Latest news with #Mahfuz


New Straits Times
23-06-2025
- Politics
- New Straits Times
Perlis MB's defeat in party polls exposes rift within Pas, says Mahfuz
ALOR STAR: Perlis Menteri Besar Shukri Ramli's defeat in his bid to wrest the Arau Pas chief post in the party's election proves that the party's grassroots has lost faith in the state leadership. Parti Amanah Negara (Amanah) vice-president Datuk Mahfuz Omar said the outcome of the Arau and Padang Besar Pas elections signalled more than just the rejection of one leader, but it was also a damning verdict from the party's rank-and-file. "This is not just about the defeat of an individual or his team. It is also a clear sign that the party's grassroots no longer have confidence in the leadership of Pas and the Perlis state government under Shukri," he said in a statement today. Mahfuz, who was once a Pas vice-president, added that the internal rift has grown too glaring to ignore and warned that the prolonged power struggle was robbing Perlis people of a stable and decisive administration. "The people of Perlis are watching this crisis unfold. The top Pas leadership remains silent and has failed to take any constructive action, even though criticisms of the Menteri Besar's weaknesses have been raised repeatedly, including at Pas' own Muktamar," he said. Mahfuz took a swipe at Pas Youth for its selective activism, questioning why there were no calls for a "Turun Shukri" rally when the same group was eager to stage protests demanding Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim's resignation. "The question now is on how long will Pas leaders ignore the voice and concerns of their own grassroots? How long must the people of Perlis suffer in this drawn-out internal feud? He cautioned that the state government's credibility was crumbling amid inconsistent decision-making and a glaring lack of direction, leaving the people in limbo. "Political stability is the bedrock of the people's well-being. When the ruling party fails to manage its own conflicts, the people pay the price," he said. Mahfuz urged Pas to stop politicking among themselves and start listening to the rakyat and party members. "If they can no longer lead with integrity and fairness, they should step aside and return the mandate to the people. The people of Perlis deserve leadership that is stable, caring and accountable," he said. In an unexpected outcome during the party's election, Shukri, was unsuccessful in his attempt to unseat the incumbent Arau Pas chief Solahudin Azmi. Shukri only collected 43 votes, trailing far behind Solahudin who managed 128 votes.


The Star
23-06-2025
- Politics
- The Star
Leaders slam US strikes on Iran
Call for restraint: (From left) Anwar, Mahfuz and Abdul Hadi denounced US attacks on Iran, calling it a violation of international law and a threat to global peace. PETALING JAYA: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and Malaysian political leaders stood together in their condemnation of the military strikes by the United States on Iran, describing the attacks as a violation of international law and a threat to global stability. The leaders are calling for immediate international action, including intervention by the United Nations and the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC). During a function in Kuching yesterday, Anwar urged the international community to apply pressure on Israel to stop its provocative and aggressive actions. He said lasting peace could only be achieved if Israel ceases its violent conduct towards other countries. 'For genuine peace to be realised, Israel must be pressured to stop being provocative and violent towards other nations,' he said. Anwar said Malaysia has taken a fair and balanced stance on the issue. 'When you launch attacks and kill people, of course, there will be retaliation from Iran,' he said. He also said the continued killing of civilians in Gaza, including women and children, and the latest strikes on Iran, have worsened the situation, especially with foreign involvement from countries like the United States. 'Now they are attacking Iran, and Iran has chosen to fight back. The intervention by external powers such as the United States will only escalate the conflict further,' he added. He also warned that the closure of the Strait of Hormuz will have serious implications for the global economy. Anwar said Malaysia must continue to speak out in defence of human rights and justice. 'For me, the most important thing is the sanctity of human life and justice. Stop the violence. 'People say Iran should not respond, but why is Israel allowed to act with such impunity? 'Malaysia is compelled to voice our position. We must not allow a sovereign and independent nation to be silenced when it comes to speaking out about human rights and justice,' he added. Amanah vice-president Datuk Mahfuz Omar urged Putrajaya to convene an emergency parliamentary sitting to discuss the attacks. He said the sitting should discuss Malaysia's official stand and diplomatic response to the conflict; the potential geopolitical and economic impacts on the country, including supply chains, oil prices and regional security; and possible humanitarian assistance that Malaysia could extend to Iranian civilians affected by the violence. 'Parliament should be the platform through which the voice of the Malaysian people is conveyed in a lawful and dignified manner. 'Malaysia has a responsibility to continue playing an active role in promoting global peace through our involvement in the UN, the OIC, the Non-Aligned Movement and Asean. 'I call on the Prime Minister to urgently consider the need for a special parliamentary sitting in defence of the values of justice and universal humanity,' he said. PAS president Tan Sri Abdul Hadi Awang urged the UN Security Council and the OIC to take firm action to stop what he called an uncivilised act of aggression. He warned that failure to act could further destabilise the region and endanger the prospects of global peace. 'The attack not only violates Iran's sovereignty but also constitutes a war crime that clearly breaches international law and the UN Charter. 'PAS is calling for strong and immediate action from the UN Security Council and the OIC to halt this aggression and to condemn the arrogance of the United States, which remains a staunch ally of the illegitimate Israeli regime,' he said.


The Star
22-06-2025
- Politics
- The Star
Amanah urges for emergency parliamentary sitting to be called over Middle East conflict
PETALING JAYA: In response to the escalating conflict in the Middle East following large-scale military attacks by the United States and Israel on Iran, Amanah has called on the government to convene an emergency parliamentary sitting. Amanah vice-president Datuk Mahfuz Omar expressed deep concern over the situation, noting that the strikes have resulted in the loss of lives and the destruction of public infrastructure in Iran, while also posing a risk of a wider regional conflict that could threaten global stability, including in Southeast Asia. "This is a serious development that warrants immediate attention. Parliament must not remain silent on matters involving universal justice, national sovereignty, and humanitarian concerns," he said in a statement on Sunday (June 22). Mahfuz urged the Dewan Rakyat to convene a special sitting to deliberate on three key issues: Malaysia's official stance and diplomatic response to the conflict; the potential geopolitical and economic impacts on the country, including supply chains, oil prices, and regional security; and possible humanitarian assistance that Malaysia could extend to Iranian civilians affected by the violence. "As the country's highest democratic institution, Parliament must be the platform through which the voice of the Malaysian people is conveyed in a lawful and dignified manner," he said. Mahfuz stressed that Malaysia must reaffirm its position as a principled, neutral nation that consistently rejects all forms of occupation, aggression, and violations of international law. "Malaysia has a responsibility to continue playing an active role in promoting global peace through our involvement in the United Nations, the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM), and Asean," he said. He added that Malaysians overwhelmingly oppose violence and support peaceful solutions, and as such, the government has both a moral and political obligation to speak clearly and with dignity on the international stage. "I call on the Prime Minister to urgently consider the need for a special parliamentary sitting in defence of the values of justice and universal humanity," he said.


New Straits Times
22-06-2025
- Politics
- New Straits Times
Amanah pushes special Dewan Rakyat sitting on Middle-East conflict
ALOR STAR: Parti Amanah Negara (Amanah) has urged Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim to convene a special Parliament sitting to address Malaysia's official position on the escalating conflict in the Middle East. This came following large-scale military action launched by Israel and the United States of America against the Islamic Republic of Iran. Amanah vice-president Datuk Mahfuz Omar said the situation posed a grave threat to regional stability and could have far-reaching implications for global security, including Southeast Asia. "This military aggression has not only caused loss of lives and destruction of public infrastructure in Iran, but it has also opened the door to wider regional conflict that risks undermining global stability," he said in a statement today. Mahfuz said Malaysia must urgently deliberate on appropriate diplomatic measures and assess the geopolitical and economic impact, including supply chain disruptions, fluctuating oil prices, and regional security risks. "As the highest democratic institution in the country, Parliament cannot remain silent on matters involving universal justice, the sovereignty of other nations, and humanity. "The voice of the Malaysian people must be expressed through a legitimate and respectable channel which is the Dewan Rakyat," he said. Mahfuz stressed that as a neutral and principled nation, Malaysia must maintain its consistent stand of rejecting all forms of colonisation, invasion and violations of international law. "It is also our responsibility to continue Malaysia's active role in promoting global peace through our engagements within the United Nations, the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) and Asean," he said. Mahfuz added that Malaysians overwhelmingly reject violence and support peaceful solutions, and that it was the government's moral and political obligation to ensure the country's voice is heard clearly and with dignity on the world stage. "I call on the Prime Minister to immediately consider convening this special Parliament sitting in the interest of upholding justice and humanity," he said. Earlier today, the US announced its entry into the Iran-Israel War, stating that it has carried out attacks on three Iranian nuclear sites. Entering its second week, Israel began the conflict through 'preemptive' airstrikes on several strategic sites in Iran, including nuclear facilities, missile bases and military command centres, followed with retaliation by the Gulf state.