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Key Highlights
‘Freeze Taib’s assets’
Push back against media ethics code
Behold PAS without DAP’s lens
‘Freeze Taib’s assets’
Switzerland-based NGO Bruno Manser Fund (BMF), a long-time critic of Abdul Taib Mahmud, wants the former Sarawak governor’s assets to be frozen.
Its executive director Lukas Straumann also demanded the Malaysian government and judiciary to reopen investigations into the origin of Taib’s and his closest family members’ “enormous wealth”.
“We call on MACC to reopen its investigation into Taib’s assets which was closed in 2016 for political reasons,” he added.
Taib, 87, died on Wednesday. He had served as chief minister of Sarawak from 1981 to 2014. He was subsequently appointed as governor.
Swiss-born Bruno Manser, one of the founders of the Bruno Manser Fund, had lived among the Penan people from 1984 until 1990, helping them to resist the advancement of loggers. He has been missing, presumed dead, since his last journey to Sarawak in May 2000.
BMF had also penned a book about the alleged riches and corruption linked to Taib.
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Push back against media ethics code
Former deputy minister R Sivarasa has told the government that the code of ethics should be left to the media council.
He said there should not be two codes - one by the government and one by an independent media council.
Sivarasa added that the government’s move indicated a failure to comprehend the role of the council.
Former Penang deputy chief minister P Ramasamy also criticised the move, saying in the age of governments not having the best interests of society, the introduction of the code of ethics for media personnel is most unwelcome.
Addressing fears that it might affect media freedom, he said: “Issuing permits under the bureaucratic arm of the state, the Information Department, for media personnel suggests the government’s larger and more pernicious interest to subdue the media.”
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Behold PAS without DAP’s lens
When non-Malays view PAS without DAP and Pakatan Harapan’s lens, they will realise that the party is for all races.
This is according to Selangor PAS leader Roslan Shahir Mohd Shahir, who accused DAP and Harapan of sowing distrust and fear towards PAS.
Selangor PAS is hoping to correct this perception before the next general election by reviving the “PAS for all” slogan, first used in the 2008 national polls when the Islamist party and DAP were allies.
“No Chinese or Tamil schools will be closed, no temples or churches will be demolished,” Roslan said.
He added that non-Malays in the four states under PAS rule can attest to this.
Urging them to give PAS a chance, Roslan said the party envisions a government that is clean and free from corruption as well as responsible for safeguarding the welfare of all races.
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Views that matter
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Other news that matter
PAS is confident that it will be able to expand its dominance and conquer more states, including Malacca, in the 16th general election.
MACC has given Dr Mahathir Mohamad’s son Mokhzani a 30-day extension to declare his assets because it involves a long list.
An Umno leader accuses Dr Mahathir Mohamad of making excuses to avoid the royal commission of inquiry involving the sovereignty of Pulau Batu Puteh as he has committed an "unforgivable sin".
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