Latest news with #ZaidIbrahim
Focus Malaysia
15 hours ago
- Politics
- Focus Malaysia
Zaid snubbed for turncoat tendency after owing up to UMNO for showing up at ‘Turun Anwar' rally
FORMER de facto law minister Datuk Zaid Ibrahim has found himself trolled by Madani government backers that he is unwanted by UMNO after he 'proudly' admitted having attended Saturday's (July 26) Turun Anwar rally. This came about after UMNO president Datuk Seri Dr. Ahmad Zahid Hamidi stated the likelihood of an internal probe on party members who attended the PAS-inspired event at Dataran Merdeka. According to Zahid who is also the Deputy Prime Minister, UMNO as a component of the unity alliance firmly adheres to the principle of supporting and strengthening the Madani government led by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim. 'I want to see first who is present. My team and I will ask why they are present. We want to know the reason for their presence there,' he had told a media conference after officiating the Raub Division UMNO representative meeting in Raub, Pahang yesterday (July 27). This statement promoted the opposition-slant Zaid who became an UMNO member 'by default' while he served as the defence attorney momentarily for incarcerated former premier Datuk Seri Najib Razak to owe up without any second thought. 'Well, let me make it easy for them: I was there. Not only that; I gave speeches too,' he penned on X. Heard that Umno is now checking on members who took part in the 26 July Rally. Well, let me make it easy for them: I was there. Not only that; I gave speeches too. But I didn't say anything I haven't already written and spoken about for months; about the unbearable cost of… — Zaid Ibrahim (@zaidibrahim) July 27, 2025 'But I didn't say anything I haven't already written and spoken about for months; about the unbearable cost of living, the burdensome taxes and how the Madani government has failed the rakyat.' In his self-defence, Zaid further stressed that he did not lie nor 'betray anyone' by virtue of joining the rally. 'I didn't promise not to work with DAP or Anwar, only to turn around and do the opposite,' he cynically justified. 'I didn't participate in the charade about the hidden addendum. If speaking the truth is now a punishable offence in UMNO, then perhaps they should look at themselves in the mirror before judging others.' This is when brickbats were hurled at Zaid for assuming that he is an asset in UMNO when the actual fact is that 'you're irrelevant'. 'Do you seriously think UMNO need you?' wondered one commenter. 'I wanted to tell you to grow up but can you? You're like an 'old turkey' with tough meat that can't be softened even if boiled with papaya roots. LOL.' Others chided him by criticising him for his frog-like nature of 'leaping from one party to another' while 'playing all sides'. As such, his presence or absence from UMNO is immaterial if his heart lies in the struggle of the Perikatan Nasional (PN) coalition. The bottom line, as some commenters aptly put it, is for Zaid who had also been previously associated with DAP, KITA (Parti Kesejahteraan Insan Tanah Air) and PKR to have the decency to just quit UMNO if he feels that he cannot longer toe the party's line. – July 28, 2025 Main image credit: Wan Ahmad Fayhsal/Facebook
The Guardian
16-07-2025
- Politics
- The Guardian
‘An insult': Malaysians slam nomination of ‘alpha-male' Nick Adams as US ambassador
Former government ministers and youth politicians in Muslim-majority Malaysia have slammed a decision to nominate right-wing influencer Nick Adams as US ambassador to the country, calling it an insult to the nation. Donald Trump announced last week that Nick Adams, a self-proclaimed 'alpha male', had been announced as ambassador to Malaysia, praising him as a 'incredible patriot'. However, Adam's past online comments and his support for Israel, have prompted calls for the Malaysian government to reject his appointment. Former law minister Zaid Ibrahim and former health minister Khairy Jamaluddin have both urged the government to oppose his posting. Malaysia 'should not be treated as a dumping ground for ideological firebrands and partisan influencers,' Zaid said, adding that Adams' nomination 'would not be a gesture of goodwill-it would be an insult.' Transport minister Anthony Loke, who is the secretary-general of DAP, a member of the national unity government, will also oppose Adams' appointment, according to local media, which reported his party planned to issue a statement on the matter. Adams, 40, who was born in Australia but obtained US citizenship in 2021, will need to be confirmed by the US Senate before he can assume the role. He said on social media last week it was 'nothing short of a lifetime's honour to take the president's goodwill and spread it to the great people of Malaysia'. He looked forward to strengthening ties between the two countries, he said, telling Malaysians he could not wait 'to experience your noble culture and learn much from you'. Adams' comments about Israel have provoked particular concern in Malaysia, a staunch supporter of Palestine, which does not have diplomatic relations with Israel. In a post shared on X in 2024, Adams stated: 'If you don't stand with Israel, you stand with terrorists!' Another comment allegedly written by Adams on X in 2024, in which he claimed to have ensured a waitress was fired for wearing a 'Free Palestine' pin, has been widely cited by pro-Palestine groups and youth leaders opposing his appointment. The post cannot be found on X. A youth leader with the Malaysian Islamic Party (PAS), Sukri Omar, said the Malaysian government should 'send a clear message that Malaysia will not be a stage for normalising Zionist tyranny …' Adams, and the US embassy in Kuala Lumpur, did not respond to a request for comment regarding the cited post, or criticism over his appointment. Dr Bridget Welsh, a political analyst specialising in South-east Asia, said Adams' nomination reflected a lack of understanding of the importance of Malaysia, and the wider region, to the US. 'There is no real recognition and deep appreciation about how critical a role Malaysia plays in the US economy, and the critical importance of these ties for issues of security,' she said. Decisions such as Adams' nomination risked 'pushing everyone [in Southeast Asia] into the arms of China,' she said, adding this was counterproductive for those in the Maga movement who perceive Beijing as a threat. Political relations between Malaysia and the US have become strained over recent years – due to the Israel's war in Gaza, US-China competition, and Trump's threat to impose a 25% tariff on Malaysia. 'Anti-Amercianism is running very deep on the issues of Gaza, on issues associated with Iran, among large sections of the population – not everybody, but many … Will [Adams] be diplomatic? His Twitter [X] account raises questions,' said Welsh.
The Guardian
16-07-2025
- Politics
- The Guardian
‘An insult': Malaysians slam nomination of ‘alpha-male' Nick Adams as US ambassador
Former government ministers and Islamic youth politicians in Muslim-majority Malaysia have slammed a decision to nominate right-wing influencer Nick Adams as US ambassador to the country, calling it an insult to the nation. Donald Trump announced last week that Nick Adams, a self-proclaimed 'alpha male', had been announced as ambassador to Malaysia, praising him as a 'incredible patriot'. However, Adam's past online comments and his support for Israel, have prompted calls for the Malaysian government to reject his appointment. Former law minister Zaid Ibrahim and former health minister Khairy Jamaluddin have both urged the government to oppose his posting. Malaysia 'should not be treated as a dumping ground for ideological firebrands and partisan influencers,' Zaid said, adding that Adams' nomination 'would not be a gesture of goodwill-it would be an insult.' Transport minister Anthony Loke, who is the secretary-general of DAP, a member of the national unity government, will also oppose Adams' appointment, according to local media, which reported his party planned to issue a statement on the matter. Adams, 40, who was born in Australia but obtained US citizenship in 2021, will need to be confirmed by the US Senate before he can assume the role. He said on social media last week it was 'nothing short of a lifetime's honour to take the president's goodwill and spread it to the great people of Malaysia'. He looked forward to strengthening ties between the two countries, he said, telling Malaysians he could not wait 'to experience your noble culture and learn much from you'. Adams' comments about Israel have provoked particular concern in Malaysia, a staunch supporter of Palestine, which does not have diplomatic relations with Israel. In a post shared on X in 2024, Adams stated: 'If you don't stand with Israel, you stand with terrorists!' Another comment allegedly written by Adams on X in 2024, in which he claimed to have ensured a waitress was fired for wearing a 'Free Palestine' pin, has been widely cited by pro-Palestine groups and youth leaders opposing his appointment. The post cannot be found on X. A youth leader with the Malaysian Islamic Party (PAS), Sukri Omar, said the Malaysian government should 'send a clear message that Malaysia will not be a stage for normalising Zionist tyranny…' Adams, and the US embassy in Kuala Lumpur, did not respond to a request for comment regarding the cited post, or criticism over his appointment. Dr Bridget Welsh, a political analyst specialising in South-east Asia, said Adams' nomination reflected a lack of understanding of the importance of Malaysia, and the wider region, to the US. 'There is no real recognition and deep appreciation about how critical a role Malaysia plays in the US economy, and the critical importance of these ties for issues of security,' she said. Decisions such as Adams' nomination risked 'pushing everyone [in Southeast Asia] into the arms of China,' she said, adding this was counterproductive for those in the Maga movement who perceive Beijing as a threat. Political relations between Malaysia and the US have become strained over recent years – due to the Israel's war in Gaza, US-China competition, and Trump's threat to impose a 25% tariff on Malaysia. 'Anti-Amercianism is running very deep on the issues of Gaza, on issues associated with Iran, among large sections of the population – not everybody, but many … Will [Adams] be diplomatic? His Twitter [X] account raises questions,' said Welsh.
Malaysiakini
15-07-2025
- Politics
- Malaysiakini
Zaid decodes PAS: 'They want Hamzah, not Muhyiddin as PM'
Reading between the lines of PAS vice-president Amar Abdullah's remarks, former law minister Zaid Ibrahim believes the Islamist party is backing Bersatu deputy president Hamzah Zainuddin over his superior Muhyiddin Yassin as its preferred prime minister candidate for the next general election. He told Malaysiakini this when asked to elaborate on his post on X titled 'PAS' magnanimity, Bersatu's moment of truth'.
Free Malaysia Today
14-07-2025
- Politics
- Free Malaysia Today
New CJ only after next Rulers' Conference, says Azalina
The constitution must be amended if the Judicial Appointments Commission's recommendations are to be made legally binding, said Azalina Othman Said. (Facebook pic) PETALING JAYA : The appointment of a new chief justice to head the judiciary will be decided only after the next Conference of Rulers scheduled for July 15-17, according to the minister for law and institutional reform, Azalina Othman Said. Azalina said recommendations by the Judicial Appointments Commission on the appointment of new judges are not binding, Bernama reported. However, her assertion was disputed this evening by former law minister Zaid Ibrahim who said the prime minister is bound to forward the commission's recommendations. Azalina, speaking to reporters in Pengerang, Johor, said the commission's role under current law is to screen, evaluate and recommend candidates for appointment as judges. 'The commission's recommendations are 'not a final step in the appointment process. It only recommends names, and these recommendations are not binding'. The commission's recommendations are made to the prime minister. Under the constitution, appointment of judges on the Federal Court, Court of Appeal and the High Courts are made by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong on the advice of the prime minister, and after consulting the Conference of Rulers. Azalina said the constitution would need to be amended if the commission's role is to be made legally binding. She cited a previous explanation by former law minister Nazri Aziz, who had stated in Parliament that the commission is an administrative provision without binding legal effect. The minister's comments come amid criticism over delays in the appointment of senior judges following the retirement of the chief justice and president of the Court of Appeal, and impending vacancies in the superior courts. The Malaysian Bar has planned a protest march tomorrow. Azalina said it is within their democratic right, as long as it is carried out professionally and within the boundaries of the law. 'If they want to march, that is their right. As lawyers, I believe most of them are professionals who understand the constitution and the JAC Act,' she said. Zaid calls for clarity Zaid, in a Facebook posting, said the law requires the prime minister to forward the names recommended by the commission to the Yang di-Pertuan Agong. 'This duty is not optional. If the PM refuses to do so, he is in breach of the law; plain and simple,' he wrote. 'To now pretend that the law doesn't bind them, while quietly ignoring or defying its provisions, is to mock the very idea of the rule of law.' He called for clarity and not vague statements that 'only serve to confuse and deceive the public'. Zaid said: 'The people deserve clarity, not confusion — and certainly not a government that treats the law as optional.' (Under the Judicial Appointments Commission Act, the prime minister may ask for two more names to be submitted for consideration, and where he has accepted any of the names, he may proceed to advise the king, as required by the constitution.)
