KUALA LUMPUR, May 3 — The Unity Government Leadership Consultative Council is scheduled to meet next week to discuss a range of current issues, including the status of the Negeri Sembilan menteri besar post.

Its secretariat chief, Datuk Dr Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki, said the meeting is important to deliberate on policy matters and positions among parties in the government, as well as issues involving the monarchy and customs in the state.

Asyraf, who is also Umno secretary-general, said discussions will be guided by the spirit of the memorandum of understanding (MoU) underpinning the formation of the Unity Government, which emphasises resolving differences through the consultative council.

“Insya-Allah, the meeting will be held next week and various aspects will be discussed comprehensively, and the matter (menteri besar’s position) may be among those discussed,” he told reporters after the Mara 60th anniversary celebration at the World Trade Centre Kuala Lumpur here today. 

Umno had earlier called for an urgent meeting between its Political Bureau and Pakatan Harapan (PH) to address the situation in Negeri Sembilan.

On Tuesday, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said Datuk Seri Aminuddin Harun would continue to carry out his duties as menteri besar as consented to by the Yang Dipertuan Besar of Negeri Sembilan, Tuanku Muhriz Tuanku Munawir. — Bernama

KUALA LUMPUR, May 3 — Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has instructed that the draft amendments to the Majlis Amanah Rakyat (Mara) Act be completed within three months.

Anwar, who is also Finance Minister, said the move includes streamlining Mara’s role as a key umbrella for the Bumiputera economy as well as a one-stop centre for development through better coordination of related agencies and policies.

He said emphasis would also be placed on governance to ensure the Bumiputera agency not only speaks up on key issues, but also demonstrates stronger commitment to good governance practices.

“In its 60 years, Mara has seen its ups and downs. There were times when governance issues were seen as weak and problematic. That is why I thank the Mara chairman for giving due attention to governance.

“I therefore expect the new Mara Act to be ready before the end of the year. I do not want to wait too long. There is no need to take seven to eight months…submit the draft to me within three months,” he said when speaking at the Mara 60th anniversary celebration at the World Trade Centre Kuala Lumpur here today.

Also present were Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, Mara chairman Datuk Dr Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki and Mara director-general Datuk Zulfikri Osman.

The prime minister said the amendments are in line with one of the seven thrusts under the Mara 40-Year Vision, which is designed to position the institution as a key driver of a more inclusive, competitive and globally oriented Bumiputera economic development agenda.

He said the first thrust focuses on transforming Mara into a successful conglomerate anchored in education and entrepreneurship.

“The second emphasises the 3P approach - participation, ownership and control - to strengthen the economic foundation of the Bumiputera community.

“The third relates to talent development, including producing skilled and semi-skilled workers in line with evolving needs, particularly in sectors such as oil and gas and technologies like artificial intelligence (AI),” he said.

Anwar said the fourth thrust focuses on capital development for micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) to expand globally, including in the halal sector, while the fifth and sixth thrusts aim to position Mara as a one-stop centre for education, investment and entrepreneurship, as well as to penetrate international markets.

“And finally, the seventh focuses on governance, integrity and transparency, as we have consistently emphasised,” he said. — Bernama

 

KUALA LUMPUR, May 3 — Veteran singer Khadijah Ibrahim has advised artistes, particularly those from the younger generation, not to be arrogant but instead remain humble and appreciative of fans, who are the lifeblood of their careers.

Khadijah, 66, said in the fast-moving entertainment industry, humility and professionalism are essential foundations to ensure an artiste remains relevant and respected over the long term.

According to her, fans are the most crucial element in the arts ecosystem, as without their support, an artiste’s career would not last.

“If we are arrogant, who loses? In the end, we are the ones who lose. We need fans, we need people to support this career,” she told Bernama when asked to comment on netizens’ claims about artistes behaving arrogantly.

She added that as public figures, artistes must realise their lives are no longer entirely private, as they are constantly under public scrutiny.

“As artistes, we automatically become public figures who no longer have the same exclusive personal space as ordinary people; we belong to the public, so there is no place for arrogance. Always remember, we will be happy when we make others happy,” she said.

Khadijah, who is also chairman of Persatuan Karyawan Malaysia (Karyawan), also touched on the attitude of some industry players who are overly selective or slow to respond in professional matters, making production planning difficult.

She stressed that professionalism is not only about talent, but also involves discipline, communication and respect for other people’s time.

“As chairman of Karyawan, there are now many welfare programmes, concerts, dinners and more, all aimed at helping artistes earn a living and stay visible. We do not want young artistes to be left behind.

“However, when we invite them to collaborate with veteran artistes like us, it sometimes feels as though we have no value. We have to wait weeks, even months, just to get a response,” she said, adding that Karyawan’s intention is to help elevate young artistes’ careers.

Khadijah emphasised that experience and discipline are the key factors that enable an artiste to endure in the industry, not just fleeting popularity.

She said all industry players must uphold good manners, respect fans and never forget their roots, as these form the foundation of dignity in the entertainment world.

The Ku Pendam Sebuah Duka singer also took aim at a culture fixated on ratings, warning that it risks overshadowing genuine talent.

“Sometimes ratings kill talent. If we are good, we should still be appreciated based on our ability, not numbers,” she said. — Bernama

KUALA LUMPUR, May 3 — Amendments to the Majlis Amanah Rakyat (Mara) Act 1966 will serve as a legal safeguard to ensure the Bumiputera empowerment agenda remains intact and is not altered with every change in national or organisational leadership.

Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said the move is aimed at establishing a stronger governance framework and stricter regulations to ensure the agency’s direction remains consistent in upholding Bumiputera interests, free from political influence.

“We do not want Mara’s agenda to change simply because of a change in leadership. We want Mara to continue safeguarding the Bumiputera agenda regardless of who is in charge at any given time.

“I have set a deadline until the end of this year for the (draft amendments to the) Mara Act to be finalised and tabled in Parliament,” he said when speaking at the Mara 60th Anniversary Celebration here today, which was also attended by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.

Ahmad Zahid, who is also the Minister of Rural and Regional Development, said strengthening the act is crucial to closing loopholes and preventing fund leakages, as Mara currently carries a significant mandate with total assets amounting to RM23 billion.

He also aims for Mara to become a self-sustaining organisation capable of generating its own internal funds through strategic investments, without relying entirely on government allocations, by the time it reaches its 100th anniversary.

Earlier, Mara chairman Datuk Dr Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki, in his speech, said that the agency is now in the final phase of reviewing the Mara Act, which has been in place for six decades.

He said the move is aimed at establishing a stronger legal foundation to enhance governance and institutional management, ensuring the organisation maintains its integrity in the long term.

“The most important aspect we want to amend and lay the foundation for is to ensure that, although leaders may come and go, the core principles of governance and management are firmly in place so that misconduct, wastage and leakages can be properly prevented,” he said.

Asyraf Wajdi said the substance of the proposed amendments, along with the transformation plan, will be presented by Ahmad Zahid to the Prime Minister in the near future. — Bernama

KUALA LUMPUR, May 3 — The Bumiputera empowerment agenda has been pursued more assertively, firmly and boldly under the Madani Government over the past three years, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said.

Anwar, who is also finance minister, said the approach demonstrates that the government does not subscribe to elitism at the expense of Bumiputera interests, as alleged by certain quarters.

He pointed to the government’s decision to grant automatic matriculation placement to students who obtain 10As regardless of race, while at the same time maintaining the existing quota for Bumiputera students.

“At the same time, 90 per cent of Bumiputera students continue to be given opportunities through the matriculation programme, reflecting the government’s inclusive approach.

“Therefore, in any debate, do not focus on one aspect alone without considering the policy in its entirety, and avoid creating the perception of a zero-sum game,” Anwar said when officiating Majlis Amanah Rakyat’s (Mara) 60th anniversary celebration at the World Trade Centre Kuala Lumpur here today. — Bernama

MALAYSIA: Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s government is facing more challenges lately, particularly after the chaos created in Negeri Sembilan, a small state near Kuala Lumpur, where members of his Malay ally, United Malays National Organisation (UMNO), left the state government led by his coalition.

Following the chaos, former Health Minister Khairy Jamaluddin, who was a powerful youth chief in UMNO, the party allied to Anwar in the unity government, has rebuked supporters of the PKR (Anwar’s party) who condemned the political chaos in Negeri Sembilan.

The PKR elements attacked UMNO, saying they are following the path of the Perikatan Nasional (PN) that toppled the Pakatan Harapan government, then headed by Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, in 2020. The PN was then labelled ‘roof digging’ or backdoor government by PKR and Pakatan.

In a series of Instagram stories, Khairy, who is now a former MP, challenged those accusing UMNO of backdoor politics to compare it with Anwar Ibrahim’s move, when he was the opposition leader in 2008.

At that time, PKR and Anwar found it legal and logical to attempt to bring down the Barisan Nasional (BN) government under Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi. Tun Abdullah is the father-in-law of Khairy.

“Many shallow-minded people in PH (Team X and Team B) attack UMNO for being opportunistic and spreading backdoor politics/tebuk atap by exploiting crises to launch a power grab.

“I suggest everyone (especially the younger generation) look up what was planned to happen on September 16, 2008, to know who started tebuk atap politics in Malaysia,” he said.

After he was set free by Abdullah Badawi in 2004, Anwar returned to Parliament via a by-election victory in August 2008.

Later on, Anwar announced that Sept 16 was the deadline for him to form a new federal government. He promised voters he would seize BN’s majority by persuading its MPs to defect to the then Pakatan Rakyat coalition, Malaysiakini reported.

Like in 2021, Anwar had then claimed he had secured sufficient support with over 31 Barisan Nasional (BN) MPs backing him to topple Khairy’s father-in-law. But this attempt failed.

Khairy also noted that when Anwar tried to topple the federal government in 2008, the world was already facing one of the worst economic crises, marked by severe financial instability and global liquidity problems.

To conclude his attacks on PKR and Pakatan, Khairy added that Anwar’s party should be brave enough to face a vote in the state assembly in Negeri Sembilan to let the majority decide who will rule the state or to find out if the current PKR Chief Minister still has a majority.

Fourteen UMNO assemblymen decided to pull the plug on the Pakatan-led government in the state, but the ruler of the state has said the Chief Minister, Aminuddin Harun, will remain in post. Anwar has also declared there is no need for fresh polls in the state.

This article (Ex-minister opens old wounds between UMNO and Pakatan in fresh split) first appeared on The Independent Singapore News.

MALAYSIA: PM Anwar Ibrahim is well seen by some analysts within Malaysia and outside the country, and they believe he can retain his post as Prime Minister after the next general elections.

But the internet, with social media buzzing about Anwar daily, seems to disagree with analysts. And in Malaysia, if one wants a barometer to gauge what’s up with local politics, social media platforms seem to be the norm.

Before the 2022 elections, there was a massive trend on social media with intense criticism of the Perikatan Nasional (PN) government. They were called all sorts of names by pro-PH and pro-Anwar supporters.

One popular name given to PN and its leaders was ‘roof diggers’ and leaders from the ‘Satan move’, which is another name given to the ‘Sheraton move’ of 2020.

During the Sheraton move, many MPs left Anwar’s party to join Muhyiddin Yassin in a new government after the collapse of Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad’s PH-led government.

PH turned out to be the most popular coalition, winning more seats, but not capturing Putrajaya, the government seat, on its own.

The Barisan Nasional had a relatively limited presence on social media. It was already clear in 2022 that BN would not win the elections, and they barely scratched the surface, ending as the fourth group in the running.

The Islamist PAS also had a lot of support on some social media platforms, particularly on TikTok. This translated into a big win for them. They became the biggest single party in the country, winning 44 seats. That was unprecedented;

The current landscape suggests a different ball game for some parties, especially Pakatan Harapan, with parties like PKR drawing more criticism online

Slow reforms, a massive divide in Anwar’s party, and the ‘prestations’ of Anwar as PM have dampened the party’s popularity.

One can say that Anwar and his party have never been that unpopular online. From TikTok to Facebook, the ball has turned against them.

Meanwhile, in June last year, Merdeka Centre gave Anwar an unexpected boost. It said the Unity Government has strong potential to remain in power in the new term after the 16th General Election (GE16).

Merdeka Centre Program Director, Ibrahim Suffian, said this would be the case if there are no major shocks to the country’s economy or political landscape in the near future.

He added that economic issues have remained the focus of the people for the past two decades and are expected to be the determining factor of support for the MADANI administration.

However, the Internet seems unforgiving towards Anwar for basically dropping his reform promises as soon as he became PM.

On Facebook, one commenter had this to say: “His supporters have begun to get angry at how the Madani government is managing the economy while they are struggling.

“Do you think they will vote again in silence? There are Malay candidates from other parties too. PN doesn’t need to worry — global issues are enough to make the people reject PH.”

What’s more interesting is that on the same post on Facebook, there were more than 3000 likes. But more than two-thirds of these likes were laughing emojis.

The users were laughing at the post’s suggestion that:

“Public Support for Anwar Increases. Anwar Could Become Prime Minister Again Even if GE16 Is Held at the End of This Year – Analyst”

This led another Facebook user to say that laughing emojis are plenty, but like emojis are very little.

But some made it clear they have little choice but to vote for Anwar in a fresh election because they do not see good choices from other parties.

“Simply put, it’s like this… If we don’t vote for Anwar, then who are we supposed to vote for? I’m also confused with Malaysian politics,” one noted.

This article (Perceptions of Malaysian PM now differs from analysts to online users) first appeared on The Independent Singapore News.