Sunday, July 31, 2011

KEM RASAH, SEREMBAN IN TOTAL NEGLECT

Saturday 23rd July 2011, I attended a reunion of officers who had served 15th Battalion, Royal Malay Regiment in the era of the 70’s at Kem Rasah, Seremban, Negeri Sembilan. This is the second time a reunion of such nature was organized; the first being last year held at about the same period at Kelab Golf Perkhidmatan Awam, Kuala Lumpur.

The reason the organizers’ chose Kem Rasah for the reunion this year was because Kem Rasah was the home of the battalion when it was first established back in the late 60’s. The camp was formerly the Headquarters of the British Gurkha Brigade that withdrew out of this country to conform to the British government’s policy of withdrawing all their troops ‘East of Suez’.

This year’s reunion was accompanied by the spouses and it was wonderful to see the first three Commanding Officers (CO) in the crowd and they are, first, Lt Kol Osman Harun (retired in the rank of Lt Jen), second, Lt Kol Abdul Rahman Lassim (retired in the rank of Kol) and third, Lt Kol Ismail Salleh (retired in the rank of Kol).

Besides the first three CO’s, we also had officers that were the first unit staff officers i.e. the adjutant Capt Yusof Dahaman (retired in the rank of Lt Kol) and the Mechanical Transport Officer Lt Wan Mohammad Wan Ali(retired in the rank of Lt Kol). I was also pleased to meet four of my platoon commanders i.e. Lt Kol Ariffin Shah Muhamad (retired), Lt Kol Noor Mohamed Abdullah (retired), Lt Kol Abd Rahman Kamil (retired) and Mej Ahmad Dzahir Hj. Ali (retired). These were the platoon commanders that I had that made my army life interesting.

I am fortunate to have served the first two of the three CO’s and I remembered having to take command of a rifle company on 29th September 1971 when the battalion was on operations at Kroh, Perak. I was to remain with the battalion for almost 5 years before being posted out to a newly raised battalion i.e. 18th Battalion, Royal Malay Regiment that was being formed at Segenting Kem, Port Dickson where I served for 2 years. So in all, I held the post of Company Commander for a total of 7 years; a record I suppose.

Having got into Kem Rasah, I was dumbfounded to see the changes that have taken shape within the camp itself; not for the better but sadly for the worse. The entire camp area looks so run down, and it appears more of a refugee detention center than an army camp. Someone remarked that we should all be ashamed if a Thai Army Officer were to visit the camp, because the army camps in Thailand are far superior and well maintained. I do not know if ever any of the higher Commanders visits the camp, and I wonder what have they to say about the camp.

I think Kem Rasah should have long moved out because of the intense development surrounding the camp. It is definitely not a safe military complex any more, where even the perimeter fencing is no longer in existence. I am now beginning to wonder why Kem Rasah, the camp where I spent 5 years of my army life has been left to neglect. I just wonder why. Certainly, the soldiers in Kem Rasah deserve something better.

CRUSADE AGAINST CORRUPTION

IS DEFENCE PROCUREMENT A MILITARY SECRET?

UMNO Youth leader Khairy Jamaluddin has said that while he supports the Freedom of Information Act, he however cautioned ‘that several areas need to be excluded in the interest of national security, such as defence procurement’. I suppose what Khairy meant by defence procurement are the procurements made for capital items only and not the procurement of common user items that numbers by the hundreds.

If I may be permitted to get into a discourse concerning this matter, I would say that there is absolutely no reason for us to treat the procurement of a capital item for the Armed Forces as a matter of national security, which has to be kept a secret. And to say that “no country will disclose specifications” of their defence procurement is also not quite right either.

I based the above argument to one simple reasoning i.e. that today our Armed Forces is a nett importer of all major defence procurement i.e. from the basic small arms weapon (I am referring to an indigenously designed and developed weapons) to the largest of the weaponries, ships and aircrafts. Because we depend entirely on a foreign purchase for our military hardware, we therefore have to reveal our technical specification for customization (which is quite usual), without which the manufacturer could do nothing. Once our specifications are known to the manufacturer, the entire world will have full knowledge of it and this can then be available from the internet, defence magazines etc. Just have a look at Jane’s military magazines and every bit of detail can be obtained from the magazine. Or go and search the internet for any piece of military hardware and you will be surprised at the volume of information available including technical specifications. Even the country’s force level can be obtained from the internet and so what secret are we talking about?

Even for neighboring Singapore that has gone into the development and manufacturing of its own military hardware cannot strictly keep their specification a secret. Likewise, the same will apply to us if we are already into development and manufacturing, which presently we are far from it.

I think what is more important each time the Armed Forces make a new procurement is to see how the newly acquired military hardware is employed given a specific military operational environment or the future battle field environment. In a more simple term, it is the tactical employment or the optimal use of the military hardware to successfully support a battle plan. It is pointless to procure something that cannot support a battle plan, however sophisticated the hardware. It is likened to someone purchasing a Ferrari sports car and driving it along a road that is not surfaced and filled with pot holes. Surely the Ferrari sports car cannot perform for what it is constructed for i.e. speed.

And to Khairy, we can forgive him for saying something that he is not too familiar with, for the short stint of military training is certainly not sufficient for him to be an expert in military affairs. It is certainly more than just being able to use a rifle.

I would therefore conclude to say that it is how one develops the tactical use of the newly acquired military hardware that should be kept a ‘secret’, and not the specification of the military hardware itself.

CRUSADE AGAINST CORRUPTION

Saturday, July 30, 2011

NEW ARMED FORCES OFFICERS MESS – A CLASS OF ITS OWN

Back in September 9th 2008, I did post an article relating to the Armed Forces Officers Mess. And it was only yesterday that I saw from a distant a magnificent building raised skywards from the grounds of the MINDEF complex, gazing over the Kuala Lumpur landscape in what resembles a five star hotel. That magnificent building is nothing more than the new Armed Forces Officers Mess that I wrote about in September 9th 2008.

The Armed Forces must be fully appreciative of the government’s kind gesture to construct a first class officers mess befitting the officers (past and present) contribution and sacrifice to the nation. Here, I would like to suggest to the authorities concern that a dedicated warrior’s gallery be set aside within the complex honoring those officers and men that had died in defence of their homeland. It is a sort of a mini museum that adds value to the mess, and be a constant reminder to the younger generation of the officers corp of the heroism and sacrifice of the older generation of officers and men.

Looking back, I wish to mention the names of certain officers that I know had been highly instrumental in building up a case for the construction of a new officer’s mess, and following it through its final realization while they were still in service. The officers are Lt Jen Dato Adnan Mohd Zain (Retired), formally the Chief of Staff, Armed Forces Headquarters and Mej Jen Dato Dr. Termidzi Junaidi (Retired) formally Director General Armed Forces Dental Corp and also the President of The Mess Committee (PMC) at the time when the proposal for the construction of the officers mess was first mooted. I would be failing not to also mention of another officer i.e. Mejor Verasingam Ratnasamy, the present Mess Manager whom I think is the only officer to know the entire history of the beginnings of the new mess until it is finally readied for occupation, reportedly before the close of this year. My humble proposal to the authorities then is to have these three officers be remembered and their names well placed and honored at the gallery.

All said and done, we must not forget the one person who played a significant role in approving the construction of the new mess and setting aside a budget for the construction, and that person is Dato Seri Najib Tun Razak who was then the Defence Minister, and to whom I personally wrote him a letter back in 2001. I must admit that although I have been critical of him at times, but his kind and thoughtful gesture to approve the construction must be recognized, and I am personally most thankful to him. I would also want to suggest that Dato Seri Najib Tun Razak’s name be honored and place prominently in the mess.

CRUSADE AGAINST CORRUPTION

SEEKING THE TRUTH – THE SCORPENE CASE

The Scorpene submarine purchase for the RMN by the government remains a constant feature in the alternative media and is unlikely to see the close of the case of the alleged corruption, and associated with it, the brutal murder of the innocent Mongolian beauty Altuntuya that soon. Despite having wrapped up the case by the Malaysian court’s and the killers identified, the French court however is afresh with new evidence of illegal kickbacks by the submarine manufacturer to some Malaysian officials involved in the submarine procurement deal.

Kickback is illegal in France and once the case is heard by the French court, this will invariably expose the Malaysian personalities involved in the kickback. As far as the Malaysian government and the court are concern, the Malaysian company that did the bidding for the submarine did receive a handsome commission from the submarine manufacturer, which the Malaysian government itself declared it to be for the company’s services, and hence it wasn’t a kickback. Whatever be the case; whether it is a kickback or not, and if the French court does proceed with the case, more ‘thrillers’ will come to light, more than what was heard in the Malaysian court, and by Malaysians in particular.

Malaysians awaits eagerly of what is to come out of the French court that is scheduled in September; not about the murder of Altantuya, but the ‘principal actors’ involved in the kickback. Certainly, names of personalities that were so often heard during the Malaysian trial would again appear. But will names of some ‘mysterious personalities’ that was unheard during the Malaysian trial be mentioned? And who could this mysterious personality be, if indeed there was one? This is what Malaysians eagerly awaits.

The deportation of William Bourdon, the French human rights lawyer accused by the Malaysian authorities for violation of his social visa gives rise to a lot of speculation that does not favor the Malaysian government. The Malaysian public (me included) perceives the deportation of William Bourdon as an act to silence the French lawyer from exposing too much of what he already knows about the Scorpene deal. The action by the authorities is certainly bad publicity that could hurt Malaysia-France relations, especially so when the French people are themselves aware of this case that had led to the brutal murder of an innocent Mongolian beauty. Certainly, the French public too wants to know whether was it the kickback that had caused the murder, or was it something else more serious?

As the saying goes, ‘truth shall prevail’, and I believe that it is in search for the truth that the French are seeking through their court of law. And was William Bourdon wrong in wanting to seek the truth?

CRUSADE AGAINST CORRUPTION

Friday, July 29, 2011

BIOMETRIC VS INDELIBLE INK

Why is there so much of debate and confusion over the use of the biometric system over the indelible ink in the upcoming GE? The government seems to favor the use of the biometric system, while the opposition prefers the indelible ink. There has also been several write-ups regarding the advantages and disadvantages of the biometric system, but there is literally nothing written to discredit the use of the indelible ink. Now, this opens to a lot of interpretation, doubts and suspicion that there is something amiss when the government stamps its approval for the use of the biometric system that is going to costs a phenomenal sum to purchase the entire system.

I personally do not have any inkling as to the costs, but obviously someone along the way will be making big bucks. I also do not know how the procurement is to be made i.e. via an open tender, a negotiated tender or via the ‘much favored’ direct negotiation process. But I presume the process of procurement will never be made known, because as I have too often heard that whenever there is big money involved, a purchase have already been made even before a tender process is announced. They say that this is quite normal when it involves a huge procurement exercise, and the famous ‘wahyu system’ comes to my mind.

I remembered that the indelible ink was to be used during the 2008 GE, but for some unknown reason, it was never used. There goes the million ringgit purchase down the drain, and nobody took any notice, responsibility or blame for such wasteful spending. I am quite sure the purchase of the indelible ink was authorized after much thought, but the decision not to use it was a thoughtless one. I wonder who could be the thoughtless person who gave the instruction not to use the indelible ink, and I only hope that the decision to use the biometric system this time does not end like the indelible ink. You see, nowadays people don’t really care about wasteful spending of tax payers money, because they know it is not coming direct from their own pocket.

Now, when one talks about wasteful spending, I am driven to believe that most government agencies/departments/ministries continuously spend public money without much care and concern. Take a dig into the Annual Auditors General’s Report and one realizes the level of ineptitude, callousness and the high incidence of corruption among those that are empowered with the authority to approve public spending. But the sad part is that the effort of the Auditor General in reporting the abuse and flaws in public spending is never appreciated. Some report just gets into the left ear and exits through the right ear of the ‘bosses’ without a finger being lifted. Why is this so? Where is the accountability that our political leaders and ‘bosses’ talked about? The only thing that I so often hear are only praises heaped upon those with the authority to approve public spending. And I can tell you without any inhibition that the praises comes from those that fully benefit from such approvals; dubious or otherwise.

Honestly, I fear the collapse of a system where trust, honesty, integrity have now become merely words without a soul and meaning. This state of affair is fast approaching and it can be seen happening even with our ‘naked eye’. There is no longer the fear of being reprimanded or being arrested, and if this is allowed to go on, I am certain; my fear will become a reality.

CRUSADE AGAINST CORRUPTION

Thursday, July 28, 2011

SNIPPET – BN MP’S AND NAJIB

The Malaysian Insider reports that DPM Muhyiddin pledges RM100,000 to all BN Member of Parliament (MP) supposedly to fund minor projects within their respective constituencies. My question is why only to BN MP’s, and if the allocation is coming from taxpayers money, are the opposition MP’s not entitled to such an allocation? I would understand if the allocation is coming from party fund, but if it isn’t, I think the opposition MP’s too deserve to get a similar allocation.

I simply cannot understand the reason why are the opposition MP’s being discriminated, and only BN MP’s are the preferred lot. Are the opposition MP’s not the elected representative of the people of this country, the very people that voted the BN to power? Or is the BN disavowing the people that voted the opposition as non Malaysian citizens?

This is a dangerous precedent set by the BN government that can make them lose further their popularity, and even be ousted in the next GE. Losing a constituency does not mean that the voters deserve to be victimized? Losing only means that the candidate isn’t popular enough or maybe there is nothing good about him, or the commonly word used now is that the candidate isn’t a winnable candidate. Now who do you blame if the BN candidate loses? Definitely not the voters, especially so today when even our kampong folks knows how to choose i.e. a ‘saint’ or a ‘devil’. And devils are easily found among the many contending candidates today.

Now there are rumors floating around that the 13 GE is expected to be held before the end of the year. I expect this to be true because PM Najib need to qualify and confirm his status as a truly elected PM, and not a PM by default. Former PM Abdullah Badawi did call for an election soon after being appointed as the PM and won resoundingly. Najib missed that golden opportunity to call for a snap election when his popularity was riding high. I dare not say the same now for Najib whose popularity is obviously too dented by the many ‘errors and misjudgment’ that he has committed. I even notice that he has lost his focus when making an impromptu speech. The words and language he uses is no longer appealing nor is it soothing to the ear; it is as if he is desperate and speaks out of anger and disappointment.

The walk-about that Najib does so often now, I think to appease the people, and more so to gauge his popularity is sometimes marred by the very people that surrounds him. If Najib’s walk-about is aimed at meeting the people, then the people must be allowed to extend their hands to Najib. But what I saw on You Tube of an incident where a supposedly Bersih supporter was dragged away from handing a letter to Najib by the police, only makes a total mockery of Najib’s walk-about. Had the Bersih supporter been allowed to hand the letter, it would have boosted the image of Najib as someone who cares regardless of who the person was. Making Najib too exclusive and out-of-bound to the people’s reach makes the walk-about a poor publicity stunt. Maybe, I do not blame Najib for this, but I blame it on the overzealous and over protective police escorts that surrounds Najib like a caged lion.

CRUSADE AGAINST CORRUPTION

Wednesday, July 27, 2011

MAF JOINT FORCE HEADQUARTERS

I wish to share with my readers an email that I received from a reader concerning an article I posted on Saturday, July 23, 2011 relating to the MAF Joint Force Headquarters. There are some useful comments made that I hope should be read and understood by the current crop of military commanders; least they are not confused with the conventional understanding of Joint Force Headquarters. The last paragraph of the reader’s comment is worth pondering.



Dear Dato,

It is interesting to read your argument on the need of a Joint Force HQ in the MAF.I hope your posting this time would generate more professional discussion among your readers in particular the current breed of Commanders at all levels in the MAF who are more exposed to new technologies in the management of their units, formations and forces,


India who experience 3 wars and several conflicts with its neighbors surprisingly do not have an Armed Forces HQ like we do.The joint force ops is handled by the Joint Chiefs Committee at national level and executed by a ground formation with all the organic and assigned troops.The most senior Chief of Service act as the Chairman of Joint Chiefs Committee. This Committee decides what assets and quantum of force to be assigned depending on the intelligence and Ground Commander's appreciation made available to them.


Nevertheless India has one Unified Command HQ in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands commanded by a 3 Star Admiral.This is required because these islands are too far flung in the Indian Ocean and they have to be self- reliant to operate independently at least for a limited period.


The need for a Joint Force HQ actually depends on Defence Policy, Strategy and the make- up of a particular country. Since Malaysia has 2 theaters so to speak perhaps it is prudent to have a Joint Force HQ established there to take charge of the East Malaysia Theater. Joint Force HQ should be able to operate independently, but it is a very expensive business to have one.


Joint Force HQ as I understand is also for projection of power, for offensive purposes. This I am sure do not conform to our Defence Policy or Strategy.Joint Force HQ always operate in high intensity operations and it must be trained to operate in that environment.For our Joint Force HQ to operate OP PASIR which is low intensity ops is a waste of assets and training value.Perhaps it is wise to hand back OP PASIR to 5 Bde or PDRM. After all it is still 5 Bde that has to provide admin and logistics support to OP PASIR, I am told there was no complaint against 5 Bde when they operated OP PASIR then.I just wonder why Joint Force HQ must take over now. Moreover, 5 Bde Commander is still a member of Sabah State Security Executive Committee.


Of course MAF must continue pursuing the concept of ‘Jointness’ even without a Joint Force HQ. It may be through existing Formation HQ or equivalent operational level where troops and assets are assigned for a specific period for training purposes or for real combat if the need arise.


It is easier said than done. It needs a political will to undo and restructure back the ATM. Australia is a country that has gone through this kind of trial and error.They revert to the Brigade concept when Task Force which replaced all Brigades did not work as well as its former structure.


JPP need to revisit the wisdom to have JFH in the MAF. Perhaps enough money could be saved to upgrade the existing utilities and facilities in the Op Pasir area for the troops deployed there.


Salam hormat
MJHim

Monday, July 25, 2011

THE PSYCHOLOGICAL WAR – POLICE VS BERSIH

The ‘Psychological War’ of words and action between the so-called believers, and on the other end of the spectrum, the non-believers of Bersih sees no end to the blame game. Every day, the play back of the Bersih rally is being written, discussed and shown to the public through various means i.e. via the mainstream media and the alternative media. Now the government has announced that they intend to even show scenes on TV to depict the truth to placate public perception that the police acted with minimum force and that they were not the provocateurs; instead it was the supporters of Bersih that started the entire fracas. I called this the most clownish statement I have ever heard, something that we use to say as school boys i.e. you kick my back and I kick yours.

As I have said in my previous article, let’s end this wasteful ‘psychological war’ that benefits no one. I believe both parties are fully satisfied by their actions and achieved all that they aim to do. If the government says that what the police did was right, and they have proven it to themselves that what they did were all within their bound of responsibilities, so be it. Likewise, if Bersih has declared that they have achieved their aim and objectives, so be it. And if there was indeed acts of aggressiveness and abused by the police upon individuals during the rally and it can be proven as such, launch a police report (although we know that the report means nothing to the police) and to follow up with a similar report to a neutral body like SUHAKAM.

Now the police have shown their portion of what they believe to be Bersih’s provocateurs to the press (selected ones I think) recently, absolving them of any blame. Why do they have to do this is mind boggling. People say that when one is guilty of a wrong doing, he will be the one person who will profusely disclaim such wrong doing. This was exactly what the police did. The fact of the matter is that there is so much shown on what the police actually did on You Tube, and the person(s) who posted the video cannot be wrong.

Did we not see a video of a policeman (covered half his face with a handkerchief) punching twice at the stomach of a boy who was being led handcuff for no reason? This is clearly an act of cowardice. And did we not see a video of the chemical laced water being sprayed at Tung Shin hospital area which the Health Minister blindly denied, but later retracted his denial and sought to have an investigation? Did we not see the video of the riot squad aiming their tear gas weapon directly at the protestors as oppose to aiming the weapon at an angle? And finally, did we not see photos of a policeman kicking at a fallen protestor? This is another act of cowardice. I know these scenes were not shown to the public at the police briefing.


If indeed the parties want to defend their respective position, I would suggest that they present their case in front of a neutral party. The attendance to such a briefing must be open to all and that the neutral party must not make any judgmental statements, but to merely act as a moderator. Let those attending the brief to express their views and comments, and to allow the respective parties themselves to response to comments. Have such a briefing session televised to the entire nation and let the people be the judge. This I think is the only way to solve the never ending ‘blame game’.

CRUSADE AGAINST CORRUPTION

Sunday, July 24, 2011

MACC – WHAT IS TO BECOME OF IT?

If anyone were to ask me whether I have faith and confidence in MACC being a truly independent, trustworthy and professional investigative organ of the government, my answer is simply NO. I had all along been weary and doubtful of the competency of MACC, and the results of the Royal Commission of Inquiry (RCI) into the death of Teoh Beng Hock confirms it all. I now believe that the organization needs a complete revamp from ‘head to toe’, and any future recruitment of its officers must satisfy one important criterion i.e. the person regardless of race or religion must be God fearing. If this criterion is not met, then there is no way that I can trust MACC to improve itself. I know this is a tough criterion to meet, more so if the officers know that they have unquestionable and exceedingly powerful authority to investigate, and that anything they do (rightfully or wrongfully) will be protected by the very organization they serve. With so much of power in their hands, any normal person tends to lose their sense of responsibility and level headedness, and they turn from being a normal human being to a hated devil. These were the obvious qualities found in the three MACC officers implicated in the death of Teoh i.e. Hishamuddin Hashim, Arman Alias and Mohd Ashraf Yunus; all of them are Malays and I suppose they profess the Islamic faith. I simply do not know if they had ever realized that their actions against Teoh that caused him to take his life (according to the RCI report) are un-Islamic. They now ought to know the consequences of their acts in the afterlife…………something that no mortal will ever escape.

Seriously, the RCI report has brought to light the serious flaws in MACC that is unknown to the public. Yet they (MACC) remain elusive when the public questioned their conduct and method used during an investigation, as if they are not answerable to anybody for their actions; not even to God. We have also seen how some of our leaders jumped quickly to the rescue of the MACC if there is a public criticism against them (MACC), regardless of the nature and reason for the criticism. This is what our leaders have finally created the MACC to be; a ruthless, vindictive, inhumane, irresponsible, senseless, barbaric investigative organ of the government that is suppose to investigate corruption cases truthfully, impartially and in all fairness to the alleged offenders. They are expected to find out the truth and nothing but the truth, so that the alleged offenders gets proper justice.

With the conclusion of the RCI, the public is now more intimate and exposed to the inner workings of the MACC. The MACC can no longer act like the devil, and every step they take will now be under strict public scrutiny. Besides answering to God for their actions in the hereafter, they will have to first answer to the public for the actions on earth. The people would now expect their parliamentarians (regardless of the party they represent) upon whom they have placed their faith and trust, to be monitoring closely the activities of the MACC henceforth. And if our parliamentarians are to play their roles well by maintaining a close watch on the activities of MACC, I believe the country will have a truly professional MACC that does not need another RCI.


CRUSADE AGAINST CORRUPTION

Saturday, July 23, 2011

JOINT FORCE HEADQUARTERS (MARKAS ANGKATAN BERSAMA)

I came across some articles relating to the Malaysian Joint Force Headquarters (MJFH) or in Bahasa Malaysia, it is called Markas Angkatan Bersama (MAB) that arouse my interest. Upon reading the articles, I think there is something amiss in the way the MJFH is currently organized and employed, as I had attended a joint warfare course overseas during my service with the army.

I may be totally wrong on what I am about to discuss and comment, and I readily acknowledge the fact that there has been lots of organizational changes, and along with it, the roles and tasks of all three services of the Armed Forces since 1998 (the year I retired). Surprisingly, while a student at Defence Services Staff College, India, we were not taught Joint Warfare, in the manner like the Australian Armed Forces of which I was a course participant. And I remembered when the subject of Joint Warfare was introduced at our very own Armed Forces Staff College, most of the Directing Staffs and including me were struggling with the subject. The subject was merely an exposure to our students, as we do not have a Joint Force Headquarters then.

MJFH is a relatively new organization of the Malaysian Armed Forces that aims to bring together elements of the three services into a single coherent fighting force. It is a modern concept (in the Malaysian context) to meet the challenges of the future battle field, where wars will no longer be single service in nature, but rather joint in nature harnessing all three service of the Armed Forces. Hence, in such a battle field scenario, a Joint Force Headquarters is required.

I think, not all armies in the world operates a Joint Force Headquarters. I would say that it is only the privilege of the ‘superpowers’. I used the word ‘superpowers’ for the following reasons. First, a joint force is expensive to maintain, and I personally think our government simply cannot afford one. Second, I think a joint force primary objective is the projection of power abroad, and not for the defence of the homeland. Under the present circumstances, our defence strategy is defensive and not otherwise. Third, for a joint force to be effective, it has to be trained as one coherent force with interoperability being the key to the success of any operation that the force is to undertake. Presently, I am told that the forces are assigned to the Joint Force Headquarters. Fourth, I think the concept of deployment and employment of the joint force in the context of the Malaysian Armed Forces today is not well understood. Fifth, interoperability can only be effectively achieved if the forces are organic to the Headquarters, and it is not the case presently. Six, under normal circumstances, the Joint Force Commander will be from the navy, and this is the case for armies of the superpower.

Now, from what I read, the forces of the MJFH are currently deployed and employed to maintain Ops Pasir; an operation to monitor and protect designated coastal areas against intrusion by undesirable illegal immigrants, piracy, smugglers and illegal fishing. Certainly, I do not classify these roles as military in nature. Rather, these are roles befitting other organizations such as the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA), Fishery Department, Customs Department, the Immigration Department and the Police Marine. If at all the MJFH have established a land monitoring outfit for the above prescribed roles, it would be best that such responsibilities be given to MMEA, thus relieving MJFH of such responsibilities and for them to be trained for its primary roles and tasks.

I have also been told that troops assigned to perform UN peacekeeping duties are now the responsibility of MJFH to administer. If this is true, I simply cannot understand the reasoning. Is it because the force constituted for the task have all the three service elements i.e. army, navy and air force; hence it is a MJFH responsibility? I hope that this isn’t the reason.

If I were to give a talk on the organization, roles and tasks of MJFH to some foreign students now, I would certainly have difficulties in making them to understand the Malaysian Armed Forces concept of a joint force headquarters. To cite Ops Pasir or the deployment of troops on UN peacekeeping operations as examples that I think isn’t correct.

As I have said at the outset, I may be wrong in my views and comments about our MJFH, as my knowledge of the subject is many years to old. I therefore wish to solicit comments from the current crop of military officers regarding my perception of the MJFH and to be corrected as such.

CRUSADE AGAINST CORRUPTION

Friday, July 22, 2011

HAPPY MERDEKA DAY

DPM Muhyiddin was reported to have announced that in conjunction with the upcoming Merdeka Day, government leaders will be taking a ride on the ERL (I think it’s a free ride)from Putrajaya to KL Sentral, and will be distributing the Jalur Gemilang (wonder who is footing the bill for the flags) to whosoever wants the flag. Besides distributing the Jalur Gemilang, these government leaders will be adorning a specially designed batik shirt (don’t know who is paying for it) proudly depicting the 1 Malaysia theme (minus the word BERSIH, of course).

I just wonder how much the government will be spending on this ‘extravaganza’ just to give away the Jalur Gemilang to unsuspecting Malaysians at KL Sentral, all for free. It would be most honourable and befitting if all the costs incurred be shared among all government leaders taking part. What is a few ringgit among them; a noble cause to honour our Merdeka Day. Anyway, when else can Malaysians get something free from their leaders? Besides the flag, I would also recommend that a sumptuous feast be given to all Malaysians at KL Sentral, also for free and also to be shared by our government leaders. Honestly speaking, if Muhyiddin takes this cue from me, I am quite certain; he will get the extra votes during the next GE. And hasn’t our government leaders been so generous to voters during all previous GE, and I suggest they should maintain this sense of true generosity.

I do not know how such an ‘idealistic’ idea could come out from Muhyiddin and his gang? I hope this wasn’t the idea of my forefather’s kampung folk from Jelebu i.e. Rais Yatim, because I know he loves to wear some fancy shirts, and this specially designed batik shirt would be adorable to him.

And finally, to add to what our leaders have planned for the upcoming Merdeka Day, I suggest too that PM Najib announce a ‘Merdeka Day bonus’, like how he plans to put more food on the table of Malaysians, and put the brakes of corruption.

CRUSADE AGAINST CORRUPTION

Thursday, July 21, 2011

FEAR FACTOR

I am beginning to believe that the FEAR FACTOR is getting into the head of our leaders. Why do I say this? Now, just look at how the Home Ministry acted against anything being written, that they think is adverse and can discredit the government. Bersih is already a dirty word regardless of the colour it is being written and writing such a word can land one in trouble with the law. What if someone decides to write the word the other way round i.e. hisreB and have it looked in front of a mirror. Will that word be dirty as well?

I heard someone say that we practice a true form of democracy (whatever that means), and the ability to express and to pen ones thought, I think is a right that is enshrined in our constitution. But if there is an imposition in exercising such rights, then I can say that we are not truly democratic; rather we are behaving like some communist regimes that even fear its own shadow. And by the way, communism is no longer in vogue these days. Even Russia and China has abandoned that ideology. So what kind of communism is Nazri Aziz referring to………the Chin Peng model or the Karl Marx model?

Now look at what the Home Ministry had done to an article titled ‘Taken to the Cleaners’ that was a report about the Bersih rally in The Economist magazine. They stupidly ordered the distributors to censor portions that they (Home Ministry) think are adverse to the government, and do they not know that the uncensored copies can be obtained elsewhere. Just imagine the thousands of copies that had to be censored and isn’t there better things to do for the ministry’s officials? What a waste of effort and time. Now what one needs to do is surf the internet and one can read the entire portion that was censored. And don’t they know that with the advancement in internet technology, an entire book can be found and read in the internet.

I remembered early last year a book titled the ‘Malaysian Maverick’ written about Tun Dr. Mahathir Mohamed by Barry Wain was banned for distribution in this country. When I heard the book was banned, that at once arouse my interest to know why the book was banned. I only need to make a call to Singapore and within a few days; a copy was at my doorstep. Having read it, there is nothing controversial written, and it took Tun Dr. Mahathir himself to say that there is nothing wrong about the book. So you see how silly can the authorities be when the book was finally released for sale. Was there a rioting? Was there the burning of shops that were selling the book? Was the author banned from coming into this country? Nothing really happened and surprisingly, the book became so popular that more copies had to be printed, and this made Tun Dr. Mahathir an instant super star. I suppose Tun Dr. Mahathir must have enjoyed what was written about him.

And this takes me to how the authorities had questioned the national laureate Pak Samad Said over a poem he recited about Bersih. Even reciting a poem can be censored, and yet we claim to be practicing a true form of democracy. And look, what has the government made of this man? From someone so mild and passive to someone who is angry. He say that he will no longer be accepting any invitation from the government. I think in the minds of the authorities, a poem can incite violence and my question is, has there been an instant in our national history that a poem had caused the people to riot?

My advice to the authorities is to wake up to the realities of this modern world, and the more you inhibit the FEAR FACTOR, the more stupid you will be looked at by all like-minded people.

CRUSADE AGAINST CORRUPTION

Wednesday, July 20, 2011

POLICE TO INVESTIGATE WITHOUT FEAR OR FAVOUR

IGP Ismail Omar announced that investigations into allegations of police brutality during the Bersih rally are to be made known to the public. The police is said to have established a number of committees to investigate the allegations aimed at establishing the truth, hopefully without prejudice to the parties being investigated, that could then redeemed public support and confidence towards the police force. Beside these police investigations, SUHAKAM and the Health Ministry are said to be conducting some form of investigation also related to the Bersih rally. I think this is good as more investigations are conducted by different agencies/bodies, the people could then accept the findings to be more balanced and fair.

There have however been some comments made with regards to the police conducting an investigation on the conduct of its own members. I too have some reservation concerning this as there is always the tendency to be bias when investigating someone of your own kind. If it were an investigation that is confine to the police only without a third party involvement, than I deem the investigation proper. However, in the case of the rally, there were many parties involved and it would not be proper if such parties are not called in to have their statements taken. I would have thought that rather than have so many parties investigating, let there be just one properly constituted investigation body, incorporating right minded members of the public, NGO’s, members of the legal fraternity and the police to wholly investigate the complaints reported, either to the police, SUHAKAM or elsewhere. Such an investigative body formed, I think should be well received by the public.

Let me be forthright by saying that I am not in any way discrediting nor doubting the intention of the police to conduct their investigation on reports of alleged police brutality. Rather, let’s allow them to do their job, and as professionals I believe they will do their job well. I also believe that what they are trying to do hopefully is also to find ways and methods to further improve the performance of the police in dealing with a public rally in the future………not one that is arrogant, violent and abrasive, but a police force that is truly the people’s force.

CRUSADE AGAINST CORRUPTION

Tuesday, July 19, 2011

RAHIM NOR TO UTUSAN MALAYSIA’S RESCUE

Can there be no other reputable person for Utusan Malaysia (UM) to solicit a comment on the Bersih rally? Is UM running short of commentators that they are forced to solicit an ex-con for a comment in the person of the former IGP Rahim Nor? Why Rahim Nor? Did they not know that he was the person that ‘butchered’ Anuar Ibrahim blue in the famous black eye incident in 1998? Why not a more respectable and honourable person like Tun Hanif Omar or any other former IGP’s except this Rahim Nor? I know the reason? UM is trying to pit Rahim Nor with Anuar Ibrahim again in order to incite a response from Anuar. This is a silly move by UM; pitting others to sensationalize a news report in order to increase its declining sales. I might as well tell you that I have ceased reading or even getting near UM for years now. I think UM is only good as a toilet paper.

UM carried a report of a statement by Rahim Nor quote, “that there were parties who wanted any country that was against Jews and Israel to be toppled” unquote. And this statement, I think is made in reference to the Bersih rally and I believe too that Anuar is the inferred person in the statement, unless UM can categorically deny this. I would like to challenge Rahim Nor to come out straight with his statement by revealing to all Malaysians who were the parties involved in wanting to toppled the government. And as I have said in my previous article, I will be the first person to rise a challenge against such parties, if indeed the statement by Rahim Nor is true.

Now, when the opposition raised the issue of APCO, a company that is reportedly linked with a Jew in parliament, several opposition leaders were banned for several months from attending parliamentary sitting. It seems that a Jewish company has been accorded ‘immunity’ by parliament and the name APCO is so sacred. And if indeed APCO is linked to the Jews and Israel, and is still under the pay roll of the government, I can also infer that APCO may have a hand in the Bersih rally. Definitely, APCO wasn’t on the side of Bersih.

I kept repeating that this blaming game has to stop, and it has to stop now. I and many others get no satisfaction from hearing the garbage that comes out from some of our leaders in their attempt to justify their cause. And now, to have UM to promote an ex-con as their new found hero is most disgusting.

CRUSADE AGAINST CORRUPTION

Monday, July 18, 2011

MARINA MAHATHIR – A BERSIH PROTESTOR

Who would expect the daughter of a former Malaysian Prime Minister (PM) to come forward to voice her sentiment and position with regards to the Bersih rally? That daughter is none other than Marina Mahathir, the daughter of the longest serving PM of Malaysia who has time and again shown Malaysians that being the daughter of a former PM does not silence her from saying and doing something that may appear to be at divergence with the government that her father once led. Her presence at the Bersih rally with her children makes her a unique person that dared the odds of being ridiculed and be seen as an outcast by the ruling elite, and also probably from some close associate of her father. I salute her for being different and her resolve at wanting to be together with the people to witness for herself the genuine surge in ‘people’s power’ demanding only what is rightfully theirs. Had Marina been at the forefront of Bersih from the very outset, I believe she would have drawn more protestors and be named the ‘crown jewel’ of the Bersih movement. I think she must have inherited some of her father’s traits i.e. resoluteness and stubbornness.

Being a participant at the rally, Marina obviously had a firsthand insight into all that occurred during the rally. She must have savoured the tear gas and the chemical laced water that rained over the participants. I believe too that Marina had a conscience and a strong belief in the cause of Bersih; otherwise it would be rather foolish of her to be in the crowd. This is certainly unlike the coward Ibrahim Ali or the DPM Muhyiddin himself who must have observed the rally via remote control, and they are the ones now making statements that they have little knowledge about. Surprisingly, MIC leaders have taken a step back and avoided making any statement about Bersih. This can give rise to speculation that MIC may have an opposing view concerning the rally that may not be in consonant with its partners in BN.

Marina’s remark on the government’s handling of the Bersih rally is telling. She forthrightly accused the government of being scared stiff of Bersih and the thousands that rallied only to be tear gassed, sprayed with water cannons and some being beaten up, reflects how desperate and fearful the government was of Bersih. Marina’s remarks about the way the authorities had treated the protestors and how she viewed the future of the UMNO/BN government can be worrisome for Najib. Surely, her remarks should served as a wake-up call for Najib’s administration, that unless something serious is done to placate Bersih and all its participants, Najib can expect a much larger Tsunami to hit the shores of UMNO/BN in the next GE. And judging from the actions of the government towards Bersih in the aftermath of the Bersih rally, the hardened stand of the government is not going to be softened. Rather the statement by DPM Muhyiddin to tell their side of the story is sure to raise the ire of Bersih and its supporters that could further dampened any reconciliation between Bersih and the government.

It is obvious to me that the powers that be have little inkling as to how the Bersih issue ought to be handled. They have failed to understand and to believe that the Bersih rally is not about politics and stubbornly held that the opposition leaders had a hand in Bersih, with the grandiose view of toppling the government. The presence of some notable opposition leaders in the rally is to me coincidental, because besides them being politicians, they are also part of the ordinary people demanding their constitutional rights. They therefore have the same rights as any other ordinary citizen believing and supporting the cause of Bersih. This is whole the crux of the issue surrounding Bersih that was willfully misunderstood by the Naijb government.

And finally, if only the government had heeded the advice of His Majesty the King and to take a less antagonistic stand against Bersih, the rally could have been avoided and a sure boost for the Najib government.

CRUSADE AGAINST CORRUPTION

Sunday, July 17, 2011

NOW IT IS YELLOW – NOW IT IS NOT

Now, DIGP Khalid Abu Bakar has declared that the wearing of the yellow shirt or anything yellow is alright as long as it does not have the Bersih word written on it. So, it is now the Bersih word that has become illegal and not the colour. And as I was writing this article, someone asked me, “what if I decide to wear a white shirt with the Bersih word embossed on it; will I be arrested for it?” Now I am getting a bit confused. Who actually decides what is right and what is wrong – the police or the Home Minister?

I think this whole issue of the yellow colour and the word Bersih has become so comical that I dread telling it to my foreign friends that has been following the Bersih episode.

Let me be honest to all and sundry that there are more serious domestic issues that need our leader’s attention. There is already a growing discontentment over the unstoppable rise in the prices of household consumable goods. The DPM was seen going on his rounds at some market areas and did he not ask the people whether they are satisfied with the prices? You know how much does a kilo of Ikan Kembung cost now? Back in the late 60’s early 70’s, people in the northern states consider that Ikan Kembung is cheap staff and so they hardly eat the fish. What about the greens? I thought that when the DPM was Agriculture Minister, he was trying to encourage vegetable farmers to grow more vegetables and to reduce dependency on Thailand imported vegetables. What has happened now, that he is no longer the Agriculture Minister?

The above is just one example of an issue that needs serious attention. I can list much more, but seriously having to list them all, what good will it be if our leaders continues to bark over the Bersih yellow shirt issue, as if that yellow shirt can feed a thousand hungry poor .And taking about the poor, do we not see that poverty is still rampant in modern Kuala Lumpur? Take a walk around the back lanes of Chow Kit Road, Pudu and some other areas and you will be surprised to see the amount of filth that lies clogged in monsoon drains, and the destitute living among makeshift cardboard homes (if I can call that a home); some even under bridges. We certainly have a serious social issue in urban KL and what have the minister in charge done about it?

The problem with some of our leaders and with all their ‘court jesters’ is that they (leaders) are not shown around enough. What is bad is kept out of view. The road along which the leader is to travel is being swept sparking clean. Clogged drains flushed out and dilapidated buildings are being spruced up to make it look prettier. On an occasion like this, the local authority workers are sure to be kept busy, when otherwise most will be taking shelter in some cool and shaded areas. I have experienced such happening when I was in PULADA, where we had to do a mandore’s job to chase after some lazy labourers.

So let’s stop harping over a stale issue like the yellow shirt and get down to brass tabs. Surely, the police have endless crime job to handle. Managing the Kuala Lumpur traffic chaos is enough to drain the energies off the policemen. So why bother whether it is yellow, black or green T shirts and the words inscribed on the shirt.

CRUSADE AGAINST CORRUPTION

QUICKLY SEEK AN IMPASSE TO THE BERSIH ISSUE

PM Naib during his recent visit to London was reported to have said quote, “if some quarters are still unhappy with the government, let’s square it out when the elections comes and let the people decide” unquote. Reading from this statement, I can reasonably assume that Najib does not understand what Bersih stood for. Nothing is mentioned about the demands of Bersih that is crucial to the establishment of a free and fair election. Najib appears tenacious in his belief that the existing election laws and regulations are to be upheld, and this run contrary to the very demands of Bersih, as well as ignoring the thousands that rallied seeking their constitutional rights.

It is obvious to me now that Najib is quite unprepared to be forthright to the demands by Bersih, which I believe is well understood by him. And throughout his appearance with the press in London and the many questions posed to him regarding the Bersih rally, Najib has made no declaration to discuss with the sponsors of Bersih anytime soon in order to reach an amicable solution to Bersih’s demands. Rather, he repeated his position that street protest is not the way to press for a demand, and at the same time does not offer a way out of the impasse. The local media as usual will play up the issue that the rally had no significant impact on the government, and that Najib’s position is not jeopardized.

Watching on You Tube to a group of supposedly Malaysian protesters awaiting Naijb’s arrival in front of Hotel Intercontinental, London, I asked myself whether such freedom to a peaceful protest will ever be a feature in this country. Despite their verbal protest over loud hailers, the policemen showed full restrain and kept a reasonable distance away from the protestors. There were no riot squads on standby, no baton changes, no arrests, no screaming policemen and no police warning of “bersurai, bersurai kalau tidak kami tembak”. Sadly, Malaysia that will emerge a develop nation in less than a decade from today, is still gripped with the ISA and various other draconian laws that are a ‘mirror image’ in some undemocratic and dictatorial African regimes. If our leaders were to claim that Malaysia practices a true form of democracy (don’t know what that means) than we need to look at how true democracies work and the freedom accorded to its people. I think we are still far from being a truly democratic country; be it the western or Asian model.

I also listened to the response by Foreign Minister Anifah Aman to a barrage of questions from some of the London protestors, and from the response it is fairly obvious that Anifah is still being clouded by images of fear that any form of protest held in Malaysia today will erupt into racial violence. Malaysian have proven Anifah theory of racial violence wrong on many occasions, and does he not know that this country had a racial violence only once i.e 42 years ago. And as I have said in some previous articles, if there were to be a protest leading to violence, it will not be racial in nature; rather it will be an all Malaysian protest against the authorities. Please mark my word.


CRUSADE AGAINST CORRUPTION

Saturday, July 16, 2011

BERSIH ASSETS CAN BE FROZEN SAYS AWANG ADEK

Come on Awang Adek…………freezing the account of Bersih, an NGO that is fighting for your constitutional rights and the rights of all Malaysians? This is utter rubbish, and are you paranoid?

Deputy Finance Minister Awang Adek has said that the assets of those believed to be participating in activities deemed risky to the nation’s security, if the police recommended so, can be frozen by Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM). Awang Adek was making this statement in reference to Bersih where he believes that Bersih had received some form of external funding. So what if it was externally funded? And by the way, what proof does Awang Adek have to suspect that the fund will be used to sponsor terrorism or the like that can threaten national security. Once again, may I ask is this the assessment from our renowned SB, or is it another cock and bull story like the findings of some parangs, plastic bottled Molotov cocktail and more Bersih yellow T Shirts? Mind you plastic bottles don’t easily break upon impact.

What threat to national security is Awang Adek talking about? Is Bersih to his twisted mind seriously a threat to national security? Is he to believe that the Bersih sponsored people’s rally held recently, and the pandemonium that broke loose was caused by the participant’s themselves? And may I ask, was he there at the rally as an eye witness to the pandemonium or was he merely echoing the statements of his bosses?

Please Awang Adek, you have better things to look at? Why don’t you just find out the billions of ringgit that have been filtered out off this country that escaped your notice and that of BNM? If you do not have a twisted mind, then I am quite sure you can locate and determine the individuals involved in this massive money laundering scandals that to me, is much more serious than the fund received by Bersih. If you are serious is doing your job, you may find that some or if not all the money launderers are people that you might know. Why don’t you do a spot check of some of the Menteri Besar, for some may be money laundering themselves. And do you not know what will be the ripple effect if this country were to go bankrupt because of the loss of billions of ringgit? I will tell you that there will be a people’s uprising or even a revolution. Is this what you want to see happening to this country?

So please Awang Adek, do not be too concern with the source of money for Bersih. And as I have said, this 67 year old retired soldier will rise to fight against Bersih if indeed the money is to be used to topple the government via an uprising. Be rest assured.

And for the last time, please stop demonizing Bersih, for it is you and your colleague that do not wish to see the demands of Bersih succeed. Most have a lot to lose if the demands are met, and I think this is the reason why you are all out to fault Bersih. Declaring illegal the yellow colour is bad enough. Now you try and find ways and reasons to freeze the assets of Bersih. I call this stupidity at its meanest.

I am staunchly for Bersih and its cause (not an uprising please). I believe in fairness and full transparency in the electoral system. If you think likewise, you ought not to be afraid. But if you continue to have a twisted mind, then there is nothing that I can do to persuade you to think like me.

CRUSADE AGAINST CORRUPTION

DO WE HAVE AN IMELDA MARCOS IN THE MAKING?

Malaysia may have an Imelda Marcos in the making with the latest report that Rosmah Mansor, the wife of PM Najib is believed to be in possession of the most expensive ring ever purchased by an unemployed wife of a Malaysian Prime Minister, reportedly costing a whooping RM73.48 million. Let’s hope that this report is untrue. But if it is true, than both Najib and Rosmah will have a lot to answer to the people in particular and his party in general. I think if this issue if not treated well, then I can expect the worse for Najib that includes the lost of the people’s confidence towards him that can eventually cost him his premiership; just like that of the Tunisian President and his extravagant wife.

Most would agree that purchasing a ring of that price is beyond the affordability of Najib’s income alone, because Najib is neither a Vincent Tan nor an Ananda Krishnan. And to say that it is Rosmah that has the cash to purchase it is even more absurd. How could she when she is unemployed and is merely a housewife. Did she not say this or words to the effect in one of her interviews with the press? This then give rise to speculation that the money to purchase the ring may have come from a number of sources, one of which (God forbid) is through corrupt practices. I know that corruption is a hush word to use and is most difficult to prove. But Najib and Rosmah should have known that to commit themselves to such extravagance is to subject them to public scrutiny. Being a public figure, there is little place to hide for the couple because every move they make is being closely watched and monitored.

Now, the million dollar question is how did the custom clearance form that was transacted in April this year come into the possession of a blogger? I am not at all surprised because there will be someone from within that is only too willing to divulge such information; probably for money or probably out of sheer public responsibility and conscience that this particular transaction has all the trimmings of a massive corruption that need to be exposed.

This is indeed a sad beginning for Najib who of late has been under extreme pressure over a number of domestic issues and matters of state. I am now beginning to feel extremely sorry for Najib because he seems to be out of touch with reality and this becomes only too obvious in his indecisiveness at decision making. He has now acquired the traits of Abdullah Badawi where U Turns, diversions and deception seems the hallmark of his leadership.

Both Najib and Rosmah are now on a European tour and what awaits them when they return is to face a public opinion that will now question the integrity, sincerity and honesty of the couple over the purchase of the ring. Keeping silence over this issue is not an option for the couple as more revelation of their ‘misdeeds’ are bound to appear. I think this issue will be a major turning point in Najib’s political career and as I have so often heard people say, “Rosmah will be the cause of Najib’s downfall”. Will this ‘prediction’ fall true?

CRUSADE AGAINST CORRUPTION

Friday, July 15, 2011

YELLOW GREETS PM NAJIB IN LONDON

Wow…………the Queen of England wore a yellow dress when PM Najib had an audience with her. Did she not know that yellow is a highly sensitive colour in Malaysia? Or was the Queen trying to snub PM Najib? Or was the yellow colour a patch up work by some IT wizard? Whatever assumption one makes, this is sure to be news, not in the mainstream media, but certainly in the alternative media.

If indeed the Queen did wear a yellow coloured dress, I personally think this cannot be a coincidence. London too was abuzz with the Bersih rally on July 9th in front of the Malaysian High Commission, and the illegal yellow coloured shirt was prominently displayed by the protestors. Surely the Queen knows this and what the yellow colour signifies. Fortunately, no arrests were made since our Malaysian laws in respect of the yellow colour, have no legal standing in London.

Malaysia certainly has set much unique precedence with its Malaysia Boleh slogan. But they have stretched the slogan a bit too far where even a specific colour can be subjected to the law. Yes, it was black once before, now it is yellow and what next. This law is so unique that my friend from India had a big laugh upon hearing that there is such a law in Malaysia making it illegal to adorn a certain colour. I personally think the initiators of such a law have gone loco, and this must have permeated down into the head our leaders and even infected some of our lawmakers.

In the next few days, I will be receiving some friends from Singapore and I am now in serious dilemma. Will I tell them not to wear anything yellow or anything with the shade of yellow? What if they drive into Kuala Lumpur in a yellow coloured car? Will they need to abandoned their car outside the borders of Kuala Lumpur, and takes a taxi into town? These are serious questions requiring serious answers for I do not wish to see my foreign friends arrested, yelled at and dumped into a dilapidated cell.

I sometimes think how nonsensical people can be when they fear that their position is in jeopardy. In the case of the yellow shirt, I think Hishamuddin feared for his position and likewise some others in the government too. I do not understand the process taken by Hishamuddin in declaring that the yellow coloured T shirt is illegal. Who makes and decides upon the punishment if someone were to breach the law. It seems so simple; just announce it and bingo, it becomes law. Now, go on with the arresting spree. Strip off anyone seen wearing a yellow shirt. Handcuff them and shove them into the van. If they resist arrest, just kick them or do whatever you like with them. Now you see what has become of that rotten law; abuse by our men in blue onto the ordinary people who were merely demanding their constitutional rights.

I have just returned from the obligatory Friday prayer at Bukit Antarabangsa mosque and you know what? The sermon was on the responsibilities of a leader. I think the sermon is timely because it is closely related to the happenings in this country today i.e. the massive abuse by leaders, issues of corruption that goes unabated, ignoring the plight faced by society today, arrogance and several others. The imam concluded by saying that leaders will be questioned for all their deeds and misdeeds on earth in the hereafter, and ends the sermon with a stern warning that the wrath of Allah is indeed severe for those who have ignored and failed to heed the teachings and exemplary deeds of Prophet Mohammed PBUH and the holy Koran.

I just wonder, how many of our leaders (referring to the Muslim leaders) today are in strict compliance with the teachings and exemplary deeds of Prophet Mohammed PBUH and the holy Koran? Yes, no one will know it except when one is buried six feet under.

CRUSADE AGAINST CORRUPTION

WHERE ARE YOU IBRAHIM ALI?

Gone are the blistering, howling and smut talking good for nothing Perkasa boss Ibrahim Ali. Many had asked where Ibrahim Ali was during the Bersih 2.0 rally. Was he directing his operations from under the skirt of a lady? Or was he just too scared; a coward for a better word, to be arrested by the police since he is one notable person named illegal to enter Kuala Lumpur? Didn’t I say that should he want to join the rally with his warriors, please ensure that he is physically fit? Otherwise, he would just collapse before he could run.

Now, we all know the caliber of this person named Ibrahim Ali who will abandon his charges even before the battle drum could begin. I think I have been right all along to place him at the lowest end of the leadership spectrum; an empty vessel makes the most noise kind of person. Sure he can talk and convincingly draws the crowd, like the 16th century medieval story of the pipe piper luring all the rats away from the town of Hamelin. Yes, Ibrahim Ali fits well into this story. In this regards, I salute UMNO Youth leader Khairy Jamaluddin for not mincing his words and dared the authorities to arrest him for defying his ‘illegal status’ (some say it was wayang kulit), although UMNO Youth challenge against the rally was miniscule.

I am told that there are several retired military officers (some senior ones though) are with Perkasa. With the leadership example shown by Ibrahim Ali (I no longer called him Field Marshal), I hope my dear ex-military friends in Perkasa would now consider abandoning Perkasa for the cause perpetuated by Ibrahim Ali has nothing to do with defending the Malay rights. On the contrary, it is all about perpetuating his own rights and strengthening his wavering status in society, since he knows he is a political outcast and is unacceptable by any political party; certainly not UMNO. Should my friends in Perkasa still believe in the existence of Perkasa, then it would be best that someone from among the ex-military retiree takes over. At least there is some semblance of leadership and less talk.

With Bersih 2.0 over and a declaration made by the organizers that they do not foresee holding another rally in the near future, this is a good indication to the government and in particular the Election Commission to rethink its strategy in dealing with the demands of Bersih. A window of opportunity is now offered to the government and the Election Commission to rethink its hard stand on Bersih demands, and if nothing is done, I sense that it will no longer be Bersih to take the lead, but it will be the Malaysian people themselves. This would then be difficult for the government to handle.

And should another demonstration erupt over these demands, it will not be political or racial; it will be the entire Malaysian population against the government. I hope my prediction is wrong.

CRUSADE AGAINST CORRUPTION

ZAINUDDIN MAIDIN SPEAKS

Something worthy has come out from the mouth of former Communication Minister Zainuddin Maidin who became famous for the comments he made regarding Bersih 1.0 rally on Al Jazeera TV network. I am still puzzled as to what was actually said by him or what he actually meant to say to the Al Jazeera interviewer that was spoken in English with a thick Kedah accent.

This time around, Zainuddin has somewhat mellowed. He was reported to have said that he supported the idea of allocating air time to the opposition lead party leaders to appear on national TV to present their respective party manifesto during the up-coming general elections. This is a marvel idea that was practiced by the Singapore PAP government during the recently held general elections, despite the PAP having a tight reign over all state apparatus; more so the media. But I do not know whether this idea is acceptable to the Najib’s administration. And even if Zainuddin’s idea is not acceptable to the government (which is most likely), the technology today has given people much easier and speedier access to the news broadcasting via the internet, and in real time too.

A good example of real time reporting via the internet was during the Bersih rally. I monitored the live events of the rally and the minute by minute reporting via Mob TV.my. The visual coverage was extensive and I find it strange that Najib, Hishamuddin and including the IGP could report something that contradicts with the actual happenings that took place during the rally, particularly that of the police actions in handling the crowd. If the three could say that the police acted in total fairness, professional, non provocative, orderly and were not in any way violent towards the crowd, then I say that all three were wrong. I can also say that the numbers that participated in the rally as provided by the IGP in his press interview was grossly inaccurate.

I viewed a video on You Tube of an incident at the Kuala Lumpur Railway Station where a policeman was seen yelling and screaming like a man possessed by the devil, to a crowd that is peacefully walking out of the station. There were several Muslim women folks in the crowd, and I did not see any provocation by any member of the crowd that could have angered the policeman. What was featured in the video is certainly not an act of professionalism by a policeman. I think the policeman ought to be taught manners in dealing with a peaceful crowd, more so if there are women in the crowd. What bothers me most is that the policeman is a Malay, and to be seen screaming like a mad dog at a group of Malays in the presence of the women folk is outrageous and plain kurang ajar. If only the parents of the policeman had seen the video, they would have been ashamed.

Certainly, we did see a minister in complete denial, or was he plain ignorant of the action of the policemen in the Tung Shin hospital chemical laced water spraying incident? Despite the video recording featured on You Tube, Health Minister Liow Tiong Lai has denied that there was no water spraying incident at Tung Shin hospital. If the minister is blind, then I can forgive him for being ignorant; but he is neither blind, deaf nor mute. A quick denial seems to be the common strategy adopted by our leaders when faced with a serious question. But they are quick to exploit issues that serve their best interest. Now, will the minister makes a quick U Turn to what he has said, just like his boss in the ‘stadium-no- stadium’ affair?

Finally, to Zainuddin Maidin, I hope your noble suggestion can be heard by your colleague in government, and if they don’t, I suggest you write an open letter to Najib and post it in your blog. And isn’t this one of the demands made by Bersih 2.0?

CRUSADE AGAINST CORRUPTION

Thursday, July 14, 2011

POST BERSIH – A COMMENT

I seem to have caused a lot of unhappiness among some readers over my stand on Bersih. I’ve even been shot down for what they think that I am being anti-kerajaan and what not. Some even referred me as being pro-Anuar, pro-opposition, pro-PAS and what have you. To my ‘detractors’, I humbly say this, “come on, have some sense put into your brains and please reflect seriously whether my stand on Bersih was a political one, or was I merely reaffirming Bersih rights and that of mine too, that it was a stand for our own constitutional rights; not for Anuar, PAS or that I am anti-kerajaan”.

I believed in Bersih for all they stood for, regardless of who the promoters were; be they Malays, Chinese or Indians. It wasn’t about toppling the government through the streets. Neither was it about promoting the opposition’s cause or for a particular race or religion. It was to be a rally, uniting all Malaysians to demand their rights for an election reform; their constitutional right that is enshrine in our constitution, and their response to Bersih’s call is overwhelming.

I believe too that the rally was to be a peaceful gathering, but was demonized (you know by whom) repeatedly over the mainstream media, even before the rally could get started. Now, who said that the rally was to promote violence and is therefore a risk to national security? Who said that the rally was to promote a particular political party, individual or a group of individuals? Who said that the rally was to cause fear, that blood will be spilled and business will suffer losses? Who said that a people’s street demonstration is not a Malaysian culture and that the rally had shamed the country? There are far too many ‘who said’ that I can list down, but suffice for me to list just a few for those who still think that Bersih had all the bad intentions, and worse still, of toppling the government through street violence.

Contrary to all the negativities being said about the rally, Bersih has been consistent about their cause and that it was all about being peaceful uniting all Malaysians for a common demand that rightfully is theirs. Rest assured that I will be first to challenge Bersih if indeed their intention was to topple the government through street violence, for I am now a strong believer in non-violence activities.

Since the July 9th 2011 ‘incident’, the nation has been fed with all sorts of stories relating to the Bersih rally; both the positive and negative side. But what is important now I think, is for all the parties involved to sit back and to ponder the impact the rally had on all Malaysians and the nation as a whole. If the government feels that there is a cause to reflect into the demands by Bersih, be forthright enough to say that there are issues that needed to be resolved. Likewise, if Bersih thinks that the rally had seriously dented their credibility, and that their cause has fizzled out, then think about building new approaches that can be more palatable to the government. To both parties, taking a hard stand over issues that affects the people is unworthy and irresponsible.

And to my worthy ‘detractors’ please avoid being personal in your comments. To claim and say that my ‘supporters’ are out to ‘bodek’ me is totally out of place and of bad intention. What good is there to ‘bodek’ me? Seriously, what can I offer them for supporting me? I cannot give them shares. I cannot give them APs. Neither can I appoint them to take charge of a GLC. The only thing I can offer them is a cup of teh tarik. So who am I………..I am just a pensioner and a nobody. And is writing my views (sometimes critical) and comments wrong? And should we ever meet, please identify yourself and let’s sit and talk like all good gentleman do.

CRUSADE AGAINST CORRUPTION

Saturday, July 9, 2011

WHO FINALLY WINS AND WHO LOOSES?

Disgusting………..that’s what I can conclude after monitoring the ugly happenings around the city over the Bersih rally from the internet and the minute by minute flow of reports that I get from friends who are at the scene of the rally. Disgusting, because the government has allowed the police absolute freedom to do what they think is legally correct, thus absolving any blame and responsibility should the situation deteriorate into anarchy and complete public disorder. Is this a responsible government that we yearn to have; the slogan blaring government of ‘Rakyat di dahulukan; Pencapaian di utamakan’. That slogan has no relevance now and it is best that it be changed to ‘Rakyat diperbodohkan; Kuasa memerintah dikekalkan’.

What I saw is likened to a state that is under severe emergency rule where people are just being picked up randomly and paraded into caged vehicles. Such a scene is what I regularly view happening in some third world down trodden African states on Al Jazeera TV network. Where these caged people are taken to is unknown, but hopefully they are being fed and kept alive. There wasn’t any looting, burning or killers running amok by Bersih supporters that had been drummed up endlessly by the government, its media and leaders prior to the rally. It was peaceful by all standards and clearly it was a people’s show of unity to demand what is rightfully theirs, that is, free and fair elections.

The ugly situation that Malaysians and the entire world witnessed today, I believe could have been avoided, if parties to this whole episode have placed the nation’s interest first before self. Common sense has to prevail and although the parties may not be able to reach a conclusive understanding or agreement over some dissenting issues, the least is that an effort has been made to get parties to talk and to develop some comforting levels of understanding. Cutting off any attempt at a negotiation between the parties is totally wrong, and this will further incite intolerance, bitterness and hate. This is what happened between the government and all other parties. But who are we to blame? Are the demands by Bersih too difficult to meet? Or is the government by declaring that Bersih is an unlawful organization; hence the Bersih rally is automatically declared an illegal assembly that need no further consideration?

Bersih’s primary agenda and demand is purely for an election reform, which is suspect, flawed and abused to favour the ruling government during an election. Proof of that has been made known to the Election Commission (EC) and the government on several occasions, but was never given a good hearing. It would appear that what is good for the EC is deemed good for the people. The use of the indelible ink that was to be applied during the last GE was somehow withdrawn the very last minute for reasons best known to the EC. The largest democracy in the world i.e. India had used the indelible ink to a great success. Even some down trodden African states had use it, so why can’t we, if indeed we are a practitioner of democracy of the western model? Losing public money for the purchase of the indelible ink and later throwing it away is of no concern. It’s the people’s money anyway; not mine, so why worry. There is no public accountability, no conscience.

Some lessons of this afternoon’s rally have to be learnt by both Bersih and the government’s apparatus. While both parties claim success, the losers as of now are obviously the business concerns, traders and shop owners. The main loser can only be realized in the next few days or months when world opinion begins to be heard and foreign direct investment begins to dwindle, and it will only be then that the full brunt of the government’s folly will be felt.

CRUSADE AGAINST CORRUPTION

Friday, July 8, 2011

HISHAMUDDIN – SHOOTING OFF THE MARK

Malaysian Insider, today Friday 8th,2011 reports that Home Minister Hishamuddin Hussein has assured that the military will not be deployed during the Bersih rally slated for noon tomorrow, despite it being declared an illegal rally. He went on to assure that even the internet services will not be disrupted.

You see, what trouble Hishamuddin has got into by shooting off his mouth without thinking? Didn’t he say earlier that the military will be used; a statement that I suppose he made without due consultation with the military. He must have been shaken by someone to retract his earlier statement and to realize that the Armed Forces have the King as the Supreme Commander, not him as the Home Minister. In this regards, the Defence Minister Zahid Hamidi is much wiser for not saying anything to suggest that the military will deployed during the rally.

Even the statement he made to assure that the internet services will not be disrupted is not within his portfolio as Home Minister. I think it is the portfolio of the Communications Minister Rais Yatim and rightfully such a statement must come from the latter. Till now, we are yet to hear any statement from Rais Yatim to confirm or deny what Hishamuddin has said. I think Hishamudin has gone slightly overboard and this is an indication of his lack of knowledge and understanding on the workings of the various ministers and ministries within the government. And being the cousin of the PM is he assuming that he has the authority and mandate to speak and utter statements that are not within his ministerial responsibility? We can now imagine what we will be getting into if he takes over the mantle as Malaysia’s Prime Minister one day.

It is only a few hours left before we see, or we do not see the Bersih rally. It is going to be one massive deployment for the police to the city, and rightfully so. It will be a sleepless night, not only for those policemen on standby, but this also includes the IGP and his Deputy. I can visualize how busy it is going to be for all those manning the police operation rooms at Bukit Aman and throughout the country. This is reminisce of my days as a staff officer manning the Brigade Operations room in the late 60’s/early 70’s in HQ 6 Brigade, Sg. Petani.

I do not know whether I am going to have a good night sleep tonight thinking of what will happen at noon tomorrow. To all my readers who want to be with the rally tomorrow, please do not forget to adorn your yellow, blue and green T shirt. Good night.

CRUSADE AGAINST CORRUPTION

THE ELECTION COMMISSION – A REMINDER

To my dear readers, tell me if there is anything sinister about the demands of Bersih, other than it is for the good of all Malaysian voters, regardless of their political leaning. We cannot allow the Election Commission (EC) or anyone else to dictate terms that is detrimental to the establishment of a just and fair election process without prior knowledge and consultation with the people. We cannot allow the government or anyone else to interfere with the workings of the EC in trying to establish an election process that is of the highest standards, fulfilling the voter needs of a truly democratic society. We need to remind EC that they are answerable to His Majesty the King on their responsibility and performance, and that they are to remain neutral at all times off any political interference.

We seek that the EC take heed of the demands by Bersih are as follows:

1. Clean the electoral roll
2. Reform postal ballot
3. Use of indelible ink
4. Minimum 21 days campaign period
5. Free and fair access to media
6. Strengthen public institution
7. Stop corruption

Are the above people’s demands too difficult to meet? And is it not the EC’s responsibility to continuously seek ways to improve and better the election process, thus giving the voters the unquestionable confidence that the election process is truly free and fair?

Finally, please do not betray the trust bestowed upon you by His Majesty the King in fulfilling your avowed responsibility to all Malaysians.


CRUSADE AGAINST CORRUPTION

MUHYIDDIN WORDS OF WISDOM

Guess who said this; I quote “So don’t be stubborn. I see the statement they made is like they want to provoke, they just keep wanting to fight, with no good intention, no tolerance, no sincerity” unquote, and this statement is said in reference to the organizers of the Bersih rally.

The quote is made by none other the Deputy PM Muhyiddin Yassin. You see how arrogant is his statement? It is just like a school teacher reprimanding his students, and Muhyiddin must have acquired that reprimanding skill since he became the Education Minister. It is not too often that we hear a school teacher being soft with their students. I was hit on the palm with a ruler by my teacher for failing to spell some English words correctly when I was in primary one. It was a Chinese teacher, and I thank the teacher for hitting me, for that made me to excel in my English spelling subsequently.

But in the case of Muhyiddin, I think he was wrong in using such words, because he failed to understand the audience to whom the words were meant. The audiences are not school children, but adults and many among them are educated professionals of various vocations. Do you think a national laureate like Pak Samad Ismail can accept such words coming from the honourable Malaysian minister? Muhyiddin must have likened the Bersih rally to that of a boisterous and rowdy rally organized by some school drop-outs without any purpose and reason. If that was what Muhyiddin had thought or assumed the Bersih rally to be, then he is seriously wrong.

Now, let me rebut some of the words that he had used in the statement.

First, he told Bersih not to be stubborn. Now, who is actually being stubborn? His Majesty the King has called upon the government to confer with Bersih to seek an amicable way out of the impasse. Does the government take heed of the King’s offer? The answer is NO, and you see how Najib makes a quick u-turn by first offering that Bersih hold its rally in a stadium and in the next breath says otherwise. Where did he learn such a tactic……….not from his predecessor Abdullah Badawi I hope.

Second, Muhyiddin says that he saw the statement made by Bersih as provocative. Now, have anyone heard Bersih say that they are sending teams of silat proponents to protect the rally and that Bersih cannot control them should they be provoked? I only heard Bersih gave the assurance that the rally will be peaceful, and even PAS have allowed the police to arrest its members should they cause any trouble. Compare the statements made by Bersih with that of UMNO youth and of Field Marshal Ibrahim Ali? Surely Muhyiddin can differentiate which statement is provocative and which is not. And if Muhyiddin does not know, let me tell him that the statements uttered by UMNO youth and Field Marshal Ibrahim Ali are provocative that deserves them to be thrown into ‘Kamunting Resort’. But why are they not?

Lastly, he says that Bersih has bad intentions, lack tolerance and insincere. May I ask Muhyidin this question; is seeking the government for an electoral reform that you and I know is mired in discrepancies and falsifications too much to ask? This demand for an electoral reform has been for years and the government seems not to heed the request. Are we to tolerate further and to continue feinting innocence and playing the good and obedient citizen, while the Election Commission continue to abuse the electoral roll to buttress your existence and survival?

If only Muhyiddin has good intentions, show tolerance and sincerity in acknowledging the need for an electoral reform, then this Bersih rally would not have been necessary.

CRUSADE AGAINST CORRUPTION

Thursday, July 7, 2011

NAJIB – PLEASE GIVE THE PEOPLE A HONOURABLE HEARING

This is getting really serious………..the army has began to train its troops for public order duties, supposedly in anticipation for a riotous Bersih rally this Saturday 9th July. Earlier, I received several calls from my retiree friends and they all express their fear for the worst should the army be deployed. They also questioned why commit the army over a situation they believe to have been crafted by the police themselves? After making a number of unwarranted arrest; unbelievably for an offence of wearing the ‘illegal’ yellow colored T shirts and on suspicion of some being communist sympathizers’, the police began to set-up road blocks in and around the city to conduct searches for more Bersih related paraphernalia. It appears to me now that the authorities are more afraid of the yellow colour; paranoid for a better word, than to safeguard and protect the constitutional rights of the people to a legal assembly demanding for an electoral reform that benefits all Malaysians.

Now, are we expecting another May 13 alike this time? While the May 13 was a race riot, this time (should a riot occur) will be markedly different. It will be a riot by Malaysians of all races, united and resolve in their demands for free and fair elections, against the authorities that are predominantly Malays. This being so, we can expect the worse, for I believe it will eventually be the pro Bersih Malays leading the charge against another fellow Malay. I dread such a scenario, and the consequences following such a riots (God forbid) will surely leave the Malays further divided and unity in tatters.

It was based on the above scenario that I believe the army SHOULD NOT be involved. The primary role of the army is clear and definitive i.e. to defend the integrity and sovereignty of the country against a foreign invader or an armed insurrection of the magnitude of the first Malayan Emergency or the communist insurgency. In the case of Bersih, I do not believe it to be anywhere close to an armed insurrection; neither can it be deemed a communist resurgence. Finding a few parangs and some home-made ‘Molotov cocktail’ cannot justify that the country is at the verge of an armed insurrection or the makings of a communist resurgence. I would term it as an act by belligerents; if indeed it was done by supporters of Bersih, and this I doubt it to be. This is where the army leadership has to be very clear as to their roles and responsibilities, and any deployment has to be fully justified and sanctioned by the highest authority of the land; in this instant the Jawatankuasa Panglima Panglima (JPP). Politicians are certainly not the authority to sanction the deployment of the army or any of the other two services of the Armed Forces. And it is important too that His Majesty the King being the Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces has to be respected and consulted. And please remember too that the people are not foreign enemies of the state, but citizens of the country.

The Bersih movement as I know has since its inception being in the forefront for an electoral reform that they believe is mired in controversies. Bersih 1.0 rally that attracted thousands to the streets was for a similar purpose as Bersih 2.0, which resulted in the fall of five peninsular states to the hands of the opposition during the 2008 GE. Even Tun Dr. Mahathir conceded that the manner in which the government handles the Bersih 2.0 affair can be disastrous to the Najib regime during the up-coming GE. Tun Dr. Mahathir’s forthright statement cannot be ignored, but I see little hope in Naijb making any concession to Bersih for their demands to be heard. Taking this hard line stand against the people’s wishes this time around will lend the final blow to Najib’s administration, and to UMNO/BN 52 years of continuous rule.

My advice to Najib is to listen to the people and more importantly to the call by His Majesty the King to confer with the people in order to avoid leading this blessed country to ruins.

CRUSADE AGAINST CORRUPTION

Wednesday, July 6, 2011

BERSIH 2.0 RALLY IS TO BE HELD AFTER ALL – IN THE STADIUM PLEASE

Would you believe that the findings of weapons, explosives and Bersih yellow colored T Shirts by the police in KL recently is the work of the Bersih organizers or its supporters? And do you not see how irrational and stupid the police were in pointing their ten fingers and declaring that this has to be the dirty work of Bersih? Wasn’t I right in saying that the Special Branch officers today are no longer of the caliber of those officers of the 60’s and the 70’s?

I am not a full fledged intelligence trained retired military officer, but having seen and worked with some Special Branch officers of the 60’s and 70’s, I think by preempting that the ‘loot’ to be the work of Bersih, even without making a thorough investigation first, is arguably stupid and dumbfounded. Special Branch officers of yesteryear's and the many that I am personally acquainted with would not have come out with such a preposterous conclusion.

Anyone with a bit of common sense would not want to do what the supposedly ‘perpetrators’ did for the following reasons:
1. Placing the ‘loot’ at a conspicuous place to be easily noticed by the public.
2. The timing for placing the ‘loot’ is also not right. If someone seriously wants to create problems, they would do it at the very last minute and in the most secured place.
3. Surely, the ‘perpetrators’ has to make sure that their act is not seen by anyone. They would have to surveil the area first before doing their job.

What is most amusing is the claim that several Bersih yellow shirts were also found among the ‘loot’. My guess is that these shirts must be the ones taken by the police in their raids or stripped off their owners during the arrests. My common sense tells me that it is merely a ploy to reinforce the police claim that it is indeed an act perpetrated by Bersih or its supporters. I don’t buy this kind of bluff my dear friend. If at all it was Bersih that had placed the ‘loot’ and had intended to use it during the rally, the Bersih supporters do not need the shirts anyway; they would have worn the Bersih shirts before joining the rally itself. Why rush to wear the Bersih shirt the very last minute?

Please, I have had enough of this nonsense. Now that PM Naijb has allowed the rally to be held at the stadium, let’s all join hands; Bersih, dissenting and pro-Bersih NGO’s, the opposition parties, Perkasa, UMNO Youth, police and all like-minded citizens, and together we gather in peace and harmony, to show our solidarity and demands for an election reform. Is this wrong?

And to Home Minister Hishamuddin, I am yet to hear you annul the order that the Bersih 2.0 rally an illegal assembly. The same goes to the IGP and his Deputy. And why don’t all of you join us in this peaceful rally? I am quite sure the people will offer you a bunch of roses.

CRUSADE AGAINST CORRUPTION

Monday, July 4, 2011

YEN YEN – DO YOU SINCERELY CARE ABOUT PEOPLE'S MONEY?

Come on Ng Yen Yen; what spooky language are you talking about………losing RM1 billion in tourist revenue over three days should the Bersih rally be allowed to proceed?

What about the billions lost through unscrupulous and devious means by some unscrupulous politicians, cronies and your loyal government servants? Does Yen Yen not know that corruption in the government is so rampant that it has now become an embedded culture? Try doing a decent business with any government ministry/agency and you will know that it is money that talks. Haven’t we heard that even a former assistant governor of Bank Negara and many more ‘big fishes’ are involved in corruption over the polymer note printing contract? The amount is small though, but look at the people involved? They are suppose to be people if the highest integrity, but only to succumb to a sinful act of greed. Try and ask people in the Tourism Ministry if there isn’t any form of corruption? Try asking your predecessors also. I think Yen Yen, you know better than I do.

So Yen Yen, what is a loss of RM1 billion over three days. The PKFZ losses are many times more. And if you want me to list out the losses through unscrupulous means and for some, at the behest of some politicians, I will have pages full of it. Now you think for yourself Yen Yen; people have said that you have been extravagant in your spending abroad at people’s expenses. Do you seriously think that your many expensive trips abroad are truly justifiable? Weight it against the amount of tourism revenue you eventually brought in as a result of your visits. I do not need your justification; but the innocent tax payer does.

What about the ‘ill-gotten money’ that is fleeing the country in the billions. I have not heard anyone being arrested for this. I am also told that one particular Menteri Besar of a southern state was involved in depositing money abroad via the ‘unconventional’ method and the authorities does nothing about it. You see for yourself what people in power can do. So again, Yen Yen what is RM1 billion losses over three days.

You know that our country is blessed with endless amount of resources. As Tengku Razaleigh has said, if we are sincere and honest in managing our resources, we will be the richest country in this entire region. The petroleum revenue itself is sufficient to prosper the people, but sadly this isn’t so. Our political masters think that the nation’s wealth is theirs to squander and to spend as they wish. The people are not to question, but only to listen.

And now what has become of the nation wealth. Even FELDA, a reputable cash rich GLC has now gone into borrowing and for what? And mind you, the lender is none other than KWSP, and it is the peoples saving.

So once again Yen Yen, what is losing RM1 billion over three days.

CRUSADE AGAINST CORRUPTION

DO YOU NOT SENSE STUPIDITY AT ITS BEST?

I honestly think that most UMNO/BN leaders have all gone berserk over the Bersih issue. However, there are some sensible and like minded UMNO/BN leaders though. These opposing factions within UMNO/BN must have sense a serious threat to their position and status. Not a day is without a statement from an UMNO/BN leader condemning the intended Bersih rally as a real threat to national security. What threat to national security are they talking about when the rally is all about the expression and demands of the people’s rights to free and fair elections? Even SUHAKAM deemed the rally as within the bounds of the people’s rights. The legal fraternity echoes a similar view.

Threat to national security is the ‘tag line’ the government has been saying all along; contrary to the claims made by Bersih which the government denounces. Now who are we to believe? The latest and the most unthinkable and outrageous statement came from none other than Malacca Chief Minister Ali Rustam. He had suggested that Ambiga’s citizenship be stripped off or that she is declared a restricted resident and her movements curtailed. Do we not see the stupidity in Ali Rustam? What reasoning is this? Like all others, Ali Rustam reasoned that the Bersih rally is all about causing apprehension, fear and untold destruction to the country. Now, to counter this perceived fear, PESAKA a Malay martial arts organization is ready to deploy 4 million of its members to join the rally to act against Bersih provocateurs’. This is unbelievable; 4 million and where is that number coming from, I wonder?

Now, who is Ali Rustam trying to lie? May I ask him who the provocateurs are? By suggesting that PESAKA deploys 4 million of its members, who then become the provocateurs? Will PESAKA members bring along their sharpened keris soiled in ‘air limau nipis’? Is Ali Rustam expecting that this Bersih rally will shed blood, and whose blood will it be………Malays, Chinese, Indians, Babas and Nyonyas? What nonsense is this coming from a so called Malay leader, who was once claimed to be involved in money politics (corruption). Can someone tell me if this Ali Rustam can be a trusted and worthy Malay leader? I don’t think so and with 4 million members; that will empty the entire Malacca state of its entire population (including Indonesian illegals).

It saddens me to hear our Malay leaders talk about expecting the worse and a possibility that blood is spilled, even before the rally. To you Ali Rustam, I have this to say………please be more responsible and sensible in lashing out your thoughts. Think of the repercussion and who do you think will be the biggest losers? It is your Malay brethrens; your own race.

CRUSADE AGAINST CORRUPTION