Politically Exposed Person (PEP) Weekly Digest – Volume 127

127th PEP Weekly Digest:

Introducing the 127th edition of The PEP Weekly Digest, where we present to you the most recent updates and news on the global political stage.

Recent and upcoming elections influence the worldwide political landscape in eight nations, slated between Oct 12, 2025 and Nov 18, 2025. These elections hold significant importance, as they will determine the direction and governance of each respective country’s future.

Malaysia’s Entrepreneur and Cooperatives Development Minister Ewon Benedick Resigns Over Sabah Revenue Dispute

One noteworthy event has occurred in Malaysia, Malaysian politician Ewon Benedick announced his resignation from the Cabinet on Saturday (Nov 8), over what he said was “disregard” by the country’s Attorney General’s Chambers (AGC) for Sabah’s constitutional right to 40 per cent of federal revenue derived from the state.

Ewon, who is Malaysia’s Entrepreneur and Cooperatives Development Minister, wrote in a Facebook post that he disagreed with the AGC’s stance and that it would not be right for him to remain in the Cabinet while holding an opposing view.

Senate Confirms Dr Kingsley Ude as Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology

Shifting our focus to Nigeria, the Senate has confirmed Dr Kingsley Ude, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria from Enugu State, as a Minister of the Federal Republic. The confirmation followed a screening session on the Senate floor on Thursday, as reported by Channels TV.

Born in 1978, Ude previously served as Enugu State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice. During the screening, senators questioned him on national and diplomatic issues, including Nigeria’s response to U.S. President Donald Trump’s recent threats.

Ude’s confirmation follows the resignation of Uche Nnaji, the former Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, who stepped down amid a certificate scandal.

Valencia President Carlos Mazón Resigns Amid Public Fury Over Deadly Floods

In Russia, the President of Valencia, Carlos Mazón, has announced his resignation, bowing to intense public fury and political pressure over his administration’s handling of the deadly floods, which devastated the region over a year ago. The Conservative People’s Party (PP) leader Mazón, had clung to power despite receiving calls for him to step down from president’s position, after a disaster in late 2024 claimed the lives of 229 people.

He allegedly spent over three hours having lunch with a journalist as citizens were drowning in their homes and cars. Mazón has previously defended his administration, saying there was no government in the world that has the tools to alter, stop or avoid an episode of torrential rains. Public anger was compounded by the significant delay in issuing emergency alerts.

Central Bank of Ireland Fines Coinbase Europe €21.5 Million for Lax Anti-Money Laundering Controls

In the realm of regulatory affairs, the Central Bank of Ireland has fined Coinbase Europe €21.5 million after finding that the crypto asset and wallet services provider failed to properly monitor more than 30 million transactions for money laundering or terrorist financing over the course of a year.

It marks the fourth-biggest financial penalty ever imposed by the Irish financial regulator and comes less than three years after Coinbase Europe was authorised by the authority. It is the first sanction levelled against a player in the crypto sector by the Central Bank.

“Crypto has particular technological features which, together with its anonymity-enhancing capabilities and cross-border nature, makes it especially attractive to criminals looking to move their funds,” said Colm Kincaid, a deputy governor with the Central Bank, who is in charge of consumer and investor protection.

Former NSW Politician Gareth Ward Sentenced to Nearly Six Years for Sexual Abuse

Shifting our attention to Australia, a former Australian politician convicted of sexually abusing two young men he met through work has been sentenced to five years and nine months in jail.

Gareth Ward, 44, has been in prison since July after a jury found him guilty of raping one man and indecently assaulting another, in separate incidents in 2013 and 2015.

Ward represented the coastal town of Kiama in the New South Wales (NSW) parliament from 2011. He resigned as a Liberal Party minister when the claims emerged in 2021 but refused to quit parliament and was re-elected in 2023.

Judge Kara Shead SC considered Ward’s disability of legal blindness in her sentence and found “no other penalty other than imprisonment is appropriate.”

Amnesty International said in a statement that Mara’s sentence was part of a wider crackdown on dissent, citing several examples of journalists and activists that had been detained after criticizing Mali’s military rulers.

Read about the product: Data Asset Builder

Empower your organization with ZIGRAM’s integrated RegTech solutions – Book a Demo