Rebranded bailout of Sapura Energy

Murray Hunter


Rebranded bailout of Sapura Energy

P Ramasamy
Mar 14, 2025






The Malaysian government, under Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, has introduced new terminologies and justifications to rationalize the bailout of troubled Bumiputra-linked companies.

The latest case in point is Sapura Energy, which recently received a RM1.1 billion capital injection from the government through Management Development Holdings Sdn Bhd (MDH), an agency under the Ministry of Finance.

The official narrative suggests that this is not a bailout but rather a “strategic injection of redeemable funds.”

However, regardless of the terminology used, the reality remains that public funds are being used to rescue a failing corporation.

A shift in Anwar’s position

The irony is stark. Anwar, who once vehemently opposed bailouts when he was in the opposition, is now defending them as Prime Minister.

During Tun Dr. Mahathir Mohamad’s tenure, Anwar was one of the most vocal critics of government interventions that rescued ailing Bumiputra companies—some of which were allegedly linked to Mahathir’s family.

At the time, Anwar insisted that any financial aid to struggling corporations should be subject to rigorous audits and public scrutiny to ensure transparency and accountability.

Has the government now subjected Sapura Energy to the same level of scrutiny before approving the RM1.1 billion injection?

There has been no clear confirmation that an independent audit was conducted to justify the decision.

Mahathir’s surprising support

Interestingly, despite the long-standing political animosity between Anwar and Mahathir, the former prime minister has voiced support for the Sapura Energy bailout.

This is not surprising, given that Mahathir was the architect of large-scale bailouts during his time in power. His endorsement of the move could be seen as an attempt to remain consistent with his own past policies.

Anwar, on the other hand, appears to be making a complete U-turn, embracing the very practice he once condemned.

It raises the question: Is this policy driven by economic necessity or political expediency?

Is Sapura Energy capable of turnaround?

Sapura Energy’s financial troubles are well-documented. While it is now under new management, there is little indication that the company has a clear pathway to long-term financial viability.

The RM1.1 billion injection is ostensibly meant to pay off vendors, the majority of whom are Bumiputra-owned businesses.

But does this move address the root causes of Sapura Energy’s financial distress?

There is also no clear mechanism to ensure that the government will be able to recoup the funds.

If Sapura Energy fails to achieve profitability, will the government continue pumping in public money under the guise of “redeemable” investments?

Echoes of 1MDB and dangers of short memory

Malaysia’s history is littered with financial scandals, the most infamous being 1MDB, which resulted in massive public outcry and the conviction of former Prime Minister Najib Razak. The current administration spent considerable effort prosecuting those involved in financial mismanagement, yet it now appears to be following a worryingly similar path.

The key lesson from 1MDB is that poor governance and lack of oversight lead to disastrous consequences. Without transparency, how can the public be assured that this RM1.1 billion injection into Sapura Energy will not end up as another financial black hole?

The political underpinnings of bailout

It is difficult to ignore the political motivations behind this move. With Anwar’s support among the Malay electorate weakening, the government may see the bailout as a way to shore up Bumiputra economic interests and counter opposition narratives that it is neglecting Malay businesses.

Mahathir’s endorsement could also be part of a larger political strategy to mend fences with Anwar’s government or, at the very least, avoid being seen as opposing the economic interests of Bumiputras.

Conclusion: A nation at crossroads

Ultimately, the Sapura Energy bailout—or “redeemable fund injection”, as the government prefers to call it—raises serious concerns about transparency, accountability, and political consistency.

If the government is confident in the financial revival of Sapura Energy, it must provide a clear roadmap, independent audits, and a transparent mechanism to ensure taxpayers’ money is not wasted.

Public trust in the government’s economic decisions is at stake. If bailouts like these continue without proper oversight, Malaysia risks falling back into the same cycle of financial mismanagement and crony capitalism that plagued past administrations.

The people of Malaysia deserve real solutions, not rebranded bailouts.

P. Ramasamy

Chairman Urimai
March 14, 2025

Can PM Anwar Ibrahim gather nation-wide support for the URA?

Murray Hunter


Can PM Anwar Ibrahim gather nation-wide support for the URA?

P Ramasamy
Mar 16, 2025






Government officials, ministers, and developers have painted a glossy picture of the Urban Renewal Act (URA), emphasizing its role in revitalizing neglected and dilapidated areas in parts of Kuala Lumpur.

The stated intention of the URA is not to displace the poor and marginalized but to improve urban living conditions.

However, the very logic of capitalist-driven urban development carries the inherent risk of pushing out the very communities it claims to uplift.

While Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim may have no ill intentions in promoting urban renewal, the structural realities of such initiatives must be critically examined.

It would be wrong to claim that Anwar deliberately seeks to displace the poor.

Yet, what is glaringly absent from his passionate advocacy is a sound cost-benefit analysis of the true impact of the URA on these communities.

Independent of Anwar’s intentions, urban renewal—when left to market forces—inevitably triggers gentrification.

This process gradually replaces lower-income urban dwellers with wealthier investors and developers, leading to the displacement of the original inhabitants.

No direct force is needed; rising property values and lucrative buyout offers subtly compel long-time residents to sell their homes and relocate.

As a result, historically significant Malay, Chinese, and Indian enclaves risk losing their cultural and historical identities.

The very fabric of these communities—shaped over generations—could be eroded as the poor are priced out, making way for the rich and powerful.

Anwar insists that Malays and Indians will benefit from urban renewal, but the key question remains: Will the poor and original ethnic communities truly benefit?

Can Anwar guarantee that the long-standing residents of these areas will not be left behind or displaced?

He cannot afford to ignore the exploitative nature of unchecked capitalist development.

The opposition is justified in raising concerns over the lack of transparency in the urban renewal process.

The recent decision to lower the threshold for disposing of urban properties has already set off alarm bells.

There is nothing wrong with the opposition organizing protests to demand clarity and accountability, especially when the entire urban renewal framework remains shrouded in mystery.

Instead of engaging with these valid concerns, Anwar has resorted to veiled threats, suggesting that the government could organize a larger gathering in support of the URA.

Rather than issuing empty challenges, Anwar must take responsibility for ensuring that urban renewal is not merely a tool for capitalist expansion at the expense of the urban poor.

It is not just the opposition that fears the long-term consequences of urban renewal. Urimai—the Malaysian Rights Party—shares these concerns.

Urimai is not against development, but we strongly oppose any form of development that disproportionately benefits political elites and capitalist developers while sidelining the poor and vulnerable.

The historical and cultural landscapes of Malay, Chinese, and Indian communities should not be sacrificed in the name of urban progress.

The government’s current approach to urban renewal appears insensitive to these realities. Unless substantial safeguards are introduced, the URA risks becoming an instrument of economic displacement rather than inclusive growth.

Urimai stands ready to join hands with the opposition to protest against the Madani government’s failure to critically assess the deeper ramifications of urban renewal.

The future of Kuala Lumpur’s diverse urban communities cannot be left to the mercy of unchecked capitalist interests.

P. Ramasamy

Chairman Urimai
March 16, 2025

Persoalan siapa pengganti Muhyiddin sudah terjawab – Abdullah Sani

Persoalan mengenai siapa bakal pengganti Presiden Bersatu, Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin sudah terjawab namun parti itu dilihat masih bergolak apabila wujud persaingan antara kem yang menyokong Timbalan Presiden Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainuddin (kanan) dan kem yang digerakkan oleh Setiausaha Agung Datuk Seri Azmin Ali. - Gambar Bernama, 17 Mac, 2025


Persoalan siapa pengganti Muhyiddin sudah terjawab – Abdullah Sani


Namun proses peralihan pimpinan yang perlahan menyumbang kepada ura ura pergolakan dalam Bersatu


Updated 4 minutes ago
17 March, 2025
8:00 PM MYT


WALAUPUN Bersatu sudah selesai mengadakan pemilihan untuk kepimpinan parti mereka, parti itu masih dilihat bergolak.

Isu kepimpinan seolah-olah tidak selesai walaupun ahli-ahli telah habis memilih.

Masalah utama yang dihadapi ialah apa yang dilihat sebagai persaingan antara kem yang menyokong Timbalan Presiden Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainuddin dan satu lagi kem yang digerakkan oleh Setiausaha Agung Datuk Seri Azmin Ali.

Perlu diingat Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin sebagai Presiden Bersatu sendiri telah mengumumkan pelan peralihan (succession plan) bagi parti itu di Konvensyen Bersatu pada Julai 2024 di Selayang.

Dalam pengumuman itu, Muhyiddin menamakan Hamzah Zainuddin sebagai pemimpin nombor dua, iaitu sebagai Timbalan Presiden yang akan menggantikan beliau. Manakala Azmin Ali pula dinamakan sebagai Setiausaha Agung, yang kedudukannya ialah nombor sembilan dalam hiraki parti, setelah mengambil kira kedudukan Naib-Naib Presiden dan Ketua-Ketua Sayap.

Gambaran yang sering diberikan ialah Azmin sedang menyusun untuk menambah kekuatan, tetapi Hamzah dilihat mempunyai jauh lebih banyak sokongan daripada akar umbi Bersatu. Azmin sendiri tidak menang apa-apa jawatan dalam pemilihan Bersatu yang lalu dan dia memegang jawatan hanyalah sebagai individu yang dilantik sahaja.

Analisa luaran menunjukkan Azmin masih tidak mempunyai dokongan yang kuat dalam Bersatu. Imej Azmin ialah sebagai individu yang suka berpuak-puak, sukar didekati dan hanya membantu kelompok sendiri saja.

Mungkin Azmin sendiri sedar sokongan akar umbi parti kepadanya adalah lemah, maka dia terus bergantung talian hayat dengan Presiden parti, Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin.

Hampir setiap gerak gerinya akan disulam dengan justifikasi bahawa dia bertindak “atas arahan Presiden”.

Dan di mana saja Muhyiddin pergi, Azmin akan menyelit sama untuk hadir. Ini seolah-olah satu usaha memposisikan dirinya sebagai orang harapan yang dipercayai Muhyiddin.

Bagaimanapun ramai yang tahu Muhyiddin biasanya meletakkan kepercayaan lebih tinggi kepada tiga pegawai yang sudah amat lama membantu beliau. Kumpulan penasihat ini selalu dirujuk sebagai “orang keliling Muhyiddin” dan mereka inilah inner circle yang sebenar.

Pasukan ini diketuai oleh mantan Ketua Setiausaha Sulit Muhyiddin semasa menjadi Perdana Menteri iaitu Datuk Dr Marzuki Mohamad. Sekarang beliau bertugas sebagai pensyarah kanan di Universiti Islam Antarabangsa. Marzuki merupakan seorang intelektual yang cekap dalam pentadbiran.

Urusan politik Muhyiddin pula banyak diuruskan oleh Datuk Seri Nardin Awang. Beliau juga merupakan pegawai yang cekap, disenangi oleh pemimpin-pemimpin Bersatu dan mempunyai kenalan yang luas dari pelbagai parti hasil penglibatan beliau dalam politik sejak sekian lama.

Walaupun Nardin tidak memegang jawatan rasmi dalam parti, beliau kini memposisikan anak lelakinya sebagai pemimpin Pemuda Bersatu Selangor di bawah Azmin.

Hal ehwal media Muhyiddin diuruskan oleh Datuk Dr Ainon Mohamad. Para wartawan dan editor media mempunyai pandangan yang berbeza mengenai beliau.

Ada yang mengatakan beliau sentiasa tegas menjalankan tugasan dan berjaya membina imej Muhyiddin sebagai pemimpin negara.

Ada juga berpandangan beliaulah yang menyebabkan Muhyiddin tidak mesra media dan tidak popular kerana sikap beliau yang ada kalanya menggunakan pendekatan kasar dengan pihak lain.

Apa yang menarik ialah kepentingan atau self interest Azmin dan tiga orang inner circle Muhyiddin sejak kebelakangan ini nampaknya menjadi sealiran.

Semuanya kelihatan seolah-olah tidak mahu Muhyiddin melaksanakan pelan peralihan (succession plan) yang diumumkan oleh Muhyiddin sendiri pada Julai 2024.

Seperti dinyatakan di atas, dalam pelan peralihan itu, Muhyiddin telah memilih Hamzah sebagai Timbalan Presiden dan keputusan Muhyiddin ini dipersetujui oleh Bersatu apabila Hamzah diberikan ruang untuk menang tanpa bertanding dalam pemilihan parti tahun lalu.

Kefahaman umum ialah Muhyiddin sudah memilih Hamzah untuk menggantinya memimpin Bersatu.

Dan pemilihan ini membuka ruang untuk Muhyiddin bersara sebelum PRU16. Keinginan untuk bersara ini sudah beberapa kali dinyatakan oleh Muhyiddin sebelum ini, ternasuklah dalam Persidangan Agung Bersatu pada 2023.

Bagaimanapun sejak kebelakangan ini terdapat usaha memujuk Muhyiddin untuk membatalkan hasrat persaraannya. Sukar dipastikan siapa dalang disebalik usaha ini, tetapi yang pastinya kumpulan yang akan mendapat manfaat paling besar ialah Azmin dan para pegawai inner circle Muhyiddin.

Jika Muhyiddin tidak bersara, Azmin boleh terus berpaut dengan talian hayatnya, dan para pegawai Muhyiddin juga ada masa depan sendiri.

Tidak mustahil mereka juga memujuk Muhyiddin untuk menjadi calon Perdana Menteri sekali lagi, walaupun sudah ada suara-suara dalaman Perikatan Nasional yang mahu sebaliknya.

Kesan langsung kepada imej Muhyiddin sekiranya dia mengubah pelan peralihan yang dia sendiri umumkan sudah pasti negatif. Muhyiddin akan dianggap lupa janji sendiri akibat dipengaruhi orang sekelilingnya.

Dan Muhyiddin juga akan dilihat gagal memahami selera terkini pengundi Malaysia yang semakin muda, yang mana kelompok demografi ini pasti akan skeptikal dengan mana-mana parti yang masih mahukan Presiden berumur hampir 80 tahun memimpin parti untuk masuk pilihan raya. – 17 Mac, 2024



Abdullah Sani ialah pemerhati politik dan pembaca Scoop

Trump to speak with Putin on Tuesday about ending war in Ukraine

Reuters:

Trump to speak with Putin on Tuesday about ending war in Ukraine

By Nathan Layne and Jeff Mason

March 17, 2025

9:59 PM GMT+11, Updated an hour ago

Maybe we can, maybe we can't. But I think we have a very good chance.'


Summary

• Trump says "good chance" can end war in Ukraine
• Trump will speak with Putin on Tuesday over ceasefire proposal
• Ukraine supports 30-day ceasefire proposal
• Russia demands Ukraine's neutrality, exclusion from NATO
• Europe, Britain ready to send peacekeepers if ceasefire agreed

WASHINGTON, March 17 (Reuters) - U.S. President Donald Trump said he plans to speak to Russian President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday and discuss ending the war in Ukraine, after positive talks between U.S. and Russian officials in Moscow.

"We want to see if we can bring that war to an end," Trump told reporters on Air Force One during a flight back to the Washington area from Florida. "Maybe we can, maybe we can't, but I think we have a very good chance.

"I'll be speaking to President Putin on Tuesday. A lot of work's been done over the weekend."

Trump is trying to win Putin's support for a 30-day ceasefire proposal that Ukraine accepted last week, as both sides continued trading heavy aerial strikes through the weekend and Russia moved closer to ejecting Ukrainian forces from their months-old foothold in the western Russian region of Kursk.

When asked about what concessions are being considered in ceasefire negotiations, Trump said: "We'll be talking about land. We'll be talking about power plants...We're already talking about that, dividing up certain assets."

Trump did not elaborate but was most likely referring to the Russian-occupied Zaporizhzhia facility in Ukraine, Europe's largest nuclear plant. Russia and Ukraine have accused each other of risking an accident at the plant with their actions.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov confirmed on Monday that Putin would speak with Trump by phone but declined to comment on Trump's remarks about land and power plants.

The Kremlin said on Friday that Putin had sent Trump a message about his ceasefire plan via U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff, who held talks in Moscow, expressing "cautious optimism" that a deal could be reached to end the three-year conflict.

In separate appearances on Sunday TV shows in the United States, Witkoff, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and Trump's national security adviser, Mike Waltz, emphasized that there were still challenges to be worked out before Russia agrees to a ceasefire, much less a final peaceful resolution to the war.

Asked on ABC whether the U.S. would accept a peace deal in which Russia was allowed to keep stretches of eastern Ukraine that it has seized, Waltz replied, "Are we going to drive every Russian off of every inch of Ukrainian soil?" He added that the negotiations had to be grounded in "reality."

Rubio told CBS a final peace deal would involve "concessions from both Russia and Ukraine," and that it would be difficult to even begin those negotiations "as long as they're shooting at each other".

An overnight Ukrainian drone attack targeted energy facilities in Russia's southern Astrakhan region, injuring one person and sparking a fire, the regional governor said. Kyiv's mayor said on Monday Russia had carried out an overnight drone attack on the Ukrainian capital.

'IRONCLAD' GUARANTEES

Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said on Friday that he saw a good chance to end the Russian war after Kyiv accepted the U.S. proposal for a 30-day interim ceasefire.

Firefighters work at the site of an apartment building hit by a Russian drone strike, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in Chernihiv, Ukraine March 16, 2025. REUTERS/Maksym Kishka

However, Zelenskiy has consistently said the sovereignty of his country is not negotiable and that Russia must surrender the territory it has seized. Russia seized the Crimea peninsula in 2014 and now controls most of four eastern Ukrainian regions since it invaded the country in 2022.

Russia will seek "ironclad" guarantees in any peace deal that NATO nations exclude Kyiv from membership and that Ukraine will remain neutral, a Russian deputy foreign minister said in remarks published on Monday.
In an interview with the Russian media outlet Izvestia that made no reference to the ceasefire proposal, Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Grushko said that any long-lasting peace treaty on Ukraine must meet Moscow's demands.

"We will demand that ironclad security guarantees become part of this agreement," Izvestia cited Grushko as saying.

"Part of these guarantees should be the neutral status of Ukraine, the refusal of NATO countries to accept it into the alliance."

Putin has said his military incursion into Ukraine was because NATO's creeping expansion threatened Russia's security. He has demanded that Ukraine drop its NATO ambitions, that Russia keeps control of all Ukrainian territory seized, and that the size of the Ukrainian army be limited. He also wants Western sanctions eased and a presidential election in Ukraine, which Kyiv says is premature while martial law is in force.

The European Union's foreign policy chief, Kaja Kallas, said on Monday that the conditions demanded by Russia to agree to a ceasefire showed that Moscow does not really want peace.

PEACEKEEPERS

Trump, who has upended U.S. policy by shifting closer to Moscow, berated Zelenskiy in a meeting in Washington last month that ended with the Ukrainian leader leaving the White House early.

But Ukraine's acceptance of a proposed ceasefire has now put the onus on Russia to cede to Trump's demands and will test the U.S. president's more positive view of Putin.

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said on Saturday that Western allies other than the U.S. were stepping up preparations to support Ukraine in the event of a ceasefire with Russia, with defence chiefs set to firm up "robust plans" next week.

Britain and France both have said that they are willing to send a peacekeeping force to monitor any ceasefire in Ukraine.

Russia has ruled out peacekeepers until the war has ended.

"If they appear there, it means that they are deployed in the conflict zone with all the consequences for these contingents as parties to the conflict," Russia's Grushko said.

"We can talk about unarmed observers, a civilian mission that would monitor the implementation of individual aspects of this agreement, or guarantee mechanisms. In the meantime, it's just hot air."

JAIS Ordered to Review & Revoke Kajang Man’s Teaching Credentials After He Punched a 17yo Unlicensed Driver

JAIS Ordered to Review & Revoke Kajang Man’s Teaching Credentials After He Punched a 17yo Unlicensed Driver



Published 1 hour ago
March 17, 2025
By Didi

Source: Facebook | Yusuf Sop


A 17-year-old student without a license was allegedly punched in the nose multiple times by a 39-year-old man after a road dispute at an intersection in Saujana Impian, Kajang.




The incident happened on March 14 after Friday prayers, leaving him with a fractured nose. The man was arrested in Kajang later that day and remanded for a day.



Source: Facebook | Yusof Sop



“He should be banned from teaching”


The Selangor Islamic Religious Department (JAIS) has since been instructed to review whether the religious figure or teacher involved holds any teaching credentials issued by the Selangor Islamic Religious Council (MAIS), as reported by BERNAMA.

Selangor’s Islamic Affairs Exco, Dr. Mohammad Fahmi Ngah, said that if the man is a MAIS-certified religious teacher, his credentials should be revoked immediately, and he should be banned from teaching in Selangor.


“All actions should be based on good character, rational judgment, and the law,” he said.



Source: Facebook | Yusof Sop





Source: Facebook | Yusof Sop



“I strongly condemn violence”

Mohammad Fahmi said he was disappointed with the violent act, which goes against Islamic teachings that promote rational conflict resolution based on the law, especially during Ramadan.




He also urged religious figures and MAIS-certified teachers in Selangor to uphold Islam’s honour and avoid any violent actions that could ruin the image of religious scholars and teachers.


“I strongly condemn any form of violence, especially when the person involved represents religious figures or educators. They should set a good example for society, especially the younger generation,” he said.

Sabah scandal a Madani blueprint for successive govts

Sabah scandal a Madani blueprint for successive govts

S Thayaparan
Published: Mar 17, 2025 7:00 AM
Updated: 10:00 AM



“When plunder becomes a way of life for a group of men in a society, over the course of time they create for themselves a legal system that authorises it and a moral code that glorifies it.”

- Frédéric Bastiat

COMMENT | When the MACC chief commissioner outed the whistleblower in the Sabah corruption scandal, we moved past the something rotten in Denmark stage to full-blown Denmark is rotting territory.

The outing of the whistleblower was the final nail in the coffin with regard to the graftbusting agency’s credibility. It also demonstrated Madani’s lack of competency and tactical thinking.

Latheefa Koya, the former MACC chief, has claimed that someone high up threatened the whistleblower. Let us assume that there is a conspiracy to silence the whistleblower and cover up this corruption scandal.

The politically strategic thing for Madani to do is to announce that the government takes these allegations extremely seriously and an investigation would be carried out.

The whistleblower would be afforded protection by the state, and the graftbusting body would have carried out an investigation.

This way, Madani could have stage-managed everything, mitigated the damage and generated optics that would make it seem that Madani was tackling corruption seriously.

Instead, what we witnessed was a manure show of epic proportions. This, to me at least, demonstrated that Madani does not even care what the rakyat thinks.

Instead, the participants in this sordid drama are issuing laughable denials, the MACC by perception is seen to be either abetting or enabling their denials and the political class remains silent.

The way things are and will continue to be

Why, for instance, is the opposition not making this an issue? Well, because they understand that this is the way they are going to handle things when they assume power.

In fact, by remaining silent, they allow Madani to be the corrupt party in this, and what they say will not come back to bite their behinds when they assume power and do the same thing.

Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, whose platform on the campaign trail was governmental corruption and malfeasance, has now become the poster boy for enabling the kleptocratic class.

Anwar claimed the charges against his number two, Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, were politically motivated.

Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi (left) and Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim

He has defended convicted felon and former prime minister Najib Abdul Razak’s reduced sentence. His home minister apparently has the power to define any location as a prison.

And now, of course, his number two publicly hopes that another former prime minister gets the “justice” he did when it comes to the latter’s corruption investigation.

If this is not a “wink, wink”, I do not know what is.

All part of complex, corrupt system

Let us be honest here. We can talk about “big fishes” when it comes to corruption, but recall when Pakatan Harapan was in power for the first time.

Remember when the investigation into former Sarawak governor Abdul Taib Mahmud - perhaps the white whale of oppositional talking points when it came to corruption - came to a standstill?

Then de facto law minister Liew Vui Keong said: “They were not new evidence that would allow MACC to open a new investigation paper.”

At the time, Latheefa said of the status of high-profile cases: “However, not all complaints ended up being investigated, especially those with evidence which were just printouts from the internet.”

Former MACC chief commissioner Latheefa Koya

This was a really queer thing to say because Harapan made its case against corruption from printouts from the internet or at the very least had no problem making such cases against their political adversaries.

Now, do not get me wrong. I think that Latheefa and Lawyers For Liberty are doing good work here, but ultimately, what they are doing is exposing the corruption of the system in place, one which has been sustained because of the will of the political class and its factotums.

The entire political system of this country is part of a complex ecosystem of private and public interests that seek not only political hegemony but also religious hegemony.

We are not dealing with corrupt individuals within a system but rather a system of corruption with a few honest men and women.

Rotten to the core, for decades

Corruption is not a recent phenomenon, but rather it is part of the DNA of the organism fueled by racial and religious imperatives and a compromised electoral system.

Umno/BN designed the system, and Madani is attempting to replicate it, so any attempt at corrective measures is met by a deluge of propaganda or the spectre of the “Green Wave”.

Let us not forget that when we talk of corruption we are not only talking about the corruption of the political elites but also of institutions which are considered sacred cows to the bangsa (race) and agama (religion) crowd.

So you see, even though I believe that there are many honest political operatives in Harapan, they are outnumbered by people who are willing to make compromises and sustain the system either for political gain or because they are so narcotised by their political party that to make waves would be detrimental to their political survival.

The tragedy here is that Madani is doing something about corruption, albeit nothing that would reform the system.

This is something that PN is not even capable of doing. When it comes to corruption in this country, it truly is the devil’s alternative.

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

UMNO in Crisis: Are 14 MPs the Saviours or the Last Gasp?

UMNO in Crisis: Are 14 MPs the Saviours or the Last Gasp?


17 Mar 2025 • 9:00 AM MYT


Mihar Dias
A behaviourist by training, a consultant and executive coach by profession

Photo Credit: Malay Mail

By Mihar Dias March 2025


A storm is brewing within UMNO, and if EDISI Siasat’s cryptic message is to be believed, 14 UMNO MPs have stepped forward to "save the party" from what they see as Anwar Ibrahim and Zahid Hamidi’s destructive leadership. https://focusmalaysia.my/14-mp-umno-to-rebel-against-anwar-netizens-ask-if-they-are-heroes-or-betrayers/


While details remain scarce, the implications are clear—dissatisfaction with the current leadership has reached a boiling point. But are these MPs truly UMNO’s saviours, or is this just another episode in the party’s long history of internal power struggles?


A Party on the Brink


For months, whispers of discontent within UMNO have grown louder. Despite Zahid’s repeated assurances that UMNO remains relevant under the Madani government, the reality on the ground tells a different story.


UMNO’s grassroots are restless. Many believe that the party has lost its identity, trapped in a political arrangement that serves Anwar more than it does UMNO.


If these 14 MPs are indeed rallying against the leadership, it signals a deeper fracture within UMNO—one that could lead to either a drastic shift in power or the slow, painful decline of the party. The big question remains: What exactly are these MPs planning? Are they breaking away? Challenging Zahid’s leadership? Or simply sending a warning shot?


The Zahid-Anwar Dilemma


One of UMNO’s biggest challenges is Zahid’s leadership—or lack thereof. His legal troubles, combined with the perception that he is more interested in self-preservation than in strengthening UMNO, have eroded confidence within the party. At the same time, Anwar’s government, which UMNO is part of, has failed to deliver the political stability or economic breakthroughs that were promised.


For many UMNO members, this partnership with Pakatan Harapan feels like a slow death. Zahid is seen as Anwar’s safety net, ensuring that UMNO stays loyal to the coalition. But what happens if that safety net collapses? If these 14 MPs make a move, it could trigger a larger exodus—or at the very least, force a leadership change within UMNO.


The Money Factor


A rather telling response to the EDISI Siasat post suggests that the reason some MPs remain in the government is financial.


The user pointed out that leaving the Madani bloc means cutting off access to the perks of power—an indirect jab at how lucrative it has been for some politicians to remain in government. https://focusmalaysia.my/14-mp-umno-to-rebel-against-anwar-netizens-ask-if-they-are-heroes-or-betrayers/


The mention of RM427.5 million in 17 months is a not-so-subtle reference to corruption cases linked to previous administrations. https://focusmalaysia.my/14-mp-umno-to-rebel-against-anwar-netizens-ask-if-they-are-heroes-or-betrayers/


The fact that this is being openly discussed in response to UMNO’s internal crisis suggests that the party’s struggle is not just about ideology or leadership, but also about who controls the resources.


What’s Next for UMNO?


With three years to go until the next election, any major political realignment now would be risky. But if dissatisfaction within UMNO continues to grow, Zahid may find himself in a precarious position. The 14 MPs may just be the beginning.


If UMNO does not resolve its internal conflict soon, it risks becoming a footnote in Malaysian politics—a once-powerful party reduced to a divided and directionless faction.


The question is whether these 14 MPs are truly fighting to "save" UMNO or if they are simply trying to position themselves for the next political opportunity.


For now, Malaysians will watch and wait. But one thing is clear—something is very wrong in UMNO, and the cracks are getting harder to ignore.

Not an apostate: Syahredzan slams accusations he left Islam after DAP leadership win

Syahredzan Johan celebrates his election as one of DAP’s central executive committee members on March 16, 2025. - Facebook pic, March 17, 2025


Not an apostate: Syahredzan slams accusations he left Islam after DAP leadership win


Young Syefura also hit by anonymous detractors with baseless apostasy claims


Scoop Reporters
Updated 3 hours ago
17 March, 2025
3:32 PM MYT



KUALA LUMPUR – Bangi MP Syahredzan Johan has hit back at baseless accusations of apostasy levelled against him following his election to the Democratic Action Party’s (DAP) Central Executive Committee (CEC).

Syahredzan, who was recently elected as one of DAP’s five vice-chairmen, revealed that social media users had accused him and fellow CEC member Young Syefura Othman of leaving Islam simply for being part of the party’s leadership.

“Since Young Syefura Othman and I were elected to the DAP CEC, various accusations have been thrown at us,” he wrote in a Facebook post. “But the most extreme is the claim that we have become apostates.”

The lawyer-turned-politician suggested that such comments reflected the teachings of certain political leaders, further noting that those making the accusations were hiding behind anonymity.

“Many have suggested that I take legal action, but these comments are anonymous and do not use real names. They do not dare to use their real identities,” he added.

The allegations surfaced following the announcement of DAP’s new leadership for the 2025-2028 term, which saw Gobind Singh Deo appointed as the party’s national chairman, replacing Lim Guan Eng. Lim was named party adviser, while Anthony Loke retained his position as secretary-general.

The party’s latest CEC lineup includes five vice-chairmen—Chong Chieng Jen, Teo Nie Ching, Ng Suee Lim, and J Arul Kumar, and Syahredzan.

The accusations against Syahredzan and Young Syefura echo past attempts by detractors to paint DAP’s Muslim leaders as being at odds with their faith.

However, both politicians have consistently dismissed such narratives, maintaining that their involvement in the party is based on principles of justice, democracy, and good governance.

The DAP CEC election, held at the IDEAL Convention Centre (IDCC) yesterday, saw 65 candidates vying for 30 positions. Over 3,700 party delegates cast their votes, shaping the party’s direction for the next three years. – March 17, 2025

Govt must push banks for ‘haircut’ on Sapura’s loans, says Shahril

FMT:

 

Govt must push banks for

‘haircut’ on Sapura’s

loans, says Shahril

Elill Easwaran

-17 Mar 2025, 06:15 PM

The former Umno information chief says the RM1.1 billion injection will not solve the company’s core financial issues.

1

Shares

Total Views: 61

Former Umno information chief Shahril Hamdan said the government’s support of Sapura Energy may discourage the banks from accepting a haircut on their loans.

PETALING JAYA: 

The government must push the banks to accept a “haircut” on Sapura Energy Bhd’s debts and consider an asset-stripping exercise if necessary, says former Umno information chief Shahril Hamdan.

Shahril said the banks need to reduce the debt of the oil and gas (O&G) company by accepting a haircut, or less than what is owed.

“I think we have to push the banks for a haircut, meaning the banks need to reduce the debt. The government has to push for that.

“If an asset-stripping exercise needs to happen, then it must be done,” he said in the latest episode of the Keluar Sekejap podcast.

His comments come after the government injected RM1.1 billion into Sapura Energy, sparking debate over its effectiveness in addressing the company’s financial troubles.

Shahril said the move does not constitute a takeover, contrary to what former prime minister Najib Razak had proposed in 2022 during his debate with Anwar Ibrahim.

“Najib suggested that the government take over Sapura Energy completely. What’s happening today is not a takeover. It’s a loan.

“RM1.1 billion has been injected into Sapura, but that alone won’t solve the core problem,” he said.

However, he said the government’s support of Sapura Energy may discourage the banks from offering a haircut.

“Sapura probably has around RM10 billion in debt with the banks. In the banking industry, banks have to accept that not all loans will be repaid in full – that’s how the financial system works.

“But, in the case of Sapura, Permodalan Nasional Bhd stepped in in 2018. Najib then suggested a takeover, and today Anwar is injecting RM1.1 billion.

“So the banks would be wondering … why should we take a haircut when this company is always supported by the government?” he said.

Shahril said Sapura Energy’s business model itself might be flawed, pointing to economy minister Rafizi Ramli’s assertion in 2022 that the company “always chases contracts”.

“To win contracts, they go in at the lowest price, hoping the 10% upfront payment can be used to settle debts. But when the contract amount is too low, margins become very thin, and they end up losing money,” he said.

He recalled that when Anwar was in the opposition, he had called for a forensic audit of Sapura Energy.

“I honestly don’t know if a forensic audit was ever conducted. But if it was, I’m sure it would have revealed the mistakes made by past managements,” he said.

In a Bursa filing last week, Sapura Energy said the finance ministry, through its special purpose vehicle Malaysia Development Holding Sdn Bhd, would be subscribing to its redeemable convertible loan stocks worth RM1.1 billion.

According to The Edge, the funds have been earmarked exclusively for settling Sapura Energy’s arrears with its vendors.

The government’s decision to inject the funds drew accusations that it had bailed out Sapura Energy, a practice Pakatan Harapan leaders had condemned during its time in the opposition.