After GE15, Pakatan Harapan(PH) managed to win only 81 seats, compared to 113 seats it won in GE14. A party needs 122 seats to form a government.
With 81 seats, PH could not form a government. Then PN(74 seats) took a strong position that it will not join PH to form a 'UNITY' government.
That 'literally' forced PH to join BN(30 seats) to be able to form the government. BN had been the 'ENEMY' of PH in GE14 and also GE15 - so PH joined BN to form the government.
Barisan Nasional(BN) - 129 seats(GE13) - 79 seats(GE14) - 30 seats(GE15). The trend was telling, the people's rejection of the BN, blaming it for governance failures, abuse of power, corrupt leaders, 1MDB, debts, etc > In short, after decades since Independence, the Malaysian people had mustered courage to END the BN rule, and it its place vote for an alternative coalition, initially Pakatan Rakyat(which included PAS), and then Pakatan Harapan...
In GE15, PH support declines - WHY? The failure to bring about speedy REFORMS during their 22 month rule?? Or was the support in 2018 because of Mahathir[as the proposed PM], one thing that changed for in GE15 the proposed PM by PH was Anwar Ibrahim?
Post Sheraton Move, PAS(with the majority seats) also proved that they could RULE the Federal Government without any 'serious scandal or issue'. PAS to date also has the benefit of not having any of its leaders charged with corruption and abuse of power crimes.
PAS in GE14 wins on 18 seats, but in GE15 PAS-PN wins 45 seats, and BERSATU-PN wins 29 seats. Now, the fact that Gerakan joined PN in 2021, transformed PN to be another multi-racial coalition. Thus, PN became the 3rd multi-racial coalition, after BN and PH.
So, in GE15, Malaysians had THREE(3) multi-racial coalitions to chose from, with PH having an advantage as its member parties were also all multi-racial/multi-ethnic parties themselves - unlike the other coalitions who had member parties that were still single ethnic or single religion parties.
Given the post GE15 scenario, PH's joining with BN may be tolerated as a temporary solution until GE16.
The fact that PH and BN forms an electoral pact to contest State elections and other by-elections before GE16 can still be tolerated...but what happens in GE16 matters.
BUT, will the Malaysian people accept an electoral pact between PH and BN when they go into GE16? It does not matter whether BN dissolves, and its member parties all join PH, or the less likely other option where PH dissolves, and join BN. The most likely scenario may be a PH-BN Pact to jointly face the GE16?
Have the Malaysian people forgiven BN and its leaders(that still remain the same) - will they now target their WRATH not just against BN, but also the PH come GE16?
The fact that DAP(under Anthony Loke) and Amanah seems to have elected to be 'silent followers' of Anwar Ibrahim may have affected the peoples' perception of DAP and its MPs, and also Amanah and its leaders -
They were rather silent on Najib's pardon, the discontinuation of Zahid Hamidi's case after the prosecution had proven prima facie case on all 47 charges - which meant that if the trial had continued it was highly likely that Zahid would have been convicted and sentenced, the withdrawal of the appeal to the Court of Appeal in the VLN case, full acquittal in Rosmah Mansor's RM7.1 million money-laundering and tax evasion case(THE prosecution has filed an appeal to the Court of Appeal seeking to reverse Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor’s acquittal from 17 money laundering and tax evasion charges without a trial), RIZA AZIZ - 1MDB withdraw suit based on instructions(Finance Minister Anwar Ibrahim's instructions?), and also others ... Will Najib's 1MDB trial also result in a discontinuation of trial by the Public Prosecutor?
It is true, that the decision to discontinue a criminal trial is the decision of the Public Prosecutor only. Likewise the decision to withdraw some criminal appeal. BUT, the people may still 'blame' the PM and/or the government of the day - as it is the Prime Minister that ultimately decides on who will be Public Prosecutor, and for how long...and when a new Public Prosecutor will be appointed.
"Was it 47? Every cheque is a charge. So the charge is questionable. Every cheque issued is a charge by itself, which does not necessarily seem to be professionally done," he said when asked about the dropped graft charges during a session at the annual Milken Institute Asia Summit in Singapore.Anwar also repeated a claim by Zahid that the charges had been brought against him in 2019 because he refused to fulfil a demand by then prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad to dissolve Umno. - Malaysia Now, 15/9/2023
Judges decide whether one is just DISCHARGED(DNAA) or discharged and acquitted. Propose that ACQUITTAL be abolished save for after a full trial, when the Courts have considered all Evidence and decided. BUT again, people tend to blame the government of the day...rightly or wrongly, more so when some of the PM's comments tend to suggest that he agrees with a discontinuation, a withdrawal of appeal, an acquittal..
The latest issue arises when 1MDB withdraws US$248mil (RM1.25bil) suit against Riza and others. WHY? It is 1MDB's right - Will Finance Minister Anwar Ibrahim use his own money RM1.25 Billion to pay back 1MDB - We are talking about the Malaysian peoples' monies here - Anwar is yet to explain...
KUALA LUMPUR: 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB) has withdrawn its suit against Riza Shahriz Abdul Aziz, the stepson of former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak, for alleged misappropriation of US$248mil in funds to finance movie productions and purchase various real estate. Counsel Rabindra S. Nathan, representing 1MDB and its three subsidiaries, told the High Court that he had received instructions to withdraw the case against all the defendants. Star, 24/2/2025
The Kuala Lumpur High Court has ordered 1MDB to pay RM225,000 in legal costs to ex-premier Najib Abdul Razak's stepson Riza Abdul Aziz and his two companies. - Malaysiakini, 7/3/2025
see also:=
Anwar must answer for dropping 1MDB lawsuit against Riza, says activist(Malaysiakini)
1MDB drops US$248 million lawsuit against Riza Aziz(Najib Stepson) and Ors - Did Anwar Ibrahim, as Finance Minister, order or approve 1MDB's action? Resign as Finance Minister NOW
IMDB, owned by the Finance Ministry’s Minister of Finance Incorporated (MOF Inc), hence any instructions would have come from the Minister of Finance Anwar Ibrahim, or with the consent/approval of the said Minister.
Sadly, there has YET to be any reason or explanation given by Anwar Ibrahim. It is 100% our company, Malaysians company. The suit to recover money would not have been commenced if there was no chance of winning and getting back the RM1.2 billion, and more plus interest, other damages/compensations - BUT now gone, and worse Malaysians(through 1MDB) have to pay Riza and others RM225,000 in cost.
Under PM Anwar Ibrahim, there seems to be a trend of discontinuing of case, withdrawal of criminal appeals, and other 'questionable' decisions including recent dropping of a RM1.25bil suit by 1MDB...
Does DAP and Amanah ...and PKR members agree with this 1MDB dropping the suit against Riza and others?
On May 14, 2020, the Sessions Court here granted a discharge not amounting to an acquittal to Riza Shahriz on five charges of laundering US$248mil (RM1.25bil), allegedly misappropriated from 1MDB funds.
What has been happening since PM Anwar became Prime Minister may have been expected if the BN managed to regain power, become government, and then 'save' all its leaders(now and past) who was facing criminal trials, or facing civil suits initiated by 1MDB and/or other government owned/controlled companies.
But, the BN just got 30 seats, and now PH really may no longer depend on this 30 BN seats, as it now has support from the Sabah/Sarawak MPs and others - sufficient to stay in government.
So, what exactly is Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim doing? Is he trying too 'woo' BN to join the Pakatan Harapan? For me, Anwar seems to be behaving more like an UMNO-BN Prime Minister, rather than a Pakatan Harapan PM? Some say, that maybe Anwar may ultimately join UMNO - maybe PKR may dissolve and its members return to UMNO. After all, this is what happened to Semangat 46, another 'hope of the people' that finally returned to UMNO
“Najib made a statement ‘I apologise for what happened with 1MDB’ and so on,” Anwar said in a speech on Sunday. “I’m the prime minister, the father of the nation. When someone says that what can I do? I said we received it well.” - Bangkok Post, 28/10/2024
Worse, the 'silence' or 'implied consent' of DAP and Amanah maybe most prejudicial to these parties - it may lead to an erosion of support and CREDIBILITY to these parties, who over the decades had been developed simply because its MPs and leaders were perceived as strong principled persons who acts WITHOUT FEAR upholding the cause of Justice and Human Rights - It was these characteristic of party leaders that attract support from Malaysians(party members and others). Remember in Malaysia, many do not join and officially become party members - they support parties who speak up and fight for what is right.
So, the question is what is Anwar Ibrahim's plan - to rejoin UMNO/BN? If so, then 'destroying' or diminishing support for DAP and/or Amanah may be part of that agenda, as it more likely than not that DAP and/or Amanah will not join UMNO/BN any time soon? Or maybe, they will?
Is this delay, discontinuance of criminal trial, withdrawal of criminal appeal, pardons of UMNO leaders of past and present all intended to woo UMNO/BN support?
Is it because of a THREAT by UMNO/BN to withdraw of support for Anwar to continue to be PM or the 'real purpose' is something else - maybe Anwar wants to return to UMNO, a merger of UMNO and PKR, or what?
PH component parties like DAP and/or Amanah need to seriously consider its future, including its efforts to gain credibility and/or retain support amongst Malaysians - the Opposition parties did suffer a 'setback' when Semangat 46 returned to UMNO in 1996
Former finance minister Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah revealed that there was an agreement between him and Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad to appoint him as Deputy Prime Minister when the latter assumed leadership from Tun Hussein Onn in 1981. However, Razaleigh said the agreement fell apart when Dr Mahathir announced in a press statement that he would leave it to Umno to name the candidate for deputy president so that he wouldn't have to choose a deputy prime minister himself.
The agreement between Razaleigh, otherwise more commonly known as Ku Li, and Dr Mahathir was shared by Razaleigh in his book 'Ku Li: Memoir 205', which was launched by former deputy prime minister and Razaleigh's political rival, Tun Musa Hitam, yesterday. - NST, 22/5/2024
What will be the impact if Anwar and/or PKR returns to UMNO?
Will DAP and/or Amanah suffers the consequence of remaining 'silent' during the Premiership of Anwar? Remember, silence implies 'CONSENT". OR will DAP and Amanah also join UMNO...
In 2025, Malaysians are no longer 'easily deceived' - they are more analytical on what is best for Malaysia, and also will not played by 'racist/religious' issues that are used by some political parties to woo support, OR to reduce support of other parties. So, beware GE16...
DEMOCRACY - Return of Local Government/Council Elections, End of political appointee ketua kampungs - let people choose their community leaders democratically. People have a right to be consulted in all aspects of development especially where they live/work - to date, the consultation happens with the 'political appointees' who agree/disagree without even the people knowing what exactly was the issue, and what was the decision of this political appointees, who are supposed to represent the kampung/town/local council area - did these 'political appointees' agree to the building of an incinerator or a dangerous 'Lynas-like' factory or the logging of an area beside their kampung/town, or to the increase in parking fees?
RESPECT Peoples' Right To VOTE - The discrimination against Opposition MPs is a DISRESPECT of the peoples' right to vote. Every MP should be given EQUAL Constitution allocations, if not, then the government of the day is DISRESPECTING people..
REPEAL of draconian laws - SEDITION Act, Detention Without Trial laws(POCA/POTA),...
SPYING and CENSORING must stop - respect people's freedom of expression/opinion - stop removing/blocking their communication on the internet...
MPs and/or political parties, whether they are in the ruling 'coalitions' need to speak up and make known their position on important matters...
The days that people will vote for you just because you are standing under a particular party may be coming to an end. People are getting disappointed with MPs, after they are elected, who simply keep quiet and do not behave like PEOPLES' Representative - they 'blindly' and loyally do what the party leader tells them to do....SHAME..SHAME...
1MDB drops US$248m suit against Riza Aziz, Red Granite
KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 24 — 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB) has withdrawn its US$248 million civil suit against Riza Aziz — stepson of former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak — and his Hollywood production company, Red Granite Pictures.
The withdrawal was made at the High Court here on Monday, though no reason was provided, according to a report published in The Edge today.
The case, which began on October 16 last year before judge Datuk Raja Ahmad Mohzanuddin Shah Raja Mohzan, had already entered the defendant’s (Riza’s) stage last week.
However, when proceedings were set to continue on Monday, 1MDB’s lead counsel, Rabindra S Nathan of Messrs Shearn Delamore, informed the court that he had received instructions to drop the lawsuit.
“I have received instructions to withdraw the actions against all the defendants,” Rabindra told the court.
Following this, the judge scheduled submissions on cost-related matters for both parties on Friday.
The withdrawal comes after Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) special operations director Datuk Mohamad Zamri Zainul Abidin testified last week as a defence witness.
He stated that Riza had previously received a discharge not amounting to an acquittal (DNAA) in May 2020 for five counts of money laundering involving the same US$248 million.
The discharge had been granted by then-Sessions Court judge Azman Ahmad.
Zamri revealed that in representations sent to the Attorney General’s Chambers, Riza and his lawyers had proposed a global settlement to recover the funds.
The late lead prosecutor and former Federal Court judge Datuk Seri Gopal Sri Ram had applied for the DNAA at the time, stating that Riza had submitted multiple letters seeking acquittal.
These representations were carefully reviewed, and the decision to grant the discharge was reached following an agreement in which the federal government was to receive a substantial sum running into millions of ringgit. - Malay Mail, 24/2/2025
1MDB suit: Riza Shahriz spent US$248mil on real estate, gambling
Thursday, 17 Oct 2024
KUALA LUMPUR: The High Court here was told that Riza Shahriz Abdul Aziz, the stepson of former Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak, used US$248mil to pay for several purchases, including gambling expenses.
In 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) 's opening statement obtained by the media on Thursday (Oct 17), the company and its three subsidiaries stated that Riza Shahriz and his associates also spent the money on real estate, movie memorabilia, and to fund Red Granite Pictures motion pictures.
On May 7, 2021, 1MDB and three of its subsidiaries, namely 1MDB Energy Holdings Limited, 1MDB Energy Limited, and 1MDB Energy (Langat) Limited, sued Riza Shahriz and his two companies for allegedly receiving around US$248mil in funds that they misused for their personal gain, including financing a film and purchasing various properties.
1MDB, as the plaintiff, also stated that the defendants had knowingly received funds in circumstances where the funds had been misappropriated from 1MDB and dishonestly assisted in the breaches of fiduciary duty and/or breaches of trust by fugitive businessman Low Taek Jho or Jho Low.
"By reason of the control Riza Shahriz exercised over the second and third defendant (Red Granite Pictures Incorporated and Red Granite Capital Limited), those defendants are fixed with the same knowledge as Riza Shahriz," the documents said.
1MDB also stated that the defendants knowingly and dishonestly assisted the breaches of fiduciary duties.
The company said Riza Shahriz did not act as an honest person, adding that he had the knowledge that the transactions involving the receipt of each of the various fund transfers during the material period of 2010 and 2012 were transactions in which one could not honestly participate.
"Alternatively, Riza Shahriz had sufficient basis to hold a suspicion about the propriety of the said transfers and made a conscious decision not to make inquiries, which resulted in actual knowledge.
"He knew that the funds received by the second and third defendants were traceable to a breach of trust or a breach of fiduciary duty. Alternatively, he wilfully shut his eyes to the obvious," it said.
The trial of the suit is held before Judicial Commissioner Datuk Raja Ahmad Mohzanuddin Shah Raja Mohzan.
In the suit, the plaintiffs are seeking a declaration that Riza Shahriz is responsible for the misappropriated funds and demand repayment.
In a statement of defence filed on Oct 25, 2021, Riza Shahriz and his two companies claimed to have obtained a loan from the Saudi royal family or the International Petroleum Investment Company to produce several films in the United States. - Bernama, Star, 17/10/2024
1MDB trial: Jho Low and Eric Tan spent US$13mil on two-day gambling spree, court hears
Monday, 04 Nov 2024 7:15 PM MYT
KUALA LUMPUR: 1Malaysia Development Bhd's (1MDB) fund of US$13mil was used by two "players" at casino and resort company Las Vegas Sands LLC in the United States 12 years ago, the High Court here has been told on Monday (Nov 4).
UK-based financial fraud investigator Richard Templeman said the two were fugitive businessman Low Taek Jho, or Jho Low, and his associate Eric Tan Kim Loong.
According to Templeman, on June 20, 2012, US$41mil was transferred from Red Granite Capital, a company owned by Riza Shahriz Abdul Aziz (aka Riza Aziz), the stepson of Datuk Seri Najib Razak, to a shell company named Alsen Chance.
Alsen Chance, with no legitimate business, was used to launder funds misappropriated from 1MDB and SRC International Sdn Bhd, and it then distributed these funds (US$41mil) to various parties, including the casino company.
"US$13mil (approximately RM57mil at current rates) was transferred to Las Vegas Sands LLC, whereby US$11mil was on July 10, 2012, marked for 'Player No 3454296' and US$2mil on July 11, 2012, marked for 'Tan Kim Loong Player No 4678710'.
"Meanwhile, on July 23, 2012, amounts of US$7.35mil and US$1.3mil were credited to the Alsen Chance account from Las Vegas Sands LLC. These payments were marked 'funds due from Low Taek Jho' and 'funds due from Tan Kim Loong'.
"It seems likely these funds were the balance of those paid out to Las Vegas Sands LLC on July 10 and 11, 2012, and therefore represent the funds transferred from Red Granite Capital to Alsen Chance," said the British citizen1.
In his witness statement, Templeman – who has 24 years' experience in the investigation of complex fraud and financial crime – said that Riza Aziz also received millions of monies from Good Star Limited, a company owned by Jho Low, from 2011 onwards.
For the record, in 2009 and 2011, Good Star received US$700mil and US$330mil respectively from 1MDB.
In May 2021, 1MDB and its three subsidiaries, namely 1MDB Energy Limited, 1MDB Energy Holdings Limited and 1MDB Energy (Langat) Limited, filed the suit against Riza Aziz, Red Granite Pictures Inc and Red Granite Capital Ltd for allegedly receiving around US$248mil in funds that they misused for their personal gain, including financing a film and purchasing various properties.
1MDB claimed that Riza Aziz had misappropriated their funds from Jho Low or was wilful and reckless in failing to make relevant inquiries as to the sources of the funds.
As such, the plaintiffs were seeking a declaration that Riza Aziz was responsible for the misappropriated funds, demanding a repayment.
In a statement of defence filed in 2021, the defendants claimed to have obtained a loan from the Saudi royal family or the International Petroleum Investment Company to produce several films in the United States.
The trial before Judicial Commissioner Datuk Raja Ahmad Mohzanuddin Shah Raja Mohzan continues. – Bernama, Star, 4/11/2024
Anwar says 47 charges against Zahid 'questionable'
The prime minister also echoes his deputy's claim that the charges against him stemmed from his refusal to comply with Dr Mahathir Mohamad's request to dissolve Umno.
Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has come to the defence of his deputy over the recent decision by the government's prosecution team to halt the latter's trial on 47 corruption charges.
Anwar, who previously denied interfering in the decision while saying it was within the powers of the attorney-general, added that the charges against Ahmad Zahid Hamidi were "questionable" and not carried out professionally.
"Was it 47? Every cheque is a charge. So the charge is questionable. Every cheque issued is a charge by itself, which does not necessarily seem to be professionally done," he said when asked about the dropped graft charges during a session at the annual Milken Institute Asia Summit in Singapore.
Anwar also repeated a claim by Zahid that the charges had been brought against him in 2019 because he refused to fulfil a demand by then prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad to dissolve Umno.
"When was the charge preferred? During that time, Mahathir was prime minister. When? A week after he called up this president of this nationalist party (Umno), which is a member of my coalition, and told him (Zahid), 'you dissolve your party and join my party'," he said.
Anwar also cited claims of a "leaked document", which purportedly showed that members of the prosecution had opposed the charges against Zahid.
Still, Anwar said he had no role in the discharge not amounting to acquittal, or DNAA, that was granted to Zahid.
Zahid, the Umno president, was crucial in committing the support of his 30 Barisan Nasional MPs to Anwar's government in the aftermath of the 15th general election.
He was given the DNAA on Sept 4 after deputy public prosecutor Mohd Dusuki Mokhtar informed the judge of the request by the Attorney-General's Chambers (AGC) to discontinue the case.
The decision sparked widespread outrage, with the AGC saying the judge had decided based on the strong reasons it submitted to the court.
"In reaching the decision, the judge stated that the reasons submitted by the prosecution were cogent," it said, responding to statements describing the decision as immoral. - Malaysia Now, 15/9/2023
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