Just join unity govt, at least you can get DPM post, Maszlee tells PAS
He said the Islamist party clearly has no confidence in PN chairperson Muhyiddin Yassin and opposition chief Hamzah Zainudin.
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Focus Malaysia
5 minutes ago
- Focus Malaysia
Three PKR leaders issue warnings to PKR-PH while Iswardy Morni expects 10 safe seats for Anwar's party
WHAT began as a promising week for Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has quickly unraveled, with three PKR leaders sounding the alarm over looming political turmoil and issuing stark warnings to the party and its leadership. It began with Former PKR vice-president Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad cautioning government leaders against making dismissive remarks about the recent 'Turun Anwar' rally, warning that such comments could backfire by generating sympathy for the opposition. He was responding to Housing Minister Nga Kor Ming's claim that 20 tonnes of rubbish were left after the protest. Nik Nazmi said focusing on minor issues like rubbish could appear to trivialise public grievances and potentially carry unintended racial undertones, shifting public perception in favour of the rally organisers and distracting from the government's openness and the opposition's weak arguments. 'When you make an issue out of something small like the amount of rubbish left behind, it can be interpreted as trivialising the genuine grievances felt by the rakyat. 'Plus, it could also be interpreted as giving a racial twist to the matter indirectly,' he said on X. The government of Anwar Ibrahim was again warned on Friday by former Economy Minister Datuk Seri Rafizi Ramli that poorly managed negotiations between Petronas and Sarawak's state oil firm Petros could cost the national oil company RM15–20 bil annually, potentially destabilising Malaysia's economy. Speaking on his podcast Yang Berhenti Menteri, Rafizi stressed that Petronas contributes RM30–35 bil yearly to the federal government. 'It is not a paltry sum,' he said. Any sharp revenue decline could impact public services and trigger a credit rating downgrade, increasing national debt servicing costs from RM48 billion to as high as RM60 billion. 'If this sum drops, it would have an impact on the nation's ability to fund basic services,' he said. 'So, if Petronas loses RM20 bil, the company will be unable to pay the RM35 bil in dividends to the federal government,' he added. The last stroke came today with Iswardy Morni issuing a warning on the electoral prospects of Anwar's party, PKR. In a Facebook post, Iswardy casually wrote the following: 'There are only 10 safe seats for PKR in the upcoming general election. Tambun, Tasek Gelugor, and Permatang Pauh will be difficult to win.' Although PKR did not win the Tasek Gelugor seat, which went to Datuk Wan Saifulruddin Wan Jan of PN, it is significant that a prominent party figure like Iswardy predicts only 10 safe seats for PKR in the next general election, even suggesting that Anwar's own seat may be at risk. Such remarks are bold and could later be seen by discontented party members as a direct challenge to the Prime Minister. With the recent viral comments from three PKR leaders, questions are now being raised about whether the party will take disciplinary action. Previously, party secretary-general Fuziah Salleh declined to push for the suspension of nine MPs, including Rafizi Ramli and Nik Nazmi, following the judicial appointments controversy. Could the leadership revisit that approach now, as these three leaders continue to openly criticise the party's direction? —Aug 3, 2025 Main image: Utusan Borneo
Focus Malaysia
2 hours ago
- Focus Malaysia
Is Rafizi fighting for justice or burnishing his dented image?
EVER since former economy minister Datuk Seri Rafizi Ramli quit his cabinet post, his break from his boss Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has widened. His animus against the Prime Minister surfaced when he lost the PKR deputy president post to the latter's daughter Nurul Izzah during the party election. 'Mr Formula' exhibits a pattern of behaviour typical of politicians who become resentful when they lose their high-ranking post in the party or in the government. Rafizi must be really annoyed that Anwar's daughter managed to wrest the number two post from him whom many thought was unshakeable. Although still an MP, he is effectively thrust out into the political wilderness and may eventually see his political career come to an end. But it looks like this once close ally and strong supporter of Anwar is not going to go down without a fight. He must make some loud noise to express his displeasure with the PKR president and in the process reclaim the high ground. Hence, he must latch on to some issues to attract public attention in order to foist himself into the limelight. 'Tightening the screw' And the Pandan MP conveniently found one controversial issue that has recently been making huge waves in the public arena – the allegation that someone has interfered in the appointment of judges to fill the top judicial posts. Rafizi promptly bestirred himself and pointed an accusing finger at Anwar for allegedly planning to pick a judge of his own choice for the post of chief justice. To make it look like a crisis has engulfed the country, 'Mr Formula' has resorted to playing the all-too familiar broken record named the royal commission of inquiry (RCI) to look into Anwar's alleged interference into judicial matters. Every time something goes awry. you hear this tiresome record being played over and over again. To tighten the screw further, Rafizi also took out another popular tool: online petition. He wants all Malaysians to sign this petition to show their unstinting support for the judiciary supposedly under siege. Have Malaysians responded to the online campaign enthusiastically and overwhelmingly? One wonders. It doesn't matter that the judicial storm has somewhat subsided with the appointments of the new chief justice and two other senior judges. The Rafizi's show must still go on: he is taking up his big cudgel and will be beating around the country to draw attention – largely to himself. 'Crusader of justice' For sure, any controversial issue will come under his intense scrutiny as he eagerly searches for any opening to launch his salvoes. Recently, he shined his light on some controversial business dealings allegedly linked to Anwar's former aide Datuk Seri Farhash Wafa Salvador Rizal Mubarak. It rapidly developed into a political hot potato with Rafizi turning up the heat with a strident call on MACC to open an investigation paper on the dealings. Invariably, he shifts his target to Anwar himself because he seems to smell a rat in this whole issue. From the looks of it, Rafizi is transforming himself into a crusader for justice; if he can succeed in causing severe headache for PMX, it will give him a big boost to his image. But when politicians play up issues of national importance, the real narrative is not about fighting for the causes they espouse but more about resuscitating their waning political career. Rafizi – like all disgruntled politicians who have fallen out of favour – must take up a new role to stay relevant in national politics but one wonders: is he trying to burnish his dented image or assuming the guise of a people's champion fighting for justice? – Aug 3, 2025 Phlip Rodrigues is a retired journalist. The views expressed are solely of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Focus Malaysia. Main image credit: Rafizi Ramli/Facebook
Focus Malaysia
3 hours ago
- Focus Malaysia
Has JAKIM's strict halal compliance standards been compromised in exchange for US tariff reduction?
ASIDE from the purchase of the purchase 30 Boeing planes valued at US$9.5 bil (RM40.63 bil), detractors have set off alarm bells that Malaysia's strict halal compliance standards would have to make way for the recent reduction of US reciprocal tariffs from 25% to 19%. This follows a revelation by Religious Affairs Minister Datuk Dr Mohd Na'im Mokhtar yesterday (Aug 2) that the US has requested for JAKIM-accredited bodies to conduct halal standard compliance audit, ie for slaughter of cattle, instead of done directly by the Department of Islamic Development Malaysia itself. 'I think the US really doesn't want JAKIM's involvement and wants to control the halal standard of their products with their own agencies,' penned PAS activist Nurul Islam Mohamed Yusoff on his Facebook page. 'Who is the US to direct Malaysia to do this, don't do that according to its whims and fancy? 'If this happens, we'll eventually have to accept as halal if they say it's halal. No question asked.' It is learnt that JAKIM would appoint recognised foreign halal certification bodies and authorities (CB) in countries that come under its audit. In the case of the US, the three appointed CBs are the (i) Islamic Food and Nutrition Council (IFANCA); (ii) Islamic Services of America (ISA); and (iii) American Halal Foundation (AHF). For the record, Investment, Trade and Industry Minister Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Abdul Aziz has denied claims that Malaysia has compromised its halal certification standards as part of on-going trade talks with the US. Addressing allegations that Malaysia would lower its halal standards as a concession to the US yesterday (Aug 2), he also dismissed claims of exclusive deals with the Americans for rare earth minerals. Dubious halal standards Nurul Islam went on to express grave concern by pointing to an article entitled 'Halal Food Fraud in the USA: Challenges and Solutions' which exposed fraudulent practices in the US halal certification control processes. 'Imagine in the future, meat from the US with a halal label will be floating around the Malaysian market but their halal-ness are not guaranteed and the saddest thing is that JAKIM can't take action,' lamented the Central PAS Information Committee Research and Policy Department director. 'Pity Malaysians who may end up buying and consuming such problematic meat.' 'This is not to mention the various corrupt practices in the monopoly of supplying halal meat as happened in the meat supply to Egypt. Will Malaysia also face a similar issue one day?' Interestingly, Nurul Islam further wondered how could Indonesia continue with its halal standards by requiring all imported products to have the Indonesian halal logo beginning 2026. 'Moreover, it (Indonesia) only faces a 19% tariff (down significantly from 32% previously). The US didn't even bother to touch implementation aspect of the Indonesian halal standards,' he hit out. 'I hope the Madani government maintains the existing JAKIM system to appoint CBs that they recognise and only allow recognised CBs to issue JAKIM halal certificates to companies there. 'This is a matter of Islamic law and religious principles. The last time I checked, Islam is still the official religion of Malaysia.' – Aug 3, 2025
