Sunday, February 27, 2011

MY MANY WORRIES

To watch all that is happening in Libya today, I am reminded of these words that was spoken by our Honourable PM Dato Seri Najib Tun Razak i.e. “Even if our bodies are crushed and our lives lost, brothers and sisters, whatever happens, we must defend Putrajaya”

Those are tough words, and one can visualized the sort of things that Najib can or want to do to defend his position in government.

My thoughts are now focused on Ghaddafi who has called upon his supporters to arms to crush the rebellious protestors. He must have realized that his power is fast slipping, and the only thing he knows to maintain power is in the use of force against the unarmed protestors.

I observe some similarity in the words of Najib and that of Ghaddafi. Although Najib did not use the words ‘arms’ to defend his position, he had used words like ‘bodies’, crushed’, lives lost’ and ‘whatever happens’ and these are strong words that are “riddled with hostility” and can cause “fear and apprehension” among the people. I am quite sure many harbours similar thoughts and apprehension, and as a retired military person, those words scare the guts off me.

I honestly do not know whether Naijb really meant what he said, or what was on his mind when he uttered those words. It really surprised me for I know Najib is such a gentle and likeable person. And for him to utter such words in a sentence makes him appear like Aldof Hitler or a clone Ghaddafi. I do not think any other leaders of the democratic world would use such strong words to defend their position in government. I did not hear the Prime Minister of Ireland used such words. And neither did the British Prime Minister and the US President. I do not know what the Sarawak CM would say in the up-coming state election.

As I get older, I worry about what our leaders say, and I have commented enough on what our Melaka CM Mohd Ali Rustam have said of PAS. I worry because I do not want my grandchildren to suffer a similar fate faced by the Egyptians or Libyans. I worry because I do not want this blessed nation of ours to nosedive into poverty and destruction. I worry because my sacrifice and that of many other soldiers, airmen and sailors before me who had sacrificed their lives in defence of this nation against a communist insurgency and resurrection will be forgotten. I worry because leaders today are no longer serious about building and unifying a nation. I worry about our politicians who only talks about winning elections with a bigger majority. I worry about the Malays that are getting more divided in the race for political power. I worry about the scale of corruption among the Malays that has penetrated all levels of government. I now begin to worry about our police force and the judiciary that is supposed to be the guidance peace, law and order and protector, have now shown themselves to be bias, incompetent and at times corrupt in handling cases. I can continue listing the worries that I have, but the more I think about it, the more worries I get.

I have been in this world for the last 67 years and I have seen and said enough. All said, I am not at all discouraged by what I see because I can still write and express my thoughts and feelings. It is only when I am dead that all ceases.


CRUSADE AGAINST CORRUPTION

Saturday, February 26, 2011

AN OPEN LETTER TO MELAKA CHIEF MINISTER DATO MOHD ALI RUSTAM

BERNAMA reported that you said “Malaysia will suffer the same fate as Egypt which recently faced a revolt if PAS were to rule the country”.

Pardon me for saying this, that you must be out of your mind to have come out with such an assessment. I do not know who your advisors are, and nor do I know the basis upon which you came out with such a ‘horrendous’ statement. Are you to believe that if PAS were to rule, they will begin chopping off hands, heads and tongue of thieves, murderers and liars? I just could not believe a statement like this could come from a seasoned politician like you.

Being a politician and with an impending by-election in Merlimau, I believe you have to make some sort statement however outlandish, merely to please your leadership and to win votes in particular. And you being the Chief Minister of the state, you have no choice but to make such a statement without due regards for the truth, and more importantly disregarding totally Malay unity. Are to say that PAS members belong to an alien race that is not Malay? And that you are a very special Malay that must be considered and treated differently?

I have this to warn you that the Malays are even more divided now than before, and your statement about PAS has made such division even worse. You know very well that a divided Malay is bad for this country, and the more divided we are, the lesser will be your chances of retaining political power.

As a Malay that had served the nation as a soldier for 33 years, I do not take lightly with what you have said. My loyalty is to this country and to my race, is one and the same. I treat all Malays regardless of their political leaning as brothers. But sadly, politicians like you have a very different way of viewing a Malay. Just because your political leaning is with UMNO, you therefore do not view other Malays from other political parties as being the same like you. I just would like to ask you this simple question……..what then is your religious leaning? Is it different from that of PAS? Or is yours so very special that others are to be despised upon?

I do not want to teach you about Malay unity because as a politician you should know better. My brotherly advice to you is to be more careful in what you say especially if it is one that will hurt Malay unity.

CRUSADE AGAINST CORRUPTION

ABUSE AND MORE ABUSES

Early this morning, I received an SMS reminding me to view Malaysia Today’s article, ‘Salahguna Kuasa (Pegawai Polis)’ posted on Friday, 25 February 2011. I was also handed a photocopy of the article. These are likeminded people who are deeply concern at what they see as decay in societal and religious values badly affecting the Malays. And I see that all those that are named in the article are Malays, and this shamed me.

The article accuses a serving police officer Supt Jaafar bin Mat of the Narcotic Branch of the Malacca Police Headquarters for being the owner of up to fifteen Security Companies; all in the name of proxies. The article also listed the names of proxies and companies owned by the police officer, including cars and a newly constructed house at Kg. Sg. Tua Baru, Batu Caves that is claimed to be worth RM4 million. If this is true, only an idiot would not believe in the story.

The article claims that this police officer (mind you, he is a HAJI who has gone on a pilgrimage to Mecca) has been detained once for questioning by MACC, but no further action was taken against him, because the report was withdrawn by the person making the report. From the writings, I believed that this scam is being perpetrated with the connivance of officers from the Ministry of Internal Security (KDN), the MACC and even among the police officers themselves.

I spoke to a friend of mine concerning this article and he said that the issuance of a Security License by KDN is a scam, and everyone knows this. He believes that corruption is so rampant and blatant among some of the KDN officers involved in the issuance of licenses. There is an obvious network that is linked with other agencies of government, namely KDN, MACC and the police department. Otherwise, this scam could not possibly work. I wonder if the minister Hishamuddin is aware of what is happening under his charge, and if he does not, he had better find out.

I do not know if this article will hit the main stream media, but I believe it won’t. And I do not know if the appropriate authorities i.e. MACC and the police alike will act on the article and including the police officer concern and I believe they won’t either, unless a formal report is made. This is the norm they say. No report, no investigation however serious. But the authorities take active interest if it involves the opposition or a report that demonized a renowned public figure. Just take the case of Teoh Beng Hock, and for a mere RM2000, the whole world was upon him. But in the famous case of former MAS boss Tajudin Ramli that involves millions, firewalls are placed around the case. Do you call this justice…….I don’t really know. Malaysian justice perhaps.

And if someone were to ask me that assuming I was the IGP, what would I do to Supt Jaafar bin Mat after having read the article. My reply would be……….suspend him from all duties and immediately conduct a departmental investigation, even before a formal report is made by someone, and regardless of whether the article is true or false. I do this because I have to save the good name of the police force that is already mired in all kinds of controversies. Now, will the IGP do what I would do if I was the IGP?

CRUSADE AGAINST CORRUPTION

LESSONS FROM LIBYA

If someone were to tell me that we NEED NOT learn from the ongoing tumultuous events in Libya, or for that matter from the other troubled North African Muslim states, then my advice to them, particularly to our leaders today, is to rethink before it is too late. I take a serious view at the turn of events in these North African Muslim states, which is fast cascading into the neighboring Arab kingdom of the Gulf region, and Malaysia is no exception.

It has been almost 12 days now and it is obvious that the events in Libya are unlike that of Egypt or Tunisia, though many agrees that the causes for the people’s uprising is somewhat similar. French Human Rights officials estimate that a total of 2000 people have died since the start of the uprising, and many more will die if the uprising goes unabated.

On hindsight, Mubarak’s decision to quit was orderly, although initially he declined to accept his peoples demand for his removal. I think what prompted Mubarak to relent and to hand over powers to his newly appointed deputy was because he saw his powers slipping away due to the refusal of the military to support him in his cause. The same can also be said of Tunisia, but unlike Mubarak who had vowed to remain in Egypt and to die in his country of birth; the Tunisian President decided to defect from his country fearing dearly for his life and that of his family.

As at today, Muammar Ghaddafi who has been Libyan President for 42 years is still clinging precariously to the reins of power, although the military command (namely the regular army) is clearly divided now between those loyal to Ghaddafi, and those supporting the popular uprising. A number of cities are now firmly in the hands of the people, and a renowned Muslim cleric Sheikh Yusof Al Qaradawi had announced a ‘fatwa’ that Ghaddafi has to be assassinated.

The resignation of the Minister of Interior, Libyan Chief Prosecutor, senior military commanders including the defection of two fighter aircrafts to neighbouring Malta is a cause of major concern for Ghaddafi. At the international scene, several Libyan Ambassadors serving overseas has resigned in protest against Ghaddafi’s inhumane treatment in dealing with the protestors. Most western nations i.e. the EU, NATO, and including the US are considering punitive actions against Libya that includes sanctions, imposing a no fly zone over Libya, cancelling all forms of assistance, travel ban and freezing all accounts and assets belonging to Ghaddafi and including that of his family. There is also a call to quickly deploy UN Intervention Forces to stablise the security in Libya from escalating into a civil war.

Members of the International Human Rights Council have called for Libya to be suspended as a council member, and to investigate Ghaddafi and others for crimes against humanity.

While there is now some semblance of security and order in Egypt, the same cannot be said of Libya whose future is uncertain for as long as Ghaddafi remains in power. A defiant Ghaddafi has now accused Osama and the Al Qaeda for inciting the Libyan people to revolt by distributing drugs to the youth causing them to fight among them.

Now, having witnessed the events in Tunisia, Egypt and Libya, what then are the lessons that we can learn from the people’s popular uprising in those countries. There are several, and I wish to list them (though not in any order of importance) as follows:

1. The military remains the most decisive organization that will determine the fate of a country that is at the verge of a civil war caused by a people’s popular uprising.

2. The military must remain free of any political influences, and it must recognize that it exist to defend the people’s rights first against the extreme abuses of its political masters. To remain subservient to the political masters despite knowing their abuses is a crime.

3. Politicians must understand that power lies in the hands of the people. In other words, power in the hands of politicians is discretionary, and can be taken away if the people so wishes; through the ballot box or at worse, by force.

4. To repeatedly ignore the voice of the people and to impose measures to quell dissenting voices is a sure recipe for disaster.

5. Political power should not assume absolute power over people’s power. Neither can political power be assumed to exceed military power. There has to be an understanding in the limitation and balance of power held by politicians, the military and the people. To be overawed by power is another recipe for disaster.

6. Abuse of power, corruption, repressive laws, poverty, escalating costs of living, ignorance and not heeding to the people’s wishes and demands, political rhetoric and curtailment of the freedom of speech and expression; these are some of the causes that can incite a people’s uprising.

Despite all that is happening in the troubled North African Muslim countries, there are still some among our leaders today who believes that Malaysians are unlike Egyptians, Tunisians or Libyans; hence nothing of the sort that is happening in the those countries is likely to occur in our country. This is absolute nonsense.

I say that the causes of a people’s popular uprising does exist in our society today, though many may disagree and claim that such causes are within manageable limits. There are some who claims that a people’s popular uprising is not a Malaysian culture. It is such thought that worries me and we must not be swayed by such complacency. The sooner we come to our senses, the better it will be for the future of this country.


CRUSADE AGAINST CORRUPTION

Saturday, February 19, 2011

IS OUR MILITARY READY TO TAKE OVER A CIVILIAN GOVERNMENT?

Egypt is now governed by an interim military government that is headed by Defence Minister Field Marshall Mohamed Tantawi. He pledged to hand over the country to a democratically elected government, but short of detailing a time frame for the handover. A six months period for the hand over is demanded by the protestors, but I think this time frame is not possible.

The priority of the interim government seemed to “focus on restoring security, restructuring the police force and instituting economic reforms and welfare”. The state constitution has been suspended and a new constitution is being formulated. Some members of Mubarak’s cabinet are still active within the interim government and the demand by the protestors is to see that all ministers of the Mubarak’s regime leave.

As of now little is known as to the effectiveness of the interim government, and the course it shall take to bring back some semblance of civility and security. With regards to the state’s economy, it is unclear as to the measures taken to revive it.

Egypt’s Emergency law that has been in place throughout the entire period of Mubarak’s rule, and was a cause of the people’s protest is to be lifted, but with a caveat i.e. “as soon as the current condition of protest is terminated”.

Any change of government that is the result of a force resignation or takeover would normally follow a ‘witch hunt’ against those known to be corrupt and had abused their position while in power. As of now, three former ministers are under arrest and will be investigated for corruption and other abuses. Several others have been barred from leaving the country. I do not know whether Mubarak and members of his family will also face prosecution for alleged corruption and other criminal charges. I believe they will.

In terms of foreign policy, the interim government had affirmed that it shall honour all treaties concluded during the Mubarak’s regime, especially those affecting the US and Israel. Mubarak was known to have acted like a stooge to the US, because the former’s dependence on financial aid from the US, including the supply of military hardware. Israel thinks that for as long as Egypt remains dependent upon US for financial support, Israel is assured of its security. It was also reported that the US government has allocated US150 million to Egypt to finance rehabilitation of the country that had suffered substantial dislocation and destruction during the 18 days of public protest.

Now the question in the minds of many is whether our country will ever experience a similar tragedy as the Egyptians. My guess is that we may not see this happening in the immediate future, but it will certainly happen if the government continues to ignore the causes that had led to the civil unrest in Egypt. The causes are obvious i.e. rampant corruption, repressive laws and laws that are seen to be selective, abuse of power by the police and government officials, rising poverty level, rising costs of living and a high unemployment rate.

One cannot deny the fact that the causes mentioned above are to be found within our society today, nor can one claim that Malaysians are not like Egyptians; hence it is unlikely that Malaysians will rise against the government. Put them on a hunger trail or just ignore the causes mentioned above and I can assure you that this will spark a people’s unrest. Therefore, the assumption that a people’s uprising in Malaysia will not happen, needs serious rethinking.

And if ever a similar tragedy is to occur in this country, and if the government is finally forced to hand over the reins of government to the military, will our military leaders today be ready to assume the responsibility to govern during the interim period? I would just leave this question to be answered by our current military leaders, and to tickle their thoughts at such a possibility, and what all need to be done if the military is forced by circumstances to govern one day.

I do not know how the government and in particular the military will react to what I have mentioned above, but I believe it is better that the military ready itself, rather than be caught without knowing what to do. I think the Public Order Manual (POMAN) that was used in the 50’s/60’s is no longer applicable today. Anyway, POMAN has nothing to do with teaching the military to govern.


CRUSADE AGAINST CORRUPTION

Friday, February 18, 2011

A DAMNING ARTICLE – POLICE AND THE UNDERWORLD WARLORD

Malaysia Today, Wednesday, 16 February 2011 posted an article title, ‘The Warlords And The De Facto IGP’ that chronicles in detail a scheme that seemingly protects the ‘evil’ and demonize the ‘good’. The evil that I am referring to are those of the underworld warlords that operate brothels and the gambling trade. The good here refers to the diligent police officers that perform their duties professionally, but are victimized by their very own people intent to protect the evil.

Reading from the article, it astounds me to note the level of clarity and the articulation of events and happenings that sounds too good to ignore and to disbelieve. I have no doubt that the writer of the article is someone from the force that is senior enough, or had provided details to someone who then wrote the piece.

The article not only accuses the IGP and some other senior police officers, but also accuses the minister Hishamuddin Hussein for being in the know of all the fraudulent acts and malice that goes on within the police force. The name of the suspected underworld warlord who goes with the honorific title of ‘Tan Sri’ sure makes a mockery of the title if the article proves to be true. Certainly, a piece that alledge minister Hishamuddin of a sex scandal (period unknown) with a lady from Muar, Johore makes the article even more juicer. Are we to believe this piece or not? Well, let’s wait an answer from the minister concern.

I am once again reminded of another minister who was caught on video having sex with a woman other than his wife, in a hotel in Muar some years ago. What a coincidence as both ministers are from Johore.

It frightens likeminded Malaysians and me that if this article is not thoroughly investigated, it will only bring disrepute to the police force that has already been under a hail of alleged misconduct and abuses, and to the government as well. Since a minister’s name has been implicated in the scheme, I would like to see what responses will come off him. Likewise, a speedy response from the top management within the police force is appropriate to quell any negative views that will impact the good name of the police force.

And to those innocent police officers that are deemed to have been victimized and wrong by your superiors, my call to them is to seek appropriate justice. Hold firmly to your belief that fate lies in the hands of the all mighty, and not in the hands of men.


CRUSADE AGAINST CORRUPTION

Thursday, February 17, 2011

CONGRATULATIONS NORHUDA

Utusan Malaysia today reports that Colonel Nurhuda Ahmad has been promoted to the rank of Brigadier General; the first General Duty lady officer to make up the rank.

Here, I wish to extend my heartiest congratulations to Nurhuda for the promotion and to the Army for giving such lofty recognition to a lady officer. I believe, this will inspire other lady officers to remain true to their profession, and that a promotion to a much senior rank in the Army is never too difficult.

Let’s hope that the Army will one day breaks an all time record of having the first lady officer to attain the rank of Major General in the not too distant future.


CRUSADE AGAINST CORRUPTION

THE EVACUATION PLAN

Hosni Mubarak’s 30 odd years of absolute rule now remains a legacy. With over 300 dead as a result of the protest and Mubarak himself is reportedly unwell, Egyptians will no longer need to look back; rather they will have to look forward to see what future lies ahead of them.

Will it be a government that mirrors Mubarak’s near totalitarian regime, or will it be a more tolerant and people centric government that is centered upon the universal democratic values and principal? I think the Egyptian people; especially those that are in their late 20’s have known no other President except Hosni Mubarak who had ruled them in a way that their lives are shaped and molded along values that restricts and represses all form of opposition towards the regime, and not values that a truly democratic society would understands.

By now, most if not all students from Malaysia are safely home, after a heart breaking period of planning and the execution of plans to evacuate students and other Malaysians out of Egypt by all possible means. It was reported that the evacuation numbers in excess of 10,000 Malaysians; a phenomenal figure unheard off in the past. Due credit must be given to the government and all others that had toiled endlessly to make the evacuation a success.

Having said that and the government having had the experience to execute an effective and successful evacuation plan, though not devoid of frustration and anger, should not just rest on its laurel. Like in all military operations and at the end of it, we say that we now have to conduct a post mortem of the operation i.e. a winding up session to identify the strength and weaknesses on the conduct of the operation, with the view to derive lessons from it. And having ascertained the lessons learnt this can then form the basis for the formulation or a review of a Standing Operating Procedure.

PM Najib had likened the evacuation plan as the exercise of Total Defence which I have a slight reservation to the use of such term. Whatever term that one uses, the evacuation plan was principally a joint effort of the various agencies of government, military, the private sector and a number of NGO’s. In simple military term, this is likened to a Joint Operation incorporating the utilization of all three services that operates under a single Joint Headquarters.

I am not privy to the model of command and control applied during the evacuation, but I suppose the operation was controlled by the National Security Council (MKN) and this is rightly so.

I believe the lessons derived are aplenty and as I have alluded above, let’s not rest on our laurel. Let’s look into the future and to predict if there will be another evacuation of a similar nature, if not much larger.

Having made a prediction, let’s us now devised a plan of contingency were it can then be tested and frequently exercised to attain a level of competency where all agencies involved are thoroughly familiar with.


CRUSADE AGAINST CORRUPTION

Wednesday, February 16, 2011

TAKING A LESSON FROM BERLUSCONI

'Berlusconi to stand trial for underage sex’ reads the headline in The Sun today. Silvio Berlusconi the Italian Prime Minister is scheduled to go on trial on April 6 over an allegation of paid sex on a 17 year old Moroccan night club dancer named Karima El Mahroug. Prostitution is legalize in Italy but in the case of Berlusconi, having paid sex with an underage girl is a state offence.

I am bringing out this issue merely to impress upon those in the seat of power, leaders and Malaysians in general that the Italian law, and I suppose the law in most developed societies does not distinguish nor segregate individuals by their status, prominence and standing in society. All are treated equally in the eyes of the law. Berlusconi’s trial is a case in point, and this can be an eye opener to all Malaysians that see the law as their only saviour.

In the case of Malaysia, we have seen numerous cases involving individuals at high places that are alleged to have committed sexual related offences and abuse, but the treatment they get from the law is unlike that of Berlusconi.

If a report is launched by the victim of a sexual abuse committed against the alleged offender who happens to be a dignitary, it gets very little notice by the mainstream media. Even if the alleged offence is reported, the name of the offender is cleverly concealed till the very last. There have been cases like this (rightfully or wrongfully) in the recent past, and it was the alternative media that had exposed the name of the alleged individual (who happens to be a person of renowned standing). The quick reaction is to deny and a statement made to say that it was an act to discredit the alleged offender.

I do not wish to name such cases here (for it is well known in public domain), but the authorities should not view the Malaysian society as fools and are all blind and ignorant of the happenings surrounding them. Malaysians today are no gullible creatures that can easily be ‘taken for a ride’. The fact that there is now so much of voice against the authorities for wrong doings, are clear evidence of a Malaysian society that is more alert, concern and demanding that the truth be revealed.

With so much of talk that our law and the justice system is not so equal; rather it has a bias towards the ‘rich and famous’, this glaringly has becomes the concern of all likeminded Malaysians that can ultimately be the cause of civil unrest.

What seem to me as ludicrous is that the people that were alleged to have been involved with cases of sexual offence and abuse are gleefully running around, and continue to remain a prominent public figure. They don’t seem to have the slightest conscience of their shameful past, and some are even ‘rewarded’ to some towering public positions.

I am certainly not amused by this, and my only appeal to those in the seat of power is to seriously treat the Berlusconi episode as a lesson to be learnt.


CRUSADE AGAINST CORRUPTION

Tuesday, February 15, 2011

RATIONAL THINKING – A HANDICAP AMONG SOME MALAYSIANS

Former US Ambassador to Malaysia John Mallot’s article that criticizes Najib’s administration has stroke anger at some politicians, notably Minister in the PM’s Department in charge of Parliamentary Affairs Dato Seri Nazri Aziz. He did not come forward with any intellectual rebuttal, but said that he will make a proposal to the Cabinet to ban Mallot from coming into the country.

And in another case, a group that is linked with PERKASA has demanded that the government bar Anwar Ibrahim from leaving the country, because they believe Anwar Ibrahim has plans to leave the country to evade prosecution in the on-going of sodomy trial.

I am also told that there is a call to incarcerate Muslim scholar Dr. Mohd Asri Zainal Abidin under the ISA for suggesting that Malaysia will also suffer a similar fate as that of Tunisia and Egypt, where it is the people’s voice that finally sealed the fate of their Presidents.

Honestly, I do not know what is in the minds of these people, to have come up with such idiotic and unthinkable ideas. I hope PM Najib is not that stupid to take heed of such calls, if he is indeed a practitioner of the freedom of speech and expression.

I now dread the idea of Nazri Aziz becoming the PM one day, and if he does, one can expect the kind of treatment one gets, if one is to say anything critical about the government. I think there will be a censorship of the media and most of all, the alternative media. Foreigners like Mallot, and all others like him will have no place in this country.

I am surprise that Nazri Aziz being a lawyer is not able to accept critical views from anybody. What I would have liked him to do was to invite Mallot to a debate, knowing that Nazri Aziz is extremely proficient at debating. If Mallot is not able to come, than Nazri Aziz will have to offer himself to challenge Mallot anywhere else. This will certainly clear all doubts, and I am quite sure Nazri Aziz will be declared a champion and a HERO by all Malaysians.

With regards to the call to impound the passport of Anwar Ibrahim, and to slam the infamous ISA on Dr. Mohd Asri, my take on this is that such calls are made by person(s) with ‘infantile’ minds. Are we living in the age of the dinosaur where the men were wearing the ‘cawat’, and the women folk bare breasted.

To the person(s) that made such suggestive calls, please think of what the repercussion would be on like minded Malaysians, and how would the international community view and react to such a call. Do you think they will support your call? My answer is NO and it will only raise further mistrust on the government.

It is sad to know that some Malaysian have gone so low in their thoughts that they can no longer act and think rationally.


CRUSADE AGAINST CORRUPTION

Monday, February 14, 2011

WHERE ARE THE TUAN GURU’S AND PAK MUFTI’S

Datuk John Tenewi Nuek, a former Malaysian diplomat and former Under-Secretary in the Foreign Ministry has drummed up a warning that Malaysia will end up like Myanmar or Ghana, if our political leaders continue to abuse their power. He also claimed that corruption in this country is now beyond redemption. Datuk John Tenewi Nuek is now the newly appointed PKR Vice-President and had served the Foreign Ministry for 33years.

I think, Datuk John Tenewi is the first retired senior government officer to come out openly to criticize the government. Beside Myanmar and Ghana, he cites the Philippines and Nigeria that were at one time countries that were wealthy and prosperous, are now economically backward and poor because its leaders were corrupt and abused their powers.

Earlier in the morning, a group of friends and I while having tea were in deep discussion over the happenings in Tunisia, Egypt, and now a similar wave of people’s protest is emerging in Algeria and Yemen. The reasons for the protest in all the four Arab countries are similar i.e. a government that is corrupt, repressive laws and the abuse of power by its leaders, rampant poverty, high jobless rates within the society that ended up in broken marriages and families, nepotism and the enrichment of cronies an its family members.

As I have mentioned in an earlier article, this country has all the reasons and causes for its people to launch a protest against the government. But unfortunately, officials in the government today seem to suffer from a loss of hearing and sight.

As an example, when we say that corruption is endemic in this country, the response we get is that the level of corruption is not too bad when compared to other developing countries, and statistics says that it is manageable. And when we say that we have repressive laws like the ISA, the response is that such laws are necessary to protect the safety and security of the country. And when we say that our leaders are inclined to abuse their power for their own pecuniary self interest, than the response will be that there is no prove to such an accusation.

We have been fed constantly about the massive abuses of the Chief Minister of Sarawak, but do we hear of any strong criticism from any member of the government. Despite all the evidences that have been posted in the alternative media (read the tale by tale articles in Sarawak Report) nothing seems to meet the interest of the authorities. The MACC and the police play the game of the three monkeys i.e. ‘see no evil, hear no evil and talk no evil’. I think they are waiting for someone to come up with a report written in gold and delivered in silver envelop.

By just looking at photos of the CM’s female family member drinking beer is enough to suggest that she have not had enough religious up-bringing. Now, my question is where are all our Tuan Guru’s and Pak Mufti’s. Not a whimper from any one of them.

Are the beer drinkers not to be lashed, or are they all governed by a special set of Islamic laws, just because they are from families of the super rich? Or are you (Tuan Guru's and Pak Mufti's) too afraid that you might lose your job? You know damn well that you will have to answer all this maksiat and dosa in the hereafter.

Someone from the group that I had discussion with early this morning sums up his frustration with this prediction – “Negeri kita ini akan menerima musibah yang amat dahshat sekiranya pemimpin pemimpin kita masih tidak sedar akan maksiat dan dosa yang sedang berlaku tanpa sebarang sekatan di khalangan masyarakat kita. Padahnya bukan kepada mereka yang mengamalkan maksiat dan dosa, tapi pada seluruh umat di negera ini”.

I do not deny the truth about such a prediction, but I hope it does not occur during my life time.


CRUSADE AGAINST CORRUPTION

Saturday, February 12, 2011

PRUDENT SPENDING - THE WAY TO GO FOR KUALA LUMPUR NOW

Questions are being raised as to why has the pedestrian walkway project within KL city area been increased two fold from the initial RM50 million budgeted for? Questions are also been asked as to why was the ultra modern pedestrian walkway linking KL Convention Center to Impiana Hotel priced at RM10 million?

Let’s ask ourselves, does the ordinary city dweller really need an ultra modern pedestrian walkway that is air conditioned for just that short distance, and who really benefits the walkway? Is it the thousands that thong KL daily, or is it just the few that uses the convention center and Impiana Hotel? Certainly, I do not see myself using the walkway because I hardly patronize the convention center, nor do I ever visit Impiana Hotel.

I now believe that the beneficiaries of the walkway are those who attend conferences at the convention center and makes use of the services of Impiana Hotel. I don’t think the hotel management would like to see thousands of people making use of the walkway merely as a passage of convenience. If my presumption is correct, do you not think constructing a RM10 million ultra modern pedestrian walkway whose purpose is to satisfy only a certain group of people is truly justified? My answer is certainly NO, and I say that it was wasteful spending.

Federal Territory Minister Raja Nong Chik has said that the money is not from the government, and that it was Pasarana and Petronas that had borne the costs. But both Pasarana and Petronas are GLC’s and are the money not the ‘people’s money’? Both are not private companies that are owned by individuals like Ah Chai or Ah Mat, and how on earth can the minister come up with such a statement. This is just like saying that the commission paid to the agent for the purchase of the submarine does not come from the government, but from the manufacturer of the submarine. You can twist and turn your statement and language, but the fact remains that the payment is originated from public fund.

Are profits and commission not factored into the costs? I think, this is how business works; otherwise the Chinaman will not want to do business here.

Personally, I still think there is a lot of wasteful spending by the government that are just created to enrich someone or cronies. Please correct me if I am wrong.

Taking the pedestrian walkway as an example, I am quite sure the profits to the developer is no less than 40% and that amount can built several rural clinics. And there in Sarawak itself, the rural folks are dying to get some decent clinic to service them on a permanent basis……..not the flying doctor type of medical services.

Now, let’s be honest and sincere with ourselves. At a time when the government’s coffer is depleting faster than it can replenish itself, please do some wise thinking by being prudent in our spending. If Raja Nong Chik is thinking of improving KL, I suggest he looks at trying to improve the road conditions, and to sort out the traffic congestion and indiscriminate parking. Just take a drive along Jalan Sentul, Jalan Ipoh, Jalan Tuanku Abd Rahman or Jalan Ampang for instance, and he will know what I mean by saying that the KL city dwellers deserve better roads, better traffic control and ease of parking.

My final bit; spend like hell if you are filthy rich, but be prudent in your spending when your coffer is drying up. And I am told that the government’s coffer is fast drying up.


CRUSADE AGAINST CORRUPTION

MUBARAK FINALLY RESIGNS

Jubilation reigns over Egypt. Hosni Mubarak, the modern day Pharaoh resigns. Vice President Omar Sulaiman announced a peaceful transition of power to the Supreme Council of the Armed Forces for the interim period. The military has remained non partisan throughout the turbulent 18 days of people’s protest. Who will lead the Supreme Council? Will it be Vice President Omar Sulaiman who was himself a former military General, or the incumbent Commander-in-Chief of the Egyptian Armed Forces Field Marshall Mohamed Hussein Tantawi?

Egyptian opposition figure Mohamed ElBaradei is reported to have said that “What I have been proposing is a transitional period of one year. We will have a provisional constitution. We’ll have a transitional government, hopefully a presidential council including a person from the army and a couple of civilians”

US President Barack Obama upon Mubarak’s resignation said “The people of Egypt have spoken. Their voices have been heard, and Egypt will never be the same. By stepping down, President Mubarak responded to the Egyptian people’s hunger for change”

Leaders across the Arab world have been watching closely the developments in Egypt since it began 18 days ago. Egypt, and like some other Arab nations are known to be repressive and its people mired in poverty. Custodial killings by their highly repressive police force and other state apparatus, are a well known fact. Corruption among those in power and the elite are blatant, while the people are left to share the crumbs.

The symptoms of the people’s disgust and eventual revolt is everywhere in the Arab world, and Malaysia is no exception. We must learn to recognize and acknowledge that the causes that had made the Tunisian and Egyptian people to reject their governments, is inherent within us.

Isn’t there corruption among our leaders, government officials and the elites? Isn’t there a custodial killing by our police force that continues unabated till this very day, and the victims’ families deprived of justice? Isn’t there poverty among our urban and village folks and the failed promises upon promises that poverty eradication will be given top priority; yet poverty persist till this very day? Do we not have repressive laws?

Someone has said that Tunisia and Egypt are not like Malaysians. We are not prone to violence and rebellion, but try and make the people hungry? The result will be that they will be angry and anger knows no limits.

I still believe that we should take lesson or two from the Tunisian and Egyptian people’s ‘revolution’ that had thrown out their repressive head of states. A people’s revolt or revolution may not happen in our generation and may be not in our children’s generation; but it may happen during our grandchildren’s generation.

Like it or not, it will eventually happen if the evils of corruption is not totally eradicated, economic hardship and poverty is rampant and promises hollow, rising costs unabated, repressive state apparatus and finally an authoritarian rule.

Let’s all pray and hope that we will not be infected by the experiences of Tunisia and Egypt.


CRUSADE AGAINST CORRUPTION

Friday, February 11, 2011

LEADERS – PLEASE SAY SOMETHING SENSIBLE

Former US Ambassador to Malaysia John Mallot’s article, ‘The Price of Malaysia’s Racism’ published by the Asian Wall Street Journal (AWSJ) recently has met with criticism by our leaders, notably from Information, Communication and Culture Minister Dato Seri Dr Rais Yatim, and Deputy PM Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yasin.

If Rais Yatim is amazed that AWSJ had published Mallot’s article that accused the Malaysian government ‘of tolerating and in some cases, provoking ethnic factionalism through words and actions’, I too am amazed at the response given by Rais Yatim, and including that of Muhyiddin Yasin.

Being senior ministers and seasoned members of the ruling government, I would have thought that both should be able to provide an intellectual response to the article and substantiated with facts as rebuttal, rather than to admonish Mallot like a teacher scolding his/her pupil.

I wish to draw my readers to some of the responses that I read from the media as under:

Rais Yatim said, I quote“When he was the Ambassador in KL, Mallot enjoyed the modernity and progress of our country. Of course, he preferred to associate himself with the opposition. We abhor such an envoy” Rais Yatim went on to describe Mallot’s criticism as outdated.

Muhyiddin Yassin said, I quote “Just his personal opinion and the media shouldn’t make a fuss”unquote. Quote “I do not know where he is now”unquote. Quote “His comments don’t carry any weight now because he holds no public office” unquote.

Are the responses from the two ministers above enough to convince Malaysians like me, to believe that the responses are intellectually acceptable? I don’t think so, and I am not convinced as well.

Now just read what Umar Mukhtar’s response to Mallot’s article that is published in Malaysian Insider today Friday, 11 February, and compare that to the responses by the two ministers. Don’t you see the difference?

I do not know who Umar Mukhtar is, but he has provided a ‘tit-for-tat’ answer to what all Mallot has written. This is what I call an intellectual answer; not a ‘school boy’ type answers. I am not saying that the two ministers are intellectually deficient, but what I want to impress upon them is that they ought to put on their thinking cap before making any statements or responses, especially to the media.

Please remember Mr. Minister, that whatever you say goes a long way, and I am quite sure Millot too reads your responses.


CRUSADE AGAINST CORRUPTION

HASBIE SATAR – CHARGED FOR MONEY LAUNDERING

The picture of Hasbie Satar, a former aide to Tan Sri Nor Mohamed Yackob ( name that knows no further introduction) is all over the mainstream media. He is now facing a charge under the Anti-Money Laundering and Anti-Terrorism Financing Act 2001 which carries upon conviction a maximum prison term of 5 years or a fine of RM5 million, or both. Hasbie Satar was the Political Secretary to Tan Sri Nor Mohamed from 2008 until his arrest and subsequent resignation in February 2010.

Hasbie was said to have amassed cash totaling more than RM2 million, purportedly through illicit means and kept in the safety of his home in Teluk Ayer Tawar that is located within the parliamentary constituency of Tasek Gelugor of which Tan Sri Nor Mohamed is its MP.

Now the question being asked is whether Tan Sri Nor Mohamed was aware of Hasbie’s illicit activities? And the more serious question is whether Tan Sri Nor Mohamed is a party to the illegal activities of Hasbie?

Say what you want; these are the obvious questions in the minds of many, and it is impossible for people not to inhibit such cynical views of Tan Sri Nor Mohamed over this case, and he ought to know this.

Hasbie being a political secretary is evidently a sort of confidante to Tan Sri Nor Mohamed. Hasbie knows every step that his boss takes, his associates and dealings, and may even have access to confidential ministerial papers.

I believe, Hasbie must have made all his money by simply tracking all those business dealings (government or otherwise) that his boss was engaged in and demanding a commission from such deals. I believe too that for those having business dealings with the ministry, Hasbie was there acting like a gatekeeper seeking that they pay a toll to have access to the Minister. These acts are a common occurrence in most, if not all ministries and departments, and it prevails till this day. I hope someone can prove me wrong in this.

Making RM2 million in two years is a lot of money, and that is only from one person. There are many persons like Hasbie around, but I suppose some are much cleverer than Hasbie, to evade arrest. Hasbie is therefore the stupid person to have stashed so much cash in his personal possession, where his house became his bank. I suppose he trusted no one, and I just wonder if he has built a vault in his house.

Let’s give Hasbie a chance to answer to the charges and to see how lucky he gets. But I would also like to hear what his former boss has to say? Will he claim total ignorance, or will he dare to be a prosecution witness to the case? May justice prevail?


CRUSADE AGAINST CORRUPTION

Wednesday, February 9, 2011

RMN DESERVE THE BEST REGARDLESS OF COST

The recent announcement by Defence Minister Dato Seri Dr. Ahmad Zahid Hamidi regarding the intended construction of six Littoral Combat Ships (LCS) by Boustead Naval Shipyard (BNS) at an estimated cost of RM6 billion has generated enough debate by the opposition, bloggers, defence analyst, ordinary man on the streets, and the latest being the Navy Chief himself. I view this as a healthy debate as it only shows that Malaysians are alert concern with the developments surrounding them, and more so if it involves public spending; especially that of defence spending.

As a retired military person, I would not hesitate to support the local defence industry and particularly if it involves high technology transfers. In the case of the construction of the LCS, or for that matter any other navy vessels, one must understand that Malaysia seriously needs to a strong navy as the country is a maritime nation.

Malaysia has several ship building companies, but the construction of a navy vessel is not as simple as building a leisure yacht or even a cruise ship. This is something that is not well understood by most people, as a navy vessel is grossly different for other ship. I think the Navy Chief in his press conference held today has enumerated in great detail as to why the cost of building the LCS locally is exorbitant.

One ought to be aware that although BNS has recently delivered Offshore Patrol Vessel (OPV) to the Royal Malaysian Navy (RMN), this does not mean that they are now competent and are experts in building more sophisticated navy vessels. Indeed, if one were to understand what an LCS entails and the technology that goes into building such a vessel, one will at once realize the substantial differences in the makeup and configuration of the OPV and the LCS. More significantly, the OPV and LCS have vastly different roles and tasks.

I am informed that BNS would be collaborating with a number of established internationally renowned shipbuilding companies. This in itself is already a costly affair as it also involves technology transfers and various aspects of sophisticated equipment integration that would make the LCS a awesome fighting navy vessel.

I believe the idea of building the LCS locally is not something that had just appeared from the sky. It must have gone through long drawn discussions, fore thought and taking cognizance of the long drawn development plan of the RMN. Let's hope too that once the LCS has been successfully built, Malaysian can proudly say that the country now has the full capacity to built larger and more sophisticated navy vessels and ships, thus contributing to the defence self relience that the country aspires.

Our RMN truly deserve the best as its role in the defence of our sea frontier is critical to the defence of the mainland. You breach the sea frontier; you breach the mainland as well.


CRUSADE AGAINST CORRUPTION

FIGHTING CORRUPTION – A CHALLENGE TO PM NAJIB

National Economic Advisory Council (NEAC) member Datuk Dr. Zainal Azman Mohd Yusof at a forum organized by the Institute for Democracy and Economic Affairs (IDEAS) yesterday February 8, 2011 has said in no uncertain terms that politicians should not be allowed to hold senior positions in companies. He believes that corruption that has become synonymous with politicians can be curbed if they are not appointed to any top position in companies, notably GLC’s. Simply put, there is a direct correlation between corruption and the appointment of politicians to top position (for reasons best known to the government) in such companies.

Datuk Dr. Zainal Azman further cites the recent appointment of Tan Sri Isa Samad as Chairman of FELDA and describes the latter’s appointment as “a sad day’ for FELDA. Isa Samad, a former Negeri Sembilan MB and former cabinet minister was suspended from UMNO in 2005 for money politics (aka corruption). He resigned his cabinet post as result of the suspension and went into ‘limbo’.

Now Isa Samad is back in politics and having won the by-election in Bagan Pinang, Port Dickson last year. I am of the view that his appointment as FELDA’s Chairman by PM Najib has more to do with politics rather than overseeing the interest of FELDA and the plight of the settlers itself. I may be wrong in stating this view, but to have a person who was known to be corrupt speaks poorly of the government’s effort to stem corruption. PM Najib cannot ignore the fact that he now has a corrupt person at the helm of FELDA, and I too cannot accept that Isa Samad was a good choice. Or is Isa Samad in the eyes of PM Najib a reformed person now?

I do not wish to speak of the others that are appointed Chairman’s or Directors of GLC’s, but I am not totally convince that all of them are clean, honest and God fearing. Neither, can I deny that there are some clean, honest and God fearing politicians, some of whom are friends of mine, and they themselves have voiced their disgust and sickened by the actions of some corrupt politicians, in what they see as a betrayal of their race and religion. But I believe corruptor knows neither race nor religion. To them money and greed for wealth is all that they know.

With this clear and unambiguous statement coming from someone of the stature of Datuk Dr. Zainal Azman, I believe it has placed PM Najib in a serious dilemma. Will PM Najib take notice of Datuk Dr. Zainal Azman’s statement and act positively, or will he ignore and give it a further thought? PM Najib has to trade this very carefully. And my view is that if PM Najib is to act positively to Datuk Dr. Zainal Azman’s statement, this would make PM Najib unpopular and a sure loss of support. On the other hand, if PM Najib is to ignore and maintain his silence, all likeminded people, both within the party and ordinary Malaysian will jibe PM Najib as being a softie and a leader of no principle.

I may be seen to be hard in my position over this issue, but this is a matter that affects good governance, accountability and the integrity of our leaders in the eyes of the international community. There should be no compromise on issues of corruption, and if the government wants the country to be recognized as a country that is free of the evils of corruption, then PM Najib has no other option but to take on the challenge thrown to him by Datuk Dr. Zainal Azman.


CRUSADE AGAINST CORRUPTION

Tuesday, February 8, 2011

CORRUPT POLITICIANS – A DESERVING TREAT

Today, February 8, 2011 is a bad day for two politicians who face corruption charges; a preoccupation that is getting too rampant among our Malay politicians. The politicians named are Pandan UMNO Chief Abdul Ghani Ismail and former Selangor state executive councillor Mohd Shariff Jajang; the former being charged for accepting bribes while being a tender committee member of MPAJ, and the latter on a corruption charge over a land application in Sepang some years ago.

This may just be the tip of the ice berg as talks of corruption among politicians are so often heard. They say that the higher one rises in politics; the larger would be the largesse, and the Khir Toyo and Ling Leong Sik corruption charges are just two examples to quote. I do not wish to mention the allegation of massive corruption labeled at the Sarawak Chief Minister as there is yet to be a case against him. But evidences seem aplenty, and the MACC appears to be in slumber.

While writing this article, I received and SMS directing me view Malaysian Insider reporting the case of a ‘former head of the Philippine defence forces facing allegations of graft died in an apparent suicide’. General Angelo Reyes, 65 was to appear before a House of Representatives inquiry on corruption in the military today, February 8, 2011. I think General Angelo Reyes is known to some in the Malaysian Armed Forces.

I then receive another SMS asking me whether we will see such a thing happening to some of our Malaysian Armed Forces Generals who are deemed to be involved in corruption. My answer is yes, if he is a Malay and denounce his Muslim faith. But if he chooses to remain true to his Muslim faith, then he will have to wait till he dies a natural death and to be judged in the hereafter.

I am glad that talks of corruption among the Armed Forces personals, and in particular the army has subdued somewhat. There is no longer the ‘unsavory talks’ that was so often heard in the past, and I trust the new army leadership has reign upon those who were believed to be involved in corrupt practices.


CRUSADE AGAINST CORRUPTION

Monday, February 7, 2011

ARE WORDS OF WARNING THE RIGHT THING TO SAY?

I am concern that in the last few days, PM Najib has been uttering statements that smacks of arrogance. I do not know whether he was unaware the consequence of his statement, or that he just could not care what others think about what he has to say. I do not know him personally, but I have always admired him when he was the Defence Minister, and I had the pleasure of meeting him on several occasions.

It was only a fort night ago that I commented on a statement made by PM Najib and as reported in Metro dated January 14, 2011, when he claimed that “the states held (dipinjamkan) by the opposition will end soon” (refer to my article “Words that hurts and being gentle wins hearts” dated 21 January, 2011). I did say at the conclusion of that article that I will not stop being critical of Najib if he continues to make such unwarranted statements.

Now in Star today, PM Najib has warned Malaysians not to do what the Egyptians are doing i.e. using demonstrations in an attempt to usurp power. He further said that he “will not allow it to happen here”.

And what does this warning mean? Will PM Najib use the powers available to him to quell the raise in people power, even to the extent of calling out the military? Does PM Najib not know that throughout the demonstration, the Egyptian military has remained non partisan, and I believe strongly in the neutrality of the Malaysian Armed Forces, should a similar people’s protest occur (God forbid) in this country. I do not know how the Malaysian police will react, but from past experiences the police have developed an expertise in the use of water cannons at the slightest provocation.

If I were the PM, I would have said differently to the press in reference to the protest in Egypt. I would say that “The Egyptian people’s protest is a lesson that we (the government) should take heed and learn from it. The voices of the people should not be ignored. It is the people that have brought the government to power, and it is therefore incumbent upon the government to do all that is necessary to care for the people” or words to the effect. Warning the people is not the right thing to say, and it only shows how paranoid the PM gets at the slightest indication of threat to his position and power.

I now wish to make a plea to the people that encircle the PM, and most of all to his Press Secretary. Please do not allow the PM to continue using provocative words that will incite hatred for the PM. If you think it will enhance the PM’s stature as a tough and no-nonsense leader, then I say you are wrong. Provocative words or language are meant to be said by dictators only, and dictators do not last in this modern day.


CRUSADE AGAINST CORRUPTION

Sunday, February 6, 2011

TOTAL DEFENCE – WHAT IT MEANS TO MALAYSIANS

PM Najib was reported to have said, “This is a national effort under the principle of total defence. We were able to deploy our national assets from both the private and public sector under the co-ordination and supervision of the Government to get the students out of Egypt”. PM Najib was referring to the role played by various agencies of government, the private sector and I suppose NGO’s too, in the evacuation of the 10,000 odd Malaysians out of Egypt to Jeddah, and thence back home.

What strikes me most is PM Najib’s use of the term ‘total defence’ in reference to the above national effort, which I believe is not well understood by the general public. I had used the term ‘total defence’ in my casual conversation with some of my civilian friends to test their understanding and awareness of the term, but one is not surprise that most have a very shallow understanding of the term and concept. The general understanding by most is that when the word defence is used, they would understand it to mean the roles and tasks of the security forces and in particular the military, in the defence of the country.

Likewise, if I were to ask a junior military officer today on their understanding of total defence and to describe how does the military fits into the concept of things, I wouldn’t be surprised if they will be groping for the right answer. This is because this subject or concept is only taught at the senior levels i.e. Staff College and at other higher military institutions.

Now going back to PM Najib’s statement, I believe the use of the term ‘total defence’ in reference to the operations to evacuate Malaysians from Egypt back home may be out of context and could be misleading. My understanding of total defence is all about galvanizing every sector of our society to strengthen the nation’s resilience to defend the homeland. In other words, total defence provides a comprehensive and integrated response to deal with all kinds of threats and challenges; and the key word being the defence of the homeland; not about deploying our national resources abroad. This is what I mean by saying that PM Najib’s example can be misleading. And please be aware too that total defence is not just military defence, but it includes the other elements of psychological, social, civil and economic defence, and this requires an in depth understanding with regards to how all these elements are galvanized to meet a common purpose.

I did allude to the question that this concept is quite alien to the general public, and yet it will be the general public that is expected to play a crucial role for total defence to be successful.

One only needs to learn a lesson or two from our southern neighbor Singapore and the serious nature at which the general population are readied and trained to part take in regular nationwide exercises in the execution and implementation of the concept of total defence. As a result of this effort, Singaporeans are by and large a society that is imbued with a greater sense of national patriotism and a total awareness of their respective roles and contribution towards total defence.

And may I now ask, why have we not done the same for the Malaysian population?


CRUSADE AGAINST CORRUPTION

Thursday, February 3, 2011

KUALA LUMPUR – A WORLD CLASS CITY?

KUALA LUMPUR A WORLD CLASS CITY BUT CLEANLINESS AND TRAFFIC CAN BE IMPROVED’ writes Malaysian Mirror dated February 2, 2011.

Yes, that’s what most people would say about KL, but what about the mentality of its people? And sure I have a lot to say about the cleanliness and the massive traffic jams that has become ‘symbolic’ of KL. In fact, someone remarked the other day that while Bangkok has improved substantially; KL sadly has deteriorated and has become what Bangkok was before.

Just a few weeks ago, in the process of me reversing my car, I accidently knocked the car behind me. I did not notice the car was behind me because the car was too close to be viewed from my rear mirror. I apologize for the accident and told the driver that I would bear the costs of the repairs. Instead of accepting by apology and my offer, the driver began hauling curses at me in the presence of the crowd that had gathered. Fortunately, I am already a 67 year old man. Had I been 40 years younger, I would have bashed him up. I felt terribly humiliated by the persistent curses hauled at me, and that the driver was nothing more than in his late 30’s. This is an example of the mentality of people in KL that I despise most. This driver does not understand tolerance, respect, rude and let alone recognized that it was never my intention to knock his car. Even my humble apology and offer wasn’t good enough.

Talking about cleanliness, just take a walk along the back lanes along Jalan Pudu, Jalan Chow Kit, Jalan Ipoh and the many back lanes that criss-cross KL. You will be surprise to see the amount of filth littered along these lanes and the stench that permeates the air. And have you noticed the way restaurant owners do their business? Take a look at the rear of the restaurant or peep into the toilets? I do not wish to describe the scene because the answer is too obvious…………..filthy, stinks and what not. But what have the local health authorities or the local council been doing all this while?

I remembered walking the back lanes around Ipoh in the early 90’s and to my astonishment, the lanes and drains were all clean. I could not even see restaurant owners setting up chair and table along the path ways that is a common sight around KL. If I am not mistaken, the city Mayor then was Dato Shahbuddin whom I had the pleasure of meeting him at his office and congratulating him for managing the city well. I do not know whether Ipoh is still the same, but if it isn’t, then the present Mayor has to be blamed.

It is certainly not good enough to say that KL has the trappings of modernity, but its intolerant and rude population, the massive traffic jams, poor and inefficient public transport service, cleanliness along the back lanes, stinking public toilets; all these makes KL a city unworthy of its standing.

Now the million dollar question…………who do you blame for all of KL woes? My take is the City Mayor himself. And, what have you to say to this?

KL certainly needs more than an improvement. What it really need is an RSM type Mayor with a pace stick strolling along the streets and back lanes of KL as frequent as possible to keep tab on the city hall workers.


CRUSADE AGAINST CORRUPTION

EGYPT - THE EVACUATION OF MALAYSIANS BEGINS

I watched the people’s protest raging in Egypt live via internet daily to witness a new scenario developing i.e. a battle between pro Mubarak and anti Mubarak forces also known as pro democracy forces. It has become now become obvious that the Egyptian police are supporting the pro Mubarak forces, while the military has so far remained neutral, acting as a wedge between the two opposing forces.

World leaders especially US President, UN Secretary General, British PM and Turkey PM has quite openly declared their position that the besieged Mubarak has to listen to the voices of the people to handover the Presidency. US Secretary of State Clinton in more direct tone says that “transition of power must happen now”. Anything less is unacceptable to the protestors that had claimed Mubarak’s thirty odd years in power has heightened corruption and emboldened an abusive police force.
Mubarak remained obstinate to calls for his resignation and vowed that he will only leave at the end of his term in September.

Mubarak’s wife is said to have flown out of Egypt to a safe sanctuary in London, and what is dumped in her suite cases remains a mystery. I wonder why Mubarak’s wife did not seek sanctuary in the US that sees Egypt to be its second biggest Arab ally in the region, second only to Israel.

The concern of a wider people’s protest emerging outside the borders of Egypt seems fairly imminent. Yemen’s President who has reign the country for about the same time as Mubarak is also facing a growing people’s protest for about a similar reason. In Jordan, King Abdullah has appointed a new Prime Minister who was formally a military General to the dislike of the people. Israel that sees Mubarak as a moderate and trusted Arab neighbor is edgy over the future of their relations with Egypt should Mubarak relinquished the Presidency. Israel is also concern about a growing Iranian support for the people’s protest and the likelihood that a post Mubarak regime will mimic an Iranian type regime.

Back home, I am yet to hear our leaders stand towards the people’s protest in Egypt. The foreign ministry has remained mute. I suppose they are too busy solving the exodus of Malaysian students to the safety of home, which I thought came a bit too late. It was only when the US had announced that they are dispatching planes to evacuate their citizens home, that we began planning our evacuation plans. I think it is the failure of our Embassy in Egypt to evaluate the situation as it develops and to present precautionary and advisory actions for the authorities to act back home.

I suppose the floods must have given our authorities greater priority over events in Egypt.


CRUSADE AGAINST CORRUPTION

Wednesday, February 2, 2011

ZIZIE EZETTE HOSPITALISED

Actress Zizie Ezette, the wife of Sabah parliamentarian Datuk Bung Mokhtar has been admitted to Ampang Putri Specialist Medical Center on Monday night on suspicion of being infected with denggi. I have no inkling that she has been warded to a hospital despite me residing in the same neighborhood i.e. Sering Ukay, Ampang.

If it is true that she has been diagnosed to have contacted denggi, then I would like to appeal to the local health authorities of Ampang or Gombak to do the necessary to rid the Sering Ukay neighbourhood of signs of the denggi mosquitoes.

I have moved to Sering Ukay for more than a year now, and have yet to encounter any problems with mosquitoes. This denggi mosquitoe sure knows who the victim should be.


CRUSADE AGAINST CORRUPTION

SEPANGAR NAVAL BASE – A WORRISOME FOR SABAHANS

David Thien of Free Malaysia Today (FMT) dated February 2, 2011 wrote, “Kota Kinabalu open to enemy attack”. Wow………..what headline. It sure scares Sabahans off their wits. But I can forgive David Thein for coming out with such an astounding headlines because he obviously knows next to nothing concerning defence issues. If he were from the military, I would have been meaner by calling him a fool.

Look David, the planning to build a naval submarine base in Sabah, and in the vicinity of Kota Kinabalu goes back to the early 90’s. I know this because I was serving in Sabah then, and I had the opportunity to do an air reconnaissance over Sepangar Bay where the base was later decided, and including the entire coastal areas of Kudat. I think the proposal to build a new naval base in Sabah was regularly discussed at the State Security Committee of which I was a member. The Chief Minister then was Datuk Pairin Kitingan and I am quite sure he too knew of the proposal. However, I am not quite certain then if it was to be designated a submarine base or a base for the normal surface ships.

On claims that the inhabitants in Kota Kinabalu had ‘no notice of such a decision and no public feedback was sought’ concerning the construction of a submarine base is laughable to say the least. Doesn’t he know that no country in this world would need to seek an approval or a consensus from its citizen first before constructing a military establishment? Now, did the military seek the approval of the people of Putatan first before Lok Kawi Camp was constructed? And likewise, did the military seek the approval of the people of Kota Belud first before the Kota Belud camp and the open firing ranges were built?

Now, let me offer David a bit of military tactics. You know that the Sepangar naval base is no ordinary base. The navy would be fools to ignore the importance of security of the base especially when the base is the home of the submarines which is considered a strategic asset. You try and penetrate the base from the sea or from any sector around the base, and you know what you will get. I am not privy to what extend or level of security that the base is equipped with, but I am quite sure it has multi dimensional security coverage.

And in basic military tactics, only a fool would launch an attack where the defence of an area is strong. An adversary will always try to seek out the weakest point in an area to launch the attack. In the case of Sepangar naval base, going for a Kamikaze type of attack may be possible but it would be stupid to do it in the present day context. And who the hell would want to attack Sepangar naval base in the first instant? Definitely not the lanuns of southern Philippines.

David, I am no military tactician and definitely far from being a military strategist, but what you had written needs to be corrected in order that the people of Kota Kinabalu are not influence into believing that they are under threat of an attack.


CRUSADE AGAINST CORRUPTION

Tuesday, February 1, 2011

THE SOMALI PIRATES – KILLED OR NOT TO BE KILLED

Questions are now being asked among former military officers whether the captured Somali pirates ought to be killed at the high seas or captured and brought home to face justice. This is indeed a difficult question to answer, and I suppose the navy commandos and the RMN ship captain would have been confronted with the same question before they finally came to a decision to have the captured Somali pirates brought home.

Now that the seven captured pirates are here and have been brought to the magistrate’s court for remand hearing on Monday, what would be the subsequent action and for how long would they be here to face trial that would be at public expense.

From my personal point of view (which may differ from the views of others) I think the solution would be to have them dump at the high seas, rather than take them home as prisoners. I know this may not be to the liking of some, especially those that are passionate and advocates of human rights. But please remember that these pirates are known for their violence and would not stop to kill others to achieve their aim. It is just lucky that none of the ship’s crew were hurt, and including the navy commandos. And it was reported that ‘Somali pirates are holding at least 25 ships with more than 600 hostages and have made millions of dollars hijacking ships in the past’. Are these not examples of dangerous precedence’s.

As a Special Forces unit, the navy commandos are trained to kill and taking prisoners is not a likeable option, especially if there has been a firefight, and the commandos are of the full knowledge that the pirates are dangerous. The fire fight itself is a clear indication of willful resistance, and the only solution to quell such resistance is to silence the pirates off by killing them. I do not know if there is any international convention or laws that the commandos have to abide when engaging the pirates in high seas. And if there was one, certainly there would have been an international outcry as to the way the Australians, Koreans and Malaysians had acted against the pirates.

Some have argued that rather than take these captured pirates home, it would be better to hand them back to the Somali government. I would have a second thought about this argument simply because there is no proper government in place in Somali today. Had there been a proper government, pirates would not have been roaming freely off the Somali and for all you know, the activities of these pirates are sanctioned by the Somali government. For those who had served in Somalia during the troubled times will understand the true nature of the Somali people.

Now that we are saddled with the problem of putting these pirates to justice, let’s hope that the police will do a thorough investigation that will see them being charged, prosecuted and obtain a correct judgment speedily. Police investigation and prosecution of several cases in the past has not survived the courts, and I fear the same will happen to these pirates.


CRUSADE AGAINST CORRUPTION

A TRIBUTE TO A FALLEN SOLDIER

On 24th January 2011, the wives of soldiers who had died while in service with the UN on peacekeeping missions were honored and remembered for their husband’s outstanding services, in a ceremony held at the Defence Ministry. Present at the ceremony was Defence Minister, Dato Seri Dr. Ahmad Zahid Hamidi who presented ex-gratia payment, on behalf of the government to the wives, one of whom was the wife of LCpl Magendran a/l Rajangam who died on August 23, 1992 of malaria while serving in Cambodia.

I now wish to quote a write-up that I wrote concerning the death of LCpl Magendran from a book that I had published in 2004.

Quote “The unfortunate demise of LCpl Magendran a/l Rajangam on August 23rd 1992 was a dark spot in the otherwise outstanding achievement of MALBAT. A few days before his death, the Sector Commander had visited the sub-unit he was attached to at Phum Sampov. During the tour of the sub-unit, the Sector Commander had noticed LCpl Magendran, and enquired about his well being. There was no indication of his illness at the time. It was later revealed that he had kept his illness to himself for fear that he may not be allowed to return home for leave scheduled in a few days time.

Over the next few days his health deteriorated and upon examination by Capt Dr. Rafick Khan, he was suspected to be suffering from an unusual strain of malaria. On the advice of the Medical Officer he was required to be evacuated to Thailand for treatment. On the flight to Thailand, LCpl Magendran’s condition turned for the worse and he succumbed to his illness without even reaching the hospital. Capt Dr. Rafick Khan who accompanied him to Thailand was then advised to arrange for the late LCpl Magendran to be flown to Kuala Lumpur for burial at his home town in Klang, Selangor.

The late LCpl Magendran was an outstanding NCO and had served MALBAT well. He shall long be remembered by those who had been associated with him. We believe that it has always been his desire to complete the mission in Cambodia and return home a glorified soldier that had served the UN faithfully” Unquote.

Upon my return from Cambodia, I took the opportunity to visit the family of the late LCpl Magendran in Klang and invited them to attend the MALBAT’s disbandment ceremony in Johore. For all those who had served with me in Cambodia will forever remember the late LCpl Magendran as a dear and a likeable brother.

Finally, I thank the government for the monetary payment to the wives of our soldiers, and I am sure the payment will bring relieve to the wives, and the money be put to good use.


CRUSADE AGAINST CORRUPTION

FLOOD RELIEF OPERATIONS – THE ROLE OF THE ARMY

Orders are out for the Armed Forces (I presume the Army) to get out to undertake flood relief operations in states affected by floods that is raging Southern Peninsular. This may be the largest floods ever to hit the affected states since the big floods in early 70’s. I suppose the Air Force role here is logistic support as well as to perform evacuation tasks.

I remembered back in late 1969 when my battalion had just returned to Kluang, Johore from a year’s tour of duty in Tawau, and upon arriving Kluang Railway Station, we were ordered to be deployed into various areas affected by floods in Batu Pahat, Parit Sulung and areas in and around Kluang itself.

Having just arrived Kluang, we were caught with a task that we were not familiar with. And to make matters worse, we were ill equipped for the task. The battalion had six assault boats and the OBM’s were unreliable. I remembered having to be deployed to Parit Sulong with just a Land Rover vehicle, and without the support of any assault boats. Now what could I do with just one Land Rover? There is no way that I could assist with the evacuation plans (if there was any), and neither could I help in providing the affected people with the supply of food.

I remembered too that there was no comprehensive and coordinated effort by other agencies (government or otherwise) then to assist flood relief operations. We were virtually operating on our own reporting my activities to the Battalion Headquarters. I suppose the situation now is no different from the experiences that I had in the late 60’s and early 70’s with regards to flood relief operations, in terms of the army’s readiness to deal effectively with flood relief operations.

It must be well understood that the army is never equipped for flood relief operations, and neither should that operations be the responsibility of the army. The assault boats/OBM’s held by infantry battalions is insufficient for any effective and meaningful flood relief operations. I think this deficiency is a well known fact to all army commanders, and if the civilians are hoping that the army is the most appropriate agency to support flood relief operations, then I would say that such hopes may prove wrong.

Flood relief operation requires the participation of a number of civilian agencies, and it is best controlled and coordinated by the civilian; in this instant and rightly so by the National Security Council (NSC) at the national level, with subordinate councils at state and district level. The Armed Forces role is merely in support of the operations.

Now, if the government fully recognizes that the Armed Forces can play a significant, effective and meaningful role in support of flood relief operations, then the Armed Forces and in particular the army, must be better equipped than it is today. Unfortunately, this is not well understood by many, and the assumption that the ‘army can do all’ is a misnomer.

If I may be permitted to suggest what would the additional equipments needed by the army to play a more effective role in flood relief operations, I would say that they would need lots of hand held short range radio sets (walkie talkie), life jackets, light assault boats and inflatable rubber boats. These additional equipments (though not conclusive) need not be kept by the army, but by a dedicated agency that is centrally located and under the purview of the respective security councils.

With the many incidences of floods that the country had experience, I believe there is an increasing and continuous need to better plan to effectively deal with future floods relief operations, and including the handling of natural disasters. And in this regards, I believe the Armed Forces will continue to play a significant role in support of its civilian counterpart and the nation, when assistance is needed.


CRUSADE AGAINST CORRUPTION