Sirul still tight-lipped on
Altantuya's murder mastermind...
Earlier this month, after nine years spent in immigration detention in Australia, the former police commando Sirul Azhar Umar was finally set free and now lives with his family in Canberra. Despite this, he remained tight-lipped about the mystery surrounding who actually ordered the killing of the Mongolian national, Altantuya Shaariibuu.
“Okay. [For] many years, people in my country waiting about who gave the order. But until now, I cannot tell,” he told Al-Jazeera’s 101 East programme in an interview that was aired this morning. Sirul did not say why he could not reveal the identity of the purported murder mastermind.
Nevertheless, he said that his superior Azilah Hadri had told him that they were conducting a “special operation” for Najib Abdul Razak, who was the deputy prime minister and defence minister at the time. He also revealed later in the programme that he had been paid for his silence in the past. And, despite being in relative safety in a faraway country, there were still attempts to “control” him.
‘Don’t want to lie’ “Until now, I have somebody [who] controls me. ‘Umar, you don't talk. You be silent.’ “This is Australia. Anybody can talk, isn't it? So, I take [the] position, I talk the true thing because I want to expose and then tell the truth now. I want to build a new life in Australia. “I don't want to talk lies here,” he said.
Asked whom he was meant to protect with his silence, he replied, “Honestly, I’m going tell you specifically to protect the former (deputy) prime minister at that time, Mr Najib (Abdul Razak). “So that's it. My answer.” For the record, Najib has repeatedly denied involvement in Altantuya’s murder, claiming it was part of an international conspiracy to depose him.
Altantuya was abducted and murdered in Shah Alam in October 2006; her remains were blown up with military-grade explosives.Two of Najib’s bodyguards - Sirul and Azilah Hadri - were convicted of the murder in 2009, but the Court of Appeal overturned the conviction in 2013 and ordered the pair’s release.
While the prosecution appealed its case, Sirul had fled to Australia where he now resides. The Federal Court would later uphold the pair’s conviction and reinstate the mandatory death penalty.Azilah is currently on death row in Sungai Buloh Prison. While on death row, he had claimed Najib had ordered him to “arrest and destroy” Altantuya, who was described as a “foreign spy”.
Meanwhile, Sirul was arrested and detained by Australian authorities in January 2015 because of the Interpol red notice issued against him and for overstaying his tourist visa.However, Australia could not extradite Sirul to Malaysia because of its policy not to deport people facing the death penalty to their country of origin.
Although Malaysia has abolished the mandatory death penalty and has imposed a moratorium against carrying out executions, the death penalty itself has not been repealed. Home Minister Saifuddin Nasution Ismail had said the onus is on Sirul, through his lawyers, to apply for the court to commute his sentence to imprisonment.If he does not apply or the court rejects his application, the minister conceded that Sirul would likely remain a free man in Australia.
Altantuya's family files appeal to increase
RM5mil damages award...
On Nov 8, the Australian High Court ruled that indefinite immigration detention is unlawful, though the government may impose appropriate visa conditions to protect the local community. This reportedly resulted in the release of 92 people including Sirul. However, 101 East reported that the Australian government has not imposed any curfew requirements or tracking devices on Sirul.
Meanwhile, Sirul spoke about his fear of returning to Malaysia and pleaded for acceptance in Canberra. “I feel in danger there because I’m aware that it’s truly unsafe for me to return. Whatever happens, I want to build a life with my child here in Australia. “I'm appealing to the community here. Please accept me. I promised my son I would never, ever breach the law here. I follow everything. Please accept me, who I am here.
“I love Australia, really. From my heart, from my soul. Give me a second chance. “One more thing. I’m going to apologise to the family of the deceased. You know, Altantuya. Please forgive me. That's it.” - mk
Meanwhile,former prime minister Najib Razak has denied allegations that he had attempted to influence or silence former bodyguard Sirul Azhar Umar, who was first convicted for the murder of Mongolian Altantuya Shaariibuu in 2006.
Instead, he urged Sirul to reveal the mastermind behind her killing in the wake of the latter’s widely publicised interview on Al Jazeera. In a statement released through his lawyers Shafee & Co, Najib urged Sirul to “be brave” and disclose any information he has in order for justice to be served. During the interview, Sirul alluded to but refused to name the “top politician” he claimed had issued the order to kill.
According to the law firm, the interview “implied a vague assertion that our client exerts interference or influence over Sirul, purportedly to protect our client”. Sirul, who is facing the death penalty in Malaysia for the murder, claimed he was paid a large sum of money by his former lawyer Hasnal Rezua Merican to clear Najib of any links to the 2006 murder. However, Hasnal has denied the allegations.
Shafee & Co reiterated that Najib had been conclusively exonerated of any involvement in the case and that he was never implicated in court proceedings. Sirul’s interview was recorded after he was among dozens of immigration detainees released following an Australian High Court overturning a 2004 ruling. It deemed that detaining non-citizens without visas indefinitely was unlawful.
He had been held since 2015 after he fled Malaysia before the final verdict for his case could be read by the Federal Court after numerous appeals from both sides. His first application for political asylum in Australia was rejected in 2019. To clear his name, Najib suggested that the government engage with Australian authorities to bring Sirul back to ensure a comprehensive investigation into his claims.
He added that the Malaysian government should offer assurances that Sirul would not face the death penalty upon his return in order to facilitate his extradition as Australia is bound by strict non-refoulement obligations. - fmt
PAS can’t live without
Mercedes Benz & iPhone...
Perikatan Nasional, comprising two major forces – Malay nationalist party Bersatu and Islamist party PAS – captured 4.7 million votes (30.12%) in the November 2022 General Election, where 99% were Malay votes. Crucially, the Malay-centric political parties won 80% of Malay vote bank. Fortunately, despite grabbing 74 seats in the 222-seat Parliament, it was not sufficient to form the government.
Even the Malaysian Islamic Party (PAS – Parti Islam Se-Malaysia) was surprised that it could win 43 parliamentary seats and capture 4 states – becoming the single-largest party in the country. Thereafter, Perikatan Nasional was so confident it could form a government that it became too arrogant and rejected a “Unity Government” proposed by King Sultan Abdullah as a result of a hung parliament.
The rest as they say is history. But the burning question is whether the “green wave”, which saw Bersatu and PAS almost forming a Taliban government, will still be around in the next 16th General Election. You can drag the Malays screaming and kicking out of the “kampung” (village) and give them a modern education. But you will never be able to drag the “kampung” out of the Malays.
Essentially, the Malays, or at least majority of them, are still the same ethnic stuck in the 1500s who are very feudal, hyper-sensitive, insecure and easily provoked. Due to Malays’ unique characteristic – the inferiority feeling of insecure and threatened (even though they are the largest ethnic group and have secured all the key positions) – politicians could easily manipulate and exploit them.
Malay leaders like Mahathir had played the race and religion card to cunningly deceive them that they were being deprived by the minorities, especially the ethnic Chinese. Ex-backdoor PM Muhyiddin spread fake news that Christians were working with “Jews to Christianise” Malaysia during the Nov 2022 election campaign. PAS continues to remind Malay-Muslims that non-Muslims are “kafir”.
The Malay community – poisoned by toxic politicians like Muhyiddin and Hadi who can’t stop fanning racial and religious hate – decided to throw their support blindly behind Perikatan Nasional. They just needed a Malay champion to protect their interest, never mind their so-called heroes were actually corrupted, crooked or scumbags who spoke with a forked tongue.
Having played Malay-Muslims like a fool for decades, Bersatu and PAS leaders knew precisely how to scam and lie to them again and again. The best part is the Malays will always fall for the same trick without fail. And this is also why Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has joined the bandwagon, screaming till his face turn blue condemning Israel whilst supporting Palestinians and Hamas terrorists.
En.Ahmad Fadhli Shaari, PAS MP...
As both Opposition Perikatan Nasional and Anwar try to outmatch each other to become the Palestinian hero in the Israel-Hamas War, it has led to a boycott of companies linked to Israeli. From McDonald’s to Starbucks, and from Nestle products to Grab e-hailing service, the list of companies with alleged ties to Israel has been targeted by people obsessed with teaching the Jews a lesson.
Apparently, some Malaysians were not impressed after McDonald’s Israel said on its social media accounts that it has given thousands of free meals to Israel Defense Forces. In truth, the boycott does not affect local McDonald’s at all because foreign brands in Malaysia are owned by local companies through the master franchise concept, something that is perhaps too sophisticated for boycotters to understand.
Hilariously, popular fast-food chain like McDonald’s, Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC), Pizza Hut, Burger King and Starbucks have mostly Malays under its payrolls. McDonald’s, for example, is owned by Gerbang Alaf Sdn Bhd, which has over 300 outlets and more than 25,000 local employees. A 100% Muslim-owned entity, McDonald’s saw its workers – predominantly Malay – caught in the crossfire.
McDonald’s Malaysia registered sales of RM3.25 billion in 2021 compared to US$23.22 billion (RM108.63 billion) recorded by the American company worldwide. In other words, the world’s largest fast food restaurant chain will not lose any sleep even if McDonald’s Malaysia goes bust. However, the same cannot be said about its Malaysian employees, who happens to be mostly Malay-Muslims.
Of course, it will not go belly up. McDonald’s top management has swiftly introduced many mouth-watering promotions, which benefits truckloads of non-Muslim customers scrambling to the restaurants thanks to the boycott. Chances are it’s a matter of time before the pro-Palestinian Malaysians who boycott “Mekdi” will return in droves for their addicted burgers and fried chicken.
Even if they can resist McDonald’s, which they can’t in long term, it would be hard to ignore Starbucks, which is owned by Berjaya Group. Sure, the owner is a Chinese called Vincent Tan. However, like McDonald’s, the coffee house chain hires mostly Malay-Muslims. So, chances are more workers will be jobless before the boycott could make a dent on billionaire Vincent.
Besides, boycotting Starbucks outlets will impact only Berjaya Food Bhd, not the entire business empire of Berjaya Group. CGS-CIMB Research believed that the boycott would impact only three-month of the company’s revenue. Heck, the research house has actually reiterated its “add” call on Berjaya Food stock. Will they now boycott CIMB, a Malay banking group, for supporting Berjaya stock price?
Nestle Malaysia Products...
Malaysia should think twice about copying Turkey, whose parliament removed Coca Cola and Nestle products from its restaurants over their support for Israel. Milo, Nescafe and Maggi are some food products produced by Nestle, which most Malays can’t get rid of at restaurants or at home. Milo has become a breakfast drink and Maggi Curry is as addicted as sex to many Malays.
And guess what, Grab delivery riders (again, most of them Malays) depend on orders from McDonald’s, KFC, Starbucks and even Mamak restaurants to make a living through commission. The supply chain also affects the suppliers of chicken, bread and vegetables as well as transportation for those goods, which again affects many Malay workers. But why stop at selected brands?
Let’s boycott Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp, whose owner – Mark Zuckerberg – is a Jewish and where the social media openly supports Israel. As of January 2023, there were around 28.18 million Facebook users in Malaysia, including the same anti-Israel Malays who shamelessly used Facebook in the campaign to boycott companies linked to Israel. Can they really live without Israel products?
Protesters should stop flying for their vacations as Boeing makes and delivers weapons to Israel. Google and Microsoft’s CEOs have come out in support of Israel following Hamas’ terrorist attack on the country, so perhaps Malaysian protesters should stop using the search engine and format their hard-disk immediately to get rid of the operating system. They should also dump their Android phones.
IBM, Hewlett Packard, Dell, Intel, Oracle and Zoom were just some tech companies that have spoken out against Hamas and express support and solidarity with Israel. Go ahead – demonstrate in front of all major banks – including Maybank and CIMB – to pressure the financial institutions to throw away their mainframes, servers and databases for supporting the Jewish people.
In the same breath, they should also boycott Adidas, Accenture, Allianz, Apple, American Express, Audi, BMW, Chanel, Cisco, Daimler, DHL, Disney, Estee Lauder, Johnson & Johnson, KPMG, Levi Strauss, Marriott, Mastercard, Morgan Stanley, Netflix, Pfizer, Porsche, PwC, SAP, Siemens, Sony Music, Tesla, UPS, Volkswagen, and WWE for similarly supporting Israel.
Wait a minute, without Android or Apple smartphones, what type of phones are left for the anti-Israeli protesters? Yes, it appears that 80% of Malays have been scammed when even PAS has decided that they can’t live without Mercedes Benz and Apple iPhone. PAS information chief Ahmad Fadhli Shaari said – “There are some products or things that cannot be boycotted. We cannot do it all.”
Tech Giants - Google, Amazon, Apple,
Facebook and Microsoft...
The snake oil salesmen from the Islamist party was trapped when Kampar MP Chong Zhemin questioned the Kelantan state government if they were going to boycott Mercedes-Benz, a German luxury car manufacturer that openly supports the Israeli by donating €1 million. If the PAS Mullahs prefer Benz over Palestinians, isn’t it moronic for Malays to still support the Islamist party?
It screams hypocrisy and double-standard for PAS to stage a massive demonstration in the heart of Kuala Lumpur, expressing unwavering support for the Palestinian people, only to chicken out when challenged to boycott Mercedes. In 2020, then-Kelantan deputy Menteri Besar (Chief Minister) Mohd Amar Nik Abdullah purchased 14 Mercedes Benz S 450 L AMG line worth over RM600,000 per unit.
Germany, in fact, strongly supports Israel’s right to defend itself, so much so the Europe’s biggest economy was offering military help to Israel and promising to crack down on support for the militant Hamas terror group. Therefore, Malays should start boycotting their favourite German brands like Adidas, Benz, BMW, Audi, Puma, Porsche, Volkswagen and DHL.
But the West isn’t the only pro-Israel nations. India is another strong supporter of Israel, where Prime Minister Narendra Modi has expressed “complete solidarity”. Perhaps Malaysian protesters should boycott India too – threatening to stop selling palm oil, and boycott Indian onions and white rice. Surely Malay Felda settlers can survive without India, Malaysia’s largest export market for palm oil.
Comically, at a symbolic event to hand over donations for Palestinians, both ex-premier Mahathir Mohamad and PAS president Hadi Awang – supposedly the biggest cheerleaders of Palestinians – were trying to evade the question of granting Muslim refugees equal access to basic rights such as employment and education. There were over 180,000 refugees in Malaysia, including 600 Palestinians.
Mahathir said he only supported the idea of giving assistance “to those without money to eat”, and not about allowing refugees to get jobs or letting their children attend public schools. Hadi was the most pathetic Muslim leader, refusing to even entertain the question of helping fellow Muslims with basic rights. So, what’s the point of screaming till foaming at the mouth about defending Palestinians? - FT
Genaplah 100 hari YAB Dato Seri Sanusi jadi MB utk kali kedua, apa pencapaian dan berita gembira utk rakyat Kedah? Biar saya senaraikan...
1) Projek Litar Lumba yang dilancarkan sebelum pilihanraya masih tiada kelibat sama sekali, projek yang dianggarkan bernilai RM75 juta masih lagi belum dimulakan, malahan tapak cadangan di Ambangan Heights Sungai Petani itu dijadikan tapak pembuangan sampah haram
2) Stadium baru bertaraf JDT mana? Katanya akan dibiayai pihak swasta masih samar dan kabur sama sekali. Tapak stadium tersebut di Sungai Petani masih lagi sunyi tanpa sebarang tanda-tanda pembinaan, kesian peminat-peminat bolasepak yang telah diberi harapan oleh MB
3) Kedah Rubber City? Kerajaan pusat dah tolong, kegagalan kerajaan negeri menyediakan infrastruktur yang sepatutnya menyebabkan pelabur terbesar, Hong Seng Consolidated menarik diri.
4) Air Kedah dan loji rawatan air? Kerajaan negeri janji utk selesaikan pada Ogos tahun 2023, tapi apa sudah jadi? Hingga kini progress penyiapan sangat perlahan dan mustahil dapat disiapkan mengikut janji yang bakal di “capati”
5) Langkawi sudah hilang pesona sebagai pulau tarikan pelancongan utama, Kerajaan negeri gagal mencipta dan mewujudkan program-program dan acara bertaraf antarabangsa bagi menarik pelancong-pelancong dari luar negara. Kerajaan negeri juga gagal bekerjasama dengan baik dengan MOTAC bagi tujuan penambahbaikan prasarana pelancongan dipulau tersebut.
6) Apa sudah jadi dengan skuad impian “Hijau Kuning” negeri Kedah? Lebih daripada 3 bulan sudah tidak terima gaji? Menteri Besar menjanjikan saingan yang lebih bertenaga tahun ini, hingga boleh mengatasi JDT, tapi kalau dah gaji pun tak mampu nak bayar macam mana?
7) Menteri Besar sendiri telah didakwa dengan tiga (3) pertuduhan dimahkamah atas kesalahan menghina institusi raja dan menfitnah MB Selangor dan ahli perniagaan Vincent Tan.
8)Skandal REE yang semakin terserlah? Bekas Setpol dan bekas CEO MBI telah didakwa kerana menerima suapan drpd pihak tertentu. Katanya akan ada banyak lagi pihak-pihak yang akan terdedah dan bakal didakwa?
9) Exco-exco kerajaan negeri yang masih gagal berfungsi dengan baik, nampak gayanya penggal ini lagi sekali rakyat negeri Kedah akan dapat Exco yang berstatus “Pegun” serta lembik.
Kesimpulannya : 100 hari yang gagal utk Menteri Besar. Kalau 100 hari pun masih belum nampak apa-apa yang memberi impak yang besar utk negeri macam mana nak merealisasikan misi “The Greater Kedah”? - Shaiful Hazizy Zainol Abidin
This is absurd because Israel itself has announced that
Hamas operates in tunnels. This is a massacre of civilians...
cheers.
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