Opposition bashing! Yes, that’s the theme of UMNO Deputy President Muhyiddin’s speech to Wanita, Youth and Puteri delegates at the opening of the party’s general assembly. I wouldn’t want to repeat what all was said by Muhyiddin, but I can only describe the speech as one of the most idiotic speeches ever in the history of the assembly from a statesman who aspires to lead the nation one day. The audience may have given Muhyiddin a standing ovation after the speech (this is standard procedure), but the fact that by ‘criminalizing’ and bad mouthing all that is opposition, Muhyiddin had exposed his own weakness and that of his party i.e. the fear for the opposition and the party’s uncertain fate in the upcoming general election is very real. I think Muhyiddin knows this and what best he can do to distract the delegates off the many distressing issues infecting the party, other than to criminalize and bad mouth the opposition. In military tactics, this is called a ruse or feign. But be warn, that such tactics do not guarantee success.
Say what you want, but I think what Muhyiddin did was shameful. As the party’s Deputy President cum Deputy Prime Minister of the country, he should have shown his true leadership prowess by appealing to the audiences all that he aspires of the party and its members, particularly now in the face of an impending general election – the mother of all elections, he claims. He should highlight the weakness and failures of the party (there are numerous) and to outline the corrective measures that he wishes to take to rid the party of such weaknesses. He should focus his thoughts on how to win the upcoming general election that is threatening the party’s survival by outlining new strategies that should appeal to the voters. He should make a stand on how party members should act and talk henceforth in order to garner public support. He should articulate on how he sees the party in the future and the kind of leaders that should be leading it. Such are the issues and many others that Muhyiddin should have addressed, but not by bashing the opposition. And if someone were to ask me how would I grade Muhyiddin? I would answer by saying that Muhyiddin is no better than a leader of a third world country who seems lost in his own world and devoid of intellectualism, maturity and progressive ideas. I think President Mugabe is far more intellectual and speaks in more constructive tone.
They say that this year’s UMNO General Assembly is the last before PM Najib calls for the 13th General Elections, believe to be anytime next year. Coincidently the number 13, to some strikes a superstitious eerie feeling that something isn’t going to be right for some people. I am not a soothsayer nor am I a superstitious person, but of late the nation seems to be struck by a number of contentious issues blamed on the government i.e. NFC fiasco, and the most recent being the government’s handling and passing of the Peaceful Assembly Bill amid opposition from activist and civil society.
I also read that Felda Chairman Isa Samad too had made a mess of himself by ridiculing some Felda members in Pahang, knowing full well that Felda settlers form a substantial voter’s pool that may well decide the fate of UMNO/BN during an election. Isa Samad may have overlooked that Felda does not belong to him; rather it belongs to the settlers, and that his past record in politics too is much to be desired.
The above are some of the issues that the rakyat can turn against the government, besides the controversy caused by Rosmah Mansor recently over the multimillion ringgit ring that she denied purchasing and the expensive handbags. Rosmah may not have sense the anger and frustration of the rakyat in the way she spends and the extravagant lifestyle she appears to lead. There is no hiding the fact that the Mak Chik’s in the kampongs are well aware of this too, and this spells certain disaster for her mate i.e. PM Najib. How is she going to appear with Najib during the campaigning and the responses she gets is much awaited by the electorates.
Finally, UMNO leaders bashing of the opposition throughout the general assembly can backfire, for there is already too much that the rakyat knows that UMNO/BN seems oblivious. While UMNO is too engross with party affairs, the opposition is already out in force campaigning. Indeed, and taking the words of Muhyiddin, the upcoming general election will be the “mother of all elections”.
CRUSADE AGAINST CORRUPTION
Wednesday, November 30, 2011
Tuesday, November 29, 2011
AHMAD MASLAN – PLEASE WAKE UP!
Have anyone read what UMNO Information Chief Datuk Ahmad Maslan said should Pakatan Rakyat (PR) win the upcoming election? For those who have not read it, this was what he said i.e. “the Malay language will be lost, say goodbye to the Malay Sultans, say goodbye to Islam”.
Now, can anyone believe in what he said? Even the cows at NFC would be laughing, even though the cows do not understand what was being said. I think this Ahmad Maslan fella must have his brains at his knees, or has he any brains left? The only reason I can think of for him to come out with such a preposterous statement is the fear that he would lose the upcoming elections. I can imagine what will happen to him if he loses. He had better say goodbye to luxurious lifestyle (if he has one now), say goodbye to his friends, say goodbye to his businesses (if he has any).
I do not know how old is Ahmad Maslan; definitely not as old as I am. You see, I was schooled at the time when the British were the masters, and I have not lost my Malay language or my religion. The Malay rulers survived under British rule and some were even accorded protection by the British. Today, the Malay rulers still resides in regal splendor and Malaysians of all races fully respect and acknowledge the Malay rulers role in society.
I think Ahmad Maslan must have been born during the Constitutional Crisis of the 1993.Does he not remember which political party and the leaders that had gone after the throats of the Malay rulers during the crisis? Even the gentle Kedah Sultan was not spared of the blistering attacks by of all people, the Malays themselves.
Can I ask Ahmad Maslan if there were any Chinese or Indians that sided UMNO in criticizing the Malay rulers then? My answer (if Ahmad Maslan wasn’t born then) is that the Chinese and Indians were completely out of the scene. They did not do what UMNO did to the Malay rulers i.e. to be ‘kurang ajar pada Raja Raja’. Sorry, Ahmad Maslan for saying this, and I also wish to say that what the Malays have lost today is the doing of UMNO itself. Don’t you blame it on the other races? UMNO were the ‘rulers’ since 1957, and I can also say that if UMNO wasn’t greedy and had followed religiously the party’s avowed principles, the Malays will not be what they are today.
I feel sorry for Ahmad Maslan who is perpetually lost in his selfish ways, but I feel even sorrier for my race. I think it is only now that the Malays have awakened to realize how much they have lost due in part to the selfish actions of its own brethrens i.e. UMNO.
CRUSADE AGAINST CORRUPTION
Now, can anyone believe in what he said? Even the cows at NFC would be laughing, even though the cows do not understand what was being said. I think this Ahmad Maslan fella must have his brains at his knees, or has he any brains left? The only reason I can think of for him to come out with such a preposterous statement is the fear that he would lose the upcoming elections. I can imagine what will happen to him if he loses. He had better say goodbye to luxurious lifestyle (if he has one now), say goodbye to his friends, say goodbye to his businesses (if he has any).
I do not know how old is Ahmad Maslan; definitely not as old as I am. You see, I was schooled at the time when the British were the masters, and I have not lost my Malay language or my religion. The Malay rulers survived under British rule and some were even accorded protection by the British. Today, the Malay rulers still resides in regal splendor and Malaysians of all races fully respect and acknowledge the Malay rulers role in society.
I think Ahmad Maslan must have been born during the Constitutional Crisis of the 1993.Does he not remember which political party and the leaders that had gone after the throats of the Malay rulers during the crisis? Even the gentle Kedah Sultan was not spared of the blistering attacks by of all people, the Malays themselves.
Can I ask Ahmad Maslan if there were any Chinese or Indians that sided UMNO in criticizing the Malay rulers then? My answer (if Ahmad Maslan wasn’t born then) is that the Chinese and Indians were completely out of the scene. They did not do what UMNO did to the Malay rulers i.e. to be ‘kurang ajar pada Raja Raja’. Sorry, Ahmad Maslan for saying this, and I also wish to say that what the Malays have lost today is the doing of UMNO itself. Don’t you blame it on the other races? UMNO were the ‘rulers’ since 1957, and I can also say that if UMNO wasn’t greedy and had followed religiously the party’s avowed principles, the Malays will not be what they are today.
I feel sorry for Ahmad Maslan who is perpetually lost in his selfish ways, but I feel even sorrier for my race. I think it is only now that the Malays have awakened to realize how much they have lost due in part to the selfish actions of its own brethrens i.e. UMNO.
CRUSADE AGAINST CORRUPTION
Monday, November 28, 2011
WHAT IS SO WRONG IN BEFRIENDING THE OPPOSITION?
I was referred to during a conversation with a friend of an article titled PANGLIMA BERSARA SERTAI PKR KERANA BERMASALAH posted in a blog bigdogdotcom.wordpress.com.
I have no interest in knowing who the blogger is, but I certainly have interest in correcting the facts posted in the blog and to counter some issues that he has written.
First, the writer says that the senior military officer whom he named as Brig Jen Dato Abdullah bin Mohamed (Retired) 67 years of age, was the Commander of an Army unit, had on 24 November 2011 joined the PKR and paid RM200 for a life membership at the PKR’s office, Port Dickson. Dato Abdullah, together with 50 other retired military officers and ranks of the Armed Forces acceptance into PKR will be announced by Anuar Ibrahim when the latter makes a scheduled visit to Port Dickson on 25 December 2011.
The writer alleged that the reason Dato Abdullah and the others joined PKR is to expose the audit on the recent purchase of the 8x8 Armoured Vehicles for the Army that were purchased at 7 times the original price. The writer accused the PKR of wanting to solicit the knowledge of Dato Abdullah and the others in party’s investigation (should the investigation be carried out) relating to the purchase of the armoured vehicles for the party’s personal gain. Whatever is revealed during the investigation will be used by PKR during its campaign; purportedly aimed at discrediting (politik kebencian) the government.
First, let me correct a vital error in fact i.e. that I am certain Brig Jen Dato Abdullah bin Mohamed (Retired) is not an army officer as alleged. I am of his age, and I being from the army am fully aware of names of senior military officers of my era. I do not know if there is an officer by that name in the other two services of the Armed Forces.
Second, what is so wrong if Dato Abdullah and the 50 others want to join PKR? Is it an offence for retired military men/women to join a political party of their choice? Is the writer suggesting that they should only join UMNO or any other party within the BN coalition? What is so dreadful and unacceptable in them joining an opposition party? Is the writer suggesting that it is only the BN that has the right to govern the country for another 100 years?
Third, if Dato Abdullah and the others are privy to the dealings in the purchase of the armoured vehicles, what is so wrong for them to expose the dealings if the dealings are deemed to be dubious and are mired in corruption, impropriety, falsification by those involved in making the deal? Are they not doing what is desired by civil society? They being Muslims, I think are committed to reveal and to expose any wrong doing, for if they are to remain quite, is to condone such impropriety. Any other religion for that matter does not condone the obvious wrong doing of others.
To blogger bigdog, I have this to say – I and many others that had served the Armed Forces faithfully has this obvious hatred for corruption. I have known how corrupt some Armed Forces personal were, and how lucky they were not to be caught and jailed. I believe you know too the corruption that goes on among politicians and government officials till this very day, but you chose to ignore that such act do exist and instead turn a blind eye. By doing this, I say that you are in connivance with the devil.
Finally, let me tell blogger bigdog that I am also of the opinion that the RM7 billion purchases of 200 odd armoured vehicles are highly inflated. And for saying this, are you now going to say that I too am a voice of the opposition? So stop being paranoid at seeing retired military officers and ranks joining the opposition party, for this is part of a burgeoning process of creating the best democracy for the country. And isn’t this also the aspiration of PM Najib?
CRUSADE AGAINST CORRUPTION
I have no interest in knowing who the blogger is, but I certainly have interest in correcting the facts posted in the blog and to counter some issues that he has written.
First, the writer says that the senior military officer whom he named as Brig Jen Dato Abdullah bin Mohamed (Retired) 67 years of age, was the Commander of an Army unit, had on 24 November 2011 joined the PKR and paid RM200 for a life membership at the PKR’s office, Port Dickson. Dato Abdullah, together with 50 other retired military officers and ranks of the Armed Forces acceptance into PKR will be announced by Anuar Ibrahim when the latter makes a scheduled visit to Port Dickson on 25 December 2011.
The writer alleged that the reason Dato Abdullah and the others joined PKR is to expose the audit on the recent purchase of the 8x8 Armoured Vehicles for the Army that were purchased at 7 times the original price. The writer accused the PKR of wanting to solicit the knowledge of Dato Abdullah and the others in party’s investigation (should the investigation be carried out) relating to the purchase of the armoured vehicles for the party’s personal gain. Whatever is revealed during the investigation will be used by PKR during its campaign; purportedly aimed at discrediting (politik kebencian) the government.
First, let me correct a vital error in fact i.e. that I am certain Brig Jen Dato Abdullah bin Mohamed (Retired) is not an army officer as alleged. I am of his age, and I being from the army am fully aware of names of senior military officers of my era. I do not know if there is an officer by that name in the other two services of the Armed Forces.
Second, what is so wrong if Dato Abdullah and the 50 others want to join PKR? Is it an offence for retired military men/women to join a political party of their choice? Is the writer suggesting that they should only join UMNO or any other party within the BN coalition? What is so dreadful and unacceptable in them joining an opposition party? Is the writer suggesting that it is only the BN that has the right to govern the country for another 100 years?
Third, if Dato Abdullah and the others are privy to the dealings in the purchase of the armoured vehicles, what is so wrong for them to expose the dealings if the dealings are deemed to be dubious and are mired in corruption, impropriety, falsification by those involved in making the deal? Are they not doing what is desired by civil society? They being Muslims, I think are committed to reveal and to expose any wrong doing, for if they are to remain quite, is to condone such impropriety. Any other religion for that matter does not condone the obvious wrong doing of others.
To blogger bigdog, I have this to say – I and many others that had served the Armed Forces faithfully has this obvious hatred for corruption. I have known how corrupt some Armed Forces personal were, and how lucky they were not to be caught and jailed. I believe you know too the corruption that goes on among politicians and government officials till this very day, but you chose to ignore that such act do exist and instead turn a blind eye. By doing this, I say that you are in connivance with the devil.
Finally, let me tell blogger bigdog that I am also of the opinion that the RM7 billion purchases of 200 odd armoured vehicles are highly inflated. And for saying this, are you now going to say that I too am a voice of the opposition? So stop being paranoid at seeing retired military officers and ranks joining the opposition party, for this is part of a burgeoning process of creating the best democracy for the country. And isn’t this also the aspiration of PM Najib?
CRUSADE AGAINST CORRUPTION
LEARNING FROM THE MILITARY
Some UMNO leaders have referred Women Minister Shahrizat Jalil a liability to the party and called for her resignation. This call is in obvious reference to the RM250 million National Feedlot Corporation (NFC) public uproar caused by Shahrizat’s husband Dr. Ismail Salleh, who in turn had justified that the NFC is managing well and “is on track to produce 60,000 head of cattle by 2015”. Dr. Ismail Salleh even declared that the purchase of the two exclusive condos at RM6.9 million each from NFC’s fund as valid investment generating a monthly income of RM70,000 per unit of condo to the company; ignoring the moral justification in spending something that is unrelated to the NFC project. If Dr. Ismail Salleh believes that public criticism against him relating to the alleged mismanagement of the NFC is done in bad taste and deemed malicious, then I think the Auditor General ought to be blame for having reported that the NFC was in a ‘mess’, and not the opposition or members of the public. The primary reason for the public uproar is because the public is concern as it is their money that is at stake; not that of any individual or party.
I believe the upcoming UMNO General Assembly would be tough for Shahrizat being the party’s Wanita Chief to defend the criticism labeled at her and the action of her husband by some party members over the NFC affairs. How will she disentangle herself from the NFC fiasco and to defend the call for her resignation from party members, will be her fiercest challenge ever as a minister and the Wanita Chief. I believe too that the NFC issue is now a bane to the party’s leadership in the upcoming UMNO General Assembly, and if this issue is allowed to be debated, it could well be the downfall of Shahrizat. But if the party refrains from debating the issue, it will be fodder for the opposition to claim that UMNO is a party that condones abuses and the mismanagement of public fund, allows preferential treatment to cronies and protects acts of corrupt practices by those closely associated with the top party leadership. Indeed, UMNO is in dilemma caused by the family members of Shahrizat, and the party has to resolve this before the general elections.
The recent statement by UMNO Deputy President Muhyiddin Yasin that the upcoming general election will be the ‘mother of all elections’, I believe is in reference to the many unsettled issues plaguing the party, and the NFC fiasco could well be one of the issues. It also signals that all is not too well within the party caused primarily by the doings of the party members themselves. I also believe that Muhyiddin now recognizes that the opposition is no longer to be taken for granted; rather the opposition is a party that has gained strength since the 2008 general elections. This warning however does not go down well with some party leaders who remain complacent in the belief that all is in the party’s favour. If the warnings of the likes of Tun Mahathir, Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah and the ‘old guards’ of UMNO that the party is slipping into oblivion and is beyond redemption is ignored, then I can confidently say that UMNO’s death is inevitable and Putrajaya will be lost forever. What will happen to the UMNO/BN leaders then following their eviction from power is anyone’s guess.
Now, PKR’s daring expose to stage its national congress at the very heart of UMNO’s bastion i.e. Johor recently is not to be taken lightly. Rather, it should serve as a barometer of support that Johoreans too are ready to shift their allegiance in PKR’s favour, given the party’s successes in governing the states controlled by the opposition. Here again, it is the Auditor General’s report that had claimed the successes of the opposition held states, notably Selangor and Penang that were ravaged by poor governance, mismanagement and incompetency by the leaders of the previously held government. People are now beginning to question where and what has the previous government done wrong and what has the present state government done to deserve a good billing by the Auditor General. UMNO/BN has to accept their past failures and no amount of denying, justification and accusation could redeem themselves of their wrongdoings.
And taking the lessons that I have been taught in the military, acknowledging defeat and failure today is the precursor to success in the future. And to withdraw is not an acknowledgement of defeat, but it is survive and to consolidate to fight another battle. Certainly, UMNO/BN can learn a lot from the military to win their political battle.
CRUSADE AGAINST CORRUPTION
I believe the upcoming UMNO General Assembly would be tough for Shahrizat being the party’s Wanita Chief to defend the criticism labeled at her and the action of her husband by some party members over the NFC affairs. How will she disentangle herself from the NFC fiasco and to defend the call for her resignation from party members, will be her fiercest challenge ever as a minister and the Wanita Chief. I believe too that the NFC issue is now a bane to the party’s leadership in the upcoming UMNO General Assembly, and if this issue is allowed to be debated, it could well be the downfall of Shahrizat. But if the party refrains from debating the issue, it will be fodder for the opposition to claim that UMNO is a party that condones abuses and the mismanagement of public fund, allows preferential treatment to cronies and protects acts of corrupt practices by those closely associated with the top party leadership. Indeed, UMNO is in dilemma caused by the family members of Shahrizat, and the party has to resolve this before the general elections.
The recent statement by UMNO Deputy President Muhyiddin Yasin that the upcoming general election will be the ‘mother of all elections’, I believe is in reference to the many unsettled issues plaguing the party, and the NFC fiasco could well be one of the issues. It also signals that all is not too well within the party caused primarily by the doings of the party members themselves. I also believe that Muhyiddin now recognizes that the opposition is no longer to be taken for granted; rather the opposition is a party that has gained strength since the 2008 general elections. This warning however does not go down well with some party leaders who remain complacent in the belief that all is in the party’s favour. If the warnings of the likes of Tun Mahathir, Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah and the ‘old guards’ of UMNO that the party is slipping into oblivion and is beyond redemption is ignored, then I can confidently say that UMNO’s death is inevitable and Putrajaya will be lost forever. What will happen to the UMNO/BN leaders then following their eviction from power is anyone’s guess.
Now, PKR’s daring expose to stage its national congress at the very heart of UMNO’s bastion i.e. Johor recently is not to be taken lightly. Rather, it should serve as a barometer of support that Johoreans too are ready to shift their allegiance in PKR’s favour, given the party’s successes in governing the states controlled by the opposition. Here again, it is the Auditor General’s report that had claimed the successes of the opposition held states, notably Selangor and Penang that were ravaged by poor governance, mismanagement and incompetency by the leaders of the previously held government. People are now beginning to question where and what has the previous government done wrong and what has the present state government done to deserve a good billing by the Auditor General. UMNO/BN has to accept their past failures and no amount of denying, justification and accusation could redeem themselves of their wrongdoings.
And taking the lessons that I have been taught in the military, acknowledging defeat and failure today is the precursor to success in the future. And to withdraw is not an acknowledgement of defeat, but it is survive and to consolidate to fight another battle. Certainly, UMNO/BN can learn a lot from the military to win their political battle.
CRUSADE AGAINST CORRUPTION
WINNING THE GENERAL ELECTION
I have been receiving calls, SMS and emails over the last few days from persons I know and from some others whom I do not know, seeking to find out whether I still ‘exit’ or otherwise. Actually, my long silence was because I have been out travelling south to visit friends that I had missed since leaving the military service. It has now been almost 13 years since I discarded my uniform, and I suddenly felt a dying urge to meet up with those that had served me; particularly those who were with me early in my military career. It sure gave me great pleasure and satisfaction to meet them once again in their period of retirement and what is most satisfying is to know that most of their children have families of their own and are leading a successful life.
I have wanted to write during my travels but at the age of 68 this November, I realize how exerting my body gets after having been on the road for an entire day.
I am now back to what I was, and the first thing I did was to try and capture all that was available in the new media. I wasn’t surprise to read that the PKR has thrown its biggest threat and challenge ever i.e. that they will take to the streets and force the government out if fraud is still prevalent in the upcoming general election. They also warned that any move to restrict the party of a peaceful gathering (to protest against an election fraud) will be met with street demonstrations that would be on a much larger scale than Bersih 2.0. They accused the Peaceful Assembly Bill tabled in Parliament recently as a move to thwart and deny any form of gathering and protest.
This is indeed a scary proposition, and if Bersih 2.0 could gather more than 50 thousand protestors, I think the next Bersih gathering (if ever it is to be organized) could easily marshal a much larger crowd. I am not saying this out of jest for there is already a brewing dissatisfaction and hatred against the government, particularly from among the younger generation for what they believe is the utter incompetence of the government to rein on the many issues inflicting society and the mismanagement of the country’s wealth. They see the recent government spending mirrors that of compulsive spender that treats the nation’s wealth as its very own Auto Teller Machine.
I say this without any inhibition, and what comes to mind is the poor handling by the government over the National Feedlot Center fiasco that puts the government at its worse in the eyes of civil society. They say that the NFC fiasco is outright abuse and thievery by those in power and the government’s inaction to support the Auditor General’s report has brought only shame to the nation. Sadly, ministers and politicians that had come out in support of the NFC are shameless idiots that clearly do not understand the difference between what is righteous and what is wrong, and the anger that they had caused from among civil society by supporting something that is so obviously wrong. I was told recently that the level of corruption and graft from among government officials (our sacred civil service) has reached a level that is beyond redemption and this is quite obvious when you see some shamelessly living beyond their means. Otherwise, how could there be so much of financial abuses and mismanagement as reflected in the Auditor General’s report? And why have the government; its ministers and some politicians in particular acted adversely against the Auditor General’s report is mind boggling. Are they saying that the Auditor General had lied, aimed at discrediting the government? Sure, the NFC fiasco has impacted upon the BN government’s image and popularity, and what is worse; I think the BN government has lost several thousand votes because of its poor handling of the NFC.
As I was writing this article, I received an SMS telling me that parents are not too pleased to see BN politicians (some Ketua Bahagian or Ketua Cawangan) handing out the RM100 cash awards to students at some schools recently. They questioned whether the cash award is from the government i.e. tax payers money, or is it from party fund. If it is from tax payer’s money, then politicians have no reason to be handing the cash award. It should be the teachers themselves or some education department officials (not politicians) that should be handing the cash award. It is public knowledge that the money is not from the BN party and rightfully, BN politicians should be out of this. But why has the Education Department allowed BN politicians to become Santa Claus, knowing that Christmas is still 3 weeks away? Or were there instructions from the Education Department itself to please the political masters?
I think this cash award to students by the government has gone a bit too far. I would agree if the cash award is given to students of rural schools like those in the estates and in the interior of Sabah, Sarawak and some in the peninsular. But extending it to students of private schools and to some well funded and premier schools, I think is stretching charity too far. I would have thought the money could be better used to upgrade schools that are in dire need of repairs; mainly rural schools.
With the GE nearing, there is already the excitement in the BN and the PR to go on an early campaign drive. While the BN has the mainstream media (MSM) to act as their ‘propaganda machine’, the PR has started their ground campaign into some of BN’s stronghold, example the state of Johor and FELDA schemes. I think the BN should no longer be over reliant on the MSM to lead their campaigning, as most urban viewers/readers of the MSM has little to believe in the MSM. Rather, the new media has now taken the lead in reporting and there is no denying that the new media will be the people’s focus in the days and weeks leading to the upcoming GE. I now believe that who so ever wins the new media campaign, wins the GE.
CRUSADE AGAINST CORRUPTION
I have wanted to write during my travels but at the age of 68 this November, I realize how exerting my body gets after having been on the road for an entire day.
I am now back to what I was, and the first thing I did was to try and capture all that was available in the new media. I wasn’t surprise to read that the PKR has thrown its biggest threat and challenge ever i.e. that they will take to the streets and force the government out if fraud is still prevalent in the upcoming general election. They also warned that any move to restrict the party of a peaceful gathering (to protest against an election fraud) will be met with street demonstrations that would be on a much larger scale than Bersih 2.0. They accused the Peaceful Assembly Bill tabled in Parliament recently as a move to thwart and deny any form of gathering and protest.
This is indeed a scary proposition, and if Bersih 2.0 could gather more than 50 thousand protestors, I think the next Bersih gathering (if ever it is to be organized) could easily marshal a much larger crowd. I am not saying this out of jest for there is already a brewing dissatisfaction and hatred against the government, particularly from among the younger generation for what they believe is the utter incompetence of the government to rein on the many issues inflicting society and the mismanagement of the country’s wealth. They see the recent government spending mirrors that of compulsive spender that treats the nation’s wealth as its very own Auto Teller Machine.
I say this without any inhibition, and what comes to mind is the poor handling by the government over the National Feedlot Center fiasco that puts the government at its worse in the eyes of civil society. They say that the NFC fiasco is outright abuse and thievery by those in power and the government’s inaction to support the Auditor General’s report has brought only shame to the nation. Sadly, ministers and politicians that had come out in support of the NFC are shameless idiots that clearly do not understand the difference between what is righteous and what is wrong, and the anger that they had caused from among civil society by supporting something that is so obviously wrong. I was told recently that the level of corruption and graft from among government officials (our sacred civil service) has reached a level that is beyond redemption and this is quite obvious when you see some shamelessly living beyond their means. Otherwise, how could there be so much of financial abuses and mismanagement as reflected in the Auditor General’s report? And why have the government; its ministers and some politicians in particular acted adversely against the Auditor General’s report is mind boggling. Are they saying that the Auditor General had lied, aimed at discrediting the government? Sure, the NFC fiasco has impacted upon the BN government’s image and popularity, and what is worse; I think the BN government has lost several thousand votes because of its poor handling of the NFC.
As I was writing this article, I received an SMS telling me that parents are not too pleased to see BN politicians (some Ketua Bahagian or Ketua Cawangan) handing out the RM100 cash awards to students at some schools recently. They questioned whether the cash award is from the government i.e. tax payers money, or is it from party fund. If it is from tax payer’s money, then politicians have no reason to be handing the cash award. It should be the teachers themselves or some education department officials (not politicians) that should be handing the cash award. It is public knowledge that the money is not from the BN party and rightfully, BN politicians should be out of this. But why has the Education Department allowed BN politicians to become Santa Claus, knowing that Christmas is still 3 weeks away? Or were there instructions from the Education Department itself to please the political masters?
I think this cash award to students by the government has gone a bit too far. I would agree if the cash award is given to students of rural schools like those in the estates and in the interior of Sabah, Sarawak and some in the peninsular. But extending it to students of private schools and to some well funded and premier schools, I think is stretching charity too far. I would have thought the money could be better used to upgrade schools that are in dire need of repairs; mainly rural schools.
With the GE nearing, there is already the excitement in the BN and the PR to go on an early campaign drive. While the BN has the mainstream media (MSM) to act as their ‘propaganda machine’, the PR has started their ground campaign into some of BN’s stronghold, example the state of Johor and FELDA schemes. I think the BN should no longer be over reliant on the MSM to lead their campaigning, as most urban viewers/readers of the MSM has little to believe in the MSM. Rather, the new media has now taken the lead in reporting and there is no denying that the new media will be the people’s focus in the days and weeks leading to the upcoming GE. I now believe that who so ever wins the new media campaign, wins the GE.
CRUSADE AGAINST CORRUPTION
Sunday, November 13, 2011
CAN UMNO/BN SURVIVE THE NFC FIASCO?
The National Feedlot Corporation (NFC) fiasco has created more liars and cheats from among the ruling elite, and the PM himself is no exception. I do not wish to comment on the denials made by the Agriculture Minister Noh Omar in defence of Shahrizat’s failed family business, for the former is perpetually lost in his own job and ministry. And in fairness to Noh Omar, he should not be the person to speak out about something that he wasn’t involved in. Rather, it is DPM Muhyiddin that should do all the explanation since it was during his tenure as the Agriculture Minister that the NFC project was approved. Sadly, Muhyiddin has not uttered a word and has left it to others to say their piece. Now we all know Muhyiddin i.e. a person who does not take responsibility for a failure of his own doing. And mind you, he is slated to be the next PM – a scary proposition.
One particular person who thinks he can correct something that is obviously wrong is UMNO Youth leader Khairy Jamaluddin. People say that he is smart because he is a graduate of the prestigious Oxford University, but sometimes smart people can say stupid things as well. This is the dilemma that Khairy has for being proclaimed by his loyalist as being smart, and it is because of this that everything he does and say is subject to public scrutiny. Khairy is definitely unlike Noh Omar because the latter can say anything he wishes but gets very little or no attention. The reason is obvious i.e. Noh Omar does not have the ‘credentials’ of a smart person, and Selangoreans in particular does not think highly of him either.
Khairy Jamaluddin comments concerning the purchase of a RM9.8 million luxury condo at Bangsar by NFC has come under severe criticism from the opposition members and likeminded Malaysians. Khairy thinks that the purchase of the condo being part of NFC’s investment is quite in order since the condo can bring home substantial returns in the future. But Khairy obviously has overlooked the terms and conditions’ relating to the usage of the loan that I believe is only meant for NFC’s related business ventures. But what has purchasing a condo got to do with NFC’s related business ventures, unless the condo is meant to house the cows. I think Khairy knows this, but he thinks he can outsmart others with his mediocre and thoughtless comment. Former Health Minister Chua Jui Meng has this to say of Khairy’s comment - “This is the most stupid thing I’ve ever heard from someone who is thought to be smart”. And didn’t I say that some smart people can also be saying stupid things? So you now know that Khairy is not that smart after all.
To date, only a handful of people have come forward in defence of the NFC i.e. PM Najib, Noh Omar, Khairy and Shahrizat herself. But one particular person that have till now remained silent (besides Muhyiddin) is the owner of NFC itself i.e. the husband of Shahrizat. My I ask – why is this so? Is he clinging on to his wife to take on the full brunt of public criticism? To remain silent is a confession of guilt. I am told that Shahrizat’s husband has all the qualifications and credentials (including their children) to managed the NFC project successfully. So why this unexplained failure when a full disbursement of public funding has been made to NFC? Are we to believe that the AG report isn’t correct and need to be redone? Here, we are talking about a RM200 million public funded project; not a 200 ringgit public funded project. And it is for this reason the public wants answers and they want to know what will be the fate of such huge losses.
Let me be blunt with Shahrizat and her entire family members that what you all did is an act amounting to a criminal breach of trust (CBT). You claim to be Muslims and do you not know what the Koran say about someone who breaches ‘Amanah’. You being in power today may escape the worldly punishment, but you will not escape questioning on the Day of Judgment.
I personally think the NFC’s case is indefensible, and not only will this NFC fiasco hurt Shahrizat in her quest for a candidacy in the next GE, but this will also caused reasonable doubts on her position as the UMNO Wanita chief. Certainly, the weaker sex does not want a leader that is embroiled in ‘scandals’. The nett effect of this NFC fiasco will be upon the shoulders of PM Najib who will have to defend UMNO/BN to survive the upcoming GE. I know this will be a daunting task for PM Najib.
CRUSADE AGAINST CORRUPTION
One particular person who thinks he can correct something that is obviously wrong is UMNO Youth leader Khairy Jamaluddin. People say that he is smart because he is a graduate of the prestigious Oxford University, but sometimes smart people can say stupid things as well. This is the dilemma that Khairy has for being proclaimed by his loyalist as being smart, and it is because of this that everything he does and say is subject to public scrutiny. Khairy is definitely unlike Noh Omar because the latter can say anything he wishes but gets very little or no attention. The reason is obvious i.e. Noh Omar does not have the ‘credentials’ of a smart person, and Selangoreans in particular does not think highly of him either.
Khairy Jamaluddin comments concerning the purchase of a RM9.8 million luxury condo at Bangsar by NFC has come under severe criticism from the opposition members and likeminded Malaysians. Khairy thinks that the purchase of the condo being part of NFC’s investment is quite in order since the condo can bring home substantial returns in the future. But Khairy obviously has overlooked the terms and conditions’ relating to the usage of the loan that I believe is only meant for NFC’s related business ventures. But what has purchasing a condo got to do with NFC’s related business ventures, unless the condo is meant to house the cows. I think Khairy knows this, but he thinks he can outsmart others with his mediocre and thoughtless comment. Former Health Minister Chua Jui Meng has this to say of Khairy’s comment - “This is the most stupid thing I’ve ever heard from someone who is thought to be smart”. And didn’t I say that some smart people can also be saying stupid things? So you now know that Khairy is not that smart after all.
To date, only a handful of people have come forward in defence of the NFC i.e. PM Najib, Noh Omar, Khairy and Shahrizat herself. But one particular person that have till now remained silent (besides Muhyiddin) is the owner of NFC itself i.e. the husband of Shahrizat. My I ask – why is this so? Is he clinging on to his wife to take on the full brunt of public criticism? To remain silent is a confession of guilt. I am told that Shahrizat’s husband has all the qualifications and credentials (including their children) to managed the NFC project successfully. So why this unexplained failure when a full disbursement of public funding has been made to NFC? Are we to believe that the AG report isn’t correct and need to be redone? Here, we are talking about a RM200 million public funded project; not a 200 ringgit public funded project. And it is for this reason the public wants answers and they want to know what will be the fate of such huge losses.
Let me be blunt with Shahrizat and her entire family members that what you all did is an act amounting to a criminal breach of trust (CBT). You claim to be Muslims and do you not know what the Koran say about someone who breaches ‘Amanah’. You being in power today may escape the worldly punishment, but you will not escape questioning on the Day of Judgment.
I personally think the NFC’s case is indefensible, and not only will this NFC fiasco hurt Shahrizat in her quest for a candidacy in the next GE, but this will also caused reasonable doubts on her position as the UMNO Wanita chief. Certainly, the weaker sex does not want a leader that is embroiled in ‘scandals’. The nett effect of this NFC fiasco will be upon the shoulders of PM Najib who will have to defend UMNO/BN to survive the upcoming GE. I know this will be a daunting task for PM Najib.
CRUSADE AGAINST CORRUPTION
WHAT IS IT LIKE TO BE A HAJJAH AND A HAJI
PM Najib Tun Razak and wife Rosmah Mansor, both have performed the Haj a number of times, and by ‘convention’ they should be addressed as Haji Najib Tun Razak and Hajjah Rosmah Mansor. But for some reason, I have not heard anyone honouring them as such.
Back at my kampong, a Hajjah and a Haji is usually accorded with respect and dignity, and for someone that had just returned from performing the Haj, he or she usually gets a rousing welcome by the kampong folks and including the recitation of a doa to grace his or her return. They claim that to receive someone that had just returned from Mecca is to seek their blessing, and usually one is offered some dried fruits and a taste of ‘air zam zam’.
I remembered the day my father left on a pilgrimage for Mecca, and that was back in the early 50’s. We had to send him to the KL railway station for his trip to Penang; thence to board a ship specially chartered for pilgrims to the holy land. At the railway station, and just about the train was to depart, someone would recite the Azan. As a child, I do not know the significance of reciting the Azan for those performing the pilgrimage, for I only know that the Azan is a call to prayers. I remembered shedding tears upon seeing my father bidding farewell to me and my other siblings. What saddens me upon returning home was that I would no longer have my father to accompany me to sleep at night for the next few months.
It was several months later that my father returned home upon completing the Haj, and I remembered his friends would all gather at our house to welcome him and for the customary ‘doa selamat’. That was the first time I heard someone addressed my father as Tuan Haji Raji, and I could hardly understand the reason for this. Sometimes, I would meet my father’s friends at the market place and they would usually ask, “awak ni anak Tuan Haji Raji ke?”. Certainly, I sensed the respect and dignity accorded to my father who is already a Haji, and I being referred to as ‘anak Tuan Haji Raji’.
Now, both Rosmah and Najib have just returned from performing the Haj, but why wouldn’t they be addressed as Puan Hajjah Rosmah and Tuan Haji Najib? What’s stopping people and including the media from addressing them as such? Will they be seen to be less honourable and dignified by addressing them as such? Or are their honorific titles of Dato Seri and Datin Seri takes precedence over any other titles? I would certainly like to address them with their new found ‘titles’. Besides addressing them as such, I would also love to see Puan Hajjah Rosmah adorn the ‘mini telekong’ to cover her exposed hair like most Hajjah do, and Tuan Haji Najib to wear the ‘kopiah putih’. This would certainly change their image; one of a good and obedient Muslim leader; something that the highly priced APCO and the British Public Relations company weren’t able to do. And above all things, the Malay kampong folks would be pleased to see Tuan Haji Najib and Puan Hajjah Rosmah present themselves with this new image.
CRUSADE AGAINST CORRUPTION
Back at my kampong, a Hajjah and a Haji is usually accorded with respect and dignity, and for someone that had just returned from performing the Haj, he or she usually gets a rousing welcome by the kampong folks and including the recitation of a doa to grace his or her return. They claim that to receive someone that had just returned from Mecca is to seek their blessing, and usually one is offered some dried fruits and a taste of ‘air zam zam’.
I remembered the day my father left on a pilgrimage for Mecca, and that was back in the early 50’s. We had to send him to the KL railway station for his trip to Penang; thence to board a ship specially chartered for pilgrims to the holy land. At the railway station, and just about the train was to depart, someone would recite the Azan. As a child, I do not know the significance of reciting the Azan for those performing the pilgrimage, for I only know that the Azan is a call to prayers. I remembered shedding tears upon seeing my father bidding farewell to me and my other siblings. What saddens me upon returning home was that I would no longer have my father to accompany me to sleep at night for the next few months.
It was several months later that my father returned home upon completing the Haj, and I remembered his friends would all gather at our house to welcome him and for the customary ‘doa selamat’. That was the first time I heard someone addressed my father as Tuan Haji Raji, and I could hardly understand the reason for this. Sometimes, I would meet my father’s friends at the market place and they would usually ask, “awak ni anak Tuan Haji Raji ke?”. Certainly, I sensed the respect and dignity accorded to my father who is already a Haji, and I being referred to as ‘anak Tuan Haji Raji’.
Now, both Rosmah and Najib have just returned from performing the Haj, but why wouldn’t they be addressed as Puan Hajjah Rosmah and Tuan Haji Najib? What’s stopping people and including the media from addressing them as such? Will they be seen to be less honourable and dignified by addressing them as such? Or are their honorific titles of Dato Seri and Datin Seri takes precedence over any other titles? I would certainly like to address them with their new found ‘titles’. Besides addressing them as such, I would also love to see Puan Hajjah Rosmah adorn the ‘mini telekong’ to cover her exposed hair like most Hajjah do, and Tuan Haji Najib to wear the ‘kopiah putih’. This would certainly change their image; one of a good and obedient Muslim leader; something that the highly priced APCO and the British Public Relations company weren’t able to do. And above all things, the Malay kampong folks would be pleased to see Tuan Haji Najib and Puan Hajjah Rosmah present themselves with this new image.
CRUSADE AGAINST CORRUPTION
Saturday, November 12, 2011
POWER IS MIGHT AND RIGHT IN BOLEH LAND
Even before Anuar Ibrahim’s sodomy 2 trial comes to an end, he now faces new charges, this time filed by the police themselves, reportedly under Section 182 of the Penal Code for giving ‘false information to injure another person’. The charge is related to a report that Anuar made to the police against the famous Datuk T sex video that alleges the porn star in the video was Anuar himself.
If anyone were to ask me why have the police taken the initiative to file a new charge against Anuar now, and not at the time when the report was made? My layman’s answer to this question is simply this i.e. it is a deliberate attempt by the authorities to continuously persecute Anuar with charges upon charges, till he can no longer withstand the ‘barrages’ heaped upon him. And what is even worse is that the charge is filed at a time when Anuar is in the midst of an ongoing trial for alleged sodomy and with the GE nearing. I think the entire scheme is to obliterate Anuar’s name completely from the face of the earth, and even when he is dead. To me, what the police have done is the most outrageous thing that no righteous person can ever forgive. I say to all that I have had enough of this deliberate persecution of Anuar, and I take great pity for the sufferings that he had endured and by his entire family.
Now, having said the above, I can sense that many will say that I am a staunch Anuar’s favorite, and an ungrateful retired government servant who shamelessly strived on a paltry government pension. For those who hold such a perception, I would like to say this to them, that I am no Anuar’s favorite, neither am I a staunch favorite of Najib. I am for fair and equitable justice for all, but certainly not the kind of justice that Anuar has to go through since his release from prison.
Both Anuar and including Najib (me included) must have committed errors in their lives and this is quite normal of a human being. But why is Anuar being targeted relentlessly for persecution (including that of his innocent family), whereas there are some VVIP’s (you know who) and many more who are just given a reprieve with a soft warning for a crime. If sex is the reason for the authorities to relentlessly prosecute and persecute Anuar, then why not prosecute that MCA leader who admitted to having a sex tryst with a woman other than his wife? Or why was that ‘Raba Raba’ politician be let scot free and was subsequently rewarded with an Ambassadorial post in a foreign land? And I am told too that Najib himself isn’t that clean of his sex vices; yet he is the PM today and none of his party members are complaining? And don’t forget that former Malacca Chief Minister who committed one of the most outrageous and henious crimes i.e. having sex with one underage girl, but never served a jail sentence nor was he whipped?
From the above examples, it is crystal clear that those politicians in power are treated differently from politicians that do not hold any power. This is the uniqueness of Boleh Land where power is might and right, and the powerless remains weak and has little or no right. There seems to be no justice; rather selective justice for the powerless and it is not only me that is witnessed to such injustices, but including the entire civilized world. These are the issues and acts that I violently opposed to, that I have been constantly writing about in some previous postings.
Finally, I have this to say, and setting aside your political leaning and affiliation – do you honestly think that Anuar and including his family members has been treated justifiably by the authorities since getting out of prison? Do they truly deserve such treatment? And compare that with the treatment accorded by the authorities for the ‘crimes’ committed by those powerful politicians that I have mentioned above. Do you not see the disparity and imbalances in the treatment of Anuar in comparison with the others? I ask you to seek you conscience and please be humane and passionate for once.
CRUSADE AGAINST CORRUPTION
If anyone were to ask me why have the police taken the initiative to file a new charge against Anuar now, and not at the time when the report was made? My layman’s answer to this question is simply this i.e. it is a deliberate attempt by the authorities to continuously persecute Anuar with charges upon charges, till he can no longer withstand the ‘barrages’ heaped upon him. And what is even worse is that the charge is filed at a time when Anuar is in the midst of an ongoing trial for alleged sodomy and with the GE nearing. I think the entire scheme is to obliterate Anuar’s name completely from the face of the earth, and even when he is dead. To me, what the police have done is the most outrageous thing that no righteous person can ever forgive. I say to all that I have had enough of this deliberate persecution of Anuar, and I take great pity for the sufferings that he had endured and by his entire family.
Now, having said the above, I can sense that many will say that I am a staunch Anuar’s favorite, and an ungrateful retired government servant who shamelessly strived on a paltry government pension. For those who hold such a perception, I would like to say this to them, that I am no Anuar’s favorite, neither am I a staunch favorite of Najib. I am for fair and equitable justice for all, but certainly not the kind of justice that Anuar has to go through since his release from prison.
Both Anuar and including Najib (me included) must have committed errors in their lives and this is quite normal of a human being. But why is Anuar being targeted relentlessly for persecution (including that of his innocent family), whereas there are some VVIP’s (you know who) and many more who are just given a reprieve with a soft warning for a crime. If sex is the reason for the authorities to relentlessly prosecute and persecute Anuar, then why not prosecute that MCA leader who admitted to having a sex tryst with a woman other than his wife? Or why was that ‘Raba Raba’ politician be let scot free and was subsequently rewarded with an Ambassadorial post in a foreign land? And I am told too that Najib himself isn’t that clean of his sex vices; yet he is the PM today and none of his party members are complaining? And don’t forget that former Malacca Chief Minister who committed one of the most outrageous and henious crimes i.e. having sex with one underage girl, but never served a jail sentence nor was he whipped?
From the above examples, it is crystal clear that those politicians in power are treated differently from politicians that do not hold any power. This is the uniqueness of Boleh Land where power is might and right, and the powerless remains weak and has little or no right. There seems to be no justice; rather selective justice for the powerless and it is not only me that is witnessed to such injustices, but including the entire civilized world. These are the issues and acts that I violently opposed to, that I have been constantly writing about in some previous postings.
Finally, I have this to say, and setting aside your political leaning and affiliation – do you honestly think that Anuar and including his family members has been treated justifiably by the authorities since getting out of prison? Do they truly deserve such treatment? And compare that with the treatment accorded by the authorities for the ‘crimes’ committed by those powerful politicians that I have mentioned above. Do you not see the disparity and imbalances in the treatment of Anuar in comparison with the others? I ask you to seek you conscience and please be humane and passionate for once.
CRUSADE AGAINST CORRUPTION
Friday, November 11, 2011
NFC – FROM COWS TO CONDO
The more I read about the National Feedlot Center (NFC) involving the Welfare Minister Shahrizat Jalil and her family members, the more I believe in the report by the Auditor General concerning the ‘mess’ observed on the project. And if the scandalous act by the management of the NFC proves to be true and is proven as such, then I can only say this i.e. send all of them to serve a prison term and a sacking for lady Welfare Minister. I see no other kinder judgment except only a prison term for such thievery and squandering of taxpayer’s money that the government seems not to be too concern about.
Ministers and some UMNO leaders have come out in defence of the project including the PM himself, but strangely the then Agriculture Minister who would have known about the project when it was approved during his tenure has remained mute till this day. Why is he too scared to open his mouth and has allowed the present Agriculture Minister Noh Omar to say his piece, knowing full well that what come out from Noh Omar are denials.
Now we are told that RM9.8 million of the loan intended for the NFC project was used to purchase an exclusive ‘One Menerung’ condo at Bangsar, Kuala Lumpur. I do not know what ‘menerung’ means, but to me a strange word means strange things. I hope the word has nothing to do with the dubious deals carried out by the Shahrizat family in the purchase of the exclusive condo (if it is true). And I can only laugh when opposition leader Saifuddin Nasution asked whether the condo was purchased for the cows. And if it does, these cows must be one of the most unique cows in the world adorning golden hoofs, I suppose.
Shahrizat has now to come out clean and fast off the many allegations made against her and her family members concerning the NFC affair. It has gone far too deep and the more she denies of any wrong doing, the more revelations will be made that will hurt her chances for a candidacy in the upcoming GE. The condo being in Bangsar (her former constituency) is sure to become a hot topic during the election campaign.
I am surprised at the amount of information revealed by the opposition concerning the NFC affair, and this confirms what was told to me by some government officials that moles does exist in about every ministry and department of the government. Even the highest level of government is not free of such moles. Whether this is good or bad, I do not know, but what I do know is that there is already a sense of frustration and anger among some honest and likeminded government officials that they have had enough of the abuses by the government, that is gradually being exposed by the opposition.
Finally, I only have praise and my highest respect for the Auditor General Tan Sri Ambrin Buang for coming out with such revealing reports. He could have hidden a lot of ‘skeletons’ but choose not to. Such is Ambrin Buang, a man of integrity that takes his job with full responsibility without fear or favour. If only we can have the likes of Ambrin Buang heading ministries and departments, I think the BN is assured of ruling the country for another 100 years.
CRUSADE AGAINST CORRUPTION
Ministers and some UMNO leaders have come out in defence of the project including the PM himself, but strangely the then Agriculture Minister who would have known about the project when it was approved during his tenure has remained mute till this day. Why is he too scared to open his mouth and has allowed the present Agriculture Minister Noh Omar to say his piece, knowing full well that what come out from Noh Omar are denials.
Now we are told that RM9.8 million of the loan intended for the NFC project was used to purchase an exclusive ‘One Menerung’ condo at Bangsar, Kuala Lumpur. I do not know what ‘menerung’ means, but to me a strange word means strange things. I hope the word has nothing to do with the dubious deals carried out by the Shahrizat family in the purchase of the exclusive condo (if it is true). And I can only laugh when opposition leader Saifuddin Nasution asked whether the condo was purchased for the cows. And if it does, these cows must be one of the most unique cows in the world adorning golden hoofs, I suppose.
Shahrizat has now to come out clean and fast off the many allegations made against her and her family members concerning the NFC affair. It has gone far too deep and the more she denies of any wrong doing, the more revelations will be made that will hurt her chances for a candidacy in the upcoming GE. The condo being in Bangsar (her former constituency) is sure to become a hot topic during the election campaign.
I am surprised at the amount of information revealed by the opposition concerning the NFC affair, and this confirms what was told to me by some government officials that moles does exist in about every ministry and department of the government. Even the highest level of government is not free of such moles. Whether this is good or bad, I do not know, but what I do know is that there is already a sense of frustration and anger among some honest and likeminded government officials that they have had enough of the abuses by the government, that is gradually being exposed by the opposition.
Finally, I only have praise and my highest respect for the Auditor General Tan Sri Ambrin Buang for coming out with such revealing reports. He could have hidden a lot of ‘skeletons’ but choose not to. Such is Ambrin Buang, a man of integrity that takes his job with full responsibility without fear or favour. If only we can have the likes of Ambrin Buang heading ministries and departments, I think the BN is assured of ruling the country for another 100 years.
CRUSADE AGAINST CORRUPTION
Thursday, November 10, 2011
THE INDELIBLE INK – TO USE OR NOT TO USE
May I ask, “What’s so unconstitutional about allowing the use of the indelible ink in the upcoming GE?” AG Gani Patail opined that (he believes) the Federal Constitution does not allow the authorities to force a voter to be marked with permanent ink. But the nine member panel of the Parliamentary Select Committee (PSC) that was formed to look into the electoral reforms demanded by Bersih 2.0 however does not agree with the AG. Now, is this another of the AG’s trickery to ascertain the BN government’s opportunity of winning the next GE by disallowing the use of the indelible ink? There is already a growing perception that this is another of the AG’s trickery, and even the driver of the taxi that I rode in this afternoon think so.
India, the world’s largest democracy has been using the indelible ink, and what is so unique about our constitution that has ‘outlawed’ the use of the indelible ink? Why has India to use the indelible ink when they are said to be the true practitioner of democracy? They don’t need to, and I don’t think we have reached the same level as India with regards to the practice of democracy, and it is for this reason that we should be using the indelible ink during the elections, instead of India. I am no constitutional lawyer, but the AG’s opinion sound rather odd to me. I hope Prof Abdul Aziz Bari, a constitutional expert can throw some light into this issue for all Malaysians to be conscious of the truth.
In a recent interview via email with Malaysiakini, former EC boss Tan Sri Abd Rashid had reaffirmed his support in the use of the indelible ink for the 2008 GE that was withdrawn during the final hours prior to the elections. In a media interview he made at the time, Abd Rashid claimed that the decision not to use the indelible was for security reasons, but did not reveal the source that had influence him to make that decision. I now believe that Abd Rashid was pressured (or was he ordered) by someone to withdraw the decision that he had in the first instant wanted to use of the indelible ink. I just wonder what happened to the indelible ink purchased from India at the costs of RM 1.2 million of taxpayers’ money for the 2008 GE? Hope it wasn’t drained out into the South China Sea.
Badrul Hisham aka Chegubard in a recent press conference has vowed that he would organize a much larger Bersih-like rally if he finds that the government does not heed to the electoral demands of Bersih 2.0 first before calling for the GE; believed to be held early next year. A Bersih 3.0 is not what all like-minded Malaysians would like to see happening to the country. I believe that should Bersih 3.0 proceed, it would be the youth that will be taking the lead. And did we not see in recent times how the youth were able to galvanize themselves into a strong and potent force to rally and protest in the UIA’s Prof Abdul Aziz Bari’s case? And have we not witnessed the massive support of our youth towards the Bersih 2.0 rally overseas? These are clear signs of growing popular people’s protest that our government cannot ignore, and I am not at all surprised that to ignore would only lead to serious consequences to the government, even leading to the possibility in the change of government by force. We have seen such trends in the North African Muslim states recently where powerful governments were brought to its knees by a popular people’s uprising against a repressive government. Let this be a warning to ourselves that such a trend could happen to us at anytime.
Enough has been said that the 13th GE will be a ‘mother of all battles’ of sort. It is a do-or-die for the opposition and similarly, PM Najib has vowed to defend Putrajaya even if bones and bodies were to be crushed. These are strong statements citing the desperation of the BN government to defend itself from relieving power. Likewise, in the case of the opposition, losing this election would not only diminish all hopes of them making any sizable inroads into Putrajaya in the future, but what is worse I think the opposition’s failure would call for an end to their challenge.
CRUSADE AGAINST CORRUPTION
India, the world’s largest democracy has been using the indelible ink, and what is so unique about our constitution that has ‘outlawed’ the use of the indelible ink? Why has India to use the indelible ink when they are said to be the true practitioner of democracy? They don’t need to, and I don’t think we have reached the same level as India with regards to the practice of democracy, and it is for this reason that we should be using the indelible ink during the elections, instead of India. I am no constitutional lawyer, but the AG’s opinion sound rather odd to me. I hope Prof Abdul Aziz Bari, a constitutional expert can throw some light into this issue for all Malaysians to be conscious of the truth.
In a recent interview via email with Malaysiakini, former EC boss Tan Sri Abd Rashid had reaffirmed his support in the use of the indelible ink for the 2008 GE that was withdrawn during the final hours prior to the elections. In a media interview he made at the time, Abd Rashid claimed that the decision not to use the indelible was for security reasons, but did not reveal the source that had influence him to make that decision. I now believe that Abd Rashid was pressured (or was he ordered) by someone to withdraw the decision that he had in the first instant wanted to use of the indelible ink. I just wonder what happened to the indelible ink purchased from India at the costs of RM 1.2 million of taxpayers’ money for the 2008 GE? Hope it wasn’t drained out into the South China Sea.
Badrul Hisham aka Chegubard in a recent press conference has vowed that he would organize a much larger Bersih-like rally if he finds that the government does not heed to the electoral demands of Bersih 2.0 first before calling for the GE; believed to be held early next year. A Bersih 3.0 is not what all like-minded Malaysians would like to see happening to the country. I believe that should Bersih 3.0 proceed, it would be the youth that will be taking the lead. And did we not see in recent times how the youth were able to galvanize themselves into a strong and potent force to rally and protest in the UIA’s Prof Abdul Aziz Bari’s case? And have we not witnessed the massive support of our youth towards the Bersih 2.0 rally overseas? These are clear signs of growing popular people’s protest that our government cannot ignore, and I am not at all surprised that to ignore would only lead to serious consequences to the government, even leading to the possibility in the change of government by force. We have seen such trends in the North African Muslim states recently where powerful governments were brought to its knees by a popular people’s uprising against a repressive government. Let this be a warning to ourselves that such a trend could happen to us at anytime.
Enough has been said that the 13th GE will be a ‘mother of all battles’ of sort. It is a do-or-die for the opposition and similarly, PM Najib has vowed to defend Putrajaya even if bones and bodies were to be crushed. These are strong statements citing the desperation of the BN government to defend itself from relieving power. Likewise, in the case of the opposition, losing this election would not only diminish all hopes of them making any sizable inroads into Putrajaya in the future, but what is worse I think the opposition’s failure would call for an end to their challenge.
CRUSADE AGAINST CORRUPTION
Wednesday, November 2, 2011
ARE WE HEADING FOR DOOMS DAY?
My last posting was ‘WHO CARES’ that reflects my utter frustration at the manner in which our national leaders react to the massive ‘fraud’ inherent within the recently released Auditor General’s (AG) report. Their response is one of shameless denial; this despite the obvious detailed observations and comments recorded by the AG, that even an infant would know that there is a lot wrong in the financial management of government funds by ministries and departments. This is not my first exposure to the AG report; rather I have read some previous ones too. But this report I think is the worse ever to reflect the government’s mismanagement of its finances and spending, and what we get in return are denials upon denials by our national leaders. If denials are the only response that our leaders knows best, than I say that we might as well do away with the AG report.
Have we not read how silly the response we get from the Agriculture Minister Noh Omar regarding the financial mismanagement of the National Feedlot Centre (NFC)? If he does not know anything, it is better that he shut up. And what about the response from Tourism Minister Yen Yen that does not make any sense to me. Now, I have been told that even our PM in his written response has defended the failed NFC for reasons best known to him. Of course, being the PM he has no other choice but to defend the lady minister and her family members; rightfully or wrongfully. That’s the essence of a true UMNO leader. I think I would have done the same if I were the PM.
Now, I am told that the MACC finds that there isn’t any financial irregularities involved in the purchase of two pairs of night vision goggles by the Marine Park Department at ten times higher than the market price, and this is blamed on improper market survey. What stupidity is this? Does this mean that no one is to be blamed, and that the ‘improper market survey’ is at fault? My intuition tells me that there is a deliberate attempt by someone to cheat, and that cheat must be brought to justice. I now say that even the MACC investigators are not doing justice by making such remarks and judgment that only makes a mockery of them supposedly being the experts in the art of fighting and investigating corruption. I now believe that these investigators are incompetent and they need to learn much more. Why don’t they learn from the Hongkies?
And what about the statement made by Second Finance Minister Ahmad Husni when he said that RM407 billion national debt that grew 12.3% last year (I believe it is constantly growing) was “manageable as it had yet to breach critical threshold”. Does this mean that we have to wait till it reaches the threshold for us to start panicking? And that will certainly come if our leaders continue to remain complacent and play ignorant that the financial woe of the country isn’t too worrying. The same can be said of the country’s external debt that has yet to breach the threshold of RM35 billion. It will certainly come if we are not careful.
Idris Jala has once again reminded us that “the country will go bankrupt if it spends borrowed money on operating expenditure such as subsidies instead of investing the cash” Idris Jala’s argument is simple i.e. if our growth is dismal and if we do not cut on operating expenditure, then we are heading for ‘dooms day’. Just read what other renowned economist and financial gurus say of our economy and it does not sound good. So stop listening to some of those ‘half baked politicians’ who only knows nothing better to do, other than to spew sex stories.
CRUSADE AGAINST CORRUPTION
Have we not read how silly the response we get from the Agriculture Minister Noh Omar regarding the financial mismanagement of the National Feedlot Centre (NFC)? If he does not know anything, it is better that he shut up. And what about the response from Tourism Minister Yen Yen that does not make any sense to me. Now, I have been told that even our PM in his written response has defended the failed NFC for reasons best known to him. Of course, being the PM he has no other choice but to defend the lady minister and her family members; rightfully or wrongfully. That’s the essence of a true UMNO leader. I think I would have done the same if I were the PM.
Now, I am told that the MACC finds that there isn’t any financial irregularities involved in the purchase of two pairs of night vision goggles by the Marine Park Department at ten times higher than the market price, and this is blamed on improper market survey. What stupidity is this? Does this mean that no one is to be blamed, and that the ‘improper market survey’ is at fault? My intuition tells me that there is a deliberate attempt by someone to cheat, and that cheat must be brought to justice. I now say that even the MACC investigators are not doing justice by making such remarks and judgment that only makes a mockery of them supposedly being the experts in the art of fighting and investigating corruption. I now believe that these investigators are incompetent and they need to learn much more. Why don’t they learn from the Hongkies?
And what about the statement made by Second Finance Minister Ahmad Husni when he said that RM407 billion national debt that grew 12.3% last year (I believe it is constantly growing) was “manageable as it had yet to breach critical threshold”. Does this mean that we have to wait till it reaches the threshold for us to start panicking? And that will certainly come if our leaders continue to remain complacent and play ignorant that the financial woe of the country isn’t too worrying. The same can be said of the country’s external debt that has yet to breach the threshold of RM35 billion. It will certainly come if we are not careful.
Idris Jala has once again reminded us that “the country will go bankrupt if it spends borrowed money on operating expenditure such as subsidies instead of investing the cash” Idris Jala’s argument is simple i.e. if our growth is dismal and if we do not cut on operating expenditure, then we are heading for ‘dooms day’. Just read what other renowned economist and financial gurus say of our economy and it does not sound good. So stop listening to some of those ‘half baked politicians’ who only knows nothing better to do, other than to spew sex stories.
CRUSADE AGAINST CORRUPTION
WHO CARES!
WHO CARES IF OUR CHILDREN AND GRANDCHILDREN NO LONGER SPEAK ENGLISH
WHO CARES IF PRICES OF GOODS ARE INFLATED 100 TIMES
WHO CARES IF THIS COUNTRY IS ABOUT TO GO BANKRUPT
WHO CARES IF OUR ROADS ARE LITTERED WITH POT HOLES
WHO CARES IF FOREIGNERS CAN EASILY ATTAIN A RED ID
WHO CARES IF PEOPLE DIES WHILE IN THE CUSTODY OF OUR AUTHORITIES
WHO CARES ABOUT CORRUPTION THAT HAS INFECTED THE CORE OF SOCIETY
WHO CARES IF MILLIONS OF ILLEGALS ARE MADE LEGAL
WHO CARES ABOUT THE PERSISTANT DENIALS MADE BY OUR LEADERS
WHO CARES IF YOUR KAMPUNG FOLKS REMAIN DESTITUTE AND OUR LEADERS AND THEIR FAMILIES GOES ON A SPENDING SPREE
WHO CARES ABOUT SOLVING THE MASSIVE TRAFFIC THAT POLUTE THE CITY
WHO CARES IF THE KL CITY CENTER IS INFESTED WITH FILTH AND RODENTS
WHO CARES IF SOMEONE DIES BECAUSE OF A SNATCH THIEF
WHO CARES IF SOMEONE JUMPS OFF THE MACC BUILDING
WHO CARES IF OUR ELECTION IS RIGGED AND SQUANDRALS GET ELECTED
WHO CARES…………..AND MANY MORE WHO CARES
AND DO YOU CARE?
CRUSADE AGAINST CORRUPTION
WHO CARES IF PRICES OF GOODS ARE INFLATED 100 TIMES
WHO CARES IF THIS COUNTRY IS ABOUT TO GO BANKRUPT
WHO CARES IF OUR ROADS ARE LITTERED WITH POT HOLES
WHO CARES IF FOREIGNERS CAN EASILY ATTAIN A RED ID
WHO CARES IF PEOPLE DIES WHILE IN THE CUSTODY OF OUR AUTHORITIES
WHO CARES ABOUT CORRUPTION THAT HAS INFECTED THE CORE OF SOCIETY
WHO CARES IF MILLIONS OF ILLEGALS ARE MADE LEGAL
WHO CARES ABOUT THE PERSISTANT DENIALS MADE BY OUR LEADERS
WHO CARES IF YOUR KAMPUNG FOLKS REMAIN DESTITUTE AND OUR LEADERS AND THEIR FAMILIES GOES ON A SPENDING SPREE
WHO CARES ABOUT SOLVING THE MASSIVE TRAFFIC THAT POLUTE THE CITY
WHO CARES IF THE KL CITY CENTER IS INFESTED WITH FILTH AND RODENTS
WHO CARES IF SOMEONE DIES BECAUSE OF A SNATCH THIEF
WHO CARES IF SOMEONE JUMPS OFF THE MACC BUILDING
WHO CARES IF OUR ELECTION IS RIGGED AND SQUANDRALS GET ELECTED
WHO CARES…………..AND MANY MORE WHO CARES
AND DO YOU CARE?
CRUSADE AGAINST CORRUPTION
Tuesday, November 1, 2011
STUDENT’S REAWAKENING
It now appears that Prof Abdul Aziz Bari’s case can be more explosive than the authorities could handle. University students have reawakened to what I believe are the ‘malice’s’ of the authorities that had all the while kept students remote from the happenings and realities of the outside world. Student’s don’t seem to have a voice, nor are the authorities willing to offer a sympathetic ear. Any actions taken by students are deemed a violation of the rules governing student’s code of conduct and behavior. Opposing voices are not welcomed and if there is anything that need to be said, it must be something soothing to the ears of the authorities. Such inhibition not only applies to students, but it would seem to include the academic staff as well as seen in the recent ‘Prof Abdul Aziz Bari saga’.
It is such a pity that university students today are cocooned in their own little kingdom by such inhibitive rules and regulations pertaining to their code of conduct and behavior. Strange though it may seem, our authorities have yet to recognized that university students are no longer kids; rather they are matured adults with enough capacity to think, rationalized and act in their best interest, and in the interest of their fellow students, universities and colleges. And why is it so wrong that they be forbidden to participate in political rallies or even be a member of a political party and to make their voices heard? Do we not recognized that the development of one’s interest and inclination towards politics (or any other interests) should begin early in their life, and by the time they graduate, they are fully prepared to be actively involved in politics or other activities of their interest.
The action taken by students from various universities to rally and protest against the suspension of Prof Abdul Aziz Bari over a professional opinion he made concerning the Selangor Sultan’s statement on the DUMC affair is to me a healthy start to the student’s right to the freedom of expression and assembly. There wasn’t any stone throwing, burning and damaging public property or causing bodily hurt and injuries. Although there were police helicopters flying overhead during the rally, there wasn’t any tear gas or chemical laced water cannons being sprayed at the students. I think, had there been tear gas or water cannon, the situation could turn ugly. Please remember that we are dealing with the youth who are highly inspired, motivated and believe in their cause. They are bound to retaliate riotously when they are intimidated, challenged and abused, like what was seen during the Bersih 2.0rally. Such were the incidences witnessed in most student/youth rallies throughout the world. And having viewed the mass UIA student's rally on video, I have no doubt that the students would have reacted riotously if the police had acted against them.
Youth movements and assemblies today cannot be seen as having a negative impact on the country. Such a perception has to go. On the contrary, I view student’s rights to an assembly and protest as healthy and a sign of student’s maturity at collective expression, active participation, confrontational in purpose and principled in their cause. University students must end up being leaders of society, and not being mere followers. Such like leadership qualities can best be developed while being a university student.
As I have alluded earlier, the Prof Abdul Aziz Bari’s case can be more ‘explosive’ than the authorities could handle. Sure enough, the professor had received a package with a bullet and a life threatening letter from someone that I would call a coward and the scum of the earth. The student’s demands especially with regards to their freedom of expression including that of the academic staffs have yet to be met and if this isn’t done, students have said that a much larger rally will be held. Let’s hear aloud what the Higher Education Minister has got to say about this. Surprisingly, he has remained mute all the while.
CRUSADE AGAINST CORRUPTION
It is such a pity that university students today are cocooned in their own little kingdom by such inhibitive rules and regulations pertaining to their code of conduct and behavior. Strange though it may seem, our authorities have yet to recognized that university students are no longer kids; rather they are matured adults with enough capacity to think, rationalized and act in their best interest, and in the interest of their fellow students, universities and colleges. And why is it so wrong that they be forbidden to participate in political rallies or even be a member of a political party and to make their voices heard? Do we not recognized that the development of one’s interest and inclination towards politics (or any other interests) should begin early in their life, and by the time they graduate, they are fully prepared to be actively involved in politics or other activities of their interest.
The action taken by students from various universities to rally and protest against the suspension of Prof Abdul Aziz Bari over a professional opinion he made concerning the Selangor Sultan’s statement on the DUMC affair is to me a healthy start to the student’s right to the freedom of expression and assembly. There wasn’t any stone throwing, burning and damaging public property or causing bodily hurt and injuries. Although there were police helicopters flying overhead during the rally, there wasn’t any tear gas or chemical laced water cannons being sprayed at the students. I think, had there been tear gas or water cannon, the situation could turn ugly. Please remember that we are dealing with the youth who are highly inspired, motivated and believe in their cause. They are bound to retaliate riotously when they are intimidated, challenged and abused, like what was seen during the Bersih 2.0rally. Such were the incidences witnessed in most student/youth rallies throughout the world. And having viewed the mass UIA student's rally on video, I have no doubt that the students would have reacted riotously if the police had acted against them.
Youth movements and assemblies today cannot be seen as having a negative impact on the country. Such a perception has to go. On the contrary, I view student’s rights to an assembly and protest as healthy and a sign of student’s maturity at collective expression, active participation, confrontational in purpose and principled in their cause. University students must end up being leaders of society, and not being mere followers. Such like leadership qualities can best be developed while being a university student.
As I have alluded earlier, the Prof Abdul Aziz Bari’s case can be more ‘explosive’ than the authorities could handle. Sure enough, the professor had received a package with a bullet and a life threatening letter from someone that I would call a coward and the scum of the earth. The student’s demands especially with regards to their freedom of expression including that of the academic staffs have yet to be met and if this isn’t done, students have said that a much larger rally will be held. Let’s hear aloud what the Higher Education Minister has got to say about this. Surprisingly, he has remained mute all the while.
CRUSADE AGAINST CORRUPTION
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