After five decades of BN governance, what have Malaysians gained and at what price and what have we lost in exchange?
To begin with, where is all of this nation’s booty? There was a time when the colonial masters (rather raiders) came and took all our rubber and tin. But at least they gave us education, healthcare, roads and rails without asking us to pay toll and taxes. Right?
But what can we say of our post-independence masters? The lorded over us and sold us the ‘nationalism’ mantra. They sang ‘Look East’ and ‘Buy British Last’. Later, they seemingly sold us that piped-dream of a modern Malaysia with jobs for all and wealth to be shared by Malaysians.
And so we ran the race at full throttle for the local masters and helped them build their own cartels and fortunes. Today, not only are we left in serious debt but have also pawned our bread and butter jobs that are enriching neighboring countries at the expense of the 27 million citizens of this land.
The factory jobs have gone to foreign labor. The petrol kiosk attendant and car wash jobs have gone to the illegal labor. The maid jobs are sold too. The construction industry is no more an easy entry for locals. Let us not forget the plantation sectors.
We are not even talking about the thousands of massage parlor workers and sex workers coming in under the cover of tourist visas.
Even pasar malam stalls, taxi driving, retail outlets – and many more have all gone to the foreign labor. Just take a tour of Petaling Street or any pasar malam all across the nation to see the reality.
And mind you, there must be truth in the perception that while there may be two million legalized (or authorized) workers here, it is everyone’s guess that the figure could just as well be doubled given the illegal workers coming and going and the recently ‘malaysianized’ foreigners.
So today we have a situation where foreign workers are not only taking back money by the millions from the country, but are also leaving us with a youth population that knows nothing about housekeeping, building and construction, harvesting the fields, trading, and a long list of economic activities, survival skills and know-how.
And let us cut the bull out of that argument that the nation is advancing and therefore Malaysians will not take on menial tasks. Take a look at the West or the East if you will. Their retired folks are gainfully engaged. Their youth population has the option to go into any of the industries that BN has ‘pajak’ to the foreign cheap substitute.
No small wonder then that we are now wrestling with Mat Rempits, drug addiction – including steroids, aesthetic and designer drugs, house break-ins, street crimes and what have you.
The BN led government has failed to ensure technology transfer to all Malaysians. They have failed to build alternative industries to keep Malaysians as economically viable. They have failed to keep the wealth of the nation within its borders. True?
Instead they absorbed the compromised-graduates into the civil service and we all know that half of them are only clocking the punch cards as there is no work. Or if there is work, much of it is redundant, repetitive and unproductive. Ask the traffic cops who man the stations and they will tell you many more stories of doing ‘bodoh punya kerja’.
Have we also not heard the all too often song that Malaysians are shying away from the jobs available and so we have to give it to the foreign workers?
It is indeed a wonder how the politicians can get away with such answers. Either Malaysians are fools or they are far too exhausted to even whimper.
We know that unhealthy profit taking is the only motivator for all those hiring foreign workers. Not nationhood. Period.
In any case, if the BN campers knew that Malaysia would not be an attractive cheap labor market eventually, then there are two questions that beg serious answers.
Firstly, then why did the Tun Dr who helmed the nation for 22 years pawn our citizens into cheap labor marketplace in the first place? Why did he take this short cut if not to push his own agenda for power and control?
Secondly, what were all the BN campers doing all these 30 years – why did they not map out strategic master plan to re-engage and transform our labor market into self-reliance?
We could have created our own knowledgeable workforce of construction and plantation workers, maids, traders and cottage industry hands by institutionalizing these sectors. We could have made it if the lords of contemporary Malaysia had kept interest of the rakyat as a priority above profit-taking and self enrichment in that process.
Today, our friends from neighboring countries are enriching their own nations with wealth brought in from the global market place. More there are also enriching their nation with craft and skills that will keep the country in good stead should the world economy crash.
But we – what have we got? The Abu, Ah Chong and Muthu can hardly bang a nail in concrete; the Siti, Swee Wong and Meenachi hardly know much about housekeeping and knitting yarn let alone growing chili in the back yard.
You can have all the skyscrapers. You can have all the flyovers. But when CORRUPTION and SELF INTEREST has blinded you, you leave the population paralyzed in the face of a global meltdown. And when the tides hits our shores do we blame the Soros and Jews again, just like the Tun Dr did before?
Thanks to BN. And thanks to all Malaysians too for believing the Tun Doctor’s dream for far too long, out of fear and passive submission.
Today, while half the working population is clinging on to their jobs for dear life, another half is drifting without much hope given the economic and financial storms brewing across the globe. And between these extremes is a tiny fraction enjoying the spoils of patronage for the new gurus of Malaysia – the POLITICIANS TURNED TYCOONS.
CRUSADE AGAINST CORRUPTION
Monday, January 23, 2012
Sunday, January 22, 2012
BN IS NOT FOREVER, NOR IS MAHATHIRISM by J.D. Lovrenciear
This past decade has seen Malaysians politics boil and simmer, simmer and boil again. All these are puncturing too many holes in the armour of our economy while steadily shredding at the seams of our social cohesion.
For how long will we continue to be battered by the politicians who are hell bent in their determination to hold on to power is even beyond the soothsayers prediction.
But as long as BN politicians are determined and resolute to remain in power at all costs – even at the expense of democratic principles, then this nation will only sink deeper into the gutter of a failed nation status.
But looking at the daily unfolding of political drama after drama, it is everyone’s best that the rakyat are increasing getting fed up. Like in all nations across the globe, perhaps our youth will when tested to the limits someday soon, burst the seams of social order.
Is this what the BN is waiting and plotting for?
Not only are we the citizens worried about the looming global financial crisis, but even trying to grapple with the runaway cost of living is already a nightmare.
Civil servants are also scoffing at all the political rubbish pilling up. Same too goes to our men and women in blue. Talk to them over a cup of teh tarik and they will not shy from telling you “tak tahu lah apa sudah jadi sekarang”.
Whichever camp you belong to, let us face the fact – by virtue of the fact that BN has been in command of the nation’s political governance all these decades since independence, it must take absolute responsibility for the current state of crisis waiting to explode.
What BN is contributing and experiencing speaks volumes about the bankrupt leadership. And one need not be a management guru or leadership expert to decipher this, really.
BN should not blame the rakyat or the opposition camp for the state of mismanaged politics and bad governance that BN is being labeled with. If only BN had led wisely, the opposition would not be a threat; if only BN politicians had not succumbed to greed and corruption, BN would not have the rakyat abandoning them.
BN, you got it?
If truly people choose BN again, then walk in and get on with the business entrusted. If they lose, then pack and leave peacefully with a resolute will to be more transformed to the liking of the electorate by the next general elections.
BN must stop all these political scheming, talking down to the populace, dishing out threats, continuing to wallow in corruption and scaffolding individuals in their camps who have been alleged to have amassed illicit wealth, testing the justice system of the nation, and what not.
Already the longest serving Prime Minister has failed the citizens miserably. Instead of using his track record, power and influence to show the erring politicians the way forward, he has today become the ridicule of the entire nation. Even senior journalist in neighboring countries have not sparred their ink on the Tun Dr. Why?
For those of us who travel in and out of the country, we have first-hand experience of how many citizens in other countries are beginning to look at Malaysia with great suspicion. It could be far worse with potential investors though. In fact even newspapers in other countries are beginning to identify the serious state of political affairs in the country.
If there is any word that can best describe our current situation, it is this – we are in a mess.
CRUSADE AGAINST CORRUPTION
For how long will we continue to be battered by the politicians who are hell bent in their determination to hold on to power is even beyond the soothsayers prediction.
But as long as BN politicians are determined and resolute to remain in power at all costs – even at the expense of democratic principles, then this nation will only sink deeper into the gutter of a failed nation status.
But looking at the daily unfolding of political drama after drama, it is everyone’s best that the rakyat are increasing getting fed up. Like in all nations across the globe, perhaps our youth will when tested to the limits someday soon, burst the seams of social order.
Is this what the BN is waiting and plotting for?
Not only are we the citizens worried about the looming global financial crisis, but even trying to grapple with the runaway cost of living is already a nightmare.
Civil servants are also scoffing at all the political rubbish pilling up. Same too goes to our men and women in blue. Talk to them over a cup of teh tarik and they will not shy from telling you “tak tahu lah apa sudah jadi sekarang”.
Whichever camp you belong to, let us face the fact – by virtue of the fact that BN has been in command of the nation’s political governance all these decades since independence, it must take absolute responsibility for the current state of crisis waiting to explode.
What BN is contributing and experiencing speaks volumes about the bankrupt leadership. And one need not be a management guru or leadership expert to decipher this, really.
BN should not blame the rakyat or the opposition camp for the state of mismanaged politics and bad governance that BN is being labeled with. If only BN had led wisely, the opposition would not be a threat; if only BN politicians had not succumbed to greed and corruption, BN would not have the rakyat abandoning them.
BN, you got it?
If truly people choose BN again, then walk in and get on with the business entrusted. If they lose, then pack and leave peacefully with a resolute will to be more transformed to the liking of the electorate by the next general elections.
BN must stop all these political scheming, talking down to the populace, dishing out threats, continuing to wallow in corruption and scaffolding individuals in their camps who have been alleged to have amassed illicit wealth, testing the justice system of the nation, and what not.
Already the longest serving Prime Minister has failed the citizens miserably. Instead of using his track record, power and influence to show the erring politicians the way forward, he has today become the ridicule of the entire nation. Even senior journalist in neighboring countries have not sparred their ink on the Tun Dr. Why?
For those of us who travel in and out of the country, we have first-hand experience of how many citizens in other countries are beginning to look at Malaysia with great suspicion. It could be far worse with potential investors though. In fact even newspapers in other countries are beginning to identify the serious state of political affairs in the country.
If there is any word that can best describe our current situation, it is this – we are in a mess.
CRUSADE AGAINST CORRUPTION
Saturday, January 21, 2012
GONG XI FA CAI
In just a few hours from now, Malaysian Chinese will celebrate Gong Xi Fa Cai to usher in the ‘Year of the Dragon’. May my family and I take this opportunity of wishing all Malaysian Chinese a Happy and Prosperous New Year.
CRUSADE AGAINST CORRUPTION
CRUSADE AGAINST CORRUPTION
Friday, January 20, 2012
DECLARATION OF ASSETS – WILL THIS RAISE PUBLIC CONFIDENCE AND TRUST?
The MACC Corruption Prevention Advisory Board has recommended to the PM that ‘Cabinet Ministers, Deputy Ministers and their immediate family members take a statutory declaration to declare their assets and records to be kept with the MACC’. Whilst I agree with this proposal, I would further add that Secretaries and all other political appointees staffing the office of Ministers and Deputy Ministers must also be required to declare their assets too. I am told that these are the people that act as ‘gate keepers’ and they would do the ‘negotiation’ first with the businessman prior to them being brought in to see their bosses. There have been talks of such cases in the past, and the recent revelation of secretaries receiving monthly payment from businessman may proof that such allegations are true.
Although the recommendation may sound good and well intended, I however do not believe that it will gain the support of those affected. As at now, there is already resistance from Minister in PM Department Nazri Aziz who felt that Cabinet Ministers and their family members should not submit their declaration to the MACC; rather it should only be submitted to the PM. He went further to say that family members should not be required to declare their assets for this may be dangerous.
Honestly, I do not know what Nazri Aziz means by dangerous. Does he mean that exposing too much of the family’s wealth can be the subject of a public investigation? Why has Nazri Aziz to fear if the declaration is honest, truthful and that the assets are not obtained through corrupt means? If PM Najib does accept Nazri Aziz’s proposal, then this defeats the purpose of being transparent and it would only raise public perception that if the declaration is to be submitted for the eyes of the PM only, then the declaration will be subject to abuse and the details in the declaration will not be honest and truthful. If the PM does accept Nazri Aziz’s proposal, the question asked would then be, “who would be scrutinizing the PM’s declaration?”
Regardless of how the proposal is to be implemented (if ever it is to be implemented), I still believe that the Penang government’s method is the most acceptable for the moment. It even allows the people to have access to the declaration by having it posted in the government’s website. There is nothing to fear if one is honest and incorruptible, and I am quite sure this method will be most welcomed by the people. However, I note that the declaration does not include family members which can be a cause of public mistrust and suspicion.
I would say that corruption among politicians (ministers and deputy ministers included) today is already a household word and is an embedded culture; a cancer of sort. I do not need to justify my statement because it is already in public domain. I do not see any will by the government to eradicate this ‘cancerous disease’ that is well rooted in every nook and corner of the civil service, and in the confines of the offices of some of our political masters. I fear the worse for this country if corruption cannot be uprooted, and if nothing drastic is done, rest assured this bless country of ours is doomed to failure.
CRUSADE AGAINST CORRUPTION
Although the recommendation may sound good and well intended, I however do not believe that it will gain the support of those affected. As at now, there is already resistance from Minister in PM Department Nazri Aziz who felt that Cabinet Ministers and their family members should not submit their declaration to the MACC; rather it should only be submitted to the PM. He went further to say that family members should not be required to declare their assets for this may be dangerous.
Honestly, I do not know what Nazri Aziz means by dangerous. Does he mean that exposing too much of the family’s wealth can be the subject of a public investigation? Why has Nazri Aziz to fear if the declaration is honest, truthful and that the assets are not obtained through corrupt means? If PM Najib does accept Nazri Aziz’s proposal, then this defeats the purpose of being transparent and it would only raise public perception that if the declaration is to be submitted for the eyes of the PM only, then the declaration will be subject to abuse and the details in the declaration will not be honest and truthful. If the PM does accept Nazri Aziz’s proposal, the question asked would then be, “who would be scrutinizing the PM’s declaration?”
Regardless of how the proposal is to be implemented (if ever it is to be implemented), I still believe that the Penang government’s method is the most acceptable for the moment. It even allows the people to have access to the declaration by having it posted in the government’s website. There is nothing to fear if one is honest and incorruptible, and I am quite sure this method will be most welcomed by the people. However, I note that the declaration does not include family members which can be a cause of public mistrust and suspicion.
I would say that corruption among politicians (ministers and deputy ministers included) today is already a household word and is an embedded culture; a cancer of sort. I do not need to justify my statement because it is already in public domain. I do not see any will by the government to eradicate this ‘cancerous disease’ that is well rooted in every nook and corner of the civil service, and in the confines of the offices of some of our political masters. I fear the worse for this country if corruption cannot be uprooted, and if nothing drastic is done, rest assured this bless country of ours is doomed to failure.
CRUSADE AGAINST CORRUPTION
Wednesday, January 18, 2012
NFC – THE TRUTH SHALL PREVAIL
Absurdity is the only word to describe the instruction by PM Najib to both DPM Muhyiddin Yasin and Agriculture Minister Noh Omar to look into the NFC fiasco. I think the instruction comes a bit too late since the case is now being investigated by the police and MACC. And what good is Muhyiddin and Noh Omar to the case now, particularly Muhyiddin who is deemed a party to the fiasco; him being the Agriculture Minister then to have approved the project to NFC. Now, it is just like asking someone to investigate a break in, when that someone was involved in the incident itself.
It was also reported that when a reporter had asked Noh Omar about the case, he conveniently said that the case be best referred to Muhyiddin. Now, what sort of an answer is this? It only shows how irresponsible he is, despite being instructed by PM Najib to look into the case. This answer would mean that the burden now rest solely upon Muhyiddin and Noh Omar wants to have nothing to do with it. This is the state that UMNO ministers are in now, where responsibility and accountability are taken for granted, despite Noh Omar being the present Agriculture Minister. The least he could have answered was that the matter is currently being looked at, although such an answer may sound equally stupid.
Shahrizat is now on a three weeks leave, hopefully to ponder over her fate and that of her family. I do not wish to speculate what will become of her when she is back from leave, and hopefully by then Malaysians would have a better insight as to how the case will proceed i.e. will there be charges leveled at the owners of the NFC or otherwise. I don’t believe that Shahrizat would be asked by the party leadership to resign knowing that she could bring others down with her over the NFC issue. The only choice that the party leadership has is for her to voluntarily exit the party and with ‘conditions’ attached.
As of now, the focus on the NFC fiasco is the misappropriation and abuse by the NFC management’s handling of the project where accusation is targeted at Shahrizat’s husband and her three children. But little attention is given to the people and authorities that were a party to have approved the project. Had the project being closely monitored and procedures abided strictly by the relevant government authorities, I think the project could have been saved from the mess that was reported. I am also not expecting that the approval was without a ‘side deal’ to benefit someone of influence or simply a ‘toll keeper’.
Looking back at the case, surely Muhyiddin who was the Agriculture Minister then has a lot to answer. And for him to absolve blame would tantamount to an act of betrayal, cowardice and dishonesty to the solemn pledge he made upon assuming the post of the Agriculture Minister. And now being the DPM, he has to show greater courage and forthrightness in what he does since this is a case of serious public interest. He can no longer hide the truth; neither can he lie because the facts are all in public domain. I think Muhyiddin is now trapped between the two evils and the only way out of his predicament is to reveal the truth, although this may be damaging to the party and to his close associate that had a hand in approving the project. This act may also be the cause of his final demise from politics, which I believe he fears most.
Clearly, the NFC fiasco has grown from bad to worse. The deeper you prod, the more is revealed, and now out comes the credit card spending amounting to RM600 thousand by NFC. Now, it would be interesting to know what was actually spent. I hope it is not for some personal luxury items like expensive watches, bags, shoes, perfumes and clothing that bears exclusive and branded names. I think there is that tendency to do the aforesaid because the money isn’t theirs.
Finally, let’s await the outcome of the investigation by the police and MACC. I would definitely not want to listen to what Muhyiddin or Noh Omar has to say about the case, and it would be best that they lay off from having to do anything with the ongoing investigations. Actually, they ought to be investigated too rather than being asked to look into the case, as ordered by PM Najib.
CRUSADE AGAINST CORRUPTION
It was also reported that when a reporter had asked Noh Omar about the case, he conveniently said that the case be best referred to Muhyiddin. Now, what sort of an answer is this? It only shows how irresponsible he is, despite being instructed by PM Najib to look into the case. This answer would mean that the burden now rest solely upon Muhyiddin and Noh Omar wants to have nothing to do with it. This is the state that UMNO ministers are in now, where responsibility and accountability are taken for granted, despite Noh Omar being the present Agriculture Minister. The least he could have answered was that the matter is currently being looked at, although such an answer may sound equally stupid.
Shahrizat is now on a three weeks leave, hopefully to ponder over her fate and that of her family. I do not wish to speculate what will become of her when she is back from leave, and hopefully by then Malaysians would have a better insight as to how the case will proceed i.e. will there be charges leveled at the owners of the NFC or otherwise. I don’t believe that Shahrizat would be asked by the party leadership to resign knowing that she could bring others down with her over the NFC issue. The only choice that the party leadership has is for her to voluntarily exit the party and with ‘conditions’ attached.
As of now, the focus on the NFC fiasco is the misappropriation and abuse by the NFC management’s handling of the project where accusation is targeted at Shahrizat’s husband and her three children. But little attention is given to the people and authorities that were a party to have approved the project. Had the project being closely monitored and procedures abided strictly by the relevant government authorities, I think the project could have been saved from the mess that was reported. I am also not expecting that the approval was without a ‘side deal’ to benefit someone of influence or simply a ‘toll keeper’.
Looking back at the case, surely Muhyiddin who was the Agriculture Minister then has a lot to answer. And for him to absolve blame would tantamount to an act of betrayal, cowardice and dishonesty to the solemn pledge he made upon assuming the post of the Agriculture Minister. And now being the DPM, he has to show greater courage and forthrightness in what he does since this is a case of serious public interest. He can no longer hide the truth; neither can he lie because the facts are all in public domain. I think Muhyiddin is now trapped between the two evils and the only way out of his predicament is to reveal the truth, although this may be damaging to the party and to his close associate that had a hand in approving the project. This act may also be the cause of his final demise from politics, which I believe he fears most.
Clearly, the NFC fiasco has grown from bad to worse. The deeper you prod, the more is revealed, and now out comes the credit card spending amounting to RM600 thousand by NFC. Now, it would be interesting to know what was actually spent. I hope it is not for some personal luxury items like expensive watches, bags, shoes, perfumes and clothing that bears exclusive and branded names. I think there is that tendency to do the aforesaid because the money isn’t theirs.
Finally, let’s await the outcome of the investigation by the police and MACC. I would definitely not want to listen to what Muhyiddin or Noh Omar has to say about the case, and it would be best that they lay off from having to do anything with the ongoing investigations. Actually, they ought to be investigated too rather than being asked to look into the case, as ordered by PM Najib.
CRUSADE AGAINST CORRUPTION
TAN SRI KADIR SHEIKH FADZIR DROPPED A BOMB SHELL
Former Tourism Minster Tan Sri Kadir Sheikh Fadzir has dropped a ‘bomb shell’ that will now proof for certain that money had been widely used by UMNO to buy votes in previous elections. In the past this issue has been widely talked about but there wasn’t anyone from within UMNO that dared to come forward to substantiate and confirm such an allegation. Since the statement was made, there has not been any single rebuttal by any member of the ruling UMNO party; certainly not from the party’s top leadership. Silence is golden they say, but in this particular case, silence is a confession of guilt.
With this revelation, it puts to rest the perception that I have had since the 2004 election, and that of many others, that UMNO had continuously won the elections through devious and corrupt means. It is now proven that UMNO is a party of cheaters and for that, all those that had won the election through the aforesaid means does not deserve the allowances paid to them, and calling them the ‘Yang Berhormat’ is utter disgrace and a mockery. It is more appropriate that such elected members be called the “Yang Penipu’. You may think that I am being rude and hard on these cheaters, but what better expression can I use to describe them.
I had been a leader of men and it dawn in me that being a leader comes with responsibilities. I have to gain respect from the men I command and lead, and I can only achieve this by showing to them my exemplary character and behavior; both in words and action. Had I been a leader that was unscrupulous and rose up the ranks through devious means, I ought to be mocked and shamed wherever I go. I am not saying that I am an exemplary leader, but I am convinced that I have not bribed or bad mouth anyone to get to where I was in my career in the Army. How my superiors viewed me wasn’t important, but how my subordinates had looked upon me, I think is more relevant.
The upcoming election will be a difficult one for both the BN and PR. UMNO/BN has declared this election to be a ‘Mother of all Battles’. PR too sees this election to be their ‘Day of Judgment’ that will determine whether the party sinks or be kept afloat. Both parties have their strength and weaknesses. UMNO/BN has a proven record of ruling the country (for better or for worse) since independence, while the PR has the four states to proof their worthiness. UMNO/BN of late seems to be mired in controversies (corruption, misappropriation and abuses), while the PR seems to be shaken by the sacking of its PAS Selangor state exco member Dato Hassan Ali that can be a torn in the PR’s efforts at winning the elections.
Surely UMNO/BN has all the resources, especially the money (taxpayers money of course) to be handed out to those with a household income of less than RM3000 and some other cash handout as a bait (this was vehemently denied by DPM Muhyiddin) to win votes. I say this is because if it was an honest gesture to help relieve the people’s suffering, it should have been done many years ago on a regular basis; not a one off and at a time when the election is just around the corner. Muhyiddin can say what he wants but clearly, he cannot hide the ulterior motives behind the cash handouts to Malaysian anymore. UMNO/BN is known for this and watch my word; more cash handouts will be delivered as the election draws near. Where the money is coming from, God knows.
With vote buying or not, UMNO/BN’s scheming tactics at winning the election will now be under close scrutiny; not only by concerned Malaysians voters, but by some of their own party members who are clearly fed up with the cheating that has been going on in UMNO/BN. This cheating scheme has gone long enough, and Malaysians can no longer stand by to watch and be govern by a party that is elected through the most unscrupulous and devious means. I will expect the people to rise against a government that is elected by such means.
CRUSADE AGAINST CORRUPTION
With this revelation, it puts to rest the perception that I have had since the 2004 election, and that of many others, that UMNO had continuously won the elections through devious and corrupt means. It is now proven that UMNO is a party of cheaters and for that, all those that had won the election through the aforesaid means does not deserve the allowances paid to them, and calling them the ‘Yang Berhormat’ is utter disgrace and a mockery. It is more appropriate that such elected members be called the “Yang Penipu’. You may think that I am being rude and hard on these cheaters, but what better expression can I use to describe them.
I had been a leader of men and it dawn in me that being a leader comes with responsibilities. I have to gain respect from the men I command and lead, and I can only achieve this by showing to them my exemplary character and behavior; both in words and action. Had I been a leader that was unscrupulous and rose up the ranks through devious means, I ought to be mocked and shamed wherever I go. I am not saying that I am an exemplary leader, but I am convinced that I have not bribed or bad mouth anyone to get to where I was in my career in the Army. How my superiors viewed me wasn’t important, but how my subordinates had looked upon me, I think is more relevant.
The upcoming election will be a difficult one for both the BN and PR. UMNO/BN has declared this election to be a ‘Mother of all Battles’. PR too sees this election to be their ‘Day of Judgment’ that will determine whether the party sinks or be kept afloat. Both parties have their strength and weaknesses. UMNO/BN has a proven record of ruling the country (for better or for worse) since independence, while the PR has the four states to proof their worthiness. UMNO/BN of late seems to be mired in controversies (corruption, misappropriation and abuses), while the PR seems to be shaken by the sacking of its PAS Selangor state exco member Dato Hassan Ali that can be a torn in the PR’s efforts at winning the elections.
Surely UMNO/BN has all the resources, especially the money (taxpayers money of course) to be handed out to those with a household income of less than RM3000 and some other cash handout as a bait (this was vehemently denied by DPM Muhyiddin) to win votes. I say this is because if it was an honest gesture to help relieve the people’s suffering, it should have been done many years ago on a regular basis; not a one off and at a time when the election is just around the corner. Muhyiddin can say what he wants but clearly, he cannot hide the ulterior motives behind the cash handouts to Malaysian anymore. UMNO/BN is known for this and watch my word; more cash handouts will be delivered as the election draws near. Where the money is coming from, God knows.
With vote buying or not, UMNO/BN’s scheming tactics at winning the election will now be under close scrutiny; not only by concerned Malaysians voters, but by some of their own party members who are clearly fed up with the cheating that has been going on in UMNO/BN. This cheating scheme has gone long enough, and Malaysians can no longer stand by to watch and be govern by a party that is elected through the most unscrupulous and devious means. I will expect the people to rise against a government that is elected by such means.
CRUSADE AGAINST CORRUPTION
Monday, January 16, 2012
RAJA NONG CHIK – STOP YOUR DAY DREAMING!
I was with a group of retirees sharing their normal tea tarik session this morning at Putrajaya. And being retirees what else could we be talking about other than about our children, grandchildren and most of all, what need to be done to keep our mind and body healthy. And being retirees, this does not mean that we do not keep abreast with all that is happening in the country today. On the contrary, our level of awareness has peaked up and we are more concern now about what is happening to the country today, than during the time when we were all working. The reason is simply that time is now at our pleasure to read and to reason out, and to be able to make a comparison with all that we see happening to the country today, with that of the past.
They all having to know that I am a blogger had asked me to comment on the recent statement made by FT Minister Raja Nong Chik that the Chinese community at Lembah Pantai are beginning to be drawn towards the BN. I said, “Yes, I am aware of that statement by Raja Nong Chik, but I believe he must be day dreaming when he uttered that statement”. I do not know on what basis of facts was used by the minister to come out with such a statement. If it was Shahrizat to have said that, then I do have some reason to believe it. But having to come from Raja Nong Chik who is virtually a ‘novice’ in the Lembah Pantai constituency is hard for me to believe. Is it because after handing over hampers and ‘ang pow’ to some 400 odd elderly Chinese, and presumably after having a quick brief by the MCA representatives is enough to convince Raja Nong Chick that the Chinese at Lembah Pantai will vote for the BN this time around?
Now, let me say this to Raja Nong Chik and to his MCA ‘advisors’ – once again, please stop your day dreaming. The reason I say this is firstly, Raja Nong Chik isn’t an elected representative and he became a minister through the ‘rear door’. They should know that the Lembah Pantai voters are not the kampung type where they can be easily manipulated once a year with hampers and ‘ang pows’. You give, they take and after all, the money for the hampers and ‘ang pows’ does not come from their personal pockets. If the money is from the allocation provided by the government, then it is public money and for this, the entire elderly Chinese community throughout the country deserves the same gift of hampers and ‘ang pows’.
Secondly, Lembah Pantai constituents are of the middle and higher income group; hence they are not illiterates; rather they are a learned lot. They are fully aware of what is going on to the country today, and can differentiate lies from truth; rhetoric or otherwise. When even the super mama Shahrizat Jalil could be trounced by a virtually unknown Nurul Izzah in the last elections, this time who is Raja Nong Chik to take on the jewel of PKR Nurul Izzah. Does he not know that Nurul Izzah has got much stronger and more popular today? Just walk the streets at the Lembah Pantai constituency and one can sense her popularity. And even if BN were to use the usual money tactics to buy votes, they can be terribly mistaken this time? Was it not the popular former Tourism Minister Tan Sri Kadir Sheikh Fadzir who said that money (lots of it) was used to buy votes in previous elections? Of course the voters will take the money handed to them, but this does not guarantee the electorates will vote for the BN candidate – not now.
Thirdly, Lembah Pantai has a large number of young voters and there is no denying that this time around, it is the young voters that will make that critical decision as to which party will be chosen to govern the country. We have seen how the youth (especially university/college students) have daringly come forward to make their voices heard at public forums, in direct challenge to the rulings imposed by the government. This new form of public opinion and awareness is unheard off before. There is the obvious realization that their voices can no longer be subdued by archaic government rulings, and that they want to have a role in the political, economic and social development of the country; especially that affecting their life as matured university students. They no longer want to be cocooned to the academic trap, and to be seen as school children; to be told what can be done and what cannot be done.
Finally, if someone were to ask me this question,”Where then should Raja Nong Chik contest, given that PM Najib thinks he is a winnable candidate and wants to still make him a minister; this time through the ‘front door’? My answer would be this – “Dump Tengku (?) Adnan out of Putrajaya and bring in Raja Nong Chik”. I think Tengku (?) Adnan has had enough as a minister. Let’s see if PM Najib takes this bite.
CRUSADE AGAINST CORRUPTION
They all having to know that I am a blogger had asked me to comment on the recent statement made by FT Minister Raja Nong Chik that the Chinese community at Lembah Pantai are beginning to be drawn towards the BN. I said, “Yes, I am aware of that statement by Raja Nong Chik, but I believe he must be day dreaming when he uttered that statement”. I do not know on what basis of facts was used by the minister to come out with such a statement. If it was Shahrizat to have said that, then I do have some reason to believe it. But having to come from Raja Nong Chik who is virtually a ‘novice’ in the Lembah Pantai constituency is hard for me to believe. Is it because after handing over hampers and ‘ang pow’ to some 400 odd elderly Chinese, and presumably after having a quick brief by the MCA representatives is enough to convince Raja Nong Chick that the Chinese at Lembah Pantai will vote for the BN this time around?
Now, let me say this to Raja Nong Chik and to his MCA ‘advisors’ – once again, please stop your day dreaming. The reason I say this is firstly, Raja Nong Chik isn’t an elected representative and he became a minister through the ‘rear door’. They should know that the Lembah Pantai voters are not the kampung type where they can be easily manipulated once a year with hampers and ‘ang pows’. You give, they take and after all, the money for the hampers and ‘ang pows’ does not come from their personal pockets. If the money is from the allocation provided by the government, then it is public money and for this, the entire elderly Chinese community throughout the country deserves the same gift of hampers and ‘ang pows’.
Secondly, Lembah Pantai constituents are of the middle and higher income group; hence they are not illiterates; rather they are a learned lot. They are fully aware of what is going on to the country today, and can differentiate lies from truth; rhetoric or otherwise. When even the super mama Shahrizat Jalil could be trounced by a virtually unknown Nurul Izzah in the last elections, this time who is Raja Nong Chik to take on the jewel of PKR Nurul Izzah. Does he not know that Nurul Izzah has got much stronger and more popular today? Just walk the streets at the Lembah Pantai constituency and one can sense her popularity. And even if BN were to use the usual money tactics to buy votes, they can be terribly mistaken this time? Was it not the popular former Tourism Minister Tan Sri Kadir Sheikh Fadzir who said that money (lots of it) was used to buy votes in previous elections? Of course the voters will take the money handed to them, but this does not guarantee the electorates will vote for the BN candidate – not now.
Thirdly, Lembah Pantai has a large number of young voters and there is no denying that this time around, it is the young voters that will make that critical decision as to which party will be chosen to govern the country. We have seen how the youth (especially university/college students) have daringly come forward to make their voices heard at public forums, in direct challenge to the rulings imposed by the government. This new form of public opinion and awareness is unheard off before. There is the obvious realization that their voices can no longer be subdued by archaic government rulings, and that they want to have a role in the political, economic and social development of the country; especially that affecting their life as matured university students. They no longer want to be cocooned to the academic trap, and to be seen as school children; to be told what can be done and what cannot be done.
Finally, if someone were to ask me this question,”Where then should Raja Nong Chik contest, given that PM Najib thinks he is a winnable candidate and wants to still make him a minister; this time through the ‘front door’? My answer would be this – “Dump Tengku (?) Adnan out of Putrajaya and bring in Raja Nong Chik”. I think Tengku (?) Adnan has had enough as a minister. Let’s see if PM Najib takes this bite.
CRUSADE AGAINST CORRUPTION
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)