Yesterday I posted about my book. Major General Datuk Toh Choon Siang responded to my book. 

This was his response." Bro Swami, every memoir deserves to be judged for what it is ie. a personal account of a life lived, not a court judgment. 

Whether one agrees with every conclusion or not, no one can deny that it takes courage to put decades of svc, sacrifice n painful experiences on the record. As fellow soldiers, we know that loyalty doesn't mean silence. 

Sometimes the most loyal act is to speak honestly about what we witnessed so future generations can learn from both our victories n our shortcomings. Your book is more than a war story; it preserves a chapter of Malaysian mil history thru the eyes of someone who served it. 

It invites reflection, not blind agreement. Respect for a memoir lies in engaging its ideas with reason, not dismissing them because they make us uncomfortable. Well done, bro. Nonetheless, there'll always be nay sayers.

Proud Tradition

Also my dear friend and warrior Lt Col Idris Hassan : Well done Maj Swami. I agree with every word said by Gen Toh Choong Siang. Unfortunately my lack of writing skills prevents ms from adding on to what the Gen has already said.

From my friend in the US :  Glad it's getting good coverage in the US academic circles. Also wanted to say that your book is also in the Cornell library: Cornell University.

Lt Col Ivan Lee : Well done Swami, a book deserves the recognition and appreciation for the service you have given. This will go down in history for future generations to read and learn from you.

The powers that be in the Military should push their young front line officers and NCO's to read this book. It covers leadership, training, physical hardship, loyalty of a soldiers under adverse conditions, that you must love your soldiers who are under your command. That your boys will fight the way you train them.

Wannabe Camel Jockey

Malaysiakini : COMMENT | Ridhuan Tee Abdullah, the infamous Chinese Muslim convert, slammed Penang for declaring the Hungry Ghost festival as official state heritage because the wandering souls "could not be seen".

"What's the real Malaysian identity?" he asked in his Facebook post on Sept 5, just five days before the Seventh Spooky Lunar Month ends. That was such a cheap shot against his own ancestors' culture. Perhaps the restless spirits can visit him to prove they are "real".

But is belief based on physical sightings? Has anyone actually seen God? Or Heaven? Non-Malays rebutted Ridhuan (above) by joking that he needed only to look in the mirror to see a ghost. Sure, he's not a literal one, but he rather resembles a malicious spirit – in the flesh.

We can laugh at the toxic bug spray of racist saliva from Ridhuan, but on social media, many people applauded him for bashing Chinese culture.

On one Facebook post, he got 15,600 likes. There were many comments supporting him too. One "Nino" denounced Penang for portraying itself as a state with a Chinese identity. "Ini bertentangan dgn semangat kebangsaan Malaysia. Apa tujuan sebenar Kerajaan DAP? (This is against the national spirit. What is the real purpose of the DAP state government?)"

hrrmph : "agama, syurga, neraka, bumiputera, bahasa, raja, menteri, mulia, suka, duka, jaga, jati" are Sanskrit? One fine day, one "illustrious" professor will tell us that these words originated from the Malays. 

When reality fails one's belief of one's "greatness", just change the storyline. If you ignore contradictory records that does not please your ego, they will not exist in your mind. 

Say it to everyone around you, gather those of like mind and you will have a whole kampung (maybe the whole nation) thinking the same and so, it gets easier and easier to ignore the world outside. Soon you can even charge and imprisoned people who dare to point out the realities of the world. Sounds familiar?

MarioT : It is simple, to understand their motives and objectives, Andrew. It is more a publicity stunt to claim I am holier than thou. But by doing so, they become hostile to their own existence. 

My forefathers were Hindus and I am a Catholic and it never prevented me from respecting everyone's way of life. Wisdom tells me that I have a choice to choose but should never condemn or look down on others' practises.

Timestream: The Persecution of Coptic Christians in Egypt

A religious group is being harassed, imprisoned, and murdered for its faith on a staggering scale—affecting nearly 400 million people worldwide, much of it in the Muslim world.

A crisis of this magnitude should dominate the headlines. Instead, it is met with silence. Why does the West refuse to see it? Raymond Ibrahim, who has been monitoring and writing on the Muslim persecution of Christians for 20 years, breaks it all down.

Islam has a phobia of any religion other than its own. Raymond, you are a modern Knight fighting for Christendom. To me it looks as if those in Power - in the West - are actively helping in the persecution of Christians. Look at the UK, praying in your head outside an Abortion Clinic gets you arrested, charged and prosecuted. I'm Assyrian and they butchered 50% of our population under Ottoman Turkey in the 1915-1925. Only 2 people of my entire family survived the genocide.

Why did New Yorkers forget 9/11? How can you let this happen in your city? Don't ever stop exposing these lies in New York. The Muslims have a foot hold. Wake up New Yorkers! How Is Americans Allowing This in NYC??? This is BS!!! And our Tax dollars pay for all of This!!! Because they hired only Muslim cops to ticket non-Muslim people! Where is the discrimination in that?

This year is the 25th Anniversary of Mass killings by Muslims in New York. How soon you forget? September 11 attacks killed a total of 2,977 victims. It is religiously sanctioned Apartheid. Fucking ridiculous. Sick of them pretending this is an accident, this shit is PLANNED.

• Its greatest strength is its honesty. It isn't presented simply as a story of military achievement. Swami combines combat, training, Somalia, jungle operations and military life with his account of the institutional problems he says he encountered.
• It goes beyond a conventional war memoir. The central tension is between loyalty to the country and disappointment with aspects of the institution he served. That makes the book as much about identity, belonging, merit and loyalty as about warfare.
• The discussion of racial and religious prejudice is probably its most controversial feature. Importantly, these are the author's experiences and allegations; a reviewer should distinguish those firsthand claims from independently established facts. The book's willingness to put such experiences on the record is nevertheless significant.
• The military dimension appears particularly valuable. The descriptions of combat, jungle operations, Somalia and command situations give the memoir substance beyond its social commentary. One recent review described it as “riveting, scary, bold, unflinching” and emphasized its stoicism.
• It isn't a comfortable patriotic book. That is both its strength and its limitation. Someone looking for an uncomplicated story of military heroism may dislike the emphasis on institutional failure and discrimination.
• It has also gained some recognition beyond the author's own presentation of it. The book is listed by the ISEAS–Yusof Ishak Institute library in Singapore and by international bookseller Mary Martin Booksellers, which gives it a degree of bibliographic visibility beyond a purely personal publication.

Overall, I'd call it a brave, uncomfortable and important memoir rather than simply a “good war story.” Its real significance is that a Malaysian Army officer chose to record not only the battles he fought against an enemy, but also the battles he says he fought inside the institution he served.

And that is what makes Exigent Circumstances unusual: the author doesn't portray himself merely as a soldier who survived difficult operations; he portrays himself as a soldier who remained loyal while questioning the system around him. 

To purchase this book please click on this link. The details are all there. Few copies left.

It was then termed the turning point in cleansing the game of its ills and restoring the reputation of Malaysian football.

The move was aimed at safeguarding the association’s integrity and reputation, while minimising the risk of further fallout for Malaysian football, with officials saying that restoring public trust and support was a key consideration behind the decision.

The mass resignation was expected to allow investigations and internal processes to proceed without interference, while also paving the way for new measures and reforms to be implemented smoothly.

Most stakeholders want to see these weaknesses addressed and are prioritising genuine reform over election matters, declared then-acting president Yusoff Mahadi.

“This collective resignation is a prudent and principled step to protect the integrity of FAM, uphold good governance, and give the AFC and Fifa (International Federation of Association Football) the necessary room to assess administrative reforms without prejudice,” he said.

Arab regimes and that in the end all of humanity would become Muslim, practice real Islam and there would be peace and justice on earth for everyone. When I mentioned a lot of people would die in such a scenario, he simply mentioned that they would be welcomed as martyrs.... 

I realized that in its radical form, Islam is an end of times cult. The US Navy was created for the sole purpose of defending American ships and sailors from Islamic pirates, and what established the United States Marine Corps as an overseas fighting force was in the first Barbary war in 1805. They have to destroy Christianity in order to build Marxism. They think they can control Islam.

Hadi Bawang The RM90 Million Man

Non-Muslims in cabinet: Hadi's speech open to interpretation, says political aide

Sin Lee Huang: I am not sure what PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang’s aide was thinking, or whether he knows what he is talking about, when he said it is up to the reader to interpret what Hadi said.

The point of Hadi's speech is to clarify his thoughts and his direction, not to invite people to debate or speculate about what is on his mind. I have no doubt that Hadi was intentionally vague. He wants PAS to be able to claim inclusiveness while not committing to anything.

Since I am invited to interpret Hadi’s words, I say this confirms that he is paying lip service to inclusiveness, as his words confirm that he is sidelining non-Muslims, if not worse.

Picture Fu: Very simple to interpret. This is racism at its core. Even his own aide cannot elaborate and leaves you to imagine. What is there to interpret when what you said is unconstitutional and very racist in nature?

Green Falcon 2290: This aide needs to precisely interpret what is intended, not leave it to tens of millions of people to interpret in a million different ways.

Why does he make such a frivolous, meaningless remark? As to the remark itself, why is this a surprise to anyone? Isn’t the principal objective of all the Malay parties known to all?

The next 10 years will see this objective being put into practice. Hadi has merely enunciated in public what they all know in private, and he should be commended.

DebbieOng: Have they forgotten that Malaysia is not an Islamic country but a secular one? Yes, this is a Muslim-majority country, but the Federal Constitution, the supreme law of the land, defines Malaysia as a secular nation. This is not open to interpretation.

Hence, Hadi and PAS are now trying to redefine our beloved Malaysia. Thus far, Hadi and PAS have been spewing a lot of intimidation towards non-Muslims should they come to power. Moreover, they are only concerned about their own wealth, not the welfare of Muslims at the grassroots level.

Apa nama: Hadi is not suitable to talk about administering Malaysia, a secular, multiracial and multireligious country where any Malaysian, including non-Muslims, can constitutionally become prime minister if the person enjoys the support of the majority of MPs.

There is no such thing as a political party, such as PAS, dictating who can hold certain ministries and who cannot. As usual, Hadi is talking nonsense. He should retire from politics once and for all, since he cannot accept that non-Muslims are Malaysians as well and have equal rights constitutionally.

KN Samy: The non-Muslim “leader” within PAS will definitely support such a stand, as he may be able to play a subordinate role when and if PAS wins, symbolically showing non-Muslim participation.

I do not think that the majority of non-Muslim citizens in this country will accept this, as it is definitely making them subservient to the Muslims in this country.

For that to happen, PAS has to discard the current Constitution and proclaim Malaysia an Islamic theological state. Let us see whether this is feasible first.

Darma Kochi: “Hadi said that while non-Muslims can be ministers, their roles would be limited to portfolios that oversee the execution of government policies while Muslims handle policy formulation.” Hadi, are you implying that non-Muslims are not capable of handling policy formulation?

Raj Pragasam: It is interesting to note that Hadi is confident that PAS will win more seats than Umno in the 16th General Election, to lead the next government. I wonder who is depending on whom?

Sidelining or ignoring non-Malay partners by denying them positions in the cabinet, or appointing them to ministries of lesser importance, is the height of ignorance and arrogance.

Hopefully, PAS does not occupy ministerial positions in finance, education, defence, home, law, trade and industry. I do hope that they do not convert the nation into PAS-governed states. PAS may put us on a track of no return or hope.

Tan Meng Kee: Hadi wants to break up the Malaysian social fabric, keep non-Muslims on the fringe, and run the federal government according to his whims and fancies without any regard for the Federal Constitution. How can we allow such a person and his party to gain power?

Kandiah Chelliah: Hadi and PAS are extremists in the context of Malaysian politics, as verified by this speech.

The Malay Muslims are only about 63 to 65 percent of the population if Sabah and Sarawak’s populations are included. The Muslims in these two states are Muruts, Suluks, Melanau and other local natives. The Chinese and Indians form around 25 to 30 percent.

To say that non-Muslims in Malaysia’s cabinet should only be given “limited” policy-making decisions is totally racist and extreme. Such political parties should never form the federal government. Just leave them to rule the three Malay-Muslim-majority states.

P Dev Anand Pillai: Since 1990, PAS has been administering the state of Kelantan. What do they have to show the rest of the states in terms of their ability to administer a state whose economy thrives and creates jobs for the masses from other states?

Lee: Minorities have no rights under PAS. What he says is just telling everyone that this is what the minority deserves when they become the government.

Don’t ask for more and you will never get more than that.

In other countries, minorities have had the chance to hold important positions and even become heads of state. In this country, minorities are always portrayed as being out there to take over the country.

Yeoh Ng Khong: “Open for interpretation” is an easy answer without any clarity. Just a waste of time. Running a country is never a guessing game. It needs to be clear and objective, not riddles.

Anyway, the public knows who the smart people in business are.

Chefoo: After almost 70 years of independence, which was fought for equally by all races, PAS says non-Muslims, even if chosen to be in the cabinet, can only be policy implementers. Only Malay Muslims can formulate policies.

Mossberg Malaysian Infantry

The American combat shotgun, the Winchester Model 1897 "trench gun" and its successor the Model 12, was born clearing German trenches in 1918 and came back to war a quarter-century later in the jungles of the Pacific. 

At close range, in the dark, on a narrow trail, a single blast threw nine heavy buckshot pellets across the path, and a trained man "slam-firing" the old 1897 could empty six shells in about five seconds. On Guadalcanal, Marines used it to break Japanese rushes at the exact distance the enemy had fought so hard to reach. 

This video covers the whole of it: the design of the trench gun, the slam-fire trick that made it so fast, the bloody trench-clearing work at Belleau Wood and the "Devil Dogs" name, the formal German diplomatic protest of September 1918 (and the threat to execute captured shotgunners, which the U.S. flatly rejected).

However, his remarks about non-Muslims in cabinet and the roles they would be limited to have raised questions about what this actually means for PAS' partners should the Islamist party head the next government.

Hadi (above) said that while non-Muslims can be ministers, their roles would be limited to portfolios that oversee the execution of government policies while Muslims handle policy formulation.

As examples, he mentioned that non-Muslims could hold positions in the Works and Forestry Ministries.

Asked to elaborate on what ministries PAS considers suitable for non-Muslims, Hadi's political aide Syahir Sulaiman (above) said it was up to individuals to interpret the PAS president's remarks.

Syahir said this was not the first time Hadi had made such a distinction, adding that the two ministries mentioned by the Marang MP were merely examples.

"It depends on how one wants to interpret it - which ministries oversee the country’s core areas, and which ministries are more focused on implementation and matters concerning the people," he told Malaysiakini.

Whether these meant ministries dealing with the country's core areas would be reserved for Muslims, the Bachok MP again said the remarks were open to interpretation.

Syahir also stressed that when it comes to forming a cabinet, PAS would have to take into account the views and agreement of all stakeholders.

tanweikuan : This fella is thinking all non Muslim are low IQ and behaving such a naive way…..the nation will be doomed if taking over by him or let the nation faith to god….

Steven Ong Chin Chong : Seem like Malaysiakini had begin practising what PAS and Hadi had said about limiting non Muslim's participating in the social dialogue . Will my comment about a country under Islamic rule be posted for all to read?

Kapil Kitchlu : Astonishingly user-unfriendly comments section.

He pointed out that PAS was “not an immigration counter for the hereafter” responsible for handing out “heaven stamps” to those who sign up as members and vote for it. “Heaven does not belong to PAS. Heaven belongs to Allah,” he reminded.

Mahfuz was responding to PAS secretary-general Takiyuddin Hassan’s statement that supporting or joining PAS can lead a person to heaven. The Amanah leader said that while PAS can encourage people to support and vote for the party, it must be emphasised that PAS was never given a sacred mandate to determine who enters heaven.

“PAS should not behave as though it is the gatekeeper of heaven - those who vote for PAS get the door opened, while those who do not are told to wait outside.

“If one vote for PAS is indeed a ticket to heaven, I would like to ask directly: Since when did a ballot paper become a passport to the hereafter, and since when was a political party given the power to determine a person’s final destination?” he asked in a statement.

Only Allah knows

Urging politicians against overzealousness, Mahfuz said they should refrain from “turning heaven into currency for buying votes” in their pursuit of power.

“Islam teaches us that a person’s standing in the eyes of Allah is determined by faith, piety, good deeds, justice, trustworthiness and the mercy of Allah. Not by the colour of a flag, a party logo or the candidate’s number on a ballot paper.

“More worryingly, statements like this could create the perception that Muslims who choose other parties are somehow on the wrong path and have no place in heaven.

“If voting for PAS is a ticket to heaven, what then is the fate of Muslims who do not vote for PAS? Does that mean Muslims who are not members, do not vote for and do not support PAS will be deemed to enter hell?” he asked in a statement.

Arguing that statements like Takiyuddin’s are not a healthy way of bringing Islam into politics, Mahfuz said the religion is far greater than PAS.

“If they truly want to make politics a struggle for Islam, then talk about trust, justice, corruption, poverty, education, the welfare of the people and the ethics of governance. Show it through administration and deeds, rather than claiming that support for a political party is a ticket to the hereafter.

“That is not Takiyuddin’s right. It is not PAS’ right. It is the absolute right of Allah,” he added.

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READ MORE: Religious minister: Political support does not guarantee a place in heaven

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Not the first time

This is not the first time PAS leaders have invoked divine rewards as part of their political appeal.

The party and its leaders have, on various occasions, sought to frame political support not merely as a choice at the ballot box, but as something carrying religious merit or consequences in the hereafter.

Takiyuddin had said those who died fighting to defend Islam would be regarded as martyrs, rewarded with divine blessings and granted entry into heaven.

He said the phrase “joining PAS means entering heaven” could be interpreted as political opponents mocking the party, but maintained that PAS’ struggle was rooted in Islam and aligned with teachings commanded by Allah.

asokkumar : But PAS says so.

Nehru made him India’s first education minister, Abul Kalam Azad distorted history to cover up misdeeds of Islamic tyrants

PIS

– PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang circa 2016

COMMENT | The dumbest argument made against PAS is that it exploits religion. PAS does not need to exploit religion because PAS more often than not defines religious policies in this country.

PAS' first principles are its atavistic interpretations of religious dogma. Its political agenda, which it has sometimes sublimated when it was in Pakatan Rakyat, for instance, is to make a theocratic state in form and, more importantly, in substance.

PAS has never hidden who they are.

Here are a few examples of religious exploitation: Presiding over the religious conversion of a youth; claiming that the destruction of an illegal holy site is a victory, then attempting to walk back on that statement; the wearing of the tudung (headscarf), when many women argue that it is a choice that is denied to them; non-Muslims interpreting Quranic verse to suit a political narrative; and advocating for Islamisation through the constitutional process when you claim to be a secular party.

Kajang pigeon : I understand now why Poland has strict policies, i also understand why the US is liberating Iran, Singapore as well deports these fanatics as soon as they get out of hand...

Asam Pedas : In short, it’s dangerous what pas wants to do to this nation. Once it gets 2/3 majority, what ever type of democracy we practiced will be dead and forever buried. 

With zero governance and selective welfare we will be fully Islamic and completely bankrupt completing with the likes of Pakistan and Afghanistan.

Four years earlier, he fought at the Battle of Lepanto (a super important victory for Christendom), where the fleet of the Holy League confronted the Ottoman navy on October 7, 1571.

Cervantes got shot multiple times, and permanently lost the use of his left hand. He was incredibly proud of having fought there, later describing Lepanto “as one of the great events of his life”.

Then, in 1575, while sailing back toward Spain, his ship was attacked by Algerian corsairs.

They captured him and took him across the Mediterranean to Algiers.

For the next five years, he lived as a slave awaiting ransom…

From Lepanto to Algiers

Algiers belonged to the Ottoman political world, although its corsair society possessed “considerable autonomy”, and Christian captives could be sold, put to work, held for ransom, or incorporated into households according to their circumstances.

Cervantes became one of them.

His captors believed he might be worth a lot of money because letters found on him made him appear more important than he actually was. This helped keep him alive while making his release more expensive.

But Cervantes had absolutely no intention of spending the rest of his life there…

He Tried to Escape Again and Again

He tried to escape.
Then he tried again.
And again.
And again.

One attempt involved Cervantes and other captives hiding in a cave outside Algiers while waiting for a ship that was supposed to carry them back to Christian territory. The plan collapsed after betrayal, and Cervantes assumed full responsibility rather than snitching on his friends.

According to the sworn testimony recorded in the Información de Argel (October 1580), when the Turks were binding the group, Cervantes declared loudly so that both Turks and Moors could hear him:

“None of these Christians who are here are guilty in this business, because I alone have been the author of it and the one who induced them to flee.”

Taken alone before Hasan Pasha, he repeated that he alone was responsible and begged that any punishment fall only on him. Despite death threats, a rope placed around his neck, and hands bound behind his back as if for hanging, he refused to name any other Christian.

Another scheme involved trying to arrange a larger escape by sea.

"The US has never sought to determine Malaysia’s political leadership. Any account to the contrary is false," David H Gamble Jr, who is in charge of the embassy in Kuala Lumpur, said in a short statement to Malaysiakini early this morning. 

In his winding-up speech at the 72nd PAS muktamar in Kota Bharu yesterday, Hadi said that the purported offer was extended during one of former US president Barack Obama’s visits to Malaysia, when several PAS leaders were invited to an event at the US embassy in Kuala Lumpur.

Both of Obama’s visits to Malaysia in 2014 and 2015 happened during Najib Abdul Razak’s premiership, who is imprisoned after being convicted in 2020 on seven charges involving abuse of power, criminal breach of trust, and money laundering linked to RM42 million in SRC International funds.

Hadi recounts spurning US offer to topple Najib-led BN govt, aproven liar. Hadi No Longer Denies Receiving UMNO Money?

One Malaysian : The reason his lies are getting more wilder by the day is coz he knows he is untouchable! No one dares take action against him !Let's see if the US also is scared of him!

FellowMalaysian : Barack Obama came to meet Najib Tun Razak on his trips to KL in 2014 and 2015. PAS wasn't part of the ruling government and was not a political force to be reckoned with then. 

Why would Obama's agenda include making overtures to meet up with representatives of an Islamic fundamentalist party who has little chance of taking over the government? 

On top of that, it was actually DrMahathir who the US representatives were keen to meet up with. Self-aggrandisement based on false claim will not help Hadi to win support.

BrownJaguar5869 : 𝗔𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝘀𝗲 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗽𝗲𝗼𝗽𝗹𝗲 𝘄𝗵𝗼 𝘄𝗮𝗻𝘁 𝘁𝗼 𝗹𝗲𝗮𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗰𝗼𝘂𝗻𝘁𝗿𝘆. Hadi Awang has made a very serious allegation. He claims the US was willing to help bring down the BN government and even discussed who should become Prime Minister. 

Now the US Embassy has publicly said his account is false. Come on lah. If you are going to accuse a foreign government of interfering in Malaysia’s political leadership, you cannot simply throw out an allegation like this. Show us the evidence. 

This supposedly happened more than 10 years ago. If there are records, correspondence or people who can substantiate what happened, produce them. An allegation this serious needs evidence. Malaysians deserve better than claims thrown around from a political stage.

JBond : Ada orang mabuk Timah lah. Or May be drink too much Teh tarik from Kelantan’s taps. That’s why he talked nonsense. The Americans are calling Hadi a liar. Marang, sue them lah! Berani kah?

Warm Skies : Defaming the US Embassy and officials of wanting to bring down the then Malaysian govt is slanderous and libellous. 

Hadi must be brought to the courts and PDRM to explain and testify. The US Embassy in response strongly denies such an incidence, and now it is left to the accuser to provide evidence of his claim.

apanama is back : In diplomacy, officials say a statement is "false," "inaccurate," or "misleading" instead of calling someone a "liar". Saying "that claim is false" questions the statement, not the person. This avoids a direct personal insult. It keeps communication open. It leaves room to negotiate. 

It focuses on the facts. It allows both sides to save dignity and de-escalate tension. Anwar should grab this opportunity to investigate, arrest and prosecute Hadi Awang for his compulsive lying, as this is treason and treachery. 

An IMMEDIATE denial by the US Embassy, calling Hadi's claim FALSE on Sunday morning, showed that the US knows its stuff very well when it comes to Malaysian politics. The Embassy can't wait for Monday. 

That is how seriously the US take the matter while Hadi lied through his teeth. There is NO valid reason for the US to do so, since it knows Malaysia is a constitutional monarchy with a parliamentary democracy. 

Moreover, the US knows that general elections are held periodically, almost every five years, and that the incoming administration respects the people's mandate. Hadi's story is merely a 'cerita dongeng.'

Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi’s public preference for an earlier GE16, rather than waiting until the parliamentary term expires in early 2028, is less a sudden revelation than the logical extension of UMNO’s recovery strategy planned by him.

The July and August 2026 state polls provided UMNO a clear momentum. In Johor, BN secured 48 of 56 seats, consolidating its traditional stronghold. In Negeri Sembilan, it took 25 seats and formed the state government, displacing the previous PH administration.

These results have emboldened UMNO’s narrative of a “blue wave” and given Zahid, as party president and BN chairman, greater leverage within the federal coalition, which he is now using without any hesitation.

The forthcoming Melaka state election, widely expected after the UMNO general assembly in mid-September, offers another test in a BN-friendly environment. A solid performance once again would further strengthen the case for early national polls.

Zahid has never hidden that the premiership remains an ambition, even while framing it in the language of destiny and public service. His recent comments on GE timing sit alongside BN’s explicit openness to alliances calculated on “benefits and harms.”

This includes weighing cooperation with PAS or remaining with PH components is now finely balanced.

Such pragmatism is classic elite politics with no permanent friends, only permanent interests. Reports of informal discussions and ground-level resistance within PAS itself underline that any Malay-unity realignment would be transactional and contested.

Tensions inside the current arrangement within the ‘unity government’ are now very clearly visible. A public spat over the Rural and Regional Development Ministry’s spending, Zahid’s portfolio, has exposed differences with the Finance Ministry and Treasury over allocations and payments to contractors.

Claims of overspending relative to approved budgets, followed by defensive responses, create an appearance of discord that weakens the government’s collective discipline.

When senior civil service figures weigh in on the need for ministries to adhere to set budgets, it highlights how administrative friction can quickly acquire political colour. In a system where the civil service retains significant institutional autonomy and historical loyalties, such episodes fuel perceptions of sabotage or selective pressure, whether or not coordinated intent exists.

UMNO ministers’ relative silence or distancing on certain reform bills further signals that the coalition’s reform agenda is not uniformly owned. Political cooperation remains conditional. Returning figures and sharper opposition rhetoric from some quarters add to the sense that the Madani government is entering a more contested phase. Social media amplification of criticisms is predictable in Malaysia’s polarised information environment

Yet the narrative of a meticulously engineered plan by Zahid to collapse the government overstates the degree of control any single actor possesses. Malaysian politics remains a multi-player game involving East Malaysian partners, parliamentary arithmetic, and public opinion.

Zahid’s DNAA on previous charges still hangs in the background of political gossip, but institutional processes and political costs constrain any simple “reopening” scenario. Party delegates at an UMNO assembly can provide cover or pressure, but they do not unilaterally dissolve a federal government.

The deeper issue is structural. The unity arrangement papered over fundamental differences in political bases and visions. PH’s reformist rhetoric has always collided with UMNO’s organisational recovery, establishment politics, and the enduring appeal of ethno-religious mobilisation.

State election outcomes show that Malay-majority constituencies remain responsive to BN’s organisational strength when PH’s delivery narrative falters or when coalition branding confuses voters. An early GE would allow parties to realign more cleanly, but it also risks returning the country to fragmented outcomes and sharper polarisation.

Anwar’s government has delivered relative stability and some fiscal discipline after years of volatility.

Yet the unfinished business of institutional reform, the persistence of patronage networks, and the difficulty of building a durable multi-ethnic electoral majority has left it electorally vulnerable.

Zahid’s manoeuvring is rational within the rules of the existing game. That is maximise UMNO’s position while the window is open. Whether that leads to a change of prime minister, a reconfigured coalition, or an early election depends less on any single “plan” than on the broader balance of forces, parliamentary numbers, royal counsel, economic conditions, and the electorate’s tolerance for continued horse-trading.

Malaysia’s political class continues to prioritise elite bargains over systemic overhaul. The result is recurring instability cycles in which reform is subordinated to survival and succession. The current tensions are not an aberration, they are the system operating as would be expected under such polarization.

20​ Pictures Here

With the death toll soaring and thousands still missing, scrutiny has intensified over China’s handling of information from Tibet. Many have alleged censorship of flood videos, restrictions on foreign journalists and concerns about cross-border data sharing on the glacier and flood risks. China however, rejects these claims.

However, the highlight of the 47-minute interview before a live audience was his explanation of the course of events that led to his deputy, Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, being given a discharge not amounting to an acquittal (DNAA).

Anwar said the 47 charges were so flawed that they bothered the conscience of the then-outgoing attorney-general, Idrus Harun, who wanted to set things right before he left office.

Raja Chulan : Obviously, this (request for a DNAA after the court's ruling to enter defence) is a direct interference in the justice system of this country. The trial court had heard and ruled that the prosecution had established a prima facie case and Zahid was to enter his defence. 

Yet, some weeks later the AG's chambers made a U-turn and requested the same court for a DNAA. I hope this injustice can be rectified when the Federal court / Court of Appeal hears the Bar council's request for review on this matter.

Shaggadag : The prosecution of those charges could not possibly have been "flawed". Bear in mind, in a criminal charge, all the prosecution has to do is to present the evidence in support of the charges it has framed against the accused before a Judge who then decides if there are sufficient grounds to warrant a conviction. 

By the time this stage is reached, the prosecution have completed their job. If the Judge decides there is sufficient evidence to warrant a conviction, the prosecution have essentially succeeded in their task. The Judge then turns to the accused and says, look, I am satisfied the prosecution have presented enough evidence, which if unrebutted, would oblige me to convict you and sentence you appropriately. 

Would you like to provide an explanation as to why I shouldn't do this. The accused says yes, I will explain why the prosecution are wrong and I will call my own witnesses to support me. And he does. But, suddenly and inexplicably, half way through the case for the defence, the prosecution says, no we have decided not to proceed with this case any longer. 

You can't do that. By this stage it is no longer in the hands of the prosecution. Their job is over. The matter has been completed. It is now in the hands of the Judge and no one else. So, please continue to explain why you are not guilty. Perhaps the Judge will agree with you and discharge you. Perhaps he may not. 

That is how the system works for everyone irrespective of political standing. Be a man. Show everyone the prosecution was wrong and that you did not commit these crimes. Continue with your explanations. Let the Judge decide. Unless of course, you know you won't get away with it.

Zahid with his scowl

Last month, former minister Khairy Jamaluddin alleged that trust between Anwar and Zahid was at its “lowest point” since the formation of the Madani government. In response, Anwar insisted that their relationship remains good and dismissed Khairy’s assertion as a “personal opinion”.

 BN-PN tsunami could push Harapan to worst GE outcome since 2008, S'gor defeatThis is complicated by pressure from DAP to deliver institutional reforms by the end of the year and Anwar needing Zahid’s bloc for the two-thirds majority required in the Dewan Rakyat to pass constitutional amendments such as limiting the prime minister’s tenure. 

On Monday, tensions between the two political leaders became obvious when Zahid, who is also the rural and regional development minister, publicly aired frustrations about funding disbursements, which fall under the Finance Ministry under Anwar’s control.

Zahid urged the Finance Ministry to expedite funding disbursements, saying contractors who had completed projects were still waiting for payment and some had been forced out of business because of cash-flow problems.

However, Treasury secretary-general Johan Mahmood Merican disputed the claim, saying the allocation for rural roads had already been fully disbursed and was not subject to any sanctions.

OrangeCat19 : The betrayal of Zahid UMNO is clear as day light. PH and BN are in a coalition govmt and BN challenged PH in 2 state elections, going to the 3rd. 

Not only that, we can see a string of high profile scandals from BN rule have already brought a huge cost to tax payers and impacted the country's economic development. 

The rakyat deserve better than this kind of disgusting politicians, the very same who are now exploiting race and religious sentiment to fish for votes.

PurpleDragon2199 : Everyone will be surprised if both are not tense. How can someone like Zahid suddenly attempt to walk away from the coalition government, UMNO is thinking they can take over is it? 

No manners…they suddenly forgot they are just invited guest in this government. And just because they won a few extra seats, they are now trying to turn their back against those who helped them. 

Sometimes just no need to give face to them, as the saying goes give them an inch, they asking for a yard - wait and see! You asked for it, stop blaming others!

R_A_G : Padan muka. The Chameleon sowed the seeds of his own destruction. He will realise that being Umno puppet and his constant race and religion pandering to keep himself in power ends up in the worst of two worlds, less support from NM and MM. Trust is very fragile in today's fast shifting political landscape. Lost trust is extremely difficult to regained.

RedRaven6070 : Anwar’s plan was simple: make Zahid DPM, put him in charge of Rural and Regional Development, and tap UMNO’s grassroots to prop up Madani. 

Instead of building Madani, Zahid is busy building Zahid — using the ministry, government machinery and patronage to shore up his own UMNO base. 

What was supposed to be a masterstroke by Anwar now looks like handing Zahid the car keys, then discovering he is not your co‑pilot — He is already planning the route to Putrajaya without you .

Anon2000 : Well, this is what happens when you “encourage” 47 DNAAs and make him the DPM. The arrogance of getting away with 47 charges makes one even more bold.

White Shark : AI, the basic problem you! You have defended UMNO like it belongs to you! You turned down Dr M’s effort to finish off UMNO. Later you gave too much of importance to UMNO giving their ministers lucrative posts. 

Actually what were you out to proof? You are actually a bad politician. You sided the wrong group and you sacked the loyal members of your party eg Rafizi and tried to promote your daughter who fail to win a parliamentary seat on her home ground. 

So, sad to say but you have made too many expensive mistakes for which you are paying for right now. Now you should go for all the corrupt UMNO members and charge them because under PAS they will be released.

Apparently, Felda Global Ventures (FGV) had given him déjà vu. He said the problems uncovered by the Tabung Haji royal commission of inquiry were almost the same: assets bought at inflated prices, insufficient security, and inadequate due diligence.

That alone should worry us, because if we’ve seen this before, why didn’t anyone stop it? And who was supposed to?

FGV, 1MDB and its power asset acquisitions, Mara’s Melbourne property, Felda’s London hotel purchases, the littoral combat ships involving Boustead, and the Defence Ministry’s military land swaps.

And a succession of controversial investments by government-linked institutions, including Khazanah.

These cases are not identical. Some involve allegations, some poor investments, some questionable valuations, some governance failures, and some investigations into possible wrongdoing; but the questions sound remarkably familiar.

Who set the price? Who checked it? Who conducted the due diligence? Who raised concerns? Who had the power to stop it? More importantly, why didn’t they?

drkam : Najib initially envisioned 1MDB as Khazanah 2.0—a sophisticated sovereign wealth fund whose losses would be conveniently dismissed as calculated investment risks rather than governance failures. 

That carefully crafted narrative imploded when the fund was unmasked as his personal Ponzi scheme. Khazanah itself deserves the same rigorous, unflinching scrutiny that we demand of any public institution entrusted with the nation's money. This naturally raises a troubling question: if a forensic audit of Khazanah were ever conducted, what other mega-scandals might we unearth? 

Could we see echoes of the 1MDB power-asset deals, FGV's controversies, Mara's Melbourne property fiasco, Felda's London hotel purchases, Boustead's ill-fated littoral combat ship project, or the Defence Ministry's colossal military land swaps?

BOBBYO : That is why the people removed Umno from the administration, but it was brought back in to retaining their power or control of the nation. 60 over years of watching one scandal after another scandal unfold. 

Yet those involved walking away not with peanuts, but at times hundreds of millions disappeared in to their pockets or sent to be stashed away in some foreign banks. Call it by whatever name the abuse, but you can be assured that someone profited from this arrangement. 

The people had faith in PH to deliver. Clean this nation of the scoundrels and robbers, but due to political maneuvering by the leader PMX, the people were again disappointed. What we have unearthed can be considered just a tip of the iceberg. 

If an audit is done, you can be assured there is much more hidden underneath all the GLC's, GLIC's, Khazanah, EPF or even under the many Govt Agencies and departments. It will continue as long as Malaysians keep on voting in the same old leaders. 

Nothing will change as those appointed to positions of power in the Judiciary, PDRM, MACC or any department that is suppose to dish out justice are appointed by the same old corrupt leaders or opportunist. Think why have we lost millions of Malaysians to the other nations. 

Skilled professionals who left our shores. Due to the fact that they were tired of seeing their hard earned monies being abused. Realizing that they were in no position to stop the rot. 

So it is better to leave and find better prospects for themselves and their families. It will continue, if there is no leader elected that will take the bull by the horns and stop this abuse of the Treasury.