text:
MACC confirms USD 700 million in Najib's Bank Accounts but …
August 4, 2015 by dinobeano
Malaysia :Malaysian Prime Minister had $700m of 'donations' in bank account – watchdog
by Kate Lamb, Jakarta
http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/aug/04/malaysia-corruption-watchdog-najib-razak-donations-1mdb
Beleaguered Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak has effectively been cleared by the country's anti-corruption body, following a financial controversy that has shaken the legitimacy of his government. The Malaysian anti-corruption commission (MACC) announced that $US700m in accounts held by the Prime Minister had come from donors – not, as has been alleged, from the debt-laden state development fund, 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB).
The MACC investigation found the funds deposited into the accounts of the Prime Minister were a "contribution from donors, and not from 1MDB", the commission said in the statement on Monday. However the commission did not provide any further information regarding the identity of the donors, or how the funds were spent.
1MDB released a statement on Tuesday restating its innocence. "1MDB welcomes the clear statement from the Malaysian anti-corruption commission, which confirms that no funds from 1MDB were transferred to the Prime Minister," it said.
The Prime Minister has repeatedly denied using the funds for personal gain, but not receiving the money into accounts in his name.
Since the allegations have emerged, the Prime Minister has come under increasing pressure to contain the scandal, and has sought to remove those who have challenged him.
In what was seen by critics as an attempt to consolidate his power base, Najib last week dismissed the Deputy Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin, a vocal critic, and the attorney general after they urged him to respond publicly to the 1MDB allegations.
"Members of the cabinet should not air their differences in an open forum that can affect public opinion against the government and Malaysia," Najib said in a televised statement announcing the removal of his deputy and four other cabinet members.
Before his removal from office three months shy of his scheduled retirement, attorney general Abdul Gani Patail was one of four officials leading the 1MDB investigation, alongside individuals from the anti-graft commission, Malaysian police and the Malaysian central bank.
Prior to his dismissal Gani confirmed he had received documents from investigators that linked Najib to the 1MDB fund.
In the days preceding the sackings, the Malaysian government also appeared to be cracking down on dissenting voices in the media, suspending the licenses of two publications that had been extensively reporting the 1MDB scandal.
Citing a letter from the Malaysian Home Ministry, the Edge Media Group, which owns the two publications, said comprehensive reporting of the 1MDB story had been deemed "likely to be prejudicial to public and national interest".
Accumulated political tensions arising from the 1MDB scandal spilled onto the streets of Kuala Lumpur this weekend, with protests calling for Najib's resignation taking place in front of the Sogo shopping centre on Saturday afternoon.
The 29 people arrested are reportedly facing charges of joining an unlawful assembly under section 143 of the penal code, which carries a maximum 20-year jail term.
While effectively clearing Najib of involvement in the scandal, the conclusion by the anti-graft commission has left many questions unanswered, with critics urging the MACC to reveal the identity of the donors.
The Sogo Protest on August 1, 2015
"In my view, the statement by MACC still causes me concern as it means whoever donated such large sums is likely to expect benefit," said lawyer Ambiga Sreenevasan, who heads the National Human Rights Society.
"I am sure this announcement by the anti-corruption agency sets the stage to clear Najib of any wrongdoing," said Rafizi Ramli, a lawmaker with the opposition People's Justice party.
"But it will not be able to quell public anger and mistrust over the matter."
The investigation into the 1MDB scandal is ongoing, with the commission also heading a probe into SRC International, a former 1MDB subsidiary also identified as depositing funds into the Prime Minister's accounts.
This entry was posted in Civil Rights, Corruption, Demoracy, Finance, Freedom, Governance, Human Rights, Justice, Kleptocracy, Law and Order, Najib Razak, Politics, Public Accountability, Rule of Law. Bookmark the permalink.
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31 thoughts on "MACC confirms USD 700 million in Najib's Bank Accounts but …"
chandran sukumaran says:	 August 4, 2015 at 7:30 pm
Najib is now proven guilty by the people's court without any doubt. What will be the verdict? Wait for GE 14.
Worst scenario, emergency rule that will drive away foreign investments and unemployment. Only then our 'intelligent voters' will come to sense.
aliefalfa says:	 August 4, 2015 at 7:30 pm
Yes, but why into his personal accounts???
bryanbb says:	 August 4, 2015 at 7:54 pm
So far every action taken by the Najib administration DPM -AG removal,the SB chief replacement ,the task force investigating 1MDB disrupted ,PAC chairman appointment that disqualifies him from the PAC panel etc.- MACC interference-and the arrest warrant for Clare Rewcastle- the SR editor. .Qualifying all the rhetorical questions that doesn't really need to be answered.
So what are the motives for all these actions? In how it will affect or sabotage the 1MDB investigations ? And how the public will interpret them? And whether it does more harm than good in public perception?
"As Sherlock Holmes often says to his associate Doctor" Its elementary my dear Watson"
Phua Kai LIt says:	 August 4, 2015 at 7:58 pm
The Wolf versus the Wall Street Journal ?
guano says:	 August 4, 2015 at 8:03 pm
I Malaysia Di Bodohkan.
Yoong says:	 August 4, 2015 at 8:41 pm
>40% of Malaysians still willing to be burdened/saddled by this disgusting BN government. How stupid and blind can people get and still be breathing !
Gursharan Singh C.M.I.I.A. says:	 August 4, 2015 at 8:47 pm
Next question – Who made such a large 'donation' and what was the 'consideration' for the donation and who is going to pay for the 'consideration'?
May be now MACC needs to extend its investigation to the source of the 'donation' and the identity of the 'donor'?
Abnizar says:	 August 4, 2015 at 8:54 pm
IF it was truly some donation monies given into the VVIP's private account, it should have been only USD7000 – not USD 700 Million !
Wow….USD Seven Hundred Million , in form of " Donation/s " , Incredible ……
Jeffrey Lim says:	 August 4, 2015 at 9:44 pm
Since WSJ have published the fund being remitted by 3 named companies, the fund must have come from them. from there (Gandingan, Ehsan Perdana & SRC) It can be then traced back to where the fund come from if not from the account of the named Companies. The amount looks surprising familair as the Company of a flamboyant Malaysian Businessman had USD700 million banked into Bintang Bagus from a certain JV fund. Should the PM accept such a generous donation and if so, what is expected from him in return? If is held in TRUST for the party has the supreme Council of the Party been informed? Has the money received in trust been FULLY account for? An Anti Corruption Bureau is an elite set up that investigates fully any irregular payment instead of issuing a half past six statement without substance.REMEMBER THE PHRASE "WITHOUT FEAR OR FAVOUR"
Wayne says:	 August 4, 2015 at 9:50 pm
Quote:- "May be now MACC needs to extend its investigation to the source of the 'donation' and the identity of the 'donor'?"
This is not going to happen because the MACC said it had already passed the investigation papers (IP) to the AG's chambers.
What this means is that the MACC has, as far as they are concerned, concluded their side of the investigations and having passed the IP to the AG's chambers, it is for the AG, as public prosecutor, to decide whether the IP contains enough evidence to charge anyone.
The AG, if not satisfied with the material in the IP, can direct the MACC to carry out further investigations on any areas that require such further investigations.
Would the new AG direct further investigations by the MACC?
We all know why a new AG was appointed don't we?
Phua Kai LIt says:	 August 4, 2015 at 10:44 pm
The stupid and corrupt regime issues an arrest warrant for
Claire Rewcastle Brown. Arrest warrant for telling the truth ??
No self-respecting and democratic foreign government will
collaborate with the 1Malaysia regime to extradite her to 1Malaysia.
Or perhaps just outright propaganda to fool the less well-educated
folks in the rural areas ?
Mike says:	 August 5, 2015 at 12:01 am
Najis thinks his heroics over weekend in Pekan,Seremban and Malacca with his hard talk is going to work. If he thinks so his brains are in the other head which all males have and he only uses that head to think and act.That will keep the elephant in his bed warm but the revolt is coming and may begin in the south going by the picture with the Johor Sultan and MB.We hope Johor keeps the tempo up as Perak is quiet.Watch out for more action coming over the next one month in the UMNO meetings.
Shiou says:	 August 5, 2015 at 12:38 am
Corruption is of course bad.
But it is much worse if we allow UMNO internal politics to remove the PM and subvert the national government through chopping the head off the executive branch. This is called usurpation. Once UMNO internal politics removed the PM, UMNO will not effect legal charge to Najib anyway because the legal charge is going to smear UMNO itself. Only then we are going to realize we fail to leverage on the crisis and UMNO gets all the best from the crisis as happened in the past.
As UMNO internal politics forces Najib into a corner, opposition Parliamentarians must stop whining and go setup an escape route for Najib. The escape route could be in the form of inquiry committee based on politically negotiated rules of engagement. Najib does not want to be booted, so he must be ready to accept quite some conditions that are favorable to opposition Parliamentarians. This can happen only if the opposition Parliamentarians are not blinded by angers and are still having an aspiration to move Malaysia politics to be closer to that intended by the Constitution – parliamentary democracy, not UMNO politics. (BTW, for a leftist who insists UMNO has a right to remove PM because UMNO installs the PM, it is like saying Najib's mother gives birth to Najib, and so the mother can remove Najib from the head of executive branch and put him back to her womb. )
It will be a missed opportunity if opposition Parliamentarians insist on "finding the truth of corruption" and legality. The "true north" of a compass is to help you to know where you are heading, not to guide you to jump off the cliff when the cliff is in front of you and the "true north". Take detour.
You don't compromise with someone who is blatantly corrupt. You let the law take its course–if there is any law left in our country– and apply relentless pressure on your beloved Prime Minister so that he sees that he has no choice but to resign. What can't you face is the fact that Najib is no longer any good for the country. What has Najib's mother got to do with our national headache? CLF, Tok cik and Conrad, what you do think? –Din Merican
Phua Kai Lit says:	 August 5, 2015 at 7:44 am
Dear Mike 12:01 am
I won't take the criticisms of UMNO Baru warlords concerning 1MDB and the 1PM at face value. Some of them may be using this opportunity (i.e. a much weakened, scandal-ridden and jumpy 1PM) to extract "donations" from the weakened 1PM in return for ending their "criticisms" and giving him their support once again. We are ruled by a kleptocratic "Me first" and "grab while you can" regime, remember?
"criticisms" and
Abnizar says:	 August 5, 2015 at 8:11 am
Thank you Jeffry Lim for the information, how can I be so naïve ….
But, can the Investigators trace the details of the Donations by the three named Companies and who these generous people are to donate such huge sums, as you say for what purpose, if any ?
AND also, how to eliminate the suspicion that these huge sums have not come from 1MDB….? ? To eliminate such possible suspicion , it is imperative for the Govt give full particulars of the generous Donors ?
Dear Abnizar,
1MDB had a JV with and Arab set up by the initial PSI but the money from 1MDB went to the account of a Malaysia fatcat Arab owning Bintang Bagus and Lo & Behold the money ended up you know where. Just like Jews, Arabs are spread all over the world,
Conrad says:	 August 5, 2015 at 8:22 am
I'm hesitant about engaging with Shiou because I don't want it to perceived as stalking. My all time favourite writer, Harlan Ellison said, "You are not entitled to your opinion. You are entitled to your informed opinion. No one is entitled to be ignorant." but this really isn't helpful when it comes to civility on a board, which encourages diverse opinions.
I'm just really confused about this whole "usurpation" idea. You mean political parties are not allowed to remove their leadership for whatever reasons especially when the leadership is causing them to lose whatever political currency they have left ? This is anathema to democracy ?
If that is the case, nearly every functional democracy is the world has been exposed to these "coups" and political parties should throw out their written constitutions since nobody abides by them anyway. Quick someone tell registrar of societies that they are not relevant ….oops…wait, they are not.
Is the PM above the law ? What if the legal system has been compromised by the PM and the only way is to remove him is by his own party ? Wait, what happens when the PM controls the mechanism that would lead to his ouster ?
A political party removing a corrupt leader. Is this the big moral dilemma that Malaysians face ? I would buy it if the dilemma was, "It is horrifying that the only way to remove this corrupt PM is by his corrupt party because all other avenues are controlled by the PM" but this whole "usurpation" is worse than corruption, deal is just mind boggling.
The one thing we should have when all else is compromised is that a political party, deals with their own to reverse or attempt to reverse the damage done, but no, according to Shiou, that would be worse !
"(BTW, for a leftist who insists UMNO has a right to remove PM because UMNO installs the PM, it is like saying Najib's mother gives birth to Najib, and so the mother can remove Najib from the head of executive branch and put him back to her womb. )"
Do you really believe this equivalency in this moronic example ? OK, UMNO has either by convention or right to remove the head of their party and in effect the head of State, while Najib's mother has no locus standi whatsoever in this matter except when Right Wing nutters drag her into it.
Somu says:	 August 5, 2015 at 8:42 am
It's a new SANDIWARA !
Where is MACC Chief Abu Kassim and BNM Zetty while IGP playing the important role in this Sandiwara since the charge sheet surfaced.
Commander(Rtd) S.Thayaparan says:	 August 5, 2015 at 9:12 am
The OXFART kJ says the money is trust for umno. So show us the trust instrument. You may be the next victim in front of Balliol college
hyalbert says:	 August 5, 2015 at 9:23 am
A number of the UMNO cabinet ministers have stated that Najib is holding the donation funds in trust for the party and it is not a crime for political parties to receive donations. If so, is there a documented trust deed executed by UMNO in this regard. Since the donations were received in 2013, surely this huge sum of donations would have been fully accounted for in the financial statements for the annual report of UMNO for that year. A quick check in the said financial statements can confirm that because it is at least RM 2.1 million (based on exchange rates prevailing in March 2013 for the sum of USD 681 million) and you cannot miss that huge figure in the total donation amounts reported.
If Najib cannot produce the documented trust deed and the USD 681 million was not reported in the financial statements, would it not be a breach of fiduciary duties such as embezzlement /CBT of funds belonging to UMNO.
What are right-minded UMNO members going to do about it then ???
What so difficult? The Trust Deed can be backed dated and other documents doctored. Welcome to Malaysia.–Din Merican
Wayne says:	 August 5, 2015 at 10:30 am
Shiou,
Quote:- "Parliamentarians must stop whining and go setup an escape route for Najib"
Wow, then please let me, or my mother, be PM.
I'll suck the country dry, and legally or otherwise use each and every government security apparatus available to me to fight tooth and nail against anyone who even says an unkind word or ask an uncomfortable question; sack anyone I can sack and replace them with people I can easily order around; then Parliamentarians instead of "whining" can, following the example or precedent already set in Najib's case, (as proposed by you), and not being "blinded by angers and are still having an aspiration to move Malaysia politics to be closer to that intended by the Constitution", "setup an escape route" for me to retire gracefully from public life "based on politically negotiated rules of engagement", and spend the rest of my happy days with my lovely wife spending the country's money I corruptly stole, (which according to the "negotiated rules of engagement" I need not return a single cent), and play with our grand children in some country with a name that ends with "………….stan"
Speaking about "mothers" being involved here, let's ask Altantuya's mother whether she should not be "blinded by angers", stop "whining" about her daughter being blown up by C4, organize "an escape route" for whoever were involved and let bygones be bygones, forgive and forget, after all nothing can bring Altantuya back again in one piece.
I am sure that, Shiou, you will make a special trip to see Altantuya's mother and advice her that "it will be a missed opportunity if (she) insists on "finding the truth" The "true north" of a compass is to help (her) to know where (she is) heading, not to guide (her) to jump off the cliff when the cliff is in front of (her) She should "take detour"
Shiou, you are one very compassionate person.
SiangMalam says:	 August 5, 2015 at 10:40 am
We are all distracted….
1MDB has an outstanding loan of RM42 billion
It has on its book records of assets RM14 billion
It has to borrow RM2 billion from AK to repay a due loan early part of the year
It also took a standby credit (loan lah…) of RM950 mil from MOF
Then it borrowed RM6.3 billion from IPIC
Shouldn't we be asking where the f*ck is the RM28 billion it should be having in the bank?
hyalbert says:	 August 5, 2015 at 10:54 am
Sorry, should be USD 681 mil and not bil. Typo error.
Further, how can UMNO top leaders be so reckless not to execute a trust deed. In the event something untoward would have happened, like the sudden demise or the chap absconding with the funds, how can UMNO recover the funds ?Najib prefers loyal to smart supporters but surely there are smart members who can envisage the risks involved for letting some one hold the assets without a properly executed trust deed.
What is this son of Dahlan talking about when he said it is better for Najib to hold the donations in view of the problems encountered by Dr M to recover the UMNO assets held by nominees. Isn't it the same difference when there is no trust deed for Najib???
Shiou says:	 August 5, 2015 at 1:33 pm
"Do you really believe this equivalency in this moronic example [mother's right to recall Najib]? OK, UMNO has either by convention or right to remove the head of their party and in effect the head of State, while Najib's mother has no locus standi whatsoever in this matter except when Right Wing nutters drag her into it," Conrad.
Per the Constitution article 43.2.a, a person becomes the Prime Minister because Yang di-Pertuan Agung thinks the person commands the support of the majority of the house:
Article 43.2.a: " the Yang di-Pertuan Agong shall first appoint as Perdana Menteri (Prime Minister) to preside over the Cabinet a member of the House of Representative who in his judgment is likely to command the confidence of the majority of the members of that House"
Neither Najib's mother nor UMNO installs the PM per the Constitution, although one gave birth to Najib and another one propose Najib to the Yang di-Pertuan Agong. Najib, per the Constitution, can retain his position if he can retain the majority supports from a combination of parliamentarians inside and outside UMNO/BN. In other words, UMNO does not have absolute right to remove a PM. That is where opposition parliamentarians can assert the power of legislative branch (judiciously, of course) by setting up an inquiry committee. Having the Parliament to have bigger say than UMNO internal politics on the fate of Najib is of course a healthier parliamentary democracy – it actually breaks the bottleneck of Malaysia politics by giving birth to bi-partisanship. It makes future PMs more responsive to people, and under lesser tight-lease of UMNO.
This crisis will be wasted if opposition parliamentarians choose not to see the 1MDB scandal as primarily a political problem, but primarily a legal and moral one.
If that is so, why is it difficult to replace him? It is just a matter of passing a vote of no confidence. But that is not the case since it is UMNO-BN agrees that Najib is their Prime Minister and voters have no say.With lots of money Najib has UMNO-BN parliamentarians in his pocket. Politics is where things happen. Corruption. on the other hand, is a moral and a legal issue, so is abuse of power. They are separate yet inter-linked with politics. In Parliament, the Speaker decides what can and cannot be raised. So Parliament is a dead horse. Don't get confused.–Din Merican
Conrad says:	 August 5, 2015 at 5:04 pm
Shiou, please stop quoting …..anything.
"Neither Najib's mother nor UMNO installs the PM per the Constitution,…"
If you really want to play this game, the Agong does not "install" the Prime Minister. From your quoted bits, it is very clear, that the PM is voted into office his or her office and is appointed by the Agung on majoritarian support.
By the support of UMNO through elections both internal and public, the Prime Minister retains his post. Hence unlike Najib's mother, UMNO determines if the individual Prime Minister retains his post in UMNO and directly the Prime Minister's office.
In other words, are you claiming that Badawi stepping down was a coup ?
"In other words, UMNO does not have absolute right to remove a PM…"
Whoever claimed that UMNO had the "absolute right" to remove the PM. Because of the nature of our Parliamentary democracy* , as long as UMNO maintains the majoritarian view, UMNO has the right to determine who is the PM.
"Having the Parliament to have bigger say than UMNO internal politics on the fate of Najib is of course a healthier parliamentary democracy – it actually breaks the bottleneck of Malaysia politics by giving birth to bi-partisanship. "
Bi-partisanship happens when institutions of power are exempt from the Executive influence ,political parties are constrained by the Constitution through an independent Judiciary, transparency is rewarded through the ballot box , freedom of speech is protected but most importantly when UMNO potentates are not above the law (see the first point in this paragraph)
Do you understand what you type ? Of course the Opposition realizes that this scandal is a political problem, because in any other country the legal and moral dimensions of this problem would be handled by independent bodies.
*The nature of which is mired in Gerry meandering, corruption and a compromised civil institutions.
So you really do believe the equivalency in your moronic example. Huh. Learn something new every day.
Shiou says:	 August 5, 2015 at 11:40 pm
It is never easy to replace the head of executive in any stable modern state outside election. The separation of powers between executive, legislative, and judiciary ensures sacking the head of each branch to be difficult. It is by design and is the cardinal rule for the modern political game.
Of course, ignoring the Constitution and the cardinal rule, an extreme leftist in the form of Islamist removed President Sadat by simply assassinating him while the rest of Islamists cheered on. The assassin was not a lone wolf, but actor of organized political group. Hell of course broke.
Najib fighting for his interest and his PM post is not all bad. In that fight, he severed the UMNO's convention of always making UMNO vice president as deputy PM, and did it in accordance with the Constitution. Were he given a lifeline in the form of inquiry committee (with politically negotiated inquiry terms, not a legal commission), he would compromise to parliamentarians' demands as long as he can retain his post and face. Among those demands could be better monitoring of election campaign funding.
Had Muhyiddin succeeded in replacing Najib a few day ago, would he or UMNO even thought of meeting demands outside UMNO or kept legal pursue on Najib (and smeared UMNO)? Of course not.
Conrad wrote "Bi-partisanship happens when institutions of power are exempt from the Executive influence ,political parties are constrained by the Constitution through an independent Judiciary, transparency is rewarded through the ballot box , freedom of speech is protected but most importantly when UMNO potentates are not above the law ". I think bi-partisanship happens when reality makes it necessary – for example, when PM needs support of opposition parliamentarians to stay "alive".
I leave Conrad to respond to you. I will, however, say that nothing cannot be changed. We design systems to serve for intended purposes. When they no longer serve us, we change them. Right now, we cannot do it..The fact we cannot remove a corrupt regime speaks volumes of our dysfunctional system. Our electoral system, for example, is flawed because of gerrymandering and massive electoral fraud and a openly biased Election Commission.–Din Merican
"Najib fighting for his interest and his PM post is not all bad."
You see nothing wrong that his "interests" is covering up the allegations of misappropriating State funds ? That his actions include muzzling the press, replacing dissenting voices with compliant ones, intimidating and harassing government bodies and using every avenue that his office grants him, to deflect from the corruption scandals that engulfs his Regime ?
You really think that this is Washington's "free government" ?
"..when PM needs support of opposition parliamentarians to stay "alive"."
Why does the PM need the Opposition to stay alive ? His "interests" is escaping the legal ramifications of a corruption scandal. He needs not the Opposition, only the powers that his office grants him to silence his opponents, intimidate government agencies and the compliance of his own party through the disbursements of alleged "donations". He does all this in the full view of the Constitution and a muzzled judiciary.
What possible need for him to have an exit strategy with the Opposition, when the only exit strategy that is possible is through his own political party.
"I think bi-partisanship happens when reality makes it necessary "
Really ? Again, what world are you living in ? The reality is that the PM does not need bi partisanship, because by using the powers of his office and the support of his political party and alliance, he can escape the possible legal consequences of this scandal.
"Of course, ignoring the Constitution and the cardinal rule, an extreme leftist in the form of Islamist removed President Sadat by simply assassinating him while the rest of Islamists cheered on.."
Actually this right wing UMNO Regime has ignored, amended and mocked the Constitution when it suited their purpose so you don't really have to go far, to discover examples of Constitutions being ignored by ideological groups.
Shiou says:	 August 7, 2015 at 1:23 am
"The reality is that the PM does not need bi partisanship, because by using the powers of his office and the support of his political party and alliance, he can escape the possible legal consequences of this scandal," Conrad.
Najib is at about the same amount of pressure experienced by Badawi when Badawi gave up. Here is where opposition parliamentarians can demand concession from Najib with a promise that opposition parliamentarians will allow Najib to win in the Parliament if UMNO dropped him without a vote of confidence in the Parliament. The parliamentary inquiry committee can operate under the terms of revealing truths as seen from both sides, but set it upfront for preserving the separation of powers – i.e. no abrupt removing of PM from within UMNO. This inquiry committee arrangement or its variance will severe the control of UMNO on a PM even more than would we remove Najib now. This is achievable incremental improvement to the parliamentary democracy, where the Parliament asserts power over UMNO internal politic on the impeachment of a PM.
Not satisfied with the incremental improvement? After Badawi was forced out, did UMNO or Badawi's successor proceed to take legal action on corruptions supposedly done by Badawi? Answer: No. Why do we want to repeat the same error simply because we are so mad about corruptions and accusations of corruption?
Shiou, firstly , you have been civil in these exchanges while in some parts I have not been, so your civility is exemplary and appreciated.
Secondly, "Najib is at about the same amount of pressure experienced by Badawi when Badawi gave up."
Not true. Najib is facing criminal allegations of misappropriating State funds and his response has been to crack down on elements from within his party and civil and security apparatus, while Badawi had to contend with the internal political dynamics of his party.
The Opposition is no position to demand anything because they do not have the requisite pressure to orchestrate anything against a sitting UMNO Prime Minister. They neither have an independent civil or criminal system nor support from UMNO factions. Furthermore due to the nature of these allegations, what would be the point legal or moral in the service of Constitutional integrity to keep this UMNO Prime Minister ?
How does it serve the interest of Parliamentary democracy to keep this alleged criminal even if the Opposition had the required pressure to either vote out or maintain his premiership ? In any other functional democracy, this would not be a political problem because there would be independent bodies, who would remove (if necessary) the Prime Minister and said PM would be disavowed by his own political part/alliance.
"Why do we want to repeat the same error simply because we are so mad about corruptions and accusations of corruption?"
Again you seem to be setting up a false dilemma. We are angry not only with allegations of corruption but also the use of the law and various supposedly independent agencies to hide and distort these allegations of corruption. This further corruption of the System happens only because Najib continues to remain in power.
The removal of an UMNO PM for allegations of corruption is an incremental if flawed change from the business as usual politics of Malaysia.
Separation of powers COULD happen if the Opposition gains Federal powers and is committed to reforming institutions that UMNO relies on to remain in power.
Your arguments rests on the premise that this Opposition is in a position to make demands, please illustrate how this is a "reality".
"Your arguments rests on the premise that this Opposition is in a position to make demands, please illustrate how this is a "reality", " Conrad.
Pakatan leader called Najib and said, "We don't like what you do with 1MDB and we will keep attacking you for that. However, we hate even more to see someone try to remove you from PM without going through the Parliament. If UMNO internal politics wants to remove you, let's stand with you. You can count on us having enough Parliament votes to be presented to Agung – I bet you still have some loyalist parliamentarians. You and I know the Constitution is at our side if we have enough votes. For our support, here are our reasonable demands: 1) remove the ban on the two news agencies., 2) have an amendment on election funding, and 3)…". The rest is imagination.
"Pakatan leader called Najib and said, ….."
And what would be the pressure the Opposition could apply to the PM for him to accept this compromise ? This is not a question of election funding but misappropriation of State funds (unless you truly believe the "donation" rationale) and the PM has demonstrated as has UMNO that safe guarding the Constitution is not a priority for this Regime.
Not to mention that Najib has UMNO's vote locked down since his Night of Long Knives an the money in his account. So, why does Najib need the Opposition and how does compromising [in this instance] safe guard Parliamentary democracy, since there is ample examples that like Elvis, Parliamentary democracy has left the building what with Najib cracking down on his critics in Parliament, the press but most damagingly public institutions.
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David Bowie's Full Catalog Sold For $250m
LONDON - 2001: (FILE PHOTO) Musician David Bowie appears during a live radio interview with Radio One DJ's Mark and Lard at the Radio One Maida Vale studio on in 2001 in London. Bowie was admitted to hospital yesterday for emergency heart surgery. (Photo by Dave Hogan/Getty Images)
David Bowie's estate has sold the publishing rights to his entire catalog spanning six decades to Warner Chappell Music. The deal was estimated to be worth at least $250 million and was done after months-long negotiations as Variety reports.
The deal also means that virtually all of Bowie's music is now part of the Warner system. Warner Music Group has handled much of Bowie's recorded catalog since 2013 and just last September, Bowie's estate signed a deal that gave Warner Music global rights to the artist's catalog from 1968 through 2016 including his last few albums that were originally released via Sony Music.
Now that the company has acquired Bowie's publishing catalog as well, they oversee the copyright to his compositions as well as recordings.
"All of us at Warner Chappell are immensely proud that the David Bowie estate has chosen us to be the caretakers of one of the most groundbreaking, influential, and enduring catalogs in music history,"
Said WCM chief executive Guy Moot, in a statement.
The deal includes all the beloved classics from Bowie such as "Heroes," "Space Oddity," and "Life on Mars?," as well as posthumous Toy, which was released last year.
"These are not only extraordinary songs, but milestones that have changed the course of modern music forever," Moot added, "We are looking forward to tending his unparalleled body of songs with passion and care as we strive to build on the legacy of this most extraordinary human being."
Bowie is the most latest acclaimed artist whose catalogs have sold. Last couple of years, many iconic artists have done the same such as Bob Dylan, Neil Young, and Bruce Springsteen.

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I'd love to do Celeb Bainisteoir - Miss Universe Ireland
Lisa Madden from the Old Mallow Road in Cork who was the overall winner at Miss Universe Ireland
By Elaine McCahill
She beat off thousands of model hopefuls to make it to the finals of Britain and Ireland's Next Top Model, and now Lisa Madden is eyeing up the GAA pitch.
She has picked up the crown for Miss Universe Ireland and will represent the country in Miami in January.
The 21-year-old (pictured) was a former contestant on Britain and Ireland's Next Top Model in 2012.
In the show, she survived 12 tasks and made it to the last four before she was eliminated by the judges following a tough week of shooting on a Canadian lake.
But although she survived one very tough reality show, Lisa said she would love to brush up on her coaching skills on Celebrity Bainisteoir.
"My dad's dream would be for me to do Celebrity Bainisteoir - I think he would have me out training in two weeks' time," she said.
"He's just obsessed with the sport and he thinks that's the best thing ever."
Lisa said she is inspired by former Miss Universe Ireland finalist Roz Purcell who previously appeared on Celebrity Bainisteoir.
"I think everything she has done is just so classy and professional and I'd love to be like that," she said.
Former Rose of Tralee Aoibhinn Ni Shuilleabhain, RTE presenter Baz Ashmawy and journalist Nell McCafferty have all made their mark on the GAA manager reality show.
Lisa, who is in preparation mode for the Miss Universe finals in the US in just over two months' time, believes that her grounding on Britain and Ireland's Next Top Model will stand to her when it comes to the pageant.
She said that being with a group of girls was a challenge.
"I live at home, I have one brother. I'm not used to being surrounded by loads of girls 24 hours seven days a week," she said.
"With Britain and Ireland's Next Top Model I just knew there were some days that I had to take my time alone and there were others that I was fine.
"I think what I have learned is that you just stay away from the drama.
"It would ruin the experience if you got caught up in it and I wouldn't be into that kind of thing - I wouldn't be into the whole bitchy side of things.
"I think the best thing to do is just enjoy it and if you do need time away then take your time away and cool down and then go back out.
On Britain and Ireland's Next Top Model the judges - Elle MacPherson, Julien Macdonald, Whitney Port and Tyson Beckford - criticised Lisa for a lack of versatility.
But she has enjoyed great success as a model here.
"They said my face was too strong," she said at the time. "I just have strong bone structure and find it hard to soften my face."
The Cork dentistry student also said she thinks the beauty pageant is positive for women.
"I think Miss Universe promotes women in a really healthy way," she told the Herald.