PHOTO GALLERY : MUNAJAT AMBANG TAHUN BAHARU 2023

KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 31 (Bernama) — The government will strengthen efforts to boost foreign investor confidence by guaranteeing good governance and a corrupt-free Malaysia.  

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim this is because the government has received a list of investors from countries such as Europe, the United States, China, India and several countries around Asia who will be monitoring developments in Malaysia themselves, especially from the economic aspects.

“We hope there is a new focus that can increase and drive economic growth more convincingly. This is necessary because Malaysia is a trading country that has all this while recorded an economic growth rate based on our efforts to secure domestic and foreign investment.

“Besides political stability and good governance, another step that should be taken is to speed up the approval process by ensuring that Malaysia is not a place where leaders amass wealth and look for commissions,” he said.

The prime minister said this in his New Year 2023 message that was broadcast live over local television stations tonight. 

With regard to this, Anwar warned that he will not tolerate public servants and enforcement bodies found to be ‘negligent’ in their duties with their ‘old practices’ of asking for kickbacks and imposing additional costs.

“I will not tolerate this negligence that has destroyed the country all this time. I am asking for your cooperation because I know a large number of civil servants and this small (corrupt) group understand this, and this group must be eliminated.

“Hopefully there will be repentance, otherwise, strong and harsh action must be taken,” he said.

Anwar said he also does not want these political shortcomings to continue and for positions to be seen as an opportunity to amass wealth.

“I would like to touch on attacks that seem to imply that we in the government are involved in such matters. I would like to say that our conduct is clear here, and the enforcement bodies have been given full authority to monitor,” he said. 

At the same time, he also reminded government agencies to adopt a culture of moderation and to prevent wastage, in addition to ensuring all government-linked companies (GLCs) are monitored, expenditure included. 

Anwar said he does not want the often-touted term, ‘paradigm shift’, to not be practised in the right manner, especially in terms of development that involves the well-being of the people at the grassroots level. 

“We will continue with development but let’s not trivialise, ignore the fate of the needy. That is the concept of development written in the Quran, the concept of physical development cannot be separated from the values of life, morals and piety,” he said.

Meanwhile, in dealing with racism or religious prejudice that often punishes without being based on facts, the prime minister said the Unity Government will intensify religious community activities, studies and training in mosques for young people.

He also wants efforts to be taken to enhance religious understanding among Muslims and non-Muslims so as to prevent the seeds of Islamophobia, which he said were planted since colonial times, from influencing and confusing society’s thinking.

— BERNAMA

PUTRAJAYA, Dec 31 (Bernama) — Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim tonight joined in a congregation of over 2,000 people in a solat hajat (prayer of needs) and Yasin recital in conjunction with the “Munajat Ambang Tahun Baru 2023” programme at the Putra Mosque here.

He arrived at the mosque at about 6.21 pm and was accompanied by Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Religious Affairs) Datuk Seri Mohd Na’im Mokhtar for a meal before joining the congregational Mahgrib prayer.

Also present were Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi and several Cabinet ministers including Home Affairs Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail and Communications and Digital Minister Fahmi Fadzil.

The Grand Imam of the Putra Mosque, Salahuddin Ghozali led the congregational Maghrib prayers followed by the Solat Hajat, Yasin recital and prayer ceremony.

The Prime Minister is scheduled to deliver a special message at 8 pm, which will be broadcast live by Radio Television Malaysia (RTM),  before joining the congregation for the Isyak prayer at 8.30 pm.

 Prior to this, Anwar had called off the 2023 New Year’s Eve celebration at Dataran Merdeka as the country comes to terms with the flood situation in several states.

— BERNAMA

JOHOR BAHRU, Dec 30 (Bernama) — Sultan of Johor Sultan Ibrahim Almarhum Sultan Iskandar today granted an audience to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim at Istana Bukit Serene here.

The vehicle carrying Anwar arrived at the palace at about 10.30 am.

Earlier, the Tambun MP was greeted by Johor Menteri Besar Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi upon his arrival at the Senai Business Aviation Terminal at 9.55 am.

The audience with Sultan Ibrahim was the second for Anwar after he was sworn in as the country’s 10th Prime Minister on Nov 24.
Three days after his appointment, he had an audience with Sultan Ibrahim in Kuala Lumpur.

Anwar is scheduled to have lunch at Restoran Murtabak Kampung Melayu Azo 96 at Kampung Melayu Majidee and meet the locals there.

After that, he will perform Friday prayers at the Kampung Melayu Majidee Mosque before returning to the federal capital.
This is Anwar’s first visit to the state after being appointed as the prime minister.

In early November, the Pakatan Harapan (PH) chairman visited Johor to campaign for PH during the 15th General Election.

— BERNAMA

JOHOR BAHRU, Dec 30 (Bernama) — Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s first working visit to Johor following his appointment is hoped to boost ties between the federal and state governments.

Deputy Local Government Development Minister Akmal Nasrullah Mohd Nasir said this following the warm welcome by state leaders, including Johor Menteri Besar Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi and state secretary Tan Sri Azmi Rohani, in the presence of over 3,000 Johorians during Friday prayers at Kampung Melayu Majidee Mosque here today.

“He told me to arrange it for Friday prayers, and out of so many mosques, Kampung Melayu Majidee Mosque was chosen as Anwar had officiated the groundbreaking ceremony in 1995.

“I am also thankful to the Menteri Besar for coming to welcome the Prime Minister, with the hopes that ties between the federal government and state government can be boosted,” he said.

Akmal Nasrullah also said that he had the opportunity to discuss the flood situation in Johor during Anwar’s visit, adding that the prime minister said the federal government was committed to flood mitigation efforts, such as those in Segamat.

“The details will follow, along with the issue of flash floods in Johor Bahru city,” he added.

The prime minister had previously spent almost an hour enjoying lunch together with the local community and leaders at Restoran Murtabak Kampung Melayu Azo 96.

— BERNAMA

KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 30  (Bernama) — The Islamic Development Department of Malaysia (Jakim) is inviting the public to the “Munajat Ambang Tahun Baru 2023” with Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim programme at the Putra Mosque, in Putrajaya, tomorrow.

JAKIM, in a post on Facebook, said the programme, to welcome the New Year, will start at 6.30 pm with dinner, followed by the Maghrib prayer at 7.15 pm  and then the Hajat prayer, Yasin reading and the “doa selamat”.

The Prime Minister is scheduled to deliver a special message at 8 pm, which will be broadcast live by Radio Television Malaysia (RTM),  before joining the congregation for the Isyak prayer at 8.30 pm.

 Prior to this, Anwar had called off the 2023 New Year’s Eve celebration at Dataran Merdeka as the country comes to terms with the flood situation in several states.

— BERNAMA

KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 29 (Bernama) — The memorandum on Parliament transformation was handed over to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim today, in line with the commitment initiated between the government and the opposition in February this year.

A joint statement from the offices of the Senate President and the Dewan Rakyat Speaker today said that the memorandum was delivered by Senate President Tan Sri Dr Rais Yatim and Dewan Rakyat Speaker Datuk Johari Abdul.

“The Prime Minister welcomed the effort and informed that special attention would be given, including getting the objective views of the Cabinet Ministers and other authorities,” read the statement.

It added that the Parliamentary Transformation Committee chaired by Rais over the past year has completed the legislative review work towards making Parliament independent from the interests and powers of any party, including the executive.

“The memorandum also recommends that the Parliamentary Services Act 1963 be renewed and resolved immediately so that the concept of ‘Separation of Powers’ is truly implemented and simultaneously safeguards the interests of civil servants currently serving under Parliament,” it said.

The memorandum also touched upon several amendments to the  Houses of Parliament (Privileges and Powers) Act 1952 to handle issues related to the conduct, code of ethics and disciplinary procedures of MPs and senators.

“The Parliament Speaker and the Prime Minister also discussed the potential of inculcating a ‘feeling of fighting for the nation’ among the participants of the Youth Parliament through the dissemination and instilling of Rukun Negara values, which are currently found to be lacking in promotion,” read the statement.

Meanwhile, Rais also informed that Anwar would be meeting the Senate leadership soon to resolve several matters and issues with regard to the Senate.

— BERNAMA

KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 29 (Bernama) — Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, today held a meeting with the top management of the Treasury, among other things to discuss the 2023 Budget.

The meeting was held with Treasury deputy secretary-general (Policy), Datuk Johan Mahmood Merican, and Treasury deputy secretary-general (Investment), Datuk Anis Rizana Mohd Zainudin, this afternoon in Putrajaya.

“We are studying and working on Treasury affairs, especially people’s issues and the upcoming 2023 Budget, in addition to completing government affairs before stepping into the new year 2023,” Anwar said in a post on his Facebook account.

Earlier today, the Speaker of the Dewan Rakyat, Datuk Johari Abdul, confirmed that Anwar is scheduled to table the 2023 Budget at the Dewan Rakyat on Feb 24, during the First Meeting of the Second Session of the 15th Parliament, next year.

The budget will be tabled by Anwar, who is also the Minister of Finance, at the Dewan Rakyat sitting, which is scheduled to convene from Feb 13 to March 30.

— BERNAMA