ITS NOT CHEAP LABOUR. ITS THE FIVE KILOMETER RULE

 

PRABOWO SCREWS UP INDONESIA AGAIN

 My Comments below.

Indonesia’s Return to State Power
Prabowo’s nationalist gambit
May 29

• plans to centralize exports of strategic commodities
• expand state-owned enterprises (GLCs)
• state will command development
• President Prabowo's economic nationalism 
• state capitalism, patronage, opacity, rent-seeking 
• about power, economic nationalism 
• economic power centralized, wealth begins concentrating among elites

OSTB: Sounds familiar? Exactly the same as in Benua Asia Tenggalam

• state acts as regulator, financier, trader, industrial planner, welfare provider and guardian of national sovereignty. 
• State-owned enterprises (GLCs) instruments of geopolitics  
• Cooperatives become tools for "restructuring" economy 
• Economists in Jakarta describe Prabowo’s “state capitalism” 
• government dominant player in strategic sectors
• monopolies without transparency produce new centers of rent extraction
• The Return of Commodity Nationalism
• Prabowo to centralize exports of strategic commodities through GLC
• exports of palm oil, coal, ferro-alloys through “single-gate” system 
• “single gate” recalls controversial monopolies of Soeharto era
• the Clove Support and Trading Board, or BPPC.
• BPPC defining symbol of centralized rent-seeking 
• Farmers forced to sell cloves to BPPC
• Cigarette manufacturers (kretek) forced to buy from BPPC
• Cloves purchased cheaply from farmers 
• resold at higher prices downstream
• Profits accumulated at BPPC
• Indonesian farmers absorbed the losses
• monopolies become mechanisms for elite enrichment 
• BPPC closely associated with Soeharto’s son Tommy
• political favoritism masquerading as economic management.

• That historical memory now shadows Prabowo’s proposal.
• The Problem of Trust
• single entity gains authority over strategic exports
• immense influence over margins, contracts, market access and pricing 
• centralized control creates new leakages 
• Indonesia’s stock index fell sharply on May 19
• intervention risks undermining growth 
• Questionable Pattern
• Several Prabowo flagship programs faced scrutiny 
• Free Meals procurement oversight and budget management
• Merah Putih Village Cooperatives expensive procurement 
• People’s School suspicions regarding inflated budgets.
• Indonesia state enterprises corrupt, political interference, inefficiency. 
• procurement scandals, elite capture
• Controversy surround Danantara
• transparency and oversight
• Danantara yet to publish comprehensive public report 
• Indon state enterprises long been corrupt, elite capture
• too much darkness exists between intentions and implementation. 
• rent-seeking flourishes most easily in the dark.

My Comments:

These are old school, Soeharto era dinosaurs roaming around Indonesia again. Bisa diatur. There is too much wealth in Indonesia. Almost 300 million people and a GDP about US$1.6 Trillion. That is a huge economy.

But per capita GDP is around US$5500 (nominal). Global rank per capita GDP is around 120 out of 193 countries.

Meaning the vast majority of Indonesians are dirt poor. The very, very few elites are very, very rich. These are the Social Welfare Millionaires. Or Jutawan Dana Awam. They get rich by siphoning out taxpayers funds, siphoning out public wealth through monopolies, oligopolies, licenses, permits etc.

Does this sound familiar? Have you heard of Benua Asia Tenggalam?

The views expressed are those of the writer and do not necessarily reflect those of MMKtT.

PKR MASS MIGRATION TO RAFIZI'S BERSAMA?

 

Here is a not too surprising rumour. Rumour because Rafizi says it is a rumour. Maybe this rumour is Not So True but but it has been 'reported' by the New Straits Times. If a rumour is reported by the legacy media does it mean it is still a rumour? Something to ponder on a Friday. 

The rumour says that Nurul Izzah is going to join Rafizi's Bersama. Here is the NST.

Here is a screen grab from the above video:

Alamak! It looks like not everyone likes Nurul Izzah. The sister says if Nurul joins then she is out. Note that Rafizi replies with 'He wont join..' I have blogged before that Malay folks sometimes mix up the pronouns he, she, him and her.  

Most certainly other disgruntled PKR members have also joined / will be joining Rafizi's Bersama Party. Rumours like this can open the floodgates. It might trigger a mass migration of PKR members to join Parti Bersama. 

As the stomach churns.

The views expressed are those of the writer and do not necessarily reflect those of MMKtT.

Muslims berate brethren for public recital of praises to holy Prophet amid ‘kompang’ beat in LRT

 

“AS a Muslim, of course I like and love selawat (reciting blessing and praises to Prophet Muhammad) but I think it is inappropriate to do so on a moving LRT (light rail transit).”

Such was the take of creative designer Zuan Ishmael in reaction to a group of Malay youths who went viral on social media for allegedly disrupting passengers and the calm ambience in the coach by beating their kompang and reciting their praises.

“Bro, we want to practice our religion but we must not make others feel uncomfortable. We live in a multi-racial and multi-religious environment,” he admonished in a Facebook post.

The LRT is a public place … respect that. Imagine if people of other faiths behave likewise in public places, you would surely jump on them.”

Comments like “This is Tanah Melayu … you can leave if you don’t like it” is most inappropriate in this instance. Are we enforcing the Islamic way on non-Muslims now?”

The poster is spot on that there is a polite or civilised way to perform the zikir (remembering Allah) and selawat.

“When you bring a kompang into the LRT and chant loudly, you’ve lost respect for the recital of praises itself,” reckoned Zuan.

“In fact, Prophet Muhammad SAW once reprimanded his companions who recited the takbir (“Allah is the Greatest”) too loudly while travelling with his words meaning: ‘O people, have mercy on yourselves (do not burden yourself), indeed you’re not calling to the deaf or the unseen. (HR Bukhari)’.”

‘Disrupting harmony’

In Zuan’s contention, Muslims are obliged to protect the good name of Islam from the bad perceptions of others.

Think before you do it. Don’t say “ahhh we’re just doing it … how do you know if Allah will open their hearts to accept Islam when they hear us praying”

“Bro, the intention is right but the method is wrong. Can’t we attract others by showing good manners and morals as a Muslim?

No need to oversell. Just being an exemplary Muslim is good enough for people will automatically say that Muslims are decent people. I agree with dakwah but let it be in its place.

Concurring with Zuan, one commenter claimed that such behaviour “is an influence from Indonesia”.

“As a Malay and a Muslim, I, too, disagree with sucg activity. There is a time and place for everything,” she chastised.

“We live in a multi-racial and multi-religious society. This kind of activity in the middle of public places will create discomfort among other races.”

Interestingly, one seemingly pious Muslim who defended the action of the kompang-beating youths by accusing those who “hate zikir” as munafik (hypocrite) was ticked off by his brethren for “misplaced preaching”.

“Remembering Allah is not obligatory in public, right? Can you give me a scripture that says remembering Allah or remembering Him is obligatory in public or if such behaviour ought to be pursued in a closed or open place? Is there one?” – May 29, 2026

 

Editor’s Note: The issue of reciting praises to the holy Prophet on public transport such as the LRT or MRT in Kuala Lumpur was also picked up by writer and preacher Syihabudin Ahmad who echoed a similar sentiment with Zuan Ishmael in his latest YouTube post.

- Focus Malaysia

Hot soup, hotter tempers: Viral clash at FamilyMart ignites nationwide debate

 

A VIRAL ALTERCATION between a FamilyMart employee and a Grab rider has ignited heated discussion across Malaysian social media, after footage appeared to show the worker splashing hot oden soup at the rider during an argument.

The incident, believed to have taken place at the FamilyMart outlet in The Core, Kota Damansara, quickly spread across X, Facebook and other social media platforms.

The video has since become a source of debate for Malaysians on who was truly at fault, and whether there is ever any justification for such a reaction.

According to reports, the rider had allegedly begun recording the employee using his phone following a disagreement.

Moments later, the female staff member was seen hurling hot oden broth toward him from behind the counter before storming away.

FamilyMart Malaysia has since confirmed that the employee involved has been suspended pending an internal investigation.

The company also stated that it does not tolerate “rude, unsafe or disrespectful behaviour” at its outlets.

While many netizens condemned the act outright, others argued that the public may not yet know the full story.

Staff Family Mart The Core Kota Damansara simbah kuah oden panas dekat rider grab.

Mungkin bad mood kot kena kerja masa hari raya. Tapi jangan la sampai macam ni. Dah la kuah tu panas  pic.twitter.com/JSQ4M5Z8xd

— kamaghul deghaman (@kamaghul) May 27, 2026

Several commenters also pointed to the immense pressure faced by convenience store workers, especially at busy FamilyMart outlets where a single employee may be expected to manage cashier duties, prepare hot food, make drinks, pack delivery orders and serve walk-in customers simultaneously.

“Retail crashout is real,” one user remarked, describing how stress in customer-facing jobs can sometimes push workers beyond their emotional limits.

Others claimed that some food delivery riders could be impatient or confrontational due to the time-sensitive nature of delivery work, though many still stressed that throwing hot liquid crossed a line regardless of provocation.

Many netizens highlighted the danger of the act itself, noting that hot oden broth could potentially cause serious burns. Some even argued that if the rider had sustained visible injuries, the matter could have escalated into a police case.

At the same time, a number of users criticised the internet’s tendency to immediately pick sides based on short viral clips. “Need full context,” became one of the most repeated phrases throughout the discussion.

The incident also opened a wider conversation about modern service culture in Malaysia, particularly the strained relatio

One commenter observed that both sides of the service economy are under pressure: riders are paid per delivery and need speed, while understaffed outlets struggle to keep up with growing app-based orders.

Others criticised FamilyMart’s staffing practices, claiming some branches are chronically understaffed during peak hours.

Interestingly, some online users even shared alleged past experiences with the employee involved, with a few claiming that previous customer complaints and staff resignations had already raised concerns about her behaviour. However, these claims remain unverified.

As the debate continues, many Malaysians appear united on at least one point: regardless of what triggered the confrontation, conflicts should never escalate into potentially dangerous physical acts.

The viral episode serves as yet another reminder of how quickly ordinary workplace disputes can spiral into nationwide controversies in the smartphone era — where a few seconds of footage can shape public opinion long before the full story emerges. — Focus Malaysia

Egypt pharmacy graduates in limbo: 'Do we have to bang tables to be heard?'

 

Another family has come forward to express disappointment after pharmacy doctorate students in Egypt were found unable to practise in Malaysia because the programme is not recognised here.

Umno supreme council member Razlan Rafii voiced frustration over what he described as the treatment received from the government bureaucracy.

He said Malaysians had become all too familiar with such grievances, where people were not properly attended to unless they resorted to “banging tables” or causing a scene to get matters resolved.

“If you follow professional channels, it is as if they do not exist in the government administration’s dictionary.

“I hope those in positions of power will open their eyes and hearts. Treat this issue as though it involves your own children.

“Do not turn a blind eye and a deaf ear to the future of Malaysia’s children,” Razlan (above) said.

Alexandria University in Egypt

His daughter, Nur Ain, is studying at Alexandria University and is facing the same predicament as Nurul Izzah Afifah Mustapha, whose mother, Noor Haslina Abdullah, recently shared her story with Malaysiakini.

Earlier today, Malaysiakini reported Haslina’s disappointment after her daughter, a high-achieving student who scored 10As in SPM and is also a Quran memoriser, was barred from sitting the qualifying examination under the Malaysian Pharmacy Board (MPB) required to complete her degree.

Haslina, the wife of former MACC Special Operations Division director Bahri Zin, said the Health Ministry rejected her daughter’s application because the PharmD, or Doctor of Pharmacy programme, is not recognised in Malaysia.

She noted that her daughter had enrolled at the university through an offer letter issued by the Higher Education Ministry.

Haslina said the Higher Education Ministry approved her daughter’s pharmacy studies at Alexandria University after the challenging Covid-19 pandemic.

She said the university later upgraded the programme from a Bachelor of Pharmacy degree to a PharmD Clinical programme.

Pharmacists attending to a customer

However, the PharmD Clinical programme has yet to be recognised by the Malaysian government, preventing students from sitting the MPB examination required to qualify for practical training in Malaysia and ultimately become registered pharmacists.

Parents willing to sponsor visit to Egypt

Meanwhile, Razlan said parents had exhausted numerous avenues to resolve the issue and had seen little effort from the authorities.

“Various efforts have been undertaken, yet what has happened gives the impression that the government has failed to resolve this issue. More disappointingly, the authorities appear more willing to sit back than take responsibility for finding a solution.

“Families were even willing to bear the costs of bringing officials from the MPB to Egypt, but that effort was also rejected and not given due consideration,” he said.

Razlan added that they had raised the matter with the health minister, only to be informed that the ministry had no authority over the MPB.

“The hands-off attitude shown by all parties in this matter is a deeply disappointing failure,” he said.

Govt urged to act, responses pending

Razlan argued that the government should take a more proactive approach in addressing issues of this nature, especially when they involve public funds and the sacrifices made by families to finance their children’s education.

Malaysiakini has sought responses from Health Minister Dzulkefly Ahmad and Higher Education Minister Zambry Abdul Kadir.

Deputy Higher Education Minister Adam Adli Abdul Halim

However, Zambry’s deputy, Adam Adli Abdul Halim, said when contacted that he would first look into the matter before providing any response.

Meanwhile, the MPB reportedly said it was not consulted during the process of offering the PharmD clinical programme at Alexandria University by the Higher Education Ministry.

According to a report by Berita Harian, the board said no application had been submitted for recognition of the new programme at Alexandria University, and it therefore remains unrecognised. - Mkini