Tuesday, February 28, 2017

Petronas-Aramco strategic tie-up


Off all people, Tun Dr Mahathir should be the last person to not know why foreign leaders do official visits.

Foreign leaders exchange official visits to strengthen bilateral relationship as platform for cooperation. From thereon, it evolves into business, investment, cultural, education and various people to people social and economic exchanges.

Mahathir could be envious or jealous because no Saudi Arabian King made an official visit or undertake any major investment or donation during his 22 years premiership.

Most likely, Mahathir knows the the official visit to Malaysia would vindicate Dato Najib from the allegations made against him.

It was Mahathir who orchestrated the political assasination with people he used to dub as enemy of the state. He sparked the 1MDB debt problem.

Mahathir will need to get his not-so-maestro media spinners to discredit and nit pick issues on Aramco's RM31 billion investment in Pengerang's RAPID.

Friday, February 24, 2017

1993 Forex loss, 1997 Ringgit crisis; Any connection?


Prime Minister's Office announced a Special Taskforce, as approved by Cabinet as opposed to some former Attorney General chimply formed one, to investigate the foreign exchange losses by Bank Negara Malaysia as announced in 1993.

The taskforce should comprise representatives of various government agencies as well as highly respected individuals who were experts in certain fields. The Chairman is former Chief Secretary, Tan Sri Mohd Sidek Hasan.

This Tun Dr Mahathir era PTD man better not do a Sir Humphrey Appleby to cover-up his fellow civil servant. He was given the term of reference "to make recommendations and suggestions as soon as possible for the consideration of the Cabinet for follow-up action to be taken, including the setting up of a Royal Commission of Inquiry, if necessary, based on the outcome of the probe."

Since Mahathir is willing to be investigated, Lim Kit Siang is willing to cooperate and join Tan Sri Annuar Musa in an UMNO roadshow to explain the role of the taskforce, and Tan Sri Zeti too is willing to cooperate (Raja Petra raised of her involvement as Manager of BNM London), it should proceed.

Thursday, February 23, 2017

Madinah appointment highlight problem with civil service


Till the court make another decision on the definition of public officer, a clearer demarcation on the legal authority of politicians vis-a-vis civil servant will have to wait. It is an important decision in the light of high officials in government being charged for corruption and money laundering.

The latest warning from MACC Chief Commissioner, Dato Dzulkifli could mean a Member of Parliament will be charged soon. Still waiting on the development of the investigation in Malacca and Selangor.

Since the statement by Dato Johari Ghani on the bloated civil service, public discussion has not subsided. The latest appointment of Tan Sri Dr Madinah Mohamad as Auditor General of Malaysia to replace the retiring Tan Sri Ambrin Buang has its significance with regard to the commonly heard complain on civil service incompetency and efficiency.

A political issue was raised by PKR Communication Director, Fahmi Fadzil on the political statement made by her husband, Datuk Ridzuan Abdul Hamid, who is the UMNO Kepong Division Head in the midst of Tun Dr Mahathir's failed coup using 1MDB to topple Dato Najib at the UMNO General Assembly n 2015.

What is interesting is their MP for Kepong from DAP, Dr Tan Seng Giaw came to their defense. [Read in Sundaily and Mkini]. However, Fahmi Fadzil and echoed by Cynthia Gabriel of C4 have valid issue on her qualification

Tuesday, February 21, 2017

Still on tort misfeasance of public office


The above image came from a former Deputy Public Prosecutor in his private view with regard to Tun Dr Mahathir and his role in the BMF and foreign exchange scandal.

In the past posting here on tort misfeasance of public office, The Mole here wrongly assumed in their report that it is the opinion of this blog.

It was the opinion of a prominent lawyer cum activist whose identity will remain anonymous.

They got an anti-Najib lawyer, Aidil Khalid to rebut. Highlighting this so that Aidil knows he is up against the opinion of another lawyer, a prominent one.
  
Tony Pua and several Cap Bunga politicians claimed PM Dato Najib committed tort of misfeasance of public office.

The legal question: Is the PM considered a public official?

Monday, February 20, 2017

Chancellor Merkel says Islam not source of terrorism

Angela Merkel also called on Europe and its allies to cooperate with Russia in the fight against Isis Getty

Angela Merkel says Islam is ‘not the source of terrorism’ and calls for Muslim states to join fight against terror

German chancellor renews calls for Islamic religious authorities to speak ‘clear words on the demarcation of peaceful Islam and terrorism in the name of Islam’

Samuel Osborne | @SamuelOsborne93 | a day ago 130 comments

Islam itself is not the source of terrorism and it is critical to include Muslim countries in the fight against Islamist terror, German Chancellor Angela Merkel has said.

Ms Merkel, who has been critical of the US ban on travel from seven Muslim-majority countries, made her remarks at the annual Munich Security Conference, with US Vice President Mike Pence in the audience.

The Chancellor said European countries could not fight Islamist terror alone and urged predominantly-Muslim countries to join the fight.

Saturday, February 18, 2017

Pursuing the Islamic cause wisely


The Star column reported unofficial election counts showed Ahok, the Hakka nickname for Basuki Tjahaja Purnama leading by 42.87% of the votes.

Anies Baswedan, a former education minister, at 39.76%, and Agus Harimurti Yudhoyono, the son of former Indo­nesian president Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, 17.37%

Ahok catapulted to governorship in 2014 when previous Governor, Joko Widodo, was elected Indonesian president. He became the first non-Muslim to hold the post of Governor to 83% Muslim Jakarta in 50 years.

Jokowi support his former Deputy and fellow reformer despite the difference in style. Jokowi displayed Javanese politeness while Ahok is blunt, no nonsence in style.

Survey done generally showed satisfaction to his performance, but his style attract opposition.

Ahok is facing opposition from conservative Muslim groups such as the Islamic Defenders Front (FPI) and moderate Muslim groups such as Muhammadiyah.

Thursday, February 16, 2017

Gobi desert, China migration, and fear-mongers


A spin maestro for PPBM claimed China is exporting it's population to Malaysia due to the expanding Gobi desert. He threw in a fact that the desert is expanding at the rate of 3,600 square km annually..

To help give him a sense of preportion, the Peoples' Republic of China (PRC) is 9,600,000 square kilometre.

Wikipedia described PRC's geography as "Mountains (33 percent), plateaus (26 percent) and hills (10 percent) account for nearly 70 percent of the country's land surface. Most of the country's arable land and population are based in lowland plains (12 percent) and basins (19 percent), though some of the greatest basins are filled with deserts."

Wikipedia also described Gobi desert only "covers parts of northern and northwestern China, and of southern Mongolia."

As for the natural or man-made phenomenon of desertification, China and Mongolia is in a race to exploit resources from the desert. It is "home to herders and farmers, the world’s fastest-growing economy, vast copper and gold mines and is China’s main domestic energy source." [Read it here.]

It shows Cap Bunga engaging in a propaganda and psywar against investment from China to create panic and fear among Malaysians by political deception.

Wednesday, February 15, 2017

Valentine's Day love for the Constitution


Yesterday was Saint Valentine's Day.

It is the annual debate of whether Muslim should celebrate this pagan ritual turned into a day to commemurate love in memory of a Christian Saint.

So one early morning message received suggested to forget Valentine Day but remember the death of war hero Leftenen Adnan and his fellow Askar Melayu comrades-in-arm.

Al Fatihah to all of them.

Take note that the battle took place in Singapore. The Askar Melayu fought to defend Singapore!

When forwarded to a friend, whose a Tan Sri Muhyiddin friend and supporter, he messaged back his agreement and also to ask to remember it is his birthday.

Happy Birthday bro.

In Johor Baru, there was an unusual Valentine Day initiative by the assemblyman for Kempas, Dato Tengku Putra Haron Aminurrashid Jumat (TP).

Monday, February 13, 2017

Anifah's priority should be work, not cheap politics


Lim Kit Siang, claimed as the de facto Opposition leader by Dato Najib, made a poser to ask why Foreign Minister, Dato Seri Anifah himself did not deny the rumour he resigned from cabinet.

Anifah is not answering because as mentioned by Dato Seri Ahmad Zahid, who revealed Anifah as the Minister that Azmin put into play with his tweet, left for Brussels on Saturday.

If unconvinced, the above picture is Anifah on the walkalator at KLIA on the way to board his plane on Saturday. He is in Brussels to represent Malaysia for a High Level Conference on Mediation.

Anyone doing serious work and not playing foolish politics or seeking cheap publicity should know that Brussels is the headquarter for the European Union.

Anifah should ignore Kit Siang in his second childhood.

Friday, February 10, 2017

Azeez, Donald and Marine


Over BFM radio this morning, overheard a spokesman from the flotilla humanitarian mission to Myanmar urging the public to not be prejudicial and think positive as their effort is part of nation building. 

The exact reply whenever anyone voice their scepticism of Dato Paduka Azeez Rahim. At times, things need bulldozing to get things done. 

If it is not Azeez, who else are willing to do the humanitarian efforts that he has been doing over the years?

Yes, there is also Yayasan Salam, done quietly and without any publicity. Sometimes it is hoped that Azeez would adopt more Islamic (or other religion too) approach for left hand not know what the right hand is doing.

It would be perceived as more sincere. It avoid accusation of publicity seeking and politicising leveled against him. 

Whatever past cynicism against Azeez, he has earned the respect from many veteran politicians and his own cynics.

But, publicity has its role to propagate the message and attract support for continual effort. 

Azeez passion to help his kinfolk at the Bay of Bengal is understandable. Tamil is a second language at home. Only this time it has to be treated differently.

Yes Rohingya, but No Trump



Not that there will be the recurrence that led to the death of Nurfarizam, but there has to be respect for international diplomatic practise and the rule of law. There are ways on how to get things done.

When it was first mooted that Malaysia send a humanitarian aids and a communique was issued by Foreign Minister, Dato Anifah Aman to push an OIC resolution for access to aids, Myanmar's response was to oppose and not allow. 

So it was worrying to hear Azeez was adamant to go on February 3rd with a big send off by Prime Minister Dato Najib and PAS President Dato Seri Haji Hadi Awang. 

Azeez statement to say Myanmar gave assurance was not sufficiently comforting. Having followed UN's OCHA tweeter, they too were denied access.

But all prayers was for his safe passage and hope the cargo reached the Rohingya. 

There was a bad news of a Ko Ni, a Muslim constitutional lawyer close to Aung Sung Suu Kyi and NLD, killed in broad daylight at the Yangoon Airport.

For Azeez, there was a glimmer of hope as Suu Kyi seemed to make a U-turn. She urged the majority to protect minority. The worry on the rise in sectarianism in Myanmar remains.

On the day Azeez was leaving Port Klang, Anifah was meeting the Bangla Deshi High Commissioner at Putrajaya to seek explanation for their refusal to allow the flotilla to port in Bangla Desh.

In his statement, he express regret with their decision. Bangla Desh had closed their border to not allow Rohingya to enter their border or any humanitarian aids to Rakhine state allowed.

Maybe Malaysia has to stopped being generous to Bangla Desh and replace their labourer with Rohingya.

What was surprising is Azeez-led flotilla insisted to port at Teknaf. The Kelab Putra 1Malaysia advanced team earlier suggested Chittagong.

Shouldn't they consult Wisma Putera first. One can't simply land at any port. There must be Visas to be obtained first. Most importantly, can the smaller port take in such size a ship?

Nautical Aliya could not dock in the relatively shallow port.


However, the ship arrived at Yangoon port on February 9th to hand over 500 tonnes of aids to Myanmar’s Minister of Social Welfare, Relief and Resettlement Win Myat Aye.

Not only they were made to wait almost 12 hours before allowed to dock, they were received by a NO ROHINGYA protest. A Buddhist monk claimed the protest was merely against the use of the name Rohingya.

Myanmar public do not acknowledge Rohingya as minority. The aids could reach Rakhine state but what chance will it reach the Rohingya?

The team should have note the softer tone in PM's speech at the OIC meet in Kuala Lumpur. The final communique mentioned to "develop and implement inter-faith and inter-communal dialogues".

Any effort will be under the auspices of international bodies like UN and OIC and done accordance to international law and protocol.

Jangan main redah saja, brader. Malaysia took the lead in this effort and all eyes are on our conduct. Let's not embarass the country.

Trump and Le Pens


Only Donald Trump is thick skinned to any embarassment to do things not according to normal practices of governing. In public at least but not sure in private.

During campaign, Hillary Clinton claimed he is thin skinned and easily excitable with his Tweeter.

The US Court had halted his "Muslim ban" to stop travellers from seven Muslim majority nations. The latest news received reported that Trump lost at the Court of Appeal too.

He is furious and claimed national security is at risk. Expect him to make a legal challenge all the way to Supreme Court.

But will he be successful after his tirade with the judges. He lashed out at Judge Jason L. Robart, the federal judge in Washington State who issued a temporary hold on the President’s anti-Muslim travel ban.

Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) said Supreme Court nominee Neil Gorsuch relayed in a private meeting that Trump’s comments on the judiciary were “demoralizing” and “disheartening.”

Trump's natural retaliation was to do a personal attack with the hope it will discredit his statement. His own nominee to the Supreme Court told many others too. Read here.

Trump's attention must be taken away byNordstorm departmental store decision to take off Ivanka's clothing line from its store. It could be business reason or to avoid future conflict of interests.

His master spinner, Kellyanne Conway urged the president's supporters to buy Ivanka's line of clothing and acessories. That is in violation of government's ethics rule!

And, a senior adviser backs her?

Guess Malaysiakini is right to headline an article only Mahathir can do a Trump. The resemblance is uncanny.

For Trump, the Court of Appeal decision must be an embrassment for him in his meeting with Airlines.

They have been asking government to improve the airports. Trump himself have said during campaign that US airports are looking like third world country.

Congress did not give Obama the money to upgrade airport and infrastructure. Will they give it to Trump?

Still fresh on everybody's mind is FBI James Comey's last minute investigation announcement bomb on Hillary Clinton that handed Trump and Republican a whitewash victory. It continued the trend from Brexit to Trump-it.

In the same mess in France, it is Marine Le Pen rival, Francois Fillon being investigated for a 'fake job' scandal. His children is currently being questioned by police.

By the look of it, the far right candidate will win the first round by default.

Get ready for the same line of argument as Brexit with France opting out of Euro, even at the risk of a massive default.

Similar to Trump, Le Pen have been advocating to deport refugee. Le Pen is more brave. She called for French Jew to give up Israeli citizenship.

Unless the poll failed again, it will be a right turn for another French revolution.


Be it Trump or Le Pen, the telling signs that scroll in:
"Each combines disaffection from the established parties – all liars, damn liars – a sense of dispossession where one cannot separate economic and job safety issues from wider cultural insecurity, which leads to a reversal of attitude towards newcomers and foreigners."

It is tell tale sign to the Najibs, Annuar Musas, Habiburs, Media Primas, MyKMUs and various Strategic Communication Teams.

Populism politics is the flavour of the day even though the Malaysian version is out of touch with reality and both sides of the political divide can be deemed as liars.

Will the race be for the lesser liar, hypocrit and thieves? Will the one more astute in the game of  propaganda, cyber-viral, and publicity seeking strive?

Or it is just back to basic?

Wednesday, February 08, 2017

Flood and the neglect of Kelantan since the 90s

Taken from a brother's recent trip to deliver assistance to Kelantan

Dato Zaid Ibrahim announced joining DAP yesterday. It is rumoured he will run in Gelang Patah, Johor to replace Lim Kit Siang.

His statement in October 2016 to call Kelantan PAS government lazy for making logging its main source of revenue now make political sense.

It is as if he did not know the real reason opposition states like Kelantan and then Kedah depended on logging for revenue.

Former Kelantan state exco member, Dato Husam Musa too criticised the state. He was on his way out of PAS to join PAN. His critics serve to divert blame away from him.

Husam was blamed for the devastating flood in Gua Musang at the end of 2014.

As early as the Galas by-election in 2010, he was accused of profiteering from timber concessions and the environmental rape of Lojing highlands.

But, was it entirely Husam's or PAS state government fault?

Tuesday, February 07, 2017

JDT and the Red Warriors


The Johoreans and Kelantanis are two distinct Malays. One in the south and more closer to Indonesians and influenced by foreign traders to the state. And one in the north more closer to Thai.

Johoreans are more urban, while Kelantanis are more rural. They have two significantly different dialects. Different attitude, psyche, and way of life. Naturally, both eat different dishes to go with their rice.

Over time, migration and assimilation made the two polar of Malays learn to appreciate and accept each other.

Monday, February 06, 2017

Populism politics out of touch with reality


Trending from media headline these days must be Donald Trump and his series of executive orders in hardly within a month from his Presidential inauguration.

Trump recently fulfilled his election promise to ban Muslims from entering the US with the executive order to ban refugees from seven Muslim majority countries. It is America refusing to take responsibility to the refugee problem that was a result of US foreign policy failure in the Middle East.

The US intervened in the Middle East to protect Israel as they did a Goebbel-like repetition for war against terrorism since the 911 plane attack on the World Trade Center and Pentagon in 2001.

The decision by Trump will backfire on the US wrote a letter to editor in the NST. Trump is "sowing the seeds for terrorist attacks in the US and elsewhere."

Trump still has promises that will have implication on US military presence abroad, global trade, relationship with their southern neighbour, and American global leadership. Republican can no more give the excuse Trump do not mean what he said during campaign.

The root of the problem is populism politics. As Malaysia heads for its 14th general election, Malaysians should be wary of populism politics as it can have devastating impact on the nation.

Saturday, February 04, 2017

When servants are no more civil ....


If an Indon servant at home were caught doing something unforgiveable, they would be sent back home that day itself or by the next flight back.

Hardly any civil servant get fired. Lifelong employment allow them to linger around and temporarily lie low at some obscure department somewhere. The resourceful one could pull strings and manouvre a comeback.

This posting will attract mixed reactions. Some segment of the public may agree and some disagree.

It could be deemed as politically incorrect or bad timing to pro-government politicians. And, the anti-government or pro-opposition will oppose to score political brownie points though they actually agree.

However, blogging or citizen journalism is a personal space to air justified concerns and express educated opinion. No amount of dedak inducement can sway true bloggers. To get their concurrence, they need to be convinced.

Wednesday, February 01, 2017

What is Vincent Tan up to in the Phillipines?


The media reported Tan Sri Vincent Tan pledging to build 5,000 homes for the poor in Phillipines.

In his talk, he sounded like Tan Sri Francis Yeoh of YTL who once espounded virtues and concern against crony capitalism. Sincerely hope he is genuine in helping poor Filipino.

Or is he up to something?

My Say