News by M

“For Malaysia, resolving the long-standing issue of water price review is a priority. We were engaged in active negotiations on the review in the late-1990s and early-2000s. Prime Minister Lee and I have agreed to find amicable solutions to this issue, including the possibility of (a) dispute resolution through arbitration on a mutually agreed basis,” Dr Mahathir said.

Under the existing Act, the PM has almost absolute power during an emergency. “It is possible for him (the PM) to declare a certain area as a security area. And in that area he can arrest people without bringing [them] to the court, and if [the arrested person] dies, there will be no enquiry,”

“As of now, Johor has no menteri besar,” said Mahathir. Osman’s resignation came as a surprise.

Out of 197 MPs who attended the Dewan Rakyat, 138 MPs voted for the Bill, while none voted against. However, 59 abstained from voting for the Bill which requires a two-thirds majority or the agreement of 148 MPs to pass.

"We agreed that the fundamental principle is to resolve issues of concern in a friendly and constructive manner and work towards amicable solutions,” Dr Mahathir said of his meeting with Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong.

Felda's director-general said Felda was directed by Datuk Seri Najib Razak, to take up a 37% stake in EHP, which had total debts of US$547.4 million in 2014 and its liabilities stood at US$676.9 million in 2016.

“Under the current agreement, we find that the fare to be charged to commuters is on the high side. Thus, both parties have agreed to work together on lowering the ticket price, in order to encourage more people to use the RTS service once it is completed,” Loke said.

Yesterday evening a police report was lodged claiming that Felda was cheated into entering into a "one-sided" deal for the sale and purchase of Eagle High Plantations TBK (EHP) owned by the Rajawali Group two years ago.

The bonus that the top executive received was RM616,000, some ten times the amount from two years prior.

“We are ready in terms of technical readiness as we have invested a lot of money over the years in terms of equipment and also for air traffic control readiness,” said Loke.