Lowyat.NET: Latest topics by lowyatter

HK amoi arrested

lowyatter — Fri, 30 Aug 2019 12:05:10 +0800

https://beta.washingtonpost.com/world/stude...2e04_story.html

HONG KONG — Joshua Wong and Agnes Chow, who rose to prominence as the student leaders of pro-democracy street protests five years ago, were arrested Friday, their organization said in a statement, in a widening crackdown on activists and demonstrators in Hong Kong.

The group, Demosistō, did not immediately have details on their charges. A spokeswoman for the Hong Kong Police Force could not immediately confirm the arrests and the circumstances under which the pair were detained.

Wong was seized at roughly 7:30 a.m. Friday “when he was suddenly pushed into a private car on the street,” his organization said. Chow was arrested a short time later at her home, Demosistō added. Both are being held in the Hong Kong police headquarters in the Wan Chai district.

The group has sought help from its lawyers.

The girl on the left. Wonder how police will "interrogate" her

https://www.instagram.com/p/Bx9maL4novz/

Kena compound from SSM for unaudited accounts

lowyatter — Wed, 06 Nov 2013 15:55:58 +0800

Hi All, want to ask for some advice.

A few years back I started a small business with friends, but this turned out to be a major mistake.

Long story short, we haven't been able to file audited accounts and have been issued a compound by the SSM.

The problem is detailed accounts were not kept.

How should I proceed? As a director of the company I do not wish to go to jail. I just want to settle the matter with SSM and pay any fines related to this, and hopefully wind up the company and close this chapter.

Thanks all.

Boobs ramen in Tokyo

lowyatter — Mon, 04 Mar 2013 12:11:07 +0800

[YOUTUBE]ER0jfDQZcKg[/YOUTUBE]

Sos:

http://en.rocketnews24.com/2013/03/01/get-...s-at-tokyo-bar/

Have you ever heard of Boobs Ramen? That’s the nickname for a bar in Tokyo where, much like Hooters in the US, the most appealing aspect of the joint is always on display. But apparently the food is pretty good too. Our Mr. Sato took one for the team and went to check it out.

Is boobs ramen really a thing?
Yes, we can attest that it is. Your fearless writer went to check it out and can report back that we saw a whole lotta boobies.

Nice eye-contact, but my boobs are down here.
When owner Takako Hayakawa leans her ample bosom over the counter, you can’t help but stare. Her boobs are just so big and nicely proportioned that your eyes are naturally drawn there. You know you’re staring, and you feel uncomfortable about it, but you can’t stop! That’s OK, though; I don’t think she minds.

But don’t get the wrong idea!
This isn’t some sleazy sex shop though. It’s a totally wholesome and regular bar… whose owner happens to have really fascinating breasts. But she still chats quite naturally with both male and female customers and provides them with a nice, relaxing atmosphere.

She has a very big… heart.
Sorry, we probably should have said this sooner, but the actual name of the bar is Ramen Bar/Snack Izakaya, and everything on the food menu is made by Hayakawa’s loving hands. Plump dumplings, ramen, pizza, all the breast–I mean, best!–snack foods are on offer. We tried a few things and, although our memory is a bit hazy about this, they all tasted like they were cooked with love.

Food that makes you happy as a booby pillow.

The reason this place is known as Boobs Ramen is its most popular menu item, the ramen noodles. The slightly sweet soup made with lots of nori seaweed extract tastes delicious and thick. It goes down quite smoothly, leaving a happy sense of satisfaction almost like resting your tired head on a soft bosom.

But I really like her for her personality.
Suddenly, we realized we’d been hanging out here for over three hours! Really the popularity of this place is built on a lot more than the owner’s chest. She’s really kind, energetic and open-hearted, and she has the kind of wonderful personality that people just love. A lot of customers are absolutely charmed by her and resolve to come again as soon as possible.

In case you were wondering: they’re I-cups.
Hayakawa is actually a former “gravia idol”, or sexy bikini model. She even has some DVDs to her name. No wonder she is so confidently beautiful!

Shop info:
Ramen Bar/Snack Izakaya
Tokyo, Meguro-ku, Meguro Honmachi 4-3-14
Open 7 p.m.-7 a.m. (or until she gets tired) every day

Yen Yen caught in 'Yes-No battle' in Malacca

lowyatter — Mon, 25 Feb 2013 17:33:52 +0800

http://www.malaysiakini.com/news/222295

[YOUTUBE]p4y-jfHr_xY[/YOUTUBE]

After Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak, Tourism Minister Dr Ng Yen Yen
has engaged in a 'Yes-No' battle with a stubborn crowd in Malacca that
was determined to humiliate the minister with repeated shouts of "No!
No! No!"

According to Nanyang Siang Pau, the battle of words exploded as Ng
(left) was giving speech during a Chap Goh Meh public celebration on
the heritage Jonker Street in the city last night.

She said the BN government would organise a bigger Chap Goh Meh
celebration if it won the coming general election, and asked the crowd
to concur with her by saying "yes".

However, the Chinese-majority crowd responded with a clear shout of
"No! No! No!"

Unperturbed, the MCA vice-president tried to convince them.

"You have to wake up. The facts are there. You have to say 'Yes! Yes!
Yes!'," Ng said, but her call was met with louder shouts of "No! No
No!"

The minister did not give up.

She compared Malacca with her home state of Kelantan, which banned the
celebration of Valentine's Day and lotteries under the PAS rule,
calling on the crowd to appreciate the developments brought by Malacca
Chief Minister Mohd Ali Rustam.

Ng then shouted "Yes! Yes! Yes!" but again, the crowd responded with
"No! No! No!"

Appearing a little frustrated, Ng began to raise her voice and said,
"Those who said 'no', go and ask others, go ask the hawkers at Jonker
Street how much they earn each day.

"Don't sell out Malacca's tourism and economy for politics. (You)
should say 'Yes! Yes! Yes!'"

Ng said power was in the hands of the people and they should be able
to see and feel which party was working for the people.

Then she again shouted "Yes! Yes! Yes!" but the stubborn crowd still
replied, "No! No! No!".

Ng finally gave up and ended her speech with festive greetings to the people.

Genneva's liabilities 10x of assets

lowyatter — Tue, 04 Dec 2012 14:39:21 +0800

http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/malaysi...ore-than-assets

KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 3 ― Gold trader Genneva Malaysia’s debt was over 10 times the amount of its assets despite having sold the precious metal at up to 25 per cent higher than the market rate, showing that its venture was unsustainable in the long run, Bank Negara Malaysia said today.
The central bank also said initial investigations showed that the company had relied heavily on cash from new customers to keep it afloat, which appeared to confirm suspicions that the firm had violated various banking and financial laws, which include taking deposits without giving gold in return, misrepresenting itself as an investment firm, and giving false descriptions on its business after several people lodged complaints with the police.

“Initial forensic accounting has uncovered considerable losses being experienced by the company in 2012 and the company has liabilities exceeding 10 times its assets,” Bank Negara said in a joint statement with the police, the Domestic Trade, Co-operative and Consumerism Ministry and the Companies Commission of Malaysia (CCM).

The banking regulator noted that Genneva Malaysia had sold gold at between 20 per cent and 25 per cent over the market price while paying monthly returns of between 2 per cent and 3 per cent to customers at the initial purchase price.

“In this regard, the cash flow for the company to sustain its operations has relied heavily on the monies collected from new customers,” Bank Negara said.

It added that such a venture was not sustainable, as proven by seized documents that showed the company had yet to deliver the over 4,000kg of gold to over 8,000 paid customers.

It also said the records showed Genneva Malaysia had not paid out more than RM80 million to customers who had traded in their gold to the company for the guaranteed cash payments.

Genneva has some 60,000 customers and a monthly turnover of RM2 billion, according to its traders interviewed by The Malaysian Insider last month, but the company’s website states 50,000 customers and a turnover of RM3 billion.

Bank Negara Governor Tan Sri Zeti Akhtar Aziz has also said the central bank was fast-tracking investigations into the controversial gold trading company so that its customers would not be kept waiting for too long.

Genneva, Pageantry Gold Bhd, Caesar Gold Sdn Bhd, Worldwide Far East Bhd and Bestino Group Bhd are among 25 individuals and companies offering unlicensed activities that were placed on an investor alert list by the central bank last year, double the number from 2010 and the highest on record since 2003.

Genneva Malaysia’s bank accounts and other assets worth RM99.8 million in cash and 126kg in gold bullion were seized and locked up as evidence Bank Negara since October 1, following suspicion that the company allegedly breached a laundry list of banking and financial laws such as illegal deposit-taking, money laundering, tax evasion and appointing agents without licence, after several people lodged complaints with the police.

Earlier today, Deputy Finance Minister Datuk Donald Lim told the affected gold traders to file for a court order if they want to reclaim money from accounts suspected of being used in illegal investment schemes as Bank Negara has no legal authority to the return to investors’ money from accounts it had frozen.

“Such monies and gold are required for the investigations and will only be dealt with at the direction of the courts,” the central bank said, confirming the deputy minister’s remarks to the senate.

M'sian Paralympic Council president steals RM3.8 m

lowyatter — Thu, 04 Oct 2012 10:36:52 +0800

http://www.thesundaily.my/news/506863

PETALING JAYA (Oct 4, 2012): The Malaysian Paralympic Council (MPC) has written-off RM3.8 million invested in an events management company helmed by its president Datuk Zainal Abidin Abu Zarin (pix) and his family.

According to minutes of its Sept 29 annual general meeting (AGM) which were made available to theSun, RM3.8 million of a RM4 million investment in Paralimpik Ventures Sdn Bhd (PVSB) was written off due to the "irrecoverability" of the investment.

In a note at the end of its financial statement for the year ending December 2010, it was minuted that the MPC had on July 5, 2011 received a letter where PVSB made a commitment to repay RM200,000 plus 5% interest by March 2012.

Subsequently, the MPC received another letter dated Aug 6, 2012, where it was mentioned that the balance of the principal (RM3.8 million) would be paid latest by 2014.

However, the AGM last Saturday was informed that the executive board had on Sept 23 decided to write off the RM3.8 million, and this will be reflected in the financial statements for the financial year ending Dec 31, 2012.

MPC, the nation's governing sports body for the disabled, is a non-profit organisation aimed at promoting sports among the disabled for them to maintain a healthy and active lifestyle.

Its main sources of funds to carry out these activities are government grants, sponsorship contributions and donations.

A check with the Companies Commission of Malaysia indicated that PVSB, which was registered in 1999, is helmed by Zainal Abidin, who is listed as its director and 80% share holder.

Other directors named are one Muhamad Wahbullah Abu Zarin, Zainal Abidin's two sons, Idi Irwan and Ilia Ikhwan and MPC secretary-general Kassim Abd Rahman, who is listed as holding 10% of the shares, and Idi the remaining 10%.

When contacted, a council member,National Blind Sports Association (NBSA) vice-president Prof Datuk Dr Chandra Sekaran confirmed that the council had written off the investment, as stated in the minutes of the AGM.

"How can you write-off RM3.8 million? We asked but the executive board's reply was that sponsors would not fund upcoming games if the accounts are not approved.

"As it is, the funds given to disabled sports are already reduced. MPC relies on public money and government funds," said Chandra, whose NBSA is one of the 14 affiliates under the MPC.

"In the end it is the disabled athletes who suffer. Reduced funds means fewer athletes can participate in games and training," he added.

Chandra pointed out that the council, in the first place, cannot make the decision to write off the money without referring the matter to the general body.

"The two directors of PVSB are sitting in the MPC executive board , and they approved the investment. Now they are saying they can't recover the money.

"When I asked for an explanation they said it was 'highly confidential', but how can it be confidential? It's public money!" said Chandra.

"They say the investment was a failure. Then there must be some way to recover the money."

Meanwhile, another member of the executive board who declined to be named, said the AGM was told that the investment had gone sour, and PVSB was only asking for a deferment of payment.

He said a sub-committee was also supposed to be formed to recover the money, but did not elaborate on when or who would head the sub-committee.
Sports Commissioner Datuk Mohd Yasin Mohd Salleh, when contacted, said he had not received the AGM minutes from the council and would decline further comment until he was able to view the report.

However, he gave an assurance that he would follow up on the matter.

Numerous attempts by theSun to contact Zainal for comment were unsuccessful.

MPC's controversial investment into PVSB had been raised in the press last year when RM4 million was transferred to PVSB in April 2008, during a transition period when the MPC was re-registered under the Sports Commissioner, instead of the Registrar of Societies.

According to reports, the transfer of funds to PVSB was made through two cheques of RM 2 million each signed by Zainal and then-treasurer Liew Yoon Loy.

Following press reports, the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) reportedly looked into the issue but the outcome of investigations are not known.

Mohd Yasin said since the MACC was looking into it at that time, he had left it at that and not conducted his own investigations.

Water at all S'gor dams at peak capacity, says Liu

lowyatter — Tue, 17 Jul 2012 14:45:00 +0800

The water level of all seven dams in Selangor is at peak capacity, said Selangor exco member Ronnie Liu, who warned state water concessionaire Syarikat Bekalan Air Selangor (Syabas) not to manufacture a water crisis.

Liu, who chairs the state’s local government, research and development committee, said he and several village chiefs and local councillors had visited the dams this morning and found them to be full.

He questioned Syabas’ proposal to ration water in the Klang Valley since there is no shortage of water.

“We do not believe their story since all the dams are full and the rivers are full.

“Why rationing? Are they admitting that they do not know how to effectively treat water? There is plenty of raw water,” he told Malaysiakini.

He added that if Syabas is indeed incapable of treating the water, then it should support the menteri besar’s plan to take over its operations.

*edit* SoS

http://www.malaysiakini.com/news/203882

The Great Malaysian Robbery

lowyatter — Thu, 03 May 2012 23:10:10 +0800

[YOUTUBE]6n5CmB2A2V4[/YOUTUBE]

PM's Dept paid for daughter's engagement do'

lowyatter — Fri, 09 Mar 2012 16:35:49 +0800

http://malaysiakini.com/news/191596

http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/malaysi...agement-dinner/

PKR today revealed evidence that it said shows the government footed the bill for the engagement reception for Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak's daughter.

Citing a banquet event order from Shangri La Hotel, which catered for the Seri Perdana event, PKR director of strategy Rafizi Ramli said the Prime Minister’s Office was billed RM409,767 for the reception.

"This is not a small matter. It may be just RM409,767, but it signifies the lax attitude of the government, starting from the PM to his cabinet ministers, who use taxpayers' money for the personal luxuries," Rafizi said.

According to the copies of the document provided the media, the event was billed to the Prime Minister's Office was held on June 17, 2011 at the Perdana Putra complex.

Bernama had last year reported that Nooryana Najwa's engagement to Kazakh national Daniar Nazarbayev took place at the PM' Najib Abdul Razak's official residence Seri Perdana, Putrajaya that night.
The document, which names the PM's private secretary Mohd Po'ad Jelani as the main contact person for the booking reveals that it was done under the PMO's office account.

In the billing section, Shangri La noted that the PMO had issued a letter of undertaking dated June 15, 2011.
The function is categorised as "OCS Dinner", required setting up three days before the event and pre-function drinks for that night.

Rakyat paid for PM's taste

The dinner cost RM522 per head for 36 VIP guests, and RM359.60 per head for 862 other guests, while handling charges reached a whopping RM81,000.

The menu included lobster bisque and roasted Australian wagyu beef fillet , while Shangri La also catered supper for 300 people at RM45++ per head.

"I'm not sure why they didn't use National Feedlot Centre's beef," quipped Rafizi, who is at the forefront of exposes on Cabinet Minister Shahrizat Jalil-linked project.

According to Rafizi, (left) Najib needs to come clean on the matter as it is clear that the PMO was used for a private function.

Even if he paid for the event from his own pocket (later), it is still a moral issue as he cannot pay for a private function through the PM's office," he said.

He added that while it is Najib's "personal right to have an expensive taste", it is "nauseating" that taxpayers' money was used to meet it.

"At the same time the PM pays consultants to build an image of himself as someone who eats with the people and lives moderately," he said.

He added that PKR will also raise the matter at the parliamentary sitting next week.

Malaysiakini had contacted Mohd Po'ad but he has not responded as so far.

NFC Kantoi!

lowyatter — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 10:37:56 +0800

Feb 9— Wan Shahinur Izmir Salleh (Sharizat punya anak): “The loan agreement does not stipulate any expressed prohibitions on investments... Rather than just placing the monies in money market instruments, it was deemed more astute business to invest in property in the short term. Making investment in the property sector is putting the money where it is sound, as each investment has been calculated for its secure and definite returns,” he said.

Feb 10 — The Finance Ministry had told a parliamentary committee last November that there was no provision that permits the National Feedlot Corporation (NFCorp) to use its federal loan to purchase property.

A ministry official had disclosed this to the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) during a meeting convened to discuss the NFCorp issue and was “very specific” that such loans could not be used for purposes other than what had been specified, Petaling Jaya Utara MP Tony Pua revealed today.

KANTOI!!

Read more here:

http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/malaysi...s-for-property/

Bad news for Najib: French police have found

lowyatter — Thu, 21 Jul 2011 10:21:48 +0800

http://malaysia-chronicle.com/index.php?op...tained&Itemid=2

Important parts have been BOLDED for TLDR people.

French police have obtained "quite crucial documents" in the Scorpene submarines probe on whether French arms giant DCN had paid kickbacks to Malaysian officials, including Prime Minister Najib Razak, to secure the deal.

The 58-year old Najib had been the Defense minister sanctioning the acquisition in 2002. Even then, there had been much public unhappiness over the price which was seen as too expensive, and furthernore, the high-tech submarines considered as unsuitable for patrolling the country's shallow coastline. Right now, both ships are docked in Sabah and hardly used. There have also been reports of system malfunctions due to the unsuitability of the territorial waters.

"It is likely that in September we should have access to the first police conclusions from all the investigations that have taken place over the last 18 months. We know that the police seem to have obtained quite crucial documents," Asia Sentinel reported Paris-based lawyer William Bourdon assaying.

VIP personality

William is one of the French lawyers appointed by Malaysian NGO Suaram, which lodged a complaint on behalf of taxpayers against DCN for corruptly sealing the contract. It is illegal in France to offer bribes to secure a deal and if found guilty, DCN may have to pay compensation to Malaysian taxpayers for overcharging on the final price paid by the Malaysian government.

The French lawyer is due to arrive on Thursday, where he will speak to a Penang audience and brief them on the latest developments in the case. Suaram has already hinted that William will touch on the identities of several 'new' personalities involved in the kickbacks.

It is also believed that French investigators have managed to pin down a very important personality, who travelled with submarines negotiator Razak Baginda and murdered Mongolian translator, Altantuya Shaariibuu, to Macau as part of the complex negotiations.

There is red-hot speculation that this person is Najib himself. If true, it will blow away the PM's previous denials he never knew Altantuya, who is believed to have been his lover before he "passed" her onto Razak, who was his confidante and representative. Such evidence paves the way for the re-opening of her murder trial, which had ended with two of Najib's former bodyguards being sentenced to hang for her 2006 killing. However, the 'mastermind' is believed to be still at large.

Lesser personalities involved in the sprawling deal have also been traced and their identities likely to be revealed as well.

William is also expected to drop a new bombshell - previously unknown commissions that have just been uncovered by the investigators. This will add to the growing list of murky details shrouding the shady acquisition engineereed and pushed for by Najib years ago, when he was the Defense minister directly in charge of key military procurements.

No more secret places left for Najib

It looks like unless the French government is willing to help him out and muzzle the case, Najib may have run out of hiding places. Whatever time that he can buy will not last long either.

And to pundits familar with all the ramifications both at the Malaysian and French ends, it is impossible for him to escape scot-free. One way or another, they say he will have to explain to his people the true extent of his involvement, not just in the kickbacks but also in the Altantuya murder.

In fact, not even his UMNO party can save him. With the Scorpenes trial expected to be heard in the French open court in August or September, many of the party warlords are already gearing up to push him out and slam the door on his administration, which has been scarred by non-achievement, gutter politics and extensive corruption.

It does not help that in recent months, Najib has felt the pressure and added to his own discomfort by making several disastrous decisions. The most recent was ordering a violent crackdown on a citizens rally for free and fair elections two weeks ago. His fast-fading popularity and plunging credibility makes him an easy target now.

Rightfully, the BN government should have immediately lodged a compliant with the French authorities when news reports about the huge Scorpene kickbacks first came to light. However due to Najib's influence, no one in the Malaysian government has dared to call for a public probe so far.

Even a suspicious 114 million euros (RM570 million) side-deal granted to Baginda's firm, Perimekar, has been whitewashed in Parliament as a "services" and "maintenance" contract, when it is obvious that the obscure firm has no experience or track-record in such a high-tech industry.

Numerous reports have also been lodged by Malaysian citizens, who are alarmed that the RM7 billion price tag is still climbing. It is now apparent Najib may have hidden the full cost to Parliament, opting to gradually seek additional budget allocations to maintain the ships rather than to reveal at one-go the full 'damage' to taxpayers. Yet till now, Malaysian police as well as the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission have refused to initiate any investigation into the file at all.

Seamy details in a sordid deal

Numerous questions are likely to be asked by those attending the Suaram-organised sessions with William on 21, 22 and 23rd Jruly. Apart from the status of the case, the latest 'dirt' dug out so far, the greatest interest will surely centre around the beautiful but tragic Altantuya, who acted as translator for Baginda.

Uppermost on Malaysian minds are exactly what sort of relationship Najib had with her. Not that they are voyeurs and wish to nose out all the seamy details of the love affair the two allegedly had, but because they want to know how much and to what extent their PM - who was then the DPM - was willing to lie and may have lied just to become prime minister.

"If you want to know all these details, you have to come for the dinner, listen and ask," Suaram director Cynthia Gabriel told Malaysia Chronicle.

- Malaysia Chronicle