Cabinet focused on flood preparations, not dissolving Parliament: Malaysian Minister

Malaysian International Trade and Industry Minister Mohamed Azmin Ali today said the Cabinet was holding to the provisions in the constitution concerning the date of dissolution for Parliament despite calls by Umno for Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob to hold the 15th general election (GE15) this year.

He said the Cabinet meetings were not aimed at determining a date for the polls as there was no need for this, according to Maylaysianow.

"It is the Cabinet that will advise the Agong, and the prime minister will carry the mandate from the Cabinet.

"In our early discussions, we told the prime minister to focus on preparing for the possibility of floods. We have a lot of time. There is no need to rush," he said at a press conference after the launch of the Bersatu election machinery in Shah Alam.

Cabinet focused on flood preparations, not dissolving Parliament, says Azmin -0
International Trade and Industry Minister Mohamed Azmin Ali speaks at the launch of Bersatu's election machinery in Shah Alam. Source: Malaysianow

Azmin, a member of Bersatu's Supreme Council, also said he was not surprised by Umno's calls for the dissolution of Parliament this year, saying this was being done to guard the interests of a few.

The Umno top five, including Ismail, recently met at the party's headquarters in Kuala Lumpur to reach a consensus regarding the date of dissolution for Parliament and for the election itself.

Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi has stuck to his stand for an early election despite strong criticism due to the storms and floods expected at the end of the year.

He said while the economy was improving, the country needed time to convince foreign investors to bring in the money.

"Only with new investments can we create sustainable growth and job opportunities," he said.

Parliaments

Indonesia works to prevent youths from smoking
Parliaments

Indonesia works to prevent youths from smoking

The Indonesian Ministry of Health revealed on December 17 that other countries' efforts to increase cigarette excise can reduce consumption by 10-15%, with increasing the Retail Selling Price (HJE) of cigarettes and e-cigarettes deterring young smokers from purchasing them.

Philippines intensifies crackdown on illegal gamers
Parliaments

Philippines intensifies crackdown on illegal gamers

Philippine President Ferdinand Romualdez Marcos on December 12 ordered the police and law enforcement agencies to intensify the crackdown on illegal gaming and cyber cam hubs that continue to operate despite the ban, which will take effect by the end of December, the Presidential Communications Office (PCO) said.

Nigeria Proposes New Law To Combat Ponzi Schemes With Severe Penalties
Parliaments

Nigeria Proposes New Law To Combat Ponzi Schemes With Severe Penalties

According to Odaily, the Nigerian Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has introduced a draft of the '2024 Investment and Securities Bill' aimed at imposing stringent penalties on individuals convicted of Ponzi scheme crimes. The proposed legislation suggests a maximum fine of $12,000 (20 million Naira) or a 10-year prison sentence for offenders.

Singapore proposes new law to curb bank scams
Parliaments

Singapore proposes new law to curb bank scams

Singapore’s Protection from Scams Bill, presented to Parliament on November 11, proposes an unprecedented measure allowing police to issue Restriction Orders (RO) on suspected scam accounts. If it is passed, Singapore will be the first country to grant police authority to intervene in bank transactions to prevent fraud.