Japanese World War II Crimes and Atrocities in Malaya

From Wikipedia:

During World War II, the Japanese military inflicted widespread and severe abuse on both military personnel and civilians in Malaya (now peninsular Malaysia) and Singapore, which was then part of Malaya. The three-and-a-half-year occupation, from December 1941 to August 1945, was marked by systematic brutality, including massacres, torture, sexual slavery, and forced labor. 

Types of Abuse and Atrocities

• Massacres: The Japanese military conducted numerous mass killings. One of the most notorious was the Sook Ching massacre in Singapore, where tens of thousands of ethnic Chinese men were systematically killed. Other massacres of civilians occurred in towns like Kuala Pilah and Parit Sulong, where hundreds were bayoneted or machine-gunned to death.
• Sexual Slavery: The Imperial Japanese Army established "comfort stations" throughout occupied territories, including Malaya, where local women and girls were forced into sexual slavery. The victims, known as "comfort women," were from various ethnic backgrounds and endured repeated sexual assault and physical violence.

• Torture and Imprisonment: The Kempeitai, the Japanese military police, had virtually unlimited power and were notorious for their use of torture against uncooperative prisoners and civilians. Interrogation centers, such as those at the Malay College at Kuala Kangsar, were sites of severe abuse.
• Forced Labor: Allied prisoners of war (POWs) and local civilians were subjected to forced labor under horrific conditions. Many thousands were transported to work on projects like the Siam–Burma "Death Railway," where approximately 150,000 laborers died due to brutality, starvation, and disease.
• General Brutality: The Japanese military command's general disregard for international law and the dehumanization of their captives resulted in a high mortality rate among Allied POWs (estimated at around 70% in Japanese camps compared to 10% in German camps). Rapes, beatings, and the public execution of resisters were common tactics used to terrorize the local population into submission. 

These atrocities left a lasting legacy of trauma for survivors and their families, with some continuing to seek formal acknowledgement and compensation from the Japanese government decades after the war. 

War crimes

War crimes trial at Singapore

Members of the Kempeitai and camp guards were treated as prisoners of war because of their treatment of military and civilians. There were a number of war crimes trials. One held in 1947 found 7 Japanese officers guilty. Two were executed: Lieutenant Colonel Masayuki Oishi, commander of 2 Field Kempeitai and Lieutenant General Saburo Kawamura on 26 June 1947. Lieutenant General Takuma Nishimura, one of the five given life sentences, was later found guilty of the Parit Sulong Massacre by an Australian court and executed.

Captain Higashikawa, head of the Penang Branch of the Kempeitai, was executed. Higashikawa's actions were brutal enough for Captain S Hidaka, Penang Chief of Staff for the Imperial Japanese Navy, to raise the matter with Lieutenant-General Ishiguro. Ishiguro had Higashikawa transferred and replaced by Captain Terata.^[80]

Sergeant Eiko Yoshimura, the head of Kempeitai in Ipoh, was sentenced to death by hanging for the torture and abuse of civilians, including Sybil Kathigasu. Malay author Ahmad Murad Nasaruddin wrote a book, Nyawa di-hujong pědang, about her family's incarceration.

Others executed were Colonel Watanabe Tsunahiko, commander of the 11th Regiment by firing squad for his part in the Kuala Pilah massacre;^[38] and Captain Iwata Mitsugi, Second Lieutenant Goba Itsuto, and Second Lieutenant Hashimoto Tadashi by hanging at Pudu Jail on 3 January 1948.

We haven't forgotten

Satira oh satira

FMT:

Satira oh satira


Saya rasa DAP tidak akan lakukan apa-apa yang foolish dalam menghadapi dilema sekarang

Wan Hamidi Hamid kawan lama saya. Beliau wartawan pengalaman luas, penulis buku, aktivis, pencinta seni dan bermacam lagi. Beliau juga penggemar muzik punk rock — UK Subs dan Bad Religion antara band favourite beliau. Sikit lagi lupa nak kasitau, Hamidi orang DAP. “Ahli biasa je,” kata beliau.

Tempoh hari satu hantarannya di Facebook mendapat perhatian saya. Mengenai perbualan beliau dengan seorang kawan. Saya coretkan di sini hampir word for word. Saya rumuskan ia berkisar soal politik. Si kawan mulakan perbualan dengan bertanya, “DAP nak keluar kerajaan Madani?”


Hamidi jawab dengan bertanya: “pasai apa DAP nak keluaq”. Hamidi orang Tanjung so beliau cakap lagu tu.

Si kawan balas dengan penuh yakin. Katanya sebab DAP kata PMX hanya utamakan Melayu dan Islam. Sebab DAP kata Umno dan BN selalu serang DAP. DAP dah bagi amaran kat PMX supaya tunai janji reformasi dalam enam bulan.

Hamidi tanya balik: “Betoi ke DAP ugut macam tu?” Si kawan angguk, Hamidi terdiam. Kawannya terus cakap pasal surat Lim Guan Eng buat 10 tuntutan kepada PMX. Keras bunyi desakan itu, kata si kawan.

Hamidi terus diam. Kawan pun diam tetapi beberapa saat kemudian Hamidi dapat ilham dan jawab, “DAP memang boleh keluaq kerajaan kalau dia nak. Tapi takkan nak keluaq sebab koyak dikutuk Umno. Tak macho la macam tu.”

“Satu lagi aku rasa belum sampai titik penentu atau cut off point yang mana majoriti ahli DAP rasa DAP patut keluaq kerajaan. Atau lebih penting lagi tak semua pengundi DAP mau DAP tinggalkan PMX sekarang.”

Kawannya diam seketika sebelum tanya lagi: “OK tapi maksudnya kalau bukan sekarang suatu hari nanti DAP tak keberatanlah nak tinggalkan kerajaan Madani?”


Dengan yakin pertanyaan itu dijawab Hamidi: “Ya. Tapi hanya apabila DAP betoi-betoi sampai titik yang mana DAP dan para penyokongnya rasa depa have nothing to lose barulah depa akan buat keputusan.”

“Kalau setakat kena ejek, kena perli dan hati terasa disakiti, jiwa terasa diusik takkan nak merajuk sampai nak heret parti keluaq kerajaan.”

Tiba-tiba si kawan tanya, “kalau Umno yang keluar kerajaan Madani?” Tajam tu. Cukup setakat ini walaupun banyak lagi disajikan. Yang berminat sila lawati Facebook Wan Hamidi.

Yang dicatat hanya satu satira. Sebenarnya Hamidi pada awal catatan sudah beritahu ia “sebuah cerita rekaan pendek tentang politik Malaysia yang tak banyak berubah sejak sedekad lalu.” Memang benar tak banyak berubah.


Lihatlah keadaan yang menimpa DAP. Sekian lama diejek, diperli, hatinya disakiti. Saya tambah dilempar pelbagai tuduhan. Contoh peristiwa berdarah 13 Mei 1969 DAP dipersalahkan.

Sejak itu DAP dituduh anti-Melayu dan anti-Islam. Sekarang begitu juga. Oleh itu menurut saya, satira tadi bukan kelakar biasa-biasa. Sarat dengan mesej. Apabila pemimpin DAP dilantik sebagai menteri, ia dikaitkan oleh musuh politik dengan elemen ras — konon Cina akan kuasai negara, Melayu ditindas, Islam dihapus.

Yang masih menjadi isu sekarang ialah kekalahan DAP di PRN Sabah tempoh hari. Kekalahan teruk itu bagai dunia nak kiamat bagi DAP. Ini gambaran dilakar musuh tetapi DAP pun panik maka timbullah ‘kata dua’ kepada PMX yang disebut dalam satira tadi.

DAP tidak boleh dilihat penyokongnya sebagai lembik dan parti kow tow. Dalam kekalutan DAP pusat lupa mereka dan DAP Sabah ada beza. Beza atau sama tetapi menurut laporan Malaysiakini 19 Disember lalu, ramai penyokong DAP yang berpaling tadah pada PRN Sabah dipetik berkata keputusan tidak undi DAP adalah sesuatu yang perit tetapi terpaksa.

Diberitakan mereka tidak gembira DAP kalah di Sabah tetapi berasa terpaksa ambil keputusan tidak mengundi parti itu atas beberapa sebab. Yang utamanya ialah DAP telah bersekutu dengan Gabungan Rakyat Sabah yang ramai antara mereka kaitkan dengan ‘budaya politik kotor’. Jadi bolehlah dipercayai isu DAP pusat dengan DAP Sabah tidak sama.

Oleh itu apabila musuh politik bagai nak rak riuh rendah, gegak gempita, hiruk pikuk berikutan kekalahan DAP Sabah, apa hal DAP pusat kelam kabut, terutama penyokong di Semenanjung yang desak DAP buat macam-macam sebelum dilenyapkan.

Apabila Anwar Ibrahim melakukan rombakan Kabinet pada 16 Disember lalu, ada penganalisis berpendapat DAP kerugian. Terkesan dengan prestasi buruk di Sabah, DAP dilihat semakin terhakis pengaruh dalam kerajaan persekutuan.

Sebagai contoh, kata mereka, dua menteri DAP dipindahkan ke portfolio yang dianggap kurang penting. Benarkah Kementerian Pembangunan Usahawan dan Koperasi kurang penting? Adakah menjadi menteri Wilayah Persekutuan juga tidak penting? Lalu mengapa sang politikus Melayu tetap lihat DAP ancaman ke atas politik mereka lantas terpaksa tiup sentimen Melayu?

Ancaman besar terhadap DAP ialah jika sendiri kalut dalam usaha mahu tunjuk taring dan dapatkan semula sokongan masyarakat Cina. Menunjukkan ‘kecinaan’ langkah ke belakang, mengambil kira DAP bersusah payah menonjolkan imej kemalaysiaan bagi membuktikan ia parti pelbagai bangsa.

Menunjukkan ‘kecinaan’ akan hanya beri peluang kepada musuh bermain sentimen ras dengan lebih kuat, di samping peluang menggambarkan DAP sebagai chauvinist Cina. Usaha DAP dalam kalangan Melayu sehingga kini akan dipersia-siakan.

Satu contoh kecil yang saya kagumi ialah kemenangan pemimpin Melayu dalam pemilihan DAP pada Mac. Selain itu, Syahredzan Johan menang Parlimen Bangi pada PRU 2022 dengan bergaya, meraih 141,568 undi untuk menang dengan majoriti 69,701 undi. Ini menakjubkan kerana beliau bertanding dalam kawasan majoriti Melayu atas tiket DAP.

Mungkin orang boleh kata it’s the man, not the party. Namun the fact is the party is DAP, parti yang ramai orang Melayu dakwa parti Cina anti-Melayu. Oleh itu saya rasa DAP tidak akan lakukan apa-apa yang foolish dalam menghadapi dilema sekarang.

Berbalik kepada satira tadi. Saya lanjutkan menerusi WhatsApp kepada seorang kawan lama untuk beliau hayati. Kata si kawan lama: “I don’t know if it’s a satire or not but the message seems real. But then again who knows?”.

Respons saya: “Aku rasa mesej tu real, bro.”

Cukup cerita politik. Saya ambil kesempatan ini untuk mengucapkan Merry Christmas kepada semua penganut Kristian

Israeli forces kill, wound Palestinians as Netanyahu issues Hamas threat

al Jazeera:

Israeli forces kill, wound Palestinians as Netanyahu issues Hamas threat

Israeli forces breach Gaza ceasefire, killing a Palestinian and wounding six, including a child, in multiple attacks

How pro-war extremism is becoming mainstream in Israel

By Al Jazeera Staff and Reuters
Published On 24 Dec 2025


At least one Palestinian has been killed and six, including a child, wounded by Israeli attacks across Gaza amid a threat by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

A Palestinian man, Ayoub Abdel Ayesh Nasr, was killed and two people were wounded when Israeli forces opened fire on civilians in Jabalia in northern Gaza on Wednesday.

Three people were wounded after being shot east of Khan Younis, medical sources told the Palestinian Wafa news agency.

Elsewhere, Israeli forces shot and wounded a child in central Gaza’s Maghazi refugee camp.

According to Gaza’s Ministry of Health, Israeli forces have killed more than ‌400 people in the battered enclave since the start of the ceasefire in October.

Gaza’s Government Media Office said Israel committed “serious and systematic violations” of the truce, noting that the Israeli forces had breached the ceasefire 875 times since it came into force.



Hamas, mediators say ceasefire breaches put entire process at risk


The healthcare system in Gaza is on the brink of total collapse, and the absence of much-needed aid, including medicine and medical supplies, is exacerbating the situation.

A 20-point plan proposed by United States President Donald Trump in September calls for an initial truce followed by steps towards a wider peace.

So far, only the first phase has taken effect, including a shaky release of captives and prisoners and a partial Israeli withdrawal.

Israel continues to violate a ceasefire agreement and block desperately needed humanitarian aid to the war-ravaged coastal enclave, even though these are stipulated in the first phase of the agreement.



Gaza Under Harsh Winter: Storms, Destroyed Shelters, and Urgent Humanitarian Crisis


Meanwhile, an explosive device detonated in southern Gaza’s Rafah, with Israel saying one soldier was injured.

PM Netanyahu said Israel would retaliate after the incident, which Hamas denied responsibility for, suggesting the explosive device had been left over by Israeli forces.

Hamas said the incident took place in an area where the Israeli army was in full control and that it had warned that explosives remained in the area and elsewhere since the war, reiterating its commitment to the October 10 ceasefire.

Netanyahu’s office also said an Israeli delegation met officials from mediating countries in Cairo, Egypt, on Wednesday to discuss efforts to return the remains of the last Israeli captive, police officer Ran Gvili, from Gaza.

The delegation included officials from the Israeli military, the Shin Bet domestic intelligence service and the ​Mossad intelligence service.

Trump’s plan ultimately calls for Hamas to disarm and have no governing role in Gaza, and ‌for Israel to pull out.

Hamas has said it will hand over arms only once a Palestinian state is established, which Israel says it will never allow.

Netanyahu is set to meet Trump next week at the White House, primarily to discuss the next phase of the US president’s Gaza plan.

Hamas said in a statement later on Wednesday that a delegation led by its chief negotiator Khalil al-Hayya had discussed Gaza with ‍Turkiye’s foreign minister in Ankara.

Al-Hayya warned against what he described as the continuation of Israeli violations of the ceasefire, saying they were aimed at hindering the move to the next phase of the ceasefire deal.

The Hamas delegation said it had fulfilled the ceasefire’s conditions but that Israel’s continued attacks were blocking progress towards the next stage. They also asserted that 60 percent of the trucks allowed into Gaza were carrying commercial goods rather than aid.

About 71,000 Palestinians have been killed and more than 171,000 wounded in attacks in Israel’s genocidal war on Gaza since October 2023.

China and Russia Celebrate U.S. Builds $10B+ Trump Battleships Instead of Five Times More Destroyers

 

China and Russia Celebrate U.S. Builds $10B+ Trump Battleships Instead of Five Times More Destroyers

 

Announcement of beginning implementation of the Trump-class battleship project caused in Western specialized publications rather certain shock and misunderstanding of the root causes of this extremely controversial decision. Because the real challenges that the U.S. Navy is facing right now dictated essentially opposite decisions.

The fact is that Trump battleships will turn out not just expensive, but astronomically costly. Because by estimates, the cost of one will vary within 10-15 billion dollars per one, at the price of the newest nuclear aircraft carrier Gerald R. Ford at $12.8 billion. At the same time, by its characteristics, the Trump-named battleship looks, although powerful, but an absolutely insufficient solution. [...]

That is, overall, at the current moment in time, the decision to build battleships for the U.S. Navy looks like an absolute failure. Because for 20-30 billion dollars, two unique ships are being built with actually not very broad strike capabilities, but with maximum construction cost coefficient due to small series, size and concentration of new solutions.

And of course this cannot but please China, which already has more ships than the U.S. Navy, and in 2030 will achieve a 1.5-fold advantage in pennants… Also, Russia will be happy about such a decision to direct resources to vulnerable small-series costly ships. Because Moscow in countering the U.S Navy always relied on submarine fleet, which was supposed to hit with nuclear weapons large formations like carrier strike groups, which Trump-class battleships will be part of. – Defense Express

 

Belgium joins South Africa's genocide case against Israel at UN court

Belgium joins South Africa's genocide case against Israel at UN court

Belgium has become the latest country to join a case brought by South Africa before the International Court of Justice that accuses Israel of committing genocide in the Gaza Strip.


Issued on: 25/12/2025 - 10:28

Modified: 25/12/2025 - 12:05

A pro-Palestinian demonstration in Brussels on 21 January 2024. Belgium is the latest country to join South Africa's genocide case against Israel at the UN's top court. © AFP - NICOLAS MAETERLINCK

By:RFIFollow


The UN's highest court, based in The Hague, said in a statement on Tuesday that Brussels had filed a declaration of intervention.

Belgium's intervention does not mean it fully supports South Africa's accusations, nor that it defends Israel, but that it intends to clarify its interpretation of international law in the context of the case.

By joining the case, Belgium intends to reaffirm its commitment to enforcing the UN treaty on genocide and in particular argue that an ongoing military conflict should not prevent the court establishing whether a war crime had taken place, the country said in its official filing.

Several other countries – including Brazil, Colombia, Ireland, Mexico, Spain and Turkey – have already joined the case.

South Africa brought a case at the United Nations' highest court in December 2023, alleging Israel's Gaza offensive breached the 1948 UN convention on genocide.

Israel denies the accusation.

'Recognition brings obligation’: How declaring genocide could reshape war in Gaza


A final decision on the core of the case could take years.

In rulings in January, March and May 2024, the ICJ told Israel to do everything possible to prevent acts of genocide in Gaza, including by providing urgently needed humanitarian aid to prevent famine.

The orders are legally binding, but the court has no concrete means to enforce them.

Israel has criticised the proceedings and rejected the accusations.

Recognition of Palestine

Belgium was among several countries to recognise the State of Palestine in September – though it said it would not formally take the step until Hamas has been excluded from Palestinian leadership.

Nearly 80 percent of UN member states now recognise Palestinian statehood, including France.

Why is France recognising Palestinian statehood and will it change anything?

South Africa has long championed the cause of Palestinians, likening their plight to its own oppressed people under apartheid – a comparison Israel strongly rejects.

The United States, Israel's closest ally, has rejected South Africa's case as baseless and cut aid to the country over its land reform policy as well as the genocide claim.

The US has also imposed sanctions on members of the International Criminal Court, which issued arrest warrants against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defence Minister Yoav Gallant, along with former Hamas commander Mohammed Deif.

The US has also imposed sanctions on members of the International Criminal Court

Suspect in Nilai explosion has expert knowledge in making explosives: Cops

The Negeri Sembilan police chief, Datuk Alzafny Ahmad, revealed the face of the suspect wanted in connection with the explosion in the Desa Palma area during a press conference at the Negeri Sembilan Police Headquarters today. - Bernama pic, December 26, 2025


Suspect in Nilai explosion has expert knowledge in making explosives: Cops


Police believe Yeoh Hock Sun, 62, had been preparing the devices for months, with the explosives designed to cause widespread destruction



A. Azim Idris
Updated 6 seconds ago
26 December, 2025
5:29 PM MYT

KUALA LUMPUR — The individual involved in the explosion at Desa Palma in Nilai on December 22 is believed to possess significant technical expertise in the production of explosives, according to local authorities.

Negeri Sembilan police chief, Datuk Alzafny Ahmad, revealed that the discovery of various explosive devices and related equipment at a rented property led investigators to believe the suspect, 62-year-old Yeoh Hock Sun, had extensive knowledge in explosives.

Items seized included flammable cleaning agents, carbon, and sulphur, which are key components in the manufacture of such devices.

“Investigations suggest the suspect has a background in chemistry, having worked in a pharmaceutical factory for three years, as well as experience in information technology (IT),” Alzafny said at a press conference today.

“The explosives found were highly sophisticated, with well-prepared materials and devices, including timers and sensors, suggesting that the preparations had been ongoing for at least six months.”

The police chief further classified Yeoh as a highly dangerous individual due to his direct involvement in the explosive preparations, coupled with a criminal history under Section 506 of the Penal Code, which relates to criminal intimidation.

During a search of Yeoh’s residence, believed to have been used as a makeshift lab, authorities uncovered 31 more improvised explosive devices (IEDs), all of which were safely destroyed by the police.

Alzafny also provided details on the destructive capacity of the explosives, noting that the devices had an explosion radius of up to 20 metres, with fragments capable of reaching 30 metres. “The devices contained nails and shredded folding knives, which indicates the suspect had the knowledge to create a highly effective explosive,” he explained.

Describing the suspect as particularly dangerous, Alzafny noted that Yeoh would wear a face mask, hat, and a wig to conceal his identity when in public. Further investigation revealed that he had a history of aggressive behaviour, had been estranged from his family for over 30 years, and had previously been involved in violent incidents.

At present, 14 witnesses have been questioned, and CCTV footage from the area surrounding the explosion site has been obtained for further analysis.

Authorities are appealing to the public for any information that might assist in locating Yeoh, especially from medical centres, clinics, or pharmacies where he may have sought treatment or purchased medication.

“The suspect is believed to have sustained significant injuries in the explosion and is likely hiding,” Alzafny added.

“He is not connected to any terrorist groups or gangs and was travelling alone at the time of the incident.”

Last Monday, Alzafny had confirmed that police had found a suspected IED at the site of the explosion in Desa Palma, following reports of scattered nails and an explosive object in the vicinity at 7.08 am. — December 26, 2025

Does Justice Colin Lawrence Sequerah's judgement read like a political statement?

 From Michael Chiang's FB Post

---

Facebook

Facebook

Facebook

Facebook

Facebook

Facebook

Facebook

Facebook

Facebook

Facebook

Facebook

Michael Chiang is with Mandy Ping and 

3 others

.

pSndoresto1fg4gtu9a4lau5ll2t7lhtt380mi0t1uactc78fim42898a01h ·

Does Justice Colin Lawrence Sequerah's judgement read like a political statement?

And Mr Chat agrees:

Short answer: yes, it does read like a political statement — or at least like a judicial passage written with overt political consciousness rather than austere legal minimalism.

Longer, more precise answer:

This is not partisan in the sense of endorsing a party, but it clearly goes beyond narrow legal reasoning and enters the realm of political narrative-setting.

A few points why:

𝙍𝙝𝙚𝙩𝙤𝙧𝙞𝙘𝙖𝙡 𝙀𝙭𝙘𝙚𝙨𝙨

Judges normally aim for restraint. Here, the language is unusually florid, moralising, and performative:

“no country bumpkin”

“superior intelligence”

“impeccable family and political pedigree”

the “hermit in a dark cave” metaphor

These are not legally necessary formulations. They read as public signalling, not mere findings of fact.

𝘼𝙪𝙙𝙞𝙚𝙣𝙘𝙚 𝘼𝙬𝙖𝙧𝙚𝙣𝙚𝙨𝙨

The judgement is written as though it expects — and invites — media quotation and public consumption. Phrases like “well-known public fact made available to the wider media, both nationally and internationally” explicitly acknowledge the political and media environment.

𝙋𝙤𝙡𝙞𝙩𝙞𝙘𝙖𝙡 𝙛𝙧𝙖𝙢𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙧𝙖𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙧 𝙩𝙝𝙖𝙣 𝙡𝙚𝙜𝙖𝙡 𝙨𝙪𝙛𝙛𝙞𝙘𝙞𝙚𝙣𝙘𝙮

The point could have been made simply:

“It is not credible that the accused lacked knowledge.”

Instead, the judge builds a political character portrait of Najib, stressing pedigree, party dominance (UMNO since 1946), and political sophistication. That is contextual persuasion, not strictly legal necessity.

𝙈𝙤𝙧𝙖𝙡 𝙘𝙤𝙣𝙙𝙚𝙢𝙣𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣 𝙡𝙖𝙮𝙚𝙧𝙚𝙙 𝙤𝙣𝙩𝙤 𝙡𝙚𝙜𝙖𝙡 𝙧𝙚𝙖𝙨𝙤𝙣𝙞𝙣𝙜

The judgement does not merely conclude that Najib’s defence fails; it ridicules the premise that a prime minister of Najib’s stature could be unaware. Ridicule is rhetorically effective — and politically resonant — but judicially optional.

𝙏𝙞𝙢𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙘𝙡𝙞𝙢𝙖𝙩𝙚

In Malaysia’s current climate, where the judiciary is under constant scrutiny for independence, such language inevitably reads as position-taking — whether intended or not.

So, to be exact:

It is not campaign rhetoric.

It is not legally improper.

But it does read as politically conscious, rhetorically charged, and aimed at public legitimacy as much as legal resolution.

Your instinct is sound. If someone said this “sounds like he’s speaking to politicians and the public, not just for the law,” that would be a fair reading.

Whether that is courage, theatre, or ambition — others can argue. But neutral, bloodless judicial prose it is not.

🅲🅷🆃🅶🆃