A Dictatorship in Democracy's Clothing

The Barisan Nasional (BN), the ruling regime controlling Malaysia as the federal government, lost several state government to the opposition during the elections in 2008 and again in 2013. One of the economically well-off state lost to the opposition was Penang. It is the 2nd most developed state after Selangor state.

It seems clear to leaders from the BN ruling regime, dominated Umno (United Malay National Organisation), that they do not stand a chance of wrestling Penang from the opposition, Pakatan Harapan, in a clean and fair election. Consequently, an Umno minister, Tengku Adnan, mooted the idea that Penang should be made part of the federal territories (FT) under the purview of the BN controlled federal government. Although he went on to suggest that Langkawi and certain parts of Malacca should also be made part of the FT, he was obviously eyeing the jewel of the crown, Penang.

Tengku Adnan, as the appointed but not elected minister of FT, is known to have substantially benefited from approving many property development projects in Kuala Lumpur, which is the main and original federal territory. The property market in Kuala Lumpur is entering a supply glut, and it's all thanks to him. It is unsurprising that he wants to benefit from the rapid development in Penang too.

From the perspective of democracy, it is disturbing that a senior leader from the BN ruling regime, which has failed to win over the heart of Penangites, is trying to re-capture Penang through the backdoor by the use of federal regulations and gerrymandering. These 'soft' tactics are likely to be exhausted before the power and money hungry leaders from the federal regime move on to the 'hard' tactics of deploying military force by the use of cannons, tanks and fighter jets. It would certainly be a short-lived civil war as Penang state does not have any armed forces. Once Penang has fallen, Selangor state will be the next target. It will only be days before all the states in Malaysia are federalized.

While it may seem unthinkable for now that this BN federal government will declare civil war and take control of all the states against the wish of Malay Rulers of each state and the people, it is not something that the people should totally rule out. The prime minister of Malaysia, Najib Razak, has managed to secure the passing of his National Security Council Act 2016 by the parliament. This new Act effectively gives him unchecked and far-reaching powers to take control of the country. Let's not forget that Najib has very strong influence over the Malaysian military. He was the defense minister and cultivated his control over the armed forces for many years.

The people of Malaysia must cautiously guard against any further abuse of power the BN regime. Malaysians have to rise to the occasion. Make your vote counts before it is too late. As long as BN is in power, democracy will remain as a talk and not as a practice in this country. 

Ruled by MO1 or Rule of Law ?

We have heard of bizarre news of how 1 man, better known as MO1 (Malaysian Official 1), who happened to be the prime minister of the country and had channeled billions from the country into his personal bank account via a corporate vehicle called 1MDB (1Malaysia Development Berhad). He was alleged to have influenced the murder of several key people in that country. It is equally disturbing to know that supporters of this MO1 are acting in the same manner as him.

Introducing Jamal Yunos. He is the divisional head of Umno (United Malays National Organisation), Sungai Besar, and a known staunch supporter of this MO1. He is a failed businessman with bankrupt grilled fish (Sekinchan Ikan Bakar) restaurant chain. The tripadvisor reviews of this now defunct restaurant is here.

Jamal is leading a group of MO1's supporters called Red Shirts. These supporters are known for their violent acts against anyone that cannot agree with the conduct of MO1. They have kicked, harassed, assaulted and injured several Malaysians in their quest to show support for MO1. However, none of them have been prosecuted in the court by the Malaysian police force and public prosecutor.

A flying kick from a Red Shirt against the supporter
of Bersih 5.0 (a coalition for clean and fair election)

Jamal is also involved in the illegal business of providing hotel services in Sekinchan. When his hotel was closed down by the local council for operating without licence, he made the following claims to justify his illegal business:

• He applied but the licence was not granted. Hence, he proceeded with the hotel business anyway.
• The hotel was meant to be a gift to his mother. All his profit is given to his mother. Hence, he was entitled to operate the hotel.
• There was some unsubstantiated political reason for the local authority to reject his operating licence. However, Jamal himself could not refute the reason given for rejecting his application. Despite that, he went on to operate the hotel.

Jamal 're-opened' his hotel, which had been shut-down and sealed by the local council, on the next day after the hotel closure . He organised a ribbon-cutting ceremony and removed the tape used by the local council to seal the property. “We are now operating,” he declared after the ribbon-cutting ceremony, attended by 20 to 30 of his close friends and supporters.

If you could not see much logic behind his arguments, you would not be alone. I could not either. I suspected that his mother could only be ashamed of a son who is prone to illegal activities. Jamal has got away with his 'crime' because he is a much loved supporter of MO1. No police officer dares to touch him without the blessing of MO1. As a result, Jamal is immune to criminal sanctions or kebal (in Malay language). 

Subsequent to the closure of his hotel which has since reopened, Jamal embarked on a new role as a vigilante against any business or premises that, he believes, is operating without the approval of the local council. He 'raided' several premises and was out to show that the local council had also failed to shut down other deemed 'illegal' businesses. The state police chief warned Jamal against taking the laws into his own hands, but no action was taken against him for raiding and harassing the businesses. The police force merely made comments without the courage to act against Jamal because of his backing by MO1.

When the so called elected leader, MO1, is behaving like an emperor of medieval days, his supporters are no less than fierce warlords. This country is no longer governed by the rule of law. It is ruled by MO1. 

Terrorism: What You have to Know Now

Terrorism is a violent crime that every country has to confront today. Terrorist bombing can happen from the USA to Russia, and from Norway to Australia. The problem is happening all over the world. There are not short of guides on how to identify a terrorist or terrorist activities that you can find on the internet or in the real world. The most interesting terrorist indicators of all that you should look out for is to be found in Malaysia.

In Malaysia, these are the traits that you will see if you want to know who is a terrorist:

• A mother, especially aged 60 and have 3 children
• Malaysia has Security Offences (Special Measures) Act 2012 (SOSMA) which is essentially a law to deal with terrorism in the country
• When SOSMA was first used, Maria Chin Abdullah, aged 60, was arrested as a terrorist without trial on November 18, 2016. She has 3 lovely peace loving children.
• You can read more about the personal traits of Maria Chin Abdulah here.
• A female deeply involved in women’s rights organisations

• If you have a strong sense of justice and fairness, you would be more likely to be arrested as a terrorist in Malaysia.
• You do not have to be political or violent to be a terrorist. You only need to be vocal with your wish to have a more just and democratic country to be a terrorist in Malaysia. 
• A person who does not know how to handle any gun or weapon, or know anything about firearms at all
• Skills in operating explosive or firearms are deemed important in the recruitment of terrorists, but you do not have to know how to even use a knife to be deemed a terrorist in Malaysia.
• I supposed the ability to operate a kitchen knife as a mother was sufficient to be categorized as a terrorist in Malaysia.
• Openly publish your work and operate from one fixed location
• While terrorists are known to work in secrecy and operate from several non-fixed locations to avoid detection, you must openly publish your work and engage with the public to be a terrorist in Malaysia.
• You must also have a one fixed location that is registered with the authority and make the address easily accessible to the public as well as have it freely available on the internet.
• Having your office address openly stated on your official webpage and Facebook account definitely help to qualify you as a terrorist.
• Raise fund openly by having a press conference
• Terrorists typically raise money quietly and move money in secrecy. However, Maria organised a press conference on behalf of Bersih (Coalition for Clean and Fair Elections) to raise funds to organize activities which are to demand for clean and fair election. Bersih even posted on their webpage the details of account and purpose of fund raising. For Malaysian authorities, it seemed these were critical characteristics of a terrorist group.
• You must be a victim who has received a bullet and death threat, preferably for 3 times
• Maria has been a victim of violent behavior. She has received a bullet and death threat recently. She received 2 separate death threats prior to that.
• Arguably, a victim of death threat and preferably with an attached bullet would escalate that person to be a terrorist. You must be a victim of violent crime and not a perpetrator of violent crime to be a terrorist in Malaysia

There you go. The 6 traits of a terrorist in Malaysia. Every country in the world has to, in one way or another, deal with terrorism. Despite the resources poured into counter-terrorism measures, terrorism is still causing loss of life, injury and damage to property today.

The conventional ways of identifying a terrorist may not have been effective in ascertaining the ultimate mastermind. Malaysia have some unorthodox but exemplary methods that the world has not seen before. The world should look to Malaysia for advice and learn how to identify a terrorist. Let Malaysia shows the way in the fight against terrorism to bring about a more peaceful world.

Maria was subsequently released on November 28, 2016, 10 days after her detention without a trial. She was kept in a small windowless room which only had a wooden bed, with no mattress throughout the 10 days of detention. 

Malaysia On Sales! All Good Things Must Go

Malaysia has lately been particularly keen to have more business dealings with China. Malaysian assets and contracts seemed to be 'on sales' and the successful buyer or service provider would inevitably be companies from mainland China. We can see several huge assets and contracts of Malaysia put 'on sales' and won by the mainland Chinese:

1.  Energy Assets- 

• 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB), the money laundering tainted and debt laden creation of Malaysian prime minister Najib Razak (aka MO1) sold a collection of energy assets to a Chinese state-owned firm, China General Nuclear Power Corporation (CGNP) for USD2.3 billion (RM9.8 billion). Energy assets involves national security and any abuse of the assets by the mainland Chinese will pose national security concerns to Malaysia, but that was none of MO1's concern. 
• MO1 was more interested in getting money to service 1MDB's debts which had been raised to benefit him personally in the first place.
• There would have been racial issues should these assets be sold to Malaysians with Chinese ethnicity. Malaysian government dominated by MO1's party, United Malay National Organisation (UMNO) is known for well-planned discrimination against non-Malay and even non-UMNO Malay communities.
• MO1 and his UMNO of course did not have an issue with mainland Chinese CGNP owning 100% equity and operating the energy assets. It was unprecedented in Malaysian history that a foreign entity was allowed to own a majority stake in a power asset let alone 100% ownership.

2.  East Coast Rail Project-

• This rail project has been confirmed to be awarded to Chinese state company, China Communications Construction Company (CCCC). Unsurprisingly, it was deemed unnecessary for open tender despite the size of the project.
• The actual cost of this rail project was stated by CCCC at RM27 billion. It was, however, to be inflated to RM60 billion (but subsequently repriced at RM55 billion after public outcry)  to siphon RM28-33 billion out of Malaysian government treasury.
• The additional RM25-30 billion was to used to pay MO1's personal companies managed by Jho Low and repay debts of 1MDB. CCCC would benefit from the remaining RM3 billion for its 'cooperation'.
• MO1 was so happy with this deal that he called the mainland Chinese 'true friend and strategic partner'. One can only wonder why?

3.  High-Speed Rail (HSR) between Singapore and Bandar Malaysia (Kuala Lumpur)

• Malaysian and Singaporean governments agreed to build a HSR between Singapore and Kuala Lumpur. The portion of HSR on Malaysian soil will be ultimately be built by, unsurprisingly, a Chinese company.
• The cost was announced by a Malaysian minister to be RM60-65 billion. It was not clear if this was pre or post inflated cost. A source has speculated that the final cost will likely to be RM180 billion. Any inflated cost will of course be channelled to benefit MO1.
• The last stop of HSR in Malaysia will be none other than Bandar Malaysia outside of Kuala Lumpur city centre. Logically, it should be KL Sentral- the transportation hub of Kuala Lumpur with train, light rail, mass-rapid transit, and bus services as opposed to a non-existent Bandar Malaysia.

4. Bandar Malaysia

• Bandar Malaysia is to be located at the previously Malaysian air force base in Sungai Besi, nearby Kuala Lumpur city. The land was given to 1MDB at a minimal cost by Malaysian government.
• In an attempt to dig itself out of heavy debt load, 1MDB subsequently sold Bandar Malaysia to a consortium led by China Railway Engineering Corporation Sdn Bhd (CREC) and Johor-based Iskandar Waterfront Holdings for RM7.4 billion, which was 40% below its market value of RM12.4 billion. CREC will also likely to be the company to construct the HSR between Bandar Malaysia and Singapore.
• It has been circulating in UMNO that China's purchase of the non-existent Bandar Malaysia was on the condition that they would get to build and manage Malacca Gateway the way that the Chinese wants it. No one in UMNO dared to speak against MO1 though.

5.  Malacca Gateway

• Malacca Gateway is a project spearheaded by Powerchina International and a Malaysian entity, KAJ Development to reclaim three islands off Malacca and develop Pulau Melaka as a maritime centre in the Strait of Malacca. Powerchina International is prepared to plough USD10 billion into this development.
• Strait of Malacca is the main shipping channel between the Indian Ocean and the Pacific Ocean, linking major Asian economies such as China, Japan, South Korea and India all the way to Middle East and Africa.
• It is undeniable that Chinese occupation and control of the Strait of Malacca's mid-point raises several concerns, including Chinese military influence over this critically important shipping channel between Asia, Middle East and Africa. None of these were of any concern to the Malaysian government helmed by MO1.

Many in Malaysia thought China had the open hand and was the winning party of these transactions. They have underestimated MO1. China perhaps would gain some benefits in kind in particular from Malacca Gateway. Money wise, MO1 was the real big winner to the tune of possibly RM150 billion from the 5 projects. The mainland Chinese may be shrewd but MO1 has a well known reputation to out-maneuver other. Should there be an Olympic gold medal for world-class skills in manipulation, it would be won by MO1 hands down. You will recall from my previous posting on how MO1 is truly the world champion:

"Najib made Swiss private bank, BSI bank with 143 years of history, came to its knees by convincing its staff in Singapore to help his 1MDB 'donation' course. He was reported to turn a decision of the justice minister of his neighbouring country by giving 'donation'- monetary pressure. Several Hollywood celebrities, eg Leonardo Dicaprio and Robert DeNiro, have been shamed by their connection to Najib and his 1MDB team. Najib's 1MDB team is under investigation for money laundering, corruption and other criminal charges in the US, Switzerland, Singapore, United Arab Emirates, Luxembourg, the UK, Australia and Hong Kong. Najib is linked to criminal investigations in at least 4 continents of the world. You can imagine how he has made his presence felt globally. Malaysian prime minister, Najib is probably the most criminally implicated leader of a country in the modern history."

"Updates: Another Swiss bank, Falcon Private Bank's Singapore branch has since ceased operating because of 1MDB. Singaporean banks, DBS and UOB were also fined for breaches in anti-money laundering law pertaining to Najib's transactions. British owned Coutts Bank, popularly known in the UK as ‘The Queen’s Bank’, with 325 years of history, was reported to have been involved in the 1MDB affair. It is likely to receive regulatory sanctions for its role in the 1MDB deals soon. As you can see whether Americans, Arabs, Australians, English, Singaporeans or Swiss, they could not escape Najib's charm. No one could resist Najib. Najib is the one and the only world champion of its kind."

Malaysia On Sales!

MO1 will the true winner of all these transactions. Malaysians do not have to worry about their prime minster, MO1. If you looked at MO1's track record, China might just be a conduit, used by MO1, that would at some point take the blame and shame. 

World Champion Vs Jaguh Kampung

Ladies and Gentlemen,

I present to you the deputy prime minister of Malaysia, the Right Honourable Zahid Hamidi.

(Click on this link: http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x4uv8b6 if you can not view the below video)

Zahid was visibly nervous during his speech. He looked to the left and right way too often. He was a kind of robotic and uneasy through out his speech. He probably could not cope with the solemn nature of the international forum in the United Nations (UN) or the presence of the political personalities in UN.

Alternatively, Zahid might still be stuck in his country's pre-independence colonial mentality- a mentality that one must be inferior to his colonial boss, the British people or 'white people', who are always more superior. Having said that, Zahid was not in Britain. He was delivering a speech in the UN, New York, USA, and not in the British parliament. UN is an international organisation and not purely a superior 'white people' organisation. Perhaps, Zahid was indeed fearful of intellectuals from the rest of the world. His appearance was in total contrast to his attitude at home in Malaysia.

He is known by Malaysians to have a fierce personality. It has been reported that he did not hesitate to punch someone deemed to have offended him. His supporters in his home-town and electoral constituency, Bagan Datoh, Perak, Malaysia, apparently have gangster-like behaviour too.

In his several governmental positions, he has been known to make use of his position to harass ordinary citizens, organisations, social activists and opposing leaders. 

Government institutions, such as police, attorney-general chambers, Malaysian anti corruption commission, immigration deparment, are tools for Zahid to achieve his political objectives. You can see that Zahid is no stateman. While he may be experienced and skilled, he is not a respected political figure. He is however a Jaguh Kampung or Village Conqueror. He could not even confidently carry himself in the global forum, and yet he acted like a feudal lord in Malaysia. He is no match to his political master, Najib Razak, the prime minister of Malaysia.

Najib is renowned world-wide. The United States, Department of Justice (DOJ) aptly nicknamed him MO1. The acronym is an abbreviation of Malaysian Official 1. Najib is synonymous with 1 in Malaysia. His '1Malaysia' term is known in money laundering; cash handouts to buy votes; corruption re-branded as donation; property development; and other smaller items like free milk and laptops. The originally touted idea of 1Malaysia concept to foster racial harmony has been long forgotten and lost.

The most outstanding 1Malaysia creation by Najib is 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB). Najib's behind the scene team members, namely Jho Low, Li Lin Seet Jasmine Loo, Casey Tang and Riza Aziz, have caused ripples in banking, property purchase, art pieces, high society entertainment, charitable and political donations, etc., across the globe; and left their footprints all over the world.

Najib made Swiss private bank, BSI bank with 143 years of history, came to its knees by convincing its staff in Singapore to help his 1MDB 'donation' course. He was reported to turn a decision of the justice minister of his neighbouring country by giving 'donation'- monetary pressure. Several Hollywood celebrities, eg Leonardo Dicaprio and Robert DeNiro,  have been shamed by their connection to Najib and his 1MDB team. Najib's 1MDB team is under investigation for money laundering, corruption and other criminal charges in the US, Switzerland, Singapore, United Arab Emirates, Luxembourg, the UK, Australia and Hong Kong. Najib is linked to criminal investigations in at least 4 continents of the world. You can imagine how he has made his presence felt globally. Malaysian prime minister, Najib is probably the most criminally implicated leader of a country in the modern history.

[Updates: Another Swiss bank, Falcon Private Bank's Singapore branch has since ceased operating because of 1MDB. Singaporean banks, DBS and UOB were also fined for breaches in anti-money laundering law pertaining to Najib's transactions. British owned Coutts Bank, popularly known in the UK as ‘The Queen’s Bank’, with 325 years of history, was reported to have been involved in the 1MDB affair. It is likely to receive regulatory sanctions for its role in the 1MDB deals soon. As you can see whether Americans, Arabs, Australians, English, Singaporeans or Swiss, they could not escape Najib's charm. No one could resist Najib. Najib is the one and the only world champion of its kind.]

In comparison to Najib, Zahid pales in his international reputation. Zahid is after all just a Jaguh Kampung while Najib is truly the world champion. Zahid could not confidently handle the political players from around the world. On the contrary, Najib has made the politicians, Hollywood celebrities, international bankers, law enforcers, and others from all over the world go round and round with his mastery of corruption (aka donation), abuses, and money laundering.

(If you have extra time to spare, you can watch the 7 minute version below:)

Malaysian Official 1 (MO1) is Najib Razak

The search for Malaysian Official 1 (MO1) in Malaysia is over. MO1 was mentioned 32 times by Department of Justice, USA in a lawsuit related to 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB) on money laundering in the USA. The excitement of searching for MO1 ended way before the appeal of PokemonGo faded. It was United Malay National Ogarnisation (Umno)'s very own Abdul Rahman Dahlan, holding the position of communications strategist in Barisan Nasional (BN), a coalition dominated by Umno, who spilled the beans to British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC).

Why did Abdul Rahman admit that MO1 is prime minster of Malaysia, Najib Razak? He had refuted endlessly in Malaysia that the reference by Department of Justice in the USA to MO1 was indeed a reference to Najib Razak. His change of heart took many Malaysians by surprise. Political observers scrambled to come out with sensible explanations.

One could argue that Abdul Rahman, who grew up in Umno regime, had a soft spot for British. It is commonly known as 'colonial mentality'. He got weakened in the presence of his 'colonial master'. Britain once colonized Malaysia and ruled it for more than two hundred years.

On the other hand,  Abdul Rahman could be plotting against his own political boss. Abdul Rahman is known to have 'no spine'. He could swing and support whoever that would benefit him financially or politically. While Abdul Rahman denied any wrongdoing by his boss, the damage was done by officially linking MO1 to Najib Razak.

Since the revelation by Abdul Rahman, business was still as usual for Umno and Malaysian prime minister. The Malaysian Inspector General of Police, Khalid Abu Bakar regarded a money laundering case of this scale, implicating the prime minister of Malaysia, as just Umno politics. It was incomprehensible that a few billions of US dollars, that were siphoned out of Malaysia to benefit a few personalities, would seem to him to be merely politics. Ordinary Malaysians would be able to see all the red flags of corruption and money laundering, but not the IGP of Malaysia. The attorney general of Malaysia has equally turned a blind eye and declared 'no case' against Najib Razak.

This 1MDB scandal has taken several damaging turns. One would have thought Najib's position might be weakened. This was apparently not the case. Najib Razak is still firmly in power. He controls Umno which is the dominant party in the ruling coalition, BN. In Umno, you can always get support if you have money. Najib Razak has plenty of that from 1MDB. With gerrymandering, vote buying and rigging of polls, Umno looks set to lead and win the next general election of Malaysia. Money speaks louder than democracy in Malaysia. Surely this was not what the British intended when they handed independence to Malaysians in 1957.

The Biggest Money Laundering by Malaysians?

Attorney General of the United States (US), Loretta E. Lynch announced on 20 July 2016 the filing of civil forfeiture complaints seeking the forfeiture and recovery of more than $1 billion in assets associated with an international conspiracy to launder funds misappropriated from a Malaysian sovereign wealth fund, 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB).

Let's look her press briefing:

If you cannot spare 6 minutes to watch the above video, there is a press release by the US Justice Department for a quick 2 minute read.

This asset seizure would be the largest ever by the U.S. Justice Department’s anti-corruption unit. Malaysia and to be more specifically 1MDB is making history in the US. That has to be a big news. This news of the largest asset seizure in the US has made Malaysia very popular internationally. Winning the 1st gold medal in Olympics by Malaysians may not generate as much popularity. Why would they need an Olympic gold medal when they could have potentially the largest money laundering case in the world this year? There can be many gold medals in an Olympics but this case may be the largest in this world...

US Attorney General created a buzz in Malaysia by mentioning Malaysian Official 1 (MO1) and yet did not mention the real person. Many Malaysians started asking the question who MO1 is. The "Search for MO1' perhaps can only be equated by Pokemon Go craze in Malaysia. Who is the MO1 behind an international conspiracy to launder misappropriated funds in the US?

The Wall Street Journal was very sure who MO1 was. On the contrary, Malaysian government denied the involvement of its prime minister, Najib Razak. Incidentally, Najib is the person who have made popular '1' or '1Malaysia' by using them in all his political and governmental programmes in Malaysia. MO1 seemed very aptly used by the U.S. Justice Department. Don't you think so?

Noticeably, the U.S. Justice Department named Riza Aziz, the step-son of Najib, as a "relevant individual" in the case. They also named another flamboyant Malaysian Low Taek Jho, or Jho Low. He has been living on a highly lavish lifestyle possibly with the money from 1MDB.

The misappropriation of 1MDB funds has given rise to lawsuits and investigations in the US, Switzerland, the UK, Luxembourg, Hong Kong and Singapore. Malaysian Attorney General however have inexplicably cleared 1MDB and Najib of any abuse or misappropriation of funds.

The search for MO1 and the culprits is not over yet worldwide but the case has prematurely ended in Malaysia.

1MDB scandal has a dedicated page in Wikipedia now. You may find 1MDB scandal too complicated if you have not been following. BBC provided a good summary of the scandalous affairs.