Chemor residents living in fear after tiger attacks on cattle

The Star:

Chemor residents living in fear after tiger attacks on cattle

Sunday, 07 Dec 20258:34 PM MYT

Nation 1d ago
Suspected tiger attack behind dead, missing cattle near Chemor, say...
Nation 17h ago
Fear of tiger grips residents of Perak town



IPOH: Residents of Bukit Bangkong, Chemor are concerned for their safety after reports of tiger attacks on livestock, resulting in two dead animals with another five missing.

Bukit Bangkong environmental beautification association chairman Lee Jun Man, 33, said the entire community was in shock and fear after hearing of the attacks.


"We were very surprised when the police informed us about the attacks on livestock in nearby fields as there had never been such attacks previously.

"People flock to Bukit Bangkong for recreation and in the past 30 years, we've never seen any tigers," he said.


He added some residents claimed of hearing roars several days before the attacks but there was no evidence to support it.

Previous investigations only found that the roars could have been from other animals but the recent attacks have changed their perception, Lee said.

He said he hoped authorities, especially the Wildlife and National Parks Department (Perhilitan), would take necessary action.

He also advised residents to avoid going into the fields alone during evenings and nights and to immediately report any signs of wildlife presence to authorities.

Meanwhile, Abdul Rahman Sahul Hamid, 41, said he only realised that his livestock had been attacked when he went to his cattle pens for a routine check on Saturday evening.

He said noticed that his cattle were scared and tried to get away from him, which was odd as they would normally approach him.

He then noticed that seven cows were missing.

"After looking around, I found a dead cow with claw marks on its body and neck.

"I found another dead cow with signs of injuries about 200m from the pen and lodged a police report," he said, adding this was the first attack by a tiger since he started rearing cattle eight years ago.

"I hope the authorities will take action immediately. I'm afraid now and have taken over 30 heads of cattle away from here," Abdul Rahman said.

An inspection conducted by the police and Perhilitan on Sunday found new tiger tracks at several locations around the area.

Perhilitan also checked camera traps set up and inspected the site of the attacks. – Bernama

MACC denies Rafizi's allegations it was used to probe PKR polls candidates

The Star:

MACC denies Rafizi's allegations it was used to probe PKR polls candidates

Sunday, 07 Dec 202510:20 PM MYT



PETALING JAYA: The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) has denied allegations that it was used to investigate candidates contesting in the PKR polls.

It said that the allegation, made by Datuk Seri Rafizi Ramli in a recent podcast, were without basis and untrue.


MACC said that investigations are only carried out based on complaints or information received.

"Every complaint with merit will undergo verification and the investigation is conducted according to the law and established procedures," it said in a statement on Sunday (Dec 7).


The MACC also said that claims that its officers "surrounded the house" of certain individuals were inaccurate.

"In the case, officers went to the house to conduct a search and obtain evidence.

"It is common to have an element of surprise to avoid the risk of evidence being disposed of," said the MACC, adding that after confirming that the individual concerned was not at home, the officers left.

It added that the individual in question came to the MACC office to record his statement the next day and he was not detained.

MACC said any party who is dissatisfied with its actions could submit a complaint through official channels such as the police or the MACC Complaints Committee.

"This is a legitimate and transparent mechanism to assess allegations of misconduct.

"The MACC also calls on all parties not to make unfounded accusations on social media as it can undermine public confidence in the country's enforcement institutions," it said.

Related stories:

Rafizi alleges MACC detained PKR members not aligned to top leadership in lead-up to party polls

Denmark Cuts Ukraine Aid Nearly In Half Amid Corruption Scandal

Denmark Cuts Ukraine Aid Nearly In Half Amid Corruption Scandal

by Tyler Durden
Monday, Dec 08, 2025 - 03:05 AM


Denmark plans to scale back its military assistance to Ukraine next year, and the amount cut is being widely reported as a huge amount - up to almost half of what's it's been since 2022.

According to Danish Broadcasting Corporation, the tiny northern European country has long stood out for its exceptionally high contributions that it made earlier in the conflict, but now the Danish government wants other countries should shoulder more of the burden.

Via Reuters


The country's Defense Minister Troels Lund Poulsen has informed parliament that the government intends to allocate 9.4 billion kroner (around $1.5 billion) in aid to Ukraine in 2026.

This marks a decrease from the 16.5 billion kroner (about $2.6 billion) provided this year and the nearly 19 billion kroner (roughly $3 billion) distributed the prior year.

Danish media has described that this is partly the result dwindling resources in the Ukraine Fund, which is a dedicated pool established in 2023 with broad political support among European allies.

In total, since the start of the war in early 2022 Denmark has provided a whopping nearly $11 billion in military aid to Kiev. It has also provided F-16 jets and hosted fighter pilot training programs for Ukrainians.

Simon Kollerup, a member of the Denmark's Defense Committee, has stated that "it is natural that we are seeing a stabilization of the level of support being provided".

"We decided to be one of the countries that took the lead at the beginning of the war by providing large-scale support. I also think it is fair to say that this support somewhat exceeds what is actually dictated by the size of our country. Therefore, I find it quite natural that the support is decreasing," Kollerup added.

This comes at a time that Washington is also withdrawing much of its outsized support to Ukraine, with Trump's preferred scheme being to sell weapons to Europe, which will in turn sell or transfer them to Kiev.

The timing of Denmark's announced major reduction in aid also comes as the Zelensky government is mired in a corruption scandal which goes straight to the presidential office itself (with top aides having been dismissed and investigated), so perhaps some EU countries are finally wising up, and no longer wish to act in a blank check manner.

Even the NY Times has just acknowledged in a report that "President Volodymyr Zelensky's administration has stacked boards with loyalists, left seats empty, or stalled them from being set up at all. Leaders in Kiev even rewrote company charters to limit oversight, keeping the government in control and allowing hundreds of millions of dollars to be spent without outsiders poking around."

Military Watch:

Chinese J-15 Fighter Locks Onto Japanese F-15 During Carrier Operations: Which Would Have an Advantage in Combat?

Asia-Pacific , Aircraft and Anti-Aircraft

Military Watch Magazine Editorial Staff

December-7th-2025

---

Japan Air Self Defense Force F-15J

A Chinese People’s Liberation Army Navy J-15 carrier based fighter operating from the aircraft carrier Liaoning formed a radar lock on a Japanese F-15 fighter over international waters southeast of Okinawa Island on December 6. Japanese Defence Minister Shinjiro Koizumi quickly confirmed the incident, with the Japanese government issuing a protest through diplomatic and defence channels. This was the first time Japan publicly disclosed an incident in which a Chinese military aircraft directed its radar at a Japanese aircraft. The incident follows a significant rise in tensions between Tokyo and Beijing, after Japan’s new prime minister, Sanae Takaichi, threatened to intervene militarily in the ongoing conflict between the People’s Republic of China on the Chinese mainland, and the Republic of China based on Taiwan, which have for decades remained in a state of civil war. 

J-15B Fighters and J-15D Electronic Attack Jets on Chinese Carrier Liaoning

The Liaoning is one of three aircraft carries currently in service in the People’s Liberation Army Navy, and was confirmed to be sailing near Kubashima Island, west of Okinawa, on December 5. The following day the aircraft carrier passed between Okinawa and Miyakojima Island along with three destroyers, before proceeding into the Pacific Ocean. The Liaoning and its sister ship the Shandong were revealed in November 2024 to have significantly improved the capabilities of their air wings with the integration of new J-15B ‘4+ generation’ fighters and supporting J-15D electronic attack jets. The J-15B is far superior to the baseline J-15s that first joined the fleet in the early 2010s, with improvements including higher use of more advanced composite materials for a lighter and more durable airframe, use of a more advanced AESA radar, and integration of advanced stealth coatings, and use of some of the world's most sophisticated avionics and electronic warfare systems.

While the J-15B a close contender for the title of the world’s most capable pre-fifth generation fighter class, the F-15J by contrast is one of the oldest fourth generation fighter types still in service anywhere in the world. The fighters first entered service in 1981, and were based closely a design that first joined the U.S. Air Force six years prior in 1975. The Japanese fleet still largely relies on AIM-7 air-to-air missiles for beyond visual range combat, which are considered close to three decades beyond the Chinese PL-15 and PL-16 that equip the J-15B in their sophistication. The Japanese aircraft not only carry much smaller radars, but these rely on mechanically scanned arrays that have long since been considered obsolete, and are relatively straightforward to jam for modern electronic warfare suites.

J-15, J-15B and J-15D Fighters Operating From the Carriers Liaoning and Shandong

The outcome of a clash between Chinese J-15B and Japanese F-15J fighters over the Pacific would be highly one sided, although Japan could potentially seek to counterbalance Chinese advantages by deploying E-767 Airborne Warning and Control Systems to bridge the discrepancy in situations awareness. Although China’s new aircraft carrier the Fujian deploys KJ-600 Airborne Warning and Control Systems, the air wing of the Liaoning does not. Nevertheless, the age of the E-767, which uses a radar from the 1980s, seriously limits the degree of support it can provide, particularly compared to modern systems such as the E-7 and Chinese KJ-500. The system is expected to be relatively straightforward to evade should the Chinese fighters be deployed with support from J-15D electronic attack jets, which were developed specifically to conceal fighter units from radar detection in much the same way as the latest variants of the U.S. Navy E/A-18G. 

MCA president flags risk to thousands of students as TAR UMT tax-exempt status lapses

MCA president Datuk Seri Wee Ka Siong is concerned about the future of TAR UMT, as its tax-exempt status is set to expire on December 31, and the Inland Revenue Board (IRB) has not yet granted an extension. - Scoop file pic, December 7, 2025
NEWS

MCA president flags risk to thousands of students as TAR UMT tax-exempt status lapses


Datuk Seri Wee Ka Siong raises concerns over the potential impact on students if the tax exemption for TAR UMT and UTAR is not extended



Sandru Narayanan
Updated 3 hours ago
7 December, 2025
9:00 PM MYT

KUALA LUMPUR – MCA president Datuk Seri Wee Ka Siong has expressed concern over the impending expiry of Tunku Abdul Rahman University of Management and Technology’s (TAR UMT) tax-exempt status on December 31, warning that the Inland Revenue Board (IRB) has yet to approve an extension.

Wee Ka Siong said the delay could have serious consequences for thousands of students if the university is required to pay tax.

“Are we to suffer the same fate?” he asked, alluding to similar tax uncertainties faced by other institutions.

He noted that when the issue first arose last year, he immediately appealed to Prime Minister and Finance Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim to intervene.

However, despite the Prime Minister’s announcement of a solution, the matter remains unresolved after 14 months.

Wee Ka Siong cautioned that if both TAR UMT and Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman (UTAR) were to lose their tax-exempt status, they could face taxes of up to RM20 million annually.

“Based on a cost per student of RM8,000 per year, this would impact the education of up to 5,000 students. This would undoubtedly cause significant harm to our community’s education,” he said.

He stressed that such a situation never occurred during the Barisan Nasional (BN) administration.

“Under BN, both universities were granted permanent tax-exempt status—a commitment that endured for decades. Our universities’ permanent tax-exempt status was a contract with the government over 50 years ago, and we have operated on the basis of that agreement ever since.

“BN’s six decades in government never breached this. Today’s government has overturned that decision. How can we accept this?” he added during his address at the MCA 30th Central Delegates’ 3rd General Assembly today.

Wee Ka Siong also highlighted that scholarships and bursaries at the two universities are awarded strictly on merit and financial need, benefiting students of all races.

He noted that the combined annual intake of Chinese students alone at these universities exceeds the total number admitted by more than 20 public universities.

“Over the decades, these two institutions have educated more than 400,000 graduates for the nation.

“We have never asked the government for any gesture of appreciation; we only seek tax-exempt status and policy support so that they can continue nurturing professionals who will give back to society, ultimately benefiting the government, the nation, and all citizens.

“Prime Minister, should these two universities be treated this way?” Wee Ka Siong asked. – December 7, 2025

Teacher Accused of Sending Intimate Messages to 15-Year-Old Student; Education Dept Removes Him Pending Probe

Teacher Accused of Sending Intimate Messages to 15-Year-Old Student; Education Dept Removes Him Pending Probe


7 Dec 2025 • 12:00 PM MYT


Kamran
A freelance content creator

WOB


A Kedah teacher has come under intense scrutiny after private conversations between him and a 15-year-old student surfaced online, raising allegations of grooming and inappropriate conduct. The leaked chats, which circulated widely, revealed late-night exchanges in which the teacher appeared to express romantic interest and behaved in a manner considered unbefitting of an educator entrusted with safeguarding minors.


The messages suggested the teacher had grown increasingly intimate in his tone toward the student, sending affectionate remarks and implying emotional closeness. He was seen expressing willingness to entertain her at any time and hinting at a deeper relationship. At one point, he encouraged her to seek him out in his room if she felt bored and even hinted at wanting physical affection, telling her he needed warmth and comfort.


The student, however, later admitted that she had only played along out of fear. She reportedly clarified that she had no genuine feelings for the teacher and had gone along with his words because she worried about potential consequences if she rejected him. She eventually gathered the courage to state that she wanted no relationship beyond that of student and teacher and feared he might harm her if she resisted.


The teacher responded by insisting he had no harmful intentions, yet the content of the conversation raised serious concerns within the community.


Following the public outcry, the Kedah Education Department announced that the teacher had been immediately removed from the school pending a full investigation. Another teacher in the same state was also removed in a separate case after allegations surfaced that he made inappropriate requests to a 17-year-old student, including asking her to assist with personal attire.


Authorities confirmed that police reports have been lodged against both educators. The Education Department stated that both teachers had been reassigned away from any educational institution under the ministry until investigations conclude, stressing that student safety and public trust remain top priorities.


The incidents have reignited discussions about misconduct within schools and the vulnerability of students when authority figures misuse their positions. Concerns have also been raised about the need for stronger reporting channels, digital safety awareness, and preventive measures to ensure minors feel safe in academic environments.


As investigations proceed, parents and community groups continue to call for firm action and systemic safeguards to prevent similar cases from emerging in the future.

Do Religious Institutions Attract Sexual Predators?

OPINION | Do Religious Institutions Attract Sexual Predators?


7 Dec 2025 • 4:00 PM MYT


TheRealNehruism
An award-winning Newswav creator, Bebas News columnist & ex-FMT columnist

Image credit: Malay Mail


I was reading earlier an article by Newswav’s own creator Fa Abdul about why there are so many religious men that are sexual predators, and it reminded me of something that I saw in a Joe Rogan video once.


In the Joe Rogan video, Joe observed that when he walked into Vatican City and looked at the entire art that was richly displayed there, he couldn’t help but conclude that everything that he was seeing was basically the treasure trove of a paedophile cult.


This sounded bizarre when I first heard it – but then when I reflected on the pictures and sculptures that you see in Vatican City – of naked depictions of childlike angels or sculptures of nude youths – and it occured to me that Joe might have a point.


After all, that pedophilia was rampant in the Church is also a matter of open secret.


A report published in 2015 by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada found physical and sexual abuse was rampant at the schools run by the Catholic Church.


Child abuse scandals have been exposed in Catholic churches around the world in recent decades. The film Spotlight, which focused on a team of reporters and editors at the Boston Globe who relentlessly investigated a shocking child molestation cover-up by the Catholic Church, won the Best Picture Oscar in 2016.


Even former Philippine president Duterte claimed that he, as well as his classmates, were regularly sexually abused in school by a priest.


In other words, like Fa Abdul, Joe Rogan was also seeing the correlation between religious men in religious institutions and sexually predatorial behavior.


Fa Abdul might be observing the phenomenon in Islamic institutions and religious men – tahfiz schools, ustaz, preachers and penceramah bebas – while Joe Rogan might be observing it in clerics and priests in the Catholic institutions – but the similarity between their two observations is uncanny - that that there is an unmistakable correlation between men who dedicate themselves to religion and sexual abuse, especially involving children, or pedophilia.


Now why is this the case, I wonder?


Is it true that the more religious or philosophical you get, the more perverted you become in terms of your sexuality or sexual preference?


Somehow, I certainly doubt it – in my experience, an increase in religious or philosophical interest will actually attenuate your appetite for the world – which not only includes your sexual appetite, but appetite of all sorts, including that for food, drinks, company, merry making, pleasures, relationships, money, power, status, authority and everything else that generally occupies the interest of a non-philosophical or non-religious person.


I think this view of mine will even be self-evident in your own experience.


If you reflect on your own appetites before and after you became more religiously or philosophically inclined, I truly feel that to the extent that you have become more philosophical or religious, to that extent you might find a drop in your appetite for the world.


As a matter of fact, I would go so far as to argue that the first step into philosophy or religion is likely a sense of disenchantment towards what the world can offer – as long as you think that you can satisfy your heart and mind with what the world has to offer, you will likely not be much interested in philosophy or religion. It is when you find that the world – despite of all of its wine and pleasures and gold – is somehow unsatisfying, that you will likely start developing an interest in philosophy and religion.


That being the case, I am much more inclined to believe that it is not religion or philosophy that inclines a person towards sexually predatorial behaviour, but that it is a sexual predator that might be attracted to a religious institution.


Why?


Well, I think one reason is that a sexual predator might find satisfying their desires in the world at large to be a dangerous affair – if you are a paedophile for example, and you try to satisfy your desires in the world at large, you might find yourself condemned, punished or ostracized.


If you become a member of a religious institution, however, you might be more insulated from danger, because as a rule, people, especially in the conservative world, tend to see religious figures as authoritative figures – and accept whatever they do without question.


In other words, if you belong in the conservative world, you will likely entrust your child blindly to a school run by a religious institution, because you will completely trust that they will do right by your child. If you are a child in the conservative world, you will likely not deem that anything wrong has happened to you, even if you are sexually abused in your school by a religious figure, because you might be conditioned to believe that everything that you receive from a religious figure is a positive experience, or that if you find your experience with a religious figure to be negative, it is likely you that is at fault.


Even someone who came from such a prominent family as former Philippines President Duterte would say that he did not report the incident of his sexual abuse under the hands of a priest named Father Paul Falvey at some point during the 1950s, because he “ was young then and I was afraid of what will happen.”


As to why religious institutions like missionary or tahfiz schools accept sexual predators or pedophiles into their fold in the first place – I think it might simply have to do with the fact that religious institutions are facing decline today.


There are 1.4 billion Catholics and 2 billion Muslims in the world today. These religious groups run innumerable churches, chapels, madrasahs, mosques, religious schools, missionary organizations all across the globe. However, the number of people who are willing to serve these religious institution in a dedicated manner might be declining.


Given this scenario, there are only two things that these religious institutions can do. It can shut down many of the churches, schools, chapels, ,madrasahs or missionary units it runs in the world and slowly shrink in size, or it can reduce the standard of who it accepts into its fold, just so that it can keep its organisation running or growing.


The more it chooses the latter, the more it will close one eye to the fact that the people who are entering its fold might be sexual predators, or try to manage these issues internally, just for meet the logistical and manpower demand of the institution.


As Eric Hoffer observes: Every great cause begins as a movement, becomes a business, and eventually degenerates into a racket.


Even religious institutions will inevitably fit into this cycle.


It is perhaps only in the movement phase that a religious institution will attract people who truly believe in the tenets of the institution, to the point that they will serve society selfless as a way to live up the standards of their institution.



When the selfless service of the founders gain the appreciation and admiration of the society that they selflessly served, the institution will start attracting the more world sorts, that will join the institution, not chiefly because they truly believe in the mission of the institution, but because they will see a pathway to generate wealth, gain power or rise in status and position, through a stint in the institution.


To keep the institution growing or running, so that they can continue to gain in wealth, status, power or position, these world sorts will be tempted to reduce the standard of entry into the institution to enable the institution to grow in scale and size or to prevent it from declining in scale and size.


When the standards of the organisation are reduced, that is when sexual predators will be able to slip into the institution, and find a way feed their sexual desires, without fearing persecution and danger.


It is perhaps this point that we can say that the institution is starting to degenerate into a racket, that no longer represents the movement or the noble cause that started it.

Lawyer claims trio shot down 'execution-style'

Lawyer claims trio shot down 'execution-style'

Shakira Buang
Published: Dec 6, 2025 4:10 PM
Updated: 7:11 PM



Lawyers representing the families of three men shot dead by the police in Durian Tunggal, Malacca, claim that the deaths had elements of an “execution-style killing”, based on the evidence received by the families.

Counsel Rajesh Nagarajan said this information was obtained from a pathologist at the Malacca General Hospital, who reportedly informed him that one of the victims was shot from a top-to-bottom angle, with the bullet penetrating the nose and hitting the heart.

“The pathologist informed us that the angle of the shot was from top to bottom. If the shot was from the front, the bullet would enter and exit.

“Here, it entered the nose and went down to the heart, suggesting the victim was kneeling and was shot from above.

“This only happens if someone was kneeling and shot from above. This depicts ‘execution-style killing’,” he told reporters outside the Bukit Aman today.

Earlier, Rajesh, along with the families of the three victims, handed over an audio recording to the police, which was recorded by one of the victims’ wives when the incident allegedly occurred.

Rajesh added that the checks on the other two victims also showed a pattern of gunshot wounds fired from a top-to-bottom angle, although the entry points of the bullets were different.

‘No choice but to open fire’

Last week, Malacca police chief Dzulkhairi Mukhtar claimed that his team had no choice but to open fire at the men, aged between 24 and 29, after one of them swung a machete at a police officer at a palm oil plantation in Durian Tunggal.

Malacca police chief Dzulkhairi Mukhtar


The incident, which occurred at 4.30am, allegedly caused a corporal, in his early 30s, to suffer severe injuries to his left arm.

However, the family's lawyers completely rejected the police's version.

According to the lawyers, the audio recording indicates that the men were already in police custody for more than 10 minutes before they were shot and killed.

Latheefa berates cops

Another lawyer representing the victims' families, Latheefa Koya, questioned the police's justification for using lethal force against the victims on the argument that they were believed to be criminals.

“Since when did the police have the power to execute based on what they themselves claim someone to be?” she asked.

Former MACC chief Latheefa Koya


The former MACC chief commissioner also pointed out that the police often used reasons like “the victims are robbers” or “gang members” every time a fatal shooting occurs.

Citing an example, she referred to previous cases, including the killing of teenager Aminulrasyid Amzah in 2010, as an example of how such incidents create doubt among the public.

Why probe for attempted murder?

In addition, Latheefa also questioned why the Classified Criminal Investigation Unit was investigating the case under Section 307 of the Penal Code, which covers attempted murder, when the victims had been shot dead.

“What is 307? Attempted murder. So, who attempted to murder whom? Did the dead victims attempt to murder the police?

“Why is it not investigated under Section 302, a murder case?” she asked.

Latheefa emphasised that not only are the victims’ families grappling with grief, but they also have to deal with accusations that the deceased were criminals.

“How do you know they are criminals? Was there an investigation? Were there any charges? Were they brought to court?

"In a nation of law, a person is only punished after being tried and convicted. Where is your humanity?” she asked.

Latheefa then urged the authorities to investigate the matter under Section 302 of the Penal Code for murder, adding that the attorney-general and the government must dispense justice to all without compromise.

‘I don’t want to rush’: Anwar says Cabinet reshuffle list ready but hasn’t begun talks with party leaders

‘I don’t want to rush’: Anwar says Cabinet reshuffle list ready but hasn’t begun talks with party leaders



Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim speaks at the launch of his book ‘Rethinking Ourselves: Justice, Reform and Ignorance in Postnormal Times’ at Tsutaya Books, Pavilion Bukit Jalil, Kuala Lumpur, December 7, 2025. — Bernama pic

Sunday, 07 Dec 2025 4:54 PM MYT


KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 7 — Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim reportedly said today that he has a list in hand for the planned Cabinet reshuffle, though talks with unity government party leaders have yet to begin.

According to New Straits Times, he described the exercise as a “minor” adjustment to fill vacant posts rather than a broad reorganisation of the administration.

"Yes, I have a list. I am considering it carefully. I do not want to rush, and I need time to reflect after hearing various views. I have not yet discussed it with all party leaders,” he was quoted as saying after the launch of his book, Rethinking Ourselves.

“The final decision remains my prerogative, and I appreciate that they understand and respect that," he reportedly added.


He added that he had not spoken to any other party leaders about the matter, including DAP secretary-general Anthony Loke and Umno president Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.

Yesterday, Loke had said yesterday that DAP had yet to be consulted, though he acknowledged that cabinet composition is the prime minister’s prerogative.

Four ministerial posts are currently vacant.


In May, Datuk Seri Rafizi Ramli and Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad resigned as Economy Minister and Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability Minister respectively.

Ewon Benedick stepped down as Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives Minister last month.

The Investment, Trade and Industry portfolio then became vacant last week following the end of Tengku Zafrul’s senatorship.

Wee dismisses calls to identify next in line for MCA presidency

FMT:

Wee dismisses calls to identify next in line for MCA presidency

3 hours ago
Mohamad Fadli

Responding to ex-MCA veep Ti Lian Ker, Wee Ka Siong says his successor will be determined by a party election when his tenure ends in 2027

Wee Ka Siong’s tenure as MCA president ends in 2027. He was first elected to the post in November 2018. (MCA Facebook pic)

KUALA LUMPUR: MCA president Wee Ka Siong has 

dismissed a former vice-president’s call to identify who is the next in line as party president when his tenure ends in 2027.

Wee said the party’s general assembly today was not meant to discuss his successor, pointing out that 13 important resolutions were debated and approved by delegates today, covering politics, the economy and education.

“Today’s (assembly) was not for us to approve (the deputy president as) the next president.


“When the time comes, we’ll hold a party election. For now what’s more important is ensuring MCA’s survival and further strengthening the party,” he said at a press conference following the close of the assembly here today.

MCA has a nine-year term limit for the party presidency. Wee was elected to lead the party in November 2018 and defended the post in 2023.


Earlier, former vice-president Ti Lian Ker criticised Wee’s opening address at the general assembly, saying he failed to address the party’s future and who is next in line to be its president.

Ti said MCA delegates were wondering who would take over as leader of the party in 2027 and fearful that it would be gripped by another leadership crisis.

The former senator also said Wee should have spent more time outlining a plan to reset MCA’s future instead of taking jabs at its arch nemesis DAP.

Wee said he respected Ti’s views but maintained that he did not intend to attack DAP. He said he was merely “stating the facts”.


He also took a cynical dig at Ti for criticising him on Facebook and not at the general assembly.

“Ti can say what he wants. I respect all views. He should be here today but instead, he chose to write (his criticism online), let him be,” Wee said.

Absence of Umno leaders at AGM is nothing new, says MCA

FMT:

Absence of Umno leaders at AGM is nothing new, says MCA

3 HOURS AGO
Mohamad Fadli

Wee Ka Siong says it's not MCA's first general assembly without the presence of other BN component leaders

MCA president Wee Ka Siong (centre) said the absence of BN flags at the party’s general assembly was not an issue, pointing out that the coalition’s emblem was not usually flown at Umno’s general assembly too. (MCA Facebook pic)

KUALA LUMPUR: Wee Ka Siong has played down the absence of Umno and MIC leaders at MCA’s annual general assembly today, describing it as nothing out of the ordinary.

The MCA president said it was not the first time that the party held its annual general assembly without the presence of other Barisan Nasional component leaders, adding that there was no such requirement in its constitution.

“In the past, some may have invited BN leaders to come because the party felt a need to do so. But it’s not set in stone.


“It (This absence) has happened before and it’s nothing extraordinary,” he said at a press conference after the close of the assembly here today.

Wee added that the absence of BN flags was not an issue, pointing out that the coalition’s emblem was not usually flown at Umno’s general assembly too.


Earlier, MCA delegates passed a resolution to chart its own course if any BN component decides to continue working with DAP in the 16th general election (GE16). Delegates decided that MCA will reject any form of cooperation with DAP for GE16.

In July, BN chairman Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said the coalition planned to continue its alliance with Pakatan Harapan (PH) in GE16 despite calls for BN to go solo.

The Umno-led BN played a crucial role in enabling Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim to form the unity government in the wake of the 2022 general election, which resulted in a hung Parliament.

In June, Wee had said MCA’s 191 divisions would discuss its future amid discontent over its lack of influence in the government, and bring their proposals to the annual general assembly.

Fellow BN component MIC is also at a crossroads about leaving Malaysia’s grand old coalition, and had even sent an inquiry to Perikatan Nasional to obtain more information about joining the opposition coalition.

However, earlier today, Wee hinted that joining PN was not an option unless PAS reformed itself into a more moderate party that was acceptable to non-Muslims.

Can Warisan meet Chinese expectations in Sabah?

FMT:

Can Warisan meet Chinese expectations in Sabah?

2 days ago
Amin Ishak

With limited Chinese representatives in the new GRS-led state government, who will champion their issues in the administration?

The 17th Sabah election last Saturday unveiled a new dynamic in Chinese voter support, one with the potential to reshape the state’s political trajectory.

Though not the largest community in the state, Chinese voters exerted significant influence in several urban and semi-urban constituencies that could have proved decisive.


At the outset, many anticipated that the Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS)–Pakatan Harapan (PH) alliance would secure the state administration at the very least with a simple majority of 37 seats.

GRS was projected to secure about 25 constituencies, with PH expected to deliver the remainder as coalition partner. The actual election outcome, however, proved markedly different.



GRS secured 29 seats, while PH, contesting 22 constituencies, won only one — Melalap — far short of its early hopes of being kingmaker in the state government.

Following the election, voting patterns in urban areas with a Chinese majority came under scrutiny after a major swing in favour of Warisan was detected. Shafie Apdal’s party stunned observers by breaking into nearly all urban seats in DAP strongholds.

Warisan captured Luyang, Likas, Sri Tanjong, Tanjong Papat, Elopura and Kapayan — six significant constituencies, delivering a heavy blow to DAP. The outcome not only ended DAP’s urban dominance but also eliminated the party entirely from the Sabah state assembly.

PKR also suffered heavy losses, including in Api-Api, another Chinese-majority seat, as well as Inanam, a mixed constituency. These defeats confirmed a clear rejection of PH in urban areas.


The shock result may be difficult for PH supporters to accept, as several incumbents were seen as having served well. Among them was Sabah DAP chief Phoong Jin Zhe, formerly assemblyman for Luyang but contesting in Likas this time.

Phoong boasts a strong track record in government. As industrial development and entrepreneurship minister in the previous state government, Phoong played a major role in positioning Sabah as a prime investment destination.

He is often credited with securing approved investments for the state worth RM10.9 billion between January and March 2025.

Sandakan MP Vivien Wong Shir Yee also fell at the polls, losing in Elopura. Amid the district’s water supply crisis last September, she took a hands‑on role — coordinating water distribution and securing diesel for the Segaliud plant’s generators to keep them running.


In the end, their efforts faltered against changing local sentiment, as Warisan’s portrayal of DAP as an “outsider” party sharply undercut PH’s support among Chinese voters.

Who will represent the Chinese community in govt?

Post-election, a major question arises over representation of the Chinese community in the state government. With limited Chinese representatives in the ruling bloc, who will champion their issues in the administration?

With Warisan now in the opposition, its assemblymen have restricted access to government resources. This raises doubts about their ability to provide an optimal level of service to urban voters who gave the party strong support.

Only time will tell whether Warisan’s representatives can fulfil their responsibilities without the advantages enjoyed by government lawmakers.

Deputy chief minister II Masidi Manjun has assured that the lack of ethnic Chinese ministers in the new Sabah Cabinet does not undermine the state government’s inclusivity principle.

On Wednesday, the state government announced the appointment of Tanjung Kapor assemblyman Ben Chong as deputy finance minister, the sole Chinese representative on the state Cabinet.

At the same time, chief minister Hajiji Noor’s administration has sought to address the gap through the appointment of nominated assemblymen.

Of the six appointed, three will be Chinese voices. Former Sabah Law Society president Roger Chin, Liberal Democratic Party secretary-general Chin Shu Ying, and PKR Kota Kinabalu chief Grace Lee, each with different backgrounds but sharing a platform to represent urban voters.

Roger is currently the most prominent among them, given his role in championing Sabah’s claim to 40% of federal revenue earned in the state.

That legal effort is now bearing fruit, with renewed negotiations underway with the federal government, backed by Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s commitment to resolve the matter swiftly. If successful, Sabah will enjoy greater funds for state development.

The Sabah Law Society has also been asked to help draft the framework for the Sabah Sovereign Wealth Fund (SSWF), a long-term economic initiative envisioned by GRS to ensure state revenues benefit future generations.

Still, Roger’s appointment alone will not be enough to bridge the gap in Chinese voter support for the state government. GRS, together with partners like DAP and PKR, must intensify efforts to re-engage urban voters’ priorities.

Without systematic outreach, these urban constituencies may remain Warisan strongholds for the long term, reshaping Sabah’s political map in future elections.

Chinese voters have demonstrated their power as decisive actors in critical constituencies.

The question now is which party will learn the fastest from this signal, and who will win the community’s support in the next Sabah state election.



Amin Ishak is an editor with FMT.

Malaysia’s SMEs Are Being Crushed - by The Coverage Media

 

OutSyed The Box

Sunday, December 7, 2025

Malaysia’s SMEs Are Being Crushed - by The Coverage Media

• I got this from The Coverage Media. 
• I have adapted it very slightly. 
• My comments in blue. Read MY CONCLUSION.
• Rule No 1 - No Names.

 

 

The Coverage Media

Malaysia’s SMEs Are Being Crushed – While the “Walaun” Get Endless Handouts
This is the most walaun-friendly, most anti-business gomen we have ever had.
The policies are punishing the very people who keep this country running. 
entrepreneurs, taxpayers, job creators are the real backbone of our GDP.
7 out of 10 SMEs now have less than 6 months of cash reserves.
Many are on the verge of closing down.

And yet:
IRB is holding onto overpaid tax refunds for 3–5 YEARS.
This isn’t “tak bayar cukai” or “kurang bayar”.
This is TERLEBIH BAYAR – money that already belongs to the businesses.
Money taken in excess from us.

(OSTB: Under Bossku they kept my overpaid taxes 'untuk cukai tahun depan')

SMEs are surviving on razor-thin margins and have less than 6 months’ cash.
Many have less than 3 months.
By the time IRB finally decides to return what is rightfully ours, the business is already bankrupt, shuttered, workers laid off.
The extra tax paid never comes back to save the company – it just becomes free money for the gomen to spend.

If IRB is so terribly slow and inefficient that it needs half a decade to process a refund, how come the same gomen can suddenly find RM10 billion a year (excluding bonuses) to give civil servants massive salary hikes effective immediately? 

(OSTB: That is called securing their support - with your tax money)

Money that belongs to businesses is locked away while the same gomen can disburse international “humanitarian” aid in minutes.
Even Lim Guan Eng raised this in Parliament SEVEN times – publicly and privately begged the gomen to listen.
Depan Cakap Lain, Belakang Buat Lain.

(OSTB: Main bel@k@ng pun boleh. Better be careful.) 

 
Compliance burdens keep piling up
E-invoicing
ESG reporting
Higher minimum wage
Mandatory EPF for foreign workers (extra RM17.4 billion cost to businesses every year)
Gomen agencies naik fee 15%–250%
Enforcement officers terer sangat cari makan on legal businesses
Minor offences pun kena compound teruk.

But the same “hardworking” officers tak nampak:
RM120 billion civil service wastage every year (Auditor-General Report)
Melayu, Cina, India – buat bisnes halal, bayar cukai, sediakan peluang kerja – setiap hari kena serbu, kena kacau, kena compound atas kesalahan kecil macam letak barang 2 inci di luar garis.
Tapi Rohingya, Bangla, Pakistan – buka kedai haram, jual barang tiruan, tak ada lesen, tak bayar cukai langsung – tiba-tiba mata enforcement semua RABUN. Tak nampak langsung.

(OSTB: I say brader, Pakistan, Rohingya, Bangla sudah kautim lah. The more Pakistan the more kautim).

Then you add the cascading blows:
Diesel subsidy removed
SST increased
Port Klang container handling +30%, storage +197% to +243%
Electricity tariff hike (possibly another 15% cost increase for SMEs)
SMEs are screaming: “We may not survive another year.”
This is not just “Chinese businesses” suffering – stop the old stereotype.
45% of registered SMEs are Bumiputera-owned.
Today’s Malays are bangsa usahawan, not “walaun duduk rumah tunggu subsidi jatuh dari langit”.
Urban Malays, M40 Malays, Malay entrepreneurs – we have NO voice.

Politicians champion the lazy segment that refuses to help themselves.
Successful ones? Punished just for being successful.
Our corporate tax is 24% – one of the highest in the region (Singapore only 17%).
You make raw materials, electricity, transport, compliance – everything skyrockets.
Then you ask: “How to lonjak ekonomi? How to create more Bumiputera entrepreneurs? How to fight inflation?”

When businesses collapse, tax collection will collapse.
Where will the money come from to fund all the endless walaun programs then?
When businesses struggle → they have no choice but to raise prices.
When prices go up → consumers suffer.  
You suffer. I suffer. Our parents suffer. The rakyat suffers.

In the end, EVERYBODY suffers.
Yet this gomen keeps squeezing us dry:
Remove subsidies
Electricity hikes
Slap more fines and penalties
Tax hikes 
More regulations 
Hold our overpaid taxes for years (money that is rightfully ours)
Pile on new taxes, new compliance costs, new fees 

And then what do they do with OUR hard-earned taxpayer money? 
OUR sweat and blood?
They use it:
To play international hero and donate millions overseas “for humanity”
To out-Hadi Hadi, looking holier-than-thou on the global stage
To keep pumping billions into endless handouts for the walaun class
To build their shiny  projects and pet programs 

That money didn’t fall from the sky.
It came from the blood, sweat, and sleepless nights of entrepreneurs – Malay, Chinese, Indian, Bumiputera, everyone who wakes up at 5 a.m. to open their shop, pay staff, pay taxes, and keep this country running.
You punish the people who create jobs.
You reward the people who refuse to work.
You take from the productive and give to the entitled.

And when the businesses finally collapse under the weight?
When the tax revenue dries up because there are no more businesses left to tax?
Who’s going to fund your handouts then?
Who’s going to pay for your international hero photo-ops then?
Stop killing the goose that lays the golden eggs.
Because when the goose dies, the whole country starves 
Including the very people you claim to protect.

MY CONCLUSION: 

But in this country this has been the case for the past few decades. Regardless of which party or which coalition is in power this same shit happens again and again.

The media has already reported on 'cartels' bringing in the Rohingyas. There was (and possibly still is) massive corruption in the Rohingya import business. There are millions of Banglas in the country. Once a year every Bangla must renew his work permit. The 'middlemen' provide this 'permit renewal' service. The middlemen must be paid thousands of Ringgit.   That money is shared with "others". This has been going on in Malaysia for the past decades - ever since the Banglas started coming here.

Today it costs almost RM20,000 to bring an Indonesian maid. A sizeable chunk of this money is for the 'kautim'. This has been going on for decades.

Then what about all the young girls being brought in from Vietnam, Indonesia, Cambodia to work in the various "joints" including the 'pedicure parlors' and 'urut kaki' parlours? Malaysia has been consistently scoring high marks on the human trafficking indexes. 

"Malaysia has been flagged in international reports for its human trafficking situation for many years, most notably in the U.S. State Department's annual Trafficking in Persons (TIP) Report. Current Status: Tier 2.  In the most recent 2025 TIP report, Malaysia was assessed as a Tier 2 country. This ranking indicates that the government does not fully meet the minimum standards for the elimination of human trafficking"

This is Malaysia. Its all kautim. The kautim runs into the billions. This has been going on for decades. Dont forget the mass graves found at Wang Kelian. That case will never be solved.  

This comment by The Coverage above also does not mention the other billions that are being stolen EVERY YEAR not only from businesses but from each and every ordinary citizen. The billions that are stolen from us each year by the gomen licensed monopolies and oligopolies. The banking oligopoly which is actually a cartel. The monopolies in rice import, food imports, meat import cartels, monopolies in public utilities, the sky high motor vehicle prices because of sky high taxes and APs.  The never ending toll concessions which get extensions that seem to go on forever. 

The Malaysian people have been ripped off for decades now - regardless of which party or coalition is in power.

• The solution? 
• Kick them out. 
• Just vote them out. 
• Keep changing your vote. 
• Just change your votes. 
• If at the last poll you voted for A, the next vote vote for B. 
• Like changing baby's diapers. 
• The more frequently you change the baby's diapers the less is the stinky. 
• JUST KICK THEM OUT. 
• KEEP CHANGING YOUR VOTE. 
• Until they do what is right and good.   
• JUST KICK THEM OUT.