Explosive MH370 cover-up claims emerge

A former Aussie PM has dragged up painful memories with an explosive claim about the pilot of Malaysia Airlines flight MH370, and at once brought forth a torrent of comments from a variety of personalities.

In other news, we hear that Malaysians are an unhappy lot (the unhappiest in Asia) over salary issues, and there’s even more speculation about when we will see Anwar Ibrahim take over as PM (if ever).

A magical land where anything can disappear

Today’s three main offerings are no laughing matter, so if you find that our newsletter is a little lacking in its usual wit (if we do say so ourselves) and sarcasm, please do forgive us.

The “sale” of Tabung Haji assets is our main focus, but we also cover stories on the an inquiry into the disappearance of a married couple that remind us of the “enforced disappearances” of Pastor Raymond Koh and social activist Amri Che Mat, as well as the threat to Orang Asli heritage lands and the natural habitat of countless species of flora and fauna in Selangor.

Time to stop bodek-ing …

According to Bersatu man Rais Hussin, Health Minister Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad is an exemplary minister. But is he really doing an ace job? Or was Rais just using Dzul to whack someone else?

In other news, Rosie and Jib go to court (again), the WWF accuses us of consuming a shitload of plastic, and Malaysians make a name for themselves Down Under. Sorta.

Court’s ‘bin Abdullah’ decision raises questions

A new Federal Court decision on illegitimate Muslim children seems to have answered one question but thrown up others. What exactly are the issues surrounding this case?

Elsewhere in today’s newsletter, a construction site mishap in Kuala Lumpur has raised concerns about the safety of projects, and Malaysia has barred cruise ships from docking here for fear they may be bringing Covid-19 into the country.

The race to the PM throne

Happy Valentine’s Day folks! So, there really is a plot to gather signatures to keep Dr Mahathir Mohamad in place as the PM forever. OK, maybe not forever, but at least till the end of Pakatan Harapan’s first term as administrators of our tanahair. And all because some people just don’t want to see poor Anwar Ibrahim in power.

In other news, one firm has massively downgraded our forecasted GDP growth, thanks to that pesky virus from Wuhan; corruption reigns at the RTD (quite possibly everywhere else in Mesia?); and, Arabian stallions and private jets are mentioned in trials involving Najib Razak and Rosmah Mansor.

Brace yourselves, weak EPF payouts are coming

Bad news, folks. EPF will likely not pay out too high a dividend for 2019, a victim of its own growth as well as the unlikelihood that its investments can do better in Q4 of last year than the 20 previous quarters. And in case that hasn’t depressed you enough, here’s more: the picture of our economy ain’t too rosy, either.

Also, the tourism industry is a massive loser, thanks to the coronavirus outbreak; Rosie Mansor has a fit (what else is new?); and, yet another SD is allegedly about to come into the scene in Malaysia.

Big changes to death penalty laws?

The most significant piece of news from yesterday is that Malaysia may soon see the end of mandatory death sentencing – if Parliament agrees to change the law on what is bound to be a divisive issue, that is.

In other news, the novel coronavirus has a new name (or rather, acronym); the debate over the purported confidence vote for PM Dr Maddey Mohamad continues; Rosie Mansor’s defence goes on the offence, and more on the fight against corruption.

What’s Dr M’s beef with Trump?

Resign! That’s what PM Mahathir wants Donald Trump to do. But is the good doc going a bit far in poking this particular beast?

Elsewhere, a former minister tells of how he was belittled and pressured by folks linked to Rosie Mansor, and four works of art get removed from the National Art Gallery for apparently being obscene and offensive.

What’s the deal with ‘Pakatan Nasional’?

According to the guys supposedly involved, the rumours are untrue: there’re no plans to form a new coalition to take over the government. But is there more than meets the eye? Especially now that an Umno supreme council member has been sacked!

In other news, we now have 17 coronavirus cases in the country, and DBKL plans to pedestrianise five city streets by the end of the year.

Kak Mah takes a beating in court

Two witnesses at the corruption trial of Mama Rosmah Mansor, the wife of former PM Najib Razak, provided some rather damning testimony against her yesterday.

In other news, talk of Umno jumping into bed with PM Maddey seem to be getting louder; while the Malaysian who was the first one diagnosed with the Wuhan virus has passed it on to his younger sister.

And, to all our Hindu friends – Happy Thaipusam. Vel Vel!