November 28, 2023




- \r\n \t
- Dewan Negara president Senator Tan Sri Dr Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar (Chairman);<\/li>\r\n \t
- Paya Besar MP Datuk Indera Mohd Shahar Abdullah;<\/li>\r\n \t
- Batang Lupar MP Mohamad Shafizan Kepli;<\/li>\r\n \t
- Tawau MP Lo Su Fui; and<\/li>\r\n \t
- Bentong MP Young Syefura Othman<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\nThe appointment letters for the SCC members were presented by Anwar witnessed by the MACC chief commissioner Tan Sri Azam Baki at the Parliament building in Kuala Lumpur today.\r\n\r\n\u201cThe SCC is responsible to advise the PM on various aspects regarding corruption issues in the country,\u201d the national anti-graft agency pointed out in a statement.\r\n\r\n\u201cAdditionally, the SCC is also required to obtain clarification on the MACC Annual Report and the Anti-Corruption Advisory Board\u2019s (ACAB) reviews on the functions of this commission based on the MACC Act 2009.\u201d\r\n\r\nAdded MACC: \u201cIt is hoped that the appointment of the SCC members could meet public expectations on the independence, efficiency, effectiveness, transparency, and accountability of this commission to fulfil its functions.\u201d \u2013 Nov 28, 2023","post_title":"Five new anti-graft committee members led by Wan Junaidi receive letter of appointment from Agong","post_excerpt":"A total of five new members of the Special Committee on Corruption (SCC) were appointed by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong (YDPA) Sultan Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah for a three-year period effective Oct 9, 2023 until Oct 8, 2026. ","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"five-new-anti-graft-committee-members-led-by-wan-junaidi-received-letter-of-appointment-from-agong","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2023-11-28 17:04:53","post_modified_gmt":"2023-11-28 09:04:53","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/focusmalaysia.my\/?p=154126","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":154119,"post_author":"35","post_date":"2023-11-28 16:11:57","post_date_gmt":"2023-11-28 08:11:57","post_content":"LIQUOR sale in Kuala Lumpur will not be subject to any future blanket ban \u2013 or uncertainties for that matter \u2013 as the new committee members of the Kuala Lumpur City Hall\u2019s (DBKL) Excise Licensing Board has renewed a total of 1,519 applications for liquor licenses in its first meeting held on Nov 23.\r\n\r\nBreaking the good news is the Excise Licensing Board vice-chairman Pooi Weng Keong who revealed that applications made by sundry shops, convenience stores and Chinese medicine shops for liquor licenses were approved.\r\n\r\nRecall that all sundry shops, convenience stores and Chinese medicine shops were banned from selling liquor under the guidelines enforced on Nov 1, 2021 which prompted the local Chinese community and outlets selling liquors to react strongly against the guidelines.\r\n\r\n\u201cAlthough it was an issue back in 2021, the new committee does not see such regulations from the legal perspective,\u201d Sin Chew Daily<\/em> quoted Pooi as saying.\r\n\r\n\u201cAs a multi-racial country, we should not be too rigid in implementing regulations to ban liquor at non-halal venues. Foreign tourists are welcome to visit Malaysia and should not shun Kuala Lumpur just because of the liquor ban.\u201d\r\n\r\n
DBKL Excise Licensing Board Vice Chairman Pooi Weng Keong (Pic credit: Sin Chew Daily)[\/caption]\r\n\r\nHowever, with due respect to Muslims, Pooi said the liquor issue would be handled in a positive manner. \u201cCommittee members of the Excise Licensing Board will be handling fresh applications and renewals in an open, proactive and positive approach,\u201d he contended.\r\n\r\n\u201cProactive means we try our best not to delay in approving the applications. We will be examining the new applications soon while reviewing the policy set earlier.\u201d\r\n\r\nIn his telephone interview with Sin Chew Daily<\/em>, Pooi said the new committee met for the first time after a lapse of more than one year and handled the applications for the renewal of liquor licenses soonest.\r\n\r\n\u201cThe last meeting of the Excise Licensing Board was held in September 2022. The board has since not met for more than a year,\u201d he revealed.\r\n\r\nThe new committee members of the Excise Licensing Board received the appointment in mid-October. Pooi said the board had received a total of 513 new applications for liquor licenses and this would require time for approval. The committee will meet again on Dec 20. \u2013 Nov 28, 2023\r\n\r\nMain pic credit:<\/strong> Malay Mail<\/em>","post_title":"No more liquor ban in KL as new DBKL excise licensing board displays a multi-racial tone","post_excerpt":"Liquor sale in Kuala Lumpur will not be subject to any future blanker ban \u2013 or uncertainties for that matter \u2013 as the new committee members of the Kuala Lumpur City Hall\u2019s (DBKL) Excise Licensing Board has renewed a total of 1,519 applications for liquor licences in its first meeting held on Nov 23. ","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"no-more-liquor-ban-in-kl-as-new-dbkl-excise-licensing-board-displays-a-multi-racial-tone","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2023-11-28 17:42:06","post_modified_gmt":"2023-11-28 09:42:06","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/focusmalaysia.my\/?p=154119","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":154114,"post_author":"91","post_date":"2023-11-28 14:58:19","post_date_gmt":"2023-11-28 06:58:19","post_content":"LISTENING to twice former premier Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad accuse the unity government and the five opposition<\/a><\/span> MPs of bribery for switching their support to Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim is like listening to a pot calling the kettle black.\r\n\r\nIt is like hearing Adolf Hitler accuse Idi Amin of committing genocide \u2013 you might not dispute what is said but hearing who says it does make the entire thing look like a farce.\r\n\r\nThis entire episode of five opposition MPs switching support to Anwar reeks of Mahathirism 101. It is Dr Mahathir who popularised the view that what one does is acceptable for as long as it fulfils the letter of the law even if it makes a mockery of the spirit in which the law is made.\r\n\r\n
\r\n\r\nNone of Dr Mahathir\u2019s predecessors believed in such a concept. From Tunku Abdul Rahman to Tun Hussein Onn, all of them honoured the spirit of the law even if the letter of the law did not explicitly demand that they did so.\r\n\r\nThis quality that underlines the character of a gentleman and a sportsman however was completely debased during Mahathir\u2019s long tenure. Under Mahathirism, being a gentleman and be sportsman-like was a sign of a loser.\r\n\r\nMentor-disciple connection<\/strong>\r\n\r\nA winner \u2013 by the definition of Mahathirism \u2013 is someone who is able to do whatever it takes to win. If winning requires one to interpret the letter of the law in a way that makes the entire law meaningless, a winner should have no qualms in making such an interpretation.\r\n\r\nFrom turning himself into a \u201cconstitutional Malay\u201d to firing the Lord President of the Supreme Court to calling Malaysia an Islamic state to insisting that all of his billionaire children earned their wealth legally, Dr Mahathir has had no problem interpreting the letter of the law like a modern-day Shylock.\r\n\r\nIf he wanted a pound of flesh and it was possible for him to get a pound of flesh by interpreting the law in a skewed fashion, he would skew it without batting an eyelid.\r\n\r\nIn terms of message, of course I agree that what the Bersatu MPs have done by switching their support for Anwar is tantamount to a betrayal of the highest order but to hear Mahathir say it is indeed something that is difficult to abide by.\r\n\r\n
Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim (left) and Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad[\/caption]\r\n\r\nTo hear the nonagenarian criticise the spiritual corruptions of the unity government and the five Bersatu MPs is like hearing the devil quote the scriptures.\r\n\r\nIt is because of his example and teachings during his 22 years of power that we are burdened with a government and lawmakers who can behave shamelessly without even batting an eyelid.\r\n\r\nThe entire generation that is ruling today grew up under the heavy influence of Mahathirism. If Anwar is indeed the one that is behind the move to turn over the five Bersatu MPs, he would have learned all about making such a move from his once mentor Dr Mahathir.\r\n\r\n\u2018Deadlier strain of Mahathirism\u2019<\/strong>\r\n\r\nHad Anwar honed his political career serving under Tunku, Tun Razak or Tun Hussein, he would have been ashamed to stoop so low to secure his political career.\r\n\r\nBecause Anwar made his bones under Dr Mahathir however, Anwar probably thinks that being able to make such a manoeuvre makes him smart and clever. What a better person would consider shameful and beneath them is something that a student of Mahathirism believes to be something that makes them smart and superior.\r\n\r\n
Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim (left) and Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad[\/caption]\r\n\r\nOne of my biggest criticisms of Anwar is that he is too highly influenced by Mahathirism. Anwar is probably more influenced by Mahathirism than Datuk Seri Mukhriz who is Dr Mahathir\u2019s biological son.\r\n\r\nWhile Anwar came to power by promising that he is going to reform the excess of Mahathirism \u2013 from the way he is running his administration \u2013 I think that rather than do away with Mahathirism, Anwar is going to lead the country by practising an even deadlier strain of Mahathirism. \u2013 Nov 28, 2023\r\n\r\n \r\n\r\nNehru Sathiamoorthy is a roving tutor who loves politics, philosophy and psychology.<\/em><\/strong>\r\n\r\nThe views expressed are solely of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Focus Malaysia<\/em>.\r\n\r\n ","post_title":"Could Anwar be more like Tun M than we assume or even more \u2018lethal\u2019 than Tun M?","post_excerpt":"Listening to former twice premier Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad accuse the unity government and the five opposition MPs of bribery for switching their support to Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim is like listening to a pot calling the kettle black.","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"could-anwar-be-more-like-tun-m-than-we-assume-or-even-more-lethal-than-tun-m","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2023-11-28 15:50:11","post_modified_gmt":"2023-11-28 07:50:11","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/focusmalaysia.my\/?p=154114","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":154103,"post_author":"91","post_date":"2023-11-28 14:08:37","post_date_gmt":"2023-11-28 06:08:37","post_content":"IT WAS recently mooted in a recent FocusM<\/strong><\/em> article<\/a><\/span> that the Coldplay concert at the National Stadium @ Bukit Jalil was a missed opportunity for unity government representatives to be seen and earn brownie points with a younger, modern demographic.\r\n\r\nBut one politician seems to be quietly making all the right moves. Former UMNO Youth chief Khairy Jamaluddin or just plain old KJ was seen jiving away with his son at the gig and having a grand old time.\r\n\r\nTikTok user @wancaffienator captured the former Health Minister having a blast whilst singing along to the British band\u2019s hit \u2013 A Sky Full of Stars<\/em>.\r\n\r\n[\/video]\r\n\r\nThe short clip has elicited plenty of positive response:\r\n\r\n
\r\n\r\nThe last comment in image above perhaps captures the feeling best for it depicts that Malaysians of all races can come together and enjoy a concert together, free of maksiat<\/em> (immorality) and whatever else scare-mongering narrative that the ultra-conservatives are uttering to divide society.\r\n\r\nThis comment is reflective of the demographic that attended the Coldplay gig \u2013 young, modern, progressive and able to embrace multi-culturalism. That KJ is seen as part of this group bodes well for his political future despite being dumped out of UMNO.\r\n\r\nKJ\u2019s podcast \u2013 Keluar Sekejap<\/em> \u2013 has also been a huge hit with him being able to attract a slew of high-profile guests such as Johor Crown Prince @ TMJ (Tengku Mahkota Johor) Tunku Ismail Sultan Ibrahim and former twice premier Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad.\r\n\r\n
(From left) Khairy Jamaluddin (KJ), Johor Crown Prince Tunku Ismail Sultan Ibrahim and KJ's 'Keluar Sekejap' co-host Shahril Hamdan[\/caption]\r\n\r\nThe show allows KJ to remain in the spotlight and reach an even wider audience, all without the political baggage of being a member of the political establishment.\r\n\r\nAlongside his appearance at the Coldplay gig, KJ seems to be quietly building a support base that could eventually see him return as a parliamentarian.\r\n\r\nBrand KJ: Progressive, well-educated and hip.\r\n\r\nWhisper it \u2026 but these are precisely the credentials that many Malaysians want in a wakil rakyat<\/em>. \u00a0\u2013 Nov 28, 2023","post_title":"KJ spotted at Coldplay gig: Ex-health minister slowly but surely creating the right brand","post_excerpt":"It was recently mooted in a recent FocusM article that the Coldplay concert at the National Stadium @ Bukit Jalil was a missed opportunity for unity government representatives to be seen and earn brownie points with a younger, modern demographic. ","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"kj-spotted-at-coldplay-gig-ex-health-minister-slowly-but-surely-creating-the-right-brand","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2023-11-28 14:08:37","post_modified_gmt":"2023-11-28 06:08:37","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/focusmalaysia.my\/?p=154103","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":154095,"post_author":"103","post_date":"2023-11-28 13:28:20","post_date_gmt":"2023-11-28 05:28:20","post_content":"A SHOCKING dashcam footage went viral on social media yesterday (Nov 27) showing an e-hailing driver narrowly escaping death when his passenger suddenly took a knife and attempted to stab him in the chest.\r\n\r\nAccording to sources, the incident happened on the same day it went viral in Sungai Petani, Kedah.\r\n\r\nIn the one-minute clip posted to the Facebook group Penduduk Sungai Petani Kedah yesterday, it showed a Grab driver fetching a 13-year-old boy in his car.\r\n\r\nThroughout the ride, the Grab driver could be heard scolding the teen for bringing him around aimlessly for the past one hour and told him not to \u201cmain-main\u201d (mess around).\r\n\r\nUpon reaching the destination given by the boy, the Grab driver stopped his car and was reaching into his breast pocket to give the teen his change when the former suddenly pulled out a knife and stabbed his chest.\r\n\r\nThe knife had fortunately landed on the seatbelt, allowing the elderly driver to bite the teen\u2019s hand to defend himself. The teen then flung open the car door and fled on foot.\r\n
\r\n
CUBAAN MEMBUNUH BERSENJATA.\r\n\r\nKejadian di Sg Petani, Kedah. Harap2 pisau tu tak tertusuk ke dalam. Allahuakbar. Budak2 lg dah berani. Minit ke 1:10 kalau nak fast forward. Viralkan sampai dapat budak ni. pic.twitter.com\/eAWFnOlsMJ<\/a><\/p>\r\n\u2014 F L Y (@sungaikelaut) November 27, 2023<\/a><\/blockquote>\r\n