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Why is BN so afraid of White paper on SAS?
No ring but what about the Birkin handbags?
Stop The Intimidation Of Dr Abdul Aziz Bari
How silly can MCA leaders be?
Lim Guan Eng's Family, Latest Target of the Wholly Unoriginal BN/MSM Complex

Why is BN so afraid of White paper on SAS?

Posted: 21 Oct 2011 06:37 PM PDT

DANIEL JOHN JAMBUN

We all know the protracted issue of Saham Amanah Sabah (SAS) which was launched on a share value of RM1 and then got reduced to 20 sen ("Cheaper than kueh pisang," as many people put it) and caused a loss of more than RM400 million involving 55,000 investors. And it is still raging today, with certain groups, especially BN leaders trying to point their accusing fingers at Datuk Yong Teck Lee who happened to be the Chief Minister when SAS was introduced. The strategy is to make the people believe it was all Yong's fault, mostly because he is now no longer in the BN.

I fully support that an investigation be carried out on the SAS affair. If Yong is the culprit that caused the massive loss to the 55,000 investors, then let him be answerable, morally and legally. To me this is the only way to solve the whole issue. But isn't it strange that the BN keeps refusing to produce a White Paper on the issue? Even as early as 2004, Yong had called for a full investigation into the messy affair, saying "I hope findings of any investigation conducted on SAS by the authorities, including by the Securities Commission, should be made public so that the truth would come out." He even welcomed the DAP's statement that it would make a report to the police and the then ACA (now named MACC) on the matter. The Chief Minister, Datuk Musa Aman, appealed then that the issue be not politicized, to which LDP President, Tan Sri Chong Kah Kiat said he was not politicising the issue but was "merely clearing the air on certain facts… This is not politicising, this is telling the world what should be told. This is explaining to the people what had happened...I'm talking about responsibility. If people can stop politicizing other matters and if certain people themselves can behave then everyone else also can behave."

In response Yong expressed surprised that although Chong said he was telling the world what should be told, he (Chong) declined to name the culprits behind the losses suffered by SAS investors. Chong didn't say it was Yong. Yong said then that Chong's "comment that he does not want to reveal the identity of the culprits shows he is deliberately concealing information at the expense of the 55,000 investors of SAS by saying HE WANTS TO GIVE FACE to the persons who are responsible for the losses suffered by Saham Sabah investors. The people have a right to be suspicious who is he protecting and why. The people of Sabah, especially the 55,000 investors of Saham Sabah, have a right to know the identity of the person whom Chong now says he wants to give face to." To date Chong never dared to reveal the names of those responsible.

This situation has continued until today. Chong clearly admitted HE KNEW who were responsible, but never said who they were. Then last year lawyer Joseph Ambrose Lee whose name kept cropping up in the SAS debacle said "I support the idea to have a White Paper because it will reveal the truth. But it (White Paper) will never happen." Lee seems to know something very sinister, by implying the white Paper is too sensitive and dangerous for certain leaders. Dr. Yee Moh Chai, Yong's archenemy, had previously said that Yong should not hide behind the calls for a White Paper "because the Barisan Nasional state government has no time to waste." Why is a White Paper a waste of time? Is time better spent on arguing about who is right and wrong without any real answer for more than 10 years now? Even PBS vice president Herbert Timbun Lagadan had to say something on the matter: "The onus is on Yong to explain," he said. "A White Paper cannot resolve this problem. Let the Malaysian Anti Corruption Commission (MACC) investigate." Other than PBS, Upko and PBRS also rejected the idea of a white paper. Why did Lagadan say a White Paper is unable to solver the problem? Are White Papers useless in the BN system of government? Or is it because a White Paper done in Sabah will be very biased, or impossible to do, because of the involvement of certain powerful people who are guilty in the whole affair?

In the SAPP website, News that Matter, Foo Fook Ming writes: "Adolf Hitler once said that a LIE being repeated for a hundred times will become a TRUTH. Dr Yee had been using this tactic (by repeatedly) blaming Datuk Yong Teck Lee on the decline of SAS value. Datuk Yee being senior minister in the government for around 10 years and recently advanced to Deputy Chief Minister has access to the government information and he can initiate action against the people who were responsible for the fall of SAS price. When Yee was still in opposition he blamed the BN government on SAS but later only singled out Datuk Yong Teck Lee as his target. Now that Yee is in the position, it is his responsibility to disclose to the people and the holders of SAS the real reasons and the real culprits. He knew well who those responsible yet he chose to remain silent which was why he objected strongly to the publication of White Paper on SAS."

Even as late as last year SAPP had again proposed the production of the White Paper at the State Legislative Assembly, but to no avail. Why is a White Paper on the debacle so frightening to the BN? Is it possible that it was some Umno leaders who were responsible? I have been made to understand that prior to the launch of SAS, some Umno leaders had already been allocated substantial FREE shares! And the managers of SAS were not experienced and so were not qualified to manage an investment agency. The only party which the BN components could be really afraid of in Sabah is Umno, so is Umno or some Umno leaders the ones responsible? If not them, then who else? My question is, if it is Yong who is the real culprit it shouldn't it have been the BN to table for a White Paper at full speed? If found guilty BN can then crucify Yong, and kill him and his SAPP politically for good. But clearly, BN doesn't dare to do this simply because UMNO/BN have something to hide. They prefer, as the Malay proverb says, to throw stones and hide the hands.

Since this is a matter of grave public interest which concerns the money of so many investors the BN government should have supported the proposed White Paper if it is truly transparent, accountable and open, and practicing the principle of people first and performance now which is endlessly being promoted by the Prime Minister. In the same way, all local BN component parties namely PBS, UPKO, PBRS, LDP should assertively demand the government to introduce this White Paper to ascertain the real culprit on this SAS massive failure lest they are seen as nothing more than traitors, stooges and proxies of Umno. They is no logic in them continuing to harp on Yong and yet refuse to undertake a proper investigation to reveal the truth, unless they have something very big to hide. There is still time for the white Paper before the coming 13th General Election, if BN dares to risk exposing their own guilty leaders, for the sake of the people, especially the 55,000 suffering investors.

No ring but what about the Birkin handbags?

Posted: 21 Oct 2011 06:29 PM PDT

As the General Elections looms, UMNO is pulling out all the stops in its efforts to reclaim the state.

Most recently, the UMNO propaganda machinery has launched an all-out charm offensive including a comic strip entitled "Who's Rosmah?" in a desperate attempt to portray her as a cost-conscious and kind-hearted "First Lady".

No matter how much glorious praise is lavished on the Prime Minister's wife by the UMNO propaganda department, it is unlikely that the term "cost-conscious" coulee be applied to her!

During the current Parliament sitting, I had put forward a question requesting confirmation whether there is any truth in the persistent rumor that Rosmah owns a diamond ring worth USD24 million and a large number of Birkin handbags.

Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Datuk Seri Nazri Aziz in his written reply dated 11th October curtly confirmed that the rumour about Rosmah owning a USD24 million diamond ring is not true. However, Nazri evaded answering the other part of the question pertaining to the Birkin handbags.

Indeed, the Royal Custom and Excise Department of Malaysia had confirmed that there was no transaction pertaining to the diamond ring as the ring had been returned to the U.S. company that owns it.

Now, if Nazri so obviously chose not to clarify the Birkin handbag question, does this mean that this particular rumour is true?

It is a known fact that Rosmah has appeared in public countless times clutching her Birkin handbags. Going by the photos compiled by netizens, the number of Birkin handbags carried by her in official functions as well as when she is on holiday adds up to not just one or two but at least 11 in different colours!

Manufactured by Hermès since 1984 and named after the British actress/singer Jane Birkin who resides in France, a Birkin handbag is a universally recognized as a symbol of extravagance and wealth. Due to its limited quantities therefore causing a huge demand, the price of a Birkin handbag ranges from USD9,000 to USD150,000.

Let us analyze the situation further. Najib started his political career at the age of 23 by inheriting, without a fight, the parliamentary seat held by his father, Tun Abdul Razak who was the second Prime Minister of Malaysia. In his smooth-sailing political career, he was appointed as a Deputy Minister by the age of 25, and then Menteri Besar of Pahang at the age of 29. He returned to Parliament when he was 33 and was appointed as Culture, Youth and Sports Minister. He then held various ministerial positions such as Minister of Defence (1991), Minister of Education (1995), Deputy Prime Minister (2004) and DPM-cum-Minister of Finance (Sept 2008). Although the salary of a Prime Minister or a Minister is quite considerable, surely the salary isn't so high that one can easily afford such excessive extravagance such as the items being flaunted by Rosmah?

If UMNO is fanatically pitching Rosmah as a "First Lady" of great prudence and passion for charitable work, it would bode well for its propaganda department to address the public's curiosity and valid questions regarding the Birkin handbags that accompany Rosmah wherever she goes -- whether she bought them with her own money, or they were given to her as gifts, or they are in fact just imitations bought from Petaling Street vendors.

TEO NIE CHING

DAP Assistant National Publicity Secretary-cum-Serdang MP

Email: teonieching@gmail.com

Stop The Intimidation Of Dr Abdul Aziz Bari

Posted: 21 Oct 2011 11:02 AM PDT

By Ratina Osman, Sisters in Islam

Sisters in Islam (SIS) is appalled at the current targeting of Prof Dr Abdul Aziz Bari by many sectors, including the police force and the International Islamic University of Malaysia (UIA).

As an academic whose interest lies in Constitutional matters and Islamic policies, Aziz acted within his professional bounds when he commented on the fallout from the Selangor Islamic Religious Department (JAIS)'s raid on the Damansara Utama Methodist Church on 3 August.

While some may take issue with Aziz's analysis, they should engage and challenge his views via civil, public discussions instead of intimidating him. To accuse him of treason (derhaka) when he was critiquing the monarchy's exercise of its Constitutional powers is unjust and in breach of Islamic adab.

After all, SIS is no stranger to intimidation by state authorities, political parties and non-governmental organisations when we comment on issues of public interest.

Therefore, we are concerned at the way Aziz is now being treated, such as being investigated under the Sedition Act and suspended by the UIA.

SIS is thus worried at the systematic demonising and shutting down of diverse voices wanting to discuss matters of public interest related to Islamic policies and laws in Malaysia.

We hope that various parties will show mercy and compassion towards Aziz and call for the harassment on him to stop.

RATNA OSMAN is Executive Director of SIS Forum (Malaysia)

How silly can MCA leaders be?

Posted: 21 Oct 2011 12:29 AM PDT

By Lee Kee

HOW silly can MCA political leaders be? On second thought, should anyone be surprised with the MCA's use of women and sex to attract political attention and support?

It is no wonder that the Chinese community is shying away from MCA today. The present batch of party central leaders is a disgrace to the Chinese for supporting an immoral leader – one who womanises and cheats on his wife.

Clearly, their support for Chua Soi Lek is based solely on political patronage and the perks from the party and its assets, especially from its cash cow, The Star newspaper. It cannot be for the interest of the Chinese community, and Malaysians in general.

The MCA can now, hardly defend itself from the use of sex to attract political support, following the pictorial write up by Toh Leong posted by Malaysia Chronicle on Oct 20, 2011, and titled MCA's 'Hot Chicks' and Wee Ka Siong: The Inside Story.

First of all, there is nothing wrong with the modelling profession. In fact, it is one of the most rewarding profession, if one is successful.

However, the way the MCA, especially its Youth wing, engaged the models is utterly distasteful and degrading.

Now, here are some insider revelations by little birds in the party that show how rotten to the core its leaders are.

After the models were paraded, MCA Youth chief Wee Ka Siong had the cheek to say that those absent from the assembly had missed a golden opportunity to interact with the young professionals who include businesswomen and lawyers.
After the true identity of the models were exposed by PKR in the internet news portals, Wee initially refused the media to interview the models; he also refused to comment or confirm whether they were part-time models and promoters;
Wee was also quoted as saying: "Is it a sin for beautiful girls to join MCA? Even if they are prostitutes, what is wrong with joining MCA?" Such reactions are testimony to Wee's arrogance and lack of respect for women.

Wee had initially tried to portray the models as party members but they are not. So, what are they doing at the Annual General Meeting (AGM) which is only for central delegates and observers (who must be party members). What's wrong with using genuine MCA women members? The legality of the presence of outsiders, is therefore, questionable, what more they were given special treatment and attention in a grand entry to the AGM.

Another gossip among MCA members is Chua Soi Lek's offer of a "New Deal" for the Chinese community and Malaysians in the next general election.

Have you noticed why there is not a single effort offered in the "New Deal" for women and children's protection?

The joke is this: "The girls and women actually need protection from Chua Soi Lek. That's why the New Deal is shy of this issue."

So, to the MCA, led by the likes of Chua and Wee, it is leadership by example a.k.a sex by example. Hmmm! Sounds familiar, like big brother Umno.

Lee Kee

Ipoh

Lim Guan Eng's Family, Latest Target of the Wholly Unoriginal BN/MSM Complex

Posted: 21 Oct 2011 12:27 AM PDT

By Scott Thong

Rule 12: Pick the target, freeze it, personalize it, and polarize it. Cut off the support network and isolate the target from sympathy. Go after people and not institutions; people hurt faster than institutions. (This is cruel, but very effective. Direct, personalized criticism and ridicule works.) - 'Rules for Radicals' by Saul Alinsky.

I've said it before twice ( http://www.malaysia-today.net/mtcolumns/letterssurat/40540-sarah-palin-anwar-ibrahim-and-the-politics-of-alinsky and http://www.malaysia-today.net/mtcolumns/letterssurat/43130-proven-the-bnmsms-complex-is-using-alinskyite-tactics ).

And I also warned that once they confirm its effectiveness, the BN/MSM complex would extend their Alinskyite tactics past Anwar Ibrahim to anyone who begins to rise as a credible Opposition figurehead. I specifically mentioned Nik Aziz, Hadi Awang, Lim Guan Eng and Wan Azizah as their potential targets.

And I'll say it again now, because it seems clearer than ever that our local political hacks are using the American below-the-belt example as their guide - not just in general, but also in the specifics. They have already moved beyond mere personal attacks on public figures into the sordid sewers of attacking innocent family members.

Now as we all know, Penang has been prospering under Pakatan Rakyat's governance over the past few years. This is a fact that Penang's ineffectual former taskmasters Barisan Nasional and their crony Mainstream Media (i.e. the BN/MSM complex) cannot dispute. So instead, they turn to personal attacks against Lim Guan Eng, Pakatan's current Chief Minister of Penang.

First they dredged up remarks he made regarding his personal opinion on the (again, indisputable) high rate of violent crime in Johor. And now the latest hit job by the BN/MSM complex is the (actually rather amateurish and half-baked) attempt to slander Lim Guan Eng's 16-year-old son with sex allegations.

Basically some self-smug Netizen took a photo of a young woman - whom we now know to be 21-year-old chess Grandmaster Anya Sun Corke - and cut out the surrounding innocent context before sticking it next to a photo of Lim Guan Eng's son. This is dishonest hackery by itself, as the two have never met. However, the perpetrator also added crude text to suggest sexual impropriety involving the lady's chestal region.

Of course, since Anya Sun Corke is a relatively famous person (she has her own long-existing Wikipedia entry), it didn't take long for truthseekers to find the original photo and unravel the deception. Honestly, couldn't the slanderer have used the photo of some anonymous model, instead of an internationally renowned chess Grandmaster? Hence, amateurish and half-baked.

Those who followed the 2008 US Election should find the above 'anatomy of a smear job' familiar.

Shortly after Sarah Palin was announced as the Republican Vice Presidential candidate, a scandalous photo began circulating the Internet. There she was, posing in a skimpy stars-and-stripes American flag bikini, toting a large rifle, still wearing her 'sexy-librarian' glasses and retro hairdo. It fit the critics' stereotype of her perfectly - patriotic, gun-loving, attractive... And nothing more than a bimbo 'trophy VP'. "Do you voters really want this redneck former beauty queen running the country? Isn't Barack Obama a much better choice - handsome, sexy AND smart?"

Only, it wasn't actually a photo of Sarah Palin. Just as with the case of Lim Guan Eng's son, the original photo was eventually found. Some hacks - who had much better imagination and graphics-editing skills than in our present case - took a photo of some bikini-clad woman off the Internet and superimposed Sarah Palin's head onto it.

But that was just the beginning. As Lim Guan Eng is discovering, hyper-partisan attacks will not be limited to the target's professional or even personal life. No, the hyenas will next ruthlessly and unethically go after family members and acquaintances. No slander, smear or lie will be too dirty to fling.

Sarah Palin is the textbook case that the BN/MSM complex is studying up on. To date, US media and entertainment personalities who are pro-Obama have: Repeatedly alleged that her husband is having an affair and will soon divorce her; cruelly mocked her Down Syndrome toddler as brutally retarded and begging for a quick death; publicly fantasized about raping her and her young daughters, including the pre-teen; actually threatened rape which led to arrests; and so much more. (Try imagining the tsunami of outrage if someone discussed Barack Obama's daughters the same way.)

Only everyone's favourite heartless warmonger and imperialist crusader, George W. Bush has had this much hatred directed his way. And Sarah Palin had not actually done anything other than accept the VP nomination! Which of course was itself the reason, because she posed a threat - no matter how distant - to their precious Barack Obama's ascension. (Yes, yes, I admit I'm a Sarah Palin Facebook follower - haters gonna hate.)

As I mentioned in my previous pieces, it's all about distracting the target from his/her professional pursuits, while simultaneously making the public so sick of the constant 'scandals' that they tune him/her out of their minds. Best case scenario for the attackers, their victim decides to quit the political arena if they will JUST LEAVE MY FAMILY ALONE!!!

And just to rub in my point, US/Malaysian politics and media parallels are not limited to ad hominem attacks on individuals. Compare these scenes from America with our own Malaysian experience, and see if you can spot the similarities:

Most of the American news networks and other media lean heavily towards the Democrats (just check their political donation amounts), yet whine that FOX News is biased towards the Republicans. Meanwhile, the Malaysian MSM is in the pocket of BN - literally, BN component parties are the legal owners of these companies! - yet have the gall to label independent media as pro-Opposition.

The American media tried to ignore, then viciously slandered peaceful rallies they oppose (the Tea Parties) while gushing and glossing over unruly mobs they support (Occupy Wall Street and its childish ilk) - the latter of which clogged up the Brooklyn Bridge for hours and made commuters fume with frustration. Hmm, is it just me, or didn't we just see something similar back home with Bersih 2.0 and anti-Bersih - the latter of which intentionally clogged up the Penang Bridge at rush hour?

And Americans are renowned for strongly supporting the ideals of democracy. They are such staunch proponents of free elections, that even death will not stop them from carrying out their duty! 2,812 officially deceased individuals voted in the 2008 Minnesota general elections. This is just like our Election Commission of Malaysia.

...Just kidding! We don't have such outright scams as Zombie Voters From the Grave. This is because our eligible voters can reach the age of 128 years without dying. Meanwhile, 9,000+ other slightly less sprightly registered voters are merely above 100 years old. ( http://www.nzherald.co.nz/world/news/article.cfm?c_id=2&objectid=10495765 )

But if you point out a mistake in the electoral roll, be prepared to pay for the costs of re-checking out of your own pocket ( http://wangsamajuformalaysia.blogspot.com/2011/09/stupid-law-stupid-results.html ). Or better yet, get accused of being a traitor to the nation for your efforts! ( http://rights2write.wordpress.com/2011/08/18/loyalty-to-the-king-and-country/ )

So what the BN/MSM complex is doing is really all old hat. Our local crony media is just playing catch-up with the American trailblazers. (This is in contrast to propping up failed govt-linked companies using taxpayer funds, where a certain visionary Malaysian leader did it long before the Western leaders 'discovered' bailouts. And then he scolded the West for rescuing their insolvent institutions. Must be some sort of copyright infringement?)

This means that we have the advantage of knowing in advance what their unoriginal playbook is going to be like, because let's face it - it's not like they are genuinely innovative, creative or anything like that.

So now we know what stale ploys the BN/MSM complex is up to. What do we do about it? In five succinct points:

1) Don't let their sideshows and hit-jobs distract us from the real issues of ethics and good governance! Whom a politician screws in bed is not as important, that the politician is screwing over the country is! (If all else fails, we can always nominate the sex scandal participants to the MCA Presidency... Because apparently that is the only necessary criteria these days. Zing!)

2) Support their targets not to throw in the towel! Anwar Ibrahim, Lim Kit Siang, RPK and Elizabeth Wong are just some examples of their favourite punching bags who refused to leave the arena even after constant harassment and prison/ISA detention.

3) Expose and publicize their deceptions and hypocrisy. The BN/MSM complex has already lost a powerful tool - absolute control of the dissemination of information - to the rise of alternative media, Facebook and Twitter.

4) Join the movements. Are the Bersih 2.0 supporters liars, who make up fairytales about race-blind solidarity and police over-reaction, and spread these pernicious myths via Twitter? The best response is, WE KNOW BETTER BECAUSE WE WERE THERE!

5) Vote! Vote! Vote! Tens of thousands of Tea Partiers across America were pointedly excluded from media coverage, but their real achievement was to turn up en-masse on voting day to elect representatives who respect the will of the people, resulting in the 2010 political sea change.

Seriously, if you can't be bothered to cross the minor hurdles of registering to vote and checking for errors (http://daftarj.spr.gov.my/NEWDAFTARJ/DaftarjBI.aspx ) and finally actually going to the polling station come election day, you are close to being an accomplice to the slow murder of Malaysia: 'When bad men combine, the good must associate; else they will fall, one by one, an unpitied sacrifice in a contemptible struggle.' (Often misquoted as 'The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing'.)

BN has been running our country for so long that sometimes the status quo seems immortal and immutable. We always talk about finally voting them out, but that it might actually happen - maybe this very year! - sometimes seems almost unreal.

And it really will be an unreality if we just sit back and let them have their way.

Kredit: www.malaysia-today.net

Sabtu, 22 Oktober 2011

Malaysia Today - Your Source of Independent News

Malaysia Today - Your Source of Independent News

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