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☆ Malaysia halves jail sentence of ex-prime minister Najib
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-02 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

Najib Razak, Malaysia's former prime minister, gestures as he leaves the Kuala Lumpur Courts Complex in Malaysia, on Thursday, Sept. 20, 2018. The board, chaired by Malaysia's king, did not give a reason for halving Najib's sentence. It said if Najib failed to pay the fine given, an additional year would be imposed on his jail term. Malaysia's king plays a largely ceremonial role but can pardon convicted people among discretionary powers granted by the federal constitution. The pardons board, which advises the king, includes the attorney-general and government officials.

Persons: Najib Razak, Anwar Ibrahim's, Anwar, Najib, Malaysia's, Jho Low, Al, Sultan Abdullah Ahmad Shah, Sultan Abdullah, Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar Organizations: United National Malays Organisation, 1Malaysia Development, Saudi Locations: Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Johor .

☆ Malaysia sultans to meet at 0200 GMT to pick next monarch - state media
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-27 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Malaysia has a unique system in which the heads of its nine royal families take turns to be monarch for a five-year term. The Southeast Asian country is a parliamentary democracy, with the monarch serving as head of state. Unlike other traditional Malaysian rulers, Sultan Ibrahim has been outspoken about politics and has said he has a good relationship with current prime minister Anwar Ibrahim. King Al-Sultan played an unusually active role in Malaysian politics, picking the country's last three prime ministers. King Al-Sultan used those powers during a period of political instability triggered by the defeat of the United Malays National Organisation (UMNO), which had governed Malaysia uninterrupted since independence until 2018.

Persons: Bernama, Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar, Sultan Abdullah, Jan, Sultan Ibrahim, Anwar Ibrahim, King Al, Sultan, Kanupriya Kapoor Organizations: United Malays National Organisation, Thomson Locations: KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia, Johor, Al

☆ Explainer: Goldman Sachs and its role in the multi-billion dollar 1MDB scandal
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-12 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +5 min

The logo for Goldman Sachs is seen on the trading floor at the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) in New York City, New York, U.S., November 17, 2021. 1MDB was a sovereign fund set up in 2009 with the help of Malaysian financier Jho Low to promote economic development. The United States has said the 1MDB case was its largest ever kleptocracy investigation. Low, a fugitive, has been charged in Malaysia and the United States over his central role in the case. Goldman has been investigated by regulators in at least 14 countries for its role in underwriting the 1MDB bond issues.

Persons: Goldman Sachs, Andrew Kelly, Najib Razak, Goldman, 1MDB, Jho Low, Najib, Low, GOLDMAN, Tim Leissner, Roger Ng, Goldman's, Anwar Ibrahim, Simon Cameron, Moore Organizations: New York Stock Exchange, REUTERS, Goldman Sachs, Malaysia, Malaysian, 1Malaysia, U.S . Department of Justice, The United, DoJ, United Malays National Organisation, GOLDMAN, London Court, Thomson Locations: New York City , New York, U.S, KUALA LUMPUR, The United States, Malaysia, United States, China, Beijing, MALAYSIA, Malaysian

Najib is serving a 12-year prison sentence for graft linked to the multi-billion dollar scandal at state fund 1MDB and faces more bribery charges. Ahmad Zahid had pleaded not guilty to all charges, and UMNO said he was a victim of political persecution. Hisyam Teh Poh Teik, a lawyer for Ahmad Zahid, said his team will ask the court for a full acquittal. The UMNO was voted out for power for the first time in Malaysia's history in 2018 due to widespread anger over corruption allegations against Najib and Ahmad Zahid. Despite the corruption charges, Anwar appointed Ahmad Zahid to the second-highest office in the country.

Persons: Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, Anwar Ibrahim's, Anwar, Ahmad Zahid's, Najib Razak, Najib, Ahmad Zahid, General's Chambers, Bernama, Zahid, Hisyam Teh Poh Teik, Rozanna Latiff, Kanupriya Kapoor Organizations: Malaysian, Ahmad Zahid's United Malays National Organisation, UMNO, Court, Thomson Locations: Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, KUALA LUMPUR

☆ Jocelyn Chia: Comedian in New York jokes about Malaysia, sparks backlash diplomatic backlash
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-11 | by ( Chris Lau | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

Hong Kong CNN —A comedian in New York who joked about the safety of Malaysian planes in an apparent reference to the disappearance of flight MH370 has sparked a heated backlash in Malaysia and Singapore. Controversy over the joke by lawyer-turned comedian Jocelyn Chia at Manhattan’s Comedy Cellar erupted soon after a short clip of her stand-up performance was posted online earlier this week. Chia’s bit had centered on the uneasy past between Singapore and Malaysia, which were once part of the same country. An air safety expert did not exclude it could be a part of the Malaysia Airlines flight MH370. “(Chia) does not in any way reflect our views,” he added.

Persons: Hong Kong CNN —, MH370, Jocelyn Chia, Andre de la, Yannick Pitonyaninick Piton, –, Muhamad Akmal Saleh, ”, Chia, Gopala Menon, Menon, “, Vivian Balakrishnan, Chia “, Dr Zambry Abd Kadir Organizations: Hong Kong CNN, Malaysian, Malaysia Airlines, ” Police, Getty, United Malays National Organization, Singapore’s, Bernama, CNN, Facebook Locations: Hong Kong, New York, Malaysia, Singapore, Beijing, Kuala Lumpur, La, AFP

☆ Analysis: Gains for Malaysia's hardline Islamist party a challenge for new PM Anwar
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-25 | by ( A. Ananthalakshmi | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +5 min

[1/4] A pillion waves a Pan-Malaysian Islamic Party (PAS) flag on the eve of Malaysia's general election at Permatang Pauh, Penang, Malaysia November 18, 2022. Anwar, who is ethnic Malay and Muslim, addressed race and religion in his first news conference as prime minister, promising to uphold Islam as the official religion of the country and the rights of the ethnic Malay majority, while also safeguarding the rights of all. Race and religion are thorny issues in Malaysia, where Muslim ethnic Malays form a majority in a country with significant ethnic Chinese and ethnic Indian minorities, most of them Hindu, Buddhist or Christian. As the biggest party in parliament, PAS could push for Islamisation and more affirmative action for Malays - a long-standing policy that Anwar has opposed, analysts said. "They see PAS as a clean party and its political leaders have no integrity problems," said Mohd Izani.

☆ Reformist Anwar finally becomes Malaysia's prime minister
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-24 | by ( A. Ananthalakshmi | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +5 min

[1/2] Malaysian opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim speaks during an interview with Reuters in Tambun, Perak, Malaysia November 4, 2022. The political uncertainty came to an end on Thursday, as Malaysia's king appointed Anwar, 75, to be prime minister. His strained relationship with the veteran leader shaped Anwar's own career, as well as Malaysia's political landscape, for nearly three decades. FRIEND & FOEAnwar started off as a firebrand Islamic youth leader before joining the prime minister Mahathir's United Malays National Organisation (UMNO), which leads the Barisan Nasional alliance. With the people's vote and the king's choice, he finally became prime minister.

☆ Anwar Ibrahim's long road to prime minister of Malaysia
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-24 | by ( Harish Sridharan | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

** He had a meteoric political rise under Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad, who invited him to join the ruling coalition, the United Malays National Organisation (UMNO), in 1982. ** Finance minister from 1991 and deputy prime minister from 1993, the long-celebrated heir apparent to Mahathir fell out with his mentor in 1998. ** During the term of Prime Minister Najib Razak in 2015, Anwar was jailed for sodomy for the second time. ** Anwar and former Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin each said they could form a government with support from other parties. ** Malaysia's king appointed Anwar as prime minister after a special meeting of his fellow hereditary sultans.

☆ Anwar Ibrahim: Who is Malaysia's new prime minister?
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-24 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

Nov 24 (Reuters) - Malaysia's new prime minister, 75-year-old Anwar Ibrahim, was sworn in on Thursday, bringing to a close his three-decade quest for the job that had eluded him time and again and led to him spending nearly a decade in jail. As opposition leader, Anwar led tens of thousands of Malaysians in street protests in the 1990s against his mentor-turned-foe Mahathir Mohamad. Anwar started off as a firebrand Islamic youth leader before joining then prime minister Mahathir's United Malays National Organisation (UMNO), which leads the Barisan Nasional alliance. Anwar's appointment as prime minister brings an end to a political crisis after an election on Saturday ushered in an unprecedented hung parliament. Between stints as deputy prime minister in the 1990s and as official prime minister-in-waiting in 2018, Anwar spent nearly a decade in jail for sodomy and corruption on charges he says were politically motivated.

☆ Malaysia's former ruling bloc may back Anwar in PM race
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-24 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 24 (Reuters) - Malaysia's former ruling coalition indicated that it may support opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim as prime minister, reversing a decision to stay neutral and potentially helping resolve a political stalemate. The Barisan coalition will not support a government that is led by ex-premier Muhyddin Yassin's alliance, its biggest component party said, though it did not make any reference to Anwar. King Al-Sultan Abdullah Sultan will meet with other senior royals on Thursday to help decide who will become prime minister. The constitutional monarch plays a largely ceremonial role but can appoint a premier he believes will command a majority in parliament. The king had suggested that both the leaders work together to form a "unity government", but Muhyiddin declined the proposal.

☆ Explainer: Who is Malaysia's king and why is he picking the prime minister?
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-22 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

King Al-Sultan Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah ascended the throne in 2019 at the age of 59, becoming Malaysia's 16th monarch since it gained independence from Britain in 1957. The silver-haired, bespectacled Al-Sultan Abdullah became king after the surprise abdication of the previous king. The king appointed Muhyiddin prime minister in February 2020 when then-premier Mahathir Mohamad resigned due to coalition infighting. The king has summoned 30 lawmakers from the Barisan Nasional alliance for a meeting on Wednesday to determine who becomes prime minister. Whoever is eventually named prime minister is likely to face more political turbulence of the kind that has plagued the country in recent years.

"Let me make a decision soon," the king told reporters outside the national palace. The king had given political parties until 2 p.m. (0600 GMT) on Tuesday to put together alliances needed for a majority. Significant election gains by an Islamist party added to investors' fears, notably over policies on gambling and alcohol consumption. Its electoral gains have also raised fears in multicultural Malaysia, which has significant ethnic Chinese and ethnic Indian minorities following other faiths. Anwar's coalition won the most seats in the Saturday election with 82, while Muhyiddin's bloc won 73.

Significant election gains by an Islamist party also added to investors' fears, notably over policies toward gambling and alcohol consumption. Anwar said he met with some leaders from the incumbent Barisan Nasional coalition on Monday to discuss a potential alliance. "I am satisfied as this negotiation was on the need to form a stable government that's inclusive. Its 30 seats in parliament is key for both candidates to cross 112 seats needed to hold a majority. On Monday, Anwar's coalition partnered with Barisan to form regional governments in two states, which also saw inconclusive elections.

☆ Malaysia's Muhyiddin, Anwar race to form government as turmoil drags on
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-21 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

[1/2] Malaysian former Prime Minister and Perikatan Nasional Chairman Muhyiddin Yassin waves as he leaves after Malaysia's 15th general election in Shah Alam, Malaysia November 20, 2022. Anwar's multi-ethnic coalition won the most number of seats in the Saturday election with 82. King Al-Sultan Abdullah, whose largely ceremonial role includes the power to appoint as prime minister a lawmaker he believes will command a majority, could play a decisive role. Massive corruption, mostly related to the looting of billions of dollars from sovereign fund 1Malaysia Development Bhd (IMDB), for which former prime minister Najib Razak was jailed earlier this year, seriously wounded UMNO's image. During his time in opposition, Anwar spent a decade in jail on convictions for sodomy and corruption, which he says were politically motivated.

☆ Malaysia's political manoeuvring begins after indecisive election
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-20 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Voters queue up to cast their ballots during the general election in Bera of Pahang state, Malaysia, Nov. 19, 2022. Malaysia's political leaders scrambled on Sunday to secure support from rivals a day after a general election produced a hung parliament, with no coalition winning a parliamentary majority. Longtime opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim and former Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin each said they could form a government with support from other parties, whom they did not identify. Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob's Barisan Nasional alliance - whose United Malays National Organisation (UMNO) had long been Malaysia's dominant political force - suffered its worst electoral defeat ever, winning just 30 of the 178 seats it vied for. As voters rejected UMNO and the multi-ethnic Barisan coalition it leads for the second election in a row, Muhyiddin's Perikatan Nasional coalition, in its first national contest, pulled support from Barisan's traditional base.

☆ Explainer: What to expect as Malaysia's split election leaves scramble to form govt
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-20 | by ( Mei Mei Chu | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

[1/3] The logo of Malaysia's election commission is pictured at its headquarters in Putrajaya, Malaysia, October 20, 2022. REUTERS/Hasnoor HussainKUALA LUMPUR, Nov 20 (Reuters) - Malaysia's political leaders were scrambling to form a coalition government on Sunday after an election produced an unprecedented hung parliament, with no group able to claim a majority. Longtime opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim and former Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin each said they could form a government with support from other parties, whom they did not identify. It made inroads in strongholds of Barisan, whose United Malays National Organisation (UMNO) - long Malaysia's dominant political force - made its worst showing ever. KING'S ROLEKing Al-Sultan Abdullah could potentially pick the next prime minister.

☆ Factbox: How Malaysia's election system works
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-19 | by ( Mei Mei Chu | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

The general election is held every five years unless the prime minister calls for an early poll. The Election Commission typically declares the results on the day of the election and the prime minister is sworn in the next day. THE VOTERSOver 21 million Malaysians are eligible to vote in this election, including 6 million new voters. But UMNO returned to power in 2020 as part of another alliance after the opposition coalition collapsed. It won the 2018 election under the leadership of former premier Mahathir Mohamad but lost power two years later due to infighting.

☆ Ahead of Malaysia's elections, political rivals battle over corruption and 1MDB scandal
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-18 | by ( Su-Lin Tan | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

watch nowMalaysia's nationalist UMNO party said its rivals are driving a "campaign of fear" against the ruling Barisan Nasional coalition in the lead-up to Saturday's elections and this could cost Malaysians. UMNO is part of the Barisan Nasional coalition. "I'm not at all denying that there are issues around integrity in our political system and this applies to all political parties." Corruption allegations against Najib led to the the long-standing ruling coalition Barisan Nasional being ousted from power in the last election in 2018, ending its 60-year political dominance in the Southeast Asian country. "Top leaders in our party are still facing court cases; now could you have said that for the time when Mahathir was prime minister?

☆ It's time for Malaysia to move on from the Mahathir era: UMNO
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-18 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: 1 min

Share Share Article via Facebook Share Article via Twitter Share Article via LinkedIn Share Article via EmailIt's time for Malaysia to move on from the Mahathir era: UMNOShahril Hamdan of UMNO responds to former Prime Minister Mahathir's previous comments on corruption in the country's politics and says he's "not at all denying that there are issues around integrity in our political system."

☆ Malaysia's upcoming election is poised to be a battleground of uncertainty
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-17 | by ( Su-Lin Tan | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +7 min

Four years ago, opposition coalition Pakatan Harapan swept Barisan Nasional — the ruling coalition at that time — out of power for the first time in 60 years. Then chairman and second-time prime minister Mahathir Mohamad resigned after 22 months in office and the coalition fell apart. Malaysia's political crisis has paved the way for a smorgasbord of parties and coalitions contesting the general election on Nov. 19. Perikatan gained notoriety after it was formed in 2020 following the defection of members from Pakatan Harapan. Anwar Ibrahim is looking to become prime minister after being denied the leadership for over two decades.

[1/5] Former Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad speaks during an interview with Reuters in Putrajaya, Malaysia November 8, 2022. In what he said would likely be his final election foray, Mahathir vowed to fight "against bad Malays, criminal Malays… against the Malays who had destroyed this country." "We don't agree that any one person should, even before the results come in, claim that he is the candidate for prime minister," Mahathir said. He was pardoned in 2018 after the election win that removed UMNO from power for the first time in Malaysia's post-colonial history. The nonagenarian said he had no desire to be prime minister but would do so if asked to serve again.

☆ Malaysia is braced for major floods. So why is it holding an election?
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-25 | by ( Heather Chen | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

Santiago believes voter turnout will be low, which would help Ismail’s United Malays National Organisation (UMNO) to win a majority of seats in parliament. But critics say holding an election during the monsoon season suggests that pledge has been forgotten. Arif Kartono/AFPGetty ImagesWeather warningMalaysia’s monsoon season has arrived early this year, with bad weather already hitting several parts of the country. “Many locations throughout Malaysia will face possible flood disasters during the monsoon season in November,” the Malaysian Meteorological Department said on October 6. “Low voter turnout due to heavy rains and potential flooding is likely,” Gabriel said.

Mahathir Mohammad, the former Prime Minister of Malaysia, during a press conference in Putrajaya, Malaysia on August 4, 2022. Mahathir, as well as opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim who leads the Pakatan Harapan party, both opposed conducting early elections due to the monsoon and flood season which could affect voter turnout or put voters in harm's way. Additionally, many voters had received bribes from the government to vote, Mahathir told CNBC in an exclusive interview last Thursday. watch nowThe government should be focused on weeding out corruption and fine-tuning its economic management of the country, Mahathir said. watch nowLike Mahathir, he said the government should be focusing on problems such as record-high food inflation.

☆ Malaysia's Mahathir fears Najib would walk free if graft-tainted party wins polls
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-11 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

Former Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak speaks to journalists outside the Federal Court during a court break, in Putrajaya, Malaysia August 23, 2022. REUTERS/Lai Seng SinKUALA LUMPUR, Oct 11 (Reuters) - Malaysia's veteran politician and opposition leader Mahathir Mohamad predicted on Tuesday that disgraced former prime minister Najib Razak would be released from jail if his graft-tainted ruling party wins an upcoming general election. "Should they be able to win and form the government, that is the first objective, not about the welfare of the people," Mahathir, who had two stints as prime minister, told a news conference. They were both prosecuted, along with other party leaders, after UMNO lost the 2018 election for the first time in Malaysia's history as voters punished the party for 1MDB and other corruption scandals. Investigators have said some $4.5 billion was stolen from 1MDB - co-founded by Najib during his first year as prime minister in 2009 - and that over $1 billion went to accounts linked to Najib.

Customers of a restaurant watch the announcement made by Malaysian Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob dissolving the parliament and calling for general elections at Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, October 10, 2022. "The people's mandate is a powerful antidote for the country to manifest political stability and create a strong, stable and respected government after the general election," Ismail said. UMNO is trying to win back its dominant position by pressing for early elections, having recently won state level elections. CORRUPTION FIGHTWith the dissolution of the parliament, Ismail, who came to power in August 2021, becomes the shortest serving prime minister in Malaysian history. He was named as UMNO's prime minister candidate in April, though it was unclear if he still had that support.

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