A statement from Aliran:
Aliran acknowledges that many judges of wisdom and integrity have served our country. Their contributions have shaped our legal landscape and fortified our constitutional values.
These judges have also expanded on those values to recognise new and essential civil rights to meet changing needs. These include the rights to education, to information and to privacy.
Yet, the institution they served has not escaped controversy. The shameful dismissal of Lord President Salleh Abas, the country’s top judge, in 1988 remains a scar on our judicial history. That event is a constant reminder of the judiciary’s vulnerability to executive overreach.
Since then, the judiciary has limped through episodes of public distrust. This was the case when it was dogged by allegations of internal influence and external pressure.
More recently, the retiring Chief Justice, Tengku Maimun Tuan Mat, at the Opening of the Legal Year 2025, reflected on the vilification and undue criticism she encountered, not only in her official capacity, but personally (see video at the top).
Her remarks point to the continuing vulnerability of the judiciary and its incumbents to external forces.
The recent wave of public concern, including calls for a royal commission of inquiry, is disquieting. It shows that public trust in our system of administration of justice continues to waver.
And not without reason. We have seen a spate of corruption prosecutions or charges against high-profile politicians being discontinued or dropped. The spate of “DNAAs” (discharges not amounting to acquittals) has raised public cynicism of the legal system to new heights.
Judicial independence and the separation of powers are not just embellishments. They are the pillars that hold up our democratic way of life. Without the separation of powers, no institution can check another when rights are violated or laws bent to serve the interests of the few.
Without an impartial judiciary, the people have no true safeguard against abuse of legislative or executive power. Without an independent judiciary, a society risks the erosion of the rule of law, compromised human rights and increased corruption.
An independent judiciary ensures an impartial application of the law, holding all actors, including the government, accountable. Conversely, a lack of judicial independence could lead to arbitrary governance, abuse of power, and loss of public trust in the justice system.
Aliran believes the current laws do not protect judicial appointments enough from executive influence. The structural weakness in the laws guiding judicial appointments could undermine democracy itself. The appointment of judges must be through a process over which the executive has no influence.
We call for legislation that creates a truly independent appointments process: one that reflects transparency, accountability and constitutional integrity. The process must be designed to serve the people – not political interests.
Aliran remains steadfast in our belief that a just society demands an independent judiciary and a true separation of powers. This calls for an unwavering commitment to democratic principles.
These are the rights of the people of Malaysia, and it is our responsibility to defend them.
Aliran executive committee
13 July 2025
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Bottom trawling and dredging occur without the knowledge of what marine life is being destroyed. This destructive fishing method occurs daily across the globe; Trawlers often on the hunt for a single species, discard almost everything else. An area almost the size of the Amazon rainforest is trawled every year, with the same places being trawled repeatedly, without the chance to recover. Only by revealing this footage to the world and exposing what’s happening beneath the surface can people start to truly understand the impact on marine life.
https://youtube.com/watch?v=eLxmUbQESAU
The formal apology from MACC is a historic development in a tragedy that has haunted Malaysia’s conscience for years. However, for Teoh Beng Hock’s family—and for many Malaysians—the path to justice is incomplete without decisive action to hold individuals accountable for acts committed under the commission’s watch.
Ensuring that such incidents never happen again requires more than words and gestures; it demands transparency, reform, and the unwavering pursuit of justice.
Let us not give this too much weight. Some colonialists have apologised for the treatment of people of the colonies. Some heads of government have apologised for major injustices or trajedies. But none of this helped the victims.
Here, the determination to keep the aggrieved out of the courts continues. In an earlier trial, a senior prosecutor asked a witness in apparent seriousness: Could Teo not have strangled himself with his own hands.
Penang is planning to refresh George Town’s Beach Street with more greenery, including wider walkways, more trees, and pocket parks, to reduce temperatures and encourage walking. The project will also incorporate clean energy solutions like solar-powered streetlights and a kinetic walkway. Beach Street, one of the oldest streets in George Town, is undergoing these changes to enhance its appeal as a pedestrian-friendly area.
Beach Street, once a waterfront artery for commerce and now a bustling financial centre, has been selected as the starting point for Penang’s ambitious plan to cool down its inner city and return its streets to people, not just cars.
The Penang Island City Council (MBPP) is launching a RM24.7 million pilot project that will transform a 1.76km loop around Beach Street
As Southeast Asian neighbours struck deals with the US for lower tariffs, Malaysia’s refusal to compromise on some of its long-standing policies risks leaving it out of potentially more favourable terms.
Non-tariff barriers such as halal certification, foreign equity restrictions, and procurement policies favouring Bumiputera companies have all been stumbling blocks for Malaysia’s negotiations on other free trade agreements, according to Tricia Yeoh, an associate professor of practice at the University of Nottingham Malaysia’s School of Politics and International Relations.
The Rumah Bakat MADANI initiative launched by PMX, Malaysia’s largest affordable housing project will deliver 37,368 housing units, with 6,368 units planned for Seberang Jaya and 31,000 in Batu Kawan. It will consist of 900-square-foot freehold condominiums, priced between RM225,000 and RM420,000. Each unit will be equipped with modern facilities and access to shared amenities, including a swimming pool, gymnasium, sports courts, multipurpose hall, surau, kindergarten, food stalls, a children’s playground, a Central Park and a Vertical School.
https://thesun.my/malaysia-news/rumah-bakat-madani-malaysia-s-largest-affordable-housing-project-launched-LA14504935
priced between RM225,000 and RM420,000
How many will be at the lower cost, and how many at the high end?
Good question!
The median residential property price in Batu Kawan, Penang is RM 430,000, with a median price per square foot of RM 373. The prices of properties in Batu Kawan can range from RM 330,000 to RM 786,000, according to brickz.my.
How to expect cheap housing?
PN and BN has never build one.
From billion-dollar fraud to cold-blooded political assassinations, Malaysia’s most wanted list is filled with fugitives who have evaded justice for years.
The most high-profile individuals still actively pursued by Malaysian authorities — who they are, the crimes they’re accused of, and how they managed to disappear without a trace.
https://youtube.com/watch?v=wjY09bNbBXc
Fugitive financier Low Taek Jho, better known as Jho Low, is allegedly residing in a high-end neighbourhood in Shanghai and holding a fake Australian passport, according to investigative journalists Bradley Hope and Tom Wright.
MIC and DAP are locked in a war of words over allegations that the Madani government has failed to address the plight of the Indian community.
Escalating the row, MIC Youth chief K Arvind enlisted controversial Muslim preacher Zamri Vinoth to spotlight what he called DAP’s ineffectiveness.
Turun Anwar?
[Those behind it] looking to champion to curi wang Rakyat for the second round. Hope the young Rakyat will ask all those above 70 years old to peacefully retire and look after your grand children.
Muhyiddin son in law is a fugitive the Rakyat must demand the PN chairman why your son in law is running away from the law.
Anwar is the PM of Unity Government, not PH government. How could anyone expect Anwar to fulfil all PH manifesto since Umno and GPS would not agree?
PH has only 82 seats out of 222 parliamentary seats.
PMX has given full length freedom with special instruction to PDRM & other authority to ensure to provide safe & sound environment throughout the event BUT effigy should have been avoided which is not our culture.
BUTTERWORTH: Breaking ground on the nation’s largest affordable housing project under the Rumah Bakat Madani initiative, SkyWorld Pearlmont promises accessible, high-quality high-rise living, along with the nation’s first vertical school – the landmark development boasts 1,846 units.
‘AKAN DATANG’
“Suatu Penghargaan Luar Biasa Untuk Rakyat Malaysia. Bersama Malaysiaku,”
Akan Datang Super Girl after new Superman movie.
So far no inspiring or visionary Superman in Penang or Malaysia to bring true happiness and joy to the country.???
The Sumbangan Asas Rahmah (Sara)
Recipients simply need to present their MyKad to use the one-off RM100 each Malaysian adult will receive from August 31.
The MyKad works as a cashless payment method at over 4,100 participating outlets, including major supermarkets such as Giant, Mydin and HeroMarket, as well as small neighbourhood shops.
All Malaysians aged 18 and above will receive a one-off RM100 credit via MyKad starting August 31, under an expanded Sumbangan Asas Rahmah (Sara) initiative.
RM100 = 40 packets of Super Ring snacks (60g each).
If you don’t need the money, just buy basic groceries and donate to the needies. So simple.