Page 6 - Malaysia

Final death toll in Malaysia's Selangor campsite landslide stands at 31

The final victim of last week's landslide in Malaysia has been recovered, leaving the final death toll at 31, the authorities have said

Toll in Malaysia landslide rises to 21, search for 12 missing still on

PM Anwar Ibrahim announced financial aid for victims after visiting the rescuers conducting the search and rescue operation

16 dead, 17 missing after landslide hits Malaysia's Kuala Lumpur

Seven people have been hospitalised with injuries and rescuers were searching for the estimated 17 missing people

Malaysia's unemployment falls to lowest in Oct since Covid-19 pandemic

Malaysia's unemployment fell to the lowest level since the Covid-19 pandemic in October, reaching 602,000 persons, official data showed

Malaysian PM to use targeted subsidies to address high cost of living

Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim announced on Sunday that his government will review its use of subsidies to better help those most in need

New Malaysian PM Anwar Ibrahim vows to heal divided nation, economy

Long-time reformist leader Anwar Ibrahim was sworn in as Malaysia's prime minister Thursday and vowed to heal a racially divided nation, fight corruption and revive an economy struggling with the rising cost of living. His rise to the top a was a victory for political reformers who were locked in a battle with Malay nationalists for days after a divisive general election on Saturday produced a hung Parliament. Anwar took his oath of office in a simple ceremony at the national palace that was broadcast on national television. Malaysia's king, Sultan Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah, named Anwar, 75, as the nation's 10th leader after saying he was satisfied that Anwar is the candidate who is likely to have majority support. In his first news conference, Anwar said he would form a unity government comprising his Alliance of Hope that won 82 seats, the National Front with 30 seats and a bloc from eastern Sarawak state with 23 seats. He said that would give him a majority of 135 seats, with ..

Anwar Ibrahim of PH coalition named Malaysia's 10th Prime Minister

Anwar Ibrahim, the leader of Malaysia's Pakatan Harapan (PH) coalition, has been named as the 10th Prime Minister of the country, the National Palace said on Thursday in a statement.

Malaysia king names reformist oppn leader Anwar Ibrahim as prime minister

Reformist opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim edged closer to become Malaysia's new prime minister after a political party agreed Thursday to support a unity government following inconclusive general elections. Any agreement must still be approved by Malaysia's king. Last Saturday's divisive election led to a hung parliament that renewed a leadership crisis in Malaysia, which had three prime ministers since 2018. Police have tightened security nationwide as social media warned of racial troubles if Anwar's multiethnic bloc wins. Anwar's Pakatan Harapan, or Alliance of Hope, topped the race with 82 parliamentary seats, short of the 112 needed for a majority. Former Prime Minister Muhyiddin's Malay-centric Perikatan Nasional, or National Alliance, won 73 seats. The alliance led by the United Malays National Organization, which has 30 seats, hold the key that will tilt the balance. UMNO reversed its decision to remain in the opposition, saying it will heed the king's proposal for a unity .

Malaysian king meet lawmakers in continuing search for PM to end deadlock

Malaysia's king met lawmakers on Wednesday in a continuing search for a prime minister with majority support after inconclusive general elections that saw the rise of Islamists sparked anxieties in the multiracial nation. Opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim's Pakatan Harapan, or Alliance of Hope, topped Saturday's poll with 82 parliamentary seats, but failed to reach the 112 needed for a majority. Former Prime Minister Muhyiddin's Malay-centric Perikatan Nasional, or National Alliance, won 73 seats. The hung parliament renewed a leadership crisis in Malaysia that saw three prime ministers since 2018. The biggest winner was the Pan-Malaysian Islamic Party, the hard-line ally in Muhyiddin's bloc, with 49 seats more than double what it won in 2018. Known as PAS, it backs Islamic Shariah law, rules three states and is now the single largest party. As the contest for the top job drags on, police have tightened security as posts on social media warned of racial troubles if Anwar's multieth

NDTV puts on hold proposed sale of 20% stake in Astro Awani Network

Says CBI approval for the transaction has been withheld; exploring legal options

Campaigning formally kicks off for Malaysia's general elections

Campaigning for Malaysia's general elections formally started Saturday, in a highly competitive race that will see the world's longest-serving coalition seeking to regain its dominance four years after a shocking electoral loss. The Nov. 19 election will determine if Barisan Nasional (BN), or National Front coalition, can make a strong comeback or whether political reformers can secure another surprise win that will see their leader, Anwar Ibrahim, achieve a long-held dream of becoming prime minister. Led by the United Malays National Organization, BN has ruled since Malaysia's independence from Britain in 1957. But anger over government corruption led to its defeat in 2018 polls to Anwar's Pakatan Harapan (PH), or Alliance of Hope. The election victory sparked hopes of reforms as once-powerful UMNO leaders were jailed or hauled to court for graft, but it was short lived after defections caused the PH government to crumble in early 2020 and brought UMNO back to power. Scores of ...

Malaysian opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim appeals for poll victory

Opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim appealed to voters on Wednesday for another surprise victory when Malaysia goes to the polls later this month, as he faces challenges from a resurgence of ethnic Malay support for rival parties. Anwar's Pakatan Harapan (PH), or Alliance of Hope, won a stunning victory in 2018 and aims to repeat its success on November 19. The victory was short lived after defections caused the government to collapse in early 2020 and brought back to power the Barisan Nasional coalition led by the United Malays National Organisation. Speaking at the launch of his alliance's election manifesto, Anwar said PH is more united now after being purged of members who were not committed to its reform agenda. To save this country from endless political turmoil and corruption, I appeal to the people to give their support so that PH can emerge with a clear majority in the upcoming election," he said. Anwar didn't participate in the 2018 vote because he was in prison on a sodomy .

Malaysia election set for November 19 amid fear of heavy rains, floods

Malaysia's Election Commission said on Thursday that national elections will be held on November 19, amid concerns that heavy rain and floods during the year-end monsoon season may deter voters. Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob dissolved Parliament on October 10 for early polls, ignoring protests from his government allies and the opposition for holding a vote in the monsoon season. Parliament's term expires in July 2023, but his United Malays National Organisation is feuding with allies in the ruling coalition and believes early voting is in its favour. UMNO is banking on a strong win on its own based on a return of support from ethnic Malays and a fragmented opposition before an expected economic softening next year. Election Commission chairman Abdul Ghani Salleh said the nomination date for candidates would be November 5, kicking off two weeks of official campaigning. He said 21.17 million voters will be casting their ballots. Three states will also hold local polls on Novem

In first election since 2018, will Malaysia's young voters use their power?

The dramatic ousting of the UMNO-led coalition, Barisan Nasional, four years ago was supposed to draw the line under identity politics and end the Malay nationalist par

At 97, Malaysia's former leader Mahathir Mohamad to contest in elections

Malaysia's 97-year-old former leader Mahathir Mohamad announced Tuesday he will defend his seat in the general elections expected next month, though he wouldn't say whether he would be prime minister a third time if his political alliance wins. We have not decided who will be prime minister because the prime minister candidate is only relevant if we win, Mahathir told a news conference. Though unlikely, he would be the oldest ever candidate for the post, which has a five-year term. Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob dissolved Parliament on Monday for snap polls, caving in to pressure from his United Malays National Organization party, which is hoping for a big win on its own amid feuds with allies in the ruling coalition. The Election Commission is due to fix a date within the week for a vote, which must be held within 60 days of Parliament's dissolution. Despite his nonagenarian status and a health scare this year, Mahathir said he will defend his parliamentary seat in Langkawi ..

Indian-origin banker issued prohibition in 1MDB scandal of ex-Malaysian PM

An Indian-origin banker has been issued a 10-year prohibition order and a 24-month conditional warning for his failure to report a suspicious transaction involving the jailed Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak's infamous company 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB). Raj Sriram, the former deputy CEO and head of private banking of BSI Bank Limited's Singapore branch (BSIS), was issued the prohibition and warned on Monday to report the suspicious transaction, the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) and the Singapore Police Force (SPF) said in a statement. The prohibition order, which took effect on Monday, was issued by MAS, while the conditional warning was given by the SPF's Commercial Affairs Department (CAD), reported Channel News Asia. The prohibition order bans Sriram from "providing any financial advisory service or taking part in the management of, acting as a director of, or becoming a substantial shareholder of any financial advisory firm under the Financial Advisers Act"

Malaysian PM Ismail Yaakob dissolves Parliament, calls for early elections

Malaysian Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob announced that Parliament will be dissolved on Monday, paving the way for general elections that are expected to be held in early November. The elections would come nine months before Parliament's term expires, following calls for early polls from Ismail's United Malays National Organisation. UMNO, the biggest party in the ruling coalition, was feuding with its allies and is aiming for a big win on its own. The Election Commission is expected to meet within the week to announce a date for the vote, which is likely to be held before the year-end monsoon season that often brings devastating floods.

Former Malaysian PM Mahathir Mohamad, 97, hospitalised with Covid-19

Former Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad, 97, was hospitalised on Wednesday after testing positive for COVID-19, his office said. Mahathir has been admitted to the National Heart Institute for observation for a few days as advised by the medical team, it said in a statement. It didn't provide further details on his condition. Mahathir, who was Malaysia's prime minister for two different periods, once was the world's oldest leader. He has had two coronary bypass surgeries but remains robust and sharp witted. He was admitted several times to the same hospital earlier this year. Mahathir later said he was hospitalised after experiencing shortness of breath due to a shortage of red blood cells. He later had a pacemaker implanted but acquired an infection during the surgery. He has said he thought he was dying at that point but somehow made a recovery. Mahathir ruled Malaysia initially for 22 years until his retirement in 2003. Spurred by anger over government corruption, he l

Malaysia attracts $27.5 bn investment in first half of 2022: Authorities

Foreign direct investment (FDI) remained the major contributor, accounting for 70.9 per cent of the approved investments with 87.4 billion ringgit ($19.5 billion)

Malaysia's former first lady Rosmah Mansor guilty, week after Najib jailed

Malaysia's former first lady Rosmah Mansor was convicted on Thursday of soliciting and receiving bribes during her husband's corruption-tainted administration on Thursday, a week after her husband was imprisoned over the massive looting of the 1MDB state fund. Rosmah was found guilty on three charges of soliciting bribes and receiving 6.5 million ringgit (USD 1.5 million) between 2016 and 2017 to help a company secure a project to provide solar energy panels to schools on Borneo island. She is expected to remain out on bail for her appeal to higher courts. High Court Judge Mohamed Zaini Mazlan said prosecutors proved beyond reasonable doubt that Rosmah corruptly solicited bribes and received money as a reward for herself. He said her defense was a bare denial. Najib began a 12-year prison term last week after losing his final appeal in one of the five graft cases against him involving the multibillion-dollar pilfering of 1MDB. Before the verdict, the court heard Rosmah's applicatio