Latest news with #RonaldKiandee
The Star
3 days ago
- Politics
- The Star
Sabah polls: GRS still letting a national coalition call the shots, says Bersatu
KOTA KINABALU: Bersatu has accused Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) of drumming up empty war cries for local-based parties to govern the state, as it still needs approval from a national coalition. Sabah Bersatu chairman Datuk Seri Ronald Kiandee ( pic ) said at a recent party function in Beaufort, it was clear that whatever GRS intends to do still needs the endorsement of its federal unity government partner, Pakatan Harapan. ALSO READ: Sabah polls: GRS should just say if it's going solo, says Bung "They are shouting 'Rumah Kita, Kita Jaga' (Our House, We Take Care of it), but they can't even decide on going solo," said Kiandee, who is Beluran MP and also national Bersatu vice president. Kiandee was referring to the Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS) and Sabah STAR convention last weekend, where its grassroots urged the GRS leadership to contest the coming state election on its own. "You have grassroots shouting 'go solo', but you need a decision from a national party. "How are you going to resolve Malaysia Agreement 1963 issues and other matters if you can't even make a stand for yourselves?" he asked. ALSO READ: PBS, Sabah STAR grassroots call for GRS to go solo in upcoming Sabah polls GRS chairman Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor has said that the leaders of the eight-party GRS will discuss the question of going solo or teaming up with a national coalition when the time is right. Sabah Bersatu is expected to contest as well, but has yet to indicate how many seats it is eyeing.
Free Malaysia Today
01-06-2025
- General
- Free Malaysia Today
Opposition MPs seek to observe PM's reference application court proceedings
Lawyers Azhar Azizan Harun, Takiyuddin Hassan and Zulkifli Noordin have been nominated to attend the High Court proceedings. KUALA LUMPUR : Three opposition MPs have applied for their lawyers to be allowed to observe High Court proceedings on Tuesday, as Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim's counsel argues to refer eight questions of law to the Federal Court for determination, including whether he has immunity from a civil suit scheduled for trial in two weeks. A letter dated today to Justice Roz Mawar Rozain's secretary by legal firm Wan Jawahir & Takiyuddin, sighted by FMT, showed that the application was jointly made by MPs Hamzah Zainudin (Larut), Ahmad Samsuri Mokhtar (Kemaman) and Ronald Kiandee (Beluran). It said the three MPs were interested parties, as the constitutional issues to be ventilated in court would also be raised in the Dewan Rakyat. 'We request that our lawyers be allowed to be present throughout the proceedings as observers to represent the MPs,' the letter said. Lawyers Azhar Azizan Harun, Takiyuddin Hassan and Zulkifli Noordin have been nominated to attend the proceedings. Lawyer Rafique Rashid Ali, who is appearing for former research assistant Yusoff Rawther in response to Anwar's application, said he had been extended a copy of the letter. 'I believe they want the status of amicus curiae (friend of the court) and would want to submit if the judge extends an invitation,' he said. The parties will appear before the judge at 2.30pm on Tuesday and make oral submissions before a ruling is handed down. Rafique said Yusoff would be opposing the application. Roz Mawar has to determine whether the legal questions posed cross the threshold for them to be referred to the Federal Court. The prime minister wants the apex court to rule whether Articles 39, 40 and 43 of the Federal Constitution grant him qualified immunity from a suit filed by Yusoff four years ago. The suit relates to events that allegedly took place before Anwar took office on Nov 24, 2022. In the application, filed by his newly appointed solicitors Messrs Zain Megat & Murad, Anwar said the apex court must decide whether the suit would impair the effective discharge of his executive duties and undermine the constitutional separation of powers. He also wants the apex court to rule whether the continued progress of the suit will offend his right to equal protection under the law, as prescribed in Article 8(1) of the constitution, particularly as he claims that the suit is an abuse of process. Anwar says the suit is premised on a 'manufactured claim' and that he is the victim of 'politically motivated reputational sabotage'. He also wants the Federal Court to rule that the High Court is obliged to hold a 'threshold inquiry' to determine whether the suit constitutes an abuse of process or a threat to public interest, and if so, whether it must be stayed or dismissed 'to preserve constitutional governance'. The application also seeks a determination as to whether Anwar, as the sitting prime minister, is entitled under Article 5(1) of the constitution 'to protection from a vexatious litigant' bringing a suit that is 'strategically timed or politically weaponised to undermine his ability to govern'. Anwar has also applied for the trial of the suit before Roz Mawar, scheduled to begin on June 16, to be stayed pending the outcome of proceedings in the apex court. Yusoff, a grandson of the late Penang consumer advocate SM Mohamed Idris, filed the suit against Anwar in 2021, claiming that he was assaulted at the PKR president's home in Segambut in October 2018. He is seeking general, special, aggravated and exemplary damages, as well as interest, costs and other relief deemed fit by the court. Anwar has denied the claim and filed a countersuit.
Free Malaysia Today
12-05-2025
- Politics
- Free Malaysia Today
Sabah PN chief urges caution on GRS alliance
Sabah PN chairman Ronald Kiandee predicted that further realignment among parties could take place leading up to the Sabah polls. PETALING JAYA : Sabah Perikatan Nasional chairman Ronald Kiandee has told PAS leader Annuar Musa not to make hasty statements regarding the coalition's potential cooperation with Gabungan Rakyat Sabah for the upcoming state election. Speaking to FMT, Kiandee said Sabah's ever-shifting political landscape made it challenging for any party, including PN, to take a firm stance on alliances. Kiandee predicted there would be new developments related to a possible realignment involving GRS, Pakatan Harapan and Barisan Nasional following Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim's call yesterday for the three coalitions to cooperate, in line with the collaboration at the federal level. Kiandee also asked if GRS component leaders would be willing to work with PH-BN as GRS chairman, Sabah chief minister Hajiji Noor, had announced the possibility of the local coalition going solo in the state polls. 'Annuar should not have been so quick to comment because Sabah's political dynamics are always evolving. His statement has been overtaken by current developments,' said Kiandee. 'As the head of PN and Bersatu in Sabah, I've provided a detailed briefing on the current political situation in the state. 'Annuar should have passed on his proposal to PAS representatives to be discussed by the PN Supreme Council.' Annuar, the PAS deputy election director, said yesterday his personal view was that PN should support GRS in the upcoming state election since PH and BN had announced an electoral pact of their own. Annuar, a former Umno secretary-general, also said he hoped that PN would study the option of contesting under the GRS banner, or even sit out the polls completely. On Friday, GRS threatened to go solo at the state polls if PH and BN finalised an electoral pact. Hajiji contended that local Sabah parties should be the backbone and head of the state government. PH chairman Anwar, who was in Sabah yesterday for talks with Hajiji, expressed optimism that PH, BN, and GRS could agree on cooperating ahead of the polls.
The Star
07-05-2025
- Politics
- The Star
Status of Labuan MP to be decided soon
KLANG: The status of the Labuan parliamentary seat will be decided soon, according to Dewan Rakyat Speaker Tan Sri Johari Abdul. He said a letter from Bersatu chief whip Datuk Seri Ronald Kiandee on the matter had been received, and all aspects are being scrutinised before any decision is made. 'I need time to review everything. A decision will be made soon after examining all aspects, including legal matters. 'I have received the letter from Bersatu and I have written to the Labuan MP. I will also consult several other units, as I do not have the complete information. 'A decision on the matter will be made soon after all the necessary information is obtained,' Johari said at a press conference after launching the 2nd Consultative Meeting of Young Parliamentarians of the Asean Inter-Parliamentary Assembly here yesterday, Bernama reported. It was previously reported that Bersatu had sent a letter to the Dewan Rakyat Speaker demanding that the Labuan parliamentary seat be declared vacant. This followed a decision by the Shah Alam High Court on April 15, which dismissed the writ of summons and statement of claim filed by Labuan MP Datuk Dr Suhaili Abdul Rahman against the party. Suhaili is among six Bersatu MPs stripped of their party membership last June for declaring support for Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
