Did Bank Negara abused their regulatory power?

Parting shot?

This does not sound like a rational decision on the part of BNM. Thought that such discretionary, bias and impulsive style of decision was only done by Zeti. Then it must be the work of someone thought to already have their monopause but still having their monthly menstruation.

Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM) power as regulator under Banking and Financial Institute Act 1989 and Financial Sevices Act 2013 is so wide ranging, all encompassing and discretionary that it is a surprise opposition or human rights group never questioned it.

It is heard that BNM allegedly abused this power to stop a sizeable loan arranged for a Foreign Company L to undertake a project of significance in Malaysia which was already approved by a certain Commercial Bank H.

Bank H is not headed by any fly-by-night banker, but just like former BNM Governor, Tan Sri Dr. Zeti Akhtar Aziz, banker Y heading the bank received international accolade.

In fact, it was Zeti who approved his extension.

Shafie's sulking all an act

Dato Shafie Apdal had his membership suspended together with the sacking of Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin and Dato Mukhriz Mahathir. Since Shafie did not sign the Citizens' Declaration, he may have got off on a lighter sentence.

Yesterday, UMNO Semporna created news when Shafie's former Political Secretary and assemblyman Datuk Jaujan Sambakongs announced his resignation from the party in protest to the membership suspension. He claimed the division permanent chairman and 317 division and branch leaders followed suit. [Read The Star here]

It could mean principally that Shafie will resign from UMNO soon. He landed at KLIA after performing umrah this morning. Otherwise, why would his supporters leave the party already?

Say 2/3 profs, I dare you.

Seminggu tidak posting. Intended to see the post-by-elections comments and development first.

One political pundit associated Tun Dr Mahathir with TUDM warships. Warships were the symbol of naval dominance and military might. It fits Tun M's obsession for national pride. Like Tun M, warships make their presence felt as it sails proudly to patrol the Malaysian water.

Each blast of the heavy caliber guns can be heard miles away. However, KD Mahathir attack, defense, decoy and failures are visible. Would have been good should the two squadrons of 88 second hand skyhawk fighter jets purchased in 1985 was delivered.    

On the other hand, Najib was associated with the submarine. Tun M incessant attack on Najib is done openly. His carpet bombing of the undersea with depth charge is only destroying the natural environment but ineffective to dislodge the submerged Najib.

Mahathir could only give an angry stare ...

On Sunday, exactly last week, Tun Dr Mahathir appeared at Sungai Besar to attend a make shift academic colloquium on 1MDB organised by DAP.

Three days later, it was responded with Arul Kanda appearing in a forum together with National Civics Bureau (BTN) director-general Datuk Ibrahim Saad and Bukit Aman’s Counter Terrorism deputy director Datuk Ayob Khan Mydin Pitchay present.

But, 1MDB is not the subject of this posting. Let us layoff any comment till a posting on it. Waiting out for a certain development.

What is interesting was Tun M's press conference after the "colloquium". He said the two by-elections, which was meant to replace two MPs that died in a helicopter mishap, is a referendum on Dato Najib's leadership.

It all boils down to transport

What will be the fate of more mature and rational politics today? As we see, it boils down to transport machinery of political parties.

Sorry but we do not quite agree with the view of Ilham Centre that undecided is plus or minus 25% and is the decider. Sample size of the survey is too small and insufficient weightage.

University professors too have been appearing like mushroom after a rainfall to give political analysis. Money must be good in political analysis. Unfortunately, they know shit about the critical political operations.

After all the ceramah, door to door visiting, distribution of pamphlets, viral videos and images, and hanging of flags, posters and banners, the final delivery of votes relies on transport.

All indications for a more mature and rational politics to come

It's been long since we posted something that one Manager in Utusan Malaysia complained for lack of update lately. "Puasa ...", we replied. So here is a posting ... an opinionated and fairly lengthy one. Quite sure it can be read to pass the time in this fasting month.

As someone who believes in BN as the better choice of political party to lead government, we sincerely hope BN can win both the challenging Sungai Besar and Kuala Kangsar by-elections. Can hear the boo from some obselete corner but hear us out first.

There are many reasons why BN is still a better choice and should win both the by-elections. One not so inspiring reason would be BN as the lesser of the two evils. An opposition lawyer once told us and we quote, "BN can be bad but they (opposition) are worse."

However, the reason to see BN win both by-elections is motivated more by some positive development in it's campaign. Credit also due to PAS for undertaking a similar approach though they got sucked in by their animosity towards off-shoot PAN ... opps sorry, Amanah.

MUSICAL INTERLUDE: Barefoot girl

This is a familiar tune from our childhood when spending Ramadhan with arwah grandfather in Kampong. There was no TV or electricity back then. Surau was a bit of a distance. So the radio was the official timer for breaking fast.

We would gather around the radio to wait for Maghrib azan. The moment the instrumental version of this song is played before azan we would alert everyone, "Dah nak bang, yahi". Yahi is grandfather in Javanese.

The song title is Al Bint El Chalabiya (or Barefoot Girl). It is usually heard being played by RTM in the evening.

So much for Pulitzer nomination

In the posting loaded with quotations, an anonymous commentator quoted the just resigned chief Editor of NST, Mustapha Kamil or Mus to his colleague. That attracted a response containing wild allegations from a commentator by the nic Jalan Tangsi.

It was too speculative. Nevertheless, Mus's resignation is strange. Many have spoken to us with similar suspicion. His action is giving the wrong ideas of himself.

Not that resigning from a Chief Editor post is strange. Really no big deal as it is common for people to quit when for whatever reason, cannot stand being in the job or moving on for greener pasture or stop doing the same job.

Some of those that parted ways unceremoniously do bitch about their former boss, former colleagues or former employer. No big deal too.

But seldom do they go to the point of writing an open letter for leaving a salaried job. At his position, it is customary to take instruction from someone above, decision making has to go through many layers and "you can't always get whatcha want" as the various interests including company's need to be measured and balanced.

The fourth estate is not perfect but why the open letter?

Ramadhan Kareem

Wishing all Muslim the most spiritual and fulfilling Ramadhan.

Of explaining, last words and last laugh, finally inner peace

A friend sent the above quote.

It made us think and ponder. It is not something new and we have said the exact words without realising that it was said earlier by Paule Coelbe. Most likely, we heard it from someone else.

There is a twist to the above quotation.

Slippery slope ahead: Diplomats only to speak

"Force is all conquering, but it's victories is short-lived." - Abraham Lincoln

This quote reminded us of 2013 in the height of the kalimah Allah issue [read Bigdog on Archbiship Murphy Pakiam Christmas remark here].

There was a case in court that reached to the Federal Court for a decision on whether the Roman Catholic Church could use Allah in their Malay language publication for God. For Sabah and Sarawak, Malay language is used for church service. Just like in Indonesia, Allah was the term used for God.

The Muslim in Semananjong were suspicious as they see it as an insidious intention to convert Muslim which is deemed as unconstitutional to preach to Muslims.

The first envoy from Vatican City, Apostolic Nuncio Marino had infuriated Muslim NGOs like Perkasa and Jati in July. [read back Bigdogdotcom here and here]

Wisma Putera issued a statement to express displeasure to foreign interference but diplomats do not straight away condemn or criticise the other party. Subsequently, the envoy was called to Wisma Putera and he apologised for his ignorance. [Read Bigdog here].

Not many realised, the acknowledgement of the Vatican City envoy on the danger for being confrontational in a sensitive multi-religous society open the way for a peaceful resolution. Suddenly everything quiet down.