Ong says election forecast fuelled DAP rift; Azeez set for release

 

Politics

Former Bangi MP Ong Kian Ming said DAP’s unhappiness over his election predictions, coupled with the party’s failure to engage with him over them, contributed to his decision to quit.

Speaking on the latest episode of the Keluar Sekejap podcast, he said tensions began after he predicted that Pakatan Harapan would suffer a major defeat in the Johor state election, Free Malaysia Today reported.

He said the prediction was not intended to undermine Harapan or DAP, but party leaders nevertheless questioned why he made it.

Ong later made a similar prediction about the Negeri Sembilan election, including that DAP secretary-general Anthony Loke could lose the Chennah state seat, which eventually happened.

Ong said his marginalisation in DAP had been developing for several years, with his defeat in the party’s 2022 central executive committee election signalling that professionals such as himself and former DAP leader Tony Pua had “outstayed our welcome”.

Tabung Haji

Former Tabung Haji chairperson Abdul Azeez Abdul Rahim is expected to be released this afternoon after police failed to secure an extension of his remand, said his lawyer Amer Hamzah Arshad.

Bernama reported Amer as saying that the police application to extend Azeez’s remand by another three days to assist investigations under Section 420 of the Penal Code was rejected. The former Baling MP is expected to be released before 5pm today, when his existing two-day remand expires.

The lawyer said investigations could continue without Azeez being remanded, adding that his client was prepared to give further statements at Bukit Aman if required.

He said Azeez had previously given statements more than 10 times and would continue to fully cooperate with the authorities.

Environment

The Consumers’ Association of Penang has urged MACC to investigate those responsible for dumping construction debris in Pontian, Johor, allegedly originating from Singapore.

In a statement today, its president Mohideen Abdul Kader said the dumping had reportedly been taking place since early 2025, with up to 50 lorries entering the site on some days.

He expressed concern that the waste could expose residents to hazards, including asbestos.

He questioned how the waste could have crossed the Singapore-Malaysia border despite laws and regulations governing the export, transportation, and disposal of waste in both countries.

Mohideen noted that while Singapore’s National Environment Agency said it does not allow construction and demolition waste to be exported for disposal, Malaysia’s SWCorp had reportedly identified nine Malaysian companies linked to the illegal dumping. - Mkini