#MALAYSIA: Ibrahim Becomes Prime Minister After Political Crisis

[world politics news]

Anwar Ibrahim was sworn in as Malaysia's prime minister on Thursday, capping a three-decade political journey from a protege of veteran leader Mahathir Mohamad to protest leader, a prisoner convicted of sodomy, and opposition leader.

His appointment ends five days of unprecedented post-election crisis, but could usher in a new instability with his rival, former prime minister Muhyiddin Yassin, challenging him to prove his majority in parliament.

[FULL STORY HERE]

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to raising Americans' knowledge of political events, elections, and legislation throughout the world.

#MALAYSIA: King Rejects Government's State Of Emergency Request

[world politics news] 

In the latest twist to Malaysia’s ongoing political saga, its King surprisingly rejected a controversial plan proposed by Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin to impose emergency measures on the country, after discussing the matter with other state monarchs.

Muhyiddin’s suggestion was ostensibly aimed at tackling the Covid-19 pandemic without political distractions. His opponents, however, claimed he no longer commanded a majority support in Parliament, and was using the pandemic as an excuse to stay in power.

[FULL STORY HERE]

World Politics News is dedicated to raising Americans' knowledge of political events, elections, and legislation throughout the world.

#MALAYSIA: PM Muhyiddin Yassin's Gov't Wins Victory As It Elects Lower House Speaker

[world politics news]

Malaysia's Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin narrowly cleared a major political test, as his coalition won just enough votes to remove the lower house speaker in a vote seen as an important barometer of his government's support.

The vote was the first real measure of Muhyiddin's backing since his coalition took over the government in March.

[FULL STORY HERE]

World Politics News is dedicated to raising Americans' knowledge of political events, elections, and legislation throughout the world.

#MALAYSIA: Politician Calls For "Virtual" Parliament To Meet During Coronavirus Lockdown

[world politics news]

Lim Kit Siang, a leader of the Democratic Action Party (part of the ruling government coalition)  has urged the government to consider holding an emergency “virtual” Parliament.

His suggestion came as Malaysia marks its third week of a government-enforced movement control order (MCO) to break the chain of COVID-19 infections across the country.

Other legislative bodies around the world are contemplating a similar move, as they adapt to the new circumstances caused by COVID-19.

[FULL STORY HERE]

World Politics News is dedicated to raising Americans' knowledge of political events, elections, and legislation throughout the world.

#MALAYSIA: Former Prime Minister Opposes His Replacement; Says His Party Has Votes To Form Gov't

[world politics news]

Malaysia’s Former Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad called Sunday for an urgent Parliament sitting to contest the appointment of a former ally as the country’s next prime minister under a new Malay-majority coalition that could further split the nation following the collapse of his multiracial reformist alliance.

Muhyiddin Yassin was sworn in at the palace Sunday after getting the support of several opposition parties. After a week of political turmoil, the king Saturday said he believed Muhyiddin had the majority support of lawmakers and named him the new leader.

But Mahathir’s camp has contested that assertion, saying the 94-year-old two-time prime minister has the backing of 114 lawmakers to return as premier for a third time.

[FULL STORY HERE]

World Politics News is dedicated to raising Americans' knowledge of political events, elections, and legislation throughout the world.

#MALAYSIA: Ruling Party Unexpectedly Loses A Seat In Parliamentary Special Election

[world politics news]

Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad’s ruling alliance received a setback from voters, losing a parliamentary seat to the main opposition coalition at a by-election for the first time.

The Barisan Nasional candidate won by a majority of more than 15,000 votes in the Tanjung Piai constituency in the southern state of Johor, according to the Election Commission on Saturday. Pakatan Harapan had almost 11,000 fewer votes than when its candidate narrowly won the seat in last year’s general election.

[FULL STORY HERE]

World Politics News is dedicated to raising Americans' knowledge of political events, elections, and legislation throughout the world.

#MALAYSIA: State Legislature Requires Members To Reveal Assets

[world politics news]

The Perak state legislative assembly has approved a motion which compels all assemblymen and their immediate family to declare their respective assets.

The state assembly is the first to follow a similar move by Malaysia's national parliament, where all members, as well as their families, are required to declare their assets.

[FULL STORY HERE]

World Politics News is dedicated to raising Americans' knowledge of political events, elections, and legislation throughout the world.

#MALAYSIA: Stepson Of Disgraced Former PM Arrested For Money Laundering

[world politics news]

Riza Aziz, the stepson of former Malaysian prime minister Najib Razak, has been charged with money laundering linked to the 1Malaysia Development Berhad global corruption scandal that saw billions siphoned out of the state wealth fund by his stepfather.

Aziz, 43, is co-founder of US film company that made The Wolf of Wall Street. He faced court after being detained by Malaysia’s anti-corruption watchdog.

[FULL STORY HERE]

World Politics News is dedicated to raising Americans' knowledge of political events, elections, and legislation throughout the world.

#MALAYSIA: Gov't Official Says Death Penalty Could Be Abolished Soon By Parliament, Calls For Executions To Cease Immediately

[world politics news]

Parliament is likely to take up a historic bill to abolish the death penalty in Malaysia as it begins its session next week, a government official says. Liew Vui Keong, a minister in the Prime Minister's Department, says the government hopes to present the bill soon to the Dewan Rakyat, the parliament's lower house. Keong went on record as saying that all executions should be put on hold and some cases commuted or dismissed completely, depending on the severity of the crimes.

[FULL STORY HERE]

World Politics News is dedicated to raising Americans' knowledge of political events, elections, and legislation throughout the world.

#MALAYSIA: Economics Minister Reveals US$27 Billion In "Hidden Costs" In Malay-Singapore High Speed Rail Project

[world politics news]

Malaysian Economic Affairs Minister Mohamed Azmin Ali says his government's estimated US$27.1 billion (RM110 billion/S$37 billion) price tag for the Kuala Lumpur-Singapore High Speed Rail project includes hidden costs not revealed by the previous administration. Ali said the project was too costly as the country faced a national debt of US$246 billion. The previous administration under Barisan Nasional, which was defeated in the May 9 general election, had said the project would cost about $US17.7 billion.

[FULL STORY HERE]

#MALAYSIA: 92-Year-Old Ex-Dictator Makes Comeback By Winning Election As Prime Minister

[world politics news]

After two decades as Malaysia’s prime minister, during which time he censored journalists and dismissed various human rights issues, Malaysia’s longest-serving prime minister is back for a second crack at the job. This week, 92-year-old Mahathir Mohamad led a nail-biting victory for opposition Pakatan Harapan alliance of parties, taking 113 of the 222 seats in parliament.

[FULL STORY HERE]

#MALAYSIA: Students Hold Banned Rally To Demand Arrest Of Prime Min.

[world politics news]

Malaysian student activists led a rally Saturday to demand the arrest of Prime Minister Najib Razak, who has been implicated in a US government probe into massive fraud in a Malaysian investment fund. More than 1,000 people defied a police ban as they congregated at two locations in Kuala Lumpur and marched to historic Independence Square. They held posters and caricatures of Najib, with some chanting “Catch, catch Najib.”

#MALAYSIA: Parliament To Introduce Prime Minister's Question Time As Part Of Reform Package

[world politics news]

The government is welcoming a proposal to introduce a prime minister's question time two days a week during sessions of the Dewan Rakyat - the lower house of parliament. It's part of an ongoing effort to reform parliament.

#MALAYSIA: New Security Law Gives PM Broad Police Powers To Arrest

[world politics news]

A new security bill, passed this week in a voice vote in parliament, gives the prime minister broad new powers to arrest anyone without a warrant once an area is declared a security area. The head of the Malaysian Bar Association called the bill a "a lurch towards an authoritarian government."

#MALAYSIA: Oppo. MP Faces Discipline Over Photo With Separatist Leader's Daughter At Event

[world politics news]

In a party-line vote, Malaysian opposition MP Nurul Izzah Anwar was referred to Parliament's Rights and Privileges Committee for discipline over her meeting with a separatist leader's daughter. A photo of the meeting - at a dinner in the Philippines to support the release of Anwar's father, the Malaysian opposition leader - went viral. The separatist leader's father, self-styled Sulu Sultan Jamalul Kiram III, led a violent incursion into the Malaysian state of Sabah, which he claims, in 2013.

#MALAYSIA: Defiant PM Says He Won't Resign, Despite Mass Protests

[world politics news]

Embattled Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak poured scorn on a huge two-day rally that brought together tens of thousands of protesters demanding his resignation over a financial scandal. Large crowds of protesters camped overnight on the streets of Kuala Lumpur wearing the yellow shirts of the Bersih movement.

#MALAYSIA: Lawmakers Decry Poor Quality Of Parliamentary Debate; Lack Of Evolving Institutions

[world politics news]

Malaysia's parliamentary system is not mature enough to have quality debates on bills, according to federal legslator Rafizi Ramli. The MP said he preferred to spend his time speaking with constituents than being "tortured" by listening to the poor quality of debates. Others decry the failure of parliament to evolve.

#MALAYSIA: PM Najib Rejects Accusations He Pocketed US$700 Million As "Political Sabotage"

[world politics news]

Prime Minister Najib Razak says a report that over US$700 million was wired to his personal account from banks, government agencies and companies linked to the debt-laden state development fund is "political sabotage." The fund, which was founded by Najib and is under investigation, denies giving him any money.

#MALAYSIA: Kelantan State Legislature Approves Harsh Sharia Law To Include Stonings, Amputations

[world politics news]

Malaysia's state of Kelantan has amended its criminal code to introduce an Islamic criminal code. The Sharia laws would allow punishments ranging in severity according to the crime such as amputations and death by stoning. The state needs federal support to implement the bill, which is rocking political coalitions in the country.

Photo: Supporters of Pan-Malaysia Islamic Party hold their party flag. 

MALAYSIA: Experts Warn "Chinese Tsunami" As Start of Divisive Ethnic Politics  [world politics news]