Another Brick in the Wall

Rocky Bru's latest posting highlighted public's screwed up sense of consistency and integrity is to meet to their biased or rather propaganda manipulated viewpoints.

Never do they ponder that they have been made to look the other way by propaganda and rhetorics.

Have anyone thought for a second that Dato Najib or even Datin Seri Rosmah couldn't possibly lay out the so-called long-winded money flow back to Najib's personal account?

Other's can make their assumptions but as we see, it couldn't be them both. One possibility (still a possibility) can create the element of doubt in any court.

Such transactions has to be done by someone with the experience in such esoteric off-shore banking and investment schemes.

It is not by any Tom, Dick and Harry banker or stockbroker or fund manager.

Najib would merely give the go ahead based on what was advised to him by either first CEO Dato Shahrol or as alleged by many, Taek Jho Loh.

Surely the intention told to Najib would be good and holy. PM cannot be expected to know the technical nitty gritty thus unfair to be wrongfully guilty. Furthermore, the accusers including Tun M have yet to offer any proofs.

If the money trail is true as certain investigators like to believe and without giving a second doubt due to lack of knowledge in such esoteric financial product, then it has to be the most sophisticated amateurish work.

The real reason for the maze of money flow cannot be merely to siphon money. It is layers and layers to enable and justify a purpose.

And, there can only be one and only one person in Malaysia who loves to dabble and do such financial structure and that is Tan Sri Nor Mohamed Yakcop. He is keeping quite in the background but this mamak watcher have not forgotten him.

Geng Loceng

By now, the consistent message from this blog - to seek for the truth and not be lost in the propaganda and perception game of Geng Loceng - should be clear.

Never did this blog say 1MDB was absolutely kosher or halalaan toyyiba. This blog kept reminding not to make presumptions, buy into simplistic politically motivated logic and wrongly accuse people.

Same with Tabung Haji case. Geng Loceng have not given up on their slander of Tabung Haji.

Though it was answered conclusively by Tabung Haji [read here], there was still attempt to raise doubts [answered here]. Rafizi is now squirming to get out of this trap he has set himself [read here].

After failing to pin Najib for murder, suddenly, the issue of Abdul Razak Baginda turned up.

This time, Razak met the press to explain himself of the "commission" received via Hong Kong registered company, Terasasi Ltd Hong Kong.

His commission met the EU requirement. It is all completely legit and common practise in millitary procurement.

The exchange rate is much lower than the current exchange rate, so lets not blow up the figure to RM130 million. Also it is not as straight forward as percentage of the amount of the procured asset. Itu sudah auta Keling!

The submarine procurement were revealed and explained way back before the general election. [Read 2012 postings here, here and here].

To show their naivety, the Geng Loceng may have got some foreign news to report French authorities are investigating. Same ploy by SUARAM's C4. Together with other recycle reports of FBI investigation, it is obviously the work of hired International PR agency.

The Razak and Altantunya game must have been the brainchild of someone whose not been keeping in touch with the issue. Either he was inside a jungle in Sarawak then or have been in and out of hospital over heart, or diabetes or high blood ailments.

Over CNY, Dato Mukhriz made press statement after being rejected by UMNO Division Heads, UMNO state assemblymen, and KCS and removed by the royal household. He requested the Royal Council of Rulers to get briefing from the investigators.

It is ironic of him to do so. His father curbed the rulers power, then Mukhriz was resisting the royal displeasure and dragging palace into his political problem, but yet giving his trust to the royal household and requesting them to do something not according to the tradition and practices.

He is emulating the theatrics of Dato Khairuddin Hasan. [Mukhriz is criticised here]

Subsequently, the Geng Loceng made a fuss over Attorney General suggestion to amend the Official Secret Acts to make the punishment more stern on leakages in government.

In principle, we agree.

Leak by government officers including top officials have reached epidemic preportion. Action should start with the irresponsible and devious intended manipulation of Tabung Haji leak documents.

However, life sentence is a wee bit too much. It is also not so simple because it involves not only OSA but the amendments of five to six other laws.

Perkasa argued what is wrong with leaking documents on Government wrongdoing.

Any of these hold water?

Which one of the some six leaks recently proves any government wrongdoings? Will their allegation stand out in the court of law?

Such argument is so old PAS logic in style.

Quiet hidden hands

In Presumed "Guilty" II, this blog's repeated it's stand from the very beginning that should there be any hanky panky, it has to be Jho Loh and the first CEO of 1MDB from the days of TIA, Dato Shahrol. Both were instrumental in setting up of TIA and was involved in the much questioned Petrosaudi deal.

Shahrol and another early days member of the Board of Director of TIA, Tan Sri Bakke Salleh will be facing PAC from tomorrow, 11th to the 12th.

Shahrol is not a financial man but was a consultant on some mumbo jumbo matter from Accenture. At TIA and 1MDB, he grew arrogant to the point of calling local Banks as bank kampong. Arrogance usually hides a person's insecurity. It is not presuming guilt but it is indication of something is wrong and leading to suspicion.

However, despite much claim on the ability and genius of Jho Loh, the two of them are likely to be too young and inexperienced to conceptualise the real (and still untold) purpose of the alleged money flow as published by The Edge.

The disputed money flow involved Petrosaudi and some sukuk bonds issued. Rafizi and Tony Pua have raised it but both are missing the real target [Search in here].

The latest Saudi Minister statement gave a hint to the answer.

The Sheikh claimed that the "donation" was from a private citizen is interesting.

He added it could be investment instead of donation. [Read in FMT here].

As expected, the critics of Najib and Geng Loceng went all out to accuse the government of lying and thought they have got Najib cornered. They fail to realise that it expose their inadequacy.

The statement also reaffirm that the money is not from 1MDB as they once accused. Najib received the money legitimately from someone.

Nevertheless, the Saudi Minister must be truly extraordinary. He could comment on a private citizen's "investment". He may have indirectly highlighted a certain feature of Islamic banking and finance.

This brings us to one mechanism which is part of the principles of Islamic Banking. The mechanism is Qardul Hasan (benevolence) or in other word, donation. Maybe (it is still maybe) that was what is understood by the Minister.

There are seven mechanisms in Islamic banking and finance. Combination of two or three mechanisms are seldom applied to create Islamic financial instruments. It serves to duplicate or justify emulating conventional financial instruments. [Read Prudent press here]

The person capable at conceptualising and daring enough (in other word, willing to take huge losses) to take the risk of doing such deals can only be Tan Nor Mohamed Yakcop. He is on the Board of Advisers of 1MDB from the inception. [Read Kinibiz highlights of NMY, Jho Loh and Shahrol here]

And he was appointed there for his Ministerial position then. Quoting Wikipedia:

... he served with Bank Negara, the Malaysian central bank, from 1968 to 2000. During his time in Bank Negara, he was responsible for the implementation of a number of major projects, including
the implementation of Islamic banking in Malaysia
the setting-up of the bilateral payments mechanism between Bank Negara Malaysia and Central Banks of South-South countries
the setting-up of the Rating Agency Malaysia Berhad.
He was also involved in a currency speculation scandal in the early 1990s, where Bank Negara lost up to RM30 billion. No actions had been taken on him as he moved on to hold important government positions.^[2]

He was the Special Economic Adviser to former Prime Minister of Malaysia, Tun Dr. Mahathir Mohamad.

In 2002, he was appointed the director of Khazanah Nasional. He played a major role in government-linked companies (GLCs) like United Engineers Malaysia Berhad and Malaysia Airlines. The transformation of the GLCs is another feather in his cap. Following the Asian financial crisis, many of the GLCs were mired in debt and rudderless. In retrospect, his solution to their problems was simple.

First, he restored their balance sheets using the Government's sovereign guarantee when necessary as this guarantee cut down their cost of funds. Then he got young, bright professionals to manage these GLCs, giving them wide latitude to run these huge corporations but with the proviso that they did not line their own pockets. To ensure that they delivered, he introduced key performance indicators and service contracts. The GLC transformation is now into its third phase – and delivering results.

He was a member of the Dewan Negara, the upper house of the Parliament of Malaysia, for two terms before stepping down to run for the Tasek Gelugor parliamentary constituency in Penang in the Malaysian elections on 8 March 2008.

He is too familiar with Islamic banking and had business interest in the UAE. Willing to do things beyond his background and area of expertise. Daring to take risk and lose money. Done creative financial and policy matters.

Crooked enough to halalkan cara. His exploits have been extensively written in this blog [Search here].

All the elements are there to presumed he is involved. It is almost near to impossible that he is not in the know of what is happening at TIA and 1MDB. As former MoF II or Minister in charge of EPU, he cannot not be consulted either by Pak Lah or Najib on TIA or 1MDB.

But why is the Adviser quiet?

Mind you, Nor Yakcop pretty much fit in the Geng Loceng profile. If there is anything to proof this suspicion, Tun Mahathir disagree with bloggers' call to get him sacked at one time.

So Nor Yakcop has got one leg with Tun M, one leg with Pak Lah, and one leg with Najib. Most important, he has many legs for himself as one Mamak blogger used to described.

Pandai dan licik Mamak ni ...

[Will update later. Some family matter to do first.]

Updated, Edited and Linked: 11/2/2016 9:30 AM

You never realise how meaningful that someone in your life till they are not by your side. And, suddenly you are faced with a gout attack ... :)

While visiting a friend's wife at a hospital yesterday, we got diverted into talking about current affairs.

Our friend is in the transportation industry and very perceptive. He used to be in government and now in public sector after his company got corporatised and listed on the Bursa. He was in the centre of public attention recently.

He commented, "People only tahu complain, assume and tuduh. They don't really know what they are talking. Banyak suka cakap berdasarkan hanya andaian without knowing enough."

He was refering to Dato Marina Mahathir who commented without knowing head or tail about his company's recent action. We agreed. Had long realised Marina is poor on facts and details but lots of rhetorics.

We said, "At times, public forget that they could only see what they can and be made to see. Many happenings behind the scene are not known to them."

Our friend said, "To be fair, they cannot comment what they cannot see or comprehend. However, they cannot be quick to presume. There maybe other considerations and possibilities. There could be more to it."

It leads us to RPK's recent posting which reminded us of a commentator, X Mrsm somban 70s claiming to be our ex-schoolmate. He was trying to lead the comments by making assumptions but guised as unanswered questions.

It was a common issue but not many knows what was really happening. If he is asking question, why assume cover-up before an answer is given. It is sheer psycho babble.

The commentator cannot be our ex-schoolmate.

Our friends would not write this way: "I believe YOU as a former student of top mrsm college and later went to study oversea will help us to answer this non rocket sceince laymen question with a straight forward answer."

Pariah mana nak menyamar ...

Charge sheet before investigation

RPK mentioned something this blog had written. How could WSJ and SR leaked a charge sheet when the investigation is still going on and specific law to charge was not ascertain yet?

In his posting, The day Gani patail dug his own grave, RPK put that information into a proper perspective and with a timeline. Excerpt below:

On 10th May 2015, Najib announced in Sabah that he is not going to bow to any pressure to resign.

“I only bow down to party members and the people. As long as the party members support me, and as long as people give their trust, I shall continue to serve,” Najib said to a 40,000-strong crowd in Kota Belud, Sabah.

“Obviously one voice (Dr Mahathir) cannot be greater than the voices heard from the crowd here, in Kota Belud and the mandate given by the people. Was he (Dr Mahathir) not tested? There was the test of Team A and Team B, (where Dr Mahathir) almost lost. More than 50% of Umno members back then demanded for his resignation. What was his reply? ‘Even if I win by a single vote, I will continue to be the prime minister.’ A great answer.”

That was Najib’s counter-shot, which, in short, was Najib’s declaration of war and his pledge to not surrender and that he is taking no prisoners. ‘No quarters asked and none given’ would be more or less how the military strategists would put it.

The following day, on 11th May 2015, during Umno’s anniversary celebration, Najib fired his second shot to demonstrate that it is going to be an all-out war with no prisoners taken and a fight to the last man.

“Outside, there are all sorts of stories, all sorts of things being made up by those who want to split us up, those who want to sow doubt among us, those who want to poison our minds – they do not love Umno.”

In short, Najib just called the ANC traitors to the party.

To make sure that the battle-line is very clear and that there is no confusion regarding friend and foe, two days later, on 13th May 2015, during the Cabinet meeting, Najib practically told the entire Cabinet to speak out now or forever hold your peace.

In other words, Najib pointed to the door and told all those who are not with him that they can walk out the door and never come back.

No one did and even Deputy Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin kept his head down and would not look Najib in the eye. Politically, Najib had won the day.

Over just three days — between 10th May and 13th May — Najib took on his adversaries and the ANC and dared them to come out and fight. But no one dared because they knew that they could not take Najib on politically and win: giving new meaning to Sun Tzu’s Art of War about knowing your enemy.

They just did not know Najib as they thought they did and in just three days Najib demolished the entire conspiracy. And that was when I suddenly become so awed by this man who I, too, once opposed.

Anyone who can demolish an entire army that had surrounded him and had their knives at his throat in just three days deserves my support. Even the great ‘political guru’ Dr Mahathir could not do that. He had to first kill Umno to kill his enemies.

Realising that Najib was actually quite an astute politician after all, contrary to what they had originally thought, and that Najib was strengthening his political defences pretty well, which they had never expected, they decided to try to bring down Najib another way. Basically they will try to use the legal channel instead of the political route.

The following day, on 14th May 2015, Gani Patail told MACC’s Deputy Director of Investigation, Dato’ Sazali Salbi, to draft a charge sheet against Najib. You can read about that episode in the article Najib was supposed to resign on 29 July 2015 (READ HERE).

And the 14th of May 2015, the day that the ANC thought they had successfully placed Najib is his coffin and only needed a few nails to hammer it shut, was the beginning of the 74-day countdown towards the day when Gani was going to be slaughtered instead on 27th July 2015.

On 2nd July 2015, at 4.42pm EST to be exact, the Wall Street Journal published a report regarding 1MDB, which the ANC had fed them. Sarawak Report was then told to pick it up and keep harping on the matter, if possible every single day until Najib falls. They were also promised that more ‘secrets’ would be provided as they go along.

Then, in that same month of July 2015, they formed a Task Force to investigate the affairs of 1MDB based on the revelation by the Wall Street Journal and Sarawak Report, information that had come from them in the first place.

The irony of this whole thing is: the expose by the Wall Street Journal was made on 2nd July 2015, followed by the expose by Sarawak Report after that. The Task Force to investigate 1MDB was formed only after that and in July 2015. However, the charge sheet was drafted much earlier on 14th May 2015.

It was clear from this sequence of events and from the timeline that the charge sheet was a Red Herring (cannot call it fake because it exists, although it merely existed as a ‘prop’ to use against Najib to force him to resign). And it was clear that Gani was playing around with the charge sheet and that he did not really have a case.

Normally a charge sheet is prepared after the investigation has been completed and after it has been established that a case does exist. Any first-year law student can tell you that. Nowhere in the world do you prepare a charge sheet first and then launch an investigation (and based on a newspaper report on top of that) and then ‘tailor’ the investigation to fit in to the charge sheet.

So, you have decided that a crime has been committed, and you have decided what the nature of that crime is, and you have already prepared the charge sheet, and now you have to launch an investigation and ‘guide’ that investigation to make everything fit in nicely.

Is this what is called putting the cart before the horse?

And then, soon after that, on 27th July 2015, His Majesty the Agong, who could no longer tolerate all these shenanigans, signed the letter terminating the services of Gani Patail. Anyway, Gani was not well enough to work, unless he could buy a new kidney, so better he just rest than stress himself out and end up in an early grave.

And, two days after that, on 29th July 2015, Muhyiddin Yassin followed Gani into retirement.

And, another two days after that, on 1st August 2015, the MACC deputy public prosecutor, Ahmad Sazilee Abdul Khairy, was arrested and the following day, 2nd August 2015, his office was raided where they found the draft copy of that charge sheet.

On the following day, 3rd August 2015, the MACC Chief Commissioner, Tan Sri Abu Kassim Mohamed, announced that the RM2.6 billion was actually a donation after all and was not stolen from 1MDB.

On the following day, 4th August 2015, MACC made a police report saying that the charge sheet is a fake. In a way it was a fake because it was a ‘stand-alone’ charge sheet that was not related to any crime. In other words, the charge sheet was drafted before an investigation was launched and before it could be determined whether any crime had been committed.

Finally, in December 2015, after completing the investigation, MACC sent its report to the Attorney General, exactly seven months after Gani Patail told Sazali to draft the charge sheet.

Now tell me, after that thesis I just did above, can any sane lawyer tell me that I am not better than even those so-called qualified lawyers?

Let any lawyer tell me that drafting a charge sheet seven months before the completion of the investigation and even before it can be established that a crime has been committed is standard practice and is being done by every country all over the world.

By the look of it, there is the possibility that Gani may have intended to set-up Najib. He has been known to fix people up. Remember the poor first sodomy case against Anwar Ibrahim?

Have those presumptous commentators though of this possibility?

And then there were three ...

Taking a cue from Tun Mahathir that AG Tan Sri Apandi Ali will not make a case against Najib, all sort of accusations are made against AG when the event turned out to be so.

The line AG is covering up is easily digestible and meet the unschooled imposter's shallow criteria to "answer this non rocket sceince laymen question with a straight forward answer". It is a line to deceive people who refuse to think and uninterested to find out the truth or at least, find out more.

We were just tipped off this information. After receiving the papers from MACC, AG was on medical; not sure what it is, whether he went for a medical procedure or was unwell. The studying of the Investigation Paper (IP) was made by his team.

He came back and was briefed by their finding. It is the team that made the coloured flowchart that AG put up during PC. Basically, the decision was a group decision. The man at the top usually gets the blame. Not saying AG was negligent but it is not merely his own decision.

And here is something curious.

The first time MACC gave AG their IP, they gave two recommendations believe to be related to SRC. Deputy Commissioner, Dato Shukri gave a statement that the investigation on RM2.6 billion is incomplete.

Earlier, Commissioner Tan Sri Abu Kassim said the RM2.6 billion was a donation. Him and another top official met the representative of the donor and saw the document before he went for operations. It was publicly made known much earlier that 1MDB is not the scope of investigation of MACC but that of Bank Negara.

The uproar for the first rejection of the IP by AG was expected. Naturally, pressure was applied on AG by the critics and detractors. Attention seeking Khairuddin made reports with police and MACC. He also filed a judicial review in which AG filed objection.

Former AG, Tan Sri Abu Talib also made statement and RPK dealt with him accordingly. Dato Mukhriz made the Anwar-esque request for Majlis Raja-Raja to investigate. Among them applying public pressure are several members of the review panel that had access to the IP before it was submitted to AG. And one may have leaked the info to Tony Pua.

As pointed out in this blog, SRC is expected to be the Archilles heels of Najib but as pointed out also, the evidence is not easy to put forward in court. It has a long money trail that requires piles of evidence or busloads of witnesses. Several key people in SRC disappeared.

It could stumble somewhere along the way in court. One can expect for AG to want more evidence and information. The reason for AG action is so simple that Dato Ahmad Badshah and any SPM dropout can understand.

AG need to have a 99% chance in criminal prosecution first before taking it to court. [Read TMI report here]

Within a wisk of time, MACC resubmitted the IP and publicly announced they made three recommendations. Mkini reported the three charges are under Penal Code. It will be interesting as it is said to have come an already drafted charge sheets?

When Bank Negara could not provide additional evidences as requested by AG, the case was practically closed. Did MACC provide additional evidences as requested within that short time?

As far as the three recommendations, the two recommendations could be the same SRC recommendations, but what is the third one? 1MDB or RM2.6 billion also?

The commentators on the Internet and social media are presuming Najib is personally being charged on the three counts. Maybe someone leaked it to the public or they are just presuming. It is contrary to other statements made, but why only Najib? Aren't there others supposed to be charged together?

We were informed that MACC will drag all the members of it's five committees to meet AG to ask for explanation. That is tantamount to putting AG up for the firing squad.

Come to think of it, maybe the information is not right. MACC has stated that they are professional enough and will not encroach into AG's power to prosecute provided for under the constitution. It is Abu Kassim himself who acknowledged it. He said he will respect the AG's decision.

It could be the figment of imagination of certain segment of the public for absolute transparency. How could AG make a case in court if his case materials are open to public scrutiny and details out in the open? His strategy and tactic will be known already. Najib will surely get away scot free.

Having involved in the fight to topple Pak Lah, it is likely that the same will happen. It is not about actually getting a guilty sentence on Najib but only to charge him so that he vacate the PM post for someone of their choice to fill it up.

Muhyiddin ... maybe? Ku Li ... maybe but too old already? Zahid ... who knows since Matthias Chang already asking him to get to their side. It is the answer Tun M has refused to answer or does not have the answer.

Still wondering how Tun M could deliver his cue so perfectly timed.

Unless one was involved in the stock market then or had memories of the Second Board rally at around the time of the Kyoto Earthquake that shook the financial market of the world in 1995, not many could remember the delisted Repco shares.

Some were reminded when the Session Court made a judgement that found Company Chairman, Dato Low Thiam Hock guilty for stock manipulation under Section 84(1) of the Securities Industry Act 1983 (SIA). Since charged on September 18 1999, it took the court 19 years to come to a decision!

There was still not much public attention despite media coverage to his judgement and several postphoned sentencing on January 19th, January 22nd and January February 15, yesterday. Yesterday's 2-hour mitigation ended up postphoned again to February 29th.

But when RPK revealed a court exhibit which is a letter from Tun Dr Mahathir to SC Chairman, the case begin to viral. RPK's posting was questioning Tun M for inconsistency and it was an extension of his revelation of Tan Sri Mokhzani's alleged insider trading.

Securities Commission

The letter was Tun M officially acknowledged meeting Dato Low Thiam Hock or popularly known in the market as Repco Low and asked him to help boost the market. He did not mentioned which stock or told Repco Low to do anything illegal so it covers him legally.

However, market player would have presumed it as a consent to rig the market.

Thus for LSS accusation that Tun M was cavorting with Low in stock manipulation activities on the alleged incident on September 1997.

The letter was dated October 18, 2000. The letter was addressed to the then SC Chairman Encik Ali Kadir (now a Datok) and chopped receipt on October 20, 2000. All after the event and before SC charged Repco Low.

The Repco shares attracted quite an attention because Sime Bank (now acquired from Sime Darby and merged to be RHB Bank) suffered serious loss. As a result Sime Darby gave up on banking and sold it to never ever involve in financial services ever.

The interesting part of this latter is why Ali Kadir still charged Repco Low despite the letter from then PM Dato Seri Dr Mahathir Mohamed (now off course Tun M).

Ali Kadir would have understood that Tun M is subtly saying he is my man and he is doing national service at my request. Lay off!

Why did he still charge?

Off course, not many realised this.

The Finance Minister then was Mahathir-appointed Dato Seri Anwar Ibrahim. The political animal Anwar have been placing his men everywhere in government and GLC. So he would surely have placed his man in all organisation under MOF, especially SC.

SC was one organisation his people are well entrenched.

The first SC Chairman was artist Botelli afficianado, Tan Sri Munir Majid. He was on the Board of Director of Yayasan Bumiputera Pulau Pinang. Only Anwar people would have been Board member of an Anwar initiative.

Munir was replaced by Ali Kadir.

Though son of first female Minister of Malaysia, Tan Sri Fatimah and first Malaysian AG, Tan Sri Ali Kadir, he was an Anwar man. He does not bother of Tun M's letter but only of Anwar's instruction.

It was only years later that his true colors surfaced in his critical comments and columns in The Malaysian Insider. It is not a norm for man of his standing to be critical of Government. Here is an example. At a time, Anwar was in opposition, Ali's comment can be contrued then as pro-opposition.

From Munir to Ali days, the stealth Anwar operation in SC have been at work. The proofs will come at a latter posting but the likes of current Chairman Ranjit Singh and even DPP for SC, Roz Mawar Rozain are pro-Anwar and possibly these days pro-PKR.

Anwar then needed to clean his name of the Repco and Sime Bank mess. So he insisted on SC to charge Repco Low.

Repco was known in the market to befriend Anwar and at the same time, close to Tun M back. That was till the fallout on the Sandakan Turf Club (STC), which another Anwar man, the famous Duta Yap wanted.

Anwar planned to give STC to Duta Yapp and the plan was to inject STC into Mycom but Sabah government failed the plan. They accused Repco of failing the plan.

We remembered one Director of Mycom who was a Muslim and quite a familiar corporate name. It was told to us that he opted out the moment the acquirer of his PLC, was going to change name to Mycom and turned it into a gambling counter.

SC was reported to investigate Mycom for the shares sparked. It was told to us that only minutes after the meeting the deal was consumated, the shares spiked. Since Duta Yapp was an Anwar man, SC did nothing.

We had a chat with the corporate player two days after the shares spike.

Sime Bank

Back then, we had a personal experience and interest in the Repco case.

The Repco shares debacle seriously affected Sime Darby's latest acquisition in the financial industry. Sime Securities was a wholly owned subsidiary of Sime Bank (now acquired and merged to be RHB Bank).

Sime Bank had to pump money into Sime Securities. Otherwise, it could not meet the minimum liquid fund (MLF) requirement of stockbroker and that would have affected Sime Bank's financially and operationally.

With consent (and believe there was circular resolution to authorise) from the Board of Directors of Sime Bank, then Sime Bank CEO, Dato Ismail Zakaria directed the Bank to pump about RM700 million (if memory does not fail us) into Sime Securities.

Sime Darby was pretty much a blue blooded Malaysian company but British aristo at heart. The Board members started to wash their hands and looks to gang up against Ismail Zakaria (IZ). So IZ was charged by Bank Negara.

Economy was bad and nothing much to be done except hear sad stories. Without nothing to do then, we and our former partner attended court daily as a moral support to IZ. He helped finance one of our deal and it was fully paid back.

We heard all the big names on the witness stand that became prosecution witnesses - Dato Nik Din, Tan Sri Nik Mohamed, Tan Sri Tengku Ahmad Yahya, Dato Ghaus, among others.

IZ was a former boss at Maybank. His last post was Joint Executive Director with Tan Sri Ahmad Don for a while till Ahmad took up post as Managing Director. IZ was invited to head D&C and later through several Banks M&A, it became Sime Bank.

We lost track of the case after that. Heard it is still a long on-going case like that of Repco Low. [See Google Search here] It is at it's 18th year.

The fun part of the case was that there were lots of ex-Maybanker and ex-MRSMs either are involved or related to the accused. They were there attending the case or standing by as witnesses.

The assigned broker to Repco Low was a senior by the name Shahruddin Saadon, son of a former Director of KUBB. We only knew then that our batchmate was IZ's niece. Small world ....

There have been lots of conversations and information shared in between court in sessions.

The case is something else and maybe Repco is as popular known to be Raja Goreng but for the particular transaction as charged in court, we were told that the purchases were legit. Sime Bank cannot sue him so presumably Sime Darby take it out on IZ.

In both cases, Repco and IZ was acquited but prosecution appealed.

To be continued

Meeting up too many people that the second part could not be written yesterday. So we continue where we left off from here.

When told by friends at the court case against Dato Ismail Zakaria (IZ) that transactions by Dato Low Thiam Hock or known as Repco Low at Sime Securities was legit, it came as no surprise that he was acquited without being called for defense in 2006.

However, Court of Appeal overturned the decision by the Session Court and High Court in March 2013.

Led by then judge Tan Sri Apandi Ali, Repco Low had to put up defense as it was deemed there is sufficient ground to "describe and sustain" the said offense to create misleading appearance with respect to the price of Repco shares on the share market.

So Apandi can call it as he see it on a PM man. Furthermore, Judge Akhtar Aziz of the Session Court can be described in politically correct word as unpredictable.

The notoriety of Repco Low may have preceded [read here, here and here]. Analysis and commentaries on Repco the company have been widely written [read such examples here, here and here].

Whether it is legally justified, judges may have insisted he defend himself for the benefit of public interest. SC needed a case to set an example to other mischievous punters.

Repco Low's case was possibly weakened by another civil suit case against him by SC in 2008 involving Iris Corp.

Legally speaking, insider trading or stock manipulation is not an easy case to prove. So the talk of Tan Sri Mokhzani will be charged for insider trading is all political talk.

As we remembered of being told at a course attended, the first such successful case of insider trading on Wall Street could be done with the availability of notes found in a dustbin where a meeting of all involved at a hotel room.

FBI was doing a sting operation so they were able to convince the court on the admissibility of the evidence.

Taking up offer

How is the case with Repco Low's offense for stock manipulation “by taking up any offer prices of the said shares offered by the sellers, which act was calculated to create a misleading appearance with respect to the price of Repco shares on the KLSE on 3 Dec 1997”?

If he had bought his required Repco shares for the account more by being sold at the bid price than taking up on the price offered, Judge Akhtar was right to acquit. There should not be a case at all.

Taking up any offer price without selling back but holding on as long term investment or strategic shareholding cannot be construed as stock manipulation. Stock manipulation usually involve some selling and buying and it is usually done through several accounts.

SC did a credible job in the Iris case to identify other accounts used.

Did Repco Low used other accounts to buy and sell Repco shares or passing the positions from one account to another? If it only involves a single account, it is meaningless! It is a bad joke on Repco Low by SC and the court.

The case only mentioned of the one way buy on ONLY ONE DAY on December 3 1997.

If it is one day, it is not enough to assume stock manipulation. One day transaction means nothing! It takes days or weeks or even months to generate news or rumours, create sentiment and manipulate shares up or down.

Expert?

Who was the expert sought to determine the "act was calculated to create a misleading appearance"?

From what was told to us by friends in the market, one of the expert witness heard for the prosecution was the USM lecturer and former Board of Directors of KLSE, Dr Neo Soon Kean.

Soon Kean was a DAP supporter, so it could be in sync with the intention by Dato Seri Anwar Ibrahim to kena Repco Low for being in his way. There could be a collusion between Soon Kean and Anwar supporters within SC.

Nevertheless, lets put political conspiracy aside.

In our early working days of learning about investment in stock market by reading his book and following his column in Sunday Mail, his prediction and method are purely dog shit, pardon the market lingo.

It doesn't work and his published portfolio regularly turned out to be bummer!

No doubt he has the credential and sits on many committee and board of institutions to claim as expert for the court. He is just an early bird in the game but he is no market expert and operator to comment, more theoretical.

Soon Kean had this habit of applying comparative methodology and expect stocks that do not follow a certain pattern should eventually follow suit. Theoretically, that is inconsistent with Efficient Market Theory. Furthermore, his choice of laggards do not necessarily follow his prediction.

If Soon Kean had act predictably to use a similar method to analyse say gaming shares and claim Repco shares are manipulated because it did not follow other gaming shares pattern, then it is still a highly questionable and subjective opinion!

Wonder whether Dato Ku Rahman, the man in charge of KLSE's AWAS system confirm existence of stock manipulation?

The retired Ku Rahman, now living in Subang Jaya and hang out regularly at particular mamak shop there had a sophisticated system developed from his days as market player at PNB. He should be the expert opinion sought by the court to confirm stock manipulation!

There is also the likelihood that Soon Kean could be using another typical theoretical argument that next day on December 4, shares come down because Repco Low stopped buying. Typical academic and non practitioner logic.

That argument should prove that Repco Low was the only buyer of Repco shares on December 3rd that made the price shot up. If there are other buyers, it disprove his claim!

Did SC scan through the chart to pick on only December 3rd trade as it fits Soon Kean's theory?

Another way to indicate possibility of stock manipulation is to show the stocks fluctuation is abnormal and statistically are outliers.

In other words, it is outside the possible "range" for normal stock fluctuation and had fluctuated at prices considered as highly improbable or of low probability. If it was proven it was not, the legend should escape conviction.

Intention

The Wall Street case was able to show the intention to manipulate the shares. If these are the possible expert opinions sought by the court, then it is defective. It does not prove any premeditated act with the intention to manipulate.

Judges are not left brainers, capable at handling numbers and mathematical logic. It reminded us of our lawyer friend struggling in our MBA Finance class.

Seriously, doubt these judges understand the operation of stock, let alone stock manipulation operation, and statistics. They will not be able to understand the mathematical logic behind the numbers and statistics that describe the intention to manipulate.

They will rely on so-called expert and that is a textbook Gani Patail approach to fix a victim in court.

If Repco Low was only buying from a single account without any selling which is usually for purpose of buying back to prop up the shares and the shares bought are held for long term, then he has no intent.

He will be a victim of judges' ignorance. Expectedly, some will say serve him right for preying on common folk savings. So it is payback in a different form like Al Capone was not charged and sent to prison for his crime but for tax evasion.

As far as those common folk dabbling and punting in shares, they are not victims worthy to be protected. They know the risk but do not want to place their investment in Unit Trust or Fixed Deposit. And they are willing to enter into a trade based on rumours and hearsay from third party or maybe even 15th party.

No Bursa or SC can save these idiots but themselves.

Off course, if that is God's will to charge Repco Low, then be and it shall be. However, it is improper on human judges to punish him for his reputation but not for the actual wrongful act.

Don't quite care for Repco Low for he can take care of himself. But only had the systematic injustice done on Khir Toyo in mind ...

* Edit 19/2 7:41 AM

Many months ago and in the thick of the 1MDB debacle, it is overheard that Tan Sri Dr Zeti Akhtar Aziz was almost ready to quit her position as Governor Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM).

However, she was asked to stay till her contract expired.

It would worsen further the image of the political leadership. At the time, AG was changed, police raided on MACC, two MACC Directors transfered to PM Department and Tan Sri Muhyiddin and Dato Shafie Apdal removed from cabinet.

As the date of Zeti's retirement gets closer, talk is she was positioning herself for extension. Thus for her remark that no politicians should lead BNM. It was intended to shut out her nearest competitor, Dato Dr Awang Adek Hussein.

Both Zeti and Awang received their doctorate from Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania and she was aware Awang was a genius. Double degree in 3 years and straight for express doctoral program.

Anyway, if Awang Adek cannot make Governor, than Tan Sri Mohd Nor Yakcop does not qualify also.

In the first place, it is no business and authority of her to determine her successor. By saying no politician, she too is playing politics. It is heard Dato Nazir Razak was lobbying for his horse.

In the manner Tan Sri Ali Abul bin Sulaiman was appointed by Tun Mahathir, it is and has always been the Prime Minister's call.

Dato Najib has responded to question from the press on this appointment. He said government will decide soon. He will only need take note of the advise or recommendation by some committee or even bloggers.

It reported that Zeti has confirmed she had not been asked to continue.

It is heard over the grapevine that Zeti was only willing to vacate the Governorship without any fuss upon the condition she be awarded Tunship for the next Agong's birthday on June 4th.

Tun Ismail Ali received Tunship for being Governor for 18 years, has an impeccable record in the civil service and is doyen of integrity. Zeti will retire on her 16th year but her integrity is up in question.

Questionable integrity

It was revealed and no denial had come from Zeti of her link to off shore account. Tun M should be upset that she not have it in Labuan but in BVI instead. [Read here and here].

There was market talk of collusion between Zeti and Nazir in the CIMB takeover of Southern Bank with husband Tawfiq Ayman acting as broker/intermediary. Nazir does not care who he do business with. Almost made the country a banana republic before George Soros initiated the financial crisis of 1998-2000.

The details are here and here to be verified by interested party and palace or denied by Zeti.

It has been the talk of the town that husband Tawfiq had a hand in the construction of the new Bank Negara building which include a wing for Museum and Art Gallery.

Construction of the new Financial Services Resource Centre may have been padded for the benefit of someone.

When the contractor H&I Niaga Sdn Bhd made payment demand and sued BNM for RM131.9 million, suddenly Affin Bank pulled their financing from under their rug and wind up the company. [Read MT here]

Do not expect a document trail.

All BNM need to do is to verbally instruct Affin. It is in the same manner Dato Anwar Ibrahim instructed Dato Izham who then told his boss, Tan Sri Ahmad Don that Maybank must finance Realmild's takeover of TV3 and NSTP should he want to keep his job.

It was the same manner Nor Yakcop and Nazir did to take away Renong/UEM, Celcom/Naluri and many other PLCs out of the hands of Tan Sri Halim Saad, Tan Sri Tajuddin Ramli, and many other Malay corporate entrepreneurs created. Some human claiming God created them and in Godly manner, they destroyed all the Malay corporate players.

Trigger 1MDB failure

This is not the only time that BNM under Zeti have been conducting themselves as thugs who threat and extort on helpless businessman and even banker.

In the case, there is the suspicion and sources within banking circle has confirmed that it was BNM that sabotaged 1MDB IPO and systematically led to its failed plans. As of today, continual attack by critics and detractor of Najib have used 1MDB to tarnish the country's reputation.

All one need to do is return back to this June 19 2014 report by MMO, "1MDB said to work with Deutsche Bank, Maybank on power asset IPO".

By July, it was confirmed that 1MDB was going for IPO and appointed Deutsche Bank and Maybank as its joint global coordinators, Maybank and AmBank as joint principal advisors, and Goldman Sachs is the advisor.

Naturally, Maybank and Deutsche will be doing underwriting business for the IPO.

It was or should have been approved for listing by December but then CEO Dato Shahrol got greedy and wanted to include the new IPP awarded to them. But the news came out as "due to debt burden" and subsequently spin as "longer-than-expected due diligence process and debt refinancing negotiations".

In January 2015, CIMB Securities came out with an analysis of 1MDB impact on CIMB. Though recommending "Add", it was deceptively negative. It was so typical of Nazir.

After much hype and propaganda, the 1MDB loan from Deutche Bank and Maybank became an issue. Eventually by May, talk was lenders led by Deutche Bank was pulling the plug off 1MDB. Bankers give umbrella to prepare for rain but the first droplet of rain and they take the umbrella away.

That was the sparked that started it all till 1MDB had to call off the IPO in June.

If Maybank was adviser, lead manager and underwriter, it is less a risk than expose in loan. They should know that the IPO would solve the debt burden and 1MDB will be a loaded client. So who was the bastard that decide to sabotage 1MDB.

Someone from BNM instructed someone verbally in Maybank to recall the loan. The someone in Maybank cannot be revealed but it is in the top part of the chart here. Don't make the mistake of assuming that just because Dato Farid is our super junior that it is him.

That is not spiteful enough.

Sabotaging IPIC

Knowing well that 1MDB first move on the right step to reduce its debt burden was the debt with asset swap with IPIC, Zeti attempted to thwart the plan by demanding 1MDB recall back money kept abroad in foreign currency based on some issues over application form.

BNM wanted AG to charge but stopped after they could not furnish further supporting evidence to AG. However, they made another move by angering the Abu Dhabi.

In September 2015, BNM ordered a ordered a cap on the voting rights of Aabar Investments PJS in RHB Cap to 15%.

BNM was acting as Securities Commission to apply their dictatorial power under the Financial Service Act(FSA) to prohibit RHB Cap from issuing more than 15% of new shares to Aabar under a rights issue plan. Aabar has 21.09% stake in RHB Cap. [Read The Star here and here].

Reuters reported that this rights issue had been delayed. Bankers said it was an unusual intervention. And could this be meant to the delay the ongoing debt with asset swap with IPIC for 1MDB?

BNM under Zeti had been consistently in collusion with Nazir to sabotage 1MDB.

In the investigation on 1MDB, it was BNM that leaked documents to Tan Sri Gani Patail which ended up leaked to WSJ and Sarawak Report. Our source is an investigator, but where we cannot tell.

Zeti have been using 1MDB to cover her inability in the area of monitoring and enforcement. She used 1MDB as an excuse to cover-up her inability and indecisiveness to monitor and manage the ringgit.

There was a blatant clear situation of capital flight from late 2013 to 2015. She failed to detect it and when it affected ringgit in 2015, she blamed in on 1MDB and politics!

Sons and daughters of aristocratic families can be suave, polite and proper but they can be sneeky and shrewd. Hear Colin Firth at 2:45 in the video of what nice boys and girls do too.

Zeti maybe given all sort of accolades from abroad from her fellow Monetarist and she is the pride of women of Malaysia, but her sense of patriotism is in question.

Replacement

On the question of replacement, few names had been bandied around. Rakyat Post mentioned 8 here.

The Star reported that bankers are pushing for current BNM Deputy Governor Muhammad Ibrahim to replace Zeti. As long as he is not a clone of Zeti and wiser in his decisions, it is no issue. It is heard Nazir is lobbying hard for him.

The future Governor has to be more dynamic and not beholden to IMF and World Bank. He must have a deep understanding of the global financial structure of the Bretton Wood agreement.

In the foreseeable future, many new economic power will emerge. New grouping such BRIC, TPPA and many others will emerge to make their relevant existent. This dynamic should be understood.

They should be more awareness on the direction of the geoglobal economic and political trend. The country cannot be dependent on purely US dollar. There should be consideration for Euro, Chinese Renminbi, Indian Rupee and many other currencies that form our trading partners .

BM need many more Deputy Governors than the current size. One should be dedicated to currency management.

It must be the season to cabar mencabar (making challenges). Tralalala ... lalala ...

Blogger Shahbudin put up a posting of Tun Dr Mahathir challenging Dato Najib to swear on the Quran. He said he would do it.

RPK joined the fray to challenge Tun M to swear:

“In the name of Allah, I, Mahathir Mohamad, swear that Najib Razak stole RM42 billion of 1MDB’s money and that the RM42 billion which Najib Razak stole has all disappeared into thin air.”

Najib should reply to swear as follow:

“In the name of Allah, I, Najib Razak, swear that I did not steal RM42 billion of 1MDB’s money and that the RM42 billion has not all disappeared into thin air.”

Well .... Tun M and Najib should know that all these swearing and oath is meaningless in the court of law but only appeal to the superstitous kampong folks.

It is the same manner that Dato Seri Khairuddin and Matthias Chang went around the world to take pictures in front of law office and police stations to appeal to the urbane folk and it may not have any legal significance.

Before getting into that, blogger Shahbudin also interpreted Tan Sri Muhyiddin's latest speech at Telok Kemang, where GKCM started, as a challenge.

Dato Nazri Aziz sprang up to demand he withdraw from his Deputy President position. If one had followed RPK's, it seem as though there was effort to sack him earlier but nothing so far.

Cheap theatrics

Cabar mencabar is the usual political stunt of old days PAS. One usually hear the likes of Mahfudz Omar, Husam Musa, Khalid Samad and those in the same time zone doing such thing.

However off late, clergymen like Mufti Asri, DAP leaders like Lim Guan Eng (but lately he shied away from confrontation) and one Johnny come lately by the name of Zaid Ibrahim have been doing the same cheap stunt to gain public or media attention.

However, the current cabar mencabar happening would not be complete without including the said former Naib Ketua Bahagian of UMNO Batu Kawan and husband to actress Ummi Aida.

In Khairuddin's Facebook, he seemed to have challenged or swear, curse, and name called every other public personalities - Najib, court (through his applications), IGP, Nazri, Dato Jamal Yunos, Ku Nan, Raof, Ahmad Maslan, Raja Petra, MyKMU, Lim Sian See, Najib defender, and his latest rant, AG Tan Sri Apandi Ali.

Khairuddin have been ranting against AG daily since the day AG exonerate Najib for the RM2.6 billion donation and RM42 million alleged SRC money in personal account.

It started with him and Matthias Chang being detained under SOSMA and charge under Section 124L and Section 34 of Penal Code (Act 547). Thus far, they were only allowed release from detention and doing delay tactics to sustain the case till next general election.

In his tantrum against AG, Khairuddin had made police report on January 27th to seek the investigation of Apandi Ali for abuse of his constitutional power to decide to charge or not on any Investigation paper and recommendation by investigating authorities. [Reports by TMI and FMT, here and here, respectively].

A copy taken from Khairuddin's FB below:

Fake MACC report

Subsequently, it was reported Khairuddin made MACC report against AG on February 3rd. [Read FMT here]. Pictures of him talking to the press in front of MACC can be found below:

Notice the bundle of materials and the newspaper cutting intentionally allowed to be seen by the public. It does make it look as though he had piles of information to be submitted against AG at MACC.
Good coaching from wife.

There is no chance of looking at the MACC report because it is not allowed as it would be prejudicial to the investigation.

Maybe MACC do not want reports made to them abused for slander against victim. Thus Khairuddin's report against MACC cannot made available for public view as per the police report against AG. Interestingly, there was a statement by MACC on Khairuddin as reported by Malaysiakini:

Malaysiakini report dated February 3rd

Rohaizat's comment to say that they have not receive the report shows MACC do not indulge in such cheap act.

MACC have lately been accused of doing lots of wayang including the latest one being promoted by Geng Loceng on the cancellation of meeting with MACC panels. Talk at an exclusive high tea eatery and quite a credible place to pick up on latest gossip was that AG was summoned to meet a member of the Council of Ruler.

Thus far, statement from Tan Sri Abu Kassim has been consistent. It just look chaotic and out of control for other officers to make statements and regularly happening too on the same matter. It is as though the boss's words does not sufficiently explain.

By the look of it, Khairuddin never made the report to MACC for fear false report could put him in trouble and be charged under the MACC Act.

It only made us curious.

Fake reports abroad

Khairuddin and Matthias are being charged for "economic sabotage" for making reports abroad against 1MDB or Najib or other individuals relating to 1MDB or donation into personal accounts.

The reports were made at Swiss Attorney General’s Chambers in Bern, police headquarter in Lyon, France, Charing Cross police station in London, United Kingdom, Wan Chai Police station in Hong Kong, China and police headquarter at Cantoment Road, Singapore between June 28 to August 26th.

Sure Tun, Najib gone to US twice but why he was not apprehended by the FBI that was reported to probe as per your claim?

Unless AG abuse his position to act outside the law, in which the defendants and Tun M are working hard to paint such picture with their relentless applications to strike out, appeal, and sue, there should be basis for the case to be brought to court.

The suspicion and it is not too difficult to guess, it was meant to attack Najib from outside. It is to generate newscycle and create false impression as though there is genuine case against Najib. Transparency openly displayed Geng Loceng's card here.

The Geng Loceng were initially ecstatic when Swiss responded to investigate. Khairuddin went frantic with his remarks and action against AG. Warned AG to not divert attention. Called AG as unfit to fill up the position. Demanded proof on the money trail. Will bid for a judicial review.

The gossip about this cousin of Anwar Ibrahim is that he is the lembut type. It could explain for his unshaven public appearance to cover-up and Azwan-like foul mouth. Khairuddin and his wife, Ummi Aida happen to move within the same circle as Ummi Hafilda, and Azwan Ali. He has expressed call for release of Anwar and talk is he is assisting Tun M to making overture to Anwar.

Out of all those reports made, only Switzerland and Singapore responded officially. Even that Swiss AOG statement is suspect. The gay AG may have an ex to grind with Malaysia for the imprisonment of a gay brother and was seeking publicity to run for office. It was improper procedure diplomatically. Read past posting as it explains Swiss AOG said nothing substantive!

Both Switzerland and Singapore have confirmed that Najib is not being investigated. That was something Geng Loceng hate to see happen.

Other reports on the police reports at other financial centre are only sourced from Khairuddin.

Since a mole inside MACC Special Operations confirmed the rumour that Khairuddin did not make any MACC report against AG, there is the suspicion that Khairuddin did not make some of the claimed reports at the various financial centres.

Calling his bluff

He was merely taking photos at:

... London (notice the smirk in the left photo),

... Lyon,

... Hong Kong (montage taken from FMT of Khairuddin smiling happy), and

... and Singapore with his cute hairdo and glossed lipstick. Hope he realised of a certain scandal in squeky clean Singapore that affected CPIB.

We are calling Khairuddin's bluff and challenging him to prove that he actually made those reports by revealing the copy and content of all the reports in the same manner he revealed his police report against AG.

Geng Loceng reading this should alert him.

Please no wayang and cheap Batu Kawan standard diversion like this blog is unimportant for him to respond and he only answer to Allah. It is all too familiar and we can teach a new trick or two.

And, no excuse like the rule and law does not allow he reveal. Since when he respect and bothered about the law and procedures?

He is paid handsomely and bankruptcy issue settled to act out the part more synonymous with Mahfudz Omar and Mat Sabu.

Answer this before he answer to the AG and judge in court. Convince the public by making it available.

Officers or Outsiders in the various committees?

This blog have always been supporter and defenderof MACC. However off late, messages emanating from MACC is getting confusing and rather inconsistent. Thus this poser of a posting to seek for answers.

At one time, MACC said there is no issue with the RM2.6 billion as it is a donation. Then there was a change in stand to say it is incomplete so MACC is making two recommendations which is believed to involve SRC before it was thrown out back by AG the first time for insufficient evidence.

Subsequently, came the second submission to AG and they requested three charges under the Penal Code. Not mentioned is whether it is SRC or RM2.6 billion but charges under Penal Code.

What was reliably heard (sorry have to protect source's identity), one of the charges involved the RM2.6 billion which was earlier cleared and high officials had met the donor's representative in Nice, France and Saudi Arabia.

Thus this blog's suspicion that it will be another Khir Toyo like case of not involving corruption but merely conduct of a public servant. So happen the Geng Loceng have long been going to town with the no gift for public servant argument.

So we turn to this booklet given by MACC quite sometime ago.

Gift

The mentioned issue refers to their Question 2 and it is reproduced verbatim:

2) Apakah hadiah atau cenderahati boleh digolongkan sebagai rasuah?

Jawapan: Hadiah termasuk cenderahati adalah merupakan salah satu bentuk suapan rasuah. Dengan demikian, jika sesuatu hadiah / cenderahati tersebut diberikan atau diterima secara rasuah atau dengan niat rasuah, maka pemberian atau penerimaan hadiah / cenderahati itu merupakan kesalahan jenayah.

Seseorang pegawai awam tidak boleh menerima sebarang hadiah daripada mana-mana pihak sekiranya penerimaan hadiah itu ada kaitannya dengan tugas rasmi pegawai awam itu dan bentuk, amaun dan nilai hadiah itu tidak sepadan dengan maksud hadiah diberikan. Kesalahan ini dinyatakan dalam Peraturan 8, Peraturan-peraturan Pegawai Awam (Kelakuan dan Tatatertib) 1993.

Walau bagaimanapun, seseorang pegawai awam boleh menerima hadiah / cenderahati dengan nilai yang sepadan jika hadiah / cenderahati diberikan atau diterima bukan secara rasuah. Pegawai awam itu dikehendaki melaporkan dan mendapatkan kebenaran daripada Ketua Jabatannya sebagaimana dalam Pekeliling Bil.3 Tahun 1998 (Penerimaan Hadiah dan Keraian Pegawai Awam).

Obviously, RM2.6 billion is not "hadiah / cenderahati dengan nilai sepadan". However. the important issue to be established is "hadiah / cenderahati tersebut diberikan atau diterima secara rasuah atau dengan niat rasuah".

If the money received is not corruption and can be proven the intention of the money, is it still corruption? So have MACC done sufficient money trail all the way to the end user or it will do a Khir Toyo to put someone behind bar on technicality?

This is no spin or game to downplay but what MACC said in their booklet.

Charge Najib?

The latest is the hot news item in town on the recomendation by the Operation Review Panel to charge Najib. It is reported in TMI here that one anonymous member leaked that Najib should be charged.

MACC issued a statement on the panel recommendation here, in which among others, it was suggested that MACC issue a general statement on SRC and RM2.6 billion, and resubmit the Investigation Papers. It is heard the controversial Dato Bahari made a fiery and emotional presentation to the Panel yesterday.

This statement indicate what was heard of Najib is to be charged for the already cleared RM2.6 billion donation may have some truth.

As raised before, did MACC provided additional material or document as evidence when the IP was resubmitted? Hope MACC can tell the public and will they be resubmitting any additional evidence?

Thus far, this blogger is aware that the money flow showed by WSJ and other chart in circulation on SRC is faulty. It will not stand the test of the court. New evidence from MACC is needed to address this.

Otherwise, it will seemed to be a plot to make Najib vacate his position by charging him. It brings to the case of one former KSU charged for khalwat and missed the opportunity to be KSN. When acquited, he was not offered the post.

Two important witness have left the country and MACC claimed they have met them both. Can they be summoned as witness in court?

If Bank Negara with the better international network and cooperation could not provide additional evidence to AG for their case, how could public statements by MACC allegedly to create perception of guilt on the part of Najib conjure up new evidence?

It need be reminded that MACC was given a dateline to submit their investigation last year but could not complete investigation. Critics were pressuring and accusing AG for delaying the process. But, when AG gave a new dateline, MACC requested for more time.

At the current junction, any investigation need done should have been done and resubmitting will not involve new evidence. Off course, there is the suspicion of AG colluding to cover-up the PM. However, it is still presumption.

Confidentiality

Since the AG have final say, transparency is not an option. That takes us to Question 22:

22) Apakah kriteria dan bidang tugas ahli lembaga / jawatankuasa / panel penasihat SPRM dan apakah locus standi lembaga / jawatankuasa / panel penasihat SPRM yang membuat ulasan terbuka kepada media mengenai kes yang sedang disiasat oleh SPRM dan menyebut nama tertentu kononnya akan disiasat? Adakah pandangan beliau mewakili pendirian SPRM?

Jawapan:

Berdasarkan kepada terma rujukan setiap mekanisme tanggungjawab yang diwujudkan itu, mereka tidak mempunyai autoriti untuk membincangkan kes-kes siasatan SPRM secara terbuka apatah lagi kes-kes yang masih lagi dalam siasatan SPRM. Terdapat peruntukan yang jelas di bawah Seksyen 29(4) Akta SPRM 2009 di mana sesuatu aduan tidak boleh didedahkan oleh mana-mana orang kepada mana-mana orang selain pegawai-pegawai Suruhanjaya dan Pendakwa Raya sehinggalah orang tertuduh dipertuduh di Mahkamah. Sebarang pendedahan hanya boleh dibuat dengan persetujuan Pendakwa Raya atau seorang pegawai Suruhanjaya yang berpangkat Pesuruhjaya dan yang lebih tinggi.

Oleh yang demikian, sebarang kenyataan yang dibuat oleh mana-mana ahli lembaga / jawatankuasa / panel penasihat SPRM berhubung dengan siasatan SPRM adalah dibuat atas kapasiti peribadi mereka sendiri atau dibuat oleh mana-mana mekanisme secara kolektif dan kenyataan tersebut tidak boleh dikaitkan dengan SPRM.

The question is long winded and confusing but the red highlight emphasised the point that no one should make any comment on any corruption reported or under investigation or in the process of being charged.

So why is MACC official of lesser position than Commissioner and member of the Operations Review Panel making public comments. In TMI report linked above, the source from among OPR was anonymous.

So who among them; Tan Sri Dr Hamid Bugo, Tan Sri Mohamed Jawhar Hassan, Datuk Zamani Abdul Ghani, Datuk Azizah Arshad, Datuk Wan Abdul Wahab Abdullah, Professor Dr Normah Omar, Dr Sundramoorthy M. Pathmanathan and Lim Chee Wee could have leaked their recommendation?

Is it an offense to breach this Article 29(4) of the MACC Act 2009?

This has to be taken seriously because leaks and constant allegations and accusation made these investigations prejudicial. The public have become presumptous because of public statements made on the case, particularly planned attack through foreign media.

Even investigating officers was said to have prejudged based on their prejudice of Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor and presumed her as the hands behind all this. Whether it came about from a statement by a former public servant, one will never know.

If this opens one to the risk of cover-up, look at it in another way. A leak could seriously inhibit investigation and allow perpatrator to escape.

Locus Standi

Although only AG and MACC Commissioner can make public statement on cases, it is important to examine the various Council, Commitee and Advisory Panel established by MACC.

There are Anti Corruption Advisory Board (or the Malay acronym LPPR), Special Committee on Corruption (Or in Malay, JKMR), Complains Committee (or in Malay, JA), Operations Review Panel (ORP or in Malay, PPO) and Consultative and Prevention of Corruption Panel (or in Malay. PPPR).

Basically, the role of the five committee cum panel cum advisory are established for the internal role to undertake monitoring and check and balance role. PPPR is merely education and campaign in nature but PPO is elaborated at length in Question 23. Excerpt on PPO in Q&A 23 is below:

Panel Penilaian Operasi (PPO) diwujudkan secara pentadbiran dan ahli-ahlinya dilantik oleh Perdana Menteri dari kalangan mereka yang mempunyai kepakaran dan mewakili badan-badan profesional yang bersesuaian serta individu yang berupaya memperlihatkan ketelusan dan kebebasan tindakan oleh Suruhanjaya. Bidang kuasa PPO adalah seperti berikut:
Menerima dan mendapatkan penjelasan berhubung perangkaan Kertas Siasatan yang dibuka oleh Suruhanjaya;
Menerima dan meneliti laporan daripada Suruhanjaya berhubung Kertas Siasatan yang mana tempoh siasatan melebihi 12 bulan;
Menerima laporan daripada Suruhanjaya berhubung semua kes di mana Orang Yang Ditangkap yang dilepaskan dengan jaminan oleh Suruhanjaya melebihi 6 bulan;
Menerima dan meneliti laporan daripada Suruhanjaya berhubung keputusan-keputusan Kertas Siasatan yang telah dibuat oleh Pendakwa Raya;
Menerima dan meneliti laporan daripada Suruhanjaya berhubung Kertas Siasatan yang dikemukakan kepada Pendakwa Raya dan tidak mendapat apa-apa keputusan selepas tempoh melebihi 6 bulan ke atas;
Memberi pendapat berhubung tindakan-tindakan ke atas kes-kes yang diputuskan untuk tidak dituduh;
Menasihati, mengkaji dan membantu Suruhanjaya ke arah keberkesanan operasi
Meneliti, mengkaji dan memperakukan Lembaga Penasihat Pencegahan Rasuah berhubumg cadangan untuk meningkatkan keberkesanan operasi siasatan Suruhanjaya; dan
Mengemukakan laporan tahunan dan ulasan PPO kepada Y.A.B. Perdana Menteri berhubung dengan perjalanan operasi siasatan oleh Suruhanjaya.

Also internal monitoring and check and balance role. Still internal in operation. But since when do they have the locus standi to speak publicly on behalf of MACC?

As far as LPPR, JKMR and JA, it is all provided under the MACC Act 2009 Act 694 (available here), but PPO and PPPR are not provided for in the MACC Act. On what legal basis could the OPR instruct or direct the course of action of MACC?

Who runs MACC?

Has the civil servant paid and empowered to play the role of combatting corruption submit their power to the PPO? Is PPO the real MACC?

Before submitting to AG, MACC had consulted a special independent committee comprise of, as extracted from TMI report, below:

"The five members are former inspector-general of police Tan Sri Musa Hassan, former Court of Appeals judge Datuk Mohd Noor Abdullah, former Bank Negara deputy governor Datuk Zamandi Abdul Ghani, former Bar Council president Lim Chee Wee, and advocate and solicitor Datuk Zuraidah Atan."

The issue is more significant here. Under what law or civil service procedure did MACC form this special committee that is perceived to be empowered to recommend charges be made and review IP to make more charges?

In a more similar word, who empower them to do MACC work? Why empower them? Why allow those with political agenda and non independent personality like Lim Chee Wee a place?

Just asking because the Special Task Force boo boo with a predetermined intention by former AG, Tan Sri Gani Patail should not repeat itself. Maybe PM has to answer for appointing the PPO. By the look of it, the PPO initiative by PM is biting the hands that fed them. It still does not matter.

What matter most is MACC should remain Independent, Transparent and Professional.

MACC Commissioner, Tan Sri Abu Kassim should come clean and stop reiterating the power to prosecute lies with the Attorney General for the upteen times.

MACC: We are not challenging AG's authority

By NST ONLINE - 25 February 2016 @ 10:59 PM

KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission today said it had taken note of the advice and recommendations made by the commission's Operations Review Panel on its investigation into issues related to SRC International and the RM2.6bil donation.

MACC Chief Commissioner Tan Sri Abu Kassim Mohamed, in a statement tonight, said he also hoped that certain quarters do not misinterpret it as the commission challenging the authority of the Attorney-General.

The advice and recommendations, he said, were made during the panel's 29th meeting yesterday.

"I hope the matter isn't misinterpreted by any quarters as challenging the authority of the Attorney-General.

"I would like to stress that as per Article 145(3) of the Federal Constitution, the powers of prosecution falls under the Attorney-General," he said. ...

Read on here.

ORP Chairman refute

His reply last night ignored the statement made by the Chairman of MACC's Operation Review Panel, Tan Sri Hamid Bugo made yesterday in the day time.

We, the undersigned, being the Chairman and two members of the Operations Review Panel ("Panel") which advises the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC), expressly distance ourselves from the contents of the news report entitled "Enough proof to charge Najib over SRC, says MACC oversight committee" ("the Article") published by The Malaysian Insider earlier today.

We note that the Article cites an anonymous panel member as the source of various statements attributed to the Panel.

We wish to state that no anonymous source is authorised to speak for and on behalf of the Panel under any circumstances. In any event, we hereby expressly disassociate ourselves from all such statements attributed to the anonymous source.

We further wish to add that Panel did not at any time say that it had “enough proof to charge Najib over SRC” as claimed by the title of the Article, or that “there is credible evidence to frame charges against Datuk Seri Najib Razak”.

The Panel also did not conclude that “The MACC investigators had collected sufficient evidence to prove a prima facie case against Najib.”

However the Panel advised the MACC to complete their investigation.

We would also like to refer to the Press Statement issued by MACC yesterday that stated that “The MACC was requested by ORP to issue public statement on these issues”. We wish to state that we made no such request of the MACC. It is however up to the MACC if it wishes to issue any statement.

Signed
Tan Sri Hamid Bugo, Chairman
Tan Sri Mohamed Jawhar Hassan, Member

Anonymous panel member

The TMI report meant by Hamid is below:

The report mentioned below:

MACC oversight panel meets for last time today, insists Najib should face charges

“Insyallah (God willing), we are on the same page that Najib ought to be charged with alleged offences,” a panel member said on condition of anonymity.

Tan Sri Dr Hamid Bugo, Tan Sri Mohamed Jawhar Hassan, Datuk Zamani Abdul Ghani, Datuk Azizah Arshad, Datuk Wan Abdul Wahab Abdullah, Professor Dr Normah Omar, Dr Sundramoorthy M. Pathmanathan and Lim Chee Wee.

Read more here.

Blogger Captain Seademon here notice the following:

"... the Oversight Review Panel of the Malaysian Anti Corruption Commission that met for the last time on the 24th February 2016 at 10am. The meeting lasted three hours and they concluded the meeting at 1pm.

Look at the time the above was released by The Malaysian Inciter – 7am! Now how did the ORP issue a statement before it even convened?"

By now, it is no secret as to who the suspected anonymous panel member. The social media is accusing Lim Chee Wee.

MACC statement

The MACC statement refuted by Hamid refers to the February 24th statement here, reproduced below:

Isu SRC International Dan RM2.6 Bilion: Panel Penilaian Operasi Nasihati SPRM Supaya Ambil Tindakan Lanjut

SURUHANJAYA Pencegahan Rasuah Malaysia (SPRM) hari ini dinasihati oleh Panel Penilaian Operasi (PPO), yang mengadakan mesyuarat panel yang ke-29 pagi ini, berhubung perkara-perkara yang telah dibawa untuk pertimbangan Panel.

Antara lain, PPO telah menasihati SPRM berhubung kes membabitkan SRC International dan dakwaan wang derma RM2.6 bilion. SPRM telah diminta oleh PPO supaya mengeluarkan satu kenyataan umum berhubung kedua-dua perkara terbabit.

PPO bersetuju bahawa SPRM perlu mengemukakan kembali kertas siasatan berhubung SRC International kepada Peguam Negara untuk pertimbangan.

Memandangkan siasatan SPRM berhubung dakwaan wang derma RM2.6 bilion masih belum lengkap, Panel telah mengesyorkan agar SPRM meneruskan siasatannya dan memohon Peguam Negara agar mengeluarkan kebenaran Bantuan Undang-undang Bersama (MLA) bagi SPRM memperoleh bukti dan dokumen-dokumen daripada institusi kewangan di luar negara sebagai sebahagian daripada siasatan ke atas isu RM2.6 bilion.

SURUHANJAYA PENCEGAHAN RASUAH MALAYSIA
KUALA LUMPUR
24 FEBRUARI 2016

Hamid has mentioned that certain part of this statement is untrue. This is a serious slap in the face on MACC. However, Abu Kassim ignored and was merely reported as "...taken note of the advice and recommendations made by the commission's Operations Review Panel..."

Already, there was a public statement made that had accused MACC of challenging AG's constitutional power to determine prosecution [read in Snapshot2016 here].

Such strange occurence should have been taken into account by Abu Kassim for it will tarnish the good name of MACC.

If Abu Kassim wants to charge Najib, he should come clean and speak out. He has often said he is only answerable and fear God. So he should not be hiding behind cliche statements. By being forthcoming, then naturally AG will be expected to be forthcoming.

Hopefully the law and rules allows for it because the public will benefit from knowing the truth on the case.

Too often public opinion are swayed by secondary opinionated and spinned reports meant to create negative perception on Najib and government.

The endless and ridiculous perception game has to stop because the intention is too obvious not with the interest of truth or justice but the pursuit of power and greed. Cheap, shallow and simplistic messages of perception play is nothing more than lies and manipulation of facts.

Pursue the truth and stop being taken in by sensationalism. Step back to read and think carefully as the matters will be much clearer. Truth will save us all.

MACC confirmed the RM2.6 billion was a donation and also said investigation on it is incomplete. Time they stop hiding and "baling batu sorok tangan". What will it be now on the RM2.6 billion: to charge or not?

Just unleashed my reply to commentator drMpower for making sweeping childish statement here.

One critical posting on MACC does not change years, if not decades, of support and defense of them. It is shallow to think and assume that any time a critical piece is published the past opinion has no more relevance.

It is critical but not an attack, merely pleading Tan Sri Abu Kassim to stop playing games and be honest. He said he would lodge a police report against Dato Bahari but he did not. An internal memo leaked him saying he will defend the wayward officials.

The concern is it would make him look like those Little Napolean bureaucrats swaying with the wind to keep their position and stay powerful. After all, MACC should be above everyone because they only answer to God and not concern with the worldly trappings of wealth, position and power.

drMpower is a protun and have been commenting in this blog for years. Since taking a diammetrically opposite position to Tun M, he has resort to nitpicking, name calling, and labeling. His comment have turned to personal "attack" in nature and not discussive.

Quite typical of proTun these days particularly when dumbfounded without a decent argument to counter. When not in a "maki-maki" mode, they become rhetorical.

Since not being appointed by Najib as Deputy PM, Tan Sri Muhyiddin's statements have been rhetorical. It is fine for someone without position as it represent their aspiration, but the expectation on Muhyiddin is for more practical and specific treatment of issues raised.

Seasoned politicians turned rhetorical when they are on a dream selling campaign trail. Not about to buy into it yet, but talk is Muhyiddin have been working on ground with the "rest" to topple Najib.

The current mode of the guerilla fight is similar to the days of toppling Pak Lah which is to topple UMNO too. It is their right to do so in a democratic system. However, it is not right from the perspective of any political party discipline; be it PAS or DAP or PKR or any.

This blogger have been Muhyiddin friendly for decades since the year he got knocked out of the UMNO Vice Presidency by Dato Najib, Tun Abdullah and Tan Sri Muhammad Muhamamd Taib from the previous position as first VP. It is bind by our Johorean tie.

However, the reality is Muhyiddin does not have the influence and followers like Anwar Ibrahim to mount an attack. Since not appointed as Deputy PM, Muhyiddin should have taken leave from Deputy President UMNO post. But instead he asked Najib to be on leave.

That is exactly what Tun M wants. He wanted Muhyiddin to join him to fight Najib. It does not come at much cost to Tun M but lifelong career cost to Muhyiddin.

Tun M wants Najib to be charged so that he could place Muhyiddin temporarily as acting PM. In the meanwhile, proTun and pro-Hishamuddin are picking on Dato Ahmad Zahid Hamidi. Muhyiddin fell for it and pick up a fight with Najib.

It seemed he didn't get what is happening. Should Muhyiddin listen to the "Council of Elders", it should be a permanent arrangement as PM. If not, he will join the long list of political victims from Musa Hitam to Pak Lah.

He got himself trapped. There goes a potential PM from a true Johorean. Hishamuddin is treated as Johorean by virtue of family ties but he was born in Kuala Lumpur

Muhyiddin spoke at several ceramah but it did not made much impact. There is hardly much crowd and he was recycling the same points made many months before his sacking. Certain points are made to be a bit more provocative but still not a major issue for his Deputy President suspension last Friday.

The guess is the event in Seoul on February 12th that may have got him suspended.

UMNO Supreme Council may have other consideration but it is believed that he said in Seoul that he will sign a Statutory Declaration similar in procedure that led to Dato Mukhriz's removal if opposition had requested his signatory.

On February 14, Lim Kit Siang went to town boasting Muhyiddin as his latest recruit. Obviously, Kit Siang revealed it to create chaos within UMNO.

For whatever reason, Muhyiddin seemed to lost it on the 1MDB issue.

In July 2015, he said he was not briefed but had to rely on The Edge for information on 1MDB.The Edge and The Malaysian Insider were playing complimentary role to the spin and slander of Sarawak Report to influence the corporate community.

In February 2016, he went on a political argument to insist Najib should sue Wall Street Journal to prove his innocence. It did not go well since Dato Hafarizam explained that the Speech Act of the US will not give the suit much leeway in any lawsuit abroad.

Hafarizam has not been a successful lawyer at defending UMNO and it's leaders or suing opposition for UMNO. He should have sued WSJ in Malaysia!

That comment may have not gone down well to the leadership.

For someone in government, Muhyiddin was taking cheap potshot. And he did it again when he issued a statement to refute Attorney General, Tan Sri Apandi Ali's exoneration of Najib in his latest statement.

In the latest statement, he said:

Mengenai wang yang dikatakan masuk ke akaun peribadi Najib dari SRC International, saya diberitahu mengenainya oleh mantan Peguam Negara sendiri beserta dengan buktinya sekali yang sah merupakan suatu perbuatan jenayah! Saya beristighfar!
Yang terbabit dalam skandal 1MDB dan derma RM2.6 bilion bukan saya, tetapi Najib. Yang menerima RM42 juta duit SRC International bukan saya, tetapi Najib. Yang disiasat oleh Suruhanjaya Pencegahan Rasuah Malaysia (SPRM) dan berhadapan dengan risiko pendakwaan jenayah bukan saya, tetapi Najib. Yang ditolak oleh sebahagian besar rakyat bukan saya, tetapi Najib. Yang menjadi punca segala masalah UMNO hari ini bukan saya, tetapi Najib. Peliknya, yang digantung adalah saya, manakala Najib terus bersenang-lenang menikmati kuasa jawatan dan wang yang ada padanya.

His knives on Najib are all out and he seemed to refute statements emanating from MACC, BNM and AG. The most revealing part of his statement lies in the statement by Dato Azalina Mohd Said:

Statement by Dato' Sri Azalina Othman Said‎

27 February 2016‎

‎
1. Former Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin said today that he was briefed by the former Attorney General, when both were in office, about alleged criminal "proof" against the Prime Minister. ‎

2. This is an admission that there was a high-level conspiracy to topple the Prime Minister, in what would have been a coup against democratic process and the decision of the people at the last General Election.

3. Firstly, the fact that a sitting Attorney General was privately briefing and sharing classified legal information with Tan Sri Muhyiddin, a member of Cabinet and UMNO member who clearly had vested interests, is not only unethical but also a breach of the Official Secrets Act.

4. Secondly, how could the Attorney General have had sufficient "proof" to charge the Prime Minister then, when an investigation had not even been launched.

5. Thirdly, is this the same "proof" that the Wall Street Journal referenced when it claimed to have seen confidential documents and used these as the basis to make all sorts of sensational allegations against the Prime Minister.

6. In any judicial system, anywhere in the world, there is a standard process that is followed. If there are allegations against someone, the lawful authorities conduct an investigation, and then - if they still have reason to believe a crime was committed - a charge sheet is drawn up.

7. But, in this case, a charge sheet was said to be drawn up in May 2015 - before the so-called Special Task Force was formed, before the investigation was started in June 2015, and certainly before the Prime Minister was interviewed in December 2015 by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission. This proves that there was a conspiracy.

8. Based on his statement, Tan Sri Muhyiddin is also indirectly questioning the credibility of the current Attorney General and the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission.

9. For the record, the sitting AG, Tan Sri Mohamed Apandi Ali, on 26th January 2016 cleared the Prime Minister of any wrongdoing regarding the donations. Under Article 145 (3) of the Federal Constitution, it is the AG’s prerogative to start, undertake or stop any proceedings involving offences. The discretionary power given to the Attorney-General under Article 145(3) is absolute and cannot be challenged or replaced by any powers, including the judiciary. So if any quarters are not in agreement with the AG's action in handling a prosecution, they do not have any basis to challenge it. It is important to note that the AG’s decision was made after a detailed investigation from all angles on the report submitted by MACC.

9. So it seems that Tan Sri Muhyiddin was not only in breach of the Official Secrets Act, but was also complicit in a politically-motivated conspiracy to manipulate and abuse our legal system in order to overthrow a democratically elected Prime Minister.

10. Why only now is Tan Sri Muhyiddin making such a confession, just after he was suspended as the Deputy President? What is his hidden motive and agenda? Can his act be seen as abetting since he claims to have information on an alleged criminal act, but did not report to the authorities until today?‎

‎
Dato' Sri Azalina Othman Said
Minister in the Prime Minister's Department‎

By right, her statement should be in her capacity as UMNO member or UMNO Supreme Council member. Nevertheless, it viral overnight.

There have been reports saying that Muhyiddin have received briefing from MACC, BNM and also certain "Minister". As member of the government, that was exactly what Muhyiddin did.

There was an argument against him that he should have seek information from official sources when he said in his speech in Kamping Baru, Kuala Lumpur and Pagoh that he relied on The Edge for information.

Now that he had seek official channel of information, did he bought into their explanation in consideration that investigation was still on-going?

If he had formed an opinion that Najib was guilty at that premature stage, he had made a major mistake.

By insisting Najib is still guilty after BNM failed to pin down to any wrongdoing and provided any evidence to charge 1MDB or Najib, and MACC is still not forthcoming on their position, it would give an impression to the likes of Azalina, Nazri and others that he was part of a coup attempt.

In the latest statement by Dato Hafarizam, Najib did not admit taking RM42 million from SRC.

UMNO Pagoh have rejected the decision of UMNO Spreme Council. They claimed the procedure to suspend Muhyiddin of his position is improper procedure. Usually any suspension of position or membership will involve the Disciplinary Committee and show cause letter.

Secretary General Tengku Dato Adnan Mansor refuted such claim. The argument is the Supreme Council is the highest decision making body in UMNO.

For the time being, that should provide a glimpse of reason behind the incident that saw the removal of Muhyiddin and Dato Shafie Apdal, the replacement of Gani with Apandi Ali, and other related incidents.

The full picture is still unfolding so it makes an ass of u and me to assume and make premature conclusion. Even Gani was reported refusing to comment on what Muhyiddin said. Only a pentaksub will be in denial to the reality that there is more to it than their simplistic conclusion based on commutative arithmetic logic, not even mathematics yet.

Be it Najib or Muhyiddin or Tun M, MACC or BNM, the taste is in the pudding. The allegation is in the fact and evidence. The devil is in the details.

Ignore the story telling and propaganda. Wait out for the facts to unfold itself. It was spinning by Tun M and wayward media that made the likes of this blogger not believe in the allegations against 1MDB though critical in the early days of TIA / 1MDB.

As Betty Davis famous line in the movie All About Eve, "We are in for a bumpy ride!" So enjoy it.

Agendadaily published an interesting to somewhat alarming economic article. Economics isn't exactly their forte but it attracted our attention to read it in full. We found several articles of similar concern.

It is worthy to consolidate the articles in the light of the new Governor appointment for Bank Negara Malaysia. From The Star column here, it is obvious that Tan Sri Dr Zeti, the Bank Negara establishment, the influential hands behind banks and GLCs, and business media are trying to force on PM to promote Deputy Governor, Dato Mohamed Ibrahim. Another two names from within Bank Negara suggested are Deputy Governors Datuk Nor Shamsiah Mohd Yunus and Sukhdave Singh.

Will Najib select any of the three internal offering since BNM was linked to a coup described as the 5 Tan Sri coup to oust him?

Nevertheless, the new central bank head will join the company of other central bankers to come up with a policy to bring the world out of the global recession. From the three articles found, it seemed it is a company of clueless.

By the way, the article published by The Agendadaily was The Economist.

Clueless Economist

Richard Denniss, Chief Economist, The Australia Institute wrote the following opener in his column, "Economists have absolutely no idea what is going to happen to the global economy" in The Sydney Morning Herald:

Economists have absolutely no idea what is going to happen to the global economy in the next 12 months, and our guesses about the world economy over the next ten years have more in common with fantasy than forecasting. The fact that many if our errors 'balance out over time' doesn't make us 'accurate in the long run', it's just proof that we are guessing.

We are pretty good at projecting the near future on the basis of past trends but we are terrible at predicting what we call 'turning points'. In fact, the only recession Treasury ever forecasted was the 2009 one we didn't have. The trouble is that what we call 'turning points', most people call the GFC, the Asian economic crisis, the 1991 recession or the end of the mining boom.

And, many Malaysians are overawed with Zeti for receiving the Central Banker of the Year award from Euromoney more than 10 years ago in 2005.

Zeti is an economist and missed the capital flight which started in 2014 that caused ringgit consequent decline!

Clueless Central Banker

With an alarmist title, "The Fed has no idea what's happening in the global economy. Here it is, explained", Forexlive website published a critical analysis of Fed Chairperson, Janet Yellen.

She does not seem to know what is happening:

For the past six weeks, whenever almost any central banker has been asked about market volatility they've either dismissed it, or placed some kind of vague blame on China.

Today Yellen said the "most notable" reason for worries is that "declines in the foreign exchange value of the renminbi have intensified uncertainty about China's exchange rate policy and the prospects for its economy."

You're telling me that a 1.3% decline in the yuan this year has caused this?

There is one big problem in the global economy and once everyone understands it, markets and central bankers can focus on what needs to be done to counteract and insulate. The problem: Supply.

There is nothing shocking happening in China. Yes, policymakers have stumbled and that's hurt confidence and there are some capital outflows and mixed messages on the yuan. Big deal. Yes, it's an opaque economy and at some point there will be a brutal recession there but there's no evidence that it's happening now.

The Economist summed up the state of the global economy in the following exerpt in the article "The world economy ... out of ammo":

World stockmarkets are in bear territory. Gold, a haven in times of turmoil, has had its best start to a year in more than three decades. The cost of insurance against bank default has surged. Talk of recession in America is rising, as is the implied probability that the Federal Reserve, which raised rates only in December, will be forced to take them back below zero.

Forexlive reads the situation as below:

Low interest rateslured far too much investment in commodities. Money poured in from markets and sovereign wealth funds into developing every marginal energy or mineral deposit on the planet.

Production is now far exceeding demand and prices are cratering. That's devastating for companies that produce those commodities and countries that export them.

Yes, there are other problems in the world and the global economy is so vulnerable to this because even at full-tilt developed economies can only grind out 3% nominal growth.

But the supply story is what's new

Clueless Central Bank Policy

Forexlive continues:

If Yellen were to come out and outline the problem, the risks and talk about how the Fed was attempting to insulate the financial system from commodity-driven shocks, then everyone would be better off.

Companies listen to central banks and this is what happens when central banks don't know what's going on.
"There seems to be an emotional reaction that's occurring right now," Cisco CEO Chuck Robbins said today about the economic climate. "You see the markets get rattled, which causes our customers to get concerned, which causes them to tap the brakes, which causes CEOs of public-traded companies to be cautious, which then rattles the markets more -- which creates this vicious cycle. We have to be careful that we don't create some self-inflicted dynamic here."
Central banks need to wake up and provide some clarity. This is the age of oversupply. It's not just commodities; there is no scarcity any more. It changes every economic model and they absolutely don't understand it.

The scarier description was from The Economist:

One fear above all stalks the markets: that the rich world’s weapon against economic weakness no longer works. Ever since the crisis of 2007-08, the task of stimulating demand has fallen to central bankers. The apogee of their power came in 2012, when Mario Draghi, boss of the European Central Bank (ECB), said he would do “whatever it takes” to save the euro. Bond markets rallied and the sense of crisis receded.

But only temporarily. Despite central banks’ efforts, recoveries are still weak and inflation is low. Faith in monetary policy is wavering. As often as they inspire confidence, central bankers sow fear. Negative interest rates in Europe and Japan make investors worry about bank earnings, sending share prices lower. Quantitative easing (QE, the printing of money to buy bonds) has led to a build-up of emerging-market debt that is now threatening to unwind. For all the cheap money, the growth in bank credit has been dismal. Pay deals reflect expectations of endlessly low inflation, which favours that very outcome. Investors fret that the world economy is being drawn into another downturn, and that policymakers seeking to keep recession at bay have run out of ammunition.

Operating in concert

In an effort to boost the economy, policy options being explored to bazzoka the economy as reported by The Economist include:

Plenty of policies are left, and all can pack a punch. The bad news is that central banks will need help from governments. Until now, central bankers have had to do the heavy lifting because politicians have been shamefully reluctant to share the burden. At least some of them have failed to grasp the need to have fiscal and monetary policy operating in concert. Indeed, many governments actively worked against monetary stimulus by embracing austerity.

Fiscal and monetary policy operating in concert is not something monetarist cheerish but that has been what Malaysia been doing all through it's existence as a nation. Monetarist believe that monetary policy is so powerful that by itself can inflate or deflate the real side of the economy.

The Economist continues:

The time has come for politicians to join the fight alongside central bankers. The most radical policy ideas fuse fiscal and monetary policy. One such option is to finance public spending (or tax cuts) directly by printing money—known as a “helicopter drop”. Unlike QE, a helicopter drop bypasses banks and financial markets, and puts freshly printed cash straight into people’s pockets. The sheer recklessness of this would, in theory, encourage people to spend the windfall, not save it. (A marked change in central banks’ inflation targets would also help: see Free exchange.)

Another set of ideas seek to influence wage- and price-setting by using a government-mandated incomes policy to pull economies from the quicksand. The idea here is to generate across-the-board wage increases, perhaps by using tax incentives, to induce a wage-price spiral of the sort that, in the 1970s, policymakers struggled to escape.

All this involves risks.

And, Malaysia explored such risky policy option via BR1M and high income economic policy. So it is not coming out of thin air though it is certainly not something traditionalist would cherish.

Where possible, the traditional borrowing for public spending to get out of the current rut is still an option:

Elsewhere, governments can make use of a less risky tool: fiscal policy. Too many countries with room to borrow more, notably Germany, have held back. Such Swabian frugality is deeply harmful.

Borrowing has never been cheaper. Yields on more than $7 trillion of government bonds worldwide are now negative. Bond markets and ratings agencies will look more kindly on the increase in public debt if there are fresh and productive assets on the other side of the balance-sheet. Above all, such assets should involve infrastructure. The case for locking in long-term funding to finance a multi-year programme to rebuild and improve tatty public roads and buildings has never been more powerful.

Another policy option that could be explored is deregulation.

Forexlive also believed that companies should not wait for central banks:

At some point, the Fed, executives and markets are going to get a handle what's going on. I think that might be good news. The companies -- like Cisco -- that are largely removed from commodities can resume spending and investing. They can avoid commodity-exporting countries like Brazil invest in importers like China and the United States.

Dragging on

However Forexlive see that:

The risk is that this drags on. That the Fed and other central banks remain utterly clueless and all companies retrench into the self-defeating vicious cycle Robbins outlines.

At the moment, you just can't make any kind of bet that central bankers will soon 'get it'. What's really needed is a wholesale clear our of central banking circles and to put some fresh thinkers in charge.

The Economist see it as political problem:

The problem, then, is not that the world has run out of policy options. Politicians have known all along that they can make a difference, but they are weak and too quarrelsome to act. America’s political establishment is riven; Japan’s politicians are too timid to confront lobbies; and the euro area seems institutionally incapable of uniting around new policies.

If politicians fail to act now, while they still have time, a full-blown crisis in markets will force action upon them. Although that would be a poor outcome, it would nevertheless be better than the alternative.

SMH concur:

There are storms on the horizon and Australia does need to plan for the future. The decisions our representatives make on behalf do matter, and if we ignore problems we will make them worse. But the idea that the only thing we need to do to prepare for the future is to invest less money in education and health and lower the safety nets that those who become sick or unemployed fall into has no basis in economics.

Something Malaysia has to ponder in facing up to budgetary contraint.

Yes, Dato Hishamuddin Hussein Onn is together in the entourage with Prime Minister, Dato Najib Tun Abdul Razak to Saudi Arabia. But that is in his capacity as Defense Minister. Malaysia is in the Northern Thunder military exercise.

Politically, Hishamuddin seemed to distance himself from Dato Najib in the same manner he distanced himself when Najib and his wife were under a barrage of slanderous attack on Altantunya-Perimeker affair towards the end of Tun Abdullah's premiership.

He only started to throw the 'cousin brother' term around when Najib finally became Prime Minister. It was said he could hardly be seen at Sri Satria, official residence of the Deputy Prime Minister those days.

Fine, the knife would be out if he is seen too cousin-cousin with Najib and not giving Pak Lah the respect then. But why is he is still distancing himself now that Najib is PM and in need of support?

Insecure

UMNO Pagoh accused Hishamuddin asthe acting Chairman assigned to set-up the suspension of Tan Sri Muhyiddin. Hishamuddin rattled and was too quick with his denial and to tai chi it as consensual decision that was discussed at length. Rather tame and defensive answer.

Dato Nazri Aziz is more committed to defend Najib than Hishamuddin. He was reported saying, "Right or wrong, I stood by my leader". Same admirable quality seen in Dato Aminuddin Omar's defense of Dato Mukhriz.

Tan Sri Sanusi Janudi always spoke of loyalty as one of the quality found in the ethos of the Japanese, German, Indonesian and Korean that made them proud and great races.

It is quite understandable as a Prime Minister aspirant for Hishamuddin to be concerned with his political path. It is heard he could face quite a challenge in defending his Vice Presidency, let alone attain the first Vice President position.

He could be concerned with Dato Khaled Nordin. In the last party election, Khaled was bitter with the unfair campaign restriction imposed.

This time he could block the Johor voting block from Hishamuddin since Johor cannot be seen to endorse two Johoreans. It would offend other state UMNOs and both Johor candidates will lose out.

Johor is another hot-bed of dissent against Najib though thin and dispersed. That explains Khaled's current posturing which is contrary to his mentor, Tan Sri Shahrir Samad's commitment to second cousin Najib.

If the Johor block is only with Khaled, Hishamuddin will find it tough to negotiate with the major block like Sabah. For one, Sabah will not only want a replacement for Shafie, but also may have expectation that the Sabah VP be the first VP.

Sabah is the steadiest state for UMNO. Their leaders and people are the staunchest defender of Najib. One of the Aman brothers deserve the first VP or/and the position of DPM II to represent Sabah and Sarawak.

Sabah grassroot openly warm up to Dato Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi but not quite to Hishamuddin.

Despite explanations, they are still blaming Hishamuddin for failure to make decision at Lahad Datu. The security situation in Sabah is still delicate and Hishamuddin is still getting the blame.

If that is not enough, Hishamuddin only managed to scrap past Mukhriz's ragtag campaign team by 10 votes with open support of His Highness the Sultan of Johor. This time, Sultan could be backing Khaled.

The Sultan factor could be useful for the block vote. Khaled is in the position to do horse trading with other states.

With Johor grassroot rather emotional with the perceived unfair treatment on Muhyiddin and need more than conspiracy theory to cool off the hot heads, it could be the reason Hishamuddin is distancing himself from cousin brother.

Hishamuddin can only rely on Dato Dr Zambery Kadir for Perak's fragmented votes, and may still rely on Najib's directive and royal support from Johor and Pahang to scrap through.

If Dato Ismail Sabri join in the fray, Pahang may have to put aside their in-law and go for the son of Pahang. Hishamuddin will need a lot of convincing by his father in law to get another open support from Sultan of Pahang.

There is also Khairy Jamaluddin to contend with. Both Hishamuddin and KJ is heard to be part of a tag team but both will be competing for the tough two remaining VP slots.

Many other leaders are heard to join the race, including Dato Mustapha Mohamed and rather far fetch now, Mukhriz.

What happens if delegates decide to allocate a VP quota for MB in view of the grassroot wave? Then it will be a competition for one place. Doubt Hishamuddin and KJ should trust each other.

In-decisive

It is quiet a predicament for the Hishamuddin whose often painted as lacking decisiveness and averse to decisions.

In the midst of the 1MDB debacle, Hishamuddin had then made a joint statement position together with Muhyiddin and Shafie.

He even gave Najib three conditions on 1MDB for his support. That was sufficient for some to see him as distancing himself from Najib.

And Hishamuddin has long been very quiet and not in his usual wide mouth. It is better but now interpreted wrongly. Cakap salah, tidak cakap salah.

With Tun Mahathir's declaration to leave UMNO and form a coalition with opposition, Hishamuddin cannot be non-committal. The indicator for the opposition strength is the March 27th gathering organised by Dato Zaid Ibrahim, which will be prior to the Sarawak state election,

UMNO leaders like Dato Salleh Keruak and Tan Sri Anuar Musa commented feeling relieved with Mahathir's departure. Political scientist are saying Mahathir's departure will have no impact.

Mahathir may lack capable lieutenents like before and was said to handle the campaign himself. GKCM is only few and need massive build-up. Thus the move to form a coalition could fill-up that shortcoming.

He does not have the position of power but he has political influence. Unfortunately, he has to bow to opposition.

UMNO should realise that Mahathir's presence with the other side could blunt UMNO and BN's predictable script to attack opposition.

Since GE 12, there have been a trend in the voters profile that is moving voting power to the younger population. Mahathir may capture their imagination and the prosperous past will be the dream selling that appeals to them in the light of the present challenging economic condition.

UMNO is not in the position to discard the warlords and put up more younger faces. The removal of Mukhriz will be used to the hilt to show UMNO's reluctance to change.

Mahathir's challenge come with money, something the opposition coalition have limitation in the past. His corporate backers have held back donation to UMNO in the past election and saving up for the boss since the meeting of taukeh IPP with Mahathir in Argentina many years back.

He is willing to pay for more clowns other than Dato Khairuddin Abu Hasan and Anina. Some taukeh judi are willing to pay some of his diehards monthly salary in the tens of thousands.

So it is rather pitiful to see proTun cybertroopers voluntarily stalking pro-Najib bloggers and facebookers as "makan dedak" and lawyers being paid pittance but there are those earning big money.

Mahathir's only challenge will be to appease DAP. He is backing Azmin and said to believe him as a potential PM. But, DAP wants to chop off Azmin in Selangor and ready to seize control of Selangor. They have readied a "boneka Melayu" as MB in Prof Aziz Bari.

Lim Kit Siang is already 75 and waited long enough. He has taste blood at the tip of his tongue and is not in the mood to compromise with a "losing" Mahathir.

Mahathir is willing to do anything to not ever lose a political battle. To what extent Mahathir have come to term with DAP, it is not known.

What constitutional compromise was made on the rights and interest of the Malays, Islam and Bumiputera? Perkasa dare not complain on Mahathir. Too many pentaksub inside to even ponder this possibility.

UMNO and former Semangat 46 have an old score to settle on Mahathir in this area of compromising to Chinese tycoon interest, including taukeh IPP Cina. Opposition will fire back to say UMNO have not got Malays out of poverty and continue to keep them in a state of dependence out of political expediency.

There will be the Melayu Liberal and Islam Liberal debate to contend with, in which PAS may have an interest to defend their ideals for Islamic state and hudud.

The debate and campaign could be intense and the likes of Hishamuddin and KJ cannot be non-committal and continue to remain as by-stander.

Can sense some intellectually challenged Hishamuddin supporters to misread this posting and make premature conclusion.

The simple for the man on the street message is Hishamuddin have to buck up and come forward. The nation is ready to bury the aristocratic class should they fail to provide the desired leadership.

Having their boys and bloggers doing covert attack on Zahid and Najib does not serve the current party interest. Personal politics have to stop. Wayward operatives chop off the payroll.

The more in-depth message will be left to readers' analysis.

As this blog wrote before, in which softie Life of Annie could not live to accept the realities of politics and war, "You are either with us or against us".

Tun Dr Mahathir's read the Deklarasi Rakyat at the gathering of DAP, PKR, PAN, dissident UMNO and leftist foreign funded NGO leaders yesterday.

The declaration claimed concern for the economic, political and social situation of the country but the fact is the political upheaval and heavy endless policking in the country, in which Tun M used to admit himself, is the work of Dato Seri Anwar Ibrahim and the oppositions.

The social problem in the country is due to agitation by the leftist liberal and foreign funded NGOs.

All these only gained traction when Tun Dr Mahathir join in the fray started by DAP and PKR on lie, manipulate and spin the 1MDB issue. Still unable to proof his allegations, Tun M insist Dato Najib be removed. That was the crux of yesterday's demand which is quite typical of political power play.

Surely, if yesterday's declaration was for rakyat, why is the bulk of the declaration from number 6 to 30 only talks of 1MDB?

Tun M have left traces, footprints and proofs everywhere that he is unhappy with 1MDB because it reversed his privatisation of IPP policy.

He used to be upset when he was told by Tan Sri Lim Kok Wing that Najib was to destroy his legacy. Not told is his legacy that have caused so much trouble to the rakyat and impoversih the nation is his abused privatisation policy.

He could be partly unhappy because his cronies are IPP owners. It has long been said that certain IPP owner/s are merely his proxies but no proof have been made available yet.

It cannot be ignored as to why the opposition that used to loudly echo the revelation by late Tan Sri Ani Arope is now against the vehicle used to buy back and resolve the issue of higher energy cost which contributed to the higher cost of living for decades.

Maybe it useful to look into the other issues raised by Tun M since most of the 1MDB issues have been answered or going through the investigation, audit and public enquiry process.

So let us deal with the economic issues of the rakyat he raised. It is rather few.

Concern on corruption?

3. Di bawah pentadbirannya negara jatuh tersenarai sebagai salah satu daripada 10 negara yang paling banyak mengamalkan rasuah mengikut laporan Ernst and Young Asia Pacific Fraud Survey Report Series 2013. Malaysia juga telah jatuh empat anak tangga Indeks Persepsi Rasuah 2015, dari 50 ke 54.

This Tun M must ask MACC that have vehemently defended against any report on corruption. Such reports are usually made based on perception.

Should the report be more on successful cases made, a case for more corruption can be made. However, it could be argued that it is a better anti-corruption agency at work. According to MACC, they are highly respected by the world.

Maybe someone should look back at reports against Tun M during his administration. Was the various corruption indices and media reports abroad paint a corruption-less Malaysia?

For instance, after Tun M retired, a former reporter of WSJ, Barrian Wain accused Tun M raping US$100 billion from the national coffer. It was reported that Tun M would sue Barry Wain but till end of last year, it has been 6 action-less years.

Najib still have time to sue WSJ, maybe for a final scrubbing later?

4. Ini adalah kerana dianya percaya yang wang tunai boleh mempastikan kedudukannya sebagai Perdana Menteri Malaysia. Dia percaya bahawa duit adalah segala-galanya-"Cash is King".

Is he not one also?

At least today, one can see that all the Bumiputera entrepreneurs including the so-called Daim boys or partner of Daim have been totally destroyed and obliterated. Only left are those allegedly his cronies. The sad part and Perkasa should take note that almost all his cronies are Chinese and one Indian.

The Indian allowed his TV station to live stream the declaration yesterday.

Financial difficulty

5. Peruntukan kepada semua Kementerian dan institusi awam termasuk universiti telah dikurangkan kerana ketandusan kewangan. Walaupun telah diperuntukkan, tidak ada sumber kewangan.

Did it not happen during his time?

It was even worst. Students still studying were recalled back to Malaysia and not able to complete their degrees. At least, it did not happen during Najib's time.

Our youngest brother studying in Europe was in the midst of his Masters when called back home.

Luckily, he had family to support him and a generous church and good Christian provided him accommodation and assisted him with a loan. Our brother stayed back to work to repay back the generous man.

During Mahathir's time, there was only a handful of University. Najib had to look into the affair of many universities, university college and vocational college, students and lecturers. Don't talk cock!

This was a political propaganda idea suggested to him as political propaganda to win younger voters by a former army Captain. The man himself hardly has sufficient education.

31. Rakyat juga semakin menderita.

32. GST yang dikenakan Najib, kenaikan kadar tol lebuhraya, kesemuanya mengakibatkan kenaikan kos sara hidup, memaksa perniagaan ditutup, menyebabkan industri kepunyaan asing menghentikan operasi dan berpindah kepada negara lain. Ini mengakibatkan peningkatan kadar pengangguran.

GST was necessary due to the low tax collection. GST saved the nation from bankruptcy.

The nation is in a cash strapped situation because Petronas could not contribute RM30 billion due to the drop in oil prices. A financially strapped nation cannot help it's poor citizen and boost the economy.

If left to follow Tun M's recipe, Malaysia would flounder under IMF and World Bank. Hard decision had to be made. If Petronas had not been raped under Tun M administration, in which DAP and PKR is well aware, there could still be sufficient reserve for country.

Two main contributors for rising cost of living are energy and transport. Maybe Tun M should blame himself for doing the privatisation that came with guaranteed profit and rising tariff!

Business change to other countries because Tun M refuse to undertake the reform or now transformation necessary for a nation that could no longer rely on cheap labour and production based economy.

TPPA

33. Walaupun rakyat membantah, Najib tetap menyertai Perjanjian Perkongsian Trans-Pasifik(TPP)Amerika yang mengikis hak kita untuk membuat dasar dan undang-undang yang sesuai bagi negara kita.

How many appeared at TPPA demonstration and forum? Was it as much as a Bersih rally? PPSMI rally? UMNO gathering at Bukit Jalil Stadium?

How much spinned and misinformation was spread by Bantah TPPA movement? During their forum, they did not have the guts to allow the present Dato Wahid Omar to answer. Too shy to be told they are wrong.

The effort of Tok Pa and his team at MITI in their negotiation had managed to changed the term of the TPPA signed to differ significantly from the original draft of TPPA.

Much of the terms expressed in TPPA are something DAP, except for union activist Charles Santiago, agreed. Is this an issue dear to the "Pakatun coalition" or only to Tun M?

Mere political rhetorics

34. Hari ini imej Malaysia amat buruk sekali....

The rest should be read in Malaysiakini here.

It is all political rhetorics that can be debated and argued without any conclusion but serve only to influence the public to support their hodgepodge existence.

At the same time, Tun M propaganda and internation PR team has got The Economist to write a damaging piece on Najib, entitled The Najib Effect. It was answered by this new portal here.

It was only a necessary attack to cloud the rakyat from the good news coming out from the current crisis. Read The Star here.

Our question:

What else about the rakyat is off concern to capitalist Tun M who could hardly be seen visiting the rakyat during flood and catastrophe in his days as PM?

Yes, we were once supporter.

But by Tun M being together with the same bunch of agitators and trouble makers responsible for the destability and creating chaos in these countries for decades, he has confirmed himself as a hypocrit whose words are not to be believed as it is only to serve his selfish purpose.

It also confirmed that he is the same as all of them.

And, it is he who was responsible for robbing the nation of its wealth, creating a politics of animosity, and destabilising and creating the chaos in this country.

It's time to stop covering him up. He is no more retired from politics but still an active player. There was a lot of truth to what have been said all these years.

At one time, the issues raised with bloggers were sympathy with the murderer Sirul, and vehemently against BR1M. It looks like it is left with only Vincent Tan's agenda to abolish GST and the agenda of Tun M's IPP taukeh to destroy their competitor 1MDB.

Nothing really about rakyat.

It pales in comparison to Najib's long list of program for the rakyat, especially the poverty stricken people of Sabah and Sarawak which Tun M have intentionally ignored throughout his reign!

Media is giving endless coverage to Tun Dr Mahathir for leading the press conference of dissidents last Friday. Naturally, all comments from various personalities are competing for space. It can only be expected of pro-opposition media to blackout certain government officials.

Nevertheless, Astro Awani's website reported the statement by Foreign Minister, Dato Anifah Aman [read here] but the posting cannot be found in their main page. The limited access was expected since Astro belongs to a close crony of Tun M, Ananda Krishnan.

However, it is unthinkable for MSM to blackout or gave half-hearted coverage for Anifah. It seemed MSM could not fathom the significance of Anifah.

He was one of the first leader who came forward strongly to defend Dato Najib in an early salvo by Tun M via an interview with New York Times in June 2015 last year. He wrote to NYT immediately when he read the news while in New York. [Read past posting here].

At least Singapore's media are cleverer to understand [read ST here and CNA here] the importance of Anifah to Najib's political fate. It is likely to gain attention of other foreign media.

Someone influential and strong behind the local mainstream could be sulking from a cabinet discussion last Wednesday. Surely he is not dumb enough to think Sabah's voice and vote is not important to Najib, BN and the nation anymore.

Channel NewsAsia on Anifah below:

Dr Mahathir movement will be bad for country: Malaysia Foreign Affairs Minister

In a statement, Minister of Foreign Affairs Anifah Aman said he was both surprised and disappointed with Dr Mahathir's move to oust Prime Minister Najib.

By Sumisha Naidu, Malaysia Correspondent, Channel NewsAsia
Posted 05 Mar 2016 18:38 Updated 05 Mar 2016 23:56

Malaysia's Foreign Minister Anifah Aman speaks to the media after the foreign ministers' meeting at the 26th ASEAN Summit in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, April 26, 2015. REUTERS/Olivia Harris/Files

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia's Minister of Foreign Affairs Anifah Aman has warned that former Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad's move to oust Prime Minister Najib Razak could cause instability and take a toll on the country's foreign investment.

Mr Anifah said in a statement on Saturday (Mar 5) that he was both surprised and disappointed with Dr Mahathir.

"What concerns me right now is that with the actions of Dr Mahathir, who is a lauded statesman and a beloved international icon, the country could become unstable, driving away foreign investors from this nation at the same time," he said.

"As a former Prime Minister, he should be more understanding of what democracy is, which cannot be achieved the way Dr Mahathir is going about it now."

Mr Anifah said he felt the "Save Malaysia" movement had taken its own agenda, with no benefit for any political party or its citizens, adding that the implications of the move would be felt soon.

"Let us never forget, the international community is watching us," he said. "This instability will bring bad implications for us in the days to come."

A total 58 people had signed a declaration on Friday (Mar 4) calling for a national movement to remove Mr Najib through legal and non-violent means. They also pledged to take action against those who associated with or covered up for the prime minister.

This movement was led by Dr Mahathir, who has spearheaded calls to remove Mr Najib over allegations of corruption and misrule.

"We call upon all Malaysians, irrespective of race, religion, political situation, creed or parties, young and old, to join us in saving Malaysia from the government headed by Najib Razak," read a joint statement endorsed by heavyweights from the ruling party, opposition, and top civil society groups.

Dr Mahathir said the assembled leaders, despite their differences, shared "one goal".

"We must rid ourselves of Najib as prime minister," he said.

An online petition garnering support for the movement has also been launched, getting more than 10,000 signatories in less than 24 hours.

'DESPERATION'

The Malaysian government released a statement later in the day saying that the move by Dr Mahathir demonstrated the depth of his "desperation".

"Today, Mahathir and his former enemies have demonstrated the depth of their political opportunism and desperation," said the statement.

It also added that was already "an existing mechanism to change the Government and Prime Minister. It's called a general election. And it is the only mechanism that is lawful, democratic and fulfills the people's will."

"In 2013, the Malaysian people expressed their will and elected the current government, lead by PM Najib. If Mahathir wants to change the Government, he must follow democratic process and await the next election, in line with Malaysia's laws and Federal Constitution," the statement said.

'DETERIORATING SITUATION'

Mr Najib, 62, has been under fire for a year over allegations that billions of dollars were stolen from a state investment fund he founded, and his own admitted acceptance of a US$681 million overseas "donation".

Amid cascading calls to step down, he has counterattacked by purging his ruling United Malays National Party (UMNO) of critics.

The government also has arrested whistle-blowers and shut down media outlets that have reported on the allegations, raising growing concern over the future of rights and freedom of expression in Malaysia.

The joint statement by the anti-Najib alliance lamented the "deteriorating political, economic and social situation in the country", repeating allegations that perhaps billion of dollars were skimmed from the state investment fund, 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB), in a bewildering array of complex overseas transactions.

'1MDB SCANDAL'

1MDB is an investment company established in 2009 by Mr Najib to fund development projects in Malaysia. It has denied any wrongdoing. The new movement also highlighted the US$681 million deposited into Mr Najib's personal bank accounts in 2013.

Mr Najib at first hotly denied taking the money, but the government has since maintained that it was a personal donation from the Saudi royal family. This claim has been ridiculed in Malaysia as an implausible cover story.

The Saudis have yet to officially confirm the claim. A report this week by the Wall Street Journal said it had found fresh clues that the donation originated from 1MDB funds, adding that it found no evidence that the money came from the Saudis.

Malaysia has been dominated since independence by UMNO, which has overseen decades of impressive growth and living standards.

But voters have increasingly rejected the party over its divisive racial politics, persistent allegations of rights abuses, recurring corruption scandals and accusations that the electoral system favours UMNO.

- CNA/yt

----------------------

The Star and Berita Minggu basically blacked out Anifah. Sunday Times gave a decent page 3 coverage but none online. Mingguan Malaysia a bit of coverage.

It is an open secret that NST, Utusan and TV3 had to take instruction from this administration's version of Dato Kalimullah Hassan, the elusive Dato Habibur Rahman but quite a familiar figure to us [read here, here, and here among others].

Kali is a media man but not Habibur. Neither does he come with any background in media or communication or advertising.

Some say he is a black-op man. When did this former nestle Manager asked to leave for improper behaviour ever worked in Special Branch or "Research Department" or Millitary Intelligence? Supposed he was, how "intelligent" it is to use JMM or some other openly known and easy to figure out character as public face?

The man is said to be a close friend and confidante of Najib. He was entrusted to help him face the barrage of attack from dissidents, within and without of UMNO. Said to be given ample resources and determine who gets coverage in the MSM.

The main complain heard among pro-government activists involved at various level in fighting the campaign against Najib by dissidents is that Habibur is saving Najib at the expense of UMNO and government.

After observing for quite a while and seeing what is happening to Najib, he should raise his hands and admit that his business guised as so-called black op and spinning failed miserably. There is even Minister following his story line. It only seemed to be working to a limited group of old school UMNO folks.

Generally, it has backfired on government and Najib. His brutal method may be useful at winning seats within UMNO in losing constituency like Petaling Jaya Utara but it is not winning the public confidence and worsen Najib's image.

He lost the basic that government has to be factual. The fact will speak for itself, so no necessity to spin. When government spin, it will look like covering up and public is wiser to notice such "cheap trick", especially when it is hardly sophisticated and quite noticeable.

So much as chief defender of Najib. Some say the team is just reaping the benefit of the communication budget.

And, that Mat Salleh is a problem too.

Who does he think he is to boss around Ministers and trying to pick fight with everybody including friendly Saudi Arabia.

He claimed to be professional serving the boss but he should know his station in life. He could neither speak nor understand Malay. Apart from his encounter with loose Malaysian women at wild parties, he hardly understand the Malaysian psyche.

There is nothing Mubin Shephard about Paul Stradlen to think he could be of extra service to Malaysia. This Mat Salleh should understand who is servant and who is master.

Stradlen could be better than some SPM dropout reporter who thinks too much of himself. But he should know that he is no more Tuan in this country. Obey the brown gentleman!

This image viral in the social media. It shows the name of Hishamuddin Rais strucked out from the signatory to the Citizen's Declaration announced by Tun Dr Mahathir.

Four names were mentioned as "agreed in absentia". Tun M's loyal former Political Secretary, Mathias Chang may have agreed though in absent. However, Tan Sri Zaman Khan has made statement denying that he agreed. Maybe he will not be caught dead signing something together with Lim Kit Siang.

His fellow Kelantanis, Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah was expected to attend and sign but he did not, thus left Dato Ibrahim Ali stranded at the Cafe downstairs with Ku Li's conspiracy fabricators whose theories for decades have never materialised.

Though Dato Shafie Apdal is in the list, one cannot assume he is agreeable. So the question, did Tun Daim agreed in absence?

Most UMNO people spoken would not believe he is involved. Even though many conspiracy theories have been spun of his involvement, they say he is a businessman and not a politician. It is not to his interest to fight with anybody - be it the BN government or DAP-led Pakatan Harapan government.

Daim may have made comments on 1MDB or certain policies of government, which is fine to Dato Najib, but till he is seen present, it cannot be assumed.

Just because pictures of Tun Daim with various people have viral since published by Geng Loceng in their blog, it means nothing.

That breakfast get-to-gather had existed long before Tun M's onslaught on 1MDB and Najib. Many joined and left since Geng Loceng's presence.

The photo was published by Geng Loceng to deceive the public and create a certain perception. Never ever trust the Geng Loceng. A common heard joke says that in Myanmar, they kill Geng Loceng first before venomous snake.

Please do not have racist perception.

Strange bedfellows

The thing about the Citizens' Declaration is that it is a political ploy, or more accurately a political campaign. Political rhetorics and cliches are already coming from the interested "UMNO" players.

Tun M ignored the explanation given and politicised the OSA of Auditor's Report. Maybe it failed his 5 Tan Sri conspiracy, wallahu alam. As far as the practise, materials presented at PAC are OSA.

That is why are our mole in PAC back then dare not give a copy of the ECM Libra-Avenue hearing presentations many years ago. Lim Sian See has answered the issue in his FB before Tun M wrote of it and he made a long rebuttal of his latest posting here.

Muhyiddin said more will support the declaration.

Though majority in UMNO has branded him as "opposition", his in-denial still UMNO in style. How could he be so optimistic when many political columnists are calling the grouping involved in the Citizen's Declaration as strange bedfellows?

Joceline Tan's piece was entitle "Meeting of strange bedfellows". Reme Ahmad at Singapore's Strait Times titled his as "90-year-old ex-premier Mahathir and his strange bedfellows". Malaysia's New Strait Times had written earlier as "Strange bedfellows dreaming different dreams".

It does not take long before Charles Santiago of DAP is criticising Tun M and basically saying he cannot accept the coalition with Tun M. He said the rot started with Tun M.

Wan Azizah has degraded him to say yesterday that Mahathir has lost so PKR gave him a platform to speak. So the previous posting here to say the declaration is about Tun M and hardly about rakyat or the former Pakatan Rakyat now under new grouping without PAS as Pakatan Harapan.

She also said the Citizen's Declaration by Tun M is admittance of the cruelty against her husband, Dato Seri Anwar Ibrahim. Obviously, Tun M is aware that PKR and the reformasi movement is about their opposition to him.

So Azmin Ali and Lim Kit Siang is asking the public to see the bigger picture of reform and let bygone be bygone.

Power to NGOs?

In the meeting with opposition leaders prior to Tun M's announcement of leaving UMNO (see picture), he told them those present that there must be a reform to change the political landscape in Malaysia away from the politicians and political party.

In trying to get those opposition leaders present to buy-in to his bizarre move to align with the opposition, he said the power must go back to the people via NGO.

Not many knows what transpired in the meeting, including some dumb ass reporter that have been going around quoting Dr Mariah's response to her enquiry. It is as the presentation of the book by Mujahid Yusof Rawa is so relevant.

It is not a bad idea really. It is something yours truly have long dream of happening. But there is more to it for Malaysia whose still not politically matured and appreciate the responsibility that comes with freedom of speech, press and expression.

An activist by the name of Gayathry Venkiteswaran disagree in her letter to FMT, "Why I will not sign the Citizens’ Declaration". Extract below:

I expect political parties to make negotiations and compromises, sometimes wrongly, but they do have a constituency and I do believe in the power of the elections, through which I can tell them what I think.

Now, with NGOs, it’s another story. To whom are they accountable? How can they be effective checks and balances if they sit at the same table, not to discuss implementation of reforms, but merely to offer legitimacy to what I think is an undemocratic group? You can’t be leaders of influential movements and then claim to be only individuals in this political move.

Of course, I acknowledge that we are not forced to sign the declaration so why make all the noise: but NGOs cannot make political decisions and expect not to be criticised, especially if supporters feel they have acted with little accountability.

And she went on to give her four reasons here.

She reminded that Ambiga used to say, "Mahathir has taken them for a ride". Her words to Ambiga was: “We are not that stupid” – my response, to those who feel they have to lecture us on the bad situation of the country.

It is not many days yet but already cracks are showing as civil societies differ over Tun M's Citizens' Declaration. So it is not belonging to all that signed but the Citizens' Declaration is seen as Tun M's. That's exactly what we wrote here.

Speaking of the devil, Kadir Jasin posted this here.

Till ...

So, ....

... till Daim make his presence and gave his official statement of support, ....

... till the proof of Najib's wrongdoing is shown by Tun M himself (instead of endless doubt raising questions and political style accusations), ...

... till someone from MACC or BNM or Police or AG openly say what is convincingly and specifically wrong, without attempt to psyche public opinion ...

..till it is truly credible media (neither Sarawak Report nor Rupert Murdoch is acceptable) that is reporting, ...

... till it is discussed without politicians' political motivation for power, ....

... till stupid, shallow and unschooled spin like this one here is not given publicity, and ...

...till public discourse in not accusation based issues not directly related and unqualified as proof in the court of law on the alleged wrongdoings, ...

... THEN it is all a wayang to oust the Prime Minister undemocratically for the personal power and wealth interest of each and every one involved, particularly of the stateman!

This grouping is unrealistic and will implode just like Pakatan Rakyat implode. The question from our previous posting is: What has Tun M compromised to get DAP's support and confidence?

Quite sure the proTun will be in denial as much as their answers were shallow and in-denial to why Tun M is together with DAP.

They can't and do not have an un-debatable answer.

In a past posting written in Ramadhan last year on June 17, 2005 [found here], 15 factual errors of Tun Dr Mahathir in his allegations on 1MDB was highlighted.

When Good Star and Javace factual error are included, it adds up to 17 factual errors. Being the proud man he is, Tun M did not acknowledge his mistake but changed it to "bawah kelolaan Jho Loh" in the Citizens' Declaration.

The factual error on the "RM42 billion lesap dari 1MDB" allegation was pointed but someone in Tun M's office said the facts does not matter, it is the principle that matters.

Unless the yet to commence US$13 billion investigation by Swiss AOG is purely 1MDB and not involving other corporate clients of Jho Loh, including Middle Eastern companies, the accounts and transaction done by 1MDB shows Tun M was factually wrong.

Principle must be fought on correct facts. That include the claim of Malaysia's corruption position in the Citizens' Declaration.

Item 3 below refers:

"Fasal 3. Di bawah pentadbirannya negara jatuh tersenarai sebagai salah satu daripada 10 negara yang paling banyak mengamalkan rasuah mengikut laporan Ernst and Young Asia Pacific Fraud Survey Report Series 2013. Malaysia juga telah jatuh empat anak tangga Indeks Persepsi Rasuah 2015, dari 50 ke 54."

It turns out that the survey done by EY only involved 8 countries. For such a sample size, the report should only be 8 case studies.

Tun M should have said that Malaysia is the top 8 most corrupted nation. That would have been more dramatic and really more effective perception play to destroy the country's name to the rakyat.

There is also the question of top what? Top 10 in Asia Pacific? Top 10 in Asia? For best perception effect, should have said it is top 10 in the world!

Then there is the Corruption Perception Index for 2015 that fall from 50 to 54. According to Deputy Minister Dato Razali Ibrahim, Malaysia only fell from 50 to 52.

Quite sure some Tun supporters will say facts does not matter, the principle matters. Be it 52 or 54, we still fell in ranking.

Then they should also ponder over the fact that the index is only about perception. Perception is not necessarily real. Only perception of some unknown observers. Who are the observers?

Perception is not real sometimes.

Naturally, there will be that regular dimwit who loves to say "it does not matter".

In other words, facts do not matter too because they claim the majority comments by FB commentators (in which is dominate by opposition (including proTun) and comments in Tun M's blog (which are dominated by proTun) are suffcient ground to say "everyone do not like Najib".

That could include yours truly.

Come to think of it, that could be right because we were never a Najib supporter. Just a defender of Najib till he is factually proven to be wrong. Our preference for PM was a Johorean, but he must be capable and credible.

The response to such argument on perception (which is not proven yet to be right) as the determining factor to topple PM was a posting dated June 26, 2015. The extract below:

Few lady characters active in the movement to criticise 1MDB and topple Dato Najib called us to pick up on our point of view.

The moment we expressed disinterest to any discussion resembling political rhetorics, they couldn't begin to talk intelligently and got emotional.

After failing to raise issues to nail any argument, they finally end up talking of perception. People on the ground overwhelmingly want Najib out.

We are only interested in talking about ensuring the basis and argument for or against Najib is on the right basis, not on emotional basis. To end such wasteful discussion, we asked: do they understand the 1MDB issue?

The moment they said No, we replied to tell them that perception argument are for the naive and idiot.

Those over reliance on perception to justify their stand are bringing themselves down to the level of the naive and idiots instead of providing leadership and guidance to them.

In the first place, was there a survey or any proper measures of perception as the basis of discussion?

If it is time for Najib to go, then he has to submit to God's will. They do their thing and Najib do their thing.

Can read in full here.

If the Johorean turns out not capable and credible, by God's will, he too should not be PM and better to stay with Najib.

As far we can remember, one of the ladies referred to then was a lost BN candidate at the last general election. Another was related to the BN candidate.

And the third we remember was someone whose face was seen daily at Anwar's sodomy trial, later start to think of herself as prima donna penceramah, and not realising that we know she kelentong too much and have no facts or right story.

She was the one that got emotional when she had nothing convincing to tell us.

Since we are in the mood to read back past postings, wonder whether the Peloponnesian War strategy has ended and a true direct confrontation will assume. Is something big gonna happen in Terengganu by Friday?

Believe Tun M will use a 1-2-3 bang strategy to maximise perception effect prior to March 27th.

Former and current MB seen together after motion for vote of no confidence

The former MB of Terengganu, Dato Ahmad Said made a surprise vote of no confidence motion at the Terengganu state assembly on Tuesday. It was not expected to win or get carried.

Speaker Dato Mohd Zubir Embong rejected the motion on basis of no notice given and some standing order issue.

It could be considered a surprise since yours truly remembered being in his room at Hilton Sentral about 3 months before his removal by Sultan. When asked who he feels is his right successor, he mentioned current MB, Dato Ahmad Razif Abdul Rahman.

The latest move can only be expected of maverick Mat Said, as he is often called and his gedebe kampong style politics. Not sure how do they pronounced the Kelantanis term, gedebe, in Terengganu. The nearest translation in English is macho.

In his own way, he can be quite an endearing leader.

Mat Said is the sort of local leader who could stop a bread truck on the road to seize and give away bread to flood victim. He climbed on roof to help out kampong folks building new homes.

Like any kepala in a kampong, he has no shame to express his anger and called the PAS opposition names in the honourable state assembly.

Mat Said took the challenge and willingly accept Sultan's appointment and take on the successful and respected MB Dato Idris Jusoh. And when it was his turn to face the wrath, he had no qualms to do manouvres which he knows will be in vain.

Mat Said is no Hishamuddin. He will not shy away from controversies.

While he could endear himself with the common folks, at the same time, he can say something so frank that it arouse their disgust. His non-conformist and dramatic ways may not be something traditionalist and conservative within UMNO could stomach.

Despite his gedebe kampong ways, he did atracted RM16 billion FDI in a year to Terengganu. He made corporate man Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim and Teresa Kok's RM1 billion for Selangor that same year pales in comparison.

Behind the motion

Back to his latest new making move, there is this expectation that Tun Mahathir will do a 1-2-3 bang this Friday. After quiting UMNO, and initiating a opposition coalition, taking over Terengganu would be a nice revenge for the removal of Dato Mukhriz.

Maverick Mat Said was seen with Tun M at a press conference in Yayasan Kepimpinan Perdana in Putrajaya sometime back. He had been vocal on the TIA/1MDB issue. He accused TIA was going to put Terengganu's oil revenue as collateral. Not exactly so technically, but that's communicable for the common folks in rural Teregganu.

Anyway that attempt has been thwarted. From the 17 BN ADUN, 16 have signed a pledge of support for Razif. Since game is over, Haji Hadi said PAS would not join move to remove MB Terengganu.

So the usual comment and cliche from UMNO. Razif said action prompted by certain quarters but he denied being involved in a conspiracy to humiliate him. Thus far what is heard is that Razif changed a housing project initiated by Mat Said and the affordable home prices was raised to a not so affordable RM250,000 per home for the common rural folks.

Parliament Speaker, Dato Pandikar Amin Mulia slammed ex-MB for the ambush in support of Zubir's action. There is that possibility that Zubir's move be put in question since in 1961, a Menteri Besar was removed by a surprise vote of no confidence.

There is also the exchanges between Dato Azlina Osman and Mat Said. Azalina accused him of trying to do anything to be MB again and mentioned the word divorce. Two wive Mat Said reacted to tell her she does not know what divorce is.

This exchanges is irrelevant. But, Mat Said has a point to say Azlina do not know Terengganu politics.

University analysts warned UMNO to not sack Mat Said's maverick move since UMNO is surviving on a thin 2-seat majority. It is interesting but merely stating the obvious. [Read The Mole here].

UMNO may not be able to sack Mat Said because there could be justification and there could be one similarity between Mukhriz and Razif.

As the link person that arranged for our meeting in his room said, Razif, just like Mukhriz though not openly known, lost the palace's confidence. In addition, Mat Said's motion may have the support of 11 ADUN.

Though they signed the SD, they too lost confidence in Razif. During the motion by Mat Said, only Kuala Berang state assemblymen, Tengku Putera Tengku Awang spoke against Mat Said.

Mat Said was reported saying he has no intention to quit UMNO. Source said it was not a drama or any intention by Mat Said to bring down the BN government. His heart is still with UMNO.

Source said he has been sending feelers to Dato Najib to meet and explain the situation on the ground with regard to Razif. He may want to assure Najib that his lone move has nothing to do with anyone,

He was not at the Citizens' Declaration announcement and denied Tun M is behind his move.

Being the maverick he is, Mat Said may not need Tun M. If he is on Dato Najib side now, he is the sort of character that would be loudly calling Tun M as natang for being in alliance with DAP. Seen as a uncontrollable wild man to many, but he has his own mind.

Being the gentleman he is, it is unlikely Najib will entertain him anymore. Not even because lately, he is no more seen in the company of Tan Sri Muhyiddin, Dato Shafie Apdal and Mukhriz. It needs more to convince Najib.

Najib will only trust the Terengganu man in his office and cabinet. And none are, to put it mildly, fond of Mat Said.

Some may feel pity to Mat Said. He should know better that UMNO culture do not entertain maverick. The more vocal will say jangan layan or accuse him as kaki wayang or even gila tak sedar diri.

But, in is maverick way, it could be him sending a loud message that things are not doing as well to PM Najib's choice to replace him. The ground in Terengganu is not white or grey status but black.

Syariah court made a judgement on the divorce case between son of Pehin Seri Taib Mahmud, Dato Seri Mahmud Bekir and former wife and sister to singer Sheila Majid, Shahnaz Abdul Majid. Excerpt from theSundaily report below:

Taib’s son ordered to pay ex-wife RM30m
Posted on 10 March 2016 - 09:31pm

The Syariah High Court today ordered Datuk Seri Mahmud Abu Bekir Taib (pix), son of Sarawak governor Tan Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud, to pay a sum of RM30 million in muta'ah (conciliatory payment) claims to his ex-wife Shahnaz A. Majid.

Syariah court judge Muhamad Abdul Karim Wahab, who read out the judgment in court said that while there is no fixed amount on how much should be paid, the claims awarded is based on relevant circumstances.

He noted that this includes how much Mahmud could afford, the sacrifices and difficulty faced by Shahnaz during the past 10 years, as well as the status Shahnaz was after being divorced.

Shahnaz had pledged to donate a third of divorce proceeding away. It is quite an honourable thing to do. It help to cleanse her tarnished name with some nasty revelation about her. Conversely, she was equally nasty on her ex. Go google it.

This settlement expose something interesting about Sarawak Report or any other gossipy media.

Shahnaz had filed for a RM100million muta'ah claim as well as RM300 million in matrimonial property and 50% of all assets owned by Mahmud and Shahnaz which includes luxury cars, houses, land, and shares in several companies.

That works out to hundreds of millions!

In arguing for the claim, her lawyer, Akberdin Abdul Kader argued in November last year that Shahnaz deserved the “mutaah” or consolatory gifts for the suffering which include physical and mental abuse and humiliation endured during their 19 years of marriage.

Lawyers what do you expect? Aim for the sky, but the height of a coconut is a very good deal.

In September 2014, Mahmud was on the stand. He question the amount of claim as too much and believe she received inaccurate advise. An excerpt from theSundaily report reads below:

"I believe there are certain quarters who told her my family is rich due to corruption problems. That is merely politics," he said when hearing on his wife's alimony claims continues before Syariah Judge Muhamad Abdul Karim Wahab.

And he was reported:

"I am very puzzled with those claims. She (Shahnaz) took news excerpts from the 'Sarawak Report' web site that released false news about our family," he said.

Bingo! Shanaz's source was from Sarawak Report.

Since there is no specific valuation on the jointly owned asset, we will just throw out a figure of RM200 million. Plus the matrimonial figure, SR source leads to an estimation of Mahmud's wealth at RM500 million.

Supposed it is to be split 50:50, Shahnaz should be getting RM250 million. So at RM30 million, it is only 12% of the true entitlement. Calculated against RM100 million, it is only 30%.

Whether it is 12% or 30%, it proves by mathematical logic that only a fraction of SR is correct. The rest is make-up, wrong impression and twisting.

Explanation in court by Mahmud can be found here.

Wonder where does The Benchmark stand on SR. The blog used to make a posting in defense of Mahmud. Believe the blogger seemed bite everything handed down by SR and more.

Another interesting coincidence.

During Tan Sri Halim Saad's divorce case many years ago, his ex had made a claim of 50% of marital asset at RM500 million against him. An international media presumably credible put the wealth of Halim at USD762 million.

The case reached its settlement at only RM25 million. The case again is the claim on celebrity divorce involving tycoons tend to be more reported than actual.

By the way, the international media then was a familiar media name in Malaysia these days - Rupert Murdoch's The Wall Street Journal.

It can be concluded that not all of Halim's USD762 million belong to him thus should be in the divorce settlement calculation.

This blog is awaiting the progress on another high profile divorce of Tan Sri Khoo Kay Peng. How much is really his and who is he holding for, MUI that is?

Wall Street Journal was trying to pre-empt Dato Najib's decision on the appointment for the Governor for Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM) with a spin.

With the intention to maintain the newscycle, they reported Tan Sri Dr Irwan Serigar Abdullah as leading candidate and highlighted his position as member of the Board of Advisory of 1MDB.

It is not uncommon practise for BNM Governorship to come from outside the organisation. In fact, Tan Sri Zeti Akhtar Aziz was the only first Governor that rose from the rank. Prior to Zeti, it was former Director General of EPU, Tan Sri Ali Abul Sulaiman.

Appointing Irwan could mean a "demotion" from his current position as Secretary General of Treasury, in which BNM falls under MoF.

Zeti has been lobbying for an appointment from within using the excuse of no politicians. It seemed intended to stop a former BNM, turned politician and currently ambassador to the US from assuming the position.

Odds is against an internal appointment in the light of suspicious involvement of certain top officials of BNM in a plot to frame and topple the Prime Minister.

Initial 1MDB investigation material from BNM found it's way to WSJ and source close to the then Task Force claimed it reached there via then Attorney General, Tan Sri Gani Patail.

Fake charge sheet revealed by WSJ (presumably prepared by AG's office) in the midst of investigation still on-going was a dead giveaway of a possible set-up.

Zeti and likely to include certain top officials tried to deflect the responsibility for making past approvals by attempting to pin it back on 1MDB. However, they were unable to provide sufficient evidences to Attorney General Tan Sri Apandi to charge.

[Read past posting here and here]

Likely choices are between Dato Dr Awang Adek or Dato Abdul Wahid Omar.

Singapore's The Straits Times had a special report:

Political spotlight shifts to Bank Negara

“Bottom line, the PM will decide on who he thinks will be a set of safe hands and make sure that the thinking at Bank Negara is in line with his administration”

Leslie Lopez, The Straits Times

In the high-stakes chess game that is Malaysian politics, all eyes are now on who will succeed Tan Sri Zeti Akhtar Aziz as the country’s powerful central bank governor.

Prime Minister Najib Razak is leaning heavily on two of his allies in government, a move close advisers say is part of a wider campaign by the premier to quell a months-long revolt against his administration among powerful sections of the civil service.

Dr Zeti, 68, is set to retire at the end of next month after heading the central bank for 16 years.

For the moment, close aides to the premier say that the toss-up is between former assistant central bank governor Awang Adek Hussin, who is now Malaysia’s ambassador to the United States, and Mr Abdul Wahid Omar, who is minister in the Prime Minister’s Department in charge of economic affairs.

A third person in the running for the post is the current deputy governor, Datuk Muhammad Ibrahim, who is the central bank’s preferred internal candidate.

Government officials say how the premier deals with the succession at Bank Negara Malaysia will provide clues on how he intends to instil greater discipline and loyalty among the roughly 1.6 million civil servants who have long been a key support base for the ruling Umno, which is the linchpin of the Barisan Nasional government.

The developments are also being closely watched because they represent part of Datuk Seri Najib’s campaign to consolidate power after nearly being forced out of office in late July last year.

He successfully turned the tables on his political foes by seizing on the raw power of an incumbent premier in Malaysia. In rapid succession last July, he sacked his No. 2, Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, from the Cabinet, and replaced Tan Sri Abdul Gani Patail, the country’s long-serving attorney-general.

Mr Najib’s position today is unassailable. Just days ago, he demonstrated his widening political clout by removing political strongman Mahathir Mohamad, who has been heading the campaign against him, of the prestigious post as adviser of national oil corporation Petronas.

Last Saturday, the chiefs of 148 Umno divisions – more than three-quarters its 191 divisions – declared their loyalty to Mr Najib. They condemned Tun Dr Mahathir for working with opposition leaders in the Save Malaysia campaign to topple Mr Najib.

But Mr Najib, who also holds the finance minister portfolio, has moved very cautiously with Bank Negara.

“The PM believes that it is not about personalities but the institution,” said a Finance Ministry official.

Relations between the Najib administration and the Zeti-run central bank have been less than cordial over the past one year, largely because of the financial debacle at state-owned 1Malaysia Development Berhad and the controversy surrounding the flow of about US$700 million (S$960 million) into the premier’s personal accounts in October 2013.

Close aides to Mr Najib say that he has been upset with Bank Negara for failing to come to the government’s defence to clear up the issue of the deposits into his account, especially when the flows of such large amounts of funds would have required the necessary approvals from the central bank.

Bank Negara was one of the government agencies that was later roped in to probe the 1MDB fund flows.

The 68-year-old Dr Zeti enjoys a strong following in the international investment community for her steady stewardship of the Malaysian banking system and monetary policy, which have been crucial in ensuring a stable domestic economy.

The financial markets will be looking for a replacement that will continue that tradition.

For some time, the well-spoken and media-savvy Datuk Awang – who has a PhD in economics from Dr Zeti’s alma mater, the University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School – has been the front runner for the job. But close aides to the premier say that Mr Awang had indicated last month that he would prefer to stay out of the race.

“You cannot say ‘no’ to the PM and, at this point, he is the preferred choice,” said a government official who is familiar with Mr Najib’s plans for top-level changes at the civil service.

Dr Awang is considered to be a very close ally of Mr Najib.

Proponents of Dr Awang’s appointment say that his stint as ambassador to the US has made him a known entity with the international financial and diplomatic community. He also worked at Bank Negara for over a decade from 1985, handling banking supervision before becoming an assistant governor. “Awang knows the culture (at Bank Negara) and he is considered one of them,” said a senior aide to the premier.

With Dr Awang less than enthusiastic for the job, Mr Najib’s close aides say that former banker Datuk Seri Abdul Wahid has emerged as a back-up candidate.

Mr Abdul Wahid, who at one-time served as the chief executive officer of Maybank, the country’s largest financial institution, also enjoys high regard among the international investing community. The only drawback with Mr Abdul Wahid is that he has little experience in monetary policy, say bankers.

Close aides to the premier say that Mr Muhammad Ibrahim, who is Bank Negara’s preferred candidate to replace Dr Zeti, is in the shortlist because Mr Najib is concerned about reactions from the international community.

“Bottom line, the PM will decide on who he thinks will be a set of safe hands and make sure that the thinking at Bank Negara is in line with his administration,” said a senior government official close to Mr Najib.

----------------------

Our preference is Awang Adek. And he will have to quit politics.

Second choice is Wahid Omar. But better place him for Minister of Finance II.

Happy Chinese New Year

Presumed Guilty III

MUSICAL INTERLUDE: The bed's too big without you

Possibilities not thought of

Repco, Sime Bank, and Anwar Ibrahim (Part 1)

Repco, Sime Bank, and Anwar Ibrahim (Part 2)

Zeti does not deserve Tunship

Geng Loceng, Khairuddin's faked reports

Confused ...: Who is running MACC?

Come clean, Abu Kassim!

Was Muhyiddin conspiring against Najib?

Clueless central bankers

Is Hishamuddin distancing himself from Najib?

Mahathir's Deklarasi Rakyat is about himself

Sabah's voice must be unimportant to Habibur Rahman

Why didn't Daim appear in person to sign the Citizen's Declaration?

Citizens' Declaration factual boo boo

Maverick Mat Said in the news again

Divorce settlement proves SR is more lies than truth

Taib’s son ordered to pay ex-wife RM30m

Choice should be between Awang or Wahid