Author Archives: wcw

ASEAN Chairmanship Deserves Support, Not Prejudice


KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 6 (Bernama) – There will be over 300 meetings of all levels involving ASEAN member countries this year which Malaysia will play host.

So, it’s inequitable for anyone to write off Malaysia’s ASEAN Chairmanship by claiming that the expectation of Malaysia as the 2025 leader of ASEAN “may be hard to fulfil” and the chairmanship “risks the potential of being too much about Anwar, and not enough about ASEAN.”

There is still a full year ahead, so let’s not be too quick to make judgements with little sound arguments but plenty of prejudices.

But this was the preamble to an article by political scientist Bridget Welsh entitled “Malaysia’s ASEAN Chairmanship is off to a disappointing start”, which was recently published in the Jakarta Post.

Her assumption was based on the recent ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Retreat in Langkawi last month, which she claimed had little meat, but surely it is a premature premise.

Let’s take a hard look at the candidacy of Malaysia as the ASEAN Chair. We have experience, diplomatic balance, economic leadership and proven commitment to regional stability.

This country is a founding member of ASEAN and has chaired the intergovernmental organisation multiple times, with the last in 2015. We played a key role in the setting up of the ASEAN community, which has stayed intact.

Malaysia also has a track record of effective leadership and has managed to balance regional interests with global powers like the United States, China, the European Union and Japan.

Certainly, we have handled the claims over the South China Sea islands very well, without running into conflicts, and have managed the tensions maturely. Let’s give credit to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and Wisma Putra.

We remained committed to regional security and stability, particularly counter-terrorism, cyber security and maritime security in ASEAN.

For sure, Malaysia, as the Chairman of ASEAN, understands the seriousness and impact of the global scam economy, which operates along Myanmar, Cambodia and Laos.

In fact, more than 500 Malaysians have been rescued from scam centres since 2022.

Myanmar is the elephant in the room for ASEAN. That is precisely why the Government has appointed an experienced diplomat, Tan Sri Othman Hashim, as its Special Envoy to Myanmar.

It’s a tough job as his responsibilities include dealing with the various heavily armed feuding groups, headed by powerful warlords, in Myanmar.

He must bring home Malaysians trapped as scam victims, as well as address ways to end violence by the government junta against the local population.

It would be naïve to assume that Malaysia, or ASEAN, does not take this issue seriously.

Malaysia alone cannot resolve the issue in Myanmar and it needs the backing of Thailand, especially, as it shares the borders with these countries, which are also ASEAN members.

It’s easy to criticise the appointment of former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, as an informal adviser of Anwar on ASEAN, but no one can dispute the Thai leader’s deep understanding of the region, including the complex Myanmar issue.

We are talking of a powerful personality with deep influences in the region, as well as global players, and he will certainly be helpful in playing a backroom role in supporting Malaysia, as the chairman of ASEAN.

Credit must be given to Anwar for his readiness to reach out to the old-timers like Thaksin and former Singapore Foreign Minister George Yeo. As they no longer hold official positions, they are in a better position to provide advice without their hands being tied.

US President Donald Trump has a record of disinterest in ASEAN, and no one is sure if he will turn up for the ASEAN Summit, scheduled in October, but his shadows certainly loom wide.

The US policies have had a tremendous impact on the world, and that includes ASEAN and Malaysia.

While Welsh has been critical of Malaysia, she has left out that, for the first time, there will be a Summit of ASEAN, Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and China, in May.

The GCC countries comprise Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. Kudos to Wisma Putra for pulling this off.

And why should Anwar be an issue if there is media focus on him as if he is a regional personality and experienced statesman with deep diplomatic and governance experience?

Besides Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, who was acknowledged internationally, none of his successors have been able to match his stature. Former premier Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak is making international news for the wrong reasons.

So, if PMX Anwar can put Malaysia on the world stage for positive reasons, why should he be accused of seeking international attention? The international media will not provide that kind of attention if he does not deserve it and is of no news value.

Anwar’s focus on economic reform in Malaysia, for example, could translate into policies that promote stronger economic ties and trade within ASEAN.

His diplomatic skills could help ASEAN to maintain neutrality and strategic balance – which he repeatedly emphasises.

More importantly, his leadership as the ASEAN Chairman could strengthen ASEAN’s global relevance, with a combined population of 670 million with a total gross domestic product of all ASEAN countries amounting to USD3.67 trillion, while maintaining regional harmony.

Let’s help support Malaysia to be an effective ASEAN Chairman, and not allow anyone to pull us down.

Reality rules


A man for all seasons: The PMX, here speaking in the ‘A Conversation with Anwar Ibrahim’ session at the World Economic Forum in Davos, has worked tirelessly to convince his overseas listeners why Malaysia should be the preferred destination for investments. — Bernama

THE past one year has been good for Malaysia, with enough statistics to show it.

The ringgit has grown stronger, we have sound economic growth, strategic positioning in global supply chains, solid initiatives, and regional cooperation as we increasingly align with Singapore through efforts like the Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone.

Malaysia also has robust financial management through Bank Negara Malaysia with stable monetary management.

These combinations of factors have contributed to Malaysia’s commendable economic performance.

But Malaysians also have short memories. We have almost forgotten that we had four prime ministers in a short span of time at one point.

The current Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, has been keeping a steady hand on the tiller despite continuous criticisms from his detractors.

He has worked tirelessly to compete for investments. Certainly, his persuasive skills, charm, and international networking has helped a lot on these missions.

PMX has to convince his overseas listeners that Malaysia should be the preferred destination for investments.

It is interesting that in the Indonesian media – whether mainstream or social media – they have been incessantly asking why Malaysia had been picked over Indonesia in many instances.

Despite claims that PMX’s government has turned authoritarian, the fact that critics could “wallop” the premier without any consequences proves otherwise.

Some from the legal fraternity have continuously criticised him but concealed the fact that they had represented his political opponents or could still receive retention fees.

During the Chinese New Year gatherings, one of the most frequent topics was China’s ability to produce the low-cost AI chatbot, DeepSeek. China deliberately chose to unveil this latest AI model during the Spring Festival celebrations.

Then there was the humanoid robot dance on China Central Television’s Chinese New Year Eve gala show, which has an audience of over 780 million in China annually.

The country has done well because it has remained focused.

Despite the many restrictions placed on Chinese technology companies, it has managed to find a way around them somehow.

There is no time wasted on political squabbles. There is no room for debates or dissension.

Malaysia, on the other hand, struggles with unending political issues with a seeming lack of focus on long-term development.

Politicians have stepped up efforts to play up race and religion issues because they believe a general election could be held next year or by 2027, the latest possible date to hold elections.

So we have politicians drumming up the perception that Malays – the predominant voters – are under siege.

Sponsored social media portals and podcasts hosts have become increasingly louder and critical.

It doesn’t help that some DAP leaders, usually the prime target, also scored own goals without thinking thoroughly before opening their mouths. Their brash statements are easily manipulated by their opponents.

Looking at the politics taking place, unless the components of the unity government can carve out an agreement for the next general election, we may see another round of components contesting against each other.

The last thing Malaysia needs is a repeat of shifting alliances and party-hopping, leading to instability.

Investors have begun to pick Malaysia over Indonesia and Thailand because we are finally seen as politically stable.

Likewise, Malaysia has gained more China tourists during the CNY period compared with Thailand because of our neighbour’s lack of stability.

It is further helped by the visa-free policy, great culinary appeal, pro-environment attractions, and Malaysians’ multilingual ability, including of course cultural familiarity.

A report in Tour and Travel World dated Jan 29 said many China tourists ditched Thailand for Malaysia.

It said Thailand lost out because of safety concerns following high profile cases of Chinese visitors being kidnapped.

The report said Malaysia saw a 79.2% rise in the number of Chinese visitors, many of whom said they felt welcomed in Malaysia.

So it really doesn’t help if myopic politicians continue taking potshots at mighty China and its nationals.

Fortunately, the relationship between Malaysia and China has reached a mature enough level to withstand these irritants.

Malaysia has many good things ahead of us, we can’t afford to be diverted from governance and implemented policies.

For sure, we still haven’t woken up to the fact that ethnic and religious politics are being exploited by some politicians who use them as tools to gain support and not focus on economic and structural reforms.

Political discourse is often about minor and inconsequential issues, which are amplified for no good reason.

Political manoeuvring and theatrics are allowed to dominate the news instead of real issues such as economic competitiveness and innovations.

Then there are weak institutional frameworks where corruption, money politics, and the lack of strong independent institutions allow politicians to prioritise personal and party interests over national development.

Worse, we have politicians who defend the corrupt.

In every election, populist short-term actions are promised, often in the form of subsidies, and handouts, giving the impression that many policies are designed to win elections rather than to ensure sustainable growth.

Many of these handouts, including bonuses, seriously affect our national coffers.

This is perhaps a political reality where the means must justify the ends. But for Malaysia to move forward, to achieve high-income aspirations, we cannot afford inconsistent, flip-flop policies and perceived slow reform efforts.

With a little less than two years to go before the next general election must be held, we can be sure that the national economic agenda will be disrupted by unproductive political rhetoric.

Unfortunately, those who push the race and religion issues, often the worst of the political lot, will continue dominating the headlines.

Malaysia’s strength is the moderate, diverse, and progressive make-up of her wonderful people.

For sure, we cannot allow anyone advocating a theocratic state to be voted in.

We can quarrel over the unity government but the other option is terrifying.

We can’t afford to send the wrong message to the world – and very much to the glee of our neighbouring competitors.

PAS still hasn’t learned its lesson

Why do we have this feeling that PAS leaders have not learned from their habit of making baseless accusations?

There seems to be a pattern to their gaffes which included linking DAP leaders to Singapore and Communist Party of Malaya leaders.

The latest is alleging Youth and Sports Minister Hannah Yeoh to be a “daughter of YTL.”

The Islamist party also had a seeming record of prejudices against China.

But the latest bizarre claim is by Perak PAS commissioner Razman Zakaria.

The Semanggol state assemblyman had linked the DAP leader to the Yeoh family behind the successful YTL Corporation Bhd.

Realising his gaffe, Razman, in a Facebook post, has apologised to Hannah.

Still putting on a brave face, despite his ludicrous claim, he insisted the statement was not the main point of his speech, delivered at a four-day event.

”The news report referred to my statement about Hannah Yeoh, which lasted approximately ten seconds of my more than half-hour speech.

”I acknowledge my factual error regarding the connection between Yeoh and the corporate giant YTL. I admit that Yeoh has no ties to any corporate figure or YTL. This was an unintentional slip of the tongue.”

He extended an apology to Yeoh, YTL, and any parties affected or offended by the misunderstanding caused by his factual error.

The PAS lawmaker then called for media reporting that “sharpen public intellect rather than intensify divisions among the people.”

Well, we wish the same could be said about the kind of statements that come from the party.

As Hannah, the Segambut MP, rightly responded: “PAS needs to know that not all Yeohs are related.”

Recently, PAS Kepala Batas MP Siti Mastura Muhammad was found guilty of defaming DAP leaders Tan Sri Lim Kit Siang and Lim Guan Eng by linking them to the late Communist Party of Malaya leader Chin Peng in her election speeches.

She has since raised RM830,000 to pay off her damages and legal costs, as ordered by the courts.

In another case, Razman had to apologise to Teluk Intan MP Nga Kor Ming after wrongly accusing the federal minister of taking part in a parade where China flags were waved.

It is not clear if the PAS faithful have grown tired of the kind of politics pursued by the party.

Their leaders do not seem to fact-check, or maybe just do not bother, the contents of their speeches.

Perhaps they do not mind ignoring the facts in their rhetorics believing that their speeches are often made in rural areas, and they would get away with it.

Of late, they have also pushed harder on the race and religious narrative to their audience.

It would not be surprising if they have given up on the non-Muslim votes and have decided to just use the Malay and Islam angles.

Non-Muslims have still not forgotten a suggestion by a Selangor PAS leader that its members should take wives from other races and cultures to get non-Malay votes.

PAS should not expect non-Muslims to support the party when its leaders continuously make absurd statements.

The party gets upset when they are likened to the hard-core Taliban but they only have themselves to blame as its stand on many issues does not give any assurances.

Take a look at tourism in Langkawi, it is as good as dead.

The endless imposition of regulations isn’t going to win tourists arrivals.

The Kedah state government cannot even convince its own people to holiday in Langkawi as they prefer nearby Hatyai, Thailand.

Let’s be honest, even Bersatu and Gerakan leaders, their partners in Perikatan Nasional, privately shake their heads indignantly, when the conversation turns to PAS.

Bersatu president Tan Sri Muyhiddin Yassin was sacked from Umno for speaking up against corruption.

PAS, on the other hand, has a pitiable record when it comes to corruption issues.

In fact, they have even been apologists, and that comes from a party which harps on religious values.

If not all Yeohs are related, the same can be said about Wongs.

I am certainly not related to the legendary kung fu master, Wong Fei Hung.

Jokes – let’s crack up, not crack down


Harith’s comment on social media about the recent “ham and cheese” controversy has led to an uproar. —LOW LAY PHON/The Star

IT’S no laughing matter when police reports are lodged against a stand-up comedian like Harith Iskander or when a cartoonist like Fahmi Reza ends up in lock-up while under remand.

It gets even less funny when Women, Family and Community Development Minister Datuk Seri Nancy Shukri issues a warning about making jokes that “cross the line”.

Thankfully, she clarified later that the law that punishes obscene jokes is not aimed at comedy as a form of entertainment, but cited those who used words or gestures that insult a person’s modesty.

It’s good that Nancy clarified what she said as earlier reports had many comics worried. Even ordinary Malaysians were worried – some asked on social media if we had lost the plot and were no longer tolerant of humour.

We should ask ourselves if the bar of tolerance has dropped further. Malaysians should not be allowed to be subjected to people who can’t wait to pounce on stand-up comedians over the slightest utterance.

But more importantly, the thinking majority should not just keep silent and cower down.

By right, the ones who should be losing sleep are the serial jokers in Parliament who are known for their distasteful sexist remarks.

Ask Seputeh Member of Parliament Teresa Kok. She can probably compile a dossier of things said by these recalcitrant lawmakers.

Of course, comedians often have their targets, especially public figures and politicians, wriggling in embarrassment. But these are people who enjoy hogging the limelight; they cannot choose to bask only under a positive light.

It’s a price they have to pay for being celebrities.

Our police shouldn’t be too worried about these people, however powerful they may be.

Unfortunately, when someone makes a report, the police are required by law to investigate, but they really have better or more urgent things to do.

In a democracy, it is absurd – and ironical – to target humour which is simply a tool to question power, provoke thought, and provide relief when people are caught in what they believe are hopeless situations.

There is a caveat, though. Every stand-up comedian knows he cannot touch on the 3Rs – race, religion, and royalty.

No one can, not politicians, not journalists, and certainly not comedians.

When it comes to religion, it is best to stay away as it is sensitive. Not everyone shares the same sense of humour.

A remark by Harith on social media about the recent “ham and cheese” controversy has led to an uproar.

Stand up comics have always been skilful at tiptoeing around political issues, which in Malaysia happens to be mostly involving race and religion.

They have learnt to throw out the punchline while knowing where the fine line is drawn and the risks that come with crossing it. Most navigate it well and wisely chose to perform in the Klang Valley, where the audiences are more open-minded and appreciative.

I think we all know our comedians and satirists are not about to destabilise the country or any state or overthrow a leader. The only ones that politicians should worry about are their opponents – not comedians or cartoonists.

There is no law that prohibits one from embarrassing a person. If indeed a law is crossed, than the offended party can raise a defamation suit under civil laws. There is no crime involved.

Comedy and satire, however, does not mean slandering and defaming people. If you call a person a liar, a corrupt person or a thief without being able to prove it, then you have to face the consequences. That is not freedom of speech.

But Malaysia does not have an “Anti-Laughter Act”.

Thank God, though, that we have not come to a stage where powerful people can no longer tolerate comedians. Most lawmakers sportingly accept parodies and do not rush to make police reports.

In fact, making police reports for frivolous reasons should be made an offence. It’s an abuse of a privilege. There are people in this country who suffer from the inane addiction of making police reports. Most are probably lackeys following orders.

The police shouldn’t be burdened with having to decide whether jokes are funny, dangerous, explosive, or seditious. That’s not what they are trained for.

Neither is it the Women, Family and Community Development Ministry’s job to scan for nasty jokes.

The police or the ministry can’t be posting enforcement officers at every stand-up performance.

If there is a lesson to be learnt it is that restricting comedy often backfires and the very act of repression becomes an even bigger joke.

The real jokers are a few socially challenged politicians who have to rely on using race and religious issues, along with comical masculine posturing on social media to feed followers.

The problem really lies with these sneaky ones, or should I say Snakey ones?

We can expect plenty of these jokes during the Chinese New Year reunion dinners. So just chill.

Worrying that Trump’s choice for Defence Secretary struggled to name Asean countries

IT’S not exactly the best start, but there is still time for Pete Hegseth, President Donald Trump’s choice for Defence Secretary, to learn and catch up.

The United States army veteran and popular conservative television personality found himself unable to state the number of Asean member countries.

He was grilled by Senator Tammy Duckworth during a recent Senate confirmation hearing regarding his appointment.

Duckworth put Hegseth on the hot seat, questioning whether he had the “breadth and depth of knowledge” needed to lead international negotiations.

Hegseth was asked if he could name one member of Asean, describe what type of agreement the US had with the countries, and how many nations were in the bloc.

The fumbling Hegseth reportedly said he couldn’t tell Duckworth the exact number of Asean nations but added, “I know we have allies in South Korea and Japan in AUKUS (a pact between Australia, the United Kingdom, and the US) with Australia.”

”None of those three countries are in Asean. I suggest you do a little homework,” responded Duckworth, a Democrat from Illinois, as reported by AP.

It is no surprise that a top member of the Trump administration, like Hegseth, faces concerns, as there have been worries that the boss himself may not be keen on Southeast Asia.

Asean is made up of Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam. An 11th country, East Timor, is set to join soon.

Malaysia is the new chairman of Asean from Jan 1 and over 300 meetings, at various levels, have been scheduled.

Set up in 1967, Asean’s goal is to promote regional economic and security cooperation, leveraging a combined population of more than 670 million people with a gross domestic product of more than USD3tril.

According to news reports, Duckworth’s question came after Hegseth noted the strategic importance of the Indo-Pacific, a region where China’s influence has been rapidly growing.

The multiple maritime claims over the South China Sea, an important waterway, have also been in the spotlight.

However, despite these territorial disputes, most Asean members maintain close relations with China, which remains a key trading partner. It helps that China is geographically closer to Asean than the US.

China shares the same time zone with Malaysia, Singapore, and Brunei, for example, fostering strong people-to-people ties.

Top Chinese officials are also expected to attend the upcoming Asean meetings.

Attention will also be on the Asean, Council of Gulf Countries and China – the first such trilateral meeting.

For the US, it has treaty pacts with Thailand and the Philippines, with Washington being sought to harness Asean’s regional influence and its emphasis on ensuring the region remains a zone of neutrality.

Certainly, given the complexities of geopolitics and superpower rivalries, Asean does not want any one major power dominating the region.

Hegseth will be required to attend meetings of Asean defence ministers, while Marco Rubio, as Secretary of State, will meet the Asean foreign ministers.

The annual Asean summit has been attended by both Biden and Trump previously. Asean also conducts separate meetings with the leaders of China, South Korea, Japan, Australia, India, and New Zealand, as well as the East Asia Summit, which includes these six plus Russia and the US.

Many analysts share the perception that Asean may not be Trump’s priority.

Hoang Thi Ha and William Choong wrote that during Trump’s first term, his attendance “appeared driven more by specific circumstances than dedicated interest in the region itself, as seen under Obama, or the strategic focus on Southeast Asia’s role in US-China competition under Biden.”

”Trump 2.0 will be preoccupied with the challenge of delivering his campaign promises to swiftly end the Russia-Ukraine war and the conflict in the Middle East.

”Given Trump’s personal disinterest in the region as well as his scepticism towards multilateralism, the region may face another four years of Trump’s absence at Asean summits and minimal direct engagement with Southeast Asian leaders.”

During his first term, Trump attended only the 2017 Asean summit meetings, failed to send a cabinet-level official to subsequent summits in 2019 and 2020, and failed to appoint US ambassadors to Asean and Singapore.

But Trump is a businessman and strategist, too. He would surely see that Asean is a region of over 670 million people with a GDP of over USD3tril.

Asean’s economy is projected to grow by over 5% per year to become the world’s fourth-largest economy by 2030, as well as the US’ fourth-largest export market in the world.

The bloc contains some of the fastest-growing economies in the world, with Asean playing an integral role in East Asian regionalism.

That should be enough reason for Trump and his officials to pay more attention to Asean.

Beware the snakes that walk


Poor reputation: Hopefully, in this Year of the Snake, the amazing reptilians will avoid the bad press, at least for a year, says the writer. —123rf

WE will be ushering in the Year of the Snake soon. Unlike many other years in the Chinese zodiac, the reptile, for some reason, has a poor reputation.

It is often portrayed as dangerous and poisonous, even when some species do not even bite. The poor snakes even get blame for the traitorous acts of human beings even when it’s no fault of theirs.

Back stabbers and betrayers, for example, are dismissed as “snakes”. No one credits the ophidians for getting rid of pests and playing a crucial role in balancing the ecosystem.

Hopefully, in this Year of the Snake, they will avoid the bad press, at least for a year.

The political villains, however, are not likely to go anywhere. I can already smell the glee and excitement of the opportunistic, slithering kind.

With the likelihood of a state election in Sabah soon and talk of an early general election in 2026, although it needs to be held only the following year, we can expect venomous speeches this year.

Malaysians are used to those slimy kinds who eat, sleep, and spew race and religion.

But over the past few months, they have stooped to an all-time disgraceful low.

Despite all the warnings against the use of the 3Rs – race, religion and royalty – we haven’t really seen real, effective action taken against these serial offenders.

The only ones who get hauled up are the minnows who post silly missives on social media.

Really, most of us are sick of politicians with their masculine “jantan” posturing as they are nothing but intimidating bullies.

When it comes to real issues like fighting corruption, they are like mice, their manly assets suddenly lost.

It is only when they need publicity do they crawl out of their pits. We should remember them for what they are during the elections, even if they try to shed their old snake skin during campaigning.

We have to send a strong message that such old tactics of race and religion have no place in Malaysia.

After over 60 years of independence they are still cooking up fictitious and imaginary threats from fellow Malaysians to stoke insecurity.

Political snakes may bite now but soon, they will realise that they need the votes of every race, as the contest will be tight. The reality is no politician can win in Malaysia by banking on one community.

If they cannot be the champion of all Malaysians, then they don’t deserve the votes.

They can coil around us with their hypocritical and manipulative offensives but we should remind them of what they had said before.

We will need plenty of sulphur and other repellents during the campaign period.

They will put on their shiny armour, I mean, shiny reptilian scales, but be mindful. As the saying goes, be wary of snake-oil peddlers.

In the old Western movies, the native people would often say: “Beware of white men with forked tongue,” – yet another reference to snakes.

But let’s not be overly harsh on all politicians. It would be thoroughly unfair to generalise.

After all, according to Chinese astrology, those born in the Year of the Snake are charismatic, charming, wise, and with strong intuition.

They are said to think things through thoroughly and are good at understanding people. Certainly, these are the good traits of those born under this Chinese zodiac sign.

I believe many of our politicians have these qualities. There are many good ones who have sacrificed much for the country and people.

Unfortunately, it is the second- rated loud ones who grab the headlines with their gibberish.

In 2025, the voters of Sabah will have their first shot at these forked-tongued beasts.

Some Sabah politicians may suffer from trust issues but most are unlike the nasty hissing kind you find in the peninsula.

Race and religion do not sell in Sabah and Sarawak. Those who try will get hammered. They will instantly be chucked into the South China Sea!

Some have tried for decades to get elected in Sabah but the venomous green image fails to impress the level-headed Sabahans.

Let’s not even talk about Sarawak. They can’t even get past the immigration.

There’s a little over a week to the Chinese New Year, and it looks set to be different this time. Unlike the scorching hot weather in past years, it could be wet and cool this time.

But expect heavy traffic in most towns, as vehicles will be snaking through the highways and towns.

Well, we will all just have to wriggle along, too.

Pardons in Selangor – going by the book

With so much confusion over pardons, Selangor is publishing a booklet to explain the functions of the state Pardons Board.

NEVER has the role and functions of the Pardons Board ever come under such intense spotlight.

A controversy is continuing over whether the previous Yang di-Pertuan Agong did table an addendum to the Federal Territories Pardons Board in a bid to place Datuk Seri Najib Razak under house arrest.

Whether there are provisions in the Federal Constitution for a house arrest is itself being debated.

Depending on who you listen to, there has been much contradictory interpretation, as expected of lawyers.

As of now, the issue is whether the addendum is valid as it is said to have not been brought up at the Pardons Board meeting.

As the issue rages on, Selangor has taken steps to ensure the functions of the state Pardons Board are clearly understood.

A booklet has been prepared and is in the midst of being printed.

The Selangor Pardons Board is headed by His Royal Highness Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah.

The other members include the Mentri Besar, Attorney General and three other members.

The state legal adviser is sometimes invited to attend such meetings to give his views.

The state board meets at least twice a year but Tuanku has made it a practice to deliberate four times.

But it is important to point out that the Sultan can convene a meeting at any time.

“Tuanku is particular that the appeals should not be allowed to pile up as these involve the lives of people, even though they may be prisoners,” one official said.

The booklet, which will be distributed widely, is aimed at allowing the people and state officials to understand the procedures clearly without any form of political slant.

In Selangor, an accused person who has been sentenced by any court in the state is entitled to file a petition for clemency from the Sultan of Selangor.

The time frame for inmates to submit a petition for clemency is generally based on the category of the cases, said an official.

So, how often can a person file his or her appeal for clemency?

Regulation 54 of the Prisons Regulations 2000 provides the “Officer-in-Charge of prison to prepare a report on every prisoner for clemency after completing four, eight, 12 or 16 years of his sentence and every subsequent year thereafter”.

Regulation 113, however, allows the person to file the petition as soon as practicable after the conviction and the appeal process in court ends.

The second appeal can be made after serving three years of the sentence.

Subsequently, pardons petitions may be filed every two years.

In the case of a prisoner sentenced to death, as provided for under Regulation 114, an inmate may submit a petition for clemency to the Sultan immediately after the Federal Court confirms the conviction and death sentence. No specific time frame is prescribed.

Under the Federal Constitution, the King has the power to grant pardons in respect to offences committed in the Federal Territories of Kuala Lumpur, Labuan and Putrajaya.

The Federal Constitution also grants the Sultan of Selangor, being the Ruler of the state of Selangor, the authority to grant a pardon, reprieve or respite for offences committed within the state.

In line with the authority of the Sultan of Selangor under the Selangor state constitution, it is stipulated that the Sultan may grant pardons, stays, and relief for offences committed within the state of Selangor (excluding offences tried by military courts).

The authority of the Sultan of Selangor is limited to clemency petitions from inmates in Selangor.

State legal officials said there is currently no provision under the Selangor constitution related to house arrests or granting the Sultan the authority to designate a house or building as a prison.

One legal expert said a house arrest does not mean serving the sentence in one’s own residence with family members.

“From a legal standpoint, the premises would need to be gazetted as a prison first for a house arrest.

“There will be prison wardens present and likely an appointed prison cook to ensure safety,” he said.

Can the Sultan of Selangor issue an addendum?

There is no interpretation of the word “addendum” provided for under the constitution of Selangor or under the Interpretation Acts 1948 and 1967.

The word “addendum” simply means “something to be added, especially to a document; a supplement”.

But here’s the bottom line of the clemency process in Selangor – any appeal must go through the board. Full stop.

The Selangor constitution clearly states that the Sultan, in exercising the power of clemency, must act on the advice of the state Pardons Board.

However, the Sultan has the prerogative to either accept the advice or otherwise or in a simple and plain language – the Sultan has the final say.

All clemency petition applications from inmates must be brought to the state Pardons Board meeting to be considered.

Any decision made by the Sultan during the meeting will be documented in the minutes by the Secretariat of the state Pardons Board.

If Tuanku has anything to add after the meeting, he has to wait for the next meeting.

The procedures are simple and clear.

The Sultan of Selangor always emphasises that the prisoner himself must apply for pardon to show that he is serious about wanting Tuanku to pardon him. Not just via his lawyer or a family member.

By logic, the prisoner has to be remorseful and make an admission of guilt before seeking a pardon.

The decision of His Royal Highness to publish the booklet is certainly a commendable way of making it a learning process for everyone. It looks like Selangor is the first to take this step.

A quirky, loveable Malaysia


Colourful Malaysia: The Visit Malaysia Year 2026 campaign was launched in Sepang on Monday, but there is there is plenty of work to be done before we roll out the carpet for visitors next year. — Bernama

THE Visit Malaysia Year 2026 campaign has been launched and there is plenty of work to be done before we roll out the carpet for visitors next year.

Every Malaysian must be involved to make tourists feel welcome. The frontliners, especially the Immigration officers, for one, need to learn to flash their smiles.

For some reason, Immigration officers, everywhere around the world, just look stern and unwelcoming. Every day is a bad day for them and a frown seems to just be part of their starched uniform.

I am not sure if they still wear the “Put On A Smile” button. Probably not. It would be an ironic flop.

The truth is: They should actually be our tourism ambassadors, and it helps to just say, “Welcome to Malaysia” to as many visitors as they can.

The long queues at the KL International Airport will end, or at least, be shorter soon with more autogates being installed. That could be the answer to the frustrations of the frowning officers.

Then, there are the Customs officers. It would be nice and professional if they are seen to be attentively working standing up while on duty.

Most times, they are just seated. I, for one, am not complaining as it means they are ignoring me instead of subjecting me to a full check. And I can get out of the airport and go home quickly.

Still, they need to be seen to be working when on duty.

The arrival area at KLIA is a chaotic mess, really. Unlike at our airport, most countries do not have arrival pick up areas for private vehicles. These vehicles must be left at those multistorey car parks.

You can drop off passengers at designated spots, yes, but never pick them up upon arrival.

Our airlines – Malaysia Airlines, Firefly and AirAsia – really need to be super conscientious with their departure and arrival times. Constant delays will be bad for Visit Malaysia Year.

Then there’s the luggage carousel. The slow arrival of luggage at KLIA is a long-standing embarrassment, literally. Passengers just have to stand around for a long time and wait.

I know we are notorious for “Malaysian Timing” but that “on the way” excuse should not show up at our airports. More about that later.

There are plenty of positives, too. Malaysia is a safe place, unlike London or Paris, where pick-pocketing is rampant.

Our watchful cops are everywhere, sometimes even hiding under the trees and underpasses.

For some reason, though, the traffic cops always seem to be stopping migrant workers. I think they may be checking if they are getting the minimum wages from their employers.

Also, we need to improve ourselves as ordinary Malaysians. We want to be seen in a positive light.

We don’t want to appear on TikTok, YouTube, or Instagram for the wrong reasons.

We all take pride in our Malaysian food. No matter which culture it comes from, it’s tasty and delicious – but cleanliness is also important.

We often sit next to a filthy longkang without a second thought but that’s unacceptable to many visitors. Singapore has beaten us flat in this area with its clean food courts.

Our local governments also have to put a stop to toilet rolls being used at many roadside warung. These stall holders need to understand that these are not serviettes. They are meant to serve a different purpose and it does not involve eating.

We can take pride in the fact that English is widely spoken in Malaysia. That’s definitely an asset.

Indonesian, Chinese and Indian tourists would also have no problem moving around as we can speak their languages too.

You won’t be fined for jaywalking, unlike in Singapore. But a word of warning to tourists, our delivery boys are colour blind at the traffic lights and they never seem to be penalised. Be careful at traffic lights as you risk being run down by these delivery boys who cannot see red.

Now, let’s talk about the “Malaysian Timing” or our tolerance for being late.

It is best that we forewarn visitors that when we say we are “around the corner” it actually means “I have just left the house”.

When we say “just 10 minutes away” – it’s actually more like a 30-minute delay.

Of course, as first timers to Malaysia, you will regularly hear “Bad traffic jam, Boss, sorry”.

You will love Malaysia because we are a nation of friendly, helpful and loving people. We love to forgive and pardon people.

Politics is also a passion in Malaysia. There is a lot of noise and drama. Don’t be alarmed, though. Unlike other countries, our protests are often short and peaceful.

Unlike the Thais, or South Koreans, we can’t be on the streets for more than two hours. We need to go and eat after that.

That’s why our best protest spots are at Kuala Lumpur’s Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman, preferably outside air conditioned malls, so we can shop later. Or at places with plenty of shade, like Padang Merbok also in KL.

Only the big Bersih protests were exceptions.

Finally, we are not just law abiding but we can debate over legal jargon for weeks.

The most used term now is “addendum” and most of us can give lengthy opinions. Never mind if we had never heard of this word until last week. Many of us seem convincing or maybe just confused.

It’s a word that has now encroached into our daily lives. My better half always has the last word whenever we get into a quarrel. But now, I can ask her to “read and understand” my addendum after the argument is over.

A friend says he has no idea what an addendum is but he has been placed under “house arrest” by his wife. His wife won’t let him go to meet his friends at the pub.

For visitors, you may be lost in this Malaysian quirkiness, but you will soon get used to it, and love it here.

Digging for dinos: Malaysian paleontologist Dr Rummy’s fossil-finding adventures


Dr Paul Rummy combs the desert of China and neighbouring parts of Central Asia looking for bones of dinosaurs, crocodiles, fishes, birds and other ancient lives dated back millions of years ago.

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysian fossil scientist Dr Paul Rummy combs the desert of China and neighbouring parts of Central Asia looking for bones of dinosaurs, crocodiles, fishes, birds and other ancient lives dated back millions of years ago.

While Dr Henry Walton ‘Indiana’ Jones is a fictitious character in the Hollywood movies, this Kuantan-born associate researcher is a real person who gets his hands dirty, under the scorching sun, looking for these forgotten creatures.

Dr Rummy works at the Institute of Vertebrate Paleontology and Paleoanthropology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, essentially for the study of ancient vertebrate animals and ancient humans.

The Chinese-speaking scholar is also a graduate of the prestigious Tsinghua University, which is China’s top university.

”My job involves collecting materials from excavations and piecing them together to determine what animals they belonged to.

”I analyse the morphological features of these remains to identify whether the extinct animal is related to a known species or represents something entirely new to science.

”This process requires a deep understanding of the subject and a great deal of time and patience – sometimes, the answer appears suddenly, like a “Eureka!” moment,” he said in an interview.

Dr Rummy, 39, is currently working on several subjects, particularly focusing on ancient crocodilians.

”Crocodiles have existed for millions of years, long before the present day, and studying their history provides fascinating insights into their evolution. I am also involved in research on trace fossils, and dinosaur faunas, and even touch on the topic of palaeontology ethics.

”There is a lot of hard and detailed work. Certainly not as glamorous as in the movies, as in the past years, I have worked both on body fossils and trace fossils, such as fossilised poop, too.

”Footprints, and other evidence of ancient life preserved beneath our feet. These traces, locked in time, hold incredible information, but uncovering their secrets requires expertise and persistence,” he said.

Beyond research-based work, Dr Rummy has to work with stakeholders on a variety of projects, ranging from excavation to exhibition, popular sciences and museum-related tasks.

He said his responsibilities are a balance between fieldwork and office research, adding that there is no fixed schedule.

”It’s not a typical 8am to 5pm job. Instead, you work around the clock, often seven days a week, driven by tasks, scientific questions and the pursuit of answers.

So, how did his journey begin?

”I never knew what palaeontology was until the subject found me. I had the opportunity to transition my focus from conserving endangered animals to studying creatures that went completely extinct millions of years ago.

”Throughout my childhood, ancient giant creatures seemed like they only existed in malls, theme parks, or movies. It wasn’t until I enrolled in a PhD programme that I realised the paleo world was far more fascinating and profound than I had ever imagined. It’s about deep time – something that stretches back over 100 million years, encompassing all the animals and plants that once thrived on Earth,” he explained.

Dr Rummy said he applied for a Master’s degree programme at Tsinghua University in 2014 because it offered courses in English along with a full scholarship.

”My time at Tsinghua was incredible – the environment was excellent, and everything I needed to succeed in my studies was readily available.

”The motivation and support I experienced there inspired me to pursue a PhD at the University of the Chinese Academy of Sciences. Both universities are ranked among the top in the world, and I feel extremely fortunate to have had the opportunity to study at these prestigious institutions,” he said.

On his memorable experiences, Dr Rummy shared about his adventure in Harbin on an autumn evening.

”We had spent the whole day searching with no success, and just as we were about to call it a day, we discovered a 90-million-year-old complete skeleton. It was indeed an unforgettable moment,” he said.

Dr Rummy said his colleagues recently found a two-million-year-old Sabretooth cat poo in Longgupo, Wushan in China.

”These are known as coprolites, and the study of fossilized excreta is often overlooked in palaeontology. However, coprolites act as time capsules, offering insights that bones alone cannot provide.

”They can reveal dietary information about the organism, as well as important clues for paleoclimatic and paleoenvironmental studies. Additionally, they preserve data on taphonomy and more,” he said.

He also shared the rare case of finding a dinosaur remains in an area located within the Yanji town in Jilin Province, in northeast China.

”The local government took this discovery seriously and invested considerable efforts in preserving the site, which was originally a housing construction project,’’ he said.

He credits his supervisor, Prof Xu Xing, a director of his institute, for the opportunities that he has given to him, including his guidance.

Dr Rummy, who learned Mandarin when he was in school in Malaysia, has a five-year-old daughter, who shares the same curiosity as his father, and “keeps snakes as pets”.

”Beijing has truly become our home, and the Malaysian expat community here has become like a family to us. During festive seasons, we often come together to enjoy nasi lemak, making it a special tradition to stay connected with our roots,” he added.

An overly excessive approach to an isolated tragedy

There must be better ways to handle the problem.

The death of four people at the New Year’s Eve concert in Bandar Sunway recently was a tragedy but it was still an isolated incident.

The temporary suspension of all concerts pending a review by the police is already a knee-jerk reaction. But the proposal by the Selangor state government that all concert-goers are screened first is a tall order.

It is ridiculous to suggest that urine tests be conducted for concert-goers.

The state government must be very ambitious to expect thousands of attendees to undergo such a screening as a condition to attend a concert.

If we do this, as state executive councillor Ng Suee Lim suggested, as part of the standard operating procedure (SOP), then we may very well be the first in the world to do such a thing.

It will be interesting to know how such an SOP can be enforced and, for that matter, how any form of detection can be carried out effortlessly with tens of thousands of people entering the stadium or concert venues, as pills or forms of drugs can easily be concealed.And while we are on this subject, why not just extend it to football matches and political gatherings?

The state local government and tourism committee chairman has good intentions but he has to think of a more workable approach. Even with the most foolproof of scanners, as installed at airports, there will be some who slip through.

Bag checks and security wands are already common practices that are used at many concert venues.

Last week, the Selangor police imposed a temporary halt on all concerts until it completed a probe into the death of the four at the Pinkfish Countdown 2024 concert.

Selangor police chief Comm Datuk Hussein Omar Khan said the immediate order will remain in force until his team is confident that organisers are able to guarantee they can control concerts, especially to prevent criminal elements such as drug distribution at such events.

With due respect, isn’t it the job of the police rather than untrained concert organisers?

Their main job is to ensure the show goes on smoothly and the crowd is properly controlled.

It is important that SOPs are tightened and the public is reminded that prohibited items are banned at concert venues, but it is better that the Selangor state exco members sit down with stakeholders to come up with reasonable measures.

It does not make sense for these exco members, with no experience in holding concerts, to decide on punitive measures without considering their practicality.

Music tourism is a multi-billion ringgit revenue earner for Malaysia, especially Kuala Lumpur and Selangor.

In 2023, the country reportedly lost RM1bil in potential entertainment receipts after concerts were scrapped amid stringent rules and protests from religious parties, particularly PAS.

The spillover benefits from music tourism include airlines, hotels, restaurants, shops and limo and e-hailing drivers.

There has to be a multifaceted approach that includes prevention, education, enforcement, and creating a safer environment.

It will be good if organisers push a zero-tolerance policy for drugs, both in event advertisements and on-site signage.

But if we want show promoters to be responsible for security, then they have to seriously consider hiring auxiliary police or undercover cops to monitor potential drug-related activities.

Here, we are not talking about Rela personnel or security guards from Nepal but qualified security officers with enforcement backgrounds.

Perhaps the Selangor government can impose a mandatory requirement for public broadcasts before the show begins warning against drug abuses and the penalties that users and pushers will face.

Ultimately the battle against drug abuse can be better channelled through education.

We should not let a small group of junkies spoil the show.

None of us deserve to be punished for the irresponsible actions of these people.