Strong rumours circulating that Minister of MITI Azmin Mohamed Ali, who is now a partyless wanderer after last December backstabbing his own party and Presiden Dato Seri Anwar Ibrahim, is the man with the idea and manoeuvres of Emergency.
FMT:
Azmin slams ‘power-crazy’ Anwar, calls for political unity
Azmin Ali, formerly PKR deputy president, is now a senior minister in the Perikatan Nasional government.
PETALING JAYA: Senior minister Azmin Ali has called for political leaders to come together to fight the Covid-19 pandemic, while making a slashing attack on opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim, describing him as a power-crazy liar.
He said Anwar’s recent moves to unseat the Muhyiddin Yassin government was “clearly the work of a power-crazy individual driven by selfish and egotistical motives with a pathological sense of entitlement as if the post of prime minister is his birthright”.
Last month, Anwar declared he had the majority support of MPs in the Dewan Rakyat enabling him to form a new government. He had an audience with the Yang di-Pertuan Agong earlier this month to press his case.
Azmin, an Anwar confidante and former PKR deputy president, fell out with Anwar and left to team up with Muhyiddin and PPBM earlier this year.
He said: “In his relentless quest to become prime minister, Anwar Ibrahim has resorted to outright lies as well as subterfuge not only against the nation but even against the Yang di-Pertuan Agong (Sultan Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah).”
He said Anwar’s outburst yesterday – about the country’s possible descent into dictatorship (through a state of emergency) – was “an act of utter recklessness”.
Azmin said political leaders, regardless of their affiliation, must put aside differences and join forces with the people and government to fight the pandemic.
He criticised opposition members for sowing fear and resentment among the rakyat against the government’s “earnest efforts at securing public health and safety while ensuring economic recovery”.null
“Under these circumstances, it is only right and proper that we stand united behind all efforts at mitigating the pandemic and flattening the curve while ensuring minimal disruption to the economy,” he said.
**********
The Minister is said to put the idea ahead that Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Mohd Yassin would be facing a tough time with the next Parliamentary sitting just a week away.
This is after Opposition Leader Anwar was given audience to be presented to His Majesty SPB YDP Agong XVI on 13 Oct 2020.
This is also after UMNO officially announced they deep dissatisfaction on the treatment and allocation in the Federal and State Governments, after the party provided the largest component for PPBM President Muhyiddin to be Prime Minister VIII and other leaders to be Chief Ministers, despite their own party’s lesser presence against UMNO.
What Minister Azmin is calling “political leaders, regardless of their affiliation, must put aside differences and join forces with the people and government to fight the pandemic” is actually Prime Minister VII Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad’s ‘Unity Government’, called the day after the latter summarily resigned on 24 Feb 2020,
The void created by the resignation of Prime Minister VII Dr Mahathir provided the Opposition parties to gang up and despite being the largest block, UMNO agreed to back PPBM President Muhyiddin as Prime Minister VIII.
Prime Minister Muhyiddin was sworn in on 29 Feb 2020.
He formed a Cabinet within the next week, including Azmin and his partyless wandering lot of 10.
As the Covid-19 pandemic situation worsens, after consultation with the National Security Council, Prime Minister Muhyiddin announced Movement Control Order (MCO) beginning 18 Mar 2020.
The stats of Covid-19 positive infection on the day that Cabinet decided to propose for Emergency to His Majesty SPN YDP Agong XVI
A Special Cabinet meeting was held in the morning on 23 Oct 2020 and it is believed that the decision is proposed to His Majesty SPB YDP Agong XVI to invoke the provisions of Article 150(1) of the Federal Constitution is declared.
Then they, plus the Chief of Defence Forces, Attorney General, Inspector General of Police and DG of Health hurriedly left for Kuantan to sought an audience with His Majesty SPB YDP Agong XVI.
Then again, Former Lord Chief Justice Tun Zaki Tun Azmi opined that the Crown could have taken a different approach to circumspec the issue instead of taking the advice of the Prime Minister.
The proclamation of an emergency can be challenged, although under the federal constitution, the Yang di-Pertuan Agong is bound to follow the advice of his prime minister and the cabinet. – Pic courtesy of Istana Negara
UNDERSTANDABLY the proposal for the declaration of an emergency brings a lot of worry to the citizens of the country.
I don’t blame the people as internationally it is only done by someone who intends to gain power, and thereafter rule dictatorially.
Malaysia, on the other hand, has seen six emergencies declared during the confrontation with Indonesia, in Kelantan, Sabah, Sarawak and the worst was to curb riots caused during the May 13, 1969 incident.
But all these emergencies went in for a very limited period. The longest was the May 13 emergency that ended in 1971.
But for those who have lived as long as I have, we, the country came out stronger after the emergency was lifted. I’ve been reading in the media that there is a lot of speculations as to:
A. whether there will indeed be an emergency;
B. what type of emergency.
When I say what type I mean to what extent the people in the government are going to use those powers.
The Yang di-Pertuan Agong on Friday was met by the prime minister, who proposed instituting an emergency to curb the Covid-19 pandemic. The Agong has now decided to consult his brother rulers.
Under the federal constitution, the Agong is bound to follow the advice of His Majesty’s government, i.e the sitting prime minister and his cabinet; but it does not stop him from giving counter advice to the prime minister and the cabinet.
And I believe this is what His Majesty wants to do. He wants to consult his brother rulers and maybe summon the prime minister to express the consensus views of the rulers. This is also perhaps to ask the prime minister to reconsider his advice to the Agong.
In my opinion, if the prime minister still stands firm in his views, then the Agong is bound to follow his advice.
Now, this does not mean that the decision to proclaim an emergency cannot be challenged.
What can be challenged is the advice of the prime minister to the Agong. This was decided by a privy council case in 1979, in the case of Teh Cheng Poh v Public Prosecutor.
Let me say something as a businessman before being a judge.
Since the last few months, investors have been selling their shares and running out of Malaysia. Some say more will flee immediately after the emergency is proclaimed.
But people are running away from the country because of the political instability.
Businessmen and investors don’t like it when they are not sure what is going to happen tomorrow. Because every time a government changes, policies change.
They are happy when the government is stable because they know policies will remain for a certain period of time.
Look at the last government. Nothing happened within the 22 months they were ruling the country. Businessmen were not sure what was going on.
So, even if an emergency is proclaimed but the government when invoking the powers under the emergency do not abuse the power given, but use the power to rehabilitate the political situation and make it stable again, that would be good to the economy and to the country.
Of course, the opposition will say it is bad. Lawyers will also say it is bad. Some will refer to other countries where the prime minister becomes a dictator and holds on to the power of the emergency but in Malaysia, history has shown this has not happened.
We also do not know why the prime minister is seeking for the Agong to make the proclamation of emergency. Some speculate that it is to prevent a vote of no confidence. If that is the reason, then it is wrong.
On the other hand, if the proclamation is done to not allow an election now, which will result in the uncontrollable spread of Covid-19 as we have seen in Sabah, then in my opinion, it is valid.
Because if the country suffers from the pandemic, the result will be a threat to the economy and the lives of the people. In my opinion such declarations can be upheld by the courts.
Because when we declared the emergency for public order in 1969, the federal court held that even drug trafficking can result in a public disorder and held that detention under the Emergency (Public Order and Prevention of Crimes) Ordinance enacted pursuant to the 1969 declaration is valid, and upheld the detention.
If, however, it can be proven that the government is seeking the declaration of emergency only to prevent or protect its position then it is a mala fide act and can be declared ultra vires the constitution.
The risk of the Budget 2021 not being passed in case it is defeated and the prime minister loses the vote on the Budget and the vote of confidence that are not good grounds for declaring an emergency.
We must not also forget that an election in Sarawak is due in the next few months and we cannot deny that if it proceeds, campaigning will start soon. Campaigning means the risk of spreading the virus as we have seen in Sabah.
No doubt many people will say we will have tighter SOPs (standard operating procedures) but in theory I don’t think it could happen.
They could not do it in South Korea but there, two-thirds of voting had been done by post.
Meanwhile in New Zealand, the election was postponed until the country was clear of the virus. But when the election resumed, Covid-19 cases started to increase again.
The damage we saw here as a result of the election in Sabah was scary enough, and as a citizen I don’t want to face Covid-19.
As far as the general public is concerned, I think the large majority of the population want to get on with their daily lives and they are tired of the squabbling among politicians.
Alhamdulillah, my family and I are able to stay at home as we are fortunate enough to have sufficient funds for our daily needs. What about those who are suffering? Those who are not earning?
Here is one proposal: can all members of Parliament agree to pass a legislation so the federal election and state election can be postponed for, say, one or two years?
In the meantime, we fight Covid-19. And once Covid-19 is eradicated or we find a vaccine, we can revert to our usual practice and anyone can bring a vote of no confidence for an election to be held.
But if the pandemic spreads, then the (emergency) law allows the prime minister to postpone the election.
To me, let us wait for the Council of Rulers to make its decision and the prime minister to make his announcement. – The Vibes, October 25, 2020
Tun Zaki Azmi served as the sixth Chief Justice of Malaysia from 2008 to 2011.
*************************
There are arguments against Minister Azmin’s ‘Unity Government’.
The Agong and Malay rulers are scheduled to meet in a few minutes to decide on the government’s call for emergency rule. – Wikipedia pic, October 25, 2020
BY
Amar Shah Mohsen
KUALA LUMPUR – Politicians influencing royals are nothing new, and in the midst of an unprecedented political and health crisis, those with vested interests have once again surfaced – this time, to push for a unity government.
All eyes are on Istana Negara, where the Yang di-Pertuan Agong and Malay rulers are scheduled to meet in a few minutes to decide on the government’s call for emergency rule.
This comes amid growing pressure on Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, with Budget 2021 on the line and the possibility of a motion of no confidence against him being tabled at the Parliament sitting that begins on November 2.
Talk of a unity government being formed has been bandied, both on and offline, and sources said this will be among the points of discussion at today’s meeting.
Unsurprisingly, former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad is said to be among those backing the move.
Working closely with his trusted lieutenant, Tun Daim Zainuddin, the pair are believed to have engineered the idea, and is using Kelantan prince Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah’s royal links to get the palace on board.
This appears to explain speculation on a recent meeting between Tengku Razaleigh and Dr Mahathir.
The Gua Musang lawmaker, despite not being a political party head, was also the only other MP to have met the Agong following an audience granted to Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim on October 13, with the palace subsequently postponing all other scheduled meetings with party leaders.
If a unity government does indeed materialise, Dr Mahathir could once again be part of the ruling coalition, and subject to agreement with allies, be given certain positions.
However, the big question is whether such a government is actually feasible.
While not exactly a unity government by name, the cooperation between Dr Mahathir and Anwar under the Pakatan Harapan banner ahead of the 14th general election is similar to the current proposal.
The duo are known to not see eye to eye, but they put aside their political differences for the common goal of toppling the Datuk Seri Najib Razak-led Barisan Nasional government.
From then on, it was downhill for Dr Mahathir and Anwar – and PH, for that matter.
The promised transition of power to the PKR president after two years did not happen, and the infighting among PH components eventually led to the coalition’s fall.
The learned rulers will of course take this into consideration before arriving at any decision.
Malaysians do not want yet another government to collapse, dragging the country deeper into the doldrums, especially when the Covid-19 threat persists.
Manipulating the royal institution for selfish ends is the last thing politicians should do. – The Vibes, October 25, 2020
*********************
Prime Minister Muhyiddin’s political position on ‘borrowed support’ had been weak and flimsy from day one. His own party PPBM was never strong and their wield of power is based on the ‘political goodwill’ extended by UMNO MPs.
Yet Minister Azmin, whom himself a party less wanderer without a sound political base, is riding on the Prime Minister Muhyiddin’s ‘borrowed support’ of flimsy and brittle power.
It is no brainer that this is probably the last option for them to remain legitimately in power, by manipulating the Federal Constitution and getting the Crown involved their scheme.
A handful of UMNO Leaders and grassroot members are unhappy with President Dato’ Sri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi’s unilateral announcement of ‘Ceasefire’ on 21 October 2020 being seen as weak and pandering further into being ‘bullied’ by Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Mohd Yassin.
However it is quite the opposite as the ‘Ceasefire’ provided more room and opportunity for President Zahid to manoeuvre and move his lot around, which would make Prime Minister Muhyiddin and PPBM subservient to UMNO.
The Vibes story:
Is ‘Abah’ afraid of a budget defeat?
Analysts argue that chances of cancelling the 2021 federal allocation bill are very slim
Measures related to the Covid-19 pandemic is expected to be the main topic of discussion during the special cabinet meeting that Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin has called for today. – Facebook filepic, October 23, 2020
BY
Emmanuel Samarathisa
KUALA LUMPUR – Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin’s call for a special cabinet meeting today comes at a time when the scuttlebutt is rife with talk of political change and intrigue.
People familiar with the matter, however, say that the prime minister is expected to discuss a litany of issues with regard to support for the Perikatan Nasional (PN) government, and with measures related to the coronavirus pandemic being high up on the agenda.
This is because Muhyiddin – who refers to himself as “Abah” or father in Malay – is expected to face a serious test of leadership when the Dewan Rakyat tables Budget 2021 on November 6, a source said.
Unlike previous prime ministers, Muhyiddin leads by a razor-thin majority in Parliament (112 to 114 of 222 seats – although Opposition Leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim now claims to command a 121-seat majority).
Failing to get his budget approved is tantamount to a no-confidence vote, and therefore a collapse in government.
Malaysia watcher James Chin believes Umno will be the basis of Muhyiddin’s ability to get next year’s federal allocation passed. If the Barisan Nasional (BN) keystone backs the prime minister, “the chances of having his budget defeated are very slim”, he said.
Also, such defeat has “never happened before in Malaysia”, added Chin, director of the Asia Institute, University of Tasmania.
“What a lot of people don’t realise is that you can still make very last-minute changes to the budget within the first and third readings. So if Muhyiddin thinks he is going to lose, he is going to add in a few items to please Umno. So chances of him being defeated are very, very slim.”
Successive governments have come close to having allocations cancelled albeit at the ministry-level.
BN was almost defeated by one vote after it debated the 2018 allocation for the Domestic Trade, Cooperatives and Consumerism Ministry, while Pakatan Harapan (PH) was only able to push through this year’s allocation for the Women, Family and Community Development Ministry by four votes.
Political observers are not the only ones who believe Muhyiddin has a fighting chance. Capital market participants also argue that they have not priced in such a defeat.
“Investors assume Umno will back the budget bill,” said a fund manager. Should Muhyiddin lose in the august house, the fund manager added, “Malaysia can expect another degree of uncertainty.”
Universiti Sains Malaysia’s Azmil Mohd Tayeb said: “The implication is clear if the budget bill is defeated.”
Muhyiddin’s government, the political scientist added, no longer commanded the majority.
“He should step down and let the Yang di-Pertuan Agong appoint the one who has the majority as per the constitutional convention.” – The Vibes, October 23, 2020
**********************
On 14 October 2020 after the UMNO Political Bureau meeting, Presiden Zahid announced they “might consider to pull out from the Perikatan Nasional Government and would put forth a set of new terms”, which is the flimsy platform that put Prime Minister Muhyiddin in power.
That shook the ground, already swelling for the UMNO grassroots unhappy feelings of PPBM ‘bullying’ UMNO around after the latter lends the biggest chunk of power when enabled PPBM President Muhyiddin to be sworn in as Prime Minister VIII on 29 Feb 2020.
In reciprocity, PPBM Secretary General and Home Minister Dato’ Sri Hamzah Zainuddin arrogantly asked UMNO to submit in writing their grievances and demands.
Prime Minister Muhyiddin has exactly two weeks left to get his party Whip cracking and consolidate the support towards him or otherwise the Bill for Budget 2021expected to be tabled on 6 November 2020 would not be passed by the Dewan Rakyat.
This is the worst scenario of the ongoing political impasse this Pakatan Harapan has been trying to get Prime Minister VII Tun Dr. Mahathir Mohamad to retire and handover to then heir-apparent Dato’ Sri Anwar Ibrahim, since December 2019.
Prime Minister Dr Mahathir summarily resigned on 24 Feb 2020 and the void created an impasse where UMNO enbloc decided to nominate PPBM President Muhyiddin as the Prime Minister.
It was a proposal accepted by His Majesty SPB YDP Agong XVI and Muhyiddin was sworn in as the Prime Minister VIII on 29 Feb 2020.
If the Bajet 2021 Bill is not passed by Dewan Rakyat, it would lead to the shutdown of the Federal Government comes 1 Jan 2021, amidst the the growing global Covid-19 pandemic crisis.
The Ceasefire announces by President Zahid is allow more room and opportunity for UMNO to play a more strategic and probably a senior part role in the current Federal Government, until the people goes back to the polls.
Berita palsu mengenai surat kunun-kunun ditulis dan ditangani borsama oleh Presiden UMNO Dato’ Sri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi dan Mantan Presiden UMNO Dato Sri Mohd Najib Tun Razak yang tular 24 jam lalu, telah disahkan palsu oleh Ibu Pejabat UMNO beberapa jam kemudian.
Sinar Harian
Surat tular Zahid Hamidi sokong Anwar disahkan palsu
SHAH ALAM – Surat yang tular kononnya Presiden UMNO, Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi memberi sokongan dan kepercayaan tidak berbelah bahagi serta setia kepada Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim sebagai Perdana Menteri baharu disahkan palsu.
Surat yang didakwa dihantar sendiri oleh Ahmad Zahid kepada Yang di-Pertuan Agong, Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah itu turut memaparkan tandatangan beliau sebagai pengutus surat.
Ia turut ditandatangani Penasihat Barisan Nasional (BN), Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak sebagai saksi dan penyokong.
Dalam surat tiga halaman itu, Ahmad Zahid berkata, sokongan tersebut turut didokong Ahli-ahli Parlimen UMNO.
“Tujuan mengemukakan warkah ini untuk seikhlasnya mengesahkan bahawa patik bersama YB Dato’ Seri Najib Bin Razak selaku Ahli Parlimen Pekan (P085) dan sejumlah Ahli Dewan Rakyat UMNO telah menarik balik sokongan dan kepercayaan kami kepada Presiden Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu) YAB Tan Sri Dato’ Muhyiddin Bin Hj Mohd Yassin, Ahli Parlimen Pagoh (P143).
“…dan memberi sokongan dan kepercayaan kami yang tidak berbelah bahagi dan setia kepada YB. Dato’ Seri Anwar Bin Ibrahim, Ahli Parlimen Port Dickson (P132) untuk dilantik sebagai Perdana Menteri Malaysia kesembilan,” katanya.
Bagaimanapun, pegawai media Ahmad Zahid, Datuk Dr Ibrahim Yahaya mengesahkan bahawa surat itu palsu.
“Ini kerja fitnah yang berterusan,” katanya menerusi hantaran di Facebook beliau sebentar tadi.
Dalam surat itu, Ahmad Zahid turut didakwa berkata, mereka membuat pendirian seperti yang dinyatakan sehingga tamatnya Sidang Parlimen Ke-14, untuk mengelakkan pilihan raya umum sewaktu penyebaran koronavirus (Covid-19) dan kegawatan ekonomi.
Katanya, pendirian berkenaan juga diambil berikutan keresahan dan kekecewaan UMNO dengan Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu), dan keperluan nyata untuk membuat perubahan kepada kepimpinan negara, dan demi kepentingan rakyat dan negara.
**************
Rata-rata pemimpin dan ahli UMNO tidak gempar dengan paparan surat ini kecuali beberapa Menteri yang mewakili UMNO dalam Kerajaan Perdana Menteri Tan Sri Muhyiddin Mohd Yassin, yang pantas memberikan reaksi melalui akaun sosmed mereka.
Satu yang menarik ialah posting akaun sosmed yang dipercayai milik Setiausaha Akhbar Perdana Menteri.
Beliau dipercayai membuat posting mengenainya sebagaimana yang keluar dalam akaun sosmed media arus perdana dan tidak berapa lama kemudian, memadamkannya.
Posting itu telah dirakam (screenshot).
Sebagai seorang penjawat dalam lingkungan ketat teratas, beliau sewajarnya mengesahkan dulu posting surat yang diviralkan sebelum berkongsi diplatform awam, walaupun disiarkan oleh akaun sosmed media arus perdana.
Sekarang, timbul tanda tanya:
1. Samada posting surat palsu diakaun sosmed orang berkenaan adalah kecuaian walaupun sebagai seorang professyenal
Atau
2. Agenda tersurat politik pihak tertentu
Sebagaimana yang dimaklumkan, Presiden UMNO Zahid berkali kali menegaskan UMNO tidak akan menyertai Perikatan Nasional (PN) tetapi sebaliknya fokus untuk mengukuhkan Muafakat Nasional (MN).
Penyertaan parti Perdana Menteri Muhyiddin PPBM dalam MN yang dimeterai oleh UMNO dan PAS ada 14 Sept 2019 belum disahkan ataupun dilaporkan sebagai ‘dalam proses’ (work in progress).
Untuk rekod, surat palsu ini tular beberapa hari sebelum mesyuarat MN, yang dijangkapada Hari Isnin 19 Okt 2020.
Sehari sebelum itu, foto menunjukkan Presiden UMNO Zahid bertemu Presiden PAS Dato Seri Haji Hadi Awang dalam suasana yang begitu mesra.
Kepentingan dan pengaruh parti Perdana Menteri Tan Sri Muhyiddin, PPBM akan tercalar dan terkesan daripada pengukuhan MN. Lebih-lebih majoriti daripada MP yang membuat PPBM sekarang berkuasa merupakan MP-MP UMNO yang ‘lompat parti’.
Until rekod, penasihat PPBM Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad diundang oleh SPB YDP Agong XV menubuhkan Kerajaan Persekutuan dan menjadi Perdana Menteri VII selepas keputusan PRUXIV bukanlah atas kekuatan parti itu memenangi kerusi terbanyak dikalangan parti-parti Pakatan Harapan.
A Cabinet Minister from UMNO’s posting via his socmed account
Begitu juga setelah Dr Mahathir melepaskan jawatan Perdana Menteri VII pada 24 Feb 2020. UMNO dan BN, yang mempunyai 42 kerusi dalam Dewan Rakyat bersetuju memberi ehsan until menyokong Tan Sri Muhyiddin sebagai Perdana Menteri VIII, yang telah dipersembahkan kepada SPB YDP Agong VIII.
Muhyiddin mengangkat sumpah sebagai Perdana Menteri VIII pada 29 Feb 2020.
Bagi dikalangan pemimpin tertinggi, samada Kabinet, parti atau mereka yang dalam lingkungan ketat Perdana Menteri Muhyiddin, reaksi mereka dalam episod ini adalah umpama ‘Belacan kena Kera’.
It was a well played evening Stormy of political poker by Gerontocracy Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad, still keeping his win for a little while longer.
The constellation is that the wool have been pulled under their eyes whilst his card partners of marriage-of-(un)holy-Union-of-backstabbing-strange-bedfellows still walked away with clothes on their back.
Gerontocracy Prime Minister’s brilliant play to stretch his seat in power is only ‘by the way’.
It is not reflective of expectation of the grassroots supporters and members, especially their dismay on the progress of reforms towards ‘Malaysia Bahru’.
It is interesting how Gerontocracy Prime Minister Dr Mahathir is able to stretch this longer.
The Cabinet reshuffle is now on the next agenda. It’s three months short of two years of the thumping mandate the rakyat gave PH, but since taking over a well-oiled nation in mother, almost everything is cranking either at digression trajectory or reduced to near idle.
No quarters within the pockets of the nation did not suffer. Civil servants, business community, retail and petty entrepreneurs, farmers and agrobased industry, services are not spared.
Public sector borrowing his growing. The economy is shrinking. Economic growth curve has started to go down against the earlier projection.
The stock market already lost RM350b in market capitalisation. There is an increase in the trend of job losses and worse still, 400,000 graduates are unemployed.
In short, the whole country is not doing good.
Politics is a circus of mumbo jumbo, where senior Malaysian Govt officials especially the Ministers taken daily turn to clown themselves.
On top of that, the confidence and trust for the those at the top of law enforcement agencies is dwindling at an alarming rate.
What is interesting, each component of the pyramid of political structure of the Malaysian Government aka Pakatan Harapan, is having their own turmoil.
It is the true reflection that this Government of ‘Malaysia Bahru’ which was born from a series of political manipulation, lies and slander, is hanging by the threads and very brittle.
Gerontocracy Prime Minister Dr Mahathir exploited all these variables to stretch his conniving means and wit to remain in power without a proper succession in plan in place.
Hence, the vector, destination and objective of this huge economic vessel of ‘Malaysia Bahru’ is still hazy, as she brave the stormy darkest nights with incompetent officers.
Unless there is an internal change quite soon, ‘Malaysia Bahru’ is selling into oblivion.
Change, as in Cabinet reshuffle, would not go down too well amongst those in the Politburo. The most explosive would be the reassignment of Mini Emperorissimo of Chinese Chauvinism Lim Guan Eng out of Treasury and Anthony Loke out of Transport.
In the first place, there is not much room to work with current personalities to be moved around. That would start another round of storm in a tea cup.
Imagine, some dropped and some others brought in. The storm would now be multidimensional as even the seats for grabs in the current party election, is rocking the boat.
Like party-hoppers Mustapha Mohamad and Gamzah Zainuddin be brought in.
Other expected moves include PKR Deputy President Azmin Mohamed Ali and his leadership faction leave PKR but remained in Cabinet.
Hence, the procedure of emergency should be observed closely
As a very seasoned player of the Parker Brother’s strategic board game of ‘Risk’ Gerontocracy Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad used a combination of strategies ‘Gunboat Diplomacy’ and deception apart from his usual strategic thinking of Nicolo Machiavelli’s ‘Divide and Rule’ for the objective his seat and stop the tide.
Malaysiakini story:
Dr M digesa tetapkan tarikh, Bersatu beri amaran keluar PH
Meskipun ketika sidang medianya semalam Perdana Menteri Dr Mahathir Mohamad dilihat tersenyum mengumumkan bahawa Majlis Presiden PH sebulat suara bersetuju membenarkan beliau membuat keputusan bagi peralihan jawatan perdana menteri, tetapi difahamkan mesyuarat itu tegang.
Tiga sumber dari kedua belah pihak mengesahkan kepada Malaysiakini bahawa PH terutama daripada Amanah dan DAP menggesa Dr Mahathir menetapkan tarikh bagi menyerahkan kuasa kepada Presiden PKR, Anwar Ibrahim.
Bagaimanapun, pemimpin Bersatu dalam mesyuarat tersebut dikatakan telah memberi amaran bahawa Bersatu akan mempertimbangkan keluar PH sekiranya mereka terus menekan Dr Mahathir.
Berikutan kemenangan sejak pilihan raya umum lepas, PH dan sekutunya Warisan mempunyai 138 kerusi di Dewan Rakyat.
Jika Bersatu keluar, PH akan kehilangan 26 kerusi, meninggalkan kerajaan dengan hanya 112 kerusi.
Sekiranya sebahagian ahli parlimen PKR yang menyokong Dr Mahathir turut keluar PH, kerajaan akan jatuh.
Bagaimanapun, dua sumber yang rapat dengan pemimpin dalam mesyuarat itu berkata, Presiden Amanah Mohamad Sabu, atau lebih dikenali sebagai Mat Sabu, tidak gentar dengan amaran dari pemimpin Bersatu yang berkata mereka akan keluar PH.
“Mat Sabu dengan tegas jawab, kami tak ada masalah, puluh tahun dah kami jadi pembangkang dan disambut dan disokong padu wakil DAP,” kata sumber itu.
Satu-satunya pemimpin Bersatu yang mengambil pendirian diplomatik ialah Muhyiddin Yassin, yang mencadangkan supaya isu peralihan kuasa diserahkan untuk dibincangkan antara Anwar dan Dr Mahathir.
Pada mesyuarat semalam juga, Timbalan Presiden PKR Mohamed Azmin Ali, yang kini dilhat tidak sehaluan dengan Anwar, dikatakan memberikan sokongan agar Dr Mahathir dikekalkan sehingga habis penggal.
“Dia (Azmin) pun keluarkan cadangan untuk Tun (Dr Mahathir) kekal sepenggal,” kata salah satu sumber.
Menurut sumber ketiga yang berada dalam mesyuarat berkenaan, ketika para pemimpin berbalas hujah, Dr Mahathir tenang dan memberi sepenuh perhatian sepanjang mesyuarat itu.
“Dia tenang, dengar semua hujah…..dan berikan satu penyelesaian,” kata sumber.
Sumber itu turut menambah, Anwar kemudian cuba meredakan keadaan dengan meminta agar Dr Mahathir dibenarkan menentukan tarikh peralihan kuasa tersebut selepas Sidang Kemuncak Kerjasama Ekonomi Asia Pasifik (Apec) yang akan berakhir pada bulan November.
Pada sidang media selepas mesyuarat tersebut, Anwar – yang dilihat duduk sebelah Dr Mahathir – mengulangi pendiriannya.
“Saya cadang Tun (Dr Mahathir) diberi peluang mentadbir negara dan tetapkan bila masa yang sesuai.
“Sementara itu saya kena bersabar,” katanya.
Selepas mesyuarat tersebut, Azmin sambil tersenyum berkata: “(Saya) senyum kerana perdana menteri tegas dalam menjamin kestabilan ekonomi dan politik.”
Sementara itu, pemimpin veteran DAP Lim Kit Siang enggan memberikan ulasan apabila diminta pemberita.
Meskipun Anwar telah mengumumkan kedudukannya, namun ia tidak memberi jaminan bahawa penyokong Anwar akan berhenti menggesa Dr Mahathir melepaskan jawatan perdana menteri itu, genap dua tahun tempoh pemerintahannya.
Dr Mahathir sebelum ini pernah berkata beliau memerluka dua hingga tiga tahun sebagai perdana menteri. Dr Mahathir juga sebelum ini berulang kali menegaskan akan menyerahkan kuasa selepas Apec, tempoh selepas Apec yang dimaksudkannya.
Pada pilihan raya umum lalu, PH bersetuju melantik Dr Mahathir sebagai pemimpin dengan syarat beliau kemudian akan menyerahkan kuasa kepada Anwar yang ketika itu masih berada di dalam penjara.
**************
It is a Gerontocracy Prime Minister Dr Mahathir classic.
The room in the (un)holy-marriage-between-backstabbing-strange-bedfellows is getting tighter to breathe. The crack is getting bigger.
Consider Gerontocracy Prime Minister Dr Mahathir is to do a Cabinet reshuffle quite soon and Mini Emperorissimo of Chinese Chauvinism Lim Guan Eng is dropped as a Minister of Finance and Anthony Loke is dropped as a Minister of Transport.
There might be an implosion within PH.
Coupled with how PKR leadership itself is disunited and the crack is getting bigger, it is all to favourable for a change in the formula of leadership.
This shall nicely pave the way for the rebel alliance. It is a perfect opportunity for Muafakat Nasional to strengthen and fortify its position.
All hands on deck, ready follow orders when there is slight advantage in the weather, wind or time.
Especially UMNO. The ongoing nationwide annual meetings of Branches and Divisions should be focusing on weapon and ammunition (issues) to take into battle instead of bickering amongst themselves and using opportunity to do mud slinging.
Time is of the essence.
One of the winning factors in playing ‘Risk’ it’s not just a numbers game but the timing and route to utilise the number of forces to be mobilised for the objective.
That strategy must try to be guised so that the pave to do objective is obstructed only by a minimal force and lesser the cost, it would be better in the retention of territory.
It is abundantly clear of late, the Malaysia Anti Corruption Commission (MACC), which is supposed to be an independent law enforcement agency against graft, has be relegated and adulterated as a political tool and serving vengeance.
Example is former Deputy UMNO President Dato Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, currently undergoing trial of 43 charges of combined money laundering, CBT and corruption charges.
It is very interesting on the details of day-to-day prosecution presenting their cases and the witnesses they have put on the stand.
One chemist found that the so called cheques signed by Dr Zahid making payments using his personal Yayasan Budi Foundation, was stamped instead of handwritten.
The Directors of Datasonic Digital Bhd ambited on stand the monies they passed to Dr Zahid was not a ‘bribe’.
Two other Directors of two separate firms also admitted the monies they passed to legal firm Lewis & Co, is a trustee for Yayasan Akal Budi, is for charity.
Specifically, for building mosque.
A one stop centre visa processing firm Profound Radiance Sdn Bhd’s contract was not extended by the way of the Home Minister but the Prime Minister.
The Director of the firm attested that RM2million in three cheques written in the name of Lewis & Co, was for charity.
The Malaysiakini story:
Kes Zahid: Minit dari Najib sebab penilaian semula Profound Radiance – saksi
20 Feb 2020, 3:04 petang (Dikemaskini 20 Feb 2020, 4:57 petang)M Fakhrull Halim | BeritaA A
Sepucuk surat mengandungi minit (catatan) bekas perdana menteri, Najib Razak merupakan ‘pencetus’ kepada penilaian semula terhadap syarikat Profound Radiance Sdn Bhd (PRSB), setelah lantikannya sebagai pengendali pusat sehenti (OSC) permohonan visa di Bangladesh, dibatalkan pada 2015.
Hal itu diakui oleh bekas setiausaha bahagian hal ehwal imigresen Kementerian Dalam Negeri (KDN) Shahril Ismail, ketika pemeriksaan balas oleh peguam bela Ahmad Zaidi Zainal di Mahkamah Tinggi Kuala Lumpur hari ini.
Shahril ialah saksi ke-37 perbicaraan kes rasuah, pengubahan wang haram dan pecah amanah (CBT) dana Yayasan Akalbudi membabitkan bekas timbalan perdana menteri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.
Zaidi merujuk Shahril dengan surat rayuan terhadap pembatalan tersebut dari PRSB kepada Najib pada November 2015, yang dicatit dengan minit dari Najib untuk Zahid berbunyi “bersetuju diberi peluang jika tiada kesalahan dilakukan’’.
Zaidi: Itulah (minit dari Najib) yang cetuskan (trigger) seluruh senario ini, seluruh keterangan kamu hari ini?
Shahril: Ya.
Setelah penialain semula, PRSB dilantik sebagai pengendali perkhidmatan OSC di Pakistan dan Nepal, berkuat kuasa 15 Jun 2016.
Dalam pernyataaan saksinya, Shahril memberitahu lantikan PRSB sebagai pengendali OSC yang berperanan memproses permohonan visa Malaysia bagi warga asing di Bangladesh, dibatalkan berkuat kuasa 11 November 2015 memandangkan tiada sebarang operasi dijalankan PRSB di situ.
Susulan pembatalan itu, pengarah PRSB, Azlan Shah Jaffril menulis surat rayuan kepada perdana menteri pada 12 November 2015, dan mendapat minit berkenaan pada surat rayuannya, manakala dua surat rayuan turut ditulis kepada Zahid pada 2016, turut diminit oleh Zahid sendiri pada salah satu surat berkenaan.
“Saya tidak tahu bagaimanakah pihak PRSB boleh memperoleh surat berminit tersebut. Terdapat minit daripada Zahid kepada saya yang menyatakan ‘sila berbincang dengan saya dan lihat minit dari YAB PM (perdana menteri) dan beri penjelasan kepada saya mengenai kedudukan sebenar’,” katanya lagi.
Bagaimanapun semasa pemeriksaan balas oleh Zaidi, Shahril mengakui segala prosedur telah dipatuhi dalam lantikan baru PRSB di Nepal dan Pakistan, dan Zahid tidak ada memberi arahan spesifik untuk meluluskannya dengan melanggar prosedur.
Azlan (pengarah PRSB) yang turut hadir sebagai saksi ke-38 pula mengakui memberikan tiga keping cek bernilai RM2 juta- sekeping sebagai “political fund to TPM” (sumbangan politik kepada timbalan perdana menteri) dan “charity” (kebajikan) untuk dua keping lagi cek.
Cek yang ditujukan buat Lewis & Co itu diberikan sendiri kepada Zahid dalam tiga pertemuan berasingan, iaitu di pejabat TPM pada 2 Ogos 2017 (berjumlah RM300,000), di pejabat KDN pada 4 Januari 2018 (berjumlah RM1 juta), dan rumah Zahid pada 13 Febuari 2018 (berjumlah RM700,000).
“Zahid tidak pernah meminta kepada saya apa-apa sumbangan dan saya memberikan cek tersebut adalah merupakan sumbangan dari pihak Profound Radiance Sdn Bhd.
“[…] Saya menyerahkan sumbangan tersebut kepada Zahid kerana beliau pada ketika itu merupakan Menteri Dalam Negeri yang juga timbalan perdana menteri yang bertanggungjawab mencari dana untuk pilihan raya umum yang akan datang,” katanya dalam pernyataan saksinya.
Katanya, setelah menerima surat pembatalan PRSB pada 11 November, dia mendapatkan minit sokongan dari perdana menteri (surat bertarikh 12 November) dan dari menteri dalam negeri (surat bertarikh 27 Januari 2016 dan 19 Februari 2016).
Katanya, PRSB menerima surat lantikan melaksanakan OSC permohonan visa Malaysia di Nepal dan Pakistan pada 27 Jun 2016 dari KDN.
Perbicaraan di hadapan Hakim Collin Lawrence Sequerah bersambung petang.
Semasa pemeriksaan balas oleh peguam bela Hisyam Teh Poh Teik, Azlan mengakui bahawa sumbangan diberikan secara sukarela tanpa diminta oleh Zahid, tidak diberikan secara korup, tidak diterima oleh Zahid secara korup, dan tidak diberikan sebagai habuan agar PRSB dilantik sebagai pengendali OSC di Pakistan dan Nepal.
Zahid berdepan tiga pertuduhan menerima suapan dari Azlan (pertuduhan ke-16, 17, 18) membabitkan ketiga-tiga cek berkenaan, untuk melantik PRSB sebagai pengendali OSC di Pakistan dan Nepal, semasa beliau menjadi menteri dalam negeri pada 2017 dan 2018.
Dalam pemeriksaan balas, ketika Zaidi membacakan ketiga-tiga pertuduhan tersebut kepadanya, Azlan menafikannya.
Zaidi: Soalan saya, adakah tuduhan ini tepat, benar?
Azlan: Tidak.
Ketika diminta menjelaskan jawapannya itu dalam pemeriksaan semula oleh timbalan pendakwa raya Gan Peng Kun, Azlan menjelaskan, perkataan “suapan” yang digunakan dalam pertuduhan boleh ditafsirkan seolah-olah dia memberikan rasuah, sedangkan sumbangan itu diberikan setahun setengah selepas syarikatnya mendapat projek berkenaan.
Gan: Sebelum kontrak diberikan kepada PRSB untuk mengoperasikan OSC, ada atau tidak cek-cek yang diberikan oleh Encik Azlan kepada Datuk Zahid dengan tujuan kebajikan? Ada tak?
Azlan: Tak ada.
Perbicaraan di hadapan Hakim Collin Lawrence Sequerah, bersambung 2 Mac depan.
***************
All of these cases were prepared by MACC and then passed to the AGC.
When the prosecutors grilled some of witnesses on stand for admission under oath that they have given monies to Dr Zahid as a ‘bribes’, their stern response were “fitnah”.
The court has also heard that MACC put witnesses under duress to get an admission for the crime in the cautioned statement.
An example is Junaith Asharab Md Sharif’s 55th para of his signed statement made in MACC and later discrepancy found in the signed statement made for the DPP, isn’t true at all.
Zahid’s case has been this far presented in court as attempt for political assassination instead of process of justice being sought for a white collar crime.
In the long standing of many myths about how former UMNO Vice President Dato Seri Hishammuddin Tun Hussein wasn’t doing what he was expected to do, but went to do something opposite.
When Barisan Nasional failed to retained the Federal Government and most State Governments except two on 10 May 2018, then the UMNO President and BN Chairman Dato Sri Mohd Najib Tun Razak conceded defeat.
He resigned from both posts.
UMNO Vice President fill in for the Deputy President Dato Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi assume the Presidency in an acting role.
UMNO Vice President Dato Sri Hishammuddin Tun Hussein assumed the Deputy Presidency in an acting capacity.
Their first job was to keep the ship together. Several BN component parties decided to jump ship, for obvious reasons.
Some states that BN retained power, had issues appointing the Menteri Besar. Hence the two top leaders had to travel back-and-forth to Istana Arau to resolve the stand off.
Then it came the moment of truth. The party elections came up and everyone was expected to throw themselves into the ring and fight it out.
That’s when Hishammuddin already Vice President filling in for Deputy President chickened out. He withdrew from the race and gave an obscure excuse of “I want to take care of Johor, only”.
Months went on and UMNO President Dato Seri Ahmad Zahid painstakingly took time to consult party leaders, for the direction of the party.
He present his inaugural speech as UMNO President on 29 Sept 2018 which incorporated 27 items, collated and amalgamated from all the UMNO arms, as a direction.
However, there on many used this and the authorities hauled President Dr Zahid up as many excuses they created on their own, like “The Party is directionless”.
Strings of UMNO MPs and a small number of UMNO ADUN jumped ship towards PPBM, in the haze quest of getting greener posture and making in up for the smallest party in the ruling coalition.
Hishammuddin has been said to have asked UMNO members to jump ship.
He is also has been said to facilitate his agent, Dato Zulkifli Alwi who was the UMNO Youth Secretary when the former was UMNO Youth Chief, to recruit UMNO members over to PPBM.
UMNO MT Dato Lokman filed the complaint with UMNO Disciplinary Board.
Despite Dato Seri Hishamuddin’s active role in the recent Tanjung Piai by-election which saw BN won by a tsunami of 15,000 majority, the subsequent events came as a shock.
A day later, Hishammuddin is believed to facilitate 16 other UMNO MPs to have intimate dinner and consultation session at the home of the Minister of Economic Affairs Dato Seri Azmin Mohamed Ali.
Talk about having the “Back door Government” surfaced. It created another air of doubt and possibility of uncertainty.
On 26 Nov 2019, UMNO President Dr Zahid invited UMNO MPs and to clear all doubts. All have agreed for what ever decision, the party shall do it ‘en bloc’ and not through ‘salami tactics’, layer by layer.
UMNO Disciplinary Board Chairman Tan Sri Apandi Mohamed Ali issued a show cause letter to Hishammuddin on 13 Dec 2019 and the latter is expected to present himself on Boxing Day, to answer all these complaints.
To many, it’s a season to be Jolly! Or as they say, when ignorance is bliss, it’s wise to be folly.
The attitude of Gerontocracy Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad leadership of being vindictive against former Prime Minister Dato’ Seri Mohd Najib Tun Razak has proven to be more personal and childish.
The privileges accorded to former Prime Minister Najib have slowly been withdrawn.
FB of former Prime Minister Najib’s Special Officer Isham Jalil
The latest is the Police outrider/(s) provided to Dato Sri Najib, as the former Prime Minister.
This is a clearly a personal vindication is Gerontocracy Prime Minister against his predecessor, who happens to be once a preferred successor when the former was trying to unseat then the Fifth Prime Minister Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi more than a decade ago.
For the record, Tun Abdullah retired to pave way for Dato Seri Najib to succeed him on the 9 April 2009, exactly three years after Fourth Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir openly wage a ‘war’ to unseat his successor.
When Prime Minister Najib was in office, Federal Government policies and treatment of former Prime Ministers still remained as per entitled privileges, despite then Dr Mahathir was on the Opposition side.
The Star story:
PM’s Department: All former prime ministers given same privileges
PETALING JAYA: All former prime ministers are being provided the same privileges and that Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad has been treated no differently, said the Prime Minister’s Department.
“The Government has not revoked any facility whatsoever to any former prime ministers, including Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad (pic),” it said in a statement on Thursday (Nov 9).
It said that the former prime minister has been provided personnel, numbering 21 people, for his office at the Perdana Leadership Foundation and his private residence.
All of this, it said, was in accordance with the Members of Parliament (Remuneration) Act 1980.
“These personnel are fully borne by the Government, including payroll, claims and other privileges enjoyed by civil servants.
“The Government also bears the utility charges for the Perdana Leadership Foundation as well as his private residence,” it said.
On top of this, the department said that the Government also pays for all food allowances and other costs for outriders, bodyguards, medical staff and assistants to special officers for Dr Mahathir’s visits abroad.
Dr Mahathir had posted on his Facebook page Nov 1 that his Special Action Unit (UTK) police bodyguards had been withdrawn.
The personal bodyguard service is a privilege provided to all former prime ministers.
Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Mohamad Fuzi Harun, however, said on Sunday (Nov 5) that the Royal Malaysia Police still maintained Dr Mahathir’s UTK service.
**********
By law, all former PMs are entitled to two police outriders. Former Prime Minister Abdullah still have two.
As a former PM, Former Prime Minister Najib is privy to many secrets of the government and pulling his security puts him and the country at risk.
Most likely, Gerontocracy Prime Minister De Mahathir was not telling full truth that his police outriders were completely pulled. The restriction only applied when he was traveling to political events.
At all other times, he still had his outriders which many people can see for themselves even after Gerontocracy Prime Minister Dr Mahathir complained his outriders were pulled.
Gerontocracy Prime Minister Dr Mahathir’s track record shows that he cannot be trusted to tell the complete truth and in the case of his outriders being pulled, he again misled the Rakyat for his political gain and to gain sympathy.
In former Prime Minister Najib’s case, one of the two police outriders were pulled right after 14GE’s even though it was against the law as all former PMs are entitled to this for their protection.
However, the government were apparently angered at the big reception to former Prime Minister Najib when he traveled to Tanjung Piai.
Therefore the decision to completely pull all last outrider is to restrict his mobility and to limit his influence.
It is a very politically motivated move that is against the law but this is not a government that follows the law.
Gerontocracy Prime Minister Dr Mahathir had use of outriders except when going to political events even when he was leader of the opposition.
But now Prime Minister Najib has no outriders for any purposes because this government does not follow the rule of law.
Then again, IGP Tan Sri Abdul Hamid Bador’s credibility as the Top Cop quickly eroding as more he talks about getting the ‘bandit-about-town’, which is making him more laughable by the day.
TAWAU: The authorities in the country where fugitive financier Low Taek Jho is believed to be hiding in, is refusing to cooperate with the Police.
According to the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Tan Sri Abdul Hamid Bador, they are reluctant to provide information and have been giving “ridiculous excuses”, which includes claims that the 38-year-old Low has undergone plastic surgery and now looks like a “bear”.
“Among the excuses they gave include Jho Low apparently having changed his looks by undergoing facial surgery to look like a bear.
“They say his face looks like a bear. I don’t know, but apparently he has now changed his looks,” Abdul Hamid said at an event in Tawau, here, today.
Abdul Hamid’s comments comes after reports emerged that Low or Jho Low as he is more commonly known as, is now moving around under a Cypriot passport.
According to Cyprus based Greek-language newspaper Politis, the businessman linked to the 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) scandal had also been a Cyprus citizen for the past four years.
The report, reproduced by the Sarawak Report blog, said Low had obtained the passport through a well-known citizenship and passport broker Henley & Partners in 2015.
The firm had previously commissioned a passport from the Caribbean island-nation of St Kitts & Nevis.
Commenting further, Abdul Hamid said police believe the wanted businessman was still at the country he is hiding in.
“Sometimes when he walks, he looks like a Tambadau (seladang). So when we look at him from behind, that is how he looks like. Do you think this excuse (given by the authorities of the country Jho Low is hiding in) is logical?” the IGP remarked.
**********
Taking a line from BBC’s infamous character Cabinet Secretary Sir Humphrey Appleby, “In defeat, Malice. In victory, Revenge!”
It is unbelievable of Gerontocracy Prime Minister’ obsession to lead by his own way having through all challenges, inherent inhabitive and obstacles, leading an army of quite incompetent politicians and party backers.
Yet he dares to shout out his mouth as his leadership with the Pakatan Harapan coalition desperately has to show a tiny bit of progress from any of the 100 promises in the PH Manifesto.
Yet, Gerontocracy Prime Minister had the audacity to sound out the Opposition for stop making false promises.
SCMP story:
Doubts over Mahathir’s handover to Anwar strain Malaysia’s ruling Pakatan Harapan coalition
Malaysia’s ruling coalition came to power with a promise that Mahathir Mohamad would hand over the reins to Anwar Ibrahim
But the widely reported time frame of two years appears to be slipping, straining relations at the top levels of government
************
Yet there is something very interesting about Gerontocracy Prime Minister.
Sixteen years ago, Dr Mahathir Mohamad retired as the fourth Prime Minister, after serving twenty two years, three months and fifteen days.
Now, he is the Gerontocracy Prime Minister for the second tenure, since 10 May 2018.
He need to stay in office at least till 2027. This is to match Sir Lee Kuan Yew’s tenure as Chief Minister and Prime Minister of Singapore.
(Yes. Lee was awarded Grand Cross of St Michael and St George).
He already outlived Sir Lee in age. Now, to outdo tenure in office as the Chief Executive.
By and large, the Malays were disappointed with Gerontocracy Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad for admission of an instrumental role in the division and weakening the Malays but offer no substantial solution to get it better.
Yesterday ex-UMNO hoppers Dato’ Seri Hamzah Zainuddin (Larut MP), Dato’ Dr Abdul Latif Ahmad (Mersing MP) and Dato Seri Mustapha “Bacul Lari Malam” Mohamad (Jeli MP) along with academic veteran Prof Dato’ Dr Zainal Kling, corporate leader Dato’ Yahya Jalil and UM VC Dato’ Dr Ir Abd Rahim Hashim successfully organised and delivered Kongres Maruah Melayu.
It was staged for Gerontocracy Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad to deliver his ‘The Last Address to the Malays’.
In a congregation of so many Malay political, academic, corporate, community and stakeholder leaders (with the explicit exception of Anwar “Mat King Leather” Ibrahim (Port Dickson MP) and those in DAP), the Old Man continued his Malay bashing, in a lesser scathing tone but maintaining the ‘Surat Khabar Lama’ style and delivery, like he did as the UMNO President for over 22 years.
Malaysiakini story:
‘Walau Bersatu melukut di tepi gantang tapi ada garangnya’ – Hadi
Okt 7, 2019
(Dikemaskini Okt 7, 2019)
Presiden PAS, Abdul Hadi Awang memuji parti Bersatu pimpinan Perdana Menteri Dr Mahathir Mohamad kerana berjaya menunjukkan pengaruh mereka di dalam Pakatan Harapan.
Beliau menyifatkan penyampaian amanat perdana menteri dalam Kongres Maruah Melayu pada Ahad lalu melambangkan kuasa yang dimiliki oleh satu-satunya parti Melayu dalam pakatan itu.
“Kongres Maruah Melayu, anjuran para ilmuwan beberapa universiti, disertakan ucapan Dr Mahathir mewakili satu-satunya parti Melayu dalam kerajaan PH.
“Walaupun dianggap seperti melukut di tepi gantang, tetapi ada garangnya,” katanya dalam tulisan berjudul “Amanat muhasabah bangsa” terbit di Harakahdaily hari ini.
Bersatu pada PRU14 lalu menang 14 kerusi parlimen daripada sejumlah 117 kerusi parlimen yang dimenangi PH dengan PKR menjadi parti majoriti dalam gabungan parti pemerintah itu apabila mendapat 50 kerusi.
Abdul Hadi pada hari ini juga menjelaskan sebab di sebalik penyertaan PAS dalam Himpunan Muafakat Nasional, anjuran PAS dan Umno baru-baru ini serta Kongres Maruah Melayu.
“Walaupun dua pertemuan itu kelihatan berlainan dan tempatnya pula bebeza, tetapi sebenarnya satu sahaja titik pertemuan iaitu perpaduan bangsa Melayu dan menyedarkan Melayu bangkit bersama Islam.
“Sekurang-kurangnya PAS dapat merealisasikan konsep taawun yang dipraktikkan dalam konsep budaya politik matang dan sejahtera yang diperkenalkan oleh PAS,” katanya.
Menurut presiden PAS, beliau bersikap terbuka mendengar ucapan pihak lain yang juga Melayu Islam kerana “muhasabah diri wajib dilakukan, walaupun adanya kritikan yang keras dan pahit.”
Abdul Hadi berkata beliau mendengar dengan teliti ucapan perdana menteri pada majlis tersebut.
“Saya mendengar amanat Tun Mahathir dengan teliti dan agak berbeza dengan kalangan yang menunggu kecaman beliau terhadap bangsa lain yang menjadi saingan kita dalam masyarakat majmuk.
“Tiba-tiba ucapan beliau menyebut kesilapan bangsanya sendiri yang menjadi sebab mereka mundur ketinggalan, tercorot dan diperbodohkan oleh pihak lain dan diperbodohkan oleh bangsanya sendiri sehingga terkebelakang,” jelasnya.
Dr Mahathir ketika berucap pada Kongres Maruah Melayu antaranya berkata kerajaan dengan sendirinya walaupun dipimpin oleh Melayu, tidak boleh memulihkan maruah Melayu sekiranya kaum itu tidak mahu berusaha untuk mengubah nasib mereka. Katanya, maruah Melayu dipandang hina atas kesalahan mereka sendiri.
*********
He did not raise about the Shared Prosperity Vision 2030, nor any of the many Resolutions from the series of discourse and workshops held by public Unis for politics, economics, culture, education and religion, which were conducted as precursor and the legitimate excuse for the ‘Amanat Terakhir’.
However, there is an indirect take away for the Malays. Considering that he wanted UMNO to be present and part of his demonstration of reconciliatory effort for the division of the Malays, as well sending a thumping message to Anwar and his Anwarites within PKR and most of all, DAP, it would be in terrible after taste and serious blow-back for Gerontocracy Prime Minister to get UMNO destroyed.
He needs UMNO now, more than ever, now that UMNO has demonstrated its magnanimity, for the sake of the Malays.
Unless Gerontocracy Prime Minister is ready to go down and be stoop in history as the Malay leader who eventually handed over the reins of the Land of the Malays (Tanah Aku), to DAP.
The "thirteen million plus Ringgit" guy rambles.... 
Semburead behind the idea and manoeuvre of Emergency?
Strong rumours circulating that Minister of MITI Azmin Mohamed Ali, who is now a partyless wanderer after last December backstabbing his own party and Presiden Dato Seri Anwar Ibrahim, is the man with the idea and manoeuvres of Emergency.
FMT:
Azmin slams ‘power-crazy’ Anwar, calls for political unity
FMT Reporters – October 24, 2020 9:53 PM
1.7kShares
Azmin Ali, formerly PKR deputy president, is now a senior minister in the Perikatan Nasional government.
PETALING JAYA: Senior minister Azmin Ali has called for political leaders to come together to fight the Covid-19 pandemic, while making a slashing attack on opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim, describing him as a power-crazy liar.
He said Anwar’s recent moves to unseat the Muhyiddin Yassin government was “clearly the work of a power-crazy individual driven by selfish and egotistical motives with a pathological sense of entitlement as if the post of prime minister is his birthright”.
Last month, Anwar declared he had the majority support of MPs in the Dewan Rakyat enabling him to form a new government. He had an audience with the Yang di-Pertuan Agong earlier this month to press his case.
Azmin, an Anwar confidante and former PKR deputy president, fell out with Anwar and left to team up with Muhyiddin and PPBM earlier this year.
nullhttps://1d1bde570a374036cefea039ba9dc1d8.safeframe.googlesyndication.com/safeframe/1-0-37/html/container.html
He said: “In his relentless quest to become prime minister, Anwar Ibrahim has resorted to outright lies as well as subterfuge not only against the nation but even against the Yang di-Pertuan Agong (Sultan Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah).”
He said Anwar’s outburst yesterday – about the country’s possible descent into dictatorship (through a state of emergency) – was “an act of utter recklessness”.
Azmin said political leaders, regardless of their affiliation, must put aside differences and join forces with the people and government to fight the pandemic.
He criticised opposition members for sowing fear and resentment among the rakyat against the government’s “earnest efforts at securing public health and safety while ensuring economic recovery”.null
“Under these circumstances, it is only right and proper that we stand united behind all efforts at mitigating the pandemic and flattening the curve while ensuring minimal disruption to the economy,” he said.
**********
The Minister is said to put the idea ahead that Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Mohd Yassin would be facing a tough time with the next Parliamentary sitting just a week away.
This is after Opposition Leader Anwar was given audience to be presented to His Majesty SPB YDP Agong XVI on 13 Oct 2020.
This is also after UMNO officially announced they deep dissatisfaction on the treatment and allocation in the Federal and State Governments, after the party provided the largest component for PPBM President Muhyiddin to be Prime Minister VIII and other leaders to be Chief Ministers, despite their own party’s lesser presence against UMNO.
What Minister Azmin is calling “political leaders, regardless of their affiliation, must put aside differences and join forces with the people and government to fight the pandemic” is actually Prime Minister VII Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad’s ‘Unity Government’, called the day after the latter summarily resigned on 24 Feb 2020,
The void created by the resignation of Prime Minister VII Dr Mahathir provided the Opposition parties to gang up and despite being the largest block, UMNO agreed to back PPBM President Muhyiddin as Prime Minister VIII.
Prime Minister Muhyiddin was sworn in on 29 Feb 2020.
He formed a Cabinet within the next week, including Azmin and his partyless wandering lot of 10.
As the Covid-19 pandemic situation worsens, after consultation with the National Security Council, Prime Minister Muhyiddin announced Movement Control Order (MCO) beginning 18 Mar 2020.
A Special Cabinet meeting was held in the morning on 23 Oct 2020 and it is believed that the decision is proposed to His Majesty SPB YDP Agong XVI to invoke the provisions of Article 150(1) of the Federal Constitution is declared.
Then they, plus the Chief of Defence Forces, Attorney General, Inspector General of Police and DG of Health hurriedly left for Kuantan to sought an audience with His Majesty SPB YDP Agong XVI.
It is believed that the crux of the declaration of Emergency this round is all political.
Then again, Former Lord Chief Justice Tun Zaki Tun Azmi opined that the Crown could have taken a different approach to circumspec the issue instead of taking the advice of the Prime Minister.
The Vibes:
Agong can give counter advice against emergency – Tun Zaki Azmi
Although the federal constitution may allow for a declaration of emergency, it can be challenged if it is a means to a power grab
Updated 6 hours ago · Published on 25 Oct 2020 10:00AM · 0 CommentsFacebookTwitterEmailWhatsAppWeChatPrint
UNDERSTANDABLY the proposal for the declaration of an emergency brings a lot of worry to the citizens of the country.
I don’t blame the people as internationally it is only done by someone who intends to gain power, and thereafter rule dictatorially.
Malaysia, on the other hand, has seen six emergencies declared during the confrontation with Indonesia, in Kelantan, Sabah, Sarawak and the worst was to curb riots caused during the May 13, 1969 incident.
But all these emergencies went in for a very limited period. The longest was the May 13 emergency that ended in 1971.
But for those who have lived as long as I have, we, the country came out stronger after the emergency was lifted. I’ve been reading in the media that there is a lot of speculations as to:
A. whether there will indeed be an emergency;
B. what type of emergency.
When I say what type I mean to what extent the people in the government are going to use those powers.
The Yang di-Pertuan Agong on Friday was met by the prime minister, who proposed instituting an emergency to curb the Covid-19 pandemic. The Agong has now decided to consult his brother rulers.
Under the federal constitution, the Agong is bound to follow the advice of His Majesty’s government, i.e the sitting prime minister and his cabinet; but it does not stop him from giving counter advice to the prime minister and the cabinet.
And I believe this is what His Majesty wants to do. He wants to consult his brother rulers and maybe summon the prime minister to express the consensus views of the rulers. This is also perhaps to ask the prime minister to reconsider his advice to the Agong.
In my opinion, if the prime minister still stands firm in his views, then the Agong is bound to follow his advice.
Now, this does not mean that the decision to proclaim an emergency cannot be challenged.
What can be challenged is the advice of the prime minister to the Agong. This was decided by a privy council case in 1979, in the case of Teh Cheng Poh v Public Prosecutor.
Let me say something as a businessman before being a judge.
Since the last few months, investors have been selling their shares and running out of Malaysia. Some say more will flee immediately after the emergency is proclaimed.
But people are running away from the country because of the political instability.
Businessmen and investors don’t like it when they are not sure what is going to happen tomorrow. Because every time a government changes, policies change.
They are happy when the government is stable because they know policies will remain for a certain period of time.
Look at the last government. Nothing happened within the 22 months they were ruling the country. Businessmen were not sure what was going on.
So, even if an emergency is proclaimed but the government when invoking the powers under the emergency do not abuse the power given, but use the power to rehabilitate the political situation and make it stable again, that would be good to the economy and to the country.
Of course, the opposition will say it is bad. Lawyers will also say it is bad. Some will refer to other countries where the prime minister becomes a dictator and holds on to the power of the emergency but in Malaysia, history has shown this has not happened.
We also do not know why the prime minister is seeking for the Agong to make the proclamation of emergency. Some speculate that it is to prevent a vote of no confidence. If that is the reason, then it is wrong.
On the other hand, if the proclamation is done to not allow an election now, which will result in the uncontrollable spread of Covid-19 as we have seen in Sabah, then in my opinion, it is valid.
Because if the country suffers from the pandemic, the result will be a threat to the economy and the lives of the people. In my opinion such declarations can be upheld by the courts.
Because when we declared the emergency for public order in 1969, the federal court held that even drug trafficking can result in a public disorder and held that detention under the Emergency (Public Order and Prevention of Crimes) Ordinance enacted pursuant to the 1969 declaration is valid, and upheld the detention.
If, however, it can be proven that the government is seeking the declaration of emergency only to prevent or protect its position then it is a mala fide act and can be declared ultra vires the constitution.
The risk of the Budget 2021 not being passed in case it is defeated and the prime minister loses the vote on the Budget and the vote of confidence that are not good grounds for declaring an emergency.
We must not also forget that an election in Sarawak is due in the next few months and we cannot deny that if it proceeds, campaigning will start soon. Campaigning means the risk of spreading the virus as we have seen in Sabah.
No doubt many people will say we will have tighter SOPs (standard operating procedures) but in theory I don’t think it could happen.
They could not do it in South Korea but there, two-thirds of voting had been done by post.
Meanwhile in New Zealand, the election was postponed until the country was clear of the virus. But when the election resumed, Covid-19 cases started to increase again.
The damage we saw here as a result of the election in Sabah was scary enough, and as a citizen I don’t want to face Covid-19.
As far as the general public is concerned, I think the large majority of the population want to get on with their daily lives and they are tired of the squabbling among politicians.
Alhamdulillah, my family and I are able to stay at home as we are fortunate enough to have sufficient funds for our daily needs. What about those who are suffering? Those who are not earning?
Here is one proposal: can all members of Parliament agree to pass a legislation so the federal election and state election can be postponed for, say, one or two years?
In the meantime, we fight Covid-19. And once Covid-19 is eradicated or we find a vaccine, we can revert to our usual practice and anyone can bring a vote of no confidence for an election to be held.
But if the pandemic spreads, then the (emergency) law allows the prime minister to postpone the election.
To me, let us wait for the Council of Rulers to make its decision and the prime minister to make his announcement. – The Vibes, October 25, 2020
Tun Zaki Azmi served as the sixth Chief Justice of Malaysia from 2008 to 2011.
*************************
There are arguments against Minister Azmin’s ‘Unity Government’.
The Vibes:
Unity govt talk a ploy to manipulate royals?
Growing pressure on Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, who faces possibility of no-confidence motion in coming weeks
Updated 2 minutes ago · Published on 25 Oct 2020 2:04PM · 0 CommentsFacebookTwitterEmailWhatsAppWeChatPrint
BY
Amar Shah Mohsen
KUALA LUMPUR – Politicians influencing royals are nothing new, and in the midst of an unprecedented political and health crisis, those with vested interests have once again surfaced – this time, to push for a unity government.
All eyes are on Istana Negara, where the Yang di-Pertuan Agong and Malay rulers are scheduled to meet in a few minutes to decide on the government’s call for emergency rule.
This comes amid growing pressure on Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, with Budget 2021 on the line and the possibility of a motion of no confidence against him being tabled at the Parliament sitting that begins on November 2.
Talk of a unity government being formed has been bandied, both on and offline, and sources said this will be among the points of discussion at today’s meeting.
Unsurprisingly, former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad is said to be among those backing the move.
Working closely with his trusted lieutenant, Tun Daim Zainuddin, the pair are believed to have engineered the idea, and is using Kelantan prince Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah’s royal links to get the palace on board.
This appears to explain speculation on a recent meeting between Tengku Razaleigh and Dr Mahathir.
The Gua Musang lawmaker, despite not being a political party head, was also the only other MP to have met the Agong following an audience granted to Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim on October 13, with the palace subsequently postponing all other scheduled meetings with party leaders.
If a unity government does indeed materialise, Dr Mahathir could once again be part of the ruling coalition, and subject to agreement with allies, be given certain positions.
However, the big question is whether such a government is actually feasible.
While not exactly a unity government by name, the cooperation between Dr Mahathir and Anwar under the Pakatan Harapan banner ahead of the 14th general election is similar to the current proposal.
The duo are known to not see eye to eye, but they put aside their political differences for the common goal of toppling the Datuk Seri Najib Razak-led Barisan Nasional government.
From then on, it was downhill for Dr Mahathir and Anwar – and PH, for that matter.
The promised transition of power to the PKR president after two years did not happen, and the infighting among PH components eventually led to the coalition’s fall.
The learned rulers will of course take this into consideration before arriving at any decision.
Malaysians do not want yet another government to collapse, dragging the country deeper into the doldrums, especially when the Covid-19 threat persists.
Manipulating the royal institution for selfish ends is the last thing politicians should do. – The Vibes, October 25, 2020
*********************
Prime Minister Muhyiddin’s political position on ‘borrowed support’ had been weak and flimsy from day one. His own party PPBM was never strong and their wield of power is based on the ‘political goodwill’ extended by UMNO MPs.
Yet Minister Azmin, whom himself a party less wanderer without a sound political base, is riding on the Prime Minister Muhyiddin’s ‘borrowed support’ of flimsy and brittle power.
Minister Azmin is defending an indefensible position of the Prime Minister Muhyiddin, which the Declaration of Emergency is clearly a PPBM agenda without UMNO.
It is no brainer that this is probably the last option for them to remain legitimately in power, by manipulating the Federal Constitution and getting the Crown involved their scheme.
- Commentary
on October 25, 2020 at 13:30 Leave a Comment