Wednesday, April 30, 2008
PM's silence made Dr M look right
Soon Li Tsin and Francis Paul Apr 30, 08 3:29pm
Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi’s refusal to counter his predecessor’s scathing criticisms gave the impression that Dr Mahathir Mohamad was speaking the truth.
Stating that the prime minister was wrong in keeping quiet, Gerakan advisor Dr Lim Keng Yaik said the criticisms eventually had an impact on the March 8 polls.
"Mahathir’s (criticism) has in a way affected them (Umno and Barisan Nasional). He may be a single ordinary citizen but he is a super citizen because he has been PM for 22 years.
"If the leadership of Pak Lah and Umno feels that Mahathir is wrong and what he says is wrong, they have every right to expel him and not be worried.
"Tell the rakyat what he said is wrong. If he keeps on saying things and you don’t respond, then whatever he’s saying must be right," he told Malaysiakini in an exclusive interview held at his new Selangor party office in Bandar Utama on Monday.
The outspoken politician, who stepped down as Gerakan president after 26 years, also took Mahathir to task for his lack of tact.
"(His) criticisms may be right but the attitude and the way the criticisms were presented did not help BN or Umno. If Mahathir loved Umno and BN, he should not have behaved the way he behaved."
Clad in a sky blue shirt and khaki pants, Lim appeared happy seeing the Malaysiakini team but also expressed concern that his statements might be "twisted".
With the scent of Salem cigarettes trailing him as he settled on the sofa, he was in good spirits when quizzed about the elections and called the new political landscape a "breath of fresh air".
"Of course (I am happy with the results). I don’t call it a tsunami. Tsunami concocts a negative perspective, it's destructive. I call it a breath of fresh air that is blown into the Malaysian political arena," he said.
Lim noted that his joy comes from the fact that the multiracial politics being called for by the people is Gerakan’s ideology that has been marginalised by BN in the past.
Umno's arrogance to blame
However, his tone changed when speaking about Gerakan’s future and its relevance after being essentially wiped out in Penang - a state held by the party since 1969 - in the March elections.
Stressing that the party will not desert BN, Lim suggested several ways to return the ruling coalition to glory beginning with changing the way Umno deals with component parties.
"The first step is to convince Umno that complacency, arrogance, abuse of power must be stopped.
"Change the way how Umno should face other component parties as well as give the impression to the multiracial rakyat that we are all really sitting down on the table planning for Malaysians and not just for any particular race," he said.
The former energy, water and telecommunications minister also proposed all 14 component parties to merge and turn BN into a multiracial party.
But should that fail, he suggested that 13 parties merge to posture Umno instead.
"If Umno cannot accept turning BN into a multiracial party [...] then the other BN partners could think of building up a big multiracial set up to be in partnership with a Malay-based set up.
"Rather than 14 little parties saying their little bit, (the 13) can be one big party and be the partner of Umno which will have a better effect on lowering the posturing of Umno itself."
The former Gerakan president admitted that he failed to change the political scene during his tenure with regards to BN adopting a multiracial approach.
However, he stressed that his party did no wrong.
Despite repeating several times that he does not want to play the ‘blame game’, Lim however alluded that Gerakan’s loss was caused by Umno’s arrogance.
"In the Malay-dominated seats, Umno delivered but Umno did not deliver the Malays in the urban areas. Mixed seats in the last 15 years are the ones which suffered the most.
"The non-Malays saw Umno’s arrogance, the ‘ketuanan Melayu’ (Malay supremacy), waving of the keris, the way they expressed their feelings in the Umno general assembly.
"Of course, we did not deliver the votes. Of course, we failed. But who did the undoing?" he asked.
Solve the crisis soon
As for the current in-fighting in Umno, Lim warned that if the party remains divided for another two years, it will have a negative effect in the next general election.
"BN with respects to Umno is still scrambling for direction and leadership. You can’t go on. If this goes on for two years, it will have negative effects on the following elections.
"People have a memory. If you want to solve it, solve it soon. And it can only be solved by Umno leaders. They should know what’s best for the party," he said.
With his trademark wit, Lim also predicted that the opposition alliance Pakatan Rakyat, which now controls five states and considers itself the government-in-waiting, will face the same problems encountered by BN in the past 50 years.
"They will face the same problems that we have faced. They will have to solve the problems with PAS just like how we have to solve the problems with Umno.
"They will have to solve the Indian minority problems and everything else equitably," he added.
Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi’s refusal to counter his predecessor’s scathing criticisms gave the impression that Dr Mahathir Mohamad was speaking the truth.
Stating that the prime minister was wrong in keeping quiet, Gerakan advisor Dr Lim Keng Yaik said the criticisms eventually had an impact on the March 8 polls.
"Mahathir’s (criticism) has in a way affected them (Umno and Barisan Nasional). He may be a single ordinary citizen but he is a super citizen because he has been PM for 22 years.
"If the leadership of Pak Lah and Umno feels that Mahathir is wrong and what he says is wrong, they have every right to expel him and not be worried.
"Tell the rakyat what he said is wrong. If he keeps on saying things and you don’t respond, then whatever he’s saying must be right," he told Malaysiakini in an exclusive interview held at his new Selangor party office in Bandar Utama on Monday.
The outspoken politician, who stepped down as Gerakan president after 26 years, also took Mahathir to task for his lack of tact.
"(His) criticisms may be right but the attitude and the way the criticisms were presented did not help BN or Umno. If Mahathir loved Umno and BN, he should not have behaved the way he behaved."
Clad in a sky blue shirt and khaki pants, Lim appeared happy seeing the Malaysiakini team but also expressed concern that his statements might be "twisted".
With the scent of Salem cigarettes trailing him as he settled on the sofa, he was in good spirits when quizzed about the elections and called the new political landscape a "breath of fresh air".
"Of course (I am happy with the results). I don’t call it a tsunami. Tsunami concocts a negative perspective, it's destructive. I call it a breath of fresh air that is blown into the Malaysian political arena," he said.
Lim noted that his joy comes from the fact that the multiracial politics being called for by the people is Gerakan’s ideology that has been marginalised by BN in the past.
Umno's arrogance to blame
However, his tone changed when speaking about Gerakan’s future and its relevance after being essentially wiped out in Penang - a state held by the party since 1969 - in the March elections.
Stressing that the party will not desert BN, Lim suggested several ways to return the ruling coalition to glory beginning with changing the way Umno deals with component parties.
"The first step is to convince Umno that complacency, arrogance, abuse of power must be stopped.
"Change the way how Umno should face other component parties as well as give the impression to the multiracial rakyat that we are all really sitting down on the table planning for Malaysians and not just for any particular race," he said.
The former energy, water and telecommunications minister also proposed all 14 component parties to merge and turn BN into a multiracial party.
But should that fail, he suggested that 13 parties merge to posture Umno instead.
"If Umno cannot accept turning BN into a multiracial party [...] then the other BN partners could think of building up a big multiracial set up to be in partnership with a Malay-based set up.
"Rather than 14 little parties saying their little bit, (the 13) can be one big party and be the partner of Umno which will have a better effect on lowering the posturing of Umno itself."
The former Gerakan president admitted that he failed to change the political scene during his tenure with regards to BN adopting a multiracial approach.
However, he stressed that his party did no wrong.
Despite repeating several times that he does not want to play the ‘blame game’, Lim however alluded that Gerakan’s loss was caused by Umno’s arrogance.
"In the Malay-dominated seats, Umno delivered but Umno did not deliver the Malays in the urban areas. Mixed seats in the last 15 years are the ones which suffered the most.
"The non-Malays saw Umno’s arrogance, the ‘ketuanan Melayu’ (Malay supremacy), waving of the keris, the way they expressed their feelings in the Umno general assembly.
"Of course, we did not deliver the votes. Of course, we failed. But who did the undoing?" he asked.
Solve the crisis soon
As for the current in-fighting in Umno, Lim warned that if the party remains divided for another two years, it will have a negative effect in the next general election.
"BN with respects to Umno is still scrambling for direction and leadership. You can’t go on. If this goes on for two years, it will have negative effects on the following elections.
"People have a memory. If you want to solve it, solve it soon. And it can only be solved by Umno leaders. They should know what’s best for the party," he said.
With his trademark wit, Lim also predicted that the opposition alliance Pakatan Rakyat, which now controls five states and considers itself the government-in-waiting, will face the same problems encountered by BN in the past 50 years.
"They will face the same problems that we have faced. They will have to solve the problems with PAS just like how we have to solve the problems with Umno.
"They will have to solve the Indian minority problems and everything else equitably," he added.
IPF leader Pandithan dies
Apr 30, 08 10:08am
Indian Progressive Front (IPF) president MG Pandithan passed away this morning after a protracted bout with leukemia.
The 68-year-old leader died at Hospital Kuala Lumpur at 8.30am. His wife Jevashree Pandithan was at his bedside.
The veteran politician was previously a popular leader in MIC who commanded strong grassroots support from the Indian working class. He later rose up the ranks to become vice-president.
However, his ties with MIC president S Samy Vellu became strained when he backed a faction opposed to the president.
In 1988, he was slapped with a show-cause letter for allegedly practising caste-oriented politics.
Coffin protest
In June that year, Pandithan embarked on a hunger strike in front of the MIC headquarters in Kuala Lumpur. He brought along a coffin to signify that democracy was dead in the party in a protest which made headlines.
This led to his expulsion on July 16 together with 13 of his loyalists.
Two years later, he formed IPF and since then the party has been trying to gain entry into the Barisan Nasional ruling coalition but Samy Vellu remained opposed to this.
However during the Ijok by-election last April, the two sworn enemies buried the hatchet and hugged each other on stage.
During the IPF congress in July last year, a frail-looking Pandithan heaped praises on Samy Vellu and described him as a "hero of the Indians." He also likened him to the Hindu god, Lord Krishna.
This reunion did not go down well with some members in IPF who viewed it as an act of betrayal by their president.
Samy: I'll miss him
In a statement today, Samy Vellu said he is deeply sad over Pandithan’s demise.
"We are shocked by his death and wish to extend our condolences to his family. Pandithan was a great leader who had the people in his heart.
"He worked tirelessly for the Indian community and had achieved many successes. He is looked upon as a people’s leader with the qualities of a statesman," he added.
The MIC president said Pandithan will be remembered for his sacrifices and deeds as a leader of the people.
"I will miss him a lot because he’s not only a leader of a mass-based party, but he was also my friend," he added.
Meanwhile. Gerakan vice-president Dr S Vijayaratnam said Pandithan had been a great help to BN, including during general elections.
"We will never forget his untiring efforts to help Malaysians of all walks of life, not only from the Indian community, but from other races as well," said Vijayaratnam.
"He had an almost Gandhian image of being kind to all, never losing his temper, but being firm and resolute when the need arose."
Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi paid his last respects to Pandithan at his residence in Seri Kembangan in Kuala Lumpur this afternoon.
"He had always shown deep concern on issues concerning low-income earners and poor Indians," he told Bernama.
"That was his struggle all along and he showed seriousness and dedication. His followers loved him dearly."
Dynamic leader
The Malaysian Hindu Sangam described Pandithan's death as a great loss to the Indian community.
In a statement, its president A Vaithilingam said he knew the late politician as a young journalist in the late sixties.
"He was then very popular with the San Peng Road Indian community who were mostly in the poverty group.
"I came to know him better in the seventies when we met at various seminars and youth training programmes. Though we had some differences in opinion, we were then together in the field of youth development.."
Vaithilingam said to Pandithan was a dynamic leader of thousands until his illness.
"He was a brave leader, a 'Makkal Thondan' (one who serves the people) and respected with love by his followers."
Indian Progressive Front (IPF) president MG Pandithan passed away this morning after a protracted bout with leukemia.
The 68-year-old leader died at Hospital Kuala Lumpur at 8.30am. His wife Jevashree Pandithan was at his bedside.
The veteran politician was previously a popular leader in MIC who commanded strong grassroots support from the Indian working class. He later rose up the ranks to become vice-president.
However, his ties with MIC president S Samy Vellu became strained when he backed a faction opposed to the president.
In 1988, he was slapped with a show-cause letter for allegedly practising caste-oriented politics.
Coffin protest
In June that year, Pandithan embarked on a hunger strike in front of the MIC headquarters in Kuala Lumpur. He brought along a coffin to signify that democracy was dead in the party in a protest which made headlines.
This led to his expulsion on July 16 together with 13 of his loyalists.
Two years later, he formed IPF and since then the party has been trying to gain entry into the Barisan Nasional ruling coalition but Samy Vellu remained opposed to this.
However during the Ijok by-election last April, the two sworn enemies buried the hatchet and hugged each other on stage.
During the IPF congress in July last year, a frail-looking Pandithan heaped praises on Samy Vellu and described him as a "hero of the Indians." He also likened him to the Hindu god, Lord Krishna.
This reunion did not go down well with some members in IPF who viewed it as an act of betrayal by their president.
Samy: I'll miss him
In a statement today, Samy Vellu said he is deeply sad over Pandithan’s demise.
"We are shocked by his death and wish to extend our condolences to his family. Pandithan was a great leader who had the people in his heart.
"He worked tirelessly for the Indian community and had achieved many successes. He is looked upon as a people’s leader with the qualities of a statesman," he added.
The MIC president said Pandithan will be remembered for his sacrifices and deeds as a leader of the people.
"I will miss him a lot because he’s not only a leader of a mass-based party, but he was also my friend," he added.
Meanwhile. Gerakan vice-president Dr S Vijayaratnam said Pandithan had been a great help to BN, including during general elections.
"We will never forget his untiring efforts to help Malaysians of all walks of life, not only from the Indian community, but from other races as well," said Vijayaratnam.
"He had an almost Gandhian image of being kind to all, never losing his temper, but being firm and resolute when the need arose."
Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi paid his last respects to Pandithan at his residence in Seri Kembangan in Kuala Lumpur this afternoon.
"He had always shown deep concern on issues concerning low-income earners and poor Indians," he told Bernama.
"That was his struggle all along and he showed seriousness and dedication. His followers loved him dearly."
Dynamic leader
The Malaysian Hindu Sangam described Pandithan's death as a great loss to the Indian community.
In a statement, its president A Vaithilingam said he knew the late politician as a young journalist in the late sixties.
"He was then very popular with the San Peng Road Indian community who were mostly in the poverty group.
"I came to know him better in the seventies when we met at various seminars and youth training programmes. Though we had some differences in opinion, we were then together in the field of youth development.."
Vaithilingam said to Pandithan was a dynamic leader of thousands until his illness.
"He was a brave leader, a 'Makkal Thondan' (one who serves the people) and respected with love by his followers."
It's Bigfoot vs Big Monkey
Apr 30, 08 1:16pm
parliament The first debate in the new parliament descended into noisy name-calling today as a newly emboldened opposition took on the government.
'Monkey' and 'Bigfoot' were two of the epithets used in a rowdy session during which lawmakers shouted and gesticulated in heated exchanges across the floor of the chamber.
The scenes, broadcast live on television, were an indicator of the new shape of Malaysian politics, after Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi's governing coalition suffered its worst ever election results last month.
The March 8 polls saw his Barisan Nasional coalition, which has ruled the country for the last half century, lose its two-thirds majority in parliament as well as control of five states.
In response to the chaos, Information Minister Ahmad Shabery Cheek threatened to pull the plug on the telecast, which was being trialled for the first time.
"Maybe there are people who love to watch circus, but parliament is not a circus," he said, adding that he would obtain feedback before deciding whether to continue with broadcasting.
The first sitting of Malaysia's 12th parliament was delayed by more than 20 minutes as government and opposition parliamentarians hurled barbs and raised technical issues.
Opposition DAP chairman and lawmaker Karpal Singh began by questioning the way the session was being held when he was distracted by a government MP, Bung Moktar Radin.
"I hope Bigfoot... does not disrupt the proceedings," Karpal taunted him, using a long-standing gibe about Bung's physical size. "Bigfoot, sit down," he added.
Bung sprang from his chair, shouting: "I am bigfoot, you are big monkey."
First-time House speaker Pandikar Amin Mulia struggled to control the situation.
"Let's not create chaos in parliament," he appealed as the verbal exchanges continued, "let us ensure there is order in parliament."
However, after the end of the session this morning, the two duelling MPs greeted each other outside the parliamentary hall (photo).
PM answers question
A semblance of order was restored when Abdullah responded to a question on measures taken to reduce the impact of rising fuel and food prices.
However, Pandikar's refusal to allow the usual follow-up questions to the PM's response drew a further outburst, with former opposition leader Lim Kit Siang calling the restriction "a mockery of parliament."
An exasperated Pandikar again appealed for calm in the house.
"Now we have spent one hour shouting on issues, is this a democratic process? Can we continue peacefully?" he pleaded.
The opposition has a total of 82 of parliament's 222 lawmakers, meaning it can block constitutional amendments, and has vowed to play a vocal role.
Analysts say a rejuvenated parliament could herald a major change in the way democracy functions in Malaysia.
"What we really need to see now is if the opposition alliance can work together to create a shadow cabinet, which would be a check and balance against the government," political analyst Azmi Sharom told AFP.
"All this excitement and debate is good for the country and will mean greater accountability to the people," he added.
Karpal said later that Pandikar did not know the house rules.
"I hope he does not try to muzzle the opposition. If he goes on like this, there will be more disorder in the house," he said.
Ka Ting: Allow converts to renounce Islam
Fauwaz Abdul Aziz Apr 30, 08 8:21pm
Those who convert to Islam (muallaf) for marriage purposes should be allowed to revert out of the religion in the event their marriage ends, said MCA president Ong Ka Ting today.
In his motion of thanks for the royal address by Sultan Mizan Zainal Abidin, Ong also said children "unilaterally converted to Islam by one parent without the consent of the other parent should be allowed to go back to their original religion until they reach the age of majority."
"In the case where one parent embraces Islam, the religion of the minor must be decided by both parents. Should a dispute on the child’s faith arise, the religion must remain as status quo until the child reaches the age of majority, that is, 18 years, upon which the child decides," he said.
Ong also said in the event of a death of a muallaf, his or her property "comprised in the estate of the deceased prior to the date of conversion should be subject to civil laws of inheritance and succession."
The issue of conversion had rocked communal relations in the country over the past few years. While some pertain to demands that Muslims be allowed to leave Islam, others relate to the status of children of Muslim and non-Muslim parents.
In all, however, the determinative role and powers of the religious authorities have been brought to question, including in such cases as the late M Moorthy, Lina Joy, the detention of M Revathi, and the child custody battle of S Shamala and R Subashini.
"Non-Muslims are not to be subject to any form of Syariah laws, and for any disputes or overlapping areas between the jurisdiction of the civil and Syariah courts, civil laws must prevail.
"We urge the government to be transparent in this process to avoid a repeat of the cases mentioned above," said Ong.
Racial composition of the judiciary
On a related issue, the MCA president said the government cannot ignore the perception that the judiciary does not reflect the multiracial composition of the country.
To redress this a composition of judges that is more reflective of that multiracialism should be brought about, he said.
"We cannot deny the fact that judges are also humans too, and as much as they want to be perceived to be independent and transparent, factors such as religion, racial and their cultural backgrounds can influence their thinking," he added.
"I am not suggesting a racial quota be applied to judicial appointments. Of course, a judge’s appointment must be based on merit, capability, intelligence, independence and integrity, and it should not be seen as having any connection with background, descent and gender.
"But at the same time, we must correct any perception that our judges will not be able to adjudicate fairly and impartially on sensitive issues, particularly relating to religion if a persons’s faith becomes an issue before a panel of judges whose religions faith and beliefs differ from her or her."
On the Judicial Commission for the appointment and promotion of judges, Ong called for a strict vetting process of candidates "to avert any accusation that only the connected are being considered for judgeship."
He also said that judicial commissioners should be selected from among candidates proposed by the Judicial Commission.
Calls for heavier penalties
On the issue of corruption, Ong welcomed the announcement of the restructuring of the Anti-Corruption Agency (ACA), the establishment of the Malaysian Commission on Anti-Corruption (MCAC), the Parliamentary Committee on the Prevention of Corruption, and the Anti-Corruption Board.
In addition, he called for a time-frame for all government bodies to process all types of applications and announce these to the public.
Ong also said there should be one "clear, simple and transparent procedure" to process the applications.
"If the processing time-frame is not complied with, they (the government agencies) must give a reasonable explanation for the delay.
"This step is necessary to avoid situations where any officer deliberately slows down the duration to process the application with the hope to receive bribes, or give opportunity for people to take advantage of others."
Ong also called for heavier penalties against corrupt civil servants or those in the private sector, including withdrawing pension benefits from the latter.
On the issue of education, Ong said the time had come for the government to "think out of the box" by doing away with the policy of according different treatment between partially-aided and fully-aided schools.
"The mind-set that the government cannot help partially-aided schools is completely rejected by the rakyat, especially in this era when our nation’s core leaders emphasise developing human capital.
"Nobody loses out if the Ministry of Education treats all schools as government schools," he said.
Ong also called for open tenders in government procurement, as this will foster more competition and help reduce operational costs.
The government must help the poor and disadvantaged regardless of race and ethnicity, he said.
ACA investigations
In another development, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Mohd Nazri Abdul Aziz said based on the investigations done by the Anti Corruption Agency (ACA), nine local councillors, state assemblypersons, Mps or division leaders of political parties have been charged in court since 2004.
Out of this, two have been found guilty, four released and three cases still pending.
Nazri said not all investigations by the ACA have to result in the person being charged in court.
"A person is charged only when there is satisfactory evidence and sufficient statements," he said in response to an oral question posed by Ong.
Wan Azizah: Repeal ISA
Meanwhile, Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail (PKR-Permatang Pauh) in her maiden speech as opposition leader called for the Internal Security Act (ISA) to be repealed.
"I would like to begin my official duty as opposition leader in this House by asking the government to release all the ISA detainees immediately without any condition or charge them in open court," she said while debating on the royal address.
According to her, the ISA - which was enacted in 1960 to combat the communist insurgency - has been used to detain 10,711 people without trial so far.
At present, there are 70 people being held at the Kamunting detention camp in Taiping, Perak
Wan Azizah also called for the closure of the detention camp.
At one juncture, Tajuddin Abdul Rahman (BN-Pasir Salak) - who said he was an ex-ISA detainee - interjected and said the ISA is still important.
This irked another ex-ISA detainee MP N Gobalakrishnan (PKR-Padang Serai).
"Since he agreed with the ISA, it is equivalent to admitting that he has done something wrong, he is not qualified to sit in this House as a MP," thundered the opposition MP.
Those who convert to Islam (muallaf) for marriage purposes should be allowed to revert out of the religion in the event their marriage ends, said MCA president Ong Ka Ting today.
In his motion of thanks for the royal address by Sultan Mizan Zainal Abidin, Ong also said children "unilaterally converted to Islam by one parent without the consent of the other parent should be allowed to go back to their original religion until they reach the age of majority."
"In the case where one parent embraces Islam, the religion of the minor must be decided by both parents. Should a dispute on the child’s faith arise, the religion must remain as status quo until the child reaches the age of majority, that is, 18 years, upon which the child decides," he said.
Ong also said in the event of a death of a muallaf, his or her property "comprised in the estate of the deceased prior to the date of conversion should be subject to civil laws of inheritance and succession."
The issue of conversion had rocked communal relations in the country over the past few years. While some pertain to demands that Muslims be allowed to leave Islam, others relate to the status of children of Muslim and non-Muslim parents.
In all, however, the determinative role and powers of the religious authorities have been brought to question, including in such cases as the late M Moorthy, Lina Joy, the detention of M Revathi, and the child custody battle of S Shamala and R Subashini.
"Non-Muslims are not to be subject to any form of Syariah laws, and for any disputes or overlapping areas between the jurisdiction of the civil and Syariah courts, civil laws must prevail.
"We urge the government to be transparent in this process to avoid a repeat of the cases mentioned above," said Ong.
Racial composition of the judiciary
On a related issue, the MCA president said the government cannot ignore the perception that the judiciary does not reflect the multiracial composition of the country.
To redress this a composition of judges that is more reflective of that multiracialism should be brought about, he said.
"We cannot deny the fact that judges are also humans too, and as much as they want to be perceived to be independent and transparent, factors such as religion, racial and their cultural backgrounds can influence their thinking," he added.
"I am not suggesting a racial quota be applied to judicial appointments. Of course, a judge’s appointment must be based on merit, capability, intelligence, independence and integrity, and it should not be seen as having any connection with background, descent and gender.
"But at the same time, we must correct any perception that our judges will not be able to adjudicate fairly and impartially on sensitive issues, particularly relating to religion if a persons’s faith becomes an issue before a panel of judges whose religions faith and beliefs differ from her or her."
On the Judicial Commission for the appointment and promotion of judges, Ong called for a strict vetting process of candidates "to avert any accusation that only the connected are being considered for judgeship."
He also said that judicial commissioners should be selected from among candidates proposed by the Judicial Commission.
Calls for heavier penalties
On the issue of corruption, Ong welcomed the announcement of the restructuring of the Anti-Corruption Agency (ACA), the establishment of the Malaysian Commission on Anti-Corruption (MCAC), the Parliamentary Committee on the Prevention of Corruption, and the Anti-Corruption Board.
In addition, he called for a time-frame for all government bodies to process all types of applications and announce these to the public.
Ong also said there should be one "clear, simple and transparent procedure" to process the applications.
"If the processing time-frame is not complied with, they (the government agencies) must give a reasonable explanation for the delay.
"This step is necessary to avoid situations where any officer deliberately slows down the duration to process the application with the hope to receive bribes, or give opportunity for people to take advantage of others."
Ong also called for heavier penalties against corrupt civil servants or those in the private sector, including withdrawing pension benefits from the latter.
On the issue of education, Ong said the time had come for the government to "think out of the box" by doing away with the policy of according different treatment between partially-aided and fully-aided schools.
"The mind-set that the government cannot help partially-aided schools is completely rejected by the rakyat, especially in this era when our nation’s core leaders emphasise developing human capital.
"Nobody loses out if the Ministry of Education treats all schools as government schools," he said.
Ong also called for open tenders in government procurement, as this will foster more competition and help reduce operational costs.
The government must help the poor and disadvantaged regardless of race and ethnicity, he said.
ACA investigations
In another development, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Mohd Nazri Abdul Aziz said based on the investigations done by the Anti Corruption Agency (ACA), nine local councillors, state assemblypersons, Mps or division leaders of political parties have been charged in court since 2004.
Out of this, two have been found guilty, four released and three cases still pending.
Nazri said not all investigations by the ACA have to result in the person being charged in court.
"A person is charged only when there is satisfactory evidence and sufficient statements," he said in response to an oral question posed by Ong.
Wan Azizah: Repeal ISA
Meanwhile, Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail (PKR-Permatang Pauh) in her maiden speech as opposition leader called for the Internal Security Act (ISA) to be repealed.
"I would like to begin my official duty as opposition leader in this House by asking the government to release all the ISA detainees immediately without any condition or charge them in open court," she said while debating on the royal address.
According to her, the ISA - which was enacted in 1960 to combat the communist insurgency - has been used to detain 10,711 people without trial so far.
At present, there are 70 people being held at the Kamunting detention camp in Taiping, Perak
Wan Azizah also called for the closure of the detention camp.
At one juncture, Tajuddin Abdul Rahman (BN-Pasir Salak) - who said he was an ex-ISA detainee - interjected and said the ISA is still important.
This irked another ex-ISA detainee MP N Gobalakrishnan (PKR-Padang Serai).
"Since he agreed with the ISA, it is equivalent to admitting that he has done something wrong, he is not qualified to sit in this House as a MP," thundered the opposition MP.
Gobind wants Khairy to apologise
Fauwaz Abdul Aziz Apr 30, 08 11:14am
Deputy Umno Youth chief and Rembau parliamentarian Khairy Jamaluddin should follow the example set by his boss Hishammuddin Hussein and apologise for having called participants in last year’s Bersih rally beruk (monkeys).
DAP’s Puchong MP Gobind Singh Deo issued this challenge to Khairy at a press conference held at the Parliament lobby yesterday.
“I think what Hishammuddin has done is perhaps the beginning of what should come from Barisan Nasional (BN) leaders: a series of apologies to the Malaysian public at large for issuance of statements that affected them,” Gobind said.
“Now an elected representative... a person who is supposed to represent not only himself but all his constituents, in addition to being a deputy Youth chief of Umno and the son-in-law of the prime minister, I think he should take responsibility and own up and apologise. This is my challenge to him.”
Gobind was referring to Khairy’s statement on Nov 7 last year during the Umno Youth annual general meeting, urging the authorities to come down hard on the Bersih mass rally for electoral reform that took place three days later.
“They claim that electoral process is not clean. Then why contest in 2004 (general election)? They boycotted Batu Talam (by-election), but they contested (later) in Machap and Ijok (by-elections),” Khairy had said in his winding-up speech.
“Don’t be like beruk (monkeys) on streets. If you want to fight, fight in the real ring like a man. At the general elections, we (Umno Youth) will fight and we will win!”
Gobind said Khairy’s use of the term beruk was “unacceptable”.
“You do not go around calling people names like that. His boss has taken the first step towards correcting the wrongs that Umno Youth has (done to) the people of Malaysia. I am challenging him to follow suit. Do the right thing and apologise to the people of Malaysia for saying that,” he said.
As for Nik Aziz...
Asked to comment on Kelantan Menteri Besar Nik Aziz Nik Mat’s use earlier this year of the term orang utan for Barisan Nasional (BN) leaders, Gobind said he was not aware of the incident.
“If that statement was made against persons in Barisan Nasional, then perhaps an apology is proper,” said Gobind.
Also at the press conference was his father Karpal Singh, the DAP parliamentarian for Bukit Gelugor.
“I’m surprised that BN people have not asked for an apology. Maybe what the MB said is right,” he said.
Deputy Umno Youth chief and Rembau parliamentarian Khairy Jamaluddin should follow the example set by his boss Hishammuddin Hussein and apologise for having called participants in last year’s Bersih rally beruk (monkeys).
DAP’s Puchong MP Gobind Singh Deo issued this challenge to Khairy at a press conference held at the Parliament lobby yesterday.
“I think what Hishammuddin has done is perhaps the beginning of what should come from Barisan Nasional (BN) leaders: a series of apologies to the Malaysian public at large for issuance of statements that affected them,” Gobind said.
“Now an elected representative... a person who is supposed to represent not only himself but all his constituents, in addition to being a deputy Youth chief of Umno and the son-in-law of the prime minister, I think he should take responsibility and own up and apologise. This is my challenge to him.”
Gobind was referring to Khairy’s statement on Nov 7 last year during the Umno Youth annual general meeting, urging the authorities to come down hard on the Bersih mass rally for electoral reform that took place three days later.
“They claim that electoral process is not clean. Then why contest in 2004 (general election)? They boycotted Batu Talam (by-election), but they contested (later) in Machap and Ijok (by-elections),” Khairy had said in his winding-up speech.
“Don’t be like beruk (monkeys) on streets. If you want to fight, fight in the real ring like a man. At the general elections, we (Umno Youth) will fight and we will win!”
Gobind said Khairy’s use of the term beruk was “unacceptable”.
“You do not go around calling people names like that. His boss has taken the first step towards correcting the wrongs that Umno Youth has (done to) the people of Malaysia. I am challenging him to follow suit. Do the right thing and apologise to the people of Malaysia for saying that,” he said.
As for Nik Aziz...
Asked to comment on Kelantan Menteri Besar Nik Aziz Nik Mat’s use earlier this year of the term orang utan for Barisan Nasional (BN) leaders, Gobind said he was not aware of the incident.
“If that statement was made against persons in Barisan Nasional, then perhaps an apology is proper,” said Gobind.
Also at the press conference was his father Karpal Singh, the DAP parliamentarian for Bukit Gelugor.
“I’m surprised that BN people have not asked for an apology. Maybe what the MB said is right,” he said.
'Samy Vellu ordered temple demolition'
Syed Jaymal Zahiid Apr 29, 08 12:30pm
Since last October, Dr Mohd Khir Toyo has been tagged as the chief culprit behind the controversial demolition of the Kampung Rimba Jaya Hindu temple near Shah Alam - he now claims that MIC president S Samy Vellu had instructed him to do so.
“Samy Vellu called me on the night of Nov 15 and told me that Hindraf (Hindu Rights Action Force) people had infiltrated the temple and that it must be demolished that night itself,” alleged Khir, who was Selangor menteri besar at the time.
In an interview, Khir Toyo also denied that the temple had been pulled down two days before Deepavali, saying the exercise had been carried out a week after the significant Hindu festival.
Furthermore, he said an agreement had been concluded with the priest, in that compensation of RM40,000 would be paid and an alternative site provided to rebuild the temple.
The incident has been cited by both opposition and Barisan Nasional (BN) members as a key factor in influencing the outcome of the March 8 polls.
BN and Umno took the brunt of voter anger over this and other issues, resulting in the state government falling into opposition hands for the first time in electoral history. Khir then resigned as Selangor Umno head, and is now leader of the opposition in the state legislature.
The demolition of the Sri Maha Mariamman temple was carried out in two stages, albeit not intentionally. As the illegal extension was being pulled down on Oct 30, a violent fracas ensued between devotees and enforcement personnel and forced work to be abandoned.
The original 100-year-old structure was demolished later - apparently on Nov 15, based on Khir’s account during the interview. Deepavali fell on Nov 8 last year.
Samy Vellu had shown up at the site after the illegal extension was torn down, but was reportedly pelted with sticks and stones by angry residents.
He then issued an unprecedented statement urging an end to such incidents, warning that the government risked losing Indian Malaysian votes. Although he also banned MIC elected representatives from holding the traditional Deepavali open house as a mark of protest, he quickly rescinded the order.
The following excerpts of the interview with Khir have been edited for clarity.
The temple incident in Kampung Rimba Jaya was said to be a major cause of BN’s downfall and you have been blamed for it.
I would like to explain. The court, after three years of deliberation, decided that it was time to remove the temple as the flats that were being built there were nearing completion and people were ready to move in. The court decided that it was time to remove not just the temple but a surau and some squatter houses.
On the day itself, I was told that the surau had been demolished and (the enforcement team) was stopped at the gate of the temple.
Samy Vellu then met me and (premier) Abdullah Ahmad Badawi at the Blue Wave hotel (in Shah Alam) and we all agreed to stop the demolition process at the temple gate. Samy then made an announcement in Rimba Jaya, (asking) not to demolish the temple because in two days, the people would evacuate the site.
Now the purported version is that the Selangor government on my instructions had demolished the temple two days before Deepavali, and this is incorrect. As I said, the agreement to stop the demolition was agreed to by all parties and was witnessed by many others. When I visited Rimba Jaya after that, the temple was intact.
A week after Deepavali - not two days before - Samy Vellu called me on the night of Nov 15 and told me that Hindraf people had infiltrated the temple and that it must be demolished that night itself. And that’s what we did - so it wasn’t before Deepavali.
The demolition was done with the agreement of the temple priest and the relevant people were then given replacement land to rebuild the temple and were compensated with RM40,000. I didn’t tell this to the media before, but now that I have been blamed for it, I must explain. Samy was the one who told me to do it.
You have made this explanation before. Now the question is why your explanation is not generally accepted while the Hindraf contention has become the sole angle adopted by the Indian Malaysian community.
Hindraf does not just talk about temple issues only. The group also protested against the government’s inability to address other problems faced by the community like Tamil schools, education, employment, housing and poverty. What is demanded by Hindraf is more than temple- related matters..
The issue of price hikes had been consistently highlighted by the media, way before the general elections. Did you as menteri besar and BN Selangor chief discuss this matter with the central leaders?
Yes, we did. We suggested to the government to reduce the price of oil and stop other projects. But as a mere state leader I cannot make any decisions.
But the opposition has been riding on this issue and has consistently associated BN with price hikes. Why didn’t BN respond effectively?
I myself don’t understand. We had suggested to the federal government that the oil price be reduced, but they did not respond. Instead they believed in explaining (the issue) to the people, and the people don’t want to hear that.
As we remember it, the matter was discussed in depth by BN - this means the party had sufficient time to respond to the matter...
Suggestions were made, but there was no reaction. Point taken, but where were the responses?
Are you saying that there are no state issues that caused the electoral losses?
Not many. The biggest issue in Selangor is public transportation which renders it a must for everyone to own a car. Almost all the households in Selangor have a car, you can see low-cost houses with two or three cars (parked outside) because there is no efficient public transportation system. (It is) something that I have been fighting to get for a long time.
Light Rail Transit projects go only halfway because of insufficient funding. When there is a station, it’s so far from people’s houses that they end up buying cars. We actually have a plan to purchase houses and land near train stations, no matter how expensive it is, so we can build low- cost housing, but I can’t say it because I will be accused of trying to teach the government how to run things.
Since last October, Dr Mohd Khir Toyo has been tagged as the chief culprit behind the controversial demolition of the Kampung Rimba Jaya Hindu temple near Shah Alam - he now claims that MIC president S Samy Vellu had instructed him to do so.
“Samy Vellu called me on the night of Nov 15 and told me that Hindraf (Hindu Rights Action Force) people had infiltrated the temple and that it must be demolished that night itself,” alleged Khir, who was Selangor menteri besar at the time.
In an interview, Khir Toyo also denied that the temple had been pulled down two days before Deepavali, saying the exercise had been carried out a week after the significant Hindu festival.
Furthermore, he said an agreement had been concluded with the priest, in that compensation of RM40,000 would be paid and an alternative site provided to rebuild the temple.
The incident has been cited by both opposition and Barisan Nasional (BN) members as a key factor in influencing the outcome of the March 8 polls.
BN and Umno took the brunt of voter anger over this and other issues, resulting in the state government falling into opposition hands for the first time in electoral history. Khir then resigned as Selangor Umno head, and is now leader of the opposition in the state legislature.
The demolition of the Sri Maha Mariamman temple was carried out in two stages, albeit not intentionally. As the illegal extension was being pulled down on Oct 30, a violent fracas ensued between devotees and enforcement personnel and forced work to be abandoned.
The original 100-year-old structure was demolished later - apparently on Nov 15, based on Khir’s account during the interview. Deepavali fell on Nov 8 last year.
Samy Vellu had shown up at the site after the illegal extension was torn down, but was reportedly pelted with sticks and stones by angry residents.
He then issued an unprecedented statement urging an end to such incidents, warning that the government risked losing Indian Malaysian votes. Although he also banned MIC elected representatives from holding the traditional Deepavali open house as a mark of protest, he quickly rescinded the order.
The following excerpts of the interview with Khir have been edited for clarity.
The temple incident in Kampung Rimba Jaya was said to be a major cause of BN’s downfall and you have been blamed for it.
I would like to explain. The court, after three years of deliberation, decided that it was time to remove the temple as the flats that were being built there were nearing completion and people were ready to move in. The court decided that it was time to remove not just the temple but a surau and some squatter houses.
On the day itself, I was told that the surau had been demolished and (the enforcement team) was stopped at the gate of the temple.
Samy Vellu then met me and (premier) Abdullah Ahmad Badawi at the Blue Wave hotel (in Shah Alam) and we all agreed to stop the demolition process at the temple gate. Samy then made an announcement in Rimba Jaya, (asking) not to demolish the temple because in two days, the people would evacuate the site.
Now the purported version is that the Selangor government on my instructions had demolished the temple two days before Deepavali, and this is incorrect. As I said, the agreement to stop the demolition was agreed to by all parties and was witnessed by many others. When I visited Rimba Jaya after that, the temple was intact.
A week after Deepavali - not two days before - Samy Vellu called me on the night of Nov 15 and told me that Hindraf people had infiltrated the temple and that it must be demolished that night itself. And that’s what we did - so it wasn’t before Deepavali.
The demolition was done with the agreement of the temple priest and the relevant people were then given replacement land to rebuild the temple and were compensated with RM40,000. I didn’t tell this to the media before, but now that I have been blamed for it, I must explain. Samy was the one who told me to do it.
You have made this explanation before. Now the question is why your explanation is not generally accepted while the Hindraf contention has become the sole angle adopted by the Indian Malaysian community.
Hindraf does not just talk about temple issues only. The group also protested against the government’s inability to address other problems faced by the community like Tamil schools, education, employment, housing and poverty. What is demanded by Hindraf is more than temple- related matters..
The issue of price hikes had been consistently highlighted by the media, way before the general elections. Did you as menteri besar and BN Selangor chief discuss this matter with the central leaders?
Yes, we did. We suggested to the government to reduce the price of oil and stop other projects. But as a mere state leader I cannot make any decisions.
But the opposition has been riding on this issue and has consistently associated BN with price hikes. Why didn’t BN respond effectively?
I myself don’t understand. We had suggested to the federal government that the oil price be reduced, but they did not respond. Instead they believed in explaining (the issue) to the people, and the people don’t want to hear that.
As we remember it, the matter was discussed in depth by BN - this means the party had sufficient time to respond to the matter...
Suggestions were made, but there was no reaction. Point taken, but where were the responses?
Are you saying that there are no state issues that caused the electoral losses?
Not many. The biggest issue in Selangor is public transportation which renders it a must for everyone to own a car. Almost all the households in Selangor have a car, you can see low-cost houses with two or three cars (parked outside) because there is no efficient public transportation system. (It is) something that I have been fighting to get for a long time.
Light Rail Transit projects go only halfway because of insufficient funding. When there is a station, it’s so far from people’s houses that they end up buying cars. We actually have a plan to purchase houses and land near train stations, no matter how expensive it is, so we can build low- cost housing, but I can’t say it because I will be accused of trying to teach the government how to run things.
Khir Toyo: Umno has lost touch with reality
Syed Jaymal Zahiid & Fathi Aris Omar Apr 28, 08 5:13pm
Former Selangor Menteri Besar Dr Mohd Khir Toyo said he knew it all along that Barisan Nasional (BN) would suffer heavy losses in the March 8 polls, long before the date arrived.
In an interview, he revealed how he had learnt of the impending defeat. However, as the ‘general’ of his ‘army’, he could not disclose his forebodings to his ‘troops’.
“I started getting negative feelings when (former Finance Minister and Umno treasurer) Daim Zainuddin said five states would fall to the opposition. As Selangor Umno chief, I couldn’t say it out loud as it would have dampened the spirits of party members,” he said.
Instead, he saw it as his duty to suppress negativity and to focus supporters on slugging it out in the polls. Still, he dropped hints that, while the polls might appear easy to win, this would be a difficult task.
Selangor rode the Pakatan Rakyat wave alongside Penang, Kedah, Perak and Kelantan, while the BN drowned in its worst ever defeat.
Khir pointed to the federal government’s arrogance and insensitivity to the needs of the people, even after he had sent up pleas to Umno president and premier Abdullah Ahmad Badawi (photo).
“Suggestions were made, but there was no reaction. Point taken, but where were the responses?” he said.
He criticised the information dissemination mechanism in Umno, saying the central leadership did not get the right information and therefore could not devise a campaign strategy to win over voters.
“The reports given to the leadership came from only one party, for example, Special Branch officers. These officers are often Malays and can only provide information regarding Malay voters, not the other races. So, it’s hard for us to get real information,” he said.
The election results, he said, are a reflection of Umno having lost touch with reality. This, leaves the party with no option but to tread the path of reform.
The following excerpts of the interview have been edited for clarity.
Let’s start with your blog...
I have received good responses to my blog. I didn’t expect (this). The comments are mainly positive ones like calls to reform the government.
When I was the menteri besar, I did many things to reform the state government but the people failed to see this.
This caused confusion among the rakyat and this is when certain quarters came in to exploit the situation. It led to the people being misled (into thinking that we had not done enough for them) and as we all know, blogs or the Internet media are more credible than other forms of media.
What about the so-called ‘cyber-war’ between you and Muhammad Muhd Taib?
I wouldn’t describe it as a cyber-war. As an Umno supreme council member and a blogger, I vowed in my first posting that I would tell the truth and I have been trained to tell the truth. Even though the truth is painful, I have no qualms about telling it. Even the Umno president has told all party members to tell the truth and that is what I am doing.
What is the reaction in Umno? You are among leaders deemed to be vocal and consistent with your views...
There are pros and cons to (being labelled as such), but I only wish to tell the truth..
What truth are you talking about? Are you talking about transition of power?
If that is what Umno members, bloggers and the rakyat want, we must express it and it is up to the leadership to decide how to react to it. Don’t let things come to a point where the rakyat say that we are not delivering the right information. This is possibly one reason why Umno was defeated so badly in the March 8 polls. To me, truth is important.
So what is the problem? Why is it that the party top leadership did not get the right information? It was impossible for Umno to predict the election outcome. You managed to identify eight hot seats in Selangor and MCA disagreed with you.
Perhaps the reports given to the leadership came from only one party, for example, the Special Branch officers.
These officers are often Malays and can only provide information regarding Malay voters and not the other races. So it’s hard for us to get real information.
If you look at the March 8 results in Selangor, the swing was 35 percent, of which 30 percent was caused by Chinese voters. The swing from Malays was only 5 percent.
But you didn’t predict this...
I started getting negative feelings when Daim Zainuddin (photo) said that five states would fall to the opposition. As Selangor Umno chief, I couldn’t say it out loud as it would have dampened the spirits of my party members.
As leaders, we have to refrain from giving our soldiers negative information. It may demoralise them. You have to analyse the information first...I was worried, I informed all division and branch chiefs of Selangor that the elections may look easy, but would be difficult to win.
Daim’s statement came quite late, so how did the BN election machinery react to it?
We told them to work really hard for the elections. I’m (only) responsible for Umno (and not other BN parties). Umno won 18 of the 20 seats (that went to) BN in Selangor. Maybe the over-confidence after BN’s 2004 election victory created a negative impact.
Political parties must become the voice of the rakyat, not the government... (but) politicians responded on behalf of the government (on issues) like the (increased) price of fuel and basic goods, saying that the government can’t do much about it. They began showing formulae used to calculate the prices when all the people wanted was for political parties to listen to them and address their problems.
We have to become the voice of the people but it’s the other way around now. I hope that Umno Youth especially can become the voice of the people now.
Is this a suggestion for separation of government and political functions?
Umno does not form the government - the BN does. Umno members must represent the will of the people and must press the government to safeguard the interests of the people.
For example, I have been bringing up issues on the food crisis since 2002. Now we can see the early signs of a food crisis and we have to tell the government that the rakyat wants prices of basic goods to be reduced. The government must think of a way to reduce the prices by either increasing the number of import agents or opening up the market.
But so far Umno has not spoken of about this matter...
That is why we have to learn, we cannot depend on old methods any more. As leaders we have to admit our mistakes and change things. When I concede mistakes, I try to change and I hope that others will follow suit.
Back to the rice price hike, we have to open up the market so that rice can be imported. Maybe it will affect the income of local rice farmers, but why shouldn’t we subsidise them?
Do you agree that the rice-import monopoly of Bernas (Padiberas Nasional Bhd) should be terminated?
Yes, definitely...(and it’s) not just with rice. For sugar and other basic food items, we have to open up the market to let the rakyat have the lowest price, while maintaining the income level of farmers.
In other countries, unemployed people receive financial help from their government. The same can be done here. The government can help supplement farmers’ income when the price of rice drops. What we see now is that the rakyat has to pay a lot for basic goods, while farmers (enjoy subsidies).
How do you propose to reform a party like Umno, which has several million members?
We need to start. We must. In fact I was thinking, the separation between the party and the government must be clear. To me, the party president should concentrate on consolidating the party, as is done in India.
Here we have all the (heads of BN) component parties asking for government posts. If the PM gives me the presidency (of Umno), I would consolidate the party. And if the PM does something wrong, the party will tell him so.
Wouldn’t it make the situation more complicated?
It is (a form of) check and balance.
When we look at separation of functions, we see that the higher one goes, the more government posts the person gets...
That is the problem. (We need to create) check and balance.
But it would prolong the journey...
Never mind. Reforms must be introduced. The most important thing is to never stop at introducing changes.
Former Selangor Menteri Besar Dr Mohd Khir Toyo said he knew it all along that Barisan Nasional (BN) would suffer heavy losses in the March 8 polls, long before the date arrived.
In an interview, he revealed how he had learnt of the impending defeat. However, as the ‘general’ of his ‘army’, he could not disclose his forebodings to his ‘troops’.
“I started getting negative feelings when (former Finance Minister and Umno treasurer) Daim Zainuddin said five states would fall to the opposition. As Selangor Umno chief, I couldn’t say it out loud as it would have dampened the spirits of party members,” he said.
Instead, he saw it as his duty to suppress negativity and to focus supporters on slugging it out in the polls. Still, he dropped hints that, while the polls might appear easy to win, this would be a difficult task.
Selangor rode the Pakatan Rakyat wave alongside Penang, Kedah, Perak and Kelantan, while the BN drowned in its worst ever defeat.
Khir pointed to the federal government’s arrogance and insensitivity to the needs of the people, even after he had sent up pleas to Umno president and premier Abdullah Ahmad Badawi (photo).
“Suggestions were made, but there was no reaction. Point taken, but where were the responses?” he said.
He criticised the information dissemination mechanism in Umno, saying the central leadership did not get the right information and therefore could not devise a campaign strategy to win over voters.
“The reports given to the leadership came from only one party, for example, Special Branch officers. These officers are often Malays and can only provide information regarding Malay voters, not the other races. So, it’s hard for us to get real information,” he said.
The election results, he said, are a reflection of Umno having lost touch with reality. This, leaves the party with no option but to tread the path of reform.
The following excerpts of the interview have been edited for clarity.
Let’s start with your blog...
I have received good responses to my blog. I didn’t expect (this). The comments are mainly positive ones like calls to reform the government.
When I was the menteri besar, I did many things to reform the state government but the people failed to see this.
This caused confusion among the rakyat and this is when certain quarters came in to exploit the situation. It led to the people being misled (into thinking that we had not done enough for them) and as we all know, blogs or the Internet media are more credible than other forms of media.
What about the so-called ‘cyber-war’ between you and Muhammad Muhd Taib?
I wouldn’t describe it as a cyber-war. As an Umno supreme council member and a blogger, I vowed in my first posting that I would tell the truth and I have been trained to tell the truth. Even though the truth is painful, I have no qualms about telling it. Even the Umno president has told all party members to tell the truth and that is what I am doing.
What is the reaction in Umno? You are among leaders deemed to be vocal and consistent with your views...
There are pros and cons to (being labelled as such), but I only wish to tell the truth..
What truth are you talking about? Are you talking about transition of power?
If that is what Umno members, bloggers and the rakyat want, we must express it and it is up to the leadership to decide how to react to it. Don’t let things come to a point where the rakyat say that we are not delivering the right information. This is possibly one reason why Umno was defeated so badly in the March 8 polls. To me, truth is important.
So what is the problem? Why is it that the party top leadership did not get the right information? It was impossible for Umno to predict the election outcome. You managed to identify eight hot seats in Selangor and MCA disagreed with you.
Perhaps the reports given to the leadership came from only one party, for example, the Special Branch officers.
These officers are often Malays and can only provide information regarding Malay voters and not the other races. So it’s hard for us to get real information.
If you look at the March 8 results in Selangor, the swing was 35 percent, of which 30 percent was caused by Chinese voters. The swing from Malays was only 5 percent.
But you didn’t predict this...
I started getting negative feelings when Daim Zainuddin (photo) said that five states would fall to the opposition. As Selangor Umno chief, I couldn’t say it out loud as it would have dampened the spirits of my party members.
As leaders, we have to refrain from giving our soldiers negative information. It may demoralise them. You have to analyse the information first...I was worried, I informed all division and branch chiefs of Selangor that the elections may look easy, but would be difficult to win.
Daim’s statement came quite late, so how did the BN election machinery react to it?
We told them to work really hard for the elections. I’m (only) responsible for Umno (and not other BN parties). Umno won 18 of the 20 seats (that went to) BN in Selangor. Maybe the over-confidence after BN’s 2004 election victory created a negative impact.
Political parties must become the voice of the rakyat, not the government... (but) politicians responded on behalf of the government (on issues) like the (increased) price of fuel and basic goods, saying that the government can’t do much about it. They began showing formulae used to calculate the prices when all the people wanted was for political parties to listen to them and address their problems.
We have to become the voice of the people but it’s the other way around now. I hope that Umno Youth especially can become the voice of the people now.
Is this a suggestion for separation of government and political functions?
Umno does not form the government - the BN does. Umno members must represent the will of the people and must press the government to safeguard the interests of the people.
For example, I have been bringing up issues on the food crisis since 2002. Now we can see the early signs of a food crisis and we have to tell the government that the rakyat wants prices of basic goods to be reduced. The government must think of a way to reduce the prices by either increasing the number of import agents or opening up the market.
But so far Umno has not spoken of about this matter...
That is why we have to learn, we cannot depend on old methods any more. As leaders we have to admit our mistakes and change things. When I concede mistakes, I try to change and I hope that others will follow suit.
Back to the rice price hike, we have to open up the market so that rice can be imported. Maybe it will affect the income of local rice farmers, but why shouldn’t we subsidise them?
Do you agree that the rice-import monopoly of Bernas (Padiberas Nasional Bhd) should be terminated?
Yes, definitely...(and it’s) not just with rice. For sugar and other basic food items, we have to open up the market to let the rakyat have the lowest price, while maintaining the income level of farmers.
In other countries, unemployed people receive financial help from their government. The same can be done here. The government can help supplement farmers’ income when the price of rice drops. What we see now is that the rakyat has to pay a lot for basic goods, while farmers (enjoy subsidies).
How do you propose to reform a party like Umno, which has several million members?
We need to start. We must. In fact I was thinking, the separation between the party and the government must be clear. To me, the party president should concentrate on consolidating the party, as is done in India.
Here we have all the (heads of BN) component parties asking for government posts. If the PM gives me the presidency (of Umno), I would consolidate the party. And if the PM does something wrong, the party will tell him so.
Wouldn’t it make the situation more complicated?
It is (a form of) check and balance.
When we look at separation of functions, we see that the higher one goes, the more government posts the person gets...
That is the problem. (We need to create) check and balance.
But it would prolong the journey...
Never mind. Reforms must be introduced. The most important thing is to never stop at introducing changes.
Khir Toyo: Blame the keris, not the broom
Syed Jaymal Zahiid Apr 30, 08 1:40pm
The keris-waving incident that sparked an uproar among non-Malays may have contributed to the poor performance of Umno and Barisan Nasional (BN) in the March 8 polls, said former Selangor Menteri Besar Dr Mohd Khir Toyo.
Khir said it had created negative perceptions of Umno and possibly caused the swing in non-Malay votes towards the opposition.
“We must admit our mistakes. If we don’t, the rakyat will call us arrogant,” he said in an interview.
Umno Youth head Hishammuddin Hussein had made an apology of sorts last week for drawing out and kissing a keris at the Umno Youth assembly last year.
He has since been criticised by party leaders like vice-president Muhyiddin Yassin and Umno Cheras division head Syed Ali Al-Habshee, who are of the view that the tradition should not be questioned by non-Malays.
Khir believe that if the gesture is offensive in some quarters and is seen to send out negative signals, then it should be stopped.
However, he discounted the notion that the broom incident also had an impact in causing the fall of Selangor to Pakatan Rakyat in the general election.
“Take a look at other states, they did not have similar incidents, yet they (too) lost. This is all part of the denial syndrome that we are suffering from and this is a huge problem for the party,” he argued.
Khir had handed over brooms to under-achieving civil servants at an event for Selangor government staff last year.
In his defence, he said this was done to force civil servants to be more efficient in serving the people.
“When the people came to me and complained about the poor performance of civil servants and (this was also) highlighted in the media, I felt restless and worried. As a representative of the people, I will of course take action,” he said.
The only mistake, he conceded, was “not to (gift-)wrap the broom”.
The following excerpts of the interview have been edited for clarity.
The media reported that one of the factors that caused Selangor Umno to lose the state in the general election was the ‘broom incident’. What are your comments?
I would like to explain. When the people came to me and complained about the poor performance of civil servants and (this was) highlighted in the media, I felt restless and worried. As the representative of the people, I will of course take action. We reacted by creating a star rating system. If you get five stars, you’ll be rewarded, but if you don’t get a single star, you’ll be warned.
We did this for five years and there were still no improvements. Then we ‘froze’ them at the headquarters and yet saw no improvements. We raised salaries and still there was no improvement. We took disciplinary action, and still no improvement.
As a leader, I had to solve this matter. I discussed it with my officers and some suggested that we give them a pair of (cheap) slippers, some suggested making them wear torn clothes, and some suggested that we give them brooms. Maybe the mistake was not to (gift-)wrap the broom, but this was not my doing. It was my officers who prepared everything, I was just there to hand over the ‘gift’.
But do you agree that this incident contributed to the defeat of BN in Selangor?
I disagree. Take a look at other states, they did not have similar incidents, yet they lost. This is all part of the denial syndrome that we are suffering from and this is a huge problem for the party. We always say we are strong but actually we are not. We lost five states, and yet we say we are strong.
You mean that there were national factors...
70 percent of (the reasons for the electoral losses) came from national factors.
The defeat for BN has also been linked to your own arrogance, for example, in pursuing your ‘zero-opposition’ policy.
As a general of an army, I can’t be telling my army that we are losing. Is it proper to tell your army that some will die in the battle? When Napolean went to battle and knew that he was going to lose, he told his army that they would win. I cannot send out negative messages that will demoralise my soldiers.
The keris issue has also been mentioned as a factor for BN’s heavy losses.
This is a matter of perception. It depends on how we manage perceptions. Maybe it was a factor. We must admit our mistakes. If we don’t, the rakyat will call us arrogant.
But as far as Umno’s history is concerned, the keris was never used to rally Malay support. How did it suddenly become a rallying symbol for Umno?
I can’t answer this because I was never involved.
Let’s analyse it anyway. It is not just Umno Youth that uses the keris as a ceremonial item, but other Umno wings as well.
The keris perhaps is a symbol of power, a symbol of supremacy, but for the Malays it means nothing. Maybe it’s different for the Chinese (which is why they look at it differently).
But it was never seen as symbol of supremacy for Umno before...
This is because it was never politicised by Umno before.
So do you agree that the keris culture should be eliminated?
Yes, why not? If it’s negative, we should stop using it. We have to admit our mistakes. Admitting mistakes is a courageous thing to do.
What about your preparations to contest the Umno Youth leadership?
The response so far has been good. Though some might say I am an ‘outside’ contestant, I disagree. I was once an Umno Youth divisional head, I was once the Umno Youth national executive councillor. Any contestant who comes in late must work hard. But I feel...Insyallah (I can do it) because I have been thoroughly schooled politics-wise. I can offer experience. I have completed the full political cycle; not many politicians can parallel my situation.
I have a new motto for Umno Youth: ‘Youth as the voice of the people and towards building the perseverance of the Malays’.
Meaning that you want to bring Umno back to its old idealism?
We have to become the voice of the people, and not the government.
But the mechanism in Umno itself renders it impossible to speak freely, even Umno members itself cannot speak...
I am doing it.
Maybe one or two people...
I am talking and I will continue to do that. I believe that the voice of the youth is the voice of the rakyat.
But the culture in Umno itself? How do you cultivate courage in the party?
We must be brave to express the truth. We cannot be controlled. If we are controlled in an independent nation, it means that we are not free. Expressing ideas cannot be seen as a bad thing. As a supreme council member entrusted to be the voice of the people, I will continue to speak up. I might not be able to be direct in my expression. I am a local and as a local I am raised to be polite so I will say something like ‘exit plan’.
To some, ‘exit plan’ is a euphemism for calling for the Umno president to step down. Do you have any expectations when it comes to this ‘exit plan’?
I can’t say I have any expectations. The president has the right to construct his own exit plan and according to his own timeframe, but transition of power is compulsory. In any leadership there must be transition of power. Sooner or later it will have to happen. If it’s better to have it earlier, then do it. If you think it takes time, then you must explain the reasons.
But if Abdullah Ahmad Badawi an introduce measures to reform the system and his popularity increases as a result, would the exit plan still be necessary?
This is if we look at it from a long-term perspective. That is why, in my blog, I have stated that changing the president or the prime minister will not solve everything. The most important thing is reform of the system - reforming economic, education and inter-religion policies and reform the party.
What is most important is that these measures will make Umno a sanctuary that the rakyat can rely on. If this does not happen, people will leave Umno, members will jump off. Maybe not the leaders but the members will.
The government must introduce real reform and a timeframe for implementation. Each leader in Umno who contests for posts must have some sort of plan or idealism. The rakyat can choose which plan they feel will benefit them the most, but we are not seeing this right now.
If this is done, there will not be a crisis of confidence in relation to the government. If this is done, even the (BN) component parties will lean on Umno.
The keris-waving incident that sparked an uproar among non-Malays may have contributed to the poor performance of Umno and Barisan Nasional (BN) in the March 8 polls, said former Selangor Menteri Besar Dr Mohd Khir Toyo.
Khir said it had created negative perceptions of Umno and possibly caused the swing in non-Malay votes towards the opposition.
“We must admit our mistakes. If we don’t, the rakyat will call us arrogant,” he said in an interview.
Umno Youth head Hishammuddin Hussein had made an apology of sorts last week for drawing out and kissing a keris at the Umno Youth assembly last year.
He has since been criticised by party leaders like vice-president Muhyiddin Yassin and Umno Cheras division head Syed Ali Al-Habshee, who are of the view that the tradition should not be questioned by non-Malays.
Khir believe that if the gesture is offensive in some quarters and is seen to send out negative signals, then it should be stopped.
However, he discounted the notion that the broom incident also had an impact in causing the fall of Selangor to Pakatan Rakyat in the general election.
“Take a look at other states, they did not have similar incidents, yet they (too) lost. This is all part of the denial syndrome that we are suffering from and this is a huge problem for the party,” he argued.
Khir had handed over brooms to under-achieving civil servants at an event for Selangor government staff last year.
In his defence, he said this was done to force civil servants to be more efficient in serving the people.
“When the people came to me and complained about the poor performance of civil servants and (this was also) highlighted in the media, I felt restless and worried. As a representative of the people, I will of course take action,” he said.
The only mistake, he conceded, was “not to (gift-)wrap the broom”.
The following excerpts of the interview have been edited for clarity.
The media reported that one of the factors that caused Selangor Umno to lose the state in the general election was the ‘broom incident’. What are your comments?
I would like to explain. When the people came to me and complained about the poor performance of civil servants and (this was) highlighted in the media, I felt restless and worried. As the representative of the people, I will of course take action. We reacted by creating a star rating system. If you get five stars, you’ll be rewarded, but if you don’t get a single star, you’ll be warned.
We did this for five years and there were still no improvements. Then we ‘froze’ them at the headquarters and yet saw no improvements. We raised salaries and still there was no improvement. We took disciplinary action, and still no improvement.
As a leader, I had to solve this matter. I discussed it with my officers and some suggested that we give them a pair of (cheap) slippers, some suggested making them wear torn clothes, and some suggested that we give them brooms. Maybe the mistake was not to (gift-)wrap the broom, but this was not my doing. It was my officers who prepared everything, I was just there to hand over the ‘gift’.
But do you agree that this incident contributed to the defeat of BN in Selangor?
I disagree. Take a look at other states, they did not have similar incidents, yet they lost. This is all part of the denial syndrome that we are suffering from and this is a huge problem for the party. We always say we are strong but actually we are not. We lost five states, and yet we say we are strong.
You mean that there were national factors...
70 percent of (the reasons for the electoral losses) came from national factors.
The defeat for BN has also been linked to your own arrogance, for example, in pursuing your ‘zero-opposition’ policy.
As a general of an army, I can’t be telling my army that we are losing. Is it proper to tell your army that some will die in the battle? When Napolean went to battle and knew that he was going to lose, he told his army that they would win. I cannot send out negative messages that will demoralise my soldiers.
The keris issue has also been mentioned as a factor for BN’s heavy losses.
This is a matter of perception. It depends on how we manage perceptions. Maybe it was a factor. We must admit our mistakes. If we don’t, the rakyat will call us arrogant.
But as far as Umno’s history is concerned, the keris was never used to rally Malay support. How did it suddenly become a rallying symbol for Umno?
I can’t answer this because I was never involved.
Let’s analyse it anyway. It is not just Umno Youth that uses the keris as a ceremonial item, but other Umno wings as well.
The keris perhaps is a symbol of power, a symbol of supremacy, but for the Malays it means nothing. Maybe it’s different for the Chinese (which is why they look at it differently).
But it was never seen as symbol of supremacy for Umno before...
This is because it was never politicised by Umno before.
So do you agree that the keris culture should be eliminated?
Yes, why not? If it’s negative, we should stop using it. We have to admit our mistakes. Admitting mistakes is a courageous thing to do.
What about your preparations to contest the Umno Youth leadership?
The response so far has been good. Though some might say I am an ‘outside’ contestant, I disagree. I was once an Umno Youth divisional head, I was once the Umno Youth national executive councillor. Any contestant who comes in late must work hard. But I feel...Insyallah (I can do it) because I have been thoroughly schooled politics-wise. I can offer experience. I have completed the full political cycle; not many politicians can parallel my situation.
I have a new motto for Umno Youth: ‘Youth as the voice of the people and towards building the perseverance of the Malays’.
Meaning that you want to bring Umno back to its old idealism?
We have to become the voice of the people, and not the government.
But the mechanism in Umno itself renders it impossible to speak freely, even Umno members itself cannot speak...
I am doing it.
Maybe one or two people...
I am talking and I will continue to do that. I believe that the voice of the youth is the voice of the rakyat.
But the culture in Umno itself? How do you cultivate courage in the party?
We must be brave to express the truth. We cannot be controlled. If we are controlled in an independent nation, it means that we are not free. Expressing ideas cannot be seen as a bad thing. As a supreme council member entrusted to be the voice of the people, I will continue to speak up. I might not be able to be direct in my expression. I am a local and as a local I am raised to be polite so I will say something like ‘exit plan’.
To some, ‘exit plan’ is a euphemism for calling for the Umno president to step down. Do you have any expectations when it comes to this ‘exit plan’?
I can’t say I have any expectations. The president has the right to construct his own exit plan and according to his own timeframe, but transition of power is compulsory. In any leadership there must be transition of power. Sooner or later it will have to happen. If it’s better to have it earlier, then do it. If you think it takes time, then you must explain the reasons.
But if Abdullah Ahmad Badawi an introduce measures to reform the system and his popularity increases as a result, would the exit plan still be necessary?
This is if we look at it from a long-term perspective. That is why, in my blog, I have stated that changing the president or the prime minister will not solve everything. The most important thing is reform of the system - reforming economic, education and inter-religion policies and reform the party.
What is most important is that these measures will make Umno a sanctuary that the rakyat can rely on. If this does not happen, people will leave Umno, members will jump off. Maybe not the leaders but the members will.
The government must introduce real reform and a timeframe for implementation. Each leader in Umno who contests for posts must have some sort of plan or idealism. The rakyat can choose which plan they feel will benefit them the most, but we are not seeing this right now.
If this is done, there will not be a crisis of confidence in relation to the government. If this is done, even the (BN) component parties will lean on Umno.
Hisham's non-apology apology
comment: Ong Kian Ming and Oon Yeoh Apr 30, 08 11:27am
We've all said and done things that we wish we could take back. Hishammuddin Hussein surely must rue the day he first raised that keris at the Umno general assembly in 2005.
He probably had no idea that the image of him waving that keris with a look of fierce determination would forever haunt him.
A picture speaks a thousand words and this one was used to good effect by the opposition in the recent election. He was given the moniker 'Kerismuddin' by some and that issue was to dominate subsequent Umno general assemblies.
Once Hishammuddin had let the keris out of the bag, so to speak, there was no way of putting it back in. He simply could not fail to raise the keris at subsequent general assemblies because it would have been seen as a sign of weakness. He had gotten himself onto a one-way street with no U-turns.
While he himself did not pay a personal electoral cost for his actions some of the electoral fallout on the Barisan Nasional component parties could be attributed to the keris-waving incident.
And so we come to last week, when Hishammuddin apologised for his actions. Was it a non-apology apology? Some people think so, for good reasons.
Firstly, he said he was sorry 'if' he had offended the non-Malays. Is there any doubt that they were not just offended but outraged by it? Even party veteran Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah attributed the keris-waving as one of the reasons why non-Malays were willing to vote PAS over Umno.
Secondly, in the same breath, he also apologised to the Malays for failing to defend the use of the keris as a Malay symbol. How does he expect anyone to interpret his apology as sincere when he takes back with one hand what he extends with the other? While we understand that this was a political move to defend his position within Umno, it would only provide fodder to those (such as ourselves) who question the sincerity of such an 'apology'.
He’s a fake ultra
The sad thing about this incident is that we do not believe Hishammuddin to be a traditional Malay ultra. Like his deputy, Khairy Jamaluddin, he is what you'd call a fake ultra – someone who tries so hard to be an ultra for the sake of drumming up grassroots support.
His upbringing and demeanor certainly gives no indication of any deep ultra roots. His father, was third prime minister Hussein Onn, who probably had as many non-Malay friends as Malay ones. His grandfather, Onn Jaafar, famously tried (but failed) to open up Umno to non-Malays.
Furthermore, Hishammuddin's track record as the minister of education has not been a bad one, especially when it comes to giving financial assistance to Chinese and Tamil schools and making it easier for them to relocate. But with one movement of his arm, he undid much of the goodwill that would have come his way from the non-Malay community.
His apology has resulted in calls from within Umno for him to resign but for different reasons.
An Umno leader in Johor came out to say that the apology was not sufficient and that Hishammuddin should step down because his actions led to the historic electoral losses. This could have been a strategic ploy to weaken Hishammuddin and strengthen the hand of another Johor Umno leader who is poised to take on Abdullah Ahmad Badawi for the presidency of Umno.
Meanwhile, another Umno figure from Cheras has come out to call for Hishammuddin's resignation for giving into the demands of the non-Malays! This is probably more reflective of the general sentiment within Umno, especially in Umno Youth, but even if they feel this way, these days they would generally think twice before articulating it.
While Hishammuddin would like this matter to be put behind him, the whole issue of the keris (should it be raised again or not?) and the apology (was it insufficient or was it not even necessary?) will bound to emerge from time to time, and especially when the Umno general assembly draws near.
Hishammuddin has refused to say whether the keris will be raised again but we think that given the events of the past two months, it's highly unlikely that it will be raised - at least not in the same belligerent fashion as before. It might still make an appearance but in a non-threatening way.
Ol' Blue Eyes once sang: "Regrets, I've had a few, but then again too few to mention." Hishammuddin might not have too many regrets in his life but if he were to ever write an autobiography, the one regret that he would probably mention is his decision to raise the keris on that fateful day in 2005.
Let this be a lesson to others aspiring leaders within Umno.
We've all said and done things that we wish we could take back. Hishammuddin Hussein surely must rue the day he first raised that keris at the Umno general assembly in 2005.
He probably had no idea that the image of him waving that keris with a look of fierce determination would forever haunt him.
A picture speaks a thousand words and this one was used to good effect by the opposition in the recent election. He was given the moniker 'Kerismuddin' by some and that issue was to dominate subsequent Umno general assemblies.
Once Hishammuddin had let the keris out of the bag, so to speak, there was no way of putting it back in. He simply could not fail to raise the keris at subsequent general assemblies because it would have been seen as a sign of weakness. He had gotten himself onto a one-way street with no U-turns.
While he himself did not pay a personal electoral cost for his actions some of the electoral fallout on the Barisan Nasional component parties could be attributed to the keris-waving incident.
And so we come to last week, when Hishammuddin apologised for his actions. Was it a non-apology apology? Some people think so, for good reasons.
Firstly, he said he was sorry 'if' he had offended the non-Malays. Is there any doubt that they were not just offended but outraged by it? Even party veteran Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah attributed the keris-waving as one of the reasons why non-Malays were willing to vote PAS over Umno.
Secondly, in the same breath, he also apologised to the Malays for failing to defend the use of the keris as a Malay symbol. How does he expect anyone to interpret his apology as sincere when he takes back with one hand what he extends with the other? While we understand that this was a political move to defend his position within Umno, it would only provide fodder to those (such as ourselves) who question the sincerity of such an 'apology'.
He’s a fake ultra
The sad thing about this incident is that we do not believe Hishammuddin to be a traditional Malay ultra. Like his deputy, Khairy Jamaluddin, he is what you'd call a fake ultra – someone who tries so hard to be an ultra for the sake of drumming up grassroots support.
His upbringing and demeanor certainly gives no indication of any deep ultra roots. His father, was third prime minister Hussein Onn, who probably had as many non-Malay friends as Malay ones. His grandfather, Onn Jaafar, famously tried (but failed) to open up Umno to non-Malays.
Furthermore, Hishammuddin's track record as the minister of education has not been a bad one, especially when it comes to giving financial assistance to Chinese and Tamil schools and making it easier for them to relocate. But with one movement of his arm, he undid much of the goodwill that would have come his way from the non-Malay community.
His apology has resulted in calls from within Umno for him to resign but for different reasons.
An Umno leader in Johor came out to say that the apology was not sufficient and that Hishammuddin should step down because his actions led to the historic electoral losses. This could have been a strategic ploy to weaken Hishammuddin and strengthen the hand of another Johor Umno leader who is poised to take on Abdullah Ahmad Badawi for the presidency of Umno.
Meanwhile, another Umno figure from Cheras has come out to call for Hishammuddin's resignation for giving into the demands of the non-Malays! This is probably more reflective of the general sentiment within Umno, especially in Umno Youth, but even if they feel this way, these days they would generally think twice before articulating it.
While Hishammuddin would like this matter to be put behind him, the whole issue of the keris (should it be raised again or not?) and the apology (was it insufficient or was it not even necessary?) will bound to emerge from time to time, and especially when the Umno general assembly draws near.
Hishammuddin has refused to say whether the keris will be raised again but we think that given the events of the past two months, it's highly unlikely that it will be raised - at least not in the same belligerent fashion as before. It might still make an appearance but in a non-threatening way.
Ol' Blue Eyes once sang: "Regrets, I've had a few, but then again too few to mention." Hishammuddin might not have too many regrets in his life but if he were to ever write an autobiography, the one regret that he would probably mention is his decision to raise the keris on that fateful day in 2005.
Let this be a lesson to others aspiring leaders within Umno.
Anwar to sue Samy if there's no apology
Apr 30, 08 5:41pm
PKR de facto leader Anwar Ibrahim has demanded a public apology and RM100 million in damages from a senior politician for alleged libelous remarks made against him.
Anwar’s counsel Sankara Nair named S Samy Vellu as the defendant over the MIC leader’s remarks which appeared in a Malay daily newspaper two weeks ago.
According to Sankara, Berita Harian in an April 15 article headlined ‘Kenyataan Anwar Dibidas’ reported Samy Vellu’s response to Anwar’s criticism of Barisan Nasional.
He cited the following three paragraphs in the article which contained the alleged defamatory remarks against Anwar:
Presiden MIC, Datuk Seri S Samy Vellu membidas keceluparan Penasihat Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR), Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim yang mengkritik parti komponen Barisan Nasional (BN) selepas menggalakkan penyokongnya menggunakan pelbagai taktik kotor pada pilihanraya umum lalu.
“Katanya, negara akan lebih aman dan makmur jika tiada kelibat manusia seperti Anwar yang menggunakan ugutan, tekanan, paksaan dan menakut-nakutkan pengundi bagi menjamin kemenangan calon pembangkang.
“Saya sudah lama kenal dia. Ini cara mereka meraih undi,” katanya di Kuala Lumpur semalam.
Sankara (left) said that Samy Vellu’s allegations were understood to mean that Anwar, among others, was promoting “unlawful elections practices” and that he has no regard for the process of free and fair elections.
He added that Samy Vellu was also trying to show that Anwar was acting in a “criminal manner” as well as behaving “immorally, fraudulently and irresponsibly”.
“Your (Samy Vellu’s) utterances in the impugned article as stated above of our client (Anwar) are and were grossly negligent, reckless, irresponsible, deliberate, malicious and aimed to lower our client’s esteem in the eye of the public and expose our client to public hatred, scorn, odium, contempt and ridicule.” said Sankara in the letter of demand to Samy Vellu.
‘Samy seeking cheap publicity’
Sankara also added that Samy’s remarks was done mainly to seek cheap publicity and sensationalism.
In the letter, Sankara said that Samy Vellu “have or caused to have republished the following libelous comments in the impugned article.”
He stressed that the comments against Anwar was extremely libelous and has brought Anwar considerable distress and embarrassment.
According to an e-mail to Malaysiakini, Sankara said the letter of demand has been served to the MIC headquarters this morning.
Anwar gave Samy Vellu 48 hours to apologise otherwise a RM100 million law suit would be initiated against the MIC chief.
Friday, April 25, 2008
Hisham apologises for keris act
Apr 25, 08 7:33pm
Umno Youth chief Hishammuddin Hussein today apologised for raising the keris “if it had affected the non-Malays”.
He said that he took full responsibility for his actions but gave no guarantees that he would not repeat the keris-waving again during this year’s Umno annual general assembly.
“I am sorry of it had affected the non-Malays,” he told reporters today after attending a BN Youth meeting at the Putra World Trade Centre today.
"I would also like to apologise to the Malays over my failure to uphold the Malay symbol (keris)," he added
Hishammuddin’s keris-raising act has been seen by many as one of the factors in the non-Malays voting away from Barisan Nasional in the March 8 general election.
Hishammuddin, also the education minister, had raised the keris during the Unmo Youth assemblies for the past three years, claiming that it symbolised the Malay supremacy and Umno’s role in defending that.
However many non-Malays felt that the act was highly racial in nature.
Umno Youth chief Hishammuddin Hussein today apologised for raising the keris “if it had affected the non-Malays”.
He said that he took full responsibility for his actions but gave no guarantees that he would not repeat the keris-waving again during this year’s Umno annual general assembly.
“I am sorry of it had affected the non-Malays,” he told reporters today after attending a BN Youth meeting at the Putra World Trade Centre today.
"I would also like to apologise to the Malays over my failure to uphold the Malay symbol (keris)," he added
Hishammuddin’s keris-raising act has been seen by many as one of the factors in the non-Malays voting away from Barisan Nasional in the March 8 general election.
Hishammuddin, also the education minister, had raised the keris during the Unmo Youth assemblies for the past three years, claiming that it symbolised the Malay supremacy and Umno’s role in defending that.
However many non-Malays felt that the act was highly racial in nature.
Hisham apologises for keris act
Apr 25, 08 7:33pm
Umno Youth chief Hishammuddin Hussein today apologised for raising the keris “if it had affected the non-Malays”.
He said that he took full responsibility for his actions but gave no guarantees that he would not repeat the keris-waving again during this year’s Umno annual general assembly.
“I am sorry of it had affected the non-Malays,” he told reporters today after attending a BN Youth meeting at the Putra World Trade Centre today.
"I would also like to apologise to the Malays over my failure to uphold the Malay symbol (keris)," he added
Hishammuddin’s keris-raising act has been seen by many as one of the factors in the non-Malays voting away from Barisan Nasional in the March 8 general election.
Hishammuddin, also the education minister, had raised the keris during the Unmo Youth assemblies for the past three years, claiming that it symbolised the Malay supremacy and Umno’s role in defending that.
However many non-Malays felt that the act was highly racial in nature.
Umno Youth chief Hishammuddin Hussein today apologised for raising the keris “if it had affected the non-Malays”.
He said that he took full responsibility for his actions but gave no guarantees that he would not repeat the keris-waving again during this year’s Umno annual general assembly.
“I am sorry of it had affected the non-Malays,” he told reporters today after attending a BN Youth meeting at the Putra World Trade Centre today.
"I would also like to apologise to the Malays over my failure to uphold the Malay symbol (keris)," he added
Hishammuddin’s keris-raising act has been seen by many as one of the factors in the non-Malays voting away from Barisan Nasional in the March 8 general election.
Hishammuddin, also the education minister, had raised the keris during the Unmo Youth assemblies for the past three years, claiming that it symbolised the Malay supremacy and Umno’s role in defending that.
However many non-Malays felt that the act was highly racial in nature.
Najib: BN serious about 'crossover threat'
Apr 25, 08 6:34pm
The ruling Barisan Nasional (BN) government is taking the ‘crossover threat’ of MPs seriously, said Deputy Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak today.
"There are reports (of the crossover) but we cannot just dismiss the reports. Of course, there is an element of political gamesmanship, nonetheless, we cannot take things for granted," he was quoted as saying by Bernama.
Najib said this when asked to comment on a statement by PKR de facto leader Anwar Ibrahim that the opposition had 30 or more MPs who were willing to leave BN for Pakatan Rakyat.
Following the just concluded general election, the opposition won 82 seats in Parliament while BN has 140 seats.
If 30 or more BN MPs were to cross over to the opposition, the country would witness BN losing the federal government for the first time since the independence 50 years ago.
Asked if BN would take measures to ensure all BN MPs remained with the ruling coalition, Najib said: "We will do something but I won't tell you exactly what we will do, but we will do something."
"We hear rumours (of the crossover) but no one has come and said we are saying goodbye to BN," said the deputy prime minister.
"We have to deal with urgency. We have to take everything seriously, we cannot dismiss it as pure fabrication but as I said there is a strong element of political gamesmanship as well," he said.
'PM in three years'
On April 23, Anwar predicted that he would become prime minister in three years.
"I don't think we have established a definite clear time-frame when I will take over (as prime minister) but it certainly wouldn't reach three years ... much earlier than that," he was quoted as saying by the foreign news agency.
"(But) I am not in a rush," he added.
Anwar, heir-apparent to long-time former premier Dr Mahathir Mohamad before being sacked and jailed a decade ago, has emerged as a serious threat to the ruling coalition after the opposition's strong showing in parliamentary polls.
He became free to run for office again last week, when a five-year ban stemming from his corruption conviction expired, and claims he has the support
The ruling Barisan Nasional (BN) government is taking the ‘crossover threat’ of MPs seriously, said Deputy Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak today.
"There are reports (of the crossover) but we cannot just dismiss the reports. Of course, there is an element of political gamesmanship, nonetheless, we cannot take things for granted," he was quoted as saying by Bernama.
Najib said this when asked to comment on a statement by PKR de facto leader Anwar Ibrahim that the opposition had 30 or more MPs who were willing to leave BN for Pakatan Rakyat.
Following the just concluded general election, the opposition won 82 seats in Parliament while BN has 140 seats.
If 30 or more BN MPs were to cross over to the opposition, the country would witness BN losing the federal government for the first time since the independence 50 years ago.
Asked if BN would take measures to ensure all BN MPs remained with the ruling coalition, Najib said: "We will do something but I won't tell you exactly what we will do, but we will do something."
"We hear rumours (of the crossover) but no one has come and said we are saying goodbye to BN," said the deputy prime minister.
"We have to deal with urgency. We have to take everything seriously, we cannot dismiss it as pure fabrication but as I said there is a strong element of political gamesmanship as well," he said.
'PM in three years'
On April 23, Anwar predicted that he would become prime minister in three years.
"I don't think we have established a definite clear time-frame when I will take over (as prime minister) but it certainly wouldn't reach three years ... much earlier than that," he was quoted as saying by the foreign news agency.
"(But) I am not in a rush," he added.
Anwar, heir-apparent to long-time former premier Dr Mahathir Mohamad before being sacked and jailed a decade ago, has emerged as a serious threat to the ruling coalition after the opposition's strong showing in parliamentary polls.
He became free to run for office again last week, when a five-year ban stemming from his corruption conviction expired, and claims he has the support
Groups want a trimmed-down Suhakam
Beh Lih Yi Apr 25, 08 3:49pm
Rights groups have called for the number of commissioners sitting on the Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (Suhakam) to be slashed while full-time commissioner to be appointed.
Their call came in the wake of 12, out of 18, commissioners whose two-year tenure expired on Wednesday, including Suhakam chairman Abu Talib Othman who has at the helm of Suhakam for six years.
The government has yet to announce the new Suhakam line-up but it is expected to do so next week. Suhakam comes under the purview of Deputy Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak’s office.
Nevertheless, NGOs have expressed their hope to see a ‘trimmed-down’ Suhakam to be unveiled to arrest the declining public confidence over the government-backed human rights organisation.
“If you have full-time commissioners, they can be more focus and effective because human rights is not a part-time matter,” National Human Rights Society (Hakam) president Malik Imtiaz Sarwar said when contacted.
“When you are part-time, it gives an impression that they won’t do as much as the priority that it should be,” added Malik, also a lawyer.
Apart from that, he said the criteria in the selection process should be made clear that the commissioners must possess sufficient knowledge on human rights-related issues and laws.
Dumping ground for retirees
Leading local human rights watchdog Suaram echoed the sentiment for full-time commissioners.
“We have had cases where we have to wait for a reply from the commissioners depending on their availability to meet,” its coordinator John Liu said when contacted.
He supported the call for a transparent selection process on the commissioners and argued for the need to set up an independent search committee to appoint the commissioners, a practice which was done in certain countries in the region.
It can follow the footstep to that of the judiciary - where a judicial appointments commission was recently announced to be set up by the government after persistent complaints over the non-transparent selection process, Liu noted.
The activist, who presented a paper in Australia last September to draw a comparison between Suhakam and other regional human rights institutions, said the enabling act of Suhakam need to be amended.
“In the Suhakam Act, it is not stated that the experience and knowledge in human rights is a criteria to be appointed as commissioner. There is a need to amend the law on this otherwise Suhakam will turn into (like what some said as) the dumping ground for retirees,” he pointed out.
“There was one commissioner who doesn’t even know what Rela (people volunteers’ corps) was in one of the meetings,” claimed Liu.
Under the Human Rights Commission of Malaysia Act 1999, it is only stated that the commissioners shall be appointed from among “prominent personalities include those from various religious and racial backgrounds”.
The commissioners are appointed by the king on the recommendation of the prime minister. Although the act allows the appointment of up to 20 commissioners, Suhakam at present has 18.
According to commissioner N Siva Subramaniam, each of the commissioner enjoy a RM7,000 monthly allowance, petrol claims and given a Proton Perdana during their service at Suhakam.
Avoid waste of public funds
A Suhakam insider however argued that due to the part-time nature of the job, the commitment and efficiency of certain commissioners do not tally with the allowances and perks they enjoyed.
“Some just turn up once in a month as they usually said they are busy,” said the insider, referring to the commission’s monthly meeting.
The commission's system where two commissioners are placed on duty from Monday to Friday to deal with the Suhakam’s affairs, such as receiving complainants, are not being followed.
The insider argued that the allowances allocated to the 18 commissioners, amounting to at least RM126,000 each month, should be consolidated to hire full-time commissioners to enhance the commission’s efficiency and to avoid a waste of public funds.
“Five or six commissioners will do if they are real effective,” another Suhakam source stressed.
The source also revealed that a recent move by the commission to change about 10 of the Proton Perdanas - those in use for more than five years - for the commissioners have prompted grouses among some officers who argued it is unnecessary.
Suhakam secretary Ahmad Yusuf Ngah when asked on this however declined to comment.
Suhakam has a chequered history in defending human rights, with NGOs frequently complaining about its ineffectiveness.
Most of the commission’s recommendations over the past eight years have been ignored by the government, while repeated attempts to get the Suhakam annual report to be debated in Parliament have proven futile.
The government has previously stated that it has no intention of giving the commission any ‘teeth’, in terms of enforcement of recommendations. Suhakam only acts as an advisory body to the government at present.
Rights groups have called for the number of commissioners sitting on the Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (Suhakam) to be slashed while full-time commissioner to be appointed.
Their call came in the wake of 12, out of 18, commissioners whose two-year tenure expired on Wednesday, including Suhakam chairman Abu Talib Othman who has at the helm of Suhakam for six years.
The government has yet to announce the new Suhakam line-up but it is expected to do so next week. Suhakam comes under the purview of Deputy Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak’s office.
Nevertheless, NGOs have expressed their hope to see a ‘trimmed-down’ Suhakam to be unveiled to arrest the declining public confidence over the government-backed human rights organisation.
“If you have full-time commissioners, they can be more focus and effective because human rights is not a part-time matter,” National Human Rights Society (Hakam) president Malik Imtiaz Sarwar said when contacted.
“When you are part-time, it gives an impression that they won’t do as much as the priority that it should be,” added Malik, also a lawyer.
Apart from that, he said the criteria in the selection process should be made clear that the commissioners must possess sufficient knowledge on human rights-related issues and laws.
Dumping ground for retirees
Leading local human rights watchdog Suaram echoed the sentiment for full-time commissioners.
“We have had cases where we have to wait for a reply from the commissioners depending on their availability to meet,” its coordinator John Liu said when contacted.
He supported the call for a transparent selection process on the commissioners and argued for the need to set up an independent search committee to appoint the commissioners, a practice which was done in certain countries in the region.
It can follow the footstep to that of the judiciary - where a judicial appointments commission was recently announced to be set up by the government after persistent complaints over the non-transparent selection process, Liu noted.
The activist, who presented a paper in Australia last September to draw a comparison between Suhakam and other regional human rights institutions, said the enabling act of Suhakam need to be amended.
“In the Suhakam Act, it is not stated that the experience and knowledge in human rights is a criteria to be appointed as commissioner. There is a need to amend the law on this otherwise Suhakam will turn into (like what some said as) the dumping ground for retirees,” he pointed out.
“There was one commissioner who doesn’t even know what Rela (people volunteers’ corps) was in one of the meetings,” claimed Liu.
Under the Human Rights Commission of Malaysia Act 1999, it is only stated that the commissioners shall be appointed from among “prominent personalities include those from various religious and racial backgrounds”.
The commissioners are appointed by the king on the recommendation of the prime minister. Although the act allows the appointment of up to 20 commissioners, Suhakam at present has 18.
According to commissioner N Siva Subramaniam, each of the commissioner enjoy a RM7,000 monthly allowance, petrol claims and given a Proton Perdana during their service at Suhakam.
Avoid waste of public funds
A Suhakam insider however argued that due to the part-time nature of the job, the commitment and efficiency of certain commissioners do not tally with the allowances and perks they enjoyed.
“Some just turn up once in a month as they usually said they are busy,” said the insider, referring to the commission’s monthly meeting.
The commission's system where two commissioners are placed on duty from Monday to Friday to deal with the Suhakam’s affairs, such as receiving complainants, are not being followed.
The insider argued that the allowances allocated to the 18 commissioners, amounting to at least RM126,000 each month, should be consolidated to hire full-time commissioners to enhance the commission’s efficiency and to avoid a waste of public funds.
“Five or six commissioners will do if they are real effective,” another Suhakam source stressed.
The source also revealed that a recent move by the commission to change about 10 of the Proton Perdanas - those in use for more than five years - for the commissioners have prompted grouses among some officers who argued it is unnecessary.
Suhakam secretary Ahmad Yusuf Ngah when asked on this however declined to comment.
Suhakam has a chequered history in defending human rights, with NGOs frequently complaining about its ineffectiveness.
Most of the commission’s recommendations over the past eight years have been ignored by the government, while repeated attempts to get the Suhakam annual report to be debated in Parliament have proven futile.
The government has previously stated that it has no intention of giving the commission any ‘teeth’, in terms of enforcement of recommendations. Suhakam only acts as an advisory body to the government at present.
MCA names 4 new state leaders
Apr 25, 08 12:54pm
MCA today announced a minor but significant change in its state leadership line-up by naming three federal ministers and a deputy minister to take over the mantle in Selangor, Penang, Kelantan and Kedah.
Debutant ministers Ong Tee Keat, Liow Tiong Lai and Dr Ng Yen Yen have been tasked to head Selangor, Penang and Kelantan respectively. This is the first time they have been given the responsibility to head state leadership for the party.
Meanwhile, Deputy Home Minister Chor Chee Heung will head Kedah, taking over from Beh Heng Siong.
The announcement was made by party president Ong Ka Ting after a central committee meeting today.
These were the four states which fell into opposition control following the March 8 polls. However, MCA has decided to retain its secretary-general Ong Ka Chuan as the head in Perak which is also under opposition rule now.
In Selangor, Transport Minister Ong will be replacing Ch’ng Toh Eng while MCA Wanita head and Women, Family and Community Development Minister Ng Yen Yen will be taking over from party treasurer Lau Yin Pin.
Over in Penang, Health Minister Liow Tiong Lai will assume the state leadership from deputy president Chan Kong Choy.
The announcement of their appointments were made today by the party.
It must be noted that these four states were captured by the Pakatan Rakyat in the March 8 general election. MCA was totally routed in these states.
Ong and Chor were the only MCA representatives to have won their Parliamentary seats in Selangor and Kedah respectively. The party won only two other state seats in Selangor.
MCA today announced a minor but significant change in its state leadership line-up by naming three federal ministers and a deputy minister to take over the mantle in Selangor, Penang, Kelantan and Kedah.
Debutant ministers Ong Tee Keat, Liow Tiong Lai and Dr Ng Yen Yen have been tasked to head Selangor, Penang and Kelantan respectively. This is the first time they have been given the responsibility to head state leadership for the party.
Meanwhile, Deputy Home Minister Chor Chee Heung will head Kedah, taking over from Beh Heng Siong.
The announcement was made by party president Ong Ka Ting after a central committee meeting today.
These were the four states which fell into opposition control following the March 8 polls. However, MCA has decided to retain its secretary-general Ong Ka Chuan as the head in Perak which is also under opposition rule now.
In Selangor, Transport Minister Ong will be replacing Ch’ng Toh Eng while MCA Wanita head and Women, Family and Community Development Minister Ng Yen Yen will be taking over from party treasurer Lau Yin Pin.
Over in Penang, Health Minister Liow Tiong Lai will assume the state leadership from deputy president Chan Kong Choy.
The announcement of their appointments were made today by the party.
It must be noted that these four states were captured by the Pakatan Rakyat in the March 8 general election. MCA was totally routed in these states.
Ong and Chor were the only MCA representatives to have won their Parliamentary seats in Selangor and Kedah respectively. The party won only two other state seats in Selangor.
Panelists: Review fuel subsidy schemes
Apr 25, 08 4:42pm
Several former government officials and economic experts yesterday called on the government to restructure its fuel subsidy schemes.
Speaking on a forum on the mid-term review of the Ninth Malaysia Plan in Kuala Lumpur yesterday, former minister in charge of the Economic Planning Unit Effendi Norwawi said present fuel subsidies were unsustainable.
"Subsidies have reached RM30 billion. There is also a need to subsidies education and medical services. This list goes on and on. It is not sustainable," he told the a crowd of 50 people comprising of academics, civil society groups and government officers.
Similarly, former Energy, Water and Communications Minister Lim Keng Yaik said present subsidies such as those for fuel were not reaching the target group.
"It is not the man on the street, which probably can only afford 1.2 litre Proton Iswara, that benefits. The rich people who drive fuel guzzlers like the 3.5 or 4.2 litre, they are the one enjoying subsidies," he said during his keynote address at the forum.
Institute of Strategic Analysis & Policy Research (Insap) director Fui K Soong during her presentation said it was an open secret that the present subsidy schemes, such as diesel and fertiliser subsidies for fishermen and farmers respectively, were open to abuse.
She said that even if the government cannot remove subsidies completely, the amount subsidised must be reduced.
Economic corridors under fire
Another government policy which came under the microscope during the forum was the launch of economic corridors throughout Malaysia.
Fui (photo) and another speaker Petaling Jaya Utara MP Tony Pua both said that the corridors do not appear to be drawing the kind of investment that was initially touted.
Pua, who is economic advisor to the DAP secretary-general, said the investments that are going towards such corridors appear to be limited to land acquisitions and property development.
"If a Middle-East fund comes and develop a piece of land, it is different from say (computer chip maker) Intel buying a land a building a factory.
"The type of value is different. They pump technology, create jobs and provide secondary industries. That is a huge difference. Concept wise, the corridors look good… but it does not appear to be focussing on knowledge development," he said.
Earlier, in his speech, Keng Yaik (photo) had also touched on the subject.
He said there was a need to ensure that foreign investors would be interested in the economic corridors.
"If there are too many corridors in the country, we might end up in a maze and face a blank wall," he said in jest.
The forum yesterday was jointly organised by the Centre for Public Policy Studies and the Wawasan Open University.
Several former government officials and economic experts yesterday called on the government to restructure its fuel subsidy schemes.
Speaking on a forum on the mid-term review of the Ninth Malaysia Plan in Kuala Lumpur yesterday, former minister in charge of the Economic Planning Unit Effendi Norwawi said present fuel subsidies were unsustainable.
"Subsidies have reached RM30 billion. There is also a need to subsidies education and medical services. This list goes on and on. It is not sustainable," he told the a crowd of 50 people comprising of academics, civil society groups and government officers.
Similarly, former Energy, Water and Communications Minister Lim Keng Yaik said present subsidies such as those for fuel were not reaching the target group.
"It is not the man on the street, which probably can only afford 1.2 litre Proton Iswara, that benefits. The rich people who drive fuel guzzlers like the 3.5 or 4.2 litre, they are the one enjoying subsidies," he said during his keynote address at the forum.
Institute of Strategic Analysis & Policy Research (Insap) director Fui K Soong during her presentation said it was an open secret that the present subsidy schemes, such as diesel and fertiliser subsidies for fishermen and farmers respectively, were open to abuse.
She said that even if the government cannot remove subsidies completely, the amount subsidised must be reduced.
Economic corridors under fire
Another government policy which came under the microscope during the forum was the launch of economic corridors throughout Malaysia.
Fui (photo) and another speaker Petaling Jaya Utara MP Tony Pua both said that the corridors do not appear to be drawing the kind of investment that was initially touted.
Pua, who is economic advisor to the DAP secretary-general, said the investments that are going towards such corridors appear to be limited to land acquisitions and property development.
"If a Middle-East fund comes and develop a piece of land, it is different from say (computer chip maker) Intel buying a land a building a factory.
"The type of value is different. They pump technology, create jobs and provide secondary industries. That is a huge difference. Concept wise, the corridors look good… but it does not appear to be focussing on knowledge development," he said.
Earlier, in his speech, Keng Yaik (photo) had also touched on the subject.
He said there was a need to ensure that foreign investors would be interested in the economic corridors.
"If there are too many corridors in the country, we might end up in a maze and face a blank wall," he said in jest.
The forum yesterday was jointly organised by the Centre for Public Policy Studies and the Wawasan Open University.
Anwar builds his Sarawak team
Tony Thien Apr 25, 08 11:49am
PKR de facto leader Anwar Ibrahim has started building on his own party's 'credible and committed team' in Sarawak as part of Pakatan Rakyat’s plan to win control of the state government from the Barisan Nasional in the next state election due in 2011.
Clearly buoyed by Pakatan's major victory in the recent national polls in Peninsular Malaysia, the former deputy premier took the first step in announcing at a press conference in Kuching yesterday the names of several Dayak professionals, intellectuals and activists who had decided to join the party's struggle.
Among them were three well known Orang Ulu lawyers Baru Bian, Paul Raja and Harrison Ngau, who is also a former Baram MP, former Snap secretary-general Edmund Stanley Jugol and his son, Iban lawyer and former Snap youth leader Walter Entrie, former Sarawak Dayak National Union (SDNU) president and NCR land expert Nicholas Bawin and Iban lawyer Louis Jarraw, former Kapit wali kota (mayor) Frankie Badindang, Granda Aing, Talajan Lujoh and Cobbold Lusoi.
They were among a group of more than 20 Dayak professionals from the Iban, Bidayuh and Orang Ulu communities who turned up for the meeting during Anwar's half-day visit to Kuching. The PKR leader was on his way back to Kuala Lumpur after a visit to Sabah.
PKR has expressed confidence given the mood swing in Sarawak with all the unresolved issues, particularly NCR land disputes between native landowners and state authorities and beneficiaries of land leases issued by the government, corruption and cronyism, that Pakatan will be able to get a two-third majority in the next state election.
Presently, the opposition and Independents control nine out of the 71 seats in the state legislative assembly.
Promises for Sarawak
Anwar told a crowd of about 500 when opening PKR's new division in the predominantly Bidayuh parliamentary constituency of Mambong, 16km from Kuching, yesterday afternoon that a Pakatan Raykat-led federal government would adjust the oil/gas royalties for Sarawak, Sabah and Terengganu from 5% to 20% because they deserve more of what's due to them.
In the case of Sarawak, a four-fold increase in royalties would, on the basis of current prices, translate to as much as RM10 billion annually which would go direct to the state but subject to the expenditure following strict financial procedures, as the state was still lagging behind.
Anwar said the poor were found in all communities and that a Pakatan government would implement affirmative action based on merits, not race, and most critical is a policy catering to the welfare of the common folks and not to enrich cronies and political elites.
Anwar's visit came a day after a group of some 200 NCR landowners from throughout Sarawak had what was described as an open discussion on NCR land disputes and related matters in Kuching with a group of national and international NGOs.
During the press conference, he indicated his awareness that apart from NCR land being a major concern in Sarawak, other issues concerned matters of the civil service, abuse and misuse of power and corruption.
On reported differences between certain state PKR and DAP leaders, Anwar said Pakatan component parties generally enjoy a good working relationship, except for some skirmishes which were only to be expected.
PKR de facto leader Anwar Ibrahim has started building on his own party's 'credible and committed team' in Sarawak as part of Pakatan Rakyat’s plan to win control of the state government from the Barisan Nasional in the next state election due in 2011.
Clearly buoyed by Pakatan's major victory in the recent national polls in Peninsular Malaysia, the former deputy premier took the first step in announcing at a press conference in Kuching yesterday the names of several Dayak professionals, intellectuals and activists who had decided to join the party's struggle.
Among them were three well known Orang Ulu lawyers Baru Bian, Paul Raja and Harrison Ngau, who is also a former Baram MP, former Snap secretary-general Edmund Stanley Jugol and his son, Iban lawyer and former Snap youth leader Walter Entrie, former Sarawak Dayak National Union (SDNU) president and NCR land expert Nicholas Bawin and Iban lawyer Louis Jarraw, former Kapit wali kota (mayor) Frankie Badindang, Granda Aing, Talajan Lujoh and Cobbold Lusoi.
They were among a group of more than 20 Dayak professionals from the Iban, Bidayuh and Orang Ulu communities who turned up for the meeting during Anwar's half-day visit to Kuching. The PKR leader was on his way back to Kuala Lumpur after a visit to Sabah.
PKR has expressed confidence given the mood swing in Sarawak with all the unresolved issues, particularly NCR land disputes between native landowners and state authorities and beneficiaries of land leases issued by the government, corruption and cronyism, that Pakatan will be able to get a two-third majority in the next state election.
Presently, the opposition and Independents control nine out of the 71 seats in the state legislative assembly.
Promises for Sarawak
Anwar told a crowd of about 500 when opening PKR's new division in the predominantly Bidayuh parliamentary constituency of Mambong, 16km from Kuching, yesterday afternoon that a Pakatan Raykat-led federal government would adjust the oil/gas royalties for Sarawak, Sabah and Terengganu from 5% to 20% because they deserve more of what's due to them.
In the case of Sarawak, a four-fold increase in royalties would, on the basis of current prices, translate to as much as RM10 billion annually which would go direct to the state but subject to the expenditure following strict financial procedures, as the state was still lagging behind.
Anwar said the poor were found in all communities and that a Pakatan government would implement affirmative action based on merits, not race, and most critical is a policy catering to the welfare of the common folks and not to enrich cronies and political elites.
Anwar's visit came a day after a group of some 200 NCR landowners from throughout Sarawak had what was described as an open discussion on NCR land disputes and related matters in Kuching with a group of national and international NGOs.
During the press conference, he indicated his awareness that apart from NCR land being a major concern in Sarawak, other issues concerned matters of the civil service, abuse and misuse of power and corruption.
On reported differences between certain state PKR and DAP leaders, Anwar said Pakatan component parties generally enjoy a good working relationship, except for some skirmishes which were only to be expected.
Khairy: There was no recount for Rembau
Apr 25, 08 11:41am
Umno Youth deputy chief Khairy Jamaluddin has written to dispute Malaysiakini’s reports that there was a recount of votes on polling night of March 8 in the Rembau parliamentary constituency where he won by 5,726.
The following is his letter in full:
Thank you for Malaysiakini’s continued interest in and coverage of my career.
I wish to draw your attention to the fact that your reports asserting that I initially lost and that subsequently there was a re-count at the Rembau parliamentary constituency in the recent general election are a completely false and baseless. I never lost a “first count” and there never was a re-count. This fact was made clear by the Election Commission which was also reported in an article on March 13 of the The Star.
Your most recent assertion that I initially lost and subsequently won in a re-count was contained in Syed Jaymal Zahiid’s article ‘Ku Li: Power transition unconstitutional’ which was published. It contains the following statement which was attributed to me:
“They counted the postal votes first and not after the re-count. Even if the postal votes are not counted, I would have won by some 500 over votes,” he said.
The article also contains the following passage:
The Rembau March 8 results became controversial after the first count saw Khairy’s PKR opponent winning by some 800 majority votes. This result however turned after Khairy demanded a recount. Following this, he was declared a winner by a majority of 5,726 votes.
For the record, I wish to state that the quote that was attributed to me is completely incorrect. I would not have even suggested that there was a re-count knowing fully well, as I do, that there was none. I append herewith a transcript of the interview in which I was alleged to have made the above statement which clearly shows that the quote attributed to me is false. I will also furnish you with a copy of the audio recording should you require one.
I was present at the main counting centre on the night of March 8. At no point did I lose an initial count and, as such, at no time was there a need for a re-count. The total number of votes cast in favour of my opponent, Badrul Hisham Shaharin from Parti Keadilan Rakyat, did not at any time warrant a re-count as provided for under the Elections (Conduct of Elections) Regulations 1981. I was declared winner by 5,746 votes after the first and only count. In fact, I believe that Badrul was not even present at the main counting centre on March 8.
Having regard to the facts and in the circumstances, I cannot avoid the conclusion that your assertion that I initially lost and that subsequently there was a re-count of the votes in the Rembau parliamentary constituency, made by your news portal on the very night of the election itself is irresponsible and mischievous.
Equally, I find it difficult to avoid concluding that the continued assertion in your reports of the March 11 and April 18, of there being a re-count must perforce be malicious and published in bad faith.
This, I say, bearing in mind the Election Commission's public statement that there was no re-count and the fact that there was ample opportunity to verify the assertion. I also find it disturbing that you can attribute to me a statement which I never made, suggesting gross journalistic incompetence or mischief on your part.
Quite apart from undermining the legitimacy of my victory at the polls, your continued false assertion that I initially lost and that subsequently there was a re-count, and the innuendo attached to it, clearly undermines the integrity of the democratic election process that took place at the Rembau constituency.
Having regard to the foregoing, it is fair, proper and in the public interest, particularly the interest of the voters in the Rembau parliamentary constituency, that Malaysiakini forthwith retracts its assertion and publishes a correction with an appropriate apology.
Khairy Jamaluddin Abu Bakar
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Editor’s note: On election night, we were informed by PKR candidate Badrul Hisham Shaharin that he was told by an EC official that there would be a recount. Our story on that night reflected this. In addition, on March 11 Badrul repeated that there was a recount at a press conference and this was reported by not only Malaysiakini but also a number of other newspapers. However, we have come to know now that such a recount did not take place. As such, we would like to apologise to Khairy Jamaluddin for publishing that assertion in our subsequent stories.
Monday, April 21, 2008
Overhaul media laws next, PM told
Apr 21, 08 6:33pm
Having announced intended reform of the judiciary and the Anti-Corruption Agency (ACA), Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi should now look at overhauling media laws, said several Pakatan Rakyat (PR) members of Parliament.
At a press conference held at DAP’s Damansara Service Centre, they said the government’s move to loosen its publications licensing regime by allowing opposition PKR to publish its Suara Keadilan party organ and the apparent openness to bloggers are laudable.
However, the decision to revoke Tamil newspaper Makkal Osai’s publishing permit for reasons still not specified, illustrates the need for a complete overhaul of media-related laws, they said.
“Information is cardinal to the practice of democracy... and it is this information that is seen as being stifled and denied,” said PAS MP for Kuala Selangor Dr Dzulkifly Ahmad.
“We are pressing for such draconian laws (as) the PPPA (Printing Presses and Publications Act 1984) to be at least reviewed and subsequently withdrawn or amended to allow the rakyat to have access to information,” he said.
Dzulkifly said a motion will be submitted for a Freedom of Information (FOI) Bill to be debated in Parliament.
DAP MP for Petaling Jaya Utara Tony Pua described as “shocking” Home Minister Syed Hamid Albar’s announcement that Makkal Osai’s licence would not be renewed.
“He has been around the world and has seen how democracy works and we had hoped that he could bring about concrete changes,” said Pua..
“But we were absolutely shocked when he announced that the permit would not be renewed and had been withdrawn due to violation of the ministry’s guidelines. Which guidelines, we’re not sure. Until today, he has not said what those guidelines are.”
Parliamentary caucus
PKR MP for Klang Charles Santiago said the group is seeking to meet Syed Hamid within two weeks on the issue and “to communicate our concerns on the state of freedom of information and expression”.
“We feel that Makkal Osai’s application should be approved and if the ministry has any concerns, it should make its concerns open for further discussion,” he said
He said the most common question people have asked him in recent days is why the daily has been banned.
“(It is) perceived as a punishment of the Indian Malaysian community who, this time around, voted for the opposition. People are upset. This politics of vengeance has to stop, and the politics of reconciliation has to begin.”
Santiago also announced a PR initiative to start a parliamentary caucus that would press for freedom of information and freedom of expression.
With eight parliamentarians on board already, Santiago said the caucus intends to rope in more PR legislators as well as Barisan Nasional backbenchers.
DAP MP for Serdang Teo Nie Ching said a draft FOI bill has been drawn up in consultation with non-governmental organisations.
On the issue of possible publication of a newspaper in the PR-administered states of Kedah, Kelantan, Penang, Perak and Selangor, there was a slight disagreement among between DAP’s Segambut MP Lim Lip Eng and the others present.
Lim said the Selangor government should consider taking Makkal Osai under its wing so as to exempt it from the shackles of the current licensing provision in the PPPA.
Section 25 (1) of the PPPA states that provisions of the enactment do not extend to any publication by or for the federal or state government.
The other MPs, however, said such a move would not contribute towards development of a vibrant and independent media as the publication would then come under the dictates of the PR-political parties.
“It’s independence of the media - that is what we are all calling for,” said Dzulkifly.
Having announced intended reform of the judiciary and the Anti-Corruption Agency (ACA), Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi should now look at overhauling media laws, said several Pakatan Rakyat (PR) members of Parliament.
At a press conference held at DAP’s Damansara Service Centre, they said the government’s move to loosen its publications licensing regime by allowing opposition PKR to publish its Suara Keadilan party organ and the apparent openness to bloggers are laudable.
However, the decision to revoke Tamil newspaper Makkal Osai’s publishing permit for reasons still not specified, illustrates the need for a complete overhaul of media-related laws, they said.
“Information is cardinal to the practice of democracy... and it is this information that is seen as being stifled and denied,” said PAS MP for Kuala Selangor Dr Dzulkifly Ahmad.
“We are pressing for such draconian laws (as) the PPPA (Printing Presses and Publications Act 1984) to be at least reviewed and subsequently withdrawn or amended to allow the rakyat to have access to information,” he said.
Dzulkifly said a motion will be submitted for a Freedom of Information (FOI) Bill to be debated in Parliament.
DAP MP for Petaling Jaya Utara Tony Pua described as “shocking” Home Minister Syed Hamid Albar’s announcement that Makkal Osai’s licence would not be renewed.
“He has been around the world and has seen how democracy works and we had hoped that he could bring about concrete changes,” said Pua..
“But we were absolutely shocked when he announced that the permit would not be renewed and had been withdrawn due to violation of the ministry’s guidelines. Which guidelines, we’re not sure. Until today, he has not said what those guidelines are.”
Parliamentary caucus
PKR MP for Klang Charles Santiago said the group is seeking to meet Syed Hamid within two weeks on the issue and “to communicate our concerns on the state of freedom of information and expression”.
“We feel that Makkal Osai’s application should be approved and if the ministry has any concerns, it should make its concerns open for further discussion,” he said
He said the most common question people have asked him in recent days is why the daily has been banned.
“(It is) perceived as a punishment of the Indian Malaysian community who, this time around, voted for the opposition. People are upset. This politics of vengeance has to stop, and the politics of reconciliation has to begin.”
Santiago also announced a PR initiative to start a parliamentary caucus that would press for freedom of information and freedom of expression.
With eight parliamentarians on board already, Santiago said the caucus intends to rope in more PR legislators as well as Barisan Nasional backbenchers.
DAP MP for Serdang Teo Nie Ching said a draft FOI bill has been drawn up in consultation with non-governmental organisations.
On the issue of possible publication of a newspaper in the PR-administered states of Kedah, Kelantan, Penang, Perak and Selangor, there was a slight disagreement among between DAP’s Segambut MP Lim Lip Eng and the others present.
Lim said the Selangor government should consider taking Makkal Osai under its wing so as to exempt it from the shackles of the current licensing provision in the PPPA.
Section 25 (1) of the PPPA states that provisions of the enactment do not extend to any publication by or for the federal or state government.
The other MPs, however, said such a move would not contribute towards development of a vibrant and independent media as the publication would then come under the dictates of the PR-political parties.
“It’s independence of the media - that is what we are all calling for,” said Dzulkifly.
PM: ACA to be fully independent
Apr 21, 08 10:32am
Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi today continued with his bold reform agenda by announcing that the Anti-Corruption Agency will be made a fully independent body.
He also announced other reforms today to boost the fight against corruption, including passing new laws to protect whistleblowers and witnesses.
In addition, the number of ACA officers would be tripled in the next five years to enhance the agency capacity to fight corruption.
The premier, at the launch of the first Asean Integrity Dialogue 2008, said that the agency would be made a full-fledged commission by yearend, adding that it would be answerable to Parliament.
He added that the commission would have to table an annual report and be answerable to a parliamentary committee on the prevention of corruption.
"My government will restructure the anti-corruption agency... to become a full-fledged Malaysian Commission on Anti-Corruption," Abdullah said.
"To enhance its effectiveness, transparency and public accountability the new commission structure will be set up to include a system of effective checks and balances," he added.
"It is my fervent hope that by restructuring the (agency), its effectiveness, transparency and accountability will be considerably raised while public trust in its integrity and independence will be quickly renewed."
The government will also take immediate steps to improve the public procurement process through measures targeted at addressing specific problems in the system, he added.
The moves came days after Abdullah announced setting up an independent panel to help appoint judges in senior positions. At present, they are appointed solely by the prime minister.
The judicial institution and the ACA have come under severe pressure in recent years over the government’s interference in both bodies.
The civil society has time and again pressed for an truly independent ACA.
Not populist moves
Abdullah also said that his recently announced reforms were not his ploy of winning back the support of the people after BN’s poor showing in the recent general election.
He said that his detractors would continue to say "something" no matter when he introduced the reforms.
He added that if he had announced the reforms before the elections, he would have been accused of doing these to win votes, and if he did not do it after, they would say that he had forgotten his promises.
"But I do not forget my promises. I attend to them when the time comes," he told reporters after delivering his keynote address at the function.
Abdullah also stressed that these reforms were all part of his 2004 election manifesto, but he was unable to fulfill them in the past four years as there were other urgent matters to handle then.
"The manifesto for 2004 is not just for four to five years in the first term.
"It is intended to take us on the long haul and the Vision 2020 objective is really what we want to achieve. It doesn't matter who will be the prime minister at that time," he said.
"We just can't make reforms for the sake of reforms. There must be a certain objective for reforms. If it is not effective, then the reform doesn't mean anything," he added.
Abdullah won a landslide victory in 2004 on an anti-corruption ticket, but opposition leaders and observers say progress has been slow, with few meaningful reforms.
Unprecedented losses in March polls saw Abdullah come under pressure to quit but the embattled premier says he has a mandate and has pledged to implement all his past promises in his second term in office.
The government has been hit by numerous scandals in recent years with a minister, judges and several politicians facing corruption charges.
Former deputy premier Anwar Ibrahim unleashed a furore last year by releasing a video clip apparently showing a lawyer telling a judge over the phone that he would put him forward for a top job.
A royal commission set up to investigate the tape has yet to submit its findings.
ACA sends reform proposal
A happy ACA director-general Ahmad Said Hamdan today welcomed Abdullah’s decision to restructure the agency.
"It's very good. It is what you want and what people want," he told reporters.
He said that though the commission would remain a part of the civil service and had to report to the government, it would have more freedom and power.
"You have to report to the government. Just to report. What you want is for us to be free during investigation, no interference; that's what we are going to do," he said.
Last week, Ahmad and his deputy Abu Kassim Mohamad had submitted a proposal for the agency to be completely independent and not just an arm of the government.
The body, which is currently under the Prime Minister's Department, will now report directly to a new parliamentary committee - called the Anti-Corruption Committee - which will comprise representatives from both the government and opposition.
Abdullah said the committee would further enhance transparency and public accountability as it could seek clarification on the new body's annual reports.
The prime minister added that a new whistleblower's act would also be introduced to give better protection to those who come forward to testify against corrupt practices.
According to Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Nazri Abdul Aziz, the agency had proposed for ACA to operate in ways similar to the Hong Kong Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC).
The ICAC is one of the most esteemed anti-corruption watchdog in the region and is often touted by civil society groups and opposition parties as a suitable model for ACA, which currently reports to Abdullah's office.
Today's announcement came two days after Abdullah appeared non-committal on ACA reforms when asked by reporters to respond to the agency's proposal.
“I have received the proposal and I would decide on it as soon as possible,” the prime minister told a press conference after officiating the Barisan Nasional MPs retreat.
Make sure it can bite
In an immediate reaction, DAP leader Lim Kit Siang welcomed Abdullah’s belated reform measures but added that more details were needed before an informed judgment can be made of these measures.
He also said that he hoped the new anti-corruption commission does not become as toothless as Suhakam - being independent but completely unable to do anything without the necessary powers and wherewithal to carry out its mandate.
Lim added that Abdullah should keep up with his reform agenda by establishing the Independent Police Complaints and Misconduct Commission (IPCMC) by tabling such a bill in the first meeting of Parliament next week.
He also wants the premier to free the Malaysian mass media from the shackles of the Printing Presses and Publications Act.
Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi today continued with his bold reform agenda by announcing that the Anti-Corruption Agency will be made a fully independent body.
He also announced other reforms today to boost the fight against corruption, including passing new laws to protect whistleblowers and witnesses.
In addition, the number of ACA officers would be tripled in the next five years to enhance the agency capacity to fight corruption.
The premier, at the launch of the first Asean Integrity Dialogue 2008, said that the agency would be made a full-fledged commission by yearend, adding that it would be answerable to Parliament.
He added that the commission would have to table an annual report and be answerable to a parliamentary committee on the prevention of corruption.
"My government will restructure the anti-corruption agency... to become a full-fledged Malaysian Commission on Anti-Corruption," Abdullah said.
"To enhance its effectiveness, transparency and public accountability the new commission structure will be set up to include a system of effective checks and balances," he added.
"It is my fervent hope that by restructuring the (agency), its effectiveness, transparency and accountability will be considerably raised while public trust in its integrity and independence will be quickly renewed."
The government will also take immediate steps to improve the public procurement process through measures targeted at addressing specific problems in the system, he added.
The moves came days after Abdullah announced setting up an independent panel to help appoint judges in senior positions. At present, they are appointed solely by the prime minister.
The judicial institution and the ACA have come under severe pressure in recent years over the government’s interference in both bodies.
The civil society has time and again pressed for an truly independent ACA.
Not populist moves
Abdullah also said that his recently announced reforms were not his ploy of winning back the support of the people after BN’s poor showing in the recent general election.
He said that his detractors would continue to say "something" no matter when he introduced the reforms.
He added that if he had announced the reforms before the elections, he would have been accused of doing these to win votes, and if he did not do it after, they would say that he had forgotten his promises.
"But I do not forget my promises. I attend to them when the time comes," he told reporters after delivering his keynote address at the function.
Abdullah also stressed that these reforms were all part of his 2004 election manifesto, but he was unable to fulfill them in the past four years as there were other urgent matters to handle then.
"The manifesto for 2004 is not just for four to five years in the first term.
"It is intended to take us on the long haul and the Vision 2020 objective is really what we want to achieve. It doesn't matter who will be the prime minister at that time," he said.
"We just can't make reforms for the sake of reforms. There must be a certain objective for reforms. If it is not effective, then the reform doesn't mean anything," he added.
Abdullah won a landslide victory in 2004 on an anti-corruption ticket, but opposition leaders and observers say progress has been slow, with few meaningful reforms.
Unprecedented losses in March polls saw Abdullah come under pressure to quit but the embattled premier says he has a mandate and has pledged to implement all his past promises in his second term in office.
The government has been hit by numerous scandals in recent years with a minister, judges and several politicians facing corruption charges.
Former deputy premier Anwar Ibrahim unleashed a furore last year by releasing a video clip apparently showing a lawyer telling a judge over the phone that he would put him forward for a top job.
A royal commission set up to investigate the tape has yet to submit its findings.
ACA sends reform proposal
A happy ACA director-general Ahmad Said Hamdan today welcomed Abdullah’s decision to restructure the agency.
"It's very good. It is what you want and what people want," he told reporters.
He said that though the commission would remain a part of the civil service and had to report to the government, it would have more freedom and power.
"You have to report to the government. Just to report. What you want is for us to be free during investigation, no interference; that's what we are going to do," he said.
Last week, Ahmad and his deputy Abu Kassim Mohamad had submitted a proposal for the agency to be completely independent and not just an arm of the government.
The body, which is currently under the Prime Minister's Department, will now report directly to a new parliamentary committee - called the Anti-Corruption Committee - which will comprise representatives from both the government and opposition.
Abdullah said the committee would further enhance transparency and public accountability as it could seek clarification on the new body's annual reports.
The prime minister added that a new whistleblower's act would also be introduced to give better protection to those who come forward to testify against corrupt practices.
According to Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Nazri Abdul Aziz, the agency had proposed for ACA to operate in ways similar to the Hong Kong Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC).
The ICAC is one of the most esteemed anti-corruption watchdog in the region and is often touted by civil society groups and opposition parties as a suitable model for ACA, which currently reports to Abdullah's office.
Today's announcement came two days after Abdullah appeared non-committal on ACA reforms when asked by reporters to respond to the agency's proposal.
“I have received the proposal and I would decide on it as soon as possible,” the prime minister told a press conference after officiating the Barisan Nasional MPs retreat.
Make sure it can bite
In an immediate reaction, DAP leader Lim Kit Siang welcomed Abdullah’s belated reform measures but added that more details were needed before an informed judgment can be made of these measures.
He also said that he hoped the new anti-corruption commission does not become as toothless as Suhakam - being independent but completely unable to do anything without the necessary powers and wherewithal to carry out its mandate.
Lim added that Abdullah should keep up with his reform agenda by establishing the Independent Police Complaints and Misconduct Commission (IPCMC) by tabling such a bill in the first meeting of Parliament next week.
He also wants the premier to free the Malaysian mass media from the shackles of the Printing Presses and Publications Act.
Don't get excited yet, say anti-corruption watchdogs
Apr 21, 08 3:14pm
Belated though it may be, the decision to accord full independence to the Anti-Corruption Agency (ACA) received a cautious welcome from constant critics of the current system.
DAP stalwart Lim Kit Siang wrote in a blog-post that it appears to reflect the government’s move to initiate reform to restore public confidence in the ACA.
“Reform measures to restore public confidence in the efficacy, efficiency, independence, impartiality and credibility of national institutions, whether (the) judiciary or the ACA, are welcome as they have been long-awaited by the people,” he said.
However, Lim warned that the ‘new ACA’ should not only be independent nominally but must be spearheaded with utmost commitment in eradicating corruption.
“(Do not become) a second Suhakam (Human Rights Commission of Malaysia) which is tasked to be an independent body to protect and promote human rights but is completely unable to do so without the necessary powers and wherewithal to carry out such a [...] mandate.”
Lim, who is Ipoh Timor member of Parliament, said the government should have originated the move, rather than wait to act on a proposal submitted by the ACA last week.
“This was clearly putting the cart before the horse as it is the prime minister and cabinet who should take the policy decision that they have heard the voices of the people in the March 8 ‘political tsunami’,” he noted.
Abdullah today surprised many with his announcement that his government would implement measures to loosen the government’s grip over the ACA and make it answerable only to Parliament by year’s end.
This is one of four key reform initiatives to address public concerns on corruption.
Activists react
Human rights group Suara Rakyat Malaysia said the people should not get too excited over the decision.
“We must take into consideration the kind of ‘independence’ the ACA will have. Are we talking about full independence or nominal independence?” asked coordinator Moon Hui.
He said the appointment of ACA staff must be done through public consultation via civil society groups, so that the body can be held accountable directly to the people.
The independent anti-corruption group Gerak, headed by Ezam Mohd Nor, said this is “the most significant move taken by the government since the days of reformasi” in initiating change.
A new political will
Meanwhile MCA president Ong Ka Ting also welcomed the announcement today to make the ACA fully independent and answerable to the Parliament.
"We wish to see the performance of the ACA strengthened and a new political will being forged to ensure the independence of the ACA is truly upheld,” he said in a statement today.
“We want the rakyat to understand that the BN government is serious about tackling corruption in the country, both in the public and private sectors.
“Accountability must also be all encompassing to include the integrity of the entire system and respect for the moral values of our society," he added.
He said that it was through the collective responsibility of the Parliament that decisions can be made, without fear or favour over the cases.
Belated though it may be, the decision to accord full independence to the Anti-Corruption Agency (ACA) received a cautious welcome from constant critics of the current system.
DAP stalwart Lim Kit Siang wrote in a blog-post that it appears to reflect the government’s move to initiate reform to restore public confidence in the ACA.
“Reform measures to restore public confidence in the efficacy, efficiency, independence, impartiality and credibility of national institutions, whether (the) judiciary or the ACA, are welcome as they have been long-awaited by the people,” he said.
However, Lim warned that the ‘new ACA’ should not only be independent nominally but must be spearheaded with utmost commitment in eradicating corruption.
“(Do not become) a second Suhakam (Human Rights Commission of Malaysia) which is tasked to be an independent body to protect and promote human rights but is completely unable to do so without the necessary powers and wherewithal to carry out such a [...] mandate.”
Lim, who is Ipoh Timor member of Parliament, said the government should have originated the move, rather than wait to act on a proposal submitted by the ACA last week.
“This was clearly putting the cart before the horse as it is the prime minister and cabinet who should take the policy decision that they have heard the voices of the people in the March 8 ‘political tsunami’,” he noted.
Abdullah today surprised many with his announcement that his government would implement measures to loosen the government’s grip over the ACA and make it answerable only to Parliament by year’s end.
This is one of four key reform initiatives to address public concerns on corruption.
Activists react
Human rights group Suara Rakyat Malaysia said the people should not get too excited over the decision.
“We must take into consideration the kind of ‘independence’ the ACA will have. Are we talking about full independence or nominal independence?” asked coordinator Moon Hui.
He said the appointment of ACA staff must be done through public consultation via civil society groups, so that the body can be held accountable directly to the people.
The independent anti-corruption group Gerak, headed by Ezam Mohd Nor, said this is “the most significant move taken by the government since the days of reformasi” in initiating change.
A new political will
Meanwhile MCA president Ong Ka Ting also welcomed the announcement today to make the ACA fully independent and answerable to the Parliament.
"We wish to see the performance of the ACA strengthened and a new political will being forged to ensure the independence of the ACA is truly upheld,” he said in a statement today.
“We want the rakyat to understand that the BN government is serious about tackling corruption in the country, both in the public and private sectors.
“Accountability must also be all encompassing to include the integrity of the entire system and respect for the moral values of our society," he added.
He said that it was through the collective responsibility of the Parliament that decisions can be made, without fear or favour over the cases.
Najib: I'm not a coward
Apr 21, 08 8:25pm
Deputy Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak today dismissed a claim by former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad that he was a coward for failing to speak up about the real reasons behind the Barisan Nasional's dismal performance in the recent general election.
"I'm not a coward," the Umno deputy president said when asked to comment on Mahathir's claim made in Manchester, England, on Saturday.
Mahathir had said that he had second thoughts about Najib becoming the prime minister because the former prime minister claimed that Najib was not "brave enough" to directly say anything that was not liked by Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi.
According to Bernama today, Najib said: "It is not a question of being 'Mr Yes Man' or being not brave enough or afraid because I hold to the principle that the best way is to have an organised transfer of power, in a respectable way.”
“That would be meaningful and would determine that the party's interests are not undermined," he told reporters.
The deputy prime minister said Umno's history would show that the transfer of power from the first prime minister, the late Tunku Abdul Rahman Putra Al-Haj, to Abdul Razak Hussein proceeded smoothly.
"The late Hussein Onn handed over the office of prime minister to Mahathir also in a proper way, with tradition dictating the best way practised in the party.
"In my opinion, that's the best way and method for us to execute a change in the country's leadership, as was stated by the prime minister and party president," he said.
Give a chance
He said the transfer of power should be given the chance to take place in a respectable way as all decisions in the short term would have an impact on Umno.
"If we do anything at this time, when Umno and BN are not as strong as they were prior to the general election, we will need time to rehabilitate Umno," he said.
He said disputes and friction would definitely take place and result in two or three factions in the party, which would weaken Umno and the BN.
"We cannot afford to allow such a situation to take place in the party, which can cause a major problem for the government and country," he said.
In the aftermath of the general election Mahathir has been very critical of Abdullah’s governance, many a times asking the premier to step down in favour of Najib.
However lately Mahathir has said that he was not sure if Najib would be a suitable prime minister, suggesting that there were others in the party who could eventually become the top leader.
For the past two years Mahathi
In recent
Deputy Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak today dismissed a claim by former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad that he was a coward for failing to speak up about the real reasons behind the Barisan Nasional's dismal performance in the recent general election.
"I'm not a coward," the Umno deputy president said when asked to comment on Mahathir's claim made in Manchester, England, on Saturday.
Mahathir had said that he had second thoughts about Najib becoming the prime minister because the former prime minister claimed that Najib was not "brave enough" to directly say anything that was not liked by Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi.
According to Bernama today, Najib said: "It is not a question of being 'Mr Yes Man' or being not brave enough or afraid because I hold to the principle that the best way is to have an organised transfer of power, in a respectable way.”
“That would be meaningful and would determine that the party's interests are not undermined," he told reporters.
The deputy prime minister said Umno's history would show that the transfer of power from the first prime minister, the late Tunku Abdul Rahman Putra Al-Haj, to Abdul Razak Hussein proceeded smoothly.
"The late Hussein Onn handed over the office of prime minister to Mahathir also in a proper way, with tradition dictating the best way practised in the party.
"In my opinion, that's the best way and method for us to execute a change in the country's leadership, as was stated by the prime minister and party president," he said.
Give a chance
He said the transfer of power should be given the chance to take place in a respectable way as all decisions in the short term would have an impact on Umno.
"If we do anything at this time, when Umno and BN are not as strong as they were prior to the general election, we will need time to rehabilitate Umno," he said.
He said disputes and friction would definitely take place and result in two or three factions in the party, which would weaken Umno and the BN.
"We cannot afford to allow such a situation to take place in the party, which can cause a major problem for the government and country," he said.
In the aftermath of the general election Mahathir has been very critical of Abdullah’s governance, many a times asking the premier to step down in favour of Najib.
However lately Mahathir has said that he was not sure if Najib would be a suitable prime minister, suggesting that there were others in the party who could eventually become the top leader.
For the past two years Mahathi
In recent
Pak Lah should press 'nuclear button'
Ong Kian Ming and Oon Yeoh Apr 21, 08 11:48am
analysis In the last year of a two-term US president, he is usually considered a lame duck president, referring to his inability to pass any significant legislation because of the lack of political capital.
We argue that if even if Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi manages to somehow survive beyond the December Umno general assembly, he would most likely be a lame duck prime minister for the rest of his term.
There is already mounting pressure on Abdullah to set a timetable for a succession plan with specific timelines and dates spelt out. Many of Umno’s top leaders have thrown their support behind Deputy Prime Minister Najib Razak.
Abdullah himself has come out to say that he would eventually pass on the reins to Najib. The question here is if Abdullah wants to serve out another full term (three to four years let’s say) before handing over that position to Najib or whether he will be pressured to set a much shorter deadline of between one to two years.
It is extremely unlikely that Abdullah can maintain the support of a majority of Umno leaders if he insists on staying the full term. Their support of Abdullah at the general assembly will be contingent on Abdullah setting a relatively short handover timetable. Abdullah, not noted for being confrontational, unlike his belligerent predecessor, will probably accede to such a request. Although he would prefer to have a full term as the PM, he will probably have to settle for much less.
Hence, we will be faced with the reality of a short-term PM who will have all the appendages of a lame duck. He has already lost political capital as a result of the disastrous 2008 election results. He faces an Umno grassroots that is rabidly against him and a leadership that is increasingly fractured and itching for a fight for the top post.
Most importantly, once he announces the succession timetable, many of the Umno leaders as well as Barisan Nasional component party leaders will be looking to Najib for leadership and direction rather than Abdullah. They would be looking to Najib to spell out how he will fight off Pakatan Rakyat, rebuild Umno and lead BN to a convincing victory in the next general elections.
Ministers, civil servants and business leaders will continue to pay lip service to Abdullah and give him due respect as a PM, but his ability to push through significant legislative measures or make certain appointments will be severely circumscribed. If Abdullah, with a 91% control of parliament could not follow through with his 2004 electoral promises, what can he realistically do with only 63% of parliamentary seats and five states under opposition control?
Many people will no doubt point out that his predecessor Dr Mahathir Mohamad also had a long goodbye yet he was by no means a lame duck. The similarities are only superficial. Mahathir differed from Abdullah in two important respects.
Firstly, he managed to deflect Anwar’s challenge by safely winning more than two-thirds of parliamentary seats in 1999. Secondly, up until the last minute, there was uncertainty as to whether he would actually step down as PM and let Abdullah take over. Both these reasons ensured that Mahathir was not a lame duck although he had a succession timetable in place.
It would seem like Abdullah is caught between the devil and the deep blue sea. If he doesn’t set a timetable, there will continue to be unrest within Umno. If he sets a timetable, he becomes a lame duck. In many ways, he’s damned if he does and he’s damned if he doesn’t.
Use the ‘nuclear’ option
Given this reality, it might be in Abdullah’s interest to leave a strong political legacy by exercising a ‘nuclear’ option. Imagine if he were to institute a series of far-ranging legislative reforms by co-opting the opposition MPs and using the strength of public opinion.
Why not abolish the ISA (Internal Security Act), reform the UUCA (Universities and Universiti Colleges Act), give the Election Commission actual independence, get rid of the PPPA (Printing Presses and Publications Act), and so on?
Surely there will be strong resistance from within his cabinet and Umno and probably within BN as well. But it would be hard for them to block such moves if Abdullah really goes all out for it and positions these actions as a response to the GE 2008 results.
No doubt this is political suicide for him but if his days as PM are already numbered, why not go out in a blaze of glory? In one fell swoop, he would be seen as a greater PM than even Mahathir and he would have the satisfaction of denying his nemesis Anwar Ibrahim the chance to be the man turn Malaysia into a true democracy.
Unfortunately, nothing about Abdullah tells us he will do anything remotely close to this. His much-hailed proposals for judicial reforms do not look impressive in the cold light of day. The setting up of a judicial commission still puts the ultimately authority to nominate judges in the hands of the PM.
In any event, this commission might take a long time to set up. An esteemed lawyer reminded us in a recent blog posting that it took seven years for Suhakam to be set up. Even then, it did not have any real teeth in influencing policy.
The radical legislative measures we suggested above could be carried out in a much shorter time frame. And for each of them, he can count on 82 opposition MPs backing it fully.
These are exactly the kind of reforms that everyone had hoped he would do the first time around. It’s now pretty late in the game now, and the window of opportunity is fast closing, but he can still do it if he wants to. Don’t hold your breath, though.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ONG KIAN MING is a PhD candidate in political science at Duke University and OON YEOH is a writer and new media analyst. You can listen to both of them discuss this topic in their Realpolitik podcast.
analysis In the last year of a two-term US president, he is usually considered a lame duck president, referring to his inability to pass any significant legislation because of the lack of political capital.
We argue that if even if Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi manages to somehow survive beyond the December Umno general assembly, he would most likely be a lame duck prime minister for the rest of his term.
There is already mounting pressure on Abdullah to set a timetable for a succession plan with specific timelines and dates spelt out. Many of Umno’s top leaders have thrown their support behind Deputy Prime Minister Najib Razak.
Abdullah himself has come out to say that he would eventually pass on the reins to Najib. The question here is if Abdullah wants to serve out another full term (three to four years let’s say) before handing over that position to Najib or whether he will be pressured to set a much shorter deadline of between one to two years.
It is extremely unlikely that Abdullah can maintain the support of a majority of Umno leaders if he insists on staying the full term. Their support of Abdullah at the general assembly will be contingent on Abdullah setting a relatively short handover timetable. Abdullah, not noted for being confrontational, unlike his belligerent predecessor, will probably accede to such a request. Although he would prefer to have a full term as the PM, he will probably have to settle for much less.
Hence, we will be faced with the reality of a short-term PM who will have all the appendages of a lame duck. He has already lost political capital as a result of the disastrous 2008 election results. He faces an Umno grassroots that is rabidly against him and a leadership that is increasingly fractured and itching for a fight for the top post.
Most importantly, once he announces the succession timetable, many of the Umno leaders as well as Barisan Nasional component party leaders will be looking to Najib for leadership and direction rather than Abdullah. They would be looking to Najib to spell out how he will fight off Pakatan Rakyat, rebuild Umno and lead BN to a convincing victory in the next general elections.
Ministers, civil servants and business leaders will continue to pay lip service to Abdullah and give him due respect as a PM, but his ability to push through significant legislative measures or make certain appointments will be severely circumscribed. If Abdullah, with a 91% control of parliament could not follow through with his 2004 electoral promises, what can he realistically do with only 63% of parliamentary seats and five states under opposition control?
Many people will no doubt point out that his predecessor Dr Mahathir Mohamad also had a long goodbye yet he was by no means a lame duck. The similarities are only superficial. Mahathir differed from Abdullah in two important respects.
Firstly, he managed to deflect Anwar’s challenge by safely winning more than two-thirds of parliamentary seats in 1999. Secondly, up until the last minute, there was uncertainty as to whether he would actually step down as PM and let Abdullah take over. Both these reasons ensured that Mahathir was not a lame duck although he had a succession timetable in place.
It would seem like Abdullah is caught between the devil and the deep blue sea. If he doesn’t set a timetable, there will continue to be unrest within Umno. If he sets a timetable, he becomes a lame duck. In many ways, he’s damned if he does and he’s damned if he doesn’t.
Use the ‘nuclear’ option
Given this reality, it might be in Abdullah’s interest to leave a strong political legacy by exercising a ‘nuclear’ option. Imagine if he were to institute a series of far-ranging legislative reforms by co-opting the opposition MPs and using the strength of public opinion.
Why not abolish the ISA (Internal Security Act), reform the UUCA (Universities and Universiti Colleges Act), give the Election Commission actual independence, get rid of the PPPA (Printing Presses and Publications Act), and so on?
Surely there will be strong resistance from within his cabinet and Umno and probably within BN as well. But it would be hard for them to block such moves if Abdullah really goes all out for it and positions these actions as a response to the GE 2008 results.
No doubt this is political suicide for him but if his days as PM are already numbered, why not go out in a blaze of glory? In one fell swoop, he would be seen as a greater PM than even Mahathir and he would have the satisfaction of denying his nemesis Anwar Ibrahim the chance to be the man turn Malaysia into a true democracy.
Unfortunately, nothing about Abdullah tells us he will do anything remotely close to this. His much-hailed proposals for judicial reforms do not look impressive in the cold light of day. The setting up of a judicial commission still puts the ultimately authority to nominate judges in the hands of the PM.
In any event, this commission might take a long time to set up. An esteemed lawyer reminded us in a recent blog posting that it took seven years for Suhakam to be set up. Even then, it did not have any real teeth in influencing policy.
The radical legislative measures we suggested above could be carried out in a much shorter time frame. And for each of them, he can count on 82 opposition MPs backing it fully.
These are exactly the kind of reforms that everyone had hoped he would do the first time around. It’s now pretty late in the game now, and the window of opportunity is fast closing, but he can still do it if he wants to. Don’t hold your breath, though.
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ONG KIAN MING is a PhD candidate in political science at Duke University and OON YEOH is a writer and new media analyst. You can listen to both of them discuss this topic in their Realpolitik podcast.
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