Why AAB was wrongfully undermined when he was PM

AAB, who suffered from Apnoea, was wrongly and unjustifiably mocked, sneered at and condemned by Mahathir as 'Sleepy Head' and various other insulting appellation. It was a sad story of sheer cruel and evil Atuk-victimisation of AAB who didn't obey him (the Atuk).

Lung Foundation Australia explains:

People who suffer from Obstructive Sleep Apnoea (OSA) reduce or stop their breathing for short periods while sleeping. This can happen many times during the night. These breathing stoppages interrupt sleep which results in poor sleep quality with excessive sleepiness during the day.

Because these events occur during sleep, a person suffering from OSA is usually unaware of them and is often the last one to know what is happening.

In deep sleep, the muscles of the throat relax and this may reduce the space at the back of the tongue, through which air must pass to reach the lungs. Normally this doesn’t cause any problems with breathing. In OSA, however, complete relaxation of the throat muscles may cause blockage of the upper airway so that breathing stops temporarily. Such an episode is called an apnoea. During an apnoea, people with OSA make constant efforts to breathe through their obstructed airway. With no passage of air into the lungs, the blood oxygen level begins to fall. This signals the brain to rouse the person from deep relaxed sleep so that the muscle tone returns, the upper airway reopens and breathing begins again.

Unfortunately, when a person with OSA falls back into deep sleep, the muscles again relax and the cycle repeats itself again and again overnight. In OSA, the apnoeas can last for ten or more seconds and the cycle of apnoeas and broken sleep is repeated hundreds of times per night in severe cases. Most sufferers are unaware of their disrupted sleep but awaken unrefreshed, feeling tired and needing more sleep.

Mind, not that AAB had been lily-white but at least he was not a megalomaniac, but alas, he was hounded to kingdom come by Mahathir.



After reading the late Rehman Rashid's last published book 'Peninsula', we learnt Mahathir selected AAB as his successor because he thought Pak lah would NOT release Anwar Ibrahim.

Yes, that Evil Old Man selected AAB as his successor on the ridiculous basis that he believed (erroneously) Pak Lah would NOT release Anwar Ibrahim from prison, such was his hatred for DSAI. You cloud virtually visualise toxic venom dripping from his jowls and fangs.

Straits Times:

Malay unity move a bid to block Anwar Ibrahim from becoming PM: Sources

KUALA LUMPUR - Recent calls for Malay parties from both sides of the aisle to unite and defend the majority community's rights are part of a plot to thwart veteran leader Anwar Ibrahim from becoming Malaysia's next prime minister, several sources have told The Straits Times.

Datuk Seri Anwar heads Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR), the largest party in the four-member Pakatan Harapan (PH) coalition. The other members of the ruling coalition are the largely Chinese Democratic Action Party (DAP), Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad's Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (PPBM) and moderate Islamic party Parti Amanah Negara (PAN).

Mr Anwar is meant to take over the reins from Tun Dr Mahathir before the next general election, due by 2023, under a succession plan agreed by PH last year.

But sources say a plan has been hatched to block his path.

The calls for Malay parties to unite have come from opposition party Umno, which has formed a pact with Parti Islam SeMalaysia (PAS), but Umno's invitation has only been extended to PPBM, and a group of MPs from PKR not aligned to Mr Anwar.

Traces of the plan surfaced on Tuesday (Oct 15) when PH issued a statement denouncing Umno MP Hishammuddin Hussein for trying to mastermind a Malay unity government by courting PPBM and PKR, and excluding DAP and PAN from the administration. Datuk Seri Hishammuddin denied the claim.

But sources in both the government and opposition say former defence minister Hishammuddin is just a scapegoat for the move, which has been coordinated by Malay lawmakers from both sides.

A key marker of the plan was the Malay Dignity Congress on Oct 6.

ST understands that former minister Hamzah Zainuddin got the ball rolling on the congress, together with several other MPs who, like him, had defected to PPBM from Umno last year.

About 10,000 people, mostly students from the four government-controlled universities who organised the congress, were in attendance to see Dr Mahathir and several ministers including PKR deputy president Azmin Ali stand shoulder-to-shoulder with top Malay opposition figures including PAS president Hadi Awang and Umno secretary general Annuar Musa.

Noticeably absent from the event was Mr Anwar, despite his Malay-led PKR forming the largest party in Parliament with 50 seats.

But when Pak Lah released Anwar, Mahathir was absolutely furious. That must have been the last straw for him to decide to oust AAB from the PM position. He used the crooked bridge and various other issues to wallop AAB because he couldn't well have said he wanted AAB to go because AAB released Anwar.

Such has been the Wickedness of the Old Man that he deposed AAB through his evil machinations in UMNO, all because Pak Lah did the decent things like releasing Anwar from wrongful imprisonment and also apologising to Tun Abas Saleh for his even more wrongful sacking.

Recalling the best PM we never had, who would have saved us from you-know-who

The Star:

Recalling the best PM we never had

By JUNE H.L. WONG



A man for all races: Dr Ismail ‘believed fully in the oneness of Malaysia, and worked on that belief. He did not care whom he had to fight. He was absolutely neutral.’ — Filepic/The Star

LAST month, Malaysians were left with a sour taste in our mouths when we learned former scandal-tainted prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak had asked the Cabinet for land and a house said to be valued at RM100mil.

He did so because the Members of Parliament (Remuneration) Act 1980 states that “A person who ceases to hold the office of Prime Minister, or a person who had previously held the office of Prime Minister before the date of the coming into force of this Act, shall be entitled to such allowances and privileges at such rates and on such terms and conditions as may be determined by the Cabinet from time to time”.

Najib has since decided to decline any such “gift” after all because he realised and understood that the people were facing tough times and the nation’s priority should be the people. That’s rich coming from the man who got upset in 2014 over the lack of appreciation from Malaysians when the price of kangkung (water spinach) dropped.

But never mind about that. To me, what’s more important is how it led to Tawfik Ismail being asked to comment on the issue.

Tawfik was asked because he is the eldest son of Tun Dr Ismail Abdul Rahman who older Malaysians will remember as deputy prime minister in the early 1970s. But in 1973, when he was acting prime minister while prime minister Tun Abdul Razak was overseas, he tragically died, aged 57, from a massive heart attack. Technically, though, he too was a person who had previously held the office of prime minister.

Unfortunately, history hasn’t been very kind to Dr Ismail. As Tawfik wryly noted in his comment: “When my father died, he died as the acting prime minister in a house he owned, but my mother had to surrender the government car and received nothing from the Tun Razak government except for a pension my father was entitled to.

“Several government properties were named after my father but some were taken away during Dr Mahathir’s premiership, like the Tun Ismail Atomic Research Centre, and a memorial budgeted for and supposedly to be implemented by the National Archives has not taken off and many Malaysians, as a result, have largely forgotten Tun Dr Ismail and the ideals he fought and lived for.”

Another important tidbit about the late Tun Dr Ismail was RPK's mention of Dr Mahathir in his THE UMNO, PKR AND PAS INTERNAL STRIFE (PART 5) post, that prior to Tun Dr Ismail's death he voiced his real concerns to some friends about Razak's intention to rehabilitate Dr Mahathir, wakakaka.

Obviously Tun Ismail who was a multi-racial-culturalist didn't like or trust Dr Mahathir who was already a notorious ultra in those early days of Malaysian independence, and was said to have prefer the far more moderate Musa Hitam.

I suspect that if Tun Dr Ismail did not pass away suddenly, and had lived on to become the 3rd PM of Malaysia, Mahathir would not be ever PM nor even accepted back into UMNO. Tun Dr Ismail'c choice would have been Musa Hitam or perhaps Ku Li.

Robert Kuok, who was a personal friend of Tun Dr Ismail, said: “In my opinion, he was probably the most non-racial, non-racist Malay I have met in my life. And I have met a very wide range of Malays from all parts of Malaysia. Doc was a stickler for total fair play, for correctness; total anathema to him to be anything else. Every Malay colleague feared him because of this, including Mahathir."

Could that be why during Dr Mahathir’s premiership, the Tun Ismail Atomic Research Centre had Dr Ismail's name stripped off, and a memorial to the late DPM budgeted for and supposedly to be implemented by the National Archives did not take off?

How true. Ask a Malaysian below 40 years old who Dr Ismail was and chances are the response would be “TTDI, ah?” referring to the well-established housing estate bordering Kuala Lumpur and Petaling Jaya called Taman Tun Dr Ismail.

If the provision in the Members of Parliament (Remuneration) Act was intended to be a way for the nation to show its gratitude to its top leader, then as Tawfik put it: “What can subsequent governments since Tun Razak’s PM-ship point to that was given to my family, even as a token, of the nation’s gratitude?”

In my last column, I paid tribute to Malays who courageously fight for a multiracial, liberal and secular Malaysia and articulate the concerns, frustrations and disappointment of non-Malays who find themselves on the sidelines and unable to voice out for fear of repercussions (“True defenders of multiracial Malaysia, The Star, Nov 17; online at bit.ly/star_true).

I named Tawfik as one of them because he has, by word and deed, consistently upheld his father’s vision of a liberal and progressive nation that treats all its citizens, regardless of race and religion, fairly, with no tolerance for extremism, corruption and bigotry.

Today, I feel compelled to expand a little, as space permits, on Dr Ismail’s sterling leadership and ideals. I must credit historian Datuk Dr Ooi Kee Beng’s excellent biography, The Reluctant Politician: Tun Dr Ismail and His Time (2007), as my primary source that allowed me and many others to discover this towering man and his contributions to our nation.

Dr Ismail gave up his medical practice to enter politics and, during his two decades in government, left his mark in the many Cabinet portfolios he held: Lands, Mines and Communication, Natural Resources, Commerce and Industry, Foreign Affairs, Internal Security, Justice, Home Affairs and deputy prime minister.

Because of his poor health – he suffered from a congenital heart condition and recurrent throat cancer – he retired from the Cabinet in 1967 but remained a backbencher.

He was forced to return to government after the May 13, 1969, race riots and was a member of the National Operations Council (NOC) formed after a state of emergency was declared and Parliament suspended.

As Home Affairs Minister at the time, Dr Ismail has been credited as the man who saved Malaysia after May 13, thanks to his reputation for fairness and belief in the rule of law.

According to Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah, quoted in The Reluctant Politician, Dr Ismail was a major factor in increasing public confidence in the government at that time because “The Chinese did not have much confidence in Razak (Abdul Razak Hussein – later Tun – who chaired the NOC), but they did in Ismail. Razak was always associated with Malay and rural affairs, et cetera. Ismail was a principled man – and was seen that way by the different races. He was the Rock of Gibraltar. Once he decided on something you could be sure that he had gone through the relevant details and studied them. What is confidence unless it is based on the people’s belief in the leader?”

Dr Ismail was indeed known for his non-racial approach to political issues. According to Abdullah Ali, one of Malaysia’s pioneer diplomats who served as high commissioner to the United Kingdom, Dr Ismail “believed fully in the oneness of Malaysia, and worked on that belief. He did not care whom he had to fight. He was absolutely neutral.”

So if he had lived and had become prime minister, it is likely he would have handled the New Economic Policy’s preferential treatment for Malays very differently.

He believed there should be a 20-year limit on the policy and, as an avid golfer, he likened the special position of Malays as a handicap that would set them up for a fair competition with better players.

“Therefore, like a golfer, it should not be the aim of the Malays to perpetuate this handicap but to strive to improve their game and thereby reducing, and finally removing, their handicap completely.”

He also disliked the term “bumiputra” – coining the word was, to him, the “biggest mistake the Malays made” because it “tended to convey an entirely different meaning to what was intended for the Special Positions of the Malays”, leading non-Malays to suspect Malays wanted to “classify themselves as first class citizens while they were relegated to second class”.

Dr Ismail left behind an impeccable reputation that billionaire businessman Robert Kuok’s brother Philip, who was a close friend, described thus: “He was like that all his life, clean as a whistle. Lived within his means. He was a man who led a very correct life, a man of the highest integrity. Money, favours, political hypocrisy or deceit, all those were anathema to him.”

It is also tempting to think that if he had been healthy and able to serve as PM for, say, 20 years, he would have created a lean, efficient and more multiracial civil service, and never allowed a political culture based on cronyism and nepotism.

As former Lord President of the Federal Court Tun Dr Haji Salleh Abas mused in the book’s foreword: “Had he not died prematurely, Malaysia would have been different and the rule of law would not have suffered any reversal and would have continued to safeguard the freedom and liberty of all citizens, as indeed it is meant to do.”

In concluding his comment, Tawfik says his father asked for no reward nor recognition for the work he willingly gave his life for, for the nation he loved. Therefore, he would not burden the nation with any guilt or regret at not giving material wealth as a reward.

Instead, all he asks is for Dr Ismail’s “vision and ideals for the nation as recorded in his Hansard speeches and his policy pronouncements be enshrined and imparted as education at schools and universities so we can be a better nation”.

It’s been 48 years since his passing but now more than ever, when our political arena seems to lack a moral compass and be ruled by personal gain, what Dr Ismail stood and fought for has never been so relevant to this nation.

In Parliament, Opposition uproar as Deputy Speaker rejects motion to debate alarming surge in food prices

MM:

In Parliament, Opposition uproar as Deputy Speaker rejects motion to debate alarming surge in food prices

Opposition Leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim addresses members of Parliament in Dewan Rakyat December 2, 2021. — Bernama pic

KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 2 — Dewan Rakyat Deputy Speaker Datuk Mohd Rashid Hasnon sparked protest today after he rejected a motion for members of the House to discuss the recent surge in food prices, prompting uproar from the Opposition bench.

Mohd Rashid allowed the matter to be debated in the Special Chamber sitting this evening instead.

Opposition Leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim led the protest, arguing that the chamber would have limited effectiveness to provide solutions to an urgent matter since it only allows for one minister to address questions.

“In a case like this, by right it should be debated in the House and not the Special Chamber because it would allow for all members to debate it,” he said.

“Honorable Deputy Speaker, you have to understand that this is an issue that involves not only one ministry. If it is to be pushed in the chamber it would only be Kapit that would answer. This is an issue that involves agriculture, finance which is why debating it in the chamber will have limited impact,” Anwar added.

Kapit MP Datuk Alexander Nanta Linggi is the current minister of domestic trade and consumer affairs.

Anwar said he would agree to debate the issue in the chamber only if the Speaker can guarantee that all the relevant ministers will be present to face questions.

Prices of basic foods such as vegetables and chicken have risen sharply in the last few weeks, causing widespread public concern. Opposition MPs have sought to raise the matter in the current Dewan Rakyat sitting, and are calling for immediate intervention.

MORE TO COME

Expert says holiday for KL's win throws medical exam schedule into disarray

Expert says holiday for KL's win throws medical exam schedule into disarray

Infectious diseases expert Dr Adeeba Kamarulzaman is unhappy over the announcement of a public holiday to celebrate Kuala Lumpur City FC's (KL City FC) victory in the Malaysia Cup football tournament.

She said in a post on Twitter that it had affected the schedule of professional exams which had already been affected by Covid-19 and resultant lockdowns.

"Wow, is this truly necessary?

"It’s thrown our specialist professional exams, clinics and operating theatre schedule all helter-skelter.

"IMHO, we really don’t need this, especially not at a time when we have so much catching up to do as a result of Covid-19," said Adeeba, who is a committee member of the World Health Organization (WHO) Science Council and former dean of the Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Malaya.

Yesterday, Federal Territories Minister Shahidan Kassim said all three Federal Territories of Kuala Lumpur, Labuan and Putrajaya will get an extra public holiday this Friday to celebrate the win.

"KL City FC won the TM Malaysia Cup 2021's final game at the Bukit Jalil National Stadium.

"It was KL City FC's best performance, ending a 32-year wait to win the cup again after 1989.

"Thus, I would like to announce that the government has agreed to make this Friday, Dec 3, a public holiday for Kuala Lumpur, Putrajaya and Labuan, in conjunction with the victory," he said.

The game saw KL City FC defeating Johor Darul Takzim FC, or better known as JDT, 2-0.

Just days before SRC appeal decision, Najib asks court to take new evidence from MACC chief, investigator

MM:

Just days before SRC appeal decision, Najib asks court to take new evidence from MACC chief, investigator

Datuk Seri Najib Razak arrives at the Kuala Lumpur High Court Sept 7, 2021. — Picture by SHafwan Zaidon

KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 2 — Former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak has asked the Court of Appeal to allow new evidence to be included in his appeal against his conviction, fine and jail sentence for misappropriating RM42 million from former 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) subsidiary SRC International Sdn Bhd.

Najib’s application was filed yesterday, or just seven days before the Court of Appeal was scheduled to decide his appeal on December 8.

Based on court documents sighted by Malay Mail, Najib is applying for the Court of Appeal to allow and to direct for viva voce evidence to be taken from Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) chief Datuk Seri Azam Baki, or essentially for the anti-corruption chief to be asked to give oral evidence in relation to the SRC case.

Najib is also applying for further oral evidence to be taken from MACC investigating officer Rosli Hussein in the SRC case.

Azam has not testified in the SRC case, while Rosli previously testified as a witness in court in the SRC case.

In an affidavit filed in support of his application, Najib said the viva voce evidence should be taken from the two MACC officers and to be included in his appeal in the SRC case, adding that he believed that their additional evidence would be necessary in the interest of justice.

In his affidavit, Najib also commented on the timing of his application to ask for new evidence to be added to the SRC appeal, claiming that he had filed it without delay as soon as he could.

Najib also asked for the Court of Appeal to decide on this application before delivering its decision on his appeal against the SRC conviction.

“I profusely apologise to this honourable court for any inconvenience occasioned, and I seek for this application to be heard at the earliest date possible, in any case prior to this court rendering any judgment, to prevent any delay towards the judicial process in the appeals,” he said in the affidavit.

Malay Mail has confirmed with the prosecution team that the application was filed by Najib yesterday.

The judiciary had on November 23 announced that the Court of Appeal would deliver its decision on Najib’s SRC appeal on December 8.

MORE TO COME

Penang’s 211-year-old temple wins Unesco cultural heritage conservation award

MM:

Penang’s 211-year-old temple wins Unesco cultural heritage conservation award

The Thai Pak Koong (Ng Suk) Temple, which bagged the 2021 Award of Merit at the 2021 Unesco Asia-Pacific Awards for Cultural Heritage Conservation, in Lebuh King, Penang, December 1, 2021. — Picture by Sayuti Zainudin

GEORGE TOWN, Dec 1 — The Thai Pak Koong (Ng Suk) Temple in Penang received the Award of Merit at the 2021 Unesco Asia-Pacific Awards for Cultural Heritage Conservation today.

The temple was one of nine projects from six countries and the only one in Malaysia to be given the award this year.

The Unesco jury of heritage experts picked the nine projects from Bangladesh, China, India, Japan, Thailand and Malaysia out of 39 entries from 12 countries across the Asia Pacific.

Unesco Bangkok announced the list of award recipients at noon today.

Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow, who announced the award in an online press conference today, said the temple’s Fu De Ci Restoration Project was recognised for its excellence in three main areas, namely a full understanding of its history, its technical accomplishments in the project and its sustainability and impact.

He said the last time Penang received the Unesco Asia-Pacific Heritage Awards for Culture Heritage Conservation was back in 2008 for restoration works on Suffolk House.

“On behalf of the state government, I would like to congratulate the temple committee on this exemplary restoration project and for winning the Unesco award,” Chow said.

The temple was one of nine projects from six countries and the only one in Malaysia to be given the award this year. — Picture by Sayuti Zainudin

He also paid homage to the late Tan Yeow Wooi, the conservation architect for the project, who had contributed towards the success of the conservation project.

The temple restoration committee chairman and vice president Datuk Lio Chee Yeong dedicated the award to Tan as he said the architect had conducted an in-depth research into the history of the temple and its architectural style to ensure the conservation efforts were of the highest standards.

“The temple was built in 1810 but a few renovations were done over the years that were no in compliance with strict heritage conservation guidelines so this restoration project was to ensure that everything was done in full compliance,” he said.

Lio said the roof, which was cemented in one of the renovations done about 15 years ago, was torn out and changed to reflect the original architecture from 100 years ago.

“The style of restoration we adopted was according to the early 1900s style and we would also like to thank George Town World Heritage Incorporated for their valuable input in this project,” he said.

The total cost of the restoration was about RM3 million and Lio said they still owed around RM600,000.

He thanked the state government for allocating RM400,000 for the project and a majority of the other funds were contributed by donors.

He hoped the state might consider allocating more funding so that the temple could settle the debt amassed during the restoration works.

“This award is not only for our temple but for Penang and Malaysia to showcase our diverse culture and heritage that can stand out internationally,” he said.

*********

kt notes:

Thank goodness it lies out of reach of a Philistine who would have bulldozed it to smithereens. Alhamdulillah!

DAP Sabah in deeeeeep trouble

Another rep to quit Sabah DAP?

Calvin Chong, who may join Jimmy Wong in leaving DAP.

KOTA KINABALU: Another Sabah DAP assemblyman has begun contemplating his future in the party, less than two weeks after former state chief Jimmy Wong called it quits.

Elopura assemblyman Calvin Chong cited internal issues and the recent party polls, in which he and several other DAP elected representatives were not voted into the state committee, as among the reasons for his unhappiness.

Chong, who retained the east coast Elopura seat for a second term in last year’s state election, however, stopped short of saying he was leaving the party.

“I am still with DAP for now,” he told FMT. “However, I am waiting to see if the party will take measures to rectify those issues and also how well the new committee performs.

“If nothing is done, I will need to think about my next course of action.”

Wong, a former Kota Kinabalu MP and state representative, announced his departure from DAP on Nov 22, saying he was disappointed with the results of the recent party election.

Besides Chong, others who failed to be re-elected into the state committee included Kota Kinabalu MP and former Sabah DAP secretary Chan Foong Hin, Kepayan assemblyman Jannie Lasimbang and former senator Adrian Lasimbang.

Tanjong Papat assemblyman Frankie Poon was elected as chairman.

Wong, who was a state assistant minister in the previous Warisan-led state government, claimed that Poon had ignored “party thinkers” who had long fought for the party.

He said he had kept his frustrations with the state leadership to himself for some time but the polls result was the last straw.

It was reported that Poon had denied the existence of factionalism or any internal rift.

Wong, who alleged that he and others had deliberately been left out of the committee, has gone on to form a NGO called the Sabah Natural Justice for Sabahans.

Following this, 55 party members from Sungai Tiram branch also quit DAP, citing unhappiness over the election results.

Chong said his constituents were also surprised by his omission from the state committee.

“There are some 30,000 voters in Elopura and most voted for me as the state representative,” he said.

“How is it that the people can trust me but not the party?”

Chong said an elected representative needed to be in the state committee so he could carry the people’s voice within the party.

Tough to retake Selangor without PAS’ help, says state Umno chief - But Hadi spurns BN as 'already sick'

Tough to retake Selangor without PAS’ help, says state Umno chief

Noh Omar says one of the reasons the coalition failed to reclaim the state in the last general election was due to the three-cornered fights among BN, PH and PAS. (Bernama pic)

PETALING JAYA: It will be difficult for Barisan Nasional to wrest Selangor from Pakatan Harapan if the party is at odds with PAS, the state Umno chief admitted tonight.

Noh Omar, who is also the Selangor BN chairman, said one of the reasons the coalition failed to reclaim the state in the last general election was due to the three cornered fights among BN, the opposition and the Islamist party.

“The best way is with Muafakat Nasional,” he said, referring to the political pact the country’s two biggest Malay parties forged in 2019.

“Which is why we have good ties with PAS in the state. I hope both the Umno and PAS leadership are watching. Selangor is different. Different states have different politics,” he said in an interview.

Noh Omar also revealed that he had brought up the possibility of Umno’s cooperation with PAS to party president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.

Noh also said he had personally pleaded with PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang to avoid competing for the same seats in Selangor at the next elections, adding that if such clashes could not be avoided it would be disastrous for both parties.

He expressed hope that the cooperation under MN would continue in Selangor, but said that if PAS decided to contest under the Perikatan Nasional banner, then they “would be left with no choice”.

“Don’t blame Umno if we go head-to-head,” he said, adding that the ties among the grassroots of the two parties were strong.

Noh’s comments come days after PAS rejected its pact with Umno under MN, with Hadi saying they did not want to be “shackled” to the party.

“It must be accepted that PN, which has become a bigger political movement, needs to be in power in this plural society,” Hadi told party organ, Harakahdaily.

In what could be seen as further criticism of Umno, he also said MN seems to be an “incomplete” coalition, and described Barisan Nasional (BN) as “already sick”.

Noh also did not dismiss the possibility that BN would have the upper hand in Selangor because Azmin Ali and Zuraida Kamaruddin were no longer part of PH. The two ministers had been with PKR in the last general election.

Still many questions on Zeti and former minister’s links to 1MDB scandal, says Umno man (especially when Tuk diam diam)

Still many questions on Zeti and former minister’s links to 1MDB scandal, says Umno man

Puad Zarkashi says many questions about the role of Zeti Akhtar Aziz and her husband Tawfiq Ayman in the 1MDB scandal remain unanswered.

PETALING JAYA: Many questions still remain unanswered about former Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM) governor Zeti Akhtar Aziz’s alleged links to the 1MDB scandal, an Umno Supreme Council member said today, adding that the public was waiting for action to be taken.

Puad Zarkashi said the questions included why Zeti’s husband, Tawfiq Ayman, had not been investigated under the Anti-Money Laundering Act (AMLA).

Daily Express:

Mahathir: CEP to stay, Daim to remain as its head
Published on: Wednesday, August 22, 2018

BEIJING: The services of the Council of Eminent Persons (CEP) are still needed, and Tun Daim Zainuddin will continue to head the advisory group, said Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad. Speaking at a news conference before ending his visit here on Tuesday (Aug 21), Dr Mahathir said he had not given the CEP a 100-day timeframe, adding that he still has a dire need for its services.

"I never mentioned anything (about) 100 days; I want him (CEP chairperson Tun Daim Zainuddin) to be there," he said when asked to comment on Daim's statement that the council's 100-day mandate is officially over.

On Monday (Aug 20), Daim had said the council's last day was on Sunday (Aug 19) and everyone in the council had gone back to their respective jobs.

Referring to a report in The Edge, Puad questioned the role played by Vincent Cheah Chee Kong and Shaik Aqmal Shaik Allaudin who are said to be linked to Morningstar Equities, a British Virgin Islands company.

He asked if there was truth to the claim that Shaik Aqmal was the nephew of a former federal minister.

Puad also wondered if there was truth to the claim that the company had received RM700 million in 1MDB funds, as reported by the financial daily in 2019.

“Malaysians want to know the role played by this former federal minister,” he said in a Facebook post.

“The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) has already revealed the matter. Najib Razak has lodged a police report. The people are waiting for the next course of action as there are just too many questions,” he said.

On Saturday, former prime minister Najib had lodged a police report claiming that material evidence relevant to his court cases had been concealed by key members of various government agencies and the former Pakatan Harapan (PH) administration.


Najib said transactions worth millions of ringgit linked to prosecution witnesses in both his SRC International and 1MDB cases had only recently been reported or confirmed.

One of these witnesses was described as a “former Bank Negara Malaysia governor.”

MACC had a week prior to the report confirmed that RM65 million of 1MDB-linked funds were recovered from Cutting Edge Industries, a company in Singapore controlled by Tawfiq, and his partner, Samuel Goh.

It was reported earlier this year that Iron Rhapsody – owned by Tawfiq and his son – received a total of RM66 million from companies and bank accounts linked to Low Taek Jho (Jho Low), the fugitive financier at the centre of the scandal.

Singapore police were also reported to have informed BNM in 2015 and 2016 about these suspicious transactions involving companies owned by Tawfiq, with the funds coming from accounts linked to Jho Low. Zeti was BNM governor at the time.

On Monday, former attorney-general Tommy Thomas claimed that Zeti and Tawfiq had “facilitated” fugitive businessman Low Taek Jho, or Jho Low.

***

kt comments:

Why Atuk so silent on a member of his most prominent CEP? Wakakaka

And where is Latheefa?

PAS rep heckled after asking Penang to limit alcohol sales

PAS rep heckled after asking Penang to limit alcohol sales

Penang PAS representative Mohd Yusni Mat Piah received brickbats for suggesting that Penang impose limits on sale of drinks and 4D outlets.

GEORGE TOWN: A PAS assemblyman who sang praises about the curbs on the sale of alcohol imposed by Kuala Lumpur and Kedah was heckled by backbenchers at the Penang assembly today.

It began when Mohd Yusni Mat Piah (PN-Penaga) said Penang should emulate what DBKL and Kedah were doing in limiting alcohol sales.

He said it was an approach taken by the PAS-led Kelantan in 1990 and was well-received by non-Muslims there.

Yusni said drink-driving fatalities were on the rise and the restriction in alcohol sales would be timely.

Mohd Yusni Mat Piah.

He narrated incidents where a city council worker and a nasi lemak seller were killed and their children orphaned because of drunk drivers.

Yusni said Penang should also follow in Kedah’s footsteps by banning 4D outlets.

He thanked the Penang government for assuring him in a written reply that the number of 4D outlets will be reduced in the future. He did not give further details.

“An average of 115 arrests were made every year in Penang from 2015 to 2019 involving drunk drivers. This is a very high number,” he said in debating the 2022 state supply bill.

Weighing in, Dr Afif Bahardin (PN-Seberang Jaya) said curbs on alcohol sales were appropriate, stating that many developed countries had done so.

He agreed that drinking-driving accidents were on the rise.

Satees Muniandy.

Satees Muniandy (PH-Bagan Dalam) said while alcohol consumption is haram (forbidden) in Islam, such a restriction should not be extended to non-Muslims.

“The relevant Islamic enforcement agencies should take action against Muslims who drink or place bets at 4D outlets.

“In countries such as Bahrain, alcohol is sold in the open. But yet, they do not impose such strict rules which go against the rights of non-Muslims.

“We don’t need PAS to be the country’s moral police. Given the chance, PAS will take us back to the Stone Age.

“This is a question of fundamental liberties of all Malaysians. If a person wants to drink, it is his personal choice.

“How come you are not saying anything about those driving under the influence of drugs or ketum?” he asked, with backbenchers thumping their tables in agreement.

Ong Ah Teong (PH-Batu Lanchang) told Yusni to look into more important issues, such as why PAS-led Kedah is threatening to divert Sungai Muda to deprive Penangites of water.

Yusni said that as a devout Muslim and a member of PAS, he would not waver in his ways, despite being under attack.

“Better to close all gaming premises, because, like alcohol, gambling brings more problems than good,” he said.

'Putrajaya, is it true only Malays can be IGPs?' - The Malaysian 'Glass Ceiling'

theVibes.com:

'Putrajaya, is it true only Malays can be IGPs?'

Former minister M. Kula Segaran demands govt’s stance on whether people of other races can wear top cop mantle

Dangerous, unfair, completely incorrect and misleading, says M. Kula Segaran (pic) of Human Resources Minister Datuk Seri M. Saravanan’s remark in the Dewan Rakyat yesterday that non-Malays cannot head the country’s police force. – Roketkini pic, December 1, 2021

KUALA LUMPUR – Former cabinet member M. Kula Segaran wants the current federal government to state its stand on whether only Malays can be appointed as Inspector-General of Police (IGP) under its helm.

This is after Human Resources Minister Datuk Seri M. Saravanan suggested during his ministry’s wind-up for Budget 2022 yesterday that non-Malays cannot become the head of the police force.

In a statement today, Kula Segaran said Saravanan’s remark in the Dewan Rakyat was dangerous, unfair, completely incorrect and misleading.

“Nowhere in the federal constitution is written what Saravanan has asserted in Parliament.

“In fact, even the position of prime minister is to be filled by any citizen of Malaysia as long as one has the majority support as an MP,” he said.

Kula Segaran said Saravanan should have instead highlighted that the proper criteria of appointing an IGP should be based on qualification and meritocracy.

“Is this what is being discussed in the cabinet? Will this be made policy if the Barisan Nasional (BN) government strengthens its grip on Putrajaya? Do the other races and other Bumiputeras in Sabah and Sarawak not matter when it comes to top jobs?

“These are important questions that must be addressed by the federal government consisting of BN and Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS).

“It must state its stand and if it is not in line with that of Saravanan, a public rebuke and apology to all races must be made.”

On the same note, Kula Segaran said Saravanan’s party MIC must also issue a rebuke on this irresponsible statement for stirring racial sentiments.

In his speech in the lower house yesterday, Saravanan had said that since Malaysia is made up of various racial backgrounds, priority must be given to certain races.

“For example, some here are saying all races must be given equally. Can a non-Malay be the IGP in this country ? No. We must follow the pattern of our country.”

Then, Kula Segaran had pointed out the error and sought the minister to withdraw and correct his statement, noting that anybody can be the IGP just as anybody can be the prime minister.

Saravanan, however, persisted with his statement, saying that since Malaysia is a diverse country, the people have to be sensitive with the racial positions of the different groups.

“We must distribute based on racial composition. I didn’t say (non-Malays) can’t be IGP, but we must understand the sensitivity of this country,” he said. – The Vibes, December 1, 2021

*********

kt comments:

In Malaysia some positions are sacrosanct to the Malays especially today. These are:

Political:

a. PM

b. Home

c. Finance

d. Defence

Only two Chinese have breached the 'glass ceiling', namely, Tan Siew Sin and to a very limited extent, Lim Guan Eng, out of obligation to PH for supporting him. Even then, Mahathir severely pared down the latter's portfolios, those of importance-use to his "agenda", and gave those to his blue-eyed boy as the newly formed Economic Minister.

If you want to include Ling Liong Sik's one day syiok-arisation as BN Chairman cum PM whilst Mahathir was battling out with Ku Li and the Judiciary, then it's OK though I wouldn't count it officially, wakakaka. 

Public Service:

a. Chief Secretary

b. IGP

c. Armed Forces Service Chiefs

Only Rear Admiral K Thanabalasingam was the sole non-Malay CNS, and only then under still-strong Pommie influence and presence in the RMN.

As a new Service, the TUDM or Air Force could possibly have nons as Chiefs but the government quite cleverly shifted a few Royal Malay Regiment officers (with service seniority) over to the TUDM to take over the Air Force reins when the Poms went home.

On top of that the Malaysian government scouted around the World for a Malay with Air Force piloting experience (with the help of the British RAF) and found quite an experienced bloke in Sulaiman Sujak.

Sujak was then a British citizen (from Christmas Island) who graduated as a RAF officer before the TUDM was even formed. When tracked down he was already a Flight Lieutenant (equivalent to Army Captain) flying Hunter aircraft in Cyprus. My Unc said Sujak was a good bloke, and the only TUDM Chief who was not of cap tiga kelapa, wakakaka.

RAF Hunter aircraft

Since Thanabalasingam retired there has been no non-Malay Service Chief, and I reckon there never will be.

Proposal for PKR-Amanah merger - a.k.a The Lebai-nisation of PKR 😜😁😂😀😅

theVibes.com:

Proposal for PKR-Amanah merger submitted, but leaders haven’t deliberated: Anwar

Opposition leader says will hear views from both parties' members though official discussions not yet on table

PKR and Amanah leaders are aware of the formal proposal to merge both parties, says Pakatan Harapan chief Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim. – ALIF OMAR/The Vibes pic, December 1, 2021

KUALA LUMPUR – A formal proposal on a merger of two Pakatan Harapan component parties – PKR and Amanah – has been submitted but their leaders have yet to put the matter up for discussion.

PKR president Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said that any proposal for the good of the two parties is feasible but it will have to be deliberated upon.

However, Anwar said the merger idea has not been brought up for discussion although there are members who are talking about it openly.

When pressed whether there has been a formal proposal, he said: “Yes, yes it was submitted and it is in the knowledge of the leaderships of Keadilan (PKR) and Amanah. But we have not explored this further.”

Asked if the official deliberations between the two parties have started, he said: “Not yet, not yet. Some members are throwing around some ideas.”

“Whatever views that we hear, we will discuss. There is no problem,” he told reporters after visiting the morning market at Taman Bukit Angkasa, Kg Kerinchi, in Lembah Pantai here.

Also present were his wife and former party president Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail and Lembah Pantai MP Fahmi Fadzil.

The merger idea was made public yesterday by former Selangor PKR Youth chief Najwan Halimi, who said both parties have similar political direction – for example, in upholding the reform agenda, social justice, and championing the rights and welfare of the people.

“The entry of Amanah into PKR will surely help raise support and build the confidence of the people, especially Malays in rural areas, specifically in the bid to win their support for the upcoming general election,” Najwan said in a statement posted on social media.

“Through the merger, there will surely be a consolidated machinery for both parties at the grassroots level, while solving the issue of seat allocations that has all this while been a challenge to both parties.”

He had issued the statement in response to political analyst Wong Chin Huat suggesting Amanah and PKR become a single party.

Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim visited the morning market in Taman Bukit Angkasa in Lembah Pantai here today to speak to stall operators as cries for help over price hikes of essential goods grow. – ALIF OMAR/The Vibes pic, December 1, 2021

Price hikes ‘insane’

Meanwhile, Anwar touched on the rising prices of food and groceries after receiving some feedback from stall operators at the market.

He said that the government should act by liberalising imports instead of continuously imposing controls against basic foodstuff from other countries.

He added that the government should especially provide some kind of support to reduce transportation cost as that is attributed to the rising prices of daily goods.

Anwar said the Federal Agricultural Marketing Authority and Fisheries Development Authority should urgently step in to help reduce cost as well.

He added that the prices of goods are increasing at an “insane level” but salaries and allowances are not going up.

For example, he said, the price of chicken had increased from RM9 to RM19 per kg.

Calling the issue a crisis, he urged the government to take immediate action.

Anwar said that a cabinet committee needs to be formed to address the issue of the rising prices of basic necessities, and that the proposal has been raised in Parliament. – The Vibes, December 1, 2021

Salaries and allowances are not increasing, but the prices of food and groceries are, such as the price of chicken from RM9 to RM19 per kg. – ALIF OMAR/The Vibes pic, December 1, 2021

Ramasamy: Detention of Gatco settlers uncalled for, abuse of police power

Ramasamy: Detention of Gatco settlers uncalled for, abuse of police power



THE detention of the settlers from Kampung Serampang Indah – better known as Kampung Gatco – who were on the way to meet Negri Sembilan Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Aminuddin Harun was an abuse of police power and was uncalled for, said Penang Deputy Chief Minister II Prof Dr P Ramasamy Palanisamy.

The Perai assemblyman was referring to the 40 Kampung Gatco settlers who were stopped and escorted home by the police while on a bus heading to meet with the Mentri Besar on Tuesday (Nov 30).

Some of the settlers who came with their own transport were able to meet with Aminuddin in the presence of some members of Parti Sosialis Malaysia (PSM).

“It is strange that Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob talks about Malaysians being one family, yet the police had adopted adopt harsh tactics to disperse fellow Malaysians who want to meet their elected representative to resolve their land dispute,” Ramasamy remarked.

“Moreover, this group of settlers have been ardent supporters of the opposition parties such as the DAP and PKR long before Pakatan Harapan was formed.”

According to Ramasamy, the Barisan Nasional (BN) Government had betrayed the settlers and when Pakatan Harapan (PH) won state power in Negri Sembilan in 2018, the settlers had thought their woes to be finally over.

“They were mistaken and the land dispute dragged on with no end in sight, and having exhausted all other avenues, the settlers had no choice but to turn to Aminuddin to solve their more-than-four-decades-old problem.”

The Gatco ordeal

Gatco stands for The Great Alonioners Trading Corporation Bhd, a company incorporated in 1977 by the National Union of Plantation Workers (NUPW) to facilitate a land development scheme for its members.

According to a report by Malaysiakini, the settlement originally covered 4,700 acres of land and was awarded by the Negri Sembilan state government after a deal between NUPW Secretary-General PP Narayanan and Isa Samad, who was chief minister of the state then.

NUPW mobilised its members from all over the country with each settler having to pay RM7,600 to participate in this scheme.

Each family was provided with one acre of land for housing, ten acres for planting sugar cane, and was given a 66-year lease.

Of the total 430 settlers who moved into Kampung Gatco, 280 were Indians, 120 Malays, and 30 Chinese.

However, continuous mismanagement had plunged Gatco into debt and it was declared bankrupt in 1983.

Malaysiakini further reported that Gatco had failed to settle its loans with the Bank of Commerce (now called CIMB) and the land was subsequently surrendered to Pengurusan Danaharta Nasional Berhad before liquidators Singam and Yong took over in 1996.

In 2015, it was reported that 170 villagers had received land titles from then Negeri Sembilan Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan after the state government managed to “convince” Thamarai to give 1,206 acres to the Kampung Gatco folk.

Thamarai Holdings Sdn Bhd is the oil palm and rubber plantation company that had bought over the land from Gatco.

Each villager received four acres of land, half of what they were initially promised by Gatco, with more than a hundred other villagers refusing to accept the offer.

“The need for political will is more pressing than ever. The settlers and their families are asking for an eight-acre piece of land that was promised to them, which is already a reduction from the earlier promise of ten acres,” Ramasamy pointed out.

“What is not acceptable to them is the offer of four acres by the state government. While some of the settlers who were loyal to the BN have readily accepted the four acres, this batch of the pioneer settlers want at least 8 acres, promised by the now defunct Gatco and affirmed by an earlier court decision.

“They also don’t understand why there is this offer of sale of two acres to settlers who might be the relatives of the earlier settlers when the problem of land allocation has not been settled.

“The settlers only want what was promised in the land settlement agreement and what was affirmed by the court, although some segments are disputing whether the settlers have any rights whatsoever.”

“To me this is the greatest betrayal of the settlers of Kampung Gatco, and this is the reason why the settlers – backed by years of struggle and sacrifice – had wanted to meet Aminuddin to air their grievances.

“They are tired and unhappy that there is no political will on the part of the government they support to amicably resolve the matter.

“Some are asking whether they have to wait for another four decades to settle their dispute.

“Where is Keluarga Malaysia? Where is the kindness and compassion?”

Questioning the authorities’ move to detain the bus carrying the settlers, Ramasamy went on to demand if the police think that the old settlers have terrorist inclinations, or if Malaysia is an authoritarian state where there is a huge gap between the people and those they had elected.

“The duty of the police is to maintain law and order, not to turn away those who came to see their elected representatives.

“I will be writing to the Inspector General of the Police about the conduct of the police force in harassing and intimidating the setters to the extent they were escorted back to their homes as though they were common criminals.

“I am glad that Aminuddin not only met the remaining settlers but agreed to meet their committee later as this augurs well for the eventual settlement of the land dispute.

“As far as I am concerned, nothing is settled until everything is settled in the Kampung Gatco land matter.” – Dec 1, 2021

Berhati2 - jangan terima wang tak halal

Keep gaming tax revenue separately, Guan Eng tells Putrajaya

Lim Guan Eng says tax revenue from gaming activities should be held in a separate account instead of in the consolidated fund.

GEORGE TOWN: Lim Guan Eng (PH-Air Putih) today urged the federal government to hold tax revenue from 4D shops in a different account, as it has caused unease among Muslims.

The former finance minister said in the Penang state assembly that all revenue from gaming outlets was currently placed in the consolidated fund and used in federal budget allocations.

Lim said the recent unease among Muslims arising from the operation of gaming outlets was premised on the fact that the government was using revenue from such outlets for its programmes covering all communities.

“It appears that the money from such outlets is becoming an issue among Muslims. Will the government consider separating the revenue received to address the concerns of Muslims by holding the money in a different account?

Lim Guan Eng.

“The money (tax revenue from gaming outlets) is not much, thus this money can be separated so that it does not make them feel uneasy,” he said when debating the 2022 Penang budget.

Lim said the whole gaming outlets brouhaha was a sign of creeping extremism, which had no place in a melting pot of cultures and faiths such as Penang.

Reports show that gaming taxes contribute about RM80 million a week to government coffers and that the government collected RM6.3 billion between 2008 and 2012.

More recently, the Dewan Rakyat was told that taxes from special draws were RM113.29 million in 2019, RM72.53 million (2020) and RM36.88 million (up to September this year).

On a different note, Lim said he was disappointed with the paltry federal allocation to Penang in the 2022 federal budget.

The state was allocated RM996 million in the budget, with chief minister Chow Kon Yeow earlier saying it should be at least RM5 billion based on the state’s gross domestic product contribution to the country.

“Where is the Keluarga Malaysia spirit in this?” Lim asked.

He said “thankfully there will be good news” for Penang at month’s end as a major chipmaker was expected to announce a large investment in the state.

He also said the finance minister had agreed to give investment grants to Penang for the purpose. “This will be a vote of confidence not just for Penang, but also Malaysia.”

***

kt comments:

I hope that the RM100 million that Guan Eng, then as PH FM, allocated to Tahfiz schools was not from gaming tax revenue. That would have been sinful for both FM and recipients. 😜😀😁😂😃

Cigarettes, ketum, ganja??? Camels, rabbits???

Wang rasuah-suap???

States' right to reclaim land, but NOT for Penang

Penang may go with LRT alone if reclamation project scrapped

Penang has proposed an LRT network, similar to the one in Kuala Lumpur, costing some RM8.5 billion.

GEORGE TOWN: Penang will consider building its light rail transit (LRT) line separately from an earlier transport master plan if the three islands project does not get regulatory approval.

Previously, the three islands project, known as the Penang South Reclamation (PSR), was supposed to finance the LRT project with land from the reclaimed islands to be sold. The 19km LRT line, starting from Bayan Lepas, is estimated to cost RM8.5 billion. It will have 30 stations.

However the approval to carry out the PSR project was rescinded by environmental regulators after an appeal by fishermen in September.

Executive councillor Zairil Khir Johari told the state assembly today the state government is considering calling for a request for proposal next year to invite companies or consortiums to vie for the LRT project, if the approval for PSR continues to be delayed.

“But I reiterate that this is being studied and will depend on how the study turns out.

“We remain committed to PSR, the Pan Island Link 1 Highway and the Penang Transport Master Plan,” he said.

He was replying to a supplementary question by Goh Choon Aik (PH-Bukit Tambun) who had asked what the state plans to do about the LRT project if PSR fails to take off.

Earlier, Zairil said the PSR approval snag was caused by technicalities involving the state structure plan.

He said the state plans to file a judicial review over the withdrawal of approval and, at the same time, make a new application for approval from the department of environment. (DoE)

Dr Afif Bahardin (PN-Seberang Jaya) asked if the state risks losing the “PSR gambit” altogether if it filed for approval afresh.

Zairil said the new application is nearly identical to what was submitted before, with the difference being the reclamation sequence of the three islands being changed.

He said Island A (south of the airport runway) would be built first, as opposed to the earlier approved Island B (south of Teluk Kumbar).

He said the state government realised that Island A was more important to cater for more industrial land, as the state was severely short of it.

H’ng Mooi Lye (PH-Jawi) asked if it was fair that other states could easily carry out reclamation work without trouble, such as Melaka and Johor.

Zairil said it was “unacceptable and unfair” for federal regulators to “continue to victimise Penang”.

He asked if these same regulators had looked into individual state structure plans in connection with highway projects and reclamation work carried out in Melaka and Johor.

“We are not questioning the law, but why victimise us when we have followed the law?” he said.