UMNO need to find its relevance

In the Barisan Nasional circle, often discussed in conversations is the relevance of MCA. 

Till the next political shift, majority of Chinese voters are backing DAP to represent them. MCA is left with two seats in Malay-majority Parliamentary constituencies. Meanwhile, barring anything untowards, MIC is left with only the Deputy President's Tapah seat.

Be that as it may, the future is not so assured for UMNO as well and the caution was thrown at the recent UMNO General Assembly. The surprise win at the Nenggiri by-election and confidence leading to the Bukit Mahkota by-election does not assure a lasting one. 

Though Zahid meant as BN would be deemed irrelevant should PH form a unity government with PN after GE15, UMNO's relevance has entered the vocabulary. 

They cannot fail to reinvent themselves and find the right positioning in today's politics. 

Joceline Tan still see a bleak future for UMNO as she dwelled on the future leadership of the party. In a feudel party like UMNO, weightage on leadership as the determinant of success is more. 

Such is it that there is a faint hope for Najib to revive the party. By the time he finally get released and back in mainstream politics, will the channel of young voters that threw him out not in their prime and generational change politics has taken place?  

Its happening everywhere. That the diehards refused to face the eventuality.    

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Merdeka and Nation building: Ideological or practical?

Every year during the Merdeka to Malaysia Day celebration, one will hear the repeated debate over the date of Merdeka, Merdeka is only for the Peninsular states, and this year, a new debate: Is it National Day or Merdeka Day?

From the Sabah and Sarawak side, a new one surfaced. A history Professor claim their independence is sometime in 1945. Jeffrey Kitingan used the occasion to rant over addressing Sabah as a state. More to be heard approaching Malaysia Day.  

Oh boy, good thing Johoreans did not bother to gloat of their history of never formerly a colony of Britain. As sovereign, it had embassies abroad in as far away as European capitals. 

These are all talking of the past. Needed is introspection into the present and set foresight for the future. Being correct merely gives a false sense of national or state or racial pride. 

Its a matter of different forms, but the reality was all states in Semenanjong, Sabah and Sarawak were British colonies. All were poor! 

Better be practical and address the problems of nation building.

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Merdeka: Di sini lahirnya ....🎼

 

Di sini lahirnya sebuah cinta

Yg murni abadi sejati

Di sini tersemai cita2

Bercambah menjadi warisan ... 🎵🎶🎼

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Experts long warned of sinking cities along Malaysian coast

Taken from the Youtuber EARTHBOUND, 3 years ago: 

Temperatures and sea levels are rising all over the world. Low-lying coastal cities are already dealing with disastrous floods and are desperately trying to find innovative ways to combat rising sea levels. Here are ten sinking cities that will soon be underwater.

Jakarta was mentioned. In South-East Asia, two other cities are also seriously facing the risk of sinking; namely Manila and Bangkok.

Malaysia's Kuala Lumpur and other coastal cities are not spared too.

The effect of climate change is not a hoax as claimed by Donald Trump. During his 22 years 'reign', Mahathir too ignored the environmental cause championed by fomer US Vice President, Al Gore. 

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MAS emergency landings: Technical/human or sabotage?

There is a war of words between current and former Ministers of Transport on the recent incident of another unscheduled landing by MAS. 

The former Minister, who happens to be current MCA President, Dr Wee Ka Siong raised issue with the regular occurrence of emergency landing, turnback, and flight cancellations. He calls for a probe. 

Coming from his political rival, current Minister and DAP Secretary General, Anthony Loke sensed it is weaponise for politics and seemed to have "koyak" (lost his cool in today's lingo). He told Ka Siong not to create panic and question the professionalism of MAS or MAG. 

Whether it is coincidental or unintentional, the new policy announcement for fare refund could be wrongly perceived as diverting the issue. Nevertheless it is a long overdue. 

Had this happened in the past, we would have questioned Ka Siong and defended MAS. Read this 2012 posting entitled "Two MAS engines trouble incidents; Adding two and two together." [Do read it via VPN. Damn Fahmi Fadzil still refusing to unblock Annuar Musa's block.] 

For this, Ka Siong is justified.      

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The impending fall of Vincent Tan

History is filled with the rise and fall of leaders, empires and civilisations. One such history is probably in the making.Another Mahathir man be biting the dust.

Last week August 23rd, Forbes published an article on the upcoming listing of 99 Speedmart. The rival of Vincent Tan's 7-Eleven will make founder Lim Thiam Wah the next billionaire. Thiam Wah was a former shareholder of Alliance Bank and has since sold his 18% stake.

In the meanwhile, controversial KKMart aborted its listing plan in March but is back on course. The charges against KKMart founder and executive chairman, Datuk Seri Dr Chai Kee Kan and his Director wife Datin Seri Loh Siew Mui thrown out by the court. 

It looked to be a fix-up job to an experienced eye of Malaysia's toxic politics of race and religion.  

Pemuda UMNO Chief, Datuk Dr Akmal Salleh made an issue out of it and the majority of Muslim population got riled up over 5 stockins with the name of Allah found at two KKmart outlets and viraled by preacher Firdaus Wong. . 

Yes, its not a mistake. Akmal was bestowed Datokship by the TYT of Melaka. The KKMart affair raised his political profile within UMNO and among Malay electorates. But thats another story. 

The point is another competitor for Vincent Tan's Berjaya Group beefing up for competition. However, this posting is not about a possible trade war of neighbourhood sundry shops transformed as convenience retail outlets. 

Its about Vincent Tan. 

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Tax: Another elephant in the room

There is an allegation on social media yesterday of government facing a deficit in its operating expenses in the midst of concern of rising debt. 

That is both a serious allegation and supposedly shocking revelation from on an undisclosed source. The federal constitution forbid borrowing to fund government operating expenses. Perhaps, there is projected funds inflow and deficit is transitory. See how the account close.

Since the social media have been both critical and cynical on the fuel rationalisation plan, then they can see the need to move from diesel rationalisation to the next phase of the fiscal reform for Ron 95 rationalisation. 

Whether they like it or not, the elephant in the room is the perennial issue of low tax revenue. Since they are those strongly advocating for the return of the cascading effect GST, they should have no complain for e-invoicing.

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Successful reset to Mahathir's past Indian diplomatic bungle

Anwar Ibrahim's three day visit to India from Monday the 19th to Wednesday 21st yielded an MOU worth RM8 billion, boosting trade, and described as successful by media today. 

The usual cliched words to report any formal visits abroad. It required a closer inspection of the achievements of the visits and a reflection of the political event in the last 5 year to appreciate its significance.

In particular, there was a strained relation in 2019 during Mahathir's second term as Prime Minister. He claimed India was bitter with his remark on Kashmir at the United Nation. 

Though true, Mahathir was not consistent and selective. He is silent  on the suppression of Uighar by the Chinese. 

The truth is he was bitter with India for filing criminal charges against his widely talked "business proxy", Ananda Krishnan which caused his US$7 billion wiped out from his business venture in India!      

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Thailand: More political drama or nearing end game?

The economy of Thailand have been sluggish lately, but not its politics.  

One view is the economic malaise was due to Pita Limjaroenrat being denied to lead the government and his party, Moving Forward Party (MFP), which won the majority in last year's Thai general election by campaigning for the repeal of Lese Majeste law, was disbanded by the Consitutional Court. 

Its alleged that Pita is supported by the US for his liberal democracy agenda and in retaliation, the economy suffered for denying his victory.  

However, Thailand is of interest not for the politics but for the attention of Anwar Ibrahim for meeting twice in a month his Thai countepart, Srettha Thavisin.

From current, Srettha turned former Prime Minister over the weekend. Replacing him is Paetongtarn Shinawatra, the 37 year old daughter of deposed former Prime Minister and de facto leader of the red shirt movement, Thaksin Sinawatra. 

Her premiership makes for interesting observation as to whether the former policemen, and businessmen before becoming Prime Minister still wield influence behind the scene in the running of the country. 

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Thanks to Annuar Musa's "Ikut aku la, Pitih aku"

The image of Tan Sri Annuar Musa campaigning at the orang Asli Pos in a Louis Vuitton jacket and giving out "cenderahati" (gifts) of biscuits and Maggi Mee sealed the unexpected win for UMNO iin Nenggiri, Hulu Kelantan and somewhat avenge Unity Government's PKR dismal lost at Sungai Bakap.

Being made a campaign target and politically cyberbullied, Annuar the loud, narcissistic and a bully himself chose to respond head-on to the viral image of the price tag of his LV jacket and other luxury branded clothings, footwear and watches on stage in Kelantanese dilect, "It's up to me, it's my money!" 

Without knowledge of happening on the ground, that seemed to pretty much sealed Bersatu's fate that saw BN  win back the state assembly seat lost at the 15th general election, in which the longest serving MP in Malaysia, the venerable Tengku Razaleign Hamzah lost the seat he held since 1974. 

Its a consoling win for Ku Li with UMNO's Mohamed Asmawi Fikri beaten Bersatu's imported candidate from PAS, Mohd Iswardi Ismail by 3.352 votes. His influence and respect among the Orang Asli remain.  

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BNM announced higher than expected 2Q GDP

Bank Negara Malaysia and Department of Statistic announced a second quarter GDP, slightly higher than the advanced estimate of 5.8% announced by Anwar Ibrahim last month. 

Free Malaysia Today reported: 

Malaysia’s GDP grows 5.9% in Q2 2024

Natasha Busst and Emma Husun - 16 Aug 2024, 12:06 PM

Bank Negara Malaysia attributes performance to stronger household spending amid positive labour market conditions and larger policy support.

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia’s economy grew 5.9% in the second quarter of this year (Q2 2024) thanks to stronger household spending amid positive labour market conditions and larger policy support.

Bank Negara Malaysia also attributed the strong growth rate to a pick-up in exports and tourist arrivals, as well as robust expansion in investment activities.

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Forget US, Europe, Goldman re-rating Malaysia

So much for Donald Trump and some pessimism on Malaysia. 

And, so much for market getting more pessimistic on the possibility of  recession after last week's public relation exercise by Wall Street to claim it is not as bad. In Star Online today, "Market pricing in higher recession odds", the sub-heading reads "Goldman, JP Morgan say chances of downturn still remain".

Not too far off from this blogger's expectectation of the post- "crash" market condition  here. There is also the contrarian view such as this Wells Fargo strategist's prediction of 1995 re-run here.

However, the "crash" seemed to be a blessing in disguise. Despite the fear of war in the Middle East and Russia-Ukraine war could erupt with a Ukraine attempt to encroach into Russian controlled area, Malaysia is on the spotlight.

Its getting re-rating from none other than Goldman Sachs, the Investment Bank in a legal dispute with Malaysia in relation to 1MDB.  

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Trump 2nd Presidency: Impact on Malaysia

In the midst of local and international attention to Anwar Ibrahim's announcement of Malaysia applying to join BRICS during the commemuration of 50-year Malaysia-China diplomatic relation, there was concern on its impact on Malaysia's E&E sector. 

Immediately, MOSTI Minister Chang Lih Kang came out with a word of comfort citing it will not effect the sector and Malaysia's neutrality is cited as the reason. He said Malaysia's motivation to join BRICS is for the economics mutual benefit as if to tone down the dedollarisation motivation. 

The celebration remains on going with an exhibition at a major shopping complex. Its obviously a major charm exercise by Anwar to win China's heart. 

Not to be seen too obvious, especially on the BRICS, which in a matter of a month, Russian Foreign Minister came to visit Malaysia, Tengku Zafrul reminded that Malaysia is also part of OECD. Neutrality was also mentioned by Tengku Zafrul in his speech to his Ministry on July 18th. 

The elephant in the room is the possibility of Donald Trump returning to White House. He anticipate Trump to renew trade war against China and there will be a massive wave of relocation that will benefit Malaysia, Singapore and Vietnam.  

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Annuar Musa, kerajaan PAS dalang geran peneroka Kesedar lambat

Jika dahulu PAS memainkan naratif menentang Assobiyah, kini mereka pula yang mahu kelihatan lebih Melayu sambil melaungkan Islam terancam. Namun hakikatnya sebalik kerana Gua Musang dan daerah Hulu Kelantan merupakan contoh jelas naratif PAS hari ini hanya suatu kemunafiqan.  

Sejak 1964 hingga ke hari dan kini masih berterusan meleluas, ratusan ribu ekar tanah begitu mudah "jatuh" ke tangan syarikat-syarikat orang luar dan asing tetapi program penyerahan geran tanah kepada anak tempatan khususnya Kesedar begitu susah sekali diselesaikan oleh kerajaan negeri.

Kerajaan negeri yang ditadbir PAS adalah kuasa penentu untuk geran-geran tanah ditukar nama kepada pemilik yang ditujukan. Hal ini diperakui sendiri oleh MB Kelantan, namun pihak kerajaan PAS hanya mempolitikkan. 

Bagi peneroka-peneroka program Kesedar, mereka hanya mahu urusan ini diselesaikan segera tanpa pelbagai alasan-alasan.

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Ratusan ribu ekar tanah Gua Musang jatuh ke "orang asing"

Penyelewengan tanah oleh kerajaan PAS Kelantan khususnya di Gua Musang adalah sesuatu yang telah berlaku berdekad-dekad lamanya lebih dari 60 tahun dan masih terus berleluasa hingga ke hari ini.

Pada tahun 2012, blog pro-BN, Pisau.net mendedahkan kerajaan negeri memberikan tanah balak seluas 10,526 hektar di Gua Musang yang bernilai RM30 juta kepada sebuah syarikat kepunyaan pemimpin DAP, Datok Ngeh Koo Ham. Walaupun dinafikan ketika itu oleh Fadhli Shaari, pemberian tersebut rahsia umum sebagai imbuhan untuk DAP bersetuju menerima Datuk Seri Nizar Jamaluddin dilantik  Menteri Besar Perak selepas pilihanraya umum 2008.

Sebaik mengambilalih pentadbiran Kelantan dari tahun 1990, timbul skandal Ladang Rakyat yang membabitkan tanah seluas 80,000 hektar. Berselindung disebalik program untuk membasmi kemiskinan untuk 4,000 penduduk di daerah Hulu Kelantan kawasan Gua Musang, tanah dipejak ke syarikat-syarikat luar yang mana menjadi habuan untuk pemimpin-pemimpin PAS. 

Ketika pertama kali memerintah Kelantan sepanjang tahun 1964 ke pertengahan 1975, blog Taiping Mali mendedahkan "Kerajaan PAS Kelantan telah menyerahkan hak milik tanah seluas lebih 300,000 ekar secara pajakan kepada sebuah syarikat dari Singapura." Syarikat yang dimaksudkan didedahkan blog Bro Jinggo sebagai Timber & Mine Industrial Corporation. 

Kini timbul pula skandal-skandal tanah yang baru seperti berikut:   

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Congestion on the Straits of Malacca sea lane

An extract from the Port Economics, Management and Policy website reads below:

Due to geography, geopolitics, and trade flows, specific locations play a strategic role in the global maritime network. They are labeled as chokepoints and can be classified into two main categories:

• Primary chokepoints. The most important is that they offer limited cost-effective maritime shipping alternatives, which would seriously impair global trade if disrupted. The first type of chokepoints concerns connectors along major oceans and seas. Among those are the Panama Canal, the Suez Canal, and the Strait of Malacca, which are key locations in the global trade of goods and commodities. The closure of these bottlenecks would force the diversion of maritime traffic over long distances with the associated loss of time and capacity. 

Of late, the Panama Canal is running dry and water is at critically low level for the waterway to operate. The lack of rain due to the El Nino phenomenon has resulted in the second driest season in the canal's 110 year history. [read BBC here]. 

According to IMF blog, Panama Canal saw trade fell by 32% in the early part of 2024. Larger still is Suez Canal, by 50%. Since late December 2023, Suez Canal and Red Sea are under threat. Houthi rebels from Yemen attacked ships in response Israel's bombardment of Gaza and so-called retaliation to Hamas rocket attacks. 

Ships were diverted through the Cape of Good Hope and it added 6,000 nautical miles to journey. Situation may worsen with Israel seemed destined to attack Hezbollah in Lebanon and the possible confrontation with Iran. 

If that is not problematic enough for international trade, the Straits of Melaka recently faced a massive congestion.  

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Yen-led Black Monday: The end of Pax Americana?

According to market watchers, the Black Monday few days ago was sparked by a squeeze on carry trade, a similar arbitrage trading strategy used in the 1997 attack on Ringgit which Mahathir conveniently picked on George Soros. 

Reuters reported on Tuesday:  

The U.S. dollar was nursing steep losses on Tuesday, with the yen on the back foot after a sharp rise in the previous session as traders contend with unwinding of popular carry trades and the prospect of deep rate cuts from the Federal Reserve.

The yen was weaker on Tuesday at 144.47 per dollar, after rising for five straight sessions and touching a seven-month high of 141.675 on Monday. The yen was also lower against the Australian dollar, euro and sterling.

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Financial markets entering the witching hours

Witching hour is the time of night, usually between 3 to 4 am, whereby supernaturals of witches, demons and ghosts roam and at their most powerful. 

In our days trading in the financial markets, the 3 to 4 am refers to the period around the third and fourth quarter of the year when market is most volatile and turmoil in the market usually happen before the period of low trading volume during Christmas to New Year. 

By the look of it, the global financial market is entering the witching period of the year. There was a sell-off on Wall Street last week arising from a poor job data which indicate recession is coming in.  

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In support of Auditor General, Wan Suraya

Its not that certain commentator didn't get it when the latest Auditor General report was brushed aside as "same sorry stories about the civil service: wastage of public funds, inefficiency, profligacy, incompetence and dishonesty" that will eventually be forgotten in public sphere. 

Perhaps he is right since the issues raised by the Auditor General that was hot in July has quietened down in the media. Well, he failed to realise the report started to gain attention from its initial release in March. 

Maybe there was no heads up to alert the commentator that the report is not merely about the RM42 billion cost of projects being audited, or 64 recommendations to the government, or open secrets known over last few years of misappropriation such as the HRDC finally came to surface. 

It's also not about last year appointed and impressive 29 years resume of Auditor General, Dato Wan Suraya's second Auditor Report release of fully her own. The report was lauded by Tan Sri Azman Hashim for its out of the ordinary independence and transparent. 

Its about her tasking "to transform and restructure the auditing system and strengthen the country's financial management".

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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. 

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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. 

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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. 

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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?  

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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. 

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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. 

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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. 

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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:

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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.

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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?

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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. 

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Salam Maal Hijrah

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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

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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. 

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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)?  

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[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. 

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ASEAN rail network, Kra landbridge and JS-SEZ

On June 18 recently, Chinese Premier, Li Qiang made a three day official visit to Malaysia. The visit coincided with the 50th anniversary of the diplomatic relation between Malaysia and China which started between the Dato Najib's father, the late Tun Abdul Razak and Mao Tze Tong in 1974. 

There was a slew of deals signed and durians are now allowed to be exported to China to mark the renewal of a five year economic cooperation pact. Though not as much as the US in terms of FDI, China is the most important trading partner of Malaysia. Trade is the heart of the half century of economic ties. 

There was whispers and speculation that the reception from China side was not as warm. It was not Xi Jin Peng but instead his Prime Minister. Perhaps, Malaysia is not in China's BRI grandplan with the US vehicle GIP making inroad into the airport sector. 

The speculation can be put to rest. China's involvement in the development of Malaysia's rail system will continue beyond the ECRL. 

Media today reported on the launch of the Asean Express. 

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Exposed! Lies of MATCVS, RCS Edin, Dr Rafidah, Kevin Yii, Dr Hanafiah, and PP proponents

When it was revealed that the Malaysian Association of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery (MATCVS) was illegally conducting the FRCS "haram" education on behalf for Royal College of Surgeon, Edinburgh (RCS Edin) under the Parallel Pathway program, there was initial denial from them. 

Subsequently, MATCVS via their fellow fraternity, College of Surgeon Malaysia (COSM) and Academy of Medicine Malaysia (AMM) took responsibility for it. This is illegal and should be brought to court because they are not approved institution of higher learning under the Ministry of Higher Education (MOHE). 

As a result, the PP graduates could not get their diploma accredited by the Malaysian Medical Council (MMC). More so, the diploma was by a foreign institution, RCS Edin thus must be accredited by the UK's General Medical Council for MMC to recognise.       

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Beyond vaccine's AEFI, PP is another mess of Noor Hisham

When Noor Hisham's mess started ...

Not many is aware, the budget for the teaching hospitals in this country were slashed few years ago. It happened before Tan Sri Nor Hisham Abdullah introduced the Parallel Pathway in his so-called attempt to shortcut the process of producing more medical specialist.

PP used up the budget of Ministry of Health (MOH), which is not responsible for medical education but that of Ministry of Higher Education (MOHE). Budget meant for public health were diverted into areas which is not supposed to be spent by MOH and compromised public health well beings. 

Since this issue will be addressed in Parliament, Member of Parliaments should be looking into the implication on the budget and not narrowly channeled by what was briefed to them. Its practically attempt by MOH to kill off medical education of local Universities. 

As the next Parliament sssion draws near, the same happening as before and reported by this blog in earlier postings is happening.

Proponents of PP attempted to confuse the public to deflect the weakness on the accredition of PP, bad planning of MOH, lack of assessment and monitoring for academic quality, and the more serious matter of patients' safety. 

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[Up-dated] JMB scandal is a China-linked scam?

Picking up from the last posting here on the KL Condo King involvement in what was described by a newly established portal as JMB scandal, the blog Makcik Kiah here hinted that the JMB Cartel operators allegedly scheming off management fee at Icon Residence may not be Malaysians.

A source claim that the Assistant to MP for Kepong and former MP for Segambut, Chua Choon Yin and JMB Treasurer, Seow Choo Kiong may not be Malaysians. They neither could understand and speak Malay and English, nor converse in any local Chinese dialects spoken in Malaysia. 

They only speak Mandarin, which according to the observation of a Malaysian Chinese, it is not the Mandarin spoken by Malaysians, but that of Chinese in China. 

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KL Condo King cartel in Hannah Yeoh's Segambut

This morning, there was a report made by the representative of Icon residents at the MACC headquarter against the management company of their condominum. 

This report came about after (so-called) Human Rights Group, Lawyer for Liberty (LFL) lambasted MACC for arresting a lawyer and his clients earlier on Tuesday June 11th. The lawyer, Lai Chee How questioned MACC for raiding his office on June 4th. (read Edge here). 

It's the usual stunt of activists group to cover one of their own using the technicality of the law especially to cover up alleged involvement in criminal activities. 

Tan Sri Azam Baki explained that Lai was being investigated for embezzlement and abuse of power in his role as former Chairman of a Joint Management Committee of a condominium. He is a suspect in the embezzlement from the management and maintenance account, 

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NEWSBREAKER! Secret meeting at PICC today to legalise "Illegal" PP

The cabinet has yet to meet the discuss the amendment to legalise the "illegal" Parallel Pathway medical specialist training program conducted in Malaysia and by Malaysian but qualification issued UK colleges and not recognised under the law. 

It came to this blogger's attention that a secret meeting is being organised for today at the Putrajaya International Convention Centre between 2.30 pm  4.30 pm. The meeting is described as secret for  reason only those parties for the "illegal" Parallel Pathway is invited, including those outside the ambit of the Ministry of Health (MOH). 

The invitation sighted by this blogger is a circular from MOH signed by Dato Dr Mohd Azman bin Yaacob, Pengarah Perkembangan Perubatan, Kementerian Kesihatan with the status as "SEGERA DAN SULIT". 

According to the circular, the MOH and MOHE had submitted a joint Memorandum to the Cabinet to amend Medical Act 1971 (Act 50) under the pretext to streamline the process to recognise and register Medical Specialist. In other word, it is intended to legalise the "illegal" PP program. 

The invitation today is a briefing by the Division acting as Secretariat together with the Legal Adviser of MOH. The letter was cc'ed to the various senior position holders of MOH. 

The academics invited came from the Academy of Medicine (AMM), Malaysian Medical Association (MMA), The Association of Private Hospitals of Malaysia (APHM), The Malaysian Association for Thoracic & Cardiovascular Surgery (MATCVS), Malaysian Urological Association (MUA), Academy of Family Physicians Malaysia (AFPM), Family Medicine Specialist Association (FMSA), and The Malaysian-Ireland Training Programme for Family Medicine (MITPFM).

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Parallel Pathway: SG advising cabinet conflicted?

Its been a while since this blog delve into the Parallel Pathway issue. Last was on May 8th in the posting, "Proofs MATVS lied and made fraudulent claim". 

There is a claim that two of the four completed trainee of Parallel Pathway (PP) program got a job abroad. Never mind they are Malay, Dr Rafidah Abdullah and Dr Hanafiah Harunarashid should explain as to how could that be when FRCS Edin for PP is not recognised by UK's GMC?     

Off late there have been a new strategy by these revolting group of doctors to blame and find fault with the time honoured processes of the Malaysian Medical Council (MMC) and Malaysian Qualifying Agency (MQA). 

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Is Murray Hunter linked to and funded by Kalimullah, NMY?

On Wednesday June 5th, Murray Hunter issued a strongly worded statement against MCMC Chairman entitled "Salem the censorship czar". He took the opportunity of the uproar over MCMC blocking FBs criticising and calling on Hannah Yeoh to resign. 

Sources deep inside MCMC claimed Salem is not at fault, but that is not the issue of this posting. 

Yesterday June 8th, Sabahkini2 portal lashed at Murray, as written in Malay, "Sekatan laman sesawang, mengapa Murray Hunter sakit hati dengan Tan Sri Salim Pengerusi SKMM?"

The Sabah based portal had issue with the former UUM lecturer turned Bangkok based paid writer since their December last year posting, "An Australian in Thailand who is obsessed with Malaysia". They reported on a police report made against him in May. 

Sabahkini2 invited curiousity for calling on MACC to investigate Kalimullah and Nor Mohamed Yakcop from out of the blue. It is strange to group them as Pak Lah's cronies in the next day posting, "MACC's selective pursuit: A blind eye towards Pak Lah's cronies".   

This is in a matter of hours from the earlier posting, thus is there a connection between Kalimullah and Nor Yakcop with Murray?

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