Wednesday, April 16, 2025

Trump bring chaos, Xi bring trade: What would be Malaysia's choice?

Xi Jinping did not attend the invitation from Anwar Ibrahim for 50 year bilateral celebration last year, but he did not forget to mention of the hope for 50 golden years more of Malaysia-China relation as he  touchdown yesterday.

China has always been in for the long play since Tun Razak visited China in 1974 to be received by Chairman Mao Tse Tong in the height of the cold war between West and the Communists. The benefit from the long years of bilateral relation is coming to fruitation with the belt and road, which remains the main benefit from the relation.

Since the establishment of the Peoples' Republic of China, they were struggling to feed and take their more than 1 billion population out of poverty. Today they are an economic superpower and miraculously within one generation managed to raise the living standard of the majority of its population. 

Doing business with China is a challenge. They could do what others are doing and better. There is nothing much an export-driven economy like Malaysia could export to China. The trade situation with China favours them over the surplus with the US. .   

Trump bringing in tariff and chaos, while China offers trade and dependability. What is there for Malaysia to not prefer for China. During the financial crisis of 1997-2000, China is the unseen rock that helped Malaysia stand back up its feet. 

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Monday, April 14, 2025

'Flowing water cannot be severed' - How Xi Jinping promotes China-Malaysia friendship

BEIJING (Xinhua): Over three decades ago, when Xi Jinping, then the top official of China's southeastern city of Fuzhou, visited Malaysia on an investment promotion trip, he found himself deeply impressed by two symbolic sites.

One is the Poh San Teng Temple, a long-standing homage to renowned Chinese navigator Zheng He (1371-1433) of the Ming Dynasty. The other is the city of Sibu, which became known as "New Fuzhou" after Wong Nai Siong, a Fuzhou native, migrated to Malaysia with over 1,000 Chinese people more than a century ago.

Both places testify to the millennium-old China- Malaysia friendship, a bond Xi has repeatedly pledged to inherit and cement as China's head of state. During a 2013 visit to Malaysia, he quoted a local proverb to illustrate the commitment: "Flowing water cannot be severed."

It was also during that Southeast Asia tour to Indonesia and Malaysia that Xi invoked again the legacy of Zheng He and put forward the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road, an essential component of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).

Now as Xi travels to Malaysia for a new state visit, the two nations are poised to further build on their time-honored friendship and fruitful cooperation, and steer bilateral relations toward a more promising shared future in the new era.

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Friday, April 11, 2025

Opposition-linked MBI arrest prior to Xi Jin Peng visit

Chinese President, Xi Jin Peng will be making a three day official visit of Malaysia next week April 15th to 17th. 

He was extended an invitation for the 50 year anniversary of Malaysia - China bilateral relation, however was represented instead by Prime Minister Li Qiang in June last year. 

The visit in the midst of Trump triggered trade war to isolate China will draw attention from the foreign media and the US. 

Certain quarter of Malaysians are getting cold feet and urge Anwar to reschedule the visit. Surprisingly its mostly Malaysian Chinese. And, there is certain segment of older generation Malays still stuck in the past to view China and DAP as communist. 

Leading to Xi's, whether by design or coincident, there have been major arrests related to China's most wanted scammer, Malaysian Tedy Teow of MBI fame. The victims of his billion ringgit scam have mostly been Chinese national. [Read the recent past postings.]

Today, another arrest was reported noon time by The Star, reproduced below:

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Wednesday, April 9, 2025

Why Steven Sim in a hurry to dissociate from Tan Kean Soon?

“There are decades where nothing happens; and there are weeks where decades happen.”

― Vladimir Ilyich Lenin

Too many incidents happened during the last few weeks of Ramadhan. 

Racial temperature was rising following resistance of an illegal Hindu temple on Jakel's land in the Masjid India area to relocate. Then the random punching incident against an Axia driver. 

Mineral water and stinky bean sellers went amuck, and thug-like manner by DBKL enforcement officers on unlicensed balloon seller. These incidents, which are raising hatred against local authorities, inspired a philosophical social media commentator to quote Lenin

Talk of a coup d'etat after Hari Raya ended when Ismail Sabri was nabbed and in the early part of Ramadhan. Yet through out Ramadhan the political agenda setting continued.

There was the Sapura bailout or not polemic. Hamzah Zainuddin appeared on Keluar Sekejap to stir-up UMNO grassroot. The motherload meant to be political conversation during Raya was the RM1 billion lawsuit by Hydroshoppe. But, Putra Heights gas leak that caused a massive explosion on the second day of Hari Raya deviated attention.

With too many developments, the mysterious arrest of a highly connected oil and gas corporate figure  by police allegedly for case fixing scam missed the media and public radar.   

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Monday, March 31, 2025

Salam Aidil Fitri


Selamat Hari Raya. 

Maaf Zahir & Batin.

P/S 

If the money game operator MBI link to slush fund for DAP story here was a hot posting, watch this space for a similar slush fund. The money laundering news is out, but the link is not widely known. 

It involves a renown foreign underworld organisation, which is invariably linked to MBI. And, MBI is a no go name to the Middle Kingdom. They would search wormholes to flush out this group.

One would wonder why can't PKR-led government cover for their fellow coalition member. Well, what Meiguo or Zhongguo wants, they get. Those, who understand current happenings in Cambodia, Myanmar, and Thailand, would understand why.

After Raya ....


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Wednesday, March 26, 2025

MBI investigation could lead to Guan Eng's slush fund for DAP

Lim Guan Eng, his family and faction did poorly at the DAP's central committee election. He survived at 26th spot, lost the Chairmanship and given face saving position as Adviser. His people have not given up and perhaps pondering a return. 

Guan Eng's Penang tunnel case is still on-going in court for any immediate change in fortune. In the meanwhile, the changing of the guard at DAP went through smoothly and new generation of leaders sprouting. Bukit Aman was reported moving in to investigate the money trail of Tedy Teow and talk is  Guan Eng had dealings with Tedy.

Tedy is the founder of the infamous money game operator MBI Group. They operated a multi-level marketing (MLM) MCoin and Ponzi investment scam to swindle investors in Malaysia, China, Thailand, and Indonesia in the billions of Ringgit

He was arrested in Thailand in 2022 after years on the run. Malaysia requested for his extradition to face charges of fraud and money laundering, but he ended up being extradited to China in August 2024

Suddenly Bukit Aman called up corporate figures linked to the MBI money trail. One is believed to be linked to Ivory Property Berhad, one of the four property development company closely linked to Guan Eng. 

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Monday, March 24, 2025

Ismail Sabri's 6th day of questioning: Denying Hassan Karim


On Sunday, Hassan Karim expressed concern over MACC's handling of Ismail Sabri's investigation. Extract from the report below:

He questioned why evidence related to the case was publicly disclosed before the investigation was concluded.

"Normally, evidence is presented during court proceedings.

"However, in this case, despite the probe being incomplete, key materials have already been exhibited in a press conference. What is the purpose of this?” he said.

Naser Abd Hadi of Persatuan Anti Korupsi found nothing unusual with the investigation. The Star published his letter today:

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Wednesday, March 19, 2025

Parliamentary Services Act: Breaking the shackles Mahathirism

A Facebooker observed that whenever Mahathir expressed his opposition to any new government initiative or actions, he is either covering up for past sins or up to something. When two of his sons were investigated by MACC, obviously he is not pleased.

Mahathir expressed concern with the much lauded Parliamentary Service Bill 2025 that was passed. Sinar Harian reported him justifying concern of "outsiders" controlling the administration of Parliament and favouritism in the staffing creeps in.

A check with those close to those involved with the Bill turned out the Act had existed before but repealed in 1992 by you know. Typical of Mahathir need to have his hands everywhere to control and dictate things.  

Prof Shad Saleem Faruqi explained:

Constitutional role restored

BY SHAD SALEEM FARUQI 

REFLECTING ON THE LAW 

Star Online Monday, 17 Mar 2025

The Parliamentary Service Bill 2025 is a good first step towards creating a parliamentary service that enjoys some autonomy from the executive.

LAST week, the Dewan Rakyat passed two Bills to enhance the autonomy of our Parliament.

A little bit of history is in order. Under the Parliamentary Service Act 1963, the employees of Parliament were part of a service separate from and independent of the public service.

Regrettably, the 1963 Act was repealed in 1992. The executive then took charge of the administration and finance of Parliament, and the selection of officers and employees were handed over to the Public Service Department, Treasury, and the Prime Minister’s Department.

The Parliamentary Service Bill 2025 is a good first step towards creating a parliamentary service that enjoys some autonomy from the executive.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and Law and Institutional Reform Minister Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said deserve our congratulations for righting this 33-year-old wrong.

Parliamentary Service will now be managed by a Parliamentary Service Council of 16 members, 13 of whom are from Parliament – five from the Dewan Negara, eight from the Dewan Rakyat – and three from the top echelons of the public service.

The Dewan Negara members are the President, deputy President, Clerk to the Senate, and two Senators nominated by the Selection Committee and approved by the House.

Dewan Rakyat members are the Speaker, two deputy Speakers, the Clerk to the Dewan Rakyat, and four MPs nominated by the Selection Committee and approved by the House. Commendably, out of the four MPs, two must be from the Opposition.

The Bill will enable Parliament to have an independent or semi-independent administrative, human resources, and financial framework.

However, some flaws have been highlighted by critics.

First, the Bill falls short of the original 1963 legislation in one area. Under the 1963 law, the Clerks of the two Houses enjoyed a security of tenure like Federal Court judges.

That safeguard for independence has been excluded.

Second, members of the Service are appointed by the Council but the terms are determined by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong under sections 2(3), 6(3), 7(8), 8(8), 13 and 18(2)(a). As a constitutional monarch, His Majesty mostly acts on advice. Therefore, the influence of the political executive on the terms and tenure of parliamentary service members may not end.

Third, as scholar Maha Balakrishnan has pointed out, the Bill does not tangibly expand Parliament’s financial autonomy. The Council is only given the power to oversee all financial matters relating to parliamentary service, which is not a clear vesting of control over its budget, revenue, and expenditure.

Fourth, the Bill, though well-intentioned, has a narrow aim. Perhaps this was so because a comprehensive Bill for the reform of Parliament will require years of consultation prior to its drafting.

Nevertheless, it needs to be pointed out that strengthening the position of parliamentary staff does not do much to address the broader issue of the quality of MPs, quality of debates, inadequate scrutiny of Bills, and the unfulfilled role of Parliament as the grand inquest of the nation to keep the executive answerable and accountable.

Hopefully, a future Bill will address the need to strengthen Parliament’s efficacy in all its major constitutional functions, the most important of these being:

1. Giving democratic legitimacy to the government appointed by the King – Article 43(2).

2. The making, amendment, and repeal of laws – Articles 66-68, 159 and 161E.

3. Enforcing responsibility, accountability, and answerability of the government – Article 43(3).

4. Providing authority for the raising and spending of money – Articles 67, 96-104.

5. “Constituency function” by Dewan Rakyat MPs.

6. Reviewing the government’s exercise of emergency powers – Article 150(3).

7. Approving of electoral boundaries by the Dewan Rakyat – 13th Schedule.

8. The Dewan Negara’s function of representing the 13 states, the federal territories, distinguished persons, and minorities – Article 48.

9. Protecting Malay Reserves – Article 89.

Due to space constraints, this article will examine reforms of the legislative process only.

Parliamentary institute: On the lines of Intan (National Institute of Public Administration) and lkap (Judiciary and Legislation Training Institute), we need an Institute of Parliamentary Affairs to train MPs in the fundamentals of our Constitution and laws like the Sedition Act.

Familiarity with the technicalities of the Standing Orders, craftsmanship of legislative drafting, and legislative interpretation is also needed.

The institute should have a budget office to enable MPs to decipher the intricacies and long-term implications of budgetary proposals. It is noteworthy that unlike in most democracies, our MPs do not have legislative assistants to assist them in their multifarious functions. This is a contrast with the United Kingdom where for 600 MPs they have 3,500 legislative assistants.

Official Secrets Act (OSA): All Bills are embargoed and subjected to the OSA. The democratic practice should be to be open about impending Bills. The government should issue policy papers on proposed Bills to enable citizens to provide feedback and contribute to the discourse. Decisions in which people participate are decisions they are likely to respect.

Legislation committees: Elected legislatures are – or should be – the principal forum for deliberating, debating, and passing laws instead of rubber-stamping the decisions of an authoritarian executive.

Regrettably, the criticism is heard often that our Parliament merely legitimates; it does not legislate. During proceedings, MPs have their say, the government has its way. To strengthen parliamentary scrutiny, bipartisan parliamentary committees to examine Bills before or after the second reading must be set up as a matter of course and not infrequently, as at present.

Committee work during adjournment: Reformers suggest that given the very lengthy periods when Parliament does not meet, parliamentary committees should be allowed to function both during an adjournment and a prorogation. It is in committee work that Parliament blossoms into “the grand inquest of the nation”.

Post-enactment committees: I have long suggested that all Bills should contain a clause requiring the minister(s) concerned to appoint a post-legislation citizens’ committee to meet periodically and report to the minister on the working of the law concerned.

Private MPs’ Bills: Private Members’ Bills are allowed by Standing Orders and should be encouraged as these may involve participation by NGOs and reflect the democratic impulses of society. The Speaker’s office should draw lots and those whose names appear in the top three slots should be allocated time and financial aid (as in some democracies) to submit their proposals.

In the United Kingdom, up to 20% of Bills passed are Private Members’ Bills.

Role of Dewan Negara: The Dewan Negara is supposed to be a revision chamber. It can propose amendments. It can delay a money Bill for a month and a non-money Bill for a year.

Regrettably, it acts mostly as a rubber stamp. It rejected a Dewan Rakyat Bill for the first time in Malaysian history in 2019 by defeating Pakatan Harapan’s proposal to repeal the infamous Fake News Act.

Concurrent sessions: To lighten the legislative load of the Dewan Rakyat and to enable greater scrutiny of legislative proposals, some politically non-controversial, non-money Bills should originate in the Dewan Negara. This will require both Houses to sit concurrently. No law forbids concurrent sessions.

Executive power to delay enforcement: Bills, including constitutional amendments duly passed by the Houses and signed by the King, are often left hanging because the executive had inserted a clause empowering it to choose the date of enforcement. If the executive fails to act, the will of Parliament remains unenforced. The Undi18 Act passed and gazetted in September 2019 suffered this ignominy for about 18 months.

Subsidiary legislation: Subsidiary legislation outnumbers parliamentary legislation by a huge ratio. Yet it goes unscrutinised. A joint committee of both Houses on subsidiary legislation must be appointed to advise Parliament on whether to accept or annul a subsidiary law.

Law reform commission: Life is always larger than the law, and existing rules must remain dynamic to respond to the felt necessities of the times. An independent law reform commission should be set up to report its proposals to a special parliamentary committee.

Parliamentary sessions, meetings, and sittings: The parliamentary calendar – its summoning, prorogation, and dissolution – are largely in executive hands. Our Dewan Rakyat meets about 80 days a year. It should meet more often, as in the UK where the House of Commons meets about 180 days a year. A law on a fixed term Parliament should also be considered.

Daily agenda: In the determination of the daily agenda, the leader of the House (who is a government minister) has the dominant say. Under Standing Order 15 of the Dewan Rakyat, government business shall have precedence. Instead, the Speaker should have some independence in the matter.

To sum up, the Parliamentary Service Bill 2025 is a good beginning and an important part of an evolutionary process. However, besides separating parliamentary service from the public service, other reforms are needed.

A future Bill should address the training of MPs to perform their democratic functions more effectively and also the broader issues of the institutional efficacy of our elected parliament.

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The bill would certainly be in the right step for more needed to reform to elevate the performance of MPs and Parliamentary process. Its getting really disgusting to see the low quality of discussion and debates in Parliament, often interspersed with shallow and petty political quarrels of low value to the citizens.  

Perhaps that was what Mahathir systematically wanted; a Parliament subservient to the executive, the low quality of discussion and debate enables the executive to be heard and ultimately could easily control the narrative and denigrate it to merely as rubber stamp.

If the reforms listed could be restored or introduced, the true capabilities and leadership qualities of MPs could and offer choices of succession plans for the future. The present system overemphasised on  party-based selection according to hierarchy and popularity.

No chance of those easily controlled by Mahathir or his manouvering could rise up to the top. 

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Monday, March 17, 2025

MAGA at the expense of stagnant global economy


On the UNCTAD website, the October 29th 2024 article expressed concern for global stagnation as the title reads: "Global growth stagnates at 2.7%, too weak to curb inequality, climate change and discontent". 

UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD) projects global economic growth to stagnate at 2.7% in 2024 and 2025, marking a sustained drop from the 3% annual average seen between 2011 and 2019 and well below the 4.4% average in the years before the 2008 financial crisis.

The organization’s Trade and Development Report 2024 warns that this new “low normal" growth is insufficient to tackle pressing development and climate goals or help ease widespread discontent amidst a global cost-of-living crisis that has left many households in vulnerable positions.

As early as January 2024, Brooking Institute projected global growth to slow down before possibly edging up in for 2025. Five factors anticipated to contribute to the slowdown; rising geopolitical tension, China's economic slowdown, surging financial stress, trade fragmentation, and climate change.

Then Trump and his MAGA movement won the Presidential election in early November 2024 out of the realisation that slowdown in technological progress led to stagnation in their living standard. The economic warpath to revive its economy will come at the expense of developing economies. An uncertain future awaits ....    

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Thursday, March 13, 2025

Did Ismail Sabri got kickback for Dubai World Expo appearance?


Despite talk of his uncertain health condition, former Prime Minister Ismail Sabri was seen arriving at the MACC this morning to record his statement in relation to investigation for corruption and money laundering allegations. 

Four persons were remanded including Ismail's former political secretaries. Cash RM170 million and gold bars found at safehouses, presumably at the homes of his former officers. MACC confirmed 13 of Ismail's accounts with RM9.33 million forfeited. 

UMNO made two statements to deny any link to the seized money and pre-empting any possible claim the money is "political fund raising" for GE15. Obviously, no money handed to UMNO and gold bar serve no purpose in political campaign. 

It is believed Ismail and former UMNO Secretary General, Annuar Musa were building a political war chest of their own. This leads to the incident Ismail's uninvited appearance at the Dubai World Expo 2020 and talk he met estranged Serba Dinamik CEO Abdul Karim Abdullah. 

Focus M wrote of the visit in 2022:

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Wednesday, March 12, 2025

"Trump"-triggered market crash, recession, and global systemic collapse

The current conversation in local bourse is what is the new and constantly changing support level as market plunge on two straight days of Wall Street crash.

Trump's tariff war on Canada last night saw him ordered for 50% retaliatory tariff on Canadian steel and alumnium for Dow Jones reeled down by 450 points. A day earlier, his mention of the R word for recession sent it crashing by almost 900 points.  

For Malaysia, it is already 20 weeks of market decline due to foreign investors pulling out. It is most worrisome for a market that have yet to have a bull run since 2014. The buzzword is recession and recession triggered volatility. There is none of the expected "Trump bump", but sell-off every time he speaks and its economic impact

The conversation has shifted to beyond conversation on market crash and recession, but systematic global collapse. What is to come of Malaysia? 

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Monday, March 10, 2025

No more Petronas: More taxes to come?


Anwar Ibrahim claimed the Petros-Petronas spat is resolved. There is no resolution on how Petros and Petronas will be cooperating together in projects such as the cancelled Lang Lebah fields. It is the usual safe statement to contain any conflict from worsening and buy time for a resolution. No lying there. 

Need to repeat it again, the problem could have been avoided had Petronas been mindful of the increasing sensitivity of MA63 in Sabah and Sarawak, admit their fault and discontinue the grave "mistakes" committed, and not acted arrogantly. 

Given the fiscal constrain of the Federal Government to reduce subsidy, large expenditure for government salary and pension, and low tax collection, Petronas exacerbated the financial situation presently worsening due to the current global economic and trade turmoil. 

Petronas have been rushing to expedite Najib-era initiated "reimagined" new path on the possibility oil could either dry up or the industry is no more ESG acceptable to financiers. Its CEO recently raised the  bleak possibility of Petronas may not exist in 10 years. Latest net profit for 2024 of RM55.1 billion is a shrinkage by 32% rom 2023. It has been falling since 2021.

Its a global trend! 

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Friday, March 7, 2025

Government funded political campaign without wasteful poster war?

Anwar Ibrahim stressed on economic reform over institution or political reform. 

Given the current economic situation, demand on the national coffer is endless but contribution into the fund getting challenging. Livelihood should take precedent over high-falluting ideals

If there is any reform that need expediting, political funding would be one. Anwar's expressed willingness to do so in November last year.   

This blogger is in sync but not so much for the need of a framework to govern political funding as expressed by C7, but more for the reason expressed by the Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Law and Institutional Reform), Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said to mitigate corruption risks.  

According to Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) Chief Commissioner, Tan Sri Azam Baki, policy development for the Political Financing Bill is on going and the bill slated for tabling in Parliament in 2026

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Wednesday, March 5, 2025

Petros-Petronas spat is far from resolve


Upon the demise of Allahyarham Tun Pehin Seri Taib Mahmud in February 2024, open and frank conversation over Sarawak rights on its oil and gas under Chief Ministership of the late Adnan Satem escalated beyond the usual grumbling and dissatisfaction into a conflict between Sarawak and Federal Government.   

Earlier during Dato Najib’s administration, the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63) was acknowledged with a cabinet joint committee established and chaired by former Foreign Minister Anifah Aman and Dato Nancy Shukri during Najib’s administration.

The passing of Taib, political undercurrent during Premier Abang Johari Openg, and demand to accelerate state economic development put greater pressure on the fulfillment of the terms of MA63 including the oil and gas rights. 

A misconduct by Petronas towards the East Malaysians angered the once cooperative state government. 

Instead of seeking a reasonable resolution, Petronas taken to their customary arrogant self and conflagrated the situation by being too cocksure the Production Development Act 1974 (PDA) will come to their favour. 

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Wednesday, February 26, 2025

Beyond court and the law, but honour of the Malay rulers


Few days ago, social media went viral on news Dato Seri Ismail Sabri fainted and photo viral of him sleeping in hospital. At the same time, news circulated of four of his former staff at PMO remanded for investigation for alleged corruption or money laundering involving more than RM100 million. 

The investigation came to light days prior to the above assembly organised by the state government of Pahang, blessed with doa by the state Mufti and to be graced by Sultan Abdullah's attendance. There were whispering of Ismail's involvement and countless planning and discussion held in Dubai to eventually led to the event. 

It led political pundits to speculate the investigation was to foil the event and Ismail's hospitalisation was merely an act. However, its just a spurious coincident and apparently the investigation have been on-going awaiting an organisation reshuffle to initiate the pounce. The names appeared in the court database and have since been released.

Nevertheless, one could presume the assembly tomorrow relate with the outstanding matter on the controversial Addendum to commute Najib's sentence to house arrest issued by the former Agong. 

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Monday, February 24, 2025

Between reform promises and realpolitik: Anwar’s balancing act

By Emir Zainul / The Edge Malaysia

13 Jan 2025, 09:40 am

AS it enters the third year of administration in 2025, Malaysia’s unity government finds itself walking a political tightrope. Balancing economic pragmatism with political survival, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim is seen to have adopted a delicate strategy of compromise — one that faces scrutiny from every angle.

From appealing to the Malay demographic to navigating the demands of Sabah and Sarawak, Anwar must simultaneously address accusations of abandoning his Reformasi agenda — the rallying cry of his 25-year political movement that got him to his premiership — while managing the boundaries of race, religion and royalty in public discourse.

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Saturday, February 22, 2025

Trump tariff: US's new war mode or economic survival?

The Malaysian semi-conductor industry was slapped with the much awaited Trump tariff of 25%. It should be expected (read September 2024 posting here) but analysts, trade association spokesmen, and government officials been consoling themselves it will not happen.

Earlier this week, stocks of the once booming glove manufacturers caved in and possibly looking at it’s demise following China dumping as a result of tariff imposed by the US.  

These are disruptive economic developments beyond any policymaker anticipation. The usual Malaysians' reactions are to find fault with the Ambassador to the US, and pick on Minister’s frequent overseas trips to even Anwar’s stance on Palestine. Blame does not solve problems. Another coup d'etat only worsen matters.

Trump’s actions are to address the longstanding American twin deficit problem. Since the 80s, US faced simultaneous occurrence of large budget and trade deficit. Economic stability and potential negative impact on the US dollar are real concerns.

At the same time, there is strategic consideration to MAGA and defend unipolarity to maintain military and geoglobal political dominance. Another war seemed beyond their affordability. 

So is trade war the next and more feasible option?

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Wednesday, February 19, 2025

No positive spin could cover tense Modi-Trump meeting

On the eve of Modi's visit of Washington, this blog put up a posting out of curiosity on the direction of India's foreign policy vis-a-vis their position in BRICS and traditionally long relation with Russia. Bloomberg columnist Andy Mukherjee anticipated it will be a tense and uncomfortable event with Trump demanding trade concessions from India.  

Indian media downplayed the tough meeting for their Prime Minister. India Today "bodek" (to use the Malay lingo for excessive praising) Modi to quote CNN describing him a masterclass negotiator. While, NDTV was more honest with a tad of defensive as more productive than expected. 

It wasn't as successful as reported by India Today. So was the view of The Diplomat's Rushali Saha who summed it up as promising, good optics but challenging. It remains to be seen as to how much India will be impacted. India has a long history of tariff tension. That was the view of Singapore's ST.   

Over the weekend and days after the "historic" meet, the market in India can feel the chill. Andy Mukerjee again below:

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Tuesday, February 18, 2025

Southeast Asia’s rice crisis is a ticking time bomb

Ensuring food security for the region and beyond requires urgent action to modernise agriculture, diversify suppliers and strengthen cooperation

Genevieve Donnellon-May

South China Morning Post 16 Feb 2025

In Southeast Asia, rice is more than just a food – it is the foundation of survival for almost 700 million people. But what happens when this lifeline begins to unravel? 

Climate change, economic pressures, limited arable land and water resources, and inefficient agricultural practices are threatening the region’s rice production, putting the future of hundreds of millions at risk.

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Sunday, February 16, 2025

End of Asian Century, rise of 'Pax Technologica'?

What's happened to the Asian Century?

Bangkok Post 

February 14, 2025 17:05 JST

The ASEAN flag is placed alongside the flags of its member countries ahead of the ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Retreat in Langkawi, Malaysia, in January 2025. © Reuters

Until recently, the "Asian Century" seemed a compelling narrative but now it is not what it used to be. It was supposed to herald a shift in global economic power from the West to the East, driven by China's rapid rise, India's economic dynamism, and the broader development of Asia. But a quarter of the way into the 21st century, the promise of Asian dominance appears less certain. 

The enduring technological and economic might of the United States, coupled with its geopolitical backlash against China, has lowered expectations. While Asia remains formidable, the trajectory of global power is open and fluid, with potential dominance shifting not necessarily to any nation or region but perhaps to a non-state entity.

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Friday, February 14, 2025

China leading the moon race against US


Recently, a Tik Tok video claim there is a race between US and China for the moon again. This time, the race is for whom to be first to put up a base station. Apparently the race similar to the one to put the first man to space between US and USSR back in the 60s is for real. 

An October 2024 article in The Conversation reported US is losing the race. The US's Artemis III lunar plan delayed in getting ready the space suit and lunar landing vehicle. China showed off their moon walker suits last year September.

India's Millenium post reported China can boast a much-developed and ambitious space programme. They have undertaken spacewalk, anti-satellite program (ASAT) test, a successful space station, successfully conducted three unmanned lunar missions and created the artificial sun. 

They are planning to undertake a manned lunar mission by 2030.

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Wednesday, February 12, 2025

With a MAGA Trump, will India be forced to pick a side?

Today February 12th to the 13th, Modi will be the second foreign leader to visit Donald Trump in Washington. 

Since Trump's threat to impose 100% tariff on BRICS countries "ditching the dollar", India reportedly rejected any planned BRICS currency, in which Yuan will have a prominent role. However, could they afford to take such firm stand with India's strengthened trade and military cooperation with Russia, including Russia-India trade route through Central Asia

India have been playing both sides of the geopolitical divide. Delicately balancing the oil diplomacy to source oil from Russia and Iran and redistribute to Europe and South America. Despite being a founding member of BRICS and participated in the Shanghai Cooperation, India is also a member of QUAD, a military cooperation for the Indian Ocean security meant to contain China. 

With US's intensified sanctions against China, Russia and Iran, including the latest threat on South Africa, it will be more challenging for India to continue to play the same game. 

Modi could boost of strong rapport with Trump in the past, but second term Trump seemed less accomodative. The inhumane deportation of 104 Indian undocumented immigrants, which invited anger from within India, is indicative. 

Migration is output of India's human development and contribute to the remittance economy. Thus goverment would rather remain silent and cooperate in the deportation of its citizen

Question is will America-first Trump have a place for India to forge any strategic ties to counter China.  

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Monday, February 10, 2025

Philip Golingai: "So could Najib become PM for a second time?"

The Art of the Impossible

By Philip Golingai

IT'S JUST POLITICS 

The Star Sunday, 09 Feb 2025

DURING the Chinese New Year lunch and dinner meet-ups I’ve been attending, the FAQ is which former prime minister could make a political comeback.

I am not sure why this is a hot topic.

Perhaps because I meet up mostly with people – businessmen, politicians, and academicians – who are political junkies. Or maybe because they know I write about politics.

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Saturday, February 8, 2025

Seeing through the noise and negotiation ploy

The new POTUS is certainly creating chaos from his endless stream of noises. But is Donald Trump really effective?

Notice News on Meta had an interesting observation:

It may seem like Donald Trump is making a lot of deep, fundamental changes to the federal government, but the truth is—he’s not.

Like any president, Trump is fairly restricted by what he can do: by the constitution, by congress, and by the courts.

And while Trump likes to make a big splash announcing stuff and signing his name, most of his biggest moves have been stopped in their tracks.

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Tuesday, February 4, 2025

CHINA by an Egyptian China-watcher

China’s space station: From no flush toilets to building its own space station within 40 years.

By Ismail Bashmori

AS an Egyptian, I have been studying China intensely for the past year — its government, society, history, and transformation.

I’ve spoken to hundreds of Chinese and China-haters and heard everything they had to say. By now I’ve learned roughly as much about China as anyone can learn without knowing the language or living in the country, and I’ve reached my conclusion. China attracts a lot of haters, know-nothings and armchair experts.

The truth is that China is the greatest country on the face of the earth. It makes all other countries look insignificant and contemptible. It is the most brilliant, most industrious, most ambitious, most educated, meritocratic and technocratic, most modern, sophisticated, and civilised, and best-governed by far.

It is the first non-white, non-Western country to reach this status since the 1600s. The determination of this country is indescribable. Supernatural. There is no force that can stop it from accomplishing anything it wants to do.

Forty years ago a flush toilet in China was a luxury. Today it has its own Space Station. This is a tiny example of China’s capabilities.

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Tuesday, January 28, 2025

Food security: Something terribly wrong in this country


This poster was taken from the ISIS website for a 2022 article by Herizal Hezri. It appropriately explained the awkward situation happening in Malaysia. 

Yesterday a group of padi farmer gathered in Putrajaya to submit a memorandum to the Prime Minister. Recently a member of NACOL repeated his call to question the supply of local padi. Obviously the MP for Bukit Gantang is merely voicing a populist call to make available cheaper local rice and perhaps a threat to switch support back to opposition.  

The question is whether local rice production is available given the various structural industry issues, preference for import over local production by agricultural agencies and the sole rice import concession holder, rice millers oppressive practises, and interest of urban consumers favoured over old and poor rural padi farmers. 

This blog have not been writing on padi issues for quite awhile. The then cause celebre against the problematic Director General of Kawal Selia Padi at the Ministry of Agriculture have been achieved. Unfortunately, many more self serving Azman Mahmoods in the agricultural establishments are around to block progress. 

Padi problem is indicative of an emerging food security problem. The whole world is concern with food security. China with 1.3 billion population is going all out to achieve self sufficiency but all seemedlost in Malaysia.

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Monday, January 27, 2025

Tackling US tariffs: Acquire or merge

With a possible economic fallout due to the tariffs imposed by the United States, experts are proposing takeovers of, or mergers with, foreign-owned companies, including those from China, to offset the impact.

Martin Carvalho and Junaid Ibrahim wrote in The Star today: 

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Monday, January 20, 2025

Biden's final hurrah could dash Malaysia's AI dream

The Tik Tok ban was supposed to get started on Thursday in the US, but "eyeball to eyeball, "Trump" blinked. He even invited the Tik Tok CEO to his inaugration. Possibly a deal is being hatched for American investor to take up the shares in Tik Tok's US operations. 

Is that an indication that Trump will be less hostile towards China in his second term and come to term that the world has changed from unipolar to multipolar world order? 

However, Biden had earlier followed through on his executive order made in November 2024 to ban "certain investments in semiconductors and mandates the reporting of others, in an attempt to stop U.S. capital from facilitating advancements in military and intelligence technologies within countries of concern." 

The last order made last week will impose export controls on countries in the second tier which include Malaysia. There is no restriction on the first tier of friendly nations, while the third tier countries will have a total ban. 

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Friday, January 17, 2025

Despite Trump threat and BRICS denial, de-dollarisation happening

According to Watcher.Guru's January 13th article, "De-Dollarization: 12 Countries Officially Abandon the US Dollar", the need to strengthen local currencies and boost presence in the foreign exchange market has gain steam for the move to abandon the US dollar.

China and Japan has reportedly been dumping their US dollar bond holding in the market. The latter is in the reaction by the American authority to block the sales of US Steel to Nippon Steel. 

It is no secret that China, Russia and Iran are still pushing for a BRICS currency. The belief is that BRICS will completely abandon US dollar in three years. So its a long game.

President-elect Donald Trump already threatened tariff against BRICS countries for any plan for dedollarisation. Few BRICS countries denied existence of such a plan than Russia's exuberance at the Kazan BRIC Conference. India made known their discomfort to the idea of Yuan as the BRICS intermediary currency. 

US dollar hit 2-year high indicating it remain in high demand. Americans are saying the de-dollarisation plan failed. BRICS pay still yet to make any impact. However, a study on Wolf Street portal found the de-dollarisation trend is on course as Central Banks are raising reserve in other currencies and gold.. 

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Wednesday, January 15, 2025

Quo Vadis national language or Dewan Bahasa Pustaka?


Prior to the holidays, NST reported on Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka Director General, Dr Hazami Jahari with a provocative headline, "Malaysia's a strange country, people are reluctant to use the national language, says DBP chief". 

The hesitation of Malaysians to prioritise and elevate the national language is a perplexing issue, said Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka (DBP) director-general Dr Hazami Jahari.

He said the situation clearly reflects a colonised mindset and a lack of confidence in Bahasa Melayu, perceived as lacking economic value, standardisation, and quality, Berita Harian reported.

He said this mentality contrasts with the attitudes of developed nations such as France, China, Japan, and Thailand. Even regional neighbours like Indonesia take immense pride in their national language.

The remark from the COO of a government agency, that was established in 1956 as Balai Pustaka to coordinate, promote and elevate the national language, smacks of passing blame to the public.  

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Tuesday, January 14, 2025

Western media PR blitz against China? Geopolitics for Japan to displace China?

The generally pessimistic and optimistic consensus outlooks for China and Japan, respectively, are obviously not without risk. — Reuters

China’s falling bond yields amplifying ‘Japanification’ concerns

By JAMIE MCGEEVER


CHINA, the global growth engine for the last 20 years, now boasts lower long-term bond yields than Japan, the former poster child for deflationary economic stagnation. This may signal that the “factory to the world” faces the real risk of “Japanification.”

China’s bond yields have plunged to their lowest levels on record, with the two-year yield about to break below 1.00%, having been 1.50% only a few months ago.

Remarkably, China’s 30-year yield recently fell below the Japanese government bond (JGB) yield for the first time ever.

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Monday, January 13, 2025

Trump's economic dilemma: Fed concern for tariff-driven inflation

Data dependent: Fed governor Christopher Waller at a conference in California. Waller says the pace and extent of rate cuts this year will depend on inflation data. — Reuters

Worries over inflation fight as new govt set to come in

ECONOMY

The Star, Friday, 10 Jan 2025

WASHINGTON: The reality of President-elect Donald Trump’s election victory on a platform of aggressive tariffs and deportation of some immigrants landed hard at the US Federal Reserve’s (Fed) meeting last month, with US central bank officials raising new inflation concerns and staff suggesting the incoming administration’s plans may slow economic growth and raise unemployment.

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