DOCSLIB.ORG

1MDB: Corporate Governance Going Berserk? Part I

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
1MDB: Corporate Governance Going Berserk? Part I International Journal of Academic Research in Business and Social Sciences Vol. 8 , No. 12, Dec, 2018, E-ISSN: 2222 -6990 © 2018 HRMARS 1MDB: Corporate Governance Going Berserk? Part I Azham Md. Ali To Link this Article: http://dx.doi.org/10.6007/IJARBSS/v8-i12/5361 DOI: 10.6007/IJARBSS/v8-i12/5361 Received: 02 Nov 2018, Revised: 13 Dec 2018, Accepted: 21 Dec 2018 Published Online: 28 Dec 2018 In-Text Citation: (Ali, 2018) To Cite this Article: Ali, A. M. (2018). 1MDB: Corporate Governance Going Berserk? Part I. International Journal of Academic Research in Business and Social Sciences, 8(12), 1861–1946. Copyright: © 2018 The Author(s) Published by Human Resource Management Academic Research Society (www.hrmars.com) This article is published under the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY 4.0) license. Anyone may reproduce, distribute, translate and create derivative works of this article (for both commercial and non-commercial purposes), subject to full attribution to the original publication and authors. The full terms of this license may be seen at: http://creativecommons.org/licences/by/4.0/legalcode Vol. 8, No. 12, 2018, Pg. 1861 - 1946 http://hrmars.com/index.php/pages/detail/IJARBSS JOURNAL HOMEPAGE Full Terms & Conditions of access and use can be found at http://hrmars.com/index.php/pages/detail/publication-ethics 1861 International Journal of Academic Research in Business and Social Sciences Vol. 8 , No. 12, Dec, 2018, E-ISSN: 2222 -6990 © 2018 HRMARS 1MDB: CORPORATE GOVERNANCE GOING BERSERK? PART I Azham Md. Ali Department of Accounting and Finance, Faculty of Management and Economics Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris, 35900 Tanjong Malim Perak Malaysia Email: [email protected] Abstract The Part I of two parts of a case study on 1MDB’s corporate governance going berserk? dwells on three areas: the definition and purposes of corporate governance; the questions various local parties have raised on 1MDB’s operations and related matters; and, the answers handed down by the 1MDB and other related parties. For the last one the answers come in three ways: in the form of words, efforts in obstructing justice and various tactics in intimidating parties from inside and outside the country. All this in Part 1 are in contrast to Part II which is concerned with only two areas: first, weak corporate governance and the like or fraud to describe the goings on in and around 1MDB; and, second, questions looking for answers which readers of both Part I and Part II of the case study may want to answer. Keywords: 1MDB, Corporate Governance, Questions, Answers Introduction Whereas the 20th century might be viewed as the age of management, the early 21st century is predicted to be more focused on governance. Both terms address control of corporations but governance has always required an examination of underlying purpose and legitimacy (McRitchie, 2019). Corporate governance is the system of rules, practices and processes by which a company is directed and controlled. Corporate governance essentially involves balancing the interests of a company's many stakeholders, such as shareholders, management, customers, suppliers, financiers, government and the community (Chen, 2018). The fundamental objective of corporate governance is to enhance shareholders' value and protect the interests of other stakeholders by improving the corporate performance and accountability… The overall endeavour of the board should be to take the organisation forward so as to maximize long term value and shareholders' wealth (Business Portal of India, 2019). The purpose of corporate governance is to facilitate effective, entrepreneurial and prudent management that can deliver the long-term success of the company…. Corporate governance is therefore about what the board of a company does and how it sets the values of the company, and it is to be distinguished from the day to day 1862 International Journal of Academic Research in Business and Social Sciences Vol. 8 , No. 12, Dec, 2018, E-ISSN: 2222 -6990 © 2018 HRMARS operational management of the company by full-time executives (Financial Reporting Council, 2016). There are varying definitions of corporate governance, many of which touch on aspects of the concept but fall short of the mark. With that said, to define corporate governance in a nutshell is not easy but, put very simply, "good governance is good business". More specifically, corporate governance is the framework that allows for a company to be directed and controlled, and ensures that those who direct and control the company do so accountably. This framework of policies, procedures and practices (and related systems) allows a business to operate effectively, responsively, ethically and compliantly, while controlling risk. In many respects, it is about positioning the business to be sustainable. This framework is "shaped" by informed, objective and aware people (typically directors and officers) who are in a position to develop effective strategies and to have real influence over the business, and who act with care and diligence…. To have policies and procedures in place to ensure accuracy, consistency and responsiveness to key stakeholders (for example, customers, shareholders, regulators), to facilitate productive and efficient work practices, to guide, develop and monitor people's performance, to capture, interpret and report accurate and relevant data, and to manage the risks inherent to the company's operations, and for these to be aligned with the strategic direction set for the business, are all aspects of "good governance". In essence, it is through good governance that sustained returns and ultimately, increased value can be delivered to the shareholders or owners of a business and which can help to attract investment if required (Douglas, 2010). Corporate governance is the way a corporation polices itself. In short, it is a method of governing the company like a sovereign state, instating its own customs, policies and laws to its employees from the highest to the lowest levels. Corporate governance is intended to increase the accountability of your company and to avoid massive disasters before they occur. Failed energy giant Enron, and its bankrupt employees and shareholders, is a prime argument for the importance of solid corporate governance (Sun, 2019). The basic purpose of corporate governance is to monitor those parties within a company which control the resources owned by investors. The primary objective of sound corporate governance is to contribute to improved corporate performance and accountability in creating long-term shareholder value (Kaplan Financial, 2013). For each of the quotations above coming from different sources is concerned with either one or both aspects of corporate governance: the definition and the purposes. The sources from which the quotations come from are easily found through the google search of the internet. And easily too one can find so many other sources saying this and that on both items. What is not easy however is to find these definitions and purposes of corporate governance translated into real world practices considering the presence of numerous nasty examples around the world that show that corporate governance is nowhere to be found when one is very much in need of it! 1863 International Journal of Academic Research in Business and Social Sciences Vol. 8 , No. 12, Dec, 2018, E-ISSN: 2222 -6990 © 2018 HRMARS 1MDB appears to be such an example – or perhaps nothing could be further from the truth since 1MDB is much, much more sinister than the case of corporate governance going berserk? In attempting to get the full advantage of what is presented in the present case study on 1MDB’s corporate governance, readers are advised to read beforehand the background piece plus three case studies on 1MDB’s specific topics written by the same author. Two of these including the background piece were published in late 2015 while the other two in early 2016. All are available online and can be easily accessed through the author’s google scholar account or even google search engine. In addition to the author’s prior works on 1MDB, there are of course other materials which readers for the present case study may want to peruse. In particular over what happened in the 1MDB’s early years, the notable sources include: • T’ganu Investment Authority to raise RM5b from capital markets (May 18, 2009) • Cover Story: Terengganu’s right royal achievement (May 24, 2009) • Cover Story: ‘TIA’s role complementary to Khazanah’s’ (May 24, 2009) • Cover Story: TIA setting a precedent (May 24, 2009) • Cover Story: ‘We will forge strategic global partnerships to spur FDIs’ (December 13, 2009) • Cover Story: Time of reckoning for 1MDB (December 13, 2009) • Shahrol: Government did not inject cash into 1MDB (October 12, 2010) • 1MDB: Giant ponzi scheme or strategic investment fund? (March 26, 2013) • Khazanah Nasional vs 1MDB (April 3, 2013) • Najib: Govt will repay 1MDB unit’s US$3b debt if it can’t (March 17, 2015) • Terengganu Investment Authority's RM500m start-up capital 'untrue' - PM Najib (May 28, 2015) • Start-up capital for TIA was RM1m, not RM500m, says Najib (May 29, 2015) • Dr M says Jho Low persuaded Najib to form 1MDB (June 12, 2015) • Cover Story: He did no wrong? (April 28, 2016) Note that with the exception of the material that came out in early April 2013 that come from www.kinibiz.com, the rest come from www.theedgemarkets.com with the first five listed have the byline The Editor with the name TheEdge mentioned below it. As for the detailed background materials on various aspects of 1MDB’s business operations over the years, these may be found in numerous materials found on line. Such materials include the following that come from www.theedgemarkets.com with the exception of the first three that come from www.kinibiz.com and the one in April 2015 that come from www.theedgereview.com: • 1MDB: Giant ponzi scheme or strategic investment fund? (March 26, 2013) 1864 International Journal of Academic Research in Business and Social Sciences Vol.
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Malaysia 2019 Human Rights Report
    MALAYSIA 2019 HUMAN RIGHTS REPORT EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Malaysia is a federal constitutional monarchy. It has a parliamentary system of government selected through regular, multiparty elections and is headed by a prime minister. The king is the head of state, serves a largely ceremonial role, and has a five-year term. Sultan Muhammad V resigned as king on January 6 after serving two years; Sultan Abdullah succeeded him that month. The kingship rotates among the sultans of the nine states with hereditary rulers. In 2018 parliamentary elections, the opposition Pakatan Harapan coalition defeated the ruling Barisan Nasional coalition, resulting in the first transfer of power between coalitions since independence in 1957. Before and during the campaign, then opposition politicians and civil society organizations alleged electoral irregularities and systemic disadvantages for opposition groups due to lack of media access and malapportioned districts favoring the then ruling coalition. The Royal Malaysian Police maintain internal security and report to the Ministry of Home Affairs. State-level Islamic religious enforcement officers have authority to enforce some criminal aspects of sharia. Civilian authorities at times did not maintain effective control over security forces. Significant human rights issues included: reports of unlawful or arbitrary killings by the government or its agents; reports of torture; arbitrary detention; harsh and life-threatening prison conditions; arbitrary or unlawful interference with privacy; reports of problems with
    [Show full text]
  • Najib's Fork-Tongue Shows Again: Umno Talks of Rejuvenation Yet Oldies Get Plum Jobs at Expense of New Blood
    NAJIB'S FORK-TONGUE SHOWS AGAIN: UMNO TALKS OF REJUVENATION YET OLDIES GET PLUM JOBS AT EXPENSE OF NEW BLOOD 11 February 2016 - Malaysia Chronicle The recent appointments of Tan Sri Annuar Musa, 59, as Umno information chief, and Datuk Seri Ahmad Bashah Md Hanipah, 65, as Kedah menteri besar, have raised doubts whether one of the oldest parties in the country is truly committed to rejuvenating itself. The two stalwarts are taking over the duties of younger colleagues, Datuk Ahmad Maslan, 49, and Datuk Seri Mukhriz Mahathir, 51, respectively. Umno’s decision to replace both Ahmad and Mukhriz with older leaders indicates that internal politics trumps the changes it must make to stay relevant among the younger generation. In a party where the Youth chief himself is 40 and sporting a greying beard, Umno president Datuk Seri Najib Razak has time and again stressed the need to rejuvenate itself and attract the young. “Umno and Najib specifically have been saying about it (rejuvenation) for quite some time but they lack the political will to do so,” said Professor Dr Arnold Puyok, a political science lecturer from Universiti Malaysia Sarawak. “I don’t think Najib has totally abandoned the idea of ‘peremajaan Umno’ (rejuvenation). He is just being cautious as doing so will put him in a collision course with the old guards.” In fact, as far back as 2014, Umno Youth chief Khairy Jamaluddin said older Umno leaders were unhappy with Najib’s call for rejuvenation as they believed it would pit them against their younger counterparts. He said the “noble proposal” that would help Umno win elections could be a “ticking time- bomb” instead.
    [Show full text]
  • Malaysia Dewan Rakyat Aturan
    MALAYSIA DEWAN RAKYAT ATURAN URUSAN MESYUARAT NASKAH SAHIH/BAHASA MALAYSIA http://www.parlimen.gov.my HARI RABU, 22 NOVEMBER 2017, PUKUL 10.00 PAGI Bil. 52 PERTANYAAN-PERTANYAAN BAGI JAWAB LISAN 1. PR-1353-L02855 Datuk Jumat Bin Idris [ Sepanggar ] minta PERDANA MENTERI menyatakan :- (a) berapakah bilangan warga asing yang memasuki Sabah pada tahun 2016 sehingga kini; dan (b) berapakah jumlah pelarian Filipina yang masih di bawah pengawasan UNCHR di negeri Sabah. 2. PR-1353-L03193 Dr. Lee Boon Chye [ Gopeng ] minta MENTERI SUMBER MANUSIA menyatakan bilangan pencarum PERKESO yang dapat kelulusan Lembaga Perubatan (Medical Board) untuk berhenti kerja setiap tahun mulai 2009- 2017. 3. PR-1353-L03150 Dato' Sri Hasan Arifin [ Rompin ] minta MENTERI PEMBANGUNAN WANITA, KELUARGA DAN MASYARAKAT menyatakan Malaysia menuju ke arah peratus golongan orang tua yang semakin meningkat. Apakah langkah-langkah proaktif serta tindakan yang perlu diambil oleh Kerajaan bagi mengatasi masalah yang akan diambil nanti. Misalnya, berapakah pusat aktiviti warga emas yang telah dibina di Malaysia. Adakah Kerajaan bercadang untuk membina satu Parlimen satu pusat aktiviti warga emas. 2 AUM DR 22/11/2017 4. PR-1353-L03665 Tuan Wong Sze Phin @ Jimmy [ Kota Kinabalu ] minta MENTERI KEMAJUAN LUAR BANDAR DAN WILAYAH menyatakan jenis-jenis projek dan jumlah peruntukan yang telah disalurkan ke kawasan kampung sekitar Kota Kinabalu, Putatan dan Sepanggar seperti kemudahan asas dan bantuan perumahan dan kewangan kepada golongan miskin. 5. PR-1353-L03438 Datuk Haji Ahmad Lai Bin Bujang [ Sibuti ] minta MENTERI DALAM NEGERI menyatakan apakah dasar Kerajaan untuk memerangi Dadah setelah kegagalan sasaran Malaysia Bebas dadah 2015 gagal dan apakah perlu dilakukan dan adakah agenda menghapus dadah dimasukkan dalam TN50.
    [Show full text]
  • Hadi Hugs Preacher Zakir, Najib Shakes His Hand Malaysiakini.Com Apr 16Th, 2016 Umno President and Prime Minister Najib Abdul
    Hadi hugs preacher Zakir, Najib shakes his hand MalaysiaKini.com Apr 16 th , 2016 Umno president and Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak as well as PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang met with controversial Muslim preacher Zakir Naik ahead of his lecture in Kuala Lumpur this afternoon. Najib met with Zakir at a breakfast meeting at the PM’s residence, while Hadi met Zakir at an undisclosed venue in Putrajaya. “It is my hope that Zakir can tell the world that Malaysia is a moderate country which is always encouraging Muslim unity,” Najib said in a Facebook posting. He also uploaded a picture of him shaking hands with the Zakir, who is dressed in a suit. PAS meanwhile uploaded a picture of Hadi embracing Zakir in what they called a “historic meeting” of their own in Putrajaya. The meeting is part of the Indian national preacher’s Malaysia tour from April 15 - 18, PAS said in a Facebook post. Zakir, whom the Agong awarded 'tokoh maal hijrah' in 2013, courted controversy when inspector-general of police (IGP) Khalid Abu Bakar ordered the cancellation of the Malacca and Kuala Lumpur lectures, citing a threat to public peace. Hindu groups had lodged police reports against the lecture, saying that Zakir had previously made slanderous comments against other religions. Khalid retracted the ban on the Kuala Lumpur event, while Home Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi overturned the IGP’s decision on the Malacca lecture. However, the topic of Zakir's Malacca lecture has been changed from comparisons with Hinduism, to women’s rights in Islam.
    [Show full text]
  • I. the Royal Malaysia Police
    HUMAN RIGHTS “No Answers, No Apology” Police Abuses and Accountability in Malaysia WATCH “No Answers, No Apology” Police Abuses and Accountability in Malaysia Copyright © 2014 Human Rights Watch All rights reserved. Printed in the United States of America ISBN: 978-1-62313-1173 Cover design by Rafael Jimenez Human Rights Watch is dedicated to protecting the human rights of people around the world. We stand with victims and activists to prevent discrimination, to uphold political freedom, to protect people from inhumane conduct in wartime, and to bring offenders to justice. We investigate and expose human rights violations and hold abusers accountable. We challenge governments and those who hold power to end abusive practices and respect international human rights law. We enlist the public and the international community to support the cause of human rights for all. Human Rights Watch is an international organization with staff in more than 40 countries, and offices in Amsterdam, Beirut, Berlin, Brussels, Chicago, Geneva, Goma, Johannesburg, London, Los Angeles, Moscow, Nairobi, New York, Paris, San Francisco, Tokyo, Toronto, Tunis, Washington DC, and Zurich. For more information, please visit our website: http://www.hrw.org APRIL 2014 ISBN: 978-1-62313-1173 “No Answers, No Apology” Police Abuses and Accountability in Malaysia Glossary .......................................................................................................................... 1 Map of Malaysia .............................................................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • Satu Lagi Teras Utama ETP Diperkenalkan
    PERDANA LIBRARY PERDANA LEADERSHIP FOUNDATION NEWSPAPER CLIPPING Newspaper Berita Harian 6/7/2011 Date Satu lagi teras utama ETP diperkenalkan UALA LUMPUR: Kerajaan mengumum- memperbanyak peluang pelaburan swasta, Peranan Kerajaan Dalam Perniagaan, Pem- Kkan enam Inisiatif Pembaharuan Stra- mentransformasi tempat dan tenaga kerja di bangunan Modal Insan, Penyampaian Per- tegik (SRI) sebagai satu lagi teras utama Malaysia untuk ekonomi berpendapatan ting- khidmatan Awam, Standard Antarabangsa Program Transformasi Ekonomi (ETP) bagi gi, menyediakan sistem penyampaian per- dan Liberalisasi serta Merapatkan Jurang meningkatkan daya saing negara pada pe- khidmatan awam berkualiti tinggi serta Ketidaksamaan Perusahaan Kecil dan Se- ringkat antarabangsa serta memastikan ke- memperbaiki standard kehidupan rakyat derhana (PKS) Bumiputera. sejahteraan hidup rakyat makin terjamin. berpendapatan rendah tanpa mengira bang- Inisiatif berkenaan akan memacu Malaysia sa. ke arah meningkatkan pendapatan negara, Enam SRI itu adalah Kewangan Awam, Rangka transformasi ekonomi kini lengkap Sebagai bukti komitmen ke- rajaan melaksanakan pembaha- ruan, Datuk Seri Najib Razak sendiri menerajui SRI Kewa- ngan Awam yang dibantu Men- teri Kewangan Kedua, Datuk Se- ri Ahmad Husni Hanadzlah ser- ta Peranan Kerajaan Dalam Perniagaan. Timbalan Perdana Menteri, Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, bersama Menteri Sum- ber Manusia, Datuk Dr S Sub- ramaniam, pula akan menera- jui SRI Pembangunan Modal In- san. Menerusi enam SRI terper- inci itu, Perdana Menteri ber- kata, rangka transformasi eko- nomi negara kini lengkap dan kerajaan akan meneruskan tumpuan kepada usaha menja- na pertumbuhan ekonomi, di- iringi pembaharuan dasar yang membolehkan Malaysia bersa- ing lebih kukuh serta mantap dalam persada antarabangsa. Malah. petunjuk prestasi uta- ma (KPI) beliau dan menteri MUHYIDDIN menunjukkan laporan Akhir Kewangan Bahagian Tiga ketika melawat gerai pameran Program lain berkaitan sudah diselaras- Transformasi Ekonomi di Kuala Lumpur, semalam.
    [Show full text]
  • The Taib Timber Mafia
    The Taib Timber Mafia Facts and Figures on Politically Exposed Persons (PEPs) from Sarawak, Malaysia 20 September 2012 Bruno Manser Fund - The Taib Timber Mafia Contents Sarawak, an environmental crime hotspot ................................................................................. 4 1. The “Stop Timber Corruption” Campaign ............................................................................... 5 2. The aim of this report .............................................................................................................. 5 3. Sources used for this report .................................................................................................... 6 4. Acknowledgements ................................................................................................................. 6 5. What is a “PEP”? ....................................................................................................................... 7 6. Specific due diligence requirements for financial service providers when dealing with PEPs ...................................................................................................................................................... 7 7. The Taib Family ....................................................................................................................... 9 8. Taib’s modus operandi ............................................................................................................ 9 9. Portraits of individual Taib family members ........................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • People at the Heart of the Industry Piam Year Book 2019 Cover
    PEOPLE AT THE HEART OF THE INDUSTRY PIAM YEAR BOOK 2019 COVER The history of Persatuan Insurans Am Malaysia (PIAM), i.e. RATIONALE the General Insurance Association of Malaysia, originated from the establishment of various insurance and tariff associations set up in 1885 that played a role as a collective voice of the insurance industry in Malaya and Singapore, shortly after the independence of Malaya in 1957. In June 1961, the Insurance Association of Malaya was formed to maintain tariff discipline, respond to new insurance legislations and promote sound insurance practices. For PEOPLE AT THE the first time, an Association was established in Kuala HEART OF THE INDUSTRY Lumpur to safeguard the country’s general insurance PIAM YEAR BOOK 2019 interest. Persatuan Insurans Am Malaysia ABOUT PIAM Level 3, Wisma PIAM, 150, Jalan Tun Sambanthan, 50470, Kuala Lumpur. Tel : 03-2274 7399 | Fax : 03-2274 5910 www.piam.org.my PERSATUAN PEOPLE AT THE HEART OF THE INDUSTRY INSURANS As we enter a new dawn of connected living, digital technologies have become part of our daily lives. While digitalisation plays a major role in our advancement, AM MALAYSIA it is people who are at the core of this change. Subsequently, PIAM was incorporated in May 1979 as a statutory This is also true for the general insurance industry. Which is why the theme for trade association recognised by the Government of Malaysia for Year Book 2019 is People at the Heart of the Industry. all registered insurers who transact general insurance business. Currently, PIAM has 26 member companies comprising direct By recognising the heroes of our industry, PIAM emphasises the importance of general insurance and reinsurance companies operating in supporting and investing in the growth of our people to spur innovation as well Malaysia.
    [Show full text]
  • CHARACTERIZING the SHAPLEY VALUE to DETERMINE the VOTING POWER in MALAYSIAN GENERAL ELECTION 2013 KHAIRUL AMIR BIN ANUAR a Disse
    CHARACTERIZING THE SHAPLEY VALUE TO DETERMINE THE VOTING POWER IN MALAYSIAN GENERAL ELECTION 2013 KHAIRUL AMIR BIN ANUAR A dissertation submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the award of the degree of Master of Science (Mathematics) Faculty of Science Universiti Teknologi Malaysia JANUARY 2014 iii Special dedication to my supportive parents, my lovely wife, and my brilliant kids. iv ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS The process to complete the proposal is like a captain sailor the ship in the wide ocean. Many obstacles and uncertainties cannot be solved without these tremendous people around me. First and foremost, thank to the greatest, Allah S.W.T for giving me a life to live in this amazing world. I would like to give a thousand appreciations to my lecturers, especially to my tremendous supervisor, Tuan Haji Ismail Bin Kamis for his guidance, encouragement, comments, and responsibility indeed. He helped me a lot along in many ways, especially by ensuring that I had all the necessary information as a reference to complete the process. In the same time, I would like to express my gratitude to my lovely family for their moral support, and motivation. They play such a wonderful role to boost my effort towards the finish line. Last but not least, I would like to thank people around me for their encouragement and assistance. v ABSTRACT This study was carried out to investigate the use of Shapley-Shubik power index in modeling decision Malaysian general elections for 2013. The selection model based on the actual results of the 13th general election using the Shapley value, as proposed in this study is to determine the power of each party in the coalition to contest either the winning or losing combination.
    [Show full text]
  • Senior Special Branch Officer Gets Sudden Transfer to PM's Dept, Told
    Senior Special Branch officer gets sudden transfer to PM’s Dept, told to go on long leave Malay Mail Online August 19, 2015 By YISWAREE PALANSAMY KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 19 — In another abrupt change within government agencies, Datuk Abdul Hamid Bador was today transferred out of the Special Branch (SB) and into the Prime Minister’s Department where he will head a new security division reporting directly to Datuk Seri Najib Razak. A special ceremony was conducted behind closed doors in Bukit Aman earlier today, which saw Abdul Hamid passing on the baton as deputy director of the police intelligence agency to an assistant, Datuk Mohd Haniff Hanudin who was heading a unit called E4 that deals with the political extremist threat. Abdul Hamid confirmed the transfer when contacted, but said he was in the dark on the reasons for his abrupt work shift. “No… they just told me to go to JPM, so I go to JPM lah,” he told Malay Mail Online when contacted, using the Malay abbreviation for the Prime Minister’s Department. “No reason given and I just received the letter yesterday… earlier today, there was a ceremony to hand over my duty.” He added that he would take up his new duties at the Prime Minister’s Department on September 2, as he was currently on leave from work. Malay Mail Online understands Abdul Hamid was ordered to go on “long leave” before assuming new duties as the head of a new security and transnational crime division under Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Abdul Razak.
    [Show full text]
  • February 11, 2016 the Honorable Mr. Barack Obama President of The
    February 11, 2016 The Honorable Mr. Barack Obama President of the United States of America The White House 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW Washington, DC 20500 Dear Mr. President, As members of parliament from Southeast Asia, dedicated to the promotion and protection of human rights, we write to express our desire for you to make discussion of human rights and the democratic aspirations of the people of ASEAN a priority during the upcoming summit at the Sunnylands estate in California on 15-16 February 2016. As you are surely aware, democracy is struggling in Southeast Asia. Many countries in our region have taken dramatic steps backward in the past two years. While Southeast Asia appeared to be on the cusp of a genuine political transformation only a few years ago, more recently the region has instead witnessed military takeovers, the rollback of fundamental rights, intensifying government-sponsored discrimination against ethnic and religious minorities, and the increasing persecution of activists and opposition voices, including fellow parliamentarians. These setbacks constitute a fundamental threat to the future of the ASEAN Community and the US relationship with it. While we recognize and understand your administration’s desire to strengthen trade and security cooperation with Southeast Asian governments, we urge you to proceed with caution. Human rights, democracy, and basic dignity cannot take a backseat to economic or security prerogatives. Open dialogue on fundamental political and rights-based questions is vital to ensuring the sustainability of bilateral relationships and promoting broad-based benefits of trans-Pacific cooperation. When you sit down with ASEAN leaders in California, we urge you to press them on unfulfilled human rights commitments and to directly raise specific concerns with them.
    [Show full text]
  • Kini Roundup: Dr M Flayed Over Najib Asset Freeze, Good Star Missing in PAC Report Malaysiakini.Com Apr 20 Th , 2016 Kini Roundup
    Kini Roundup: Dr M flayed over Najib asset freeze, Good Star missing in PAC report MalaysiaKini.com Apr 20 th , 2016 Kini Roundup Here’s a recap of major headlines yesterday you may have missed. Mahathir flayed over Najib asset freeze Najib Abdul Razak's press secretary Tengku Sariffuddin Tengku Ahmad dismissed allegations that the RM2.6 billion in prime minister's bank accounts came from 1MDB as a lie and accused former Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad of trying to unseat a democratically-elected government. Meanwhile, Deputy Agriculture and Agro-based Industries Deputy Minister Tajuddin Abdul Rahman said Najib was being victimised by Mahathir. He lambasted the former PM for jumping the gun in seeking to freeze assets belonging to Najib. Another minister also rushed to Najib’s defence. Multimedia and Communications Minister Salleh Said Keruak attacked Mahathir for using the pretext that his actions are for the good of Umno when this is not the case. The flurry of statements from the pro-Najib camp came after Mahathir filed a court injunction to “freeze or prevent the prime minister from transferring, reducing (withdrawing) or dealing with assets worth RM2.642 billion”, as well as an application to compel Najib to itemise all his assets. Good Star gone AWOL in PAC report Opposition members of the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) have accused their committee chairperson Hasan Arifin of editing the PAC report on 1MDB without their approval, claiming that he removed references to Jho Low-linked firm Good Star. They also cited Section 20 of the Houses of Parliament (Powers and Privileges) Act which states that those who give false testimony to the House or to any House committee can be charged under Section 193 of the Penal Code.
    [Show full text]