MISSILES ON THE MENU: Guns, Not Butter in Prabowo’s Indonesia

Murray Hunter


MISSILES ON THE MENU: Guns, Not Butter in Prabowo’s Indonesia


Murray Hunter
Jul 13, 2026






No country is more important to Australia than Indonesia, said the former Australian prime minister Paul Keating once. Today, that neighbour is quietly arming itself with supersonic cruise missiles capable of reaching deep into regional flashpoints. The latest catalyst? Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent visit to Jakarta, where deals were signed that prioritise things that go bang over broader human development.

President Prabowo Subianto, with his military background, proved an eager customer. Among the agreements inked was a roughly US$630 million package for BrahMos supersonic cruise missiles and Astra air-to-air missiles. Developed jointly by India and Russia, the BrahMos is one of the world’s fastest operational supersonic cruise missiles, hitting speeds up to Mach 2.8, with a range of around 450 km and the ability to carry a 300 kg conventional warhead. It can be launched from land, sea, submarine, or air platforms.

For Indonesia, this acquisition adds real strategic reach. Deployed along its vast archipelago, including existing missile capabilities near the Strait of Malacca, these systems could target key points in Singapore and Kuala Lumpur. From ships or aircraft, they extend concern toward northern Australia. Indonesia becomes the third Southeast Asian operator after Vietnam and the Philippines, a clear signal of an accelerating arms dynamic in ASEAN.

This is not happening in a vacuum. Prabowo’s Indonesia is in an active phase of military modernisation at a time when economic headwinds are mounting. Economist Dr Titik Anas, formerly a special advisor to the Finance Minister under Jokowi, has warned of capital outflows, a weakening rupiah, rising borrowing costs, and policy misalignment since Prabowo took office in late 2024. Investor confidence has taken a hit.

Meanwhile, the flagship free nutritious food programme (Makan Bergizi Gratis) has faced a reported 20% budget cut amid allegations of mismanagement and corruption. Each BrahMos missile carries a price tag reportedly up to US$5 million. The math is uncomfortable: resources diverted from feeding children and tackling health challenges toward hardware that feeds threat perceptions.

The “guns versus butter” trade-off is as old as economics itself. Indonesia subconsciously perceives real security concerns, not least an uneven potential rivalry with a much larger and better-armed China across the region. Yet critics quietly note that heavy spending on prestige weaponry risks amplifying vulnerabilities rather than resolving them, especially when basic services strain and economic fundamentals wobble.

Modi’s visit also included cultural gestures, such as support for the Prambanan temple complex, nodding to deep historical Hindu-Buddhist ties between India and Indonesia. These are welcome. Yet the headline outcome remains defence-heavy. Little public emphasis fell on medical technology, where India has growing strengths, innovations that could genuinely improve lives rather than prepare for their potential end.

Indonesia’s strategic caution in the past is giving way to more assertive balancing. Acquiring BrahMos strengthens its hand in protecting vital sea lanes and projecting power. But it also contributes to a regional arms dynamic where neighbours watch each other’s inventories with growing interest. For Australia, sitting just across the Timor and Arafura Seas, this evolution in its most important neighbour demands careful diplomacy and clear-eyed assessment rather than reflexive alarm or complacency.

Can Indonesia afford both guns and butter? History suggests choices have consequences. In Prabowo’s Indonesia, the menu currently favours missiles. Whether this brings lasting security or simply higher stakes in an already tense region remains the open question

BN's Landslide in Johor: If repeated in a federal election, BN would win all but one seat in Johor

Murray Hunter


BN's Landslide in Johor: If repeated in a federal election, BN would win all but one seat in Johor


Murray Hunter
Jul 13, 2026





In the 2026 Johor state election held on 11 July 2026, Barisan Nasional (BN), led by UMNO and Menteri Besar Onn Hafiz Ghazi, achieved a resounding victory. The coalition captured 48 out of 56 state seats with approximately 59.7% of the popular vote, up from 40 seats and 43% in 2022. Pakatan Harapan (PH) was reduced to just 8 seats (32.6% of the vote), while Perikatan Nasional (PN) was wiped out entirely.

Analysts often examine state election results through a “federal lens” by aggregating votes within each parliamentary constituency (Dewan Rakyat seat). Johor has 26 federal seats, and the state-level voting patterns provide a strong indicator of how a hypothetical federal election might play out in the state under similar conditions.
Overwhelming BN Dominance remodeled into Federal Terms



Analysis: Wikipedia

According to the aggregated figures from the state election:

BN secured a majority in 25 out of 26 parliamentary constituencies.


The sole exception was Bakri (P145), where PH edged ahead with 46.07% to BN’s 42.16% (others took the rest).

BN performed particularly strongly in many traditional strongholds and mixed areas, often exceeding 55–70% in seats like Parit Sulong, Ayer Hitam, Sembrong, Kota Tinggi, Pengerang, Pontian, and Tanjung Piai. Even in urban and semi-urban areas such as Johor Bahru, Tebrau, and Iskandar Puteri, BN held competitive or winning shares. PH’s support was concentrated in a handful of seats with stronger Chinese and urban voter bases, but it was insufficient to overcome BN’s broad appeal.

This projection underscores BN’s (particularly UMNO’s) remarkable recovery in Johor. Factors cited by observers include rebounding Malay support for UMNO, discontent with the pace of federal reforms under the PH-led national government (affecting non-Malay voters who traditionally backed PH/DAP), and effective localized campaigning by BN component parties MCA and MIC, which performed well in winning state seats.

In a full federal general election, these numbers suggest BN could potentially sweep nearly all of Johor’s 26 parliamentary seats — a dramatic shift that would significantly bolster its position within Malaysia’s unity government. However, actual federal outcomes would depend on national issues, turnout differentials, multi-cornered contests involving PN, and strategic alliances that differ from state-level dynamics.

The 2026 Johor result serves as a powerful morale booster for BN ahead of future national polls, while highlighting challenges for PH in retaining its traditional support bases in the south. Johor, long a political bellwether, has sent a clear signal. Pakatan Harapan and other parties really need to think out their strategy of getting their supporters out to vote.

Umno’s strategic masterstroke in Johor

Murray Hunter


Umno’s strategic masterstroke in Johor

The key to winning the election was the parties getting their people out to vote

Murray Hunter
Jul 12, 2026





More than 1.8 million Johorians (70% of eligible voters) turned out yesterday to vote in the Johor state election. The state election, called a year before the government’s term had been completed, and was criticized for being unnecessary. However, from the Barisan Nasional (BN) point of view it was a masterstroke in becoming the dominant force that controlled the state, eradicating its opposition, and building up an electoral momentum that the UMNO leadership hopes will cascade in a strong position ending with a federal election.

Before yesterday’s election the BN held 40 seats in a 56 seat state assembly. Yestderday, the BN lifted this number to 48 seats, leaving a small Pakatan Harapan (PH) opposition left in the parliament.

Full credit must be given to the Johor Menteri Besar Onn Hafiz Ghazi, who lifted the BN vote from just under 600,000 in 2022 to 1.1 million in this election. This election had a 69.57% turnout to 54.9% back in 2022. Within the components of the BN, UMNO won 36 seats a gain of 3 seats, the MCA won 8 seats, a gain of 4 seats, and the MIC won 4 seats a gain of 1.

This compares to Pakatan Harapan, which mustered only 611,983 votes yesterday, almost double with the 367,525 votes they won in 2022. More voters actually turned out to vote for PH, but not at the same rate they voted for UMNO.

However, the damage was done with the seat tallies. The DAP lost 4 out of the 10 seats it held before the election. PKR and Amanah each held a seat equally to the tally in 2022. PH now holds only 8 seats in the new assembly.

The vote for was nominally the Perikatan Nasional (PN) fell right away in this election. The coalition mustered only 102,090 votes, down from 334,357 in 2022.

Given that PN has itself imploded, the PAS vote of 45,934 yesterday is less than have of what they had achieved in 2022. PAS also lost its only seat, now having no representation in the new assembly. Its very possible that the support PAS gave to UMNO turned its own voters against it.

Bersatu was hit very hard. Bersatu couldn’t even muster a quarter of the votes it received in 2022. One would have expected Bersatu to do a little better in Johor, being the home of its leader Muhyiddin Yassin. Based on yesterday’s figures, Bersatu is a spent force, perhaps suggesting the real reason PAS disassociated itself from the party. Bersatu lost the 2 seats it had in the last assembly.

The night was not good for the small parties either. MUDA lost its one seat in the assembly, garnering only 10,236 votes across 4 seats. Rafizi Ramli’s Party Bersama could only muster 28,816 votes across 15 seats. One can give some leeway to such a new party, which relied primarily on social media to campaign, although there was an active roadshow through the state during the campaign. It is sure that even though Rafizi is putting on a brave face from the result, there must be great concerns. Bersama didn’t make any inroads into what pundits thought would be the party’s support base, the non-Malay urban cohort. The Malaysian Indian People’s Party with only 8,196 votes just didn’t pick up the Indian vote which stayed where it did or just didn’t come out to vote.

As many predicted, the DAP saw the reality yesterday in losing 4 seats. This occurred while the MCA picked up 4 seats and now holds 8 seats in the new assembly. If the MCA can build upon this win, this could be a rebirth to the ailing party. The MCA will be looking ahead to Melaka where it could perform very well.

For the PKR, the result can be considered to have held the status quo. PKR still has one seat in the assembly, and actually gained double the votes it received in 2022, although across more seats. One fact is that for the last 12 years PKR vote has actually been declining. Saturday actually reversed this trend.

However, this doesn’t mean that PKR have anything to celebrate. The reality is that BN now has a new momentum that will be tested again twice in the year remaining. The Johor state election has polarized the voting landscape where minor parties got pushed out in the fight. There is no doubt that the major parties will be reflecting upon what happened and drastically changing strategies ready for Negeri Sembilan.


One of the keys to winning GE16 is voter turnout
Murray Hunter
·
22 Apr




Read full story

For Penangites' old time's sake

Koh Tsu Koon – a former Penang CM who still serves the rakyat


What amazes people is that Dr Koh, an American-educated academic, comes to meet them driving by himself a Perodua Kancil - an old model

Updated 2 hours ago · Published on 13 Jul 2026 4:34PM

It is his faithful car, which helps him get from one point to another here. - July 13, 2026



by Ian McIntyre




FOR the past few years, former Penang Chief Minister Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon has been meeting people from all walks of life as part of his social obligation after serving the state for some 18 years before his party, Gerakan, was wiped out in the 2008 general election.

What amazes people is that Dr Koh, an American-educated academic, comes to meet them driving by himself a Perodua Kancil - an old model.

It is his faithful car, which helps him get from one point to another here.

It is not a social status but practicality for Koh in navigating the congested roads of Penang, especially since the pandemic was declared an epidemic; traffic in Penang has surged to record highs.

Still, the soft-spoken but sharp and articulate Koh has shunned attention, but he would smile with everyone, including former foes such as Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow, when they happened to attend public gatherings.

For Penang Forward Sports Club, the state's oldest recreational club, founded in 1986, its chairman, Datuk Lim Chooi Hooi, took to social media to express his salutation of Dr Koh.

He said that the opportunity to have a meal with Koh was indeed an honour of a lifetime.

"He served as our Chief Minister for 18 years, standing at a high political position, leading Penang through an important and scenic period. But what I admire most is not only the identity and status he once had, but the simplicity, modesty and truth he still kept after he retired."

"When I took the car after dinner, I saw him leaving in an old Myvi. To be honest, many young people today don't even want to drive it. Yet a former chief minister who led Penang for 18 years can live a simple life so naturally and freely, said Lim. - July 9, 2026.

Trump says the US should control the Strait of Hormuz and get paid for it

Trump says the US should control the Strait of Hormuz and get paid for it

Monday, 13 Jul 2026 | 8:31 PM MYT

Vessels at the Strait of Hormuz, as seen from Musandam, Oman, July 8, 2026. REUTERS/Stringer


WASHINGTON, July 13 (Reuters) - President Donald Trump ⁠said on Monday that the United States would probably take over the Strait ⁠of Hormuz and should be reimbursed for controlling the vital waterway.

"We're going to keep ‌the strait, and we'll probably run it. We'll become the guardian of the strait. Maybe we'll call it the guardian angel of the strait. And we should be reimbursed for that," he said in a phone interview on ​Fox News' "Fox & Friends" program.


Control of the Strait of Hormuz, a ⁠vital route for global oil supplies, has ⁠become one of the main battlegrounds of the conflict. Iran's effective blockade of the strait ⁠has ‌pushed up energy prices and increased concerns about inflation globally.

"We're going to guard it. We're going to get paid for guarding it - a lot of money," Trump said.

"We're going ⁠to be reimbursed, because the other nations are very wealthy. ​They're on our side, and ‌we can't be expected to do that for nothing," he said.

After announcing the waterway's ⁠closure on Saturday ​following what it described as an unauthorizedtransit, Tehran said on Sunday that passage remained suspended and that permits would be issued once "stability and calm" were restored.

"We had a deal. It was a done deal, and ⁠then they broke it. They always break it. We've ​had 10 deals with these people, and so we're just going to hit them very hard," Trump said.

Iran's Revolutionary Guards said in a statement on Monday that the only way to restore regular ⁠shipping traffic through the strait was to end U.S. military interventions in the waterway, and warned that "continued interference could lead to greater incidents in the global oil and gas sector."

U.S. and Iranian forces exchanged heavy missile and drone attacks over the weekend and into Monday, with Tehran saying ​it had struck U.S. military facilities across the Gulf and kept ⁠the Strait of Hormuz closed, driving oil prices higher.

The latest exchanges mark a sharp escalation in ​both the pace and geographic reach of attacks over the ‌past week, casting doubt on an interim U.S.-Iranian ​agreement signed last month to reopen the strait and halt hostilities while the sides pursued a further 60 days of negotiations.

***

Disgusting S-Whole

***

PAS hits back at Zahid over ‘changing goalposts’ remark

PAS hits back at Zahid over ‘changing goalposts’ remark


PAS information chief says that while PAS’s political strategy may require flexibility, the party’s goals will never change

PAS information chief Ahmad Fadhli Shaari today said the party will never join forces with the opposing team to ‘score an own goal’.

PETALING JAYA: PAS information chief Ahmad Fadhli Shaari has issued a thinly veiled dig at Barisan Nasional chairman Ahmad Zahid Hamidi after he criticised the Islamic party for “changing goalposts”.

Zahid, who is also Umno president, today denied that his party and PAS have a seat-sharing agreement ahead of the Aug 1 Negeri Sembilan state election, warning against reading too much into statements from PAS leaders as he said the party’s position could shift with political developments.

In a Facebook post, Fadhli said that while PAS’s political strategy may require flexibility, its goals will never change.


“PAS will always strive to score against the opposing team and will never score an own goal. In the pursuit of scoring, PAS’s strategies, players and even the coach may be changed if required,” he said.

“Don’t worry. As long as the 90 minutes are not over, the objective of scoring against the opponent remains unchanged. The PAS team will never join forces with the opposing team to score an own goal.”


He also insisted that the Aug 1 state polls in Negeri Sembilan will prove that PAS “keeps its promises”.

Zahid was responding to a statement by PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang that the two parties had agreed in principle for Barisan Nasional to defend its 14 seats in Negeri Sembilan, while PAS would contest the three it previously won.

Pakatan Harapan and BN will contest all 36 seats at the polls. PH won 17 seats, BN 14 and PN five during the last state election in 2023.

Durian Tunggal case and the legacy of Zahid's 'shoot first' rhetoric

Durian Tunggal case and the legacy of Zahid's 'shoot first' rhetoric

S Thayaparan
Published: Jul 13, 2026 8:39 AM
Updated: 12:25 PM



“When I was your age, they would say we can become cops or criminals. Today, what I’m saying to you is this: when you’re facing a loaded gun, what’s the difference?”

- Jack Nicholson as Frank Costello 

in The Departed (2006)

COMMENT | I have been following the case involving executions in Durian Tunggal, Malacca, since the audio recordings were making the rounds on social media.

I do not know if many people know this, but while the recordings of the men’s pleas were horrifying rational Malaysians, there was another recording in Tamil that claimed these men were criminals, thus there was no need for any public outrage.

Whether people think of these men as criminals or victims is irrelevant. What we have here and in many other cases involving the police in alleged or confirmed extrajudicial killings is the state security apparatus taking the law into their hands and, in the process, attempting to cover it up.

In nearly all these cases, the police claim that its officers were attacked or in fear of their lives, or the victims possessed dangerous weapons.


Sifting through gruesome truth, deadly lies

Remember the death in custody of A Kugan at the Taipan police station in Subang Jaya, Selangor? Most people would be familiar with the gruesome post-mortem pictures of Kugan, but to me what is even more sinister was the attempted cover-up.

If his family didn’t barge into the mortuary, the truth or the inkling of it would most probably be cremated or buried. The family could not even grieve in peace, with mourners being arrested during the funeral.

The lies or misconduct of the first pathologist (which only warranted a reprimand) seemed like an apathetic shrug from the state, as if the murder of Kugan did not even warrant a sophisticated cover-up.

And because of the propaganda for some, Kugan will always remain the “suspected luxury car thief” who died in custody.

Three years ago, two siblings detailed the horror they experienced when they were detained by the state security apparatus at the Selangor police headquarters in Shah Alam.

You can read about it here and, of course, the feeble attempts by the police higher-ups for the brothers to make a “police report”, which they said would be investigated fairly and transparently.

The duelling narratives in the shootings at Rawang, Selangor, a couple of years back, are something Malaysians are used to. The family of the deceased had made serious allegations against the police.

Prima facie, it would seem that the police were lying when it came to the alleged criminal history of V Janarthanan and his stay in this country.

Funeral of Rawang shooting victim G Thavaselvan, September 2019


What did the Coroner’s Court say about this shooting? From reportage - “Coroner Rasyihah Ghazali said there was a criminal element in the case and that there was an abuse of power by the authorities in the fatal shooting of G Thavaselvan, 31, S Mahendran, 23, and Sri Lankan national J Vijayaratnam, 40.

“Lawyer M Visvanathan, who acted for the family of the deceased, confirmed the verdict in the inquest.”


Weaponising racism, bigotry

These, of course, are the numerous racial flashpoints in this country because the majority of non-Malays view the state security apparatus as enablers of hegemonic Malay political structures.

When Ahmad Zahid Hamidi served as the home minister when Umno was in power, he advised a shoot-to-kill policy because the Malay community is normally the victim of crimes:

“What is the situation of robbery victims and murder victims during shootings? Most of them are our Malays. Most of them are our race.

“I think the best way is that we no longer compromise with them. There is no need to give them any more warning. If (we) get the evidence, (we) shoot first.”

Ahmad Zahid Hamidi was home minister in 2017


And who could forget when the former police chief of Terengganu claimed that Malays do not participate in gangs because of their culture and religion?

What we have to understand is that any attempt at oversight necessarily means confronting the racism and bigotry that permeate these institutions.

Lawyer Rajesh Nagarajan, representing the families of the executed citizens in Durian Tunggal, said, “This is murder”.

Gobind Singh Deo said, “The police do not reclassify cases, especially to serious capital offences such as homicide, unless there is a solid evidential basis to do so.”

So the question is, what is taking so long? Maybe this has something to do with what a former BN secretary-general said about who is in the attorney-general hot seat:

“What I said about the attorney-general (is) I am stating facts on the ground - that (there is) fear (among) the Malays that probably, if the AG is not a bumi or Malay, then there is a fear of bias.


A more dangerous Malaysia

This is about systemic dysfunction and the collusion between the political class and a different kind of criminal enterprise.

I will end this piece with this quote from Lawyers for Liberty when the Court of Appeal reaffirmed the acquittal of now-deceased corporal Jenain Subi:

“The courts’ support for trigger-happy police does not make Malaysia any safer. In fact, it will make Malaysia a more dangerous place, because any person who flees from the police is now liable to be shot, and if he or she is wrongly killed, it is now open for the police to claim mistake or accidental death.”

To this day, nobody from the state security apparatus has explained the machete which was found in the car that Aminulrasyid Amzah had taken for a joyride, which resulted in his death.

S THAYAPARAN is commander (Rtd) of the Royal Malaysian Navy. Fīat jūstitia ruat cælum - “Let justice be done though the heavens fall.”

Accused of being a ‘den of spies’, Japan moves to strengthen counter-espionage

Accused of being a ‘den of spies’, Japan moves to strengthen counter-espionage



Japan acknowledged the need to strengthen counter-intelligence efforts amid reports of Russian espionage and technology procurement activities. — AFP pic

First Published: Monday, 13 Jul 2026 3:45 PM MYT


TOKYO, July 13 — Japan said today that it recognised the need to counter foreign intelligence better after the New York Times reported that Russia had turned the country into a “den of spies” and key source of weapons components.

The NYT, in an investigation published yesterday, reported that thanks to “weak espionage laws”, Moscow was using Japan as a key hub for intelligence gathering and procurement of dual-use technology needed for its war in Ukraine.


“We recognise that in a rapidly changing security environment there is a growing need to counter foreign intelligence activities — such as the acquisition of critical information — that threaten Japan’s national security,” chief government spokesman Minoru Kihara said today.

Declining to comment directly on the US newspaper’s report, Kihara told reporters that Tokyo “must address this issue with even greater rigour”.

The report cited Ukrainian government estimates that 90 per cent of Russian missiles and drones contain Japanese components.


It said that Russia’s operations in Japan were being run by Maksim Vladimirovich Filchenkov, a Russian intelligence operative working under cover at the Tokyo office of Russian airline Aeroflot.

Because direct exports to Russia are restricted, procurement networks use intermediary companies and third countries like Vietnam, Uzbekistan and Sri Lanka to move components into Russia, the NYT added.


Kihara added that Japan’s parliament this year approved legislation paving the way for the creation of a new national body to coordinate its fragmented intelligence activities. — AFP

JOHOR POLLS WIPEOUT (DWI BAHASA, ENGLISH AND MALAY)

 

OutSyed The Box

Sunday, July 12, 2026

JOHOR POLLS WIPEOUT (DWI BAHASA, ENGLISH AND MALAY)

Mula sekali terima kasih dan tahniah kepada pengundi Johor yang telah tendang keluar penipu dan otak lembu Pakatan Harapan. 

Lets analyse the results. Lets do the easy ones first. In 2022 the PH won only 11 seats in Johor. DAP won 10 and PKR won 1 seat. Yesterday the PH was wiped out - the DAP won only 6 seats and PKR kept its single seat. (Did Amanah win 1 seat?).

I see a split in the vote. UMNO won big - they won 36 out of the 37 State seats they contested or 97% because of local Johor sentiment.  I dont think UMNO can repeat this outside Johor.  Lets see what happens in Negeri Sembilan. 

The PH on the other hand got wiped out because of national sentiment.  People do not like them for all their rubbish and bullshit in Putrajaya. The same sentiment that got them kicked out in Sabah.

PKR - PKR contested 20 seats but only won 1 seat. Or 5% of the grade. Total failure. This party is now officially dead. All the good people including Wan Azizah Wan Ismail have left the scene. Only the idiots remain.

DAP - DAP got kicked out 8-0 in Sabah. Complete shutout. Before that the PH got their asses kicked in the SIX state elections. Now they got kicked out again in Johor. They contested 16 seats and won only 6 seats or 35% of the marks. That is a FAIL grade - below 50%. This is the THIRD TIME they got kicked out. Believe me the PH are going to get kicked out in the General Elections. 

This is the SECOND TIME the DAP has screwed up. They made it into the Federal gomen in 2018. But they screwed up big time. Then they got their second chance in 2022. Tell me, how many political parties get a second chance in under FOUR years to form the Federal gomen? But they have screwed up again. I must say the Chinese politicians and their supporters are only good at talking big. And of course helping the property developers. Developers Action Party or DAP. As a political movement to move an entire society forward they fail. To put it mildly these folks are quite stupid.  There is no need to say much else about this bunch of idiots. 

PARTY              WON VS CONTESTED             %

UMNO                       36 of 37                            97%

MCA                            8 of 15                            53%

MIC                              4 of 4                             100%

PKR                             1 of 20                            5%

DAP                             6 of 17                            35%

PAS                              0 of 11

BERSATU                    0 of 16

BERSAMA                   0 of 15

MUDA                          0 of 4

Notes:   BN fielded 37 UMNO, 15 MCA and 4 MIC candidates, covering all 56 seats.
PH allocated its seats as 20 PKR, 19 Amanah and 17 DAP.
PN's allocation was 22 Bersatu and 12 PAS.
PAS, Bersatu and Bersama failed to win any seats.

Bersatu got totally wiped out. They contested 16 seats and lost all. This is the result of Bersatu splitting and throwing out Hamzah Zainuddin from the party. Hamzah has substantial support and ability. It was a mistake for Bersatu to have thrown him out. Tan Sri Muhyiddin should just quit from leading the party but its too late now. There is no one capable to take over the party. Plus in Malaysia party leaders simply do not quit their party posts even when they get kicked out by the voters. (Except for Najib in 2018).

Bersama - Rafizi Ramli's first outing in Johor was a disaster. They contested 15 seats and won 0. Rafizi does not fully understand the right 'formuler'.  Rafizi's economic ideas (that nasi lemak machine, his retail business program) are nightmares. The guy does not quite understand business or economics. In Johor they fielded candidates who 'applied for the job'  online. This was a first - and disastrous. 

Here is the formuler : the party must develop a solid national agenda. That shall be its national identity. All Malaysians should be made aware of the party's national agenda. Even in State elections. But down at the State level, you always pick candidates from the State level. They must know the local terrain and the local people must know them. You cannot pick candidates from Online applications. 

But what is Bersama's national agenda? Well even if they have one - they got kicked out 15 - 0. And please stop talking big. Tak ada apa pun cakap besar pasal apa? Friday podcasts for three hours?? Even the unemployed jobless guys do not have three hours to listen to you lah. Formuler tak betul. Where is your agenda for the people?  Abolish the tolls, abolish the Sedition Act, abolish the APs, get rid of the gila babi import duties and taxes on motor vehicles. Liberalise the banking industry fully. 100%. Abolish that rice import monopoly. Abolish all monopolies and oligopolies. Can or cannot? Please answer yes or no.

Muda - They won one seat. Youth does not sell well. In the United States of America the most liberal and perhaps most egalitarian society in the world it is rare for youth to get elected. Even in super liberal California, even the youngest voters respect experience, achievement and solid platforms. This means older candidates. Generally a 50 or even 60 year old with a good track record, experience and knowledge stands a better chance than a novice 25 year old. There are exceptions but maturity and experience are extremely important. In Malaysia the age factor in candidates is even more important. The voters want to see experienced and generally older candidates. If they are well educated all the better. It is difficult to go against this trend.

PAS : PAS bertanding 11 kerusi dan kalah semua. Kepada sahabat di PAS,  sila ambil maklum. Semua orang sudah tahu cara nak sembahyang lima waktu, cara nak ambil air sembahyang, cara naik haji. Pada zaman sekarang anak-anak kita berumur 17 tahun boleh tahu hukum-hakam naik haji secara detail. Ramai pula pernah berkursus mengurus jenazah sekali. 

PAS mula ditubuhkan pada 1951 dulu (apabila keluar dari UMNO). 

23 August 1951 – Persatuan Ulama Se-Malaya 

24 November 1951 – Persatuan Islam Se-Malaya (PAS). 

1972 - Parti Islam Se-Malaysia (PAS).

Zaman itu masjid sikit saja, sekolah agama, kolej dan universiti Islam tak ada atau paling sikit. TV Hijrah tak ada. Di sekolah kebangsaan pun tak ada kelas agama. Jadi bila PAS mula perjuangkan agama pada tahun 1950an maka ada juga orang kampong tertarik. PAS jadi parti orang kampong. Ini bukan sindiran tapi realiti yang mempunyai kesan yang sangat besar yang PAS harus faham.  

Sekarang keadaan sudah berubah. Hari ini pula setiap anak Melayu pelajari pendidikan agama mula dari tadika sampai ke universiti. Pengajian agama di peringkat sekolah menengah saja (SPM) sudah hampiri diploma di negara lain.  Sekarang agama sudah menjadi industri skala besar. Agama sudah jadi bisnes.  Artis jual agama (lagu dan musik). Perbankan Islam jual agama. Sijil halal, makanan halal semua adalah bisnes yang lumayan. Ustaz glamour kaya melalui podcast, YouTube, ceramah agama dsbnya. Ustaz kepala umrah, rombongan haji semuanya kaya. Lepas tu gerombolan Salafi (dulu Wahabi) bertembung dengan golongan Asam Jawa. Hari-hari makin gaduh.  

Maksudnya agama sudah tidak lagi exclusive kepada perjuangan PAS. Dari stesen bas sampai ke stesen angkasa lepas (angkasawan Malaysia) orang Melayu boleh jumpa agama.  And then kampong pula makin kurang penghuninya.  Ramai generasi muda sudah berhijrah ke kawasan bandar.  Lebih 70% penduduk negara kita sekarang dianggap urban population. Orang bandar. Orang bandar menghadapi masalah yang berbeza daripada orang kampong. Peluang pekerjaan, sekolah yang elok, perumahan yang mampu dibeli atau di sewa, kos sara hidup yang tinggi, harga minyak, kualiti hospital (dibiayai dengan dana awam), sistem pengangkutan, harga kereta mahal, bayaran tol dan pelbagai lagi cabaran hidup di bandar. 

Jadi dalam realiti seperti ini di mana pula peranan PAS untuk membantu masyarakat kita? Hudud dah tak ada dah. Itu bagus. RUU355 pun entah ke mana. Bagus juga.  Lepas itu pengundi Islam di seluruh negara kurang daripada 60%. Baki penduduk negara adalah bukan Islam. Cina, India, Dayak, Dusun itu berbelas juta orang. Takkan PAS tidak mahu berurusan dengan bukan Islam? Atau tidak tahu? Ahli Parlimen itu wakil rakyat. Bukan wakil agama. 

Jadi apa pula perjuangan PAS pada abad ke 21 ini? Ini adalah tahun 2026. Bukan 1951. Semua orang sudah tahu sembahyang. Bebudak umur 17 tahun pun boleh belajar urus jenazah. Orang Melayu dah tak heran dengan perjuangan PAS. PAS perlu overhaul dengan serius.

EU weighs trade ban Israeli settlements amid mounting pressure

EU weighs trade ban Israeli settlements amid mounting pressure



EU foreign ministers discussed banning imports from Israeli settlements amid concern over the worsening situation in the occupied West Bank. — AFP pic

First Published: Monday, 13 Jul 2026 3:36 PM MYT


BRUSSELS, July 13 — EU foreign ministers today discussed imposing an import ban on products from Israeli settlements, after pressure from a raft of member states.

“Everybody agrees that the situation in the West Bank is really intolerable,” EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said at the start of a meeting in Brussels.

“What is happening in the West Bank is actually making it more and more impossible that the two-state solution ever can come into effect.”

Several EU countries — including Ireland, the Netherlands, and Spain — have already imposed their own trade restrictions on Israeli settlements in the occupied Palestinian territories, considered illegal under international law.


Under pressure for the EU as a whole to take measures, the bloc’s executive last week laid out options to curb trade with settlements, including a ban.


“There have been a lot of asks and requests from the member states regarding the ban of the trade with illegal settlements,” Kallas said.

“Let’s see if these options that have been provided now will have a stronger push from member states.”


Diplomats said the debate at a meeting in Brussels today was not expected to yield any concrete decisions, but would help to sound out if there is enough support to move forward.

The slow pace of the discussion has angered countries keen to curb trade — with some diplomats accusing the European Commission of dragging its feet.

Belgium’s foreign minister Maxime Prevot said the options laid out appeared to be more “a bone to gnaw on than a genuine desire to move forward.”

“We are calling for concrete proposals,” he said.

There is disagreement in Brussels as to whether that move would need backing from all 27 member states or just a weighted majority.

Diplomats say that key players Germany and Italy are still undecided on the move.

Israel has occupied the West Bank since 1967. More than 500,000 Israeli settlers live in the territory, excluding east Jerusalem, among some three million Palestinians.

The UN chief Antonio Guterres has condemned the “relentless” expansion of Israeli settlements in the West Bank, saying in a report seen by AFP last month that they are contributing to the territory’s worst displacement crisis since 1967.

The EU has long been hampered by divisions over its approach towards Israel, with some members staunchly backing the country and others supporting the Palestinians. — AFP

‘Cheerful, sociable, active, loving’: In inquest, psychologist says Zara Qairina’s profile challenges suicide theory

‘Cheerful, sociable, active, loving’: In inquest, psychologist says Zara Qairina’s profile challenges suicide theory



Zara Qairina Mahathir, 13, died on July 17, 2025 at Queen Elizabeth Hospital, where she had been admitted a day earlier after being found unconscious near a drain at her school hostel in Papar at 4am. — Daily Express pic

First Published: Monday, 13 Jul 2026 3:22 PM MYT


KOTA KINABALU, July 13 — The Coroner’s Court here was told today that Zara Qairina Mahathir did not consistently show signs of severe depression, social withdrawal, hopelessness or suicidal intent before her death.

Child Psychologist Dr Noor Aishah Rosli, 51, who is also a registered counsellor, said the finding was based on an overall assessment of Zara Qairina’s development from birth until she was 13.

Drawing from data analysed for her psychological autopsy report, Dr Noor Aishah, who has about 18 years of experience in clinical child psychology, said there was no clear history of suicide attempts by the teenager before she was found unconscious at her hostel last year.

“In the context of psychological theories related to suicide risk, including the interpersonal model, the assessment must consider whether there is a sense of not being accepted, a feeling of being a burden, the capability to inflict serious self-harm, as well as a combination of acute factors that converge to create risk.

“In Zara’s case, the available data does not strongly indicate that all of these elements were consistently and dominantly present before the incident,” she said while reading her witness statement before Coroner Amir Shah Amir Hassan during the inquest into the teenager’s death.

The 76th witness said the psychological autopsy approach was used to prepare Zara Qairina’s profile, which involved a retrospective forensic psychology assessment of her mental, emotional, social, behavioural, interpersonal and environmental state before her death.

Dr Noor Aishah said the assessment was carried out to determine whether there was psychological evidence suggesting the teenager had the inclination, intent or mental state consistent with taking her own life.


“I also evaluated whether there were psychological, social, family, school environment, peer relationship, hostel experience, personal writings, phone communications and witness information factors that could help the Court understand the full context of Zara’s life before the incident,” she said.

She said the assessment included materials such as photographs, videos, diaries, personal notes, school documents, psychological or psychiatric reports, handwriting analysis reports, forensic document reports, as well as transcripts of phone conversations between Zara Qairina and her mother, Noraidah Lamat.

Dr Noor Aishah said interviews were also conducted with individuals who had direct knowledge of or close relationships with Zara Qairina, including her mother, family members, caregivers, neighbours, school friends, teachers and wardens.

She added that a psychological profile of Noraidah was also developed as she was the person closest to Zara Qairina throughout her life and had deep knowledge of the teenager’s development, interests, routines and experiences.

Dr Noor Aishah said the available data suggested the need to examine external, situational and interpersonal factors in Zara Qairina’s school and hostel environment rather than reaching a conclusion that her death was solely due to family conflict or internal psychological struggles.

She also said Zara Qairina’s relationship with her mother should not be viewed in isolation as the main factor, describing their relationship as one largely marked by attachment, affection, emotional support and open communication.

“In my assessment, it would be inaccurate to draw psychological conclusions based on a single category of material, such as specific writings, without integrating the full range of developmental data, interviews, call transcripts, witness observations, school and family history, protective factors and situational elements close to the time of the incident.

“My professional conclusion is that Zara’s overall psychological profile paints the picture of a cheerful, sociable, active, loving, generous, and motivated child and young adolescent, one with aspirations and a close bond with her mother.

“Although Zara displayed social sensitivity and faced typical adolescent challenges, such as peer conflicts, friendship jealousy, hostel pressures, and some situational maladaptive behaviours, these factors alone are insufficient to support the conclusion that she had a stable or planned intent to take her own life,” she said.

Zara Qairina, 13, died on July 17 at Queen Elizabeth Hospital, where she had been admitted a day earlier after being found unconscious near a drain at her school hostel in Papar at 4am.

The Attorney-General’s Chambers ordered her remains to be exhumed for a post-mortem on Aug 8 before announcing a formal inquest into her death on Aug 13.

The proceedings before Coroner Amir Shah Amir Hassan will resume this afternoon. — Bernama

PAS accepts Umno lead, declaring Malay‑Muslim leadership must drive Negeri Sembilan government

PAS accepts Umno lead, declaring Malay‑Muslim leadership must drive Negeri Sembilan government



PAS is prepared to accept an Umno candidate as Negeri Sembilan menteri besar if cooperation between the two parties can be finalised, its president Tan Sri Abdul Hadi Awang said. — Picture via Facebook/Abdul Hadi Awang

First Published: Monday, 13 Jul 2026 9:21 AM MYT


SEREMBAN, July 13 — PAS is prepared to accept an Umno candidate as Negeri Sembilan menteri besar if cooperation between the two parties can be finalised, its president Tan Sri Abdul Hadi Awang said.

He noted that talks on seat allocations for the upcoming Negeri Sembilan state election were ongoing and described them as “very positive”, Berita Harian (BH) reported.

“Yes, we are working on cooperation with Umno and Barisan Nasional. The discussions have been very positive. We accept the reality that Negeri Sembilan is dominated by Umno. They will lead,” he told reporters after attending the PAS Negeri Sembilan Grand Dinner in Paroi last night.

Abdul Hadi said discussions included Umno retaining its 14 seats, while PAS would keep its three. Two seats previously held by Bersatu would be decided between PAS and Umno.

“As for the 17 seats currently held by Pakatan Harapan, these will be distributed among the cooperating parties — Umno, PAS, MCA, MIC and Gerakan — according to what is appropriate. So far, negotiations are going well without any problems. What matters is that Malays and Muslims must lead Negeri Sembilan, as in Johor,” he was quoted as saying.

According to BH, the Marang MP added that PAS had yet to decide whether to use the Perikatan Nasional logo or its own symbol in the state election.

“We are still discussing and reviewing. The final decision will be announced before nomination day, on Thursday night,” he said.

Malaysia renews call to abolish UNSC veto, says abuse undermines global peace and credibility

Malaysia renews call to abolish UNSC veto, says abuse undermines global peace and credibility



Deputy Foreign Minister Datuk Lukanisman Awang Sauni said the abuse of veto power by the world’s major powers had undermined the credibility of the UNSC. — Bernama pic

First Published: Monday, 13 Jul 2026 11:04 AM MYT


KUALA LUMPUR, July 13 — Malaysia has reiterated its longstanding position that the veto power held by the five permanent members of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) is unjust and should ultimately be abolished, while reaffirming its commitment to championing reforms of the UN system.

Deputy Foreign Minister Datuk Lukanisman Awang Sauni said the abuse of veto power by the world’s major powers had undermined the credibility of the UNSC and prevented it from effectively carrying out its core responsibility to maintain international peace and security.

“Malaysia has consistently supported and called for comprehensive reform of the UNSC, including changes to the veto system. Malaysia’s position is clear, the veto power is unfair and should be abolished.

“At the very least, while the veto remains, it should not be permitted in cases involving serious violations of international law, including war crimes, genocide, crimes against humanity, and the deliberate destruction of civilian infrastructure, such as those witnessed in Gaza,” he told the Dewan Rakyat today.

He was responding to a question from Pekan MP Datuk Seri Sh Mohamed Puzi Sh Ali on Malaysia’s stance regarding the imbalance created by veto power and the country’s strategic approach to advancing UN reform.

He then said Malaysia had supported efforts to improve the transparency and accountability of the Security Council, including backing United Nations General Assembly Resolution 76/262, adopted in 2022.

He explained that the resolution requires the UN General Assembly to convene automatically within 10 working days whenever a permanent member exercises its veto, with the country concerned required to explain its decision.


“This mechanism has already been implemented. For example, an Emergency Special Session of the UN General Assembly was convened on April 16, 2026 following the use of vetoes by China and Russia in the Security Council on April 7, 2026 regarding a resolution on the situation in Iran and the Strait of Hormuz,” he said.

Beyond veto reform, he said Malaysia also supported expanding both permanent and non-permanent membership of the Security Council to ensure fairer regional representation.

Lukanisman noted that Malaysia had formally submitted its candidature to serve another term as a non-permanent member of the Security Council for the 2036–2037 term.

He further stated that Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan would reiterate Malaysia’s position on Security Council reform and broader issues of international peace and security during the 81st United Nations General Assembly General Debate in New York this September.

Zahid downplays Nga’s resignation vow, says Unity Government strong and ‘he’s my friend’

Zahid downplays Nga’s resignation vow, says Unity Government strong and ‘he’s my friend’



Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi today played down remarks by Housing and Local Government Minister Nga Kor Ming, who had pledged to resign if Barisan Nasional (BN) scored a major victory in Johor and former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak were freed. — Bernama pic

First Published: Monday, 13 Jul 2026 4:09 PM MYT


KUALA LUMPUR, July 13 — Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi today played down remarks by Housing and Local Government Minister Nga Kor Ming, who had pledged to resign if Barisan Nasional (BN) scored a major victory in Johor and former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak were freed.

“If we were in the opposition, perhaps such remarks could be considered fair. But since we’re in government together, there’s no need to raise such matters,” Zahid told Harian Metro (HM).

Zahid, who is also BN chairman, said the statement was inappropriate but not worth escalating.

“It’s all right, I’ll meet him — he’s my friend,” he was quoted as saying.

On ties within the federal administration following BN’s strong showing in Johor, Zahid stressed that relations in the Unity Government remained solid, HM reported.

He stressed that relations in the Unity Government were “very, very good” and professional, with ministers and deputies working as one team until the end of the term.

He added that the reality inside the Unity Government differed from public perception.

On BN’s strategy for the upcoming Negeri Sembilan state election, Zahid said the formula would be tailored to the state’s political landscape, with candidates to be announced later this week.

‘It’s not easy to be with me’: Syed Saddiq praises Bella, hints at marriage after acquittal

‘It’s not easy to be with me’: Syed Saddiq praises Bella, hints at marriage after acquittal



Former Muar MP Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman at the Palace of Justice July 13, 2026. — Picture by Sayuti Zainudin

First Published: Monday, 13 Jul 2026 12:04 PM MYT


PUTRAJAYA, July 13 — Former Muar MP Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman expressed a sigh of relief, shed tears with his parents, prayed and then alluded to wedding plans after the Federal Court threw out the prosecution’s appeal against his acquittal of his conviction and sentence over four charges involving alleged misuse of Angkatan Bersatu Anak Muda (Armada) funds.

Speaking to reporters at the lobby of the Palace of Justice, where hundreds of media personnel, well wishers and family members had gathered to listen to the verdict, Syed Saddiq was joined by actress singer Bella Astillah, who he had proposed to in March this year.

Bella visibly happy was quietly shedding tears on the side while Syed Saddiq spoke to the media. He alluded to wanting to take things to the next level with Bella but said he wouldn’t make the announcement in court.

“I want to thank my fiancée, it’s not easy to be with me as when we hooked up I was found guilty. However, I have the greenlight from the elders to proceed but to comment further I’ll do it out of court.

“I want to respect the courts and I don’t want this to be about me and my personal life I want it to be bigger than that,” he said.

He thanked the press for covering his case and said he hoped no one in the future, be it his enemy or friend, would go through what he went through.

“We can all have different political ideologies but those who love the country will always want the nation to grow and leave a better nation for future generations,” he added.


In regard to future political plans, he said: “It’s always been a part of me, from Muda, but in regards to future plans please give me a little bit of time. Today I want to spend a lot of time with my family and sort my own personal life. But the fire to help rebuild Malaysia will never end.”

This morning the Federal Court panel of three judges was split 2-1 in favour of the Court of Appeal’s decision to reverse the High Court’s verdict and acquitted the young politician of four charges consisting of abetting criminal breach of trust, misappropriation of party funds, and money laundering.

‘Jurassic Park’ star Sam Neill dies suddenly at 78 in Australia

‘Jurassic Park’ star Sam Neill dies suddenly at 78 in Australia



Actor Sam Neill takes part in the opening ceremony of the 67th San Sebastian Film Festival in the northern Spanish Basque city of San Sebastian on September 20, 2019. "Jurassic Park" star Sam Neill died in Australia on July 13, 2026 aged 78, according to a family statement that described his death as "sudden and unexpected". — AFP pic

First Published: Monday, 13 Jul 2026 2:28 PM MYT
Last Modified: Monday, 13 Jul 2026 3:05 PM MYT


SYDNEY, July 13 — Jurassic Park star Sam Neill died in Australia on Monday aged 78, his family said in a statement that described the beloved actor’s death as “sudden and unexpected”.

“Sam was surrounded by family and passed with the dignity that has characterised his whole life,” the statement said.

The New Zealander, who starred as Dr Alan Grant in the 1993 blockbuster Jurassic Park, revealed in a 2023 memoir he was “possibly dying” with stage-three non-Hodgkin lymphoma.

However, he declared this year that he was cancer-free thanks to a genetic therapy that modified his immune system.

The family statement said that Neill “remained cancer free”.


“The loss was sudden and unexpected but blessed by the fact that Sam remained cancer free,” it said.

His family said he was being treated at St Vincent’s Private Hospital in Sydney at the time.

Neill’s acting career began in the 1970s and spanned dozens of roles in TV and film, including Peaky Blinders, The Hunt for Red October and The Piano.

When he was not acting, Neill also ran vineyards in the picturesque Central Otago region of New Zealand’s South Island. — AFP

Selangor Sultan rides the LRT3 train, says Shah Alam Line should have been completed earlier, but delay had its ‘wisdom’

Selangor Sultan rides the LRT3 train, says Shah Alam Line should have been completed earlier, but delay had its ‘wisdom’



The Sultan of Selangor, Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah, and the Tengku Permaisuri of Selangor, Tengku Permaisuri Norashikin, ride the Shah Alam LRT3 line from Bandar Utama Station to Johan Setia Station on July 13, 2026. — Bernama pic

First Published: Monday, 13 Jul 2026 2:13 PM MYT


KLANG, July 13 — The Sultan of Selangor today said the Shah Alam LRT3 line should have been completed according to its original schedule, although His Royal Highness added that he believed there was “wisdom” behind the delay.

The remarks came in a statement from the Selangor Royal Office issued after Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah travelled on the newly opened line from Bandar Utama station in Petaling Jaya to Johan Setia station in Klang.

“It would have been preferable if the LRT3 line had been completed according to its original schedule, as I view the rail service as an essential public transport facility for the convenience of the people.”

Sultan Sharafuddin said he was nevertheless grateful the long-awaited rail line had finally become a reality, describing it as a project that would improve the quality of life, ease traffic congestion and provide a more efficient, comfortable and sustainable public transport system.

“I believe there was wisdom behind the delay.”

His Royal Highness also praised the patience of Selangor residents throughout the project's construction and said he looked forward to the completion of the five previously deferred stations — Tropicana, Temasya, Raja Muda, Bukit Raja and Bandar Botanik.

Sultan Sharafuddin also thanked Prasarana Malaysia Berhad, MRCB and everyone involved in delivering the project, noting that more than 13,000 people contributed to its construction over 10 years and nine months.


“While the stations, tracks and trains are the visible outcome of the project, its true success reflects the dedication, professionalism and commitment of more than 13,000 individuals who devoted their time and expertise throughout its construction.”

Sultan Sharafuddin also urged Prasarana to ensure the Shah Alam LRT3 line operates smoothly with minimal disruptions and called on the public to make full use of the service to encourage wider public transport use.