Tuesday, March 31, 2009

Langkah Desperate..

Dilarang sentuh Altantuya di Bkt Gantang
Mar 31, 09 12:33pm Malaysiakini.com

kemaskini 6.55pm Polis melarang penceramah PKR di Bukit Gantang mengulas isu pembunuhan Altantuya Shaariibuu yang sering dikaitkan dengan kes kenalan dekat timbalan perdana menteri, Abdul Razak Abdullah Baginda.

Sewaktu pembantu ADUN Sepetang, Tai Sing Ng ke balai polis Taiping semalam, beliau diberikan senarai larangan tambahan tersebut dalam program pada pilihanraya kecil parlimen itu yang sedang berlangsung. Dihubungi Malaysiakini hari ini, Lau Teck Hai apabila beliau bertanyakan arahan tersebut kepada seorang pegawai berpangkat ASP, "beliau hanya tersenyum".

Dalam arahan yang sama, polis juga melarang penceramah "mempersoalkan keputusan yang dibuat oleh institusi raja. "Larangan ini dipercayai bagi menghalang Pakatan Rakyat menjelaskan krisis perlembagaan dan peralihan kuasa Perak antara pembangkang dengan BN sejak Februari lalu. Kerajaan campuran DAP, PAS dan PKR masih mendakwa mereka sah mentadbir negeri itu walaupun BN melantik menteri besarnya Datuk Dr Zambry Abdul Kadir.

Susulan itu, sesetengah pihak menyifatkan pilihanraya kecil ini "pungutan suara" terhadap Datuk Seri Najib Razak, yang terlibat dalam rampasan kerajaan negeri itu, dan menteri besar gabungan pembangkang Datuk Seri Mohammad Nizar Jamaluddin, kini sebagai calon PAS. Beliau dicabar calon BN Ismail Saffian dan Kamarul Ramizu Idris (bebas) pada 7 April ini. Keputusan mahkamah kes pembunuhan wanita Mongolia itu akan diketahui dua hari selepas pilihanraya ini. Abdul Razak, yang dituduh bersubahat dengan dua anggota polis Unit Tindakan Khas (UTK) cif inspektor Azilah Hadri dan koperal Sirul Azhar Umar, dibebaskan daripada kes tersebut.

Isu Altantuya sering menjadi bahan kempen pembangkang untuk memburukkan Najib dengan mengaitkan wanita itu dengan bakal perdana menteri itu. Najib bagaimanapun menafikan pernah mengenalinya. Mengulas larangan itu, PKR berikrar akan mengabaikannya dan mencabar polis menyiasat mereka jika berbuat demikian.

Selain dua larangan tersebut, polis juga menuntut PKR mengawal kehadiran orang ramai yang mendengar ceramahnya. "Jika kehadiran melimpah hingga di luar kawasan permit yang dipohon, pihak polis akan mengambil tindakan," larangan itu dipetik.

Polis juga melarang jentera PAS mengadakan ceramah lebih 11 malam di kawasan kampung. Dalam kenyataan lewat petang, Menteri Dalam Negeri Datuk Seri Syed Hamid Albar berkata kementeriannya mengeluarkan arahan tersebut bagi ketiga-tiga kawasan pilihanraya, termasuk DUN Bukit Selambau di Kedah dan DUN Batang Ai di Sarawak.

Komen: Desperate measures atau langkah terdesak ini menonjolkan amalan salah guna kuasa masih berleluasa. Sebelum ini perlu diingat 'Harakah' dan 'Siasah' telah digantung untuk beberapa bulan. Selepas ini tidak tahu apa lagi langkah desperate yang akan dilaksanakan. Persaingan dengan itu berlaku dalam gelanggang yang tidak adil atau tidak sama rata. Orang yang berlawan dalam masa yang sama menjadi referee, meletakkan sempadan dan mengubah sempadan menurut convenient mereka. Dalam fikirannya ia akan berjaya menyekat pengaruh parti tertentu, namun tidakkah ia ingat kepada pepatah Inggeris,... "kita boleh menarik kuda ke sungai... tetapi kita tidak boleh memaksanya minum". Kita boleh memaksa pengundi mendengar apa yang kita benarkan sahaja, tetapi apakah ia akan menutup fikiran mereka untuk memikirkan perkara selain dari itu...?

Monday, March 30, 2009

Sangsi dgn KPI SUHAKAM - Bukan Gred A

Usaha turunkan status Suhakam di PBB
Mar 30, 09 7:54pm Malaysiakini.com

Sekumpulan besar NGO Malaysia terus mendesak badan antarabangsa yang memantau institusi hak asasi nasional di seluruh dunia ICC agar tidak lagi memberikan "status A" kepada Suruhanjaya Hak Asasi Manusia Malaysia (Suhakam).
Penurunan status suruhanjaya itu kepada "B" membawa akibat ia hanya dibenarkan sebagai pemerhati dan tidak boleh menyertai perbahasan di Majlis Hak Asasi Manusia Pertubuhan Bangsa-bangsa Bersatu (PBB) dan "status C" bermakna sama sekali gagal mematuhi Prinsip Paris, syor kebebasan institusi hak asasi di sesebuah negara."

(Jika Suhakam dikekalkan status A), tindakan ini akan memberikan keabsahan terhadap tindakan kerajaan Malaysia membuat pindaan sewenang-wenangnya tanpa berunding dengan pihak berkepentingan, termasuk NGO, dan juga pindaan (Akta Suhakam) yang bersifat permukaan, " kata 46 pertubuhan itu dalam surat yang ditujukan kepada ICC hari ini.

Pada 25 Mac lalu, Parlimen secara tergesa-gesa meluluskan Rang Undang-undang (Pindaan) Suruhanjaya Hak Asasi Manusia Malaysia bagi membolehkan ia diiktiraf oleh ICC seperti diarahkan sejak April tahun lalu. Namun, kumpulan NGO itu mempertikaikan pindaan-pindaan tersebut – mengenai pelantikan yang dibuat oleh Yang di-Pertuan Agong melalui nasihat perdana menteri – dengan alasan ia tidak memenuhi kehendak ICC yang mahu "proses pelantikan dan pemberhentian anggota Suhakam dibuat secara telus."

Dalam surat mereka kepada pengerusi jawatankuasa kecil semakan akreditasi institusi hak asasi nasional ICC David Langtry, NGO Malaysia berkata pindaan tersebut tidak banyak perbezaannya dengan Akta Suhakam 1999 yang dibuat tanpa merujuk masyarakat sivil dan kebebasannya diragui.

NGO tersebut termasuklah Aliran Kesedaran Negara (Aliran), Suara Rakyat Malaysia (Suaram), Pertubuhan Jamaah Islah Malaysia (JIM), Gabungan Persatuan-persatuan Pengguna Malaysia (Fomca), Sisters in Islam (SIS) dan Pertubuhan Pertolongan Wanita (WAO).

Komen: KPI atau key perfomance index Suhakam diragui. Memang aneh dlm beberapa tahun kebelakangan ini index hak asasi kita menurun, index transparensi dan korupsi juga merudum ..di tengah - tengah laungan Islam Hadhari, Modal Insan, pertukaran BPR kepada SPRM dll yang digagaskan. Sementara itu meletus pula kes Kugan, pertukaran agama, perebutan mayat dll yang memperkukuh kesangsian. NGO yang tidak puas hari lalu membawa kes ini ke PBB. Harapan besar kepimpinan baru membawa perubahan .. pemerhati politik sentiasa memerhatikan, secara dekat. Demikian juga NGO2 dunia ini, mereka memerhati dengan dekat.

Khairy - The Son In Law

Heavy duty for Khairy
28 Mar 09 : 7.12PM Bernama

KUALA LUMPUR, 28 March 2009: Perhaps it is fair to say that the foremost challenge facing Umno Youth after its elections, is changing the negative perception about the movement from within and outside the party.

This definitely includes the negative perception of its leader Khairy Jamaluddin, who was constantly booed by the delegates each time his name was mentioned at the party's general assembly which ended, here, today.

This kind of reception was also given to Khairy, who is Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi's son-in-law, when he won the Umno Youth deputy head post uncontested in the party elections five years ago.

"People think that he won because of money politics. This perception is difficult to avoid," political observer Assoc Prof Dr Ahmad Nidzammuddin Sulaiman told Bernama today.

Many political observers also see this negative perception posing as a bigger challenge for Umno and Barisan Nasional (BN) when they face the opposition in three by-elections simultaneously — Bukit Gantang in Perak, Bukit Selambau in Kedah and Batang Ai in Sarawak — on 7 April.
Before the party elections, Khairy who is also the member of parliament for Rembau, was issued a warning by the Umno disciplinary board by breaching the party's code of ethics involving money politics.

Nidzammuddin said what was important now was for Khairy to overcome the negative perception about him. "If the perception is that he is unapproachable and arrogant, Khairy has to change his ways in dealing with people. He has to prove that he is the opposite of what people think of him," he said.

Khairy had also often been accused of "calling the shots" behind the administration of Abdullah which Khairy denied.

Another political observer, Assoc Prof Dr Muhammad Agus Yusoff, however, said the Umno Youth chief should be given the chance to defend himself and lead the movement as he was democratically chosen by the delegates. "Those who reject Khairy are rejecting the democratic process in Umno Youth. "The perception of whether he was involved in money politics or not is a secondary issue. He should be given the chance to prove himself," said Muhammad Agus who did not dismiss the possibility of the opposition using the Khairy issue to score points in the three by-election campaigns.

In the movement's elections on 25 March, Khairy defeated Jerlun member of parliament Datuk Mukhriz Mahathir, 44, who had received the most nominations, and former Selangor Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Dr Mohamad Khir Toyo, 43, to lead the movement. He obtained 304 votes against Dr Mohamad Khir's 254 and Mukhriz's 232.

"Khairy is under tremendous pressure. If he can overcome the negative perception and reunite the movement's members, eventually he will win respect," said a Khairy supporter who declined to be identified. After chairing the Umno Youth executive committee (exco) meeting for the first time yesterday, Khairy was bombarded with questions from the media on the negative perception about him and how he would deal with them in the run-up to the three upcoming by-elections.

"My first priority is to ensure that among the elected exco members, there is a commonality of purpose, solidarity, team spirit and commitment to the movement's agenda. "Most importantly, I have good support from (Datuk) Razali (Ibrahim), my deputy. As far as I'm concerned, after the results, there will be some dissatisfaction. But we have decided to put this aside and continue with our agenda," he said.

Political analysts feel that Khairy needs to really work hard to change the negative perception about him because traditionally, the head of Umno Youth will be appointed as BN Youth chief. If he doesn't change, Khairy will be just a 'village champion', they say. —

Comment:
1st. He needs to strengthen the UMNO Youth unity. At the Sidang they were so divided, and looked like they were at war, shouting to each other.. and he was accused as liar and corrupt. 2nd. He needs to clean up his image. He was warned by the disciplinary board, I guess the damage has been done. But in UMNO it is not the members who go to vote, but only the reps. If you can "win" them (which is about 800+) you'll get it. 3rd. He must bring the youth into a new, transparent, accountable and clean image. Bear in mind that the current UMNO Youth under him is being scrutinised all the time. One wrong step... you'll get it and we are afraid the father in law has no more magic power to save him.

Sunday, March 29, 2009

Habis di PWTC berpusu-pusu ke Bukit Gantang..

Perubahan Umno 'tiada kesan' di Bkt Gantang
Ali Bukhari Amir Mar 29, 09 2:17pm MALAYSIAKINI

Perubahan kepemimpinan dalam Umno kepada Datuk Seri Najib Razak dan timbalannya Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin tidak akan memberi kesan kepada pengundi parlimen Bukit Gantang, kata dua pengamat politik.

Pensyarah sains politik Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) Dr Ahmad Nidzammuddin Sulaiman berkata peralihan kuasa itu - dan juga pertemuan mengejut mantan perdana menteri Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad dengan penggantinya Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi - semalam hanya meredakan pergolakan dalaman parti itu.


Beliau, yang turut meninjau perkembangan di kawasan parlimen itu hari ini, berkata masyarakat dan pengundi belum tentu mengubah tanggapan mereka sebelum ini terhadap kerajaan. "Sengketa Dr Mahathir-Abdullah itu adalah pergolakan dalaman parti, sedangkan pilihan raya kecil membabitkan parti-parti politik yang berbeza pendirian. "Jadi, saya tidak fikir perdamaian itu akan mempengaruhi keputusan pengundi," katanya kepada Malaysiakini.

Seorang lagi pensyarah sains politik UKM, Dr Mohammad Agus Yusoff juga mempunyai pendapat yang sama - perubahan Umno itu tidak akan memberikan kesan kepada pengundi Melayu di kerusi tersebut. "Ia tidak memberi kesan segera kepada para pengundi Melayu dan pengundi muda. Jadi, saya tidak dapat memberikan komen berhubung hal itu. "Yang penting, biarlah pilihanraya kecil itu berlangsung terlebih dahulu dan barulah kita tahu apa kesan selanjutnya," katanya, sambil menegaskan bahawa dalam politik, tiada musuh yang kekal.

Perdamaian Abdullah-Dr Mahathir itu yang disifatkan langkah positif kepada Umno, tambah Dr Mohammad Agus, ahli-ahli Umno bermungkinan lebih bersemangat mendepani pilihanraya itu. "Tapi, bukankah semua itu hanya sekadar sentimen," kata beliau. "Ia bukan ukuran yang tepat (untuk menunjukkan Umno akan menang)." Pilihanraya kecil Bukit Gantang yang bermula hari ini menyaksikan persaingan sengit calon PAS Datuk Seri Mohamad Nizar Jamaluddin dengan calon BN Ismail Safian yang dianggap "referendum" terhadap Najib dan menteri besar Pakatan Rakyat itu. Ia dimeriahkan lagi dengan kehadiran calon bebas Kamarul Ramizu Idris.

Sementara itu, mengulas pilihanraya kecil Bukit Selambau, Dr Ahmad Nidzamuddin berkata kemenangan presiden MIC Datuk Seri S Samy Vellu bagi penggal tidak memberikan kesan kerana pengundi Melayu memainkan peranan penentu di kerusi DUN itu."Pelantikan (kembali) Samy Vellu tidak memberi apa-apa kesan ke atas pilihanraya di sana kerana di situ ramai pengundi Melayu. "Pengundi Melayu yang akan menentukan keputusannya nanti," katanya. Calon MIc Datuk S Ganesan menggalas cabaran BN bagi berdepan dengan muka baru PKR S Manikumar bersama 13 calon bebas - menjadikan pilihanraya kecil ini merekodkan sejarah paling ramai di Malaysia.

Komen: Baru kembali dari tinjauan 1 di Bukit Gantang. Minggu hadapan akan naik sekali lagi dan akan terus ke Bukit Selambau juga. Hingga kini kelihatan PAS lebih mendahului dari sudut kegiatan, jentera, poster, bendera, kehadiran kepimpinan pusat dan sebagainya. Bilik gerakan BN atau UMNO masih banyak yang terbiar kosong... mungkin selepas penamaan calon tadi baru mereka bertindak lebih aktif. Tinjauan dengan penduduk juga kelihatan berat sebelah. Penyokong fanatik juga kelihatan di sini dengan kata-kata yang agak kesat ditujukan kepada pihak lawan. Pasukan polis yang berjaga-jaga kelihatan amat besar ketumbukannya seolah-olah Bukit Gantang hendak berperang!!! Tuan-tuan pegawai polis yang berkuasa... ini hanya pilihanraya kecil.

Curruption, Cronyism, and Power Abuse Prevail

Fudzail
http://1426.blogspot.com/2009/03/stupidiest-among-morons-of-united-malay.html
Friday, March 27, 2009
United Malay National Organisation Delegates


Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi delivering his last speechas Umno president at the Umno General Assembly at PWTC, Thursday. - 26 March, 2009After reading through those motions by most United Malay National Organisation's delegates in the assembly, I list some of the stupidiest here:-

Overseas Umno clubs representative Wan Md Hazlin Hassan called on the government to ban the Egypt-based Malay students organisation PMRAM as it was dominated by the opposition. Wan Hazlin urged that PMRAM must be banned and the scholarships of students who join PMRAM must be revokedRead why UMNO club hates PMRAM so much HERE

Selangor delegate Ismail Tijo meanwhile alleged that the Malays have never been treated this bad especially by the federal opposition led by Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim. "They insulted the Malays as is if we have no dignity left. And then there is Anwar Ibrahim who wants to make the status of the Malays the same as others," said Ismail referring to Pakatan Rakyat campaign platform, Ketuanan Rakyat (People's Supremacy).

Puteri Umno representative Mazlina Lazim told delegates that the government must ensure Umno loyalists are given positions in government-linked-companies (GLCs). "If Umno doesn't help Umno members who else would do that," she said.

Umno Youth delegate Nor Said Nayan, Langkawi, Kedah said that Pakatan Rakyat is an illegal coalition as it is not registered. We must from now on not use the term ‘Pakatan’ and the media should stop giving them free publicity.
Musa Sheikh Fadzir, Bukit Mertajam, Penang: When others question our religion, our special rights, who defends the Malays? Us, Umno. But when we try to defend ourselves, our leader gets a three-year suspension (referring to Ahmad Ismail).
People always say don’t play money politics. But this is a political organisation. If we don’t have money, how are we supposed to come to this AGM in Kuala Lumpur? “Those days, an application for a taxi permit would require the endorsement of an Umno branch or division chief. If the branches and divisions are strong, then Umno will be strong again.”

Hasnoor Sidang Hussin, Bukit Katil, Malacca said high-ranking appointments in government-linked companies and higher learning institutions should be reserved for Umno members. “So, just like the president said about returning Umno to its roots, let’s bring Umno back to its glory days where we controlled everything.” He cited the example of UiTM vice chancellor Datuk Seri Ibrahim Abu Shah who was a party loyalist.

Musa’s call was also echoed by a Malacca delegate, Datuk Hasnoor Husin, who also urged the government to ensure that only Umno loyalists be appointed to senior positions in public universities. “Please make sure the faculty members are all Umno men, and the same goes for other civil servants,” said Hasnoor. “The soft approach is not going to cut it. We should try and take the hard approach next on the opposition,” said Mohd Afendi Yusof, a Youth delegate from Kelantan.


“He can promise you everything, he can even promise you the front and the back,” said Zaidi in an apparent insinuation to Anwar’s sodomy case. “The biggest mistake we ever did was to free Anwar (from jail),” he added and was accompanied by stomps from the floor.

Comment: Don't they realize that all those remarks were being recorded. Don't they realize that this assembly was scrutinised by all kinds of media locally and internationally... and they don't even know what they were saying... all those statements have confirmed most of the allegations made towards UMNO lately. The new President in his speech asked UMNO for change and reform, but the reps keep insisting on the corrupt practice and power abuse to perpetuate. Recomended extra reading.. http://1426.blogspot.com/2009/03/perhimpunan-derhaka.html

Saturday, March 21, 2009

No red carpet this time..?

Ku Li: Possible for king not to name Najib as PM
Malaysiakini. Koh Shing Yee, Nash Rahman & Steven Gan Sunday, March 22, 2009

It is possible that Agong Tuanku Mizan Zainal Abidin may not appoint Najib Abdul Razak as prime minister despite being Umno president, said Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah.

Razaleigh, a veteran Umno leader, pointed to last year's decision by the king, who is also Terengganu sultan, in refusing to endorse the Umno leadership's nominee Idris Jusoh as menteri besar for his state. Eventually Umno backed down and the king's choice, Ahmad Said, became menteri besar.

"He (the king) could probably appointed someone other than the man nominated by the party," said Razaleigh, a Kelantan prince and uncle of Sultan Ismail Petra. Razaleigh was asked by Malaysiakini to comment on former de facto law minister Zaid Ibrahim who had on Wednesday urged the king not to appoint Najib as PM.

Going gets tough for BN
Razaleigh also said that Barisan Nasional will face a "tough" fight in the next general elections, expected to be held in three years.
“Don't forget, there are going to be six million new voters, so we've been told - two million who missed the vote in the last election and the four million others in the coming years. So you have six million plus who will be testing us.” He said that the ruling coalition will find it difficult to win the April 7 bellwether by-election in Bukit Gantang - a parliamentary seat in Perak that will be a ‘referendum’ on the BN takeover of the state government there.

Razaleigh, 71, a former finance minister, was a heartbeat away from becoming prime minister in 1987 after a power struggle within Umno in which he challenged Dr Mahathir Mohamad for party president and lost by a wafer-thin majority of 43 votes. He had since ran twice for Umno presidency - in 2004 against Abdullah Ahmad Badawi and more recently against Najib Abdul Razak. But both times he failed to secure the required nominations from Umno divisions to qualify for the contest.
Interestingly, Razaleigh said he “cannot see” Najib resorting to repressive measures against his critics when he becomes prime minister. “If he wants to improve his image with the people then he has to come clean. You have ways, go to the court or do things that will be accepted by the people - not to use force or power because that will put him in a worse position that he is experiencing now.”

The following is the second of a four-part interview conducted at Razaleigh’s palatial home-cum-office in Ampang dubbed as the ‘White House’. Malaysiakini: Zaid made a hard-hitting speech urging the king not the appoint Najib because he is seen to be tainted. What's your view on that? Razaleigh: That seems to be the talk everywhere. People are not happy with the way things are happening - Perak, here, and because of that, it prompted people like Zaid to say all these things which otherwise would only be whispered in coffee shops and offices. Do you expect the king not to appoint Najib as PM? You can never tell, because you never thought the king would move to appoint a different person to head the government of Terengganu.

He is no longer the sultan of Terengganu when he became the Agong, yet because he felt strongly about the situation in his own state, he decided to function also as the ruler of Terengganu. He could probably appointed someone other than the man nominated by the party. Seeing that Najib will be PM, how is he going to be different from Abdullah? What do you expect from a Najib government? You are asking a very unfair question, he is not even PM yet. He is a ‘play safe’ chap from my knowledge of Najib. It is very difficult to say anything much more about him. And because of that, it is very difficult to compare (him with Abdullah) because he hasn't started (as PM).

But he did show his hand somewhat, such as the Perak takeover…The Perak takeover is in a mess. The (second economic) stimulus is also not bearing fruits, it's not effective. Zaid said he expects a little more repression, a reversal of democratic opening...I normally associate repressive measures with people who are weak. If Najib is as strong a personality as he tends to portray, then he wouldn't adopt repressive measures. He would adopt repressive measures if there is a ‘war’, you know, not being able to fight back democratically, then he would use all the instruments (of power) in his disposal. He has to do something to bring the party back together again. But whether he could do it or not, that's another matter. We are in a very unique position today.

Previously the party was strong, and although there maybe divisions but because of the strong representation of the party in Parliament and at the state government level, whatever divisive forces taking place within the party did not mar the party’s performance. But Najib, to some extend, is being pushed to the corner. The opposition is getting stronger. We have not seen him being pushed to the corner yet.
He is, after all, going to win uncontested as president of Umno, and it's a sure thing for him to be prime minister because Abdullah is going to let go (of the post) and let him take over. I see no necessity for him to do otherwise other than accept what is coming to him. But do you expect him to impose repressive measures? I cannot see, I cannot see.

Most people would say that they expect Najib to be… Yes, a lot of people say that, but I cannot see. Why?What for? If he assumes power, he has all that power to exercise and there is nothing in the way that will obstruct him. In Parliament, he has the majority; he does not need to do things to stop the opposition from obstructing his action. But he does have an image problem.
If people out there continue to throw mud at him, like the Altantuya case, he would have to respond. Well, by not using (state) power. I think he has to come clean with the public. If he wants to improve his image with the people then he has to come clean.

You have ways, go to the court or do things that will be accepted by the people - not to use force or power because that will put him in a worse position that he is experiencing now. Will Umno survive the next general election? Tough, very tough. In fact, I'm not so sure we could win in Bukit Gantang. We have a good candidate, but depending on the voter turnout, we don't know whether we can make it or not. After all, we lost that seat in the general election and we may not be able to recover unless the voters come out, but with what is happening in Perak, and the economy - people are losing their jobs - I think it is going to be very tough for us.

What about Bukit Selambau?Even Bukit Selambau, because of the MIC's position today - it’s not being able to give leadership or direction. Again, I think it is going to be tough. Batang Ai? There is a lot of defection to PKR. I've not been there, but I think all three by-elections are going to be tough for us. You've mentioned a number of times about the need for reforms in Umno.
Do you think the party can really reform itself? It depends on the leader. If the leader genuinely demonstrates that he honestly wants to bring about changes, then I think he could get the support and get the reforms. But if he does not show or demonstrates that he wants reform, then I don't think he will get that support.

If you look at other countries, the ruling party would have to lose power before it would reform itself. I'm not suggesting that we should lose power; I don't think the Malays are going to see Umno lose power. But on the other hand, we can never really tell, because nobody in power thought we were going to lose that badly on March 8 in 2008, but there you are, we lost - we lost five states and we lost two-thirds majority in Parliament.

But this time around, I think the voters may put us to test, and we may lose, or we may not lose very badly, depends on how the leadership shape things. You mean the voters in the next general election? Yes, next general election, because don't forget that there are going to be six million voters coming in, so we've been told - two million who missed the vote in the last election and the four million others in the coming years. So you have six million plus who will be testing us.

Umno has always been getting support from the rural areas, do you think in the coming general election they will enjoy the same support? Yes and no, it depends on how well the people find us, whether we have serve them well, and of course like I said, even in Bukit Gantang, things are not going to be favourable to the government. So it's going to be very tough for the government to go around making the voters happy. It's not going to be easy. Posted by barred at 3/22/2009 12:40:00 AM

Comment:
People were looking forward to the transfer of power to the new PM. Previously we looked forward to Dr. M replacing Dato' Hussein Onn and Pak Lah replacing Dr. M. Why doesn't this happen now? Instead, unwelcoming remarks keep emerging, from veterans, the young ones and the oppositions.. not to mention the kopitiam versions.. There must be something bothering them.. Let's hope all these excuses are for the sake of the nation, not political rivalry or personal vendetta. One interesting event to look at... since there is no farewell for the cabinet, can Pak Lah create history..?.. or is he too late for that.. hope you can read in between these lines..

Friday, March 20, 2009

Not Too Fast Datuk Seri...

http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2009/3/19/nation/20090319113747&sec=nation
Thursday March 19, 2009 MYT 11:37:00
Limbang claim not discussed
AMMIRI: Brunei's Second Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade Datuk Seri Lim Jock Seng has denied that claims on Limbang were discussed during the meeting between Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah and Malaysian Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi.

Speaking at the Brunei legislative council meeting on Tuesday, he said the discussion that led to the signing of the Letters of Exchange (LoE) in Bandar Seri Begawan on Monday was on the demarcation of land boundaries on the whole. "Certain press reports yesterday (Monday) claimed that Brunei has dropped claims over Limbang. In fact, the claim on Limbang was never discussed," he was reported as saying by Brunei's local daily, Borneo Bulletin, Wednesday.

He said a joint press statement was issued after the meeting which mentioned that the demarcation of the land boundaries between the two countries would be resolved on the basis of five existing historical agreements between the Government of Brunei and the State of Sarawak, and, as appropriate, the watershed principle. "After that, a working group comprising general surveyors of the two countries will follow with the technical aspect to solve the land border issue," Lim added.
Limbang: Partially sandwiched by Brunei lands.

Abdullah, at a news conference with Malaysian journalists after the signing of the LoE on Monday, said that Brunei had officially dropped its longstanding territorial claim over Limbang, Sarawak's northernmost division. He said the matter was part of the historic LoE inked between him and Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah at Istana Nurul Iman in Bandar Seri Begawan. "It has been stated in the LoE that Brunei has dropped the issue and this means that Limbang is part of Malaysia," he was quoted as saying.

Limbang, located on the banks of Sungai Limbang between the two halves of Brunei and covering an area of 3,978 sq km with a population of more than 40,000, was annexed by James Brooke, the first Rajah of Sarawak, in 1890 as the fifth division of Sarawak. - Bernama

Comment:
I was quite astonished when I first heard the news and thought that this is amazing.. Our 'Mr. Clean' can still score a fantastic goal in injury time of his remaining days. Not long after that however the 'goal' was not allowed. You see.. the power of reporting plays an important role here.. we thought that it was a "good score" but we were easily misled. So.. my friends... "when in doubt.. always double check.. perhaps the linesman's flag is up."

Monday, March 16, 2009

Kenapa Gobind Singh digantung dari Parlimen

Najib dituduh pembunuh di Dewan Rakyat
Harakah Daily Abdul Aziz Mustafa Fri Mar 13, 09 3:31:20 am MYT

KUALA LUMPUR, 13 Mac (Hrkh) - Timbalan Perdana Menteri, Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak diherdik dengan kata-kata "Kamu pembunuh!" dalam sidang Dewan Rakyat semalam.

Ahli Parlimen Puchong, Gobind Singh Deo melemparkan kata-kata tersebut terhadap Najib ketika perbahasan peringkat jawatankuasa Rang Undang-undang Perbekalan Tambahan 2009 (Pakej Rangsangan Kedua). Perkara itu juga berlaku sebaik sahaja Najib menggulung perbahasan peringkat dasar rang undang-undang berkenaan.

Gobind pada mulanya menyatakan kehairanannya kenapa kerajaan membelanjakan wang yang banyak untuk membina bangunan dan infrastruktur sedangkan wang itu sepatutnya digunakan untuk memastikan sistem keadilan berjalan dengan baik. Beliau kemudiannya membangkitkan isu kematian A Kugan di dalam lokap polis di balai polis Subang Jaya. Sehingga hari ini, katanya, "tidak ada sesiapa pun yang didakwa berikutan kematian Kugan".
Meneruskan pertanyaannya, perkara yang sama juga berlalu dalam pembunuhan Altantuya Shaariibuu, kata beliau. Ahli Parlimen Puchong itu merujuk kepada kenyataan pegawai penyiasat kes tersebut, Supt Gan Tack Guan yang bersetuju dengannya di dalam perbicaraan terhadap Raja Petra Kamarudin bahawa Najib adalah saksi penting dalam kes pembunuhan Altantuya tetapi masih belum memberikan kenyataan.

"Seorang pegawai polis bersetuju dengan saya bahawa Najib adalah saksi penting pembunuhan beliau (Altantuya)," katanya. Timbalan Speaker Datuk Ronald Kiandee segera mengingatkan Gobind supaya jangan membangkitkan isu tersebut kerana perkara itu sedang dibicarakan di mahkamah tetapi Ahli Parlimen Puchong itu terus menuntut Najib menjawab persoalan yang dibangkitkannya.

Gobind terus diherdik oleh ahli-ahli Parlimen Barisan Nasional (BN) termasuk Ahli Parlimen Rompin, Datuk Seri Jamaludin Jarjis. Ketika itulah Najib hendak bangun meninggalkan dewan. Melihat Najib mahu meninggalkan dewan, Gobind terus memanggil Najib dan menuduh beliau pembunuh: "Saya belum habis dengan kamu. Tolong duduk... Ahli Parlimen Pekan, awak di sini, bangun dan jelaskan. "Jawab (soalan) saya, kamu pembunuh!"

Najib kembali ke tempat duduknya dan terus berdiam diri. Ketika peristiwa itu berlaku, isterinya Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor dan dua anaknya berada di galeri awam sebagai pemerhati persidangan.
Selepas berkali-kali mengarahkan Gobind berhenti membangkitkan perkara itu, Kiandee mengarahkan Ahli Parlimen Puchong itu keluar dewan. Keputusan Timbalan Speaker itu dibantah oleh ahli-ahli Parlimen pembangkang dan berlakulah jerit-menjerit antara ahli-ahli Parlimen BN dan pembangkang termasuk menjeritkan perkataan 'bodoh' dan sebagainya.

Gobind kemudiannya bangun dan menyatakan kepada Kiandee: "You should be ashamed of yourself (Anda patut malu dengan diri anda)" dan kemudian diiringi oleh bentara keluar dewan.
Komen:
Tuduhan ini dipecayai merupakan ekoran dari kenyataan bersumpah Sirul yang didedahkan oleh Akhbar Peranchis "Liberation" dua minggu lepas. Gobind mendesak siasatan dilakukan tetapi dilihat oleh Ahli Parlimen lain sebagai keterlaluan. Beliau digantung setahun dari dewan dan keputusan ini dibantah oleh ahli pembangkang dan terus bertindak meninggalkan dewan. Persoalannya, selepas setahun, apakah isu ini akan senyap dan menjadikan beliau lebih takut untuk menyebutnya. Apakah tindakan ini juga menjadikan ahli parlimen lain merasa terancam kedudukannya untuk menyuarakan isu ini. Menarik minat diperhatikan...

Sunday, March 15, 2009

Pendapatan Bulanan Exco Selangor didedah

MB, Exco S'gor isytihar harta
Malaysiakini.comMar 13, 09 10:28am

Selangor hari ini mengumumkan pemilikan aset menteri besar dan barisan exconya dalam tempoh setahun sejak Mac 2008 di laman web rasmi kerajaan negeri. Laman web itu - www.selangor.gov.my - memuatkan maklumat aset selepas jam 6 petang ini.

Exco pelaburan dan perdagangan Teresa Kok mempunyai pendapatan bulanan sebanyak RM32,830.67, sementara jumlah tanggungannya RM2,246.92 sebulan. Exco hal-ehwal agama Dr Hassan Ali pula RM17,722.08 (pendapatan) dan RM12,781 (tanggungan). Exco pelancongan Elizabeth Wong, yang sedang bercuti susulan isu foto bogel, mendapat RM17,722.08 dan membayar hutang kad kredit RM2,000 sebulan. Exco perumahan Iskandar Abdul Samad RM17,722.08 (pendapatan) dan RM2,527 (tanggungan). Rodziah Ismail, exco kebajikan, RM18,122.08 (pendapatan) dan RM3,830.25 (tanggungan). Ronnie Liu Tian Khiew, exco kerajaan tempatan, RM20,722.08 (pendapatan) dan RM4,657 (tanggungan). Exco pertanian Yaakob Sapari mendapat RM17,722.08 dan menanggung RM1,598.99. Exco kesihatan Dr Xavier Jayakumar RM17,722.08 (pendapatan) dan RM2,270 (tanggungan). Exco pendidikan Dr Halimah Ali mendapat RM17,722.08 dan menanggung RM7,238.50.
Semua maklumat pendapatan barisan exco ini tidak termasuk perolehan pasangan masing-masing. Maklumat aset menteri besar sendiri bagaimanapun setakat 8.45 malam ini belum dimuatkan di laman web tersebut. Perisytiharan itu dititahkan dalam ucapan Sultan Selangor sewaktu baginda merasmikan persidangan Dewan Undangan Negeri (DUN) awal minggu ini.

Komen: Moga ia menjadi pencetus kepada DUN lain agar semuanya mengisytihar harta secara publik. Tingkat transparensi yang tinggi hanya akan melonjakkan penghormatan. Jika tidak ada pengumpulan harta secara tidak sah, kenapa perlu takut untuk didedahkan... Syabas Exco Selangor!!! Pendapatan boleh berbeza kerana ada Exco yang menjadi Ahli Parlimen atau jawatan lain serentak..

Thursday, March 12, 2009

Lagi Pendedahan Penyelewengan Khir Toyo semasa MB

Semuanya bermula dengan Khir Toyo memainkan isu Lembu Korban yang digunakan MB Tan Sri Khalid untuk diberi kepada orang ramai sempena hari korban. Ia didakwa menggunakan budget negeri. Sebagai reaksi pemimpin Pakatan, satu persatu rahsia atau penyelewengan kepimpinan negeri yang terdahulu didedah kepada orang ramai. Beberapa hari sebelum ini mereka mendedahkan bagaimana Isteri pemimpin BN negeri dahulu didakwa pergi ke Disneyland Tokyo & beberapa tempat melancong lain. Hari ini pendedahan bertambah lagi...

Azmin provokasi lagi Dr Khir Toyo
Malaysiakini.com Jimadie Shah Othman Mar 12, 09 1:00pm

Azmin Ali (Bukit Antarabangsa) mendakwa agensi pelancongan yang menguruskan perjalanan ke luar negara bekas menteri besar Selangor itu ada "hubungan kekeluargaan" dengan Dr Mohamad Khir. "Adakah menteri besar sedia maklum, syarikat itu Green Adventure Holiday Sdn Bhd mempunyai kaitan keluarga dengan mantan menteri besar (Dr Mohamad Khir)?" katanya ketika mengemukakan soalan tambahan mengenai kos perjalanan ketua kerajaan negeri itu. "Apakah langkah bagi memastikan perkara ini tidak berulang, apabila satu syarikat memonopoli perjalanan menteri besar ke luar negara. "Pemimpin PKR itu sebelumnya mengemukakan soalan bertulis berhubung kos perjalanan Dr Mohamad Khir sebagai menteri besar dan agensi yang menguruskannya.

Dalam jawapannya, Menteri Besar Tan Sri Abdul Khalid Ibrahim berkata kos tambang bagi 21 perjalanan udara bekas menteri besar itu dari September 2001 hingga Januari tahun lepas berjumlah RM349,134. Destinasi-destinasi yang dikunjungi termasuklah London, Beijing, Los Angeles, Dubai, Tokyo, Seoul, Taipei, Paris, Perth, Milan, Venice dan Amsterdam.
Tambah Abdul Khalid, perangkaan itu tidak termasuk jumlah kos seperti penginapan, makanan dan minuman serta kos-kos lain yang berkaitan kerana ia masih dalam semakan. Menjawab dakwaan Azmin tentang syarikat itu, menteri besar berkata pihaknya tiada bukti untuk mengaitkan Dr Mohamad Khir dengan agen perjalanan itu. Tambahnya, kerajaan negeri bawah pimpinannya membuat keputusan melantik syarikat pelancongan Tourism Selangor Sdn Bhd untuk menguruskan perjalanan bagi pihak kerajaan negeri. Bagi mengelakkan amalan monopoli dalam hal ini, kerajaan negeri juga mengalu-alukan agen-agen perjalanan lain untuk turut serta.

"Tapi setakat ini kita dapati kebanyakan exco lebih berminat untuk membeli tiket secara dalam talian terutama syarikat penerbangan AirAsia kerana kos yang tinggi jika melalui agen," katanya. Azmin semalam membangkitkan beberapa isu yang ditujukan terhadap Dr Mohamad Khir, yang juga ketua pembangkang di DUN itu.

Isu-isu itu termasuklah pemberian jam mahal RM150,000 sewaktu menjawat pengerusi anak syarikat kerajaan negeri PNSB, perbelanjaan Badan Amal dan Kebajikan Isteri-isteri Selangor (Balkis) ke Disneyland di Tokyo dan Hong Kong, dan juga pembelian hartanah di Arab Saudi. Ditemui ketika sidang berhenti rehat tengah hari tadi, Azmin berkata Green Adventure Holiday bukan sahaja memonopoli perjalanan menteri besar tetapi juga perjalanan exco negeri dan anak syarikat kerajaan negeri Kumpulan Darul Ehsan Bhd (KDEB). Katanya, perkara ini dapat dikesan dua hingga tiga bulan sebelum ini. Bagaimanapun, tambahnya, terdapat juga satu atau dua syarikat lain yang terlibat tetapi penglibatan mereka terhad.
Diminta mendedahkan identiti ahli keluarga Dr Mohamed Khir, Azmin berkata beliau difahamkan, terdapat ahli keluarga terdekat wakil rakyat Sungai Panjang yang mempunyai kepentingan dalam syarikat tersebut. Ditanya sama ada kes itu akan diajukan kepada siasatan Jawatankuasa Pilihan Khas Mengenai Keupayaan, Kebertanggungjawaban dan Ketelusan (Selcat) DUN, beliau berkata "tidak pasti". Azmin juga menjangkakan perkara itu akan disentuh sewaktu penggulungan menteri besar dalam sidang DUN nanti.
Saari Sungib (PAS-Hulu Kelang) juga turut mengkritik Dr Mohamed Khir di sidang dewan itu, dengan mendakwa isteri bekas menteri besar itu menyalahgunakan kenderaan mahal sebuah anak syarikat kerajaan negeri. Pendedahan itu menimbulkan keberangan Dr Mohamed Khir apabila mereka berdua dilaporkan bertekak di lobi bangunan DUN tengah hari tadi.

Komen:
Selepas pendedahan ini siang tadi Khir Toyo melepaskan barannya di lobi (http://www.malaysiakini. com/news/100124) memarahi Saari Sungib yang membawa tuduhan tersebut. Demikian putaran roda dunia. Apabila di atas orang menghormati, mengiringi ke mana sahaja kita pergi. Baju disemat bunga dan kompang dipalu dengan kehadiran kita. Apabila putaran kita di bawah,... kita dilihat seperti sampah, dimaki dan dinista, apa lagi jika memang banyak melakukan penyalahgunaan kuasa.!!! Moral of the story, bagi yang sedang ada di atas, berhemahlah dalam segala keputusan, kerana kita sentiasa diperhati dan kelak diadili...

Tuesday, March 10, 2009

Surprise!... Surprise...!! Surprise...!!!

Pak Lah has lunch with Anwar

http://1426.blogspot.com/2009/03/pak-lah-has-lunch-with-anwar.html
Someone would not be sleeping well tonite....but I guess, politics is the art of possible and majority of us have enough of politicking and let's move on....
Mar 10, 09 8:50pm
Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi today had lunch with Opposition Leader Anwar Ibrahim at a function in Hulu Langat, Selangor.

The presence of the two leaders at the same table raised eyebrows as well as questions on whether the outgoing premier and the waiting-to-be premier are working on a political pact. While some in the opposition camp, including PKR Youth chief Shamsul Iskandar Md Akim, have denied that there was a "secret meeting" between the duo, this however has not been able to stop the speculation. And the question is ultimately linked to the transition of power between Abdullah and incoming premier Najib Abdul Razak, which is slated to take place later this month. It is common knowledge that Abdullah has been arm-twisted into handing over the reins following Barisan Nasional's disastrous performance in the last elections. On the same note, it is also an open secret that the opposition would prefer Abdullah at the helm instead of his deputy. The lunch between the two leaders took place at a the house of a religious school head some three hours before Najib unveiled the RM60 billion stimulus package in Parliament at 4pm.

Abdullah and Anwar, both of whom are known for their religious credentials, were invited by the school for the Maulid Rasul (Prophet Muhammad's birthday) celebrations.

Crowd was stunned
Political writer Mohd Sayuti Omar, who was also at the function, said he was informed by the organiser that the duo had talks regarding Abdullah remaining in power. In his blog, Mohd Sayuti said the crowd of about 1,000 were anticipating Anwar's arrival but were stunned when the prime minister showed up. "Abdullah was expected to visit the school tomorrow to officiate a meeting of international ulamas. His presence this afternoon raised questions since it coincided with Anwar's visit," he added. According to Mohd Sayuti, Abdullah arrived at school some 20 minutes before Anwar and his wife Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail. "The two of them were taken to (head of the religious school) Syeikh Mahmud Al-Mazjub's house for lunch. They were in the house for nearly two hours.

"The duo then performed their Zohor (afternoon) prayers together," he said, adding that the two later smiled and shook hands. "What happened today was historical, we hope it works!" Mohd Sayuti quoted an organiser of the event as saying.

The latter however declined to comment on whether the meeting between the duo was pre-arranged. On the same note, the political writer also questioned what the organiser had meant when he said: "We hope it works."

In his blog, Anwar said: "There have been too many assumptions and interpretations regarding our presence at the event."

(Pic also From Fudzail blog)
Comment:
Politics is the art of possible. As Lord Palmerstone once said, there is no permanent friend or enemy in politics..but permanent interests. March dateline is the transition power of UMNO President to the Deputy. That does not necessarily mean transition of PM power to the Deputy. I guess they were talking about that. If Anwar and the Opps. plus 30 or so Pak Lah supporters from BN continue to give their vote of confidence to him, I think Pak Lah will remain as PM since he still command majority of the assembly... will it happen?? That is politics, and as we see up there.. politics is the art of possible.

Wednesday, March 4, 2009

French newspaper reveals identity of Altantuya’s alleged assassins

Who Killed Altantuya?
From Susan loone's blog.
Wednesday, March 04, 2009

The French Liberation newspaper has revealed intriguing details and updates of the Altantuya Shariibuu case. The writer Arnaub Dubus has visited Ulanbataar and Kuala Lumpur, and returns with several new information regarding the case. One compelling paragraph states that:

A report from the Malaysian police, written on 19th november 2006 and which has been kept secret until now, reveals dry and precise descriptions as to how this young woman, a member of Asian high society, has been killed. In this document, one of the killers, a policeman of the Malaysian Special Branch named Sirul Omar, replied to the questions of an officer at a police station close to the murder scene. “When the Chinese woman saw that I was taking a gun, she begged me to spare her, saying she was pregnant. Azilah (the commanding officer of Sirul) grabbed her and [threw] her on the ground. I immediately shot the left side of her face. Then Azilah took off her clothes and put them in a black plastic bag. Azilah noticed that her hand was still moving. He ordered me to shoot again, which I did”, said Sirul. This is the first confirmation of Altantuya’s assassins’ identity. “Then we carried her body into the woods. Azilah wrapped the explosives around her legs, her abdomen and her head, and we exploded her.

Inside is an English Version of the report: The Altantuya Shaaribuu’s Case : How and why she was killed? (First published in Liberation French newspaper, 5th of March 2009):

Comment: I just updated my page an hr ago but couldn't resist sharing with u all this informative piece that I just received via my hotmail. For further detail please surf Fudzail blog http://1426.blogspot.com/2009/03/who-killed-al.html. Coincidently, this piece is brought forward now ... approaching the Umno election date... An intriguing news for people like us ... but a nightmare for somebody else...

Is party hopping democratic..?

Dilemma over defections
By HARIATI AZIZAN & RASHVINJEET S. BEDI Star Sunday Feb 8, 2009

The political impasse in Perak may have been resolved but it has sparked fears of similar crises in other states and raised questions on the purpose of voting. HOIST on his own petard. That is the saying that comes to mind with the recent political developments in Perak. PKR leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has been “caught in his own trap, involved in the danger he meant for others”. The Brewer definition of this phrase could not be more apt.

What Anwar protractedly and publicly dangled – a crossover of Barisan MPs from Sabah to the Pakatan Rakyat (PR) alliance – after the March 8 elections came to nought. But the Barisan, using the same plot and with great stealth, took hold of the Perak state government in the blink of eye. It has certainly been an eventful week for the state that is celebrating its Ruler’s silver jubilee. Ibrahim: ‘When there is a defection, the people feel cheated to a certain degree’ In that short time, the nation witnessed the fall of the PR Government when three elected PR representatives quit their respective political parties to be Independents “friendly” to Barisan. Party-hopping is by no means a new phenomenon in Malaysia as political defections have been witnessed in Sarawak, Kelantan and Sabah over the years with state governments switching hands as a result.

But should elected representatives be allowed to defect or hop to another party? This question is on the lips of many now and then – in the wake of the shocking March 8 general election – when almost immediately, talk of party-hopping and change of party alliances had been rife. Defections are not seen in a sympathetic light by voters. Merdeka Centre’s programme director Ibrahim Suffian says based on feedback the centre has received, most Malaysians – 60-80% of voters – vote for a political party rather than the candidate.

“When there is a defection, the people feel cheated to a certain degree. The majority would be upset, especially if they had voted for that person (involved in the defection). “At the recent Kuala Terengganu by-election, for example, we asked people what the important criteria was for them when voting. Most of them said they looked at the party’s policy and leadership rather than the candidate.” Tanvir Singh, a voter, couldn’t agree more with him. “When we make our selection, the choice is based on the party logo or name, not the candidate’s name or face,” he says.

This accounts for so many unknowns with little or no track record securing seats in the last election. Ibrahim shares that the candidate as a personality would carry more weight with voters who are less ideological or are undecided. “After all, in an election, most people would not know enough about the new candidates but they would know what the party stands for,” says Ibrahim.

Review laws
According to Syed Jamaluddin Syed Noh, acting chairman of election watchdog Malaysians for Free Elections (Mafrel), legally, the people have no say in this matter. “The people have to live with the decision because in this situation, the provision that a government can be formed with a simple majority applies.” It has definitely upset those who voted for PR, making them feel frustrated or betrayed but by law, the decision stands and people have to accept it,” he says.
All that the rakyat (public) can do for now, he says, is to mark it as a lesson learnt and exercise their right to vote carefully in the next elections.

Tunku Abdul Aziz: Was against Anwar’s plans for cross over from the start.
“That is why from day one, Mafrel has pushed for electoral reforms to make the system more democratic. “Our current system may be conducive to defections and buyouts; it is not healthy, so we need to look at how they can be deterred. We also need to review the procedures and processes as well as some legal aspects in our system.” He says another protection for voters is to enact an anti-hopping law.

“If we are going to have all this wheeling and dealing from both sides, we need to enforce a law that can guarantee political stability for the people,” he adds. Former de-facto law minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Zaid Ibrahim, a strong advocate of anti-hopping legislation, shares that when he proposed it last March, it was poorly received by parliamentarians from both sides of the political divide. “I know how politicians will be tempted to switch parties by inducement, so that’s why I proposed the anti-hopping law, but no one was interested. I did not get enough support from either side, probably at that time they felt that it would be more beneficial for them not to have such a law. Among the leaders, I remember only Karpal Singh and (Datuk) Nik Aziz supported me.”

One argument that has been used against the anti-hopping law is its contradiction to one’s freedom of association as enshrined in the Federal Constitution; in 1992, the High Court even declared a state anti-hop law unconstitutional on that basis. As Umno’s official lawyer Hafarizam Harun argues, although elected representatives are accountable to their constituents, they also need to stay true to their personal conscience. “When you go into the assembly, you don’t only represent the party and the people, you also represent yourself. So, while we take note of people’s sentiments, we cannot deprive the elected state representatives of their right to freedom of association. I believe that it is the right of the state assemblymen to switch parties if they want to,” he opines.

He says the Perak state representatives did not switch parties but instead declared independence from their old parties. “Then in this case, it is slightly different; you cannot argue that they were immoral or unethical,” he argues, rubbishing allegations that they were induced to leave their respective parties. “How can you say they were given inducements? They did not join BN. If they had joined BN, then it might have been a different matter,” he says. Zaid however strongly believes that Malaysian democracy has not reached the necessary level of maturity to be without an anti-hopping law. “Party-hopping has been a common practice in Malaysia for so long and we cannot guarantee that our candidates have sufficient education or the character and integrity not to be tempted by inducements. “It is different in a mature democracy, you don’t need such a law because you can be confident that we can trust the candidates and their personal conscience and know that they will not easily hop parties when induced with lots of money or other rewards.”He argues that sacrificing such personal freedom is a necessary evil for the country to attain political stability. “No law is perfect, so you have to see which difficult issues you want to address. If it is for political stability, then I think we can sacrifice this personal freedom. And we have done this before – we have restrictions on the freedom of assembly because we want to have public order. We can do it if there is political will for reform,” adds Zaid.

DAP vice-chairman Tunku Abdul Aziz is another personality who has always supported such legislation. He shares that he was against Anwar’s plans for crossing over from the start. “I made my position clear when Anwar Ibrahim started the talk about people crossing over to Pakatan Rakyat. I believe that it is unethical. Secondly, people elected on a certain party ticket owe it to the people who put them there and the party of which they are members,” he says.

Stressing that ethics and moral principles should be observed or the political situation would descend into chaos, as what happened in Sabah in 1994, Abdul Aziz nonetheless concedes that the crux of the problem is that “the concept of morality simply does not work in our political arena.” PKR vice-president R. Sivarasa, however, is not fully against party-hopping. He explains that in the Malaysian context, politicians have no other choice, due to the addition of Article 48(6) into the Federal Constitution in the 1980s, which states that a person who has resigned from the House of Representatives would be barred from taking office for five years.

Double oppression
The Article is believed to have been introduced to deal with the situation of Datuk Shahrir Samad who resigned as an Umno MP but won the subsequent by-election as an independent candidate in 1988. “In other countries where true democracy is held, they will resign from their seat because it was the ethical thing to do. But here, if say you don’t identify with your party and have to cross, it is unavoidable (to hop),” he says. Sivarasa says he opposes the introduction of the anti-hopping law without the removal of the particular clause in the Federal Constitution because it is akin to double oppression. Constitutional law expert Prof Shad Saleem Faruqi meanwhile believes that there are various ways to enact the anti-hopping law without compromising personal liberties.

As he had written in The Star last year, one way of enacting a federal law against defection is by enacting constitutional amendments to the Article 10(2)(c) (freedom of association) and Article 48 (disqualification for membership of Parliament). He also highlighted that party-hopping can cause political instability and collapse of the duly elected government of the day. When interviewed recently on the Perak crisis, he says: “Party-hopping is a despicable activity no matter which party does it. Not only does it bring shame to the political process, it is also a bad way to form a government. It will be a bad precedent if a government is formed by relying on support by defectors.”

»Party hopping is a despicable activity no matter which party does it. Not only does it bring shame to the political process, it is also a bad way to form a government« PROF SHAD SALEEM FARUQI Prof Shad Saleem says he personally favoured a dissolution to let the people decide but concedes that the move would involve a substantial amount of expenditure and disruption at the expense of the people, which he is confident the Sultan had taken into account when making his decision. However, he warns that in the long run, appointing a new government without dissolution will have an adverse impact on the parties involved. “I say with sadness that if a new government is appointed without a dissolution, the new government will win the battle but in the long run, will lose the war as the people will not forgive or forget. “A government that comes to power by wheeling and dealing leaves a bad taste in the mouth. The democratic thing to do is to go back to the people,” he adds.

Where you can or can’t hop
- There are no anti-defection provisions in the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, United States or in one of the long established European democracies. Bolivia, Fiji, India, Namibia, Papua New Guinea, South Africa, Trinidad and Tobago, Vanuatu, Zambia and Zimbabwe have anti-defection laws. - In Germany, MPs do not have to resign from parliament if they leave their party. Germany has gone so far as to have written into its basic law that a member is responsible first and foremost to his or her conscience. - In Portugal, members resigning from their parties may remain as independents but cannot join other parties.

- Dr Ahmad Nidzamuddin, political science lecturer in Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) says that Sri Lanka enacted a law in 1978 which required those who switched parties to step down from their seats, leaving them vacant until the next general election. Defections happen in UK but mainly on a matter of principle. For example, MP Paul Marsden quit the ruling Labour Party and joined the Liberal Democrats because he opposed the Afghanistan war in 2001.

Comment: Party hopping is legally accepted as pointed by Sivarasa but it is totally morally wrong!!! You denied wishes of the people voted for you. Muddle in Perak case should be blamed to the three frogs who opted to hop.

Sunday, March 1, 2009

Kali ini kita berteka-teki..... siapa gerangan...?

Dongeng cucu-cicit baginda Razak
Hishamuddin Rais Dec 6, 08 2:14pm- Malaysiakini.com

Ya ampun baginda Razak, hamba menulis surat ini kepada tuan hamba agar ia dapat dibaca oleh anak cucu-cicit kita semua. Hendaknya apabila kita semua berada di alam baka nanti, maka anak cucu-cicit kita akan membaca kembali surat hamba kepada tuan hamba.Ya ampun! Ya ampun baginda, hamba telah mendengar surah dongeng labun tuan hamba. Hamba bersama teman dan sahabat dengan syok lagi tawadhu' melopong ternganga apabila tuan hamba membuka mulut.

Apabila tuan hamba bercakap bahawa kebenaran hanya diketahui Allah, maka meleleh air mata hamba hingga ke lohong paha. Tidaklah pernah hamba melihat satu makhluk tuhan yang begitu jujur bersilat lidah. Inilah agaknya rahmat Yang Maha Esa yang telah dikurniakan ke atas tuan hamba. Tidak pernah hamba terlihat seorang syadu, seorang sufi atau seorang dukun dapat membelit seperti tuan hamba. Cakap tuan hamba di sidang itu benar-benar melainkan semua tidak benar belaka.

Ya ampun baginda Razak, hamba juga turut berasa gundah-gulana apabila terdengar berita kematian Puteri Mongolia. Hamba bertambah sedih lagi sayu apabila hamba diberitahu bahawa puteri ini adalah gundek simpanan Yang Teramat Mulia Raja Muda yang bakal menjadi raja sekalian rakyat jelata. Hamba juga mendengar khabar berita tentang betapa cemburunya permaisuri ketika mengetahui bahawa ada gundek yang lebih disayangi daripada baginda ratu. Telah tersebar ke seluruh Melaka tentang api murka yang keluar terpancar dari dada tuan permaisuri Raja Muda.

Ya ampun baginda tuan, api murka permaisuri ini bukan datang secara tiba-tiba. Adalah menjadi dongeng rakyat Melaka setiap permaisuri yang akan naik ke atas takhta, maka badannya wajib diukur dan dikira. Telah tersebar ke pelosok kampung dan kota, telah diketahui rakyat jelata tentang berita susuk permaisuri Raja Muda melebihi seekor anak gajah simpanan Tun Bendahara. Adalah menjadi perangai dan sifat anak-anak muda Melaka membuat lawak dan jenaka terhadap badan permaisuri Raja Muda. Dari apa yang hamba menerima berita, inilah punca yang menimbulkan angkara murka. Permaisuri Raja Muda telah mengetahui betapa ramping, langsing lagi ranggi pinggang Puteri Mongolia. Mengikut yang empunya cerita, cemburu melimpah marah bertambah. Mengikut kata yang empunya surah, seorang Tamil dari negara atas angin telah datang bersumpah di hadapan Balai Rong Seri bersama mudim dan pari-pari bahawa si Tamil legam itu mengetahui bahawa Raja Muda kita berkemudi di buritan kapalnya.

Ya ampun baginda Razak, sahihlah dongeng berita Raja Muda "makan di luar dan suka makan di dalam". Makan di depan, makan di belakang telah menjadi nikmat pilihan Raja Muda kita. Ya ampun baginda, "makan depan, makan belakang" ini adalah surah yang dipungut dan dikutip oleh si Tamil dari mulut tuan hamba sendiri.

Ya ampun tuan hamba, bukanlah niat hamba untuk membuat fitnah, jauh lagi untuk mencerca nama baik tuan hamba. Niat hamba untuk memberitahu seantero negara bahawa apa yang tuan hamba suarakan di sidang itu hanyalah dongengan karut semata-mata. Adalah hamba berjanji kepada rakyat Melaka untuk melaporkan duduk perkara sebenar. Adalah juga tanggungjawab hamba bukan menista dengan berita. Hendaklah tuan hamba tahu bahawa tidak ada seorang pun rakyat jelata yang mempercaya apa yang tuan hamba butirkan itu benar melainkan semuanya bukan benar semata-mata. Kisah hikayat Puteri Mongolia ini berpanjangan hendak-hendaknya. Adalah menjadi tabiat baik rakyat Melaka mereka amat suka melihat tuan hamba masuk sekali lagi ke rumah pasungan. Tidaklah busuk hati nurani mereka melainkan mereka ingin tahu duduk perkara sesahih-sahihnya.

Ya ampun baginda tuan hamba, rakyat Melaka dan saentaro belantara dari Melaka ke Majapahit, dari Jambi hingga ke Pasai telah mendengar cerita tuan hamba menjadi kaya-raya kerana membeli dua bahtera. Apakah ini dongeng cerita hamba sendiri tidak terkata-kata hanya tuan hamba tahu duduk perkara. Mengikut kisah yang empunya ceritera, mengikut surah sumpah si Tamil legam, tuan hamba dilantik menjadi khadam yang kanan. Masuk istana keluar istana tanpa ditegur tanpa dilarang. Bukanlah rahsia rakyat Melaka untuk berdendam mencari mangsa. Mengikut surah sumpah si Tamil lagi, tuan hamba menjaga gundek-gundek Raja Muda. Mengikut tuan yang empunya ceritera, tuan hamba juga berligar ke kampong berligar ke kota mencari anak-anak dara untuk dijadikan gundek-gundek istana.

Ya ampun baginda Razak, biarlah hamba meneruskan ceritera tentang permaisuri yang jatuh murka. Telah didengar rakyat Melaka tentang kisah permaisuri kita yang dahulunya seorang mak janda. Bergundek ke hulu bergundek ke hilir membuka paha. Ya ampun, telah menjadi berita atas arahan siapakah Puteri Mongolia musnah derita. Telah diketahuilah rakyat Melaka betapa permaisuri cemburu tersangat bagai gajah kena penyengat. Telah diketahui juga rakyat Melaka bahawa Raja Muda sering berduka berkongsi katil memeluk seekor unta walhal paduka bemimpi gundek langsing berambut panjang bukan permaisuri baginda berambut kontot.

Ya ampun, tuan hamba dikatakan amatlah bergeliga mencari untung membeli bahtera. Biarlah hamba menyampai berita. Dari Naning hingga ke Melaka, rakyat tahu duduk perkara. Jangan cuba dibodohkan, jangan cuba dialpakan, rakyat sudah faham membaca warta berita. Tidak perlu bergelap, tidak perlu bersuluh pelita, kisah tuan hamba membeli dua bahtera dengan duit emas berkantung-kantung diketahui rakyat jelata. Al-kesah tuan empunya cerita, permaisuri telah membadak gegak gempita, lagi marah lagi murka maka diarah puteri disula, diseksa untuk menamatkan semua berita. Badan meletup rambut terbakar agar tidak diketahui siapa empunya benih. Dari atas angin sampailah berita, dari balai rong hingga ke rakyat jelata, semua ingin bertanya janin ini empunyanya siapa?

Ya ampun baginda, adalah hamba mendengar berita amat sahih lagi nyata tentang Raja Mongolia amat besar amarahnya tidak dapat dikata apa-apa lagi. Ya ampun, adalah hamba mendengar berita si Tamil ditemui sudah. Dia bersyair lagi bermadah menunggu masa untuk mendedah sekali lagi. Ya ampun baginda Razak, adalah hamba mendengar berita lagi sahih lagi nyata tentang Raja Muda yang akan naik tahta akan disula rakyat Melaka. Beginilah berakhirnya surat hamba kepada tuan hamba. Ya ampun, tidaklah ada apa-apa lagi yang hendah hamba katakan. Hendaknya diketahuilah oleh cucu-cicit kita nanti tentang kisah murka permaisuri yang gedempol dengan puteri manis bistari, kisah Raja Muda yang takut bini, kisah gundek bertukar ganti. Maka dibuatlah rakyat Melaka pantun enam kerat untuk ingatan turun-temurun:
Tam tam tun
Tak perlu berpantun
Dam dum dah
Tak perlu bermadah
Sidang baginda
penuh dusta.
Komen: kali ini kita tidak perlu komen...
suka kepada kretiviti sang penulis...
dan suka melihat tuan puan tersenyum meneka-neka...