The Vibe confirmed Muhyiddin family in RM1.2 billion NIIS tender

theVibes.com confirmed the suspicion this blog had in August on the involvement by the family of Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin in the RM1.2 billion National Integrated Immigration System (NIIS) tender. [Read here and here].

As early as June 2020, Focus Malaysia here have been enquiring on who is behind S5 System, but only managed to trace to a probable proxy, Syed Muhammad Hafiz.

Hafiz is the son of former UMNO MP (now with PPBM), and younger brother to Raja Perlis, Syed Razlan Syed Putra Jamalullail. 

He is linked to an off-shore and overseas company, NSA Technology (L) Inc., which in turn is linked to an entrepreneur Johann Young. The connection to Muhyiddin is indirect and many more steps to be legally relevant.

The latest scoop by Emmanuel Samarathisa here revealed Muhyiddin's son-in-law, Datok Muhamamd Adlan Berhan as shareholder of S5. 

Zakhir Mohamed (1967 - 2020)

Still in a state of shock. Cannot get over this morning's demise of Big Dog. To quote from Facebooker Salahudin Hisham:

I DO NOT WANNA LOSE YOU...

When Rosli Mohd. Sah passed away, Zakhir Mohamed told me: 

"Take care of yourself. I do not wanna lose you. I need you around."

Now that he is gone only for few hours, I realised I lost two persons I need around. At 53, he should be around, not me ...😪 

May his soul be blessed. Deeds rewarded by Allah. Sins forgiven for the righteous path he held on to.

------------

Condolence from Dato Najib Tun Abdul Razak here. Former DAP MP and first blogger of Malaysia, Jeff Ooi expressed lost of a brother here.

Reports from The The Vibes, The Mole, Astro Awani, Malaysia Gazette, The Star, and FMT.

MARA Council rejected Suhaili as MARA Corp ED

Haresh Deol mentioned in the last posting, Did MARA Corp's Director Megat Shahriman leak story on CEO garden leave?, commented in his tweet about MARA Corp not responding to his earlier enquiry. They refused to answer whether Suhaili was appointed Executive Director.   

He linked to his December 3rd report here and there was a piece of information mentioning a staff of MARA, Noor Irwan Marmin is now acting CEO. It is strange to have an acting CEO when the there is still a CEO around and the enquiry has yet to commence. 

More, CEO and MARA Corp BOD member and former MP of Labuan, Dato Suhaili Abdul Rahman is going around claiming he is Executive Director. Haresh sighted a letter signed by Minister Dato Dr Latiff Ahmad appointing Suhaili as Executive Director and Chairman of Executive Committee Board (ECB) for two years. 

What the hell is an ECB? Is this a Board managed organisation or planned to be Board managed? How many layers of onion to run a MARA Corp with only 20 staff claimed improperly hired by Dato Badlisyah Gani?  

Apparently a kaki close to MARA Council claimed Suhaili's appointment was rejected. 

Sultan's business partner mixing in wrong company

From left: Inix's Vice Chairman, Dato Tan Choon Hwa, ex-Chairman Wan Kuok Koi,
and Executive Director, Lee Han Keat    

In the midst of the endless political saga, it was quite a relief to hear the report former Inspector General of Police, Tan Sri Fuzi Harun quit his Chairmanship in public listed Inix Technologies Holdings Berhad on December 7 without much fuzz.

Lost in the Perak MB change and short hype by Tun Dr Mahathir and Tengku Razaleigh to railroad the budget, the issue was only relook for the latest development yesterday. 

Equally shocking to Fuzi's appointment is the replacement. He was replaced by a good friend and business partner to the Sultan of Selangor, Tan Sri Syed Mohd Yusof Syed Nasir. 

And, Jojo, as he is usually known, is non-chalant in promoting Inix's new venture in a glove distribution company. 

It was initially disturbing to hear of Fuzi replacing Inix's former Chairman, Wong Kuok Koi, who resigned on December 2nd recently. Now, Jojo jumped into the hot position.  

Did MARA Corp's Director Megat Shahriman leak story on CEO garden leave?

In last week's posting, "MARA Corp appointed a bank cheat and MOCCIS wrecker as ED?", this blog commented below:

Haresh is a sports writer, thus his report is dry and straight forward even without confirmation from the affected party. How in hell could he get a scoop on corporate and political issue? Did he got it from someone active in sports and close to MARA Corp or MARA?

Without even calling Haresh Deol, bit of googling the resume of the Board of Directors of MARA Corp and Members of MARA Council leads to a MARA Corp Board member, Datok Megat Daniff Shahriman bin Dato Zaharudin.  

Megat is in the midst of a controversy with the Malaysian Hockey Confedaration. It is a safe bet to presume the not-power-hungry sports activist may have tipped off Haresh. 

Rivalry between Bersatu and Umno set to intensify

By Joceline Tan

IT was a picture that was worth a thousand words.

There was an awkward air surrounding the presidents of the three ruling Malay parties when they met in the Prime Minister’s office in Parliament on Wednesday (Dec 9).

There was not much conversation in the room.

Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu) president Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin sat still as a painting while his Umno counterpart Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi was not his usual chatty self.

Things were certainly not fine between them and only PAS president Datuk Seri Hadi Awang seemed relaxed and comfortable.

Khazanah's Nation Builder choice for Silterra is only one

Khazanah's choices in the sales of Silterra: Nation Builder, Manufacturer, Stock Market flip artist and Slave Driver

Previously, Silterra sales issue had been kept within the business column. In September, this blog took interest and fired first salvo at Khazanah Nasional. 

Having consistently failed in any corporate recovery exercise which require operational turnaround, Silterra should be passed on to a more capable local as it is essential for the local semiconductor segment and elecronic sector.

The issue caught on in the social media and even received Dato Najib's attention in his FB. Thanks to the MP from Kuala Selangor, Dato Seri Dr Dzulkifli Ahmad, the issue received higher prominance.

Dzulkifli raised the Silterra sales issue in Parliament and received a positive response from Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation Khairy Jamaluddin. Extract from Bernama below:

On SilTerra, Khairy said the government was preparing a memorandum to make a stand on national interests before deciding on the future of the local semiconductor company.

Khazanah should take heed. Will PPBM Ministers in the PN government remain egoistic and stubborn  to continue asset sales program of PH and lack any ability to be innovative?

MARA Corp appointed a bank cheat and MOCCIS wrecker as ED?

The title still come with a question as it is only his name card that is going around, but it is yet to conform whether MARA Council or Board of Directors of MARA Corp had approved his appointment. 

The once political hot potato MARA Inc. have been closed and replaced with MARA Corp as MARA's investment and fund raising arm. It is still at the initial stage but already plunged into controversy with the appointment of a former MP of Labuan, Dato Suhaili Abdul Rahman as Group Executive Director. He has a chequered history with a legal case that became case law of financial scandal in University.

At the same time, news emerged over the weekend of recently appointed Group CEO, Dato Badlisyah Ghani being made to go on "garden leave" or suspension pending investigation. 

When it touches MARA or Sabah or political economic matters, these are areas only leads are sufficient to dig up more information and get a complete story. It won't take long. 

More so, it is a hot issue and in this morning mainstream news - Berita Harian here and Sinar Harian here. To Tan Sri Muhyiddin and Dato Dr Latiff Ahmad, eyes on MARA Corp, babe! 

Green Packet's Bumi deception to takeover Silterra

Ali Baba company of Ali front but Baba behind?

Prime Minister, Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin managed to pass through two major hurdles and his premiership seemed secured for the time being. 

Since the budget has sailed through, Board of Directors of Khazanah Nasional should be politically secured to meet and deliberate on the Silterra sales pending for approval.

Failing which, it means the political move to oust Muhyiddin is not over. Any sensitive member of the Board knows a wrong decision could terminate their corporate career. If there is any wrongdoing, they could be subjected to latter day investigation.

The budget presentation to parliament, the ensuing debate and its passing last Thrsday took up the media attention for the last two weeks as it may have placed Muhyiddin’s government in quite a predicament. 

Now that it is over, for the time being at least, it is timely to relook at the Silterra sales issue again. The talk of selling Silterra to foreigners have not been taken well by netizens. [Read portal MyKMU, blog Captain M, and TV Online.]  Dato Najib too touched on the Silterra sale in his FB. 

If netizen aggresive demand to allow for EPF withdrawal to tide rakyat's financial constraint is any indication, Khazanah may need to take heed of their concern.

The Star backed company with questionable past for Silterra

Someone bumped into a Tan Sri CEO of a renown Public Listed Company. He was fuming with Khazanah Nasional. Apparently, Khazanah invited them to submit a proposal to merge with an entity, they repeatedy failed to turnaround. 

He was at the top of his voice ignoring passer-by over-hearing him. 

"They asked me to submit proposal. When netizen and public whack me on social media, they kept quiet. Now I look bad. I could have just focused on my investments abroad!" 

That is not an isolated case of unethical practise by former EPF CEO and now new CEO of Khazanah, Dato Shahril Ridza Ridzuan. Someone with an orang putih temperament should have been more fussy over ethics. 

The Silterra deal turned out to be another case of Khazanah inviting proposals, but subsequently chugged aside ethics when foreigners submitted proposals after the deadline. It is fair to suspect details from earlier submitted proposals leaked. 

The son of a great man in Malaysia's early history lamented, "There is no more nation builder, bro." True enough, a government entity like Khazanah is pursuing money and putting aside nation building like unscrupulous investment banker, Gordon Gekko in the movie Wall Street. 

No wonder they invited a company investigated by MACC to submit a proposal?

Is the government into rethinking of global supply chain and state of the economy?

In the office today re-reading yesterday's The Star column by Anthony Dass entitled A need to rethink global supply chains, it reminded of a Chairman message for a PLC meant for their 2020 Annual Report.   

The Chairman wrote that the world is undergoing a transformtion of epic proportion due to the Corona Covid 19 pandemic. 

Contrary to the victorious chest thumping by politicians, civil servants, and public at large several months ago, he felt the world is not yet out of the woods. People are wary of other people around them and what used to work does not work the same way anymore.

Upon analysing the current social trend, he predicted trend towards remote mode of working, accelerated use of technology, roll back in globalisation, and need for self reliant and self sufficiency for goods and services. The world will be re-prioritising its needs.    

That is where he meets the view of Anthony Dass, who viewed the pandemic reversed globalisation and stiffled global investment and trade. FDI for 2020 to 2010 is expected to drop by 40%. Cross border M&A will continue to decline. 

No brake pulling on road maintainance investigation, Hajiji!

Its only 2 days after Dato Hajiji Mohd Nor took his pledge as Sabah Chief Minister and a day after an equally tumoultous conclusion prior to pledge taking by members of the consensus-ly agreed Sabah cabinet to the TYT Sabah Governor. 

Sabahkini 2 has already rervived the issue of the RM1.5 billion road maintainence contract from Sabah Road Work Department (JKR) yesterday. The election turning news portal that was years ahead of politicians in the fight to bring Dato Seri Shafie Apdal down wasted no time to whip the new cabinet back to this contentious issue. 

The federal constitution has provision that obliged the federal government to annual allocation for maintainance of roads according to a prescribed formula. 

Sabahkini2 was the portal that first revealed  the massive swindeling of fund for public's basic needs for proper roads happening under the eyes of former Chief Minister, Dato Seri Shafie Apdal and his Minister for Infrastructure, Peter Anthony in 2018. 

Will the independents displace UMNO candidates in 11 constituencies?

Campaign for the Sabah state election ended midnight last night. Any campaigning will only be online and last minute whispering reminders. 

Provision of transport as in Peninsular Malaysia is not widely practised in Sabah as it is physically limiting and political parties merely give supporters money to arrange their own transport. That money should be considered corruption as it is usually more than required. There could be bidding war between competing parties. 

In Sabah political circle, they are quite upfront and it means the practise is a norm and widespread, particularly in the rural parts of Sabah. The size of the so-called transport money and being the last to pay before polling could determine the outcome. 

Information received this afternoon Warisan has been aggressively dishing out transport money to add to their widespread and large posters, banners and flags. It is to compensate their overwhelming disadvantaged position in the campaign issue. 

Silterra: Selling local or foreign, where is Khazanah's national objective?

Back in November 2018, after the fall of BN government and under the early part of PH government, there was news report by Malaysia Reserve that a Chinese microelectronic producer selected Silterra as a key strategic partner to produce 8-inch wafer. 

Wafer is a thin slice of semi-conductor used for fabrication of integrated circuits and in photovoltaic, to manufacture solar cells. 

Despite facing heavy critique as one of the many big idea failures of Tun Dr Mahathir, the Khazanah-owned wafer fabrication plant in Kulim was being acknowledged by China for its 20 years experience for independently running a fabrication plant. 

It is a testimony of Malaysian can do spirit. Silterrra inked a technology transfer partnership with a Singapore based technology developer in December the same year. They are exploring for opportunities in new areas of application. 

Money pumped under Najib administration began to generate profitability. However, the accumulated losses left by Mahathir administration was in the billions and it haunted Khazanah. 

Sabah sovereignty should be main election issue

Last Tuesday, the Court of Appeal decided to dismiss the appeal by Tan Sri Musa Aman and the 33 state assemblymen against the dissolution of Sabah state assembly by Governor, TYT Tun Juhah at the request of Chief Minister, Dato Seri Shafie Apdal. 

His appeal will have implication on the constitutional power of the ruler. Sabah Governor status is considered as representative of the Council of Rulers. 

Musa is still attempting to stop the poll through the court for his pending appeals in his tussle with Shafie. However, the practical expectation is to resume the Sabah snap election as earlier announced by Election Commission (EC) for nomination tomorrow, September 12th. If decisions had or turned up otherwise, EC would still apply to the court to continue election as scheduled. 

Musa can continue his legal bid to salvage his pride. It was his mistake to call for the press conference that set off alarm for Shafie to immediately dissolve the asssembly. 

Going back to the people for new mandate is the solution. More so, political parties began to announce the number of seats they are contesting and their candidates.  

Shafie's move to dissolve the state assembly is anticipated. It was surprising and unbecoming of both Musa and Dato Hamzah Zainuddin to miss that. 

Also anticipated is Phillipines repeating their claim on Sabah. 

Syed Saddiq to quit politics

Despite scepticism over Syed Saddiq's intention to launch a youth party to contest for the upcoming 15th General Election, it created quite a buzz that over a wedding last weekend a young man was confidently claiming young voters will join in drove and support him. 

The young man must be a staunch believer as he gloated about how different, decisive, and independent young voters are in their political views and demands. 

However, that narrative is not new and not unheard off. Graduates returning from abroad 40 years ago were expounding the same civil libertarian virtues. Where there is progression in the youth thinking in the past, today's youth lacked any sense of history, continuity and consistency in their thoughts. 

Youth and new voters created the tsunami that brought the mighty BN down in May 2018, but in a year, they changed preference and gave the cue that led to the fall of PH in March. A bit more than 100 days, the sentiment and rationale seemed to have shifted. 

Young and new voters form more than 60% of voters. Syed Saddiq could make an impact should he be able to get his resources, organisation and message in place. Whether they could win any seats, it is yet to be seen, but to be a spoiler, his new party could do. 

Instead of downplaying Saddiq, Johor MB Dato Hasni Mohamed should ignore him. Hasni argued that BN could be a better voice for youth than the dedicated youth party  

Frankly, the youth party is merely a script and transitional phase for Saddiq to take sabbatical leave from politics and save himself from being charged for money laundering. Betcha he will suddenly show up with a letter of offer from Oxford University.  

Salam Maal Hijrah 1442 H

Young politician intermediary in Iris's NIIS tender?

The latest Edge Weekly has a breaking story on the RM1.5 billion National Integrated Immigration System (NIIS) tender written two weeks ago. Iris and MyEG was headlined as front runners. 

MyEG was given coverage in the article, "Are PM's son, PPBM behind frontrunners for RM1.5 billion IIS tender?​" It has the tie-up with S5, which could be politically backed. Iris was not mentioned earlier, but now getting Edge Weekly's attention as a front runner in a 12-company race.  

The blog posting was about the cancellation of concession awarded to Prestariang by government and subsequently open for tender by government to mean it is willing to spend to develop the system. 

The manner media is keeping tab on the front runners it is as though: 

"PM's son and/or son-in-law is/are involved in the IIS tender. Is any of them behind Datasonic or MyEg.com or S5?"

A pro-Anwar political Blogger cum Facebooker had leads on Iris's game to win the NIIS tender. 

The lies, lies, and still lying Guan Eng

For almost two weeks, from the Tuesday July 28th, DAP had been rubbing it in on UMNO, BN, MN and even the legally non-existent PN on Dato Najib's unfavourable SRC judgement.

Quite sure they realised that the judgement is a double edged sword. Prime Minister, Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin gave his assurance that he will not interfere in the process of the law. Though there are Najib supporters cynically view it as giving Tun Dr Mahathir the free hands to fix cases against the former PM, his hand-off stance will apply to others.

Lim Guan Eng was called in by MACC for several sessions after the SRC judgement. The long arm of the law have finally reached him. Instead of facing the case gentlemenly, DAP dramatised it. Guan Eng continue to try lie his way out. 

Justice4Adib: Police whitewash or failure to investigate?

On Tuesday August 4th, Home Minister, Dato Seri Hamzah Zainudin informed Parliament that police will take actions in relation to the "murder" of firefighter Muhammad Adib. Taken from The Sun below:

The investigation paper (IP) on the death of firefighter Muhammad Adib Mohd Kassim (pix) had been referred back to the Attorney-General’s Chambers on July 23 along with several suggestions, the Dewan Rakyat was told today.

 

Home Minister Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainudin said the IP, among other things, suggested for 12 suspects who were previously believed of being involved in Adib’s death on Dec 17, 2018, to be charged under Section 143 of the Penal Code.

Hamzah received applause from other members. Saved for expected resistance from Indian MPs in the opposition, it appeared as though the long arms of the law have found its way to the alleged murderers. 

Upon reflection, it is no big deal and seemed a whitewash or sheer wayang.

Are PM's son, PPBM behind frontrunners for RM1.5 billion IIS tender?

The government opened tender for the Integrated Immigration System (IIS) and in September 2018, announced receiving 30 bids ranging from RM1 billion to RM1.8 billion. 

The single company contract attracted known local players such as Scicom, Datasonic, HeiTech Padu, etc. 

The contract attracted public interest because the RM3.5 billionn Sistem Kawalan Imigresen Nasional (SKIN) concession awarded to Prestariang in August 2017 was to replace the frequently breaking down MyIMM. My Home Minister Dato Hamzah Zainuddin acknowledged the weakness of MyIMM. 

SKIN system development commenced work, but PH government cancelled it. It will be 3 years in 2023 before IIS will be operationalise. The re-tender was criticised as waste of time and resources, and political witch hunting.

By third quarter, the winning bid is expected to be announced. Latest heard is some 10 names, later two more added, have been short listed. 

Judging from the names, there is this gnawing suspicion that Dr Abu Hassan Ismail and Prestariang was made sacrificial lamb for certain self interest.

No sacrifice at all

Salam Aidil Adha 

Both sermons at the Masjid were talking about ritual of sacrifice. 

It is to commemmurate the Quranic story of Prophet Abrahim undergoing the ultimate test of faith to carry out Allah's commandment to slaughter his own son, Prophet Ismail.  

The morning sermon at our neighbourhood surau was particularly moving and expressed the essence in the meaning of sacrifice. 

It was the story of a pious and learned man, who received a dream of being told by Prophet Muhammad that all the pious men and women he knew were not awarded Haj Mabrur, except for a person by the name of Abdullah. 

Haj Mabrur is a Haj ibadah that is accepted by Allah. 

Final thought before SRC verdict

Its D-Day for Dato Najib.

SRC is the low lying fruits within reach of Tun Dr Mahathir to send Najib to the prison to what seemed a political prosecution for refusing and resisting his wishes.

If convicted, Mahathir will be absolved from accusation of slander, cruelty, and obsessive behaviours typical of megalomaniac dictators.

Though Dato Gopal Sri Ram's manipulative hands are visibly seen, and Tan Sri Tommy Thomas's incompetence and biasness are obvious for all to see, Mahathir will deny of having his hands behind the scheme. . 

The responsibility will be placed on the court as though the process was a lawful, fair and transparent one.

A day before verdict, Dato Najib said in his FB he will continue to seek for justice.

Could Justice Nazlan's SRC verdict be free from politics?

To most Malaysians, politics interfere in every aspect of Malaysian life including in the court of justice.

More so,  Tun Dr Mahathir had no respect for the law and had the reputation of interfering in the judiciary. This time using Dato Gopal Sri Ram.

Dato Nazlan Ghazali was aware his reputation was tarnished by Gopal's claim to members of the legal community that Nazlan was "his boy". Apparently, he is not the only victim of Gopal's manipulative and bully tactics to impose himself on other judges and lawyers.

Tan Sri Apandi Ali revealed on his FB in mid-June of Gopal Sri Ram "sent to see him in January 2018 by Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad to persuade him to arrest Najib, the then prime minister".

Gopal kept silent and only responded three weeks later to brushed it off as self corroboration and meant to frustrate his 1MDB trial. Apandi said he has proofs and responded with a 59 page affidavit. No reply from Gopal yet.

Be that as it may. It is undeniably an indication that politics could influence the outcome of the SRC case.

Tabung Haji: Baling's day in Parliament

On Tuesday July 21st, 2020, former Chairman of Lembaga Tabung Haji (TH), and MP for Baling, Dato Seri Azeez Rahim got his day in Parliament to spill out and answer the two years of accusation towards him by Pakatan Harapan on TH.

According to viraled poster, the Mufti of Perlis passed a slanderous comment against Azeez following police report made at the end of 2018.

Parit Buntar MP, Dr Mujahid denied Azeez the chance to pose a question, when he had the floor. Mujahid  repeated Kulim Bandar Baharu MP, Dato Saifuddin Nasution who earlier spoke the same point on liability level below asset and riding on the name of PWC.

Both were given leeway by Port Dickson MP, Dato Seri Anwar Ibrahim, who was rhetorical and lack specifics to debate on TH. They were reiterating past debunked arguments to divert the long list of shortcomings and infringements done today by PH administered TH.

Complacency, reckless politics could hasten Sabah as China's 24th province

Al Jazeera reported:

On Monday, the US raised the stakes, saying "Beijing's claims to offshore resources" across most of the disputed seas were "completely unlawful". US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo added that the world would "not allow Beijing to treat the South China Sea as its maritime empire."

The title of an opinion piece in the South China Morning Post, The US is finally taking sides in the South China Sea – against Beijing’s claims, sums up Pompeo's statement.

Earlier on July 6th, US conducted a military exercise at the South China Sea. The position taken by US indicate their interest to participate in the dispute.

The cowboy manner of US intervention in international disputes is not something countries in the region should look forward as it usually flare-up into a full blown war.

Malaysia have been looking to other options to avoid the possibility of superpowers doing battle at its doorstep.

Foreign Minister, Dato Hishamuddin Hussein tried to cool temperature by playing down media attention to the rising dispute with claims no Chinese ships sighted in Malaysian water for 100 days.

Preserving UMNO is a priority

The motion to remove House Speaker, Tan Sri Mohd Ariff Mohd Yusof yesterday won by a slim 111 against 109. Ariff accepted the decision as "he who appoints has the power to remove". It is customary for ruling party to put their own man.

There are voices playing down the house decision as not surpassing the 112 majority, but in his victory over Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah in the 1987 UMNO party election, it was Tun Dr Mahathir who said "A win by one is still a win".

The slim win does put into question the fragile state of the "Perikatan Nasional", the upcoming agenda #27 on vote of no confidence, and even calls for an immediate snap general election to follow Singapore.

M'kini covering up LGE, Tony Pua interference in RM240 million tender

Malaysiakini undertook an investigation into the procurement of X-ray scanners worth RM240 million for the Royal Customs of Malaysia in their report, "Murky procurement of 'blacklisted' X-ray scanners".

Before commenting any further, it is noticeable that Malaysiakini got comment of denial and claim of good behaviour from Tony Pua, while the rest have not responded for various reasons, legitimate or not.

Anyone with their ears on the ground to hear the grumbling by businessmen, irrespective of race and include Chinese businessmen complaining on Tony Pua and Lim Guan Eng, they will absolutely doubt the words of Tony Pua.

There must be reasons he lost out in DAP Selangor election and got booed out at Chin Meng festival celebrations. Even in DAP's pow wow session after losing the government, Tony Pua was told to not speak as he was blamed as the cause for lost in confidence in DAP.

Talk among businessmen, particularly Chinese businessmen, is that he is the tender fixer at the Ministry of Finance.

Sack Board members of TH or face backlash from Muslims!

The tenure of the full Board of Directors (BoD) of Lembaga Tabung Haji (TH) is due to expire any day now.

If Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin intend to stay long as PM, he should override the Minister in the PM Department in charge of Islamic Affair and sack the the whole evil lot of the BOD, especially Dato Zaiton binti  Hassan.

Subsequently, he should establish a Royal Commission of Inquiry (RCI) with the objective of investigating and charging all of the perpatrators in court for criminal offenses.

Ignoring this warning will result in backlash and anger from the Muslim community once the whole truth is known.

They manipulated, create falsehoods and slander those intent to reduce TH to merely a travel agent and deposit taking and staff to be salesman for Bank Islam products!

Post Pandemic: Spirituality to bring change

In the previous posting, Post-Pandemic: Important leaders still not get it yet, this blog concluded the opinion piece on post-Pandemic economic planning with the view that the task ahead in facing up to the new challenges of the nation lies in education.

The likelihood is policymaker will be too focused on post Covid economic recovery that they missed out on a sudden change in human behaviour and attitude that will set a new social, economic and political order.

People are forced into self reflection and subsequently becoming more spiritual. This blogger underwent that phase in this April posting here.

There could be greater consciousness for ethics and morality, compassion for humanity, and greater concern on past neglect and disrespect on nature and environment.

Post-Pandemic: Important leaders still not get it yet

Yesterday Health Ministry's Director General, Dato Noor Hisham Abdullah informed media that the latest positive infection is 3.

The day earlier the press was elated when he mentioned one. For few weeks, local cases of Corona Covid 19 virus infection have been on the minimal, and most are imported and involved foreigners.

The Sultan of Selangor announced masjid can conduct Aidil Adha prayers. These developments are indicating the worse is over.

Many felt the aftermath of the pandemic within weeks of the MCO but generally most will only come to term with it now.

It is time to face the task of handling the economic fallout that is being felt globally and restart the economy devastated by the sudden shrinkage in economic activity.

Malaysia have faced many economic crisis before, but the experience of the past may not be relevant today. Methodology need to change with the transformed social, economic and political senario.

Muhyiddin's and Najib's twist of fate

Malaysia's contemporary politics could be in the midst of a new phenomenon that is not positive for governance and country direction.

Past feud and camaraderie could be swept under the carpet to be held at bay to meet realpolitik objective of the day.

Pondering over political events of the past five years, it could set any thinking citizens to wonder whether any political alliance or/and narrative at any one time have any relevance to past or subsequent events.

Failing faculties, Frigging soundbytes

Tun Dr Mahathir is renown for his ability to communicate in simple soundbytes and use it effectively to attack political opponents or to turn the table on their attack.

Quite often than not, it is not technically accurate. But it serve the purpose to convey the essence of his message.

These days, with his faculties failing and memory limitted to remembering the past but not recent events, he is frigging himself silly to think the simple soundbytes still works.

With supporters split and politically dependent on DAP, his past narratives are irrelevant today.

Frankly, it is pointless for him to even consider returning as PM for the third term. [Go to the survey by The Unspinners blog HERE to agree or disagree]

SURVEY: To understand Mahathir, follow the money

Raja Petra Kamaruddin's latest video claimed money was the motivation for Tun Dr Mahathir to insist on being PM again for 6 months before passing over the position to Anwar.

The planned return will be upon winning the vote of no confidence for July Parliament seating.

Before reading further into this posting, go to the link HERE to vote YES or NO to DAP and AMANAH agreement to this suggestion.

A discussion on the matter can be found in the previous posting here. This posting is still related.

RPK's reason is Mahathir raised the bulk of PH's RM2.5 billion election bill for GE14.

PM for 6 months: Survey and Another Open Letter

James Chai discussed the options available for PH Plus choice for PM candidate in a Malaysiakini article dated June 14, 2020.

Since then, DAP, Amanah, Warisan and Tun Dr Mahathir's expelled PPBM faction have announced their plan for Mahathir to be PM for 6 months and Dato Seri Anwar as Deputy PM.

The development create the perception PH Plus have the numbers and will win the vote of no confidence motion for July Parliamentary session to enable PH to return to power.

The puzzling question is....

Independents' motivation to run at Chini mysterious

By 10 AM, only two independent candidates submitted the nomination forms purchaed from Election Commission office.

Though PPBM, and PH particularly PKR officially said they are not running, they may have placed proxies to run.

Why the need for proxies when these candidates could run using their own party platforms?

However, it is not quite so simple.

More so, the motivation for the two candidates to run and face the risk of losing their deposits in a BN stronghold and Dato' Najib home ground homegrown remains a mystery.

RM15 million for independent to run against BN?

The nomination for the by-election of the vacant Chini state assembly seat will be tomorrow, June 20th.

Yesterday, BN announced their candidate as local son of a local Felda settler, 42 year old Mohd Sharim Mohd Zin.

PKR, Amanah and PH had a change of mind to announce not running. They cited the  Covid Corona as reason. The SOP for campaigning is quiet stringent.

The claim is probably true.

However, BN won the Chini seat at the GE14 with about 10,000 votes, PAS second with about 5,400 votes and PKR last at slightly more than 1,000 votes.

Points media failed to pick up from Ali Hamsa's cross-examination

The attention of the court proceeding on Tuesday, June 16th 2020 was on Tan Sri Dr Ali Hamsa's denial of pressuring for amendment of the 1MDB Audit Report and meeting's discussion on certain clauses in the report. MMO and Edge highlighted his opinion on the unethical taping of the meeting.

Social media was focused on DPP under fiat, Dato Gopal Sri Ram for application to change again charges using excuse of typographical error. Gopal's case kantoi for charging wrongly and he was to amend the charge. It's unfair for the accused, BH reported.

However, there was interesting points raised in the exchanges of question and answers during cross examination of Ali by defense counsel, Tan Sri Muhamamd Shafee Abdullah not highlighted by both mainstream and social media.

Read below:

Gopal Raj Kumar's Open letter to Tun

Open letter to Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad

Dear Tun,

There’s nothing that I say that will come as a surprise to you for you have heard it all, seen it all, and done it all before. But I feel compelled to share some thoughts with you with the hope that you can show me the flaw in my arguments.

I refer to your recent reported attempts to pass a vote of no confidence in Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin and to your continuing attempts to unseat him as Prime Minister.

Let’s go back a little to May 2018.  That was the year of the 14th general election. Pakatan Harapan claimed its legitimate victory and you were its choice for Prime Minister.

But a sizable number of people, for one reason or another, did not cast their vote and nor did they vote for you or Pakatan Harapan. Yet, they accepted the outcome of that GE and moved on with their lives.

That’s the democracy that we practice.

No father and son please

Sorry to spoil the party.

The last time UMNO had a father and son holding elected office was from 1986 to 1993. The son was two term MP for Batu Berendam (1986-1994), Tamrin Ghaffar. While, the father was then Deputy Prime Minister (1986-93), Tun Ghaffar Baba.

Since then, there have been no such situation being together in Parliament. Not even the case of father in Parliament or son in a state assemblymen. Perhaps, an appointed State Speaker and wife elected as state assemblymen. Still no two elected official.

UMNO used to do an internal program with the tagline "Keluarga Ku Ahli UMNO". And, it is common for whole family to be actively involved at branch or division level. But, no more of father and son running for public office at the same time.

Dato Najib's son shouldn't run for the vacant Chini state seat.

"Me, Guan Eng and Kit Siang; We are all one" PLUS Titijaya Berhad

It was on February 8th, 2019, that this blog put up a posting,"Tommy Thomas allegedly said, "Me, Guan Eng and Kit Siang; We are all one""

In a revelation by FMT, Tommy and Lim Guan Eng are one again.

The report entitled, Ex-AG agreed to Guan Eng’s request to unlock tycoon’s money despite only 12% return of 1MDB funds, is self explanatory.

The sequel to the original posting had to wait 16 months. To gloat a bit, this is the problem with being too far sighted.

Since the fall of PH government, public and social media have been demanding on MACC, police and Attorney General Office to initiate investigation on the wrongdoings of former AC, Tan Sri Tommy Thomas.

The most frequent demand is to reopen the Guan Eng corruption case AGwithdrew.

"Din Gila" calls AKJ's patriot, national hero a 'Kerbau Gila'

They were Mahathir's former dynamic duo and mischief makers to destabilise Dato Najib's government using the 1MDB debacle.

Both Dato Khairuddin Abu Hassan and Tun Dr Mahathir's former Political Secretary and lawyer Matthias Chang went on a whirlwind tour of financial centers to make report to the various enforcement authorities.

In the latest incident, both are not seeing eye to eye. Khairuddin hit back Matthias Chang, who for many months have been critical of Dr Mahathir and is supportive of Tan Sri Muhyiddin.

He called Matthias in his Facebook a Kerbau Gila (Mad Buffalo).

MUSICAL PRELUDE: come out and play

by Billie Eilish

Hmm, hmm

Wake up and smell the coffee
Is your cup half full or empty?
When we talk, you say it softly
But I love it when you're awfully quiet
Hmm, hmm quiet
Hmm, hmm

You see a piece of paper
Could be a little greater
Show me what you could make her
You'll never know until you try it
Hmm, hmm

And you don't have to keep it quiet
And I know it makes you nervous
But I promise you, it's worth it
To show 'em everything you kept inside
Don't hide, don't hide
Too shy to say, but I hope you stay
Don't hide away

Come out and play
Look up, out of your window
See snow, won't let it in though
Leave home, feel the wind blow…

Collection of reflections on Covid 19

Since the last posting on March 14th of a Musical Interlude, it had been a long hiatus, psychologically and physically.

Malaysia was then in the midst of a leadership change. What needed to be  expressed of the underlying politics was already written months ahead, if not a year. The song title was appropraite for that moment in time.

Constrained by a stiff Teres Major muscle to add to the woes of other existing muscular discomfort, we resigned to be mere audience.

Events unfolded that led to Tan Sri Muhyiddin sworn in as Prime Minister on Monday, March 2nd and the beginning of Movement Control Order on March 18th.

MUSICAL TRIBUTE to the new government

THE WINNER TAKES IT ALL
By ABBA

I don't want to talk
About the things we've gone through
Though it's hurting me
Now it's history
I've played all my cards
And that's what you've done too
Nothing more to say
No more ace to play

The winner takes it all
The loser standing small
Beside the victory
That's her destiny

KSU suspiciously corrupt, Gopal Sri Ram obviously wicked

Continuing last night's posting targeted aimed at former KSU of Ministry of Education, Dato Seri Alias Ahmad, Malaysiakini live report saw the KSU accused as corrupt by defense lawyer, Dato Akberdin Abdul Kadir. Extract below

Bukan saksi yang dibicarakan - Hakim tegur peguam bela

10.21 pagi - Hakim Mahkamah Tinggi Kuala Lumpur Mohamed Zaini Mazlan menegur peguam bela kerana mengasak saksi dan menuduh bekas KSU Kementerian Pendidikan Alias Ahmad sebagai 'korup.'

Ini terjadi apabila peguam Rosmah Mansor Akberdin Abdul Kader menuduh Alias mempunyai kepentingan dalam projek hibrid solar.

"Saya kata pada kamu, ambil inisitatif sampai telefon lepas surat penolakan beliau, sebab datuk ada vested interest dalam projek ni...," kata Akberdin.

Bagaimanapun, Alias membalas, "tidak setuju."

Pada ketika ini, hakim Zaini menegur Akberedin.

"Beliau bukan orang yang sedang dibicarakan," katanya.

No protest from the DPP.

Tak pernah bayar satu sen pun untuk projek hibrid solar - Saksi

10.45 pagi - Bekas KSU Kementerian Pendidikan Alias Ahmad memberitahu mahkamah tiada bayaran yang dibuat kerajaan untuk projek hibrid solar di Sarawak.

Alias, yang merupakan saksi pendakwaan ke-12, berkata demikian ketika membetulkan cadangan peguam bela Akberdin Abdul Kader mengenai pembayaran pendahuluan yang diminta oleh Kementerian Pendidikan daripada Kementerian Kewangan pada 2016 untuk dibayar kepada Jepak Holdings.

Saksi berkata Kementerian Pendidikan meminta bayaran pendahuluan untuk kerja-kerja yang berkaitan dengan genset diesel di sekolah-sekolah di Sarawak dan bukan untuk projek hibrid solar.

Akberdin: Kita jangan confusekan mahkamah...

Alias: Payment ini bukan untuk solar hybrid. Untuk genset. Tak pernah dibayar satu sen pun untuk solar hybrid.

This attracted immediate reactions on the social media:

It is the talk among lawyers and within the corridor of power that Dato Seri Gopal Sri Ram is acting for Tun Dr Mahathir as the lawyer orchestrating the lawsuits against Dato Najib, Datin Rosmah, Dato Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, Ku Nan, and all the political prosecutions against UMNO leaders.

None of the charges have stick. Gopal and his bosses are wicked humans.

Contract not secured and payment not received. MoF official not entertain Rosmah's lobby or Najib's request for urgency. Where is the beef?

Whose money did the claim bribe paid came from?

After recess, it continued:

Pembelaan tuduh bekas KSU tunjuk minat projek lebih dari kontraktor 

12.15 tengah hari - Peguam bela Rosmah Mansor, Akberdin Abdul Kader sekali lagi mengasak saksi pendakwaan Alias Ahmad mengenai kepentingan Kementerian Pendidikan dalam projek hibrid solar.

Akberdin mencadangkan kepada bekas KSU Kementerian Pendidikan itu, bahawa kementeriannya itu menunjukkan minat yang lebih untuk mendapatkan bayaran pendahuluan untuk Jepak Holdings berbanding syarikat itu sendiri.

Peguam itu berkata walaupun Jepak tidak menulis surat kepada Kementerian Pendidikan atau Alias untuk mempercepat pembayaran, pihaknya selalu berkomunikasi dengan Kementerian Kewangan mengenai perkara itu.

"Jadi kalau saya katakan, yang ambil berat pasal payment ini adalah KPM, datuk. Depa (Jepak) tidak tulis surat pun. KPM yang ambil berat, tulis surat, hantar lagi," kata Akberdin.

Bagaimanapun, Alias tidak bersetuju dengan cadangan peguam bela Rosmah itu.

Hakim Mohamed Zaini Mazlan protested the insinuation made against the KSU and to keep the question limited to allegations against his client. Rather routine caution in any typical courtroom.

Court to resume on April 6th. Akberdin need at least two more hours with Alias.

* Sorry no English report of Mkini. Not worth subscribing and paying for it.

Will the real culprit behind Sarawak solar project case get exposed tomorrow in court?

It is glaringly clear that the media coverage on the Sarawak solar project case is to constantly paint the picture Datin Seri Rosmah lobbied and pushed for the project to be awarded to Jepak Holdings and Dato Seri Najib requested the government officer to expedite the award to Jepak.

Understandably, it has political value to the previous PH government to demonise the former Prime Minister and his wife.

As of today, under the officially set-up Perikatan Nasional government, mainstream media is on the same agenda-setting mode to demonise Rosmah.

The headline today is Rosmah asking former Ministry of Education secretary-general, Dato Alias Ahmad to expedite payment to Jepak. 

One should be reminded of the court statement by Alias's predecesor, Tan Sri Mardinah Mohamad, in which the theme was the same.

Intentionally, it was not reported that Mardinah said the Prime Minister's request is taken seriously but we still insist it be done according to the proper procedures.

Thank god for social media for reporting another side of an event.

Rogue or ruse, depends on cabinet appointment

Till the politics stabilise, it is pointless to discuss or talk of anything else.

Over tea, two foreigners next to our table was asking for comments on politics. Guess he was too eager to express his view. Before we could reply, he gave his 10 second description.

"It is a relay race where someone was supposed to pass the baton i.e. to Anwar but he didn't want to. He had his sight on someone else further away i.e. Mukhriz. Before he could run to pass it, the someone dropped the baton".

The foreigner's comment was almost there, but he did not know that there was no "supposed passing of baton by that someone" to Anwar.

Not with Anwar's reliance on DAP support. PH government fell on merely the no DAP in government crying call and them shooting their own feet, including dropping the baton.

Fat lady sang this morning ....

After the rain, by Najwa Mahiaddin featuring Juny. Auspices choice of song by an appropriate singer for the occassion to say its over for PH.

There will be few attempts, but its practically over. Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin sworn in as Prime Minister at the Istana Negara at 10.30 am.

Fat lady not sing yet

Boy... the air is fresh and the park is setene and peaceful this morning.

Coming out of PWTC yesterday evening, there was a sense of relieve and victory. The possible Prime Minister may not be expected choice, but it is a fair compromise.

In a war, it is the final victory that counts and not to win every battle.

However, celebrating now could be premature. Expect this impasse to last at least a week.