Eyeing the "pesawah"

WARKAH DARI SAWAH : KHAS BUATMU PERDANA MENTERI - DATUK SERI Anwar Ibrahim 🇲🇾

Assalamualaikum Wbt dan Salam Hormat dari Keluarga Besar Anak Sawah Tani .

Pertama - adapun warkah ini ditulis khas buat Perdana Menteri Malaysia secara terbuka, andai Datuk Seri membaca warkah ini, sesungguhnya ia lahir dari bunga ukir budi fikir seorang Anak Sawah yang lahirnya di tepian bendang Utara. Ayah - marhaen Merong yang mengenal mana Padi mana Menerong, inilah setangkai budi buatmu merenung.

Datuk Seri, ayah menyantuni hasrat Datuk Seri bahawa Perdana Menteri ke 10 Malaysia menerima cadangan secara terbuka.  Maka ayah letakkan partisan di tepi, biarlah warkah ini dibaca sebagai cadangan dalam memurnikan polemik isu Pesawah Padi di seluruh negara - marhaen bersuara. Maka ayah cadangkan supaya diperhalusi 15 perkara untuk mengangkat mandiri Pesawah di Malaysia.

1. “Knowledge is greater than privilege", ayah mencadangkan supaya dana untuk RnD penambahbaikan Benih Padi Hybrid seperti Siraj dan MR12H ditambah kepada pihak MARDI. Benih Padi yang lebih baik adalah jaminan penambahan output Tan dalam pengeluaran semusim Padi.

2. Selaras dengan hasrat pertama untuk meluaskan skop kajian, ayah mencadangkan supaya kuota dan dana Geran Penyelidikan di setiap Universiti tempatan yang menawarkan jurusan Pertanian ditingkatkan. Wujudkan usaha untuk mendigitalkan tesis kajian terpilih dalam ikhtisas pertanian - dengan hasrat Pustaka Siber Tani diwujudkan, supaya akses maklumat dan variasi idea lebih mudah dicapai oleh semua golongan. 

3.  "Jika ingin melihat negara ini 30 tahun lagi, didiklah anak remaja kini". Ayah mencadangkan untuk meningkatkan minat ke arah pertanian sawah - wujudkan Lawatan Penanda Aras 100 orang pelajar dari 3 Zon Pertanian Padi utama Malaysia - Utara (Kedah, Pulau Pinang), Tengah (Perak) dan Zon Sekinchan-Sabak Bernam (Selangor) untuk melihat pertanian padi moden di negara Jepun dan Korea. Buka minda mereka.

4.  Mengambil idea dari Sekolah Kebangsaan Kampung Sawah, Port Dickson - ayah mencadangkan supaya diwujudkan program 1 Sekolah 1 Sawah di sekolah-sekolah zon Bandar yang mana pelajarnya tidak pernah terdedah kepada pertanian Sawah Padi. Biasakan yang tidak, betulkan yang biasa. Lahirkan mereka yang menghargai sawah padi dan mengenali proses pertanian ini secara terperinci.

5. Ayah juga mencadangkan supaya kawalan biologi Burung Hantu / Program Pungguk Jelapang diperluaskan semula. Rumah Burung yang dulunya wujud di beberapa lokasi utama sawah negara kebanyakannya telah kosong, adalah wajar supaya Burung² ini dipastikan kembali wujud sebagai kawalan kepada serangan Tikus secara alami.

6.  Bagi memastikan para pesawah mempunyai lapangan saraan kedua, juga dengan hasrat "dari reban ke meja makan", ayah mencadangkan supaya Program Jom Tani Selepas Padi diwujudkan. Suntikan dana kepada pesawah terpilih diberi untuk mewujudkan ternakan Itik dan Ayam Penelur, supaya program rintis seperti ini suatu masa nanti memecahkan masalah monopoli pasaran Telur Ayam dalam negara. 

7.  Menggiatkan Pelancongan Desa berasaskan pemandangan Padi seperti di Kampung Agong, Penaga dan Sekinchan. Langkah ini juga menjamin peluang kerja kepada komuniti pesawah tempatan serta pulangan ekonomi yang dapat dimanfaatkan untuk pembangunan prasarana setempat.

8. Salah satu akar kepada leluhur Melayu ialah kisah Wan Empuk dan Wan Malini penanam Padi Huma. Mengambil idea dari pelancongan Padi Huma di Tegallalang - Bali, ayah mencadangkan kawasan Bukit yang telah ditarah untuk diteres semula dan ditanam Padi Huma. Manfaatkan semula setiap inci tanah bukit yang telah diguna, dari terbiar tanpa Cegatan Silara - molek dimanfaatkan sebaiknya.

9.  Bersesuaian dengan kemajuan teknologi, penggunaan Drone untuk menyembur racun dan baja perlu diberikan pendedahan kepada generasi remaja. Bukan sekadar peluang kerjaya, tetapi menjamin sifar kematian dan efek kesihatan akibat daripada aktiviti penyemburan racun secara manual oleh pesawah sejak dulu kala.

10.  Memperluaskan kajian bakteria/mikrob baik yang membantu pertumbuhan Padi sebagaimana yang pernah dilakukan oleh pengkaji Agrotani - Cthnya: Puan Wahida Hambali. Selain dari itu, pesawah perlu diberikan pendedahan dan dibekalkan benih pokok Bunga Pukul Delapan (Turnera Subulata/Trioniflora), yang mana pokok ini memberikan manfaat secara alami untuk sistem ekologi sawah Padi.

11.  Bantuan Kewangan Awal Persekolahan RM 300 per kepala untuk anak-anak Pesawah yang masih bersekolah dari Pra Sekolah hingga Tingkatan 6.

12. Subsidi alat ganti dan kos pembaikpulihan sebanyak RM 1000 setahun untuk pengusaha jentera tani dan pesawah yang memiliki Kubota / Trekta. 

13.  Penghapusan hutang PTPTN kepada anak pesawah yang mencapai pointer 3.5 dan ke atas, atau pointer 3.2 dan ke atas sekiranya ikhtisas terkait pertanian.

14.  Skim Pemilikan Kereta Pesawah Pertama (SMILE) untuk membantu pesawah yang tidak mempunyai slip gaji memiliki kereta - hasil usahasama Proton/Perodua dan pinjaman faedah rendah Agrobank.

15.  Program Subsidi Haji sebanyak

RM 2000 kepada pesawah / pasangan yang berumur 60 tahun ke atas, dengan syarat mengerjakan Haji kali pertama.

Datuk Seri,

Kenangan mendewasakan memori bahawa Datuk Seri ialah Talam yang mengangkat piring sumbing marhaen dari Baling ketika Demonstrasi 1974, hatta ianya adalah tinta yang mencorak perjalanan politik Datuk Seri dari Permatang Pauh hingga Putrajaya.

Besarlah harapan seandainya buah fikiran ini diperhalusi oleh Datuk Seri dan kepimpinan negara. Setelah kami menumpahkan janji dan undi kepada Malaysia, semoga Malaysia menumpahkan semula nuansa membela kepada pesawahnya.

"Kedah Tua tidak dibina di dalam mimpi - Kota Melaka hancur dalam 14 hari"

Semoga ALLAH merahmati Malaysia,

Terima Kasih Perdana Menteri. 😊

Sekian

Eyeing Mike Chan's stem cell

𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗳. 𝗗𝗮𝘁𝗼’ 𝗦𝗿𝗶 𝗗𝗿. 𝗠𝗶𝗸𝗲 𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗻 𝗮𝗽𝗽𝗼𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝗮𝘀 𝗕𝗼𝗮𝗿𝗱 𝗠𝗲𝗺𝗯𝗲𝗿 𝗼𝗳 𝗦𝗦𝗣 𝗚𝗹𝗼𝗯𝗮𝗹 𝗔𝗱𝘃𝗶𝘀𝗼𝗿𝘆 𝗕𝗼𝗮𝗿𝗱!

ZURICH: European Wellness Biomedical Group Chairman Prof. Dato’ Sri Dr. Mike Chan has been officially appointed into the SSP Global Advisory Board, joining SSP Health Care and Life Sciences, a business unit of Strategic Swiss Partners - renowned management and advisory firm serving multinational corporations, Fortune 500, governments, corporate institutions, and high net worth individuals worldwide!

His expertise and over 38 years of experience in integrative, biological and regenerative medicine, stem cell therapy, anti-aging, biological age reversal, immunology, and quality life extension will no doubt become an important asset in the unit’s expansion into stem cell treatment and bio-molecular medicine.

Medicine is constantly developing, with scientists working on new ways to make life easier for patients. One of the greater goals of medicine is to replace or restore damaged tissue, cells, and organs, thus potentially extending life – an area that Prof. Dato’ Sri Dr. Mike Chan has intimate knowledge in. The enigmatic scientist’s foray into anti-aging and regenerative medicine began in the mid-80s, when he worked under the tutelage of some of the world’s greatest cell therapists hailing from the Soviet Union, Germany, and Switzerland. He subsequently pioneered bio-regenerative medicine, cellular/organo therapy, and stem cell research in Europe, and led several companies renowned for anti-aging cellular therapies into rapid global expansion – with operations in research and development, product development, manufacturing and distribution as well as physician education initiatives to improve clinical applications of biopharmaceuticals.

Since then, he has conducted more than a 1,000 lectures, seminars, and symposiums worldwide in the fields of anti-aging, bio-regenerative medicine, and stem cell therapies. His team introduced the world's first medical textbook stem cell book for physicians in 2006 and has authored and co-authored over 40 books on stem cells, aging, neurodegenerative and neurodevelopment disorders, metabolic diseases, biological and regenerative medicine and has 70 scientific and medical publications in USA and UK. He also authored the world's first book on the application of Stem Cells and Peptides on animals (from dogs and cats to birds, horses and camels), which is based on his 3 decades of experience treating animals and working with breeders and pedigree owners worldwide. He also holds membership in more than 20 academic bodies worldwide.

Additionally, Prof. Dato’ Sri Dr. Mike Chan and his companies have won more than 20 awards including awards for invention, top leadership, entrepreneurship, quality assurance, and other achievements from international bodies in Europe, the Middle-East, and Asia. Most recently, the accomplished scientist gained global acclaim by receiving the "BrandLaureate Brand ICON Leadership Award" (2021) and "Most Outstanding Brands Leadership Award" (2020) - in addition to steering three companies (European Wellness, MF3, and FCTI) to receive the "Wellness Innovative Premium Therapeutic Solution Award", "International Quality Health & Beauty Solutions Award" and "Anti-Aging Bio Regenerative Stem Cells Research Award" respectively - during the prestigious BrandLaureate Awards. Organised by The World Brands Foundation (TWBF), the BrandLaureate Awards celebrates brands and leaders that have not only stood strong, but have also reflected their agility and resilience in today’s unprecedented economy to emerge as forerunners in innovation, inspiration, and integrity.

Other recent awards also include the 2022 ASEAN Wellness Excellence Award and an Appreciation Award which he represented European Wellness to receive during the ASEAN Leadership and Partnership Forum in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, as well as the Asia Pacific Outstanding Business Leader Lifetime Achievement Award & ASEAN Distinguished Lifetime Achievement Awards (2021), and WCES Excellent Entrepreneur Lifetime Achievement Award (2020). Prof. Dato' Sri Mike Chan also holds multiple international patents in stem cells, immunology, and biotech.

Guna Mahalingam, chairman of Strategic Swiss Partners, said: “Stem cell treatment and bio-molecular medicine is delivering hope for new treatments across many currently untreatable diseases and truly promises to be a game changer when it comes to addressing some of the major health challenges facing the world today. Professor Dato’ Sri Dr Mike K.S. Chan has dedicated decades of his life to the field of anti-aging and regenerative medicine and stands out as one of the most respected pioneers in the field. We are proud and honoured to welcome him to the SSP Health Care and Life Sciences team.”

𝗥𝗘𝗔𝗗 𝗠𝗢𝗥𝗘: https://www.strategicswisspartners.com/single-post/professor-mike-chan-joins-swiss-ssp-health-care-team

Congratulations on your new appointment, Prof. Dato’ Sri Dr. Mike Chan! 

𝗔𝗕𝗢𝗨𝗧 𝗦𝗦𝗣 𝗛𝗘𝗔𝗟𝗧𝗛 𝗖𝗔𝗥𝗘 & 𝗟𝗜𝗙𝗘 𝗦𝗖𝗜𝗘𝗡𝗖𝗘𝗦:

SSP Health Care & Life Sciences is a business unit of Strategic Swiss Partners Zurich AG. The SSP healthcare team consists of highly qualified and experienced professionals in pharmaceutical sciences, medicine, marketing, finance, and management, with years of working experience in various industries across several global regions. SSP Health Care & Life Sciences focuses on the successful development and assistance of promising healthcare technology which could benefit millions of people.

https://www.strategicswisspartners.com/

𝗔𝗕𝗢𝗨𝗧 𝗣𝗥𝗢𝗙. 𝗗𝗔𝗧𝗢’ 𝗦𝗥𝗜 𝗗𝗥. 𝗠𝗜𝗞𝗘 𝗖𝗛𝗔𝗡:

Prof. Dato’ Sri Dr. Mike K.S. Chan, 61, is a Researcher, Author, and Educator who specializes in biotechnology research and development of stem cells, peptide therapeutics, and biological and regenerative medicine. Founder of European Wellness Biomedical Group, Germany – a vertically integrated group comprising key divisions in IP research and development, biotech and biopharma manufacturing plants (Germany & EU), Educational Institutions & Professional Academies, and global product distribution across 80 countries, 30+ hospitals, medical wellness, diagnostics, and youth restorative centers with research labs in Germany, USA, Athens, Switzerland, UK, Turkey and Malaysia.

He currently sits on the Board and heads the Scientific Committee for Regenerative Medicine, ESAAM (European Society of Preventative, Regenerative and Anti-Aging Medicine, Est. 2003) in addition to being the Society’s Chairman for the Asian region. He is also an Associate Professor of AASCP, USA (American Academy of Stem Cell Physicians), Chairman for A4M (American Academy of Anti-Aging Medicine, USA) Thailand. He is also Chairman of Japan’s Medical Association for Regenerative Medicine, MMJ (Multi-Dimensional Holistic Medical Team Japan) and Senator of BWA, Germany (Federal Association for Economic Development & Foreign Trade for China, Indonesia & Malaysia). 

https://european-wellness.eu/advisory/prof-dr-mike-chan/

https://mikechan.org/

✉ For any bookings/general inquiries, kindly contact us via e-mail at info@european-wellness.com.

Prof Dr Mike Chan

#SSP #StrategicSwissPartners #GlobalAdvisoryBoard #SSPHeatlhCareLifeSciences #Official #Appointment #Switzerland #BoardMember #ProfDrMikeChan #EWC #EuropeanWellness

Eyeing Mahiaddin's story 1

TUN M LETAK JAWATAN : APA YANG SEBENARNYA BERLAKU?

”Saya tidak tikam sesiapa. Saya cuma mahu menyelamatkan negara”

Tun Mahathir kata saya tikam beliau dari belakang. Jenuh saya memikirkan bila masa saya menikamnya.

Saya pada mulanya tidak mahu melayan tuduhan ini kerana bagi saya ini cerita politik yang telah berlalu. Saya lebih suka mengambil sikap berlapang dada.

Tetapi saya berfikir semula. Kalau saya tidak jelaskan kedudukan yang sebenarnya, ramai orang akan mempunyai pandangan serong terhadap saya.

Mungkin ramai yang tidak tahu cerita sebenar. Jadi, marilah saya ceritakan.

Pada pagi 24 Februari 2020, iaitu hari Tun Mahathir meletak jawatan sebagai Perdana Menteri, saya menemui beliau di rumahnya. Beliau tidak beritahu saya tentang niatnya untuk meletak jawatan.

Setelah saya pulang ke rumah, saya menerima sepucuk surat daripada Tun Mahathir memaklumkan kepada saya bahawa beliau meletak jawatan sebagai Pengerusi BERSATU, Perdana Menteri dan semua jawatan dalam kerajaan. Pada masa yang sama, sepucuk surat peletakan jawatan beliau sebagai Perdana Menteri dihantar ke Istana Negara.

Saya amat terkejut dengan tindakan Tun Mahathir meletak jawatan. Saya bergegas semula ke rumahnya untuk memujuk beliau supaya menarik balik peletakan jawatannya. Namun beliau berkeras untuk meneruskan niatnya.

Pada sebelah petangnya, pimpinan BERSATU, PAS, UMNO, GPS dan WARISAN  berkumpul di rumah Tun Mahathir untuk memujuk beliau supaya menarik balik peletakan jawatannya. Malangnya, beliau masih berdegil.

Kenapa Tun Mahathir meletak jawatan?

Alasan yang diberikan di dalam suratnya kepada saya ialah kerana beliau tidak lagi mendapat sokongan Majlis Tertinggi parti yang mewakili ahli-ahli parti. Sehari sebelumnya, Majlis Pimpinan Tertinggi (MPT) BERSATU telah membuat keputusan untuk keluar dari Pakatan Harapan (PH). Beliau meletak jawatan kerana tidak puas hati dengan keputusan MPT BERSATU untuk keluar PH.

Sebenarnya, Tun Mahathir telah memulakan gerakan untuk BERSATU keluar dari PH. Tetapi beliau membuat pusingan u di saat akhir apabila Majlis Presiden PH dalam mesyuaratnya pada 21 Februari 2020 membuat keputusan untuk terus menyokong beliau sebagai Perdana Menteri.

Sebelum itu, kalau kita masih ingat, beliau telah didesak oleh beberapa pihak di dalam PH supaya berundur untuk memberi laluan kepada Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim dilantik sebagai PM-8.

Setelah Majlis Presiden PH membuat keputusan untuk terus menyokong beliau sebagai Perdana Menteri, beliau cuba meyakinkan MPT Bersatu supaya kekal berada di dalam PH. Tetapi MPT Bersatu hampir sebulat suara membuat keputusan sebaliknya. 

Keputusan ini dibuat kerana memikirkan BERSATU semakin kehilangan sokongan orang Melayu akibat tindak-tanduk beberapa pihak di dalam PH terutamanya parti DAP yang dilihat gagal menjaga sensitiviti orang Islam dan masyarakat pelbagai kaum di negara ini. 

Dalam dua pilihan raya kecil di Semenyih dan Tanjung Piai, calon BERSATU yang bertanding atas tiket PH kalah. Sokongan pengundi Melayu kepada Bersatu ketika itu merosot walaupun kedua-kedua kerusi ini dimenangi oleh BERSATU dalam PRU-14.

Walaupun kecewa dengan keputusan MPT BERSATU, Tun Mahathir tidak sepatutnya meletak jawatan. Kerana pada masa itu telah ada 138 Akuan Bersumpah Ahli-Ahli Parlimen dari BERSATU, PKR, PAS, BN, GPS, PBS dan WARISAN yang menyokong beliau sebagai Perdana Menteri. 

Saya adalah salah seorang Ahli Parlimen yang telah menandatangani Akuan Bersumpah untuk terus menyokong beliau sebagai Perdana Menteri.

Maksudnya, walaupun BERSATU keluar PH, kedudukan beliau sebagai Perdana Menteri tidak terjejas. Malangnya, Tun Mahathir meletak jawatan juga atas kerelaannya sendiri.

Apabila seorang Perdana Menteri meletak jawatan, maka menurut Perkara 43(2) Perlembagaan Persekutuan, seorang Perdana Menteri baharu mesti dilantik oleh Kebawah Duli Yang Maha Mulia Seri Paduka Baginda Yang Di-Pertuan Agong.

Dengan peletakan jawatan Tun Mahathir sebagai Pengerusi BERSATU, saya sebagai Presiden parti telah mempengerusikan mesyuarat khas MPT Bersatu. Mesyuarat tersebut telah sebulat suara membuat keputusan untuk mencalonkan semula Tun Mahathir sebagai Perdana Menteri. Semua Ahli Parlimen BERSATU telah diarahkan supaya menyokong Tun Mahathir.

Pada ketika itu, Presiden PAS dan Presiden UMNO mencadangkan supaya saya menerima pencalonan sebagai Perdana Menteri. Saya tolak pencalonan itu kerana keputusan parti ialah untuk menyokong Tun Mahathir.

Ketika semua Ahli Parlimen dipanggil menghadap oleh KDYMM Seri Paduka Baginda Yang Di-Pertuan Agong untuk menentukan siapa yang mendapat sokongan majoriti untuk dilantik sebagai Perdana Menteri, saya telah menyatakan sokongan saya kepada Tun Mahathir.

Malangnya, Tun Mahathir gagal mendapat sokongan majoriti Ahli-Ahli Parlimen. Sebahagian besar Ahli-Ahli Parlimen yang menandatangani Akuan Bersumpah menyokong beliau sebagai Perdana Menteri sebelum ini telah menarik balik sokongan kepadanya. Oleh sebab itu, menurut Perlembagaan Persekutuan, beliau tidak boleh dilantik semula sebagai Perdana Menteri.

Seorang lagi calon Perdana Menteri iaitu Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim pun gagal mendapat sokongan majoriti untuk dilantik sebagai Perdana Menteri.

Negara pada masa itu terumbang-ambing kerana tidak ada seorang pun dalam kalangan Ahli-Ahli Parlimen yang mendapat sokongan majoriti Ahli-Ahli Parlimen yang lain untuk dilantik sebagai Perdana Menteri. Pada ketika itulah saya sekali lagi didatangi oleh rakan-rakan dalam parti PAS dan UMNO yang menyatakan sokongan kepada saya untuk dilantik sebagai Perdana Menteri.

Menurut mereka, inilah satu-satunya cara untuk menyelamatkan negara daripada keadaan yang terumbang-ambing.

Sebagai tanda hormat saya kepada Tun Mahathir, saya telah menemui beliau untuk meminta sokongannya. Beliau beritahu saya beliau sedia memberi sokongan kepada saya sebagai Perdana Menteri jika saya berjaya mendapatkan sokongan majoriti Ahli-Ahli Parlimen.

Saya beritahu Tun Mahathir,Insya-Allah saya akan mendapat sokongan majoriti.

Namun, Tun Mahathir membuat pusingan u sekali lagi apabila beliau mencalonkan dirinya sebagai Perdana Menteri untuk berlawan dengan saya. Allahuakbar. 

Jadi, cuba saudara dan saudari bayangkan. 

Adakah saya menikamnya dari belakang? Adakah saya khianat?

Saya buat ini demi menyelamatkan agama, bangsa dan negara saya. Saya bukan pengkhianat.

Mengenai sebab BERSATU keluar PH, saya akan ceritakan kemudian.

Eyeing Najib's defence

One of the key propaganda messages most used by PH and PN against me is that Malaysia's financial health and debt were getting worse when I was Prime Minister.

I still read many comments from their supporters expressing this.

Actually, the reverse is true and I want to set the record straight so that you are no longer deceived by PH.

When I was PM, the government deficit was reduced for 8 consecutive years (bottom chart) but became bigger again after GE14.

As a result, government debt increased from RM688.6 billion as at end 2017 before GE14 to RM1.05 trillion as of 1st quarter 2022 - a  staggering 46.5% increase in less than 4 years.

As a result, the debt to GDP ratio for Malaysia was also reduced every year and reached 48.7% as at Q1 2018 just before GE14 - way below the statutory limit of 55% that the BN government set for itself.

Post GE14, the debt to GDP ratio increased again under the PH and PN government.

The statutory debt limit was then raised twice to 60% and then to 65%.

Since GE14, the debt to GDP ratio has jumped from 48.7% to 62% as at end 2022.

Both the government deficit and debt to GDP ratio would have been higher if PH did not then excessively raid the RM176b cash reserves of Petronas left behind by the BN government compared to the RM30b cash when I started as PM.

Imagine that in the year 2019 alone, PH took RM54 billion from Petronas.

(Imagine this: They can just take RM54 billion in one year alone from Petronas and yet they tell you that Malaysia will go bankrupt due to 1MDB's RM32 billion debt which was only needed to be paid by year 2039? 

On the contrary, 1MDB's RM140b Bandar Malaysia and the RM40b TRX projects alone would have generated more than enough cashflow as it is gradually developed to pay for the RM32 billion and still generate tens of billions in profit for the government).

"March 2019: (Updated) Petronas to pay RM54 billion dividend to govt"

https://www.nst.com.my/business/2019/03/467229/updated-petronas-pay-rm54-billion-dividend-govt

Despite both the government deficit and debt to GDP ratio reducing for 8 consecutive years, the BN government was still able to build all sorts of large public infrastructure projects such as MRT, LRT1 and LRT2 extensions, the toll-free Central Spine Road highway, the toll-free Pan Borneo Highway, introduce various forms of aid including introducing BR1M at RM500 in 2012 which was then raised almost every year to RM2,000 by year 2018.

The share market doesn't lie. That is why the share market more than doubled during the 9 years I was PM and reached its highest ever level at 1896 points in April 2018 just before GE14.

And this is why people like Kit Siang would not dare debate me about such stuff as these are all facts and figures. Should they be confronted, they will be forced to admit they have been lying.

Write-ups and graphs are from here:

https://focusmalaysia.my/malaysia-to-see-wider-fiscal-deficit-in-2022-amid-heavy-subsidies-spending/

Eyeing the I files by Jonathan Smith

This has been a story nearly a year in the telling, but decades in the making; and for indulging me in this tale, I thank you, dear readers.

The work before you is the result of many hands, and though I shall not name them individually, I thank them all for their diligence, their humour, and most especially their record-keeping. These files will soon be locked away again, perhaps to appear decades hence in a museum or archive; or perhaps not at all. That depends on the declassification dates in some cases.

Some time, and very soon, Najib Razak and Anwar Ibrahim will face off one last time. The result rests in the hands of those men and women – including my children – who have lived through Anwar’s time, and who now perhaps have a fuller vision of the man.

Who is Anwar Ibrahim? A street brawler turned politician? A Saudi-backed and –inspired theocrat? A lover of literature? A man who dreamed of leadership, but never understood or exercised it? A perpetual victim of his own sins as much as anyone else’s?

I realise as I commit these final words to my computer that even now, I do not know the answer to this except to say that the answer to all of these is yes – but that even that answer is qualified by Anwar’s desire, at heart, to be everything to everyone; and that paradoxically, he could never be, because in his core, he has nothing.

And I? I am an old man, my days of excitement long behind me. I find I am weary of this tale, though satisfied that I have completed it. It is time to return to my beautiful wife, and growing my fortune for her and my children, and the joy of retirement.

REPORT THIS ADWith that, I return to the shadows from whence I came, and wish you all the best of wisdom and luck in the events to come later this year.

–J.S.

Kuala Lumpur, 8 February 2013

Eyeing his comments

If the Malay vote bank still supports former Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak, it’s probably because they are not speaking the same language as non-Muslim voters in Malaya. Voters in the Borneo Territories — Sabah and Sarawak — are less inclined to malign Najib in the wake of the Tues 23 Aug 2022 conviction on the SRC case, unlike non-Muslim Malay voters see Najib as eligible for Immediate Pardon based on the Tainted Ruling arising from the miscarriage of justice on the RM42m SRC International case. They want Agong to grant Najib Immediate Pardon before nomination day for GE15 on multiple grounds including on conviction not being perfected in law.

There are also other mitigating factors for Immediate Pardon like the Basic Features Doctrine (BFD) in the Constitution, the Doctrine of Separation of Powers and the prerogative and discretionary powers of government and management, and the two great principles that govern the Cabinet System, viz. consensus — no voice against — and collective responsibility.

Najib, being the only one charged in court on the 1MDB Story, remains a violation of the rule of law.

Under the BFD, the Najib Administration (2009 to 2018) stands indemnified for “acts in office”, and has immunity and implicit Pardon.

In the High Court, even if Judge Nazlan didn’t stand recused for alleged “conflict of interest”, it had no jurisdiction over the SRC case i.e. it was not a matter for judicial consideration and resolution. The mitigating grounds have been mentioned.

Elephant in the Room

Malay voters, in the wake of Najib’s jailing, worry about the elephant in the room which divides as it unites Malaysia, viz. the 4th Prong of Article 153, the New Economic Policy (NEP) and the quota system. The 4th Prong speaks of a “reasonable proportion” of opportunities from the government to do business. The NEP set a target of 30 per cent of Malaysia’s corporate wealth for Orang Asal, Orang Asli and Malay by 1990 or, if necessary, by a later date as it may be work in progress.

Orang Asal, Orang Asli and Malay see corruption holistically, beyond the MACC Act 2009, as the act of making everything one touches to go bad. This is the proverbial brush, in law, which tars everyone. Let him, who is without sin, cast the first stone.

The MACC remains about the simple act of giving and taking. Invariably, takers are brought to justice, while givers have immunity as prosecution witness, after “plea bargaining”. In law, it’s unlawful, “plea bargaining” being entrapment, duress, blackmail, and even coaching witnesses for perjury.

Plea bargaining does not exist in Malaysia under the criminal justice system and adversarial system of justice. The Attorney General (AG) can be dragged to court, under Article 145, for abuse of power.

Non-Muslim voters view political donation in a narrow, restricted sense, as deriving personal benefits from bribery and corruption. If political donation is euphemism for corruption, it’s also an approach favoured by the MACC when it suits its convenience.

The Attorney General’s Chambers (AGC) isn’t far behind the MACC’s approach on political donation.

Political Donation

Political donation would not end up in court, as deriving personal benefit from bribery and corruption, if recipients declared and paid income tax. In Malaysia, there’s no law on political donation, no law against it, and it’s not discouraged.

Malay voters have noted, in mitigating for Najib, that taxes due have strangely not been raised in court, not even when former Sabah Chief Minister Musa Aman claimed that the RM380m attributed to him, as deriving personal benefits from bribery and corruption, was political donation.

The court freed Musa of 46 charges of bribery and corruption, on Mon 8 June 2020, when he uttered the magical words, “political donation”. The AG and the court never asked Musa for proof of political donation by way of receipts from the Inland Revenue Board (IRB).

If Musa can be given the benefit of the doubt on political donation, it was violation of the rule of law when Najib was denied the same right. In law, Article 8, there can be no discrimination, no one is above the law, everyone is equal under the law, and where there are rights, there are remedies.

Based on Musa’s admission in court, MACC and Bank Negara should have frozen, seized and forfeited the RM380m by civil action. Musa could have offered to settle the matter out of court, without prejudice i.e. no admission of liability, and thereby saved 60 per cent of the money, based on previous cases. Still, he must settle with IRB for the RM380m. If the civil action was challenged, a criminal suit would be instituted.

Voters Not Blind

Malay voters are not blind that the RM42m in Najib’s SRC International case was a pittance compared with the RM380m political donation. In law, the public test would be what two passengers on a bus from Petaling Jaya to Kuala Lumpur believe. They would not accept that RM380m was political donation since there was no proof produced in court that income tax was paid.

So, while Najib literally rots in jail for 12 years over RM42m, Musa is laughing all the way to the bank with RM380m tax-free. He’s also secure in the knowledge that MACC and Bank Negara were probably in cahoots with him, given the inaction in law, on the aborted money laundering charges.

Malay voters can see that the criminal justice system spared Musa while, in a contradiction in terms, vilifying Najib.

Inflated government contracts, another issue of significance, maybe a matter for MACC and Bank Negara under money laundering laws.

Indeed, to cite a related example on selective prosecution and selective persecution, the MACC and its predecessor ACA (Anti Corruption Agency) declared after investigating Taib Mahmud that government contracts — generally inflated — wasn’t corruption on the grounds that “contracts were signed”.

MACC does not do due diligence on government contracts for fraud, cheating, disproportionate profits and secret profits. In law, secret profits belong to the principal i.e. the government in this case. Inflated government contracts go for double, triple and even up to ten times what it should cost the taxpayer. Three examples were raised in Parliament, not so long ago, and can be found in the Hansard. The one km rail link between KLIA2 and KLIA cost RM100m; the Army bought a 0.45 sen Maggi mee packet at RM4.50 per packet; and Malaysian Airlines (now defunct) served nasi lemak at RM150 per plate on board flights.

SEDC Joint-Ventures

It was an open secret that the Taib Family entered into “joint-ventures” with SEDC (Sarawak Economic Development Corporation) for government contracts. Invariably the “joint-ventures” were favoured at the expense of genuine bidders. The pro-government media used to report that Taib left Cabinet meetings considering bids by the “joint-ventures” for government contracts. The Cabinet meetings, dutifully chaired by Deputy Chief Minister Alfred Jabu Anak Numpang, would approve the bids by the “joint-ventures”. If the “joint-ventures” were denied, Jabu risked being removed from the government. In law, it was acting under duress.

The Taib Family became fabulously wealthy as documented extensively by The Sarawak Report, the London-based whistleblower website purportedly funded by a European Foundation, but to no avail. Editor Clare Rewcastle Brown had some success with the 1MDB Story in cahoots with Mahathir Mohamad and the Opposition.

Money laundering cases were never filed in Sarawak as Putrajaya needs the support of the Taib-controlled block of parliamentary seats. In fact, the arrangement arises from 1966 when Chief Minister Stephen Kalong Ningkan was ousted in an emergency masterminded by the Federal government. After a brief tenure in office by Penghulu Tawi Sli, no Orang Asal (Original People) has been Chief Minister of the Territory, despite forming the single largest majority. The territorial government, under the unchanged control of the proxies of the Federal government, appears to have a licence to be serial money launderers.

The Orang Asal have also lost hundreds of thousands of NCR (native customary rights) land, i.e. ancestral and historical property, to crony companies including from Malaya. The court has generally ruled, in violation of the rule of law, against Orang Asal defending NCR land.

Finally, when push came to shove after Najib became Prime Minister, Taib was forced to make way in Mar 2014 for Adenan Satem. Taib became Governor and remains there like a latter-day Sultan.

Phenomenon

The MACC and AGC should explain this Sarawak phenomenon in the wake of politically-motivated cases brought by the MACC and AGC against Najib, his wife Rosmah, Umno President Ahmad Zahid Hamidi and others. Therein, the matter lies partly on the “holier than thou” story of corruption in Malaysia.

The Opposition wants to make kleptocracy and corruption — read Najib in jail — the issues in GE15.

In retrospect, the Barisan Nasional (BN) Supreme Council should have met on Thurs 10 May 2018 and thrown its support behind incumbent Najib Abdul Razak as PM-designate and conveyed the decision to the Agong.

Agong would have to consider since Najib was the incumbent and the Opposition and Agong were divided on the PM-designate.

Generally, by convention, the incumbent PM can be invited first to try and form the gov’t.

Parliament can test confidence in the PM.

On Thurs 10 May 2018, I thought of Greece.

It has been noted that the changing of the guards was normally followed by a period of uncertainty.

My thoughts were on the confidence factor. In Greece, the Opposition won the election. They immediately informed the people that the government could not afford to repay the national debt. This statement should not have been made. There was a run on the Greek economy. The rest is history. Greece is suffering to this day.

LGE Statements

Lim Guan Eng (LGE), after he became Finance Minister, compromised confidence in the economy with his statements. The country is suffering from this to this day.

LGE should have been magnanimous. He should not have mentioned 1MDB, off-balance sheet commitments and gov’t guarantees.

If the press hounds him, he could have said that the government was doing due diligence on the Najib Administration and forensic accounting. After that, the matter should be placed under the Official Secrets Act 1972 (OSA’72), lest confidence is compromised. If this had happened, Najib would not be in jail.

Pakatan Harapan (PH) was carried away by its BS (bullsxit) on Thurs 10 May 2018. We must know where politics ends and good gov’t begins.

LGE became so excited and emotional when he was appointed by the Agong as Finance Minister, despite having roots in China, that he allegedly lost all sense of proportion and fair play towards the Orang Asal and Malay. Apparently, he belaboured in the delusion that he was the sole fountain of wisdom and had a Divine Mandate to act with impunity.

These are issues for GE15.

Before Mahathir resigned on Mon 24 Feb 2020, I said that he would be looking for a way to get rid of DAP from the Federal Cabinet.

I didn’t expect him to resign!

Eyeing Nikkei Asia's Views on China and Asia

 China's COVID lockdowns mean its economic expansion this year will be slower than the rest of emerging Asia for the first time in more than three decades, the Asian Development Bank projected in a new report.

In an updated Asian Development Outlook report published Wednesday, the organization downgraded its forecast for China's 2022 growth to 3.3% from 5.0% in April. The bank also cut its projection for next year to 4.5% from 4.8%.

Under its zero-COVID strategy, the region's largest economy imposed lockdowns to fight outbreaks, even as other countries loosened restrictions to reopen their economies.

Those lockdowns, the ADB said, add to other economic challenges the region faces. These mainly stem from Russia's drawn-out invasion of Ukraine, which has pushed up global food and fuel inflation and led advanced economies to raise interest rates.

Developing Asia as a whole is forecast to grow 4.3% in 2022, down from a 5.2% estimate in April. Excluding China, the region is projected to grow 5.3%, the ADB said.

The ADB defines developing (or emerging) Asia as one of its 46 regional members in Asia and the Pacific -- basically all of the region's economies except Japan.

For 2023, the emerging Asian region is forecast to grow 4.9%, instead of 5.3%.

"Developing Asia continues to recover, but risks loom large," ADB Chief Economist Albert Park said in a statement.

"A significant downturn in the world economy would severely undermine demand for the region's exports," Park said. "Stronger-than-expected monetary tightening in advanced economies could lead to financial instability. And growth in [China] faces challenges from recurrent lockdowns and a weak property sector."

The ADB projects regional inflation to accelerate to 4.5% this year, from 3.7% in its earlier forecast. Price increases are expected to stabilize at 4.0% next year, but that is still higher than the previous forecast of 3.1%.

The bank said rising inflation is expected to dent the recovery of South Asia, which is predicted to grow 6.5% this year, instead of 7.0%. The growth forecast for India, South Asia's largest economy, has been cut to 7.0%, from 7.5%, with a 7.2% expansion predicted next year.

The economy of crisis-hit Sri Lanka is expected to shrink 8.8% this year, before the contraction eases to 3.3% in 2023. Pakistan, which grew 6% in its 2022 fiscal year ended June, is predicted to expand at a slower pace of 3.5% in 2023 as International Monetary Fund-backed efforts to fix the country's fiscal deficit curtail economic activity, the ADB said.

Still, there are bright spots in other parts of the region.

Southeast Asia's growth forecast for this year has been raised to 5.1% from 4.9%, and a 5.0% expansion is projected for 2023.

This year's improved forecast comes amid stronger domestic demand in Indonesia, Southeast Asia's largest economy, which is predicted to grow 5.4%, up from 5.0%. The Philippines is now estimated to expand 6.5%, rather than 6.0%.

Eyeing Azad Jasmi's writings

 *Berhati-hati dengan Riak, Ujub dan Takbur.*

*Azad Jasmi l 10 Sep 2022*

————————————

1. Saya ingin kongsikan elemen sifat “sakit” yang ada dalam diri kita, namun kerap kali kita tidak sedar dan sering alpa dengan sikap ini.

2. ALLAH SWT berfirman: "Dan janganlah kamu memalingkan mukamu dari manusia (kerana sombong) dan janganlah kamu berjalan di muka bumi dengan angkuh. Sesungguhnya ALLAH tidak menyukai orang-orang yang sombong lagi membanggakan diri." (Surah Luqman 31:18)

3. Menurut Rasulullah SAW, ada tiga penyakit yang akan menghancurkan amalan seseorang, antaranya ialah riak atau sombong. Imam al-Ghazali dalam kitab Ihya Ulumuddin berkata, sifat takbur akan menjadi batas pemisah antara seseorang dengan kemuliaan akhlak. Orang takbur akan selalu mendustakan kebenaran, menganggap rendah orang lain dan meninggikan dirinya.

4. Kita lihat ramai cerdik pandai dalam kalangan kita dan pemimpin-peminpin yang berkuasa yang membawa dan mempamerkan sikap riak dan sombong. 

Mereka menjadi riak dan sombong kerana mempunyai kelebihan daripada orang lain, sama ada mempunyai kuasa sebagai penjawat awam atau memegang jawatan tertentu, mempunyai ilmu pengetahuan sama ada pengetahuan tentang dunia atau pengetahuan tentang akhirat, mempunyai harta kekayaan, mempunyai kegagahan fizikal atau keturunan yang baik.

5. Kelebihan dianugerah Tuhan tidak mereka syukuri dengan perasaan syukur dan tawaduk tetapi membuat mereka menjadi riak dan sombong.

i. Takbur

Ialah berperasaan tinggi diri dan suka menganggap diri sendiri lebih mulia, lebih pandai, lebih cerdik dari orang lain. Manakala sombong ditakrifkan sebagai tinggi hati, angkuh dan bongkak.Takbur dan sombong adalah perkataan yang sama maksud dan pengertiannya.

ii. Ujub

Bermaksud bangga akan diri sendiri, merasa kagum terhadap diri sendiri kerana kelebihan atau sesuatu yang terdapat padanya. Diri sendiri yang dimaksudkan adalah berkaitan peribadinya, orang kelilingnya, harta benda, kecantikan, kepandaian, anggota keluarganya atau apa sahaja yang dekat dan akrab dengan dirinya.

iii. Riak

Ialah tidak ikhlas menunaikan ibadat atau melakukan sesuatu dengan mengharapkan balasan yang setimpal. Sebagai contoh seorang lelaki atau perempuan yang bersembahyang sambil mengharapkan agar ada orang yang memerhati dan memuji kerajinannya.

6. Ketiga-tiga penyakit hati ini membahayakan umat Islam dan ada pendapat ulama meletakkan ketiga-tiga sifat ini sebagai syirik kecil.

Jika sifat-sifat ini terdapat di dalam diri, ia akan menyebabkan pahala amalan ditolak serta merta.

7. Baca Doa Ini Bila Dipuji, Elak Rasa Riak, Ujub Dan Takabbur

Terdapat juga riwayat daripada sebahagian ulama salaf yang berpesan dengan doa:

Maksudnya: “Ya Allah, sesungguhnya Engkau Maha Mengetahui keadaan diriku lebih dari aku sendiri, dan aku lebih mengetahui keadaan diriku berbanding orang lain. Ya Allah, jangan Engkau menghukumku disebabkan pujian yang mereka ucapkan, ampunilah aku atas kekurangan yang tidak mereka ketahui. Dan jadikan aku lebih baik dari pada penilaian yang mereka berikan untukku.”

8. Dalam riwayat yang lain, terdapat tambahan lafaz:

Maksudnya: Jadikanlah aku lebih baik daripada apa yang mereka sangkakan. Riwayat al-Baihaqi dalam Syu’ab al-Iman (4524 dan 4534)

(Sumber tentang bacaan doa ketika dipuji ini ialah dari Pejabat Mufti Wilayah Persekutuan)

9 Semoga ada manfaat dan kebaikan dari perkongsian kecil ini. Ini merupakan ingatan buat saya yang sering terlupa.

Yang baik dari Allah dan buruk itu pasti dari saya.

10. Ilmu ini ialah ilmu Allah dan saya hanya sampaikan dengan harapan agar ada manfaat bersama untuk dikongsikan insyaAllah.

Eyeing Lin Sean Si's comments

(Disediakan oleh Lim Sian See, terjemahan drpd tulisan asal dlm BI)

Orang-orang penting kes SRC:

Dalang: Jho Low - Tidak didakwa, tidak dapat dikesan dan TIDAK memberi keterangan.Orang yang memalsukan 20 tandatangan pindahan wang dari bank: Orang yang tidak dikenali, tidak didakwa, tidak dapat dikesan dan TIDAK memberi keterangan.

Orang yang menguruskan akaun Najib: Nik Faisal.  Tidak didakwa, tidak dapat dikesan dan TIDAK memberi keterangan.

Orang yang didakwa mengarahkan wang daripada Ihsan Perdana (akhirnya daripada SRC) untuk dimasukkan ke dalam akaun Najib: Datuk Azlin telah meninggal dunia, tentunya TIDAK memberi keterangan.

Orang yang mengesyorkan dan membentangkan kertas dalam kabinet untuk diberi jaminan kerajaan RM4b: Nor Mohd Yaacob tetapi kononnya dibayar RM85 juta oleh Jho Low: Tidak didakwa, disenaraikan sebagai saksi pendakwaan tetapi ditarik balik dan TIDAK memberi keterangan.  Bukti tidak dibenarkan untuk diterima masuk ke mahkamah.

Orang yang mengesyorkan Najib membuka akaun dan atas namanya sendiri dan memantau akaun Najib jika ada transaksi yang mencurigakan... tetapi keluarganya mengambil hampir RM700 juta daripada Jho Low: Tidak didakwa, disenaraikan sebagai saksi pendakwaan tetapi ditarik balik dan TIDAK memberi keterangan.  Bukti tidak dibenarkan untuk diterima masuk ke mahkamah.

Peguam yang menyediakan perjanjian dan dibayar oleh Jho Low: Tidak didakwa, tidak dapat dikesan dan TIDAK memberi keterangan.

Seluruh lembaga pengarah dan semua pengurusan SRC yang meluluskan pembayaran kepada Ihsan Perdana: Tidak didakwa, TIDAK memberi keterangan.

Jurubank yang melanggar kod perbankan dengan berurusan dengan kakitangan yang tidak diberi kuasa serta tidak menghantar penyata akaun kepada Najib: Bersaksi tetapi tidak didakwa.

Begitu banyak bukti dalam perbicaraan ini adalah khabar angin dan tidak boleh disahkan.

Tetapi bagaimana perbicaraan boleh diteruskan dan diadili oleh hakim yang langsung tidak punyai sebarang pengalaman dalam mahkamah jenayah.

Eyeing Zaid Ibrahim's explaination

 [8/19, 17:38] +60 12-390 3888: PRESS STATEMENT

BY DATUK ZAID IBRAHIM

I wish to make this press statement as there have been numerous queries from the media to me as to why my law firm, Zaid Ibrahim Suflan TH Liew & Partners (ZIST) were discharged by Dato’ Sri Najib Razak as solicitors on record for his ongoing appeals in the SRC International matter before the Federal Court.

This morning, lead counsel, Hisyam Teh Poh Teik, informed the Federal Court that my law firm has been discharged.  

I confirm that this decision was made by Dato’ Sri Najib with my full support and agreement.

As I understand it, Dato’ Sri Najib’s decision was prompted by his belief that his lawyers cannot serve any useful purpose as lawyers for him anymore in the ongoing hearing relating to the appeals in the Federal Court.

Dato’ Sri Najib believes that the prevailing assumption of the judges is that the reorganisation of his legal team towards the end of last month was part of a tactical ploy and a ruse to stifle and stall proceedings so as to avoid or delay the final judgment and sentence to be passed on him or for political reasons.

As a politician myself, I can confirm that this unfortunate assumption is furthest from the truth.

As a lawyer, and who was asked to assist Dato’ Sri Najib in this matter, I have seen materials and the papers to state categorically that the fresh evidence that he was seeking to admit would have had a nuclear effect on the issue of Justice Nazlan Ghazali’s conflict of interest and apparent bias in being the Trial Judge and passing Judgment and sentence on Dato’ Sri Najib.

I regret that despite the best efforts of lead counsel, Hisyam Teh Poh Teik, and the lawyers in my team both from Kuala Lumpur and Singapore, we have not been able to dispel this sad misconception.

The fact that Dato’ Sri Najib may have just been seeking justice appears to have been uncharitably disregarded.

The decision for me and my Firm to accept this Brief rested primarily on our view that Dato’ Sri Najib’s case called for a new approach and fresh perspectives. It also required him to abandon unnecessarily vitriolic matters and personal attacks on Justice Nazlan who had presided over the trial.

Instead, we were intent on focusing strictly on the legal and factual issues surrounding the case, concentrating especially on the issues of bias and conflict of interests.

We believe from an objective analysis of the facts of the case that the evidence was overwhelmingly in Dato’ Sri Najib’s favour.

In order to ensure that the application to adduce fresh evidence was properly and strongly put forward before the Court, I consulted my friend and colleague in Singapore, Niru Pillai of Niru & Co LLC. I know that Niru can bring added value and would be a very good architect to bring completely different perspectives to any difficult cases. Niru put together a team in his Firm to assist ZIST. He also then reached out to take independent advice from leading counsel in criminal law and in the current situation facing the application to adduce the fresh evidence and the appeals.

Given Niru’s vast network of professional relationships in India with leading lights and doyens in the Indian legal profession, Niru sought out 2 very established leading Senior Advocates, Sidharth Luthra and Kavin Gulati.

Niru officially briefed them and the Indian Legal Team was put together with Rony John and Avi Tandon assisting.

In my view, this was a great team and I can confirm that Dato’ Sri Najib was extremely pleased with its work. 

We believed that the application was well founded and was very compelling. Unfortunately, the Court in its wisdom did not think so. The application was not allowed.

Even Dato’ Sri Najib’s request for a short adjournment to enable our legal team to properly get up the case, and for counsel to adequately prepare his submissions and arguments for what is clearly an extremely complex and high-profile case, was denied outright.

In the short four weeks since we were engaged, we have painstakingly perused the relevant appeal records, reviewed substantial affidavits, carried out extensive research on the law, prepared the final response affidavits and filed extensive written submissions. This was a monumental and herculean task on its own, given the short period within which we had to be ready because the Court refused to even adjourn the applications, let alone the appeals.

We had even prepared a fresh motion to seek a Review of the Federal Court’s decision to deny Dato’ Sri Najib’s application to adduce fresh evidence. This has not been filed.

We are more than satisfied that we have done our utmost best for Dato’ Sri Najib.  

It is beyond belief that the highest Court in the land would deny Dato’ Sri Najib the right to adduce relevant material and necessary evidence to ensure that the truth is established and justice is done. The application was to show how manifestly egregious was the conflict of interest on the part of Justice Nazlan. In my view, the Judge was clearly biased. He had no business being the Trial Judge in the SRC matter. It is clear to us that the setback which Dato’ Sri Najib has suffered is a grave injustice arising from a manifest error of law and certainly derailed all efforts to pursue his constitutional rights that he is entitled to.

We recognize and accept that Dato’ Sri Najib is at a critical point in the legal timeline of his SRC case, and with his personal liberty at stake, we accept graciously his decision to discharge us.  

We understand perfectly well that he must do what is best for himself.

I stand by my earlier statement that my Firm will never abandon Dato’ Sri Najib as our client, or any other client. That is neither our culture nor tradition. Nonetheless, the exigencies of the current exceptional circumstances and situation impel us to be mindful of the needs of the client. The client’s interest is paramount. I wish Dato’ Sri Najib the very best. I will always be there to help him in any situation, as a lawyer and a friend.

I have learnt many things over the last few weeks.  For instance, I did not know that lawyers in criminal cases must get permission from the courts to discharge themselves, which I believe is a startling new legal proposition.  Neither did I appreciate that inflexibility and rigidity were essential ingredients of justice.  I always thought the foremost ingredients of justice were fairness, reasonableness and compassion and that these took precedence over administrative efficiency.

On a personal note, I learnt who my real friends are.  Retired judge Mahadev Shanker ranks very highly among them, and I thank him for his kind words to me in recent times.

Not, though, are those who besmirched my character because my work has sometimes involved in taking up unpopular causes.  

Nonetheless, I will always remain to be determined not to be shaken off my core beliefs. I will always fight for justice, whether for the ordinary man or for the King. In doing so, I will also want to ensure that justice is not only done but also seen to be done.

No one can stop me from pursuing what I believe truly in my heart and mind. The law has been my passion and helping others has been my calling.

I intend to keep calm and carry on.

Datuk Zaid Ibrahim

19 August 2022