Kaytee's advice for 2022

Kaytee's advice for 2022, wakakaka:

1) Ignore Mahathir, wakakaka

2) For Malays, don't hate the 'nons'

3) For Chinese, don't over hero-worship China. She's a totally different nation. We're only sympathetic to her causes, due mainly to our detestation of American arrogant racist bullying and European bias, and partly because of our common culture and heritage - we are still Malaysians

4) For Indians, I grieve for your social punishment and marginalisation but let's work together towards a better Malaysia, and eff those idiotic racists

5) For Sarawakians and Sabahans, if you want to go it alone, do so by democratic and legal means but watch out for your own leaders, wakakaka. Good luck

6) For Thais, ai lup U

6) For Sings, eff off - wakakaka

7) For Indons, no more smoke please

Aiseh, when Dr Boo has a point, he won't let go so easily lah, wakakaka - Aiyah, Zhuge Liang so low class and power crazy?

MM:

Johor DAP’s Dr Boo rebuts deputy chief’s response to his allegations, calls for state’s top leadership to be accountable

Dr Boo Cheng Hau (pictured) wanted Liew Chin Tong to explain why he bypassed the Johor DAP state committee in nominating himself as a senator in Dewan Negara. ― Picture via Facebook/Dr Boo Cheng Hau


JOHOR BARU, Dec 31 — In what is seen as a sharp rebuttal to Johor DAP deputy chief Teo Nie Ching’s response yesterday, Dr Boo Cheng Hau has refuted her reply to his allegations on the party’s state chief Liew Chin Tong’s alleged lobbying for a senatorship post.

He called on Liew to explain publicly in person as to the reasons why he bypassed the Johor DAP state committee in nominating himself as a senator in Dewan Negara under the state quota.

“I would like to thank Teo (Nie Ching) for verifying the fact that Liew sought nomination for a senatorship under the Johor state quota and would like to advise her not to be Liew’s human shield, unless she was aware of the incident and agrees with the particular incident.

“Liew, as a respectable leader, should be accountable for what he did and needs to personally explain the reasons he bypassed the Johor DAP state committee in nominating himself as a senator for Johor.

“This includes clarifying that he had no hidden agenda in the senatorship nomination and that there were no personal deals with the Barisan Nasional (BN)-Perikatan National (PN) government back in August this year,” said Dr Boo in a statement issued today.

His comments came after yesterday’s response to his earlier allegation against Liew who he claimed had misused his power in an attempt to lobby the BN-PN government for a senator’s post.

Dr Boo, a former Johor DAP chief and also state Opposition Leader, hit out at Teo’s claim that Johor could see a snap state election soon.

“As a seasoned politician, Teo should not try to find a scapegoat and she should have realised that any undue pressure on the ruling BN-PN administration by Opposition members for any government-linked corporation (GLC) positions would trigger a snap state election for them to seek a bigger majority,” he said, adding that he maintains that the timeline for the events was before August 16 just before former prime minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin stepped down.

At that point of time, the composition of the Johor state assembly was 29 from BN-PN and 27 from Pakatan Harapan (PH) at that point of time.

Since the collapse of the previous PH state government in 2020, Johor has been under the BN-PN ruling coalition with only a slim majority. At present it is led by BN’s Datuk Hasni Mohammad.

Dr Boo pointed out that the mere act for Liew in getting himself nominated for the senator post without the knowledge of Johor DAP state committee and the party’s state assemblymen would also have become one of the sparks for a snap state election.

“I would like to advise Teo as the Johor State Deputy chairperson not to be an “all-yes-lady” for the state chief.

“Teo should have advised Liew otherwise for breaching the party’s democratic conventions, including seeking the state committee’s approval before nominating him for senatorship,” he said.

Dr Boo also sought to explain on the claim that nomination for Liew’s senator post in Dewan Negara is decided by DAP’s national candidature committee and not by the state committee.

He said that even though the party constitution states that the appointment of election candidates and government positions are the Central Executive Committee’s (CEC) ultimate prerogative, the central leadership has always sought branches’ and state committees’ feedback on any such appointments and nominations.

“If the claim that Liew’s proposal to be nominated as senator in a BN-PN run state is true, perhaps they could help explain the real reasons for the Central Candidature Selection Sub-committee for breaching such a long-standing party democratic convention without notifying the state committee?

“I would like to kindly both Liew and Teo that any power always come with great responsibilities. As DAP leaders with great quality and commitment to the party’s principles, they could take credit for the party’s success but must be prepared to shoulder the responsibility for losing ground without finding any scapegoat,” said Dr Boo.

Boo accuses DAP leadership of ignoring convention

Boo accuses DAP leadership of ignoring convention

Johor DAP committee member Dr Boo Cheng Hau has accused the party's national leadership of ignoring a convention to inform the state leadership of candidates for appointments or as election candidates.

In a statement today, Boo (above) said although the DAP constitution states that the appointment of election candidates and government positions are the central executive committee's prerogative, feedback from the grassroots and state leadership is normally sought.

"If (Johor DAP chief) Liew Chin Tong and (his deputy) Teo Nie Ching's claim that (the former's) proposal to be nominated as a senator in a BN-Perikatan Nasional run state is true, perhaps they could help explain the true reasons for the Central Candidature Selection Sub-committee for breaching such a long-standing party democratic convention without notifying the state committee?" asked Boo.

Yesterday, Boo had accused Liew of going behind the back of Johor DAP assemblypersons and the Johor DAP leadership in seeking the endorsement of Johor Pakatan Harapan to nominate him as a senator.

Boo then insinuated that Liew might have abused the confidence and supply agreement between Pakatan Harapan and Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob to seek a seat in the Dewan Negara.

There is one vacant seat in the Dewan Negara that is allocated to Johor since last year. There are only four opposition members in the Dewan Negara so far.

Johor DAP chief Liew Chin Tong

At the time of writing, Liew has yet to respond to Boo's allegation, while Teo issued a statement yesterday claiming that the central leadership was not obliged to inform the state leadership.

In view of this, Boo urged Liew to be accountable for his actions and personally explain himself to the DAP grassroots and not to hide behind Teo.

"I would like to advise Teo as the Johor DAP deputy chairperson not to be an all-yes-lady for the chairperson and she should have advised him otherwise for not breaching the party's democratic conventions," Boo added.

Putrajaya wants Pulau Batu Puteh issue to be heard in camera

Putrajaya wants Pulau Batu Puteh issue to be heard in camera

A federal counsel said the documents were classified under the Official Secrets Act as sensitive issues were involved, especially Malaysia’s diplomatic ties with Singapore. (AFP pic)

KUALA LUMPUR: Putrajaya is seeking a protection order that classified documents leading to its decision to withdraw a review application over the sovereignty of Pulau Batu Puteh be confined to those involved in the suit brought by a man.

The government also wants the High Court to have the trial or any interlocutory proceedings heard in camera.

In the application filed on Nov 29, it said all documents that would be submitted as exhibits must also be sealed from public access.

The government said the materials could only be revealed to lawyers, witnesses and parties who the court felt should have access.

“If necessary, the documents should be under the custody of the judge handling the case,” it said in a document sighted by FMT.

Senior federal counsel Alfian Yang Amri, who affirmed an affidavit in support of the application, said the documents were classified under the Official Secrets Act as sensitive issues were involved, especially Malaysia’s diplomatic ties with Singapore.

“If these documents are revealed to unauthorised third parties, it could affect international negotiations between the two nations,” he said.

Alfian said the order, if granted, would not prejudice the plaintiff, Mohd Hatta Sanuri, since the relevant documents will still be produced in court.

“The revelation of the contents of documents during proceedings will answer all the questions raised by the plaintiff,” he added.

The High Court will hear the application on Jan 31 after asking all parties involved to file in written submissions.

Hatta, from Tanjung Karang, Selangor, wants a declaration that former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad and the government committed the tort of misfeasance in public office over the issue.

In his amended statement of claim filed in October, Hatta wanted the current government to revive the application or look into other options for the matter to be heard at the International Court of Justice (ICJ).

The case originates from a territorial dispute over several islets at the eastern entrance to the Singapore Straits, namely Pulau Batu Puteh, Middle Rocks and South Ledge.

In 2008, the ICJ decided that Pulau Batu Puteh, also known as Pedra Branca, belonged to Singapore, Middle Rocks to Malaysia and South Ledge to the state in the territorial waters of which it is located.

In June 2017, Malaysia applied to the ICJ to request for an interpretation of the judgment.

Former attorney-general Mohamed Apandi Ali then said the review would serve as a basis for the maintenance of orderly and peaceful relations between the two countries in the management of their respective maritime zones and airspace in the future.

However, this application was withdrawn in May 2018 after Pakatan Harapan took over Putrajaya following its victory in the 14th general election.

Putrajaya said it abandoned the idea of seeking a review of Pulau Batu Puteh’s sovereignty after weighing the views of foreign legal consultants.

In its defence, the government said it felt the review should be discontinued in the interest of the nation and also due to cost implications.

In his statement of claim filed in May, Hatta said the government had not provided an explanation on why it withdrew the application despite fresh evidence that favoured Malaysia on dominion over the island, which is half the size of a football field.

He is seeking, among others, for the defendants to give an explanation for the withdrawal and for a declaration that they had been negligent and violated the trust placed on them by citizens.

Hatta wanted the defendants to pay a minimum of RM10 million in compensation to each Malaysian for the loss of the island.

Pudu traders, led by DAP lawmaker and business groups, form action committee to protest Jalan Yew bridge expansion in KL

MM:

Pudu traders, led by DAP lawmaker and business groups, form action committee to protest Jalan Yew bridge expansion in KL

Traders held a protest against the planned expansion of the Jalan Yew-Sungai Besi overhead bridge in Kuala Lumpur December 31, 2021. ― Pictures by Ahmad Zamzahuri


KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 31 ― Worried that they could be displaced by the planned expansion of the Jalan Yew-Sungai Besi overhead bridge, traders at one of the capital city’s oldest markets today rallied behind an action committee formed to protest against the project.

Tan Kok Wai, the DAP Member of Parliament for Cheras, announced the formation of the committee this morning alongside other multiracial key members composed mostly of small and petty traders and residents associations.

Tan had described the planned expansion of the busy bridge as “destructive” to the lives and livelihoods of nearby residents and traders, and likening it to a “man-made disaster”.

He criticised the Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) and the federal government for green lighting the project, suggesting the move was insensitive to the small and petty traders who have traded there, many for generations.

The planned expansion of the busy bridge is described as ‘destructive’ to the lives and livelihoods of nearby residents and traders, and likening it to a ‘man-made disaster’.


“There are natural disasters and there are man-made disasters,” Tan told reporters who had gathered at one of the restaurants at Pudu market, located underneath but parallel to the bridge.

“This project is destructive for the lives and livelihoods of the hardworking people around this area, hence why we have formed this action committee to protest it,” the KL lawmaker added.

“I would like to tell you that 25 associations including residents associations are members of this committee.”

Pudu market, adjacent to Jalan Pudu, is one of the city’s oldest and busiest business districts.


DBKL had reportedly proposed expanding the flyover that connects the Sungai Besi Highway and Kuala Lumpur-Seremban Highway, on both sides but met protest from business owners and traders who claimed they were not consulted.

Pudu market, adjacent to Jalan Pudu, is one of the city’s oldest and busiest business districts.

A melting pot of cultures and communities, culture enthusiasts and urban conservationists have long called for the authorities to protect the district from overt development.

The Star reported that Pudu Hawkers and Petty Traders Association secretary Chai Mei Li had submitted an objection letter to Kuala Lumpur mayor Datuk Seri Mahadi Che Ngah, calling for the cancellation of the project.

The letter was signed by six business associations in and around the area, representing some 2,000 traders and shop owners.

Today, the committee began raising buntings and banners with protest messages that chided the government as insensitive, accusing them of caring more about mega developments that benefit a wealthy few.

Tan said the committee will campaign to get the project postponed, or even cancelled.

DBKL had reportedly proposed expanding the flyover that connects the Sungai Besi Highway and Kuala Lumpur-Seremban Highway, on both sides but met protest from business owners and traders who claimed they were not consulted.

Minister: Pahang state forestry department still in denial over cause of recent floods

Minister: Pahang state forestry department still in denial over cause of recent floods



A MINISTER has accused the Pahang state forestry department (JPNP) of being in denial and for not being entirely honest about what happened that had caused the floods in Pahang recently.


According to Penang deputy chief minister II Prof P Ramasamy, JPNP has denied that illegal logging was the cause of the floods, while aerial checks through the use of drones had apparently found no illegal logging sites.

“I am not disputing JPNP about how continuous rain for three days had added to the volume and intensity of the floods,” he remarked.


“But I saw for myself that at Sri Telemong Bridge it wasn’t just wood waste or debris but uprooted trees and leftover or abandoned timber.


“So JPNP cannot dismiss that the flood waters that brought materials from the upper stretches of the river were just debris or wood waste.”


JPNP checks at Jalan Bentong-Karak and Sri Telemong Bridge had previously indicated that it was wood waste on the road and bridge.

Ramasamy went on to recount how his recent visit to the flood-affected areas in and around Karak and Bentong in Pahang clearly indicated that the rivers in both areas were unable to hold the flood waters, causing massive devastation.

“A frightening aspect of the flow of the water was the massive amount of debris – uprooted trees, bushes and leftover timber from the logging areas.

“At the Sri Telemong Bridge, it was abundantly clear that the years of logging and other forms of deforestation was the main cause of the floods with the vegetation in the jungle being unable to absorb the water, which led to the bursting of the banks of the rivers and their tributaries,” he pointed out.

He also mentioned that local residents had also spoken of the ferocious flood water that had carried huge logs “as if they were torpedoes”, and this would probably explain why some homes along the Bentong River were flattened as they were smashed by the logs.

“I was not talking about illegal logging but legal ones that took place in the upper stretches of the rivers. I am not sure why the JPNP was quick to deny about the existence of illegal logging,” he commented.

“I was also told that many areas in the forest ares of Bentong and Karak have been illegally cleared by settlers. I am not sure whether JPNP is aware of this.

“Drones are useful if the areas are not accessible especially during the floods – I understand this, but surely JPNP must have information about logging, both legal and illegal.

“Is the department going to take action against those involved in the felling of the trees that might contributed to the floods.”

Rather than engaging in a thorough investigation, Ramasamy said that JPNP is merely denying the existence of illegal logging in the vicinity.

“The Pahang state government must seriously address the issue of the recent massive floods and should direct its departments to investigate those companies involved the massive logging enterprise in the state.

“Unless something is done, future floods would be much more devastating.” – Dec 31, 2021

Respond to allegations against MACC

Respond to allegations against MACC



From Walter Sandosam

The recent resignation of an eminent academic (Terence Gomez) from one of the oversight panels of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) is most disturbing, not to mention regrettable.

It does not bode well for the MACC, given that it was in relation to circumstances surrounding the chief commissioner.

While the MACC is an institution under the purview of the government, the oversight panels constitute prominent members of the public.

Their perceived “independence” is to provide a check-and-balance mechanism for the activities of the commission, which is charged with investigating bribery, corruption and abuse of power, as detailed in the MACC Act 2009.

It is contended on many fronts that corruption has become endemic and taken root rather extensively, hence making the fight against it a “jihad” to be taken seriously at all levels.

The MACC’s predecessor, the Anti-Corruption Agency (ACA), apparently had not lived up to expectations, and had been with admonished for perceived selective investigations and lack of independence.

Thus, the oversight panels in the MACC have a role to play, as defined in the Act, and came into existence when Abdullah Ahmad Badawi was prime minister.

MACC was modelled after the Hong Kong anti-graft agency, which had been successful in combating corruption.

Notwithstanding the inner workings of the MACC, the role and importance of the oversight panels to ensure the MACC is on an even keel cannot be understated.

As a member who served on two of the oversight panels, the corruption prevention and consultancy panel and an investigations panel, I can say the need to be able to maintain independence amid scrutiny from both the public at large and specific political and non-political groups was indeed a formidable challenge.

The current turn of events involving the resignation, purportedly on the allegation of a “deafening silence” in relation to issues brought up to the attention of the chairman of two of the oversight bodies, reflects that something is amiss in the proper working expected of these entities.

Those currently seated on these panels should remember that they are meant to represent the public and, at first reading, it appears that they have failed the public at large. This is indeed a rather sad state of events.

Whether the chain of events, as stated by Terence Gomez, has merit or not is best taken up at the correct forum. In the interim, the public has not heard of any rebuttal of the claims that have been highlighted.

Not providing a response reflects a lack of decorum, bordering on the abuse of power.

The check-and-balance systems are meant for a purpose. Negative publicity leading to incorrect perceptions should be avoided at all cost.

Those members of the public chosen for their eminence to sit on these advisory panels should not lose sight of the fact that their actions should be seen, and perceived to be seen, as acting in the best interests of the common man.

Anything less and they are deemed to have lost their independence, credibility and impartiality to be objective.

The fight against corruption is deeply compromised when persons or institutions charged with eradicating it are subjected to second-guessing as to their impartiality.



Walter Sandosam was an MACC oversight panel member (2009-2016).

Past will haunt PH without change in leadership, says analyst [and some still want Atuk as their leader]

Past will haunt PH without change in leadership, says analyst

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Analyst Ahmad Fauzi Abdul Hamid says Pakatan Harapan is still living in a ‘pre-Sheraton Move world’.


PETALING JAYA: Pakatan Harapan will continue to be haunted by negative perceptions linked to its 22 months in power as long as there is no change in its leadership, according to an analyst.

Commenting on PH’s acknowledgement of its poor performance as a government, Ahmad Fauzi Abdul Hamid of Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) said PH was still living in a pre-Sheraton Move world.

In the Sheraton Move, several leaders in the ruling coalition, notably Muhyiddin Yassin and Azmin Ali, met PAS and Umno leaders to discuss cooperation. This was followed by a series of political events that culminated in PH’s downfall.

Before the February 2020 betrayal, Ahmad Fauzi noted, PH enjoyed popular backing and its actions as the elected government were seen as justified. “Now though, unless PH changes its leadership, it will be haunted by its 22 months in power.”

Ahmad Fauzi Abdul Hamid.


Sarawak DAP chief Chong Chieng Jen has attributed his party’s heavy loss in the recent state elections to voters’ disappointment with PH’s performance when it held federal power.

There are currently disagreements among PH strongmen on the question of whether it would be beneficial to team up with Dr Mahathir Mohamad and his followers again to attract enough numbers to form a government.

PH has been struggling to garner votes from the Malay majority, and Ahmad Fauzi noted that Bumiputera voters contributed to its huge defeats in the Melaka and Sarawak elections.

“The Malay withdrawal of support for PH indicates that the propaganda accusing DAP of foisting its agenda onto the larger PH programme is believed by many Malays,” he told FMT.

“PH hasn’t done enough to counter this impression.”

He said the PH parties needed to settle areas of disagreement, abandon or at least make dormant the apparently extreme positions that could repel voters, and come up with a united, moderate stand before the next general election.

Guan Eng: Vernacular school ruling enshrines legitimate rights of non-Malays : Does he remember withholding govt matching grant for TAR-UC?

MM:

Guan Eng: Vernacular school ruling enshrines legitimate rights of non-Malays in country’s social contract

DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng says the recent High Court ruling on vernacular schools was crucial in preserving the legitimate rights of non-Malays within the social contract that gave independence and eventually led to the formation of Malaysia. — Picture by Miera Zulyana


KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 31 ― The recent High Court ruling on vernacular schools was crucial in preserving the legitimate rights of non-Malays within the social contract that gave independence and eventually led to the formation of Malaysia, DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng said today.

He was earlier referring to the High Court ruling on Wednesday that Malaysia’s vernacular schools were consistent with its Federal Constitution, when rejecting a lawsuit seeking for the government to abolish education using Mandarin and Tamil.

In his New Year message, Lim said religious extremism, racism and systemic corruption are among the biggest threats towards national unity and integration between Malaysians that hindered balanced economic development and equitable economic growth.

“The reliance on provoking the sentiments against minorities are deliberately aimed at dividing the people to distract attention from the abject failures of governance and fighting corruption.

“Whilst this may not put a stop to extremists and racists trying to burn down the Federal Constitution, it is ordinary Malaysians regardless of race, religion and background that will ultimately prevail in defeating them,” he said in a statement.

Of note, Lim claimed the aforementioned failures included the mismanagement of the Covid-19 pandemic by the federal government which resulted in some 2.7 million infections and some 31,000 deaths nationwide.

He also cited the recent flooding that ravaged peninsular Malaysia the weekend before Christmas as as another example of failure, where racial sentiments were stoked after the motives of non-Muslims volunteers in providing aid to Muslim flood victims were deliberately questioned.

“Fortunately, Malays and Muslims have come out to condemn such extremism giving hope for a Malaysia that is open-minded, moderate and tolerant.

*********

kt comments:

Chinese still remember the PH Finance Minister who eff-ed TAR-UC kaukau, and who now has the brazen nerve to tok-kok.

MCA also wants probe against MACC chief

MCA also wants probe against MACC chief


MCA has urged Putrajaya to commence investigations against MACC chief Azam Baki's alleged large stake in a public listed company.

In a statement today, MCA spokesperson Chan Quin Er (above) said the probe is necessary to maintain MACC's image as a credible and professional body.

"According to reports, Azam, during his tenure as MACC chief, is accused of owning two million shares in a public-listed company.

"If these allegations are true, there will be an element of conflict of interest and a violation of rules governing public servants," said Chan, who is a former deputy public prosecutor.

Chan noted that Azam and the MACC have yet to issue any public statements on the matter, which would only sow doubts on their credibility.

"The MACC is supposed to be a professional body entrusted to fight corruption. If it ignores matters of integrity concerning their own officers, this is a form of negligence," she said.

Malaysiakini has contacted Azam for comment.

On Dec 14, Sungai Buloh MP R Sivarasa filed an emergency motion to the Dewan Rakyat speaker's office to seek an urgent debate on the allegations against Azam.

According to Sivarasa, Azam owned 2,156,000 warrants in Excel Force MSC Bhd as of March 21, 2016.

Sivarasa claimed this could be in violation of Section 23 of Service Circular 3/2002 which prevents a civil servant from owning an equity stake that is valued above RM100,000.

Prior to this, a member of the MACC’s Consultation and Corruption Prevention Panel brought the matter up to panel chief Borhan Dolah on Nov 12.

Panel member Edmund Terence Gomez, in his correspondence with Borhan, had attached documents pertaining to Azam's corporate interest but the panel did not act on his complaint.

Following this, Gomez resigned from the panel on Dec 27.

Inaction on MACC - a case of silence and hope it will go away?

MACC’s inaction – a case of silence and hope it will go away?

YOURSAY | ‘Corrupt practices and their institutional protection have evolved into a fine art.’

Don resigns from MACC panel in protest of inaction against Azam Baki


MS: Malaysian maladministration, a term which includes authorised corruption, has a number of defensive weapons, chief among which is "buat bodoh". This explains the refusal to respond to Professor Edmund Terence Gomez’s letters.

The next weapon is the invocation of race and religion, followed by the usual noise-making on Friday afternoons, often before the house of the one asking the questions.

The PDRM (Royal Malaysian Police) will then be unleashed to "investigate" the person asking the questions and that will include raiding the home of the questioner and seizing laptops and documents.

Then, of course, there will be the mandatory invitations to be present at odd hours of the day at the ‘balai’ (police station) for interviews which could stretch on for hours on end.

By this time, the accused would have gotten enough support from his backers and co-conspirators, which in this case will include members of the oversight committee who will declare their utmost confidence in the accused and their suspicions about Gomez's motives.

Corrupt practices and their institutional protection in Malaysia have both evolved into a fine art with much practice. It is the singular achievement of the Ketuanan Melayu-driven New Economic Policy (NEP).

Newday: It is disappointing that it has come to this with Gomez resigning from the MACC Consultation and Corruption Prevention Panel. He is one of the increasingly rare breeds who are honest, ethically professional and not beholden to the political will of others.

There is an obvious case to investigate MACC chief commissioner Azam Baki. On the surface (from news reports), it appears that there is indeed something dodgy going on.

The apparent silence from the panel chair is such a standard thing here that usually happens when there appears to be a measure of guilt or something is seriously wrong. “Don’t talk, don’t respond and don’t act” is the modus operandi.

What now? Is it a case of the puppet PM to step up and demand an investigation? To actually be like a PM rather than a mud shoveller? Or is it a case of silence and hope the issue will go away?

Meanwhile, we still have a MACC chief with lingering questions as to his ability and impartiality to carry out this most important job.

Mazilamani: Gomez's resignation as a member of MACC's Consultation and Corruption Prevention Panel is a sign of a man living up to his intrinsic values and reputation.

The professor did everything within his means to have the panel chairperson convene a meeting to discuss a critical issue regarding Azam's alleged share ownership with Gets Global Bhd, said to be far in excess of RM100,000 share value permitted by a civil servant.

It appears strange that the panel chairperson, Borhan Dolah, has not acted on the written complaints.

I am wondering how many high-ranking civil servants own huge amounts of listed companies' shares and other questionable sources of money. How rampant is "unhalal" richness among civil servants?

This is an area for MACC to address, but what if their own officers are suspected of such "pagar makan sawah" offences.

Why should anyone write or complain to MACC about someone engaged or gaining from corrupt practices? What are the chances of complainants not getting exposed or coming into life-threatening harm?

Jordan Tan: "All I can say is that my life in the bank (Bank Negara Malaysia) has been based on certain professional expectations, and when I find myself put in circumstances where those expectations can no longer be met, there could have been no other decision for me."

These were the words of former deputy bank Negara governor, Sukhdave Singh, when he chose to resign from his office in December 2017.

Gone are the days when we had courageous personalities like Mohamed Suffian Hashim or Ismail Mohd Ali, the first governor of Bank Negara, who dared to stand up to the executive of the day.

Edmund Terence Gomez, my salute to you for your integrity and uprightness over a position.

Headhunter: When the heads of Malaysia’s anti-corruption authority are themselves are mired in allegations of corruption, how can the public trust them to handle others who are involved in corruption?

I have said before that the MACC needs a total overhaul with new and untainted senior officers. The current batch had already been exposed publicly as unreliable as they are allegedly in the thick of wallowing in corruption themselves.

The politicians don't dare to touch them because the agency holds power over them too, especially if they are involved in corruption.

It appears that not one government agency in the country is clean.

Meerkat: A top government officer being corrupt is like a vegan tucking into a juicy steak. Or a man of faith declaring there is no God.

It's either impossible or the person was a fraud, to begin with. It would be funny had it not been a reflection of the government of the day.

Where are the reforms promised in the MOU (memorandum of understanding) with the opposition? The government has already torn up the agreement.

Wake up, Pakatan Harapan. Do what you have to do or the people will assume that you would do the same thing once you’re in government.

OCT: If Azam is ever investigated, the house of cards could tumble. So expect the government to be in silent mode and ‘buat tak tahu’.

When has the rakyat ever seen any senior officer of the government being prosecuted, except for former prime minister Najib Abdul Razak? But even then, Najib still acts like a free man even though he is a convicted felon.

Malaysia is a wonderful place to live in when you are part of a band of brothers. Corruption is the norm of the day.

Helping Hindus and others is part of Islamic ethics, says scholar

Helping Hindus and others is part of Islamic ethics, says scholar

A group of International Islamic University Malaysia students helped clean up a flood-hit Hindu temple in Klang.


PETALING JAYA: A celebrity preacher’s call for Muslims to refrain from cleaning up the houses of worship of non-Muslims is wrong on two fronts, a prominent Turkish scholar said, adding that such remarks are offensive.

Mustafa Akyol said in today’s modern world Muslims are fellow citizens with people of other faiths, or even those without any religious faith at all.

He said the status of citizenship implies a civil contract based on mutual respect, similar to the Constitution of Medina which was signed by the Prophet Muhammad with Jews and the polytheists of Medina.

“In Malaysia, Hindus are similarly fellow citizens, and Muslims should help them when they are in need.

Mustafa Akyol.

“This would not be a violation of Islamic principles. Quite the contrary, it would be a reflection of Islamic ethics,” said Akyol, a senior fellow on Islam and modernity at the Cato Institute, a US-based libertarian think tank.

He told FMT that while the Quran does include condemnation of “mushrikun” (polytheists) in Arabia during the Prophet’s time, these group of people were also oppressors who tortured the first Muslims in Mecca for merely saying, “Our Lord is one”.

In other words, the Quran’s condemnation is against a specific people — Meccan polytheists who persecuted the first Muslims, he explained.

This condemnation could not be extended to other non-Abrahamic faiths around the world. “That is also why, in Islamic history, Hindus were accepted as ‘the People of the Book,’ who, according to Islamic law, deserve religious freedom.”

Yesterday, celebrity preacher Azhar Idrus was reported as saying that Muslims could clean up mosques and surau, but not non-Muslims’ houses of worship that were affected by the floods.

In a Tiktok video, Azhar made reference to the story of Prophet Ibrahim, who demolished idols in a temple in his town.

“So, don’t interfere. It’s your own matter and your own religion. To idol worshippers, we don’t want (to interfere),” he said, according to a report in The Vibes.

“We have our own religion. We can clean up mosques and surau, but we do not wash idols. And through that, we can differentiate those who are faithful from those who are impious.”

His comments, which earned the ire of netizens, come in the wake of a video that went viral on social media featuring a group of students from the International Islamic University Malaysia cleaning a flood-hit Hindu temple in Klang.

Akyol said he believed Muslims did no wrong by respecting Hindu temples and even helping restore them, even though they do not believe in Hindu gods.

“But we honour Hindus as fellow human beings, who, just like us, deserve sympathy and respect,” he said.

Playing safe now??? MetMalaysia warns of dangerous rainfall across nearly entire east coast of peninsula

MM:

MetMalaysia warns of dangerous rainfall across nearly entire east coast of peninsula

MetMalaysia warned that dangerously high levels of rain were expected in almost all areas on the east coast of peninsular Malaysia. — Bernama pic


KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 31 — Dangerously high levels of rain were expected in almost all areas on the east coast of peninsular Malaysia, the Malaysian Meteorological Department (MetMalaysia) warned this morning.

The department issued a red alert for extreme rainfall Kelantan’s Jeli, Kuala Krai, Gua Musang; Terengganu’s Besut, Hulu Terengganu, Dungun, and Kemaman; and Pahang’s Jerantut, Maran, Kuantan, Pekan, and Rompin.

In a sign of worsening conditions, the same red alert has also been extended to Johor’s Mersing and Kota Tinggi districts.

Under the department’s rain warning system, red signifies dangerous levels of rain exceeding 240mm per day. Amber, the second highest level, indicates heavy rain that could worsen to dangerous levels.

Yellow indicates that heavy rain was expected between one and three days from the day the alert was issued or sustained rain that was not heavy in volume.

MORE TO COME

Don’t rush to cut PAS ties, says ‘once a sceptic’ KJ

Don’t rush to cut PAS ties, says ‘once a sceptic’ KJ

Health minister and former Umno Youth leader Khairy Jamaluddin in an interview with Umno Online on health and politics today.


PETALING JAYA: Umno should not rush to cut ties with PAS by withdrawing from Muafakat Nasional (MN), said former Umno Youth leader Khairy Jamaluddin today.

He said even though he was once a sceptic, he now feels that the suggestion for the party to withdraw from MN must be studied more carefully.


In an interview with Umno Online on his duties as health minister and other matters, Khairy said that even though the party had succeeded when it went solo for the Melaka state elections in November, it is not certain that the same can be replicated in other states.

“In Melaka, it was a gamble to go solo (without PAS). This was under Tok Mat‘s directions,” he said, referring to Umno deputy president Mohamad Hasan.

“And in the end we succeeded, and won. But in other states, we are not sure yet whether or not we would need MN or if we can go solo.

“It is best that we study this properly first. Don’t rush to cut ties with PAS because we have invested a lot in MN.”

Several Umno leaders have called for the party to reconsider its ties with PAS, which allied itself with Umno in the MN partnership in 2019 as a pact to go against Pakatan Harapan, following a land controversy involving the Malaysian Rubber Board.

Among the critics were Johor Umno deputy head Nur Jazlan Mohamed who in June had said PAS will most likely be a liability at the next general election. Some leaders had also pointed to the past failures of PAS in governing Kelantan and Terengganu.

‘Assess me in my work as minister of health from Umno’, says Khairy

MM:

‘Assess me in my work as minister of health from Umno’, says Khairy

Health Minister Khairy Jamaluddin said the decision to implement Covid-19 SOPs by the book for the 15th Melaka state election was not an attempt to jeopardise or weaken Umno. — Bernama pic


KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 30 — The decision to implement Covid-19 standard operating procedures (SOP) by the book for the 15th Melaka state election was not an attempt to jeopardise or weaken Umno, said Khairy Jamaluddin.

The health minister stressed that the decision was made to protect the people, the election machinery and the leadership of all parties involved from being infected with Covid-19, besides avoiding a sharp increase in positive cases of the disease as happened after the Sabah state election last year.

He said the decision also reflected that ministers from Umno were able to perform their duties well, including his own duties as health minister for the sake of pandemic management.

“During the Sabah state election, there was no vaccine yet and compliance with SOPs was very loose, leading to a sharp increase in cases. We wanted to prevent it from happening again, so I had to tighten the SOP and be firm. Whoever violates the SOP, we took action and I don’t think it impedes the party.

“I perform my duties as the health minister representing Umno. I want them (the people) to see this minister (from) Umno, who is at least doing his job well. That is what I should be evaluated on in terms of my work (as a minister),” he said.

He said this as a panelist of a special interview programme entitled “Dilema Covid dan Politik” (“Covid Dilemma and Politics”) which was broadcast live on Umno Online’s Facebook, tonight.

At the Melaka polls, Barisan Nasional (BN) chairman Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi and Melaka Umno Liaison Committee chairman Datuk Seri Ab Rauf Yusoh were each compounded RM10,000 for violating the election SOP when they conducting house-to-house campaign activities and were not wearing face masks. — Bernama

In Penang, contractor charged with murder of bully victim T. Nhaveen

MM:

In Penang, contractor charged with murder of bully victim T. Nhaveen

File picture of family members and relatives demanding for justice for T. Nhaveen at his funeral. — Picture by KE Ooi


GEORGE TOWN, Dec 30 — A contractor was today charged in the Magistrates’ Court here, with the murder of bully victim T. Nhaveen on June 9, 2017.

S. Gopinath, 30, the fifth accused, was jointly charged with committing the act between 11pm and midnight, near the Karpal Singh Learning Center, Jalan Kaki Bukit, Gelugor near here.

No plea was recorded after the accused nodded his understanding on the charge read out to him, as the case is under the jurisdiction of the High Court.

The charge under Section 302 of the Penal Code provides for the mandatory death sentence upon conviction.

Magistrate R. Manomani set tomorrow, December 31, for case mention.

Deputy public prosecutors Yazid Mustaqim Roslan and Farah Aimy Zainul Anwar appeared for the prosecution.

On June 19, 2017, J. Ragesuthen, 18, and S. Gokulan, 18, and two others who were then minors, were charged with the murder of Nhaveen, 18. — Bernama

PAS leader Ahmad Dusuki criticised HRH Sultan Selangor's fatwa as divisive?

Selangor's ban on politicians teaching Islam is divisive, says PAS preacher


PAS leader Ahmad Dusuki Abdul Rani, who is also famous for his Islamic preaching, sees the Selangor Islamic Council's (Mais) decision to revoke teaching accreditation to those politically active as something that would only further widen the gap among Muslims.

The member of PAS central leadership claimed that such a ban would be divisive, besides making the enemies of Islam "to rejoice".

"The disunity we have among Muslims today would only be widened, and Muslims would not come together if such action is taken.

"Allah's blessings will not get to us when there is no unity.

"And clearly, the enemies of Islam would rejoice over this inside fighting among Muslims," Dusuki (above) told Malaysiakini.

Dusuki, who was accredited by Mais to preach on Islam in Selangor, was responding to the Islamic body's announcement yesterday that it is revoking accreditation for teaching on Islam to all political activists, effective Jan 1 next year.

Mais chairperson Abdul Aziz Mohd Yusof had said that the decision was in line with the decree of Selangor Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah barring Islam from being politicised and used as a political tool, especially in mosques and surau.

Mais chairperson Abdul Aziz Mohd Yusof

An exemption has been given to whoever holds the Islamic affairs portfolio in Selangor, on the condition that any teachings on Islam do not include or touch on any political matters.

Commenting on the effect of the decision on PAS leaders, which is the group that seemed to be affected the most, Dusuki described it as a test from Allah.

However, he added, there are other ways they can continue to preach with the technology available today.

"Every test from God, there will surely be rewards.

"Dakwah works will still continue. There are many other ways in this era of technology. All of these will be seen by Allah," he said.

Dusuki also said that Mais should instead focus on enlivening the houses of worship to attract more Muslims to these places so that they would not go astray.

According to him, Mais also should teach Muslims in Selangor about politics that is based on Islamic teachings.

"There is a difference between Islamic politics and secular politics, (there is a difference) between the politics that was taught by Prophet Muhammad SAW and the politics that are taught by enemies (of Islam).

"Teach the people about Islamic politics," Dusuki added.

Aiseh Zhuge Liang, itu mana bolih lah

DAP man asks if MOU abused for senatorship


Johor DAP chairperson Liew Chin Tong has been accused of lobbying for the Johor legislative assembly to appoint him as a member of the Dewan Negara.

The allegation was made by Johor DAP central committee member Dr Boo Cheng Hau, who accused Liew (above) of doing so without the knowledge of the Johor DAP leadership.

In a statement, Boo claimed that Liew's machinations began in early August, whereby the latter had "misled" the Johor Pakatan Harapan council.

"After getting statements from various component party leaders sitting in the Johor Harapan council, I was informed that Liew, in early August, had misled the council in believing that he was able to get enough support from Johor BN, Perikatan Nasional and other parties to appoint him as the senator under the Johor quota.

"I was also informed that a resolution would be proposed to the following state assembly sitting under Liew's claim that he was able to garner the support from Johor BN and PN to appoint him as a senator.

"Nonetheless, the resolution was withdrawn after Liew failed to prove that he could ensure the resolution's passage by the state assembly, while the vast majority of the Harapan state assemblypersons were even unaware of the existence of the proposed resolution," claimed Boo.

When contacted, Liew said he reserved comment for now. After the 2018 general election, Liew was made a deputy defence minister. As he was not an MP, he was made a senator first. That term expired in the middle of this year.

Each state assembly can appoint two members to the Dewan Negara. There is one vacancy for Johor now.

There are currently 54 Dewan Negara members, of which four are in the opposition. These four opposition members all belong to Harapan, who are in a confidence and supply agreement (CSA) with Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob.

Johor DAP central committee member Dr Boo Cheng Hau

In view of his allegations, Boo said he had written to the Harapan leadership council demanding an investigation into whether the CSA included the GLC and senatorship appointments.

"(Harapan's leadership) should investigate whether there were any secret deals between Liew and the Muhyiddin Yassin government concerning his own appointment as a senator," said Boo.

Separately, Boo also accused Liew of organising a series of online meetings between MPs from other states with Johor DAP grassroots.

"During one of the meetings, MPs from Johor DAP, one MP from another state and a few former cabinet ministers and deputy ministers fiercely attacked (Harapan president) Anwar Ibrahim.

"It has confused and also destabilised the unity among Johor grassroots members by repeatedly going against the Harapan presidential council's resolution that Anwar is Harapan's only candidate for prime minister," Boo said.

Boo added that these series of online meetings led him to conduct further investigations and the discovery of the alleged plan to nominate Liew for senatorship.

DAP juga mempunyai "budak kita"

Liew misled Johor PH in bid for senator’s seat, claims DAP leader

Johor DAP leader Dr Boo Cheng Hau said state DAP chair Liew Chin Tong did not have enough support for his senatorship and misled the Johor Pakatan Harapan council.


PETALING JAYA: A Johor DAP leader has accused Liew Chin Tong of misleading the state Pakatan Harapan (PH) council in his bid to be reappointed as senator.

In a statement, Dr Boo Cheng Hau alleged that Johor DAP chairman Liew bypassed the state DAP committee and the party’s assemblymen by bringing the issue to the Johor PH council.

Boo said he had sent an e-mail to the PH presidential council to investigate an incident where “Liew reassured the Johor PH council that he could get support from the Johor Barisan Nasional-Perikatan Nasional government, and other parties concerned, to be appointed as senator under Johor’s state quota”.

According to him, he was informed that Liew had misled the Johor PH council after receiving statements from various leaders in the council.

He had also been told that a resolution on Johor BN-PN’s support for Liew would be proposed at the Johor state assembly, although it was withdrawn after Liew failed to prove that he could garner enough support.

The “vast majority” of PH assemblymen in Johor were unaware of the proposed resolution, he said, which had never been made known to or approved by the Johor DAP committee.

“I have raised this issue and questioned Liew in the Johor DAP state committee WhatsApp chat group, and he never denied the incident,” Boo said.

In response, deputy state DAP chair Teo Nie Ching said Boo should not make “baseless allegations” that cast doubt on the credibility of DAP leaders.

In a statement, Teo said Johor PH nominated a candidate in November 2020 and decided to explore the nomination again in August. On both occasions, the state government said it was not open to nominations – causing the position to remain vacant.

She said in the process of exploring nominees, the DAP national candidature committee agreed that in the event of the position being opened for nomination, the party would nominate Liew to the position, but subject to the consent of its PH allies.

“Nomination for candidates in DAP is decided by the national candidature committee, not by the state committees,” Teo added.

“Boo, who used to be Johor DAP chairman, should know this process well.”

Where’s NADMA’s RM150 Million?

Where’s NADMA’s RM150 Million? – It’s Illegal To Channel RM10 Millions Of EPF Members’ Money To Dubious NGOs

Donations and charities have often been misused and abused by certain individuals and organizations to do bad things like money laundering, tax evasion, tax fraud and whatnot. Just ask former Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi how his families hid behind charity foundation Yayasan Akalbudi and used dirty money to go on shopping sprees at luxury stores.



As thousands of Malaysians were glued to the massive floods that plagued the country about a week before the Christmas, a decision by the EPF (Employees Provident Fund) to allocates RM10 million for flood relief and welfare aid has largely gone unnoticed. After all, during the time of a crisis, any types of donations and charities will be welcomed – rarely questioned.



The amount may look small compared to the retirement fund’s 14.6 million members, of which 7.6 million were active contributors. It was like taking away RM0.70 from each member to help the flood victims. No big deal, right? Well, it may not look a lot to the 14.6 million KWSP / EPF members, but it’s a huge amount if the money was diverted to just a handful of crooks.



The EPF said the RM10 million will be channelled through NGOs (Non-Government Organizations) without specifically naming them. The lack of transparency is definitely worrying at a time when the unelected government spends public funds as if there’s no tomorrow, not to mention how the disgraced former Prime Minister Najib Razak stole the people’s money.



More importantly, can Finance Minister Tengku Zafrul unilaterally order KWSP / EPF to channel the money, which belongs to its contributors in the first place, to dubious NGOs under the pretext of donation? How do we know the RM10 million will reach safely 100% in the hands of the flood victims and not “leaked”, leaving only 10% or RM1 million for the people (if it ever reach the people at all)?



Nowhere in the EPF Act 1991 that says it can happily donate members’ money to any organizations without approval, either from the contributors or the board. Knowing the inefficiency of the government, it was impossible that the necessary approvals were in order when the finance minister announced the RM10 million donation on Sunday (Dec 19), just 2 days after the flash flood hit on Friday (Dec 17).



Section 26 of the EPF Act 1991 says the Board is empowered to invest moneys belonging to the retirement fund in financial institutions, stock markets, and bonds. Channelling money to NGOs, even for donations or charities, is not an investment, which clearly is illegal as far as the EPF Act is concerned. Allocating RM10 million for flood relief programmes is giving away the money without expecting any ROI (return on investment).



It’s easy for politicians or incompetent finance minister like Zafrul to misuse EPF contributors’ hard-earned money for selfish political mileage. But EPF is not like GLCs (Government-Linked Companies) such as Telekom Malaysia, Tenaga Nasional, Petronas, Celcom, Malaysia Airlines or RHB Bank, because the source of funds is money from members – nothing to do with the government.



In fact, KWSP / EPF and Permodalan Nasional Berhad (PNB) are not even GLICs (Government-Linked Investment Companies), let alone GLCs. Examples of true GLICs are Khazanah Nasional Berhad (KNB) and Retirement Fund Inc (KWAP) as the money being managed by these two entities were derived from excessive funds from the government.



There’s a difference between an investment, a bailout and a haircut. But after decades of corruptions, abuse of power and irregularities, largely because ignorant voters had voted the same Barisan Nasional coalition as the government for more than 60 years since independence in 1957 (till its stunning defeats in the May 2018 General Election), people can’t tell what EPF can or cannot do.



At most, Section 26 of EPF Act 1991 allows the Board to provide “loans” to the Government of Malaysia or the State Government. Still, a loan does not mean donation or aid to flood victims. And it is here where corrupt politicians like Mr Najib had manipulated and exploited the “provision of loans” to steal money from entities like KWAP, the largest public service pension fund.



The 1MDB scandal was nothing but a scam when Najib (then-PM and Finance Minister) and his partner-in-crime Jho Low hatched a dubious business plan to develop renewable energy in order to justify a RM4 billion loan from KWAP to SRC International Sdn Bhd (a subsidiary of 1MDB). After the loan was disbursed in 2011 and 2012, the money was siphoned out to Switzerland instead.



During the recent Court of Appeal’s verdict, all the three senior judges were convinced that Najib was the big boss behind SRC because only a prime minister cum finance minister had the power to instruct the SRC board to divert funds, included RM42 million transferred into Najib’s personal bank account (which received a total of RM606.51 million over 19 months).




In the same breath, it could be yet another scam, albeit at a smaller scale, when finance minister Zafrul ordered EPF to disburse RM10 million to NGOs disguised to help flood victims. People in general don’t see any issue because RM10 million is like chicken feed compared to RM4 billion. This is what Najib called national interest, but rubbished by the Court of Appeal as “national embarrassment”.



Knowing very well that a loan could also be a bad loan that would translate into negative ROI, the corrupt government of Barisan Nasional has been abusing the provision in Section 26 of EPF Act 1991 to bail out cronies and families for decades. For example, during the 1997-1998 Asia Financial Crisis, PM Mahathir formed a RM60 billion fund, sourced mainly from EPF, to bail out tons of cronies.



As Mahathir’s privatization crumbled under the weight of incompetence, corruption and mismanagement during the crisis, companies owned by cronies like national sewerage concessionaire Indah Water Konsortium (IWK) was given soft “irrecoverable” loan amounted to RM1.4 billion, while MAS (Malaysia Airlines System) was also bailed out as the national airlines sat on a RM9.5 billion debt.



National carmaker Proton, which reported losses for so many years that people had lost count, was repeatedly bailed out so that Mahathir’s pet project would not go belly-up. EPF suffered RM100 million losses when it was forced to cough up RM269.28 million on 81.6 million unsubscribed Time dotCom shares at RM3.30 – when the share was hovering between RM1.96 to RM2.10.



After raising RM6 billion bond to rescue light-rail transit operators PUTRA (Projek Usahasama Transit Ringan Automatik Sdn Bhd), which had defaulted its RM2 billion loan in 1999, the EPF was ordered to give RM600 million in yet another soft “irrecoverable” loan to STAR (Sistem Transit Aliran Ringan Sdn Bhd) simply because the companies belonged to Renong Bhd (UMNO’s former investment arm).



Other companies that enjoyed mega bailouts, just to name a few, included UEM, Malayan Banking, Bank Bumiputra, Sime Bank, KUB, Bank of Commerce, RHB Bank, Ekran’s Bakun Dam Project, Park May-Intrakota bus, Monorail, and even Konsortium Perkapalan Bhd – owned by Mahathir’s son Mirzan whose brilliant business acumen saw the company submerged in debts as much as RM1.7 billion.



Under then-Finance Minister Najib Razak, EPF money to the tune of RM5 billion was used to rescue an extremely useless ValueCap Sdn Bhd, a so-called state-owned investment house which was backed by Khazanah, KWAP and PNB. ValueCap was established in 2002 as a Malaysian version of Hong Kong’s Tracker Fund. However, copycat ValueCap failed spectacularly to make money.



The Covid-19 pandemic saw how EPF, which was initially used as a cash cow to bail out government-linked companies due to corruption and mismanagement, becomes an ATM machine to withdraw money whenever the clueless and incompetent government fails to solve economic problems. Schemes like i-Lestari, i-Sinar and i-Citra allowed contributors to prematurely empty their own retirement savings.



It has reached a dangerous stage when a very racist and corrupted UMNO leader, Tajuddin Abdul Rahman, suggested that EPF money should be used to help Malay or Bumiputera entrepreneurs or companies. Heck, the UMNO leaders have even called for another round of EPF withdrawal for flood victims, a lazy and shortcut solution to pacify angry voters who have publicly condemned Ismail Sabri administration.



From abusing EPF money to rescue cronies to misusing the retirement funds to bail out the government’s failure in business and investment ventures, now the finance ministry has resorted to taking members’ money without asking and diverts it to unknown NGOs. Why can’t the government channel the money from the National Disaster Management Agency (NADMA) to the NGOs?



After all, NADMA received a jaw-dropping allocation of RM150 million under Budget 2021, up from RM129 million in the previous year. Based on the agency chief Abdul Latiff Ahmad recent argument that Nadma only had 50 staffs, what has happened to the unused funds of RM129 million allocated in 2020 since there was no serious disaster in that year?



And since special functions minister Abdul Latiff Ahmad also said that his agency only manages victim compensation – not disaster management or coordination – should not finance minister Zafrul divert money from NADMA to NGOs instead? It’s definitely wrong and illegal to channel money from EPF because NADMA is the correct agency to provide financial aid – either to the victims or NGOs.