Malaysia Today - Your Source of Independent News
Malaysia Today - Your Source of Independent News |
- BN needs to do some serious soul-searching
- Carpets, mattresses and dirty linen
- Truth in bits and pieces
- The difference between rights and privileges
- ‘Najib factor’ crucial to MIC’s fight for Indian vote
- On Sabah’s ‘racism’
- Shall we experiment?
- Much work for Umno leaders after the general assembly
- Election hype and debates
- That liberalism, pluralism menace
| BN needs to do some serious soul-searching Posted: 07 Dec 2012 01:53 PM PST
Najib's role is to protect the rakyat, not stand at the sidelines as he is fond of doing and watch them get abused at the hands of corrupt authorities. Jeswan Kaur, FMT It is a tragedy in the making if the race-based Barisan Nasional coalition wins the 13th general election, contrary to the constant assurances by its leaders that only it can determine the fate of this country. Claims after claims were made by Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak who is also chairman of BN and Umno president respectively about the feats BN can achieve for the rakyat if only it is given the mandate to rule the country yet again. Honestly, giving BN a two thirds majority win will be suicidal for the rakyat, keeping in mind the 'unfinished business' BN and its chief partner Umno have embarked on. It is imperative that before it cries out for the rakyat's empathy to oust the opposition Pakatan Rakyat pact, BN has to make a clean breast of its many wrongdoings post-2008. The 12th general election defeat has not humbled BN and from the look of things, it is definite that the party has no desire nor interest in repenting and turning over a new leaf. In spite of its unexpected loss in the 2008 general election, the BN coalition continued with its power abuse and disrespect for the rakyat. Had BN learned the bitter lessons the 12th GE brought with it, the party's leadership would have abandoned its addiction to all things nefarious. From premier Najib right down to the BN ADUNs, their failure to live up to the rakyat's expectations has never been more clearer. Wayward If Najib is serious about wanting the best for the people of this country, he has to first take BN for a 'soul-searching' trip. As the Malay saying goes, 'buang yang keruh dan ambil yang jernih', BN has no choice but to reform itself for the sake of the rakyat whose support it so badly needs. All the promises and pledges made by Najib and his men at the recently concluded Umno general assembly would mean nothing if both BN and Umno continue to behave in a wayward manner. The issues that need to be dealt with are aplenty and unless and until BN 'comes around', the rakyat cannot depend on it to solve their woes. From the tribal natives of Penan in Sarawak to the homeless estate workers of Bukit Jalil, they have all given up on Najib and his declarations that BN is synonymous with the welfare of the people. Had it been so, the Penans would not have to risk life and limbs to safeguard their ancestral lands which continue to be ravaged by loggers, no thanks to nod coming from Sarawak chief minister Taib Mahmud. The Penans were also against the building of the Murum and many other dams there which would leave tens and thousands of natives 'landless' besides destroying Sarawak's rainforests. Was Najib attuned to their worries? If he had been, the angry and frustrated Penans would not have mounted a blockade three months ago on the access road to the Murum Dam site, an effort which attracted the attention of local and international media. According to Save Rivers, a coalition of Sarawak NGOs, the Penans had been protesting against the dam since 2009 but the state dismissive approach and refusal to fulfil its promises prompted the blockade. Where was Najib then when the Penans were left to their own devices to protect their native customary rights land?
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| Carpets, mattresses and dirty linen Posted: 07 Dec 2012 01:50 PM PST
Carpet trader Deepak Jaikishan and ex-IGP Musa Hassan have stirred up more political controversies. The question on everyone's lips is, "Why are they singing now?" Is it for selfish reasons, to save their own skins because they believe that Umno will lose in GE-13? Are they turning state's witness, to be the first ones to provide evidence implicating the others, in the hope of escaping punishment should Umno lose in GE-13? Mariam Mokhtar, FMT Former inspector general of police Musa Hassan claimed that he was unsuccessful in his efforts to alert his superiors, the Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak and the Home Minister Hishammuddin Hussein to the problems in the police force. Should we believe him as it is his word against theirs? Najib and Hishammuddin have not issued a denial. They may be seething on the inside, but have chosen to remain silent. Their "good name" has been kicked into the gutter, and they do nothing to defend themselves. Perhaps they are too stunned to react. It is ironic that senior Umno politicians claim to be able to unite the Malays, when it is clear that the party is itself divided. It is ironic that Musa has blamed the spread of gangster politics in political campaigning when during his tenure as IGP, he allegedly protected gangsters and criminal syndicates. It is ironic that Musa assumes the moral high ground when most people revile him for allegedly fabricating evidence for his political masters. Carpet trader Deepak Jaikishan and Musa Hassan have stirred up more political controversies. The question on everyone's lips is "Why are they singing now?" Is it for selfish reasons, to save their own skins because they believe that Umno will lose in GE-13? Are they turning state's witness, to be the first ones to provide evidence implicating the others, in the hope of escaping punishment should Umno lose in GE-13? Or are they puppets who have been tasked with derailing the opposition, by appearing to act against the interests of Umno? Is Umno just sacrificing a pawn to take a bishop? Are key people, like the former heads of the MACC, the Election Commission, MAS, Proton, TNB, waiting in the wings, ready to provide damning evidence against Umno? The shocking revelations by both men occurred within days of each other and took the public by surprise. The men stole the thunder from the 66th Umno general assembly. Deepak is a business man with close ties to the prime minister's spouse. The other is a former member of the establishment and privy to the workings of government. The timing of their disclosures cannot be a coincidence. Why did they wait years before finally revealing the information? They are mistaken if they think they will be perceived as men of integrity. Instead, they are seen as opportunists or desperate men who are taking out insurance to protect themselves against possible prosecution. Deepak made public the embarrassing details about land deals closely linked to Najib, and Musa described the interference by Najib's cousin, Hishammuddin in the running of the police force. The silence of Najib, his spouse Rosmah Mansor and Hishammuddin does not exonerate them. It was left to their colleagues, to defend them but the damage was done. The public is now aware of the deep divisions within Umno. Musa's outburst may have given the opposition movement a boost, but that momentum for change was unstoppable, with or without Musa's revelations. The opposition coalition is on a winning streak and the rakyat is passionate for change and reform. The opposition should use any ammunition available, to bring down Umno. The people working in the civil service, the GLCs and the government are gripped by a culture of fear. Musa is not the first to say that he could not speak out when he was in office, but isn't it convenient for Musa to hide his poor leadership and his failings by claiming that he had tried to help his men? He claims that he can speak freely, now because he is no longer a government servant. The rakyat is fed-up with the usual refrain "We couldn't talk then". Musa may choose to adopt the moral high ground but our minds are etched with the image of Musa, the policeman who paraded the semen stained mattress in the trial of Opposition Leader, Anwar Ibrahim in Sodomy I, and the memory of Musa who let his men down with his lies and cover-ups, by acting for Umno politicians and their cronies. Musa failed to uphold the professionalism, tenets and traditions of the police force. The rakyat is weary of the games played by corrupt politicians. They are tired of frogs and turncoats. They despise men who are self-serving and think nothing of sacrificing their professional integrity. When will men from the judiciary come forward and reveal all? Will the men from the MACC do the same? And the immigration department? Or the Election Commission? And key government departments and GLCs?
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| Posted: 05 Dec 2012 02:34 PM PST
If carpet man Deepak Jaikishan is lying, then Najib should use the full force of the law to protect the sanctity of the office of the prime minister. Toffee Rodrigo, FMT Why is the truth coming out in instalments? Weren't these people once trusted lieutenants? Now they are being looked upon as conniving opportunists working together with the opposition to oust Najib Tun Razak for no rhyme or reason. Does that make sense? Thus far everyone who has given testimony against the powers-that-be has been branded a liar. Musa Hassan, of all people, has now come out. And former home minister Syed Hamid Albar, together with his successor Hishammuddin Hussein, have successfully revealed the level of common sense that prevails in Umno now. Both have said that the disclosures by Musa is all an opposition ploy. What he did to Anwar Ibrahim must surely have been at the request of his superiors including former Umno chieftains. In which case it surely must be seen that he was a player in a whole scheme to rid the country of Anwar. Anwar was the man who knew too much and who had publicly declared that there would be no more nepotism, cronyism and corruption in Umno. But in Umno this can never happen. No one could get into Umno and declare such "nonsense", so Anwar had to go at all costs, and they made sure he did. So now, when the Truth is coming out there is fear in the corridors of power, Umno power. For Musa to come out in the open and say the government intervened with his work, then it really happened and he must have some really compelling reasons to say so. No Malaysian in his proper frame of mind would have accepted that private investigator P Balasubramaniam was forced to come out with the statutory declaration to implicate Najib. Everyone believed him when he said that the carpet man (Deepak Jaikishan) was involved and that the carpet man has now come out and is revealing the truth, albeit in instalments. Political ploy? The key to the truth lies somewhere in the home of our prime minister and even a moron knew this. It is the duty of the home minister to direct a full investigation, unless it was his office that ordered murdered Mongolian national Altantuya Shaariibuu's entry records by the Malaysian immigration removed. Surely if they could get a former deputy prime minister (Anwar) on trumped-up charges, they can easily get this cop and they will for their own convenience. So why is Syed Hamid claiming that this is all a political ploy by the opposition? And why did Hishammuddin say that all the revelations were meant to divert the political gathering (Umno)? The only reason is, it has to be the truth.
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| The difference between rights and privileges Posted: 05 Dec 2012 02:24 PM PST
It is time for the government to introduce a new socially just affirmative action policy based on need or class or sector. By Kua Kia Soong, FMT We hear this often enough from breast-beating far-right racists but more so at Umno general assemblies, namely, the call for Umno to "safeguard Malay rights". The top Umno leaders and the mainstream press and even those who should know better do not seem to be interested in correcting them on their loose usage of "Malay rights". As Human Rights Day approaches, we will do well to be clear about the difference between rights and privileges. All peoples have rights – Malays, Chinese, Indians, indigenous peoples and all other ethnic communities are entitled to the same human rights. These rights are enshrined in Part II of the Constitution under "Fundamental Liberties". They are inalienable, independent of the government-of-the-day. Thus, apart from the fact that they are guaranteed in our Federal Constitution, they are also part and parcel of the United Nations Human Rights instruments. Now, do Malays in this country have any special right on account of the fact they are "Malay" as stipulated under Article 153 of the Constitution? Rights and privileges A right is defined as an entitlement, very different from a privilege or a licence granted by the Constitution. All Malaysians are entitled to liberty of the person; equality; freedom of movement; freedom of speech, assembly and association; freedom of religion, and other rights. Privileges, on the other hand, are not rights. They can be revoked because they are conditional. Once the intended results have been met, privileges can be taken away but rights cannot be taken away. "Special Position of the Malays" Nowhere in Malaysia's constitution will you find any reference to "Malay rights". Article 153 mentions "the special position of the Malays". The main purpose for including Article 153 in the Constitution was to rectify the perceived weakness of the Malay community in the economic field, the public service and the problem of Malay poverty at the time of Independence. (Tun Mohamed Suffian bin Hashim, "An Introduction to the Constitution of Malaysia", KL 1972:245) The first clause of Article 153 states: "It shall be the responsibility of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong to safeguard the special position of the Malays and natives of any of the States of Sabah and Sarawak and the legitimate interests of other communities in accordance with the provisions of this Article." The second clause of Article 153 stipulates that the Yang di-Pertuan Agong shall ensure the reservation for Malays and since 1963, for natives of Borneo "of such proportion as he may deem reasonable of positions in the public service…and of scholarships, exhibitions and other similar educational or training privileges or special facilities given or accorded by the Federal Government and…any permit or licence for the operation of any trade or business is required by federal law…" Clause 4 expressly states that: "In exercising his functions under this Constitution and federal law…the Yang di-Pertuan Agong shall not deprive any person of any public office held by him or of the continuance of any scholarship, exhibition or other educational or training privileges or special facilities enjoyed by him." The abused 'Quota System' As a result of the racial violence of May 13, 1969, the country was presented with a fait accompli by the new ruling class in Umno who were keen to propagate their "bumiputeraist" ideology as a populist ploy. Again, you will not see any mention of "bumiputera" (the "princes of the soil") in the Malaysian constitution. Thus, in early 1971 the Constitution (Amendment) Act was passed adding a new clause (No. 8A) to Article 153: "…where in any university, college and other educational institution providing education after Malaysian Certificate of Education or its equivalent, the number of places offered by the authority responsible for the management of the university, college or such educational institution to candidates for any course or study is less than the number of candidates qualified for such places, it shall be lawful for the Yang di-Pertuan Agong by virtue of this Article to give such directions to the authority as may be required to ensure the reservation of such proportion of such places for Malays and natives of any of the States of Sabah and Sarawak as the yang di-Pertuan Agong may deem reasonable (my emphasis); and the authority shall duly comply with the directions." This is the "quota system" we have lived with for the last 40 years or so and which has created so much controversy for that length of time. Strictly speaking, if we were to go by Umno's oft-repeated "social contract" at Independence in 1957, that "social contract" certainly does not include Clause 8A of Article 153. And if we scrutinise this clause more closely, we will see that it is definitely not a carte blanche for the blatant racial discrimination as is the case of enrolment at institutions such as UiTM. At the 2004 Umno general assembly, you may recall then Higher Education Minister Shafie Salleh declaring: "I will not compromise on this matter…there will not be a single non-bumiputera allowed to enroll!" So, if any aggrieved party took the government to court for its enrolment policy at UiTM or any other MARA institutions, how do you think any judge would interpret clause 8A of Article 153, ie. "…to give such directions to the authority as may be required to ensure the reservation of such proportion of such places (my emphasis) for Malays and natives of any of the States of Sabah and Sarawak as the yang di-Pertuan Agong may deem reasonable…" The 100 per cent bumiputera enrolment policy at UiTM makes a mockery of the quota system and the justification of any affirmative action in any country! Principles and purpose of 'affirmative' action Compared to the affirmative action policies elsewhere, for example the United States, we find some glaring inconsistencies in this country: Principle 1: Affirmative action in the US was implemented to rectify the glaring discrimination experienced by historically marginalised groups such as the black minority in the US; In contrast, affirmative action in Malaysia is driven by the politically dominant and majority Malay elite and directed at the Malay community as a whole, as the beneficiary group, regardless of wealth and position. Principle 2: Any preferential treatment for any group should be followed by specific goals, quotas and sunset clauses as is the case in the US rather than the "Never Ending Policy" of the NEP in Malaysia; Principle 3: Affirmative action policies in the US are fundamentally not "special rights" as they are portrayed in Malaysia but rather, policy adjustments to rectify social inequality with a time limitation once the objectives have been reached; Principle 4: The definition of the main target group in Malaysia, namely, "the Malays" is imprecise and allows confusion when any Muslim who is not ethnically Malay can claim to be a beneficiary; Principle 5: In the US, affirmative action is extended into all discriminated groups, for example, women, Hispanics and other minority groups; whereas in Malaysia, only the "bumiputeras" (the "princes of the soil") are included, while the poorest and most marginalized group, arguably the original people of this land, the Orang Asli, have been excluded from this policy.
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| ‘Najib factor’ crucial to MIC’s fight for Indian vote Posted: 05 Dec 2012 12:02 PM PST
Clara Chooi, The Malaysian Insider In the MIC's tussle for the Indian vote, one important element has been identified as key to help Barisan Nasional (BN) recapture lost support from the key community — Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak. Despite criticisms that it has grown overly dependent on Najib and BN for survival, the party has recognised the importance of the prime minister's popularity to drive the Indian vote when national polls are held. The Indian vote is seen as crucial to determine BN's future in the country as the next general election is expected to be very closely fought battle between the ruling coalition and the fledgling Pakatan Rakyat (PR) pact. Observers have claimed that Najib and BN leaders have lost confidence in the MIC's ability to score the Indian vote, resulting in efforts by the prime minister to engage directly with the community, who form nearly 1.8 million out of the 28 million population in Malaysia. Some 800,000 are registered voters. Just last month, Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Datuk Seri Mohamed Nazri Abdul Aziz announced in Parliament that Najib was ready to hold a dialogue with the outlawed Hindraf movement to discuss the community's key concerns. But in an interview with The Malaysian Insider here yesterday, MIC secretary-general Datuk S. Murugesan noted there was nothing wrong with relying on the "Najib factor" to boost Indian support, adding that humility has been important in wooing support back into BN's fold "We have a good PM (prime minister)... what's wrong with that?" he said. "It is only to be expected. All this while, people have been saying — why hasn't the government done this or done that... and the face of the government is the PM. "So if they think we have a good leader with good heart, good ears and a sound mind at the helm, they will support us. "So... yes, Najib is an important factor and I've got no issues with that," he added. As such, Murugesan said the MIC does not feel slighted that Najib has been going directly to the ground to campaign and engage with local Indian community leaders, pointing out that this was the work of a prime minister. He said Najib's openness and ability to listen has helped portray a different view of BN to Indian voters, who are said to form some seven per cent of the electorate. This has cajoled much of the Indian community back to supporting BN and calmed much of the frustrations raised just before the March 2008 general election, he said. Murugesan added that it was most unlikely that these past simmering frustrations would come to a head again in the 13th general election as the BN government under Najib's leadership has done well to resolve them. "The main reason is because the PM has made it clear and the MIC made it clear that we hear the Indian community. The PM has openly stated it," he pointed out. "I think during our last or previous general assembly, the PM even admitted to some of our past mistakes and neglect."
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| Posted: 04 Dec 2012 12:50 PM PST
There are areas in Kota Kinabalu that are "black areas" controlled by illegals, where locals fear to tread. Even our local law enforcement is forced to turn a blind eye. Some due to lack of manpower, some because they're paid off by the illegals. Many Sabahans are afraid of illegals. They have good cause to be. My neighbourhood doctor was killed with parangs by Indonesians. Two-thirds of the women I know, including myself, have been molested by illegals. Erna Mahyuni, The Malaysian Insider "So it strikes me to ask, is Sabah as racism-free as it seems?" That's what a LoyarBurok columnist asked, after a (brief) visit to Sabah and noting the distaste many locals have towards illegal immigrants. The first problem I have is with the notion of Sabah being "racism-free." No place in the world is free from racism, unless said place is filled with people of the same race. Even then, we human beings will find other reasons to oppress our fellows. Because we can. Sabah has a higher degree of tolerance. A higher tolerance of other religions and more widespread acceptance of intermarriage among the races sets us apart from most states in the Peninsula but we never pretended that we are "racism-free." I have relatives who are racists. Which makes things slightly tricky because I happen to be a "mongrel" with Dusun and Bajau blood and have ancestors from China and Pakistan. So that means I hear about the "lazy, stupid" Dusuns, the "bloodthirsty, manic" Bajaus, the "miserly, selfish" Chinese and the "untrustworthy" Pakistanis from my own family. If all their stories were true, by virtue of my mixed race I am destined for infamy or, at the very least, a long prison sentence. Despite our differences, what sets Sabah apart is that the races just get along better. The point is that racial stereotypes are common everywhere, even in Sabah. But the LoyarBurok columnist chose to harp on local Sabahan's attitudes towards illegal immigrants from the Philippines and Indonesia. My god, man, do you expect us Sabahans to embrace them as brothers? Roll out the red carpet? Have feasts for them? The ugly truth is most Sabahans don't want them around. PBS head Tan Sri Joseph Pairin Kitingan is but one of many Sabah politicians who have called on the mainland to address the problem of illegal immigrants who are frankly unwelcome in the state. It's unfair that many Sabahans see illegals as criminals and parasites, when some people are genuinely fleeing harsh conditions at home. But the reality is that many illegals do turn to crime. There are areas in Kota Kinabalu that are "black areas" controlled by illegals, where locals fear to tread. Even our local law enforcement is forced to turn a blind eye. Some due to lack of manpower, some because they're paid off by the illegals. Many Sabahans are afraid of illegals. They have good cause to be. My neighbourhood doctor was killed with parangs by Indonesians. Two-thirds of the women I know, including myself, have been molested by illegals. Just behind my house, a neighbour started an illegal immigrant-staffed brothel and my family had to put up with the circus of whores and their seedy clientele, literally in my own backyard. My stories are just anecdotes, some of you will scoff. But my "anecdotes" are the reality that non-Sabahans will not be able to appreciate. Then we have people like Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad who say that we should just give illegals citizenship, no matter what Sabahans have to say about the matter. So we blithely give these 3.2 million (as of 2010 ) people citizenship? Really, Dr Mahathir? Another truth is, as my mother says, that we may despise them but we also need them. Sabah's backward economy is dependent on cheap labour. So much so that locals are forced to go to the Peninsula to seek better-paying job opportunities. The illegals drive the buses. They monopolise the cheap boat services to the islands. They are the ones manning the stalls at the Filipino Market. Some call them industrious, some call them opportunistic. Yet they're here and now they just won't leave. Is it really racism to be unhappy that foreigners come onto your land, monopolise your commerce, threaten your feeling of safety while you are also powerless to get rid of them? I guess Sabahans know too well what the Orang Asli must feel.
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| Posted: 04 Dec 2012 12:13 PM PST
The 'devil we know' is a recalcitrant beast which is resistant to change whereas the 'devil we don't know' is promising Utopia. Anwar was regarded as a racist and religious bigot. Then there was also that persistent rumour about his fondness for clean-shaven men. But it was his lack of devotion to Dr Mahathir Mohamad that put a curse on his charmed life. RK Anand, FMT Anwar Ibrahim is no saint. But who amongst us is? That is a subject for debate in ecclesiastical circles. But those who believe that a halo hovers above the opposition leader's head must also extend the same benefit of divine doubt to the prime minister who has sworn in the name of God that his hands are not stained with the blood of a murdered Mongolian woman and that he did not pocket a handsome sum in connection with a submarine deal. During his sojourn with Umno, Anwar's reputation as the heir to the throne struck fear in the hearts of many similar to how the prospect of the "Malay first and Malaysian second" Muhyiddin Yassin becoming prime minister is bone-chilling to the non-Malays. Anwar was regarded as a racist and religious bigot. Then there was also that persistent rumour about his fondness for clean-shaven men. But it was his lack of devotion to Dr Mahathir Mohamad that put a curse on his charmed life. More than a decade has passed since Mahathir shoved Anwar out of the corridors of power and into prison but the epic battle between the two warlords continues to be waged. Trapped in the middle is Najib Tun Razak. His predecessor ended up as collateral damage and his ambitious son-in-law was cast into cold storage in the aftermath of the 2008 electoral debacle. Does a similar or even worse fate await him? As the nation edges closer and closer towards the 13th general election, the situation is becoming "curiouser and curiouser". As more and more cans of worms and cows are opened, it is evident that Najib has committed a dreadful error in not calling for the polls earlier when the forecast was in his favour. Perhaps he was not contented with just holding on to power but aspired to be the Ceasar who would return Rome to the pinnacle of power, the emperor who is adored and venerated by his subjects. To his credit, Najib had dared to be different but the odds were just too great. Now he risks losing it all. This has prompted Mahathir to return to the frontline in order to save Umno Baru from decimation. It is, after all, his party. Moreover, the thought of Anwar becoming prime minister is unsettling for the patriarch, especially when his arch-nemesis would have access to certain documents which could prove to be incriminating. Driven out, ridiculed, imprisoned and battered, Mahathir's former deputy might not be as forgiving as some hope him to be should he triumph. Anwar claims that Mahathir is once again sharpening his blade, which has butchered numerous illustrious political careers in the past. He purportedly wants Najib's head to roll but after the polls since Umno is in no position to witness a high-profile beheading at this juncture. The often repeated argument from Barisan Nasional is "better the devil you know", with the prime minister warning Malaysians not to experiment with their votes, lest it would invite damnation. Najib prefers that experiments and debates be confined to the science labs and schools instead of being carried out at the expense of his position. His steadfast refusal to debate with Anwar suggests that perhaps the prime minister is a fictitious character and each word that rolls out of his mouth is crafted by a team of public relations experts. Does he fear sharing the stage with a fiery orator without his retinue of speech writers and advisers, forced to respond to questions without rehearsing his answers in front of a mirror beforehand and in the absence of a prepared text? Is he afraid that he would fail the test of scrutiny on television? The "devil we know" is a recalcitrant beast, which is resistant to change, save for Najib and a handful of others who dwell in the 1Malaysia wonderland, churning out an endless stream of slogans and abbreviations. The rest in Umno remain disenchanted, reminiscing about the golden era where in the words of Shahrizat Abdul Jalil, only the Almighty-sanctioned media like Utusan Malaysia existed, dissidents could be jailed without much fuss, the only ones blowing the whistles were scouts and no carpet dealer threatening to pull the rug from under their feet. Most of all, it was a time when the people feared the government and not the government having to fear the people. The devil or messiah? On the other hand, the "devil we don't know" promises Utopia though his detractors remain unconvinced due to the mounting allegations against those in the opposition, lending credence to the belief that power breeds corruption.
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| Much work for Umno leaders after the general assembly Posted: 03 Dec 2012 03:17 PM PST
There are as many as 2.9 million new voters in the next general election. Umno can sit back and relax only after it has convinced these young voters aged between 22 and 29 years old. Lim Sue Goan, My Sinchew The recent Umno general assembly has once again proved the enthusiasm of the Malays in politics, and their allegiance to leaders. However, no matter how successful the assembly was and how well it demonstrated solidarity, the party's general assembly will never be the battlefield of the party. The assembly was filled with tears. Party president Datuk Seri Najib Razak successfully touched many delegates. However, the most important thing would be to touch voters. Therefore, no matter how high the morale was, Umno leaders still have much work to do to bring the momentum to the general election. Firstly, Najib must rectify the problem of overconfidence and arrogance in leaders at all levels. For example, Wanita Umno leader Datuk Seri Shahrizat Abdul Jalil's May 13 statement triggered concern while Pahang Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Adnan Yaakob even said that the MCA should "close shop" if it loses Bentong in the next general election and he will also cut off his ears and jump into the Pahang River. Such a cavalier attitude has been turned into a ready-made issue to be attacked by the alternative coalition, while making voters uncomfortable. Adnan also said BN will win 13 of the total 14 parliamentary seats in Pahang, while having half chance to win the remaining one seat. He even said that the number of parliamentary seats BN wins in Pahang will be equal to the number of Kuantan residents in favour of the Lynas rare earth refinery. It is puzzling how he can so amidst the strong opposition against the Lynas project? The top priority now would be to teach leaders about humility. Only those who are modest will know their own inadequacies. Secondly, Umno must restore the people's confidence as soon as possible. Various controversial issues have eroded public confidence in the existing system, including whether the rise of the national debt would cause the reduction of subsidies after the election or, worse, lead the country towards bankruptcy? The government has guaranteed the safety of the rare earth refinery but it has not fully explained about the Asian Rare Earth (ARE) plant in Bukit Merah. The construction of ARE's second permanent disposal facility is scheduled to be completed in March 2013 and it will be monitored by the Atomic Energy Licensing Board (AELB) for 300 years. Three hundred years involve a few generations and it is afraid that the country might have to bear a huge cost. The government also said that Lynas must ship rare earth waste abroad, but Lynas said that all waste will be converted into commercial by-products. Who should we listen to? Who can ensure that all waste will be converted into by-products? There are as many as 2.9 million new voters in the next general election. Umno can sit back and relax only after it has convinced these young voters aged between 22 and 29 years old. Thirdly, Najib must offer the people a new direction. The transformation plans have reached a bottleneck and failed to solve corruption problems as well as boost vitality in the economy. The RM40 million political donation and former Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Musa Hassan's criticism of the police force have reflected the lack of transparency in the existing system. The government-related enterprises' performances are also poor. MAS's accumulated loss has reached RM8.19 billion and it has to implement a reorganisation plan. Meanwhile, Petronas posted a 21.3 per cent fall in third-quarter net profit. What should we do if the world economy encounters a recession next year? Transformation and reforms are not just about adjusting the minor parts. It should not be controlled by politics either. If the BN is able to put an end to the various problems which are shaking its credibility, it will then be on the way to success. The problems come from them, instead of the alternative coalition.
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| Posted: 03 Dec 2012 03:04 PM PST
It is not up to the political elites to decide what is, or what is not, Malaysian culture, especially when it comes to the much anticipated prime ministerial debate. Three generations have passed; 12 general elections have come and gone; six prime ministers have helmed the bridge of the beautifully built but badly sailed ship of Malaysia; yet, there has only been one government, one ruling party, one business plan and one corrupt hole that those at the top keep digging at the expense of the rakyat. By Howard Lee, FMT The general election is just around the corner. At every corner you turn and in every conversation you hear, the election is being talked about passionately. Regardless of whichever side of the political divide one stands on, the future of the nation is at stake, our fates as well as those of our children and their children hang in the balance. The Malaysian experiment in democracy had at its core the guiding principles of progress through 'check and balance', and mechanisms such as the 'separation of powers' and two tiered parliamentary representation built in to ensure a progressive union of the rakyat. However instead of progress, the experiment has pushed our country further away from its goals. Three generations have passed; 12 general elections have come and gone; six prime ministers have helmed the bridge of the beautifully built but badly sailed ship of Malaysia; yet, there has only been one government, one ruling party, one business plan and one corrupt hole that those at the top keep digging at the expense of the rakyat. All this has been garnished by lies after deceptions, time and time again. I was recently lucky enough to spend two weeks in America, during the last frantic few weeks of campaigning for the recent US presidential election. Though I am no stranger to foreign politics – having been involved in British politics with the Liberal Democrats – being in New York two weeks before the acid test of Obama's new politics of Hope and Change, was nothing short of an eye opener. Fortunate enough to be present for three out of the four most important debates in the US legislative term; namely the vice presidential debate, the presidential town hall debate, and the presidential foreign policy debate, I never knew where my threshold for overdosing on politicking was, until now. Polls in the US On TV, analysts and spokespersons from both sides of the divide were interviewed on split screens around the clock and across time zones, whilst live debates and polls assessed every nuance, slip, or hidden meaning behind the speaker's words. Competition raged amongst the countless TV channels to deliver the most impressive visual presentations of the latest polling figures, not to mention opinion pieces on candidate's choice of words, narrative style, perceptive strategy, body language, and last and sometimes seemingly least, their stand on the various pressing issues and topics they stood for. Granted, the buzz surrounding the debate does tend to verge on the side of overkill. More often than not, both parties employ huge resources and go startling lengths to tear apart their opponent with minute details. But this façade (although it must be navigated with care) does not take away from the ultimate purpose: to inform and to get people talking about each candidate and what policies they stand for. My daily 15-minute queue for my Sumatran Macchiato in Starbucks saw students of all hues and accents discussing politics; teenagers whining about how uncool one candidate was compared to the other; and a group of high-powered well-dressed business women biting at one of the talking points. It was a big deal! Whether it was the substance that they cared about, or simply the presentation, they were certainly participating in the discussion. All that, can be said for every elections, in every democratic nation in the modern world. It's definitely applicable to our political reality in Malaysia. But one could be quite surprised to find that the above paragraph is a statement made by an American citizen of Mexican descent in his 20's named Miguel working as a barman in New York. And it's not Malaysia he's talking about. Ultimately, through extensive debates and the public dismantling of policy; each and every member of the public has the opportunity if he or she wishes to become part of the debate.
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| That liberalism, pluralism menace Posted: 03 Dec 2012 03:00 PM PST
The writer takes a cynical and satirical look on how the Malays must come to terms with themselves. Racism has been around in Malaysia for half a century, so why bother to dismantle it? And why must they blame Umno for looking after the Malays with affirmative action, when MCA and MIC conveniently ignored their own people? Great leaders like Dr Mahathir Mohamad has reaffirmed that those race-based parties are here to stay. PAS is but a fine example. Iskandar Dzulkarnain, FMT Liberalism and pluralism have engulfed the nation, and this negative phenomenon is slowly afflicting the Malays, causing them to turn away from the path of righteousness. Even Umno which has been lovingly protecting the Malays for the last 50 years and the various religious authorities are now watching open-mouthed in horror as liberalism sweeps across the land unhindered – infecting unsuspecting Muslims. Yes, once this affliction manifests itself, it will cause widespread confusion among the Malays causing them to question themselves, question the state and question their religious beliefs. Sometimes they may even question each other. Some are already questioning why there is so much repression of their individual freedoms, in comparison to the non-Malays. Unable to control themselves, they are also starting to question the royalty, the state and the religion. And worse, they are now questioning the hand that feeds them (Umno). Some are even questioning the need for Malay supremacy. How disappointing is that? It is a pity that there are so few organisations like Perkasa around to protect Malay rights. Ibrahim Ali is a rare breed and he epitomises the true towering Malay. Racism has been around in Malaysia for half a century, so why bother to dismantle it? And why must they blame Umno for looking after the Malays with affirmative action, when MCA and MIC conveniently ignored their own people? Great leaders like Dr Mahathir Mohamad has reaffirmed that those race-based parties are here to stay. PAS is but a fine example. When there was lack of jobs for the Malays, Umno absorbed them into the civil service. Yet the Malays remain unappreciative of the fact, due largely to liberalism. They think if they choose Pakatan Rakyat, there will be more individual freedom and liberal thought. They think there will be lesser interference to the way they want to live. Malays have been warned That's why, what Nurul Izzah said also had me and the whole nation quite confused, even though I can "a little speaking". What she said was too liberal and the Malays must not entertain such pluralistic thoughts. The younger generation could go quite berserk. The state doesn't ask very much of the Malays. Only once every five years to give them our mandate to carry on whatever they are doing and they will leave us alone to our fate. And yet some Malays seem to think that the state wants to control our minds and our thoughts. Already, Umno has warned us many times that PAS is out to get us, and if we believe in their extreme ideologies, we will be even more entrapped. Let Pakatan Rakyat deceive the public with its Malaysia for Malaysian slogans or a caring government that will serve the people and accord all citizens individual freedoms. The Malays do want to be part of such liberal ideologies. We are contented with the status quo and many of us are preparing in earnest for the hereafter. Yes, liberalism has caused many Malays to leave Umno's fold and to dine with the enemy (PAS). Today, there are many liberals in PAS, questioning Umno's impeccable religious credentials, and even have the cheek to call Umno murtad (apostates). Now, isn't that a little too extreme? PAS' consistency in belittling the faith of its Muslim political opponents shows that it lacks legitimacy as reformers, said Umno vice-president Hishammuddin Hussein. Isn't that food for thought? Although liberalism has a broad meaning, it does not mean moderation. Moderation is practised by the Muslims in this country but PAS has a higher agenda and intent on introducing a more Islamic outlook. It is not contented that Malaysia is already an Islamic country and wants a purer and more unadulterated version. So the Malays will have to get ready for a better version to their existing way of life some day. Religious authorities have made the call to curb liberalism among the Muslims. Compared to Muslims around the world, the Muslims in this country are relatively weak, especially the younger generation that needs to be constantly nurtured. A borderless world has distracted the Muslims from their focus, causing them to embrace liberalism and pluralism and to seek for political change. PAS Youth has called for more religious education to fill this vacuum. Liberalism begets forgetfulness Young Scholars Secretariat (Ilmu) working committee chairman Ustaz Fathul Bari Mat Jahaya said pluralism was an understanding which adopted extreme tolerant attitude based on western perspective. "I am waiting for the National Fatwa Council to issue a clear fatwa [edict] on the understanding for Muslims to refer to," he said. The fatwa needs to be implemented with strict religious action and enforcement to eradicate such ills effectively. Meanwhile, the Ulama have questioned the Malays who believe in celebrating the diversity and plurality of Malaysian society. This is a tradition that should not be overly promoted as it may threaten the faith of Muslims. Certain guidelines for proper intermingling have been drawn up as intermingling between the races has become too close for comfort. What the government has done for the Malays in the past have been conveniently forgotten, and today the Malays have become rebellious. They have lost respect for the authorities and the government. This needs to be checked. Liberalism has gone out of control until the Malays are willing to vote against the very government that has nurtured them from day one. It has gone so bad that the Malays cannot be depended upon to make the right choice even though they have been given the freedom to exercise their vote. Today, even affirmative actions for the Malays are being questioned and dissected by liberal Malays themselves. They question the role of BTN (Biro Tata Negara or National Civics Bureau), and is efforts to unite the Malays.
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