PEACE

 

Peace is a state of non-suffering as well as a celebration of life. We now know from many spiritual teachers that we can make a choice to live in peace within our own hearts, that we can actually choose not to suffer and choose instead to live in gratitude and love. Not only that, but we are also learning that finding and claiming that peace within us is essential to creating a world at peace. Because all of life is interconnected, our fear, hatred and anger decrease the peace in the world, whereas our love, joy and gratitude increase the peace.

Why is peace important? Without it, the destructive tendencies of our species will continue to inch us closer to catastrophe. The Ukrainian War is but one example. But we human beings, in our true essence, are capable of the most glorious and uplifting actions. We have the potential to create a world at peace and become what you would call non-violent humans.

But is peace only important to human beings? And can we end wars and human suffering without ending the suffering of billions of animals who die daily at the hands of people for food, skins, useless experiments, entertainment and other forms of domination? These violent and brutal actions must stop if we are to create a non-violent world. Until man extends his circle of compassion to include all living things, man will not himself find ultimate peace. We are connected, not just to each other, but to all of life. The animals and the natural world have much to teach us about peace, silence, being and celebrating life. We are immensely capable of creating a new, beautiful and non-violent world for all who live here. May peace reign in our hearts and in our world for all beings everywhere.

Peace is the desire of every beating heart. Peace is the hope of every nation, the promise of every politician, the pulse of every religious tradition, the goal of every prayer. Peace is the bold, courageous and ultimate response to the notion that violence provides any viable solution for the conflicts of our world. Where war destroys and tears apart, peace builds, strengthens and restores. At the same time, peace is personal, for each of us long for security and tranquility in the face of the troubles, anxiety and chaos that often touch our lives.

Within our faith communities, peace speaks of a right relationship with God, with our neighbours and with the whole of creation. The idea of peace begins when God calls order out of the chaos at creation and it continues as God brings order to the chaos of our lives. Peace is present in every story of reconciliation; reconciliation with the God, reconciliation with our brother or sister, reconciliation with our enemy. Peace nurtures the hope of forgiveness, community and reunion with those with whom we share this beautiful planet.

As usual, we remind you to take your Memo Plus Gold daily. It will help to keep you alert and mentally sharp. For more information or to order for Memo Plus Gold, please visit : https://oze.my.

Anwar umum senarai timbalan menteri malam ini

KUALA LUMPUR: Perdana Menteri Anwar Ibrahim akan mengumumkan senarai timbalan menteri pada 8.15 malam ini selepas bertemu Yang di-Pertuan Agong Sultan Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah.

Anwar dijangka menghadap Agong 3 petang ini.

BERITA LANJUT MENYUSUL - FMT

MACC probes RM92.5bil spent on Covid-19 management by PN govt

MACC says a total of RM530 billion was allocated by the previous PN government but not all of it is being investigated.

PETALING JAYA: The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission says its investigation into the alleged misappropriation of funds by the previous Perikatan Nasional-led (PN) government is focused on the RM92.5 billion the government actually spent on Covid-19 management measures.

In a statement, MACC said the finance ministry has provided it with details on the breakdown of the funds under the economic stimulus packages in 2020 and 2021 related to Covid-19 management.

“Initial investigations found that an estimated RM530 billion was allocated. Based on that amount, RM92.5 billion involved government funds while RM437.5 billion was not government funds.

“The focus of MACC’s investigation is on the RM92.5 billion. The finance ministry is detailing the breakdown and will submit it to MACC next week,” it said.

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On Tuesday, MACC chief commissioner Azam Baki said the agency had opened an investigation paper into the alleged misappropriation of RM600 billion in funds by the Muhyiddin Yassin administration.

Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim previously said the finance ministry had acknowledged several breaches involving the funds.

On Monday, Muhyiddin ridiculed the RM600 billion figure being thrown around by those in the government, saying he believed they were referring to the eight stimulus packages worth RM530 billion unveiled by him when he was prime minister.

He insisted that he had not misappropriated any of the funds and dismissed claims that there were leakages in the former Perikatan Nasional-led (PN) government’s expenditure.

He said that the majority of the RM530 billion did not involve government expenditure, which included various Employees Provident Fund (EPF) withdrawal facilities, the reduction in EPF employee share statutory contribution rate, and loan moratoriums.

The PN chairman said his administration had only spent RM83 billion in fiscal injections up to June 2021, which he maintained was not misused. Muhyiddin resigned as prime minister in August 2021 after losing majority support. - FMT

Are you above being opposition leader, Shahrir asks Muhyiddin

Shahrir Samad (left) says Muhyiddin Yassin ‘neutered’ Parliament through the Emergency declared during the pandemic.

PETALING JAYA: Umno veteran Shahrir Samad has taken a dig at Perikatan Nasional chairman Muhyiddin Yassin, asking if the Bersatu president was above being the opposition leader and only deserved to become the prime minister.

The former Johor Bahru MP was referring to several reports on Muhyiddin criticising Anwar Ibrahim’s Cabinet line-up as well as saying that Pakatan Harapan and Barisan Nasional had committed “the biggest electoral fraud”.

“Rightfully, Muhyiddin should be the opposition leader in the Dewan Rakyat, but he doesn’t want it. Does he only deserve to become prime minister?” Shahrir said in a Facebook post.

He suggested that perhaps the Bersatu president did not care for Parliament having “neutered” it via the Emergency that was enforced because of the Covid-19 pandemic last year.

“Perhaps Putrajaya is better … just like with the Sheraton Move, when he became the prime minister,” he said. “A prime minister who was not elected through a general election and who doesn’t need the Parliament. How lovely.”

Muhyiddin was appointed the prime minister following the Sheraton Move in February 2020, which resulted in the collapse of the 22-month-old PH administration, led by Dr Mahathir Mohamad.

However, he held the post for only 17 months after Umno MPs retracted their support for him in the PN-led government, and was succeeded by Umno vice-president Ismail Sabri Yaakob after a compromise was reached between BN and PN.

Shahrir said Muhyiddin should now focus on national-level politics after PN only managed to win two parliamentary seats in Johor (Pagoh and Mersing) and three state seats (Bukit Kepong, Maharani and Endau) in GE15. - FMT

Bung Moktar, wife fail in bid to review court order

 

The prosecution had objected to the review application by Kinabatangan MP Bung Moktar Radin and his wife, Zizie Izette. (Bernama pic)

KUALA LUMPUR: The High Court here has rejected the applications by Kinabatangan MP Bung Moktar Radin and his wife, Zizie Izette, to review a lower court ruling ordering them to enter their defence on charges of corruption and abetment.

Judicial commissioner Azhar Abdul Hamid said the court agreed with the prosecution’s preliminary objection against the review bid.

The prosecution, represented by deputy public prosecutor Law Chin How, objected to the couple’s review bid on grounds of technicality.

MORE TO COME - FMT

MetMalaysia: Danger-level heavy rain in Kelantan, Terengganu until tomorrow

 

The Meteorological Department of Malaysia (MetMalaysia) has issued a danger-level continuous very heavy rain warning for several districts in Kelantan and Terengganu until tomorrow (Saturday).

MetMalaysia in a statement today announced the districts involved in Kelantan are Tumpat, Pasir Mas, Kota Bharu, Jeli, Tanah Merah, Bachok, Machang, Pasir Puteh, and Kuala Krai.

“In Terengganu, the districts involved are Besut, Setiu, Kuala Nerus, Hulu Terengganu, Kuala Terengganu, and Marang,” according to the statement.

MetMalaysia also expects severe-level continuous heavy rain until tomorrow in Perak (Hulu Perak), Kelantan (Gua Musang), Terengganu (Dungun and Kemaman), and Pahang (Jerantut and Kuantan).

MetMalaysia also issued an alert-level continuous rain warning until tomorrow involving Kerian, Larut, Matang and Selama, Kuala Kangsar, Manjung, Kinta, Perak Tengah, and Kampar in Perak; while in Pahang the areas involved are Cameron Highlands, Lipis, Maran, Pekan and Rompin.

- Bernama

G25 disputes ex-minister’s defence of direct deals for projects

 

Noor Farida Mohd Ariffin says direct negotiations for projects are against Treasury guidelines.

PETALING JAYA: The G25 group of prominent retired civil servants has questioned former environment and water minister Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man’s defence of directly negotiated projects.

This comes after the PAS deputy president said direct negotiations for urgent projects were not a procurement offence and that not every directly negotiated contract was disorganised or involved opportunistic parties.

“What proof does Tuan Ibrahim have that every directly negotiated project is organised?”

“Projects awarded without tenders can be abused by dishonest contractors or government officials,” G25 member Noor Farida Mohd Ariffin told FMT, pointing out that direct negotiations for projects were against Treasury guidelines.

Farida’s fellow G25 member Mohd Sheriff Mohd Kassim said ministries needed to argue their case to bypass the need for a competitive bidding process.

“The Treasury can give an exemption if there are grounds for it,” said Sheriff, a former Treasury secretary-general.

“Direct negotiations can only be carried out once the Treasury has given the green light.”

Tuan Ibrahim’s defence of directly negotiated contracts came after Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim announced a review of flood mitigation projects worth RM7 billion awarded through direct negotiations, which he said senior finance ministry officials disagreed with.

Transparency International Malaysia president Muhammad Mohan said direct negotiations were only acceptable during emergencies when aid needed to be given urgently.

For longer-term mitigation projects, open tenders were necessary, he said.

“We have to look at the urgency of these projects to the point that RM7 billion needed to be spent,” he said.

He said it was unreasonable to award high-value projects through direct negotiations if they were part of mitigation measures. - FMT