Bersatu leader takes aim at PAS’s ‘Publika cluster’

 Bersatu information chief Tun Faisal Ismail Aziz accuses these PAS leaders of not walking the talk on Islamic teachings and of backstabbing their allies.

Bersatu information chief Tun Faisal Ismail Aziz said PAS leaders need to go back to adhering to the true morals and teachings of Islam.

PETALING JAYA:

Bersatu information chief Tun Faisal Ismail Aziz has accused certain PAS leaders, whom he branded the “Publika cluster”, of not walking the talk on Islamic teachings.

Tun Faisal listed several grievances Bersatu held against PAS, including inviting sanctioned Bersatu leaders to various events organised by the party, with the images of these figures even displayed on banners and posters.

He was referring to leaders aligned with former Bersatu deputy president Hamzah Zainudin, who was sacked by Bersatu in February at the height of a leadership tussle with party president Muhyiddin Yassin.

Tun Faisal said PAS had never sought Bersatu’s views before inviting these leaders, describing it as insensitive because Bersatu had taken disciplinary action against those individuals for breaching the party’s rules.

He also said PAS did not discuss reviving its Muafakat Nasional alliance with Umno with Bersatu, even during Perikatan Nasional Supreme Council meetings.

Tun Faisal also pointed to PAS dragging its feet in amending the PN constitution and naming a new opposition leader to replace Hamzah following his sacking from Bersatu.

“These are just a few examples. I’m too lazy to bring up other old stories, including PAS’s unfulfilled promises. But I have never seen Muslim leaders who talk about unity daily but stab others from the back like the ‘Publika cluster’ in PAS.

“I think it isn’t hard to work with Bersatu. I think it’s harder to work with people who talk as if they follow Islamic teachings, but whose actions do not match their words.

“PAS leaders need to go back to adhering to the true morals and teachings of Islam if they genuinely want to maintain brotherhood and unity among Muslims,” he said in a Facebook post.

He was responding to PAS deputy president Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man, who earlier said the decision to end its cooperation with Bersatu did not mean it had cut all ties with the Muhyiddin-led party.

Tuan Ibrahim said the friendship between PAS and Bersatu should not be severed, appealing for both parties to remain united for the sake of the ummah. - FMT

Action against Rohingya settlement ongoing since 2016, says Selangor MB

 Amirudin Shari says authorities have carried out repeated enforcement operations, including issuing notices and compounds, and demolitions.

Selangor menteri besar Amirudin Shari urged the public not to be misled by viral social media claims about the Rohingya settlement. (Facebook pic)

PETALING JAYA:

Government agencies have been taking action against a residential building occupied by the Rohingya at Kampung Baru Sungai Makau in Hulu Langat, Selangor, since 2016, says menteri besar Amirudin Shari.

Amirudin said enforcement measures over the years have included warning notices, compounds, investigations, integrated operations, and demolition exercises carried out by multiple government agencies.

“For the record, action and enforcement against structures built without approval in the area are not new,” he said in a Facebook post today.

Amirudin said the Hulu Langat district and land office, the Kajang municipal council ( MPKj), the Selangor Water Management Authority (LUAS), the police, immigration department and other agencies had all been involved in enforcement efforts.

He said the state government would continue to monitor the situation and take action in accordance with existing laws, and urged the public to rely on official information rather than unverified claims circulating online.

Videos of dilapidated flats allegedly occupied by the Rohingya in Sungai Tekali recently went viral on social media.

The Hulu Langat district and land office said in a statement today the multi-storey residential building at the centre of the controversy is located mainly on privately owned land in Ulu Langat, with a small portion encroaching on a road reserve.

It said several structures had been built illegally on the land and an adjacent river reserve, and were previously occupied by members of the Rohingya community.

According to the district and land office, notices for unlawful occupation under Section 425 of the National Land Code were issued in 2017, 2020, 2021 and most recently on March 13, 2025.

A demolition operation was also carried out in 2017 by the district and land office together with LUAS, the police, MPKj, the public works department, Tenaga Nasional Berhad, and the department of irrigation and drainage.

MPKj also issued separate notices and compounds between 2016 and 2021 for the construction of buildings without written approval.

LUAS has also opened an investigation under the LUAS Enactment 1999 against those responsible for building unauthorised structures.

Meanwhile, 42 foreigners were detained during a joint police-immigration operation in the area on Feb 28 for suspected immigration offences.

The district and land office said demolition of the multi-storey residential building would be carried out in accordance with the law, and reaffirmed its commitment to acting against encroachment on government land.

Dusun Tua assemblyman Johan Abd Aziz had said the Rohingya settlement issue had persisted because landowners allowed foreigners to build and occupy structures illegally, including providing access to water and electricity.

Johan said enforcement action should not focus solely on the occupants, but also on landowners who facilitate such activities.

The issue resurfaced after a viral video highlighted a four-storey building believed to be occupied by members of the Rohingya community in the area. - FMT

Jho Low still wanted by Singapore police amid US clemency efforts

 Singapore authorities said several 1MDB-linked assets also remain seized in the city-state, including those tied to Low Taek Jho and his family.

According to a notice posted on the US Department of Justice’s website, Low Taek Jho applied for a presidential pardon earlier this year. (File pic)

SINGAPORE:

Singapore police said arrest warrants for fugitive financier Jho Low remain active, even as he continues efforts to seek clemency from US president Donald Trump.

“Warrants of arrest and Interpol Red Notices for both Tan Kim Loong and Low Taek Jho are still in effect,” the police said in a statement on Wednesday in response to Bloomberg queries.

Tan is a known associate of Low and is also implicated in the multi-billion-dollar 1MDB scandal.

Low is accused by US and Malaysian authorities of masterminding the 1MDB scandal, in which billions were allegedly syphoned from Malaysia’s state investment fund.

The money was allegedly diverted through a web of shell companies, and Low – who has been on the run since 2015 – has denied any wrongdoing.

Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said his government would not consider any pardon request for Low, according to Bernama. Court proceedings involving Low, who was charged in absentia in 2018, remain ongoing.

Singapore authorities said several 1MDB-linked assets also remain seized in the city-state, including those tied to Low and his family. As of July 2024, about S$164 million (US$127.4 million) in assets had been seized or prohibited from disposal, of which S$101 million was connected to Low and his family.

Malaysia has recovered RM29.75 billion (US$7.31 billion) in 1MDB assets, or about 70% of the RM42 billion allegedly embezzled from the fund, according to the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission.

Low was charged by US authorities in 2018 but has continued to evade arrest. He submitted a pardon application to the US Department of Justice earlier this year, according to a notice on the DOJ’s website. - FMT

Maybank says not under investigation in Indonesia

 The bank says it is cooperating with authorities in enquiries involving certain corporate customers.

Maybank said personnel from its Indonesian unit had been requested to provide information as witnesses to assist the authorities.

PETALING JAYA:

Malayan Banking Bhd said today its Indonesian unit is cooperating with authorities in enquiries involving certain corporate customers and that neither the group nor its subsidiary is under investigation.

It said personnel from Maybank Indonesia had been requested to provide information as witnesses to assist the authorities.

“As a regulated financial institution, Maybank remains committed to maintaining the highest standards of governance, compliance and integrity across all its operations.

“The group also remains committed to fulfilling its legal and regulatory obligations in the jurisdictions in which it operates,” Bernama reported it as saying.

Maybank said it was unable to comment further because the matter remained ongoing, citing customer confidentiality obligations and regulatory requirements.

Earlier today, Bloomberg quoted sources as saying that Indonesian authorities had questioned bankers at Maybank’s Jakarta unit as part of an investigation into suspected export flows involving the Salim Group that might have understated the actual value.

The queries focused on transactions related to the export activities of PT Salim Ivomas Pratama, one of Indonesia’s largest palm oil producers.

The sources said bankers from Maybank Indonesia had carried boxes of documents to the attorney-general’s office last week before being questioned as witnesses.

Authorities are examining whether some goods were invoiced below market value in an attempt to conceal profits and reduce taxes.

They said last month they were investigating 10 major palm oil producers in the country over the alleged manipulation of crude palm oil export prices, although it remains unclear whether PT Salim Ivomas Pratama is among the companies being investigated.

A Maybank Indonesia spokesman said the bank “remains committed to maintaining the highest standards of governance and compliance, and cooperates with relevant authorities in accordance with applicable laws and regulations”. - FMT

Cops hunt for man who hugged, groped woman in Setia Alam

 The victim in her early 20s was walking through an alleyway on her way home from work when the man grabbed her from behind.

The suspect hugged the victim from behind, covered her mouth, and then kissed and groped her before fleeing the scene.

PETALING JAYA:

Police are tracking down a man who allegedly hugged, kissed and groped a woman while she was walking home in Setia Alam yesterday.

Shah Alam police chief Sarudin Samah said the woman, in her early 20s, filed a report at 9.06pm following the incident, which occurred at about 7.10pm.

Sarudin said the woman was walking alone through an alleyway in her housing area on her way home from work, when the man grabbed her from behind, Bernama reported.

“The suspect, who wore a red shirt and black pants, hugged the victim from behind, covered her mouth, and then kissed and groped her before fleeing the scene,” he said.

The case is being investigated under Section 354 of the Penal Code for use of criminal force with intent to outrage one’s modesty.

Those with information on the incident may contact investigating officer Zamri Abdul Rahman at 011-16652402 or their nearest police station. - FMT