logo
Lodge report, name the officer- Kulasegaran

Lodge report, name the officer- Kulasegaran

KUALA LUMPUR: Businessman Datuk Albert Tei has been urged to lodge a report and name the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission officer who warned him not to go public about the mineral mining licensing scandal in Sabah.
Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Law and Institutional Reform) M. Kulasegaran in his winding-up debate of the Whistleblower Protection (Amendment) Bill 2025 said the matter was raised by several members of parliament during their debates.
"This is a serious allegation and cannot be accepted.
"Anyone who reports misconduct must not face obstruction or threats from any party, particularly from authorities responsible for safeguarding whistleblowers under the act.
"As such, I would like to advise the individual named Albert Tei to promptly lodge a report on this matter with both the police and the MACC Complaints Committee, in accordance with Section 15 of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission Act 2009 and to name the anti-graft officer implicated in the allegation," he said.
Earlier today, a news portal reported that Tei's lawyer Mahajoth Singh revealed that the businessman had approached MACC but was warned against coming forward regarding the mining scandal.
Authorities began their probe after a series of edited videos were published by a news portal in November last year.
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Madani legal reform gains momentum with key bills and motions passed
Madani legal reform gains momentum with key bills and motions passed

New Straits Times

time6 hours ago

  • New Straits Times

Madani legal reform gains momentum with key bills and motions passed

KUALA LUMPUR: The Madani government's legal and institutional reform agenda continues to gain momentum, with five bills and two key motions passed in the first week of the Dewan Rakyat sitting. It included amendments to the Whistleblower Protection Act 2010 and the introduction of community service penalties for minor littering offences. The Whistleblower Protection (Amendment) Bill 2025, drafted to expand protection for whistleblowers and strengthen mechanisms for reporting misconduct, was passed by a majority voice vote following debate by 24 members of parliament. Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Law and Institutional Reform), Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said, who tabled the Bill, reaffirmed the government's commitment to enhancing whistleblower protection as part of its anti-corruption efforts and drive to improve public and private sector integrity. She said that although the Act has been in force for over a decade, it still contains weaknesses that need to be addressed. Also drawing attention during this week's Dewan Rakyat proceedings were the passage of the Solid Waste Management and Public Cleansing (Amendment) Bill 2025, the Local Government (Amendment) Bill 2025, and the Streets, Drainage and Building (Amendment) Bill 2025, aimed at improving public cleanliness. Housing and Local Government Minister Nga Kor Ming said the amendments seek to address the issue of minor littering, including cigarette butts, tissues, plastic, drink cans, and food wrappers, in public spaces and roads by introducing community service orders as an additional penalty to existing fines. Nga said the move is crucial to instill civic responsibility, raise public awareness and cultivate a culture of cleanliness, ultimately contributing to a cleaner, more sustainable Malaysia for the well-being of its people. Also passed was the Consumer Credit (Finance) Bill 2025, which was formulated to address significant gaps in the currently unregulated sector, particularly among businesses targeting vulnerable credit consumers who are susceptible to exploitation. This week's sitting also saw the tabling of four bills for first reading, the Poisons (Amendment) Bill 2025, the Compulsory Attendance of Offenders (Amendment) Bill 2025, the Fisheries (Amendment) Bill 2025, and the Fees (Pengkalan Kubor Ferry) (Validation) Bill 2025. In addition, the Dewan Rakyat approved two motions: the Auditor-General's Report (LKAN) 2/2025 on the Activities of Federal Ministries, Departments, Statutory Bodies and Government-linked Companies; and the 2023 Annual Report and Financial Statements of the Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (Suhakam). The approval of both motions reflects the Madani government's commitment to transparency and accountability in ensuring sound public financial governance and respect for human rights, thereby reinforcing public confidence in government institutions through transparent reporting and comprehensive auditing. Several MPs who participated in the debate on the LKAN 2/2025 commended the government's openness in tabling the report, describing it as a progressive step that allows elected representatives to scrutinise audit findings and propose constructive improvements. Separately, Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said said the tabling and debate of Suhakam's Annual Report marked an important democratic tradition, as it provides a platform for MPs to review the state of human rights in the country and propose policy and implementation reforms. Also drawing attention this week was Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim's firm stance on Malaysia's unchanged position regarding the situation in Gaza and the wider Middle East, including Iran. During Minister's Question Time, Anwar reaffirmed that Malaysia's position remains steadfast, even in the face of potential pressure or objections from the United States during ongoing tariff negotiations, which are expected to continue through August. The Second Meeting of the Fourth Session of the 15th Parliament will continue for 24 days until Aug 28. – Bernama

Rafizi's damning warning, 'Datuk Seri' titleship invites Farhash's public scrutiny, may expedite MACC intervention
Rafizi's damning warning, 'Datuk Seri' titleship invites Farhash's public scrutiny, may expedite MACC intervention

Focus Malaysia

time14 hours ago

  • Focus Malaysia

Rafizi's damning warning, 'Datuk Seri' titleship invites Farhash's public scrutiny, may expedite MACC intervention

FIRST, it was former economy minister Datuk Seri Rafizi Ramli urging the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) to open an investigation into Datuk Farhash Wafa Salvador Rizal Mubarak—the former political aide to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim—over allegations linked to a mineral exploration license in Sabah. Then later yesterday (July 25), news broke out that the high-flying corporate figure would be conferred a 'Datuk Seri' title today (July 26) in conjunction with the 84th birthday of Penang Governor Tun Ramli Ngah Talib. For the record, Investment, Trade, and Industry Minister Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Abdul Aziz heads the list of 1,530 recipients of state awards, honours, and medals, which also include Chief Secretary to the Government Tan Sri Shamsul Azri Abu Bakar, Penang Malay Association president Tan Sri Dr Yussoff Latiff, and national badminton legend Datuk Lee Chong Wei. Instead of being a recognition, the award spotlight on Farhash, the ex-PKR Perak chief, will likely fuel more public scrutiny, not to mention distrust of Anwar's much-shouted anti-corruption drive. Such is the message conveyed by Rafizi in a media statement, which called on Anwar to swiftly address the growing controversy surrounding Farhash, for failure to do so could undermine public trust in the government's reform agenda. 'The information revealed so far is sufficient for the MACC to open an investigation paper on Farhash, just as it has done for other figures accused of sudden wealth accumulation,' revealed the Pandan MP. Evidence of his meteoric rise: Farhash currently holds directorships in four other public-listed companies, namely MMAG Holdings Bhd, Apex Equity Holdings Bhd, Excel Force MSC Bhd, and Key Alliance Group Bhd. In April, Farhash became a substantial shareholder in Key Alliance with his purchase of 6.8 million shares in the open market. He owns a 5.546% interest now. On May 30, convenience store chain operator 7-Eleven Malaysia Holdings Bhd announced that Farhash, who was appointed chairman on Jan 3, 2023, has resigned from his post to pursue other business interests. Farhash previously served as Anwar's political secretary and was also the Perak PKR chief. Local media recently reported that Sabah Mineral Management Sdn Bhd, the state's mineral licensing agency, had awarded Bumi Suria — a company linked to Farhash — an exploration license for coal mining. According to the report, the company was granted exclusive rights to explore and search for minerals across 70,000 hectares in the Kalabakan and Gunung Rara forest reserves near the Kalimantan border. Farhash has denied the report and is demanding a public apology. This is not the first time he has been linked to controversial business dealings. In March last year, he emerged as a substantial shareholder in HeiTech Padu Bhd shortly before the company secured a RM190 million contract from the Road Transport Department. — July 26, 2025

MMA urges halt to Poisons (Amendment) Bill, wants govt to engage healthcare stakeholders
MMA urges halt to Poisons (Amendment) Bill, wants govt to engage healthcare stakeholders

The Star

time19 hours ago

  • The Star

MMA urges halt to Poisons (Amendment) Bill, wants govt to engage healthcare stakeholders

PETALING JAYA: The Malaysian Medical Association (MMA) has voiced strong concern to the Poisons (Amendment) Bill 2025, urging the government to halt its progress in Parliament until proper engagement is conducted with stakeholders in the healthcare sector. Its president Datuk Dr Kalwinder Singh Khaira ( pic ) said the association, along with other medical professional bodies, was deeply concerned that the Bill was tabled without prior consultation with key stakeholders, including the MMA itself. 'We acknowledge the government's intention to strengthen enforcement, possibly in response to serious cross-border threats such as drug smuggling or maritime trafficking. 'However, if this is indeed the rationale, it must be clearly stated and the scope of the amendments appropriately defined in the legislation,' he said in a statement on Friday (July 25) night. Dr Kalwinder said the language of the Bill was overly broad and raised red flags regarding enforcement powers and the implications for private healthcare services. He pointed specifically to Clause 2, which designates all police officers as authorised officers under the Act, and the proposed Section 31A, which grants the Health Minister power to appoint 'any person' without specifying qualifications. 'These provisions raise serious concerns about unchecked enforcement authority and the potential disruption to legitimate private healthcare services, such as GP clinics, mobile services and charity-based health initiatives,' he said. He added that the MMA also took issue with the expanded definition of 'premises' in the Bill, saying it could group licensed medical facilities together with non-healthcare-related or even criminal operations under the same enforcement scope. 'This risks not only operational disruption, but also potential violations of patient confidentiality and public trust,' Dr Kalwinder said. He added that the absence of engagement with the medical fraternity represented a major procedural lapse, especially since the proposed changes would significantly impact the daily operations of thousands of healthcare practitioners nationwide. 'These are not peripheral changes,' he said, adding that the Health Ministry and MPs delay any further readings of the Bill until a comprehensive consultation is held with the medical profession. Dr Kalwinder said the Act must make a clear distinction between enforcement aimed at criminal activity and regulation of clinical practice. He noted that private healthcare providers are already regulated under the Private Healthcare Facilities and Services Act 1998 (Act 586), with oversight from the Health Ministry. 'This arrangement should remain as it is,' he said, warning against overlapping or excessive enforcement that could disrupt healthcare delivery. Dr Kalwinder reiterated that the MMA stands ready to engage in constructive dialogue to ensure public safety is upheld without compromising the integrity and autonomy of the medical profession.

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