08/06/2026

MONDAY | JUNE 8, 2026

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End demeaning policies, says PM

o ‘Digital-era assistance should reach recipients directly, without lengthy waits’

BATU PAHAT: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has reaffirmed the Madani government’s commitment to ending outdated practices that undermine the dignity of the people, including forcing those in need to queue for long hours to receive financial aid. He said such an approach should no longer exist in the current digital era, as it appeared to be disrespectful to the people and akin to outdated systems from centuries ago. “I do not agree that, in 2026, the people still have to queue (to receive assistance). This is not about election politics. Do not treat the people as slaves. We are now independent, sovereign; the people have dignity, rights, freedom and the spirit of independence,” he said when speaking at the launch of Pakatan Harapan’s (PH) election machinery for the Johor state election at Kim’s Park Business Centre here on Saturday night. Also present were DAP secretary general Anthony Loke Siew Fook, PH secretary-general Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail, Amanah president Datuk Seri Mohamad Sabu and PKR information chief Datuk Fahmi Fadzil. Also in attendance were PKR vice president and Johor PKR chairman Datuk Seri Dr Zaliha Mustafa, Johor Amanah chairman Aminolhuda Hassan and Johor DAP chairman Teo Nie Ching. Further commenting on reforms to the aid delivery system, Anwar said

the Madani government was now prioritising direct bank transfers to ensure citizens’ welfare was protected with dignity. He questioned the need to maintain old methods when financial assistance such as the Sumbangan Tunai Rahmah (STR) and school aid could now be credited directly. According to Anwar, direct disbursement of financial assistance should be implemented to ensure that no one is forced to queue for long periods to receive aid, reflecting the government’s commitment to respecting people’s dignity. In addition, Anwar said the government remained committed to ensuring educational equity by guaranteeing matriculation programme placements for all students who achieved 10As and above in the SPM examination, regardless of race. He said the move was made to recognise outstanding achievements of local students while dismissing claims by certain parties that the issue had been politicised for narrow interests. According to Anwar, the decision to guarantee matriculation places for all students with 10As, regardless of race, was collectively agreed upon by all Cabinet members in the Federal government. He also reminded all parties not to use political platforms to incite racial sentiments that could divide society, but instead focus on building

Anwar greeting supporters after launching PH’s election machinery in Batu Pahat on Saturday night, where he urged for more dignified delivery methods for disbursement of government aid. – PIC COURTESY OF ANWAR IBRAHIM FACEBOOK PAGE

challenges (to govern).” He added that the people should use their power to evaluate and choose a government that serves the people, rather than one that engages in abuse of power or racial politics. – Bernama

“Testing (support) is best done during elections. There are many parties, every week there is a new party (formed), each has its own right, but I want to ask what difference and uniqueness (can they bring). This is a country full of

educational excellence for the future of the nation’s youth. Touching on the emergence of new political parties ahead of the Johor polls, Anwar said everyone had the right to form parties as platforms for their political struggle.

DAP eyes 17 seats in Johor polls

Bersama to go solo in state election PETALING JAYA: Parti Bersama Malaysia (Bersama) will go it alone in the upcoming Johor state election, even at the risk of losing its deposits as the fledgling party takes its first serious electoral test. De facto leader Datuk Seri Rafizi Ramli said the decision was deliberate, positioning Bersama as an alternative for voters who have grown disillusioned with the country’s existing political coalitions. He ruled out any electoral pact with other parties, calling the stance firm despite continuing speculation over possible alliances. “Established parties have lost deposits before, so we are not immune to that possibility. “If we do not lose our deposit, it shows that what we are building is starting to take root. “If we do, then we must work harder and reassess our weaknesses,“ he told reporters after the party’s Jelajah Kancil roadshow in Johor on Saturday. The former PKR leader said Bersama was still finalising its list of constituencies and would announce the seats within a week, following the completion of grassroots assessments across target areas. Candidate selection, he added, was expected to take about a fortnight, with online applications opening on Monday. Rafizi said the party was committed to a thorough vetting process rather than rushing to fill seats. “We have not finalised candidates yet because we need to go through the full process,“ he said, adding that while potential seats had been identified, the final list would be refined based on field feedback and organisational readiness. Rafizi also said the party would prioritise candidates who are capable of serving constituents effectively – including young professionals and seasoned figures. – by theSun Team

Ű BY THESUN TEAM newsdesk@thesundaily.com

electoral viability. On candidate selection, Teo confirmed DAP will field a mix of new faces, including younger candidates and women, although she decined to reveal the proportion of first-timers as nominations have not been finalised. Asked about a successor for the Skudai seat following the announced retirement of incumbent assemblywoman Marina Ibrahim, she said the candidate list would be confirmed soon. DAP remains the strongest component party within PH in Johor. In the 2022 state election, PH won 12 of the 56 state seats, with DAP securing 10 – Jementah, Tangkak, Bentayan, Penggaram, Mengkibol, Johor Jaya, Stulang, Perling, Skudai and Senai. PKR and Amanah each won one seat, at Bukit Batu and Simpang Jeram respectively.

seats in the upcoming Johor state election,“ Loke told reporters at a press conference following the launch of a special documentary on DAP’s Federal Territories chapter yesterday. Johor DAP chief Teo Nie Ching echoed the 17-seat target but cautioned that nothing is binding until agreements are formalised. “DAP intends to contest 17 seats. All seat negotiations are nearly completed, but nothing is final until the agreement is signed.” Teo said seat talks within PH are in their final stage, with only a few outstanding matters remaining. She added that the party’s preparations are already being structured around the 17-seat plan, pending the outcome of coalition talks. She also said seat allocation takes into account party machinery strength, candidate suitability and each constituency’s

PETALING JAYA: DAP is set to contest 17 seats in the upcoming Johor state election – three more than the 14 it fielded previously – as the party moves to defend its dominant position within PH in the state. Secretary-general Anthony Loke confirmed the expanded electoral ambition, saying DAP would defend all 10 seats it currently holds, reclaim four it lost in the last election and contest three constituencies it has never previously entered. However, one seat remains subject to ongoing negotiations with coalition partners PKR and Amanah, with talks expected to conclude within one to two days. “I can confirm that DAP will be contesting 17

Political uncertainty forced fresh mandate: N. Sembilan caretaker MB BATU PAHAT: Negeri Sembilan PH chairman Datuk Seri Aminuddin Harun said the state election was called due to political uncertainty after several coalition partners switched positions and withdrew support for the government at the time. damaged a ship that was sailing smoothly. One moment they supported us, the next they withdrew their support. Ultimately, we believed the mandate should be returned to the people,” he said while speaking at the launch of Johor PH’s election machinery, attended by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim. chairman Teo Nie Ching. Aminuddin said the experience in Negeri Sembilan should serve as a reminder to Johor voters to select a stable government that upholds agreed political cooperation, stressing that any administration can only work well if all sides remain committed to honesty, sincerity and respect for the people’s mandate.

The Negeri Sembilan state government is currently serving in a caretaker capacity following the dissolution of the state legislative assembly. Aminuddin, who is caretaker menteri besar, said the situation had undermined the stability of the state administration, leading it to seek a fresh mandate from voters through an election. “Unfortunately, some of our allies at the time lost patience. They sought to undermine us and

Also present were DAP secretary-general Anthony Loke Siew Fook, PH secretary-general Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail, Amanah president Datuk Seri Mohamad Sabu and PKR information chief Datuk Fahmi Fadzil. The event was also attended by PKR vice president and Johor PKR chairman Datuk Seri Dr Zaliha Mustafa, alongside Johor Amanah chairman Aminolhuda Hassan and Johor DAP

“The people of Johor should remember and take heed that what happened in Negeri Sembilan should not be repeated elsewhere. We do not want a situation where, while we are respecting one another and ensuring smooth governance of the state, they suddenly punch holes in the ship we have built,” he added. – Bernama