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| Posted: 25 Nov 2011 02:32 PM PST The Wanita Umno ladies have committed to stand by Datuk Seri Shahrizat Abdul Jalil, who has been badly hit by the cows and condos issue. But will the men be as kind to her at the Umno general assembly next week? No one may ask Shahrizat to step down as Wanita Umno chief or from her Cabinet post. But as many have pointed out, she is no longer viewed as a winning candidate in the general election and that is something which she has to think about in the months ahead. Joceline Tan, The Star THE last few weeks have been awful for Wanita Umno chief Datuk Seri Shahrizat Abdul Jalil. The cows and condos controversy has really rocked her and her family. She returned from performing the umrah on Thursday night a little calmer, but the pressure is building up again as she prepares to face the Umno general assembly next week. Were it not for this issue, Shahrizat would be riding high into the Umno assembly. She has done an excellent job as the Wanita leader and her Ministry of Women, Family and Community development has lived up to its name. The senior ladies in Umno speak glowingly of her. She has brought women's issues back to the centre stage and fought for a bigger role for women in the party, government and the corporate sector. She may look like one of those society ladies who attend lunches and little else but she has been like a tigress on issues affecting women and the family. Shahrizat had to battle Tan Sri Rafidah Aziz for the post but she has since shown that she deserves to be there. She has also worked well with the men in the party. They like the direction in which she has led the wing and also the way she carries herself. Under her, the 1.3 million-strong wing has remained the party's most loyal and steadfast group and is poised to play the role of the backbone of Umno in the general election. "We are with her. She has brought change to Wanita Umno, allowed new faces to come to the forefront," said Cheras Wanita Umno deputy head Zurainah Musa. The Wanita Umno wing is standing by her. But outside of Wanita Umno, the mood is less unanimous. For instance, while Zurainah is committed to supporting Shahrizat, her boss, Cheras Umno chief Datuk Syed Ali Alhabshi is finding it hard to defend the issue. Cheras is an urban constituency and Syed Ali is dealing with a critical and informed Malay base. "People have been calling me to ask about this issue and they don't like it. I don't want to whack her, I like her as a leader, but we want to win the election. I hope everybody understands that," said the outspoken Syed Ali. This Umno assembly is focused on the general election and, as several Umno leaders have pointed out, the scandal has hurt the party and the Barisan Nasional. Shahrizat's husband and National Feedlot Corporation executive chairman Datuk Dr Mohamed Salleh Ismail has gone to great lengths to explain the multi-million ringgit cattle project but public reception has not been good. The fact that the project went to her family makes it hard for party members to defend her, and buying those upmarket condominiums took the cake. Syed Ali spoke for many in Umno when he said that Shahrizat cannot disassociate herself from her family on this project. He is also unhappy that instead of defending herself, she is relying on the other leaders to defend her. "What I am saying is that she has to accept responsibility. If she loves the party, she must make the right decision," Syed Ali said. Even Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, in an interview with The Star, said Shahrizat has to "take the blame". The question on everyone's lips is whether Shahrizat will face the heat at the Umno assembly. The feedback is that she will sail through her Wanita Umno assembly on Wednesday. Her ladies will not criticise or attack her. They may not even touch on the issue at all. But will the men at the main assembly let her off? Many are comparing the controversy to the AP (Approved Permit) issue that almost derailed Rafidah's career in 2005. On the evening of the Wanita Umno assembly, Rafidah had cried and declared her innocence before the Holy Quran. The next day, the women showed their loyalty to her and there was not a single mention of the AP issue during the debate. But on the final day of the main assembly, as Rafidah stood onstage to defend herself, some men in the audience booed and jeered her. It was not a pretty scene. Shahrizat may not get the same horrible treatment because she has a good rapport with the men and has not alienated them the way her predecessor had. Although Shahrizat has not said much publicly, she has personally addressed her Wanita exco members and explained the issue to the wing's division chiefs and information heads. She has appealed to them to go home and explain what they have heard to the Wanita grassroots. Syed Ali will be one of the speakers debating the motion of thanks on the president's speech but he has decided to not bring up the NFC issue. "I am reluctant to further damage the party. I have conveyed my views to the leadership and they know where I stand." No one may ask Shahrizat to step down as Wanita Umno chief or from her Cabinet post. But as many have pointed out, she is no longer viewed as a winning candidate in the general election and that is something which she has to think about in the months ahead. READ ALSO: The helicopter view approach
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| Najib gives M’sians more freedom Posted: 25 Nov 2011 01:43 PM PST The reforms help distract and reduce the rakyat's worries about electoral fraud and the National Feedlot Corporation's alleged misuse of RM250 million of taxpayers' money. In contrast, a pro-government party member believed that the new laws should make it easier for the authorities to stifle political dissenters. "The ISA was a burden. They (the authorities) had to plant Che Guevara T-shirts or Mao propaganda leaflets in bags of people who were potential trouble-makers. Arrests are only possible when national security is threatened." Mariam Mokhtar, Free Malaysia Today With dizzying speed, Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak tabled several new laws to fulfill an earlier pledge to give Malaysians the "best democracy in the world". Meanwhile, political pundits criticise Najib's "rash of reforms" saying that they were an over-reaction to public sentiment in the run-up to GE-13. Their skepticism stems from the action of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, who promised envoys from the UN Security Council, that he was "committed to the reform process." The Syrian uprising has left 3,500 dead, scores injured and thousands detained. Other cynics said, "Najib is not capable of a rash reform. The only rash he knows is when he was hospitalised with (chicken) pox last year." Perhaps "better late than never" could be another Barisan Nasional slogan. BN has taken four decades to repeal the Internal Security Act (ISA) 1960 and should be praised for being receptive to the mood of the nation. Nevertheless, reforms help distract and reduce the rakyat's worries about electoral fraud and the National Feedlot Corporation's alleged misuse of RM250 million of taxpayers' money. At the weekend, BN confirmed that they were wooing young voters. Foreign PR consultants, which cost the Malaysian taxpayer millions, are finally proving they are value for money. They gave BN leaders some useful advice. They confirmed our long-held belief that our youth is well versed in the use of digital media. As a result, Najib and his home minister have their own version of the mobile phone and music shop sales pitch: "Trade in your old law for two new ones". Home Minister Hishammuddin Hussein, earlier announced two new laws to replace the ISA. The students were promised an amendment to the Universities and University Colleges Act 1974 (UUCA) so that they could join political parties at 21. The PM said he valued "the maturity and wisdom of undergraduates". Like any other wise parent, Najib exercises caution by ensuring that our youth is not troubled by too many liberties. He barred them from bringing partisan politics onto campuses. He cherishes the old-fashioned view that students cannot make sound judgements without consulting their parents, the university's governing body or the authorities. Maybe he is worried that studies would be disrupted. He probably read about UK students wreaking havoc in the centre of London, whilst increasing public awareness about cuts in education. It is probable he didn't want copy-cat acts similar to the Tunisian street vendor, an allegedly unemployed student, who immolated himself, when he was harassed by the police. As expected, the home minister reiterated that the two new laws to replace the ISA would still include detention without trial. Najib's giant step But many political observers were surprised when Hishammuddin stressed that the process of replacing the ISA had begun two years ago. Someone who had been arrested during the ISA protest at Amcorp Mall in August 2010 said, "I suppose we were so busy protesting, that we failed to notice that the government had started dismantling the ISA." A "Gerakan Mansuhkan ISA" protester based in England, known to religiously attend every Saturday afternoon protest outside the Malaysian Tourist Office in Trafalgar Square said: "Perhaps it's for the best. Protesting in summer is like a day out. What could be better than downing ale whilst watching pretty girls walk past? But winter is depressing. When it's wet and cold, I can easily imagine what it feels like to be in a damp cell in Kamunting." Hishammuddin's justification for Malaysia's detention without trial is centred on the United States Patriot Act and the Anti-Terrorism Acts in the United Kingdom and Australia. BN supporters are afraid that in trying to be like the UK and US, Malaysia might also have to curb its human rights abuses. They disagree with the western emphasis on human rights: "See what happens when you are soft on people. They riot. Then they rob you. We should be thankful that BN does not riot." In contrast, a pro-government party member believed that the new laws should make it easier for the authorities to stifle political dissenters. "The ISA was a burden. They (the authorities) had to plant Che Guevara T-shirts or Mao propaganda leaflets in bags of people who were potential trouble-makers. Arrests are only possible when national security is threatened." Last week, Najib announced the Peaceful Assembly Bill 2011, which he termed a "revolutionary" law and a "giant step" towards improving individual freedom. He denied claims that the Act choked the freedom to assemble. He assured protesters of a fine and spared them time behind bars. A political observer said, "BN is desperate for money. They need to buy votes in GE-13 and the coffers are empty. Taxpayers' money has been directed into emergency funds overseas, in case the BN leaders need to escape." Najib said that gatherings were only prohibited in, or near, selected sites. He rambled on whilst reading his short list which included hospitals, schools, petrol stations, fire stations, airports, railways, land public transport terminals, ports, canals, docks, bridges, places of worship, kindergartens, schools, dams, reservoirs and streets. He rubbished claims that assemblies were banned "anywhere and everywhere".
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