KUALA LUMPUR: Perbadanan Usahawan Nasional Bhd (PUNB) has appointed Izwan Zainuddin as its new chief executive officer, effective Jan 1, 2019.
He succeeds Datuk Azhar Ahmad, who resigned on Oct 15, 2018, the company said in a statement on Monday.
PUNB Chairman Datuk Hazimah Zainuddin who welcomed Izwan's appointment, said he looked forward to his contribution in strengthening the organisation's resilience, and delivering the mandate on enhancing the economic wealth of the Bumiputera entrepreneur community.
Izwan graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Finance from Oklahoma State University and a Diploma in Agribusiness from Universiti Pertanian Malaysia.
He was previously the chief operating officer, Debt Venture at MyCreative Ventures Sdn Bhd, a government investment arm to spur Malaysia's creative industry in the form of funding via equity and/ or debt. - Bernama Read more at https://www.thestar.com.my/business/business-news/2018/12/31/punb-appoints-izwan-as-new-ceo/#HHZdL7Do66RwAvOz.99
Former Bersih chief Maria lambasts decision to retain Sosma and Poca Vinodh Pillai -December 31, 2018 4:27 PMMaria wants to know whether the proposed amendments to Poca and Sosma will allow detainees to have access to their lawyers and family.
PETALING JAYA: Former Bersih 2.0 chairman Maria Chin Abdullah has expressed disappointment over Putrajaya’s decision to maintain two security laws that were under scrutiny from its leaders in the past.
This comes after the home minister’s statement that the Security Offences (Special Measures) Act (Sosma) and the Prevention of Crime Act (Amendment) or (Poca) will be kept with some amendments.
“If the current laws are not maintained, there will be those who think they are free to do anything and threaten the country through gangsterism and terrorism,” Muhyiddin Yassin said yesterday.
“That is why we use the current laws with the police and other authorities implementing them fully,” he said.
Speaking to FMT, Maria, who is a vocal critic of similar “draconian” laws, claimed that Sosma and Poca are “weak” legislation which cannot be amended as they impose detentions without trials.
“Will he (Muhyiddin) get rid of (having) arrest without trials and the power for the police to detain (those charged under Poca or Sosma) for 28 days without trial,” Maria, who is the Petaling Jaya MP, asked.
Maria, who was detained for her role in leading the Bersih 5 rally in 2016, asked whether the proposed amendments to Poca and Sosma would allow detainees to have access to their lawyers and family.
She recalled how she had access to her lawyers and family members only on her first day of detention when she was detained under Sosma for 11 days that year in November.
Under Sosma, a person can be detained for a maximum of 28 days and police can delay his access to family and legal counsel for up to 48 hours after the arrest.
A person can be detained without trial for 60 days under Poca and there is a provision for a two-year extension. Poca detainees are put either in detention centres or under house arrest with electronic devices attached to them.
The government had earlier imposed a moratorium on Sosma and Poca, as well as on two other laws, the Prevention of Terrorism Act (Pota) and the controversial Sedition Act.
Since coming to power in the May polls, the Pakatan Harapan government (PH), of which Maria is a part of, has assured that these four laws would be reviewed and if necessary abolished.
But early this month, the Cabinet agreed to allow police to probe the violence at the Seafield Sri Maha Mariamman Temple in Selangor under these laws and removed the moratorium.
According to its election manifesto, Poca, the Sedition Act and Sosma, as well as the mandatory death sentence in all existing laws, will be abolished by the end of its first term as the ruling government.
Meanwhile, vocal human rights lawyers N Surendran and Latheefa Koya from NGO Lawyers for Liberty questioned PH’s “U-turn” on the decision, and urged Muhyiddin not to go back on the promise.
“Poca allowed detention without trial like the Internal Security Act (ISA). It should not be used anymore.
“He should stop listening to certain elements in the police force and home ministry who want Poca to be retained,” said Surendran.
Unaware of proposed amendments, both Surendran and Latheefa asked how the “unjust” Sosma would be amended, adding if the said act was amended, it must eliminate all detentions and “unfair trials”.
Did you declare money from Adrielle’s company, Saiful asks Anwar FMT Reporters -December 31, 2018 4:18 PM Saiful Bukhari Azlan (left) and Adrielle Iman
PETALING JAYA: The former aide of Anwar Ibrahim who challenged him at the Port Dickson by-election two months ago has questioned if the PKR leader had declared the contributions for his campaign as revealed by a businessman recently.
Mohd Saiful Bukhari Azlan, who in 2008 accused Anwar of sodomising him which caused the then Permatang Pauh MP to be jailed in 2015, said this in response to a statement by a Adrielle Iman denying suggestions that he was personally linked to Anwar.
Adrielle denied the accusations on social media, which were accompanied by pictures of him attending Anwar’s campaign events in Port Dickson.
Instead, Adrielle said he was there as a brand ambassador for his company, which had sponsored five events featuring Anwar.
Saiful, who got the lowest number of votes in the Port Dickson by-election, today reminded that a candidate was not allowed to spend more than RM200,000.
“Were the contributions for the five programmes declared to the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) in the candidate’s financial report?” asked Saiful.
“It is an offence if it is not declared to MACC and to spend more than the permitted amount.”
In the Port Dickson by-election, Anwar defeated six other candidates, winning by a 23,560-vote majority
Najib and wife apply to strike out businessman’s RM676 million suit Bernama -December 31, 2018 4:00 PM 118Shares 100 12 5 Najib Razak and wife Rosmah Mansor.
KUALA LUMPUR: Former prime minister Najib Razak and wife Rosmah Mansor are seeking to strike out the RM676 million suit filed by businessman Deepak Jaikishan, who accused the couple of interference in a property deal that caused huge losses to his company.
Lawyer David Mathews, representing Najib and Rosmah, said the application to strike out the suit would be filed at the High Court before Jan 7.
Mathews said his clients filed their defence against Deepak’s suit today and the judge set Jan 14 for case management.
Deepak’s lawyer Irzan Iswat Mohd Nor told reporters that two other defendants named in the suit, Boustead Holdings Bhd and its subsidiary, Bakti Wira Development Sdn Bhd, had filed their applications to strike out the suit.
The two companies were represented by lawyer Kenny Chan.
In his suit filed on Oct 12, Deepak said he had suffered losses due to conspiracy, fraud and undue influence by the defendants.
He said that as a director and majority shareholder of Astacanggih Sdn. Bhd, he had signed a land deal with the director and majority shareholder of Awan Megah (M) Sdn. Bhd, Raja Ropiaah Raja Abdullah, over three pieces of land, involving 181.9 hectares in Mukim Kapar, Klang and Mukim Bukit Raja, in the Petaling district.
Deepak claimed that a deposit payment of RM13 million had been made by Astacanggih to Awan Megah and a land bond for RM72.5 million from Kuwait Finance House (M) Bhd was submitted to the Malaysian government.
However, he claimed Awan Megah refused to produce the original land titles for transfer to Astacanggih.
Deepak said that as a result of the conspiracy and interference from Najib and Rosmah, he was forced to sell 80% (16 million units) of his shares in Astacanggih to Boustead Holdings through Bakti Wira Development.
He is seeking RM600 million in general damages, RM50 million in exemplary damages and RM26 million in aggravated damages.
Premier League roundup: N’Golo Kante gives Chelsea 1-0 win over Crystal Palace
N'Golo Kante's second-half goal gave Chelsea a 1-0 win at Crystal Palace on Sunday to strengthen its grip on fourth place in the Premier League.
By AP |Updated: December 30, 2018 10:29:31 pm2 Shares
Chelsea’s N’Golo Kante scores their first goal past Crystal Palace’s Vicente Guaita. (Source: Reuters)
N’Golo Kante’s second-half goal gave Chelsea a 1-0 win at Crystal Palace on Sunday to strengthen its grip on fourth place in the Premier League.
After a frustrating first half for the visitors, Kante provided the breakthrough when he ran onto a ball over the top from David Luiz in the 51st minute, chested it down with his first touch and slotted the ball under goalkeeper Vicente Guaita with his second.
Olivier Giroud also had two well-taken strikes questionably ruled out for offside _ one in each half _ while Willian and Ross Barkley both hit the post for Chelsea. But Kante’s goal was enough to lift the Blues five points clear of fifth-placed Arsenal and close the gap to Tottenham to just two points.
Palace had mainly focused on defending until Kante’s goal and couldn’t muster much of an attacking threat until the final five minutes, with Patrick Van Aanholt having a shot blocked for a corner and Wilfried Zaha firing off target from a dangerous position moments later. Substitute Connor Wickham then wasted the best chance for an equalizer when he fired high from six yards out after the ball fell to him following a free kick into the box.
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Roy Hodgson’s side, which is in 14th place, had just 32 percent of possession.
Chelsea struggled to make use of its dominance in the first half, though, with Willian hitting the left post from a free kick and Barkley also hitting the frame with an acrobatic overhead finish with his back to goal.
Giroud thought he had put his team ahead when he was sent clear on goal by Jorginho in the 28th and slammed a fierce left-footed shot into the far corner, but he was flagged for offside. Replays, however, indicated that it was a marginal call. It was the same story again for Giroud in the 73rd, when another left-footed strike was disallowed by the offside flag. He was injured in the process of scoring that one, and limped off with an apparent ankle problem.
Manchester City end losing streak, beats Southampton 3-1
Manchester City got its faltering Premier League title defense back on track with a 3-1 win at Southampton on Sunday thanks to two quick goals just before halftime.
After throwing away an early lead, City provided a reminder of its devastating attacking potential by netting twice in first-half injury time to end a run of two straight losses and three defeats in its last four Premier League games. David Silva and Sergio Aguero scored for the visitors, who also benefited from a fortunate own-goal by James Ward-Prowse.
Southampton finished the game with 10 men after Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg, who had scored the team’s equalizer, was sent off in the 85th minute for a reckless tackle on Fernandinho.
The win puts Pep Guardiola’s team back into second place, two points ahead of Tottenham but still seven behind leader Liverpool ahead of their top-of-the-table clash on Thursday.
City took the lead in the 10th minute through Silva, who met a cross from Bernardo Silva with a simple finish from in front of goal. But City’s recent habit of making costly mistakes continued as left-back Oleksandr Zinchenko allowed Hojbjerg to rob him of the ball, and the Southampton midfielder stormed forward, dribbling between Vincent Kompany and Aymeric Laporte before firing a fierce shot past goalkeeper Ederson.
Minutes later, Ward-Prowse appealed for a penalty when he was pushed over by Zinchenko in the area. But referee Paul Tierney waved play on and Ward-Prowse instead found himself putting City ahead at the other end during a decisive momentum swing.
Raheem Sterling dribbled past Ward-Prowse down the left side of the Southampton area and tried to send in a cross that was deflected by the midfielder into his own net, with goalkeeper Alex McCarthy unable to react in time to keep it out.
It was a slice of luck for City, and Southampton had hardly recovered from the setback before the visitors doubled their lead. Zinchenko made amends for his previous mistake by sending in a pinpoint cross for Aguero to head home with virtually the last touch of the first half.
City then largely dominated the second half, with Aguero hitting the crossbar and Sterling having a penalty appeal of his own turned down. Southampton’s slim hopes of a comeback were then ended by Hojbjerg’s poor tackle on Fernandinho, which summed up a frustrating afternoon for Ralph Hasenhuttl’s side.
Burnley beat West Ham 2-0 to end losing run
Burnley ended a three-game losing streak with a 2-0 win over West Ham in the Premier League on Sunday to boost its hopes of climbing out of the relegation zone.
Chris Wood and Dwight McNeil scored in the first half against a surprisingly toothless West Ham side, giving Burnley only its second win since Sept. 30. Sean Dyche’s side remained in 18th place, but now only trails Southampton on goal difference and is just four points from 14th in a tight bottom third of the table.
Four days after losing 5-1 at home to Everton, Burnley looked resolute at the back and confident going forward as Wood opened the scoring in the 15th minute and the 19-year-old McNeil netted his first goal for the club in the 34th.
Dyche made a number of changes from the Everton defeat, including dropping goalkeeper Joe Hart to the bench and giving McNeil his second league start of the season.
McNeil set Ashley Barnes up for a chance inside two minutes, but the forward shot narrowly wide. However, Barnes then turned provider as he headed the ball down for Wood to put the hosts ahead. Burnley continued to push forward and doubled the lead when West Ham failed to clear its lines and Ashley Westwood’s deep cross toward the far post found McNeil sliding in to apply the finish.
McNeil could have scored a third when Barnes cut the ball back for him seven minutes before the break, but he could not get his foot around the ball and sent it just wide.
West Ham manager Manuel Pellegrini swapped Lucas Perez for Andy Carroll at the break, hoping for a shift in momentum. However, Burnley nearly scored a third moments after the restart when Barnes beat the offside trap and pulled the ball back for Wood, but, as he prepared for an easy tap-in, Angelo Ogbonna made a last-ditch challenge to turn the ball away.
Minutes later, Lukasz Fabianski made a point-blank save to deny Barnes, keeping the Hammers in it.
West Ham, which is in 11th place, struggled to test Burnley goalkeeper Tom Heaton until a curling effort from Carroll in the 66th which the goalkeeper held low to his right.
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Substitute Xande Silva saw a shot deflect narrowly wide and Heaton then made an outstanding save to push Carroll’s header onto the crossbar in the dying minutes.
In a late match Manchested United continued their revival under Gaffer Ole Gunnar Solskjaer beating Bournemouth 4-1.
A promise is a promise, says Dr M on stepping down in 2020 Melissa Darlyne Chow -December 30, 2018 8:21 PM
Dr Mahathir Mohamad says he is sticking to his promise to vacate the prime minister’s post in two years.
PUTRAJAYA: Dr Mahathir Mohamad today says his decision to step down after two years as prime minister is something that has already been finalised with other Pakatan Harapan parties.
“One of the conditions is that this prime minister (referring to himself), their former archenemy, can only be prime minister for a short while,” he said in his speech to delegates attending the PPBM general assembly here.
He said PPBM agreed to the condition although “it is not something nice to hear”.
“But what was more important at the time, was to bring down (former prime minister) Najib Razak. This is why we need to sacrifice. This is why I need to sacrifice and accept the condition, because the main thing here is not about being prime minister, but to topple Najib,” he said.
During the debate, a PPBM delegate from Kelantan urged Mahathir to remain as prime minister until the 15th general election due in 2023.
Under an agreement reached between PPBM, PKR, DAP and Amanah in November last year, Mahathir would hand over the top post to PKR president Anwar Ibrahim.
“I promise I will not stay long as prime minister. Maybe two years, maybe more, maybe less,” he had said previously.
Speaking to reporters after his speech today, Mahathir again said he would serve as prime minister for two years as promised.
“I made a promise, I keep my promise. Some people think that the tenure is too short.
“But people are entitled to their own views and opinions,” he said.
Mahathir also said that during a recent meeting with Anwar, the issue was not raised.
“He felt comfortable that he would succeed me in the short term. I am not going to be prime minister until the next election comes.”
The mission was always to oust Najib, Dr M tells party Published 1 hour ago on 30 December 2018 By Yiswaree Palansamy Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia chairman Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad speaks during their second annual grand meeting in Putrajaya December 29, 2018. ― Picture by Ahmad Zamzahuri PUTRAJAYA, Dec 30 — Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad acknowledged PPBM’s desire for him to remain prime minister, but told his party that his shortened term was the price of the cohesion needed to remove Datuk Seri Najib Razak from office. In his speech at the second PPBM annual general assembly (AGM) here, the Langkawi MP said his agreement to cede the position to Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim after two years was a precondition to the successful formation of the four-component Pakatan Harapan. Dr Mahathir led the motley collection of parties to an unlikely victory in the 14th general election, successfully deposing Najib and handing Barisan Nasional its only ever electoral defeat. “[What] was more important at that time was to defeat Najib. “For this, we have to sacrifice. I have to sacrifice. I had to accept the terms because what’s important was not to become prime minister, but to topple Datuk Seri Najib,” Dr Mahathir said in his winding-up speech at the Putrajaya International Convention Centre (PICC) here.
PETALING JAYA: French regulators have seized several properties belonging to former Aabar Investments PJS chairman Khadem Al Qubaisi in its probe into 1MDB, the Sarawak Report (SR) wrote.
Citing numerous other reports, it said these include a country house worth 11 million euros (over RM52 million) located near the Cape of Saint-Tropez; a luxury villa in Ramatuelle estimated at 7.9 million euros; a 4.4 million euros apartment in Avenue Montaigne, Paris; and another unit near the Champ de Mars, said to cost 4.6 million euros.
“The luxurious Cote d’Azure around Saint Tropez and the swankier arrondissement of Paris were the Abu Dhabi fund manager’s second home and playground (respectively) away from the more restrictive atmosphere back home, it would appear,” the whistleblowing site reported, referring to Khadem who is also the managing director of International Petroleum Investment Co (IPIC) – Abu Dhabi’s sovereign wealth fund.
Citing Le Monde, a French daily, SR wrote that the country house – which has a vineyard and a landscaped garden with a swimming pool – is being rented out by the state for RM90,000 a week, after it was “secretly sequestrated at the end of last year”.
According to SR, controversial businessman Low Taek Jho, who is at the centre of the 1MDB scandal, had visited Khadem at the Saint Tropez “hideaway” at least twice to discuss deals involving the state investment fund.
Low, better known as Jho Low, SR wrote, arrived by helicopter, “which landed on the spacious lawns of the property”.
“During another such meeting, the two conspirators met up in the kitchen area of one of KAQ’s (Khadem Al Qubaisi) favoured night spots to discuss plans, apparently in order to avoid being seen openly together.”
SR went on to report that it had revealed details of the Paris properties three years ago and they were under the directorships of Khadem’s bank manager, Marc Amboisien, who was then attached with the Edmond de Rothschild Bank Luxembourg.
Amboisien, it said, acted privately for a number of Khadem’s businesses before the site revealed that kickbacks of over half a billion dollars had been channelled into Khadem’s Vasco Trust account at the bank between 2012 and 2013.
“Those kickbacks turned out to have been linked to the corrupt guarantees arranged by KAQ on behalf of 1MDB and (former prime minister Najib (Razak’s) fixer for the fund – Jho Low – as part of the US$6.5 billion bond deals raised for the Malaysian development fund by Goldman Sachs.”
Last month, International Petroleum Investment Co and Aabar Investments PJS sued Goldman Sachs Group Inc, claiming it suffered losses from the bank’s “central role” in the 1MDB scandal. The two entities are seeking unspecified damages.
The funds claimed they were harmed when Goldman Sachs paid bribes to Khadem and former Aabar Investments CEO Ahmed Badawy Al-Husseiny.
In exchange “Al-Qubaisi and Al-Husseiny agreed to manipulate and mislead IPIC and Aabar, and to misuse the companies’ names, networks and infrastructure to further the criminal schemes and to personally benefit”, according to the complaint
Man denies viral posts linking him to Anwar FMT Reporters -December 28, 2018 4:19 PMAdrielle Iman denies suggestions that he is intimately linked to Anwar Ibrahim. (Facebook pic)
PETALING JAYA: A cosmetic businessman has threatened legal action over suggestions that he is intimately linked to Anwar Ibrahim.
This comes after pictures of Adrielle Iman attending the PKR leader’s campaign speeches during the Port Dickson by-election, as well as a video clip showing him in a compromising situation, made rounds on the social media.
“I have dignity. My family has dignity,” he wrote on his Instagram account.
“Many times people had spread fake rumours about me, but this time it is going over the limit. I will not remain silent anymore,” said Adrielle, who introduced himself as the chief executive of AV Perfume and brand ambassador for Quantum Metal.
He said his presence at Anwar’s functions in Port Dickson was in his capacity as brand ambassador to Quantum Metal, which he said had sponsored the events.
Adrielle said he had enough of “dirty political games”.
“I am just an ordinary citizen and a supporter. That video showing me naked, DSAI (Anwar) was nowhere in it,” he said.
On Oct 13, Anwar won the Port Dickson by-election with a 23,560-vote majority, returning to Parliament just five months after he was released from jail.
Anwar was sentenced to five years’ jail over a charge of sodomising his former aide Mohd Saiful Bukhari Azlan.
Saiful was also among the candidates who stood against him in Port Dickson.
Firminos Scores A Hattrick Against Arsenal in Liverpool's 5-1 win
Firmino helps rampant Liverpool open 9-point lead in EPL
By STEVE DOUGLAS - 12/29/18 3:40 PM
LIVERPOOL, England — Roberto Firmino scored with an impudent no-look finish. There were jubilant cries of “Ole!” as Liverpool played possession football near the end, and the final whistle was met with a chant of “We shall not be moved” from The Kop.
Juergen Klopp’s players look unstoppable as they march toward a first English top-flight title since 1990.
And they are having fun at the same time.
In the latest statement victory in its unbeaten start to the Premier League season, Liverpool overwhelmed Arsenal’s meek challenge in a 5-1 win at Anfield on Saturday, with Firmino scoring a hat trick and Mohamed Salah invariably among the goals.
A ninth straight league victory opened a nine-point lead over second-placed Tottenham, which unexpectedly lost 3-1 at home to Wolverhampton Wanderers in its first match since seriously entering the title-race conversation.
Manchester City will climb back into second spot, and within seven points of the lead, if it beats Southampton on Sunday. But there is already an ominous feel about Liverpool’s ruthless performances, and it is now 20 league games undefeated for Klopp’s men.
“I’m not the smartest person in the world but I’m really not an idiot,” Klopp said. “It’s not important how many points you are ahead in December … if we drop three points, the next headline is, ‘Are they nervous now?’.”
Liverpool received huge help from their rivals on Saturday.
Tottenham started it by appearing to run out of energy in the loss to Wolves at Wembley Stadium, with all of the visitors’ goals coming in the final 18 minutes.
Then Arsenal, arriving as England’s fifth best team, produced a shambolic defensive display that Liverpool’s devastating front three happily capitalized on. Sadio Mane was the other scorer.
Arsenal mistakes preceded at least four of Liverpool’s goals, two of them being penalties after clumsy challenges by Sokratis and Sead Kolasinac. Salah converted the first to make it 4-1 in first-half injury time and gave up spot-kick duties to allow Firmino to complete his hat trick in the 65th.
“So, 2018 ends with a Christmas present from Mo Salah,” Klopp said. “It was one of the nicest things I have seen in my life.”
TOTTENHAM CRUMBLES
Having the Premier League’s most punishing schedule over the Christmas period caught up with Tottenham against Wolves.
It was the team’s third game in six days — there is another one coming up on Tuesday, too — and it showed at Wembley as Wolves dominated the second half and scored through Willy Boly, Raul Jimenez and Helder Costa.
Harry Kane, with a long-range effort off his left foot, netted for the third straight game to put Tottenham ahead in the 22nd minute.
“We were wrong in the way we tried to play, too much long ball and our energy dropped in the second half,” Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino said.
ANGRY RANIERI
Claudio Ranieri had tough words for Aboubakar Kamara after the Fulham striker’s stubbornness almost cost his side three precious points in its battle against relegation.
After Fulham was awarded a spot kick in the 81st minute against Huddersfield, Kamara argued with Aleksandar Mitrovic — the team’s designated penalty taker — before eventually taking it himself. He failed, with his shot lacking any conviction and being easily saved by Jonas Lossl.
“I said to Kamara to leave the ball to Mitrovic, he is the man who shoots the penalties,” Ranieri said. “It is unbelievable. He did not respect me, the club, the team and crowd. I spoke with him, it is not right. I wanted to kill him.”
Mitrovic spared Kamara’s blushes by scoring in stoppage time to secure a 1-0 win and move Fulham four points above last-place Huddersfield.
OTHER RESULTS
Cardiff also scored in stoppage time to beat Leicester 1-0, with Victor Camarasa netting to earn the Welsh team its first away league win since getting promoted. Leicester was coming off impressive back-to-back wins over Chelsea and Manchester City.
Brighton beat Everton 1-0, and Watford drew 1-1 at home to Newcastle.
Minority Business Chamber Malaysia president Roy Selvaraj speaks to reporters at the press conference to urge the government to reconsider 1am closure in Kuala Lumpur December 29, 2018. — Pictures by Shafwan ZaidonMore
KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 29 — With three days to the new year where they may have to close shop early, legal entertainment operators here today pleaded with City Hall (DBKL) to reconsider its proposed 1am “lights out” rule.
Roy Selvaraj, a spokesman for a pro-tem group called the Night Club Entertainment Operators, claimed many clubs would go underground instead of applying for a permit if they had to close shop at 1am.
“The real problem is actually not the licensed outlets. We are regulated, we are easily monitored,” he told a news conference here.
He said if any untoward incidents happened in their premises, the authorities could easily trace it back to them, which kept the licensed operators in line.
“So the Kuala Lumpur City Hall, which is already doing a very good job, will have a massive headache if people were to go out and open up all the business without licence, it will be difficult to monitor them,” he added.
Roy, who is also the president of the Minority Business Chamber Malaysia, said imposing the 1am ruling could lead to not only more house parties, but also a growth of illegal clubs and illegal activities at unregulated venues, such as at rented service apartments.
On November 25, Kuala Lumpur mayor Datuk Nor Hisham Ahmad Dahlan was reported saying that DBKL would present its proposal to the Federal Territories Ministry for entertainment outlets’ opening hours to be limited to 1am.
On November 29, FT Minister Khalid Samad said DBKL would likely enforce the 1am closing hours from next January and would review special permits that allowed certain entertainment outlets to operate until 3am or 5am.
But on December 17, the mayor said DBKL will not be enforcing the 1am closing hours for entertainment outlets from next January, but will be having further discussions with ministries, MPs and entertainment outlet operators before presenting the matter to Cabinet.
The Night Club Entertainment Operators group said it represents over 100 entertainment outlet operators who were invited by DBKL to provide feedback last Thursday on the proposal to limit their operating hours to 1am.
The group said all operators present in the Thursday meeting voiced their objection to the 1am proposal.
Roy later told Malay Mail that the group will next week submit a memorandum to Federal Territories Minister Khalid Samad and the mayor, and seek a dialogue with Khalid on the 1am proposal.
View photos
(From left) Mazlan Othman, Datuk Sivakumaran Nair, Roy Selvaraj, Suzianna Wong, TS Liu, Benny Bedi at the press conference to urge the government to reconsider 1am closure in Kuala Lumpur December 29, 2018.More
Five other club operators in the city were present at the news conference. They were:
Mazlan Othman, TS Liu, Benny Bedi, Datuk Sivakumaran Nair and Suzianna Wong.
Mazlan said the 1am closing time could lead to higher corruption incidents, suggesting that some clubs may attempt to bribe the authorities to be allowed to keep their outlets open longer.
“I am not making accusations, but this can happen and will happen, more cases of bribery will emerge,” he said.
The group asserted that the proposed 1am closing time is impractical as the majority of their patrons come close to midnight.
They also pointed out that the night entertainment industry was a source of many jobs: like disc jockeys, musicians and waiters; and had a knock-on effect on other industries that similarly stayed open until late, including restaurants, convenience stores, and transportation.
Wong said nightclubs were part of the tourism scene and added that outlets in Kuala Lumpur already trail other cities in South-east Asia, citing Bangkok and Singapore as examples.
Roy asked for the status quo to remain for clubs in the city that are currently allowed to operate until 3am or 5am.
He also pointed out that licensed entertainment outlets added to the Treasury and provided space for people to relax that was beneficial to mental health.
“We are contributing in a significant way to mental health for people to release their tension,” Roy said.
He said entertainment has been part of Kuala Lumpur’s “culture” since its mining days.
“We have managed it very well, we have people who live with different cultures, we respect each other.
“There are some people who like to party outside, they have a right to do that after the age of 21, don’t you think so? Why do we want to deny them that right?” he asked
Nurul Izzah: Mujahid’s ‘kakanda-adinda’ letter inappropriate, condescending Malay Mail Thasha Jayamanogaran Malay Mail29 December 2018
Amanah vice-president Datuk Seri Mujahid Yusof Rawa’s recent open letter to PKR’s Nurul Izzah Anwar that went viral and sparked countless memes appeared to have failed to amuse its intended recipient. — Picture by Hari Anggara
PETALING JAYA, Dec 29 — Amanah vice-president Datuk Seri Mujahid Yusof Rawa’s recent open letter to PKR’s Nurul Izzah Anwar that went viral and sparked countless memes appeared to have failed to amuse its intended recipient.
The Permatang Pauh MP today described the Parit Buntar MP’s message to her as “inappropriate and condescending”.
“Good intentions notwithstanding, I have actually informed Dato the public letter was inappropriate and condescending. Best we all focus on real issues,” she tweeted.
Good intentions notwithstanding, I have actually informed Dato the public letter was inappropriate and condescending. Best we all focus on real issues.
Nurul Izzah’s response followed a New Straits Times article citing Mujahid saying they had a close-knit familial relationship in defence of his use of classical Malay pronouns “kakanda” and “adinda” in the letter — they mean older brother and younger sister respectively.
Mujahid was reported saying he wrote the letter in classical Malay because of its literary value, pointing out that many were now using the words today.
“They should be thankful to me. Because of me, now many are using the word ‘kanda’ and ‘dinda’,” he was quoted saying.
Mujahid was also reported declining to comment when asked if Nurul Izzah had responded to his letter.
Sitting on the shelf: The free white shoes being offered at the Uni1One outlet in George Town.
GEORGE TOWN: White school shoes are now so unpopular that there are no takers for them, even when given out free.
At the Uni1One outlet in Jalan Datuk Keramat here, the promotion for a free pair of white school shoes for any purchase of over RM200 has drawn a lukewarm response, despite school re-opening in mere days.
“Even some customers who spent more than RM200 declined to take home a free pair of white school shoes.
“The new black shoes ruling has affected our business as we now have an excess of white ones.
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In Jalan Magazine here, employees of Kimnovak Sdn Bhd were seen helping customers with back-to-school supplies such as uniforms, school bags, socks and shoes.
Co-owner Lillian Lim, 50, said there was much confusion among parents who came to the store wondering if they should get white or black shoes for their children.
“To play safe, most of them buy black school shoes.
“Business is good right now and we anticipate more parents dropping by to shop for school essentials over the weekend,” she said.
Fauziah Mat, 48, said it was rather difficult to find black school shoes for her son who wore a size seven.
“I should have done the shopping earlier but was quite busy with work. We will probably come again to get a second pair of black school shoes.
“We drove all the way from Teluk Bahang to town to get the school supplies,” she said, adding that her son would enrol in Form One next year.
State Education Department director Mohd Jamil Mohamed reiterated that schoolchildren could still wear black or white footwear until 2021.
“The schools cannot decide unless all the parents (and guardians) agree,” he said.
In October, the Education Ministry announced that the black shoe ruling for government schools would be fully enforced in 2021, meaning that all students in government schools would still be allowed to wear white shoes until the end of 2020.
Read more at https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2018/12/30/no-takers-for-free-white-school-shoes/#lSIGaRx40WIkO2qA.99
PKR deputy Wanita chief Haniza Mohamed Talha said she agreed with deputy president Datuk Seri Azmin Ali that the party’s top leadership council could do with a review as it now had fewer women leaders despite their pledge to improve the position of women in the ‘New Malaysia’. — Picture by Azinuddin GhazaliMore
KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 29 — PKR president Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim faced dissent from a wing chief today over his recent picks for the ruling party’s top leadership council.
PKR Wanita chief Haniza Mohamed Talha said she agreed with deputy president Datuk Seri Azmin Ali that the party’s top leadership council could do with a review as it now had fewer women leaders despite their pledge to improve the position of women in the “New Malaysia”.
“Sadly, this matter appears to have been neglected by the president in the appointments of the Keadilan central leadership council that saw a drop in its representation of women,” she said in a statement.
Haniza also said she was shocked that Anwar had “misinterpreted” Azmin’s call for a review on the basis of fair and just representation as a “personal” criticism of his leadership.
“What the deputy president said was correct, in which he said fair and just representation should include at least 30 per cent of women in the appointments.
“I implore the president not to be biased and see our criticisms as a positive thing in celebrating democracy,” she added.
Out of PKR’s 20 central leadership council members, only five are women now following Anwar’s announcement of its new appointments yesterday.
All five appointees to the council named are men: Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail as party secretary-general; Datuk Seri Dr Edmund R. Santhara Kumar as the deputy secretary-general; Rafizi Ramli, Chang Lih Kang and Ali Biju as the three vice-presidents.
Anwar had earlier posted a statement alluding to Azmin to set a good example to other party members by not using the media to raise party issues.
Dr M’s PPBM speech a guiding light to lost sheep, delegates say Danial Dzulkifly And Azril Annuar Malay Mail30 December 2018 (From left) Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad and Datuk Seri Mukhriz Mahathir attend the party’s second annual general meeting at Putrajaya International Convention Centre in Putrajaya December 29, 2018. ― Picture by Mukhriz HazimMore ccc PUTRAJAYA, Dec 29 — Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (PPBM) and most of its top leaders may have been from Umno, but delegates said their chairman’s policy speech tonight showed which party is in pole position to lead the Bumiputera community from now on. PPBM deputy president Datuk Mukhriz Mahathir praised his father Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad for striking a chord among delegates in his speech, saying the party chairman delivered clarity and guidance for the future. “This policy speech is very important as it clarifies what is needed to be understand by Umno members. “What I meant by that is that, we too are a product of Umno that was taught to fight for our religion, race and country but was betrayed by the party itself. “It is clear from the speech that PPBM have taken that role instead. Therefore automatically Umno members should see that PPBM as a new form of struggle that has taken that role from Umno,” Mukhriz said. In his speech, Dr Mahathir said PPBM is the new platform for Malays because there is no more hope in Umno. Dr Mahathir has repeatedly said the Malay nationalist party formed in 1946 had strayed from its original purpose to protect Malay rights starting 2003 — which was when he stepped down as prime minister the first time and lost his qualification as Umno president. Bagan Serai MP Datuk Dr Noor Azmi Ghazali, among PPBM’s most recent recruits from Umno, supported Mukhriz’s claim. Dr Noor Azmi considered himself a relative greenhorn as a politician, saying he entered politics after serving in the medical line for over 30 years and only recently made the switch to PPBM so he could continue to be of service to the public. “I’m here for the rakyat, especially the Bagan Serai people. I was invited to join and I want to see how we can improve the country. That’s why I joined PPBM,” he said, adding that PPBM’s central leadership had found him to be “clean”. But Dr Noor Azmi denied that he was eyeing a position in the two-year-old party that is one of the components of the ruling Pakatan Harapan coalition, even though he believes Umno defectors who are found to be free of any taint should be given the chance to be an office-bearer in their new party. PPBM Youth chief Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman said Dr Mahathir’s keynote speech gave hope to the Malay community unsettled by the political divisions and burdened by bread-and-butter issues. He praised Dr Mahathir for being unapologetic in his desire to help the Bumiputera demographic group despite the persistent criticisms of being a racist. “What is most sentimental is that whatever policies he will implement that is unpopular, whatever criticism he faces, he will always move forward for his beloved country,” the Muar MP said of Dr Mahathir.
Marina roasts Lim Kok Wing over his tweet in support of Mahathir FMT Reporters -December 29, 2018 3:46 PMMarina Mahathir, who is Mahathir’s daughter, calls on Lim Kok Wing to stop what he is doing in buttering up the prime minister.
PETALING JAYA: Vocal activist Marina Mahathir today rebuked Lim Kok Wing over his tweet supporting Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad, after previously telling the senior politician to “shut up to protect his legacy”.
The renowned educationist had today tweeted that Mahathir was “absolutely right in saying that we just need to set our hearts and minds on achieving greater goals to be a great nation”, tagging Mahathir, Education Minister Maszlee Malik and Youth and Sports Minister Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman in the tweet.Lim Kok Wing was announced as Najib Razak’s public relations campaign coordinator amid 1MDB scandal.
In a reply two hours later, Marina, who is Mahathir’s daughter, called on Lim to stop what he was doing in buttering up the prime minister.
“Do stop it @limkokwing! Where were you last year? Who was it who told Dad to shut up to ‘preserve his legacy’?
“If PH hadn’t won, would you have snuck into our house uninvited at Raya to apologise? Just stop it,” she tweeted using her handle @netraKL.
A Twitter user @jonathanfun then pointed out that most businessmen had “behaved the same way” under former prime minister Najib Razak’s term in office and then switched sides after Barisan Nasional fell, citing the case of AirAsia boss Tony Fernandes.
Marina replied the tweet by saying that Lim was “one of the worst”, and that she “couldn’t believe my eyes when I saw him skulking about our kitchen… #cantstandbullshit”.
“The point is, would he have (apologised) if we hadn’t won GE14? Hmmmm?” she asked in her tweet.
Lim had, in May 2015, been appointed as Najib’s public relations campaign coordinator.
His appointment, believed to be to help burnish Najib’s image, was announced amid the 1MDB scandal, which had put Najib under the spotlight for alleged corruption.
Mahathir had, in a blog post without mentioning names, said a friend had attempted to persuade him to cease criticising Najib. He blogged that the friend had warned that if he continued doing so, he would lose his legacy.
PPBM wing chiefs unaware of branded bags given to central delegates Azril Annuar,Malay Mail 1 hour 11 minutes ago
PUTRAJAYA, Dec 29 — Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (PPBM) wing chiefs said that they had no idea about fashionable backpacks from Canadian brand Herschel that were given out to the party's division central delegates at the registration counter today.
Srikandi women's wing chief Datuk Seri Rina Harun and Armada youth chief Syed Saddiq Abdul Rahman were baffled when reporters posed the question on why the rather expensive bags were given out.
“What bag are you talking about?” Rina asked the reporters.
“I didn't get any bag,” quipped Syed Saddiq who then asked journalists at the press conference to show him a picture of the bag.
A photographer showed pictures of PPBM central delegate members posing with the bag to Syed Saddiq and Rina.
“That's a nice bag. It looks good. I want one too,” said Syed Saddiq.
“I haven't gotten that bag yet,” Rina added.
Earlier online portal Malaysiakini had reported that eight PPBM central delegate members per division nationwide were given the bag which costs around RM250 to RM300 each when they registered.
Apparently, the members were unaware of the backpack's value but commented it was of “good quality”.
The bag has the PPBM logo and the words “Perhimpunan Agung Tahunan Kali Yang Kedua Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia” (Second Bersatu Annual General Assembly) stitched on it.
The delegates who received the bags were office-bearers at the division level, from division chiefs to committee members.
Party workers showing the different types of bags for delegates at Bersatu agm in PICC, Putrajaya, Saturday, December 29, 2018. RAJA FAISAL HISHAN/The Star.
PUTRAJAYA: Everybrows were raised at the Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu) annual general meeting on Saturday, when backpacks that cost about RM300 were handed out to selected central delegates.
A logo of the party had been emblazoned on the Herschel backpacks which came in a variety of colours.
Registration secretariat officer Hasnul Hadi Ahmad said that 1,382 bags will be distributed to all delegates who register on Saturday (Dec 29).
"This is for the delegates who register today. For those who registered yesterday for Youth and Women Wings, they received a folder. [
Some of the delegates who registered yesterday asked why they did not get such backpacks.
Two Negeri Sembilan delegates said they were very happy to receive such "quality backpacks" from their party.
"I like it, I will definitely cherish it as it has the logo of the party," said the delegate, who preferred not to be named.
"What bag? Backpack? Let me look at the picture, Oh, it's nice," said Bersatu Youth (Armada) chief Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman, when asked if he knew about the backpack.
Bersatu Women (Srikandi) chief Datuk Seri Rina Mohd Harun could only comment that she did not get the backpack.
All delegates received a simple cloth bag upon registration but some of the central delegates were seen sporting this bag, which they received upon registration.
Malaysiakini reported that the bags were limited to eight delegates per division comprising of office-bearers at the divisional level, from chiefs to committee members.
Read more at https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2018/12/29/bersatu-backpacks-make-heads-turn/#Rbbj4jizLytSZpLm.99
File picture shows an employee serving a customer at the National Higher Education Fund Corporation (PTPTN) in Kuala Lumpur July 16, 2018. — Picture by Firdaus LatifMore
KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 29 ― The National Higher Education Fund Corporation (PTPTN) has said its giving out of zakat or obligatory alms in Islam is the fulfilling of its religious obligations, with the fund assuring that it would not affect the giving out of loans to university students.
PTPTN said the fund gives out zakat based on its profits, clarifying that it will not dip into funds for study loans to give out the alms.
“This payment of zakat actually does not affect the loans that will be given to students, as the payment of zakat is based on the net revenue of investments especially SSPN deposits and not from the fund for the giving out of loans.
“PTPTN calls for the payment of zakat that is obligatory on PTPTN to not become an issue or be a polemic as it is a religious obligation,” the fund said in a statement late last night.
“PTPTN will continue to be committed in ensuring there are enough funds to provide loans for the generations to come and at the same time PTPTN's funds are blessed in line with religious obligations,” it added.
In the two-page statement, PTPTN said it had started the practice of issuing zakat payments to all states in Malaysia since the year ending 2016, and had continued to do so for the year ending 2017.
PTPTN said ceremonies for the handing over of the zakat payments were held in Melaka, Penang, Johor, Pahang, Negri Sembilan, Sarawak and Kedah, adding that similar ceremonies will be held in other states that receive zakat payments if held by the respective states' Islamic religious authorities.
“The zakat payment made by PTPTN is obligatory for PTPTN's investment proceeds and these zakat payments are done so that the income received would be cleansed and blessed by Allah SWT. PTPTN also hopes that this payment of zakat which is a religious obligation will not be a polemic,” it added.
in the statement, PTPTN explained that business zakat is a responsibility that businesses that deal either in goods or services had to fulfill, if the business fulfills the requirements.
“Therefore, PTPTN is obliged to issue business zakat on the proceeds of investment that are made for all investments including for deposits received through the National Education Savings Scheme (SSPN) with full responsibility,” it said, noting that the SSPN is a Shariah-compliant savings scheme where savings from depositors are used for investments.
“The basis used by PTPTN is that PTPTN fulfills all conditions set which obliges PTPTN to issue zakat as outlined by the zakat centre. As has been stipulated, PTPTN's zakat payment is 2.5 per cent of the annual net investment profits.
“The investment revenue obtained is additional income and the percentage of obligatory zakat is minimum, that is 2.5 per cent from the net investment profits,” it said.
The statement came a day after PTPTN chairman Wan Saiful Wan Jan handed RM1 million in alms to the Kedah Zakat Board to help in development efforts for the destitute and reduce poverty in the state
Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad says there will be no reshuffling of the Cabinet. ― Bernama picMore
KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 29 ― There will be no reshuffling of the Cabinet, Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad has said.
Dr Mahathir said ministers in the new Pakatan Harapan administration should be given the opportunity to do better, indicating that they should not be compared against former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak or the latter's Barisan Nasional-led administration.
“No Cabinet reshuffle. We will give Cabinet members a chance to improve their performance,” the Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (PPBM) chairman was quoted saying in an interview transcript published by local daily New Straits Times (NST).
In the interview with editors from local media, Dr Mahathir laughed when asked about his previous comment that some ministers from his PPBM party were not performing satisfactorily.
“Who are we comparing them with? With Najib? Do you want Najib to win?
“If Najib wins, what win happen to this country? There will be more debts, more damage, oppression, corruption and theft.
“No such thing is taking place. It is a success by Bersatu. We have not heard as many complaints about corruption (like before). There are reports here and there, but people are now free, they feel relieved. That is a success,” he said.
Dr Mahathir pointed out that Malaysians can now do business and move about freely, and befriend or talk to anyone, saying: “Are those not great achievements, compared with Najib's?”
“So if we want to compare, with whom shall we (the government) be compared with? With the previous government?
“The previous government was different. We (the current government) are facing a lack of funds, but we manage to instil confidence even in foreigners, who have praised our achievements,” he said.
Dr Mahathir's Pakatan Harapan-led administration is only about seven months old, with many being first-term Cabinet members.
Pakatan Harapan had taken over the federal government after BN's shock defeat in the May 2018 elections.
Shattered Opposition
In the same interview, Dr Mahathir also commented on PPBM's acceptance of former Umno leaders after vetting them, confirming that this is part of Pakatan Harapan's strategy to obtain a two-thirds parliamentary majority.
“Yes. Personally, I do not like a two-thirds majority. I want a strong opposition.
“But as you can see, the Opposition is shattered. Everything has broken down. MIC is not functioning. MCA is not functioning, (the parties) in Sabah, they are not functioning.
“Umno has split into so many parts. Some want to remain in Umno, some want to leave, some want to give up politics.
“So, there is no credible Opposition at this moment. When I was in the government before or in BN, I used to say we need an Opposition.
“Because without an opposition, it is akin to not having a mirror. You think you are very beautiful but actually, you are very ugly,” he said
Maria wants to know whether the proposed amendments to Poca and Sosma will allow detainees to have access to their lawyers and family.
Saiful Bukhari Azlan (left) and Adrielle Iman
Najib Razak and wife Rosmah Mansor.
Chelsea’s N’Golo Kante scores their first goal past Crystal Palace’s Vicente Guaita. (Source: Reuters)
Dr Mahathir Mohamad says he is sticking to his promise to vacate the prime minister’s post in two years.
Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia chairman Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad speaks during their second annual grand meeting in Putrajaya December 29, 2018. ― Picture by Ahmad Zamzahuri
(Reuters pic)
Adrielle Iman denies suggestions that he is intimately linked to Anwar Ibrahim. (Facebook pic)
Marina Mahathir, who is Mahathir’s daughter, calls on Lim Kok Wing to stop what he is doing in buttering up the prime minister.
Lim Kok Wing was announced as Najib Razak’s public relations campaign coordinator amid 1MDB scandal.
