18 March 2024

A triple somersault wearing a sarong in C'wealth Games 2026?...

 
Dark truths on '98 C'wealth Games emerge...

From 2002, I penned more than a dozen commentaries requesting for the accounts of the 1998 Commonwealth Games to be made public. But those responsible, including the bigwigs at Sukom Ninety Eight Berhad (Sukom 98 Bhd) ignored the calls, pretended not to have read them, or felt it was too much “trouble” to engage with me. Throwback at C'wealth Games 1998 K.Lumpur.

But credit must go to Azalina Othman Said, who upon becoming the sports minister, spoke to me and instructed her officers to produce the documents. But they could only show me the annual filings to the then Registrar of Companies (now Companies Commission) because the organisers were Sukom 98 Bhd, incorporated under the Companies Act.

The gullible media reported that “the accounts have been closed” and a letter to Malaysiakini even praised Azalina for her efforts. The audited statement of accounts, which was closed at the end of 2002, saw the company posting a loss of RM11.6 million.

Azalina Othman Said

“We have finished with one chapter – that is the closing of the accounts. Sukom will now have to deal with how to settle it and where to raise the money. Of the RM11.6 million, a total of RM11.4 million is owed to the government,” The Star quoted Azalina as saying.

But how much did the government give in grants? How much was collected from other sources? They were never made public.I persevered with a continuous barrage of questions for Hashim Mohd Ali, the executive chairperson of Sukom 98 and CEO Manap Ibrahim. None were forthcoming.

Given the scandal that engulfed the bids made for the football World Cup at that time, I wrote: “It is pertinent to reiterate that every bid for any event – not necessarily football or sports – comes under heavy scrutiny.

“Even the slightest deviations from the norm is likely to be examined with a fine-tooth comb and every scribe worth his salt is likely to dig and dig every bid.”

Hashim Mohd Ali

Real cost of ‘98 Games...

Yesterday, Hashim broke his 26-year silence by giving us a hint on how much the games cost the government. In opposing plans to host the 2026 Games, he said: “We were given a RM1 million grant from the government to set up Sukom 98 Bhd, and we had four years to prepare for it. We looked for sponsorship and did not rely on government funds.

“Mastercard gave us a US$5 million sponsorship while Malaysian Airlines sponsored air tickets to be shared by athletes and officials of the 69 Commonwealth countries. It was a big deal back then.”

But what he did not tell us is that the government spent millions on the 88,000-seater national stadium, the aquatic centre, and the hockey stadium in Bukit Jalil, Kuala Lumpur. What about the upgrades of the velodrome, sports fields, and other amenities?

The then deputy sports minister Loke Yuen Yow told Parliament that preliminary estimates found the games would generate about RM38 million in ticket sales. Organisers forecast a profit of around RM5 million.

However, Hashim seems to have selective memory and omitted details of income and expenditure. How much did it cost to make the thousands of colourful blazers for officials and delegates? How much was spent on hotel suites for those classified as VIPs and VVIPs? What about other sources of income including minor sponsors, car number plates, sale of apparel, and souvenirs?


Carlsberg controversy...

The most glaring omission is that it had to pay a brewery after signing a sponsorship deal. In response to demands from religious quarters, the government banned Carlsberg’s sponsorship of the games - just two months before it began. The cabinet decreed that all traces of Carlsberg must be removed, but Carlsberg was faced with a sizeable logistical task.

Fleets of buses and taxis proclaiming the company’s sponsorship, banners in shops, and of course, it was advertised on thousands of litres of tinned and bottled beer (collector’s items of these paraphernalia are still available on Carousel).

BBC reported that the organisers were also facing trouble - they would have to repay £800,000 (RM5.6 million at the time) of sponsorship money and could be facing a £1 million bill from distributors for cleaning up the mess.

BBC said: “Malaysia is the first Asian nation to hold the games, and the organisers were already facing financial problems because of the region’s economic slowdown. Budgets for the opening and closing ceremonies have been slashed.” There was also a protracted dispute with the ticketing agent that went to court.


Gymnast attire...

Why bring up these episodes and dark history? There’s danger at every turn. If we decide to host the games, will the government ban leotards and swimsuits to appease the “Green Wave” and show its green is brighter than the other side?

How do you do a triple somersault wearing a sarong or would a female athlete dive into a pool wearing a house coat? Be warned. The drums of godly augmentation have already started beating.

As it is, PAS-led Terengganu has banned female gymnasts from participating in the Sukma Games since 2019, citing concerns about their attire not adhering to syariah standards. Gymnasts have pulled out, but does anyone care?

Such misogynistic edicts will certainly resurface and once again, Malaysia will be making the headlines the world over for the wrong reasons. Additionally, will athletes from countries that did not condemn the atrocities of Israel be harassed? Do we still want to consider being the host? - R.Nadeswaran


Hashim Mohd Ali is a brother-in-law of Mahathir. Being the executive chairperson of SUKOM 98, he was responsible for overseeing the preparation of the Commonwealth Games.However, the snail pace of the preparations upset the then Minster of Culture, Arts and Tourism, Sabbaruddin Chik. The frustrated minister lambasted at Hashim who shed tears when he (Hashim) later tried to explain the situation.The minister left office soon after the games, in early 1999 for reason best known to him and Mahathir. - SRMan

Should we still entertain the idea of hosting, especially in the wake of the scandalous 1998 Commonwealth Games? Nades has succinctly outlined persistent concerns surrounding Sukom. Despite its prestige, it remains a costly endeavor, with financial transparency akin to the MH370 mystery.The aftermath resembles messy clean-ups post-ceremonies, as initial excitement wanes, leaving neglect for handling the aftermath. The image of officials opening stadium doors for free entry to bolster televised event crowds is undeniably embarrassing.Now, with a cadre of inexperienced leaders, including the OCM and its non-sportsman President, pushing for Malaysia to host the 2026 Games, it appears history may repeat itself with costly missteps. One can only hope they learn from past errors. - drkam

Citizen Nades, thank you for keeping this issue open, which the government is adamant at hiding it under a concrete block, not a carpet, for reasons we are all aware. Any honest administration would have submitted the full accounts to Parliament, and learnt some lessons from it. - Verum Deco

In 1998, when Malaysia held it's first Commonwealth Games in Kuala Lumpur, DSAI was removed from all positions in government and imprisoned. Great Britain was entirely silent over the treatment of DSAI. Then, Labour Party PM, Tony Blair, refused to interfere with the Mahathir Administration, and forged on to allow the Games to be held. If anyone could even remember as that far behind, the Mahathir Administration and UMNO cohorts instituted media blackout (those days only print and cable TV and radio operators, social media was basically non-existent) and those persons or individuals giving out or selling any media in relations to the arrest of DSAI, were apprehended and prosecuted.Basically, what Nades wrote back then (even) had any effect or sustenance about the misappropriation of the Commonwealth Games. - Kamsiah Haidar

For goodness sake. Malaysia is already in trillion ringgit of debts. Please do not add more debts for our future generations to bear. Honestly, whenever Malaysia holds international events of such magnitude, there is lack of accountability. It breeds corruption. - Hope

The debt trap of 2026 C'wealth Games – Malaysia 
sucker if bails out Australia as new host...

Malaysia is being offered £100 million pounds to host the 2026 Commonwealth Games. That looks like a jackpot given on a silver platter. Even the Taylor Swift’s just concluded exclusive concert in Singapore in the Southeast Asian leg of her Eras Tour looked lame compared to this international sports event involving 74 Commonwealth nations and territories.

If the Taylormania’s six-day performance, which saw more than 300,000 fans from across the Southeast Asia made their way to Singapore, could contribute S$500 million economic benefits to the tiny island, what more the Commonwealth Games? And Malaysia is already looking at the mouth-watering incentive of almost RM600 million before anything needs to be done.

But there’s no such thing as a free lunch. Before the government of Anwar Ibrahim hastily accepts the offer, it should understand why the Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) generously offer the money. The £100 million of “financial and strategic support” was an offer to any potential host as part of the Australia withdrawal settlement. That means the Aussie was no longer interested.

The Australian state of Victoria decided last July to withdraw as the host of the 2026 Commonwealth Games due to rising costs. The event, scheduled for March 17-29, 2026, saw the hosting costs skyrocketing from the initial projection of A$2.6 billion (about RM8 billion) to A$7 billion (RM21.8 billion). In fact, Victoria’s government agreed to pay A$380 million for breach of contract.

If indeed the international multi-sport event is so profitable in the first place, or at least could generate a bigger economic impact than Taylor Swift’s concert, it doesn’t make sense for Victoria to cancel it. Within hours of Victoria’s announcement, the neighbouring state of New South Wales – whose state capital Sydney hosted the 2000 Olympic Games – said it would not take over.

The best part was when other Australian states, with the exception of Queensland, poured cold water on hosting the event too. At a very conservative estimate, an Australian independent financial analysis determined the event would cost US$3.5 billion (£2.75 billion; RM16.5 billion), with the economic benefit only amounting to US$1.2 billion (£1 billion; RM5.6 billion).

In short, all analysis agreed that the Commonwealth Games would cost a significant amount of money and provide very little return on that investment. Agreed with Victoria Premier Daniel Andrews to pull out of the event, Western Australian Premier Roger Cook said – “The Commonwealth Games aren’t what they used to be and as a result of that they don’t provide the return on investment”.

The fact that Victoria  was more than happy to cut loss and pay compensation to the tune of A$380 (RM1.2 billion) should provide enough reasons for Malaysia to also avoid the games like a plague. However, don’t underestimate this Southeast Asia country’s stupidity. After all, this is the same nation dumb enough to import radioactive waste from Australia when the Aussie did not want the toxic materials in its backyard.

Already, clueless Mohamad Norza Zakaria, president of the Olympic Council of Malaysia and the Commonwealth Games Association of Malaysia, was incredibly excited about the prospect of hosting the game that Australia rejects. He said – “With the existing world-class facilities, Malaysia is well-equipped to host an international event of Commonwealth magnitude”.

The incompetent Mohamad Norza brags- “The hosting will involve minimal Government spending and bring significant socio-economic benefits to the country. It will also elevate the standard of Malaysia sports much like the way it did in the aftermath of the 1998 Games. To this end, the CGF and CGA Malaysia have offered an attractive proposal to the Government of Malaysia.”

Exactly what type of world-class facilities that he was referring to after more than 25 years since Malaysia last hosted the Commonwealth Games in 1998? It’s just 18 years since Melbourne, Victoria last hosted the 2006 Commonwealth Games, where Queen Elizabeth opened the event for the first time on Australian soil. Yet, Victoria still needed to spend up to A$7 billion (RM21.8 billion) for the 2026 games.

Malaysia is well known for its “first class infrastructure, third world mentality”, contributing to poor maintenance of new facilities. If even Australia had to face an escalation of costs, what more Malaysia, a country infamous for not only cost overrun in every single project, but also has the tendency of at least tripling the initial costs due to massive corruption?

At best, Malaysia may need to spend between US$3.5 billion (RM16.5 billion) and A$7 billion (RM21.8 billion). At worst, Anwar administration could see the cost of hosting the 2026 Commonwealth Games balloon to A$21 billion (RM64.8 billion) as a result of corruption. It’s not like you just need to spend some money on minor renovation or repair works or printing marketing banners.

Ask yourself this question – why did not other Commonwealth countries such as Canada, England, New Zealand, Scotland, Wales or India quickly grab the opportunity abandoned by Australia? The primary reason Malaysia is being approached is because the Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) could smell a sucker from miles away. The biggest problem is not merely the ROI (return on investment) alone.


With two years left before the games, Malaysia will certainly look like a bunch of clowns if it fails to upgrade the venue, getting sponsorship, providing infrastructure and whatnot. All eyes will be on this magnificent nation that foolishly and arrogantly thought it could do the job, only to be stripped of the rights to host after failing to meet promises, just like what happened to South Africa in 2015.

In 2015, the South African city of Durban was awarded the 2022 Games after the Canadian city of Edmonton withdrew, also citing cost concerns. But 2 years later, like Australia, South Africa’s sports minister threw in the towel and revealed the financial burden – “We gave it our best shot but we can’t go beyond. If the country says we don’t have this money, we can’t.”

To save the 2022 Games, Birmingham and the British government stepped in, pumping more than £560 million, in addition to another £190 million from the local council of the West Midlands city. Originally, Birmingham had been scheduled to host the 2026 Games, but the decision to bail out South Africa’s failure saw Victoria getting the job instead, which is now vacant again after Australia withdrew. Subsequently, the Birmingham city council went bankrupt.

Actually, Victoria was named the host of the 2026 Commonwealth Games in 2022 after Kuala Lumpur, Cardiff, Calgary, Edmonton and Adelaide all pulled out from proposed bids because they were concerned about costs. Hence, should Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim decide to step in to bail out Victoria, he has to explain and justify the financial feasibility of such project.

Essentially, the debts of the British Empire Games will become a political baggage – even a scandal – that would engulf Anwar’s political career at a time when the country is struggling with the high cost of living and global economic uncertainties, not to mention the RM1.5 trillion national debts. Worse, unlike Olympic Games, the colonial origins of the Commonwealth Games have seen it losing its relevance and audiences.

Crucially, if Kuala Lumpur fails to deliver the 2026 Games as promised, which it will certainly do, the opposition parties will capitalize on the issue to hammer Anwar’s leadership and question his competency. With the next 16th General Election must be held by 2027, the risk is too high for Anwar-led Pakatan Harapan coalition to toy with the games. Even India had no interest to host it.

Alternatively, to reduce the costs and risks, Malaysia and Singapore could consider jointly host the games. However, Singapore appears not interested as it will only continue to pursue sporting events that are aligned to its “strategic interests”, and Commonwealth Games isn’t one of them. Unlike Malaysia, financial considerations were crucial to any decision-making process in Singapore, even though it has the money to splash. - FT



Bukan setakat mainkan sentimen agama, 
stokin pula kini telah dipolitikkan juga...

...dan masih dapat air camni ☝☝☝

Masa mengundi walaun cop semua pemimpin kerajaan pusat bangsat,haram,
tapi bila tersepit mau pula mohon pertolongan daripada pimpinan pusat...



cheers.

15 March 2024

Commonwealth Games vs Swiftonomics mana lebih 'ong'...

 Rescuing C'wealth Games 2026,
a sheer waste of public money...

Sports commissioner Suhardi Alias has criticised an audacious proposal for Malaysia to rescue the Commonwealth Games by hosting the 2026 edition at short notice. He said the plan by the Olympic Council of Malaysia (OCM) was shocking, financially risky and short-sighted.

Suhardi, the first top Malaysian civil servant to oppose the move led by OCM president Norza Zakaria, said he was against wasting public funds for the unsound purpose. “Why do we want to be the saviour for the Games when Victoria dumped it, and nobody else wants it?” he said. Last week, youth and sports minister Hannah Yeoh said the Cabinet will decide on the matter soon.

Yesterday, Norza announced that the Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) had offered Malaysia the opportunity to replace the Australian state of Victoria as host for the Games. The offer includes an investment of £100 million (RM602 million) to support the local delivery and legacy planning of the event.


Suhardi noted Victoria’s decision simply came down to hosting costs which had grown beyond expectations, with the government saying it could go as high as A$7 billion (RM21 billion). Kuala Lumpur was one of the original bidders for the 2026 games, along with Cardiff, Calgary, Edmonton and Adelaide, but pulled out due to concerns about costs.

Suhardi asked: “If Victoria had to pay A$380 million to the CGF for breach of contract, how much will Malaysia have to pay if we decide not to host the games after signing the contract? “A$380 million is more than RM1 billion. Is it worth it?

Suhardi said many were puzzled when the Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) turned down an offer to host the Thomas Cup and Uber Cup in 2026. “I wonder why there suddenly are certain people who are so adamant on the country hosting bigger events such as the Commonwealth Games,” he said. Norza is president of BAM and the Commonwealth Games Association of Malaysia.

Ng Joe Ee of Malaysia performs with the ribbon in the Apparatus final of the Rhythmic 
Gymnastics competition at the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, England

Of money and athletes

Suhardi said the idea of Malaysia hosting the Commonwealth Games for the second time must be treated cautiously. He questioned whether the government would have enough time to study the financial implications with the quadrennial Games just two years away, and with the SEA Games in Kuala Lumpur the following year.

“We have to also take into consideration the fate of the Birmingham city council, which organised the last Commonwealth Games. “The council ignored advice not to host the Games despite being in serious financial difficulties and declared bankrupt last year,” he said.

Suhardi pointed to the tasks ahead for Malaysia, which may include building a new Games village for the athletes and other new infrastructure, as well the need for heightened security. He said public opinion and expectations were equally important, as is the Malaysian athletes’ preparation and performance.

“The government must be sensitive to public opinion due to the fact that there are challenges in closing the accounts of the 1998 Commonwealth Games (Sukom 98) and the 2017 SEA Games. “It has to be transparent and public friendly. If we need a town hall to get public opinion before we decide, that will be better.

“The Yang di-Pertuan Agong, in asking the government to be prudent in their spending, reiterated that we have been having a fiscal deficit since 1998. “So is it a coincidence or post-Games collateral damage?”

Asked whether Malaysian athletes had enough time to put up a good performance at the 2026 Games, he said: “We got 10 gold medals, 14 silver and 12 bronze in 1998 after six years of preparation.” - FMT

The accounts of Sukom 98 have yet to be closed...

Please take note of the following observations from the report:

-The 1998 Games Accounts have still not been made public.

-The Olympic Council of Malaysia, led by Norza as President, recommended the bid.

-Interestingly, the Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM), also presided over by Norza, decided not to host the 2026 Thomas & Uber Cup Finals.

-The decisions made by the "President" seem to follow a rather peculiar pattern. - Kamsiah Haider

Kantin sekolah : Lebai 
lagak nak jadi hero...

The Head of the Dewan Ulamak PAS Pusat, on the other hand, thought that it was unnecessary. In an official statement by Ustaz Dato Haji Ahmad Bin Yahaya, he said the instruction to keep the canteens operational will only create unnecessary polemic.

Ahmad also said that with the canteens remaining closed during Ramadan, the non-Muslim students will learn to appreciate the value and the importance of fasting, although they are not obliged to do so. He also highlighted that he is, in no way, stopping the non-Muslim students from eating during the day but he is merely educating them to respect those who are fasting in Ramadan.


Throughout my schooling from Standard One to Form Six, (7- 19 years of age), and during my University years too, I cannot recollect any time during the fasting months when all canteens or food stalls were closed (as a matter of directive). All the races interacted very well; we respected the Muslims who fasted and they respected us as well. - Only Truth

The main cause of national unity is due to PAS not vernacular school, at this age they are leveraging on race and religion to fan hatred amongst the different races for political gain, bunch of politicians with no remorse in causing disunity, this is another classic case how they stir up problems. - IndigoKiwi5280

I have been fasting since I was six years old, and I am now 76.During my time at school, the canteen was always open.There were no problems there. No one makes any noise. When one is fasting, one has no business visiting the canteen.So what’s the problem Lebai? - Harimau Kelantan 

Bila kantin buka walaun bising, bila depa
buka periuk nasi pukul 12tgh depa diam saja...

Arahan agar kantin sekolah perlu dibuka sepanjang bulan Ramadhan pun nak dijadikan isu dan polemik. Tak faham aku. Macam dah ketandusan isu sangat.Apa masalah kalau kantin sekolah dibuka pun? Murid sekolah, terutamanya tahap satu memang dah wajib puasa ke semuanya sampai nak tutup terus kantin? Ibadah puasa itu diwajibkan ke atas muslim saja. Orang bukan Muslim, terutamanya kanak-kanak, tak bolehlah dipaksa untuk turut sama berpuasa.Memang orang Islam Malaysia, mudahnya Melayu, tak kuat iman ke apa? Nampak orang makan pun dah rasa terliur dan serta merta nak batalkan puasa. Begitu?


Kalau anak tu puasa, takut anak tak tahan, beritahu dia jangan pergi ke kantin waktu rehat. Apa yang susah sangat? Bukan wajib pergi kantin pun masa rehat.Walaupun ramai murid lain yang makan dalam kelas. Murid yang puasa cikgu dia suruh pergi ke tempat lain masa murid yang tak puasa makan. Tak ada masalah. Tak payahlah nak jadikan benda ni isu. Perkara begini boleh buatkan orang bukan Islam semakin membenci Islam. Ini bukan jenis dakwah yang perlu kita bawa. - Raja Gelap II


An elderly couple break their fast over 
the rubble of their home in Gaza...

This is why US & its allies are banning TIKTOK...

More than 70% of homes in Gaza have been partially 
or completely destroyed by the Israeli aggression...


cheers.

10 March 2024

Bersatu's Swiftonomics, a missed opportunity...


Swift rebuke hints at ‘Taylor’
made rift in Bersatu’s concert debacle...

Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu) is already facing a tough time establishing itself as a strong and credible opposition party. But no one could have foreseen that American megastar Taylor Swift would be the one to ‘reveal’ fissures within the party, which is part of the Perikatan Nasional (PN) coalition.

The award-winning star’s concert in Singapore on March 2 has been a talking point among many. It also revealed how certain members within Bersatu don’t see things eye to eye, and have no issues going public with their differences. Singapore has been applauded by many for capitalising on the economic spillover effects of the concerts – dubbed Swiftonomics.

However, some leaders in Southeast Asia have taken issue with the ‘Gorgeous’ singer’s performances in the republic – her only stop in the region. This matter was even raised during a joint press conference between Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsein Loong and his Australian counterpart, Anthony Albanese, at the 9th Singapore-Australia Annual Leaders’ Meeting in Melbourne on March 5.

Back home, WhatsApp messages and postings online were centred on how Malaysia had lost out on the economic windfall from Swift’s concerts. The country is trying to stimulate local spending and tourism, post-Covid-19. As far as most Malaysians are concerned, concerts are not something Perikatan Nasional leaders are particularly fond of, often foregoing the economic spillover effects in the interest of ‘protecting local cultural and religious sensitivities’.


As such, eyebrows were certainly raised when Bersatu deputy president Datuk Seri Ahmad Faizal Azumu said that Malaysia stood to lose out if it failed to leverage on opportunities that came along with allowing international artists to perform in the country. But he understood what those opportunities meant, based on his experience as the former youth and sports minister.

Bersatu’s legal and constitution bureau deputy chairman, Sasha Lyna Abdul Latiff, echoed Ahmad Faizal’s sentiments, adding that Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and Youth and Sports Minister Hannah Yeoh must explain the missed opportunity.

The first sign that all was not well in the Bersatu household was when the party’s Youth chief, Wan Ahmad Fayhsal Wan Ahmad Kamal, went on public domain to slam Sasha, saying, “Her view is her own, and doesn’t represent Bersatu’s. None of our Bersatu MPs ever raised this matter”.

Effectively, Wan Ahmad Fayshal had taken a pot-shot at his deputy president, albeit indirectly. This faux pas was enough for those within the government, especially several DAP leaders, to have a field day, mocking their opponents.


But was Wan Ahmad Fayshal’s apparent gaffe truly a faux pas, or did he lift a play from the DAP playbook – by playing devil’s advocate to pacify Bersatu’s more traditional, more conservative supporters?

It’s similar to when DAP leaders raised the need for local government elections, or when it suggested that non-Muslims be included in committees associated with Islamic affairs, only to receive flak from the other Pakatan Harapan coalition members.

In addition to Bersatu, PN also has Pas – an Islamic political party that has been consistent in its opposition to the country hosting concerts. However, last month, Pas vice-president Datuk Seri Ahmad Samsuri Mokhtar ‘clarified’ that the party was not against concerts, but rather, against the performers’ conduct and social stance.

He conceded that concerts provided economic benefits, but if the performers promoted alternative lifestyles, like LGBTQ+, or were pro-Israel or pro-Zionist, it would contradict the party’s stance.


Bersatu leaders will now, no doubt, steer clear of this storm in a teacup, and move on to other things. This will not hide the fact that the rift in the party is becoming obvious. And that certain quarters are trying hard to demonise Ahmad Faizal and his supporters. This is apparent as several Bersatu members, clearly supporters of “the other camp”, had also condemned Ahmad Faizal for his stand. Some also came to his defense.

Bersatu needs to get its act together if it wants to be taken seriously. Its leaders should start by sharing insights and views within, before going public. After all, that’s what WhatsApp groups are for.

So, will disciplinary action be taken against Ahmad Faizal and Sasha for voicing their views, or against Wan Ahmad Fayshal for publically humiliating his party colleagues? Justice, as we know it, could be Swift. - Haresh Deol

Isytihar 7 kerusi kosong, 
Muhyiddin cabar Anwar...

Mahiaddin mahu 7 kerusi (6 parlimen dan 1 DUN) yang dikatakan khianat agar dikosongkan untuk beri laluan kepada PRK. Mahiaddin yakin PN akan memenangi kesemua 7 kerusi dengan majoriti lebih besar. Tak sengaja gelak bila tengok dia bercakap. Ye la. Kita tahu Mahiaddin ni cuka cakap besar. Teringat sebelum dulu dia punya confident sampai hina DS Anwar. Kata PM Tepi. Rupanya dia yang menangis tepi bucu katil.

Tapi aku tak adalah kata yakin PN akan kalah. Dengan keadaan menteri yang kata tak boleh buat apa bila  portal berita ada buat tajuk berita yang mengelirukan,dengan cerita fitnah yang dibiarkan berleluasa, aku tak nafikan PN boleh menang semula kerusi-kerusi itu. Cuma, sebelum Mahiaddin nak yakin menang, tanya dulu, yakin ke dia dapat bertanding? 

Sebab PAS dah bersuara nak bertanding kerusi Gua Musang dan Jeli. Takut nanti Bersatu dapat tengok je. Kitorang dah tahu sangat sifat tamak & khianat PAS tu. Dulu, masa tengah rangka akta Anti-Lompat Parti, PN juga yang tak setuju MP yang dipecat dari parti dikira hilang kerusi. Sebab ada niat nak curi MP orang lain kan? Lepas tu tak nak ubah perlembagaan parti masa tu. Sekarang hadap je la. Banyak songeh lak 

Tapi rasanya Mahiaddin ni bercakap setakat nak bagi saki baki penyokongnya bertenang je. Dia pun tahu kerusi-kerusi tu takkan dikosongkan. Perlembagaan yang dipinda tu pun entah bila lulusnya. Sebab tu dia berani bercakap. Macam budak cakap tak takut hantu di siang hari.
Dah la Din. Dari sibuk pasal PRK baik ko fikir pasal kes mahkamah ko tu. Kalau PRK yakin memang aku rasa untuk kes mahkamah ko yakin kalah. Kan? Menantu ko pun dah lama tak jumpa jalan pulang tu. Tak kesian ke kat anak ko? Ko cari dia lagi baik. - Raja Gelap II 


Negara I - Isreal...


Penjual 🦀 otak 🦐

Severe cases of starvation in Gaza...




cheers.

06 March 2024

Mahathir vs the Malay rulers...

 
Does past spat between Tun M & the Malay rulers 
have bearing in today’s royalty relations?...

Many may be unaware or may have forgotten what transpired during former premier Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad’s stand-off with the Malay rulers in 1983. Prior to his ascension, the 17th Yang di-Pertuan Agong (YDPA) Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar had warned that he would go after a former prime minister (PM) who failed to consult the royal palace prior to the case regarding a few islets contended by Singapore being brought before the International Court of Justice.

There is not an iota of doubt that the YDPA was referring to none other than Dr Mahathir who at that time was on his second premiership stint (which lasted 22 months in total). Because land matter to the states, Dr Mahathir should have the courtesy to consult the Johor ruler. It is his blatant disregard for the palace that eventually led to the wrath of the present Agong.

Now, Dr Mahathir is apparently reaping what he had sown. When he was PM, the country was literally brought to its knees by him. A re-visit of what transpired in 1983 would help the younger generation understand what led to the sour relationship between Dr Mahathir and the state monarchs.


Too much power in one man

One of the main targets that came under his sledgehammer was the constitutional monarchy which is supposed to keep the three branches of the government – the Executive, the Judiciary and the Legislative – in check as well as to protect and uphold the federal constitution and the democracy of the country.

However, just two years after becoming the country’s fourth PM, Dr Mahathir bulldozed through the Constitution (Amendment) Bill 1983 which sought to clip the wings of the Malay rulers. The then Agong, Sultan Ahmad Shah Sultan Abu Bakar, who is the father to Sultan Abdullah – the predecessor to the current Agong – refused to give his royal assent to it.

The Conference of Malay Rulers was also fully against the bill as it would mean that they would lose their powers to provide assent to a new piece of legislation.  In short, once the law is passed by the state assembly or parliament, the bill will automatically become a law. The bill also included the removal of the Agong’s power to declare an Emergency. That this was given to the PM would essentially make Dr Mahathir the most powerful man in the country.

According to former The Star columnist, Huzir Sulaiman, who in 2008 penned a series of three articles entitled “Mahathir vs the Malay Rulers”, the Conference of Malay Rulers unanimously rejected the amendments after a meeting in Selangor on Nov 20, 1983. However, Dr Mahathir retaliated with a propaganda war against the Malay rulers. UMNO immediately whipped up a series of demonstrations in Alor Star, Bagan Datuk, Seremban, Batu Pahat and Melaka where police permits were never sought or approved. The objective of the demonstrations was to express support and sympathy towards Dr Mahathir’s agenda.

Huzir further revealed in his article: “Whether or not the crowd figures were inflated by the UMNO-aligned media – it is true that they generally reported these events in positive terms. It is clear that the 1983 rallies were exciting evenings with republican sentiments on everyone’s minds, if not exactly on their lips. “One of the most arresting images in Rais Yatim’s Faces in the Corridor of Power is a photograph of two youths at one such rally. They are wearing T-shirts bearing Dr Mahathir’s picture and the words “DAULAT RAKYAT”.”


In much the same modus operandi used to eventually force the thriving mini buses off the roads to give way to a consortium of buses, Dr Mahathir’s propaganda war continued for a couple of months against the monarchy.

According to Huzir, stories of “royal extravagance and impropriety” started emerging. “The Government leaked the fact that they were compiling dossiers on the Sultans. RTM announced they were preparing a year-long TV series on the rulers and the Constitution,” Huzir wrote.

It is interesting to note that while UMNO Youth was used by Dr Mahathir to up its ante to call for the Government to gazette the Constitution (Amendment) Bill without waiting for the Agong’s assent, Dr Mahathir himself was involved in behind-the-scenes negotiations with the Malay rulers.

Throughout the entire period, it was Dr Mahathir who instigated the Malaysians to stand up against the Malay rulers. For example, Huzir cited that at a rally in Alor Star on Nov 26 that year (1983), Dr Mahathir declared that, “It was the rakyat who had protested against the Malayan Union after the Second World War; it was the rakyat who wanted a democratic system that would enable them to choose their own leaders. It was always the people who had fought for their destiny.”

Then, at the biggest rally held in Batu Pahat, he again took a thinly veiled dig at the Malay rulers, “We weren’t born Ministers? We’re up here because we were chosen by all of you.” Dr Mahathir did just the opposite of the first two principles of the Rukun Negara. He used the same strategy against Tunku Abdul Rahman to dismantle the monarchy.


Divide and rule

“Public opinion was divided over the issue,” observed Huzir. “Rural Malays tended to support the Rulers; urban Malays while not uncritical of Mahathir’s strategies and motives were more ready to accept egalitarian ideas.” What surprised this writer was that, according to R.S. Milne and Diane K. Mauzy  in Malaysian Politics Under Mahathir, the Chinese community supported the monarchy.

This one paragraph in the note explains it very well: “One might have expected that since the rulers and the Agung were symbols of ‘Malayness’, the Chinese would feel little loyalty to them. Paradoxically, they were quite pro-royalty because they did not really trust Malay politicians. Indeed, they viewed the Agung and the rulers as protectors of their vital interests.”

Dr Mahathir was able to consolidate his position after a series of incidents such as the Nov 19, 1985 Memali bloodshed which claimed the lives of 14 villagers and four policemen; Ops Lalang in 1987; UMNO’s own political crisis in 1987; and subsequently, the Judiciary crisis in 1988 which led to the sacking of former Lord President Tun Salleh Abas and three other Supreme Court judges.

According to Huzir again, “The PM’s campaign continued. He silenced the rulers over the issue of the 1987 ISA detentions; staged a hostile debate on the monarchy in the 1990 UMNO general assembly after the loss of Kelantan to PAS; removed the rulers’ immunity to prosecution following the constitutional crisis of 1992-1993; stripped away their flights, outriders and special hospital wards; and in 1994 – with little opposition – finally removed the need to obtain the rulers’ assent for State laws.”

It therefore comes as no surprise that Sultan Ibrahim does not trust Dr Mahathir and when the Royal Commission of Inquiry (RCI) is set up on Batu Puteh issue, Dr Mahathir should heed Lord Denning’s words, “Silence is not an option when things are ill done.”

To Dr Mahathir and his supporters, this may be an attempt for revenge; however, to most other Malaysians, this is the universal law of reaping the seeds of royalty, racial and religious sentiments that he had sown. – FocusMalaysia

Ahli parlimen dan pengembala 
sarkas yang lemah...

Ahli parlimen Tasek Gelugor Wan Saiful Wan Jan pagi ini terselamat daripada digantung menghadiri sidang dewan selama 6 bulan apabila usul untuk menggantungnya ditarik balik. 
Usul bagi "mengnyahkan" wakil itu daripada persidangan kerana ulah buruknya, sepatutnya dikemukakan oleh Menteri Pembangunan Desa dan Wilayah Zahid Hamidi, namun ia ditarik balik disaat akhir. 

Zahid yang juga ahli parlimen Bagan Datuk menarik balik usul berkenaan apabila ditanya oleh Speaker setelah Wan Saiful yang diberi peluang untuk bercakap sebelum pembentangan usul memohon maaf kepada Perdana Menteri dan juga Yang diPertuan Agong ekoran ucapannya  yang menuduh Perdana Menteri sebagai korup dan membabitkan Yang diPertuan Agong.

Speaker Johari Abdul berkata, demi untuk negara beliau memberi peluang kepada Wan Saiful mengatakan sesuatu sebelum usul dibentang. Kesempatan itu diguna wakil Tasek Gelugor untuk memohon maaf. Disini menampakkan sudah ada kownting di antara Johari dengan Wan Saiful. 
Apa yang berlaku itu adalah baik dan demikian gambaran akan budibicara para ahli Yang Berhormat kita. 


Namun precedent yang ditunjukkan oleh Johari sebagai Speaker itu tidak menjamin bahawa parlimen kita berjalan lancar tanpa ada aksi-aksi dan fitnah daripada ahli dewan dimasa akan datang.Berbuat baik kepada mereka yang tidak tahu adat dan berterima kasih sama seperti menolong anjing terjempit. 

Satu segi Johari sebagai Speaker cuba menunjukkan dia seorang tegas dan profesional, tetapi sebaliknya apabila beberapa kali telah meralat keputusannya ia menunjukkan Johari lemah dalam mengendalikan mesyuarat dan menjamin ketertiban dalam parlimen. 


Sebelum ini beliau bukan main menyinga mengarahkan wakil Pendang agar keluar dewan selama empat hari, tetapi menarik balik arahan itu beberapa jam kemudian, apabila wakil Pendang meminta maaf setelah dicadangkan ketua pembangkang. Saya bimbang kalau demikian sikap Speaker yang berdolak dalik, mudah cair dan longlai, menyebabkan ia tidak dihormati dan sekaligus parlimen juga hilang rasa hormat oleh umum. 

Tindakan surung tarik Spekar itu menyebabkan parlimen kita hilang wibawa,  jadi semacam serkas, yang mana ahli parlimen umpama haiwan dan Spekaer adalah pengembala serkas yang lemah. - mso




cheers.

04 March 2024

Wan Saiful's propaganda game...

Why didn’t Wan Saiful report 
alleged threats and offers?...

Wan Saiful Wan Jan, the Perikatan Nasional MP for Tasek Gelugor dropped a bombshell in the Dewan Rakyat on Feb 28, when he alleged that he had been offered RM1.7 million to be spent on his constituency. The money was allegedly to be given in exchange for his support for the prime minister, Anwar Ibrahim.

His remarks caused an uproar with various MPs jumping to their feet questioning the veracity of his remarks. Wan Saiful claimed to have received a phone call in which he was threatened and warned that he had to express support for the prime minister. Due to the nature of the threat received, he said he agreed to meet, followed up by many other meetings, all at hotels across Kuala Lumpur.

The first was on Jan 17 at the Westin Hotel, followed by another at the JW Marriot Hotel, with one also scheduled for the end of February at the Corus Hotel. He claimed that one of those he met was a friend, whom he refused to name. However, the other men who approached him had used fake names which they appeared to forget, or got wrong, when addressing one another.

There are many disturbing aspects to these allegations. Bribery is a serious crime. Why didn’t Wan Saiful lodge a report with the police or the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission? At the very least, there could have been a sting operation to catch the perpetrators red-handed.

However, it appears more likely he does not have evidence to back his allegations, and only wanted to make the government look bad, by deciding to tell his little secret in the Dewan Rakyat, where he knows he has immunity as an MP and need not provide any evidence or details. Had he made this revelation outside Parliament, that someone had offered him money to support the prime minister, he may have found a charge of defamation lodged against him.

Who else would want to offer him money to support Anwar, but someone from the PKR president’s camp? Others may also argue, that perhaps it could have been a third party which wanted to make Anwar look bad, If he had evidence of an attempt at bribery, he needs to report it and have his claims challenged in court. Perhaps, the real purpose of this expose was to sow the seeds of uncertainty and confusion among the supporters of the unity government.

The other disturbing aspect of Wan Saiful’s behaviour is how he casually revealed that he “had no choice but to entertain the meet-ups because they have the power” and that if he did not accede to their request, “something unexpected beyond (his) control might happen.” In claiming he fears for his safety, he seems to be making out that the people are probably thugs.


Propaganda game...

Wan Saiful is only playing a propaganda game. When censured by the Speaker and asked to retract the remarks, Wan Saiful easily complied. This was not a sign of compliance or humility on his part. Wan Saiful willingly withdrew his allegations because he knew that the damage had already been done. It would be widely reported that the bribe had been offered in exchange for his support for the PM. This was the message he wanted to come out of Parliament.

However, it is puzzling why the Speaker did not come down hard on him. Wan Saiful had made a personal attack and he’d done so without substance or evidence. It is about time those who made personal attacks are punished so that they can be made an example. This may deter other recalcitrant MPs from repeating wild unsubstantiated claims in Parliament.

Wan Saiful should have been suspended from the Dewan Rakyat for six months and his allowance for that period withdrawn. The other puzzle is the offer of a mere RM1.7 million for Wan Saiful’s constituency area. It seems a pittance and doesn’t make sense. In the five years before the next election, he would receive only RM340,000 per year to spend on his constituency. It does not seem a huge amount although to be fair, any extra money to be spent on his constituency will come in handy.

When the MP for Jelutong, Pakatan Harapan’s RSN Rayer, urged Wan Saiful to lodge a report with the MACC, he said that he had all the records and warned Rayer not to test him or he would reveal the people, one by one. At this point, either Rayer or the Speaker should have called his bluff. The MPs were in the midst of the debate on the royal address when Wan Saiful dropped his expose.

The Yang di-Pertuan Agong, in opening Parliament, had advised MPs to behave and have a code of conduct and some decency. Was Wan Saiful disrespectful of the Agong’s express wish for MPs to behave? The Agong had also stated his desire for the nation to have political stability but the seeds of confusion sowed by Wan Saiful does have the potential to cause the rakyat to lose confidence in the government. When the ringgit is struggling, and our economy could do with a boost, it appears that the PN politicians just want to play politics. - Mariam Mokhtar 


What is SST?

SST refers to Sales and Service Tax. The sales tax is only levied on the level of the producer or manufacturer, while the service tax is imposed on all customers who use tax services. The SST rates are less transparent than the standard 6% GST, the SST rates vary between 6 and 10%.

What is GST?

GST is a multi-level tax system for most businesses and industries, including manufacturers, distributors, retailers and consumers. GST covers a wide range of targets, from manufacturers selling products to dealers, reselling them to retailers, and then reselling them to consumers at every stage.GST comprises all businesses, retailers and trades. The sales tax covers only manufacturers whereas the service tax covers certain prescribed services such as professional services. The suppliers are allowed to claim back the government’s GST, but the government does not immediately refund the GST claims, which creates problems for the cash flow of the companies.

While SST is a single tax system, only the service industry and manufacturers need to pay SST when selling products to dealers. SST has only one phase to pay taxes, compared with every phase of GST.


Demi nak tunjuk SST menyusahkan rakyat, ada yang senaraikan perkhidmatan yang dikenakan SST. Contohnya tiket kapal terbang, repair telefon bimbit dan lain-lain lain.Macam aku tulis sebelum ni, memanglah akan ada pertambahan belanja. Kalau tak ada, bukanlah kenaikan cukai namanya. Ceritanya sekarang, impak minimum pada rakyat.Tiket kapal terbang, perbaiki telefon, servis kereta, semua buat tiap2 hari ke? Yang penting, perkara yang diperlukan setiap hari tu tak naik. Kalau naik tapi setahun sekali, kesannya minimum.

Yang naik kapal terbang tiap hari tu cuma golongan kayangan. Sibuk nak bela kayangan ni dah kenapa? Dapat elaun ke?Nak bandingkan, masa GST dulu, makan kat mamak pun kena. Sekarang perkhidmatan F&B tak naik. Takkan rendah sangat IQ tu sampai perkara macam tu pun nak kena beritahu?Sebenarnya aku malas dah nak ulas pasal SST ni. Sebab semua komen berbentuk presumptive. Tak nampak lagi kesan sebenar. Memang ada yang cerita barang naik tapi tak logik.


Bayangkan, naik SST tu cuma 2%. Tiba-tiba harga barang naik dekat 100%. Mintak resit tak mau beri pulak tu. Bukti tak ada bermakna menipu. Boleh jadi fitnah kalau begitu. Eh logik la sikit. Bagi la bukti. Tapi ada juga yang percaya. Siap tag aku suruh baca. Aku dah baca tapi tak ulas sebab bagi aku adalah terlalu bodoh kalau percaya cerita dia. 

Biar je walau meroyan. Lepas sebulan, keadaan akan tenang sebab orang baru perasan cerita yang tersebar tu lebih kepada nak cipta sentimen. Bukan cerita sebenar pun. Lebih baik highlight kerajaan turunkan defisit serta kurangkan pertumbuhan hutang. Ia tak pernah dibuat oleh mana2 PM termasuklah Mahathir, selepas DS Anwar dipecat. 

Walaun2 marah bila Jackpot kena SST 8% kot,sabarlah 
walaun,tak sampai seposen takkan itu pun nak berkira...

Kita tak usah layan royanan walaun dan walajib soal SST ni. Untuk layan kanak-kanak, kena turunkan IQ setaraf kanak-kanak. Begitu juga melayan orang bodoh dan orang gila.Biarkan walau terus meroyan. IQ kita tak serendah mereka. Baik tumpukan soal Hadi dan pemimpin PAS yang lain menderhaka kepada Sultan. Itu lebih bermakna. - Raja Gelap II 


15 babies have died at Kamal Adwan Hospital 
due to the lack of food, fuel and medicine.

Two baby twins from Rafah targeted 
and killed by the Israeli occupation.

One child killed and multiple injured in an Israeli airstrike 
on the Abu-Ghali family home in Bina refugee camp, Rafah

2 brothers Amr and Muhammad Al Farra were tragically murdered by an Israeli sniper as they 
were inspecting their home in Khan-Younis.They were left to bleed out with nobody able to help 
them until they died.


cheers.