Friday, September 11, 2026

Gulf States & Iran To Hold Unprecedented Meeting Monday, Seeking Hormuz Strait Deal Breakthrough






Gulf States & Iran To Hold Unprecedented Meeting Monday, Seeking Hormuz Strait Deal Breakthrough



by Tyler Durden
Saturday, Sep 12, 2026 - 12:20 AM


Iran and some Gulf states are formally meeting in order to push and finalize an Iran+Oman-backed deal and framework for the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, coming at the end of a week where multiple tankers have been attacked, including unprecedented US strikes on an Iranian civilian vessel.

"Gulf foreign ministers plan to meet their Iranian counterpart in a push by Oman and Iran to secure buy-in for a deal temporarily managing shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, as regional states seek a pathway to ease hostilities over the waterway," Financial Times reports.

"The gathering, an Omani initiative, would be the first meeting between the top diplomats from the six-member Gulf Cooperation Council and a senior Iranian official since the US and Israel launched the war against the Islamic republic in February," the publication details.



Officials have told FT the meeting is set for Monday in the Omani coastal city of Salalah, though details and arrangements are still being finalized.

Global oil prices have been steadily moving up in the last week, amid further 'limited' US-Iran tit-for-tat exchanges of blows in Hormuz, southern Iran, and beyond - including Jordan, which saw waves of ballistic missile attacks on a US base.

Meanwhile Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has congratulated President Trump for keeping up the pressure on Iran, which has included unprecedented sanctions.

Netanyahu stated on X the US and Israel have achieved "historic progress" over the last year, which has in turn made Iran and its allies an "evil axis… weaker than ever."

The Bibi message which was timed for the 25th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks specifically echoed George W. Bush's "axis of evil" phrase which was a feature of the early so-called Global War on Terror (GWOT).

"The people of Israel stand with the people of the United States and with President Trump in confronting the forces of terror," said Netanyahu.

And yet Iran is showing no signs of backing down at this point, but has repeatedly vowed it can endure the storm of sanctions and US attacks, even for 'years' down the line. Trump while speaking to supporters in Dallas has expressed no regrets over launching Operation Epic Fury.

On the other side, IRGC spokesman Hossein Mohebbi has stated in the middle of a week which has witnessed plenty of escalation in the Gulf that, "The imposed war, which involved the world's most powerful nations, has ended in certain periods, but the nature of the conflict continues. For the first time, this conflict has directly inflicted strategic damage on the United States, impacting the country's security and economic equations."

He issued the following list for the US to reach an end to the conflict. "If the enemy desires an end to this situation, they must"...

  • completely cease the war
  • refrain from further threats
  • withdraw the Israeli army from Lebanon
  • end the siege of Yemen
  • release the $24 billion of Iranian assets that have been frozen
  • cease any interference in the country's nuclear and missile programs

This definitely marks a raised bar, to be sure, after this summer the MoU complete ceased, and negotiations vanished. There's no way Washington complies with even half of the conditions, at this rate. According to the latest from the Iranian Foreign Ministry:


Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson says Strait of Hormuz security cannot be guaranteed while US aggression and the naval blockade continue, Tehran Times reports.


The claim that Hormuz will become irrelevant has partially come true, but not as Trump anticipated. Keeping the Strait half-open won't make much of a difference if the Houthis close Baab el-Mandeb. The idea that time was on Trump's side seems to have dramatically flipped.
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With Trump struggling to rally his base to go to the polls and vote in the November midterm elections, Tehran has no reason to back down at this point, seeking to impose a steep economic and political cost on Washington and specifically the Trump administration.

Twin Chokepoint Shock: Houthis Seize Mayyun Island In Bab el-Mandeb Strait As Hormuz Disruptions Persist






Twin Chokepoint Shock: Houthis Seize Mayyun Island In Bab el-Mandeb Strait As Hormuz Disruptions Persist



by Tyler Durden
Friday, Sep 11, 2026 - 11:00 PM


Three converging threats to watch are intensifying pressure on global energy markets: damage to Russian refining capacity, ongoing disruption at Hormuz, and new, expanding Houthi threats to Red Sea shipping. The resulting physical market squeeze extends well beyond the Gulf area. Record-high diesel prices in the US and other markets, such as China's return to buying crude, raise the risk that oil markets will remain exceptionally tight into the Northern Hemisphere winter.

What we know so far is that the Russia-Ukraine war has knocked out a whole bunch of refining capacity and halted exports of critical fuels from Russia. The Gulf area has seen an escalation in fighting this week as the Hormuz chokepoint remains open with tanker transits but still limited and far from pre-war levels.

Couple this all with the chokepoint madness still being disrupted and new developments overnight: Iran-backed Houthi forces advanced toward a strategic port near the southern entrance to the Red Sea, threatening to tighten control on a second critical shipping corridor.

Bloomberg reported that Houthi rebels have gained ground around Mokha, with some geopolitical analysts reporting that the Yemeni port city has fallen.


Its fall would give the Houthis another coastal stronghold alongside Hodeida and the ability to control more of the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, suggesting commercial traffic could begin to drop and transits would be rerouted around the Cape of Good Hope, increasing shipping time and freight costs.


Alternative Route: Cape of Good Hope




On top of this, China has returned to global oil markets, and ex-Goldman Commodities head Jeff Currie warned Thursday that this is the real driver of soaring crude prices.

Also overnight, Saudi Arabia's East-West oil pipeline appears to have been struck by Houthi forces, which the pipeline served as an oil escape route, effectively bypassing the Hormuz chokepoint to the Red Sea.

Andrew Farrand, a political-risk analyst at Horizon Engage, described the rapid Houthi advance as a major setback for Saudi efforts in Yemen, warning that it could bring the Houthis closer to territory overlooking the waterway's narrowest section.

Simultaneous disruption of Bab el-Mandeb Strait and Strait of Hormuz creates a two-sided squeeze: less energy can leave the Gulf, while tankers that can move face longer, more expensive journeys. It also threatens Saudi Arabia's Red Sea terminal.

Beyond Hormuz and Bab el-Mandeb, these are the main straits to watch:

Global Maritime Chokepoints



Where the routes narrow



What could interrupt commercial traffic



The twin disruptions threaten shipping corridors that carried roughly a quarter of global seaborne oil trade through Hormuz and through Bab el-Mandeb, while jeopardizing a Red Sea shipping route central to trade between Asia and Europe and risking ignition of a stagflationary squeeze as diesel prices soar to new highs that eventually feed into supply chains, freight costs, and ultimately, at a lag, higher prices on store shelves.


'Deciphering' the timing of the revelation from the President of PAS on the overtures from the US government in 2014



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'Deciphering' the timing of the revelation from the President of PAS on the overtures from the US government in 2014


11 Sep 2026 • 11:00 AM MYT



Photo Credit: DAP


To paraphrase Tan Sri Rafidah Aziz, who repeatedly shouted "Why? Why?" at Mahathir, begging him to reconsider at the 56th UMNO General Assembly on June 22, 2002, Malaysians are now asking the President of PAS, why why now?


Why after 12 years and 2 General Elections, the President of PAS decides to reveal the overtures made by the US government towards PAS to overthrow the then government led by PM6?



Recently, the President of PAS, at the party’s meeting revealed that he and his party received an overture from the US Embassy in KL during President Obama's visit to Malaysia in 2014 to topple the then sitting government led by PM6 in 2014.


Why? Why? Why?


What does this sudden revelation served, moreso after so many years and the President of the US has since been replaced by Biden and now Trump while Malaysia has seen 4 Prime Ministers, PM7, PM8, PM9 and now PM10 governing the country?



The President of PAS is not an ordinary man on the street nor is he an ordinary politician that has been at the helm of a political party and leading the party to become the single largest political party represented in the Dewan Rakyat presently with 43 MPs.


In 2014, PAS had 21 MPs won during the 13th GE held in May 2013, where PAS campaigned as part of the opposition coalition Pakatan Rakyat while DAP has 38 MPs while PKR has 28–30 seats MPs.


Pakatan Rakyat was formed on 1st April 2008 with DAP, PKR and PAS as members of the coalition and it officially broke off and ceased to exist on 16 June 2015.



It sounded preposterous that the US Embassy invited the political party with the least number of MPs in 2014 for a meeting to discuss something that is so crucial and important to Malaysia’s soverignty without their coalition partner DAP and PKR?


Or the US Embassy believes and was of the view that it is easier and more palatable to have a discussion with PAS than with DAP and PKR or with all 3 of them together?


Hmmm……probably the President of PAS can explain and reveal whether he asked the US Embassy this question of why only invite and meet with PAS and not with DAP and PKR?



Since PKR and DAP was not invited nor an overture made to them, did the President of PAS shared the overture from the US Embassy that took place in 2014 with his coalition partners then in Pakatan Rakyat, PKR and DAP, where their shared objective was to win the elections and replace BN as the government?


And if yes, what were their response?


Why did the President of PAS shared the overture with Tun Dr Mahathir, who in 2014, was still an active member of UMNO who was still governing the country under PM6?



Tun Dr Mahathir had previously quit UMNO in May 2008 during the administration of Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, but rejoined UMNO in April 2009 when Najib Razak took over as Prime Minister.


Analysts have predicted strong momentum for PAS in the upcoming general election due to a solid conservative voter base.


For long, the President of PAS has frequently accused PMX of being influenced by or acting as a proxy for Western powers, including the United States, often framed around PMX’s international connections.



Most notably, President of PAS argued that the "reforms" championed by the Madani government are "imported" from the West, claiming they cause moral and social decline and are destined to fail.


Was the revelation timed to `paint’ PMX as a proxy of the west, a claim which the President of PAS has consistently made against PMX?


OPINION | It Took Us This Long to Figure Out Quotas Aren’t Quality?



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OPINION | It Took Us This Long to Figure Out Quotas Aren’t Quality?


11 Sep 2026 • 12:00 PM MYT



(Image credit: Malay Mail)


I read this news while enjoying my morning coffee and nearly choked on it.


Not because it was shocking.


But because apparently, after all these years, our Higher Education Minister has finally discovered something the rest of us ordinary Malaysians have known for quite some time.



“Getting students into university is not the same as making them competent.”


Congratulations, Minister.


I suppose we should give credit where credit is due. It takes courage to stand before a convention and announce that perhaps the success of Malay and Bumiputera education should not simply be measured by how many students enter university, but by what they can actually do once they get there.



Apparently, we are now moving “from access to quality, from qualifications to competencies, from employment to entrepreneurship, and from using technology to owning technology.”


Wow.


Frankly, this isn't some revolutionary educational theory.


Give a student a place in university and you have given that student access. You have not automatically given them knowledge, critical thinking, curiosity, discipline or competence.


If students are arriving at university without the foundations they need to succeed, perhaps the solution isn't simply to debate university access. Perhaps we should ask what happened to their education long before they arrived at the university gates.



It is rather like discovering that your house has a leaking roof and responding by buying a bigger umbrella.


The minister also spoke about producing engineers, researchers, inventors, patent holders, company founders and industry leaders rather than merely operators of technology owned by others.


Again, absolutely.


But producing those people requires more than telling universities to produce them.


It requires an education system that rewards curiosity rather than conformity; one that teaches children to question rather than simply memorise; one that values competence rather than credentials.



And perhaps most importantly, one that is willing to acknowledge uncomfortable truths about the system instead of turning every discussion about educational outcomes into another argument over race and access.


There is something rather sad about the fact that we have spent so much time debating who gets into university that we sometimes forget to ask what happens when they get there.


The issue isn't that Malaysians took this long to understand that access alone doesn't guarantee quality.


The bigger problem is that the people in positions to improve the system seem to be taking this long to understand it.



That should worry us more.


Ordinary Malaysians don't have the luxury of discovering obvious things twenty years after everyone else.


Parents have to pay the bills. Students have to sit the exams. Teachers have to teach. Employers have to hire. Graduates have to find jobs.


Everyone else has to live with the consequences of educational policy.


So when a minister finally announces that perhaps we should focus on quality, competence, problem-solving and genuine capability, the appropriate response isn't outrage.



It's applause.


Slow applause.


Very slow.


The kind you give when someone finally arrives at a destination after everyone else has already been waiting there for years.


Still, better late than never.


M’sian Man Hit With RM363K Electricity Bill After IC He Lost 7 Years Ago Was Used To Rent Factories & Shoplots




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WeirdKaya



All because of a lost identification card (IC), a local man is facing a daunting task in clearing his name and reversing his “bankrupt” status.


On top of that, he’s also fighting to wash his hands off a massive electricity bill that was incurred after his lost IC was allegedly used to rent properties involved in electricity theft and illegal cryptocurrency mining activities.


Frozen bank account

Speaking to reporters at the service centre of Kepong MP Lim Lip Eng, the man named Kuang said he had reported his wallet, which contained his IC and cash, missing in December 2019.


Photo via Sinar Harian


Thinking that the matter was resolved, he travelled to Dubai in 2022 to pursue a career in the courier industry and worked in the sales department.

On Aug 22, Kuang checked his bank account online and was shocked to discover that he was unable to make any transfers and immediately contacted the bank.

However, the bank didn’t disclose the reason for his bank account being frozen and merely told him to return to Malaysia to resolve the matter.
RM363K electricity bill

When Kuang returned on Aug 26, the bank informed him they had received a letter from TNB, stating that he owed RM363,088 in electricity bills between December 2020 and September 2021.

Photo via SoyaCincau


As such, he was sued by TNB and listed as “bankrupt” by the Insolvency Department — a status which left Kuang stunned.

I have never applied for a housing loan, car loan or credit card. How I could possibly owe such a huge amount in electricity bills?!” he exclaimed.

Kuang also revealed that the RM363,088 electricity bill was linked to factories and shoplots at six different addresses, all of which were located in Rawang.


Photo via Sin Chew Daily


With the help of Lim, Kuang met with TNB officials and was presented documents that were allegedly submitted to them, including tenancy agreements for the factories and shoplots, as well as a copy of the IC he had reported missing seven years ago.

The documents also contained a forged signature that was 80% similar to Kuang’s actual signature, along with a copy of an IC belonging to another local man whose address was in Maluri.

Kuang maintained that he had never been to Rawang to rent any shoplots or factories and revealed TNB’s investigations found that two of the premises were found to be involved in illegal cryptocurrency mining activities, leading to the electricity supply being cut off.


Photo via Sin Chew Daily


Unending pressure

Kuang added the incident had placed him under immense pressure as his company had told him he would be suspended if he didn’t return to Dubai soon.

On top of that, he’s also facing mental pressure as he had spent at least RM7,000 so far, including the cost of a one-way flight back to Malaysia, and this does not include legal fees.

TNB insists that the matter must be handled through proper legal channels before it can officially write to the bank to prove that I am innocent.


For illustration purposes only. Photo via Canva


“At present, I can only negotiate through lawyers. After the police report was lodged, the police have yet to take any action and the investigating officer has never contacted me to record my statement,” he said.

Kuang added that his bank account remained frozen, he would be unable to access or transfer more than RM70,000 in savings sitting inside and fears he may not be able to survive financially till next month as he has little cash on hand.


‘I will not plead guilty’

Kuang claimed he was advised by an officer from the Insolvency Department to plead guilty so that he could be referred to the Credit Counselling and Debt Management Agency (AKPK) for debt restructuring and consolidation.

I did nothing wrong so I will not plead guilty. I may also take legal action to clear my name and seek compensation, especially for the living expenses and flight costs I incurred while returning to Malaysia.”


Photo via Sin Chew Daily


Meanwhile, Lim’s assistant Dic Lai, who was also present, urged the authorities to conduct a thorough investigation into their internal procedures and determine whether any internal collusion had taken place.

“Generally, electricity bills that exceed RM1,000 would be dealt with swiftly. Why then, was this case being handled differently where the victim had to accumulate RM360,000 in outstanding bills before further action was taken?” he questioned.


Dari segi adat Yamtuan Besar Tuanku Muhriz masih raja

 


Dari segi adat Yamtuan Besar Tuanku Muhriz masih raja

Dari segi adat Yamtuan Besar Tuanku Muhriz masih raja

Ternyata kerajaan Negeri Sembilan yang baru, yang turut disertai oleh Wawasan tidak mampu menyelesaikan masalah atau krisis kepimpinan adat.

faisal tehrani

Kita semua berasa hairan dengan sikap sesetengah pembesar adat di Negeri Sembilan, terutama dari Johol, Jelebu dan Tampin yang tidak sudah-sudah bertikai, dan sekali lagi cuba menurunkan penyandang semasa Yamtuan Besar Negeri Sembilan iaitu Tuanku Muhriz ibni Almarhum Tuanku Munawir yang memegang takhta sejak 29 Dis 2008.

Sehingga hari ini kita masih belum tahu apakah punca dan motif mereka tergamak menodai kesakralan adat tanpa segan silu. Jembalang utara, atau selatan yang manakah di belakang mereka sehingga seberani ini menderhakai Raja Berkeadilan?

Mohd Rais Yatim, pengerusi Parti Wawasan Negara (Wawasan) yang merupakan salah satu parti komponen dalam Perikatan Nasional dan kini bekerjasama dengan Umno kelihatan tampil sebagai ‘pakar adat mereka’. Rais yang mengaku ‘pakar adat’ ini ada menukil bagaimana Adat Perpatih harus diperlakukan. Beliau menulis begini:

“When adat was the prime mover of social modus operandi in Minangkabau prior to the Pasumpahan Satie Bukik Marapalam in about 1838, the common and effective philosophy was thus:

Mamak basanda ka Pangulu
Pangulu basanda ka mupakaik
Mupakaik basanda ka nan bana
Nan bana tagak sandirinyo

This is to say ‘the mamak relies on the Pengulu who in turn relies on the rule of consensus and consensus stands on what is the truth and the truth stands on its own. It could also be argued in extension that now the system no longer relies on the truth or what is just and fair. It simply relies on the Book (the Quran) which in turn of course excretes justice and fairness. And so the shift to over-reliance on religion is the preferred mode rather than on the priority and impetus of relying on what is the truth or the just and fair disposition. The Musa Wahab case is now a milestone decision. It now settles two issues: first, the courts have no jurisdiction in adjudicating matters pertaining to the business of Undang or an adat leader succession! Second, the Dewan Keadilan dan Undang may have the prerogative of giving a blessing or otherwise in an Undangship claim. Curiously, this decision should have relied more on the force of Art. 14 of the state Constitution which states that the business of adat leadership succession should be left to the device “…in accordance with the custom of their respective luaks”. The fact that more weight is given to the blessing of the Dewan has become a new yardstick hence the introduction of a new provision under Art 16(2) somewhat gives the Dewan Keadilan dan Undang a new constitutional assertion. It would appear that in future whenever the Dewan gives its blessings’ the Undang candidate in a luak could mean an endorsement and this act could also mean as an interference contrary to Art. 14 of the State Constitution.”

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Petikan panjang di atas terdapat dalam ‘Adat The Legacy of Minangkabau’ terbitan 2015 oleh Rais Yatim. Untuk memudahkan pembesar dan sesetengah mereka yang berdegil untuk terus berkelahi perihal kuasa ini, izinkan saya terjemahkan petikan di atas ke dalam bahasa Melayu, pandai-pandailah membacanya dalam dialek Negori:

“Apabila adat menjadi penggerak utama modus operandi sosial di Minangkabau sebelum berlakunya Pasumpahan Satie Bukik Marapalam sekitar tahun 1838, falsafah yang lazim dan berkesan adalah:

Mamak basanda ka Pangulu
Pangulu basanda ka mupakaik
Mupakaik basanda ka nan bana
Nan bana tagak sandirinyo

Ini bermaksud bahawa mamak bersandar kepada penghulu, penghulu pula bersandar kepada keputusan muafakat, muafakat bersandarkan kepada kebenaran, dan kebenaran berdiri atas kekuatannya sendiri. Boleh juga dihujahkan bahawa kini sistem tersebut tidak lagi bersandar kepada kebenaran, atau apa yang adil dan saksama. Sebaliknya, ia semata-mata bersandar kepada Kitab, iaitu al-Quran, yang kemudiannya dianggap sebagai sumber keadilan dan kesaksamaan. Dengan demikian, berlaku suatu peralihan kepada kebergantungan yang berlebihan kepada agama, menggantikan keutamaan dan dorongan untuk berpaut kepada apa yang benar, adil dan saksama. Kes Musa Wahab kini menjadi suatu keputusan penting (milestone decision). Ia menetapkan dua perkara.

Pertama, mahkamah tidak mempunyai bidang kuasa untuk mengadili perkara yang berkaitan dengan urusan Undang atau pewarisan jawatan pemimpin adat.

Kedua, Dewan Keadilan dan Undang mempunyai prerogatif untuk memberikan perkenan atau sebaliknya terhadap tuntutan seseorang untuk menjadi Undang. Menariknya, keputusan ini sepatutnya lebih banyak bersandar pada kuasa dan maksud Perkara 14 Perlembagaan Negeri, yang menyatakan bahawa urusan pewarisan kepimpinan adat hendaklah diserahkan kepada mekanisme: “…in accordance with the custom of their respective luaks” (“…mengikut adat bagi luak masing-masing.”) Hakikat bahawa ‘perkenan’ Dewan diberikan lebih banyak pertimbangan telah menjadi suatu ukuran baharu. Hal ini kemudiannya dapat dilihat melalui pengenalan Perkara 16(2), yang seolah-olah memberikan kepada Dewan Keadilan dan Undang suatu kedudukan atau penegasan perlembagaan yang baharu. Nampaknya, pada masa hadapan, apabila Dewan memberikan ‘perkenan’ kepada calon Undang dalam sesuatu luak, perkenan tersebut boleh ditafsirkan sebagai suatu bentuk pengesahan atau sokongan.”

Baca beberapa kali biar teliti. Adalah jelas terang lagi bersuluh, bersiap huraian di atas, Rais sendiri sedar halnya. Dewan Keadilan adalah kini kuasa pengesah dalam menentukan kedudukan seseorang Undang. Ia juga tidak wajar dicabar di Mahkamah. Dan yang paling penting, Rais Yatim sendiri memutuskan bahawa setiap sesuatu itu mestilah dibuat menurut keadilan dan tentulah itu bermuarakan agama Islam.

Islam celah mana yang mereka ingin tunggang sebagai hujah? Adakah Baginda Tuanku Muhriz sudah diberi keadilan?

Dari segi adat juga, untuk menurunkan Yamtuan Besar, seorang Undang itu sendiri mesti sah di Luak masing-masing. Kita telah pun tahu duduk letak Undang di Luak Sungei Ujong, Rembau, Jelebu dalam keadaan penuh pertikaian. Malah mereka sudah dipecat oleh Waris, dan ditolak pembesar adat yang kanan di wilayah masing-masing.

Undang Sungei Ujong dan Rembau yang baru, kedua-duanya menyokong Tuanku Muhriz ibni Almarhum Tuanku Munawir. Datuk Klana Petra, Muhammad Faris Johari telah dimasyhurkan dan dizahirkan sebagai Undang.

Luak Sungai Ujong ke-11 pada Mei dan Jun 2026.Dari segi adat Mubarak Dohak telah lama ditolak. Manakala Hassan Ab Hamid telah dizahirkan sebagai Undang Luak Rembau ke-22 pada Jun 2026 berikutan adat istiadat yang sah di negeri tersebut. Beliau bersama-sama Undang Sungai Ujong telah menegaskan pendirian rasmi Luak masing-masing berkaitan hal ehwal istana dan adat di Negeri Sembilan termasuklah kedudukan Yamtuan Besar Negeri Sembilan.

Jadi celah mana yang Umno, Rais berserta segala jembalang baik utara atau selatan tidak faham?

Ternyata kerajaan Negeri Sembilan yang baru, yang turut disertai oleh Wawasan tidak mampu menyelesaikan masalah atau krisis kepimpinan adat. Menggunakan lojik mereka sebelum pilihan raya negeri, mereka wajar meletakkan jawatan semuanya. Lebih menghairankan, siapakah di belakang mereka? Jembalang Utara? Jembalang Selatan? Jembalang mana yang mendanai segala kudrat dan tenaga mereka ini?

Aduh, berhentilah menjahat sepenggal, biar kita-kita aman dari sakau.

Dan ya untuk menurunkan Yamtuan Besar Negeri Sembilan, kita mesti tahu punca dan motifnya. Sampai hari ini, setelah gegak gempita alam dan berlaku pilihan raya negeri yang penuh fitnah dan persepsi, kita masih ternanti-nanti apa asbabnya?