logo
Amanah urges for emergency parliamentary sitting to be called over Middle East conflict

Amanah urges for emergency parliamentary sitting to be called over Middle East conflict

The Star22-06-2025
PETALING JAYA: In response to the escalating conflict in the Middle East following large-scale military attacks by the United States and Israel on Iran, Amanah has called on the government to convene an emergency parliamentary sitting.
Amanah vice-president Datuk Mahfuz Omar expressed deep concern over the situation, noting that the strikes have resulted in the loss of lives and the destruction of public infrastructure in Iran, while also posing a risk of a wider regional conflict that could threaten global stability, including in Southeast Asia.
"This is a serious development that warrants immediate attention. Parliament must not remain silent on matters involving universal justice, national sovereignty, and humanitarian concerns," he said in a statement on Sunday (June 22).
Mahfuz urged the Dewan Rakyat to convene a special sitting to deliberate on three key issues: Malaysia's official stance and diplomatic response to the conflict; the potential geopolitical and economic impacts on the country, including supply chains, oil prices, and regional security; and possible humanitarian assistance that Malaysia could extend to Iranian civilians affected by the violence.
"As the country's highest democratic institution, Parliament must be the platform through which the voice of the Malaysian people is conveyed in a lawful and dignified manner," he said.
Mahfuz stressed that Malaysia must reaffirm its position as a principled, neutral nation that consistently rejects all forms of occupation, aggression, and violations of international law.
"Malaysia has a responsibility to continue playing an active role in promoting global peace through our involvement in the United Nations, the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM), and Asean," he said.
He added that Malaysians overwhelmingly oppose violence and support peaceful solutions, and as such, the government has both a moral and political obligation to speak clearly and with dignity on the international stage.
"I call on the Prime Minister to urgently consider the need for a special parliamentary sitting in defence of the values of justice and universal humanity," he said.
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Impractical to revive GST now, says Amir Hamzah
Impractical to revive GST now, says Amir Hamzah

Free Malaysia Today

timean hour ago

  • Free Malaysia Today

Impractical to revive GST now, says Amir Hamzah

Finance minister II Amir Hamzah Azizan said reviving the GST would take at least two years and have a wider economic impact. (Facebook pic) PETALING JAYA : Finance Minister II Amir Hamzah Azizan says the government has ruled out reintroducing the goods and services tax (GST) for now, calling it 'impracticable' under current economic conditions. He said established and new businesses have 'moved on' to alternative tax structures since the GST was zero-rated in 2018. As a result, a full reinstatement of the GST would likely take at least two years, he added. Speaking as a guest on the Keluar Sekejap podcast, Amir said the government has never disputed the merits of the GST system. However, he said Putrajaya was of the view that it cannot be reintroduced as it 'not suitable for now'. 'The GST is broad-based. It will affect everyone,' he said. 'Companies like the GST because of the input-output tax mechanism: what they charge, they can claim back. But, in the end, the burden falls on the people.' Amir said the government was of the view that tax reform must be pragmatic and compatible with Malaysia's current economic structure. 'When we impose a tax, we need to ask: is the revenue we get worth the effort?' he added. Podcast co-host Khairy Jamaluddin said Amir's explanation was acceptable, noting that the minister was not making the case that the sales and service tax (SST) was inherently better that the GST regime. Last month, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said Putrajaya would consider bringing back the tax scheme when the economy improves and the minimum wage reaches RM4,000 or more. For now, the government has expanded the SST to cover more items, with a 5% to 10% tax on non-essential goods and added service tax on rent, construction, financial services, and private healthcare and education. On the distribution of government aid, Amir drew comparisons between the unity government's Sumbangan Tunai Rahmah (STR) and Sumbangan Asas Rahmah (SARA) aid schemes and the 1Malaysia People's Aid or BR1M during Najib Razak's time. He said BR1M had reached RM1,200 at most, while the maximum amount of cash aid a household can receive under STR and SARA is RM4,600.

Hasnah now acting CJ after Tengku Maimun's retirement
Hasnah now acting CJ after Tengku Maimun's retirement

Daily Express

timean hour ago

  • Daily Express

Hasnah now acting CJ after Tengku Maimun's retirement

Published on: Thursday, July 03, 2025 Published on: Thu, Jul 03, 2025 By: FMT Reporters Text Size: Hasnah Hashim, 66, secured a six-month extension to her judicial tenure recently, and will retire on Nov 14. (File pic) PETALING JAYA: Chief Judge of Malaya Hasnah Hashim will serve as acting chief justice following the retirement of Tengku Maimun Tuan Mat. The Office of the Chief Registrar said the appointment was in line with Article 131A of the Federal Constitution, and Sections 9(1)(b) and 9(3) of the Courts of Judicature Act 1964. 'The chief judge of Malaya shall exercise the powers or perform the duties of the office of the chief justice, including its constitutional functions, until the position is filled,' it said in a statement today. 'The Malaysian judiciary remains steadfast in carrying out its responsibility as the guardian of justice, and will continue to serve the people and the nation with the utmost dedication.' Tengku Maimun, the country's first female chief justice, retired on Monday after reaching the mandatory retirement age of 66. Hasnah, who was appointed chief judge of Malaya in November last year, recently received a six-month extension to her tenure. She is due to retire on Nov 14. Tengku Maimun, the country's first female chief justice, retired on Monday after reaching the mandatory retirement age of 66. Court of Appeal president Abang Iskandar Abang Hashim also stepped down yesterday after reaching the same age. It is still unclear who will be appointed to fill the two top posts. Under Article 122B(1) of the Federal Constitution, the Yang di-Pertuan Agong appoints judges based on the prime minister's advice, after consulting the Conference of Rulers. The next meeting is set to take place in two weeks. A shortlist of candidates is usually provided by the Judicial Appointments Commission (JAC), set up under the JAC Act 2009. However, it is not known if any names have been submitted, or who Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim is considering. * Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel and Telegram for breaking news alerts and key updates! * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia

Impractical to revive GST now, says Amir Hamzah
Impractical to revive GST now, says Amir Hamzah

Daily Express

time2 hours ago

  • Daily Express

Impractical to revive GST now, says Amir Hamzah

Published on: Thursday, July 03, 2025 Published on: Thu, Jul 03, 2025 By: Elill Easwaran, FMT Text Size: Finance minister II Amir Hamzah Azizan said reviving the GST would take at least two years and have a wider economic impact. (Facebook pic) PETALING JAYA: Finance Minister II Amir Hamzah Azizan says the government has ruled out reintroducing the goods and services tax (GST) for now, calling it 'impracticable' under current economic conditions. He said established and new businesses have 'moved on' to alternative tax structures since the GST was zero-rated in 2018. As a result, a full reinstatement of the GST would likely take at least two years, he added. Speaking as a guest on the Keluar Sekejap podcast, Amir said the government has never disputed the merits of the GST system. However, he said Putrajaya was of the view that it cannot be reintroduced as it 'not suitable for now'. 'The GST is broad-based. It will affect everyone,' he said. 'Companies like the GST because of the input-output tax mechanism: what they charge, they can claim back. But, in the end, the burden falls on the people.' Amir said the government was of the view that tax reform must be pragmatic and compatible with Malaysia's current economic structure. 'When we impose a tax, we need to ask: is the revenue we get worth the effort?' he added. Podcast co-host Khairy Jamaluddin said Amir's explanation was acceptable, noting that the minister was not making the case that the sales and service tax (SST) was inherently better that the GST regime. Last month, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said Putrajaya would consider bringing back the tax scheme when the economy improves and the minimum wage reaches RM4,000 or more. For now, the government has expanded the SST to cover more items, with a 5% to 10% tax on non-essential goods and added service tax on rent, construction, financial services, and private healthcare and education. On the distribution of government aid, Amir drew comparisons between the unity government's Sumbangan Tunai Rahmah (STR) and Sumbangan Asas Rahmah (SARA) aid schemes and the 1Malaysia People's Aid or BR1M during Najib Razak's time. He said BR1M had reached RM1,200 at most, while the maximum amount of cash aid a household can receive under STR and SARA is RM4,600. * Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel and Telegram for breaking news alerts and key updates! * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store