Former Menteri Besar Pahang Datuk Abdul Rahim Abu Bakar was laid to rest on Friday 25th 2009 at the Taman Kosas Muslim Cemetery after having succumbed to a heart attack on the evening of Thursday. He was 66 years old.
I read several remarks made by UMNO politicians regarding Datuk Abdul Rahim who all claimed that his demise is a great loss to politics, particularly UMNO. Some even commended Datuk Rahim for his his high values, but failed to explain clearly what it meant.
I want to remember Datuk Abdul Rahim as someone who is generous, humble and approachable, despite his high standing in society. My first and only encounter with him was when he was the Menteri Besar of Pahang in 1978. I was a student of the Malaysian Armed Forces Staff College, and the college was on a study tour to the state of Pahang.
Listed on the day's itinerary, was to be a dinner hosted by the Pahang state government, and it was Datuk Abdul Rahim who was the main host.and who was then just 35 years old; an age that I shared with him. I thought to myself how fortunate was this young man who at the age of 35 is now the Chief Executive of the state.
As I progressed in my career, I was posted to Temerloh, Pahang on two different occasions and in two different capacities (1982 and 1994 respectively). Of course, by this time Datuk Abdul Rahim was no longer the Menteri Besar, for he only lasted three years i.e. from 1978 to 1981 or thereabout.
One wonders why did Datuk Abdul Rahim lasted only three years? This was where the truth was not revealed, and was kept under wrasp for fear that the reasons behind the brief tenure of Datuk Abdul Rahim as the Menteri Besar may be related to the affairs of the Pahang palace. I do not wish to speculate, but during my two tours in Pahang, I was exposed to several versions of the stories relating to the brief tenure of Datuk Abdul Rahim as the Menteri Besar of Pahang. Many felt that Datuk Abdul Rahim was a victim for not wanting to succumb to the demands of the palace.
I believe in the defence of the truth, and shielding away the truth will only create many more lies and false perceptions. The scandals, corruption and abuses that permeates our society today is the result of people who no longer see truth as virtuous, but would rather be a persistent liar in order to shield the truth from being known by others. The PKFZ mother of all scandals is one sterling example to quote.
I wish to express my heartfelt condolence to the family members of Datuk Abdul Rahim and pray that his soul now rests among those that Allah swt has chosen.
Al Fatihah
CRUSADE AGAINST CORRUPTION
Showing posts with label society. Show all posts
Showing posts with label society. Show all posts
Sunday, September 27, 2009
Friday, August 14, 2009
SNIPPET
I wish to thank all my readers for their comments, arguments, discussions and views over the article that I last wrote titled “One Malaysia – It is hopeless until we decide to accept change”, posted on August 8, 2009. I wrote the article based on my personal experience; the association that I had with friends of various races during my formative years; the multiracial neighborhood in which I grew up; all these have a lasting influence on me to accept that my Malay race does change my acceptance as friends of the non Malay race. Nothing will change my views of them now, especially of the people that I have grown up with. In fact, when I get to meet them now, our bond of friendship gets even stronger. I know such experience is not felt by those who have grown up within their own kind, and it is for this very reason that I say that the One Malaysia rhetoric is hopeless, if we continue to play the race card; and playing the race card is so rampant among our politicians these days.
All would have noticed that I have laid off writing for almost a week now; not that I fear the internet filtering that Information, Communication and Culture Minister Rais Yatim had earlier proposed, and was ‘thrown out’ by PM Najib so abruptly. It was just that I needed a bit of rest, and to ponder what need I do when I get 66 in a few months from today. Should I continue writing or should I bow out in grace. Should I keep my mouth shut, eyes and ears close when someone tells me that the corrupt practices among government officials has not abated; but gets even more vigorous.
And it was only yesterday that I read that the billions lost in the PKFZ fiasco gets more entwined in charges of an RM10 million cash being paid to a minister for unspecified reasons by the turnkey developer of the PKFZ project. Is this to bribe the minister for some unknown favors, or is it purely a gift or a donation to fill the coffer of the MCA party. If RM10 million can just be given away, I wonder how much profit is being made from the PKFZ project. The minister has since denied receiving any cash from the developer, and had launch a police report.
It has taken exceedingly long for PAC to get to the root of the problem, and one is not surprise that the deeper they dig into the case, the uglier the case becomes. And I can say with some certainty that some known political figures are at hand in the fiasco. But will they be roped in to face the music? My guess is that they will not, because there is already a perception being formed that the higher you are in society, the lesser you are from being prosecuted. In other words, some kind of immunity is being accorded to such highly privileged people. Proof me wrong in this regards.
And isn’t the CEO Dimensi Sdn Bhd, Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing, the developer of the PKFZ a politician himself and a wealthy person? And are we not seeing CRONYISM at play. And I just wonder where did the billions go to……..feeding the many cronies I suppose, and with little hope of ever recovering the lost taxpayers money.
And it was also yesterday that a friend called and ask me to view the Sun Daily of a report regarding the arrest of a ‘Datuk’ that is reportedly involved in a Mindef scam. The ‘Datuk’ had somehow managed to fleece a 40-year-old businesswomen of RM500,000, with pledges to secure her a lucrative contract with Mindef.
This businesswomen must be filthy rich to throw such amount of cash, and I just wonder who is she? And how on earth could this businesswomen be so naïve as to be taken by this smooth talking ‘Datuk’. And how easy is it to get a Mindef letterhead to prove the authenticity of the project, and to be taken around the corridors of Mindef to convince the businesswomen that the project offered is but real. And surely the ‘Datuk’ would not dare get into Mindef if he does not have accomplices to make the scene more realistic.
And this takes me to some of my earlier articles where I said that in order for the public service to be clean and incorruptible, the ‘heads’ must sorted first. Isn’t there the saying that the fish rot begins at the head? And I am told that there are many rotten heads within the public service today, and their activities are well camouflage.
Eradicating corruption is not solely my concern, but should rightly be the concern of all Malaysians. Reading from the many comments that I get from my writings on the question of corruption, there is an obvious lack of confidence and faith from among some of my readers of the MACC and the police. This is a perception that the MACC and the police has to shoulder; a perception that is the result of their own doing.
CRUSADE AGAINST CORRUPTION
All would have noticed that I have laid off writing for almost a week now; not that I fear the internet filtering that Information, Communication and Culture Minister Rais Yatim had earlier proposed, and was ‘thrown out’ by PM Najib so abruptly. It was just that I needed a bit of rest, and to ponder what need I do when I get 66 in a few months from today. Should I continue writing or should I bow out in grace. Should I keep my mouth shut, eyes and ears close when someone tells me that the corrupt practices among government officials has not abated; but gets even more vigorous.
And it was only yesterday that I read that the billions lost in the PKFZ fiasco gets more entwined in charges of an RM10 million cash being paid to a minister for unspecified reasons by the turnkey developer of the PKFZ project. Is this to bribe the minister for some unknown favors, or is it purely a gift or a donation to fill the coffer of the MCA party. If RM10 million can just be given away, I wonder how much profit is being made from the PKFZ project. The minister has since denied receiving any cash from the developer, and had launch a police report.
It has taken exceedingly long for PAC to get to the root of the problem, and one is not surprise that the deeper they dig into the case, the uglier the case becomes. And I can say with some certainty that some known political figures are at hand in the fiasco. But will they be roped in to face the music? My guess is that they will not, because there is already a perception being formed that the higher you are in society, the lesser you are from being prosecuted. In other words, some kind of immunity is being accorded to such highly privileged people. Proof me wrong in this regards.
And isn’t the CEO Dimensi Sdn Bhd, Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing, the developer of the PKFZ a politician himself and a wealthy person? And are we not seeing CRONYISM at play. And I just wonder where did the billions go to……..feeding the many cronies I suppose, and with little hope of ever recovering the lost taxpayers money.
And it was also yesterday that a friend called and ask me to view the Sun Daily of a report regarding the arrest of a ‘Datuk’ that is reportedly involved in a Mindef scam. The ‘Datuk’ had somehow managed to fleece a 40-year-old businesswomen of RM500,000, with pledges to secure her a lucrative contract with Mindef.
This businesswomen must be filthy rich to throw such amount of cash, and I just wonder who is she? And how on earth could this businesswomen be so naïve as to be taken by this smooth talking ‘Datuk’. And how easy is it to get a Mindef letterhead to prove the authenticity of the project, and to be taken around the corridors of Mindef to convince the businesswomen that the project offered is but real. And surely the ‘Datuk’ would not dare get into Mindef if he does not have accomplices to make the scene more realistic.
And this takes me to some of my earlier articles where I said that in order for the public service to be clean and incorruptible, the ‘heads’ must sorted first. Isn’t there the saying that the fish rot begins at the head? And I am told that there are many rotten heads within the public service today, and their activities are well camouflage.
Eradicating corruption is not solely my concern, but should rightly be the concern of all Malaysians. Reading from the many comments that I get from my writings on the question of corruption, there is an obvious lack of confidence and faith from among some of my readers of the MACC and the police. This is a perception that the MACC and the police has to shoulder; a perception that is the result of their own doing.
CRUSADE AGAINST CORRUPTION
Saturday, August 8, 2009
ONE MALAYSIA – IT IS HOPELESS UNTIL WE DECIDE TO ACCEPT CHANGE
Last night, I was at a wedding reception of the daughter of a retired colleague, Lt Gen Dato Abdul Aziz Hassan whom I had befriended since my days as an army cadet. He was my senior though, and our friendship was to last till our final days in the army. Interestingly, he was to become my boss when he was promoted to a three star general to assume the post of the Army Field Commander, and I as his Chief of Staff Operations.
I remembered that on his first day in office, he called me up and the first thing he said to me was, “Arshad, you are still my friend”. I never thought that he would say such a thing because, I had always taken him as close friend, and never doubted that he would dismiss me, now that he was my boss. How else could I response, but to say that I appreciate his acceptance of me as a friend, and that I will truly serve him as my boss. Unfortunately, my tenure as his Chief of Staff was short, because I was due to go on retirement, and had willingly shorten my pre-retirement leave to only three months, instead of a six months accumulated leave, at the request of my boss.
The wedding reception was a reunion of retirees of sorts. I guess a majority of the guests were military retirees, a few serving military officers and close civilian associates of the General. But what amazed me is the mixed of the various Malaysian races; Malays, Chinese, Indians, Punjabi's, Caucasian and a number of Europeans.
I am struck by the harmonious excitement and friendliness of the guests that showed little to associate themselves with the on-going squabble among politicians concerning the issue of race, and the much talked about supremacy of one race over another. The guests that was at the wedding reception that evening have shown what Malaysians are truly like, and I would say without any inhibition that it is the military that has always been practicing the One Malaysia that PM Najib is now propagating. For those not in the military service will never understand what I have said, and we do not play a racial card in our service to King and country. All races are treated as one. We adorn one uniform, and we only speak one common language i.e the military language.
Having left the military service that I adore, it saddens me to witness how much the Malaysian society is so divided, and I attribute this to the narrow mindedness and self centered thinking of some selfish politicians who only think of themselves, perpetuating the needs of their own race, and never wanting to think that others are equally a part of a greater society, in which they are also a part of.
Honestly, I have little faith in the success of the One Malaysia that we now talk about, unless and until we break the 'taboo' that no one race is superior to another, and that all races begin to talk about wanting to help one another, live among one another and learn to respect each others racial and religious sensitivities.
At a time when I am already in my twilight years, it is the fear of my grandchildren more, that they will all suffer the consequence of the bickering of our politicians today, that will make them be part of a society that is constantly divided, and in endless squabble over the issue of race.
CRUSADE AGAINST CORRUPTION
I remembered that on his first day in office, he called me up and the first thing he said to me was, “Arshad, you are still my friend”. I never thought that he would say such a thing because, I had always taken him as close friend, and never doubted that he would dismiss me, now that he was my boss. How else could I response, but to say that I appreciate his acceptance of me as a friend, and that I will truly serve him as my boss. Unfortunately, my tenure as his Chief of Staff was short, because I was due to go on retirement, and had willingly shorten my pre-retirement leave to only three months, instead of a six months accumulated leave, at the request of my boss.
The wedding reception was a reunion of retirees of sorts. I guess a majority of the guests were military retirees, a few serving military officers and close civilian associates of the General. But what amazed me is the mixed of the various Malaysian races; Malays, Chinese, Indians, Punjabi's, Caucasian and a number of Europeans.
I am struck by the harmonious excitement and friendliness of the guests that showed little to associate themselves with the on-going squabble among politicians concerning the issue of race, and the much talked about supremacy of one race over another. The guests that was at the wedding reception that evening have shown what Malaysians are truly like, and I would say without any inhibition that it is the military that has always been practicing the One Malaysia that PM Najib is now propagating. For those not in the military service will never understand what I have said, and we do not play a racial card in our service to King and country. All races are treated as one. We adorn one uniform, and we only speak one common language i.e the military language.
Having left the military service that I adore, it saddens me to witness how much the Malaysian society is so divided, and I attribute this to the narrow mindedness and self centered thinking of some selfish politicians who only think of themselves, perpetuating the needs of their own race, and never wanting to think that others are equally a part of a greater society, in which they are also a part of.
Honestly, I have little faith in the success of the One Malaysia that we now talk about, unless and until we break the 'taboo' that no one race is superior to another, and that all races begin to talk about wanting to help one another, live among one another and learn to respect each others racial and religious sensitivities.
At a time when I am already in my twilight years, it is the fear of my grandchildren more, that they will all suffer the consequence of the bickering of our politicians today, that will make them be part of a society that is constantly divided, and in endless squabble over the issue of race.
CRUSADE AGAINST CORRUPTION
Friday, July 31, 2009
WHO REALLY CARE!
Every time I get down to Kuala Lumpur, I can’t help but watch to my utter dismay, the rot that is infecting our society that is supposedly affluent, in trend with modernity and with numerous skyscrapers to pride of, that our city is emerging into a flawless world class city.
Sadly, the modern physical structures that we see mushroomed around the city center, the zooming of BMW’s, Mercedes and Jaguars of the rich and famous in and out of the narrow roads and alleys, the wailing of sirens escorting VVIP’s and important visiting dignitaries; all this means nothing if the city dwellers and public in general have little regard for being courteous, friendly and more importantly, having an eye for cleanliness.
I have had several nasty encounters with some unscrupulous city dwellers, taxi drivers, security guards, and even with some boisterous students who think the world around them is solely theirs, without any sense of respect and regard for an elder like me who now have little patience for noise and rudeness. It makes me look stupid to speak out at them, and it makes me look a bigger fool if I just ignored them. I think age has made me what I am.
Even the number of law enforcement officers, e.g. policemen, municipal law enforcement officers and road transport enforcement officers that are supposed to uphold and ensure some sense of traffic security around the city center seemed to play ignorant i.e. with their eyes, mouth and ears tightly sealed, at the sight of motorist blatantly beating traffic lights and speeding dangerously, and sometimes bikers riding in the opposite lane oblivious to the dangers that they are likely to pose to the public. I witness these traffic mobsters everyday, and I begin to wonder it there is any worth in having traffic law enforcement officers manning the city center.
It was only a few days ago that I witness a taxi driver at KLCC arguing with what looked liked some Arab tourists over the charges for a taxi ride. And witnessed to the argument was a well dressed security guard who just stood by and watched with amusement, the on going argument. Why this argument about the taxi rates? Are our taxis running without a meter, or was the taxi driver trying to exploit the tourist for additional money?
A ride on the LRT which is my daily routine, give me a helicopter view of the Gombak River that runs besides PWTC. And every time after a heavy down pour, the river is filled almost to the brim, not only with murky water but with a pile of rubbish and filth as well. There goes the slogan……’keep our rivers clean’. Does anyone knows where these pile of rubbish and filth comes from? Or has the authorities accepted the fact that the river can now be turned into a rubbish bin? Where are the authorities that monitors the rivers. I thought we have a department that does that. If Singapore can turn the once murky Singapore river to pristine, clear and clean river; why can’t we think of doing the same for the famous Gombak and Klang river that traverse through the city center.
I wonder who really cares for some the highlights that I have stated above. It is a pity that despite having so many organizations, authorities and agencies, no one seemed to be doing what they are actually suppose to do.
CRUSADE AGAINST CORRUPTION
Sadly, the modern physical structures that we see mushroomed around the city center, the zooming of BMW’s, Mercedes and Jaguars of the rich and famous in and out of the narrow roads and alleys, the wailing of sirens escorting VVIP’s and important visiting dignitaries; all this means nothing if the city dwellers and public in general have little regard for being courteous, friendly and more importantly, having an eye for cleanliness.
I have had several nasty encounters with some unscrupulous city dwellers, taxi drivers, security guards, and even with some boisterous students who think the world around them is solely theirs, without any sense of respect and regard for an elder like me who now have little patience for noise and rudeness. It makes me look stupid to speak out at them, and it makes me look a bigger fool if I just ignored them. I think age has made me what I am.
Even the number of law enforcement officers, e.g. policemen, municipal law enforcement officers and road transport enforcement officers that are supposed to uphold and ensure some sense of traffic security around the city center seemed to play ignorant i.e. with their eyes, mouth and ears tightly sealed, at the sight of motorist blatantly beating traffic lights and speeding dangerously, and sometimes bikers riding in the opposite lane oblivious to the dangers that they are likely to pose to the public. I witness these traffic mobsters everyday, and I begin to wonder it there is any worth in having traffic law enforcement officers manning the city center.
It was only a few days ago that I witness a taxi driver at KLCC arguing with what looked liked some Arab tourists over the charges for a taxi ride. And witnessed to the argument was a well dressed security guard who just stood by and watched with amusement, the on going argument. Why this argument about the taxi rates? Are our taxis running without a meter, or was the taxi driver trying to exploit the tourist for additional money?
A ride on the LRT which is my daily routine, give me a helicopter view of the Gombak River that runs besides PWTC. And every time after a heavy down pour, the river is filled almost to the brim, not only with murky water but with a pile of rubbish and filth as well. There goes the slogan……’keep our rivers clean’. Does anyone knows where these pile of rubbish and filth comes from? Or has the authorities accepted the fact that the river can now be turned into a rubbish bin? Where are the authorities that monitors the rivers. I thought we have a department that does that. If Singapore can turn the once murky Singapore river to pristine, clear and clean river; why can’t we think of doing the same for the famous Gombak and Klang river that traverse through the city center.
I wonder who really cares for some the highlights that I have stated above. It is a pity that despite having so many organizations, authorities and agencies, no one seemed to be doing what they are actually suppose to do.
CRUSADE AGAINST CORRUPTION
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
WHY ARE WE SUCH BUSYBODY?
Everybody seems to be jumping into the band wagon. Everyone wants to make a statement or give an opinion. The mainstream media (both electronic and print) too is having a gala time interviewing people for an opinion and flashing headlines like there are no other better news to report on.
The above is the reaction of the gullible Malaysian society following the resignation of Bulit Lanjan assemblywomen and Selangor executive councillor Elizabeth Wong on Tuesday. TV3 last night took some exceedingly valuable time of its prime time news to report on this episode. Even Independent assemblymen from Kelantan Ibrahim Ali was being interviewed by TV3 for a comment. Would you believe this…….of all persons?
Look………a person has fallen from grace because of an unscrupulous act by some conceited moron whose motive(s) is non other than devilish and ill intended. MCA Deputy President and former Health Minister Dr. Chua Soi Lek suffered the same fate and he too resigned.
Although Elizabeth Wong’s case is different from Dr. Chua Soi Lek, their fate however is similar. But I suppose, what is even more traumatizing is the endless shame that both have to bear throughout their lives. And if one is married, this will be even more traumatizing for the family.
I just can’t help but to accept the fact that we Malaysians are born with the ‘busybody syndrome’. But I do not think we should stoop so low as to busybody ourselves in a case that has brought shame to the victim and their families; a case similar to that suffered by both Elizabeth Wong and Dr. Chua Soi Lek.
CRUSADE AGAINST CORRUPTION
Posted at 12.00 pm on Feb 18, 2009
The above is the reaction of the gullible Malaysian society following the resignation of Bulit Lanjan assemblywomen and Selangor executive councillor Elizabeth Wong on Tuesday. TV3 last night took some exceedingly valuable time of its prime time news to report on this episode. Even Independent assemblymen from Kelantan Ibrahim Ali was being interviewed by TV3 for a comment. Would you believe this…….of all persons?
Look………a person has fallen from grace because of an unscrupulous act by some conceited moron whose motive(s) is non other than devilish and ill intended. MCA Deputy President and former Health Minister Dr. Chua Soi Lek suffered the same fate and he too resigned.
Although Elizabeth Wong’s case is different from Dr. Chua Soi Lek, their fate however is similar. But I suppose, what is even more traumatizing is the endless shame that both have to bear throughout their lives. And if one is married, this will be even more traumatizing for the family.
I just can’t help but to accept the fact that we Malaysians are born with the ‘busybody syndrome’. But I do not think we should stoop so low as to busybody ourselves in a case that has brought shame to the victim and their families; a case similar to that suffered by both Elizabeth Wong and Dr. Chua Soi Lek.
CRUSADE AGAINST CORRUPTION
Posted at 12.00 pm on Feb 18, 2009
Thursday, August 14, 2008
ARE MALAYSIANS TRULY MALAYSIANS
Menteri Besar Selangor, YAB Tan Sri Abdul Khalid’s proposal to allow non-Bumiputra admission into UiTM was met with severe criticism from may quarters; in particular from the PM himself, and the Vice Chancellor UiTM, Prof Dato Seri Ibrahim Abu Shah.
Tan Sri Khalid, in response said that his statement ‘was blown out of proportion and taken out of context’. He went on to say that he made it ‘in the context of raising the standards of institutions of higher learning, so that Malays and other bumiputras could improve their career prospects’
I believe, Tan Sri Khalid was merely making a proposal, and if at all the government is in total disagreement with the proposal, the Ministry of Higher Learning could have issued a simple statement to say that ‘the government is not yet ready to accept the proposal’, or something to that effect. There was no need for the PM to say that ‘he (Tan Sri Khalid) has no power to do that’ i.e. to propose changes to admission into UiTM, or the Vice Chancellor making hard hitting statements on TV, to counter the proposal. I wonder what the Malaysian viewers, particularly non-bumiputras have to say to the remarks made by the Vice Chancellor. I think, it smacks on racism, and I am disgusted to hear such unwarranted statements made by a person deemed knowledgeable, and is of reputable character.
For how long will some of our schools and institutions of higher learning remain racially polarized? When are we to be called truly Malaysian, if we continue to have, and segregate our children into Malay, Chinese and Indian schools? Fifty years of independence have not changed our society the least, that is still being identified by its racial entity.
I have been schooled in a totally racially integrated government school from the moment I entered school, and that was in the beginning of the early 50’s. I enjoyed the friends that I had, and we never identified ourselves by race or the colour of our skin.
Because of this upbringing, I had little problem in associating myself with my Chinese and Indian friends, who would readily come to my house to play, and to have meals together. My parents would welcome them as being part of the family. This are my school friends, all of whom have now pass their sixties, and when we meet, it is not about race, but about friendship.
Tan Sri Khalid, in response said that his statement ‘was blown out of proportion and taken out of context’. He went on to say that he made it ‘in the context of raising the standards of institutions of higher learning, so that Malays and other bumiputras could improve their career prospects’
I believe, Tan Sri Khalid was merely making a proposal, and if at all the government is in total disagreement with the proposal, the Ministry of Higher Learning could have issued a simple statement to say that ‘the government is not yet ready to accept the proposal’, or something to that effect. There was no need for the PM to say that ‘he (Tan Sri Khalid) has no power to do that’ i.e. to propose changes to admission into UiTM, or the Vice Chancellor making hard hitting statements on TV, to counter the proposal. I wonder what the Malaysian viewers, particularly non-bumiputras have to say to the remarks made by the Vice Chancellor. I think, it smacks on racism, and I am disgusted to hear such unwarranted statements made by a person deemed knowledgeable, and is of reputable character.
For how long will some of our schools and institutions of higher learning remain racially polarized? When are we to be called truly Malaysian, if we continue to have, and segregate our children into Malay, Chinese and Indian schools? Fifty years of independence have not changed our society the least, that is still being identified by its racial entity.
I have been schooled in a totally racially integrated government school from the moment I entered school, and that was in the beginning of the early 50’s. I enjoyed the friends that I had, and we never identified ourselves by race or the colour of our skin.
Because of this upbringing, I had little problem in associating myself with my Chinese and Indian friends, who would readily come to my house to play, and to have meals together. My parents would welcome them as being part of the family. This are my school friends, all of whom have now pass their sixties, and when we meet, it is not about race, but about friendship.
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