Jangan merengek, runding bantu rakyat, tegas PM

 

Anwar Ibrahim berkata ada pemimpin memilih mencaci kerajaan sehingga rakyat meluahkan kemarahan di media sosial. (Gambar Bernama)

PUTRAJAYA: Perdana Menteri Anwar Ibrahim hari ini menempelak pendirian pemimpin yang memilih merengek dan mencaci usaha kerajaan membantu semua kaum, yang hanya merugikan rakyat.

Beliau berkata sebaliknya pemimpin harus memilih untuk berunding dengan kerajaan, agar dapat bekerjasama membantu rakyat tanpa mengira kaum dan bersama membangunkan negara.

Katanya pendekatan terbaik ialah bekerjasama dan berunding dengan baik, agar mendapat perhatian kerajaan untuk bersama mengangkat martabat semua suku kaum dan wilayah.

“Ada (pemimpin) memilih untuk bekerjasama (dengan kerajaan) dan ada yang memilih untuk hanya mencaci dan melihat semuanya tak betul. Akhirnya masyarakat marah-marah, guna media sosial maki hamun,” katanya pada majlis penyampaian sumbangan Institut Pembangunan Pendidikan Maju (MIED), di sini hari ini.

Dalam hal ini, Anwar berkata beliau menghormati pandangan Presiden MIC S Vigneswaran yang memilih untuk datang berdepan dengannya dengan membawa masalah masyarakat India, demi mendapat perhatian kerajaan bagi membantu golongan tersebut.

Beliau berkata pemimpin sama ada dari PKR, MIC dan DAP memilih berunding untuk membantu dan meningkatkan mutu hidup rakyat dari semua kaum.

“Ini cara yang harus dipilih. Membina negara dan bekerja sebagai satu pasukan, bukan menggunakan forum untuk mengutuk dan memfitnah dan menafikan sebarang sumbangan positif oleh kerajaan,” katanya.

Anwar berkata selepas menempuh pelbagai cabaran hidup dan apabila menjadi perdana menteri, beliau memberi jaminan kepada semua kaum untuk berkhidmat dan menjadi pemimpin kepada rakyat Malaysia.

Beliau juga mengingatkan agar bibit-bibit perkauman disingkirkan dan semua kaum harus diangkat martabatnya untuk menjadikan Malaysia berjaya, gagah dan hebat semula.

Perdana Menteri berkata pemimpin yang melaga-lagakan antara kaum, hanya mendatangkan keuntungan kepada mereka sendiri, mendatangkan undi tambahan dan kekayaan tetapi akhirnya merugikan rakyat.

“Pergaduhan antara kaum untungkan kelas atasan, miskinkan golongan bawah,” katanya. - FMT

Sultan Ibrahim already said no to casino in Johor, says MB

 

Menteri besar Onn Hafiz Ghazi said Sultan Ibrahim’s opposition to casinos operating in the state ‘clearly shows Johor’s stand on the matter’. (Bernama pic)

PETALING JAYA: Johor menteri besar Onn Hafiz Ghazi is the latest to rubbish a Bloomberg report on the alleged plans to open a casino in Forest City in the state.

Onn Hafiz said no casino would be allowed to operate in the state, pointing out that the Johor ruler, Sultan Ibrahim, who is now Yang di-Pertuan Agong, had said he would not allow it.

“This clearly shows Johor’s stand on the matter,” he said in a statement.

“Everyone is well aware that the state government, with the federal government’s support, is working on spurring and improving Johor’s economy to create high-quality and high-skill jobs for Johoreans.

“Therefore, this rumour that went viral seems to involve elements of sabotage and malicious intentions to tarnish the image of Forest City and Johor as a whole.”

Bloomberg reported yesterday that Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim met Berjaya Corporation Bhd founder Vincent Tan and Genting Group’s Lim Kok Thay last week to discuss a casino licence for the Forest City development.

Quoting sources “familiar with the matter”, it reported that a casino would revive the US$100 billion property project.

Anwar, who is also the finance minister, had denied the report, saying it was “not true” and “a lie”. Berjaya Corp has also issued a denial.

Today, the prime minister called for “the necessary action” to be taken against the New York-based media organisation.

In his statement, Onn Hafiz also said the state government had never received any invitation to such meetings or proposals on the matter.

He expressed confidence that Forest City would be given a new lease of life with the development of a special financial zone and the upcoming Johor-Singapore special economic zone. - FMT

Perlis MB’s son released on MACC bail

 

All the five suspects have now been released on MACC bail. (Bernama pic)

PETALING JAYA: A son of Perlis menteri besar Shukri Ramli, who was detained to assist in a corruption probe, was released on bail by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) today.

According to lawyer Fadhly Yaakob, he was released at 11am along with a senior official from the menteri besar’s office and three others linked to the case.

“Yesterday, one of my clients was released from custody, and today five more were released on MACC bail.

“Everyone detained over the last three days has been released, and will be called back if needed to provide further statements,” Utusan quoted Fadhly as saying.

It is understood that MACC is investigating the alleged falsification of documents related to claims for several infrastructure development projects worth a total of RM600,000, dating back to 2022.

Shukri said he would leave it to MACC to conduct its investigation.

MACC chief commissioner Azam Baki said several more arrests are expected in connection with the case. - FMT

‘Pocket Rocketman’ aims for perfect ending in Paris Olympics

 

Cycling star Azizulhasni Awang is confident of coming on top in the Paris Olympics after his improved showing during training. (Bernama pic)

NILAI: National cycling ace Azizulhasni Awang is determined to clinch Malaysia’s first gold medal at the 2024 Paris Olympics in what he says will be his final appearance at the Games.

The rider, nicknamed “The Pocket Rocketman”, said he wanted to complete the medal haul at the prestigious Games, having previously won silver and bronze in the keirin event at the Tokyo 2020 and Rio 2016 Games, respectively.

Azizulhasni expressed optimism about securing the gold medal, citing his improved performance during training sessions with his coach, John Beasley.

“The performance tends to decline as you enter your 30s, but my performance has been consistently improving during training,” he told reporters at the National Velodrome here today.

“I struggled with pericarditis in my last race in Adelaide, Australia, in February, which can be said to be of the same level as the Olympics.

“I didn’t train properly, but I still managed to win gold in the keirin and achieved strong results in the sprint. Just imagine if I train properly, stay healthy, and get enough rest at the Olympics.

“I don’t want to waste time. Without me telling people my target, everyone must already know I want the gold.”

However, the 36-year-old rider said he would respect the targets set by the Malaysian National Cycling Federation (MNCF) and the youth and sports ministry for him in Paris.

In February, Azizulhasni proved that he still had what it takes by winning gold in the keirin event at the UCI Track Cycling Nations Cup in Adelaide, beating Japanese cyclists Shinji Nakano and Kaiya Ota, who finished second and third, respectively.

At that time, Beasley revealed that Azizulhasni had to take medication for pericarditis a few weeks before the event.

Azizulhasni said he needed to manage his training according to his age and not push himself too hard to realise his dream of winning gold.

“I need to be wise and train smart to avoid injuries because, at this age, it’s difficult to recover if you are injured,” he said.

Two other riders who will join Azizulhasni for track cycling events at the Paris Olympics are Shah Firdaus Sahrom and Nurul Izzah Izzati Asri.

Five other athletes will also represent Malaysia in other sports: Nur Shazrin Latif (sailing), Johnathan Wong (shooting), Ariana Nur Dania Zairi (archery), Nur Aisyah Zubir (road cycling) and Bertrand Rhodict Lises (diving).

The Paris Olympics is scheduled to take place from July 26 to Aug 11. - FMT

Act against ‘casino for Forest City’ report, says Anwar

 

The report by Bloomberg had said a casino would revive the US$100 billion Forest City project in Johor.

PETALING JAYA: Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has suggested that those mentioned in a Bloomberg report on the alleged plans to open a casino in Forest City, Johor, take “the necessary action” against the New York-based media agency.

“They must take the necessary action,” Bernama reported him as saying.

Yesterday, Anwar, who is also the finance minister, denied any plans to open a casino, saying it was “a lie”.

He was responding to claims in the report that he met Berjaya founder Vincent Tan and Genting Group’s Lim Kok Thay last week to discuss the matter.

Quoting sources “familiar with the matter”, Bloomberg said a casino would revive the US$100 billion property project.

Meanwhile, a government backbencher has called on Anwar to send an official letter of protest to Bloomberg over its report.

In a Facebook post, PKR’s Pasir Gudang MP, Hassan Karim, said such a letter was necessary to ensure Bloomberg does not “repeat their lies”.

Hassan questioned the intention behind the report and asked whether “it was meant to smear Anwar’s image as the prime minister”.

Earlier today, Berjaya Corporation Bhd also denied the report.

It said the report contained inaccurate information that misrepresented the company’s involvement in talks with Anwar concerning Forest City.

“We would like to make it clear that (Vincent) Tan has not participated in any such discussions,” the company said in a statement, describing the article as containing inaccurate claims.

Berjaya also asked Bloomberg to “remove any misleading content” in the article and to halt further dissemination of the “inaccurate information” involved. - FMT

Anwar tells Malaysia Airlines to learn from past mistakes

 

Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim at the launch of the MAB Academy at KLIA today. (Bernama pic)

SEPANG: Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has reminded Malaysia Airlines to learn from its past mistakes, stating that values such as good governance and integrity are more important than beautiful buildings and large offices.

Anwar said that when he was the finance minister in the 1990s, he was wary about the potential dangers stemming from the lack of transparency surrounding Malaysia Airlines’ privatisation.

“Under the Madani administration, I have repeatedly stressed the need for good governance and a clear vision,” he said.

“Management must be diligent, frugal and trustworthy. Focus on this, learn from past experiences, and avoid leakages.

“Let’s prove to the nation, people and the international community that we will be able to raise this airline’s dignity if it is managed properly.”

He was speaking at a ceremony to launch the Malaysia Airlines Berhad (MAB) Academy and the ground-breaking for the airline’s flight simulator centre here today.

Anwar, who is also the finance minister, praised sovereign wealth fund Khazanah Nasional and Malaysia Aviation Group (MAG) for turning Malaysia Airlines around and making it profitable. Khazanah Nasional is Malaysia Airlines’ sole shareholder via its subsidiary, MAG.

Last month, MAG announced it had posted RM766 million in net profit for the financial year ended Dec 31, 2023, marking the first time Malaysia Airlines’ parent company has recorded a profit since it was formed in 2015.

MAG, which posted a net loss of RM344 million in FY 2022, has also seen a 31% increase in revenue, from RM10.61 billion to RM13.85 billion, and a 64% jump in net operating profit, from RM540 million to RM889 million.

Anwar also said Malaysia Airlines should be managed properly and transparently for the benefit of the national carrier’s workforce, who he said should be properly compensated for their services to the country.

“Let’s not underestimate this issue because the airline’s employees have families and deserve our attention and consideration,” he said.

“A company that is well managed, with decisions made carefully, prudently and transparently, will result in a better future for the employees.” - FMT