I had an interesting discourse with a number of friends who were my colleagues in the military; some retired and a few others still in the service. I had just wanted to hear from them their views regarding the political landscape surrounding the by-elections in Bagan Pinang where all parties says that the postal votes will be crucial in determining which party wins or loses.
Besides the by-elections, I also wanted to confirm the much talked about Army leadership changes that is expected to occur soon upon the retirement of the incumbent Army Chief.
What I have heard wasn't too pleasing to my ears because the leadership changes subsequent to the retirement of the Army Chief is said to be mired in controversy, i.e. one that is not based on merit, seniority, competency, etc etc; but is based on the factor of 'I know him better than others'. In other words, there is a scheming plan to promote certain preferred individuals who will supposedly will act as their business proxies when the incumbent leader retires from the service. This to me is incredulous, but the murmurs are obvious around the corridors of the Department of Army, as well as outside the military circles. What is unbelievable is that such murmurs are openly being debated among junior officers who now thinks that cronies now lurks even in this honourable profession.
When discussing the by-elections in Bagan Pinang, someone showed me an invitation card for the Anniversary Celebration of the 2nd Armoured Regiment at Sungala Camp, Port Dickson held on October 5th 2009. The invitees includes top army commanders and some notable UMNO politicians who have all decided to make their way to Port Dickson for the function.
I tried to reason out why was there a need for such 'luminaries' to attend just a simple regimental function, where the main host ought rightly be the Commanding Officer (CO) himself. If at all the CO wants to extend an invitation to someone of a higher rank, it could have been just the Brigade Commander. But in this instant, there were too 'many stars' from Kuala Lumpur, and some ministers who were guests to the function that was organised too close to a by-election. Now, this smells fishy!
I do not know if this was sheer coincidence, but my intuition tells me that it wasn't. It certainly has the by-election as the primary reason, and please prove me wrong for such reasoning. If my intuition is right, then I only have to blame the star studded army officers for their utter ignorance and failure not to understand and recognised the sensitivities of having too many ministers attending a simple regimental function that is organised a few days prior to a by-election, and is held in the constituency of Bagan Pinang. Or are the star studded army officers dancing to the tune of the honourable UMNO ministers? And please forgive me if I and many others perceive the aforesaid to be true.
Now, with regards to the proposed change of the army leadership, I am told that the plan had began back in 2005. Some of the preferred officers were promoted in double quick time, ahead of those who already have the seniority. But for some unknown reason, these officers who already have an edge in seniority are being left in a lurch, and are bewildered as to why have they have been by-passed in the promotion exercise. This is indeed an unhealthy trend that has also created groups within the army heirachy, i.e. one that is favoured and forms the inner circle by the leadership, and the others being left on the periphery. It is believed that the factor of clan is also a criteria to determine who forms the grouping. This is simply outrageous.
As I was writing this posting, I received a call from Port Dickson to confirm that the people who attend the recent function where PM Najib had announce the renaming of Port Dickson as the Army Town had received an envelope containing cash worth RM300. How fortunate are these people to be receiving such largesse from our generous PM, and if only I knew, I wouldn't mind lining up among the mass to receive the cash that is more than sufficient to pay off my petrol expenses.
Just imagine, if there were just 500 people attending, what would be the total payout, and if it were 1000 people, just times that by two. What generosity?
CRUSADE AGAINST CORRUPTION
Showing posts with label bagan pinang by-election. Show all posts
Showing posts with label bagan pinang by-election. Show all posts
Wednesday, October 7, 2009
Tuesday, October 6, 2009
CAMPAIGNING IN MILITARY CAMPS
It surprised me to see a picture of the BN candidate for the Bagan Pinang by-election, Isa Samad being received by a group of Army Officers in what was reported to be a meeting of Isa Samad with members of the Armed Forces Employee Union, and the Negeri Sembilan Defence Ministry Staff Club at Port Dickson recently. The photo appeared in the Sun tabloid dated October 6, 2009.
I am appalled at what I saw, and several questions comes to mind. Firstly, in what capacity is Isa Samad meeting the civilian employees of the Defence Ministry in Port Dickson? Secondly, what has the Army Officers got to do with the meeting, knowing full well that Isa Samad is merely a candidate for the by-election, and does not hold any official position in government nor in the party. Thirdly, don't Isa Samad knows that he has no right to get into a military camp to campaign, and if he wants to meet the civilian employees of the Defence Ministry (for whatever reason), it has to be done outside the confines of a military camp? Fourthly, whoever was the army officer that had instructed his subordinate officers to receive Isa Samad, knowing full well that it is going to be an election campaign, is deemed to have acted partisan in favour of the BN candidate. Had I been the superior officer in the camp, I would have sacked the officer.
Now my question to Isa Samad is this; what if the opposition candidate decides to do the same as what you did? Will you cause a furore or will you say that the opposition candidate has every right to do the same? I doubt very much that Isa Samad will agree with the latter. And even if Isa Samad does not say anything, I am quite sure that the Election Commission will be jumping sky high to claim that the opposition candidate had violated the rules governing election campaigning. For this, the opposition candidate will be disqualified to stand for the election.
Being a retired senior army officer, I am saddened that Isa Samad has dragged in the army officers into his political game, and I deemed this to be a devious act. Isa Samad had served the government before as a Menteri Besar and a federal minister, and I am quite sure he knows the rules relating to the involvement of military personnels in his political campaign. Or is Isa Samad saying that the meeting was just to get to know the civilian staffs, but why during this period of the by-election when he is the candidate? Say what he wants, certainly Isa Samad has violated the 'sanctity' of the military camp, and should he still wants to visit the camp, he has to wait until he win the by-election and is pronounced the Menteri Besar. And when that time comes, I am quite sure the military will only be too glad to accord him the Regimental Quarter Guard.
I would like to hear a response from Army Headquarters concerning the above matter, and if nothing is forthcoming, I then will assume that it is proper for the opposition to be given the opportunity to campaign in military camps in the future.
CRUSADE AGAINST CORRUPTION
I am appalled at what I saw, and several questions comes to mind. Firstly, in what capacity is Isa Samad meeting the civilian employees of the Defence Ministry in Port Dickson? Secondly, what has the Army Officers got to do with the meeting, knowing full well that Isa Samad is merely a candidate for the by-election, and does not hold any official position in government nor in the party. Thirdly, don't Isa Samad knows that he has no right to get into a military camp to campaign, and if he wants to meet the civilian employees of the Defence Ministry (for whatever reason), it has to be done outside the confines of a military camp? Fourthly, whoever was the army officer that had instructed his subordinate officers to receive Isa Samad, knowing full well that it is going to be an election campaign, is deemed to have acted partisan in favour of the BN candidate. Had I been the superior officer in the camp, I would have sacked the officer.
Now my question to Isa Samad is this; what if the opposition candidate decides to do the same as what you did? Will you cause a furore or will you say that the opposition candidate has every right to do the same? I doubt very much that Isa Samad will agree with the latter. And even if Isa Samad does not say anything, I am quite sure that the Election Commission will be jumping sky high to claim that the opposition candidate had violated the rules governing election campaigning. For this, the opposition candidate will be disqualified to stand for the election.
Being a retired senior army officer, I am saddened that Isa Samad has dragged in the army officers into his political game, and I deemed this to be a devious act. Isa Samad had served the government before as a Menteri Besar and a federal minister, and I am quite sure he knows the rules relating to the involvement of military personnels in his political campaign. Or is Isa Samad saying that the meeting was just to get to know the civilian staffs, but why during this period of the by-election when he is the candidate? Say what he wants, certainly Isa Samad has violated the 'sanctity' of the military camp, and should he still wants to visit the camp, he has to wait until he win the by-election and is pronounced the Menteri Besar. And when that time comes, I am quite sure the military will only be too glad to accord him the Regimental Quarter Guard.
I would like to hear a response from Army Headquarters concerning the above matter, and if nothing is forthcoming, I then will assume that it is proper for the opposition to be given the opportunity to campaign in military camps in the future.
CRUSADE AGAINST CORRUPTION
Saturday, October 3, 2009
IT IS ONLY DOING WHAT IS RIGHT, THAT THE WRONG CAN BE CORRECTED
I am an avid fan of fellow blogger Pak Hussein Hamid (steadyaku47) who is forthright, courages and determine to expose the scourge of corruption, complicity and abuse among our Yang Berhormats, its cronies and I suppose including the conniving police, judiciary, MACC and most recently, a member of the Royalty. I fully support his cause in the name of seeking justice and fair-play, and in keeping with PM Najib 1 Malaysia slogan.
Am I wrong to say what I have just said above, or do I sound like one who is pro opposition? To all and sundry, I am neither anti establishment nor a supporter of the opposition. I am what I am, simply a crusader against corruption and abuse, regardless of who the practitioners are. In this regards, I share a common cause with Pak Hussein Hamid, and that certainly isn't a crime.
Having got into Pak Hussein's blog, I have read every bit of his postings, and his latest titled, 'Bangan Pinang - One Tan Sri - Two Datuks' really excites me. Am I to believe or not to believe the posting, but the Port Dickson town is filled with talks that the BN candidate Isa Samad has bags of cash to disburse to his supporters and voters.
As Pak Hussein has argued, Isa Samad does not want to caught the second time for money politics, a term crafted by UMNO which is the 'twin brother' of corruption. It seems that UMNO has drawn out a new strategy i.e. getting someone else to do the handout, and in return are given projects to recoup their 'investments'. This is where the 'One Tan Sri – Two Datuks' comes into the scene, and how the hell is UMNO going to defend their 'Ketuanan Melayu' slogan when they have to depend upon the Tan Sri and Datuks who are all Chinese. Surely there are lots of super rich Malays who can be 'co-opted' into this thieving scheme. Now, this has also made Hishamuddin difficult to kiss the keris in future UMNO General Assemblies.
And isn't the use of threat of boycott enough to ensure that Isa Samad gets nominated as the only BN candidate for the by-election? A precedence has been set, and as I have said it in my earlier writings, there is now no stopping that the threat of boycott can also be used in future elections to top party posts in future assemblies. And if this is to happen, I can dare say that what we will get as our future leaders are bigger thieves, gangsters and murderers.
I will be heading for Port Dickson tomorrow with my family to visit the Army Museum, and hopefully to catch a glimpse of the Tan Sri and the Datuks. Should I meet them or his merry men, I will be blunt to ask them for my share, and claim that I am a voter for the Bagan Pinang by-election. I will also tell them that I am from the military, and if they give me my share, I will tear the money right in-front of their faces.
If what was written by Pak Hussein is true, I just do not know what to say of BN/UMNO and the leadership. Where are the moral values that your parents have taught us? Haven't you been taught by your revered religious teachers early in your life, not to offer and take bribes? Do you not know what awaits corruptors in the after life? Do you think by accepting a small token to support a particular party, you can become instant millionaire?
Everyone knows the answers to the aforesaid questions, but why are you playing ignorant and willing to fore-sake your religious beliefs and values, simply to satisfy the political aspirations of some known unsavory and tinted candidate. Please do what is right, and it is only by doing the right thing that the wrong can be corrected.
CRUSADE AGAINST CORRUPTION
Am I wrong to say what I have just said above, or do I sound like one who is pro opposition? To all and sundry, I am neither anti establishment nor a supporter of the opposition. I am what I am, simply a crusader against corruption and abuse, regardless of who the practitioners are. In this regards, I share a common cause with Pak Hussein Hamid, and that certainly isn't a crime.
Having got into Pak Hussein's blog, I have read every bit of his postings, and his latest titled, 'Bangan Pinang - One Tan Sri - Two Datuks' really excites me. Am I to believe or not to believe the posting, but the Port Dickson town is filled with talks that the BN candidate Isa Samad has bags of cash to disburse to his supporters and voters.
As Pak Hussein has argued, Isa Samad does not want to caught the second time for money politics, a term crafted by UMNO which is the 'twin brother' of corruption. It seems that UMNO has drawn out a new strategy i.e. getting someone else to do the handout, and in return are given projects to recoup their 'investments'. This is where the 'One Tan Sri – Two Datuks' comes into the scene, and how the hell is UMNO going to defend their 'Ketuanan Melayu' slogan when they have to depend upon the Tan Sri and Datuks who are all Chinese. Surely there are lots of super rich Malays who can be 'co-opted' into this thieving scheme. Now, this has also made Hishamuddin difficult to kiss the keris in future UMNO General Assemblies.
And isn't the use of threat of boycott enough to ensure that Isa Samad gets nominated as the only BN candidate for the by-election? A precedence has been set, and as I have said it in my earlier writings, there is now no stopping that the threat of boycott can also be used in future elections to top party posts in future assemblies. And if this is to happen, I can dare say that what we will get as our future leaders are bigger thieves, gangsters and murderers.
I will be heading for Port Dickson tomorrow with my family to visit the Army Museum, and hopefully to catch a glimpse of the Tan Sri and the Datuks. Should I meet them or his merry men, I will be blunt to ask them for my share, and claim that I am a voter for the Bagan Pinang by-election. I will also tell them that I am from the military, and if they give me my share, I will tear the money right in-front of their faces.
If what was written by Pak Hussein is true, I just do not know what to say of BN/UMNO and the leadership. Where are the moral values that your parents have taught us? Haven't you been taught by your revered religious teachers early in your life, not to offer and take bribes? Do you not know what awaits corruptors in the after life? Do you think by accepting a small token to support a particular party, you can become instant millionaire?
Everyone knows the answers to the aforesaid questions, but why are you playing ignorant and willing to fore-sake your religious beliefs and values, simply to satisfy the political aspirations of some known unsavory and tinted candidate. Please do what is right, and it is only by doing the right thing that the wrong can be corrected.
CRUSADE AGAINST CORRUPTION
Thursday, October 1, 2009
GOOD GUILT – BAD GUILT SAYS HISHAMUDDIN
“There's good guilt and then there's bad guilt” says Home Minister Hishamuddin in defence of Isa Samad's nomination by the party as its candidate for the Bagan Pinang by-election scheduled October 11th 2009. I don't seem to understand what Hishamuddin means by that statement. Is this the same as the good and bad cholesterol that I am so familiar with, everytime I go for my quarterly medical check-up at the IJN? I hope Hishamuddin does not come out with another statement to say that there are good murderers and bad murderers, and the good murderers are the once that should be given a reprieve.
He went further to justify that “Isa Samad is different from certain candidates who, when found guilty by the party, they are willing to curse the party that has served them. Isa Samad is a loyal servant of the party and he is the people's candidate”. If this is the criteria for disciplined UMNO members to be accepted back into UMNO's fold, then I had better advice all those who were found guilty of money politics to take the cue from Isa Samad.
I also want to know who was the candidate that had cursed the party when found guilty for a party offence. Certainly not Khairy Jamaluddin or Ali Rustam. Or is he referring to that gay who was caught and charged by the Temerloh Court for attempted bribery, and is now lost in the wilderness? Or is he insinuating Azlina Othman who has been keeping a low profile since her ouster as Tourism Minister, though yet to face any charges for her connivance in money politics? Or is it Rafidah Aziz who lost the Ketua Wanita challenge and had been left in a lurch without a ministerial and party post?
You know, I was at the Tourism Ministry on two occasions and everyone seemed to be smiling and in a relax mood since Azlina Othman has been ousted. I just wonder what did Azalina do to cause the staffs of the ministry to dislike her so much.
Hishamuddin can say all that he wishes to justify Isa Samad's nomination, for what else can he say now that the final selection has been made. It is the people's candidate so says Hishamuddin, and I suppose he was only referring to the people of Bagan Pinang, but not to UMNO as a whole.
Most, including the opposition has declared that the possibility of a PR win in the Bagan Pinang by-election is near impossible. Granted that Isa Samad will be the clear winner, this will signal the beginning of a much fiercer war that the BN will face in the up-coming 13th General Elections.
CRUSADE AGAINST CORRUPTION
He went further to justify that “Isa Samad is different from certain candidates who, when found guilty by the party, they are willing to curse the party that has served them. Isa Samad is a loyal servant of the party and he is the people's candidate”. If this is the criteria for disciplined UMNO members to be accepted back into UMNO's fold, then I had better advice all those who were found guilty of money politics to take the cue from Isa Samad.
I also want to know who was the candidate that had cursed the party when found guilty for a party offence. Certainly not Khairy Jamaluddin or Ali Rustam. Or is he referring to that gay who was caught and charged by the Temerloh Court for attempted bribery, and is now lost in the wilderness? Or is he insinuating Azlina Othman who has been keeping a low profile since her ouster as Tourism Minister, though yet to face any charges for her connivance in money politics? Or is it Rafidah Aziz who lost the Ketua Wanita challenge and had been left in a lurch without a ministerial and party post?
You know, I was at the Tourism Ministry on two occasions and everyone seemed to be smiling and in a relax mood since Azlina Othman has been ousted. I just wonder what did Azalina do to cause the staffs of the ministry to dislike her so much.
Hishamuddin can say all that he wishes to justify Isa Samad's nomination, for what else can he say now that the final selection has been made. It is the people's candidate so says Hishamuddin, and I suppose he was only referring to the people of Bagan Pinang, but not to UMNO as a whole.
Most, including the opposition has declared that the possibility of a PR win in the Bagan Pinang by-election is near impossible. Granted that Isa Samad will be the clear winner, this will signal the beginning of a much fiercer war that the BN will face in the up-coming 13th General Elections.
CRUSADE AGAINST CORRUPTION
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