No News Is Bad News

Disgraced, unrepentant and shameless

RM20+ million Umno ‘thieves’ want Najib freed

UPDATE1:

Goldman Sachs arbitration move may ‘backfire’ on Muhyiddin, report claims

CNA cites Roger Ng’s repatriation and ‘raids’ conducted by MACC as favourable ‘breakthroughs’ for the government.

FMT Reporters - 13 Oct 2023, 1:45pm

Goldman Sachs sued the government in a UK court on Wednesday, claiming ‘festering disagreement’ over a settlement deal struck previously. (File pic)

PETALING JAYA: The move by Goldman Sachs to commence arbitration proceedings against the government in London may backfire on Muhyiddin Yassin, a CNA report has claimed.

On Wednesday, Bloomberg reported that the New York-based investment bank was suing the Malaysian government in a UK arbitration court following “festering disagreement” over a settlement entered when the former prime minister was in power to resolve 1MDB’s US$6.5 billion bond saga.

That suit may trigger the current government, led by Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, to declassify the agreement as an official secret, the CNA report claimed, following “growing sentiment” within Anwar’s administration that its terms were unfavourable to the country.

It may also “reopen potentially embarrassing dealings by the bank in the affair, including how it reached the settlement deal” with Muhyiddin’s administration.

The report said the government has been encouraged by several “breakthroughs” made surrounding the 1MDB fiasco which may have a favourable impact on its position in relation to the dispute with Goldman Sachs.

It said former Goldman Sachs banker Roger Ng, who returned to Malaysia on Sunday following a deal struck with the US authorities, has pledged to provide the government with “previously undisclosed information” relating to 1MDB.

In March, Ng was sentenced by a New York court to 10 years in prison following a conviction for his role in the scandal.

Another development cited by CNA was an alleged “raid” conducted by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) on a law firm connected to Muhyiddin.

On Saturday, FMT reported that MACC officers had “visited” the offices of Rosli Dahlan Sarvana as part of an undisclosed investigation, but that no documents were seized.

The firm’s lead partner, Rosli Dahlan, was involved in negotiations which led to the settlement agreement inked with Goldman Sachs on Aug 18, 2020. He also acts for Muhyiddin in several legal matters, including in ongoing criminal charges brought against the former prime minister on allegations of money laundering.

“The push to bring the dispute into an arbitration in the London courts could reopen potentially embarrassing dealings by the bank in the affair, including how it reached the settlement deal with Muhyiddin,” the report said.

In December 2018, the government, then led by former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad, announced that Malaysia intended to seek US$7.5 billion in reparations from Goldman Sachs over the controversial bond deal arranged by the bank in 2012 and 2013.

The deal was meant to raise US$6.5 billion for the country but saw substantial funds siphoned out in an elaborate scheme. It has also cost the government US$3.2 billion in interest payments to bondholders.

In a statement issued yesterday, 1MDB task force chairman Johari Ghani described the suit as “premature”, but said the government will take all necessary action to defend it.

He said that under the terms of the settlement, Goldman Sachs was obliged to make an interim payment of US$250 million in August 2022 after failing to secure the recovery of assets worth US$500 million within two years of the agreement.

Johari also said the bank had acted “without due consideration of the necessary prerequisites”, as the parties were still in “amicable good faith” discussions, which had been extended at Goldman Sachs’s request to Nov 8.

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 12, 2023: Ever wondered why certain Umno members and leaders are so bent on getting Malaysia’s No.1 thief a “Get Out Of Jail” card?

There are RM20 million reasons and many Umno ikan bilis dan yu (anchovies and sharks) who were likely to have benefitted.

Of course the crooks in Umno will support their “chief” at all cost.

But do you think the majority of Malaysians sympathise with and want the disgraced former premier and jailbird Najib Abdul Razak freed from prison.

The unrepentant and shameless Najib, wife Rosmah Masor and his family members have yet to show any remorse to help the Unity Government recover the 1Malaysia Development (1MDB) loot.

Look at the 1MDB mess and dirt unfold thus far, and in the next decade or so.

Still want Najib to be freed just like that, as if the country’s coffer and RM1.5 trillion national debt are chicken feed?

And why is the jailbird appearing in court clad in lounge suit and tie, not in the orange-uniform for prisoners and no handcuffs? Clearly, double-standard and special treatment. And politicians from both sides of the political divide are suddenly speechless, or to put it crudely, dumb.

No News Is Bad News reproduces below a slew of 1MDB-related reports in the last 24 hours:

Umno received more than RM20mil from 1MDB funds, court told

Other recipients named by police investigating officer Foo Wei Min included Najib Razak’s speechwriters and social media handlers.

Ho Kit Yen - 12 Oct 2023, 1:15pm

Najib Razak is on trial for abuse of power and money laundering involving 1MDB funds amounting to RM2.28 billion deposited into his AmBank accounts between 2011 and 2014. (Bernama pic)

KUALA LUMPUR: An investigating officer from the police force told the High Court hearing Najib Razak’s 1MDB trial that Umno benefitted from 1MDB funds to the tune of more than RM20 million.

Foo Wei Min from Bukit Aman’s commercial crime investigation department said he was tasked to probe the former prime minister’s receipt and use of funds in his account 10 years ago.

Foo said his investigation ran simultaneously with a probe by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) involving Najib’s alleged abuse of powers.

The police officer told the court he probed the money trail from a US$3 billion bond, raised by 1MDB to develop the Tun Razak Exchange (TRX).

He said he found that part of those funds entered Najib’s personal accounts.

Foo said a sum of US$1.59 billion was transferred by 1MDB to three offshore funds belonging to Cistenique Investment Fund (US$530.3 million), Devonshire Funds Ltd (US$646.5 million) and Enterprise Emerging Markets Fund or EEMF (US$414.1 million).

Subsequently, he said Devonshire transferred US$640 million to Tanore Finance Corporation, while Cistenique and EEMF deposited a total of US$625 million into the same account.

“My investigations showed that a total of US$681 million was transferred to Najib’s accounts between March 21 and 25, 2013 in nine transactions.

“The Ambank officer (Yap Wei Keat) told us that the transactions were split into nine tranches to avoid disruption to the country’s currency exchange rate (which would occur) if a large amount of funds entered Malaysia all at once,” Foo said.

The witness then said between Aug 2 and 14, that year, Najib issued five cheques to Umno totalling RM20 million, while Umno Batu Kawan received RM100,000.

Other recipients of funds identified by the witness were Lim Soon Peng (RM246,000), Orb Solutions Sdn Bhd (RM2 million) and Semarak Konsortium Satu Sdn Bhd (RM303,000).

“The Umno Batu Kawan division chief, Mohd Noor Ahmad told us (police) that he received the RM100,000 and used it for political purposes at the constituency,” Foo added.

Meanwhile he said that Orb Solutions, which handled Najib’s social media accounts, received RM2 million.

Foo also said Semarak Konsortium Satu offered speechwriting and public relation services to Najib.

The hearing continues before Justice Collin Lawrence Sequerah.

Najib is standing trial on 25 charges of abuse of power and money laundering over alleged 1MDB funds amounting to RM2.28 billion deposited in his AmBank accounts between February 2011 and December 2014.

Najib received US$681mil, returned US$620mil to S’porean firm, court told

Bukit Aman’s investigating officer Foo Wei Min says RM162.4 million was transferred to an AmBank account opened under Najib Razak’s name.

Ho Kit Yen - 12 Oct 2023, 4:54pm

A witness told the High Court that Najib Razak received substantial funds from Tanore Finance Corporation, a firm controlled by alleged Jho Low associate, Tan Kim Loong. (Bernama pic)

KUALA LUMPUR: An investigating officer told the High Court in Najib Razak’s 1MDB trial that the former prime minister returned more than US$620 million to a Singaporean entity five months after it deposited funds into his account.

Foo Wei Min, of Bukit Aman’s commercial crime investigation department, said between March 21 and 25, 2013, a sum of US$681 million was credited into Najib’s AmBank account ending with the digits “694” in nine transactions.

The money came from Tanore Finance Corporation, a firm controlled by Tan Kim Loong. Tan is believed to be an associate of fugitive businessman Low Taek Jho, also known as Jho Low.

Foo told the court that a sum of US$620 million – equivalent to RM2.03 billion at the time – was returned to Tanore, between Aug 3 and 23, 2013.

Meanwhile, RM162.4 million was transferred to a new AmBank account bearing an account number ending with “880” belonging to Najib.

“The ‘694’ account was closed on Aug 26, (2013),” said Foo.

The hearing continues before Justice Collin Lawrence Sequerah on Oct 18.

MALAYSIA

Goldman Sachs vs Malaysia: Govt to respond accordingly, safeguard Malaysians' interest - Johari Ghani

Johari said the 1MDB Taskforce Committee is quite surprised at the conduct of Goldman Sachs

Updated 1 hour ago · Published on 12 Oct 2023 11:47AM

Goldman Sachs Group Inc. is suing Malaysia in a United Kingdom court - The Vibes file pic, October 12, 2023

KUALA LUMPUR - The government will respond to Goldman Sachs’ filing for arbitration against Malaysia in the 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB) settlement dispute in accordance with the established legal frameworks while ensuring that the interest of the Malaysian people is safeguarded.

“The 1MDB Taskforce Committee is quite surprised at the conduct of Goldman Sachs as parties are still in good faith discussions to resolve any dispute amicably.

“However, in light of recent events, the government of Malaysia will be preparing to respond to this matter and ensuring that this process is done diligently and in accordance with the established legal frameworks while ensuring that the interest of the Malaysian people is safeguarded,” 1MDB Taskforce chairman (asset recovery) Datuk Seri Johari Abdul Ghani said in a statement in response to the news of the suit.

Bloomberg reported that Goldman Sachs Group Inc. is suing Malaysia in a United Kingdom court amid festering disagreement over a settlement tied to its role in the 1MDB investment-fund scandal.

“We filed for arbitration against the government of Malaysia for violating its obligations to appropriately credit assets against the guarantee provided by Goldman Sachs in our settlement agreement and to recover other assets,” the report quoted a spokesman for the New York-based bank as saying. - Bernama, October 12, 2023

Goldman Sachs suit ‘premature’, says Johari Ghani

The 1MDB taskforce chairman says Malaysia will respond to Goldman Sachs move to pursue arbitration against the government over the 1MDB settlement.

FMT Reporters12 Oct 2023, 11:14am

1MDB taskforce chairman Johari Ghani said Goldman Sachs’ move to pursue arbitration over the 1MDB settlement is an attempt to divert attention from its obligations to the government.

PETALING JAYA: 1MDB taskforce chairman Johari Ghani has labelled Goldman Sachs’ action in pursuing arbitration against the government over a 1MDB settlement entered three years ago as “premature” and “without due consideration of the necessary prerequisites”.

“However, in light of recent events, the Government of Malaysia will be preparing to respond to this matter and ensuring that this process is done diligently and in accordance with the established legal frameworks while ensuring that the interest of the Malaysian people is safeguarded,” he said in a statement.

Yesterday, Bloomberg reported that the investment bank had taken the “unusual step” of commencing arbitration proceedings in a UK court “amid festering disagreement over a settlement tied to its role in the 1MDB scandal”.

Johari, however, denounced Goldman Sachs’ move as an “attempt to detract and divert attention away” from its obligation to make an interim payment to the government of US$250 million under the settlement agreement.

He said Goldman Sachs and the government were still at the stage of “amicable good faith discussions” over the dispute.

“Therefore, as an aggrieved party, the 1MDB taskforce views Goldman Sachs’ initiation of arbitration proceedings as premature and without due consideration of necessary prerequisites,” he said.

Johari said the agreement, signed on Aug 18, 2020, requires Goldman Sachs to make payment in two parts – a cash payment of US$2.5 billion paid within 10 days of the signing of the agreement, and an asset recovery guarantee of US$1.4 billion within five years.

He said Goldman Sachs was obliged to make the interim payment of US$250 million if it fails to recover assets worth US$500 million within two years of the signing of the agreement.

“On Aug 18, the accounting provided by the government of Malaysia to Goldman Sachs showed that it had not recovered US$500 million and hence, the government of Malaysia is entitled to the interim payment of US$250 million. This was disputed by Goldman Sachs,” said Johari.

He said the agreement provided for both parties to engage in “amicable good faith discussions” for a period of three months if a dispute relating to the settlement agreement arose.

“Four separate extensions were granted to Goldman Sachs by the government of Malaysia upon expiry of the initial Aug 18, 2022 deadline to try and amicably settle this dispute.

“The current deadline for the latest extension expires on Nov 8, 2023, and if a settlement is not reached between the parties by this deadline, the government of Malaysia can commence arbitration proceedings in respect of the interim payment of US$250 million,” he said

Nevertheless, the government will respond to the matter of these proceedings accordingly, he said.

According to Bloomberg, a spokesman for the investment bank accused Malaysia of “violating its obligations to appropriately credit assets against the guarantee provided by Goldman Sachs” and for failing in its obligation to recover “other assets”.

It also claimed the bank’s executives “had grown increasingly frustrated” with the government’s demands for the agreement to be reworked so that “more onerous penalties” are imposed.

In August, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim was reported as telling CNBC in an interview the government was considering its own suit against Goldman Sachs over the matter.

In an earlier interview with Bloomberg in January, Anwar had accused Goldman Sachs of failing to honour the terms of the settlement, saying the Wall Street firm was using its financial strength to dictate terms to the government.

MALAYSIA

Goldman Sachs files lawsuit against Malaysia over 1MDB dispute

The arbitration has been submitted to the London Court of International Arbitration.

Updated 2 hours ago · Published on 12 Oct 2023 10:56AM

The legal battle unfolds less than two months after Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim threatened to take Goldman Sachs to court - AFP pic, October 12. 2023

BY The Vibes Team

KUALA LUMPUR - In a surprising legal development, Goldman Sachs Group Inc. has initiated legal action against Malaysia in a UK court over the 1MDB issue.

The suit comes as part of an ongoing dispute related to a settlement agreement linked to its involvement in the 1MDB corruption scandal.

According to reports by news agencies, the lawsuit was filed for arbitration against the Malaysian government for alleged violations of their obligations concerning the appropriate crediting of assets against the guarantee provided by Goldman Sachs as part of the settlement agreement.

Quoting sources, Bloomberg News reports that the arbitration has been submitted to the London Court of International Arbitration.

This legal battle unfolds less than two months after Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim threatened to take Goldman Sachs to court, highlighting the escalating tensions between the two parties.

The core of their dispute revolves around a settlement agreement from 2020 in which Goldman Sachs committed to pay US$3.9 billion to resolve Malaysia's criminal investigation into its role in the vast 1MDB scandal.

In addition to this payment, Goldman Sachs was required to make a one-time interim payment of US$250 million if Malaysia had not received at least US$500 million in assets and proceeds by August 2022, as detailed in the bank's regulatory filing earlier this year.

The central point of contention is the disagreement over whether Malaysia successfully recovered at least US$500 million by the specified date and whether an interim payment is due, as asserted by Goldman Sachs.

Notably, both Malaysian and United States authorities estimated that approximately US$4.5 billion had been misappropriated from 1MDB in an elaborate scheme that implicated high-ranking officials.

This development comes just days after former Goldman Sachs banker Roger Ng was returned to Malaysia and he is now assisting the police on 1MDB-related investigations.

The probe is expected to focus on his methods of selling security notes and bonds believed to be acquired using 1MDB funds.

As the investigation progresses, police intend to freeze and seize all accounts and assets owned by Ng, including properties, vehicles, buildings, and bank accounts held abroad.

Ng had previously been granted a discharge not amounting to acquittal over charges related to Goldman Sachs' involvement in the 1MDB scandal.

However, in the US, Ng was found guilty of conspiring to embezzle hundreds of millions of dollars from 1MDB and sentenced to 10 years in prison. He was handed over to Malaysia to face related charges.

The police's investigation of Ng is expected to shed more light on the case and potentially uncover the whereabouts of fugitive businessman Low Taek Jho, also known as Jho Low, a central figure in the 1MDB scandal.

As the investigations continue, authorities are actively working with international partners to retrieve 1MDB assets overseas, which include properties in Singapore, bank accounts, and valuable paintings in the US.

The investigation into Jasmine Loo, a lawyer and 1MDB group strategic executive director, is also ongoing, with efforts to recover her assets valued at RM93.2 million linked to 1MDB. - The Vibes, October 12, 2023

MALAYSIA

Bukit Aman: Good response from Singapore, US over Malaysia's request, cops optimistic 1MDB assets can be returned

Bukit Aman Commercial Crime Investigation Department (JSJK) director Datuk Seri Ramli Mohamed Yoosuf speaks during a press conference in Kuala Lumpur October 12, 2023. ― Bernama pic

Thursday, 12 Oct 2023 12:37 PM MYT

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 12 ― Malaysia’s request for the repatriation of the misappropriated 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB) assets worth RM93.2 million linked to former 1MDB lawyer Jasmine Loo Ai Swan received positive response from the authorities in Singapore and the United States.

Bukit Aman Commercial Crime Investigation Department (JSJK) director Datuk Seri Ramli Mohamed Yoosuf said the police were optimistic that the assets could be returned to the country.

He said the request to bring back the 1MDB assets also came from Loo herself.

“The request to bring back the assets has been sent to the relevant authorities in the countries involved including Singapore and the United States,” he told a press conference after the launch of the JSJK Anti-Scam Kapcai Ride at the Kuala Lumpur Police Training Centre here today.

Loo, the former 1MDB group strategic executive director who is said to be a close associate of fugitive Jho Low, was arrested on July 7 to assist in the investigation of the company's misappropriation of funds.

Regarding the police investigation into former Goldman Sachs banker Roger Ng Chong Hwa, Ramli said it was still at an early stage.

Local media reported that Ng, who was sentenced to 10 years in prison in New York, USA, for helping to embezzle billions of dollars in 1MDB funds, was brought back to Malaysia by a special PDRM team to assist in the investigation into the scandal.

On December 19, 2018, Roger Ng claimed trial to four charges of conspiring with Goldman Sachs, in relation to the sale of 1MDB bonds worth US$6.5 billion by omitting material facts and making false statements.

On January 9 this year, the High Court here granted him a discharge not amounting to acquittal over four charges of abetting Goldman Sachs. ― Bernama

Thursday, 5 October 2023

Hero-worshipping jailbird Najib continues shamelessly

No News Is Bad News

Hero-worshipping jailbird Najib continues shamelessly

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 6, 2023: Pro-Najib news websites, like New Media Hit, continue to hero worship disgraced and shameless former premier Najib Abdul Razak.

They continue to lobby for Najib to be pardonedf so that he can walk free with all his ill-gotten gains fro 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB).

Do such websites think the majority of Malaysians are mongoloids, unable to tell the difference between right and wrong, or logical or illogical?

New Media Hit posted yesterday a ridiculous article titled Najib’s Premiership: A Golden Era for Malaysia.

If Najib was great, why is he a jailbird? Why was 1MDB, under his charge, looted of billions of Ringgit?

Why is Malaysia’s national debt today at RM1.5 trillion? Of course others who contrbuted to the ballooning national debt also included former premiers Dr Mahathir Mohamad who governed the country for a total of 26 years and Muhyiddin “I Am Malay First” Yassin.

Najib’s premiership a golden era for Malaysia? Pui Pui! Pui! Golden era for his pockets more like it! Just remember how his wife, Rosmah Masor, was spending almost limitlessly on luxury goods!

No News Is Bad News reproduces below the nutty report posted by New Media Hit:

Najib’s Premiership: A Golden Era for Malaysia

Bossku has made many contributions to the country and the people during his tenure as Malaysia's sixth prime minister

by Ihsan Mohamed Fuad Thursday, 5 October, 2023

golden era for Malaysia - Wikipedia pic

KUALA LUMPUR — It’s not an overstatement to say that former Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak is arguably the most popular political leader among Malaysians, particularly the younger generation.

His famous moniker ‘Bossku’ has made him a household name, a more approachable political leader to a wider audience, including those who are still ineligible to vote.

Najib has made numerous contributions to the nation and the people when he served as Malaysia’s sixth prime minister between 2009 and 2018.

It’s questionable if a Malaysian claimed to have faced difficulties under Najib’s premiership, especially when many would uppraised his premiership as Malaysia’s golden era.

Regrettably, Najib was incarcerated without legal representation on 23 August 2022, marking a sombre day in Malaysia’s history.

Justice For Najib

A town hall forum titled: ‘Townhall for Justice’ held in Wisma MCA Kuala Lumpur, on Saturday, 30 September, highlighted many of Najib’s accomplishments.

One of the panelists, senior lawyer Kamarudin Ahmad, said that as the country’s leader, Najib must have encountered numerous challenges in ensuring the welfare of the people throughout his administration.

“It was a golden era during Najib’s tenure, these are not my words but you can see that coming from the media and social media users. Malaysians were happy during that time.

“During his (Najib) tenure, we all had the feel-good factor. It was during his administration, we had BR1M. I heard him say, it might be able to go up to RM3,000 at that time,” Kamarudin said.

Kamarudin lauded various initiatives such as BR1M, UTC, 1Malaysia clinic, MRT, Pan Borneo and many more that were introduced by Najib.

He urged everyone to acknowledge Najib’s contributions and cease spreading misleading narratives.

He called on the federal government to grant ‘global amnesty’ to Najib in recognition of his significant contributions to the people.

Another panellist, Tan Sri Muhammad Shafee Abdullah, who is also Najib’s lead defence counsel, urged supporters to continue campaigning to secure a royal pardon for the former premier.

The senior lawyer expressed optimism that the pardon application would be presented to the Yang di-Pertuan Agong (YDPA), who holds absolute authority over royal pardons.

“Therefore, it is imperative that we initiate requests, appeals, and various campaign efforts, particularly directed towards the YDPA at this time.

“Najib, who hails from Pahang, has numerous accomplishments.

“We believe this to be his final mission that will bring benefits to both the nation and the state of Pahang. If we can strongly advocate for the YDPA to grant a pardon to Najib at this juncture,” he articulated.

Najib’s Contributions

Najib’s term in office was characterised by a series of economic liberalisation initiatives, such as reducing government subsidies, relaxing constraints on foreign investments, and scaling back preferential measures for ethnic Malays in business.

Growing up during his tenure, I was among the many who benefited from the various initiatives rolled out by his administration.

The BR1M (Bantuan Rakyat 1 Malaysia) programme, aimed at easing the financial strain and helping low-income individuals to navigate Malaysia’s high cost of living, was one such initiative.

Students

Students could be said to have benefitted the most during Najib’s era.

They were helped by various financial assistance such as the Petronas scholarship, the return ticket assistance and the Higher Education Funding Scheme.

Various public organisations offered aid schemes, either as a scholarship or as a loan, to higher education students.

This higher education aid cater the needs of students to pay examination and tuition fees, to sustain living expenses at IPT and to purchase books and stationeries.

In line with the country’s Education Democratisation Policy, Najib opened the PTPTN loans to all ethnic groups.

It’s estimated that over two million Malaysian students have received PTPTN loans to pursue tertiary education since it was established 26 years ago.

PTPTN offered repayment relief for borrowers who obtain a first-class Bachelor’s Degree as an incentive.

The noble idea was to motivate and inspire the students to attain top academic results.

Najib’s vast knowledge and insights in many aspects of good governance are invaluable assets for the country, especially in these trying times.

His contributions were never forgotten.

The people remember, thus want more from him.

No wonder the undercurrent sentiments today are that ‘Bossku’ should be freed to inspire the country back to the good times. — MalaysiaXpress

Edited by Aathi Shankar. The views expressed in this article are that of the writer and do not necessarily reflect the views of malaysiaxpress.com.

Tuesday, 22 August 2023

Repent, help Govt retrieve loot stolen from 1MDB, then perhaps M’sians will forgive you

No News Is Bad News

Repent, help Govt retrieve loot stolen from 1MDB, then perhaps M’sians will forgive you

KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 23, 2023: Disgraced former premier Najib Abdul Razak has been laguishing in prison for a year.

And he has lamented his loneliness in jail. What does he expect in prison?

Also, clearly the prisoner has been given “VIP” treatment. How is it that he has access to internet to post whatever he wants to say?

No News Is Bad News reproduces below a news report on his year as a jailbird:

MALAYSIA

[UPDATED] Najib marks a year behind bars with poem lamenting loneliness

Jailed former PM also prays for patience, strength to carry on

Updated 4 minutes ago · Published on 23 Aug 2023 9:45AM

Datuk Seri Najib Razak yesterday marked a year in Kajang Prison, and has posted a poem on Facebook to mark the occasion. – Najib Razak Facebook pic, August 23, 2023

BY The Vibes Team

PETALING JAYA – Datuk Seri Najib Razak marked a year behind bars at Kajang Prison by posting a poem on Facebook this morning.

In the poem, the jailed former prime minister recalled how 365 days had since passed and how lonely he has been, with only Allah for company.

He recalled how the days passed slowly and day turned into night, praying for the strength to be patient and carry on.

Yesterday, a poster was also posted on his Facebook, with the caption “Genap Setahun Najib Terus Dizalimi” (It’s been a year since Najib was oppressed).

Najib also touched on the Malaysian Education Development Plan (2013-2025), which the former prime minister claimed was launched by him as part of the National Transformation Plan in 2012.

Yesterday, Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek said after 10 years of implementation, the education plan had achieved success.

She said it showed a significant improvement at all levels and ensured children continue to be in the education system.

On school admissions, she said all initiatives contained in the education plan were closely monitored by the Education Implementation and Performance Unit by having constant key performance indicator targets.

The ministry, she said, also ensured the integration of the national curriculum with technology so that students become digitally literate.

– Najib Razak Facebook pic, August 23, 2023

Najib stated that “Millions of students and teachers have benefitted though the plan received strong objections from the opposition back then.

“This is a huge long-term success which is very significant for the country and proves we are on the right track under the [National Education Plan],” he added.

He also inserted some excerpts from his speech during the launch of the education plan in September 2012, along with some newspaper cuttings. – The Vibes, August 23, 2023

Sunday, 13 August 2023

Is jailbird Najib Umno’s indispensable leader?

No News Is Bad News

Image for illustration only. For image info, go to https://says.com/my/fun/memes-reactions-to-najib-failing-to-appeal-src-case-and-12-year-sentence

Is jailbird Najib Umno’s indispensable leader?

KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 14, 2023: New Media Hit, a pro-jailbird Najib Abdul Razak website, continues to shamelessly spin the disgraced former premier as an indispensable Umno leader.

The latest rubbish spin by the website portrays Umno-BN as desperately needing to be saved by Najib.

Have those “worshipping” Najib forgotten that he has been convicted for stealing from the state (country)?

In fact, Umno’s reputation will deteriorate even further, including Anwar Ibrahim’s Unity Government (UG), for giving special treatment to the corrupt shameless former prime minister.

Yes, Najib has the right to plea for pardon, but he must help recover the 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) billions that were stolen while under his premiership.

He must also show remorse for his sloppy management of the federal funds before law-abiding Malaysians, p[erhaps, can consider supporting a pardon.

Is it right to just free Najib like that while others, including a mother who steals a can of powdered milk for her baby, have to serve their sentences in full?

Isn’t all are equal under the law, and as such be treated the same?

If the UG is not careful with this issue, both Umno and Pakatan Harapan (PH) will surely pay dearly for their folly in the 16^th General Election (GE16) that must be held in 2027.

As it is, the UG has a big and pressing political problem - the threat of Taliban-like racial and religious bigots.

Surely, the UG cannot afford to invite more trouble after the just concluded elections in the six states that clearly showed the bigots have made serious political inroads and are governing four states - Perlis, Kedah, Kelantan and Terengganu.

The elections also showed that the bigots - the PAS dominated Perikatan Nasional - have garnered significant percentages of votes in many seats that they lost narrowly.

Anwar and his UG should instead, focus all efforts on healing Malaysia’s economy and enforce strict measures on all who use race and religion for political mileage - not invite more political trouble and compromise national unity and harmony.

No News Is Bad News reproduces below the rubbish propaganda by New Media Hit:

Umno-BN Desperately Need ‘Bossku’ Najib Razak Back

by Aathi Shankar Sunday, 13 August, 2023

Since losing their real charismatic, dynamic and innovative captain ‘Bossku’, BN and Umno are on a free fall now from the political ladder!

Once a powerhouse in Malaysian politics, Barisan Nasional (BN), more specifically Umno, has become a lame-duck political entity after yesterday’s regional polls in six states in Peninsular Malaysia.

Umno was the dominant ruling party in the federal government from independence in 1957 until it was knocked off its perch in 2018.

All looked lost then, especially when Umno leaders like former Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak, current President and Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi and several others were slapped with a pile of corruption charges.

But BN and Umno regained electoral grounds, albeit temporarily, when the coalition won subsequent state elections in Sabah on 26 September 2020, Melaka on 20 November 2021 and Johor on 19 March 2022.

For a while, it seems BN was back with Najib, the Bossku, steering the ship.

But all hopes collapsed after Najib was imprisoned on 23 August last year over trumped-up false corruption charges related to SRC International Sdn Bhd (SRC).

Loss Of Captain

Since losing their real charismatic, dynamic and innovative captain, BN and Umno are on a free fall now from the political ladder.

BN won only 30 parliamentary seats in the last 15th General Election (GE15).

On Saturday, 12 August, Umno could win only 19 out of 108 constituencies it contested in the six state elections held at Kelantan, Terengganu, Kedah, Penang, Selangor and Negeri Sembilan.

Umno, especially, has to do some soul-searching now.

Malay Vote Bank

Previously Umno preferred to pin all blame on its partners – MIC and MCA, for failing to win over non-Malay Muslim votes.

Umno on the other hand would brag that it was still the dominant party among the Malay-Muslim crowd.

Now no longer.

It has lost its ground considerably in the Malay heartland.

Perikatan Nasional (PN) has emerged as the political vehicle for Malays while Pakatan Harapan (PH), BN’s dominant partner in the federal unity government, remains stuck with non-Malay support.

So all those insults hurled at MIC and MCA for no longer being relevant to their respective communities are haunting Umno now.

Umno itself has lost its once guaranteed Malay-Muslim vote bank.

Responsibility & Accountability

Zahid and company must take responsibility and accountability for the trouncing in yesterday’s state elections.

They must act fast or else Umno and BN will be completely wiped out in the next GE16.

Not only Umno and BN, the whole country today needs a strong, dynamic, charismatic and innovative all-Malaysian leader now.

The country needs Najib back to steer the nation and its people from current economic doldrums.

The nation needs Bossku back at the helm to drag out the people from the current muddied racial-religious polarisation.

Current Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim is definitely not capable of closing the racial-religious divide.

Many may have forgotten that Anwar and former Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad were primarily responsible for planting seeds of racial-religious polarisation in Malaysia when they were working together in the Umno-BN federal government in the 1980s and 1990s.

Hence Najib is the right man.

Comfort Zone

Umno should stop being a lame-duck partner in the unity government.

Instead of lazing around in their comfort zone provided by the Putrajaya corridor of power, Umno leaders should step up proactive actions to free Najib from his illegal imprisonment in Kajang.

Once ruling elites, do BN leaders still unashamedly want to play bridesmaids to other coalitions?

Zahid and company should stop giving lip service to the ‘Justice for Bossku Najib’ cause.

Najib’s supporters want proactive actions and, Umno and BN leaders are obliged to deliver.

Rule Of Law

Most sensible Malaysians, who hold dear to the rule of law, know that Najib should be out as a free man while certain judges, a former attorney general and some former directors of 1Malaysia Development Board (1MDB) and SRC International should be behind bars by now.

But the Malaysian justice system is so defective now, thanks to an octogenarian, that even the Almighty might find it difficult to mend it.

Umno must have its charismatic, dynamic and innovative Bossku back at the helm or else the party will perish in GE16.

Once BN banishes, MIC, MCA and others will flee to jump into the winners’ bandwagon leaving the lone Umno in a political killing field for turkey shoot.

Umno and BN must have Najib back now to steady the sinking ship. Period. — Mediahit

Editor’s Note: Aathi Shankar is a veteran journalist and a reader of New Media Hit. The views expressed in this article are that of the writer and do not necessarily reflect the views of the management or the editorial board of newmediahit.com.