Latest news with #AstroAwani
The Star
4 days ago
- Politics
- The Star
Ahmad Zahid to leave decision on Hishammuddin's suspension to Umno's supreme council
KUALA LUMPUR: Umno President Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi has deferred the decision regarding the Sembrong Umno Division's request to lift the six-year suspension of Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein to the party's supreme council. Astro Awani reported that Ahmad Zahid, who is also the Deputy Prime Minister, said the former Umno Vice President had yet to submit any appeal or apology. "Regarding the Sembrong Umno Division's motion, the statement from Johor Umno Liaison Committee Chairman, Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi, will bring this matter to the supreme council, so we will wait for the motion to be brought by him and reviewed by the Political Bureau. "The power to expel, suspend, or accept a member, if there is no General Assembly, lies with the supreme council of Umno. "Since there is no appeal letter from the applicant, we will look at the decision based on what is submitted by the Johor Mentri Besar," he told reporters after launching the Desa Kirana@KKDW programme at Sunway Putra Hotel on Thursday (June 26). Ahmad Zahid emphasised that the suspension of membership for several figures within the party was based on solid reasons, and the supreme council's decision at that time was deemed correct. He added that no disciplinary action is taken by the supreme council without reasonable cause. "I would like to mention that the suspension carried out was reasonable at the time because the supreme council would not expel or suspend any individual if there were no offences," he said. He also provided an example of how a leader allegedly poisoned the minds of 22 Umno Division Heads in Sabah to leave the party after the 14th General Election (PRU14), causing Umno to fall in the state. Ahmad Zahid also referred to an incident involving 10 Umno Members of Parliament who allegedly withdrew support for the government despite having signed a pledge to support the formation of the government. "Can the person who led 10 out of 30 Members of Parliament, who did not follow the party's decision, not be acted against? "Can the person who wanted the Umno President, who was the Barisan Nasional (BN) Chairman before the formation of the government, to be dismissed, not be acted against," questioned Zahid. "I am not referring to any names, but those three cases are very reasonable for suspension or action to be taken. I am not referring to anyone, the media can think for themselves who that person is. "If that person asks what is my crime? That is the answer. The supreme council made the right decision at that time," explained Ahmad Zahid. On Saturday (June 21), the Sembrong Umno Division suggested that Hishammuddin's membership suspension be revoked, in line with the goal of strengthening the party at all levels ahead of the upcoming General Election. Hishammuddin was suspended from Umno membership for six years starting January 27, 2023, or two supreme council Umno election terms. The letter dated Jan 30, 2023, was signed by Datuk Seri Ahmad Maslan, who served as the Umno Secretary-General at the time.
Malay Mail
6 days ago
- Malay Mail
Bikers' reckless ride on Penang bridge caught on camera, police launch probe
NIBONG TEBAL, June 24 — Police are reportedly investigating a group of high-powered motorcycle riders who allegedly used a lane reserved for cars and lorries on Penang's Sultan Abdul Halim Muadzam Shah Bridge last Friday. According to Astro Awani, Seberang Perai Selatan district police chief Superintendent Jay January Siowou yesterday said the incident occurred at around 4.35pm at KM0.4 of the bridge. 'This case will be investigated under Section 42(1) of the Road Transport Act for the offence of reckless driving and endangering the safety of others,' he was quoted as saying. He reportedly added that preliminary investigations suggest the bikers were travelling from Batu Kawan towards Batu Maung, 'The police would like to stress that the safety of all road users is a shared responsibility,' he reportedly said. A 33-second video showing the group riding in a lane designated for cars and lorries was widely circulated on social media, with users criticising them for endangering other road users.
The Star
21-06-2025
- Politics
- The Star
Malaysian Embassy in Iran to temporarily cease operations
KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysian Embassy in Iran has been instructed to temporarily cease operations, says Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan. He added that all Malaysian Embassy staff have also been instructed to return home immediately. Mohamad, as reported by Berita Harian, confirmed that many other countries' embassies have done the same following increased tensions in the conflict involving Iran and Israel. "I have instructed all embassy staff, including the ambassador, and all Malaysians have been asked to leave Iran. "However, some are still reluctant to leave, including three students in Qom and one in Isfahan, as they are far from Tehran," he said on Saturday (June 21). Yesterday, Mohamad said the Foreign Ministry had instructed all Malaysians in Iran to leave the country. He stated that Wisma Putra had arranged land transportation for all Malaysians to head to Ashgabat, Turkmenistan. "Since no flights are allowed through Iran at the moment, we have prepared vehicles for them to travel by road to the nearest place. "The journey of 950km is estimated to take 13 hours as it involves crossing mountain ranges," he said in a video shared with Astro Awani.
The Star
17-06-2025
- Business
- The Star
Former MIC president G Palanivel passes away
KUALA LUMPUR: Former MIC President Datuk Seri G Palanivel passed away at Kuala Lumpur Hospital (HKL) on Tuesday. The news was confirmed by MIC sources to Astro Awani. Palanivel, 76, was appointed as the eighth President of MIC on 6 December 2010, succeeding Tun S Samy Vellu, who held the position for 31 years. He was appointed as a Minister in the Prime Minister's Department under Datuk Seri Najib Razak's administration in 2011. Palanivel joined Najib's Cabinet in June 2010 as the Deputy Minister of Plantation Industries and Commodities. Born on 1 March 1949, Palanivel received higher education at the University of Malaya, earning a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1972. He then served as a lecturer in Economics and History at Kadir Adabi College in Kuantan before becoming the Executive Director of the Consumers Association of Penang. He also worked as a research officer at the National Museum for the Bujang Valley Project before joining Bernama in April 1977, where he was appointed News Editor of the Economic Desk in 1984. Palanivel's political career began in 1987 when he was appointed Press Secretary to Samy Vellu. In the 1990 General Election, Palanivel contested and won the Hulu Selangor parliamentary seat, which he held until he was defeated in the 2008 General Election.
Free Malaysia Today
14-06-2025
- Business
- Free Malaysia Today
Empower AI to gain competitive edge, media industry told
FMT's head of Bahasa Malaysia and video unit, Zahrul Alam Yahya Shahir, said the media should not fear AI as it has long survived alongside it. (Bernama pic) KUALA LUMPUR : The media industry has been urged to empower artificial intelligence (AI) by actively shaping its development and use to gain a competitive advantage. FMT Sdn Bhd's head of Bahasa Malaysia and video unit, Zahrul Alam Yahya Shahir, said the media plays a crucial role in providing the data that AI systems learn from. Speaking at the National Journalists' Day (Hawana) 2025 Media Forum today, he noted that AI performs best when trained on structured content, as the technology prefers content that clearly outlines the issue and explains the problem. 'The content that AI gives us comes from us. That's why I say it's time for us to empower AI with our content… the analytic content that we put into social media and what not. 'Don't fear AI; we (the media) have long survived alongside it,' he said at the forum titled 'AI & Media: Tool, Threat or Opportunity?' He said that media practitioners should be the ones empowering AI, not the other way around. Another panellist, Astro Awani senior editor Nazri Kahar, emphasised that technologies such as AI should not be seen as a threat but an opportunity that the media industry must embrace. He said journalism is at a critical crossroads, demanding that media practitioners quickly adapt to technological advancements. 'This is a crucial moment for us to seize the opportunity. We should not view technologies as enemies that will erase the media industry. Instead, we must set boundaries, adapt and move forward,' he said. Nazri recounted a personal experience, going live for the Sibu by-election in 2010 using only an iPhone instead of expensive conventional broadcast equipment such as satellite systems. 'It was a new approach at that time. We used Skype (a telecommunication application to make voice and video calls and send instant messages), and the results were impressive,' he said, adding that the experience revealed the potential of technology to many people in journalism. Elaborating, he said that media organisations should not be bound by traditional approaches, focusing on concerns over audio and visual quality; instead, they should prioritise news value and timeliness in delivering information.
