Mahathir says remarks on French attacks taken out of context
KUALA LUMPUR โ Former Malaysian leader Mahathir Mohamad stood by his widely condemned comments on attacks by Muslim extremists in France, saying Friday that they were taken out of context and criticizing Twitter and Facebook for removing his posts. โI am indeed disgusted with attempts to misrepresent and take out of context what I wrote on my blog," Mahathir said in a statement. He said Twitter and Facebook removed the posting despite his explanation, and slammed the move as hypocritical. A Mahathir staff member said the entire posting was removed by Facebook. Facebook Malaysia said in an email that it removed Mahathirโs posting for violating its policies.
Malaysia's Anwar meets king in bid to form new government
Anwar met the king Tuesday in a bid to form a new government after claiming he had secured a majority in Parliament. Anwar said he showed he has the support of over 120 lawmakers, which would allow him to unseat Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin. It said the king advised Anwar โto abide by and respect the legal process" based on the constitution. Allies in his Malay-centric coalition also denied supporting Anwar, and branded Anwar a โdesperadoโ for seeking to wrest power during the pandemic. Mahathir became prime minister a second time.
Malaysian opposition leader Anwar plans new government
Malaysia's opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim gestures as he leaves after a press conference in Kuala Lumpur, Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2020. Anwar said he has secured a majority in parliament to form a new government that is strong, stable and formidable." (AP Photo/Vincent Thian)KUALA LUMPUR โ Malaysian opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim said Wednesday he has secured a majority in Parliament to form a new government that is โstrong, stable and formidable." Then-Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad resigned in protest, and Anwar said Wednesday that Mahathir won't be part of his new government. Once a high flyer in the ruling party, Anwar was convicted of homosexual sodomy and corruption after a power struggle with Mahathir in 1998.
Malaysia's ex-finance minister charged again in graft case
Malaysian former Finance Minister and Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng, center, arrives at courthouse in Butterworth, Malaysia, Monday, Aug. 10, 2020. Lim pleaded not guilty to a second graft charge relating to a $1.5 billion undersea tunnel project. (AP Photo/Gary Chuah)PENANG Malaysia's former finance minister pleaded not guilty Monday to a second corruption charge related to a $1.5 billion undersea tunnel project and slammed the case as a trumped-up charge by the new government. On Monday, he was accused of abusing his power as Penang chief minister to obtain 3.3 million ringgit ($786,182) as inducement to help a local company secure the construction contract. The project was approved during Lims tenure as Penang chief minister from 2008-2018, before he became Malaysias finance minister.
Malaysia PM wins tests of support, ousts house speaker
KUALA LUMPUR Malaysian Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin narrowly won a motion to boot the parliament speaker Monday, scraping through the first test of his support nearly five months after taking power. Its success could thwart the opposition's bid of a no-confidence vote against Muhyiddin, analysts said. Lawmakers engaged in heated debates over Muhyiddins unprecedented proposal to replace the house speaker with his own candidate. Then Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad resigned in protest of the plan, and filed a motion of no-confidence against his former party ally. Chin said the speaker replacement suggested parliament cannot act as an effective check and balance against Muhyiddin.
Malaysia's ex-PM to hear verdict in 1st graft case in July
Former Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak wearing a face mask arrives at court house in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Thursday, June 4, 2020. Closing arguments are expected in the first corruption trial of him linked to the multibillion-dollar looting of the 1MDB state investment fund. The High Court set July 28 to deliver its verdict that will be closely watched as Najibs Malay political party is reviving its fortunes. Prosecutors argued Najib was the real power behind 1MDB and SRC as premier and finance minister at the time. Sithambaram said the change in Malaysia's government didn't affect the prosecution's case and that there was no order for them to back off against Najib.
Cambodian opposition leader stopped from returning home
Mu Sochua, Vice President of the Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP) speaks during a press conference in Jakarta Indonesia, Wednesday, Nov. 6, 2019. The press conference was held by the Cambodian opposition group to discuss plans for its exiled leaders, including Sam Rainsy, to return to their homeland against the government's wishes. (AP Photo/Achmad Ibrahim)
Cambodian rival stopped from going home to challenge Hun Sen
Hun Sen had declared that Sam Rainsy and his colleagues would be blocked from entering Cambodia and had informed neighboring countries that they were unwelcome. We need to continue, the days of Hun Sen are numbered. Before heading to the airport, Sam Rainsy told The Associated Press that Hun Sen is going all out to block their return because he is "very afraid." Many human rights activists criticized ASEAN countries for attempting to block Sam Rainsy and his colleagues. The Cambodian opposition party was dissolved by court order in late 2017, allowing Hun Sen's ruling Cambodian People's Party to sweep a 2018 general election.