Don’t dehumanise Rohingya, says preacher

 Firdaus Wong says the Rohingya may not have the same rights as Malaysian citizens, but they are still entitled to basic human dignity.

Preacher Firdaus Wong questioned whether Malaysians were being fair to stateless people, noting that even prisoners of war were entitled to basic rights.

KUALA LUMPUR:

Preacher Firdaus Wong has urged Malaysians not to dehumanise Rohingya refugees, saying that while they do not enjoy the same rights as citizens, they are still entitled to basic human dignity.

He said Malaysians should distinguish between rights accorded to citizens and the basic rights that refugees should have as fellow human beings.

“Just because they are stateless, just because they are Rohingya, just because they are refugees, that does not give anyone the right to dehumanise them,” he said.

Firdaus was speaking at the New Muslim Community conference 2026 at the Grand Hyatt Hotel here.

On Sept 4, Tenaganita executive director Glorene Das described the public anger towards the Rohingya as misplaced because it overlooks deeper causes of social problems within the community.

She said among these problems were their exclusion from legal work and formal education, as well as a lack of secure legal status.

She added that those who broke the law should be held accountable, but the actions of a few should not be used to judge or dehumanise an entire community.

Firdaus also drew a parallel with the treatment of Palestinians, saying their plight began with dehumanisation too.

“Just as much as we dislike what happened in Palestine, that began with the dehumanisation of the Palestinians, such is the case with the Rohingya.

“So, why as a Malaysian and as a Muslim in Malaysia, should we do all these things that we are not supposed to do,” he said in response to a question by a participant on the treatment of refugees in Malaysia.

Firdaus also questioned whether Malaysians were being fair to stateless people, noting that even prisoners of war were entitled to basic rights.

“Even prisoners of war have their rights. You should provide them with food. You should not torture them,” he said. - FMT

Anwar urges BRICS to act against unfair global trade practices

 The prime minister says BRICS opens up crucial opportunities for trade diversification, enabling member economies to wean off their reliance on traditional Western markets.

Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim delivering his speech at the 18th BRICS Summit in New Delhi today. (PMO pic)

NEW DELHI:

Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has urged BRICS to take concrete action against unfair global trade practices and strengthen cooperation among developing countries in technology, financing and economic development.

Speaking at the 18th BRICS Summit here today, Anwar said BRICS offered significant economic advantages through the combined strength of its large markets, creating opportunities for trade diversification.

More importantly, he said BRICS opens up crucial opportunities for trade diversification, enabling member economies to wean off their reliance on traditional Western markets.

“We need to jointly act through concrete actions to dismantle the unfair trading practices.

“We (also) need to share our expertise and expand technical cooperation, including training in emerging fields, such as semiconductors and AI,” he said.

He also urged BRICS to recognise that countries would follow different paths in the green transition based on their circumstances and stages of development.

Anwar linked economic prosperity to geopolitical stability, saying conflicts such as the current one in West Asia could have consequences far beyond the countries directly involved.

He said wars were driving energy prices higher and threatening the sea lanes on which economies depended, with countries not involved in conflicts nevertheless facing higher inflation and uncertainty.

Anwar stressed that countries with the greatest capacity to influence events had a particular responsibility to prevent further escalation.

The prime minister is in New Delhi for the BRICS Summit, where Malaysia is participating as a partner country.

He said Malaysia hoped to contribute to BRICS in the spirit of strategic autonomy, which he described as having the freedom to choose its own course and the courage to stand by that choice.

BRICS, originally comprising Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa, has expanded into a broader grouping of emerging economies that advocates greater economic cooperation among developing countries.

The 10-member grouping represents about half of the world’s population and roughly 40% of global economic output based on purchasing power parity. - FMT

No info on Malaysians aboard missing ship in Java Sea

 The foreign ministry says it is monitoring developments and is in contact with the relevant authorities to obtain the official passenger manifest.

Wisma Putra said it will provide further updates when verified information becomes available. (Bernama pic)

PETALING JAYA:

Wisma Putra says it has yet to receive any information indicating that Malaysians were aboard the passenger ship Virgo Transport 8, which was reported missing in Indonesia’s Java Sea earlier today.

Indonesian rescuers are searching for 140 people from the missing vessel after 103 others were evacuated, one of whom died, Reuters reported.

In a statement, Wisma Putra said it was monitoring reports of the missing vessel and was in contact with the relevant Indonesian authorities to obtain the official passenger manifest and other verified information.

“At this preliminary stage, the ministry has not received any information indicating that Malaysian nationals were on board,” it said in a statement.

“The Malaysian embassy in Jakarta remains in contact with the Indonesian authorities to verify the passenger information and obtain further developments.”

Wisma Putra said it will continue to monitor the situation and provide updates when verified information becomes available.

It also advised Malaysians residing in or travelling to Indonesia to follow instructions issued by the local authorities.

Malaysians are encouraged to register and keep their contact details updated through the e-Konsular portal to facilitate communication and consular assistance when necessary.

Those seeking consular assistance or wishing to provide relevant information may contact the Malaysian embassy in Jakarta at +62 21 522 4947 or +62 813 8081 3036, or email: mwjakarta@kln.gov.my. - FMT

Abang Johari signals possible exit as Sarawak premier

 The 76-year-old has been Sarawak premier and PBB president since January 2017.

Sarawak premier Abang Johari Open said PBB’s longevity depended on its ability to continuously develop disciplined leaders who understood the needs of their communities. (Ukas pic)

PETALING JAYA:

Sarawak premier Abang Johari Openg has hinted that this could be his final year in office, saying the time will eventually come for him to step aside.

The 76-year-old, who has been premier and Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) president since January 2017, said the party was preparing a new generation of leaders to ensure a smooth transition, Dayak Daily reported.

Abang Johari said leadership succession was inevitable, and PBB had a system to identify and train potential successors.

“Perhaps this is my final year. You cannot go against nature, even if your heart is young,” he said at PBB’s northern Sarawak special convention in Miri.

“Leaders change. There comes a time when we say thank you, I am stepping aside, and someone new replaces me. We have to train our successors.”

He added that the party’s succession plan was not focussed on a single individual but involved developing younger leaders across its divisions.

Abang Johari stressed that PBB’s longevity depended on its ability to continuously develop disciplined leaders who understood the needs of their communities and could safeguard Sarawak’s political stability.

“PBB will always be there because we have a system to rejuvenate the party. But I will make the decision (to leave) when the time comes,” he said.

The state assembly’s term expires in February, unless dissolved earlier. An election must be held within 60 days of dissolution, or by April at the latest. - FMT

Do your research before joining boycotts, economist tells Malaysians

 Ahmed Razman Latiff says consumers should look beyond social media claims and consider the impact of boycotts on Malaysian workers.

Malaysians have boycotted several companies because of their alleged ties with the US and Israel following Tel Aviv’s sustained military action in Gaza.

KUALA LUMPUR:

Malaysians should do their research before joining boycott campaigns, instead of acting on headlines or claims circulating on social media, says an economist.

Citing boycotts of McDonald’s and the controversy surrounding BlackRock’s involvement in Malaysia Airports Holdings Bhd (MAHB), economist Ahmed Razman Abdul Latiff said Malaysians should establish the facts, and consider the wider consequences, before deciding whether to support such boycotts.

“BlackRock is an investor in Bursa Malaysia, meaning it has ownership in many companies,” he said at the New Muslims Community Conference 2026 in Kuala Lumpur today.

“So, are you trying to say boycott everyone?

“You need to do research. Unfortunately, we don’t do much research. We just look at the headline and think that’s the whole truth.”

He was responding to a question about boycotts of products associated with Israel.

Malaysians have boycotted several companies because of their alleged ties with the US and Israel following Tel Aviv’s sustained military action in Gaza.

Razman, of Putra Business School, said none of the companies operating in Malaysia was directly involved in the injustices being reported globally.

He said the issue remained sensitive, particularly because of concerns over the impact of such boycotts on local workers.

He said efforts should be made to fight injustice, but noted that boycott campaigns often died down after several months.

Adnan Lee, managing director of MBG Fruits, urged Malaysians to consider the wider impact of boycotts, saying companies also employed people who depended on their jobs to support their families.

“Employees also need to feed their families. We cannot remain stuck on certain issues simply because there is a trend to boycott,” he said. - FMT