Rafizi needs UMNO support to push targeted subsidy

Government is facing a fiscal crunch thus need to implement GST and a previous plan of Dato Najib for targeted subsidy. The timing could not be any better with current shortage of rice, rising sugar and bread prices, planned electricity tariff increase on the card, chicken and egg going up, etc.  

Economic Minister Rafizi is being picked on for past campaign remarks against Najib's administration on weakening ringgit, GST, China FDI, rising food prices and any present economic problem besieging the present government. More so, he explicitly expressed resistance to Najib's pardon and most likely will oppose in cabinet an RCI on Tommy Thomas. 

But he need a full Unity Government support for his budgetary reform. Putting the politics aside, the budget could only be put together from available resources and if it is not permissable, drastic action need be made. 

Timing is bad to introduce GST as a mean to raise revenue. It is left to adjust the expenditure side. Targeted subsidy would likely be in the card. The hint in that direction is obvious when a member of Anwar Ibrahim's team of economic adviser, contributed an article to The Star on the subject.  

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Could local rice shortage be exploited to topple the government?

There is a rumour being circulated on social media claiming Prime Minister Dato Seri Anwar Ibrahim has taken over the importation of rice. 

The modus operandi of the takeover and a logical distribution mechanism is not mentioned. Yet the slander goes on to accuse Anwar intentionally making local rice (SST) unavailable to enable him to profiteer from the high retail price of imported rice (SSI). 

The rumour could be laughed off as naive and outright dumb. BERNAS is the sole authorised importer and "manager" of government allocated subsidy for rice. No organisation can be established on short notice to replicate them.

However, in the light of the expressed intention of PAS and PN leaders to "tebuk atap" (hack the rooftop) and topple the unity government, it cannot be simply brushed off.  

It may not be a long shot to assume Tun Mahathir and Tun Daim will exploit the DNAA of Zahid's money laundering case and current shortage of local rice to spark a public unrest. 

A hungry stomach is the tipping point to a  revolution.   

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Rafizi not wrong on eating out

Economic Minister, Rafizi is getting lots of brickbat for saying Malaysians' habit and addiction of eating out is taking a bite out of their income. He is not wrong in his assessment. In fact, this blogger have taken the same position for quite a long time. 

Its just his bad luck for sharing an unpopular view in the midst of social media getting back at "Minister Formula" for his GST statement to reintroduce the cancelled tax regime. Indirectly, he admitted wrong for his past criticism of Dato Najib for implementing the GST.  

To be fair, eating out is a different issue and its indicative of  Malaysians negative habit to complain and in-denial of reality. 

To Malaysians, particularly urbanites, spending quality family time is equated with eating out. This compares with middle American preference for family cookout. 

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The plight of ehailing gig workers

Changing times: ehailing drivers and food delivery riders are finding it hard to make ends meet in the current situation. — FAIHAN GHANI/The Star

The good times are over

As earnings dry up, gig workers have to consider other options

NATION

The Star Monday, 18 Sep 2023

GEORGE TOWN: The dream of making thousands of ringgit a month as a gig driver or food delivery rider is over.

Higher competition, the end of Covid-19 pandemic movement restrictions as well as changes in fee structures mean that gig drivers and riders are now earning less than what they used to make during the pandemic.

“The time for that is over, especially for delivery riders who used to make thousands of ringgit a month just because eating out was not allowed then during the pandemic (lockdowns),” said sociologist Prof Chin Yee Whah of Universiti Sains Malaysia.

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Malicious prosecution happens

Ganesan of GK TV gave 13 reasons of his own in his attempt to rebut the 11 Attorney General's explanation for deciding to not proceed with Zahid Hamidi's Yayasan Akal Budi case with the 47 charges. It is the fourth in his four part series of rebuttal.     

Though this blogger is no lawyer, one can't help but noticed weaknesses in his well-prosed in the most immaculate English arguments. 

Ganesan seemed to be either under hallucination or lost in a utopian dream that all is well and honourable with the professionals and institutions handling judiciary, prosecution, and investigation in Malaysia. 

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Barbie world Malaysia view and Zahid's DNAA decision

Interesting take by Prof Dr Mohd Tajuddin on Zahid's DNAA decision in his column, "Bangsa Johor triumphs over PN's Bangsa Melayu rhetoric and civil society outbursts", in The Star Sunday. 

It could partly be due to Zahid being more palatable to the Professor cum DAP politician since UMNO is in bed with DAP via the cooperation between BN and PH. 

However, his narrative is more refreshing  than the widepread prejudicial presumption and prejudgement of Zahid. One can read it here or the excerpt at the end of this posting. 

The presumption and prejudgement may have derived from the unrealistic expectation of the public and perhaps, politicians and civil society of this imperfect world. 

Dr Tajuddin rebutted it to basically tell 'em it ain't no Barbie world, below:

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Any update on July arrest of Saravanan's moneyman, Dato Malik?

The socmed is focussed on DPP's decision to not proceed with the 47 charges against Zahid. Controversy arise why after Prima Facie was established. There is also pre-emptive moves speculation.

Will deal with the issue later. Its a subject for RCI on Mahathir, Tommy Thomas and Latheefa Koya. 

More interesting, the news on gambling-linked corruption to politician, which Sabahkini2 had a scoop here, suddenly disappeared from English and Chinese media portal. 

Only reports available are of RGB Director out on bail, and denied of any arrest. Strange indeed because the MACC round-up held up 13 people including 4 Tan Sri in which one is a Muslim Melayu and Hamzah Zainuddin touted to be the recipient. Did someone pay off the MSM to pull down their reports?    

It reminded of Abdul Malik Dasthigeer or known as Dato Malik, who is widely believed to be the proxy and bag carrier for M Saravanan cum a man of various business exploits and wealth. 

He was arrested and investigated for money laundering and reported on July 23rd to have been released on bail. Other media also gave wide coverage to his release similar to RGB. Similar isn't it? So what happen to his case?

Anti-MACC and PDRM whistleblower and PN sympathiser, Edisi Siasat accused it is also hushed hushed.

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