MACC confirms Mahathir under investigation

MACC confirms Mahathir under investigation

Published: Apr 25, 2024 4:16 PM


MACC today confirmed that it is investigating former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad.

Its chief commissioner Azam Baki told a press conference that orders issued by MACC to Mahathir’s sons Mokhzani and Mirzan to declare their assets were related to the probe.

However, he declined to reveal any further details on the case.

“I want to confirm that he (Mahathir) is one of the persons being investigated in this case.

“It was following this probe against him that his two sons were implicated, where we have issued notices under Section 36 of the MACC Act to the sons asking them to declare their wealth.

“However, I do not wish to reveal more details on their (alleged) offences or the specific accusations against Mahathir.

“Let the investigation take its course first until a time where we see it fit to give more information,” he told a media conference in Gua Musang, Kelantan.

This was the first time MACC had given official confirmation that the agency was indeed investigating Mahathir, who was a prime minister twice.

Previously, Mirzan and Mokhzani claimed that their father was the real target of MACC’s investigations into their finances.

This comes after the brothers were ordered to declare their wealth to the anti-graft agency in January. The deadline has since been extended several times as they requested more time.

MACC had also summoned both of them for questioning.

Najib never directed US$1.03b 1MDB transfer to Jho Low entity: MACC officer

Najib never directed US$1.03b 1MDB transfer to Jho Low entity: MACC officer

Published: Apr 25, 2024 3:11 PM


1MDB TRIAL | An MACC investigating officer testified that Najib Abdul Razak never directed any member of 1MDB’s management to transfer a total US$1.03 billion to offshore entity Good Star Limited linked to fugitive businessperson Low Taek Jho (Jho Low).

Nur Aida Arifin was replying during cross-examination by Najib’s defence counsel Wan Azwan Aiman Wan Fakhruddin during the full trial of the former prime minister over four counts of abuse of power and 21 counts of money laundering linked to RM2.27 billion of 1MDB funds.

As judge Collin Lawrence Sequerah presided over the Kuala Lumpur High Court proceedings today, Aida was grilled by Azwan over 1MDB transactions between 2009 and 2011.

The 49th prosecution witness agreed that based on documentary evidence, members of 1MDB’s management - its former CEO Shahrol Azral Ibrahim Halmi and three others - allowed the transfer.

The other three were 1MDB’s former chief financial officer (CFO) Radhi Mohamad, another former CFO Terence Geh, and former business development executive director Casey Tang.

Azwan: You agree that Najib has never instructed any individual from 1MDB’s management to transfer US$1.03 billion to Good Star?

Aida: Agreed.

In her previous testimony, she confirmed that a total of US$1.03 billion was transferred into the account of Good Star, which the prosecution contended was never a subsidiary of Petrosaudi International (PSI) from Saudi Arabia. 1MDB was in a joint venture with PSI.


Jho Low allegedly Najib’s proxy

Prosecutors contended that in September 2009, US$700 million of 1MDB’s portion of the joint venture money was diverted to Good Star and another US$330 million was transferred to the off-shore company in May 2011.

The prosecution also claimed that members of 1MDB’s management abided by directions from Low, who was contended to be a mirror image of Najib.

The trial before Sequerah resumes today and is expected to continue tomorrow and Saturday this week.

Najib is on trial for four counts of abuse of power and 21 counts of money laundering involving RM2.27 billion from 1MDB.

For the four abuse of power charges, the former Pekan MP allegedly committed the offences at AmIslamic Bank Bhd’s Jalan Raja Chulan branch in Bukit Ceylon, Kuala Lumpur, between Feb 24, 2011, and Dec 19, 2014.

On the 21 money laundering counts, Najib purportedly committed the offences at the same bank between March 22, 2013, and Aug 30, 2013.

1MDB is fully owned by the Minister of Finance Incorporated (MOF Inc).

Najib was chairperson of 1MDB’s board of advisers.

Pro-Israel speech: Someone must be given the boot, Maszlee says

Pro-Israel speech: Someone must be given the boot, Maszlee says


Following the uproar over comments made by a pro-Israel academic from the US, former education minister Maszlee Malik said someone from Universiti Malaya must be held responsible.

He also called upon UM’s vice-chancellor to apologise for it.

“Somebody in UM needs to take full responsibility for this.

“How can a pro-Zionist and someone who openly condemns Malaysia with slanders be invited to our most prestigious university?

“VC should be a gentleman, please openly make an apology, and somebody has to resign with honour,” he said on X today.

UM has apologised for the incident and pledged to improve its procedures and guidelines in vetting individuals it works with in the future.


Uproar over remarks

On April 23, the Portland State University’s political science professor accused local politicians of advocating for a second Holocaust against the Jews during a speech at UM.

Gilley made the remarks during his keynote address at a lecture titled “Will Malaysia become an active middle power?”

US academic Bruce Gilley


In his address, Gilley said a country whose political leaders “advocate a second Holocaust against the Jewish people will never be a serious player in world affairs and will certainly never be a friend or partner of the US.”

Gilley also shared excerpts from his address on his X account. He cited a remark by Agriculture and Food Security Minister Mohamad Sabu at a rally in October last year that “Israel will soon disappear” as an example of an anti-Jew remark.

Following an uproar over Gilley’s remarks, Higher Education Minister Zambry Abdul Kadir cancelled all programmes and activities involving Gilley and ordered a probe.

“I have also instructed UM to probe the matter and provide the ministry with details,” he was reported as saying.

Gilley had since left Malaysia, saying: “I have safely departed from Malaysia, one step ahead of the Islamo-fascist mob whipped up by the government there. This is not a safe country to travel to now. Updates to follow.”

Gilley’s comments also courted brickbats from Muda, Amanah, PKR Youth and UM Students’ Union - with the latter referring to the fiasco as “deliberate negligence”.

On that note, Maszlee also pointed out that Gilley was a “visiting professor” at the university.

“Apparently he is a ‘visiting professor’ at the Department of International and Strategic Studies, UM!

“Someone is in deep trouble now!” added the PKR supreme council member.

***


kt comments:

Prof Gilley is not only pro-Zionist but also very pro-Western Colonialism - he recommends some countries should be colonialized, presumably non-White non-Western nations to benefit from Bwana-Sahib-Tuan's colonial legacies and systems - yes, indeed Congo under Belgium's King Leopold II who's also known as The Congo Killer.

King Leopold II of Belgium a.k.a The Congo Killer

Wiki informs us that Congo for 23 years under the direct rule of King Leopold II saw the King's extreme measures in the colony to obtain the resources he desired. Unfortunately, the enslaved Congolese faced harsh labor, and failure or rebellion would lead to some of the harshest punishments (eg. hands chopped off if not enough latex milked from rubber trees), which led to their eventual genocide of the locals.

another notorious title for him was Butcher of the Congo

KKB polls: It doesn’t matter if PSM or Muda loses

KKB polls: It doesn’t matter if PSM or Muda loses

S Thayaparan
Published: Apr 25, 2024 7:36 AM


“Small differences in a system of great power can have enormous consequences.” - Noam Chomsky [Source: Al Jazeera “Upfront” interview]


COMMENT | PSM and Muda are in talks to see if they will field a candidate in the upcoming Kuala Kubu Baharu by-election. If they do field a candidate, it would be an uphill task for an electoral victory.

Partisan interests are entrenched and no doubt even if Muda or PSM wins, they will find their candidate in a hostile environment with establishment parties undermining their every move, even if it means going against the will of the people.

The existential crisis facing the non-Malay/Muslim polity is not that they have no choices but the reality that this polity is not committed to a secular and egalitarian agenda.

This is not only demonstrated in the polity’s allegiance to a political party that arrogantly assumes that it is the gatekeeper to the definition of what it means to be Malaysian but also the so-called adherence to realpolitik when it suits the purposes of this party and its hardcore base.

Partisan echo chambers are not reverberating with calls for equality and justice for all but rather crypto-racism and a disdain for anything that would jeopardise the status quo of establishment coalitions. It has gotten worse with the ascension of Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim to the hot seat in Putrajaya.

Moderate Malays are left to their own devises. If they speak up against religious extremism, there is a good chance they would be sanctioned with Pakatan Harapan in power or disavowed if Harapan was in the opposition.

Maybe if DAP had remained strictly secular instead of attempting to use religion - donning the headscarf, wandering around mosques, remaining silent when moderate Malays were speaking out against the injustice they experienced and enabling religious policies - things would be different. They would have been a foundation to build an alternative. But that time has passed.

All of this does not mean that the base is willing to give up on DAP and Harapan. Keep in mind that the fear of the Green Wave is an extremely potent distraction meant to lull non-Muslims into believing that our secular fundamentals are still strong. It is not.


Why PSM?

I have seen opposition politicians attack PSM while making excuses for other opposition political parties and their own parties who have engaged in behaviour that is corrupt, mendacious, and betrays the principles that the opposition insists they have.

Muda ex-president Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman and PSM deputy chairperson S Arutchelvan


While the mainstream political coalitions are busy finding easily identifiable “enemies”, what PSM identifies are deficiencies in the system and misguided policies that essentially encourage the working-class Malay base to vote against their long-term interests.

Having said that, PSM would benefit from having an urban-based party like Muda bridging the gap between outlier and mainstream politics.

Muda has demonstrated that, for a young party, it has garnered a percentage of votes that PSM never managed to do. Their messaging, especially using social media, does seem to resonate.

PSM could benefit from the kind of exposure that Muda offers, using social media to highlight issues that PSM has been attempting to garner support for.


Beyond establishment parties

I detest not voting since in a democracy it is the least a citizen can do. But in this instance, boycotting is an option because voting for the establishment coalitions means more or less voting for the enabling of a theocratic state.

PSM and Muda must contest in the Kuala Kubu Baharu polls, even if it means their candidates lose their deposit. Why? Because there is a certain section of the polity that needs options beyond establishment parties and their failed policies and broken promises.

While PSM and Muda may get protest votes and I sincerely hope they do, what fielding a candidate does is to specifically wean the non-Malay polity off the addiction to voting for a political party and coalition that is slowly but surely dismantling the secular and constitutional framework of this country.

An example of this would be the recent comments by Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Religious Affairs) Mohd Na’im Mokhtar on the progress of Act 355, which would have serious consequences for the fading secular nature of this country.

If you really support change, then you must come to the realisation that alternatives to mainstream political parties are a vital part of that change.

However, if you think that they are just a distraction, then go on supporting political groups that have no incentive to genuinely carry out the reforms that Malaysia desperately needs. They assume they have your vote against a far-right coalition that unfortunately shapes how the coalition government thinks and ultimately the direction of this country.

People have to remember this. If PSM and Muda field a candidate, they would have done their part in the democratic process. If they lose, it would mean that a significant section of the voting polity is still not ready to do its part in safeguarding the secular and constitutional framework of this country.

Win or lose, this is the beautiful struggle.



S THAYAPARAN is Commander (Rtd) of the Royal Malaysian Navy. Fīat jūstitia ruat cælum - “Let justice be done though the heavens fall.”

Casino in Forest City? Not true, PM says

Casino in Forest City? Not true, PM says

Published: Apr 25, 2024 3:03 PM


Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim dismissed a report claiming the government was considering to build a casino in Forest City, Johor.

“The casino (idea)…not true…not true...it’s a lie,” he said briefly when met after an open house event jointly held by the Communications and Housing and Local Government Ministries.

Earlier, Bloomberg reported that Malaysia is in talks with tycoons to open a casino in Forest City, a US$100 billion (RM480 billion) project in Johor that is on the verge of becoming a white elephant.

The business portal quoted sources saying Anwar met Berjaya Corp founder Vincent Tan and Genting Group’s Lim Kok Thay in a lunch meeting last week to discuss the matter.

It was reported that representatives of Yang di-Pertuan Agong Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar, as well as other senior government officials, were also present at the meeting.

Sultan Ibrahim is one of the project’s shareholders.

Truant teacher case 'worst scandal of my career' - whistleblower

Truant teacher case 'worst scandal of my career' - whistleblower

Published: Apr 24, 2024 9:49 PM


A former SMK Taun Gusi teacher described the absentee teacher case at the school as the worst scandal of her career, as it was protected by those in power.

Nurhaizah Ejab said since becoming a teacher, the issue of English teacher Mohd Jainal Jamrin, who a former student sued for allegedly failing to teach English eight years ago, was the first and worst scandal she encountered.

“It was the worst because it involved those called teachers and there was a massive cover-up by the Education Ministry, the State Education Department, the District Education Office, and the school itself,” she explained while answering questions from the plaintiff's lawyer Shireen Sikayun at the Kota Kinabalu High Court this afternoon.

“All these individuals are obsessed with maintaining their image and reputation; they are prepared to collude and deceive just to protect their positions and reputations.”

Nurhaizah also said that everyone involved, from the ministry level to the school, was under pressure once the case was filed in court.

At the ministry level, the director-general at that time was Amin Senin, who was the former principal of SMK Taun Gusi.

The Sabah state education director in 2015 was Jame Alip, a former principal at the same school, until 2018 when Maimunah Suhaibul, also a former teacher at SMK Taun Gusi, took over.


Protect school image

According to Nurhaizah, those involved wanted to protect the image of the school where they had served. Moreover, Jame, for example, knew about Jainal's absenteeism while he was the school’s principal.

Nurhaizah added that during the investigation after the case was filed, she was called to the State Education Department’s office and interviewed by a special officer from the director-general of education.

After completing a statement about all matters concerning the 2015 case addressed to the State Education Department’s Integrity Unit, the officer purportedly said she would send the evidence to a government counsel.

However, Nurhaizah testified that they never sent her statement on behalf of the defendant.

“Moreover, I was excluded from the final State Education Department meeting where they were finalising all the evidence documents,” added Nurhaizah.

The plaintiff Siti Nafirah Siman was represented by her lawyer Shireen Sikayun, while senior federal counsel Jesseca Daimis and federal counsel Mohd Fazriel Fardiansyah Abdul Kadir represented the defendant.

The defendants in the case are Jainal, SMK Taun Gusi Principal Suid Hanapi, SMK Taun Gusi, the Kota Belud district education officer, the state education director, the director general of education, the education minister and the federal government.

The truancy case trial at the Kota Kinabalu High Court continues before judge Ismail Brahim on June 27.

UMNO will pull down PKR with it in the next GE

Murray Hunter

UMNO will pull down PKR with it in the next GE

The Madani government is really an UMNO government in disguise

APR 21, 2024





The rapidly decreasing popularity of Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) within its traditional support base, was dealt another blow at the Silver Jubilee PKR Convention, where it failed to rejuvenate party support. Being told the party’s future in government is with UMNO is not a narrative that creates any excitement among party members.

UMNO issues are dominating Madani

Most Malaysians have forgotten the non-stop Pakatan Harapan attack on UMNO president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi during the last general election. There was a serious attempt to defeat Zahid in his seat of Bagan Datuk, where he just scaped in by a slender margin of 350 votes.

Zahid was the symbol of everything that was wrong within UMNO. His skilful moves after the election allowed Zahid to become the deputy prime minister of Anwar’s ‘unity government’. Zahid is the ‘Rasputin’ of Madani. He suspended or expelled any internal party opposition. Zahid was assisted by home minister Saifuddin Nasution Ismail to cancel UMNO party elections for the top two positions in the party.

Zahid’s dismissal without amounting to an acquittal (DNAA) in court last year, the instability created, and finally his affidavit supporting home detention for the former prime minister Najib Razak, all angered the public.

The above antics have helped many Pakatan Harapan supporters make up their minds to just stay home during the next election and not vote for anyone.

UMNO ‘baggage’ is killing PKR

Zahid is not the true ‘evil’ within UMNO. This comes from present and former UMNO politicians who are board members and chairpersons of government agencies and GLCs. They are there not to serve the people, but utilize the position for personal advantage. Many UMNO politicians have no qualms about entering politics to further their own business interests, rather than unselfishly serving the nation.

Its UMNO people that controls the bureaucracy, government agencies and CLGs. This is why the Madani government is really an UMNO government in disguise.

UMNO helped PKR join the elite

PKR under the tailcoat of UMNO now finds itself sitting at the same table as the elite. The elite is a group entrusted with authority and influence, that takes little care in their fundamental duties towards the wider community. These elites, whether in politics, business, or academia, are in a malaise that betrays their solemn responsibilities to the nation.

This elite prioritizes wealth, personal gain and power for the sake of power. They succumb to the allure of self-interest, often resorting to corruption or favoritism to perpetuate their privileged status. This self-serving ethos breeds cynicism and disillusionment among the populace, eroding the very foundations of trust and solidarity.

Malays themselves are seeing this now. This is leading to deeper unpopularity of the ‘Unity government’, especially the relationship between UMNO and PKR. An anonymous commentator using the penname ‘Salleh Kamil’ has generated more than 25,000 reads with his observations below:

“Accountability eludes the grasp of such elites, shielded from the repercussions of their actions by a cloak of impunity. They operate with scant regard for ethical boundaries or the well-being of society, perpetuating a culture of entitlement and moral laxity.

Short-sightedness plagues the decision-making of dysfunctional elites, fixated on immediate gratification at the expense of long-term sustainability. Their myopic focus on personal gain blinds them to the broader implications of their actions, sacrificing the welfare of future generations on the altar of expediency.

Moreover, an air of insularity pervades the ranks of dysfunctional elites, insulated from the realities and struggles of ordinary citizens. Dwelling in the civil service, government linked corporations (GLCs) or echo chambers, they remain detached from the aspirations and grievances of the populace, sowing seeds of discord and resentment.

Ultimately, systemic injustices persist under the watch of dysfunctional elites, perpetuating inequalities and disenfranchising marginalized groups. They resist reforms that threaten their entrenched privilege, perpetuating a status quo that stifles progress and perpetuates social divisions.”

When your own supporters see things for what they really are, no ‘spin doctors’, no amount of censorship, and lawfare against critics will change the fate of the ‘unity government’ at the next general election.

On the 25th anniversary of PKR, it’s a good time to reflect over how this destructive UMNO ‘culture’ has permeated into the party. PKR has become a subservient cousin of UMNO now they are working together as partners in government.

The ‘evil’ within UMNO is fast becoming the same ‘evil’ that can be found within PKR.

Dilemma of Pahang landless durian farmers - how to sweat tears, blood and toil for others to grow rich

Court quashes 204 Raub durian farmers' judicial review bid

Published: Apr 24, 2024 8:12 PM


The Kuantan High Court today rejected a bid by 204 Raub durian farmers to seek judicial review against the Pahang state government’s attempt to evict them.

Judge Mohd Radzi Harun passed the verdict after reading the grounds of judgment for more than an hour.

Aside from rejecting the judicial review application, the court also ordered the applicants to pay RM100,000 to every respondent in the case.

In making the judgment, the court found that it was the farmers who had trespassed, and as trespassers, they did not have the locus standi (legal standing) to apply for a judicial review.

The farmers were also not supposed to file a judicial review application as an eviction order is not something that can be reviewed in court, it said.

The group of farmers applied to obtain permission to review a notice to evict a land planted with Musang King durian trees around Raub, about 170km from Kuantan, including in Sungai Ruan, Sungai Chalit, and Sungai Klau, which is estimated to be 2,167ha.

A total of 110 farmers filed the bid on Aug 28, 2020, while the remaining filed a similar application on Sept 9 the same year.

They named the Raub district land administrator, Pahang Forestry director, state authorities, the Pahang state government, Pahang State Agricultural Development Corporation (PKPP), and Royal Pahang Durian Resources PKPP Sdn Bhd as respondents.

ADS


‘Accept state govt’s offer’

Meanwhile, when met following the judgment, the Pahang state government's legal adviser Saiful Edris Zainuddin lauded the decision.

According to him, the farmers should not have initiated the case in the first place, as they had encroached into land owned by the Pahang state government.

"They should accept the Pahang state government's offer and suggestions, and work with the parties involved to develop the area," he said.

Lawyer Siew Choon Jern, who represented the plaintiffs, said he would discuss with the farmers before deciding whether to file an appeal against the decision.

"Today's verdict is a long one and has to be studied first. We will discuss the next course of action so that the interests of the farmers are not compromised.

"An appeal would be among the suggestions discussed," he said.

Expert: Polls defeat will force Anwar, Harapan back to drawing board

Expert: Polls defeat will force Anwar, Harapan back to drawing board

Published: Apr 24, 2024 6:18 PM


A defeat in the upcoming by-election would force Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim and his coalition to return to the drawing board instead of riding on the notion that non-Malays and liberal Malaysians have no other option, said an expert.

This notion, Wong Chin Huat said, had also contributed to the government's inaction or slow response to ethno-religious controversies like the one involving KK Mart.

Speaking to Malaysiakini, the political scientist described the Kuala Kubu Baharu contest as tough for DAP and one that could translate into defeat if the turnout among Chinese and Indian voters is poor.

Asked if this would serve as a wake-up call, he replied: “Yes.”

Wong said a negative outcome would also force Pakatan Harapan to rethink its electoral planning for the next national polls.

“Some leaders in Harapan including those in DAP hope to seal the Madani government parties, Harapan components and Umno in particular, into a super-coalition like a new BN.

“A defeat in Kuala Kubu Baharu will kill this wishful thinking and bring all parties to reality.

“This may counter-intuitively improve the inter-ally relationship when the parties need to seriously think through the rules of engagement both as partners in the current government and rivals in elections later.

“Ambiguity sometimes contributes to hostility getting out of hand,” he added.

Kuala Kubu Baharu is a mixed constituency, with Malay voters accounting for 46 percent, Chinese voters 30 percent, Indian voters 18 percent, and others six percent.


Boycott call

Last week, Malaysiakini reported that certain quarters are urging Indians to boycott the May 11 election, claiming that the government has neglected the community.

However, Wong said a high-profile boycott campaign could help Harapan instead as it would alarm its supporters, who would then opt to avoid a defeat.

On that note, the political scientist believes that what is a major threat to DAP is the feeling among Harapan voters that the “fire in their bellies has burned out”.

“What could impact DAP's chances is not an active protest, but indifference and apathy (amongst voters),” he added.

Describing that as a “nightmare” for seasoned campaigners, Wong said the message would be clear if “voters nod at them politely but walk away or show no interest in what they say”.

“That would be seen as the real response of ordinary people, not sabotage by politicians or activists” he added.

Since becoming part of the coalition government, Harapan parties, especially DAP, have been accused of losing their voice, with some even comparing it to MCA, which was often seen as subservient to Umno when BN was in power.

However, DAP secretary-general Anthony Loke stressed that the two parties cannot be compared.

Anwar, on the other hand, has been accused of failing to deliver on the reforms he had promised when Harapan was in power and of compromising on certain principles.

Pro-Zionist speech: MOHE cancels US don’s programmes, orders probe

Pro-Zionist speech: MOHE cancels US don’s programmes, orders probe

Published: Apr 25, 2024 8:54 AM


The Higher Education Ministry has cancelled all programmes and activities involving a US-based academic who made several pro-Zionist remarks during a speech at Universiti Malaya (UM).

“I have also instructed UM to probe the matter and provide the ministry with details,” said its minister Zambry Abdul Kadir in a statement.

On April 23, Portland State University’s political science professor Bruce Gilley accused local politicians of advocating for a second Holocaust against the Jews during a speech at UM.

A check by Malaysiakini revealed that Gilley made the remarks during his keynote address at a lecture titled “Will Malaysia become an active middle power?”.

In his address, Gilley said that a country whose political leaders “advocate a second Holocaust against the Jewish people will never be a serious player in world affairs and will certainly never be a friend or partner of the US.”

Gilley also shared excerpts from his address on his X account. He cited a remark by Agriculture and Food Security Minister Mohamad Sabu at a rally in October last year that “Israel will soon disappear” as an example of an anti-Jew remark.


‘Vet your speakers’

The academic’s statement triggered the ire of Muda acting president Amira Aisya Abd Aziz.

“This is absolutely misleading and unacceptable.

“His statements are falsely depicting Malaysia’s aim and goals towards peace for an independent Palestine state,” Amira said on X yesterday.

Muda acting president Amira Aisya Abd Aziz


Amira reiterated that it is the Zionist government of Israel that is committing genocide of Palestinians.

“Academic institutions should be very careful in inviting speakers and lecturers who are spreading pro-Zionist narratives.

“From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free,” she wrote.

Meanwhile, Zambry urged local higher education institutions to be more careful when selecting speakers for their events.

“Although universities have autonomy when it comes to organising their intellectual programmes, it doesn’t mean they have absolute freedom. We must consider local sensitivities.

“Plus, decisions made by varsities must be in line with government’s stand and policies,” he added.


Gilley removes post

In an update, Gilley removed his post from X, citing safety concerns.

“I have removed the post below for the safety and well-being of my colleagues at UM, whose leadership has responded to a student outcry.

“The quote from my keynote address reflects my views alone. I regret the harm I have caused to my academic colleagues.”

***

kt comments:

Prof Gilley should STOP guilt-crediting the Israelis with the WWII Holocaust (rendered into 'Hollow Cause' by the Netanyahu Administration itself). We no longer have any sympathy for Jews because of the barbaric atrocities and heinous oppression committed by Israelis in Gaza (and West Bank) against Palestinians.

 

FMT:

Bersatu associate wing upset by MIPP joining PN, says source

FMT Reporters-25 Apr 2024, 08:30 AM

The new Indian party’s absorption into the opposition coalition is ‘nothing more than a branding exercise’, an associate wing leader says.

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Perikatan Nasional cannot expect to secure non-Malay support simply by “promoting non-Malay faces”, a Bersatu associate wing leader said following the admission of MIPP into the coalition.

PETALING JAYA: A Bersatu associate wing leader has lifted the lid on simmering disgruntlement among its members after Perikatan Nasional (PN) admitted the Malaysian Indian People’s Party (MIPP) as its newest component on Monday.

Disputing MIPP president P Punithan’s statement that the party’s inclusion in PN reflected the coalition’s commitment to the wellbeing of the Indian community, a Bersatu associate wing leader told FMT the new component’s inclusion was “nothing more than a branding exercise”.

“Generally, the associate wing feels upset about this, especially its Indian leaders. We were not even consulted about this,” the source told FMT.

“The justification of accepting an Indian-based party because PN needs an ‘Indian face’ is totally absurd (and) will directly undermine the wing.”

He said PN cannot expect to secure non-Malay support simply by “promoting non-Malay faces”.

The opposition coalition should instead work on expanding its voter base by addressing fundamental issues affecting the Indian community’s economic development and ensuring equal opportunities and social equality, the source said.

He also said PN should take steps to bolster Bersatu’s associate wing if the coalition is serious about winning Indian support at the ballot box.

“The associate wing’s Indian members are increasing, and it is slowly becoming a formidable Indian vote bank thanks to careful management by the wing’s leadership,” he said.

“Empowering the associate wing is a more practical solution. Moreover, the wing is getting stronger by the day – albeit slowly.”

The wing was established in November 2020 with the aim of attracting non-Malay support for the Muhyiddin Yassin-led party and PN.

MIPP received its membership letter from PN chairman Muhyiddin before the start of a PN Supreme Council meeting on Monday.

In a statement, Punithan, who was appointed a PN deputy chairman, thanked the coalition’s leaders for their support and promised that the party will champion the Indian community’s development.

PN also comprises Bersatu, PAS, Gerakan, and the Sabah Progressive Party.

Opinion: Missing MH370 Crew Reappears: 12 MH370 Crew Spotted Near AFN Diego Garcia Facebook Page

Opinion: Missing MH370 Crew Reappears: 12 MH370 Crew Spotted Near AFN Diego Garcia Facebook Page

24 Apr 2024 • 12:30 PM MYT


Asyiqin Razak
Asia’s Innovative Writer Award 20/21.

12 MH370 Crew Detected Near AFN Diego Garcia Facebook Page. Source of image: Borak Viral


It has been ten years since the MH370 vanished. When it vanished, the Malaysia Airlines Boeing 777-200, carrying 239 passengers and crew, was traveling from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing during the night.


About 40 minutes after departing Kuala Lumpur, the twin-engine aircraft received its final message from Captain Zaharie Ahmad Shah as it entered Vietnamese territory in the early hours of March 8.


According to AlJazeera, he bid farewell to Malaysian air traffic control, saying, "Good night, Malaysia, three seven zero."


Then silence fell. However, the plane appeared to continue flying for hours even after it vanished from radar.


After concluding initial investigations in the South China Sea, focus was diverted to a secluded area in the southern Indian Ocean, where satellite signals indicated the aircraft may have crashed due to low fuel.


Hundreds of millions of dollars were spent searching the oceans for debris, but none was found.



The world knows little more than it did in 2014, despite the discovery of a few minor fuselage fragments, including a flaperon, which is a component of the wing, washed up on beaches in eastern Africa and the Indian Ocean.


MH370 vanished shortly after Zaharie signed out. Its tracking system was mysteriously deactivated, and its transponders were switched off. According to military radar, the aircraft deviated from its intended course and circled back over Penang Island and northern Malaysia before heading out into the Andaman Sea and toward the tip of the Indonesian island of Sumatra.


To add to the mystery of the missing MH370, 12 members of the MAS crew are reported to have resurfaced on the AFN Diego Garcia Facebook page, eight years after the MH370 went missing. The whole military population lookalike, as well as certain support staff, are shown to reside in this military province called Diego Garcia.


On the Facebook page, there are several posts showing the faces of missing Malays whose identities are kept secret; their faces seem to be similar to those of the missing MAS crew.

Lookalike of the 12-member MAS crew are featured on AFN Diego Garcia's Facebook page. Source of Image: Borak Viral.


This added even more questions to the mystery of the missing MH370. If only one victim of MH370 looked alike and was featured on AFN Diego Garcia's Facebook page, maybe it's just a coincidence. But when there are 12 people with the same face as the victims of MH370 featured on AFN Diego Garcia’s Facebook page, can that still be said to be a coincidence?

 

FMT:

I offered you more space but you rejected it, Amirudin tells Azmin

Faiz Zainudin-25 Apr 2024, 12:25 AM

Selangor Perikatan Nasional chairman Azmin Ali claimed that the Selangor government cancelled the Hari Raya Aidilfitri open house that Bersatu wanted to organise in Batang Kali.

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Selangor menteri besar Amirudin Shari (left) said Selangor Perikatan Nasional chairman Azmin Ali had wanted to hold the event in Batang Kali but the place was too small.

HULU SELANGOR: Selangor menteri besar Amirudin Shari has denied claims that the state government cancelled Bersatu’s Hari Raya Aidilfitri open house which it had planned for last Sunday.

In a Facebook post on April 17, Selangor Perikatan Nasional chairman Azmin Ali alleged that the state government cancelled the open house that Bersatu wanted to organise at the Ara Trade Center in Batang Kali, Hulu Selangor.

Amirudin today explained that the state government, through the local council, proposed relocating the event to a larger area but the proposal was rejected.

“A few days ago, PN (Bersatu) said that we cancelled their Hari Raya Aidilfitri open house because we were worried about them,” he said.

“He (Azmin) wanted to do it somewhere in Batang Kali. I checked with the local authorities there and found out that the venue was quite small.

“Considering that a former prime minister (PN chairman Muhyiddin Yassin) would be attending, I proposed a larger place, namely, the Bukit Sentosa night market site… (but it was rejected).”

The Selangor PH chief was speaking during an event held to announce that DAP’s Pang Sock Tao would contest the Kuala Kubu Baharu by-election for Pakatan Harapan (PH) on May 11.

Amirudin’s press secretary, Jay Jay Denis, previously dismissed Azmin’s claim by explaining that the venue had already been reserved for another event.

Bersatu proceeded with their open house at the Lembah Fraser Recreation Center in Kuala Kubu Baharu, Hulu Selangor, last Sunday.