The 'maha-kaya' remark...

PSM defends Anwar over 

'maha kaya' remark...

PSM has defended Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim over the brouhaha surrounding the latter's "maha kaya" (ultra-rich) remark. Its deputy president S Arutchelvan said in reality, the ultra-rich are behind many problems in the world. 

"The wealthy, if they desire, can eradicate poverty and resolve many issues, such as poverty, famine, hunger, unemployment, climate change and others. "They hold politicians in their grasp to ensure their agenda are met. The income disparity between the rich and poor is too high and obscene," Arutchelvan said in a statement today, stressing that Malaysia has one of the highest income disparities in Asia. The statement was issued in conjunction with End Poverty Day.

According to him, Anwar was in fact, "very kind" to the "maha kaya", in the sense that the recently introduced capital gains tax (CGT) would only apply to unlisted companies. Perikatan Nasional leaders had previously slammed Anwar for "targetting" the ultra-rich with the latter's "maha kaya" remark during his Budget 2024 speech last Friday.

Anwar defended his remark in Parliament today, saying that he was neither against the “ultra-rich” group nor trying to oppress them. Instead, the prime minister stressed the government only intended to slash subsidies for the wealthiest 10 percent in Malaysia as they do not need such sedekah (charity) to survive.

Elaborating, Arutchelvan (above) said the richest of every country had loyalty to only one thing: profit. "They will pay the lowest salary and cut costs in every way to become 'maha kaya'. They will run to the country with the cheapest labour and pay commission to any government to cut costs and cut red tape. "The only way to squeeze money from the 'maha kaya' is through laws and taxation policies; even though they may employ experts to evade payments," he added.

Arutchelvan also pointed out that equitable distribution of wealth can only be worked out if the "maha kaya" can cooperate with the government, citing Anwar's call to get Padiberas Nasional Bhd (Bernas) owner, local tycoon Syed Mokhtar Al-Bukhary, to channel RM60 million of his profits to rice farmers. "PN MPs talk as if the trickledown works. They prefer to lay their hands on hard-earned Employees Provident Fund (EPF) money rather than going after the 'maha kaya',” he said. 

Meanwhile,Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim today defended his "maha kaya" remark in his Budget 2024 last Friday, saying that he was neither against the “ultra rich” group nor trying to oppress them. Instead, the prime minister stressed the government only intended to slash subsidies for the wealthiest 10 percent in Malaysia as they do not need such sedekah (charity) to survive.

"This is not the issue of being anti 'maha kaya' (‘ultra rich’). We are not imposing additional tax on them. "What we meant to do is only to stop giving them subsidies. That’s all.

"Like what Tabung Haji did, they subsidise the rakyat (to go on pilgrimage). But if the person is already earning RM100,000 a month, he should not get the subsidy," Anwar (Pakatan Harapan-Tambun) told the Dewan Rakyat this morning during the Prime Minister's Question Time. He was answering questions from Rosol Wahid (Perikatan Nasional-Hulu Terengganu) on the issue of egg and chicken prices.

Yesterday, Rosol, opposition chief Hamzah Zainudin, and several other PN MPs raised concerns over the prime minister's "maha kaya" remark in the budget speech. Hamzah, in debating the budget proposal, claimed that Anwar's supposed "narrative" had painted a negative image of those deemed as the “ultra rich”. - mk

MYAirline co-founder arrested 

on money laundering charges...

The Malaysian authorities on Tuesday (17 Oct) evening apprehended a co-founder of a domestic airline, who held the esteemed “Datuk” title, in addition to his wife and son. In a statement reported by the country’s state media Bernama, Director of the Bukit Aman Commercial Crimes Investigation Department, Datuk Seri Ramli Mohamed Yoosuf, disclosed that the trio was taken into custody under the Anti-Money Laundering, Anti-Terrorism Financing, and Proceeds of Unlawful Activities Act 2001.

According to Ramli, the 57-year-old Datuk, who is a key shareholder of the airline, was apprehended alongside his 55-year-old wife and 26-year-old son at their residence in Shah Alam at 5:30 pm on Tuesday.

Earlier today, Bukit Aman's Director of the Criminal Investigation Department Ramli Mohamed Yoosuf as confirming that the co-founder and majority shareholder of MYAirline Sdn Bhd, Goh Hwan Hua, was arrested last night along with his wife and son.

Hwan Hwa, 57, Neow Ean Lee, 55; and Goh Tze Han, 26, were arrested at their residence in Shah Alam last night, and remanded for four days starting today. The trio are being held under the Anti-Money Laundering, Anti-Terrorism Financing, and Proceeds of Unlawful Activities Act 2001. Ramli further stated that the police will be filing remand applications for the three suspects on Wednesday (Oct 18).

Following these developments, local Chinese media sought additional information from the authorities, confirming that the detained individual is indeed Datuk Allan Goh Hwan Hua, the Co-founder and primary stakeholder of the recently suspended Malaysian low-cost carrier, MYAirline.

Last Thursday (12 Oct), MYAirline abruptly announced the immediate suspension of its flight operations until further notice, citing significant financial pressures that forced the suspension of operations.

In December 2022, MYAirline began its operations, utilizing a fleet of nine Airbus A320-200 aircraft stationed at Terminal 2 of the Kuala Lumpur International Airport.

The airline had set a target to increase its aircraft fleet to 20 by the end of the year and to extend its flight routes to include destinations in other neighbouring countries within the Southeast Asian region. They started the airline using money from Investment scam they started call i-Serve.

MYAirline’s board is composed of the following individuals:

1.Datuk Allan Goh Hwan Hua – Co-founder and major shareholder of MYAirline.

2.Sean Goh Tze Han – Son of Datuk Allan Goh Hwan Hua.

3.Datuk Seri Azharuddin Abdul Rahman – Former Director General of the Civil Aviation Department of Malaysia.

4.Datuk Abd Hamid Mohd Ali – Former Chief Operating Officer of Malaysia Airports Holdings Bhd (MAHB).

5.Rayner Teo Kheng Hock – Co-founder and former Chief Executive Officer of MYAirline.

6.Jothi Prakash Murugan – Director at Trillion Cove Holdings Bhd.

7.Teo, who had been leading the airline since its establishment, resigned from his position on October 8th, citing health-related concerns.

According to The Edge Malaysia, SSM data showed that international trade consultant Zillion Wealth Bhd had an 88% equity interest in MYAirline and Trillion Cove Holdings Bhd, a money lending and financing company, a 10% stake. Both Zillion Wealth and Trillion Cove named Goh as a director of the companies. - Gutzy Asia

During TSMS as PM they manage to cover the case.BNM only fine the company iServe for $50m but didn’t take action against the promoter of the scheme Allen Goh.When new police report was lodge they open new file and started arresting the promoter. - Ishak Ismail

The whole MYAirline board of directors and senior management must be investigated. Surely they know the sources of their capital.- A Kadir Jasin

From March 2020 to GE15 2022 - the Transport Minister was from MCA. Wee Ka Siong.MY Airlines got their licence on Sept 2021. How to be approved by DAP Minister??? Anthony Loke only became the Transport Minister on Dec 2022. - Scarecrow

Looks like all our leaders have hands in whatever jar they find ! Some in cookie jar others in pickle jar! And one in backdoor jar!!! - Anonymous

cheers.