Conspiracy theory linking Kulim Airport to drug cartel

When something does not make sense, more often than not, there is something sinister happening behind the scene. More so, when the unexplained mysteries such as the RM2.4 billion Penang cocaine bust in 2019 did not rest there. 

This is not linked to the last drug article on a Dato Malik implicated to an international drug syndicate involving India, Australia and New Zealand. So happen to be an associate of former MIC Minister, Dato Saravanan whose name surfaced following the commotion over PAC finding and Auditor General Report on HRDC.   

In the June 2023 article, the drug case trailed to a Ooi Chieng Sim which is linked to moneygame Tedy Teow, Hong Seng Consolidated and Corporate Mafia. 

Malaysians usually mudah lupa. For a refresher, Hong Seng was announced by Kedah MB to undertake the RM3 billion Kedah Rubber City project but the Corporate Mafia financier pulled out.

Despite no approval from Federal, Sanusi is still in pursuit of the Kulim Aeropolis mega project. ECK has been cancelled and the multibillion project has been reassigned to Tahira Air Sdn Bhd, whose office is above a local favourite nasi ayam eatery.   

Nuclearbursaman posting dated July 18th uncovered links between ECK and the names said thus leading to the ulterior motive of ECK's interest in Kulim Airport. 

Reality check for the grand ole party

In the early part of this season of annual UMNO Divisional meetings, voices have emerged to demand that UMNO break-out from the Unity Government. It came from groups within UMNO exploiting PH's colossal lost at the Sungai Bakap by-election. 

Among the voices are the faction aligned to the 11 BN MPs that signed the SDs after the 15th General Election to support Tan Sri Muhyiddin form a marginal majority government akin to the Perikatan Nasional government of 2020-22.   

There is also voices expressing the reluctance of grassroot members to accept the current political reality of a Unity Government. 

This segment of UMNO members either could not cope with the sentiment of being in a coalition with DAP and ridiculed as UMDAP or unable to accept Anwar Ibrahim, UMNO's former political enemy as Prime Minister. It is partly attributed to peer pressure from former UMNO members, who migrated to PN. 

And it is also partly in-denial of the party's present predicament. They initially digested the party's explanation that the Unity Government was to respect the request of the Yang Di Pertuan Agong, but could not come to term with the party's decline in fortune. 

July data to ascertain real impact of diesel rationalisation

Together with his "bodoh" and "bangang" remark, Rafizi Ramli's smirk as he hinted of a surprise on the RON 95 rationalisation plan during the Sungai Bakap by-election campaign may have cost PKR an embarassing loss.

Anwar had to immediately deny of an immediate plan for RON 95 and few days ago, he reiterated again with the excuse the impact of the diesel rationalisation need to be ascertain. A Bank report claimed a faster-than-expected growth allowed for the postphonement. 

So this blog will look into it the impact as well. 

Who could make their country great: Trump or Xi?

The Democrats campaigners are claiming Donald Trump have grown scared and regretted his choice for VP. 

They claim Joe Biden's endorsed replacement, Kamala Harris is neck-on-neck on the polls. The Presidential race is made to be a confrontation between a Prosecutor against a convicted felon.

Assuming it is only a political hype, the hypothetical bet before campaign get into full gear favours Trump to be the next US President. Thus the question of interest would be: What the world would be like with his return? 

This time around, the China, which Trump picked a fight in his first term of office, pose a serious threat, at least economically, to the American hegemony and unipolar status. What is to happen under Trump who intend to make America great again (#MAGA)? 

How will he do that?  

HRDC threat to sue Edge likely motivated to cover-up wrongdoings

The murmurs surrounding the going-on at the Human Resource Ministry particularly HRF and HRD Corp was loud during the PN government and under the MIC Deputy President, Dato Seri M Saravanan. There were much talked about within the human resource training industry. 

So, the current noise over HR Ministry or HRDF or HRDC is not the first time. In April last year, a senior officer to the then Minister of Human Resource, V Sivakumar was detained. Till today, the conversation remain over the delivery of the said RM97 million caught on tape. The admissibility of the evidence is another issue. 

Public suspect a cover-up because the Minister is from DAP. Its for the same reason current Minister Steven Sim is being criticised for inaction. However, on record, Steven did the right thing and was acknowledged by PPBM-chaired PAC for appointing an independent professional auditor.     

There was also a "visit" by MACC to the HRDF office back in April 2019. And, although Saravanan denied, the talk back then was of an MACC raid on the Human Resource Ministry back in July 2022. 

The reputation of the HR Ministry had long preceded them that whisteblower Edisi Siasat dare to point their finger at Saravanan, MIC President Vigneswaran, CEO Shahul Hameed, and the naturalised Malaysian and Corporate Mafia-linked owner of Bestinet , Amin Bangla.

It is no surprise that PAC, Auditor General and MACC pursued HRDC. Thus, there is no reason HRDC should threaten to sue the Edge for the following expose. 

The Simpsons predicted Trump re-election, US economic collapse and WW3

"Donald Trump shouted, "Wait! Wait! to his security service details, who wanted him of the platform. where a gun came within millimetres of ending the former President's life. Trump stood up and got the image he wanted. It's him standing bloodied and unbowed. 

With that image, the Presidential race might already be over. I very much doubt the obviously failing Joe Biden or even a stand-in can save the situation for the democrat." 

That was the opening words by David Hearts, Editor-in-Chief for the Middle East Eye in his Tik Tok commentary for the foreign policy of new UK Prime Minister, Keir Starmer in the light of Trump re-election. 

Centuries earlier, French astrologer, Nostradamus predicted Donald Trump to be the 45th US President in 2016 and potential return of the "white dragon" in 2024 to bring the country into chaos caused by violence ad turmoil. So did the uncanny satirical sitcom, The Simpson's which predicted his re-election and an ensuing economic collapse.  

In the meanwhile, Nobel Laurette in Economics, Joseph Stigliez forecasted a Trump win will see higher inflation, lower growth and further inequality. Still short of a collapse, Stigliez is a New Keynesian in which his political comfort lies with the Democrats. 

Did MACC's Director of Investigation allegedly "killed" Teoh Beng Hock?

Today is the anniversary of the death of Teoh Beng Hock. In the morning of July 16th, 2009, he was found dead on a rooftop adjacent to the 5th floor of Plaza Masalam, Shah Alam where MACC Selangor office was. 

There was a demonstration walk towards the Parliament yesterday and skirmishes broke out between the police and demonstrators with the usual exchanges of words. 

On the 15th anniversary, his death is not forgotten and continue to be remembered. The family still not given up to seek justice for him. 

A quote from Grover Cleveland, "A cause is worth fighting for worth fighting for till the end." And the same expected of the Najib diehards. 

Cynical of Lim Kit Siang and DAP's attitude of excessive politicizing of the death, this blogger was initially defensive of MACC. 

Inflation concern override JP Morgan and Forbes appraisal

There was a bit of excitement on the economic front last week following JP Morgan re-rating Malaysia from an underweight rating since 2018 to neutral. Its a more encouraging news than the maintainance of rating by S&P Global at A- and Fitch as BBB+.

In the meanwhile, Forbes gave a glowing review for Anwar Ibrahim to credit him for turning around the economy. And, there have been positive indications on first quarter GDP growth, announced FDI, turnaround in export from 2023 decline, and lower unemployment for May.   

However, survey by Ipsos reported in June found 7 out of 10 Malaysians were pessimistic of the economy. Rising cost of goods and inflation arising from the anticipated "withdrawal" of subsidies contributed to it. Thus far its only diesel subsidy that was rationalise, not Ron 95 yet. 

Fahmi is already paranoid with public expressing their forecasted timeline for withdrawal of fuel subsidy. 

Market analysts does it all the time. Is he going to use MCMC against them especially with analysts expecting inflation to move higher in second half of 2024? Pursue government agency, MARC too?

Star Online today below:

26 years after Reformasi: "Korupsi, kolusi dan nepotisme" remain at large

Between the gecko and the crocodile

By JOHAN JAAFFAR

THE BOWERBIRD WRITES 

Star Online Wednesday, 05 Jun 2024

INDONESIA has seen bigger corruption cases before but never this brazen.

A former minister allegedly used his ministry’s funds like his own piggy bank.

He went for umrah with his family, bought skincare and perfume for his daughter and granddaughter, gave his wife “pocket money”, threw a durian feast, organised a lavish circumcision ritual for his grandson and paid for his son’s monthly car installments – all using government money. He even allegedly put on the payroll a dangdut singer for almost two years.

The extent of his audacity is mind-boggling. It is unthinkable that anyone would believe he can get away with such acts.

Will PPBM retaliate with 11 BN MPs support Muhyiddin?

On June 27th last month as a pre-cursor to the Sungai Bakap by-election and to psyche voters, PAS member and Chairman of Muafakat Nasional, Annuar Musa predicted 11 BN MPs will "jump ship" by offering support to Muhyiddin should Parliament Speaker Johari Abdul not declare the 6 sacked PPBM MPs' seats as vacant.

This is not the first time Annuar have been crying wolf with the same theme to psyche supporting UMNO members. He made such prediction for August 4th and September 4th 2023, in which on both occasion it did not happen. 

No harm trying Annuar. 

He was immediately rebuked by Zahid's Political Secretary Razlan. And UMNO Secretary General, Asyraf Wajidi doubt any MP would dare. 

Apparently, Dewan Rakyat Speaker, Johari Abdul have made a decision that the six seats are not vacate and PPBM has given a press statement of protest. Muhyiddin gave his selective legal argument for sacked MPs as technically party hoppedargument for sacked MPs as technically party hopped.

Though in contrary to PAS's Kelantan assembly Speaker Nik Amar, who declared the Nenggiri state assembly seat as vacant, Johari chose to stick by the constitution and ignore PPBM amendment to their party constitution.      

Now that Johari has "thrown down the gauntlet", will Annuar be able to convince the 11 BN MPs do so?

Lost to ISO certified candidate

PKR was given a nasty bite of reality for losing last Saturday's Sungai Bakap by-election. 

Not only Institiut Darul Ehsan's predication of a PH narrow win did not materialise, PAS widen their 2023 majority of 1,563 votes to 4,388 votes on a voters' turnout reduced from 74.6% to 61.7%. 

PKR's Election Director, Nurul Izzah blamed the defeat to racial and slanderous allegation against her father. PN unfairly accused Anwar for allegedly compromising on the Palestine cause and repeating past allegation of succumbing to IMF 

Penang Chief Minister Chow Koon Yeow immediately conceded defeat. He acknowledged public backlash towards urgently necessary subsidy rationalisation, rise in cost of living, basic public amenities problems, and failure to communicate. 

Problems with water, road condition, vernacular school request, and pig rearing cannot be redirected blame towards PAS. It takes a different significance when the 16,000 majority Nibong Tebal MP was appointed full Minister. 

Salam Maal Hijrah

MUSICAL INTERLUDE: When I am 64

When I get older losing my hair

Many years from now

Will you still be sending me a Valentine

Birthday greetings bottle of wine

If I'd been out till quarter to three

Would you lock the door

Will you still need me, will you still feed me

When I'm sixty-four

You'll be older too

And if you say the word

I could stay with you

Competitiveness had been sliding since 2010

Recently, a political friend passed a remark, "Sudah lain macam" for our assessment on the state of the nation and public reaction to inflation and rationalisation of fuel subsidy. He noticed a difference in  attitude and defensive tone towards Anwar's policy. 

Admittedly this blogger is not as political as we used to be. Whether it is in this blog or personal Facebook, stance taken has been less partisan and as much as possible, refrain from engaging in usual political brickbats.

The fiscal numbers does not add up. And, the economic environment is challenging and uncertain. It certainly has nothing to do with any change in attitude towards IMF neoliberal policies or political conversion to Anwar's PKR.  

The alarming part is prior to GE15, a former Minister confided his concern Malaysia could be heading Sri Lanka way. 

Ever since, the primary concern is the state of the nation's economy and politics take a back seat. More so, the economy is struggling to come out of the 2018 mistake, post Covid-19 pandemics, and global conflicts. 

Is GIP needed because China's BRI fund dried up?

The political public chose to ignore the poser made in this blog's May 30th posting, "Beyond Blackrock and Zionism: Taking MAHB private". They remained worked up understandably driven by the Gaza genocide sentiment and provocation by Dr Mahathir and Khairy Jamaluddin. 

Attempts to get some answers from those with access to Khazanah seemed futile. Thus far, its basically the usual corporate communication shit of saying a lot of things and in fanciful jargons, but tells nothing outside the usual cliche narratives. 

More so, the poor communication by the present Unity Government with Fahmi Fadzil as the glowing poster boy for freedom of expression on social media contributes much to mislead and raise public scepticism of government policies and initiatives. 

No government entity took the effort to engage and fulfill this blogger's desire to know why the Global Infrastructure Partner (GIP) route was taken for an impending corporate and presumably, fund raising exercise? 

And, why was UEM positioned as holding company for the MAHB shares warehoused under the Khazanah-EPF controlled consortium, Gateway Development Alliance (GDA)?  

[Updated] Diverting JMB Scandal's court decision next week

There is a High Court date before Dato Wan Farid on Monday July 1st with regard to the JMB Scandal in Segambut which implicated the MP for Kepong, Lim Lip Eng. With the fact of the case in order and the formalities already done, a swift decision is expected. 

The "illegal" Joint Management Body (JMB) of Icon Residence is trying hard to obstruct the legal transfer of management to the Management Committee (MC) through appeals, application of stay and judicial reviews.

Time is not on their side because the Tribunal Court have decided on April 5th that JMB is illegal and it should be dissolve within three months from the date of the first AGM on February 22nd which is May 22nd. 

A request of stay have been dismissed by the High Court on May 3rd.