Friday, October 30, 2009

CORRUPTION BY ANY MEMBER OF THE ARMED FORCES IS A BETRAYAL OF TRUST

I am encouraged at the comments received on any articles that I write concerning corruption in the Armed Forces. This simply means that the people who reads the articles are concern at what is happening to the Armed Forces, and are disgusted at the few still in uniform who have by their own stupidity and greed, shamed and tarnished the good name of the Armed Forces. The talks of corruption in the Armed Forces is not new, but I believe it has been occurring in the past. But it is only in recent times that dissenting voices against the scourge has been heard aloud, both from within and outside the Armed Forces. I suppose, the magnitude of the problem is beyond respite, and is believed to involved some that are high up in the heirachy of command.

I have received emails, letters, phone calls and even met several people who have expressed anger, disdain and disappointment at such blatant act that have brought disgrace and tarnish the noble profession of the Armed Forces. Some have given me names of person(s) involved, and I do not intend to name them here for fear that it might be wrong. But the fact remains that I now have a poor impression of the person(s) concern, although they have yet to be proven to be involved in any wrong doing. I suppose, many would have a similar impression, if the same is told to them.

I am also aware that there are some people, in their silent ways have express concern at what I have been writing in my blogweb. But let me assure them that my intention is not to smear or bad mouth anybody. I am merely trying to create an awareness among those that are corrupt and of what others perceive them to be, in the hope that they will cease immediately to be involve in such dastardly acts. But if what I write hurts, it will only be felt by those who are involved; but not those who are free of such wrong doing. It is to those people who feel hurt, that I ought to cautioned them.

Regardless of ones faith, corruption is indeed an undesirable act done by those without any sense of guilt and morality. And being a member of the Armed Forces, demands integrity, honestly, loyalty and of high moral.Those who are corrupt certainly have no place in the military society, for it is only for those who are noble. And if the corrupt have become wealthy through their misdeeds, please do not think for once that they are leading a happy life. It will be the feeling of guilt as well as the derogatory name that they carry, that will eventually 'kill' them.

I sincerely thank some of my loyal friends who have reminded me to be genial in my writings concerning corruption in the Armed Forces, for they fear that it is also damaging to the organisation, more than those involved. I am appreciative of their concern, but I could not bare watch the acts of these few thoughtless people who have brought disgrace to the Armed Forces, of which I was part off a decade ago. Some would say that I am being foolish, but it is better to be foolish than to witness the decadence of the once respectable and honourable institution, because of a few corrupt and thoughtless zealots.

Similarly, I have also being reminded by some who have ask me to continue writing until some are being dragged to prison. This can only happen if those who have access to their wrong doings makes a bold attempt to come forward to expose all that they know. And this can only come from within.

Finally, to those who love dearly the Armed Forces, fear not the truth, for truth is the only way to save the good name of the Armed Forces. One ought to remember that any misdeed that one does will invariably affect the position of the supreme commander of the Armed Forces, His Royal Highness the King to which all members of the Armed Forces have pledge to serve with unquestioned loyalty. To me, any act that brings shame to the Armed Forces is a betrayal of trust to the pledges that one has declared to His Royal Highness, and corruption is indeed a betrayal of trust.


CRUSADE AGAINST CORRUPTION

Tuesday, October 27, 2009

WHO TO CHECKMATE WHO?

'MACC arrests former top civil servant for graft' reports The Malaysian Insider, Tuesday, October 27, 2009. Is the top civil servant a former KSU of a ministry? And who could that person be? The answer will only be known in the next few hours from now, when he will be brought before the Shah Alam High Court to face the charges..

Will this be the beginning of a massive clean up of all government ministries, especially following the findings of irregularities and misappropriation of public funds that was revealed in the recent Auditor General's report? Would one believe that a laptop computer was purchased at RM40,000 a piece? This is just one example revealed in the report that does not make any sense.

But more importantly, will the authorities be willing to take punitive action on those responsible, or will it be another NFA? From what was observed on all previous Auditor General's reports, it will most probably be another NFA, because there will be too many people involved if the matter is being fully investigated. It is not surprising that the investigation may even lead right up the top echelon of government.

The Defence Ministry certainly is no exception, as huge amount of public funds are being utlised every year. In all probability, it is not the Armed Forces personnel alone that is mired in corruption, but they have to be working together with their civilian cohorts. I am told that officers of the Procurement Division (Bahagian Perolehan), need to be monitored closely, as they are the ones most likely to succumb to corrupt practice. Companies who are victims of corrupt officers would not normally want to launch a report, because they fear that they will be victimised for subsequent submission of tenders.

I have been told of a tailoring company that has a 'contract in perpetuity' with the Defence Ministry to provide the Armed Forces with tailoring services. The company has now ventured into other businesses as well, one of which is the bidding for bullet resistance vest for the army, while there is already a local company involved in the manufacture of the said equipment. With strong and firm 'cables' within the ministry, I am quite sure other likely competitors will be eliminated easily. And mind you, this tailoring company does not even have the facility to manufacture locally the equipment. One need also ask who else works for the company, where businesses from the ministry can just flow in easily. Officers of the Armed Forces knows this too well, but are just to afraid to speak out.

I am quite sure by now, the Minister, Dato Seri Dr. Ahmad Zahid Hamidi is able to judge for himself the ongoings that is awfully wrong within the ministry. I trust the minister is bold enough to put a check to this, and if need be to 'throw the books' on those found guilty of any wrong doing........however trivial.

Seriously, I no longer have any faith left in the present leaders of the Armed Forces to do the checking, for they are themselves to be checked. And with the 'Whistle Blowers Act' to be proposed by the government, will this be a sure means of checking corruption in government? The answer is yet to be known.


CRUSADE AGAINST CORRUPTION

Monday, October 26, 2009

WHO NEXT?

There has been a lot of speculation along the corridors of Mindef as to who would be the likely candidate to succeed the Army Chief, Gen Tan Sri Ismail Jamaluddin when he retires next year. Gen Tan Sri Ismail has been the Army Chief since 2006 and was at one point rumoured to succeed Gen Tan Sri Abdul Aziz Zainal as the Chief of Defence Force (CDF). This however did not materialised as the post was eventually taken up by the Chief of Air Force, Gen Tan Sri Azizan Ariffin who succeeded Gen Tan Sri Abdul Aziz on September 1st 2009.

In an open letter that I wrote to Gen Tan Sri Ismail posted on October 2009, I did imply that he should accept full responsibility with regards to the army’s involvement in politics during the Bagan Pinang by-elections held recently. The once apolitical status of the army has been ‘hijacked’ by the blatant involvement of the army under his charge during the campaigning, that has now placed the army in the firing line of the opposition for ridicule and unfavorable criticism. This will be the legacy that Gen Tan Sri Ismail will leave behind when he finally retires from the army.

It is the norm in the military service that upon the retirement of the Chief, it will be the Deputy who will continue the succession. However, there has been several instances in the past where the norm has been breached, in an obvious reflection of the internal strife and politicking that occurs among those who makes the ultimate decision. This act of abnormality give rise to various speculation and perception among members of the Armed Forces that conjures negativity, favouritism and poor planning on the part of the leadership.

As an illustration, during the last promotion exercise for the post of the Air Chief, the Deputy Air Chief was replaced, and another officer named to succeed the outgoing Air Chief. Another officer who was the Chief of Staff at Armed Forces HQ and possess the right credentials to be the Air Chief, was instead made the Deputy Air Chief.

In the case of the army some years back, a Deputy Army Chief had been bypassed for the post of Army Chief on three occasions, till he finally retired upon attaining the age of 55. This was an unusual case, and rumours has it that the Deputy Army Chief was a person who did not tow the line of the political masters and was ‘punished’ without any chance of a promotion. But in-so-far as the officers and soldiers were concerned, he was popularly known as the ‘Soldiers General’, and I suppose he paid dearly for being popular among the officers and soldiers.

Now, rumours has it that the incumbent Deputy Army Chief is likely to share a similar fate with that of his predecessor mentioned above. His is likely to be replaced by an officer who is favoured by the Army Chief, and who is poised to become the Army Chief when the incumbent retires. Rumours are abound that this plot is to safe guard the business interest of the Army Chief when he retires, and also that of his business friends and family members. If this is true, it is only proper that an investigation be carried out to determine the verity of the rumour. It is a rumour like this that puts the army in bad light, loss of public trust and confidence and most of all, it creates discontent among the serving members.

Here is where the Defence Minister being the Chairman of the Armed Forces Council (AFC) can play a decisive role to deliver a decision that may not be popular to the Chiefs, but one that is acceptable to the service. He should not show prejudice, and in making a decision, he has to be firm where the interest of the service is utmost, and to sack those who are known to have abused their position for their own personal benefit.


CRUSADE AGAINST CORRUPTION

Friday, October 23, 2009

JUDGMENT ON TIAN CHUA – A BAD PRECEDENCE

It is easy to get a jail sentence and a fine in this country.........just bite a policeman. And it is easy too for a policeman to bash up someone, and not face the law at all. Call this justice the Malaysian way, and our policemen are somehow immune to the law.

Did we not see how they bashed up Kugan to death, only to get another lone Indian policeman to blame. Are we to believe this script, that it takes only one Indian policeman to kill one tough Indian in the police cell. Come on.......Malaysians are not that stupid as you may think, to believe in such a well scripted lie. I am sorry for repeatedly quoting the Kugan case, because I believe the police have been blatant in the act of abuse and torture.

That was what Batu MP Tian Chua got for biting a policeman; a fine of RM3,000 and a six months jail sentence that is just enough to strip him of his post as an elected parliamentary representative. Isn't this another well scripted judgment? Surely, I am not alone in saying this. Call for an opinion poll if you care.

I did not expect that sentence to be that severe, as the bite was done in retaliation to being punch by the policeman. I would have reacted in the same manner if I was punch first, and isn't that a natural reaction for someone who is being abused?

I find it hilarious and unacceptable that the magistrate had based his judgment merely on the statement by the policeman that he (policeman) was bitten, whereas the magistrate himself asserted that, “the video recording did not show the biting”.....read The Sun dated October 23, 2009. To me, such a judgment is bad precedence, unthinkable in any decent courts elsewhere in this world; maybe with the exception of Zimbabwe.


CRUSADE AGAINST CORRUPTION

Thursday, October 22, 2009

WHAT NOW MACC?

It is difficult to hide a lie, when justice and truth is being sought. And in order to cover up a lie, the liar concoct another piece of lie and this will go on and on until the truth is finally revealed. Even if a liar get away with his lie, it will be his conscience that finally get the better of him. This is what we see happening at the on-going inquest into the death of Teoh Beng Hock.

I had from the beginning found it difficult to believe that Teoh had committed suicide; a finding made by some that makes little sense to me. How could he want to take away his own life when he is all geared to be married and knowing that his wife-to-be is bearing his child. And how bankrupt is the prosecution to have revealed Teoh’s poor bank credit balance as a likely reason for Teoh to indulge in corruption.

All previous autopsies carried out by our local so-called experts did not conclude the possibility that Teoh was murdered. But now, a renowned forensic expert from Thailand, Dr Pronthip Pojanasunand who had performed more than 10,000 autopsies and heads the Thai Ministry of Justice’s Central Institute of Forensic Science has given a 80% possibility that Teoh was unconscious when he fell to his death. And no unconscious person is capable of walking to the window and to jump out. In other words, what Dr. Pronthip implied was that Teoh was simply murdered.

For Dr. Pronthip to come out with such a possibility and in very definitive terms, shows only her true self as a highly professional forensic expert. The findings of our so-called experts have now been put to severe test and challenge by Dr. Pronthip’s declaration.

Now, what if a second autopsy is performed by Dr. Pronthip and her professional finding is proven to be true? Will our experts dare to challenge those findings? And should the findings goes unchallenged, what will Malaysians say of our experts? Or will we then say that Dr. Pronthip’s findings has no professional forensic standing in this country; hence in cannot be taken to be conclusive. Such a thing can be said, just like what was initially declared of the Kugan’s death.

This is an exciting case to watch, and my only hope and that of all like-minded Malaysians is to see that justice prevail, and those found guilty of the offence be given the appropriate punishment. If it is murder, then the only punishment is death.

What now MACC……..the heat is on you!


CRUSADE AGAINST CORRUPTION

Wednesday, October 21, 2009

PEMPENA – A GRIEF STRICKENED BUSINESS VENTURE

I had in November 25, 2008 posted a brief article on Pempena, a business subsidiary of Tourism Malaysia that had ventured into a number of businesses locally as well as abroad, that are all mired in controversy. When the business failures were raised last year, the then Minister of Tourism, Azalina Othman vowed that punitive action will be taken against those responsible. At the time when she left the ministry, nothing was done to address the irregularities identified in the business ventures. I suppose her exist from the ministry was too abrupt for her to do anything.

Based on the Auditor General’s 2008 report released recently, a total of nine business ventures have reported losses that runs into millions of ringgit, through bad management practices and questionable dealings.

Pempena has filed reports with MACC as well as with the Police Commercial Crimes Division for investigations.

The unanswered question remains; who should be made accountable and responsible for this business fiasco that seemed to have failed even before it started doing business. Will the former Tourism Minister be called to question? Or will the investigations end with the famous NFA?

The taxpayers awaits the outcome of the investigations.


CRUSADE AGAINST CORRUPTION

Tuesday, October 20, 2009

HEROES OF THE SKY

I was at Kajang Town this evening to hold an unscheduled meeting with some old kampung friends. Upon my arrival, someone remarked, “Here comes the Hero of the Sky”. I was a bit puzzled and said, “Are you referring it to me?”. The person said, “Yes, and are you not from the Air Force?”. I replied that I am just a foot slogger, and the heroes of the skies were the air force pilots that flies in the army, in and out of the jungle. He then said that he has been reading my blog, especially the article on the Pingat Tentera Udara, and he thought that I was an Air Force officer as well.

Upon returning home, the 'Heroes of the Sky' remark is something I could write about, to refer to those RMAF helicopter pilots who were supporting the army throughout the period of the Communist Insurgency from 1969 until their eventual surrender in 1989, in both Sarawak and the peninsular.

My first 'hairy experience' on a helicopter was in 1969 operating in Batu Melintang, Kelantan. I was ordered to act as the advance party of my platoon, to reconnoiter a suitable landing point for the rest of the platoon in the Belum area. There were only to be four of us on the Allouette helicopter, excluding the pilot. To get to the Belum area, we had to cross the main mountain range and I could not imagine what it would be like to cross the high mountain range on an Allouette helicopter.

When the helicopter arrived, we were given the thumbs up by the pilot to alight the helicopter. We scrambled into the helicopter with our haversacks filled with 14 days of pack rations. I was invited by the pilot with a smile, to take the seat besides him. Little did I realised that the smiling pilot was my course mate, the late Lt Nasir Ma Lee. I could not recognised him because he had his pilot's helmet on, and he must have recognised me first; hence the smile.

As we were nearing the designated area, Nasir informed me that he was trying to located a suitable landing point to drop us off. I was by then a bit disoriented, not knowing actually where were we. I only noticed a large river, and Nasir pointed to me on his map that it is Sg. Belum. We circled the area several times with Nasir looking out to see if he could land the helicopter on firm ground.

As we flew along the river, Nasir pointed out to a patch of sand dune in the river that he intends to drop us off. I nodded to him, not realising that Nasir was not going to land the helicopter on the sand dune but instead, we had to jump off the helicopter.

Nasir brought the helicopter slowly down and at about the height of 6 feet, we threw out our haversacks and started jumping out of the helicopter, one at a time. This was to be my first jump out of a helicopter and we landed safely without any broken limbs. I gave Nasir the thumbs up to thank him, only to know that he left the Air Force several years later to join a private helicopter service. I would say that Nasir and me were true buddies, because a few days before he crashed with a trainee pilot a few years ago, he wrote me an email to ask me to watch the sky in Kuala Lumpur for the 'flying advertising plane'.

If one could recall sometimes in the 70's, Nasir was the pilot who was involved in the rescue of some building occupants during the burning of Bank Bumiputra in Jalan Ampang.

It was a sad day for me to see Nasir die in an aircrash, and I was there at the mortuary of the Kuala Lumpur General Hospital to bid him farewell. I was glad to be at the mortuary because I was able to meet Nasir's brother, Hj Mustafa Ma who happened to be my teacher in Kuala Lumpur back in the late 50's.

Another 'hairy experience' on a helicopter was during a routine resupply flight on a Nuri helicopter in the Gunung Inas forest reserve around the Kulim area some times in the early 70's. I accompanied the flight to drop off rations to my troops operating in the area. The drop point was constructed along a hill slope, since the troops were operating high on the hills, and they could not find a safe area where the helicopter could land. I could not recall who the pilot was, and due to the nature of the terrain in relation to the drop point, the pilot had to lower the helicopter vertically. The approach was tight for the helicopter and as we decended slowly, the helicopter suddenly dropped and swayed. The pilot reacted quickly to gain contol of the helicopter, with me muttering all the Quranic verses that I knew. I think I went white, but upon watching the pilot and the crew who seemed so confident and cool, I began to regain my composure.

I could continue to write my experiences flying on an RMAF helicopter, but surffice for me to say that the skills of our helicopter pilots is second to none. Many had sacrificed their lives, and I lost many friends too. But now that the nation is at peace, people tend to forget our helicopter pilots who were there when the army needed them. Never have they failed us, and I remembered an instant where we had to do a casualty evacuation when it was already getting late, but yet the helicopter came in even during fading light.

These are the 'Heroes Of The Sky', and to you Nasir, Chong, Nor and many others who have supported the army in the jungle during the period of the Communist Insurgency, we will forever remember you and salute you.

So why is the goverment having the big fuss of depriving some of the 'Heroes Of The Sky' of their gallantry allowances especially for all recipients the Pingat Tentera Udara? Are the pilots considered a lesser hero just because they are in the sky?

To our political masters, you will never know how our pilots have endured, flying the helicopters under the threat of being shot down like birds off the sky.


CRUSADE AGAINST CORRUPTION

SONGS GALORE

If someone were to ask me, which political party in this country has the most number of song? My answer would be UMNO.

At the launching of One Malaysia by PM Dato Seri Najib in Ipoh recently, I was told that the Perak state UMNO members sung the UMNO state song to the smiles of everyone. I am not quite sure if everyone at the launching knew the lyrics.

I know UMNO has a party song that will being played on TV each time there is a General Assembly, and will be sung in unison at the assembly itself. I am not aware of each state having its own song, but I do know that even some UMNO Divisions (Bahagian) have a song. Now, what about the UMNO Branches (Cawangan)? Do they have a song too?

So we now have a song for the Cawangan, a song for the Bahagian, a song for the State (Negeri) and finally a song for UMNO Pusat. That's Song Galore!

I do not know what all these songs means to the party. But I would agree that there should only be just one song for the party; not any other songs.

If a song is to symbolise unity, then by allowing every strata of the party to have its own song, this would then give the impression that there is 'diversity' and not unity in the party. Can someone from UMNO explain this?


CRUSADE AGAINST CORRUPTION

Monday, October 19, 2009

IS THE PINGAT TENTERA UDARA (PTU) SUBSERVIENT TO THE PINGAT GAGAH BERANI (PGB)?

I was introduced to a blog owned by an ex RMAF Nuri helicopter pilot Mej Nor Ibrahim Sulaiman (B) (http://xnuripilot.blogspot.com) recently. Having browse through some of his postings, I was caught by an email posted by an ex Nuri pilot Lt Col Chong Keng Lay (B) who argues that recipients of the Pingat Tentera Udara (PTU), a meritorious and gallantry award for bravery and valour for RMAF personnel, should also be receiving a similar allowance announced recently by the government for recipients of the PGB and the SP.

I do not know the reasons why recipients of the PTU are deprived of the allowance since both are awards for bravery and valour and has been gazette as such by the government. Or is the PTU considered of a lesser award for bravery and valour; hence they are deprived of the allowance?

Lt Col Chong Keng Lay (B) is a course mate of mine who took the greater challenge to be a pilot, and to discard his army uniform. He has flown me on many trips into the jungle operational areas, and I know the sort of person Lt Col Chong is. He is a strict disciplinarian, loyal to the service and had served the nation well. I do not see any reason why his award of the PTU is subservient to the PGB.

I hope the new Chief of Air Force should take a serious look into this matter, that not only affect Lt Col Chong, but to all other recipients as well.


CRUSADE AGAINST CORRUPTION

WHEELED OR TRACK SELF PROPELLED HOWITZER FOR THE ARMY?

I wish to refer to an article, 'MAF RM10 Wish List' that appeared in Malaysian Defence blog dated October 18, 2009 that seem to suggest that the Caesar 155mm Self Propelled Howitzer is the preferred make for the Malaysian Army.

The Caesar 155mm Self Propelled Howitzer is a French manufactured gun developed by GIAT and is truck mounted on wheels. The article also implied that the Malaysian Army intended to purchase a Regiment of 12 Guns that will form the indirect fire support component of the Mechanised Brigade. Having being in command of a Mechanised Brigade myself, I deem the purchase as highly desirable.

I have posted two articles in this blog on the subject that discusses the viability and preference of either a wheeled or track 155mm Self Propelled Howizter; the first article being in January 30, 2009, and the second article being in February 3, 2009.

I had concluded that the wheeled Self Propelled Howitzer is preferred for the Malaysian Army, though I did not specify the make. There are several choices in the market, and I would like the Army to make its final professional preference, void of any 'external interference'.

The thing that is utmost in making the final selection is that the product must be worth the cost, the process of acquisition has to be transparent and there has to be the element of a transfer of technology. It should not be a one off purchase, only to be discarded a few years later.

I also wish to remind the powers that be to the recent statement made by the Defence Minister with regards to future capital purchases for the Armed Forces when he said that, “The Armed Forces will not be a victim of greedy people who only want to make quick buck”. I hope this statement stands true in respect of this intended purchase.


CRUSADE AGAINST CORRUPTION

Sunday, October 18, 2009

WHAT HAPPENED TO THE ARMED FORCES MUSEUM?

I attended a breakfast gathering of retired officers of the Armed Forces this morning at a restaurant in Wangsa Maju, Kuala Lumpur. The range includes retirees from the rank of Major to a Four Star General. Formalities were thrown out of the window, and everyone had some exciting stories to tell that generally centered around the happenings in the Armed Forces today. Some of the attendees had left the service for more than two decades, but yet they recall how proud they were to have served the Armed Forces.

Among the issues discussed that immediately struck my interest is regarding the closure of the Armed Forces museum that was located within the Mindef complex. I had visited the museum several times before, and I am surprised that it no longer exist. I began to question the reason why was it closed, and what will be the fate of the museum that had a fine collection of historical artifacts of military interest? I recalled seeing a complete uniform of the former Chief of Defence Force Gen Tun Ibrahim Ismail on display, but could not remember seeing it on display at the Army Museum at Port Dickson.

To me the uniform of Gen Tun Ibrahim Ismail is significant, as he is the sole surviving military officer who had seen service during World War 2, the Malayan Emergency and Malaysian/Indonesian Confrontation. He is still very much alive today, and I think he would be extremely upset if he knows that his uniform is no longer on display at the Armed Forces museum.

I then started to do a 'search' with regards to the history of the Armed Forces museum, and the reason for its disclosure.

The Armed Forces museum was first mooted by Gen Tan Sri Ghazali Seth who was then the CDF back in later part of 1980's, supposedly out of his own personal interest to bring back and relive the history of the Armed Forces for future generation. The museum started in an officers quarters located along Lorong Kubu in the Mindef camp complex. If I could recall, retired Brig Gen Dato Kalam Azad was involved in the initial setting up of the museum, and the first museum curator was the late Lt Kol Nik Ibrahim who in 1978 was a student with me at the Malaysian Armed Forces Staff College. The museum later moved to its new location next to the main Mindef office complex, and the museum have attracted thousands of visitors; foreign and locals.

Sometime early this year, an instruction for the closure of the Armed Forces museum was issued, reportedly from the office of the CDF. I am told that the site where the museum is located is to be used for the construction of a new complex for the Armed Forces Court Martial Center (I think something similar to the Palace of Justice). The person that I had talked to, is not able to confirm whether there was any plan to built a new Armed Forces museum to replace the existing one.

In view of the construction of the Court Martial Center, all museum artifacts were distributed to the three services for them to display at their respective museums. I do not know if the Air Force and the Navy has its own museum.

Seriously, I am puzzled as to what was in the mind of the powers that be, to have send the Armed Forces museum to its grave. Once again, the ignorance of history and the love to perpetuate it, clearly is absent in the heart and mind of who-so-ever made the decision to close the museum. Much money that has been spent to raise and develop the museum, has now gone to waste through sheer ignorance and a disregard for history.

Or was the decision to close the museum and construct the Armed Forces Court Martial Center motivated by something else, other than solely for military interest and professionalism? I put this question to the present leadership of the Armed Forces, with the hope that the question is answered and to put to rest the concern and doubts that are in the minds of all Armed Forces retirees concerning this matter.


CRUSADE AGAINST CORRUPTION

Saturday, October 17, 2009

AN OPEN LETTER TO THE MALAYSIAN CHIEF OF DEFENCE FORCE

Though late, I however wish to congratulate you for having rose to the exulted post of the new Chief of Defence Force (CDF) of the Malaysian Armed Forces. I certainly do not know you well enough to personally call you and to congratulate you. But I did post a congratulatory note in my blog on August 29, 2009.

Your rise to the number one slot in the Armed Forces must be in recognition for your outstanding performance and contribution to the nation, while you were the Air Force Chief. And being at the pinnacle of your career now, you can no longer be yourself and to savour the freedom that you once enjoyed when you were a junior officer.

I was told by my superior once that being at the top can be very lonely. Your subordinates no longer feel the freedom, nor will they be at leisure to meet you unless it is for some official purpose. Even if you are at the golf course with them, do not think that your subordinates are at ease playing with you. They enjoy losing the game, not because they are not good at the game, but they lose out of respect for you. This is the privilege that you enjoy and you ought not to blame yourself for this. It is the military culture I suppose i.e respect to a superior is utmost, even at a game of golf.

Now, let me get to the more serious aspect of this letter, the reason for which I do not want you to fall into the things being said of your predecessor that had brought himself and the good name of the Armed Forces to odium, disrepute and be the talk of the town. I know many in the Armed Forces, in particular the Army knows what all he has done, and the reasons why he had to leave in such haste. I am puzzled as to why was there no action taken against him, should he do anything wrong that had brought him and dragged the service to odium.. Was there a fear of retaliation? Or has the rot creeped into the entire system, that it is now beyond redemption?

The burden to raise the good name of the Armed Forces back to its former 'glory' now lies with you. You have to shoulder that responsibility and to do that, you have to have the unequivocal support of all the three service chiefs. You should demand support and loyalty from them, and should they weaver to the detriment of the service, sack them. And for goodness sake, keep a tight watch on the activities of the the three services, because to claim ignorance of any failures found in the three services, is not an acceptable answer to come from the CDF.

You should set the tone by setting good personal examples; exemplary leadership; make firm and fair decisions; discard cronyism; disengage yourself from ever being involved in business or being seen among contractors and business associates; do not allow family members to use you in their business with Mindef; never request favours from any businessmen; be extremely weary of the people around you, and last but not the least, do not ever feel beholden to politicians. Be a professional soldier, and you will gain gratification and respect from your men and the nation.

I seem to be teaching you to suck eggs, but it is better to be sucking eggs than to lose honour and pride of being a member of the Armed Forces by your unsavoury acts.

You may not have access to the talks that lingers outside the corridors of Mindef, but I do. And it is the love that I still have for the Armed Forces that I am force to tell you what ails the Armed Forces under the leadership of your predecessor. Call me a busybody if you want, but I would rather be called that, then to see the Armed Forces slip into decadence.


CRUSADE AGAINST CORRUPTION

Friday, October 16, 2009

STATEMENT BY DEFENCE MINISTER ENCOURAGING

It is encouraging to note the statements made by Defence Minister Datuk Seri Dr. Ahmad Zahid Hamidi relating to future arms purchase as reported in the Malay Mail dated October 13, 2009, under the bold headlines that reads ‘Arms purchase review on the cards’.

What strikes me are two significant statements, firstly quote “ We will make sure that the funds allocated to the Armed Forces are spent wisely and arms procurement and other contracts are delivered on time and within the budget” unquote, and secondly quote “As long as I am Defence Minister I will make sure that the Armed Forces will not be the victim of greedy people who only want to make quick buck” unquote.

My personal comment on the above statement (if it were to be adhered strictly) is that it is going to cause a ‘commotion’ and ‘uneasiness’ among the many agents/vendors/commission seekers/cronies/cohorts etc, etc, that have been doing a flourishing business with Mindef. I do not need to mention who they are because it is common knowledge, as they are frequently seen loitering along the corridors of Mindef, and are continuously at the behest of the top bosses (Armed Forces and civilian alike), with some even listed in the entourage of the bosses during their foreign visits.

Someone did say to me sometime ago that doing business with Mindef is like you going on a fishing spree, whereupon having found the ‘lubuk’, you are assured of a good catch. But in order to continue enjoying a good catch, you are expected to also feed the small fishes as well, that loiters around the ‘lubuk’.

I am also told that the small fishes are littered all over, beholden to their bosses, prowling like hawks waiting for a bite at anything that moves. That’s the way to do business with Mindef, and I have said enough in my earlier postings concerning the corrupt practices of some of the bosses, that I only hope to see one day, one handcuffed and dragged to prison.

I am glad that the Defence Minister has made his position known to all, and my only hope is that the tender system for a contact with Mindef is fair, transparent and void of cronyism and special favour. And most of all, that all bidding are through the open tender system, and not the direct negotiation that was so common in the past.


CRUSADE AGAINST CORRUPTION

IS KHIR TOYO POORER FOR NOT RECEIVING HIS ALLOWANCES?

It was reported that former Menteri Besar Selangor Dato' Seri Khir Toyo had on Monday 12, 2009 filed a summon at the Shah Alam High Court challenging the suspension order barring him from attending the State Legislative Assembly, to be null and void. The suspension order was issued by the Selangor State Assembly's Select Committee on Competency, Accountability and Transparency (SELCAT), after Khir Toyo had failed to attend the SELCAT session to answer allegations of abuse in the use of funds pertaining to the Selangor state investment arm (PNSB) to the tune of several millions.

It is unbelievable that PNSB could cough out RM 900,000 for an 8 days trip for Khir Toyo and his family to Morocco and Paris in 2004, supposedly to study Islamic architecture. He made many other trips subsequently with his family members all at the expense of PNSB, without ever feeling any guilt that the money he spend is not his.

Khir Toyo is also being investigated by MACC over the purchase and construction of a palatial home in Shah Alam that is said to have a market value in excess of RM20 million. Pictures of the house that Khir Toyo built and his extravagant spending of PNSB funds has been circulating in the Internet over the past few weeks. There are also talks that Khir Toyo has acquired some properties in Indonesia, and this has yet to be substantiated.

I do not know whether the Income Tax department is interested to look at Khir Toyo's tax returns since he became the Menteri Besar, knowing full well that there is a possibility that the physical wealth he has accumulated does not commensurate with his income. I am not accusing Khir Toyo of thievery, but this is the perception that Selangoreans has of him now; and me included.

In filing the summon, one of the things that Khir Toyo wants is the return of all his allowances that had been with-held following his suspension. No amount was mentioned, but I suppose it could not have been in the millions.

But despite his earlier claims that he has businesses to maintain his lifestyle and sufficient funds to built his palatial home, his summon seems to suggest that he has been made a little poorer because of the with-holding of his ADUN allowances. I am not quite sure how much is the ADUN allowance, but surely it is not sufficient to make him an instant millionaire. Or is he facing some financial difficulties to continue his extravagant lifestyle, that his allowances now becomes sort of his lifeline?

I suppose Khir Toyo need to have a feel of the 'personal financial crunch' that some Selangorean suffer during his rule. Having been at the helm of the Selangor state government for two terms and savoured so much of luxuries and good living, he now deserves to feel what others have felt with only a meager income.


CRUSADE AGAINST CORRUPTION

Wednesday, October 14, 2009

THE SINKING OF KD SERI INDERAPURA

The final countdown on the fate of KD Seri Inderapura has began. She is to be sunk and be made a artificial reef for the breeding of maritime life, preempted the Defence Minister. The final decision will however depend on the outcome of the investigation that will be carried out by the Royal Malaysian Navy (RMN).

I know for certain that a decision to sink or not to sink a ship is not an easy decision to make. One has to understand the culture of the navy where sailors attachment to the ship is like a mother to a toddler and vice versa. The attachment is mutual, and sailors like to talk fondly about their time serving a ship long after they have left the navy.

The first ship Captain of KD Seri Inderapura was Laskma Noor Azman (Retired) who had captained the ship on many voyages overseas to provide logistical provisions and material support to Malaysian troops serving in Bosnia, Somalia and even sending Vietnamese refugees back to Vietnam.

Upon knowing that KD Seri Inderaputra had caught fire, I quickly called Laksma Noor Azman to hear what he has to say of the incident. From the brief conversation, I sense that he wasn't in the mood to talk about the ship, and I fully understood the reason for it. I suppose he was overcome by emotion to see his ship that has been a part of his life for several years laid in flames, and will no longer be part of his history in the navy.

I then called on some other navy friends to find out what could be the cause of the fire, and why was it that the navy took an unusually long time to stop the fire, despite the ship being at harbour.

Having listened to a long lecture on ship safety and some naval terms that I am not quite familiar with, my navy friend's final reasoning is simply that the crew is not well trained for fire fighting on board, and he believes that there was an element of negligence on the part of somebody. He too could not understand why was the ship allowed to be on fire for several hours, when it was at harbour where the fire fighting gears could easily be made available. Or was there a complete wash-out of all the fire fighting gears and equipments? It is a different matter altogether if the ship is on fire while sailing in the open sea.

I do not know whether heads will roll at the end of the investigation; but I do know that the navy do not compromise on discipline and negligence.

And to quote the final words of Laksma Noor Azman to me when he said that, “for God sake, sinking a ship for the purpose of an artificial reef would be the last thing that a navy would want to do”


CRUSADE AGAINST CORRUPTION

ARMED FORCES RETIREES NEED TO BECOME A STRONG VOICE OF REASON

Having been a blogger since June last year, and I having read the comments of my readers, especially those whom I believe to be either serving or retired military officers, have subscribed strong, constructive as well as contentious views and opinion concerning the issues that I had raised in my postings.Never mind the language that some have used, but the fact of the matter is that the readers are willing to make their views and opinion heard, which hitherto has been silent and unheard of. That's the wonder of the blogging world, and I will always take my readers views, comments and opinion to be well intended.

The same goes to my civilian readers who now have access to the myriad of issues relating to the Armed Forces, and to be able to share and to subscribe an 'impartial or an outside view' that was not forthcoming in the past. This have given me an all round perspective of how a particular issue that I have raised in my postings are being viewed by all parties.

I am an advocate of strong and critical view, and I do not mind if someone says that the issues relating to the Armed Forces that I write is garbage. Whatever word that is being used against my writings; be it garbage, rubbish or any other derogatory term is a trivial matter to me. What is more important to me is that by having to say something that I have long haboured in my mind, gives me a complete sense of relieve and satisfaction.

I know that there are many others (retired/serving military officers and civilians alike) who are like me out there, but they are not able to find the opportunity to say their piece, or they may have something that inhibits them from doing so. This has to be respected, for there can be no two people who are alike in ever way.

Now, this reminds me of the many retired military officers that I know off, who have continued to speak out, but are not able to attract enough audience for their views to be heard. In my many casual meetings and 'coffee shop talks' with some of them, I noticed that they have a lot to speak about; not limited to the affairs of the present Armed Forces only, but over a myriad of issues that are afflicting the nation today. Being out of their uniforms now, they believe they have every responsibility to act as a 'voice of reason' to checkmate what they believe is improper and outrageously being done against public interest by the various authorities and the powers that be.

Most whom I know are not interested in being members of a political party because the mindset of a retired military officers cannot cohabit with that of politicians. I know this because I was a member of a political party upon my retirement, but force myself to quit because my military training have taught me to perceive and do things quite differently from of politicians. What I hate most is to see an ill discipline member during meetings, and the talk usually revolves around how best to serve the members first, and not to society as a whole.

There are today thousands of retired officers and soldiers that can be a formidable voice of reason for the purpose explained above. They do not need to be in politics, but what is needed is a strong leadership that can harness a voice that is coherent enough to act as a checkmate against the abuses of the authorities and powers that be towards our society. Certainly, the Ex-Servicemen Association cannot be that voice because it is seen to be political with vested interest by a few.

I know that, that a strong leadership is out there somewhere, and it will only be time when the retired officers and soldiers can be reunited again, not at arms in defence of the nation, but at 'arms' in defence of what is righteous, and to discard what is wrongful.


CRUSADE AGAINST CORRUPTION

Monday, October 12, 2009

AN OPEN LETTER TO THE CHIEF OF ARMY

1. I speak only for myself, and I am not implicating others in what I am about to say. I do not really care what others have to say of me, because what I about to say is only to defend what is right and to despise what is wrong that the army leadership today has done during the Bagan Pinang by-elections.

2. Never in my 33 years in the army has the army leadership been so blatant and outright foolish to go on a campaign trail in support of an election candidate; in this instant a BN candidate. It is pointless for me to explain the various occasions in which the army has been openly seen to have breached the rules regarding the neutrality of the Armed Forces in politics. I have posted a number of articles regarding this, and I invite you to read it, if you have any sense of being a responsible senior army officer.

3. I do not believe that the army leadership is not aware of such blatant acts, and I suppose they are so timid and scared shit of the politicians that there are willing to stoop so low as to become honourable servants of politicians. I have heard of a speech made by a senior army officer at a gathering in a camp in Port Dickson where some notable politicians were in attendance, and the speech is shocking and a cleverly crafted one to entice soldiers to vote for the BN candidate. How stupid and silly this officer was, to have danced to the tune of his political masters. He certainly looked more of a moron and sounded like an aging cow that is just about to be slaughtered.

4. If this is the kind of leadership that your senior army officers exhibit, then I would suggest all of you to shed off your uniforms, and start becoming the true and humble servants of politicians. You all do not deserve to wear the uniform, and if you have stars on your shoulder, please have it thrown into the dustbin. It is only the honourable and fearless officers that are entitled to adorn the uniform.

5. What had happened in Port Dickson have exposed you to public odium and a disgrace to the appointment that you hold. You have made the army a laughing stock that will be looked at in disgust. Honestly, I have never been so hard onto people that I know, but to see the examples that I saw in Port Dickson makes me boil in anger.

6. There is nothing that you can do now to correct the mistakes that the army has done by giving special preference to a certain political party and for this, you will forever be remembered as one that had brought the army shamefully to its knees.


CRUSADE AGAINST CORRUPTION

Sunday, October 11, 2009

A SPAT BETWEEN A MINISTER AND A RETIRED COLONEL – ALL SHOULD BE FORGOTTEN

Over the last few days there has been lots of talk among retired military officers of a spat between a retired officer of the Royal Malay Regiment, Colonel Roseli and the Defence Minister Dato Seri Dr. Ahmad Zahid Hamidi over a statement made by the latter when officiating the Annual Meeting of the Ex-Servicemen Association in Seremban on Sunday 4th ,1009, that had angered Colonel Roseli.

Colonel Roseli who in his blog (colroseli.blogspot.com) have said that the words uttered by the minister at the meeting was offensive to retired senior military officers as well as soldiers of the other races, and is also likely to cause a rift between retired officers and the soldiers. Colonel Roseli wasn't specific as regards to what the minister had actually said, and this leaves the matter open to speculations. Colonel Roseli had also demanded that the minister makes a public apology in order to put the matter to rest.

I am not privy to what had actually transpired between Colonel Roseli and the minister following this matter.But if the claim by Colonel Roseli proves to be true, then this will be the first exposure ever that a retired military officer has the audacity to parry with a minister over what he (Colonel Roseli) claims to be wrongful. On the other hand, if the minister believes that his speech has been misconstrued, he then need to correct it so that this matter does not get out of hand.

I am not here to make a judgment, nor do I wish to widen the issue any further. But I am aware that this matter has caused deep concern among some retired senior officers of the Armed Forces whose past service to the King and country is unquestionable. This concern need to be arrested and address in the most amicable manner so as not to cause dissension among the retired senior officers. This is also to quell any negative views concerning the minister.

Many have given their lives in defence of the nation, and for anybody to say that they now no longer care for the nation and the soldiers that had once served them is mischievous and hurting. It certainly hurts me if some one says that to me, because my loyalty to King and country is not only when I was in uniform, but it is life long.

The same is felt by all serving and retired officers and soldiers of the Armed Forces. Loyalty is a supreme factor in the Armed Forces, and without it, there can never be an Armed Forces.

And I can also say with much certainty that the officers loyalty to their soldiers is also life long. But to continue to provide physical care to them and their families should no longer be the burden of the retired officers, but other government institutions including the Ex-Servicemen Association and the Veteran Affairs Department.

I, and including many other retired officers of the Armed Forces do hope that the spat between the minister and Colonel Roseli can be resolved amicably and any animosity that arose out of it should be forgiven and forgotten.


CRUSADE AGAINST CORRUPTION

WILL WE SEE AN END TO CORRUPT POLITICIANS?

There is so much written about the Bagan Pinang by-election in the blogsphere, and also some predictions made with regards to who wins or loses. Clearly, the BN is not leaving anything to chance and losing is not the option anymore in this by-election. PM Najib has already said the the end game is to win by all means, and it is for this very reason that the entire government machinery is out in Bagan Pinang to do their bit, and this includes the army as well.

I am not going to make a prediction because I am so confused at the campaigning methods used in this by-elections. And I am even more confused as to why the Election Commission has been dumb and mute to the intransigent of the BN to offer 'bribes' in various forms, and to use the army camps in the pretext of wanting to show care and to shower gratitude to the soldiers, who are all voters in the by-elections. Even my call to the Army to make their stand with regards to a candidate being received in the camp for his political campaigning has remained unanswered. My question is why allow the army to be dragged into this unjustified political web, and later to be embroiled in violent criticism from the public? If the public were to say that the army is now a stooge to politicians,the army will now find it hard to disprove it.

This election has set new standards, and a dangerous precedence. One that will see greater violence, and more 'bribes' offered. Is this going to be Malaysia's way of conducting future elections where even the official body that is suppose to conduct, monitor and to arbitrate breaches in election rules don't seem to be effective and does not display their neutral stance?

Honestly, I am just fed up, and I am now thinking not to cast my vote in the next General Elections. Please do not say to me that the government is going to fight corruption in earnest, because it is going to be a bag of lies. I will now welcome all corrupt politicians to continue being involved in politics for it is through politics that they can enrich themselves. Haven't Khir Toyo shown them the way?

God bless this nation of ours.


CRUSADE AGAINST CORRUPTION (a fading crusade)

Saturday, October 10, 2009

THE ARMY AND POLITICS

Rules have been breached; precedence have been set, and since there has been no ruling forthcoming by the Election Commission, politicians from both the political divide can now go into any army camp unobstructed, to do their politiking and campaigning during an election. Blood too has been split during the campaigning, and we even had one Abd Azeez Abd Rahim seeking solace in the hospital, reportedly having been assaulted by some PAS supporters. The police has yet to make any arrest, simply because they were not able to identify the person(s) that assaulted Azeez, spelt with two 'e' instead of an 'i'. (what a strange spelling).

Now, it is the BN that has broken the rules and set the precedence to new heights , and it is the army that has now become a mere 'tool' to these politicians. Why have the army stoop so low? To the soldiers of Bagan Pinang, please remember that your loyalty is to the King and country, and not to Isa Samad, the BN candidate and a tinted one too.

It does not really matter to me now whom the soldiers have voted, because their votes have been cast. But if they voted for Isa Samad because of the promises that he and the BN has made, and the 'bribes' that they gave and of which the soldiers unashamedly took, then I would call all the soldiers a scum. But if they have voted with a clear conscience that the BN is truly the only party that can serve them and the people well, then they have fulfilled your responsibility.

Having seen the malfeasance of the BN in Bagan Pinang by-election, especially with regards to the 'invasion' of the army camps without regards for the 'scancity' of the camps to political campaigning, then this has made the army seen to be an institution that is no longer apolitical.

This is a shame, and some thing that the army leaders today must take note of, that they should not be subservient nor feel beholden to politicians, and to willingly stoop to their whims and fancies. Soldiers adorn their uniforms with pride and honour, and be respected by the public.It is for this very reason that I still adore photos of me in my uniform, and how could it be possible that I ignore those pictures with the uniform that I had worn for 33 years?


CRUSADE AGAINST CORRUPTION

Thursday, October 8, 2009

FRANCE – MALAYSIA RELATIONS TO PROSPER

'France wishes to maintain good ties with Malaysia' reads the news headlines in NST Online October 8, 2009.

This is expected of a nation that had made good business with the RMN by clinching the submarine deal, and also giving a hefty commission to its agents.

And now I hear that France through one of its companies Thomson, has delivered the 120mm Rifled Mortars to the Malaysia Army to be mounted on the Adnan AFV. More details of the purchase (believed to have been done in a dubious manner) will be revealed as more information is available. So, stay tuned.


CRUSADE AGAINST CORRUPTION

MEDICAL ASSISTANCE SHOULD BE EXTENDED TO THE PARENTS OF ALL RETIRED CIVIL SERVANTS

I received an email from a retired naval officer who wants to share his concern and views with me of where he thinks the government has failed to honour its pledges that it cares for the people. Probably, the experience that he has with his aged parents who requires regular medical aid, has made him to doubt that the Caring Society slogan has any meaning at all, since as a government retiree, his parents is no longer entitled to the free medical privileges or assistance at government hospitals that was extended to his parents when he was in service.

Below is the full text of the email that I have received from the retired navy officer for viewing by my readers.

1. I have come to know recently that parents of retired government servants ( including retired Armed Forces personnels) are no longer entitled to extended free medical privileges and assistance. The parents are only entitled to such privileges and assistance whilst their children are in the government service.

2. The discontinuance of such privilege and assistance to all retired government servants is certainly not in keeping with the 'Caring Society' spirit that the government has been saying all along.

3. It must be remembered that once a government servant goes into retirement, all he gets now is about half of what he earns when he is in the service. And if he still has his aging parents to care, the medical bills required by them will pose a serious drain to his monthly pension, besides having to maintain himself, his family an to pay for the monthly dues.

4. The Malaysian society as we know, generally does not neglect their aging parents, nor would they want to deliberately dump their aging parents to the care of the Old Folks Home, like what we know of western societies. Our society is one that cares, and caring for ones parents until their final day becomes a responsibility to be borne by the children.

5. In fairness to all retired government servants who have served diligently for the many good years of their lives, they should not be deprived of the free extended medical privileges and assistance for their aging parents. And paying for medical bills at any private hospitals today can be taxing on a retiree, and it is for this reason that most retirees prefer to be treated at a government hospital.

6. In the true spirit of a Caring Society and Goodwill, I would like to appeal that the government continues to accord the aging parents of all retired government servants, the free extended medical privileges and assistance.



CRUSADE AGAINST CORRUPTION

Wednesday, October 7, 2009

BAGAN PINANG AND PROMOTION IN THE ARMY

I had an interesting discourse with a number of friends who were my colleagues in the military; some retired and a few others still in the service. I had just wanted to hear from them their views regarding the political landscape surrounding the by-elections in Bagan Pinang where all parties says that the postal votes will be crucial in determining which party wins or loses.

Besides the by-elections, I also wanted to confirm the much talked about Army leadership changes that is expected to occur soon upon the retirement of the incumbent Army Chief.

What I have heard wasn't too pleasing to my ears because the leadership changes subsequent to the retirement of the Army Chief is said to be mired in controversy, i.e. one that is not based on merit, seniority, competency, etc etc; but is based on the factor of 'I know him better than others'. In other words, there is a scheming plan to promote certain preferred individuals who will supposedly will act as their business proxies when the incumbent leader retires from the service. This to me is incredulous, but the murmurs are obvious around the corridors of the Department of Army, as well as outside the military circles. What is unbelievable is that such murmurs are openly being debated among junior officers who now thinks that cronies now lurks even in this honourable profession.

When discussing the by-elections in Bagan Pinang, someone showed me an invitation card for the Anniversary Celebration of the 2nd Armoured Regiment at Sungala Camp, Port Dickson held on October 5th 2009. The invitees includes top army commanders and some notable UMNO politicians who have all decided to make their way to Port Dickson for the function.

I tried to reason out why was there a need for such 'luminaries' to attend just a simple regimental function, where the main host ought rightly be the Commanding Officer (CO) himself. If at all the CO wants to extend an invitation to someone of a higher rank, it could have been just the Brigade Commander. But in this instant, there were too 'many stars' from Kuala Lumpur, and some ministers who were guests to the function that was organised too close to a by-election. Now, this smells fishy!

I do not know if this was sheer coincidence, but my intuition tells me that it wasn't. It certainly has the by-election as the primary reason, and please prove me wrong for such reasoning. If my intuition is right, then I only have to blame the star studded army officers for their utter ignorance and failure not to understand and recognised the sensitivities of having too many ministers attending a simple regimental function that is organised a few days prior to a by-election, and is held in the constituency of Bagan Pinang. Or are the star studded army officers dancing to the tune of the honourable UMNO ministers? And please forgive me if I and many others perceive the aforesaid to be true.

Now, with regards to the proposed change of the army leadership, I am told that the plan had began back in 2005. Some of the preferred officers were promoted in double quick time, ahead of those who already have the seniority. But for some unknown reason, these officers who already have an edge in seniority are being left in a lurch, and are bewildered as to why have they have been by-passed in the promotion exercise. This is indeed an unhealthy trend that has also created groups within the army heirachy, i.e. one that is favoured and forms the inner circle by the leadership, and the others being left on the periphery. It is believed that the factor of clan is also a criteria to determine who forms the grouping. This is simply outrageous.

As I was writing this posting, I received a call from Port Dickson to confirm that the people who attend the recent function where PM Najib had announce the renaming of Port Dickson as the Army Town had received an envelope containing cash worth RM300. How fortunate are these people to be receiving such largesse from our generous PM, and if only I knew, I wouldn't mind lining up among the mass to receive the cash that is more than sufficient to pay off my petrol expenses.

Just imagine, if there were just 500 people attending, what would be the total payout, and if it were 1000 people, just times that by two. What generosity?


CRUSADE AGAINST CORRUPTION

Tuesday, October 6, 2009

CAMPAIGNING IN MILITARY CAMPS

It surprised me to see a picture of the BN candidate for the Bagan Pinang by-election, Isa Samad being received by a group of Army Officers in what was reported to be a meeting of Isa Samad with members of the Armed Forces Employee Union, and the Negeri Sembilan Defence Ministry Staff Club at Port Dickson recently. The photo appeared in the Sun tabloid dated October 6, 2009.

I am appalled at what I saw, and several questions comes to mind. Firstly, in what capacity is Isa Samad meeting the civilian employees of the Defence Ministry in Port Dickson? Secondly, what has the Army Officers got to do with the meeting, knowing full well that Isa Samad is merely a candidate for the by-election, and does not hold any official position in government nor in the party. Thirdly, don't Isa Samad knows that he has no right to get into a military camp to campaign, and if he wants to meet the civilian employees of the Defence Ministry (for whatever reason), it has to be done outside the confines of a military camp? Fourthly, whoever was the army officer that had instructed his subordinate officers to receive Isa Samad, knowing full well that it is going to be an election campaign, is deemed to have acted partisan in favour of the BN candidate. Had I been the superior officer in the camp, I would have sacked the officer.

Now my question to Isa Samad is this; what if the opposition candidate decides to do the same as what you did? Will you cause a furore or will you say that the opposition candidate has every right to do the same? I doubt very much that Isa Samad will agree with the latter. And even if Isa Samad does not say anything, I am quite sure that the Election Commission will be jumping sky high to claim that the opposition candidate had violated the rules governing election campaigning. For this, the opposition candidate will be disqualified to stand for the election.

Being a retired senior army officer, I am saddened that Isa Samad has dragged in the army officers into his political game, and I deemed this to be a devious act. Isa Samad had served the government before as a Menteri Besar and a federal minister, and I am quite sure he knows the rules relating to the involvement of military personnels in his political campaign. Or is Isa Samad saying that the meeting was just to get to know the civilian staffs, but why during this period of the by-election when he is the candidate? Say what he wants, certainly Isa Samad has violated the 'sanctity' of the military camp, and should he still wants to visit the camp, he has to wait until he win the by-election and is pronounced the Menteri Besar. And when that time comes, I am quite sure the military will only be too glad to accord him the Regimental Quarter Guard.

I would like to hear a response from Army Headquarters concerning the above matter, and if nothing is forthcoming, I then will assume that it is proper for the opposition to be given the opportunity to campaign in military camps in the future.


CRUSADE AGAINST CORRUPTION

Sunday, October 4, 2009

THE ARMY MUSEUM AT PORT DICKSON

My wife and I was in Port Dickson this morning (Oct 4th 2009) visiting the Army Museum. It was also to be a 'drive down memory lane' for we were there in Port Dickson in 1976/77.

My last visit to the museum was several years ago, and I was respectfully welcomed by the Archives Curator Major Mohamad Izam Hj.Md. Yamin and his officers. I am surprised that he even comes to work on a Sunday, when others would be at home lazing with their families.

The reason I had gone to the Army Museum was to view some of the pictorial exhibits and artifacts that I may need to put up at the Retired Armed Forces Officers Reunion Dinner to be held on Wednesday, November 11th 2009 at Felda Perdana, Kuala Lumpur.

Not having an inkling at how an exhibit is to be organised, I have requested Major Mohamed Izam to assist me, and to which he gladly obliged. Having viewed some of the pictorial exhibits, I was surprised to be told that the exhibits had costs the museum a fortune to make, and this is partly the reason why Major Mohamed Izam wants to be involve, to ensure that the exhibits are properly handled.

I was then invited to tour the various galleries in the museum. I must admit that the Army Museum has some of the finest exhibits and artifacts that are related to the history and development of the Malaysian Army, and it is certainly worth visiting. I am told that the establishment of the Army Museum was mooted by the former Chief of Army Gen Tan Sri Md Hashim Md Hussein. I am glad that the buildings that housed the exhibits and artifacts has not change a bit, and it is very much the same structure that has stood through time, since 1933.

I am sure Gen Tan Sri Md Hashim will be fondly remembered for his in-numerable contribution to the establishment of the Army Museum, and hopefully in the years to come, the museum will bear his name.

I am aware that managing a museum is not the business of any 'Dick, Tom and Harry'. It has to be managed by people who have a natural love for art, history and a mind that is ever creative. The staffs must be trained to the extend that they not only know every bit about the museum, the exhibits and the artifacts, but are also competent to act as guides to the visitors. To be experts, it takes considerable time.

But the Army has this odd culture of posting officers and soldiers once in every two to three years, in the name of career development. This certainly does not work for museum staffs. If one were to look at the staffs manning museums all over the world, they are professionals in every sense, and are on the job for years, and most till they retire. In other words, museum is a professional career in itself, and this being so, it should have a dedicated career structure that provides the staffs every opportunity to progress in their career. I do not know if Army now has such a dedicated career structure, which I know isn't the case hitherto.

While on my way home, I took the opportunity drive pass Sirusa, Bagan Pinang and Teluk Kemang areas. The area has been turned into a 'circus – like' atmosphere, lined with flags, banners, posters and billboards of political parties vying for the up-coming elections. Huge white tents were also seen along the Port Dickson - Teluk Kemang road.

From what I observed, it is obvious the BN blue colour has overwhelmed the PAS green colour, and if this is any indication of BN winning the by-election, they certainly have won, beating PAS in the battle of the colours.


CRUSADE AGAINST CORRUPTION

Saturday, October 3, 2009

AILING EX-SERVICEMAN NEEDS ASSISTANCE

I read with a deep sense of sadness that an ex-serviceman Adam Salam, 83 (Regimental No: 4043) of the then Malay Regiment is suffering from acute stomach ulcer, and is desperately in need of financial and medical assistance. He now resides with his son Zamri Adam ,53 at Taman Bandar Tinggi, Jelebu, Negeri Sembilan. The appeal appeared in a Malay tabloid Sinar Harian online dated October 3, 2009.

4043 Adam Salam recalls that he joined the Malay Regiment in 1948, and left in 1960 after having served the regiment for 12 years. He was later recalled to join the Territorial Army in 1965 or thereabout, and retired in 1973. While serving the Territorial Army, 4043 Adam Salam served as a drill instructor at various units across the country.

I do not know whether the Ex-Servicemen Association or the Veteran Affairs Department is fully aware of this case, and if they don't, I would like to appeal that something ought to be done to address the plight of the aforesaid ex-serviceman.

I have little faith in the Ex-Serviceman Association though, but if the Association wants to be seen as the 'saviour' of the ex-servicemen, this will be a good opportunity for them to do their bit to help an ailing ex-servicemen, regardless of whether he is a member of the Association or otherwise.


CRUSADE AGAINST CORRUPTION

IT IS ONLY DOING WHAT IS RIGHT, THAT THE WRONG CAN BE CORRECTED

I am an avid fan of fellow blogger Pak Hussein Hamid (steadyaku47) who is forthright, courages and determine to expose the scourge of corruption, complicity and abuse among our Yang Berhormats, its cronies and I suppose including the conniving police, judiciary, MACC and most recently, a member of the Royalty. I fully support his cause in the name of seeking justice and fair-play, and in keeping with PM Najib 1 Malaysia slogan.

Am I wrong to say what I have just said above, or do I sound like one who is pro opposition? To all and sundry, I am neither anti establishment nor a supporter of the opposition. I am what I am, simply a crusader against corruption and abuse, regardless of who the practitioners are. In this regards, I share a common cause with Pak Hussein Hamid, and that certainly isn't a crime.

Having got into Pak Hussein's blog, I have read every bit of his postings, and his latest titled, 'Bangan Pinang - One Tan Sri - Two Datuks' really excites me. Am I to believe or not to believe the posting, but the Port Dickson town is filled with talks that the BN candidate Isa Samad has bags of cash to disburse to his supporters and voters.

As Pak Hussein has argued, Isa Samad does not want to caught the second time for money politics, a term crafted by UMNO which is the 'twin brother' of corruption. It seems that UMNO has drawn out a new strategy i.e. getting someone else to do the handout, and in return are given projects to recoup their 'investments'. This is where the 'One Tan Sri – Two Datuks' comes into the scene, and how the hell is UMNO going to defend their 'Ketuanan Melayu' slogan when they have to depend upon the Tan Sri and Datuks who are all Chinese. Surely there are lots of super rich Malays who can be 'co-opted' into this thieving scheme. Now, this has also made Hishamuddin difficult to kiss the keris in future UMNO General Assemblies.

And isn't the use of threat of boycott enough to ensure that Isa Samad gets nominated as the only BN candidate for the by-election? A precedence has been set, and as I have said it in my earlier writings, there is now no stopping that the threat of boycott can also be used in future elections to top party posts in future assemblies. And if this is to happen, I can dare say that what we will get as our future leaders are bigger thieves, gangsters and murderers.

I will be heading for Port Dickson tomorrow with my family to visit the Army Museum, and hopefully to catch a glimpse of the Tan Sri and the Datuks. Should I meet them or his merry men, I will be blunt to ask them for my share, and claim that I am a voter for the Bagan Pinang by-election. I will also tell them that I am from the military, and if they give me my share, I will tear the money right in-front of their faces.

If what was written by Pak Hussein is true, I just do not know what to say of BN/UMNO and the leadership. Where are the moral values that your parents have taught us? Haven't you been taught by your revered religious teachers early in your life, not to offer and take bribes? Do you not know what awaits corruptors in the after life? Do you think by accepting a small token to support a particular party, you can become instant millionaire?

Everyone knows the answers to the aforesaid questions, but why are you playing ignorant and willing to fore-sake your religious beliefs and values, simply to satisfy the political aspirations of some known unsavory and tinted candidate. Please do what is right, and it is only by doing the right thing that the wrong can be corrected.


CRUSADE AGAINST CORRUPTION

Friday, October 2, 2009

POLITICS AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE

I have received a email from a friend who is a practitioner in Corporate Governance, who wishes to share with us his views and comments concerning the Port Klang Free Zone (PKFZ) financial scandal that is dubbed by the opposition as 'the mother of all scandals'. Appended below is the full text of the email.


1. Being a practitioner in Corporate Governance, I have observed that the financial failures that occurred during the past decade were not solely attributable to failures in the audit profession.
They also represents fundamental failures at the very heart of the organization i.e. government/government agencies and/or corporations - failures of the corporate governance structure. The failures in ethical standards and corporate governance continue with new issues every year. Nor were the failures limited to Malaysia. On the contrary, similar failures occurred in major companies located in the United States, France, Italy, U.K., as well as in other parts of the world. Greed simply overwhelmed all parts of the system.

2. In the case of PKFZ, the warning signs were present, but the company's management ignored them, and the auditing profession ( the Audit Report 2004 that was prepared by the Auditor General did highlight the serious irregularities in PKFZ's financial management, but the company management did not assumed the risks, nor did they take appropriate action to remedy/rectify the situation at that point of time) recognized them.

3. There was not much of regulation then to quickly response to financial failures to address the fundamental problems in corporate governance, but allowed it to continue further only to be blown out of proportion in 2009.

4. What happened to the Malaysian Oxley ( MOX ) which was enacted much later after Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (SOX) due to the Enron fraud of the late 1990's and early 2000's, represents almost everything that was wrong with corporate governance, accounting, financial analysts, banking and the accounting profession.

5. Little is known as to whether or not the Board of Directors (BOD) of PKFZ had enough power, time and resources to provide proper oversight of the management. It is quite apparent that there was no accountability and responsibility on their part in protecting PKFZ interests which were of paramount importance. The BOD were merely appointed to serve their political masters and have not acted in good faith by exercising their fiduciary roles efficiently and effectively as were expected of them. As such, they are to be blamed and rightly punished for their gross oversight for allowing the previous General Manager to singularly make decisions, and went above BOD without questioning the integrity and providing check and balance on the previous management.

6. Again after the event, political governance too fared no better, and they started pointing fingers and as usual chose to remain in denial.

7. I don't know how the PM 1 Malaysia is going to handle this situation, and whether he is in consonance with the 1 Malaysian Concept " Rakyat didahulukan dan Pencapaian diutamakan " or just plain rhetoric. At the end of the day, the rakyat suffers or covered up with the 6 N-KRAs and KPIs.

8. In the final analysis, PKFZ is 'where everything bad came together'. Why did it happened? What were the failures that allowed it to occur?

9. Unfortunately, the obvious answer is that the failures were widespread i.e. Management Accountability, Governance, Accounting, The Financial Analyst Community and many more which I cannot remember.

10. There were too many parties at fault, and we only have to wait and see whether our PM 1 Malaysia has the political will to take whatever action necessary against those found guilty of creating the 'mother of all scandals'.


CRUSADE AGAINST CORRUPTION

IS OUR NATIONAL DISASTER RELIEF ORGANISATION COMPETENT ENOUGH TO HANDLE A NATIONAL DISASTER?

I visited Padang, Sumatra a few years ago, and later proceeded to Bukit Tinggi in search of my lost relatives whom I have never met, but knew of their existence. My late father had once said to me that my grandfather still has a number of his siblings left in Padang and the Bukit Tinggi region whose inhabitants are predominantly of the Minangkabau clan.

Upon my father's death, the only person to whom I could refer to with regards to my ancestry is my uncle who died several years after my father's death. He did say to me that my grandfather still has a 'Rumah Gadang', literally meaning a 'Grand House' or in our sense, a large family home at a place called Simaung. I never got to Simaung because the people whom I had enquired in Bukit Tinggi knew off the place, but they needed me to be more specific for them to identify exactly where the 'Rumah Gadang' is located. I don't even have the names of my grandfather's siblings and that made the search even more complex.

The news that Padang was struck by a massive earthquake a few days ago, once again reminds me of my lost relatives. And sure enough, I received a call from my brother last night to say that the entire home of a relative of my mother in Padang, who had come to visit her a few years ago, has been badly affected by the earthquake. We do not know if anyone were injured or had lost their lives in the rubble, because the news had been told by some relatives residing in Malaysia, and there is no means that my brother can talk to them.

We Malaysian are indeed a fortunate lot and the only natural calamity hitting us are the floods, landslides and the occasional thunderstorms. There has never been a tornado, an earthquake or a direct impact of the tsunami on a scale that lashed out at Acheh and some coastal areas of Thailand. What we got was only a 'residue' of an earthquake and the tsunami, and that had caused considerable confusion among Malaysians.

A friend of mine who has performed volunteer work in a number of natural disasters and calamities in this country has once said to me that our country deserves a better, more organised and dedicated volunteer force to meet future natural calamities. He claims that the existing government organisations established to handle national disaster situation is haphazard, lacking control and coordination, and appears to be having too many bosses giving too many instructions, and with too little hands to execute the instructions.

It seems that there is an obvious lack of a dedicated central coordinating body to actually monitor, report and make spot decisions and to response quickly to the immediate needs of those affected by the calamity. At the end of the day, each volunteer organisation is left to act on their own, and this results in a disproportionate relief effort that falls short of meeting actual needs. As an example, a place that requires food staffs is handed with too many clothing materials, and where medical support is urgently needed, there is only first aid kit available.

To add to the confusion, political parties with their party flags and posters get into the 'fray', and claims that the support and assistance they provide is in the name of their party. We saw such a thing happened during the Bukit Antarabangsa landslide disaster early this year. It has now become political where the actual needs of those affected people are not properly addressed. It is a kind of an election and popularity gimmick.

Clearly, there is some serious rethinking needed to address the failures so obvious during a disaster relief operations. I suppose there is already an existing national body responsible for national relief operations, but what need to be tightened up is the coordination of responsibilities, method of response, command and control of operations, liaison and possibly a planned prepositioning of support equipments and various immediate logistical needs in identifiable disaster prone areas.

The only way to address the above failures is to conduct periodical exercises and training, both at the state and national levels incorporating all government agencies involved, and including volunteer organisations and NGO's. This can be a costly and difficult affair, but it is only through such exercises and training that can assure success during the conduct of a disaster relief operations.

Disasters knows no limits and does not recognised a friend or a foe. It just destroys everything along its path, and if we are not ready with measures to defend and protect our lives and properties, then it is only us to blame; not the Creator, as some have said and claim it to be.


CRUSADE AGAINST CORRUPTION

Thursday, October 1, 2009

RENAMING OF TOWNS

On Tuesday September 29th 2009, PM Dato’ Seri Najib Tun Razak announced at a Hari Raya gathering with soldiers at Port Dickson that the town will be named ‘Port Dickson the Army Town’. My spontaneous response to this announcement is thank you and no thanks, and having to make the announcement on the same day as the naming of Isa Samad as the BN candidate for the up-coming Bagan Pinang by-election, makes it so obvious that the pronouncement is an election gimmick. I do not know what other ‘goodies’ will be announced following the renaming of Port Dickson.

This is the perception that I get and please do not blame me for this, and I suppose many others would have a similar perception. How does this pronouncement impact upon the soldiers, knowing full well that Port Dickson have been synonymous with the army since the formation of the first experimental company of the Royal Malay Regiment on March 1st 1933, and the subsequent expansion of the regiment to form the 1st Battalion Royal Malay Regiment. In fact the army has its roots in Port Dickson, and thousands of the soldiers children were born in Port Dickson. I too served in Port Dickson in 1976 and we had our youngest child that year.

Having talked to some old army friends who have fond memories and affiliation with Port Dickson, either as a result of their marriage with the ladies of the town, or having some of their children born at Port Dickson, have preferred that the town be named Bandar Askar Melayu Diraja, as opposed the Army Town (Bandar Tentera Darat) as announced by PM Najib. They argued that the birth place of the Royal Malay Regiment is in Port Dickson and the army blossomed out of this regiment.

There was also a suggestion that Port Dickson be named after an outstanding and renowned soldier of the Royal Malay Regiment who had sacrificed his life in battle, and a name like Lieutenant Adnan Saidi comes to mind. Another suggestion would be to name the town after one of the Malay Rulers who had been instrumental in furthering the cause for the establishment of the regiment to the British colonialist in the late 1920’s.

If at all the Defence Ministry finds it necessary to name a particular town or place that is historically link with the army, then the town of Sg. Besi should be named Bandar Tentera Darat.

Sg. Besi town grew out of a British Military Garrison soon after the Second World War and it was active as a base for British troops during the First Malayan Emergency. Remnants of the garrison can still be found close to the Chinese grave yard. The town is well known to most military officers, particularly those of the army for this was where they were trained as army cadets, and who later graduated to become army officers.

Presently, Sg Besi is home to the several army units/formation and military training establishment, notably the Headquarters Army Field Command, Army Institute for Communications, Army School of Music, Malaysian National Defence University and the famous Royal Military College.

I do hope that the suggestions brought forth in this article will be given due thought and consideration by the Defence Ministry in its effort to promote and to give due credence to the Malaysian Armed Forces.


CRUSADE AGAINST CORRUPTION

GOOD GUILT – BAD GUILT SAYS HISHAMUDDIN

“There's good guilt and then there's bad guilt” says Home Minister Hishamuddin in defence of Isa Samad's nomination by the party as its candidate for the Bagan Pinang by-election scheduled October 11th 2009. I don't seem to understand what Hishamuddin means by that statement. Is this the same as the good and bad cholesterol that I am so familiar with, everytime I go for my quarterly medical check-up at the IJN? I hope Hishamuddin does not come out with another statement to say that there are good murderers and bad murderers, and the good murderers are the once that should be given a reprieve.

He went further to justify that “Isa Samad is different from certain candidates who, when found guilty by the party, they are willing to curse the party that has served them. Isa Samad is a loyal servant of the party and he is the people's candidate”. If this is the criteria for disciplined UMNO members to be accepted back into UMNO's fold, then I had better advice all those who were found guilty of money politics to take the cue from Isa Samad.

I also want to know who was the candidate that had cursed the party when found guilty for a party offence. Certainly not Khairy Jamaluddin or Ali Rustam. Or is he referring to that gay who was caught and charged by the Temerloh Court for attempted bribery, and is now lost in the wilderness? Or is he insinuating Azlina Othman who has been keeping a low profile since her ouster as Tourism Minister, though yet to face any charges for her connivance in money politics? Or is it Rafidah Aziz who lost the Ketua Wanita challenge and had been left in a lurch without a ministerial and party post?

You know, I was at the Tourism Ministry on two occasions and everyone seemed to be smiling and in a relax mood since Azlina Othman has been ousted. I just wonder what did Azalina do to cause the staffs of the ministry to dislike her so much.

Hishamuddin can say all that he wishes to justify Isa Samad's nomination, for what else can he say now that the final selection has been made. It is the people's candidate so says Hishamuddin, and I suppose he was only referring to the people of Bagan Pinang, but not to UMNO as a whole.

Most, including the opposition has declared that the possibility of a PR win in the Bagan Pinang by-election is near impossible. Granted that Isa Samad will be the clear winner, this will signal the beginning of a much fiercer war that the BN will face in the up-coming 13th General Elections.


CRUSADE AGAINST CORRUPTION