but not burned. (EPA Images pic) SUBANG JAYA : As Muslims look forward to celebrating Hari Raya Aidiladha tomorrow, residents of Kampung Kuala Sungai Baru in Puchong must summon the strength to face the day, two months after their homes were destroyed in the gas pipeline inferno on April 2. Among them was Nasir Ab Hamid, 69, who said sheer will and determination have been his family's main source of strength in forging ahead despite now living with minimal means after losing most of their belongings in the fire. 'My family and I are grateful to be alive and to have received support from the community and various parties. However, I hope the recovery process, particularly the promised rebuilding of our home, can be expedited so that life can return to normal,' he said. Nasir's house remains without a roof, except for the garage, and the interior was devoid of furniture or electrical appliances, which had been destroyed in the intense heat of the fire. Nasir lives in the house alone, sleeping in the garage on a mattress he received from the temporary relief centre. 'Although I received financial assistance to rent a house, I feel more comfortable staying in my own home as I can also keep an eye on what's left of my belongings while my wife and four of our children occupy the rented house,' he said, expressing hope that the government would expedite the repair process for all victims' homes. Another resident, Ahmad Danial, 25, said that their lives are no longer the same, especially with the lingering trauma still deeply affecting the entire family. 'There are no major preparations (for Aidiladha). The house is still in ruins, making it difficult to gather comfortably with the family. We are relying on donations from local associations and neighbours,' he said, adding that he lost his job following the incident. Ahmad Kamarul Meskam, 42, expressed despair for not being able to gather with his siblings for Aidiladha after their mother's house was destroyed in the incident. He said before the fire, they lived in the same village. 'We have no plans to celebrate Aidiladha since we are now living in separate areas.,' he said, admitting that the tragedy has left a profound emotional impact. It is understood that the Kampung Sungai Baru Residents Association will hold a sacrificial ritual in conjunction with Aidiladha on Sunday on a plot of land in the village, thanks to donations of several cows and goats from an anonymous benefactor. The gas pipeline fire, which occurred at 8.10am, resulted in flames shooting up 30 metres high, with temperatures reaching 1,000 degrees Celsius. Firefighters took nearly eight hours to completely extinguish the fire. A total of 81 houses were destroyed, with more than 40% of the structures sustaining structural damage; 81 other houses were partially destroyed, 57 houses were affected but not burned, and 218 houses remained unaffected.
Free Malaysia Today
05-06-2025
- Free Malaysia Today
Enact child safety laws for high-rise residential buildings, says Suhakam
Suhakam children's commissioner Farah Nini Dusuki called for regular inspections of high-rise residential units to ensure compliance with child safety standards and features. PETALING JAYA : The Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (Suhakam) has called for the enactment of specific laws to enhance child safety legislation in high-rise residential buildings, following the recent deaths of a seven-year-old and two-year-old in separate accidents. 'These back-to-back tragedies are not isolated accidents. 'They are preventable deaths that starkly expose the failure to implement essential safety measures in high-rise residential buildings,' Suhakam children's commissioner Farah Nini Dusuki said in a statement today. She said the child safety laws to be enacted by the housing and local government ministry should include mandatory safety grilles or protective mesh on windows and balconies for apartment and flat units. 'Additionally, minimum safety design standards for child-friendly high-rise units must be established under existing building laws or regulations. 'The ministry and local authorities must also review current building design guidelines to ensure that child safety considerations are mandatory in all high-rise residential developments,' she said. The seven-year-old girl who died on May 20 fell from a babysitter's home on the 29th floor of a condominium in Puchong, Subang Jaya. Subang Jaya deputy police chief Fairus Jaafar said preliminary findings indicated that the victim climbed out of the window, which had no safety grilles installed. On May 17, meanwhile, a two-year-old boy fell from the seventh floor of a public housing building in Presint 9, Putrajaya. Farah Nini called for local authorities to conduct regular inspections of high-rise residential units, especially rental properties, to ensure compliance with child safety standards and features. 'The absence of basic safety features in high-rise homes directly contributed to the loss of these young lives. This is unacceptable in any society that claims to uphold children's rights,' she said.
