30/12/2025

TUESDAY | DEC 30, 2025

/thesuntelegram FOLLOW / Malaysian Paper

ON TELEGRAM m RAM

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No certainty on Muafakat Nasional revival: Analyst

‘1MDB ruling crucial step in push for reform’ KUALA LUMPUR: DAP national chairman Gobind Singh Deo said the recent ruling in the 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) case marks a crucial step in Malaysia’s push for reform, but efforts to strengthen institutions must continue as the country moves into 2026. He added that the case underscored an urgent need for institutional reform, accountability and restoration of integrity in public administration. He also said the Madani government has taken steps to amend key laws such as the Audit Act and the Parliamentary Services Act, and begun efforts to separate the roles of the attorney-general and the public prosecutor to enhance transparency and accountability in prosecutions. “However, more must be done. There is now a need to push further reforms in enforcement agencies to deliver lasting change.” While acknowledging the work of enforcement agencies, Gobind, who is also the Digital Minister, said systemic weaknesses remain and need to be addressed to restore public confidence. “To do this, we must deliver meaningful reforms, improve governance mechanisms and build new structures to ensure that cases such as this, and the losses suffered by the country, do not recur.” He reiterated DAP’s stance against corruption and abuse of power, adding that the party, along with political leaders, civil society groups and concerned citizens, have consistently pushed for accountability since the 1MDB scandal first emerged. He said the case, which spanned more than a decade and drew global attention, was closely watched as a test of Malaysia’s commitment to justice. “The sentence imposed reflects the seriousness of the offences and sends a clear message that such crimes will not be treated lightly.” He described the case as a test of Malaysia’s governance framework and political will, exposing systemic failures that enabled prolonged abuse of power and caused unprecedented financial losses, and lasting damage to public trust. The High Court on Friday sentenced former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak, 72, to 15 years’ imprisonment and fined him RM11.4 billion after convicting him on charges involving RM2.3 billion in 1MDB funds. – Bernama

o ‘Prospect of cooperation haunted by distrust from abandonment of original pact’

Ű BY HARITH KAMAL newsdesk@thesundaily.com

PETALING JAYA: Warisan vice-president Datuk Junz Wong said the party will continue to push for Sabah’s constitutionally guaranteed 40% share of federal revenue, despite its current position in opposition at the state level. He said the party’s commitment to reclaiming the financial rights of Sabah remains unchanged, regardless of its standing in the state assembly. “Our struggle and stance on this matter are clear and unwavering. Being in the Opposition does not mean we would stop pushing for what is rightfully Sabah’s,” he told theSun . He added that although Warisan is part of the federal coalition, it continues to coordinate with PETALING JAYA: Warisan vice-president Datuk Junz Wong said the party has no plans to contest seats in Peninsular Malaysia in the next general election. He said the focus of the party remains on Sabah and advancing the interests of the state. He added that the matter of expanding beyond Sabah has not been discussed within the party’s decision-making bodies. PETALING JAYA: Talk of reviving Muafakat Nasional (MN) ahead of the 16th general election (GE16) is resurfacing among PAS leaders and select Umno figures but deep rooted distrust and Umno’s footing in the Unity government remain barriers to any reunion. Universiti Teknologi Malaysia political analyst Assoc Prof Dr Mazlan Ali said while Islamic-based parties have long harboured hopes of resurrecting the Umno–PAS alliance, there is no certainty that Umno would agree to a second iteration of MN. He said lingering distrust continues to haunt the prospect of cooperation, rooted in PAS’ decision to abandon the original MN pact before aligning itself with Bersatu under Perikatan Nasional (PN). MN was formed in 2019 to unite Malay political forces after decades of rivalry between Umno and PAS. However, the alliance fractured in 2020 when PAS partnered with Bersatu, a move Umno perceived as a betrayal of trust. He added that while Umno Youth chief Dr Muhamad Akmal Saleh has floated the idea of a “Muafakat Nasional 2.0”, such calls do not represent the position of Umno’s top leadership. “They (do not) trust PAS after Umno felt it was betrayed during Muafakat Nasional 1.0.” He added that PAS’ recent friction with Bersatu, particularly in the wake of the political crisis in Perlis, appears to have triggered renewed overtures towards Umno. However, Mazlan said the silence of Umno president Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi Ű BY IKHWAN ZULKAFLEE newsdesk@thesundaily.com

Mazlan said Umno is unlikely to risk its standing within the Madani government by reopening ties with PAS. – BERNAMAPIC

areas, but in mixed and urban constituencies, they would likely lose to PH.” The renewed debate over MN comes amid shifting political dynamics involving both Umno and PN. On Dec 28, PAS election director Datuk Seri Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor reiterated his commitment to reviving the spirit of MN, calling on Umno members and supporters to cooperate with PAS ahead of GE16 to strengthen Muslim unity and ensure political stability at the grassroots level. Within Umno, calls to revisit MN have emerged from select quarters. Apart from Akmal, party veteran Tan Sri Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah has also made remarks suggesting a reassessment of Umno’s position within the Unity government. At the same time, tensions within PN have intensified, particularly between PAS and Bersatu, following political turmoil in Perlis, in which the appointment of a Bersatu Menteri Besar, despite PAS holding more seats, has unsettled the party. Wong said Warisan also submitted proposals during recent federal budget deliberations, underscoring the need to restore the financial rights of Sabah. He added that the party has proposed setting estimated allocations as a demonstration of seriousness. He also said the funds are critical to addressing the long-standing needs of Sabah, including infrastructure, water supply, electricity and other essential services. “Our role goes beyond politics. It is about ensuring Sabahans benefit from what is rightfully theirs.”

indicates that the party’s broader leadership remains unconvinced. “It appears that only the Umno Youth leader is actively campaigning for this, but (the party) as a whole still believes that remaining in the Unity government is better.” He added that Umno is unlikely to risk its standing within the Madani government by reopening ties with PAS. He said from a strategic perspective, Umno stands to gain more electorally by remaining aligned with Pakatan Harapan (PH). He also said PAS remains Umno’s direct rival in Malay-majority constituencies, limiting the strategic value of renewed cooperation. On whether growing dissatisfaction among Malay-Muslim voters towards PH and DAP could revive Umno–PAS cooperation, Mazlan said such support is already near saturation. “If Umno works with PAS, support may increase slightly, but urban Malay and non-Malay support would remain concentrated in PH. “Umno and PAS may win in Malay-majority the federal government to advance the claim. He also said the Sabah government had agreed during a recent state assembly sitting to form a committee to discuss the federal revenue entitlement, adding that Warisan has requested representation on the panel. “Our role as the Opposition is to provide checks and balances, but we also want our views to be heard. “We are asking to be part of this committee so that we could reflect Sabah’s interests.” He said Warisan’s objective remains consistent, whether in government or opposition. “Our goal is the same; to reclaim the revenue for Sabah. Our participation in negotiations is about ensuring the interests of the state are safeguarded.” “This has never been brought up for deliberation at our meetings. There is no plan to move in that direction at this point.” He also said Warisan’s strategy remains centred on strengthening its presence in Sabah, particularly in advocating key issues such as federal revenue entitlement and local development. “Our work in Sabah remains our top priority.

Warisan to continue push for Sabah federal revenue claim

He said while maintaining its opposition stance in Sabah, Warisan remains open to cooperation in areas that strengthen the state. ‘No plans to contest seats in Peninsular Malaysia during next general election’

to its grassroots base and policies aimed at delivering tangible benefits to Sabahans. “We will continue working to ensure the state’s development and representation are protected and enhanced.” In GE15 in 2022, Warisan contested 53 parliamentary seats, including 26 in Peninsular Malaysia, but failed to win any seats outside Sabah. – By Ikhwan Zulkaflee

We want to ensure the voices of Sabahans are represented at the state and federal levels.” However, he said the party is not closing the door entirely on future considerations. “We are two years away from the next general election. Over (that time), we would assess how the situation develops and make decisions accordingly.” Wong also reaffirmed Warisan’s commitment