by anilnetto.com
1-4-2010
How apt that Deputy Prime Minister’s new My-Malaysia website, bearing the tag line ‘Muhyiddin Yassin for Malaysia’ is now “not available!”
That says a lot. The website was launched at the end of January. But now – poof! – it has vanished without a trace. Now we know he thinks of himself as Malay first.
Seen from one level, a national leader should be thinking of the nation first. Maybe that was the reason he set up his now defunct website as ‘Muhyiddin untuk Malaysia‘ in the first place.
At another level, this debate about whether we are Malaysians first or Malay/Chinese/Indian/Kadazan/Iban/Orang Asli etc first as a test of patriotism is a bit shallow.
If we want to go down that path, where do we place our religious identity? Are we Malaysians first or Muslims/Christians/Buddhists/Hindus/Sikhs first or Malays/Chinese/Indians etc first?
But how did our ancestors identify themselves before the existence of the nation-state? They couldn’t have been Malaysians first as there was no ‘Malaysia’ before 1963.
What about familial identity? Am I a son or a brother first? Is a woman a daughter, a mother, a sister or a wife first? Few would even think of asking such a question.
Or do we identify ourselves by our occupation, as many do? Am I a writer first or an activist or just a good-for-nothing?
It is so easy to pin labels on people – and on ourselves. Such labels are often a mask. The truth – about ourselves, of self awareness, about God and the divine – lies deeper within. Often we struggle to peel off the layers to discover our true selves.
Yet, we are all human beings belonging to the same human family. If you believe in a God, then you could say we are all part of Creation. Even if you don’t, you have to admit we are all inter-connected in so many different ways and share a common bond and heritage as part of the human family.
As human beings, we have a body and a soul, but our individual identity is more complex.
What makes us who we are is a combination of so many factors, including the environment we were brought up in.
Paradoxically, the great spiritual traditions teach us that the Self and the Ego often stand in the way of true enlightenment.
Central to this identity of ours are the values we cherish.
Do we believe in Truth, Love, Justice, Compassion and Solidarity first – or is it always Me (and the group I identify with) First so that I couldn’t care less about the interests of those around Me?
That, to me, is the real question we should be asking ourselves. What do you think?
Wednesday, March 31, 2010
Zambry's " revelation " to hide Umno's problems , says Nizar
The malaysianinsider
By Shazwan Mustafa Kamal
KUALA LUMPUR, April 1 — Datuk Seri Nizar Jamaluddin has rubbished his successor’s claims of being offered the Perak Mentri Besar’s post first by the Pakatan Rakyat (PR) shortly after Election 2008, saying it was an attempt to hide problems in Umno.
Perak Mentri Besar Datuk Dr. Zambry Abd Kadir’s made the “revelation” in the Perak State Assembly yesterday (picture) that he had been “approached” by a top PKR leader to defect but had declined.
“He had to reassure Umno leaders in Perak that he was the rightful mentri besar. He wants to reaffirm with Umno that he was the right mentri besar, officially under Pak Lah,” Nizar told The Malaysian Insider last night.
The ousted mentri besar, who is also Bukit Gantang MP, alluded to internal strife within Umno Perak when Zambry was made Perak MB.
According to Nizar, Zambry’s claims that a top PKR leader had courted him and was offered the top post in Perak was engineered to psychologically sway Umno member’s opinions about his “legitimacy” as MB, since even “Pakatan Rakyat had been courting him.”
“Pak Lah had in fact on February 6 2009, pushed for him (Zambry) to be appointed… and at that time, his son-in-law Khairy Jamaluddin also wanted to become Umno Youth Chief,” claimed the Pasir Panjang assemblyman, referring to former Prime Minister Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi.
Nizar alleged that Zambry’ was pushed by Abdullah the former was the ex-Umno Youth leader of Perak, and thus had some political clout over the Umno Youth Wing.
“His claims does not hold any weightlah. He can say and claim whatever he wants, but he can’t justify it. I have not heard from any PR leaders on this matter.”
He noted that Zambry’s remarks came after PR lawmakers staged a walkout of the state assembly yesterday morning.
The stunning revelation was made during Zambry’s winding up speech on the debate of thanks on the royal address at the Perak State Assembly here this afternoon.
“I was courted. I was indeed courted when the (Barisan Nasional) government fell. The first person who was courted was Dr Zambry and not Nizar,” Zambry had said.
He did not reveal who the “number one leader” was and when asked whether he was referring to the party president (Datin Seri Wan Azizah Wan Ismail) or the adviser (Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim), Zambry merely said, “At the time, the leader was supposedly a very big leader”.
Nizar also told The Malaysian Insider that there had been a motion to remove his Datukship title.
“I was told that there was a motion tabled to pull back my Datukship,” he said, but did not elaborate on details.
By Shazwan Mustafa Kamal
KUALA LUMPUR, April 1 — Datuk Seri Nizar Jamaluddin has rubbished his successor’s claims of being offered the Perak Mentri Besar’s post first by the Pakatan Rakyat (PR) shortly after Election 2008, saying it was an attempt to hide problems in Umno.
Perak Mentri Besar Datuk Dr. Zambry Abd Kadir’s made the “revelation” in the Perak State Assembly yesterday (picture) that he had been “approached” by a top PKR leader to defect but had declined.
“He had to reassure Umno leaders in Perak that he was the rightful mentri besar. He wants to reaffirm with Umno that he was the right mentri besar, officially under Pak Lah,” Nizar told The Malaysian Insider last night.
The ousted mentri besar, who is also Bukit Gantang MP, alluded to internal strife within Umno Perak when Zambry was made Perak MB.
According to Nizar, Zambry’s claims that a top PKR leader had courted him and was offered the top post in Perak was engineered to psychologically sway Umno member’s opinions about his “legitimacy” as MB, since even “Pakatan Rakyat had been courting him.”
“Pak Lah had in fact on February 6 2009, pushed for him (Zambry) to be appointed… and at that time, his son-in-law Khairy Jamaluddin also wanted to become Umno Youth Chief,” claimed the Pasir Panjang assemblyman, referring to former Prime Minister Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi.
Nizar alleged that Zambry’ was pushed by Abdullah the former was the ex-Umno Youth leader of Perak, and thus had some political clout over the Umno Youth Wing.
“His claims does not hold any weightlah. He can say and claim whatever he wants, but he can’t justify it. I have not heard from any PR leaders on this matter.”
He noted that Zambry’s remarks came after PR lawmakers staged a walkout of the state assembly yesterday morning.
The stunning revelation was made during Zambry’s winding up speech on the debate of thanks on the royal address at the Perak State Assembly here this afternoon.
“I was courted. I was indeed courted when the (Barisan Nasional) government fell. The first person who was courted was Dr Zambry and not Nizar,” Zambry had said.
He did not reveal who the “number one leader” was and when asked whether he was referring to the party president (Datin Seri Wan Azizah Wan Ismail) or the adviser (Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim), Zambry merely said, “At the time, the leader was supposedly a very big leader”.
Nizar also told The Malaysian Insider that there had been a motion to remove his Datukship title.
“I was told that there was a motion tabled to pull back my Datukship,” he said, but did not elaborate on details.
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
Muhyiddin should resign as DPM if he is not prepared to declare that in accordance with 1 Malaysia goal , he is Malaysian first and Malay second
31-3-2010 by LKS blog
Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin said in Parliament yesterday in his reply as Education Minister that he supported the Prime Minister’s message of 1Malaysia and instead accused me of trying to drive a wedge between Datuk Seri Najib Razak and him.
Muhyiddin said:
“Ipoh Timur has questioned my commitment to the concept of 1 Malaysia. For Ipoh Timur’s information, 1 Malaysia, which was created by the prime minister, is a pure idea aimed at strengthening racial unity which has been the basis of our strength as a nation.
“Unity reflected by 1 Malaysia is not a form of assimilation where one’s identity is erased and replaced with one identity. It is also not a concept which rejects the special rights of the Malays as propagated by Ipoh Timur through the concept of Malaysian Malaysia and lately Middle Malaysia.
“My relationship with the prime minister is very close and 1 Malaysia has the support of the nation. The allegations made are aimed at weakening Barisan Nasional. I am confident that Barisan Nasional lawmakers clearly understand the concept of 1 Malaysia.”
Muhyiddin said that 1Malaysia respects the nation’s constitution and accused me of questioning the special rights of the Malays.
He said:
“Ipoh Timur is questioning the special rights of the Malays and rejects the differences in identity of the different races and the spirit of the constitution which does not reflect real commitment to the concept of 1 Malaysia.”
Clearly, Muhyiddin believes in the maxim that the best defence is offence, as he had completely evaded the three questions, which I had described as the three acid tests as to whether he really supports Najib’s 1Malaysia concept and has the 1Malaysia DNA, namely;
1) Whether he agrees to the establishment of an Opposition-headed Parliamentary Select Committee on 1Malaysia;
2) Is he prepared to declare that the basis of 1Malaysia is “ketuanan rakyat Malaysia” and not “ketuanan Melayu”; and
3) Is he prepared to endorse the objective of 1Malaysia as defined by the 1Malaysia Government Transformation Programme (GTP) Roadmap to create a nation where every Malaysian perceives himself or herself as Malaysian first, and by race, religion or region second.
4) As a result of evasion and prevarication by Umno Youth leader, Khairy Jamaluddin during the exchange when I spoke in the debate on the Royal Address, I had framed a fourth question:
Whether he is prepared to declare that the basis of the Malaysian Constitution is “ketuanan rakyat Malaysia” and not “ketuanan Melayu”.
Instead, Muhyiddin had gone on the offensive to launch a baseless and scurrilous attack on me, alleging that that I “questioned Malay special rights and rejected the differences in identity of the different races and the spirit of the constitution”.
Muhyiddin must be a very desperate politician that he had to make such a baseless charge, as I had refuted the allegation that I opposed Article 153 of the Constitution.
Is Muhyiddin making the allegation because I had declared that I am Malaysian first and Chinese second, and he is evading my challenge to him to similarly declare that he is Malaysian first and Malay second?
Isn’t Muhiddin’s refusal to make such a declaration the best proof that he does not fully support Najib’s 1Malaysia concept?
Let me remind Muhyiddin what the 1Malaysia Government Transformation Programme Roadmap said about the goal of 1Malaysia – “to make Malaysia ….a greater nation: a nation where, it is hoped, every Malaysian perceives himself or herself as Malaysian first, and by race, religion, geographical region or socio-economic background second and where the principles of 1Malaysia are woven into the economic, political and social fabric of society”.
During the debate in Parliament, I said this formulation of the goal of 1Malaysia is exactly the goal of Malaysian Malaysia and Middle Malaysia, proof that Malaysian Malaysia and Middle Malaysia are fully centred on the fundamental basis of the Constitution upon which this nation was founded when we achieved Merdeka in 1957.
In refusing to respond to my challenge to declare that he is Malaysian first and Malay second, isn’t Muhyiddin demonstrating that he does not fully support the 1Malaysia goal?
I challenge Muhyiddin to explain how my four questions on the acid tests of 1Malaysia had “questioned Malay special rights and rejected the differences in identity of the different races and the spirit of the constitution”?
Muhyiddin should resign as Deputy Prime Minister if he is not prepared to set the lead for all UMNO and Barisan Nasional leaders and declare that in accordance with the 1Malaysia goal, he is Malaysian first and Malay second.
Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin said in Parliament yesterday in his reply as Education Minister that he supported the Prime Minister’s message of 1Malaysia and instead accused me of trying to drive a wedge between Datuk Seri Najib Razak and him.
Muhyiddin said:
“Ipoh Timur has questioned my commitment to the concept of 1 Malaysia. For Ipoh Timur’s information, 1 Malaysia, which was created by the prime minister, is a pure idea aimed at strengthening racial unity which has been the basis of our strength as a nation.
“Unity reflected by 1 Malaysia is not a form of assimilation where one’s identity is erased and replaced with one identity. It is also not a concept which rejects the special rights of the Malays as propagated by Ipoh Timur through the concept of Malaysian Malaysia and lately Middle Malaysia.
“My relationship with the prime minister is very close and 1 Malaysia has the support of the nation. The allegations made are aimed at weakening Barisan Nasional. I am confident that Barisan Nasional lawmakers clearly understand the concept of 1 Malaysia.”
Muhyiddin said that 1Malaysia respects the nation’s constitution and accused me of questioning the special rights of the Malays.
He said:
“Ipoh Timur is questioning the special rights of the Malays and rejects the differences in identity of the different races and the spirit of the constitution which does not reflect real commitment to the concept of 1 Malaysia.”
Clearly, Muhyiddin believes in the maxim that the best defence is offence, as he had completely evaded the three questions, which I had described as the three acid tests as to whether he really supports Najib’s 1Malaysia concept and has the 1Malaysia DNA, namely;
1) Whether he agrees to the establishment of an Opposition-headed Parliamentary Select Committee on 1Malaysia;
2) Is he prepared to declare that the basis of 1Malaysia is “ketuanan rakyat Malaysia” and not “ketuanan Melayu”; and
3) Is he prepared to endorse the objective of 1Malaysia as defined by the 1Malaysia Government Transformation Programme (GTP) Roadmap to create a nation where every Malaysian perceives himself or herself as Malaysian first, and by race, religion or region second.
4) As a result of evasion and prevarication by Umno Youth leader, Khairy Jamaluddin during the exchange when I spoke in the debate on the Royal Address, I had framed a fourth question:
Whether he is prepared to declare that the basis of the Malaysian Constitution is “ketuanan rakyat Malaysia” and not “ketuanan Melayu”.
Instead, Muhyiddin had gone on the offensive to launch a baseless and scurrilous attack on me, alleging that that I “questioned Malay special rights and rejected the differences in identity of the different races and the spirit of the constitution”.
Muhyiddin must be a very desperate politician that he had to make such a baseless charge, as I had refuted the allegation that I opposed Article 153 of the Constitution.
Is Muhyiddin making the allegation because I had declared that I am Malaysian first and Chinese second, and he is evading my challenge to him to similarly declare that he is Malaysian first and Malay second?
Isn’t Muhiddin’s refusal to make such a declaration the best proof that he does not fully support Najib’s 1Malaysia concept?
Let me remind Muhyiddin what the 1Malaysia Government Transformation Programme Roadmap said about the goal of 1Malaysia – “to make Malaysia ….a greater nation: a nation where, it is hoped, every Malaysian perceives himself or herself as Malaysian first, and by race, religion, geographical region or socio-economic background second and where the principles of 1Malaysia are woven into the economic, political and social fabric of society”.
During the debate in Parliament, I said this formulation of the goal of 1Malaysia is exactly the goal of Malaysian Malaysia and Middle Malaysia, proof that Malaysian Malaysia and Middle Malaysia are fully centred on the fundamental basis of the Constitution upon which this nation was founded when we achieved Merdeka in 1957.
In refusing to respond to my challenge to declare that he is Malaysian first and Malay second, isn’t Muhyiddin demonstrating that he does not fully support the 1Malaysia goal?
I challenge Muhyiddin to explain how my four questions on the acid tests of 1Malaysia had “questioned Malay special rights and rejected the differences in identity of the different races and the spirit of the constitution”?
Muhyiddin should resign as Deputy Prime Minister if he is not prepared to set the lead for all UMNO and Barisan Nasional leaders and declare that in accordance with the 1Malaysia goal, he is Malaysian first and Malay second.
Monday, March 29, 2010
Govt to reform education system to boost talent
30-3-2010 thestaronline
KUALA LUMPUR: The government will review the education system to produce talent needed for an advanced nation and also offer perks to lure home highly-skilled Malaysians and retain global talent to develop a quality workforce.
At the same time, it will reduce reliance on cheap unskilled foreign labour by imposing equal labour standards for local and foreign labour and a levy for unskilled foreigners in line with sector needs.
These are among measures outlined in Part One of the New Economic Model (NEM) unveiled by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak Tuesday.
The NEM sounds a blunt warning that Malaysia's human capital is reaching a "critical stage" because of a lack of talent development, rapidly rising migration of skilled Malaysians and declining numbers of expatriates coming here.
Stressing that people are the most valuable asset in a fiercely competitive globalised world, the NEM says Malaysia must retain and attract talent to compete on a regional and global scale.
"Malaysia must be seen by its people and others as a land of equal opportunity to earn a good living and provide a secure, happy life for each individual and the family," it says.
It notes that 80% of the local workforce are only educated up to Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia and complaints of inadequate creativity and English proficiency are among the top obstacles faced by companies, according to a study on Malaysia's investment climate.
Among the measures proposed by NEM are:
* review the education system to shift from rote learning to creative and critical thinking;
* increase emphasis on reintroducing technical and vocational training colleges;
* enhance English language proficency;
* deliver high-quality education within reach of all localities;
* upgrade skills of the Malaysian workforce with continuing education and training;
* establish a safety net for displaced workers;
* formalise international quality standards and skills certification;
* allow wage levels to be reflective of skill level;
* review existing programmes to attract highly-skilled Malaysians to return home;
* offer permanent residence for ex-Malaysians and their families;
* centralised oversight of foreign labour and expatriates to enable coherent practice; and
* simpler work permit and immigration procedures.
The NEM says greater use of foreign talent will increase the demand for Malaysians to upgrade their skills, while the ensuing combination of global and domestic talent will generate higher production and lead to more robust wage raise.
"Another barrier that has to be addressed is the regulation of professional associations which prohibit domestic employment of foreign professionals.
"This is a critical issue since Malaysia's policies are unusually restrictive compared with other East Asian countries.
“Without substantial inflows of foreign talent, firms do not have the incentive to move up the value chain but still have to cope with wage cost pressures," it says.
To remove labour market distortions that hinder wage growth, the NEM suggests the revision of the legislation and institutional framework for hiring and firing practices.
Workers, not jobs, should be protected through a stronger safety net and a labour market flexibility should be encouraged while pay rise should be based on productivity and not regulation. - Bernama
KUALA LUMPUR: The government will review the education system to produce talent needed for an advanced nation and also offer perks to lure home highly-skilled Malaysians and retain global talent to develop a quality workforce.
At the same time, it will reduce reliance on cheap unskilled foreign labour by imposing equal labour standards for local and foreign labour and a levy for unskilled foreigners in line with sector needs.
These are among measures outlined in Part One of the New Economic Model (NEM) unveiled by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak Tuesday.
The NEM sounds a blunt warning that Malaysia's human capital is reaching a "critical stage" because of a lack of talent development, rapidly rising migration of skilled Malaysians and declining numbers of expatriates coming here.
Stressing that people are the most valuable asset in a fiercely competitive globalised world, the NEM says Malaysia must retain and attract talent to compete on a regional and global scale.
"Malaysia must be seen by its people and others as a land of equal opportunity to earn a good living and provide a secure, happy life for each individual and the family," it says.
It notes that 80% of the local workforce are only educated up to Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia and complaints of inadequate creativity and English proficiency are among the top obstacles faced by companies, according to a study on Malaysia's investment climate.
Among the measures proposed by NEM are:
* review the education system to shift from rote learning to creative and critical thinking;
* increase emphasis on reintroducing technical and vocational training colleges;
* enhance English language proficency;
* deliver high-quality education within reach of all localities;
* upgrade skills of the Malaysian workforce with continuing education and training;
* establish a safety net for displaced workers;
* formalise international quality standards and skills certification;
* allow wage levels to be reflective of skill level;
* review existing programmes to attract highly-skilled Malaysians to return home;
* offer permanent residence for ex-Malaysians and their families;
* centralised oversight of foreign labour and expatriates to enable coherent practice; and
* simpler work permit and immigration procedures.
The NEM says greater use of foreign talent will increase the demand for Malaysians to upgrade their skills, while the ensuing combination of global and domestic talent will generate higher production and lead to more robust wage raise.
"Another barrier that has to be addressed is the regulation of professional associations which prohibit domestic employment of foreign professionals.
"This is a critical issue since Malaysia's policies are unusually restrictive compared with other East Asian countries.
“Without substantial inflows of foreign talent, firms do not have the incentive to move up the value chain but still have to cope with wage cost pressures," it says.
To remove labour market distortions that hinder wage growth, the NEM suggests the revision of the legislation and institutional framework for hiring and firing practices.
Workers, not jobs, should be protected through a stronger safety net and a labour market flexibility should be encouraged while pay rise should be based on productivity and not regulation. - Bernama
From Judges To Gestapo Type Police : Tyranny of abuse of powers
30 March, 2010
By NH Chan
When powers are abused there is no tyranny like them. The abuse of powers by police is a consequence of the bad example set by judges when they refuse to apply the law as it stands or when they apply double standards in their judgments.
The Rise of Tyranny book cover. Source: Sentinel Press
I read with disgust, on 29 March 2010 in LoyarBurok about the manhandling and arrest of lawyer Amer Hamzah Arshad by the Gestapo type police.
When powers are abused, there is no tyranny like them.
We all know from the experience of recent events that those who have abused their powers have been the judges for not applying the law as it stands; not even the Federal Constitution, and, in Perak by the pretensions of a constitutional monarch for exercising a non-existent power to appoint a Menteri Besar when the incumbent is still in office.
When the highest echelon of those who wield power have themselves abused their powers it sets off a chain reaction down the line from the civil servants down to the lowest rank policemen.
And what we see today in the manhandling of Amer Hamzah Arshad, an advocate and solicitor, is an abuse of power by the police. Such is the consequence or outcome from the bad example set by the judges when they refuse to apply the law as it stands or when they apply double standard in their judgments. Look at the cases which involved Anwar Ibrahim and those which concern the power grab in Perak.
We are reminded by the prophetic words of Lord Denning in The Family Story, page 179:
But powers may be abused, and, if those powers are abused, there is no tyranny like them. It leads to a state of affairs when the police may arrest any man and throw him into prison without cause assigned. It leads to the search of his home and belongings on the slightest pretext ? or on none. It leads to the hated Gestapo and the police state. It leads to extorted confessions and to trials which are a mockery of justice.
Now you know why we must all work together to see that scums are not allowed to govern this country. They are such if they allow their judges to ignore the Federal and State Constitutions and to refuse to apply the law as it stands. Concentrate all your efforts for the next general elections.
If we allow scums to rule then as prophesied by Lord Denning, “there is no tyranny like them. It leads to a state of affairs when the police may arrest any man and throw him into prison without cause assigned. It leads to the hated Gestapo and the police state. It leads to extorted confessions and to trials which are a mockery of justice.”
By NH Chan
When powers are abused there is no tyranny like them. The abuse of powers by police is a consequence of the bad example set by judges when they refuse to apply the law as it stands or when they apply double standards in their judgments.
The Rise of Tyranny book cover. Source: Sentinel Press
I read with disgust, on 29 March 2010 in LoyarBurok about the manhandling and arrest of lawyer Amer Hamzah Arshad by the Gestapo type police.
When powers are abused, there is no tyranny like them.
We all know from the experience of recent events that those who have abused their powers have been the judges for not applying the law as it stands; not even the Federal Constitution, and, in Perak by the pretensions of a constitutional monarch for exercising a non-existent power to appoint a Menteri Besar when the incumbent is still in office.
When the highest echelon of those who wield power have themselves abused their powers it sets off a chain reaction down the line from the civil servants down to the lowest rank policemen.
And what we see today in the manhandling of Amer Hamzah Arshad, an advocate and solicitor, is an abuse of power by the police. Such is the consequence or outcome from the bad example set by the judges when they refuse to apply the law as it stands or when they apply double standard in their judgments. Look at the cases which involved Anwar Ibrahim and those which concern the power grab in Perak.
We are reminded by the prophetic words of Lord Denning in The Family Story, page 179:
But powers may be abused, and, if those powers are abused, there is no tyranny like them. It leads to a state of affairs when the police may arrest any man and throw him into prison without cause assigned. It leads to the search of his home and belongings on the slightest pretext ? or on none. It leads to the hated Gestapo and the police state. It leads to extorted confessions and to trials which are a mockery of justice.
Now you know why we must all work together to see that scums are not allowed to govern this country. They are such if they allow their judges to ignore the Federal and State Constitutions and to refuse to apply the law as it stands. Concentrate all your efforts for the next general elections.
If we allow scums to rule then as prophesied by Lord Denning, “there is no tyranny like them. It leads to a state of affairs when the police may arrest any man and throw him into prison without cause assigned. It leads to the hated Gestapo and the police state. It leads to extorted confessions and to trials which are a mockery of justice.”
SAPP MP : I'll quit if constitution allows me to re-contest
Tue, 30 Mar 2010
freemalaysiatoday.com
By Joseph Bingkasan
KOTA KINABALU: A Sabah opposition member of Parliament is ready to quit his seat provided the Barisan Nasional government amends the federal and state constitutions to allow elected representatives who resign to re-contest or defend their seat in by-election or elections.
The Sepanggar MP was responding to a challenge by a state BN official to vacate his seat and defend it in a by-election.
Eric Majimbun said it would be even better if Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak called for the dissolution of Parliament to pave way for a general elections.
“Sabah Chief Minister Musa Aman can also obtain the consent of the Yang Dipertua Negeri to dissolve the State Legislative Assembly to also pave the way for a State election,” the Sabah Progressive Party (SAPP) deputy president told FMT.
He said the constitutions at the moment made it difficult for him to re-contest the seat as it disqualifies MPs or assemblymen for five years if they resign their seats.
Article 17(5) of the Sabah constitution provides that an elected member who resigns his membership of the legislative assembly shall be disqualified from contesting for five years from the date of resignation.
Sepanggar BN coordinating chief Jumat Idris over the weekend challenged the MP from the opposition party to vacate his parliamentary seat and defend it in a by-election.
Speaking at a Juara Rakyat gathering here Sunday, Jumat challenged Majimbun to quit yesterday and have a `replay of the March 8, 2008 election in Sepanggar.
Dissolve Parliament
The BN chief claimed that Sepanggar is the national coalition’s stronghold.
“SAPP should stop dreaming of winning the seat again. They won before as their party was then still with BN. It will not be easy for SAPP through Datuk Eric Majimbun to win Sepanggar again,” Jumat said.
Majimbun thanked Jumat for his timely proposal that elected representatives go back to the people for a fresh mandate.
“As the coordination chief for Sepanggar BN, it is for Jumat Idris to make his dream come true to be a Yang Berhormat. He should also call on BN leaders to amend the State and Federal Constitutions so as not to restrict any MPs from re-contesting in by-elections,” Majimbun added.
He said Jumat should also call on Raymond Tan Shu Kiah (Tanjong Papat) and Au Kam Wah (Elopura) to resign from their respective state seats.The two assemblymen won their respective seats on SAPP-BN ticket in the 12th general election.
"Better still, If my good friend (Jumat) is a true statesman, he can always instruct his fellow BN leaders or himself to call on Prime Minister Najib to dissolve Parliament.
"Let there be a general elections for BN to go back to the people for a fresh mandate. Be my guest, Jumat can contest Sepanggar," he added.
Majimbun also said that BN leaders had, for too long, been trying to hoodwink the people with sweet talk and empty promises.
"BN should solve the major problems in Sabah … the explosive increase in population (due to the influx of illegal immigrants) and uplift the living standards of the people.
"Return the rights and power to the people of Sabah as promised by leaders during the formation of Malaysia. Sabahans are now only used as a tool by the federal government as fixed deposit in order to re-colonise Sabah." he said.
freemalaysiatoday.com
By Joseph Bingkasan
KOTA KINABALU: A Sabah opposition member of Parliament is ready to quit his seat provided the Barisan Nasional government amends the federal and state constitutions to allow elected representatives who resign to re-contest or defend their seat in by-election or elections.
The Sepanggar MP was responding to a challenge by a state BN official to vacate his seat and defend it in a by-election.
Eric Majimbun said it would be even better if Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak called for the dissolution of Parliament to pave way for a general elections.
“Sabah Chief Minister Musa Aman can also obtain the consent of the Yang Dipertua Negeri to dissolve the State Legislative Assembly to also pave the way for a State election,” the Sabah Progressive Party (SAPP) deputy president told FMT.
He said the constitutions at the moment made it difficult for him to re-contest the seat as it disqualifies MPs or assemblymen for five years if they resign their seats.
Article 17(5) of the Sabah constitution provides that an elected member who resigns his membership of the legislative assembly shall be disqualified from contesting for five years from the date of resignation.
Sepanggar BN coordinating chief Jumat Idris over the weekend challenged the MP from the opposition party to vacate his parliamentary seat and defend it in a by-election.
Speaking at a Juara Rakyat gathering here Sunday, Jumat challenged Majimbun to quit yesterday and have a `replay of the March 8, 2008 election in Sepanggar.
Dissolve Parliament
The BN chief claimed that Sepanggar is the national coalition’s stronghold.
“SAPP should stop dreaming of winning the seat again. They won before as their party was then still with BN. It will not be easy for SAPP through Datuk Eric Majimbun to win Sepanggar again,” Jumat said.
Majimbun thanked Jumat for his timely proposal that elected representatives go back to the people for a fresh mandate.
“As the coordination chief for Sepanggar BN, it is for Jumat Idris to make his dream come true to be a Yang Berhormat. He should also call on BN leaders to amend the State and Federal Constitutions so as not to restrict any MPs from re-contesting in by-elections,” Majimbun added.
He said Jumat should also call on Raymond Tan Shu Kiah (Tanjong Papat) and Au Kam Wah (Elopura) to resign from their respective state seats.The two assemblymen won their respective seats on SAPP-BN ticket in the 12th general election.
"Better still, If my good friend (Jumat) is a true statesman, he can always instruct his fellow BN leaders or himself to call on Prime Minister Najib to dissolve Parliament.
"Let there be a general elections for BN to go back to the people for a fresh mandate. Be my guest, Jumat can contest Sepanggar," he added.
Majimbun also said that BN leaders had, for too long, been trying to hoodwink the people with sweet talk and empty promises.
"BN should solve the major problems in Sabah … the explosive increase in population (due to the influx of illegal immigrants) and uplift the living standards of the people.
"Return the rights and power to the people of Sabah as promised by leaders during the formation of Malaysia. Sabahans are now only used as a tool by the federal government as fixed deposit in order to re-colonise Sabah." he said.
War to zero in on APCO in Parliament today
KUALA LUMPUR, March 30 — The ongoing controversy involving APCO Worldwide, the US-based public relations consultancy hired by the Najib Administration, will be ramped up a notch when Opposition Leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim addresses Parliament today.
After years of accusing Anwar of Jewish ties — his close association with World Bank president Paul Wolfowitz is often cited — it appears the tables have been turned against the government.
The Straits Times reports that Anwar has “fresh information on APCO’s activities, its contract with the Malaysian government, and the strong links of one of its associate units with Israel.”
The report also goes on to say that “Anwar is expected to zero in on Asero Worldwide, an APCO associate company that specialises in homeland security and is headed by several personalities who were involved with security agencies in Israel.”
The Straits Times quotes B. Jay Cooper, APCO’s deputy managing director in Washington as saying that while “Asero has no contractual relationship with the government of Israel” and is a “separate business from Apco”, it did through its corporate holding provide “some administrative support to Asero in the form of accounting and other corporate services”.
Ironically, one of the reasons APCO was hired was to help improve Malaysia’s ties with the US, which had soured during the Mahathir Administration.
But it looks like this APCO-Israeli controversy may have a negative impact with the Malay ground.
The controversy started two weeks ago when Anwar alleged that Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak’s 1 Malaysia campaign mirrored former Israeli prime minister Ehud Barak’s One Israel campaign. He also accused APCO of being behind both campaigns.
The Straits Times also reports that APCO was given very specific objectives.
“These included identifying areas in which goals of the Malaysian and US governments were significant and aligned, and to identify officials, think-tanks and news organisations relevant to Malaysia’s ties with the US.”
But that is not all.
Cooper said the firm was “also involved in Malaysian government initiatives in such critical areas as creating jobs and economic reform.”
There has also been widespread speculation that Apco was paid in excess of RM20 million.
After years of accusing Anwar of Jewish ties — his close association with World Bank president Paul Wolfowitz is often cited — it appears the tables have been turned against the government.
The Straits Times reports that Anwar has “fresh information on APCO’s activities, its contract with the Malaysian government, and the strong links of one of its associate units with Israel.”
The report also goes on to say that “Anwar is expected to zero in on Asero Worldwide, an APCO associate company that specialises in homeland security and is headed by several personalities who were involved with security agencies in Israel.”
The Straits Times quotes B. Jay Cooper, APCO’s deputy managing director in Washington as saying that while “Asero has no contractual relationship with the government of Israel” and is a “separate business from Apco”, it did through its corporate holding provide “some administrative support to Asero in the form of accounting and other corporate services”.
Ironically, one of the reasons APCO was hired was to help improve Malaysia’s ties with the US, which had soured during the Mahathir Administration.
But it looks like this APCO-Israeli controversy may have a negative impact with the Malay ground.
The controversy started two weeks ago when Anwar alleged that Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak’s 1 Malaysia campaign mirrored former Israeli prime minister Ehud Barak’s One Israel campaign. He also accused APCO of being behind both campaigns.
The Straits Times also reports that APCO was given very specific objectives.
“These included identifying areas in which goals of the Malaysian and US governments were significant and aligned, and to identify officials, think-tanks and news organisations relevant to Malaysia’s ties with the US.”
But that is not all.
Cooper said the firm was “also involved in Malaysian government initiatives in such critical areas as creating jobs and economic reform.”
There has also been widespread speculation that Apco was paid in excess of RM20 million.
Dr Mahathir , The Father Of Re-Colonisation
Tuesday, 30 March 2010
by malaysiatoday
Mahathir forgets easily (I)
Every trick and treachery by Dr M during his 22 years as PM – "divide-and-rule", purveying a "culture of fear" or creating a "siege mentality", manipulating ethnic and religious fears, trotting out a bogey – were tools of British Colonialism. Now the supposed "Statesman" tells the young to be wary of re-colonisation!
By Martin Jalleh
Recently, Dr Mahathir (Dr M) reminded the younger generation, who will one day lead the nation, not to be taken in by the subtle tactics of foreigners who want to bring about neo-colonialism in the country.
He said that “foreign forces would take advantage on the basis of globalisation and liberalisation to fulfil their agenda. We are now “faced with various challenges from abroad...(and) threats from blog sites”.
He was speaking at the Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad Statesman Discussion organised by the Special Affairs Department (Jasa) of the Ministry of Information Communication and Culture (Bernama, 27.03.10).
It was one amongst the many of Dr M’s anti-re-colonisation rhetoric. Once when he was in power (in reality, he still is!) he declared that the rakyat must ensure that the BN “is returned to power with a big majority in the next general election so that the nation will be ruled by a strong Government capable of standing against any attempt by foreign powers to re-colonise the country”.
Alas, Dr M forgets very easily these days. Re-colonisation had in fact taken place in 1981 when he became PM. He had donned the mantle of British supremacy and with his Executive supremacy even outdid the white colonial master in many ways during the 22 years that followed!
Dr M and his cohorts who once detested the oppressive laws of the British, brandished a gamut of harsh executive powers during his reign which were deeply and undeniably derivative of authoritarian colonialism.
Many laws left behind by the British were amended and made even more draconian to contain, cripple and crush legitimate dissent by citizens and the Opposition. There were countless examples of this.
British "propaganda" was replaced by a powerful broadcast media owned by the Government and allied companies, and regulated by the Broadcasting Act, 1987, which gives the Information Minister vast powers of control and manipulation.
The Sedition Act (1948) was a British law used to stifle Malay nationalists (especially those in UMNO, a party born two years before the Act came to be). The Act was amended and made use of by Dr for selective prosecution of political opponents and to protect UMNO.
The Internal Security Act (ISA) (1960), a relic of colonialism, meant to combat the then communists, was amended more than 20 times to make it more repressive than the original. Its powers were abused to protect the "security" of Umno. Known as 'white terror', the ISA was and is still used by Malaysians on Malaysians.
The Printing Presses and Publications Act (1984) originated from the Printing Press Act (1948). Amended in 1987 by Dr M's regime to exclude judicial review of the Executive's action vis-a-vis publications it served as a stranglehold on the press and opposition publications.
The Official Secrets Act (OSA) (1972) was based on the British OSA of 1911. Amended in 1986 to provide for mandatory jail sentences, Dr M used it to reinforce the cult of secrecy and to hide his many misdeeds. It resulted in self-censorship by the press.
The Police Act (1963) was amended in 1967, 1981 and 1987 to enhance the wide array of police powers, thus making the constitutional right of assembly absolutely "irrelevant". The late Tunku Abdul Rahman died a disillusioned man on seeing his independent Malaysia reduced to, in his very own words, a "Police State" by Dr M.
Even the Special Branch was a creation of Britain in 1887. It was meant as a direct response to Irish anarchist terrorism. It was perfected by the Malaysian police to "trace", threaten, torture and "turn over" political dissidents, an infamous fact glaringly highlighted during the first sodomy trial of Anwar Ibrahim whom Dr M was bent on getting rid of!
Every trick and treachery by Dr M during his 22 years as PM – "divide-and-rule", purveying a "culture of fear" or creating a "siege mentality", manipulating ethnic and religious fears, trotting out a bogey – were tools of British Colonialism. Now the supposed "Statesman" tells the young to be wary of re-colonisation!
Alas, how can UMNO "re-invent" itself when its leaders who were the once-oppressed have now become the oppressors? As it happened to the all-powerful supreme British Empire, the day will come when the sun will set on UMNO....
by malaysiatoday
Mahathir forgets easily (I)
Every trick and treachery by Dr M during his 22 years as PM – "divide-and-rule", purveying a "culture of fear" or creating a "siege mentality", manipulating ethnic and religious fears, trotting out a bogey – were tools of British Colonialism. Now the supposed "Statesman" tells the young to be wary of re-colonisation!
By Martin Jalleh
Recently, Dr Mahathir (Dr M) reminded the younger generation, who will one day lead the nation, not to be taken in by the subtle tactics of foreigners who want to bring about neo-colonialism in the country.
He said that “foreign forces would take advantage on the basis of globalisation and liberalisation to fulfil their agenda. We are now “faced with various challenges from abroad...(and) threats from blog sites”.
He was speaking at the Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad Statesman Discussion organised by the Special Affairs Department (Jasa) of the Ministry of Information Communication and Culture (Bernama, 27.03.10).
It was one amongst the many of Dr M’s anti-re-colonisation rhetoric. Once when he was in power (in reality, he still is!) he declared that the rakyat must ensure that the BN “is returned to power with a big majority in the next general election so that the nation will be ruled by a strong Government capable of standing against any attempt by foreign powers to re-colonise the country”.
Alas, Dr M forgets very easily these days. Re-colonisation had in fact taken place in 1981 when he became PM. He had donned the mantle of British supremacy and with his Executive supremacy even outdid the white colonial master in many ways during the 22 years that followed!
Dr M and his cohorts who once detested the oppressive laws of the British, brandished a gamut of harsh executive powers during his reign which were deeply and undeniably derivative of authoritarian colonialism.
Many laws left behind by the British were amended and made even more draconian to contain, cripple and crush legitimate dissent by citizens and the Opposition. There were countless examples of this.
British "propaganda" was replaced by a powerful broadcast media owned by the Government and allied companies, and regulated by the Broadcasting Act, 1987, which gives the Information Minister vast powers of control and manipulation.
The Sedition Act (1948) was a British law used to stifle Malay nationalists (especially those in UMNO, a party born two years before the Act came to be). The Act was amended and made use of by Dr for selective prosecution of political opponents and to protect UMNO.
The Internal Security Act (ISA) (1960), a relic of colonialism, meant to combat the then communists, was amended more than 20 times to make it more repressive than the original. Its powers were abused to protect the "security" of Umno. Known as 'white terror', the ISA was and is still used by Malaysians on Malaysians.
The Printing Presses and Publications Act (1984) originated from the Printing Press Act (1948). Amended in 1987 by Dr M's regime to exclude judicial review of the Executive's action vis-a-vis publications it served as a stranglehold on the press and opposition publications.
The Official Secrets Act (OSA) (1972) was based on the British OSA of 1911. Amended in 1986 to provide for mandatory jail sentences, Dr M used it to reinforce the cult of secrecy and to hide his many misdeeds. It resulted in self-censorship by the press.
The Police Act (1963) was amended in 1967, 1981 and 1987 to enhance the wide array of police powers, thus making the constitutional right of assembly absolutely "irrelevant". The late Tunku Abdul Rahman died a disillusioned man on seeing his independent Malaysia reduced to, in his very own words, a "Police State" by Dr M.
Even the Special Branch was a creation of Britain in 1887. It was meant as a direct response to Irish anarchist terrorism. It was perfected by the Malaysian police to "trace", threaten, torture and "turn over" political dissidents, an infamous fact glaringly highlighted during the first sodomy trial of Anwar Ibrahim whom Dr M was bent on getting rid of!
Every trick and treachery by Dr M during his 22 years as PM – "divide-and-rule", purveying a "culture of fear" or creating a "siege mentality", manipulating ethnic and religious fears, trotting out a bogey – were tools of British Colonialism. Now the supposed "Statesman" tells the young to be wary of re-colonisation!
Alas, how can UMNO "re-invent" itself when its leaders who were the once-oppressed have now become the oppressors? As it happened to the all-powerful supreme British Empire, the day will come when the sun will set on UMNO....
Cakap cakap .... keadaan negara kita
Tuesday, 30 March 2010
by malaysiatoday
Nobody, not the Malays, not the other Bumiputra groups, not the Chinese, not the Indians nor any ethnic groups can afford to allow Najib’s status quo within UMNO to remain “as is” in going into the next general elections. We have as many problems to resolve like any nation that has the diversity of ethnicity that we have.
By Steadyaku47
And then there is the matter of good governance to allow our people to live with respect and dignity. All this is on hold with Najib as Prime Minister because his priority is to keep his head above water – to stay afloat – to survive politically when everyone wants him to out! Even UMNO!
A few days ago our Prime Minister (and I use the word “our” very loosely here!) promised that:
“the New Economic Model (NEM) would emphasize on more equitable opportunities so that each and every Malaysian would be able to realize their maximum potential”.
Najib is very good at coming up with these pseudo statements. Taken in the context of what has happened since he took over as Prime Minister – nay even before he took over as Prime Minister with his intrigues over Perak – we know that this is another attempt from an increasingly isolated Prime Minister to try and placate everyone with empty promises. Muhyiddin is conspicuously quite. Me thinks Muhyiddin is giving Najib enough rope to hang himself!
UMNO will not go into the next General Election with Najib as baggage. Najib is a proven factor. He is flawed on a personal level. He is flawed at the political level. He is flawed as a leader for UMNO. He has crystallized a whole range of his personal issues into problems for UMNO. Less public, but not necessarily less intense has been the frustration building up within the ranks of UMNO at their inability to get back to doing “business as usual” - back to money politics, back to getting projects after projects – back to the days when you joined UMNO to make money not to serve the people.
What has not been anticipated by Najib is the manner in which the Altantuya issue has lingered, festered and continued to accumulate adverse disgust from the Malaysian public. The people want closure on this issue. A closure Najib simply does not have the guts to go through. He did swear on the Koran of his innocence. Yes, this he did, but sadly it is too easy to call on the name of ALLAH in claiming your innocence – but it is in the practice of HIS teachings that Najib’s is likely to offend.
In Perak and in Anwar’s sodomy trial he stupidly “turun padang” to ensure that his intrigues were done. He personally canvassed the Frogs that wanted to turn “Independent” in Perak and met with Saiful to “discuss” matters of mutual interests! Najibs foolishness in putting himself in the firing line is probably due to his ill placed insistence that might is right in Malaysian Politics - or maybe because he could not find anybody in UMNO to take the fall for him. In hindsight, who would want to be involved in a scam so breathtakingly stupid that when all is said and done, the Public will see it for what it is – gutter politics?
Will UMNO wait for Najib to fall on his own sword or will they “guide” him into realizing his chances of leading UMNO to the next general election diminishes with each passing day? Diminishes even as he comes with 1 Malaysia. With the NEM and diminishes even as Muhyiddin sits quietly with Mahathir and do nothing!
And now comes a by-election in Hulu Selangor. Is Najib desperate enough to form an axis of evil (with apologies to Bush!) with Samy the Vellu and that son of Ali known as Ibrahim? Perkasa's lethal racially laced utterances thinly veiled as nationalism is sanctioned by the powers that be because it serves their selfish purposes. Instead of doing everything possible to build Malaysia into a happy, harmonious and inclusive place to live in, Perkasa seeks to destroy.
The vast majority of Malaysians, irrespective of their ethnicity, regards Perkasa with anger and disgust. Do not let Perkasa initiate a resurgence of "Ketuanan Melayu" because in so doing it will only plant the seed of further conflict. Perkasa will ride on UMNO and then turn around to bite the hand that feeds it and yet strangely UMNO is drawn towards this destructive parasite because it needs anything that claims itself capable of delivering votes. Watch this son of Ali exploit Hulu Selangor for what it is worth and trade himself up to a 2011 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class!
As for Samy Vellu … enough said!
You might think that our right to vote in any election is routine. Yes it is routine until a tragedy like the May 13th incident happens.
You might think that being under custody of the authorities is routine until a Kugan or Teoh Beng Hock incident happens and we see their families with the universal sign of grief - hands covering their faces grieving for their loved ones now gone – and at that moment it is no longer routine.
Those cronies of Najib and Mahathir might think it is routine to receive horrendous amounts of commission for “services rendered” to the nation – yes it is routine until an Altantuya is murdered by two of the Police's finest from its own Unit Tindakan Khas – all because the “services rendered” were not compensated for!
You will expect our Police to be people to whom we can go to seek help, protection and comfort in time of distress – and yet this basic of all expectations is no longer something we can routinely expect – not unless we are able to pay for the these “services”.
We might think it routine for our ex-Prime Minister to be awarded a Tunship – and it is routine until we have Mahathir, who have cost our country so much and yet still insists on besmirching the Tunship conferred upon him by involving himself with Perkasa! Tun Haniff, Tun Salleh Abbas and Tun Lim Cheong Eu are exemplary examples of past leaders who have carried themselves with the dignity that we expect from our Tuns. This Mahathir has not!
What is happening to our country? The coming general election will take us either to Armageddon or a new beginning! Common sense will tell us it must be a new beginning without Najib, without UMNO!
by malaysiatoday
Nobody, not the Malays, not the other Bumiputra groups, not the Chinese, not the Indians nor any ethnic groups can afford to allow Najib’s status quo within UMNO to remain “as is” in going into the next general elections. We have as many problems to resolve like any nation that has the diversity of ethnicity that we have.
By Steadyaku47
And then there is the matter of good governance to allow our people to live with respect and dignity. All this is on hold with Najib as Prime Minister because his priority is to keep his head above water – to stay afloat – to survive politically when everyone wants him to out! Even UMNO!
A few days ago our Prime Minister (and I use the word “our” very loosely here!) promised that:
“the New Economic Model (NEM) would emphasize on more equitable opportunities so that each and every Malaysian would be able to realize their maximum potential”.
Najib is very good at coming up with these pseudo statements. Taken in the context of what has happened since he took over as Prime Minister – nay even before he took over as Prime Minister with his intrigues over Perak – we know that this is another attempt from an increasingly isolated Prime Minister to try and placate everyone with empty promises. Muhyiddin is conspicuously quite. Me thinks Muhyiddin is giving Najib enough rope to hang himself!
UMNO will not go into the next General Election with Najib as baggage. Najib is a proven factor. He is flawed on a personal level. He is flawed at the political level. He is flawed as a leader for UMNO. He has crystallized a whole range of his personal issues into problems for UMNO. Less public, but not necessarily less intense has been the frustration building up within the ranks of UMNO at their inability to get back to doing “business as usual” - back to money politics, back to getting projects after projects – back to the days when you joined UMNO to make money not to serve the people.
What has not been anticipated by Najib is the manner in which the Altantuya issue has lingered, festered and continued to accumulate adverse disgust from the Malaysian public. The people want closure on this issue. A closure Najib simply does not have the guts to go through. He did swear on the Koran of his innocence. Yes, this he did, but sadly it is too easy to call on the name of ALLAH in claiming your innocence – but it is in the practice of HIS teachings that Najib’s is likely to offend.
In Perak and in Anwar’s sodomy trial he stupidly “turun padang” to ensure that his intrigues were done. He personally canvassed the Frogs that wanted to turn “Independent” in Perak and met with Saiful to “discuss” matters of mutual interests! Najibs foolishness in putting himself in the firing line is probably due to his ill placed insistence that might is right in Malaysian Politics - or maybe because he could not find anybody in UMNO to take the fall for him. In hindsight, who would want to be involved in a scam so breathtakingly stupid that when all is said and done, the Public will see it for what it is – gutter politics?
Will UMNO wait for Najib to fall on his own sword or will they “guide” him into realizing his chances of leading UMNO to the next general election diminishes with each passing day? Diminishes even as he comes with 1 Malaysia. With the NEM and diminishes even as Muhyiddin sits quietly with Mahathir and do nothing!
And now comes a by-election in Hulu Selangor. Is Najib desperate enough to form an axis of evil (with apologies to Bush!) with Samy the Vellu and that son of Ali known as Ibrahim? Perkasa's lethal racially laced utterances thinly veiled as nationalism is sanctioned by the powers that be because it serves their selfish purposes. Instead of doing everything possible to build Malaysia into a happy, harmonious and inclusive place to live in, Perkasa seeks to destroy.
The vast majority of Malaysians, irrespective of their ethnicity, regards Perkasa with anger and disgust. Do not let Perkasa initiate a resurgence of "Ketuanan Melayu" because in so doing it will only plant the seed of further conflict. Perkasa will ride on UMNO and then turn around to bite the hand that feeds it and yet strangely UMNO is drawn towards this destructive parasite because it needs anything that claims itself capable of delivering votes. Watch this son of Ali exploit Hulu Selangor for what it is worth and trade himself up to a 2011 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class!
As for Samy Vellu … enough said!
You might think that our right to vote in any election is routine. Yes it is routine until a tragedy like the May 13th incident happens.
You might think that being under custody of the authorities is routine until a Kugan or Teoh Beng Hock incident happens and we see their families with the universal sign of grief - hands covering their faces grieving for their loved ones now gone – and at that moment it is no longer routine.
Those cronies of Najib and Mahathir might think it is routine to receive horrendous amounts of commission for “services rendered” to the nation – yes it is routine until an Altantuya is murdered by two of the Police's finest from its own Unit Tindakan Khas – all because the “services rendered” were not compensated for!
You will expect our Police to be people to whom we can go to seek help, protection and comfort in time of distress – and yet this basic of all expectations is no longer something we can routinely expect – not unless we are able to pay for the these “services”.
We might think it routine for our ex-Prime Minister to be awarded a Tunship – and it is routine until we have Mahathir, who have cost our country so much and yet still insists on besmirching the Tunship conferred upon him by involving himself with Perkasa! Tun Haniff, Tun Salleh Abbas and Tun Lim Cheong Eu are exemplary examples of past leaders who have carried themselves with the dignity that we expect from our Tuns. This Mahathir has not!
What is happening to our country? The coming general election will take us either to Armageddon or a new beginning! Common sense will tell us it must be a new beginning without Najib, without UMNO!
giving Orang Asli land
29 Mar 2010
By Ding Jo-Ann
dingjoann@thenutgraph.com
Members of the Orang Asli community in Kampung Chang, Bidor, protesting for their land rights .
"TANAH kami, maruah kami," said banners at an Orang Asli protest in Putrajaya recently against changes to the policy affecting their land rights.
Just three months ago, Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin announced that Orang Asli household heads would be given two to six acres of land to help "take the community out of poverty". An additional 5,000 square feet would be granted to build houses. The policy would reportedly benefit 19,990 Orang Asli households in peninsular Malaysia and involve an approximate total of 120,000 acres of land.
But as the idiom goes, "Beware the Greeks bearing gifts." Or in this case, it may be wise for the Orang Asli to be wary of overtures from a government with a proven track record of taking land away from them, rather than awarding it.
What's the catch?
Orang Asli say if they accept the land under the new policy, it would deprive them of a further 200,000 acres of customary land which they currently occupy.
In addition to that, further conditions seem to be attached to this "gifting" of land:
The land cannot be rented out, leased or pawned without the permission of the state.
Ownership of the land cannot be transferred until the first owner has held it for at least 15 years.
Orang Asli who accept the land grant cannot claim for any other land in that area or any other Orang Asli area. They also cannot make any claims for any "roaming area".
The land would be developed with crops such as oil palm and rubber and these plantations would be managed by developers.
Orang Asli would have to pay for costs incurred on their land such as surveying costs, premiums, registration and "other payments advanced by developers" out of the proceeds from the land.
Existing land gazetted as Orang Asli reserves can be re-gazetted and parcelled out under this new policy.
Yogeswaran Subramaniam, currently pursuing a doctoral thesis on Orang Asli land rights, estimates that the land grants would only yield about RM400 a month for each household. He also says that Orang Asli culture and identity is "inextricably linked" to their land and a top-down policy compelling them to turn their land into plantations could be "devastating and traumatic" to them.
Customary land
Furthermore, the government might actually be "giving" the Orang Asli land and attaching ownership conditions on what already belongs to them under common law.
Not a fair deal for those on the receiving end
For example in the 2002 Sagong bin Tasi v Selangor State Government case, Orang Asli land had been acquired by the state to build a highway to the Kuala Lumpur International Airport. The Temuan community who had occupied the land for at least 210 years, were given a 14-days notice to evacuate with no compensation for the land. When they failed to evacuate, the police federal reserve unit, in the presence of land office, highway authority and Jabatan Hal-Ehwal Orang Asli officials, evicted them. Their trees, crops, houses, Balai Raya and Balai Adat were then destroyed.
But the landmark Sagong Tasi decision established Orang Asli proprietary rights in their customary and ancestral lands. The previous state practice of merely compensating Orang Asli for their fruit trees, crops and structures when their land was acquired, was declared insufficient. States also had to pay a fair and adequate price to the Orang Asli for the land itself.
This judgment extended protection to Orang Asli land rights, which were frequently ignored, such as in the Sagong Tasi case itself.
Circumventing the courts?
This judgment would certainly have worried state governments and developers. Paying compensation for trees, crops and building structures is very different from having to pay fair value for the land itself. Future land development could also be jeopardised, especially if it were uncertain whether or not any Orang Asli could claim common law land rights. The judgment was upheld in 2005 by the Court of Appeal and the Selangor government has withdrawn its appeal to the Federal Court.
By parcelling out land to the Orang Asli under the new land policy and then barring them statutorily from making further claims in court, the government could end up avoiding compensating the Orang Asli for land used for development. If the Orang Asli statistics are correct, the government could evade recognising and paying compensation for potentially 200,000 acres belonging to Orang Asli under common law which is excluded from this new land scheme.
A different way
How could our government react differently or handle the issue of Orang Asli land ownership better? Is it possible for both developers' interests as well as Orang Asli cultural and land rights to be respected?
The Australian government was in a similar position following the 1992 Mabo v Queensland (No 2) decision, which was heavily relied on in the Sagong Tasi case. The landmark Australian High Court decision recognised native title under common law, prompting protests from sections of the mining and farming industries.
A period of discussion and negotiation followed with proper representation from the Australian aboriginal community. This culminated in the Native Title Act 1993, which affirmed the principles set out in Mabo No 2 and which set up a Native Title Tribunal. The tribunal deals with native title claims and acts as a mediator between the different stakeholders. As a last resort, the courts can still adjudicate on the matter.
While the Australian model is by no means perfect, it at least demonstrates a seriousness on the government's part to recognise native land rights and give effect to the court's decision. Which is more than can be said for the Malaysian government, if the proposed policies are passed into law unamended and without proper consultation with Orang Asli.
Trusting the government
When hearing the Selangor govenrment's appeal on the Sagong Tasi case, then Court of Appeal judge Datuk Gopal Sri Ram had this to say about the state's treatment of Orang Asli: "Here you have a case where the very authority — the State — that, enjoined by the law to protect aborigines, turned upon them and permitted them to be treated in a most shoddy, cruel and oppressive manner. It is my earnest hope that an episode such as this will never be repeated."
One can only hope that any land policies eventually tabled by the government will give effect to the Sagong Tasi judgment, instead of eroding whatever little gains Orang Asli have made in having their land rights recognised.
By Ding Jo-Ann
dingjoann@thenutgraph.com
Members of the Orang Asli community in Kampung Chang, Bidor, protesting for their land rights .
"TANAH kami, maruah kami," said banners at an Orang Asli protest in Putrajaya recently against changes to the policy affecting their land rights.
Just three months ago, Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin announced that Orang Asli household heads would be given two to six acres of land to help "take the community out of poverty". An additional 5,000 square feet would be granted to build houses. The policy would reportedly benefit 19,990 Orang Asli households in peninsular Malaysia and involve an approximate total of 120,000 acres of land.
But as the idiom goes, "Beware the Greeks bearing gifts." Or in this case, it may be wise for the Orang Asli to be wary of overtures from a government with a proven track record of taking land away from them, rather than awarding it.
What's the catch?
Orang Asli say if they accept the land under the new policy, it would deprive them of a further 200,000 acres of customary land which they currently occupy.
In addition to that, further conditions seem to be attached to this "gifting" of land:
The land cannot be rented out, leased or pawned without the permission of the state.
Ownership of the land cannot be transferred until the first owner has held it for at least 15 years.
Orang Asli who accept the land grant cannot claim for any other land in that area or any other Orang Asli area. They also cannot make any claims for any "roaming area".
The land would be developed with crops such as oil palm and rubber and these plantations would be managed by developers.
Orang Asli would have to pay for costs incurred on their land such as surveying costs, premiums, registration and "other payments advanced by developers" out of the proceeds from the land.
Existing land gazetted as Orang Asli reserves can be re-gazetted and parcelled out under this new policy.
Yogeswaran Subramaniam, currently pursuing a doctoral thesis on Orang Asli land rights, estimates that the land grants would only yield about RM400 a month for each household. He also says that Orang Asli culture and identity is "inextricably linked" to their land and a top-down policy compelling them to turn their land into plantations could be "devastating and traumatic" to them.
Customary land
Furthermore, the government might actually be "giving" the Orang Asli land and attaching ownership conditions on what already belongs to them under common law.
Not a fair deal for those on the receiving end
For example in the 2002 Sagong bin Tasi v Selangor State Government case, Orang Asli land had been acquired by the state to build a highway to the Kuala Lumpur International Airport. The Temuan community who had occupied the land for at least 210 years, were given a 14-days notice to evacuate with no compensation for the land. When they failed to evacuate, the police federal reserve unit, in the presence of land office, highway authority and Jabatan Hal-Ehwal Orang Asli officials, evicted them. Their trees, crops, houses, Balai Raya and Balai Adat were then destroyed.
But the landmark Sagong Tasi decision established Orang Asli proprietary rights in their customary and ancestral lands. The previous state practice of merely compensating Orang Asli for their fruit trees, crops and structures when their land was acquired, was declared insufficient. States also had to pay a fair and adequate price to the Orang Asli for the land itself.
This judgment extended protection to Orang Asli land rights, which were frequently ignored, such as in the Sagong Tasi case itself.
Circumventing the courts?
This judgment would certainly have worried state governments and developers. Paying compensation for trees, crops and building structures is very different from having to pay fair value for the land itself. Future land development could also be jeopardised, especially if it were uncertain whether or not any Orang Asli could claim common law land rights. The judgment was upheld in 2005 by the Court of Appeal and the Selangor government has withdrawn its appeal to the Federal Court.
By parcelling out land to the Orang Asli under the new land policy and then barring them statutorily from making further claims in court, the government could end up avoiding compensating the Orang Asli for land used for development. If the Orang Asli statistics are correct, the government could evade recognising and paying compensation for potentially 200,000 acres belonging to Orang Asli under common law which is excluded from this new land scheme.
A different way
How could our government react differently or handle the issue of Orang Asli land ownership better? Is it possible for both developers' interests as well as Orang Asli cultural and land rights to be respected?
The Australian government was in a similar position following the 1992 Mabo v Queensland (No 2) decision, which was heavily relied on in the Sagong Tasi case. The landmark Australian High Court decision recognised native title under common law, prompting protests from sections of the mining and farming industries.
A period of discussion and negotiation followed with proper representation from the Australian aboriginal community. This culminated in the Native Title Act 1993, which affirmed the principles set out in Mabo No 2 and which set up a Native Title Tribunal. The tribunal deals with native title claims and acts as a mediator between the different stakeholders. As a last resort, the courts can still adjudicate on the matter.
While the Australian model is by no means perfect, it at least demonstrates a seriousness on the government's part to recognise native land rights and give effect to the court's decision. Which is more than can be said for the Malaysian government, if the proposed policies are passed into law unamended and without proper consultation with Orang Asli.
Trusting the government
When hearing the Selangor govenrment's appeal on the Sagong Tasi case, then Court of Appeal judge Datuk Gopal Sri Ram had this to say about the state's treatment of Orang Asli: "Here you have a case where the very authority — the State — that, enjoined by the law to protect aborigines, turned upon them and permitted them to be treated in a most shoddy, cruel and oppressive manner. It is my earnest hope that an episode such as this will never be repeated."
One can only hope that any land policies eventually tabled by the government will give effect to the Sagong Tasi judgment, instead of eroding whatever little gains Orang Asli have made in having their land rights recognised.
Where are RM52 billion Bumi shares ' asks Guan Eng
the malaysianinsider
By Shazwan Mustafa Kamal
KUALA LUMPUR, March 29 — DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng wants the government to investigate why RM52 billion worth of shares in public listed companies allocated for Bumiputeras under affirmative action policies were no longer in their hands.
He told reporters in Parliament today that the fact that the shares were no longer in the hands of Bumiputeras was an act of betrayal.
The Penang Chief Minister suggested a Royal Commission be set up to investigate such leakages.
He said that out of RM54 billion in shares allocated for Bumiputeras, only RM2 billion were still in their hands.
“According to a Bernama report, the Prime Minister had been quoted as saying that of the RM54 billion in shares allocated, only RM2 billion worth of shares were left in the hands of Bumiputeras,” said Lim.
“There is a leakage of RM52 billion which is not in the hands of the Bumiputeras. This is a betrayal. The government has to arrest and take action against the people who have hijacked the money,” he added.
When asked by a reporter whether Pakatan Rakyat had any ideas or leads as to who now held the shares, Lim smiled and claimed that PR knew who had control of them, and also why there was inaction from the part of the government.
“We in PR know who has the shares, it is held by the cronies of Barisan Nasional, that’s why the government have not taken any action. If the government really cares, they need to send a message to show their seriousness in taking action.”
“The government should set up a Royal Commission on the Bumi equity. This is an admission from the Prime Minister himself,” asserted the Penang CM.
Lim’s initial response was towards a newspaper report on which Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin had commented on the distribution of wealth among Malaysians.
“He is talking about the distribution of wealth among Malaysians, who has got what and who did not, the ones who have got nothing are the rakyat,” said Lim.
The total Bumiputera equity currently stands at 19.4 per cent from its targeted 30 per cent some 19 years ago.
By Shazwan Mustafa Kamal
KUALA LUMPUR, March 29 — DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng wants the government to investigate why RM52 billion worth of shares in public listed companies allocated for Bumiputeras under affirmative action policies were no longer in their hands.
He told reporters in Parliament today that the fact that the shares were no longer in the hands of Bumiputeras was an act of betrayal.
The Penang Chief Minister suggested a Royal Commission be set up to investigate such leakages.
He said that out of RM54 billion in shares allocated for Bumiputeras, only RM2 billion were still in their hands.
“According to a Bernama report, the Prime Minister had been quoted as saying that of the RM54 billion in shares allocated, only RM2 billion worth of shares were left in the hands of Bumiputeras,” said Lim.
“There is a leakage of RM52 billion which is not in the hands of the Bumiputeras. This is a betrayal. The government has to arrest and take action against the people who have hijacked the money,” he added.
When asked by a reporter whether Pakatan Rakyat had any ideas or leads as to who now held the shares, Lim smiled and claimed that PR knew who had control of them, and also why there was inaction from the part of the government.
“We in PR know who has the shares, it is held by the cronies of Barisan Nasional, that’s why the government have not taken any action. If the government really cares, they need to send a message to show their seriousness in taking action.”
“The government should set up a Royal Commission on the Bumi equity. This is an admission from the Prime Minister himself,” asserted the Penang CM.
Lim’s initial response was towards a newspaper report on which Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin had commented on the distribution of wealth among Malaysians.
“He is talking about the distribution of wealth among Malaysians, who has got what and who did not, the ones who have got nothing are the rakyat,” said Lim.
The total Bumiputera equity currently stands at 19.4 per cent from its targeted 30 per cent some 19 years ago.
Saturday, March 27, 2010
Mahathir and Ibrahim - an ' ultra and a liar '
by freemalaysiatoday
Sun, 28 Mar 2010
KUALA LUMPUR: Dr Mahathir Mohamad has come full circle – from an ultra back again to an ultra – and that, according to Lim Kit Siang, is the greatest tragedy.
The DAP stalwart was incensed that the former prime minister gave his patronage to a right-wing organisation called Perkasa when he opened its inaugural assembly yesterday.
By throwing his weight behind a supposedly non-governmental organisation, Mahathir, said Lim, has repudiated “Bangsa Malaysia and Vision 2020 which he enunciated in 1991”.
But the DAP veteran launched a scathing attack on Ibrahim Ali, the president of Perkasa who was waving a keris in the company of Mahathir and other “warriors” to signify that the movement is ready to shed blood to defend Malay rights. (It brings back images of Hishammuddin Hussein waving a keris at the Umno general assembly in 2005, for the same reason – to defend Malay rights.)
Lim said, judging by the incendiary speech Ibrahim made, Perkasa is built on stilts of lies. He accused the maverick politician of telling a lie when the latter blamed the DAP and the Malaysian Malaysia slogan for mainly causing the May 13 race riots.
“Has Ibrahim Ali taken 41 years after the 1969 tragedy to make this 'discovery'? he asked.
He said if the DAP and the slogan were what triggered the riots, the party would have been banned long ago and its leaders thrown behind bars.
Lim said it is lie that the DAP is against the Malays, Islam and wants to do away with the Malay Rulers.
He cited an incident in the 1970s when Ibrahim, then a student leader, sought his help to escape detention under the Internal Security Act. Lim was then the parliamentary Opposition Leader.
“Why sought my help if DAP leaders were so anti-national and disloyal as he now wants to depict?” asked Lim.
He also noted that the Perkasa assembly coincided with the launching of the Chinese edition of Zaid Ibrahim's book entitled “I, too, am a Malay”.
“What a sharp contrast in the imageries evoked in the two events,” said Lim. The book evokes the “all-embracing hopes of all Malaysians for a progressive, prosperous common future regardless of race, religion or region”. And Perkasa?
Perkasa, he said, is “anchored in a hankering for the past, oblivious of 52-years of nation-building”.The “neo-organisation” is even dismissive of the 1Malaysia concept... “all to allow Umno-putras to perpetuate the abuses of NEP by exploiting the name of Bumiputeras”.
Sun, 28 Mar 2010
KUALA LUMPUR: Dr Mahathir Mohamad has come full circle – from an ultra back again to an ultra – and that, according to Lim Kit Siang, is the greatest tragedy.
The DAP stalwart was incensed that the former prime minister gave his patronage to a right-wing organisation called Perkasa when he opened its inaugural assembly yesterday.
By throwing his weight behind a supposedly non-governmental organisation, Mahathir, said Lim, has repudiated “Bangsa Malaysia and Vision 2020 which he enunciated in 1991”.
But the DAP veteran launched a scathing attack on Ibrahim Ali, the president of Perkasa who was waving a keris in the company of Mahathir and other “warriors” to signify that the movement is ready to shed blood to defend Malay rights. (It brings back images of Hishammuddin Hussein waving a keris at the Umno general assembly in 2005, for the same reason – to defend Malay rights.)
Lim said, judging by the incendiary speech Ibrahim made, Perkasa is built on stilts of lies. He accused the maverick politician of telling a lie when the latter blamed the DAP and the Malaysian Malaysia slogan for mainly causing the May 13 race riots.
“Has Ibrahim Ali taken 41 years after the 1969 tragedy to make this 'discovery'? he asked.
He said if the DAP and the slogan were what triggered the riots, the party would have been banned long ago and its leaders thrown behind bars.
Lim said it is lie that the DAP is against the Malays, Islam and wants to do away with the Malay Rulers.
He cited an incident in the 1970s when Ibrahim, then a student leader, sought his help to escape detention under the Internal Security Act. Lim was then the parliamentary Opposition Leader.
“Why sought my help if DAP leaders were so anti-national and disloyal as he now wants to depict?” asked Lim.
He also noted that the Perkasa assembly coincided with the launching of the Chinese edition of Zaid Ibrahim's book entitled “I, too, am a Malay”.
“What a sharp contrast in the imageries evoked in the two events,” said Lim. The book evokes the “all-embracing hopes of all Malaysians for a progressive, prosperous common future regardless of race, religion or region”. And Perkasa?
Perkasa, he said, is “anchored in a hankering for the past, oblivious of 52-years of nation-building”.The “neo-organisation” is even dismissive of the 1Malaysia concept... “all to allow Umno-putras to perpetuate the abuses of NEP by exploiting the name of Bumiputeras”.
Friday, March 26, 2010
Zahrain's lawyer fails to serve letter on Lim Guan Eng
The Star
Sat , 27Mar 2010 17:09
PENANG: Bayan Baru MP Zahrain Mohamed Hashim's lawyer did not to get to serve a letter of demand to Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng after he was barred from going up to Lim's office on the 28th floor of the Komtar building here by security personnel today.
Lawyer Mohamed Haniff Khatri Abdullah told reporters afterwards that he would be contacting Lim's lawyer Karpal Singh to ensure the letter was served Lim.
Zahrain, who left PKR to become an independent MP recently, is demanding an explanation from Lim over remarks allegedly made by the latter that Zahrain quit PKR to become an independent MP because he (Zahrain) failed to get a RM40 million contract to manage the Bukit Jambul Golf Resort here.
He has also threatened to file a suit againts PKR secretary-general Saifuddin Nasution Ismail for alleging that he had debts amounting to RM1.8 million.
Sat , 27Mar 2010 17:09
PENANG: Bayan Baru MP Zahrain Mohamed Hashim's lawyer did not to get to serve a letter of demand to Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng after he was barred from going up to Lim's office on the 28th floor of the Komtar building here by security personnel today.
Lawyer Mohamed Haniff Khatri Abdullah told reporters afterwards that he would be contacting Lim's lawyer Karpal Singh to ensure the letter was served Lim.
Zahrain, who left PKR to become an independent MP recently, is demanding an explanation from Lim over remarks allegedly made by the latter that Zahrain quit PKR to become an independent MP because he (Zahrain) failed to get a RM40 million contract to manage the Bukit Jambul Golf Resort here.
He has also threatened to file a suit againts PKR secretary-general Saifuddin Nasution Ismail for alleging that he had debts amounting to RM1.8 million.
NAJIB Being Bold : " I never met the two policeman "
by malaysiatoday
Saturday, 27 March 2010 admin-s
Najib turns his guns on Anwar Ibrahim. He said the trial is a private matter and said Anwar sexually harassed Saiful because sexual harassment has “more traction” in the west. Another Apco talking point no doubt. He failed to answer the other part of the question about the integrity of the Malaysian judicial system.
He gets defensive and irritated on Altantuya question. Reverts to “reasonable doubt” as his defense. As long as there is some doubt you cannot make an accusation. He denies he knew Sirul and Azilah and said they worked on another security shift.
The question remains – how reasonable is the doubt that Sirual and Azilah acted on their own? Pretty reasonable.
Otherwise Economist is uncharacteristically soft on its line of questioning, without any mention of Najib’s failing reform effrots and kow-towing to the ultra-Malay right wing. No mention of Allah issue either, declining investor confidence and continued rampant corruption. Come on Economist. Don’t let APCO corner you into a softball interview.
Question about Anwar at 8:00, Altantuya at 9:50.
This is the full transcript of an interview conducted with Najib Razak in Kuala Lumpur, on March 12th 2010. You can listen to a selectively excerpted recording of the same interview here.
Najib Razak: In his own words
(The Economist)
What have been the key achievements of your first year and how successful have you been in laying out the groundwork for what you need to do?
I think we’ve gone beyond the pronouncements and beyond just laying out our agenda for change. I think there is this feeling of a mindset in a lot of Malaysians, both the public and private sector, that we have embarked on this journey now. It is a journey because we’re not quite there yet. But there is this mindset acceptance that we are well and truly on this path and the trajectory is there. It’s just for us to continue to be steadfast, to believe that we can do it, and to accept the realities that I believe that life is never a straight line, never linear. You’ve got the ups and the downs. But as long as in the long term the trajectory is the right direction. That’s how I see it.
There could be things that happen beyond your control along the way and your approval ratings could see a slight dip. But I believe you should stay the course and believe in what you set out to do. If you’re steadfast, eventually I believe you will get there. That’s how I see it.
So in terms of the key achievements, or where you think you’ve laid the groundwork solidly for [change]?
I think that basically it’s this mindset, and by articulating the eight pillars as I mentioned in my speech last Tuesday. The four main pillars plus the additional four. The first being like a national mantra if you like, which is “People First, 1Malaysia, People First, Performance Now”. I don’t see that as a mere slogan, I see that as a guiding philosophy for Malaysia. It’s very well received. I was having a session with students after Friday prayers today and the students at UKM [Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia], they’ve established a 1Malaysia club. On their own, I didn’t tell them. They said, “Look, we’ve set up this club and we want to propagate the concept, the meaning and values associated with 1Malaysia.”
Secondly is the government transformation programme. This is a huge work. This afternoon I spent two hours, going from one room to another to talk about the execution of the NKRAs [National Key Results Area], discussion about crime. You could see the crime rate falling. Slowly but surely it’s falling. There will be more policemen, better surveillance, all kinds of initiatives, public transport, education. These are the things that are actually taking place. It’s happening. We’ve got the numbers, we’ve got the reports.
What is missing in the past is that we didn’t have a proper implementation outfit. So I decided that if I was to introduce a government transformation programme, to make it work, to make it credible I need to have a very strong and effective implementation unit. So that’s when I brought in Idris Jala, who was running MAS [Malaysia Airlines] before. He’s a technocrat, not a politician, so he spends days and nights working to make sure that GTP [government transformation programme] really works. It’s a hybrid organisation, some from the private sector, some from the public sector. I’m pleased with the outcome of that.
And we’ve got the New Economic Model that I’m working on. I will announce the main elements of it but I’ve decided it will be a two-stage thing, so I’ll announce the basic framework and basic strategy, but the implementation and so forth, the buy-in, will come after that. So we’ll have another round of discussions with stakeholders. Because, as you know, Malaysia is a very complex society. The spectrum is very wide. You don’t have the normal left-right political division in this country. You have a quite complex division in terms of ethnic division and then you’ve got backgrounds of rural, urban. A rather disparate society. That's the challenge facing us. Then you’ve got the 10th Malaysia plan, a five-year plan that will incorporate the elements of the New Economic Model.
On economic liberalization, you made some early steps last year in the financial services sector and other services, so you were clearly starting off with certain measures. Should we expect other sectors to open up in 2010?
We were quite extensive, what we’ve done. But MITI [the trade and industry ministry] is looking at other sectors that have not been liberalised yet. When they’re reading, they will submit to me. We’re also looking at some free-trade arrangements on multilateral and bilateral bases. I’m quite an advocate of free trade. Also the TPP, Trans-Pacific Partnership, we’re looking at it quite seriously, whether that’s good for Malaysia to be part of it.
You went to India last year to begin negotiations on a free-trade agreement. How do you see the two economies complementing each other and what do you think Malaysia might gain from this treaty?
I think there’s a lot we can gain. From a macro point of view India’s economy would be one of the main engines of growth for this part of the world. It’s going to grow like 7, 8% a year. And then we can benefit from the huge investment in infrastructure which India is going to undertake and Malaysian companies are basically good at building highways, they’re good at building public housing, commercial buildings, you name it, they’re good at construction. I can see the scope for Malaysia. And providing power in India, that’s also a huge possibility for us. The oil and gas industry. And for us to combine with some of the world-class Indian companies and penetrate third markets, that’s also another possibility that I could see, quite a distinct possibility.
You’ve spoken about the need to make Malaysia competitive and you’ve raised the issue of affirmative action. If you go back to 1971: when your father, the second prime minister of Malaysia, introduced the New Economic Policy. One part of that policy was social restructuring, to redress the balance. What do you think your father would make, two generations on, of this policy? Has the outcome been what he set out to achieve?
I think he would be reasonably pleased with the outcome, particularly on poverty eradication. I think our record has been a sterling one. I think we can pat ourselves on the back that we are one of the few countries in the world that has achieved such an outstanding record in terms of massive reduction of poverty level in this country. So that’s been hugely successful.
In terms of restructuring of society, it has been reasonably successful. I wouldn’t say it’s been an absolutely stunning success. There were things we did not anticipate, for example we faced two financial crises. One was 1997 and the recent one. These are things that happened that we did not anticipate. Some of the lessons learned, we could have done it better in a different way. So while the New Economic Model will have affirmative action as part of it, it will be on a different basis. It will not be on the old basis, the old paradigm. Something more attuned with the market.
Your father made a forward-looking attempt to restructure Malaysia. Do you think you can be as bold as he was in your goal of reforming and revamping Malaysia?
I think what we have started is nothing short of bold and courageous. I don’t believe in incremental change. I think really to get the buy-in from the people and to get the market excited you have to be bold and quite courageous to make the changes that will be really excite the people and create a buzz in the market. Anything else will not work.
What do you make of the talk about Malay rights? Driven by NGOs, certain political people are speaking out and making a big splash by saying they’ve got to defend the constitutional rights of Malays and putting pressure on you.
I’m not too alarmed about it. I expected it. We had this rise of Hindu rights through Hindraf and so forth. It was only a question of time before you could see a reaction from Malays. And true enough, it came in the form of Perkasa and the NGOs. But these people realise that the only political vehicle that can achieve the aims of their struggle will still be UMNO. They’re not against UMNO. But they want to remind UMNO, “Don’t forget the Malay rights, the Malay interests.” What I’m telling them is “No, I’m not forgetting the Malay rights, the Malay interests, but I want the Malays to work with the other races too.” I don’t see it as a zero-sum game and I want everyone to be together on the same page and work towards 1Malaysia.
1Malaysia is something that you’ve put your stamp on. What do you think you can do to make this more than just a slogan, to embed it into a multiracial country where a lot of people live separate lives?
As I said, it’s a very complex society because we tend to live in our different physical silos, if you like. There are neighbourhoods which are predominantly Chinese or Malays or Indians, and we also have schools that are [taught in the] vernacular. The only country in fact outside China with [public] Chinese schools is Malaysia. Even [Lee] Kwan Yew during his time abolished Chinese schools in Singapore. But we’ve stuck to it. It’s because this is part of our social contract, the promise between the various communities when we achieved independence and we don’t want to go back on our promise. So we’ve maintained that.
It requires a kind of shift in mindset really. We cannot uproot people to live in mixed communities. That's not practical. What I’m trying to do is get a change in the mindset so people move from a level of mere tolerance to total acceptance and eventually to celebrate diversity. If you feel comfortable with one another, it doesn’t matter whether we live in which neighbourhood but we can interact with one another freely. It's a mindset. I’m trying to change people’s mindset.
You mentioned schools. Education is a topic that keeps coming again and again when people talk about Malaysia’s economy and changes needed to move up the value chain. Where are your priorities with education, which is obviously a long-term goal?
I think we’re spending the right kind of money on education in terms of our GDP. More than 20% of our budget goes towards education, which is one of the highest in the world. But I don’t think we’re getting the kind of outcome commensurate with the investment in education. We need to focus much more on the outcome, the qualitative aspect. The right kind of focus and emphasis that will produce the right kind of outcome commensurate with our investment in education.
Which level of education will you focus on?
All levels. We’ve also talked about preschool education. We are great believers, and my wife and I are in this together, because we believe that early-childhood education is so important and we’ve somewhat under-invested in preschool education. We’ve looked at more glamorous part, which is high school and tertiary education, every state wants a university, that kind of thing. We’ve succumbed to that kind of political demand. Now we have to look in terms of the whole spectrum, from preschool up to university education.
For example, I just announced a couple of days ago, we have to look at the scheme for academicians. In the past, the highest position that any academician could aspire for was vice-chancellor. Even a brilliant professor, your grade cannot be higher than a vice-chancellor. So I’m questioning that, why should that be? You should allow professors to become really outstanding academicians, recognised worldwide, and you should reward them. They should be higher than the grade commanded by a vice-chancellor. Because after all, a vice-chancellor is a good manager, but may not be the most brilliant brain in the university. I’m going to change that. We’ve announced it and I’m going to work on that.
This brings us onto knowledge-based economy, creative industries and moving up the value chain. Can you speak about sectors where you think Malaysia might have an advantage or an edge over the next few years, because you’re no longer a cheap low-cost manufacturing country?
There are certain areas where we have a distinct competitive advantage. For example, making Malaysia as a centre of Islamic finance. That’s a clear advantage for us. Halal food. Resource-based industries, that’s an advantage for us. Then certain strategic industries like aerospace, you’d be surprised that some of those component-making companies in the United States and Britain, like Spirit Aerospace, they’ve transferred their operations to Malaysia, and they’re very pleased to be in Malaysia. We won that investment on the basis that we were competing with two other locations worldwide and we came out on top.
The services sector as well. We can offer high-quality education. Tourism, which is traditional but still big for us. Then we can look at some of ICT [information and communication technology], biotech for example. These will be high-growing areas for us.
How do you respond to foreign criticism of the trial of the opposition leader, Anwar Ibrahim, and more generally how do you see the integrity of Malaysia’s judicial system?
It’s a delicate matter for us. The premise is that it’s not a political trial to begin with. It’s essentially a private matter for Anwar. He just happens to be the leader of the opposition. The person who actually made the police report was his personal assistant, chosen by him. If the personal assistant had not made a police report, he wouldn’t have been charged. There was a full investigation and obviously the prosecution thought the evidence was compelling enough. The nature of the evidence…we’ll have to wait until the trial proceeds.
In the West, assuming that you’re the head of an opposition, and you’re 62 years old and a married man, with a family, and you are alleged to have an affair with, in this case, a homosexual affair. Would that be tenable in a political context? Bearing in mind that Clinton was almost impeached, and that was a fling with an intern. And Gary Hart had to give up his presidential ambition because of the alleged affair with Donna Rice. So in a Western context, people can appreciate that point of view. They may not be prosecuted as such because it is between consenting adults. But certainly in terms of political context, in the West it would be politically untenable.
Secondly, and this is another point to be born in mind, Anwar was his employer. Saiful was his employee, a 23-year-old boy, really just a boy, starry-eyed, idealising him. Isn’t it incumbent on Anwar to take care of his employee? Isn’t there an element of responsibility for the employer-employee relationship, in terms of a strong element of sexual harassment? Why did he make the police report because where he was coming from, according to the trial so far, is that obviously he was rebelling against what he was asked to do, it was against his nature.
In fact, sexual harassment has more traction with the West than homosexuality, because the West defines human rights as you can do anything you like as long as it’s between consenting adults. Homosexuality is acceptable in the West. But I’m sure they can appreciate sexual harassment. But you must remember this is a predominantly Muslim society, and there are certain laws relating to sexual behaviour. As much as we respect the West, the West must also respect us.
Do you feel that it’s a test for the judiciary, as it’s a highly politicised case?
Yes. Anwar will try to politicise it. But we also realise that it’s the court of the people that really matters. If we are seen to be manipulating the trial, and he doesn’t get a fair trial, I’m sure the people will react against us. It would be foolish for us to be in that sort of situation, to allow that sort of situation to happen.
Another judicial case is the murder of Altantuya, the translator. She was murdered in 2006 and two policemen were found guilty of this, two policemen who belonged to your security detail, and your personal advisor was tangled up in this affair. Do you feel that justice has been done in this case?
I want to clarify they are not my personal security detail. They work on shift. I have my own personal detail that is attached to me. I have one that guards me for a few days, then guards someone else. They would guard me and they would guard the [former] prime minister, Abdullah Badawi. They also guard foreigners who come. It’s got nothing to do with me. Throughout the trial there has been no single evidence produced, and I have sworn in the mosque, I’ve sworn publicly, as a Muslim, that I do not know her, I’ve not met her and there’s been no evidence produced, no photograph, nothing, to say that I even knew her.
Logically, if you think about it, if I am involved or was involved with her, why should she not blackmail me, why should she blackmail Razak [Baginda]? But as it was she blackmailed Razak, she never went for me, or went to my house or anything of that sort. In the court of law, you have to produce evidence. Guilt-by-association cannot be the basis of justice, anywhere in the world. You have [a] friend, don’t you? If your friend is involved, does it mean you’re involved? Exactly. You’re not involved, unless there’s evidence to indicate otherwise. Why should I be different?
But do you think justice was done in the sense that we have two [convicted] policemen—unless you believe that they just decided to do this act themselves—they were acting on some orders, and we don’t know if there were orders given?
It has to be on the basis of beyond reasonable doubt. As long as you can introduce reasonable doubt, then you cannot say someone else is responsible. I never met the two policemen to discuss this at all, and the meeting did not involve me. So it cannot come from me. Whether Razak gave the order or not, Razak is a civilian. How can a civilian give an order to a policeman? That is also the counter-argument. Whatever it is, if you want to sentence anyone, it has to be on the basis of beyond reasonable doubt. As long as you can introduce reasonable doubt nobody can be found guilty in our system, also in the British system or anywhere else in the world.
Saturday, 27 March 2010 admin-s
Najib turns his guns on Anwar Ibrahim. He said the trial is a private matter and said Anwar sexually harassed Saiful because sexual harassment has “more traction” in the west. Another Apco talking point no doubt. He failed to answer the other part of the question about the integrity of the Malaysian judicial system.
He gets defensive and irritated on Altantuya question. Reverts to “reasonable doubt” as his defense. As long as there is some doubt you cannot make an accusation. He denies he knew Sirul and Azilah and said they worked on another security shift.
The question remains – how reasonable is the doubt that Sirual and Azilah acted on their own? Pretty reasonable.
Otherwise Economist is uncharacteristically soft on its line of questioning, without any mention of Najib’s failing reform effrots and kow-towing to the ultra-Malay right wing. No mention of Allah issue either, declining investor confidence and continued rampant corruption. Come on Economist. Don’t let APCO corner you into a softball interview.
Question about Anwar at 8:00, Altantuya at 9:50.
This is the full transcript of an interview conducted with Najib Razak in Kuala Lumpur, on March 12th 2010. You can listen to a selectively excerpted recording of the same interview here.
Najib Razak: In his own words
(The Economist)
What have been the key achievements of your first year and how successful have you been in laying out the groundwork for what you need to do?
I think we’ve gone beyond the pronouncements and beyond just laying out our agenda for change. I think there is this feeling of a mindset in a lot of Malaysians, both the public and private sector, that we have embarked on this journey now. It is a journey because we’re not quite there yet. But there is this mindset acceptance that we are well and truly on this path and the trajectory is there. It’s just for us to continue to be steadfast, to believe that we can do it, and to accept the realities that I believe that life is never a straight line, never linear. You’ve got the ups and the downs. But as long as in the long term the trajectory is the right direction. That’s how I see it.
There could be things that happen beyond your control along the way and your approval ratings could see a slight dip. But I believe you should stay the course and believe in what you set out to do. If you’re steadfast, eventually I believe you will get there. That’s how I see it.
So in terms of the key achievements, or where you think you’ve laid the groundwork solidly for [change]?
I think that basically it’s this mindset, and by articulating the eight pillars as I mentioned in my speech last Tuesday. The four main pillars plus the additional four. The first being like a national mantra if you like, which is “People First, 1Malaysia, People First, Performance Now”. I don’t see that as a mere slogan, I see that as a guiding philosophy for Malaysia. It’s very well received. I was having a session with students after Friday prayers today and the students at UKM [Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia], they’ve established a 1Malaysia club. On their own, I didn’t tell them. They said, “Look, we’ve set up this club and we want to propagate the concept, the meaning and values associated with 1Malaysia.”
Secondly is the government transformation programme. This is a huge work. This afternoon I spent two hours, going from one room to another to talk about the execution of the NKRAs [National Key Results Area], discussion about crime. You could see the crime rate falling. Slowly but surely it’s falling. There will be more policemen, better surveillance, all kinds of initiatives, public transport, education. These are the things that are actually taking place. It’s happening. We’ve got the numbers, we’ve got the reports.
What is missing in the past is that we didn’t have a proper implementation outfit. So I decided that if I was to introduce a government transformation programme, to make it work, to make it credible I need to have a very strong and effective implementation unit. So that’s when I brought in Idris Jala, who was running MAS [Malaysia Airlines] before. He’s a technocrat, not a politician, so he spends days and nights working to make sure that GTP [government transformation programme] really works. It’s a hybrid organisation, some from the private sector, some from the public sector. I’m pleased with the outcome of that.
And we’ve got the New Economic Model that I’m working on. I will announce the main elements of it but I’ve decided it will be a two-stage thing, so I’ll announce the basic framework and basic strategy, but the implementation and so forth, the buy-in, will come after that. So we’ll have another round of discussions with stakeholders. Because, as you know, Malaysia is a very complex society. The spectrum is very wide. You don’t have the normal left-right political division in this country. You have a quite complex division in terms of ethnic division and then you’ve got backgrounds of rural, urban. A rather disparate society. That's the challenge facing us. Then you’ve got the 10th Malaysia plan, a five-year plan that will incorporate the elements of the New Economic Model.
On economic liberalization, you made some early steps last year in the financial services sector and other services, so you were clearly starting off with certain measures. Should we expect other sectors to open up in 2010?
We were quite extensive, what we’ve done. But MITI [the trade and industry ministry] is looking at other sectors that have not been liberalised yet. When they’re reading, they will submit to me. We’re also looking at some free-trade arrangements on multilateral and bilateral bases. I’m quite an advocate of free trade. Also the TPP, Trans-Pacific Partnership, we’re looking at it quite seriously, whether that’s good for Malaysia to be part of it.
You went to India last year to begin negotiations on a free-trade agreement. How do you see the two economies complementing each other and what do you think Malaysia might gain from this treaty?
I think there’s a lot we can gain. From a macro point of view India’s economy would be one of the main engines of growth for this part of the world. It’s going to grow like 7, 8% a year. And then we can benefit from the huge investment in infrastructure which India is going to undertake and Malaysian companies are basically good at building highways, they’re good at building public housing, commercial buildings, you name it, they’re good at construction. I can see the scope for Malaysia. And providing power in India, that’s also a huge possibility for us. The oil and gas industry. And for us to combine with some of the world-class Indian companies and penetrate third markets, that’s also another possibility that I could see, quite a distinct possibility.
You’ve spoken about the need to make Malaysia competitive and you’ve raised the issue of affirmative action. If you go back to 1971: when your father, the second prime minister of Malaysia, introduced the New Economic Policy. One part of that policy was social restructuring, to redress the balance. What do you think your father would make, two generations on, of this policy? Has the outcome been what he set out to achieve?
I think he would be reasonably pleased with the outcome, particularly on poverty eradication. I think our record has been a sterling one. I think we can pat ourselves on the back that we are one of the few countries in the world that has achieved such an outstanding record in terms of massive reduction of poverty level in this country. So that’s been hugely successful.
In terms of restructuring of society, it has been reasonably successful. I wouldn’t say it’s been an absolutely stunning success. There were things we did not anticipate, for example we faced two financial crises. One was 1997 and the recent one. These are things that happened that we did not anticipate. Some of the lessons learned, we could have done it better in a different way. So while the New Economic Model will have affirmative action as part of it, it will be on a different basis. It will not be on the old basis, the old paradigm. Something more attuned with the market.
Your father made a forward-looking attempt to restructure Malaysia. Do you think you can be as bold as he was in your goal of reforming and revamping Malaysia?
I think what we have started is nothing short of bold and courageous. I don’t believe in incremental change. I think really to get the buy-in from the people and to get the market excited you have to be bold and quite courageous to make the changes that will be really excite the people and create a buzz in the market. Anything else will not work.
What do you make of the talk about Malay rights? Driven by NGOs, certain political people are speaking out and making a big splash by saying they’ve got to defend the constitutional rights of Malays and putting pressure on you.
I’m not too alarmed about it. I expected it. We had this rise of Hindu rights through Hindraf and so forth. It was only a question of time before you could see a reaction from Malays. And true enough, it came in the form of Perkasa and the NGOs. But these people realise that the only political vehicle that can achieve the aims of their struggle will still be UMNO. They’re not against UMNO. But they want to remind UMNO, “Don’t forget the Malay rights, the Malay interests.” What I’m telling them is “No, I’m not forgetting the Malay rights, the Malay interests, but I want the Malays to work with the other races too.” I don’t see it as a zero-sum game and I want everyone to be together on the same page and work towards 1Malaysia.
1Malaysia is something that you’ve put your stamp on. What do you think you can do to make this more than just a slogan, to embed it into a multiracial country where a lot of people live separate lives?
As I said, it’s a very complex society because we tend to live in our different physical silos, if you like. There are neighbourhoods which are predominantly Chinese or Malays or Indians, and we also have schools that are [taught in the] vernacular. The only country in fact outside China with [public] Chinese schools is Malaysia. Even [Lee] Kwan Yew during his time abolished Chinese schools in Singapore. But we’ve stuck to it. It’s because this is part of our social contract, the promise between the various communities when we achieved independence and we don’t want to go back on our promise. So we’ve maintained that.
It requires a kind of shift in mindset really. We cannot uproot people to live in mixed communities. That's not practical. What I’m trying to do is get a change in the mindset so people move from a level of mere tolerance to total acceptance and eventually to celebrate diversity. If you feel comfortable with one another, it doesn’t matter whether we live in which neighbourhood but we can interact with one another freely. It's a mindset. I’m trying to change people’s mindset.
You mentioned schools. Education is a topic that keeps coming again and again when people talk about Malaysia’s economy and changes needed to move up the value chain. Where are your priorities with education, which is obviously a long-term goal?
I think we’re spending the right kind of money on education in terms of our GDP. More than 20% of our budget goes towards education, which is one of the highest in the world. But I don’t think we’re getting the kind of outcome commensurate with the investment in education. We need to focus much more on the outcome, the qualitative aspect. The right kind of focus and emphasis that will produce the right kind of outcome commensurate with our investment in education.
Which level of education will you focus on?
All levels. We’ve also talked about preschool education. We are great believers, and my wife and I are in this together, because we believe that early-childhood education is so important and we’ve somewhat under-invested in preschool education. We’ve looked at more glamorous part, which is high school and tertiary education, every state wants a university, that kind of thing. We’ve succumbed to that kind of political demand. Now we have to look in terms of the whole spectrum, from preschool up to university education.
For example, I just announced a couple of days ago, we have to look at the scheme for academicians. In the past, the highest position that any academician could aspire for was vice-chancellor. Even a brilliant professor, your grade cannot be higher than a vice-chancellor. So I’m questioning that, why should that be? You should allow professors to become really outstanding academicians, recognised worldwide, and you should reward them. They should be higher than the grade commanded by a vice-chancellor. Because after all, a vice-chancellor is a good manager, but may not be the most brilliant brain in the university. I’m going to change that. We’ve announced it and I’m going to work on that.
This brings us onto knowledge-based economy, creative industries and moving up the value chain. Can you speak about sectors where you think Malaysia might have an advantage or an edge over the next few years, because you’re no longer a cheap low-cost manufacturing country?
There are certain areas where we have a distinct competitive advantage. For example, making Malaysia as a centre of Islamic finance. That’s a clear advantage for us. Halal food. Resource-based industries, that’s an advantage for us. Then certain strategic industries like aerospace, you’d be surprised that some of those component-making companies in the United States and Britain, like Spirit Aerospace, they’ve transferred their operations to Malaysia, and they’re very pleased to be in Malaysia. We won that investment on the basis that we were competing with two other locations worldwide and we came out on top.
The services sector as well. We can offer high-quality education. Tourism, which is traditional but still big for us. Then we can look at some of ICT [information and communication technology], biotech for example. These will be high-growing areas for us.
How do you respond to foreign criticism of the trial of the opposition leader, Anwar Ibrahim, and more generally how do you see the integrity of Malaysia’s judicial system?
It’s a delicate matter for us. The premise is that it’s not a political trial to begin with. It’s essentially a private matter for Anwar. He just happens to be the leader of the opposition. The person who actually made the police report was his personal assistant, chosen by him. If the personal assistant had not made a police report, he wouldn’t have been charged. There was a full investigation and obviously the prosecution thought the evidence was compelling enough. The nature of the evidence…we’ll have to wait until the trial proceeds.
In the West, assuming that you’re the head of an opposition, and you’re 62 years old and a married man, with a family, and you are alleged to have an affair with, in this case, a homosexual affair. Would that be tenable in a political context? Bearing in mind that Clinton was almost impeached, and that was a fling with an intern. And Gary Hart had to give up his presidential ambition because of the alleged affair with Donna Rice. So in a Western context, people can appreciate that point of view. They may not be prosecuted as such because it is between consenting adults. But certainly in terms of political context, in the West it would be politically untenable.
Secondly, and this is another point to be born in mind, Anwar was his employer. Saiful was his employee, a 23-year-old boy, really just a boy, starry-eyed, idealising him. Isn’t it incumbent on Anwar to take care of his employee? Isn’t there an element of responsibility for the employer-employee relationship, in terms of a strong element of sexual harassment? Why did he make the police report because where he was coming from, according to the trial so far, is that obviously he was rebelling against what he was asked to do, it was against his nature.
In fact, sexual harassment has more traction with the West than homosexuality, because the West defines human rights as you can do anything you like as long as it’s between consenting adults. Homosexuality is acceptable in the West. But I’m sure they can appreciate sexual harassment. But you must remember this is a predominantly Muslim society, and there are certain laws relating to sexual behaviour. As much as we respect the West, the West must also respect us.
Do you feel that it’s a test for the judiciary, as it’s a highly politicised case?
Yes. Anwar will try to politicise it. But we also realise that it’s the court of the people that really matters. If we are seen to be manipulating the trial, and he doesn’t get a fair trial, I’m sure the people will react against us. It would be foolish for us to be in that sort of situation, to allow that sort of situation to happen.
Another judicial case is the murder of Altantuya, the translator. She was murdered in 2006 and two policemen were found guilty of this, two policemen who belonged to your security detail, and your personal advisor was tangled up in this affair. Do you feel that justice has been done in this case?
I want to clarify they are not my personal security detail. They work on shift. I have my own personal detail that is attached to me. I have one that guards me for a few days, then guards someone else. They would guard me and they would guard the [former] prime minister, Abdullah Badawi. They also guard foreigners who come. It’s got nothing to do with me. Throughout the trial there has been no single evidence produced, and I have sworn in the mosque, I’ve sworn publicly, as a Muslim, that I do not know her, I’ve not met her and there’s been no evidence produced, no photograph, nothing, to say that I even knew her.
Logically, if you think about it, if I am involved or was involved with her, why should she not blackmail me, why should she blackmail Razak [Baginda]? But as it was she blackmailed Razak, she never went for me, or went to my house or anything of that sort. In the court of law, you have to produce evidence. Guilt-by-association cannot be the basis of justice, anywhere in the world. You have [a] friend, don’t you? If your friend is involved, does it mean you’re involved? Exactly. You’re not involved, unless there’s evidence to indicate otherwise. Why should I be different?
But do you think justice was done in the sense that we have two [convicted] policemen—unless you believe that they just decided to do this act themselves—they were acting on some orders, and we don’t know if there were orders given?
It has to be on the basis of beyond reasonable doubt. As long as you can introduce reasonable doubt, then you cannot say someone else is responsible. I never met the two policemen to discuss this at all, and the meeting did not involve me. So it cannot come from me. Whether Razak gave the order or not, Razak is a civilian. How can a civilian give an order to a policeman? That is also the counter-argument. Whatever it is, if you want to sentence anyone, it has to be on the basis of beyond reasonable doubt. As long as you can introduce reasonable doubt nobody can be found guilty in our system, also in the British system or anywhere else in the world.
How Dato Sri Liow Tiong Lai Been Protected By MACC
by mykob.blogspot.com
Friday, March 26, 2010
Malaysia Anti Corruption Commission Deputy Commissioner Dato Mohd Shukri Abdull Is Protecting Dato Sri Liow Tiong Lai
Malaysian Anti Corruption Commission (MACC) Deputy Commissioner has been paid a sum of RM 10 Million by Dato' Seri Tiong King Sing to give full protection to Dato Sri Liow Tiong Lai to close his corruption case in regards to the Toyota Alphard which is worth more than half million Ringgit.
My last revelation regarding MACC with hopes that MACC will take serious investigation and action against Dato Sri Liow Tiong Lai but due to large sum of money has been paid to Deputy Commissioner of MACC, the case is now being ordered to be close without further action. The evidence can be seen very clearly when Liow Tiong Lai’s wife was called for interrogation in MACC office. When the press and media got news of this incident, they swarm around MACC office where Liow Tiong Lai’s wife is being questioned by MACC officers, the MACC Deputy Commissioner ordered his men to smuggle Datin Sri out of MACC office through the basement car park. On the very next day, the Deputy Commissioner screw all of his officers regarding the leak of news to press and media regarding the investigation of the Alphard case.
Another very silly excuse given by Deputy Commissioner to his Director of Investigation and officers that during the MCA campaign for fresh election no investigation can be carried out. He told his officer that MACC do not want to be seen to take side. It’s a very beautiful excuses but I would like to suggest it is better to declare MACC is on holiday during any party election or better to close down MACC during the party election, so nobody can accuse MACC take side. I believe public would share the feeling with me that its better for Deputy Commissioner to take leave during party election or resign and sleep at home so nobody can accuse him for investigating and take side.
Come back to the case where MACC has fail to investigate and take necessary action, now I would like to provide more information to them, so MACC will not have any more excuses for not wanting to investigate.
Dato Chai Kim Seng is a crony/proxy of YB Dato Sri Liow Tiong Lai, his net worth is about RM 20 million with many big cars and big bungalow house worth million plus company shares and cash in the bank.
Dato Chai Kim Seng declared that he borrow RM 60,000 from Datin Sri, the wife of Dato Sri Liow Tiong Lai, and he pay back by installment sum of RM 4,700 monthly, where this amount was used to pay the installment for her Alphard luxurious van.
Here is the juice of the story. Few years ago, Dato Sri Liow Tiong Lai instructed his crony, Dato Chai Kim Seng to undertake design, build and develop a hospital in Kuala Selangor. The project estimated to be value at RM 25 million. Dato Chai then informs his partner Dato Benny from Axis Jaya Sdn Bhd regarding this deal. They then arrange that the project to be awarded to a company by the name of Mohd Hj Sirat Sdn Bhd which is a 100% bumiputera company. Dato Chai and Dato Benny then get the bumiputera company to sub-contract the entire project back to their company Axis Jaya Sdn Bhd so no one will notice that the Minister award the contract directly to Axis Jaya Sdn Bhd. The bumiputera company is just a commission brokering company which doesn’t do anything but got a cut from the total project value.
Dato Benny Ho then pays the money to Dato Chai, which Dato Chai paid the exact same amount to Liow’s wife.
Friday, March 26, 2010
Malaysia Anti Corruption Commission Deputy Commissioner Dato Mohd Shukri Abdull Is Protecting Dato Sri Liow Tiong Lai
Malaysian Anti Corruption Commission (MACC) Deputy Commissioner has been paid a sum of RM 10 Million by Dato' Seri Tiong King Sing to give full protection to Dato Sri Liow Tiong Lai to close his corruption case in regards to the Toyota Alphard which is worth more than half million Ringgit.
My last revelation regarding MACC with hopes that MACC will take serious investigation and action against Dato Sri Liow Tiong Lai but due to large sum of money has been paid to Deputy Commissioner of MACC, the case is now being ordered to be close without further action. The evidence can be seen very clearly when Liow Tiong Lai’s wife was called for interrogation in MACC office. When the press and media got news of this incident, they swarm around MACC office where Liow Tiong Lai’s wife is being questioned by MACC officers, the MACC Deputy Commissioner ordered his men to smuggle Datin Sri out of MACC office through the basement car park. On the very next day, the Deputy Commissioner screw all of his officers regarding the leak of news to press and media regarding the investigation of the Alphard case.
Another very silly excuse given by Deputy Commissioner to his Director of Investigation and officers that during the MCA campaign for fresh election no investigation can be carried out. He told his officer that MACC do not want to be seen to take side. It’s a very beautiful excuses but I would like to suggest it is better to declare MACC is on holiday during any party election or better to close down MACC during the party election, so nobody can accuse MACC take side. I believe public would share the feeling with me that its better for Deputy Commissioner to take leave during party election or resign and sleep at home so nobody can accuse him for investigating and take side.
Come back to the case where MACC has fail to investigate and take necessary action, now I would like to provide more information to them, so MACC will not have any more excuses for not wanting to investigate.
Dato Chai Kim Seng is a crony/proxy of YB Dato Sri Liow Tiong Lai, his net worth is about RM 20 million with many big cars and big bungalow house worth million plus company shares and cash in the bank.
Dato Chai Kim Seng declared that he borrow RM 60,000 from Datin Sri, the wife of Dato Sri Liow Tiong Lai, and he pay back by installment sum of RM 4,700 monthly, where this amount was used to pay the installment for her Alphard luxurious van.
Here is the juice of the story. Few years ago, Dato Sri Liow Tiong Lai instructed his crony, Dato Chai Kim Seng to undertake design, build and develop a hospital in Kuala Selangor. The project estimated to be value at RM 25 million. Dato Chai then informs his partner Dato Benny from Axis Jaya Sdn Bhd regarding this deal. They then arrange that the project to be awarded to a company by the name of Mohd Hj Sirat Sdn Bhd which is a 100% bumiputera company. Dato Chai and Dato Benny then get the bumiputera company to sub-contract the entire project back to their company Axis Jaya Sdn Bhd so no one will notice that the Minister award the contract directly to Axis Jaya Sdn Bhd. The bumiputera company is just a commission brokering company which doesn’t do anything but got a cut from the total project value.
Dato Benny Ho then pays the money to Dato Chai, which Dato Chai paid the exact same amount to Liow’s wife.
1Malaysia clinic : Is the Health Ministry Above the Law ?
malaysiatoday
Saturday, 27 March 2010
It is distressing to learn from Dr. T. Jayabalan, the health adviser to the Consumers Association of Penang that medical assistants are giving out prescriptions for the wrong medicines or prescribing medicines which they are not allowed to prescribe and they have also been found to have wrongfully diagnosed patients at a study conducted at Kampar, Perak. And feedback thus far, from the MOH regarding the validity of MCs (Medical Certificates) issued by 1Malaysia Clinics have been unsatisfactory. The explanation issued by the Health Ministry’s Medical Practice Division officer, Dr Noraini Baba, stating that according to an internal MOH circular, MAs are allowed to issue MCs seems to suggest that she either doesn’t know the law or thinks she can actually circumvent a law through a department circular.
By RS
But perhaps CAP too should share of the blame for this vague situation. The last time they made so much noise, it resulted in ignorant officers at the Health Ministry rushing to pass an reckless legislation called the Private Healthcare, Facilities and Services Act (PHFSA) which was conjured up in the dark corners of the Health Ministry and stamped with the Official Secrets Act (OSA) effectively excluding the stake holders from taking part in the discussions. The Act is surely unconstitutional.
A doctor today with an Annual Practicing Certificate (APC) is legal under the Medical Act 1971 but becomes illegal if his premise is unregistered under the PHFSA 2006. But a Hospital Assistant (HA) working in a presumably legal PHFSA premise, 1Malaysia Clinic, becomes immediately illegal as he has committed a felony under the Medical Act 1971 since under this Act only registered medical practitioners are allowed to work in medical clinics. This is the end result of people like SM Idris who give half-baked ideas to our poorly trained civil servants who then create silly laws in a knee-jerk unthinking fashion, which ultimately not only endanger people’s lives but place the government eventually in a legal quandary. Worrying statistics of wrong prescriptions and misdiagnoses seeping out of 1Malaysia Clinics maybe just the tip of a disaster waiting to happen.
If we keep making up unending rules and regulations for the delivery of healthcare in this country, the whole of Sabah and Sarawak will soon be paralyzed as HAs there run many of our rural clinics and even provide anesthesia for many of the rural hospitals there. And anesthesia is no child’s play as even propofol; supposedly a very safe anesthetic can kill as it did the late Michael Jackson. In a country with limited trained medical human resources we have to initially stratify the levels of care that we can offer and much depends on both the quantity and today, the quality of medical professionals we have at hand.
Our rural health clinics are still run by midwives termed “Jururawat Desa“ while our health clinics are run by a combination of staff nurses, medical assistants and doctors. Our hospitals are run by all of these people and specialists. But specialists alone are not good enough if we want to deliver quality care as we need the help of physiotherapists, lab technologists, radiographers, biomedical personnel, critical care nurses, operating room technicians, anesthetic technicians and a whole gamut of other health personnel. Some of the monster hospitals that this government has built like Sungai Buloh, Ampang and Serdang are today nothing more then glorified nursing homes. Patients rush in thinking they are in for high-tech care, but a quick glimpse of the ICU will show 20 beds with 5 junior nurses trying desperately to man the 20 beds with no respiratory therapists, technicians, doctors or even the critical care specialists or anesthetists around.
A great many of the Malaysian population, especially in urban areas are very dependant on the General Practitioner who are the lynchpins in healthcare both in the UK and Australia . In the UK , GPs are today credited in reducing smoking in the general population, monitoring and preventing strokes and heart attacks from modern day epidemics such as diabetes mellitus and hypertension. In Mexico , Singapore , the US and in Europe , GPs were in the forefront in stopping the spread of the deadly influenza virus H1N1. GPs there were provided training, test kits and eventually Tamiflu to check the disease. Amazingly, in direct contrast, the MOH in Malaysia decided to bypass the resourceful neighborhood GP and instruct likely infected patients to rush to the Sungai Buloh Hospital with disastrous results where hundreds of patients mulled around at its lobby with staff stretched to their limits. Only after a huge public outcry in the face of mounting unacceptable mortalities did the MOH rescind and supply the generic version of Tamiflu to GPs.
For chaps like Idris, GPs in Malaysia are there only to make money and must therefore be shackled with draconian laws and treated as common criminals if they cross the line. They should be jailed or fined if their premises are unlicensed. In fact one doctor, Basmullah Khan, was needlessly jailed for three months just because his premise license was technically “not approved”. Only a malicious government would close down any health facility where hundreds of patients have been depending upon the expertise of the doctor for treatment and follow-up simply based on a bureaucratic edict. No country in this world treats its doctors this way except for Malaysia , another Malaysian first I guess.
But what are the repercussions of this sought of enactments on medical practitioners? A GP in Sungai Pelek, who once used to put up a drip for a dehydrated patient suffering from diarrhea due to food poisoning, refers the patient because he doesn’t want to take a risk under the PHFSA. He has even been told to remove the two beds he always keeps for such emergencies at this remote town. A GP in Triang seeing a dengue patient, lethargic, nauseated with a platelet count of 80,000 decides to refer when previously he would have asked the patient to come for a daily course of IV fluids and monitored his clinical features and platelet counts. And a GP out in Gemas refuses to deliver a full-term patient in labour with an almost full cervical opening for fear the baby may be born ‘flat’ and he would have to face the draconian PHFSA. So he decides to be safe and call for the ambulance to Segamat, 20 miles away. The baby is of course born in the ambulance.
And right here in Penang, a GP sees a diabetic patient suffering a coronary, lies him flat and places a couple of GTN tablets under his tongue when previously he himself would have administered crushed aspirin to the patient and given him a bolus of heparin which he always keeps for emergencies of this nature and perhaps some morphine. Of course he could have administered all of this and nothing would have happened if everything went well. But if the patient developed a complication, lo and behold he would be criminally charged and the MOH would tell him to speak to the judge if he wanted a lesser sentence. The GP doesn’t need this. It’s better to play safe. Is there any wonder why our government hospitals and their outpatient departments are overflowing. This is the type of defensive medicine that placed America into trouble.
The Prime Minister may have meant well in wanting to provide free outpatient care for poor urbanites. And the MOH could have advised him of a multitude of options including opening their own current urban health care clinics, even for 24 hours using their own doctors or outsource the service to GPs for an appropriate price. Why did the MOH choose to break the law by allowing unregistered medical practitioners to treat patients when surely they know that this is wrong? Were they politically pressured or were they plain ignorant. How would the Ministry defend itself in the event a patient sues for malpractice? It is an irony in itself that the MOH goes around closing clinics run by registered medical practitioners while they themselves use unregistered medical practitioners to run clinics in urban areas where there are an abundance of doctors. Is the Ministry of Health above the law?
Saturday, 27 March 2010
It is distressing to learn from Dr. T. Jayabalan, the health adviser to the Consumers Association of Penang that medical assistants are giving out prescriptions for the wrong medicines or prescribing medicines which they are not allowed to prescribe and they have also been found to have wrongfully diagnosed patients at a study conducted at Kampar, Perak. And feedback thus far, from the MOH regarding the validity of MCs (Medical Certificates) issued by 1Malaysia Clinics have been unsatisfactory. The explanation issued by the Health Ministry’s Medical Practice Division officer, Dr Noraini Baba, stating that according to an internal MOH circular, MAs are allowed to issue MCs seems to suggest that she either doesn’t know the law or thinks she can actually circumvent a law through a department circular.
By RS
But perhaps CAP too should share of the blame for this vague situation. The last time they made so much noise, it resulted in ignorant officers at the Health Ministry rushing to pass an reckless legislation called the Private Healthcare, Facilities and Services Act (PHFSA) which was conjured up in the dark corners of the Health Ministry and stamped with the Official Secrets Act (OSA) effectively excluding the stake holders from taking part in the discussions. The Act is surely unconstitutional.
A doctor today with an Annual Practicing Certificate (APC) is legal under the Medical Act 1971 but becomes illegal if his premise is unregistered under the PHFSA 2006. But a Hospital Assistant (HA) working in a presumably legal PHFSA premise, 1Malaysia Clinic, becomes immediately illegal as he has committed a felony under the Medical Act 1971 since under this Act only registered medical practitioners are allowed to work in medical clinics. This is the end result of people like SM Idris who give half-baked ideas to our poorly trained civil servants who then create silly laws in a knee-jerk unthinking fashion, which ultimately not only endanger people’s lives but place the government eventually in a legal quandary. Worrying statistics of wrong prescriptions and misdiagnoses seeping out of 1Malaysia Clinics maybe just the tip of a disaster waiting to happen.
If we keep making up unending rules and regulations for the delivery of healthcare in this country, the whole of Sabah and Sarawak will soon be paralyzed as HAs there run many of our rural clinics and even provide anesthesia for many of the rural hospitals there. And anesthesia is no child’s play as even propofol; supposedly a very safe anesthetic can kill as it did the late Michael Jackson. In a country with limited trained medical human resources we have to initially stratify the levels of care that we can offer and much depends on both the quantity and today, the quality of medical professionals we have at hand.
Our rural health clinics are still run by midwives termed “Jururawat Desa“ while our health clinics are run by a combination of staff nurses, medical assistants and doctors. Our hospitals are run by all of these people and specialists. But specialists alone are not good enough if we want to deliver quality care as we need the help of physiotherapists, lab technologists, radiographers, biomedical personnel, critical care nurses, operating room technicians, anesthetic technicians and a whole gamut of other health personnel. Some of the monster hospitals that this government has built like Sungai Buloh, Ampang and Serdang are today nothing more then glorified nursing homes. Patients rush in thinking they are in for high-tech care, but a quick glimpse of the ICU will show 20 beds with 5 junior nurses trying desperately to man the 20 beds with no respiratory therapists, technicians, doctors or even the critical care specialists or anesthetists around.
A great many of the Malaysian population, especially in urban areas are very dependant on the General Practitioner who are the lynchpins in healthcare both in the UK and Australia . In the UK , GPs are today credited in reducing smoking in the general population, monitoring and preventing strokes and heart attacks from modern day epidemics such as diabetes mellitus and hypertension. In Mexico , Singapore , the US and in Europe , GPs were in the forefront in stopping the spread of the deadly influenza virus H1N1. GPs there were provided training, test kits and eventually Tamiflu to check the disease. Amazingly, in direct contrast, the MOH in Malaysia decided to bypass the resourceful neighborhood GP and instruct likely infected patients to rush to the Sungai Buloh Hospital with disastrous results where hundreds of patients mulled around at its lobby with staff stretched to their limits. Only after a huge public outcry in the face of mounting unacceptable mortalities did the MOH rescind and supply the generic version of Tamiflu to GPs.
For chaps like Idris, GPs in Malaysia are there only to make money and must therefore be shackled with draconian laws and treated as common criminals if they cross the line. They should be jailed or fined if their premises are unlicensed. In fact one doctor, Basmullah Khan, was needlessly jailed for three months just because his premise license was technically “not approved”. Only a malicious government would close down any health facility where hundreds of patients have been depending upon the expertise of the doctor for treatment and follow-up simply based on a bureaucratic edict. No country in this world treats its doctors this way except for Malaysia , another Malaysian first I guess.
But what are the repercussions of this sought of enactments on medical practitioners? A GP in Sungai Pelek, who once used to put up a drip for a dehydrated patient suffering from diarrhea due to food poisoning, refers the patient because he doesn’t want to take a risk under the PHFSA. He has even been told to remove the two beds he always keeps for such emergencies at this remote town. A GP in Triang seeing a dengue patient, lethargic, nauseated with a platelet count of 80,000 decides to refer when previously he would have asked the patient to come for a daily course of IV fluids and monitored his clinical features and platelet counts. And a GP out in Gemas refuses to deliver a full-term patient in labour with an almost full cervical opening for fear the baby may be born ‘flat’ and he would have to face the draconian PHFSA. So he decides to be safe and call for the ambulance to Segamat, 20 miles away. The baby is of course born in the ambulance.
And right here in Penang, a GP sees a diabetic patient suffering a coronary, lies him flat and places a couple of GTN tablets under his tongue when previously he himself would have administered crushed aspirin to the patient and given him a bolus of heparin which he always keeps for emergencies of this nature and perhaps some morphine. Of course he could have administered all of this and nothing would have happened if everything went well. But if the patient developed a complication, lo and behold he would be criminally charged and the MOH would tell him to speak to the judge if he wanted a lesser sentence. The GP doesn’t need this. It’s better to play safe. Is there any wonder why our government hospitals and their outpatient departments are overflowing. This is the type of defensive medicine that placed America into trouble.
The Prime Minister may have meant well in wanting to provide free outpatient care for poor urbanites. And the MOH could have advised him of a multitude of options including opening their own current urban health care clinics, even for 24 hours using their own doctors or outsource the service to GPs for an appropriate price. Why did the MOH choose to break the law by allowing unregistered medical practitioners to treat patients when surely they know that this is wrong? Were they politically pressured or were they plain ignorant. How would the Ministry defend itself in the event a patient sues for malpractice? It is an irony in itself that the MOH goes around closing clinics run by registered medical practitioners while they themselves use unregistered medical practitioners to run clinics in urban areas where there are an abundance of doctors. Is the Ministry of Health above the law?
Zul Noordin gives Altantuya a new lease of life
Friday, 26 March 2010
In 2009, French newspaper La Liberation revealed that Altantuya had acted as a go-between for Razak and Najib in Malaysia’s purchase of two Scorpene submarines. Najib had then been the Defence Minister. A huge commission of RM540 million was paid by French shipbuilder Armaris to an account linked to a firm controlled by Razak.
Wong Choon Mei, Harakahdaily English Section
Pakatan Rakyat leaders have expressed doubt that the police would be able to get the truth out of sacked PKR MP Zulkifli Noordin, who a day ago claimed that he was offered generous rewards to implicate Prime Minister Najib Razak and First Lady Rosmah Mansor in the Altantuya sex, corruption and murder scandal.
“We hope that Zul will tell the whole truth to the police or that the police will do its best to persuade Zul to tell them the whole truth,” PKR MP for Batu Tian Chua told Harakahdaily.
“However, the chance of either event happening is slim. Remember, the authorities even tried to deny there was such a murder in the first place, so don't expect much in the way of the truth to appear - not from the authorities or from Zul. He is just one of their new fighter dogs.”
Part of Zul's 'package'
On Thursday, Inspector-General of Police Musa Hassan – due to retire in September – told the press that they would be recording a statement from Zulkifli, who is the Kulim Bandar Baru parliamentarian.
“This is new information that has been revealed to us and the public. So the police will have to investigate whether it is true and if it is true, the next issue is whether there is any person who can come forward to confirm the facts that have been revealed,” Musa said.
However, Zul’s colleagues who know him well believe that a script has already been prepared for him and the ultimate intention was clear – to restore the jaded public image of both Najib and Rosmah as much as possible.
“We believe this is part of his ‘package’. Obviously, apart from other rewards, Zul must have been asked to say something for Najib and Rosmah,” Dr Hatta Ramli, PAS MP for Kuala Krai, told Harakahdaily.
“But Malaysians should take note. Zul did not quit. He was even worse than Zahrain Mohd Hashim. Zahrain quit because of corruption allegations, Zul was sacked. It is perfectly natural they will do anything to avenge themselves, especially when it is obvious they are already servicing Umno right now itself.”
Renewed interest in Altantuya
But apart from the political wheeling and dealing, Zul’s remarks have stirred a new storm of interest in Altantuya Shaariibuu, a Mongolian translator who was murdered in Malaysia in 2006.
A beautiful 28-year old, Altantutya was allegedly Najib’s mistress before he passed her over to his close associate Razak Baginda. Although Najib has denied ever meeting Altantuya, Razak Baginda has admitted having a sexual affair with her.
PKR supreme council member Badrul Hisham Shahrin, who has complied a book and VCD package entitled Beneath the Mysterious Altantuya Murder, has reported fast diminishing stock.
"It is selling like hotcakes. Everybody wants to know the inside deal all over again," Badrul told Harakahdaily.
In 2009, French newspaper La Liberation revealed that Altantuya had acted as a go-between for Razak and Najib in Malaysia’s purchase of two Scorpene submarines. Najib had then been the Defence Minister. A huge commission of RM540 million was paid by French shipbuilder Armaris to an account linked to a firm controlled by Razak.
The French newspaper also revealed that Altantuya was murdered when she came to Malaysia to collect her share of the commission, but a jealous Rosmah had refused to give her a cent.
Law colleague denies Zul's claims
Two former bodyguards of Najib and Rosmah have since been sentenced to hang for killing Altantuya and blowing up her body with military-grade explosives.
However, the trial has left Malaysians dissatisfied as the key question remains unanswered; why would they murder someone they never met before and who was their puppet master?
Meanwhile, the lawyer representing one of the convicted bodyguards, Chief Inspector Azilah Hadri, has also denied knowing any secret deal or offer to link Najib and Rosmah to Altantuya.
“I don’t know anything,” lawyer Hazman Ahmad was quoted as telling The Malaysian Insider when asked if he was aware of the latest claims made by Zulkifli.
Hazman, who took over from Zulkifli in acting for Azilah, said he was not privy to the earlier talks that involved the Kulim Bandar Baru MP.
“I was asked to implicate the prime minister and [his] wife in the murder case. I was asked to get their sworn statements and I was asked to make a sworn statement,” Zulkifli had said in Parliament on Wednesday.
In 2009, French newspaper La Liberation revealed that Altantuya had acted as a go-between for Razak and Najib in Malaysia’s purchase of two Scorpene submarines. Najib had then been the Defence Minister. A huge commission of RM540 million was paid by French shipbuilder Armaris to an account linked to a firm controlled by Razak.
Wong Choon Mei, Harakahdaily English Section
Pakatan Rakyat leaders have expressed doubt that the police would be able to get the truth out of sacked PKR MP Zulkifli Noordin, who a day ago claimed that he was offered generous rewards to implicate Prime Minister Najib Razak and First Lady Rosmah Mansor in the Altantuya sex, corruption and murder scandal.
“We hope that Zul will tell the whole truth to the police or that the police will do its best to persuade Zul to tell them the whole truth,” PKR MP for Batu Tian Chua told Harakahdaily.
“However, the chance of either event happening is slim. Remember, the authorities even tried to deny there was such a murder in the first place, so don't expect much in the way of the truth to appear - not from the authorities or from Zul. He is just one of their new fighter dogs.”
Part of Zul's 'package'
On Thursday, Inspector-General of Police Musa Hassan – due to retire in September – told the press that they would be recording a statement from Zulkifli, who is the Kulim Bandar Baru parliamentarian.
“This is new information that has been revealed to us and the public. So the police will have to investigate whether it is true and if it is true, the next issue is whether there is any person who can come forward to confirm the facts that have been revealed,” Musa said.
However, Zul’s colleagues who know him well believe that a script has already been prepared for him and the ultimate intention was clear – to restore the jaded public image of both Najib and Rosmah as much as possible.
“We believe this is part of his ‘package’. Obviously, apart from other rewards, Zul must have been asked to say something for Najib and Rosmah,” Dr Hatta Ramli, PAS MP for Kuala Krai, told Harakahdaily.
“But Malaysians should take note. Zul did not quit. He was even worse than Zahrain Mohd Hashim. Zahrain quit because of corruption allegations, Zul was sacked. It is perfectly natural they will do anything to avenge themselves, especially when it is obvious they are already servicing Umno right now itself.”
Renewed interest in Altantuya
But apart from the political wheeling and dealing, Zul’s remarks have stirred a new storm of interest in Altantuya Shaariibuu, a Mongolian translator who was murdered in Malaysia in 2006.
A beautiful 28-year old, Altantutya was allegedly Najib’s mistress before he passed her over to his close associate Razak Baginda. Although Najib has denied ever meeting Altantuya, Razak Baginda has admitted having a sexual affair with her.
PKR supreme council member Badrul Hisham Shahrin, who has complied a book and VCD package entitled Beneath the Mysterious Altantuya Murder, has reported fast diminishing stock.
"It is selling like hotcakes. Everybody wants to know the inside deal all over again," Badrul told Harakahdaily.
In 2009, French newspaper La Liberation revealed that Altantuya had acted as a go-between for Razak and Najib in Malaysia’s purchase of two Scorpene submarines. Najib had then been the Defence Minister. A huge commission of RM540 million was paid by French shipbuilder Armaris to an account linked to a firm controlled by Razak.
The French newspaper also revealed that Altantuya was murdered when she came to Malaysia to collect her share of the commission, but a jealous Rosmah had refused to give her a cent.
Law colleague denies Zul's claims
Two former bodyguards of Najib and Rosmah have since been sentenced to hang for killing Altantuya and blowing up her body with military-grade explosives.
However, the trial has left Malaysians dissatisfied as the key question remains unanswered; why would they murder someone they never met before and who was their puppet master?
Meanwhile, the lawyer representing one of the convicted bodyguards, Chief Inspector Azilah Hadri, has also denied knowing any secret deal or offer to link Najib and Rosmah to Altantuya.
“I don’t know anything,” lawyer Hazman Ahmad was quoted as telling The Malaysian Insider when asked if he was aware of the latest claims made by Zulkifli.
Hazman, who took over from Zulkifli in acting for Azilah, said he was not privy to the earlier talks that involved the Kulim Bandar Baru MP.
“I was asked to implicate the prime minister and [his] wife in the murder case. I was asked to get their sworn statements and I was asked to make a sworn statement,” Zulkifli had said in Parliament on Wednesday.
Is Musa currying favour with the Prime Minister hoping to override Hishammudin and get another year's extention as IGP ?
by bloglimkitsiang.com
The Inspector-General Tan Sri Musa Hassan has acted with unusual alacrity when he announced in less than 24 hours that the police will investigate claims made by the independent Kulim-Bandar Baharu MP Zulkifli Noordin in Parliament on Wednesday that he was asked to implicate the Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak and his wife Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor in the murder of Mongolian Altantuya Shaariibu.
This is in complete contrast with the foot-dragging and procrastination that top police leadership would indulge in when police reports are lodged against prominent government leaders from Umno and Barisan Nasional.
What is especially extraordinary with Musa’s high-speed response is that no police report had yet been lodged over Zulkifli’s allegation – a pre-condition always insisted on by the police before there could be any police investigation.
As MPs enjoy parliamentary privilege, they have immunity for what they say in Parliament, which bars not only prosecution but also being subject to police investigations for their parliamentary speeches – unless this is waived by the MP concerned or the MP repeated his allegation outside the precincts of Parliament as lodging a police report.
In the circumstances, shouldn’t police investigation be contingent on Zulkifli lodging a police report? It is also useless for Musa to order a police report be lodged on Zulkifli’s speech, as the speech is protected by parliamentary privilege and immunity!
In any event, will Musa announce initiation of police investigations if an allegation is made in Parliament that the Prime Minister has murdered someone or some Minister has committed various crimes under the laws of the country? If not, again why the double standards?
Musa’s alacrity in springing to action when there is no basis whatsoever for police action raises the question whether he is really trying to curry favour with the Prime Minister hoping to override the Home Minister Datuk Seri Hishammdudin Hussein and get another year’s extension as Inspector-General of Police when his one-year contract expires in September.
On 15th March, Hishammuddin had told the press in Parliament that Musa would be replaced as IGP.
He said:
“It is not only specific to the IGP but four out of the seven division directors of PDRM. I already know who is going to replace the IGP. I already know who will replace the commercial crime investigation department director.
“I already know those who will take over, so there is no use speculating or reporting without basis.” (Sun March 16, 2010)
But Musa does not know, as for almost a week later, Musa was still hoping to get another extension as IGP when his one-year renewed contract expires in September, as obvious from Musa’s interview in the Mingguan Malaysia dated 21st March 2010, viz:
“Q – Mungkin terdapat kemungkinan Tan Sri menyambung perkhidmatan selepas September depan?
"Musa – Itu saya tidak tahu. Saya tidak boleh bercakap apa-apa. Kena tanya kerajaan atau Perdana Menteri kerana beliau saja yang tahu.”
From this answer, it is clear that Musa has not taken Hishammuddin’s announcement as the last word, despite the Home Minister’s statement that “I know who is going to replace the IGP. I know who will replace the commercial crime division director.”
Hence the speculation whether Musa was trying to curry favour with the Prime Minister hoping to override Hishammuddin and get another year’s extension as IGP come September.
But is it possible for a decision to be taken about the appointment of a new IGP come September without the present IGP knowing?
Under the Constitution and the law of the land, this is not possible.
Article 140 (4) of the Constitution on “Police Force Commission” sets out the manner for the appointment of the Inspector-General of Police and all top police posts.
Article 140 (4) and (5) read:
(4) The Yang di-Pertuan Agong may designate as special posts the posts of Inspector General of Police, Deputy Inspector General of Police and any other posts in the police force which in his opinion are of similar or superior status; and the appointment to any post so designated shall not be made in accordance with Clause (1) but shall be made by the Yang di- Pertuan Agong on the recommendation of the Police Force Commission.
(5) Before acting in accordance with Clause (4) on the recommendation of the Police Force Commission, the Yang di- Pertuan Agong shall consider the advice of the Prime Minister, and may once refer the recommendation back to the Commission in order that it may be reconsidered.
Article 140(3) provides that the Police Force Commission shall comprise:
(a) the Minister for the time being charged with responsibility for the police, who shall be Chairman;
(b) the officer of police in general command of the police force;
(c) the person performing the duties of the office of Secretary General to the Ministry under the Minister for the time being charged with responsibility for the police;
(d) a member of the Public Services Commission appointed by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong;
(e) not less than two nor more than six other members, appointed by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong.
As the IGP is statutorily a member of the Police Force Commission which must initially make the recommendation for the appointment of a new IGP, how could Musa be unaware of who will replace him in September if the Police Force Commission chaired by the Home Minister had already met to decide on the matter, as implied by Hishammuddin.
Or was Hishammuddin merely stating that he has his candidate for the post of new IGP although the Police Force Commission had not yet met on the matter – but this will be most improper as under the Constitution, it is not the Home Minister who finally decides on the appointment of the IGP but the Yang di Pertuan Agong on the advice of the Prime Minister, with the option of one reference back to the Police Force Commission for reconsideration of its initial recommendation.
If a new IGP has been decided and the present IGP has no inkling of it, it is not only an unlawful and unconstitutional decision, it will the strongest proof that the speculation of a serious rift between the Home Minister and the IGP is not smoke without fire.
Is this why Musa is keeping his hopes open for another renewal as IGP – which would be in the hands of the Prime Minister, who has to make the recommendation of the appointment to the Yang di Pertuan Agong?
Hishammuddin should clarify the issue and state clearly whether the Police Force Commission has decided on who should be the new IGP, why the present IGP knows nothing about it and most important of all, who will be the next IGP.
The Inspector-General Tan Sri Musa Hassan has acted with unusual alacrity when he announced in less than 24 hours that the police will investigate claims made by the independent Kulim-Bandar Baharu MP Zulkifli Noordin in Parliament on Wednesday that he was asked to implicate the Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak and his wife Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor in the murder of Mongolian Altantuya Shaariibu.
This is in complete contrast with the foot-dragging and procrastination that top police leadership would indulge in when police reports are lodged against prominent government leaders from Umno and Barisan Nasional.
What is especially extraordinary with Musa’s high-speed response is that no police report had yet been lodged over Zulkifli’s allegation – a pre-condition always insisted on by the police before there could be any police investigation.
As MPs enjoy parliamentary privilege, they have immunity for what they say in Parliament, which bars not only prosecution but also being subject to police investigations for their parliamentary speeches – unless this is waived by the MP concerned or the MP repeated his allegation outside the precincts of Parliament as lodging a police report.
In the circumstances, shouldn’t police investigation be contingent on Zulkifli lodging a police report? It is also useless for Musa to order a police report be lodged on Zulkifli’s speech, as the speech is protected by parliamentary privilege and immunity!
In any event, will Musa announce initiation of police investigations if an allegation is made in Parliament that the Prime Minister has murdered someone or some Minister has committed various crimes under the laws of the country? If not, again why the double standards?
Musa’s alacrity in springing to action when there is no basis whatsoever for police action raises the question whether he is really trying to curry favour with the Prime Minister hoping to override the Home Minister Datuk Seri Hishammdudin Hussein and get another year’s extension as Inspector-General of Police when his one-year contract expires in September.
On 15th March, Hishammuddin had told the press in Parliament that Musa would be replaced as IGP.
He said:
“It is not only specific to the IGP but four out of the seven division directors of PDRM. I already know who is going to replace the IGP. I already know who will replace the commercial crime investigation department director.
“I already know those who will take over, so there is no use speculating or reporting without basis.” (Sun March 16, 2010)
But Musa does not know, as for almost a week later, Musa was still hoping to get another extension as IGP when his one-year renewed contract expires in September, as obvious from Musa’s interview in the Mingguan Malaysia dated 21st March 2010, viz:
“Q – Mungkin terdapat kemungkinan Tan Sri menyambung perkhidmatan selepas September depan?
"Musa – Itu saya tidak tahu. Saya tidak boleh bercakap apa-apa. Kena tanya kerajaan atau Perdana Menteri kerana beliau saja yang tahu.”
From this answer, it is clear that Musa has not taken Hishammuddin’s announcement as the last word, despite the Home Minister’s statement that “I know who is going to replace the IGP. I know who will replace the commercial crime division director.”
Hence the speculation whether Musa was trying to curry favour with the Prime Minister hoping to override Hishammuddin and get another year’s extension as IGP come September.
But is it possible for a decision to be taken about the appointment of a new IGP come September without the present IGP knowing?
Under the Constitution and the law of the land, this is not possible.
Article 140 (4) of the Constitution on “Police Force Commission” sets out the manner for the appointment of the Inspector-General of Police and all top police posts.
Article 140 (4) and (5) read:
(4) The Yang di-Pertuan Agong may designate as special posts the posts of Inspector General of Police, Deputy Inspector General of Police and any other posts in the police force which in his opinion are of similar or superior status; and the appointment to any post so designated shall not be made in accordance with Clause (1) but shall be made by the Yang di- Pertuan Agong on the recommendation of the Police Force Commission.
(5) Before acting in accordance with Clause (4) on the recommendation of the Police Force Commission, the Yang di- Pertuan Agong shall consider the advice of the Prime Minister, and may once refer the recommendation back to the Commission in order that it may be reconsidered.
Article 140(3) provides that the Police Force Commission shall comprise:
(a) the Minister for the time being charged with responsibility for the police, who shall be Chairman;
(b) the officer of police in general command of the police force;
(c) the person performing the duties of the office of Secretary General to the Ministry under the Minister for the time being charged with responsibility for the police;
(d) a member of the Public Services Commission appointed by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong;
(e) not less than two nor more than six other members, appointed by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong.
As the IGP is statutorily a member of the Police Force Commission which must initially make the recommendation for the appointment of a new IGP, how could Musa be unaware of who will replace him in September if the Police Force Commission chaired by the Home Minister had already met to decide on the matter, as implied by Hishammuddin.
Or was Hishammuddin merely stating that he has his candidate for the post of new IGP although the Police Force Commission had not yet met on the matter – but this will be most improper as under the Constitution, it is not the Home Minister who finally decides on the appointment of the IGP but the Yang di Pertuan Agong on the advice of the Prime Minister, with the option of one reference back to the Police Force Commission for reconsideration of its initial recommendation.
If a new IGP has been decided and the present IGP has no inkling of it, it is not only an unlawful and unconstitutional decision, it will the strongest proof that the speculation of a serious rift between the Home Minister and the IGP is not smoke without fire.
Is this why Musa is keeping his hopes open for another renewal as IGP – which would be in the hands of the Prime Minister, who has to make the recommendation of the appointment to the Yang di Pertuan Agong?
Hishammuddin should clarify the issue and state clearly whether the Police Force Commission has decided on who should be the new IGP, why the present IGP knows nothing about it and most important of all, who will be the next IGP.
Thursday, March 25, 2010
Plane catches fire just before landing in Penang airport
By ANDREA FILMER
andrea@thestar.com.my
GEORGE TOWN: A Malaysia Airlines (MAS) Boeing 737 from Singapore caught fire during its descent at the Penang International Airport in Bayan Lepas near here Thursday afternoon, prompting an emergency landing.
MH674, carrying 83 passengers and seven crew members, was scheduled to land at 12.15pm but lifted out of its descent when a series of small explosions was heard from the right side of the plane, followed by flames.
According to passenger accounts, the pilot circled the airport once and managed to extinguish the flames before landing safely at about 12.30pm.
Nobody was injured in the incident.
Penang International Airport senior manager Abdul Wahab Mohd Yusof said the runway was closed for 20 minutes while the aircraft was towed to the bay.
“The runway was reopened at 12.50pm,” he said.
andrea@thestar.com.my
GEORGE TOWN: A Malaysia Airlines (MAS) Boeing 737 from Singapore caught fire during its descent at the Penang International Airport in Bayan Lepas near here Thursday afternoon, prompting an emergency landing.
MH674, carrying 83 passengers and seven crew members, was scheduled to land at 12.15pm but lifted out of its descent when a series of small explosions was heard from the right side of the plane, followed by flames.
According to passenger accounts, the pilot circled the airport once and managed to extinguish the flames before landing safely at about 12.30pm.
Nobody was injured in the incident.
Penang International Airport senior manager Abdul Wahab Mohd Yusof said the runway was closed for 20 minutes while the aircraft was towed to the bay.
“The runway was reopened at 12.50pm,” he said.
Cops to probe Zulkifli Noordin's explosive claim
Thu, 25 Mar 2010
By FMT staff
FULL REPORT KUALA LUMPUR: The police will investigate sacked PKR MP Zulkifli Noordin's claim that he was asked to link the prime minister and his wife to the murder of Mongolian national Altantuya Shariibuu.
"If anything comes out (based on the investigations)... we will pursue additional investigations," Inspector-General of Police Musa Hassan told reporters in Kuala Lumpur.
Yesterday, Zulkifli ressurected the Altantuya saga in Parliament when he claimed that a 'third party' had offered him a large sum of money to implicate Najib Tun Razak and Rosmah Mansor in the case.
According to the Kulim-Bandar Baru MP, the offer was made when he was the defence counsel for one of the the accused, police officer Azilah Hadri.
The spotlight fell on Najib, when a close friend of the premier's Abdul Razak Baginda was charged with abetting Azilah, and another special operations officer Sirul Azhar.
Abdul Razak was later acquitted, but the two policemen were handed the death sentence.
Altantuya's case, which made international headlines and soured diplomatic relations between Malaysia and Mongolia, continues to haunt the prime minister and never fails to surface during elections.
Certain quarters claim that there were behind-the-scenes political manouvreing to hush-up the matter, but this has been dismissed by the authorities.
Najib has repeatedly denied having any links to the case, and even swore his innonce on the Quran.
Zulkifli meanwhile said there was no criminal element in his statement yesterday, adding that he was merely elaborating on the culture of slander practised by some politicians.
“However it is the job of the police to investigate if they have a police report. I will assist in the investigation if there is a need," the lawyer told reporters in Parliament.
'Let the AG deal with it'
Meanwhile, Musa remained tightlipped about the allegation that he had committed perjury during Anwar Ibrahim's trial in 1998.
"I don't want to comment. Let the AG (Attorney-General) deal with it... the case happened a long time ago,” he said.
Yesterday, PKR vice-president R Sivarasa had filed a police report on the matter.
The Subang MP revealed that when Musa, who was spearheading the investigations then, took the stand, he told the court that he had a law degree when in actual fact, he possesed a diploma.
In another trial involving a senior police officer later, Musa testified that he has a diploma.
In view of this, Sivarasa called on the police to launch an investigation without fear or favour since it is an offence to provide false evidence.
By FMT staff
FULL REPORT KUALA LUMPUR: The police will investigate sacked PKR MP Zulkifli Noordin's claim that he was asked to link the prime minister and his wife to the murder of Mongolian national Altantuya Shariibuu.
"If anything comes out (based on the investigations)... we will pursue additional investigations," Inspector-General of Police Musa Hassan told reporters in Kuala Lumpur.
Yesterday, Zulkifli ressurected the Altantuya saga in Parliament when he claimed that a 'third party' had offered him a large sum of money to implicate Najib Tun Razak and Rosmah Mansor in the case.
According to the Kulim-Bandar Baru MP, the offer was made when he was the defence counsel for one of the the accused, police officer Azilah Hadri.
The spotlight fell on Najib, when a close friend of the premier's Abdul Razak Baginda was charged with abetting Azilah, and another special operations officer Sirul Azhar.
Abdul Razak was later acquitted, but the two policemen were handed the death sentence.
Altantuya's case, which made international headlines and soured diplomatic relations between Malaysia and Mongolia, continues to haunt the prime minister and never fails to surface during elections.
Certain quarters claim that there were behind-the-scenes political manouvreing to hush-up the matter, but this has been dismissed by the authorities.
Najib has repeatedly denied having any links to the case, and even swore his innonce on the Quran.
Zulkifli meanwhile said there was no criminal element in his statement yesterday, adding that he was merely elaborating on the culture of slander practised by some politicians.
“However it is the job of the police to investigate if they have a police report. I will assist in the investigation if there is a need," the lawyer told reporters in Parliament.
'Let the AG deal with it'
Meanwhile, Musa remained tightlipped about the allegation that he had committed perjury during Anwar Ibrahim's trial in 1998.
"I don't want to comment. Let the AG (Attorney-General) deal with it... the case happened a long time ago,” he said.
Yesterday, PKR vice-president R Sivarasa had filed a police report on the matter.
The Subang MP revealed that when Musa, who was spearheading the investigations then, took the stand, he told the court that he had a law degree when in actual fact, he possesed a diploma.
In another trial involving a senior police officer later, Musa testified that he has a diploma.
In view of this, Sivarasa called on the police to launch an investigation without fear or favour since it is an offence to provide false evidence.
Say sorry , or I'll sue : Zahrain warns Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng
Thu, 25 Mar 2010
By Rahmah Ghazali
FMT ALERT KUALA LUMPUR: Former PKR MP Zahrain Mohamed Hashim has threatened to sue Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng for defamation if he does not tender an apology within seven days.
Speaking to reporters in Parliament today, the Bayan Baru MP said that his lawyer Hanif Khatri Abdullah will serve a letter of demand on Lim tomorrow.
“This concerns what Lim has said about me and a RM2 company,” he added.
It is alleged that the former Penang PKR leader, now an independent MP, wanted Lim to give the greenlight for a RM2 company to operate and manage the Bukit Jambul Golf and Country Club, of which Zahrain is a director.
The MP is also contemplating taking legal action against PKR secretary-general Saifuddin Nasution for making a similar claim in the party organ Suara Keadilan.
Saifuddin claimed that Umno had offered to settle Zahrain's debt amounting to RM1.8 million, leading the latter to quit the party and declare himself an independent MP.
Zahrain however had said that he left PKR because he lost confidence in Lim and Anwar Ibrahim's leadership.
"I want to stop all the slander against me. Even the King has advised us to stay away from it. In order for me to react to fitnah (slander), I have no other choice but to take it to the court
"Enough is enough. Those who talk bad about me, I will take action. I am extremely strict about this," he warned
By Rahmah Ghazali
FMT ALERT KUALA LUMPUR: Former PKR MP Zahrain Mohamed Hashim has threatened to sue Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng for defamation if he does not tender an apology within seven days.
Speaking to reporters in Parliament today, the Bayan Baru MP said that his lawyer Hanif Khatri Abdullah will serve a letter of demand on Lim tomorrow.
“This concerns what Lim has said about me and a RM2 company,” he added.
It is alleged that the former Penang PKR leader, now an independent MP, wanted Lim to give the greenlight for a RM2 company to operate and manage the Bukit Jambul Golf and Country Club, of which Zahrain is a director.
The MP is also contemplating taking legal action against PKR secretary-general Saifuddin Nasution for making a similar claim in the party organ Suara Keadilan.
Saifuddin claimed that Umno had offered to settle Zahrain's debt amounting to RM1.8 million, leading the latter to quit the party and declare himself an independent MP.
Zahrain however had said that he left PKR because he lost confidence in Lim and Anwar Ibrahim's leadership.
"I want to stop all the slander against me. Even the King has advised us to stay away from it. In order for me to react to fitnah (slander), I have no other choice but to take it to the court
"Enough is enough. Those who talk bad about me, I will take action. I am extremely strict about this," he warned
Wednesday, March 24, 2010
So , where's the party in Penang ?
By Sheridan Mahavera
PENANG, March 25 — Happy hour is mostly dead in Penang. That is right.
Except for a few watering holes, that after-office time when booze is cheap does not draw a big crowd, according to bar owner Howie Tan.
The ones that are packed are decades-old places with a loyal clientele and the ones with gimmicks like free food with the first drink.
Penang does, however, have probably the only legal, tastefully-done cabaret show in the country. At the very least, it is probably the only one north of the Klang valley and it usually gets a good audience even on weekdays.
Another aspect of Penang’s nightlife that a Klang Valley-ite will notice is that, on weekends, even its most riotous clubs and bars are still empty by 10pm.
And then, at 10.45pm or so, it is as though a school bell goes off somewhere and everyone just shows up all at once. By 11pm, it is standing room only in most places and everyone seems already drunk.
The explanation behind this pattern is linked, in a way, to that oft-repeated cliché that Penangnites are cheap-skates.
It may also explain why despite its reputation of being able to draw people from Northern Perak, Kedah and Perlis every weekend, there is a limit to how big a nightlife Penang can have.
This limitation may also be apparent in the state’s retail industry where some shop owners say that, as big a draw as the Pearl of the Orient is, it still struggles to find a big enough market for its lustre.
AND YOU THOUGHT IT’S A CITY
Despite the downturn, flea bazaars like this one in Gurney Plaza still do brisk business on weekends.
Outside of the Klang Valley, there are no worse daily traffic jams than the ones at the Johor Baru-Singapore checkpoint/Causeway and the Penang Bridge all the way into Georgetown.
But even then, Penangites do not seem bothered by them, declaring that these jams only last an unbelievable “20 minutes” at the most. It has to do with how the Penang bumper-to-bumper crawl differs from the Klang Valley version.
It is “15 minutes” for a Penangite living on the island because that is roughly the distance between where they stay and wherever it is they are going. So any traffic jam does not “last” because everything is so close. Unless, of course, you are going from the island to the mainland, which can take two hours during rush hour.
"Penang is an island, don’t mistake that,” declares Tan, the owner-manager of the Soi 11 bar on a strip called Upper Penang Road.
Though it has all the characteristics of a bustling metropolis — huge population, high gross domestic product — Penang is not officially one.
Even when other capitals in far less developed states were falling over themselves to announce that they had reached city-status, Penang gracefully turned its face away and went back to surpassing those other “cities” in every way.
When Alor Star declared itself a city about six years ago, I asked a Penang politician if the state did not feel a little envious and why it had not done so with Georgetown.
After all, Georgetown would easily fulfil all the requirements and all it had to do was get approval from the federal government.
“Why should we? It just makes everything a lot more expensive for no reason. Assessment rates and utilities would have to go up, then food and other goods would go up. We’re doing well as it is, we don’t need ‘city-status’”.
This, then, is the correlation: Penang is not a city as far as official records are concerned yet it parties, earns money and behaves like one.
It is a de facto city yet, as a senior politician says, you can go from the heritage zone to the jungle in 15 minutes and a meal can still be had for less than RM5.
“This is why they say Penangites are cheapskates,” says Datuk Lee Kah Choon of investPenang, a state government investment agency.
Since Penang has been virtually a metropolis for decades, Penangites have come to expect big city-grade services and goods at non-city prices.
But all this is going to change soon as Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng announced on Jan 10 that the state is applying for Georgetown city status.
“Hand phone trader Yeah says Penangites tend to be fussy shoppers who survey prices at many different stores before making a decision.
BIG, CHEAP AND GOOD”
Being convenient to get around may be good for consumers but it can be nerve-wracking for a retailer.
Yeap CH operates a small handphone store on Penang island’s latest spanking mall, Queensbay, near the Penang Bridge.
“Klang Valley shoppers are impulsive and they are not as picky like Penangites. Once they see something they like at a store, the price is reasonable, they buy it.
“Penangites would scrutinise every detail and compare your prices to other stores in different malls,” says Yeah.
Since malls are roughly 20 minutes from each other, it is easy to run from one to another to compare goods and prices. In the Klang Valley, finding a parking spot itself takes 20 minutes.
Another computer parts dealer says this attitude, coupled with the economic slowdown, has dampened sales.
“You have to really persuade them and give them discounts. They also tend to wait for the PC Fair to shop,” says Digital Bay branch manager Kok Ping.
Not everyone is complaining though. Wholesaler BK Yeoh says sales in the state has been picking up compared to several months ago though, interestingly, his orders from KL have dropped by 20 per cent.
“As Penang is known as a shopping destination in the northern region, sales has improved compared to last year. I get a good mix of locals and foreigners,” says Yeoh, who has a stall in the Gurney Plaza flee market.
Though it may appear thriving, Penang’s retail sector, they all agreed, was small compared to the Klang Valley’s. Competition is tough and though residents may look wealthy, their spending power is low.
Some retailers, like the NM Mohamed Ismail jewellery store in Jalan Kapitan Keling, venture to look for customers outside Penang.
“I have customers who invite me over to Kuala Lumpur. I visit their families and friends to show them our stones and custom jewellery,” says store owner Nurjahan Mohamed Ismail.
“Sales are not like before. Nowadays even the Mat Salleh are watching how much they spend. They come in, look around and then leave without buying anything,” she says.
“WHERE EVERYONE KNOWS YOUR NAME”
Trincy Low’s Boom Boom Chambre is perhaps the only place in Penang that features tasteful cabaret shows.
When Trincy Low started Boom Boom Chambre, she did it not just because she wanted to open a unique club in Upper Penang Road’s (UPR) trendy nightlife district; it was to also help out her friends.
“My friends used to put on cabaret shows at company annual dinners but since the recession, they stopped hiring performers. The public can’t really see these shows anywhere, so I decided why not put them on at my club?”
“Business has been surprisingly good. We get a crowd on Mondays, Tuesdays, Ladies Night is surprisingly slow and then it picks up again on the weekends.”
The strategy has differentiated Boom Boom Chambre from the six other clubs in the UPR — a district fashioned out of a row of pre-War shop houses that have been converted into bars and clubs.
Tan of Soi 11 muses that the UPR was the inspiration behind KL’s Asian Heritage Row. “It’s possible because the guy who started UPR is friends with the guy who did Asian Heritage Row.”
The UPR, says Tan, has structured and rejuvenated Penang’s night-life. It has brought together bar and club operators in one spot where the revelry can be monitored by the authorities.
Being on Penang road, which is inside the heritage buffer zone and close to hotels, provides the operators with a steady stream of customers all year round.
“In the past, clubs and pubs were scattered everywhere, which is why they will open for three years and then close down. Here, we have the locals and the foreigners who walk out from their hotels,” says Tan.
Next to Soi 11 is the famous Slippery Senoritas. A lynchpin in the island’s clubbing scene, and according to manager Jack Wee, the catalyst for the five other clubs around it.
“We brought the party scene from Batu Ferringi down to Georgetown in 2001. We were the first to have salsa dancing and the first tapas restaurant.”
When it peaks at about 1am, the nightlife in UPR may look like another weekend in Jalan Sultan Ismail or the Asian Heritage Row. Yet the customer base is small.
“Almost half of our customers are regulars,” says Wee. The club has opened a new branch in Juru Autocity to lock in party goers from the mainland.
“In the end any club you go to, you will find people you know,” says Soi 11’s Tan.
That is a good thing for customers but not so good for the clubs who have to compete for the same clientele.
Though it will officially be a city soon, Georgetown may continue to struggle for the people to fill its bars and shops as its young and brightest, who would typically fill this role, get siphoned off to the Klang Valley, Singapore and Australia.
PENANG, March 25 — Happy hour is mostly dead in Penang. That is right.
Except for a few watering holes, that after-office time when booze is cheap does not draw a big crowd, according to bar owner Howie Tan.
The ones that are packed are decades-old places with a loyal clientele and the ones with gimmicks like free food with the first drink.
Penang does, however, have probably the only legal, tastefully-done cabaret show in the country. At the very least, it is probably the only one north of the Klang valley and it usually gets a good audience even on weekdays.
Another aspect of Penang’s nightlife that a Klang Valley-ite will notice is that, on weekends, even its most riotous clubs and bars are still empty by 10pm.
And then, at 10.45pm or so, it is as though a school bell goes off somewhere and everyone just shows up all at once. By 11pm, it is standing room only in most places and everyone seems already drunk.
The explanation behind this pattern is linked, in a way, to that oft-repeated cliché that Penangnites are cheap-skates.
It may also explain why despite its reputation of being able to draw people from Northern Perak, Kedah and Perlis every weekend, there is a limit to how big a nightlife Penang can have.
This limitation may also be apparent in the state’s retail industry where some shop owners say that, as big a draw as the Pearl of the Orient is, it still struggles to find a big enough market for its lustre.
AND YOU THOUGHT IT’S A CITY
Despite the downturn, flea bazaars like this one in Gurney Plaza still do brisk business on weekends.
Outside of the Klang Valley, there are no worse daily traffic jams than the ones at the Johor Baru-Singapore checkpoint/Causeway and the Penang Bridge all the way into Georgetown.
But even then, Penangites do not seem bothered by them, declaring that these jams only last an unbelievable “20 minutes” at the most. It has to do with how the Penang bumper-to-bumper crawl differs from the Klang Valley version.
It is “15 minutes” for a Penangite living on the island because that is roughly the distance between where they stay and wherever it is they are going. So any traffic jam does not “last” because everything is so close. Unless, of course, you are going from the island to the mainland, which can take two hours during rush hour.
"Penang is an island, don’t mistake that,” declares Tan, the owner-manager of the Soi 11 bar on a strip called Upper Penang Road.
Though it has all the characteristics of a bustling metropolis — huge population, high gross domestic product — Penang is not officially one.
Even when other capitals in far less developed states were falling over themselves to announce that they had reached city-status, Penang gracefully turned its face away and went back to surpassing those other “cities” in every way.
When Alor Star declared itself a city about six years ago, I asked a Penang politician if the state did not feel a little envious and why it had not done so with Georgetown.
After all, Georgetown would easily fulfil all the requirements and all it had to do was get approval from the federal government.
“Why should we? It just makes everything a lot more expensive for no reason. Assessment rates and utilities would have to go up, then food and other goods would go up. We’re doing well as it is, we don’t need ‘city-status’”.
This, then, is the correlation: Penang is not a city as far as official records are concerned yet it parties, earns money and behaves like one.
It is a de facto city yet, as a senior politician says, you can go from the heritage zone to the jungle in 15 minutes and a meal can still be had for less than RM5.
“This is why they say Penangites are cheapskates,” says Datuk Lee Kah Choon of investPenang, a state government investment agency.
Since Penang has been virtually a metropolis for decades, Penangites have come to expect big city-grade services and goods at non-city prices.
But all this is going to change soon as Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng announced on Jan 10 that the state is applying for Georgetown city status.
“Hand phone trader Yeah says Penangites tend to be fussy shoppers who survey prices at many different stores before making a decision.
BIG, CHEAP AND GOOD”
Being convenient to get around may be good for consumers but it can be nerve-wracking for a retailer.
Yeap CH operates a small handphone store on Penang island’s latest spanking mall, Queensbay, near the Penang Bridge.
“Klang Valley shoppers are impulsive and they are not as picky like Penangites. Once they see something they like at a store, the price is reasonable, they buy it.
“Penangites would scrutinise every detail and compare your prices to other stores in different malls,” says Yeah.
Since malls are roughly 20 minutes from each other, it is easy to run from one to another to compare goods and prices. In the Klang Valley, finding a parking spot itself takes 20 minutes.
Another computer parts dealer says this attitude, coupled with the economic slowdown, has dampened sales.
“You have to really persuade them and give them discounts. They also tend to wait for the PC Fair to shop,” says Digital Bay branch manager Kok Ping.
Not everyone is complaining though. Wholesaler BK Yeoh says sales in the state has been picking up compared to several months ago though, interestingly, his orders from KL have dropped by 20 per cent.
“As Penang is known as a shopping destination in the northern region, sales has improved compared to last year. I get a good mix of locals and foreigners,” says Yeoh, who has a stall in the Gurney Plaza flee market.
Though it may appear thriving, Penang’s retail sector, they all agreed, was small compared to the Klang Valley’s. Competition is tough and though residents may look wealthy, their spending power is low.
Some retailers, like the NM Mohamed Ismail jewellery store in Jalan Kapitan Keling, venture to look for customers outside Penang.
“I have customers who invite me over to Kuala Lumpur. I visit their families and friends to show them our stones and custom jewellery,” says store owner Nurjahan Mohamed Ismail.
“Sales are not like before. Nowadays even the Mat Salleh are watching how much they spend. They come in, look around and then leave without buying anything,” she says.
“WHERE EVERYONE KNOWS YOUR NAME”
Trincy Low’s Boom Boom Chambre is perhaps the only place in Penang that features tasteful cabaret shows.
When Trincy Low started Boom Boom Chambre, she did it not just because she wanted to open a unique club in Upper Penang Road’s (UPR) trendy nightlife district; it was to also help out her friends.
“My friends used to put on cabaret shows at company annual dinners but since the recession, they stopped hiring performers. The public can’t really see these shows anywhere, so I decided why not put them on at my club?”
“Business has been surprisingly good. We get a crowd on Mondays, Tuesdays, Ladies Night is surprisingly slow and then it picks up again on the weekends.”
The strategy has differentiated Boom Boom Chambre from the six other clubs in the UPR — a district fashioned out of a row of pre-War shop houses that have been converted into bars and clubs.
Tan of Soi 11 muses that the UPR was the inspiration behind KL’s Asian Heritage Row. “It’s possible because the guy who started UPR is friends with the guy who did Asian Heritage Row.”
The UPR, says Tan, has structured and rejuvenated Penang’s night-life. It has brought together bar and club operators in one spot where the revelry can be monitored by the authorities.
Being on Penang road, which is inside the heritage buffer zone and close to hotels, provides the operators with a steady stream of customers all year round.
“In the past, clubs and pubs were scattered everywhere, which is why they will open for three years and then close down. Here, we have the locals and the foreigners who walk out from their hotels,” says Tan.
Next to Soi 11 is the famous Slippery Senoritas. A lynchpin in the island’s clubbing scene, and according to manager Jack Wee, the catalyst for the five other clubs around it.
“We brought the party scene from Batu Ferringi down to Georgetown in 2001. We were the first to have salsa dancing and the first tapas restaurant.”
When it peaks at about 1am, the nightlife in UPR may look like another weekend in Jalan Sultan Ismail or the Asian Heritage Row. Yet the customer base is small.
“Almost half of our customers are regulars,” says Wee. The club has opened a new branch in Juru Autocity to lock in party goers from the mainland.
“In the end any club you go to, you will find people you know,” says Soi 11’s Tan.
That is a good thing for customers but not so good for the clubs who have to compete for the same clientele.
Though it will officially be a city soon, Georgetown may continue to struggle for the people to fill its bars and shops as its young and brightest, who would typically fill this role, get siphoned off to the Klang Valley, Singapore and Australia.
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