Latest news with #SitiKasim
Focus Malaysia
5 days ago
- Focus Malaysia
Elderly Haj pilgrims scammed; outraged Malaysians demand 'religious figure' is exposed
Editor's Note: Siti Kasim has reacted with furore the involvement of a religious figure who allegedly scammed 47 elderly Malaysian pilgrims while claiming how they deceived their victims with their scull caps and robes. 'The worse kind of people are the ones that use religion to make their fortune,' fumed the human rights activist and lawyer in her recent Facebook post. 'And there are plenty of them around in Malaysia. Wearing their skull caps and their robes with the black marks on their foreheads, they become a symbol of piety when some of them are devils in disguise. 'I totally despise these people and I'm certain they will rot in hell! Despicable!' FOR many, performing the Haj pilgrimage is a once-in-a-lifetime experience where years of toil are needed to fork out for the expenses. So imagine the shock and outrage of Malaysians upon hearing the news that 47 senior citizens had allegedly fallen victim to a Haj scam by a local agent involving a well-known religious figure. These unfortunate victims were allegedly blackmailed and held against their will along with having to trek through dangerous routes to avoid detection by the authorities or worse, to make do without food or water. Reacting to the widely publicised scam, digital creator JalalMisai (@jllmisai) asked just who was this 'well-known religious figure?' And why was the advertisement blurred out in the media reports? Siapa agamawan terkenal tu..? Kenapa kaburkan poster iklan haji tu..? Jemaah dah bayar RM30k tapi dapat layanan macam pelarian di tempat orang.. — JalalMisai (@jllmisai) June 14, 2025 'Pilgrims paid up to RM30,000 but only to be treated like refugees in a foreign land,' lamented the poster who cited a Berita Harian news report on the apparent scam. One netizen wanted the relevant individual to be named and shamed while pointing out that these sorts of cases could lead to wider ramifications. Not least the Saudi authorities could reduce the quota for Malaysians because the reported scam breached haj visa ruling. Some commenters contended that both the scammer and religious influencer were Malay and their identities had not yet been revealed. They wondered where were those who constantly played the race card claiming that 'non-Malay crooks were a protected lot' given that the alleged Malay criminals in this case were not exposed'? It was also argued that whenever a VVIP is allegedly linked to a scandal, their identities are shrouded in mystery. On the contrary, the ordinary Joe will be roundly named and shamed. One commenter wondered if such is democratic practice considering that senior leaders of the country who are majority Muslims have remained silent on this issue. Another surmised that perhaps the tell-tale sign that the package was a scam was its lower than usual price. Reporting on the same news, Buletin TV3 (@BuletinTV3) quoted a relative of some of the victims who claimed that the senior citizens were 'psychological manipulated'. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Buletin TV3 (@buletintv3) This made the calls to reveal the identities of the scammers even louder. Thankfully, one netizen furnished the original advertisement which was blurred by Berita Harian for netizens to judge for themselves. One netizen warned this will lead the erosion of trust for the clergy and religious influencers. Always go through the Pilgrimage Funds Board a.k.a. Tabung Haji was the advice of one commenter. No need to resort to external sources and be at risk of such scams. There are probably a slew of legal implications preventing the media from exposing the identities of the alleged scammers. But what of the cops? According to Bernama, Bukit Aman Commercial Crime Investigation Department acting director Datuk Seri Muhammed Hasbullah Ali said an investigation paper had been opened under Section 420 of the Penal Code following three reports lodged by the victim's next of kin – two in Mantin (Negeri Sembilan) and one in Ayer Hitam (Johor). Muhammed Hasbullah said the police will also work with the Companies Commission of Malaysia (SSM), Tabung Haji and the Tourism, Arts, and Culture Ministry (MOTAC) to blacklist companies offering Haj packages without approval so as to prevent people from becoming victims. But surely there should be no reason why the cops cannot issue a statement and reveal the relevant suspects. Why the delay? – June 16, 2025
Malaysiakini
6 days ago
- Politics
- Malaysiakini
Blaming scarecrows for bus accidents
COMMENT | Can the bus tragedy that killed 15 university students near Gerik, Perak, become a racial issue? Lawyer Siti Kasim claims that Transport Minister Anthony Loke is being attacked by some Malays online for the horrific accident. The reason it seems was that the victims are Malays, whom a Chinese minister failed to 'take care of'. 'Have you forgotten the driver is Malay?' asked Siti. This is the typical blame game to divert from real problems towards what are called 'scarecrows' or 'straw men' in American English.
Malaysiakini
7 days ago
- Politics
- Malaysiakini
Blaming scarecrows for bus accidents
COMMENT | Can the bus tragedy that killed 15 university students near Gerik, Perak, become a racial issue? Lawyer Siti Kasim claims that Transport Minister Anthony Loke is being attacked by some Malays online for the horrific accident. The reason it seems was that the victims are Malays, whom a Chinese minister failed to 'take care of'. 'Have you forgotten the driver is Malay?' asked Siti. This is the typical blame game to divert from real problems towards what are called 'scarecrows' or 'straw men' in American English.
Focus Malaysia
12-06-2025
- Focus Malaysia
Siti Kasim berates Malays for excessive racist troll on Anthony Loke because he's a Chinese minister
'WHAT'S wrong with the Malays as they're becoming more racist with each passing day?' Such was the reaction of Siti Kasim to the slew of racist comments hurled at Anthony Loke Siew Fook – including demanding for his resignation as Transport Minister – after 15 Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris (UPSI) students perished in a chartered bus crash in the wee hours of Monday (June 9). 'Would the Malays have made similar racist remarks if the Transport Minister were to be a Malay,' the human rights activist and lawyer fumed in a no holds barred tone in her latest YouTube rant. 'So you guys feel right to condemn him just because it happens that the dead are the Malays and he's a Chinese.' 'Use your brain if you want to condemn him … how can you fault the minister for the spate of (heavy vehicle) accidents?' In Siti Kasim's views, most of the crashes involving heavy vehicles are caused by reckless, speeding drivers which is synonymous with express/tour buses (even lorries, trucks and trailers) coupled with poor vehicle maintenance by companies that own the vehicles. 'Are you expecting the minister to also be responsible for the maintenance and service of the vehicles, too?' asked the Orang Asli advocate. 'Be ashamed that your stupid/shallow comments only show that you don't use your brains to think. 'As per the bus driver's own account, if indeed the brake of the bus had malfunctioned moments before the accident, then this means that the ill-fated bus wasn't properly maintained by the company owner who also happens to be Malay.' Editor's Note: The Transport Ministry had on yesterday (June 11) revoked the vehicle permit of the Kulim (Kedah)-based bus operator, Kenari Utara Travel & Tour Sdn Bhd, after it was found that the bus has been loaned to a different individual in Kelantan for RM500 per month. Additionally. the bus owner also failed to provide GPS (Global Positioning System) data report when asked by the authorities because the device was not activated during operation. Moreover, Siti Kasim also pointed to dashcam evidence which shows that the bus was driven at high speed just moments before the accidents (Editor's note: There was also eyewitnesses account that a few passengers had told the driver to slow down during the journey but he refused to heed such request). I can't fathom how all these facts are not bundled together but instead fingers are pointed at Loke in a racist manner? Are you not condemning the driver because he's a Malay (or the company which is Bumiputera-owned)? 'I feel called to comment as the remarks are getting out of hand … I don't wish to defend Loke for I'm not a boot-licker but the comments seem to point to a concerted effort by certain quarters to spark anger within the Malay community. To my Malay brethren, please filter your thoughts before airing your racist views on social media. Ask yourself if you would have done the same if the Transport Minister were to be a Malay especially given that the (UPSI) accident seems to stem from the driver's recklessness and the bus operator's poor vehicle maintenance as opposed to perhaps poor road conditions. – June 12, 2025
Focus Malaysia
06-06-2025
- Politics
- Focus Malaysia
Siti Kasim dares Madani gov't to imitate PAP's 'MPs are slaves of the people, not their masters' benchmark
THE high standards demanded by the ruling People's Action Party (PAP) which has recently achieved a landslide victory in Singapore's 14th General Election of its MPs with the key emphasis being 'always uphold our reputation and integrity' should be emulated by the Madani government. Such is the opinion of Siti Kasim who is impressed with the tall order which is encapsulated in a 2,617-word letter entitled 'Rules of Prudence' penned by Singapore's fourth Prime Minister Lawrence Wong and addressed to all PAP MPs. For the record. PAP won 87 out of 97 seats in the just concluded national polls (it has won all general elections since Singapore's independence) which is Wong's first as PM and in his capacity as PAP's secretary-general. Overall, the PAP won 65.6% of the votes. 'That MPs have to be humble in victory by always remembering that as MPs they are servants of the people, not their masters really struck the chord insofar as Malaysian politics are concerned,' gestured the human rights activist and lawyer in her latest YouTube rant. 'Another secret formula which Wong let out of the bag that it's still not too late for the Madani government to look into is that PAP's reputation for clean, incorruptible government is one of its most precious assets that enables it to retain the trust of Singaporeans all these years (PAP has never lost an election).' Siti Kasim is further impressed by the exemplary behaviour demanded of PAP's MPs in that they should never abuse their political position to seek favours. 'He (Wong) warned MPs against lobbying any ministry or statutory board to make changes to decisions or policies that are not grounded on public interest … This very much brings to mind the 'Yes YB. Yes YB' attitude among our civil servants,' the Orang Asli advocate pointed out. 'Also worth heeding is the call to separate an MP's public political position from his/her private, professional or business interests.' In reminding PAP's MPs against exploiting their public position as government MPs, Wong has stressed that their conduct must always be above board by keeping at bay their close contacts with the ministers, access to government departments and civil servants when it comes to serving their personal interest or for the benefit of their employers. Against the backdrop of poor MP attendance which has occasionally prompted postponement of the Dewan Rakyat proceedings, Siti Kasim also agreed with Wong that 'all MPs are expected to attend all sittings of Parliament'. 'Please inform the whip if you have to leave the Parliament premises while a sitting is on. If you have to be absent from any sitting, seek permission from the government whip and apply for leave of absence from the speaker with copies to the leader of the house and the government whip,' Wong had penned in his letter. 'If you travel abroad, you should also inform the whip where you can be reached while abroad.' To sum up, Siti Kasim described Wong's letter as 'a vivid example of good governance'. He demanded that PAP MPs should speak their mind frankly whether for or against government policies but must be backed by adequate facts and reasons. It's a rarity for Malaysian MPs from the government bloc to go against a tabled government policy in line with the toe-the-line spirit or likewise brushed aside views from the position even if they are truly constructive. Also worth mentioning is the notion of accepting gifts whereby MPs must declare all gifts, (other than personal gifts from close friends or relatives) to the Parliament clerk who will have the gifts valued. If they wish to keep the gifts, they must pay the Singaporean government for them at the valuation price. – June 1, 2025
