Malaysia Today - Your Source of Independent News
Malaysia Today - Your Source of Independent News |
- Politics in Malaysia is the most profitable business
- Azmin Ali set to snatch the crown when Pakatan sinks
- Shadow cabinet: Utusan Malaysia's frontpage boo boo
- Where are the Malaysian universities in Times Higher Education 2012-2013 rankings?
- PKR's grand strategy?
| Politics in Malaysia is the most profitable business Posted: 05 Oct 2012 02:59 PM PDT Surely it must be evident from the various writings in Malaysiakini, CPI and other weblogs unless someone is so out of touch with the present reality and fails to recognise the angst and anger of many civic-minded Malaysians who see their country sliding down the slippery slope. It is true what Najib said that "What is often neglected, however, is the fact that corruption and corrupt behaviour is entangled deep with the moral fabric of all societies." He went on to say, "It is critical, therefore, people in positions of power and authority to exemplify the values they wish their constituents would follow". But does Najib believe what he says? And more importantly where is the walk besides the talk? All we have seen seems to be in the contrary. We are wont to ask, "Where is the example from the people in positions of power and authority?" Instead many blame successive BN administrations for the decrepit moral state of their country because of corruption and abuses of power, which Najib admits implicitly. And Najib has yet to shake off the ghost of Altantuya Shaaribuu whose murder still leaves the public with the question: "Who ordered the killing?" The incumbent government has much to answer for its failure to inspire the rest of the nation to higher moral conduct when it fails to apply the rule of law objectively across the board and involves its politicians and proxies in unbecoming acts such as the publishing of 'dirty videos' and other acts of political subterfuge. If inspiring is too much to ask, Najib will sound more convincing if he can stop his government from picking on Malaysians whose only crime is they want to see the greed he describes and the obsession with profit diminished. Excuses, excuses Najib's suggestion that "in some countries where severe punishment was meted out for corruption, it has not proven entirely effective" may explain why his administration is coy about allegations of corruption by some of his cabinet colleagues and the Sarawak Chief Minister Mahmud Taib. However I am not aware of the failure of strong measures to curb corruption that has not succeeded anywhere. Since Najib did not mention the countries, it is hard to substantiate the statement. However there is irrefutable and strong evidence we know that proves severe punishment works. Singapore is one success story worth noting. Singapore did not become what it is today – among the top nations on the global corruption index for squeaky clean governance – by making flimsy excuses like the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission for not having the power to take corrupt politicians to court. The Singapore no-nonsense approach has proven corruption does not pay, and where it is found it is dealt with harshly by the authorities and we have even seen a senior politician charged commit suicide. Surely the MACC's excuse of having no power in the light of much global evidence in the allegations of corruption by the political bigwig must send every anti-corruption agency around the globe scratching their heads. The truth is countries ensure there are laws to plug legal loopholes and every ploy by anyone to evade prosecution. Those governments ensure no one is above the law or out of its reach. There is even Interpol to help countries catch their criminals across borders. Let us not forget Dr Mahahtir Mohammed went to extreme lengths to change the country's constitution to get what he wanted and members of the royal family came under the scope of the law when he made it possible for them to be taken to court over civil and criminal matters where once they enjoyed legal impunity from prosecution. But if a government lacks the moral and political will, then it will give dishonest and lame excuses. And sadly that is the problem with the Najib administration that seems bent on punishing those who want to see improvements in the moral fibre of their politicians, and even a constructive group like Aliran is not spared from harassment. It begins with govt and its actions The government can't shirk its role in having created a political culture and society that has seen national integrity decline because of its corruption. Abuses of power filter outside of Putrajaya into the corridors of power and into the streets where cops are seen collecting bribes from illegal migrants and errant motorists. The people in their daily lives are confronted with corruption everywhere. With such moral insight that Najib exhibits in his speech, he ought to use his office and inspire his cabinet colleagues to lead Malaysia onto higher moral ground. After all, he espouses the virtues that Malaysians want to see badly after observing their nation bastardized by successive BN administrations. Even one that was relatively decent under Pak Lah was damned by Dr Mahathir Mohammed as "rotten".
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| Azmin Ali set to snatch the crown when Pakatan sinks Posted: 04 Oct 2012 03:20 PM PDT Incumbent Selangor Menteri Besar Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim would be, as the political term goes, kicked upstairs if Pakatan won the general election by getting a plum Cabinet position. In return, he would give up his state seat and the MB job. Azmin would give up his federal Gombak seat and stay on in Selangor as Menteri Besar. Simple. Anwar's clever scheme would keep the two apart, which was essential, as they hate each other. But this deal soon unravelled as the mutual loathing within Selangor PKR exploded into view. In the process, Anwar reminded the world of just one of his unappealing traits – he turns invisible in the face of controversy – especially if it involves confronting senior party members or banging heads together. Further proof of this is his reticence over PAS' federal plans for hudud. Did we also mention that another reason for Anwar welching on the deal could be that the person next on the list to take over from Khalid was none other than his wife? By this time, Azmin well and truly knew the meaning of the phrase 'blood is thicker than water'. This year's civil war revealed the utter folly of Anwar's original plan for all to see. Azmin is a divisive figure and his appointment would further divide the state branch rather than unite it. His personality would be petrol to the smouldering tensions there. So now it looks like Azmin is taking matters into his own hands. He says that when Pakatan wins GE13, Khalid will (still) get a federal ministry job, and he will be relieved of the MB role not because of the workload but because of "performance issues". His comments have sparked fresh panic in Selangor PKR which thought it had least put the genie back in the bottle until the election has passed. But more tellingly, it has sparked a furious reaction from both DAP and PAS, whose fortunes in the state are inextricably linked to PKR. "I believe it is Azmin's personal view. He needs to justify how and where the decision were made about the matter," said Selangor DAP vice chairman Charles Santiago, whose party has 13 state seats, just one less than PKR. PAS secretary general Mustafa Ali, whose party has eight state seats, said such statements "should be avoided in order not to confuse the public." Indeed. In order to fully understand what is going on here we need to understand that when Azmin talks of Pakatan winning the election, he is actually preparing for Pakatan losing federally but hopefully holding onto the state.
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| Shadow cabinet: Utusan Malaysia's frontpage boo boo Posted: 03 Oct 2012 11:33 PM PDT We were laughing off at the idea of Dato Seri Anwar Ibrahim becoming the Prime Minister. Immediatey, we called a PAS friend to tell him that Anwar is the shadow Prime Minister and Dato Seri Hadi is Deputy Prime Minister I.  That explains why Mustafa Ali was upset with Azmin's men Shuhaimi for announcing this list. It is obvious to fortify the public support for Anwar to be the Prime Minister if they win. [Read Outsyed the Box here.] Hadi may not give support to Anwar if he does not give any leeway for PAS's Islamic agenda. Nik Aziz may have given support for Anwar Ibrahim but God knows where is the caveat in his statement. He could change his mind or forgot what he said or dozed off in midst of being reminded of his past support. He cannot refuse an Islamic agenda if Hadi start to assert. PAS practises tarkiyah. What is it? Go find out.  Karpal Singh maybe his counsel but there could be more to it. Giving support to Anwar is in contradiction to his principle on morality of a leader. He is usually uncompromisable on principle issues. Why did he change his mind? It only means DAP is merely using Anwar for gaining political mileage. Another fact is that they have mentioned of the rights of non Malays to be Prime Minister for many times. It would mean their support for Anwar is temporary. They would want to have one of their own as Prime Minister. We predict the Lims plan to make Lim Guan Eng as first Chinese Prime Minister. They will insist on being sole Deputy Prime Minister. Why then did Karpal Singh psyche Lim Guan Eng in public as Pakatan's Deputy Prime Minister in their spat? No DPM I or II or III? Only DPM! We have heard a DAP friend who said, "No way Anwar will be Prime Minister!" Meaningless Shadow Cabinet
Just as we described Pakatan's Shadow Budget as meaningless, the same applies here. Why do they need three Deputy Prime Ministers? Does it mean the order of heir apparent to the Prime Minister is in that sequence of Haji Hadi, followed by Lim Kit Siang and the uncertain third from Sabah or Sarawak? All the three Deputy Prime Minister, in which two are already confirmed component party President, are powerless and without a portfolio. What is the purpose then? For a shadow cabinet, why do you need Minister for PM Department? Just put have one to correspond the specific portfolio. Imagine having one of the minister in the PM Department is a party President Some laughs
If PKR have 20 Minister, Syed Akbar said: ... if DAP and PAS are also to have equal numbers of Ministers, the Pakatan will have a 60 member Cabinet (20 PKR, 20 DAP and 20 PAS). Assuming PAS and DAP win more seats than PKR then it could be be 20 PKR Ministers, 30 DAP Ministers and 40 PAS Ministers - a 90 member Cabinet. They can have their Cabinet meetings at the Shah Alam Stadium.  If it is filled by someone from Sabah, then there is no Minister from Sarawak. Vici versa when it is filled by Sarawakian. Actually there is one Full Minister as in Sarawak's DAP State Sec Gen, Chong Chien Jen for Higher Education. Why none from Sabah?
Is it time for vengence? Don't tell us that Deputy President of PAS, Ahmad Sabu is left to still only do in ceramah day and day out when Pakatan rules. He would want to be a Minister too. With DAPSY Youth, Anthony Loke as full Minister for Housing and Local Authority, wouldn't it make Cocky and Arrogant Dear Leader and Secretary General, Lim Guan Eng less relevent as Penang Minister?
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| Where are the Malaysian universities in Times Higher Education 2012-2013 rankings? Posted: 03 Oct 2012 01:52 PM PDT The top three Asian universities as ranked by THE are University of Tokyo, National University of Singapore and University of Hong Kong. Read more at: http://anilnetto.com/democracy/education-and-students-rights/where-are-the-malaysian-unis-in-latest-the-rankings/
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| Posted: 02 Oct 2012 08:37 PM PDT Many suspect Azmin Ali wants to be MB Selangor. I have to say I have my doubts in this regard, not that he doesn't (he actually does), but he can't be MB Selangor if he wants to be near the PM spot, starting perhaps with the Home Ministry, no doubt to control the Police and its dreaded SB, wakakaka. Yes, we may assume that our dearest Blue-eyed Boy wants to be in the federal cabinet of a Pakatan federal government and to head a very powerful ministry, Home Affairs, before he becomes the PM (as he may be fantasizing, wakakaka). Thus he has to make some sacrifices, to wit, forego the position of MB of Selangor, because Article 43 of the Malaysian Constitution won't allow him to be both, ie. MB Selangor and PM Home Minister. And how do I know he wants to take over Hishamuddin's place? Read on, wakakaka.
That's right, ADUNs who are also MP cannot have it both ways, that is, by continuing to be ADUNs and at the same time, federal ministers or deputy ministers. They have to choose between being a federal minister (or deputy minister) or an ADUN. Obviously, senior party leaders who want to be MBs or CMs or State Exco members have to be ADUNs in the first place. And if they are federal ministers they won't be allowed to hold on to their ADUN positions, and consequently no MB or CM hat to wear. Thus, as I mentioned previously, if Lim Guan Eng wants to continue being CM of Penang, and most Penangites want him to, then he can't be a federal minister, full stop!
But of course he can be ADUN/CM of Penang as well as an ordinary federal MP in which case he can serve in both State and Federal Parliaments. But in participating as both a state and also a federal representative, he cannot be a federal minister. Thus if Lim GE wants to be a federal minister, he can kiss goodbye to his CM job and Ayer Putih ADUN position ... ... which I suspect is a situation 'someone' wakakaka is hoping and hinting/pushing for. According to sweetie Selena Tay in her Free Malaysia Today article titled Pakatan's 'shadow cabinet' list, a so-called (non-existent*) 'shadow minister' could/might have 'hinted' to Sweetie that under a new Pakatan federal government, the proposed Foreign Minister(s) would probably be Kamarudin Jaffar (PAS) or Lim Guan Eng (DAP) or Elizabeth Wong (PKR), with a couple (of the trio) becoming deputies. * ta'ada shadow cabinet maka mana ada shadow minister - real bayang adalah wakakaka
It's a joke of a suggestion, and you may guess where or who that so-called self-appointed 'shadow minister' had been. For a start, none of the trio proposed has shown any specific inclination towards foreign affairs, though of course there's no denying they can play the role. Secondly, Eli Wong is more into environmental affairs and therefore should be provided a ministerial position in the appropriate sector, Environment.
Kamaruddin Jaafar, OTOH, is a very close buddy of The Great One - you know, MCKK, UMNO (wakakaka), ISA-ed together, then left UMNO in 1999 (not sure whether he left voluntarily or was ejected out like Anwar?), had in his UMNO days stuck really close to Anwar when the latter was the DPM, and was said to have been assigned by Anwar to some business roles, the lot! While Anwar's devotees prepared a party (KeADILan, then PKR) as a platform to fight for his release from prison, Kamaruddin joined PAS in (I think) 1999 and stood successfully as a PAS MP in Tumpat in 1999, 2004 and 2008. I believe he was the UMNO MP in that same constituency. Since then, he had a meteoric rise in PAS and even became the Party's Sec-Gen in 2004.
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