01/07/2025

TUESDAY | JULY 1, 2025

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Queen cherishes fond memories of Tunku Ismail

JOHOR BAHRU: Behind her royal duties and national responsibilities, Her Majesty Raja Zarith Sofiah, Queen of Malaysia holds dearest the memory of one special day: the birth of her eldest son, the Regent of Johor Tunku Mahkota Ismail Sultan Ibrahim. For Her Majesty, the day she gave birth to Tunku Mahkota Ismail 41 years ago remains vivid in her heart – a memory she lovingly shared in a heartfelt message on her eldest son’s birthday yesterday. “It was the first day of Syawal, Hari Raya Puasa . Tuanku (His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim, King of Malaysia) was visiting his aunt and other family members when he received the news that I had safely given birth to Tunku Ismail, our eldest son. “As parents, we celebrated the birth of our eldest son with immense joy and gratitude to Allah Subhanahu Wa Ta’ala. Alhamdulillah ,” Her Majesty

would bring the game to life.” Her Majesty said. Tunku Mahkota Ismail’s deep passion for football has since been transformed into JDT’s remarkable success, reshaping the football landscape in Johor and establishing the club as one of Southeast Asia’s finest. Raja Zarith Sofiah also shared other touching memories, including the tender moment she sent her eldest son off to kindergarten for the first time. “He didn’t want me to leave, so I stood by the classroom window for as long as I was allowed,” she recalled. At the end of the post, Raja Zarith Sofiah and Sultan Ibrahim prayed for Tunku Mahkota Ismail to remain blessed with strength, wisdom and love as he continues his leadership and service to Johor and the country. – Bernama

shared in a post on Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar’s Facebook page. The post was accompanied by several cherished family photos from Tunku Mahkota Ismail’s childhood. One of the highlights of the post was Her Majesty’s fond recollection of her son’s childhood, how he would eagerly ask her to buy the latest PlayStation, with the Fifa football video game being his favourite. With a touch of humour, Raja Zarith Sofiah admitted she never imagined that childhood passion would one day take shape in real life, with Tunku Mahkota Ismail now serving as the influential owner and manager of Johor Darul Ta’zim (JDT) football club. “I would ask him, ‘What game is this? What does Teak (Tunku Ismail’s name of endearment) have to do?’ and he would reply, ‘Teak has to choose a football manager and pick the right players for Teak’s team.’ “I never imagined that one day, he

Raja Zarith Sofiah holds dearest the

memory of one special day, the birth of Tunku Mahkota Ismail. – THE ROYAL JOHOR FACEBOOK PIC

RM11b deployed under GEAR-uP to boost high value sectors o Finance Ministry targets RM120 billion in five years to uplift industries and people’s livelihoods

MAJOR MILESTONE ... Transport Minister Anthony Loke and Singapore’s Acting Transport Minister Jeffrey Siow inside a new RTS train at the Singapore rail test centre in Singapore yesterday. – BERNAMAPIC ‘No interference in judicial appointments, court decisions’

PUTRAJAYA: A total of RM11 billion has been deployed under the Government linked Enterprises Activation and Reform Programme (GEAR-uP) as of June 30, less than a year since the initiative spearheaded by the Finance Ministry was launched. In a special briefing on the GEAR-uP 2025 Progress Report, Finance Minister II Datuk Seri Amir Hamzah Azizan said the amount forms part of the RM22 billion in domestic direct investments identified, representing 88% of the RM25 billion pledged by six major government-linked investment companies (GLICs). He said the funds are being channelled into high-growth, high-value sectors such as semiconductors, energy transition, community upliftment and talent development, Bernama reported. “The programme has also secured commitments from 34 GLICs and government-linked companies (GLCs) to provide at least a minimum monthly living wage of RM3,100 to 153,000 employees, delivering on its promise to raise the rakyat’s quality of life and lead the national agenda for wage reform. “Guided by the objectives and principles of the Madani Economy framework, GEAR uP aims to unlock RM120 billion over five years to drive socioeconomic reforms and jumpstart Malaysia’s industrial transformation,” he said. The six GLICs anchoring the programme are Khazanah Nasional Bhd, Employees Provident Fund, Permodalan Nasional Bhd, Retirement Fund (Incorporated), Lembaga Tabung Angkatan Tentera and Lembaga Tabung Haji.

Since its launch in August 2024, the six core GLICs have channelled over RM800 million into Malaysia’s semiconductor ecosystem, kickstarted green industrial development across 1,214 hectares in Kerian and Carey Island, and backed more than 50 Malaysian companies and funds through venture capital and private equity. Amir Hamzah said the GLICs and their network of GLCs have also awarded RM200 million in scholarships, supported 8,000 B40 youths through job placement programmes and rolled out community investments benefiting over 700,000 Malaysians nationwide. “GEAR-uP is not just about capital deployment, it is about strategic alignment. We are unlocking RM120 billion to advance future industries while lifting incomes, building capabilities and delivering on shared prosperity. This is how we translate economic reform into tangible results. “This goes beyond strengthening economic fundamentals. GEAR-uP is about uplifting the rakyat’s standard of living and nurturing regional champions in cutting edge industries, so that Malaysia can rise to new heights,” he said. Looking ahead, Amir Hamzah said GEAR-uP will expand its scope to involve over 30 GLCs under participating GLICs. Through this expansion, it targets to achieve RM100 billion in market capitalisation, deliver 7.5% shareholder returns and champion non-financial outcomes, including the implementation of living wages, growing Bumiputera enterprises and developing talent and future leaders.

PUTRAJAYA: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has made it clear he does not meddle in judicial affairs, from judge appointments to court rulings. He said all appointments and extensions of service, including for judges, must follow procedures outlined in the Federal Constitution. “If one understands the Constitution, then the process is clear. There’s a commission, there’s the prime minister and there’s the Yang di-Pertuan Agong. “If you look at the recent appointments, the list of candidates is submitted to the Yang di-Pertuan Agong and then brought to the Conference of Rulers for discussion. “So, all these procedures must be followed,” he said during a gathering with staff from the prime minister’s department yesterday. Anwar also stressed that any appointment or extension of tenure influenced by certain groups would tarnish the integrity of the judiciary. “I believe that when institutions such as the judiciary are politicised, decisions made could give the impression of betrayal,” he said. Anwar said judicial decisions are entirely within the jurisdiction of the courts and he has never interfered in any rulings. “I’ve heard the issues being raised but I have never interfered in judicial matters. Whatever decisions are made by the courts, those are their decisions, but even that is being politicised.” Anwar also lamented the public’s tendency to interpret judicial decisions based on

political lenses. He referred to several recent high-profile cases, including those involving Muar MP Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman and former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak. “We must respect the judges and the decisions they make. I’ve noticed people have double standards. They support a DNAA (discharge not amounting to an acquittal) in one case but reject it in another. “We can’t be like that. We must remember to uphold the integrity of the judiciary, not follow political preferences,” he said. On June 20, the Kuala Lumpur High Court granted a DNAA to Najib in three charges involving RM27 million of SRC International Sdn Bhd funds, Bernama reported. Judge K. Muniandy allowed the defence’s application for a DNAA after the prosecution admitted it was not ready to proceed with the trial, which had been delayed since 2019. Meanwhile, on June 25, the Court of Appeal acquitted Syed Saddiq of four charges of criminal breach of trust, misuse of funds and money laundering involving Angkatan Bersatu Anak Muda funds. A three-judge panel comprising Justices Datuk Ahmad Zaidi Ibrahim, Datuk Azman Abdullah and Datuk Noorin Badaruddin allowed his appeal, overturning his November 2023 conviction by the Kuala Lumpur High Court, which had sentenced him to seven years’ jail, two strokes of the cane and a RM10 million fine.