Say what you want – I think this country is going to ruin, if we are not careful. And every time I walk the street and see a foreigner, my heart throbs faster.
I live around Ukay Perdana, Ampang and as I drive home, I see more foreigners, mainly those from Indonesia and Bangladesh. I can easily make them out to be foreigners from the way they speak. Some are no longer wage earners toiling at construction sites, but have become small time entrepreneurs and are even employing locals as haired hands. In the villages, many are known to have leased out plots of land from its rightful local owner, and turn the land to agriculture and selling its produce at profitable prices. The lessor is quite happy to earn some money from the lease of his land, ignoring the fact that he could have earned much more if he had toiled the land himself. The lessee is even much happier to have a place for shelter, a land to toil and a reasonable income from the sale of his agricultural produce. The land provides him with all that is needed to sustain a comfortable life.
I do not envy these small time foreign entrepreneurs making a living for I think they have every right to do so, given the ease at which they can do business without the worry of being harassed by the local licensing authorities. The can do business anywhere and everywhere they please; just pitch an umbrella along the roadside, and that umbrella will get larger and larger and eventually a small hut is built to replace the umbrellas. Even when the hut is built to the obvious knowledge and sight of everyone, the local authorities would still play blind, deaf and mute. You have to see to believe it, and Ampang municipality is famous for such ‘grisly sights’. This trend does not seem to worry the local authorities, and I just do not know the reason why.
Now, I am told that the Election Commission (EC) has registered 820,000 new voters in 2010; a substantial increase of 533,000 voters from 2009. This terrifies me. How on earth can there be such a phenomenal increase over a period on just a year. Am I to believe that all of a sudden, our non-voting Malaysians have awakened from their slumber, and have now decided to register as a voter for the up-coming GE? Why the next GE, when they were not at all concern during all previous GEs? I have known many Malaysians, especially the young ones are not ‘savvy’ about voting, and are not too concern whoever gets elected. Therefore, can the sudden increase in newly registered voters be these Indonesian and Bangladesh entrepreneurs that I have mentioned above? Let’s hope Africans have not joined the queue to be registered voters, but by the way things go, one cannot rule out the possibility that an African can one day be a candidate for parliament. We already have it in the USA, and the person’s name is Obama.
And finally, who now says that Mat Sabu is a traitor? All former soldiers, policemen and auxiliary policemen that served during the First Malayan Emergency fighting the communist terrorist throughout the colonial era ought to be thankful to Mat Sabu the ‘traitor’ for opening his gap by raising the Bukit Kepong incident. Had he not made the Bukit Kepong an issue, I do not think these former soldiers, policemen, auxiliary and their families would get the one-off cash handout of RM3000 that was announced by PM Najib recently. And thanks too for the RM500 bonus due end of the year, and a 2% annual increase in my pension beginning 2013.
CRUSADE AGAINST CORRUPTION
Showing posts with label Election Commission. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Election Commission. Show all posts
Saturday, October 15, 2011
Thursday, September 29, 2011
CLEANSING OF THE ELECTORAL ROLL – BETTER LATE THAN NEVER
Sixty thousand odd voters have been struck from the electoral roll of the 12.3 million voters, says the Election Commission (EC), and this was done between July and September this year. Further to this, another fifty thousand voters’ record is being scrutinized, and that adds up to more than one hundred thousand who must have been voters during the 2008 GE. What an alarming figure, and it is only now that the EC realized the discrepancy that would otherwise be kept away from public notice.
Now, let me ask you this question. If it wasn’t for Bersih 2.0 and the public surge for electoral reform, do you think the EC would want to take all the trouble to do what they did and announced their ‘achievement’ and supposedly ‘hard work’ to the public? Have the EC ever announce such cleansing act to the public in the past? Never; they would rather keep it quiet away from public notice, and continue doing the ‘tricks’ that they have been doing all these years. They would even say the postal voting is the most secured voting system in the world, and I do not know which other country in the world conducts postal voting the way we do. I believe our postal voting is flawed and has been abused, and I will continue to say this if nothing drastic is done to change the system. I hate dishonesty, and I believe it is because we have been dishonest all the while that truth is slowly being revealed. I think many more ‘tricks’ will be revealed in the months to come.
Following the Bersih 2.0 rally, the government has proposed the setting up of an Electoral Reform Committee that will comprised of members from both the political divide. I hope members will also include those from Bersih; rightfully so because they were the ones that started the initiative for an electoral reform. This reform is not to meet the interest of any one political party or politicians, but it is to meet public and voters interest. I have read somewhere that the composition of members of the committee has been determined, but I am not aware of its terms of reference, or whether the committee has convened.
With so much yet to be done to resolve the issues plaguing the EC, I am quite certain GE 13 will not be held within the next 6 months or so. It was rumored that the elections will be held in November, and there was even a prediction made that the incumbent government will be reelected if the election is held in November. I would believe in the prediction if no electoral reform is carried out, but it would be a tough election if all of Bersih’s demands are met by the EC or by the Electoral Reform Committee.
I’ll be reaching 68 in a few months from now, and my only hope is to see the next election be the ‘cleanest’ and ‘abuse free’ GE. But what concerns me is that this upcoming election is the 13th GE, and that number can be worrisome for those who are superstitious. Can that number be a bad omen for the BN or PR? This, we will have to wait and see.
CRUSADE AGAINST CORRUPTION
Now, let me ask you this question. If it wasn’t for Bersih 2.0 and the public surge for electoral reform, do you think the EC would want to take all the trouble to do what they did and announced their ‘achievement’ and supposedly ‘hard work’ to the public? Have the EC ever announce such cleansing act to the public in the past? Never; they would rather keep it quiet away from public notice, and continue doing the ‘tricks’ that they have been doing all these years. They would even say the postal voting is the most secured voting system in the world, and I do not know which other country in the world conducts postal voting the way we do. I believe our postal voting is flawed and has been abused, and I will continue to say this if nothing drastic is done to change the system. I hate dishonesty, and I believe it is because we have been dishonest all the while that truth is slowly being revealed. I think many more ‘tricks’ will be revealed in the months to come.
Following the Bersih 2.0 rally, the government has proposed the setting up of an Electoral Reform Committee that will comprised of members from both the political divide. I hope members will also include those from Bersih; rightfully so because they were the ones that started the initiative for an electoral reform. This reform is not to meet the interest of any one political party or politicians, but it is to meet public and voters interest. I have read somewhere that the composition of members of the committee has been determined, but I am not aware of its terms of reference, or whether the committee has convened.
With so much yet to be done to resolve the issues plaguing the EC, I am quite certain GE 13 will not be held within the next 6 months or so. It was rumored that the elections will be held in November, and there was even a prediction made that the incumbent government will be reelected if the election is held in November. I would believe in the prediction if no electoral reform is carried out, but it would be a tough election if all of Bersih’s demands are met by the EC or by the Electoral Reform Committee.
I’ll be reaching 68 in a few months from now, and my only hope is to see the next election be the ‘cleanest’ and ‘abuse free’ GE. But what concerns me is that this upcoming election is the 13th GE, and that number can be worrisome for those who are superstitious. Can that number be a bad omen for the BN or PR? This, we will have to wait and see.
CRUSADE AGAINST CORRUPTION
Tuesday, August 16, 2011
THE PARLIAMENTARY SELECT COMMITTEE
The EC Deputy Chairman Wan Ahmad Wan Omar has expressed surprise at PM Najib’s recent announcement to form a Parliamentary Select Committee (PSC) to dwell on mattters in connection with the recent demands of Bersih for an electoral reform that is mired in controversies. Wan Ahmad was reported to have said, “I didn’t expect the PM to take this step”, and by this brief statement, one assumes that the EC would not have done anything had Najib remain silent over this issue. But in the next breath, Wan Ahmad has all praises for Najib by stating that Najib “has made the right announcement, and has shown sincerity in satisfying the people about the electoral system”. A statement like this is so often said by politicians when there are cornered to please their masters. And I am not surprised that such a statement comes from Wan Ahmad who lacks the understanding that he does not serve any political master, but only the King.
I say to Wan Ahmad that he should be ashamed of himself being the ‘custodian’ of the EC, and for not reacting positively to the demands of Bersih in the first instant. Rather he has been defensive and too protective of his responsibility, and at some point in his argument he claimed that there is nothing he could do to institute changes since there are laws governing the functions of the EC. Again I say this to Wan Ahmad that the EC laws are not sacrosanct; unlike the Quran. EC laws can be changed or modified to suit changing situations, and the Bersih demands clearly reflect the need to change.
I am a bit surprised to note that it has been Wan Ahmad all along to lead the ‘defence’ of the EC since the Bersih issue came to light. Of course, there were some occasional statements made by the EC Chairman himself. But this was unlike the previous EC Chairman where he was always at the forefront taking the full brunt from the public. I do not think the EC Chairman has retired, or is he on his way out, thus allowing his deputy to take charge in readiness for a takeover? Had a similar situation arise in the army, the chief would have been forced to resign, for it is quite obvious that he can no longer show leadership.
PM Najib has yet to announce the full term of reference of the PSC, and it will also be interesting to know who shall lead the committee and its members. There have been voices that the committee should be opposition led, but I am quite skeptical that this will be allowed by the government. But whoever is appointed to chair the committee, he/she must be free of any political influences, and to achieve this, I believe the chair must be given to someone who is without any political affiliation and a person of high integrity.
Let us all placed out trust and confidence in the PSC and to patiently await its outcome. Malaysian have waited for decades for a free and fair elections, and I hope the findings and recommendations of the PSC will be the best and most satisfying ever for the Malaysian voters. I believe too that this will set a fine example for other countries to emulate.
CRUSADE AGAINST CORRUPTION
I say to Wan Ahmad that he should be ashamed of himself being the ‘custodian’ of the EC, and for not reacting positively to the demands of Bersih in the first instant. Rather he has been defensive and too protective of his responsibility, and at some point in his argument he claimed that there is nothing he could do to institute changes since there are laws governing the functions of the EC. Again I say this to Wan Ahmad that the EC laws are not sacrosanct; unlike the Quran. EC laws can be changed or modified to suit changing situations, and the Bersih demands clearly reflect the need to change.
I am a bit surprised to note that it has been Wan Ahmad all along to lead the ‘defence’ of the EC since the Bersih issue came to light. Of course, there were some occasional statements made by the EC Chairman himself. But this was unlike the previous EC Chairman where he was always at the forefront taking the full brunt from the public. I do not think the EC Chairman has retired, or is he on his way out, thus allowing his deputy to take charge in readiness for a takeover? Had a similar situation arise in the army, the chief would have been forced to resign, for it is quite obvious that he can no longer show leadership.
PM Najib has yet to announce the full term of reference of the PSC, and it will also be interesting to know who shall lead the committee and its members. There have been voices that the committee should be opposition led, but I am quite skeptical that this will be allowed by the government. But whoever is appointed to chair the committee, he/she must be free of any political influences, and to achieve this, I believe the chair must be given to someone who is without any political affiliation and a person of high integrity.
Let us all placed out trust and confidence in the PSC and to patiently await its outcome. Malaysian have waited for decades for a free and fair elections, and I hope the findings and recommendations of the PSC will be the best and most satisfying ever for the Malaysian voters. I believe too that this will set a fine example for other countries to emulate.
CRUSADE AGAINST CORRUPTION
MEETING THE DEMANDS OF BERSIH
At long last, PM Najib has buckled (for good reason) to the demands of Bersih and where he announced the setting up of a parliamentary select committee to discuss electoral reforms before the next GE. He also said that the members of the select committee will comprised of both BN and opposition, but made no mention about including Bersih and selected members of the civil society. In fact, it was Bersih that had started the demand and protest for an electoral reform, but it now seems that Bersih in particular, is not privy to the membership of the select committee. I find this strange and totally unacceptable.
Now even the EC has awakened from their slumber and persistent denials. The commission is said to have started the process of cleaning the electoral roll for phantom voters. And isn’t this an act of self confession and guilt that there were indeed phantom voters in the EC’s electoral roll previously? If there were phantom voters, then both the EC Commissioner and his deputy are deemed to have lied to the public all the while and they should rightfully resign. What is worse is that they have breached the trust bestowed upon them by the King; and in more direct terms, they can no longer be trusted with the job.
The decision made by Najib, I know will come under severe criticism; not from civil society or the opposition, but from within his own party. I am quite sure in the next few days dissenting voices in defence of the righteousness of the EC can be heard aloud. Certainly such dissenting voices will not come from Bersih, civil society or the opposition, but from those who feel threatened by the decisions likely to come off the select committee. I do hope the select committee will seriously look at the complains made against the EC in states that are controlled by the opposition in particular, in light of the strong statements made by Najib himself that the opposition controlled states has to be retaken and won by all means (or words to the effect). As I have said in the past, such strong statement by Najib could backfire and placed him on the defensive, and this what we see happening to him now.
Henceforth, Najib has to be extremely careful not to be intimidated by his party members and those of his inner circle (including Perkasa)into retracting what he had announced. Another U-turn, denial or excuses would only widened the gap of mistrust that civil society has had in him, besides further alienating him from the believers of the cause of Bersih. I believe Najib is strong enough to take on the foreseeable challenges from dissidents to his announcement, and if he can withstand and rebut such challenges, he will surely have the support of the thousands that were out gathered on July 9th , and certainly me included.
This is indeed a critical moment for Najib, and he must know that leadership is all about taking challenges. Najib has no other choice but to exert his leadership now over his party members. Even if Najib were to fall out of favor just because he is trying to defend what he think is best for the nation and its people, he falls with grace and honor. In this particular instant, it is not the party members to judge him, but it is the people i.e. the voters; the very people that will finally decide the fate of the party during the election.
CRUSADE AGAINST CORRUPTION
Now even the EC has awakened from their slumber and persistent denials. The commission is said to have started the process of cleaning the electoral roll for phantom voters. And isn’t this an act of self confession and guilt that there were indeed phantom voters in the EC’s electoral roll previously? If there were phantom voters, then both the EC Commissioner and his deputy are deemed to have lied to the public all the while and they should rightfully resign. What is worse is that they have breached the trust bestowed upon them by the King; and in more direct terms, they can no longer be trusted with the job.
The decision made by Najib, I know will come under severe criticism; not from civil society or the opposition, but from within his own party. I am quite sure in the next few days dissenting voices in defence of the righteousness of the EC can be heard aloud. Certainly such dissenting voices will not come from Bersih, civil society or the opposition, but from those who feel threatened by the decisions likely to come off the select committee. I do hope the select committee will seriously look at the complains made against the EC in states that are controlled by the opposition in particular, in light of the strong statements made by Najib himself that the opposition controlled states has to be retaken and won by all means (or words to the effect). As I have said in the past, such strong statement by Najib could backfire and placed him on the defensive, and this what we see happening to him now.
Henceforth, Najib has to be extremely careful not to be intimidated by his party members and those of his inner circle (including Perkasa)into retracting what he had announced. Another U-turn, denial or excuses would only widened the gap of mistrust that civil society has had in him, besides further alienating him from the believers of the cause of Bersih. I believe Najib is strong enough to take on the foreseeable challenges from dissidents to his announcement, and if he can withstand and rebut such challenges, he will surely have the support of the thousands that were out gathered on July 9th , and certainly me included.
This is indeed a critical moment for Najib, and he must know that leadership is all about taking challenges. Najib has no other choice but to exert his leadership now over his party members. Even if Najib were to fall out of favor just because he is trying to defend what he think is best for the nation and its people, he falls with grace and honor. In this particular instant, it is not the party members to judge him, but it is the people i.e. the voters; the very people that will finally decide the fate of the party during the election.
CRUSADE AGAINST CORRUPTION
Saturday, August 13, 2011
THE ELECTION COMMISSION – A DISHONEST AND UNTRUTHFUL BUNCH
The Election Commission (EC) says that there have been some technical glitches in the electoral roll, but they stop short of accepting full responsibility. If there were only one or two glitches, then I and many others are willing to accept that there was no malice intended against the opposition. But the glitches are far too numerous in obvious intent to cheat in order to booster the BN’s chances of winning hugely in the up-coming GE. I could not find a much kinder expression, but to use the derogatory word CHEAT to express rancor towards the EC for failing in their duty to maintain an apolitical stance and sworn duty to remain neutral in the management of their functions and duties. I now believe that cheating has been the hallmark of the EC all these years, and it is high time that all likeminded Malaysians put a brake to all this.
Me, being an ex soldier and a leader of men, I am always reminded of the qualities of a good leader, and what I try to hold dearly are these three qualities i.e. integrity, honesty and sincerity. It is not only me that tries to uphold such princely qualities, but there are also many others like me. You see leadership come with responsibilities and being a leader, one must set good examples all the time. It is not only the soldiers that will constantly be watching you, but their families as well. Throughout my years in the service, I have seen it all i.e. the good and not so good leaders, but I always remind myself that if I do not like the behavior and character of the not so good leaders, then I will make sure that I do not emulate their examples. But I would say that I was most fortunate to have served under some of the finest military leaders; without whom I wouldn’t be what I am today.
Looking at the experience that I have gone through and comparing it with what I see happening in the EC, I think the EC is well below my standard i.e. they are not honest and a pack of liars. And mind you, the commission is answerable to the King, and if it were the military, the top echelon officers would have gone to the gallows. This is where the military differs from the civil service. It is the discipline imbued in the military training that makes all the difference. Lying and dishonestly is a serious offence in the military that is liable to punishment and even a dishonorable discharge. However such offence makes little sense to the EC, and this applies to some of our political leaders as well. Do we not often hear our political leaders make lots of promises during an election, only to renege their promises upon them winning. If they have lied once, they will continue to lie and this is the culture that I find most prevalent and disgusting among our leaders.
PM Najib now say that he intend to meet up with the EC to resolve issues affecting the commission. I suppose Najib is concern at the demands of Bersih and the many complains brought about by the opposition and civil society regarding the EC. But why leave out the very people that demanded change in the EC? Why not get Bersih into the discussion and some notable likeminded personalities as well. Najib has to show openness and sincerity in wanting to see change in EC, but openness seems to have eluded Najib. Why is this so? And what about his slogan “rakyat di dahulukan, pencapaian diutamakan”. Does this slogan mean nothing to him?
CRUSADE AGAINST CORRUPTION
Me, being an ex soldier and a leader of men, I am always reminded of the qualities of a good leader, and what I try to hold dearly are these three qualities i.e. integrity, honesty and sincerity. It is not only me that tries to uphold such princely qualities, but there are also many others like me. You see leadership come with responsibilities and being a leader, one must set good examples all the time. It is not only the soldiers that will constantly be watching you, but their families as well. Throughout my years in the service, I have seen it all i.e. the good and not so good leaders, but I always remind myself that if I do not like the behavior and character of the not so good leaders, then I will make sure that I do not emulate their examples. But I would say that I was most fortunate to have served under some of the finest military leaders; without whom I wouldn’t be what I am today.
Looking at the experience that I have gone through and comparing it with what I see happening in the EC, I think the EC is well below my standard i.e. they are not honest and a pack of liars. And mind you, the commission is answerable to the King, and if it were the military, the top echelon officers would have gone to the gallows. This is where the military differs from the civil service. It is the discipline imbued in the military training that makes all the difference. Lying and dishonestly is a serious offence in the military that is liable to punishment and even a dishonorable discharge. However such offence makes little sense to the EC, and this applies to some of our political leaders as well. Do we not often hear our political leaders make lots of promises during an election, only to renege their promises upon them winning. If they have lied once, they will continue to lie and this is the culture that I find most prevalent and disgusting among our leaders.
PM Najib now say that he intend to meet up with the EC to resolve issues affecting the commission. I suppose Najib is concern at the demands of Bersih and the many complains brought about by the opposition and civil society regarding the EC. But why leave out the very people that demanded change in the EC? Why not get Bersih into the discussion and some notable likeminded personalities as well. Najib has to show openness and sincerity in wanting to see change in EC, but openness seems to have eluded Najib. Why is this so? And what about his slogan “rakyat di dahulukan, pencapaian diutamakan”. Does this slogan mean nothing to him?
CRUSADE AGAINST CORRUPTION
Tuesday, January 18, 2011
PROXY VOTING – AM I HEARING THE RIGHT THING!
‘Malaysian’, a viewer to this blog has drawn me to a proposal, among many other proposals by the Election Commission (EC), to allow a proxy voter to vote during a General Election. Like many like-minded Malaysians (if I may be term as one), I detest vehemently to such a proposal. I just could not believe that the EC could ever think of such a proposal, as it will only make a mockery out of the entire voting process. I can only say this,that the level of ingenuity of ideas of the EC seems all muddled up and smacks of plain stupidity. Or is the EC merely testing the voter’s intelligence, knowing too well that voters today are more inform of their voting rights, than viewed previously?
Except for former Penang Chief Minister Dr Koh SK, I have not heard of any other leaders’ state their position with regards to this proposal. Of course, critics of this proposal from the alternative media are aplenty.
This proposal is a reflection of what Malaysia Boleh can do to all of us. It either makes one look stupid, or a little cleaver. And if I were to tell my US or British friend about it, they are certain to scoff it as unthinkable and sheer stupidity. I think, if it were in India or Pakistan, there would surely be a nationwide people’s protest against the EC.
All along, we were told that our vote is a secret, and the decision to cast that single vote on a candidate of choice, lies in the voter and no one else. And of all things, how can one ensure that the proxy votes for the right candidate, or willfully cast a spoilt vote?
My brotherly advice to the EC is to stop propagating this idea before it gets too hot to handle. And if the EC wants an idea from me, I would just ask them to think about doing away with postal voting. It only encourages one to cheat.
CRUSADE AGAINST CORRUPTION
Except for former Penang Chief Minister Dr Koh SK, I have not heard of any other leaders’ state their position with regards to this proposal. Of course, critics of this proposal from the alternative media are aplenty.
This proposal is a reflection of what Malaysia Boleh can do to all of us. It either makes one look stupid, or a little cleaver. And if I were to tell my US or British friend about it, they are certain to scoff it as unthinkable and sheer stupidity. I think, if it were in India or Pakistan, there would surely be a nationwide people’s protest against the EC.
All along, we were told that our vote is a secret, and the decision to cast that single vote on a candidate of choice, lies in the voter and no one else. And of all things, how can one ensure that the proxy votes for the right candidate, or willfully cast a spoilt vote?
My brotherly advice to the EC is to stop propagating this idea before it gets too hot to handle. And if the EC wants an idea from me, I would just ask them to think about doing away with postal voting. It only encourages one to cheat.
CRUSADE AGAINST CORRUPTION
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