Another Brick in the Wall

The Tan Sri picture put up with a question mark in yesterday's posting was published in the top frontpage of NST today.

That takes the heat of this blog from any possible lawsuit.

For a former General to be remanded for 7-days, it must be serious. They say, and off course the identity of they have to be withheld, MACC will not remand someone of that standing unless there is a case.

To recall back, Lim Guan Eng was not remanded but only interviewed in his office and visited at his home.

The Tan Sri and Dato of the GLC Bank could be remanded for investigation for more than RM15 million book publishing on "paper project".

We await for further development.

In the meanwhile, we like to share few corruption incidents that will make conscience person's blood boil, heartbeat increase, and burst into anger .

It is really sickening what corrupt public officials are capable of doing, irrespective of whether they are politicians, or government officials, or government agencies/companies.

It's not just federal but also state governments. Not only BN, but they could be Pakatan Harapan or former Pakatan Rakyat government.

Corruption is about individual's moral weakness, so let's not politicised it. MACC too should not fall to the theatrics of any political animal.

Bribe for PPRT homes

FMT here reported a video circulating on Facebook Penang Kini of a Lim Keat Seong, father to Penang DAP state assemblywoman, Lim Siew Khim with a broker in a conversation with a prospective home buyers for the services to "settle" failed application for PPRT homes.

This is not a Malay being denied PPRT home in Penang and forced to pay bribe to have a home for his family. So much said of Malays being victimised in Penang. In this case, it is a Penang Chinese that is being victimsed.

According to the video, those interested to get a fast track approval to get a home will have to pay RM260 for the form and money to be paid to agent "Uncle Lim". The quantum and arrangement to pay uncle Lim is in the video:

FMT here reported the Penang YB identified the person in the video as her father but denied knowledge of her father's dealing. Although the family link and association is hard to resist, Siew Khim should not be conveniently accused of corruption till proofs are made available.

The father could be a member of DAP and abused his position his own position in DAP. Probably some name throwing but it could be others doing it. Give the benefit of the doubt to the YB.

Yes, lets not politicise and simply accuse anybody. The DAP may have been accusing others but let the people judge their uncivilised ways. The party should not be implicated. Too bad it is is already out there and expected to be politicised.

But it sure make one's blood boil, heartbeat increase and burst into anger to know the existence of heartless people abusing power and influence to prey on the poor seeking for the basic need to have a roof over their head.

Scholarship diverted

Bank Negara scholarship recepients

This next one could make you feel like puking at some public officials. For their safety, we will not disclose much, not even hints. It is not BNM scholarship program.

We know who the persons are, or the empowered agency or governing Ministry/State government and roughly when it happened. It happened few years ago. The sum is believed to be in the tens of millions or could even reach as much as hundreds of millions. It is believed to be use for a certain personal quest.

Funds allocated by the federal or state government as scholarship for students to further their tertiary education was diverted to fund the personal quest of a federal government Minister or state's Menteri Besar or Chief Minister.

Any corruption would not happen if government servants do not cooperate and willingly to collaborate. Without any sense of guilt, far from any sense of duty or responsibility, the KSU or TKSU for federal level or State Secretary for state level helped to divert the money from the entitled prospective students into some slash fund account.

On paper, it looks like a list students names but they are not student. Unless they are the mahasitua pretending to be young mahasiswa at the Tangkap MO1 rally last Saturday, they are actually not young. Who is to know?

In the midst of parents having to cough out money to pay for tertiary education and highly qualified students denied opportunity to study at the finest universities in the world, parents should be furious. As Malaysians concerned for the future generation of this country, we should be mad as hell!

The money stolen from public institutions or the poor or deserving students could be squandered away for personal quest like owning Rolls Royce, or bergaya in Porsche, and Ferrari or having trophy mistress or second wives.

The trophy mistress and second wives are easily known in certain social circles. Much easier to know are the Tan Sris, Dato Seris, Datos and Tengkus owners of Rolls Royce. MACC can get the list at the RMV Dept.

And we have been getting many tip-offs of Jho Loh duplicates flaunting their ill-gotten wealth.

Maybe this will cool off some hotheads ready to break open skulls of corrupt public officials. MACC will charge the remanded Dato and Dato Seri of JKR, DBKL and TNB. Only a matter of tying few knots, source said.

Merdeka! Merdeka!
Merdeka!
Merdeka! Merdeka! Merdeka!

Re-colonised or neo-colonised again, we must not be.

Unity in diversity. Disunity only invite enemy.

The media missed out on the August 22nd supposed appearance of Taek Jho Loh and Riza Aziz at the US court.

Guess this blog can claim credit as the few that asked what happened to the anticipated bang that turned into a whimper?

Noticeably, Matthias Chang stopped sending and viralling his hour-long speech. Too long la ... brader. Sapa mahu sit and listen that long? Short soundbytes please.

Tun Dr Mahathir's repeated controversies that attracted criticism from all sides could be meant to divert not only his mistaken revelation of the three or four Tan Sri conspiracy, but could be about August 22nd.

Three days ago, MP for Kuala Selangor was reported by Sinar Harian [read here] asking what happened to the August 22nd appearance.

This blog has raised issues on past poor records of Department of Justice (DOJ) in their KARI Kleptocracy cases.

Some has raised issue on DOJ sudden silence on a past money laundering case involving HSBC and underworld characters.

If you have been following closely the US Presidential election, they campaign a lot on foreign policy and security.

However, both candidate for "Chief Police" of the world are equally corrupt. In the latest development, the Chief Police and also cum Head Prosecutor of the world via DOJ could be equally incompetent and did the despicable act of lying.

This is not a non-American talking but an American judge. Read Wall Street Journal below:

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Justice Department Gave Supreme Court Incorrect Data in Immigration Case

Department won the 2003 case after understating the time certain immigrants spend in detention without bail

By Jess Bravin

Updated Aug. 30, 2016 3:48 p.m. ET

WASHINGTON—The Justice Department said it provided the Supreme Court with erroneous information that helped it win a 2003 case upholding a blanket policy of denying bail to thousands of immigrants imprisoned while appealing deportation orders.

The department, in a Friday letter to the court, said it made “several significant errors” that greatly understated the time certain aliens with criminal records spend in no-bail detention. The 2003 opinion, Demore v. Kim, cited government data to hold that “the very limited time of detention” such aliens face while their appeals are pending is too short to trigger a constitutional right to a hearing to argue for bail.

The new estimate put the average detention period at more than a year, or more than three times the four-month estimate the Supreme Court relied on with the Demore ruling.

The letter by acting Solicitor General Ian Gershengorn is the second time in four years the government has admitted providing incorrect information on immigration policy that helped it prevail before the Supreme Court. In 2012, the Justice Department told the court that it had inaccurately asserted in a 2009 case, Nken v. Holder, that officials routinely “facilitate” the return to the U.S. of deported aliens who later win their immigration appeals.

In both instances, more accurate information emerged through Freedom of Information Act requests filed by immigrant advocates who were skeptical of the government’s claims.

The Demore case involved a challenge to the government’s practice of holding without bail aliens, including immigrants with “green cards,” who became eligible for deportation because they committed a crime. A federal appeals court in San Francisco found that the Constitution’s due process guarantee entitled such immigrants to a bail hearing.

By a 5-4 vote, the Supreme Court overturned the appellate ruling. Chief Justice William Rehnquist’s majority opinion relied on data from the government to conclude that resolving deportation appeals “takes an average of four months, with a median that is slightly shorter.”

“The conclusion the court drew is understandable, but it is incorrect,” Mr. Gershengorn wrote. He said the Justice Department’s Executive Office for Immigration Review re-examined the data following records requests and inquiries and determined the average detention period was 382 days, and a median of 272 days. He added the Supreme Court “may wish to amend its opinion to delete” the error.

Mr. Gershengorn said the Demore precedent “is relevant to Jennings v. Rodriguez,” a follow-up case scheduled for the court’s next term. In that case, the government is seeking to overturn an appeals court decision entitling aliens to a bail hearing after six months of detention.

The American Civil Liberties Union, which won at the lower court, filed the records request that disclosed how the immigration-review office used or omitted certain sets of data to generate information in the Demore case.

Nancy Morawetz, co-director of the Immigrant Rights Clinic at the New York University School of Law, said the government’s admission to the court, wasn’t enough. “It’s really outrageous. They say excise this sentence that relied on the wrong data but they’re not saying look at the result you got from it,” she said.

Ms. Morawetz, who was involved in both the Demore and Nken cases, said the problem stems from the solicitor general’s unusual privilege of submitting new information directly to the Supreme Court, outside the record created by the trial court. Unlike evidence from the trial record, information provided at the Supreme Court level isn’t tested through the adversary process of discovery and cross-examination that occurs in the lower courts.

Neal Katyal, a former acting solicitor general, said the office rarely makes such errors and that Mr. Gershengorn took the necessary step in the Demore case.

While the solicitor general’s office lacks the capacity to verify information supplied by the agencies it represents, “officials understand that when a brief is going to the Supreme Court, it’s a solemn obligation to try to get every jot, tittle and statistic absolutely right,” Mr. Katyal said.

“I think there is an expectation that the SG get it right and not simply be a conduit of agency representations,” said Neal Devins, a law professor at the College of William and Mary in Virginia. “This has always been true and is especially true today as the internet makes it much easier to check on factual assertions.”

Wall Street Journal

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Since the source is WSJ, the pro- and Pakatoon should agree with the report.

A William Lattimore wrote in WSJ's comment section:

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This is the second instance of Obama Justice Department lawyers lying to the court.

I never heard of that abysmal behavior ever before in my 60 years. The other case was in a Federal court in Texas. They made the judge so mad that the Judge threw them off of the case and mandated that they take classes on integrity every year for three years, I think, and provide him the certificates of completion.

He also reminded them they had recently presented their case to the US Supreme Court and that the Justices read the paper and now know that these Justice Department lawyers are liars.

Similar theme in this administration ... lie about Bengazi, $400M ransom, Iran Treaty, Obama Care, and on and on and on.

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Counsel to a US Senate Committee, Timothy D Neagele wrote in his blog and an extract below:

In a blistering 514-page report, Special Counsel Henry F. Schuelke III said Justice Department prosecutors never conducted a comprehensive review of evidence favorable to the Alaska Republican and failed to disclose to defense attorneys notes of witness interviews containing significant information.

The report also says two federal prosecutors intentionally withheld and concealed significant information from the Stevens defense team that would have seriously damaged the testimony and credibility of the government’s key witness.

Months after a jury convicted Stevens in October 2008 of accepting and concealing money for home renovations and other gifts, the report says, a new team of prosecutors discovered, in short order, that some of the exculpatory information had been withheld. At that point, it says, the Justice Department moved to set aside the verdict and dismiss an indictment with prejudice.

New prosecutors were assigned after U.S. District Judge Emmet G. Sullivan, in a stunning rebuke, held two prosecutors in contempt for failing to comply with the court’s order to disclose information to Stevens‘ attorneys and to the court regarding allegations of prosecutorial misconduct, which were made after trial by an FBI agent who worked on the case.

In throwing out the case against Stevens, Judge Sullivan said, “For nearly 25 years, I’ve told defendants appearing before me that in my courtroom they will receive a fair trial and I will make sure of it. In nearly 25 years on the bench, I have never seen anything approaching the mishandling and the misconduct I have seen in this case.”

Read on here

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The point, my fellow Malaysians, is DOJ filing is only the starter as any application in a Malaysian court is.

The due process has yet to begin. It is still too early to presume those named as plaintiff, names mentioned and not mentioned are judged as guilty.

With respect to the filing against Red Granite (note: not 1MDB), there are few issues still hanging.

The Goodstar ownership is still in limbo. Same situation as reported and spinned by Sarawak Report.

Did Jho Loh own Goodstar or operating Goodstar bank account as "consultant" or as owner for Arab?

Even a simple analysis [read here] could notice the glaring DOJ mistake of describing as 1MDB money when it can be argued that 1MDB books are considered OK but it is the Arabs that allegedly got swindeled!

Australian based lawyer, Quinton Rozario explained at length the questionable issues of DOJ filing [read Mohd Kamal bin Abdullah's blog here].

Another point, my fellow Malaysians, it is not about defending Najib blindly or ruling Najib is guilty or innocent.

It is not about disbelieving everything presented. All taken into consideration but we are no Ibrahim Ali who said he believe it because Mahathir said so and Ku Li was told by Ananda Krishnan.

More so, Ananda has sabotaged other Malaysian businessmen in the past out of ill-intention.

Any person of certain level of intellect should not swallow everything put on the plate. It must be analysed to see whether it makes sense, double checked it's validity, and ascertain it's technical feasibility.

Information from sources should be scrutinised too. Is the source reliable, consistent and credible? Do they have a good track record of being right?

If the person had before fear of meeting people / media and only now in a state of panic to go about town telling and revealing, his integrity is questionable! Did something happenned on Penang?

The DOJ filing still need be scrutinised by the judge. As happened, it could be thrown out.

US Court have yet to call the accused four that DOJ intent to freeze their asset. Interestingly, US Court gave leeway to Red Granite to use funds to pay financial commitment and operations.

The four could still challenge DOJ and reveal proofs which may acquit them and it is not be known by DOJ, WSJ, SR, TDM and 1MDB officials 1, 2, 3 and Mickey Mouse.

Even Jho Loh and arrogant Dato Shahrol together with Mickey Mouse are innocent until proven guilty.

So does MO1 and Lim Guan Eng. Difference is MO1 is not charged in court yet but Guan Eng is. Only conspiracy theory, prejudice and propaganda could deny this fact.

When there is political motivation, power quest and propaganda in play, especially by Master Machivellian Mahathir [read RPK here and and] and not based on the rule of law, nothing should be taken as final till the last stamp of the gavel by the judge.

Yesterday's genuine cautionary posting received 5 comments.

As veteran in this game, the first instinct about the comments is that it is mostly from typical cybertroopers. The description to the comments are diversionary, conspiracy, commentary, cynical, and insulting, respectively.

In normal circumstances, only few would have been released because it is negative and does not add anything to public discourse on the matter. However, it is allowed released for comment here.

Everyone is innocent until proven guilty. The court is still digesting DOJ's filing. Judges are aware that DOJ could be lying or withholding information or fabricating evidence or fixing people up. The American public are also accusing Loretta Lynch of going easy on Hillary Clinton. The plaintiff side has yet be heard. Court has yet to begin.

As Dato Irmohizam rightly pointed out, DOJ have been quiet without any development since June 20th. It is coming to 3 months. Maybe something is not coming out right.

The latest WSJ report seem to indicate something not right. Pakatoon and ANC should believe WSJ.

The link here but one has to be a subscriber. However, Facebooker Lim Sian See has commented and gave links to it.

For the first time ever, WSJ today finally admitted that at least USD200 million into Najib's accounts came from Saudi Arabia sources and at least USD80 million is directly traced to the Ministry of Finance of Saudi Arabia.

WSJ also said that USD20 million into Najib's account came from the USD24 million transferred to Prince Faisal bin Abdullah, governor of Riyadh and 7th son of King Abdullah.

I have no idea why the Governor of Riyadh and Saudi Arabia's Ministry of Finance would help Najib with this money.

And Tun Dr Mahathir refused to believe Saudi Arabia would ever donate to Najib because he claimed (or actually he lied) Arab did not gave him money to donate. Maybe they do not trust him.

Will he turn around to say WSJ is now a liar?

WSJ also alleged that from Aabar BVI, about US$637 million went to a company called Blackstone Asia Real Estate Partners in the British Virgin Islands, where it was POOLED with other funds and then a total of USD$170 million to Mr. Najib’s bank accounts in multiple transactions during 2012, bank transfer documents show.

ABC had previously reported that these transfers from BlackStone were backed by a 2011 letter from one Prince Saud AbdulAziz Majid Al Saud from Saudi Arabia who appears to be the then Governor of Madinah Province.

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-03-29/najib-razak-bank-accounts-triggered-money-laundering-alert/7280244#letter

These Aabar BVI funds allegedly came from USD1.4 billion collateral for the USD3.5 billion 1MDB bonds guaranteed by IPIC. This guarantee was never disputed but IPIC had recently denied receiving these collateral - meaning they had guaranteed the USD3.5 billion bonds for fun.

Khadem al Qubasi the shareholder of Aabar BVI's boss is also Sheikh Mansour and is also the chairman of IPIC's Chairman.

It is still not clear why IPIC, Sheikh Mansour and Saudi's Price Saud would help Najib with this USD170 million transfer though.

Sheikh Mansour is a brother to the ruler of Abu Dhabi. To repeat the poser this blog made before: Could Khadem be merely carrying out instruction of the ruler?

The final transfer alleged by WSJ is the USD681 million from Tanore just before GE13 - where USD620 million was returned (leaving RM50 million after exchange rates differences) .

This money came from funds guaranteed by Aabar BVI which came from the USD3 billion 1MDB bonds raised in 2013 after the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi HRH Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan came to Malaysia to sign a JV with 1MDB.

Recall that our AG had said all the transfers including the USD681 million were backed by a letter from various Saudi royalty and that MACC had interviewed all the witnesses.

For the last transfer, it is also not clear why Crown Prince Sheikh Mohammed and Khadem's Aabar BVI would assist Najib with this transfer.

Mahathir also refused to believe.

The pentaksub just swallowed hook, line and sinker what the old man said. Cautionary feedback given by us last year were cynically frown upon by his boys.

All questions must be asked and answer seeked before chimply topple a legitimately and constitutionally elected Prime Minister. Many fabricated slander were made against Najib in the past and the allegations were later found to be heresay, unsubstantiated and credibility of source questionable.

So there must be extra caution and affirmation needed before calling for Najib's removal.

A point to note that at the point of transfers, the money does not legally belong to 1MDB anymore but to various entities related to the foreign govts and officials.

What is for certain however is that all 1MDB's money in dispute is now tied with IPIC and Aabar's arbitration and if 1MDB wins then not a single ringgit is unaccounted for and 1MDB can finally complete its rationalization.

In this article, WSJ also said that much of these money was returned and what remains was majority spent on political purposes. WSJ also said that "millions" were spent by Najib for personal purposes but can only name USD100k in Hawaii and USD500k in Europe for jewelry (just before daughter wedding).

Today's revelation of Saudi Arabia's Ministry of Finance adds yet another level of intrigue and mystery as this means that the USA's DOJ and WSJ have now accused the governments and high officials and royalties for three different Muslim-majority nations of conspiring to help Najib with funds.

I suspect the real story is more interesting and more complicated than this.

Transformers - more than meets the eye!

Basically, WSJ admitted that at least USD200 million came from Saudi sources and at least USD80 million came directly from MOF Saudi Arabia.

So what did DOJ or likely to be FBI investigated to come to the filing? Don't tell us DOJ and the rest of the team literally took from Sarawak Report or complainant related to SR and hope the plaintiff will not answer.

It could also mean DOJ's counterpart in Malaysia, the Attorney General Chamber did not lie, dude. So where did DOJ got some of the allegedly defective investigative finding?

The FBI counterpart in Malaysia is Polis Di Raja Malaysia. They are still in the midst of investigation. Lata Mangeshkar ... did someone in CID leak wrong or incomplete investigation material to FBI?

Only another agency openly admitted cooperation with FBI. Already Malaysians are taken in. Sometimes Malaysians still have colonised psyche. Anything orang putih is deemed the truth, right, and better. Macam mana Malaysia mahu maju jika minda masih terjajah?

Never mind, let's not get into that another agency. They need public support for their current effort. It is heard that there is more to come next week till end of year. Even more GLC will likely be raided. Some was written extensively in this blog.

Repeating the same caution as yesterday:

... my fellow Malaysians, it is not about defending Najib blindly or ruling Najib is guilty or innocent. It is not about disbelieving everything presented.

All taken into consideration but we are no Ibrahim Ali who said he believe it because Mahathir said so and Ku Li was told by Ananda Krishnan. More so, Ananda has sabotaged other Malaysian businessmen in the past with ill-intent.

Any person of certain level of intellect should not swallow everything put on the plate. It must be analysed to see whether it makes sense, double checked it's validity, and ascertain it's technical feasibility.

Information from sources should be scrutinised too. Is the source reliable, consistent and credible? Do they have a good track record of being right?

If the person had before fear of meeting people / media and only now in a state of panic to go about town telling and revealing, his integrity is questionable! ...

It is not nice try. It is genuine precaution against being presumptous and being tricked by politically motivated propaganda.

Also, it is a caution to be judicous with the Geng Loceng ... The real hands behind them are liars, manipulators, power hungry and greedy!

Hotdogging is an American term which dictionary.com described as a noun for "the act of one who hot-dogs; the performance of intricate, daring, or flamboyant stunts." In other words, show off.

We were not aware when it happened but a PKR friend called to tell. He was trying to get into a lengthy explanation of the implication and all but we stopped him.

"You and me are not new in this game. Explanation not required. One quote we understand already. And we know it is all politics.

He acknowledged it and we told him, "If we are in your shoe, we will go to town and politicise it to the hilt.

"It is your job as opposition to drum up into the public psyche. Do police report, demand them to open a file, and what not."

Our friend replied, "(Dato Abdul) Rahman Dahlan practically helped us to revive an issue that has gone stale to the public. How could he ...."

And we interject, "... be so stupid?"

"This is the common problem with the government, not just on 1MDB, GST, and many other issues. There is always some blokes trying to be smart and do hotdogging."

Dato Idris Haron is also another one.

1MDB is a problem but as Dr Wan Hasni wrote, politics made it into a mess. This time another hotdogging made it messier.

A friend with an inside track with certain investigators of a certain "taskforce" told us the real problem is not the taskforce or the investigation.

But communication or public statement by some officials.

There will always be those trying to be smarter than the rest and end up confusing the public or arouse more suspicion.

Off course, Rahman is a Minister and in competition with the Ketua Bahagian of the Kota Belud constituency he is representing. So he need to project himself to set himself apart from Dato Salleh Said Keruak.

It is only natural but one must know the implication of one's statement and how it affects others' work.

In the interview by BBC, Rahman said and it was reported in their portal here as "I agree that 'MO1' is the prime minister".

Not only Rahman thought so, this blog said so also.

The difference is this blog is no public figure but merely the opinion of an anonymous blogger who is not a politician or holds any public position or in any formal role, salaried or not.

It is purely personal opinion and not part any group of officials.

For Rahman, though he is an MP, Minister, and holds a position in BN, he does not have locus standi to make such formal statement.

MO1 is stated in the Department of Justice filing to the US Court, thus it is DOJ that is in the position to answer.

The Malaysian cabinet made a decision that the Minister of Finance II, then Dato Husni Hanazlah to be spokesman for cabinet albeit government on 1MDB matter. He is now replaced by Dato Johari Ghani who made a statement already on effort to resolve the issue with IPIC.

It is not replaced by Minister in charge of EPU. That unit deals with economists and economic planning.

For any engagement on the matter for government with foreign parties including international media, the person having locus standi is Foreign Minister, Dato Anifah Aman.

What is Rahman's locus standi to be a "hero" to talk candidly with BBC?

The issue is not just about whether it is the obvious and what's the point in hiding. And Rahman did give further explanation:

STATEMENT ON “MALAYSIAN OFFICIAL 1”
BY MINISTER IN THE PRIME MINISTER’S DEPARTMENT DATO' ABDUL RAHMAN DAHLAN

1 September 2016

1.      As I told the BBC, it's obvious that the so called “Malaysian Official 1” (MO1) referred to by the U.S. Department of Justice is our Prime Minister.

2.      Many others were also referred to by the DoJ. But, critically, none of them including MO1 were named as subjects of the investigation.

3.      As any lawyer will confirm, the difference between being named as the subject of a civil lawsuit, and merely being referred to in an investigation, is black and white.

4.      Tun Mahathir Mohamad and his new allies in the opposition are deliberately mixing the two up to deceive the Malaysian people.‎ The failed protests their proxies organised asking who MO1 is are irrelevant, as MO1 was not named as the subject of any DoJ civil suit.

5.      Meanwhile, after comprehensive investigations by multiple authorities, our Prime Minister has been cleared of any wrongdoing. ‎So the evidence is clear. And Tun Mahathir's smears will fail once again – just as all his attempts to topple Malaysia's democratically elected government have failed miserably.

Dato' Abdul Rahman Dahlan,
Barisan Nasional Strategic Communications Director,
Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department.‎

Fine, it is an answer. But damage done.

He has given an international media the soundbyte to be made headlines. Opposition can repeat this in their campaign, ceramah and debate.

The subsequent explanation will be forgotten. It takes too much words and explanation to clear the air that it is not worth done.

Basically it has given bullets to the opposition to shoot.

By right, he should just say the term MO1 came from DOJ document it should be answered by DOJ or in the matter relating to 1MDB or government, just say he is not in the capacity to answer.

No need to try be clever and try to spin an answer. Government should always be factual. No speculating and spinning.

If he need to spin something sounding credible and clever, say there is a due process in court, thus it is improper to pre-empt the DOJ or court.

Insist not to answer if the question is re-asked or reworded.

It is supposed to easy but the process to address and manage issue always turn for the worse when certain cabinet Minister tried too hard to be unique and impressive.

And this is the usual problem with 1MDB, GST and many issues of government that usually get screwed up in the public psyche because of poor communication.

When the WSJ report on the RM2.6 billion first appeared last year, there were Ministers and party officials giving answers in soundbytes that were punchline for disaster.

Many party supporters became fense seaters because they are not thorough but are "cognitive misers".

In other words, lazy to think in the sense that they use their brain for intuition than analysis. Even intelligent people tend to psychologically fit info to their instinct than analyse info as it is.

Till today, there are those who form an opinion purely on the basis the earlier explanations seemed to differ from one another instead of understanding the context of each of the perceived different explanations made.

To prove cognitive miserly phenomenon, one professor was quoted by FMT here to believe PM allowed Rahman to "admit" to test the water for him to make way.

And already rumour monger are speculating Ku Li was told not to retire and standby. With MUI's Tan Sri Khoo Kay Peng ill?

In addition, there are those that presumed as guilty just by the fact that there exist a DOJ filing.

They turned angry and irrational when told there is still the long and many steps ahead before any judge could stamp his gavel. It is as though court can just proceed to seize and forfeit the propertise. No a need for any proceeding ....

Over at a friend and family wedding yesterday, our old roommate from bujang days did not discuss the finer points and he may not know it but he had a rational point.

As Chairman of Board of Advisory of 1MDB, he accused Najib for allowing it to happen.

Najib may be innocent or guilty, but 1MDB happenned under his watch. In his days working at an international oil company, Najib should resign.

And he said his friends all felt the same.

There were allegation of wrongdoings in his previous organisation but no bosses resigned. Though roommate could not reconcile that and his answer were incoherent, it was wedding and not right time for in-depth discourse.

Roommate and his friends single point on accountability is valid. Rahman's comment reinforced their single reason to not vote BN. Their votes need be regained.

Answer that Rahman!

The height of hypocrasy ...

Desperation till honour and principles are sacrificed.

Why? Is the compromise of one's whole life principles not the ultimate of corruption?

No answer needed. Just for pondering:

Which is the bigger sin: lying, hypocrasy, corruption and causing destruction OR still allegation of embezzlement?

Will he turn around to say Anwar never commit sodomy and accuse Najib fixed him?

To divert the exchanges involving Tan Sri Muhyiddin with few UMNO leaders to the point of name calling with regard to his remark on Dato Najib's acccount, Muhyiddin made another statement claiming UMNO could lose 45 seats.

UMNO leaders are all too familiar with Muhyiddin and the personalities in Pribumi Bersatu (PB) to gauge their political strength. That statement would not be convincing enough for UMNO members to migrate en masse to PB.

However, he may have known that Tun Dr Mahathir is appearing in court on Monday.

Perhaps, it is the height of hypocrasy, but the image of Tun Dr Mahathir in a handshake with Dato Seri Anwar Ibrahim, after 18 years since Anwar was removed and subsequently jailed, leaves an imprint on public perception.

A picture paints a 1,000 words.

Analysis

On close-up, it looks akin to Anwar grabbing hard on Mahathir's hand as though to avenge his past deeds. But the wider image sent a message of Bersatu and instantly gives the immediate impression that PB can unite the opposition to shake BN's strength.

Maybe the ground game advantage of either PB or PKR or Amanah is far from the strength of UMNO or PAS in the Malay areas, BN should not take it for granted and having the like of Idris Haron still hotdogging should be a matter of concern.

This is god-sent as Bersih 2.0 Chairperson, Maria Chin seem to indicate it could help her upcoming Bersih 5.0 after the poor showing at Tangkap MO1.

Knowing the public and whatever remain of public still having interest in politics, they are generally gullible or in more politically correct term, cognitive miser to psyop. This is where the Machivellian master is at his best.

As said in many past postings, when it comes to Mahathir, it is all about politics. So do not get emotional and personal. If we both live long enough, we could one day be having coffee at The Loaf at Telaga Harbour, Langkawi and laughing all these off.

Time to put aside initial reaction for a longer posting to analyse all this rationally.

Give the pentaksub to both Mahathir and Anwar time to realise they were sold off all these years. Leave no-speak Tan Sri Zam and believe-everthing-Mahathir-say Dato' Ibrahim Ali in their elements. It would only anger them to be told Najib contributed to the unity of ummah.

Psywar op

Big Dog posted: You thought you have seen it all. Rocky wondered here as to what will be his limit:

"... first, he was hoping to lobby the Rulers to meet him; second, blaming Megat Junid for the ISA arrests during this premiership; and latest, to apologise to the Rulers for the amendment on royal assent. God knows what's next!"

Mahathir the tactician do not do things at one go. He may have few steps ahead in mind. This is merely a psychological warfare tactic, as Wikipedia described:

The term is used "to denote any action which is practiced mainly by psychological methods with the aim of evoking a planned psychological reaction in other people."[2] Various techniques are used, and are aimed at influencing a target audience's value system, belief system, emotions, motives, reasoning, or behavior. It is used to induce confessions or reinforce attitudes and behaviors favorable to the originator's objectives, and are sometimes combined with black operations or false flag tactics.

Mahathir is capable of making all look to the obvious left but actually looking right. It seemed he is actually made peace with Anwar and would next make peace with PAS. He may have other intention four or five steps ahead.

In the meanwhile, Mukhriz's boys still want the public to believe Mahathir was there merely to support Anwar's challenge of the MKN Act and Anwar pretend it not be so. Sure Anwar ...

Coming back to psywar.

Based on the psywar methodology of Mahathir's leutenent in the past, he would be looking to change the public attitude, behaviour, mindset and perception to the point BN advantage in their campaign machinery and ground game could not hold back the tsunami.

All the weird remarks lately from Mahathir could be to deceive the historically ignorant Gen Y and new millenials. He could serve to pass over to push aside early any issues with regard to his past sins. Be prepared for Mahathir to blame someone for Projek IC in Sabah.

More important, Mahathir is re-moulding the public to be anarchic for anything goes and no limit. If BN still win, he will likely lead a people revolution. He could be picking up where Anwar left.

For politics and tactical objective, Mahathir is willing to put aside any past slander he made of Anwar. Public is in a state of shock and perplex with his action but it serves his psywar need to gain attention.

Mahathir does not give a wink to critics on his compromised principles, U-turn on his past words, and even, admitting and cleaning his past sins. He has the narrative to convince and re-tune the public to the new Mahathir.

In 2012, Mahathir said it is better to vote the devil you know than the angel you don't know.

The devil could be BN then but now it is Anwar and his new friends. Saiful Bukhari Azlan is of no significant to him now. Could be cast aside like any of his past supporters that is of no use now.

UMNO's response?

Dato' Salled Said Keruak see Mahathir as in a state of desperation and need to shore up support for PB. It may indicate him losing faith with Pribumi.

As RPK analysed it and repeatedly playing the same point, he cannot rely on Muhyiddin. Neither could his own son, Mukhriz who couldn't give a response to the challenge to swear on the Quran.

While, Nurjazlan see it Mahathir's move could backfire on PKR. He believed it will not strengthen opposition. The backbone of Anwar, which is the supporters of reformasi, could dissipate:

The enmity towards Mahathir maybe forgotten by some but not to them. They could be seeing Mahathir as using Anwar for various purposes. This is seen as the work of Azmin Ali in his quest for power to oust Datin Seri Wan Azizah.

Rafizi still has an MACC report on sexual favour for projects which is allegedly levelled at Azmin. The sacking of Chegubard could be a ploy by Rafizi.

Chegubad was sacked for making an MACC report on alleged scandal in the sale of Paya Indah Wetland to developers. He is expected to continue his assault on Azmin. Both Rafizi and Chegubard are po-Azizah.

The October 14 court date will be interesting.

As former reformasi activist but now with the government side, Dato Lokman Nor Adam said, Anwar is no more as formidable now that he is prison. It will take him 7 more years before he can return to politics.

The meet could only be a test bed for Mahathir.

Immediately after the meeting, he was not allowing the meet to sink in but quickly commented on Dato Jamal Yunos and lamenting on the declining state of the rule of law. Tell that in the face of Tun Salleh Abas and the other former Supreme Court judges.

There are also such extreme reaction heard like those willing to support Najib despite the embezzlement allegations because both Mahathir and Anwar are liars and destroyed society and country. Both are bigger corrupt themselves!

There are those quoting Shakespeare: ‘The serpent that did sting… Now wears the crown.’

Zahid see all this as more than meets the eye. He agree with Salleh that it has desperation written all over.

In Salleh's latest remark, he accused Mahathir for his ultimate betrayal. He argued that Mahathir open the door for "foreign interference in our internal affairs".

The social media is filled with allegation of an attempt to repeat Soros-style currency attack using propaganda allegedly by Tun Daim but launched by Dato Kadir Jasin.

At least, not all of UMNO are asleep in their comfort zone. Pemuda UMNO's Dato Armand reminded: "UMNO jangan sombong dan berlagak."

All Mahathir and Anwar need is to convince PAS to oust UMNO. Armand's former boss in Perkasa could be working on it. Ibrahim Ali started a rumour he will be running on PAS ticket for Pasir Mas in the next election. Nik Abduh is switching for other seat.>

It could mean Ibrahim Ali has open channel to Nik Abduh. He could be pretending to be positive on the cooperation with UMNO but made conclusion UMNO is a sinking ship. Look left but move right?

1MDB

Najib resolve is to fight Mahathir to the death. He says he is not afraid of Mahathir. In the past few weeks, he is no more discreet in his attack of Mahathir.

Mahathir has only one and only issue on Najib. Far less than his attack on Pak Lah. That is 1MDB.

In Sabak Bernam recently, there is indication public are getting tired with the issue. They want to hear positive efforts more relevant to their life and welfare than endless blame.

Najib has many issues to play against Mahathir but all the psyops and ground game depends on how he clear up the 1MDB issue. The court process will take forever and the ANC are enlarging every minute point to sensationalise it. The latesthere though recycle.

Does Najib have any trump card to release at the last minute to kill off all attack against him? Will the same game work against the master tactician?

Meanwhile, Mahathir may not have enough time. He looks to be in a hurry. But something need done and it must be well coordinated. No more screw-up and hotdogging.

Tsunami was mentioned in the previous posting here.

So happen, Amanah's Dr Dzulkifly was reported yesterday to believe Anwar-Mahathir pact will unleash a political tsunami against UMNO.

Maybe Azmin's initiative could do it but Nurul Izzah's "surprise but not forget without the forgive" statement is interesting. Nurul, her mother and Rafizi was not in court. Correct us if we are wrong.

Wan Azizah twittered appreciation for Mahathir's support for the challenge against NSC Act. While Rafizi still on a wait and see.

All parties talked of the NSC Act but the political interpretation has gone beyond that.

Azmin commented about UMNO is now in a state of panic. Noh Omar replied it is diversion to his problems in Selangor.

It is rather cliche a statement from Noh. So was Azmin's gempaq.

Dulu Tibai, sekarang CIBAI ... Cium Itu Bontot Anwar Ibrahim?

There have been many cliche political statements and observations from both sides that it is quite humourous and funny.

For instance, Raja Nong Chik said Bersatu will further split the Malays. It is quite obvious, isn't it?

But hello.... boat has left the jetty on that.

Ti Lian Ker is not wrong to say Malay do not fall for such scare tactic any more. At least in the urban seats. Padanlah kena trick by Nurul in Pantai. No old school please.

Nazri Aziz's challenge to Muhyiddin and Mukhriz to remain in Pagoh and Jerlun, respectively was rather cunning.

The talk of Muhyiddin moving to Muar was first raised by Rocky Bru, then Joceline Tan and now Nazri.

Muhyiddin could retain Pagoh but he may want to put his man to win more seat in Muar.

If kalah, easy for Mukhriz to be PM hehehe ...

While, Mukhriz have to take on the influential veteran heading Jerlun Division. Budak-budak like Pejo, Anas etc will have to take on the local leaders of Pak Abu, Man Pin and Man Aziz.

Indeed, why must UMNO dwell too much into the handshake. As KJ said, UMNO should go to battle based on it's strength and not the opposition's weakness.

Tak payah komen ini semua. Get their act together.

However, as blogger, we must write something. And who is to tell us what to write or what not write?

Najib, Rosmah pun tak ada arah-arah. Ada lu bayar gua gaji ka?

As far as the handshake, it will be seen as betrayal. RPK's daughter, Raja Sara Petra went through the ordeal of seeing what her father had to undergo in his support of Anwar.

She can say that.

And, there are those on the other side too who felt betrayed.

1MDB and NSC Act

There is a spin to win the Malay hearts by calling it a goodwill gesture. But is that not what Najib and Hadi are doing?

Regular FMT contributor, Tay Tian Lian felt it is time for bygone to be bygone and justified the handshake cum cooperation as alliance to take on the NSC Act.

He forgot that it is still unjustified.

NSC Act, POTA or SOSMA pales in comparison to the ISA and EO. Mahathir ruled for 22 years during peacetime but the EO was still enforced.

How could he missed out on that important point?

Must be reporter and their simplistic understanding with easy to digest soundbytes. The handshake should be seen with deeper implication.

The NSC Act took a turn because Rulers Council had their own understanding. If it is taken into consideration, more interesting turn can be engineered.

He should try investigate why the need for such act. It got nothing to do with Najib seeking for more power and it serve an operational role.

Some on our side gave a view that what if BN lose power, and the power is passed on to Lim Kit Siang or Lim Guan Eng or Anthony Loke? Fine ...

But why did long time dictator, Mahathir instructed his lawyer, Hanif Khaitri to join forces with Anwar's lawyer?

Wasn't Mahathir's people, particularly those in Perkasa, complained against the abolishment of ISA and various civil liberty moves by Najib?

Perhaps, Mahathir and Bersatu need something to say other than 1MDB. Otherwise he has only 1MDB to campaign to kampong folks.

He need an issue to counter his decades of hypocracy.

It seemed he has invested more on 1MDB issue.

Ananda, Vincent and a Sarawakian front was heard buying former officials of Bank, Government and Corporate for future testimonies and gempaq activities.

The latest alleged WA messages between Jho Loh and Ambank officer in WSJ and believed to be written by a Sarawakian may have risen out of such collaboration.

If we are Mahathir, we will go to the extent of buying Jho and family. With their asset frozen, they could be broke. We could get DAP Penang's corporate henchman like Tan Kok Ping to lend money.

No surprise should there be more sensational headline on 1MDB to come.

With Bloomberg predicting a March 2017 election, it will be twisted, made into propaganda and politicised to the hilt.

The 1MDB could be overdone and they need a tectonic shift devastation. Thus the economic sabotage effort by AKJ.

If it is the truth, fine ... but not with any elements of spin. We will have our reservation on anything resembling psywar on 1MDB. Innocent until proven guilty. No lawyer will disagree.

There is a psywar also on 1MDB. A new interpretation of the acronym.

But do not believe it.

Since it is all politics from now on, 1MDB will be politicised further, and NSC Act is additional campaign material, more can be interpreted on the handshake.

UMNO perspective

UMNO see it as desperation.

To elaborate the point, Mahathir is not confident Muhyiddin can carry this fight. He is not popular, he cannot smile and he cannot show the proof as challenged by Zahid and Nazri.

Mukhriz, as his father used to tell a businessman, is a weak leader. He will only waste time on Firefly to and fro Alor Setar-KL, and ada peluang cuti terus ke London.

The rest of the protem committee membrs are insignificant.

The Bersatu people are going around saying "tunggu bila sudah daftar. Ramai akan keluar UMNO." Fine and that is another area to gempaq.

But can it reach 200,000 members?

Supposed Perkasa has 300,000 members as Ibrahim Ali loved to gloat and we do not need to believe only 10% of what he say, most of them are UMNO members. Can we see 30,000 from Perkasa?

At best, GKCM is only few hundred.

Bersatu feel UMNO underestimate them so we will see them realy gempaq on the crossover.

However, certain operatives in UMNO felt their number will dwindle and keep dwindling when Mahathir sat with Kit Siang and now shaking hand with Anwar has sink in.

UMNO should remain respectful of Mahathir in their campaign and let Bersatu continue with their nasties.

The handshake could have pissed a lot of middle class and fence-seater. It demeans politics.

Expect the young not coming out to votes. The lower voting turnout trend seen in the last two by-elections will continue.

The theory is Mahathir need Anwar to keep fighting and not lose face. At his age, he is growing weak. A week or two of roadshow and off he checks-in into IJN.

Though former UMNO members are more active and spirited to take on UMNO then to take on opposition when they are in UMNO, their strength and organisation is not there.

PAS is not with them. It is of mutual benefit for Bersatu to work with PKR.

There is another view that it is Anwar that guna Mahathir. From someone without any chance for comeback, he can now see a royal pardon in the horizon and room to manouvre back in the game.

Mahathir could snake him and not help him when he has knocked off Najib. He and Bersatu could even return and unite with UMNO.

Remember that Mahathir started his assault immediately after Anwar got sent to prison.

But this is Anwar's only chance. When they reach the bridge, they can both outsnake each other.

So it could be more Anwar guna Mahathir.

Lost focus

By the way, something need corrrection.

PAS is only not with them yet. And, Muhyiddin is heard working hard to make it happen.

Yesterday or day before a PAS leader was seen near an eatery near Bersatu's regiatered office. He went up to see Muhyiddin.

Khairy used to have an office in that same building. The eatery is aà secluded place to meet for the likes of Khairy, Kalimullah, Brendan Pereira, and Nor Mohamed Yakcop.

Maybe Nika Gee too?

It has been a while that we talked about NMY. He is now quiet in Khazanah.

Why is Najib still keeping the likes of him there and as member of the Board of Advisory of 1MDB?

He could be leaking all sort of thing to Mahathir. He has one leg permanently with Mahathir, one with Pak Lah and wonder if he has a third leg for Najib.

Returning back to PAS, when it comes to the crunch, PAS could "over-run" Hadi to urge him to negotiate. Tuan Ibrahim only want Amanah closed.

It looks like PAS and Amanah is constantly at loggerhead and Zaid Ibrahim unrelentlessly whacking PAS.

But they are politicians and not really ulamak. Umarah maybe and a few are learned but they are all politicians. They can turn around and justify it.

The new party PPBM, no more using of Bersatu, could put aside Amanah.

The offer for Mahathir to run at Putrajaya must be understood. And it came with the willingness of Amanah to step aside for PPBM.

Loaded .... and it is heard that DAP is sick with their constant asking for money.

The interesting part in all this is the uneasy marriage of convenience in the opposition and the unusual political narrative and rivalry.

All parties lost their focus to combat the usual opponents.

The one with the agenda and welfare of the people need to come out as winner. It should not be the blamers and negative campaigners.

However, the prospect of success for underhanded politics is there should Trump beat Hillary. Mind you the latest he is leading in the latest poll by 2%!

To summarise the current political senario in Semenanjong, PAS is constantly in quarrel with Amanah.

Mahathir just want to see Najib down. UMNO seemed pre-occupied with PPBM. However, many political pundits could suffer for underestimating them.

PKR has their internal quarrel with Kak Wan and Azmin at each other like the silent and perpetual rivalry between the first and second wife in a polygomous marriage.

Kak Wan, Nurul and Rafizi are not keen to accept Mahathir.

Azmin could end up taking up the Deputy President of PPGM above Mukhriz and later knock Muhyiddin out?

Azmin is buddy buddy with PAS. And, Amanah is pissed with PKR.

DAP has only to worry about Dato Huan Cheng Guan in Penang. Gerakan and MCA tidor. They will come out sounding like the drum in a Chinese opera ... tong tong tong untong saja.

MIC will ask macam-macam despite not delivering much politically. Kara kara untong ... kadang-kadang untong as an Indian drum would sound.

For Melayu ... tak tong, tak tong, tak tong in a trance gamelan music.

Some states, not just one or two, will come out banyak untong.

Labbaik Allah humma labbaik, Labbaik la sharika laka labbaik. Innal hamda. Wan-ni'mata. Laka walmulk. Laa sharika lak.

O my Lord, here I am at Your service, here I am. There is no partner with You, here I am. Truly the praise and the provisions are Yours, and so is the dominion and sovereignty.

In Malaysia, the chant one keep hearing during Eid is Takbir where the words Allah is Great is repeatedly called. But during Haj and the journey to Mecca, one would hear the above Tahmid repeatedly chant.

At 5:18 PM Malaysian time, the solemn moment of Wukuf in the fields of Arafah commenced. Wukuf is the highlight of the Haj ritual. It is the summit for millions of Muslim gathered together for the brief moment after zuhr till end of asr.

An extract from the website almaghrib.org explained the meaning of Arafah below:

1. Arafah was the place were Adam and Eve met once again when they were sent down to reside on earth. They came down on two different spots but eventually were able to meet and recognize each other on this plain. Arafah here means “to get acquainted”, so based on this opinion Adam and Eve got acquainted to each other on that very same land we call today Arafah.

2. When angel Jibreel came down to Prophet Ibrahim (alayhis salam), he taught him the rituals of Hajj and took him around the Holy Sites. For every ritual explained Jibreel would say to Ibrahim “A’raft?” or “Did you learn (this one)?” and Ibrahim would reply with “Araft” or “I did”. Thats why it was called Arafah i.e. he got to know or learn.

3. It is a place where people get to know “ عرف or arafa” each other. Since the hujjaj or pilgrims spend most of that day on the same place and perhaps spot, many will get to know new people and learn more about them. So it is a place of تعارف or getting to know one another, and because of the great number of people who get to know each other the word عرفات or Arafaat came about.

4. The word عَرْف or A’rf means fragrance, and because the plains of Arafah are sites on which Allah’s mercy (rahmah) and forgiveness descend, the people would describe the day, the place and its dwellers of being perfumed with this spiritual and mystical fragrance “Arafah”. Moreover because of the rahmah or mercy descending upon the gathering, the small mountain on the plain on which many hujjaj desire to stand was called the mountain of Rahmah“Mercy”.

The gathering at the field of Arafah is sometime described as the worldly equivalent to the day of judgement on the field of Mahsyar and a reminder that the day will come. Yushaimi Yahya wrote from Mekah in NST here.

During wukuf, it is metaphorically described that the heaven opened for Allah to receive and fulfiill one's prayers. It is one of the most sacred moment for prayers. Wallahu alam.

For Haji like us, it is a time to be reminded and reflect back of our own experience of wukuf and Haj in 2011 here.

We take the opportunity to pray for health and happiness for our parents, family, friends, ummah and ourselves. May Allah provide for prolong peace and prosperity to this nation of ours. And our 5-year wait period has passed, may we be given the opportunity for Haj again.

Selamat Hari Raya Qurban

Happy holidays to all. Do drive safely

The takbir of Eid Adha is still being chanted. Sacrifice or qurban can still be the theme today.

Dato Shafie Apdal is not expected to have much impact in Sabah. He does not have influence outside Semporna. His support from KDM is limited. And to survive in Semporna for GE 14, he needs the Sakaran family blessing.

However, Shafie's naughty hands has extended beyond the thigh of a botox-ed celebrity. The same lucky number ploy he did in Tenom to attract crowd is applied to other districts. He gives out a car to every districts he goes campaigning.

Sources claimed Shafie used his former officers in KKLW to sabotage his successor, Dato Ismail Sabri. The ploy is to seek exorbitant kickback from contractors at double Shafie's "rate". It serves to cover-up his past misdeeds at KKLW with the story line things are getting worse.

So when three crews of a fishing boat off the tourist destination of Pom-Pom Island near Semporna was kidnapped for ransom on the eve of Eid Adha on September 11, it looked to be the signature of Shafie's hand.

Who knows Shafie's die-hard supporters in Semporna are willing to berkorban or sacrifice and do anything to get their bills paid. More so, it was reported somewhere the kidnappers were Filipino Bajau Laut.

Shafie claim he is a Bajau Laut but Sabahans tell me there is no such thing as Bajau Laut. They are actually Suluk.

However, do not be misunderstood. Suluk are found in Sabah and southern Phillipines. In fact, the first Governor of Sabah, Tun Mustapha is a Suluk. Shafie's uncle and former Yang Di Pertuan, Tun Sakaran Dandai is a Suluk.

It was sometime last week that there was conversation with a source in Lahad Datu of the possibility Shafie does such moves. We may have been prejudiced by the conspiracy theory talked about. However, it is unlikely of Shafie to do such ploy.

Shafie has the money to make an attempt to steal a couple of seats from BN. It is talked about that a certain billionaire under ransom is funding a certain operation in Sabah to assist. However, Shafie could not ally himself with anybody, not even his former political party, USNO.

The various political warlords of Sabah, both within and without BN, do not trust him.

Mahathir at the Ampangan do on Sept 11

Neither could Shafie join Pribumi Bersatu.

Tun Dr Mahathir's name is tainted for designing the Project IC to control Sabah politics. As much as Shafie was defensive during the RCI, he knows it is suicidal in Sabah to be directly associated with Mahathir.

Seeing the presence of only "segelintir" at Mahathir's do in Ampangan, Seremban and the attendees could likely be imported, PPBM has yet to gather momentum. Need to see how the response in their future programs in other targeted states of Johor, Kedah, and Perak.

The handshake may have done the purpose to gempaq but subsequent development indicate the cooperation between PKR and PPBM is not consummated yet.

Mahathir defended his cooperation with Anwar as in no reason he can't be with Anwar after working together with DAP. The instruction to his lawyer, Hanif Khaitri to be in the NSC Act legal challenge serves the purpose to negotiate with Anwar Ibrahim.

Mukhriz confirmed it with his statement that PPBM hope to work with PKR. In response, Azmin Ali said any cooperation needs Anwar's blessing.

If A=B=C, then A=C. It is applicable in Mathematics but not politics. Azmin exploted it to give impression to PKR that Mahathir is kneeling to Anwar for help. He was also the conductor for the handshake orchestra.

This helped support a theory of RPK that Mahathir could not rely on Muhyiddin and Mukhriz for his cause and need a new set of "Musa, Tengku Razaleigh and Anwar." [read here, here and here]

What is Mahathir's cause? It seemed it is not just about fast track route for Mukhriz to be PM. We have a posting in waiting to expand RPK's theory.

In the meanwhile, Pakatan Harapan have been going about their ceramah. It is said Anthony Loke openly proclaimed Anwar to be next PM in the presence of Muhyiddin.

A pardon for Anwar is still far from sight and by the time he is out in 2018, he need to wait out another 5 years. Altogether 7 years to go.

But, since Ku Li decided not to quit, in which it was a decoy in the first place, Anwar has a slim chance of another comeback.

Taking all this into account, Shafie is unlikely to do something so risky as to act out a kidnap to discredit the agencies involved in Sabah security and built up anger among Sabahan against government.

Shafie better not politicise the security issues or he will end up like Tian Chua and Sivarasa.

On the matter of security, no games please. Not when it involves lives and tourism. Already, Sabah exco for tourism, Dato Marsidi Manjong is worried of the latest development to Sabah tourism.

So public safety is also serious business, especially under the high alert situation with new maverick Philipines President, Dutarte in his war on Abu Sayaf.

The Malaysian security personnel are in cooperation with their Philipines counterpart to stop any getaway Abu Sayaf terrorist from entering Malaysia.

While Duterte is on a mass "clean-up" of Abu Sayaf, there are rooms for concern to Malaysian.

Sources claimed Duterte is merely flushing clean the MILF, the Moro group that had a peace agreement with Malaysia. Duterte is said to be friendly with Nur Misuari of MNLF, the group behind the incursion into Tandau.

There is a conspiracy theory widely talked about among Sabahan that in the past, certain corrupt officials within Philipines government may have a hand in the kidnapping. It goes way up and and they have the major slice of the millions of ransom money.

Recent reports claimed the Moro terrorist have had talks and maybe already in cooperation with Daesh or ISIS. Special Branch recently gave a statement on the existence of "lone wolf" ISIS suicide bomber. ISIS is a very very serious threat and not a laughing matter or for politicising.

Kidnapping, hijacking and smuggling have been serious security threat at the South China Seas. Part of the reason it attracts superpowers.

Recent development on a past incident is the Vietnam extraditing the hijackers of a Malaysian oil tanker last year.

Nevertheless, it is a sigh of relief to hear the official statement that the three kidnapped fisherman boat crew are Filipino.

And, report also claimed these Filipino holds IMM13 document together with Census Document from from a special task force. They are permanent residents. Thus, they are not illegal immigrants.

Since they are not Malaysians per se and are their own kind, Abu Sayaf may have to release them without any ransom.

The fishing boat went out to sea at 4:00 PM in broad daylight and the kidnapping incident is believed to have happen at 10:40 PM at night.

Whether the crew are Malaysians or not, more so, PR, logically, the security forces should be in the know of their presence.

Out of curiosity, how many personnel was around at the eve of Eid Adha? How many left for the holidays?

How many left at the post on Pom-Pom Island? Was there people at the tourist destination post?

Just asking ....

Looks like, our long planned second time vacation for Kapalai will have to be post-phoned indefinitely.

Humpty Dumpty set on a wall
Humpty Dumpty had a great fall
All the King's horses and all the King's men
Could not put Humpty Dumpty together again

Had always wondered all these years to know who the big headed fella nic-named for humping and dumping something on the wall.

Why is he sitting on a wall that led to his fall due to the precarious lop-sized weight up his head?

Since he has an unstable posture, why was he humping and dumping on a wall?

The nursery rhymes seemed meaningless. Is it merely describing this human or perhaps a metaphor of someone with a big head falling?

Is this humping and dumping big-headed man so important that the King's horses and men tried to put him up again?

And, is it important for him to hump and dump on the wall?

Guess he is not only big-headed but a very important man of distinction and pedigree. Could be a feudel lord or as depicted in the picture above, a banker or wealthy man.

In this blog posting here, where we obtained the picture, it turned out that Humpty Dumpty is a huge (say it in the manner of Donald Trump) cannon.

So ... the big headed man doing all the humping and dumping of something up on the wall turned out to be not only prominent, but a loud mouth.

Nursery rhymes can be interesting.

Perhaps it is a warning to all kids that any loud mouth with a big lop-sided head could fall from a wall for humping and dumping.

Remember that kids.

Pronouned "Auw re ka! Evina tut glutae maximus" to mean "Eureka! It turned out to be the Gluteus Maximus" in Latin.

Prior to our April trip to Sarawak, an old back pain resurfaced.

It worsened upon our return and till today, it made us fear of sitting for long time to write. Unintentionally, it made us post-phoned work, including cleaning-up our work space and the mess from our books, magazines and files all over the house. And we got to return back a so-called "confidential" material misplaced in one of the many storage boxes.

It was really an unexpected problem. After undergoing through 2 months of relatively intensive dieting, and daily workout able to shed off about 25 lb, our muscles were supposed to be "loose" and stronger.

All the hard work was about being fit to roam through Sarawak. So before flying off to Miri, we went for a massage with a male masseur who claimed to have studied Aromatheraphy in India. The massage didn't help but highlighted the pain at a certain specific part.

Instead of the back, the pain seemed isolated around the butt and thigh. It made sitting so uncomfortable that we can't sit long and became unproductive. It made us fear sitting to write on the computer.

The chiropractor suggested it could be a coccyx or tailbone problem. Imagine traveling for few weeks in Sarawak with a butt pain and the diarrhea from Kuching that stayed throughout the travel into the immediate interiors of Miri and Bintulu.

After few months of attending to the pain and researching, it turned out it is neither a back problem nor tailbone problem.

The acupuncturist we went to was right all along. Just cause he is no doctor, there is no reason to doubt him. But do not blame him. Firstly, we couldn't remember the name of the muscle.

Secondly, the chiropractor doctor earlier identified our problem to two other muscles; namely Psoas and QL. MMA do not acknowledge chiropractors as doctors but in the US and Canada, they form part of the medical profession.

When usually faced with conflicting medical suggestions, we take neither advise and learned up on it. It took us a recent back pain to understand it better.

We were toying with the idea of writing about Sarawak in conjunction with Malaysia Day and few other stuff but we were finding excuses not to sit and write. It could be out of laziness but most likely it is a psychological reluctance to go through it and later endure the pain.

It is also the reason we were reluctant to restart our workout regime.

Auw re ka!

Last Friday, we did our 3rd session of local traditional massage with a neighbourhood blind masseur. It helped remove the major pain but isolated better the still irritating pain. And, it was sufficient for us to start our pre-exercise stretching warm-ups.

That helped tone down more troubling and tight muscles, and identify the remaining trouble muscles. Then ... EUREKA!

In the midst of our morning stretching exercise this morning, we were reminded of part of the name of the muscle named by acupuncturist. Something maximus and immediately googled it on our i-Pad.

And voila ... there is such a muscle called gluteus maximus. It sounded about right.

There is a syndrome related to the muscle [read here and here] that seemed to lead to other muscles and body parts that are still in pain; namely the stomach, hip, thigh, and knee, but not so much the back muscle per se.

It is the pain from those areas that radiate and concentrate to the back and appears as though it is back pain. Guess the Sarawak posting and expanding RPK's posting can wait. Too excited with this discovery.

Most Malaysians suffer from back pain, one way or another. The common reason blamed for back pain are slipped disc or sports injury or other non-medical description like angin or wind or hard mattress.

Men tend to be private about it because of the perception that back pain is intertwined with libido problem. One Bersatu activist had back pain and undergone several slip disc ops but the Missus been bearing children year in and year out. So it is not true.

Thus the reason we share our experience of going through it is to help others understand the problem and deal with it better.

If the back pain is not so bad, one way to massage the pain away is not to massage the back but the sciata muscle at the side of the thigh. Sometimes massaging the stomach or muscle up and along your back.

The long term solution is still exercise For the time being, we plan to try this simple exercise below:

And where capable, to try out any of the following

For those wanting a cute butt, can try this exercise below:

Putting all this up so that it is easier to access via smartphone.

Will try get an appointment with chiropractor next week to confirm what we found. The next and final step could likely be the abductor muscle at the thigh. So .. Pain, Pain please go away ... Don't even come again another day. ....

For years, been envying a more active lifestyle.

The way people get appointed for top post can be bewildering.

A friend send us this news report on the appointment of former FGV CEO, Datok Emir Mevani Abdullah in an advisory role at Tradewind.

His then appointment as CEO of FGV from an earlier position as Board Member of FGV to represent PEMANDU was itself questionable.

His integrity was first put into question for lying on his Phd degree. His professional background was in oil and gas and not oil from palm trees. In 2013, this blogger questioned then Minister Tan Sri Abdul Wahid Omar for mentioning him as one of the pride of Talent Corp.

After leaving FGV for a questionable deal and it is not his first questionable deal (not going to rewrite it), this appointment came as a surprise. How long and successful has he been in the oil palm industry to give advise to another long time player in oil palm?

At the end of March this year, Emir Mavani left FGV with less than cheery note. Malay Mail Online dated March 30th reported:

KUALA LUMPUR, March 30 ― Malaysia's Felda Global Ventures Holdings Bhd, the world's third-largest palm plantation operator, said it was replacing its CEO ― a surprise move that comes after a failed controversial deal last year for it to buy into Indonesia's Rajawali Group.

Current Chief Executive Datuk Mohd Emir Mavani Abdullah, who has been in the job for three years, will be succeeded in April by the head of its downstream operations, Datuk Zakaria Arshad, a Felda Group veteran of 32 years, the company said in a statement.

It did not give a reason for the change.

Last year plans for Felda Global to buy 37 per cent of palm oil plantation firm PT Eagle High Plantations Tbk collapsed after politicians and investors blasted a US$680 million (RM2.69 billion) deal as an expensive favour for Indonesian tycoon Peter Sondakh, who controls the debt-burdened Rajawali Group, including Eagle High.

Read on here.

FGV just went for listing on an expansionary note but suddenly were talking about cost cutting restructuring. Extract from NST dated March 31st reported:

It is learnt that Zakaria, who is currently head of downstream operations, will beef up FGV’s core divisions such as plantation, processing and marketing after taking over from president and chief executive officer (CEO) Datuk Mohd Emir Mavani Abdullah tomorrow.

He is also expected to continue with cost-cutting plans as part of efforts to strengthen FGV’s performance and global standing. Zakaria is expected to share these initiatives with FGV staff on his first day as the new president and CEO.

It is understood that he is likely to carry out measures such as reshuffling the organisational structure, including portfolio restructuring.

Read in full here.

When Zakaria was on board, he confirmed the earlier reported in this Sundaily May 17th report below:

...Datuk Zakaria Arshad said the group will focus on increasing yield and oil extraction rate (OER) by "sweating" its existing assets, reducing cost, continue with its replanting programme and improve efficiency by reducing complexity.

"I believe we can get growth in our existing business that's why we want to focus on our existing business (palm operations). The growth will be through existing business, not through M&As for now.

"We are still a global business, we are still selling outside of Malaysia but for M&As we just want to pause. We want to stop for a while, maybe for this year, then look at it again," he said.

Zakaria said, however, negotiations on the acquisition of a stake in Indonesia's PT Eagle High Plantations Tbk are still ongoing but M&As are not a priority in his strategic direction for FGV.

Read on here because that is how a true blue plantation man talk like. Some plantation man can forecast profit by just knowing location, soil, terrain and weather.

At around the time, there was another annoying report from Rafizi [read in The Independent here]. Since it is Rafizi, take it with lots of salt, pepper, lemon and olive oil. It usually come with his own dressing of the truth but always keep an open eye.

The Star reported on July 28th of another plan:

PETALING JAYA: From going on an acquisition spree, Felda Global Ventures Holdings Bhd (FGV) is now a target company.

Having aborted the stake acquisition of Indonesia’s Eagle High Plantations Tbk, FGV has attracted suitors who are looking at a possible corporate exercise with the plantation group.

Among them is a strategic investment company affiliated with the Tradewinds Group, which is mulling over a stake purchase in FGV.

It is believed that there are overtures to FGV on a tie-up with Tradewinds, although it is still at a preliminary stage.

Read on here.

It means FGV is currently in a mess due to bad luck and bad strategy. Emir Mavani messed up on FGV's strategy.

People can always redirect blame to others for political sake, from Board Members to all the way to PM, but operational issue that translate into profit and losss lies in the hands of CEO and management. Unless it is too bizarre or obviously detrimental, Board Member usually stamp any proposal or plan of action from management.

If there had been hanky panky by his superior, Emir should have resigned. So balls in his side of the court, dude. Now that he failed at FGV, why is he taken in as Advisor to Tradewind?

First, no man is for all season especially the man who screw things up can't be the one to advise on how to mend things. Secondly, Tradewind and FGV are PLCs. Is he leaking information on FGV to the acquirer, Tradwind? Securities Commission ... are you guys awake?

It is heard that the whole NKRA team from Pemandu that joined FGV have fled to Tradewind together with Emir.

This is fodders to Mazlan Aliman and his PAS supported Anak NGO. He is now in PAN so it is giving PAN an issue to dwell on.

The Edge here has started picking on FGV. Though settlers is not FGV's responsibility but that of Felda proper, this will not go away. For heaven sake, not again please.

Talk is PPBM will want to take this up as issue. Former assistant to Tan Sri Isa Samad, Zahid Md Arip has joined the anti Najib side to avenge his sacking. Be prepared and cut off this Emir Mavani. If he lied about his degree, he cannot be entrusted.

By Aaron Neville

If you want something to play with
Go and find yourself a toy
Baby, my time is too expensive
And I'm not a little boy

If you are serious
Don't play with my heart, it makes me furious
But if you want me to love you
Then, baby, I will, girl, you know I will

Tell it like it is
Don't be ashamed to let your conscience be your guide
But I-I-I-I-I know deep down inside of me
I believe you love me, forget your foolish pride

Life is too short to have sorrow
You may be here today and gone tomorrow
You might as well get what you want
So go on and live, baby, go on and live

Songwriters
GEORGE DAVIS, LEE DIAMOND

P/S If you love and protective of that someone, do it the right way and not get paranoid.

Keep cool.

Despite the recent hiccup at the Putra-LRT station and bad handling and unsafe emergency procedures by Prasana, there were encouraging development on public transportation.

There was the commencement of the second MRT line that extends the reach of Putra-LRT commuters beyond the Klana Jaya station till Putra Heights station. The third line is at planning stage and will take commuters to Sungai Buloh-Serdang- Putarajaya.

In July, the MOU for the High Speed Rail from Kuala Lumpur to Singapore was inked. The 350km line will reduce travel time between the two destinations and make Kuala Lumpur and Singapore only one and half hour away.

Malaysia plan to spend almost RM70 billon on rail infrastructure. It is another people-centric economic initiative by Dato Najib.

This should have been the option over the economic development model based on subsidised petrol, tolled highway and Proton car ownership.

There was no interest in past administration to develop an efficient mass rail transport. KTM rail should have been changed for a wider gauge for faster, higher load, and modern rail transport.

Too many boo boo twisting to cover for past mistake.

Prasana, operator of Putra LRT failed in handling crisis

Public transportation

The current development is a development to the critic by a 3rd year University student, Roger Teoh in Malay Mail Online on October 2014.

Extract below:

Ever since the British left Malaya, our train and rail networking system initially developed by the Brits has not really progressed much.

While other countries have since developed high-speed rail as well as mature intra-city rail and bus networks, we are still dependent on an 8-hour night train to get from KL to Penang, a distance of only 400km!

It is true that our government recently announced the latest High Speed Rail Network and its stations connecting Kuala Lumpur and Singapore. However, we have been told recently in a parliamentary reply from the government that this High Speed Rail Network is an independent transportation system which does not connect or has no integration at all to existing transportation infrastructures.

For example, people still would have to drive in order to reach the High Speed Rail Stations, which does not solve any problems at all. Does this bring ease and convenience for using public transport?

Budget 2015

The 2015 Budget proposed by Barisan Nasional shows a staggering 81.6 per cent for Operating Expenditure and only 18.4 per cent allocated to Development Expenditure. Not only that, only RM3.3 billion (1.2 per cent of total budget expenditure) is allocated to the Transport Ministry compared to RM19.6 billion to the Prime Minister Department (7.2 per cent of total budget expenditure).

As of July 2014, Malaysian household debt has already hit an astonishing 89.2 per cent of GDP with the breakdown of debts shows car loans to be the most significant portion at 51 per cent, compared to student loans (33 per cent), housing loans (29 per cent), and personal loans (15 per cent) according to data from the Federation of Malaysian Consumers Association, FOMCA.

This figure above shows that owning a personal car for transport is already a “need” rather than a “want” for Malaysians. Making matters worse, Budget 2015 shows no political will from the government to drastically improve the national public transportation system.

The consumption of cars and real estate is the main generation of growth worldwide. For example in China, it is a national Chinese policy to build roads and highways to maintain high growth rates.

Therefore, in the case of Malaysia, is our government trying to follow suit to in order for national car producers (cronies) to maintain a high profit margin at the rakyat’s expense?

Not to forget too that highways proposed and built comes at a cost of having toll rates with unreasonable periods of return that also ultimately benefit no one but the cronies.

Consequences of Poor Public Transportation System

Since the late 1990s, fuel prices have risen faster than disposable income and the trend looks all set to continue.

What’s more, because of the ultimate depletion of fossil fuels and imperatives for climate protection, energy for transport will no longer be abundant and inexpensive but scarce and increasingly unaffordable.

Despite the hike in petrol prices in the last few weeks, we are told of yet even more highway projects instead of development in public transportation system. This will further lock us into our dependency on fossil fuels.

This increase in the need for fuel will also increase the amount of subsidies paid by the government. Without an alternative solution, is this even sustainable in the long run?

Additionally, with more investments in roads and highways instead of public transport encourages people to drive more, resulting in an inevitable increase amount of vehicles on the road. With more traffic comes more congestion and more limited parking spaces in city centres.

It is a matter of time before the congestion issues in urban areas around Malaysia will be as bad as other notorious cities such as Jakarta and Manila, where public transport is also just as absent. Therefore, without a policy change in the near future, is Malaysia heading into transport chaos?

The rail projects serves to answer this past critic.

Current government is concern to embark in project for rakyat's convenience and comfort over the mega pyramids of the past that is more self serving to corporate interest and a certain personal ego.

Najib has the political will to pursue public transportation much needed by the people.

Lowering fares?

Since YTL gets to continue with the HSR project and it will open them up to a bigger opportunity for development along the rail. Many plantation companies are already embarking in township development along the HSR.

It is not a bad idea to renegotiate the ERL rate down. DAP MP Ong Kian Meng made a statement recently:

Ong calls for new agreement with ERL

FMT Reporters | September 14, 2016

The Auditor- General (A-G) concluded the concession agreement with the company was "lopsided".

KUALA LUMPUR: Serdang MP Ong Kian Ming has urged the Federal Government to negotiate a new concession agreement with Express Rail Link Sdn Bhd (ERL) which runs the high speed rail line from KL Sentral to KLIA and klia2.

The new and existing agreements must be made public, he added. The public can then make comparisons and ensure the government and passengers get a fair deal.

The MP cited three reasons for a new agreement.

Firstly, the government fully funded the RM100 million extension of the ERL link from KLIA to KLIA2, and handed the facility to the company free at public expense.

Secondly, the extension saw a 43 per cent increase in ERL’s passengers from 6.44 million in 2013 to 9.23 million in 2014.

Thirdly, under the existing agreement, the price of a one-way ticket from KL Sentral to KLIA would increase to RM97 in 2019 and RM126 in 2024. It was RM31 in 1999.

The MP was commenting on the Auditor- General (A-G) concluding the concession agreement with ERL Sdn Bhd was “lopsided”. “The A-G said the agreement was not ‘best value for money’.”

The A-G’s Report also states the government has agreed, in principle, to extend the ERL concession to 2059 i.e. by 30 years from the current 2029, he noted. “The extension was supposed to be signed this month.”

Briefly, said the MP, the ticket pricing problems and compensation for ERL stem from the concession agreement being kept under wraps.

As a result, he lamented, the concession holder can negotiate steep ticket price increases. “They know the government won’t be under any public pressure as this information won’t be disclosed.”

The concession holder can use the shortfall between actual and projected revenue to get compensation from the government, he warned. “ERL Sdn Bhd already has an outstanding claim of RM2.9 billion.”

ERL’s projected revenue in 2014, for example, was RM905 million. It’s actual revenue was only RM124.3 million or 13.7 per cent of the projected total.

Ong called for ticket price increases, under the new agreement, to be reasonable and justified. “The methodology for projecting passenger and revenue growth must be accurate.”

“Profits must be capped at an agreed rate.”

He sees no reason why the passenger service charge cannot be scrapped as not all outbound passengers use the ERL. These charges, imposed since 2002, cost passengers RM583.66 million as at June last year.

YTL has too many past sins towards the people.

Could they be more patriotic and nationalistic to contribute back to rakyat and nation for the wealth they made from crony capitalism, easy money, and failed delivery?

Public transport model in developed cities of the world kept fare low by giving rail owners oppurtunity to own development along the rail line.

If not for selfish interest to allow land grab by cronies in the past, public transport cost is relatively high, continually rising and not as convinient and significantly cheaper than private transportion mode.

The opening line in this travel and leisure website on Malaysia here claimed:

"In Malaysia, public transport is very developed and quite practical, and will save you the trouble of dealing with driving".

However, the urban reality to those living in the Greater Kuala Lumpur and Klang Valley (Greater KL) is that it is far from the truth.

With Vision 2020 to be a developed nation a mere 4 years away, the land public transportation (LPT) for Greater KL is far from that a developed nation.

In places like the interior of Sarawak, even the basic rudimentary transportation need is yet fulfilled. If KL is still not in place, what can one expect for the rest of the country.

Public transport was not taken up seriously in the past thus the carpet had swell into a hill by the time Dato Najib could address the problem.

Maybe it is personal interest in play or resistance to change. And even be the underlying unstated reason behind the current political war cry to remove Najib.

1MDB could just be an excuse.

On the matter of public transportation, there is not much room left for compromise and accommodation. SPAD Chairman Tan Sri Abdul Hamid Albar was quoted by Malaysian Digest last year:

"No country has ever climbed from low-income to middle- or high-income status without a significant and dynamic land public transport. Therefore, it is important for us now to give priority to public transport investment, rather than giving priority to building roads in the name of connectivity and relieving congestion."

Shambles

It is not just this blog that raised questions on the "economic development model based on subsidised petrol, tolled highway and Proton car ownership" but a public transport NGO recently expressed the same.

FMT reported:

Mahathir blamed for transport mess

Robin Augustin | August 26, 2016

A consumer group says the ex-PM made a mistake in focusing on private instead of public transport.

PETALING JAYA: Former Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad’s decision to focus on private instead of public transport is coming back to haunt Malaysians, says the Public Transport Users Association (4PAM).

Speaking to FMT on the state of public transport in the country, 4PAM President Ajit Johl recalled that the government started to focus on private transport 33 years ago with the inception of Proton and the construction of tolled highways.

Five years later, Singapore began ramping up its public transport network with its Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) system.

“Look where we are now and the mess we have created,” Ajit said. “Our traffic jams are so bad that many are dependent on tolled roads. And our cars are so expensive.

“But look at Singapore. We cannot help but feel envious of its public transport system.”

Ajit noted that Singapore’s MRT system, besides covering a wide area, also has good supporting systems, such as proper feeder bus and train services, accessibility of stations, cashless payment methods and shaded, well-lit and safe walkways.

He pointed out that neighbourhood malls are incorporated in a number of MRT stations, ensuring that people generally don’t have to travel far to shop or watch a movie.

In comparison, he said, Malaysia’s public transport system was largely still in a shambles.

However, he noted recent improvements, such as the entry into the system of ride-sharing services and the expansion and upgrades of LRT and KTM services.

He said there was still a lot of room for improvement, especially in regulations, for which the Land Public Transport Commission is responsible.

Ajit voiced hope that the government would continue improving public transport and keep it affordable so that people would be encouraged to use it.

The government’s target in its planning is to have 40 per cent of commuters using public transport by 2030.

The shamble in the LPT was covered in an early April 2015 article by Malaysia Digest here.

High up in the pecking order of problems was the traffic jam that arise from the private transportation policy of the past and the obsession to keep Proton afloat. Building more highway will not solve the congestion.

Though there is a need to improve public use of LPT from 40% to 60%, the long travel time remained a discouraging factor.

Rapid KL has expanded its network of service but it is also beseiged with perenial problems of long wait, poor schedule, infrequent service and insufficient number of drivers.

The only viable option left for commuters is taxi but it cost 500% more than other LPT mode, fare keeps increasing, drivers' attitude, and poor enforcement.

Greater KL need a transportation system at par as other major cities with an interlocking network and mode of transport able to 'anyplace to-anyplace' movement.

A point raised by a commentator in the previous posting here is the long term economic wastage and burden on public and nation to subsidised petrol, tolled highway and priority for the local car.

Political will

Off course public attitude is another issue.

Despite the financial saving, health benefit and in some instance, the convenience of taking public transport, Malaysian basically do not like to walk.

In an article to analyse the public reaction to increase parking fees in the city, Malay Mail Online July article wrote:

Expats who live here have pointed out numerous times in travel blogs or forums that Malaysians don't like to walk. An expat can walk for about three kilometres from Jalan Ampang to KLCC to do grocery shopping. That idea would be preposterous to a Malaysian.

That culture need to be transformed.

There had been effort during Mahathir's administration towards public transportation in Greater KL but it was insufficient.

There was the consolidation of bus services into Intra Kota. However, that came with significant fare hike from 50 sen to RM1 with limited efficiency and network. Consequently government had to takeover Intrakota from DRB.

The construction of Putra LRT, Star, Monorail, KTM Kommuter, and Sentral station begin during his time. It was criticised then as construction project for "friends"

Financing of public transportation had always been cited [read study here] then for the vonstrint of developing LPT. In other word, the administration was less than willing to spend for public transport.

The less than comprehensive privatisation model came at a higher cost to consumer and was not well integrated.

It operated separately and the increase property value does not translate to a superb system at low coat. Unlike other developed countries, it was not funneled back to lower commuters transport cost.

Private transportation was still the emphasis to protect Proton. More was spent for construction of toll highways. It came with increasing use of energy reserve.

It was only under Najib that there is more political will to address public transportation issue. The current Greater KL Transportation Masterplan was established by Pemandu and released in 2015.

There is also the 20 year National Land Public Transport Master Plan (NLTMP) and Regional Land Public Transport Master Plan (Regional LPTMP put together to address the land public transportaton system for Malaysia.

Complain on the inefficient feeder system, scavenging taxi drivers, financial commitment made to private vehicle, and electricity supply (as the recent trip at Putra-LRT highlighted) remain. Cynics still could not stop viewing construction of LPT infrastructure serve to help rakyat.

Nevertheless, everything is almost about to be tied up together. It is a matter of time and be delivered as promised.

In an anticipated move, The Star Online reported Dato Seri Shafie Apdal will be taking over a dormant Sabah party as his political platform to take on BN in Sabah.

He was spotted at the ROS office this morning with Dato Jaujan Sambakong, state assemblymen for Sulabayan who quit UMNO together with Shafie.

In a related event, MP for Penampang, Darrell Leiking announced resignation from PKR yesterday. Only last week the PKR VP demanded Tun Dr Mahathir to admit Anwar was a victim of political persecution.

The former UMNO Penampang leader was also seen with Shafie at ROS this morning.

Sabah political analyst with a government agency saw this as an interesting development. Darell is a Murut and Bajau is not known to have close links with KDM.

Talk is Shafie enticed Darell with a RM100 million funding to help service his constituency and make in-roads into seats at Kota Merudu and Tauran.

Darrell will enable Shafie with little influence outside Semporna to reach out to the KDM voters as he pursue his Bajau Laut or more accurately, Suluk clan in Semporna, Lahad Datu and Tawau.

Demise of PKR

Another PKR politician to join is assemblyman for Moyog, Terence Siambun. It was rumored last year that Moyog will have a by-election arising from a pending bankruptcy issue.

FMT reported Tian Chua giving a positive response to Darell's resignation to claim PKR will be working together with Shafie's party.

Whether it is for face saving or in-denail, this development is likely to have wide ranging implication for PKR in Sabah.

Shafie's close association with PKR is an open secret.

It traces back to the episode where he had slandered CM Dato Musa Aman for political fund in Hong Kong controversy . However, Musa was exonerated by both Hong Kong's CAAC and MACC.

Coincidently, Shafie's second marriage to model and Botox Queen, Zahida Rafique was exposed. Her driver revealed Zahida as political fund proxy for Shafie.

Another glaring cooperation is the rent-PKR members to fill up the hall and create ruckus at the event to announce 317 UMNO Semporna branch leaders and receive his return from Umrah

Shafie is expected to reach out to the 18 PKR Cabang members that quit PKR after the last General Election.

This blog raised of that eventuality earlier at the time Anwar was singing, "Najib sudah goyang". Can Shafie do it or another way of asking, can Shafie's money buy them?

Though he denied earlier this month, PKR Sabah Chairman and former UMNO Deputy Minister, Dato Lajim Ukin is heard to join Shafie.

His overture to UMNO was ignored and no offering at all was on the table.

Shafie tried to return to UMNO but the intermediaries he reached out refused to assist. His politics of keeping his constituents impoverished and dependent is too revolting for Sabahans in the know.

For quite sometime, Shafie had been excluded from the UMNO Sabah circle.

It leaves the possibility of PKR closing shop in Sabah, thus for Tian Chua's cooperation statement. However, Lajim is not the holder of the key with access to the 18 Cabang.

The new party will have multiracial membership.

DAP assemblyman for Likas, Junz Wong have been standing out as a sore thumb with his odd political stunts. He will be the first Chinese face to join Shafie.

Shafie declined to disclose the party's proposed new name but words are he will announce it as Pakar on the 29th.

Mahathir's people have been working for more than a year to make in-road into Sabah.

Several months ago, a successful entrepreneur-politician with ties to Shafie was heard to make effort to reach out to professionals and intellectuals groups.

The new party name coincidentally suits the effort.

Reject Semenanjong party?

Leading to Malaysia Day, Darrell was noticeably vocal to demand the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63) be debated in Parliament. It was argued that as a document already agreed upon, it does not need further debate.

An expert on MA63 and formation of Malaysia, Dr Zainal Ajamain will be leaving his employment with Sarawak government and adviser to Tan Sri Adenan Satem to join Pakar.

Though not divulging any details, Darrell praised Shafie has the vision for Sabah to explain for his involvement.

These are clues to the agenda for Shafie's new party and the way to cover-up his own and Mahathir's shortcomings in Sabah. Shafie will likely emulate Mahathir's M.O. to accuse others with one's own past wrongdoing.

The past beat of Sabah for Sabahans will be drummed up again.

This time Shafie will turn around to use MA63 to accuse his arch enemy, Musa Aman for compromising Sabah interest and using the recent exchanges with Adenan as his opening.

At the same time, this strategy serve to steal the effort made by Dato Anifah Aman to claim as his own.

Shafie comment on the "Projek IC" RCI proceedings few years ago should be relevant soon. There was more information held back than the ones "spinned" for Mahathir's face saving.

In 2013, Najib allowed the RCI requested by KDM leaders.

The person lobbying within the cabinet was the Minister Darrell beat in the last General Election and now Ambassador to Vatican City, Tan Sri Bernard Dompok.

With PKR out of Sabah politics and PPBM cannot enter Sabah, Shafie could use a campaign line used by BN in the recent Sarawak state election to call for rejection of Semenanjong political parties.

It is obviously targeted at UMNO but collateral damages will include MCA, Gerakan and possibly DAP.

It will be in contrary to Shafie's statement at the time of his resignation from UMNO. Shafie claimed he contributed to UMNO's growth in Sabah. He was part of the effort to close USNO and bring UMNO in.

In the meanwhile, Shafie have been working with few of the eight UMNO Division heads that revolted against Musa last year to move to unreached areas.

With Shafie expansively reaching out and linking up to any outfit to expand and establish his political network, is he linked to a certain development at SLDB?

Must say that our sources is not too far off in their information on Dato Shafie Apdal's new political party except perhaps the party name. In the previous posting, the political party claimed to be the new platform for Shafie will be Pakar.

The only comment received was to suggest changing the alphabet "P" for "Z". Quite directly commentator was picking on his second marriage to Zahida Rafique in which he dare not own up to what is already publicly known. Never trust someone who cannot take responsibility to his own doing.

Pakar or "Zakar" may not be the party. Another source claimed, it could be Perpaduan or Unity. And that is intended to tie together with Bersatu or the rejected acronym for PPBM.

Dato Rahman Dahlan commented in his Twitter and reported by Malaysiakini here, ""I said this before. TSMY (Muhyiddin), TunM (Mahathir) & DSSA (Shafie) will only cannibalise support from current opposition. The defection of PKR's MP Penampang proved it!"

Darrell Leiking's departure created the active discussion in Sabah, wrote Sabahan Phillip Golingai in The Star here. And our previous posting did dwell a bit on possibility of PKR closing shop and a new slogan to remove Malaya party out of Sabah.

Social media discussion, wrote Phillip saw BN supporters whacking Darrell as frog, while pro-opposition supported him leaving a Malaya party.

Darrell insinuate so as he was quoted saying, "It was more of a political decision after taking into consideration the current political expectations and sentiments – but I stress that it has nothing to do with any personal matter. You, being from Sabah, would probably understand when I say it is a Sabah thing and what more the political conditioning on home ground – vis-à-vis local party and national (or as commonly used back home “Malaya”-based) party."

The same criticism levelled at Malaya political party was made by former Sabah BN CM from SAPP, Dato Yong Teck Lee. Malaysiakini here reported his claimed that Malaya political party failed and their politics is destroying the country with the racial and religious polarisation.

Both BN, PH, PPBM and PAS should heed his twitter quote: “Whereas, Sabah and Sarawak are harmonious. Malaysia is being bankrupted by Malaya parties.” The Malayan public and younger voters may agree.

This blog wrote previously of sources claiming Shafie has RM100 million to help Darrell's political cause but the much talked about is Darrell received or paid RM5 million to leave PKR to join Shafie.

Mkini reported Darrell denied and demanded proof. The problem with Malaysian public is they prefer to believe conspiracy theory and accept or reject information to fit their pre-emptive conclusion than conclude based on comprehensive consideration of information.

Darrell is hoping his second jump to frog into his third political party will be a success. Maybe he forgot to ponder on the KDM community view of him accepting a Bajau as his leader.

And, he forgot of what Malaysian Ambassador to the Vatican City, Tan Sri Bernard Dompok is capable of doing at Penampang's majority Christian constituency. Perpaduan could turn out to be Hampedal or chicken gizzard.

UMNO, specifically UMNO Sabah do not see Shafie as much of a threat. His reputation will precede his new slogan and political makeover.

The Darrell move which together with Dato Lajim Ukin to join Shafie may spread to Sarawak. Words are Baru Bian is considering to leave PKR and out of the chaotic and inharmonious Malaya party of PKR.

Sarawakiana here reported Baru having trouble convincing his voters and supporters of Anwar-Mahathir cooperation. PKR was established to attack Mahathir for injustice towards Anwar but now both are cooperating to bring Najib down.

It was recently revealed in court by a former Anwar operator, Dato Lokman Nor Adam that Anwar was to be removed by Mahathir for launching an attack to topple Mahathir.

Yesterday, UMNO Seremban Division Chief and former UMNO supporter Dato Ishak revealed Anwar putting on a different face in public but privately told him Mahathir as an untrustworthy mamak and gave him "bullets" to criticise Mahathir in the last three months as DPM and UMNO Deputy President.

It is political revelation like this that made East Malaysians puke at the chaotic federal politics colored by Semenanjong's negative, irrational and immature politics.

Be it Anwar or Mahathir, do not trust Geng Loceng. Nothing racial as it is not intended towards Indians but about Keling and they are usually of the Indian Muslim stock. Even Indians do accept Keling as the description of their race.

Matthias Chang and Dato Husam Musa sued a Hollywood wayang company. It was long suspected that the lawsuit was a wayang. Their wayang to cover-up the withdrawal exposed their wayang.

In Rocky Bru's posting here, Matthias Chang said he will come out with the last laugh and Dato Salleh Said Keruak's last statement is counting the chicken before it is hatch.

Salleh made a statement to respond to the withdrawal of lawsuit by Matthias Chang and Dato Husam Musa as mere a media stunt.

From his blog here, an extract from his statement explained:

3. The reality is that it was baseless from the start, a pure publicity stunt to manipulate public perceptions. Part of Tun Mahathir's plan to sabotage 1MDB and damage Malaysia's economy to unseat the democratically-elected government. And all this for selfish political reasons, just to benefit his son Datuk Seri Mukhriz Mahathir.

Do not know what the dramatic Matthias and drama actor-politician Husam has scripted and kept in their sleeve, but the public statement and report on the withdrawal supports Salleh's claim.

The international media intentionally played up the lawsuit by Matthias and Husam and also the withdrawal of the award to Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor by one claim to be UNESCO and another report claimed as some other outfit.

When the lawsuit was withdrawn and UNESCO kind of "apologise" to Rosmah for their boo boo of prematurely announcing the award, no coverage was due given.

That media spinning technique is as old as the oldest profession in the world. It is not refering to farming.

When spinning needed to deliver a message, the so-called lawsuit is suspect.

Lawyers love to caution their naive clients to not play lawyer. That way they could do their job without clients interfering and basically allow them to charge their clients to the hilt.

Leaving the legal part to lawyers, something was out of sync and it looked Matthias seemed to have taken his lawyer's bip off to put on a dramatic mask.

When news first broke out on Saturday [read FMT here] that the duo had withdrawn their class action against Red Granite, not much detail was reported except Red Granite was reported by Hollywood Reporter commenting that "it should not have been filed in the first place".

It is fair for Salleh to assume the duo lawsuit was dismissed.

Off late, the other side have not been doing well with their court drama. Khairuddin lawsuit on use of Sosma rejected. Anina's lawsuits against Tengku Adnan and Najib withdrawn.

To save face, Husam issued a statement to rebut Salleh. Taken from a then pro-UMNO but now pro-PPBM blog, Husam denied their lawsuit was dimissed by the court:

Apa yang berlaku adalah penarikan balik secara sukarela atau VOLUNTARY DISMISSAL di bawah Rule 41(a)(1)(A)(i) of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, Amerika Syarikat, tanpa prejudis.

Ini bermakna kami dibenarkan untuk memfailkan semula kes ini.

Antara lain kerana perkembangan terbaru berkait kes DOJ termasuk Red Granite telah bersetuju memasukkan permohonan bersama DOJ untuk menghadkan pembekuan akaun dan pendapatan Red Granite kepada filem The Wolf of The Wall Street dan Friends With Kids sahaja.

Husam claimed it is a voluntary dismissal or in other words, withdrew their lawsuit to await further development to refile a new lawsuit.

Such practise is allowed under US law. But it is an abuse of the law.

The new development mentioned is Red Granite application to limit the freeze to proceed of income derived from two mentioned movies which allegedly as claimed in DOJ filing was funded by money diverted from 1MDB bond issue meant for Arabs.

DOJ announced their lawsuit on 1MDB probe on July 20, 2016. Matthias and Husam filed their lawsuit on August 12th 2016.

FMT reported that "according to a Variety report, US prosecutors filed a stipulation with Red Granite that sets up a procedure to segregate proceeds from two Red Granite films' on August 1st, 2016.

This development happened before the duo filed their class action lawsuit!

Did the "dramatic and drama actor-politician" duo intentionally filed a lawsuit to withdraw later using the excuse there had been a new development when all along the new development happened 10 days before their lawsuit?

If it is intentionally done and Matthias claimed, "We know what we are doing", they are up to something.

Lets hope it is not the same play as potshots taken against Rosmah, spinning Najib's not attendance of UN General Assembly, Mahathir audience with Agong, hypocritical call for PM not to be MoF, and "cakap tidak serupa bikin" to limit PM term to two.

The latest is Mahathir's "pathetic" talk in London. The remark was made by Mariam Mokhtar. She expected a lot from the talk.

Having been talking for a long time. Do not believe every sensational going-ons. It could be a trick so get both and the many sides of the story.

When still not sure, do not pass remark just cause you have many unanswered questions.

It is OK to raise doubt but it is not enough to conclude and judge wrongdoings happened, especially when there exist doubts. What more to call on a democratically elected leader to step down.

Matthias is a dramatic person but he is not a liar. He is what the Malay described as full of tipu helah by virtue of being a lawyer.

And, he is former political secretary to the most deceiving politician and astute in the art of psychological warfare.

Though Dr Wan Hasni felt the complainant to the DOJ filing was the Abu Dhabi, there are those that suspected it was Matthias.

Giving him the benefit of the doubt, maybe he knows something.

If the benefit of the doubt is withdrawn, he is hoping the re-filing by DOJ will open him to leads to re-open the lawsuit.

It means he is grasping at straws and merely wayang.

Over a meal yesterday, a friend was regurgitating rather presumptous views so typical of the Protoons on social media. The person is intelligent but seemed to succumbed to such simplistic view out of blind loyalty.

The most dramatic one must be about failing economy perpetrated by Dato A Kadir Jasin. Unfortunately for Kadir, a Facebooker proved he got his facts wrong and by the time he insist his views are right, it became obvious his source were simplistic observation shared over teh tarik at a mamak shop.

When nation economy fail, the economic role could not function effectively. Kadir should read Outsyed's book on failed state for a glimpse of what failing means. Not that we buy into his view that lack credible references and merely observation and spurious relation like The Malay Delima.

This led us to tell the friend.

"You have doubts and we are not absolutely sure of certain things.

However, one cannot accuse based on questions seeking answers or fulfill curiosity. One cannot accuse because one is not convinced on the answer but in turn, cannot provide proofs to dismiss it.

When it involves criminal allegations and accusing a constitutionally elected leader, one has to know with facts and certainty, not still asking questions filled with why nots."

Responsible

As journalist, Kadir's act to express a negative view, but got simple facts such as population of Japan to be so wrong at 200 million when it is 120 million, it is unethical, reckless and irresponsible.

If he wants to play opposition politics and be a propagandist, then stop his journalistic act and clearly put his stand as a pentaksub Mahathir and PPBM card carrying member. Not too long ago, a former journalist of Washington Post spoke of this.

Malay Mail Online reported:

Don’t sound like the opposition, ex-Washington Post reporter tells Malaysian journalists

By Syed Jaymal Zahiid

Sunday September 11, 2016
06:49 AM GMT+8

Journalism professor John Dinges (right) speaking at the Cooler Lumpur Festival's ‘Journalism in Service of Democracy’ discussion in Kuala Lumpur, September 10, 2016. — Picture by Yusof Mat Isa
KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 11 — While the independent media has the duty to hold those in power accountable, it must also refrain from acting as the voice of the opposition, a former journalist with The Washington Post advised Malaysian journalists.

John Dinges — an esteemed former correspondent with the US daily as well as with Time magazine who had spent most of his earlier days as a reporter in Latin America during its repressive period in the 70s and 80s — said impartial reporting is the hallmark of a genuinely independent media.

Journalists have to constantly remind themselves that they have a duty to the people, Dinges added, while cautioning them that a media that is seen as too close to the opposition risks losing credibility.

Read on here.

Opposition have long criticised Kadir's journalistic integrity. Looks like his assessment in reading the economy is seriously flawed that even cybertroopers like here and here could dispel him. Lim Sian See is his biggest detractor so go to his FB.

He is perpetrating a lie to instill fear and sabotaging the economy to invoke panic among the public on what is essentially a tight budget situation due to the significant fall in oil prices.

If the economy had been allowed to continue on Mahathirism mode of subsidies and privatisation, prices would be worse and budget would go bust. Then the economy will truly fail.

Fear mongering will result in the same. By the time they gain power, the country will be in absolute mess. Perception had become real and the economy really failed.

Wayang

On the latest development on 1MDB, it seemed the chronology of event argument in our previous posting here that proved Matthias Chang was doing a wayang got him riled up. Hear his video below:

Kadir's detractor that has become Matthias's detractor called Matthias's bluff again with proofs:

Other than throwing childish slurs at Minister of Information, Salleh Said Keruak, pseudo-preacher Matthias Chang is also unhappy with me and asked me (whom he calls Cina-Kuey, to shut-up in his video.

I had questioned why Husam Musa and him withdrew their suit only on 23rd September giving the main excuse that the DOJ has withdrawn the blanket injunction on Red Granite on 1st August (US time) when this was already known ten full days before Husam and Matthias filed their suit on 11th Aug.

Matthias said he only knew about the consent order on Sept 15th but the agreement with Red Granite was already filed by the plaintiffs, the DOJ themselves and was widely reported on August 1st (US time)

http://www.wsj.com/articles/film-company-u-s-reach-pact-in-1mdb-related-case-1470100852

The DOJ actually uploaded this on the website on the same day - which was why I was able to post the screenshot of the documents on Aug 2nd: in my FB: https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=1837803913105061

Seriously, this was Mahathir's political secretary for many years?

Matthias, when are you challenging the UMNO leaders to yet another hunger-strike until death and whoever dies first is the winner?

Yesterday, Minister Azalina Othman also gave her opinion saying that Husam and Matthias's reasons to withdraw their suit does not make sense.

She said:

"Husam's justification...by saying that the withdrawal is for the purpose of aligning the claims following new developments in the case, is unacceptable.

"If there is necessity to furnish any additional facts to the pleading, this can be done without withdrawing the action through a supplementary application," Azalina said in a statement.

Husam said the suit was withdrawn to take into account the DOJ's deal with producer Red Granite Pictures, to set aside future profits from the film the Wolf of Wall Street, said to be funded using 1MDB money.

However, he said he needed to gather more details from his lawyers, while Chang assured that the duo know what they are doing.

Azalina said their actions last Friday showed the suit was "frivolous" and was a "cheap" publicity stunt.

"The duo, not only attempted to embarrass Malaysia, but can also be seen as unaware of the court processes and the basic requirements of filing a class action.

"They are politically motivated and rushed the matter for the purpose of gaining mere publicity by means of abusing the court," she said.

PS: Dear Matthias, I talk a lot and should shut-up? Where's the freedom of speech. At least I don't make myself look like a candidate for Maharaja Lawak like you.

https://www.malaysiakini.com/news/356988

My religion mine, Yours is your

This is all politics but the following act by Matthias could be seen as insulting Islam:

Since Matthias does not profess to Islam, he does not believe in it. He has no business to preach Islam. Perhaps at times, it is fine for non-Muslims to remind Muslims of their own teaching for his or her own good.

For Matthias to use it as part of his drama or political circus act, he is denigrating the teaching of Islam. So does the long political practise of his partner in this lawsuit, Dato Husam Musa.

Frankly, Matthias and Husam pulled back the lawsuit because it is costly. Legal cost in America can be delibitating. Their side have been losing cases and withdrawing lawsuits. It indicate they were doing a wayang to gempaq but will not pursue it all the way.

On that matter, it is timely to remind him of the Pope's own reminder. Reuter's reported below:

Thu Sep 22, 2016 | 12:55 PM EDT

Pope says journalism based on fear-mongering, gossip is form of 'terrorism'

September 21, 2016.

By Philip Pullella | VATICAN CITY

Pope Francis speaks as he leads the weekly audience in Saint Peter's Square at the Vatican September 21, 2016. REUTERS/Remo Casilli
Journalism based on gossip or rumors is a form of "terrorism" and media that stereotype entire populations or foment fear of migrants are acting destructively, Pope Francis said on Thursday.

Francis, who made his comments in an address to leaders of Italy's national journalists' guild, said reporters had to go the extra mile to seek the truth, particularly in an age of round-the-clock news coverage.

Spreading rumors is an example of "terrorism, of how you can kill a person with your tongue", he said. "This is even more true for journalists because their voice can reach everyone and this is a very powerful weapon."

Read on in Reuters here.

Rumour mongering

So we will not preach Matthias on his own religion's teaching but to highlight something by the latest by Sarawak Report resembling rumour mongering:

Criminal Charges Imminent Over 1MDB - Jho Low Tops Wanted List!

28 September 2016

A criminal case is widely expected to be lodged shortly by United States prosecutors against individuals believed to have stolen money from 1MDB and laundered it illegally in the United States – and the main name in the frame is expected to be Najib’s proxy Jho Low, also a US citizen.

Other probable names include Jasmine Loo (also a US resident); Najib’s step-son Riza Aziz; Eric Tan (who laundered money for Low) and Shahrol Halmi, the CEO of 1MDB during the main part of the period of thefts.

Officials 3 & 4 at 1MDB Casey Tang and Jasmine Loo

There is also speculation that the Goldman Sachs South East Asia boss Tim Leissner, whose bank received a little shy of $600 million for raising $6.5 billion of very suspicious loans may also find himself facing charges.

Sarawak Report can further reveal that more civil actions are due to retrieve more properties acquired with the money, which was stolen from the Malaysian public.

The rest is recycling previous story as background information from SR-perspective side. if you can bypass MCMC, read on.

The underlined words, "widely expected", "believed", "probable", and "speculation" and "can further reveal" are useful clauses to escape legal action against SR but the unsuspecting public will not realise the report is only rumour mongering and a terrorism act.

Doubts

The words in red is interesting. At one time, after it was said that the criminal act happening in 1MDB and JV to divert money had not involved Najib, they turn to accuse Datin Seri Rosmah by virtue of her son as one of the accused. Various sources were saying even Jho Loh is Rosmah's proxy.

Suddenly, SR made a change in accusation of Jho Loh as Najib's proxy. It is not timely to tell and people wouldn't want to believe it but let the person concerned tell it themselves. However, we like to highlight one doubt.

Investigation is on-going and content of DOJ filing indicate that it is from the complainant stand point. Those whose assets are being frozen but awaiting forfeiture has yet to make known of their defense. It is more than the expected 60 days after the announcement.

Knowing criminal proceeding cannot proceed till assets frozen and forfeited, it is not logical for SR to report such. Allegation is not a decision and judgement.

It has been the stand for long (more than a year) that those named should faced the long arms of the law. However, the legal principle one is innocent until proven guilty must be uphold. Extract from the previous posting:

Having been talking for a long time. Do not believe every sensational going-ons. It could be a trick so get both and the many sides of the story.

When still not sure, do not pass remark just cause you have many unanswered questions.

It is OK to raise doubt but it is not enough to conclude and judge wrongdoings happened, especially when there exist doubts. What more to call on a democratically elected leader to step down.

Matthias is a dramatic person but he is not a liar. He is what the Malay described as full of tipu helah by virtue of being a lawyer.

So to give Matthias the benefit of the doubt, maybe he knows something. Within one month, will there will be a criminal prosecution when asset forfeiture is still not complete yet?

Part 1 of Quentin Rozario interview here will always be a reminder.

A website entitled their article as "The blood of Jesus cleansed us from all sin." Lucky for Christians and Matthias but not lucky for us Muslims as we should take responsibility for our action.

In 2011, we swore in the House of God that we shall not be part of fitnah and only take position on something with certainty and not mere suspicion. It is the reason we will not be part of Tun Dr Mahathir's power game against Najib.

If Najib is wrong, he will face what is due to him. But if he is not, those judging but cannot verify and prove will face what is due. Can anyone proof with absolute certainty Najib was directly involved beyond his article 117 role and recipient of donation money as trustee?

Don't just say, "don't tell me" which is presumption thus merely suspicion. We dare not, especially when there is propaganda and psywar technique at work.

Bribes that makes blood boil

Merdeka greetings

With Loretta lynch-ed, is DOJ's KARI case in limbo?

Is there screw up in DOJ's case against Red Granite?

Politics made 1MDB a mess, Hotdogging made it messier

A short posting

Psyop in play but how will UMNO response?

"Siapa guna siapa" and other humorous observations

Wukuf at Arafah

Pom Pom can't be a Shafie sacrifice

Humpty Dumpty fell from a wall

Eureka! Evenit ut Gluteus Maximus

O&G Emir to mess up another plantation company?

MUSICAL INTERLUDE: Tell it like it is

Public transportation to serve rakyat

Mahathir accused of messing up public transportation

Shafie Apdal to launch Pakar on Sept 29th

"Pakar" or "Zakar", no "Perpaduan" but "Hampedal"

Matthias, Husam latest development occured before class action suit

Factual flaw and lost credibility, "wayang" and terrorism