(Malaysia Gazette) – Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi hari ini mengumumkan menamatkan percutiannya dan meneruskan semula tugas sebagai Presiden UMNO.
“Hari ini 30 Jun 2019, saya ingin umum saya menamatkan cuti saya. Ini beerti bahawa mulai hari ini saya terus sambung tugas saya sebagai Presiden UMNO,” katanya.
Beliau berkata demikian semasa berucap pada Jamuan Hari Raya di Bagan Datuk, Perak hari ini.
Menurutnya, biar pun berdepan dengan banyak mana sekali pun pertuduhan, beliau akan terus berjuang.
“Biarpun 80 pertuduhan disediakan kepada saya, biar pun akan datang 870 pertuduhan kepada saya,” katanya.
Semalam, bekas Presiden UMNO, Datuk Seri Najib Razak berkata, hanya Ahmad Zahid sendiri dapat memutuskan sama ada beliau mahu terus bercuti atau menamatkannya dan kembali bertugas sebagai presiden.
Sebelum itu, Ahmad Zahid bercuti sebagai presiden parti dan menyerahkan tugas itu kepada timbalannya, Datuk Seri Mohamad Hassan kerana pendakwaan kes rasuah terhadapnya.
Will Latheefa Koya get the MACC to investigate this abuse of power of using a government jet for personal purposes like what they did to the Director of the CCID, Ramli Yusuff?
MCA president Wee Ka Siong says any decision must be taken after maximum consultation with the party leadership as Kojadi was established by MCA, hence placing MCA’s reputation at stake.
KUALA LUMPUR: MCA president Wee Ka Siong today claimed that what had been said by Koperasi Jayadiri Malaysia Berhad (Kojadi) chairman Ng Peng Hay about him was misleading and did not exactly portray the “truth”.
He said he never stopped Ng from seeing the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) over alleged 1MDB-linked funds given to the cooperative.
Instead, he just advised Ng not to act in a hurry and to consult with the legal adviser first.
“When did I stop him? I just wanted him to consult with the lawyer first as the matter should be handled tactfully.
“What he said was totally different from what had been discussed at the emergency board meeting and from what the board of directors told me.
“He gave me a call on June 27 when I was in Indonesia. He said he had to urgently meet MACC as he’d received a call from Latheefa Koya (MACC head).
“And when I asked him again, he said he had received a call from Latheefa’s people. When I asked him once more, he said he had got a call from MACC people who he said he knew,” he told a press conference today at Wisma MCA.
He said Ng’s statement was rather “confusing” and seemed to be “convoluted”. So, he called the other Kojadi board members to get an explanation on what was actually going on.
He said the information that he received from the board of directors turned out to be different.
So, he texted Ng after that to give his opinion on the matter but did not receive a reply from him.
Previously, Ng had alleged that Wee had stopped him from meeting officers of the MACC over 1MDB-linked funds, a charge the party has since dismissed.
Ng had earlier said that the co-op had received a “financial grant” of RM15 million from Yayasan 1MDB in 2012 to implement a socio-economic micro-credit scheme.
In light of the MACC’s announcement of the civil forfeiture list of 41 names last week and that there will be more civil forfeitures against those who had received 1MDB money, Ng said he called for an emergency board meeting on Friday.
He tabled a proposal at the board meeting to return the grant. He claimed the board had directed him to meet with the anti-graft body to clarify the cooperative’s position and seek its direction and guidance.
In a statement, the board of directors later rubbished allegations that Wee had stopped Ng from meeting MACC over the alleged 1MDB-linked funds. They said it was not true that the board had directed Ng to meet with MACC.
The board of directors also said that the RM15 million grant had “nothing to do” with former prime minister Najib Razak’s accounts.
Wee said it was “suspicious” that Ng wanted to “unofficially” meet MACC when there was no official letter issued by the anti-graft body.
“Ng said he wanted to pay RM8 million first as he had discussed paying half of the amount with MACC.
“He told me that if he did not give the money, he could be charged under the Anti-Money Laundering and Anti-Terrorism Financing Act 2001 (Amla). What is this?”
Wee said he will be calling all board directors, including Ng, for a meeting tomorrow to address the issue.
He said any decision must be made after maximum consultation with the party leadership as Kojadi was established by MCA, hence placing MCA’s reputation at stake.
“It is best to ask our legal adviser to study the legal implications before any action is taken.” - FMT
Universiti Malaysia Sabah vice-chancellor Dr D Kamarudin D Mudin. (Facebook pic)
KOTA KINABALU: The student body of Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) wants the university’s outgoing vice-chancellor Dr D Kamarudin D Mudin’s tenure to be extended.
UMS Student Representative Council (MPP) president Muhd Jivean Johan Wira said Kamarudin, whose three-year tenure was shortened by a year, had contributed greatly to the university, particularly in getting UMS recognised internationally.
Jivean, who is representing some 17,000 students, said MPP was disappointed with the decision by the education ministry, adding it was not in line with the sixth core of the country’s higher education “halatuju” (direction).
“The minister’s decision is seen as not corresponding to the sixth core of restoring prestige in the nation’s higher education sector.
“The shortening of his tenure has caused many negative and unfounded perceptions against Kamarudin. This can damage not only his good name but also UMS’ image,” he told FMT.
He said MPP had learned from various sources that the decision to shorten his term was due to Kamarudin allegedly not executing his duties.
Muhd Jivean Johan Wira.
“That is not true. The students have seen for themselves how Kamarudin has successfully placed UMS as one of the 1,000 best universities in the world,” Jivean said.
A former anaesthetist, Kamarudin was appointed to the chair on June 19, 2017, becoming only the third Sabahan to hold the post. He will leave the office on July 29, one year earlier.
Speaking at a special session at the university last week, Kamarudin confirmed his term had been shortened, saying he was forced to make the announcement early to stop the spread of rumours.
“This issue has to be clarified because of wild gossip by certain people. I hope the university staff are not affected by this change and will continue carrying out their responsibilities.
“With regard to the shortening of my term as vice-chancellor, I agree with the decision made by Education Minister Maszlee Malik and believe the decision was made professionally, taking into account the interests of the university.”
Umno Supreme Council member Rahman Dahlan had slammed the decision to shorten his term without specifying any reason, saying such action was unnecessary since Kamarudin had proven to be a capable leader, who was dedicated to his work in the university.
Meanwhile, Jivean said, in UMS’ 25-year history, this was the first time that the university had been recognised by the QS World University Rankings 2020 to be among the top 1,000 universities globally, adding that this achievement was due to Kamarudin.
“He also stressed on aspects like research and publications, but, most importantly, he cared for the students’ welfare to the extent that there were no shortcomings. This was due to his initiatives.
“Students are the biggest stakeholders in a university. Hence, we have a right to influence UMS’ direction.
“The education ministry should solidify the university’s existing management structure. The academic world is not a field for those with political interests,” he said.
Jivean challenged the education ministry to prove that academic freedom still existed in Malaysia by extending Kamarudin’s term instead of shortening it. - FMT
PKR president and Port Dickson MP Anwar Ibrahim stir-frying koay teow at a Hari Raya open house in Kedah yesterday. (Twitter pic)
GEORGE TOWN: PKR president Anwar Ibrahim said he is not “obsessed” about becoming the prime minister, as portrayed in the media every other day.
He is also upset that his assurances have failed to put an end to the “Mahathir and Anwar” news cycle.
He said from the get-go, Pakatan Harapan has been steadfast on the matter of the eventual power transition from Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad to him.
Anwar reiterated that Mahathir would continue to enjoy PH’s support.
“I am sometimes offended by the continuous reports on Dr Mahathir and myself.
“I am not obsessed, because if it is fated, then it will definitely happen.
“The mandate (to be prime minister) will only be effective if that is what the majority of the people in the country want,” he said at the opening of Wisma Keadilan in Bayan Baru here today.
He said it was also wrong to assume that he was at odds with Mahathir on the transition of power.
Anwar said he did not rule out the possibility that people around him and Mahathir were “trying to disturb or shake up” the elder statesman’s administration.
“People should not disturb him. Mahathir ought to be given space to administer the country well.
“He has to navigate Malaysia through tough times. There is no reason to dispute my sincerity in this,” he said.
Anwar also said differences of opinion in Pakatan Harapan are not an indicator that something is wrong with the coalition.
“There are differences of opinion, I do not deny that. But they sometimes forget that differences of opinion are reflective of a healthy democracy.
“We must allow space for people with differing opinions to voice out and provide an outlet for them to express their criticisms.
“But once we have reached a consensus on something, we have to abide by the rules and discipline of the party.” - FMT
Former Umno president Najib Razak (centre) at the opening of the Gombak Umno delegates’ meeting today.
KUALA LUMPUR: Former Umno president Najib Razak has urged party members to join him in his fight against injustices by the government and not let him carry out the struggle alone.
He said he was not asking the members to demonstrate, adding that they could take their fight to the social media instead.
“We must oppose the injustices of the government. Do not be afraid because we are on the right side.
“Do not let me fight the battle alone. I am not asking you to demonstrate on the streets … taking the fight to the social media is enough,” he said when opening the Gombak Umno delegates meeting today.
The former prime minister said that since Barisan Nasional lost in the 14th general election, he no longer had “cybertroopers” to defend his previous government’s policies.
“I have no cybertroopers now. I only have people who support what I do.
“If the people are with us, the future looks bright. What more, we have friends with ‘green shirts’ with us,” the Pekan MP said, referring to PAS.
He also said Umno was a mature party and the members should decide what kind of party leadership they wanted.
Malaysia Airlines
Later, speaking to reporters, Najib said Malaysia Airlines Bhd (MAB) should be run by the government instead of “marrying” it with AirAsia.
He said the previous BN government had a turnaround plan for MAB.
“We had a recovery plan, the airline should be managed by the government,” he said when asked to comment on veteran journalist Kadir Jasin’s statement that AirAsia was seen as a successful aviation operator which could save Malaysia Airlines from “dying”.
Kadir had suggested on his Facebook post last Friday that “it is better for MAB to be ‘married’ to AirAsia than to wantonly allow the iconic brand to die”.
He also said AirAsia had an element similar to MAB – its long-haul airline, AirAsia X Bhd.
Speculation on the future of MAB has been rife since Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad said in March that Malaysia was willing to sell the airline if there was a good offer for the company.
Mahathir, who is also the chairman of Khazanah Nasional, which owns MAB, said other options included closing or restructuring the airline. - FMT
A salary increase for armed forces personnel will be reviewed, says Defence Minister Mohamad Sabu.
He said the matter should be taken into consideration by the government, just as with the salary increment proposed for low-ranking police personnel by Inspector-General of Police Abdul Hamid Bador in early June.
"We will also jointly support the proposal.
"We also agree that it (salary) should be reviewed from time to time," he told reporters after opening the 54th Military Cooperative General Meeting at the Sungai Buloh army camp.
The IGP had previously said that the salaries and logistics needs of lower-ranking ranking police officers should be prioritised to enhance the integrity of the team.
He said the salaries earned by those from the rank of sergeant and below were low, and unable to cover the cost of living, especially for those who served in big cities.
