Harapan youth leaders press PM to give Nik Nazmi cabinet post

Pakatan Harapan youth leaders have submitted a petition to Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad and Deputy Prime Minister Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail urging that coalition and PKR youth chief Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad be given a cabinet post.

As many as 96 youth leaders from the four Harapan parties – including 12 from Bersatu – had reportedly signed the petition.

Two signatories confirmed the legitimacy of the petition with Malaysiakini, saying it was launched three weeks ago.

"Nik Nazmi, as Harapan Youth chief, should be appointed youth and sports minister or any minister deemed suitable to ensure the agenda of youths are prioritised in the Harapan government," an excerpt from the petition read.

The petition cited the Setiawangsa MP's prior experience as an exco member and a deputy speaker in Selangor as part of his credentials.

'Syed Saddiq a lone ranger'

Sources Malaysiakini spoke to, however, said the petition was also meant to ensure that Bersatu youth chief Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman was not the only Harapan youth leader in the cabinet.

"Nik Nazmi is working hard to push Harapan youth forward, everybody thinks he is suitable to be a minister.

"However, Syed Saddiq is a lone ranger who seldom participates in the four-party meetings. Even some Bersatu youth leaders don't want Syed Saddiq to be a minister," a source said.

Another source concurred, saying that Syed Saddiq was "busy and seldom responded to Harapan matters."

The source claimed that Nik Nazmi may not even be appointed as a deputy minister.

Syed Saddiq is widely expected to be Mahathir's pick to take up the youth and sports portfolio.

When contacted, the Muar MP said he respected Harapan youth's right to sign the petition, and would ensure that there would be no retaliation from his side or his supporters.

However, he denied being absent from Harapan youth meetings, saying that the secretariat records would show otherwise.

"You can also check with the Harapan presidential council on my attendance as the sole youth representative among all of the Harapan component parties, who has actively championed for more youth representatives in the presidential council, and subsequently to field more youth candidates.

"I was the only representative nominated by the political parties.

"I lobbied hard until the presidential council acknowledged the need to provide one additional quota for the Harapan youth chief," he told Malaysiakini. - Mkini

Gov't orders probe into MDEC big data project

Communications and Multimedia Minister Gobind Singh Deo has called for a full investigation into the concerns raised over the Asean Data Analytics eXchange (Adax), a project by the Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC).

He said the ministry had received many questions in relation to the project aimed at developing the ecosystem and build a critical mass of talent pool in the Big Data Analytics category.

“The questions raised relate to, amongst others, whether or not there was a conflict of interest between the programme managers and training providers.

“A probe is currently being undertaken by MDEC into the matter. I am informed that MDEC has further requested the Audit Department to conduct an audit, which is also currently underway, on said project," he said in a statement today.

Gobind said he expected a complete report on the project to be presented to him soon.

For now, he said, there was no assumption made that anyone had committed any misconduct nor committed any offence in the matter.

“If this inquiry reveals any wrongdoing or shortcomings, action will be taken to deal with it and those responsible for it thereafter,” he added.

Gobind also reiterated his commitment towards ensuring transparency and integrity in all of the departments and agencies under the purview of his ministry.

- Bernama

Noh says no to another term as Selangor Umno chief

Selangor Umno chief Noh Omar is adamant that he will quit his post and not accept another term at the helm of once party elections are over.

This he said, was in line with his promise following BN's failure to recapture Selangor in the 14th general election.

"I have said that I have to take responsibility for defeat in Selangor, even though some friends say I can't hold on to that promise because (Umno) didn't just lose in Selangor, but even lost states we previously won.

"But I have to fulfil this promise that after the president is elected, I will step down as state chief. If they want to appoint me again, I will reject it," he said at a press conference in Tanjong Karang today.

Noh was met after the Tanjong Karang Umno division election meeting.

He said he would spend the next five years focusing on his duties as Tanjong Karang MP, and hoped the party would appoint a fresh face to lead Selangor.

Umno only won four state seats in Selangor on May 9, while Pakatan Harapan increased its majority to 51 seats. PAS won one seat in the state.

On speculation by former deputy prime minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi that the Harapan government would move to deregister Umno, Noh said he would leave this matter to the courts.

He stressed that the Umno supreme council had received permission from the Registrar of Societies to delay party polls, which was supposed to be held on April 19 – an issue which critics say are grounds for Umno's deregistration.

The Umno polls are being held today. -Mkini

'Good service, not free money, is the Harapan way'

Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad said today the Pakatan Harapan government would rather give the people good service instead of bribing them with "stolen and illegal" money.

"Free and illegal money is not our way," he said, adding that the new government will be setting up many service centres so that people can meet their representatives.

"All races, whether Malays, Indians, Chinese and Thai, can use the service centres," he added.

At an Aidilfitri open house in Langkawi today, Mahathir said it was proven in the 14th general election that money could not buy the people’s support.

"After 60 years, the rakyat left BN despite being bribed millions in Langkawi," Mahathir said, taking a veiled dig at his predecessor Najib Abdul Razak.

"But their attempt at corruption failed. Alhamdullilah, the people chose Harapan," he said, thanking voters in the constituency for making him their MP with a resounding 8,893 majority.

At the event, Mahathir also vowed that his government would be different from the previous administration led by Najib.

"They became arrogant and thought only money is enough to win the rakyat's support, and they did not serve the people well.

"However, it was proven on May 9 that they were not successful in getting the people's support by giving money.

"We also won big in the three parliamentary constituencies in Langkawi, so BN could not challenge the results," he added.

The thousands in attendance at the open house, held in the Langkawi Sports Complex, lined up to shake his hand, with schoolgoing children receiving angpow packets with duitraya.

A royal delegation from Laos was also present at the event, as was AirAsia co-founder, chairperson and CEO Kamarudin Meranun.

‘We are not thieves’

Repeating some of the talking points that proved hits on the campaign trail, Mahathir took aim at the previous administration in speech.

"We admit we could not give BR1M money like BN did last time, as we do not want to steal money and give the rakyat as we are not thieves and kleptocrats.

"Clearly we cannot give much to the people of Langkawi, but we will work to develop the island and create more job opportunities for the youths and adults here," he said.

Mahathir also announced that Langkawi's free port status will be maintained as it benefited the people and attracted many tourists and visitors to Langkawi.

He added, however, that those who purchase items worth more than RM500 will be taxed.

"We will develop Langkawi to be famous in the world, it is now already the top ten famous places to visit.

"This is our promise, you can complain if we did not fulfil our promise as stated in the manifesto, all our efforts to fulfil our manifesto is to help the people improve their lives.” -Mkini

Umno must return money if taken from 1MDB, says PM

Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad said today that any funds Umno may have received from 1MDB must be returned to the government, following the MACC freezing the accounts of the party and its Selangor chapter on Thursday.

"We need to know where the money comes from and if it is from 1MDB, it has to be returned," Mahathir told reporters after attending a Bersatu Aidilfitri open house in Langkawi.

Besides the accounts of central and Selangor Umno, MACC has moved to freeze about 900 accounts linked to the troubled state investment firm.

Earlier today, former prime minister Najib Tun Razak took the government’s 1MDB taskforce to task by saying that the accounts of specific individuals could have been frozen instead.

Najib added that ongoing investigations would not be jeopardised should Umno’s accounts be left unfrozen.

"Isn't it easy to obtain the record of transaction of the bank accounts if they are needed by the investigating officer?

"The political parties had done nothing wrong. Umno and SUPP had done nothing wrong, so did other parties in Pakatan Harapan, as it is usual (for parties) to receive political funds.

“The existing laws do not outlaw the political funding,” he said in a statement on his Facebook page.

The former premier and 1MDB are being probed under several laws, which include the MACC Act 2009, the Anti-Money Laundering, Anti-Terrorism Financing and Proceeds of Unlawful Activities (AMLA) Act 2001 and the Penal Code.

Najib has insisted no wrongdoing in the matter. -Mkini

Nazir says he hasn't decided on extending term as CIMB chair

Nazir Razak says he has not decided whether to extend his term as CIMB group chairperson, which is due to end in August next year.

He said this in a statement to clarify a report by The Star, which said he was ready to leave the banking group when his term ends in March 2019.

"I have not decided whether I will seek an extension, nor have I had any communication with anyone or any bodies about my position," he said.

However, he said he is willing to step aside should CIMB's board, shareholders, or Bank Negara ask him to.

"I have spent 29 years here – my only job – and I will always do what is best for CIMB," Nazir said.

The youngest brother of former prime minister Najib Abdul Razak has held the post since 2014.

Prior to that, he served as CEO of the bank for 15 years.

The Star had earlier cited a source saying Nazir had informed the board that he would not seek re-election as chair.

The source added, however, that there has been no indication thus far of him being “told to go.”

“He has not been called in by the Council of Eminent Persons (CEP) or anyone else,” the source was reported as saying.

The CEP is headed by former finance minister Daim Zainuddin, and was set up to advise the new Pakatan Harapan government on how to achieve its economic promises in 100 days as per its election manifesto.

CEP is also looking into the performance of GLCs and reviewing the appointments of key executives.

Several CEO at GLCs, as well as government-linked investment companies, have already vacated their positions following the change in administration.

According to another source, Nazir is also prepared to step down before the expiry of his term. -Mkini

Mat Hasan beats Annuar, becomes new Umno deputy president

Former Negeri Sembilan menteri besar Mohamad Hasan is officially the new Umno deputy president.

He beat Ketereh MP Annuar Musa to the post.

Mohamad is from the Rembau Umno division. Former Umno youth chief Khairy Jamaluddin, also from Rembau, failed in his bid to become Umno president.

[More to follow] -Mkini