Banyak punya kelentong si kaki Auta ni...

The Wayang Kulit Debate...

Frankly, I was puzzled why Anwar Ibrahim, the PKR president and Pakatan Harapan chief, would even consider a debate with former prime minister Najib Tun Razak. Why debate a convicted felon? Remember we are talking about a man who has been found guilty of abuse of power, criminal breach of trust and money laundering, a man who has been sentenced to 72 years in prison and fined RM210 million. He betrayed the trust of the people and dishonoured his office. 

Surely, an unrepentant, delusional felon like that shouldn’t be allowed to pontificate on national television about anything leave alone how to solve pressing national issues. He forfeited that right the moment he was convicted. He ought to be in jail right now, not prancing about shamelessly on the set of a nationally televised event. 

It reflects badly on us too. Whichever way you look at it, allowing a convicted felon to take centre stage like he did last night makes a mockery of our commitment to the rule of law, to good governance, to integrity and honour. It is a mark of just how low we have fallen as a nation in terms of our moral values.

Which leads me again to the question of why Anwar would even want to debate him in the first place. Perhaps the answer lies in the way the whole event was staged – a contrived, carefully scripted and choregraphed affair, designed not to advance the cause of honest debate but to garner cheap publicity. In other words, a Wayang Kulit show for the benefit of the masses.

The rules of the debate, for example, were carefully structured to avoid the elephant in the room – Najib’s corruption and his shameless behaviour. The Sapura Energy debacle was just a sideshow, a pretext for pulling off a publicity stunt. 

For two supposedly political foes locked in a do-or-die political battle, they were surprisingly collegial. They did nothing more than respond to carefully prepared questions with well-rehearsed answers. Except for a few terse one-liners, they generally held their punches; neither went for the jugular, perhaps by mutual agreement. It was like two old friends colluding behind the scenes to put on a spectacle for the benefit of the public. To call it a debate would be to abuse the word.

To be sure, Anwar made some good points about the need for accountability, transparency and responsibility when dealing with GLCs and other Bumiputera companies. It is, of course, both scandalous and outrageous the way we keep pouring public funds into companies which are so poorly managed, so full of abuse, mismanagement and corruption – all in the name of protecting Bumiputera shareholders, employees and vendors. It is nothing more than a vast crony-enrichment pyramid scheme that allows certain elites to get away with daylight robbery on a regular basis.

Occasionally, there were glimpses of the old Anwar – the orator who once inspired the nation with his passion and conviction, but it was too brief to set the audience on fire. The Anwar that was on stage last night came across as a man of compromise, the calculating politician willing to debate a felon in order to advance his own career. If he had ruthlessly demolished the felon (as he should have), there might have been at least some purpose to the event. As it is, all he did was give a discredited politician a platform and the publicity that came with it.

As for Najib, he had nothing to offer save for his usual bromides – empty promises, meaningless statements, yet more handouts. And his pathetic attempt to rework the tag that Mahathir adroitly tarred him with – ‘cash is king’ – to mean that the people are king is laughable. It was also a bit thick for Najib to talk about a bigger cake when we all know that he took the biggest bite of it when he was in office. Honestly, I am sick of hearing about all that bigger cake nonsense because we all know that the bigger the cake, the bigger the bite our corrupt leaders will take. 

In the end, the word fake was writ large over the whole affair. Even the questions from the floor turned out to be nothing more than a sham; two rather insipid questions that carefully sought to avoid embarrassing the speakers. What made it even more contemptible was that one of the questions came from Fahmi Fadzil, the MP for Lembah Pantai and PKR Communications Director. If either Anwar or Najib had any real courage, they would have opened the floor to the public to ask real questions about real issues. It was another indication of just how shallow and contrived the whole exercise was.

As they walked off the stage, I couldn’t help thinking about how poorly our nation has been served by both these men. Perhaps having them both on the same stage might serve some small purpose if it helps convince Malaysians that we deserve better than these two men. Indeed, the sooner the whole crop of the corrupt, cynical and conniving charlatans that sit at the top of the political pyramid leave, the better it will be for this long-suffering and much-abused nation of ours. - Dennis Ignatius 

Govt will not spend a single cent vs 

forensic audit. Nothing new kan?...

DSAI and DNR are both involved in high stakes games in which the lot of the rakyat, is merely an afterthought. One of them wants to stay out of Jail and the other wants to be PM. They both said nothing new. Offered nothing new. Promised nothing new. We need Mega projects for the economy like we need a hole in our head! And we do not need anyone to tell us that we need Forensic Audit of projects that has failed or gone wrong. 

Najib tells us that we need competent people in GLC’s and in Government. This is the same Najib who appointed Isa Pendek to Felda, Azeez the used car salesman to Tabung Haji, Apandi 'the PM is innocent' Ali to be AG and that Irwan Seregar as Secretary General of the Treasury in the Ministry of Finance.

The debate is a cliché of familiar jargon of the past era : Mega Projects. Forensic Audits. Brim, GST, Forex Losses, and even Perwaja rated a mention or two. Nothing new. 

What did we think of the debate? 

- Rakyat diperbodohkan dan terus jadi bodoh

- If you watched, did you notice the sliminess and shallowness oozing out?

- Refused to watch actually!

- Two irrelevant people seeking relevance!

- Debat Najib- DSAI ni pon sudah di bincang secara tertutup diantara mereka dua. Topik dan

- Soalan pun sudah bocor. Masing2 sudah pun bersiap sedia dgn jawapan masing2. Cuma 

  rakyat  tidak tahu.

- Kita dah letih dgn game ayam2 tua ni. Pilih lah yg lebih muda dgn idea baru yg sesuai 

  dgn generasi zaman skrg.

Some would say that Najib and Anwar are old friends, but do not forget that Najib sent Anwar to jail. And friends do not do that. But friends or not, they are from an era long past and are no longer relevant to the times we now live in. 

We need to move forward with new leaders, new ideas, new politics and leave the past behind. The past are lessons learned. The past is history. We learn from history, and we must learn never to repeat the mistakes we have made in the past. 

If there is anything to be learned from last night's debate, it is simply this : Let justice takes its course with Mr "Kerajaan tak guna satu sen" and as for Mr "Forensic Audit"I would respectfully suggest that DSAI mentor the new generation of leaders within PKR, PH and among the many young, capable Malaysians we have today - mentor them as he only can, and make Malaysia and Malaysians ready for what is to come after PRU15. And brother Anwar, you can start with those in PKR first! -   Hussein Abdul Hamid 

cheers.

Merah padam muka bossku...

Win or lose? Immaterial...

Describing open live debates as a hallmark of a modern democracy, opposition leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said it is an “opportunity for leaders to lay out issues and suggestions to allow the people to decide who has better solutions”.

He told The Vibes that future debates should not come with conditions or off-limit subjects as last night’s clash with former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak saw “taboo” subjects such as the 1Malaysia Development Bhd scandal and other ongoing court cases.

“If we did not agree to those conditions, the debate would not have taken place. Which was why I had to agree, otherwise the debate would not have happened. “For meaningful debates to take place in the future, such conditions should be done away with.”

Still, Anwar said debates are “not about who was the better debater or who won the night but one that laid out issues plaguing the country for a long time”.

“The debate and discourse should continue among the people as they are more aware of some of the issues and can come up with suggestions for solutions of their own. After all, healthy discussions should be encouraged for a more informed and proactive society.”

However, he said he was disappointed that last night’s debate was not held at Universiti Malaya. “I am disappointed that Universiti Malaya, my alma mater, did not think it suitable to have the debate there. UM used to lead as an institution for open discourse and gatherings, from the speaker’s corner to student activism. 

“Nevertheless, I hope this is not the last time political leaders are given a platform to debate each other on issues that concern the rakyat.” Previously, student activist Fahmi Zainol alleged that the student union faced roadblocks in its attempt to host the debate.

Meanwhile, Najib shared that he did not have a good night’s sleep for a week leading up to last night’s debate, but did his best and saw it as a victory for Umno.

After the clash with Anwar ended, he was speaking to more than 300 supporters who were part of a viewing party at the Umno headquarters here after being greeted with chants of “Hidup Bossku”. 

“I have tried my best as I represent Umno. We are on the right track and our ideas are more thoughtful than the other side. We have the right philosophy for the people.” He also took a swipe at Anwar over repeated comments on “forensic audits”, saying it was not a great idea to champion “forensic” while Najib champions the people.

For the most part of the 90-minute event, Anwar highlighted root causes and the need for transparency and more accountability while Najib attempted to table solutions to the country’s economic woes.

And although the troubled oil and gas company Sapura Energy took centre stage in the first segment of the debate, much of the debate was on the country’s post-Covid-19 recovery, good governance, and nation-building.

Among the highlights of the occasion was Anwar shooting down Najib’s proposal for national oil company Petronas to buy over Sapura Energy, instead insisting on forensic audits and greater scrutiny of the financially distressed firm. - the Vibes

What is Anwar's game?...

What was opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim thinking of when he agreed to take part in the debate with the convicted felon, former prime minister Najib Abdul Razak?

Najib is setting the stage for a political comeback, but what is Anwar's plan? He was foolish to give political legitimacy to the world's greatest kleptocrat. Najib has been investigated, charged and sentenced for his role in the 1MDB scandal. Najib belongs in Sungai Buloh, whilst Anwar should step down.

If Anwar was desperate for a sparring partner in debates, that person should have been Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob.

Ismail Sabri controls the nation's purse strings. He instructs his Finance Minister Tengku Zafrul Abdul Aziz and money is made available. Ismail Sabri is the decision-maker, not Najib. Or are people speculating that Najib is the puppet master, and is the one controlling Ismail Sabri's strings?

Most of us disapproved of the Anwar-Najib debate, which was first mooted in early April when PKR's vice-president Rafizi Ramli invited Najib to debate the Sapura Energy bail-out.

Desperate to rebuild reputation

Najib dangled the carrot and told Rafizi he would take part in the debate only if Anwar joined too. Najib is desperate to rebuild his reputation, which lies in tatters after his conviction in the SRC International scandal. He is eager to influence public opinion. He pops up at election hustings, schools, buka puasa events and recently, the palace. He does not care that he brings down the reputation of those whom he meets.

This debate was a distraction. Will Malaysians realise that this is not a popularity contest? This is not a game show where there are winners and losers. There are real issues at stake and in this debate, what each person said, or suggests, about saving Sapura, or the downtrodden rakyat, means very little, especially as the one who calls the shots is now in Washington, trying to communicate with the American president, Joe Biden.

How did this debate change the life of Makcik Kiah, or the poor pakcik who is struggling to make ends meet?

Najib is addicted to fame. He believes every word that is generated by his own publicity machine. He is a master manipulator and he had a good mentor - former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad. Anwar was wrong to give Najib extra publicity. Is he oblivious to Najib's cunning? Anwar accepted Najib's bait instead of giving him the cold shoulder.

No one can advise Anwar, as he only listens to his own counsel. After the debate, Najib will continue to have a dig at Anwar, and with his social media presence, has the potential to do Anwar lasting damage. It has already started.

When Najib met his supporters at the Putra World Trade Centre, he had already fashioned himself as the "people's champion", as opposed to Anwar, the "forensic champion". Najib, the self-styled "people's champion", is still focused on playing the race card. He wants Malaysians to think that it is his destiny to "save" the Malays.

Sapura must be rescued

Like Ismail Sabri, Najib does not want to risk upsetting the Malay electorate this GE15 because Sapura is a bumiputera company and must be rescued.

He wants us to think that if Sapura were allowed to go bust, its sub-contracting firms that are bumiputra owned would have to sack their workers. He said that Amanah Saham Bumiputera (ASB) holders could lose billions of ringgit.

What about Malaysians of other ethnic origins in non-bumiputera companies that also need help during these troubled times? What was Najib thinking when he said if Petronas were to save Sapura, the rescue bid would not cost the taxpayer any money? Does he not realise that Petronas is owned by the rakyat? It is not the personal kitty of prime ministers, although they have constantly raided it. Any rescue attempt by Petronas means that the taxpayer will be funding the bail-out.

PNB bailed out Sapura to the tune of RM2.68 billion in 2019, and acquired a 40 percent stake in the firm. After PNB, Sapura Energy’s second-largest shareholder is its former president, Shahril Shamsuddin, who controls 13.91 percent of the company.

Shahril mismanaged the company and now Najib wants us to save him again. Why throw more good money after bad? Shahril and his board members enjoyed fat salaries and huge perks when times were good. They became complacent and took their eyes off the ball. They became reckless with how they ran Sapura.

The ordinary rakyat gained nothing from company mismanagement and political interference. We are fed up with our money being confiscated to help crony companies. The rakyat is struggling and it is not fair to the taxpayer when big companies like Sapura are offered a lifeline. Who will help Ali, Ah Fatt, or Arumugam when they struggle financially? Many Malaysian households are more deserving of aid than one company, Sapura.

Lives have already been changed when family members who contracted Covid-19 became very ill and could not work, or died. It is worse when breadwinners are affected, or when businesses are forced to close forever.

The one thing of value that came from Najib was when he said that Malaysia should emulate South Korea, with major global corporate players such as Samsung and Hyundai. Why didn't Anwar remind Najib that in South Korea, corruption is the single most important issue in their domestic politics and corrupt presidents are swiftly investigated and jailed as soon as they are sentenced? - Mariam Mokhtar

Sorry Mariam Mokhtar. I have supported you 100 percent before but not this time. No one should tell Anwar Ibrahim to step down. Together with Lim Kit Siang, both of them still relevant and appreciated for their sacrifice and valuable comments of national and Malaysian interest. This Najib and Anwar debate was very enlightening. It showed the heart of both. I hope more debates will follow now that GE15 is around the corner, hopefully next year. 

Anwar was people centric where else Najib was corporate centric. Why spent on bail outs when the money could be better spent on flood mitigation projects that will benefit the rakyat? Anwar does not say don't bail out. More importantly he says, a forensic audit should be a prority first to prevent future bailouts. Najib on the other hand came across as a hypocrite, his vision for Malaysia laughable after he is well known globally as a robber of duit rakyat and kleptocrate.

1MDB financial scandal would not have happen without Najib. It will take a long time for Malaysia to recover from his actions. Hopefully from the debates, all Malaysians eyes, ears and mind be open and accepting of Anwar Ibrahim's vision for Malaysia of good governance, competent free of corruption and abuse of power of all government institutions , vote for PH and vote for Anwar Ibrahim at next GE15. - WhiteRabbit1700

Coming to the decision of Anwar agreeing to debate Najib, it's like damn you do, and damn you don't. If Anwar had not debated, Najib has grounds to broadcast that Anwar is having cold feet. I'm positive that people have some idea about Sapura's mismanagement, especially someone walking away with 2+ Billion.However way you slice it, the debate opened a few holes and people are now curious why Najib is backing Sapura. People know who to believe.- Prominority

The whole world knows Najib is a convict. He is being given prominence by the media and you as well. Are you going to raise your ire with mkini,one of your paymasters and yourself? Of course not. He is Umnos mouthpiece currently not that Sabri fella. If you and Anwar protagonist think keeping quiet and ignoring Najib son of Razak will make him go away ,you don't have a clue what's going on in the ground.

He is going around giving speeches at business forums, elections, dining with royalty and you want ph to remain silent? In the cut throat world you must watch your enemies every move not let them run loose. Najib had nothing but the cash is king mantra n playing to the gallery yesterday. He didn't address the sapura debacle he intends to dig a bigger hole . He did not talk about inflation when the matter was raised to him . 

If Malaysians of a certain segment of society want to vote for him n his ilk after his performance,so be it . The country is doomed. Those who at least are standing up to him with their hands tied to their back deserve a fair go . 6 months in politics is a long time. The clock starts now to save the country with right thinking Malaysians taking the lead. - VP Biden

On the bright side..it showed the thief was nothing more than just hot air. Always shot his own foot yesterday..talking nonsense and no bright ideas.. - The Conscience

For Anwar haters, whatever he does will be wrong, whatever he doesn’t do will also be wrong. Out there , many detest the current frog government and equally many are worried about a Najib-Zahid led Umno winning the next GE, yet they go about shooting themselves in their feet by non-stop running down Anwar and PKR. - Justmyview

cheers.

All the best for PKR...

 

The debate...

Ex PM Najib Razak crossed swords with opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim tonight on economic policy.While the former argued that focus should be on making a bigger cake, instead of selling the oven, Anwar questioned who’s actually eating & having the lion share. - Melissa Goh

Yalah,transfer masuk ke dalam akaunnya...

Mahathir and family risk civil action 

for allegedly money laundering activities...

The YDP Agong advised Wan Azizah that she was the most eligible among Pakatan Harapan (PH) leaders, based on PKR’s 48 seats in Parliament, to be the 7th Prime Minister. But she told the King then that PH had agreed that its Chairman, Mahathir Mohamad, would be Prime Minister. The real reason for Mahathir reneging on the pledge to make way for Anwar Ibrahim may be the latter’s public threat in 1998 before a media conference packed with the international media as well. 

The sacked deputy prime minister, finance minister and former deputy UMNO president swore that Mahathir and his multibillionaire children would be dragged to justice for allegedly engaging in money laundering activities as defined by international law. Anwar accused Mahathir of abuse of power, conflict of interest and criminal breach of trust as a prime ministerial dictator.

The Agong probably made a strategic error when Mahathir called on him on Mon 24 Feb 2020 to submit the resignation letter. The Agong disclosed, inadvertently no doubt, that he would appoint Wan Azizah as prime minister.

Mahathir protested vehemently, and in a contradiction in terms — read turn around from Thurs 10 May 2018 — reportedly advised the Agong that “Wan Azizah wasn’t suitable material to be Prime Minister”. Somehow, Mahathir may have persuaded the Agong to appoint him as Interim Prime Minister. Mahathir, according to media reports, planned to set up a Cabinet and government of MPs i.e. there would be no reference to political parties.

In any case, such a Cabinet and government would not have worked in party politics that plagued Malaysia where political personality cults, political parties, tribalism and feudalism thrived in “unholy marriages of convenience” under the guise of democracy.

Openly Hostile

The political parties across the divide expressed open hostility on the idea of a cabinet and government of MPs. It was poetic justice when Prime Ministerial Dictator Mahathir found himself jobless again in a karmic turn of fortunes, a week later, when the Agong appointed Bersatu President Muhyiddin Yassin as the 8th Prime Minister on Sun 01 Mar 2020 and, according to Mahathir in the media, refused to see him. It was the unkindest cut of all. The Agong, probably having had enough of Mahathir’s “antics”, had closed the Istana gates.

Apparently, as widely speculated, Muhyiddin didn’t have the numbers in Parliament. He resigned reluctantly on Mon 16 Aug 2021 after dragging the nation through a state of emergency for six months and allegedly mishandling the pandemic brought by the novel Coronavirus.

The Agong asked him to stay on as Interim Prime Minister but not for long, and the nation heaved a collective sigh of relief. Umno vice president Ismail Sabri Yaakob, still being “investigated” in Sabah for allegedly consuming banned turtle’s eggs sometime in Aug 2015, was sworn in as the 9th Prime Minister on Sat 21 Aug 2021.

Mahathir In The Fray

Earlier, Muhyiddin made a bid for the prime minister’s post again. Mahathir and Anwar were the other candidates in the fray. Anwar lost much political goodwill by agreeing that the Agong who was supposed to remain above the fray, could intervene in politics, albeit temporarily, and help pick the prime minister-designate.

The Opposition Leader stood a better chance in Parliament even if there were three or more candidates on the slate. He would have easily won in a run-off between the top two candidates if none secured 51 per cent in the first around.

The Agong decreed that Ismail Sabri should test his support in Parliament. Instead, the new prime minister forged a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with PH in Sept 2021. It was a form of insurance to ensure support from the opposition coalition as well in Parliament. See here.

Muhyiddin had made the same offer, as well, too little too late, barely hours before his tryst with destiny on 16 Aug. He was widely rebuffed, seen as untrustworthy, being beyond redemption for unilaterally taking Bersatu out of PH and forming a “backdoor” government on Sun 01 Mar 2020. The government was reduced, from the beginning to a minority in Parliament but saved by the state of emergency.

GE15 Looms

Fast-forward as GE15 looms! Ismail Sabri fears that probably the same 15 “rebellious” UMNO MPs, who pulled the rug from under Muhyiddin’s feet, may be tempted to go after his neck as well in an adrenaline rush, if they get the slightest chance.

Except for Gua Musang MP Tengku Razaleigh, the other 14 MPs fear that they continue to face the prospects of selective prosecution and selective persecution, initiated by Mahathir and no one else after GE14, based it can be argued on highly subjective and perhaps even “dubious” grounds in law i.e. abuse of power, conflict of interest and criminal breach of trust, all the very same failings of a prime ministerial dictator.

The charges may be related to political donations, financing of political party activities, corporate social responsibility activities, charitable activities, food parcels and matters which could be settled out of court if the government had filed civil action on money laundering activities. Instead, the government instituted criminal cases.

In the US for example, the Dept of Justice (DoJ) which worked on 1MDB cases, only instituted criminal cases if the civil action was challenged. Out of court settlements were the preferred mode of action when large sums of money, public or otherwise, were involved.

The speculation continues that MPs in UMNO, Ismail Sabri’s own party, may be ready to plunge the daggers into him, if push comes to shove. The MPs fear that the court may put on blinkers, the approach allegedly taken in the RM42m SRC International case against Najib, and belabour in the delusion that the letter of the law was the sum total of the rule of law.

UMNO Supreme Council

UMNO Supreme Council members are understandably unhappy that some court cases may even have begun against UMNO MPs just before Ismail Sabri became deputy prime minister and invariably put him in a spot. See here.

There’s no guarantee that Ismail Sabri will be prime minister again after GE15, expected by early next year at the latest or even later this year if sooner, although he as a lowly UMNO vice president remains BN’s candidate for PM. – Joe Fernandez,New Malaysia Herald

Police outriders for hire...

Baling MP Abdul Azeez Abdul Rahim is no stranger to controversy. His stewardship of the pilgrimage fund, Tabung Haji, was abysmal, and he is currently facing charges for corruption. Just when you thought nothing could be worse than politicians like Abdul Azeez, along comes his son Mohamed Khairul Anwar.

On May 6, Khairul uploaded a clip onto Instagram of him driving along a stretch of road being escorted by two police outriders. One police outrider stopped an oncoming car from turning to enable Khairul to beat the red light.

For decades, Malaysians have been failed by politicians like Abdul Azeez with their huge egos, their enormous sense of entitlement, and who feel they can break the rules with impunity. But, for the son to ape the father’s arrogance simply fueled the rakyat’s fury.

They reacted with outrage at Khairul’s shameless manner, in which he broke the law twice, once for having police outriders as a nobody, and the other for beating the red light. His actions are simply unacceptable.

Penang police chief Mohd Shuhaily Mohd Zain said Khairul would assist them in their investigations. He also said they would see if any element of tarnishing the police force’s image was involved. He claimed that the two police outriders had acted on their own accord, and were in the process of being disciplined, adding that none of his senior officers had given permission for police to escort Khairul.

However, some drivers in Kuala Lumpur disagree. A number have alleged that they are aware that at least in KL, police outriders will provide an escort, if the price is right. So, who was telling the truth? The allegation that some rogue policemen will escort your vehicle, for a fee? Or, does no such escort and protection service exist?

Most Malaysians are aware that all road users must learn to cope with heavy traffic and ill-mannered drivers on our roads. However, many motorists are also angry when they are stopped by police outriders and forced to squeeze their vehicles close to a monsoon drain, curb, or another vehicle, so that a swollen-headed politician may reach his destination smoothly and without delay.

Why can’t the politician or VVIP travel to work along the same congested roads as the rest of Malaysia? Why do they need police outriders to stop us so that they can have stress-free travel to and from their places of work?

One of the reasons for having numerous traffic congestion and poorly managed roads is because our ministers are not aware that these problems exist. With their police outriders, they are used to cars moving smoothly when they travel from point A to point B. They do not see any traffic build-up.

As far as they are concerned, Malaysian roads are clear of congestion and have few hang-ups. Or, maybe they are aware of these problems, but simply do not care. Many Malaysian road users have been stopped by policemen at least once in their lives. Many are not aware they have broken the law. Polite and courteous police outriders are few and far between, and our experience is more often than naught to have been at the receiving end of rude and uncompromising police outriders.

A few years ago, one driver was shocked when a police outrider rode his bike straight towards him. He said, “An official entourage was approaching from the opposite direction. I slowed down when I saw the flashing headlights and heard the siren.

“When the police outrider crossed the dividing white line and drove straight at us, my wife and daughter thought there would be a head-on collision, as the motorbike was coming at high speed and did not appear to want to slow down or stop.

“Why are these police outriders acting like Mat Rempits, except these police Mat Rempits have official uniforms, badges, and are armed. “In fact, both these types of Mat Rempits terrorize ordinary road users. Both act as if they are above the law.”

Other road users have similar complaints. One said, “When a VVIP convoy of cars was approaching, we were forced to stop by the road side. A police outrider kicked the side of my car to force me off the road. Who pays for the damage? They are extremely arrogant.”

Those who have been stopped by police outriders are furious not just because of the policemen’s unbecoming conduct, but also because of the following reasons.

First. Does the person who is being escorted deserve the use of police outriders?

Second. Why should other legitimate road users be inconvenienced, just so this person wants to arrive at his destination quickly?

Third. Many road users have complained that auxiliary policemen are frequently used as outriders. Are auxiliary policemen permitted to become outriders?

Khairul appears to think that he is entitled to a police escort. He is not! Many people would like to see a list of those entitled to use police outriders. Is it just the King and the prime minister? Are cabinet ministers on the list? If so, what’s the justification for this? Malaysians wish to see who abuse their positions at the rakyat’s expense. - Mariam Mokhtar 

cheers.

Bossku bakal tidoq di Sg.Buloh sebelum Merdeka 2022...

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Dua2 kaki penyamun,kelentong dan putaq alam...

A RM2 million reward for crooked Apandi – Mahathir’s mistake of not charging the ex-AG and other UMNO crooks...

Mahathir Mohamad can’t retire peacefully and chances are the 96-year-old man will leave the world a very frustrated man, despite having been blessed with a very long life. It’s already bad that his son, Mukhriz Mahathir, may not become a prime minister. It becomes worse when more and more crooks linked to 1MDB scandal that he had fought to send to jail are now walking away free.

Musa Aman, Riza Aziz, Ahmad Maslan, Abdul Latiff (brother of Abdul Azeez Abdul Rahim) and Tengku Adnan were some of the crooks that had been acquitted by the backdoor Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin. Other powerful crooks like former Prime Minister Najib Razak and UMNO president Zahid Hamidi, along with Bung Mokhtar, may also walk away free very soon.

But Mahathir’s biggest shock was not how power-crazy Muhyiddin released Sabah’s biggest crook, dropping all 46 corruption and money laundering charges faced by Musa Aman, or how Najib’s stepson, Riza Aziz, was acquitted of all charges of money laundering involving US$248 million (RM1.25 billion). His biggest shock so far was the terms of the settlement involving Apandi Ali.

Apandi Ali, the former Attorney General appointed by then-PM Najib Razak at the peak of 1MDB (1Malaysia Development Bhd) scandal to specifically clear the premier, was sacked by Mahathir after the stunning defeat of Najib regime in the 2018 General Election. After a series of betrayals, the democratically-elected Pakatan Harapan government was toppled by Muhyiddin, Mahathir’s most trusted lieutenant.

Muhyiddin, together with the defeated United Malays National Organization (UMNO) and extremist Islamist party PAS (Parti Islam SeMalaysia), formed the backdoor government called Perikatan Nasional in March 2020, forcing Mahathir to resign after just 22 months. However, Muhyiddin was himself betrayed by UMNO and forced to resign 17 months later in August 2021.

It was during Muhyiddin’s regime that Apandi found the spine to file a lawsuit in September 2020, seeking a declaration that the termination of his services as attorney-general in 2018 by Mahathir was unlawful. The despicable ex-A.G. has also asked for RM2,233,599.36 in special, punitive and general damages. He argued that his contract was supposed to end only on July 26, 2018.

Apandi Ali-Malaysias most disgraceful Attorney-General

After the scandal-plagued Najib government was defeated, Apandi shamelessly cling to his position, refusing to resign voluntarily and honourably despite advised to do so by the new government. Subsequently, in a letter dated June 5, 2018, Chief Secretary Ali Hamsa informed Apandi that the King had consented to the termination of his service as Attorney General.

Not only Apandi Ali claimed that his termination was orchestrated by then-PM Mahathir, he also said Mahathir had abused his position, committed misconduct as a public officer and committed misfeasance in public office. Mr Apandi said before the 14th General Election in May 2018, Najib government had promised him that his tenure would be extended by three years.

Therefore, as a result of his termination, Apandi said he suffered losses and damages, including the loss of earnings, allowances and other benefits from July 27, 2018 until July 26, 2021. The burning question is this – why didn’t he sue Mahathir government immediately after his so-called unlawful termination, but chose to file a suit only after more than 2 years later?

The second question is did Apandi realize that he has sued the wrong person? He should have sued the Malay Ruler – the Yang di-Pertuan Agong (King) Sultan Muhammad V of Kelantan – because it was the monarch who had agreed to sack him, not Mahathir. Was Apandi trying to say the King had acted recklessly by agreeing to the recommendation to terminate him?

The third question is Apandi’s claim that then-Chief Secretary did not provide any document to support Agong’s consent to fire him in 2018. If the King had not agreed to his sacking, how did the monarch appoint Tommy Thomas to replace him in the first place? Did Apandi expect the Agong to make an appearance on national TV and announced the sacking of the disgraced attorney-general?

The half-baked former A.G. appeared to be clueless about the law. The Attorney Generals hold their office at “the pleasure of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong” as stated in Article 145(5). Unlike judges and auditor-general, the services of the A.G. (in this case Apandi Ali) can be terminated by the appointing authority – in this case Agong – who acts on the advice of the prime minister.

In short, the then-PM Mahathir can order the removal of the Attorney General after the new government of Pakatan Harapan was formed. In fact, based on how Najib fired former A.G. Gani Patail for investigating his 1MDB scandal, before appointing the “friendly” Apandi Ali as a replacement in 2015, it’s crystal clear that an attorney-general can be sacked whenever the prime minister likes.

So, the fourth question is why can’t Apandi be sacked when his predecessor can be easily fired? His argument that he cannot be sacked because his contract had been extended for another 3 years just before the 14th election by Najib Razak is yet another bullshit. According to the Federal Court, a contractual right cannot supersede a decision by the King to sack the attorney-general.

It’s hilarious that Apandi Ali had not read about the Federal Court’s case “Haji Ariffin v. Government of Malaysia 1969”. The position as the Attorney General does not come with job security because he is nothing but the government’s legal adviser, hence like a client who hired his lawyer, the government has the right to change or fire its top lawyer anytime.

Just like former MACC chief commissioner Dzulkifli Ahmad, who tendered his resignation after Mahathir accused the commission of ignoring widespread corruption and indicated a reshuffle, former Attorney General Apandi Ali had only two options – to resign or to be sacked. Apandi had refused to resign because he cannot lose face and thought of himself as incredibly powerful.

More importantly, Mahathir was looking forward to facing Apandi’s lawsuit in court. However, the clueless and incompetent Ismail Sabri government has quietly settled with Apandi, who happened to be a strong supporter of UMNO. Although the terms of the settlement are being kept top secret, it’s not rocket science that Apandi has been rewarded RM2.2 million – or even more.

Apandi was an UMNO member from 1982 to 1991, before joining the Bar Council from 1991 until 2003. He was even picked by UMNO as a candidate to contest the Pengkalan Chepa parliamentary seat in the 1990 election, but he was defeated. In July 2018, after he was sacked by Mahathir, he was appointed as a member of UMNO’s Supreme Council for the 2018-2021 terms.

Interestingly, Muhyiddin’s handpicked A.G. Idrus Harun appeared to have advised the government to settle with Apandi, despite all the facts that the former A.G. cannot win the case. Not only taxpayers’ money has been wasted to pay the useless Apandi, it also sends the wrong message that the attorney-general is so powerful that he cannot be sacked.

Mohamed Apandi Ali became one of the most disgraceful top lawyer the country has ever produced when crooked Najib Razak appointed the stooge specifically to shield him. Mr. Apandi was already a 65-year-old retired ex-judge when he was offered the powerful job. As a bonus, he was also rewarded with a seat on the board of Lembaga Tabung Haji (hajj pilgrims fund board).

Almost immediately after becoming Attorney General, without offering any satisfactory explanation whatsoever, Mr. Apandi unilaterally cleared his boss – then-PM Najib Razak – despite MACC’s (Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission) recommendation that Najib be charged with criminal misappropriation under Section 403 of “dishonest misappropriation of property”.

Apandi declared that his boss was innocent of any bribery, claiming that US$681 million (RM2.6 billion) found in PM Najib’s private account was “gift” from Saudi royal family. To insult the world’s intelligence, Apandi claimed Najib had returned US$620 million to the Saudi royal family because it had not been utilised. But the world was not impressed with the Malaysian clown.

The Malaysian Attorney General became a world pariah when the then-U.S. Attorney General Loretta E. Lynch announced on July 20, 2016 that the U.S. Justice Department filed lawsuits to seize assets that it said were the result of US$3.5 billion that was misappropriated from 1MDB. Worse, the U.S. authorities found “no trace of Saudi gift” at all.

To the amusement of the international community, the same A.G. Apandi Ali was then caught in a video clip that apparently showed him dancing with a group of Najib’s ministers during the country’s Merdeka Day (Independence Day) parade in Kuala Lumpur, triggering outburst that it was the clearest proof that the attorney-general was indeed Najib’s stooge.

In 2016, Mr. Jose Ugaz, chairman of Transparency International (TI), singled out Mr. Najib as a prime example of national leaders in developing countries who have “become so corrupt that they endanger both citizens and society”. Earlier in Sept 2015, when Ugaz delivered his speech in Malaysia, PM Najib cowardly went into hiding instead of facing the international community.

 

To muffle embarrassing news about Najib, Apandi had even proposed life-imprisonment for whistle-blowers under the Official Secrets Act (OSA) and punishment for journalists who refused to reveal their sources, a draconian and desperate plan to suppress and oppress any embarrassing materials that could implicate the already extreme corrupt Government of Malaysia under Najib Razak.

Coincidentally, Mr. Apandi was the same man who headed a three-member Court of Appeal in 2013 which released two elite policemen (Chief Inspector Azilah Hadri and Corporal Sirul Azhar Umar), (pix above) from charges of murdering Mongolian Altantuya Shariibuu, whose body was blown up with military-grade explosive in 2006 in the Scorpene submarine scandal involving Najib’s personal aide – Razak Baginda.

Apandi was as crooked as Najib in the 1MDB scandal. And it’s not hard to see why A.G. Idrus Harun, after having freed crooks like Musa Aman, Riza Aziz, Ahmad Maslan, Abdul Latiff and Tengku Adnan, had decided to reward Apandi Ali instead of fighting the lawsuit – birds of a feather flock together. But Mahathir should not cry over spilt milk. It was his fault that Apandi laughs all the way to the bank.

Mahathir should have investigated and charged Apandi Ali, not just merely sacked him, for complicity in the theft of 1MDB. In the same breath, former secretary-general of Finance Ministry Irwan Serigar Abdullah should also be charged for his role in helping Najib siphoned more than RM3 billion from KWAP and EPF to invest (or rather cover-up) in 1MDB and subsidiaries.

Not only Irwan Serigar was 1MDB advisor, he was also part of the board of directors of at least 25 other companies. As the Chairman of Lembaga Hasil Dalam Negeri (LHDN) or Inland Revenue Board (IRD), he made sure Najib did not have to pay taxes from the RM2.6 billion stolen from 1MDB. As chairman of KWAP and director of EPF, Serigar approved all dubious investments in 1MDB.

Together with another crook – Lembaga Tabung Haji Chairman Abdul Azeez Abdul Rahim – Mr Irwan Serigar (a director) bailed out 1MDB by subscribing RM920.8 million of the sukuk raised by the fund. Guess who else was on the board of Tabung Haji back then? Well, it was Mr. Apandi Ali, of course. That was how Tabung Haji overpaid to the tune of RM188.5 million of Muslims’ hard earned money to purchase a plot of land at Tun Razak Exchange.

Mahathir should also have charged Khalid Abu Bakar, one of the most arrogant and corrupted police chief under Najib administration, for aiding and abetting Najib, the world’s biggest crook. In July 2015, the then-Attorney General Gani Patail was sacked ahead of his retirement date in October because IGP Khalid was the disgraced traitor who tipped off Najib.

 

Had Mahathir not abruptly resigned in February 2020, allowing the return of UMNO crooks to the government, Apandi would not have won his case unchallenged. Had the old man spent more time in fixing all the structural problems he created during his 22 years iron-fist rule (from 1981 to 2003) instead of rubbing shoulders with Zakir Naik and shouting Malay dignity, he might be a happier man today. - FT

Apandi, as long as the settlement include a compensation paid with public funds, keeping it as confidential is a gross derelict of duty by Putrajaya and the AGC on transparency and accountability. No amount of money should be paid to an idiot like you who blatantly declared Najib as innocent of any wrongdoing at a press conference while holding up incriminating SRC evidence in your own hands. - Sharifuddin Abdul Latiff

It's best you keep your gap shut. It was reported you shed crocodile tears in court during testimony. It worked! Now you should be laughing all the way to the bank. As they say curiosity kills the cat.First, you sued MM as the main defendant, apart from the government. The AG cannot settle without the knowledge of MM. Second, read the Constitution, every expenditure from the consolidated fund has to be tabled and approved by Parliament, either before or after. Unless of course, the AG is paying from his own pocket. Third, millions of tax payers are not happy to see their hard earned money being wasted on you, apart from the salaries they paid you all along. - Dr.Raman Letchumanan

This scumbag dared to be arrogant under this racist backdoor govt which do not follow any rule of law but the law of the jungle. You are lucky and thank those frogs in the Sheraton move otherwise your suit would have been thrown into the dustbin. Now the rakyat has to foot the bill of your folly. - BlueMinnow3865

I say Apandi, this is not private suit in defamation, in tort or breach of contact. If you lose, you pay from your own pocket. In your case, the payment comes public funds as it was a suit by you against then PM (govt). - Pink Panther3559

When PH was in power, this idiot was as quite as a tikus. Now can talk cock lah. BTW, the rakyat got the right to know the details. This is not your grandfather’s money. - Fyddeep

cheers.

Samy Vello ada cakap "Malaysia diperintah worang gila"...

Sue the gomen and make money...Something smells fishy...

Penamatan perkhidmatan Tan Sri Apandi Ali...

1. Tan Sri Apandi Ali telah fail tuntutan di Mahkamah terhadap saya setelah saya letak jawatan sebagai Perdana Menteri. Dia tuduh yg saya berniat jahat & tidak turut undang-undang dlm menamatkan perkhidmatannya sebagai Peguam Negara.

2. Saya telah beri kenyataan saya kepada pihak Peguam Negara. Saya pertahan tindakan saya dan percaya bahawa saya telah ikut prosidur yang ditetapkan dengan menasihati Yang di-Pertuan Agong bagi menamatkan perkhidmatan beliau sebagai Peguam Negara.

3. Pada masa itu saya berasa Tan Sri Apandi tidak dapat bertindak bebas kerana beliau merupakan peguam UMNO sejak sekian lama.

4. Dia tidak mungkin dapat berlaku adil dalam siasatan terhadap 1MDB dan salahlaku Dato Seri Najib. Malahan dia telah kata bahawa Najib tidak bersalah kerana kononnya tiada kes, sebelum apa-apa tindakan siasatan dibuat.

5. Sikap berat sebelah Apandi ini terbukti apabila Najib didapati bersalah oleh hakim Mahkamah Tinggi dan Rayuan dan dijatuhkan hukuman penjara 12 tahun serta denda RM210 juta.

6. Semasa saya beri keterangan kepada pihak Peguam Negara (Tan Sri Idrus Harun) bagi persediaan kes saman Apandi terhadap saya, saya telah dimaklum bahawa proses penamatan perkhidmatan itu betul dan mengikut prosidur dan Rule of Law.

7. Mereka maklumkan bahawa saya dan kerajaan telah memberi nasihat betul pada Yang di-Pertuan Agong supaya Tan Sri Apandi Ali ditamatkan perkhidmatan.

8. Saya terkejut apabila baca berita baru-baru ini tentang satu penyelesaian diluar mahkamah dibuat diantara Kerajaan dan Apandi. Terma penyelesaian juga dirahsiakan.

9. Saya tidak pun dimaklum tentang terma penyelesaian walaupun saya merupakan saksi utama.

10. Saya menulis pada Peguam Negara. Saya tidak bersetuju dengan cara penyelesaian tersebut dibuat. Saya berasa kerajaan tidak sepatutnya tunduk memandang bahawa tindakan penamatan perkhidmatan Apandi mengikut semua urusan dan kuasa yang ada pada Kerajaan.

11. Saya tidak faham kenapa terma penyelesaian harus dirahsia dari saya serta rakyat. Rakyat berhak tahu. Lebih-lebih lagi jika ianya melibatkan pampasan.

12. Apakah pampasan perlu dibayar jika tindakan dibuat mengikut undang-undang? Di mana prinsip Rule of Law.

13. Saya berpendapat penyelesaian memberi pampasan besar itu untuk seorang yang gagal melaksanakan tanggungjawab dengan baik adalah amat dikesali diwaktu mana sekalipun. Saya tidak mengaku salah dan bersedia untuk tuntutan Apandi di adili di mahkamah. - Dr.M

Sebuah video telah menjadi viral di media sosial yang menunjukkan seorang lelaki sedang berseronok di sebuah kelab malam. Dia duduk bersama seorang wanita muda yang kononnya adalah isterinya dan mereka sedang mendengar muzik yang rancak.Lelaki ini kononnya dikatakan seorang penasihat agama kepada orang kayangan. Menurut punca2 yang dipercayai,  lelaki yang pakai blazer dengan topi berada di dalam kelab malam itu sedang melakukan kerja2 dakwah untuk menyebarkan agama. Tapi daripada video itu langsung tidak ada bahan bacaan agama yang disebarkan di mana2 di dalam kelab malam itu. Nampaknya apabila semua Kelab Malam dibenarkan beroperasi bermula 15 Mei ini,ramai pendakwah akan masuk ke Kelab Malam untuk berdakwah kot? Brader kita ni pula mungkin sedang dok berlatih kat rumah rasanya. - minah kerang

Get rid of police outriders 

for ministers, deputies...

It is time to get rid of police outrider services for ministers, deputy ministers and elected representatives, said Bukit Mertajam MP Steven Sim Chee Keong (pix,below).

This comes after a video of two police outriders escorting the son of Baling MP Abdul Azeez Abdul Rahim in Penang was spread on social media yesterday.

“Ministers and deputy ministers already have a pilot and police escorts, there is no need to waste the manpower of the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM) on providing outrider services.

“It does not matter which government, abolish the police outrider services for the people’s representatives.

“If you are rushing for time, you should leave early. Otherwise, you can solve the issue of traffic jams so that all road users can arrive at their destinations comfortably, no need for outriders,” Sim said in a Facebook posting today.

In a separate statement today, the Penang police confirmed the incident took place in Bukit Gambir, Penang yesterday (May 7).

“A disciplinary investigation paper has been opened and a detailed investigation will be conducted on the two police officers involved.

“The police will not compromise with any police officers who commit such misconduct,” said Penang police chief Mohd Shuhaily Mohd Zain.

Yesterday, a 20-second video was posted as an Instagram Story by the account @anwarazeez, showing Azeez’s son, Mohamed Khairul Anwar, driving while escorted by two police outriders.

The video has since expired as Instagram Stories are only available for 24 hours.

In the video, an outrider appeared to stop an oncoming car about to make a turn in order to allow Khairul Anwar’s vehicle to run a red light.

The oncoming car could be seen braking abruptly to avoid crashing into the police outrider.

In another statement, Bukit Bendera MP Wong Hon Wai (above) today said the police should conduct a full investigation on the man driving the car as well.

“As a member of the police force, the traffic police manpower is not meant for escorting parliamentarians or their children but it is to help resolve the issue of traffic jams,” he said.

Wong said the ministers should experience traffic jams like other members of the public unless it is an emergency or very important official business.

“Actually, there should be no special privileges of having police escorts except in desperate situations or very important official business.

“Elected representatives, like parliamentarians, even those who have served for multiple terms, do not have the privilege of police escorts, let alone the son of a parliamentarian,” he said. - mk

Honestly, outriders are only for Agong, PM, Head of state, Sultan, Chief Ministers and Menteri Besar. What's so special with others? Our polis got other better things to do then to escort the non deserving officials. - Anonymous_49

Biasa lah tu. Even our pencuri terbesar has police outrider when he has to report at the police station every month hahaha. - Geram

Do our police even know their roles and responsibilities and duty to the people? Or they only serving certain groups? - Gaji buta

Abuse of power. Also police need to answer why escort is provided to laymen. Even MP do not have this privilege. Who have gave instructions to police for this case. - UB40

The only time I agree these corrupt elites need police escort is when they are ushered to Sungai Buloh. Other than that , just toe the line la,ministers and deputies. - Oceanmaster

cheers.