Selangor Islamic council warns Muslims against involvement in LGBT activities

Selangor Islamic council warns Muslims against involvement in LGBT activities



Selangor Islamic Religious Council (MAIS) chairman Datuk Salehuddin Saidin said such matters were not only contrary to Islamic teachings but also went against the law, Eastern cultural values and societal norms in Malaysia. — Bernama pic

Saturday, 10 Jan 2026 11:33 AM MYT


SHAH ALAM, Jan 10 — The Selangor Islamic Religious Council (MAIS) has reminded Muslims not to participate in, promote, support or be involved in any activities that may be associated with the normalisation of deviant lifestyles and the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community.

Its chairman, Senator Datuk Salehuddin Saidin said such matters were not only contrary to Islamic teachings but also went against the law, Eastern cultural values and societal norms in Malaysia.

“MAIS views seriously media reports related to the organisation of programmes involving the LGBT community and efforts to promote lifestyles that are clearly contrary to Islamic teachings.


“As the body responsible for safeguarding the sanctity of Islam in the state of Selangor, MAIS strongly opposes any form of activities by any party aimed at promoting, supporting and normalising deviant lifestyles such as LGBT,” he said in a statement today.

Salehuddin also urged the Muslim community to always adhere firmly to Islamic teachings and not be easily influenced by the LGBT normalisation agenda, which could undermine the morals and character of the Muslim community.

At the same time, he advised those who have been involved in deviant lifestyles to return to their natural disposition by participating in rehabilitation programmes conducted by MAIS, other religious authorities or non-governmental organisations (NGOs) offering related rehabilitation services.


Salehuddin said MAIS was also committed to working closely with the authorities and government agencies to ensure that activities aimed at normalising and spreading the influence of deviant lifestyles and LGBT practices that damage society could be blocked and prevented.

“MAIS will also work together with the Selangor Islamic Religious Department (JAIS) and other government agencies to strengthen moral education, the dissemination of Islamic teachings and values, as well as to enhance rehabilitation programmes for the Muslim community as an effort to ensure that this deviant culture is no longer practised in the state,” he said.

Yesterday, Selangor Youth, Sports and Entrepreneurship Committee chairman Mohd Najwan Halimi said the Selangor State Government had urged the authorities to conduct an investigation into the organisation of the ‘Glamping With Pride’ programme in Hulu Langat, which is scheduled to be held next week, and would not compromise with any attempt to spread and promote LGBT culture in the state.

Previously, the media reported that the group involved intended to proceed with the ‘Glamping With Pride’ programme next weekend despite objections from various parties. — Bernama

‘We do not want to be Americans’: Greenland parties reject Trump’s threats

al Jazeera:

‘We do not want to be Americans’: Greenland parties reject Trump’s threats

Joint statement by all five political parties elected to Greenland’s parliament says island’s future must be decided by its people

An aerial view shows a fjord in western Greenland [File: Guglielmo Mangiapane/Reuters]
By News Agencies

Published On 10 Jan 2026


Greenland’s political parties have rejected United States President Donald Trump’s repeated threats to take control of the Arctic island, saying that its future must be decided by its people.

Trump has suggested using force to seize the mineral-rich Danish autonomous territory to prevent Russia or China from occupying the ‍strategically located island, raising concerns worldwide.


Recommended:

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Europe should prepare for Greenland’s annexation and end of NATO: Experts

‘Greenland is not for sale,’ lawmaker says amid Trump’s escalating threats


“We emphasise once again our desire for the US contempt for our country to end,” the leaders of all five political parties elected to Greenland’s parliament said ‍in a joint statement ⁠late on Friday.

“We do not want to be Americans, we do not want to be Danes, we want to be Greenlanders,” they said in the statement, posted on social media by Greenland’s Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen.

“No other country can meddle in this. We must decide our country’s future ourselves – without pressure to make a hasty decision, without procrastination, and without interference from other countries,” the statement added.



Why Trump says getting Greenland is about defence


A meeting of Greenland’s parliament, the Inatsisartut, will be brought forward to ensure that a fair and comprehensive political debate takes place and that the people’s rights are secured, the leaders said.

The ​date of the meeting has not yet been determined. Greenland’s ‌parliament last met in November and had been scheduled to meet again on February 3, according to its website.

The statement by the political parties came hours after Trump on Friday said he would “do something on Greenland whether they like it ‌or not”, and that the US military presence in the island under a 1951 agreement with fellow NATO member Denmark is not ‌enough to guarantee the island’s defence.

European capitals have been scrambling to come up with a coordinated response after the White House said this week that Trump wanted to buy Greenland and refused to rule out military action.



Rubio to meet Greenland officials: US has threatened to acquire Danish territory


Trump’s renewed push ⁠for Greenland, after US military intervention in Venezuela, worries many of the island’s 57,000 inhabitants, whose widely held goal is to eventually become an independent nation.

A 2009 agreement between Greenland and Denmark explicitly recognised Greenlanders’ right to independence ‌if they choose, but while all five parties say they want independence, they differ on how and when to achieve it.

The coalition currently in power in Greenland is not in favour of hasty independence. The only opposition party, Naleraq, which won 24.5 percent of the vote in the 2025 legislative election, wants to cut ties as quickly as possible.

Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen has warned that an American takeover of Greenland would mark the end of NATO.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio is due to meet next week with Denmark’s foreign minister and representatives from Greenland. Trump had offered to buy Greenland in 2019 during his first presidential term, but was rebuffed.

***

Greenland is NOT in danger from Russia nor China, but is in serious danger from WankeeLand

Papparaidu holds firm on Batu Caves Temple escalator issue, brushes off legal threat

Selangor executive councillor V. Papparaidu has reiterated his stance on the proposed Batu Caves Sri Subramaniar Swamy temple escalator project, maintaining that it cannot proceed unless the temple is formally registered with the Registrar of Societies (ROS). — Bernama pic, January 10, 2026


Papparaidu holds firm on Batu Caves Temple escalator issue, brushes off legal threat


Selangor exco insists RoS registration is non-negotiable, denies state inaction

Keran Raj
Updated 6 hours ago
10 January, 2026
3:13 PM MYT

KUALA LUMPUR — Selangor executive councillor V. Papparaidu has reiterated his stance on the proposed Batu Caves Sri Subramaniar Swamy Temple escalator project, maintaining that it cannot proceed unless the temple is formally registered with the Registrar of Societies (RoS).

Responding to a legal demand issued against him over his earlier remarks, Papparaidu said compliance with existing laws and approval procedures cannot be circumvented by citing historical court orders without a proper legal basis.

“The existence of an old court order from 1930 cannot be publicly used as a justification to avoid compliance with present-day approval processes without sound legal research,” he said in a statement today.

He stressed that RoS registration is a prerequisite for the state government and technical agencies to extend assistance and facilitate approvals, adding that this is necessary to ensure the project is implemented in an orderly and lawful manner.

Papparaidu said the requirement was agreed in principle during a meeting between Selangor Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari and Batu Caves temple management on February 4, 2025.

The Batu Caves Sri Subramaniar Swamy temple is administered by SMMDT, a charitable trust established under a court order in 1930. — Scoop file pic, January 10, 2026


TOL rejection and legal demand

Addressing the rejection of a Temporary Occupation Licence (TOL) application linked to the project, Papparaidu clarified that the submission was made under an individual’s name and therefore failed to meet regulatory requirements.

He added that he was prepared to submit further documentation and explanations, subject to the consent of the Menteri Besar, if necessary.

Papparaidu was referring to statements involving chairman and trustee of the Sri Maha Mariamman Temple Dhevasthanam (SMMDT), Tan Sri R. Nadarajah, who earlier this week issued a Letter of Demand (LoD) to the former over allegedly defamatory statements.

The statements were allegedly made in two TikTok postings on June 7, 2025, one in Malay and another in Tamil, relating to the escalator project application.

“All statements made were in my official capacity, based on facts and matters of public interest, and intended to provide accurate explanations to the public. They were not meant to defame any party,” he said.

Papparaidu also rejected claims by Nadarajah that agreements involving Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, the Selangor Menteri Besar and the state government did not help facilitate approval of the escalator project, unlike the approval given for a multipurpose hall.

According to Papparaidu, the claims followed a media statement on December 30, 2025, during which journalists were invited to question the prime minister and the Menteri Besar about why the escalator application had yet to be approved.— January 10, 2026

PAS not to blame for Perikatan’s non-Malay support challenges, says Tuan Ibrahim

PAS not to blame for Perikatan’s non-Malay support challenges, says Tuan Ibrahim



Datuk Seri Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man says Perikatan Nasional’s election performance shows continued cross-racial backing. — Picture by Miera Zulyana

Saturday, 10 Jan 2026 7:16 PM MYT


KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 10 — PAS deputy president Datuk Seri Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man has rejected claims that the party is driving non-Malay voters away from Perikatan Nasional (PN), saying such perceptions are inaccurate and not supported by the coalition’s election performance.

He said views portraying PAS as the reason non-Malays feel fearful and do not support PN were not based on facts, pointing to PN’s results in several elections as evidence of continued cross-racial backing.

According to Tuan Ibrahim, PN’s success in winning states such as Kedah, Perlis and Terengganu showed that support from the public, including non-Malays, still exists and is growing.

“If one were to say that PAS has failed and is the reason non-Malays do not support PN, that analysis is inaccurate.


“The reality is that even before PAS led PN, there were parties that still failed to attract non-Malay support.

“What is important is that all component parties move together under the PN umbrella, not act individually as separate parties,” he said when met by Sinar Harian in Bangi today.

On Thursday, media reports quoted Tasek Gelugor MP Datuk Wan Saiful Wan Jan as claiming that there were concerns among members and leaders of Gerakan and the Malaysian Indian People’s Party (MIPP) should PAS lead PN.


Wan Saiful said the two parties believed it could be difficult for them to continue attracting non-Malay support if PAS were to head the coalition.

Responding to this, Tuan Ibrahim said all component parties must strengthen their groundwork and play a collective role to ensure PN continues to receive public backing.

“PN survives as a coalition. As long as we work as one team and evaluate matters based on achievements and governance, the issue of non-Malay support should not be used as an excuse,” he said.

America Won the World by Being Admirable. It Is Losing It by Becoming Contemptible

OPINION | America Won the World by Being Admirable. It Is Losing It by Becoming Contemptible


10 Jan 2026 • 10:00 AM MYT



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

Image generated by TheRealNehruism via ChatGPT


If you were to ask who was most responsible for defeating Nazi Germany and Imperial Japan in World War II, the honest answer would likely be the communists.


It was the Soviet Union that suffered the most and delivered the decisive blow against Hitler and the Nazis in Europe. In Asia, it was China—where the Chinese Communists played a major role—that significantly weakened and bled the Imperial Japanese Army, long before the Americans delivered the final blow.


And yet, if you were to ask people of my generation who defeated fascism in World War II, many of us would probably answer: the Americans.


That answer, while historically incomplete, is revealing.


Part of the reason we believe America defeated “evil” and liberated the world is not because it did most of the fighting, but because we admired America far more than we ever admired the communists.


In the post-war era, communism was a force to be reckoned with. At various points, the Soviet-led bloc was equal to—or even stronger than—the American-led capitalist West. It was the Soviets who first put a man into outer space. Communism expanded across Eastern Europe, entrenched itself in Indochina, and defeated capitalist forces in multiple parts of the world.


For a time, it genuinely looked like communism might win.


But in the end, it was the Americans and the capitalist West who triumphed. The Soviet Union—the greatest communist experiment the world had ever seen—collapsed. China, a communist behemoth in its own right, effectively sued for peace with capitalism in the 1990s by agreeing to run much of its economy along capitalist lines.


Why?


There are many reasons, of course. History is always multivariate. But one reason is consistently underappreciated: most of the world admired the Americans far more than they admired the communists.


To much of the world, America appeared like a warrior in a garden—immensely powerful, fully capable of inflicting harm, yet seemingly content to be left alone to tend to its own affairs.


Unlike the colonial powers before them, Americans looked as though they would rather mind their own business than interfere in the affairs of others. Their own affairs appeared more satisfying, more joyful, and more meaningful to them, than what the rest of us had to offer them.


And that mattered.


America, in other words, looked happy.


It looked like a society surrounded by freedom, talent, abundance, pleasure, and admirable men and women. So much so that it wasn’t America that wanted to join the rest of the world—it was the rest of the world that wanted to join America.


We wanted to be like be just like the Americans.


To wear jeans and T-shirts like them.


To listen to blues, jazz, and rock like them.


To watch American movies, drive American cars, smoke American cigarettes, talk like them, look like them, and live like them.


We admired them because they genuinely looked admirable.


Yes, America had deep flaws—racism, segregation, injustice—but it also appeared to be a country ruled by conscience. It was a society that had the moral rectitude to correct its own wrongs, not because it was forced to from the outside, but because something within it demanded that it do better.


If communism failed to compete with the American-led West during the Cold War, it is likely because people wanted to be Americans—but nobody really wanted to be communists.


That was then.


Today, America — with its invasion of Venezuela, the forceful abduction of its leader Nicolás Maduro under what critics describe as trumped-up charges, and its almost casual declaration that Venezuela’s natural resources are fair game — appears to have come full circle. What is more alarming is the frankness with which this is now articulated: not only Venezuela, but other parts of the world too, from Latin America to Greenland, are spoken of as objects of acquisition rather than sovereign lands. In shedding even the pretence of restraint, the United States seems to be returning openly to an older imperial logic — one it once claimed to have outgrown.


With its constant interventions abroad—even when the world would rather be left alone—America now resembles the very thing it once opposed. Its movies are no longer admired. Its music is no longer defines the world’s imagination. People no longer aspire to look like Americans, drive their cars, or live their lives.


The America of the past, confident and self-assured, has been replaced by an America that looks obese, insecure, drug-addled, deeply divided, and perpetually offended—arguing over everything, even when nothing is at stake, while still demanding to be treated as the centre of the world.


When I think about how admired America was just 20 or 30 years ago, and compare it to how it is viewed today, I cannot help but suspect that America may eventually be defeated by China—just as America once defeated the Soviet Union.


Why?


Because the power of virtue and admiration is not being sufficiently appreciated in today’s political and military calculations.


When all else is equal, it is admiration that decides outcomes. And admiration only comes from perceived virtue.


If China reaches economic, technological, and military parity with the United States—and there is a strong chance it already has, or soon will—then the ultimate winner will be determined not by weapons, but by who the world admires more.


At this point, China appears to win that contest hands down.


China has lifted hundreds of millions—arguably over a billion—people out of poverty. It generally does not interfere in the internal affairs of other countries without consent. To much of the world today, China resembles what America once was.


America, on the other hand, increasingly resembles what the communists once were.


Domineering.


Insecure.


Forceful.


Unattractive.


Repulsive.


Greedy.


Violent.


Moralising without virtue.


Evil.


I realised just how far America has fallen in my own estimation when I recently came across a TikTok video featuring former Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi and Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein condemning the United States as a threat to the world.



Twenty years ago, I would have dismissed them as delusional tyrants—men who thought they were the cure when they were clearly the disease. Back then, America was the hero, and they were the villains.


Today, I find myself wondering whether Gaddafi and Saddam were simply ahead of their time.


In other words, America now looks like the villain—while those once dismissed as lunatics are being reinterpreted as prophets who were eliminated for saying what was not yet acceptable to hear.


There is a line from Batman:


“You either die a hero, or live long enough to see yourself become the villain.”


Perhaps that is the ultimate lesson of power - it corrupts.


No matter how great a hero you are, if you stay on top for too long, it will corrupt you, until you eventually become the very villain you defeated once when you were the hero.

FAM’s last act after a battered and bloodied knockout

EXCLUSIVE | FAM’s last act after a battered and bloodied knockout


10 Jan 2026 • 7:00 AM MYT



Citizen Nades
A legally qualified journalist and a good governance champion

Image Credit: Sinar Daily/FAM FB


OPINION: Three days ago, the beleaguered Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) finally waved the white flag in its battle against sanctions imposed by FIFA last September.


The bravado that once echoed through press conferences and Wisma FAM evaporated quickly -- like election promises forgotten the morning after. Instead, FAM resembled a battered and bloodied boxer slumped on the corner stool, forced to reflect on its own folly.


Its acting president, Yusoff Mahadi, said FAM’s executive council was prepared to collectively step down from their posts if it would avert a FIFA sanction.


https://thesun.my/sports/football/fam-exco-ready-to-resign-to-avoid-fifa-suspension/


This, he said, was among the options being explored by FAM with a decision to be made without waiting for the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) to decide on its appeal against FIFA’s sanctions.


“We are thinking of several options to preserve the national football scene; what we can do to reduce (the likelihood) or ensure FAM does not get suspended by FIFA.


“If (stepping down) is the best way forward, we will do so unanimously because we are united as an exco,” he was quoted as saying.


(FAM and seven naturalised Malaysian footballers were penalised by FIFA in September after the world football body said FAM submitted falsified documents to confirm the players’ eligibility before Malaysia’s 2027 Asian Cup qualifier against Vietnam on June 10.)


REWIND: On Sept 27 last year, when FIFA’s Disciplinary Committee imposed the sanctions, FAM attributed it to a “technical error” in the documents submitted to field the players in an Asian Cup qualifier.


https://www.malaymail.com/news/sports/2025/09/28/fam-acknowledges-technical-error-in-heritage-players-document-submission-vows-to-appeal-fifa-sanctions/192730


Noor Azman Rahman, FAM’s general secretary, said the error was made by one of its staff.


“FAM takes this matter seriously. However, we would like to emphasise that the mixed-heritage players involved are indeed Malaysian,” he said in a statement.


Prominent figures, including JDT owner Tunku Ismail Sultan Ibrahim and former Youth and Sports Minister Khairy Jamaluddin, publicly questioned FIFA’s rationale.


Their shared sentiment is clear - if the players were already approved through official FIFA processes, why the sudden reversal?


The answer was and remains simple – initially, the players were approved based on what FAM had submitted, but when FIFA carried out its own investigations, the discrepancies arose.


(FIFA’s disciplinary committee fined FAM 350,000 Swiss francs (RM1.9 million), while each of the seven players was fined 2,000 Swiss francs (RM11,000) in addition to their 12-month suspension.)


When the committee published its report on Oct 7 did not just release a report -- it landed a haymaker. Malaysian football, from its administrators to its fans, was left staggering, heads bowed under the weight of scorn, shame, and a dignity stripped bare.


On Oct 7, FIFA’s report landed like a knockout blow: “Using fraudulent documentation to allow a player to compete constitutes, pure and simple, a form of cheating, which cannot in any way be condoned. Such conduct erodes trust in the fairness of competitions and jeopardises the very essence of football as an activity founded on honesty and transparency.”


https://m.malaysiakini.com/columns/757455


Malaysia’s football reputation was left staggering, stripped of dignity.


These 48 words were sufficient to conclude the monumental forgery and falsification of documents related to seven, which were then referred to as “heritage players”


A day after FIFA’s Appeals Committee dismissed its appeal, FAM was still in a buoyant mood – taking its challenge to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), with acting president Yusoff Mahadi describing it as “a major war” to defend Malaysia’s footballing reputation.


https://www.malaysiakini.com/columns/760406


At that time, I noted: “But what kind of war is this, when the generals march in empty-handed? The birth certificates of the players’ grandparents presented by FAM are alleged to be forged. CAS will have access to the originals, and FAM will be left with egg - not honour - on their faces.”


CAS is an appellate body. It will not deliberate on the citizenship of players. Their role is only to determine if all procedures have been followed.


(For context, this link references its role in the appeal by Karim Mohamad, the president of Athletics Malaysia.)


https://www.insidethegames.biz/articles/1075285/ibrahim-fails-in-cas-appeal-against-decision-to-remove-him-from-iaaf-council


So, with the writing on the wall, FAM is assuming that it will escape punishment by just resigning?


Now, FAM flirts with the idea of resignation as a shield against punishment. But sanctions are already imposed. Stepping down does not erase them. Is this merely a ploy — resign, appoint an interim committee, then re-elect the same faces at an extraordinary general meeting?


After witnessing so much football mismanagement, Malaysians are beyond surprise —even by the sight of officials kneeling or lying prostrate, hands clasped in a plea for redemption.

Selangor sultan rejects state govt’s centralised pig farming plan

FMT:

Selangor sultan rejects state govt’s centralised pig farming plan

Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah says such large-scale farming of pigs is unnecessary and insensitive when Muslims make up the majority of the Selangor population

The Sultan of Selangor, Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah, acknowledged the need for small-scale, controlled farming of pigs to meet the needs of non-Muslims in Selangor. (Bernama pic)

PETALING JAYA: The Sultan of Selangor, Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah, has disagreed with the state government’s plan to centralise the state’s pig farming industry in Bukit Tagar, Hulu Selangor.

Sultan Sharafuddin acknowledged the need for small-scale, controlled farming of pigs to meet the needs of non-Muslims in Selangor.

However, he said such large-scale farming was unnecessary and insensitive given the fact that Muslims make up the majority of the Selangor population.


“His Royal Highness expresses great regret and disagrees with the plan, especially when there’s the possibility of large-scale pig farming that’s export-oriented,” the Selangor Royal Office said in a statement.

State agriculture committee chairman Izham Hashim had said the centralisation of the pig farming industry in Bukit Tagar would ensure the sector is managed cleanly and systematically without affecting the environment or local communities.



Izham said about 202ha in Bukit Tagar, including a buffer zone, have been identified for this purpose, which will see the implementation of a closed farming system with zero emissions.

While the project in Bukit Tagar is being completed, the state government will allow 112 existing farms in Tanjung Sepat, Kuala Langat, to continue operating for the next three years before being relocated.

However, Sultan Sharafuddin said Kuala Langat residents have had issues with pig farms in the area since 2010, experiencing prolonged foul stenches, river pollution, and problems with flies.

He said Istana Pantai Bahagia was also in the district and that he has personally experienced the stench caused by pig farming activities in the area.


The sultan feared that continuing to allow the farmers to operate in Tanjung Sepat before relocating to Bukit Tagar would cause these same issues to worsen.

“His Royal Highness seriously questions whether the planning of this project involves the interests of certain politicians and businessmen, and is concerned about the possibility of elements of corruption, conflict of interest, or poor governance in the process of planning and approving the project.

“His Royal Highness does not fully oppose the proposed project, but a market study must be done thoroughly and rationally before a final decision is made.”

Sultan Sharafuddin urged the Selangor government to act responsibly and transparently, saying economic development cannot come at the cost of public welfare, environmental sustainability and harmony in the community.


He also recalled that the state government had sent a delegation abroad to learn about modern pig farming, saying he was told the costs were too high for local farmers.

“Therefore, His Royal Highness questions whether this new proposal will be fully borne by the state government when the funds needed would be better off being spent on building new schools or hospitals,” the office said.

‘Yeye culture’ fallout: 20 RMAF officers face disciplinary action over camp scandal

‘Yeye culture’ fallout: 20 RMAF officers face disciplinary action over camp scandal



RMAF Chief General Datuk Seri Muhamad Norazlan Aris speaks at the Royal Malaysian Air Force Open Day held in conjunction with the 40th anniversary of the Subang Air Base in Kuala Lumpur on October 4, 2025. — Bernama pic

Saturday, 10 Jan 2026 1:26 PM MYT


KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 10 — The Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) has confirmed that preliminary investigations found 20 of its officers directly involved in an immoral activity.

RMAF Chief Gen Datuk Seri Muhammad Norazlan Aris said those responsible would be tried and judged in accordance with the laws and legal provisions of the Malaysian Armed Forces.

“It must be stressed that such unhealthy conduct is not a practice of RMAF.

“RMAF views any violation of orders, directives, and regulations seriously, and firm action will be taken without compromise,” he said in a statement.


The RMAF leadership also expressed regret over the incident and said action would be taken against individuals who failed to carry out instructions, the general added.

Previously, the Malaysian Army (TDM) reiterated that it will not tolerate misconduct among its personnel, regardless of rank.

The public stance comes after viral social media posts alleging vice activity — dubbed the “yeye” culture — within the military, which have drawn public concern.


The Ministry of Defence has since directed the Malaysian Armed Forces to conduct internal investigations into allegations involving outsiders and immoral activities at military camps.

***

Seconded Chiefs of the RMAF plus the first Malaysian Chief (Sulaiman Sujak) kept the RMAF at a very high moral, disciplined and competent level. It was substantial enough to maintain the RMAF at a decent competent operating level even though the morality and discipline diminishes after Sulaiman Sujak's tenure as Chief.

The yeye shindig is not new but would have gone out of control in recent times, from fun-time to corrupt ways.

The Joshua Generation: Israeli Occupation and the Bible

From Amazon books:


The Joshua Generation: Israeli Occupation and the Bible Kindle Edition

by Rachel Havrelock (Author) Format: Kindle Edition

How a controversial biblical tale of conquest and genocide became a founding story of modern Israel

No biblical text has been more central to the politics of modern Israel than the book of Joshua. Named after a military leader who became the successor to Moses, it depicts the march of the ancient Israelites into Canaan, describing how they subjugated and massacred the indigenous peoples. The Joshua Generation examines the book's centrality to the Israeli occupation today, revealing why nationalist longing and social reality are tragically out of sync in the Promised Land.

Though the book of Joshua was largely ignored and reviled by diaspora Jews, the leaders of modern Israel have invoked it to promote national cohesion. Critics of occupation, meanwhile, have denounced it as a book that celebrates genocide. 

Rachel Havrelock looks at the composition of Joshua, showing how it reflected the fractious nature of ancient Israelite society and a desire to unify the populace under a strong monarchy. She describes how David Ben-Gurion, Israel's first prime minister, convened a study group at his home in the late 1950s, where generals, politicians, and professors reformulated the story of Israel's founding in the language of Joshua. 

Havrelock traces how Ben-Gurion used a brutal tale of conquest to unite an immigrant population of Jews of different ethnicities and backgrounds, casting modern Israelis and Palestinians as latter-day Israelites and Canaanites.

Providing an alternative reading of Joshua, The Joshua Generation finds evidence of a decentralized society composed of tribes, clans, and woman-run households, one with relevance to today when diverse peoples share the dwindling resources of a scarred land.

***

To wit, the Book of (for Jews only) Permissible-God-approved Genocide

Trump urges US oil firms to invest in Venezuela but CEOs warn country is ‘uninvestable’

Trump urges US oil firms to invest in Venezuela but CEOs warn country is ‘uninvestable’



US President Donald Trump (L) and Secretary of State Marco Rubio look on during a meeting with US oil company executives in the East Room of the White House in Washington, DC yesterday. — AFP pic

Saturday, 10 Jan 2026 10:09 AM MYT


WASHINGTON, Jan 10 — US President Donald Trump pressed top oil executives yesterday to invest in Venezuela’s vast reserves, but was met with a cautious reception—with one major CEO dismissing the country as “uninvestable” without sweeping reforms.

Trump told the industry leaders that his administration—not Caracas—would decide which firms are allowed to operate in Venezuela following the stunning capture of president Nicolas Maduro.


“We’re going to be making the decision as to which oil companies are going to go in... (we’re) going to cut a deal with the companies,” Trump said at the White House, arguing that foreign firms had had no meaningful protections under Maduro.

“But now you have total security. It’s a whole different Venezuela,” he added.


Trump said oil companies would “deal with us directly,” signaling that the US government would attempt to cut the oil-rich, cash-poor Latin American nation completely out of the loop when it came to exploiting its own resources.


Despite Trump’s assurances, ExxonMobil chief executive Darren Woods struck a note of skepticism.

“We’ve had our assets seized there twice and so, you can imagine, to re-enter a third time would require some pretty significant changes,” he said.


“If we look at the legal and commercial constructs and frameworks in place today in Venezuela—today, it’s uninvestable.”

The White House meeting came less than a week after US forces seized Maduro, with Trump making no secret that control of Venezuela’s oil was central to his actions.

Opening the session, he said the talks would focus on how US companies could rapidly rebuild the country’s dilapidated oil industry and boost production by millions of barrels a day.

Vice President JD Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Energy Secretary Chris Wright attended alongside executives from Chevron, ExxonMobil, ConocoPhillips, Halliburton, Valero, Marathon, Shell, Trafigura, Vitol Americas and Repsol, among others.

A spokesman for ConocoPhillips said CEO Ryan Lance appreciated the discussion about “preparing Venezuela to be investment ready.”

Speaking after the meeting, Trump said participants had “sort of formed a deal,” but offered no specifics. He claimed oil companies were prepared to invest “at least 100 Billion Dollars.”

Rebuilding will ‘take time’

Analysts told AFP that Trump’s push to revive Venezuela’s oil industry rests on shaky economic and strategic ground.

Experts warned that vast reserves on paper do not translate into quick or profitable production, pointing to outdated infrastructure, political instability, heavy crude that is costly to extract, and investor unease in a world shifting away from fossil fuels.

“There’s lots of talk about the size of the reserves -- 300 billion barrels of proved reserves—but what’s often missing from the conversation is how realistic it is for those to be economically extracted,” said Rich Collett-White, an energy analyst at Carbon Tracker.

After the talks, Wright—who has said Washington will control Venezuela’s oil industry “indefinitely”—admitted that it will “take time” to rebuild its infrastructure.

Further strikes cancelled

While Trump touts the country’s oil resources to US companies, Venezuela’s interim President Delcy Rodriguez has said her government remains in charge. The state oil company has said only that it was in negotiations with Washington.

Chevron is currently the only US firm licensed to operate in Venezuela.

ExxonMobil and ConocoPhillips exited in 2007 after refusing demands by then-president Hugo Chavez to cede majority control to the state.

In a social media post, Trump said he cancelled a second wave of strikes on Venezuela due to what he called “cooperation” from the country.

Sanctioned by Washington since 2019, Venezuela sits on about a fifth of the world’s oil reserves and was once a major crude supplier to the United States.

But it produced only around one percent of the world’s total crude output in 2024, according to OPEC, having been hampered by years of underinvestment, sanctions and embargoes.

Trump sees the country’s massive oil reserves as a windfall in his fight to further lower US domestic fuel prices. — AFP

Perak Bersatu leaders summoned to disciplinary board over call for Muhyiddin to resign

Perak Bersatu leaders summoned to disciplinary board over call for Muhyiddin to resign



Teluk Intan Bersatu division chief Kamaruddin Majid confirmed that he was among the leaders who received the notice via Whatsapp at about 3 pm, adding that the others included Padang Rengas, Gopeng, Tapah, Larut and Pasir Salak division chiefs as well as the Tambun Srikandi chief. — Picture By Firdaus Latif

Saturday, 10 Jan 2026 9:42 AM MYT




IPOH, Jan 10 — Several Perak Bersatu division chiefs who asked party president Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin to step down have received letters caling them up to face the party’s disciplinary board on Jan 14.

Teluk Intan Bersatu division chief Kamaruddin Majid confirmed that he was among the leaders who received the notice via Whatsapp at about 3 pm, adding that the others included Padang Rengas, Gopeng, Tapah, Larut and Pasir Salak division chiefs as well as the Tambun Srikandi chief.

The letter, signed by Bersatu disciplinary board chairman Datuk Mohd Radzi Manan, requests that he be present at the Bersatu headquarters at 2 pm on the date stated over disciplinary complaints lodged against him.

“It claims there is a written disciplinary complaint against me following a press conference at a hotel in Ipoh on Dec 10, 2025 where 14 divisions urged Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin to step down as party president.

“The complainant claims that the statement during the media conference was a lie and had tarnished Bersatu’s image,” he said when contacted here yesterday. — Bernama

Selangor govt says it will not allow LGBT promotion, calls probe into ‘Glamping with Pride’

Selangor govt says it will not allow LGBT promotion, calls probe into ‘Glamping with Pride’



State Youth, Sports and Entrepreneurship Committee chairman Mohd Najwan Halimi said the state government would not compromise on any attempts to spread or promote lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) culture in the state. — Picture by Mukhriz Hazim

Saturday, 10 Jan 2026 8:30 AM MYT


SHAH ALAM, Jan 10 — The Selangor State Government has urged the authorities to investigate the organisation of the Glamping with Pride programme, which is scheduled to be held next week.

State Youth, Sports and Entrepreneurship Committee chairman Mohd Najwan Halimi said the state government would not compromise on any attempts to spread or promote lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) culture in the state.

“The state government will not compromise on any efforts to spread and promote deviant culture and values that are contrary to societal norms.

“I have contacted the police and requested that the authorities conduct an investigation and take appropriate action,” he said in a statement yesterday.

He was commenting on the decision by a group to proceed with the programme despite objections from various quarters. — Bernama

Kinabatangan by-election sees three-way fight for parliamentary seat, Lamag a straight BN-Warisan contest

Kinabatangan by-election sees three-way fight for parliamentary seat, Lamag a straight BN-Warisan contest



Barisan Nasional (BN) candidate Mohd Ismail Ayob (second from right) submits his nomination papers for the Lamag state seat during the nomination day for the Kinabatangan parliamentary and Lamag state by-elections at Dewan Sri Lamag today. — Bernama pic

Saturday, 10 Jan 2026 11:46 AM MYT


KINABATANGAN, Jan 10 — The by-election for the Kinabatangan parliamentary seat saw a three-cornered contest between Barisan Nasional (BN), Warisan and an Independent candidate, while it is a one-on-one fight between BN and Warisan candidates in the Lamag state seat.

This was announced by Returning Officer Eddy Syaizul Rizam Abdullah at Sri Lamag Hall, here today.

“The Election Commission (EC) has received nomination papers from three candidates for the parliamentary seat election of P187 Kinabatangan constituency and two candidates for the state seat election of N58 Lamag constituency.

“I have reviewed the nomination papers and after reviewing them, I am satisfied that no nomination papers were rejected,” he said.

The Kinabatangan parliamentary by-election saw a contest between Mohd Naim Kurniawan Moktar representing BN, Datuk Saddi Abdul Rahman (Warisan) and Goldam Hamid (Independent) while in the Lamag state seat, it is a clash between Mohd Ismail Ayob (BN) and Mazliwati Abdul Malek (Warisan). — Bernama

The nomination centre opened at 9 am this morning and the process of submitting nomination forms took an hour.

For the Kinabatangan parliamentary by-election, Mohd Kurniawan Naim, 32, was the first candidate to submit his nomination form at 9.06 am, followed by Saddi, 67, (9.18 am) and Goldam, 40, (9.31 am).

Mohd Ismail, 44, was the first candidate to submit his nomination form for the Lamag state by-election, at 9.04 am, followed by Mazliwati, 53, at 9.07 am.

According to EC, the nomination process proceeded smoothly without any untoward incident.

The by-election was held following the death of incumbent, Datuk Seri Bung Moktar Radin, 66, on Dec 5.

The EC has set a 14-day campaign period from the declaration of contesting candidates until 11.59 pm, Jan 23.

The Electoral Roll (DPPR) for the Kinabatangan parliamentary and Lamag state by-elections is 48,722 people, comprising 48,526 ordinary voters and 196 police personnel as well as their spouses as early voters.

The Official Vote Tallying Centre (PPRU) for the Kinabatangan parliamentary and Lamag state by-elections is at Dewan Sri Lamag.

A total of 36 ordinary polling centres comprising 117 polling stations or channels and one early polling centre at Kinabatangan district police headquarters with one channel, will be opened.

According to EC, all polling centres will open from 8 am to 5 pm, except for 20 polling centres in three state constituencies namely Lamag, Kuamut and Sukau, which will be closed as early as 12 pm to 4 pm.

EC has set the polling day for both by-elections on Jan 24, while early voting is on Jan 20. — Bernama

Anwar announces fresh RM5m allocation to upgrade Zoo Negara’s panda enclosure

Anwar announces fresh RM5m allocation to upgrade Zoo Negara’s panda enclosure



Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said the funding, approved for this year, was meant to support maintenance works and enhance facilities at the zoo, following a similar RM5 million allocation announced last year. — Bernama pic

Saturday, 10 Jan 2026 12:56 PM MYT


KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 10 — Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim today announced an additional RM5 million allocation for Zoo Negara’s panda enclosure, citing its strong performance as a major tourism draw and its role in promoting environmental sustainability.

Anwar said the funding, approved for this year, was meant to support maintenance works and enhance facilities at the zoo, following a similar RM5 million allocation announced last year.

“When I came previously, I announced RM5 million to improve facilities and add value to Zoo Negara because of its performance, its appeal to tourists, and its role in attracting schoolchildren,” he said.

“This year, I have approved another RM5 million for maintenance and upkeep,” he added, briefly joking about the currency before confirming the allocation was in ringgit.

The prime minister was speaking at Zoo Negara after viewing the panda enclosure, where giant pandas Chen Xing and Xiao Yue are now on public display.

He arrived with his grandchildren at about 11.30am and took a walk inside the enclosure for a closer look at the pandas.

Both pandas were seen lounging while eating, with one eventually falling asleep despite the presence of many visitors.

Chen Xing and Xiao Yue arrived in Malaysia on Nov 18 as part of the ongoing panda cooperation programme between Malaysia and China. Upon arrival, the five-year-old pandas underwent a mandatory one-month quarantine at Zoo Negara in line with standard operating procedures.

Yesterday, Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability Minister Datuk Seri Arthur Joseph Kurup announced the completion of the quarantine period and that the enclosure was open to the public.

Kurup and Selangor Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari also visited the panda enclosure.

Malaysia is one of 20 countries partnering China in giant panda conservation and research. Under an agreement with the China Wildlife Conservation Association, Malaysia will host a new pair of giant pandas for 10 years until 2035.

Anwar said the arrival of the two giant pandas from China was in line with the government’s Madani values, particularly environmental sustainability and harmony with nature.

He also thanked the Chinese government, President Xi Jinping and its leadership for the contribution, describing the pandas as a major tourism attraction for Malaysia.

Anwar praised Zoo Negara’s management and animal care team, highlighting their expertise in caring for the pandas, including managing their highly selective dietary needs.

“I was told earlier that the pandas are very particular — they don’t just eat any bamboo. They only accept bamboo from Rembau, after trying many types from different places,” he said.

Responding to questions on land sales and maintenance issues surrounding Zoo Negara, Anwar said discussions were ongoing with the Selangor government on how best to manage and preserve surrounding areas.

“For now, there is space allocated for maintenance. We are discussing with the state government whether certain facilities should be maintained or not,” he said.

He stressed that not all available land should be developed, underscoring the importance of preserving buffer and maintenance zones around the zoo, especially given nearby large-scale residential projects.

“The fact that we still have maintenance space is a good thing. We don’t need to use every piece of land. We must protect maintenance areas around this facility,” he said, adding that the federal government was firm on preventing inappropriate development within and around zoological zones.

Anwar also thanked the Selangor government for ensuring no improper development took place within protected maintenance areas, both inside the zoo grounds and surrounding zones.

While acknowledging improvements over the years, Anwar said maintenance and governance challenges remained and required continued monitoring and enforcement.

“I’m not saying I am fully satisfied. There has been progress compared to previous years, but the need remains,” he said, adding that systemic issues required sustained effort from enforcement agencies.

Trump says US will deal with Greenland ‘easy way’ or ‘hard way’

FMT:

Trump says US will deal with Greenland ‘easy way’ or ‘hard way’

The US president said controlling the mineral-rich island is key for US security, given the intensifying Russian and Chinese military presence in the Arctic

US President Donald Trump warned that Russia or China might occupy Greenland if the US does not act. (EPA Images pic)
WASHINGTON: US President Donald Trump on Friday again suggested the use of force to seize Greenland as he brushed aside Denmark’s sovereignty over the autonomous Arctic island.



“We are going to do something on Greenland, whether they like it or not,” Trump said at a White House meeting with oil executives looking to benefit in Venezuela, where the US last week overthrew the president.

“I would like to make a deal, you know, the easy way. But if we don’t do it the easy way, we’re going to do it the hard way,” Trump said when asked of Greenland.


Trump says controlling the mineral-rich island is crucial for US national security given the rising military activity of Russia and China in the Arctic.

“We’re not going to have Russia or China occupy Greenland. That’s what they’re going to do if we don’t. So we’re going to be doing something with Greenland, either the nice way or the more difficult way.”

Both countries have increased military activity in the Arctic region in recent years, but neither has laid any claim to the vast icy island.

Denmark and other European allies have voiced shock at Trump’s threats to take control of Greenland, where the United States already has a military base.

Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen has warned that an invasion of Greenland would end “everything”, meaning Nato and the post-World War II security structure.

Trump made light of the concerns of Denmark, a steadfast US ally that joined the US in the controversial 2003 invasion of Iraq.


“I’m a fan of Denmark, too, I have to tell you. And you know, they’ve been very nice to me,” Trump said.

“But you know, the fact that they had a boat land there 500 years ago doesn’t mean that they own the land.”

Secretary of state Marco Rubio is due to meet next week with Denmark’s foreign minister and representatives from Greenland.

***

A thug, bully, Mafioso, low level gangster😡😡😡

MACC hauls in RM6.9m in gold, foreign cash and SUV linked to army tender probe

MACC hauls in RM6.9m in gold, foreign cash and SUV linked to army tender probe



An MACC source said gold bars, a luxury SUV and foreign cash worth about RM6.9 million were seized in a probe into a Malaysian Army procurement tender. — Picture by Choo Choy May

Friday, 09 Jan 2026 7:54 PM MYT


KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 9 — The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) has seized gold, a high-performance sport utility vehicle (SUV), and cash in various foreign currencies estimated to be worth about RM6.9 million, following an investigation into Malaysian Army procurement tenders.

According to a MACC source, the cash seized comprised multiple foreign currencies, including US dollars, euros, pounds sterling, Japanese yen and Saudi riyals.

The source today said the seizures stemmed from an inspection of the SUV at a workshop in the Klang Valley, where the vehicle was believed to have been left for repair.

“The jewellery seized comprised three units of 999 gold bars, each weighing one kilogram, with a current value of approximately RM1.8 million.

“Also seized were nine pieces of gold, each weighing 100 grams, with a current value of more than half a million ringgit, along with the SUV, which is estimated to be worth about RM360,000 and is believed to have been purchased in cash,” the source said.

Meanwhile, Senior Director of the Investigation Division Datuk Zainul Darus confirmed the matter when contacted and said the case is being investigated under Section 16(b) of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission Act 2009.

The seizures are part of a wider Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) probe into alleged corruption involving Malaysian Army procurement tenders.


A former Malaysian Army chief and his two wives were detained by the commission and remanded on January 8 as part of investigations into the case.

On Wednesday, MACC said it seized about RM2.4 million in cash linked to the same investigation during an attempted transfer and froze several bank accounts believed to be connected to the suspects.

US Senate advances resolution to curb Trump military authority in Venezuela

al Jazeera:

US Senate advances resolution to curb Trump military authority in Venezuela

Move, while incremental, underscores unrest over Trump’s unilateral military abduction of Maduro among some Republicans

Birds fly past the US Capitol building dome in Washington, DC, US, January 4, 2026 [File: Elizabeth Frantz/Reuters]

ByJoseph Stepansky
Published On 8 Jan 2026



Washington, DC – The US Senate has advanced a resolution that would bar President Donald Trump from taking further military action against Venezuela without congressional authorisation.

The vote on Thursday on the procedural measure to advance the war powers resolution was 52 to 47. Several members of Trump’s Republican Party broke with the president to join every Senate Democrat in voting in favour of moving ahead.

If eventually passed, the resolution would require Trump to remove US armed forces from “imminent engagement” in hostilities “within or against Venezuela” without further approval from Congress.

The resolution will now go to a full floor debate in the Senate. It must be passed by both Chambers of Congress to reach Trump’s desk. The president could then veto the resolution. Overriding the veto would require two-thirds support from both the Republican-controlled House and Senate, a likely insurmountable threshold.

Still, observers hailed Thursday’s vote as symbolically significant, underscoring discontent over Saturday’s abduction of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro in a dramatic military raid in Caracas, as well as Trump’s threats to again attack Venezuela and other countries in the region.

In a post on X, Dylan Williams, vice president for government affairs at the Center for International Policy, called the move “a major rebuke” to Trump.



UN Chief meets Venezuelan ambassador: Guterres offers support for national dialogue


Cavan Kharrazian, senior policy director for the Demand Progress advocacy group, called the vote “a rare ray of good news for the nation and our Constitution”.
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“With this historic, bipartisan vote to prevent further war in Venezuela, Congress has begun the long-overdue work of reasserting its constitutional role in decisions of war and peace,” Kharrazian said.

Several attempts to advance similar resolutions were blocked by both the Senate and House last year, with Republicans largely coalescing around support for Trump. The five Republicans who voted to advance on Thursday included senators Rand Paul, Lisa Murkowski, Susan Collins, Todd Young and Josh Hawley.

Their vote appeared to hit a nerve for Trump. In a post on Truth Social, Trump said the Republican quintet should be “ashamed” and “should never be elected to office again”.

It was not immediately clear when a final vote on the Senate resolution would be held, although it was expected sometime next week.

‘Clear-cut case’

US military assets have remained deployed to the Caribbean since the abduction of Maduro and the Trump administration has said strikes on alleged drug boats will continue.

While no US troops are known to be on the ground in the country, Trump has threatened interim leader, Maduro’s former deputy Delcy Rodriguez, that if she does not comply with US demands, she could “pay a very big price, probably bigger than Maduro”.

Trump has also threatened to use military force against other countries in the Western Hemisphere, including Colombia, as well as Greenland – an autonomous territory of Denmark. How the US military will play into Trump’s promises to indefinitely assert control over Venezuela’s government and open the country’s oil industry to US companies has not yet been clarified.



At least 100 people killed in US attack on Venezuela, minister says


Legal experts have said Congress has, for decades, backed away from asserting its authority when it comes to US military engagement abroad.

Under the US Constitution, only Congress can declare war, something it has not done since World War II.

The War Powers Act of 1973, meanwhile, created a process for the legislative branch to rein in a president’s unilateral use of the military. Many experts argue the Constitution only grants the president the ability to take unilateral military actions in matters of immediate self-defence or in responding to an imminent attack.

Speaking to Al Jazeera earlier this week, David Janovsky, the acting director of the Constitution Project at the Project on Government Oversight, called Trump’s actions in Venezuela a “clear-cut case” of presidential overreach “crying out for congressional action”.

‘No more endless wars’

But many Republicans have rejected that position, adopting Trump’s claims that the US needed to take urgent action against Maduro, even as little evidence has emerged to justify the position.

“Unlike the former president, President Trump demonstrated he is a man of action, he was decisive, and did what he promised the American people he would do, and that is to keep them safe,” Senator James Risch said before Thursday’s vote.

Risch further argued that actions against Maduro were a one-off “47-minute” operation, and not part of a prolonged military engagement, and therefore did not require congressional intervention.



US says it will control Venezuelan oil indefinitely


The top Democrat in the chamber, Chuck Schumer, meanwhile, called on the Senate to assert “the authority given to it in the Constitution on matters of war and peace”.

“We must send Donald Trump a clear message on behalf of the American people, no more endless wars,” he said.

In an editorial published by Responsible Statecraft on Wednesday, Republican Rand Paul accused his party of having “lost its grip and become eunuchs in the thrall of presidential domination”.

“But make no mistake, bombing another nation’s capital and removing their leader is an act of war plain and simple,” he said. “No provision in the Constitution provides such power to the presidency.”

Minnesota officials say FBI blocked their access to ICE shooting probe

BBC:

Minnesota officials say FBI blocked their access to ICE shooting probe

12 hours ago
Madeline Halpert

Minneapolis

Eloise Alanna/BBC
Flowers have been left at the scene of the shooting in tribute to Renee Good


Minnesota officials say the FBI has blocked their access to an investigation into the fatal shooting of a woman by a US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agent.

People have taken to the streets of Minneapolis to protest the killing of 37-year-old Renee Nicole Good, who died on Wednesday after being shot in her car.

Minnesota Governor Tim Walz has accused the Trump administration of blocking state officials from involvement in the case, but the US vice-president said the investigation is a federal issue.

Officials have offered differing accounts of the incident, with the Trump administration claiming the ICE agent was acting in self defence, while local officials say the woman posed no danger.

Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem has claimed the ICE agent shot Good multiple times because she was trying to run over the officer in her car.

The US Federal Bureau of Investigation said it would investigate the incident.

Minnesota's Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA) said the FBI had initially agreed to a joint investigation with state officials but then reversed course and denied the state access to materials and evidence.

Without the ability to access all the necessary case materials and evidence, the BCA has "reluctantly withdrawn" from the investigation, the BCA's superintendent Drew Evans said in a statement.



Politicians divided on Minneapolis shooting


Speaking at a news conference on Thursday, Walz said he was worried the federal government would not be able to carry out an unbiased investigation.

"It feels now that Minnesota has been taken out of the investigation," Walz said. "It feels very, very difficult that we will get a fair outcome."

Vice President JD Vance told reporters on Thursday that the investigation into the shooting was a federal issue, arguing it would go against precedent for a local official to be involved in prosecuting the case.

Videos of the incident show ICE agents approaching a car which is in the middle of the street, and tell the woman behind the wheel to get out of the SUV. One of the agents tugs at the driver's side door handle.

As the vehicle attempts to drive off, one of the agents points their gun at the driver and several shots are heard.

The car then continues to drive away from the officer and crashes into the side of the street.

At the scene of the crash on Thursday, blood from the shooting could still be seen in the snow. People set up a vigil at the site to honour Good, lining the bank with candles and roses.

Hundreds of demonstrators showed up throughout the day, shouting insults at ICE and offering their neighbours coffee on the cold winter day.

Susie Hawyard, a minister, said she went to the scene of the shooting as soon as she heard the news to verify "with my own eyes" what happened.

Eloise Alanna/BBC
Members of the community have been gathering to pay their respects to Good


"I was horrified," she said. "I saw the car, I saw Renee's car, I saw Renee's blood."

Protesters also gathered at a federal building in Minneapolis early Thursday morning, where they were met with armed officers. The protests remained largely peaceful there, as residents expressed their anger over the killing of Good.

"They cannot get away with killing someone. There has to be consequences for actions," said Gavin, one of dozens of people outside the federal building.

Those who knew Good said she was a poet and guitarist who had just moved to the city of Minneapolis.

Her mother, Donna Ganger, told the Minnesota Star Tribune that her daughter was "probably terrified" during the confrontation with officers that saw her fatally shot.

"She was extremely compassionate," Ganger told the daily newspaper. "She's taken care of people all her life. She was loving, forgiving and affectionate. She was an amazing human being."

Even those who did not know Good said they were touched by her death.

"Renee was everything that was good about our community," said Nimco Ahmad, a Somali immigrant who grew up just blocks from the incident.

Ahmad said she and others were gathered to help ensure justice would be secured for Good.

Eloise Alanna/BBC
Nimco Ahmad said the shooting has shaken up the welcoming community of Minneapolis


The exclusion of state authorities from the probe into Good's killing is likely to undermine public trust, said Edward Maguire, a criminology professor at Arizona State University.

"From a criminological perspective, jurisdictional claims in cases like this are often less about legal requirements and more about political efforts to control the investigation and shape its outcome," he said.

But the state could still file criminal charges later against the federal officer who killed Good, said Bryna Godar, a staff attorney with the State Democracy Research Initiative at the University of Wisconsin Law School.

Is PAS really a 'snake' that bites its friends?

Is PAS really a 'snake' that bites its friends?

James Chai
Published: Jan 8, 2026 11:15 AM
Updated: 6:50 PM



COMMENT | When Umno Youth chief Dr Akmal Saleh presented his ideas to his boss, Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, he was probably looking for a big break in his political career.

Three days before the meeting with Zahid, Akmal organised an Umno Youth special convention, where the youth wing he leads called for its party to leave the government.

“Umno members are not cowards,” he said.

However, Akmal went further. He saw the split of Malay parties as a tragedy, and revived the grand dream of combining the two largest Malay parties, Umno and PAS, in the Muafakat Nasional tent.

This was opportunistic as PAS leaders now felt betrayed by Bersatu after the Perlis menteri besar crisis, where a coup resulted in the PAS menteri besar being replaced by a Bersatu leader.

Akmal even had the backing of PAS information chief Ahmad Fadhli Shaari, who wanted MN to be “immediately” launched after Umno leaves the coalition government.

Every Malay party leader has tried to unify the Malays (former Umno president Onn Jaafar’s Kongres Melayu, Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah’s Angkatan Perpaduan Ummah, Dr Mahathir Mohamad’s “Kongres Maruah Melayu”, and the current prime minister’s Bumiputera Economic Congress).

Umno Youth chief Dr Akmal Saleh


The moves were made because they stoked a profound longing among Malays and would almost guarantee electoral dominance. Imagine the most prominent Malay-Muslim leaders seated together with a common Malay agenda.

And then imagine Akmal as the first proposer. If it worked this time, Akmal would have achieved a rare feat in Malaysian political history.

However, this was not meant to be.

Zahid did not seem convinced and urged his party not to “indulge in nostalgia”, and promised to stay with the coalition government for now.

He also said Umno does not want to be “bitten by the same snake a second time”.

PAS’ betrayal of Umno

In Malay culture, snakes are commonly used as imagery to describe a hidden betrayal that is close to you or two-faced behaviour.

For Zahid to use such a harsh description shows that Umno has not moved on from its perceived betrayal by PAS after they formed MN in 2019.

Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi

Notwithstanding the hype around the pact, it was a project that lasted for barely five months. It was not even a formal coalition; it was only a charter signed by both parties to champion Malay-Muslim issues.

Yet, Umno expected some degree of loyalty from PAS, and felt betrayed when PAS went on to form a formal political coalition with Bersatu. Even after five years, Zahid still doubts PAS’ sincerity and accuses them of abandoning the project.

Most political parties have the right to be cautious of PAS. The Islamic party has partnered with most major political parties, and almost all of them ended acrimoniously.

The only time PAS could work well with its partners was when the others were small, bordering on insignificant: Gerakan, Pan-Malaysian Islamic Front (Berjasa), and Malaysia National Alliance Party (Ikatan).

Based on their coalition track records, there seem to be at least three reasons why it is hard for others to work with PAS.

Why PAS always abandons partners

First, PAS’ long-term thinking sees every partner as merely a tool. What cannot be taken away from PAS is that it has a clear long-term vision that has not changed since its founding in 1951.

PAS believes in a government and society that is led by Islamic leadership, with Islamic precepts and syariah law governing every aspect. While the zeal and gradient of this may vary through the decades, the long-term vision did not change.

PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang


Under PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang, this takes a more exclusivist tone of marginalising non-believers.

Another proof of PAS’ long-term vision is its launch of the “Wawasan Induk Negara Sejahtera 2051” that lays its grand vision of how Malaysia should be transformed at the party’s 100th year.

That is why it does not see coalition partnership the same way other parties do. It does not matter who they work with, as long as it serves them to get closer to the party’s long-term vision.

PAS used to hold on to the principle of “tahaluf siyasi” (or political pact) to justify working with BN (1974), Angkatan Perpaduan Ummah (1990), Barisan Alternatif (1999), Pakatan Rakyat (2008).

It then changed to a new strategy called “ta’awun siyasi” (or political cooperation), which is a looser concept that allows it to work with as many parties as possible - even at the same time.

It was what helped justify a flexible partnership with arch-rival Umno, but still formed a political coalition with Bersatu. It was why this was perceived as a betrayal to Umno but was logical to PAS and its long-term vision.

‘Big brother’ tendency

Second, PAS has a “big brother” tendency that is growing by the election. When times are good, it would not take long before PAS shows how uncomfortable they are playing second fiddle.

In 1999, when it won 27 seats (from the previous seven seats) as part of Barisan Alternatif with DAP, Keadilan, and Parti Rakyat Malaysia (PRM), it became overzealous and started pursuing kharaj land tax on non-Muslims, mandating Muslim dress codes, banning gambling and restricting alcohol, and pushed for syariah enactments in Kelantan and Terengganu.

DAP left the pact. The current rift with Bersatu is similar, as PAS is not only the largest party in Parliament now, but has also made breakthroughs in Sabah and Negeri Sembilan to feel confident.

Even when times are bad, PAS has a track record of making unilateral decisions and violating coalition principles. Despite rejections by DAP and PKR, PAS insisted on implementing hudud when it was part of Pakatan Rakyat.

Similarly, Umno’s main grievance against PAS was that the Islamic party did not consult Umno before forming Perikatan Nasional, resulting in the severance of trust and the MN structure.

And this can be attributed to how PAS works. Its ulama leadership is the central authority. The veto authority of its ulama outweighs any coalition discussion.

It is hard for PAS to view its ulama as being subservient or even equal to other coalition partners. After all, any partnership is meant to serve PAS’ highest truth of governing the country with Islam. There could not be anything higher.

Third, PAS’ ideological stance will not shift. In its party constitution, 2003 Islamic State document, official speeches, and multiple peer-reviewed journals, it is unambiguous that PAS is intent on an Islamic state that runs on Islamic precepts and syariah laws.

The short diversion to use “negara berkebajikan” (welfare state) in 2011 was simply a matter of relabelling and sequencing (welfare first, to lead to an Islamic state).

Other parties are aware of this, but were still open to working with PAS because of what they bring. PAS has one of the most disciplined party machinery that could be mobilised in an instant.

Its 70-year grassroots infrastructure is mature, covering pre-schools to secondary schools, youth volunteering corps, and civil society. In a world where voters are split, a party that could deliver between 30 to 40 MP seats with certainty is a kingmaker.

By this time, every party knows what it is like to work with PAS. Yet, most parties are still tempted to consider, given PAS’ seemingly unstoppable electoral ascendency.

These parties will convince themselves that they could manage PAS’ behaviour and eventually come out on top. However, they should ask Bersatu how this turned out.

JAMES CHAI is a visiting fellow at Iseas-Yusof Ishak Institute and the author of the bestselling book titled “Sang Kancil: A Tale of How Ordinary Malaysians Defied the Odds” (Penguin Random House). More of his writing can be found at jameschaiwriting.substack.com He could be reached at jameschai.mpuk@gmail.com