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Key Highlights
AG defends arbitrary powers
PM downplays fixed-term proposal
Govt moves to protect migrant workers
AG defends arbitrary powers
Attorney-General Ahmad Terrirudin Salleh has defended his discretionary authority to withdraw criminal charges.
He said this was guaranteed by the Federal Constitution, and prosecutors need not explain why charges are withdrawn.
This comes amid a legal challenge by the Malaysian Bar against the attorney-general's decision to withdraw corruption charges against Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.
In a related development, a former aide to Mohamad Sabu at the Defence Ministry was acquitted of seven charges of soliciting and accepting bribes totalling RM6.48 million.
However, why an acquittal was granted is currently unknown.
The defence lawyer has remained tight-lipped, raising questions as to whether the prosecution had also withdrawn charges in this case.
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PM downplays fixed-term proposal
Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has downplayed a proposal by his deputy to essentially guarantee a fixed term for his government.
Anwar said a Fixed-Term Parliament Act (FTPA) - which is being used to veil Ahmad Zahid Hamidi's suggestion - is not a priority.
He also said it was too premature to decide on such a legislation, as there have been no deliberations on the matter yet.
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Govt moves to protect migrant workers
The government is moving to protect migrant workers who have been duped into coming to Malaysia despite companies not having jobs lined up for them.
Human Resources Minister Steven Sim said companies that bring in migrant workers must pay them wages even if they have no jobs.
He said not doing so would be a violation of labour laws.
Meanwhile, the ministry has also filed a police report against one company following the migrant worker quota fraud exposed by Malaysiakini.
Separately, the group of migrant workers from Pengerang who were left hanging without jobs has filed a labour court case and is seeking wages amounting to RM2.21 million.
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Views that matter
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Other news that matter
The director and producer of the controversial film Mentega Terbang will be charged today (Wednesday) for causing religious offence with their movie.
Police recorded DAP lawmaker Ngeh Koo Ham’s statement over his suggestion to appoint non-Muslim experts to a committee on syariah laws, which led to the accusation that he was meddling in Islamic matters.
The remand for a man on suspicion of lobbing a firebomb at Ngeh's house was extended to today.
Selangor Umno allegedly refused to accept 20 local councillor posts in the state, leading to delays in the councillors being sworn in.
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