PAS moots PN presidential council to ‘oversee' coalition
PETALING JAYA : PAS has proposed that Perikatan Nasional (PN) establish a presidential council composed of the heads of the opposition coalition's four components.
PAS central committee member Khairil Nizam Khirudin said the council would oversee PN while an executive committee would take on the task of 'championing issues'.
He said the proposal was aimed at improving and bolstering PN's administrative structure, and that the Bersatu leadership was aware of the matter, Berita Harian reported.
'Our proposal has reached Bersatu and we've asked them to join us in this matter, because it requires a consensus between party components.
'This council comprising the party presidents would, in principle, oversee PN.
'In terms of the day-to-day operations, including responding, championing and rallying the people on various issues, that can be left to the executive committee,' he was quoted as saying.
It was previously reported that PAS had proposed restructuring PN to make Bersatu deputy president Hamzah Zainudin the head of an executive committee that manages the coalition's day-to-day affairs.
Under the reported plan, the presidents of PAS, Bersatu, Gerakan and the Malaysian Indian People's Party would form an advisory council while retaining their roles on the PN Supreme Council.
Hamzah dismissed the speculation as 'nonsensical stories' spread by outsiders seeking to divide Bersatu and PN.
Muhyiddin Yassin meanwhile claimed that PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang had personally expressed support for him to stay on as PN chairman at a meeting several months ago.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
New Straits Times
6 hours ago
- New Straits Times
PN endorses United Opposition Front to coordinate stand on key national issues
KUALA LUMPUR: Perikatan Nasional's (PN) Supreme Council has reviewed and endorsed a proposal to form Barisan Pembangkang Bersatu (BPB), or the United Opposition Front, aimed at forging consensus on key national and public interest issues among political parties outside the ruling coalition. The proposal, presented by PN chairman Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin today, outlines the formation of a structured platform to enable opposition parties to take joint positions on matters affecting the people and the country. In a statement issued after the meeting, PN secretary-general Datuk Seri Azmin Ali said the objective was to coordinate efforts among non-government political entities and align their responses to issues of national concern through a spirit of cooperation and shared responsibility. "The Supreme Council has agreed in principle to the formation of this opposition front and will initiate follow-up discussions with other political parties outside the government bloc," he said via the statement posted on PN's official Facebook page. He said the council viewed the proposal as a step forward in strengthening the voice of the opposition and ensuring the concerns of ordinary Malaysians are brought to the forefront of national discourse. "The supreme council sees it as a timely and necessary move to restore balance to the country's democratic process. We must unite all political forces outside the ruling bloc to ensure there is a credible, structured and effective opposition that can speak and act on behalf of the people," he said. Azmin added that further discussions would be held with other political parties and civil society groups before proceeding with the initiative. He also said that earlier in the meeting, which was attended by top leaders of all component parties, the council discussed preparations for the upcoming Sabah state election. "A central committee, chaired by opposition leader Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainudin, was formed to coordinate seat distribution, campaign strategies, and manifesto development. Among the concerns raised were over the long-standing infrastructure issues in Sabah, especially water supply, electricity, and road access, that are said to have burdened the people for far too long," he said. Azmin also reiterated that PN fully supported the Himpunan Turun Anwar rally, describing it as a peaceful gathering reflecting the people's demand for real change. "This is not merely a protest. It is the people's expression of frustration and hope for a better future, free from economic oppression and authoritarian governance," he added.
The Star
7 hours ago
- The Star
Can the rakyat shape Malaysia's digital privacy rules?
PETALING JAYA: Isn't it better to help shape the rules protecting your data than to learn about them only after they're decided behind closed doors? To this, Malaysian Integrity and Governance Society president Datuk Seri Dr Akhbar Abdul Satar said: 'Transparent rules help maintain public confidence and trust that their data will only be used lawfully and not arbitrarily.' Akhbar said a transparent process makes regulatory changes open to scrutiny and public input, preventing opaque or unilateral policy-making. Including input from service providers, industry players, civil society, and the public leads to more robust and widely accepted policies. He added open consultation fosters trust between the government and the people—trust that is essential when dealing with data rights and digital freedoms. Most importantly, inclusive participation helps identify blind spots, resulting in smarter, more practical solutions for all. 'Whatever law or framework is introduced, human governance is important. Without having good integrity of handlers, it will not be effective,' he told The Star when contacted about the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission's (MCMC) announcement on its newly launched open consultation for its Proposed Regulatory Framework. The framework aims to support law enforcement in tackling online threats like fraud, impersonation, and cyberbullying, while also ensuring data privacy through clear legal and operational safeguards. Noting that Malaysia currently lacks a mandatory statutory retention period for electronic data—resulting in variability and uncertainty—Akhbar emphasised the crucial need for a clear legal framework. He said this would enhance the management of communication data retention and disclosure, which are essential to protect citizens' rights by establishing clear boundaries on data access and use, balancing privacy with investigative needs. 'Well-defined regulations establish boundaries for access and use of data, providing safeguards for both citizens' privacy and the integrity of investigations. 'Without clear laws, service providers and law enforcement agencies may implement data practices inconsistently, undermining criminal investigations and legal proceedings. 'Laws clarify what constitutes admissible electronic evidence, ensuring electronic records collected are permissible in Malaysian courts,' he said. Akhbar, former president of Transparency International Malaysia and founder of the Malaysian chapter of the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners, emphasised that a robust framework will strengthen enforcement agencies' ability to respond to online crimes in several ways including streamlined data access, enhanced collaboration, improved victim protection, and compliance monitoring. 'Clear guidelines ensure that authorities like the police and MCMC know how to lawfully request and obtain data needed for complex cybercrime investigations, such as online fraud and cyberbullying. 'Established procedures foster stronger collaboration among agencies such as the Royal Malaysia Police, attorney general's chambers, and MCMC, as well as with digital platforms, which is vital for quickly tackling online threats.' Pointing out that well-defined reporting and evidence standards aid in securing justice for victims of cyberbullying and scams, Akhbar added a transparent framework helps monitor compliance levels among service providers and identify areas for improvement in law enforcement support. Akhbar opined that striking the right balance between national security and individual privacy requires a careful, principles-based approach. He said data collection for security purposes must be proportionate and strictly necessary, as overreach only erodes public trust, and added that requests for personal data should be subject to judicial oversight or independent review to prevent misuse. Stressing that service providers must operate with clear accountability and robust compliance measures, Akhbar said transparent practices, along with legal protections like the Personal Data Protection Act, are key to ensuring that security measures respect individual rights. On the framework's implementation success, Akhbar said it hinges on resolving key structural and operational challenges. 'Many stakeholders still lack the training and awareness needed to meet new data requirements effectively. Inconsistent legal interpretations, uneven technical capabilities, and weak safeguards heighten the risk of data misuse, particularly when handling cross-border requests.' Stressing the need for a clear, coordinated response, he recommended that comprehensive, regularly updated guidelines must be backed by targeted training. 'Agencies should prioritise secure, interoperable systems, with independent oversight to ensure accountability and uphold data protection standards.' Akhbar urged the public to actively participate in MCMC's public consultations, highlighting the importance of voicing their views on draft codes related to data retention, social media, and messaging platforms. 'These consultations are periodically announced and open to all—including individuals, industry players, and advocacy groups—who are encouraged to submit feedback through official channels such as email or online forms.' He emphasised that details on submission methods and deadlines are regularly published on MCMC's website and in official press releases, making it easy for the public to stay informed and involved.
The Star
8 hours ago
- The Star
July 26 rally to highlight people's economic hardship, says Perikatan
PETALING JAYA: Perikatan Nasional fully supports the 'Himpunan Turun Anwar' rally, saying it is meant to free the rakyat from economic hardships and the current administration's tyranny. 'The peaceful rally is a manifestation of the people's desire to bring about true change for the peace and prosperity of the nation,' said Perikatan Nasional secretary-general Mohamed Azmin Ali in a statement on Friday (July 25). The rally is scheduled to take place on Saturday (July 26), with participants expected to gather at five locations – Masjid Negara, Pasar Seni, Masjid Jamek Sultan Abdul Samad, Masjid Jamek Kampung Baru, and the Sogo shopping mall – before marching to Dataran Merdeka. Azmin said the matter of the rally was discussed at a meeting held by the opposition coalition's supreme council on Friday evening, which was attended by all member parties. 'Among matters that were given attention were the preparations for the Sabah state election, the formation of a unified opposition alliance and the 'Turun Anwar' rally,' Azmin said. He added that Perikatan Nasional chairman Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, in his speech, touched on various current national issues, including the country's political stability, the judiciary's independence and the cost of living that has been continuously burdening the rakyat. 'The supreme council has formed a main committee for the Sabah state election to identify seats to be contested by Perikatan Nasional, form strategies in each constituency, and come up with a manifesto for the people of Sabah. 'The council also studied the formation of the unified opposition alliance presented by Muhyiddin, which aims to forge an understanding between all political parties outside the government bloc,' Azmin said.
