Billion Dollar Whale - 1MDB Inside Story

There is now a book on Jho Taek Low (more popularly known as Jho Low) and 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB). The 'heist of the century' by 1Thief, Najib Razak, and his helper Jho Low has propelled Malaysia to the world stage for corruption, abuse of power and money laundering. That was not the end of it. All of these had to be mixed with wallstreet, hollywood, glitters and glamour. Read and Watch the most romantic dinner in the world (probably the most expensive too!) by staged by none other than Jho Low.

Billion Dollar Whale is a must read for those who want to understand how an authoritarian regime is able to take corruption and abuse of power to the extreme. Go get a copy today!

Malaysians have to thank the many many whistleblowers who have submitted information to the journalists like Tom Wright and Bradley Hope who have been exposing the stories on 1MDB and Jho Low. 

Clare Rewcastle Brown is another journalist who has worked tirelessly to expose this 1MDB scandal. Head to Sarawak Report to learn more about her exposé. Get a copy of her book on Insider Story of 1MDB.

Will Malaysia Rise ?

Many Malaysians were uptight when the Attorney General Chambers (AGC)'s Deputy Public Prosecutor decided to withdraw the prosecution against Lim Guan Eng and Phang Li Koon by requesting the court to order a "discharge not amounting to acquittal". The court however made an order for a discharge and acquittal after hearing the application by the lawyer for the accused. The lawyer explained that the accused should not have a possibility of a criminal case hanging over their heads for the entire of their lives. The judge concurred.

Most of the Malaysian press reported an acquittal without understanding the basis and fairness of the order. Malaysians bipartisanly criticised the Attorney General (AG) and demanded explanation from him. Some even asked him to be investigated or to resign. The innocent Attorney General had recused himself from this case since day one. Many journalists and civic-minded Malaysians obviously missed out the press release dated dated 2nd August 2018 by the AGC. All of them were too eager to accuse that the AGC, including the AG, were under the influence of the new government just like before 9th May 2018 election.

None has looked at the AG, Tommy Thomas's background to know him better. By reading more about him will make you realise that he is no pushover. I personally think that the current prime minister, Mahathir Mohamad would not be able to move him.

Finally Deputy Public Prosecutor, Mohamad Hanafiah issued a press release to clear the air. The press release is self-explanatory.

 

 

It is healthy that Malaysians are sceptical and questioning the new power that be. It shows that they care. After all, they were stuck with an authoritarian and abusive regime for 60 years. The attitude of questioning no doubt provide good checks and balances against the newly elected government. 

I have my fair share of scepticism. On the other hand, I believe there are many in the new regime that genuinely want to do good things for Malaysia. It is hoped that the number of good guys will outweigh the 'bad guys' who still wish to abuse power or take corruption money.

Malaysia now has an AG who works on the independence day, plus an ex-judge and another senior lawyer who are willing to work for free for their beloved country. There are many more who have parted with their money and put in their time to encourage Malaysians to go out and vote to change the old regime. I still have faith in this bunch of people. I see hope and I am not about to give up as yet.

If you go on to read the below press release from the AG, you will know what I mean.

Art of Self Defence

Malaysian sarcasm to be shared with all. Ex-prime minister of Malaysia, Najib Razak, aka Jib Man in the below poster is known to 'act stupid' or 'act blur' when his previous corrupt practices and abuses of power were unveiled by the new government of Malaysia. He would in turn make baseless accusations against the new government pretending not to know what happened in his government during his time as the prime minister. Despite the fact that he personally signed some of those documents.

Buat Bodoh ( 'act stupid' or 'act blur'), with its 'h' dropped, has been made popular by Malaysian netizens as a new form of art of self defence. The best art of self defence.

Abuse of Power 101

Najib Razak, the then prime minster of Malaysia's abuse of power was so blatant that even a kid found it ridiculous and funny. This leader's government had a serious problem. This leader's country was in a deep mess. Take a look at how the speech of Mohamad bin Sabu, more commonly known as Mat Sabu, the popular opposition leader before his coalition, Pakatan Harapan, swept into power has been emulated by a kid. It is a household shame to Najib.

The original speech by Mat Sabu.

Najib's abuse of power was so prevalent that it became a household joke. He lost the general election in Malaysia on 9 June 2018. He is currently facing multiple charges for corruption, money laundering and abuse of power in Malaysia, and probably in other countries too.

The morale of this story is that YOU CANT GET RICH IN POLITICS UNLESS YOU ARE A CROOK. It is a time tested wisdom.

Rebuilding Malaysia

To those leaders of Pakatan Harapan coalition, please remember the below:

33rd President of the USA

Rebuilding the country is not about ministerial post allocation to you personally.
Rebuilding the country is to not to enrich you personally.
Rebuilding the country is for the people because it is the wish of the people. It is nothing personal.

Long Live Democracy !

Democracy can ensure peaceful transition of power between different leaders.

In the transition of leaders, democracy allows the people to vote and decide who should be the leaders.

Democracy can ensure better check and balance. The poor performing leaders can be voted out of power.

With check and balance, it is hoped that a better government can be installed. By virtue of democracy and well chosen good leaders, the government should ensure economic success and better civil liberty in the country. 

Democracy however does not guarantee good leaders, look at Trump, the USA.

Democracy does not guarantee honest and clean leaders, look at Trump, the USA.

Democracy usually ensure relatively good leaders and their replacements. 
Look at South Korea. Despite all the scandals and corruption throughout its history, the country is economically strong and advanced.

Without democracy, it does not mean bad leaders, look at Deng Xiaoping, China.

With partial democracy, it does not mean bad leaders. Look at Lee Kuan Yew, Singapore.

Without democracy or with dysfunctional democracy, the country usually ends up with relatively bad leaders. Examples are plenty.

Without democracy, change of power usually ends up with civil wars, violence and bloodshed because those in power will never let go without a brutal fight. Dictators always want to stay on to ensure more wealth and power to benefit their selfish interests.

The conclusion is that democracy is likely to bring about, but will not guarantee, wellbeing of people and economic success. On the contrary, without democracy, you can be quite sure of economic slump, suppressed people and civil violence when the people rise against the concentration of power and wealth in the hands of one or several dictators.

The people are better off with democracy! Vote to ensure democracy stays alive in your country!!

Update:

Democracy returned to Malaysia on 9th May 2018 with the historical  win by the opposition coalition. The ruling regime, Barisan Nasional, which had been in power for 61 years, was overwhelmingly voted out by the people despite the regime's blatant gerrymandering and abuse of electoral processes. It is widely known in the country as the 'Malaysian Tsunami'. Malaysians now hope that 2 party system will stay to provide the checks and balances on the government with executive power. Those in power must respect the wish of the people. May Malaysians get a better managed country that they deserve!

40% = 2/3 What kind of maths is this?

Gerrymandering has gained a new name in Malaysia. It has hit a record-breaking level. Malaysian prime minister Najib Razak, who is also known as MO1 (Malaysian Official 1) around the world after being made famous by the Department of Justice (DOJ) of the United States of America (US), has instructed his Election Commission (EC) to re-delineate boundaries of various electoral constituencies to benefit his coalition, Barisan Nasional (BN) which is dominated by his party United Malays National Organisation (UMNO). He has changed the rules of election. With his EC's changes, BN will win 2./3 majority with just 40% of the votes. Who else can hit it this low?

Credit to Malaysiakini: https://www.malaysiakini.com/news/416960

Najib was constantly complaining of foreign influence in Malaysian affairs when DOJ or Swiss authorities released news on 1MDB (1Malaysia Development Berhad). 1MDB is known worldwide for its involvement in money laundering and corruption cases. Najib has repeatedly request his countrymen to stand united and support him in the face of so called foreign influence. On the contrary, he has been seeking foreign help in maintaining his power and ruling his country. In addition to British firm, Cambridge Analytica, Najib is believed to have sought the help of Russians, who allegedly helped Trump to win his US's presidency, to assist him in Najib's effort to win the next general election in Malaysia that must be held in the next few months.

All credit to https://www.themalaysianinsight.com/s/43949/   

        Extracted from www.themalaysianinsight.com    

Najib's election propaganda bears the same message as Trump's US presidential campaign. Najib uses the phrase Make My Country Great (Hebatkan Negaraku), while Trump's slogan was Make America Great Again. There are plenty of evidence pointing to Trump engaging the Russians and the British firm, Cambridge Analytica in his campaign. It is not surprising that the same bunch of people manipulating the social media, influencing voters, etc are now working for Najib. Najib has cash (from 1MDB) and he can pay (because it is not his money). These manipulators are happy to work for Najib.

All credit to https://www.themalaysianinsight.com/s/44544/