SNAPSHOT | PM still awaiting Loke’s resignation letter; vow for fairer graduate wages

KINI SNAPSHOT | What’s going on in the news today, with updates at 11am, 2pm, and 6pm.

6pm

Loke's resignation

Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim today said he is still waiting for the official resignation letter from Transport Minister Anthony Loke, who has maintained his decision to step down from the cabinet.

“Still waiting for the letter,” Anwar reportedly said after attending the UiTM Alumni Gathering in conjunction with the university’s 70th anniversary today.

Anwar was responding to a question on the status of Loke’s resignation.

On Wednesday (Sept 23), Loke, who is also DAP secretary-general, said he would submit the letter after returning from China, where he accompanied Anwar on a three-day working visit to Shanghai and Hangzhou.

Loke said his decision to resign had been made and that he would hand in the letter upon returning home.

Fair wages

Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said measures to ensure graduates secure jobs matching their qualifications and receive fair wages will be among the policies announced under Budget 2027 on Oct 9.

Anwar, who is also finance minister, said the government is in the final stages of preparing the budget and will formulate more concerted efforts to ensure wage increases are commensurate with graduates’ qualifications.

“I have previously conducted a study on increases in productivity and wages. Take South Korea, for example, where productivity is high, and wages have increased accordingly.

“In Malaysia, productivity continues to increase, but wages have increased only slightly. So, we have to use the government’s authority to apply some pressure,” he said according to Bernama.

He was responding to a question on the government’s measures to ensure graduates receive fair wages commensurate with their qualifications during a question-and-answer session at the UiTM Alumni Gathering.

Sabah defences

Malaysia is taking steps to strengthen its defences in Sabah amid concerns that a conflict between major powers in the South China Sea could spill over into the state, said Defence Minister Khaled Nordin (below).

He was responding to concerns over defence cooperation between the Philippines and the United States, including the development of military bases on Balabac Island in Palawan, about 50km from Banggi Island in Kudat.

“If unexpected things happen, we know the challenges in the South China Sea and the rivalry between major powers. If something happens in that geographically small area, it could also affect our country,” he told reporters in Kota Kinabalu today, Bernama reported.

Khaled said Malaysia respected the Philippines’ right to strengthen its defences but would factor increased military activity near Sabah into its assessment of the country’s security needs.

Indonesians detained

The Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) detained three Indonesians suspected of attempting to enter Malaysia through an unauthorised sea route off Malacca yesterday.

Bernama reported that Malacca and Negeri Sembilan maritime director Salehuddin Zakaria said a patrol spotted an unnumbered boat near Pulau Konet at about 3.30am.

The skipper allegedly sped away when ordered to stop, but officers intercepted the boat.

The three, aged between 46 and 48, could not produce valid travel documents and are being investigated under the Immigration Act 1959/63, Salehuddin said.

In a separate inspection near Pulau Konet, officers found a packet containing a crystal-like substance suspected to be methamphetamine, estimated to be worth nearly RM55,000.

Malay indigeneity law

An academic has proposed a law to address purported challenges to the origins of the Malays and their status as an “indigenous people” in Malaysia, MalaysiaGazette reported.

Ahmad Murad Merican, director of the Centre for Malay World and Islamic Civilisation Studies at the International Islamic University Malaysia, reportedly said an “Act Against Challenges to Malay Indigeneity in Malaysia” should be enacted alongside the Sedition Act.

“In other words, a law that can be used against people who challenge the origins of the Malays, the origins of Malay indigeneity, and the status of Malays as an indigenous people in Malaysia specifically,” he said in a speech at the Musyawarah Nasional: Unpacking the Malay Peninsula Debate 3.0 event in Malacca today.

Ahmad used the Malay term pribumi, translated as “indigenous”, rather than bumiputera, which commonly refers to the Orang Asli in the peninsula and native communities in Sabah and Sarawak.

Previously at 2pm | N Sembilan excos' sacking valid, AG says; cops classify Form 2 student's death as murder

11am | Anwar denies Putrajaya meddling in N Sembilan crisis; group urges review to FOI bill

Income, wages must remain a priority in Budget 2027, says minister

Yeoh says DAP CEC decision final when asked if felt pressured to quit over Najib house arrest

Loke to finish up work in China before settling resignation

COMMENT | Cross-border threats and M'sia's security vulnerabilities