News@9: Today's top headlines - July 21, 2025 [WATCH]
About 100 bus drivers staged a pre-dawn strike in Johor Baru over pay cuts, stranding thousands of commuters during peak rush hour.
No show
Pandan MP Datuk Seri Rafizi Ramli did not attend the Parliament sitting today, his aide confirmed.
Employee probed
Sunway Construction Group said one employee is being investigated by the MACC over subcontractor dealings.
Consumer Credit Bill
The Dewan Rakyat has passed a bill that paves the way for a new commission to regulate non-bank credit providers and protect consumers.
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Malay Mail
33 minutes ago
- Malay Mail
Anwar: MPs should debate like students — with facts, not insults
PUTRAJAYA, July 26 — Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has called on Members of Parliament (MPs) to foster a culture of respectful and civilised debate in the Dewan Rakyat, free from insults and profanity. Expressing his admiration for the participants of the 2025 Prime Minister's Cup Debate Finals, Anwar commended their eloquence, confidence, thoughtful use of facts, and measured arguments — qualities he said should be emulated by parliamentarians. 'I am very proud of the quality of the debate, and I couldn't help but wonder - why shouldn't Members of Parliament learn from this? If we wish to debate, we must first master knowledge, analyse it, process it, and present it effectively. 'These young participants demonstrated an impressive standard of debate, and I salute them. Debate is not merely about speaking well; it is about the ability to understand, analyse, and articulate ideas clearly. That is precisely what I believe our Members of Parliament should learn to emulate,' he said. Anwar, who is also the Minister of Finance, also praised the current generation of students for their strong command of the Malay language and their ability to engage in discussions with depth, knowledge, and understanding. — Bernama
The Star
4 hours ago
- The Star
Auditor-General's Report exposes entrenched weaknesses in public sector governance, says Lam Thye
KUALA LUMPUR: Urgent and decisive actions are needed in response to the latest Auditor-General's Report, which once again exposes entrenched weaknesses in public sector governance, says Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye. The social activist said the recurring issues of financial mismanagement, procurement irregularities, and non-compliance with procedures revealed a "troubling culture of negligence and impunity" within certain government agencies. 'The same systemic failures keep surfacing year after year, and yet we continue to see a lack of accountability. "These are not just technical lapses. They point to deeper problems in the way public resources are handled," he said when contacted on Saturday (July 26). The Auditor-General's Report, tabled in Parliament earlier this week, outlined multiple instances of overpayments, delays in project implementation, and procurement without proper documentation — findings that have become all too familiar to the Malaysian public. Lee criticised the apparent lack of transparency and integrity among some officials, stressing that the government must move beyond merely acknowledging the report's findings and instead act firmly to rectify the problem. He said civil servants found guilty of misconduct or serious breaches should face swift disciplinary action or be prosecuted. "Without real consequences, we will never see deterrence," he added. He also called for internal audit units to be made independent and empowered to conduct real-time monitoring rather than just post-mortem audits. "A publicly accessible online dashboard should be introduced to track government procurement and project implementation. 'Let the public hold officials accountable," he said. Lee said high-risk departments must undergo regular integrity checks to identify and prevent corruption early. "The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) should be given broader powers, including the ability to summon not just civil servants but ministers if necessary. 'It is unacceptable that while taxpayers are fulfilling their obligations, those entrusted with managing public funds continue to act carelessly or worse, dishonestly," he said. He added that Parliament must play a more active role in enforcing accountability, rather than merely observing proceedings.
Free Malaysia Today
4 hours ago
- Free Malaysia Today
I wanted education portfolio in Cabinet, says Rafizi
Pandan MP Rafizi Ramli said children must be taught to be honest and civic-minded rather than be a minister who steals from every direction. PETALING JAYA : Former economy minister Rafizi Ramli says he would have preferred to be the education minister, calling it the most important portfolio for reforming the country. 'If I could, I would want to be education minister, but I don't think people would like it,' he said on the latest episode of the Yang Berhenti Menteri podcast yesterday. The Pandan MP said education is the foundation for long-term change, particularly in dismantling a culture of corruption, and that institutional reforms alone are not enough. 'Yes, this culture can be changed. Everything starts with education. That's why I always criticised Fadhlina Sidek (education minister),' he said. 'Everything begins from school. We need to teach children that there are different models of success. It's better to live an honest, ordinary life, take care of others, and be civic-minded than to become a minister who steals from every direction.' Rafizi also joked that if he took up the portfolio, he hoped people would not remember him only for the government's black shoes policy. He was referring to Pakatan Harapan's first administration in 2020 when then education minister Maszlee Malik announced a switch from white to black school shoes, saying black shoes were easier to keep clean. The move drew much criticism and ridicule amid concerns over declining education standards. Rafizi said he accepted the economy portfolio out of necessity, following the 2022 general election (GE15) that resulted in a hung Parliament and the formation of a unity government. He said there was an urgent need to stabilise markets and restore public confidence in the government's economic management. 'But you can't fix the economy if you don't fix the education system,' he said.
