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31 AUGUST 2026

Monday, September 7, 2026

HAZE - WHAT SHOULD ONE DO?

 

Haze at Kuala Lumpur

Malaysia experiences the "haze" annually, primarily due to forest and peat fires in Indonesia, particularly in Sumatra and Kalimantan (Borneo), exacerbated by seasonal winds.

The air pollution is getting worse day by day in Malaysia. Very sad part is that we couldn't do anything to prevent or stop it. The cause of this haze is nothing but slash and burn practice of farmers and fires blown by the wind from Indonesia.

Kuala Lumpur is ranked first as the most beautiful skyline in the world. But now,

API(Air Pollutant Index) reading of zero to 50 indicates good air quality; 51 to 100, moderate; 101 to 200, unhealthy; 201 to 300, very unhealthy and 300 and above hazardous.

The state of haze emergency will be declared when the API exceeds 500. Nationwide more than 2400 schools closed due to heavy haze and also some public parks closed

Every year, thousands of hectares of primary jungle are burnt and reduced to ashes to facilitate the planting of oil palm. For over 30 years Indonesia has been abusing their forests for the oil palm industry. There are better and cleaner ways of clearing the jungle like using machinery and tractors, but these are more expensive.

ASEAN is, and always has been, essentially toothless in its fight to curb haze occurrence with their neighbours.

Forget about environmental disaster. Indonesian politicians from the very top are not going to buy the environment angle. Sure, they will show up at the burnt forests and hold a “press conference” saying they are doing their best. But for 30 years, the same thing over and over again?

They have already taken too much money to care about orang utans and other animals.

What about being good neighbours to Malaysia and Singapore? Forget that too. Indonesian attitude is that they can do whatever they want because it is THEIR forests.


TO OVERCOME HAZE EFFECT:

1: Keep information about local air quality.

2: Avoid outdoor activities, especially outdoor sports.

3: Close all windows, doors and any openings that may allow haze to enter your home and office.

4: Use an air purifier to keep the particulate levels low.

5: Keep air conditioner in working condition with regular cleaning and servicing of it.

6: Install air purifier at home.

7: Drink more water and take fresh vegetables and fruits only.

8: Quit smoking if you are smoker.

9: Use mask before going outside.


Finally, individuals have to take their own precautions by wearing face-mask, spend less time outdoors and hope for rainfall to come.


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


Huge premium, PT Eagle High investment flop is back to haunt FELDA amid MACC clamp down

 

TOTAL impairment/value loss of RM1.576 bil recorded in 2017 from investment in Jakarta Stock Exchange-listed PT Eagle High Plantations Tbk (EHP) stands out as perhaps the largest single financial missteps by FELDA with potential losses estimated at up to RM2.5 bil.

This deemed paper loss encapsulates the latest series of Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission’s (MACC) clamp down on financial irregularities and misappropriation of funds linked to mismanagement within the Federal Land Development Authority.

The graft buster’s chief commissioner Datuk Seri Abd Halim Aman did not rule out the possibility of several individuals getting detained gradually starting this week in connection with allegations of misappropriation, abuse of power and corruption involving FELDA’s subsidiaries.

Thus far, Sinar Harian reported that seven investigation papers have been opened with a dozen individuals having been called in to assist with on-going probe even as that concerning the Lembaga Tabung Haji Royal Commission of Inquiry (RCI) report is still unfolding.

That Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim did not mince his words that wrongdoings within FELDA will be exposed in coming weeks has seen a swift follow-up action with the MACC arresting a former general manager of a statutory body who holds the title of “Datuk” alongside another man on Sunday (Sept 6).

Both men, aged in their 50s and 60s, were arrested around 4pm after they arrived at MACC’s Putrajaya headquarters to give their statements.

Colossal loss

Politically-motivated or otherwise, former Sarawak PKR strategy director Iswardy Morni has recapped a list of misappropriations, governance imbalances and major loss incurred by the FELDA Group based on the official findings of the FELDA White Paper (2019) and the Ernst & Young Forensic Audit Report.

Editor’s Note: The Big Four accounting firm conducted forensic audits on eight acquisitions by FELDA and Felda Investment Corp (FIC) Sdn Bhd from January 2010 to December 2018.

As revealed by EY, the FELDA Group incurred a net loss of RM4.9 bil in 2017 from a profit of RM5.8 bil in 2012.

This led to depreciation of cash reserves (2007-2017) from RM2.4 bil to RM400 mil while total liabilities/debt (2017) climbed to a staggering RM14.4 bil (including bank/institutional financial loans amounting to RM12.1 bil).

Below are losses and misappropriations incurred by the eight forensic audit projects:

  1. PT Eagle High Plantations Tbk, Indonesia
  • Original total investment: USD505.4 mil (approx RM2.26 bil funded by GOVCO loans).
  • Form of misappropriation: Purchased at a price 95.86% higher than the original market price without a reasonable credit valuation of the seller.
  • Total impairment/value loss: RM1.576 bil (recorded in 2017).
  1. Kuala Lumpur Vertical City (KLVC), Jalan Semarak
  • Land valuation: RM618 mil (estimated commercial valuation reaching RM1.062 bil).
  • Form of misappropriation: Ownership rights of 24 FELDA land lots were transferred to the developer (Synergy Promenade Sdn Bhd ) using a Power of Attorney (POA) without the knowledge/approval of the FELDA board of directors.
  • Additional liability risk: FELDA is bound by lease agreement commitments for office space of at least RM1.5 bil for a period of 20 years.
  1. Park City Grand Plaza Kensington (GPK Hotel), London
  • Total investment/payment: £60 mil.
  • Form of misappropriation: No direct Sale and Purchase Agreement (S&P) between FIC and the original owner (original land price was only £P46 mil). The remaining £14 mil was paid through the purchase of shares in an offshore company (BVI) in the personal name of a director.
  • Total value loss: At least £34 mil (approx RM203.39 mil) when the fair value plummeted to £26 mil.
  1. Merdeka Palace Hotel & Suites, Kuching
  • Original purchase price: RM160 mil.
  • Form of misappropriation: Purchased above market price without FELDA board of directors’ approval in addition to involving a bribery case with RM3.09 mil in kickbacks.
  • Total loss/value impairment: RM80 mil (fair value dropped to RM80 mil in 2017).
  1. Dataran Aras Sdn Bhd (DASB), Sarawak
  • Original purchase cost: RM148.2 mil.
  • Form of misappropriation: Land cannot be developed because 54% consists of Native Customary Rights (NCR) Bumiputera land. This issue was concealed from the FELDA board of directors.
  • Total value impairment: RM146 mil (recorded in 2017).

  1. Felda Wellness Corporation Sdn Bhd (FWC)
  • Total FELDA fund injection: RM102 mil.
  • Form of misappropriation: Fund injections were made without FELDA board of directors’ authorisation. Invested RM24.1 mil in an overseas company without approval, vendor assignments without tender (RM119.6 mil) and payments of RM13.11 mil without proof of services.
  • Total value impairment/net liabilities: RM191 mil (including unpaid debts and court claims).
  1. Grand Plaza Serviced Apartments (GPSA), London
  • Original total investment: £98 mil.
  • Form of misappropriation: Management paid an exclusivity fee of £980,000 without approval. There is a discrepancy of £14.3 mil from the amount paid by FELDA compared to the proceeds received by the original owner. Operations incur an average annual loss of RM19.82 mil.
  1. Felda House & Grand Felda House (DEX), Wembley
  • Total acquisition cost: £167.76 mil (approx RM883 mil).
  • Form of misappropriation: Transaction was conducted through a BVI company (Treax Innovation Ltd) established in the personal name of two former FIC directors without approval. Actual costs escalated by £4.76 mi lcompared to the approved amount. –   Focus Malaysia

Krakatau eruptions: Indonesian woman offers free stay at Jakarta home to stranded Malaysians

 

KUALA LUMPUR: An Indonesian woman living in Malaysia has offered her home in Jakarta for free to Malaysians left stranded by the eruption of Mount Anak Krakatau.

The woman, identified as Maira Safiraa, said seven Malaysians have already taken shelter in her home, located about 30 minutes from the airport in Jakarta, but there was space for more.

She said three rooms were already occupied, but there was space in a fourth for anyone, particularly women.

"Please don't hesitate if you need a place to rest while waiting for the situation to return to normal. The accommodation is free... I am not asking for any payment.

"I simply feel sorry for them and am worried that they might panic while being in a foreign country, especially if their preparations or supplies have run out," she said in a post on Threads.

The continuous eruption of Mount Anak Krakatau since Friday has caused volcanic ash to spread, prompting six airports to suspend flight operations.

The disruption has also affected domestic and international flights, including routes connecting Jakarta with Kuala Lumpur, Singapore, Hong Kong, Sydney, Seoul/Incheon, Doha and Amsterdam.

Maira said the offer was made on humanitarian grounds and out of concern for Malaysians who have been forced to wait longer following the closure of the airports.

"I thought to myself, what if I or my family were in the same situation in a foreign country?

"It just so happened that the house was vacant, with only a female personal assistant there, and it has four bedrooms. So I thought it would be good to help those who need a place to stay temporarily," she said.

She said she had received word from airport authorities that flight operations were expected to be affected at least until 12.30pm tomorrow, and would continue if the volcano continues to erupt.

"Hopefully, the situation will improve soon and everyone will be able to return to Malaysia safely," she said.

Meanwhile, she said the presence of the seven Malaysians at her home in Jakarta had made the atmosphere livelier, while also providing companionship for her personal assistant.

"I'm actually happy that my home in Jakarta has become livelier with more people around. My personal assistant isn't alone either, as she now has company," she said.

Maira said she also sympathised with Indonesians who are stuck in Malaysia.

Unfortunately, she said, she could not make a similar offer to her countrymen as she lives here with husband, a baby and a domestic helper and there was no room. - NST