Liquidator Appointed Over 29 Offshore Entities, the 1MDB Civil Trial was told

KUALA LUMPUR, 10 August 2026 – The 1MDB Civil Trial turned to the recovery and tracing of allegedly misappropriated funds today, with offshore asset recovery specialist Angela Barkhouse telling the High Court that she had been appointed liquidator for 29 offshore entities linked to the transactions under investigation.

Barkhouse, managing director of Kroll (Cayman) Ltd, is the third witness in the US$5.64 billion civil suit brought by 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) and its subsidiaries against former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak and several other defendants.

She said the various appointments were made between July 2021 and May 2025.

Among the entities identified were Lucetta Investments Ltd, PetroSaudi Oil Services Ltd, TKIL Global Investments Ltd, PetroSaudi International, Aabar International Investments PJS Ltd, Alsen Chance Holdings Ltd, Blackrock Commodities (Global) Ltd and Platinum Global Luxury Services Ltd.

Barkhouse told the court that her analysis enabled her team to trace funds allegedly misappropriated from 1MDB through a complex network of offshore entities associated with parties allegedly involved in the fraud.

She said her investigations remained ongoing, with further information continuing to be obtained and analysed on behalf of the liquidated estates and claims pursued against parties alleged to have facilitated the movement or laundering of the funds.

Findings Based on Retrospective Reconciliation

An important aspect of Barkhouse’s testimony, however, was the nature of her investigation.

Under questioning, she confirmed that her findings were based on a retrospective reconciliation.

The investigation itself was conducted in 2024 and completed in 2025 – several years after the transactions in question and long after earlier investigations into 1MDB had begun.

Barkhouse explained that the figures and information used in the reconciliation had been obtained from staff within her firm, after which the information was brought together and totalled.

The distinction is important because her evidence was not based on firsthand observation of the original transactions. Rather, it involved reconstructing and reconciling information available to her team at a later stage.

Barkhouse also acknowledged that she did not have the final overall figure for the amount recovered.

Although she was involved in recovery work, she could not attest to a final consolidated recovery figure.

That prompted questions over the scope of the reconciliation – including what information was available to the team at the time and whether the exercise was intended to establish the full amount ultimately recovered or to address a more specific aspect of the liquidated estates.

The issue may become significant as the defence continues to examine the relationship between the amounts allegedly misappropriated, funds traced and sums subsequently recovered.

Shafee Puts Jho Low at the Centre of Questioning

During cross-examination, lead defence counsel Tan Sri Muhammad Shafee Abdullah focused on the role of fugitive financier Low Taek Jho, better known as Jho Low.

Shafee asked Barkhouse whether she had encountered Low’s name during her investigation.

She confirmed that she had.

Shafee then put to her that Jho Low lay at the centre of the controversy surrounding 1MDB and the alleged conspiracy to destroy the sovereign wealth fund.

Barkhouse responded: “Among others, yes.”

When Shafee asked whether she agreed that Jho Low was the main person behind the alleged conspiracy, however, Barkhouse said she was uncertain.

She explained that her focus was on those who had received the allegedly misappropriated funds.

That exchange is significant because it illustrates the distinction between Barkhouse’s role as a liquidator and the wider question of who ultimately bears responsibility for the alleged wrongdoing.

Her mandate, as described in court, is principally concerned with identifying and pursuing assets and claims connected to the liquidated estates. Determining the overall hierarchy of responsibility for the alleged 1MDB fraud is a broader question for the court.

Tracing Funds Versus Establishing Responsibility

The distinction between tracing funds and establishing responsibility could become an important feature of the next stage of the trial.

Barkhouse’s evidence provides the plaintiffs with a detailed picture of the complex offshore network through which funds were allegedly moved.

But the existence of an offshore entity, a transfer or a recipient does not necessarily, on its own, establish who authorised a transaction, who knew about it or who was ultimately responsible for the alleged misappropriation.

That distinction is likely to be tested further during cross-examination.

It also follows the broader pattern established during the first week of the trial, when defence counsel questioned former investigator Richard Templeman about the methodology and documentary basis of his investigation.

The defence has repeatedly sought to distinguish between evidence showing where money went and evidence establishing who was responsible for sending it there.

The Recovery Question Remains

Barkhouse’s inability to confirm the final overall recovery figure also leaves open an issue that has already featured prominently in the defence’s narrative.

At a press conference last week, Shafee said approximately RM31 billion had been recovered by 1MDB and its subsidiaries – a figure exceeding the approximately RM24 billion being claimed in the civil action.

That figure was not put to Barkhouse as part of this morning’s evidence, and she did not attest to it.

Nevertheless, her testimony that she had been involved in recovery work but did not have the final consolidated recovery figure raises a question that may warrant further examination – how the various recovery exercises, liquidated estates and sums recovered fit together in determining the amount ultimately sought from the defendants.

That is particularly relevant in a civil action where the plaintiffs are seeking to recover billions of ringgit.

A More Complex Picture of the Evidence

Barkhouse’s testimony therefore adds another layer to the 1MDB Civil Trial.

On one level, the court has heard evidence of an extensive tracing exercise involving 29 offshore entities and a network spanning multiple jurisdictions.

On another, the evidence highlights the complexity of reconstructing transactions years after they occurred, with the liquidator relying on information compiled by her team and reconciling figures retrospectively.

Her evidence also stops short of identifying Jho Low as the sole person responsible for the alleged conspiracy, with Barkhouse telling the court that her focus was on recipients of allegedly misappropriated funds.

As the trial continues, the court will have to consider not only the tracing of the funds but also what the evidence establishes about the roles, knowledge and responsibilities of the various defendants.

The hearing continues tomorrow. – NMH

The post 1MDB Civil Trial: The Money Trail and Questions Over Recovery first appeared on NMH.

Bagi Datin Hasnah Abdul Rahman, Jumaat lalu bermula seperti hari biasa sebelum bertukar menjadi antara detik paling mencemaskan dalam hidupnya. Anaknya, Ahmad Ziqri Morshidi, 29, seorang autistik, keluar dari rumah mereka di Hartamas sekitar 11.30 pagi dan tidak pulang seperti kebiasaannya.

Apa yang pada awalnya kelihatan seperti satu lagi kejadian Ziqri keluar bersendirian bertukar menjadi pencarian hampir enam jam yang menggerakkan polis, keluarga, jiran, pihak keselamatan dan orang ramai, sebelum Ziqri akhirnya ditemui dengan selamat di sebuah restoran di Cheras, kira-kira 23 kilometer dari kediamannya — menunjukkan bahawa dalam saat paling mencemaskan, kebaikan manusia boleh menjadi jalan pulang.

Petunjuk Pada Baju-T Membawa Ziqri Pulang

Sepanjang pencarian, Hasnah menghubungi beberapa tempat yang biasa dikunjungi Ziqri, termasuk Kiara 163, Balai Polis Mont Kiara dan bekas sekolahnya, SMK Kiaramas.

Namun Ziqri akhirnya ditemui di sebuah restoran di Cheras.

Seorang guru pendidikan khas yang kebetulan sedang makan bersama keluarganya di restoran berkenaan ternampak tulisan “PPKI SMK Kiaramas” pada baju-T Ziqri.

Tulisan itu menjadi petunjuk penting yang mendorongnya menghubungi rangkaian guru pendidikan khas lain sehingga berita mengenai Ziqri akhirnya sampai kepada keluarganya.

Bagi Hasnah, kebetulan itu sukar untuk dianggap sebagai sekadar kebetulan.

“Bayangkan seorang guru pendidikan khas berada di restoran yang sama, nampak Ziqri dan tahu apa yang perlu dilakukan.”

Dalam masa yang sama, kakitangan restoran menjaga Ziqri, polis membantu pencarian, seorang jiran yang sebelum itu tidak dikenalinya sanggup membantu Hasnah dan anaknya mencari di merata tempat, manakala orang ramai berkongsi rayuan kehilangan itu di media sosial.

“Kadang-kadang malaikat datang tanpa sayap.”

30 Tahun Memahami Ziqri

Hampir tiga dekad bersama Ziqri mengajar Hasnah bahawa autisme tidak mempunyai satu bentuk yang sama. Beliau juga membesarkan seorang lagi anak, Aidel Rahman Morshidi, yang berada dalam spektrum autisme tetapi mempunyai keperibadian, keupayaan dan keperluan yang sangat berbeza daripada Ziqri.

“Ziqri ialah Ziqri. Aidel pula sangat berbeza. Sebab itu kita tidak boleh melihat seseorang hanya berdasarkan diagnosis. Kita perlu mengenali individu itu sendiri.”

Selepas Ziqri ditemui, Hasnah menerima pelbagai cadangan daripada orang ramai tentang cara meningkatkan keselamatannya. Beliau amat menghargai semua cadangan itu, terutama kerana ia lahir daripada keprihatinan.

Namun, pengalaman melihat berita mengenai individu autistik yang keluar atau tersesat dan kemudian ditemui dalam keadaan tragis membuatkan Hasnah semakin sedar bahawa keluarga perlu mencari ikhtiar yang sesuai dengan keperluan masing-masing.

“Sebab itu saya rasa kita memang perlu mencari satu bentuk ikhtiar yang sesuai untuk Ziqri. Saya tidak tahu sama ada ia akan berjaya, tetapi sekurang-kurangnya kita cuba.”

Dan untuk Ziqri, jawapannya bermula dengan perkara yang disukainya.

Dia suka warna biru, perkataan “Autism”, namanya sendiri serta gambar dan video dirinya.

Daripada situlah tercetus idea untuk menghasilkan baju-T keselamatan yang direka khusus untuknya — dengan ilustrasi Ziqri, namanya dan kod QR yang membolehkan sesiapa yang menemuinya menghubungi keluarga, berkongsi lokasi dan mendapatkan panduan ringkas.

Di situ tertera satu mesej:

“Your kindness will bring me safely home.”

Hasnah mengakui ia bukan penyelesaian untuk semua individu autistik.

“Mungkin ia sesuai untuk Ziqri tetapi tidak sesuai untuk individu lain. Sebab itu kita perlu kenali individu tersebut terlebih dahulu.”

Daripada Kesedaran Kepada Pemahaman

Pengalaman itu juga membuatkan Hasnah melihat semula sebuah poster yang pernah dihasilkannya untuk Ziqri beberapa tahun lalu:

“I DID NOT ASK TO BE BORN THIS WAY.”

Jika dahulu mesej itu lahir daripada keinginan untuk masyarakat memahami dan menerima autisme, Jumaat lalu memberikan Hasnah satu lagi perspektif.

Ramai yang tidak mengenali Ziqri memilih untuk membantu.

Seorang guru mengenali petunjuk pada baju-Tnya. Kakitangan restoran menjaganya. Polis mencari. Seorang jiran sanggup membantu keluarga mencarinya. Dan orang ramai berkongsi rayuan mereka.

“Pada hari itu, saya nampak begitu ramai orang yang tidak mengenali Ziqri tetapi memilih untuk membantu.”

Sebagai Presiden Pertubuhan Rentak, Irama, Seni & Ekspresi (R.I.S.E.), Hasnah sudah lama memperjuangkan keperluan golongan neurodivers.

Namun ketika Ziqri hilang, semua gelaran itu tidak penting.

“Saya bukan Presiden R.I.S.E. pada ketika itu. Saya hanya seorang ibu yang mahu anaknya pulang.”

Dan mungkin itulah pengajaran terbesar daripada pengalaman tersebut.

Teknologi boleh membantu mencari. Tetapi pada hari Ziqri hilang, manusia yang membawanya pulang.

Bagi Hasnah, masyarakat yang inklusif bukan sekadar masyarakat yang tahu tentang autisme, tetapi masyarakat yang sanggup memahami manusia di sebalik diagnosis itu.

Kerana kadangkala, jalan pulang bukan ditunjukkan oleh teknologi. Ia dibuka oleh kemanusiaan. – NMH

The post Ziqri Pulang Dengan Selamat: Akhirnya, Kemanusiaan Yang Membawanya Pulang first appeared on NMH.

Plaintiffs Put Najib at the Centre of the 1MDB Civil Trial

KUALA LUMPUR, 6 August 2026 – The opening week of the 1MDB Civil Trial has revealed a significant contrast between the plaintiffs’ case and the approach taken by the defence.

The plaintiffs have alleged that former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak, together with fugitive businessman Low Taek Jho (Jho Low) and several former 1MDB officers, orchestrated a fraudulent scheme that caused losses amounting to approximately US$5.6 billion, with the civil suit seeking about RM24 billion from Najib and the other defendants.

The defence, however, has focused increasingly on a broader question – whether responsibility for the alleged losses can fairly be attributed to any single individual without examining the respective roles of the Board of Directors, senior management and corporate officers involved in the transactions.

That approach was evident in the cross-examination of the plaintiffs’ first witness, former UK investigator Richard Templeman, by counsel GK Ganesan and lead defence counsel Tan Sri Muhammad Shafee Abdullah.

It was also reflected in Shafee’s challenge to portions of former DAP lawmaker Tony Pua’s witness statement later in the week.

GK Ganesan Tests the Investigator’s Findings

Ganesan’s questioning went beyond the conclusions reached by Templeman and examined how those conclusions had been formed.

Templeman agreed that he had never worked for 1MDB, never attended its board or management meetings and had no personal knowledge of discussions involving the company’s senior management during the relevant period.

He also accepted that his witness statement was a retrospective reconstruction based primarily on documents reviewed years after the events rather than matters he had personally observed.

Ganesan’s questioning subsequently examined the distinction between Board authority, management responsibilities and the duties of corporate officers.

Templeman agreed that the individual represented by Ganesan was employed as Director of Investments but was never a member of the Board of Directors.

He further agreed that officers were expected to implement decisions made by their superiors and could not unilaterally override lawful Board resolutions.

The questioning therefore placed the wider corporate decision-making structure under scrutiny rather than focusing solely on the conduct of one individual.

Warnings And The Documentary Trail

Ganesan also referred Templeman to contemporaneous correspondence showing concerns being raised over discrepancies in banking information before funds were remitted.

Templeman accepted that the correspondence reflected an attempt to alert then-chief executive Datuk Shahrol Azral Ibrahim Halmi to the anomaly.

Board minutes were also referred to, including financial warnings concerning loan maturity mismatches, concentration risk, currency exposure and political risks associated with investments.

Templeman accepted those concerns had been presented to the Board and agreed he had not seen documents showing the warnings were subsequently withdrawn or that the Board had been encouraged to disregard them.

Ganesan also walked Templeman through the Good Star, Aabar, Tanore and Options Buyback phases of the alleged transactions.

Templeman agreed that while his witness statement identified transfers involving several defendants, it did not identify the seventh defendant as having personally received funds in any of those phases.

Shafee Challenges The Documentary Record

Shafee’s cross-examination raised a different but complementary set of questions over the reliability of the documentary evidence.

Templeman acknowledged that he was unaware a handwriting expert had previously testified that signatures and handwritten notes attributed to Najib on minutes of 1MDB board meetings were not his.

He also agreed that the minutes contained no record of other individuals being present or participating in the meetings.

The exchange raised questions over how the minutes could reliably establish what had actually taken place during the meetings when they contained no indication of discussion, deliberation or contributions by other attendees.

As put during Shafee’s questioning, the minutes presented an unusual picture – effectively, Najib appearing to have a “monologue” with himself.

The issue is significant because the minutes form part of the documentary material relied upon in the civil claim, while the defence is challenging whether such records can reliably establish the events and decisions they purport to record.

Questions Over The Investigation And Recoveries

Shafee also questioned Templeman over the completeness of his investigation into the movement of funds.

Among the issues raised was approximately US$620 million returned by Najib.

Templeman acknowledged that he had not investigated whether the money, after being returned, had subsequently been rerouted.

That exchange went to whether all subsequent movements of the funds had been examined before conclusions were drawn.

Shafee had also raised the issue of recoveries at a press conference on Tuesday, saying about RM31 billion had been recovered by 1MDB and its subsidiaries – more than the approximately RM24 billion being claimed in the civil suit.

The recovery figure does not, by itself, determine liability. But it forms part of the defence’s wider questioning of the scope and basis of the claim, including concerns over potential double recovery.

Tony Pua’s Evidence Comes Under Scrutiny

The scrutiny of the plaintiffs’ evidence continued when Tony Pua took the witness stand.

Shafee mounted extensive objections to portions of Pua’s witness statement, arguing that parts relied on hearsay, opinion and third-party materials.

The High Court subsequently upheld several objections and ordered numerous portions of the statement to be expunged.

The judge stressed the requirements of relevance and objectivity in witness evidence and cautioned against reliance on third-party media reports where such material could give rise to hearsay concerns.

Among the references ordered removed were passages concerning the arrests of Matthias Chang and Datuk Seri Khairuddin Abu Hassan, as well as references to Bersih rallies.

The plaintiffs argued that media reports had been cited to reinforce and corroborate Pua’s evidence. However, the court ruled that several portions should not remain on the record.

Importantly, the court did not strike out Pua’s entire witness statement – only specific portions were expunged following the defence objections.

What The First Week Of The 1MDB Civil Trial Reveals

The first week of the 1MDB Civil Trial has therefore been about more than tracing billions of dollars through a complex web of transactions.

It has also become a contest over the quality of the evidence, the methodology used to investigate the transactions and the reliability and admissibility of material relied upon by the plaintiffs.

While the plaintiffs have sought to place Najib at the centre of the alleged fraud and are pursuing a claim of about RM24 billion, the defence has questioned whether the evidence presently before the court establishes liability without a fuller examination of the respective roles played by the Board, management and corporate officers.

Ganeson’s cross-examination tested the investigator’s methodology and the corporate decision-making structure. Shafee’s questioning went further into the reliability of documents used to reconstruct events, the completeness of the fund-tracing exercise and the significance of sums already recovered.

The subsequent objections to Pua’s witness statement added another dimension, with the High Court scrutinising whether portions of the evidence met the requirements of hearsay, relevance and objectivity.

Ultimately, those questions will be determined by the High Court after hearing all the evidence.

For now, however, the opening week suggests that the outcome of the 1MDB Civil Trial may depend not only on where the money went, but also on whether the evidence is sufficient to establish responsibility against those the plaintiffs seek to hold liable – and how the court ultimately assesses the sums already recovered against the losses being claimed. – NMH

The post 1MDB Civil Trial: Defence Tests Whether Liability Can Be Attributed to a Single Individual first appeared on NMH.

When her autistic son disappeared for several agonising hours, New Malaysia Herald Editor-in-Chief Datin Hasnah Abdul Rahman was reminded that there are no simple solutions when caring for autistic adults. In this personal reflection, she shares why well-intentioned advice often falls short and why Malaysia must move beyond awareness towards genuine understanding, compassion and inclusion.

For several agonising hours this Friday, my family searched desperately for my third son, Ahmad Ziqri, who is an autistic adult. Those were among the longest hours of my life.

Thankfully, our story ended well.

A special education teacher recognised him at a restaurant in Cheras. Her quick thinking, together with the kindness of her husband, restaurant staff, dedicated police officers, security personnel, the nearby Mall staff, residence and community groups, an extraordinary neighbour who helped us search, and countless Malaysians who shared our appeal on social media, brought Ziqri safely home.

As a mother, I will remain forever grateful.

But once the relief subsided, one thought kept returning to me: what an irony life can be.

As President of Pertubuhan Rentak, Irama, Seni & Ekspresi (R.I.S.E.), a registered non-governmental organisation (NGO), I spend much of my time advocating for neurodiverse young adults and their families. Our public initiative, R.I.S.E. – Rhythm Interactive Special Needs Enabler, was established to help build pathways beyond school and beyond awareness.

Yet during those long hours, none of those titles mattered.

I was not an advocate.

I was simply a mother searching for her son. And this was not the first time it happened, perhaps, not the last.

When Advice Doesn’t Fit Reality

Almost immediately after Ziqri was found, messages of support began pouring in, together with many well-intentioned suggestions.

“Get him an AirTag.” | “Buy him a GPS tracker.” | “Make him wear an identification bracelet.” | “Print your phone number on his T-shirt.”

Every suggestion came from a place of genuine concern.

The reality, however, is that autism is never one-size-fits-all.

We have already tried AirTags.

We have tried identification bracelets.

Neither worked.

Like many autistic adults, Ziqri has strong sensory preferences. If he dislikes wearing something, he simply removes it.

Sometimes he tears up clothes he no longer wants to wear.

Sometimes he throws them into the rubbish bin.

Not only his own clothes, but occasionally those belonging to his brothers as well.

Another suggestion was to print my phone number on his T-shirts.

Again, I understand the reasoning.

But as a mother, another fear immediately crossed my mind.

What if someone with bad intentions uses that information?

What if they realise he is vulnerable?

What if they decide to exploit that vulnerability?

Parents of autistic adults constantly find themselves balancing independence with protection.

There are rarely perfect answers.

When Misunderstanding Becomes The Bigger Challenge

This was not the first time Ziqri had been misunderstood.

Five years ago, what should have been his 25th birthday ended with him spending the night in a police lock-up following an incident in which he was very much misunderstood.

It was heartbreaking for our family.

A few days later, however, something extraordinary happened.

William Cheah and Yi-Lyn Chan, together with the Kembara Kitchen team and many kind-hearted friends and supporters, organised a special birthday celebration for Ziqri at a restaurant. Guests paid to attend, while my family and I were invited to join him so he could finally celebrate the birthday he had missed.

What began as one of the saddest birthdays of his life became one of his happiest.

That evening reminded me of something I have never forgotten.

Misunderstanding can wound. But kindness has an extraordinary ability to heal.

This week, as strangers once again stepped forward to help bring Ziqri home safely, I was reminded of that same lesson.

Beyond Awareness

For almost 30 years, I have watched Ziqri grow from an autistic child into an autistic adult.

Along the way, I have learned that while autism may not change, society’s understanding of it can — and must.

Many people know about autism.

Far fewer understand autistic adults.

When school ends, life does not suddenly become easier.

For many parents, the greatest challenge begins not when their child is diagnosed, but when the structured support of childhood ends and adulthood begins.

That is one of the reasons Pertubuhan Rentak, Irama, Seni & Ekspresi (R.I.S.E.) was established by my amazing committee and team members.

Through R.I.S.E. – Rhythm Interactive Special Needs Enabler, we hope to create pathways for neurodiverse young adults to continue learning, developing their talents, finding meaningful opportunities and living with greater independence.

But organisations alone cannot build an inclusive society.

Teachers build it.

Police officers build it.

Restaurant staff build it.

Neighbours build it.

Strangers build it.

Every act of understanding becomes another step towards a more compassionate Malaysia.

A Mother’s Hope

As I watched Ziqri sleeping peacefully after finally returning home — exhausted from an adventure only he truly understands — I realised that perhaps this was never just our family’s story.

It is the story of thousands of Malaysian families raising autistic adults who continue to navigate a world that often is not designed for them.

If our experience encourages even one person to pause before judging someone who behaves differently…

If it inspires one stranger to offer help instead of looking away…

If it reminds us that kindness can make all the difference…

… then perhaps some good has already come from one of the longest days of my life.

Autism does not end at childhood. Neither should our understanding.

For one day, every autistic child will become an autistic adult. Perhaps it is time we started preparing not just them for society, but society for them. – NMH

The post Autistic Adults: A Mother’s Story, A Missing Son and Why Understanding Matters first appeared on NMH.

Empat bulan selepas pelancarannya, Kementerian Digital kini memulakan kerja sebenar: menunaikan janji Malaysia Digital 2030 (MD2030).

Pelan 5 tahun itu mensasarkan ekonomi digital menyumbang 30% kepada KDNK, mewujudkan 500,000 pekerjaan baharu, dan menjadikan 95% perkhidmatan kerajaan boleh diakses sepenuhnya atas talian menjelang 2030. Dan Ogos 2026 menandakan permulaan fasa pelaksanaan yang paling sibuk setakat ini.

Kementerian Digital Gerakkan RM5.9 Bilion Untuk Infrastruktur & Bakat

Di bawah Belanjawan 2026, kerajaan memperuntukkan sumber besar kepada kementerian: RM2 bilion untuk Awan AI Berdaulat, RM2 bilion untuk kabel bawah laut SALAM sepanjang 3,190km, RM780 juta untuk Fasa 2 JENDELA, dan RM5.9 bilion untuk R&D&C&I.

Tujuannya jelas: bina asas supaya Malaysia tidak hanya guna teknologi, tetapi cipta teknologi.

Bagi memastikan penyampaian lancar, Kementerian Digital telah melantik GovTech Malaysia sebagai penyelaras tunggal perkhidmatan awam digital. Platform “single window” menerusi aplikasi MyGov dan portal http://malaysia.gov.my akan dilancarkan secara berperingkat, dengan akses eksklusif melalui MyDigital ID.

Setakat Ogos, 7 juta rakyat telah mendaftar MyDigital ID. Kementerian menyasarkan 15 juta menjelang akhir tahun.

Menjawab persoalan mengenai keupayaan penyampaian, Kementerian Digital berkata mereka mengambil pendekatan realistik dan berfasa.

“MD2030 adalah pelan yang berani kerana kita mahu Malaysia bergerak lebih cepat. Kita sedar cabaran bakat dan infrastruktur wujud, sebab itu kita wujudkan GovTech Malaysia dan laburkan RM5.9 bilion untuk R&D dan latihan semula. Dengan kerjasama 7 agensi utama termasuk NAIO, MDEC dan CyberSecurity Malaysia, kita yakin boleh capai sasaran 2030 dan pada masa sama pastikan tiada rakyat ketinggalan,” kata jurucakap rasmi kementerian kepada New Malaysia Herald.

ASEAN AI Summit: Pentas Tunjuk Keupayaan Malaysia

Momentum itu telah diuji tahun lepas apabila Kementerian Digital menjadi tuan rumah ASEAN AI Summit 12-13 Ogos di Kuala Lumpur.

Acara itu menarik pelabur, syarikat teknologi dan penggubal dasar serantau. Tahun lepas sahaja, Malaysia merekodkan RM163.6 bilion pelaburan digital yang diluluskan — isyarat keyakinan pelabur terhadap hala tuju negara.

Selain itu, MYCentre4IR akan melancarkan operasi penuh ASEAN AI SAFE, rangkaian keselamatan AI serantau pertama seumpamanya.

“Ini peluang kita tunjuk Malaysia bukan sekadar destinasi data center, tetapi peneraju dasar AI yang bertanggungjawab di ASEAN,” kata sumber kementerian.

Dari Putrajaya ke Padawan: Fokus Inklusiviti

Sementara pelaburan besar tertumpu di bandar, Kementerian Digital turut menggerakkan agenda Rakyat Digital.

Pada Februari, projek rintis “AI-Powered Classroom” dilancarkan di SK St James Quop, Sarawak bersama Microsoft, Intel dan Dell. Ia menguji bagaimana AI boleh membantu guru di sekolah luar bandar dan menutup jurang digital.

Di peringkat komuniti, RM350 juta diperuntukkan untuk memperkasakan 1,099 pusat Nadi sebagai hab latihan dan keusahawanan. Kementerian juga sedang membangunkan Indeks Keterangkuman Digital Malaysia (MyIKD) bersama UNDP untuk mengukur dan menangani jurang akses.

Data MDEC menunjukkan masih ada 23% isi rumah B40 tanpa internet tetap. Justeru JENDELA 2 akan menyasarkan 2,700 lokasi luar bandar tambahan menjelang 2027.

“Kita mahu pastikan budak di Quop ada peluang sama seperti budak di Cyberjaya. Itu teras Rakyat Digital,” kata pegawai kementerian yang terlibat.

Apa Seterusnya: Daripada Dasar Kepada Impak

Dengan tujuh tonggak MD2030, fokus Kementerian Digital untuk baki 2026 ialah 3 perkara:
1.⁠ ⁠Lancarkan GovTech: Pastikan urusan kerajaan 5 minit siap di telefon
2.⁠ ⁠Hasilkan Bakat: Percepat program upskilling AI untuk capai 500,000 pekerjaan
3.⁠ ⁠Jaga Kepercayaan: Operasikan Suruhanjaya Data Nasional dan Strategi Keselamatan 2026-2030

Visi MD2030 ialah menjadikan Malaysia “negara AI progresif” di mana data jadi aset strategik dan rakyat berkembang bersama teknologi.

Bagi Kementerian Digital, 2026 bukan tahun untuk umum dasar baharu. Ia tahun untuk membuktikan dasar itu berfungsi — di pejabat kerajaan, di bilik darjah, dan di kampung. – NMH

The post Kementerian Digital Sasar 30% KDNK, 500k Kerja Digital Dalam 4 Tahun first appeared on NMH.

Dalam tempoh hanya beberapa hari, beberapa kes penyeludupan dadah berprofil tinggi yang melibatkan warga Malaysia di tiga negara jiran telah mencetuskan kebimbangan baharu mengenai kedudukan negara dalam rangkaian jenayah rentas sempadan.

Di Thailand, pihak berkuasa dilaporkan merampas kira-kira 87 kilogram syabu bernilai jutaan ringgit yang dikaitkan dengan suspek warga Malaysia. Di Singapura pula, lebih 10 kilogram dadah dirampas di pusat pemeriksaan Woodlands melibatkan seorang rakyat Malaysia. Dalam masa yang sama, Indonesia turut menahan seorang lagi rakyat Malaysia atas dakwaan berkaitan penyeludupan dadah.

Lebih mengejutkan, beberapa hari sebelum itu seorang juruterbang warga Malaysia ditahan di Indonesia selepas disyaki cuba membawa masuk dadah. Kes ini bukan sahaja mencalarkan nama individu terbabit, malah berpotensi memberi kesan kepada imej profesional industri penerbangan Malaysia di mata dunia.

Malaysia Destinasi atau Pusat Pengedaran Dadah?

Jika suatu ketika dahulu Malaysia lebih dikenali sebagai negara transit bagi kemasukan dadah dari kawasan Segi Tiga Emas, perkembangan mutakhir ini menimbulkan persoalan yang jauh lebih serius.

Adakah Malaysia kini bukan sekadar menjadi pasaran pengguna, malah telah dijadikan lokasi penyimpanan, pengedaran dan titik pelepasan dadah ke negara-negara jiran?

Soalan ini tidak boleh dipandang ringan. Ia memerlukan jawapan yang jelas daripada kerajaan serta tindakan yang benar-benar berkesan daripada agensi penguat kuasa.

Dalam negara sendiri pula, penyalahgunaan dadah semakin membimbangkan. Kes individu khayal selepas mengambil “juice”, menghisap “piu-piu”, serta penyalahgunaan ketamin dan syabu semakin kerap dilaporkan. Kes overdos pula bukan lagi cerita terpencil, malah semakin menghampiri kehidupan masyarakat biasa.

Kesan Kepada Industri Penerbangan Negara

Kes membabitkan juruterbang Malaysia bukan sekadar isu jenayah individu. Ia berpotensi memberi kesan kepada keseluruhan ekosistem penerbangan negara.

Seorang rakyat Malaysia yang menaiki penerbangan D7 303 dari Hangzhou ke Kuala Lumpur pada 4 Ogos berkongsi bahawa penerbangannya mengalami kelewatan hampir dua jam selepas kru dan penerbangan melalui pemeriksaan tambahan oleh pihak berkuasa China. Penerbangan yang dijadualkan berlepas pada jam 2.25 petang hanya berlepas sekitar 3.30 petang.

Sama ada kelewatan tersebut berkait secara langsung dengan kes tangkapan juruterbang Malaysia di Indonesia masih belum dapat dipastikan. Namun, persepsi bahawa kru penerbangan Malaysia mungkin berdepan pemeriksaan lebih ketat sudah cukup untuk menimbulkan kebimbangan dalam kalangan pemain industri.

Dalam sektor penerbangan antarabangsa, reputasi adalah aset yang amat bernilai. Apabila keyakinan pihak berkuasa asing terhadap kru sesebuah negara terjejas, implikasinya boleh dirasai oleh syarikat penerbangan, anak kapal dan juga penumpang.

Di Mana Peranan Kementerian Pengangkutan?

Di sinilah timbul persoalan yang lebih besar.

Apakah tindakan Kementerian Pengangkutan bagi memastikan insiden yang melibatkan seorang individu tidak menjejaskan keseluruhan industri penerbangan Malaysia?

Adakah kementerian telah berhubung dengan pihak berkuasa penerbangan negara-negara berkaitan untuk mendapatkan penjelasan sekiranya wujud pemeriksaan tambahan terhadap kru atau pesawat Malaysia?

Adakah syarikat penerbangan tempatan telah diberikan panduan atau sokongan bagi menangani sebarang implikasi operasi di luar negara?

Rakyat berhak mengetahui sama ada kerajaan sedang mengambil langkah proaktif atau sekadar menunggu keadaan reda dengan sendirinya.

Kementerian Pengangkutan bukan sekadar mengurus jadual penerbangan dan pembangunan infrastruktur. Ia juga bertanggungjawab mempertahankan kredibiliti industri penerbangan negara di peringkat antarabangsa. Apabila timbul isu yang berpotensi menjejaskan reputasi tersebut, kementerian tidak boleh berdiam diri.

Sekiranya benar terdapat peningkatan pemeriksaan terhadap kru atau pesawat Malaysia akibat persepsi yang timbul daripada kes ini, Kementerian Pengangkutan perlu segera tampil memberikan penjelasan, berunding dengan pihak berkuasa luar dan memulihkan keyakinan terhadap profesionalisme industri penerbangan negara.

Kerajaan Tidak Boleh Bersikap Reaktif

Isu dadah hari ini bukan lagi sekadar masalah jenayah. Ia telah menjadi isu keselamatan negara, imej antarabangsa, ekonomi dan keyakinan terhadap institusi negara.

Kerajaan perlu menunjukkan bahawa Malaysia masih mampu mengawal sempadannya, membanteras sindiket dadah dan mempertahankan nama baik negara di mata dunia.

Dalam isu yang menyentuh industri penerbangan pula, Kementerian Pengangkutan perlu memimpin, bukannya sekadar memberi reaksi selepas timbul kontroversi. Kepimpinan yang berkesan bukan hanya diukur ketika keadaan berjalan lancar, tetapi ketika negara berdepan krisis yang boleh menjejaskan reputasi dan kepentingan nasional.

Rakyat tidak mengharapkan alasan. Rakyat mengharapkan tindakan. – NMH

The post Dadah Rentas Sempadan: Di Mana Tanggungjawab Kementerian Pengangkutan? first appeared on NMH.

Pilihan Raya Negeri (PRN) Negeri Sembilan Ke-16 telah mencipta sejarah baharu dalam landskap politik negara. Keputusan rasmi yang menyaksikan Barisan Nasional (BN) memenangi 18 kerusi, Pakatan Harapan (PH) 11 kerusi dan Perikatan Nasional (PN) tujuh kerusi bukan sahaja mengubah komposisi Dewan Undangan Negeri, malah membuka lembaran baharu mengenai hala tuju politik negeri dan negara.

Apa yang paling menarik perhatian ialah kejayaan BN dan PN menguasai 25 daripada 36 kerusi DUN, sekali gus memperoleh majoriti dua pertiga. Walaupun kedua-dua gabungan tidak bertanding sebagai satu gabungan rasmi di seluruh negeri, keputusan ini memperlihatkan bahawa sokongan kepada kedua-duanya telah menghasilkan satu blok politik yang lebih besar daripada PH.

Lebih signifikan lagi ialah keputusan undi popular yang memberikan gambaran lebih jelas mengenai sentimen sebenar pengundi Negeri Sembilan.

Berdasarkan data rasmi Suruhanjaya Pilihan Raya (SPR), daripada kira-kira 638,377 undi sah dengan kadar keluar mengundi 72.64 peratus atau 646,084 pengundi daripada 889,490 pengundi berdaftar, PH memperoleh 252,446 undi (39.55%), BN 227,067 undi (35.57%), manakala PN meraih 130,407 undi (20.43%).

Apabila undi BN dan PN digabungkan, kedua-dua gabungan memperoleh kira-kira 357,474 undi, bersamaan hampir 56 peratus undi popular. Angka ini bukan sahaja diterjemahkan kepada kemenangan 25 kerusi, malah memberi gambaran bahawa majoriti pengundi memilih calon daripada BN dan PN.

Kekuatan UMNO Kekal Menjadi Teras

Daripada keputusan mengikut parti komponen, UMNO terus membuktikan kekuatannya apabila memperoleh 168,798 undi atau 26.44 peratus daripada keseluruhan undi sah dan berjaya memenangi 16 daripada 16 kerusi yang ditandinginya.

MCA pula memenangi dua kerusi dengan 44,432 undi, manakala MIC gagal memenangi kerusi walaupun memperoleh lebih 13,800 undi.

Di pihak PN, PAS memperoleh 75,160 undi dan memenangi empat kerusi, manakala Parti Wawasan Negeri memperoleh tiga kerusi dengan 40,170 undi. Walaupun Gerakan dan MIPP tidak memenangi sebarang kerusi, sumbangan undi mereka turut memperkukuhkan jumlah keseluruhan PN.

PH pula masih bergantung kepada kekuatan DAP yang memperoleh 132,304 undi dan memenangi sembilan kerusi. PKR hanya memenangi dua kerusi, manakala Amanah gagal memenangi sebarang kerusi walaupun bertanding di sembilan kawasan.

Politik Baharu Selepas Kerajaan Perpaduan

PRN Negeri Sembilan turut menjadi referendum kecil terhadap perubahan landskap politik negara selepas pembentukan Kerajaan Perpaduan di Putrajaya.

Sejak Pilihan Raya Umum Ke-15, BN memilih untuk bekerjasama dengan PH bagi membentuk Kerajaan Persekutuan. Kerjasama itu berjaya memberikan kestabilan politik selepas tiada gabungan memperoleh majoriti mudah di Parlimen.

Namun, keputusan PRN Negeri Sembilan memperlihatkan satu perkembangan yang berbeza di peringkat negeri. Sebahagian pengundi dilihat memberikan sokongan yang lebih besar kepada BN dan PN berbanding PH.

Perkara ini membuka ruang kepada perbincangan politik mengenai kemungkinan bentuk kerjasama yang boleh berlaku pada masa hadapan. Walaupun sehingga kini BN dan PN kekal sebagai gabungan yang berasingan dengan pendirian masing-masing, keputusan pilihan raya menunjukkan bahawa penyokong kedua-dua gabungan mempunyai kekuatan yang mampu mengubah keseimbangan politik jika terdapat persefahaman yang lebih erat.

Sentimen Pengundi Melayu di Negeri Sembilan

Jika dibandingkan dengan PRN Negeri Sembilan 2023, berlaku perubahan yang ketara. Pada ketika itu PH memperoleh kira-kira 37.3 peratus undi popular, BN sekitar 21.9 peratus, manakala PN 36.3 peratus.

PRN 2026 menyaksikan peningkatan sokongan kepada BN, manakala PN terus mengekalkan pengaruh yang signifikan. Secara keseluruhannya, gabungan undi kedua-dua parti memperlihatkan kecenderungan sebahagian besar pengundi Melayu untuk memberikan mandat kepada BN dan PN.

Walaupun faktor tempatan seperti calon, isu kawasan dan prestasi wakil rakyat terus memainkan peranan, pola pengundian ini menunjukkan bahawa sentimen berkaitan kos sara hidup, ekonomi, peluang pekerjaan serta kestabilan politik masih menjadi pertimbangan utama pengundi.

Politik Tidak Lagi Bersifat Hitam Putih

Politik Malaysia hari ini tidak lagi boleh dilihat melalui lensa lama yang membahagikan parti kepada kawan dan lawan secara mutlak.

Kerjasama BN dan PH di peringkat Persekutuan membuktikan bahawa parti-parti politik boleh mencari titik persamaan apabila keadaan memerlukan. Pada masa yang sama, keputusan PRN Negeri Sembilan menunjukkan bahawa BN dan PN pula memiliki kekuatan sokongan yang besar dalam kalangan pengundi negeri ini.

Apa jua bentuk kerjasama politik pada masa hadapan, ia akhirnya akan dinilai berdasarkan kemampuan gabungan tersebut mentadbir dengan baik, mengurus ekonomi, menjaga kebajikan rakyat dan memastikan kestabilan politik.

Masa Depan Politik Negeri Sembilan

PRN Negeri Sembilan Ke-16 memberikan mesej yang jelas bahawa rakyat mahukan politik yang lebih matang dan berorientasikan penyelesaian.

Keputusan ini bukan sekadar mengenai siapa yang menang atau kalah, tetapi mengenai perubahan corak sokongan rakyat. Dengan gabungan BN dan PN meraih sekitar 56 peratus undi popular dan menguasai 25 daripada 36 kerusi DUN, keputusan ini sudah pasti akan menjadi rujukan penting dalam merangka strategi politik menjelang pilihan raya akan datang.

Pada masa yang sama, hubungan BN dengan PH dalam Kerajaan Perpaduan di peringkat Persekutuan kekal menjadi realiti politik semasa.

Keadaan ini memperlihatkan bahawa politik Malaysia semakin kompleks, dengan corak kerjasama yang boleh berbeza antara peringkat negeri dan Persekutuan.

Pengundi telah membuat pilihan melalui sistem First-Past-The-Post, di mana kemenangan ditentukan berdasarkan majoriti di setiap kerusi, bukannya undi popular keseluruhan. Namun begitu, gabungan keputusan kerusi dan undi popular dalam PRN Negeri Sembilan 2026 memberikan gambaran yang menarik tentang perubahan sentimen politik negeri dan menjadi petunjuk penting terhadap arah aliran politik Malaysia pada masa hadapan. – NMH

The post PRN Negeri Sembilan 2026: Isyarat Baharu Politik? first appeared on NMH.

Bagi kebanyakan rakyat Malaysia, Laut China Selatan mungkin hanya muncul dalam berita apabila berlaku ketegangan antara negara-negara besar atau apabila kapal pengawal pantai dilaporkan berada berhampiran perairan yang dipertikaikan.

Namun hakikatnya, isu ini jauh lebih dekat dengan kehidupan kita daripada yang disangka. Laut ini menjadi laluan utama perdagangan negara, sumber rezeki ribuan nelayan, lokasi penerokaan minyak dan gas yang menyumbang kepada ekonomi negara, serta benteng penting kepada keselamatan dan kedaulatan Malaysia.

Dalam konteks ini, peguam Nor Hisham Mohd Nor berpandangan bahawa sudah tiba masanya Malaysia membentuk kerangka pemikiran dan naratifnya sendiri mengenai Laut China Selatan. Menurut beliau, perbahasan mengenai isu ini tidak seharusnya hanya dipengaruhi oleh perspektif kuasa-kuasa besar atau tafsiran pihak luar, sebaliknya perlu berpaksikan realiti geopolitik Malaysia, sejarah maritim negara serta hak-hak yang diperuntukkan di bawah undang-undang antarabangsa.

Pendekatan sedemikian diyakini dapat memastikan setiap pendirian dan dasar yang diambil sentiasa menjurus kepada perlindungan kedaulatan, keselamatan dan kepentingan nasional yang bakal melibatkan masa depan negara.

Peringatan Ulang Tahun ke-10 Tribunal Timbang Tara

Pada 12 Julai 2026, dunia memperingati ulang tahun kesepuluh keputusan Tribunal Timbang Tara yang ditubuhkan di bawah Lampiran VII Konvensyen Pertubuhan Bangsa-Bangsa Bersatu Mengenai Undang-Undang Laut (UNCLOS) dalam kes yang difailkan oleh Filipina terhadap China.

Sejak keputusan itu diumumkan pada tahun 2016, ia sering dianggap sebagai kemenangan besar kepada undang-undang antarabangsa dan bukti bahawa tuntutan China di Laut China Selatan tidak mempunyai asas dari sudut UNCLOS. Ramai menganggap isu tersebut telah selesai dari sudut perundangan.

Namun, selepas sedekad berlalu, wajar kita bertanya semula: adakah segala persoalan undang-undang benar-benar telah terjawab? Lebih penting lagi, adakah perdebatan ini membantu Malaysia mempertahankan kepentingan negaranya sendiri?

Tribunal Bukanlah Penghujung Kepada Perbahasan Akademik

Dalam dunia perundangan, sesuatu keputusan mahkamah atau tribunal bukanlah penghujung kepada perbahasan akademik. Malah, keputusan-keputusan penting sering menjadi bahan kajian, kritikan dan penilaian semula oleh para sarjana serta pengamal undang-undang. Keputusan timbang tara Laut China Selatan juga tidak terkecuali.

Membincangkan isu-isu ini bukan bermaksud menolak undang-undang antarabangsa, sebaliknya menunjukkan bahawa perkembangan undang-undang sentiasa terbuka kepada penelitian dan penambahbaikan.

Namun bagi Malaysia, persoalan yang lebih utama bukanlah sama ada sesuatu negara menang atau kalah dalam sesuatu prosiding timbang tara. Yang lebih penting ialah bagaimana Malaysia dapat melindungi hak, kedaulatan dan kepentingannya sendiri.

Pendekatan Malaysia Yang Sederhana Dan Pragmatik

Malaysia sejak dahulu mengambil pendekatan yang sederhana dan pragmatik dalam menangani isu Laut China Selatan. Negara kita tidak cenderung kepada retorik yang boleh meningkatkan ketegangan. Sebaliknya, Malaysia memilih diplomasi, dialog dan hubungan baik dengan semua pihak sambil terus mempertahankan hak yang diperuntukkan oleh undang-undang antarabangsa.

Pendekatan ini membolehkan Malaysia mengekalkan hubungan ekonomi dan diplomatik yang baik dengan pelbagai negara tanpa mengabaikan kepentingan strategiknya sendiri.

Dalam masa yang sama, rakyat Malaysia juga perlu memahami bahawa Laut China Selatan bukan sekadar kawasan pertikaian. Ia merupakan nadi kepada ekonomi negara dari segi perdagangan antarabangsa, hasil laut serta petroleum dan gas yang menyumbang kepada hasil negara.

Sebahagian besar perdagangan antarabangsa melalui perairan ini.

Hak Malaysia Terhadap Zon Ekonomi Eksklusif (EEZ)

Hak Malaysia terhadap Zon Ekonomi Eksklusif (EEZ) dan pelantar benuanya berasaskan UNCLOS, di samping itu, Malaysia turut mempunyai kehadiran pentadbiran yang berterusan di beberapa ciri maritim; termasuk Pulau Layang-Layang.

Kehadiran Pulau Layang-layang ini melambangkan kehadiran Malaysia di kawasan strategik serta komitmen negara mempertahankan hak dan kepentingannya.

Setiap pembangunan, rondaan dan usaha mempertahankan kawasan tersebut membawa mesej bahawa Malaysia bertanggungjawab menjaga kedaulatan wilayahnya.

Dimensi Sejarah ‘Laut Melayu’

Selain aspek undang-undang dan keselamatan, terdapat juga dimensi sejarah yang sering dilupakan. Dalam beberapa rekod sejarah, kawasan ini pernah dirujuk sebagai “Laut Melayu” atau “Malayan Sea”.

Walaupun istilah sejarah tersebut tidak menentukan hak di sisi undang-undang antarabangsa moden, ia mengingatkan kita bahawa hubungan masyarakat di rantau ini dengan lautan telah terjalin sejak berabad-abad lamanya.

Sejarah bukan sekadar catatan masa lalu. Ia membantu membentuk identiti sesebuah negara. Memahami sejarah maritim Malaysia dapat memberi keyakinan kepada rakyat bahawa kepentingan Malaysia di Laut China Selatan bukanlah sesuatu yang baharu.

Dalam dunia hari ini yang dipenuhi persaingan kuasa besar, Malaysia juga perlu berhati-hati agar tidak membiarkan pihak luar menentukan naratif mengenai kepentingan negara. Ia adalah hak Malaysia untuk menentukan dasar luar dan strategi keselamatannya sendiri berdasarkan Perlembagaan, undang-undang antarabangsa serta kepentingan nasional.

Ini tidak bermakna Malaysia perlu memilih mana-mana blok kuasa. Sebaliknya, Malaysia harus terus mengamalkan dasar luar yang bebas, seimbang dan berprinsip. Hubungan baik dengan ASEAN, China, Amerika Syarikat serta negara-negara lain perlu diteruskan demi keamanan dan kestabilan serantau.

Malaysia Perlu Membina Naratif Sendiri

Apa yang lebih penting ialah membina naratif Malaysia sendiri mengenai Laut China Selatan—naratif yang berpaksikan sejarah negara, kedaulatan, hak di bawah undang-undang antarabangsa dan kepentingan rakyat Malaysia.

Sempena ulang tahun kesepuluh keputusan timbang tara Laut China Selatan, inilah masa yang sesuai untuk kita melihat isu ini dengan lebih matang. Perbahasan undang-undang akan terus berkembang, tafsiran akan terus berbeza, dan cabaran geopolitik juga akan berubah mengikut masa.

Namun satu perkara tidak boleh berubah. Malaysia mesti sentiasa meletakkan kepentingan negaranya di hadapan.

Isu Laut China Selatan Adalah Soal Masa Depan Rakyat Malaysia

Pada akhirnya, Laut China Selatan bukan sekadar isu undang-undang atau pertikaian antara negara. Ia adalah soal masa depan rakyat Malaysia—tentang pekerjaan, keselamatan, sumber makanan, tenaga, perdagangan dan kedaulatan negara.

Apabila kita membincangkan Laut China Selatan, kita sebenarnya sedang membincangkan masa depan Malaysia. Dan masa depan itu hanya dapat dipertahankan jika setiap dasar yang diambil sentiasa berpaksikan kepentingan negara, kebijaksanaan diplomasi serta komitmen untuk mengekalkan keamanan demi generasi akan datang. – NMH

The post Laut China Selatan: Mengapa Malaysia Perlu Mengutamakan Kepentingan Negara first appeared on NMH.

KUALA LUMPUR, 04 Aug – The government’s decision to pursue a RM24 billion civil claim against Datuk Seri Najib Razak has come under renewed scrutiny after the defence revealed that authorities have already recovered more than RM31 billion linked to 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB).

Najib’s lead counsel, Tan Sri Muhammad Shafee Abdullah, disclosed the figure at a press conference after court proceedings on Tuesday, following the conclusion of testimony by the plaintiff’s witness, former UK investigator Richard Templeman.

Shafee said the recovery figure was disclosed during the discovery process in the civil proceedings, questioning why it had not been made public despite exceeding the amount being claimed against Najib.

According to him, the RM31 billion recovered did not include the value of remaining 1MDB assets such as Bandar Malaysia and Edra, which could further increase the total recoverable value.

“The plaintiff is claiming RM24 billion, yet documents disclosed during discovery show recoveries have already exceeded RM31 billion,” Shafee said, adding that the Treasury should explain why these figures had not been publicly disclosed.

He argued that once the recovered funds and remaining assets were taken into account, questions naturally arose over the basis and quantum of the government’s civil claim.

Templeman’s Testimony Concludes

Templeman, a former investigator engaged by UK-based law firm Kobre & Kim in relation to international asset recovery efforts involving 1MDB, completed his testimony after two days of cross-examination.

The trial will resume on Wednesday with former DAP national publicity secretary Tony Pua expected to take the witness stand as the plaintiff’s next witness.

Defence Challenges ‘Top-Down’ Narrative

Reflecting on Templeman’s evidence, Shafee said the defence had successfully challenged the government’s assertion that Najib exercised complete control over 1MDB through a so-called “top-down approach”.

He said Templeman eventually accepted that the documents shown in court reflected the normal governance structure of a company, where decisions were made by the board of directors before being referred to the shareholder for approval where required.

According to Shafee, this was consistent with the governance framework of a government-linked company and did not, by itself, demonstrate that Najib directed the company’s day-to-day affairs.

The defence also referred Templeman to Article 117 of 1MDB’s Memorandum and Articles of Association, a provision frequently cited throughout the proceedings.

Shafee said Templeman acknowledged that, based on the documents he had reviewed, he had not seen any instance where Najib exercised powers under Article 117 to override the board’s decisions.

No Documents Showing Najib Directed The 1MDB Board

Shafee further highlighted that Templeman agreed there were no documents showing Najib had directed the 1MDB board on its decisions.

He also noted that Templeman was unaware that a handwriting expert had previously testified that the signatures and handwritten notes purportedly belonging to Najib on certain 1MDB board meeting minutes were not his.

The defence further pointed out that the board meeting minutes themselves contained no record of any other attendees or participants, giving the impression that Najib was effectively “having a monologue with himself” rather than recording discussions involving other board members.

On the issue of fugitive businessman Low Taek Jho, or Jho Low, Templeman disagreed that Jho Low acted as a shadow director controlling 1MDB from outside the company. However, he accepted that there were some instances suggesting Jho Low’s involvement in the company’s affairs.

With Templeman’s evidence concluded, the trial is expected to enter a new phase with Tony Pua’s testimony when proceedings resume on Wednesday. – NMH

The post 1MDB Civil Trial: With RM31 Billion Recovered, RM24 Billion Suit Questioned first appeared on NMH.

Orang Melayu Bukan Mudah Lupa. Mereka selalu ingat pada masa pilihan raya.

Sabah.

Johor.

Kini Negeri Sembilan.

Tiga pilihan raya.

Tiga kekalahan yang membawa mesej yang sama.

Namun sehingga hari ini, Pakatan Harapan (PH) masih kelihatan gagal memahami mengapa sokongan orang Melayu semakin sukar diraih.

Seperti biasa, penjelasan yang diberikan juga tidak banyak berubah.

Politik perkauman.

Main sentimen.

Fitnah.

Maklumat palsu.

Segala-galanya dipersalahkan.

Kecuali satu perkara.

Muhasabah.

Hakikatnya, orang Melayu tidak mengundi semata-mata berdasarkan manifesto.

Mereka mengundi berdasarkan pengalaman.

Mereka mengundi berdasarkan memori.

Dan lebih penting, mereka mengundi berdasarkan apa yang mereka rasa.

Kerana hati orang Melayu tidak mudah dimenangi melalui ceramah atau slogan.

Hati orang Melayu dimenangi melalui rasa hormat.

Luka Yang Bermula Pada 2018

Bagi ramai rakyat Malaysia yang mahukan perubahan, kemenangan PH pada PRU14 membawa harapan baharu.

Namun bagi sebahagian besar orang Melayu dan umat Islam, tempoh selepas itu meninggalkan kenangan yang jauh berbeza.

Mungkin setiap keputusan mempunyai alasan pentadbiran.

Mungkin setiap tindakan mempunyai justifikasi undang-undang.

Tetapi dalam politik, persepsi sering mengatasi penjelasan.

Ramai orang Melayu masih mengingati bagaimana pekerja kontrak kerajaan terjejas.

Bagaimana isu berkaitan elaun guru agama dan institusi tahfiz menjadi perbualan.

Semuanya berlaku ketika Ramadan.

Mungkin bagi sesetengah pihak, ia hanyalah keputusan pentadbiran.

Tetapi bagi ramai orang Melayu, ia menyentuh soal sensitiviti.

Dan apabila sensitiviti tidak diraikan, luka mula tercipta.

Orang Melayu Menilai Cara, Bukan Sekadar Tindakan

Inilah yang ramai ahli strategi politik gagal faham.

Orang Melayu bukan sahaja melihat apa yang dilakukan.

Mereka juga melihat bagaimana ia dilakukan.

Cara seseorang bercakap.

Cara seseorang mengkritik.

Cara seseorang meraikan kemenangan.

Cara seseorang melayan lawan yang telah tewas.

Semuanya diperhatikan.

Kerana dalam budaya Melayu, adab sentiasa mendahului kuasa.

Politik Juga Ada Adab

Apabila kerajaan bertukar pada tahun 2018, ramai penyokong BN masih mengingati bagaimana peralihan kuasa berlaku.

Bagi mereka, ia bukan sekadar pertukaran pentadbiran.

Ia meninggalkan kesan emosi.

Ramai masih mengingati imej-imej yang berlegar ketika itu.

Imej yang bagi mereka menggambarkan sebuah kemenangan yang diraikan tanpa banyak ruang untuk belas ihsan.

Sebab itulah ramai yang tersentuh apabila selepas kemenangan di Negeri Sembilan baru-baru ini, Menteri Besar baharu memilih untuk mengucapkan terima kasih kepada Datuk Seri Aminuddin Harun atas jasa beliau mentadbir negeri.

Tiada sindiran.

Tiada penghinaan.

Hanya penghormatan kepada seorang pemimpin yang telah berkhidmat.

Begitu juga apabila Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi ditanya sama ada Aminuddin perlu segera mengosongkan kediaman rasmi Menteri Besar.

Jawapannya ringkas.

“Berilah beliau sedikit masa. Beliau juga sahabat kita.”

Mungkin bagi sesetengah orang, itu perkara kecil.

Tetapi bagi orang Melayu, perkara seperti itulah yang dipanggil adab.

Hormat Tidak Boleh Bermusim

Orang Melayu menghargai sesiapa sahaja yang menghormati budaya dan agama mereka.

Memakai baju Melayu.

Memakai baju kurung.

Memakai tudung ketika menghadiri majlis.

Mengucapkan salam.

Semuanya dihargai.

Tetapi rasa hormat tidak boleh muncul hanya ketika musim pilihan raya.

Ia perlu diterjemahkan melalui tutur kata.

Melalui tindakan.

Melalui cara menangani perbezaan.

Apabila ada pemimpin yang dilihat memperlekehkan pemimpin Melayu, mempersendakan kebimbangan orang Melayu atau menyentuh perkara-perkara sensitif berkaitan agama, semua itu terkumpul menjadi satu memori politik yang sukar dipadam.

Mungkin setiap insiden berdiri sendiri.

Tetapi dalam fikiran pengundi Melayu, ia membentuk satu corak.

Tabung Haji Bukan Sekadar Institusi

Begitu juga dengan Tabung Haji.

Bagi orang Melayu Islam, Tabung Haji bukan sekadar agensi kerajaan.

Ia adalah tempat menyimpan impian.

Impian untuk menjadi tetamu Allah.

Sebab itu apa sahaja yang melibatkan Tabung Haji sentiasa menyentuh emosi.

Apabila isu-isu berkaitan Tabung Haji kembali dimainkan ketika pilihan raya, ramai mula bertanya.

Mengapa sekarang?

Mengapa bukan dahulu?

Dan persoalan-persoalan itu akhirnya menjadi isu politik.

Masih Bertanding Dengan Najib

Satu lagi persoalan yang sering dibangkitkan oleh pengundi ialah mengapa setiap kali pilihan raya, nama Datuk Seri Najib Razak dan Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor terus dijadikan modal politik.

Sedangkan bagi ramai rakyat, isu yang lebih mendesak ialah kos sara hidup.

Harga beras.

Peluang pekerjaan.

Kos menunaikan haji.

Beban kehidupan harian.

Apabila rakyat bercakap tentang masa depan tetapi ahli politik masih bercakap tentang masa lalu, jurang itu semakin melebar.

PH Kehilangan Lebih Daripada Undi

Sabah sepatutnya menjadi amaran.

Johor sepatutnya menjadi pengajaran.

Negeri Sembilan sepatutnya membuka mata.

Namun jika jawapan kepada setiap kekalahan masih sama, maka jangan terkejut jika keputusan pilihan raya akan terus mengulangi cerita yang sama.

Kerana orang Melayu bukan menolak hanya dasar.

Kadangkala mereka menolak cara mereka dilayan.

Mereka menolak nada yang dianggap angkuh.

Mereka menolak rasa bahawa suara mereka hanya penting apabila tiba musim mengundi.

Hati Orang Melayu Tidak Boleh Dipaksa

Mungkin PH menyangka orang Melayu sudah lupa.

Tetapi keputusan di Sabah, Johor dan Negeri Sembilan menunjukkan sebaliknya.

Orang Melayu tidak mudah melupakan apa yang mereka rasa.

Kerana bagi orang Melayu, politik bukan sekadar soal kuasa.

Politik juga soal adab.

Cara kita melayan lawan selepas menang.

Cara kita menghormati jasa orang terdahulu.

Cara kita menjaga maruah mereka yang telah tewas.

Semuanya menjadi ukuran.

Kerana kemenangan bukan sekadar mengangkat seorang pemimpin.

Kemenangan juga menguji budi pekerti seorang pemimpin.

Luka mungkin boleh dipendam.

Tetapi luka yang tidak pernah dirawat akan berdarah semula.

Dan dalam politik, apabila hati sudah terluka…

Undi akan berbicara. – NMH

The post Pilihan Raya – Mengapa Hati Orang Melayu Masih Belum Lupa first appeared on NMH.