Former Malaysian Deputy PM charged with money laundering and corruption

Agencies

October 19, 2018

Kuala Lumpur, Oct 19: Malaysia’s former deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi was slapped with 45 charges in court on Friday (Oct 19) involving fraud of RM114 million (US$27.4 million).

The charges include 10 counts of criminal breach of trust in relation to funds from Yayasan Akal Budi, a welfare foundation that he chairs, and eight counts of corruption involving RM 42 million.

He was also charged with 27 counts of receiving and transferring illicit money under anti-money laundering laws. These charges involved a total of RM 72 million, said a report in Channel News Asia.

The Kuala Lumpur sessions court allowed Zahid to be released on a bail of RM2 million.

The court has ordered Zahid to pay RM 1 million of his bail on Friday and settle the remaining sum by Oct 26. Next hearing is scheduled for Dec 14.

Local media reports said that he is believed to have abused about RM 800,000 of the foundation’s funds to settle his and his wife’s credit card bills.

He has denied wrongdoing, saying the payments were made in error by an aide and that he has since repaid the amount.

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US attempted 93 ‘regime change’ operations across the world since 1946, admits envoy

News Network

December 7,2025

Since 1946, the United States has attempted 93 coups or “regime change” operations across the world — including two in Iran, US Special Envoy for Syria Tom Barrack has admitted.

Speaking to the UAE-based IMI Media Group, in remarks published by The National, Barrack said Washington tried twice to overthrow the Iranian government but failed both times.

“For (Trump) then to be imputed with regime change — we had two regime changes in Iran already. Neither one worked. So I think wisely leave it to the region to solve,” said Barrack, who also serves as the US ambassador to Turkey.

His comments come six months after the US joined Israel in airstrikes against Iran during ongoing indirect nuclear negotiations between Tehran and Washington.

On June 13, Israel launched an attack on Iran that killed at least 1,064 people and hit civilian infrastructure. Days later, the United States targeted three nuclear facilities — Fordow, Natanz and Isfahan — in what Iran called a clear violation of international law. Iranian retaliation eventually forced a halt to the assault on June 24.

Barrack further claimed that US President Donald Trump and Foreign Secretary Marco Rubio are “not into regime change” and prefer a regional approach driven by Middle Eastern countries themselves. According to him, regional dialogue and non-interference by outside powers offer a more durable path forward.

He added that Washington is still open to an agreement with Tehran if Iranian authorities show “seriousness” and willingness to engage constructively.

However, Iran maintains the US has not shown readiness for meaningful talks. In an interview with Japan’s Kyodo News, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said negotiations could advance only if Washington acknowledges Iran’s right to peaceful nuclear energy and lifts unilateral sanctions.

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