Prominent Palestinian prisoner Marwan Barghouti attacked by guards, family says

BBC:

Prominent Palestinian prisoner Marwan Barghouti attacked by guards, family says

3 hours ago
Tom Bennett

Jerusalem

Getty
Barghouti's family says he was attacked while being transferred between prisons


The most prominent Palestinian prisoner, Marwan Barghouti, was beaten unconscious by Israeli prison guards on 14 September, his family has said.

The 66-year-old - serving life for planning deadly attacks against Israelis - was allegedly assaulted by eight guards during a transfer between Ganot and Megiddo prisons.

The Israel Prison Service told the BBC: "These are false claims (fake). The Israel Prison Service operates in accordance with the law, while ensuring the safety and health of all inmates".

Barghouti's son, Arab, told the BBC the family had received testimony from five separate detainees who were released this week who heard Barghouti's account of the attack. He said the family was "horrified".

Barghouti was allegedly handcuffed by the guards, put on the floor, kicked and beaten.

"They focused on the head area, they focused on the chest area and also on the legs," he said. "He stayed unconscious for hours, he was bleeding, and he could hardly walk."

Arab said he believed the attack took place as his father was transferred between the two prisons, which are in southern and northern Israel, because there were no surveillance cameras to capture it.

Barghouti is serving five life sentences plus 40 years after being convicted by an Israeli court in 2004 of planning attacks in which five civilians were killed.

The detainees who told the family of the attack had been released as part of Monday's hostage and prisoner exchange between Israel and Hamas, Arab said.

Barghouti's name was at the top of a list of seven high-profile prisoners whose release Hamas had sought in return for the 20 living Israeli hostages the group was holding in Gaza - but Israel refused to include him.

He is seen by many as the one man who could unite Palestinians - and the various Palestinian political factions - across both Gaza and the occupied West Bank.

Opinion polls have consistently indicated that he is the most popular Palestinian leader, and that Palestinians would vote for him in a presidential election ahead of the current Palestinian Authority (PA) President Mahmoud Abbas or Hamas leaders.

Barghouti remains a senior figure in the Fatah faction that dominates the PA, which governs parts of the occupied West Bank not under Israeli control. He has been held in solitary confinement since October 2023.

Far-right Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir, who is in charge of the prison service, denied Barghouti had been assaulted, but said he was "proud" Barghouti's prison conditions had worsened.

In August, a video emerged showing Ben Gvir taunting Barghouti in his cell.

The 13-second-long video clip was the first time he had been publicly seen in years. He appeared aged and gaunt.

In the clip, Ben Gvir tells him: "You will not win. He who messes with the people of Israel, he who will murder our children, he who will murder our women, we will wipe him out".

As Barghouti tries to interject, Ben Gvir adds: "You need to know this, throughout history."

The PA condemned the video. Its Vice-President Hussein al-Sheikh described it as "the epitome of psychological, moral and physical terrorism."

***

Shailoks are scared Marwan Barghouti becomes PM of Palestine

al Jazeera:

Trump threatens ‘to go in and kill’ Hamas in Gaza over internal clashes

Statement appears to signal about-face from US president, who previously backed Hamas’s crackdown on Gaza gangs.

US President Donald Trump holds a signed document during a summit in Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt to support ending the war in Gaza, October 13 [File: Suzanne Plunkett/Pool via AP]

By Ali Harb

Published On 16 Oct 202516 Oct 2025

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United States President Donald Trump has threatened to break the ceasefire between Israel and Hamas if the Palestinian group continues to target gangs and alleged Israeli collaborators in Gaza.

“If Hamas continues to kill people in Gaza, which was not the Deal, we will have no choice but to go in and kill them,” Trump wrote in a social media post on Thursday. “Thank you for your attention to this matter!”

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The statement appears to signal an about-face from Trump, who earlier this week expressed support for Hamas’s crackdown on gangs in the Palestinian territory.

“They did take out a couple of gangs that were very bad, very, very bad gangs,” Trump told reporters on Tuesday. “And they did take them out, and they killed a number of gang members. And that didn’t bother me much, to be honest with you. That’s OK.”

There have been deadly clashes reported between Hamas and armed clan members in Gaza, who have been accused of looting humanitarian aid and working for Israel.

After the fighting on Sunday, the Interior Ministry in Gaza issued general amnesty for gang members who did not participate in the bloodshed.

In June, Israeli officials admitted to arming Gaza gangs, some of which have ties to ISIL (ISIS), in an effort to destabilise Hamas.

On Sunday, gunmen from a Gaza gang linked to Israel killed prominent Palestinian journalist Saleh Aljafarawi, according to local forces.

PAKISTAN RIOTS - 15 TO 200 KILLED IN MURIDKE (LAHORE)

 

OutSyed The Box

Wednesday, October 15, 2025

PAKISTAN RIOTS - 15 TO 200 KILLED IN MURIDKE (LAHORE)

 

 

There is more trouble in Pakistan. They have another group called the TLP or Tehreeke Labbayk Pakistan - an ultra jihadi outfit based in Punjab (in Pakistan the provincial identity - Punjabi, Pashtun, Baloch, Sindhi, Kashmiri - is absolutely critical).

The TLP has been violently protesting Donald Trump's Gaza Peace Plan. They are especially incensed that the Pakistani PM  flew all the way to Egypt to kiss the butt of Donald Trump. Long story short there have been massive street protests in Muridke (near Lahore), in Rawalpindi and a few other places. Here is a brief video. Internet services have been shut down in Lahore, Rawalpindi the past two days and there is a complete news blackout inside Pakistan. What you are seeing is from Indian and other social media. 

At least 15 people have been killed. Some reports say maybe more - more than 200 people have been shot by police and army. We really dont know.

 

 

The fighting between Pakistan and Afghanistan is still ongoing but perhaps less. Pakistani troops have scored successes in knocking out tanks driven by Afghan Taliban - obviously the Pakistanis have superior experience in tank warfare. But the Afghans are also conducting small troop guerrilla style attacks at which they are the masters.

I am waiting to see if the TTP (the Tehreeke Taliban Pakistan) - the Pushtun outfit  in Khyber Pakhtunhwa will also attack the Pakistan Army. And will they coordinate with the Baloch in the south? That will be a noisy street party indeed. With fireworks and all.

As the stomach churns. 

GANG RAPE BALING: PESTA SEKS BERKUMPULAN EMPAT BULAN DALAM KELAS SEKOLAH HABIS PENGETUA TAK KENA TRANSFER KE?

 

OutSyed The Box

Thursday, October 16, 2025

GANG RAPE BALING: PESTA SEKS BERKUMPULAN EMPAT BULAN DALAM KELAS SEKOLAH HABIS PENGETUA TAK KENA TRANSFER KE?

 

RULE NO 1 - NO NAMES. ITS THE TIMES WE LIVE IN.

 

"empat suspek melakukan seks berkumpulan Mei-Ogos dalam kelas sekolah"

 

Rogol bergilir, rogol berkumpulan, rogol bersiri. Rupanya belum ada lagi istilah yang dipersetujui untuk huraikan pandemik baru yang melanda satu kumpulan penduduk sahaja dalam negara kita. Mungkin Dewan Bahasa boleh membantu. Saya cadangkan bahasa mudah: "gang bang" sajalah.  

 

BALING: Empat remaja termasuk tiga pelajar sekolah daerah ini rogol secara berkumpulan dan menyebarkan bahan lucah di media sosial. 
Pengadu dimaklumkan guru disiplin berkaitan video anaknya berbogel.
tiga pelajar sekolah berkenaan, seorang bekas pelajar ditahan 
empat suspek melakukan seks berkumpulan Mei-Ogos dalam kelas sekolah 
Ahmad Salimi berkata, kes disiasat mengikut Seksyen 375B Kanun Keseksaan kerana rogol berkumpulan dan menghantar pornografi kanak-kanak. 

 

My Comments:

1. Kes bunuh di sekolah Petaling Jaya

Kenapa pula pengetua sekolah itu dikenakan tindakan 'administrative transfer'?

What for?

Di Petaling Jaya, pengetua sekolah  itu tidak terlibat cover up apa pun.
Di Petaling Jaya, pengetua sekolah tidak terlibat buat panggilan telefon pukul 3 pagi atau 4 pagi memberi arahan entah apa.
Di Petaling Jaya, tidak ada warden terlibat alihkan mayat simati dari sini ke sana, sehingga orang keliru di mana tempat kejadian yang sebenarnya. Semuanya jadi teka teki. 
Di Petaling Jaya, tidak ada pelajar merayau-rayau sekeliling sekolah pada pukul tiga pagi, buat laundry, masak mee, basuh kasut dsbnya.
Di Petaling Jaya, tidak ada sekuriti guard memberi saksian merapu dan merepek pelajar bertengkar dan memekik pada paukul tiga pagi sebab 'itu perkara biasa saja'.
Di Petaling Jaya tidak ada saksi-saksi yang bercakap seolah sudah ada 'coaching' apa nak di kata. 
Di Petaling Jaya, tidak ada gang senior buli geng junior, tidak ada kumpulan Bulatan Edinburgh ata apa jenis circle pun.
Di Petaling Jaya tidak ada telefon awam 'ditutup' dan pelajar tidak dapat membuat panggilan ke luar. 
Di Petaling Jaya tidak ada kekeliruan CCTV ada ke tak ada, di pasang ke atau tidak di pasang dsbnya.

Habis pasal apa pula pengetua sekolah di Petaling Jaya dikenakan tindakan 'administrative transfer' pula? Tak masuk akal. 

Di Petaling Jaya, itu adalah kes budak tak senonoh sengaja serang budak perempuan yang tak mahu layan dia. Budak lelaki itu sudah syok kepada budak perempuan itu tetapi bila kena rejection dia mengamuk psycho. Dia serang dan tikam anak gadis itu dengan pisau. This is a very rare case - anywhere in the world. Satu dunia pun jarang melihat kes psycho macam itu. 

Habis kenapa pula pengetua sekolah dikenakan tindakan 'administrative transfer' pula? Jangan main politik lah bodoh.  The pengetua sekolah has nothing to do with that type of psycho behaviour. Susah bagi siapa pun dapat kesan kes psycho seperti itu sebelum ia boleh berlaku. 

 

2. Kes rogol berkumpulan di Baling.

Mereka adakan pesta seks atau pesta rogol berkumpulan atau pesta gang-bang selama EMPAT BULAN dalam kelas sekolah. 

• Dan pihak sekolah tak tahu apa pun?
• Pengetua sekolah tak tahu.
• Warden tak tahu.
• Sekuriti guard tak tahu.
• Guru disiplin tak tahu.

Selama EMPAT BULAN MEI-OGOS, sekurang-kurangnya  "tiga pelajar sekolah berkenaan, dan seorang bekas pelajar"   terlibat Pesta Seks Berkumpulan di sekolah di Baling itu. 

"empat suspek melakukan seks berkumpulan Mei-Ogos dalam kelas sekolah"

Tetapi tiada siapa pun pihak sekolah yang dapat mengesan PESTA SEKS itu. Saya rasa bukan saja pengetua sekolah perlu kena administrative transfer tetapi terus dibuang kerja saja. Juga guru disiplin, warden (kalau ada), sekuriti guard dan semua sekali perlu dibuang kerja.

Dan saya melihat satu lagi perkara pelik antara kes PESTA SEKS BERKUMPULAN di Baling dan juga kes di Melaka itu.

(Mata Beliak kata beri ruang pelajar perogol Melaka itu mengambil peperiksaan SPM mereka.  Tak payahlah awak cakap bodoh-bodoh. Hari ini mereka mula didakwa di mahkamah Melaka. Habis kenapa awak tidak pergi mengajar Matematik dalam lokap? Awak pergilah bawa buku Nawawi sekali dan mengajar mereka antara masuk lokap dan naik turun Black Maria. Jangan lupa bawa kain niqab untuk tutup muka mereka - sebab bawah umur kan. Why do you talk so stupid?)

Di Baling gadis mangsa rogol tidak membuat laporan atau aduan walaupun PESTA ROGOL dalam kelas sekolah berlangsung selama EMPAT BULAN dari bulan Mei hingga Ogos. Akhir sekali seorang guru disiplin yang maklumkan kepada ayah si mangsa bahawa anak dia terlibat video bogel "Pengadu dimaklumkan guru disiplin berkaitan video anaknya berbogel".  Lepas itu barulah si ayah membuat laporan Polis.

Serupa juga kes Pesta Rogol di sekolah di Melaka itu. Mangsa rogol itu tidak membuat aduan. Yang membuat aduan adalah si ibu mangsa dan sekali lagi sesudah si ibu menerima hantaran video yang menunjukkan anaknya dalam aksi berbogel.

Hari ini Khamis 16hb Oktober 2025. Kita tunggu sajalah sampai esok atau minggu depan. Kita tunggu sajalah. Saya rasa mesti akan ada lagi kes-kes serupa ini yang melibatkan sekolah dan pelajar sekolah. Rupanya fe'el seperti ini makin menjadi pandemik.

 

India casts doubt on Trump's claim Modi will stop buying Russian oil

BBC:

India casts doubt on Trump's claim Modi will stop buying Russian oil

8 minutes ago
Sean Seddon

Reuters
Trump claimed Narendra Modi had committed to end Russian oil imports on Wednesday


India's foreign ministry has said it is "not aware" of a phone call in which US President Donald Trump claimed Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi agreed to stop purchasing Russian oil.

On Wednesday, Trump said his Indian counterpart had "assured me today" that it would end Russian oil imports, a move the US has pushed for in a bid to increase economic pressure on the Kremlin to end the war in Ukraine.

But asked about the call on Thursday, an Indian government spokesman cast doubt on Trump's account, saying he was "not aware of any conversation between the two leaders" taking place the previous day.

The Indian government had earlier said discussions were still "ongoing" with the US over its Russian oil purchases.

India has become a key energy customer for Russia since the outbreak of the war, partly allowing the Kremlin to withstand the impact of Ukrainian allies slashing oil and gas imports, the country's biggest export market.

The Trump administration has put public and diplomatic pressure on India to end its support for the Russian energy market as it seeks to increase the Kremlin's economic isolation and force an end to the war. Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.

Speaking at the White House on Wednesday, Trump said he had received assurances from Modi on Wednesday that India would halt its purchases "within a short period of time".

In its initial response, the Indian government did not directly dispute that the call between Trump and Modi had taken place. It read: "Our consistent priority to safeguard the interests of the Indian consumer in a volatile energy scenario. Our import policies are guided entirely by this objective."

The Indian government's second response on Thursday raises further questions over whether a deal has been struck between Washington and Delhi.

BBC News has contacted the White House and State Department for comment.

***

The Clown is a notorious LIAR - next he'll raise the tariffs for India to 200%, wakakaka 😂😂😂

PAS MP calls for action against ‘Israel-linked’ Christian evangelism

FMT:

PAS MP calls for action against ‘Israel-linked’ Christian evangelism

Yesterday
Predeep Nambiar

Ahmad Saad @ Yahaya claims a pastor has been seen giving a sermon holding a weapon

PAS MP Ahmad Saad @ Yahaya said appointing shariah-trained judges to civil courts would help them deal better with cases that involve Islamic matters. (Facebook pic)

KUALA LUMPUR: A PAS MP has asked the government what steps are being taken to stop Christian evangelism, claiming that a pastor here has ties with Israel.

Ahmad Saad @ Yahaya (PN-Pokok Sena) claimed people were shocked to see a pastor giving a sermon holding a weapon, and said this could harm peace and unity.

“We were recently shocked by the revelation of a pastor who gave a sermon while holding a weapon,” he said in his debate of the 2026 budget at the Dewan Rakyat.

Ahmad accused the church’s founder of being linked to what he called the “illegal state of Israel”, and said the man had even been named as one of its “key instructors”.

He asked how such people could operate freely in the country when the nation has a clear policy that rejects all ties with Israel.


“Malaysia has a clear foreign policy against the illegal state of Israel. But how is it that we have overlooked those who strongly support this illegal state and are preaching here?” he asked.

FMT is withholding the name of the church in question pending a response.

Separately, Ahmad urged the government to appoint shariah-trained judges to civil courts, which he said would help them deal better with cases that involved Islamic matters.

He said this would help ensure fair decisions and show that the government is serious about improving the shariah system.

Zara was labelled ‘problematic’ by peers, says witness

FMT:

Zara was labelled ‘problematic’ by peers, says witness

The Form 5 student testifies that Zara Qairina Mahathir was disliked by some students at her school hostel

A witness told the coroner’s court in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, today that she found Zara Qairina Mahathir to be a cheerful person who never had problems with anyone. (Facebook pic)

PETALING JAYA: The late Zara Qairina Mahathir was labelled “a problematic student” by other boarders at SMKA Tun Datu Mustapha in Papar, Sabah, a witness told the coroner’s court in Kota Kinabalu today.

The 16th witness, a Form 5 student, testified before coroner Amir Shah Amir Hassan that Zara was disliked by some students at the hostel.

“If I asked which Zara they were referring to, they would say, ‘the problematic one’. I also asked what kind of problems they meant, and they replied, ‘stealing’.


“But in my opinion, Zara was not a problematic student. I never scolded or reprimanded her,” the witness said during her testimony, Berita Harian reported.

The witness also told the court that she found Zara to be a cheerful person who never had problems with anyone.


However, the witness said they had heard rumours suggesting that the 13-year-old fancied someone of the same gender.

“I didn’t think much of it because Zara, who was in Form 1 at the time, was still very young.

“As for the claim about her liking someone of the same gender, perhaps she simply admired that person as a role model. But I don’t know who that person was,” the witness said.

The witness also recounted an experience from when she was in Form 3, when senior students had asked for help ironing their uniforms.


“Based on my observation, senior students at the hostel tend to scold and curse at juniors when they get angry.


“That’s the kind of language I often hear. They set a bad example for the juniors. I had advised them before, but they still behaved the same way.

“Our religious teacher once reminded everyone to mind their language and speak politely, as junior students tend to imitate their seniors,” the witness added.

The inquest will resume next Tuesday.

Family, political leaders and classmates gather to mourn school stabbing victim in solemn farewell

Family, political leaders and classmates gather to mourn school stabbing victim in solemn farewell



Mother of the late Yap Shing Xuen, Wong Lee Ping (centre), is seen flanked by family members during her daughter’s wake ceremony at Nirvana 2, Kuala Lumpur today. — Picture by Sayuti Zainudin

Thursday, 16 Oct 2025 8:31 PM MYT


KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 16 — A heavy silence filled the hall as family members, classmates and friends gathered to pay their final respects to 16-year-old Yap Shing Xuen, who died in a stabbing incident at her secondary school.

At her wake service held at Nirvana Center Kuala Lumpur, the mood was sombre and serious.

By 3pm, a group of media personnel had congregated outside the ceremonial hall where Yap’s body was lying in repose.

A lone sign placed outside the hall read, “Media, photography and video recording are strictly prohibited.”


Wreaths from various well-wishers, including political parties such as DAP and MCA, lined the exterior hallway.

Inside, Yap’s body rested in an open casket as Buddhist nuns led those present in prayer recitals.

Later, several leaders from DAP also arrived to pay their last respects.


They included party adviser Lim Guan Eng, Members of Parliament Teresa Kok, Teo Nie Ching, Lim Lip Eng, Chong Zhemin and Yeo Bee Yin, as well as state assemblypersons Jamaliah Jamaluddin, Wong Siew Ki and Pua Pei Ling.

Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek and Deputy Education Minister Wong Kah Woh also dropped by later to pay their last respects.

Yap’s wake service will continue until Monday morning, when the funeral cortege will depart for the Nirvana Crematorium in Shah Alam for cremation.

China slams US ‘bullying’ over Russian oil purchases and trade penalties

China slams US ‘bullying’ over Russian oil purchases and trade penalties



A view shows oil pump jacks outside Almetyevsk, in the Republic of Tatarstan, Russia July 14, 2025. — Reuters/Stringer pic

Thursday, 16 Oct 2025 7:55 PM MYT


BEIJING, Oct 16 — China said today that its purchases of Russian oil were “legitimate” and decried recent “unilateral bullying” measures by the United States as the trade row between the two countries continues to intensify.

Trump said yesterday that Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi had promised him New Delhi would stop buying Russian oil, and that he would get China to follow suit.

Trump has accused both China and India of funding the three-year Ukraine war through the purchases, and has also demanded that European allies immediately stop buying oil from Russia.

India neither confirmed or denied it was shifting its policy.


Asked today about Trump’s intention to pressure China further, Beijing’s foreign ministry defended its “normal, legitimate economic, trade, and energy cooperation with countries around the world, including Russia”.


“The actions of the United States are a typical example of unilateral bullying and economic coercion,” ministry spokesman Lin Jian said at a press briefing.

If China’s interests are harmed, it will “take firm countermeasures and resolutely safeguard its sovereignty”, he warned.


Beijing and Moscow are key trading partners, and China has never denounced Russia’s war, nor called for it to withdraw its troops.

Kyiv and Western governments have long accused Beijing of providing political and economic support for Moscow.

‘Profoundly detrimental’

Beijing today also criticised recent US moves to expand export controls and impose new port fees on Chinese ships, saying the measures had a “profoundly detrimental” impact on trade talks between the two superpowers.

While tensions between Washington and Beijing have de-escalated from their peak, the truce remains shaky.

After Beijing imposed fresh controls on the export of rare earth technologies and items, Trump said he would roll out an additional 100-per cent tariff on the country’s goods from November 1.

The United States announced in April it would begin applying fees to all arriving Chinese-built and operated ships after a “Section 301” investigation found Beijing’s dominance in the industry was unreasonable.

Section 301 of the US Trade Act of 1974 enables Washington to impose trade penalties on countries whose practices are deemed unfair or harmful to American commerce.

Beijing responded last week by announcing “special port fees” on American ships arriving at Chinese ports. Both sets of fees took effect Tuesday.

Commerce ministry spokeswoman He Yongqian said today the US moved ahead with the measures while “disregarding China’s sincerity in consultations”, causing “severe damage to China’s interests... (and) a profoundly detrimental impact”.

“The Chinese side expresses strong dissatisfaction with and resolutely opposes the series of actions taken by the US side,” He Yongqian said.

She urged Washington to “immediately rectify its erroneous practices” and respect the outcomes of recent trade talks. — AFP

Camp facilitator arrested over alleged molestation of four Standard Six pupils in Balik Pulau

Camp facilitator arrested over alleged molestation of four Standard Six pupils in Balik Pulau



Barat Daya police chief ACP Sazalee Adam said the 33-year-old facilitator was arrested at his home in Sungai Petani, Kedah, at about 9pm yesterday after police received a report on the incident. — Reuters file pic

Thursday, 16 Oct 2025 9:02 PM MYT


BALIK PULAU, Oct 16 — Police have arrested a man who works as a facilitator for investigations after four Year Six male students claimed they were molested during a motivational camp held in Kampung Genting here.

Barat Daya police chief ACP Sazalee Adam said the 33-year-old facilitator was arrested at his home in Sungai Petani, Kedah, at about 9pm yesterday after police received a report on the incident.

“Based on a police report filed by the headmaster of the Standard Six pupils, the incident occurred on October 12 during a motivational programme involving a national school from Kerian, Perak, at the camp.

“According to the four students, they were asleep in the middle of the night in the dormitory housing male students before the suspect allegedly molested them by touching parts of their bodies,” he said at the Barat Daya police headquarters (IPD) here today.


He said that based on investigation, the man who was arrested was a guest facilitator at the camp and all the victims only disclosed the incident to the headmaster upon their return from camp.

According to Sazalee, the suspect, who is married and has two children, has been remanded for seven days from today until October 21 for investigations under Section 14(a) of the Sexual Offences Against Children Act 2017. — Bernama

Who is Going to Take the Fall for the FAM Football Debacle?

Opinion | Who is Going to Take the Fall for the FAM Football Debacle?


16 Oct 2025 • 4:00 PM MYT


TheRealNehruism
Writer. Seeker. Teacher

Image credit: Malay Mail / Bernama



Somebody’s head is likely going to roll for the national disgrace our football team has brought upon the country — but the question is, whose?


The fiasco is far too big for us to do the “Malaysian thing” and simply “close one eye.” FIFA, the world’s football governing body, has described what our national team did as “pure and simple, a form of cheating.” That’s not a phrase that gets thrown around lightly.


For context — nine out of eleven players in our national football team were “naturalised” Malaysians. These are individuals who, if you met them, would probably appear to you as foreign visitors rather than national representatives. Out of those nine, FIFA has now determined that seven were not Malaysians at all. Instead, the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) allegedly submitted forged and falsified documents to make them appear Malaysian — so they could wear our national colours and win us victories that were never truly ours.


FAM, as expected, is contesting FIFA’s verdict and insists it has done nothing wrong. But what else can it say? Admitting guilt would mean acknowledging a level of disgrace so deep that it would have to, in a sense, decimate itself.


For clarity — the word decimation comes from Ancient Rome, where every tenth soldier in a disgraced legion was executed as punishment for collective failure. If FIFA is correct, and our footballing conduct has indeed been that disgraceful, the Malaysian equivalent might well be due.

FAM’s Slim Chances of Redemption

FAM says it will appeal FIFA’s decision. But from all indications, their chances of success are close to zero.


For one, just look at the names involved: Gabriel Felipe Arrocha, Facundo Tomás Garcés, Rodrigo Julián Holgado, Imanol Javier Machuca, João Vitor Brandão Figueiredo, Jon Irazábal Iraurgui, and Hector Alejandro Hevel Serrano.


These are not Malaysian names — and neither do these players look, sound, or live like Malaysians. Five of them — Figueiredo, Holgado, Irazabal, Garces, and Machuca — were cleared to represent Malaysia just hours before our match against Vietnam on June 10.


FAM calls it a “technical error.” FIFA, however, spent over 6,000 words detailing how it confirmed its ruling — hardly the work of a body that thinks this is a mere paperwork error. FIFA even tracked down the players’ grandparents in their respective countries and found no trace of Malaysian ancestry anywhere:

• Gabriel Arrocha’s grandmother – Spain
• Facundo Garcés’s grandfather – Argentina
• Rodrigo Holgado’s grandfather – Buenos Aires
• Imanol Machuca’s grandmother – Roldan
• João Figueiredo’s grandfather – Brazil
• Jon Irazabal’s grandfather – Spain
• Hector Hevel Serrano’s grandfather – The Hague, Netherlands

In short, FIFA cross-checked civil registries across multiple nations and found zero verified Malaysian heritage.


FAM’s appeal, therefore, looks less like a genuine fight for truth and more like an attempt to buy time — to figure out who will be thrown under the bus when the reckoning arrives.

The Blame Game Has Begun

That reckoning is already underway. One of the person who has a good chance of being placed at the front of the firing squad is National coach Peter Cklamovski, but if the expectation is that Peter will quietly accept his fate, that seems unlikely. The Australian has already gone public — ridiculing FAM and shifting blame squarely onto the association.


Other than condemn FAM, Peter also has showered praises on Tunku Ismail Ibrahim’s, or more popularly known as TMJ, the crown prince of Johor and the owner and driving force behind the football club JDT.


After leading Malaysia to a 3-0 win against Laos in Vientiane, he said bluntly that the “mess” that led to FIFA’s sanctions was FAM’s doing, not Tunku Ismail Ibrahim’s.


He went further, revealing that Tunku Ismail, the Regent of Johor and the driving force behind Malaysian football’s revival, was the one who secured government funding from Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim — RM15 million in taxpayer money under Budget 2025, with another RM15 million expected from the private sector. Whether football will continue receiving such generous allocations in Budget 2026, which will be tabled this evening, remains to be seen.


Cklamovski praised TMJ in glowing terms:

“Without TMJ, Malaysian football would have been finished a long time ago.”

He also contrasted Laos’s pitch conditions favourably to those in Malaysia — saying the fields in the Malaysian Super League were worse. That’s a brutal indictment from the national coach himself.


Cklamovski then turned his guns fully on FAM:

“All the mess with FIFA, the administrative errors – that’s FAM, not TMJ. Without TMJ, Malaysian football is finished.”

He also thanked Malaysian fans and the Ultras for standing by the team and insisted the players were committed, disciplined, and proud to represent the country — even as chaos swirls around them.
Who Will Fall?

So, if not the coach — then who?


Will it be the FAM President, Datuk Joehari Ayub? Someone within the Sports Ministry? Or will FAM itself have to take collective responsibility?


Right now, everyone’s pointing fingers, but sooner or later, someone will have to take the fall. The FIFA sanctions are severe — a CHF350,000 fine for FAM, and 12-month suspensions for the seven ineligible players.


The reputational damage, however, is far greater than the monetary penalty. Our national image — our pride — has taken a blow that will not be forgotten soon.


And as Malaysia prepares to host Laos in Bukit Jalil on October 14, the question hangs heavy in the air:


Who will be the sacrificial goat for this national humiliation?


Because whether it’s a coach, a president, or an entire institution — someone will have to pay for the sins of this “pure and simple” act of footballing fraud.

***

No one - Mountain behind FAM is just TOO BIG very BIG - matter will be allowed to die away