Day: March 3, 2023

PUTRAJAYA, March 3 (Bernama) — The government will not interfere with the High Court’s decision to acquit and free former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak of charges of tampering with the 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB) audit report, Communications and Digital Minister Fahmi Fadzil said.

Fahmi, who is the Unity Government’s spokesman, said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has repeatedly stressed that he and his administration would never interfere with court matters.

“The decision is a legal process that must be respected,” he said at the post-Cabinet meeting media conference here today as he commented on netizens who questioned the court’s decision and claimed that there was government interference.

The High Court had earlier acquitted and freed Najib, along with former 1MDB chief executive officer Arul Kanda Kandasamy of tampering charges after the prosecution failed to prove a prima facie case against both of them.

On his previous suggestion of establishing a special committee regarding the 1MDB scandal, Fahmi said the need for it would be examined if it could be an important mechanism to speed up the repatriation of embezzled funds.

Fahmi said even though the establishment of the committee had yet to be discussed, various agencies have been trying to reclaim 1MDB’s funds have borne fruit, including agreements by International Petroleum Investment Company (IPIC) and Aabar Investments PJS (Aabar PJS) to pay US$1.8 billion (around RM8.06 billion) to Minister of Finance Incorporated (MoF Inc) and 1MDB.

“For now, the matter (establishment) has not been discussed by the Cabinet and the process of reclaiming the funds is ongoing, along with several matters that have been identified in an effort to return public funds,” he said.

MoF Inc and 1MDB were reported to have come to a solution regarding their dispute with IPIC and Aabar PJS about legal proceedings at the London International Arbitration Court and the London High court.

Source: BERNAMA News Agency

MARAN, March 3 (Bernama) — Yang di-Pertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah, today ordered the government to conduct a detailed study to reduce and address the flood risks.

His Majesty said that short and long-term solutions, such as flood mitigation projects and efforts to deepen shallow rivers, are necessary due to frequent floodings.

“We can think about the cost (to implement the project to address flood problems) later, but we have to find the cause as there are always floods occurring, every year, every month. This is also subject to small rivers and drains in the city, which are not well maintained… all kinds of garbage thrown arbitrarily, which may be the cause of the flooding,” said His Majesty.

Al-Sultan Abdullah said this while visiting and presenting donations to flood victims, at the Kampung Baru Sungai Chedong temporary relief centre, here today.

He was accompanied by Raja Permaisuri Agong Tunku Hajah Azizah Aminah Maimunah Iskandariah, and their son, Tengku Panglima Raja Col Tengku Amir Nasser Ibrahim Shah. Pahang Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Wan Rosdy Wan Ismail was also present.

In addition, Al-Sultan Abdullah also wanted those who were ordered to evacuate immediately, to comply with the instruction, apart from always being aware of the safety of their children and other family members and maintaining cleanliness in the relief centre.

His Majesty, who expressed his appreciation to all federal and state governments agencies, and non-governmental organisations (NGOs) for helping flood victims, also hoped that assistance would continue to be increased from time to time.

During the visit, Al-Sultan Abdullah and Tunku Azizah also presented donations, in the forms of cash, food items and personal care products, to flood victims in the Kampung Baru Sungai Chedong and the Dewan Arena YAM Tengku Muda relief centres here.

The floods hit Pahang on Wednesday, as a result of continuous heavy rain, causing the river water level to overflow in Raub, Jerantut, Maran, Pekan, Bera, Temerloh and Rompin districts. However, the flood situation in Raub and Jerantut fully recovered today.

Meanwhile, one of the evacuees, Mohd Sulaiman Abdul Shukor, 39, was visibly moved by His Majesty’s concerns about his right leg, which was amputated to the knee as a result of a road accident in October last year.

Mohd Sulaiman, who sought shelter at the Kampung Baru Sungai Chedong relief centre since Wednesday, said that the assistance he received greatly helped to reduce his financial burden, as he is now unemployed after the accident.

“I used to help a fish trader in the market, so my income and savings were not much,” he said.

Source: BERNAMA News Agency

BATU PAHAT, March 3 (Bernama) — The state government welcomes the assistance of the federal government and states not hit by floods, in dealing with the extraordinary flood situation and increasing number of victims.

Menteri Besar Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi said all the agencies involved are working hard as the number of evacuees in all 10 districts had risen to over 33,000.

“Yesterday I had sought the help of the deputy prime minister (Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi), seeking for additional assistance in terms of machinery or manpower from other states that are not hit by floods, the Social Welfare Department and so forth.

“If we look at the situation today, even in Yong Peng area, the number of families affected is also increasing and I sympathise with our workers who are worn out but still keeping their spirits high.

“Some have not slept for three days, so they must be very tired,” he told reporters after visiting the relief centre at Sekolah Jenis Kebangsaan Cina (SJKC) Yong Peng 1, today.

On claims that aid to victims was delayed, Onn Hafiz said all the agencies have been mobilised from the very first day and the workers were overwhelmed by the increasing number of victims.

“Most (of the aid) have already arrived, but those in short supply will be resolved at the state level. We are working in coordination every day,” said the Machap assemblyman.

At the same time, he said several non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and companies have contributed clothes, blankets, food and so forth.

“We are grateful for the help,” he said while urging the people of Johor to stay strong and calm in the face of calamity.

Source: BERNAMA News Agency