Critics talking cock on TPPA and FDI

If it is still unsatisfactory to Mahathir, he must have a ready plan upon toppling BN to bring FDI from Kerala, India to replace FDIs from US, China and TPP countries.

It's easy to talk after an event. Anybody can be post-event expert. The factors have presented itself and there is no more the need to analyse or forecast or make calculated guesswork.

Financial market traders refer to hindsight conversation as talking cock. It so happen to be the year of the rooster.

Though DAP's Charles Santiago have been consistent in his opposition to TPPA, he is talking cock to say I tell you so. He never had an answer to the economic need of a trading nation like Malaysia for foreign trade and FDI.

Six months ago, he could not anticipate there will be a US President by the name of Donald Trump.

Even DAP was for TPPA as it serve their purpose to remove any form of Bumiputera affirmative action. Lim Guan Eng made statement to oppose TPPA for political expediency.

Xi Jinping's wishes for the new CNY

Hope it is not too late.

Belated Chinese New Year to all readers and friends, particularly the Chinese. May the year of the rooster be a happy and prosperous one for all.

China President Xi Jinping delivered his Chinese New Year speech at a gathering at the the Great Hall of the People on Thursday on the eve of the festivity.

There is a warm tone in Xi's speech as he called on the whole nation to love their family and friends.

He said love should reach to every family and bring warmth to all Chinese like a spring breeze blowing across the nation.

He also extended greetings to Chinese in Hong Kong, Macau, Taiwan and abroad.

Nor Badli charged for CBT, TH to respond to "sotong"

Ex-CEO of THHE, Dato Nor Badli Munawir Mohamed Alias

The Star wrote in March 2015 of the effort of Tabung Haji Heavy Engineering Berhad (THHE) in  facing the slump in the crude oil prices. 

Former THHE CEO, Dato Nor Badli Munawir expressed a glimmer of hope as he responded to Gurmeet Kaur through the e-mail with a bit of gloating of his agility in facing the stormy oil and gas sector [read The Star here].

By end of June 2016, he tendered his resignation [read The Star here].

It turned out that his ability to manouvre THHE to pursue one project after another in different segments of the treacherous waters of oil and gas had ulterior motive.

In November 2016 last year, MACC announced they are investigating the former CEO [read The Star here].

To eradicate corruption, Malaysia need to drop more on TI's CPI

Transparency International announced it's annual Corruption Perception Index (CPI) for 2016. Malaysia dropped from 54 out of 168 countries for 2015 to 55 out of 176 countries for 2017 [read here].

TI-Malaysia president Datuk Akhbar Satar described the one-point drop as "not much". He said MACC under the new leadership has proven itself to be more effective within a short time of 8 months [read The Star here].

Since CPI is merely a perception index and not a true measure of the level of corruption, then Malaysia is better off dropping further in the ranking of this irrelevant index.

It is not just being cynical or doing a reverse psychology. There are justifications for the better good.

With a higher CPI ranking under Tan Sri Abu Kassim Mohamed, where raids, arrest and charges throughout 2010 to 2016 is infrequent, than lower CPI ranking under Dato Dzulkifli Ahmad, it is seriously flawed.  

If that is the case, a lower ranking is preferred because there will be more earnestness on the part of MACC to go after the corrupted - both the takers and givers of bribes.

Rohingya: UN picking up on Malaysian leadership

There were many sceptics of Malaysia effort to champion the Rohingya.

Naturally, they presumed it was politically motivated since the joint UMNO-PAS assembly at Lake Titiwangsa was organised after UMNO's General Assembly at end of 2016.

Media such as FMT and Malaysiakini published sceptical views taking the inconsistency angle and are quick to report on Myanmar responses like this one here.

There are those claiming Malaysia had to tone down its aggressive stance after the OIC meeting recently. Malaysia offered Rohinga RM10 million fund to help rehabilitate Rakhine state. There was offering of friendship from Dato Najib [read here].

Lo and behold! The effort of Dato Najib, Dato Anifah and  Wisma Putera has not gone to waste. This news in Bangkok Post, below:

Jack Ma to Trump: How to make America great again

"From this day forward, it’s going to be only America first. America first," Donald Trump said in his Presidential inaugration speech.

"Every decision on trade, on taxes, on immigration, on foreign affairs, will be made to benefit American workers and American families."

"We will no longer accept politicians who are all talk and no action, constantly complaining but never doing anything about it," Trump said.

Certain political pundit saw Trump's speech as similar to his political campaign, still without substantive plan. He is beginning to talk like a politician.

In the eyes of Jack Ma, Trump is not making the critical decision to "make America great again", the campaign line he used. 

Whistleblower won precedent-setting lawsuit

Dr Syed Omar Syed Agil, former CEO of Institiut Professional Baitulmal at Kampng Pandan, Kuala Lumpur won a lawsuit against his employer to cancel his suspension and an internal investigation against him [read FMT Jan 4th here]. 

This is a precedent setting case to protect whistleblower under the Sections 10(1), (3) and (7) of the Whistleblower Protection Act 2010.

In a court appearance in March 2016, The Star reported IPB Chairman, Datuk Ismail Ibrahim denied deciding to conduct investigation but admitted in the High Court to have directed an officer to initiate probe into CEO misconduct [read here].

Addressing cancer before it spread

There was a tip-off that acting CEO of a Felda owned PLC was arrested at his home in Tropicana Indah this morning.

The Star has the news out already and reported it has to do with corrupt practices and abuse of power related to e-passport of an African country. The sting operation was dubbed Ops Guinea. [Read here]

It only leads to only one company and that is Iris Corporation Berhad. In 2014, Iris was awarded RM793.2 million contract from the Republic of Guinea.

The acting CEO, Dato Hamdan Mohd Hassan was then the CEO IRIS Trusted Identification Division. [read IRIS here]

Another old guard pass away ... Al Fatihah

Former Minister of Public Enterprise and Agriculture, Dato Manan Osman (81) passed away yesterday evening 7:10 PM at Gleaneagle Hospital.

The body of the Allahyarham Manan was taken home to his eldest son home in Sri Hartamas. It will be taken to Masjid Bukit Damansara at 8:30 AM this morning for obligatory religious rituals. The planned burial is scheduled before zohor.

Born in 1935, Allahyarham studied at the illustrious Malay College Kuala Kangsar. He studied law and his early career was in the legal service before joining the Terengganu state government and eventually politics. [read here]

Allahyarham was a Member of Parliament for Kuala Terengganu from 1978 to 1994. [read Wikipedia here].

Tony Pua suing PM using Google definition for misfeasance

Googling misfeasance will immediately come up with the explanation that it is an early 17th century old French word for mesfaisancea.

The simple meaning is transgression, especially the wrongful exercise of lawful authority.

Wikipedia explained misfeasance in public office as:

Misfeasance in public office is a cause of action in the civil courts of England and Wales and certain Commonwealth countries. It is an action against the holder of a public office, alleging in essence that the office-holder has misused or abused their power.

For lengthy explanation on this tort, read here. To understand tort, read here.

DAP lawmaker Tony Pua has filed a misfeasance in public office suit against Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak yesterday. [Read Mkini here].

Mahathir stuck in the past and present

Prior to the GE 13, DAP and PAS was working hard to instigate local Pengerang folks against the proposed Pengerang Petronas Refinery and Petrochemical Integrated Development (RAPID).

PAS worked on the Malay kampong folks. While, DAP instigate the Chinese in the pekan area.

Apparently, DAP received help from Singaporean volunteers. One can understand Singapore seeing RAPID as competition. From Pengerang, Singapore is only few hundred metres away and ships can be seen from end to end. [Read past posting here.]

DAP extended their role to send lobbyist to Taiwan. They created a fictitous environmental issue and went public to pressure a Taiwanese investors till they pulled out from an announced pan to to set up petrochemical plant.

By right, local Pengerang folks should do a class action against DAP.

The extend Tun Dr Mahathir is ranting against China investors is practically emulating what DAP did at RAPID.

Look friend ...Former allies can think for themselves

FMT news reported Dato Seri Mukhriz Mahathir hitting out at former allies criticising his father, Tun Dr Mahathir.

He claimed these former allies are people his father helped. Basically, he expect them to be indebted and remain blindly loyal to his father as any feudel lord expect. Such expectation is a major turn-off.

His father do not give chicken feed or dedak, because like BR1M, it is corruption. He gives chicken and allow the chicken coop stolen.

Whoever the chicken devouring allies be, they should not criticise his father for doing 17 U-turns, sleeping with the DAP, and betraying UMNO to be in-cohoot with people his father used to deem as "enemy of the state".

It is understandable that fillial son like Mukhriz has to defend the father. The family honour is at stake and his political future is on the line.

More so, the "exclusive" nature of his fiber optic cable contract tantamount to monopoly.

Muga roh mu dicucuri Allah

Takziah kepada ahli-ahli keluarga dan keseluruhan rakyat Sarawak.

Muga Allah rahmati dan cucuri roh Allahyarham untuk diletakkan bersama roh orang-orang beriman dan para-para syuhada.

Amin.

Does Idris Haron's arrogance stem from insecurity or guilt?

Arrogance could indicate insecurity or guilt. Insecure people put up psychological defense like arrogance to hide their shortcoming.

A quote from a Christian shareslide described: 

Guilty is an arrogant pre-occupation wth self which ignores the fallibility and deprevity of other men. It often stems from a sense of superiority over others in belief that one will not falter as others do. 

One UMNO veteran in Malacca said Dato Idris Haron was advised and cautioned by his political mentors and veterans on certain of his actions and behaviours.

But he arrogantly shrugged them off by saying, "I know what I am doing".

It is as arrogant as his statement when asked by reporters on the environment issues relating with the Kuala Linggi International Port [read here].

Isn't it a beautiful day?

Our friend G send us the above this morning. The day before was:

Usually, we would reply, Ameen. And one morning he send us, below:

Cuba hayati petikan ucapan Allahyarham Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat. Buat teman2 @ sahabat semua

Sedap kata-katanya :

"Apabila anda tua, rebut setiap peluang untuk bersama rakan-rakan lama, kawan sekolah dan rakan sekerja kerana peluang itu akan berkurangan dari semasa ke semasa. Air yang mengalir ke hilir tidak balik ke hulu. Begitulah dengan kehidupan. Sahabat adalah umpama bintang. Walau berjuta batu jauh dari bumi tetap bercahaya. Meskipun kadang-kadang menghilang, dia tetap ada. Dia tidak mungkin dimiliki, tapi tidak dapat dilupakan kerana sahabat yang baik sentiasa ada dalam hati dan dalam kenangan.”

Walaupun byk kali baca tapi kata2 ini amat memberi kesan... 😊😊

Our reply was: "Sahabat tak ada obligation macam family. Yet meaningful."

Because of many reasons, we replied today: "Isn't it a beautiful day?"

Why too long to charge this "orang UMNO"?

The previous posting is written out of a deep appreciation for what MACC is trying to do and doing it under the most difficult condition.

In the past and some will still insist the present, charging politicians can be tricky. They do not have the implementing power but merely policy maker and monitoring role.

It is made more difficult because politicians have supporters and they put unnecessary pressure on MACC.

When it is down to the crunch, public do not defend or support MACC. The case of Teoh Beng Hock and Lim Guan Eng comes to mind.

There are also cases involving UMNO leaders that made UMNO supporters behave like DAP supporterss.

Public could be easily duped into the emotional game and whack MACC without thinking of the greater good. To some extend, it made them cautious.

Since NST challenged MACC to be courageous against politicians, they are charging today the former CEO of TEKUN cum an "orang UMNO" today.

MACC: Prawn behind stone unturned?

NST's article on Friday is truly puzzling.

It is not Farrah Naz Karim's column expressing frustration to see organisations signing Integrity Pledge as initiated by Tan Sri Abu Kassim ended up embroiled in one corruption scandal after another. She suggested an annual asset profiling and polygraph test on those in critical position [read her here].

It is the editor's column entitled "MACC must leave no stone unturned" that is troubling. It's a common phrase and not the first time MACC is the subject. TI Malaysia used that phrase on the PKFZ scandal in 2009. Dato Dr Jeffrey Kitingan on fake native cert in Sabah happening since the 1980s.

That happened in a past administration but in 2012, The Star used the same phrase to refer to dishonest civil servants in government agencies behind the illegal forest clearing that resulted in a catastrophic landslide in Cameron Highland. It is such calls by the media that MACC is acting on.

NST cannot be naive enough to not understand that no politicians can commit corruption without colluding civil servants, particularly top men and women. Till there is fear in the heart of the civil servants, corruption by politicians and their cronies cannot be addressed.

To demand more aggressive action by MACC, surely NST is aware MACC's Director of Investigation, Dato Azam Baki said in the past that Dato Najib was questioned in the SRC investigation.

"Ananda" again? Market rigging this time?

By chance, this blog have been picking on Tatparanandam Ananda Krishnan.

The earliest remembered must be a legitimate issue on Astro in early 2014 here. By February 2017, the exclusivity given to Mahathir's crony or sometimes believed to be proxy should end.

But it is 20 year too late. They are too entrenched and can afford to be arrogant.

By chance, this blogger stumbled on a LSS's FB posting on Usaha Tegas on a could be scam to develop the Turf Club along Jalan Ampang into KLCC.

It was reproduced in this August 2016 posting here to ponder on what motivated Mahathir's to attack on Dato Najib.

Felda: "Not again ... please"

Prior to the 13th General Election, Felda was a major political issue and the listing of FGV was negatively potrayed by opposition.

The 14th General Election is coming soon. Initially, it was predicted to be early 2017, then October 2017 and lately, there are some predicting it to be 2018.

Felda will always be a political issue because there are 57 Parliamentary seats with Felda "rancangan" in the constituencies. Plus state assembly seats, it could be as many as 100 seats.

The likely issue this time could be Felda's purchase of PT Eagle High Plantation Tbk (EHP) in Indonesia either via FGV or Felda Investment Company (FIC). 

Is a golf corruption investigation coming soon?

Have you ever heard a Malay cynical meaning for the acronym G.O.L.F.?

It means Golongan Orang Lemah Fikiran or group of people with weakness in thinking. It was making fun on the tendency of golfers to be lost in their conversation on golf with other golfers in the presence of the incomprehensible non-golfers.

However, this joke on the supposedly social elite is no more funny. The weakness being made fun off is no more of their social misfit but it has turned serious to become a moral weakness.    

The game of golf is a social sports. It is useful for widening social network or diplomacy as Dato Najib did in a round of golf with US President Obama over Christmas vacation couple of years ago.

Golf, especially those sponsored overseas golf trip, have become the avenue to lobby for contracts and conduit for corruption!

What moved the superpowers to vote against Israel? [Up-dated]

The United Nation Securities Council resolution on the settlement issue has implication on the two-state solution and ending the occupation which Israel had gave agreed but showed no commitment to follow.

In his official statement, Prime Minister Netanyahu said: “Israel rejects this shameful anti-Israel resolution at the UN and will not abide by its terms.”

Though denied by Israeli Foreign Ministry officials, The Independent of UK reported [read here] Israel temporarily limit working ties with 12 of the 14 members UNSC. Ambassadors were summoned to the foreign Ministry in Jerusalem last Sunday.

Israel's reaction shows how significant the resolution is. They are willing to be isolated by the world.

Few are aware how Malaysia and other members that initiated this resolution effectively convince the pro-Israeli superpowers ad other members of the UNSC.