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Malaysia

MP Syed Saddiq’s departure leaves Malaysian Ruling Government one seat short of crucial majority in Parliament

Malaysia’s Unity Government, led by Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, faces a setback with the departure of Muda president Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman.

Saddiq cited dissatisfaction with the suspension of Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi’s corruption trial, leaving the government one seat shy of a two-thirds majority in Parliament.

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1 year ago

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MALAYSIA: Malaysia was rocked by the surprise resignation of Member of Parliament (MP) Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman, who announced his departure from the ruling government, citing deep dissatisfaction with the abrupt suspension of Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi’s ongoing corruption trial.

In a video statement released on Sunday (10 Sept), the Malaysian United Democratic Alliance (Muda) president described his decision as a “tough” one but asserted that it was an inevitable step to take.

Syed Saddiq emphasised that the government’s decision to drop all 47 corruption charges against Zahid had placed the Muda party in an untenable position within the ruling coalition.

The move has generated substantial controversy and raised concerns about the integrity of Malaysia’s justice system.

“I will never allow Malaysia to normalise corruption,” he said, adding that Muda would continue to support all efforts at institutional reform.

The political landscape in Malaysia is expected to undergo significant changes in the wake of Syed Saddiq’s resignation, with the country’s political future hanging in the balance.

“A letter has been sent to the Dewan Rakyat (Malaysian Parliament) speaker on the matter. The road ahead will be long and lonely but worth it, as Malaysia will always come first.”

“Who would have thought that it would be this so-called reform government that would end up dropping corruption charges for the sake of power?” The Muar MP said in the video clip announcing the decision.

As Muda’s sole Parliamentarian, Syed Saddiq said his party would focus on being the “third force” in the opposition bloc and “as the voice of the people” to provide check and balance.

One seat short of a two-thirds majority

Muda’s exit leaves the ruling coalition with 147 seats in Dewan Rakyat, one seat short of a two-thirds majority – just a day after Pakatan Harapan (PH) retained the supermajority by winning the Pulai seat in Johor in a by-election.

The Muda decision came on the eve of a special session of Parliament today for the mid-term review of the 12th Malaysia Plan.

The Speaker of the Dewan Rakyat will decide where Syed Saddiq will now be seated.

Syed Saddiq added that this was not the first time he had made a decision based on his principles, and said during the Sheraton Move in 2020, he had been offered positions as a minister and as a chairman in a government-linked company, but had turned them down.

“Threatened? I fought back. I fought back because I want to build a Malaysia that has dignity and integrity.

“I will not and will never allow Malaysia to normalise corruption. I am a proud Malaysian who wants to see this blessed country become a developed country which upholds the rule of law and celebrates Malaysia’s diversity,” said Syed Saddiq.

Although he had made this decision, he said Muda would continue to support all efforts of institutional form and issues concerning the people.

Will not negotiate further

On Sunday, a Muda division leader, who requested anonymity, reportedly said the party would not negotiate any further and would exit the ruling coalition.

Muda secretary-general Amir Hadi said that the party might consider leaving after Zahid’s discharge brought to a halt a four-year-long trial on 47 charges involving embezzlement, abuse of power and bribery.

Leaders from unity government parties, such as Umno Supreme Council member Puad Zarkashi, responded by challenging Muda to quit the unity government if it was brave enough.

Muda holds one seat in the Dewan Rakyat through Syed Saddiq, who has represented Muar, a constituency in Johor, since 2018.

While the opposition comprises Perikatan Nasional (PN), with 74 seats through PAS (43) and Bersatu (31).

Syed Saddiq was elected on a PH ticket while a member of Bersatu, which was then part of the coalition. He left Bersatu after it left PH, causing the fall of the PH government led by Dr Mahathir Mohamad, and set up Muda.

At the general election last November, he was re-elected as a Muda candidate by a narrow majority of 1,345 votes against challengers from PN and Barisan Nasional.

Yesterday, Democratic Action Party’s (DAP) secretary-general Loke Siew Fook, in urging Muda to make a decision on the party’s role, reminded Syed Saddiq that he was only able to retain the Muar seat because PH agreed to step aside and support him.

MPs told Syed Saddiq to vacate Muar seat

Syed Saddiq was challenged to vacate his parliamentary seat and force a by-election, following Muda’s decision to end support for the ruling government also known as the unity government.

The decision left the government without a two-thirds majority in the Dewan Rakyat, just a day after PH had restored the supermajority by winning the Pulai parliamentary seat in a by-election.

A party in the ruling coalition, DAP member RSN Rayer said the loss of the two-thirds majority due to Muda’s exit would hurt efforts to carry out legal and political reforms that require constitutional amendments.

The MP for Jelutong, Penang, expressed disappointment that Muda had left the day after the Pulai success. “Why are they doing it now after the people of Johor have shown us that they want a stable (unity) government?” Rayer said.

Another MP from PH, R Yuneswaran of PKR, said Syed Saddiq must vacate the Muar seat because he had won by partnering with PH.

“Muar folks voted for him simply because he was with PH, and PH voters will be very disappointed with him now,” Yuneswaran quoted by FMT.

Yuneswaran, who is MP for Segamat, Johor, said PH would want to have a by-election in Muar.

However, Hassan Karim, a member of People’s Justice Party (PKR) founded by Malaysia’s Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, said that he respected Muda’s decision and conveyed his good wishes to Syed Saddiq and the party.

“It is a good development if Muda wants to build a ‘third force’ in Malaysian politics by giving healthy competition to the PH-BN alliance and PN.

“A third force that comprises Muda and Parti Sosialis Malaysia is a healthy development in Malaysian politics that would give wider options to Malaysians,” said Hassan, a MP of Pasir Gudang, Johor.

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Animals

House fire in Penang claims lives of 14 pet dogs, owner devastated

A house fire in Penang claimed the lives of 14 pet dogs, leaving the owner in deep grief. A viral TikTok video captured the tragedy, as the owner shared the emotional and financial toll of the incident, with the cause of the fire still under investigation.

Published

8 hours ago

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20 September 2024

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PENANG, MALAYSIA: A tragic house fire in Tanjung Bungah, Penang has claimed the lives of 14 pet dogs, leaving the owner mourning the loss of his beloved animals.

A viral TikTok video captured the heart-wrenching aftermath, showing the owner’s grief as he recounted the devastating incident.

@maheswaranmuthiah

The worst tragedy in my life. My house burnt to ashes. 😭😭😭. Everything gone within an hour. I lost about 20k cash, training materials, banners, 2 professional dslr camera and equipments, commercial cooking equipments, commercial makeup learning equipments, canopy, mannequins, TV, blueray player, 2 hp, 3 laptops, my son’s ipad Pro 10, 1 pc, about 6 hardisks, 10 thumb drives, memory cards, 1 coffee machine, 1 coffee maker, letrik piano, exercise equipment, almost thousands of new and preloved novels, self development books, recipe books, IT Books, Law & Legal Books, skills development related to photography, makeup, tattoo, cooking, massage, entrepreneurship and etc books, 2 industrial fan, chiller, freezer, about 100+ academic/ appreciation certificates, reference letters, evaluation, recognition, modeling clothes, costumes, lingerie, 10 coat/ blazers, bags of ties, my business stocks like bliese perfume, air fresher, skincare product, toys, souvenirs, F&B, all my personal photo albums and belongings including all our clothes, puzzles, furnitures, book shelf, son’s toys and belongings, meditation/ yoga mate, crystals, rudraksha, grass cutting machine, water pressure pump, air purifier, water purifier, some jewelry, public gold coins and lots more…. But the worst of all is the lost of my 14 furrykids. My most precious children. All that I mentioned above is something I could rebuilt and recover. That I have to do for my 1 and only human son. But his siblings, my 14 children that perish in this unfortunate incident will not come back. This is an unbearable and unforgettable pain that will remain till the end of my life. 😭😭😭😭😭. An endless suffering in silent pain for me. 😭😭😭😭. #maheswaran #maheswaranmuthiah #furrykids #penang #malaysia #tragedy #crowdfund #pmx #chiefminister #chowkonyeow

♬ original sound – maheswaran – maheswaran

The fire allegedly occurred while the family was out for dinner, with no one present at home to rescue the pets.

The owner in response to concerning TikToker questions, speculated that the fire may have been caused by an electrical short circuit, but authorities have yet to confirm the exact cause, which remains under investigation.

In addition to the emotional toll, the fire also resulted in significant financial losses, with over RM20,000 (approximately US4,777) in cash and valuables destroyed.

“Everything was burnt to ashes within an hour,” the owner lamented.

While the dogs were not confined in cages, they were trapped inside the house, and despite neighbors being nearby, they were unable to intervene.

Firefighters on the scene advised bystanders to stay clear due to the risk of explosions.

The viral TikTok video has garnered widespread attention, with many netizens expressing their condolences and shock over the tragedy.

Comments on the post were filled with support, with some users reflecting on the irreplaceable loss of the pets and offering words of comfort.

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Civil Society

RSF condemns Malaysian court ruling against British journalist Clare Rewcastle Brown

Malaysia’s Federal Court rejected Clare Rewcastle Brown’s appeal against a defamation ruling, leaving her liable for damages over RM 435,000. RSF condemned the decision as an effort to silence the journalist, who is known for reporting on corruption scandals.

Published

1 day ago

on

19 September 2024

By

Malaysia’s Federal Court has dismissed British journalist Clare Rewcastle Brown’s appeal against a defamation ruling, leaving her liable to pay damages exceeding RM 435,000 (US$103,325).

The defamation suit, which RSF (Reporters Without Borders) describes as part of a broader effort to silence journalists reporting on corruption, relates to a statement in Rewcastle Brown’s 2018 book, The Sarawak Report – The Inside Story of the 1MDB Expose.

The journalist has faced legal challenges ever since, including both civil and criminal cases.

Rewcastle Brown, known for exposing Malaysia’s 1MDB financial scandal, was accused of defaming the Sultanah of Terengganu, the wife of a senior political figure.

The defamation suit stems from a misidentification error in the book, which wrongly stated that the Sultanah, rather than the Sultan’s sister, was connected to a businessman involved in the scandal.

Rewcastle Brown quickly corrected the mistake and issued an apology in 2018. Her legal team has argued that the error does not constitute defamation or criminal libel.

The Sultanah had initially sought RM 100 million in general damages, but the court ultimately awarded a much smaller sum of RM 300,000 (US$71,230) in damages, along with RM 135,000 (US$32,095) in legal costs. Additional fees are expected.

The Federal Court’s decision on 10 September 2024 closes Rewcastle Brown’s legal avenues for appeal in the civil case.

Reporters Without Borders has condemned Malaysia’s handling of the case, asserting that it is intended to intimidate other journalists from reporting on corruption.

Fiona O’Brien, UK Bureau Director of RSF, commented: “This case should never have made it to court. The accusations of defamation are nonsensical. The underlying agenda appears to be to silence Rewcastle Brown and warn other Malaysian journalists away from reporting on corruption.”

In a separate criminal case, Rewcastle Brown was sentenced in absentia to two years in prison in February 2024. She continues to appeal the criminal charges but has faced significant challenges in defending herself. The British government has not commented publicly on her case.

RSF also noted that Malaysia, once ranked 73rd in the World Press Freedom Index, has dropped to 107th in 2024, amid rising political instability and a pattern of defamation suits against journalists.

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