Latest news with #Kuala Lumpur
Malay Mail
a day ago
- Politics
- Malay Mail
Muda denies formal pact with Perikatan after Muhyiddin meet, but says Opposition needs strong voice to keep govt in line
KUALA LUMPUR, July 19 — Malaysian United Democratic Alliance (Muda) said today that no decision has been made yet regarding any formal cooperation, following the meeting with Perikatan Nasional (PN) chairman Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin. Its acting president Amira Aisya Abd Aziz said while the Opposition parties present who attended the meeting had clear differences, they shared concerns over key national issues. 'I believe there are a number of key issues that concern us all,' she said in a statement here. 'These include the rising cost of living affecting the people, the worsening abuse of power, and the unfulfilled promises of reform.' She said Muda is open to working with any party aligned on policy and principles, citing its previous political understanding with Socialist Party of Malaysia and its collaboration on the Urban Renewal Act with Parti Pejuang Tanahair. In addition, she said discussions on political cooperation will be carried out collectively within the Muda leadership. 'Muda believes that the Opposition must be a firm, principled and strong voice to hold the government accountable to the responsibilities it has been entrusted with,' she said. Muda was previously aligned with government coalition Pakatan Harapan, but has since joined the Opposition bloc. Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia president Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin yesterday said he held a meeting with leaders of several opposition parties to discuss forming a coalition focused on national interests. Muhyiddin said the proposed coalition aims to provide a united opposition front and reinforce the check and balance function in and out of Parliament. PN component parties Gerakan and Malaysian Indian People's Party were present — but not PAS. Other parties represented included Muda, Parti Pejuang Tanahair, Parti Bumiputera Perkasa Malaysia (Putra), People's Progressive Party, Berjasa, United for the Rights of Malaysians Party (Urimai), and Malaysian Advancement Party.
Malay Mail
a day ago
- Politics
- Malay Mail
‘Not their home any more': Rafizi warns PKR risks Umno-style exodus over grassroots anger after party polls
KUALA LUMPUR, July 19 — Former PKR deputy president Rafizi Ramli has reportedly cautioned that rising dissatisfaction among grassroots party members could lead to an exodus that similarly plagued Umno during the 1998 Reformasi movement. Malaysiakini cited him from his podcast Yang Berhenti Menteri suggesting that the discontent stems from the recent PKR party elections, where members questioned the transparency of the process. 'In the madness of grabbing power or positions, don't let it come to making people feel like this is not [their] home any more,' he reportedly said, adding that this will be dangerous to the party. 'When they've moved on, it's not easy to ask them to come back,' he added. Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, then Umno deputy president and deputy prime minister was sacked in 1998 by Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad — leading to the Reformasi movement and formation of PKR. Meanwhile, Rafizi was recently defeated in the PKR number two post by Anwar's daughter Nurul Izzah. He and fellow loser Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad both quit their Cabinet posts, citing the party's loss of trust in them. Since then, he has since one of the biggest critics of Anwar's administration, from issues ranging from the 13th Malaysia Plan to judicial independence. Yesterday, Rafizi led nine PKR MPs to remind the government that the need to strengthen the judicial appointment process continues, despite the finalised top judicial appointments. Rafizi had similar stepped down from politics in 2018 after he was defeated by Datuk Seri Mohamed Azmin Ali to be Anwar's deputy in PKR — before returning to the post and active politics in 2022.
Malay Mail
2 days ago
- Politics
- Malay Mail
Bersih welcomes appointment of top judges, stresses importance of judicial integrity
KUALA LUMPUR, July 18 — The Coalition for Clean and Fair Elections (Bersih) has welcomed the appointment of the country's three top judges, including Chief Justice Datuk Wan Ahmad Farid Wan Salleh. The Bersih steering committee expressed hope that Wan Ahmad's firm stance in upholding the country's principles of sovereignty will continue in his tenure as Chief Justice, noting that Wan Ahmad Farid, who had been part of the political party Umno, had recused himself from hearing former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak's case as a High Court judge in 2022. 'Such a stance is vital to ensure that the public respects the judiciary as a body that upholds the principle of legal sovereignty,' the committee said in a statement today, adding that it was vital for Wan Ahmad to avoid causing negative public perception towards the independence of the judicial institution. The appointment of the top three judges, Wan Ahmad Farid as Chief Justice, Datuk Abu Bakar Jais as President of the Court of Appeals and Datuk Azizah Nawawi as Chief Judge of Sabah and Sarawak, was made public yesterday. The appointments were made based on Clause (1) of Article 122B of the Federal Constitution, after obtaining the consent of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong on the advice of the Prime Minister and after consulting the Conference of Rulers. They will receive their letters of appointment and take their oaths of office in front of His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim, King of Malaysia at Istana Negara on July 28, 2025. — Bernama
Malay Mail
2 days ago
- Politics
- Malay Mail
‘Twice was enough': Dr Mahathir rules out return as PM even if Perikatan wins Putrajaya, says happy to advise
ALOR SETAR, July 18 — Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad has reportedly said he has no intention of returning as prime minister for a third time should Perikatan Nasional (PN) assume federal power. The former prime minister, who just turned 100, said he is no longer suited to lead but would continue to offer his advice based on his decades of political experience. 'I'm old now, 100 years old. I can't deliver fiery speeches like I used to. I'm not trying to take the place of the younger generation. 'We welcome young people. I'm not looking to be prime minister again — twice was enough,' he was quoted saying by Sinar Harian at the Himpunan Mandat Negarawan rally here yesterday. 'But I do want to offer some advice because I've been prime minister for 24 years, and I've been in politics for over 80,' he added, Dr Mahathir claimed that a PN-led administration would be open to advice and capable of solving key issues such as poverty. 'If we change the government, we'll have a prime minister who is open to advice. I believe many problems can be solved, including the issue of poverty,' he said. He said tackling poverty should be a government priority and that PN could deliver on this. 'The government must prioritise solving the problem of poverty. PN can do this — PN can reduce poverty. That's our hope, and that's why we're holding this rally,' he said. The Himpunan Mandat Negarawan rally organised PN was a precursor to Turun Anwar, a larger event set for July 26 in Kuala Lumpur, aimed at pressuring Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim to resign.
Malay Mail
2 days ago
- Business
- Malay Mail
MAHB eyes 62 million passengers in 2025, set to match pre-Covid highs
SEPANG, July 18 — Malaysia Airports Holdings Bhd (MAHB) is optimistic of achieving its target of 62 million passenger movements by year-end, a milestone that would mark its return to pre-pandemic levels. Group managing director Datuk Mohd Izani Ghani said the positive trajectory is being driven by a series of strategic upgrades and service transformations across its network, particularly at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) Terminal 1. 'This year is about re-establishing our strength. Passenger movement numbers are moving in the right direction. Looking at the trend, 62 million by year-end is very achievable,' he told reporters during a media briefing on MAHB's strategic direction here today. Since taking the helm in August last year, Mohd Izani said the company has pivoted towards a more agile, responsive and customer-focused model, shedding old bureaucratic ways in favour of speed and service excellence. 'I told my team we cannot run an airport at the pace we used to. This is a customer-facing business. Passengers expect quick responses and smooth experiences, so that's what we are focusing on,' he said. He added that MAHB's transformation is anchored on three pillars: service excellence, growth, and capacity enhancement under the group's refreshed airport strategy, and the KLIA ecosystem is at the centre of this repositioning plan to build a connected and efficient hub. Collaboration and momentum behind the numbers MAHB has already completed 14 facility upgrades in the first half of the year (1H2025) at KLIA Terminal 1, involving improved passenger clearance lanes and check-in zones. These efforts, costing about RM30 million, have increased throughput by 40 per cent. 'These are the low-hanging fruits, done with support from our experienced partners, including Global Infrastructure Partners. They helped us fine-tune operations, such as shortening clearance times and optimising passenger flows,' he said. When asked about capital expenditure for 2H2025, Mohd Izani replied that the company is still finalising the figures. On MAHB's regional competitiveness, he said the group is focused on building strength in the regional travel segment rather than competing head-on with larger hubs like Changi or Suvarnabhumi. 'We do not need to fight head-on. We focus on our niche. Many regional carriers are already operating out of Malaysia and we can build on that. We provide the customer flow and the experience, and the connectivity will follow,' he said. He noted that collaboration between airports and airlines has improved in recent months, which bodes well for long-term route development. Asked on whether MAHB faces restrictions when engaging foreign carriers due to commitments to the national carrier, Mohd Izani said the airport operator maintains a performance-driven approach. 'We support our national airline as best we can. At the same time, we do not restrict others from coming in. Everyone has to perform. It's a level playing field,' he said. Mohd Izani said MAHB is currently exploring the feasibility of enabling seamless passenger transfers between KLIA Terminals 1 and 2. Proof-of-concept trials are underway, including evaluating shuttle routes and baggage transfer processes. 'We are testing how many minutes it takes to move passengers between terminals, including baggage transfers. Once that is sorted, and if airlines are aligned, it can happen,' he said, adding that the Ministry of Transport is supportive of the initiative. Commenting on the recent brief disruption to the newly resumed aerotrain service at KLIA due to rainwater accumulation, Mohd Izani said the issue was promptly resolved by replacing the faulty pump and improving the drainage system. 'We've been assured by our engineering team that it is under control now. The improvements have addressed the root cause,' he said. Visit Malaysia Year 2026 and beyond In preparation for Visit Malaysia Year 2026 and the Asian Games in 2027, MAHB is curating new passenger experiences. Among them is Project Rimba, a revitalised indoor forest with thematic features including improved lighting, waterfalls and seasonal floral showcases. 'We want to give passengers something to look forward to. This is part of our commitment to continuous improvement,' he said. MAHB, now privately held by Khazanah Nasional via UEM, the Employees Provident Fund and Global Infrastructure Partners with Abu Dhabi Investment Authority, continues to hold its golden share under the Ministry of Finance. Mohd Izani said the privatisation has helped expedite decision-making, with a supportive board comprising seven shareholder representatives and four government-appointed members. 'The transformation journey is only just beginning. We are putting the right team, the right partnerships, and the right pace to bring Malaysia Airports to the next level,' he said. — Bernama
