WIRE

PLANES, PRESIDENTS AND A PRIME MINISTER

#27 | Story by CORDOBA ALI | SEPTEMBER 23, 2015 9:30 AM ET:- 

This week, the world has heard a lot about aircraft.

There are spyplanes and war planes in Syria; and two leaders who are stepping off their presidential flights to face diverse destinies.

Yemen's president Abdu Rabu Mansour Hadi returned to the southern city of Aden after six months in exile, exiting the plane amid Saudi Arabia's continued bombing of Houtis rebel strongholds in Sanaa.

Hadi was ousted and fled to Saudi Arabia where he sought military help to deal with the rebels capturing of the capital city. Since then, the Saudi's has been instrumental in blocking the Houtis advance.

The Houtis are backed by Iran, and are of Shia school of thoughts, while Hadi and the Saudi's are of the Sunni branch.

In the meanest of times, Chinese President Xi Jinping arrived on his first US visit in Seattle, accosted by his starry wife first lady, Peng Liyuan, both waving as they exited their official aircraft.

If Hadi's return to Yemen marks the end of the Houtis six months long absolute domination and might lead to a divided Yemen, the Chinese President's visit could altogether change the IT landscape in China and bring fortunes to American tech companies.

A lifting of bans against Google, Twitter, and other blocked social media platforms may see unusual business benefits for the Americans, and that is if they do not press China too much on the South China Sea conflict or internet security.

On the other hand, Russia beefed up its air presence in Syria where it landed at least 28 of its famous war crafts in the President Bashar Al Assad's controlled area.

This is Russia's response to the Western free-wheeler bombing of Syria's territory without asking for the permission of the Syrian government and it could spell the division of Syria into two, or more entities.

Remember, one of the areas of Syria is now under control of the infamous ISIS.

At the same time, there is also a prime minister who might not catch a flight, amid scandals and piling international investigations.

Prime Minister Najib Razak, Malaysia's embattled leader, is surely pondering on his trip to New York where he might be able to dissipate the doubts about his sincerity and brush away corruption claims.

Alas, there is a slew of investigations against him, launched by the FBI and the Swiss, Hong Kong and potentially (soon?) British police.

It is all about the sticky 1MDB issue, that is not going away despite the fiery press statements by the 'team' at the tainted Malaysian sovereign fund.

The 70th Regular Session of the UN General Assembly (UNGA 70) is scheduled to open at UN Headquarters on Tuesday, 15 September 2015.

It is the moment, and the place, where world leaders assemble and are given a chance to deliver a speech at the august UN platform.

It would be devastating if Najib misses the moment, given the fact that the United States' Barack Obama is counting on him to deliver with the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) agreement.

But can Najib take the chance, fly to New York and get the FBI on his heels over the claims filed by allegedly pro-Tun Mahathir Mohammad's anti-1MDB crack team?

Former Umno leader Khairuddin Abu Hassan and his lawyer Mathias Chang - a known Mahathir winger - were barred from leaving the country after a spell of successful investigation stirring in Switzerland, Hong Kong and possibly the UK.

They were banned from leaving the country, while they were heading for the US to meet with the FBI over potential investigations into Najib Razor's accounts, family's fortunes and indeed the infamously known 1MDB.

Now, if Najib flies to New York and delivers a speech at the UN while he is being accused of stealing RM2.6 billion by his detractors, and he is left unperturbed by the FBI, that would be a global victory for the Umno leader.

It would also spell doom for the Mahathir and the opposition camp in Malaysia. Which will it be?

Will Najib fly defiantly to New York? ■