Latest news with #UnityGovernment
Free Malaysia Today
11 hours ago
- Politics
- Free Malaysia Today
Internal sabotage caused Umno's election losses, says Asyraf
Umno secretary-general Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki greeting party members at the delegates meeting of the Rantau Panjang Umno division yesterday. (Bernama pic) PETALING JAYA : Sabotage by party members, not the strength of rival parties, led to Umno's losses in the 2022 general election (GE15), says Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki. 'That (sabotage) is what we want to avoid in the future,' the party's secretary-general told reporters after opening the delegates meeting of the Rantau Panjang Umno division yesterday, Bernama reported. He reminded party leaders and members to remain united and avoid any discord to ensure a big victory at the next general election (GE16). In GE15, Umno won only 26 parliamentary seats and 31% of the popular vote, the worst election performance in its history compared to its 2004 high point, when it won 102 seats and 65% of the popular vote. Asked about moves for Umno to leave the unity government and go solo in GE16, he said: 'We have never been alone in a general election as the country's stability and prosperity would not be achieved if the struggle was done individually.' He added that the Umno Supreme Council will continue to defend the unity government.
Daily Express
13 hours ago
- Politics
- Daily Express
Keadilan Women hails Prime Minister's 55pc rating
Published on: Saturday, June 28, 2025 Published on: Sat, Jun 28, 2025 Text Size: Rufinah described the survey results as a strong endorsement of the Unity Government's reform agenda, noting that it motivates Keadilan Women Sabah to continue pushing for social justice, women's empowerment, and equitable development throughout the country, including in Sabah. Kota Kinabalu: Keadilan Women Sabah has welcomed the latest Merdeka Centre survey indicating a 55 per cent approval rating for Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, calling it a reflection of increasing public trust in his leadership. Datin Rufinah Pengeran, national Deputy Chief of Keadilan Women and Chief of the Sabah chapter, said the positive rating underscores public support for the Prime Minister's emphasis on transparency, integrity, and institutional reform. 'His commitment to political stability and prioritizing the welfare of the people has strengthened confidence across communities nationwide,' she said in a statement. Rufinah described the survey results as a strong endorsement of the Unity Government's reform agenda, noting that it motivates Keadilan Women Sabah to continue pushing for social justice, women's empowerment, and equitable development throughout the country, including in Sabah. She concluded by congratulating the Prime Minister and reaffirmed Keadilan Women Sabah's full support for his leadership in advancing a more progressive, inclusive, and competitive Malaysia. * Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel and Telegram for breaking news alerts and key updates! * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia
Malay Mail
14 hours ago
- Politics
- Malay Mail
Umno's Asyraf Wajdi calls for unity, warns against internal sabotage ahead of GE16
PASIR MAS, June 28 — Umno secretary-general Datuk Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki has reminded party leaders and members to remain united and avoid any discord to ensure a big win in the upcoming 16th general election (GE16). He attributed Umno's loss in the previous general election to sabotage among party members, adding that it was not due to the strength of their rivals. 'That's what we want to avoid in the future,' he told reporters after officiating the Rantau Panjang Umno Division delegates meeting here today, adding that the party machinery needed to be strong and to strengthen its role in the Unity Government. On claims that certain parties wanted Umno to leave the Unity Government and go solo during GE16, he said that the Umno supreme council continued to defend the Unity Government. 'In Umno's history, we have never been alone in a general election as the country's stability and prosperity would not be achieved if the struggle was done individually,' he added. — Bernama
Free Malaysia Today
6 days ago
- Politics
- Free Malaysia Today
‘Sabahan No 1' not an empty slogan, says Salleh
Sabah BN treasurer Salleh Said Keruak said the state party moved in tandem with the federal unity government. (Bernama pic) PETALING JAYA : 'Sabahan No 1' is not an empty slogan for Barisan Nasional as it represents the party's struggle to give priority to the interests of the people of Sabah, according to Sabah BN treasurer Salleh Said Keruak. Speaking to Umno members in Benoni, he said BN relied on hard work and perseverance, rather than populist sentiment or material inducements, with 'not just promises, but actual delivery'. Salleh, who is state assemblyman for Usukan, said: 'We don't come with money, but with spirit and hard work.' His remarks come a week after Sabah chief minister Hajiji Noor reiterated his stance that local parties should lead and dominate Sabah politics. While he acknowledged cooperation with national parties, Hajiji maintained that ultimate political control should remain in the hands of Sabahans themselves. Salleh, who has previously asserted that the struggle for the state's rights is not the domain of any one party but of all Sabahans, said Sabah BN moved in tandem with the federal unity coalition government, to ensure Sabah had a decisive voice in national affairs. Last week, Sabah BN chairman Bung Moktar Radin called for a straight contest between BN and the ruling coalition GRS at the next state elections. He said cooperation could be considered after the elections. GRS deputy secretary-general Armizan Mohd Ali said that Bung's proposal was reasonable and should be honoured as the only way to resolve the conflict between the two coalition parties.
The Star
6 days ago
- Business
- The Star
Don't downplay seriousness of national debt
Prime Minister and Finance Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim must cease using selective framing and misrepresenting concepts to downplay the seriousness of the national debt or to claim undue credit. The public deserves transparency, especially amid rising inflation, an increasing cost of living, and growing economic hardship. Urgently needed are concrete, revenue-generating economic policies, not a continued reliance on tax increases and subsidy reductions that add financial pressure on the rakyat. Recently, the Prime Minister stated that Malaysia's new borrowings have decreased annually, from RM100bil in 2022 to RM80bil in 2024. He also claimed that consistent efforts have been made since 2022 to reduce the fiscal deficit from 5.5% to a projected 3.8% this year. However, this narrative attempts to obscure the actual increase in overall national debt by focusing only on the decline in new borrowing. The claim of a RM20bil drop in new debt over three years does not reflect the full picture. According to the latest fiscal and debt data released by Bank Negara Malaysia, the national debt continues to rise. Official reports, such as the Government Finance Statistics and the Economic Outlook Report, show that federal government debt exceeded RM1.17tril at the end of 2023. This figure rose to RM1.6324tril in 2024 and remained high at RM1.2476tril as of the first quarter of 2025. These numbers directly contradict the Prime Minister's claims and reveal a clear attempt to present a misleading version of the national debt status by selectively using statistics. National debt cannot be assessed by focusing solely on new borrowings. The total size of the debt, the debt-to-GDP ratio, refinancing obligations, and interest liabilities are all key structural factors that must be addressed. Suggesting that borrowing slightly less this year indicates meaningful fiscal improvement underestimates the public's understanding and concern. What matters most to the people is the actual debt burden carried by the country, not how the government chooses to interpret the data. If the debt continues to grow and interest payments increase, then the Prime Minister's remarks amount to self-deception and risk eroding public trust. Despite repeated assurances of fiscal reform and financial discipline, the Unity Government has yet to demonstrate genuine progress in reducing national debt or budget deficits over the past two years. Instead, it has expanded the Sales and Services Tax (SST) and reduced subsidies, effectively shifting the fiscal burden onto the public while failing to rein in government expenditure. Balancing the national budget should not come at the expense of ordinary Malaysians. The real crisis today lies in inflation and the rising cost of living. Yet the government has failed to introduce any substantial, revenue-boosting economic policy or reform plan. What the country truly needs are forward-looking policies that raise incomes, encourage investment, and create employment opportunities. Fiscal reforms must not be used as an excuse to add to the public's burden. Malaysians do not need more political packaging. What is urgently required are real, effective solutions that provide relief and restore confidence. Saw Yee Fung MCA Youth Secretary General
