5 February 2024
On Today Show
— Pushpan Murugiah, CEO of the Center to combat corruption and cronyism (C4) – Malaysian Voices Against Pardon: A Plea for Restructuring the System
— Wesley from Miri – Family Drama Unfolds: Ragad and Taib Face Accusations of Exploitation
— Shahrizal Denci, Vice President of Muda – Challenges to Freedom of Expression: The Tony Pua Incident and Sedition Laws
Topik Pada Hari Ini
— Pushpan Murugiah, CEO Pusat Memerangi Rasuah dan Kronisme (C4) – Rakyat Malaysia Menentang Pemberian Pengampunan kepada Najib: Menuntut Penstrukturan Sistem
— Wesley dari Miri – Drama Keluarga Terbongkar: Ragad dan Taib perlu disiasat.
— Shahrizal Denci, Naib Presiden Muda – Cabaran kepada Kebebasan Bersuara: Insiden Tony Pua dan Undang-undang Hasutan
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*Special Randau*
1. Police confirmed Taib Mahmud was kidnapped and taken away from the Normah Specialist Treatment Center in Kuching. Two police reports were made by Taib's immediate family. Taib, as is well known, is seriously ill and unable to carry out his duties as TYT, so he was quietly replaced by Wan Junaidi.
2. The new TYT Sarawak started the task by reaching out to the people. This morning TYT Dr. Wan Junaidi had breakfast at Old Rex (an ordinary restaurant) and spent time at the Satok vegetable market. The people of Sarawak hope that the new TYT will be able to visit poor rural areas with less infrastructure facilities so that they can influence government policies to help the poor people.
3. C4- Najib does not deserve to be pardoned, he deserves a heavier fine and the people should rise up and call for the reform of the pardon system.
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Pushpan Murugiah, CEO of the Center to combat corruption and cronyism (C4)
*Malaysian Voices Against Pardon: A Plea for Restructuring the System*
Pushpan raised 2 basis points which are Najib does not deserve a pardon and immediate reform of the Malaysian pardon system.
According to Pushpan, Najib does not deserve a pardon because he has been found guilty in a case where he misused his power to gain benefits for himself, his family and the political party he is president of. He got so many advantages that the sentence was shortened to only 6 years and a fine of RM50 million only. Where is the logic? Embezzled RM42 million but was fined RM50 million. Najib will not learn a lesson if he is treated like this. He should have been fined dozens of times the value of the money he embezzled.
In addition, Pushpan commented that Najib is still facing several criminal cases such as the RM2.27 billion 1 MDB case and the RM1.69 billion tax arrears case from LHDN. Najib should not be pardoned as long as the cases related to him are still being tried in court. He does not deserve mercy.
Lokman Nor Adam's statement - said the PM and TPM played a role in speeding up Najib's appeal to be heard by the pardon board. Pushpan believes that this is where the immediate reform of the amnesty system should be expedited. There should be no political interference to speed up the disposal of cases by the pardon board.
From the overall perspective of Malaysians, the people were mistaken. Najib who committed the biggest sin to cause Malaysians to owe RM50 billion gets sympathy and forgiveness. While the world community is still hunting the culprits of the 1MDB scandal, their leader was pardoned. Malaysia missed the opportunity to reset the wrong system due to Najib's pardon. Regardless, the people should not remain silent, said Pushpan.
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Shahrizal Denci, Vice President of Muda
*Challenges to Freedom of Expression: The Tony Pua Incident and Sedition Laws*
The Unity Government is urged to review and update the sedition laws following the former DAP Publicity Secretary, Tony Pua, being summoned for a statement regarding his recent comments on the pardon of former Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak.
Shahrizal Denci, stated that such action is necessary to provide clarity on the definition of sedition to prevent its misuse.
He said that, consider the investigation against Tony, the former Member of Parliament for Damansara, as something unreasonable. If it is true that he is being investigated for comments on Facebook related to the issue of pardoning Najib, then Muda call on the Ministry of Home Affairs to update the sedition laws so as not to waste authorities' time investigating trivial matters.
He emphasize that It is clear in the Federal Constitution that every Malaysian citizen has the right to speak and express opinions as long as they do not touch on sensitive issues.
Based on Tony comments on social media, are the feelings and sentiments of UMNO part of the sensitive issues? Can he not criticize or express opinions on this issue, especially in the context of the current government?
Inspector-General of Police, Razarudin Husain, confirmed on Sunday that Tony was called in for a statement following allegations of insulting the royal institution in relation to Najib's pardon on Monday. The case is being investigated under Section 4(1) of the Sedition Act 1948 and Section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998.
Earlier, Tony was reported to have uploaded three posts expressing dissatisfaction with the leniency given to Najib. Sarcastically, he asked someone to send him to jail for a year and he would pay RM50 million in exchange.
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Wesley from Miri
*Family Drama Unfolds: Ragad and Taib Face Accusations of Exploitation*
Social media, including WhatsApp, widely circulated a police report alleging that Taib was forcibly taken away from the ICU and hospital by his wife Ragad, which is shocking and inhumane. Wesley stated that there have been rumors about Taib's deteriorating health, but no one expected that he would be forcibly removed from the hospital by family members, especially by his bedside companion Ragad. In such a situation, the police must intervene and investigate.
He also mentioned that Ragad, like Taib, has exploited the people of Sarawak, especially the rights of indigenous people in the interior areas. Although Taib is no longer TYT (Governor of Sarawak), the past corruption allegations against him and ongoing issues, whether related to Taib himself or his family, should be investigated.
He pointed out that some are concerned that Taib may follow the path of Najib, perhaps facing charges and then receiving a pardon. However, regardless of the outcome, initiating an investigation is crucial. He stated that the poverty of the interior people is closely related to Taib's exploitation of interior resources.