This is a gripping account of stoic combat leadership under pressure. It portrays a commander who does not waver when decisions must be made in seconds and consequences echo for years. In the crucible of conflict, leadership is not theoretical — it is tested in dust, heat, and fire.

The narrative explores leadership in trying times: motivating troops through exhaustion, fear, and uncertainty; maintaining discipline when resources are thin; and standing firm against racial and religious bigotry within and beyond the ranks. The story does not romanticize war — it presents its realism unfiltered.

Training sequences bring authenticity to the forefront — cross-training with the American Green Berets, joint operations coordination, and indirect fire support from Apache attack helicopters. These elements ground the memoir in operational detail while highlighting professional military standards and interoperability.

Beyond combat, the book underscores the humanitarian dimension of conflict. The presence of the World Food Program delivering aid reminds readers that war zones are inhabited by civilians caught in the crossfire — and that soldiers often serve as protectors as much as warriors.

This is not merely a war story. It is a study of moral courage, resilience, and leadership forged in exigent circumstances. Young officers, cadets, and anyone interested in real-world command responsibility would find valuable lessons within its pages.   

A Soldier’s Story presents itself as a study in stoic combat leadership under extreme pressure. At its strongest, the book succeeds in portraying command not as rhetoric, but as responsibility borne in morally and operationally ambiguous environments.

The memoir’s central strength lies in its depiction of leadership during instability. The author emphasizes decisiveness in chaotic situations, the burden of motivating exhausted troops, and the discipline required to maintain cohesion amid racial and religious tensions. These themes elevate the narrative beyond a conventional war chronicle and position it as a reflection on moral courage within imperfect institutions. 

The A Team Green Berets attached to us to provide fire support, that's me in the yellow t-shirt

Operational realism is another notable asset. Descriptions of cross-training with United States Army Special Forces (Green Berets), coordination involving AH-64 Apache attack helicopters and Spectre AC 130 gunships, and humanitarian logistics linked to the World Food Program  add technical credibility. These details ground the narrative in professional military practice rather than abstraction, particularly in discussions of interoperability and indirect fire support. 

However, the book’s assertive tone occasionally narrows its analytical depth. The portrayal of leadership is largely unwavering and stoic — admirable traits — but at times the narrative risks presenting a singular perspective. Moments of self-interrogation or acknowledgment of strategic miscalculation could have strengthened its intellectual rigor. Readers seeking broader geopolitical context or comparative analysis of military doctrine may find the scope limited to the author’s lived experience.

The treatment of racial and religious bigotry is direct and emotionally charged. While this candor gives the work authenticity, it also invites scrutiny. The narrative would benefit from deeper structural analysis of the institutions described, rather than relying primarily on anecdotal testimony. That said, the willingness to confront discrimination within a military framework distinguishes the book from more sanitized memoirs.

Stylistically, the prose is functional and mission-focused, mirroring the temperament it seeks to portray. It avoids melodrama, though at times it leans toward declarative assertion rather than reflective exploration. The realism in training sequences and operational coordination stands out more strongly than the introspective passages.

Ultimately, Exigent Circumstances is less a literary war epic and more a leadership case study forged in adversity. Its value lies in its firsthand insight into command responsibility under pressure, particularly for young officers or students of applied leadership. As a narrative, it is compelling; as an analytical work, it is strongest when it examines the tension between duty, identity, and institutional loyalty — and somewhat less so when it defaults to affirmation of personal resolve.

It is not propaganda, nor is it detached scholarship. It occupies the complex middle ground of lived experience — earnest, forceful, and open to both admiration and critique.

Reviews By Local Columnists who have read the book

1. What a soldier’s memoir says about Malaysia By Frankie D'Cruz: 

Some books inspire pride. Others confront us with truths we would rather avoid. Retired army major D Swami’s memoir, Exigent Circumstances – A Soldier’s Journey Down the Road Less Travelled, belongs to the latter. It unsettles, provokes, and refuses to let readers look away.

Read more here......

2. A soldier's harrowing memoir of service to country By Commander S THAYAPARAN (Retired) Royal Malaysian Navy

My platoon commander said, “Sir, the operations officer told me not to follow your orders and not to return fire if fired upon the patrol, that they are all our saudara (relations by virtue of them being Muslims).”

Read it all here.......

The price of the book is RM65.00 only. Postage is free, via a courier, payment is online I will forward my banking details if you are interested. Once payment is done, please send me your address, most of you have bought this book. I would appreciate it if you could introduce this book to others. Not many books left.  I am not a famous author, it can only be done by word of mouth. Thank You!

From Online retailers in Malaysia: 

Shopee: You can purchase the book from the Gerakbudaya/SIRD Malaysia official store on Shopee. 

MPHOnline.com: The book is listed as available on the MPH Online website. 

Kinokuniya Malaysia: You can find the book on Kinokuniya's Malaysian website, where it was in stock at their fulfillment center as of August 2025. 

Gerakbudaya: The publisher's website also lists the book for sale. 

Lazada: The Gerakbudaya/SIRD Malaysia official online store on Lazada also offers the book. 

Physical bookstores: MPH Bookstores: Search results suggest availability at MPH stores, such as the TRX store, although it's best to check with a specific branch for current stock. 

Kinokuniya: The book is available in stock at Kinokuniya's fulfillment center for online orders, suggesting you can also find it at their physical stores. 

Contact me​, the author, to buy the book here and share with your friends who might be interested, it's RM65, text me via WhatsApp at +012 4084300 if you are interested in purchasing this book, postage is free. 

International buyers: Mary Martin Booksellers: This international bookseller lists the book, confirming it is a paperback written in English and self-published in, Malaysia.

This book is in the Malaysian National Library, Library of the University Pertahanan of the MAF,  Library of the National University  of Singapore, Armed Forces Museum Port Dickson and Library of Yale University located in New Haven, Connecticut, USA.

That is the real issue here. Because once Parliament starts creating vague rules around what can and cannot be said about a religion, an ideology, or related political issues, the danger is obvious: legitimate criticism could be treated as criminal abuse. 

And that should concern everyone — regardless of faith, background, or party loyalty. In this video I discuss: Why vague hate speech definitions can threaten free expression How criticism of Islamism, migration policy, integration, and community tensions could become harder to voice. 

Why many fear a return to blasphemy laws in all but name The wider issue of double standards in modern Britain Why trying to suppress public criticism often makes tensions worse, not better A free country must allow people to question ideas, challenge institutions, and speak openly about matters that affect national life. 

If that right starts being chipped away, we are no longer dealing with democracy in the way most people understand it. This is not about hatred. It is about whether Britain remains a country where people are still free to speak plainly about what is happening around them. Watch the clip, hear the arguments, and decide for yourself.

The weaponisation of race and religion in Malaysian politics is not new. For decades, political competition has revolved around identity-based mobilisation.

Campaign speeches warn of threats to Islam, to Malay rights, or to national identity. Social media amplifies conspiracy theories about demographic change or religious encroachment.

In many cases, political leaders frame national debates as existential struggles for survival.

Such rhetoric can be politically effective. However, it also normalises a worldview remarkably like the narratives used by extremist groups.

Terrorist organisations thrive on the belief that society is divided into opposing camps: believers versus enemies, insiders versus outsiders. When mainstream political discourse adopts similar language, however less extreme, it helps legitimise that worldview.

Young people encountering extremist propaganda online may therefore see it not as a radical departure from reality but as an intensified version of ideas they already hear in public life.

OrangeJaguar9341 : A thought-provoking perspective. I just wonder if it's too late for Malaysia. The use of religion and race to galvanise and incite the public is already the modus operandi of politicians, partucularly those from race-based parties. 

We have no Malay leaders with the courage, moral conviction and support to dismantle the ideological system that nurtures hate and extremism.

RR : Our Race and religious institutions are formed to protect and sustain their own interests. Hence there is no institution for pan Malaysian : even if there is one there will be no support unless the law is amended to accommodate diversity and universality. 

Learning from Malaysian example, Spore has amended their laws to sustain diversity and universality to some extent to think and act that humanity is just ONE and the nation is ONE.

In a statement today, Koong Hui Yein, chairperson of the Teoh Beng Hock Association for Democratic Advancement, said Teoh’s sister, Lee Lan, departed for Switzerland today to attend the council’s 61st session.

Koong said Lee Lan (above, left) is scheduled to address representatives from the council’s 47 member states and other participating nations on March 17.

According to Koong, Lee Lan will highlight the family’s 17-year struggle for justice over Beng Hock’s death and call on the UN to activate relevant human rights mechanisms related to the case.

The family, she said, remains dissatisfied with the investigation, which ended with a “no further action” outcome. “This is a clear demonstration that the Malaysian government has denied the family their Right to Remedy,” Koong said.

Koong said Lee Lan’s mission to the UN aims to highlight that the case remains unresolved despite the passage of time. She added that while the “Malaysia Madani” government presents itself as championing human rights and reform, it has fallen short in implementing the Right to Life and the Right to Equality as guaranteed under the United Nations’ Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

“This mission aims to use international mechanisms to pressure the Malaysian government to fulfil its human rights obligations and initiate rigorous, professional criminal investigations and prosecutions against the suspects involved,” she said.

Pushing for institutional reforms

In 2009, Beng Hock, who was then Selangor state executive councillor Ean Yong Hian Wah’s aide, was found dead after overnight questioning at Selangor MACC, then headquartered at Plaza Masalam in Shah Alam.

A 2011 royal commission of inquiry ruled that he was driven to suicide due to aggressive interrogation. However, in 2014, the Court of Appeal ruled his death was caused or accelerated by unlawful acts, including those of MACC officers.

On Nov 21 last year, the Kuala Lumpur High Court ordered the police to complete the investigation into Beng Hock’s death within six months. In May, the Attorney-General’s Chambers ultimately classified the case as no further action.

Koong further said Lee Lan and the association’s team will hold a live broadcast from Geneva tomorrow (March 16) to update the public on the mission.

She added that the family’s effort to bring the case to the UN is not only about seeking justice for Beng Hock, but also about pushing for institutional reforms to prevent future custodial deaths and ensure such a tragedy does not happen again. As of last December, the association had raised RM122,377 through nationwide roadshows and online crowdfunding for the UN mission.

GrayPanther0439 : Pamela Ling, Amri, Pastor Koh and countless others..

BrownDove7179 : So much HOPE in the MADANI GOVT, but this happened. No better than the UMNO GOVT, BUT WORSE..!!!!!!

drkam : To be honest, Teoh Beng Hock was killed when Parti Keadilan Rakyat was running Selangor. At the time, the Menteri Besar could hardly do much with the Royal Malaysia Police and Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission under federal control. 

Fast forward 17 years. PKR is now part of the federal government, yet somehow this case — along with the famous Altantuya Shaariibuu case — still behaves like a locked drawer with the key mysteriously missing. 

So the family now has to travel all the way to the United Nations Human Rights Council in Geneva just to ask for justice. Imagine that — Malaysians needing a boarding pass to find the truth about something that happened in Malaysia. 

Naturally, someone will probably say this is “not patriotic.” But when justice moves slower than KL traffic on a rainy Friday, people eventually look for another road. If the system worked properly, no one would need to fly halfway around the world just to ask what really happened.

Ganesan1 : Oh great, raise crowd fund from the public if insufficient for your journey to justice, am sure DAP leaders will support by contributing parts of their perks to this assignment. 

BTW, dont forget to highlight the 60-year long apertheid policy here, let foreign journalists do the rest, good or bad.

By Fernando Fong  

When Professor Solehah Yaacob, an Arabic language lecturer at the International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM), claimed that Iban warrior Rentap was Malay and a descendant of the legendary Malaccan figure Hang Tuah, Sarawak pushed back hard.

“Such claims are not only factually wrong but also show a blatant disregard for the heritage and identity of the Iban people,” said Peter John Jaban, founder of Sarawak for Sarawakians.

He also questioned why an Arabic linguistics specialist was making claims about Borneo’s indigenous history. The backlash was fierce — but it was not the first time Solehah had started a national controversy.

In a mosque lecture delivered in December 2022, later uploaded to YouTube in October 2025, she claimed ancient Romans learned shipbuilding from the Malays.

Professor Emeritus Wan Ramli Wan Daud, a historian of Malay technology at Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM), said there was no archaeological or historical evidence to support the claim.

Yet, when this stratification extends to the enforcement of our laws, the conversation shifts. We are told the system is not flawed, but merely functioning as intended. There is a critical distinction worth examining: a flawed system can be repaired, but a failed system spreads its own injustices until they become the norm.

We have arrived at the latter. Today, we witness a nation where one group can violate the law - even taunt those empowered to enforce - while another is identified, arrested, charged, and sentenced within days. This is not inconsistent enforcement; it is selective prosecution dressed in the language of order.

Sherlock : Keep up the good work? I can say that to Nades, Frankie, and all others, in the spirit of nation building. Wan Azizah? The one almost a PM, that we thought was good for the country? 

Oh NO...Now, things are becoming clear, why these people enjoy the immunity, Reduan Tee, Vinod, Firdaus, & gang, got patron saint punya backing, huh? She better come out and clarify the truth, admit it or deny it. NO 2 way about it. Better be convincing.

One Malaysian : Dats why many young talented Malaysians are leaving the country,we have a super biased system whether it's education, economy and now even racial and religion is all towards one race only!

BlueCougar1744 : When we allowed a single majority race to dictate and rule without respecting our Federal Constitution, what will this lead to? Minorities rights and interest are trampled and despite numerous reports lodged, nothing is done to address these tensions. 

One the fuse is lighted, who is to be held responsible? IGP, HM, PMX? It is high time to shut down the Unity Ministry which does not function. All sensible and morally upright Ministers should just let go of their positions now. DAP must opt out of Madani now. No need to wait till July. You will gain more respects and support comes GE 16. Stop dragging your feet.

Dr Suresh Kumar : "Keep up your work''. This says it all. The respected 'First Lady' has inadvertently exposed her true colour. Karma for her too. The non-Muslims should remember this in the 16th GE. 

This is the reason I do not comment much on PAS or on their leaders' statements, no matter how ludicrous it may sound because they are not pretentious, that is what they believe in, after all it is called PAS (party Islam se-Malaysia) an Islamic party. 

But for a so-called multi-racial party with the word 'Justice' as it's middle name that fought on the platform of justice and equality for all to make a 180 degrees turn after assuming power is unforgivable.

In a country as religiously diverse as Malaysia, institutions must do more than punish wrongdoing.They must show that the law responds the same way to the same offence, whoever commits it.

When that consistency falters, confidence in the system begins to erode.The controversy surrounding preacher Zamri Vinoth and activist Tamim Dahri Abdul Razak has pushed this issue back into the national conversation.Police say both men, believed to have fled to Thailand, will face charges once located and returned to Malaysia.

Observers argue it is Azam Baki, the MACC chief commissioner, whose position gives him enormous influence over enforcement, allowing rules to be applied selectively.

While the bogeyman of the so-called “corporate mafia” - the network of business actors and officials whose actions are widely feared but largely invisible - keeps politicians, bureaucrats, and companies cautious, ensuring compliance without full exposure. The anti-corruption agency is now helping the powerful instead of holding them accountable.

Outlier : He has a dirt file on everyone, and I mean everyone, just like J Edgar Hoover of FBI where presidents and congress couldn’t even remove him.

Sealthedeal : Well said Mariam. It's a shocking state of affairs. A hypocrite PM and an enforcement agency accused of corruption. They are protecting themselves. 

The rule of law for these people doesn't exist and now the tainted PDRM is charged with investigating an organisation that has power over even them.

bright light : Right fromTeoh Beng Hock death case till now no case !!!!

Rat Catcher : Malaysia needs a clean slate, not UMNO, ex UMNO, PKR, PN etc like wolves in sheep's cloths. With these seasoned lot, nothing much will change.

‘Where are the LCS’

Anwar turut menggesa bekas perdana menteri Najib Razak dan bekas menteri pertahanan Ahmad Zahid Hamidi perlu memberi penjelasan kepada rakyat mengenai pembabitan mereka dalam skandal tersebut.

Rafizi & Kerismudin

In a statement, the former Pandan MP pointed out that what was said by Hishammuddin (above, right) contradicted the statement by Malaysian Armed Forces Chief General Affendi Buang.

As such, he wanted to know how many ships will be completed and handed over to the government, the delivery schedule, and the overall cost.

“Malaysians are still confused by the conflicting answers on the progress of the LCS project and the costs that will be borne by taxpayers.

“On Aug 8, Hishammuddin was reportedly saying the first ship will operate in one or two years and this means the delivery of the first LCS is expected in 2023 or 2024.

“This is contradictory to the statement made by Affendi, who said on Sept 13 that the first ship is expected to be delivered in January 2026, the second ship in September 2026, the third ship in May 2027, the fourth in January 2028, and the fifth ship in September 2028,” he said.

As such, Rafizi (above, left) urged Hishammuddin to provide a candid answer relating to the contradictory data.

“With over RM6 billion being spent in the RM9 billion LCS project, the remaining allocation is insufficient to complete the entire project. Hishammuddin had said that the LCS cost would reach RM11 billion and they expected that only two ships can be completed with that amount of money.

JBond : LCS have become Large Corruption Scandal like 1 MDB, Scorpene, Lembugate, SRC etc. Anything that UMNO warlords are involved, it’s a gone case right from the start because their dirty hands are all over the funds allocated.

MerdekaMerdekaMerdeka : “With over RM6 billion being spent in the RM9 billion LCS project, the remaining allocation is insufficient to complete the entire project.“ Very possible if the price of ply wood sheets and timber remains the same till 2028. Even if those are just mock up ships being made, but it can be costly too. Just imagine, the ‘fake’ metal cone ‘cover up’ for the unfinished mast of the completed 40+% only LCS Maharajalela itself costs RM400k+. A one time use ‘costly wayang’.

darmakochi : Hisham please kindly answer Rafizi and please do not beat around the bush! The average Malaysian like me has completely lost confidence in the present jingoes helming our battered nation from almost all fronts and very fast becoming a failed nation.

Officers Who Never Saw Combat

Time to revamp military procurement process - Rafizi

Shelldrake : 1. Our procurement system should be doctrine driven, not contractor (politician) driven.

2. No issues with open tenders, no need for closed/limited tenders. We evaluate, shortlist, test, decide.

3. Written General Staff Requirements (GSR) are there for a reason. A well written and complied to shall eliminate deficiencies and irregularities/irrelevance. I NOTE OF LATE, LAZY OR IGNORANT STAFF OFFICERS WHO FAIL TO PRODUCE WELL RESEARCHED GSR. The education system failed to produce English proficient officers of good caliber. The result is poorly informed writers who don't read International papers. 

4. Unless we are producing our own indigenous weapons, these false sense of security (OSA) is a good camouflage for corruption. Remember the golden rule, the less people know, the better. It's no secret for all to know what weapons we have. We don't hide them in closets for use in war. The very way we build our defense assets in itself is a deterrence to potential adversaries. Look south for example.

5. Our defense industry is a mess due to NEP. Crony GLCs and some uncontrolled grants to shady companies have thrown millions of ringgits into the drain. Unless open policy is adopted, our defence industry is doomed. We can't even produce ammunition reliably. This in itself is a great failure and shall be a big price to pay in war time.

6. Ask Junior Infantry Officers who are experienced and have left the service. what they needed most. Just to let you know, a suggestion was made to a senior officer to have silenced sniper rifles, like what the Green Berets had in Somalia, he turned that suggestion down and he was the Director of Infantry!!!

7. Lastly get the most basic necessity right, the Combat Boots!!

While the appeal has been presented as a routine legal matter, the issue now before the courts raises a far deeper constitutional question that goes to the very foundation upon which Malaysia itself was established.

This case compels the nation to confront a fundamental question:

Were the constitutional safeguards promised to Sabah at the formation of Malaysia genuine guarantees — or were they assurances that were never intended to be fully honoured?

The answer to this question carries implications far beyond a fiscal dispute. It goes directly to the credibility of the constitutional settlement upon which Malaysia was founded in 1963.

The Safeguards That Convinced Sabah to Join Malaysia

ABC : Bondi Beach gunman Naveed Akram is seeking suppression and non-publication orders on the identities of his family. In making the application, the accused's lawyer told the court that there would be "ongoing interest" in the family.  Bondi Beach gunman Naveed Akram has sought suppression and non-publication orders on the identities of his mother and siblings over concerns about their safety.

The 24-year-old faces 59 charges, including 15 counts of murder and one of committing a terrorist attack, over the shooting in December. The accused is in custody but did not appear on-screen when the matter was mentioned in a Sydney court today, with public defender Richard Wilson making the application on his client's behalf.

Magistrate Greg Grogin suggested the accused's mother's name had already been widely published and asked: "Hasn't the horse already bolted on that?" But Mr Wilson said there was going to be "ongoing interest" in the family and he would present evidence of "things that have already happened" to illustrate very real concerns for the family's safety.

Japan got more Balls than UK and Australia combined. We need to follow the Japanese! It's their culture , their values and their laws like my mom wold say " as long you're in my house you have to go by my rules if you don't like it there's the door "Amazing how they go to SOMEONE ELSE'S country and make demands.

By passing a law, that all religions can be criticised apart from one, shows that the UK has a "State religion." The difference between the radical muslim and the moderate muslim is that the radical muslim wants to kill you, while the moderate muslim wants the radical muslim to kill you. Any Christian who fails to vote in the next election will only have themselves to blame when the wheel finally comes off. I can feel my blood freezing in my veins at the prospect of what Britain will become.

In a statement issued last night, Inspector-General of Police Khalid Ismail said Malaysian authorities are working with their Thai counterparts to track down and repatriate both suspects.

"Based on intelligence obtained by the police, both suspects have been found to have fled to Thailand, and efforts to locate them are actively underway with the assistance of the Thai authorities. Charges will be brought forth in due course upon the successful detection and repatriation of both suspects," he said.

Khalid said Zamri, whose full name is Muhammad Zamri Vinoth Kalimuthu, is facing two separate sets of charges. Regarding the investigation into Tamim over the desecration of a soolam - a sacred Hindu trident - at the former site of Sri Maha Muniswarar Temple in Langkawi, Kedah, Khalid said police have completed their investigations and referred the case papers to the Kedah state prosecution director's office.  

"The police assures that it shall remain fully committed and will not compromise with any individual or group involved in activities that threaten public order and public safety," Khalid said.

MarioT : Madam Indira's husband still cannot be located. So, it is not new of the PDRM's charade. 

Steven Ong : This is the Malaysian government's culture. Allowing controversial government linked trouble makers and corrupt men to escape Malaysia and then telling us they can not locate them and asking interpol for help but , BUT till now.  

Will Azam Baki be the next to escape from Malaysia. Just enjoy the drama as no one can change this culture as the laws are in place to send one to jail if one dare to change this culture that claimed to be blessed from above.

Sealthedeal : They won't be safe there. Indians will be looking for them. Safer to come back and do their time in jail. 

Cynic : So, Zamri Vinoth Kalimuthu and Tamim Dahri have fled to Thailand, and the the police are making every attempt to locate and repatriate the duo. 

I believe it, since those words are coming from Khalid Ismail, our fearless IGP who was only fearful of meeting a helpless lady carrying a teddy bear. 

I believe him, as much as I believe he will locate Indira's ex-huband and retrieve their daughter Prasanna Diksha. I believe PDRM because, you see, I am still wet behind the ears.  

GSVL : Both were talking so big on social media and to the press, so why did they flee to Thailand? If you are innocent and claim to be right come back to Malaysia and face the charges. Both are cowards. The good news is that in Thailand it is easy for people to "disappear" and never be found again. 

RedFalcon7124 : There is an organised movement behind these cases of religious provocations and the government needs to form a dedicated team of enforcement officials who are professional and multiracial to work on these cases. 

Thailand transforms them

The organisers and their financiers must be identified and charged soon before they create a racial and religious storm. Won't be surprised if elements of terrorism are discovered behind the sinister motive.

thana55 : What a coincidence for two of them to flee at the same time. Becoming very evident that their handlers cum funders are located in a govt building in the heart of KL. How else could they have carried out this great escape.

Zaheed : Where's Indira's husband? Fled the country. Where's Zakri Naik? Fled the country. Where's Zamri Vinoth? Fled the country.Where's Tamim Dahri? Fled the country. There's a pattern in all these in this country and it is so obvious. 

While the innocent are punished for standing up against these troublemakers, these troublemakers are always accorded the red carpet to hide. It shows how lawless we have become as a nation. We celebrate the troublemakers but punish the innocent. What a sad state?

Chefoo : What a joke? Are they really in Thailand or elsewhere? I don’t trust a single word of police. Very convenient to say they left the country and it will take many moons to apprehend them. So nothing will happen.

PurpleDragon0476 : Accountability for these apartheid apologists…I’ll believe it when I see it.

I think the Irainian officials should be immediately arrested and held. The fact Australia was even contemplating sending those women to their deaths is absolutely WILD. I'm Australian and I'm ashamed of our government. I am glad that Australia has taken those Iranian women in, if Albo, the leftist nutjob,  can take in 3,000 Gazans in,  and tried to bring back Isis members, I'm sure we can support and give refuge to that many Iranians.

In this video, we break down why Hanson took this unprecedented step, the chaos in Parliament, and the public reaction that followed. From national security concerns to debates on assimilation and religious freedom, we explore every angle of this unforgettable moment in Australian politics. 

Since when have men worn burkas and committed crimes? Off the top of my head, Sinwar who orchestrated the unaliving of 1,250 Israelis and the kidnapping of 250 into Gaza, was dressed in a burka when he was above ground. 

At the moment in Iran, the IRGC members etc are wearing burkas to escape after unaliving anywhere b/t 30,000 (IRGC figures) to 100,000 (humanitarian groups figures) of their own citizens. They’re also a designated terrorist organisation and a state sponsor of terrorism in this country.

The seven, Facundo Garces, Rodrigo Holgado, Imanol Machuca, Joao Figueiredo, Gabriel Palmero, Jon Irazabal, and Hector Hevel, who the International Federation of Association Football (Fifa) banned for 12 months, are just journeymen and fortune hunters who used forged documents to represent Malaysia.

They have been found guilty. To dress it up with any other term - such as claiming “historical links” - is a travesty, an insult to the descendants of the nation’s true legends.

Since Fifa sanctioned the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) and the seven players on Sept 26 last year, the public has been denied the truth.

Just Common Sense : In other countries criminals are caught and punished. In Malaysia truly Malusia crimes happen but there are no criminals and PM mum as a mummy 

Just look at cases of- 

Altantuya 

TBH 

Amri Koh 

Ruth Helmy 

Pamela Ling 

Najib was 1st national embarrassment 

Anwar is the 2nd.

Anon2000 : There are sooo many crimes committed here. Cheating, falsifying documents, lying to FIFA, etc, etc. Why has no one been charged and sent to prison? Why has there been not even a single conviction? This is strange. And our MGR is very quiet. Why?

drkam : A beautifully written summary of the FAM foreign players fiasco — the kind that makes Malaysians collectively hide behind the sofa in embarrassment. 

From the Eunuch Committee members, to the President, Vice President, Secretary and Treasurer, and even stretching all the way to the NRD Director General, Immigration and the Home Ministry… everyone seemed to be standing around with both hands politely clasped over their… delicate areas. 

Not a single brave voice. Not even a polite cough of dissent. “Semua takut lah…” whispered a friendly horse-racing bookie who, incidentally, knows a thing or two about match-fixing in sports. 

Occupational knowledge, you see. “No income tax also… so enjoy lah,” he quipped. And until Nades finally unholstered his pen and fired, the rest of the reporters — especially the sports sections of mainstream media — were just as quiet. 

Hands tightly clasped… same protective position. Betul-betul buat malu. We’ve become the laughing stock of the footballing world — watching how one not-so-simple character managed to pull the carpet from under the entire FAM establishment… including a certain official who proudly sits on one of FIFA’s committees. 

Memang buat malu besar. So congratulations, Nades. Every line you wrote echoes the frustration and helplessness many Malaysians feel — we just don’t all have the gift of the pen to say it as sharply as you did. 👏👏

Among them was James Chai, then a student activist in Britain, deeply involved in the networks that championed reformasi. Not with slogans or perks, but with conviction that Malaysia could be different.

They debated injustice, held talks, and organised quietly in cafes, halls and homes, across London, even while warnings sometimes came from officials at home.

For Chai and many like him, the hope was moral: that by speaking openly and returning when the moment arrived, they could help rebuild a nation.

KS : Can anyone trust MACC with another political aide to "assist in investigation" -- like with Teoh Beng Hock?

anon52938742 : Nope, the REFORMATI is clearly the cause of death for idealism born of a hope for reforms. PMX is the culprit and both he and Madani will be doomed come GE16.

Meerkat : Anwar has chosen to turn on his supporters. These supporters were with him risking all during the difficult times. 

Now Anwar is on easy street, he has abandoned them in favor of political convenience with oppressors who are basically opportunists who have seen better times.  

Whether this is due to force of circumstances or because he is showing his real nature, it doesn't speak well if him.

Chefoo : Very true indeed. Anwar is a distorted man. Wants everything on his plate…that’s the problem. He is pathetic about MM support at the expense of NM. Selective in his anti corruption rhetoric and insensitive in dealing with RnR administrations. 

His true colors are there to see. Doing things just to boost his ego. We all despised Tun for rejecting Anwar but that old man saw things we didn’t see in him. How true is it now. I will not support this chameleon ever.

EmEmKay : Mariam Mokhtar tells us about “Chai’s road from reformasi to reckoning.” Funny how one whistleblower already opened a new chapter called "REFORMATI" – reform, then kena mati. 

Now we have Chai’s road from "reformasi to RECKONING". Such is the “reforms” Malaysians were promised under PMX’s premiership: whistleblowers punished, reformists reckoned with, and critics rebranded as problems to be managed. 

We were hoping for a new Malaysia; instead we got a new vocabulary – reformasi, reformat, and now reckoning. No wonder so many Malaysians are feeling more disappointed than inspired.

However, an Indian community activist disputed his assertions. According to Tamim, the incident took place in Langkawi, during his visit a few days ago to relieve work stress. "I rented a car and drove around the island. Until I reached a place near the caves, I stopped to visit.

"The place was full of wild monkeys, which I fed. At the same time, I saw a sharp steel rod. It didn't cross my mind that it was a religious symbol, considering it was just a rusty, sharp piece of metal. "It was not a place of worship; there was no building and the surrounding area was a clearing," he said.

He added that removing dangerous objects from a patch was an act of charity Tamim also attached an image from Indian rights activist Arun Dorasamy showing a plain three-pronged metal rod - which Hindu groups said was a sacred trident or soolam - and compared it to a more intricate version of the sacred object. In the video, Tamim himself posted stepping on the object, he had put a caption saying it was a "leisure activity" (aktiviti masa lapang).

Politicians are Parasites : The pattern is very clear. Claim ignorance. Declare mentally unstable. Release immediately. But when the desecration of the Quran, immediate arrest. Immediate charge, JAIL. The double standards have to stop. The Rakyat are getting impatient & the situation is getting bad to worse.

Fuminghot : If it was in the jungle or vacant land why post on social media. What was this fella trying to show?

Knucklehead2 : Innocent? Then why flaunt a photo of this activity? That image wasn’t about innocence—it was about projecting superiority. Now face the wrath of the gods. No apology can erase what was done with intent.

GrayEagle1207 : Ignorance is not an excuse, according to Jamal 2.0, JAKIM, and Islamic defenders in Malaysia. The example of an Arabic word for God was ignorantly printed and sold in Supermarkets in Malaysia caused uproar and triggered the Muslim community, demanding swift and stern action. 

The indifference, lack of attention and action by law enforcement will continue to fester resentment, dissatisfaction and distrust among marginalized groups. Hope the marginalized groups does not resort to taking things into their own hands to restore balance, due to the lack of justice, equality and rights among the marginalized.

Nostromo : When they do it, it is "Activism". When you do it, it is "Sedition". See the subtle narrative by the Ketuanans and their media operators? Malaysiakini has definitely been infiltrated by Ketuanan Melayu types. 

Ive noticed a gradual shift in tone and language in Malaysiakini to be more pro-Malay. Unsurprising since many Malays subscribe to Ketuanan Melayu thinking, even if sub-consciously. Only very few Malays are like Zaid Malek, Rafizi, or Syerleena.

On the Other Hand : Absolutely true. Mkini editors remove facts about Islam which they are uncomfortable with the general public finding out. Understanding what the terms Kafir, Dhimmi and Jizyah are essential for non-muslims to understand what Islam is really about. Why are MKini editors afraid off the truth?

VP Biden : So the fella who stepped on the quran was ignorant as well as he could not read arabic n not aware of it, no ? If they want to prosecute him they can,it's his pattern of behaviour ie on a vigilante mission to destroy temples,but they won't because he's orang kita. A cesspool of racist nation.

Kajang pigeon : So when it comes to a young boy stepping on a holy book everyone did a head stand, but this suddenly is ok ?

Cynical : "...he claimed to have thought that the object he was filmed stepping on was just a rusty piece of metal." Then why bother to take a video it it and share on social media? Is he going to take a video of himself throwing kitchen refuse every night and share on social media? He is insulting the intelligence of the authorities.

Dr Suresh Kumar : The fact that this guy had the temerity to record his vile behaviour then upload it speaks volumes of his intention but haven't the ca.ones to admit it. Just feign ignorance and walk away. Imagine if it was the other way round. What goes around comes around!

Questions about the commission’s conduct go all the way to the top. Since Bloomberg published its reporting, Malaysia’s cabinet has ordered an investigation into the allegations surrounding MACC Chief Commissioner Azam Baki, while hundreds of Malaysians gathered in Kuala Lumpur calling for his arrest. The "we investigated ourselves and find no issue" will be a problem.

Be aware that natural uranium 238 has a very very low radioactivity level and uranium 238 enriched to 60% by uranium 235 is 3 to 4 times higher than natural uranium 238, but still very very low radioactivity. 

Alpha radioactivity on contact is more of a hazard, but this can be controlled by almost any type of container, even a plastic box. So 60% enriched uranium 238 is NOT a radioactive emission problem. The stuff just needs to be well packaged! For years..reports have come out that they were 2 wks from weapon grade uranium !

Malaysia was thrashed and buried

Seven goals from England tore through Malaysia like a forensic audit. By the final whistle, the 7-1 defeat had done what years of polite post-mortems never did: it stripped away the last illusion that Malaysian hockey’s foundations were still sound. The warning signs were already there — in heavy defeats to elite teams long before Egypt. 

Yes, Malaysia will be at the men’s World Cup later this year in Belgium and the Netherlands. But the manner of their qualification says everything about the state of the game. The so-called Speedy Tigers stumbled through them: two wins, three defeats and a fourth-place finish. 

This is the uncomfortable truth: Malaysia did not qualify on the strength of their campaign, but on the cushion of their world ranking. The mauling by England merely confirmed what many inside the sport already know — the gap between Malaysia and the elite of world hockey is widening, not narrowing. 

And England is not an isolated case. In 2024, Germany handed Malaysia a brutal 10-1 defeat in a test match in Monchengladbach. In the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup last year, Belgium destroyed us 9-1. The scoreline was shocking, but it was not surprising. It was another reminder that when Malaysia meets the very best, the difference in speed, structure and tactical maturity becomes painfully obvious. 

These are not bad days at the office. They are symptoms of a deeper illness. When Malaysian Hockey Confederation (MHC) president Subahan Kamal publicly criticised the team’s performance in Egypt, he was right to do so. His remarks were unusually frank for a sport that often prefers polite language to uneasy truths. 

But criticism alone will not rescue Malaysian hockey. Because the real problem is not one defeat. The real problem is the system. A programme living on borrowed time The current men’s national team carries a worrying reality: its backbone is ageing. Several key figures who have served the country with distinction are now in their mid-30s. 

Experience still counts. But modern international hockey is brutally unforgiving to teams that cannot match the speed, recovery pace and tactical discipline of the top nations. Malaysia’s problem is not that the veterans are still playing. It is that the replacements are not ready. 

The pipeline from Junior World Cup cycles has not produced enough players capable of stepping straight into elite international competition. That is not the players’ fault. It is a structural failure. For years, Malaysian hockey has spoken about development pathways, high-performance programmes and talent identification. 

Yet the same weaknesses persist: inconsistent coaching standards, limited exposure to high-quality competition and a domestic ecosystem that does not consistently produce international-level athletes. Instead of confronting those weaknesses head-on, the MHC has often searched for short-term solutions. Foreign experts have come and gone. 

Consultants have been hired, replaced, and hired again. 

Since 2015 alone, nearly 20 foreign specialists have been brought into the system in one capacity or another. Yet the results remain stubbornly underwhelming. Malaysia have not qualified for the Olympics since Sydney in 2000. In the last two World Cups, the team finished 15th out of 16. Those are not temporary setbacks. They are trends.

The consultant merry-go-round