Not every criticism warrants legal action, says Rafizi

 The Bersama leader says politicians have platforms in which they can respond to questions and disputes.

Bersama chief Rafizi Ramli said politicians could fall into a ‘rabbit hole’ if they chose to pursue legal action.

PETALING JAYA:

Not every criticism of politicians warrants legal action, as they should be prepared to respond to questions and disputes, says Bersama leader Rafizi Ramli.

Rafizi acknowledged that politicians have the right to sue over defamatory statements. However, politicians should respond to criticism and disputes. “Ordinary people don’t have a platform to respond, but we do,” he said in the latest episode of his “Yang Berhenti Menteri” podcast.

His remarks came in response to legal action taken by Umno secretary-general Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki, who issued letters of demand to several social media accounts over claims linking him to the Tabung Haji controversy.

Asyraf said he would seek a total of RM5 million in defamation compensation for intentionally tarnishing his reputation by linking him to the TH issue.

Rafizi said politicians could fall into a “rabbit hole” if they chose to pursue legal action. “Once you start suing, you have to sue everyone,” he said.

He added that he generally avoided taking critics to court or suing people because of the time involved in legal proceedings and the impact they could have on ordinary people and their families.

The former Pandan MP said his suit against rapper Ariz Ramli, better known as Caprice, was an exception, as the allegations that he was involved in corruption concerning billion-ringgit projects were factually false and malicious.

Bersama’s ‘shadow candidates’

Rafizi said his party’s decision to announce its prospective candidates for the Melaka state election early was aimed at reducing corruption in the selection process.

He said the practice of announcing candidates late placed too much power in the hands of party presidents and encouraged “horse trading” and lobbying.

“What we want to build is a culture where candidates are selected by party members, rather than being chosen by the president.”

Rafizi said the long-term goal was to give party members greater power to choose candidates, although safeguards would be needed to prevent money politics and ensure the process was fair and transparent.

He added that those announced by Bersama were called “shadow candidates” because their candidacies had not been finalised and they could still be replaced if serious problems emerged. - FMT

JDT go unbeaten for world record 109th league match

 Johor Darul Ta'zim open their Malaysian Super League title defence with a 3-0 win over Kuching City in the Charity Shield.

Johor Darul Ta’zim’s player Marcos Guilherme (centre) celebrates after scoring against Kuching City FC. (Bernama pic)

ISKANDAR PUTERI:

Johor Darul Ta’zim (JDT) set a world record of 109 consecutive league matches unbeaten after opening the Malaysian Super League season with a 3-0 victory over Kuching City in the Charity Shield on Friday.

Marcos Guilherme scored in the 11th minute, while Oscar Arribas and Shahab Zahedi each found the net in the second half as JDT picked a comfortable win at Sultan Ibrahim Stadium.

The win saw JDT surpass the 108-match streak that Ivory Coast’s ASEC Mimosas compiled between 1989 and 1994, which the Malaysian club had matched with a 14-1 victory over Kelantan The Real Warriors in their final match of last season in May.

“A record like this is difficult to achieve in modern football,” JDT’s Spanish coach Xisco Munoz told The Star newspaper before the game.

“We want to win this trophy and become part of football history,” Munoz said.

The Southern Tigers have not lost a league match since April 2021 and have gone unbeaten through the last four Malaysian Super League campaigns.

JDT, who are chasing a 13th straight league title, have come close to completing a perfect season in recent years, dropping points in only one league game in each of the last three campaigns.

The club drew 3-3 with Premier League side Chelsea in a pre-season friendly earlier this month.

Having taken the first step in their latest title defence, JDT will look to extend their record streak when they face Kelantan Red Warrior FC on Wednesday. - FMT

Pahang sultan comes to the aid of accident victims in Sarawak

 Al-Sultan Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah orders the ambulance that was part of his convoy to rush the victims to the Lundu hospital.

The Sultan of Pahang, Al-Sultan Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah, also helped to comfort the couple, who were seriously injured. (Pahang royal office pic)

PETALING JAYA:

The Sultan of Pahang, Al-Sultan Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah, this evening came to the aid of a couple who were seriously injured in a road accident on the Pan Borneo Highway in Sarawak.

The sultan was driving to Kuching from Lundu, when he came across the accident involving a couple on a motorcycle and a car.

“His Royal Highness ordered the ambulance that was part of his convoy to rush the husband and wife, who were seriously injured, to Lundu hospital for treatment,” the Pahang royal office said in its Facebook page.

Al-Sultan Abdullah had also helped comfort the couple before continuing his journey to Kuching.

In January, the Pahang ruler had similarly stopped to help an accident victim on the East Coast Highway, and ordered his police escort to take the victim to Temerloh hospital for treatment. - FMT

Construction group to pull out of MediCity project in Penang

 FBG Holdings Bhd said its subsidiary had written to Penang Development Corporation proposing an end to its collaboration on the project.

The proposed MediCity project was to include a 200-bed specialist hospital, wellness centre, healthcare complex as well as an international school and residential areas. (FGB Facebook pic)

PETALING JAYA:

A company involved in a proposed MediCity project in Penang has announced it is seeking to end its collaboration with Penang Development Corporation (PDC) for the proposed joint development.

In a filing with Bursa Malaysia today, construction and property development group FBG Holdings Bhd said its wholly-owned subsidiary FBG Land Sdn Bhd had written to PDC proposing “an orderly conclusion” to the existing collaboration under the master purchase and development agreement.

It said discussions are currently being held and further announcements would be made upon any material development or once the parties reach an agreement on the terms and conditions, Bernama reported.

The Penang MediCity project at Bandar Cassia in Batu Kawan was to include a 200-bed specialist hospital, a wellness centre, and a healthcare complex. A commercial area to be known as FBG Global Park would contain an international school and residential areas comprising serviced apartments and villas. The first phase of the project was projected to have a gross development value of RM2 billion. - FMT

Boat operators seek exco help with fishing ban at Penang bridges

 State executive councillor Rashidi Zinol said discussions will be held to seek a balanced approach that takes into account the livelihoods of those involved.

An officer of the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency making an inspection last month of areas around the Penang bridge frequented by anglers. (MMEA pic)

PETALING JAYA:

Discussions will be held next week to seek the best solution for enforcing the fishing ban at popular spots around Penang’s two cross-channel bridges, state executive councillor Rashidi Zinol said today.

He said the matter would be examined after taking into account safety, regulations, and the livelihoods of the affected community, Bernama reported.

“The issue was raised by operators of tourist boats and fishing boats at a meeting with me recently,” he said. “They voiced several concerns following the enforcement of the ban.”

The areas around the Penang Bridge and the Jambatan Sultan Abdul Halim Mu’adzam Shah, popularly called the Second Bridge, have been gazetted as restricted and prohibited areas. Last month, the coastguard cleared out spots around the bridges frequented by anglers.

Rashidi said the operators claimed that the ban had resulted in lower demand for fishing and tourist boat services. Other businesses were also affected, such as those supplying fishing equipment, ice and food.

He said he would discuss the matter with the relevant parties next week to seek a balanced approach that safeguards safety and regulatory compliance while taking into account the livelihoods of boat operators and related businesses. - FMT

Booze, fags, bonsai among RM13mil in smuggled goods seized

 Five men were arrested in raids in Kuala Lumpur and Klang, with the police seizing goods from China, including alcoholic beverages and craft beer as well as cigarettes.

Senior Bukit Aman official Muhammad Abdul Halim said the goods were believed to have been brought into the country using false declarations to evade inspection.

KUALA LUMPUR:

Five men have been arrested and nearly RM13 million in suspected smuggled goods from China have been seized in raids in Kuala Lumpur and Klang earlier this month.

Two foreign nationals were among the five men detained, said senior Bukit Aman official Muhammad Abdul Halim. He said the goods were believed to have been brought into the country using false declarations to evade inspection.

Among the items seized were 2,112 cans and 3,696 bottles of alcoholic beverages of various brands valued at RM2.57 million, 4,092 bottles of Zhongpi craft beer valued at RM2.07 million, and about RM456,000 in various food and beverage products from China.

In Klang, police seized RM7.7 million in goods comprising 20 jars and 252 bottles of alcoholic beverages from China, 245 cartons of Chinese white cigarettes, 1,800 helmets, 780 sets of phone accessories, beauty products, as well as 260 potted bonsai plants of various sizes. - FMT