Mahathir could only give an angry stare ...

June 19, 2016, 12:56 am

≪ Previous: It all boils down to transport

On Sunday, exactly last week, Tun Dr Mahathir appeared at Sungai Besar to attend a make shift academic colloquium on 1MDB organised by DAP.

Three days later, it was responded with Arul Kanda appearing in a forum together with National Civics Bureau (BTN) director-general Datuk Ibrahim Saad and Bukit Aman’s Counter Terrorism deputy director Datuk Ayob Khan Mydin Pitchay present.

But, 1MDB is not the subject of this posting. Let us layoff any comment till a posting on it. Waiting out for a certain development.

What is interesting was Tun M's press conference after the "colloquium". He said the two by-elections, which was meant to replace two MPs that died in a helicopter mishap, is a referendum on Dato Najib's leadership.

Obviously, this is contrary to his seldom mentioned view during his premiership that the people's referendum on leadership is only every five years.

The public and interest groups should not complain or criticise too much his administration. Express through the ballot box during the general election.

He has recently had a change in view. The manner he is saying it was as though he never said those words. Is he suffering from amnesia?

If he does, how will his class action lawsuit against Najib be made out in court?

Although he is macho enough to refuse to answer investigating police and will only answer when charged in court, he has a strange illness to forget in court proceeding and Royal Commission hearing.

Angry stare

Joceline Tan wrote about Tun M's interview and mentioned "he did not look pleased when asked what if Umno wins both seats on June 18" [read here].

It was the same PC Tun M was calling those defending Najib or in other word, those not supporting him as "pemakan dedak (chicken feed)"

Hishamuddin was reported by FMT to have "sneered at Tun M's referendum". He said reporter should now asked him back of his position now.

Actually, sources at the then Sungai Besar PC was saying Tun M was asked but he did not response to a question on the implication should UMNO end up winning both by-elections.

Instead he gave the reporter an angry stare.

Talk among reporters was that a pesky reporter pursued him but still no response.

Must have refused difficult questions from reporters he assumed as Najib supporter and another pemakan dedak

Hmmm ... he should have done something about the low pay of reporters during his time instead of childish reaction of belittling them.

Victorious

Now that the by-elections are over and ...

... UMNO won. Not only that, the victories were overwhelming and beyond all expectation ...

If the votes for PAS and PAN were combined, BN would still get away with a handsome majority.

Will Tun M admit that the referendum has turned out for the converse and it could be interpreted as rakyat is for Najib?

At least, one former supporter think so here. The one on his left in blue striped shirt.

Chinese voters

On top of that, the areas Tun M visited did not give their votes to his candidate of choice i.e. from Mat Sabu's PAN party.

The Sekincan Chinese overwhelmingly voted BN over PAN or decided not to come out to vote. [Read The Mole here]

Pro-DAP portal, The Heat highlighted Tun M as one of the reason Chinese vote shifted to BN. An extract below:

An analysis showed that while BN got the Malay votes in hand, it managed to attract the Chinese votes this time round. The reason may be the rebellion of the Chinese in the two constituencies against the way the opposition played their campaign.

Amanah and PAS failed to attract Malay votes, while Amanah which the Chinese seemed interested in, was surprised that it did not get much from the community, to the extent one of its leaders blaming the Chinese for being bought over by goodies. Even Amanah's candidates for both constituencies were orginally from there, they did not live there.

Amanah’s insistence to play up the racist rants to remind the Chinese that BN hates them - especially in Sungai Besar backfired. For one, Umno man Datuk Jamal Yunos had months before (even before the deaths of the former MPs), been shaking the hands of the Chinese and sought bigwig Umno leaders' help for the release of the Chinese fisherman arrested in Indonesia.

He had even adopted the son of one of them, and he was working hard to better his image among the Chinese, for he was a local businessman who depended on the Chinese fishermen and his racist outburst had burnt him bad.

Thus, when billboards of ‘Cina Babi’ came up which was once said by Jamal (who seemed to have mended ties with the Chinese), it did not go down well with Chinese voters. Amanah, which had just moved into the neighbourhood did not realise the situation, and further, their candidate, although from Sungai Besar, did not live there.

Chinese then decided they had forgotten the bygones and they did not want anymore of this, thus they buried the hatchet and voted for Umno, to teach PAS and Amanah a lesson not to repeat racism even if it was said by others.

And the opposition too did not address the local issues, in constituencies where people worked hard for a living. Instead, they used it to champion their own grouses - with PKR’s Rafizi using the by-election to highlight the PM’s wife Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor’s abuse of her privileges and lambast 1MDB - which to many voters there is something that happened at the federal level. To them, these issues are something which they feel do not affect them directly, so is of no real concern.

While former PM Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad used it as a platform to talk about the Citizens’ Declaration, which is not much of interest to voters in places like Sungai Besar and Kuala Kangsar.

And PAS used it to champion their hudud and Islamist agenda. While DAP bigwigs came in with groceries and showed that they were no different from those who were buying their votes, but can DAP sustain the buy-out? Better to be bought by BN and be sustained, as BN was the government and they had money.

Amanah on the other hand was seen as just a splinter party of PAS, and although it received quite a number of votes more than PAS, it failed to its boasts that it will take over PAS. It claims it is no more seen as a mosquito party with such results, but the truth is, Amanah got sympathy votes.

While Umno and BN parties worked to promise goodies to the locals and the locale. Najib himself made a couple of trips and promised better things to come for the constituencies such as the RM43.5 million Manong bridge (which is a big thing for Kuala Kangsar residents) and a university, as well as rice and cash.

Umno worked hard to ensure that the local issues were addressed - and knowing fully well, it is all about bread and butter, dished out that very thing - bread and butter, to the extent of Najib announcing a Raya bonus for all civil servants.

Never mind if he was being dragged in mud for financial scandals, appeasing the voters was all the BN cared about and which BN knew had always been the best way to get votes, and it worked.

Unfortunately, the opposition tried to do the same - appeasing the voters with bread and butter, but voters knew that this goes against the very essence of the opposition - thus they decided to vote BN. A case of better the devil that you know.

Referendum for Najib

Asking again: will Tun M admit the referendum has turned out for the converse and be interpreted as rakyat is for Najib?

PM has issued a statement and condemned Tun M. Full statement below:

PRIME MINISTER NAJIB RAZAK HAILS LANDSLIDE ELECTION WINS

1. I am grateful to the people for putting their faith in Barisan Nasional ‎again. As a mid-term government being targeted by unprecedented politically-motivated slander, we are especially humbled that we ‎received such landslide results. Our official majority in Kuala Kangsar was 6,969, compared to 1,082 in the 2013 general election; and 9,191 in Sungai Besar, compared to 399 in 2013.‎

2. Tun Mahathir Mohamad turned the elections into a referendum on my leadership. He campaigned for his former enemies in the opposition, dishonourably smearing his own party with crude language and claiming to speak on behalf of the people. But this betrayal was motivated by personal interest, not the national interest.‎

3. Now, with these two huge majority wins, ‎and BN’s landslide 72 out of 82 seat Sarawak election win last month, the people have shown their confidence for and trust in BN. They rejected Tun Mahathir's lies, they rejected his unworkable coalition of former enemies, and they rejected the incoherent opposition - partly because of their alignment with Tun Mahathir.‎

4. I would like to thank all the BN machinery, well led by Deputy Prime Minister Dato' Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi‎. BN succeeded because we worked as a team‎. ‎We prevailed, and, if we continue to work tirelessly for the people and remain united, we will always prevail.

5. As long as I am Prime Minister, the interests of the people will come first. We will deliver on our promises to them. My priority will continue to be the economic welfare, social wellbeing and security of all Malaysians. ‎

PRIME MINISTER’S OFFICE
18th June 2016

Ouch ... there will be no council of elders then. So what say Tun M?

Tun M will not admit of being defeated, especially when he is on a scorch earth strategy to burn everything he stood for till his wishes are met.

Forget the notion he is there doing Najib a favour to disrupt the opposition. He does not do others' bidding.

Since he is used to giving his view and not used to losing, even an argument, allow him to say his last word.

After all, he could only give an angry stare ...

↧

Say 2/3 profs, I dare you.

June 26, 2016, 2:38 am

≫ Next: Shafie's sulking all an act

≪ Previous: Mahathir could only give an angry stare ...

Seminggu tidak posting. Intended to see the post-by-elections comments and development first.

One political pundit associated Tun Dr Mahathir with TUDM warships. Warships were the symbol of naval dominance and military might. It fits Tun M's obsession for national pride. Like Tun M, warships make their presence felt as it sails proudly to patrol the Malaysian water.

Each blast of the heavy caliber guns can be heard miles away. However, KD Mahathir attack, defense, decoy and failures are visible. Would have been good should the two squadrons of 88 second hand skyhawk fighter jets purchased in 1985 was delivered.

On the other hand, Najib was associated with the submarine. Tun M incessant attack on Najib is done openly. His carpet bombing the undersea with depth charge but is only destroying the natural environment. Still ineffective to dislodge the submerged Najib.

Mahathir could not get a referendum against Najib but referendum turned against himself. The stealth Najib said in front of supporters at Sungai Besar last Saturday night that it is time to win Selangor. Maybe his ambition is not limiting to just Selangor but 2/3 majority in Parliament.

In a previous posting here, we raised issue with the sudden mushrooming of University lecturers and professors giving commentary on political tactics and party election operations. Wonder will they dare put money where their mouth to forecast 2/3 majority for next GE than just something already known?

Academics failed

For a Malaysia to move to a more mature and rational politics, these intellectuals should provide more intellectual content on policy, political analysis supported by history, facts and statistic, and more daring socio-political forecasts.

Maybe these academics are playing a role to neutralise the Phd and doctorates talking from the other side. Fine but must be more than talking of what the operators and grassroot politicians are talking.

To comment on BN Sungai Besar candidate is fine as it is profiling the candidates. At least, it should be more than compiling and rehashing opinions from the ground. It does not require a Phd as the media could do a far better job.

In fact, the day the search and rescue found the late Tan Sri Noriah Kasnon, we said in certain WA groups that Budiman is best candidate with all these qualities and more. None mentioned it openly as to avoid sabotage.

One Prof Dr Azmi Hassan, a geo-strategist at UTM and Prof Mohd Fuad Mat Jali of UKM stated the obvious to say BN could win handsomely if voter turnout more than 80% and party machinery should bring back "outside" voters.

Thought geo-strategist deal with political of military planning of foreign policies along geographical factor, not predicting by election voter turnout.

Assoc. Prof. Awang Azman Awang Pawi of UM, Associate Professor Mohd Azizuddin Mohd Sani of UUM and Assoc. Prof. Sivamurugan Pandian of USM were all stating what was known and even yours truly shared with relevant people. Read in FMT here.

Fram a week before nomination, we knew voter turnout would be low for Ramadhan and nearing Raya. The Chinese turnout will likely continue a trend set in Sarawak. And we knew something the Professors would never know. DAP send the wrong emissary to talk to the Sekincan "opinion makers".

Although Ilham Centre director, Hisommuddin Bakar was Amanah bias and blasted by PAS as pro-PAN, he could boldly argue to predict undecided would win it for Amanah. What was wrong was for Awang Azman to make a post result claim that Rafizi's private jet issue weigh in for Amanah.

Though agree with political analyst Tang Ah Chai observation that Amanah did respectably well [read Mkini here]. everyone is an expert after an event. The issue of PAS and Amanah had been well analysed by Yunus Taslim a day before polling. The more relevant issue was a disunited opposition was a big help for Najib.

Not only Prof Shamsul Amri Baharuddin, anyone can say opposition wrong tactics helped BN to win big. Sorry, revitalise is not the right description, Prof. Otherwise, why would we be hinting on mature and rational politics?

The initial summary of the results by PAS's Research Centre Director, Dr Mohd Zuhdi ‎Marzuki, Dato Lokman Nor Adam, and Akademi Pemuda Kapten Hussein had provided sufficient facts.

Post by-elections

So how would the interpretation of the event after the election be?

For one thing, the sabotageur within UMNO Kuala Kangsar was worried with the size of the majority to cover his track and took up blogger and facebooker advise.

Tun M was left embarassed as Najib could boldly claim people rejected him. Raja Petra mocked him to say Idi Amin of Malaysia was more popular than Tun M. His so-called change or reform agenda in his Citizens' Declaration is being questioned by opposition supporters.

Tun Musa is a gloating. as he see Tun M'sdefeat in this political battle. He said voters were not biting the big issue he carried. And, he suggested BN ride on this momentum.

The only saving grace for Tun M was the thanks from Amanah.

As far as the expulsion of Tan Sri Muhyiddin and Dato Mukhriz, it was expected and only delayed by the by-elections.After 11 months, the time and mood is right for it. Impact will be negligible.

Furthermore, Muhyiddin has an embarassing issue in which his political situation is the least of his problem. Mukhriz is a no starter with Dato Abu Hasan at the helm of UMNO Jerlun Division.

They underestimated what Najib know, and could and will do. Najib can certainly afford to gloat.

And, Ikram's Mohd Shazwan acknowledge Najib's ability to read the political variables. The factors was insurmountable for Pakatan Harapan to win. Even perennial critic like Art Harun accept and acknowledge BN ability to set the political language, agenda and interpretation.

The twitterers, Rafizi and Tony Pua can only do their blame game.

Forecast

Can opposition get their act together?

The smear campaign on PAS may not have worked but PAS cannot go at it alone. Salahuddin Ayub and Nga Kor Meng admit that. They said PAS should join Pakatan Harapan.

The response has been negative from PAS side. Their anger against Amanah has not subside. And, the honest Amanah politicians know they cannot go far by being associated with DAP. They should have realised that Dyana, Rara and Melati is out of the public eye and negotiate a better deal with DAP.

Azmin is right and he stand as the last hope for a united opposition.

DAP was wrong to severe ties with PAS and created Amanah to replace them. PAS bitterness towards DAP is far bigger than that towards Amanah.

DAP have problems looming in the mist. If Permatang Pauh by-election only saw glimpses of protest, there is more to come.

We reiterate that Lim dynasty days are numbered. Their enemies within and without DAP are pulling together. Guan Eng's honeymoon is over. He is struggling to survive the bungalow and tunnel issues. More and many more to come.

When you keep hitting at someone, do not expect them to not hit you back. Something for DAP to learn. Every reason to shed it's subversion politics and be more mature and rational. Pick up some intelligent British wit.

They need to live with the times. The Chinese maybe coming to their senses. They know they can't stretch their luck too far in trying to wrestle power in an overwhelming Bumiputera majority Malaysia. DAP's divide-the-Malays strategy is too predictable and will not work. They lost sight of their flank.

The Chinese are pragmatic enough to realise the economic senario is not good and it is time to focus. Off course, there are concerns as it is too early to assume there is a Chinese tsunami going the other way.

In conclusion, the opposition can only blame themselves for it. Voters are no more buying their agenda.They lost sight of their ideals and became too pragmatic. And, they became corrupt as well.

Furthermore, this is not 2013 when Dato Seri Anwar Ibrahim was around to make the different concerns, urban versus rural, and ideologies to co-exists. Tun M will not be able to, not even when he just said his bad blood with Anwar is in the past.

Tun M does not have the team to do it. Too shallow, stupid and lack sensibility to read Najib's stealth moves. More so with Dato Zaid Ibrahim by his side. He is politically inapt to put any strategy and see it through.

Two third?

The submarine is submerge in water, thus it's actions is concealed in the depth of the ocean. So does Najib.

During World War II, the submarine could attack using torpedoes when submerged. The sonar technology has catch up and warship is able to locate submarines. However, submarine technology has also catch-up and new submarine are stealth from detection.

If there is a military exercise pitting the two assets, the warship needs the best of sensor, weapon technology, training, experience and luck for a successful anti-submarine operation. One mistake and the submerged and stealth submarine will sink down the warships.

The 1982 Falklands War saw the Argentine cruiser General Belgrano sank by the British nuclear-powered submarine HMS Conqueror. It highlighted that the Argentine had no defense against submarine.

KD Najib has already instructed UMNO to focus on rakyat. They are maintaining the same momentum. No need to keep attacking opposition. There have problems looming everywhere. Stay the course of a positive campaign.

PKR and Selangor will see a repeat of Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim, but this time, it involves his successor. The arrest of Manikavasagam and maybe soon, Zuraidah will spell more trouble for Azmin. Waytha is at it again in Selangor.

In the midst of this turmoil, all Najib need to do is to strategically maintain pressure on them. From the belly of the South China Sea, he could make sure they could not settle.

It does not have to be an early GE. For a National Council of Professors,Prof Dr Nik Ahmad Kamal Nik Mahmood should be more clever than try to comment in a subject outside his expertise. Musa Hitam only suggested to take advantage of the momentum.

MCA and Gerakan are showing good signs of waking up. PAS can see that Penang and Selangor could fall. So why would PAS want to ride with a Pakatan Harapan on the decline?

Two third is already the talk of analyst if opposition continue to be disunited.

Does the warships of Tun M, who met at some claimed as his ranch in Argentina with IPP taukehs before last GE, have any defense against Najib's submarine to keep releasing 1MDB bombs?

Don't ask the pentaksub this question. They believe he has superpower or perhaps divine power to take on the American army, navy, air force and marine. They do not know 1MDB is over.

* Edited 27/6/2016 1:30 PM

↧

Shafie's sulking all an act

June 27, 2016, 3:00 pm

≫ Next: Did Bank Negara abused their regulatory power?

≪ Previous: Say 2/3 profs, I dare you.

Dato Shafie Apdal had his membership suspended together with the sacking of Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin and Dato Mukhriz Mahathir. Since Shafie did not sign the Citizens' Declaration, he may have got off on a lighter sentence.

Yesterday, UMNO Semporna created news when Shafie's former Political Secretary and assemblyman Datuk Jaujan Sambakongs announced his resignation from the party in protest to the membership suspension. He claimed the division permanent chairman and 317 division and branch leaders followed suit. [Read The Star here]

It could mean principally that Shafie will resign from UMNO soon. His landed at KLIA After performing umrah this morning. Otherwise, why would his supporters leave the party already?

There was rumour that Shafie attempted to send overtures to various parties, including getting first wife to meet a lady confidante to the Dato Najib to plead his case. It was reported by a blog that he also tried to save himself by expressing support for UMNO to win the two recent by-elections.

When he visited Sungai Besar, he turned down invitation to join the campaign. It may seemed Shafie is sulking. Actually, it is all an act.

Clare's ploy

Right after the by-election, on June 24th, Sarawak Report recycled an old 2012 story generated by Shafie which alleged Dato Musa Aman receiving kickbacks for timber concession.

It is an open secret in Sabah that Shafie have been eyeing the position of Sabah Chief Minister. He had been trying all sort of attempts to dislodge the Aman brothers. In this allegation, he tried to link Musa to a shady businessman by the name of Michael Chia.

In an attempt to cheat using a similar political fund scam, the Sandakan Session Court had sentenced Micheal to a one year jail in February 2014. A court witness confirmed that UMNO Sabah had never requested for any political fund to be paid to UMNO via Micheal Chia.

Maybe that is how Shafie operates to be financially capable to make Semporna voters dependent on his donations. His supporters failed to realise he does not bother to take them out of poverty in order to maintain his political continuity.

Back then, Sarawak Report made fictitous expose of "hundred million dollars had been siphoned out by Musa" through "a web of off-shore timber companies" bank accounts in Singapore and Hong Kong.

SR's Clare Rewcastle Brown claimed to have the money trail established and exposed the bank document evidence in June 2012.

According to Clare, Michael Chia was caught in Hong Kong with S$16 million cash belonging to Musa in 2008. She concocted the lie that it was passed off as political fund for UMNO. However, Musa was cleared from any such allegation by both MACC and Hong Kong's ICAC.

Initially, Clare claimed the offense was committed in Sabah but money paid in Hong Kong. Clare then churned out an another story to say the money was moved from HSBC to UBS then to other Bank and filtered to Switzerland.

Through her network of on- and off-line media, Clare had them publish claim Musa and UBS is being investigated for money laundering by the Swiss authorities. In actual fact, there was no such activities.

Along the same ploy done on 1MDB, Clare is now trying to create an international media sensation with the hope of getting foreign authorities other than Hong Kong to investigate. She is trying to alarm them with the claim money had allegedly passed through each of their jurisdiction.

Clare also had her blog's main contributor and collaborator, Bruno Manser Fund to issue a statement as though there had been development in the court against UBS. It serves to sustain the allegation for her paymaster through news and report generated on fictitious development on the case.

Exposed

In comments published by FMT in middle and late April 2012 [read here and here, respectively], it is highly possible that Shafie was the paymaster in the collaboration with Clare to fix and kill-off Musa

Two videos produced by portal Sabahkini have been circulating in Sabah to expose Michael Chia was in cohort with Shafie and the scheming hands in cooking up such false allegations was Shafie:

"Projek IC" voters

Shafie was also avenging Musa's support for an RCI on "Projek IC".

Though claiming himself to be a Bajau Laut, Shafie is actually a Suluk. Most of his voters are "Projek IC" citizens of Suluk origin from southern Phillipines. The same people involved in various kidnapping of Malaysians and foreign tourists off the coast of Sabah and Sarawak.

In the midst of the RCI, Shafie was defensive of his fellow Suluk. Taking an excerpt from our December 5th, 2014 posting:

Federal Minister, Dato Shafie Apdal was rather non-commital and taking a politically safe stance. He asked for agencies to be more careful [read MMO here]. It is to consider the feeling of his fellow Bajau Laut which roams the sea from Phillipines to Sabah.

To conclude, the video by PKR conclusively showed Shafie have been collaborating with opposition to depose a BN state leadership. He was not sulking and it is long over due to have him sacked by UMNO!

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Did Bank Negara abused their regulatory power?

June 29, 2016, 12:10 am

≫ Next: Seeking Laylat Al Qadr

≪ Previous: Shafie's sulking all an act

Parting shot?

This does not sound like a rational decision on the part of BNM. Thought that such discretionary, bias and impulsive style of decision was only done by Zeti. Then it must be the work of someone thought to already have their monopause but still having their monthly menstruation.

Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM) power as regulator under Banking and Financial Institute Act 1989 and Financial Sevices Act 2013 is so wide ranging, all encompassing and discretionary that it is a surprise opposition or human rights group never questioned it.

It is heard that BNM allegedly abused this power to stop a sizeable loan arranged for a Foreign Company L to undertake a project of significance in Malaysia which was already approved by a certain Commercial Bank H.

Bank H is not headed by any fly-by-night banker, but just like former BNM Governor, Tan Sri Dr. Zeti Akhtar Aziz, banker Y heading the bank received international accolade.

In fact, it was Zeti who approved his extension.

Not sure whether BNM directive to reject the loan was done formally with a proper letter or as what happen to 1MDB, it was merely a verbal instruction.

One COO of a Bank was instructed verbally to not rollover the loan without a formal letter issued. That serve to trigger a near default situation.

It raises the issue whether BNM could abuse their discretionary power just because it is that time of the month for ladies and they just got emotionally attached against a certain organisation or any remote link to that organisation.

If so, god help us.

Corporate Governance

Anyway, this is not the real issue involving parties with Letters encypted from giving clue to their true identity so as to be meant directly to those concern. Off course they should be clever enough to encrypt it.

The issue involves BNM's Principle of Corporate Governance, Minimum Standards and Specific Requirements.

It is not in anyway questioning Zeti's power to approve reappointment of banker Y but on shareholders interest.

Like many banks in Malaysia, Bank H has a major institutional shareholder S. It is a well run institution and around longer than Khazanah Nasional.

Its ability to develop business and build the organisation is far better than Khazanah.

Khazanah was built by one loser Mamak adviser who robbed companies of really capable Malay corporate entrepreneurs and empire builder.

In terms of corporate governance, institution S has check and balance in the system that is far better and capable than MACC's 5 layered committees.

They have never lost RM16 billion on trading foreign exchange like BNM. And media may have been instructed to suppress news of BNM negative capital situation then.

Naturally, any institutional investors like PNB, Tabung Haji, EPF, LTAT, and not to be left out Khazanah would want to have their people represented on the Board of Directors of investee companies.

Where possible, institution S should have controlling presence to provide the strategic direction and implement the business plan of the investee public company. Logically, when they have majority stake, they must take charge.

It is also their responsibility to minority shareholders who buy the Bank H shares out of their trust in the ability of the major shareholder to manage and provide returns to their investment. In other word, the responsibility to churn out profit, return and dividends lies with the major shareholders.

Though BNM monitors bank profitability and ensure there is no abuse in the pursuit of profit and dividend for shareholders, it is not responsible and answerable to shareholders for any impact of their regulatory actions or intervention on profitability.

Their concern as regulator under the said acts are to see business are conduct ethically and no hanky panky going on.as to not disrupt the financial system.

Banks deals with money and the temptation is always there. It has happened in the past where bank shareholders divert money to their other businesses and cronies or clansmen.

BNM role is to ensure there is public confidence in the bank management to handle public money prudently and responsibility. Thus the requirement that Bank's BOD and Management personnel need to be vetted and approved by BNM.

It would mean the BOD or management must be those with the experience, capability and foresight in managing business, undertanding of public or international policies, and more so banking business.

Interference

Now it is heard that before banker Y was heading the bank, it was run by banker I.

Quite often the practise in corporate governance, former CEO would usually be retained in the BOD to provide a seamless transition in Bank policy making.

Banker I becomes part of institution S's management team and was heard to move up.

As soon as the rumours were circulating, his Directorship in Bank H was not approved by BNM. Not sure what the politics is, but it seemed the BOD manouvred to throw him out.

One can safely assume that they managed to convince BNM to block an important person to represent shareholder S and a majority shareholder from getting their man as representative.

BNM put aside shareholders for self interests of the members of the BOD.

Suitability is a non-issue because banker I formerly headed Bank H and damn well has banking experience.

There is no basis to say he is unsuitable. There is no criminal charges against him or any known offenses committed by him except maybe parking meter as a result of wrong parking by his driver.

Surely it is not about trying to block banker Y from getting an extension and heading the bank.

Off course, unless institution S has someone more suitable with their long term plan, it is supposed to be their internal affair and not for BNM to meddle in.

In the first place, it is unthinkable that shareholders looking for return have no say on the BOD members and management of their investment.

There is no issue systemic risk or contagion effect as all involved are professionals with the sense of responsibility and are people with integrity surpassing the Chairman of the Management Committee of Khazanah.

If the case is top management of institution S should not be involved in day-to-day operation of Bank H, how would BNM reconcile with the presence of Dato Nazir Razak as former CEO to be not just a member of the BOD of CIMB and Khazanah, but an executive Chairman of CIMB?

The executive-ness of his Chairmanship is also another issue. But this posting is not about him but BNM.

Irrational

This does not sound like a rational decision on the part of BNM. Thought such discretionary, bias and impulsive style of decision was only done by Zeti. Then it must be the work of someone thought to already have their monopause but still having their monthly menstruation.

On top of that, BNM has issued to new concept papers on Corporate Governance and Shareholder Suitability [see report here].

The fear now is the possibility that new Act or amendment to existing Act or new rules to be enforced will make shareholders have no say in the running of their investment and only BNM call the shot.

It has happened in the past where the proposed CEO by the controlling shareholder of RHB Bank was rejected. It eventually led the shareholder to be forced to sell. In that case, the proposed CEO was unqualified but why must BNM meddle in the internal and business affairs of institution S and Bank H?

Supposed there is such need for intervention for reasons beyond the knowledge of the public. Why no such intervention involving Hong Leong Bank and Public Bank was ever done?

Surely it is not racial or just Melayu government servants "segan" behaviour or lack of self esteemed and confidence triggered by inferior complex psychology to deal with Chinese.

Tan Sri Teh Hiong Piow is in his 80s. Not only that the thing can't stand up, the man itself can't stand for long. Definately, he is far from capable of bringing down a government.

It is risky to have him handle public money. He has issues of moral hazard in the past and limited by his physical, emotional and mental capacity in the present.

It is a banking legend that the late Tun Ismail Ali was disgusted with him and refused to accept his hand for handshake. He look up to point up and said, "The sky is blue."

The same happened to Tan Sri Azman Hashim.

If BNM is acting in such irrational and vindictive manner to intrude in organisation's decision making, it is basically moving our banking system backward and inconsistent with best corporate practises.

Remember that in Malaysia, central bankers cannot make commercial bankers. But commercial bankers can be made into central bankers.

* Edited 30/6 1:30 AM

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Seeking Laylat Al Qadr

June 30, 2016, 9:05 pm

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Why Laylat Al Qadr Is One Of The Holiest Nights Of Ramadan

The “Night of Power” is a chance for Muslims to remember the night the Quran was first revealed to the Prophet Muhammad.

06/29/2016 05:11 pm ET

What Is Laylat Al Qadr?

Laylat Al Qadr is considered the holiest night of the year for Muslims, and is traditionally celebrated on the 27th day of Ramadan. It is known as the “Night of Power,” and commemorates the night that the Quran was first revealed to the Prophet Muhammad, beginning with the exhortation, “Read! In the Name of your Lord, Who has created (all that exists),” in Surat Al-Alaq (Muhsin Khan translation).

When Is Laylat Al Qadr?

The Prophet Muhammad did not mention exactly when the Night of Power would be, although most scholars believe it falls on one of the odd-numbered nights of the final ten days of Ramadan, such as the 19th, 21st, 23rd, 25th or 27th days of Ramadan. It is most widely believed to fall on the 27th day of Ramadan.

In 2016, Laylat Al Qadr is expected to fall on Saturday, July 2, in the United States and the United Kingdom.

Scripture

The Quran says in Surat Al-Qadr:

We have indeed revealed this (Message) in the Night of Power: And what will explain to thee what the night of power is? The Night of Power is better than a thousand months. Therein come down the angels and the Spirit by Allah’s permission, on every errand: Peace!... This until the rise of morn!

Hadith

The importance of this night is also mentioned in hadith, which are the sayings of the Prophet Muhammad as remembered by his companions:

Whoever establishes the prayers on the night of Qadr out of sincere faith and hoping to attain Allah’s rewards (not to show off) then all his past sins will be forgiven.

Hadith, Bukhari Vol 1, Book 2:34.

Observance

Muslims observe this occasion with study, devotional readings, and prayer, as the night’s holiness is believed to make it a very good time for prayers to be answered.

The last ten days of Ramadan are considered a particularly spiritually important time, as any of the days may be Laylat Al Qadr, and thus worshippers strive to be especially observant during this period.

Some Muslims participate in a spiritual retreat called itikaf, where they spend all ten days in the mosque reading the Quran and praying.

Imam Khalid Latif, chaplain of New York University’s Islamic Center, reflected on the significance of this day in a blog for The Huffington Post:

Many Muslims will give emphasis to the 27th night of Ramadan being Laylatul Qadr, but the opinions on what day it is varies. The Qur’an doesn’t mention a specific date for Laylatul Qadr and the Prophet Muhammad’s recommendation to, “Seek it in the last 10 days, on the odd nights,” indicates the importance of searching for it.

I would recommend for those observing to take advantage of every night remaining and if we are amongst those who find ourselves in Ramadan next year, to stand in every night that we possibly can.

What one does while seeking out Laylatul Qadr will vary from person to person. Praying the Isha prayer, the night prayer and the Fajr prayer, the prayer at dawn, in congregation is important as is every minute in between.

Some will then stand for hours in ritual prayer. Others will read or listen to the Quran being recited.

Some will sit with their hands raised to the skies with tears falling from their eyes as their hearts tremble out of devotion.

Source: Huntington Post (of all the sources)

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Shafie's fake resignation news

July 2, 2016, 7:39 am

≫ Next: Apandi moved in for the kill

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On May 1st, 2015, there was an UMNO solidarity gathering held in Lahad Datu organised by UMNO Lahad Datu and Kalabakaan to receive Prime Minister, Dato Seri Najib Tun Abdul Razak's visit in the heat of attack by Tun Dr Mahathir.

The whole Lahad Datu town was packed to the brim with 40,000 attended including members from UMNO Zone 6 area of Lahad Datu, Kalabakaan, Silam and Semporna. The remarkable number present was provided by Dato Ghafur Salleh. It indicated a rock solid support for Najib.

Interestingly, someone claiming to be within Tun M's inner circle was there to witness the support. He was secretly meeting various people to gather fact and information to form pact against Najib. The contacts may have been made during the Suluk incursion on a Felda plantation there. One can assume he was looking for dissenting voices against Najib as it is heard someone tried to create a group but it didn't take off.

At the same time, he maybe gauging Dato Shafie Apdal's strength and influence. He should realised that the gathering was not spearded Shafie. And if he was the "strategist" and concluded to use Shafie's strength, the current moves by Shafie shows he has no political strength in Sabah.

That is no secret in Sabah.

Shafie started his move by getting Sarawak Report to recycle an old allegation cooked up against Dato Musa Aman on allegations of timber money kickback for UMNO political fund for GE12. He was cleared by both MACC and Hong Kong's ICAC but Clare Brown created a fictitious money trail to Switzerland.

Anyway his game is exposed in the previous posting here.

After the story came out, Shafie was off for umrah to wash his hands from the dirt he did and will be doing. While in the holy land, UMNO Supreme Council suspended his UMNO membership.

In response, he had his people in Semporna created a scene. One can read it in this protun blog here. Najib was childishly described as koyak, typical name calling ala RBA and Reformasi by these proTun. They are inadequate intelligent-wise to grasp fact and argue as gentleman and ladies.

Since the previous posting was to expose Shafie's back stabbing of state UMNO leadership, the cheap game of Shafie was not highlighted.

The report going around is that two of the leaders in Shafie's team quit the party. It was announced that 317 branch heads of Semporna will quit UMNO. Subsequently it was viral that the 317 branches will be closed.

Shafie returned the next day from umrah. Rumour being circulated that Shafie will return to Semporna and hold a PC to announce the closing of UMNO Semporna Division.

However, the charge of Lim Guan Eng for corruption took away public attention and that PC did not materialised. What was reported is this NST today is below:

Fifteen Membakut Umno members quit party

By AVILA GERALDINE - 2 July 2016 @ 6:44 PM

PUTATAN: Fifteen Umno members from Membakut have taken the decision to quit the party, today. They include five branch chiefs of Papas Laut, Pekan Membakut 3, Baitam, Rancangan Mawao and Kampung Dungau.

Papas Laut Umno branch chief K. Jasni Hassan announced this at a press conference today.

The decision follows the sacking of former Umno deputy president Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin and former Kedah Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Mukhriz Mahathir, as well as the suspension of vice-president Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Afdal, who is also Semporna Umno division chief.

"We often listen to the agenda propagated by political leaders. However, in reality, does it (the struggle) become a symbol of strength to the integrity of a country that benefits its citizens?

"As citizens, we have the option to evaluate whether the leaders are sincere in championing the people or merely fighting for their own interests,” said Jasni.

Also present was Semporna Umno division vice-chief Datuk Dr Jaujan Sambakong, who on Monday, had announced the resignation of about 300 party members from the Semporna division.

Jaujan, who is also Sulabayan assemblyman, had described the suspension of Mohd Shafie as an abuse of power by the Supreme Council.

Enough is enough with this Geng Loceng's auta keling.

The resignation of more than 300 branch heads in Semporna is now reported as 300 party members. It could mean there was no 317 branch leaders of Semporna resigning in the first place.

Our source in Semporna claimed there is 100 more branch not following Shafie's way. That is too many branches for an UMNO Division! Are those branches for real or filled up with IC biru holders kept on Shafie's payroll?

As far as today's announcement, it is puzzling why pro-BN NST would report on a non-event of only 15 UMNO Membakut members quiting? If they could only quote 5 branches leaders, it means there may be only additional 10 members quiting.

Membakut is part of UMNO Kimanis Division headed by Dato Anifah Aman. Kimanis Division is a rock solid supporter of Anifah. So such resignation makes no sense.

Our source in Sabah said the 15 claimed resignations is a fake statement by Shafie camp. Avila Geraldine of NST should check this out.

Shafie's circle of influence is only limited to his own division of Semporna and maybe nearby Lahad Datu, where one of his brother Datuk Yusof Apdal is an assemblyman.

Why no announcement from Lahad Datu?

Maybe Lahad Datu is too solid a Najib stronghold that it cannot be done. Even Yusof Apdal gave his support to Najib in May. He is head of UMNO Silam Division.

Then malu saja bah to announce the fake resignation in Membakut. All eyes are on Lahad Datu or Silam or even the eight former Division heads that tried recently tried to take on Dato Musa Aman. Hard to believe anyone resigning from Kimanis.

If Shafie intend to create a GKCM of Sabah, he is wasting his time with this Geng Loceng cheap stunt.

These Geng Loceng think they are very clever and cunning enough to be political strategist.

Get an education and not try to short cut. There is no way to earn a first degree by only sitting for two to three papers. Pemalas .... ! No wonder incapable of grasping any level of understanding of issues and kept saying it does not matter. Should admit can't compute!

Kalau nak leak Tabung Haji document, comment la something. Nampak sangat tidak faham apa yang dibocorkan ... ha ha ha ....

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Apandi moved in for the kill

July 3, 2016, 1:22 pm

≫ Next: "Duit raya" for Suluk suporters

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This is not about Lim Guan Eng's case.

He and Kit Siang can do all the roadshow and propaganda but his fate is sealed when Tan Sri Apandi that took up the case. As one lawyer friend said, no AG would take up a case unless it is a sure thing.

Joceline Tan is right to say DAP is in deep trouble. Guan Eng attempt to rile the public will fail as the facts are presented in court. So this posting is about Bar Council or The Bar.

The Bar have been playing rough with AG Apandi and now he has now responded in a letter to Sunday Berita Harian

At an AGM. they passed a motion to call for his resignation. It was to DAP lawyer, RSN Rayer a contravention of the Legal Profession Act 1976 (LPA). It is also seditious and challenging Agong's prerogative to appoint the AG.

A legal association rejected the Bar's interference into the institutional affairs of the AG.

Before that in March, the Bar filed for a judicial review against AG's power to decide not to prosecute Dato Najib.

That is obviously a political stunt that will get thrown out by any court. It is the constitutional power of AG to make that call.

In April, the Bar made a new fuzz over the proposed amendment of the LPA and sensationalised it by claiming to oppose appointment of AG as Bar Chairman.

Another political stunt.

Apandi Ali have been quiet and contained his disgust but he is no pushover.

The Bar has gone overboard. Thus they can only to be blame for Government to protect the interest of members and the profession by preserving the integrity of Bar Council.

Apandi hinted that he is not taking all these laying down. He asked media to sue politicians that lied but knowingly it was intended for politician-lawyers.

And told off Tun Dr Mahathir not to play psychological game on him.

Indeed, he is only interested in playing it legal.

In the midst of much attention on the Lim Guan Eng case, Apandi, which was described by Bigdog as akin to Prosecutor Robert Jackson of the Nuremberg trial of 1946, dropped the long awaited bomb on The Bar.

He wrote in Berita Harian to explain and express his support for the new amendment to the LPA.

The former officer of Bar Council for 7 years said Bar Council is not representative of it's members thus could not effectively perform it's role to defend justice as stated in Section 42(1)(a) of LPA, express opinion as in Section 42(1)(d) and it's role in the legal profession as in Section 42 (1)(e).

The amendment will address the abuse of postal vote practises in Bar Council election by heeding the Bar's seldom heard call to stop the practise of postal votes for the General Election.

AG will not be made Bar Chairman but two representative from the Government will be appointed into Bar Council committee and state committees.

It serves to meet section 42 (1)(l) of LPA to develop good social and working relationship amongst Bar members and with others involved with law administration.

Naturally, the incumbent members of The Bar will oppose the amendment.

Bar President, Steven Thiru complained to Singapore's Straits Times with claim that Najib administration is "threatening the Malaysian Bar's independence and an attempt to muzzle criticisms".

They are feeling the heat also from a new requirement to raise the meeting quorum from 500 to 25% of members, which is equivalent to 4,000.

Say what he likes but there is no question about curbing the Bar Council. It is only serve for better governance, making it more representative of the members and in the right direction to lessen politicisation of The Bar for the few.

As a professional body, the Bar should be solely focus on such a role.

If some members want to be politicians or have strong leaning in their role towards politics, they should join and be active members of political parties.

The members are more interested to cari makan as lawyers. They prefer to see that the Bar serve such need of it's members and play the role to uplift the professionalism of members.

Thus far only Malaysiakini, Malay Mail Online and Singapore's Straits Times gave coverage to Apandi's Berita Harian article.

Maybe it is of no interest to the opposition. And maybe their attention is geared too much on Lim Guan Eng.

If it is so, then it is a smart move by Apandi to sneek in when everyone is looking the other way. He has moved in for the kill on these hooligans and anarchist in suits and dark ties.

It only serve these law breakers pretending to be law practitioner right. Hope police is serious to investigate them for sedition for convening the AGM.

The Bar have been too much and it has reached intolerable level of subversively being in-cohoot with foreign government to steer the nation away from nation building agenda.

If it had been #No2BC in the past, hopefully we could put up a thumb's up for them in the near future. It has been a long battle.

AG should not stop there. It was reported in the mainstream media that AG has asked that the content of the court proceeding should not be openly discussed in public.

In other words, latest actions by Guan Eng is subjudice and actions could be taken against him. A repeat of law defiant behaviours during Anwar's second sodomy trial should not recur.

For that matter, statements by Mat Sabu and Dato Mahfudz Omar are seditous, in contempt of the court, and defamatory.

There should be no compromise. The law is there to be abide to. Those ignoring and intentionally breaking it should be dealt with accordingly.

No allowance for cheap auta keling political stunt.

Updated: 10:30 am

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"Duit raya" for Suluk suporters

July 4, 2016, 9:16 pm

≫ Next: Goodbye Ramadhan, Welcome Lebaran

≪ Previous: Apandi moved in for the kill

Common sight of Projek IC" Suluk supporters gathering at Shafie Apdal's home

Thought Dato Shafie Apdal said he won't resign but he did. FMT reported yesterday (video available in The Star):

PETALING JAYA: Suspended Umno Vice-President Mohd Shafie Apdal has quit Umno.

The former federal minister made this announcement – which was broadcast live on Facebook – in his constituency in Semporna, Sabah, after returning from performing umrah in Mecca.

In a 90-minute speech, Shafie spoke about Umno’s decision to suspend him last month for allegedly collaborating with the Opposition and questioned why he was not called to defend himself.

“So we punish first before investigating?”

He also stressed that he had never worked with the Opposition.

That last line is laughable.

PKR collaboration

In a previous posting on Shafie, two videos exposed him collaborating with Sabah PKR leaders to frame allegation of corruption against Sabah CM, Dato Musa Aman in 2010. He is still at it as Sarawak Report tried to recycle the same allegation with embelishment.

On many occasions, Shafie have been undermining the state UMNO leadership in his relentless quest for the Sabah CM post.

The fake attempt to announced 15 branch heads resignation in Anifah Aman-led UMNO Kimanis Division but only 5 named is a fine example of his bad intention. One can expect him to pay some blokes to claim being members and announce resignation from Musa's UMNO Libaran Division.

Before the reaction to Shafie's suspension in Semporna, there was also 100 resignation at Dato Bung Mokhtar's UMNO Kinabatangan Division. It is as though Bung has lost confidence with Najib and now supporting him. Will there be large number of resignations from UMNO Batu Sapi?

Zahida Rafiq

It must have been a vindication to Musa because not long after he attempted slander his affair with a model cum actress, Zahida Rafiq was exposed.

Zahida denied being married to him and at one time, announced engagement with an unknown businessman to cover-up for Shafie. Till today, there have been no wedding.

When will Shafie make an honest lady out her?

His alleged affair ties to an expose by PKR's Zuraidah. Zahida's driver admitted regularly banking in sizeable amount of money. The source is dubious because she had neither done much movie and drama nor modelling.

Zahida claim she is a businesswoman and in partnership with her brother-in-law. Honey! This school dropout ain't no businesswoman. The businessman acumen of dyed dumb brunette is doubtful. What business is she in?

Zahida was also sued for defamation and lost in court.

His "marriage" or "not marriage" life may be deemed private as much it is his prerogative to not be open and admit to his marriage solemnised in London.

Alleged Corruption

It is the transactions involving Zahida which is suspected to be linked to Shafie is in question. Shafie have been long been known to have abused his position as Minister to accumulate wealth through public work without delivering it.

The video below on Shafie's rural water fiascos:

In You Tube here are pipes installed by Shafie's boys but no water arranged to flow in.

Shafie's RM2 million rural road:

The common excuse he used was the execution is done by Ministry official and he has nothing to do with it. But the problem is, it involves his men or cronies.

This is not an expose that is convenient on a fallen leader.

There is nothing hyenic because this blog had done so long before all this. It was advocated that he should have been the VP to be knocked off to be replaced with other leaders.

There is also alleged wrongdoing involving MARA Inc. being investigated by MACC. At one time, one of his officer was charged for corruption.

Impoverished

Finally, one leader such as Shafie is out. His emotional resignation accepted by Secretary-General Tengku Dato Adnan Tengku Mansor.

Comments by Dato Abdul Rahman Dahlan is profound and hit it right at the spot. He said his resignation is expected and was quoted by FMT saying:

“Semporna Umno is still functioning and will be strengthened with a stronger line of leadership who care about the people’s interests.”

Political blogger, The Flying Kick described what he saw in Semporna:

Penulis secara peribadi mengucapkan terima kasih kepada Shafie Apdal kerana dua kali diberi peluang untuk melihat, merakamkan gambar serta berada di rumahnya di Semporna yang dihurungi suku masyarakat setempat yang daif yang naik ke darat dari awal subuh sehingga santak ke tengah malam untuk mendapatkan bantuan RM10-RM30 setiap seorang dan Shafie Apdal pula dilayan seperti seorang raja.

Shafie's political strength in Semporna is based on leaving the people impoverished and dependent on the pittance of donation from him.

Earlier Flying Kick wrote:

Dengan keluarnya Shafie dari UMNO, akan membuka ruang yang lebih besar kepada UMNO memilih dan mencari calon-calon baru untuk kawasan Semporna yang jauh ketinggalan walaupun Shafie Apdal merupakan Ahli Parlimen selama beberapa penggal, malah pernah menjadi Menteri KKLW di Putrajaya.

The Sabah leaders commenting are those in Semenanjung. In Sabah, leaders hardly bat an eye lid to Shafie's resignation. Dato Salleh Said Keruak was quoted by FMT below:

“His quitting the party does not undermine the strength of Sabah Umno because the majority of members support the party’s struggle and not individuals.

Next move

Flying Kick also commented:

Di Sabah, Shafie Apdal tidak mempunyai pengaruh yang besar kecuali di Semporna walaupun namanya di Semenanjung, 'agak besar' terutama selepas dia diberikan tanggungjawab sebagai Pengerusi UMNO Kedah selain Pengerusi Pilihanraya. Walaupun tidak berfungsi sepenuhnya, bahkan gagal bekerja sesuai dengan jawatan, nama Shafie Apdal tetap terukir dalam perjalanan politik UMNO.

Shafie kalau di Semenanjung mungkin berjaya tetapi di Sabah, dia berhadapan dengan kekuatan yang tidak mampu dilawannya. Pengaruh Ketua Menteri, Musa Aman dalam UMNO Sabah, jauh mengatasi pengaruhnya walaupun Shafie Apdal berjawatan Naib Presiden, manakala Musa Aman pula sekadar ahli MT. Tanpa pengaruh Musa Aman dan Anifah Aman, Shafie Apdal tidak mungkin dapat pergi jauh dalam UMNO sehingga mampu menjawat jawatan Naib Presiden.

Where will Shafie go?

Although one minor PAN leader suggested Tan Sri Muhyiddin should be heading the party, it was doused with a denial by Khalid Samad. One guess is he will likely join Ikatan which have an alliance with PAS and is more strategic and have some level of consistency with his politics.

Mukhriz needs hand holding all the time thus is expected to go wherever his daddy consent and most likely wherever Muhyiddin goes.

Shafie cannot do so unless he intend to move his politics to Semenanjung which is most unlikely. So he will need a platform which could catapult him and it is likely to be USNO. There have been attempt to re-register USNO but still not approved by ROS.

Instantly, Shafie can get all 5,000 of his diehard "Projek IC" supporters in Semporna as member and the planned USNO can have one seat already. He already paid them "duit raya" to his Projek IC supporters to create the fake wave of support at his resignation announcement.

The problem is there is a saying "The enemy of my enemy is my friend." Shafie need to know who is "my" and who is "my enemy". He is unlikely to survive Semporna in the next GE.

↧

Goodbye Ramadhan, Welcome Lebaran

July 5, 2016, 3:53 pm

≫ Next: TNB saying enough is enough to Mahathir's YTL

≪ Previous: "Duit raya" for Suluk suporters

To all those traveling during this festive season, take a bit more caution than usual.

God bless everyone.

↧

TNB saying enough is enough to Mahathir's YTL

July 6, 2016, 7:00 pm

≫ Next: Numbnuts will say Saudi introduce GST to pay for donation to Najib

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Thanks to crony capitalism, YTL grew to be a giant from a series of direct nego contracts.

It all started with the fast track IPP contract in Pasir Gudang and Paka, Terengganu. Though there was issue with the ranting by the late Tan Sri Ani Arope, it cannot be disputed that YTL made easy of money of more than RM1.5 billion revenue per year.

The 21 year old PPA was signed on March 21st, 1994. It has expired in September 2015. [Read MMO here]. In early October last year, YTL Power won a bid for the extension on the existing power plants to cover for expected power shortage due to delayed new IPP projects [read Sun here].

Howewer, the land lease too needs renewal from TNB. They decided enough is enough with this free ride nonsense that came at the expense of the rakyat.

This have been bottled up inside for too long. Since the old man cannot stop playing his destructive politics, it has to be said in the open.

It was so typical of Mahathir era privatisation deal for his immediate cronies to make easy money. This is something Syed Saddiq will never know and understand. He was still in his nappies.

It is strongly suspected that he had interest via shares through a proxy company. It made the deal easy to put together. All it need was a cabinet that dare not stood up against the boss. Everything else was senang cerita.

Project paper was "stolen" by bribing a former TNB engineer. Technical expertise and management from and out-sourced to ABB, respectively. Energy source subsidised by Petronas. Funding forced on local banks

TNB directed into a PPA at a more pricier per unit cost and based on a take-or-pay mechanism. Their land was "given" to YTL by TNB at a cheap land lease. [Read these blogs here and here].

Any Ahmad, Ah Chong and Masing could do.

The Ministry of Energy, Green Technology and Water (KeTTHA) confirmed the much talked about failure to have YTL sign the PPA with TNB. [read Sun here].

TNB was directed to sign the land lease by Energy Commission (EC) but they are not going to. In fact, they are taking the 8 months dispute to court by seeking a judicial review.

Wednesday, 6 July 2016

What is the dispute with YTL unit which TNB seeks to settle?

BY P ARUNA

PETALING JAYA: Tenaga Nasional Bhd’s (TNB) unprecedented move to file a judicial review in relation to a power purchase agreement (PPA) with YTL Power Generation Sdn Bhd may finally resolve the longstanding issues between the two parties.

Industry players said that issues in relation to the land where YTL Power’s plants in Paka and Pasir Gudang are located have been a stumbling block to the proposed agreement to extend the PPA governing the plants.

“It is a longstanding issue brewing for several months now. The move to seek a judicial review on an order by the Energy Commission (EC) and the minister directing TNB to remove certain conditions that it (TNB) wanted fulfilled prior to the signing of the new PPA agreement with YTL Power will resolve the issue once and for all,” said an industry player.

According to previous reports, YTL Power, Malaysia’s first independent power producer (IPP) to sign a PPA in 1993, had built its power plant on land that was leased by TNB.

It is said that TNB wants back the portion of the land not utilised by YTL Power before signing the new PPA to extend the contract to supply power to the national grid.

YTL Power’s PPA signed back on March 31, 1993 had expired on Sept 30, 2015. Following the expiry, YTL Power no longer exported power to the grid effective Oct 1 last year.

TNB had stated then that the agreement between the national electricity supplier and YTL Power to lease the latter’s land in Paka in Terengganu and Pasir Gudang in Johor to build its power stations was also affected by the end of the PPA.

Also in October last year, the Government announced that YTL Power had been given an extension of two years and 10 months from March 2016 to December 2018, with a capacity of 585MW.

However, the PPA governing the extension has not been signed yet.

Although the EC had selected YTL Power for a short-term power supply extension last year, the power player has yet to sign the contract with TNB due to the conditions set by the utility giant in the new PPA.

Energy, Green Technology and Water Minister Datuk Seri Dr Maximus Ongkili said the Government had approved the extension, but that YTL Power “just needed to sort out the land issues with TNB”.It was when the EC issued a directive asking TNB to remove these conditions that TNB decided to file the judicial review.

According to officials familiar with the power supply situation then, YTL Power was the first IPP that was built when banks were not prepared to fund such infrastructure. Hence, the land where YTL Power built the power plants were leased from TNB to mitigate the risk factor to raise financing.

The YTL Power plants were built with funds raised in ringgit, which was not common then as financial institutions were not familiar with financing power plants.

Subsequent power plants were built on land that were owned by the IPPs themselves as the risk factor decreased.

“Hence, that is why YTL Power’s power plants are on leased land while the rest are owned by the IPPs themselves,” said an official.

The ministry, in a statement yesterday, clarified the situation on the short-term agreements.

It said the Government, via the EC, had conducted a competitive bidding exercise last year to procure additional power supply on a short-term basis by extending the PPA of the first-generation IPPs.

Port Dickson Power Bhd (PD Power), Kuala Langat Power Plant Sdn Bhd (Kuala Langat Power) and YTL Power were selected as they fulfilled the conditions set by the EC, the ministry said.

It added that PD Power and Kuala Langat Power have signed the extension contracts, while YTL Power is yet to ink the deal due to the conditions precedent set by TNB on its agreement.

“TNB is also challenging the directive issued by the EC to extend the PPA,” it said in the statement.

On Monday, TNB announced to the stock exchange that it had applied for leave to begin judicial review proceedings against the EC and the Energy, Green Technology and Water Minister.

TNB said that it was seeking for a judicial review on a direction issued by the EC to TNB, which compelled TNB, among others, “to remove the incorporation of conditions precedent required by TNB” in the proposed new PPA with YTL Power.

The direction, dated April 7, was made following the minister’s direction to the EC on April 1.

Affin Hwang Capital Research, in a note yesterday, said that YTL Power would be negatively impacted if TNB was successful in its judicial review proceedings.

As the PPA for the power station in Paka, Terengganu, has yet to be signed, YTL Power does not derive any earnings contribution from the Paka extension yet, it said.

“A possible scenario is that YTL Power would have to make payments for the land lease, while a worst-case scenario would possibly see YTL Power not successfully securing the PPA extension,” the research housed said.

The research house estimates that the extension to the Paka plant currently contributes about 12% to YTL Power’s target price of RM1.60 and about 10% to its financial year 2017 (FY17)-18E earnings per share.

It has maintained a “hold” on YTL Power, with an unchanged 12-month target price of RM1.60.

To recall, YTL had to withdraw from participating in a "negotiated" IPP in Johor involving the Johor palace in 2014. Thanks to Bigdog here for torpedoing YTL Power-SIPP Energy for the 4A power plant in Pasir Gudang.

Serve him right for pretending to be holy in his new image as reborn Christian and call for end of crony capitalism. TNB should fight to stop the biggest culprit of crony capitalism from continuing to make easy money from endless string of rent seeking deals.

Since analyst are unsure and recommending a cautious hold on YTL Power shares, suggest a sell when it opens Monday!

Since this is talking about Mahathir's crony, Najib should seriously consider to re-examine the MOU for YTL's High Speed Rail from Kuala Lumpur to Singapore to ensure there is no more "free ride" but make sure it is payback time.

No special reason for any preferential treatment for the invisible hands that bankrolled the current attempt to topple the government. The IPP cronies met Tun Dr Mahathir in Argentine prior to GE13 and from thereon, planned to "hit" 1MDB despite no conclusive allegations.

Don't try to dispute because there were known witnesses who is not happy with that conspiracy.

In case, anyone doing cheap psywar by talking badly of 1MDB during the festival visitings, make sure it is not recycling allegations from politicians, questionable media source, selfie fanatics and wannabees.

Be sure they have the specifics what, when, why and how. Not just their common folk logic and guesswork.

If they have it right, you have every right to agree. Otherwise, tell em not talk to cock over something they know nuts and it is only on their unsubstantiated perception. Make sure they have some resemblance of knowledge in financial market, off shore banking and ...

Sorry not giving away a trump card. Already they are stonewalled at every step.

↧

Numbnuts will say Saudi introduce GST to pay for donation to Najib

July 10, 2016, 10:47 pm

≫ Next: Burden of proof is on Mahathir

≪ Previous: TNB saying enough is enough to Mahathir's YTL

One reason why the anti-Najib Campaign (ANC) failed is because they tried to dupe the public with propaganda based on spinning of news, manipulation of facts, and outright lies.

Another problem attached with this cheap, shallow and SPM drop-out reporter style of propaganda headline and soundbyte is that they repeatedly fail to tally and ignore facts and logical reasoning.

They have no shame. Tak habis-habis menipu.

They kept changing figures and money flow charts on the "lesap" 1MDB money. From day one, none of the ANC army of slanderers, particularly Sarawak Report, could outrightly proof the allegation Good Star was Jho Loh's company used to divert money.

Outsyed The Box went to the extent of claiming Malaysia will be bankrupt TODAY! Surprise that the former banker does not understand what is arbitration and think 1MDB is dunggu to disburse money without proper documentation.

The opposition and echoed by ANC came up with a birdbrain allegation like GST was imposed on rakyat to cover for 1MDB losses. They will be in for a surprise on this.

Endless lies

The RM42 billion "lesap" could not be proven, but number was changed to RM27 billion, RM17 billion, and then "berbillion-billion".

It has not ended because they spinned the OSA-ed Auditor General report to claim USD7 billion unaccounted or more precisely it may not be understood by the auditors. Last one, they made an outrageous lie to say RM50 billion is now "lesap" because the latest available 1MDB accounts (before rationalisation) shows liability at that level.

Despite official statements from the Saudi Arabias government, they insist WITHOUT OFFERING PROOF on the allegation that RM2.6 billion donation was money from the Petrosaudi deal diverted into Jho Loh's company. Good Star Ltd.

It is not difficult to get a confirmation from any company registrar but why was it not done? The ANC will twist to insist investigators to do their bidding and claim AG blocked them. They are now bandying around three or even four different versions of money flow to conveniently add up to RM2.6 billion.

Pity a relative insistent during Raya visiting conversation that Najib stole money and should be charged based on his limited power of reasoning. When posed with the question what act of law prohibit receiving donation, political or otherwise, for Najib to be charged, he admit not having the details and just stormed out?

Typically, ANC are usually stuck within pre-December 2015 events and could not take their argument any further or keep abreast with latest development. They would usually say read this and this but could not explain what was reported in their own words.

Their favourite line is to question on the removal of various government agencies heads but refused to address the existence of a leak charge sheet when Tan Sri Gani Patail unauthorised initiative to form a Special Taskforce was just put together.

The ANC can only question but could not put a firm allegation. Even Tun M failed to make specific allegation. The suspicion is he does not have the specifics what, when, where, why and how thus only raise questions and fault finding on the replies.

Their understanding and allegations are based on selective information to remove the unfavourable development and pick the one they could make a negative perception out of Najib. That is a dishonest political campaign.

Desperate for issues

The ANC used to claim GST was imposed on the rakyat, which was clearly meant to invoke public rage, to cover for the money lost because of 1MDB.

Unlike TNB's YTL IPP, Maminco, BMF, and many other financial scandals of the past, money was either lost or someone else had to pay up for someone's else easy money gain. An indisputable fact is 1MDB did not suffer losses.

The worse that could happen is they may lose on a certain investment or portfolio or deal, which has to be determined first which one. At the bottom line, 1MDB did better than Tun M's other blunders. They did not lose money and the negative carry on the IPPs portfolio did not realised into losses.

1MDB had to be linked to GST to further invoke peoples' anger. GST is one of the main issue used to the hilt by Tun M, ANC and opposition. When the wallet is affected, it is easy to invoke the rage of the people. That way it serve the political purpose to see Najib go.

Tun M's real reason to see Najib go is never known but it could only be suspected that he was protecting his IPP and privatisation cronies or insist non-committal Mukhriz be given a special lane to the top of UMNO leadership.

Tun M made known that the issues used against Najib is Sirul's death penalty, BR1M, 1MDB and GST. No Malay agenda issue from a mamak who rose by creating an image of Malay ultra.

Sirul is a non-issue and he admitted to have arranged for Sirul's escape to Australia. By right he should be able to reveal who gave the order by now. He didn't because defending a convicted murderer did not go down well with the public.

BR1M was an issue that is theoretically correct to oppose but popularly accepted applied economics tool. It was not expanded.

GST in Saudi

So Tun M had only 1MDB and GST to play on.

Even his Citizens' Declaration has no substantive reformation or in Najib's term, transformation agenda to offer. Only deal with it when he cross the bridge to bring Najib down in which trust Tun M to not do any reformation when power is within his hands.

1MDB has been talked to often but not enough on GST.

Believe the numbnut that claim GST imposed to cover 1MDB loss is something typical to come out of PAS, usually the likes of Dato Husam Musa.

Now party-less.

Common rural folks will be gullible to such simplistic logic but the fact is GST was imposed to address leakage and upgrade our taxation system. Co-incidently when it was put in place, it was timely at the time oil revenue was less and a RM30 billion budget shortfall was covered by GST.

This should be the killer to all arguments against GST.

Since 2015, IMF had recommended and Saudi Arabia have been talking about implementing Value Added Tax or called GST in Malaysia.

It is announced that the implementation will be in 2018 together with other GCC states at starting rate of 5%.

Pick your choice of news: Arabian Business.com 30 December 2015 or Reuters Jan 29 2016, or Saudi Gazette March 21 2016.

This will be the first time the six GCC states will be taxing the people. VAT is the preferred form of taxation over income tax and wealth tax. Eventually, Malaysia too will be more reliant on GST than income of company tax.

There will be more austerity measure by the Saudi Arabian government including sales of state enterprises, cutting down on immigrant workers, income tax on expatriate, subsidy cuts, tax on unhealthy goods, etc.

PEMANDU was even employed as consultant to help their transformation.

Bet there will be numbnuts saying Saudi had to introduce GST to pay for donation to Najib.

The more clever one will question as to why Saudi is curbing immigrant workers but Malaysia is taking in more. They are not clever but cunning because they took money from company not approved to bring in foreign worker or have ex-to-grind against MyEg.com.

The ANC will ignore the fact that a rich oil producing nation like Saudi Arabia had to take such austerity drive and seek other form of revenues.

They will not acknowledge Najib had planned the transformation plan way ahead before the drop in oil prices because Tun M had long felt threatened transformation will destroy his legacy of subsidy and deficit spending.

↧

Burden of proof is on Mahathir

July 11, 2016, 10:26 pm

≫ Next: Looming war over South China Sea?

≪ Previous: Numbnuts will say Saudi introduce GST to pay for donation to Najib

There is a basic legal principle that the accused is innocent until proven guilty. It means it is up to the accuser to prove the guilt of the accused. In fancy legal jargon, it is called burden of proof.

In court, the accuser, usually the prosecutor, have to substantiate their allegations with proof. They have to establish a prima facie for the court to direct the accused to defend him or herself. The accused only need to raise reasonable doubt to be acquitted and off free. Failing to do so will lead to a guilty sentence.

This principle should be applied in a court of public opinion. The allegation on Dato Najib in relation to 1MDB need to be substantiated with proof by the accuser, inclusive of Tun Dr Mahathir. Thus far, he has not live up to the burden of proof.

Instead Tun M, paka-Tun (no more pro-Tun because they are now opposition), opposition and alliance of foreign media are shifting the onus of proof on the accused Najib or third parties like Attorney General, Police, MACC, BNM, and foreign investigators.

When an explanation given, they refused to accept and loudly accused interference in the investigation to justify their misguided insistent that any result of investigation must meet their expected outcome. Yet no proof of such wrongdoings offered.

They can suspect all the conspiracy theories but nothing wrong was done and not in accordance with set procedures.

It gets more ridiculous. They accused and insisted AG or MACC, or PDRM or BNM as being wrong or in-cohoot to acquit Najib. They made such claim merely based on their suspicion from assumptions derived from their limited logic and common sense.

Without proofs, any assumption remain an assumption. Logic and common sense is mere speculation.

Paka-Tun Quran?

Since their basis of allegations are rely on WSJ and SR sources as their Quranic (or Biblical or Vedic) truth, why won't they insist on Tun M to reproduce those allegations into a legal document or official statement? No more asking and recycling questions but be specifics with the what, when, whom, where, why and how of their allegations.

As the practise in court, the evidence they wish to offer must be without doubt. Otherwise, like the accused in court, Dato Najib must be allowed to get away scot free.

Have any evidence or story by the detractors of Najib able to offer anything without reasonable doubt?

Onus to sue

So comes the argument, which is shallow and dunce, to insist that Najib should sue anyone that wrongly accused him. If justice in a court of public opinion have to be dispensed in a court of law, then stick to the principle of law in making accusations.

Shallow logic ... the accused have to spend money to get his innocence? Najib have better things to do. RPK latest posting raised the following explanation:

... according to UK’s Defamation Act 2013, Najib cannot sue Clare in the UK. This is because he does not have any connection to the UK. This has been explained many times before, but somehow these people are either deaf or are pretending they do not know this.

So we have these opposition people repeating again and again: why does Najib not sue Clare if he is innocent and if Sarawak Report is lying? Are these opposition people so dumb that they cannot understand that Najib cannot use the UK courts to sue Clare? How many times need we repeat that? Even 100 times and they still do not seem to understand it.

Their same argument could be turned around against them:

... why does Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, Muhyiddin Yassin, Mukhriz Mahathir, Shafie Apdal, and so many more from the Anti-Najib Campaign (ANC) also not sue?

I mean they cabar Najib and ask him to sue and say that if he does not sue then that means he is guilty of all the allegations made against him. However, all those others do not sue as well.

Mahathir has been accused of setting aside a budget of RM2 billion in the campaign to oust Najib and that RM600 million of this is being used in the media war and to bribe Mat Salleh journalists and bloggers in the UK, US, Australia and so on. If that is not true why did he not sue?

Mahathir has been accused of stealing RM100-200 billion of Umno’s money, which he parked under his proxies, cronies and family members (and which he refuses to return to Umno). If that is not true why did he not sue?

Mahathir has been accused of directing Petronas to bail out his son’s shipping company to the tune of RM2 billion when the company was worth less than half that value. If that is not true why did he not sue?

Mahathir has been accused of manipulating MAS to cover the RM30 billion Forex losses that Bank Negara suffered by playing the money market (and which literally bankrupted the airline company). If that is not true why did he not sue?

Mahathir has been accused of covering up the crimes committed by Ling Liong Sik and Eric Chia involving billions of taxpayers’ money. There is even an allegation that not only did Mahathir cover up the crimes but that they acted at the behest of the old man. If that is not true why did he not sue?

The list of allegations against Mahathir runs into pages but Mahathir did not file a single suit against all those people who alleged he had committed these crimes.

Muhyiddin has been accused of massive corruption when he was the Menteri Besar of Johor and more recently he has been accused of having an affair with Nika Gee, someone else’s wife. Muhyiddin merely denied it, with a very feeble denial on top of that, but he did not sue the person making that allegation, Nika Gee’s husband.

Mukhriz has been accused of pressuring his father to make him the Deputy Prime Minister by removing Najib and replacing him with a proxy Prime Minister so that by 2020 or so he can take over as Prime Minister. If that is not true why did he not sue?

Mahathir and all those in the ANC have been accused of fabricating stories regarding 1MDB with the purpose of trying to oust Najib so that he can be replaced with a proxy Prime Minister and with Mukhriz as his Deputy Prime Minister — who will later take over as Prime Minister. If that is not true why did they not sue?

No evidence

Paka-Tun's at lowest level of proof

In comparison to their long list of allegation, RPK observed:

... there is only one allegation against Najib, and this is regarding 1MDB. Najib has denied those allegations but they have not come forward with any evidence to prove that Najib lied.

But instead:

Since they are making the allegation then they need to prove it. Instead they are asking Najib to prove his innocence, which is not his job.

They fabricate documents and allege that the documents are real and not fakes. But thus far they have not been able to prove the authenticity of those documents. Instead, they want Najib to prove that the documents are false, which is not Najib’s job since the one who alleges must show proof.

For that one allegation against Najib regarding 1MBD there are dozens of allegations against all those who oppose Najib. But none of them have come forward to sue to prove their innocence. And yet they insist that Najib sue to prove his innocence.

There must be something wrong with these people.

Quite sure they can't argue intelligently with civility and could only able to vet out anger, name calling, and dishing out insults.

Such comments will not see daylight. No compromise to such low cast behaviour.

↧

Looming war over South China Sea?

July 12, 2016, 10:17 pm

≫ Next: Penang Transport Masterplan increased from RM27 to RM40 billion

≪ Previous: Burden of proof is on Mahathir

While everyone was victoriously celebrating the end of Ramadhan, Foreign Minister Dato Anifah Aman must be the most nervous person in the country.

He seemed to be enjoying himself engaging in small talks and diplomatically entertaining the visitors at the cabinet open house on the first day of Raya and few days later, back in his kawasan in Kimanis, but his mind was elsewhere.

Anifah is nervous of the outcome of the tribunal convened by the International Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA) in the Hague as initiated by the Philippines against China on Jan 22, 2013. It followed the tense standoff between the naval vessels of the two countries at Scarborough shoal in 2012.

Vietnam has dispute with China over the Paracel island.

The ruling favoured the Philippines but either way, the outcome of PCA will not offer an immediate solution to the territorial dispute on the South China Sea claimed by China, Philippines, Vietnam and Brunei. It could heightened tension within the region.

China made known earlier that it will not abide by the ruling of the PCA and will not negotiate with Philippines based on the arbitration ruling. [Read Chinanews.com here].

They boycotted the hearing claiming it has no jurisdiction on the matter. In an arbitration proceeding, China is entitled to choose a representative in the tribunal but they refused. They also disputed the choice of a Japanese judge to preside the proceeding and cited bias as reason.

China have been holding navy games in the South China Sea area preceding the ruling. They claim it is part of their annual plan.

On the diplomatic front, China offer negotiation with Philippines with areas of cooperation in joint development and scientific research should it chose to ignore the ruling. Philippines responded with a willingness to share even if it wins the legal challenge.

AFP reported that China is enraged with Philippines arbitration proceeding and US military presence in the disputed area.

US destroyers have sailed close to Mischief reef, where China have been putting up military installation. The American aircraft carrier, USS Ronald Reagan have been stationed at the South China Sea since early July. [Read The Hindu here]

Time.com reported two US aircraft carriers are streaming to the Pacific. Admiral John Richardson, the U.S. chief of naval operations said, "We don’t get to do two-carrier operations very often."

U.S. Naval War College Chinese expert Andrew Erickson viewed " all parties concerned must prevent China from grabbing with coercion or force what it could not—and now clearly cannot—obtain legally."

China propaganda machine have been on overdrive and whipping up nationalist sentiment. [Read The Star here]

China’s ambassador to the UK, Liu Xiaoming was quoted by Reuters to have said, “We do not know, we don’t care, in fact, when this arbitration decision will be made, because no matter what kind of decision this tribunal is going to make, we think it is totally wrong.

"It has no impact on China, on China’s sovereignty over these reefs, over the islands. And it will set a serious, wrong and bad example. We will not fight this case in court, but we will certainly fight for our sovereignty.”

Liu also commented on countries in alliance with the US in this dispute, "They probably believe that they have America (behind them) and they can get a better deal with China. So I’m very suspicious of America’s motives."

Zhang Baohui, a mainland security expert at Hong Kong’s Lingnan University said, “This is about exposing Washington’s declining primacy.

"China gains reputational power by showing the US that it can’t dictate Chinese actions."

Reuters reported Beijing’s ambassador to the United States, Cui Tiankai told an international conference that the international tribunal’s ruling will "intensify conflict and even confrontation" and blamed the rise in tension in the region on the US'"pivot” toward Asia in the past few years.

The tribunal ruling may compel Beijing to curb its dredging in the South China Sea and stop the creation of new island to be claimed as Chinese territory.

Gregory Poling of the Center for Strategic and International Studies told Time.com that "China is more likely to increase its island-building, and perhaps impose a blockade on Philippine sailors" as happened before in 2014.

The US may invoke it's 1951 defense pact with Philippines and China declare an air-defense identification zone as happened in 2013.

Mark J. Valencia commentary in The Japan Times viewed "U.S. “rebalancing” to Asia has come face to face with China’s desire to control its near-shore waters." The ruling is a prelude to the inevitable war between US and China.

Doomsayer are predicting that it could escalate into World War 3. [Read couple of American warmongers here and here].

Since the China navy exercise, Japan has activated it's radar system in East Asia.

Moscow have plan to create a naval base in one of the western Pacific island. Russia are vocal alliance with China and planned to conduct war games with China and Brunei.

The clash of superpowers off the shores of Sabah and Sarawak was something Malaysia chose to avoid.

Malaysia took a diplomatic option following the presence of China Navy 60 miles off the coast at Bintulu in 2014. China was offered to jointly develop on Malaysia's claimed territory and was recently commended by China in an international meeting. That way it is China's indirect acknowledgement of sovereignty.

Philippines chose the legal approach to dispute China's claim of historic right along the "nine-dash line" claim. They argued and the tribunal ruled in their favour yesterday that it does not conform to the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), an international treaty signed and ratified by both China and the Philippines. [Read The Star here]

Julian Ku, law professor at Hofstra University said to Reuters, "If the nine-dash line were declared invalid, then in theory all the other countries would be emboldened." The victory to the Philippines could spur Taiwan, Vietnam, Malaysia and Brunei to file for their overlapping claims.

Washington Post described China's dilemma:

"It can signal its displeasure at the ruling by extending that program and militarizing the islands it controls, risking confrontation and even conflict with emboldened Asian neighbors and the United States. Or it can suspend the program and adopt a more conciliatory approach, at the risk of a loss of face domestically."

More is at stake for China and the disputing countries.

"Some $5 trillion in commerce, roughly one-third of global trade, flows through the South China Sea every year, while its fisheries account for 12 percent of the global catch, and significant oil and gas reserves are thought to exist under the seafloor."

US is far from the theater of war.

The war will not only be off the shores and Sabah and Sarawak, but within reach of the endlessly at political loggerhead Semenanjong Malaysia. And, Malaysia is in no position to defend itself after opposition through SUARAM have been undermining our lower-than-average defense-to-GDP budget for political expediency.

Should war break out, demands for 20% oil royalty by Sarawak and more autonomy by East Malaysian states will be of no relevance.

Sabahan Anifah maybe getting sleepless nights but more worrying is Malaysians lackadaisical attitude towards security and development on the foreign front.

When Lahad Datu was "attacked" by Shafie Apdal's Suluk relations from Philippines, opposition leaders was on a blame game and believed to have collaborated with the enemy. Malaysiakini was fault finding and putting our security personnel at risk with their expose of security operations.

There was no outcry from the public then.

Certain diplomats at Wisma Putera can be too comfortable to assume everything remains the same and the future is an extension of the past. While, the leadership at MINDEF seemed to be playing diplomat instead of concern for sovereignty and defense of the realm.

One can only hope Malaysians could be awakened to this bigger threat that could negate our sovereign existence and end the prosperity we have enjoyed. Lost and carried away they are by the tales behind the selfish power quest of some mamak.

↧

Penang Transport Masterplan increased from RM27 to RM40 billion

July 17, 2016, 9:10 pm

≫ Next: Joceline Tan, Mahathir's new party and Shafie

≪ Previous: Looming war over South China Sea?

Guan Eng with the model of the cheaper RM27 billion Transport Masterplan

When UMNO Penang raised issue on the Penang tunnel undertaken by Zenith Consortium for the last general election, we did not find it interesting enough.

If the arrangement involves no money from the state government and it is purely a private sector initiative, what is there to it. Even when there was issue with the higher consultancy fee for the construction of a certain highway over another highway, it seemed more politicising an issue that is technical in nature. It was seen to be similar in the way we see 1MDB being treated.

So there must be the What, When, Who, Where, Why and How of the allegation to be fulfilled, before anyone can criticise or accuse with surety and confidence.

Somehow this new issue of Transport Masterplan of Penang is interesting and something worthy to ponder over.

The development concept is not something new. It is quite the norm for construction of transportion infrastructure be tied together with development. Most of the time there is a cross-subsidy arrangement. Wonder why EPU never insist it be done in Malaysia in the past.

However, the fact that it is raised by a blogger known to be closely associated with opposition or namely a PKR figure and not any pro-Federal government made us took notice.

Anil Netto (whose is in our blogroll) raised issue on the potential RM160 billion potential development that came with a RM40 billion proposal by Gamuda-led consortium.

We repost below:

RM160bn property development scheme in Penang
July 12 2016

The transport infrastructure proposals for Penang put forward by the Gamuda-led SRS Consortium is expected to cost a whopping RM40bn.

This is apart from the RM6bn for three highways and a tunnel in northern Penang Island under the Zenith consortium which is being funded by a 110-acre land for infrastructure swap deal.

This adds up to a staggering RM46bn for transport infrastructure.

Now, this is much higher than the RM27bn transport masterplan put forward by consultants Halcrow, which had proposed mainly bus rapid transit and trams, along with the highways-tunnel which the state government wanted them to include.

The state government plans to fund this massive RM40bn tab for the SRS proposals by selling reclaimed land. Three artificial islands are expected to be created off the southern coast of Penang Island, which will affect the fishing communities there.

Two islands are expected to be created in Phase One (2017 to 2023) and the third island will be created in Phase 2 (2022-2030). The sale of reclaimed land is expected to generate RM20bn-28bn in Phase 1 and RM20bn in Phase 2.

Though the SRS plan includes sale of Pesta land (in Phase 1) and 800 acres of reclaimed land in Middle Bank (Phase 2), it is not clear if these two will proceed.

Property development firms will be rubbing their hands in glee over the prospect of developing up to 4,500 acres of reclaimed land from the three islands. (For Phase 1 alone, the reclaimed land would be 3,700 acres.)

Under the proposals for Phase 1, industrial land is valued at RM170-200psf, residential land RM230-730psf and commercial land RM370-750psf.

So how do we get a figure of RM160bn for the gross development value of the property development for both phases? Well, I am told land cost usually constitutes 25 per cent of gross development value.

So if the total sales of reclaimed land amount to RM40bn, developers would stand to reap RM160bn in gross development value (or let’s be conservative and say RM100bn).

Whichever way you look at it, it would be a boon for developers.

This makes some people wonder if what is driving the expensive SRS transport proposals is a vision for sustainable mobility or a vision for even more (mostly high-end) property development in Penang.

In any case, a north-south highway on the island (under Phase 1) is hardly a visionary proposal in this era of climate change and energy constraints. It is regressive – reflecting a 1970s mindset of highways as symbols of progress.

The initials SRS might give us a clue as to the driving force behind the expensive transport proposals. It stands for Southern Reclamation Scheme.

The way I see it, it is property development plans that are driving the expensive transport proposals.

RM160 billion seemed a lot for spending only RM40 billion.

But the amount of money to be spent need to be compensated with a fair amount of return. Not sure how the maths work out after time, cost, finance, etc are taken into account.

This issue came in the midst of Lim Guan Eng is facing corruption charges and in political limbo. It would be easily swept aside as politically motivated to put the final nail on Guan Eng's political coffin.

Already Guan Eng is seen as looking quite desperate to sue Joceline Tan for her latest Sunday column, "Snap election for Penang?" which described his current political situation.

It would certainly be political if raised by some political parties or personalities. But, this issue on the Transport Masterplan is raised by Penang NGO. They have put together videos to explain their concern, below:

And, another video on more issue raised:

The issues raised made sense of Anil Netto's concern on SRS Consortium proposal that it is more towards property development than towards an efficient transport system.

Since the engagement is not politicised but still at engagement level, the state government may need to convince the public that the more expensive, developer friendly and seemed hastily done proposal will translate into cheap transport cost for public.

Otherwise, it will be no better than the many privatisation infrstructure project done by the federal government in the past which only contribute to the high cost of living and till today being borned by the common folks.

That had always been DAP's argument against privatisation in the past but now it is DAP government that is pursuing privatisation in it's fullest commercial entirety.

↧

Joceline Tan, Mahathir's new party and Shafie

July 18, 2016, 8:04 pm

≫ Next: DAP Civil War

≪ Previous: Penang Transport Masterplan increased from RM27 to RM40 billion

Before pursuing the subject of this posting. we like to express support for Joceline Tan as expressed by bloggers such as Bujai, Helen Ang, etc.

Yes Joce, Lawan Tetap Lawan.

Though the basis of Lim Guan Eng's lawsuit is wrong allegation, he could have just denied and put up a rebuttal. His intention is to block The Star from writing anything negative about him.

And, to cover up on his biggest fear that was mentioned in the third last para below:

Stories about a Penang-born fund manager based in Hong Kong and his links with Penang politicians have also begun to circulate in a way that seem to point to something big in the making.

Heard of it for a year already and hinted in this blog.

If only the law enforcement people can piece it together and investigate. Obviously detractors did not read the fine print and if they did, they would not have known. Yet Tony Pua was talking away without realising it. Opps hint hint ....

It is just an example of how issues raised against government can politically be turned around. It is better to be factual, righteous and if possible, pragmatic.

Same in the case with the new political party announced by Tun M.

Just a well endowed new party

In Rocky Bru's latest posting "If Mahathir was my father ...", he highlighted Life of Annie's posting to ask "Dr Mahathir should rest.". That would have been what his children like Dato Marina and Tan Sri Mokhzani would have wanted.

Whatever issue he raised, it will only be turned around against him. Only the opposition, if there is any and they can get their act together, could benefit from this exercise. Does the opposition has the agenda to lead and develop the country?

As far as Mahathir's new party, it is launched after the launched Citizens' Declaration fizzled out within 3 months. If t is only a new story to keep things burning till GE 14, it does not stand a chance on paper.

Firstly, it is not easy for Malay voters to bite the fact that Mahathir is on the same pedestal with DAP. So it serve to only split UMNO supporters vote and help opposition.

While Dato Nazri Aziz put down the new party as to show Mahathir is not accepted by the opposition parties, RPK theorise that Mahathir is looking at another alternative to take control within PKR. There will then be a clash between Wan Azizah and Azmin.

Anwar may have said it is positive development and he accept Muhyiddin's leadership role, but Azizah and the other Pakatan Harapan party members are still on a look-see basis.

One reason is to see what Mahathir is up to. At the back of their mind, Mahathir could be doing BN's bidding to divide opposition from within.

Secondly, both PKR and DAP has internal issues.

Three, PAN is hot in the pan. It has the political brains and operatives but it is too dependent on DAP.

Four, NGOs too want to see the reform agenda. Mahathir will have to foresake his Malay agenda in whch he has been silence on it.

He and Muhyiddin will need to do a makeover to become an Islam Liberal like Marina. He had approached the G25 and held a anti-hadith forrum at Yayasan Kepimpinan Perdana..

Five, can the new party command as much wakil rakyat as UMNO in the current BN formula? What sort of quality and depth are the members of the new party?

Will it be as per the above?

With AWO, Zeti and Gani Patail in, this black op list does not make sense. However, each name has it's own unique stories and issue.

RPK credited to Outsyed The Box. The pro-toon are accusing a blogger. It seemed his style but not likely to be him. He does not have the information to know each of the person in the list.

It brings us to the last reason the "opposition" are on a look-see. Can the new "Melayu Baru Bersatu" deliver their financial strength and money from runaway UMNO proxies and corporate cronies?

RPK put the figure at RM2 billion and we heard of such figure long before it came out in Malaysia Today. Unverified source claim Muhyiddin liquidated his "investments" and raised RM300 million. Even Shafie has a war chest of RM1 billion for Sabah and seeking to buy over small warlords.

Otherwise, there maybe a no go.

So the Protoon cybertroopers and Kelab Che Det should discard the notion they are doing a perjuangan dan pengeorbanan. They are no better than Shafie's Suluk supporters.

Can Muhyiddin provide the leadership?

Most important in any political campaign is content and in particular plan.

Muhyiddin was reported to be exploring consensus among opposition. He knows and everyone in UMNO knows that after so many opposition failures, the only workable formula is to be create a new improve Barisan Nasional.

It would be good if Muhyiddin could do so. BN would be helpless to respond. Finally, Malay interest can be safeguarded by opposition, whatever that means in today's globalised world.

New party, Pakatan Harapan and potpouri of NGOs could undertake a "Coordinated Collective-action Front". They could even emulate the social trend underlying Brexit and Donald Trump's Make America Great Again.

Over teh tarik and cakes at a wedding on eekend, an issue was raised on Muhyiddin. "Sesama rakan perjuangan pun dia tidak boleh tolong kawan dan ada kawan. Bolehkah dia berpakat dengan lawan?" Quite valid.

However, opposition have a more positive and open attitude. A pro-UMNO blogger like us have better access to opposition leaders than UMNO leaders. So guys, we are not bullshiting and plucking stories from the sky.

Do not discount Muhyiddin.

As for Mukhriz, let us put in short and sweet for our friend, still is as far we see, dunno whether he is still manly enough to agree to disagree.

Mukhriz has to be focus and serious. If he wants to be family man first, forget about politics. His heart must be in it. He must enjoy it. It must not be about pleasing his father. If he wants to be a leader act like one. Stop being a bridegroom.

Don't waste time with Shafie

As for Shafie. tak payahlah buang masa. This we blame on Mukhriz and Hishamuddin for not taking him down.

He is morally corrupt leader. It has a slightly different practical meaning. People tend to think of corruption as per the Malay proverb, panjang tangan (or long hand). Almost all politicians have a tendency to abuse public fund for their political funding.

Something we agree with Tan Sri Abu Kassim. Make political funding transparent. Better still, let federal government absorb campaign cost and open the media. Make politics mature and rational. No more psywar bullshit and let it be issue base.

We have written on Shafie since he was on top of his game in UMNO. Leaders whose politics is based on keeping his people impovershed and dependent on his dedak should be a priority to be removed. True it is dedak ... only RM10-30.

Anyway something leaked on Shafie. Quick check say there is some truth. THE MMOF officer mentioned have been mentioned before here.

Read this message spreading on the social media on Shafie:

SHAFIE APDAL & KRONI KAYA RAYA, MARAHKAN PM/ MK1 TIDAK LULUSKAN PROJEKNYA SERANG IMDB SEBAGAI ALASAN. DEMI RAKYAT SABAH KE DEMI TEMBOLOK SENDIRI?

[Untuk para macai dan pemuja Shafie Bajau Suluk].

1. Sebenarnya Captain M malas nak tulis hal Shafie Apdal ni. Tapi bila terbaca para macai dan pemakan dedaknya berkata Shafie membenteras penyelewengan dan rasuah terasa #jijik pula Captain M mendengarnya. Ada banyak dokumen pada Captain M tapi biarlah kita muntahkan satu-satu ikut kesesuaian. Malah dokumen yang Shafie tandatangan dalam penurunan kuasa projek kepada kroninya pun kita ada. Tengoklah masa sesuai. Apa yang Captain M tunjuk hanyalah nak bagitau Shafie Apdal mantan Naib Presiden yang jadi Menteri KKLW ni kaya raya dan tidaklah suci sangat. Kalah hendak dedah penyelewengan Shafie Apda terlalu banyak!....

2. Sejak Shafie Apdal keluar UMNO 4 Julai lalu bukan main lagi para macai dan pengikutnya mendewakan Shafie Apdal pemimpin Bajau Suluk berketurunan Tausug ini. Dia dipuja seakan pemimpin Sabah yang mempertahankan hak Sabah.

3. Kekayaan Shafie Apdal Sejak menjadi Menteri tidak boleh disangkal lagi. Malah ketika beliau menjadi Menteri KPDNKK habis permit serta mempunyai pemilikan saham dalam Tesco ( katanya nama isteri) atau pasaraya.

3. Cuma Shafie Apdal lebih bertambah kaya apabila menjadi Menteri Kemajuan Luar Bandar dan Wilayah ( KKLW). Permulaan kepada kekayaan melampau Shafie Apdal, keluarga dan segala kroninya ialah kelulusan 16 Projek KKLW tahun 2010 dibawah program National Key Result Area (NKRA) Jalan Luar Bandar (JALB) negeri ketika itu yang dilaksana secara Tender Terhad. ( Iaitu tender terpilih kepada 10 syarikat setiap tajuk- syarat MOF kos RM10 juta kelulusan MOF).

4. Akhirnya Kementerian Kewangan atas permohonan surat Shafie Apdal mengeluarkan surat #kelulusan tender terhad Rujukan bil. S/K.KEW/PK/KI 1/700/8/0209/156/12-43 Jld 11 SK 7 (16) bertarikh 18 Ogos 2010, ditandatangani Dato' Fauziah Bt Yaacob dulu SUB kini TKSUP. Anda boleh semak surat disertakan. Selepas dari ini berpuluh-puluhlah syarikat mendapat #tenderterhad dari tahun 2010 hingga Julai 2015 habis. Habis disakau.
[Available below]
5. Siapakah yang kaya raya? Datuk Chin Su Phin, Wilfred Yong Chen Leong, Datuk Christopher Chiu, Haji Yusof Apdal, Azis Jamman ( KP), Marzuki Datuk Nasir, Datuk Peter Anthony ( KDM, Manis Muka binti Dara ( Ketua Wanita UMNO Semporna), SinKong, Andrew Chew dan ramai lagi.

6. Hanya menjelang tahun 2013 PM atau Menteri Kewangan mula tidak meluluskan projek tender terhad yang dipohon oleh Shafia Apdal. Amat melampau beratus ratus surat sehingga setebal 3 kaki tinggi di meja pegawai MOF tidak boleh diluluskan kerana dikhuatiri orang yang sama berulang kali dapat. Rayuan demi rayuan dibuat oleh Shafie Apdal agar semua senarai projek yang dipohon kementeriannya dibawa dalam Mesyuarat Jawatankuasa Perolehan Menteri Kewangan untuk diluluskan. Beliau sanggup atas nama kroni. Seluruh negara proksi dan kroni Shafie Apdal meminta sehingga ke Sarawak. Semuanya bermain dengan Cash is King. - Boleh lihat contoh surat yang ditandatangani oleh Shafie Apdal rayuan kepada MOF. Dengan letterhead surat menterilah sepanjang 2010 itu projek habis dibolot oleh mereka.

7. Kemarahan Shafie Apdal kepada YAB PM kerana tidak meluluskan projek Tender Terhad dan Rundingan terus inilah yang menyebabkan kemarahan memuncak Shafie Apdal dan mula menyerang PM Najib dalam isu-isu IMDB. Marah sebab projek dibatalkan memanjang.

8. Jadi Shafie Apdal janganlah sombong dan riak. Macai pun jangan sembang kuat. Bajau Suluk, palaau, tausug dan bajau semporna, mungkin boleh menerima Shafie. Atau mana-mana pemimpin bahagian yang dikayakannya. Tapi Kadazan Dusun dan etnik lain di Sabah belum tentu. Bagaimana ia satu perubahan kepada Negeri Sabah? yang kaya Shafie, keluarga, kerabatnya dan bukan rakyat. Habis dedak harta terkumpul nanti barulah sedar. Ke harta pada Zahida Rafik pelakon anak mami tu masih banyak tersimpan?

Captain M

#harapShafiePanas

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

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

Wonder who is Captain M.

If it had been Dr M, it would have been easy to assume someone trying to blame it on Mahathir. There will be those to ignore the Captain and speculate M could be Musa Aman, Shafie's nemesis in Sabah.

Maybe someone is passing the blame on Musa Aman for his or her benefit. Who will that third party or dark horse be?

As far as the leadership of the new party, Rocky summarised it well:

Muhyiddin Yassin may lead the new party initially but I don't see him leading it into the next general election; the former Deputy Prime Minister is quite the spent force and does not even command a fraction of his home state Johor. Similarly, Shafie Afdal, the ex Umno VP, has no influence in Sabah outside his own kawasan. Mukhriz will have more luck, being young and being a Mahathir, but then again he's nothing like his father.

Maybe Rocky is right. Should just give it to Ibrahim Ali. Only thing is he has other plans since Nik Abduh turned out to be a failure in Pasir Mas.

↧

DAP Civil War

July 19, 2016, 10:55 pm

≫ Next: Who could "Malaysian Official 1" be? [2nd up-date: 5:30 PM]

≪ Previous: Joceline Tan, Mahathir's new party and Shafie

In 1912, China overthrew the last emperor of the Qing Dynasty. The anti-monarchist and nationalist revolution led by Dr Sun Yat Sen ended the warlord era.

Dr Sun's revolution received funding from the Soviet Union, which at the same time funded both the Kuomintang (KMT) and Communist Party of China (CPC). A lesson to be learned on having foreigners involved in any internal disputes.

That eventually led to a split in the revolutionary rank and civil war broke out between KMT and CPC. Successor to Dr Sun, General Chiang Kai Shek led the KMT and Mao Tse Tong for CPC. The war was not only about power and personality but also ideological.

Between 1927 to 1950, there was a halt in 1932-333 and the two warring faction came together to fight against the Japanese invasion in late 1937. Although the battle cease by 1950 and Communist technically won, it never officially ended. It only resulted with the existence of two China; mainland Peoples' Republic of China and Taiwan's Republic of China.

If DAP's current internal strife or Civil War prolongs, it could possibly emulate a similar outcome.

Civil War

An analysis by a new portal, Malaysia Outlook, seemed to indicate a Civil War erupting in DAP sparked by the on-going corruption case against Lim Guan Eng and plans for a Penang snap election.

DAP Splits Over Snap Election Poser in Penang

20th July 2016

Penangites may face a snap state poll as DAP aims to strengthen its dynastic rule.

Speculation has been rife that Penang’s ruling party, the DAP, would dissolved the 40-man legislative assembly to pave way for a snap state election.

It’s learnt that the DAP central executive committee (CEC) had decided in a meeting on Monday to postpone the triennially held party poll, due for this year, for another 18 months as a shielding move for the snap election.

By postponing it, a source said a faction in the party, tagged as ‘Team A’, wanted to ensure that Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng would continue as the party secretary-general until the next general election.

“By postponing the party CEC polls, Team A can get rid of all its enemies in the party’s candidature for the snap and general elections.

“This will ensure survival of the dynastic rule in DAP if Guan Eng goes to prison for corruption,” claimed the source.

DAP is counting on Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak to call for the general election next year rather than in 2018.

DAP’s grand plan to call for a snap state election however, has hit a snag.

PKR, its senior partner in the loose political marriage called Pakatan Harapan, has poured cold water on the hot plan following a party political bureau meeting on Tuesday.

After a lengthy deliberation during the meeting, PKR president Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail said that the party was unimpressed with the reasons given to hold a snap election.

“PKR political bureau has taken a stand that we were not convinced with the objectives and directions to hold an emergency election,” she said in a brief statement released on Tuesday night.

But she said PKR would continue to deliberate on the issue with other coalition partners, Parti Amanah Negara (Amanah) included.

PKR and DAP top guns are said to have discussed the matter in an earlier meeting.

The DAP is split right in the middle now, thanks to the graft charges brought against Guan Eng.

While Team A wants a stand-alone snap poll, another faction, labelled ‘Team B’, is dead against it.

Team B wants to get rid of Guan Eng as the chief minister, and subsequently as the secretary-general.

An insider said a group of seven top Penang DAP leaders held a closed door meeting to discuss about the political situation immediately after Guan Eng was detained by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) on Wednesday June 29.

In the meeting, a consensus is said was reached after much deliberation that Guan Eng had to relinquish his position as chief minister once he was charged the next day.

However, the plan is said was foiled by the timely arrival of DAP supremo and Guan Eng’s father Kit Siang and DAP action national chairman Tan Kok Wai in Penang on that night of arrest.

“The local leaders were ‘advised’ by the party seniors not to rock the boat,” said a branch leader.

The popular Chow Kon Yeow is being propelled by the Team B faction in DAP to become the next Penang Chief Minister.

The popular Chow Kon Yeow is being lobbied by the Team B faction in DAP to become the next Penang Chief Minister.

Team B wants the popular Penang DAP chairman and senior Executive Councillor Chow Kon Yeow to helm the DAP-led state government.

Of course Team A is against it, hence postponement of CEC election and the urgency to hold a snap state election.

A reliable source said Team A had outlined plans A and B to face a snap poll.

Plan A is to retain Guan Eng as the chief minister if DAP and its allies win the snap election as expected.

But, if Guan Eng was sent to jail over the corruption charges he faces now, Team A would appoint another person, not Chow, as the chief minister.

That Guan Eng’s successor will also be appointed as party secretary-general.

The name mooted here is DAP national organising secretary Anthony Loke Siew Fook, the Seremban MP and Chennah assemblyman.

If this happens, Penang will have another outsider, this time from Negeri Sembilan, as the chief minister.

The state seat speculated to be presented to Anthony Loke is Tanjung Bungah, currently held by Teh Yee Cheu.

In March this year, Guan Eng had already appointed Anthony Loke, 39, as a director in Penang Hill Corporation (PHC), a state government-link company (GLC).

Tanjung Bungah is a state seat under the Bukit Bendera parliamentary constituency.

Team A is said to have toyed the idea in a secret meeting among its leaders after the CEC meeting on Monday.

DAP national organising secretary Anthony Loke could take over as Penang Chief Minister.

Teh, alongside woman assemblymen Yap Soo Huey of Pulau Tikus and Lydia Ong Kok Fooi, are expected to be axed for the state election.

Also speculated to be dropped are current state executive councillors and assemblymen Phee Boon Poh of Sungai Puyu, Danny Law Heng Kiang of Batu Lanchang, Chong Eng of Padang Lalang and Lim Hock Seng of Bagan Jermal.

According to some internal survey, current public support for the DAP and Pakatan Harapan is favourably 52%, largely due to sympathy that Lim was a victim of selective persecution and prosecution, against 48% for Barisan Nasional (BN).

The DAP wants to capitalise on that public sentiment to regain Penang because the party believes support could erode if Guan Eng was imprisoned prior to the general election.

“If Guan Eng is jailed, the voters could be convinced that the DAP government may not be whiter than white as claimed by the party,” said an observer.

With PKR “unconvinced” and Team B rapidly canvassing grassroots backing for its plan, how Team A going to push for the snap election would be a beguiling political play.

Penangites are in for an exciting few weeks.

Conflict

Naturally, the corruption charges by the Attorney General could be synonymous to the USSR for splitting DAP into Team A and Team B. However, it does not reach the level of ideological divide between Communism and Nationalism.

This DAP Civil War is still about power and personality. In short, it is about threat to the grip of the Lim and Singh on DAP.

One can go further back to the days of Kerk Choo Ting, Wee Choo Keong, Hu Sepang et al, but it would get lengthy. Suffice to say, the dissatisfaction against "Emperor" Lim and his "warlord" have been going on for decades.

Since there was a common enemy to fight against, which is something similar to Japanese invasion, in the form of UMNO, this is unity element to ignore these rebels. This time around, the "ideological" element has surface in the form of RM, not Rosmah Mansor, but Ringgit Malaysia.

The more suitable "i" is interest, as in economic interest. It could be stashed away in a Fund Manager with an alphabet B and at once associated with a firm with an alphabet A.

Before war breaks out, there are events leading to it. So do not take the 9-dash line and other events for granted. It could lead to something bigger later. [More to be written later postings]

Prior to this, Lim Kit Siang had manouvred against possible uprising against him, summarised by the following pictoral [taken from this blog here]:

The Penang DAP have been brewing against the last minute entry of Lim Guan Eng into Penang for GE12 after much effort by Chow Koon Yeow [and indirectly Tun Mahathir for whacking Tun Abdullah. OK OK ... guilty as charged.]

There was a need to manipulate the DAP election of the CEC:

Taken from 2013 posting of blog Gelombang Wangsa Maju.

The CEC issue have brewing for quite sometime. In 2013, a report called Equity Report surfaced to reveal accounts of the manipulation of the CEC election [Read in ...deep tots here].

Karpal Singh slam the book for the intention to destabilise DAP. Utusan Malaysia added spin to the report on the book and got sued. Similar happening to DAP's action to silence Joceline Tan and The Star.

There is no more Karpal around to add roar to DAP's voice. Politics has changed. Public is fatigue with too much politics.

Survivor mode

DAP or more precisely the Lims are on a survivor mode. Remember May posting, Honeymoon over for the Lims? As DAP would see it, they need something to unite the party. A snap election for Penang is a strategic idea.

However, PKR is not agreeable. Guan Eng have not been strategically nice to PKR. He removed PKR local council members. They have been sore over the state budget for their rural constituency. One cried during the state assembly seating. They almost voted against the state government in one usul from UMNO.

Now it is payback time. PAS too will see it as payback time for DAP's preference to back PAN or more politically correct to them, Amanah.

It will be tough for DAP to take on the state election alone but they will win.

DAP will still be around but if history still repeat itself, there will be a "Taiwan." UMNO already have off-shoots of "Taiwan, Penghu, Quemoy, Matsu and other islands". Time DAP have one too.

The problems with PKR can be easily settled. DAP could trigger upheavel in Penang PKR. Many of the Melayu core leaders in PKR have been ousted as Cabang leaders to be replaced by Chinese young members. As told by one retired media source, it involves 13 Cabang. [Not checked on the numbers].

If the snap election does not happen, UMNO and BN should just leave them alone to quarrel among themselves.

But if the snap election happen, UMNO and BN should focus on doing the campaign not so much to win but tailored towards GE14. As Anil Netto said in his posting, there is an elephant in the room and it will not go away for a long time.

Tun M's party will be doing the same but together with DAP, to see BN lose.

↧

Who could "Malaysian Official 1" be? [2nd up-date: 5:30 PM]

July 21, 2016, 2:20 am

≫ Next: Alhamdulillah! Kleptocracy revealed?

≪ Previous: DAP Civil War

The WSJ report published 4 hours ago (as at 7:30 AM Malaysian time) claimed "Malaysia Official 1", which was referred to 32 times in the filing by the Prosecutor from the Justice Department to the US court last night, to be Prime Minister, Dato Najib.

However, they did qualify that his name was not mentioned in the filing:

Mr. Najib isn’t named in the filings, which were made public Wednesday, and he isn’t directly accused by U.S. prosecutors of any wrongdoing. But there are 32 references in the complaint to “Malaysian Official 1,” who allegedly received hundreds of millions of dollars in funds siphoned from 1Malaysia Development Bhd.

A person with direct knowledge of the investigation said “Malaysian Official 1” is Mr. Najib. Descriptions of the official in the filings include information about Mr. Najib’s position at 1MDB along with other identifying details.

Hmmm ... WSJ.

However, we are not taking their sort of reporting as confirmed yet. In fact, an earlier WSJ newsbreaker used convenient spinning phrases like "unknown what assets will be seized, "assets tied to 1MDB (but not specifically 1mdb's assets)", "according to people familiar with the matter" and "The people say the investigation is still continuing".

This blog's educated guess, which was stated in an April 2015 posting, remain on Taek Jho Loh and first CEO, Dato Shahrol Hilmi [see postings for April 2015 here and April 2016 here].

Our Whass App group has some 500 outstanding message to read and it will take sometime, but in one group of quite "knowledgeable and informative" members, one suspicion of the suspect is 1MDB's former Chief Investment Officer, Nik Faisal.

Let's wait and see.

Justice Department Statement

Official statement from Justice Department reads below:

Attorney General Loretta E Lynch announced today the filing of civil forfeiture complaints seeking the forfeiture and recovery of more than US$1 billion in assets associated with an international conspiracy to launder funds misappropriated from a Malaysian sovereign wealth fund.

Today’s complaints represent the largest single action ever brought under the Kleptocracy Asset Recovery Initiative.

Attorney General Lynch was joined in the announcement by Assistant Attorney General Leslie R Caldwell of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, US Attorney Eileen M Decker of the Central District of California, FBI Deputy Director Andrew G. McCabe and Chief Richard Weber of the Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI).

According to the complaints, from 2009 through 2015, more than US$3.5 billion in funds belonging to 1MDB was allegedly misappropriated by high-level officials of 1MDB and their associates. With today’s complaints, the United States seeks to recover more than US$1 billion laundered through the United States and traceable to the conspiracy.

1MDB was created by the government of Malaysia to promote economic development in Malaysia through global partnerships and foreign direct investment, and its funds were intended to be used for improving the well-being of the Malaysian people.

Instead, as detailed in the complaints, 1MDB officials and their associates allegedly misappropriated more than US$3 billion.

“The Department of Justice will not allow the American financial system to be used as a conduit for corruption,” said Attorney General Lynch.

“With this action, we are seeking to forfeit and recover funds that were intended to grow the Malaysian economy and support the Malaysian people.

"Instead, they were stolen, laundered through American financial institutions and used to enrich a few officials and their associates.

"Corrupt officials around the world should make no mistake that we will be relentless in our efforts to deny them the proceeds of their crimes. ”

“According to the allegations in the complaints, this is a case where life imitated art,” said Assistant Attorney General Caldwell.

“The associates of these corrupt 1MDB officials are alleged to have used some of the illicit proceeds of their fraud scheme to fund the production of 'The Wolf of Wall Street', a movie about a corrupt stockbroker who tried to hide his own illicit profits in a perceived foreign safe haven.

"But whether corrupt officials try to hide stolen assets across international borders – or behind the silver screen – the Department of Justice is committed to ensuring that there is no safe haven."

“Stolen money that is subsequently used to purchase interests in music companies, artwork or high-end real estate is subject to forfeiture under US law,” said US Attorney Decker.

“Today’s actions are the result of the tremendous dedication of attorneys in my office and the Department of Justice, as well as law enforcement agents across the country.

"All of us are committed to sending a message that we will not allow the United States to become a playground for the corrupt, a platform for money laundering or a place to hide and invest stolen riches.”

“The United States will not be a safe haven for assets stolen by corrupt foreign officials,” said Deputy Director McCabe.

“Public corruption, no matter where it occurs, is a threat to a fair and competitive global economy.

"The FBI is committed to working with our foreign and domestic partners to identify and return these stolen assets to their legitimate owners, the Malaysian people. I want to thank the FBI and IRS investigative team who worked with the prosecutors and our international partners on this case.”

“Today’s announcement underscores the breadth of the alleged corruption and money laundering related to the 1MDB fund,” said Chief Weber. “We cannot allow the massive, brazen and blatant diversion of billions of dollars to be laundered through US financial institutions without consequences.”

As alleged in the complaints, the members of the conspiracy – which included officials at 1MDB, their relatives and other associates – allegedly diverted more than US$3.5 billion in 1MDB funds.

Using fraudulent documents and representations, the co-conspirators allegedly laundered the funds through a series of complex transactions and fraudulent shell companies with bank accounts located in the Singapore, Switzerland, Luxembourg and the United States.

These transactions were allegedly intended to conceal the origin, source and ownership of the funds, and were ultimately processed through U.S. financial institutions and were used to acquire and invest in assets located in the United States.

In seeking recovery of more than US$1 billion, the complaints detail the alleged misappropriation of 1MDB’s assets as it occurred over the course of at least three schemes.

In 2009, the complaints allege that 1MDB officials and their associates embezzled approximately US$1 billion that was intended to be invested to exploit energy concessions purportedly owned by a foreign partner.

Instead, the funds were transferred through shell companies and were used to acquire a number of assets, as set forth in the complaints.

The complaints also allege that the co-conspirators misappropriated more than $1.3 billion in funds raised through two bond offerings in 2012 and $1.2 billion following another bond offering in 2013.

As further detailed in the complaints, the stolen funds were laundered into the United States and used by the co-conspirators to acquire and invest in various assets.

These assets allegedly included high-end real estate and hotel properties in New York and Los Angeles, a US$35 million jet aircraft, works of art by Vincent Van Gogh and Claude Monet, an interest in the music publishing rights of EMI Music and the production of the 2013 film The Wolf of Wall Street.

The FBI’s International Corruption Unit and the IRS-CI investigated the case. Deputy Chief Woo S Lee and Trial Attorney Kyle R Freeny of the Criminal Division’s Asset Forfeiture and Money Laundering Section and Assistant U.S. Attorneys John Kucera and Christen Sproule of the Central District of California prosecuted the case. The Criminal Division’s Office of International Affairs provided additional assistance.

The Kleptocracy Asset Recovery Initiative is led by a team of dedicated prosecutors in the Criminal Division’s Asset Forfeiture and Money Laundering Section, in partnership with federal law enforcement agencies to forfeit the proceeds of foreign official corruption and, where appropriate, to use those recovered asset to benefit the people harmed by these acts of corruption and abuse of office.

Individuals with information about possible proceeds of foreign corruption located in or laundered through the United States should contact federal law enforcement or send an email to kleptocracy@usdoj.gov

1MDB Statement

1MDB made an official announcement to deny they are under investigation and the US assets are 1MDB's:

Media statement by 1Malaysia Development Berhad

Issued on 21 July 2016
For immediate publication

US Attorney General Press Conference

1MDB notes a press conference led by the US Attorney General today relating to a civil court action filed by the government of the United States of America.

1MDB highlights that it is not a party to the civil suit, does not have any assets in the United States of America, nor has it benefited from the various transactions described in the civil suit.

Furthermore, 1MDB has not been contacted by the US Department of Justice or any other foreign agency in relation to their investigations.

As previously stated, 1MDB will fully cooperate with any foreign lawful authority, subject to international protocols governing such matters and the advice of the relevant domestic lawful authorities.

PMO Statement

Till more information released to confirm Malaysian Official 1 is Najib, official statement by Swiss AOG, and Singapore enforcement confirmed that Najib was not investigated. He has denied also:

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE CIVIL LAWSUITS:
PRIME MINISTER’S PRESS SECRETARY STATEMENT

21 July 2016‎

Malaysian authorities have led the way in investigations into 1MDB. The company has been the subject of multiple investigations within Malaysia, including by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission, Auditor General and bi-partisan Public Accounts Committee. After comprehensive review, the Attorney General found that that no crime was committed. 1MDB is still the subject of an investigation by the Royal Malaysia Police.

We note the United States Department of Justice’s civil lawsuits brought against various assets. As previously stated, the Malaysian Government will fully cooperate with any lawful investigation of Malaysian companies or citizens in accordance with international protocols.

As the Prime Minister has always maintained, if any wrongdoing is proven, the law will be enforced without exception.

DATUK SERI TENGKU SARIFFUDDIN
PRESS SECRETARY TO THE PRIME MINISTER

Names Involved

According to New York Times (published 16 hours ago), the named people are:

The Justice Department named three of those people in its filings. One, Riza Aziz, is the stepson of Mr. Najib and a Hollywood producer of films including “The Wolf of Wall Street.” Another, a financier named Jho Low, is a longtime friend of Mr. Aziz and his family. The third is Mohamed Badawy al-Husseiny, a former official at a government fund in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, that participated in deals with Malaysia’s fund.

*Missing in NYT report is Khadem El Qudaisi

The mention of Badawy and Khadem leads to the bogus and fraudulent Aabar Investment PJSC Ltd (Aabar BVI) in which some USD1 billion was paid to but IPIC denied as their company.

Sarawak Report have been quick to accuse but they were spinning [read April 17 posting here].

1MDB insist they had paid in accordance to the instruction by the official of the company, and there ample case law that argue decisions or instructions by top officials with outside parties are considered official, even though there are no Board Of Director approval.

This issue is undergoing arbitration in London. 1MDB have officially accepted on July 11th which means Malaysia is not bankrupt yet on that day.

The planned debt-for-asset swap between 1MDB and IPIC have been postphoned or likely cancelled and this part of the dispute. 1MDB insisted they have abide by the term in the binding sheet. IPIC will argue otherwise.

Still years to go.

The "members of the conspiracy – which included officials at 1MDB, their relatives and other associates – allegedly diverted more than US$3.5 billion in 1MDB funds" will be unfold as the process takes effect.

All Malaysians will look forward for further development on a scandal that have been hogging the nation for last 2 years.

Off course, the question of did Najib yang kebas dan lesapkan will hopefully be answered.

Bear in mind, FBI investigation is never the finality. See how they admitted negligence in their investigation on Hillary Clinton's email controversy.

The detractors allegation is made on the Prime Minister and surely the fate of the "institution of office of Prime Minister" has to be determined by proper due process.

Nevertheless, the filing to seize is not freezing asset. It is no laughing matter.

Maybe Lim Guan Eng would like to demand Najib to vacate his position ... :)

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

UP-DATE 11:30 AM

Q&A on the Justice Department filing

The USA Govt's Department of Justice (DOJ) have filed civil cases to seize the assets they believe is linked to 1MDB, from three individuals under the USA's Kleptocracy Asset Recovery Initiative.

Q1. Who are the three individuals?

They are Riza Aziz, stepson of Prime Minister Najib Razak; Jho Low, a Malaysian financier; and Khadem Al Qubaisi, the former managing director of Abu Dhabi's sovereign-wealth fund IPIC and the former Chairman of Aabar Investments PJS responsible for dealing with 1MDB at that time.

Q2. What is the USA's Kleptocracy Asset Recovery Initiative?

It is an initiative started in the year 2010 by the USA Govt under the US Department of Justice (DOJ) with the aim to seize and recover assets within the USA which the DOJ suspects is linked to corruption from a foreign country and return them to the originating country.

Q3. Why is the DOJ investigating this case?

In March 2015, the DOJ received a complaint from Sarawak Report. Further complaints appears to also have been made by Tun Mahathir loyalist, Khairuddin Abu Hassan.

Q4. What is the DOJ actually filing against the 3 individuals and what will happen next?

The DOJ is filing civil cases against the 3 individuals to ask the courts to seize their assets. The courts will then check if the identified assets are being claimed by anyone else. If no one else is claiming these assets then the courts will ask the DOJ to prove that these assets have indeed been stolen or received illegally.

Q5. Is Prime Minister Najib Razak also charged?

No. He is not charged and not named in this case despite Tun Mahathir previously saying in September 2015 that Najib is afraid to go overseas as he will be caught by the FBI. This is untrue as not only is this a civil case but Najib is not even named in the suits.

Q5. Will anyone go to jail if the assets are seized?

No. These is a civil suit and not a criminal case. If the courts find in favour of the DOJ, only the assets are seized. There is no jail terms or criminal conviction.

Q6. If the court allows the assets to be seized, what happens to the seized assets?

The assets are eventually returned back to the whomever the DOJ believes it is stolen from - in this case, 1MDB.

Q7. Are the assets purchased with money stolen from 1MDB?

1MDB has consistently maintained that no money was stolen and can account for where its money has gone to. However, 1MDB is currently in dispute with IPIC where 1MDB maintains that it has paid or deposited or guaranteed up to USD6 billion by a company called Aabar Investments PJS BVI upon the instructions of Aabar's the then Chairman, Khadem Al Qubaisi and the then Managing Director. IPIC disputes that it owns Aabar Investments PJS Ltd (BVI) and thus denies it has received these funds from 1MDB.

This dispute is now in arbitration at the London Arbitration Center and will take many months. However, 1MDB is confident that they will win this case and stand a good chance to recover their money - which is why 1MDB had earlier refused to pay the interest on a USD3.5 billion bonds despite comfortably able to, which triggered the bond guarantee by IPIC thus leading to the arbitration process.

Q8. If the money is not stolen then why is the USA DOJ acting on the complaint?

It is possible that some of the money that was paid by 1MDB into the Aabar Investments PJS Ltd (BVI) controlled by Khadem - which IPIC denies is owned by them, may have been used to fund various investments in the USA including real estate, investment in films, artwork and companies.

Q9. How much worth in asset is impacted by the USA DOJ?

No specific amounts have been confirmed yet but reports by NYT and WSJ is quoting up to USD 1 billion.

Q10. Why is the PM's step-son Riza Aziz involved.

WSJ had previously reported that investigators believe that Red Granite, Riza Aziz’s film company received USD$155 million in loans from the Aabar Investments PJS Ltd (BVI) much of which went to finance the 2013 movie “The Wolf of Wall Street. and to purchase properties.

WSJ said documents show three transfers to Red Granite Capital in 2012 - US$60 million, US$45 million, and US$50 million.

Of this, US$105 million was booked by Red Granite Capital as a loan, while the other US$50 million was moved to the company through intermediaries.

“Among the intermediaries, according to people familiar with investigations and the person familiar with 1MDB: Telina Holdings Inc, a company that had been set up in the British Virgin Islands by Mr Al-Husseiny and his boss, Khadem Al Qubaisi.”

According to WSJ , the US$50 million loan from Telina Holdings has been repaid, citing people familiar to the investigations.

A Red Granite spokesperson told WSJ that the company “has been repaying and will continue to repay all its loans. “Red Granite had no reason to believe at the time that the source of Aabar’s funds was in any way irregular and still believes the loan to be legitimate,”

“What Red Granite have done and will continue to do is develop and produce successful and acclaimed movies that have generated more than US$825 million in worldwide box-office revenues.”

Q11. So, if it was a loan or investment into Red Granite and is already part repaid or being repaid from a successful film company, why is Riza Aziz still the target of a civil suit?

In the USA, if you make profits based on funding which the DOJ suspects was from an illegal source then this is called "profiteering" and hence your profits are also considered illegal and can be seized - essentially making money out of illegal funding.

This is different from stealing money. The DOJ will then have to prove that Red Granite is aware that the funding or loan that they received is deemed illegal.

Q12. What about Jho Low's investments?

Not much has been revealed what assets or the amounts of investments are owned by Jho Low, who is a fund manager, in the USA but Jho Low had confirmed before that he has real estate holdings in the USA and may have co-invested in some US-based companies.

Q13. How long will this civil cases take before a judgement is reached?

Similar cases have taken years as both sides present their arguments to the US courts for the judge to make a final decision.

Q14. Is there anything unusual about this case?

Yes. Typically, the supposed victim of any stolen money has to make a complain to the USA DOJ to request the DOJ to seize any assets they deem was purchased using the stolen money. In this case, 1MDB has consistently maintained that there is no money stolen and they can account for all their investments or transfers but the DOJ seems to be still going ahead with filing civil suits to recover stolen money even though the "victim" said no money has been stolen.

UP-DATE 5:30.PM

Statement from Attorney General of Malaysia
PRESS RELEASE
US DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE FILING OF CIVIL ACTION

The Attorney General notes that a civil action in rem has been filed by the United States Department of Justice (US DOJ) for the forfeiture of relevant assets and that it is presently a matter within the civil court in the United States.

The Attorney General further notes that the basis of the civil action in rem to forfeit assets undertaken by the US DOJ relates to the alleged laundering of money misappropriated from 1MDB. However, the Attorney General emphasized that to date –

(i) there has been no evidence from any investigation conducted by any law enforcement agencies in various jurisdictions which shows that money has been misappropriated from 1MDB; and

(ii) there have been no criminal charges preferred against any individuals for the offence of misappropriation of funds from 1MDB.

The Attorney General also expressed his strong concerns at the insinuations and allegations that have been made against the Prime Minister of alleged criminal wrong doing in relation to the civil action in rem filed by the US DOJ.

The Attorney General intends to clarify that at no point in the civil claim filed by the US DOJ is the Prime Minister named as a defendant or have been alleged to have committed any criminal wrong doing.

Presently there is an ongoing investigation conducted by the Royal Malaysia Police concerning matters related to 1MDB.

Given that the investigation is underway, it would not be appropriate to divulge details that may compromise the investigation.

The Attorney General must emphasize that it is crucial to preserve the integrity of the investigation as the public must not doubt the outcome of the investigation.

To date the Attorney General’s Chambers has yet to receive any request from the US DOJ to obtain any information or evidence. However, we would welcome such a request in line with our commitment in international cooperation and collaboration in our fight against money laundering and corrupt practices.

As the Public Prosecutor, the Attorney General will not hesitate to initiate proceedings against the perpetrators of criminal acts provided there is sufficient evidence to do so.

Any wrongdoing must and will be punished. Malaysia will always uphold the rule of law.

TAN SRI DATO’ SRI HAJI MOHAMED APANDI BIN HAJI ALI
ATTORNEY GENERAL MALAYSIA
21 JULY 2016

↧

Alhamdulillah! Kleptocracy revealed?

July 21, 2016, 9:04 pm

≫ Next: MO1 is Najib, but "Sheikh" Jho Loh looks guilty

≪ Previous: Who could "Malaysian Official 1" be? [2nd up-date: 5:30 PM]

It must have been a relief for some.

After months of posting quotes, which was indicative of a frustrating wait and endless recycling of issues that is not attracting attention, the new development must be god-send. Has truth arrived and the end of months turning year of regurgitating rhetorics or copy and pasting?

WSJ or SR will never attract the attention. Neither did the term Kleptocrasy Asset Recovery Initiative. It sounded like KARI. Something closely associated with Geng Loceng. When a friend rang to inform that Jho Loh and his Arab associates will be rounded up by FBI, that was an attention grabber.

For few years, the suspicion had always been at Jho Loh and arrogant Shahrul. Arrogance is a convenient act to cover-up guilt and facade to push away nosy suspicious minds. Shahrul created suspicion on 1MDB in the engagement he did years ago. Only after a while, it was scaled down to only him and that fat chai. Riza is something new. Maybe FBI finally managed to connect the dots.

Must say this development is a "Alhamdulillah". As any Muslim should, be it good or bad time, we should always say All Praises to Allah.

It nurture a positive attitude within our soul, gives hope, and dispel negative thoughts. In good times, we praise Allah as thank to thee bounty bestowed upon us. While, in bad times, we express the gratitude for it may not be worse.

Kleptocracy, a big word

"Alhamdulillah", the latest development allowed us to learn a new word, Kleptocrasy.

It helped to increase our vocabulary and English. Being a "left-brainer", language never interest us. Good grammar, expansive vocabulary and creativity in writing was not essential to get past college.

"Alhamdulillah", also because it had been awhile that a new big word entered our vocabulary. The last was recalcirant. It is supposed to mean stubborn.

Bosses who insist on doing something out of the norm despite being advised against, can be considered recalcitrant. Same with someone who insist he is right despite being rationally told wrong can be one. Someone repeatedly lost out at every anticipated move but still continuing to fight can be recalcitrant or a fighter.

The word kleptocracy sound awful. It almost like that STI also known as clap or drip. If hypocrisy is the behaviour of hypocrite, then kleptocracy could be the behaviour or phenomenon of clap. That is why is sounds awful. As awful as hypocrisy too.

Hypocrisy is the behavior of people who do things that they tell other people not to do OR behavior that does not agree with what someone claims to believe or feel. Someone going around calling others immoral and corruption but yet their idols be it here or the other side of the Malaysian compass are allegedly super-corrupt. Calling others makan dedak but an unemployed could rent in a posh neighbourhood and acquire brand new car and four-wheeler in loud colour.

Everyone can be a hypocrite in one way or another but all we have been promoting is about being sensible, fair and proper due process.

And, these Geng Loceng goes around like Malays but they are not. They could not appreciate the Malay proverb, "menarik benang dalam tepong".

These resemblance of Spanish bulls calling others hypocrits are equal hypocrits themselves for going back on words said for many decades and not covorting wth DAP and reformasi.

Nevertheless, for whatever is worth, "Alhamdulillah".

Now that it is now known that the term kleptoracy was introduced in 2012 by IDEAS. Yes, it's that bunch of young people talking on every subject and thinking they are already up there as think tank. Cari kerja pun masih nak minta short-cut and not work their way up.

This is one problem with young intelligent boys but still wet behind the ears in experience and wisdom. If they want to talk in big words, the least they could do is provide a meaning to it. All that was available is below:

The list should not end at the lack of integrity of civil service but should begin from where the interference, by-passing and degradation of the institution started.

At the same time, the breakdown of the judiciary system begin.

Democrasy in UMNO also ended with the many moves to prevent challenge to their leadership. All these eventually led to privatisation which the rakyat has to bear the rising cost till to day and yet someone else get the blame for rising cost of goods to consumer.

They remove certain power of rulers but they hypocritically perpetuate feudelism and insist on blind loyalty from their followers.

Not sure whether Masterji "Alhamdulillah" can remove the arrogance to cover-up his shortcoming and acknowledge the same. Without hypocrisy, only can we then truly talk of creating a better Malaysia and with confidence and "right standing" to talk of getting rid of kleptocracy in society.

Using KARI for persepsi

The intention to stop kleptocracy is good in theory. The FBI blog described kleptocracy as part of their program to combat international corruption. An extract below:

Kleptocracy is a form of political corruption in which the ruling government seeks personal gain and status at the expense of the governed, literally meaning “the rule by thieves.” Through graft and embezzlement of state funds, corrupt leaders amass tremendous wealth at the expense of the broader populace. Some of the most egregious examples have occurred in countries with very high rates of poverty. The inherent challenge for corrupt leaders is covertly expatriating and holding money in secure locations where it can be accessed in the future. Generally, that requires international movement of funds. When transfers occur in U.S. dollars or transit the U.S. banking system, federal money laundering jurisdiction is established. The FBI initiates money laundering investigations to trace the international movement of assets and, in conjunction with foreign partners, forfeit and repatriate assets back to legitimate authorities in victim countries.

Among the most challenging money laundering investigations are those targeting “gatekeepers,” which may include bankers, brokerage houses, trust companies, attorneys, accountants, money managers, notaries, or real estate agents. ICU investigates these international business people who provide professional services to illicit actors wishing to disguise the source or nature of their money. These insiders have unique knowledge concerning the financial and legal systems in which they operate, making detection difficult. ICU’s kleptocracy program is run in close coordination with DOJ’s Kleptocracy Asset Recovery Initiative (KARI), part of the broader Priority International Money Laundering Threat (PIMLAT) violation.

Catching crooked and corrupt leaders is one thing but there must be an international asset recovery to make it worthy.

"Alhamdulillah", Allah has heard all the prayers of those struggling against the evils of corruption and seeking truth and justice. Opps ... did we say truth and justice?

Yes, off course we did. Before asset are seized, the evil doers must be caught and the law must be allowed to run its course. After all, we believe in the rule of law and our decision and action must be accordance with the rule of law.

It must not be on perception:

May not agree with certain part of the video but that is the big picture.

The due process has not began and even Najib said that the law will be enforced without exception from the beginning when it started, but Mahathir have began to ask to see Agong, calling for a referendum to remove Najib, and want to hit the streets.

As Rocky wrote, "Najib's name is not there". The US, Swiss, Malaysian and Singapore authorities are not suspecting and investigating him. Or maybe not yet as many like to believe certain reports.

This anarchy in the making and hypocrasy at work by Mahathir.

Not criminal proceeding?

Before we get emotional and worked up, our good captain gave a wake-up call:

Wonder how rat clitoris looks like, vertical or horizontal?

Masya Allah and Astaghfirullah, let's have some fun and light-hearted intermission:

Good comedy usually comes from seeing the lighter-side of something so obvious or possibilities that cannot be thought of like here and here.

Truly enough, this KARI thing is different from the Alagapal and Alapagas that Malaysians are accustomed to. And so happen the courts are filled with Indian. However, an Indian friend used to joke, "I am an Indian and am proud of it. But I am not a Keling!"

Lawyer and Pahang UMNO politician, Dato Shamsuddin Nawawi commented:

And someone with some familiarity with all this strange foreign legal procedures commented:

This latest US episode sounds like it is similar to what we have been led to believe about a trial in France. And after viewing the video of yesterday’s press conference, it appears like the US Department of Justice was talking about suspicions rather than facts that have been proven. In response to the questions they said investigations are still ongoing and some of the facts cannot be confirmed yet.

Is this US excitement going to end up like that French excitement of a few years ago? Even the complainant in that French episode has closed down and no longer exists. After all these years no one is telling us anything about that so-called trial in a French court that did not exist.

So before I get all excited and rush to Washington, like I did to Paris a few years ago, let us see where all this is going.

Quite sure someone will say they do not believe RPK and he change according to his paymaster, but that someone will likely believe WSJ and SR.

Some will say this stalling the inevitable and why let the due process waste valuable time. It is time to take the bull by the horn. Off course, these Geng Loceng barging like Spanish bull need to be slowed down because they thrive on emotion, chaos, and anarchy.

Nothing do the bulls hate than a rational crowd and those taking time to digest the happening. Taking a cuppa and sipping it slowly.

Conspiracy?

This is not a criminal case but a civil case. The steps are still a long way before the perpatrators get sent to the slammer and some black dude get a piece of Jho Loh's white butt.

However, the damage on Malaysia will already be detrimental. Though we doubt because it was amateurish work, many Malaysians especially reformasi supporters and Islamist believed the military coup on Turkey President, Teyyip Erdogan was an attempt by American to control Turkey in the light of Russin presence in the area.

What makes this to be no different from the "Malaysian springs" of the past?

ANALYSIS OF THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE CIVIL LAWSUITS

1. The US is a strong and powerful country, but this does not make them automatically right, or clever. The US Government has the largest military, diplomatic, intelligence and analytic resources that any government has ever had, and they still took a war and thousands of their sons’ lives into Iraq to destroy weapons of mass destruction that did not exist, and had never existed. They can be misled and they can be unintentionally misleading.

2. The actions of the US Attorney General this week are far less risky. There is no criminal indictment of anyone. The Attorney General spent much of her presentation making it clear that the intention of this action is to send a message to the world, that improper use of its banking system would not be tolerated. Unlike most Governments, the US Department of Justice can apply to a court to seize assets for which THEY DON’T NEED TO PROVE ANY WRONGDOING. Crazy, but true.

3. Under US law, the Government have the right to seize assets, and challenge the owners to respond. Those owners will not be tried for any crime, but would have to persuade a court to recover the assets, against the might of the US Department of Justice… which in this case is channelling a tidal wave of political disinformation about Malaysia, originating in part from Tun Mahathir Mohamad’s Anti Najib Coalition.

4. The US Government has said that the assets they want to seize belonged to 1MDB. Well, not according to the accountants and auditors and bankers. Whatever criticisms of the way 1MDB management conducted itself, whatever the weaknesses in its processes and business operations, these authorities do not report a loss that in any way matches what the US Department of Justice thinks that it has found. Admittedly, not for the first time the US Government is being outstripped by Tun Mahathir who claims to have found a 42 billion hole in 1MDB accounts. They cannot both be right. They are both wrong.

5. The reason for this is very simple. These huge sums and movements refer to operations in the Middle East outside 1MDB that have never been under the control of 1MDB or Malaysia. Where 1MDB has refused to repay a debt to a UAE company, it has not been because it couldn’t, but in order to bring to court disputes all of which arise from confusing and reportedly improper dealings in the UAE, not Malaysia.

6. When money has been lent to Malaysia, or borrowed from Malaysia, it has been paid back. In 2009, 1MDB invested with PetroSaudi International in foreign oil assets. The asset contributed by the Saudi partner failed, but they paid back the Malaysian contribution, with interest. They borrowed further from Malaysia, in an Islamic financial bond, and discharged the debt in full.

7. It is easy to confuse the investment relationship with PetroSaudi, then part-owned by a Saudi prince, with the extraordinary close relationship of the Prime Minister with the late King Abdullah. Both involved major flows of finance through complex banking arrangements organised by the Saudi counterparts. Those wishing to destabilise Malaysia have deliberately combined the two and this has given rise to gross misrepresentation. But these were separate issues, and accounted separately to Bank Negara.

8. As to the disputed funds originating from UAE, which the US wishes to seize: It is clear that the disputed funds relate to money flows OUTSIDE Malaysia, and OUTSIDE 1MDB’s businesses. The US Government should remember that individuals and companies are innocent unless proven guilty.

9. The Malaysian situation is clear. The two priorities of this Government must be to ensure that Malaysia’s wealth is safe, and economy growing; and to ensure that all live in harmony and security. Malaysian foreign policy is driven by strong leadership, and by close relationships with countries that understand the extraordinary job that this Government has done for so long in managing racial and social cohesion and the economy.

10. The US Attorney General’s speech echoed all the familiar attacks on Malaysia by our critics. When the US Government gains access to the information that the Saudi and Malaysian authorities have had for some time, maybe they will realise the disinformation they’ve been fed by Tun Mahathir’s ANC members in Malaysia.‎

The persons going around doing selfies in front of offices of enforcement agencies around the world have been Khairuddin Hassan and Matthias Chang. [read back here and here]. The complainants could include the likes of Rupert Murdoch and Clare Rewcastle Brown.

Still a long way

Before we get worked up by subversive and agitators from the other side, a recent NYT report wrote the following:

Justice Department figures show that the government has taken possession of only around $120 million — about 8 percent of what it is seeking. And most of that money came from a single case involving Kazakhstan.

“Challenges in these cases are huge,” said Alexander W. Sierck, a lawyer representing Nigerian nonprofits in the Abacha case. “Justice has a lot of people working on this stuff and has only been able to get a small percentage of the assets.”

The global track record is not much better. The Stolen Asset Recovery Initiative, a World Bank and United Nations anti-money-laundering effort, estimates that of the $20 billion to $40 billion lost to developing countries annually through corruption, only about $5 billion has been repatriated in the last 15 years. And much of that disappeared without a trace.

1MDB is no halaalan toyyiba and this blog have accepted it way before anyone out there are aware of Terenganu Investment Agency. However, the wrong person must not be blame for the political expediency and power craze of former tyrant.

The What, Who, Where, When, Why and How must be clearly established. Respect the due process and allow it to take it's course. If there is no trust in the Malaysian judiciary due to interference that was practised in the past, its anyone's right to trust the American and assume they have no ulterior.

Just do not be stupid.

Fast forward to 20:50 for full annoouncement. Somewhere [50:30] she basically said, "We are unable to provide specifics.""Alhamdulillah".

Saddaqallah Hul Azim

↧

MO1 is Najib, but "Sheikh" Jho Loh looks guilty

July 24, 2016, 11:15 pm

≫ Next: 1MDB: SC's incompetence and too much politics

≪ Previous: Alhamdulillah! Kleptocracy revealed?

Judging from the feedback of commentators in this blog and social media, it is undeniable that "Malaysian Official 1" is Dato Najib.

The debate is no more about whether he is MO1. It should be more whether he had done something wrong or not. If he did, then he has to go and face the music. That has to be done by the process of law because Najib is not named to have his asset forfeited.

It is only the assets of Jho Loh, Riza Aziz, Khadem Al Qudaisi and Mohamed Al Hussainy are mentioned by the complainant. The filing by US Attorney General on behalf of the Department of Justice (DOJ) to the court is based on complains made by a certain party.

If the certain party has the "muscle" to lobby and get heard, DOJ will do so. The much discussed possible complainants are Dato Khairuddin Abu Hassan and maybe Clare Rewcastle Brown of Sarawak Report.

Both are politically interested parties to topple Najib on behalf of Tun Dr Mahathir.

This need to be established first and the accusation and judgement of guilt need a basis. The only fair approach is the court of law and not the court of public opinion.

Quite a few reaction have been negative when it is known that Mahathir used foreign "power" to topple Najib. Off course, he has his moral argument and justified by allegation that Najib interfered in the investigation.

Political interest and motivation cannot be the basis. Anger or hate towards Rosmah or Nazir or GST or BR1M or Omar Ong or the one directing murder of Altantunya cannot be the determinant. Excitement from the murder of Altantunya and allegation of corruption on purchase of submarine later died off.

The basis has to be on the basis of law. According to US filing to the court, MO1 is not a defendant. Maybe later when there is criminal charges laid out but thus far, they admitted FBI is still investigating:

So we will analyse what have been revealed and tell it as it is and according to what we know.

Thus far, nothing solid and indisputable to claim MO1 as a criminally guilty party unless it can be proven that he is in the know of all the hanky panky money flow going all over the world or we missed something.

At the moment, all info points to the Arab-speaking and Middle East well- connected Fai Chai"from Penang, Sheikh" Taek "El" Jho Loh. Even Tan Sri Abu Kassim was giving hint.

Money trail

When the 1MDB issue first erupted, the name of this slant eyed Sheikh have been bandied around in the open. He was claimed to be the Adviser of 1MDB. After much denial, it became known that Sheikh Jho Loh was the former Adviser of 1MDB when it was known as TIA. This blog did wrote that Jho Loh was the originator and adviser of TIA.

He was introduced to the Sultan of Terengganu by the Sultan's brother-in-law *Dato Aziz Akhir. Eventually TIA was established with Yayasan Terengganu (under Sultan's auspices), MB Inc (under MB Dato Ahmad Said) and Federal Government holding 51%.

* correction

The Terengganu side did not work out and Federal Government had to takeover. It is a possible reason as to why Mat Said had to go.

Jho Loh's role was said to be as adviser for the Arab side. Initially, it was for the Saudi in putting together the Petrosaudi deal and the channeling of money to Good Star became an issue. The dispute is whether Good Star belonged to Jho Loh or JV company.

If it belongs to Jho Loh, it is trouble for Najib because Good Star had indulge in the following, as circulating in the social media:

This blog did wrote of Sheikh Jho Loh associate, Tan Kim Loong, remember?

If Good Star is owned by the Petrosaudi - 1MDB JV, no issue for now and further investigation needed. From the info gathered from many sources, Jho Loh and Shahrol has a hand in the money flow and FBI got proofs.

Najib is MO1 is not so because it was described that he was relative of Riza Aziz, or high-ranking Malaysian government official or authority in 1MDB or "public official" as defined for the U.S. Code § 201 - Bribery of public officials and witnesses in this Cornell University website here, and Section 21 of the Malaysian Penal Code. definition for public servant.

The most telling and undisputed fact is that the Department of Justice (DOJ) document described money flowing into his account.

Lim Sian See argued that the MO1 designation may not mean anything:

Although most PAKATUN people are well aware the FBI meant to say MALAYSIAN OFFICIAL 1 is PM Najib and various news agencies and opposition leaders have said the same, some people are saying that the FBI is refusing to explicitly name Najib due to 'diplomatic considerations".

Essentially these PAKATUN are saying that the FBI does not want to name Najib in the suit even though he is guilty because of diplomatic concerns.

I guess it must be the same "diplomatic consideration that these other people, among others, are also not explicitly named.

1MDB OFFICER 1
1MDB OFFICER 2
1MDB OFFICER 3
PETROSAUDI CEO
PETROSAUDI CO-FOUNDER”
1MDB’s Chief Financial Officer
Hollywood Actor 1
SINGAPORE BANKER 1
LOW EMI Partner
Goldman Managing Director
Chairman of IPIC

The reason why MALAYSIAN OFFICIAL 1 is not named is the same as why those other people are not named:

Because they are not the subjects of the suit.

Is that so hard to understand?

One source from PJ was quite convinced Najib is guilty and committed fraud because for more than a year the PJ source claimed Najib was in the know. We are not selective in our info, take what we like and discard what we do not. All is taken into account.

If it could be established in court, then he is gone. Can it be proven easily? That has to be left to the ability of lawyers arguing the case in court eventually.

If Najib only gave the go ahead to remit the money as in accordance to the agreement with the Arab into a JV account and all documents does not show Good Star does not belong to Jho Loh at the time of remittance, he is not responsible for the looping flow of money all over the place.

Sarawak Report only showed the certificate of incorporation that contains mush detail but Clare superimpsed Jho Loh's face. Maybe she has more or maybe she faked. Clare had faked pictures and documents during her assault on Pehin Seri Taib Mahmud as assisted suspiciously assisted by one of Taib's nephew..

Same with the case of money to be channeled into Aabar Investment PJS but was requested by IPIC to be channeled to the BVI company. It was revealed that the BVI company was legit:

Read in the explanation on Wikipedia here. If this fake, the argument is faulty. So take it with a grain of salt or sambal belacan.

Again, whatever happen after that with the money need to be proven in court that Najib knows of this fund flow:

This is a new revised edition of accusation to the earlier one in 2014-2015 that looked like below:

The allegation was not established bbut they were going all over town with it. Do not blame those like yours truly who is too familiar with SR and Bani Israel-owned media like WSJ to be wary and skeptical to their propaganda, especially when the spin can be spotted.

If we use The Edge's latest chart, something can be clearly seen:

Najib the Prime Minister should know that the agreed flow of money for 1MDB's JV and Bond issue, but Najib may not know or not have control over where Sheikh Jho Loh decided for the Arab (allegedly), first CEO Sharol agreed to cooperate with Jho Loh and there are others together on this.

So please do not be so had on our AG:

So far the hanky panky did not occur in Malaysia and the books of 1MDB but off-shore and when it was allegedly under the control and distribution by Sheikh Jho Loh.

Why do we so easily think lowly of our own people but think highly of orang putih or in this case, AG orang hitam Amerika? Read this posting by this blog here.

Donation

Off course, then comes the question of donation received by MO1. The original USD681 million have long been disputed to be donation by Saudi Arabia prince and confirmed by the official Saudi Foreign Minister.

How are we to dispute unless there are proofs to show the Minister lied?

There is a pertinent question that need be raised: Is it wrong to receive donation? Is there law in Malaysia that forebid receiving political donation?

If it is wrong, then these buggers below are wrong too:

Including some opposition political parties too:

We know PAS was getting money from Middle East then. Hint hint ...using PLC as conduit.

Problem is it is not legally wrong and there is no law forbidding it. However, we agree with our PJ source that it is wrong as in ethically wrong. Problem is everybody does it, not just political party but even NGOs and other entities, so we can't bull about right or wrong.

People were upset with Shaberry Cheek's statement but almost all the financial scandal done by Mahathir and those scandals are tied to political funding.

It was obvious that Mahathir's immediate reaction towards Chinese purchase of Edra is tied to his IPP cronies and funding for his new political party. He had always been pro-China even during the time they were staunchly communist. Since when was he ever pro-American to suddenly turned anti-China?

We need to heed what Hadi said:

Let the due process takes its course.

Jangan percaya sangat dengan orang asing.

In the meanwhile, that is why this blog had advocated and agreed with MACC's Abu Kassim that political financing must be legislated. Cut the stupid psywar of having so many posters and banners. It is costly!

There is a US election on-going but there is hardly much posters and banners in town. All done via media so same should be emulated to make media accessible, fair and ethical. Saw it happening with the local newspaper in the recent Sarawak state election.

Some joker were saying Najib contributed to Hillary's campaign fund to save his neck. One lawyer friend forward it without figuring out the logic.

Political funding is so transparent in US that the record is open for public scrutiny so it will soon appear and be made known. Everyone knows how much Zionist lobbyist AIPAC fund campaign. Hillary is not stupid to touch any money from hot Malaysia.

Much of the ill and economic injustice to the rakyat particularly to the Melayu and more to the people of Sabah and Sarawak during Mahathir's administration was due to political funding. Bumiputera share allocation was hijacked to cover up a financial boo boo.

We used to be in the market for many of Mahathir era general elections and understand how the MO was. It is an open secret then, in which Syed Saddiq was not even the tadpole in his dad's sperm to be able to understand.

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1MDB: SC's incompetence and too much politics

July 27, 2016, 3:35 am

≫ Next: Breaking the glass ceiling: Lesson for Malaysian politics

≪ Previous: MO1 is Najib, but "Sheikh" Jho Loh looks guilty

Assuming the US Department of Justice got their facts and evidence together, though it is still no guarantee to be true judging by past KARI record, part of the alleged laundered money may have originated from few bond issues.

The 1MDB bond offers was made out and subscribed. The money went into an account abroad and allegedly went all over the world, including allegedly laundered into assets purchased by the four; namely Taek Jho Loh, Riza Aziz, Khadem Al Qudaisi and Mohamed Al Husseiny.

That is what was made to be understood by DOJ's document. Surely it would not have triggered Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM). The money was raised off-shore and bulk of it did not return back to Malaysia.

By right, Securities Commission should be involved since a Malaysian government company based in Kuala Lumpur was the issuer of the bond. Usually, SC would be vetting and approving the prospectus before it is launched and marketed to investors.

SC had a role to play to ensure the condition of the bond issue, especially in aspect of the purpose, utilisation of fund, procedures, etc. are met.

Taken from JMD February 2016 here

If SC had done their job, the questionable aspect of the money flow as per the diagram by The Edge below would not have occurred:

There could have been loopholes somewhere and SC should have spotted and stopped it.

This is serious because PKFZ financial scandal was also about bond and within the path of SC. It raises the issue of SC either failed to play their role or is incompetent.

Over the last few days, it is heard SC charged someone and court made a decision in which the charges by SC's DPP and decision by the court was faulty.

It embarassingly misquoted the section of the act with the alleged offense. And the judge found the dude guilty of both?

Soon to be news.

All these happened not only during the Chairpersonship of Tan Sri Zarinah Anwar but also Ranjit Ajil Singh.

When Zarinah left to be replaced by Ranjit in 2012, there was much hope such nonsence by SC like allegedly special approval for family member would stop.

However, it did not happen. The role of monitoring and control is still lacking in SC.

For that matter, the PAC's competency is up in question too. Why was SC not called in for proceeding on 1MDB?

To be fair, the new Chairman Dato Hasan Ariffin should not be blamed. He is not expected to know and have familiarity with bonds. Why did Dato Nurjazlan or Tony Pua not call in or made an issue to call SC in?

Nurjazlan did not hold back as PAC Chairman so it rules out he is covering up. Tony Pua used to be shareholder in a public company and being an Oxford "I'm-to-clever" wunderboy, he should be familiar.

Both too cannot be blame for incompetence. What happened to civil servants that are supposed to advise PAC?

However, we have to raise the issue of competency of PAC members, particularly the opposition members. They made an issue on the OSA status of Auditor General Report. What is the big deal?

Now that Tan Sri Ambrin Buang has spoken and admitted he requested for OSA because earlier preliminary report was leaked for political expediency to campaign for PM's removal, will they clarify the truth to the public?

Dato Puad Zarkashi was ridiculed by the public for highlighting this fact.

The public seemed ignorant and gullible to.opposition instigation. Auditors can only raise issue of probable irregularity but not confirm it. Only investigation by relevent authorities and forensic audit can confirm wrongdoing!

Many may not realised that issues raised by Auditor General in their annual report are mostly cases of auditors unable or refuse to understand explanations.

Politicising

One of the problem with the 1MDB issue have been too much politics. Tun Mahathir and DAP is too driven by politics that the issue lost it's focus.

He is so possessed that he can't put his facts right. Mahathir's statement is not accepted by the court in Najib's lawsuit against Tun Ling Liong Sik.

And, he failed to get Najib cross examined in his lawsuit.

If the allegation by DOJ is a sure thing, why the need for diversions by Sarawak Report spinning East Coast Rail will cost RM60 billion? It's not even discussed in cabinet yet.

Then Rafizi's new allegation on Tabung Haji. Not worth discussing. Anything coming from him are nonsense.

And also Matthias Chang poor propaganda (latest video here).

In one of the many development arising from the DOJ report, the usually idiotic Umno Youth vice-chief Khairul Azwan Harun made a police report against former BNM governor Tan Sri Zeti, outgoing MACC Commissioner Tan Sri Abu Kassim and former AG, Tan Sri Gani Patail.

He claimed they conspired to topple PM.

Why is he repeating the same conspiracy theory as before?

It is not a line that the public will buy into after the DOJ filing is publicly available [get it here]. If there is any truth, it takes time to to do so. Not when the iron is still hot.

Did he ever thought that the cooperation between MACC and FBI in the investigation may have been made known to PM himself?

PM, police and 1MDB expressed willingness to assist investigation. He insist the affected persons to defend themselves in the US court. In addition he wants the reputation of the government cleared and no public fund misused.

Some maybe cynical of his statements but the fact is it is on record.

Gani Patail has responded. He said to Bernama, "These frivolous allegations are publicity seeking stunts with no substance.

"Attempts at character assassination would only trigger a backlash and undermine the goverment in the long run."

Opposition have offered a coalition of 10.lawyers for the trio.

Does Azwan want the backlash to happen? So happen Dato Khairuddin Abu Hasan also made a police report.

As for Azwanbro, is it by coincident or planned?

Better it not be a stunt to save himself. It is rumoured he is under investigation in Perak. The IP stacked on the floor could be as high as the dinner table. Azwan's act has put Khairy in a fix.

Does Khairy knows what is Azwanbro up to? These Perakians can be so unpredictable and as unreliable and incapable as one Perak blogger.

He better not collaborate with Azwan for there is talk of certain members of the cabinet is starting a coup against PM and he could be accused.

So far it is only non-commital statement of Ministers statement on latest DOJ. Even Dato Hishamuddin was non-committal when Tan Sri Muhyiddin was critical then.

Tan Sri Shahrir Samad denied of such happening. The hipster former Minister is quite on the ground.

So it could be Azwan trying to match Khairy's smart statement:

KUALA LUMPUR: Any criminal investigation into the findings of the civil suits filed by the US Department of Justice (DOJ) should be led by Malaysian authorities, said Umno Youth chief Khairy Jamaluddin.

"It would be preferable that should there be any instance of criminal fraud, those investigating be led by Malaysian enforcement agencies," said Khairy, who is Youth and Sports Minister.

More in The Star here.

Can Mukhriz say something or he is comfortable being perpetually up-staged by Khairy?

Khairy could be responding to an earlier IGP statement to refrain from responsibility to investigate civil suits.

IGP has responded to explain he does not want the suspect to run away. No investigation commenced on Azwan's report.

The problem with Azwan's report is he does not know what is happening off the public radar. Maybe he is trying to by-pass the OSA.

At least, add one more conspirator for the act of incompetence ... the SC.

UP-DATE 3:30 AM:

Raja Petra has a different twist to the events that unfolded:

Abu Kassim caught in his own web of deceit/
Are Abu Kassim, Gani and Zeti going to face charges of treason?
The trap that Khairul set-up for Abu Kassim, Gani and Zeti

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