Politics / News

by AZALEA AZUAR

FORMER prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad (picture) has defended his decision to leave United Malays National Organisation (Umno), saying the move was aimed at forming an alternative Malay party rather than causing division.

He said accusations that he was responsible for splitting the Malay community were misplaced, arguing that Umno had deviated from its original struggle.

He said he left the party after concluding it had shifted from fighting for “race, nation and religion” to pursuing wealth.

“I left Umno to form a Malay party so that those who were disappointed with Umno under Najib could join Bersatu. This was meant to keep Malays in a single party to replace Umno.

“However, many Umno members chose to remain in Umno, and many have accused me of dividing the Malays,” he said in a statement today.

Mahathir noted that Bersatu won only 13 parliamentary seats in the 2018 Malaysian general election, which meant it was unable to replace Umno as the main Malay-based party.

He said Malays were able to defeat the British because they were united under Umno.

“Even today, it is not the party name Umno that gives strength to the Malays. What gives strength is unity.

“That is why the Payung Besar was established so that all Malays could be under one organisation,” he said.

The post Dr M justifies his departure from Umno, says move aimed at forming alternative Malay party appeared first on The Malaysian Reserve.

KUALA LUMPUR — The defamation lawsuit filed by Datuk Fahmi Fadzil against the Facebook account owner N13 Kuang, Mohd Fauzan Madzlan, in 2023 over allegations that the Communications Minister delivered a political speech at a mosque in Rawang, Selangor, was settled at the High Court here today.

Fahmi’s lawyer, Fahri Azzat, informed Justice Datuk Raja Ahmad Mohzanuddin Shah Raja Mohzan that both parties had reached a settlement and agreed to a consent judgment. 

Justice Raja Ahmad Mohzanuddin then recorded the consent judgment to formally conclude the case. The matter was confirmed by Mohd Fauzan’s lawyer, Mohammed Zamri Ibrahim. 

During a press conference later, Fahmi’s co-lawyer, Asheeq Ali Sethi Alivi, said that the consent judgment contained two mutually agreed-upon terms.

“The defendant expressed regret over a Facebook post dated July 31, 2023, which was the subject of the present case. Two key points were agreed upon: first, the defendant acknowledged that YB Fahmi’s speech was neither a political campaign nor politically motivated.

“Second, the defendant regretted any misunderstanding arising from the statement posted on the Facebook page “N13 Kuang.”

“The defendant sincerely confirmed that Fahmi’s speech on July 30, 2023, at Masjid Nurul Yaqin, Kampung Melayu Seri Kundang, Rawang, Selangor, during the 15th Selangor State Election period, was not a political campaign or a politically charged speech,” the lawyer said.

Fahmi, when met by the media, expressed appreciation for Mohd Fauzan’s acknowledgment and the mutual agreement to resolve the matter amicably.

“I greatly value his confirmation, and I, together with my legal team, will await further developments on whether the two remaining cases will proceed,” he said.

In addition to Mohd Fauzan, Fahmi has also filed lawsuits against independent preacher Ahmad Dusuki Abd Rani and Wan Muhammad Azri Wan Deris, also known as Papagomo, over the same issue.

Based on the writ of summons and statement of claim filed on Sept 5, 2023, Fahmi claimed that all three defendants published defamatory statements accusing him of misusing a place of worship, namely a mosque, for election campaign purposes and acting contrary to the Sultan of Selangor’s directives.

Fahmi claimed that the defamatory statements were posted on Mohd Fauzan’s Facebook account and Ahmad Dusuki’s Facebook and Instagram accounts on July 31, 2023, and on Wan Muhammad Azri’s TikTok and Facebook accounts on Aug 1, 2023.

He further asserted that the statements were baseless and that the Selangor Islamic Religious Council had confirmed that he did not deliver any politically charged speech, contrary to the allegations made by the defendants.

Accordingly, he sought general, aggravated, or exemplary damages, as well as an injunction to prevent the defendants from repeating or causing the republication of the said statements. — BERNAMA

The post Fauzan regrets false claim, admits Fahmi Fadzil did not deliver political speech in mosque appeared first on The Malaysian Reserve.

A group of ex-politicians have teamed up to form a new non-governmental organisation (NGO) aimed at promoting a healthier political landscape in Malaysia.

Spokesman Chew Seng Tung said the RESET Alliance seeks to encourage more rational, people-centred political discourse and steer politics away from divisive racial and religious narratives.

Chew, who was accompanied by former politicians including Teh Yee Cheu and Martin Lim in Penang, said the alliance will promote unity, accountability and good governance through education, dialogue and civic engagement.

“The country needs a political ‘reset’ to move away from divisive and unhealthy politics,” he said.

The group also questioned the Madani Mart initiative, saying it could mirror past programmes and create unfair competition for small grocery shops and mini-markets, The Star reported.

The post Former politicians form RESET Alliance to push for political reform appeared first on The Malaysian Reserve.