POLAND WILL GET A CHUNK OF UKRAINE?

 

So many things are happening around the world at light speed. And almost ALL of them are connected. The outcome ? Looks like it will lead to a better world.

Firstly, the US and Russia are 'normalising' their diplomatic relations (again) at light speed too. The US and Russia have been meeting directly to strengthen communications between their two governments - diplomatic protocols, regular direct contacts between their presidents etc. And three days ago the following news item almost went unnoticed:

The crewed Soyuz MS-27 spacecraft is safely in orbit headed for the International Space Station following a launch at 1:47 a.m. EDT on April 8 (10:47 a.m. Baikonur time) with NASA astronaut Jonny Kim and Roscosmos cosmonauts Sergey Ryzhikov and Alexey Zubritsky aboard.

A NASA astronaut is onboard the Russian Soyuz spacecraft along with two other Russian cosmonauts on their way to the International Space Station (already docked). This is about as close a cooperation as can possibly happen between two superpowers - a joint space flight.

It was also announced that the US will be pulling out of an airfield in Poland which was the main logistics hub for US weapons going into Ukraine. This means no more US weapons for Ukraine. True enough the present American arms deliveries to Ukraine are from the last batch of weapons approved by the Biden administration. Once those batches are finished there will be no more US weapons.

Then yesterday it was also announced that the US is withdrawing 10,000 troops from eastern Europe (its NATO forces). That is a lot of American soldiers to be leaving eastern Europe - including from Romania and Poland. Romania may become famous - do read on.

As I said yesterday, the US and Russia are going to become Best Friends Forever.

The EU, Britain, France and NATO are going to eat crow. Dmitri Medvedev, the Russian Deputy Head-Of-State (I think former prime minister and president as well at one time) who is also a super-hawk has published a new map of Ukraine. Here it is:

• As you can see Ukraine is shrunk to just a rump. Or stump (the black line). 
• Romania occupies a part of Ukraine (the yellow striped area will be the new Romania). 
• The whole of western Ukraine will be 'given' to Poland (white dotted line). 
  
• All of eastern Ukraine, including the port of Odessa will be taken by Russia. 

There is some thinking behind this. There are sizeable Romanian speaking populations inside that yellow striped part of Ukraine. Likewise 'western Ukraine' - around Lviv is full of Polish speaking people. Why would the Russians give away the Polish speaking parts of Ukraine to Poland and likewise to Romania? 

Romania is already a member of NATO but Russia is not worried about Romania. But the Poles are a different bag of sausages.  The Poles have a very old hatred of Russia - just like Ukraine. And Poland is also a member of NATO. The Russians do not want a direct border with Poland. So Romania will be a buffer between them. Plus the Russians can extract a peace treaty with both Poland and Romania - including demilitarisation of these "new" areas which they will get for free. Land for peace.

• Of course the EU is laughing at this map - for quite the wrong reasons. 
• But maybe there is less laughter in Poland and Romania. 
• Anyway lets see who has the last laugh.

In the Middle East something else has happened. Turkey and Israel have begun some direct talks. This is after Donald Trump told Netanyahu at the White House that he (Trump) and Erdogan are BFFs too.  

So Turkey is talking to Israel. Turkey can have serious problems in Syria because their former ISIS poodle Ahmed al Sharaa aka al Jolani who is the 'leader' of Syria is not fully in charge in Syria. His outfit the Hayat Tahrir al Sham (HTS) only controls Damascus and some coastal parts (Latakia). This map (from the BBC) shows the very small area controlled by the HTS. The largest part of Syria is actually controlled by the Kurds who are the enemies of Turkey but extremely very friendly with Israel.

So Israel can allow Erdogan to play the Ottoman Caliph in a small part of Syria by keeping the Kurds from attacking Turkish troops 24/7. In return Erdogan keeps the HTS inside that narrow corridor, helps to police the Shia Hezbollah outside the Golan Heights area and also keep the Ayatollahs out of Syria. Syria will be broken up forever - like Ukraine.

Erdogan will also not give any more moral or other support to Hamas. The Israelis are now chasing down the remnants of the Hamas in Gaza.  It looks like Turkey has abandoned the Hamas.

Erdogan will not last forever and after him Turkey might return to some sanity.  By that time who knows who will be in charge in Syria. Always keep in mind - this is the Middle East. Satan lives here.

Russia will be happy because they can keep their military bases in Latakia, Tartus etc.

Saudi Arabia will be happy because the Ayatollahs will be kept in check. The ayatollahs are going to get properly whacked - if not militarily they will be overthrown by the Iranian people. That problem will be solved.

The Houthis are being bombed back to the Stone Age on a daily basis. Iran has withdrawn its IRGC advisers from Yemen. The Houthis are now on their own.

Saudi Arabia will occupy pole position among the Arab countries and they will lead the Abrahamic Accords (and establish full diplomatic, military and trade relations with Israel). Israel will take over the security cover for Saudi Arabia as well as for Jordan and Egypt.

By the way all the "genuine news reports" about Egypt rearming and sending hundreds of tanks towards the Sinai border with Israel appear to be fake news coming out of Qatar.  The generals are buying weapons to earn commissions.

As the stomach churns folks. 

Reclassify Amri, Pastor Koh Cases As Murder. A *Note from Susanna Koh - please pray.*

 

 

I received this yesterday. It is a plea by Susanna Koh, the wife of Pastor Koh.

*Note from Susanna Koh - please pray.*

Dear friends,
It is with mixed feelings that I write this update.
Our family sat through two full days of questioning of the prime suspect, A-----din J-did in the abduction of Pastor Raymond Koh.  We felt angry, sad,  disgusted, disappointed etc as we listened to him trying to justify himself.  The news reports did not do justice to the excellent job done by our lawyer, Datuk Jerald Gomez.  Only one person, Rama Ramananthan did a good job writing about what transpired in court.  I appeal to all of you to viral this article and write your comments regarding what has been brought up.
Do not be afraid to speak out for truth and justice.
Thank you for standing together with the Koh Family.

This is the latest article by Rama in his blog https://write2rest.blogspot.com/2025/04/awaludin-jadid-of-special-branch-sworn.html

OSTB -  Here are some extracts from Rama's blog article:

• implicated in the cases of Amri Che Mat and Raymond Koh. 
• one of the parties being sued by the two families
• Amri, abducted in November 2016.
• Koh, abducted in February 2017.
• April 2019, Suhakam concluded victims of “enforced disappearance"
• Suhakam concluded that the Special Branch of PDRM was responsible
• Feb 2020  Special Task Force (STF) submitted report to Home Minister.
• The government sealed the report.
• PDRM should have treated A----din as a Person of Interest in both cases.
• his visit to Mufti in Oct 2016, PowerPoint presentations and discussion of threats!
• Az-m Az---ri, videographer in Special Branch, present at the meeting with the Mufti
• Sergeant S----aini of Special Branch is whistleblower who linked A----din to the abductions of both Amri and Koh, and revealed the whereabouts and thus owner, of a gold Toyota Vios which had been used for monitoring Amri’s house and was involved in Koh’s abduction.
• S----aini told her Az-m was in the Toyota Vios, with the car's owner, monitoring Amri’s house in Kangar; 
• CCTV recordings show a videographer was present during Koh's abduction. 
• S--ful B--ari, the disappeared owner of the gold Toyota Vios
• investigate the 10 persons identified by the STF as persons of interest? 
• It seems they were all present at the meeting with the Mufti!

MY COMMENTS: 

As long as the bodies (habeas corpus), alive or dead, of Amri Che Mat, Pastor Koh, Hilmy, Ruth Sitepu and anyone else who was abducted and disappeared have not been found then this case will remain current.  

Amri, abducted in November 2016.
Koh, abducted in February 2017

• Nine years have passed (since Amri).
• That is more than enough time to reclassify these cases.
• These are not just missing persons or even abduction cases anymore.  
• After NINE years the law has to recognise that they are no more alive.   
• Suhakam has stated that these were abductions and forced disappearance. 
• Meaning it was foul play. 
• These cases must be reclassified as murder.
  

Which will make the abduction and forced disappearance of Amri, Pastor Koh, Hilmy, Ruth and any others a case of mass murder. For the first time in our history, FOUR PEOPLE or more have been abducted, forcefully disappeared and after so many years it is most unlikely that they are no more alive. (My sincere apologies to the families for saying this but we must address this according to the law). And the Suhakam Inquiry has squarely blamed the Special Branch for these abductions and disappearances.

• The prime minister at the relevant time was ?? 
• The Minister of Home Affairs then was ?? 
• The IGP at the relevant time was ??

RULE NUMBER ONE IS the Police will never undertake any such criminal or murderous operations without receiving orders from above them. Policemen only act upon orders. 

The question is WHO GAVE THE ORDERS TO ABDUCT THESE PEOPLE?

To all those people who were involved in this crime take note.

• Amri, Hilmy, Ruth were abducted in November 2016. 
• Pastor Koh was abducted in February 2017.
• May 9,  2018 BN got kicked out.
• Four days later May 13, 2018 Sergeant S---zaini became whistleblower
  
• April 3rd 2019 Suhakam Inquiry concluded
  
• June 2019 Tun Mahathir appointed STF (Special Task Force).
• Feb 2020 Pastor Koh family file lawsuit
• 2024 gomen released STF report to the families.
  
• 2025 abduction case making headlines again.

So you see this case is not going to go away.  

Now it is becoming more complicated.

For example we know now that the Special Task Force has identified TEN PEOPLE as PERSONS OF INTEREST in this case.  

Four days after the BN was kicked out on May 9, 2018, that one Special Branch fellow panicked and became a whistleblower :

Sergeant S----aini of Special Branch is whistleblower who linked A----din to the abductions of both Amri and Koh, and revealed the whereabouts and thus owner, of a gold Toyota Vios

In 2018 this was still a 'missing persons' case. It was not yet an abduction case. Not yet an 'enforced disappearance' case.  If more of you had come forward at that time and confessed your roles, who knows you would have possibly been treated differently.

But now, NINE YEARS later in 2025, it looks like these cases will have to be reclassified (someday soon) as murder. NINE YEARS is too long, especially in these cases where there has been obvious foul play (according to Suhakam).

And believe me this case will become more politicised.

• Today in Malaysia, the ahli politik dont know their future. 
• They dont know if they will be in power tomorrow or not. 
• Tomorrow they can get kicked out. 
• So the ahli politik will do anything to make their voters happy.

If there is increasing pressure from the voters to solve these cases, let me guarantee you that the politicians will sacrifice you like kambing korban.  

During the bad old days of the BN, you were protected.
But now there is no more protection. 
Or much less protection.

• So to all those of you who were involved in this case, its too late. 
• Someday there is going to be a knock  on your door. 
• Tengah malam nanti orang akan datang ketuk pintu. 
• Then you will have to answer.
  

• There is no statutory limitation on crime. 
• There is certainly no statutory limitation on murder.

p.s.  Where are their bodies? Please answer these questions:

• Where are they? 
• What happened to them? 
• If they are dead where are their bodies? 
• If they are dead how were they killed? 
• If they are dead where were they killed? 
• If they are dead, who exactly killed them? 
• If they are dead, who exactly gave the order for them to be killed?

Habeas corpus - a writ requiring a person under arrest to be brought before a judge or into court, especially to secure the person's release unless lawful grounds are shown for their detention.

• Where are their bodies?   
• Sooner or later, somebody will have to answer. 
• Hello politicians, please wake up.
  

NEW WORLD ORDER - AMERICA RUSSIA AND RUSSIA CHINA

 

Well the "financial markets" seem to be stabilising. The Dow Jones is recovering while London's 'Footsie' (FTSE) has actually made a gain. Here are last nite's Dow and the FTSE.

 

 

Perhaps more relevant than the tariff issue the situation in Ukraine is moving towards a consolidation of its own with very far reaching implications. And it is now moving very fast.

I mentioned earlier that for the first time in the history of NATO the US will NOT BE ATTENDING a major NATO meeting on 11 April to be held in Germany.  America is saying 'We are out'.

A couple of days back something else happened. The US has "redeployed" its military personnel from a key military base in Poland.

US relocates its military from key logistics hub in Poland through which Ukraine receives aid.   Ivanna Kostina, STANISLAV POHORILOV — Tuesday, 8 April 2025

The US Army Europe and Africa has announced the redeployment of US military personnel and equipment from Jasionka Airport in Poland, which is a key hub for assistance to Ukraine.  Source: a statement by the US Army Europe and Africa, as reported by European Pravda

This means there will be no more American arms coming through that logistics hub in Poland. And US troops are being pulled out. Poland has been at the forefront of shaking their fist at Russia. This move by the US to pull out US soldiers is basically telling the Poles, 'if you want to pick a fight with Russia, you are on your own'. This is exactly what Donald Trump told Keir Starmer to his face at the White House and in front of the Media 'can you fight Russia on your own'?

Moves are also afoot for the US to unilaterally remove certain economic sanctions against Russia, particularly the correspondent banking activities (to facilitate payment for Russian exports and imports) and Russia's access to the SWIFT money transfer system. Opening up the SWIFT is obviously being blocked by the Europeans (read as the British) but the US can still lift sanctions on Russia. They are talking about 'agricultural exports', agricultural produce bla bla but that is just camouflage. Eventually all Russian exports and imports will be opened up.

There is talk about Russian 'reciprocity'. Russia will remove 'obstacles' in the Black Sea which will allow Ukrainian exports to resume as well. Todate Russia has kept to their word. Mr Putin accepted Donald Trump's call for a partial ceasefire which was for both Russia and Ukraine NOT to attack their energy infrastructures.  The British sabotaged that ceasefire by attacking Russian gas pipelines the very next day. However there has been no more news of Russia attacking energy infra inside Ukraine. Mr Putin is keeping to his end of the ceasefire even if Britain and Ukraine have not. 

Certainly this does not go unnoticed by the Americans. But on the ground Russian forces are advancing along the entire 1,200 km frontlines. Over the past week so many of their 'unpronounce-able' viilages and towns have fallen to the Russians.   Selidove, Avdiivka, Krasnohorivka, Kurakhove etc are old news already. Next up are big towns like Sumy, Kupiansk etc.

At that 'ill-fated' White House brawl between Zelenskiyy and Donald Trump, Mr Trump told Zelenskiyy point blank that 'you dont hold any cards'. And that 'the war is moving against you'. And now American troops are being pulled out of Poland. The US is just one step away from declaring publicly that the Ukraine war has been lost. Russia has won. 

The Trump Administration certainly does not look at Russia as an enemy or even as a rival. It is most likely that America and Russia will become friends and allies. While America looks at China as a serious threat and rival, Russia and China are Best Friends Forever. Hence there should be a moderating influence among the Three Best Friends.

Imagine if the US, Russia and China are on the same side. The world will settle down. Trade will take off. And time could be better spent swatting those damned flies in the Middle East.
 

AMERICAN TARIFFS : WHAT IF VIETNAM, INDONESIA, CAMBODIA, SINGAPORE 'CRACK' UNDER PRESSURE? KIAMAT MAKIN DEKAT.

 

The Singapore PM (short video below, do listen) has addressed the Singapore Parliament over the new US Tariffs. Basically he is saying they cannot do much against the US. He does say that Singapore will now look to do more business with its "partners" in ASEAN. When your far away neighbours fail you, you have no choice but to go back to your nearer neighbours.

I did listen to our own clowns talking. They really do not seem to understand what they are talking about at all.

Here is my advise : pay attention to what Vietnam, Cambodia and Indonesia are doing. Plus Singapore. With almost US$500 Billion GDP Vietnam is ranked 3rd or 4th largest economy in ASEAN (after Indonesia, Thailand, Philippines?)

Vietnam's exports make up 90% of its GDP. Their exports to the US in 2024 were over US$136 billion. They have a huge trade surplus with the US (over US$120 billion). And Vietnam imposes tariffs of about 46% on American imports. So the new tariffs against Vietnam are going to hit them quite hard - maybe cost them between 1% - 2% of their GDP. So Vietnam is panicking.

Vietnam was perhaps the first ASEAN country to call the Trump people and said they are ready to talk over the tariffs. Vietnam is ready to do a deal with the US over the tariffs.

Which I think will happen. If Vietnam cuts a deal with the US, Cambodia and Indonesia will follow suit. Otherwise new FDI investments will bypass Cambodia, Indonesia and go more into Vietnam. Indonesia and Cambodia will lose out.

The same thing with Malaysia. If Vietnam cuts a tariff deal with the US then will Tesla come to Malaysia or Tesla will go and invest in Vietnam? Bebudak kampong boleh faham ke? Of course all the FDI will now flow to Vietnam. Or to Indonesia or Singapore and whichever ASEAN country cuts a tariff deal with the US. All FDI, tak kira from Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan or Loozebekistan. 

So keep an eye on Vietnam. Its every country taking care of their own interests.

Here is the soalan cepu mas : do you take care of the country's interests first, the peoples' interests first or do you take care of the cronies, the monopolies, the oligopolies and the GLCs interests first?  

Kiamat makin dekat.

Malaysia's Import Duties Only 5.6% !!! How many of you believe this statement?

 

The stock markets and commodity markets seem to be panicking in different directions. The Dow Jones has lost over 3,000 points. They did not react so badly in the beginning but yesterday (Monday) was panic buttons. The London market went down but has recovered some. 

The very good news is that oil has gone below US$60 a barrel. 
Food commodity prices are crashing and interest rates are coming down. 
How can that be bad news?
This is the best news we have heard maybe in the last 10 years.

• The really bad news is petrol prices are not coming down in Malaysia. 
• Mr Bank Negara governor is not cutting the interest rates. 
• Food prices in Malaysia are not coming down. 
• Beras Putih Tempatan is still not available in quantities in the country. 
  

Ok now we move into the Twilight Zone.

Where did US get 24pc tariff from? Tengku Zafrul says actual import duties average only 5.6pc | Malay Mail

That is a very good question. Please ask the Americans to show how they got that 47%. By the same token can Zafrul show the details of how he got that 5.6% "import duties"? And please show the full picture because "import duties" may not include excise duties, levies, surcharges, other taxes, the infamous APs plus other 'non-financial' tariffs like quotas etc. All these add to the costs of imports.

Here is something I received from someone, thank you. It is an approximate calculation of the "tariffs" on imported American motorcycles. 

Tax calculation for imported motorcycles in Malaysia 

Key Taxes:

• Import Duty: rate varies depending on the engine capacity.
• above 500cc, import duty is 30% for Most Favored Nation (MFN) countries
• 5% for ASEAN CEPT countries.
• Excise Duty - 30% for all engine capacities.
• Sales Tax:  10% sales tax for imported motorcycles with above 250cc.

Applying the Taxes to a 1300cc American motorcycle
* Import Duty: 30% (assuming MFN status)
* Excise Duty: 30%
* Sales Tax: 10%
Calculating the Total Tax:
* Let's assume the motorcycle's cost is USD 20,000 (RM90,000.00)
* Calculation.
* Import duty: US$20,000 * 30% = US$6,000
* The value after import duty is added is $20,000 + $6,000 = US$26,000.
* Excise duty: $26,000 * 30% = US$7,800
* The value after excise duty is added is $26,000 + $7,800 = US$33,800.
* Sales tax: $33,800 * 10% = US$3,380.
* Total taxes = $6,000 + $7,800 + $3,380 = US$17,180.
* Total cost in Malaysia $33,800 + $3,380 = US$37,180 (RM167,000.00)

Approximate total tax on a USD 20,000 (RM90,000), 1300cc motorbike imported into Malaysia would be US$17,180. Therefore the total cost of the motorcycle in Malaysia would be approximately US$37,180 (RM167,000.00).

• Ok folks this is an approximate calculation. I believe a couple of things are not included - the profit margins for the importers (usually those quota mafia or GLC mafia) and the profit margins for the dealers. 
• Also if there are APs involved, especially "third party" APs, then there will be even more costs. 
• The ultimate selling price of the American motorcycle to the Malaysian consumer will be much more than RM166,000.

So an imported American motorbike (1,300 cc) that costs US$20000 (RM90,000) CIF imported into Malaysia ends up being sold to the Malaysian consumer for more than US$37,180 (RM166,000).

• From RM90,000 to RM166,000 is an 86% jump (based on taxes and duties alone)
• That is more than 47%.
• That is definitely not 5.6%. 
• So can Zafrul please explain how he got his 5.6%?

Here is another, even more simpler comparison. This is the Ford Mustang car.

• In Rancho, California this car starts at US$31,920 or RM143,000. 
• At that price I would like to buy two of these beauties.

Does anyone want to guess what was the selling price of this car in Malaysia (I read somewhere they are not bringing in anymore of these cars from the US). 

In Malaysia the price of the Ford Mustang was : RM461,000 to RM600,000 !!!

 

That is over 300% more than the selling price in the US.

• Hello Zafrul, please do not klentong.
• 300% is more than 47%.
• That is definitely not 5.6%. 

Here is more news:

•     Malaysia to lead Asean response to US tariffs.
•     will submit comprehensive impact assessment
•     to prepare joint regional response

Malaysia will lead ASEAN's response? Really?
Dulu Obama kata TPPA hang kata TPPA.
Lepas tu Trump kata no TPPA hang kata no TPPA.
Dulu Biden kata global warming hang kata global warming.
Lepas tu Trump kata global cooling, hang kata global cooling.
Sekarang Trump kata tariff, hang nak kata apa pula?

And the latest news is :  Top Trump administration officials said Sunday that more than 50 countries have reached out to the White House, ready to negotiate the terms of tariffs expected to hit their respective countries. Vietnam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Italy, Lesotho and South Africa have expressed a willingness to work with the Trump administration.

Err..excuse me but arent  Vietnam, Cambodia, Indonesia  ASEAN countries already? And Singapore says they will not retaliate. So if Vietnam, Cambodia and Indonesia are already talking to the US about the tariffs and Singapore "will not retaliate" then exactly what  "joint regional response" are you talking about?  Please do not klentong. 

One person said,   "First time I see his response. What stupid heck does the imbecile mean by 'reciprocal'? Doesn’t the moron mean 'unilateral' "?

• So what exactly are they going to tell the Americans? 
• Our tariffs on your motorbikes are NOT 47% !! 
• They are 86% or more.   
• Our tariffs on your Ford Mustang cars are NOT 47% !! 
• They are 300% or more.

Is this what they are going to tell the Americans?

I listened to the Singapore PM's statement on the US tariffs. He says Singapore must be mentally prepared. Mentally prepared for what? Its a tariff. You have to deal with it. Then he said Singapore will not retaliate. What is there for Singapore to retaliate? The US tariffs on Singapore are only 10%. Thats like covering admin costs. Its not much of a tariff at all.

But let me tell you what will happen. Because this has happened before. In the 1990s the US had this thing called the GSP (Generalised System of Preferences). Certain countries were given GSP status. It meant that they did not have to pay any tariffs to export to the US market. But it was restricted to certain industries etc. Vietnam and Cambodia were once beneficiaries of the American GSP. Cambodian textile exports to the USA 'enjoyed' zero tariffs. So what happened was that many textile manufacturers (especially from Malaysia) set up their factories in Cambodia and Vietnam. This included some of my corporate clients at Maybank where I was working at that time. They wanted to take advantage of Cambodia and Vietnam's tariff free GSP status.

I think history will repeat itself. I think this is what is going to happen in Singapore soon. Malaysian exporters will send their products to Singapore and then repackage, rebrand, re-entrepot their goods out again from Singapore to the USA as 'Made in Singapore, country of origin Singapore' etc. Then they will only incur 10% tariffs. So Malaysia will not lose much - perhaps port services, shipping services, processing services plus 'commissions' payable to Singapore handlers. But Singapore will become richer. 

Recall that years ago there was some controversy that Singapore was exporting much more tin (to the world markets) than they were buying from Malaysia (their 'largest' supplier). Then it was found out that more tin from Malaysia was being smuggled into Singapore than the official figures suggested. The Singaporeans are always 'mentally prepared'.

Lets add some background. Donald Trump's tariff plan is the brainchild of two main people.  Howard Lutnick is the present US Secretary of Commerce. Lutnick is a billionaire businessman who made his billion in investment and fund management. 

The other person is US Secretary of the Treasury Scott Bessent (also a billionaire) who was an investor and hedge fund manager. (He made his money working for George Soros). Scott Bessent studied at Yale University and also taught "economic history of the United States" for five years at Yale. He represents the theoretical reasoning behind the tariffs idea. This is the guy behind the details of the tariff policy.

 

Are tariffs good or bad? India claims to be the fourth or third largest economy in the world. Is that because they impose very high tariffs and barriers on almost all imports? China too has significant tariff barriers against imports. Yet China is the world's largest economy (they say by PPP but I think even in nominal terms - as usual many things about China are understated). So it looks like high tariffs have been good for China and India. What about the United States? If high tariffs are good for China and India (and Malaysia) will high tariffs not be good for the US? 

Mr Trump is quite focussed. He points out that the US has a US$1.0 Trillion trade deficit with China alone. That is US$1.0 TRILLION! Plus the US has trade deficits in excess of US$1.0 billion with many other countries. One guy says the US has not had a trade surplus since 1975 - FIFTY YEARS AGO. 

The US has a huge trade deficit, they have the highest national debt in the world ie US$36.0 TRILLION. What does this mean? It means the US has been funding the rest-of-the-world's prosperity but to their own detriment. Donald Trump says this cannot go on. The US is technically bankrupt.

We cannot have China, US or even Thailand's economy tanking. That would be disastrous for the entire world. Even the floods in Thailand (some years ago) totally disrupted global supply chains in the world automotive industry. Because Thailand is such a huge player in the manufacture of cars, SUVs, engines, parts etc. The world cannot have China or the US economies run into serious trouble. We will all suffer.

More than tariffs, what the Americans want is fair trade. If you tax my products fine. Then I will also tax your products. 'Tit for tat butter for fat. You kill my dog, I kill your cat'.

What is so difficult to understand. And many countries are beginning to understand.

 

About 50 countries have already contacted US officials to discuss the tariffs issue (including ASEAN countries Indonesia, Vietnam, Cambodia and I am quite certain Singapore). They want to reach a settlement with the US.

The settlement will be very simple. Lower your tariffs - both financial and non-financial tariffs.  Other than actual tax percentages other non-financial 'trade barriers' like licenses, quotas, too strict "quality controls" will all be factored in. 

Donald Trump says that in Europe they drop a bowling ball from 20 feet up on American cars and see if there is a dent. Of course there will be a dent. Then the American cars are rejected as 'unsafe'. These are unfair trade practises. All this has to stop.

How will this affect Malaysia? I think it will affect us plenty. Here is Yamin Vong in The Star:

• uncomfortable truth that Malaysia’s small-scale local assembly is sustained only by burdening car buyers with high prices
• US tariff policy affect Malaysia’s automotive market
• US singling out AP system, as a discriminatory non-tariff barrier.
• Malaysia must review its national automotive policy 
• reality that Malaysia’s auto industry cannot go beyond local assembly
• low volume of Malaysian auto industry 
• don’t see any improvement in Malaysia’s automotive industry
• Thailand, Indonesia eclipsed Malaysia as automotive powerhouses
• Chinese EV-makers reshaping global automotive supply chains
• M'sia's small-scale local assembly sustained by burdening people with high prices 
• Malaysia’s automotive sector long relied on tariffs, excise taxes
• Malaysia’s market remains small and fragmented
• Malaysia’s protectionist policies out of step.
• Our policy framework remains timid 
• Malaysia new excise duty 10% - 30% on locally-assembled cars in 2026

My Comments : I have only thing to say about our automotive policy - it is totally brainless. May I suggest that the gomen go and regulate (licenses and APs, excise and taxes and duties) the keropok lekor market? You may have better luck there.

For decades now the poor Malaysian consumer has been paying among the highest prices in the world for tin can cars.  

If you want to buy a foreign car go ahead. But you must be prepared to pay RM460,000 for a Mustang that only costs the American consumer RM143,000. And it cascades down from there. Every car in Malaysia suffers a much higher price because of the tariffs and duties, excise and taxes and bla bla.

Maybe Donald Trump's reciprocal tariffs will crack open this wicked and unjust system that they have burdened us with.

There are also other blood sucking sectors like banking - which are equally "controlled". All this must be broken up. 

PANIC IN EUROPE OVER UKRAINE, EU AND NATO

Things are coming to some sort of grand finale in Europe. Poland made an announcement (which I believe I predicted / posted a couple of years ago). 

Poland wants a port in Odessa and 500 thousand hectares of Ukrainian land — Polsat News -  April 4th, 2025

Poland says they would like to have the Odessa port in Ukraine. Or have access to a port in Odessa where Poland can export grains through the Black Sea. They have suggested leasing part of Odessa for 50 years. Plus they want about 500,000 hectares of Ukrainian land as well. (Thats over a million acres).

You can see in the map that Poland opens to the Baltic Sea, then the North Sea and the northern Atlantic. A Black Sea port will put them much closer to China and Asia.

But there is a serious problem - firstly there is no way Ukraine will agree to this. But there is a war going on and Ukraine is getting their @$$ kicked by the Russians. So they have just kept quiet. The other problem is the distance from the Polish border to Odessa is just over 1,000 km. This suggestion does not sound real at all - even as a leasing option.

Unless Russia and Poland agree to carve up Ukraine between themselves? Impossible? It will destroy any type of European union forever. 

Or it could be a not so subtle message from Poland to Ukraine that Polish support in the Ukraine war comes at a price. The British have already secured mining and mineral rights in Ukraine with their 100 Year Agreement. Donald Trump also wants access to rare metals deposits in Ukraine. Everybody wants a piece of Ukraine.

The Russians are steadily advancing all along the 1,200 km frontlines. The latest news says that the Russians are preparing 150,000 extra troops (equal to about 15 divisions) for an offensive that should be beginning about now. Winter is turning to spring with its terrible mud. Once the weather warms up, the mud will be more manageable. There is talk of a massive Spring and Summer offensive by the Russians. Mr Putin says that this offensive will determine the outcome of the war.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has said that any major offensive by Russia will mean that Russia does not want a ceasefire. I think this is double talk.

I believe that the US and Russia are in cahoots over this planned offensive. Here is my reasoning (which is why people read this blog anyway). Mr Trump has spoken directly on the phone at least twice (that we know of) to Mr Putin. Mr Trump announced a temporary ceasefire against attacking energy infrastructure on both sides (power generation, coal, gas pipelines etc). Mr Putin accepted the terms and Russia stopped attacking Ukrainian energy infrastructure. But the British disagreed and sabotaged the ceasefire immediately. They kept attacking gas pipelines inside Russia. Despite this breach, Russia is still observing Donald Trump's ceasefire - there is no news of Russia attacking Ukraine energy infra (or I may have missed it).

The planned Spring Offensive could be a play by Russia to force an end to the war - if the Russians take territory (and they will) then Ukraine may be forced to agree to a ceasefire. And the US will exert pressure on Ukraine to agree to the ceasefire - again by not giving Ukraine any more support.  

This is happening already. As an example NATO has called for a big meeting (on April 11th) of NATO members at Ramstein in Germany.  For the first time in the history of NATO, the US will NOT be attending this meeting. This is not only a major slap in the face of NATO but it is actually the end of NATO.

'US Representatives will not attend Ramstein meeting for first time – Defense News
Oleg Pavliuk, Tetyana Oliynyk — Wednesday, 2 April 2025'

NATO and the EU are panicking. So although Donald Trump was laughing when he asked Keir Starmer at the White House whether "the British could take on Russia by yourselves"  he was not joking at all. 

The April 11 NATO meeting is not relevant anymore. NATO is not relevant anymore. That Spring Offensive is fully relevant. 

The EU members are demanding a ceasefire whereby Russia will withdraw from the Crimea and the four Russian speaking oblasts which they have already occupied for three years now. They also want Russia to pay war reparations and Mr Putin to be tried as a war criminal. In other words an unconditional surrender by Russia. The EU is talking as though Ukraine has defeated Russia. 

That is not going to happen.  What is going to happen is that the Russians may take a straight line from Odessa to Kharkiv (see map above). Then call for a ceasefire.

Will the British concede defeat? Not likely. The British want to keep the war going.

What will happen ultimately? The rift between the US and the British will have to crack wide open. Italy, Hungary, Serbia and a few other NATO countries already do not agree with the EU.  The British are no more in the EU (BREXIT) yet they have so much influence.

 

Imam Abu Hanifa Was A Heretic?

 

Here is an interesting video. (Non Muslims can skip this or you may find this interesting). I have read before  that there were always differences of opinion between the early imams and scholars. There was name calling and labelling people deviants. Here is a screen grab:

 

This video below looks in some detail at Imam Abu Hanifa - who was the earliest of the FOUR main Sunni Imams (Hanifa, Malik, Shafie, Hanbali). Abu Hanifa was a Persian who is said to have been born in 699 AD in Kufa in Iraq. He died in 767 AD in Baghdad. 

Today out of about 1.8 - 1.9 billion Muslims in the world the Hanafis (followers of Imam Abu Hanifa) make up the largest sect with between 600 million - 800 million followers (depending on different reports).