Condolences to Philippines National Police Special Action Forces (PNP - SAF)

We were lucky.

In the Kampung Siminul Jaya ambush that killed 6 of our men, of which one of them was the husband of my ex-colleague, we were lucky that Kiram's terrorists did not press their advantage. Why they did not press their advantages, we will never know.

My View on BR1M

BR1M by and large is being maligned on both sides of the political divide; pro-BN side (or rather pro-Mahathir side) holds onto Tun M's argument that BR1M is a waste of valuable govt resources and should be used in subsidizing the petrol price, while pro-PR sides had claimed that BR1M is a form of bribery, a means to buy vote.

However, for those who come from economics background will understand that BR1M is what we called as negative taxation.

Govt has 2 tools in managing an economy;
1. Fiscal policy,
2. Monetary policy.

Monetary policy, ie increase/decrease of interest rates may not help to stimulate the economy. In fact, in Malaysian economic context, monetary policy is no longer flexible enough to be stimulate the economy. A decrease in interest rate will help to push people to spend, but it will result in increased loans in the property market, which has already pushed housing price far away from the reach of most working class Malaysians.

Increasing interest rate on the other hand will stifle market liquidity as cost of loans increased, and individuals may choose to save the money instead of investing them into ventures.

Another component of monetary policy, the exchange rate, can and is still be manipulated by Bank Negara. While ringgit isn't tagged to any currency anymore, revaluation of currency to stimulate the economy may have an even more adverse effect on the long term economy.

A strengthened ringgit will help to lower cost of living in Malaysia, but conversely, it will result in higher outflow of liquidity as more money is spent on imported products. Local manufacturing will also suffer hits as dropping demands for their products due to drop in foreign exports due to pricier goods and increased demand of imported goods will be a double whammy. These will affect the liquidity of these producers and they may have to close their businesses. This in turn will result in job losses which in turn force the economy to contract.

That leaves fiscal policy. Usually, in most economies, especially western economics, the step that is taken is by affecting changes in the tax.

Lowering tax is a sure way to free more money into the market.

But lowering tax rate will result in benefits that would be enjoyed mostly by higher income group. As those in this group usually have high disposable income, this may in turn result in the tax savings being saved instead of being spent.

Since the poor don't pay tax, a negative tax is introduced, ie BR1M. The effect of BR1M by large is similar to reduced tax rate, but since the recipients have less disposable income, this benefit will definitely be spent and thus, turn the economic wheel.

The problem however is at our rather inefficient distribution of BR1M.

Ideally, BR1M distribution via banking account is the most perfect method. However, due to large number of population in East Malaysia do not have and do not need banking accounts, distribution of BR1M to both states have to be via direct disbursement.

Direct disbursement in cash is dangerous. You might have instances where the money is embezzled by individuals or even by the distribution team.

Thus, printed vouchers with (security features) that need to be acknowledged had to be used (note increase in cost).

Due to lack of banking accounts, the vouchers will need to be distributed by banks. Cost to transport the cash to these locations will then again cost money.

And not to forget the allowance paid by the respective services to their staffs in helping to distribute the aid.

First published on 15th Jan 2015 at 12.37pm at https://www.facebook.com/danny.liew.18/posts/786366261400630

Cold War 2

Life, it seems is getting back to the time in 70's. Threat of war on all fronts. A looming global ideological threat (what ISIL/ISIS/IS and AQ holds onto is not Islam, but an ideogical belief that what they like and agreeable to them from Islam).

Add a growing antagonism towards 2 new super powers (one a has been that is clawing its way back to the top of the pecking order, the other a newly minted global power which is trying to claim the seas around it) into the equation, the world is no longer as peaceful as it seems.

Civil war in Syria may seems to be a fight between warlords for power, but behind this fascade of civil war are the 4 chess grandmasters playing with the lives of millions.

In Eastern Europe, a middle-power tried its hands in global geopolitics, only to have it fouled by a smart ass chess move by a declining middle-power.

In East Asia, cloak and dagger moves abound. Chess pieces being moved non-stop in an area where allegiance is nothing but a shifting boundaries.

Welcome to Cold War 2.

Diplomasi dan Ketenteraan - Di Sebalik Tabir Hibah Pesawat Black Hawk TUDB

Lawatan Sambil Bekerja Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Tun Hussein ke Sabah bermula semalam membawa kepada pengumuman hibah 4* buah pesawat helikopter Black Hawk milik TUDB kepada ATM.  Lawatan sempena latihan ketenteraan dengan tujuan Show of Force ATM di Negeri di Bawah Angin itu juga bakal memperlihatkan kenderaan AV8 Gempita buatan Deftech dioperasikan buat pertama kalinya dalam kawasan panas.

Sumber foto - http://www.army-technology.com/projects/black_hawk/

Pengumuman hibah oleh Kerajaan Brunei itu diterima dengan hati terbuka, tetapi pada masa yang sama terasa tamparannya kerana kita telah mendapat hibah daripada sebuah negara jiran yang jauh lebih kerdil daripada kita.  Namun di sebalik tabir, hibah pesawat Black Hawk TUDB ini mempunyai maksud yang amat mendalam, iaitu pengiktirafan kedaulatan Malaysia ke atas Sabah.

Bagi memahami erti kata ini, perlu kita kaji kembali sejarah Sabah itu sendiri.  Tetapi bukan daripada perspektif sejarah yang diajar dalam sekolah-sekolah di Malaysia.  Sebaliknya dari perspektif sejarah seperti yang dicatatkan oleh sejarahwan Brunei Darussalam, Pehin Jamil dalam bukunya Tarsilah Brunei II.


Sabah Di Bawah Brunei

Daulat Sabah pada asalnya dimiliki oleh Kesultanan Brunei.  Malahan, sejarah penubuhan Brunei itu sendiri dipengaruhi oleh Sabah.  Keseluruhan Sabah dari sebelah timur hinggalah ke barat berada di bawah Kesultanan Brunei.

Pada tahun 1660, berlaku rampasan kuasa dalam Kesultanan Brunei.  Dua orang putera Kesultanan tersebut bergaduh akibat sabung ayam sehinggalah menjadi sebuah perang saudara.  Pengiran Muda Alam menjadi korban pertama dibunuh oleh Pengiran Muda Bongsu.  Akibatnya Sultan Brunei ketika itu, Sultan Muhammad Ali dibunuh oleh penyokong Pengiran Muda Alam.

Kekosongan tersebut menyebabkan munculnya dua orang individu yang cuba mewarisi takhta Kesultanan Brunei; Sultan Muhyiddin (cucu Sultan Muhammad Ali) dan Sultan Hakkul Abdul Mubin (pembunuh Sultan Muhammad Ali).

Sultan Hakkul Abdul Mubin menubuhkan istananya di Pulau Chermin, Kinarut, Sabah.  Dari tahun 1660 sehinggalah 1673, percubaan demi percubaan Sultan Muhyiddin untuk menewaskan Sultan Hakkul Abdul Mubin gagal.  Akhirnya, Sultan Muhyiddin cuba mendapat bantuan daripada Kesultanan Sulu. Kawasan yang dijanjikan oleh Sultan Muhyiddin adalah kawasan yang meliputi kawasan ESSCOM hari ini.

Bantuan dijanjikan oleh Kesultanan Sulu untuk serangan ke atas Pulau Chermin.  Tetapi ketika serangan dilancarkan oleh Sultan Muhyiddin, tentera Kesultanan Sulu tidak membantu menyerang.  Mereka hanya tiba setelah tentera Sultan Muhyiddin berjaya menewaskan tentera Sultan Hakkul Abdul Mubin.

Murka dengan penipuan Kesultanan Sulu, Sultan Muhyiddin menghalau tentera Kesultanan Sulu.

Kesultanan Sulu masih juga cuba menuntut wilayah yang dijanjikan oleh Sultan Muhyiddin dalam beberapa percubaan walaupun mereka tidak menunaikan janji mereka di medan perang.  Namun setiap kali dihalau oleh Sultan Brunei.  Penguasan wilayah yang pernah dijanjikan kepada Sultan Sulu kekal dengan Sultan Brunei.  Namun tidak dinafikan terdapat daerah yang berjaya dikuasai oleh Sultan Sulu.  Tetapi memandangkan kaedah perhubungan yang kurang efektif ketika itu, mereka tidak dapat dikesan dan dihalau.  Kehadiran Kesultanan Sulu di situ sepertimana lanun yang kita hadapi hari ini.


Kehadiran British di Sabah

Setelah British melalui Syarikat Overbeck dan Dent mendapat hak pajakan ke atas Sabah, syarikat tersebut dicatatkan dalam sejarah turut mendapatkan pajakan bagi wilayah sebelah timur Sabah daripada Kesultanan Sulu.  Di situ terdapat kekeliruan yang dicatatkan dalam sejarah Malaysia.

Dokumen rasmi Kesultanan Brunei menyatakan bahawa pajakan yang diperoleh oleh Overbeck dan Dent meliputi keseluruhan Sabah, termasuk wilayah yang dituntut oleh Kesultanan Sulu.  Tetapi kenapa Overbeck dan Dent mendapatkan pajakan daripada Sultan Sulu?

Tujuan pajakan tersebut tidak lain dan tidak bukan hanyalah untuk memastikan aktiviti penerokaan Sabah oleh mereka tidak diganggu oleh lanun dari seberang.  Syarikat Overbeck dan Dent hanyalah merupakan sebuah syarikat swasta yang mendapat piagam untuk meneroka.  Tujuan penubuhan syarikat mereka hanyalah untuk keuntungan.  Sama seperti sikap segelintir peniaga yang lebih rela membayar wang perlindungan kepada kumpulan kongsi gelap daripada membantu polis membanteras kegiatan mereka.


Pencerobohan Lahad Datu

2013, kumpulan pengganas di bawah Jamallul Kiram II cuba mendapatkan wilayah yang dituntut dahulu untuk Kesultanan Sulu (hakikatnya mereka cuma buah catur Nur Misuari).  Ops Daulat dilancarkan dan kita kehilangan 10 orang anggota pasukan keselamatan dari ATM dan PDRM.  Salah seorangnya suami kenalan saya.  Di sebelah pengganas, angka korban rasmi adalah 70 orang.

Semasa krisis Lahad Datu berlangsung, Jamallul Kiram telah mengirimkan jurucakapnya, iaitu Abraham Idjrani dan anaknya Jacel Kiram untuk memohon bantuan daripada Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah untuk memaksa Malaysia menyerahkan Sabah kepada mereka.  Sebaliknya, Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah yang membuat lawatan rasmi ke Manila ketika itu tidak mempedulikan permohonan bantuan mereka.


Lawatan Rasmi Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah ke Malaysia

Tahun lepas, Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah telah membuat lawatan rasmi ke Malaysia.  Datuk Seri Hishammuddin yang juga Menteri Pertahanan ditugaskan sebagai menteri kanan menjadi pengiring kepada baginda Sultan Brunei.  Masuk tahun 2015, MenHan mengumumkan hibah ini daripada Sultan Brunei.

Hibah ini membawa makna bahawa Daulat Sabah dipegang dan diiktiraf oleh Malaysia.  Dan ini sebenarnya merupakan tamparan ke atas Sulu, bukannya Malaysia.


* bilangan sebenar akan cuba dipastikan.

THE Lahad Datu incursion opened the eyes of Malaysians to a threat that most Sabahans had known for years. While it was not a surprise that these terrorists were willing to kill our security forces to achieve their ill intention, the brutality of their actions was unexpected.

However, what they never expected was the strong response that our security forces displayed in defending the honour and sovereignty of our nation.

While Kampung Tanduo has been cleared of terrorists, we must not be lulled into a sense that the crisis is over. We may have won the battle, but the war still goes on.

Before we continue our vigilance against any future intrusion, we should identify who the key players are and how they are reacting to the intrusion.

Known key players today are the Philippine government, MILF (Moro Islamic Liberation Front) under the leadership of Murad Ibrahim, MNLF (Moro National Liberation Front) under the current chairman Muslimin Sema, former MNLF chairman Nur Misuari and Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG).
While there are other groups that have certain level of influence over the population in southern Philippines, most could not muster sufficient force and influence to be considered as key players.
For the sake of simplicity, we will not look into how the current Philippine government and its predecessors weigh in on the issue. Their stance has been consistent, that the Sabah issue is on the backburner and their actions are constrained by the Philippine Constitution which explicitly barred the nation from using war as an instrument of foreign policy.

The same constraint, however, does not apply to the rebels who are the main players in southern Philippines. We will examine them one by one.


NUR MISUARI

He is the founder of MNLF. In 2007, he was accused of terrorism by leading an MNLF unit against a Philippine army installation in Sulu in 2001. To escape the charges, he fled by sea to Sabah, hoping the Malaysian government would empathise with his predicament.

Unfortunately for him, the Malaysian government had him arrested and extradited back to the Philippines. He was subsequently imprisoned and his hold over MNLF began to loosen. In 2008, he lost his position as chairman in MNLF to Muslimin Sema.

At the end of last year, he led a unit of MNLF to attack Abu Sayyaf and rescue several hostages held by them. Apparently, the action was more to regain his former prestige, which could backfire on him.


MILF

On Oct 7 last year, MILF under the leadership of Murad Ibrahim signed a peace agreement with the Philippine government to form the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM). Established by Hashim Salamat, MILF was previously part of MNLF. Disgusted with the excesses by former chairman and founder Nur Misuari, then the governor of ARMM's first incarnation, they split off and restarted the war against the Philippine government and MNLF. Continuous warring and the fall from grace of Nur Misuari brought them to peace talks.

Knowing that peace can only be achieved by involving all key parties, MILF invited all key parties to the obtain their input for the peace deal. Among the invitees was the so-called sultan, Jamallul Kiram. However, he chose to ignore the peace deal.

Because of Murad's willingness to push for peace in Mindanao, he was given observer status to Umno's general assembly held last year.

As MILF is a key beneficiary of the peace deal, it stands to lose most if Malaysia pulls out from being the facilitator to the peace deal. Thus, it was not surprising that MILF was the first rebel group that declared that it did not support the incursion by the self-proclaimed Royal Sulu Army.
MNLF

While MNLF is no longer the largest rebel group in southern Philippines, it still commands a large combat force. Its forces consist of mainly Tausugs or Suluks.

They benefited the most from the first peace accord signed in 2001  when Nur Misuari was its   chairman. His fall from grace had brought disrepute to the group, but  it has been slowly regaining the respect that it once commanded.

It is believed that MNLF contributed the most to the forces of the so-called sultan Jamalul Kiram in Lahad Datu and Semporna. When Malaysian forces began the offensive action against the ragtag terrorists, there was talk that MNLF forces will try to infiltrate Malaysia to assist their beleaguered brethren. This was until stories of atrocities committed against dead police officers began to filter back to Mindanao.

The MNLF leadership was quick to issue a statement to declare that they disagreed with the incursion and the actions taken by RSA.  This declaration caught Nur Misuari off guard.

ASG shot to prominence in 2001 when it stormed Sipadan and Ligitan Dive Resort and took 21 hostages, mainly tourists and workers on the island.
 
ASG is also a progeny of MNLF.  Now numbering around 500 to 1,000 men, it espouses a firebrand type of Islam. Believed to be linked to al-Qaeda via Jemaah Islamiyah, it is known for its brutality in combat.
 
The group's relationships with other rebels in the region are ambiguous.  It is known to be tolerated by MILF as some of the MILF ground commanders and ASG are related.
 
While the group is still trying to carve an influence for  itself in southern Philippines,  it will more likely not be swayed by the call to arms by Jamalul Kiram III and Nur Misuari.

CONCLUSION

While the last few men of RSA are slowly being hunted by the might of Malaysian army, bonded by the shared bloodline, some Tausugs will still brave the seas that divide the two nations in the false hope that their presence will be able to relieve the pressure on the remnants of RSA. Some will be driven purely by vengeance.

We need to be vigilant towards such attempts. We have succeeded against not one communist insurgency, but two communist insurgencies consisting of four separate groups. We will succeed against this threat from RSA.

While these Tausugs may be  baying for the blood of Malaysians, we should not forget nor question that there are thousands of Tausugs and Suluks who are loyal Malaysians, with many sworn to protect the nation from enemies, domestic and foreign, related by blood or not.

 

____________________________________________________________________________

 

First published on GempurWira Facebook on 11 March 2013 - accessible at the following link -
https://www.facebook.com/Gempurwira2002/posts/405338252896173

Republished by the NST on 14 March 2014 at http://www2.nst.com.my/opinion/columnist/key-players-on-lahad-datu-stage-1.234306.

In honour of those who were killed defending this country during the Lahad Datu crisis:

PDRM
ASP (G/17992) Zulkifli bin Mamat  - VAT69 - KIA 1st March 2013, Kampung Tanduo
Sjn (113088) Sabaruddin bin Daud  - VAT69 - KIA 1st March 2013, Kampung Tanduo
Supt (G/10768) Ibrahim bin Lebar  - Special Branch, Bukit Aman - KIA 3rd March 2013, Kampung Simunul Jaya, Semporna
ASP (G/15053) Michael Padel  - Special Branch, IPD Tawau - KIA 3rd March 2013, Kampung Siminul Jaya, Semporna
Sjn/D (110204) Baharin bin Hamit - Special Branch, IPD Tawau - KIA 3rd March 2013, Kampung Siminul Jaya, Semporna
Sjn (124082) Abdul Azis Sarikon  - 14 Bat PGA - KIA 3rd March 2013, Kampung Siminul Jaya, Semporna
Kpl/S (12675) Salam Togiran - IPD Tawau - KIA 3rd March 2013, Kampung Siminul Jaya, Semporna
L/Kpl (160475) Azrul Tukiran - 14 Bat PGA - KIA 3rd March 2013, Kampung Siminul Jaya, Semporna

ATM
L/Kpl 1163468 Abu Hurairah Ismail - 7 RAMD, KIA 12th March 2013, Sungai Nyamuk
L/Kpl Ahmad Farhan Ruslan - KIA in accident.

* all were posthumously promoted to the next rank.

Scorpene (Perdana Menteri Class) submarines

To-date, I will rate the purchase of Scorpene submarines, or Perdana class subs as the best buy made by the Navy.
It is today the world's most advanced diesel submarine, and would only be overtaken by Singapore's newly-made purchase, just signed Oct this year.

While the price tag seems to be too high, as compared to another submarine offered by the Russians (Kilo class submarine), you could not compare what is the latest design against a 20, almost 30 year-old design. Going along with the car analogy today, you can't compare the quality of a 1980's Honda Accord against a 2007 Toyota Camry.

As for allegations that the allegations that the submarine could not dive. The Navy has clarified that this was due to minor errors that was easily rectified by the French maker as it was still in warranty period. This problem was actually an anticipated problem, due to the thermal difference of European waters and Malaysian waters. The RSN's Sjoormen class subs had the same problem in the early days of operation.

This allegation got worse as another of the contract contender had bought 2 used yet dilapidated Zwardvis Zwaardis class submarines, hoping that they could get easy bucks by selling them to the Navy. As the subs were not according to our Navy's requirements, they later were sold off as scraps.
It is also seldom highlighted that in Dec 2011, LGE had boarded KD TAR for a 90 min dive. Though never mentioned, the dive area is believed to be somewhere nearer to Indian Ocean as LGE took a boat ride from Langkawi island.

Toothless allegation can be easily encountered. In 2010, the Navy had tested the submarine's weaponry by launching a SM39 Exocet torpedo at a 40m long target. It was demolished.
Armed with this weapon, was why in March this year that China's PLA - Navy did not try to further provoke Malaysian Navy vessel KD Terengganu (do correct if I'm wrong) which was entasked to escort 4 China's PLA - Navy vessels which tried to conduct a military exercise at James Shoal, located only 80km from Bintulu town.

First published on Facebook via comment section on the We are Not Malaysian Zombies wall.  Graciously saved by my dearest friend, Lim Sian See and tagged to my wall on 31 December 2013.

The Day I Met My Hero

Today was the day I met my hero.  Waking up early today, I quickly prepared myself for the long day ahead.  And a long day it was.

Rendevouing with friends at Mamak restaurant at Setiawangsa, which might be the only regret that I have for today (a few hours after having the food and drinks there, a video that is viralling in the social media circle showing a worker of the restaurant using mop to clean a table - will be authenticating the video though), we set about to our task today of meeting a man whose dedication and sacrifices to this country is unrivalled.

Thanks to my great friend, Weaponmaster Red Aenid, we were able to meet a man that I consider as my hero and mentor, Tan Sri Yuen Yuet Leng.  With Aenid, Rafe, Ninja and Sandman, we went to Tan Sri's house.

A meeting that we thought would last for 2 hours (we didn't want to take too much of his time to rest), ended 4 hours after we shook hands with him.

Right in front of our eyes, was a man who served this country without fail.  A man who considers himself a Malaysian first, second and third.  And he even he took 4 bullets for this country (of which one is still in his body, almost 60 years after he was shot).

Listening to his stories, of his time in service, we got to learn several important lesson.

1. Love your country.  What party you support, they mean nothing as the country must come first.  The party falls, the country still stands.  But if the country fall, so the party too.
2. Love your comrades in arms.  He remembers dearly those who fought beside him, and those who died under his command.  And friends who were unfortunately killed just because of being the son of police officer (one of his dearest friends, a Malay, was captured by the communists during the 14 days of terror and was tied behind a vehicle and dragged around Taiping).
3. Love your enemies.  They might want to kill you.  But it doesn't give you the right to kill them when you have authority and power over them.  He told us how many times he gave chances to captured enemies, one of them who almost managed to shoot him, chances to redeem themselves, thus a chance to return to the society.  Many did and they get to live a fruitful life.

We will honour his sacrifices, and that of his men too.  So that we need not to live through the nightmares he had.

Till we meet again, sir.

PS - I hope I can find your book that I had bought a few years back for your autograph one day.

First published on Facebook Notes on November 23, 2014 at hour 2206 (GMT + 8pm)

Welcome to Year 2015

One of my favourite games is chess. It has been years since I last played the game though.
In a game of chess, the most basic piece is the pawn. It has a very limited view, ie only the box in the front of it. It kills by taking the piece on the left or right side of the box in front of it. Most of the time, the pawn's main function is to be sacrificed. If it is lucky, it gets to the end of the board and gets promoted.

Next is my favourite piece, the rook. It can go straight... across the board and sideways. Having 2 rooks operating together or with a queen, it is the ultimate attacking force.

Next to the rook is the knight. Others love the knight as it can jump over your opponent's pieces and wreck havoc of its defence.

Then comes the bishop. Similar to the rook, a bishop can move far and wide. But a bishop is weaker as it only operates within his own box colour.

The ostensible most powerful piece on the board is the queen. Its move is a combination of both rook
and bishop. The only weakness it has is when trapped and facing a knight, her fate is almost doomed.
The most important piece on the board is the king. It is both the most powerful and the weakest at the same time. It is powerful as long as it is alive. But it is weakest as the moment it is checked, it is the most vulnerable piece on the board.

No one piece can win the game alone. All the pieces need to work together to win a game.
Likewise, in our own lives. We are merely pawns in the moves by political leaders. Most of us are only able to see what is around us. Without the necessary information, we will continue to be the pawns in the game.

Political leaders (king) on the other hand, themselves are vulnerable. Many of them are surrounded by advisors (rooks, bishops and queens) who sometimes too do not know what they are doing. But they are strong enough to inflict damage in the area of their control.

Then comes a child, or a pet cat or dog, and down the table holding the chess board.
External forces are around us. As much as we want to believe that we are in a controlled environment, external forces will try to influence our steps, or worse, topple all of us down.
To our political leaders on both sides of the political divide, we the pawns do not want to be your chess pieces to maintain your power. You are not our masters. Enough politicking. Time to serve the rakyat, not the rakyat serving you.

And since today is 1st January 2015, first day of a year, make it your resolution to serve the rakyat for the next 364 days.

PS - oh ya. We the rakyat must not just talk only too. Let's work together to build this country together.

First published on Facebook on Jan 1, 2015 at hour 1421 (GMT + 8).

Time to Use Back Act 82? I think so


When PM Najib Tun Razak announced that the government had agreed to repeal the Internal Security Act 1960 (Act 82), it was seen as a victory for democracy and liberalism in Malaysia. We believed that it was the right step forward towards the creation of a more liberal and mature society. In its place, the Security Offences (Special Measures) Act 2012 (Act 747) was enacted, a so-called more humane law, with controls that prevent the law to be misused for political gain.
In hindsight, the victory was premature. Not that the Government has turned its back against the liberals, but the extremists had used this lack of preventive law as a no-holds barred license to wreck dissent amongst Malaysians.
Pre-2012, we rarely heard or see openly racial taunts, insults against religions, and more worryingly, calls for secessions. Few dared as the preventive law allows the police to recommend to the Home Minister for such persons to be detained under the act.
The painful experience of Sulu terrorists intrusions in Sabah had painted a very bleak picture on the ability of SOSMA to deal with individuals linked to terrorist groups. Of a total of 713 individuals (149 in red zone, balance outside red zone) arrested during the mopping up operations, only 104 were prosecuted under SOSMA.
To rub salt on the wound, it was discovered that many of the former ISA detainees previously arrested for involvement of terrorist activities had reverted back to their old activities. Yazid Sufaat, former Malaysian Army Captain turned Osama’s most trusted biological weapons specialist reverted to his old ways and was arrested in early 2013 for recruiting impressionable Muslim youths to join Islamic State of Iraq and Levant (ISIL) (now known as Islamic State or IS and was also known as Islamic State of Iraq and Sham or ISIS) to fight the war in Syria against Bashar al Assad’s government. One of his associates, Halimah Hussein escaped police dragnet and is still on the loose.
Further to the discovery of Yazid Sufaat’s return to his old ways, another further revelation was made this year. Soon after Obama’s first presidential visit to Malaysia ended, at least 10 other Malaysians, both males and females were arrested for recruiting Malaysians on behalf of IS/ISIS/ISL (henceforth would be identified only as IS). To-date, around 23 had been arrested for conspiring with international terrorist organization. Another 5 individuals were also arrested during the period, 1 for involvement with al-Shabaab terrorist organization, which is a known al Qaeda-linked organization operating in Somalia, and 4 others were South Asians, believed to be in the midst of planning a bomb attack in India.
Another five individuals, one of them a former UM lecturer, managed to escape arrest and is now on the run.
It was during this period that PDRM via NST had finally confirmed that Jemaah Islamiyah or JI, helmed by the late Dr Azahari Hussin and Noordin Mat Top, had previously planned to attack several locations in KL in 2000, but was foiled by strong police presence and poorly executed plans. Amongst the targeted locations were a restaurant in Jalan Telawi and Bukit Aman. More disturbing was that at least 2 other groups, with core members believed to be former ISA detainees, to have decided to take up the mantle to continue the attack. Both groups were said to be linked to IS.
But the biggest question today is, what are the status of these suspects? Have they been prosecuted in court? Have the police managed to crack the case wide open? Or worse still, have the police been forced to release these suspects due to lack of evidence?
Does SOSMA have teeth strong enough to bite these terrorists? Or is it a leash that only tighten itself around the neck of our officers who valiantly place their lives in danger for our safety? And with that, may be it is time for us to wipe off the dust that had settled on Act 82 and to return it to active use.
No offence to Act 747 supporters. It will work, in a society that is civil, liberal and mature. But we are now facing a very strong threat against way of life, sovereignity and security. And if Uncle Sam choose to establish their PATRIOT Act, and Singapore still maintains their own version of ISA, did we erred in our decision? As the Malay peribahasa has once said, kalau sesat, kembalilah ke pangkal jalan (transliterated as if you are lost, return to the point you began).

An edited version of this article was published by The Star on 18 August 2014 and can be found here:
http://www.thestar.com.my/Opinion/Letters/2014/08/18/Did-we-repeal-ISA-in-a-haste/ 

It can also be found here at DSGC Review.

2015 - A New Year, A New Approach

Hi all,

Some of you have been following my postings on my Facebook page at the following address: https://www.facebook.com/danny.liew.18.

It was fun in the beginning.  But it is getting tedious. 

When Facebook first came to my attention (I was a late starter), I took it wholeheartedly as I get to write my views more often.  I like it better than Twitter (I stopped twitting at 0) as I get to post long articles.  But as times go by, there are times that I would like to refer to my previous writings.  And I found it to be a very tedious and difficult process with Facebook.

I will still be maintaining my Facebook account.  But I will be using it much lesser.  THIS blog will now be the repository of my articles.  I will try my level best to retrieve the articles posted in Facebook, especially those of high value.  But I must concede that the task is rather insurmountable. 

Another reason why I want to have my articles at one single location.  It would be easier for me to refer back to my past writings.  As a freelance writer, such writings are very valuable to me.  One day, I would want to sit down with my children or grandchildren and share with them whatever knowledge and wealth that I had gained in my years of writing. 

May God bless me in this new approach.