Tunku Aziz: Nothing less than royal inquiry needed on MACC fiasco

theVibes.com:

Nothing less than royal inquiry needed on MACC fiasco: ex-chief adviser

RCI must also look into Azam’s income, says Tunku Abdul Aziz Tunku Ibrahim

MACC advisory board former chairman Tunku Abdul Aziz Tunku Ibrahim urges for an immediate and independent probe into the anti-graft body. – Alchetron pic, January 2, 2022


KUALA LUMPUR – The whole debacle surrounding the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) and allegations against its top leaders require nothing less than the attention of a royal commission of inquiry (RCI).

This is according to MACC advisory board former chairman Tunku Abdul Aziz Tunku Ibrahim, who is urging for an immediate and independent probe into the anti-graft body.

Speaking with The Vibes, Aziz said the recent allegations of conflict of interest involving chief commissioner Tan Sri Azam Baki made by renowned economist Prof Edmund Terence Gomez have called into question the credibility of the body.

As such, he said the RCI is necessary in order to clear the good name of the commission and identify if there were instances of impropriety.

“First of all, I think Gomez should make a police report if he believes there is a possibility of a cover up within the MACC,” he said yesterday.

But I’m very happy that he has brought it up because I think it is critically important for MACC to be totally clear. If we cannot trust MACC to be clean, just like if we can’t trust police to enforce the law, who can we trust?

“So, I hope something concrete will be done. The government should seriously consider setting up an RCI into this affair, nothing less than that.”

Aziz said he would also be willing to offer his time for free and be part of the RCI if his services is ever needed.

Prof Edmund Terence Gomez calls into question the credibility of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission, alleging conflict of interest involving chief commissioner Tan Sri Azam Baki. – Screen grab pic, January 2, 2022


On Monday, Gomez announced his resignation as a member of MACC’s Consultation and Corruption Prevention Panel (PPPR), citing the graft body’s failure to discuss accusations of conflict of interest against its top leaders.

Chiefly, he alleged Azam has diverse business interests and ties with millions of ringgit in public stocks, and that there is a possible conflict of interest in the MACC leadership.

Gomez said multiple emails had been sent to PPPR chairman Tan Sri Borhan Dolah, and the chairman of MACC advisory board Tan Sri Abu Zahar Ujang, but were ignored, prompting his resignation.

Abu Zahar denied receiving any emails, while Borhan had said the recent email exchanges between the panel and Gomez were not related to Azam.

Gomez, however, called their bluff, and shared the contents and details of the emails that he sent to them with The Vibes, which detailed out his concerns over the allegations against MACC.

Aziz, who is Abu Zahar’s predecessor, said speculations of impropriety involving MACC’s top guns have been around since his time helming MACC’s advisory board, but nothing concrete warranted further investigation.

“There were no open allegations, but there were rumours. But naturally, I cannot act on rumours. I think it wouldn’t be fair to jump to conclusion based on speculations.

“I know there are rumours all the time, but today, Gomez has brought the issue out into the open, and he must have something concrete to be able to do so.”

Aziz also bemoaned how MACC’s advisory board lacks any executive power to take action or issue a direction, calling it useless and toothless.

“I have chaired the board for many years and was a member before that. People must remember the board is purely advisory. This is one of the great failures of the whole MACC set-up,” he said.

C4 executive director Cynthia Gabriel says allegations that MACC chief commissioner Tan Sri Azam Baki (pic) has millions of ringgit of public shares is troubling and needs to be investigated. – Screen grab pic, January 2, 2022


Don’t side-track the matter, RCI must probe Azam’s income

Noting the gravity of the allegations raised by Gomez, Centre to Combat Corruption and Cronyism (C4) executive director Cynthia Gabriel similarly called for an RCI spearheaded by the prime minister and comprising esteemed personalities to be set up immediately.

Gabriel said the claims against Azam are extremely serious in nature as it involves the very people who are supposed to be tasked to investigate elements of fraud and wrongdoing.

“As chief commissioner, Azam has to be independent from politics and business. It’s true there is no law to punish conflicts of interest, but it is a very enabling factor in promoting and facilitating corruption.”

Gabriel said the allegation that Azam has millions of ringgit of public shares is also troubling, as this calls his source of income into question .

Furthermore, she said that among other things, the RCI must also ensure it finds out if Azam had declared his assets and income to MACC,, as well as how he has amassed the money to invest millions of ringgit and where the money came from.

On Abu Zahar’s claim that he had not received any email from Gomez, Gabriel said this appears to be a move to distract the public from the actual matter at hand – probing MACC and Azam.

“It’s very disappointing that attention has been taken away from the real substance of the matter, which is the probe demanded by many parties into the anti-graft body.

“We ask Abu Zahar and his advisory board to take this request seriously. The whole function of the board is so that the public can place their trust in these eminent persons to play a role of check and balance.” – The Vibes, January 2, 2022

*********

kt comments:

No wonder TBH's murder could never be solved when it was perpetrated in a rotten corrupt house by rotten corrupt villains.

Netizens miffed at PDRM after a video of a “police officer” assaulting a lady went viral

Netizens miffed at PDRM after a video of a “police officer” assaulting a lady went viral



NETIZENS were outraged after a video of a supposed police officer assaulting an unknown woman in an elevator went viral on social media.


Posted yesterday on a popular social media account entitled Edisi Khas, a man called “Inspector Jayganesh” was seen beating up a woman in a lift.

At the end of the 45 seconds video, “Inspector Jayganesh” was seen dragging the woman out from the elevator by her hair.


(This lady was assaulted with no mercy by “Inspector Jayganesh” one month ago and on Dec 30, her husband was murdered at the Condominium Sri Mas, Jade Tower Cheras. “Inspector Jayganesh” is member of the 360 Devan Gang, which is involved in drug trafficking)

After seeing the brutality, netizens vented out their frustration with the Royal Malaysian Police (PDRM) for not taking action.





(Strange. Why didn’t PDRM take any action? This happened some time back. Oh God, please have mercy on us)

User Avea added:



The police are now gangsters)

Netizen Fai retorted:



(This guy is not fit to become a policeman. Where is your integrity and manners? How is Malaysia to become a developed country with brainless people like this?)

For years now, Opposition politicians and non-governmental organisations (NGO) have urged the Government to establish the Independent Police Complaints of Misconduct Commission (IPCMC)) to investigate errant police officers as suggested by a royal commission of inquiry back in 2005.

Malaysia is like Gotham City now

However, the Government had resisted the pressure claiming the existing mechanisms were good enough to probe errant officers. In 2019, the Pakatan Harapan Government tabled the IPCMC Bill for its first reading but the plan fell through after the administration collapsed.

Now, the Government is planning to table the Independent Police Conduct Commission (IPCC) but NGOs have dismissed it as the proposed commission lacks the legislative bite needed to take action against errant police officers.

Touching on the viral video, user Nothing Free said that the happenings in Malaysia reminds him of Gotham, the fictional city where Batman lives.



(Our country is just like Gotham in the Batman movies. We can’t trust the authorities. Signs of end of times where good people are opposed and the bad are given adulation. May God protect us)

With that, netizen Trend Setter urged the newly minted Bukit Aman Narcotic Crime Investigation Department (NCID) director Ayob Khan Mydin Pitchay to act immediately.



(Datuk Ayob, we are looking forward to you to investigate and act against the wolves in sheep’s clothing)

In an update, the police have denied claims that a police inspector had murdered the man found dead at the said condominium.

Bukit Aman Criminal Investigation Department (CID) Datuk Abdul Jalil Hassan said that the man had committed suicide by falling from the 20th floor of the building.

“The CCTV footage from the condominium showed the man entering a lift alone before exiting at the 20th floor. An alcoholic beverage can and a face mask were found on the 20th floor and have since been sent for testing.

“Hence, we refute claims that the victim was killed by a police officer with the rank of inspector as claimed on social media.

“I advise the public not to speculate on issues that could cause public concern,” he said, in a statement. — Jan 2, 2022

Something is really repulsively rotten in the MACC and its Anti-Corruption Advisory Board

theVibes.com:

Gomez calls Abu Zahar’s bluff on emails

Despite denials, email thread indicates Anti-Corruption Advisory Board chairman alerted to allegations of impropriety at MACC leadership

Anti-Corruption Advisory Board chairman Tan Sri Abu Zahar Ujang (pic) claims not to have received any emails from former MACC panel member Prof Edmund Terence Gomez alleging misconduct by Tan Sri Azam Baki. – Wikipedia pic, January 1, 2022

***

Horatio: He waxes desperate with imagination.

Marcellus: Let’s follow. ‘Tis not fit thus to obey him.

Horatio: Have after. To what issue will this come?

Marcellus: Something is rotten in the state of Denmark.

Horatio: Heaven will direct it.

Marcellus: Nay, let’s follow him. [Exeunt.]

(Act-I, Scene-IV, Lines 87-91)


KUALA LUMPUR – Former Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) panel member Prof Edmund Terence Gomez has lambasted Anti-Corruption Advisory Board (LPPR) chairman Tan Sri Abu Zahar Ujang’s denials over emails that were sent to the board’s administration.

The email thread sighted by The Vibes clearly details Gomez’s complaints to Abu Zahar, dated November 10, 2021 (Wednesday) at 9.04pm with the subject title “MACC matters”.

The email was sent to sect_lppr@sprm.gov.my and was courtesy copied (cc) to another LPPR member, Datuk Seri Akhbar Satar, at akhbarsatar@gmail.com from Gomez’s email eterencegomez@yahoo.com.

The professor had introduced himself to Abu Zahar, seeing that they have never met, before delving into the matter at hand, voicing his concern over the “bad publicity” that the anti-graft body has been subjected to recently.

“The issues being discussed about MACC, including in parliament over the past week, which were widely reported, deal with matters that bring into question the good name and credibility of this institution.

“I have also attached here a report that was sent to me about matters pertaining to the MACC. I know the author of this report as she worked for the anti-corruption NGO, C4. I now serve as Chairman of C4.

“I spoke to the author about her report and she stands by everything she has written. This report is being widely discussed in NGO circles and reports have been published about it.

“Given the serious nature of the matters raised in this report, as well as what has been discussed in parliament, I suggest that it be tabled for discussion at the next meeting of the MACC Advisory Board.

“Please do let me know if you plan to do so. I have also proposed that Tan Sri Borhan convene a meeting of our Panel as I plan to raise this matter there,” said Gomez in his email to Abu Zahar.

Following the first email, Gomez had then sent an email to the head of his panel, Consultation and Corruption PreventionPanel (PPPR) chairman Tan Sri Borhan Dolah on November 12 at 11.53am.

His email was sent to borhan9959@gmail.com from Gomez’s Yahoo account, where he attached the November 10 email to Abu Zahar, as well as a document titled: “Business Ties Among MACC Leadership: How Deep Does It Go?”

Gomez had requested an urgent meeting with Borhan’s panel members.

“Earlier this week, I mentioned this request for a meeting in our Whatsapp group, when I asked En Kamaruddin to approach you about it. Since I have not received a response to my request, I am following up with a personal email to you.

“Please see below the letter that I sent two days ago to Tan Sri Abu Zahar, the Chairman of MACC's Advisory Board. In this letter, I have set out the issue I feel we need to discuss.

“For the reasons stated in my letter to Tan Sri Abu Zahar, I feel that our Panel should also meet, more so since we focus on Corruption Prevention,” he said.

He had also advised Borhan to call for a joint meeting with Abu Zahar’s advisory board, citing the urgency of the issue and the need to make a “collective public response”.

On the same day at 11.16pm, Borhan had replied to Gomez’s email from his iPad, which read:

“Dear Prof,

“We will (look) into having a meeting of our Panel and advised MACC accordingly (sic).

“Thank you

“Borhan”

The next day, on November 13 at 9.01am, Gomez thanked Borhan for his response.

Later, on November 26 at 10.05am, the professor once again emailed Borhan asking for the status of the panel meeting.

Gomez had also attached four more documents pertaining to his allegations against MACC chief Tan Sri Azam Baki’s alleged business ties.

Yesterday, it was reported that Abu Zahar said there were no emails from Gomez alleging misconduct by Azam.

Abu Zahar told Utusan Malaysia that the board’s administration is still waiting for the emails Gomez claimed to have sent.

“Not a single email was received. I also checked with the administration and they said no letter was received. Gomez’s statement has tarnished my integrity,” he was quoted as saying.

Days ago, Borhan said recent email exchanges between the panel and former member Gomez were not related to the latter’s dissatisfaction with Azam.

Borhan told Berita Harian on December 27 that the two emails sent by Gomez since November did not touch on any alleged wrongdoings by Azam.

Instead, he said, Gomez had only stated his concerns about MACC facing a barrage of criticism from several quarters and called for the panel to convene an immediate meeting to help resolve the agency’s woes.

This comes amid Gomez stepping down as PPPR member, claiming a failure to discuss accusations of conflict of interest against some of its leaders.

In his resignation letter to Borhan, Gomez raised his concern that there was a “nexus between business and law enforcement” and a “conflict of interest” allegedly involving members of its top leadership. – The Vibes, January 2, 2022

Umno and PAS set to clash in three states

Umno and PAS set to clash in three states

Umno and PAS formed Muafakat Nasional in September 2019 as an electoral understanding with the main aim of uniting the Malay-Muslim vote.


PETALING JAYA: With seat talks going sour, the tension between PAS and Umno is building up in Kedah, Terengganu and Kelantan.

Although some Umno leaders at federal level are keen on continuing to work with PAS, a political analyst claims he has information that the story is different at the grassroots level.

“At the state level, there are challenges,” said Mohd Azizuddin Sani of Universiti Utara Malaysia. “Umno grassroots members in the three states do not want to share seats with PAS, and PAS wants more seats as it feels these are its stronghold states.”

He told FMT discussions in Terengganu had turned hostile. “Neither side is willing to give in. Both are demanding more seats and the talks are likely to fail.”

In Kedah and Kelantan as well, there had been no progress in the seat talks, he said.

Kelantan PAS is said to be meeting the state Umno leadership on Jan 22 to discuss cooperation for the next general election.

Azizuddin said PAS was aware that it would be impossible for it to capture Putrajaya. “So its main aim is to dominate Kedah, Terengganu and Kelantan. It wants as many seats as possible there.”

He said the talks were unlikely to make any headway and the two parties would probably go their separate ways before GE15.

“But after the general election, they may court each other again as they know no political party will garner enough votes to form a government.”

In a recent news report, Johor Umno deputy chief Nur Jazlan Mohamed was quoted as saying it was impossible to trust PAS as it had been looking at ways to strengthen itself without Umno.

Another Umno leader also told FMT that Barisan Nasional was likely to go it alone for the general election.

“We have done well in the recent Melaka state elections without PAS and Bersatu,” he said. “We don’t see any reason to be with them.”

The supreme council member said PAS needed Umno to drum up support during elections. “PAS may say ‘I scratch your back, and you scratch mine’ but the majority in Umno are saying we can scratch our own back.”

He added that BN might work with a selected few after GE15 as “no one party will win the majority”.

Another Umno leader blasts Hadi for tokking-kok about ‘majority of UMNO wants Umno-PAS tie-up’

Another Umno leader blasts Hadi for ‘majority want Umno-PAS tie-up’ claim


A second Umno leader has lambasted PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang for his latest call for the two parties to work together in future elections.

He claimed yesterday that a “majority” of Umno supreme council leaders wanted the party to cooperate with PAS through Muafakat Nasional and Perikatan Nasional.

He also urged Umno members to “follow” what its leaders wanted.

In response, Umno information chief Shahril Hamdan had advised Hadi against speculating on Umno’s decisions or speaking on behalf of its leadership.

Umno information chief Shahril Hamdan

Today, Umno secretary Mustapha Yaakub issued a strongly worded statement and accused the PAS president of telling a “funny lie”.

Umno secretary Mustapha Yaakub

“Hadi got his information from (Umno) supreme council members who are pro-Muafakat to defend PN, that is why he said a majority of supreme council members support Muafakat.

“Why didn’t Hadi ask supreme council members who do not want Muafakat or PN?

“We know Hadi is purposely lying about this because he is trying to cajole Umno to work with PAS as part of Muafakat.

“Hadi is under pressure after PAS candidates who contested under the PN ticket lost in the Malacca election. Hadi knows the ‘flower’ (referring to Bersatu’s logo) has failed to help PAS candidates win and now wants to u-turn back to Umno,” the Umno veteran claimed.

Mustapha further criticised Hadi’s call for Umno members to adhere to their leaders’ decisions, saying this proved that the latter failed to understand Umno’s bottom-up structure.

“Hadi is ignorant of Umno’s party structure, that is why he wants party members to follow supreme council members.

“Hadi does not understand that proposals from Umno divisions are brought to the Umno general assembly and it is the supreme council that implements them.

“We had 143 divisions who approved a motion to not work with PAS in GE15 and for Umno to contest solo. What doesn’t Hadi understand?” he questioned.

Mustapha emphasised that Umno intends to go into electoral battles alone, saying Hadi was “better off keeping his mouth shut than talking nonsense”.

Umno and PAS formed Muafakat Nasional in 2019 as a Malay-Muslim pact aimed at taking on Pakatan Harapan.

Bersatu’s exodus, Harapan’s collapse and the formation of PN in 2020 eventually led to a breakdown of ties between Bersatu and Umno. When PAS chose to remain with Bersatu in PN, this jeopardised Umno’s relationship with the Islamist party as well.

The Malacca election in Nov 2021 marked a low for Muafakat relations when PAS chose to side with PN and clashed against Umno in seven seats. PAS lost to Umno in all seven.

Still "Silence" from PM on allegations of corruption against MACC Head

Our dear "Authorities" are obviously dragging their heels against investigating MACC chief Azam Baki and his alleged large stake in a public listed company.

Aliran:

MACC uproar: Why have Azam and Ismail Sabri not spoken up? – Terence Gomez

'There appears to be a clear attempt to prevent an investigation into this matter'

I am appalled that Borhan Dolah has stated that I have a “political agenda” in my call for an investigation into allegations of impropriety involving Azam Baki, the chief commissioner of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission.

As a member of the MACC’s consultation and corruption prevention panel, I was duty-bound to act when these allegations were brought to my attention. Borhan should do the same.

I see Borhan’s persistent scurrilous attempts to discredit me as an attempt to distract attention from an investigation into Azam’s business-related activities.

Borhan only discredits himself as well as the office he holds, as chair of the consultation and corruption prevention panel, by desisting an open investigation of these allegations made against Azam.

Rather than deal with Borhan, I want to move on by raising two questions.

First, why has Azam Baki not responded publicly to the serious allegations made against him. Is he not aware that his silence on this matter suggests truth to these allegations?

Second, why has Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob not spoken publicly on these allegations against Azam, even though they were raised in Parliament?

Since there appears to be a clear attempt to prevent an investigation into this matter by the people appointed by the Prime Minister’s Office to protect the integrity of the MACC, what is Ismail Sabri’s response to this matter?

PAS “Iranian Revolution” In Malaysia – Why Sultan Selangor Bans Politicians From Preaching Islam

PAS “Iranian Revolution” In Malaysia – Why Sultan Selangor Bans Politicians From Preaching Islam

When Barisan Nasional coalition, which had ruled for 61 years since independence in 1957, was defeated in the May 2018 General Election, Malaysia became worse. This is due to the new alliance between Malay ultras (UMNO) and Muslim extremists (PAS) who joined forces to undermine the democratically-elected multiracial Pakatan Harapan government.



The national cooperation between the defeated United Malays National Organization (UMNO) and opposition Islamic party PAS, glorified as “Muafakat Nasional” under the pretext of Malay-unity, saw the beginning of a new era of racism, radicalization and extremism never seen before. To stay relevant, even then-PM Mahathir Mohamad had resorted to playing the race and religion cards.



Harbouring and protecting Indian Muslim hate preacher Zakir Naik, a permanent resident of Malaysia who openly questioned the loyalty and legitimacy of Malaysian Chinese and Indian citizens, was not enough to make Mahathir a Muslim champion. He had attended a so-called Malay Dignity Congress to project himself as a Malay hero. But the stunts only added more fuel to extremism.



After just 22 months, the Pakatan Harapan administration collapsed prematurely due to treachery and treason when Muhyiddin Yassin and Azmin Ali betrayed their Bersatu (Malaysian United Indigenous Party) and PKR (People’s Justice Party) political party respectively. Leading a backdoor government called Perikatan Nasional, PM Muhyiddin was a disaster.

The Perikatan Nasional Malay-centric government had practically done nothing, except mismanaged the economy and mishandled the Covid pandemic. The power-crazy Muhyiddin spent all his time politicking and scheming, including a declaration of a State of Emergency, a convenient tool to suspend the Parliament to prevent any attempt to topple him.



Not only Mahiaddin alias Muhyiddin became the shortest serving prime minister in the history (after backstabbed and betrayed by ally UMNO), his 17-month legacy will be known by historians and students as an era of SOP U-turns, policy flip-flops, double standards, incompetence, hypocrisy, corruption, Coronavirus mishandling, economic mismanagement and of course – illegitimacy.



On the day Muhyiddin reluctantly resigned, his clueless and incompetent regime had killed close to 13,000 people due to Covid, mostly Malays whose deaths could be prevented. Worse, his regime’s 17-month saw not only the “Talibanization” of the country, but has emboldened PAS extremists to begin challenging the Malay Rulers – Monarch Institution.



For example, the Sultanate of Perak finally tasted the true colour of PAS when Sultan Nazrin Shah summoned Perak PAS assemblymen for an audience related to the formation of Perak new state government in Dec 2020, only to be ignored. The arrogance of power saw PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang ordered all the PAS leaders to disregard the royal decree.



But it was just the beginning. The PAS leaders, riding on Islam, had even gone as far as conspiring with Muhyiddin and faked the revocation of the emergency laws without the consent from the Palace, a move tantamount to usurping the powers of the King. It was an act of waging war against the Yang di-Pertuan Agong (the King), an offence that carries capital punishment – “death penalty”.



Of course, with tail between legs, all the nine Malay Rulers could not do anything because the backdoor and illegitimate government comprised primarily of UMNO, Bersatu and PAS – the biggest Malay political parties. It was then that most Malays, who were struggling with bread and butter crisis, began to realize the mistake of blindly cheering for a Malay-Muslim government.



In the same breath, the Sultans, who themselves had fantasized a grand Malay-Muslim government, have finally come to their sense that their respective thrones could be threatened if they allow Islamic extremists and radicals run amok in the country. That’s why Selangor Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah has just issued a royal decree banning politicians from preaching Islam in the state.



There’s little doubt that the decree, issued through the Selangor Islamic Religious Council (MAIS), was specifically targeting the Malaysian Islamic Party PAS. This is not the first time the Sultanate of Selangor has revoked the teaching accreditation to politicians. The Selangor Royal Court council made a similar decision back in March 2019, and again in August.



The Sultan Selangor’s decree to bar Islam from being politicised and used as a political tool, especially in mosques and “surau”, was not seriously enforced in 2019 largely due to the hostile climate against the Pakatan Harapan federal government, who was under siege after falsely accused of being anti-Islam, anti-Muslims, anti-Malays and anti-Malay Rulers.



This round, however, the new decree comes at a time when people are both angry and disillusioned with the clueless and incompetent governments of Muhyiddin and Ismail Sabri, specifically with PAS. As expected, PAS extremists were upset with the royal decree because it would affect the Islamist party’s ability to spread fake news and falsehoods among Malay voters.



A PAS leader, Ahmad Dusuki Abdul Rani, was up in arms, claiming that the ban would only widen disunity among Muslims. He even spread dangerous rumours and fears that the royal decree would allow the enemies of Islam to “rejoice”. As usual, the extremist quickly played God, warning that Allah’s blessing will not reach the Muslims due to lack of unity.



Indirectly, Ahmad Dusuki, whose accreditation to preach will be revoked effective midnight Dec 31, 2021 has accused Sultan Selangor – the head of religion in the state – of anti-Islam for the ban. He was also blaming the monarch for dividing the Malays, allowing the non-existent enemies of Islam to rejoice. Exactly what grass has this PAS leader been smoking?




The Muslims have been slaughtering each other for the last 1,000 years. What are so special about 19-million Muslims in Malaysia that they could unite when 19-billion Muslims in the world cannot or refuse to unite? Why suddenly blame a piece of royal decree now when the Malay-Muslim Perikatan Nasional government cannot even unite despite close to 2 years sleeping together?



The Sultan Selangor is one of the most “conservative” monarchs. He is the same sultan who insists that “Allah” cannot be used in Christian publications or the Christian’s Bible. Yet, he is now against PAS politician-preachers when he should have supported them. That speaks volumes how toxic the Islamist party is, so much so that the sultan has to put a stop to the extremists.



In truth, Malaysia is fast becoming a pariah state because of Islamic extremism. From Mahathir being awarded one of “Top-20 Most Dangerous Extremists Around The World” to Hadi Awang being blacklisted as a terrorist by Saudi Arabia, and from Timah Whiskey fiasco to a non-halal cheque rejected by Bank Muamalat, the country is infamous for the wrong reason.



It was already bad when award-winning Timah Whisky, meant only for non-Muslim consumption, was politicized by extremist politicians who claimed that the alcoholic beverage would confuse the Muslims. It becomes worse – and hilarious – when Bank Muamalat rejected a cheque issued by a church to help flood victims, as if the cheque could be eaten.



Islamic extremism has reached a level that even hates preacher Zakir Naik has resurfaced on Christmas Eve and stirred up racial and religion sentiments, warning Muslims not to celebrate, participate or accept gifts during the Christmas festival. He also claimed Muslims were prohibited from selling things (like greeting cards) that help Christians or non-Muslims celebrate their festivals.



And now you have another hate preacher – Azhar Idrus – who lectured Muslims that they were not allowed to clean up non-Muslims’ houses of worship that were affected by the recent flash flood. According to his selfish theory, Muslims should mind their own business by cleaning their own mosques or surau only. Non-Muslims can help clean mosques, but not the other way round.



Even sports were not spared. The International Olympic Council (IOC) may ban Malaysia from hosting future international sporting events following the government’s decisions to disallow Israelis athletes into the country. Thanks to Mahathir, mixing sports with politics – even extreme religions – has reached a critical point where the country may be isolated as the world has had enough of Malaysia’s antics.



But what Sultan Selangor, and other monarchs for that matter, fears the most – at least silently – is the prospect of an “Iranian Revolution” in Malaysia. Also known as the Islamic Revolution, the 1979 revolution in Iran saw how the Pahlavi dynasty under Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi was overthrown and replaced with an Islamic republic under the rule of Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini.



As the influence of Islamic extremists increases, it’s not impossible that all the current nine Malay Rulers could be overthrown by PAS. After all, Hadi Awang, who had quietly visited Iran many times in the past, is a strong supporter and admirer of the Iranian regime. Ironically, while almost all Muslim Malaysians are Sunni Muslims, PAS, now part of the government, is seen as Shia Muslims.



As power-hungry UMNO and Bersatu fought tooth and nail to cling to power, PAS, self-proclaimed kingmaker, has taken the opportunity to spread its version of corrupt and extreme Islam, especially against minorities Chinese and Indians. But with both UMNO and Bersatu close one eye in exchange for PAS support, allowing PAS politicians like Ahmad Dusuki to preach is a recipe for disaster.



Neither UMNO nor Bersatu actually care about Malay Rulers. The greedy and corrupt politicians were too busy enriching themselves with positions and projects. When PAS leaders openly expressed their support for the return of Taliban in Afghanistan, none of the UMNO or Bersatu leaders expressed any concern of the brutality of the Talibans.



The signs of PAS extremists challenging the monarch could be traced as early as 2017 when Sultan Selangor ordered the Selangor Islamic Religious Council (JAIS) to strip Zamihan Mat Zin of his teaching credentials. The extremist had criticised the Sultanate of Johor who ordered a Muslim-only launderette to stop its discriminatory business practice.



In 2018, the defiant Zamihan together with Muhamad Rozaimi Ramle, another controversial preacher who was also a lecturer at Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris (UPSI), were banned by the Sultanate of Perak for teaching Islam that was not in line with the Shafi Islam as practised by a majority of Muslims in Malaysia. In 2020, Zamihan questioned e-commerce website Shopee as a platform for Muslims to pay their zakat.



While teaching Islam without accreditation in Selangor is in violation of Selangor’s Syariah laws and is punishable with a fine of up to RM3,000 or two years’ jail or both, it would be interesting to see if the authorities dare to take action against the “untouchable” PAS politicians cum preachers. So far, there has been zero action against Ahmad Dusuki, who appeared to question and insult the royal decree.

Opposition MPs bid to trigger police probe into DBKL’s nod for development at six retention ponds.

MM:

Opposition MPs bid to trigger police probe into DBKL’s nod for development at six retention ponds.

Segambut MP Hannah Yeoh speaks during the launch of the C4 Centre Report in Petaling Jaya April 12, 2021. — Picture by Miera Zulyana


KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 1 — Three federal lawmakers have alleged possible abuse at the Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) in the approval for housing development at the sites of six retention ponds vital for flood mitigation in the city.

Lembah Pantai MP Fahmi Fadzil, Cheras MP Tan Kok Wai and Segambut MP Hannah Yeoh lodged a report at the Sentul district police headquarters today to seek an investigation to identify those responsible for the decisions to convert the retention ponds.

Citing the Auditor-General’s Report 2019 Series 2, Fahmi said the approval went against the technical advice of the Department of Irrigation and Drainage (JPS) to maintain the water retention zones needed to protect the city and Klang Valley from floods.

“Unfortunately, we can see that from 2015 until 2020 (when the Federal Territories Ministry) was between Datuk Seri Tengku Adnan Mansor and Tan Sri Annuar Musa, the sale of the land took place.

“And our hope is not just the matter be taken into investigation, but if there were any discrepancies involved, those people should be brought to justice,” Fahmi, who is also PKR communication director, said during a press conference in front of the police headquarters.

Tengku Adnan was the FT minister from 2013 until 2018 when Barisan Nasional lost to PH in the 14th general election.

Annuar assumed the role in March 2020 after the PH government collapsed. He has since been succeeded by Datuk Seri Shahidan Kassim.

Tan questioned why the land was not gazetted as this would have prevented the critical flood mitigation infrastructure from being alienated for other purposes.

“Due to climate change and extreme weather conditions, the recent [floods] could happen again soon, and possibly every three to five years,” Tan said when stressing the importance of maintaining the retention ponds.

He said the devastation of the recent floods has shown how much damage these could cause to both the lives and livelihoods of Malaysians in vulnerable areas.

Last Tuesday, Yeoh gave the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) a 24-hour ultimatum to investigate the same matter.

Citing from the A-G’s report, Yeoh pointed out conclusive findings that the retention ponds ― crucial to the Klang Valley’s flood mitigation system ― had been approved and alienated for development.

She asserted that one of the ponds has a cumulative water retention area of only 30 per cent at present, which posed a risk of rivers in the city overflowing their banks in the event of torrential rain similar to that which caused recent floods in the Klang Valley.

Kolam Air and Kampung Kasipillay in Segambut were amongst the worst hit areas when Sungai Batu broke its banks during the worst floods to have swept Peninsular Malaysia over the past few weeks.

Citing further from the A-G’s report, Yeoh said the KL Mayor had approved 943 development projects, which was inconsistent with KL City Plan 2020 between 2015 and 2020.

Starting Tiger-Year with a Roar

 

‘Unconstitutional’ to charge 5th man in Nhaveen’s murder, says defence

‘Unconstitutional’ to charge 5th man in Nhaveen’s murder, says defence

The accused being led out of the High Court in George Town today.


GEORGE TOWN: A lawyer for the accused in the T Nhaveen murder trial today objected against a new person being charged with the 18-year-old’s murder in 2017, saying it was unconstitutional.

Ranjit Singh Dhillon told the High Court that S Gopinaath, a brother of one of the four initial suspects, was charged with murder after his remand application had expired.

He said Gopinaath, 30, was released from remand at noon yesterday, but was then charged with murder on the same day at 2.30pm.

Ranjit said such a move smacked of “prosecutorial arrogance” and one that was against the Federal Constitution concerning liberties and freedom of a person.

“Gopinaath was free (by then). He should not have been in shackles after. He should be released forthwith.

Arun Ganesh Boopalan (left), who is holding a watching brief for T Nhaveen’s family, with activist Arun Dorasamy at court.


“We seek a ruling by the court that all proceedings (related to Gopinaath) must fall as the new charge took place after his remand expired. We also seek that bail be offered to my client,” he said.

‘Murder charge well within remand period’

Deputy public prosecutor Khairul Anuar Abdul Halim said Gopinaath was arrested on Wednesday (Dec 29) at 8.10pm and later remanded for a day.

He said the remand did not have an exact expiry time but was a day-long one. Hence, the remand would end on Thursday at midnight (Dec 30).

“The prosecution’s charge against the accused was way before midnight Thursday. Therefore, it was well within the remand application and was not charged before its expiry,” he said.

In response, Ranjit said the prosecution had missed his point, as Gopinaath was released before the remand expired. He said a dangerous precedent was being set if the court allowed it.

After a recess, judicial commissioner Mohd Radzi Abdul Hamid said the court management system data showed Gopinaath was given a one-day remand at 11.19am yesterday.

Radzi said Gopinaath was charged well within the remand period and ruled the claim that the prosecution had erred did not hold water.

Murder charge merged with that for grievous assault

The court then charged Gopinaath with Nhaveen’s murder. The prosecution had earlier applied for the case to be transferred from the magistrates’ court to the High Court.

Gopinaath then pleaded not guilty to the charge.

The court also allowed the murder charge to be merged with the charge of grievous assault. The assault charge concerns T Previin, 23, who suffered severe injuries to his face after being bashed with helmets.

Radzi then adjourned the proceedings, setting March 8 and 9 to hear the murder and assault case.

Gopinaath, J Ragesuthan, 22, S Gokulan, 22, and two others have been charged with Nhaveen’s murder. The other two unnamed persons were juveniles when the offence took place.

They are accused of committing the offence under Section 302 of the Penal Code at the Jalan Bunga Raya park on June 9, 2017 between 11pm and midnight.

The four are also accused of committing grievous assault against Previin near the Karpal Singh Learning Centre, Jalan Kaki Bukit, Bukit Gelugor, between 11pm and midnight under Section 326 of the Penal Code.

Mohd Amril Johari, Noor Azura Zulkiflee and Yazid Mustaqim Roslan also prosecuted.

Maanveer Singh Dhillon also appeared for the defence.

Arun Ganesh Boopalan held a watching brief for Nhaveen’s family. Mardhiyyah Johari appeared for the Human Rights Commission (Suhakam).

Authorities knew Taman Sri Muda deluge was coming, say residents

Authorities knew Taman Sri Muda deluge was coming, say residents

Andrew De Silva shows a copy of one of the letters the residents association has sent that has gone unanswered.


SHAH ALAM: The flood that ravaged Taman Sri Muda a week ago was inevitable and residents have been warning the authorities about it since 2019.

Much of the area was submerged for days after the heavy rainfall of Dec 17 and 18, resulting in the death of more than a dozen people and causing millions of ringgit in damages to families and businesses.

There have been yearly floods in the area since 2019, but this year’s deluge was the worst. Residents believe overdevelopment in the surrounding areas is to blame, and they have said so in letters they have been relentlessly sending to the relevant authorities.

“We have written letters, but unfortunately there has been no response from the city council, our assemblyman or from the DID (irrigation and drainage department) director,” said Andrew De Silva, chairman of the Taman Sri Muda Zone D residents association.

“This should not have happened. If they had pre-planned from 2019 and gotten the director at that time to find the best solution, we would not be suffering like this.”

He and other committee members showed FMT the various letters they had presented to the Shah Alam City Council (MBSA) and addressed to various parties, which were stamped and signed in recognition of their receipt.

Anbarasan Many, treasurer of the association, said developers of the surrounding areas had taken the easy route regarding flood mitigation, piggybacking onto Taman Sri Muda’s existing drainage system rather than building new retention ponds and drain networks.

Anbarasan Many accuses developers of funnelling water into Taman Sri Muda’s drainage system.


“They took the easy way out,” he said. “They sent water from the surrounding housing areas to (Taman) Sri Muda. That is why we have a tremendous flow of water coming in from other tamans.”

De Silva said somebody would have to take responsibility for the situation.

“For a developer to put the water into another area, he must get some approval first. So the question comes back to the authorities, whether that’s MBSA, the planning department, the engineering department, DID or the works department.

“The signatures come from the authorities. So we want the authorities to be responsible for this.”

De Silva in discussion with a Taman Sri Muda resident.


The residents association has called for the following three main courses of action to stop the constant flooding and prevent another disaster:
Channels that lead to Taman Sri Muda’s drainage network must be shut.
The retention pond used to store excess water that cannot be released into the Klang River must be better maintained and dug more deeply.
The drains in the area must be restored and updated.

Residents said many of the drains were no longer capable of handling the current volumes of water or were not lined with concrete, leading to silt buildup in the retention pond, shrinking its capacity.

One of the main outlets bringing water from upstream into Taman Sri Muda’s drainage network.


They said these issues had been communicated to the authorities on several occasions.

“Residents who have lived here for over 30 years have given up,” Anbarasan said. “They want to move out. Some already have. If this goes on, (Taman) Sri Muda will become a ghost town.”

FMT has contacted MBSA and DID for their comments.

KL new year crowd eff-ed pandemic restrictions

MM:

Crowds thronged Bukit Bintang in KL to greet New Year, cops issue RM1,000 to 12 for refusing to disperse

A policeman tries to disperse the crowd gathered for the New Year countdown along Jalan Bukit Bintang in Kuala Lumpur December 31, 2021. — Pictures by Choo Choy May


KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 1 — Scores of people thronged the capital city’s Golden Triangle here last night on New Year’s Eve to usher in 2022, ignoring the persistent drizzle and the government’s cancellation of countdown celebrations.

People gather for the New Year countdown along Jalan Bukit Bintang in Kuala Lumpur December 31, 2021.


The crowd, estimated between 700 and 1,000 people, had gathered along Jalan Bukit Bintang from high-end mall Pavilion KL, to the Jalan Sultan Ismail-Jalan Bukit Bintang intersection, Dang Wangi police chief Assistant Commissioner Noor Dellhan Yahaya said today.

He said the crowd began to swell from 11.30pm, and peaked at midnight.

People cheer as they gather for the New Year countdown along Jalan Bukit Bintang in Kuala Lumpur December 31, 2021.


Fearing the situation may spiral out of control, police personnel on duty stepped in to issue a general dispersal order.

“A total of 12 compounds were issued to those refusing to disperse the scene on our orders, each consisting of a RM1,000 fine,” he told reporters today.

MORE TO COME

The crowd, estimated between 700 and 1,000 people, had gathered along Jalan Bukit Bintang from high-end mall Pavilion KL, to the Jalan Sultan Ismail-Jalan Bukit Bintang intersection.

Mysterious Disappearance of "The Infinite Wealth Of The Mahathir Clan: 591 Companies In Malaysia Worth USD 60 Billion (RM 250 Billion)" from my list of 10 MOST 'popular posts'

On my list of 10 MOST 'popular posts' in KTemoc Konsiders (right hand column of web page), No 6 was The Infinite Wealth Of The Mahathir Clan: 591 Companies In Malaysia Worth USD 60 Billion (RM 250 Billion). It has disappeared from that list, though the post is still available from my archives.

How? Have to ask blogger.com - probably "someone" complained.

Putrajaya suspends umrah trips from Jan 8 over Omicron concerns after returnees from Saudi Arabia cause clusters

MM:

Putrajaya suspends umrah trips from Jan 8 over Omicron concerns after returnees from Saudi Arabia cause clusters

Health Minister Khairy Jamaluddin said large-scaled gatherings involving Muslim pilgrims from various countries during their stay in Saudi Arabia had exposed them to higher risk of Covid-19 infections, including the highly infectious Omicron variant. — Saudi Ministry of Media/Handout via Reuters


KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 1 — The Health Ministry today announced an indefinite halt to all Muslim pilgrimages to Saudi Arabia from January 8 after hundreds who returned to the country following their umrah were infected with Covid-19.

The suspension affects all new flight bookings for umrah from today.

Health Minister Khairy Jamaluddin said large-scaled gatherings involving Muslim pilgrims from various countries during their stay in Saudi Arabia had exposed them to higher risk of Covid-19 infections, including the highly infectious Omicron variant.

This, he said, made it difficult for the pilgrims to comply with standard operating procedures (SOP) set by the Malaysian government.

He cited a total of 966 out of 1077 Covid-19 samples obtained from international travellers between December 21 and December 29 last year had displayed “presumptive Omicron” after screening by the Institute for Medical Research (IMR).

Of the 966 samples, Khairy said 750 or 77.6 per cent involved samples obtained from travellers arriving from Saudi Arabia.

“This temporary postponement in umrah activities is expected to help reduce the risk of Omicron infections within the country and decelerate the rise of Covid-19 cases.

“Moreover, this move would also provide the opportunity and room for the government to carefully plan and prepare in the management of umrah pilgrimage before they are allowed to resume once again,” he told a press conference here.

To date, a total of nine clusters involving umrah pilgrimage have been identified with five of them having been confirmed as Omicron variant index cases.

According to Khairy, there is almost 100 per cent certainty that cases flagged as presumptive Omicron from RT-PCR tests will be confirmed as the new variant from genome sequencing.

“As you can see, it has spread among close contacts. We don’t know to what extent the community spread result is yet,” Khairy said.

He said that the infected overseas returnees had failed to follow home quarantine rules; instead of keeping themselves isolated, they had visited family members or neighbours, thereby exposing others to the virus.

He explained that the returning pilgrims could have been infected prior to leaving Saudi Arabia but tested negative during the virus’ incubation period.

“The number of arriving pilgrims, between 800 to 1,000 daily (using four special flights), also heightened the risk of imported Covid-19 and its Omicron variant into the country,” Khairy said.

He said several agencies in charge of umrah management held a meeting yesterday that was chaired by Senior Minister for Defence Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Husssein and decided on the suspension.

“I must perform my duties based on the data and statistics that have been presented. There is no Malaysian minister that wants to do this. I know how important this is, there are no Muslim ministers who wants to postpone the pilgrimage, but this is a serious matter, this is your life,” he said.

Khairy said pilgrims who are scheduled to travel to Saudi Arabia today until January 7 can proceed with their planned trip but will be quarantined at a government designated location upon their return.

Those returning to Malaysia from January 3 will also be required to self-isolate for seven days at a designated quarantine facility or at a hotel.