Politics

Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida will step down as chief of his faction in the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) amid a growing slush funds scandal, local media reported on Thursday. Kishida, also president of the LDP, is set to announce his resignation as the leader of Kochikai, the party’s fourth-largest faction, later during the day, Xinhua quoted national news agency Kyodo, citing sources close to the matter. Kochikai is among the five LDP factions that allegedly underreported their revenue from political fundraising parties, from which the extra income may have been returned to some of their lawmakers as kickbacks. Seiwaken, or the Seiwa policy study group, the largest LDP faction previously led by the late former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, was suspected of havi...

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim yesterday hinted that there will be a Cabinet reshuffle this month. As if he didn't hear the question asked by a reporter when met after performing Friday prayers at Surau Putra Al-Amin in Precinct 18 today, Anwar jokingly asked a young congregant, a 12-year- old Akmal Afif Yaseer Arafat, to repeat the question. The boy obliged and asked: "Datuk Seri, when is the Cabinet reshuffle?" To that, Anwar replied: "When do you propose, before or after (New Year) 2024?" When the boy said "before 2024", Anwar smiled and told the waiting reporters: "He said before 2024. I agree." Earlier, Anwar joined 2,000 congregants including the Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Religious Affairs) Datuk Dr Mohd Na'im Mokhtar in performing Frid...

Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu) president Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin (picture) has decided to defend his post and contest in the party election scheduled for next year. He said the decision was made after considering the call voiced by Bersatu Supreme Council (MPT) and delegates urging him to continue leading the party. “Actually, my wife asked me to stay for another term and not to disappoint them. She said carry on, Bersatu still need you and I said I will stay for the last term,” he said when delivering the adjournment speech at the 2023 Bersatu Annual General Assembly here today. Yesterday, Muhyiddin announced that he will not be defending his post in the party election next year to give way to other leaders to take over the party leadership through the democratic ...

Indonesia-Malaysia relations strengthened further over the past year since Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim became Malaysian prime minister, especially in efforts to unite the ummah in both countries and the ASEAN region, according to Muhammadiyah, the oldest Islamic organisation in Indonesia. “The Malaysia-Indonesia relationship is very important to drive and establish a balance in this region and in the Islamic world,” said the Chairman of the central leadership of the organisation, Prof Haedar Nashir, in his congratulations to Anwar. In a video message broadcasted on Republikatv, Haedar emphasised the concept of Malaysia Madani brought by the prime minister, stating that it is in line with Islamic teachings. “Malaysia Madani aligns with Muhammadiyah’s vision to create Al-Madinah A...

Muhyiddin, who heads both the Bersatu party and the broader Malay-majority opposition bloc Perikatan Nasional, revealed his intention to step aside and allow new leaders to assume control of Bersatu during its elections slated for the end of 2024. Under his leadership, the opposition made significant strides in provincial polls last August and in the nationwide vote the previous year. The absence of Muhyiddin at the helm of Bersatu is expected to diminish the opposition's strength vis-à-vis Anwar. Political analysts, such as Tunku Mohar Tunku Mohd Mokhtar from the International Islamic University of Malaysia, highlight that the stature and experience Muhyiddin possesses are pivotal. His departure leaves a leadership void that could potentially grant Anwar more stability...