09/06/2026

TUESDAY | JUNE 9, 2026

2

‘Excluding races, parties from govt is arrogance’ o M’sia’s constitutional democracy demands

PH wraps up Johor seat talks: Saifuddin

Ű BY FAIZ RUZMAN newsdesk@thesundaily.com

PUTRAJAYA: Pakatan Harapan has completed seat negotiations for all 56 Johor state constituencies ahead of the upcoming state election, with the distribution among component parties now awaiting final endorsement by the coalition’s presidential council. PH secretary-general Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail said the allocation was hammered out at a recent state-level secretariat meeting, but stressed that presidential council ratification – chaired by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim – remained a procedural necessity before anything could be considered binding. “We have finalised the distribution of seats. As a formality, after finalising it, I have to present it to the presidential council because I am only the secretariat chairman tasked with completing all seat negotiation matters,“ he told reporters after the monthly Home Ministry assembly at Setia Perkasa complex here yesterday. Saifuddin said he would convene the presidential council meeting soon, despite Anwar being scheduled to depart for Japan. He declined to reveal the seat breakdown among PH component parties, saying the figures would only be confirmed after the council’s approval. Drawing a parallel with the just concluded Negeri Sembilan negotiations, Saifuddin said the Johor process had been similarly smooth, with competing claims resolved through structured discussion. “In Negeri Sembilan there were three state seat negotiations and only one involved an overlapping claim. That has been resolved. In Johor, this was done in the recent (PH) secretariat meeting. The next process is to obtain confirmation (by the coalition’s top leadership).” prompt engineers PUTRAJAYA: The Communications Ministry aims to produce at least one prompt engineer at every National Information Dissemination Centre (Nadi) nationwide as part of efforts to strengthen artificial intelligence (AI) literacy and skills among young Malaysians. Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil said the initiative goes beyond exposing youths to AI tools, focusing instead on equipping them with the expertise to develop applications that can address local community needs. “I would like to set a clear aspiration that we will work towards producing a prompt engineer at every Nadi centre across the country, whether in Teluk Ramunia in Johor or Pulau Banggi in Sabah. We want young people who understand not only how to use Gemini, Copilot and other AI platforms, but also how to harness these technologies to develop new applications that can help solve problems on the ground,” he said at the ministry’s monthly assembly The Johor state legislative assembly was dissolved on June 1, while the 36-seat Negeri Sembilan assembly on June 5. The Election Commission has confirmed it has received the official dissolution notices. Nadi centres to produce

constitutional that transcend changes in leadership. “Leadership may change from time to time, but the fundamental framework set out in the Constitution remains the guiding principle.“ Anwar said ministries and administrative bodies must reflect the country’s multiracial make-up, even as Bumiputera and Malay groups remain the majority. “When it comes to who should be alongside us in the government and in ministries that must represent people of various races and religions, the representation must reflect that diversity.“ He stressed that democratic legitimacy rests on honouring the will of voters and not on sidelining opponents or communities from governance. “In this system and practice of democracy, we must respect the choice of the people.” Anwar also rejected identity based hostility as incompatible with modern governance, arguing that citizens cannot choose their race or background and must not be judged or politically marginalised on that basis. “We do not choose to be Malay, Chinese, Indian, Iban or Kadazan. We do not choose to represent a particular stance or identity based on skin colour.“ He said the Madani framework is designed to reinforce inclusivity, accountability and mutual respect, particularly in public discourse. Anwar also pushed back at critics who claim quick fixes are within reach, saying that genuine reform demands realism and steady implementation, not populist promises. “Everyone claims they can solve all problems. No. It is not that easy.” principles Sheikh Umar Baghraib Ali also weighed in, calling Onn Hafiz’s remarks arrogant and reminding the menteri besar of a time when BN sought DAP’s support during the Mahkota by-election campaign. Former MCA president Dr Chua Soi Lek, however, was reported to have defended Onn Hafiz, saying the remark was a political statement made in the context of BN contesting the Johor election on its own. He said Onn Hafiz’s remark should not be read in isolation. “He is saying that BN is going solo because of the feedback from the grassroots, and I’m saying, so if we go solo, and in the end do not make it, or do not have a majority, we will not work with DAP and don’t mind being in the opposition.” – by Harith Kamal

composition reflect the country’s diversity and that no leadership, however dominant, holds the right to shut out communities or rivals from the levers of power. “It is rather arrogant or conceited for us to decide to deny the rights of any race or party to participate in and be part of the government coalition,“ he said at the Communications Ministry’s monthly assembly here. Speaking against a backdrop of heightened political tensions ahead of coming elections, the prime minister said Malaysia’s system of governance is anchored in

inclusive representation; leaders have no right to deny participation based on race or politics, says Anwar

Ű BY HARITH KAMAL newsdesk@thesundaily.com

constitutional democracy, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said yesterday, firing a warning shot at politicians who deploy divisive rhetoric during election campaigns. Anwar said Malaysia’s plural society demands that government

PUTRAJAYA: Excluding any race or political party from a government is an act of arrogance that strikes at the heart of Malaysia’s

The prime minister stressed that democratic legitimacy rests on honouring the will of voters and not on sidelining opponents or communities from governance. – ADIB RAWI YAHYA/THESUN

Fahmi cautions against remarks that could strain ties

PUTRAJAYA: Pakatan Harapan Communications Director Datuk Fahmi Fadzil has warned political leaders to mind their words, cautioning that careless statements risk straining ties among parties within the Unity government. His remarks were directed at Johor caretaker Menteri Besar Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi who declared that Johor Barisan Nasional would not cooperate with DAP in the upcoming state election and that he would sooner relinquish his post than share the administration with the party. “ Terlajak perahu boleh diundur, terlajak kata buruk padahnya (words spoken are past recalling),” Fahmi said when met after the Roundtable Conference on Safe Media Reporting on Suicidal Behaviour here yesterday, but did not elaborate further. Parti Amanah Negara vice

yesterday, which was graced by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim. Present were Chief Secretary to the Government Tan Sri Shamsul Azri Abu Bakar, Communications Deputy Minister Teo Nie Ching and Communications Ministry secretary-general Datuk Abdul Halim Hamzah. Fahmi said the initiative could help nurture a new generation of technologically skilled local talent while creating employment opportunities outside major urban centres. Meanwhile, he also called on the ministry to expand its community outreach programmes in collaboration with other ministries and agencies to ensure more Malaysians benefit from government services. He said the initiative would begin from June 12 to 14 in conjunction with activities surrounding the 2026 FIFA World Cup, with active participation from agencies including RTM and the Information Department. – Bernama

president Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad, also present at the event, urged leaders to avoid hardened positions, noting that political circumstances were rarely permanent. “Do not burn bridges, whether in love or in disagreement. We do not know what the future holds, so there is no need to be extreme, inflexible or overly rigid.” Onn Hafiz had earlier reaffirmed his stance, with the Johor BN chairman making clear that there would not be a working arrangement with DAP under his watch. The comments drew an immediate rebuke from DAP secretary-general Anthony Loke, who accused the Johor BN chief of arrogance while ignoring the reality of BN-DAP cooperation at the federal level. Johor DAP deputy chairman