- On Saturday, 13 April, Malaysiakini quoted caretaker DPM Ahmad Zahid Hamidi as saying that if the Malaysians working in Singapore don't get leave on 9 May, then they need not return to vote in GE14
- May 9, which has been declared as the day of the polling in Malaysia, falls on a Wednesday, i.e. working day. While initially, the date was a cause of concern for many Malaysians in the country, it has now been declared a public holiday.
The PMO made the announcement on 11 April after criticism from the rakyat.
However, prior to PMO's announcement, several companies in Malaysia had already given their employees the day off to make sure they exercise their right to vote.
Even some companies in Singapore have declared that they will grant leave to all their Malaysian employees so that they can return to cast their vote in GE14.
One of them is the Scandinavian furniture giant, IKEA, which has extended one paid day of leave to its Malaysian employees who wish to travel back home to vote.
According to a report in The Malay Mail Online, there are about 400,000 Malaysians who work and live in Singapore, and in addition to that, more than 250,000 Malaysians, mainly blue-collar workers, who commute daily from Johor to Singapore to work.
So when DPM Zahid was asked about his advice to Johoreans working in Singapore as to what should they do when it comes to voting, the caretaker DPM was quoted by Malaysiakini, saying it's "up to them if they want to come back to vote or otherwise."
According to DPM Zahid, if a Singapore employer does not allow their Malaysian employees to take leave for the polling day, then the best thing for these Malaysians to do is to not come back to vote- "We have announced a public holiday on voting day, so it is up to them if they want to come back to vote or otherwise. In my view, the government neither encourages nor discourages (returning to vote) as that is an individual right.
"But if the employer from the said country (Singapore) does not permit (their Malaysian workers to take leave), then I think the best thing to do is to not come back to vote," Malaysiakini quoted DPM Zahid as saying at a press conference in Kluang yesterday.
Showing posts with label Ahmad Zahid Hamidi. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Ahmad Zahid Hamidi. Show all posts
Saturday, 14 April 2018
DPM Zahid To M'sians In S'pore: If You Can't Get Leave Then Don't Come Back To Vote
Monday, 13 November 2017
Zahid: Floods a sign from God
KUALA LUMPUR: Penang's flood misery is a "sign" from God and "the best moment" to take back the state under Barisan Nasional (BN), Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said today.
Posted on 12 November 2017 - 12:40pm
Last updated on 12 November 2017 - 06:13pm
Last updated on 12 November 2017 - 06:13pm
He urged Gerakan leaders and delegates to use this opportunity to win the state back.
"We have seen the defeat in Penang nine years ago. But this defeat is temporary. We will take it back from them (Opposition). It is not difficult, it is not impossible.
"God has brought disaster on those who beat their chest claiming that Penang is free from flood. But what has happened is something where God is showing that this is the best moment for us to take over the Penang government again," Ahmad Zahid said in his speech when officiating Gerakan's 46th National Delegates Conference today.
He said BN was colour blind when it went down to help the Penangites during the flood crisis.
"The Prime Minister himself went down to the ground to check the situation even though he knows that the state is administered by a different party. It is because of humanity and care for the people," Ahmad Zahid said.
He said the if the state government had done proper development planning, the flood would not have happened despite noting the fact of the continuous downpour.
Penang and some parts of Kedah have been badly affected by the floods in the past week after a continuous downpour exceeding average heavy rainfall in a day started on Nov 4.
Seven people have reportedly died in the disaster.
Ahmad Zahid said many BN leaders, including Gerakan president Datuk Seri Mah Siew Keong, went to help the victims in the name of concern.
"But we did not politicise this. Not at all. Do we want to use all that happened as an opportunity to help people for political reasons? Not everything can be politicised. But if there is any party that politicises everything, wait and see, the people will punish the party and its leaders.
"We know that previously the seed of hatred was planted against us. But when the pendulum turns, then we will be on top again. God will punish them because they have scorned us with full of hatred and now the people know that they are not as good as they claim. The better one is BN and its components," he claimed.
Ahmad Zahid encouraged the high-spirited delegates to keep the fire burning and strive till it regains Penang.
"I am confident that with the cooperation of the component parties, Gerakan will be able to win all the seats contested. This is my hope and the PM's hope as well," he said.
http://www.thesundaily.my/news/2017/11/12/penang-floods-best-moment-bn-regain-state-zahid-updated
Wednesday, 8 November 2017
KUALA LUMPUR: The government is satisfied that controversial preacher Dr Zakir Naik does not promote terrorism, Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said.
http://www.thesundaily.my/news/2017/11/08/review-zakir-naiks-speeches-shows-no-terrorism-zahid-updated
Posted on 8 November 2017 - 12:44pm
Last updated on 8 November 2017 - 05:07pm
Last updated on 8 November 2017 - 05:07pm
Zahid, who is also the Home Minister said, it drew the conclusion after the ministry had gone through all the videos and transcript of speeches made by Zakir, both locally and overseas.
He added allegations of Zakir promoting hate speech might be due to his words being taken out of context.
"We have gone through all of his speeches and none of them was found to be promoting terrorism," he said.
"The interpretation (of promoting terrorism) was made by several figures overseas. The incident in Dhaka was a perception of that country," he told parliament yesterday while replying to points raised during the debate on the budget.
The controversial preacher is being sought by India for alleged link to terrorism, including a terror attack in Dhaka, Bangladesh, last year that had left scores of people dead.
In April, Zahid had confirmed that the government has granted permanent resident status to Zakir five years ago.
Zahid also dismissed foreign news report indicating that Zakir had tried to apply for citizenship in Malaysia.
He added the government would repatriate the preacher to India if it received a request of Mutual Legal Assistance.
Zahid said so far the Indian government had not sent any request to Malaysia to extradite the preacher.
"I have met with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Zakir was among the matters raised. At that time, there was no request to extradite Zakir," he said.
Zahid said Zakir would continue to enjoy his permanent resident status as long as he did not breach any laws or promote terrorism in Malaysia.
http://www.thesundaily.my/news/2017/11/08/review-zakir-naiks-speeches-shows-no-terrorism-zahid-updated
Saturday, 3 June 2017
Did Zahid call Malaysia an Islamic state?
PETALING JAYA: A prominent opponent of theocratic governance, Tawfik Ismail, has questioned whether Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi was calling the country an Islamic state during a recent breaking of fast gathering in Alor Setar.
3 June 2017
Sheith Khidhir Bin Abu Bakar
![Tawfik-Ismail_Zahid-Hamidi_600]({"default":{"load":"default","w":"27","h":"15","src":"//img-s-msn-com.akamaized.net/tenant/amp/entityid/BBBQdD5.img?h=216&w=378&m=6&q=60&o=f&l=f&x=467&y=150"},"dpi":1.4})
3 June 2017
Sheith Khidhir Bin Abu Bakar
He said Zahid would be wrong if it was true that he rejected the notion that Malaysia was a secular state.
He was referring to a Bernama report that quoted the deputy prime minister as saying that those who claimed this country was secular should first have a look at the Federal Constitution. He said the constitution placed Islam as the official religion and referred to the country as a Muslim country.
“It would be more accurate to call the country a Muslim-majority country. That would be factual,” Tawfik told FMT.
“The constitution and the doctrine of separation of powers, the sultans’ role as heads of religion in their respective states, the notion of equality under the law, the right of everyone to stand for public office regardless of race or religion all guarantee that Malaysia is a secular country.”
Tawfik, who is a former Umno member and one-term MP of Sungai Benut, said Islam’s position as the country’s official religion gave little support to the argument that the country wasn’t secular.
“I think it means the sovereign or king is Muslim and therefore Islam is considered the official religion, just like the Queen in England is head of the church.
“You could say ours is a hybrid system because we have many races practising many religions allowed under the constitution. Just because the majority of Malaysians are Malays and Malays are defined under the constitution as Muslims, making Islam the dominant religion, it doesn’t dominate other faiths.”
Bebas spokesperson Azrul Khalib also spoke on the matter, agreeing that the constitution did not put Islam in a position to dominate other religions.
“It’s important to realise that nowhere does the constitution ever intend for the country to be an Islamic state,” he told FMT.
“At the end of the day, it needs to be emphasised that the position of Islam as the official religion of the federation should not be a reference or a tool to bludgeon people of other religions into submitting to Islam.”
He said that as much as it was important to look at the constitution to see that the country was a secular state, people should also look at court rulings affirming this.
“The supremacy of secular law in Malaysia was upheld in 1988 in the Supreme Court case of Che Omar bin Che Soh vs Public Prosecutor in which the Supreme Court rejected the argument that the death penalty for drug trafficking was unconstitutional for offending the principles of Islam,” he said.
“The court said Article 3 of the Federal Constitution recognises Islam as the religion of the federation but it does not allude to Malaysia being an Islamic state, confirming that the country is secular.
“We need to remember the second part of Article 3, which reads ‘Islam is the religion of the federation, but other religions may be practised in peace and harmony in any part of the federation.’ Therefore, Article 3 should not be used to impose dominance on non-Muslims or insist on religious superiority.”
http://www.msn.com/en-my/news/national/did-zahid-call-malaysia-an-islamic-state/ar-BBBQgeM?ocid=ientp
Sunday, 28 May 2017
DPM: Most who take up arms aren’t religious
The two Malaysians killed in a clash between militants and Philippine security forces in Marawi, Mindanao, were not schooled in Islamic studies, said Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.
Sunday, 28 May 2017
http://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2017/05/28/dpm-most-who-take-up-arms-arent-religious/
Sunday, 28 May 2017
Bernama reported Dr Ahmad Zahid as saying that they had sought a shortcut to heaven by engaging in this so-called jihad.
“They did not have any Islamic education but wanted to be martyrs,” he said after the launch of a Quran learning and recital programme at Masjid Al Hidayah in Kampung Sungai Penchala yesterday.
Dr Ahmad Zahid said those who did not understand the Quran were more inclined to engage in terrorism because they often misinterpreted the scriptures in the holy book.
He said they also became obsessed with certain individuals who made use of religion and performed acts that deviated from the teachings of the Quran.
The two Malaysians were among 13 militants killed by soldiers who were hunting Isnilon Hapilon, a leader of Abu Sayyaf terrorists active in the southern Philippines, and the Maute group, which have ties with Islamic State (IS).
Dr Ahmad Zahid, who is also the Home Minister, said a study found that 87% of those engaged in terrorist activities did not have basic religious education.
At the launch, Dr Ahmad Zahid donated 320 copies of the Quran to the programme.
In Petaling Jaya, Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Dr Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki said Ramadan was more than just fasting.
Dr Asyraf, who holds the portfolio in Islamic affairs, said in Arabic, fasting literally meant to refrain.
“This is not only from food and drinks but also from evil actions, thoughts and words.
“Muslims are to make peace with those who have wronged us, strengthen ties with family and friends and do away with bad habits to clean up our lives, thoughts and feelings,” he said.
http://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2017/05/28/dpm-most-who-take-up-arms-arent-religious/
Saturday, 13 May 2017
Diversity of religion should be celebrated: Zahid
Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi (pix) said the diversity of religion, culture and race in Malaysia should be celebrated since it has become a catalyst for unity in this country.
http://www.thesundaily.my/news/2017/05/13/diversity-religion-should-be-celebrated-zahid
Posted on 13 May 2017 - 02:22pm
Last updated on 13 May 2017 - 04:08pm
Last updated on 13 May 2017 - 04:08pm
PASIR PUTEH:
The deputy prime minister said diversity was able to create a good political environment to build peace and prosperity, despite the disagreements which often occur within the community,
"Although we have different opinions, we can still live in harmony and this situation has to be translated into other forms," he said when launching the 'Expresi Negaraku' programme at SMK Sungai Petai here, today.
Also present together with more than 10,000 people were Minister of International Trade and Industry Datuk Seri Mustapa Mohamad and Deputy Minister of Communications and Multimedia Datuk Jailani Johari.
Ahmad Zahid said the togetherness that has been forged over the years has united Malaysians against various external elements who are trying to destroy the country.
A good example was the success achieved following the intrusion of Lahad Datu, Sabah by terrorists from a neighbouring country, all because of the spirit of unity within the community.
The home minister said the security forces, especially the Royal Malaysian Police (PDRM) is constantly monitoring and taking action against those who try to conduct terrorist activities in this country .
On another note, Ahmad Zahid said threats posed by drugs should be taken seriously by the community in an effort to build a bright future for the young generation.
As such, the rehabilitation process involving the use of religion by the National Anti-Drug Agency (AADK), was an additional approach to the existing drug rehabilitation programmes. — Bernama
Monday, 8 May 2017
I was taught to be colour-blind from young, says Zahid
Since young, he was exposed to diversity and grew up with people of all ethnic groups.
Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said his parents also taught him not to differentiate others based on their ethnicity, religion or creed.
Monday, 8 May 2017BY SYED AZHAR
“Throughout my business career, I am surrounded by Indians, Chinese and many others. Even in public office, I am still surrounded by these very same people.
“They are all my friends and I am colour-blind,” the Deputy Prime Minister said in his speech at the 35th anniversary of the Sri Murugan Centre yesterday.
Dr Ahmad Zahid said he would never question one’s ethnic or religious background, stressing that: “I will not be where I am today.”
He then named Tan Sri Dr M. Thambirajah, declaring him as his “mentor, guru and lecturer”.
“He was my professor and instrumental to my educational well-being during my days at Universiti Malaya. Through these years, he still has my respect and admiration.
People’s leader: Dr Ahmad Zahid mingling with SPM top scorers at the Sri Murugan Centre in Brickfields. Flanking him are Dr Thambirajah (on his right) and co-director A. Prakash Rao.
“I do not see him as a Hindu mentor but a great man who brought success to education,” he said.
The centre was founded by Dr Thambirajah on Sept 24, 1982.
It has taught some 23,000 students, allowing them to enter private, government and overseas universities.
Dr Ahmad Zahid also spoke passionately about several of his non-Muslim friends, singling them out from among the audience as a testament of his character.
Among them were lawyers and a two-star army general.
“As the chairman of the National Urban Poverty committee, I work closely with (MIC president) Datuk Seri Dr S. Subramaniam, (MCA president) Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai and other community leaders to ensure fair decisions are made because poverty transcends race and religion,” he said, adding that there must be “equal distribution of assistance” to all recipients.
Dr Ahmad Zahid also approved a RM3mil allocation to the centre.
http://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2017/05/08/i-was-taught-to-be-colourblind-from-young-says-zahid/
Thursday, 27 April 2017
‘Zakir not promoting terrorism’
Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi has dismissed suggestions that controversial Muslim preacher Dr Zakir Naik is promoting terrorism. Ahmad Zahid said he had obtained information on several of Zakir's speeches in other countries, including in his home country India, and believes that the latter's speeches had been taken out of context.
Posted on 14 April 2016 - 09:41pm
Last updated on 15 April 2016 - 01:40am
Last updated on 15 April 2016 - 01:40am
KUALA LUMPUR: Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi has dismissed suggestions that controversial Muslim preacher Dr Zakir Naik is promoting terrorism.
Ahmad Zahid said he had obtained information on several of Zakir's speeches in other countries, including in his home country India, and believes that the latter's speeches had been taken out of context.
"From the information that I have, he did not mean it; he did not mean to promote terrorism. We saw that he was awarded the 'Tokoh Maal Hijrah' (in 2013) because of his contributions.
"It's only that he was seen as questioning other religions. Even though he is a medical doctor, his interest is to do dakwah, the preaching of Islam ... We believe he is a very wise man," he told a press conference after attending the 2016 National Level Key Target Area Seminar here today.
Earlier, Ahmad Zahid announced the allocation of RM400,000 to renovate and upgrade the Gurdwara Sahib Sentul.
He said the refurbishment of the gurdwara will be fully funded by the government and advised the Sentul gurdwara to channel the donations they get from the Sikh community to other gurdwaras that are in need.
"Therefore any donations this gurdwara gets, it should be channelled to help other gurdwaras in the country," he said when addressing the more-than-a-thousand-strong crowd at the Sentula gurdwara during the Vaisakhi celebrations.
Ahmad Zahid said although the Sikh community in Malaysia is a religious minority, the mutual respect among religious factions in Malaysia is what makes the nation unique.
Meanwhile, the Gurdwara Sahib in Petaling Jaya saw a crowd of about 5,000 to 7,000 devotees.
Vaisakhi marks the formation of the Khalsa in 1699 which formed the core of Sikhism and elevated it to newer heights.
DPM confirms Zakir's PR status
Malaysia to assist India in Dr Zakir Naik probe (Updated)
Posted on 18 April 2017 - 01:06pm
Last updated on 18 April 2017 - 06:45pm
Last updated on 18 April 2017 - 06:45pm
PUTRAJAYA: Controversial Muslim preacher Dr Zakir Naik has permanent resident (PR) status in Malaysia, which was granted to him about five years ago, said Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.
Nonetheless, Ahmad Zaid who is also the Home Minister said Malaysia will assist India to investigate the Islamic Research Foundation president if that country made a request for legal assistance.
"I would like to confirm that he (Zakir) holds a permanent residence status but he is not a Malaysian citizen.
"He has been awarded with the permanent status about five years ago, even before i was appointed as Home Minister.
"If there is a request(from India) for our assistance, we are going to give full cooperation to India," Ahmad Zahid said after he officiated at the Human Ecology International Conference 2017 at Dorsett hotel here today.
Zahid was appointed home minister after Barisan Nasional won the 13th general election in May 2013.
He took over from Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein, who is now the Defence Minister and a special functions minister.
On Sunday, Dr Zakir told the Indian government to look for him in Malaysia amid its plans to seek Interpol assistance in a terrorism investigation against him.
Dr Zakir accused the Indian authorities of practising double standards, and he is not willing to present himself before India's National Investigation Agency (NIA), claiming that instances of abuse are rife among Muslim activists.
He then urged NIA to investigate him at a neutral ground.
Earlier, The Times of India reported that the NIA had decided to seek Interpol in issuing a Red Corner Notice, aiming at curbing Zakir's movements.
A Red Notice is an international arrest warrant issued by Interpol. It was issued on behalf of the Indian government after Dr Zakir defied repeated summonses by it.
Earlier in his speech, Ahmad Zahid said future leaders must think unconventionally to transform the economic foundation, and place Malaysia in an advantageous position without succumbing to the
business powerhouses and greedy businessmen.
business powerhouses and greedy businessmen.
He said there is a rise of corporations that ignore national boundaries and demand a "level playing field" without respecting policies that protect a nation's interest.
"Economic warfare has given rise to unethical practices that deviate from Adam Smith's moral principles of economies that equal distribution of wealth is the basis of the social framework.
"Currency warfare and market monopolies are shrinking the money markets of most nations," Ahmad Zahid said.
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