Thug Rule In Sarawak 24 February 2019 This weekend a delegation of Sarawak villagers came to KL to try to explain to ministers in the new federal government how things still are managed in Sarawak. For example, they related to Sarawak Report that the previous week around a hundred village folk from Sungai Lingkau, Semunjan (many of them elderly women and children) had ventured into a plantation grown on lands that had been alienated from them against their will.  They planned to harvest some of the ripe palm fruit, since they considered it theirs by right. However, as they were about to drive away with their one truck of collected fruit they were set upon by what they say was at least twice as many strongly built Indonesian plantation workers, who they say are indirectly working for the plantation company to harvest the area themselves. Give away price? Hydroflow, managed by Naroden, acquired the disputed timber and then plantation land for Hydroflow back in 2004 for a derisory RM500 per hectare? The aggressive men, armed with parangs, knives and pikes, wasted no time in driving their own vehicles up to the villagers’ truck and forcefully removing the fruit into their own lorries, say the villagers. The owner of the truck, headman Senabong Anak Sampai, says his own vehicle was badly damaged in the process – one more blow to these dirt poor folk who have received virtually none of the wealth from the timber grabs followed by plantations on their Native Customary Lands. The clash was managed by a bunch of supposed law officers, who they say pitched up with the thugs and held the villagers at bay, to fortunately at least prevent people from being hurt. However, the villagers say the officers favoured the plantation thugs and allowed them to take the fruits of their day of hard labour harvesting the trees. Police Bantuan are often hired by the plantation companies themselves to enforce their own interests in land disputes That is not surprising, because these were so-called ‘Police Bantuan’, auxiliaries who dress up as officers and drive around in vehicles marked with Polis logos and carry trungeons and handcuffs, but who are not in fact trained or entitled to full police powers. Classic advertisement by a plantation company for Polis Bantuan – whose interests are they likely to represent? More to the point, they are recruited and paid by none other than the plantation companies themselves, to whom the Royal Malaysia Police have farmed out the exercise of law and order in such areas, even over matters pertaining to their own disputes with local people. The actual police did not manage to turn up till some two hours after the raiders had made off with the fruit gathered by the villagers, the locals told Sarawak Report. This incident was photographed and filmed however, a growing practice by villagers in these clashes with has helped to at least alter some of the imbalance between them and the wealthy plantations, whose thug tactics are now being fully exposed. Typical Sarawak Land Dispute So, what is the background to this dispute, one of over 400 such cases that have been brought before the courts in Sarawak? The Headman involved took Sarawak Report and former Radio Free Sarawak DJ Peter John Jaban through the details of the villager’s dispute with the plantation company. The fact seems to be that neither side should be harvesting the land at this particular time, because of an injunction laid by the courts pending a resolution of the case. However, that injunction has laid idle for a decade, during which time the company has infuriated the local people by conducting business as usual in defiance of the order – using the third party workers to distance their involvement, the villagers claim. Sunabong Anak Sampai (right) shows Peter John his papers whilst taking part in the delegation to KL The land, says Sunablong Anak Sampai had originally belonged to the village people under Native Customary Rights, but had been secretly appropriated behind their backs by a few locals working together with the plantation company. Naroden Majais is known for his very ostentatious home The NCR territory then ended up as part of a vast landbank under the control of one of a duo of mirror plantation companies in the land register originally registered to Naroden Majais, an assistant minister and former civil servant known to be close to Governor Taib Mahmud. The extent of the lands acquird by Naroden Majais is truly shocking and was first exposed by Sarawak Report back in 2012 after we obtained a copy of a document which ought to be transparently available to the public, but which the Sarawak State Government has attempted to keep as a secret document, namely the Land Register. Hydroflow Sdn Bhd and Indranka Jaya Sdn Bhd acquired vast areas of land taken from local people, without their proper knowledge and consent according to legal suits sparked by resulting disputes.  He and another former civil servant cum minister Hamden Bin Ahmad were also designated 30% shareholders of Peninsular Rise a company granted massive logging concessions totalling 840 square kilometers and have received numerous other land grants [see our original story]. Challenged over Hydroflow’s appropriations just a short while ago Naroden Majais confirmed that the project had been ordered by Taib Mahmud. It was promoted as part of a supposed small shareholder project to benefit local people, who were given stakes in 30% of the land through two companies, which were none the less fully controlled by the major shareholders. Much fanfare was made as Taib’s daughter presented those minor shareholders with a ‘dividend’ in 2011, which amounted to a mere RM200 for the entire year in return for the loss of their valuable timber and lands. Majais has said he merely facilitated the project and he had no vested personal interest in the land appropriation and welcomes a review by the Malaysian Anti Corruption Commission (MACC) to clear up the dispute, following the lodging just last week of a second police report against him alleging corrupt practice. Meanwhile, he admits most of the native owners have now surrendered their single shares for a derisory sum – so much for a people’s cooperative project. ““Almost everybody (the villagers) decided to sell off their shares to the investor for RM7,600 per share some time before the last Hari Raya Aidilfitri, and after the 14th general election.” [Borneo Post] However, in the case of the land taken from the villagers harvesting last weekend, the villagers say that an Appeal Court ruling has placed an injuction on the land for some ten years, pending a final decision on their own case.  It has meant that once again justice has been skewed to benefit the company, enabling it to harvest the land as usual in the meantime with the help of a little subterfuge. As far as the villagers were concerned, their attempt to load up just one small pick up truck with the fruit was their attempt to even out the situation and gain a small benefit from their land after ten years without a final ruling. Their’s is just one story that exemplifies the way things are managed in Sarawak in favour of business and political interests against the rights of the local land owners and amidst murky secrecy that sees vast wealth acquisition for those around Taib Mahmud and dire poverty for the vast majority of the people of Sarawak. The new Harapan government may say that responsibility for land management is retained by the government, however matters of law and order and corruption are under the purview of the federal authorities and this, along with all the other similar outrages, deserve proper investigation as soon as possible. When will all this evil end! PH is now in power and the police is under federal jurisdiction so the IGP can and have to orde the police there  to uphold the law and stop the plantation owners from forming their own police force - this is a mockery for the POLICE.

Everything about hemp that Big Business doesn’t want you to know

Depending on who you talk to, hemp is either a societal vice that’s frowned upon by the government or one of the most misunderstood plants on the planet. This argument makes it a “forbidden herb,” a claim that’s needlessly controversial.
Over the last few years, people have begun to question which opinion is correct.
There is an increasing amount of evidence that suggests that hemp may provide some therapeutic value to its users, but this information is not as well-known as it should be. Listed below are a few details that need to be discussed regarding hemp, its value in various industries, and why it has been heavily suppressed as a healing plant for years.

First: Hemp doesn’t get you high

Hemp is not marijuana, although they are both varieties of Cannabis sativa, one of the main subtypes of the cannabis plant. Think of them this way: Hemp is the mild-mannered Clark Kent cousin to the wilder, more extroverted marijuana.
This is because hemp has negligible amounts of THC, the intoxicating substance found in marijuana. So, whereas marijuana can contain up to 30 percent THC, hemp contains less than 0.3 percent (per dry weight) of the same substance.
Hemp is also an excellent source of CBD, a non-intoxicating compound with many medical applications.
Its therapeutic value is so highly regarded in alternative medicine that Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) is guaranteeing that the 2018 Farm Bill will include a provision to legalize industrial hemp.
“It’s an extraordinary plant,” McConnell was noted in saying.

Second: Hemp was demonized in the 1900s to protect business interests

McConnell is part of an ever-growing population of people who are recognizing the truth that hemp is an industrial crop and not a party drug.
Before the 1800s, hemp was ubiquitous, as it was used to make paper and textiles. After the invention of the cotton gin, hemp was placed on the back burner due to cotton being easier and cheaper to produce.
However, George Schlichten announced in 1917 that he had invented a machine that could easily harvest hemp and turn it into high-quality raw materials.
This was the final straw for Wall Street. W.R. Hearst, the owner of the largest newspaper company at the time, had interests in many acres of forests to create his paper. DuPont as well saw hemp as a potential threat — the pharmaceutical company had invested heavily in synthetic fibers and produced chemicals to process timber into paper.
A massive propaganda campaign ensued. A movie released in 1936 called “Reefer Madness” portrayed cannabis (in all its forms) as the most dangerous drug in the world. Hearst fabricated stories in his newspapers that this new drug “marijuana” was what African Americans and Mexicans overdosed on to rape and kill white women.
Added to that, in the early 1930s after Harry H. Anslinger was appointed to be the first commissioner of the Federal Bureau of Narcotics (what is now the DEA). Anslinger targeted minorities and believed Hearst’s outrageous stories. He proposed the Marijuana Tax Act to Congress and saw that it passed on August 2, 1937. This banned the production, sale, and use of marijuana. Industrial hemp was dragged down with it, despite there being a clear distinction between the two.
Authorities stated that hemp should be kept illegal because it was “too similar” to marijuana.

Third: Hemp is a miracle crop that plays a pivotal role in just about every industry

Aside from its notable medical benefits, here are other ways hemp can benefit society:

• It shows potential in fighting world hunger — Hemp seeds contain the daily requirement for protein, and remains the healthiest meat alternative to date. It can be used to prevent protein-energy malnutrition. (Related: Hemp FAQ, hemp and health (press release).)
• It can protect against deforestation — Eliminating the need to cut down forests is the best way to protect them. If we can cultivate hemp, we can use it to make paper and other products traditionally made from wood.
• It can clean the environment — Hemp consumes four times as much carbon dioxide as trees do.
• It can replace plastics — Hemp stalks are excellent sources of fibrous materials that can be used for a variety of purposes, including the production of plastics and fiberglass.

The value of hemp cannot be overstated. In fact, we are fighting a battle that has been raging for more than 80 years! This fight is made even harder with many big oil, pharmaceutical, and cotton companies still lobbying to keep the plant illegal.
No matter what your opinions on hemp are, it is good to recognize that it is a viable agricultural crop and should not be classified as a drug. Big business just doesn’t want people to know that hemp does wonders; that’s why they’re lobbying against it.

Ex-EC commissioners crimes must punished! Do not let them get away. AG and judiciary must do their duty!

Bersih: Ex-EC commissioners' resignations not a ticket out of scrutiny

Malaysiakini  |  Published: 1 Feb 2019, 5:25 pm  |  Modified: 1 Feb 2019, 5:25 pm

     

Former commissioners of the Election Commission must answer for their alleged wrongdoings and not be allowed to evade scrutiny due to their resignations, said Bersih.

The electoral watchdog was responding to attorney-general Tommy Thomas' argument that the tribunal is not academic.

"Bersih is of the view that former election commissioners who ran the 14th general election must be made answerable to the serious charges levelled against them.

"They should not be allowed to escape judicial scrutiny easily and conveniently for their conduct during the election with their resignations.

"This will send a wrong message to other public officials," said its steering committee in a statement this evening.

Previously, the tribunal's chairperson Shim Lip Keong raised a question whether the process would serve a purpose as the matter is now rendered academic since the six have stepped down.

The six former EC commissioners are Othman Mahmood, Mohd Yusop Mansor, Abdul Aziz Khalidin, Sulaiman Narawi, K Bala Singam and Leo Chong Cheong.

Meanwhile, Bersih said it would be unjust if the six were allowed "to roam free" and enjoy their pension, benefits and welfare while the allegations against them remained uncleared.

The electoral watchdog also urged the six to clear their names and exercise their right to defence if the former commissioners believe they have been falsely accused.

"If they are confident of having done nothing wrong, why would they resign once news of the establishment of the tribunal was reported in the press?

"Isn't this an attempt to thwart the proceedings of the tribunal?" it asked.

Bersih said the tribunal was set up to seek the truth by carrying out an investigation into the alleged past abuses and this would form the basis for possible action to be taken against the six.

Bersih, which pressed Putrajaya to form the tribunal last August, noted that the tribunal was also mandated to recommend appropriate action against the six to the Yang di-Pertuan Agong if elements of wrongdoing are established.

"It is worth noting that the appropriate action that the tribunal may make includes but not limited to the removal of the EC members from office.

"The tribunal may still put forward other recommendations in order to hold them accountable. They should not be allowed to escape justice through their resignations.

"If they are found guilty, their pension should be forfeited, at the very least.

"There is an urgent need to restore public confidence in the EC’s independence and impartiality, and the tribunal is the best way to do it," the watchdog added.

Ex-EC commissioners crimes must punished! Do not let them get away. AG  and judiciary must do their duty!

Big Banks, Big Four and Billionaires Should Cough Up Over 1MDB, alongwith Najib

Big Banks, Big Four and Billionaires Should Cough Up Over 1MDB 1 February 2019

A single mum can go to jail for stealing milk for her child, but the big four accountancy firms seem to have returned to a sense of impunity along with banks. Accountacy giant Deloitte today immediately pushed back over the relatively modest ‘maximum penalty‘ exacted for their part in assisting ex-PM Najib cover up the heist of the century. The KL branch has appealed the indignity of RM2.2 million being clipped off their company bonus payments for doing such a rotten job of oversight and failed reporting that billions were stolen from the nation. Disappointed “Deloitte PLT respects the role of the SC to regulate and safeguard the Malaysian capital market and takes its responsibilities as an audit firm seriously. We are, however, disappointed with the decision,” The company stated, failing to appreciate how disappointed others have been in them for failing to check if the fictional $2.3billion dollars purportedly raised from the sale of 1MDB’s shares in PetroSaudi had really been invested in a dodgy Singapore based Bridge Global Absolute Return Fund – instead of being stolen, which is what had actually happened. To give Deloitte their due, they may feel their rival KPMG did an equally useless job, before being sacked by Najib for refusing to sign off on those accounts.  After all, KPMG had approved earlier accounts that involved the backdating of the so-called Muharabah loan agreement to PetroSaudi, in order to achieve a blatant cover-up over the original joint-venture, from which $1.83 billion was filched into Jho Low companies and kickbacks. When questioned about the matter back in 2015 KPMG’s UK head office blithly evaded responsibility, explaining that the global giant’s new structuring based out of Switzerland means that each country branch now merely represents a loose ally of the firm for which corporate HQ holds no responsibility whatsoever. At the very same time Najib was posturing in KL, claiming the 1MDB accounts were copper-bottomed precisely because they had been audited by the ‘global accounting firm’ KPMG. Whether KPMG will also receive a penalty for its apparent failure to spot the blatant thefts; its signing off of backdated documents and later failure to report the suspicious antics of Malaysia’s finance minister after the firm had been sacked for not signing off on the Cayman Island shennanigans is yet to be seen. Billionaires However, possibly even more troubling than the attitude of impunity exibited by such massive corporates is the apparent failure so far of regulators to take on the involvement of some of the world’s most powerful billionares who profitted from the thefts from 1MDB. Just last week the global power fest at Davos was momentarily disrupted when one Dutch academic shocked those present (1,500 had arrived by private jet) by suggesting that over-powerful billionaires who fail to pay their dues are the main problem with the world economy. If 1MDB is any kind of example to go by, such individuals, who shelter their wealth through the off-shore system and distribute largesse tactically around the world’s decision makers to protect their interests, hold more impunity even than major banks and corporations. After all, one of the largest single investments by Jho Low of stolen 1MDB cash appears to have been in the Electrum Group, controlled by a US billionaire with strong and active involvement in Middle East politics, Thomas Kaplan. It is noticeable that whilst Leo DiCaprio and Miranda Kerr may have handed back their Picasso and their diamonds, regulators have so far failed to exact recovery of the $150 million invested by Jho Low into Electrum during the telling period of late 2012, just after the major 1MDB thefts had taken place. The other major investors in Electrum were none other than the Abu Dhabi sovereign wealth fund Mubadala and the Kuwait Investment Fund. These are key Middle Eastern allies of the United States, regarded as being particularly close to the present administration thanks to the allegiences of President Trump. Mubadala has now absorbed Aabar/IPIC, the vehicle used by the 1MDB co-conspirator Khadam al Qubaisi (KAQ) to loot billions from Malaysia, and Aabar has in turn recently taken ownership of several of KAQ’s investments, including the Hakkasan nightclub chain with assets in Las Vegas and across the world. Just last week KAQ, now imprisoned for his role in Abu Dhabi, complained to the Wall Street Journal that his assets were being wrested from him by the Aabar/IPIC boss Sheikh Mansour, who used to be his boss. KAQ declared he was being used as a ‘scapegoat’ over 1MDB. For months Sarawak Report has enquired what investigations are taking place into the evidence that stolen 1MDB cash flowed to Hakkasan, via KAQ’s Vasco Investment Trust account in Luxembourg that was pumped with half a billion of kickbacks from Jho Low?  However much went into Hakkasan, it’s due back to Malaysia. What’s more there is the small matter of the further evidence documented by this site that tens of millions were likewise transferred from KAQ’s Vasco Trust as well as Tasameem (the company through which he owned Hakkasan) towards payments for the purchase/upkeep of the world’s 5th largest yacht Topaz, widely understood to belong to Sheikh Mansour himself. So far, there have been no demands made for the return of 1MDB money from the Abu Dhabi royal for those payments on the yacht, on which Jho Low, Leo DiCaprio and their friends stayed and partied during the Brazil World Cup, just like there has been no request to cash in shares from Electrum Group. Is it to be concluded that these influential billionaires were unwitting by-standers, who cannot be required to return investments and massive gifts received in good faith and that the same standards to not apply to them as to banks and others? Or are they simply too powerful and untouchable?  Thomas Kaplan, who invests in metals, is active in Middle Eastern politics as a fierce critic of Iran, against whom he funds an influential campaign body United Against a Nuclear Iran (UANI).  His stance allies him closely with the likes of Abu Dhabi, Saudi Arabia, Israel and President Trump in seeking a confrontational approach as opposed to earlier mediation. As far as Malaysia is concerned this is not about power politics, but returning stolen cash. The country needs its 1MDB money back and the less arguments, excuses and delays from banks, big businesses and billionaires the better. Big Banks, Big Four and Billionaires Should Cough Up Over 1MDB, alongwith Najib. Najib is solely responsible for all these losses M'sia suffered. Tim to QUICKLY speed up the court cases and  send him to prison along with all his accomplices. People tend to forget and even forgive him with due TIME!