Let Najib Razak Wear Orange

It has to come, sooner or later! 

The question, I mean. Why is disgraced former prime minister Najib Razak not in handcuffs and wearing the familiar orange lock-up attire? 

Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (SPRM is the Malay acronym) deputy chief commissioner (operations) Azam Baki explained on Saturday whether detainees wear the standard issue outfit is at the discretion of the investigation officer. In other words, it is not a mandatory SOP. 

I say it's time it is made a standardized practise. We shouldn’t leave it to somebody’s volition – otherwise, somebody else is sure to shout “favouritism” or shriek “special treatment” or scream “unfairness”. 

Methinks, what's good for the goose is good for the gander, right?

Besides, Najib actually looks good in orange! 

Liverpool cruised to a 3-0 victory in this EPL game against Southampton yesterday. A routine win but let’s be honest, they should have scored more.

Xherdan Shaqiri assisted in the opener when he danced himself into the box and fired an effort on goal that eventually went in off Saints centre-back Wesley Hoedt in the tenth minute. Then, center-back Joel Matip leapt high to intercept Trent Alexander-Arnold's corner to head the ball in eleven minutes later. And in the forty-eighth minute, Mohamed Salah sneaked into the center and toe-poked the ball past goalie Alex McCarthy. 

Seven wins from seven games and the Reds have maybe hit only 70% of their potential!

The Najib Chronicles #05: A Whopping 32 Charges Against Najib Razak and Counting

After the massive discovery of hard cash, bling-bling and luxury articles from Najib’s and Rosmah’s hidden stashes – the next stage, of course, is waiting for the multiple investigations to be completed by the indefatigable authorities in order that the charge sheets can be prepared by the Attorney-General’s Chambers. 

And a steady flow of indictments followed. 

On July 04, Najib was charged with three counts of criminal breach of trust over the transfer of RM42 million into his account from former 1MDB unit SRC International. 

He was said to have transferred RM27 million, RM5 million, and RM10 million from SRC International into his AmBank account between December 2014 to March 2015. 

And the fourth charge relates to the abuse of power when he was prime minister by giving government guarantees on SRC’s RM4 billion loan from the Retirement Fund Inc (KWAP). 

On August 08, another three charges under money laundering laws were filed against him over the same RM42 million transfer. 

He was accused of receiving the money illegally in tranches of RM27 million, RM5 million and RM10 million into his AmBank account. 

On September 20, Najib was charged with 21 counts of money laundering for transferring illegal funds to his bank account and subsequently using the illicit money during his term of office between 2011 and 2014. 

For the first nine charges, he was accused of receiving money in tranches of RM155 million, RM155 million, RM155 million, RM188 million, RM231 million, RM138 million, RM152 million, RM304 million and RM602 million. 

Another five charges where he was accused of giving out money: RM20 million to UMNO; RM100,000 to Batu Kawan UMNO; RM246,000 to Lim Soon Peng; RM2 million to Orb Solutions; and RM303,000 to Semarak Konsortium. 

Altogether, seven transfers were made – five to Tanore Finance Corp – RM656 million, RM326 million, RM327 million, RM181 million and RM545 million, while RM150 million and RM12 million was transferred to his other AmIslamic Bank account. 

Additionally, four charges of misusing his position to obtain bribes of RM60.63 million, RM90.9 million, RM2.08 billion and RM49.93 million between February 2011 and December 2014. 

It took 35 minutes to read the 25 charges against him – the value amounting to RM2.28 billion. 

Add them all up and Najib Razak faces a whopping 32 charges and counting. 

And ‘Najis’ can still afford to smile! S-H-I-T lah he! 

Shameless. Heinous. Ignoble. Thrashy. 

A shitty crook.

Note: He has claimed trial to all charges.

Cuddly Police Puppies

At Chile’s annual military parade on Thursday, more than 9,500 troops marched as part of the country's 208th Independence Day anniversary. 

This spectacle attracted millions of viewers as it was beamed around the nation – a 50-year plus tradition. 

But what’s cute – I know this word itself is at odds with the soldierly occasion – is the one wee segment that stole the show. And I'm sure the hearts of many who watched it.

It was when a troop of golden retrievers made an appearance.

Yes, you read it right! 

Images credit: Independent Digital News & Media Limited 

These were cuddly puppies snuggled in neon green pouches worn across the chests of a row of marching police trainers. 

And this was followed by a line of uniformed officers walking adult golden retrievers and labradors, which all wore little boots. 

It wasn't the first time the doggies were featured in the celebration. They made their debut marchpast in 2008.

FYI, the dogs all belonged to the Canine Unit of the Carabineros de Chile, the country's national police force. 

This morning, I was in Jalan TAR in Kuala Lumpur – to grace the Premier Advanced Toastmasters meeting as the General Evaluator.

I also grabbed the opportunity to deliver a speech! And I was the only project speaker! My 624th speech, a CC#8 titled “I’m a Roach” – these are my visual aids:

Plus taking on an additional role of Table Topics Evaluator. 

That was because only eight of us turned up. Meaning all of us except for the Table Topics Master had a shot at giving 2-minute speeches. 

I was voted Best Table Topics Speaker! 

Photos of the attendees captured at this meeting:

Pre-meeting, I had time for a leisurely breakfast @ Restoran Al Maajid along the same road as Menara Centara. And it was unforgivably unhealthy but I loved it all the same – fried instant noodles and a Coke: 

Maggi mee goreng kosong with telur and the mandatory Coca-Cola, all at RM 7.00

A Reform-minded Government

I think the Mahathir Mohamad administration are slowly but surely getting their act together. 

And I sincerely hope it continues. 

I just checked today’s national news and there is plenty to be glad about. 

First, the prime minsiter (right) said his government have decided to strengthen the Enforcement Agency Integrity Commission (EAIC) by rebranding it as the Independent Police Complaints and Misconduct Commission – explaining this is to ensure it will become a more holistic body to monitor the police force.

Just as quickly, the fool disguised as the Inspector-General of Police Mohamad Fuzi Harun blurted out his unhappiness that the police are losing their rights in the process. He's so full of horseshit! 

He should know that Malaysians’ demand for the IPCMC is to restore public confidence in the police by rooting out pandemic corruption, flagrant misconduct and rampant abuse of power within the force. 

Custodial deaths, the physical and psychological abuse of detainees and the misuse of administrative detention laws are just three glaring wrongs that we wish to see eradicated. 

In fact, the Royal Commission to Enhance the Operation and Management of the Royal Malaysia Police which was established in 2004 had proposed for the IPCMC to be set up by May 2006 – during the premiership of Abdullah Ahmad Badawi – but nothing happened! 

Second, the Public Complaints Bureau will be transformed into the Malaysian Ombudsman, adding that it will require a special Ombudsman Act to be tabled in Parliament. 

The ombudsman system is supposed to greatly assist the management of public complaints in becoming more effective later on, and that it would be independent of the agency or ministry in which it monitors. 

And third, Mahathir declared that the position of ambassadors and/or high commissioners will no longer be filled in by political appointees. 

From now on, the posts will be filled by career civil servants – a move he called “a strong action against ourselves”. 

I’m certain many more overdue reforms will be instituted – and this is only the beginning. 

That’s why Malaysians went to the polling booths in droves on Wednesday, May 09, 2018 to ensure Pakatan Harapan oust the maleficent UMNO and reclaim the country. GE14 was the turning point.

Thumbs-up to Malaysia Baru! 

On Thursday’s Europa League Group B opener between Celtic and Rosenborg, the Scottish champions must have felt relieved that they did manage to secure a slim 1-0 victory. 

The former needed sub Leigh Griffiths to come off the bench to head in with just three minutes left to give a wasteful Celtic their first European group stage home win in eleven games. 

Let’s see how far Celtic can go this time around. 

Today, I attended the Fonterra Brands Malaysia Toastmasters meeting in the Subang Hi-tech Industrial Park in Shah Alam, Selangor. A last-minute call and I was there to take up the Table Topics Evaluator role. 

I'm just happy to be of help!

Trust versus Obedience

Malaysians who receive communication from their government would be familiar with the ubiquitous sign-off “Saya yang menurut perintah”, which literally means ‘I, who follow orders’ in English. 

Actually, we got it wrong because the Malay version is supposed to be a translation of that quaint colonial bit of politesse, “Your obedient servant” – and colonial British-era civil servants used the latter form when writing to others to convey that they were servants of the people. 

Supposedly lah. Anyway, they were just words that were pleasing to the ears and might not necessarily be remotely true. 

To the Brits, if you don’t know, correct form is everything. But these words somehow got lost in translation together with the sentiment behind them. 

Whatever, but effective yesterday, the phrase “Saya yang menurut perintah” is no more in use in official government letters. 

Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad decided to change it during the town hall meeting he had with administrative and diplomatic officers on August 15, 2018. 

Instead, civil servants In Malaysia will all now end their letters with "Saya yang menjalankan amanah" (I, who uphold trust). 

Public Service Department director-general Borhan Dolah explained: "In this context, “amanah” (trust) means to willingly and diligently fulfil tasks and responsibilities in the determined capacity with sincerity to achieve the objective”. 

He added that “amanah” also means "sifat luhur dan murni" (honourable and virtuous), and honesty to yourself, your peers and the organization. 

Since Mahathir (for the second time) took over the reins of government and found that even the civil service is rife with corruption and other ills – he didn’t want government employees to simply follow ‘orders’ from their political masters. 

Hence, in this very Malaysian context, ‘trust’ replaces ‘obedience’. 

Yesterday, I was at Menara Sunway in Bandar Sunway, Selangor to attend the Shine Toastmasters meeting. I didn’t have a role or speaking slot – but nevertheless, I took part in Table Topics – just so, I had an opportunity to speak, haha! 

And I was voted Best Table Topics Speaker. 

It was also nice to meet Paul Tan, my former student from Nilai College (now Nilai University) – and I’m glad to know he has returned to Toastmasters. 

Anyway, photos from Thursday’s meeting: