Latest news with #ZaidIbrahim
Free Malaysia Today
14 hours ago
- Politics
- Free Malaysia Today
Zaid lists prosecutorial reforms needed after Najib's latest DNAA
Former law minister Zaid Ibrahim said public fatigue over flawed prosecutions is reaching a tipping point. PETALING JAYA : Former law minister Zaid Ibrahim has outlined several proposed reforms to keep the Attorney-General's Chambers accountable, after Najib Razak's discharge not amounting to an acquittal (DNAA) in his SRC International Sdn Bhd money laundering case. Zaid said the AGC has operated without being held accountable for too long, necessitating reforms to be undertaken as Malaysians become disillusioned. 'Public fatigue over flawed prosecutions is reaching a tipping point. Malaysians are watching and they are angry,' the former Kota Bharu MP said in a post on X. Zaid called again for the separation of the roles of the attorney-general and public prosecutor to be expedited to ensure the public prosecutor's independence in upholding justice. He also suggested the establishment of a prosecution oversight commission, specifically to review decisions not to prosecute cases of public interest and to recommend referrals for judicial review. He proposed that a prosecution code of ethics be enacted to make it mandatory for prosecutors to always disclose all exculpatory evidence and provide written justifications for DNAAs, NFAs (no further action) and plea bargains. This is also aimed at excluding any political influence in charging any individual of an offence. Zaid called for the AGC to be required to table annual reports on the statistics of DNAAs and NFAs as well as prosecution outcomes in Parliament, and for a select committee to oversee prosecutorial conduct. He also suggested that senior prosecutors, like judges, be appointed to fixed terms to ensure that their tenures are protected from arbitrary removal. He called for whistleblower protection laws to be reviewed to allow for disclosures to be made even if involving classified information, as long as done in public interest and good faith. Zaid said Perikatan Nasional should champion these reforms if it wanted to gain public support, instead of simply touting slogans on reforms. 'A credible, ironclad promise to clean up the prosecution – with independent oversight, transparent rules, and professional integrity – would strike a powerful chord among the rakyat,' he said. This morning, Najib was granted a DNAA in his RM27 million SRC money laundering case after the High Court found that the prosecution was not ready to proceed with the trial. Justice K Muniandy said no witness testimony had been pursued since the case was brought against Najib in 2019, only a plethora of postponements, indicating that the prosecution was not ready to prosecute the case. Najib is currently serving his reduced six-year prison term for abuse of power, money laundering and criminal breach of trust involving RM42 million in SRC funds. In November, Najib and former Treasury secretary-general Irwan Serigar Abdullah were granted a DNAA in their International Petroleum Investment Company (IPIC) case.
Malaysiakini
2 days ago
- Politics
- Malaysiakini
Amid backlash, Zaid says PAS won't destroy durian farms, punish whistleblowers
Former law minister Zaid Ibrahim doubled down on his backing for PAS, stressing the party genuinely cares for the well-being of Malaysians. Citing the plight of Raub durian farmers as an example, he said PAS would never level their farms just to show dominance. As for the Sabah corruption scandal, he said...
Free Malaysia Today
11-06-2025
- Sport
- Free Malaysia Today
Extend Harimau Malaya's meritocratic principles to public sector leadership, says Zaid
Nine of Harimau Malaya's starting-11 in their 2027 Asian Cup qualifier against Vietnam last night were naturalised players. (Bernama pic) PETALING JAYA : Former law minister Zaid Ibrahim has questioned why merit-based policies in Malaysia cannot be applied to public sector leadership following Harimau Malaya's convincing win against Vietnam in a 2027 Asian Cup qualifier last night. A new-look Harimau Malaya eased past reigning Asean Cup champions Vietnam 4-0 in front of more than 61,000 fans at the Bukit Jalil National Stadium, their first victory against the Golden Star Warriors in 11 years. Nine of the team's starting-11 were naturalised players, with five of them – Joao Figueiredo, Rodrigo Holgado, Jon Irazabal, Facundo Garces and Imanol Machuca – receiving Fifa clearance just hours before kick-off. In a Facebook post, Zaid noted that a flexible naturalisation policy and deep pockets have allowed the Football Association of Malaysia to attract world-class players. 'I was astounded to read about the team's win over Vietnam. It was not so long ago that Malaysia was floundering at the bottom of the world rankings. We might soon win the World Cup,' he quipped. 'From the list of our players, I can only recognise two whom I would consider Malaysian. 'This brings me to the question: if we can transform football teams in that fashion, why not transform our political leaders, civil service, and GLC heads by enticing world-class expertise to prop up the country? 'Why are we so against merit-based policy in other, more critical fields? Why are they only limited to football?' The result solidifies Malaysia's spot at the top of the four-team Group F with three wins from as many matches. Harimau Malaya, who have yet to concede a goal in their qualifying campaign, will face Laos in their next match on Oct 9. Only the group winner will secure a spot in the 2027 Asian Cup, which is scheduled to take place in Saudi Arabia from Jan 7 to Feb 5, 2027. FAM's policy of naturalising foreign players for the national team came under scrutiny from former national players last year, who argued that the national football body should focus on developing local talent rather than relying on foreign-born players.
Free Malaysia Today
08-06-2025
- Business
- Free Malaysia Today
No need to audit Petronas, Umno Youth told
Zaid Ibrahim told Umno Youth that conducting a financial audit of Petronas is unnecessary and will only divert attention from more critical matters affecting the national oil company. PETALING JAYA : Former law minister Zaid Ibrahim has dismissed calls by Umno Youth for the government to audit Petronas's financial results, urging the wing instead to concentrate on more pressing issues affecting the national oil company and the country's long-term energy strategy. Zaid said unless there is a clear and specific concern that justifies an audit, such a move is unnecessary and risks diverting attention from more critical matters. 'What you should be worried about is this: were you told about the deal struck between the Madani government and Sarawak on the Petronas-Petros dispute? 'Was the settlement fair to Petronas, and was it made in the (nation's best) interest?' he said in a post on X. Zaid also questioned the government's continued reliance on Petronas for national revenue, warning that it may be draining the company to the point where it can no longer compete effectively in the global energy market. 'You (Umno Youth) should be asking whether the government has a serious plan to diversify its revenue sources beyond Petronas.' He also raised concerns about whether Petronas still attracts leaders with the strategic foresight and competence of past technocrats such as Idris Jala and Hassan Marican, or even former prime minister Najib Razak, who once served the company as a junior executive. Umno Youth yesterday called on the government to provide a full audit and transparent report on Petronas's actual financial position to the public after its decision to cut 10% of its workforce due to falling crude prices. Its chief, Dr Akmal Saleh, said that as a wholly government-owned entity, any drastic decision affecting thousands of employees should not be made without proper checks and balances. Petronas said at least 5,000 staff (mostly contract workers) would be affected by the move.
Malay Mail
08-06-2025
- Malay Mail
Kelantan police: Man drowns after being swept away by strong currents in Dabong
KOTA BHARU, June 7 — A man who went missing while bathing in Sungai Kenerong, Dabong here today was found dead at about 4.13 pm. Kuala Krai district police chief Supt Mazlan Mamat said the man, 47, was swept away by currents when he went to check on the depth of the river before bathing with nine of his friends. 'The victim had went out from Kampung Dabong with his friends to bathe in the river at about 12.30 pm. The victim had gone ahead to check on the water depth but was swept away by currents and went missing,' he said in a statement today, adding that the body has been sent to Sultan Ismail Petra Hospital forensics unit, Kuala Krai for autopsy. Meanwhile, Senior Fire Officer II Zaid Ibrahim said the search operation for the victim began at 2.15 pm with 10 firefighters and three police personnel. 'After two hours, rescuers found the victim near where he fell and was lodged between rocks at a depth of 3.7 metres,' he said. — Bernama
