Monday, February 10, 2025
Dressed as Chinese emperor, Najib's son calls on all to reject divisive elements
Dressed as Chinese emperor, Najib's son calls on all to reject divisive elements
Published: Feb 10, 2025 7:29 PM
Updated: 10:39 PM
Summary
- In a CNY message, Nizar Najib, who is the son of ex-PM Najib Abdul Razak, hopes Pahang will be free of harmful divisive elements that jeopardise societal harmony.
- The state exco shares photos of himself dressed as a Qing Dynasty emperor while attending a CNY event last night.
- This comes after an interfaith guideline controversy which erupted last week.
Dressed in the robes of a Chinese emperor in conjunction with a Chinese New Year celebration, Pahang exco member Nizar Najib has called on the people to reject divisive elements jeopardising societal harmony.
"May Pahang continue to prosper in harmony and be free from harmful elements that could divide our multiracial and multicultural society.
"Wishing everyone a Happy Chinese New Year!" the son of ex-PM Najib Abdul Razak said on Facebook, where he shared photos of himself dressed as a Qing Dynasty emperor during the closing ceremony of the 2025 Chinese New Year Festival last night.
Fellow exco members, including PKR’s Sim Chon Siang and DAP’s Leong Yu Man, along with Nizar’s wife, were also present and wearing traditional Chinese attire at the event organised by the Kuantan Chinese Opera Arts Association.
They were seen participating in festive activities such as "lou sang", Chinese calligraphy writing, and enjoying the lion dance performances.
In his post, Nizar stated that he was attending the event on behalf of Pahang Menteri Besar Wan Rosdy Wan Ismail.
Yesterday marked the 12th day of the Chinese New Year, which is the Year of the Snake. Traditionally, the Chinese community celebrates the festival until the 15th day, known as Chap Goh Mei.
Last Wednesday, a heated debate erupted over the government's proposal to introduce new guidelines for events involving Muslims at non-Islamic places of worship.
Amid the controversy, MCA president Wee Ka Siong cited Chinese New Year celebrations as an example, emphasising that while the Chinese community invites Muslims to their festivities, they do not ask them to participate in prayers.
Following public outcry, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim later announced that the cabinet had decided the proposed guidelines were unnecessary.
Order to segregate booze at Kuching food court yanked following backlash
Order to segregate booze at Kuching food court yanked following backlash
The Sarawak Islamic Department (Jais) proposed the alcohol-free zone in November. — The Borneo Post pic
Monday, 10 Feb 2025 8:20 PM MYT
KUCHING, Feb 10 — The Sarawak Economic Development Corporation (SEDC) has retracted a zoning notice for separate alcohol and non-alcohol dining areas at the popular Topspot Food Court, located on Level 6 of UTC Kuching.
In a statement today, SEDC said they acknowledged the concerns raised by the public regarding this implementation.
SEDC said both it and its subsidiary, SEDC Permata Sdn Bhd (formerly known as Permata Carpark Sdn Bhd), were aware of the recent discussion on social media regarding the zoning arrangement at Topspot Food Court.
“Considering these discussions, the management has decided to put the notice on hold. We will retract the notice and conduct further engagements with the relevant parties to ensure any final decision takes into account the best interests of everyone. Any updates on this matter will be communicated transparently to the public,” it said.
It said it received a proposal from the Sarawak Islamic Department (Jais) in November 2024 recommending separate zoning for alcohol and non-alcohol dining areas.
Following further discussions with the tenants there, SEDC said an agreement was reached and finalised in December 2024.
It pointed out this was part of ongoing efforts to enhance the dining experience for all patrons by ensuring the space accommodates diverse preferences.
As a result, it said Topspot Food Court Management introduced a zoning arrangement that divided the Food Court into two distinct areas, namely the Alcohol-Free Zone and a General Dining Zone.
The Alcohol-Free Zone was designated for customers who prefer a dining environment without alcohol, while the General Dining Zone catered to those who wish to enjoy a broader selection of beverage options in a designated area.
According to SEDC, this structured approach was aimed to balance the needs of various patrons while maintaining the unique characteristic of Topspot Food Court as one of Kuching’s most popular dining destinations.
“However, we acknowledge the concerns raised by members of the public regarding this implementation.
“SEDC Permata Sdn Bhd remains committed to continuously improving our facilities and ensuring that Topspot Food Court remains a welcoming space for all. We highly value community feedback and remain open to discussions on ways to further enhance the overall experience at our establishments,” it added. — The Borneo Post
Elation, confusion mark Israel’s reaction to Trump’s Gaza comments
Elation, confusion mark Israel’s reaction to Trump’s Gaza comments
US president’s comments, which appear to offer the Israeli far-right much, may ultimately deliver little, analysts say.
Sources: Tengku Zafrul poised to join PKR, but may take short break first
Sources: Tengku Zafrul poised to join PKR, but may take short break first
Umno Supreme Council member Datuk Seri Tengku Zafrul Abdul Aziz is expected to join PKR, though he may take a brief hiatus from politics before that, according to a reliable source. — Bernama pic
Monday, 10 Feb 2025 10:56 AM MYT
PETALING JAYA, Feb 10 — Umno Supreme Council member Datuk Seri Tengku Zafrul Abdul Aziz is expected to join PKR, though he may take a brief hiatus from politics before that, according to a reliable source.
As reported by Free Malaysia Today (FMT), the source also revealed that Tengku Zaful is likely to resign from Umno before his tenure as a senator concludes at the end of the year. He is presently in his second term in the Dewan Negara and serves as the Minister of Investment, Trade and Industry (Miti).
“Tengku Zafrul wants to take a short break before fully committing to PKR, but there has been a push from PKR to make him join right away after leaving Umno,” the source was quoted as saying.
Another source indicated that Tengku Zafrul might join the party after the conclusion of the ongoing parliamentary session.
“Certain leaders within the party had instructed him to join the party immediately and perhaps contest in the party polls as well,” the source told FMT. PKR will hold elections for its division and central committee leadership in April and May.
Yesterday, in a Bernama report, Tengku Zafrul said that any decision he makes regarding his membership in any party will first be discussed with Umno president Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.
Western commentators still unable to see the advances in China
Pearls and Irritations
John Menadue’s Public Policy Journal
By Daryl Guppy
Feb 5, 2025
China today is not the China of the pre-COVID age, but many commentators think it is still an economy based on cheap manufacturing.
Several weeks ago, Thomas Friedman, diplomatic editor of The New York Times, travelled to China and published his impressions in a syndicated article on the country’s “staggering manufacturing muscle”. He concluded that “while we were sleeping China took a great leap forward in high-tech manufacturing of everything.” He failed to understand that this is not China redux.
He noted a range of obvious advances. The ubiquity of cashless payments, the increased use of robotics in factories and autonomous logistics management in warehouses.
He was astounded, and frightened, by the growth of EVs, battery technology and overwhelmed by the smooth fast train travel at 321 kph – slow by new China standards. A decade too late, he advises the world to “get ready for more designed in China”. Despite this, his focus was firmly in the rearview mirror with a concern about the “staggering manufacturing growth”.
These features were noted with some surprise because, he assumed, like many Western commentators, that China had atrophied during COVID and had not moved on. He also assumed that China’s progress had been effectively halted by aggressive US sanctions, the CHIPS Act and other punitive measures designed to undermine the country. His surprise was that China had not collapsed, but his observations never moved beyond the superficial.
In particular, he failed to appreciate how each of these observations were just the outward manifestation of deep economic and technological change that is altering the structure and direction of the Chinese economy. He is joined in this miscalculation by much of the US and Australian policy community.
A more nuanced observation might have noted the software advances that managed his train ticketing, scheduling and high-speed driving. He might have noted the co-ordinated and complex 10,000 drone displays illuminating Christmas, and later, Chinese New Year, skies. There is a software development and advanced 5/6G communication connectivity underpinning this that carries much broader implications for development and service delivery. (The military dual use trolls will be rushing for their bunkers.)
Friedman’s observation of tethered robots and their industrial impact came before the Chinese New Year gala performance featuring fully autonomous humanoid robots joining dancers on stage in a choregraphed performance requiring fine balance on two legs and multi-party co-ordination.
Following his surface skim, the Australian Financial Review asks “Can China get off the canvas?” Like Friedman, the question misses the way the “canvas” has shifted.
DeepSeek is part of this shift and raises many important issues, but perhaps the most important of all is how this advance in AI will power the digitisation of the Chinese economy.
The China bears believe in the collapse of China as it falls inexorably into the middle income trap. To believe this is to also believe the absurd idea that President Xi makes every decision in China and that China is incapable of planning for the future.
Escape from the middle income trap is enabled by an improvement in productivity. (Australia, take note) It could be argued that the technology of the desktop computer drove the last great spurt of productivity in Western economies. For China, the expansion of productivity rests on the digital economy and that is powered by AI. Not the expensive, power-hungry multi-hectare data centre-based AI, but the cheap, affordable AI seen in DeepSeek.
The response to DeepSeek was predictable. It is stolen, it is untrue, it is expensive, it is a psyops exercise and, if not any of these, then it is a threat to Western civilisation that deserves to be blocked immediately.
Nowhere in the media commentary is it seen as something that could be co-operated with and nowhere was it noted the role that this most efficient technology could play in increasing productivity.
The DeepSeek commentary, like Friedman, never understands the economic and social impact of these features.
Nor do these critics appreciate one of the outstanding features of DeepSeek. It is bilingual and English is not its native language. It is “trained” on both Chinese and English data and draws from these sources.
Is there a Chinese version of ChatGPT that will respond to prompts written in Chinese, or draw upon Chinese language data sources? In a hegemonic world there is only one language and one world view and that world view is white, middle-class and deeply conservative. Just ask President Musk.
American software development reflects these values which is why there is such a high level of failure in facial recognition when it comes to non-white people.
AI, in all its iterations, sits at the heart of the developing technological world. It drives the internet of things, including the smart autonomous cars that avoid collisions, and which, today in China, safely deliver thousands of passengers to their destinations.
DeepSeek is deeply discomforting to people like Friedman, and more broadly to Western commentators who believed that China has been hobbled by US sanctions. DeepSeek smashes the complacent assumptions about China’s capacity to innovate and develop new economic directions.
The China that Friedman glimpsed, and that DeepSeek revealed, is a reconstructed China of the future and not China redux. Our relationships must recognise this reality and work with it.
Taiwanese duo charged with gun running over 14 pistols, SMG, hundreds of bullets found in Desa Parkcity home
Taiwanese duo charged with gun running over 14 pistols, SMG, hundreds of bullets found in Desa Parkcity home
Taiwanese nationals Cheng Ming Hung and Hsueh Chun Ta are brought to the Sessions Court in Kuala Lumpur, on Feb 8, 2025. — Bernama pic
Monday, 10 Feb 2025 6:45 PM MYT
KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 10 — Two Taiwanese nationals pleaded not guilty in the Sessions Court here today to three counts of trafficking in firearms and possessing 900 rounds of ammunition last month.
According to the first charge, Cheng Ming Hung, 26, and Hsueh Chun Ta, 33, were jointly accused of trafficking in 14 pistols and a submachine gun, without a valid permit, at a house in Desa ParkCity, Sentul, at 5.30 pm on Jan 16.
The charge, framed under Section 7(2) of the Firearms (Increased Penalties) Act 1971, read together with Section 34 of the Penal Code, carries a prison sentence of between 30 and 40 years and six strokes of the cane if convicted.
They were also charged with possessing an imitation ‘five-seven MK2P’ gun and two empty magazines without a valid reason at the same location, time, and date.
The charge, under Section 36(1) of the Arms Act 1960, read together with Section 34 of the same Act, provides for a maximum one-year imprisonment and a fine not exceeding RM5,000, or both, upon conviction.
For the third charge, they were accused of possessing 14 pistols, a submachine gun, and 900 rounds of ammunition without a valid permit at the same time, location, and date, under Section 8(a) of the Firearms Act 1971, read together with Section 34 of the same act, which carries a maximum jail term of 14 years and six strokes of the cane upon conviction.
Judge Siti Shakirah Mohtarudin did not grant bail to the accused, citing that the offences were non-bailable, and set March 12 for the case mention.
Deputy public prosecutor Nidzuwan Abd Latip prosecuted, while both accused were unrepresented. — Bernama
Najib told me Saudi will give financial aid, ex-ambassador tells 1MDB trial
Najib told me Saudi will give financial aid, ex-ambassador tells 1MDB trial
Former Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak is escorted to stand trial at the Kuala Lumpur Court Complex on December 4, 2024. — Picture by Firdaus Latif
Monday, 10 Feb 2025 6:01 PM MYT
PUTRAJAYA, Feb 10 — Then prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak said Saudi Arabia would give financial aid after he spoke privately with the late Saudi ruler King Abdullah in 2010, Malaysia’s former ambassador to Saudi Arabia Datuk Syed Omar Syed Mohamad Al-Saggaf told the 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) trial today.
However, Syed Omar, 81, confirmed he did not hear what the Saudi king said to Najib.
In this trial, Najib has claimed that the over RM2 billion that had entered his private bank accounts was not money belonging to 1MDB, insisting that the money was a donation from Saudi Arabia that King Abdullah had promised to him.
Testifying in Najib’s 1MDB trial as the fifth defence witness, Syed Omar said there was an unofficial meeting on January 11, 2010 between Najib and King Abdullah at the Saudi ruler’s palace in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, just before the Malaysian prime minister’s official visit from January 13 to January 16.
Syed Omar said this unofficial meeting was also attended by him as Malaysia’s ambassador and as interpreter, foreign affairs minister Datuk Seri Anifah Aman, religious affairs minister Datuk Seri Jamil Khir Baharom and an interpreter.
Syed Omar said the unofficial meeting had a meeting agenda that included “financial assistance from Saudi Arabia”, but said he does not know if it was Malaysia that had asked for the financial aid from Saudi Arabia.
Asked by deputy public prosecutor Kamal Baharin Omar what the term financial aid meant, Syed Omar replied: “What it is, I don’t know, I just know there is financial aid, but in what form, I don’t know.”
While saying that King Abdullah had in the unofficial meeting offered his “help” to ensure that the same government continues to govern Malaysia, Syed Omar again said he did not know what form this assistance would be in.
He said Najib had thanked King Abdullah for the latter’s offer to help.
After the official discussion of the meeting ended, Syed Omar said he saw King Abdullah and Najib distancing themselves and walking towards the middle of the meeting hall and being in an intense discussion, and Jamil Khir also following the two of them.
Syed Omar said Jamil Khir was following Najib and King Abdullah quite closely, and there was also the Saudi Arabian palace’s interpreter there.
After the meeting ended and while on the way out from the meeting hall to the Malaysian delegation’s cars, Syed Omar said Najib had himself told him that King Abdullah would be giving assistance.
Syed Omar said Najib looked happy and came to him saying that “we got this assistance”, adding that Najib had mentioned “financial assistance”.
Syed Omar said he does not know anything else, as the time they had to speak was very brief as they were heading to the cars.
In his written witness statement, Syed Omar had said he was made to understood by Najib himself that King Abdullah had offered help in the form of money that would be sent for Najib’s use for his political use for the coming election.
But when asked by Kamal Baharin if he did not hear what King Abdullah actually told Najib, Syed Omar confirmed this: “Didn’t hear, because I’m behind a bit.”
Previously, Najib also told the 1MDB trial that he and King Abdullah were having sensitive discussions while located further away from the Malaysian delegation, and that the Malaysian delegation could not have heard what was discussed despite being in the same room.
Earlier, the Employees Provident Fund (EPF) contribution department’s head Gunasekaran Tholasy who was subpoenaed as the third defence witness had testified about the period when four prosecution witnesses were contributing to the EPF savings as 1MDB employees, and also the monthly amount that 1MDB had contributed as their employer.
Earlier today, Najib’s lead defence lawyer Tan Sri Muhammad Shafee Abdullah applied for the defence’s legal team to be given all the statements recorded by Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) investigators of defence witnesses which the prosecution had offered.
Shafee said this would enable Najib’s lawyers to decide whether to call in these potential defence witnesses, and that they would drop individuals from the list of defence witnesses if the statements does not help his case.
Shafee listed the names of these potential defence witnesses, stating 16 names including Wong and Partners lawyers, former 1MDB directors, former 1MDB senior officials, former Terengganu menteri besar Datuk Seri Ahmad Said, former minister Tan Sri Nor Mohamed Yakcop, police and MACC officers.
Shafee claimed this was not a “fishing expedition”.
Deputy public prosecutor Deepa Nair Thevaharan objected to this application as she said those statements recorded during investigation are privileged documents, and as there is a need to avoid “witness tampering”.
Trial judge Datuk Collin Lawrence Sequerah will make a decision on this matter on a later date.
Najib’s 1MDB trial resumes this Wednesday.
Singapore locks up self-radicalised ‘East Asian supremacist’ planning to attack Malays, Muslims in republic
Singapore locks up self-radicalised ‘East Asian supremacist’ planning to attack Malays, Muslims in republic
Brenton Tarrant, the gunman who shot and killed worshippers in the Christchurch mosque attacks, is seen during his sentencing at the High Court in Christchurch, New Zealand August 24, 2020. — Reuters pic
Monday, 10 Feb 2025 2:39 PM MYT
SINGAPORE, Feb 10 — A Singaporean student radicalised by far-right extremist ideologies and planning to attack Malays and Muslims has been detained under the republic’s Internal Security Act (ISA), authorities said on Monday.
According to Channel News Asia, Nick Lee Xing Qiu, 18, identified as an “East Asian supremacist” and expressed intentions to harm Malays and Muslims in Singapore.
Singapore’s Internal Security Department (ISD) said he was issued a detention order in December 2024 after consuming extremist online content and idolising the Christchurch mosque attacker, Brenton Tarrant.
“His attack aspirations included conducting a Tarrant-style attack on Muslims at a mosque in Singapore using homemade guns, knives and Molotov cocktails,” ISD said.
Lee had searched for the attack’s livestream footage, role-played as Tarrant in video games, and acquired neo-Nazi symbols, ISD said.
Authorities revealed that he hoped to instigate a “race war” in Singapore and planned to use homemade weapons in a mosque attack.
Although he took no concrete steps toward an attack, he actively spread extremist propaganda online to incite violence.
Lee also obtained tattoos of symbols he observed on Tarrant’s attire and manifesto.
His family and schoolmates were unaware of his radicalisation, and investigations found no imminent threat to Singapore.
The ISD said Lee subscribed to conspiracy theories such as the Great Replacement Theory, and that drastic action was needed to safeguard Singapore’s Chinese community from the allegedly rapid growth of Malays.
State of the nation: the politics of oil and gas – Zainul Arifin
These recent few years saw disputes over the exploitation of Sarawak’s resources, especially in the oil and gas sector. It was reported that Sarawak’s Petros is taking national oil company Petronas to court on the issue. – Petronas Carigali pic, February 7, 2025– Petronas Carigali pic, February 7, 2025
State of the nation: the politics of oil and gas – Zainul Arifin
Sarawak's muscle-flexing belies Petronas’ silent strength in petroleum dispute
Zainul Arifin
Updated 3 days ago
7 February, 2025
9:00 PM MYT
THERE has been some noticeable swagger from Sarawak these days, which in itself is not a bad thing. Such flexing often comes from a position of renewed vigour and confidence. However, there is a hint of righteousness, too, a sort of this-is-our-time-after-you-have-wronged-us vibe.
The almost triumphant-like pronouncements by politicians from the state that Sarawak does and will do things better are, of course, cheered by Sarawakians, but the rest of the country might be slightly bemused by them.
In Sarawak, we are told that the civil servants get paid more, the schools will be better than the rest of the country, the university will be free, the lingua franca is English, and it does things differently, and better too. It will have a better airport, airline, ports, banks, industries, etc. Also if you are not Sarawakian, it will be harder to want to work in the state.
A caveat for all the above is that they are snippets over social media where context is often lacking. Yet they can be barometers of the political inclinations in Sarawak, telling us which way the wind is blowing and colour opinions of the state and its leaders.
Don’t they like us anymore?
These recent few years also saw the noise amped up a bit with disputes over the exploitation of the state’s resources, especially in the oil and gas sector. Sarawak’s Petros is taking national oil company Petronas to court on that.
Depending on who you asked, subject to their inclinations and interpretations of the law of the land, everyone could be wrong or right – either Sarawak has been denied its rights or it is being unreasonable.
Among others, the things being bandied about include the Malaysia Agreement 1963, signed by the parties for the formation of Malaysia, which touched on the terms and conditions of the union – the Petroleum Development Act 1974, which tasked Petronas as the body responsible for oil and gas resources in the country and the Sarawak Distribution of Gas Ordinance 2016, which among others give state company Petros the sole gas rights exploited in the state.
Just as we had thousands of virologists over social media during the Covid-19 era, we now see similar numbers of legal and constitutional experts over the internet where there is less desire to embark on clarity, but to shout and swear.
We dig deeper into the narratives that we hang our hats on, and remain steadfastly stubborn.
Yet, the question by the average Malaysian who is likely to be ignorant of the dots and crosses of legal treatises is: why go to court? To paraphrase a song, something is happening here but we are not sure what it is, do we?
The oil and gas industry is a significant contributor to the national economy, and more so for Sarawak. Its braggadocio over the past few years could be attributed to its stronger financial position arising from the 5% sales tax on oil and gas activities it has been collecting since 2019, which some suggest to be just under RM10 billion thus far. This will likely increase further over the years.
The desire for a win-win solution from the technocrats in Petronas and the prime minister’s measured response did not seem to calm the issues especially when oil and gas revenue can serve as grist for the political mill.
What will happen to Petronas in Sarawak? What will happen to Petronas? Will other states follow suit? Can’t things be resolved amicably?
The court case is also causing concern among investors keen to participate in the industry in the state, including in new growth sectors like carbon capturing where depleted oil and gas reservoirs are used to permanently store captured carbon from industries and power plants.
Petros is new and does not have the capacity on many fronts, which of course it can buy, but the 50-year-old Petronas is a major and respected global player. Are we not on the same team?
Hopefully, the reply in Parliament this week suggested an agreement in January between Sarawak’s premier and PMX is the win-win solution that we seek. Sarawak now has greater control over natural gas resources in the state, except for liquefied natural gas (LNG), and no additional licence is required of Petronas and its subsidiaries to operate in the state.
But again, the devil will be in the details.
The muscle-flexing from Kuching is also seen as a recognition of the state’s role in shoring up the current government. It is obviously a phenomenon of coalition governments that the leaders will need to do some juggling acts to bring everyone, with differing interests and priorities, in line.
It is, of course, naive for anyone to think that Sarawak, or any others in its situation for that matter, will not wave that ubiquitous card in domestic and national politics.
But the rest of the country, we will still be scratching our heads on Sarawak’s end game as far as its roles and responsibilities in the union. Separate but together, married but living in different homes, with different rules? – February 7, 2025
State of the nation: the politics of oil and gas – Zainul Arifin
Sarawak's muscle-flexing belies Petronas’ silent strength in petroleum dispute
Zainul Arifin
Updated 3 days ago
7 February, 2025
9:00 PM MYT
THERE has been some noticeable swagger from Sarawak these days, which in itself is not a bad thing. Such flexing often comes from a position of renewed vigour and confidence. However, there is a hint of righteousness, too, a sort of this-is-our-time-after-you-have-wronged-us vibe.
The almost triumphant-like pronouncements by politicians from the state that Sarawak does and will do things better are, of course, cheered by Sarawakians, but the rest of the country might be slightly bemused by them.
In Sarawak, we are told that the civil servants get paid more, the schools will be better than the rest of the country, the university will be free, the lingua franca is English, and it does things differently, and better too. It will have a better airport, airline, ports, banks, industries, etc. Also if you are not Sarawakian, it will be harder to want to work in the state.
A caveat for all the above is that they are snippets over social media where context is often lacking. Yet they can be barometers of the political inclinations in Sarawak, telling us which way the wind is blowing and colour opinions of the state and its leaders.
Don’t they like us anymore?
These recent few years also saw the noise amped up a bit with disputes over the exploitation of the state’s resources, especially in the oil and gas sector. Sarawak’s Petros is taking national oil company Petronas to court on that.
Depending on who you asked, subject to their inclinations and interpretations of the law of the land, everyone could be wrong or right – either Sarawak has been denied its rights or it is being unreasonable.
Among others, the things being bandied about include the Malaysia Agreement 1963, signed by the parties for the formation of Malaysia, which touched on the terms and conditions of the union – the Petroleum Development Act 1974, which tasked Petronas as the body responsible for oil and gas resources in the country and the Sarawak Distribution of Gas Ordinance 2016, which among others give state company Petros the sole gas rights exploited in the state.
Just as we had thousands of virologists over social media during the Covid-19 era, we now see similar numbers of legal and constitutional experts over the internet where there is less desire to embark on clarity, but to shout and swear.
We dig deeper into the narratives that we hang our hats on, and remain steadfastly stubborn.
Yet, the question by the average Malaysian who is likely to be ignorant of the dots and crosses of legal treatises is: why go to court? To paraphrase a song, something is happening here but we are not sure what it is, do we?
The oil and gas industry is a significant contributor to the national economy, and more so for Sarawak. Its braggadocio over the past few years could be attributed to its stronger financial position arising from the 5% sales tax on oil and gas activities it has been collecting since 2019, which some suggest to be just under RM10 billion thus far. This will likely increase further over the years.
The desire for a win-win solution from the technocrats in Petronas and the prime minister’s measured response did not seem to calm the issues especially when oil and gas revenue can serve as grist for the political mill.
What will happen to Petronas in Sarawak? What will happen to Petronas? Will other states follow suit? Can’t things be resolved amicably?
The court case is also causing concern among investors keen to participate in the industry in the state, including in new growth sectors like carbon capturing where depleted oil and gas reservoirs are used to permanently store captured carbon from industries and power plants.
Petros is new and does not have the capacity on many fronts, which of course it can buy, but the 50-year-old Petronas is a major and respected global player. Are we not on the same team?
Hopefully, the reply in Parliament this week suggested an agreement in January between Sarawak’s premier and PMX is the win-win solution that we seek. Sarawak now has greater control over natural gas resources in the state, except for liquefied natural gas (LNG), and no additional licence is required of Petronas and its subsidiaries to operate in the state.
But again, the devil will be in the details.
The muscle-flexing from Kuching is also seen as a recognition of the state’s role in shoring up the current government. It is obviously a phenomenon of coalition governments that the leaders will need to do some juggling acts to bring everyone, with differing interests and priorities, in line.
It is, of course, naive for anyone to think that Sarawak, or any others in its situation for that matter, will not wave that ubiquitous card in domestic and national politics.
But the rest of the country, we will still be scratching our heads on Sarawak’s end game as far as its roles and responsibilities in the union. Separate but together, married but living in different homes, with different rules? – February 7, 2025
Veteran newsman Datuk Zainul Arifin is CEO of Big Boom Media which publishes Scoop
The ‘powerful’ fallacy of MCMC – Wong Chun Wai
Despite common misconceptions on the MCMC and other government regulators, they lack the power and authority to provide oversight over social media companies based overseas, leading to the proliferation of all manner of wrongdoings on these platforms. – Scoop file pic, July 31, 2024
The ‘powerful’ fallacy of MCMC – Wong Chun Wai
New regulations are needed to police rampant crimes committed on social media platforms used by millions of Malaysians
Updated 31 July, 2024
31 July, 2024
1:08 PM MYT
KUALA LUMPUR – There is a fallacy that the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) is so powerful that it has the authority to take down any content that it deems offensive.
Let’s look at some real cases. A desperate father turned to me for help because the former boyfriend of his daughter posted some very private pictures online taken during happier times.
But the man became nasty when the relationship fell apart and it got worse because these photographs suddenly appeared on some pornographic sites.
Reports were made but MCMC ran into obstacles because these foreign social platform owners do not need to act immediately.
Requests were made to the platform’s “mediation and moderation panel’’ which took their time, refusing to reveal identities and citing they had no legal obligation to block anything.
Another case involved another culprit – a former boyfriend who posted pictures of his ex-girlfriend, calling her names and humiliating her online. The case is now pending in court after he was identified.
In my case, a person, known as a serial rabble-rouser, using different identities and accounts, had posted false and defamatory information on several people from his previous place of employment.
He targeted me – using his mother’s mobile phone and picture to open an account under her name to attack me.
Police and MCMC reports were made, prompting the police to pay a visit to his house after his identity was ascertained and his statement taken. The police completed the case and made their recommendations to the prosecutors.
I have no intention to pursue the matter because, religiously, I believe in forgiving. I found out that his grief with me was that I am a friend of his ex-colleagues, which he had a grudge against.
But each day, the police have to take down reports, ranging from scam cheating to cyberbullying, where innocent lives are destroyed through the loss of savings, humiliation and cheating.
No one talks about the victims. These social media platforms, which are making huge sums of money, take no responsibility for the sufferings of ordinary people, have no offices or representatives in Malaysia or are subject to any form of penalty.
For the media, contents created by journalists have all been taken and posted online without proper advertisements being shared with us.
Are concerns over government’s new regulations misplaced?
Yes, it is healthy to read and hear Malaysians arguing over the government’s move to propose a new regulatory framework to license social media platforms with at least eight million registered users.
The rule, which will take effect from January 1, 2025, has sparked a debate, although the government has said it is to ensure a safer online environment for users.
Meta platforms (Facebook, Instagram, Google Chat), as well as TikTok, Telegram and X (formerly Twitter), must apply for a license from the government.
However, the biggest concern of the rule is that the government’s move will affect the freedom of expression, in particular, criticism against the government.
Some see this regulation as a threat and compare it to the Printing Presses and Publications Act, which still needs a one off permit application for all print newspapers and magazines.
They point out that Malaysia has submitted the world’s highest number of content takedown requests in the second half of 2023.
They have also pointed out that Malaysia’s 2024 World Press Freedom ranking has dropped to 107th from 73rd previously.
What is less said, if not totally ignored, is that 70% of the content removal requests were to stop online gambling and scams.
The ‘powerful’ fallacy of MCMC – Wong Chun Wai
New regulations are needed to police rampant crimes committed on social media platforms used by millions of Malaysians
Updated 31 July, 2024
31 July, 2024
1:08 PM MYT
KUALA LUMPUR – There is a fallacy that the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) is so powerful that it has the authority to take down any content that it deems offensive.
Let’s look at some real cases. A desperate father turned to me for help because the former boyfriend of his daughter posted some very private pictures online taken during happier times.
But the man became nasty when the relationship fell apart and it got worse because these photographs suddenly appeared on some pornographic sites.
Reports were made but MCMC ran into obstacles because these foreign social platform owners do not need to act immediately.
Requests were made to the platform’s “mediation and moderation panel’’ which took their time, refusing to reveal identities and citing they had no legal obligation to block anything.
Another case involved another culprit – a former boyfriend who posted pictures of his ex-girlfriend, calling her names and humiliating her online. The case is now pending in court after he was identified.
In my case, a person, known as a serial rabble-rouser, using different identities and accounts, had posted false and defamatory information on several people from his previous place of employment.
He targeted me – using his mother’s mobile phone and picture to open an account under her name to attack me.
Police and MCMC reports were made, prompting the police to pay a visit to his house after his identity was ascertained and his statement taken. The police completed the case and made their recommendations to the prosecutors.
I have no intention to pursue the matter because, religiously, I believe in forgiving. I found out that his grief with me was that I am a friend of his ex-colleagues, which he had a grudge against.
But each day, the police have to take down reports, ranging from scam cheating to cyberbullying, where innocent lives are destroyed through the loss of savings, humiliation and cheating.
No one talks about the victims. These social media platforms, which are making huge sums of money, take no responsibility for the sufferings of ordinary people, have no offices or representatives in Malaysia or are subject to any form of penalty.
For the media, contents created by journalists have all been taken and posted online without proper advertisements being shared with us.
Are concerns over government’s new regulations misplaced?
Yes, it is healthy to read and hear Malaysians arguing over the government’s move to propose a new regulatory framework to license social media platforms with at least eight million registered users.
The rule, which will take effect from January 1, 2025, has sparked a debate, although the government has said it is to ensure a safer online environment for users.
Meta platforms (Facebook, Instagram, Google Chat), as well as TikTok, Telegram and X (formerly Twitter), must apply for a license from the government.
However, the biggest concern of the rule is that the government’s move will affect the freedom of expression, in particular, criticism against the government.
Some see this regulation as a threat and compare it to the Printing Presses and Publications Act, which still needs a one off permit application for all print newspapers and magazines.
They point out that Malaysia has submitted the world’s highest number of content takedown requests in the second half of 2023.
They have also pointed out that Malaysia’s 2024 World Press Freedom ranking has dropped to 107th from 73rd previously.
What is less said, if not totally ignored, is that 70% of the content removal requests were to stop online gambling and scams.
From January 1, 2024, to July 13, 2024, the MCMC had requested 128,133 contents to be taken down, yet only 109,624 of them were removed. – Pixabay pic, July 31, 2024
Online gambling, scams, hate speech, child sexual exploitation
The MCMC received over 3,400 complaints of hate speech between 2020 and 2023. During the same period, RM3.2 billion was lost to online scams.
Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil reportedly said that over RM1 billion was lost to online scams last year alone, while not less than 10 cases of cyberbullying were reported daily.
Online gambling is also estimated to cost the government RM2 billion in tax revenue yearly. Some think it could even be as high as RM5 billion annually.
From January 1, 2024, to July 13, 2024, data indicated that MCMC had requested 128,133 contents to be taken down, yet only 109,624 of them were removed. Of the total, 53% were related to online gambling, 22% were scams, 13% were false news, 5% were 3R (royal, race, religion) issues, and another 5% were harassment.
Many, who only read the English medium social media, may not be aware of the many hate and racist comments that were posted at the height of the KK Mart issue.
They include anonymous postings calling for the wiping up of a certain race in Malaysia as the issue reached a boiling point. Now, we even have religious preachers openly abusing these platforms to advocate hate speech.
Do we allow all these in the name of press freedom with anonymous writers posting all kinds of concocted information without having to take responsibility for their actions, particularly stealing the hard-earned money of ordinary Malaysians?
Never mind the politicians who come under attack every day. They should be thick-skinned enough to take the heat.
It’s the senior uncles and aunties who need protection from being tricked into believing that they can get some extra income from their depleting savings.
However, there’s also another element of concern – sexual predators posing as kids and targeting minors online.
While there is no specific tagging under paedophilia, the MCMC has received complaints related to online content involving child sexual exploitation.
The breakdown for these related cases is as follows – 77 (2021), 51 (2022), 75 (2023) and 17 (2024, as of July 24) – bringing the cumulative total to 220 cases over the last three years.
For scamming, the numbers are 3,449 (2021), 2,675 (2022), 4,180 (2023) and 2,466 (2024, as of 24 July) with a cumulative total of 12,770.
Following international regulatory trends
MCMC commissioner Derek Fernandez said the government’s move “aligns Malaysia with global developments, where regulatory measures are increasingly being implemented to hold these platforms accountable.
Online gambling, scams, hate speech, child sexual exploitation
The MCMC received over 3,400 complaints of hate speech between 2020 and 2023. During the same period, RM3.2 billion was lost to online scams.
Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil reportedly said that over RM1 billion was lost to online scams last year alone, while not less than 10 cases of cyberbullying were reported daily.
Online gambling is also estimated to cost the government RM2 billion in tax revenue yearly. Some think it could even be as high as RM5 billion annually.
From January 1, 2024, to July 13, 2024, data indicated that MCMC had requested 128,133 contents to be taken down, yet only 109,624 of them were removed. Of the total, 53% were related to online gambling, 22% were scams, 13% were false news, 5% were 3R (royal, race, religion) issues, and another 5% were harassment.
Many, who only read the English medium social media, may not be aware of the many hate and racist comments that were posted at the height of the KK Mart issue.
They include anonymous postings calling for the wiping up of a certain race in Malaysia as the issue reached a boiling point. Now, we even have religious preachers openly abusing these platforms to advocate hate speech.
Do we allow all these in the name of press freedom with anonymous writers posting all kinds of concocted information without having to take responsibility for their actions, particularly stealing the hard-earned money of ordinary Malaysians?
Never mind the politicians who come under attack every day. They should be thick-skinned enough to take the heat.
It’s the senior uncles and aunties who need protection from being tricked into believing that they can get some extra income from their depleting savings.
However, there’s also another element of concern – sexual predators posing as kids and targeting minors online.
While there is no specific tagging under paedophilia, the MCMC has received complaints related to online content involving child sexual exploitation.
The breakdown for these related cases is as follows – 77 (2021), 51 (2022), 75 (2023) and 17 (2024, as of July 24) – bringing the cumulative total to 220 cases over the last three years.
For scamming, the numbers are 3,449 (2021), 2,675 (2022), 4,180 (2023) and 2,466 (2024, as of 24 July) with a cumulative total of 12,770.
Following international regulatory trends
MCMC commissioner Derek Fernandez said the government’s move “aligns Malaysia with global developments, where regulatory measures are increasingly being implemented to hold these platforms accountable.
MCMC commissioner Derek Fernandez. – Riduan Rizal Ahmad/Scoop file pic, July 31, 2024
“Examples of such global trends include the European Union’s Digital Services Act, which sets out obligations for platforms to limit the spread of illegal content and prohibit targeted ads to minors, and the introduction of similar regulatory frameworks in Asean countries such as Singapore, Indonesia and Vietnam.’’
Fernandez said Malaysia has robust laws in place, including the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998 (CMA 1998), to address various online harms.
However, these platforms may believe that these laws do not apply to them and are only applicable to local players.
“We are regulating these platforms to uphold the principle of equality before the law. Other industry players, such as broadcasting companies, telecommunications providers, and internet service providers, are all regulated under the CMA 1998,” he said.
Considering the nature of service, significant impact and reach of these platforms on every aspect of Malaysian users’ lives, he stressed that it is both imperative and timely that they are regulated under the CMA 1998.
“The proposed licensing framework will require these foreign platforms to register with the MCMC. Upon registration, these platforms will be obligated to comply with our relevant laws, including the CMA 1998 and the Personal Data Protection Act (PDPA) 2010,” he said.
Fernandez said the biggest frustration of MCMC is that currently, no legal obligations are mandating these platforms to take proactive measures against online harms.
In fact, he said the proliferation of advertisements for illegal gambling and scams highlights this deficiency.
“Currently, these platforms are not sufficiently incentivised to enhance their operations to combat these issues, as there is no legal requirement compelling them to do so,” he said.
Any companies which want to operate in Malaysia must comply with our local laws, why should there be any exceptions and exemptions?
The fear of regulating these technology providers is simply because of our reliance on their availability and the reluctance of the government to make unpopular decisions. – July 31, 2024
“Examples of such global trends include the European Union’s Digital Services Act, which sets out obligations for platforms to limit the spread of illegal content and prohibit targeted ads to minors, and the introduction of similar regulatory frameworks in Asean countries such as Singapore, Indonesia and Vietnam.’’
Fernandez said Malaysia has robust laws in place, including the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998 (CMA 1998), to address various online harms.
However, these platforms may believe that these laws do not apply to them and are only applicable to local players.
“We are regulating these platforms to uphold the principle of equality before the law. Other industry players, such as broadcasting companies, telecommunications providers, and internet service providers, are all regulated under the CMA 1998,” he said.
Considering the nature of service, significant impact and reach of these platforms on every aspect of Malaysian users’ lives, he stressed that it is both imperative and timely that they are regulated under the CMA 1998.
“The proposed licensing framework will require these foreign platforms to register with the MCMC. Upon registration, these platforms will be obligated to comply with our relevant laws, including the CMA 1998 and the Personal Data Protection Act (PDPA) 2010,” he said.
Fernandez said the biggest frustration of MCMC is that currently, no legal obligations are mandating these platforms to take proactive measures against online harms.
In fact, he said the proliferation of advertisements for illegal gambling and scams highlights this deficiency.
“Currently, these platforms are not sufficiently incentivised to enhance their operations to combat these issues, as there is no legal requirement compelling them to do so,” he said.
Any companies which want to operate in Malaysia must comply with our local laws, why should there be any exceptions and exemptions?
The fear of regulating these technology providers is simply because of our reliance on their availability and the reluctance of the government to make unpopular decisions. – July 31, 2024
Datuk Seri Wong Chun Wai, has been a journalist for over 40 years, and is currently the chairman of Bernama
Trump wants US to own Gaza, could let Middle East states help rebuild
The Edge:
Trump wants US to own Gaza, could let Middle East states help rebuild
Trump wants US to own Gaza, could let Middle East states help rebuild
By Jeff Mason, Jaidaa Taha, Gram Slattery & Joey Roulette / Reuters
10 Feb 2025, 09:41 am
ABOARD AIR FORCE ONE/CAIRO/WASHINGTON (Feb 9): US President Donald Trump said on Sunday that he is committed to buying and owning Gaza, but could allow sections of the war-ravaged land to be rebuilt by other states in the Middle East.
“I'm committed to buying and owning Gaza. As far as us rebuilding it, we may give it to other states in the Middle East to build sections of it, other people may do it, through our auspices. But we’re committed to owning it, taking it, and making sure that Hamas doesn’t move back.”
Trump made his remarks to reporters aboard Air Force One on his way to New Orleans to attend the National Football League Super Bowl championship.
"There’s nothing to move back into. The place is a demolition site. The remainder will be demolished. Everything’s demolished,” he said.
Trump also said he was open to the possibility of allowing some Palestinian refugees into the United States, but would consider such requests on a case-by-case basis.
Ezzat El Rashq, a member of the Hamas political bureau, condemned Trump's latest remarks on buying and owning Gaza, the group said in a statement.
"Gaza is not a property to be sold and bought. It is an integral part of our occupied Palestinian land," and Palestinians will foil displacement plans, Rashq added.
Trump has spoken of permanently displacing Palestinians who live in Gaza, and would create a "Riviera of the Middle East".
Trump last week floated the idea of the United States taking over Gaza, and engaging in a massive rebuilding effort.
His statement was vague on the future of Palestinians who had endured over a year of bombardment by Israel, in response to an October 2023 attack by Hamas.
It was unclear under what authority the United States would take claim of Gaza. Trump's announcement drew immediate rebukes from several nations.
Earlier on Sunday, Israeli President Isaac Herzog said Trump was set to meet with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi and possibly Saudi Arabian Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, although he gave no dates for the talks.
The comments, delivered in an interview with Fox News' Maria Bartiromo, came in response to a question about Trump's recently unveiled proposal to take over and redevelop the Gaza Strip.
Herzog did not say when or where the meetings would take place, nor did he discuss their potential content. He also noted that Trump is due to meet with Jordan's King Abdullah in the coming days, which Jordan's state news agency has already reported.
"President Trump is due to meet with major, major Arab leaders; first and foremost the king of Jordan and the president of Egypt, and I think also the crown prince of Saudi Arabia as well," Herzog said.
"These are partners that must be listened to, they must be discussed with. We have to honour their feelings, as well and see how we build a plan that is sustainable for the future," Herzog said.
Saudi Arabia has flatly rejected Trump's Gaza plan, as have many world leaders.
Jordan's King Abdullah plans to tell Trump during their planned Feb 11 meeting in Washington that the proposal is a recipe for radicalism that will spread chaos through the Middle East, and jeopardise the kingdom's peace with Israel, Reuters reported earlier this week.
The White House did not immediately respond to requests for comment. It was not immediately possible to contact officials in Cairo and Riyadh.
‘We listen to experts’ – Hannah Yeoh on colourless medal targets
Hannah ensured local experts’ input was also taken into account. — Bernama file pic, February 9, 2025
‘We listen to experts’ – Hannah Yeoh on colourless medal targets
‘We listen to experts’ – Hannah Yeoh on colourless medal targets
Youth and sports minister defends the shift to a colourless medal target for the 2025 SEA Games, saying the move follows expert advice from Japan’s Nippon Sports Science University and aligns with global trends
Bernama
Updated 19 hours ago
9 February, 2025
6:47 PM MYT
KUALA LUMPUR — The decision to set Malaysia’s medal target for the 2025 SEA Games based on total medal count rather than medal colours was guided by expert recommendations, not made independently, said Youth and Sports Minister Hannah Yeoh.
She explained that experts from Japan’s Nippon Sports Science University (NSSU) — an institution that has produced over 40 Olympic gold medallists — had questioned why Malaysia still follows the traditional practice of setting targets based on gold, silver, and bronze, a method many countries have since abandoned.
“This isn’t Hannah Yeoh’s recommendation; it comes from NSSU. In our discussions, they asked why Malaysia is still setting medal targets by colour when other nations have moved away from this approach.
“Of course, we also listen to our athletes, but I want to hear from the experts too. NSSU has trained over 40 Olympic gold medallists, so they certainly know what they are talking about,” she told reporters after attending the opening of a new Rhythmic Excellence Academy branch today.
She emphasised that input from local experts was also considered.
“It’s not that we are not listening. We do listen, but it would be pointless for us to sign an MoU, invite experts, and then tell them, ‘Sorry, I don’t want to hear what you have to say because I think Malaysia knows better.’
“If this approach has proven beneficial for Japan, Australia, and other sports powerhousess, I am willing to give it a chance,” she said.
On Wednesday, during the Dewan Rakyat question-and-answer session, Hannah announced the adoption of a colourless medal target system, first introduced at the 2023 Hangzhou Asian Games.
Traditionally, Malaysia has always set specific gold medal targets. The only prior exception was at the 2015 SEA Games under then-youth and sports minister Khairy Jamaluddin, who based targets on a percentage of events contested (56%). — February 9, 2025
Bernama
Updated 19 hours ago
9 February, 2025
6:47 PM MYT
KUALA LUMPUR — The decision to set Malaysia’s medal target for the 2025 SEA Games based on total medal count rather than medal colours was guided by expert recommendations, not made independently, said Youth and Sports Minister Hannah Yeoh.
She explained that experts from Japan’s Nippon Sports Science University (NSSU) — an institution that has produced over 40 Olympic gold medallists — had questioned why Malaysia still follows the traditional practice of setting targets based on gold, silver, and bronze, a method many countries have since abandoned.
“This isn’t Hannah Yeoh’s recommendation; it comes from NSSU. In our discussions, they asked why Malaysia is still setting medal targets by colour when other nations have moved away from this approach.
“Of course, we also listen to our athletes, but I want to hear from the experts too. NSSU has trained over 40 Olympic gold medallists, so they certainly know what they are talking about,” she told reporters after attending the opening of a new Rhythmic Excellence Academy branch today.
She emphasised that input from local experts was also considered.
“It’s not that we are not listening. We do listen, but it would be pointless for us to sign an MoU, invite experts, and then tell them, ‘Sorry, I don’t want to hear what you have to say because I think Malaysia knows better.’
“If this approach has proven beneficial for Japan, Australia, and other sports powerhousess, I am willing to give it a chance,” she said.
On Wednesday, during the Dewan Rakyat question-and-answer session, Hannah announced the adoption of a colourless medal target system, first introduced at the 2023 Hangzhou Asian Games.
Traditionally, Malaysia has always set specific gold medal targets. The only prior exception was at the 2015 SEA Games under then-youth and sports minister Khairy Jamaluddin, who based targets on a percentage of events contested (56%). — February 9, 2025
US President Donald Trump shares video of singer Taylor Swift being booed at the Super Bowl while he gets cheers
US President Donald Trump shares video of singer Taylor Swift being booed at the Super Bowl while he gets cheers
US President Donald Trump watch the pre-game show before Super Bowl LIX between the Kansas City Chiefs and the Philadelphia Eagles at Caesars Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana, February 9, 2025. — AFP pic
Monday, 10 Feb 2025 10:58 AM MYT
NEW YORK, Feb 10 — US President Donald Trump’s grudge against singer Taylor Swift is apparently still strong judging from his latest post on social media platform Truth Social.
He posted two videos, one showing him getting a warm reception from the crowd at the Caesars Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana and the other, a video showing Taylor Swift being booed when her face showed up on the studio’s widescreen display or Jumbotron.
US President Donald Trump shared a composite of two videos, one where he was cheered at the Super Bowl and another where Taylor Swift received boos instead. — Social media pic
Swift is supporting her boyfriend Travis Kelce who is playing for the Kansas City Chiefs against the Philadelphia Eagles.
Booing taylor swift as if she's playing on the field against 'your' team, even though she's just sitting there looking pretty, is loser behavior
Previously Trump had declared that he hated singer Swift after the latter endorsed his rival in the US presidential race Kamala Harris.
***
kt comments:
Frigging CHILDISH for a President of a big nation - what an S-Whole!
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