Malaysia steps up efforts to curb illegal e-waste recyclers

 Timely isn't it? Just when I write about this industry, things begin to happen all around. This time the Royal Malaysian Police acting on a tip off from none other that His Royal Highness Tengku Hassanal Ibrahim Al-Sultan Abdullah (Regent of Pahang) through the Inspector General of Police's Secretariat alongside members of the Anti Money Laundering Squad of Bukit Aman raided at least 6 illegal waste operating sites in Pekan, Bandar Muazzam Shah (Pahang), Simpang Renggam (Johor), Gemencheh and Rembau (Negeri Sembilan) as well as one in Bukit Tagar, Selangor.

As I mentioned in my previous article, these illegal operators make so much in profits that any raid or closure of their facilities will only push them further underground. They have no responsibilities and continue to pollute both their surroundings as well as waterways.

The value of such canibalised metals are so high these days that. they simply harness, liquid and disappear into the next land that they can secure on a short to middle term lease. They operate without a care for the environment and only have profits as their goal.

So, will these raids be effective for Malaysia's long term objective? For some perspective, one can argue that it started some time in 2018 when then newly minted Minister of Science, Technology and Environment Yeo Bee Yin had declared an open war on environment polluters, starting from the illegal dumping of chemicals in Johor, and Puchong. That further developed into front page photos of her opening containers of waste, which also included e-waste and 'demanding that developed' countries stop using Malaysia as their garbage dump.

Perhaps, back then having to win over the media, not much attention was paid to what the recycling industry was churning, billions of Ringgit in much needed revenue to revive Malaysia's dwindling economy. Fast forward to 3 ministers later post Mahathir's 2nd coming, still not much is done enough for those that are legal and fighting a system created to challenge them instead of helping the industry grow.

In Norway for example, instead of battling different producers and materials, the European directive of waste electronic and electrical equipment has authorised 'Productive Creative Schemes' or PCS. It helps producers through a scheme championed by approved agencies to collect and package and passes the cost directly to producers. But what then becomes of other wastes? Collectedresponsibly, it becomes a much needed resource for licensed legal recyclers. Win + Win, and Norway leads the way !

So why aren't countries like Malaysia following these steps? In fact even in Singapore (it is almost always argued that Singapore is small, so easier to manage) such positive steps are already taken and even household batteries, which does not score very high on the recycle-o-meter in terms of value, has found its very own home in waste recovery efforts.

While countries like Norway, can see why their policies might help turn around an industry shunned by the Basel Convention, though many have totally misunderstood the very reason of the accord, others like Malaysia is still more interested in the headline grabbing news of illegal factory raids.

As calls grow for the Anwar Ibrahim led government to do more in order to protect legal operators from being seen in bad light, as well as the shrinking of resources created by the blanket ban that it has been imposing on e-waste imports - Singapore, Thailand and Vietname stand to gain more and more from Malaysia's short sightedness in recognising that there is really a pot of gold at the end of the e-waste rainbow!

Malaysia's DOE regulates e-waste. Or do they?

pix from New Straits Times

It's 2024, and much has happened since Yeo Bee Yin's crusade against waste processing, in particular e-waste.

In Singapore, it is estimated that there are at least 60,000 tons of e-waste produced annually. E-waste is defined as any items discarded that runs on electricity, with or without batteries. In fact, Singapore has around 800 collection centres, many of which includes retailers who have a 'collect back' policy especially for customers who have upgraded their equipment or devices. While the NEA (National Environmental Agency) oversees this, in Malaysia, that role falls under the DOE (Department of Environment)

The DOE's e-waste management notice on its website alone will confuse you more, as it says 'it is the responsibility of the consumer to dispose off their e-waste responsibly' by contacting registered e-waste recyclers by either dropping off or getting them to collect. All well and good. And....it stops there. No list of registered recyclers, no schedule of waste classification except for a general statement of 'SW110' code for waste that is classified as scheduled waste. Cantik.

And what about the current Madani government, whose Minister Nik Nazmi is more concerned about his fitness than the blanket ban for the industry of e-waste recycling. Why so? Malaysia does not generate enough e-waste, in fact the importation of e-waste too is 'controlled', perhaps by a blind sight of the ratification of the Basel Accord.

Given that there are technologies especially green technology available to best recycle these classified waste, why is Nik Nazmi taking his time to see the benefits of a controlled industry? Illegal waste recyclers have been moving their operations by exploiting cheap labour all these years, polluting the local areas where they operate.

The Minister has the authority, but will he choose to open his eyes to legitimate recyclers who can and are willing to take the lead to put Malaysia on a trajectory of being e-waste champions that even Singapore seems to be ahead of?

We aim to show what and where Malaysia is lacking and should do, and benefit from this waste that simply is a matter that should be managed, not blanketly ignored.

(NEXT: The e-waste Industry- how does the Madani Government manage it?)

Malaysia's Dilemma-Developing country or Developed country

Malaysia and Singapore's planned SEZ (Special Economic Zone) that was announced to be within the ghostly Forest City is indeed a welcomed one, when one City State battles for much needed space while Malaysia fights for much required foreign investments.

Malaysia thinks of itself as an 'ASEAN Tiger' (Says former Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir) while even UMNO stalwart Tengku Razaleigh claims that it was never even one.

While powers today such as Anwar's Ministers grapple to even find its own position given that Malaysia had signed many accords while trying to reinvent itself. 

Among many of Malaysia's lost causes is one that baffles me as someone who can see how Malaysia can benefit from Singapore. In recent times, in fact, as far back as 2018 a certain Minister of Environment, Science and Technology Yeo Bee Yin declared an all out 'war' against waste recycling announcing that Malaysia would not be part of the 'worlds garbage' dump. As such Malaysia's ratification of the Basel Convention which it signed in 1992 is now stopping it from benefitting directly from Singapore )among many countries.

How so?

While countries that realise that there are indeed gold among recycling of waste, in particular e-waste, Malaysia's current Environment & Natural Resources Minister chooses to prolong Malaysia's arrogance (or rather stupidity) in NOT realising that the Basel Convention itself has room for such advantages, as some other countries have found in negotiating the accord by recycling e-waste responsibly in line with respecting the environment.

While Malaysia which is still considered a developing country play high and mighty, it is denying industry pioneers from a livelihood that will spearhead a Malaysia-Singapore renaissance of 'Maju Bersama'

Come back for a more detailed deep dive into this and learn about responsibility to the environment that keeps countries that know how to turn in profits from waste, unlike Malaysia's continuance of pushing illegal recyclers that helps line the pockets of authorities.

Woodlands-Johor Causeway Congestion: What Malaysia can do to ease it

(Pic obtained from AsiaOne)

Regularly referred to as the busiest land crossing in the world, the Woodlands-Johore causeway sees traffic from Malaysia alone hitting the low 300k daily, and coupled with Singapore's outgoing and incoming vehicular traffic, one can only imagine the chaos especially during rush hours.

Hence, the Singapore's ICA implementation of the QR Code access by 2nd time or more visitors will help reduce interaction time between enforcement officers and transients, this alleviating traffic congestion.

Malaysia, though lagging behind these initiatives, have a pro-active Chief Minister in Johor's Onn Ghafar whose surprise checks of the Malaysian border crossing complex is seen as a hindrance by immigration officials. The latest outburst by the union of Immigration officers only goes to show that the problem lies not with the government but at the agency itself. 

While Singapore's ICA is often seen to review and implement measures to ease congestion, the same cannot be said about Malaysia. In the latest visit by Onn Ghafar, he pointed out 13 closed counters by Malaysian Immigration officers, a logical deduction, on why congestion is often experienced, notably by Singaporean who frequent Malaysia for obvious reasons.

Malaysia's failure to address these issues will only cause more frustrations to drivers from both sides and can only letout the 'Malaysia mah' sigh (in Singlish, 'Malaysia-mah' means it's because of Malaysia, and is often let out as a sigh when things are done differently from Singapore)

Given the upcoming long weekends both for 29 March Good Friday & Easter as well as the next 10 April Hari Raya Puasa, which will see an added increase in traffic, let's hope the Malaysians will wake up and up their game to better manage the border crossing.

Just a note, wouldn't it help better if Malaysia's immigration change their shift assignments rather than smack right during rush hour?

May the real Malaysian Foreign Minister please stand up?

 One of the images constantly still being carried by Channel News Asia when in between slots for the 'Live' News broadcast depicts our very own Vivian Balakrishnan and Malaysia's former (or rather one of the former) Foreign Minister Saifuddin Abdullah.

image from google

For the ill-informed, Saifuddin Abdullah, was Foreign Minister on two occasions, once under the PM-ship of Tun Mahathir as well as under the 9th PM Ismail Sabri. It must have been difficult for our editors of CNA to keep track with Malaysia's musical chairs of Ministers during that tumultuous period of 7th to 8th to 9th and now 10th, better known as PMX.

While Singapore being the closest neighbours to Malaysia is still keeping old images of Malaysia's former Foreign Minister, it is not surprising then that the former Foreign Ministers themselves have found their voices to be heard. Not Saifuddin for sure, as he is probably toeing his Political Party's line by maintaining silence on the recent issues, foreign or domestic to Malaysia, but from one that is more vocal and certainly experienced Anifah Aman. Yes, it is the very same respected person that is now a member of the Malaysian Upper House of Senate. The same person who is also the Special Advisor to the Chief Minister of Sabah for Foreign Affairs and Investment.

His statement in the upper house recently, highlighting the ineptitude of one of Malaysia's foremost trading partners , the United States of America's nonchalant response to the growing calls for an Israeli ceasefire in Gaza shows that Anifah is still the same person who helmed the Foreign Ministry in the past.

From previous global issues involving Sri Lanka to Myanmar, the Palestine question has always been Malaysia's stance in seeking a two state solution for the besieged country. Hence, Anfiah's statement to a top US official recently, in which he expressed his respectful view of having lost all respect for the US is both subtle and loud, something Anwar's current Foreign Minister is somewhat shy off. 

Yet, battling political crossfires within the Malaysian political landscape is somewhat expected of the much touted stable unity government; the many underlying currents that threaten Malaysia is very much present, from the new King of Malaysia's very strong Royal address to the current Parliamentary session, to the ever-growing discontent of the opposition from being left out of power amidst the ankle high socks that have been plaguing the nation through this holy month of Ramadhan. Anifah's strong rebuke of the US seems to remind the US that Malaysia though a small country, is ever steadfast in defending the Palestinians. 

Singapore too has been doing our part in upholding the principles of humanity, not just by sending aid and voicing neutrality for the support of a two state solution, yet recognising the need for Israel to defend itself, though difficult to understand for many of our neighbours, it is clear that Singapore will not be taking sides. In fact, Singapore too should stand alongside Malaysia, to lead what the west would not and do not want to do, calling for a ceasefire to restore any ounce of humanity to safeguard those innocent Palestinians. 

Axed Tourism Malaysia Chairman Wee Choo Keong gives his story to Malaysian Police

Former Member of Parliament more remembered as the vindictive former Chairman of Tourism Malaysia Wee Choo Keong (seems to be more focussed on Siew Ka Wei) has been called by the Malaysian Police to have his statement recorded following months of tweets alleging that a crime has been committed in business dealings between MAHB and BXC Travellers Sdn Bhd.

MAHB's recent upheaval where the removal of 3 Directors whom Wee have been thought to have been getting his information from, has seen Wee being cast off without a sail. The Malaysian Police has opened investigations into Wee's actions under the Malaysian Penal Code for Criminal Defamation, likely section 499 of the Defamation Act 1957.

Wee has now reported that after his 4 hours of questioning, he in turn lodged a counter report that stated the police report against himself was made falsely, tweeting again that 2 named individuals should be charged by MACC.

Wee has gone about this issue in a roundabout way, one can say. For IF he has the evidence, why has he not reported it in the first case, and instead proceeded to spam on tweeter with the allegations instead?

Let's delve a little on about Wee (whom I believe that he is out to grind the axe with Siew for Wee was replaced by Siew after failing in his duties as Chairman of Tourism Malaysia and proceeding to fall then into the bad books of Najib). In fact, it is public knowledge that Wee is a vindictive person who continues to bad mouth the Lim father and son of DAP. He has not gotten over his episode of losing his MP seat back in 1995.

His political track record isn't stellar, and having last stood for elections in GE15 under Warisan, he failed to make a comeback understandably, and leaves a trail of political membership in ruins. His 2 years in PKR prior to his swapping camps to go 'independent' that saw him pandering to Najib was his feather in the cap. One that rewarded him with the position of Chairman of Tourism Malaysia, which he lost to Siew. 10 years before PKR, he left DAP claiming that Lim Kit Siang and Lim Guan Eng was threatened by his rising star, and went out of their way to kill his DAP career. 

No fairy tale there, and evidently he is going after Siew. 

While in Parliament, he positioned himself to focus on tourism matters and going after MCA's Ng Yen Yen gave him some footing for the Tourism Malaysia position, and his failure at it too was because he continued to go after Air Asia at that time, Tony Fernandes who was busy colouring airplanes the colour of Blue for BN. No secret there why Wee lost his job right?

So, one can see why Wee is still trying to stir this issue, now that he is cornered into his own mess. Social media is definitely a tool to gather Netizen-ry support, and in Malaysia unlike Singapore, calls as such against corruption will create a frenzy where those following who do not know the facts will continue to re-tweet for support. In the case of Wee, he too has been tagging another conglomarate kingpin alleging crimes in the auto industry, however what is not known to him is that in that case the perpetrator is the one making the accusations!

With Wee Choo Keong now having already made both his statements and police report, will we see a charge against him first, or a charge against MAHB's dealings that are continually being cried wolf by Wee?

The Malaysian Police is not Twitter, and Wee should now know that accusing someone of corruption MUST be backed by hard evidence and not just twitter rant. IF the PDRM's IT forensics unit is looking into these allegations, they will find out soon enough the source of the criminal defamation.

As the young generation is used to "Bring out the popcorn". Not likely that Wee can enjoy his Huyos now.

Board frauds and sold secrets

 If there are any misdeeds in Malaysian companies, boardrooms are where you might want to look first. After all, there hae been many cases where specific information were pushed to certain parties to oust others for corporate takeovers.

What Wee Choo Keong is implying is that just that. What we do know now is not quite how Wee puts it. There is a conspricay, and Wee has ended up being a part of it. These boardmembers have been feeding Wee with half-truths in hope that they can ouster the Chairman and MD of MAHB.

It appears that the missing link to the boardroom weasel, is revealed by no other than Wee himself. The naming of names in his tweeter thread aims squarely at only certain members of the board. This would surely point to these as 'protected' by Wee himself. Surely, the boardroom weasel has been feeding Wee with these information? It seems NuclearMan has the clearer picture, however what I do know is that the 'four' named by NuclearMan isn't quite accurate.

This four, has gone on about their 'business as usual' , and while NuclearMan has indicated that the rat has been found, the trail of one's boardroom antics will reveal the nature of that very same Director repeating his or her's mistakes pointed out here, in that particular case being part of a boardroom approval for what was later revealed as against the company's charter.

Wee Choo Leong has been dishing out names, purportedly for not questioning some decisions however he has not been talking about these 3 + 1. And for good reason, Wee who has been squarely targetting Air Asia from at least 10 years ago, does not want people to know even his sitting together with 'Danny' when the first failed AA MH merger was being bandied around. The rumour of a former MP asking for 'peaceful' sum of some millions in exchange for now 'blowing up' the matter remains a strong rumour for some to know, including me.

Alas, the MAHB Boardroom tussle, with a proxy former MP as attack dog is going to unravel sooner than later. Perhaps a strong mandate from the shareholders to the Chairman and MD should signal a timely change of the boardroom to get rid of these rats that have been sending wrong signals to try to drag the stock down. Perhaps.

A little "W"ee here and there, and you will smell Pee from a Dick!

 It appears, nothing has changed much despite thinking that I have left the scene for good.

Retiring as they say, but with many little secrets and continued whispers, I can tell you a little Wee as described in Websters for small ain't quite the same as we say it in Singapore, what more if we say "wee wee"  (which I guess isn't all that different from Britain!)

When an ex-colleague kept tagging me to alert me about a former Malaysian Member of Parliament whom I had shared a few Hoyo No.1s with while he was tagging along disgraced Malaysian ex-PM (MO1) Najib Razak on that trip to South America, I knew it was worth writing this on my long forgotten blog.

So, who is this former MP?  This might ring the bell.

Just one glance at Wee's twitter feed, will show a former politician who failed in making his comeback in the most recent 15th Malaysian General Election grasping at straws but pointing to his preferred target Air Asia, and of course his former DAP colleagues whom he continues to despise for obvious reasons. One very obvious one is from Wee's mouth himself when he used to gripe about 'Tokong' and what his dad did to Wee. You see, Wee's pet peeves can reveal the sort of person he is. For example, he had targeted the Minister of Tourism Ng Yen Yen when he was last in parliament for a specific purpose, and many will remember it was Wee that Najib appointed to Tourism Malaysia years after that.

'W' for Vendetta?

I digress, but so what is Wee trying to say now?

Perhaps the frustration on being replaced as the Chairman of Tourism Malaysia, by who else but the person Wee named in his posts, is the very driving force of these postings.

What I do know about Wee is this, he had an axe to grind with that entrepreneur many have come to shy away from, lets just call him TF. 

From what I have known, and certainly come to know , there is a certain Datuk Azailiza that Wee has recently come to work with. In fact, the beginning of the act stemmed from the 2018 Mahathir return era, whom many now know was a show. And a show it was that, Wee was somewhat involved with the report with MACC that lead to those photos so commonly shared by Wee. Perhaps instead of asking questions, Wee should make a report again, this time also including himself and his own actions when he himself chaired Tourism Malaysia.

Having experienced a few dead ends, Wee together with Azailiza are now again training their sights at the same target. Wee for his poorly taken removal from Tourism Malaysia whereas little known Azailiza is setting her sights on MAHB's Chairman and MD by team tagging with Wee.

MAHB isn't Air Asia. And this is a point that Wee should already know. Azailiza's painting of what is happening and Wee's wholesale buying of her picture is what will perhaps lead Wee back to his dark old days of being cut off yet again. 

I can safely say, PJ Moorthy is back, and once again getting the low down of low lives that continue to humour the Malaysian Social Political scene.

Follow us, and find out who is doing who what next!

 

Return of the PJ

 Those who know, knows!

All those little knudge has worked. I am back, squirmed out of my dark corner.

Why? Because I know more than the other guy, and here is what I know....

NEVER BELIEVE A RUMOUR UNTIL IF IS OFFICIALLY DENIED

Never believe a rumour until it is officially denied. You know what they say about a sleazy or delicious sounding rumour: believe it only after the person or persons linked to it puts up a strenuously official denial. It’s an old dictum of politics that has been confirmed and re-confirmed many times over. The names of previous rumour models are many: DP Vijendran, Chua Soi Lek, Anwar Ibrahim rings a bell.

Usually, rumours made in Malaysia centre on the usual corruption and sex scandal. Sex scandals involving government leaders and officials are dished out every time there is an alignment of the planets, or if the powers-that-be want someone out even if that someone stubbornly and desperately clings to power.

However, corruption involving senior leaders of opposition parties is rarer than the Asian tsunami but when it comes, it is inundating and intoxicating, more so after they have received a taste of real power. Finally the DAP leaders understand now how their BN counterparts feel when they get accused with all kinds of treacherous allegations.

Check out the overflow of outrage after Ean Yong Hian Wah was fingered again in the inquiry for making false claims of investing in development for the people, but in actuality, reaping the funds for himself or his cohorts, all covertly from the Selangor Government.

The assemblyman for Sri Kembangan was all bluster and fury when denying the charges, repeated by MACC investigation unit head Hairul Ilham Hamzah when he was replying to questions posed by the RCI examiners.

That a DAP branch received an illegal cut from payments for state government projects in the Seri Kembangan constituency in 2008 is now difficult to prove because the true testimony that would nail Ean Yong died with Teoh Beng Hock, so much so that the MACC is unable to proceed with charging the DAP assemblyman, a situation reminiscent of movies of gangsters trying to protect their assets by eliminating evidence and witnesses.

The situation is intriguing: who stands to gain more from Teoh’s death? Not the MACC, now vilified by the DAP for what is essentially a cover up of the DAP’s corrupt deeds. It is fortuitously convenient, isn’t it, Teoh’s death?

The DAP’s complicity is more apparent after the father-son lawyer duo of Karpal Singh and Gobind Singh Deo kicked an unnecessary but almighty fuss - biased Attorney-General’s chambers, conflict of interest from a sitting judge who heads the RCI that tried to mask the DAP’s liability but instead enhanced their corrupt nature more glaringly.

The Singhs’ derailment plot failed because RCI chairman Tan Sri James Foong is not only tough and forthright but also shrewdly saw through the smokescreen.

He is still a candidate for Most Neutral Fellow of The Year who, like all of us except the frightened DAP leaders, is determine to find out just how exactly Teoh died.

Already three forensic scientists have established how Teoh did indeed die - from jumping out of a building, a suicide arising from immense guilt and shame of unwittingly exposing his DAP superiors with the evidence of fake invoices he kept inside his laptop.

Once Teoh realised the magnitude of his evidence and the fact that he spilled the beans more than he relished, he simply refused to go home even after the long hours of questioning by the MACC. Teoh even requested that he be given a resting place in MACC’s office, which the MACC obliged as simple courtesy, unaware of its deadly consequence.

Here’s a logical twist to Teoh’s behaviour. If he was abused as to what the DAP would like us to believe, then Teoh would have naturally fled the MACC office to the sanctuary of his DAP peers and then conduct the perfect photo opportunity for Opposition-friendly media, websites and blogs by lodging a police report from strength in numbers.

Besides, Teoh was getting married the next day. Why would he remain in the MACC’s office when he could be in the comfort of his fiancé? What was he so fearful of?

MP for Wangsa Maju Wee Choo Keong had steadfastly pointed out that the suicide established by three qualified forensic scientists was already a common knowledge between fearful DAP leaders. But if the truth was out, there goes the DAP neighbourhood and bang goes the dream of re-conquering Selangor in the next general election, scheduled for a slot maybe by mid-next year.

With suicide a likely verdict in the RCI, the bigger question would be is, how high does the DAP conspiracy go? Right now, all suspicion is on Ean Yong but he can’t be operating solo for a caper that extends to the millions. Someone else too within the Selangor DAP wants their cut.

Since only Teoh knew for sure, based on the documents he possessed, it will be the MACC’s responsibility to divulge them in the next few weeks. The DAP, whether they realised it or not, forced the MACC’s hand - the more the DAP tries to flash the spotlight of liability on the MACC, the more the DAP is exposed.

If the MACC has proof, then the law enforcement agency should charge the guilty in the court of law, ranted Teresa Kok, the Selangor DAP chief but that was what the MACC was about to do when Teoh met with his unfortunate death, fortunate though for the people who want him “silenced”.

Since a case for corruption is difficult without Teoh’s material testimony, the next best thing for the MACC was to divulge the information they secured from Teoh to the RCI and in the final analysis, the court of public opinion.

The DAP should be familiar with this - they have shamelessly seized on it every time they plot against their rivals in the Barisan Nasional. Now, they are painfully consuming huge doses of their own bad medicine.

The weeks to come before the RCI wraps up its proceedings will be crucial. What is up next will depend on how badly the DAP screams and shouts and how much they would insist on covering up with denials and distractions.

Ultimately, the DAP might try this desperate ploy - put the blame entirely on Teoh when the evidence is mounting and let a dead man take the rap. - PJ Moorthy - Malaysia Instinct

How to bandit Railway figures

With the recent completion of the contractors briefing held by Prasarana, opposition supporters were quick to pounce on the estimated amount of the cost of building of the new MRT line from Sungai Buluh to Kajang which was dissected and analysed by CIMB research.

The talk of the town is that the figures has ballooned (from RM36 billion when first mooted by MMC Gamuda to the current estimated RM53 billion) to facilitate 'undertable' monies and linked back to UMNO.

The email being circulated also compared the figure to China's Beijing-Shanghai line which required a mere US22 billion at the time of construction (mooted in 2007, the line took three years to build and is set to begin operations in June 2011)

What seems to justify the argument is that the Shanghai-Beijing line measures 1,318km vs the Sungai Buluh-Kajang line at 150km, as such the cost of construction for the Beijing Shanghai line should be higher than the Kajang-Sungai Buluh line.

At first glance, the email does makes sense, but here is what is NOT considered by these opposition bandits;

1. The land acquisition cost in the Sungai buluh Kajang line would definitely cost more vs the Beijing-Shanghai line, as it runs through cosmopolitan and urban areas vs farm land in China, and the acquisition of land for the China line was done prior to 2007.

2. The USD exchange rate differs sharply vs what it is today.

3. Transportation cost with the cost of oil per barrel is at least 30-40% higher currently vs the China construction period which took place between 2007 and 2010.

4. Skilled labour cost in China is at least 60% lower to what is available in Malaysia

The fact that there are many emails being circulated amongst opposition supporters that aims to instill that corruption and misuse of funds are the very fact why such impression are heaped on the country. However, it does not take a genius to carefully consider what is being bandit around because a curios mind will always be able to find out hard facts that are 'hidden' from the message.

If one considers carefully what it takes to develop a country, one will not find it hard to believe that Malaysia is indeed ranked as one of the top three choices of countries to live in this part of the world.

With a world class rail transportation system set in the offing, KL will bound to challenge for top honours.

This author asks the very relevant question that is this thought to be an apple vs an apple? Similarities to the APC argument that is the song and dance of Tony Pua vs MINDEF? - PJ Moorthy, Malaysia Instinct

Royal Commission of Inquiry on Teoh’s death scares DAP

t4tbh.blogspot.com - This blog has been revealing very telling
documents regarding DAP's source of revenue

After three forensic scientists concluded that Teoh Beng Hock’s tragic death was likely prompted by suicide or at the very least, not pre-meditated murder, the reality of the troublesome outcome may have less to do with the MACC’s negligence in not guarding him properly but more to do with the political corruption and shenanigans that Teoh was forced to confront and divulge.

A troublesome point is the baffling moments in the inquest to establish Teoh’s death, like why certain documents were ignored and relevant witnesses not called to testify. The counsel for the MACC desperately tried to raise the matter but he was ignored.

A key submission “disallowed” was when documents and witnesses – contractors of the four companies mentioned on the letterheads of the suspicious documents – were “disallowed'.

Why it is that testimony crucial to the build-up towards Teoh’s death was not given due diligence? On the other hand, why was it stonewalled?

Here’s a plausible reason: the coroner wanted to play it so safe that he had in his mind opted for an open verdict judgment from the moment he became fully aware of the tremendous implication of whatever decision he makes. He would have gotten that attitude consulting lawyers who are his friends.

Perhaps the pressure was also too much on him, perhaps he disagreed with the way the opposition was more interested in making Teoh a martyr and the MACC guilty as hell but can’t influence the flow of the inquest’s proceeding. This can only be the only possible rationale.

The people have the right to know the absolute truth but it was not to be forthcoming because of the coroner’s fear for his career and maybe his life too, not so much from physical threat, but one that will be forever chaotic by the decision he makes. Hence, a bland neutral stance which saves him and makes him a laughing stock but unwittingly conceals the truth.

While the coroner saved himself or rather, took himself out of the Teoh Beng Hock equation, the case became an international cause for strident critics of the Najib administration who would use the no-man’s land decision to capitalise on its uncertainties.

The critics, and that includes DAP’s top guns like Karpal Singh and Gobind Singh Deo, jumped on the opportunity to castigate the PM, even though he had nothing to do with the coroner’s lack of backbone.

But since the critics are crying out loud for a Royal Commission of Inquiry, the PM authorised one - with power - to probe everything when the initial RCI had limited terms and reference.

Now Karpal and Gobind are in a bind, their theatrics exposed. The RCI will no doubt revisit the scenario why the key submissions were ignored in the first place.

So they made a big fuss of the Attorney-General’s “biased” standing and even took a ridiculous dig at the RCI chairman, being a Federal Court judge, was unsuitable to helm the proceedings.

After all their wag-the-dog tactics failed, the DAP used the last ace in their sleeve – total withdrawal from the RCI in the hopes it will cast a big shadow on the commission and undermine its credibility.

Fat chance. The RCI is now so strongly independent that even the PM have no say as to how it conduct its investigations, which has the eager attention of the international community.

The RCI also knows that Malaysia's reputation is at stake but they have the chance to put things right. Their only request, which they had conveyed to Teoh’s family was: give the RCI a chance, give justice a chance. But the family, likely under the coercion of the Singh lawyers, regretfully withdrew.

Back to the issue of documents held by Teoh, the question of them being tampered is ludicrous.

Teoh kept his laptop closer to him than his girlfriend. He had his laptop with him at all the times while he was being questioned, even when the MACC considered him as a possible accomplice to the big scam of making false claims. Furthermore, the documents and the laptop were also secured by police since July 16 after Teoh died. Therefore, tampering was impossible.

Another issue is, the MACC needed Teoh for the valuable testimony he provided. Teoh or even his boss was practically nobodies to trigger a suspicious scenario where someone would want to fix them up.

But since Teoh’s death, they have became household names. They may be linked to bigger fish who have set up a well-established con job that we are now are beginning to truly understand.

If the documents were invented, it would only make more sense to ensure that the true evidence stick, to show that larger sums of money were suckered in.

Nothing about the case makes sense, from the Singhs’ theatrics to the family’s withdrawal. But now we know there was method to that madness. There is now fear in the DAP camp, especially the State Excos who have been raking in huge sums illegally for months since they won Selangor in the March 8, 2008 general election.

In a way, there is a silver lining to the Singhs withdrawal. They can’t be putting up roadblocks or red herrings to deter or distract the RCI’s progress to the point that a conclusion may come early, and not 18 months from time of death to outcome of inquest decision.

That’s why the RCI is free to examine all facts of the case, especially the documents which can be produced without someone in there trying to stop its exposure.

It is steadily becoming evident that the extent of the corruption going on was perhaps powerful enough to push Teoh to the edge. And to the probable suicide inferred by three top forensic scientists.

The parallels of Wildlife and DAP

PJ Moorthy

The Star Probe team had interviewed Anson Wong sometime back, and in that open interview Anson Wong ( who was handed a 71 Month Jail term and USD60,000 fine) had admitted that although he was involved in the smuggling of wildlife previously, he has turned the corner and now operates a legitimate business 'above board'.

Clearly, his reference of above board is different from those who used the term to signify their coming clean.

Anson Wong was arrested yesterday in Sepang International Airport for attempting to smuggle 90 snakes of various species.

What is the significance in Malaysia?

Tourism Minister Ng Yen Yen had openly said that Malaysia was in need of stronger and clearer legislation to prevent the smuggling of wildlife.

In Malaysia, the chinese are fondly said to be connoisseurs of exotic meats, with a saying that 'The Chinese will eat anything with its back facing the sun'. There are several hotspots in Kuala Lumpur that serves up exotic dishes, and do the customers question the source of meat?

It is thanks to these demands that enable people like Anson Wong to thrive in the trafficking of illegal wildlife. The poaching of endagered wildlife in Malaysia must stop, and if there is a political will, there must be a way.

Anson Wong typically represents chinese businessmen in many aspects. They seem to be oblivious to the surroundings and have no qualms in making money out of anything. Where is their conscience?

Where is the conscience of doing things out of convenience and making profit from it?

DAP seems to know that already. They are after all in a partnership with PAS that shares only the will to stay in power, for their ideologies defer drastically, one for a secular nation and the other an ultra Islamic nation that even UMNO do not subscribe to.

One wonders, for how long will the chinese community bend over to see DAP go the distance. Are they all above board like Anson Wong?

Don't tear the seams of Malaysia

PJ Moorthy - Malaysia Instinct

Don't cut the last cake and split it 10 ways without first replicating the lost recipe. Once you cut it, you will have 10 recipes of different proportions!

Mexico, populated by around 6.6million residents. Largely hot summers, typical dessert climate but also has cool forest in the north, with famous sites in the likes of The Grand Canyon.

There really isn't any similarities here, but one thing that has hit the American state might just happen here in Kuala Lumpur one day.

Though historical beginnings defer on the origins of Arizona if one chooses to speak to different people there, it is largely believed that Arizona was made a apart of the US after the American-Mexican war which resulted in the then newly formed republic of Mexico having lost the territories and compensated for it. It has s strong Spanish history, and die to its proximity to Mexico, has to deal with a large number of Mexicans who enter US illegally.

Malaysia on the other hand has a large border with Indonesians, but having the Straits of Malacca as a natural deterrent for illegal entry, it is vastly different from Arizona vis-a-vis Mexico. Naturally, the difference in economic strength between US and Mexico makes the former a much sought after location for those seeking economic riches. As the same with Malaysia vis-a-vis Indonesia.

But if one cares to look at the similarities, it will be staring Malaysians at the face.

As with the Mexicans to Arizona, most were brought in to help in economic activities, thus gaining legal citizenship much later, and hence become naturalised Americans.

As with the Chinese and Indians to Malaya then, most were brought in by the British to help in the same, to grow Malaysia economically, and in their efforts gaining them citizenship and naturalisation as Malaysians.

But what comes after, many years after the American-Mexican war is the influx of illegal immigrants into Arizona that had the lawmakers up in arms collectively to pass into law a motion to authorise the legal request for proof of citizenship in their efforts to quell the rising entry of these, leaches, call them if you may.

And this in Malaysia might just happen if there is a blurring of rights, and guarantees of constitution are overlooked in the overzealous efforts to chase that change that so few are asking. The bumiputera rights are rightfully enshrined in the constitution and is therefore protected by it. The calamitous efforts of the opposition in their quest to gain more votes from their supporters and the fence sitters who are calling for the doing away of it, creating a 'fair and equal' disbursement of rights, so it seems.

This is akin to the Mexicans who mask themselves as Americans saying that they have the right to stay and demanding that their citizenships unquestionable rights as any Americans. Wouldn't that be nice!

There is a clear distinction of law and rights, and to the Americans, their rights is to establish the citizen from the alien.

Here in Malaysia, doing away with the rights of Bumis is the same as getting the constitution changed to acknowledge that Mr.Mutusamy who hails from Kerala 20 years ago, peddling 'Putumayam' who goes back to Kerala every 5 years to build his dream home that houses his family and those of his in-laws and in-laws of the in-laws, as one of their own, giving him basic land rights and government assistance.

Whereas Mr.Xiao Ching the right to bring his family and send his children to SJKC, granting access to the previously defined 'tanah hak Melayu' in gratitude for his father's contribution in the tin mines of Kampar, and expecting Pak Ali, whose nine children have been finding it hard to break in to the workforce, when the likes of IBM is hiring Malaysian graduates from Ivy League Universities.

Already forced to compete with the 65% ration of bumi students that make up the composition of public higher education institutions, Pak Ali's children have to also compete to enter real paying jobs, something that does not seem to affect their counterparts of Chinese origins.

The economic strength is held by the Chinese, and the Malays do not begrudge that, so why are the rest then begrudge the Malays of their rights that are guaranteed by the constitution?

This writer is of the opinion that Malaysia pre 2008 was far better off, for that was the time that Malaysians were collectively united in their goal, which was achieved through the ballot box. Post 2008, they have since gone their own ways forgetting the bond of unity that they once shared.Don't cut the last cake and split it 10 ways without first replicating the lost recipe. Once you cut it, you will have 10 recipes of different proportions!

Forever Accusing...

pix from freemalaysiatoday.com

'The likes of Chua Jui Meng who was incidentally (not related) stripped off his titles by the Sultan of Selangor can never find peace with themselves' was a remark that a politician shared with me when we had a talk sometime ago.

This statement had always lingered in my mind, and I took the same view each time I came across someone who had crossed that 'line'.

So today, reading about what Chua Jui Meng had said (I should apologise, isn't he still a datuk? by some other state's account?) in a very 'anti establishment' portal in Free Malaysia Today, I simply reflected on what I was told.

Chua had unequivocally stated that 'Chinese voters want fairness'.

By whose account? How many Chinese voters does he represent, enough to make that statement?

When moving to Malaysia, I could not help but compare the Chinese here to those from their southern neighbour.

I am making a guess here, but won't one think that the chinese in Singapore are much fairly treated as compared to Malaysia? From what I gathered from Chua's statement, he had said that chinese voters demand equality. But equality with whom?

Aren't the Chinese here much better off with their Indians and Malay counterparts? I would like to dare someone with a comprehensive comparison between the races. Didn't someone dispute some figures from the National Statistics department sometime before the elections?

I dare say, that the chinese are the most well off compared to the Malays and Indians. In fact, the demand of equality by the chinese should be met, and the equality should extend out to the Indians and Malays. How often have we heard the saying repeated that the Indians and Malays cannot be trusted witht e completion of projects, and when the unveiling is done, it was some chinaman who had concocted the scheme in the first place!

The point to remember is this, in order to move forward, Malaysians must have a common goal and objective, and from what PM Najib had preached and done, all is pointing to the one real Malaysia that should emerge if given the right support from the voters.

After all Najib has implemented the change he promised, and his fruits is beginning to show. In all the pessimism that has been shown by the opposition, there are more optimism shown by those in charge today. And for what its worth, the opposition has only been firing blanks and burying their head in the many holes that Selangor has now managed to dig itself in.

The question I have for Mr Chua Jui Meng (datuk? Sorry, but since my immediate neighbour is the Johor household, I consider myself Johorean too!) is what drives economy? Forever borrowing money you said? And if America is not the biggest borrower, would it affect world economy? The engine of growth is fuelled by money, not just one's own but the money that flows in will ensure that it is well circulated, and in that ensures that the economy is well fuelled.

Then again, I am no economist, but did Chu Jui Meng ever showed that he was one too? How about a Minister of Helath? Did he even leave a legacy behind?

Judging from the mass migration of helath workers during his time, I am guessing not!

This write thinks that recycled politicians have a used by date, and this one as with his lookalike has long past their due. - PJ Moorthy MI

Anwar Ibrahim - Media buyer

Embroiled in his own 'media buying' conspiracy, Anwar Ibrahim is now trying to insinuate that Prime Minister Najib Razak has done the same in using dubious PR companies as well as the Washington Times in giving his visit to the US more prominence during the month of April 2010.

In a blog posting published in his blog, written by Malaysiakini's Stephen Gan, it was said that the Prime Minister's Office had a hand in paying PR Firm, The Laurus Group USD15,000.00 which was in turned paid to QGA. It was claimed that QGA was supposed to have a major newspaper print a prepared article purportedly by the PMO.

In recent months, Anwar has come under severe scrutiny by the US press on his role in anti US and Israel protest as well as allegations that the Malaysian government was infiltrated by Israel agents. This has increased criticisms against Anwar given his close relationship with former key Bush-era officials. Anwar was the Chairman of The Foundation of the Future, a group which was a brainchild of former VP of US Dick Cheney, and had his daughter Elizabeth as a Deputy Director of the Foundation.

In his half baked attempt at apologising for his own debacle, Anwar had embarked on a whirlwind apology tour to his friend and obvious supporter. It was Paul Wolfowitz who had gotten Anwar the position of Chairman at the Foundation of the Future, a move that will eventually see him resigning as President of the world bank after revelations that he had himself gotten his girlfriend Shah Riza a position in the same foundation.

Anwar had in the past accused APCO for being an Israeli outfit, complete with Mossad agents, and when that failed, he had tried to pin all kinds of accusations against Najib. Around the blogs, much has been said about Anwar's interview over CNN, that even the US press picked up and accused CNN of playing up to Anwar, and planting the interview.

So, in perfect Anwar style, the same is now lobbed over to Najib's court. This is the Anwar that we know, one that passes the buck.

Before he was convicted of corruption and sodomy, Anwar had openly voiced his intention to tackle the Asian financial crisis a-la IMF way. It was a move that would send his boss, Tun Mahathir to react the way he did which eventually drew the wrath of IMF (with currency control mechanisms that Mahathir introduced) but had more importantly taken Malaysia through a very patchy time, unlike her neighbours, Thailand, Indonesia and Phillipines which until today still suffer from the stining effects of that crisis in the late 90's.

Here is a man which anti government supporters are rounting for, one that has shown if anything, inconsistencies in his position as former Education and Finance Minister. Here is a man who has sat proudly on the chair of a Foundation, knowing well that the USD35 million that it had was from the US government, and yet knowing so, is hell bent on attacking it simply because Najib is now becoming a friend of Obama's policies.

But all this really is inconsequential. What is most disgusting is Anwar's nonchalant ways in upholding Malaysia's pride, so much so, that his many trips abroad had always only one mission - to bring Malaysia down, so that he can be seen as a hero once again to the people who had long thought of him as a two faced lizard. - PJ Moorthy , MI

HuffPo Salivating on Anwar's claims

The recent barrage of attacks against Anwar for his anti-semitics stance has now taken on a new low for journalism.

Though it has been reported in the western media on Anwar's about turn, and his many attempts to apologise and explain his statement and actions, there are yet some who see it fit to twist and spin his fault the other way.

The latest is from Huffington Post, in which Thor Halvorssen described Malaysia as an ' one of the world’s most insidious authoritarian governments' whilst describing the sodomy trial of Anwar as 'charges against Anwar are transparently political'.

Thor further adds that 'the only way to get unfiltered news in Malaysia is online. Here, the media is protected by the “Bill of Guarantee of No Internet Censorship” – a law passed in the 1990s.

A total stranger to Malaysia would probably tend to believe this Thor fellow for his piece, after all Malaysia is only of interest to those who have dealings with it.

Anyone who is aware of Anwar's first case would know that he was released based on it being overturned in Federal Court when the judges made a 2:1 decision, but added that they had reason to believe that all involved were engaged in homosexual activities.

Bear in mind that sodomy is a crime in Malaysia.

Thor also adds that, "Opposition voices like Anwar who are politically attacked through the courts are hardly better off than victims of the ISA. Virtually all positions in the justice system beyond the local level are held by government cronies."

Here, this foreigner has gone one step further and claim that Malaysia's judiaciary is virtually tainted. Right. Perhaps then it is not surprising to find that our FDI are declining, given that there are still many out there who buy into the one person who has been going around convincing all his supporters to continue to peddle lies about Malaysia.

Isn't all this comments subjudice to the case in mention? Why haven't Anwar's lawyers asked for a mistrial in this case?

Another technicality created by him for his escape?

The truth is this. Someone knows he is in deep trouble, because unlike the last time, there is no room for technicalities anymore. word has it that the lab that concurs with DNA evidence is one based in the US, so no chance for a foreign pathologist or even genealogist to get this one thrown out.

What makes it worse is that the victim this time was someone he trusted and was practically inside (pun intended).

So the next best thing is to rely on leftist media controlled by those who have had some idea of bisexuality.

(For those uninitiated Huftington Post was partly founded by Arianna Huftington, former wife of Michael Huffington who confessed of his bisexuality) - PJ Moorthy, MI

'Semper Fidelis' to your cause

No matter how you look at it, it is all too difficult to shed that 'I'm an Indian' attitude to Malaysians here of Indian origin.

The recent brouhaha by the opposition on Malaysia's Deputy Prime Minister Muhiyiddin on his claim that he is Malay first, and then Malaysian, is something that all Malaysians can attest to.

Try talking to a Singaporean of a minority origin.

Although Singapore practises a meritocracy policy, it wasn't till recently that Singapore's first Malay General emerged. The reason that it took that long was that 'we don’t want to put any of our soldiers in a difficult position where his emotions for the nation may be in conflict with his emotions for his religion', so says Mindef.

So, to my point that no matter how you look at it, there is bound to be a part of us that is biased somewhat.

To be part of a group or an organisation will always make one loyal to it somehow.

Take America for instance. The Middle East question has always been asked of their Presidents. The 44th President, though having had probably the worst of times to experience a dip where relationship with Israel is concerned, must still have a 'sort of biased' support to Israel's ongoing torture of it's neighbours.

Although there are attempts to try to persuade Israel from its hardline stance, a full attempt will allienate their alliance. So, whichever way one looks at it, for all the protest and what nought, the US will always be on Israel's side.

Similarly, for all the negative ceramahs that Anwar Ibrahim makes of Israel and Zionism, he will still crawl back with his hands and knees to beg them to understand that he has to put on a show for his so called moderate muslim supporters in Malaysia.

For all the positive moves that Prime Minister Najib has made to make Malaysia relevant again in the region, Malaysia has her 'running dog' ( Chow Khou - a cantonese term commonly used for people who turne against their own) that will forever put Malaysia down in the International Arena.

In Tun Mahathir's time, the world was watching, and for every Prime Minister that wished to term Mahathir as a 'Recalcitrant' there was always two others who think highly of his policies and benefits that he brought to those countries that stood by him, and with that elevation to Malaysia that no such Prime Minister has been able to do, until now.

Rightfully, Najib's policies has been seen by ASEAN countries as one that would support a growing region. With Singapore-Malaysia relationship at an all time high, Tsien Loong would think twice before trying to pull anything from under Najib's feet.

Now, Najib has to work doubly hard, not only to win his countrymates over, but also the world, mindful that Anwar already has a network of doomsayers in the likes of private eyes and balding pseudo editors, not to mention International Media who choose only to paint Anwar as a hero, and not the lying politician that he is.

Committed to his cause to bring Malaysia to a level that she has not seen before, taking India and China alone as her main trading partners can only forge Malaysia ahead in these perceived bad times, precisely what Prime Minister Najib is planning and executing.

Meanwhile on the other end, committed to the cause of dragging Malaysia through the filth of slander is a former Deputy Prime Minister bent on making his dream of being Malaysia's seventh no 1 man.

The US Marines greet each other with a call 'Semper Fi, Marine!' - the term meaning Semper Fidelis, latin for 'Always faithful', so whilst Najib remains faithful to his call to bring together Malaysia as one (1 Malaysia), Anwar remains faithful to his Jewish Friends.

Joshua Trevino could not have put it better, and for those who are majoring in mass communications, its time to remain faithful to your call.

-PJ Moorthy Malaysia Inctinct

PJ remains faithful to Singapore, but is ever mindful of Malaysia as his lovely neighbours. He thinks there should be no problem having Jewish friends too, but attacking your neighbours one moment and telling them you have to do it to make yourself look good is a no no.

Highway Concessions:The return of the Cronies

I received an email tip from a valuable source, and thought that this was water under the bridge.

Or do I stand corrected?

"It was an underhand tactic that past personalities are known for" remarked an oberserver who wished to remain unknown.

He was referring to the way Asas Serba had planned their press conference when making it known of their intentions of the proposed takeover of highway concessionaires recently.

"This is a trademark of those who are well connected, dropping bombshells and then bulldozing it through, but that can only happen then." Things are not the same now.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib is a man on the ball not like Tun Abdullah who relied heavily on the advice of some people.

The Asas Serba porposal was mooted by key personnel who were closely linked with Tan Sri Halim Saad of Renong.

The Prime Minister's Department had yesterday replied formally to MP Wangsa Maju, Wee Choo Keong that no such proposal had been received by them in relation to the proposed takeover, in short Asas Serba had made a press statement, but submitted no proposal.

However, talks of another party entering the fray appeared in a blog 'Asasserbawatch.wordpress.com' and on close inspection, it was revealed that Tan Sri Syed Mokhtar had also presented his version of proposal to the Economic Planning Unit.

Given that the reply to Wee Choo Keong's question was directly related to Asas Serba, could it be that the Syed Mokhtar proposal was kept under the radar?

Timely still, that The Star carried a pertinent article on the expansion of certain stretches of the highway that has been earmarked for widening and the contract went to PLUS. Given all the recent questions and activities surrounding highway concessions, could it be a prelude to a sort of 'return of the cronies'? - PJ Moorthy - Malaysia Instinct

Renewed Renewal

It went as expected, with everyone doing their part to show that they actually cared. In case you are wondering which event I was referring to, its Earth hour of course.
But let's not stop there shall we? We should do our part, in recycling materials, in ensuring disposal of garbage in the right manner (and in case you are wondering again, do not dispose your batteries in the same household garbage bags) and to contribute to the Earth's sustainability by not wasting energy. Its really simple to write all this up, but to do it is a different matter.

And of course, the conclusion of the recent 2008 UMNO Annual General Meeting went about as smooth as it could, barring the slight crowd trouble during the announcement of the Youth Presidency.

Expected, I supposed. And the curtain closer was also proper, the Previous, the Past and the Future. I am referring of course to the unexpected showing up of Tun Dr Mahathir, who also took the opportunity to have his media moment with Abdullah and Najib. But its no accident.

The new president, Datuk Seri Najib, certainly knew when it was the right time, and he welcomed Tun Dr Mahathir, who went up to the stage, and also wished Datuk Seri Abdullah Badawi whilst congratulating (presumably) Datuk Seri Najib on his takeover. It all came together nicely.

Sure there was talk that the current dream team could have better consistency, but I am certain that Najib will make do with the new appointments. The conclusion of the AGM is timely, for UMNO will now head Barisan into the current most important factor of upcoming by-elections.

Whatever the reasons, Pakatan will insist that the results of all the past and the next three by-elections are the mandate for Najib and his Government. UMNO will emerge stronger and more united from this AGM and will focus on their most nagging wannabe member. Anwar Ibrahim had not left UMNO wholeheartedly, as evidenced by his
own admission that he did seek a meeting with Tun Dr Mahathir, after his termination from the party to 'negotiate his return' (this was revealed by his then most trusted aide Ezam prior to the Permatang Pauh by-election which Anwar won).

In fact, PKR was very much an accidental political party, formed primarily to seek Anwar's release on his now convicted sodomy charge. The fact that PKR had emerged victorious in the past 12th General Election, clearly showed (and also admitted by the Pakatan) that the electoral had in fact showed their displeasure, by voting against
Barisan.

But that would be the past. Clear wrongdoings by the current state governments that PKR led, and with the controversial departure of PKR's second highest politically appointees have shown that Anwar does not have the Lieutenants he needs to help him administer his party's victory. More aptly, PKR has promoted foot soldiers to Generals in their quest to run their states. In their quest to justify their actions, they saw it fit to kill their own captains (in the likes of their own two ADUNS and former EXCO members)

UMNO does not have the problem that plagues PKR, but the same cannot be said about PKR. For when Anwar loyalist decided to abandon UMNO, they merely did so to show their loyalty to Anwar. UMNO on th other hand has a pool of untapped talents, leaders, and to a certain extent, foot soldiers. Evidently, these UMNO members did not
abandon their party even when found guilty of certain malpractices, as
in the case of Ali Rustam. Such is the case, with the new appointments of the recent AGM, a new wave of grassroots leaders are now poised to impart the party's
leadership visions and missions.

For Barisan, this can only herald a new better front, given that Najib has again reiterated that his vision of One Malaysia will prevail, and will do all in his capacity to achieve something that no previous Malaysian leader had tried enough. With renewed confidence, UMNO should lead the fight against its political enemies, and with that set
their sights on one of UMNO's own prodigal son, Anwar. - PJ Moorthy - Malaysia-Instinct