Friday, March 29, 2024

IGP: Armed Israeli man who claims to have entered Malaysia to assassinate fellow countryman arrested





IGP: Armed Israeli man who claims to have entered Malaysia to assassinate fellow countryman arrested




Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Razarudin Husain announced the arrest of an Israeli man, including the seizure of several firearms, claiming to have entered the country to assassinate a fellow countryman. — Picture by Hari Anggara

Friday, 29 Mar 2024 7:27 PM MYT



KUALA LUMPUR, March 29 — Federal police today announced the arrest of an Israeli man, including the seizure of several firearms, claiming to have entered the country to assassinate a fellow countryman.

Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Razarudin Husain said the arrest against the 36-year-old suspect was made on March 27, two weeks after the suspect entered Malaysia through the Kuala Lumpur International Airport on March 12.


“Interrogation against the suspect revealed that he had entered Malaysia using a French passport and upon further questioning, he produced an Israeli passport.

“The suspect claims to have entered Malaysia to seek out another countryman to kill, but we are not buying his story,” he told a press conference here.


Following the arrest, Razaruddin stressed on ensuring the safety of key figures in Malaysia such as the prime minister and His Majesty the King as investigators remain unconvinced by the suspect’s admission.


“What is worrisome here is that the arrest took place [at a time] during the ongoing Palestine-Israel conflict, and we are vigilant of the safety of the PM, the King and other VVIPs whose safety we must take into consideration,” he said.

MORE TO COME

As its ‘last samurai' chief battles poor health, frontmen from factions in Malaysia's Islamist party PAS are touted as successor





As its ‘last samurai' chief battles poor health, frontmen from factions in Malaysia's Islamist party PAS are touted as successor

With reports of the party chief’s frail condition, transition talks are simmering. Potential successors from different factions in the party include Mr Abdul Hadi’s eldest son Dr Muhammad Khalil, and progressive professional Dr Ahmad Samsuri.




Parti Islam Se-Malaysia (PAS) president Abdul Hadi Awang at the party's 69th annual congress in Shah Alam, Selangor on Oct 21, 2023. (Photo: CNA/Fadza Ishak)



KUALA TERENGGANU: Reports of Parti Islam Se-Malaysia (PAS) president Abdul Hadi Awang’s continuing ill health have triggered speculation over a potential successor for the top position of Malaysia’s Islamist party.

Two political rising stars from different factions of the party have emerged as main contenders to succeed the 76-year-old: one a religious legacy candidate, the other a progressive professional.

The differences between Mr Abdul Hadi's son Dr Muhammad Khalil, and Dr Ahmad Samsuri, as well as their contrasting ideologies representative of the respective camps, have caught the attention of observers and raised questions over the future direction of the party, and whether any potential infighting could disrupt a smooth transition.

Political analysts CNA spoke to believe that it could soon be time for PAS to consider succession. And as the party enjoys its strongest position yet, following a stellar performance in 2023 state elections and looks to attract new voter demographics, the stakes are high for whoever might step up to take the helm.

Associate Professor Yusri Ibrahim, chief researcher at think-tank Ilham Centre told CNA: “In the context of PAS with the concerns over health of the party president, it is perhaps time for the party to commence a leadership transition.

“The snag is that in PAS currently it is unclear who has the most calibre to take over the leadership mantle,” he added.


A CRITICAL POINT FOR SUCCESSION PLANNING


PAS is at a crucial juncture in its history.

The party is arguably at the strongest point since it was founded in the 1950s. It currently holds the most seats in the federal legislature after a strong showing in the 2022 general election, more than Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) as well as the country's historically dominant party the United Malays National Organisation (UMNO).

However, PAS and its ally party Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu) in the Perikatan Nasional (PN) coalition did not garner enough seats and support to form the government and are now in the opposition.

Researchers have predicted that PAS’ influence is expected to grow with the party strengthening its base in areas where Malay Muslims are the majority, while making inroads in urban areas, as seen during the 2023 state elections when it won 105 out of 127 seats it contested.

Speculation over who might lead the party through this era of potential growth has been further fuelled by recent reports of the current chief’s continuing ill health.

Two years ago, Mr Abdul Hadi was hospitalised at the National Heart Institute in Kuala Lumpur for shortness of breath.

More recently in July 2023, he was again warded in his home state Terengganu for an unspecified illness. At the time, his condition was of sufficient concern that Dr Muhammad Khalil released a statement asking for well-wishers to make prayers for his father's health.

Mr Hadi Awang was again hospitalised on New Year's Day for an unspecified illness at the National Heart Institute. He was reportedly discharged in February.

When the newly installed Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar delivered his maiden speech in the lower house at the end of February, the PAS president’s seat at the front of the opposition bench was conspicuously empty.

During the PN's elected lawmakers convention in Kuala Lumpur in early March, the current PAS chief was spotted in a wheelchair. Local media reported that the Marang Member of Parliament (MP) needed help to stand for certain segments of the programme, including a photo shoot.


POSSIBLE SUCCESSOR FROM PROFESSIONAL OR ULAMA FACTION?


Mr Abdul Hadi's eldest son, Dr Muhammad Khalil, is a member of the party’s central committee, a former youth chief, and a potential successor to his father's position.

Analysts noted that there is interest surrounding the 47-year-old given that he has been put forth by the party recently for important roles.


Muhammad Khalil Abdul Hadi speaks during an interview with CNA in Wisma Darul Iman, Kuala Terengganu. (Photo: CNA/Zamzahuri Abas)


The two-term state assemblyman is currently member of the Terengganu state executive council, chairing the committee for information, religious preaching and Syariah empowerment.

He has also been outspoken in issues pertaining to the party’s role in implementing Syariah, expressing disappointment at a recent apex court ruling that found the state of Kelantan had overreached in its Syariah law implementation.

This came after the Federal Court ruled on Feb 12 that Kelantan, governed by PAS, cannot expand the jurisdiction of its Syariah law to include criminal acts already covered by federal powers.

Dr Muhammad Khalil is an Islamic scholar, having completed religious studies in Yemen and the United Kingdom before obtaining a PhD at the local University Sultan Zainal Abidin.

“(Dr Muhammad Khalil) is being groomed … he is put to the fore and may be seen as the person at the forefront for the party,” said political analyst Norshahril Saat, senior fellow at ISEAS-Yusof Ishak Institute.

“But I’m not sure (where he stands) in the party ranks. Now because his father is there and is in charge, party members tend to give him a certain level of respect,” he added.

During an interview with CNA recently, Dr Muhammad Khalil was coy when asked if he had ambitions to succeed his father in the party’s top post.

“In PAS we have our own system. This is not a system based on family lineage, (leadership) has to be picked by party members at all levels of the party,” said the Batu Buruk state assemblyman.

“I am thankful because I was educated in a family and by my father to serve the people and spread religious Islamic knowledge from when I was a teenager,” he added.

Dr Muhammad Khalil said that he was ready to serve the party alongside the children of key PAS leaders, such as senator Nik Abduh, son of the party’s former spiritual leader Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat who died in 2015.

“I am not alone in this, there are many children of the older generation PAS leaders who are now involved in the party directly to continue the legacy of our parents,” he added.

Dr Muhammad Khalil is the eldest of Mr Abdul Hadi's 14 children. His seventh child - Mr Yusof Abdul Hadi - is the only other reportedly directly involved in PAS. Mr Yusof serves as a committee member for the Marang constituency.

Three of Mr Abdul Hadi's son-in-laws are also party members and have held positions at the constituency level, but not at the federal level or the party's central committee.

Observers also noted that in Malaysian politics, family lineage has played a part in developing the political careers for some children of big personalities.

Examples include former prime minister Najib Razak, who is son to Malaysia’s second premier Abdul Razak Hussein, former Democratic Action Party chief Lim Guan Eng who had taken over from his father Mr Lim Kit Siang, as well as the budding careers of Ms Nurul Izzah Anwar and Mr Mukhriz Mahathir, who are children to Mr Anwar and former premier Mahathir Mohamad respectively.

Another key PAS politician who has caught analysts’ attention as a possible candidate for the next party chief is Dr Ahmad Samsuri.

The PhD holder in aeroengine ignition and combustion, who was also an aerospace lecturer at University Putra Malaysia before joining politics, won a by-election in Kemaman federal constituency in November.


Parti Islam Se-Malaysia president Abdul Hadi Awang (right) with Terengganu chief minister Ahmad Samsuri Mokhtar. (Photo: CNA/Fadza Ishak)


During the course of the campaign, PN leaders touted him as a possible prime minister candidate for the country, as he does not have a hardline take on Islam and is a diplomatic leader.

Experts have pointed out that Dr Ahmad Samsuri’s attributes have made him a suitable leader for the party as it attempts to garner support from the non-Muslims ahead of the next elections.

He is also reportedly favoured by Mr Abdul Hadi.

Dr Ahmad Samsuri, who served as political secretary to Mr Abdul Hadi, was elected Terengganu chief minister in 2018 after winning in his election debut. He was picked over other PAS politicians who had served longer on the ground in Terengganu.

He appeared as a guest during an episode released on Mar 13 of the political and current affairs Keluar Sekejap podcast - hosted by former UMNO members Khairy Jamaluddin and Shahril Hamdan - in which he was asked why he was considered the “golden boy” in PAS, favoured by the party president.

During the podcast, Dr Ahmad Samsuri admitted to having been shocked by the nomination given that he had spent most of his working life based in Kuala Lumpur, not in Terengganu.

“To be honest, the (other PAS) members are ok, they have not distanced themselves from me,” said the PAS vice president, who is widely known by his moniker Dr Sam.

“Perhaps it (speaks to) the party’s level of discipline,” he added.

The party leaders are understood widely by observers to be divided across two factions - the ulamas, or religious clerics, and the progressive professionals.

Dr Ahmad Samsuri can be considered one of the main figureheads of the progressive professionals, a religiously moderate contingent, which includes other PAS members such as Kedah chief minister Muhammad Sanusi Md Noor.

Both Sanusi and Dr Ahmad gained political stock in PAS, following the party’s strong performance in last year’s state elections.

However, analysts pointed out that looking at PAS’ history, the party chiefs have always been individuals who are religious clerics, rather than professionals. This includes Mr Abdul Hadi’s predecessors Mr Fadzil Mohd Noor and Dr Yusuf Abdullah Rawa.

Assoc Prof Yusri told CNA that this works against the chances of someone like Dr Ahmad Samsuri taking the helm.

“If we consider leadership performance and suitability within the Malaysian context, perhaps Dr Sam is considered a suitable candidate.

"However, at the same time, Dr Sam does not come from a religious background; essentially, he is not an Islamic scholar. Yet PAS places great importance on the element of religious leadership in their legacy,” said Assoc Prof Yusri.

Political researcher James Chai echoed similar sentiments. The visiting fellow at ISEAS - Yusof Ishak Institute told CNA that in the context of PAS, it was important for whoever is president to command “religious respect among grassroots and also to maintain dominance over the spiritual adviser”.

“That means presidents have to be at least on par on religious knowledge with the spiritual adviser,” said Mr Chai.

Mr Chai noted that the spiritual adviser role in the party, known as the musyidul am, is a revered position and in the past the highest decision-maker in the party.


A mural of PAS former spiritual leader Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat in Kota Bharu, Kelantan. He has a lasting legacy in the party and is revered by many local Muslims and non-Muslims. (Photo: CNA/Zamzahuri Abas)


However, since the death of one of PAS' most influential spiritual leaders Nik Abdul Aziz in 2015, Mr Chai said that the balance of power within the party’s leadership has shifted to the presidency on account of how Mr Nik Abdul Aziz’s successors Mr Harun Din and Mr Hashim Jasin not being as influential and charismatic.

He added: “The need for a cleric to be PAS president certainly opens up the opportunity for Hadi’s son, Khalil, for higher positions but given his relative junior rank, he is unlikely to assume presidency unless an exceptional preference by Hadi.”


WILL INFIGHTING DISRUPT LEADERSHIP TRANSITION?


On the surface, PAS members CNA spoke to seem unwilling to stir up conflict and jostle for positions amid talk of a possible leadership transition.

PAS information chief Ahmad Fadhli Shaari told CNA that on the back of reports of Mr Abdul Hadi’s ill health, the process of leadership transition is ongoing within the party and that it would take place organically.

“There are no problems in PAS. When the time comes, the younger generation will take over (from) the older generation. That has been the practice in PAS for the longest time and there is no problem,” said the MP for Pasir Mas, a constituency in the northern state of Kelantan.

Mr Ahmad Fadhli claimed that unlike in other political parties where politicians jostle for leadership roles, PAS members are less keen to shoulder the huge burden of these positions.

“In PAS, the unique thing is people are not fighting for positions. We feel that positions are a responsibility that will be questioned in the hereafter. That is why we don’t jostle and backstab (for these positions). There is no squabbling and it is all harmonious. The question of renewal will occur naturally. Whoever leads the party will have to obey the party constitution,” he told CNA.

Meanwhile Dr Muhammad Khalil stressed that the party is constantly evolving in its strategy, approach and lineup of leaders. However, he maintained that the party’s principles have maintained a constant throughout its history.

“There is no party where the leader remains there forever, but the basic principles of the party are there and this is the strength of PAS. The basic principle of PAS is its stance on Islam and this has not shifted since the day the party was formed until today,” he said.

However, analysts CNA spoke to outlined that PAS’ history, like other political parties in the country, has been punctuated by infighting.

Mr Chai outlined how, for instance, the children of Mr Nik Abdul Aziz, have been “sidelined” since the former spiritual leader’s death. He cited how Mr Nik Abduh for example, was not fielded as a candidate in the last polls and that the former Bachok MP’s current senatorship “was given to maintain order within the party given Mr Nik Aziz’s remaining influence”.

Meanwhile Dr Norshahril outlined how in 2015, key leaders of the party’s progressive professional faction which included the likes of Mr Khalid Samad, Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad and Mr Mohamad Sabu left to form Parti Amanah Negara, a component party of the Pakatan Harapan coalition led by Mr Anwar.

He predicted that if Mr Abdul Hadi was to retire or pass away, it could trigger a new dynamic within PAS that could see the professional faction play a bigger role.

“So going forward, we could see a new development within PAS because there is no strong theological class after Nik Aziz died … Hadi is the last samurai from that 1980s PAS generation and after him, we might see a decline in the (influence of the clerics) and this could trigger a new dynamic within the party,” he added.


WILL PAS RENEW LEADERSHIP NOW OR ADOPT A WAIT-AND-SEE APPROACH?


A key pressing question is whether the party would actually engineer leadership changes now while Mr Abdul Hadi is still at the helm, or if it will adopt a less proactive approach as the party is in a position of strength.

Ilham Centre’s Assoc Prof Yusri told CNA that PAS should not follow in the footsteps of many senior political figures in Malaysia who “have found it difficult to step down” and suggested they commence the process for leadership transition as soon as possible.

“It is a testing period for PAS … even though there will be egos that need to be overcome, the party has strong ethos and discipline, and history shows us it is able to overcome differences between members,” he said.


PAS party headquarters in Kelantan. (Photo: CNA/Zamzahuri Abas)


Yet, Mr Chai suggested that the party is likely to adopt a “wait and see attitude” as it did during the end of the tenure of its spiritual leaders Mr Nik Abdul Aziz and Mr Harun Din, both of whom died while holding the post.

“Adopting the alternate approach might trigger panic among party members and thus would be avoided,” he said.

“The succession will likely only take place after the death or retirement of Hadi. This will be relatively orderly as large-scale differences have been assuaged and PAS close ranks relatively quickly,” added Mr Chai.
Source: CNA/am(ao)


Russia hits Ukraine energy sector in overnight attack





Russia hits Ukraine energy sector in overnight attack




This handout photograph taken and released by Ukrainian Emergency Service on March 28, 2024, shows rescuers working at the site of a missile attack in Mykolaivka, Donetsk region, amid the Russian invasion of Ukraine. — Ukrainian Emergency Service/AFP pic

Friday, 29 Mar 2024 6:17 PM MYT



KYIV, March 29 — Russia fired dozens of drones and missiles at Ukraine’s energy infrastructure overnight, wounding at least six people and cutting off power in several regions, officials said today.


Moscow has stepped up its aerial bombardment of Ukraine in recent weeks, targeting electricity facilities in response to an uptick in deadly Ukrainian assaults on Russia’s border regions.

Ten regions across Ukraine came under attack, damaging critical infrastructure and wounding at least six people, the interior ministry said.


“Last night Russia continued its barbaric attacks against the Ukrainian energy system. Emergency blackouts have been introduced in some regions,” Prime Minister Denys Shmygal said.


“Ukraine needs more air defence systems to secure critical infrastructure and protect the population. This is the main topic of discussion with our international partners,” he said.

The air force said Russia had targeted Ukraine’s “fuel and energy sector” with a total of 99 missiles and drones overnight, 84 of which were shot down.

One of the country’s main energy providers, DTEK, said three of its thermal power stations had been attacked in the barrage, leaving facilities “severely damaged”.

“After the attack, the power engineers promptly started to deal with the consequences,” the company said in a statement online, adding that one employee had been wounded.

The energy ministry said the attack damaged power infrastructure in four regions across central and western Ukraine, causing blackouts and disrupting train traffic. — AFP


Gone The Reformers



BEC: Part 5 – Gone The Reformers



by Dennis Ignatius



One clear message that emanated from the recently concluded Bumiputera Economic Congress is that Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has now turned his back on reformasi. The reformer, if he ever existed, is now well and truly gone.

He once eloquently championed “Ketuanan Rakyat” but now it’s all about Ketuanan Melayu. He once spoke of a more inclusive nation, a nation that is just and fair to all its citizens; now he defends that status quo and prioritises the so-called ‘social contract’ that is so loved by UMNO politicians. He has also shot down calls to reform our monoracial civil service. It looks like he has gone back to his UMNO roots.

Even more disconcerting, is the way Anwar is allowing UMNO to exploit a number of racial and religious issues for political gain. Back in December 2022, UMNO President Zahid Hamidi intimated that he had learned from his mistakes and was ready to work together with Pakatan Harapan to build a more tolerant and inclusive nation. But inclusivity doesn’t apparently win votes; so it’s back to the old race and religion narratives.

And while the debates on contentious issues rages on and passions are inflamed, Anwar himself remains largely silent, even indecisive. He seems unwilling to confront the hotheads within his own coalition for fear of upsetting them. No surprise then that UMNO is now driving the government’s political agenda. At the Bumiputera Economic Congress, UMNO clearly overshadowed PKR and other coalition partners.

Many of those who fought long and hard for Anwar when he was in the political wilderness will no doubt feel used and betrayed. He spoke to their hopes, he played on their fears, he promised them a more just nation; in retrospect, it was pure chicanery. As I have written elsewhere, under Anwar, UMNO’s Ketuanan Melayuism has finally triumphed.

All hope of ending decades of discrimination and marginalization is gone along with any hope for a more just economic system that would help all struggling Malaysians.

Gone too are the other reformers in PKR and DAP. Many within DAP and PKR are sullen and dismayed at Anwar’s betrayal of the common ideals they once fought for but silence is the price of power; a price their leaders are all too willing to pay.

The DAP in particular has been a huge disappointment. After only a few years in power, they have abandoned all the great ideals that once animated their party. Now they are all about currying favour with UMNO. The more UMNO hits out at them, the more subservient they become. They pretend that they are still fighting for a “Malaysian Malaysia”, that they are still committed to a secular state[4] but their silence in the face of policies that run counter to their professed ideals says it all.


Their wimpishness was on full display at the Bumiputera Economic Congress too where they stood on the sidelines talking about things like the green economy, US-China rivalry and pleading for win-win solutions while UMNO pushed ahead with plans to further marginalize non-Bumiputeras. The people of Malaysia gave them 40 seats in GE15 – making them the second largest bloc in parliament – but what have they done with it?

The Bumiputera Economic Congress was a golden opportunity to break away from failed narratives and failed policies and take the nation along a different path – the path that Anwar himself had outlined when he was in the Opposition. Instead, whether out of conviction or convenience, he chose to throw his weight behind UMNO, the very party that once brought Malaysia to the brink of catastrophe.

As well, at a time when Anwar most needed to restore confidence amongst non-Bumiputeras that they have a future here, that they will be treated fairly after more than half a century of being disproportionately impacted by affirmative action, he abandoned them.

Anyone notice that we don’t hear that inane refrain about giving Anwar the time and space he needs to get the job done anymore?


‘Scolded’ braless passenger wants meeting with US airline boss


FMT: 


‘Scolded’ braless passenger wants meeting with US airline boss

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The passenger calls the policy which saw her kicked off a US Delta Air Lines flight discriminatory.

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Lisa Archbold claimed she was temporarily escorted off a US Delta Air Lines flight by a female gate agent who demanded she cover up. (Wikimedia Commons pic)

LOS ANGELES: A woman who says she was threatened with being kicked off a US Delta Air Lines flight because she was not wearing a bra demanded a meeting with the company’s top boss on Thursday over what she says is a discriminatory policy.

Lisa Archbold said she had on baggy jeans and a loose white t-shirt – with no bra – and claimed she was temporarily escorted off a flight by a female gate agent who demanded she cover up, even though her breasts were not visible.

“It felt like a scarlet letter was being attached to me,” Archbold, 38, told reporters in Los Angeles about the January incident.

“I felt it was a spectacle aimed at punishing me for not being a woman in the way she thought I should be a woman as she scolded me outside of the plane.”

Archbold, a DJ who was flying from Salt Lake City in conservative Utah to the famously liberal San Francisco, claims the Delta agent said her attire was “revealing” and “offensive” and that airline policy was not to allow passengers dressed that way to travel.

But, the agent said, if she put a jacket over her t-shirt, she would be allowed to continue her journey.

Attorney Gloria Allred said she had written to Delta on behalf of Archbold demanding a meeting with the company’s president to discuss the discriminatory policy.

“Male passengers are not required to cover up their t-shirts with a shirt or a jacket,” she said.

“They also do not have to wear a bra to board or remain on a plane and women should not have to wear one either.

“Last I checked, the Taliban are not in charge of Delta.”

Allred said US federal rules allow airlines to remove passengers who present a safety or security risk to the plane or its passengers, but that was clearly not the case with Archbold.

“Neither her breasts nor any other woman’s breasts have ever tried to take over a plane,” she said.

“Breasts are not weapons of war, and it’s not a crime for a woman or girl to have them.”

Allred said there were currently no plans for a lawsuit and that all she and Archbold wanted was a meeting with Delta’s president to secure assurances their policies would be updated.

In response to AFP inquiries, a spokesman for the company said: “Earlier this year, Delta representatives contacted this customer with an apology.”

Don’t penalise brutal honesty, minister


FMT: 


Don’t penalise brutal honesty, minister

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People like sports commissioner Suhardi Alias are needed to fix our flawed civil service.

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Congratulations, Government of Malaysia, for saving the country from a potentially disastrous attempt at hosting the 2026 Commonwealth Games, thanks to the quick-thinking decision of an astute Cabinet.

Thank you, Madani government, for finally listening to the voice of reason and the nation, and for refusing to undertake a futile venture which would have arguably benefitted a few financially but inflicted suffering on many.

Youth and sports minister Hannah Yeoh could have taken that bow too had she not supported this ludicrous proposition well before it got to the Cabinet.

The offer by the Commonwealth Games Federation last July to the Olympic Council of Malaysia should have been politely sent back the minute it got past her doors at the sports ministry.

But instead, the enticing proposal was mulled over and allowed to take root somewhat.

The fledgling sports minister, thrust into a portfolio that’s alien to her DNA, had been unwittingly forced into listening to the advice of so-called erudite sports officials, many of whom are, metaphorically speaking, whitewashed tombstones – white on the outside, but rotting on the inside.

But if there is one person whom Hannah can look to for good, honest and sensible advice, it surely has to be her sports commissioner, Suhardi Alias.

In my lifetime as a sportswriter, I have not known of any sports ministry official who has bravely gone against bureaucratic red tape, in this context by openly and unequivocally describing the Olympic Council of Malaysia’s intention to host the Games, as “shocking, financially risky, and short-sighted.”

That this startling, but honest and accurate, deduction came after being privy to the minister’s decision to put the matter before the Cabinet for perusal must surely speak volumes of Suhardi’s conviction to save Malaysia from further abuse of our dwindling financial resources.

It’s people like Suhardi whom the country’s civil service needs as leaders and role models, not the sycophants who live at the feet of their ministers and bosses, and worship the ground their masters walk on.

But what is even more disturbing is news from a reliable source in the sports ministry that Suhardi is very likely to be penalised for his outburst of honesty which triggered a crusade against hosting the Games.

Word has it that he will be replaced as sports commissioner, and as he is quite highly qualified, I suppose the question of him being reduced to a janitor or a canteen supervisor wouldn’t be in the minister’s plans.

But he might as well be one if he’s going to be thrust into a role that may merely give him the aura of power because of his grade without allowing him to play to his strengths.

That would be sad because when confronting career-defining situations, Hannah would need credible and honest officials like Suhardi in her corner, rather than the toadying parasites whose grovelling would only be detrimental to her political image.

Take the recent rumpus over the Games offer as a case in point. It was obvious that Hannah was ill-advised. Inevitably, aspersions would have been cast on the minister’s motives as well.

Which is why it is always wise to have people like Suhardi beside you in prickly situations like this for the right context and proper advice.

True, the sports commissioner may have breached government protocols by not seeking the minister’s approval before sharing his purported brash views with Frankie D’Cruz of FMT. And while the renaissance historian and politician Machiavelli would have been pleased with Suhardi’s methods, DAP politician Hannah, however, certainly wasn’t.

Hannah has three years left in her tank before the next general election, and so far, she hasn’t covered as much ground in sports as in the youth wing of her portfolio. Perhaps her focus has been the youth from day one, and understandably so because of its high political dividends.

In the impending three years, Hannah is almost certain to be put to the test, quite likely as early as after the 2026 Paris Olympics in August, to either claim glory for her Road to Gold (RTG) project, or face the brunt of criticisms for a possible Road to Gagal (failure) catastrophe.

In the face of failure, an honest advisor like Suhardi would advise the minister to take accountability for it, and not blame the weather, the opposition, or anything or anyone else but herself.

What the minister needs right now, is not people telling her how great a job she is doing – when at best it has been rather middling- but a team who can show her how to achieve greatness by being brutally honest.

And as for that fear of Suhardi being removed as sports commissioner or having his authority diminished, let’s hope that it was just based on hearsay or mere speculation, because it would really be unfortunate if it was based on facts.