No News Is Bad News
Really, what can Malaysia do about US sanctions?
KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 3, 2023: Really! What can Malaysia do to the US if the later sanctions Malaysia?
Absolutely nothing.
Malaysia’s politicians and ministers are prone to only talk big or talk cock.
Just like the useless and garbage education minister and ministry who defended teachers who promoted the use of “firearms and violence” in school during the Palestine Solidarity Week, it’s now foreign minister Zambry Abdul Kadir who is “talking big and talking cock”.
He was reported by national news agency Bernama as saying that his ministry was examining the content of the US bill on the sanction of idividuals and countries that supported Hamas terrorists and the Islamic Jihad Movement before taking further action.
Wow! Malaysia wants to take action against the US? My toes are laughing!
Hey Zamvery! You are reminded that the US is the No.1 superpower in the world.
And the US. goods and services trade with Malaysia totaled US$78.3 billion in 2022. Exports were US$21.6 billion; imports were US$56.7 billion. The US goods and services trade deficit with Malaysia was US$35.2 billion in 2022.
Instead of continuing to be arrogant and provoke the US, it is wiser take remedial measures to mend bilateral ties, instead of taking a confrontational stance.
It is for the Anwar Ibrahim-led Madani Unity Government and Malaysia to lose big with a stubborn and confrontation stand with the US.
No News Is Bad News reproduces below news of Zamvery talking big:
Govt monitoring US bill on sanctions against foreign supporters of Hamas
Foreign minister Zambry Abdul Kadir says his ministry will examine the content of the bill before taking further action.
Bernama - 03 Nov 2023, 7:28am
Zambry Abdul Kadir said the first shipment of humanitarian aid to Gaza is to be sent to Al-Arish International Airport, Egypt via a special chartered cargo flight today. (Bernama pic)
KUALA LUMPUR: The government is currently monitoring the decision of the United States House of Representatives to pass a bill regarding restrictions on foreign entities that support Hamas and the Islamic Jihad Movement in Palestine on Wednesday.
Foreign minister Zambry Abdul Kadir said the ministry will thoroughly examine the content of the bill before taking further actions.
“The situation in Palestine has worsened and as of today the death toll reported is over 8,700 people and this is highly disappointing. Moreover, the number of people who have lost their homes or are displaced has reached 14 million individuals in total and this is extremely saddening.
“On one side, continuous bombings are taking place, and on the other side they are not pursuing the best path to resolve the issue. Instead, they are further complicating the situation, making it difficult to achieve a positive outcome that would allow us to immediately halt these attacks and facilitate the entry of humanitarian assistance,” he said.
He told this to reporters after attending the Diploma in Diplomacy graduation ceremony at the Institute of Diplomacy and Foreign Relations here last night.
He said the first shipment of humanitarian aid for the Palestinians in Gaza is to be sent to Al-Arish International Airport, Egypt via a special chartered cargo flight today.
“We thank the Egyptian authorities because in a short time, they allowed help from Malaysia to arrive. Normally for other countries to reach Al-Arish airport it takes days, approximately five or six days but in the context of Malaysia, we got the response in just 36 hours.
“This allows us to make preparations for delivery to the airport, from there the Egyptian authorities will take follow-up actions to deliver goods to Rafah,” he said.
Zambry added that Wisma Putra is also trying its best to get a Malaysian, Nurul Ain Haron and her husband who have been in Gaza since Oct 1, out with the cooperation of a third country.
“We have also received feedback about the possibility that the route in Rafah will be opened to allow people from abroad and those who have dual nationality to leave,” he said.
Thursday, 2 November 2023
PMX Anwar may have to pay the price for ‘playing with fire’ with the US
No News Is Bad News
PMX Anwar may have to pay the price for ‘playing with fire’ with the US
KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 2, 2023: Malaysia’s 10th Prime Minister (PMX) Anwar Ibrahim must be a worried man and perhaps problem sleeping.
This follows the US House of Representatives approval of a bill to sanction foreign supporters of the Hamas and the Palestinian Islamic Jihad terrorist movements today.
The bill would require the president to periodically report to Congress a list of each foreign person who knowingly provides “significant support or services” to a senior member or supporter of Hamas or the Palestinian Islamic Jihad.
Should the US sanction Malaysia, it will seriously jolt and damage the country’s economy and send the Ringgit diving to new lows.
The effect on Anwar’s political standing and future would be at stake.
Anwar should have known not to play with fire with the big boys, especially the US which is the most powerful nation in the world.
Malaysia is a tiny nation and would not be able to withstand the negative economic effects like China.
Perhaps, the suspected CIA-backed political website, Malaysia Chronicle (MC), for saw what is coming and had been “ridiculously” lobbying for former Umno elite and defence minister Hishammuddin Hussein to succeed as Malaysia’s 11th prime minister.
MC in its reports had ignored the numbers in the 222-seat Parliament but, if US sanctions Malaysia, anything is possible in Malaysian politics.
No News Is Bad News reproduces below a slew of related past reports:
Thursday, 2 November 2023
US to sanction Malaysia?
No News Is Bad News
US to sanction Malaysia?
KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 2, 2023: The Anwar Ibrahim-led Madani Unity Government (UG) may be in serious trouble.
The US House of Representatives has approved a bill to sanction foreign supporters of the Hamas and the Palestinian Islamic Jihad terrorist movements today.
The bill would require the president to periodically report to Congress a list of each foreign person who knowingly provides “significant support or services” to a senior member or supporter of Hamas or the Palestinian Islamic Jihad.
Should Malaysia be sanctioned, the already ballooning RM1.5 trillion national debt is set to soar as the country’s economy will be stressed, to say the least, and further weakening the Ringgit.
Who then is responsible for inviting such a sanction? And, not forgetting, the domestic political impact?
No News Is Bad News reproduces below a news report on the US bill:
US House approves bill to sanction Hamas supporters
Some 45 Democrats and one Republican voted in opposition to the bill.
By JERUSALEM POST STAFFNOVEMBER 2, 2023 02:13Updated: NOVEMBER 2, 2023 09:28
Newly elected Speaker of the House Mike Johnson (R-LA) gets a standing ovation from Republican members of the House as he addresses members after being elected to be the new Speaker of the House at the US Capitol in Washington, US, October 25, 2023(photo credit: Elizabeth Frantz/Reuters)
The US House of Representatives approved a bill to sanction foreign supporters of the Hamas and the Palestinian Islamic Jihad terrorist movements on Wednesday night.
The bill, titled the Hamas International Financing Prevention Act, passed 363-46. Some 45 Democrats and one Republican voted in opposition of the bill. First introduced in the House in January, it will now head to the Senate.
The bill would require the president to periodically report to Congress a list of each foreign person who knowingly provides “significant support or services” to a senior member or supporter of Hamas or the Palestinian Islamic Jihad.
Any such person must have two or more sanctions imposed on them.
The president would also be required to provide Congress with a list of any foreign governments that have repeatedly provided material support for the terrorist groups’ activities. These governments will be barred from receiving US assistance or the exports of controlled munitions for one year. International financial institutions will also be instructed to oppose providing assistance to these governments for a year.
AIPAC | Text ISRAEL to 24722 | #StandWithIsrael
@AIPAC
The House just overwhelmingly passed a bipartisan bill to sanction supporters of Hamas, following the terrorist group’s brutal terrorist assault against Israelis on Oct. 7. The Hamas and Other Palestinian Terrorist Groups International Financing Prevention Act targets foreign entities and nations that continue to support Hamas. Thank you
and
for leading this important bipartisan initiative.
Palestinians take part in a protest in support of the people of Gaza, as the conflict between Israel and Hamas continues, in Hebron in the West Bank, October 20, 2023. (credit: WISAM HASHLAMOUN/FLASH90)
The bill provides for certain exceptions and waivers.
AIPAC welcomed the passing of the bill, thanking Rep. Brian Mast (R-Florida, 21st District) and Rep. Josh Gottheimer (D-New Jersey, 5th District) for leading the effort to pass the bill.
Wednesday, 1 November 2023
US desperately wants pro-Hamas PM Anwar ousted
No News Is Bad News
US desperately wants pro-Hamas PM Anwar ousted
KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 2, 2023: The US, via its suspected CIA-backed website, Malaysia Chronicle (MC), is unbelievably desperate to have Malaysia’s 10th Prime Minister (PM) Anwar Ibrahim toppled as soon as possible.
Thge US is apparently exctremly upset and uncomfortable with Malaysia strong support for the Palestine’s terrorist Hamas.
It has come up with a second speculative story lobbying for former defence minister Hishammuddin Hussein - no matter how ridiculous it sound.
Where is Hishammuddin’s support in the 222-seat Parliament?
This was a comment posted on the story:
Jonas Lee said…
This is the most gossipy, albeit clueless, commentary on Malaysian politicians.The Ringgit's decline is a function of aggressive US interest rate hikes, not domestic policies. Anwar may be a mediocre policy maker but he represents Malaysia well in the international scene.
None of your candidates can even talk about global issues without mispronouncing or making fool of themselves and the nation.
As Jonas Lee said: “albeit clueless …”. It just ignores the numbers game in Parliament!
No News Is Bad News reproduces below how MC takes readers for stupid:
EXIT GANG PUBLIKA, EXIT ANWAR, EXIT ZAHID - ENTER HISHAM, ENTER 'DYNAMIC DUO'? - CHANGING FORTUNES & MAJOR CHANGES SEEN IMMINENT & UNSTOPPABLE IN MALAYSIA'S POWER EQUATION
posted by politics now! on November 01, 2023
Written by Stan Lee, Politics Now!
KUALA LUMPUR (Politics Now!) - The changing fortunes of sacked Umno bigwig Annuar Musa has cast a light into the future of Malaysia's volatile political scene, marked by 4 changes in prime ministers in the past 5 years - with the ineffective Anwar Ibrahim looking set to lose the post he has coveted for decades - not due to elitism, racism or political manoeuvring but plain and simple, his own massive underperformance!
Annuar Musa was named the number 2 man to Pas' fast-rising star Sanusi Md Nor - and will take on the role of deputy election chief, in a move that slams the door shut on his long-held and once-prized Umno roots and perhaps also his personal ambition to be prime minister.
Once seen as a potential candidate for the PM's post, Annuar at the height of his power was the man who effectively called the shots for Umno in former prime minister Muhyiddin Yassin's embattled Cabinet. He spoke louder and fiercer even than his own Umno party president Zahid Hamidi, as Muhyiddin, the Bersatu president, made him a minister but not Zahid!
Together with Pas secretary-general Takiyuddin Hassan and Bersatu's Hamzah Zainuddin, Annuar was the third member of the trio called the 'Gang Publika'.
They were reputedly the most powerful faction in the then ruling PN coalition as Hamzah had Muhyiddin's ear. Few of the major and perhaps disastrous political and policy decisions made during the Muhyiddin administration were not 'brainstormed' from their war room at the Publika mall.
'WASHOUTS' NO LONGER IN THE RUNNING?
Gang Publika - Takiyuddin (left), Annua Musa (center), Hamzah (right)
Unfortunately, none of the trio can be said to be doing well these days.
Hamzah, now the Opposition Leader in Parliament, is facing corruption and abuse of power charges. So is his son. Whilst Takiyuddin, once seen as the right-hand man and alternative PM candidate to Pas chief Hadi Awang, has been sidelined by younger talent springing up in the party. As for Annuar, his 'fall' has been the most spectacular of the three so far.
Whither the trio as Malaysia prepares for yet another political rollercoaster - a powder keg, tooth and nail fight for power and the coveted prime minister's post even as the nation prepares to welcome a new King for a new 5-year term that begins on Jan 31, 2024.
"I think unless you stretch your imagination, all three have to be described as 'washouts' rather than 'still in the running' candidates for top tier power," a political pundit told Politics Now!
"They had their chance but blew it, not only because they overplayed the race and religious card to the extent they didn't want to give even an inch of space to the non-Malays but at the end of the day, the Muhyiddin and Ismail Sabri regimes performed so badly it was clear even to the Malays, there would be no hope for the economy if they stayed on in power."
"And the same goes now for Anwar Ibrahim. His administration may be less Malay-centric and more friendly to non-Malays but look how the Ringgit is now at its lowest in history while the economic uncertainty is getting really scary. No amount of posturing, race or religious championing can help. Just like Publika gang, Anwar too has become a relic, a 'washout' and will have to go."
EXIT 'GANG PUBLIKA' - ENTER HISHAM?
Hamzah (left) and Hisham (right)
Hamzah, perhaps the brightest of the three, was also the quietest. Seen as the gang-leader, he let Annuar and Takiyuddin do all the chest-thumping and arm-waving.
Touted as Bersatu's PM candidate as Muhyiddin is still widely unpopular, Hamzah's performance as Opposition Leader has been disappointing - he is still extremely quiet and has not been able organize fresh campaigns or rebuttals against Anwar's government.
Speculation is rife Umno elite Hishammuddin Hussein may cross over to become Bersatu's prime minister candidate and lead a coordinated effort by the opposition to oust Anwar as PM.
Even if Hishammuddin stays in Umno, Hamzah would lose ground in Bersatu to party mate and also rival Azmin Ali, who is close to Hishammuddin, if the ouster succeeds.
TAKIYUDDIN - OVERTAKEN!
Muhyiddin (front), Takiyuddin (back)
Takiyuddin, regarded by the village-based Pas as one of its most polished politicians, always careful to don Western attire in Parliament, tried his best to pull his party's Muslim cables.
But he was outshone as dynamic and younger trailblazers from within Pas pulled the rug out from under him.
Silently, Takiyuddin fell from his perch, unnoticed and left in the background as the 'dynamic duo' of Sanusi Md Nor, the Kedah chief minister, and Samsuri Mokhtar, the Terengganu chief minister, climbed over his head to the forefront.
Now they and not him are wanted by Pas members to be their PM candidate.
CAN DYNAMIC DUO BEAT HISHAM?
Sanusi (right) and Samsuri (left)
Will this duo will contend against Hishammuddin, who is regarded as the best choice for PM now by the Malay elites due to his more centered and balanced stance despite an episode during his Umno Youth days when he waved the keris or Malay sword as if to threaten the non-Malays?
"It remains to be seen and how the final power equation is written - who and who on which side to balance who and who on the other side. But I think it's highly unlikely because the PM must be PM for all Malaysia and not just the Malays. So far, Sanusi and Samsuri only know how to speak for the Malays but not the non-Malays, so how can either of them qualify yet?" the pundit said.
Pas had won a record 49 seats and is now a credible government-in-waiting despite its radical, even extremist political stance as Malays, who form the largest bloc of voters in the country, rooted for it instead of Umno and Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim's PKR party.
The controversial Sanusi is also the Kedah chief minister while Samsuri Mokhtar is the Terengganu chief minister. Shahidan Kassim is the Arau MP who joined Pas after falling out with other top leaders in Umno.
The amazing explosion in Sanusi and Samsuri's popularity came after their political strategies yielded unprecedented and beyond-all-expectations results for their party.
Indeed, the wheels of fortune have turned in Pas' favor and it is now the biggest and most influential Malay political party in the country, winning the most seats of any single party in the federal Parliament and controlling four of the country's 14 states.
ANNUAR - OVERCONFIDENCE LED TO HIS DOWNFALL
Zahid (left), Annuar (right)
As for Annuar, who was most vociferous and brash of the three, perhaps his fate might now be the coldest.
Annuar had lost out to Ismail Sabri, his Umno colleague who took over as PM after Muhyiddin was forced to surrender the post after a series of bungles in a brief stint marked by underwhelming performance.
And last year, when Zahid chose to form a unity government with Anwar Ibrahim instead of maintaining the Umno alignment with Muhyiddin's PN coalition, which includes Pas, Annuar lost 'everything'.
CUTTING OLD TIES, LEARNING NEW TRICKS - CAN ANWAR'S OWN LITTLE NAPOLEONS FARE AS WELL?
The former Ketereh MP was not only expelled for openly agitating Umno members to revolt against the Zahid decision, he was forced to join Pas to keep his political career alive. So too was his colleague Shahidan Kassim, another former Umno minister who was dropped as a candidate in last year's general election,
Shahidan and Annuar - tired faces?
And although Annuar may never admit it, chances are if he could, he would still rather be in Umno. The party not only gave him his political roots but the chance to make his money and establish himself. Still, Annuar should count himself lucky to be in the 'new' Pas.
"Of course he cannot throw his weight around like he did in Umno because he is a 'junior' in Pas and they have their own culture and system," a Pas watcher told Politics Now!
"But it's not too bad to be named No. 2 to Sanusi even though Annuar's older and has more experience because Sanusi and Samsuri are seen to be the future of Pas. Either one of them will be Pas' prime minister candidate but not Annuar or Shahidan.
Lest those who now walk the corridors of power be tempted to smirk at Annuar and Shahidan, it won't be long before they too face the same stark reality as Lady Luck casts her smile else in Malaysia's political arena.
Once swept into power, Malaysian politicos always tend to forget their roots, where they came from and how they got there.
Indeed, Anwar looks set to have the shortest term and worst legacy of all Malaysia's prime ministers. Less than a year in power, his ministers, political secretaries and coterie of sycophants have already started pushing, shoving and bullying their critics.
It goes without saying that many will be happy to see the back of this pack of self-aggrandizing but substance-less lot. Once out of power, can they fare better than Annuar Musa and Shahidan?
Highly unlikely given their lack of skills - but as the saying goes, let karma show the way!
Written by Stan Lee, Politics Now!
Politics Now!
MC's first story:
Tuesday, 31 October 2023
PMX Anwar to be toppled next month?
No News Is Bad News
PMX Anwar to be toppled next month?
KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 1, 2023: Suspected CIA-backed website Malaysia Chronicle (MC) is now speculating that Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim would be toppled soon.
The earliest opportunity for rivals to topple Anwar, it predicted, will be at the tabling of Budget 2024 next month.
And MC is “lobbying” for former defence minister Hishammuddin Hussein to be the next prime minister! He does not even hold a post in Umno which has only 26 seats in the 222-seat Parliament.
No News Is Bad News reproduces below the MC report for readers’ reading pleasure:
PMX ANWAR TO SOON BECOME XPMX? - BUT WHO WILL BE THE NEXT PM? HISHAMMUDDIN HUSSEIN ONN? - AS 'ME, MYSELF, I' ANWAR FUMBLES ON ISSUE AFTER ISSUE, FOCUSING ON HIS OWN "GREATNESS' - THE PEOPLE ARE LOSING PATIENCE & SO ARE THE ROYALS!
posted by politics now! on October 31, 2023
Written by Stan Lee, Politics Now!
KUALA LUMPUR (Politics Now!) - As disappointment with Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim's performance becomes palpable across the nation, Malaysia's political scene is once again rocking with conspiracy theories of when and how he will be ousted and by whom - not if!
"I think the push is now quite easy to see. It is Hisham who is seen as the most acceptable candidate to take over from Anwar who is likely to end up the shortest-termed PM ever," a political pundit told Politics Now!
"So long as Hisham is backed by a very strong King who is known for multiracial and no nonsense ways, such as the Johor Sultan, then I think the non-Malays will accept Hisham notwithstanding their concern about Pas extremism. They can see Anwar is not up to the job and his PKR party has become a disgrace, good only at bullying critics but bungling and at a loss when it comes to hatching workable plans for the nation's future. So whether Hisham becomes PM via Umno as it is now or has to go over to PN-PAS with other Umno MPs is less important. The final structure remains to be seen."
The earliest opportunity for rivals to topple Anwar will be at the tabling of the Budget for 2024 next month. The change of King due to take place on Jan 31, 2024 is another key date to watch and a change of government is possible before or soon after that day. A snap general election is however unlikely as the power 'wheeling and dealing' is likely to transacted via statutory declarations of support presented to the King.
IT'S TRUE, NON-MALAYS DO TRUST JOHOR SULTAN - FROM BANGSA JOHOR TO BANGSA MALAYSIA?
Indeed, non-Malays' fear of Pas and the still widespread public rejection of ex-premier Muhyiddin Yassin who performed just as badly if not worse than Anwar, are no longer enough to keep him propped up as the country's 10th prime minister.
Even DAP, the political party within Anwar's Pakatan Harapan coalition that he has been banking on to reel in the non-Malay vote, is starting to lose its shine with the Chinese and Indian voters.
Critically, the disgust displayed by Sarawak's all-powerful GPS coalition, without whose support Anwar's unity government would immediately crash, has been too visible to be missed by political watchers.
In recent weeks, Premier Abang Jo and his state government have slammed the door on almost every one of Anwar's half-baked efforts that seem aimed to make himself popular with the Malay heartland and the civil service, rather than in the nation's interests.
These include refusing to comply with a 'Return to Sender' order from Anwar that Malay language must be used on all official communications or to compel Sarawak schools to hold a controversial 'Palestine Solidarity Week'.
Sarawak's ministers did not mince their words - reiterating that English would remain their state's official language, while rebuffing the Palestine Solidarity Week that has now backfired badly on Anwar on the grounds that one-sided political ideology that comes with violence and ethnic hatred had no place in the state's primary and secondary schools.
TMJ'S KNOCKOUT PUNCH
But perhaps the latest blow - a thundering, knockout punch from Johor crown prince Tunku Ismail - was the most powerful indicator yet that the end of the road is near for Anwar and his coterie of self-aggrandizing political secretaries and ministers.
This inner circle of loyalists from Anwar's own PKR party may have single-handedly made Anwar's fall inevitable due to their bullying and oppressive ways towards critics - thus eroding the key fundamentals of the reformist platform, which includes free and fair speech, that swept Anwar to power.
TMJ, the moniker by which Tunku Ismail is known, had a day ago called Anwar indecisive, saying he lacked a good team and did not show enough courage to carry out tough decisions.
Indeed, all eyes are on whether Anwar can "execute" his development plans unveiled recently in an unprecedentedly massive Budget for 2024 or will he stay as many have predicted - a disorganized 'tin kosong' (empty vessel) administrator?
"Just to address what the TMJ said, my view is (Anwar) is not entirely indecisive. He does make decisions," said a prominent blogger Syed Akbar Ali in his website.
"But he lacks that most essential and cherished of all essentials - common sense, knowledge and intelligence. Lacking all three, his decisions are all cantankerous. But nothing seems to stop him. He just bulldozes through. It is nothing more than 'Me, myself and I'."
OMINOUSLY FOR ANWAR - NEW AGONG HAS 'CLEAR AGENDA' TO 'RESTORE ORDER'
More ominously still, TMJ said his father, who is due to become Malaysia's next King for the next 5 years effective from January 31, 2024 had a "clear agenda" and was keen to "restore order".
“He always says something about restoring order because of the unstable (political) situation in the country,” Tunku Ismail said during the“Keluar Sekejap” podcast which aired on Monday.
According to news portal Malaysiakini, Tunku Ismail also believes his father’s impending reign would be an “interesting time”.
“His Majesty has his own plan…He wants to work together with the prime minister and share his views with the latter. So, we will see,” he said.
DON'T BE A BULLY, ANWAR - EVERY MALAYSIAN HAS A RIGHT TO COMMENT ON POLITICS, INCLUDING ON YOUR PERFORMANCE
Tunku Ismail himself set the tone when he pointed out that as a citizen, he had the right to comment on political matters, including Anwar's performance.
It was indeed a pointed reference and a direct slap to Anwar's minders who have been busy trying to build him into some sort of 'cult hero' who could not be criticized.
Their clampdown on critics is perhaps the single-most damaging issue that has angered civil society and the activists, whose decades-old push for a better Malaysia had helped bring Anwar and the DAP to power.
"This is called karma. When they were in opposition and needed strident critics against Najib, then against Mahathir, Muhyiddin and Ismail Sabri, they were only too happy," a veteran political watcher told Politics Now!
"Now that they are in power, they think they did it all by themselves. They don't remember the past contributions, they even forget their own reforms. This shows they don't have much principles - the Sedition Act is not only still there but they are actually using it on their critics, so is SOSMA. Serves them right when they get kicked back into the opposition and these laws are used again on them. Nobody will protest for them anymore, nobody will even vote for them. They're just opportunists, behaving like tinpot dictators the moment they get to Putrajaya."
KARMA, WHICH IS ESPECIALLY DRAWN TO HYPOCRISY, NEVER MISSES!
Third prime minister Hussein Onn
Worse than the backpedaling on election promises and underwhelming performance in getting the economy back on track, Anwar turned to the politics of hypocrisy to appease the Malay heartland, where he holds little traction and is not trusted.
Unfortunately by doing so, Anwar antagonized his own largely non-Malay electorate, foolishly falling into the trap set by the Malay-centric parties including Pas, the largest and most powerful political party in the country.
Despite a glaring lack of visionaries and talented administrators, Pas now controls the governments of 4 states and the hearts and minds of Malay voters - due to the politics of race and religion that it plays. However, its reach and expansion may have hit limit, with analysts saying it has to tone down its stance and start to woo the non-Malays which make up almost 40 per cent of the country's population.
Indeed, "interesting times" are ahead for Malaysia as the TMJ predicted. Under Anwar and DAP, the massive change and transformation that Malaysia needs is clearly not possible. DAP can push behind the scenes but Anwar is just too weak and has not the capability to pull. The result - a still dying Malaysia, albeit at a slower pace!
Can the younger Hisham, whose father was the country's 3rd prime minister Hussein Onn and whose grandad Onn Jaafar wanted to open Umno to non-Malay members, pull better than the ageing Anwar?
Who can push Hisham better than DAP? Perhaps Pas or Bersatu or even DAP again with GPS and Umno-BN too? Obviously, all under the overarching, strong and watchful eye of the King! Long live his Majesty, long live Malaysia!
Written by Stan Lee, Politics Now!
Politics Now!
Thursday, 2 November 2023
Moronic teachers, ministers - promote peace, not hate, use of firearms and violence
No News Is Bad News
Education minister Fadhlina Sidek and her ministry (read as Madani Unity Government) seem to think this is the way to teach our schoolchildren about peace.
Moronic teachers, ministers - promote peace, not hate, use of firearms and violence
KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 3, 2023: The useless or garbage Education Minister Fadhlina Sidekand her ministry should view the video link below to see what promoting peace is about.
In the video, do you see peace-loving and sane Israelis carrying “firearms and weapons” promoting violence?
Please learn from this, moronic ministers and teachers. Stop teaching our schoolchildren how to hate and resort to violence.
@MarioNawfal
A Palestinian man thanking Orthodox-Jews for their calls to end the war We need more people like this on both sides
https://twitter.com/i/status/1719926870093778995
Surely some of the Palestine Solidarity Week events are stupid. In fact, world politics and conflicts should not have involved the young minds.
Parents send their children to learn, grow up to be knowledgeable and competent productive adults. Certainly not otherwise.
And that should be sole role of educators and the education ministry, you hear that STUPID!
As a reminder, the following show how incompetent and useless Malaysian teachers, educators and the education ministry:
Thursday, 2 November 2023
Useless education minister defends ‘violent’ display in schools
No News Is Bad News
What is this 'gun-totting' teacher trying to teach her pupils? Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek hails her for delivering a message of humanity, peace and harmony!
Useless education minister defends ‘violent’ display in schools
UPDATE:
Read what the super arrogant useless Education Minister is saying:
Lay off our schools, teachers over Palestine Solidarity Week, says minister
The education minister urges politicians across the divide not to ‘disturb’ teachers or schools by making an issue of the initiative.
Dineskumar Ragu - 02 Nov 2023, 5:26pm
Education minister Fadhlina Sidek said the initiative was never about ‘who is more pro-Palestine’ but educating students on the value of humanity and peace. (Bernama pic)
KUALA LUMPUR: Education minister Fadhlina Sidek has urged politicians across the political divide not to “disturb” schools and teachers that are taking part in the Palestine Solidarity Week.
An emotional Fadhlina told the Dewan Rakyat that humanity was the main reason why the education ministry organised this initiative, adding that it was never about “who is more pro- Palestine”.
“The purpose of this programme is to educate students about the value of humanity, peace education, and peace (itself). Give the education ministry the space to carry out our responsibility.
“Don’t disturb us (ministry). Don’t disturb our schools. Don’t disturb our teachers.
“(The same goes for MPs) on this side or that side (the opposition bloc. Don’t disturb,” she said in her winding-up speech for the 2024 supply bill.
KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 2, 2023: Despite nationwide public outrage over the Palestine Solidarity Week in schools, the rubbish or garbage Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek hails the controversial events.
What a shocking display of arrogance by Fadhlina who blamed the controversy on politicking.
Allowing school teachers and students to brandish “weapons and firearms” in schools to appreciate violence is politicking?
With such a moronic education minister, Malaysians and Malaysia are surely doomed!
No News Is Bad News reproduces below the garbage that she is spewing:
MALAYSIA
Fadhlina hails Palestine week in schools for message conveyed to students
Issue has become controversial as it is politicised, disrupted by external parties, says education minister
Updated 29 minutes ago · Published on 02 Nov 2023 2:14PM
Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek says guidelines on observance of Palestine Solidarity Week are clear for those involved. The Vibes pic.
KUALA LUMPUR – The ‘Palestine Solidarity Week’ events initiated by the Education Ministry (KPM) have effectively delivered a message of humanity, peace and harmony to students, said Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek.
She said that the programme was conducted according to a process that took into account the students’ level of understanding of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict.
“…these schools have their own dynamics and it is the responsibility of the teachers to ensure that this message reaches according to the activities that they feel are suitable for the school.
“So this is a clear message that the purpose of holding the Palestine Solidarity Week is to uphold the nation’s stand and ensure that the message reaches all our students,” she told reporters after attending the Palestine Solidarity Week programme at Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan Dato’ Ahmad Razali in Ampang near here today.
Palestine Solidarity Week started on Monday and ends tomorrow to respond to the government’s stance to defend the rights and freedom of the Palestinian people.
It is being held in schools, vocational colleges, matriculation colleges and teacher training institutes throughout the country, with the aim of educating students about human values that also include human rights and courtesy.
On the issue of the guidelines regarding the organisation of Palestine Solidarity Week issued by the ministry which became a subject of debate among the people, Fadhlina said the matter did not arise because the guidelines were clear for the education community.
“The guidelines are for schools, for information to school administrators and implemented in schools and for the education community and they are very clear. It (issue) became controversial because it was politicised and disrupted by external parties,” she said. – Bernama, November 2, 2023
Monday, 30 October 2023
Education Ministry continues to rot away
No News Is Bad News
Education Ministry continues to rot away
KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 31, 2023: The rubbish or garbage Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek still doesn’t get it.
It is happening in schools - teachers, schoolboys and girls are carrying replica weapons and clad in terrorist attire, supporting the use of violence and killing.
The pictures and videos do not lie.
Fadhlina and her rubbish or garbage ministry still continue to NATO (No Action Talk Only) around.
What disciplinary action has been taken against the culprits? Any arrests by the police for such behavior in primary schools?
Also, schools are no place for politics and conflicts, just pure education to lead them to become productive, peace-loving and law-abiding adults.
Instead, what is the ministry doing?
No News Is Bad News reproduces below a news report and previous postings on the issue:
No politics, weapons for Palestine Solidarity Week, says minister
Fadhlina Sidek shares an infographic on X detailing the prohibitions when organising activities for schoolchildren.
FMT Reporters - 31 Oct 2023, 12:03am
Education minister Fadhlina Sidek urged schools to avoid extremist rhetoric, manipulating the facts and blaming specific groups or religions.
PETALING JAYA: The education ministry has shared a guideline for the Palestine Solidarity Week, which bans the use of weapons and promotion of political parties.
In an infographic posted on X (formerly known as Twitter), education minister Fadhlina Sidek urged schools to avoid extremist rhetoric, manipulating the facts and blaming specific groups or religions based on the actions of a few individuals.
She also said schools should steer clear of anything that may lead to confrontation and refrain from showcasing a one-sided perspective of the conflict between Israel and Hamas.
Instead, Fadhlina said schools should focus on humanity and advocate understanding by underscoring the importance of peace instead of violence.
She encouraged schools to organise charity campaigns, forums, and work with NGOs in activities for students.
Fadhlina, who is the MP for Nibong Tebal, said all activities to be held during the week should focus on peace, justice, and harmony.
Recently, a video recording went viral on social media depicting a school programme showing elements of extremism in expressing support for the Palestinian people.
The 55-second clip showed an event held in a school involving what appeared to be a man wearing a bulletproof vest, a balaclava mask and pointing a toy rifle at students, while leading a group of teachers into an assembly.
The ministry said it would not compromise with any activities with “extremist” elements, adding that the use of replica weapons, icons and symbols in a provocative and confrontational manner was “strictly prohibited”.
Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has also called for better control of the Palestine solidarity programmes in schools following reports of students and teachers carrying toy guns at several events.
Friday, 27 October 2023
Rubbish Education Ministry = Government
No News Is Bad News
Fadhlina: We are waiting for report on toy gun brandishing incident
MoE had since ordered a complete investigation be conducted into the incident and to file a detailed report based on the stipulated guidelines
Updated 28 minutes ago · Published on 28 Oct 2023 4:29PM
Fadhlina said the Palestine Solidarity Week was encouraged as it was important to instil positive values among students - The Vibes pic, October 28, 2023
BY The Vibes Team
PETALING JAYA - The Ministry of Education (MoE) is waiting for a report following a probe into a programme in a primary school yesterday with students brandishing toy guns resembling M-16s and dressing up as militants.
Its Minister, Fadhlina Sidek said MoE had since ordered a complete investigation be conducted into the incident and to file a detailed report based on the stipulated guidelines.
"Before we take any action, we need a complete report on the incident.
"The guidelines on the Palestine Solidarity Week are clear and we must engage with our respective state education departments on what can and cannot be done.
"We must also ensure all activities are carried out in a harmonious manner with emphasis on humanity and peace," she said.
Fadhlina, who is also the Nibong Tebal member of parliament, earlier officiated the Taman Angkat Amanita Taman Pekaka in her constituency.
Elaborating, she said the Palestine Solidarity Week was encouraged as it was important to instil positive values among students.
"However, we will not compromise on elements of extremism, violence and radicalism, while replicas of weapons are not allowed altogether.
"We have asked all quarters concerned to pay full attention to the guidelines issued," she said.
On the viral video of students brandishing toy guns resembling M-16s and dressing up as militants, she said the incident occurred outside the period of the Palestine Solidarity Week which was from Oct 29 - Nov 3. - The Vibes, October 28, 2023
KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 27, 2023: The Education Ministry has responded to the national backlash on its “extremist” Palestine solidarity programmes in schools.
But, it’s happening in its schools. So, what is the ministry doing about it?
No Action Talk Only (NATO)?
The ministry said it will not compromise with any activities with “extremist” elements, adding that the use of replica weapons, icons and symbols in a provocative and confrontational manner is “strictly prohibited”.
Really? Where’s the action against those who promoted the use of firearms and weapons to promote violence, since the ministry claimed there were guidelines?
No News Is Bad News reproduces below the NATO news report:
Education ministry slams viral ‘extremist’ Palestine solidarity programmes
The ministry says the use of replica weapons, icons and symbols in a provocative and confrontational manner is strictly prohibited.
FMT Reporters - 27 Oct 2023, 7:53pm
Pictures and videos of Palestine solidarity school programmes in several schools went viral earlier amid reports of students and teachers carrying toy guns at the events.
PETALING JAYA: The education ministry has slammed several Palestine solidarity school programmes that have gone viral on social media following reports of students and teachers carrying toy guns at the events.
The ministry said it will not compromise with any activities with “extremist” elements, adding that the use of replica weapons, icons and symbols in a provocative and confrontational manner is “strictly prohibited”.
“This programme falls outside the period set for the Palestinian Solidarity Week and does not adhere to the guidelines set by the ministry,” it said in a statement.
The ministry said, instead, it encourages activities such as video screenings, poetry, poster paintings and donation collections for the Palestinian people.
“All institutions under the purview of the ministry must adhere to the established guidelines,” it added.
Earlier today, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim called for better control of the Palestine solidarity programmes in schools following reports of students and teachers carrying toy guns at several events.
He said the matter was discussed in a Cabinet meeting and that while schools were encouraged to show solidarity with the Palestinians, such programmes were not mandatory.
A 55-second video that went viral yesterday on social media showed an event held in a school involving what appeared to be a man wearing a bulletproof vest, a balaclava mask, and pointing a toy rifle at students while leading a group of teachers into an assembly.
One of the teachers was seen holding a placard while others waved the Palestinian flag or wore Palestine-themed scarves across their faces and shoulders. Some also held toy rifles.
Several social media screenshots of an event at a school in Klang, which has also gone viral, showed children wearing green bandanas with the words “Save Palestine” across their forehead while carrying toy guns.
Yesterday, the ministry pressed on with its directive to all schools and colleges to organise a “Palestinian Solidarity Week” despite criticism from many quarters, saying it was in line with the government’s civic education syllabus.
The Palestinian Solidarity Week, set to run from Oct 29 to Nov 3, will involve all educational institutions under the purview of the ministry, including schools, vocational and matriculation colleges, as well as teacher training colleges across the country.
TO ‘MASTER OF ENGLISH’ ANWAR, USING MALAY LANGUAGE MORE IMPORTANT THAN ECONOMIC SUCCESS – BUT NOT FOR SARAWAK PREMIER ABANG JO! ‘THAT DOES NOT APPLY HERE’ – STATE SECRETARY SAYS ENGLISH TO STAY OFFICIAL LANGUAGE
Business, Politics | October 27, 2023 9:41 am by | 0 Comments
PUTRAJAYA, 28 Jun -- Menteri Ekonomi Rafizi Ramli ketika sidang media mengenai Indeks Harga Pengguna Bagi Bulan Mei 2023 di kementreriannya hari ini.--fotoBERNAMA (2023) HAK CIPTA TERPELIHARA
Written by Stan Lee, Politics Now!
KUALA LUMPUR (Politics Now!) – Sarawak’s cool response that it had no intention of following Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s heated ‘Return to Sender’ order has sparked online sniggers and won the East Malaysian state more admiration for its no-nonsense and non-racial approach.
However, it is also likely to pit Sarawak Premier Abang Jo’s administration against Anwar’s ‘Madani’ federal government.
“That does not apply in Sarawak,” State Secretary Abu Bakar Marzukiwas quoted as saying by The Borneo Post.
NOT THE FIRST TIME ABANG JO GOES HEAD TO HEAD WITH PUTRAJAYA
On Wednesday, Anwar warned his directive to use and promote the national language – Malay – should not be taken lightly.
The prime minister also stated that anyone who wrote in a language other than the national language to government departments “will have their letter returned.”
““We agree with the use of English as the international trade language, but there is an attitude that I feel has gone too far and has deviated among some government departments, universities and private universities, including the private sector, which attempts to abandon the basis of the Constitution with regard to communicating with the government in the national language,” The Star had quoted Anwar as saying.
Indeed, this is not the first time Sarawak has held opposing views with the federal government when it comes to language-related policies.
In June last year, Abang Jo said the state civil service would continue using English as the official language, with Malay as the national language.
Abang Jo’s comments were in response to Chief Secretary to the federal government Zuki Ali’s statement that he wanted the public services department to look into actions that could be taken against those who did not take instructions to strengthen the national language seriously.
USING MALAY LANGUAGE MORE IMPORTANT THAN ECONOMIC SUCCESS?
BOMBSHELL – FROM SCHOOLKIDS TOTING MACHINE GUNS TO THREATS FROM EUROPEAN MPs – BID BY MALAYSIAN POLITICIANS TO ‘HIJACK’ HAMAS-ISRAEL WAR TO BOOST SAGGING POPULARITY AT HOME BACKFIRES – NOW ONE NEEDS TO SACK HIMSELF AS FINANCE MINISTER, THE OTHER NEEDS TO BE SACKED AS EDUCATION MINISTER
Written by Stan Lee, Politics Now!
KUALA LUMPUR (Politics Now!) – It’s time for Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek, whose appointment was shaky from day one, to call it a day. Her boss, the embattled Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim who also doubles as Finance Minister is already free-falling along with Ringgit.
Brickbats from both bigwigs and the man in the street are being hurled at the duo, who hail from the ruling PKR party, for trying to ‘hijack’ the Israel-Hamas war to save their political skins. Even allies are rushing to distance themselves from the fiasco.
“Teach compassion, appreciation of diversity, not war,” said MCA Central Committee Member Saw Yee Fung in a statement to the media.
“anwaribrahim @FadhlinaSiddiq Are you happy now? Children and teachers bearing arms? What kind of sick minds do you all have eh?” asked activist lawyer Siti Kasim on X.
“Seriously what is this????” thundered another activist lawyer Ambiga Sreenevasan.
BRAINWAVE OR HALF-BAKED IDEA?
They were responding to the directive by Ministry of Education to all schools to organise a week-long ‘Palestine Solidarity Week’. Despite the obvious public unease at dragging schoolchildren into the Middle East crisis, where the politics of violence and protests are more often than not at the forefront, Fadhlina had persisted while Anwar looked the other way.
Today, the plan backfired after a video showing educators brandishing toy machine guns at schoolchildren triggered a public uproar. A man wearing a bulletproof vest, a balaclava mask, and pointing a toy gun at the students led a group of teachers into an assembly. They were mimicking gunmen in battle as part of a performance to show solidarity with the Palestinians.
One of the teachers was seen holding a placard while others waved the Palestinian flag or wore Palestine-themed scarves across their faces and shoulders. Some also held toy rifles.
“Parents send their children to schools, not only for academic progress but also hope for mental and social balance, developing, learning and interacting with other pupils of other races and religious faiths,” 17 NGOs from Sabah and Sarawak scolded in a joint statement.
“Teaching innocent school children about gun-toting and that violence against another is the answer are simply a no-no. We appeal to MoE to please withdraw the directive,” said MCA.
Friday, 27 October 2023
So, Malaysia is now advocating ‘violence’ to school pupils
No News Is Bad News
What is this teacher advocating to her students?
So, Malaysia is now advocating ‘violence’ to school pupils
KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 27, 2023: Has Anwar Ibrahim’s Unity Government (UG) gone bonkers?
In the name of race and religion, educators are now teaching school children to brandish “guns and weapons” clad and masked in “fighting gear”.
Images of primary school students and teachers brandishing toy guns resembling M-16s and dressing up as militants, believed to be taken during preparations for the Education Ministry’s (MoE) Palestine Solidarity Week, have promptly garnered backlash from concerned activists.
What’s this? Masked “freedom fighters”, “terrorists” or “militants” in Malaysian schools?
Peace-loving and law-abiding Malaysians did not send their children to school to appreciate violence and the use of firearms.
No News Is Bad News wonders how the UG will react if parents tell them to stay away from such programmes or not let them attend classes and school when such programmes or teachings are held.
Also, what happens if any parent takes the education teachers and authorities to court for such madness of promoting violence to their children?
We reproduce below shocking news and visuals (also view the above video clip):
Palestine solidarity programmes in schools need to be controlled, says PM
This comes amid reports of students and teachers carrying toy guns in a school.
Faisal Asyraf - 27 Oct 2023, 3:09pm
Anwar Ibrahim said schools are encouraged to show solidarity for Palestine but the programmes should be controlled to avoid problems.
SEPANG: Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has called for better control of Palestine solidarity programmes in schools amid reports of students and teachers carrying toy guns at the events.
“We have to control this. We discussed this in the Cabinet meeting. We encourage schools to do this (show solidarity) but we do not force them.
“Secondly, we have to control it so it won’t become a problem,” he told reporters after Friday prayers.
A 55-second video that went viral on social media showed an event held in a school involving what appeared to be a man wearing a bulletproof vest, a balaclava mask and pointing a toy rifle at students while leading a group of teachers into an assembly.
One of the teachers was seen holding a placard while others waved the Palestinian flag or wore Palestine-themed scarves across their faces and shoulders. Some also held toy rifles.
Several social media screenshots of an event at a school in Klang, which has also gone viral, showed children wearing green bandanas with the words “Save Palestine” across their forehead while carrying toy guns.
In response, the Melaka Action Group for Parents in Education (Magpie) told the education ministry to provide a stern warning against schools who were involved in allowing the students to bring toy guns for Palestine solidarity week.
Magpie chairman Mak Chee Kin said the incident is worrying as children should be instilled with positive values.
“Please leave the young ones alone and let the leaders tackle this issue (Palestine and Israel conflict),” Mak told FMT.
Separately, when asked about an MP’s call for the government to boycott the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (Apec) Economic Leaders’ Week happening next month, Anwar said: “We’ll look at the situation and then decide.”
Yesterday, Malaysiakini reported that Bersatu’s Machang MP, Wan Ahmad Fayhsal Wan Ahmad Kamal, urged Putrajaya to boycott the event as a sign of the country’s protest against the US government’s stance on the conflict in Gaza.
‘Control’ Palestine Solidarity Week activities, PM says after toy gun furore
Govt won’t force all schools to participate, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim adds
Updated 3 minutes ago · Published on 27 Oct 2023 5:44PM
Activities held during Palestine Solidarity Week in schools under the Education Ministry need to be controlled and monitored, says Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim. – AZIM RAHMAN/The Vibes file pic, October 27, 2023
BY The Vibes Team
KUALA LUMPUR – Activities held during Palestine Solidarity Week in schools under the Education Ministry (MoE) need to be controlled and monitored, said Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
The prime minister was quoted as saying that “we need to ensure that it doesn’t become a problem”.
“We discussed this in the cabinet meeting earlier today.
“...we encourage the organisation of such programmes, but we won’t force all schools to participate,” he added.
Anwar’s comments followed the surfacing of images of pupils brandishing toy guns resembling M-16s and dressing up as militants, believed to be taken during preparations for Palestine Solidarity Week.
The photos have promptly garnered backlash from concerned activists and members of the public, with Global Human Rights Federation president S. Shashi Kumar cautioning that teachers are not trained to conduct such programmes.
Urging MoE to cease the programme, he said efforts to generate awareness on such conflicts should be universal and not limited to any particular ones.
Criticism has also been levelled against MoE’s Palestine Solidarity Week for its potential ramifications stemming from the educators’ own lack of understanding of Palestinian resistance.
Israel’s occupation of Palestinian territories such as Gaza and the West Bank has long been condemned by human rights organisations such as Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch.
Its ongoing brutal escalation of airstrikes on Gaza following armed resistance group Hamas’ unprecedented attack on southern Israel on October 7 has been deemed by Israeli historian Raz Segal as “textbook genocide”.
One of such bombings by the Israeli army killed at least 16 Palestinian Christians at the St Porphyrius Church in Gaza on October 19, Al Jazeera reported.
In an opinion piece for The Guardian, Segal said: “Without the historical context of Israeli settler colonialism since the 1948 Nakba, we cannot explain how we got here”.
Users on social media platform X have also criticised the government for conducting the Palestine Solidarity Week without ratifying the 1951 United Nations Convention on the Rights of Refugees, which would allow Palestinian refugees to obtain formal education in government schools. – The Vibes, October 27, 2023
Stop Palestine solidarity events in schools, says parents group
PAGE’s Noor Azimah Abdul Rahim says children carrying toy guns were an example of what could go wrong with such events.
Shahrul Shahabudin - 27 Oct 2023, 11:35pm
PAGE’s Noor Azimah Abdul Rahim said there were concerns over the appropriateness of programmes such as the Palestine solidarity events in schools. (Facebook pic)
PETALING JAYA: The government has been urged to stop holding Palestine solidarity programmes in schools following reports of students and teachers carrying toy guns at the events.
Parent Action Group for Education (PAGE) chairman Noor Azimah Abdul Rahim said there were concerns over the appropriateness of such programmes in schools.
She said the photos and videos of children carrying guns were an example of what could go wrong with such events.
One 55-second video that went viral showed what appeared to be a man pointing a toy rifle at students while leading a group of teachers waving Palestinian flags into an assembly.
There were also photos of children at a separate school wearing bandanas bearing the words “Save Palestine” and carrying toy guns.
“Students are being used. Such programmes should be stopped immediately,” Noor Azimah told FMT.
Yesterday, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim called for better control of Palestine solidarity programmes in schools to avoid causing any issues.
The education ministry had said the events in the photos and videos which went viral were not in line with the ministry’s guidelines.
It also said it was held outside of the Palestine Solidarity Week between Oct 29 and Nov 3.
The ministry said it would not compromise with any extremist activities and that the use of toy guns or the portrayal of provocative logos was not allowed.
MALAYSIA
[UPDATED] Activists lambast ‘horrifying’ images of pupils toting toy guns
Selective support, concerns on domestic economy among issues raised about Palestine Solidarity Week
Updated 2 minutes ago · Published on 27 Oct 2023 3:19PM
Global Human Rights Federation president S. Shashi Kumar has called on the Education Ministry to put a stop to the programme, saying that the way the activities were carried out was not age-appropriate. Lawyer and activist Siti Kasim has also taken the government to task for enforcing the programme in schools. – Screen grab pic, October 27, 2023
BY Jason Santos
KUALA LUMPUR – Images of primary school students brandishing toy guns resembling M-16s and dressing up as militants, believed to be taken during preparations for the Education Ministry’s (MoE) Palestine Solidarity Week, have promptly garnered backlash from concerned activists.
Global Human Rights Federation president S. Shashi Kumar has called on the Education Ministry to put a stop to the programme, saying that the way the activities were carried out was not age appropriate.
“The pictures of the young pupils can be seen clearly…they are just primary school children believed (to be) from a school in Klang, posted on WhatsApp by a person named ‘Cikgu Nisa’…
This is horrifying, unimaginable and shocking. This is what all of us were worried about, just like the concerns raised by the NGOs from Sabah and Sarawak,” said Shashi.
Lawyer and activist Siti Kasim took the government to task for enforcing the programme in schools.
Calling the scenes “sick”, she said: “Are we training jihadis now in our schools? What’s with the weapons and all?”
She said this is exactly the reason why there is opposition to the ministry’s directive on Palestine Solidarity Week.
MoE had earlier issued a notice dated October 21, calling for all schools to demonstrate and observe a solidarity week in support of the Palestinian cause.
The notice from the office of the Deputy Director-General of Education singled out six proposed activities to be carried out in all schools.
Untrained teachers, selective solidarity
Shashi cautioned that the teachers are not trained to conduct them.
He said efforts to generate awareness on such conflicts should be universal and not limited to any particular ones.
“They (teachers) are not trained at all. If they want to conduct these programmes, they can call it solidarity week, excluding the word ‘Palestine’.
They can do it on humanitarian grounds. Other parts of the world are also experiencing crises, like Yemen or Syria,” he said.
Worry about sanctions, plummeting domestic economy
Shashi also questioned why the Malaysian government is indulging in the Palestinian cause when the domestic economy is in critical condition.
He cautioned about the possibility of economic sanctions being imposed on Malaysia by the European Union.
“Malaysia is just recovering from the pandemic…many are still jobless and suffering until today.
“Many cannot buy basic needs like rice, chicken, eggs. All the prices have gone up.
Our economy is now in a very bad shape. Look at the US dollar and Singapore dollar,” he said.
Shashi said Malaysians, including the non-Muslims, have come forth to assist the innocent in the region, but bringing the conflict into our local schools is wrong.
Palestinian cause: anti-colonialism
Criticism has also been levelled against MoE’s Palestine Solidarity Week for its potential ramifications stemming from the educators’ own lack of understanding of Palestinian resistance.
Israel’s occupation of Palestinian territories such as Gaza and the West Bank has long been condemned by human rights organisations such as Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch.
Its ongoing brutal escalation of airstrikes on Gaza following armed resistance group Hamas’ unprecedented attack on southern Israel on October 7 has been deemed by Israeli historian Raz Segal as “textbook genocide”.
One of such bombings by the Israeli army killed at least 16 Palestinian Christians at the St Porphyrius Church in Gaza on October 19, Al Jazeera reported.
In an opinion piece for The Guardian, Segal said: “Without the historical context of Israeli settler colonialism since the 1948 Nakba, we cannot explain how we got here”.
Tagging Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek, X user @nadsmarhaen said: “If this is what is meant by ‘solidarity with Palestine’, it’s obvious that Malaysia’s solidarity with Palestine is not based on any basic understanding of Palestine’s anti-colonial struggle.”
“This is shameful,” the user added.
JOINT PRESS STATEMENT25th October 2023KEEP INTERNATIONAL CONFLICTS OUT OF SCHOOLSA group of NGOs including from Sabah & Sarawak were shocked over a notice from the Minstry of Education dated 21st October 2023 calling for all schools to demonstrate and observe a solidarity week in support of Palestinians' cause.The notice from the Office of the Deputy Director-General of Education singles out six proposed activities to be carried out in all schools.The collective of NGO's is deeply concerned over this controversial event by a simple administrative ruling without discussions on its appropriatness at Dewan Rakyat or without consulting the parents. The proposed action has not been adequately considered for its long term impact. We NGO's here are seemingly reflecting community views as well.We are looking at the seriousness of dragging school children's in becoming part of the global, grown up adult world of protests and not subject young minds getting embroiled in this Middle East crisis.We caution that the six propositions can go wrong and be a cause for concern and with far-reaching repercussion.We have seen before how a particular school in Malaysia, very recently, had made its young students to stomp on an Israeli flag. Social media had gone viral on that posting causing alarm among citizens. Many netizens criticised this action and rightly held that the school is sowing hatred in these young, impressionable minds.Parents send their children to National type schools, not only for academic progress but also hope for mental and social balance, developing, learning and interacting with other pupils of other races and religious faiths. School is a place for the instilling of moral ethics and values that enrich a multiracial, multicultural and multireligious Malaysian society.We also remind the Government of Malaysia on the ratification of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) in 17th February 1995 and under Article 29, which states:1. States Parties agree that the education of the child shall be directed to:(b) The development of respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms, and for the principles enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations;(d) The preparation of the child for responsible life in a free society, in the spirit of understanding, peace, tolerance, equality of sexes, and friendship among all peoples, ethnic, national and religious groups and persons of indigenous origin.We therefore categorically urge the Ministry of Education and the government to keep international politics (conflicts), religious disputes and war-cries out of schools and education institutions.Members of NGOs and netizens has raised their concerns that the government under the leadership of Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim is giving the impression of angling the Israel-Hamas war also as a religious perspective as well as taking political and territorial sides.The government has clearly taken sides and joined various quarters globally hinting anti-semitism. Malaysia has a long track record, known globally, as a peace loving and peace keeping nation.We should stand up for peace and demand for the halting of all civilian casualties and not spike the crisis further by siding one nation state while condemning another with racist undertones. Malaysia should be focusing more on reviving our economic crisis and the fall of Malaysian Ringgit in the wake of this Middle East war.We fear the misalignment of sentiments, condemnation, hatred and prejudices being championed by zealous teachers who are led to believe this is a religious war and that anti semitism is therefore justified. We cannot poison our young children's minds.Hence, the government also needs to consider Malaysian students who are studying abroad. Their welfare and safety cannot be jeopardised as a result of the government's stand on the war crisis.Thus the government needs to bare in mind regards to many Malaysians travelling abroad would be subjected visa refusals getting crutunize or any sort of other danger of life threatening situation. Let us stop getting our children and the people of Malaysia baited to the problems that are growing larger by the days.List of NGO's In Support of This Collective Press Statement:1. Global Human Rights Federation (GHRF) Deputy President- Peter John Jaban2. Dato' RRM KrishnanPresidentPersatuan Bekas Pelajar Sekolah Tamil Malaysia (PERTAMA)3. Daniel John Jambun President Borneo's Plight in Malaysia Foundation (BoPiMaFo)4. Bill Jugah, President, ICON - Independent Coalition Of Natives, Sarawak5. Kanul Gindol Chairman Gindol Initiative for Civil Society Borneo6. Cleftus Stephen Mojingol President Pertubuhan kebajikan Rumpun Dayak Sabah7. Jovilis Majami President Persatuan pembangunan sosial komunity Sabah (BANGUN)8. Voon Lee Shan President party Bumi Kenyalang Sarawak.9. Dominique Ng, President, Sarawak Association for People's Aspirations10.Thomas Patrick.Sec GeneralPersatuan Kebajikan Persaudaraan Sahabat Miri Sarawak.11. Valentino NgabongPresidentPersatuan Etnik Dayak Asal Sarawak12.Badindang Lai Upeng(President)Gerempung Raban Dayak Kuching13. Tan Boon Tak (President)Malaysia Chinese Educated Students Association)14. Arun Dorasamy (Chairman- Centre for Education Excellence - Hindu Agamam Ani Msia)ti Kasim - Founder MAJU16. Brig Gen Dato Mohamed Arshad RajiPersatuan Patriot Kebangsaan17.Dato Fabian WongVice president forPersatuan Veteran Tentera Kor RenjerSarawak Patriots Association.The Society for Kuching Urban Poor.18. Datuk Dr Johan Arriffin SamadChairman,Board of TrusteesSabah Action Body Advocating Rights (SABAR)
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