Latest news with #Azmin
New Straits Times
a day ago
- New Straits Times
Syndicates use quiet Kelantan border to sneak in foreign workers
KOTA BARU: The "flying passport" ruse persists in Kelantan, but on a smaller scale, an Immigration source said. Despite being separated from Thailand by the shallow Sungai Golok, the source said the ruse was detected only at one of the three checkpoints in the state. Kelantan has three entry points along the Thai border: Rantau Panjang, Pengkalan Kubor in Tumpat and Bukit Bunga in Tanah Merah. "However, two of these checkpoints, Rantau Panjang and Pengkalan Kubor, are always busy with cross-border trade and travel. "They are less likely to be used by syndicate members due to the high traffic volume and enforcement presence. "Instead, syndicate members opt for the Bukit Bunga Immigration, Customs, Quarantine, and Security Complex, which is located in a quieter area and receives less scrutiny." The source said local agents were usually the facilitators of the syndicate, working with Thais employed in Malaysia, particularly in eateries and restaurants. "Thais working in Malaysia engage local agents. "These agents deliver the workers' passports to Immigration officers and have them stamped without the passport holders being present. "Some of these officers are believed to have been cooperating with the agents for years." While the scale of the "flying passport" ruse in Kelantan may not rival that of Johor or other border states, enforcement sources said it remained a serious breach of Immigration protocols and national security. Kelantan Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) director Azmin Yusoff said no reports had been received about border enforcement officers' involvement in the ruse. "We, however, urge members of the public to come forward with information." Azmin, however, said three Immigration officers were detained by the state MACC in the first six months of this year, including those assigned to the Kelantan-Thailand border. He said the three were among the 21 enforcement officers arrested since 2022 for soliciting and receiving bribes.
New Straits Times
4 days ago
- Politics
- New Straits Times
Opposition leaders hit out at Anwar, urge him to step down
KUALA LUMPUR: Opposition leaders at a rally in Dataran Merdeka have criticised Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and called on him to step down. Speaking at the Pas-led rally here today, Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainudin, Datuk Seri Mohamed Azmin Ali, and Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin accused the government of failing the people. Hamzah, the opposition leader in the Dewan Rakyat, said the people were suffering and that the RM100 aid under SARA for all Malaysians aged 18 was not what the people wanted. He also led a prayer, calling for Anwar to resign from the top post. Muhyiddin, the former prime minister, meanwhile acc,used the government of not caring enough for the people, citing the rising cost of living. He too spoke on the RM100 aid, saying it should be targeted and given to those most in need instead of everyone. Azmin, meanwhile, claimed many people, from small traders to civil servants, were suffering with the rising cost of living and the increase in the Sales and Services Tax (SST). "The people are suffering. The people are tired," said Azmin. Meanwhile, former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, 100, who was also present, took a jab at Anwar over the latter's refusal to act against him on the Pulau Batu Puteh issue on account of his age. He said that Anwar's remarks in the Dewan Rakyat on the matter essentially determined he was guilty. Mahathir said the government should have just taken him to court if it felt he was guilty instead of using his age as an excuse.
New Straits Times
4 days ago
- Politics
- 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
5 days ago
- Politics
- 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.
Focus Malaysia
19-07-2025
- Politics
- Focus Malaysia
Rafizi exposes 3 PMX's PolSecs who proactively undermine perceived PKR ‘rabble-rousers'
CALL this a case of badmouthing, backstabbing or punching below the belt from behind the scenes. Having had enough with a myriad of 'labelling' ranging from a reject by party grassroots, sour grape by stepping down as economy minister and most recently, accused of revolting to destroy his party, former PKR president Datuk Seri Rafizi Ramli has taken to the social media to name his nemesis. 'The latest accusation comes from a person named Datuk Azman Abidin. You may wonder who is Azman Bidin,' penned the defiant Pandan MP on his Facebook page. 'He has great influence in PKR although many may not know him well. Therefore, I wish to introduce him today.' According to Rafizi, Azman who is currently one of the three political secretaries (PolSec) to the Prime Minister (PM) has displayed a turncoat nature since the time of the late Selangor menteri besar (MB) Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim. 'His greatness lies in no matter what happens in PKR's internal politics, he must be drawing a fat salary in the government,' chided Rafizi who alongside former natural resources and environmental sustainability minister Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad have been moved to the Dewan Rakyat backbench following their cabinet exit. 'When the late TS Khalid became MB, he was TS Khalid's strongman and was appointed as an MB officer during which he desperately rejected Azmin (former Selangor MB). 'But when Azmin became MB, he suddenly turned to support Azmin following which he was made an officer for Azmin. 'When Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim became PM, he suddenly became the PM's political secretary although we didn't see him much during the national campaign for GE15 (15th General Election).' Rafizi went on to reveal that Azman who is currently the PKR Federal Territories interim chairman is part of PMX's PolSec trio who also comprised Datuk Seri Shamsul Iskandar Mohd Akin and Chan Ming Kai 'who spent their time campaigning to remove PKR leaders thought to be not in line with them'. 'People are busy administering the country while they're busy strategising behind the scenes which culminated in Nurul Izzah Anwar contesting the for the PKR deputy president post (which she eventually defeated Rafizi who was the incumbent),' he chided. 'I can't wait to see Datuk Azman Bidin campaigning nationwide to get 80 parliamentary seats in the GE16 later with guidance from Ramanan (newly elected PKR vice-president and former MIC treasurer Datuk Seri Ramanan Ramakrishnan). God willing, Azman Bidin will herald a new era for PKR.' Apparently, many commenters to Rafizi's latest exposé tended to agree that PMX is surrounded by bootlickers and apple-polishers who could eventually be a liability to both his premiership and PKR if he continues to throw caution to the wind. In fact, one pointedly revealed two more PolSecs of PMX whom he accused of 'also being sent to do NGO work for PMX' – Ahmad Farhan Fauzi and PKR Youth chief Kamil Munim (PolSec to Finance Minister). – July 19, 2025
