Dancing Tiger In The Eagle’s Shadow

AGREEMENT 

BETWEEN

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA 

AND

MALAYSIA

ON

RECIPROCAL TRADE

(Click here to read)

1. When Malaysia inked its latest trade deal with the United States last week, the government celebrated it as a victory;  tariffs frozen at 19%, exemptions for over 1,700 export lines, and promises of deeper cooperation in digital trade and critical minerals. 

2. On paper, it looks like a hard-won balance between friendship and sovereignty. But beneath the polite smiles and photo opportunities, Malaysia may have walked into a tighter embrace than it realises.

3. At the heart of this agreement lies a subtle but serious concern: economic dependency dressed as partnership. The deal binds Malaysia to conditions that could, in time, curtail its freedom to decide who it trades with, how it develops its industries, and how it governs its strategic resources.

4. One key clause is Malaysia’s commitment not to ban or restrict exports of critical minerals and rare earth elements to the United States. This might seem harmless, but in practice it means Malaysia has effectively pledged to keep its mineral doors open for Washington, even if national interests or regional strategy later demand otherwise. 

5. What was once a sovereign right to regulate our natural wealth could soon require a nod of approval from across the Pacific.

6. Then there’s the matter of tariffs. While Malaysia escaped a feared 24% tariff, the maintained 19% rate still hangs like a sword over our exporters. The United States now wields leverage: every renegotiation, every “review” of exemptions becomes a pressure point. 

7. Malaysia may find itself perpetually having to offer new concessions, be it on data flows, digital standards, or defence cooperation, just to keep access to the American market stable.

8. Perhaps most worrying is the “hidden agenda”. By aligning so closely with U.S. trade rules, Malaysia risks being seen by China and even ASEAN neighbours as leaning too heavily under Washington’s wing. The optics alone could complicate Malaysia’s traditional balancing act between East and West.

9.  Beijing, which remains Malaysia’s largest trading partner, may interpret this as a pivot, potentially slowing down technology sharing, joint ventures, or rare-earth processing deals that Malaysia badly needs.

10. Politically, the timing matters. The U.S. administration is pursuing what it calls “friend-shoring” securing supply chains through compliant allies. 

11. Malaysia’s eagerness to play along might bring short-term economic calm, but at the cost of long-term leverage. Once bound by terms that favour American access, it will be difficult for Malaysia to negotiate from strength when future disputes arise whether on trade, investment, or even security.

12. The symbolism of this moment cannot be ignored. The tiger, Malaysia’s enduring emblem of strength and pride has agreed to dance under the shadow of the eagle. It may roar on its own soil, but in the skies of trade diplomacy, its movements are now partly choreographed by Washington.

13. Malaysia must therefore tread carefully. Cooperation with the U.S. is not the issue but dependency is. If we are not vigilant, every future trade, investment or technology deal could first need an informal American blessing. The true cost of this agreement will not be measured in tariffs, but in how much autonomy Malaysia retains when global winds shift.

14. In the coming months, our policymakers must ensure that partnership does not quietly evolve into permission.

15. For when a tiger drinks too deeply from another’s cup, it may wake to find that its stripes are no longer its own.

When Trump Comes To Town: Malaysia Must Lead ASEAN, Not Follow It.

By Datuk Tengku Putra Haron Aminurrashid Jumat

Johor State Legislative Assemblyman, Kempas N47 (2013-2018).

1. The 45th & 47th President of the United States’ visit to Southeast Asia in Kuala Lumpur will not be a courtesy call. It will be a mission of interest. Washington under Donald J Trump sees the region not as partners of equals, but as pieces on a chessboard in America’s contest with China. At the heart of that game lies one glittering prize: ASEAN’s critical minerals, the lifeblood of modern technology and defense.

2. Strategic minerals are now seen as national security assets. For example, the U.S. is actively working to secure supplies of rare earth elements (REEs) and other critical minerals to reduce dependence on dominant suppliers (especially China).

3. Malaysia is a possible source. Reports indicate Malaysia has large REE / critical mineral reserves estimated around 16 million metric tonnes worth about RM500 billion and is positioning to refine/ upgrade its capacity.  

4. Even if we do sign with the US on the REE deal, China will not flinch as their technology is way superior than any other competing country and they know it will be at the earliest 5 years before the US can see the results.

5. Malaysia however could be at a disadvantage as China would then not likely share any technologies with us in the future.

6. Trump’s America will come with smiles, handshakes, and the promise of “mutual prosperity”, with a touch of intimidation. Yet behind the charm lies the same strategic hunger to secure trade routes, gain mineral access, and pull Southeast Asia closer to the U.S. supply chain. Malaysia, with its rare earth reserves and strategic location, will naturally be at the top of that list.

7. He will talk about partnership, but what he really seeks is leverage. Trump’s record shows he respects strength and exploits weakness. Those who bend quickly earn deals that benefit Washington first; those who stand firm earn his grudging respect. If ASEAN countries line up too eagerly, Malaysia must not be swept along by the tide of flattery.

8. The challenge for us is delicate, ie to defend our national interest without offending our neighbours. If others choose to sign away their mineral rights or open their markets too widely, that is their sovereign choice. But Malaysia must stand its ground. Our message should be calm and clear: we support regional cooperation, but not at the cost of Malaysia’s long-term security and control.

9. When Trump speaks of “rebalancing trade,” he means tilting it his way. When he speaks of “supply-chain security,” he means making sure the U.S. controls the source. Malaysia cannot afford to be dazzled by short-term investment promises or fast-talking envoys. We have seen how deals that look generous today can chain us tomorrow.

10. Our leadership must also recall the lessons of Al Gore’s 1998 visit, when a U.S. leader used our own stage to lecture us. That moment burned into our memory, a reminder that American diplomacy often turns moralistic when we disagree. Trump may not moralize, but he threatens. His language is different, yet the pressure is the same.

11. If that moment comes again; a threat of tariffs, a warning about “choosing sides,” or hints of diplomatic chill, Malaysia must respond with quiet firmness. No shouting, no surrender. Just the confidence of a nation that knows its value. We can work with the U.S., but only on equal footing.

12. To keep that balance, Malaysia should rally ASEAN not as followers but as partners in principle. We can propose a collective framework for critical-mineral trade; transparent, fair, and respecting national sovereignty. This allows every member to deal with the U.S. without being isolated or bullied individually. Unity is not submission; it is protection.

13. At home, we must also strengthen our own industry. Instead of exporting raw materials, Malaysia should demand joint ventures, technology sharing, and local processing rights. Whoever wants our minerals must invest in our people, not just our ground.

14. We must remember: respect in global politics is earned not by compliance, but by consistency. The U.S. respects nations that know what they want,  even if it frustrates them. Malaysia’s best shield is clarity, backed by calm strength.

15. Trump’s ASEAN charm offensive will test every leader’s resolve. Some may yield for convenience; others may overreact for pride. Malaysia must choose a wiser middle path that is cooperative, but uncompromising in principle.

16. And when the last handshake fades, the speeches end, and the streets in the capital are returned to the KL folks,  let it be known that Malaysia may trade with everyone but will be owned by no one.

** _The writer is a Malaysian citizen who believes sovereignty begins with self-respect._

Lawatan Trump ke KL: Malaysia Harus Memimpin ASEAN, Bukan Sebagai Pengikut.

Oleh Datuk Tengku Putra Haron Aminurrashid Jumat

Ahli Dewan Undangan Negeri Johor, Kempas N47 (2013-2018)

1. Lawatan Presiden Amerika Syarikat ke Asia Tenggara di Kuala Lumpur bukan sekadar kunjungan hormat. Ia adalah misi berkepentingan. Washington di bawah Donald J. Trump melihat rantau ini bukan sebagai rakan setara, tetapi sebagai bidak di papan catur dalam persaingan Amerika dengan China. Di tengah-tengah permainan itu terletak satu hadiah yang berkilau iaitu sumber mineral kritikal ASEAN, nadi utama teknologi dan pertahanan moden.

2. Mineral strategik kini dilihat sebagai aset keselamatan negara. Sebagai contoh, Amerika Syarikat sedang giat berusaha mendapatkan bekalan unsur nadir bumi (REE) dan mineral kritikal lain bagi mengurangkan kebergantungan terhadap pembekal utama, khususnya China.

3. Malaysia berpotensi menjadi salah satu sumber tersebut. Laporan menunjukkan negara kita memiliki rizab nadir bumi (REE) atau mineral kritikal yang dianggarkan sekitar 16 juta tan metrik bernilai lingkungan RM500 billion, dan kini sedang menambah baik kapasiti pemprosesan serta penapisan dalam sektor ini.

4. Jikapun kita menandatangani perjanjian REE dengan Amerika Syarikat kelak, China tidak akan gentar kerana teknologi mereka jauh lebih maju berbanding mana-mana negara pesaing, dan mereka tahu bahawa Amerika sekurang-kurangnya memerlukan sepaling cepat tempoh lima tahun sebelum dapat melihat hasilnya nanti.

5. Malaysia pula mungkin berada dalam keadaan yang merugikan, kerana China selepas itu berkemungkinan tidak lagi akan berkongsi sebarang teknologi dengan kita pada masa hadapan.

6. Amerika di bawah Trump akan datang dengan senyuman, jabat tangan, dan janji “kemakmuran bersama”, dengan sentuhan intimidasi. Namun di sebalik pesona itu tersembunyi keinginan strategik untuk menguasai laluan perdagangan, mendapatkan akses kepada sumber mineral, dan menarik Asia Tenggara lebih rapat ke dalam rantaian bekalan Amerika. Malaysia, dengan rizab nadir bumi dan kedudukannya yang strategik, sudah pasti menjadi sasaran utama.

7. Trump akan berbicara tentang “perkongsian,” tetapi apa yang sebenarnya dicari ialah pengaruh. Rekodnya menunjukkan beliau menghormati kekuatan dan mengeksploitasi kelemahan. Negara yang mudah tunduk akan menerima perjanjian yang lebih menguntungkan Washington terlebih dahulu; manakala mereka yang berpendirian teguh akan mendapat penghormatan yang berat hati daripadanya. Jika negara-negara ASEAN lain terlalu cepat melutut, Malaysia tidak boleh turut hanyut dalam arus pujian dan janji manis.

8. Cabaran bagi kita amat halus iaitu mempertahankan kepentingan negara tanpa menyinggung jiran. Jika negara lain memilih untuk menyerahkan hak mineral mereka atau membuka pasaran mereka seluas-luasnya, itu hak kedaulatan mereka. Namun Malaysia mesti berdiri teguh. Pesanan kita harus tenang tetapi jelas: kita menyokong kerjasama serantau, namun bukan dengan menggadaikan keselamatan dan kawalan jangka panjang Malaysia.

9. Apabila Trump bercakap tentang “imbangan perdagangan,” maksudnya ialah mengimbang ke arah Amerika. Apabila beliau menyebut tentang “keselamatan rantaian bekalan,” maksud sebenarnya ialah memastikan Amerika menguasai sumbernya. Malaysia tidak boleh terpesona dengan janji pelaburan jangka pendek atau pujukan delegasi perwakilan yang petah berkata-kata. Kita sudah melihat bagaimana perjanjian yang tampak murah hati hari ini boleh menjadi belenggu pada esok hari.

10. Kepimpinan kita juga harus mengingati pengajaran daripada lawatan Al Gore pada tahun 1998, ketika Naib Presiden Amerika itu menggunakan pentas kita untuk menegur negara kita sendiri. Detik itu terpahat dalam ingatan, sutu peringatan bahawa diplomasi Amerika sering berubah menjadi bersifat mengajar apabila kita tidak sehaluan dengan mereka. Trump mungkin tidak bermoral tinggi dalam tutur katanya, tetapi beliau tahu mengugut. Bahasanya berbeza, namun tekanannya tetap sama.

11. Sekiranya detik itu berulang, cuma kali ini dengan ancaman tarif, amaran untuk  “memihak,” atau bayangan hubungan dingin, Malaysia mesti bertindak dengan ketegasan dalam tenang tanpa  jeritan, tanpa menunduk. Hanya keyakinan sebuah negara yang tahu nilainya. Kita boleh bekerjasama dengan Amerika, tetapi hanya di atas dasar kesetaraan.

12. Untuk mengekalkan keseimbangan ini, Malaysia perlu memimpin ASEAN bukan sebagai pengikut, tetapi sebagai rakan sehaluan dalam prinsip. Kita boleh mencadangkan satu kerangka bersama bagi perdagangan mineral kritikal yang telus, adil, dan menghormati kedaulatan setiap negara. Pendekatan ini membolehkan setiap anggota berunding dengan Amerika tanpa perlu berhadapan dengan tekanan atau pengasingan secara individu. Kesatuan bukanlah penyerahan; ia adalah perlindungan.

13. Di dalam negara, kita juga mesti memperkukuh industri kita sendiri. Daripada mengeksport bahan mentah sebegitu sahaja Malaysia perlu menuntut usaha sama, perkongsian teknologi, dan hak pemprosesan tempatan. Sesiapa yang mahukan mineral kita mesti turut melabur dengan rakyat kita dan bukan sekadar mengambil kesempatan keatas tanah kita.

14. Kita mesti ingat: penghormatan dalam politik antarabangsa tidak diperoleh melalui kepatuhan, tetapi melalui ketegasan pendirian. Amerika menghormati negara yang tahu apa yang diinginkan, walaupun mereka tidak menyukainya. Perisai terbaik Malaysia ialah kejelasan pendirian, disertai kekuatan yang tenang.

15. Serangan pesona Trump terhadap ASEAN akan menguji keteguhan setiap pemimpin. Ada yang mungkin tunduk demi kemudahan; ada pula yang melawan demi ego. Malaysia mesti memilih jalan tengah yang lebih bijaksana iaitu bekerjasama, tanpa sekali-kali berkompromi dengan prinsip.

16. Dan apabila berjabat-salam terakhir berlalu, ucapan-ucapan selesai, dan jalan-jalan di ibu kota dikembalikan kepada rakyat Kuala Lumpur, biarlah dunia tahu bahawa Malaysia boleh memilih untuk berdagang dengan sesiapa, namun tidak akan dimiliki oleh sesiapa.

** _Penulis adalah seorang warganegara Malaysia yang percaya bahawa kedaulatan bermula dengan maruah diri.

SACK THE MINISTER!

 

1. This note draws the Madani leadership’s attention to the growing public unease and administrative concern surrounding the conduct of the Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture.

2. While his energy and visibility in promoting Malaysia are acknowledged, the repeated controversies during his tenure have become a liability to the government’s image—particularly among the Malay Muslim majority, whose cultural and religious sensitivities must always be safeguarded.

3. The minister’s tenure has been marred by one controversy after another, each one eroding the dignity of the office he holds. From the serving of alcohol at an official tourism gala, to his deputy’s misguided proposal of branding Langkawi as a “preferred Muslim destination,” and even a national promotional video that managed to omit every symbol of Islam—these are not minor oversights but repeated failures of cultural intelligence and respect.

4. Earlier storms, including his public dismissal of local religious enforcement as “scaring off tourists,” have left a lingering perception that the sensitivities of the Muslim majority are a nuisance rather than a national foundation. Even if denied, the pattern of provocation has become impossible to ignore.

5. His habit of crossing ministerial lines—bursting into border operations at KLIA or publicly rebuking DBKL for signage enforcement—may project bravado, but it tramples the principle of Cabinet discipline. What should have been inter-agency coordination too often turns into personal theatre at the expense of government cohesion.

6. The minister’s public interventions have grown increasingly combative, trading tact for soundbites. Every controversy fuels another headline; every apology arrives only after the damage is done. The cumulative effect has been a trail of embarrassment that now threatens to stain the government’s collective reputation.

7. Collectively, these incidents reveal lapses in judgment, discretion, and cultural awareness inconsistent with the standards expected of a federal minister. The tourism portfolio requires tact, diplomacy, and an instinct for unity—qualities not consistently reflected in his leadership.

8. With Malaysia approaching Visit Malaysia Year 2026, continued controversy within the Tourism Ministry threatens to overshadow national branding efforts and risk alienating domestic constituencies whose confidence is vital to the campaign’s success.

9. It is therefore prudent for the Madani leadership to consider a change of leadership within the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture. A new minister with a deeper appreciation for Malaysia’s multicultural sensitivities and stronger inter-ministerial coordination would help restore confidence, stability, and focus.

10. The time has come for the Cabinet—especially UMNO and those entrusted with upholding the confidence of the Malay Muslim majority—to demand the removal of this minister who repeatedly provokes the boundaries of public patience and Malay Muslim sensitivities.

11. Each silence risks being read as consent, and every uncorrected slight deepens the wound of perception. Leadership is not about defending the indefensible, but about recognising when the line of public tolerance has already been crossed.

12. If the latest alcohol debacle at a ministry function is left without reprimand on the grounds that it was privately funded, we fear that female escorts and “GROs” might be the next level of entertainment used to “brighten up” future official events.

Surely, this cannot be the Madani way that this Prime Minister and government advocate with conviction.

American Bases in the Middle East: Expensive Monuments of Arab Subservience

Graphics: thecradle.co

1. ⁠The Middle East today is riddled with American military bases planted across sovereign Arab lands under the pretext of “partnership” and “security cooperation.” Yet, when those very lands come under fire, these sprawling installations, brimming with expensive technology and thousands of troops, turn into mute spectators. What logic is there in hosting a supposed superpower’s base if it cannot shield you from aggression? Qatar, a sovereign nation, was recently struck by Israel, and yet the massive American presence within its borders offered no deterrent, no shield, and no response.

2.⁠ ⁠If these bases are genuinely meant to provide security, then their silence in the face of attacks is an indictment of their uselessness. On the other hand, if they are merely staging grounds for Washington’s adventures and assaults against other Muslim nations, then Arab leaders have sold their sovereignty cheaply, trading honor for a hollow promise of protection that never materializes when truly needed. Either way, the arrangement reeks of betrayal.

3. ⁠The people of the region see clearly that these bases are not fortresses for defense but springboards for foreign aggression. From Syria to Iraq, from Yemen to Lebanon, American hardware and intelligence have been deployed not to defend Arabs, but now seen to destabilize and divide them. Yet Arab regimes continue to bend their backs, pretending the bases serve their national interest while the evidence screams otherwise.

4. Take Yemen, a brotherly Islamic nation enduring years of brutal bombardment. Did any Arab host of U.S. bases demand accountability for the role of American weapons and targeting support in the massacre of civilians there? Or look at Syria, where foreign strikes repeatedly pound infrastructure and cities—did these bases lift a finger to stop foreign jets violating Syrian sovereignty? The silence is deafening, the hypocrisy unbearable.

5. ⁠And yet, Arab states welcome more bases, more troops, more “security agreements.” These leaders are quick to issue pompous statements at international summits, but when their neighbors bleed under foreign fire, they shrug, mumble, and retreat into silence. What kind of brotherhood is this? What kind of leadership accepts a foreign boot on its soil while another Muslim nation is crushed?

6. The cowardice extends beyond governments to the collective Arab system. When Palestine burns under bombardment, when Lebanon is threatened, when Iraq and Syria are destabilized, when Yemen is starved, the Arab bloc offers little more than empty words and occasional aid shipments appearing “charitable” and “concerned”. Meanwhile, they allow their soil to be launchpads for the very powers facilitating this destruction. It is shameful, pitiful, and a betrayal of their own people.

7. Those who host American bases and parade them as symbols of modern alliances should be ridiculed for their gullibility—or worse, their complicity. For what is the point of sovereignty if you surrender your land to foreign militaries that neither defend you nor respect your neighbors? Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, and others have become landlords of colonial outposts dressed up as “partners in stability.” In truth, they are lapdogs, wagging their tails while their brothers are beaten.

8. The tragedy is compounded by the way these regimes spend billions on imported arms they rarely dare to use, while relying on a foreign shield that repeatedly proves itself illusory. The enemy strikes Yemen, Syria, Lebanon, Iraq, even Qatar itself, and the American bases sit idle. What message does that send, other than proving that their true mission is not defense but domination?

9.⁠ ⁠Until Arab nations muster the courage to stand for themselves, these bases will remain symbols of humiliation. They are monuments not of protection but of surrender, reminders that sovereignty has been mortgaged to a power that treats its hosts as pawns. Worse, by permitting such bases, Arab rulers share in the crimes committed against their fellow Muslims, allowing their land to be used as staging grounds for wars of terror.

10. The time has come to call things by their real names: American bases in the Middle East are useless for defense, destructive for unity, and humiliating for sovereignty. 

11. The longer Arab leaders tolerate them, the longer they will remain complicit in the bleeding of their own region. Yemen, Syria, Lebanon, Palestine, Iraq, and now even Qata; these are not isolated cases, but proof that dependence on foreign bases is nothing but a dangerous oasis in desert dream.

12. Middle Eastern men are usually proud of their musculinity, but in these circumstances perhaps the Arab leaders might trade their “Igal and Keffiyah” for a “Bedlah”, judging by the way they defend their region.

Time To Leave The Table Before The Feast Turns Rotten

UMNO entered this so-called Unity Government not out of desperation, but out of duty, honouring the former King’s decree to bring stability to a fractured nation. We took our place at the table in good faith, believing our voice would matter, our principles would be respected, and our struggle would be upheld. Yet, what we see today is a government that defies the very monarch who crowned it, tramples on the unspoken courtesies between partners, sidelines the Malay agenda, and treats UMNO as political window dressing. We are not here to be complicit in betrayal, nor to play second fiddle in a marriage that has lost its respect.

1. Upholding the King’s Decree

UMNO’s entry into the Unity Government was in large part due to the explicit wish of the then-Yang di-Pertuan Agong, who sought political stability through our cooperation with Pakatan Harapan. Yet, the current administration’s defiance of His Majesty’s addendum on Najib Razak’s house arrest is a direct affront to the very monarch who bestowed legitimacy on this government. Remaining in the Cabinet under these circumstances risks UMNO being seen as complicit in undermining the monarchy’s authority.

2. Insult to UMNO’s Dignity

The acceptance of Tengku Zafrul into PKR was not just bad manners, it was a slap across UMNO’s face. It told the world that our boundaries mean nothing, that anyone can betray UMNO today and find a red carpet waiting for them in Pakatan Harapan tomorrow. And if we swallow this without action, then we signal that UMNO’s honour is cheap.

3. A Marriage in Constant Quarrel

This so-called “Unity” is unity in name only. We have coalition partners who openly mock UMNO leaders, belittle our grassroots, and challenge our positions on policies that affect our people. We are treated less like partners and more like troublesome in-law, tolerated but never respected.

4. Preserving UMNO’s Honour

Remaining in the Cabinet without meaningful influence risks reducing UMNO to a political accessory, present for optics but powerless in decision making. Stepping out of the Cabinet now would be an act of principle, signalling to our members and the rakyat that positions and perks are secondary to honour and conviction.

5. Distancing from Policy Failures

This administration has made contentious decisions such as ambiguous economic recovery measures, weak cost of living interventions, and inconsistent foreign policy stances that are increasingly unpopular among the rakyat. If we remain in Cabinet, every bad decision will have UMNO’s fingerprints on it. 

6.Demonstrating Loyalty to the Original Royal Mandate

Our loyalty to the former King was in fulfilling his wish to ensure stability at a moment of national uncertainty. That mission has been carried out. However, loyalty to that decree does not require blind compliance with all subsequent actions by the government, especially when they run contrary to UMNO’s principles and the monarchy’s dignity. 

7. Guarding UMNO’s Soul

UMNO is the shield of Islam, the guardian of the monarchy, the defender of the Malay race, and the protector of our Tanahair. If we keep bending to the whims of partners who neither share nor respect these values, we risk becoming unrecognisable even to our own members. Withdrawal is not abandonment of duty but a necessary correction to protect our legacy. 

8. Sending a Clear Message to the Rakyat

By stepping out of Cabinet but keeping the government afloat in Parliament, UMNO sends an unmistakable message,  ie, we are not afraid to sacrifice power for principle. We will cooperate for stability, but we will not sell our soul for a seat at the table. 

9.Sacrificing Borrowed Power for Long-term Credibility

Comfortable ministerial positions and GLC appointments are fleeting. What endures is the perception of UMNO’s integrity. By relinquishing these trappings of borrowed power and ending our role as a “loose supporting actress” in this government, we restore our credibility, morale, and the respect of our supporters, positioning UMNO for a stronger future. 

10. Power Is Borrowed, But Honour Is Ours, And We Must Not Trade It For Anyone’s Convenience.

DATUK TENGKU PUTRA HARON AMINURRASHID JUMAT
UMNO Membership 01059553
Johor.

Happy Birthday, Dato’ Sri Mohd Najib bin Tun Abdul Razak

23 July 2025

1. It is difficult to wish this extraordinary gentleman a Happy Birthday while he remains behind bars, when in past decades, I had the privilege of wishing him personally, whether at Langgak Duta, Sri Satria, or Sri Perdana.

2. As he approaches three years in detention, still enduring thousands of hours in the halls of justice, the people are beginning to see, more clearly than ever, the calm resolve and intellectual patriotism that define his character.

3. He has never called his supporters to the streets. He has never urged for riots or chaos in his name. He has not ridiculed nor desecrated those currently in government, some of whom were once his own allies,  despite their tireless efforts to frustrate his path to justice.  

4. That, perhaps, is the mark of a man raised with integrity, shaped by noble values, and anchored in a distinguished family legacy, unlike the pariahs who sully the national stage with bitterness and vengeance.

5. Seven years have passed since his abrupt departure from office and is ample time for Malaysians to witness, firsthand, and to judge the competence (or lack thereof) of the four Prime Ministers who have followed. 

6. In comparison, Najib’s era stands out for its delivery of promises, its focus on rising prosperity, its protection of rakyat welfare, and for elevating Malaysia’s image on the world stage.

7. As Malaysia’s 6th Prime Minister, his legacy includes bold national transformation programs, ambitious infrastructure development, and a vision for economic progress and global recognition. Whether admired for his policies or remembered for his unwavering dedication to Barisan Nasional, Dato’ Sri Najib’s impact continues to be deeply felt across the nation.

8. By all fair measure, Dato’ Sri Najib is, after his father Tun Abdul Razak the finest Prime Minister Malaysia has known.

9. Time will tell whether true justice will be returned to him, and whether our nation’s politics will find its correction.

10. Until then, we say this with unwavering faith:

11. Keep With The Struggle And Hold Strongly To Your Faith, Sir.

12. Happy Birthday, Bossku.

UMNO MUST QUIT CABINET IF DEFECTORS ARE WELCOMED, SAYS PARTY LOYALIST

FULL STATEMENT

KUALA LUMPUR: UMNO should withdraw from Cabinet positions if the unity government accepts political defectors who betrayed the party, while still holding the government accountable.

Datuk Tengku Putra Haron Aminurashid Jumat, a hard core UMNO loyalist and former BN Johor State Assemblyman for Kempas, said the party must not support policies that harm public welfare and should actively oppose defectors in future elections. 

UMNO, he said, should insist on being treated as an equal partner, not exploited or sidelined.

“If PKR or any member of the unity government accepts political defectors who have betrayed UMNO, then we should vacate our seats in the Cabinet while continuing to serve as vigilant overseers within the Government.


“We should also cease to be executively complicit in the administration’s policies if they are detrimental to the social welfare of the masses,” he said in support of Umno vice-president Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin’s statement for its partners in the unity government not to accept party leaders and members looking to defect. 

In his speech when opening the Batu Pahat Umno division delegates meeting today, Khaled had warned that doing so will undermine political stability and mutual trust.

Without naming names, he said such behaviour could weaken the coalition's cohesion and must not be encouraged.

Datuk Tengku Putra also said “if these defectors from UMNO contest in any upcoming by-election, regardless of government backing, UMNO must field our own candidates to challenge and defeat them at the polls. We cannot allow our party to be used as a stepping stone by ingrates seeking to rise politically in other parties.


“We are equal partners, not subordinates or concubines, to be exploited for the benefit of others in this government,” he said,

On May 30, UMNO Supreme Council member Tengku Zafrul Tengku Abdul Aziz announced he was leaving Umno and joining PKR.

He tendered his resignation as an Umno supreme council member, a Kota Raja division leader and a party member. He had been an Umno member since 1997.

Ends.

THE MALAYSIAN FLAG

By Datuk Tengku Putra Haron Aminurrashid Jumat

1. When the late Lee Kuan Yew, the former Prime Minister of Singapore, was asked how he successfully managed a disciplined city-state with a multiracial and multi-religious background, he simply replied, “Swift prosecution!” 

2. That, he emphasized, was the key to maintaining respect for the Constitution and harmony among citizens. 

3. Below are examples of swift prosecutions carried out by the Singaporean authorities—without endless investigations or perceived interference from political parties with vested interests. 

4. As long as the Malaysian government continues to tiptoe around sensitive issues for fear of losing votes, true peace in this country will remain elusive. 

5. Stern action MUST be taken against any provocateur—regardless of background—and they must be made an example of so that no one dares to test the limits with seditious tendencies in the future. 

6. Too many gaffes have occurred recently—most of which have insulted the Muslim faith—only to be followed by hollow apologies. 

7. The latest: the Malaysian flag depicted without the crescent moon, which symbolizes Islam as the religion of the federation. 

8. To make matters worse, the Chinese national flag was shown in perfect form, while ours was desecrated—by a Malaysian media outlet of the Chinese-language stream. 

9. It would not be unreasonable to question where their loyalties truly lie, especially on the very day Xi Jinping was in town. 

10. Yet another example of their bias can be seen on their front pages, shown below. 

11. This was published the day after the coronation of the Sultan of Johor—an event that hadn’t taken place in 55 years. I leave it to you to decide where their allegiance lies. 

12. Ironically, that very Sultan is now His Majesty the King of Malaysia. Long Live the King! 

13. The blatant violation of our national flag—displayed at a Ministry of Education event, no less—is dangerously becoming a trend. This cannot be tolerated. Those responsible must be punished swiftly and severely. Let’s take a page from the Singapore playbook if we truly seek national unity. 

14. These perpetrators have given real meaning to the phrase “a thousand apologies”—what was once just a figure of speech. They seem to fall back on it repeatedly for gaffes that are increasingly hard to believe are genuine mistakes. 1

5. Well, mistakes are just that—if you choose to believe in them. But when they morph into seditious provocations, followed by endless apologies, often accepted by gullible and overly forgiving leaders, they become a threat to national security.

No More “Charity” For MCA

1. UMNO must reclaim the Malay majority seats of Air Hitam and Tanjung Piai, which we allowed MCA to contest out of our misplaced camaraderie. 

2. Ours has been a party of compassion since decades. Often this trait gets exploited by ingrates taking it for granted. 

3. Since 2009, MCA has been taking potshots at UMNO to the point that we have become a punching bag for them, conveniently claiming that we are the reason for their failure to win back Chinese votes. 

4. While UMNO does not sleep with nor support PAS when they want to impose drastic “Islamic” laws that might hurt the feelings and way of life of the non-Muslims, MCA seems to have no qualms about embracing DAP and the Chinese chauvinistic NGOs in questioning the sensitivities of Malay Muslims taking advantage of our sensibility in the name of their race. 

5. To the best of my knowledge, no Malay BN candidates have stood in any Chinese-dominated constituencies, while there were many Chinese and Indian BN candidates who stood in Malay-dominated ones. This is testament that the Malays are a sensible lot and were responsible for placing them in Parliament.

6. Two glaring cases are that of Air Hitam and Tanjung Piai. They are the only seats in Parliament won by MCA, and on the backs of Malay voters. The other one is Tapah won by MIC. 

7. While many may think MCA stayed with Barisan Nasional out of loyalty and camaraderie, on the contrary, they have no choice but to stick or be damned into oblivion on its own, having no chance with DAP being the dominant Chinese party in West Malaysia. 

8. In GE15, approximately 95% of the Chinese voters in the Peninsula supported our opposition, which clearly meant that even the majority of their own party pathetically voted against them. 

9. Gone are the days when we dismiss their operatives’ attempts to offend us while they “pretend” to disavow or apologise for it . They’ve cried wolf too many times in our books. 

10. We shouldn’t tolerate wolves in sheepskin among us anymore, especially when their existence in Parliament is at our behest. 

11. We can win our battles facing our enemies on our own without the “fake friendly fires” in our midst.

12. Our Final Advice To The MCA Is To Tow The Line Of Unity In The Barisan Nasional. Stop Playing With Identity Politics, Or Just Ship Out!