tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-284520202024-03-19T11:15:12.284+08:00rocky's bruRockybruhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08187242806213153913noreply@blogger.comBlogger4104125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28452020.post-45877588448249959762024-02-11T14:06:00.003+08:002024-02-21T17:08:44.267+08:00A massive new eyesore just next to Rimba Kiara<p>TTDI, 11/Feb: I turned into a dragon yesterday, the first day of the new lunar year, as we walked up towards the Kiara hill, once my favourite grounds for walking, trekking and bicycling. I was breathing fire, I was fuming, not due to the exertion of the hike (I hadn’t been hiking for months) but at seeing this monstrosity that greeted us as we walked towards the guardhouse that marks the entrance of this (so-called) private road leading to KLGCC, a golf club for the richer than rich.</p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6KRYpfsvZjAys5KCpGEerYhbQDDrr2SHKW9scU80IIEAy37AkUsVcwgsZyhfDFE0dyAD_IroCR9Xx7zFsK13OUOzdL5G-HeaVW5f7G_5pK0vBexNxTLfepE0jS4H-sv4s-runRTb1SJLCFgdTTIOdmIQe8PEbQbqsylJX3WAoHyCy2DFa3Sv-/s4032/77015904-C9A5-46D9-88A9-5475E6E64C15.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6KRYpfsvZjAys5KCpGEerYhbQDDrr2SHKW9scU80IIEAy37AkUsVcwgsZyhfDFE0dyAD_IroCR9Xx7zFsK13OUOzdL5G-HeaVW5f7G_5pK0vBexNxTLfepE0jS4H-sv4s-runRTb1SJLCFgdTTIOdmIQe8PEbQbqsylJX3WAoHyCy2DFa3Sv-/s320/77015904-C9A5-46D9-88A9-5475E6E64C15.jpeg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Where there used to be just blue skies, <br />there is now … this!</i></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p>Called Jendela (which means window in Malay), this monstrosity is a gigantic condominium project proudly brought to us by Sime Darby Properties. I’m not sure how many blocks of condo there are but they are located on the fringes of KLGCC, which is part of KL’s last major green lung. Construction had started sometime during the pandemic, I believe. I remember the guards politely turning the poor, unsuspecting cyclists away from the so-called private road (which had for years provided the cyclists safe access to Bukit Damansara and beyond). We were told that it was unsafe for us to use the so-called private road because of some kind of construction or other.</p><p></p><p>This was around the same time residents of TTDI were waging a bitter battle against the (previous) government over a most greedy and unlawful plan to build multiple condo complexes in Rimba Kiara, part of that green lung area. </p><p>The TTDI residents would eventually win the battle to save Rimba Kiara. </p><p>If they had known about the plans for Jendela, I’m sure the residents and their MP Hannah Yeoh would have considered including Sime Darby’s condos in their battle against the City Hall, the developers and the then Federal Territoties Ministry who had no qualms about robbing ordinary citizens of their precious green lung for profits.</p><p>There is no stopping Sime Darby now but as Jendela nears completion, the residents of TTDI will have to prepare for a new mission impossible - how to ensure there would be no traffic bottlenecks in the area once their new neighbours move into their new condos. I reckon each unit would have 2-3 vehicles, at least. Where are they going to park their Bentleys and Mercs?</p><p><i>To be continued …</i></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Rockybruhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08187242806213153913noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28452020.post-87494342417773461062024-02-01T13:57:00.001+08:002024-02-01T17:19:25.577+08:00Billionaires, billionaire politicians and now billionaire kings!<p><i>The Curve, 1/feb:</i> Did you know how many zeros there are in a billion? Of course, you didn’t. I doubt if those billionaires knew, either, which is probably why they generally fail to declare their wealth to the taxman. And for a resource-rich nation that should have done much better economically, Malaysia does seem to have more than its fair share of billionaires. Several are right now being investigated and interrogated by the anti-graft authorities. There are politicians among them and there are several more on the ringside shaking in their boots, waiting for their turn to be called in by the MACC.</p><p>And now, thanks to the influential wire agencies, we have a billionaire <font size="4">King!</font></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" id="id_9e80_293f_afe_ad90"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><font size="4"><img height="280" src="blob:https://www.blogger.com/b4e28d47-3fa8-4fae-9420-d92b1218e7d2" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; width: 400px; height: auto;" width="400" id="id_df1b_76bc_53e8_52d6"></font></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">1,000,000,000: Nine zeroes in a billion</td></tr></tbody></table><p> Just read some of the headlines on the coronation of Sultan Ibrahim’s as the 17th Agong of Malaysia:</p><p>1. <i><a href="https://www.theedgesingapore.com/news/malaysia/billionaire-sultan-takes-malaysia-crown-royals-gain-influence"><b>Billionaire</b> Sultan takes Malaysia crown as royals gain influence</a></i> - The Edge </p><p>2. <i><a href="https://apnews.com/article/malaysia-new-king-rotating-monarchy-3a066ff1a47829139c2d3d92395b5c9c"><b>Billionaire</b> Sultan Ibrahim sworn is (sic) the new king of Malaysi</a></i>a - AP</p><p>3. <i><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/jan/31/new-king-of-malaysia-crowned-sultan-ibrahim-sultan-iskandar-">Malaysia swears in motorbike-riding <b>billionaire</b> as new king under rotating monarchy system</a></i> - Daily Mail</p><p>4. <i>“… half-British <b>billionaire </b>..”</i> - Straits Times </p><p> <img height="279" src="blob:https://www.blogger.com/c6e270d2-1c22-468c-a528-9bd63e479223" width="400" id="id_d1c5_98fd_1447_5c5f" style="width: 400px; height: auto;"></p><p>5. <i><a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/malaysia-king-luxury-cars-army-ties-hitler-sultan-ibrahim-iskandar-2024-1">“Malaysia’s new king is a <b>Billionaire</b> with a collection of 300 luxury cars, his own private army and family ties to Hitler”</a></i> - Business Insider</p><p>Note that none of our own newspapers, online or otherwise, tv & radio, news portals or prominent social media platforms use “billionaire” to define Tuanku Ibrahim’s, the 17th YDPA. I don’t know why but perhaps the Malaysian editors think it is impolite to do so, even though the Palace has not protested the wire reports that estimate His Majesty’s wealth to be around USD5.7 billion. </p><p>That kind of wealth places our billionaire Agong well within the top 10 richest persons in Malaysia. In comparison, though, the <b>Sultan of Brune</b>i’s <i style="background-color: #cfe2f3;"><a href="https://e.vnexpress.net/news/trend/sultan-of-brunei-boasts-5b-private-car-collection-4699297.html"><b>car collection</b></a></i> alone is said to be worth USD5 billion! </p><p>Anyway, Selamat Hari Wilayah Persekutuan! Happy Federal Territories Day.</p><p><br></p><p></p>Rockybruhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08187242806213153913noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28452020.post-81372012621097447272024-01-30T09:24:00.004+08:002024-01-30T09:24:44.228+08:00Now what did the Sultan of Selangor ever do to piss off this Aussie in Hatyai?<p><br /></p><p><i>Damansara, 29/jan:</i> I am usually sympathetic towards fellow bloggers who get their blogs blocked but in the case of Murray Hunter, an Australian residing in Hatyai after years of making a living in Malaysia, the poor gentleman has got it coming. </p><p>The MCMC took his blog down two days ago, according to Hunter himself, following his latest posting on the Shah Alam stadium - <i style="background-color: #cfe2f3;"><a href="https://www.malaysia-today.net/2024/01/29/approval-to-demolish-shah-alam-stadium-given-under-strange-circumstances/">Approval to demolish Shah Alam Stadium given under strange circumstances.</a></i></p><p>“Blocked once again without being advised by MCMC. Looks like Malaysia going back to the dark ages,” Hunter said on X. </p><p>But do read his posting on what he calls the “publicly unpopular” stadium project. In my opinion, the offending article was littered with biased suppositions, insinuations, and half truths that would lead to fake news and disinformation. And these he was making 500km away in Hatyai. </p><p>I think you’d agree that Hunter crossed the line whenm he suggested that the “strange circumstances” had something to do with <b>“pressure from the palace”</b>.</p><p>Hunter even invoked a section in the Selangor Constitution that spells out the scope of power - or, rather the limitations - of the Sultan and proceeded to conclude that, <b>“Thus, the issuance of the demolition order may in fact be unconstitutional. The state legal advisor must give an opinion on this matter.’</b></p><p>This wasn’t the first time Hunter has attacked the much-anticipated Shah Alam stadium project. It makes one wonder about this foreigner’s fixation. Why, isn’t there anything worth criticising or unearthing in Hatyai and Thailand? </p><p>And I keep thinking also: who’s putting Hunter up to it? It cannot be coincidence that a day after the article appeared, sacked PKR politician Abdul Razak Ismail reared his head once again to challenge the Shah Alam project. I have written about this Malay gentleman before the general election last year - <i style="background-color: #cfe2f3;"><a href="http://www.rockybru.com.my/2023/07/defamation-suit-over-stadium-project.html">Defamation suit over Stadium project: Party Hijau’s Razak Ismail has no cause to whine unless …</a></i></p>Rockybruhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08187242806213153913noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28452020.post-56479226044441807252024-01-28T18:44:00.005+08:002024-01-28T18:44:57.045+08:00Thank you, Tuanku<p style="text-align: justify;"><i>Starbucks, Bangsar Village, 28/jan</i>: I’ve had very little association with our outgoing King, Sultan Abdullah of Pahang, during his tenure as the 16th YDPA since 31/Jan 2019. </p><p style="text-align: justify;">I mean, I can count the number of wefies we took together at the Istana Negara or Hari Raya open houses with one hand - that’s how little connection we have had. Sometimes friends wondered why - did we have a falling out? - because the fact is the King and I have known each other for much longer than that, when he was the Tengku Mahkota. No, I told friends no such thing. I guess I can say now that it was by choice: didn’t want to be seen as trying to kiss ass. I would go to the Istana only when invited. And those times we met outside the palace, mere coincidence. But my fondness and my regards for the King grew, as he deftly handled the political crises that came his way, amid a major global health crisis at that, in a way no King has had to do so before him. And all along, he kept the people and issues affecting the people close to his heart. </p><p style="text-align: justify;">Even as his reign was ending, he said: <b><i style="background-color: #cfe2f3;"><a href="https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2024/01/25/the-people-come-first-says-king">The people come first.</a></i></b></p><p style="text-align: justify;">This Wednesday, 31/1/24, Sultan Ibrahim of Johor replaces Tuanku Abdullah as the Seventeenth YDPA. I used to be quite close to the Tuanku some years back but I expect to have even less direct association with him throughout his tenure compared with the current Agong. Sultan Ibrahim’s dad, the almarhum Sultan Iskandar, was our 8th YDPA (1984-1989) and one of the most popular with the people. </p><p style="text-align: justify;">As long as the people - and only the people - come on his agenda for the next 5 years, the incoming King is destined to be a great King. </p><p><br /></p>Rockybruhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08187242806213153913noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28452020.post-13152334316112138092023-12-19T21:11:00.001+08:002023-12-19T21:11:08.104+08:00Anwar ends a year of overseas trips on high note but … <div>This post is published here after it has appeared in scoop.my earlier today 19 Dec 2023 - Rockybru. </div><div><br></div><div><div dir="auto" data-removefontsize="true" data-originalcomputedfontsize="16" style="font-size: 1rem; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Tokyo, 18 Dec: Every time he’s abroad for work, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim will make time to. meet with the Malaysian diaspora.</div><div dir="auto" style="font-size: 16px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><br></div><div dir="auto" data-removefontsize="true" data-originalcomputedfontsize="16" style="font-size: 1rem; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Usually, this meet-and-greet with Malaysians living, working or studying abroad takes place at the hotel where he stays and involved hundreds of people, under the watch of the host country’s security detail. </div><div dir="auto" style="font-size: 16px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><br></div><div dir="auto" data-removefontsize="true" data-originalcomputedfontsize="16" style="font-size: 1rem; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Usually, it’s over dinner. In the case of the 392 Malaysians in Japan who converged on the the Imperial Hotel yesterday (the furthest had traveled from Hiroshima, according to the organisers), it was high tea. </div><div dir="auto" style="font-size: 16px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><br></div><div dir="auto" data-removefontsize="true" data-originalcomputedfontsize="16" style="font-size: 1rem; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Usually, the PM doesn’t really get to eat. Yesterday, stuck on the stage with the moderator, he asked on loud speakers if he could please have a cup of coffee. </div><div dir="auto" style="font-size: 16px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><br></div><div dir="auto" data-removefontsize="true" data-originalcomputedfontsize="16" style="font-size: 1rem; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">In New York (September), San Francisco (Oct) and Tokyo yesterday, three most recent assignments the Scoop had me cover, it was the same: he arrives, make a short speech, and stays on the stage till the end of the designated time answering questions from the floor. </div><div dir="auto" style="font-size: 16px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><br></div><div dir="auto" data-removefontsize="true" data-originalcomputedfontsize="16" style="font-size: 1rem; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">“I’ll answer the easy ones. The hard questions, you ask Tengku Zafrul and Tok Mat,” he told the Malaysian diaspora in Tokyo, referring to the two accompanying Cabinet ministers. </div><div dir="auto" style="font-size: 16px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><br></div><div dir="auto" data-removefontsize="true" data-originalcomputedfontsize="16" style="font-size: 1rem; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">As the case was in New York and San Francisco, a primary concern of the Tokyo diaspora is the right to Malaysian citizenship for children of Malaysians married to foreigners. </div><div dir="auto" style="font-size: 16px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><br></div><div dir="auto" data-removefontsize="true" data-originalcomputedfontsize="16" style="font-size: 1rem; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Another is, can they not be made to travel all the way to our Embassy in Tokyo just to renew their visas? It is a long journey …</div><div dir="auto" style="font-size: 16px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><br></div><div dir="auto" data-removefontsize="true" data-originalcomputedfontsize="16" style="font-size: 1rem; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">In San Francisco, Anwar said he liked the idea of Malaysian students gaining some work experience after graduation by working in their host countries.</div><div dir="auto" style="font-size: 16px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><br></div><div dir="auto" data-removefontsize="true" data-originalcomputedfontsize="16" style="font-size: 1rem; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">This will help them serve the country better when they do return. And if they somehow decide to stay back longer or not come back at all, “Just make sure you send a lot of money home.”</div><div dir="auto" style="font-size: 16px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><br></div><div dir="auto" data-removefontsize="true" data-originalcomputedfontsize="16" style="font-size: 1rem; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">The Malaysian diaspora, of course, find Anwar’s views refreshing, even liberating. “Don’t be afraid to use race and religion .. to forge greater unity among ourselves.”</div><div dir="auto" style="font-size: 16px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><br></div><div dir="auto" data-removefontsize="true" data-originalcomputedfontsize="16" style="font-size: 1rem; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">But some students - and their parents - are finding out that things are easier said than done. Anwar may be supportive of our students gaining job experience abroad but the relevant authorities, such as MARA, which give out study loans and scholarships, may have other ideas.</div><div dir="auto" style="font-size: 16px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><br></div><div dir="auto" data-removefontsize="true" data-originalcomputedfontsize="16" style="font-size: 1rem; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">“The PM says one thing but the relevant authorities say they have not received the memo from the PM. So nothing has changed,” said a frustrated dad. </div><div dir="auto" style="font-size: 16px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><br></div><div dir="auto" data-removefontsize="true" data-originalcomputedfontsize="16" style="font-size: 1rem; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Anwar said the rights to Malaysian citizenship for diaspora babies will be taken up, presumably in Parliament, in the first quarter of 2024. </div><div dir="auto" style="font-size: 16px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><br></div><div dir="auto" data-removefontsize="true" data-originalcomputedfontsize="16" style="font-size: 1rem; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Follow-through will determine that the diaspora’s issues and other gains made during Anwar’s trips are properly executed and realised. </div><div dir="auto" style="font-size: 16px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><br></div><div dir="auto" data-removefontsize="true" data-originalcomputedfontsize="16" style="font-size: 1rem; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">These include the international stature that the country has managed to regain as a result of Anwar’s “fiercely independent” but non-combating stand on Gaza, US-China’s ties, rules-based xxx, climate change and ASEAN. </div><div dir="auto" style="font-size: 16px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><br></div><div dir="auto" data-removefontsize="true" data-originalcomputedfontsize="16" style="font-size: 1rem; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">New Foreign Minister Mohamad Hassan has already gotten a taste of what’s in store. Since his appointment, he has not even had time to report for duty at Wisma Putra. “Straight to the deep end,” Tok Mat told reporters covering the Tokyo visit. </div><div dir="auto" style="font-size: 16px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><br></div><div dir="auto" data-removefontsize="true" data-originalcomputedfontsize="16" style="font-size: 1rem; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">And there’s the potential FDI that all those overseas trips have garnered. Keyword here is potential. </div><div dir="auto" style="font-size: 16px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><br></div><div dir="auto" data-removefontsize="true" data-originalcomputedfontsize="16" style="font-size: 1rem; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">“Tengku Zafrul banyak berjasa membawa pelaburan besar ke negara kita,” Anwar had told the Tokyo diaspora. </div><div dir="auto" style="font-size: 16px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><br></div><div dir="auto" data-removefontsize="true" data-originalcomputedfontsize="16" style="font-size: 1rem; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">That’s a fact. From all those overseas trips that he made in 2023, with and without the PM, the Minister of Investment, Trade and Industry Tengku Zafrul Aziz got companies from Germany to Japan to commit to RM353.6 billion worth of potential investments (including Tokyo’s latest tally of RM6.6 billion, which are mostly for expansion). </div><div dir="auto" style="font-size: 16px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><br></div><div dir="auto" data-removefontsize="true" data-originalcomputedfontsize="16" style="font-size: 1rem; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">These are FDI that the Malaysian economy sorely needs. </div><div dir="auto" style="font-size: 16px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><br></div><div dir="auto" data-removefontsize="true" data-originalcomputedfontsize="16" style="font-size: 1rem; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">But if not realised, potential investments will amount to nothing. </div><div dir="auto" style="font-size: 16px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><br></div><div dir="auto" data-removefontsize="true" data-originalcomputedfontsize="16" style="font-size: 1rem; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">To make sure that those companies actually invest, all the infrastructure, resources, and ease of doing business that have been promised to them by Anwar, Zafrul and Tok Mat during all those trips must be realised and delivered. </div><div dir="auto" style="font-size: 16px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><br></div><div dir="auto" data-removefontsize="true" data-originalcomputedfontsize="16" style="font-size: 1rem; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">And everyone - ministry, department, chamber of commerce, GLC, trade union, and right down to the media - must get the same memo. <br></div><div dir="auto" style="font-size: 16px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><br></div><div dir="auto" data-removefontsize="true" data-originalcomputedfontsize="16" style="font-size: 1rem; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Ends</div><div dir="auto" style="font-size: 16px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><br></div><div dir="auto" data-removefontsize="true" data-originalcomputedfontsize="16" style="font-size: 1rem; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Rocky’s Bru is Datuk Ahirudin Attan, the Scoops’ blah blah blah. In Tokyo he discovers chimaki, a rice cake covered with sweet soy flour from the mountain region of Uonuma, probably the best desserts in the world after kueh lopes. </div><div dir="auto" style="font-size: 16px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><br></div><div dir="auto" style="font-size: 16px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><br></div><div dir="auto" style="font-size: 16px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><br></div><br class="Apple-interchange-newline" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"></div>Rockybruhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08187242806213153913noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28452020.post-12164872546340829202023-11-29T10:58:00.003+08:002023-11-29T10:58:27.969+08:00The case of the missing trees in Taman Tun Dr Ismail<p> </p><p>TTDI, 29 Nov: They are cutting the trees again in Taman Tun Dr Ismail, once one of the greenest housing estates in KL. </p><p>Well, it probably STILL is but at the rate City Hall has been making some huge, old trees dissapear while residents were in bed watching Netflix or HBO, or simply passing out, TTDI won’t stay as green for long. Resident Dr V. Sivapalan alerted the neighbourhood of the missing trees two days ago on TTDI’s 17k-strong Facebook page. “I don’t know if you realise it but we have been losing a lot of large trees in TTDI over the last few months. These are perfectly healthy trees that are 20-30 years old.” </p><p>Dr Sivalapan said “they” started cutting trees along Persiaran Openg “purportedly to put up new pavements”, followed by trees along Jalan Datuk Sulaiman and now “they” have cut the trees at the Kiara Park entrance and along Jalan Rahim Kajai.</p><p>“TTDI is know for its trees but they have stealthily cut down those trees and no one has protested. If we continue to keep quiet, soon we will lose all the trees along all our road just because they want to build pavements … It is time we spoke against this madness,” he said in the FB posting.</p><p>What Dr Sivapalan said is true. Taman Tun is beginning to look like Legoland in JB when it opened a few years ago: botak and barren. The sad thing is that residents who responded to the news of the fallen trees were mostly unsympathetic. </p><p>“I’m sure DBKL has a good reason for that. No one cuts down trees without a valid reason,” one wrote back.</p><p>DBKL, or the City Hall, is who Dr Sivapalan refers to as “they” in his FB posting on the missing trees. And how anyone who lives in TTDI can still blindly trust DBKL, heats the hell out of me. Most residents would remember how TTDI nearly lost an entire precious park to a massive condominium project that DBKL tried to force upon them just a couple of years before the pandemic!</p><p>I’m with Dr Sivalapan and likeminded residents in calling the RA to wake up from their slumber and nudge the relevant Member of Parliament into action. Stop this three-killing madness. Let’s do out bit for Mother Nature.</p><p><br /></p><p>P.S. DBKL should take a leaf out of Kuala Kubu Baru’s book: <i style="background-color: #cfe2f3;"><a href="https://www.thestar.com.my/metro/community/2015/02/11/tagged-for-health-kkb-council-to-track-condition-of-the-towns-iconic-trees">KKB Council to track condition of the town’s iconic trees </a></i></p>Rockybruhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08187242806213153913noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28452020.post-7136556771907937592023-11-18T23:58:00.001+08:002023-11-18T23:58:02.937+08:00It pays to annoy: How Malaysia got Gaza to be heard in San Francisco San Francisco, Nov 17: PM Anwar Ibrahim should be delighted with the outcome of the APEC meetings which ended today but he said he was only “quite happy”.<div><div><br></div><div>“I regretted that we (the leaders) were unable to reach justice a consensus on Gaza,” he said at the conclusion of the 30th APEC leaders meeting here. </div><div><br></div><div>“I am grateful for the opportunity to bring the Palestine issue out into the open and in not a combative way.</div><div><br></div><div>“But I wish (the US), which has been at the forefront of humanitarian issues, had been more consistent when it came to Gaza. </div><div><br></div><div>“Like I said in front of President (Joe) Biden earlier this afternoon, each day delayed means hundreds maybe thousand of Palestinian lives, including children and women,” he said. </div><div><br></div><div>The PM spoke to Malaysian journalists after a dinner with the Malaysian diaspora, which was the last official event in his packed schedule that started last Monday. </div><div><br></div><div>Foreign Minister Zambry Abdul Kadie, MITI minister Tengku Zafrul Aziz, and KKD Minister, along with Malaysian envoy to the US, Nazri, accompanied Anwar at the press conference. </div><div><br></div><div>Throughout the APEC meetings, Anwar had been a thorn in the flesh for host the US, which has</div><div>ruled out a ceasefire for Gaza. </div><div><br></div><div>With the staunch support of his counterparts from Indonesia and Brunei, Zambry insisted ni that if APEC wouldn’t support Gaza, it should not be making any geopolitical statement at all that support, say, Ukraine. </div><div><br></div><div>“Any geopolitical statement to be issued must be fair and not hypocritical,” Zambry said. </div><div><br></div><div>And as a result of Malaysia’s protests, the APAC leadership summit was able only to include economic issues the Badr morning f. Mto go back to its geoeconomic roots. </div><div><br></div><div>Anwar praised Brunei and Indonesia for backing up Malaysia. The three countries issued a joint statement on Palestine not related to Bangsar. (Chia, Please provide the link to the Bernama article here)</div><div><br></div><div>On the economic front, Anwar appeared more than quite happy. His delegation secured more than RM63 billion of new proposed investments by Microsoft, TikTok, Inovix, Google, and TPG). </div><div><br></div><div>This amount does not include the deal signed by the MCMC under Fahmi’s ministry with BlackBerry. Among other things BlackBerry will set up a Cybersecurity Centre of Ezcellence in Malaysia. </div><div><br></div><div>Zafrul said he has gotten Cabinet approval to create a Malaysian Investmenr Facilitation Centre to cut red tape and hasten approval of new investments.</div><div><br></div></div>Rockybruhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08187242806213153913noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28452020.post-42352772068500078962023-11-16T06:15:00.003+08:002023-11-16T06:15:34.221+08:00Anwar calls for end of Cold War mindset after Jo Biden-Xi Jinping meet<p>San Francisco, Nov 15: For the last one year PM Anwar Ibrahim has consistently called for the US and China to engage each other and not force others around them, Malaysia included, to ally to one or the other. </p><p>This morning, as President Biden and President Xi finally held a historic four-eyed meeting at the onset of the APEC Summit, Anwar applauded it as “critical” and called for an end of “the Cold War mind set “.</p><p>“To me, the meeting between President Biden and President Xi is critical because it should give a message that we are able to work together and trust each other, to resolve serious problems and issues like climate change, Ukranian or Gaza. There are too many contentious issues in the world and we must try and engage.</p><p>“Accept the fact that you may not achieve all the desired results but this engagement is important to try and establish areas that we can work together,” he said at the APEC 2023 CEO Summit here.</p><p>APEC comprises 21 nations including the US, China, ASEAN, South Korea, Japan and the Oceania. These leaders’ Summit is preceded by a week of meetings involving the CEOs, the APEC economic ministers (AEM) and foreign ministers (AMM). </p><p>Anwar has always been against attempts to force Malaysia to take sides in the US-China conundrum. He repeated this stand to the CEOs. </p><p>“Why put us in a fix in a zero-sum game? For the benefit of the emerging economes and also for the West and the East, I believe that the solution is, of course, greater collaboration.</p><p>“This Cold War mindset must end because the world in the post-normal times is more chaotic, more complex and full of contraditions that only wise leaders with vision and commitment and shared idealis will be able to resolve effectively.”</p><p>Yesterday, in his special lecture at the UC Berkeley yesterday, Anwar had described how both these countries are equally important to Malaysia. </p><p>He cited as example the case of his government’s decision to open up Malaysia’s 5G development to China’s Huawei.</p><p>“When it comes to 5G, our earlier decision was to go with Ericsson (but) then we also see this very impressive advanced technological transformations by Huawei. So we choose what we consider the best for the country. It is not a question of whether we like the United States or China, it is what’s critically important for Malaysia,” he had told the students.</p><p>Last September at the UN General Assembly, the Malaysian PM had also sent a similar message to the US and China. </p><p>He repeated this to the APEC CEOs: “The US and the West remain a very important ally to us and China is a very important, trusted neighbour tht will help in our attempt to propel the economy and ensure a peaceful and vibrant regional economy.”</p><p>Anwar also challenged the business leaders to be more accountable and help promote the new dynamics. “You can’t depend only on the political leaders because they have been entrusted and to some extent they have succeeded, but they have also failed miserably. So we need now a new configuration where the private sector should play a more dominant role.”</p><p>At the same time, he added, the business leaders must have the humility to accept that things have changed and to acknowlege that we have limitations. The 1MDB, for example, would not have happened without the complicity of some international financial institutions, in this case Goldman Sachs. “Accountability is not just among politial leaders but also business leaders and civil society leaders,” he added.</p><p>Anwar is scheduled to have a series of discussions with CEOs of some of the biggest corporations based in San Francisco, including Google and Microsoft, and several bilateral meetings with his counterparts, including from Canada and Peru, which is hosting next year’s APEC.</p><p>At the end of the 30th APEC summit on Saturday, the leaders will adopt a Golden Gate Declaration that will set the tone for economic collaborations among the member countries in the coming year. </p><p></p>Rockybruhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08187242806213153913noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28452020.post-87266435450863850772023-11-15T06:58:00.001+08:002023-11-15T06:58:59.167+08:00On the fringes of APEC, Anwar continues his condemnation of the brutal, blatant killings of innocents in Gaza <p class="s7" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; line-height: 1.8; text-align: justify; font-size: 18px;"><span class="s6" style="line-height: 19.200001px; font-weight: bold; font-size: 16px; font-family: Arial;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px; font-size: 1.5em;"><br></span></span></p><p class="s7" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; line-height: 1.8; text-align: justify; font-size: 18px;"><span class="s6" style="line-height: 19.200001px; font-weight: bold; font-size: 16px; font-family: Arial;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px; font-size: 1.5em;">DEMOCRACY IN THE AGE OF SOCIAL MEDIA DISRUPTION</span></span></p><p class="s7" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; line-height: 1.8; text-align: justify; font-size: 18px;"><span style="line-height: 21.6px;"> </span></p><p class="s7" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; line-height: 1.8; text-align: justify; font-size: 18px;"><span class="s8" style="line-height: 19.200001px; font-size: 16px; font-family: Arial;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px; font-size: 1.5em;">This is a time of profound disruption across all facets of international relations. As information technology reshapes societies everywhere, we have reached an unprecedented intersection between opportunity and risk. </span></span><span class="s8" style="line-height: 19.200001px; font-size: 16px; font-family: Arial;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px; font-size: 1.5em;">While its utilitarian benefits are well known, s</span></span><span class="s8" style="line-height: 19.200001px; font-size: 16px; font-family: Arial;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px; font-size: 1.5em;">ocial media </span></span><span class="s8" style="line-height: 19.200001px; font-size: 16px; font-family: Arial;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px; font-size: 1.5em;">also </span></span><span class="s8" style="line-height: 19.200001px; font-size: 16px; font-family: Arial;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px; font-size: 1.5em;">facilitates the spread of harmful misinformation and falsehoods at unmatched speed </span></span><span class="s8" style="line-height: 19.200001px; font-size: 16px; font-family: Arial;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px; font-size: 1.5em;">and scale, endangering the informed citizenry essential to healthy democracies. </span></span></p><p class="s7" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; line-height: 1.8; text-align: justify; font-size: 18px;"><span style="line-height: 21.6px;"> </span></p><p class="s7" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; line-height: 1.8; text-align: justify; font-size: 18px;"><span class="s8" style="line-height: 19.200001px; font-size: 16px; font-family: Arial;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px; font-size: 1.5em;">Malaysia has long been heralded as a beacon of moderat</span></span><span class="s8" style="line-height: 19.200001px; font-size: 16px; font-family: Arial;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px; font-size: 1.5em;">ion,</span></span><span class="s8" style="line-height: 19.200001px; font-size: 16px; font-family: Arial;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px; font-size: 1.5em;"> demonstrating a harmonious balance between its rich Islamic heritage and modernity. Historically, Malaysia has navigated the complex waters of religious expression with a deft hand, allowing for a pluralistic society where different faiths coexist peacefully under the umbrella of a predominantly Muslim population.</span></span></p><p class="s7" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; line-height: 1.8; text-align: justify; font-size: 18px;"><span style="line-height: 21.6px;"> </span></p><p class="s7" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; line-height: 1.8; text-align: justify; font-size: 18px;"><span class="s8" style="line-height: 19.200001px; font-size: 16px; font-family: Arial;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px; font-size: 1.5em;">However, the ubiquity of social media platforms has ushered in new challenges. The digital age has allowed for the rapid dissemination of information, but it has also become a conduit for more intolerant ideologies to seep into the Malaysian discourse. These strains of thought, often rooted in a more rigid interpretation of Islam, have found fertile ground in the unregulated expanses of the online world. The phenomenon is not unique to Malaysia; it mirrors the rise of </span></span><span class="s8" style="line-height: 19.200001px; font-size: 16px; font-family: Arial;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px; font-size: 1.5em;">fascist </span></span><span class="s8" style="line-height: 19.200001px; font-size: 16px; font-family: Arial;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px; font-size: 1.5em;">right-wing</span></span><span class="s8" style="line-height: 19.200001px; font-size: 16px; font-family: Arial;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px; font-size: 1.5em;"> </span></span><span class="s8" style="line-height: 19.200001px; font-size: 16px; font-family: Arial;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px; font-size: 1.5em;">elements in Europe and beyond - I’m careful not to mention the US -, where misinformation campaigns have successfully amplified fringe views into mainstream consciousness.</span></span><span class="s8" style="line-height: 19.200001px; font-size: 16px; font-family: Arial;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px; font-size: 1.5em;"></span></span></p><p class="s7" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; line-height: 1.8; text-align: justify; font-size: 18px;"><span style="line-height: 21.6px;"> </span></p><p class="s7" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; line-height: 1.8; text-align: justify; font-size: 18px;"><span class="s8" style="line-height: 19.200001px; font-size: 16px; font-family: Arial;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px; font-size: 1.5em;">In the process, falsehood trumps truth, </span></span><span class="s8" style="line-height: 19.200001px; font-size: 16px; font-family: Arial;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px; font-size: 1.5em;">providing fodder to </span></span><span class="s8" style="line-height: 19.200001px; font-size: 16px; font-family: Arial;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px; font-size: 1.5em;">spin narratives founded on lies and deceit.</span></span><span class="s8" style="line-height: 19.200001px; font-size: 16px; font-family: Arial;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px; font-size: 1.5em;"> </span></span><span class="s8" style="line-height: 19.200001px; font-size: 16px; font-family: Arial;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px; font-size: 1.5em;">Take the </span></span><span class="s8" style="line-height: 19.200001px; font-size: 16px; font-family: Arial;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px; font-size: 1.5em;">case </span></span><span class="s8" style="line-height: 19.200001px; font-size: 16px; font-family: Arial;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px; font-size: 1.5em;">of</span></span><span class="s8" style="line-height: 19.200001px; font-size: 16px; font-family: Arial;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px; font-size: 1.5em;"> </span></span><span class="s8" style="line-height: 19.200001px; font-size: 16px; font-family: Arial;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px; font-size: 1.5em;">the web of duplicity and disinformation spun around </span></span><span class="s8" style="line-height: 19.200001px; font-size: 16px; font-family: Arial;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px; font-size: 1.5em;">the narrative </span></span><span class="s8" style="line-height: 19.200001px; font-size: 16px; font-family: Arial;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px; font-size: 1.5em;">on </span></span><span class="s8" style="line-height: 19.200001px; font-size: 16px; font-family: Arial;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px; font-size: 1.5em;">Malaysia’s position on</span></span><span class="s8" style="line-height: 19.200001px; font-size: 16px; font-family: Arial;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px; font-size: 1.5em;"> the current Palestinian-Israeli conflict</span></span><span class="s8" style="line-height: 19.200001px; font-size: 16px; font-family: Arial;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px; font-size: 1.5em;">. </span></span><span class="s8" style="line-height: 19.200001px; font-size: 16px; font-family: Arial;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px; font-size: 1.5em;"></span></span><span class="s8" style="line-height: 19.200001px; font-size: 16px; font-family: Arial;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px; font-size: 1.5em;">That in calling for a ceasefire and a stop to the incessant bombing of Gaza, Malaysia somehow condones </span></span><span class="s8" style="line-height: 19.200001px; font-size: 16px; font-family: Arial;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px; font-size: 1.5em;">acts of </span></span><span class="s8" style="line-height: 19.200001px; font-size: 16px; font-family: Arial;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px; font-size: 1.5em;">terrorism</span></span><span class="s8" style="line-height: 19.200001px; font-size: 16px; font-family: Arial;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px; font-size: 1.5em;">. </span></span></p><p class="s7" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; line-height: 1.8; text-align: justify; font-size: 18px;"><span style="line-height: 21.6px;"> </span></p><p class="s7" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; line-height: 1.8; text-align: justify; font-size: 18px;"><span class="s8" style="line-height: 19.200001px; font-size: 16px; font-family: Arial;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px; font-size: 1.5em;">As I had declared in the Malaysian Parliament, t</span></span><span class="s8" style="line-height: 19.200001px; font-size: 16px; font-family: Arial;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px; font-size: 1.5em;">here are no two ways about it. We condemn terrorism, in all its forms, and we categorically condemn the actions of killing innocent lives and taking women and children as hostages. </span></span><span class="s8" style="line-height: 19.200001px; font-size: 16px; font-family: Arial;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px; font-size: 1.5em;">Likewise,</span></span><span class="s8" style="line-height: 19.200001px; font-size: 16px; font-family: Arial;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px; font-size: 1.5em;"> we unequivocally condemn the bombing of civilians, of homes and hospitals and the consequential </span></span><span class="s8" style="line-height: 19.200001px; font-size: 16px; font-family: Arial;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px; font-size: 1.5em;">atrocities against i</span></span><span class="s8" style="line-height: 19.200001px; font-size: 16px; font-family: Arial;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px; font-size: 1.5em;">nnocent lives, children, women</span></span><span class="s8" style="line-height: 19.200001px; font-size: 16px; font-family: Arial;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px; font-size: 1.5em;">,</span></span><span class="s8" style="line-height: 19.200001px; font-size: 16px; font-family: Arial;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px; font-size: 1.5em;"> and men being carried out day and night </span></span><span class="s8" style="line-height: 19.200001px; font-size: 16px; font-family: Arial;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px; font-size: 1.5em;">in Gaza</span></span><span class="s8" style="line-height: 19.200001px; font-size: 16px; font-family: Arial;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px; font-size: 1.5em;"> </span></span><span class="s8" style="line-height: 19.200001px; font-size: 16px; font-family: Arial;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px; font-size: 1.5em;">with impunity. These </span></span><span class="s8" style="line-height: 19.200001px; font-size: 16px; font-family: Arial;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px; font-size: 1.5em;">are blatant violation</span></span><span class="s8" style="line-height: 19.200001px; font-size: 16px; font-family: Arial;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px; font-size: 1.5em;">s</span></span><span class="s8" style="line-height: 19.200001px; font-size: 16px; font-family: Arial;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px; font-size: 1.5em;"> of international law. </span></span></p><p class="s7" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; line-height: 1.8; text-align: justify; font-size: 18px;"><span style="line-height: 21.6px;"> </span></p><p class="s7" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; line-height: 1.8; text-align: justify; font-size: 18px;"><span class="s8" style="line-height: 19.200001px; font-size: 16px; font-family: Arial;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px; font-size: 1.5em;">Malaysia views this as a humanitarian crisis precipitated by a brutal and indiscriminate war. </span></span><span class="s8" style="line-height: 19.200001px; font-size: 16px; font-family: Arial;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px; font-size: 1.5em;">U</span></span><span class="s8" style="line-height: 19.200001px; font-size: 16px; font-family: Arial;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px; font-size: 1.5em;">ltimately, this isn’t about which God we pray to. After all, the more than 11,000 victims in Gaza comprise Muslims and Christians as well as nationalities of various countries. This is about preventing more deaths, more suffering and more hate. </span></span><span class="s8" style="line-height: 19.200001px; font-size: 16px; font-family: Arial;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px; font-size: 1.5em;">P</span></span><span class="s8" style="line-height: 19.200001px; font-size: 16px; font-family: Arial;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px; font-size: 1.5em;">roponents of the Palestinian cause </span></span><span class="s8" style="line-height: 19.200001px; font-size: 16px; font-family: Arial;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px; font-size: 1.5em;">are neither </span></span><span class="s8" style="line-height: 19.200001px; font-size: 16px; font-family: Arial;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px; font-size: 1.5em;">purveyors of hate speech </span></span><span class="s8" style="line-height: 19.200001px; font-size: 16px; font-family: Arial;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px; font-size: 1.5em;">nor</span></span><span class="s8" style="line-height: 19.200001px; font-size: 16px; font-family: Arial;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px; font-size: 1.5em;"> supporters of terrorism. </span></span></p><p class="s7" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; line-height: 1.8; text-align: justify; font-size: 18px;"><span style="line-height: 21.6px;"> </span></p><p class="s7" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; line-height: 1.8; text-align: justify; font-size: 18px;"><span class="s8" style="line-height: 19.200001px; font-size: 16px; font-family: Arial;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px; font-size: 1.5em;">W</span></span><span class="s8" style="line-height: 19.200001px; font-size: 16px; font-family: Arial;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px; font-size: 1.5em;">hat’s happening today in Palestine will affect us all. The implications of this strife are significant and long-lasting. It is </span></span><span class="s8" style="line-height: 19.200001px; font-size: 16px; font-family: Arial;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px; font-size: 1.5em;">poised to affect not just Palestine or the broader Middle East, but also leave an imprint on global relations for many years to come.</span></span></p><p class="s7" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; line-height: 1.8; text-align: justify; font-size: 18px;"><span style="line-height: 21.6px;"> </span></p><br class="Apple-interchange-newline" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"> Rockybruhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08187242806213153913noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28452020.post-33900116954143615612023-11-12T10:25:00.001+08:002023-11-12T10:26:05.412+08:00Anwar whacks Israel atrocities, harder yet again, days before meeting with Biden<p class="s3" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; line-height: 1.8; text-align: center; font-size: 18px;"><span class="s2" style="line-height: 19.200001px; font-weight: bold; font-size: 16px; font-family: Arial;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px; font-size: 1.5em;">NATIONAL STATEMENT</span></span></p><p class="s3" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; line-height: 1.8; text-align: center; font-size: 18px;"><span class="s2" style="line-height: 19.200001px; font-weight: bold; font-size: 16px; font-family: Arial;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px; font-size: 1.5em;">BY THE HONOURABLE DATO’ SERI ANWAR IBRAHIM</span></span></p><p class="s3" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; line-height: 1.8; text-align: center; font-size: 18px;"><span class="s2" style="line-height: 19.200001px; font-weight: bold; font-size: 16px; font-family: Arial;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px; font-size: 1.5em;">PRIME MINISTER OF MALAYSIA</span></span></p><p class="s3" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; line-height: 1.8; text-align: center; font-size: 18px;"><span style="line-height: 21.6px;"> </span></p><p class="s3" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; line-height: 1.8; text-align: center; font-size: 18px;"><span class="s2" style="line-height: 19.200001px; font-weight: bold; font-size: 16px; font-family: Arial;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px; font-size: 1.5em;">AT THE </span></span><span class="s2" style="line-height: 19.200001px; font-weight: bold; font-size: 16px; font-family: Arial;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px; font-size: 1.5em;">JOINT ARAB ISLAMIC </span></span><span class="s2" style="line-height: 19.200001px; font-weight: bold; font-size: 16px; font-family: Arial;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px; font-size: 1.5em;">EXTRAORDINARY</span></span><span class="s2" style="line-height: 19.200001px; font-weight: bold; font-size: 16px; font-family: Arial;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px; font-size: 1.5em;"> </span></span><span class="s2" style="line-height: 19.200001px; font-weight: bold; font-size: 16px; font-family: Arial;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px; font-size: 1.5em;">SUMMIT</span></span></p><p class="s3" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; line-height: 1.8; text-align: center; font-size: 18px;"><span class="s2" style="line-height: 19.200001px; font-weight: bold; font-size: 16px; font-family: Arial;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px; font-size: 1.5em;">RIYADH, SAUDI ARABIA</span></span></p><p class="s3" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; line-height: 1.8; text-align: center; font-size: 18px;"><span class="s2" style="line-height: 19.200001px; font-weight: bold; font-size: 16px; font-family: Arial;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px; font-size: 1.5em;">11 NOVEMBER 2023</span></span></p><p class="s3" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; line-height: 1.8; text-align: center; font-size: 18px;"><span style="line-height: 21.6px;"> </span></p><p class="s4" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; line-height: 1.8; text-align: justify; font-size: 18px;"><span style="line-height: 21.6px;"> </span></p><p class="s4" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; line-height: 1.8; text-align: justify; font-size: 18px;"><span class="s5" style="line-height: 19.200001px; font-size: 16px; font-family: Arial;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px; font-size: 1.5em;">Your</span></span><span class="s5" style="line-height: 19.200001px; font-size: 16px; font-family: Arial;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px; font-size: 1.5em;"> Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman Al-Saud,</span></span></p><p class="s4" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; line-height: 1.8; text-align: justify; font-size: 18px;"><span class="s5" style="line-height: 19.200001px; font-size: 16px; font-family: Arial;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px; font-size: 1.5em;">Crown Prince and Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia,</span></span></p><p class="s4" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; line-height: 1.8; text-align: justify; font-size: 18px;"><span style="line-height: 21.6px;"> </span></p><p class="s4" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; line-height: 1.8; text-align: justify; font-size: 18px;"><span class="s5" style="line-height: 19.200001px; font-size: 16px; font-family: Arial;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px; font-size: 1.5em;">Your Majesties, Excellencies,</span></span></p><p class="s4" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; line-height: 1.8; text-align: justify; font-size: 18px;"><span class="s5" style="line-height: 19.200001px; font-size: 16px; font-family: Arial;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px; font-size: 1.5em;"><br></span></span><span class="s5" style="line-height: 19.200001px; font-size: 16px; font-family: Arial;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px; font-size: 1.5em;">May the blessings and peace of Allah SWT be upon you.</span></span></p><p class="s4" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; line-height: 1.8; text-align: justify; font-size: 18px;"><span style="line-height: 21.6px;"> </span></p><div class="s7" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; line-height: 1.8; text-align: justify; margin-left: 0px; font-size: 18px;"><span class="s6" style="line-height: 21.6px; min-width: 0px;">1. </span><span class="s5" style="line-height: 19.200001px; font-size: 16px; font-family: Arial;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px; font-size: 1.5em;">There are moments in history that shake us to our core and challenge our collective conscience. Moments that compel us to ask if our humanity still flickers; if we have the courage and wisdom to act. Such a moment has come with </span></span><span class="s5" style="line-height: 19.200001px; font-size: 16px; font-family: Arial;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px; font-size: 1.5em;">an</span></span><span class="s5" style="line-height: 19.200001px; font-size: 16px; font-family: Arial;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px; font-size: 1.5em;"> ongoing Israeli onslaught on Palestine. Such a moment is now.</span></span></div><p class="s4" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; line-height: 1.8; text-align: justify; font-size: 18px;"><span style="line-height: 21.6px;"> </span></p><p class="s4" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; line-height: 1.8; text-align: justify; font-size: 18px;"><span style="line-height: 21.6px;"> </span></p><p class="s4" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; line-height: 1.8; text-align: justify; font-size: 18px;"><span style="line-height: 21.6px;"> </span></p><div class="s7" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; line-height: 1.8; text-align: justify; margin-left: 0px; font-size: 18px;"><span class="s6" style="line-height: 21.6px; min-width: 0px;">2. </span><span class="s5" style="line-height: 19.200001px; font-size: 16px; font-family: Arial;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px; font-size: 1.5em;">I therefore applaud the initiative of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to convene this</span></span><span class="s5" style="line-height: 19.200001px; font-size: 16px; font-family: Arial;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px; font-size: 1.5em;">E</span></span><span class="s5" style="line-height: 19.200001px; font-size: 16px; font-family: Arial;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px; font-size: 1.5em;">xtraordinary </span></span><span class="s5" style="line-height: 19.200001px; font-size: 16px; font-family: Arial;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px; font-size: 1.5em;">Arab and Islamic </span></span><span class="s5" style="line-height: 19.200001px; font-size: 16px; font-family: Arial;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px; font-size: 1.5em;">Summit. </span></span><span class="s5" style="line-height: 19.200001px; font-size: 16px; font-family: Arial;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px; font-size: 1.5em;">And </span></span><span class="s5" style="line-height: 19.200001px; font-size: 16px; font-family: Arial;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px; font-size: 1.5em;">I </span></span><span class="s5" style="line-height: 19.200001px; font-size: 16px; font-family: Arial;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px; font-size: 1.5em;">commend </span></span><span class="s5" style="line-height: 19.200001px; font-size: 16px; font-family: Arial;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px; font-size: 1.5em;">Y</span></span><span class="s5" style="line-height: 19.200001px; font-size: 16px; font-family: Arial;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px; font-size: 1.5em;">our </span></span><span class="s5" style="line-height: 19.200001px; font-size: 16px; font-family: Arial;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px; font-size: 1.5em;">H</span></span><span class="s5" style="line-height: 19.200001px; font-size: 16px; font-family: Arial;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px; font-size: 1.5em;">ighness </span></span><span class="s5" style="line-height: 19.200001px; font-size: 16px; font-family: Arial;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px; font-size: 1.5em;">for </span></span><span class="s5" style="line-height: 19.200001px; font-size: 16px; font-family: Arial;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px; font-size: 1.5em;">set</span></span><span class="s5" style="line-height: 19.200001px; font-size: 16px; font-family: Arial;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px; font-size: 1.5em;">ting</span></span><span class="s5" style="line-height: 19.200001px; font-size: 16px; font-family: Arial;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px; font-size: 1.5em;">the tone</span></span><span class="s5" style="line-height: 19.200001px; font-size: 16px; font-family: Arial;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px; font-size: 1.5em;"> of</span></span><span class="s5" style="line-height: 19.200001px; font-size: 16px; font-family: Arial;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px; font-size: 1.5em;"> unequivocal support for the Palestinians cause</span></span><span class="s5" style="line-height: 19.200001px; font-size: 16px; font-family: Arial;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px; font-size: 1.5em;"> </span></span><span class="s5" style="line-height: 19.200001px; font-size: 16px; font-family: Arial;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px; font-size: 1.5em;">and for your condemnation of the colonisation and atrocities committed by Israel. I wish to also thank</span></span><span class="s5" style="line-height: 19.200001px; font-size: 16px; font-family: Arial;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px; font-size: 1.5em;"> President Fattah </span></span><span class="s5" style="line-height: 19.200001px; font-size: 16px; font-family: Arial;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px; font-size: 1.5em;">El-S</span></span><span class="s5" style="line-height: 19.200001px; font-size: 16px; font-family: Arial;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px; font-size: 1.5em;">isi of Egypt for facilitating the humanitarian aid.</span></span><span class="s5" style="line-height: 19.200001px; font-size: 16px; font-family: Arial;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px; font-size: 1.5em;"></span></span></div><p class="s4" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; line-height: 1.8; text-align: justify; font-size: 18px;"><span style="line-height: 21.6px;"> </span></p><div class="s7" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; line-height: 1.8; text-align: justify; margin-left: 0px; font-size: 18px;"><span class="s6" style="line-height: 21.6px; min-width: 0px;">3. </span><span class="s5" style="line-height: 19.200001px; font-size: 16px; font-family: Arial;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px; font-size: 1.5em;">For over a month, the besieged people of Gaza have been subjected to the barbaric cruelties </span></span><span class="s5" style="line-height: 19.200001px; font-size: 16px; font-family: Arial;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px; font-size: 1.5em;">and genocide by</span></span><span class="s5" style="line-height: 19.200001px; font-size: 16px; font-family: Arial;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px; font-size: 1.5em;"> </span></span><span class="s5" style="line-height: 19.200001px; font-size: 16px; font-family: Arial;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px; font-size: 1.5em;">the Israeli forces, </span></span><span class="s5" style="line-height: 19.200001px; font-size: 16px; font-family: Arial;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px; font-size: 1.5em;">indiscriminately </span></span><span class="s5" style="line-height: 19.200001px; font-size: 16px; font-family: Arial;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px; font-size: 1.5em;">targeting men, women and children alike. </span></span><span class="s5" style="line-height: 19.200001px; font-size: 16px; font-family: Arial;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px; font-size: 1.5em;">Gaza has become a graveyard of m</span></span><span class="s5" style="line-height: 19.200001px; font-size: 16px; font-family: Arial;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px; font-size: 1.5em;">artyr </span></span><span class="s5" style="line-height: 19.200001px; font-size: 16px; font-family: Arial;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px; font-size: 1.5em;">innocents, mostly children of Palestine</span></span><span class="s5" style="line-height: 19.200001px; font-size: 16px; font-family: Arial;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px; font-size: 1.5em;">. </span></span><span class="s5" style="line-height: 19.200001px; font-size: 16px; font-family: Arial;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px; font-size: 1.5em;">Neither homes, hospitals, nor religious sanctuaries</span></span><span class="s5" style="line-height: 19.200001px; font-size: 16px; font-family: Arial;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px; font-size: 1.5em;">, Muslim or Christian,</span></span><span class="s5" style="line-height: 19.200001px; font-size: 16px; font-family: Arial;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px; font-size: 1.5em;"> are safe from Israel’s indiscriminate attacks.</span></span></div><p class="s4" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; line-height: 1.8; text-align: justify; font-size: 18px;"><span style="line-height: 21.6px;"> </span></p><div class="s7" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; line-height: 1.8; text-align: justify; margin-left: 0px; font-size: 18px;"><span class="s6" style="line-height: 21.6px; min-width: 0px;">4. </span><span class="s5" style="line-height: 19.200001px; font-size: 16px; font-family: Arial;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px; font-size: 1.5em;">This continuation of the politics of dispossession of the Palestinians is not taking place in the dead of the night; </span></span><span class="s5" style="line-height: 19.200001px; font-size: 16px; font-family: Arial;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px; font-size: 1.5em;">it is being perpetrated </span></span><span class="s5" style="line-height: 19.200001px; font-size: 16px; font-family: Arial;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px; font-size: 1.5em;">in full view of the world in a flagrant breach of international law. </span></span></div><p class="s4" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; line-height: 1.8; text-align: justify; font-size: 18px;"><span style="line-height: 21.6px;"> </span></p><div class="s7" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; line-height: 1.8; text-align: justify; margin-left: 0px; font-size: 18px;"><span class="s6" style="line-height: 21.6px; min-width: 0px;">5. </span><span class="s5" style="line-height: 19.200001px; font-size: 16px; font-family: Arial;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px; font-size: 1.5em;">The political class of </span></span><span class="s5" style="line-height: 19.200001px; font-size: 16px; font-family: Arial;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px; font-size: 1.5em;">western</span></span><span class="s5" style="line-height: 19.200001px; font-size: 16px; font-family: Arial;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px; font-size: 1.5em;"> nations</span></span><span class="s5" style="line-height: 19.200001px; font-size: 16px; font-family: Arial;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px; font-size: 1.5em;"></span></span><span class="s5" style="line-height: 19.200001px; font-size: 16px; font-family: Arial;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px; font-size: 1.5em;">exhibit a selective myopia toward the turmoil in Palestine</span></span><span class="s5" style="line-height: 19.200001px; font-size: 16px; font-family: Arial;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px; font-size: 1.5em;">. Y</span></span><span class="s5" style="line-height: 19.200001px; font-size: 16px; font-family: Arial;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px; font-size: 1.5em;">et</span></span><span class="s5" style="line-height: 19.200001px; font-size: 16px; font-family: Arial;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px; font-size: 1.5em;">, we salute</span></span><span class="s5" style="line-height: 19.200001px; font-size: 16px; font-family: Arial;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px; font-size: 1.5em;"> the collective</span></span><span class="s5" style="line-height: 19.200001px; font-size: 16px; font-family: Arial;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px; font-size: 1.5em;"> and the awakening</span></span><span class="s5" style="line-height: 19.200001px; font-size: 16px; font-family: Arial;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px; font-size: 1.5em;"> conscience of their people</span></span><span class="s5" style="line-height: 19.200001px; font-size: 16px; font-family: Arial;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px; font-size: 1.5em;">. </span></span><span class="s5" style="line-height: 19.200001px; font-size: 16px; font-family: Arial;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px; font-size: 1.5em;">A sea change in</span></span><span class="s5" style="line-height: 19.200001px; font-size: 16px; font-family: Arial;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px; font-size: 1.5em;">awareness has taken root, as shown in mass </span></span><span class="s5" style="line-height: 19.200001px; font-size: 16px; font-family: Arial;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px; font-size: 1.5em;">demonstrations </span></span><span class="s5" style="line-height: 19.200001px; font-size: 16px; font-family: Arial;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px; font-size: 1.5em;">of unprecedented proportion </span></span><span class="s5" style="line-height: 19.200001px; font-size: 16px; font-family: Arial;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px; font-size: 1.5em;">throughou</span></span><span class="s5" style="line-height: 19.200001px; font-size: 16px; font-family: Arial;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px; font-size: 1.5em;">t the world</span></span><span class="s5" style="line-height: 19.200001px; font-size: 16px; font-family: Arial;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px; font-size: 1.5em;">, i</span></span><span class="s5" style="line-height: 19.200001px; font-size: 16px; font-family: Arial;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px; font-size: 1.5em;">ncluding the western world, </span></span><span class="s5" style="line-height: 19.200001px; font-size: 16px; font-family: Arial;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px; font-size: 1.5em;">in support of Palestine. </span></span></div><p class="s8" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; line-height: 21.6px; margin-left: 0px; font-size: 18px;"><span style="line-height: 21.6px;"> </span></p><div class="s7" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; line-height: 1.8; text-align: justify; margin-left: 0px; font-size: 18px;"><span class="s6" style="line-height: 21.6px; min-width: 0px;">6. </span><span class="s5" style="line-height: 19.200001px; font-size: 16px; font-family: Arial;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px; font-size: 1.5em;">Ironically</span></span><span class="s5" style="line-height: 19.200001px; font-size: 16px; font-family: Arial;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px; font-size: 1.5em;">, in these capitals that herald free speech </span></span><span class="s5" style="line-height: 19.200001px; font-size: 16px; font-family: Arial;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px; font-size: 1.5em;">and </span></span><span class="s5" style="line-height: 19.200001px; font-size: 16px; font-family: Arial;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px; font-size: 1.5em;">human rights </span></span><span class="s5" style="line-height: 19.200001px; font-size: 16px; font-family: Arial;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px; font-size: 1.5em;">as sacrosanct right</span></span><span class="s5" style="line-height: 19.200001px; font-size: 16px; font-family: Arial;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px; font-size: 1.5em;">s</span></span><span class="s5" style="line-height: 19.200001px; font-size: 16px; font-family: Arial;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px; font-size: 1.5em;">, some authorities have </span></span><span class="s5" style="line-height: 19.200001px; font-size: 16px; font-family: Arial;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px; font-size: 1.5em;">denounced</span></span><span class="s5" style="line-height: 19.200001px; font-size: 16px; font-family: Arial;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px; font-size: 1.5em;"> proponents of the Palestinian cause, maligning them as purveyors of hate speech and supporters of terrorism. </span></span><span class="s5" style="line-height: 19.200001px; font-size: 16px; font-family: Arial;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px; font-size: 1.5em;">This is perverse double standards writ large.</span></span></div><p class="s4" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; line-height: 1.8; text-align: justify; font-size: 18px;"><span style="line-height: 21.6px;"> </span></p><div class="s7" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; line-height: 1.8; text-align: justify; margin-left: 0px; font-size: 18px;"><span class="s6" style="line-height: 21.6px; min-width: 0px;">7. </span><span class="s5" style="line-height: 19.200001px; font-size: 16px; font-family: Arial;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px; font-size: 1.5em;">In this pivotal moment, </span></span><span class="s5" style="line-height: 19.200001px; font-size: 16px; font-family: Arial;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px; font-size: 1.5em;">Arabs and Muslims</span></span><span class="s5" style="line-height: 19.200001px; font-size: 16px; font-family: Arial;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px; font-size: 1.5em;"> </span></span><span class="s5" style="line-height: 19.200001px; font-size: 16px; font-family: Arial;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px; font-size: 1.5em;">collective voice is crucial. We stand stronger when we champion a shared purpose</span></span><span class="s5" style="line-height: 19.200001px; font-size: 16px; font-family: Arial;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px; font-size: 1.5em;"> and freedom of all people</span></span><span class="s5" style="line-height: 19.200001px; font-size: 16px; font-family: Arial;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px; font-size: 1.5em;">. </span></span><span class="s5" style="line-height: 19.200001px; font-size: 16px; font-family: Arial;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px; font-size: 1.5em;">Believe me</span></span><span class="s5" style="line-height: 19.200001px; font-size: 16px; font-family: Arial;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px; font-size: 1.5em;">, th</span></span><span class="s5" style="line-height: 19.200001px; font-size: 16px; font-family: Arial;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px; font-size: 1.5em;">e </span></span><span class="s5" style="line-height: 19.200001px; font-size: 16px; font-family: Arial;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px; font-size: 1.5em;">ummah</span></span><span class="s5" style="line-height: 19.200001px; font-size: 16px; font-family: Arial;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px; font-size: 1.5em;"> and the international community expect tangible actions.</span></span></div><p class="s4" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; line-height: 1.8; text-align: justify; font-size: 18px;"><span style="line-height: 21.6px;"> </span></p><div class="s7" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; line-height: 1.8; text-align: justify; margin-left: 0px; font-size: 18px;"><span class="s6" style="line-height: 21.6px; min-width: 0px;">8. </span><span class="s5" style="line-height: 19.200001px; font-size: 16px; font-family: Arial;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px; font-size: 1.5em;">With due humility, I call upon each </span></span><span class="s5" style="line-height: 19.200001px; font-size: 16px; font-family: Arial;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px; font-size: 1.5em;">of us </span></span><span class="s5" style="line-height: 19.200001px; font-size: 16px; font-family: Arial;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px; font-size: 1.5em;">to strategically employ </span></span><span class="s5" style="line-height: 19.200001px; font-size: 16px; font-family: Arial;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px; font-size: 1.5em;">our</span></span><span class="s5" style="line-height: 19.200001px; font-size: 16px; font-family: Arial;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px; font-size: 1.5em;"> diplomatic channels and networks. In every dialogue and on every stage – be it bilateral or multilateral, regional or international – let us consistently and assertively call for the</span></span><span class="s5" style="line-height: 19.200001px; font-size: 16px; font-family: Arial;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px; font-size: 1.5em;">following</span></span><span class="s5" style="line-height: 19.200001px; font-size: 16px; font-family: Arial;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px; font-size: 1.5em;"> in a concerted diplomatic campaign:</span></span></div><p class="s4" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; line-height: 1.8; text-align: justify; font-size: 18px;"><span style="line-height: 21.6px;"> </span></p><div class="s10" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; text-indent: -18px; line-height: 1.8; text-align: justify; margin-left: 36px; font-size: 18px;"><span class="s9" style="line-height: 21.6px; font-family: Symbol;">• </span><span class="s5" style="line-height: 19.200001px; font-size: 16px; font-family: Arial;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px; font-size: 1.5em;">I</span></span><span class="s5" style="line-height: 19.200001px; font-size: 16px; font-family: Arial;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px; font-size: 1.5em;">nstitute an immediate ceasefire</span></span><span class="s5" style="line-height: 19.200001px; font-size: 16px; font-family: Arial;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px; font-size: 1.5em;">; increase</span></span><span class="s5" style="line-height: 19.200001px; font-size: 16px; font-family: Arial;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px; font-size: 1.5em;"> and</span></span><span class="s5" style="line-height: 19.200001px; font-size: 16px; font-family: Arial;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px; font-size: 1.5em;"> </span></span><span class="s5" style="line-height: 19.200001px; font-size: 16px; font-family: Arial;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px; font-size: 1.5em;">expedite humanitarian assistance to the people of Gaza.</span></span></div><p class="s11" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; line-height: 1.8; text-align: justify; margin-left: 36px; font-size: 18px;"><span style="line-height: 21.6px;"> </span></p><div class="s10" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; text-indent: -18px; line-height: 1.8; text-align: justify; margin-left: 36px; font-size: 18px;"><span class="s9" style="line-height: 21.6px; font-family: Symbol;">• </span><span class="s5" style="line-height: 19.200001px; font-size: 16px; font-family: Arial;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px; font-size: 1.5em;">halt all Israeli settlement activity and settler violence against Palestinians in the West Bank.</span></span></div><p class="s4" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; line-height: 1.8; text-align: justify; font-size: 18px;"><span style="line-height: 21.6px;"> </span></p><div class="s10" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; text-indent: -18px; line-height: 1.8; text-align: justify; margin-left: 36px; font-size: 18px;"><span class="s9" style="line-height: 21.6px; font-family: Symbol;">• </span><span class="s5" style="line-height: 19.200001px; font-size: 16px; font-family: Arial;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px; font-size: 1.5em;">immediately cease the forced displacement of civilians.</span></span></div><p class="s4" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; line-height: 1.8; text-align: justify; font-size: 18px;"><span style="line-height: 21.6px;"> </span></p><div class="s10" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; text-indent: -18px; line-height: 1.8; text-align: justify; margin-left: 36px; font-size: 18px;"><span class="s9" style="line-height: 21.6px; font-family: Symbol;">• </span><span class="s5" style="line-height: 19.200001px; font-size: 16px; font-family: Arial;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px; font-size: 1.5em;">investigate and prosecute all breaches of international law, including war crimes, through international judicial institutions.</span></span></div><p class="s4" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; line-height: 1.8; text-align: justify; font-size: 18px;"><span style="line-height: 21.6px;"> </span></p><div class="s10" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; text-indent: -18px; line-height: 1.8; text-align: justify; margin-left: 36px; font-size: 18px;"><span class="s9" style="line-height: 21.6px; font-family: Symbol;">• </span><span class="s5" style="line-height: 19.200001px; font-size: 16px; font-family: Arial;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px; font-size: 1.5em;">support the Arab Peace Initiative and facilitate negotiations with reputable mediators to advance the </span></span><span class="s5" style="line-height: 19.200001px; font-size: 16px; font-family: Arial;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px; font-size: 1.5em;">Two-State Solution</span></span><span class="s5" style="line-height: 19.200001px; font-size: 16px; font-family: Arial;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px; font-size: 1.5em;"> (</span></span><span class="s5" style="line-height: 19.200001px; font-size: 16px; font-family: Arial;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px; font-size: 1.5em;">with a recognition of an independent </span></span><span class="s5" style="line-height: 19.200001px; font-size: 16px; font-family: Arial;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px; font-size: 1.5em;">S</span></span><span class="s5" style="line-height: 19.200001px; font-size: 16px; font-family: Arial;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px; font-size: 1.5em;">tate of Palestine based on the pre-1967 border</span></span><span class="s5" style="line-height: 19.200001px; font-size: 16px; font-family: Arial;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px; font-size: 1.5em;">s</span></span><span class="s5" style="line-height: 19.200001px; font-size: 16px; font-family: Arial;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px; font-size: 1.5em;"> with East Jerusalem as its capital</span></span><span class="s5" style="line-height: 19.200001px; font-size: 16px; font-family: Arial;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px; font-size: 1.5em;">)</span></span><span class="s5" style="line-height: 19.200001px; font-size: 16px; font-family: Arial;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px; font-size: 1.5em;">; and</span></span></div><p class="s4" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; line-height: 1.8; text-align: justify; font-size: 18px;"><span style="line-height: 21.6px;"> </span></p><div class="s10" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; text-indent: -18px; line-height: 1.8; text-align: justify; margin-left: 36px; font-size: 18px;"><span class="s9" style="line-height: 21.6px; font-family: Symbol;">• </span><span class="s5" style="line-height: 19.200001px; font-size: 16px; font-family: Arial;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px; font-size: 1.5em;">combat the global rise in Islamophobia while safeguarding the right to peaceful expressions of support for the Palestinian cause.</span></span></div><p class="s4" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; line-height: 1.8; text-align: justify; font-size: 18px;"><span style="line-height: 21.6px;"> </span></p><div class="s7" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; line-height: 1.8; text-align: justify; margin-left: 0px; font-size: 18px;"><span class="s6" style="line-height: 21.6px; min-width: 0px;">9. </span><span class="s5" style="line-height: 19.200001px; font-size: 16px; font-family: Arial;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px; font-size: 1.5em;">It is imperative that we </span></span><span class="s5" style="line-height: 19.200001px; font-size: 16px; font-family: Arial;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px; font-size: 1.5em;">unite our voices in chorus</span></span><span class="s5" style="line-height: 19.200001px; font-size: 16px; font-family: Arial;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px; font-size: 1.5em;"> so that </span></span><span class="s5" style="line-height: 19.200001px; font-size: 16px; font-family: Arial;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px; font-size: 1.5em;">our message stands a much greater chance of resonating and being heard.</span></span></div><p class="s4" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; line-height: 1.8; text-align: justify; font-size: 18px;"><span style="line-height: 21.6px;"> </span></p><div class="s7" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; line-height: 1.8; text-align: justify; margin-left: 0px; font-size: 18px;"><span class="s6" style="line-height: 21.6px; min-width: 0px;">10. </span><span class="s5" style="line-height: 19.200001px; font-size: 16px; font-family: Arial;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px; font-size: 1.5em;">In closing</span></span><span class="s5" style="line-height: 19.200001px; font-size: 16px; font-family: Arial;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px; font-size: 1.5em;">, allow me to reaffirm Malaysia's ironclad commitment to the Palestinian cause. </span></span></div><p class="s4" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; line-height: 1.8; text-align: justify; font-size: 18px;"><span style="line-height: 21.6px;"> </span></p><p class="s4" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; line-height: 1.8; text-align: justify; font-size: 18px;"><span class="s5" style="line-height: 19.200001px; font-size: 16px; font-family: Arial;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999px; font-size: 1.5em;">Thank you.</span></span></p> Rockybruhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08187242806213153913noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28452020.post-5396457242439366402023-11-09T09:08:00.001+08:002023-11-09T19:43:33.227+08:00Cabinet or Badminton? Zafrul can’t have his cake and eat it too <div><b><br /></b></div><div><b>CONTRARY TO POPULAR BELIEF, CABINET MINISTERS ARE NO SUPERHEROES …</b></div><div><br /></div><div>KL 8 Nov: The blog called <i><b style="background-color: #cfe2f3;"><a href="http://nuclearmanbursa.blogspot.com/">nuclearmanbursa</a></b></i> is saying what’s on the minds of many: why is the leadership of BAM, the main body for the country’s badminton, being passed from one politician to another as if it’s the birthright of politicians and only politicians to head BAM?</div><div><br /></div><div>I’m reproducing nuclearmanbursa’s entire posting here because Netizens can no longer assess his blog. The MCMC, the institution that regulates blogs and social media in this country, recently decided to block nuclearmanbursa for reasons best known to themselves. Something for another posting another day. </div><div><br /></div><div>For now, here is the full nuclearmanbursa’s article on the boarding of positions in the Badminton Association of Malaysian. (I have dropped the last para of his posting to protect myself against potential lawsuits). </div><div><br /></div><div>Of course I’ve got something mroe to say about this, immediately below this posting.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>Monday, 6 November 2023</div><div><b>Badminton Association of Malaysia, the house of un electable politicians</b></div><div><br /></div><div>BACK in early 2023, Ganjar Pranowo looked all set to be the shoe in candidate to win next year's election and assume the presidency of Indonesia. READ : Ganjar Pranowo is the most popular candidate to replace Jokowi as the next President of Indonesia.</div><div><br /></div><div>AND then just like that, the most popular active politician in Indonesia, saw his popularity go down the drain when he poked his nose in the world of sports, causing Indonesia to lose the opportunity to host the 2023 Under 20 FIFA World Cup. </div><div>READ : Ganjarer , Koster made into pariahs over U-20 cancellation.</div><div><br /></div><div>The moral of the story is politicians should keep their nose out of sports, because the underlying feeling is that they are out to use and abuse sporting associations for their own politicial use, ie to bolster their own political standing.</div><div><br /></div><div>Take, for instance, Tengku Zafrul's recent coup in</div><div> being annoited READ : as the next Badminton Association of Malaysia President, taking over from the failed politician Norza Zakaria.</div><div><br /></div><div>We all know Tengku Zafrul as a Liverpool loving football fan, and not as somebody who has the well being of Badminton in the country at heart.</div><div><br /></div><div>Tengku Zafrul has too much on his plate already as the minister in charge of MITI and too many issues that could blow up on his face and embarrass Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, for him to even remotely be the ideal choice to lead badminton to a new era.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><b>ROCKY’s BRU comments:</b></div><div><br /></div><div><i>Totally agree with nuclearmanbursa. Tengku Zafrul is hardly in the country because he has a big responsibility to Anwar Ibrahim’s government and to this country. Humongous responsibility to bring in the investment that will create jobs and wealth and spur the economy. Right now he is in San Francisco, or on the way there, to attend the ministerial meeting of APEC, ahead of PM Anwar Ibrahim’s participation in the grouping’s Summit on 15-17 Nov. </i></div><div><i><br /></i></div><div><i>You can count how many days in a month Zafrul is in the country. How can he possibly take on another huge responsibility which could take up even more time than his MITI portfolio? </i></div><div><i><br /></i></div><div><i>What was he thinking when he accepted outgoing BAM President Norza Zakaria’s appointment?</i></div><div><i><br /></i></div><div><i>And what was Norza thinking? His tenure as BAM chief may have been smashing, or not, depending on who you’re talking to. I’m not qualified to judge. But I can say with some certainty that Norza did neither BAM nor Zafrul any favour by ‘anointing’ the MITI Minister as his successor. </i></div><div><i><br /></i></div><div><i>I am not saying that ALL politicians should be denied or deprived the chance to lead sporting bodies. But serving MPs and Cabinet Ministers should say NO. They have enough on their plates. </i></div><div><i><br /></i></div><div><i> In Zafrul’s case, his job as MITI Minister is too important and too big for the wellbeing of our economy for him to even entertain Norza’s suggestion that he was the right man for the BAM job. </i></div><div><i><br /></i></div><div><i>Stop kidding us. Stop kidding yourselves. BAM needs someone who can give 100 percent of his or her time and energy to the further development of badminton and its never-ending politics and polemics. </i></div><div><i><br /></i></div><div><i>The only way Zafrul can be that someone is if he decides to quit Anwar Ibrahim’s Cabinet.</i></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div> Rockybruhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08187242806213153913noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28452020.post-52429254493969855802023-09-20T20:46:00.004+08:002023-09-21T20:00:37.675+08:00Anwar at UNGA<p>This article has been edited for <i><b><span style="color: #cfe2f3;"><a href="http://scoop.my">scoop.my</a></span></b></i></p><p>Heading: <b>Anwar Ibrahim’s much-awaited UN General Assembly debut</b></p><p>Sub: <i>Between his address to over 100 world leaders and a rare khutbah at New York’s oldest mosque, the PM will attempt to make Malaysia’s “rightful claim” as global middle power</i></p><p>By ROCKY BRU</p><p>New York: Malaysia’s flamboyant ambassador to the US Mohamed Nazri Abdul Aziz describes his job as “an easy one”. “I’m lucky. My job is made easy and it’s because of who the Prime Minister (of Malaysia) is and how he is perceived.”</p><p>I had just asked him if he had managed to change how the Americans view Malaysia after taking up the job in February.We were at Malaysia’s Permanent Mission in New York after a briefing for Malaysian journalists by Foreign Minister Zambry Kadir, who is in New York ahead of PM Anwar Ibrahim’s maiden address to the 78th UN General Assembly. </p><p>Nazri, 69, has a long Cabinet career, having served several PMs, notably as the de facto Minister of Law when in Dr Mahathir Mohamad’s Cabinet. But since Anwar became PM in November last year, Nazri said the perception of Malaysia, especially in the US, has changed and changed for the better.</p><p>“Largely, Anwar is perceived by the Americans as a leader who upholds democracy, the rule of law and transparency,” he added.</p><p>Anwar, who arrives in New York today, will not only be addressing (over 100) world leaders attending the UNGA (Friday 10 pm Msian time). He is also being accorded the singular honour as the first world leader to deliver a Friday sermon at the Islamic Cultural Centre here.</p><p>Zambry, underscoring the importance of the khutbah Jumaat the PM is delivering this Friday, said the growing divide between the global South and developed North and the rise of Islamophobia mean there was a need to bridge the various gaps of priorities and principles.</p><p>The former Perak Menteri Besar has been busier than usual in the weeks leading to the General Assembly, traveling from one time zone to another to spread the word on Malaysia’s new foreign policies under Anwar’s madani. </p><p>Last week, for example, he was in Havana, Cuba attending the G77+China Summit where he urged the South to stop indulging in self-pity and blaming others. Before that, in Jakarta for the ASEAN leaders’ meeting, he articulated a rare, strongly-worded warning against Myanmar. And last month when in Tehran to re-establish ties with Iran, Zambry condemned the US for prolonged sanctions on the Muslim country.</p><p>Zambry has assimilated quite a team to support Anwar at UN, which include four Members of Parliament, the deputy chief ministers of Sabah and Sarawak. Bursa Malaysia CEO Umar Swift and Khazanah Nasional Berhad managing director Amirul Feisal Wan Zahir are also in the delegation to lay the groundwork for the PM in matters related to investment and business.</p><p>MITI Minister Tengku Zafrul Abdul Aziz got in late yesterday and, following a blitzkrieg of meetings with CEOs, quickly announced foreign direct investments into Malaysia involving American interests valued at some RM2 billion. </p><p>“My job has also been made easier. It’s easy to ‘sell’ the (Anwar) brand to these investors. Of course, we have to work hard and act quickly as the windows of oppotunity don’t stay open for long periods of time, but we’re on it,” Zafrul said at a meeting with Malaysian journalists at Conrad Hotel on West 54th, where the PM and official delegation are staying. </p><p>Interestingly, in trade as with politics, Malaysia finds itself in the middle. Zafrul spoke of a “trade war’ involving the US and China and how American corporate entities, notably in the semiconductor, are leaving China for Malaysia. Asked by the Group Editor-in-Chief of The Scoop, Terence Fernandez, if he was not worried of getting in the way of the two feuding powers, Zafrul said both the US and China are Malaysia’s largest trading partners. </p><p>“Sometimes we have to behave like opportunists, but the windows (of opportunity) don’t stay open forever. Moreover, we still have to compete with others in the region, especially Vietnam,” he said.</p><p>Zambry, meanwhile, said Anwar has agreed to be interviewed by CNN and Bloomberg in between his meetings with chief execs from Fortune 500 Companies and closed-door meetings with heads of governments, among others, President Erdogan of Turkiye, a key Malaysian ally in combating Islamophobia and in fighting for the rights of Palestine.</p><p>Howard Lee Chuan How, the MP for Ipoh Timur, who is one of the young politcians Zambry has selected to be in Team Malaysia, said Anwar should be leaving a huge impact on the US with his UNGA, the New York khutbah Jumaat and everything else in between.</p><p>“Anwar’s commitment in New York and the UNGA as well as the size of the delegation that Wisma Putra has sent here is indicative of Malaysia’s seriousness in assuming our rightful place in the world as a global middle power,” he said.</p><p><br /></p>Rockybruhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08187242806213153913noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28452020.post-1721463387029819152023-09-12T14:11:00.004+08:002023-09-12T14:11:28.091+08:00Ah, Wong Chun Wai!<p><span style="font-size: large;">Wong Chun Wai</span>, the former editor-in-chief of The Star, will be made this afternoon the new chairman of Bernama, the national news agency, sources said. If I’m not mistaken, he’ll the first non-Malay to be appointed to the post. Wong has never served Bernama as a reporter but that has never been a pre-requisite; his predecessor Ras Adibah Radzi, who joined the Opposition a little too hastily (I thought) after the end of her tenure as Bernama chairman (and senator) earlier this year, was also never a Bernama employee. Chun Wai has been a journalist for about 40 years and the circumstances surrounding his appointment to Bernama had been much talked about. With his vast experience as editor and non-editorial executive of one of the most profitable newspapers in the country, Chun Wai is expected to turn Bernama into a financially self-sustainable entity, for once. </p><p>The 62-year old was not the first choice, apparently. The post had been offered to Meor Kamarulbaid Mior Shahid, the former Berita Harian editor, but they discovered that Meor was past 70 and, therefore, overaged. </p>Rockybruhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08187242806213153913noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28452020.post-34743462872456280162023-08-14T20:17:00.002+08:002023-08-14T20:17:30.319+08:00The best analysis on the 3:3 outcome of the State Elections goes to …<p></p><blockquote><p><b><i>Damansara, 14 Aug </i></b>(a public holiday in Selangor): Of all the analyses on the outcome of the six-state elections, I like one dished out by Liyana Marzuki the most. The Scoop has the story: <i style="background-color: #cfe2f3;"><a href="https://www.scoop.my/berita/mereka-bukan-menang-besar-mereka-hanya-sembang-besar/">Mereka bukan menang besar, mereka hanya sembang besar</a> </i>[<b>They didn’t win big, they only talked big]</b>. </p><p>The self-confessed Unity Government advocate didn’t mince her words in her analysis, reminding the people of how cocky Muhyiddin Yasin and Dr Mahathir Mohamad were in their prophecy of a landslide defeat for Anwar Ibrahim’s UG (the Bersatu president said Perikatan Nasional could win all 6 states if Malay voter turnout exceeded 90% while Dr M predicted a 1-5 defeat for Anwar). </p><p>She even made fun of Muhyiddin’s call for Anwar to step down after the state elections results were announced. (Read her FB at the end of this posting)</p><p>Pakatan Harapan retained Selangor, Penang and Negri Sembilan in the state elections while Perikatan Nasional got to keep Kedah, Kelantan and Terengganu. The outcome of the elections, one analyst told Bernama, <span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: #fffefa; caret-color: rgb(64, 72, 76); color: #40484c; font-family: __HelveticaNeue_489c30, __HelveticaNeue_Fallback_489c30; font-size: 16px;">“… will help clear up uncertainties in the local political scene, and will attract more foreign investors to the Malaysian stock market.”</span> </p></blockquote><blockquote><p><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: #fffefa; caret-color: rgb(64, 72, 76); color: #40484c; font-family: __HelveticaNeue_489c30, __HelveticaNeue_Fallback_489c30; font-size: 16px;"> Additionally, we can expect the overall outlook in the midterm to be positive buoyed by improving economic conditions, the same analyst said.</span> </p></blockquote><blockquote><p><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: #fffefa; caret-color: rgb(64, 72, 76); color: #40484c; font-family: __HelveticaNeue_489c30, __HelveticaNeue_Fallback_489c30; font-size: 16px;">The outlook would have been grim i</span><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: #fffefa; caret-color: rgb(64, 72, 76); color: #40484c; font-family: __HelveticaNeue_489c30, __HelveticaNeue_Fallback_489c30; font-size: 16px;">f Mahathir or Muhyiddin’s prophecies had come true: the KLSE index and the Ringgit would have plumetted today and FDI would just go elsewhere (and not Kelantan, Kedah or Terengganu, for sure).</span></p></blockquote><p><br /></p><p><i><b>Liyana Marzuki’s analysis taken from her Facebook:</b></i> </p><div class="xdj266r x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs x126k92a" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); color: #050505; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, ".SFNSText-Regular", sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">MENANG BESAR? </div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); color: #050505; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, ".SFNSText-Regular", sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">TSMY punya bongkak sebelum PRN ini. Katanya dia cukup yakin PN akan tawan semua 6 negeri. </div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); color: #050505; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, ".SFNSText-Regular", sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">Tun M jangkakan mereka akan dapat skor 5-1. Selangor dan Negeri Sembilan akan jatuh. </div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); color: #050505; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, ".SFNSText-Regular", sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">TGHH <span style="font-family: inherit;"><a style="color: #385898; cursor: pointer; font-family: inherit;" tabindex="-1"></a></span>juga kata, kalau ini berlaku mereka akan buat gerakan menebuk atap sekali lagi. Tiada siapa termasuk pihak Istana, boleh menghalang. </div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); color: #050505; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, ".SFNSText-Regular", sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">Hakikatnya, mereka jauh tersasar. Mereka bukan menang besar, mereka hanya SEMBANG BESAR. </div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); color: #050505; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, ".SFNSText-Regular", sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">Negeri Sembilan kononnya PN boleh rampas, kecundang pula. PHBN siap dapat 2/3. </div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); color: #050505; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, ".SFNSText-Regular", sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">Selangor lagi kan pula, siap PN kata boleh dapat 2/3, kalah juga! Walaupun pelbagai janji ditabur dan bulan bintang hendak diberi. Orang Selangor cerdik lagi. </div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); color: #050505; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, ".SFNSText-Regular", sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">Saya jangkakan Kelantan akan beri telur ayam. Still UMNO menang di sana. Dan di Kedah DAP dan PKR boleh menang kerusi. </div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); color: #050505; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, ".SFNSText-Regular", sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">Mana cerita MENANG BESAR itu tadi? </div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); color: #050505; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, ".SFNSText-Regular", sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">Sebenarnya Presiden PN ni sudah terciduk. Terkantoi over confident pada mulanya. </div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); color: #050505; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, ".SFNSText-Regular", sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">Tu sebab jangan bongkak dan sembang deras mula2. </div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); color: #050505; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, ".SFNSText-Regular", sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">Sembang deras itu hanya boleh makan Taksuber. </div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); color: #050505; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, ".SFNSText-Regular", sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">Untuk GAP dan fence sitters, we can see through you, your true colours. </div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); color: #050505; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, ".SFNSText-Regular", sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">Sekarang, dia buat statement, PMX kena resign dan retire. Sebab PN sudah “menang besar”. Yang saya nampak “sembang besar” saja. </div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); color: #050505; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, ".SFNSText-Regular", sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">Masa PH 1.0 22 bulan dan zaman 33 bulan, setiap PRK dan PRN , PPBM kalah. Ingat PRN Johor dan Melaka? Patut masa tu TSMY pun retire! Gagal banyak benda. Kalau bukan sebab PAS, PRU15 pun terciduk juga. </div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); color: #050505; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, ".SFNSText-Regular", sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">Not my kinda of PM. Kalau PN nak berjaya, elok lah ditukar lain pula. Ni dah level dinosaur. Tambah Kluster Mahkamah Jana Wibawa. Sudah basi jua. </div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); color: #050505; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, ".SFNSText-Regular", sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">Salam hormat,</div></div><p><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); color: #050505; font-family: inherit; font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Liyana Marzuki.</span> </p><blockquote><p> </p></blockquote><blockquote><p><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: #fffefa; caret-color: rgb(64, 72, 76); color: #40484c; font-family: __HelveticaNeue_489c30, __HelveticaNeue_Fallback_489c30; font-size: 16px;"> </span></p></blockquote><p><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: #fffefa; caret-color: rgb(64, 72, 76); color: #40484c; font-family: __HelveticaNeue_489c30, __HelveticaNeue_Fallback_489c30; font-size: 16px;"></span></p>Rockybruhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08187242806213153913noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28452020.post-25709796366521909972023-08-12T16:23:00.006+08:002023-08-12T16:45:05.214+08:00Chief Tyrant Officer rules EPF and that’s not OK, say workers<p></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhemZov-j7DJ9bMNQGAiS9dr9thKNTJ95LRd8GDN_n3FPAAyVEyajT5vEXvK7mlyTth0MqGpGqo8WKmjFXninogdS88wL-oRfp_CZ0m8vN9e0ZXuYTIw8tdrBDahb-wrxEyqJyRR8u_Y4zBBhhKdYCo_G7gDLNnqm5sd8ojqXWF7zoWkwTATyRp/s900/E425CF18-F0BF-45CC-BEAB-1FD404599C68.jpeg" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="900" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhemZov-j7DJ9bMNQGAiS9dr9thKNTJ95LRd8GDN_n3FPAAyVEyajT5vEXvK7mlyTth0MqGpGqo8WKmjFXninogdS88wL-oRfp_CZ0m8vN9e0ZXuYTIw8tdrBDahb-wrxEyqJyRR8u_Y4zBBhhKdYCo_G7gDLNnqm5sd8ojqXWF7zoWkwTATyRp/w200-h133/E425CF18-F0BF-45CC-BEAB-1FD404599C68.jpeg" width="200" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Amir Hamzah</td></tr></tbody></table><span style="background-color: #cfe2f3;"><a href="https://www.marketscreener.com/business-leaders/Amir-Hamzah-bin-Azizan-10774/biography/">AMIR Hamzah Azizan</a></span> has helmed nearly a dozen companies, including GLC giant Tenaga Nasional, and in all those years at the top has probably never been called a “tyrant” before. <p></p><p>But now the generally timid trade unions of the Employee Provident Fund, where he has been CEO since March 2021 (when Muhyiddin Yasin was PM), are calling Amir Hamzah’s management <b><i>zalim</i></b>, which is Malay for tyrannical, a title accorded to Firaun in biblical times and, in more recent times, to Dr Mahathir. Surely, something any CEO can do without especially if he or she harbours any ambition to climb to the highest rung of the GLC ladder. </p><p>The trade unions are sore with Amir’s administration for allowing a<b><i style="background-color: #cfe2f3;"><a href="https://www.malaysiakini.com/news/675235"> pay gap cancer</a></i></b> to permeate and give birth to a “caste system” between EPF’s top managers earning fat pay checks and ordinary workers who take home crumbs. </p><p>Worse, the workers seem to have closed the door for discussions with the management, tired of being ignored time and again by the management, they claimed. They are now demanding that the <i><b style="background-color: #cfe2f3;"><a href="https://www.thevibes.com/articles/news/97593/epf-union-now-wants-pm-to-step-in-after-stalled-talks-with-bosses">Prime Minister steps in</a> </b></i>to help resolve the dispute.</p><p>I don’t know how big the salary disparity in the EPF is or how much Amir Hamzah takes home compared with the salary he pays, say, Ahmad Hamzah the trade union leader. I’m sure Malaysians in general are not bothered how much Amir is paid or how generous he is with his top managers or how much the Minister of Finance (who is also the PMX) allows the directors of EPF to reward themselves. But so often we see low-income workers in this country getting poorer and poorer compared with their bosses and that is something we (ie the employers) need to consciously address if we truly aspire for a more just and equitable society. </p><p>The EPF, which was the 4th largest pensions fund in Asia in 2020 and 7th in the world before the pandemic (its income in the first quarter of 2023 was RM16 billion, 3 per cent more than the corresponding quarter of 2022), is the body entrusted to safeguard the interests of 15 million workers in the private sector who mandatorily contribute 12 per cent of their income to it. </p><p>As I see it, the EPF can’t be doing a great job (for the millions of contributing workers) if it can’t even rein in - or please - its own 5,700 workers. </p><p> <br /></p>Rockybruhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08187242806213153913noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28452020.post-32950144565782793472023-08-11T10:34:00.003+08:002023-08-11T10:34:27.463+08:00The truth behind Halim Saad’s lawsuit against Dr Mahathir & his “Top Cat”<p><i><b>Bukit Kiara, 11 Aug:</b></i> Just when I thought I had covered all the lawsuits that are keeping our lawyers and judges busy these days, here comes a big one: Halim Saad vs Nor Mohamed Yakcop aka the Top Cat and Dr Mahathir Mohamad himself! </p><p>Halim, we all know, was once Mahathir’s the poster boy of Mahathir’s privatization policy (and, to some, Umno’s capital cronyism). So far and wide was Halim’s corporate reach back in the day he even helmed the New Straits Times Press and TV3 during Nineties when whoever controlled the media controlled the hearts and minds of the voters. His reign in that media conglomerate was brief and stormy, though, and preceded a management buy out by the <i style="background-color: #cfe2f3;"><a href="https://aliran.com/past-issues/1993Vol13No.2.pdf">Empat Budak Melayu</a></i>, which was seen as a proxy war between the powerful Daim and the then Finance Minister and Umno deputy president Anwar Ibrahim. </p><p>The SCOOP’s Aug 9 scoop puts Halim’s lawsuit in the following context:</p><p style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: rgb(18, 20, 20); color: #121414; font-family: "PT Sans"; font-size: 16.5px; line-height: 1.7 !important; margin: 0px auto 26px; overflow-wrap: break-word;"><strong style="box-sizing: border-box;"></strong></p><blockquote><p style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: rgb(18, 20, 20); color: #121414; font-family: "PT Sans"; font-size: 16.5px; line-height: 1.7 !important; margin: 0px auto 26px; overflow-wrap: break-word;"><span style="background-color: #f3f3f3;"><strong style="box-sizing: border-box;">KUALA LUMPUR – </strong>The true story behind the controversial RM2.3 billion Renong-UEM deal is expected to be unravelled in court following a suit by Tan Sri Halim Saad against former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, former finance minister Tan Sri Nor Mohamed Yakcop, and the government of Malaysia.</span></p><p style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: rgb(18, 20, 20); color: #121414; font-family: "PT Sans"; font-size: 16.5px; line-height: 1.7 !important; margin: 0px auto 26px; overflow-wrap: break-word;"><span style="background-color: #f3f3f3;">Halim, in his suit filed today in the high court here, claimed that the then Mahathir-led government and Umno – some 26 years ago – had forced the acquisition of the company, which eventually led to its collapse.</span></p><p style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: rgb(18, 20, 20); color: #121414; font-family: "PT Sans"; font-size: 16.5px; line-height: 1.7 !important; margin: 0px auto 26px; overflow-wrap: break-word;"><span style="background-color: #f3f3f3;">Halim is seeking a declaration that he was the beneficial and legal owner of Renong shares and not Umno Baru; a declaration that the government compulsorily acquired his vested right to effect a general offer on UEM; and a declaration that, with respect to the said acquisition of his vested right, the government had acted through Mahathir and Nor Yakcop.</span></p><p style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: rgb(18, 20, 20); color: #121414; font-family: "PT Sans"; font-size: 16.5px; line-height: 1.7 !important; margin: 0px auto 26px; overflow-wrap: break-word;"><span style="background-color: #f3f3f3;">He is also seeking a declaration that, in acquiring his vested right, the government was obliged to provide him with adequate compensation.</span></p><p style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: rgb(18, 20, 20); color: #121414; font-family: "PT Sans"; font-size: 16.5px; line-height: 1.7 !important; margin: 0px auto 26px; overflow-wrap: break-word;"><span style="background-color: #f3f3f3;">Halim was Renong’s executive chairman. </span></p><p style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: rgb(18, 20, 20); color: #121414; font-family: "PT Sans"; font-size: 16.5px; line-height: 1.7 !important; margin: 0px auto 26px; overflow-wrap: break-word;"><span style="background-color: #f3f3f3;">In a statement today, Halim said the then-government’s plan to take over UEM and eventually privatise it would not have been possible without his support, which he was obliged to provide. </span></p><p style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: rgb(18, 20, 20); color: #121414; font-family: "PT Sans"; font-size: 16.5px; line-height: 1.7 !important; margin: 0px auto 26px; overflow-wrap: break-word;"><span style="background-color: #f3f3f3;">“I was instructed by (Mahathir) in his capacity as the then prime minister and (Nor Yakcop) in his capacity as the special economic adviser to (Mahathir) not to proceed with the acquisition of 32.69% of Renong from UEM pursuant to a put option exercised on me by UEM in December 2000. </span></p><p style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: rgb(18, 20, 20); color: #121414; font-family: "PT Sans"; font-size: 16.5px; line-height: 1.7 !important; margin: 0px auto 26px; overflow-wrap: break-word;"><span style="background-color: #f3f3f3;">“I was also instructed by (Mahathir) and (Nor Yakcop) not to proceed to undertake a take-over of UEM, which I was about to undertake with Renong jointly. </span></p><p style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: rgb(18, 20, 20); color: #121414; font-family: "PT Sans"; font-size: 16.5px; line-height: 1.7 !important; margin: 0px auto 26px; overflow-wrap: break-word;"><span style="background-color: #f3f3f3;">“Instead, I was required by (Mahathir) and (Nor Yakcop) to support the government’s initiative and or plan, through Khazanah Nasional Bhd’s wholly-owned subsidiary company Danasaham Sdn Bhd, to undertake the take-over of UEM via a general offer,” Halim said. </span></p><p style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: rgb(18, 20, 20); color: #121414; font-family: "PT Sans"; font-size: 16.5px; line-height: 1.7 !important; margin: 0px auto 26px; overflow-wrap: break-word;"><span style="background-color: #f3f3f3;">He added that the collective and concerted actions of the defendants resulted in his loss of control of Renong, which also meant the indirect loss of control of UEM and its “highly valuable assets”. </span></p><p style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: rgb(18, 20, 20); color: #121414; font-family: "PT Sans"; font-size: 16.5px; line-height: 1.7 !important; margin: 0px auto 26px; overflow-wrap: break-word;"><span style="background-color: #f3f3f3;">The assets he named include the North-South Expressway (PLUS) project, the Elite Expressway, the Malaysia-Singapore Second Link Expressway (LINKEDUA), Pharmaniaga Bhd, Intria Bina Sdn Bhd, Ho Hup Construction Sdn Bhd, and Kualiti Alam Sdn Bhd. </span></p><p style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: rgb(18, 20, 20); color: #121414; font-family: "PT Sans"; font-size: 16.5px; line-height: 1.7 !important; margin: 0px auto 26px; overflow-wrap: break-word;"><span style="background-color: #f3f3f3;">He said he had suffered financial losses as a direct result of the defendants’ action, which constituted a breach of his constitutional rights under the federal constitution.</span></p><p style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: rgb(18, 20, 20); color: #121414; font-family: "PT Sans"; font-size: 16.5px; line-height: 1.7 !important; margin: 0px auto 26px; overflow-wrap: break-word;"><span style="background-color: #f3f3f3;">Halim’s suit filed today comes after he unsuccessfully sued the government, Khazanah, and Nor Yakcop in 2013 for RM1.8 billion. </span></p><p style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: rgb(18, 20, 20); color: #121414; font-family: "PT Sans"; font-size: 16.5px; line-height: 1.7 !important; margin: 0px auto 26px; overflow-wrap: break-word;"><span style="background-color: #f3f3f3;">In November 1997, the nation’s biggest infrastructure firm, UEM, purchased a 33% stake in its heavily-in-debt parent, Renong, for RM2.3 billion, leading to Renong’s value plummeting as investors dumped shares in both firms.</span></p><p style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: rgb(18, 20, 20); color: #121414; font-family: "PT Sans"; font-size: 16.5px; line-height: 1.7 !important; margin: 0px auto 26px; overflow-wrap: break-word;"><span style="background-color: #f3f3f3;">Following public uproar over the deal, which was said to be in opposition to stock exchange reporting rules, the Securities Commission urged Halim, as the controlling shareholder of Renong, to buy back the stake from UEM, with payments to be made between February 2001 and April 2002. </span></p><p style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: rgb(18, 20, 20); color: #121414; font-family: "PT Sans"; font-size: 16.5px; line-height: 1.7 !important; margin: 0px auto 26px; overflow-wrap: break-word;"><span style="background-color: #f3f3f3;">However, in July 2001, the government determined that Khazanah Nasional would take over the entire Renong group – including a RM12 billion debt – for RM4 billion. – August 9, 2023</span></p><p style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: rgb(18, 20, 20); color: #121414; font-family: "PT Sans"; font-size: 16.5px; line-height: 1.7 !important; margin: 0px auto 26px; overflow-wrap: break-word;"></p></blockquote><p>In May, Dr Mahathir’s filed a defamation suit against Anwar Ibrahim over the PMX’s purported claim that the former Prime Minister had used his position to enrich himself and his family members.That’s the other context Halim’s lawsuit, if you like.</p><p>Halim’s court action against the former PM won’t be the last, I’m hearing. Tajudin Ramli, the founder of Celcom and former owner of Malaysia Airlines, may follow suit, pardon the pun.</p>Rockybruhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08187242806213153913noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28452020.post-54258121138094090352023-08-01T20:20:00.004+08:002023-08-01T20:20:34.430+08:00Wee threat to sue MCMC<p><i><b>Bangsar, 1 Aug:</b></i> Another potential lawsuit, which may well lead to a counter-suit, involves the beleaguered (although some prefer belligerent) Tourism Malaysia former chairman Wee Choo Keong, 70, whose blog has been taken down by the MCMC, the authority in charge of regulating and promoting the telecommunications and multimedia industry. </p><p>In a strongly-worded letter to the MCMC Wee, a lawyer and former MP, has given the authority an ultimatum to <i><b style="background-color: #cfe2f3;"><a href="https://www.malaysianow.com/news/2023/07/27/ex-mp-gives-ultimatum-to-mcmc-unblock-my-blog-or-see-you-in-court">“unblock my blog or see you in coourt”. </a></b></i></p><p>Excerpts from the news report:</p><p style="--tw-ring-color: rgba(59,130,246,0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; border: 0px solid rgb(229, 231, 235); box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Georgia, Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 18px; margin: 1.25em 0px;"></p><blockquote><p style="--tw-ring-color: rgba(59,130,246,0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; border: 0px solid rgb(229, 231, 235); box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Georgia, Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 18px; margin: 1.25em 0px;"><span style="background-color: #eeeeee;">"Kindly take notice that if our client's blog continues to be blocked and remains inaccessible for service of this letter, our instructions are to file proceedings against <b>you</b> and/or <b>your minister</b> and/or<b> the government of Malaysia</b>, without prejudice to a claim for compensation or damages.</span></p><p style="--tw-ring-color: rgba(59,130,246,0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; border: 0px solid rgb(229, 231, 235); box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Georgia, Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 18px; margin: 1.25em 0px;"><span style="background-color: #eeeeee;">"Our client hopes that it will not be necessary for him to resort to legal action if you act with due dispatch within the above time frame to comply with his demands."</span></p></blockquote><p style="--tw-ring-color: rgba(59,130,246,0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; border: 0px solid rgb(229, 231, 235); box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Georgia, Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 18px; margin: 1.25em 0px;"></p><p>I’ve always been amazed, when not perplexed, by Wee’s combative nature. The blocking of his blog, therefore, did not come as a surprise. I’m not privy to why exactly the MCMC has blocked his blog but fellow bloggers have suggested it may have something to do with his incessant attacks on a former Tourism Malaysia chairman and people associated with the individual. </p><p>The MCMC is not obliged to inform anyone prior to blocking a site or a blog deemed “undesirable” or to have flouted the law. In fact they could, if they so decide, invite themselves (in the company of the police) to your home or office and confiscate your equipment which they believed have been used to post stuff considered defamatory or seditious or undesirable. You can challenge them, of course, this is a free country. I did in 2010, when t<b><i style="background-color: #cfe2f3;"><a href="http://www.rockybru.com.my/2010/10/they-took-my-ferrari.html">hey took my Ferrari</a></i></b> but I didn’t sue them. I guess that’s because I’m a journalist.</p><p>Wee did not stop at the ultimatum. In the sane letter to the MCMC, his lawyers reportedly accuse the MCMC of acting like a <b>“secret society”</b> even though Malaysia is a “civil society”. I think that’s where things will go sideways and where Wee can expect to get a letter of demand from Cyberjaya soon. </p><p><br /></p>Rockybruhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08187242806213153913noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28452020.post-57987456579769107972023-07-30T20:59:00.003+08:002023-07-31T10:11:18.793+08:00Defamation suit over Stadium project: Party Hijau’s Razak Ismail has no cause to whine, unless …<blockquote><div><i>Amirudin is trying to silence (me) with the lawsuits</i> - Razak Ismail, Green Party sec-gen </div></blockquote><div><br /></div><b><i>Damansara, 30 July:</i></b> I don’t quite understand why Razak Ismail, the sacked PKR leader who is now Green Party secretary general, is whining about being sued by MRCB for the things he had accused the conglomerate of. If his claims can be backed by facts, he should see it as a great opportunity to promote his integrity. The court is where Razak will prove to all and sundry that he speaks the truth and nothing but the truth, that he didn’t make up any of it. <i>Berani kerana benar.</i> <div><br /></div><div>So now, the whining, could it be that Razak knows he won’t be able to back up his allegations and will lose to MRCB in court?</div><div><br /></div><div>If that is so, you asked for it! <i>Kerana mulut badan binasa</i>. But even if that is the case, Razak, it is an opportunity: you can instruct your lawyers to approach MRCB, the party that is suing you to protect its own integrity, and negotiate some kind of agreement that is acceptable to both sides. Usually, that would be you making a public apology to MRCB for defaming them and you giving an undertaking not to repeat your defamatory remarks.. (You may have to pay some legal costs but usually the amount won’t be as crippling as the damages you would have to pay when you lose the case().</div><div><br /></div><div>Either way, here’s what we all need to constantly remember: we are accountable for what we say, whether it is in the real world or in cyberspace. The law is blind in this country where even <i><span style="color: #cfe2f3;"><a href="https://www.malaysiakini.com/news/653398">former prime ministers</a></span></i> know they can be hauled up to court for alleged indiscretions. Even the sitting PM <b>Anwar Ibrahim</b> is going to court to answer allegations he made against Tun Dr <b>Mahathir Mohamad</b>. Heck, the mighty Royalty of this country too are no longer spared; the only difference is, perhaps, their court is called “special”. In short, nobody is above the law.</div><div><br /></div><div>The social media, my friends, is not a place where you can slander, defame and get away without having to account for whatever you Facebook, tweet or tiktok. I speak from experience. I was sued by a conglomerate in 2006, a case that lasted 5 years against plaintiffs who were powerful individuals close to the government of the day. Did I whine?</div><div><br /></div><div>And remember this, too: Nobody can silence you with a letter of demand. Unless what you have written or said was utter rubbish in the first place. </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><i><b>READ</b> the article </i><b style="background-color: #cfe2f3;"><blockquote><blockquote><a href="https://www.scoop.my/news/stadium-project-okay-to-criticise-not-slander-warns-selangor-mb/"><span style="font-size: medium;">Stadium Project: Okay to crtiticise, not slander, warns MB</span></a></blockquote></blockquote></b><i> by the <b><a href="https://www.scoop.my/">SCOOP</a></b> for context:</i></div><div><i><br /></i></div><div><i><blockquote>Amirudin to Razak: We have lawyers and you have your lawyer, so let’s settle it (in court) </blockquote></i></div><div><p style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: rgb(18, 20, 20); color: #121414; font-family: "PT Sans"; font-size: 16.5px; line-height: 1.7; margin: 0px auto 26px; overflow-wrap: break-word;"><strong style="box-sizing: border-box;"></strong></p><blockquote><p style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: rgb(18, 20, 20); color: #121414; font-family: "PT Sans"; font-size: 16.5px; line-height: 1.7; margin: 0px auto 26px; overflow-wrap: break-word;"><strong style="box-sizing: border-box;">SHAH ALAM – </strong>The right to criticise should not be abused by issuing slanderous statements. </p><p style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: rgb(18, 20, 20); color: #121414; font-family: "PT Sans"; font-size: 16.5px; line-height: 1.7; margin: 0px auto 26px; overflow-wrap: break-word;">Selangor caretaker Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari said while criticism helps keep administrators on their toes, slander and spreading misinformation is a different story.</p><p style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: rgb(18, 20, 20); color: #121414; font-family: "PT Sans"; font-size: 16.5px; line-height: 1.7; margin: 0px auto 26px; overflow-wrap: break-word;">“If we (the state administration) don’t initiate legal action against false claims, then the public will assume that we are in the wrong (since) we are keeping quiet,” Amirudin told a town hall session organised by Sinar Harian at the Karangkraf Media Complex here last night.</p><p style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: rgb(18, 20, 20); color: #121414; font-family: "PT Sans"; font-size: 16.5px; line-height: 1.7; margin: 0px auto 26px; overflow-wrap: break-word;">“It’s fine if you want to criticise us, but don’t make false accusations.”</p><p style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: rgb(18, 20, 20); color: #121414; font-family: "PT Sans"; font-size: 16.5px; line-height: 1.7; margin: 0px auto 26px; overflow-wrap: break-word;">The Gombak MP was responding to heated inquiries from Green Party pro-tem secretary-general Abdul Razak Ismail.</p></blockquote><p style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: rgb(18, 20, 20); color: #121414; font-family: "PT Sans"; font-size: 16.5px; line-height: 1.7; margin: 0px auto 26px; overflow-wrap: break-word;"></p><p style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: rgb(18, 20, 20); color: #121414; font-family: "PT Sans"; font-size: 16.5px; line-height: 1.7; margin: 0px auto 26px; overflow-wrap: break-word;"></p><blockquote><p style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: rgb(18, 20, 20); color: #121414; font-family: "PT Sans"; font-size: 16.5px; line-height: 1.7; margin: 0px auto 26px; overflow-wrap: break-word;">Razak accused Amirudin of misusing government linked corporations (GLCs) to “silence” critics by filing suits.</p><p style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: rgb(18, 20, 20); color: #121414; font-family: "PT Sans"; font-size: 16.5px; line-height: 1.7; margin: 0px auto 26px; overflow-wrap: break-word;">Razak, who was sacked from PKR in January, pointed out he and four media sites were being sued by Menteri Besar Selangor Inc (MBI), the state government’s major investment vehicle.</p><p style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: rgb(18, 20, 20); color: #121414; font-family: "PT Sans"; font-size: 16.5px; line-height: 1.7; margin: 0px auto 26px; overflow-wrap: break-word;">The suit was initiated after Razak issued several statements questioning terms of a deal regarding the Shah Alam Stadium redevelopment project, alleging that the project was awarded without an open tender. In response, Amirudin highlighted how he has consistently maintained that the state government undertook the necessary governance procedures prior to the project’s implementation.</p><p style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: rgb(18, 20, 20); color: #121414; font-family: "PT Sans"; font-size: 16.5px; line-height: 1.7; margin: 0px auto 26px; overflow-wrap: break-word;">“This was a process that goes back to 2008. The proper process has been followed. Tenders were called and tens of companies put in their bids,” he told the audience of 500 which included viewers following the dialogue on Facebook.</p><p style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: rgb(18, 20, 20); color: #121414; font-family: "PT Sans"; font-size: 16.5px; line-height: 1.7; margin: 0px auto 26px; overflow-wrap: break-word;">“GLCs have their dignity and credibility at stake (when accused of wrongdoing).</p></blockquote><p style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: rgb(18, 20, 20); color: #121414; font-family: "PT Sans"; font-size: 16.5px; line-height: 1.7; margin: 0px auto 26px; overflow-wrap: break-word;"></p><p style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: rgb(18, 20, 20); color: #121414; font-family: "PT Sans"; font-size: 16.5px; line-height: 1.7; margin: 0px auto 26px; overflow-wrap: break-word;"></p><blockquote><p style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: rgb(18, 20, 20); color: #121414; font-family: "PT Sans"; font-size: 16.5px; line-height: 1.7; margin: 0px auto 26px; overflow-wrap: break-word;">“Your (Razak’s) claims (against MBI) were false allegations, so they have to take action to protect their interests.”</p><p style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: rgb(18, 20, 20); color: #121414; font-family: "PT Sans"; font-size: 16.5px; line-height: 1.7; margin: 0px auto 26px; overflow-wrap: break-word;">Amirudin added that Razak had defamed him before but the former decided not to pursue legal action.</p><p style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: rgb(18, 20, 20); color: #121414; font-family: "PT Sans"; font-size: 16.5px; line-height: 1.7; margin: 0px auto 26px; overflow-wrap: break-word;">“I don’t simply sue for anything that is trivial. Last time you accused me of misappropriating football club money. I thought the allegations were frivolous so I didn’t take legal action,” he said.</p><p style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: rgb(18, 20, 20); color: #121414; font-family: "PT Sans"; font-size: 16.5px; line-height: 1.7; margin: 0px auto 26px; overflow-wrap: break-word;">“But these claims (on the stadium project) are not criticism but false allegations so the GLC has to take action as they need to protect their interests.”</p><p style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: rgb(18, 20, 20); color: #121414; font-family: "PT Sans"; font-size: 16.5px; line-height: 1.7; margin: 0px auto 26px; overflow-wrap: break-word;">Amirudin said far from silencing critics, the courts are the best place to get to the truth.</p><p style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: rgb(18, 20, 20); color: #121414; font-family: "PT Sans"; font-size: 16.5px; line-height: 1.7; margin: 0px auto 26px; overflow-wrap: break-word;">“We have lawyers and you have your lawyer, so let’s go and settle it there.”</p></blockquote><p style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: rgb(18, 20, 20); color: #121414; font-family: "PT Sans"; font-size: 16.5px; line-height: 1.7; margin: 0px auto 26px; overflow-wrap: break-word;"></p><p style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: rgb(18, 20, 20); color: #121414; font-family: "PT Sans"; font-size: 16.5px; line-height: 1.7; margin: 0px auto 26px; overflow-wrap: break-word;"></p><blockquote><p style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: rgb(18, 20, 20); color: #121414; font-family: "PT Sans"; font-size: 16.5px; line-height: 1.7; margin: 0px auto 26px; overflow-wrap: break-word;">In July last year, MBI handed over a non-binding letter of intent to engineering and construction firm Malaysian Resources Corporation Bhd (MRCB) to conduct and deliver a proposal on how to redevelop the stadium.</p><p style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: rgb(18, 20, 20); color: #121414; font-family: "PT Sans"; font-size: 16.5px; line-height: 1.7; margin: 0px auto 26px; overflow-wrap: break-word;">Amirudin had previously said that the cost of repairing and renovating the current outdoor stadium, which is home to Selangor FC, as well as the indoor Malawati Stadium next door, is in the range of RM787 million.</p><p style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: rgb(18, 20, 20); color: #121414; font-family: "PT Sans"; font-size: 16.5px; line-height: 1.7; margin: 0px auto 26px; overflow-wrap: break-word;">So, the state government needed to decide if it was more prudent to build an entire new facility with supporting features such as a people’s park and areas for small businesses; or simply refurbish the current 30-year-old arena.</p><p style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: rgb(18, 20, 20); color: #121414; font-family: "PT Sans"; font-size: 16.5px; line-height: 1.7; margin: 0px auto 26px; overflow-wrap: break-word;">Amirudin had also revealed then that MRCB was invited to put in its proposal out of 15 other companies due to its strong financials and track record, having redeveloped the Bukit Jalil National Sports Complex in 2017.</p></blockquote><p style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: rgb(18, 20, 20); color: #121414; font-family: "PT Sans"; font-size: 16.5px; line-height: 1.7; margin: 0px auto 26px; overflow-wrap: break-word;"></p><p style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: rgb(18, 20, 20); color: #121414; font-family: "PT Sans"; font-size: 16.5px; line-height: 1.7; margin: 0px auto 26px; overflow-wrap: break-word;"></p><blockquote> A public display to gain feedback was also held with the final decision on the scope of the project and cost yet to be decided by the state government. – July 25, 2023</blockquote><p></p></div>Rockybruhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08187242806213153913noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28452020.post-72670061083462242712023-07-27T19:22:00.004+08:002023-07-27T19:22:36.219+08:00Sequerah’s disclosure on his relationship with Jasmime Loo: Did the Judge leave it too late now?<p><i>When quizzed why I wasn’t blogging as often as I used to, I’d quip: “Writer’s block, lah.” To be perfectly honest, it’s just an excuse, really. I procrastinate, as people in my profession generally do. But you’d be happy to know that in between the countless of drafts I had started but couldn’t finish,, I was actually busy helping start what will be Malaysia’s most influential news portal in the near future called <b><a href="https://www.scoop.my/">SCOOP</a></b>. Now that <b>The News You Can Use</b> is up and running, I can go back to blogging, scribing, posting, writing as regularly as I used to … and as I should. A reporter, after all, is only as good as his or her last byline. No more excuses! (I’m running out of them, anyway!) </i></p><p><i>So here’s the latest byline: </i></p><div class="css-9on23b" data-ad-type="mrec" data-testid="Ad Slot" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); color: #333333; display: flex; font-family: Arimo, Roboto, "Open Sans", sans-serif, monospace; font-size: 16px; justify-content: center; margin: 16px 0px 32px; padding: 0px; text-align: center; width: 755.296875px;"><div data-ad-type="mrec" data-google-query-id="CI7EyZ_QroADFUNOaAodjcsEjg" id="div-gpt-ad-1552966628202-1-92108762-dcb4-4c36-a34c-6cf8e69a9384" style="box-sizing: border-box;"><div id="google_ads_iframe_/142680780/AASB_Awani/AASB_Awani_ROS_OOP_InArticle_0__container__" style="background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; border: 0pt none; box-sizing: border-box;"></div></div></div><div class="article-text new-line" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); color: #333333; font-family: Arimo, Roboto, "Open Sans", sans-serif, monospace; font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 32px; white-space: pre-line;"><blockquote><i>… At this juncture, Judge Sequerah interjected and said: "since the issue has been raised, I would just disclose to parties that the same individual (Jasmine Loo) and myself were partners formerly in a legal firm many years back, maybe 10 to 15 years ago. I thought I would just disclose (this) since her name has surfaced in the trial."</i> - <a href="https://www.astroawani.com/berita-malaysia/1mdb-trial-judge-reveals-he-once-worked-jasmine-loo-same-firm-429822" style="background-color: #cfe2f3;">1MDB: TRIAL JUDGE REVEALS HE ONCE WORKED WITH JASMINE LOO IN THE SAME FIRM</a></blockquote></div><p><b>KL, 27 July:</b> Judge Collin Sequerah’s admission that he and Jasmine Loo, the long-missing trusted aide of the long-gone fugitive Jho Lo, were once partners in a legal firm has raised fresh questions about the soundness of the 1MDB trial and our justice system. Or our (my) own understanding of what is just.</p><p>Nonetheless, lawyers representing the former Prime Minister Najib Razak say they may get Judge Sequerh to <b><a href="https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/nation/2023/07/27/najibs-lawyers-mulling-bid-to-disqualify-judge-from-hearing-1mdb-case/">recuse</a></b> himself. Political analyst Lim Sian See demands more. Sian See sees a mistrial.</p><p></p><blockquote><p> “The judge only revealed his conflict of interest today after the 1MDB-Tanore case trial last five years. Jasmine Loo is the most important character in the 1MDB case and her name and role have been mentioned many times in this trial but the Judge has never disclosed his relationship with her. </p><p>“The Judge should be recused and release Najib from this case now with a <b>mistrial</b> decision because it is not fair for Najib to go through another 5 years of trial under another judge.” - <i style="background-color: #cfe2f3;"><a href="https://malaysiagazette.com/2023/07/26/najib-patut-dilepaskan-susulan-pengakuan-hakim-sequerah-sian-see/">Najib patut dilepaskan susulan pengakuan Hakim Sequerah - Sian Se</a></i> </p></blockquote><p>Maybe it’s not a conflict of interest. Maybe it’s ok for the Judge and the former fugitive to be partners because it took place many years ago, 10 or 15 years ago to be exact. Surely a trial Judge gets to set the rules, change the rules, use his discretion and impart his wisdom no matter how questionable they may seem? </p><p>I hope somebody will tell us. But one thing I can tell you is, whether you agree with him or not, Judge Sequerah’s style has provided some really good headlines. I thought I would just share this 2021 article about him getting his knickers in a knot at the same 1MDB trial, except this episode also involved the YDPA, ie our King. </p><div class="newsTextDataWrapInner" style="--bs-popover-max-width: 100% !important; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: rgb(33, 37, 41); color: #212529; font-family: __HelveticaNeue_489c30, __HelveticaNeue_Fallback_489c30; font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 24px;"><p style="--bs-popover-max-width: 100% !important; box-sizing: border-box; color: #40484c; font-size: 1em; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br /></p><p style="--bs-popover-max-width: 100% !important; box-sizing: border-box; color: #40484c; font-size: 1em; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="background-color: #cfe2f3; font-size: 1em;"><a href="https://theedgemalaysia.com/article/angry-najibs-noshow-judge-orders-him-return-trial-after-meeting-agong"><b>ANGRY AT NAJIB’S NO-SHOW, JUDGE ORDERS HIM TO RETURN FOR TRIAL AFTER MEETING WITH AGONG</b></a></span></p><p style="--bs-popover-max-width: 100% !important; box-sizing: border-box; color: #40484c; font-size: 1em; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="font-size: 1em;"><br /></span></p><p style="--bs-popover-max-width: 100% !important; box-sizing: border-box; color: #40484c; font-size: 1em; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">KUALA LUMPUR (Aug 19): Former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak angered High Court Judge Collin Lawrence Sequerah this morning after he did not show up for the 1Malaysia Development Bhd-Tanore (1MDB-Tanore) trial.</p></div><div class="newsTextDataWrapInner" style="--bs-popover-max-width: 100% !important; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: rgb(33, 37, 41); color: #212529; font-family: __HelveticaNeue_489c30, __HelveticaNeue_Fallback_489c30; font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 24px;"><p style="--bs-popover-max-width: 100% !important; box-sizing: border-box; color: #40484c; font-size: 1em; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">Najib’s counsel Rahmat Hazlan told the judge that his client had been summoned to the palace this morning, but Justice Sequerah was not happy to hear about Najib's absence.</p></div><div class="newsTextDataWrapInner" style="--bs-popover-max-width: 100% !important; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: rgb(33, 37, 41); color: #212529; font-family: __HelveticaNeue_489c30, __HelveticaNeue_Fallback_489c30; font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 24px;"><p style="--bs-popover-max-width: 100% !important; box-sizing: border-box; color: #40484c; font-size: 1em; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">“He and 114 other MPs have been summoned to the Palace to confirm their support for Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri. We are not sure what time my client is scheduled to meet the King, but he is leaving PWTC at 10.30am," said the lawyer.</p></div><div class="newsTextDataWrapInner" style="--bs-popover-max-width: 100% !important; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: rgb(33, 37, 41); color: #212529; font-family: __HelveticaNeue_489c30, __HelveticaNeue_Fallback_489c30; font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 24px;"><p style="--bs-popover-max-width: 100% !important; box-sizing: border-box; color: #40484c; font-size: 1em; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">An infuriated Justice Sequerah then replied that Najib should have come to court to inform the judge of his need to see the Yang di-Pertuan Agong.</p></div><div class="newsTextDataWrapInner" style="--bs-popover-max-width: 100% !important; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: rgb(33, 37, 41); color: #212529; font-family: __HelveticaNeue_489c30, __HelveticaNeue_Fallback_489c30; font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 24px;"><p style="--bs-popover-max-width: 100% !important; box-sizing: border-box; color: #40484c; font-size: 1em; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">“He should have had the courtesy to come here first. From the news report I have read, it said the meeting with the King would be in batches.</p></div><div class="newsTextDataWrapInner" style="--bs-popover-max-width: 100% !important; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: rgb(33, 37, 41); color: #212529; font-family: __HelveticaNeue_489c30, __HelveticaNeue_Fallback_489c30; font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 24px;"><p style="--bs-popover-max-width: 100% !important; box-sizing: border-box; color: #40484c; font-size: 1em; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">“This case is ongoing. I will be back in 10 minutes and I want to know exactly what time he will be meeting the King. After he's done with that, he has to be back here for the trial to continue. I may not even stop at 4pm today," Sequerah told the lawyer before standing down for a short break.</p></div><div class="newsTextDataWrapInner" style="--bs-popover-max-width: 100% !important; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: rgb(33, 37, 41); color: #212529; font-family: __HelveticaNeue_489c30, __HelveticaNeue_Fallback_489c30; font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 24px;"><p style="--bs-popover-max-width: 100% !important; box-sizing: border-box; color: #40484c; font-size: 1em; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">As per Covid-19 standard operating procedures (SOPs), the trial is supposed to end at 4pm.</p></div><div class="newsTextDataWrapInner" style="--bs-popover-max-width: 100% !important; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: rgb(33, 37, 41); color: #212529; font-family: __HelveticaNeue_489c30, __HelveticaNeue_Fallback_489c30; font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 24px;"><p style="--bs-popover-max-width: 100% !important; box-sizing: border-box; color: #40484c; font-size: 1em; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">After the break, Rahmat informed the judge that Najib was currently at PWTC with other UMNO MPs and would be leaving at 10.30am to see the King.</p></div><div class="newsTextDataWrapInner" style="--bs-popover-max-width: 100% !important; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: rgb(33, 37, 41); color: #212529; font-family: __HelveticaNeue_489c30, __HelveticaNeue_Fallback_489c30; font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 24px;"><p style="--bs-popover-max-width: 100% !important; box-sizing: border-box; color: #40484c; font-size: 1em; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">Cutting an irate figure, Sequerah had no choice but to adjourn the trial to 2.30pm and told the lawyer that he hoped his client would show up for the trial.</p></div><div class="newsTextDataWrapInner" style="--bs-popover-max-width: 100% !important; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: rgb(33, 37, 41); color: #212529; font-family: __HelveticaNeue_489c30, __HelveticaNeue_Fallback_489c30; font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 24px;"><p style="--bs-popover-max-width: 100% !important; box-sizing: border-box; color: #40484c; font-size: 1em; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">"I have to carry on with the case, come what may. We have lost too much time," said Justice Sequerah.</p></div><div class="newsTextDataWrapInner" style="--bs-popover-max-width: 100% !important; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: rgb(33, 37, 41); color: #212529; font-family: __HelveticaNeue_489c30, __HelveticaNeue_Fallback_489c30; font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 24px;"><p style="--bs-popover-max-width: 100% !important; box-sizing: border-box; color: #40484c; font-size: 1em; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">"I understand that he has to be there when the King summons him. But he does not have to be there the whole day," the judge added.</p></div><div class="newsTextDataWrapInner" style="--bs-popover-max-width: 100% !important; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: rgb(33, 37, 41); color: #212529; font-family: __HelveticaNeue_489c30, __HelveticaNeue_Fallback_489c30; font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 24px;"><p style="--bs-popover-max-width: 100% !important; box-sizing: border-box; color: #40484c; font-size: 1em; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">It was reported that the King had summoned some 114 MPs to the palace this morning to interview them on their choice for the next prime minister.</p></div><div class="newsTextDataWrapInner" style="--bs-popover-max-width: 100% !important; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: rgb(33, 37, 41); color: #212529; font-family: __HelveticaNeue_489c30, __HelveticaNeue_Fallback_489c30; font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 24px;"><p style="--bs-popover-max-width: 100% !important; box-sizing: border-box; color: #40484c; font-size: 1em; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">The trial continues at 2.30pm.</p></div>Rockybruhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08187242806213153913noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28452020.post-55909198769401843522023-04-12T11:52:00.003+08:002023-04-12T17:01:41.049+08:00Anwar’s de-dollarisation: Will it hurt Malaysia?<p><i></i></p><blockquote><i>D</i><i>edollarisation is a process of substituting US dollar as the currency used for (i) trading oil and/or other commodities, (ii) buying US dollars for the forex reserves, (iii) bilateral trade agreements, and (iv) dollar-denominated assets.</i></blockquote><i></i><p></p><p><b>Mont Kiara, April 12: </b>The RM170 b worth of MOU Malaysia signed with China during Anwar Ibrahim’s state visit recently is “historic” not just because of the potential investment involved but also for marking the start of Anwar Ibrahim’s <b><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dedollarisation">dedollarisation</a></b> policy for Malaysia. </p><p>The Prime Minister made his pursuit for dedollarisation quite clear when he told Parliament on April 4, a few days after his return from Beijing, that <i style="background-color: #cfe2f3;"><a href="https://bernama.com/en/business/news.php?id=2178721">There is no need to continue depending on US dollar for investment</a>.</i></p><p>The problem with many Malaysians, even the smarter ones, is that we are so obsessed with disputing our own Prime Minister’s claim that, just four months into his premiership, the country could actually attract that much investment potential. “Ah, those are just MOU” was the detractor’s favourite comeback line. (For context, read my first posting on the China visit <b><a href="https://www.nst.com.my/opinion/columnists/2023/04/896670/how-little-napoleons-and-corruption-derail-crucial-agreements">here</a></b>). </p><p>The “bigger story”, as one analyst who resides in the US told me, is that China is pushing its own currency as Asia’s “reserves”. And that with the RM170 b trade deal with China, Anwar has started to steer Malaysia away from the US-D!</p><p> Elsewhere, Anwar’s dedollarisation has not escaped notice. Because eslewehere in the world, dedollarisatio is taking shape. In its report <i style="background-color: #cfe2f3;"><a href="https://geopoliticaleconomy.com/2023/04/06/dedollarization-china-russia-brazil-asean/">Countries worldwide are dropping the US dollar: De-dollarsisation in CHina, Russia, Brazil and Asean </a></i>the independent geopolitialeconomy.com noted how Malaysia is “publicly advocating dedollarisation”.</p><p style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Roboto, sans-serif; font-size: 1.125rem; line-height: 1.55; margin: 0px auto 20px; max-width: 660px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; word-break: break-word;"></p><blockquote><p style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Roboto, sans-serif; font-size: 1.125rem; line-height: 1.55; margin: 0px auto 20px; max-width: 660px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; word-break: break-word;">Malaysia’s Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim met with Chinese President Xi in Beijing on March 31, where the two leaders discussed plans to weaken US dollar hegemony and even create an “Asian Monetary Fund”.</p><p style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Roboto, sans-serif; font-size: 1.125rem; line-height: 1.55; margin: 0px auto 20px; max-width: 660px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; word-break: break-word;">This is a frontal challenge to the US-dominated International Monetary Fund (IMF), which emerged from the 1944 Bretton Woods Conference that established the dollar as the global reserve currency.</p><p style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Roboto, sans-serif; font-size: 1.125rem; line-height: 1.55; margin: 0px auto 20px; max-width: 660px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; word-break: break-word;">Anwar proposed the Asian Monetary Fund at the Boao Forum in China’s Hainan province.</p><p style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Roboto, sans-serif; font-size: 1.125rem; line-height: 1.55; margin: 0px auto 20px; max-width: 660px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; word-break: break-word;">“There is no reason for <a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2023-04-04/malaysia-china-to-discuss-asian-fund-to-cut-dollar-dependency" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); border: 0px; box-shadow: rgb(255, 255, 255) 0px -1px 0px 0px inset, rgb(145, 0, 0) 0px -2px 0px 0px inset; box-sizing: border-box; color: black; margin: 0px; opacity: 1; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; transition: color 0.25s ease 0s, background 0.25s ease 0s, opacity 0.25s ease 0s; vertical-align: baseline; word-break: break-word;">Malaysia to continue depending on the dollar</a>”, Anwar said, in comments reported by Bloomberg.</p><p style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Roboto, sans-serif; font-size: 1.125rem; line-height: 1.55; margin: 0px auto 20px; max-width: 660px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; word-break: break-word;">The media outlet added that Malaysia’s central bank is developing a payment mechanism so the Southeast Asian country can trade with China using its own currency, the ringgit.</p></blockquote><p>ASEAN has also been talking about their predicament in relations to the US dollar. While Anwar was in China, the grouping’s finance ministers met in Bali and they talked about dumping the greenback. “We must remember the sanctions imposed by the US on Russia,” President Jokowi of Indonesia was quoted as saying. (Read <i style="background-color: #cfe2f3;"><a href="https://news.bitcoin.com/asean-countries-take-steps-to-reduce-reliance-on-us-dollar-for-trade-settlements/">Asean countries take steps to reduce reliance on US dollar</a></i>),</p><p>However, an ASEAN consensus is not quite guarantee. As in the past (for example, when Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad was advocating the East Asia Economic Group, later Caucus, idea), Singapore could be the dissenting voice. Understandably so, as Singapore is the only economy in the region that could be adversely affected by this policy, the analyst added.</p><p>“Singapore’s status as the financial centre of Southeast Asia has historically been closely tied to its connections with the West and their capital, technology and values. However, as China’s influence in the region grows and its currency gains prominence, Singapore could face significant challenges in maintaining its position,” he said.</p><p>But how is that good for Malaysia? </p><p>How dedollarisation will benefit us is a national conversation that the Anwar Administration needs to initiate in haste. Right now, information is at best trickling out of the government’s communication apparatus. Wisma Putra is quiet on the matter; in the past, it would be its responsibility to take the lead. MITI has been rather shy, too, except for its Minister Tengku Zafrul Aziz’s commitment to ensure that the RM170 b MOU will be converted into contracts and jobs.</p><p>So far, Anwar is walking the talk. What is the rest of his Cabinet doing?</p><p>The media need to have a solid grasp on the matter in order to argue the idea of dedollarisation and the setting up of the Asian Monetary Fund. The financial and economic experts must help break down the mechanics of this policy so that enterprises are aware of the opportunities that they may seize. The ordinary folk also want to know how this will improve their purchasing power and quality of life.</p><p style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Roboto, sans-serif; font-size: 1.125rem; line-height: 1.55; margin: 0px auto 20px; max-width: 660px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; word-break: break-word;"></p>Rockybruhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08187242806213153913noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28452020.post-65619061339948483532023-04-05T13:26:00.001+08:002023-04-05T13:26:06.044+08:00MOU: Their bastardisation by Malaysian cronies and what they mean in China<b><i>Wed, 5 April:</i></b> Some Malaysians don’t think much of memoranda of understanding and that’s quite, er, understandable. For there was a time when corporate Malaysia would sign MOU after MOU with foreign parties without any intention of turning them into real business contracts that would bring the nation wealth and jobs. <div><br /></div><div>The 1980s and 90s were notorious for this: the PM presided over scores of MOU churned out by cronies who were just interested in making headlines in the business pages and boost their share prices. These Malaysian businessmen were the ones who had bastardized the concept and principles of MOU,</div><div><br /></div><div>As a result, some of us pooh-poohed PM Anwar Ibrahim when he recently announced the “historic” RM170 b worth of MOU signed during his visit to China.<div><br /></div><div>What many Malaysians don’t understand is that the Chinese treat their MOU seriously. An article in the Forbes (<i style="background-color: #cfe2f3;"><b><a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/danharris/2016/08/30/understanding-a-chinese-memorandum-of-understanding/?sh=42b8d1757bf0">In China, treat a memorandum like a binding contract</a></b></i>). </div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: #fcfcfc; caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Cambria, "Times New Roman", Times, serif; font-size: 18px;"><blockquote>In common law countries like Australia, Canada, the United Kingdom and the United States, MOUs typically mean little. Only the signed final contract really counts. This is not typically true in civil law countries like China which hold to a much stronger concept of good faith negotiation. Under that concept, it is not acceptable to simply walk away from an MOU if that would constitute “bad faith.” </blockquote></span></div><div>That’s right. When dealing with China, it is important foreign companies treat an MOU with a Chinese companyu just as it wold a binding contract. </div><div><br /></div><div>The challenge for the Government now is to cut the red-tape that would bog down efforts to realise the inflow of investments resulting from the China MOU. Former Finance Minister Johari Ghani, who is MP for Titiwangsa and lord of this country’s media industry, has proposed the setting up of a <b><a href="https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/nation/2023/04/05/set-up-special-panel-to-monitor-foreign-investments-johari-tells-govt/">special panel </a></b>to monitor the realisation of these MOU, which is not a bad idea. </div><div><br /></div><div>More importantly, as one Twitter buddy rightly pointed out, “Get rid of the little Napoleons first”. These little Napoleons, I take it, are those who would make it difficult for anyone to do business in this country unless they have been paid their commission. Anwar obviously understood this, which was why he had stressed the need to stop this “commission culture among civil servants” days before he announced the RM170mb MOU with China.</div></div><div><br /></div><div>The commission culture is, of course, not limited to civil servants. Politicians are probably the bigger culprits.</div>Rockybruhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08187242806213153913noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28452020.post-4308622027095958202023-03-31T13:14:00.008+08:002023-03-31T13:14:43.853+08:00Several top executives of public listed firms the target for Malaysia’s “corporate Mafia” <p>Friday 31 March: A reliable source told me the other day that the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission was aware of activities where outside elements, with the help of unscrupulous enforcement officers in our enforcement agencies, had been working hand in hand to “fix” certain targets in the corporate sector. </p><p>The rise of the <i><b><a href="https://nuclearmanbursa.blogspot.com/2023/03/wiseguy-inside-corporate-mafia-computer.html">Malaysian Corporate Mafia</a></b></i>, as some blogs call it. </p><p>The modus operandi is simple enough: </p><p></p><blockquote><p>- a whistle blower (sometimes an officer of the enforcement agency himself) would lodge a complaint against these targets, who are typically major shareholders in public listed companies</p><p>- these targets would then be hauled in for interrogation, they may be detained for a day or ten by the enforcement agency if necessary,</p><p>- they would be pressured to such an extent that they would be so happy to surrender their shares in the company (the value of which would have dropped exponentially because of the bad publicity arising from the scandal) to this Mafia, or else …</p><p>- they would be charged in court. </p></blockquote><p></p><p>Or something to that effect. </p><p>I’m sure the MO is more complicated than how I’ve made it sound to be, or how I was made to understand. But, bottomline, this unholy alliance existed!</p><p>MACC chief commissioner <b>Azam Baki</b>, who made reference to this alliance a week ago, is said to be aware that officers from the anti-graft commission may be involved. </p><p>“The boss knows, We could see some fireworks in the days to come,” the source said. </p><p>And like Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, who said <i style="background-color: #cfe2f3;"><a href="https://coconuts.co/kl/news/leaders-in-government-are-also-being-probed-for-corruption-pm-anwar/">leaders in his own government are being investigated for corruption</a></i>, the source believed Azam would have no qualms about investigating his own officers for wrongdoing.</p><p>Many suspect this unholy partnership is not confined to the ongoing scandal that has consumed <b><i style="background-color: #cfe2f3;"><a href="http://thick-brick.blogspot.com/2023/03/bursa-should-take-control-of-revenue.html">Revenue Berhad,</a></i></b> the gateway payment provider for none other than the Bank Negara. The money trail and “dead” bodies lead to several public listed companies and corporate people linked to some of our young politicians. Read the blogs.</p><p><i>For context, another reliable source in an enforcement agency sent me this article by the FMT for my Readers’ pleasure:</i></p><p style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 1.25rem; line-height: 32px; margin-bottom: 1rem; margin-top: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word;"></p><blockquote><p style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 1.25rem; line-height: 32px; margin-bottom: 1rem; margin-top: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word;">PETALING JAYA: The belief that they will escape punishment is a major reason law enforcement officers engage in corrupt practices, according to former Suhakam commissioner Jerald Joseph.</p><p style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 1.25rem; line-height: 32px; margin-bottom: 1rem; margin-top: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word;">He was commenting on Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) deputy chief commissioner Ahmad Khusairi Yahaya’s statement that unscrupulous enforcement officers were using their position to secure bribes from foreigners and that the situation had become “increasingly chronic and worrying .. </p></blockquote><p>Read more, <b><a href="https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/nation/2023/03/31/what-keeps-corrupt-officers-going/">What Keeps Corrupt Officers Going</a></b>? </p><p style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 1.25rem; line-height: 32px; margin-bottom: 1rem; margin-top: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word;"></p><p><br /></p>Rockybruhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08187242806213153913noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28452020.post-2635596856953020802023-03-30T00:18:00.001+08:002023-03-30T00:18:06.239+08:00Mahathir wages “holy” war against Anwar<p></p><blockquote><p style="text-align: justify;"><b>Wed, 29 March</b>:: PM4+7 Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad has officially spoken up against Anwar Ibrahim and his unity government. And in the holy month of Ramadan, too, when Muslims around the world make extra effort for restraint.<span style="text-align: left;"> </span></p></blockquote><blockquote><p style="text-align: justify;">He’s called Anwar’s administration NATO (<i style="background-color: #cfe2f3;"><a href="https://www.malaysianow.com/news/2023/03/28/anwars-govt-all-talk-and-no-action-says-mahathir">Anwar’s government all talk and no action</a></i>) and in almost the same breath is threatening to sue the Prime Minister for slander (<i style="background-color: #cfe2f3;"><a href="https://www.nst.com.my/news/nation/2023/03/893606/tun-m-demands-anwar-retract-defamatory-statements">Tun M demands Anwar retract defamatory statements</a></i>) for hinting that he was the “scoundrel” who had amassed billions during his premiership for his children, cronies and himself.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">Should Anwar worry? Of course. Mahathir brought down a couple of successors with relative ease after stepping down as the longest PM in 2003. He even earned a second premiership along the way. He is not one to be taken lightly. </p><p style="text-align: justify;">Should Anwar stop speaking his mind against corruption and abuse of power, especially by the very powerful? Hopefully, not. Anwar can always offer a bouquet to Mahathir, seeing that this is <i>hari baik, bulan baik</i>. But when restraint is no longer required, the people want to see their Prime Minister go after each and every one of those politicians who have wronged us, as he said he would (<i style="background-color: #cfe2f3;"><a href="https://coconuts.co/kl/news/leaders-in-government-are-also-being-probed-for-corruption-pm-anwar/">Leaders in govt being probed for corruption, too</a></i>).</p><p style="text-align: justify;">After all, how hard can it be to prove abuse of power and corruption? Dr M did that relatively easily against Anwar back then …<span style="text-align: left;"> </span></p></blockquote><blockquote><p style="text-align: justify;">But let’s please wait until after the Holy month.. Ramadan Mubarak, AI. </p></blockquote>Rockybruhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08187242806213153913noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28452020.post-54073819148189923042023-03-06T14:16:00.003+08:002023-03-06T14:16:49.506+08:00Fahmi’s appointments that say it won’t be business as usual anymore<p><b>KL, Mar 06</b>: IT’S still early in the game but young Minister <b><i style="background-color: #cfe2f3;"><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fahmi_Fadzil">Fahmi Fadzil</a></i></b> seems to be making all the right moves. The appointment of billionaire <b>Mohamad Salim Fateh Din</b> as chairman of the MCMC, for instance, should make some people wet their pants. It won’t be business as usual for MCMC as the seasoned corporate man is expected to bring in external auditors, new brooms and fire extinguishers for greater transparency and better governance. The best thing is Salim would know exactly what to do: he was there as interim chairman before offering Fahmi his resignation in Dec last year. The MCMC sits on a huge pile of money contributed by telco companies and we need to know all that money have gone and will go to the right places and not the pockets of the corrupt and unscrupulous. It also needs a clearer direction and leadership. Right now, most people see MCMC as a little more than just cybercops.</p><p>Fahmi, who turned 40 in Feb, had earlier announced the appointment of <b>Al-Ishsal Ishak</b>, a former chairman of MCMC (also short-lived), as Communications and Digital Advisor to the Minister. Ishsal was instrumental in launching the 5G services in this country, starting with a standalone pilot project in Langkawi way back in Dec 2019. He was replaced in June 2020 following the so-called Sheraton Move. His stints with Pos Malaysia (prior to MCMC) and a leading news portal in the country (post-MCMC) make Ishsal a formidable force in Fahmi’s team.</p><p>Under Fahmi’s watch, a decision on 5G will be made one way or another. (in other words, one DNB or two DNBs) and Salim and Ishsal will have a big say on that. From the little I know of both men, I believe neither is pre-occupied with the debate on whether a single wholesale network is better than a multiple wholesale network. Their question, I’m guessing, would be: should government be directly involved in business at all, in the first place?</p><p>Fahmi has made two more major appointments: <b>Kamil Othman</b> as Finas chairman and <b>Suhaimi Sulaiman</b> as director-general of RTM. While the first-time minister looks to Suhaimi to modernise RTM and make the government broadcasting company less a propaganda tool and more BBC or CNN, he may expect the seasoned Kamil to help him cleanse the National Film Development Corp. The Auditor-General’s report for 2021 found that RM4 million had been awarded to production houses with links to FInas directors, a revelation that, quite frankly, hardly raised eyebrows because … <i>why, it’s Finas!</i></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Rockybruhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08187242806213153913noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28452020.post-80132534851782396132023-03-04T14:06:00.005+08:002023-03-04T14:07:47.817+08:00The latest Aerotrain incident at KLIA: A lesson on procrastination<p></p><blockquote><p style="text-align: justify;"><i>03 Mar</i>: The aerotrain at our main airport, KLIA, is quite old. Last century technology. But the trains have served us well. They have done 2.8 million km in service (roughly 69 times the Earth’s circumference) and carried some 300 million passengers since 1998, according to <i style="background-color: #cfe2f3;"><a href="https://www.thevibes.com/articles/news/86622/klia-aerotrain-breakdown-yesterday-second-time-in-less-than-six-years-mahb"> The Vibes</a></i>.<span style="text-align: left;"> </span></p></blockquote><blockquote><p style="text-align: justify;">Thursday’s breakdown was not the first one. In <b>2017</b>, scores of passengers trapped in a stalled train <span style="background-color: #cfe2f3;"><i><a href="https://themalaysianreserve.com/2017/09/06/aerotrain-breakdown-klia/">put their own lives in danger </a></i></span>when they decided to get off the train and walk to the terminal; it was a miracle all of them lived to tell the tale. It was clear by then that KLIA needed a replacement. For reasons known only to them, however, the decision makers deferred a long-term solution for quick fixes.</p></blockquote><blockquote><p style="text-align: justify;">The decision to replace the aerotrain with a brand new 21st century system was approved only last year. The replacement project is due for completion in March 2025. </p></blockquote><blockquote><p style="text-align: justify;">After the latest incident, Malaysia Airports swiftly decided to suspend the Aerotrain services. So from now, buses will ferry all arriving and departing passengers between the satellite building and the terminal, instead. Buses may not be the most efficient mode for transfer of passengers at airports but they are pleasant, safe and, OKU-friendly. I’m sure you have been on these terminal buses in the world’s biggest airports like Dubai, Doha and O’Hare.<span style="text-align: left;"> </span></p></blockquote><blockquote><p style="text-align: justify;">But MAHB better make them buses operate efficiently for passenger comfort and safety as well as the airport’s overall efficiency. Make sure there are sufficient buses (and drivers). And that the March 2025 deadline is met.<span style="text-align: left;"> </span></p></blockquote>Rockybruhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08187242806213153913noreply@blogger.com0