Lowyat.NET: Latest topics by CoolMorning

[BREAKING] UK defense chief fired over Huawei

CoolMorning — Thu, 02 May 2019 02:58:47 +0800

UK defense chief fired over Huawei leaks, denies involvement

QUOTE

LONDON (AP) — British Defense Secretary Gavin Williamson was summarily fired Wednesday after an investigation into leaks from a secret government meeting about the Chinese telecommunications giant Huawei, but he denied any involvement in the case.

An investigation was launched last week after newspapers reported that Britain’s National Security Council, which meets in private, had agreed to let Huawei participate in some aspects of Britain’s new 5G wireless communications network.

The Conservative government insists that no decision has been made yet about Huawei.

The security council includes senior ministers, who receive briefings from top military and intelligence officials, and its meetings are considered highly sensitive.

In a letter to Williamson, British Prime Minister Theresa May said she “can no longer have full confidence” in Williamson in the wake of the investigation.

In the letter released by her Downing St. office, May told Williamson that there was “compelling evidence” suggesting his “responsibility for the unauthorized disclosure” from the National Security Council.

“No other, credible version of events to explain this leak has been identified,” she said.

But Williamson, 42, denied he was the source of the leak in a letter posted on Twitter. He said he was confident that a formal and thorough inquiry would have vindicated him.

He says that he appreciated being offered a chance to resign but “to resign would have been to accept that I, my civil servants, my military advisers or my staff were responsible: this was not the case.”

Penny Mordaunt, the international development secretary, was appointed to replace Williamson. She becomes the first woman to hold the post.

The United States has been lobbying allies like Britain to exclude Huawei from all 5G networks, noting that the Chinese government can force the company to give it backdoor access to data on its networks.

The leak at the security council comes amid a Brexit-fueled breakdown in government discipline. With May weakened by her failure so far to take Britain out of the European Union, multiple ministers are positioning themselves to try to replace her, partly by cultivating positive press coverage.

The Daily Telegraph said last week it had obtained details of security council meetings about Huawei. It said several ministers, including Williamson, had opposed letting Huawei work on Britain’s 5G network.

Villagers find bones during search for missing

CoolMorning — Sun, 21 Apr 2019 20:18:40 +0800

Villagers find bones during search for missing runner

QUOTE

IPOH: A group of villagers scouring the jungle for missing runner Mohamad Ashraf Hassan, who vanished without a trace on March 23, have discovered a pile of bones at Gua Kandu in Gopeng near here.

The discovery was made at about 1pm yesterday, four days after authorities temporarily suspended the search and rescue operation for Ashraf, who has been missing for almost a month.

Perak police chief Datuk Razarudin Husain said the forensics team was running pathology tests to determine whether they were human bones.

“Villagers found one long bone, which resembles a fibula, as well as eight smaller pieces of bones measuring between six (15cm) and eight inches,” he told the New Straits Times today.

“If the bones belong to a human, we will run a DNA test to determine whether they are Ashraf’s,” he said, adding that initial findings showed that the bones were old.

Ashraf, also known as Acap, was one of the participants in a mixed group of 485 runners who took part in the Gopeng Ultra Trail (GUT) 2019 here.

He failed to make it to the finish line when the event ended at 2pm on March 23.

The SAR operation to locate Ashraf was suspended temporarily because villagers in the area wanted to search for Ashraf themselves.

NST

Defence spending diverted to bail out Tabung Haji,

CoolMorning — Sat, 20 Apr 2019 17:29:24 +0800

Malaysia's Defence Minister says defence spending diverted to bail out Tabung Haji, Felda

QUOTE

KUALA LUMPUR - Malaysia is putting its defence spending on the back-burner as the government is channelling more than RM20 billion (S$6.56 billion) to bail out two key Malay institutions, Defence Minister Mohamad Sabu said on Friday (April 19).

The Pakatan Harapan government is pumping money into Muslim pilgrimage fund Tabung Haji and landowners under the government's Felda scheme, after discovering financial discrepancies.

Mr Mohamad, in a media group interview, said a major portion of his ministry's budget had to be diverted to save the two "Malay institutions", Malay Mail online news quoted him as saying.

"It depends on need and most importantly, financial ability, because now a lot of our money is used to save the Malay institutions which have been destroyed: Tabung Haji and Felda," he said.

Media reports in November said the Malaysian government in announcing its Budget for 2019 allocated RM15.3 billion for the Defence Ministry, RM100 million less than the previous year.

"So the Pakatan Harapan (PH) government is being attacked by those saying that (the government) don't care about the Bumiputera and Malay issues and all that," he said. "However, what happened now, is that RM24 billion is used to save these collapsed Malay institutions."

Mr Mohamad was referring to the slip in support for PH by ethnic Malays in the months after the May general election last year, with complaints over cost of living and concerns over how the 11-month old government is handling issues on Malays and Islam.

The government had announced that RM26.2 billion were being channelled to rejunevate Tabung Haji and Felda.

....

straitstimes

BTW today Mat Sabu in Russia looking for palm oil for defense assets barter deal. Hope for good news soon.

F1 could return to Malaysia in 2022

CoolMorning — Thu, 18 Apr 2019 16:14:03 +0800

F1 could return to Malaysia in 2022 as Sepang refuses to close door on Supercars

QUOTE

Formula One could return to Malaysia at the Sepang International Circuit as early as 2022, with the prospect of Supercars joining them as a support category not ruled out.

The Malaysian Grand Prix was scrapped from the F1 calendar for 2018, with the 2017 edition being the last of Sepang’s contract before they decided to stop hosting it.

Sepang had been a fixture on the calendar since 1999 but decided to focus their investment elsewhere, whilst still retaining their most popular event, the Malaysian MotoGP, which has been staged there since 1991 and garnered more than 100,000 spectators in 2018.

The decision to drop F1 has seen space fill up for other categories to take its place and Supercars was one of those considered, with only a public survey by fans stopping it from getting over the line in 2017 for the following year.

“The last time we spoke on the V8s, initially we really wanted to have it to Malaysia as one of the alternative events to replacing Formula One,” Sepang International Circuit’s CEO Razlan Razali told foxsports.com.au.

“However, our board of directors felt it was necessary to conduct a fan survey from out social media platform and we did just that. The response was, unfortunately, that Supercars came fifth behind World Superbikes and Japan SuperGT.

“I will not say we’ve completely closed the door on them. If the demand is there… when we decided to end Formula One, there’s a lot of promotions besides Supercars that wanted to be the next big event for us. If there is a strong demand for Supercars in the future then we will definitely consider it.”

Current Supercars CEO Sean Seamer is a keen advocate of a staging a Supercars race outside of Australia and New Zealand with Singapore a contender as a support category for Formula One, as it has now become when the Australian Grand Prix comes to Melbourne.

FOX

RM 8 million tandas. Is this cost normal?

CoolMorning — Tue, 16 Apr 2019 20:09:09 +0800

QUOTE

TINDAKAN pelancong dipercayai warga China membuang najis di tepi pantai di Batu 5, Port Dickson semalam dikesali.

Yang Dipertua Majlis Perbandaran Port Dickson (MPPD), Mohd Zamri Mohd Esa berkata, pihaknya kini sedang menyiasat perkara itu selepas tular di laman sosial.

Katanya, beliau menyifatkan wanita itu mungkin terdesak untuk membuang najis berikutan sakit perut.

“Sehubungan kejadian ini, MPPD berusaha membina tandas di pantai itu.

“Kami masih menunggu peruntukan RM8 juta bagi membina tandas dan kolam mandi pengunjung, yang akan diswastakan mengikut perancangan kerajaan negeri,” katanya.

Sementara itu menerusi Facebook, netizen dilihat mengecam tindakan wanita berkenaan yang membuang najis ketika pengunjung lain mandi.

Kebanyakan netizen menyifatkan perbuatan itu tiada adab dan tatasusila.

Menerusi foto yang dimuat naik pemilik dikenali Sokeryob, ia menampakkan wanita itu mencangkung dan membuang najis.

Paparan bertulis ‘Tahukah komer? Kah Kah Kah Suwey terus gambar selfie. Lokasi: Batu 5, Port Dickson’ dikongsi oleh 1.5 juta pengguna Facebook.

Metro

Armed intruders in Sabah arrested

CoolMorning — Thu, 11 Apr 2019 19:34:42 +0800

Five armed men arrested entering Sabah waters

QUOTE

SEMPORNA: Five armed men were arrested this morning for trying to sneak into Malaysian waters near the Mataking resort island.

In the 9.45am incident, the Malaysian Armed Forces Joint Task Force 2 (ATB 2) detected a boat, with five individuals onboard, coming from neighbouring Sitangkai waters off the southern Philippines.

Joint Task Force 2 commander Brigadier General Datuk Zarondin Md Amin, in a statement, said a team was immediately deployed to intercept the suspicious boat.

“After intercepting, our personnel inspected the passengers (five men), aged between 28 and 45, and found they had no identification documents.

“The team also found two firearms - a pistol with 18 rounds of .9mm ammunition and a shotgun with 33 rounds,” he said.

Zarondin did not rule out the possibility that the group might have been planning to carry out cross-border crimes, including kidnapping.

“All suspects were detained and placed under close surveillance. The seized firearms and boat were taken to the security base on Pulau Mataking and handed over to the Semporna police headquarters for further action,” he said.

NST

USA says Sabah is not safe

CoolMorning — Thu, 11 Apr 2019 14:14:41 +0800

Despite US travel advisory, defence minister says Sabah’s coast now calm

QUOTE

KUALA LUMPUR, April 11 — Defence Minister Mohamad Sabu guaranteed that eastern Sabah is returning to peace, following an advisory warning by the US Department of State about increased abduction risk in the area.

He also said it is common for the US to issue such warnings from time to time.

“On our part, we guarantee the situation on Sabah’s eastern coast is becoming increasingly peaceful, with the political resolution in the southern Philippines still ongoing,” Mohamad said during a press conference outside the Dewan Rakyat.

He said Malaysia along with the Philippines and Indonesia took security in the region seriously.

“We take seriously the joint patrols conducted in the areas between Malaysia and the Philippines, and can assure the areas are now safer,” Mohamad said.

On Tuesday the department raised its advisory level for 35 countries, including Malaysia, to a ‘K’ indicator for the risk of kidnapping and/or hostage-taking.

Its webpage urged US citizens to take precautionary measures when in Sabah’s east coast where it said there is an increased risk of kidnappings. Other countries on the list include Afghanistan, Colombia, Ethiopia, among others.

Malay Mail

Palm oil for Russian military assets

CoolMorning — Wed, 10 Apr 2019 21:35:03 +0800

Banking on Russian connection

QUOTE

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysian is banking on its Russian connection to boost the sale of its main commodity – palm oil!

The New Straits Times (NST) reliably learnt that Malaysia was especially keen to engage in billion-dollar trade-offs on defence and security procurement, including military aircraft, armaments and software.

This, the NST was made to understand, was to check the declining global demand and price for Malaysian palm oil, which was affecting national coffers and causing a trade imbalance.

In an attempt to spur palm oil sales, Defence Minister Mohamad Sabu is scheduled for a crucial, high-profile visit to Moscow on April 20.

Mohamad is believed to hold face-to-face talks with his Russian counterpart Sergei Shoigu and president Vladimir Putin.

Confirming his forthcoming visit to the Kremlin, Mohamad said that Malaysian palm oil was facing sagging prices and something drastic had to be done to arrest the situation.

He said that he had received favourable interest from several European and Asian countries who were keen to engage in trade-offs on defence and security procurement.

But of particular interest was the Russo-Malaysian connection, which had spurred defence and aerospace trade-offs via palm oil four decades ago, during Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad’s first 22-year tenure as prime minister.

“Yes, the meeting with the Russian top brass and executives is on.

“We hope to come up with a win-win solution,” he said.

Although he declined to reveal details of the visit, the NST understands that it concerns the future of the RMAF’s existing fleet of 18 Sukhoi Su-30MKM Flankers and the grounded MiG-29N Fulcrums.

Mohamad is also learnt to be considering Russia’s offer of the Yak 130 as a trade-in for the RMAF’s ageing lead-in fighter trainer, the Italian-made Aermacchi MB339.

Also on the cards are believed to be offset programmes, transfer of technology and job spin-offs.

Mohamad said he was also planning to seek trade-off deals with Norway, Turkey, Iran, Pakistan, China and France, who were prospective customers.

“I have had encouraging discussions with the ambassadors, defence ministers and military top brass during the just concluded international exhibition in Langkawi.

“And from what I gather, there is a strong possibility that Malaysia can modernise, refurbish or upgrade its defence assets via a barter with palm oil,” he said, referring to the biennial Langkawi International Maritime and Aerospace (LIMA) 2019 which ended last Saturday.

Mohamad added that should such procurement deals be clinched, it would augur well for the sale of palm oil which was facing a European ban for biofuels.

“The Defence Ministry is also collaborating with the relevant ministries involved with promoting and marketing palm oil (such as the Primary Industries Ministry; Ministry of International Trade and Industry; and Malaysian External Trade Development Corporation).

“Just imagine, that countries like France, for instance, accepted 70 per cent of defence procurement trade-offs for Airbus aircraft and Scorpene submarines via barter trade of palm oil,” he said.

Mohamad was responding to NST’s exclusive interview with Russia’s top defence procurement official, Viktor Kladov during LIMA 2019.

Kladov, who is Rostec State Corp’s international cooperation and regional policy director, had revealed that Russia was committed to drastically increase its purchase of palm oil from Malaysia.

He said he had conveyed the message to Dr Mahathir Mohamad during LIMA 2019.

Kladov had said that Russia was willing to buy Malaysian palm oil in substantial amounts to improve the bilateral trade balance, with the possibility of trade-offs for arms and defence procurement.

At present, 90 per cent of Russia’s palm oil is imported from Indonesia and Russsia intended to change that (n Malaysia’s favour.

Europe is the largest buyer of Malaysian palm oil after India and now even China has reduced imports of the commodity.

Russia is already assisting in refurbishing the ageing fleet of 18 Sukhoi Su-30MKM Flankers, via its local partner ATSC Corp, reportedly for RM2.2 billion — thus expanding its serviceability for another 15 years.

And it is now even looking at offering the RMAF the fourth-generation Su-35 or even its latest Su-57E (the equivalent of the United States’ F-22) if it wants to upgrade.

The NST learnt that the increased palm oil purchase would entail an offset deal leading to the RMAF disposing of its two squadrons of 18 decommissioned MiG-29N Fulcrum jets.

Kladov was a prime mover in enhancing Russo-Malaysia defence relations during Dr Mahathir’s earlier premiership.

It culminated with a several billlon-ringgit offset deal, involving palm oil, with Malaysia initially procuring 18 MiG-29N Fulcrum air superiority fighters in 1995.

The MiG-29N — two of which crashed in 1998 and 2005, respectively — was decommissioned in 2017 owing to high maintenance costs of RM262 million a year.

Several countries, including Bangladesh and India, are keen to buy the MiG-29N.

Subsequently, in 2003, Malaysia purchased 18 Flankers from Russia’s Irkut Corp for US$900 million (RM3.67 billion), also involving palm oil purchase.

The offset deal led to the country’s first space programme with Malaysia’s first astronaut to the International Space Station in 2007.

Owing to budgetary constraints, the RMAF has deferred its multi-role combat aircraft (MRCA) programme to 2025.

Instead, it is looking at improving on its lead-in fighter jet fleet, which is made up of the Italian Aermacchi MB339.

Kladov said Russia’s Yak 130 was similarly designed after the Aermacchi and they were prepared to trade in RMAF’s ageing fleet.

Russia is also offering the Fire and Rescue Department and the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency with up to eight units of Ansat, Mil Mi-8/17 and Kamov Ka-32A11DC from Russian Helicopters, a division of Rostec State Corp.

These helicopter models, which can be traded in for the older fleet of the agencies, are ideal for fire-fighting, emergency medical services, as well as search and rescue missions, Kladov said.

NST

Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63)

CoolMorning — Sun, 07 Apr 2019 13:07:30 +0800

I am curious about this Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63).

Is this the authoritative source => https://treaties.un.org/doc/publication/unt...760-english.pdf

Please share any other links to authoritative sources, if you know the authoritative sources.

Malaysia to buy JF-17 jets

CoolMorning — Mon, 01 Apr 2019 14:43:16 +0800

Malaysia to buy two JF-17 Thunder Fighter Jets for Tests and Evaluation

QUOTE

Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohammad lauded the strength of Pakistan Army and Pakistan Air Force’s fighter jet JF-17 Thunder.

Giving an interview after his visit to Pakistan, Mohammad said that Malaysia will get one or two planes initially for evaluation and tests.

Praising the JF-17 Thunders, the Malaysian prime minister who was the chief guest at the Pakistan Day parade said, “They [Pakistan] have been able to build aircraft now which were demonstrated. They performed very well.”

“I knew Pakistan will like to sell its planes to us, so we said to give us one or two planes so we can see how strong they are,” he continued.

PM Mahathir was briefed on JF-17 Thunder fighter jets at the Nur Khan Airbase before his departure from the country as his three-day visit concluded on March 23.

Before the departure, the Malaysian Prime Minister was given a briefing about the lightweight, all weather and multi-role JF-17 Thunder fighter aircraft. He evinced keen interest in its various qualities.

Dr Mahathir Mohamad, who was presented with a flying jacket on the occasion, also inspected the cockpit of a JF-17 Thunder and was briefed about its technical details by the officers of Pakistan Air Force.

Malaysia along with some other countries has shown their interest in procuring the JF-17 aircraft, jointly developed by Pakistan and China.

Pakistan and Malaysia signed five Memorandum of Understandings during Mahathir’s visit.

The Malaysian delegation showed a keen interest in buying Pakistani made JF-17 Thunder fighter jets and anti-tank missiles.

fighterjetsworld

RMAF needs 36 LCA jets cost 6B to 7B

CoolMorning — Sun, 31 Mar 2019 10:30:56 +0800

RMAF plans to acquire LCA jets

QUOTE

LANGKAWI: The Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) requires between RM6 billion and RM7 billion of funding from the government to acquire 36 light combat aircraft (LCA).

RMAF chief General Datuk Seri Affendi Buang said the new requirement for the LCA would enable the air force to keep up with advanced technology and capability.

“Our BAE Hawks are now already passing 25 years in service.

“We have to do forward planning due to the aging factor as the maintenance for the fighter jet is getting costly and its capabilities are not up to date,” he told the New Straits Times at the RMAF office at the Langkawi International Maritime and Aerospace Exhibition (Lima) 2019.

The fighter jets are currently being used to monitor the airspace at the South China Sea and the eastern part of Sabah.

Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad had said Malaysia would remain interested in acquiring new fighter aircraft, but was not in a hurry as the ones the air force operated now were still performing well.

Expressing his concern, Affendi said RMAF’s new requirement for the LCA would be dependent on the government’s ability to afford procurements, as well as its priorities.

“Therefore, we have set up our Capability 55 (CAP55) blueprint for realistic planning accordingly, based on what the government can afford.

“Our priority is tailored to the government budget limitations.

“We will try to get our LCA first before the multirole combat aircraft (MRCA) requirements,” he said, adding that RMAF was likely to wait about 10 years to realise the MRCA programme.

RMAF’s blueprint will further describe future requirements to enhance its assets and force capabilities for long-term development until 2055.

Under CAP55, it is understood the air force was also seeking maritime patrol aircraft, unmanned aerial vehicles, ground-based missiles and radar, among others, by 2055.

Affendi said RMAF was currently still sourcing out suitable platforms for its new LCA requirements and could not identify the exact model of the fighter jet.

“We can only determine the aircraft model once we do proper evaluations. We issued request-for-information to all contenders (manufacturers) in the LCA category earlier this year.”

It is understood that the LCA contenders included the Korea-made T-50 Golden Eagle, Russia’s YAK-130, Leonardo M-346FA, BAE Systems Hawk, India’s Tejas and the JF-17 Thunder from Pakistan.

Affendi said there was no specific time frame for RMAF to acquire the new LCA, as everything depended on the government’s budget allocation.

“Once the government allocates the budget, probably the LCA delivery will start two to three years after a decision is made,” he said, adding that the delivery would then continue in phases for the next five to 10 years.

Affendi said RMAF had received offers of “private financing” for the LCA programme, but the air force was not seriously considering this.

“It’s not that we refuse it, but we are unsure how this private funding will cost us in terms of ‘dollars and cents’.

“We have not seriously considered whether it would be viable or practical to accept any private funding to acquire both the MRCA and LCA requirements for RMAF.”

Affendi said RMAF would consider any proposal to enhance its existing LCA system capabilities, adding that any upgrade programme would be dependent on the type of enhancements needed.

“Some are major and some just to address the obsolescence issues.

“There was a proposal, but we have yet to determine it.”

Meanwhile, Affendi said RMAF’s current fleet of MRCA, comprising the Russian-made Sukhoi SU-30MKM Flankers and American-made Boeing F/A-18D Hornet, were still relevant.

Affendi said the Flankers could be used for the next 10 to 15 years if they were maintained properly and upgraded accordingly. The Sukhois have been in service for about 10 years.

Meanwhile, although the Hornets have been in service for 20 years, RMAF had upgraded these jets in accordance with current capabilities.

“It is still good as the spares and maintenance are being carried out promptly, and this is sufficient for them to do the things they have been assigned for.”

For several years, RMAF had intended to conduct an MRCA replacement programme. This came about when it became clear that a fleet of Russian-made MiG-29N Fulcrum aircraft were becoming too costly to maintain.

The Fulcrums have since been retired, but the replacement programme has since been placed on the backburner.

Aircraft said to have been contenders for the programme were believed to have been narrowed down to just two: France’s Rafale and the Eurofighter Typhoon, an aircraft made by a consortium of European companies, including BAE Systems.

Asked about future requirements for the MRCA programme, Affendi said RMAF had yet to undertake in-depth evaluations, particularly on the technical and operational capabilities.

“It will also include an indirect offset programme, such as technology transfer, and the maintenance, repair and overhaul facility, giving spillover effects to the country’s economy.”

Industry experts believed that the government’s spending on security and defence would create spillover benefits to Malay- sia’s economy, backed by industrial offset programmes by aircraft manufacturers.

“The government can get this type of huge capital investment in return. The country has a few industrial offset programmes to generate income for the economy,” said an industry source who declined to be identified.

NST

Jokowi tells oil palm tree growers

CoolMorning — Wed, 20 Mar 2019 22:44:09 +0800

No trade war. Steady and smart the Indonesian way.

Jokowi tells oil palm tree growers to turn to durian

QUOTE

Amid low demand and the price decrease of crude palm oil (CPO) in the global market, President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo has advised oil palm tree growers to grow durian trees, as he believes the commodity has good prospects.

Jokowi said oil palm tree growers needed to diversify their business with the many oil palm plantations in the country. He said durian had better prospects in the international market.

“Are there other commodities that have a better market? We have become the greatest CPO producer,” the President said at the opening of a coordination meeting with the Indonesian Farmers Association (HKTI) at the State Palace in Jakarta on Tuesday.

As the world’s largest CPO producer, Indonesia produces 46 million tons annually.

The President said the commodity was facing difficulties in market expansion because certain countries had linked it with environmental issues and many others had imposed high tariffs on the commodity.

Jokowi believes durian has better prospects than CPO. He said China had high durian demand, however most of its supply was sourced from Malaysia. “Our durian is good. We have various kinds of durian. But the commodity is poorly managed,” he said as quoted by kompas.com.

In trying to address the overwhelming stocks of the commodity, the government has tried to expand the domestic palm oil market with the use of biofuel.

The government introduced in September 2018 the compulsory use of 20 percent blended biodiesel ( B20 ) and was conducting a study on producing B100. (bbn)

Jakarta Post

Protiga and flying car unveiled

CoolMorning — Wed, 20 Mar 2019 20:13:33 +0800

Third national car company to be announced mid-year, says Redzuan

QUOTE

KUALA LUMPUR, March 20 — The Ministry of Entrepreneur Development has shortlisted two companies for the development of the third national car project.

Its minister Datuk Seri Mohd Redzuan Md Yusof told Berita Harian the decision on the successful bidder will be announced by Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad in the middle of the year.

“The national car project is aimed at developing entrepreneurs in the automotive and engineering industry,” Redzuan was quoted as saying by the Malay daily.

“It’s a government initiative aimed at developing the industry. Currently, with the advancements in technology, it has allowed us to build cars without incurring high costs while we will in turn gain the expertise in building these cars.”

Redzuan today also responded to the ridicule levelled at his flying car project.

Kimanis MP Datuk Seri Anifah Aman, for example, had suggested that the flying car be built out of bamboo.

Redzuan said the MP has to be more rational with his comments and that his ministry was willing to enlighten anyone who needs more information on how the project works.

“Why bamboo?” asked Redzuan.

“I can’t entertain petty comments because we’re dealing with aerospace engineering which involves drones and flying cars that are not beyond the realms of possibility.

“If anyone wants to discuss this, then let’s be rational about it. We should be discussing how we’re using the latest technology and high-tech equipment in order to make this car.

“If anyone needs clarification or an education on how this is done, we at the ministry are more than willing to impart this knowledge so they can be enlightened.”

Redzuan had recently said the prototype of the flying car was expected to be ready as early as June, with the cost of its production not exceeding RM1 million, which would be financed by the private sector.

Malay Mail

Adib inquest: Witness recalls fireman pinned by

CoolMorning — Tue, 19 Mar 2019 23:58:23 +0800

Adib inquest: Witness recalls fireman pinned by emergency vehicle

QUOTE

SHAH ALAM, March 19 — A witness testified today that he saw a firefighter getting trapped between an emergency vehicle and parked cars while attempting to escape a mob during riots at a Hindu temple.

Testifying as the 20th witness at the inquest proceedings to determine the cause of death of firefighter Muhammad Adib Mohd Kassim, Pakistani national Budd Mohsin, 24, stated that he saw the Emergency Medical and Rescue Services (EMRS) van had reversed and subsequently trapped a firefighter against other parked cars.

Budd explained that this firefighter was located at the rear left wheel of the EMRS van when he was pinned.

“When the fire engine reversed to escape the attacking mob, it also hit the (EMRS) van behind, pushing it sideways. During this time, the van had also lightly hit the fireman from behind, on the left side of his body.

“When that happened, the fireman tried to flee towards the direction of the Caltex station. However, he was unable to do so after he was pressed between the van and other vehicles,” he told the Coroner’s Court today, referring to the USJ17 Caltex station.

The firefighter then had fallen on his back before a group of men surrounded him. However, Budd said he was unsure whether they intended to harm or help the firefighter.

He did not confirm during examination whether the firefighter was indeed Muhammad Adib.

Earlier in the day, Budd explained that he saw three firefighters exit the vehicles with two coming from the passenger side of the fire engine and the EMRS van respectively.

He also recalled that the firefighter who came out of the EMRS van was also the same firefighter who was caught between the van and other vehicles.

Malay Mail

Dr Mahathir: Malaysia to retaliate vs EU

CoolMorning — Tue, 19 Mar 2019 21:18:01 +0800

Why Malaysia now macam Ip Man. Can threaten sanction like USA sumore.

Already offended many big and small countries around the world.

QUOTE

Dr Mahathir: Malaysia to retaliate if EU discriminates against palm oil

PUTRAJAYA, March 19 — Malaysia will consider retaliating against the European Union (EU) if it goes ahead with its unfair measures against palm oil, said Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad.

The prime minister said the government had agreed that Malaysia should be more aggressive on the matter.

“In fact, we have written to all the heads of government of the EU and we have pointed out to them that we may need to retaliate if they continue with this discrimination against palm oil,” he said after chairing a Special Cabinet Committee on Anti-Corruption meeting, here today.

It was reported on Friday that Malaysia would consider retaliatory actions against European exports if the EU proceeds to implement the Delegated Act to phase out and ban palm biodiesel.

In January, the prime minister had sent a letter to French President Emmanuel Macron, saying that Malaysia would consider laws to restrict imports of French products if Paris did not withdraw plans to ban palm biodiesel.

On December 19 last year, French lawmakers voted to remove palm oil from the country’s biofuel scheme, starting January 2020.

In his letter to Macron, Dr Mahathir stated that if France persisted on banning palm oil, Malaysia would be forced to suspend free-trade talks with the EU and impose similar sanctions against French exports.

The proposed EU Delegated Act — slated to be tabled before the European Parliament in April 2019 — supplements the EU Renewable Energy Directive II to restrict and ban palm oil biofuel altogether by 2030. — Bernama

Malay Mail

Sarawak no longer a state but a territory

CoolMorning — Sun, 17 Mar 2019 03:59:15 +0800

Sarawak CM: State will be declared territory after Federal Constitution amended

QUOTE

KUCHING, March 16 — Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Openg today said that Sarawak will be a territory only after the Federal Constitution has been amended.

“When an amendment to the constitution is done, then it is consequential. We will not be a state anymore, but a territory after the amendment,” he told reporters after officiating at the Sarawak Career and Training Fair (SCaT Fair) 2019 here.

He was responding to a post on social media claiming that the recent meeting of the Special Federal Cabinet Committee on the review of the Malaysia Agreement 1963 had decided that Sarawak was no longer called a state, but a territory with immediate effect.

De facto Law Minister Datuk Liew Vui Kiong had recently said a Bill would be tabled in Parliament during the current session to amend Article 1(2) of the Federal Constitution to restore the status of both Sarawak and Sabah as equal partners to Malaya in the Federation of Malaysia.

Malay Mail

Indonesia looks very strong militarily (hardware)

CoolMorning — Sat, 16 Mar 2019 15:26:22 +0800

Every time I visit the lowyat military thread, sure got news of new purchases by the Indonesian.

Is there any reason for MY to worry or have the urgent need to match their capability, just in case for self defense.

Do we have any new purchases since Mat Sabu is the Defense Minister?

If there is ranking, what is MY position in SEA?

Malaysia needs cheaper electricity tariff

CoolMorning — Fri, 15 Mar 2019 15:36:10 +0800

Malaysia weather very hot. The hot weather trend is going up slowly but surely.

Gov should declare air cond = basic necessity (along with water, electricity, internet) and find way to lower the electricity tariff.

Senate Republicans revolt against Trump over

CoolMorning — Fri, 15 Mar 2019 03:07:56 +0800

Kena back stabbed by own party gang

QUOTE

Rebel members of President Donald Trump's party have helped pass a vote to reject his declaration of an emergency on the US-Mexico border.

Twelve Republican Senators broke party lines to side with Democrats, passing a proposal to revoke the declaration by 59-41.

The Democratic-controlled House of Representatives last month backed the measure.

Mr Trump earlier acknowledged he would "probably" have to veto the resolution.

BBC

Why MY credit/debit card ban spending on gaming?

CoolMorning — Wed, 13 Mar 2019 19:12:39 +0800

Today uncle just discovered we cannot anyhow use our money on online gaming sites.

Feel like to spin some machine games online but cannot due to unreasonable policy.

Can anyone teach uncle how to bypass this here or via PM