The IGP must resign

KJ JOHN

Maybe I am confused, but is this not the inspector-general of police (IGP); our chief criminal law officer of the federation speaking about lack of authority to resolve the issue of the kidnap of his son by a Muslim convert? Is not our IGP also the chief police officer for execution of civil and criminal law in this country? Since when did Malay-state-enacted syariah law and all related enactments come under the executionary jurisdiction of the police?

I am very serious, and can anyone help with an answer, including the Bar Council or any professor of the constitution.
In similar reverse of this logic, then, is the Agong (our king), also then the chief religious matters officer of the Federation of Malaysia? Where does it say this in the federal constitution about either such jurisdictional oversight or moral responsibility  or authority? Maybe I am simply too confused but below is my converse argument for my questions.

Sarawak’s RM559Million ‘Schools For Votes’ Scandal!

Sarawak Report

Sarawak Report has acquired damning evidence of a deliberate vote-buying ploy to approve 15 new schools in Sarawak, rushed through just before the last General Election by BN.

The project was approved both by the Prime Minister, Najib Razak and by the Deputy Prime Minister and Education Minister Muhyiddin Yassin.

Directly implicated was the then Energy Minister and Sarawak SUPP President Peter Chin, working in clear collaboration with a company called One BU Redha Services Sdn Bhd, which is closely linked to the now Governor and then Chief Minister, Abdul Taib Mahmud.

Malaysia Failing to Manage Plane Crisis Exposes Leadership Limit

Sharon Chen and Jason Scott

Malaysia, aspiring to become a developed nation in six years, is finding that more than 50 years under one coalition and tight control over information is a mismatch for handling a rapidly growing crisis followed across the world.

China is calling on Malaysia to be more transparent as Prime Minister Najib Razak lets his cousin, Acting Transport Minister Hishammuddin Hussein, be the face of the investigation into why a Malaysian Airline System Bhd. (MAS) plane vanished on March 8. It was en route to Beijing with 239 people on board. Investigators from at least nine countries are trying to locate the jet.

New era of repression

Kim Quek

The transgression of justice with which the Court of Appeal had summarily convicted and jailed Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim on the charge of sodomy on March 7 will go down as one of the most shameful episodes in Malaysia’s judicial history.

The court has not only regurgitated the falsehood spewed by the prosecutor lock, stock and barrel, but rushed through to overturn a solid High Court decision and passed a five-year jail sentence in lightning speed, against all established judicial norms and common decency.

In doing so, it has shown the entire world how hopelessly servile our judiciary is to its political masters..

Taib: The last king of Borneo

Hazlan Zakaria

One must admit that newly minted Sarawak Governor Tan Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud has struck quite a romantic pose. He can be considered the last remaining symbol of Borneo sovereignty, amidst the crashing tide of federal arrogance from the peninsula.

Romance as in the hypnotic draw that surrounds him, not necessarily of the romantic love kind. Nevertheless the “dashing” Taib did dazzle a younger woman to agree to be his current wife.

And dashing too Taib seems to be — to many Sabahans and Sarawakians, even those politically opposed to him, who flock to his banner when he announced that rule over Sarawak is for locals and Umno should stay the hell out, in sentiment if not the same words.

Half a Billion Ringgit! The Turnover On Taib’s Latest Foreign Property Venture

Sarawak Report

Sarawak Report can reveal that the turnover on the Taib family’s latest foreign property venture in the UK has been over half a billion ringgit (100 million pounds sterling) so far and it is still rising.

The Ridgeford Properties development in Bolsover Street, Central London, which comprises several flats, has now sold most of the units in its current 2nd stage of development for a price totalling £98,145,182 (RM537,000,000), according to research by the Swiss NGO Bruno Manser Fund into the UK property register.

Some of the most expensive penthouse flats are yet to have been sold, meaning that the final sum will go well over the hundred million pounds mark.

Is return of the prodigal son coincidental?

Winston Way

First public appearance of Taib’s son, Sulaiman, has spawned rumours of him standing in Balingian.

Prodigal son, Sulaiman ‘s unexpected presence on Friday to welcome his father Taib Mahmud’s return from Kuala Lumpur as Sarawak’s new Governor has fired up the rumour mill here.

Speculations are divided over whether his return is linked to Balingian or the Taib business empire.

Of the two sons – the other is Mahmud Bekir – Sulaiman was his father’s ‘chosen one’ until he went AWOL in 2010 following his mother’s death.

TIME MAGAZINE THREATENED? ‘Halt all negative comments against PM Najib’

wfol.tv

Time Magazine, which came under scrutiny last week for an article depicting the Malaysian Prime Minister’s Najib Razak apparent failure to deal with race relations and growing religious intolerance, will have to watch its columns.

The international weekly is said to be under ongoing scrutiny, with the matter of the article written by Zoher Abdoolcarim still under investigation by a unit tasked to monitor foreign publications at the Home Ministry.

A source said a handler at the ministry is preparing a report that will be submitted to the Ketua Setiausaha (Chief Secretary) of the ministry, soon and it is only then a decision will be taken on Time article.

We go after the ‘sharks’ too, says MACC

Cecilia Jeyanthi Victor

The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) has said it again. “In our prime objective to eradicate corruption, we do not aim at just catching the small ‘fish’ but go after the ‘sharks’ too.”

In a statement to theantdaily, MACC director of strategic communication division Azmi Alias said various claims that the commission does not go after high-profile individuals and only investigates small fry are unfounded and such baseless allegations were made to discredit MACC.

Azmi said MACC had proven its independence by taking on high-profile graft cases involving former Selangor Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Dr Mohamed Khir Toyo, the National Feedlot Centre (NFC), two ex-directors of Silver Bird, ex-CEO of Sime Darby Berhad, and a case involving an arbitrator.

Taib sworn in as Sarawak governor in Kuching

Bernama

Abdul Taib Mahmud, who stepped down as Sarawak chief minister after almost 33 years in office yesterday, was sworn in as the new Yang Dipertua Negeri of Sarawak today in Kuching.

The ceremony began at 11am with Adenan Satem, who succeeded him as the new chief minister, reading the instrument of appointment, which was presented to Taib by Yang di-Pertuan Agong Tuanku Abdul Halim Mu’adzam Shah at Istana Negara in Kuala Lumpur yesterday.

After signing the instrument of appointment, Taib took his oath of office before Chief Judge of Sabah and Sarawak Richard Malanjum at the State Legislative Assembly building here in the presence of Adenan.

Taib is new Sarawak Governor

Bernama

He succeeds Tun Abang Muhammad Salahuddin Abang Barieng whose term of office ended yesterday.

The Yang di-Pertuan Agong, Tuanku Abdul Halim Mu’adzam Shah, today presented Taib Mahmud with the instrument of appointment as the new Yang Dipertua Negeri of Sarawak, at the Istana Negara here.

The ceremony took place at the Small Throne Hall and was witnessed by Prime Minister  Najib Tun Razak, Deputy Prime Minister  Muhyiddin Yassin and the new Sarawak Chief Minister Adenan Satem.

Ex-CM Taib is now Sarawak governor

Bernama

Yang di-Pertuan Agong Tuanku Abdul Halim Mu’adzam Shah today presented Abdul Taib Mahmud with the instrument of appointment as the new Yang di-Pertua Negri of Sarawak at the Istana Negara in Kuala Lumpur.

The ceremony took place at the Small Throne Hall and was witnessed by Prime Minister Najib Razak, Deputy Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin and the new Sarawak Chief Minister, Adenan Satem.

Abdul Taib – who stepped down as the Sarawak CM effective today after almost 33 years in office – takes office tomorrow as the seventh Yang di-Pertua Negri of Sarawak, succeeding Abang Muhammad Salahuddin Abang Barieng whose term of office ended today.

Najib urged to delay Taib’s appoinment

Taufik

New corruption questions have emerged over the role of Taib Mahmud and son in a waste disposal deal with German firm

The evidence is piling up against soon-to-be governor, Taib Mahmud.

In a last ditch attempt to thwart Taib’s ascent to the ‘throne’, UK-based Global Witness, which was responsible for an incriminating covert video on business dealings by the Taib family, has released documents of more corrupt practices.

Will defiant Taib ‘conform’ and kiss Agong’s hand?

Zainal Ajamain

The author says the act of Sabah and Sarawak Governors kissing the Agong’s hand is strictly taboo and the highest insult to the people of these states.

The Barisan Nasional-Umno government has been involved in mind control experiments since Malaysia was formed.

Aside from distorting history and imposing this version via schools, they are also using other less obvious ways such as  the “subliminal stimuli” technique.

The scientifcally proven technique  uses any sensory stimuli below individual threshold for conscious perception.

Did Taib hold Najib to ransom with Sarawak seats

Awang Abdillah

Sarawak with its 25 parliament seats helped BN get a simple majority in the last election and there are fears that Taib may withdraw the seats

Under the federal constitution the appointment of the Sarawak Yang DiPertua Negeri is vested in the Yang DiPertuan Agong.

As Prime Minister, the coveted post then is Najib Tun Razak’s trump card when dealing with the state government of Sarawak.

New graft allegations surface against Taib

Mkini

Fresh allegations of corruption against Abdul Taib Mahmud have surfaced, a day before he is slated to resign as chief minister of Sarawak.

The veteran politician, who has been hounded by a slew of allegations throughout his 33-year reign as chief minister, is expected to assume the post of Sarawak governor.

The latest allegations surround a company linked to his son Mahmud Abdul Bekir, that was purportedly used as a conduit to receive up to RM6.6 million in commissions for a waste disposal project involving a state government joint venture with a German firm.

‘After 33 years of Taib, S’wakians third poorest’

Aidila Razak

Sarawak PKR Youth have questioned how Sarawak is third on the list of states with the largest population of poor residents after 33 years of Abdul Taib Mahmud’s rule as chief minister.

Its representative Iswardy Morni said that this is despite having RM22 billion in the state reserves.

Citing Department of Statistics data, he said that although Sarawak is third behind Sabah and Kelantan, the absolute number of poor is much higher.

To Appoint Taib Is To Become Complicit In Corruption – Najib Should Delay

Sarawak Report

Taib has made clear that he expects to be appointed Governor tomorrow, with an audience scheduled to meet the Agong at the Istana Negara at 3pm.

He has informed people that he believes that this will elevate him to a similar status to the British Queen, dispensing advice and held in fond regard.

And, of course, he is making it clear he believes the position will offer him total immunity from any kind of prosecution over his 3 decades of kleptocracy in Sarawak.

Rights groups reveal documents alleging involvement of Taib, son in lucrative waste deal

ELIZABETH ZACHARIAH

Two international non-governmental organisations (NGOs) today revealed documents which showed the involvement of outgoing Sarawak Chief Minister Tan Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud (pic) and his son in a lucrative waste disposal agreement signed 15 years ago with a German firm.

The revelation, coming just two days before Taib is expected to take over as the Sarawak governor, contains more incriminating evidence of Taib’s alleged corruption and abuse of power, said the NGOs, Global Witness and The Centre to Combat Corruption and Cronyism (C4).

They said the documents disclosed that as part of the deal signed in 1998 between Trienekens and the state government, Trienekens engaged a local company – Sarawak Capital – owned by Taib’s eldest son, Datuk Seri Mahmud Abu Bekir Taib, to provide up to US$2 million (RM6.6 million) worth of “consultancy services”.

I would have retired in 2007, says Taib

Bernama

Outgoing Sarawak Chief Minister Tan Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud (pic) today said he had planned to retire in 2007, but decided to hold back his decision due to two ‘S’ factors.

The two ‘S’ factors were a crisis faced by the Sarawak United People’s Party (SUPP) and the formulation of the Sarawak Corridor of Renewable Energy (SCORE), a new development corridor in Sarawak which required precision planning to ensure its success, he disclosed.

“I wanted to retire way back. I had planned to retire in 2007 and I had the consensus of the leadership of PBB that I should groom (Tan Sri) Adenan Satem as my successor.

Taib finally ends 33-year tenure as CM

Bernama 

Abdul Taib Mahmud today ended his 33-year tenure as chief minister of Sarawak at Wisma Bapa Malaysia in Kuching, the state’s administrative building, in a sombre mood.

Tomorrow, Taib will have an audience with Yang di-Pertuan Agong Tuanku Abdul Halim Shah Mu’adzam at Istana Negara to receive his credentials to be Sarawak’s seventh yang di-pertua negeri.

In the brief but meaningful farewell, Taib and his wife, Ragad Kurdi Taib, who were accompanied by Sarawak deputy chief minister Alfred Jabu, minister in the Chief Minister’s Office (Special Functions) Adenan Satem, who is also designated to be Sarawak’s fifth chief minister, and  state land development minister James Masing, were seen shaking hands with about 300 government staff at the building.

‘Don’t promote Taib till MACC clears him’

Lawrence Yong

Anti-graft watchdog Centre to Combat Corruption and Cronyism (C4) has urged the government to delay making Abdul Taib Mahmud the Sarawak governor until the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) clears him over a questionable deal.
 
C4’s directors have submitted a complaint to MACC today, based on allegations by NGO Global Witness that a company linked to Taib’s son Mahmud Abdul Bekir has been purportedly used as a conduit to receive up to RM6.6 million in commissions, for a waste disposal project involving a state government joint venture with a German firm.

DAP assemblyman fails in bid to stop Taib from becoming Sarawak governor

DESMOND DAVIDSON

DAP’s last-ditch effort to stop outgoing Sarawak Chief Minister Tan Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud (pic) from being appointed as the next head of state failed, after the Kuching High Court today ruled that it had no jurisdiction over the appointment.

Judge Chew Soo Ho dismissed DAP Padungan state assemblyman Wong Kin Wei’s application for an ex parte injunction, saying that the appointment is at the sole discretion of the Yang Di-Pertuan Agong and the court had no jurisdiction to interfere with the prerogative.

Taib is scheduled to have an audience with Yang di-Pertuan Agong Tuanku Abdul Halim Shah Mu’adzam tomorrow afternoon.

EU groups warn of ‘consequences’

FMT Staff

If Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak allowed Taib Mahmud to become Governor it would mean he is “personally endorsing rampant corruption in the timber and palm oil sector in Sarawak” said BMF.

Europe-based NGOs want the European Union and the European Free Trade Association to halt trade talks with Malaysia if outgoing Sarawak Chief Minister Taib Mahmud is made a Governor.

Taib is scheduled to receive his credentials from the Yang DiPertuan Agung on Friday, after he steps down from his post as Sarawak’s CM.

Michael Chia sentenced to jail, caning for cheating

TMI

Businessman Michael Chia, who made headlines two years ago after he was caught with RM40 million in Hong Kong which he had claimed was for UMNO, was today sentenced to a year’s jail and ordered caned for a RM2.5 million attempted cheating case 10 years ago.

The Star online reported that the Sandakan Sessions Court judge Elsie Primus, when delivering the sentence today, said that Chia was found guilty of attempted cheating in a deal over a timber operation.

The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission was represented by Deputy Public Prosecutor Joyce Blasius.

If can’t nail Taib Mahmud, get his family for graft, PKR tells MACC

LEE SHI-IAN

If Malaysia’s anti-corruption watchdog cannot nail Sarawak Chief Minister Tan Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud, then they should investigate his family members further, a PKR lawmaker said today.

PKR strategy director Rafizi Ramli (pic) said today the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) should probe the financial background of Taib’s family members, in particular, Taib’s brother, Onn Mahmud.

Disbelief over MACC’s inability to find proof of Taib power abuse

DESMOND DAVIDSON

Opposition lawmakers in Sarawak reacted with disbelief over a report that the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) could not find any proof against outgoing Sarawak Chief Minister Tan Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud for alleged abuse of power in the giving of large tracts of land and logging licences to his relatives.

“This is outrageous!” PKR Sarawak vice-chairman and its Batu Lintang assemblyman See Chee How (pic) said.

“Is MACC clearing Taib of any wrongdoing?” See asked, adding that he will meet with the anti-graft watchdog’s chief commissioner Tan Sri Abu Kassim Mohamed.

Taib to get papers as head of state on Friday

Bernama

Outgoing Sarawak Chief Minister Abdul Taib Mahmud is expected to have an audience with Yang di-Pertuan Agong Tuanku Abdul Halim Shah Mu’adzam on Friday to receive his credentials as the seventh Sarawak Yang di-Pertua Negeri.

Bernama has learned that the audience will be held at Istana Negara at 3pm and Taib will return to Kuching on the same day.

In a statement today, the Sarawak Chief Minister’s Department said the new Yang di-Pertua Negeri would be given a rousing reception at the Kuching International Airport at 8pm on his return from Kuala Lumpur.

‘Under-table’ arrangements for the kinky. And that’s not breaking the law!

V Shuman

Fancy a swinging session? Don’t head to the playground, log on to the Internet instead. There’s an online forum that unites swingers (of the kinky kind) and people with other types of sexual kinks in Singapore and Malaysia.

To the uninitiated, swinging in this context refers to the non-monogamous behaviour, in which partners in a committed relationship engage in sexual activity with others as a recreational or social activity.

Dubbing itself a social club, the forum boasts of the name undertable in its URL. It does not only cater to swingers and couple swappers, but also those who prefer other kinks like bondage sex as well. Members also post nude photos of themselves or of their partners, in a column called “erotic arts” to satisfy their exhibitionist selves.

No proof of Taib power abuse as Sarawak ministers had approved land for his kin, say sources

TMI

A Malaysian Anti Corruption Commission (MACC) probe failed to nail Sarawak Chief Minister Tan Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud for alleged abuse of power over large tracts of land and logging areas which were given to his relatives as the approvals were made by two senior state ministers, sources said.

The two were identified as Deputy Chief Minister Tan Sri Alfred Jabu Numpang, who is Minister of Modernisation of Agriculture and Rural Development, while the other is Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hassan (Minister of Resource Planning and Environment, Public Utilities and Industrial Development).

25pct of S’wak’s 1,287 inmates are foreigners

bernama

Sarawak currently has about 1,287 inmates in its six prisons state-wide, director of the state Prison Department, Abdul Kadir  Rais said in Sibu today.

Of the number, 25 percent are foreigners, he told reporters after presenting a paper at a crime prevention briefing session with 600 secondary students and the National Service Training camp participants from the Bumimas and Junaco Park Camps, at the Civic Centre.

The one-day function was organised by the state branch of the Malaysian Anti-Crime Foundation (Yayasan Pencegahan Jenayah Malaysia).

MONEY TRAIL – New Document Links Taib To Japanese Timber Scandal!

Sarawak Report

On the eve of Taib’s bid to escape into the supposed immunity of the governor’s office, Sarawak Report can reveal an astonishing new document that clearly links him to the Japanese timber export scandal that broke in 2007.

The scandal involved millions of ringgit that were paid by Japanese timber exporters from Sarawak to a Hong Kong company called Regent Star Company Limited, totalling RM32million over the preceding seven years.

At the time Taib had made a highly unusual personaldeclaration in the Sarawak Assembly, distancing himself from any involvement whatsoever in the matter and saying that he had no knowledge or connection with Regent Star, which was controlled by his own brother Onn Mahmud.

Taib meets Sarawak governor this Saturday

DESMOND DAVIDSON

Taib (right) is currently the nation’s longest serving chief minister. –

Sarawak Chief Minister Tan Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud will meet the Yang Dipertua Negeri, Tun Abang Sallahuddin Abang Barieng this Saturday to submit his resignation letter and the name of his successor.

The 78-year-old Taib said he was looking forward to his retirement, which he confirmed, from the post he had held for 33 years.

The Mahathir clan comeback

Josh Hong

The Lunar New Year celebrations last week ushered in the Year of the Horse, in which former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad may hope for some good fortunes, given that Chinese Malaysians used to refer to him rather fondly as Lao Ma, or Old Horse, based on the Chinese transliteration of his name. (These days, however, the nickname has come to be synonymous with racism and bigotry.)

As he is busy attending open houses across the country, it is quite certain that, his mind sharp as ever, the ex-premier has not lost sight of the political changes on the ground. We must not forget that the Pakatan-administered state of Perak fell to Umno exactly five years ago through treachery and conspiracy as, rather inauspiciously, many were lulled into a false sense of security during the Lunar New Year break.

Price hikes and ethnic relations

Chandra Muzaffar

There are at least two ways on how ethnic relations will be affected by the rising cost of living.

When a nation with a multi-ethnic population is confronted with a serious economic challenge, it has to be concerned about how it will impact upon ethnic relations. This is especially true when the ethnic situation, prior to the economic challenge, is already problematic.

The rising cost of living in our country could have repercussions for ethnic relations in at least two ways.

PAS Youth to meet Agong on ‘Taib as head of state’

Farah Noor Samat 

PAS Youth will seek an audience with the Yang di-Pertuan Agong to protest the widely reported speculation that Sarawak Chief Minister Abdul Taib Mahmud will replace Abang Muhammad Salahuddin Abang Barieng as Sarawak’s Yang di-Pertua Negeri.

PAS Youth chief Suhaizan Kaiat (left) said today this followed reports in the mass media that Taib would resign as chief minister by Feb 28, when Abang Muhammad is due to retire.

“We take the speculations very seriously, as Taib has been accused of corruption and abuse of power.

Dear Rosmah and Najib, how Riza Aziz raised the money to buy his Beverly Hills Mansion ?

Sarawak Report

WOW! Riza Aziz’s Secret Beverly Hills Mansion HOLLYWOOD EXCLUSIVE

Instant movie mogul, Red Granite’s Riza Aziz, has purchased a secret Hollywood mansion in the most expensive part of Beverly Hills overlooking LA.

Sarawak Report has established that 36 year old Mr Aziz, who earlier spent some three years working in London for HSBC, purchased 912 N Hillcrest Road for $17.5million in September 2010.

The property sprawls over 11,500 square feet and has 5 bedrooms and 10 bathrooms. It looks out over an enormous swimming pool and views of West Hollywood.

Sarawak Oil Palm Owners Show True Colours – And Let Taib’s Cat Out Of The Bag!

Sarawak Report

The Sarawak oil palm industry has shown its true colours with its recent vitriolic attack on the Indonesian company Wilmar, which has announced that it intends to reform practices that have been destructive to the environment.

It is clear from the press release that they issued at the end of last week that nothing matters to the Sarawak Oil Palm Plantation Owners Association (SOPPOA) except their own profits, despite various attempts at greenwash over the years.

After all, like every money-making enterprise in Sarawak this outfit is tightly controlled by Abdul Taib Mahmud and it represents his attitudes.

I did not know he had married again, ex-wife of Taib Mahmud’s son tells court

JENNIFER GOMEZ

The former wife of the Sarawak chief minister’s son, Datuk Seri Mahmud Abu Bekir Abdul Taib, told the court today that she did not know that the woman he had brought to his sister’s wedding in 1999 was his wife.

Shahnaz A. Majid also testified she had accompanied her son to meet Mahmud Abu Bekir and the Australian woman, Louise Aida Hiley,  two to three years ago.

“At the time of my sister-in-law’s wedding, I did not know he was married to her,” she said during cross-examination at the Syariah High Court today.

Shahnaz: I didn’t know Hiley was wed to Bekir and Bekir owns 9 luxury cars, RM1.34bil shares

Hafiz Yatim

Shahnaz A Majid told the Kuala Lumpur Syariah High Court today that she did not know that her former husband, who is the Sarawak chief minister’s son, was married to an Australian woman in 1999.

Shahnaz, 50, during cross-examination by lawyer Saadiah Din representing Mahmud Abu Bekir Taib, was quizzed on whether she knew the woman called Louise Aida Hiley was her former husband’s wife.

Abu Bekir was said to have brought Hiley to his sister’s wedding in that year.

“I did not know it then, whether my husband was married before they attended the wedding.

Corruption in both public and private sectors equally disgusting

Cecilia Jeyanthi Victor

Corruption and corrupt practices in Malaysia are very focused on the civil service and high-profile politicians.

That’s because many are visibly living beyond their means – living in mansions and driving million-ringgit cars.

However, graft in the private sector is no less disgusting and ugly. Corruption has become a norm to Malaysians and the country is also dubiously known as the world champion in corruption.

Najib’s year end nightmare

Jeswan Kaur

While he managed to win the General Elections in May, the year is not ending well for the premier.

As Malaysians bid farewell to 2013, they also welcome the Year of the Horse with trepidation, worried about the fate of Malaysia’s racial status, the very nation that once prided itself for its ‘unity in diversity.’

Malaysia ends the year with a ‘bang’ but for all the wrong reasons.  From the perennial acts of corruption to the abuse of public  funds by the Najib Razak-administration to the scary truth that the country has a ‘de facto boss’ in Rosmah Mansor, wife of premier Najib,  the rakyat have had enough of it all.

Do your part, Mr PM

Susu Lembu

Dear Honourable PM,

I followed with much concern the political, religious and racial development in Malaysia, and am alarmed and disturbed by the deteriorating development you have permitted.

Though I understand that it was not easy to hold this multicultural, multiracial and multireligious society together, (and I prayed for you regularly), you have been mandated by the nation to use all your power and authority vested in you to rein and stop every element that will disrupt the peace and harmony of the nation – but you did not.

Stop delay tactics, group tells Taib’s man

Winston Way

Has a Sarawak nationalists group’s guidelines for a debate of the state’s sovereignty given BN-lead party member Idris Buang the jitters?

The 916 Occupation Day (916 OD) group over social media facebook has put Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu supreme council member Idris Buang on notice, urging him not to use “delaying tactics” over the much awaited debate on the 18 points, Malaysia Agreement and a suggestion that Sarawak and Sabah should pull out of Malaysia.

Idris, a lawyer, who had earlier accepted 916 OD’s challenge now appears to be suffering from “cold feet.”

Has Taib Crossed A Line?

Sarawak Report

Hundreds rallied in different cities across Sarawak this week to mark International Human Rights Day.

The show of colour and the peaceful nature of the protest were both very typical.

But, if strongman Taib Mahmud still bothers about what his people think, it should have worried him.

Because, these were rural folk.

As past elections have fully demonstrated, Taib has already completely lost the support of the townships in Sarawak.  Those seats went in 2011 and they did not come back in 2013.

Questions for Umno delegates

Azly Rahman

Malaysia’s most exciting political party of the old, United Malays National Organisation (Umno) just had its general assembly. A ritual of the political blood transfusion and the annual health check and administration of medications and treatments of a body politics ageing and grumbling. Too much good food and good life. Too sedentary of a life after its early years of “winning the war of independence” through a victory presented essentially and arguably, on a silver platter.

With the advent of mega-issues such as the most hegemonic and imperialistic US-imposed proposal of the Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement (TPPA), the rise of fascist and hate-mongering groups, the disillusionment about our education system, run amuck and latah behaviors displayed in our Parliament, massive growth of the underclass amongst the overpopulated nation on immigrants shipped en masse to build the country to such giddy heights, a daily rise of cases of mindless crimes, a slackening and weakening school system that is criticised for not preparing the next generation for a competitive economy requiring the cultivation of brainpower, resilience, and a sense of economic republicanism with a heart of social-democraticism, the clamour for a sense of unity reminiscent of the 70s – with all these and more, why are the speeches in this party assembly out of focus?

The bleed from illegal capital outflow must stop

Chong Zhemin

Washington-based financial watchdog Global Financial Integrity (GFI) in its latest annual report ranks Malaysia as world number four in the world’s top 10 countries of illicit capital outflow coming behind Russia, China and India.

US$54.18 billion (about RM174 billion) was siphoned out of Malaysia in 2011. This astronomical amount is alarming but does not come as a surprise since Malaysia was ranked number two in the 2010 ranking with US$64.38 billion of illicit capital outflow.

If calculated on a per capita basis, Malaysia’s illicit capital outflow is still world number one in 2011 at US$1,852.94 per capita, ahead of Russia (US$1,331.99 per capita), China (US$112.03 per capita) and India (US$68.66 per capita).

‘Najib not sincere in pushing reforms through’

Dukau Papau

The use of the new amendments to the Prevention of Crime Act (PCA) to detain people without trial shows that Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak is not sincere about pushing reforms through, says Sarawak DAP chief Chong Chieng Jen.

“His transformation programmes are mere rhetoric. He has no sincerity to push through with his reforms,” said Chong, the MP for Bandar Kuching and ssemblyperson for Kota Sentosa.

“But that is how he is staying in power,” he added.

Malaysia bled RM174 billion dirty money in 2011, says global anti-graft watchdog

TMI

The amount of money illegally siphoned out of the country in 2011 made Malaysia the fourth largest exporter of illicit capital that year, said anti-graft watchdog Global Financial Integrity.

About RM174 billion was illegally siphoned out of Malaysia in 2011, making the country the fourth largest exporter of illicit capital that year after Russia, China and India, said anti-graft watchdog Global Financial Integrity (GFI).

The Washington-based research and advocacy organisation said crime, corruption, and tax evasion drained US$946.7 billion (RM3.05 trillion) from the developing world in 2011, up more than 13.7% from 2010 – when illicit financial outflows totalled US$832.4 billion.

Making the rakyat pay

Selena Tay

The recent price hikes are just the beginning. Tolls, public transport fares, Quit Rent, sewerage and cooking gas too will go up soon enough.

No leader of a nation will trouble its citizens unless he himself is in trouble. And this seems to be the case with Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak for right now he is having trouble in servicing the nation’s national debt.

The solution however is very simple. He just needs to trouble the citizens by obtaining funds from them to service the debt and that is what he is doing now via subsidy cuts.