Lately my friend from Umno told me that there is a foreign conman doing the rounds at government offices. His name is Tim and he claims to be very influential.

He says he was a key public relations figure during the Najib Abdul Razak era. He implies that he knows the hidden secrets of many “corporate mafia” figures.

Of course what he wants is money. He doesn’t care from whom. He is just trying to frighten politicians into paying him for his silence. He has suggested that he paid millions as a political advisor and even demanded access to parliament.

He approaches leaders from Umno, Bersatu and PKR. The narrative changes depends on who he is talking to – but the message is the same: Pay me and I will help bring down your enemies. Don’t pay me and I just might help your enemies bring you down.

He even goes so far as to say that a top politician has roped him in as a key figure to help topple the government.

Luckily no one is falling for his scams. In fact he is lucky no one has reported him to the police or beaten him up. He is playing a foolish and dangerous game.

Reader’s letter by: Prof Dr K. Sardagar
Prof Dr K. Sardagar is an academic and media analyst specialising in information psychology, digital behaviour and the spread of misinformation.