Factual flaw and lost credibility, "wayang" and terrorism

Over a meal yesterday, a friend was regurgitating rather presumptous views so typical of the Protoons on social media. The person is intelligent but seemed to succumbed to such simplistic view out of blind loyalty. 

The most dramatic one must be about failing economy perpetrated by Dato A Kadir Jasin. Unfortunately for Kadir, a Facebooker proved he got his facts wrong and by the time he insist his views are right, it became obvious his source were simplistic observation shared over teh tarik at a mamak shop.

When nation economy fail, the economic role could not function effectively. Kadir should read Outsyed's book on failed state for a glimpse of what failing means. Not that we buy into his view that  lack credible references and merely observation and spurious relation like The Malay Delima.

This led us to tell the friend.

"You have doubts and we are not absolutely sure of certain things.

However, one cannot accuse based on questions seeking answers or to fulfill curiosity. One cannot accuse because one is not convinced on the answer but in turn, cannot provide proofs to dismiss it.

When it involves criminal allegations and accusing a constitutionally elected leader, one has to know with facts and certainty, not still asking questions filled with why nots."

Responsible

As journalist, Kadir's act to express a negative view, but got simple facts such as population of Japan to be so wrong at 200 million when it is 120 million, it is unethical, reckless and irresponsible.

If he wants to play opposition politics and be a propagandist, then stop his journalistic act and clearly put his stand as a pentaksub Mahathir and PPBM card carrying member. Not too long ago, a former journalist of Washington Post spoke of this.

Malay Mail Online reported:

Don’t sound like the opposition, ex-Washington Post reporter tells Malaysian journalists

By Syed Jaymal Zahiid

Sunday September 11, 2016
06:49 AM GMT+8

Journalism professor John Dinges (right) speaking at the Cooler Lumpur Festival's ‘Journalism in Service of Democracy’ discussion in Kuala Lumpur, September 10, 2016. — Picture by Yusof Mat Isa

KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 11 — While the independent media has the duty to hold those in power accountable, it must also refrain from acting as the voice of the opposition, a former journalist with The Washington Post advised Malaysian journalists.

John Dinges — an esteemed former correspondent with the US daily as well as with Time magazine who had spent most of his earlier days as a reporter in Latin America during its repressive period in the 70s and 80s — said impartial reporting is the hallmark of a genuinely independent media.

Journalists have to constantly remind themselves that they have a duty to the people, Dinges added, while cautioning them that a media that is seen as too close to the opposition risks losing credibility.

Read on here.

Opposition have long criticised Kadir's journalistic integrity. Looks like his assessment in reading the economy is seriously flawed that even cybertroopers like here and here could dispel him. Lim Sian See is his biggest detractor so go to his FB.

He is perpetrating a lie to instill fear and sabotaging the economy to invoke panic among the public on what is essentially a tight budget situation due to the significant fall in oil prices.

If the economy had been allowed to continue on Mahathirism mode of subsidies and privatisation, prices would be worse and budget would go bust. Then the economy will truly fail.

Fear mongering will result in the same. By the time they gain power, the country will be in absolute mess. Perception had become real and the economy really failed.

Wayang

On the latest development on 1MDB, it seemed the chronology of event argument in our previous posting here that proved Matthias Chang was doing a wayang got him riled up. Hear his video below:

Kadir's detractor that has become Matthias's detractor called Matthias's bluff again with proofs:

Other than throwing childish slurs at Minister of Information, Salleh Said Keruak, pseudo-preacher Matthias Chang is also unhappy with me and asked me (whom he calls Cina-Kuey, to shut-up in his video.

I had questioned why Husam Musa and him withdrew their suit only on 23rd September giving the main excuse that the DOJ has withdrawn the blanket injunction on Red Granite on 1st August (US time) when this was already known ten full days before Husam and Matthias filed their suit on 11th Aug.

Matthias said he only knew about the consent order on Sept 15th but the agreement with Red Granite was already filed by the plaintiffs, the DOJ themselves and was widely reported on August 1st (US time) 

http://www.wsj.com/articles/film-company-u-s-reach-pact-in-1mdb-related-case-1470100852

The DOJ actually uploaded this on the website on the same day - which was why I was able to post the screenshot of the documents on Aug 2nd: in my FB: https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=1837803913105061

Seriously, this was Mahathir's political secretary for many years?

Matthias, when are you challenging the UMNO leaders to yet another hunger-strike until death and whoever dies first is the winner?

Yesterday, Minister Azalina Othman also gave her opinion saying that Husam and Matthias's reasons to withdraw their suit does not make sense.

She said:

"Husam's justification...by saying that the withdrawal is for the purpose of aligning the claims following new developments in the case, is unacceptable.

"If there is necessity to furnish any additional facts to the pleading, this can be done without withdrawing the action through a supplementary application," Azalina said in a statement.

Husam said the suit was withdrawn to take into account the DOJ's deal with producer Red Granite Pictures, to set aside future profits from the film the Wolf of Wall Street, said to be funded using 1MDB money.

However, he said he needed to gather more details from his lawyers, while Chang assured that the duo know what they are doing.

Azalina said their actions last Friday showed the suit was "frivolous" and was a "cheap" publicity stunt.

"The duo, not only attempted to embarrass Malaysia, but can also be seen as unaware of the court processes and the basic requirements of filing a class action.

"They are politically motivated and rushed the matter for the purpose of gaining mere publicity by means of abusing the court," she said.

PS: Dear Matthias, I talk a lot and should shut-up? Where's the freedom of speech. At least I don't make myself look like a candidate for Maharaja Lawak like you.

https://www.malaysiakini.com/news/356988

My religion mine, Your is yours

This is all politics but the following act by Matthias could be seen as insulting Islam:

Since Matthias does not profess to Islam, he does not believe in it. He has no business to preach Islam. Perhaps at times, it is fine for non-Muslims to remind Muslims of their own teaching for his or her own good.

For Matthias to use it as part of his drama or political circus act, he is denigrating the teaching of Islam. So does the long political practise of his partner in this lawsuit, Dato Husam Musa.

Frankly, Matthias and Husam pulled back the lawsuit because it is costly. Legal cost in America can be delibitating. Their side have been losing cases and withdrawing lawsuits. It indicate they were doing a wayang to gempaq but will not pursue it all the way. 

On that matter, it is timely to remind him of the Pope's own reminder. Reuter's reported below:

Thu Sep 22, 2016 | 12:55 PM EDT

Pope says journalism based on fear-mongering, gossip is form of 'terrorism'

September 21, 2016.

By Philip Pullella | VATICAN CITY

Pope Francis speaks as he leads the weekly audience in Saint Peter's Square at the Vatican September 21, 2016. REUTERS/Remo Casilli

Journalism based on gossip or rumors is a form of "terrorism" and media that stereotype entire populations or foment fear of migrants are acting destructively, Pope Francis said on Thursday.

Francis, who made his comments in an address to leaders of Italy's national journalists' guild, said reporters had to go the extra mile to seek the truth, particularly in an age of round-the-clock news coverage.

Spreading rumors is an example of "terrorism, of how you can kill a person with your tongue", he said. "This is even more true for journalists because their voice can reach everyone and this is a very powerful weapon."

Read on in Reuters here.

Rumour mongering

So we will not preach Matthias on his own religion's teaching but to highlight something by the latest by Sarawak Report resembling rumour mongering:

Criminal Charges Imminent Over 1MDB - Jho Low Tops Wanted List!

28 September 2016

A criminal case is widely expected to be lodged shortly by United States prosecutors against individuals believed to have stolen money from 1MDB and laundered it illegally in the United States – and the main name in the frame is expected to be Najib’s proxy Jho Low, also a US citizen.

Other probable names include Jasmine Loo (also a US resident); Najib’s step-son Riza Aziz; Eric Tan (who laundered money for Low) and Shahrol Halmi, the CEO of 1MDB during the main part of the period of thefts.

Officials 3 & 4 at 1MDB Casey Tang and Jasmine Loo

There is also speculation that the Goldman Sachs South East Asia boss Tim Leissner, whose bank received a little shy of $600 million for raising $6.5 billion of very suspicious loans may also find himself facing charges.

Sarawak Report can further reveal that more civil actions are due to retrieve more properties acquired with the money, which was stolen from the Malaysian public.

The rest is recycling previous story as background information from SR-perspective side. if you can bypass MCMC, read on. 

The underlined words, "widely expected", "believed", "probable", and "speculation" and "can further reveal" are useful clauses to escape legal action against SR but the unsuspecting public will not realise the report is only rumour mongering and a terrorism act.

Doubts

The words in red is interesting.

At one time, after it was said that the criminal act happening in 1MDB and JV to divert money did not involved Najib, they turn to accuse Datin Seri Rosmah by virtue of her son as one of the accused. There were claims Jho Loh is Rosmah's proxy. Suddenly today, SR made a change in accusation to Jho Loh is Najib's proxy.

It is not timely to tell and people wouldn't want to believe it but let the person concerned tell it themselves. However, we like to highlight one doubt.

Investigation is on-going and content of DOJ filing indicate that it is from the complainant stand point. Those whose assets are being frozen but awaiting forfeiture has yet to make known of their defense. It is more than the expected 60 days after the announcement.

Knowing criminal proceeding cannot proceed till assets frozen and forfeited, it is not logical for SR to report such. Allegation is not a decision and judgement. SImilar to making a charge sheet before investigation commence.

It has been the view of this blog for long time (more than a year) that those named in SR report should faced the long arms of the law. However, the legal principle of one is innocent until proven guilty must be uphold. Extract from the previous posting:

Having been talking for a long time. Do not believe every sensational going-ons. It could be a trick so get both and the many sides of the story. 

When still not sure, do not pass remark just cause you have many unanswered questions. 

It is OK to raise doubt but it is not enough to conclude and judge wrongdoings happened, especially when there exist doubts. What more to call on a democratically elected leader to step down. 

Matthias is a dramatic person but he is not a liar. He is what the Malay described as full of tipu helah by virtue of being a lawyer. 

So to give Matthias the benefit of the doubt, maybe he knows something. Within one month, will there will be a criminal prosecution when asset forfeiture is still not complete yet? 

Part 1 of Quentin Rozario interview here will always be a reminder.

A website entitled their article as "The blood of Jesus cleansed us from all sin." Lucky for Christians and Matthias but not lucky for us Muslims as we should take responsibility for our action. 

In 2011, we swore in the House of God that we shall not be part of fitnah and only take position on something with certainty and not mere suspicion. It is the reason we refuse to be part of Tun Dr Mahathir's power game against Najib.

If Najib is wrong, he will face what is due to him. 

But if he is not, those judging but cannot verify and prove will face what is due. Can anyone proof with absolute certainty Najib was directly involved beyond his article 117 role and recipient of donation money as trustee?

Don't just say, "don't tell me blah blah blah" which is presumption thus merely suspicion. We dare not, especially when there is blatant propaganda and psywar technique at work.