This is a gripping account of stoic combat leadership under pressure. It portrays a commander who does not waver when decisions must be made in seconds and consequences echo for years. In the crucible of conflict, leadership is not theoretical — it is tested in dust, heat, and fire.

The narrative explores leadership in trying times: motivating troops through exhaustion, fear, and uncertainty; maintaining discipline when resources are thin; and standing firm against racial and religious bigotry within and beyond the ranks. The story does not romanticize war — it presents its realism unfiltered.

Training sequences bring authenticity to the forefront — cross-training with the American Green Berets, joint operations coordination, and indirect fire support from Apache attack helicopters. These elements ground the memoir in operational detail while highlighting professional military standards and interoperability.

Beyond combat, the book underscores the humanitarian dimension of conflict. The presence of the World Food Program delivering aid reminds readers that war zones are inhabited by civilians caught in the crossfire — and that soldiers often serve as protectors as much as warriors.

This is not merely a war story. It is a study of moral courage, resilience, and leadership forged in exigent circumstances. Young officers, cadets, and anyone interested in real-world command responsibility would find valuable lessons within its pages.   

A Soldier’s Story presents itself as a study in stoic combat leadership under extreme pressure. At its strongest, the book succeeds in portraying command not as rhetoric, but as responsibility borne in morally and operationally ambiguous environments.

The memoir’s central strength lies in its depiction of leadership during instability. The author emphasizes decisiveness in chaotic situations, the burden of motivating exhausted troops, and the discipline required to maintain cohesion amid racial and religious tensions. These themes elevate the narrative beyond a conventional war chronicle and position it as a reflection on moral courage within imperfect institutions. 

The A Team Green Berets attached to us to provide fire support, that's me in the yellow t-shirt

Operational realism is another notable asset. Descriptions of cross-training with United States Army Special Forces (Green Berets), coordination involving AH-64 Apache attack helicopters and Spectre AC 130 gunships, and humanitarian logistics linked to the World Food Program  add technical credibility. These details ground the narrative in professional military practice rather than abstraction, particularly in discussions of interoperability and indirect fire support. 

However, the book’s assertive tone occasionally narrows its analytical depth. The portrayal of leadership is largely unwavering and stoic — admirable traits — but at times the narrative risks presenting a singular perspective. Moments of self-interrogation or acknowledgment of strategic miscalculation could have strengthened its intellectual rigor. Readers seeking broader geopolitical context or comparative analysis of military doctrine may find the scope limited to the author’s lived experience.

The treatment of racial and religious bigotry is direct and emotionally charged. While this candor gives the work authenticity, it also invites scrutiny. The narrative would benefit from deeper structural analysis of the institutions described, rather than relying primarily on anecdotal testimony. That said, the willingness to confront discrimination within a military framework distinguishes the book from more sanitized memoirs.

Stylistically, the prose is functional and mission-focused, mirroring the temperament it seeks to portray. It avoids melodrama, though at times it leans toward declarative assertion rather than reflective exploration. The realism in training sequences and operational coordination stands out more strongly than the introspective passages.

Ultimately, Exigent Circumstances is less a literary war epic and more a leadership case study forged in adversity. Its value lies in its firsthand insight into command responsibility under pressure, particularly for young officers or students of applied leadership. As a narrative, it is compelling; as an analytical work, it is strongest when it examines the tension between duty, identity, and institutional loyalty — and somewhat less so when it defaults to affirmation of personal resolve.

It is not propaganda, nor is it detached scholarship. It occupies the complex middle ground of lived experience — earnest, forceful, and open to both admiration and critique.

Reviews By Local Columnists who have read the book

1. What a soldier’s memoir says about Malaysia By Frankie D'Cruz: 

Some books inspire pride. Others confront us with truths we would rather avoid. Retired army major D Swami’s memoir, Exigent Circumstances – A Soldier’s Journey Down the Road Less Travelled, belongs to the latter. It unsettles, provokes, and refuses to let readers look away.

Read more here......

2. A soldier's harrowing memoir of service to country By Commander S THAYAPARAN (Retired) Royal Malaysian Navy

My platoon commander said, “Sir, the operations officer told me not to follow your orders and not to return fire if fired upon the patrol, that they are all our saudara (relations by virtue of them being Muslims).”

Read it all here.......

The price of the book is RM65.00 only. Postage is free, via a courier, payment is online I will forward my banking details if you are interested. Once payment is done, please send me your address, most of you have bought this book. I would appreciate it if you could introduce this book to others. Not many books left.  I am not a famous author, it can only be done by word of mouth. Thank You!

From Online retailers in Malaysia: 

Shopee: You can purchase the book from the Gerakbudaya/SIRD Malaysia official store on Shopee. 

MPHOnline.com: The book is listed as available on the MPH Online website. 

Kinokuniya Malaysia: You can find the book on Kinokuniya's Malaysian website, where it was in stock at their fulfillment center as of August 2025. 

Gerakbudaya: The publisher's website also lists the book for sale. 

Lazada: The Gerakbudaya/SIRD Malaysia official online store on Lazada also offers the book. 

Physical bookstores: MPH Bookstores: Search results suggest availability at MPH stores, such as the TRX store, although it's best to check with a specific branch for current stock. 

Kinokuniya: The book is available in stock at Kinokuniya's fulfillment center for online orders, suggesting you can also find it at their physical stores. 

Contact me​, the author, to buy the book here and share with your friends who might be interested, it's RM65, text me via WhatsApp at +012 4084300 if you are interested in purchasing this book, postage is free. 

International buyers: Mary Martin Booksellers: This international bookseller lists the book, confirming it is a paperback written in English and self-published in, Malaysia.

This book is in the Malaysian National Library, Library of the University Pertahanan of the MAF,  Library of the National University  of Singapore, Armed Forces Museum Port Dickson and Library of Yale University located in New Haven, Connecticut, USA.

Ex Muslims such as me are growing day by day. We don't fear we just have gotten sick and tired of all it's hate and violence. It’s true we have been asleep for a long time. NOT ANY MORE. What's happening in the U.K. is tragic. What's currently happening in Australia is a BIG WAKE UP CALL TO ALL AUSSIES. I'm Voting 'ONE NATION'. 

The UK has plenty of stupid people thanks to the dumbing down in the education system to permit weak foreign students to qualify, followed by the biased legislation introduced by the Blair government shortly after 1997 . Unfortunately the Tories were Blairite liberals and the opportunity to corrct these issues was lost . 

Brexit which should have closed our borders , halted immigration ( a major player in elections since 1968 ) and returned legal control from the Council of Europe , was never delivered. Betrayed by our politicians who will pay for it .

A 4–0 win over Vietnam and 2–0 victory against Nepal now read as 3–0 losses. Six points have vanished. With only one match left, the path to the 2027 Asian Cup has all but closed. This is not misfortune. It is consequence. What began as a naturalisation process involving seven foreign-born players hardened into a chain of rulings.

Fifa found that falsified documents were used to confirm eligibility, and the Court of Arbitration for Sport upheld that breach. The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) has now enforced the sporting cost, forfeiting two matches and removing six points from Malaysia’s record.

Where the failure sits

All of this passed through the structures of the Football Association of Malaysia: its clearances, its submissions, its duty to ensure that every document could withstand scrutiny. It did not. Checks failed, questions went unasked, and approvals moved forward when they should have stopped. Those choices did not stay in files. They altered results, reshaped a qualifying campaign, and placed the burden squarely on the players, who now carry it in public.

The seven players insist they were not party to any wrongdoing. Perhaps they were not. But intent does not erase outcome. Whether they knew or not no longer changes what the rulings have established, or what the standings now reflect. Responsibility does not belong in the dressing room. It belongs with those who built and approved the process — those who, in failing to protect the badge, have forced others to answer for it.

The Windsor John distinction

AFC general secretary Windsor John has drawn a procedural line between Malaysia and Timor-Leste, explaining why Malaysia is unlikely to face the same suspension. In 2017, Timor-Leste fielded nine Brazil-born players using falsified documents, prompting the AFC to annul 29 international results, expel the team from the Asian Cup qualifiers, and suspend officials.

Windsor stressed that the key difference lies in timing: Malaysia’s offences were uncovered while the qualifiers were ongoing, whereas the Timor-Leste fraud surfaced after the tournament ended. “You cannot say the Timor-Leste case and the FAM case are the same. The situation is not the same,” he said, arguing that sanctions should move forward rather than backward.

While technically sound, this explanation does little to address lingering questions: if forged documents distorted match outcomes, affected league registrations, and exposed deep verification weaknesses, why should accountability stop at fines and point deductions? Fans, analysts, and neutral observers alike still demand to know why administrative penalties for officials were not imposed, and why Malaysia appears treated more leniently than precedent might suggest. 

What awaits in Nam Dinh

We discuss briefly on concerns about consistency & timing of enforcement, & how delayed action may contribute to rising tensions in a diverse society. Zamri Vinoth and Arun Dorasamy are reportedly set to be charged, along with two others, in connection with the “illegal temple” dispute. 

This development comes amid ongoing public debate about enforcement consistency and timing. Malaysia’s strength has always been its multicultural and multi-religious fabric. Preserving that harmony requires not only laws, but fair, consistent, and timely enforcement, as well as mutual respect between communities.

This followed a controversy over the difference in treatment between the two individuals embroiled in the dispute over a temple land issue, which triggered accusations of double standards in law enforcement.

In a Facebook post titled “Kelas Undang-undang” (lesson on law), lawyer Asiah Jalil said the difference does not necessarily stem from unfair treatment but rather is linked to police arrest and investigation procedures.

According to her, after a suspect is arrested and the remand period ends, he or she would usually be released on police bail if authorities have not yet pressed charges.

"After being released, the suspect cannot be arrested again (for the same offence). This means the police cannot arrest someone two or three times for investigations related to the same offence.

"Later, if the authorities are ready to bring the case to court, the police will issue a notice for the suspect to appear in court on a specified date. "The suspect can go to court freely without being escorted or handcuffed," she said in a posting yesterday.

Asiah (above) pointed out that in Arun's case, the Temple Preservation Action Team (Tepat) chairperson had allegedly committed the offence in March 2025.

Given that it allegedly happened about a year ago, she said it was likely that Arun had gone through the arrest and investigation process earlier than Zamri, who was charged over a statement he allegedly made in February this year.

"So do you understand now why Arun went to court without handcuffs, while Zamri was? "I believe Arun would have been arrested last year while Zamri was yet to have any arrest report (prior to this)," she said.

Kunta kinte : Dr Akmal, perhaps you should consider a law degree. It may be more useful in your political career.

orang kg IA : Hope this clarifies and clear the air for some political actors who are using every issue as race & religious prejudice with hidden agenda

BlueHornet6355 : Why akmal didn't say anything that zamri was given VIP treatment and dinner in the station when he was detained to give his statement but not Arun. Not fair la to Arun also, he should be treated to a banana leaf meal.

Bangi MP Syahredzan Johan, Bentong MP Young Syefura Othman, Bukit Bendera MP Syerleena Abdul Rashid, and central executive committee member Sheikh Umar Bagharib Ali said that while they respected Kulasegaran’s (above, right) position as a party veteran, his action is inadmissible, especially given his capacity in the government. 

Umno will back Najib for other court hearings

“The said action has sparked public controversy regarding the integrity of the country’s legal system. “We take note of his explanation on the matter. However, his position in the government demands a higher level of sensitivity to public perception, particularly concerning the principle that justice must not only be done, but must also be seen to be done,” they said in a joint statement today.

Chefoo : “We take note of his explanation on the matter. However, his position in the government demands a higher level of sensitivity to public perception…. 

We are so concerned about sensitivity issues but did anyone reprimand PMX when he called kuil haram? He even gave direction to break it down. Is that a proper word to use and was the public directive like this took the sensitivities of the Hindu community? 

He could have used much appropriate word like kuil tanpa kebenaran and engaged proper Hindu sangam to solve it. And where were you people when a group of converts with high rank Malays went on belittling the Hindus? Are were suppose to be insensitive?

Mechi : Well articulated. Double standards.

This is the problem, they should not be permitted to do this in our streets. Disgusting stuff………😡 if people can’t hold a Union Jack or hold a bible without being arrested this must not continue…… An embarrassment to the UK. The Muslims are offensive doing this in the UK cities. Our gov don’t care about them offending us, so why can’t we offend them without trouble?

Following the finding, the AFC has slapped FAM with a fine of US$50,000 (RM196,119) and nullified Malaysia’s win in two qualifying matches.

The matches involved are Malaysia vs Nepal at the Sultan Ibrahim Stadium in Johor on March 25, which ended in a 2-0 win for Malaysia, and Malaysia vs Vietnam at the Bukit Jalil National Stadium on June 10, which ended in a 4-0 win for Malaysia.

“The AFC disciplinary and ethics committee has decided that Malaysia is declared to have lost with a 3-0 score for both matches, based on Article 25.1 of the AFC Disciplinary and Ethics Code,” FAM said in a statement today.

It added that the committee had met on March 17 for a meeting chaired by committee chairperson Jahangir Baglari, after which it was found that FAM had breached Article 56 of the AFC Disciplinary and Ethics Code.

“FAM will make a written application to obtain the grounds of the decision from the AFC disciplinary and ethics committee before considering the next steps to be taken regarding this matter,” the local football association said.

In December last year, the International Federation of Association Football (Fifa) had overturned the results of three of the national squad’s Tier 1 international friendly matches played in May and September.

FAM was also hit with a 10,000 Swiss Francs (RM51,000) fine for breaching Article 19 of the Fifa Disciplinary Code (FDC) for fielding ineligible players for the three matches.

On Sept 26, Fifa confirmed that FAM and seven heritage players - Gabriel Felipe Arrocha, Facundo Garces, Rodrigo Holgado, Imanol Manchuca, Joao Figueiredo, Jon Irazabal, and Hector Hevel - were found guilty of violating Article 22 of the FDC related to document falsification.

Investigations revealed that FAM had submitted supposedly falsified citizenship documents to confirm the eligibility of the players.

Zaheed : A big tight slap for us. Never before in the history of Malaysian football have we been found to have indulged in immoral and unethical behaviour. 

Do we need to cheat to bring glory to the nation? Unbelievable!! I think it's better to lose the tournament with our honour and image intact than to win the title of a cheat.

Speaking in Geneva, Switzerland, Lee Lan said: “I have travelled thousands of miles to bring this demand for justice before you. I ask you to press for accountability.”

She told delegates that 17 years after Beng Hock died in MACC custody, no one has been held accountable despite the Court of Appeal ruling in 2014 that his death was caused by “unlawful acts by unknown persons”. “My brother’s case is not isolated. Torture and deaths in custody remain serious concerns in Malaysia. Hundreds have died...

“I urge Malaysia to reopen my brother’s case through an independent criminal investigation in accordance with international standards,” she said. Lee Lan added that the Malaysian government must allow UN Special Procedures, including the special rapporteur on extrajudicial, summary, or arbitrary executions, to conduct long-pending visits to the country.

“I urge this council to raise deaths in custody, including this case (Beng Hock’s death), in your engagement with Malaysia,” she emphasised.

Lee Lan and her delegation are also scheduled to meet UN human rights officials, diplomats, and international organisations to discuss the case, as well as broader concerns over custodial deaths and detention practices in Malaysia.

RCI, court ruling, and NFA

In 2009, Beng Hock - then an aide to Selangor state executive councillor Ean Yong Hian Wah - was found dead after overnight questioning at the Selangor MACC office, then based at Plaza Masalam in Shah Alam. A 2011 royal commission of inquiry concluded he had been driven to suicide by aggressive interrogation.

However, the Court of Appeal ruled in 2014 that his death was caused or accelerated by unlawful acts, including those of MACC officers.

On Nov 21, 2024, the Kuala Lumpur High Court ordered police to complete investigations into his death within six months.

In May, the Attorney-General’s Chambers classified the case as no further action.

darmakochi : Lee Lan, I sincerely hope your trip to UNHRC will not be wasted. Your family must have been suffering for quite some time while the governments after that horrible incident simply 'Buat Taktau'. Your family needs a proper closure of the tragedy so that all of you can lead a normal life with the younger generations in your family.

GrayParrot9290 : Current UN is a lame duck but worth highlighting this case on the global stage ! TBH will continue to haunt all those who kill him including those keeping silent !

The charge carries a penalty of imprisonment for up to two years, a fine, or both. He was accused of committing the offence via a Facebook post on Feb 3 regarding a gathering involving “illegal temples", Free Malaysia Today reported.

Citing the charge sheet, the Malay Mail reported that Zamri, whose real name is Zamri Vinoth Kalimuthu, allegedly uploaded the post under a Facebook account named “Zamri Vinoth,” after which it was seen by a complainant in Kuala Lumpur.

During the proceedings, deputy public prosecutors requested bail to be set at RM10,000, noting that investigations had been active for over a month since the initial police report, while also referencing Zamri’s recent travel to Thailand.

Zamri’s lawyer, however, denied allegations that his client had attempted to flee the country after the post went viral, arguing that the travel was purely for business and personal matters.

The lawyer also submitted documents to show Zamri’s involvement in handling cross-border marriage arrangements, with the dealings said to be in coordination with Islamic authorities in Perlis and Thailand.

In appealing for a lower bail amount, the lawyer told the court that Zamri has consistently cooperated with authorities and is supporting eight dependents, including five children. The controversial preacher is also said to be suffering from the lingering effects of “long Covid,” which has impacted his overall health.

Magistrate Faezahnoor Hassan then set bail at RM4,500 in one surety and fixed April 29 for the next case mention and the submission of documents. Zamri, who police previously said had fled to Thailand, had denied “running away”, insisting that he would personally meet Inspector-General of Police Khalid Ismail if necessary.

Addressing a press conference outside the Kuala Lumpur court complex after the proceedings, Zamri’s lawyer, Hariz Yusoff, disputed Khalid’s earlier statement, which claimed that Zamri had fled to Thailand. The lawyer said Zamri was only in Thailand from March 9 to 12, and was already in the country when Khalid issued his statement on March 13.

“Based on his passport records, our client re-entered Malaysia on March 12, while the police statement was issued on the night of March 13. Therefore, the claim that he fled the country is incorrect,” Hariz was quoted as saying by FMT.

Offence related to Instagram post

Separately, Arun, 56, claimed trial to a charge under the same section of the law before the Magistrates' Court in Jawi, Nibong Tebal. The activist, whose real name is Arumugam Dorasamy, is alleged to have committed the offence via a video on his Instagram account, @arun_dorasamy, at about 3.45pm on March 12 last year at Ikea Batu Kawan, Penang.

The Star also reported that Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Law and Institutional Reform) M Kulasegaran was spotted at the court complex in Penang. Arun, who was represented by lawyers T Gunaseelan, Balwant Singh Purba, and Dickson Eng, posted bail after magistrate Nurul Ainna Ahmad set the amount at RM5,000 in one surety.

Deputy public prosecutors Nazran Sham and Airina Syazreen Zainurin requested the bail amount. The magistrate set June 22 for the handover of documents.

OrangeJaguar9341 : So Arun is the sacrificial lamb to appease certain people. And Zamri claims he did not run to Thailand; he only crossed the border to Thailand "in coordination with Islamic authorities in Perlis and Thailand". Just wondering who the mufti of Perlis is ...

MarioT : Arun is being used as a scapegoat to show a false image of fairness of justice in the country. He stood for the religious rights of the minority but in turn, gets punished for it.

apanama is back : Sandiwara started. Both were charged, but Vinoth's will be NFA because the prosecutors need to prove the Intent, "intent to cause" according to Section 505(b) of the Penal Code. So this is a deliberate charge against the convert. Likewise, prosecutors in the Arun case will fight tooth and nail to prove the intent. His case will drag on.

The photos were believed to have been taken before Arun pleaded not guilty over a charge under Section 505(b) of the Penal Code, which criminalises statements made with the intent to cause, or which may cause, disturbance to the public.

Johor PKR Youth chief Faezuddin Puad questioned why Kulasegaran, who is DAP’s Ipoh Barat MP, allegedly showed up at court to “accompany” Arun and urged the deputy minister to explain.

“We do not want this to give the wrong impression to the people, as if the government is siding with Arun or attempting to show political support for him.

“We are also concerned that this action could damage the image of the Madani government and the prime minister in the eyes of Malaysians,” Faezuddin added in a Facebook post.

PSM central committee member Gandipan Nantha Gopalan highlighted that as an MP, Kulasegaran’s role is “not to provide support for a racist”, but to come up with better laws.

‘Like the upside-down flag case’

Kecik Mayong : The Boycott Man is always seen with opposition PAS leaders and promoting that party. Is that acceptable when he's a part of thr ruling govt ?

BOSSKU Kaw Kaw : Akmal, how come your idol Jibby not in ORANGE suit? Any luck with your thoughts? LOL

PurpleGuppy5319 : Don't worry Akmal, he's wearing the transparent cuffs like the ones used for Najib...

Open minded 2281 : Well done Minister as the police failed to act on police reports and DAP had to beg the police to take action on Muslims insulting Hindu faith. 

This resulted in Hindu activists taking action. Kula has a point that the Hindu activists would not have done anything if the police had acted professionally.

On the Other Hand : The Malaysiakini editorial team has really gone to the dogs. 

Not only were my comments deleted, they also had the audacity to ban me for two weeks, and failed to respond to my questions to the Editor asking for which posts of mine were at fault, for either being wrong in fact, or merely being a difference in opinion between myself and the Mkini editors. 

There was not a whimper or sound from them as clearly their actions were a reflection of the lack of professionalism and religious bias of their editorial team. Truly shameful lot we have here running the Mkini Comment section now.

apanama is back : "We are also concerned that this action could damage the image of the Madani government and the prime minister in the eyes of Malaysians,” Faezuddin added in a Facebook post. 

I am NOT aware that the Madani government and the prime minister still have an image to get damaged. Any so-called image left? 🤔 This comment against Kula is deliberate. If a Malay politician attends Vinoth's case, all will be quiet.

A campaign to finish the job, crush Iran’s military infrastructure and possibly pave the way for regime change. From the Strait of Hormuz and the Basij militias to Hezbollah, disinformation, missile defense and shifting regional alliances, this episode gives viewers a front-row seat to the strategic thinking shaping the war. They will not concede defeat. Only the Iranian people can end this. They need weapons. Get weapons into the hands of 50,000 Iranians that lost family or friends during the protests.

Moments like this often dominate political news when a senior political figure is challenged publicly. especially during live interviews, debates, or parliamentary exchanges. 

Especially during live interviews, debates, or parliamentary exchanges. In this video, we break down the confrontation, the context behind the criticism, and why the moment has generated such strong reactions among commentators and viewers. 

We also examine the broader political implications and how public exchanges like this can influence political narratives and media coverage. If you follow UK politics, Westminster debates, and high-profile political clashes, this video explains the moment behind the headline. He's an absolute disgrace and a joke, get this clown gone!

Sadly Democratic Party has no leadership and everyone with the big mouth is a leader. Jasmine is energetic and had a voice but her voice is against Trump did not allow to cross the line in recent primary. 

Speak policies and values but hate and division is the prime subject for this progressive. We see more violence and progressive sponsored protest. The question is how long the democrats will continue this process to gain control? 

This violent protests has caused death and blame the Republicans, how long this will go unpunished by the voters? Today, Congress tolerates illegal and criminal activities for extended periods, and no one can punish them; 

DOJ can only state the offenses and that's it. Even the judges are incompetent, making arbitrary rulings; the Federal Supreme Court also needs to be held accountable for its actions.

Leopard 2A SG

It involved thousands of troops, armour, artillery, and paratroopers. Its most intense phase was scheduled for August 9th, the very day of Singapore’s independence celebrations. The timing and proximity raised serious concerns for Singapore’s defence planners. In response, the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) activated a mobilisation drill, demonstrating the nation’s ability to rapidly deploy its citizen army. No war broke out. But for a few tense hours, Singapore quietly prepared for the possibility.

I think the Singaporeans would have reached the River Muar in 24 hours, with their training and equipment. Where they would stop and consolidate their winnnings just like The West Bank. Our Air Force would have been wiped out. They would have total air supremacy, after that a long drawn out war. Where they will hammers us at will.

I remembered that day I was called back, reservists were called back for briefing & CO inform us to get ready for war with Malaysia. We stayed in the camp for around 10 days of standby. We all these NS NCO always feel like salted vegetables life as a frontline pest A soldier with blangadesh pay. I also remembered 1985 called back for confrontation Indonesian pirates & 1997 Indonesia East Timor breakout war peace keeping. 

Singapore Buys Merkava Tanks

Malaysiakini : The government today rejected a British military expert's analysis that Singapore's armed forces would swiftly triumph if a war erupted between the two countries. Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad and Defence Minister Najib Razak addressed the issue after a weekend newspaper dredged up a conflict scenario detailed in a book more than two years ago. 

The Malay Mail 's report on "Defending the Lion City: The armed forces of Singapore" by Briton Tim Huxley, came as relations between Malaysia and its tiny but well-armed neighbour reached a low point amid several disputes. 

The tabloid's sensational front page headline "War with Singapore, What if..." also followed a declaration by Mahathir in his New Year message to the nation warning any country that attacked Malaysia would get "a bloody nose." Asked by reporters Monday why there was so much talk of war, Mahathir replied: 

"It is the press who keep on asking us. So we have to respond. I said whoever dares to try would get a bloody nose. That's all. Just a bloody nose. I never said war." Asked specifically about the scenario of a swift Singapore victory attributed to Huxley, an associate fellow at the Royal United Services Institute for Defence Studies in London, Mahathir said: 

"Well, we'll see, the proof of the cake is in the eating, as they say. Terms of assets "Basically it is the ground forces that count. Either you want to bomb the whole place up, or you have to fight on the ground. "Germany had conquered France but in the end they had to give up. Japan conquered Malaysia and they had to give up. 

Why take other people's country?" Earlier, Defence Minister Najib Razak dismissed Huxley's analysis of military capabilities only in terms of assets. "We cannot accept the analysis nor any parties which try to undermine the capabilities of the Malaysia armed forces because we have wide experience and this was not taken into account," he said. 

A chart published by the Malay Mail and sourced to Huxley's book showed that in 2000, Singapore had total armed forces of 350,000 to Malaysia's 145,000, 60 main battle tanks against none and three submarines to none. Malaysia is in the process of upgrading its military hardware, however, and has announced plans to purchase tanks, submarines and new jet fighters. 

Talk of war breaking out between the neighbours, although apparently relished by some parts of the Malaysian media, has been dismissed by security analysts. "The outbreak of war is far away from the minds of the political leadership of the two countries," the executive director of the Malaysian Strategic Research Centre, Abdul Razak Baginda, told AFP .

The "Exemplary" Two

– Samuel Daniel

COMMENT | The question rational Malaysians are asking themselves is how preacher Zamri Vinoth and self-proclaimed land activist Tamim Dahri Abdul Razak fled the country to Thailand? Both have a history of being investigated and then let off the hook.

Both, at various times, have flipped the bird at non-Muslims who have lodged police reports against them, which amounted to a hill of beans.

Now we are expected to believe that these two agitators, who have deep connections with the religious bureaucracy or, at the very least, are enabled by operatives from the religious deep state, suddenly fled the country, and the police cannot find them?

Nostromo : Zamri, Tamrin, Firdaus, Asri, Zakir, Ridhuan, Akmal, and many others. What a crowded stage. All competing to see who can hate Non-Malays/Non-Muslims more than the other. While the Malay masses cheer them on as Heroes and Idols. 

Its like those Malay contest TV shows, Akademi Fantasia or Raja Lawak....but for Bigots. These fellas tap into the bigotry and insecurity felt by most Malays. Its a goldmine. Thats why they are so popular with Malays. Hating Non-Malays/Non-Muslims is a business, and business is very good.

YellowWhale1374 : What these people are doing to the minorities here, they are basically setting example to other countries on how Muslims should be treated when they are the minorities there..

MS : The fact that this IGP was brought back into the Force after his retirement on 8 April 2025 says everything about the series of highly questionable decisions by the Manipulator whose actions in this case, point to the paucity of leadership talent in PDRM. 

Taken with other appointments which includes leapfrogging stunts in the Judiciary, the sly shifts and sudden promotions in the AGC, the repeated renewals of a particular employment contract despite well-founded concerns, the master plan appears to be exactly what we are witnessing today - the calculated worsening of race relations, the purposeful subversion laws and rules and the general unsettling of the population - all for political survival. 

The well-publicized provocations and incitements of the two characters mentioned here have undeniably gone into high gear under Madani which continues to provide them cover. It is not so much a clandestine religious state which is at work but the political apparatus itself which is directing the mischief.

Headhunter : The fact that they are so emboldened raises the real question of whether they’re getting financial backing from our tax dollars through allocations from taxpayer-funded religious groups. They come across as agent provocateurs, intent on stirring up trouble with their religious rhetoric. The most troubling are those converts who not only bash their former faiths but also show disrespect toward their own race.

R Ganesalingam, 49

A trader, R Ganesalingam, 49, was accused of murdering a 33-year-old man during an incident in Kapar earlier this month. No plea was recorded as murder cases go to the High Court. Bail was denied. For now, that is where the case stands.

Outside the courtroom, however, many Malaysians are asking a blunt question. How does someone who appears to have confronted armed attackers end up facing a murder charge? The answer lies in how the law deals with self-defence.

On March 5, Selangor police said a suspected gunman was killed and his accomplice injured after the motorcycle they were riding was rammed by a car following a shooting incident in Kapar. Investigations found the two men had allegedly fired shots at a worker linked to the driver of the car at Kampung Perepat before fleeing on the motorcycle.

Those are the basic facts released so far. What happened in the seconds between the shooting and the fatal encounter will matter greatly in court.

What the law actually asks

Malaysian law recognises a person’s right to defend themselves.

The Penal Code allows people to use force to protect life or property. In extreme situations, that force may even cause death if there is a genuine fear of death or serious injury. But the protection is not unlimited. Courts usually ask three simple questions:

Was there an immediate and serious threat?

Was the response reasonable in that moment?

Did the force stop once the danger ended?

Often, the answer turns on seconds and small details.

What seems obvious at first glance can look different once investigators reconstruct the sequence of events.

Why someone might still be charged

Young cricketers from Kemarian Cricket travel by boat from the interior of Hulu Perak before continuing their journey by road to Ipoh for the district schools tournament. (Hakimul Adry pic)

The field is simply a patch of grass beside wooden houses raised on stilts, where children gather after school and turn a stretch of open ground into a cricket pitch. This is where the young players of Kemarian Cricket first learned the game. 

The boys attend SK RPS Kemar, a school tucked deep in the forests near Gerik. For most of them, cricket was once just another unfamiliar sport they saw on television or heard about in passing. 

That changed when their teacher, Hakimul Adry, decided to introduce the game to them. Hakimul, 26, knew little about cricket and had only played it in his teens. Yet he has since sparked a love for the game among his fellow teachers and the kampung community. He teaches at SK RPS Kemar, where he has spent the past three years building a team from scratch among pupils who had never held a cricket bat before. 

With limited facilities and equipment, Hakimul often dips into his own pocket to keep the team going, using part of his salary to buy balls, arrange transport and keep training sessions alive. Hakimul is turning a small school field into a starting point for bigger dreams.

That is the real issue here. Because once Parliament starts creating vague rules around what can and cannot be said about a religion, an ideology, or related political issues, the danger is obvious: legitimate criticism could be treated as criminal abuse. 

And that should concern everyone — regardless of faith, background, or party loyalty. In this video I discuss: Why vague hate speech definitions can threaten free expression How criticism of Islamism, migration policy, integration, and community tensions could become harder to voice. 

Why many fear a return to blasphemy laws in all but name The wider issue of double standards in modern Britain Why trying to suppress public criticism often makes tensions worse, not better A free country must allow people to question ideas, challenge institutions, and speak openly about matters that affect national life. 

If that right starts being chipped away, we are no longer dealing with democracy in the way most people understand it. This is not about hatred. It is about whether Britain remains a country where people are still free to speak plainly about what is happening around them. Watch the clip, hear the arguments, and decide for yourself.

The weaponisation of race and religion in Malaysian politics is not new. For decades, political competition has revolved around identity-based mobilisation.

Campaign speeches warn of threats to Islam, to Malay rights, or to national identity. Social media amplifies conspiracy theories about demographic change or religious encroachment.

In many cases, political leaders frame national debates as existential struggles for survival.

Such rhetoric can be politically effective. However, it also normalises a worldview remarkably like the narratives used by extremist groups.

Terrorist organisations thrive on the belief that society is divided into opposing camps: believers versus enemies, insiders versus outsiders. When mainstream political discourse adopts similar language, however less extreme, it helps legitimise that worldview.

Young people encountering extremist propaganda online may therefore see it not as a radical departure from reality but as an intensified version of ideas they already hear in public life.

OrangeJaguar9341 : A thought-provoking perspective. I just wonder if it's too late for Malaysia. The use of religion and race to galvanise and incite the public is already the modus operandi of politicians, partucularly those from race-based parties. 

We have no Malay leaders with the courage, moral conviction and support to dismantle the ideological system that nurtures hate and extremism.

RR : Our Race and religious institutions are formed to protect and sustain their own interests. Hence there is no institution for pan Malaysian : even if there is one there will be no support unless the law is amended to accommodate diversity and universality. 

Learning from Malaysian example, Spore has amended their laws to sustain diversity and universality to some extent to think and act that humanity is just ONE and the nation is ONE.

In a statement today, Koong Hui Yein, chairperson of the Teoh Beng Hock Association for Democratic Advancement, said Teoh’s sister, Lee Lan, departed for Switzerland today to attend the council’s 61st session.

Koong said Lee Lan (above, left) is scheduled to address representatives from the council’s 47 member states and other participating nations on March 17.

According to Koong, Lee Lan will highlight the family’s 17-year struggle for justice over Beng Hock’s death and call on the UN to activate relevant human rights mechanisms related to the case.

The family, she said, remains dissatisfied with the investigation, which ended with a “no further action” outcome. “This is a clear demonstration that the Malaysian government has denied the family their Right to Remedy,” Koong said.

Koong said Lee Lan’s mission to the UN aims to highlight that the case remains unresolved despite the passage of time. She added that while the “Malaysia Madani” government presents itself as championing human rights and reform, it has fallen short in implementing the Right to Life and the Right to Equality as guaranteed under the United Nations’ Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

“This mission aims to use international mechanisms to pressure the Malaysian government to fulfil its human rights obligations and initiate rigorous, professional criminal investigations and prosecutions against the suspects involved,” she said.

Pushing for institutional reforms

In 2009, Beng Hock, who was then Selangor state executive councillor Ean Yong Hian Wah’s aide, was found dead after overnight questioning at Selangor MACC, then headquartered at Plaza Masalam in Shah Alam.

A 2011 royal commission of inquiry ruled that he was driven to suicide due to aggressive interrogation. However, in 2014, the Court of Appeal ruled his death was caused or accelerated by unlawful acts, including those of MACC officers.

On Nov 21 last year, the Kuala Lumpur High Court ordered the police to complete the investigation into Beng Hock’s death within six months. In May, the Attorney-General’s Chambers ultimately classified the case as no further action.

Koong further said Lee Lan and the association’s team will hold a live broadcast from Geneva tomorrow (March 16) to update the public on the mission.

She added that the family’s effort to bring the case to the UN is not only about seeking justice for Beng Hock, but also about pushing for institutional reforms to prevent future custodial deaths and ensure such a tragedy does not happen again. As of last December, the association had raised RM122,377 through nationwide roadshows and online crowdfunding for the UN mission.

GrayPanther0439 : Pamela Ling, Amri, Pastor Koh and countless others..

BrownDove7179 : So much HOPE in the MADANI GOVT, but this happened. No better than the UMNO GOVT, BUT WORSE..!!!!!!

drkam : To be honest, Teoh Beng Hock was killed when Parti Keadilan Rakyat was running Selangor. At the time, the Menteri Besar could hardly do much with the Royal Malaysia Police and Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission under federal control. 

Fast forward 17 years. PKR is now part of the federal government, yet somehow this case — along with the famous Altantuya Shaariibuu case — still behaves like a locked drawer with the key mysteriously missing. 

So the family now has to travel all the way to the United Nations Human Rights Council in Geneva just to ask for justice. Imagine that — Malaysians needing a boarding pass to find the truth about something that happened in Malaysia. 

Naturally, someone will probably say this is “not patriotic.” But when justice moves slower than KL traffic on a rainy Friday, people eventually look for another road. If the system worked properly, no one would need to fly halfway around the world just to ask what really happened.

Ganesan1 : Oh great, raise crowd fund from the public if insufficient for your journey to justice, am sure DAP leaders will support by contributing parts of their perks to this assignment. 

BTW, dont forget to highlight the 60-year long apertheid policy here, let foreign journalists do the rest, good or bad.

By Fernando Fong  

When Professor Solehah Yaacob, an Arabic language lecturer at the International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM), claimed that Iban warrior Rentap was Malay and a descendant of the legendary Malaccan figure Hang Tuah, Sarawak pushed back hard.

“Such claims are not only factually wrong but also show a blatant disregard for the heritage and identity of the Iban people,” said Peter John Jaban, founder of Sarawak for Sarawakians.

He also questioned why an Arabic linguistics specialist was making claims about Borneo’s indigenous history. The backlash was fierce — but it was not the first time Solehah had started a national controversy.

In a mosque lecture delivered in December 2022, later uploaded to YouTube in October 2025, she claimed ancient Romans learned shipbuilding from the Malays.

Professor Emeritus Wan Ramli Wan Daud, a historian of Malay technology at Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM), said there was no archaeological or historical evidence to support the claim.

Yet, when this stratification extends to the enforcement of our laws, the conversation shifts. We are told the system is not flawed, but merely functioning as intended. There is a critical distinction worth examining: a flawed system can be repaired, but a failed system spreads its own injustices until they become the norm.

We have arrived at the latter. Today, we witness a nation where one group can violate the law - even taunt those empowered to enforce - while another is identified, arrested, charged, and sentenced within days. This is not inconsistent enforcement; it is selective prosecution dressed in the language of order.

Sherlock : Keep up the good work? I can say that to Nades, Frankie, and all others, in the spirit of nation building. Wan Azizah? The one almost a PM, that we thought was good for the country? 

Oh NO...Now, things are becoming clear, why these people enjoy the immunity, Reduan Tee, Vinod, Firdaus, & gang, got patron saint punya backing, huh? She better come out and clarify the truth, admit it or deny it. NO 2 way about it. Better be convincing.

One Malaysian : Dats why many young talented Malaysians are leaving the country,we have a super biased system whether it's education, economy and now even racial and religion is all towards one race only!

BlueCougar1744 : When we allowed a single majority race to dictate and rule without respecting our Federal Constitution, what will this lead to? Minorities rights and interest are trampled and despite numerous reports lodged, nothing is done to address these tensions. 

One the fuse is lighted, who is to be held responsible? IGP, HM, PMX? It is high time to shut down the Unity Ministry which does not function. All sensible and morally upright Ministers should just let go of their positions now. DAP must opt out of Madani now. No need to wait till July. You will gain more respects and support comes GE 16. Stop dragging your feet.

Dr Suresh Kumar : "Keep up your work''. This says it all. The respected 'First Lady' has inadvertently exposed her true colour. Karma for her too. The non-Muslims should remember this in the 16th GE. 

This is the reason I do not comment much on PAS or on their leaders' statements, no matter how ludicrous it may sound because they are not pretentious, that is what they believe in, after all it is called PAS (party Islam se-Malaysia) an Islamic party. 

But for a so-called multi-racial party with the word 'Justice' as it's middle name that fought on the platform of justice and equality for all to make a 180 degrees turn after assuming power is unforgivable.