If Anwar challenged for PKR President - Proof of majority support? Lose of vote of PKR members sad?

It would be good if there was a challenger against Anwar Ibrahim for the post of PKR President - for then, we will finally see undeniable proof that the MAJORITY of PKR members want Anwar Ibrahim as their party President - to date, Anwar never had to get majority votes to be President - he was always unchallenged.

Even if Anwar is defeated, it will NOT affect him continuing to be Prime Minister - for it is not PKR members who has a say there, but all the Members of Parliament. Ismail Sabri was not a party President, and he became the non-party President to be Malaysian Prime Minister? Sometimes, it may be better - as a party leader may not be the best candidate for Prime Minister or even Minister. I believe that it is even better if Party Leaders refrain from holding Cabinet Positions - 

PKR was an example of democracy when all members had the right to VOTE to choose the President and top leadership - but, they amended the Constitution depriving ordinary members their right to VOTE - WHY? as grassroots members lacked detailed knowledge about candidates and tended to vote based on name recognition or bloc voting.

Every Malaysian (18 years and above) have a right to vote in General Elections, so to REMOVE PKR ordinary members right to vote into the top 6 positions is ODD and questionable? 

Fuziah said the party planned to implement the “one member, one vote” system at the division level, but not for the top six leadership positions and the 20 central leadership council members.

Previously, grassroots members voted for the top six leaders while delegates elected the 20 council members.

Fuziah said this system often undermined the integrity of the voting process, as grassroots members lacked detailed knowledge about candidates and tended to vote based on name recognition or bloc voting.

When all members had a chance to vote for the Top Leadership - at the last PKR election, Rafizi managed to beat Nasution(many saw him as Anwar's man) - Now, with the deprivation of rights for members to chose President, Deputy President and 4 Vice President > will it benefit Anwar and his people? 

A PKR member because of Societies Act cannot even challenge his/her loss of right to vote PKR top leadership because the Act bars the Court from considering such challenges - Is this not a deprivation of one's FREEDOM OF ASSOCIATION - which means a political party member should have access to Court to challenge party decision's that violates their right of Freedom of Association... in this case, PKR members had the right to vote for the top 6 position, and then it was removed, and members did not even personally VOTE for the deprivation of this right.

REPEAL the Chapter that makes special provision for political parties..

PKR amends party’s constitution to improve electoral process

FMT Reporters

-15 Dec 2024, 02:39 PM

Secretary-general Fuziah Salleh says the amendments include increasing the number of delegates and implementing gender and ethnic quotas.

Over two-thirds of delegates at PKR’s special congress approved the proposed amendments to the party’s constitution.

PETALING JAYA:

PKR’s special congress today passed a series of amendments to its constitution aimed at improving the party’s electoral process, says its secretary-general Fuziah Salleh.

She said the new amendments include increasing the number of delegates eligible to vote for PKR’s highest office-bearers and implementing gender and ethnic quotas for the delegates.

“All the amendments have been passed by a two-thirds majority vote,” she said in a statement today.

She added that a new date for the national congress for 2024 and 2025 will be announced once the central leadership council has made a decision.

On Friday, FMT reported that PKR was seeking to amend its constitution to address several electoral shortcomings through a special congress.

Fuziah said the party planned to implement the “one member, one vote” system at the division level, but not for the top six leadership positions and the 20 central leadership council members.

Previously, grassroots members voted for the top six leaders while delegates elected the 20 council members.

Fuziah said this system often undermined the integrity of the voting process, as grassroots members lacked detailed knowledge about candidates and tended to vote based on name recognition or bloc voting.

She added that increasing the number of delegates would strike a balance between grassroots participation and representation.

“Representation will also take into account the size of each division, with quotas set for women and ethnic groups based on electoral demographics. For divisions with more than 3,000 members, additional delegates will be allocated to ensure fairness,” she added. - FMT, 15/12/2024

From Death Row to Life Imprisonment for Drug Trafficking – Government/Parliament Oversight as Malaysia wanted to also abolish life imprisonment, and impose fixed term imprisonment

 

Media Statement – 9/4/2025

From Death Row to Life Imprisonment for Drug Trafficking – Government/Parliament Oversight as Malaysia wanted to also abolish life imprisonment, and impose fixed term imprisonment

Courts still bound to follow law, and thus those convicted for Drug Trafficking end up with Life Imprisonment if not Death until Parliament does needed amendments

For as long as Section 39B Dangerous Drugs Act states that the punishment for drug trafficking ‘…shall be punished on conviction with death or imprisonment for life…’, anyone convicted of the offence will be sentenced to death, and, if not to imprisonment for life plus whipping.

That means that the convicted will be hanged to death, or languish in prison until death, and so it can be said to still be a death penalty, be it expedited or delayed until one dies naturally in prison.

As such, when even the Federal Court, vide the Revision of Sentence of Death and Imprisonment for Natural Life (Temporary Jurisdiction of the Federal Court) Act 2023, revised the death penalty of drug traffickers, it had no choice but to impose life imprisonment only – it could not sentence them to imprisonment for a term between 30 years and 40 years as it could for all other death penalty offences. Pope Francis previously stated that ‘Life imprisonment is a hidden death penalty’.

That means that the majority on death row, who were convicted drug traffickers, may have escaped death by hanging, but is now subjected to life imprisonment, and this is just wrong.

It was previously reported that ‘Of the 1,281 people on death row as of Feb 2019, 73 percent (935 people) were convicted of trafficking illicit substances under Section 39(b) of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952 (DDA)…’(Malaysiakini, 10/10/2019). This means that more than 70% convicted drug traffickers who had the death penalty revised to imprisonment are now sentenced to life imprisonment, and this is unacceptable and most unjust – more so after the realization most those convicted for drug trafficking are not kingpins or crime bosses, but mere mules, often young, poor, ‘duped’ and possibly first-time offenders.

It must be noted that the case Umi Azlim Lazim, a 24-year-old university graduate, convicted for trafficking 2.9kg of heroin into China, in May and was sentenced to death.(SCMP, 13/12/2007) and other cases finally opened the eyes of many in Malaysia to the fact that those convicted for trafficking may simply be young, poor or ‘foolish’ persons that were duped, and that led to the thinking that a mandatory death penalty may not be a JUST sentence. Umi’s sentence was subsequently commuted to imprisonment as in China, all death sentences are reviewed by the Supreme People’s Court. Sentences with a two-year reprieve may be commuted to life imprisonment upon good behaviour.

 

Mandatory Death Penalty for Drug Trafficking Was Abolished First in 2017

Mandatory death penalty was abolished earlier in March 2018 for the offence of drug trafficking vide Dangerous Drugs (Amendment) Act 2017, which thereafter 39B(2), read as follows  “(2) Any person who contravenes any of the provisions of subsection (1) shall be guilty of an offence against this Act and shall be punished on conviction with death or imprisonment for life and shall, if he is not sentenced to death, be punished with whipping of not less than fifteen strokes.”

When Malaysia abolished the remaining mandatory death penalty and life imprisonment vide the Abolition of Mandatory Death Penalty Act 2023(AMDP Act), which came into force on 4/7/2023, it abolished the mandatory death penalty, and provided an alternative sentence of "imprisonment for a term of not less than thirty years but not exceeding forty years and with whipping”.

However, it failed to amend the alternative life imprisonment sentence for drug trafficking (Section 39B(1) DDA 1952).

MADPET(Malaysians Against Death Penalty and Torture)  believes that it was probably an oversight of the government and Parliament, and that means, even if not sentenced to death, they will be sentenced to life imprisonment.

When the AMDP Act was introduced, it was the government’s intention to not only abolish the mandatory death penalty, but also life imprisonment.

Thus, MADPET calls on the government and Parliament to speedily do the needful amendment, amending the alternative sentence of ‘imprisonment for life’ to ‘of "imprisonment for a term of not less than thirty years but not exceeding forty years’.

MADPET also calls for the removal of the lower limit of the sentence, allowing Court the discretion to impose a just sentence. Alternatively, the lower limit maybe should be 3 or 5 years. First time offenders duped into committing crime should be imprisoned for a short period, and they. Trust in the Courts to impose a just sentence.

It is a serious matter, as the Courts are still sentencing those convicted for drug trafficking to life imprisonment. On 7/1/2025, The Malaysian High Court sentenced a former air steward and his two accomplices to life imprisonment for drug trafficking. “The court sentences each accused to life imprisonment and 12 strokes of the cane for the first charge and life imprisonment with six strokes of the cane for the second charge.”(Malay Mail, 7/1/2025)

Rightfully and reasonably, Abolition Of Mandatory Death Penalty Act 2023 should have abolished that imprisonment for life in that section 39B offence, and replaced the ‘imprisonment for life’ with ‘imprisonment for a term of not less than thirty years but not exceeding forty years and with whipping’.

Sadly, the 2023 Act failed to do this for the Section 39B offence in the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952, and only just amended the number of whippings, REDUCING the minimum whipping from ‘…not less than fifteen strokes" to ‘…not less than twelve strokes".

 

Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Law and Institutional Reform) Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said said 866 individuals received reduced sentences from the Federal Court between Jan 1 and Oct 14, 2024. “Of that number, 52 were prisoners at the appeal stage who were granted a reduction of their death sentences to imprisonment. “Additionally, another 814 individuals were granted a reduction of their death sentences to imprisonment (Malay Mail, 6/11/2024). Unfortunately, the Minister did not reveal how many were for the offence of drug trafficking, and they, as the law stands now, would have been sentenced to imprisonment for life.

Yusoff Rawther and many others are facing trials on charges of drug trafficking, so when Parliament does the needed amendment, the new revised sentence should apply to all crimes, even those committed before that new law comes into force. If not, it will not apply to crimes committed earlier, and the courts will only still be able to sentence them to death or life imprisonment.

Federal Court Should Revise Again Convicted Drug Traffickers Serving Life Imprisonment

Due to this oversight, the question arises whether those who were previously sentenced to death, now sentenced to life imprisonment after Federal Court revision ought to have their sentence revised again by Federal Court after Parliament amends the Dangerous Drugs Act deleting ‘imprisonment for life’ and replacing it for imprisonment within a certain range?

The question also arises whether Revision of Sentence of Death and Imprisonment for Natural Life (Temporary Jurisdiction of the Federal Court) Act 2023, out to be amended to give PERMANENT jurisdiction to the Federal Court to consider revising death or life imprisonment sentences. Of concern are those who have had to be sentence to life imprisonment for drug trafficking because of Parliament’s failure.

Periodic Review by Court of Persons Still Facing Death Sentence

In China, following a death sentence, the sentenced is reviewed after 2 years.

In Indonesia, the new Penal Code (KUHP), adopted in late 2022 which will take into effect in 2026, states that people sentenced to death under the new law would be given a probation period of ten years, during which the death penalty can be commuted to life imprisonment if the convict demonstrates ’commendable behavior ‘.

Hence, MADPET proposes that a law be enacted that will give the Courts the right to review those still facing the death penalty, after 2 years or more, to consider whether the death penalty ought to be revised to a prison sentence, taking into consideration good behavior, repentance and other factors. This is a solution, as there still remains about 140 on death row, and the courts still will sentence people to death so long as the law provides for Death Penalty. So, the number on death row will increase, and Malaysia no longer wants to execute anyone.

It was revealed in Parliament that between November 2023 and October 2024, the number of people on death row dramatically declined from more than 1,300 to 140. (ALIRAN, 22/3/2025)

MADPET (Malaysians Against Death Penalty and Torture) calls for a speedy amendment of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952 to substitute life imprisonment with "imprisonment for a term of not less than thirty years but not exceeding forty years and with whipping”. This is to prevent the injustice, of still having to be imprisoned until death, even if one is spared the death penalty.

MADPET also urges for the abolition of the sentence of WHIPPING, where it recently resulted in death (Malaysiakini, 9/10/2024), or alternately at least not stating any mandatory minimum number of whipping that the convicted should receive. In light of the recent tragedy at Pokok Sena Prison, SUHAKAM also called on the government to immediately abolish all forms of corporal punishment, including those codified in the Penal Code, the Criminal Procedure Code, the Prisons Act, and related legislation. (SUHAKAM,22/10/2024)

MADPET reiterate for the total abolition of death penalty, and a moratorium on executions pending abolition.

Charles Hector

For and on behalf of MADPET(Malaysians Against Death Penalty and Torture)

39B  Trafficking in dangerous drug (DANGEROUS DRUGS ACT 1952)

(1) No person shall, on his own behalf or on behalf of any other person, whether or not such other person is in Malaysia-

(a) traffic in a dangerous drug;

(b) offer to traffic in a dangerous drug; or

(c) do or offer to do an act preparatory to or for the purpose of trafficking in a dangerous drug.

(2) Any person who contravenes any of the provisions of subsection (1) shall be guilty of an offence against this Act and shall be punished on conviction with death or imprisonment for life and shall, if he is not sentenced to death, be punished with whipping of not less than twelve strokes.

KL High Court hands life sentences to trio convicted of drug trafficking and cultivating cannabis

Judge Datuk Azhar Abdul Hamid meted the sentences on K. Karthik, 40, former factory manager C. Praveen, 35, and former salesman Muhammad Afiq Mohd Ali, 26, after ruling that the defence had failed to raise a reasonable doubt in their cases. — Reuters pic

Tuesday, 07 Jan 2025 5:03 PM MYT

KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 7 — A former air steward and his two accomplices were sentenced to life imprisonment and 18 strokes of the cane by the High Court today after being convicted of trafficking 707.05 gm of marijuana and cultivating cannabis plants four years ago.

Judge Datuk Azhar Abdul Hamid meted the sentences on K. Karthik, 40, former factory manager C. Praveen, 35, and former salesman Muhammad Afiq Mohd Ali, 26, after ruling that the defence had failed to raise a reasonable doubt in their cases.

“The court sentences each accused to life imprisonment and 12 strokes of the cane for the first charge and life imprisonment with six strokes of the cane for the second charge.

“Both sentences will run concurrently from the date of their arrest on Dec 14, 2021,” the judge said.

Deputy public prosecutor Syajaratudur Abd Rahman appeared for the prosecution, while the three accused were represented by lawyers M. Mathavan, M. Manoharan, and Mohd Yusoff Awang Lah, respectively.

Ten prosecution witnesses and three defence witnesses, namely the accused, testified during the trial, which began in September 2023.

On the first charge, the trio were accused of jointly trafficking 707.05 gm of marijuana at a condominium unit on Jalan Pantai Murni 7, Pantai Sentral, Brickfields, at 10 am on Dec 14, 2021.

They were charged under Section 39B(1)(a) of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952, which provides for the death penalty under Section 39B(2) of the same Act, read together with Section 34 of the Penal Code.

They were also charged with jointly cultivating cannabis plants at the same location, date, and time under Section 6B(1)(a) of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952.

The offence is punishable under Section 6B(3) of the same Act, read together with Section 34 of the Penal Code, which mandates life imprisonment and not less than six strokes of the cane. — Bernama - Malay Mail, 7/1/2025

 

 

Malaysia’s progress in death penalty reform and indefinite juvenile detention

22 Mar 2025

The Anti-Death Penalty Asia Network (Adpan) commends Malaysia’s historic steps towards reducing the use of the death penalty.

Shifting from a mandatory sentencing framework to a discretionary one has had a significant impact: recent parliamentary data reveals that, after resentencing hearings took place between November 2023 and October 2024, the number of people on death row dramatically declined from more than 1,300 to 140. (First meeting of the fourth session of the 15th Parliament, 3 February – 6 March 2025, Question no 1–721.)

Allowing the Federal Court to review each sentence and to consider mitigating factors has given a second chance to many people previously condemned to death and signals a crucial move away from capital punishment as a default.

Further, this has paved the way for better compliance with international human rights standards and the adoption of a rehabilitative, rather than a punitive, approach to justice.

Adpan commends the work of the dedicated capital defence lawyers, the Malaysian Bar, civil society organisations and others whose efforts ensured that all those eligible for resentencing were able to be represented before the court. - ALIRAN, 22/3/2025

Progress – significant decline in death sentences

According to parliamentary data and records from the Prisons Department, the number of people on death row in Malaysia has significantly declined, including a sharp drop in the proportion of women.

As of 22 January, the proportion of women on death row fell from 9.6% in 2022³ to just 1.4% in 2025.

 

Over 800 death row sentences commuted to imprisonment under new Act, says Azalina

Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Law and Institutional Reform) Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said said 866 individuals received reduced sentences from the Federal Court between Jan 1 and Oct 14, 2024. — Bernama pic

By Muhammad Yusry

Wednesday, 06 Nov 2024 8:39 PM MYT

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 6 — More than 800 death row inmates in Malaysia have had their sentences commuted to imprisonment under the new Death Penalty and Life Imprisonment Review Act 2023.

Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Law and Institutional Reform) Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said said 866 individuals received reduced sentences from the Federal Court between Jan 1 and Oct 14, 2024.

“Of that number, 52 were prisoners at the appeal stage who were granted a reduction of their death sentences to imprisonment.

“Additionally, another 814 individuals were granted a reduction of their death sentences to imprisonment through hearings under the Death Penalty and Life Imprisonment Review (Temporary Jurisdiction of the Federal Court) Act 2023 [Act 847], which came into effect on September 12, 2023,” she said in a parliamentary written reply to Bukit Gelugor MP Ramkarpal Singh Deo.

Ramkarpal had asked the Prime Minister’s Department for the number of individuals newly sentenced to death from January 1 to October 14 this year, and the number of death penalty commutations during the same period.

Azalina noted that 18 individuals received new death sentences — 12 from the High Court and six from the Court of Appeal. - Malay Mail, 6/11/2024

 

Balloon Man Incident - Anwar, highlighting is not stupidity, as it raises important issues? Everyone has a right to HIGHLIGHT wrongs, injustices, rights violations - and not so doing is a failure in our responsibilities

Anwar Ibrahim again hit out at people for HIGHLIGHTING issues, and expressing an opinion different from his - so, is Anwar right or wrong?

“They are stupid and do not think about the interests of the public. They just want to politicise such matters,” he said at the monthly assembly of the Prime Minister’s Department here.

Remember, Malaysia is a democracy - and that means everyone has a voice, and a right to ask questions, criticize, and highlight what one considers wrong, an injustice and a rights violation. 

And, one area that Anwar seems to be lacking is TRANSPARENCY and ACCOUNTABILITY. He avoids questions and views, and rather than RESPOND chooses avoidance and distraction, and now 'accusations'. Just be HONEST and answer the issues raised..

Anwar maybe better suited to be a leader in a feudal state(where people have no choice but to listen and obey the dictates of the feudal lord), or a DICTATORSHIP (where difference of opinion and disagreement with the then leader is a CRIME)

Anwar should not be calling anyone "STUPID" - conduct unbecoming of a Prime Minister. If they were wrong in their views, then correct it with the TRUTH - not label 'critics' as stupid, etc - People who CARE will dutifully highlight WRONGS - hopefully Anwar do not want a country where people stay 'quiet' indifferent to wrongs and injustices. 

Sometimes, Anwar says the issues were settled amicably - what does that mean? Settled according to law and justly - or were the 'settlement' achieved by reason of 'threats', bribes, etc.. 

The commotion reportedly erupted when authorities attempted to seize goods from several unlicensed vendors, including a balloon seller, at Jalan Tunku Abdul Rahman. — Screengrab from Facebook

 

It said its enforcement officers noticed several unlicensed vendors doing business on the pedestrian walkway along Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman during a routine patrol at 11.50pm yesterday.

"The vendors obstructed the public’s movement and caused congestion, especially with a large crowd in the area ahead of Hari Raya Aidilfitri.

"While other unlicensed vendors moved away from the area when issued warnings, one balloon vendor refused to comply and continued to operate despite being warned twice.

"To prevent the situation from escalating and to avoid the possibility of a more serious incident, plainclothes enforcement officers acted swiftly to diffuse the situation and separate the vendor from further assaulting the enforcement personnel.

"Tensions rose when several other vendors attempted to intervene, but the situation was soon brought under control," read the statement, adding that no injuries were reported in the incident. - Vibes, 29/3/2025

BALLOON MAN incident - A man selling balloons without the 'required permit' - Local government 'takes action' according to LAW? Which law? What can local government(DBKL) officers do to enforce the law? Seize/destroy goods? Arrest? Use of 'reasonable violence'? - These are some of the issues - Remember Local Government can enact and enforce their own laws - and in Malaysia, the Mayor and Councillors, are politically appointed by in this case the Federal Government, not Democratically elected - and they do so in a 'Parliament' with no Opposition, that is closed to the public, and there is also no published "HANSARD" - so no one knows easily how decisions were made, what were the points raised. 

So, we are also not told which DBKL law was being violated, and what can enforcement officers do when enforcing such laws - because most of time these DBKL Laws/Regulations are not even on their website. 

Some things that government ought to do PENDING restoration of Local Government democratic elections, especially the Minister responsible in the Federal Government, Nga Kor Ming, is to:-

a) Ensure that all Local Council meetings are OPEN to the Public (the law says it should be OPEN to the Public unless the Council decides otherwise);-

b) Ensure that at least HANSARD of Local Council meetings are published at least on the website - People have the RIGHT to know, decisions made, points raised and considered, etc..

c) Ensure that ALL laws of the DBKL(or Local Government are published in full on the relevant websites, including subsidiary regulations > People need to KNOW the Laws to follow it.

d) BEST is to speedily restore Local Government Elections - it could be full elections, and may also provide for LIMITED 'political appointment' positions from relevant State/Federal Government. Also, pending ELECTIONS, should not at least the relevant MPs/ADUNs be accorded the right to attend Local Council meetings, with the right to make Oral Interventions, but NO RIGHT TO VOTE - after all, they are the democratically elected peoples' representatives, representing people in the said Local Government jurisdiction.

Sometimes, I wonder what exactly is Nga Kor Ming doing about Local Governments. He is quick to respond to 'dress code violations', but has FAILED to address REFORMS needed in Local Government. Parking Fees Raised, Rates Rise - but people do not have access to the Local Government Accounts(how much earned and how spent?) or even an ANNUAL Report to the people as to what the Local Government did in a particular year. MONEY of the people taken, but NO ACCOUNTABILITY - Do the Auditor General even audit Local Government/Councils - if not, they should and the REPORTS made public. In most local council areas, pot holes, missing sign boards, lack of road lines/or clearly marked speed bumps - because Local Government is responsible for all these within their jurisdictions. They should REASONABLY be also responsible for Public Transport, including Busses, so people can get from homes to hospitals, government officers, shopping areas, etc... so much money collected, and the worry is HOW is it spent? 

BALLOON incident - was the actions of the Local Government officers WRONG? Federal law apply to police,etc - but Local Government law is the applicable law for Local Council enforcement officers, which could say that DBKL officers are bound by the same law that apply to the Federal police, does it?

Was the action of the Local Government enforcement officers WRONG or EXCESSIVE? That is the fundamental issue - nothing else. Many say that the enforcement officers action was excessive and maybe 'broke the law' when the balloon man was injured? Was it 'selective enforcement' if there were others in the area of the local government(in this case DBKL) also maybe allowed to do business without having the needed permits from the authorities? Were they not arrested or had the law enforced against them because of 'CORRUPTION', political connections, etc?  

In some situations, where a person without the required permit is caught doing business, what the enforcement authorities do is just ask him then and there to pay the required fees, and he is then OK to carry out his/her business - well, this may happens sometimes in 'pekan sehari', night markets and even Ramadan Bazaars - would this not be a better option in the case of the 'Balloon Man'.

In the Balloon man's case, would it have been better to just issue a summons, rather that arrest with force, and seize the products of his business? Was the FORCE used by the DBKL officers excessive, and against the law? 

Do the people of KL have a different view/position - different from the Federal Government of Anwar Ibrahim who chose the mayor and the Councillors of DBKL? 

LOCAL GOVERNMENT is very important, as this emerged in the recent Temple relocation issue. Why did the Local Government, knowing about that 130 year old temple, even approve a private land owner application to build the MADANI Mosque in the 1st place? 

LOCAL GOVERNMENT also is highlighted in the GAS PIPELINE issue - why did the LOCAL GOVERNMENT allow the building of homes, shops, playgrounds so close to a very dangerous high risk Gas Pipeline? Even if there is NO restriction in Federal/State laws, Local Government has the power to set its own laws/standards for any development within its jurisdiction - concern  about the safety and health of the people? Was the approval given with just the consideration of how much monies the Local Council could make, with NO due consideration of the safety and well-being of the people... because they thought the RISK was minimal, as it did not happen before? That is why we need LOCAL GOVERNMENT/COUNCIL elections restored fast to be able to ELECT people who prioritize human lives and safety first ABOVE profits.. 

In the gas pipeline issue, the STATE GOVERNMENT is also at fault - as it is the STATE that classifies land use. So, why was the land so close to that dangerous pipeline categorized as commercial/residential land - for it not there can be no approval to build houses/buildings?

Anwar, the people are NOT STUPID or are simply raising issues - They do so because they CARE, and want a BETTER MALAYSIA,,

 

Anwar slams politicisation of temple relocation, balloon vendor scuffle

Nora Mahpar

-07 Apr 2025, 09:42 AM

The prime minister says social media users sometimes sensationalise issues that could be resolved in an amicable manner.

Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim today hit out at the narrative that riots would break out over the controversy sparked by the plan to relocate the Dewi Sri Pathrakaliamman temple. (Bernama pic)

PUTRAJAYA:

Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim today hit out at those politicising the impending relocation of a Hindu temple in Kuala Lumpur as well as the recent scuffle between enforcement officers and a balloon vendor in the capital city.

He said some were pushing a narrative that riots would break out over the controversy sparked by the plan to relocate the Dewi Sri Pathrakaliamman temple.

He added that social media users could sometimes make a mountain out of a molehill by sensationalising issues that could instead be resolved in an amicable manner.

“Do not give these people any room (to sensationalise such issues).

“They are stupid and do not think about the interests of the public. They just want to politicise such matters,” he said at the monthly assembly of the Prime Minister’s Department here.

Anwar also said that such groups would have no qualms about labelling others as infidels or hypocrites if they were in disagreement.

The plan to relocate the 130-year-old temple off Jalan Masjid India to make way for a mosque to be built by Jakel Group was met with a public backlash last month.

The temple committee eventually agreed to have the temple moved 50m away to a new site measuring 4,000 sq ft, matching its current size.

Anwar, who attended the groundbreaking ceremony for the Madani Mosque on March 27, said then that the relocation was a win-win solution, thanks to compromises made by all parties involved.

Balloon vendor Za’imuddin Azlan meanwhile was involved in a scuffle with enforcement officers from Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) on March 28.

Za’imuddin, who did not possess a licence, was pinned to the ground in the incident which was captured on video and quickly went viral.

DBKL claimed that Za’imuddin refused to comply with instructions and had acted aggressively despite three warnings, to the extent of pushing one of the officers.

Za’imuddin however denied that he was warned three times before the altercation with the officers.

Three DBKL enforcement officers involved in the incident were later suspended from duty. - FMT, 7/4/2025

 

Spinal injury puts balloon trader at risk of paralysis, doctor says

The doctor highlighted the severity of the situation, noting that without appropriate medical intervention, the injury could result in paralysis.

Updated 22 hours ago · Published on 06 Apr 2025 4:20PM

Muhammad Zaimuddin (right) at a press conference at a restaurant in Dang Wangi on Sunday – April 6, 2025

 

A SPINAL injury suffered by 28-year-old Muhammad Zaimuddin Azlan, the balloon trader, could lead to permanent paralysis, according to a private medical practitioner.

The young man sustained serious injuries after an incident involving Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) enforcement officers last month.

Dr Mohd Hafidz Rizal Amran, a medical expert, explained that Zaimuddin’s injury involves a fracture in the T12 vertebra, a type of spinal compression fracture.

This kind of damage puts pressure on the nerves in the spinal cord area between T11 and L1, which could potentially lead to life-changing consequences if not treated properly.

"Once the vertebra fractures, a gap forms between T11 and L1, causing instability in the spinal column," Sinar Harian reported Dr Hafidz saying in a press conference on Sunday.

"This misalignment can compress the nerves and result in significant injury."

The doctor highlighted the severity of the situation, noting that without appropriate medical intervention, the injury could result in paralysis.

Zaimuddin, who works as a private medical officer, previously filed a police report after claiming he was assaulted by DBKL enforcement officers on March 28.

This followed an altercation during a street goods seizure operation on Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman, which was captured in a viral video. Zaimuddin sought medical attention at Sultan Idris Shah Hospital in Serdang and was treated for his injuries, but it was not until a week later that he filed the police report.

According to Dr Hafidz, the pressure caused by the fractured vertebra could lead to other complications, including "rectal incontinence" – a loss of control over bowel movements. Such injuries are considered highly serious and should be avoided at all costs.

“The fracture in Zaimuddin's spine creates an unstable structure that could restrict movement if not managed early on," Dr Hafidz explained. “The cast used to support the spine will hopefully assist in his recovery, which may take between three to six months."

Zaimuddin was scheduled for a hernia operation on April 18, which was meant to address an enlarged scrotum.

However, this surgery has now been postponed due to his spinal injury, which is the priority for treatment. Dr Hafidz confirmed that Zaimuddin's recovery from the back injury is critical, as excessive movement could worsen the damage.

“The pain is intense, with Zaimuddin rating it between eight and nine out of ten,” Dr Hafidz added.

“This reflects the severity of the pain, particularly as the injury affects both sides of his body and involves the nerves.”

As part of his treatment, Zaimuddin was issued a 48-day medical leave certificate, during which time he is unable to work. His usual livelihood, selling balloons, has been put on hold as he faces a challenging road to recovery.

Zaimuddin’s case has garnered significant public attention, with many concerned about the impact of such incidents on the safety and well-being of individuals in similar situations.  VIBES, April 6, 2025