Sunday 4 September 2016

Who is really in charge in Malaysia?

 Who is really in charge in Malaysia?

Who is currently in charge of Malaysia’s federal administration?

If your answer is “I don’t know”, you are probably right. That’s because the country’s Federal Constitution has been amended more than 100 times since Merdeka (Independnce) 1957.

If your answer is “the prime minister” you are also probably right.

The separation of powers and the checks and balances in the Federal Constitution have all been rendered “ineffective” following amendments.

However, currently the prime minister is perceived as the most powerful and invincible Malaysian - one who can do no wrong.

He’s almost untouchable as he wields remarkable dictatorial-like powers with the implementation of the National Security Act 2016.
Before, you read a blog post by lifeofaannie and reproduced by the Malaysian-banned Malaysia Chronicle, No News Is Bad News deems it fit to clarify two things in the article:

Bernama - Bernama is Malaysia’s national news agency i.e to say it belongs to the federal government (now under the Umno-led Barisan Nasional with 1Malaysia Development Berhad Najib Razak at the helm);

Inspector-General of Police (IGP) - Malaysia’s Top Cop!

Both Bernama and the IGP are subservient to the prime minister of the day. Period.

Why the need to make the above clear? Because lifeofaannie made a very sharp observation.

Like No News Is Bad News, we are also no expert in the 1MDB-linked multi-billion-dollar/ringgit global money-laundering probe.

We also leave it to the "experts" who have documentary evidence - the U.S Department of Justice, the countries that have launched probes and have also frozen all assets and financial facilities linked to 1MDB, the western media and whistle blower website Sarawak Report (which has also been banned by the Malaysian government).

lifeofaannie has made a simple, yet very telling observation that begs the following question:

Both Bernama and the IGP contradicted one another. Was it a genuine mistake or misquotation by Bernama? Or is the IGP backtracking on what he so loudly revealed on his 1MDB probe?

In Malaysia, nothing in the media, especially the mainstream print and electronic media, can be taken at face value. The reports are almost always denied as easy as ABC by politicians and senior civil servants.

This is what we mean:

"HELL HATH NO FURY THAN NAJIB & ROSMAH FACING JAIL: IGP FORCED TO BACKTRACK ON SEEKING U.S. HELP IN 1MDB PROBE?

Politics | September 4, 2016 by | 0 Comments


Please don’t make 1MDB even more confusing

Sometimes my friends laughed at me when I told them I don’t write much about the 1MDB issue because I don’t really understand it.

They said I’m dense.

Well, I don’t mind them calling me that. I can managed my ego. I just don’t like to pretend to know something which I actually am ignorant about.

For instance, if I have never been on the political battleground of Johor or even live in the state, I would not try to pretend to be a political expert of Johor and advise Johor Umno to kick out half of its members just simply because they disagree with the party leadership over something.

Either you are with us or against us, remember?

Unless of course if I’m a DAP undercover operative working inside the Umno camp trying to create havoc within the party.

Anyway, the 1MDB issue is complex, so I prefer to let those who really know about it do the explaining.

I would try to listen and understand as much as I can.

As to why I still don’t understand it, it’s because there are so many conflicting explanations and reports

The other day an accountant friend who is a prominent blogger told me that the 1MDB money was not stolen but the very next day another accountant friend who is also an equally prominent blogger told me otherwise.


Both had insisted that they were right.

There’s so many of these conflicting stories being told that I don’t know which to believe.

Just look at these two reports by national news agency Bernama.

This is a report yesterday

KHALID-1MDB/BM (WITH PIX)
1MDB: RMP SEEKS MUTUAL LEGAL ASSISTANCE REQUEST TO US AUTHORITIES
KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 2 (Bernama) — The Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM) have sent a mutual legal assistance request to the United States’ (US) authorities to record statements from witnesses in the country in connection with investigations into 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB), said Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Khalid Abu Bakar.
He said the request was the beginning of the second phase of PDRM’s investigation.
“We have sent a request to the (US) authorities to record statements from witnesses there and it will take a long time.
“As for the first phase of the 1MDB investigation, the Attorney-General’s Chambers (AGC) has returned the investigation papers to us because there are things that need to be reviewed.
“The AGC had also directed a number of things to be done…so we will take action as directed before re-submitting the investigation papers to them,” he told a press conference after an appreciation ceremony to thank officials who handled the 36th ASEANAPOL Conference, in Bukit Aman here today.
— MORE
KHALID-1MDB 2 (LAST) KUALA LUMPUR
Asked on whether police would be conduction an investigation based on the report of the US Department of Justice (DoJ) regard misappropriation of 1MDB funds, Khalid said PDRM would not interfere in the matter.
“The action by the United States is civil lawsuits, PDRM will not intervene and do not try to associate us with politics.
“Our job is to safeguard the country’s security and order and don’t drag us to (make) political statements,” he said.
The DoJ had recently filed civil lawsuits to seize assets said to have been acquired with money allegedly misappropriated from 1MDB, a government strategic investment fund.
— BERNAMA
ROZ SHI NZM NCD HA

And this is a report today,

KHALID-1MDB
1MDB: IGP DENIES SEEKING MUTUAL LEGAL ASSISTANCE WITH USA


KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 3 (Bernama) — Inspector General of Police Tan Sri Khalid Abu Bakar has denied that the Royal Malaysian Police (PDRM) is seeking Mutual Legal Assistance (MLA) with the United States to interview witnesses overseas relating to the 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) investigation.
Khalid affirmed that several reports published by the media today was incorrect.
“This is false, and I did not say this…earlier today I was just explaining the process if an investigation were to be conducted outside Malaysia.
“Namely, in the event of us seeking to take witness statements overseas, PDRM would follow the required international protocols and seek MLA under the guidance of the Attorney General’s Chambers,” he said in the statement today.
Khalid said PDRM was satisfied with the progress made relating to 1MDB investigation and was hoping to conclude the investigation as soon as possible.
— MORE
KHALID-1MDB 2 (LAST) KUALA LUMPUR
As the investigation was ongoing, all parties should refrain from any reporting that could be prejudicial, he said.
“Failure to do so will result in action from PDRM in accordance with the law,” he said.
Khalid added that PDRM had completed the first phase of its investigation into 1MDB, which is based on the bi-partisan Public Accounts Committee (PAC) report.
He said the investigation papers had been passed to AG Chambers and discussed.
“The AG Chambers has returned the papers and requested further investigations, which PDRM will implement,” he added.
— BERNAMA
AMSI SNS CJ

See, it’s all very confusing.

How can they make such a mistake?

That’s why I said the 1MDB issue is very complicated.

Even the IGP and Bernama got it all mixed up.

I hope those responsible in clearing up the mess can get their acts together so that we, the ordinary rakyat would not get all muddled up by the issue. – http://lifeofaannie.blogspot.my/"

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