PKR planned to announce by-election this week: Anwar

Source : M'Kini



PKR de facto leader Anwar Ibrahim, who took refuge at the Turkish embassy amid threats and sodomy accusations, said his party had planned to announce a by-election in which he would be contesting.

Anwar said the sodomy allegations were aimed at derailing his political comeback, and came just as he was about to re-enter parliament through a by-election.

"This is their intention. You know we will announce a by-election this week. I will contest in the by-election, the police knew that," he said.

To force a by-election, PKR will need to ask one of its 31 parliamentarian to resign.

Alternatively, the party could be hoping that the court would this Friday declared the victory of Wanita Umno chief Rafidah Aziz in Kuala Kangsar invalid.

Businessman Ahmad Jamaluddin Abd Majid has filed an election petition challenging the results in the Kuala Kangsar parliamentary seat as Rafidah had failed to sign two out of three sets of her nomination papers in the March 8 general election.

He told AFP earlier today that he would not leave his sanctuary in the Turkish embassy until the government guarantees his safety.

"I need categorical assurance on my safety. You know I have previously been assaulted to near death," Anwar said, referring to a beating he received after being sacked as deputy premier and hit with sex and corruption charges in 1998.

"Sure, if they give me an assurance for my safety today I will leave the embassy today," he said in a phone interview from the mission in Kuala Lumpur.

Anwar fled there on Sunday at the invitation of the ambassador, saying he had been threatened and feared a government assassination plot after facing "fabricated" accusations that he sodomised a male aide.

"There's two reasons why I decided to come to the embassy. It's not just for my personal safety, it's also for the stability of the nation," he said, referring to expectations of major protests if he is arrested.

"I urge my supporters to be calm but firm. Enough is enough, we will fight it out."

After his sacking, a watershed event in Malaysian politics, Anwar was convicted on sodomy and corruption charges which landed him in jail for six years.

He was released in 2004 when the sex charge was overturned but the corruption conviction still stands, and prevented him from holding public office until mid-April.

He is now eligible to run for parliament and one of the parliamentarians in his PKR is expected to stand aside for him.

Still on track to seize power

Anwar, who has said since the March elections that he has the numbers to form a new government with the help of defecting lawmakers from the ruling coalition, said he was still on track to seize power.

"The momentum is still on, I will continue to monitor the progress. It has never been so good, they know that," he said of the government which is led by Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi's Umno party.

"Umno members and MPs have promised to come out and campaign for me so they come out with these sexual allegations to stop me from securing power," he said.

Anwar said that after his experiences a decade ago, he had no faith in the "due process" of the law in Malaysia, and reiterated allegations that elements in the government had orchestrated the new charges.

"Certain people in the hierarchy are involved in these allegations. Evidence from photos shows this," he said, referring to images of his accuser posing with ministers and government aides which his party has aired.

"They have made fabrications in the court, do they want me to believe in due process?" he asked.

Anwar said that elements in the police who were involved in the original investigation against him were now acting to sideline him because they feared revenge if he becomes prime minister.

"If you want to fight a political battle, do it cleanly," he said.

Photos: Anwar with PKR leaders on hearing about the police report lodged by his aide, Saiful. (Source: Anwar's blog).

SHAHRIR:PREPARE FOR ANOTHER GENERAL ELECTION.

Source : M'Kini

In the wake of the shocking news that former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad had quit Umno, a senior party leader said that the country could face another general elections.

Shahrir Samad, the minister for domestic trade and consumer affairs, said Mahathir's surprise move could trigger a flurry of resignations from the embattled party that could force Abdullah to hold fresh general elections.

"By Tun doing this it could cause a situation where many other Umno lawmakers might resign," he said, using Mahathir's honorific title.

"If this happens then the government has no choice but to form a new government or call a fresh general election," Shahrir told AFP.

"Certainly it is not helpful or constructive to the struggle of Umno right now," he said, as the party fends off a challenge from opposition figurehead Anwar Ibrahim who says he could soon seize power with the help of defectors.

Shahrir, who is Johor Baru parliamentarian and Umno supreme council member, said that while Anwar was threatening to snatch lawmakers from the smaller parties with which Umno rules in coalition, Mahathir could chip away at the ranks of the ruling party itself.

"This will be a reduction of the number of Umno lawmakers which is the ruling party of the present government," he said.

"I suppose it is Mahathir's way of trying to force a call for a referendum from the grassroots."

The Star's website quoted Umno information chief Muhammad Muhammad Taib as saying he was surprised at Mahathir's abrupt departure.

"Every member has the right to join or leave the party," he said.

Asked whether Umno would convene an emergency meeting in response to the move, he said that "we will wait and see".

Son: Mahathir to send letter to Umno sec-gen

Mahathir, 82, joined Umno at its inception in 1946 and he has weathered a number of storms including his expulsion from the party in 1969 and a 1988 crisis when Umno was declared illegal.

"Mahathir has resigned from Umno in protest over Pak Lah's continued leadership as both the prime minister and president of Umno," Mokhzani Mahathir told AFP, referring to Abdullah by his nickname.
"He will also write a letter to the Umno secretary-general to inform him of his resignation," he said, adding that Mahathir announced his departure during a speech today in Alor Star, the capital of his home state Kedah.

"He made it clear at the gathering at Alor Star that he is resigning in protest over the current leadership," he said.

Mahathir ruled Malaysia and the dominant Umno for 22 years until 2003 when he handed over to Abdullah, his hand-picked successor.

However in recent times he has been a vocal critic of Abdullah's administration and since disastrous March general elections, which produced Umno's worst ever results, has actively campaigned for him to step down.

S'gor: All, but Hindraf leader, sworn in...

Source : M'Kini

All Selangor state assemblypersons were sworn in today at the state’s Dewan Undangan Negeri in Shah Alam with the exception of Hindu Rights Action Force (Hindraf) leader and Kota Alam Shah state assemblyperson K Manoharan.

Manoharan is currently undergoing a two-year detention under the Internal Security Act (ISA).

To compensate for his absence, newly appointed Dewan Undangan Negeri Speaker Teng Chang Khim said Manoharan’s detention will not affect his formal appointment.

"There has been a precedent where the swearing in process was brought to the Kamunting detention camp so there should not be a problem with doing it for Manoharan," explained Teng to reporters after the swearing in ceremony for the 55 representatives.

Manoharan was arrested on Dec 13 with four others shortly after the Nov 25 rally organised by Hindraf which drew some 30,000 people to the streets.

His detention however does not legally affect his position as a state representative as there are no written laws to stipulate that an ISA detainee cannot continue to perform his or her duties while being detained.

Teng then elaborated by referring to a case in 1978 where two DAP elected MPs Chan Kok Kit (Sungai Besi) and Chian Cheng Kai (Batu Gajah) were both sworn in as MPs while serving their ISA detention. Both Chan and Chian were accused of disrupting national security.

Mano to swear in only when ready

There was a different opinion on the same matter however coming from Selangor Menteri Besar Khalid Ibrahim.

Manoharan will only swear in once he is ready, said Khalid. Asked what he meant by this, he replied that Manoharan "will be sworn in as Adun (state assemblyperson) in the Dewan."

Continuing, Khalid said Pakatan Rakyat has and will continue to push for Manoharan’s ISA charged to be dropped so that he can serve his constituents but conceded that the matter was beyond the state’s jurisdiction.

"This matter is a federal level matter and there is only so much we can do as to only try and urge the federal government to drop the charges against Manoharan," he said.

Attorney-General Abdul Gani Patail told the country's highest court three weeks ago that the five activists should not be released as they are a threat to national security.

Home Minister Syed Hamid Albar has said that Manoharan could be sworn in before the state Speaker at the Kamunting detention centre as this has been done in the past.

Cooperation with ex-BN leaders

On another matter, Khalid said that his government would not dismiss the possibility of working with former BN state leaders for the sake of the state's development and future.

Khalid however said the decision would depend on the state executive councillors, whether they would need the services of the individuals concerned.

"It depends on them, but we hope for strong cooperation among them so as to provide the best services possible, for the people.

"Change will take place as only those qualified and professional enough will be given the trust to carry out the tasks," he told reporters after the swearing-in ceremony.

He said this in response to questions if Selangor would follow the lead of Pakatan Rakyat-led Penang to appoint former BN leaders to serve the state government.

Abdullah paving the way for the imminent return of Anwar?

A Nice article from : http://thinkvision.wordpress.com/

Pak Lah stated that the government will not apologize to former Lord President Tun Salleh Abas and 2 other judges sacked in the 1988 judicial crisis but will look at ways to make amends to them. The govermnent, he said, was studying the matter, adding that a decision would be made after a Cabinet paper on it was submitted. The star reported here.

If he is not thinking of an apology, what does he meant by making amends to the aggrieved party? Is he planning to reinstate them to their former positions? That looks unlikely since it has been 20 years that they were sacked. Tun Salleh Abas has since became a farmer and he probably doesn’t give a hoot to that position now. However if the government compensate them for their loss of income and pensions in lieu of reinstatement, that would be a big vindication of their sacking.

If the government moved to exonerate former Lord President Tun Salleh Abas and gang, this would certainly set a political precedent that would also pave the way for the government to consider the best way to make amends to Anwar Ibrahim for his political motivated convictions for sodomy and corruption. This precedent will enable Pak Lah to move for reinstatement of Anwar to his previous position in UMNO with all his previous privileges intact and guaranteed. This way, Anwar will be given a choice to return to UMNO and if he took up the offer, he would not be seen as a traitor to Pakatan Rakyat. He would just be reclaiming what he deserved and moved back to mainstream politics.

For Pak Lah, this strategy is 2 pronged. First this will enable him to justify to UMNO that he is serious about taking responsibility for BN recent loss and he will be seen as doing something to revive BN in particular UMNO. Judging by the support for Anwar at the grassroot level, his move will bring instant support for UMNO too. He could also moot the idea of merging the multi-racial PKR into the fold of UMNO and at the same time openly invite MCA, MIC and other BN’s component parties to jointly form the new political entity in Malaysia. This way, he will be remember as the father of a new Malaysia, albeit a sleeping one.

Secondly, with Anwar at his side, Pak Lah could buy more time for reform within UMNO and BN in general. He would also be shielded from all the UMNO’s crocodiles and vultures that are snapping at his feet and hovering over his head respectively. This move will definitely send Mahathir and his cohorts with a one way ticket to the moon. Najib would dare not utter a single whimper as he would be threatened to be sent to Mongolia as Malaysia’s sacrificial lamb offering. This way Pak Lah could at least stay on for the next 5 years or at least until the next GE13. Anwar would be allowed to consolidate his power base within UMNO and be set to take over from Pak Lah after GE13. This move would also resurrect Khairy within UMNO and preserve his relevancy for the making of a future PM.

In the event of PKR crossover to UMNO, DAP and PAS could also consider the same initiative. They would realize that without Anwar at their side, the would loss all relevancy in the Malaysian political scene. They could keep Penang and Kelantan respectively but for how long? Without the federal government financial muscle, the Rakyat will eventually return the ruling parties to power again. In the short term they could play the role of friendly opposition in parliament until their relevancy is no more.

Anwar is not particularly hard-up with any invitation from Pak Lah. But Pak Lah only life line is with Anwar. Both men may have some deep respect for each other from their previous life, judging from the very restrained comments and soft attack on each other. Even Khairy, the firebrand of UMNO hardly attack Anwar. The only time he lashed out big at Anwar, he was slapped with a 10 million lawsuit. I guess it’s just for show to maintain Khairy image as UMNO bad boy and Anwar’s image of good guy. A really good acting job. So far both sides have taken out an insurance policy on each other just to be safe.

With the passing of Black 14 and the dawn of White 15, Anwar is again in the spotlight. He will have many options presented in front of him on his path to be Malaysia new Prime Minister.

Anwar reinstated to UMNO and replaced Pak Lah as PM after his retirement post-GE13.
Once 82 MPs sworn in on 28th April, mass defection from BN component parties member. Wan Azizah appointed as first Malaysian female PM. Anwar supports her as adviser. Anwar will contest in by-election and take over her place in one year time.
Once 82 MPs sworn in. Anwar make his move by contesting in by-election in Bandar Tun Razak after Tan Sri Khalid vacated his Parliamentary seat. Anwar win parliamentary seat and trigger mass defection from BN component parties. Anwar setup new ruling coalitions and become Malaysia sixth PM.
Anwar appointed as senator. He triggers massive defection from BN components parties enough to form 2/3 majority in Parliament. Pakatan Rakyat amends constitutions to enable senator to be appointed PM. This might be wishful thinking but anything is possible after the 8th March political tsunami!
Anwar appointed as senator. 20+ BN’s MPs defected but not enough to form simple majority. Yang Dipertuan Agung intervened by appointing Anwar as PM as he felt Anwar is the best person for the job due to the weakness of Pak Lah in holding BN together.
The above might be the fantasies of the author but one thing is for sure: the imminent return of Anwar Ibrahim, the prodigal son of modern Malaysia. He has been transformed from a ‘has been’ to a ‘must have’. Whether Pak Lah, Mahathir or UMNO like it or not, he will be the man to watch out for in the next decade.

His choice of middle path has endeared well with Malaysian of all races and religions. He does not attack his former mentor for he only dismisses him as old and forgetful. He also does not attack his predecessor for he dismisses him as frequently sleeping on the job. He does not also play the blame game for he took the bull by the horn and chart a path of political reforms acceptable by you and me. Only the corrupts and imbeciles will go against him.

In another words, the buck stops with Anwar. We now have the making of the next great Prime Minister in Malaysia. May all our wishes come true soon enough.

Tamil Volunteer Translator WANTED....

Thanks to : GuestladyRP for bringing this Up...


Wee Choo Keong in Parliament

Email : weeck@streamyx.com - Click here

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PM unveils trimmed-down cabinet

Source : Email



Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi

Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak

Ministers in the Prime Minister's Department
Tan Sri Bernard Dompok
Datuk Seri Nazri Aziz
Datuk Ahmad Zahid Hamidi
Datuk Mohd Zaid Ibrahim
Datuk Amirsham Abdul Aziz

Deputy Ministers in the Prime Minister's Department
Datuk Johari Baharom
Datuk Dr Mashitah Ibrahim
Datuk K. Devamany
Datuk Hassan Malik

Finance
Minister - Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi
Second Finance Minister - Tan Sri Nor Mohamed Yakcop
Deputies - Datuk Ahmad Husni Hanadzlah, Datuk Kong Cho Ha

Defense
Minister - Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak
Deputy - Datuk Wira Abu Seman Yusop

Internal Security and Home Affairs
Minister - Datuk Seri Syed Hamid Albar
Deputies - Datuk Chor Chee Heong, Senator Wan Ahmad Farid Wan Salleh

Housing and Local Government
Minister -Datuk Ong Ka Chuan
Deputies - Datuk Robert Lau , Datuk Hamzah Zainuddin

Works Minister
Minister - Datuk Mohd Zin Mohamad
Deputy- Datuk Yong Khoon Seng

Energy, Water and Communications
Minister - Datuk Shaziman Abu Mansor
Deputy- Datuk Joseph Salang Gandum

Agriculture and Agro-based Industry
Minister - Datuk Mustapa Mohamed
Deputy - Datin Paduka Rohani Abdul Karim

International Trade and Industry
Minister -Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin
Deputies- Loh Wei Keong, Datuk Jacob Dungau Sagan

Foreign Affairs
Minister -Datuk Seri Dr Rais Yatim
Deputy- Tunku Azlan Abu Bakar

Education
Minister -Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein
Deputies -Datuk Wee Ka Siong, Datuk Razali Ismail

Higher Education
Minister - Datuk Khaled Nordin
Deputies - Khoo Kok Choong, Datuk Idris Harun

Transport
Datuk Ong Tee Keat
Deputy - Anifah Aman

Human Resources
Datuk S. Subramaniam
Deputy- Datuk Noraini Ahmad

Women, Family and Community Development
Minister-Datuk Dr Ng Yen Yen
Deputy- Noriah Kasnon

National Unity, Culture, Arts and Heritage
Minister- Datuk Shafie Apdal
Deputy-Datuk Teng Boon Soon

Science, Technology and Innovation
Minister- Datuk Dr Maximus Ongkili
Deputy- Fadilah Yusof

Entrepreneurial and Cooperative Development
Minister - Datuk Noh Omar
Deputy- Datuk Saiffuddin Abdullah

Natural Resources and Environment
Minister - Datuk Douglas Unggah Embas
Deputy - Datuk Abu Ghapur Salleh

Rural and Regional Development
Minister - Tan Sri Muhammad Muhd Taib
Deputy- Tan Sri Joseph Kurup

Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs
Minister - Datuk Shahrir Samad
Deputy - Jelaing Mersat

Plantation Industries and Commodities
Minister - Datuk Peter Chin Fah Kui
Deputy- Senator A. Kohilan

Youth and Sports
Minister - Datuk Ismail Sabri Yaacob
Deputy - Wee Jack Seng

Health
Minister - Datuk Liow Tiong Lai
Deputy- Datuk Dr Abdul Latiff Ahmad

Information
Minister - Datuk Ahmad Shabery Cheek
Deputy- Datuk Tan Lian Hoe

Tourism
Minister - Datuk Azalina Othman
Deputy - Datuk Sulaiman Abdul Rahman Abu Taib

FT
Minister - Datuk Zulhasnan Rafique
Deputy- M. Saravanan

Malaysia: Shadow Over Badawi’s Future

Source : Arab News


Malaysia’s 12th general election last week has opened up a Pandora’s box.

As a humbled Prime Minister Abdullah Badawi finalizes the task of forming a new Cabinet, the fallout of the ruling Barisan Nasional (BN) coalition losing its two-third majority in the 222-seat Dewan Rakyat (the Malaysian Parliament) for the first time since 1969 and in four states plus the Federal Territory of Kuala Lumpur, are still reverberating across this subtropical country.

It wasn’t quite a political earthquake, but Malaysia’s voters gave Badawi and his ruling BN coalition and its constituent parties, UMNO (United Malays National Organization), MCA (Malaysian Chinese Association) and MIC (Malaysian Indian Congress), a bloody nose.

But the pain for Badawi could indeed be prolonged till November when the next test for the beleaguered premier looms — the annual convention of the dominant party in the BN coalition, UMNO. The president of UMNO is also the chairman of BN and the prime minister of the country. All indications are that Badawi’s presidency of UMNO will be severely challenged at the convention, and he might lose the vote of confidence and therefore the presidency. In which case, he would have no choice but to resign as prime minister. The only other credible alternative to Badawi is Defense Minister Najib Tun Abdul Razak, one of the deputy presidents of UMNO.

To make things worse for Badawi, his predecessor, Dr. Mahathir Mohammed has already accused Badawi of letting down the BN, UMNO and the country, and urging him to resign. The danger is that UMNO, instead of rallying behind its leader, will sleepwalk into spilling blood in a bitter factional feud.

To interpret the 2008 elections as Malaysian democracy and indeed political culture coming of age would be oversimplifying things. The BN won 140 seats compared to 82 for the opposition parties comprising DAP, PKR and PAS (the Islamic party of Malaysia). This still gives it a handsome majority in the Dewan Rakyat of 58 seats.

However, compared to the past, the BN coalition government would not be able to change the constitution at will, which may be a good check and balance on the government. A true test for Malaysian democracy is for parties to organize across the racial lines.

But given the politics of race in multicultural Malaysia, it is unlikely that this will happen. Take for instance Penang state, which has a Chinese majority and which is one of the more prosperous regions of the country.

Penang is also the home state of Premier Badawi, who comfortably retained his Kepala Batas seat. But it is also the stronghold of Anwar Ibrahim, the disgraced former deputy prime minister and UMNO deputy president who was jailed for corruption. Anwar was automatically barred from politics, but the expiry of his ban uncannily was a week after the date of the elections.

Anwar’s wife, Wan Azizah Ismail easily won her Permatang Pauh seat that she fought under the banner of her Parti Kaedilan Rakyat (PKR) or People’s Justice Party. There are reports that Wan Azizah plans to resign her seat to force a by-election that would pave the way for Anwar to re-enter Parliament and the sometimes-murky world of Malaysian politics. If this happens, it is most likely that we will have a by-election in April or May.

When Malays fight amongst each other, then others gain. The BN lost its majority in Penang — both in terms of its MPs in the federal Parliament and the state assembly. Penang’s new Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng, from the opposition Chinese-dominated DAP, has already thrown down the gauntlet which could severely test the status quo in Malaysia. Lim gave notice that his DAP-led state government would no longer practice the New Economic Policy (NEP), which was introduced in 1971 after the 1969 race riots aimed at promoting affirmative action in favor of the Bumiputras (ethnic Malays) who were at the bottom of the economic ladder.

Badawi has been quick to warn Lim not to make statements that could stoke racial tensions and marginalize the Malays. The DAP may be testing how far it can undermine the race card in Malaysian politics. But the true battle for the soul of Malaysian politics will be fought out by factions within the dominant Malays — inside UMNO and between UMNO and PAS and PKR. There is one school of thought that stresses that the poor showing of BN was orchestrated by an UMNO faction supporting Deputy Premier Najib Tun Abdul Razak because it wanted to undermine Badawi’s authority and support within UMNO. Only time will tell whether this turns out to be so at the next UMNO convention.

PAS remains a one-state party as shown by its dominance of Kelantan. If it can transform itself from a purely religious party to a more inclusive party along the lines of AK Party in Turkey that would embrace non-Muslims and non-Malays, then it could start breaking the mold of Malaysian politics.

But the current PAS leadership lacks the vision or the will to effect such a transformation.

The other striking feature of the elections is the beginnings of potential dynastic structures in Malaysian politics. Mahathir’s son Mukhriz won a parliamentary set in Kedah for the BN; Anwar’s daughter Nurul Izzah ousted Shahrizat Abdul Jalil, the minister for women’s and rural affairs; and Abdullah Badawi’s son-in-law Khairy Jamaluddin scraped through winning a parliamentary seat at the first go.

Anwar, your three main tasks

A letter by : Feroz Qureshi via M'Kini



Dear Dr Anwar Ibrahim,

I would like to congratulate you, your family and your team for the extraordinary success of the opposition in the recent Malaysian elections. I have long admired you, read your book, heard your speeches and followed your tumultuous political career since the early 1990s. While your followers see you as a beacon of hope, and rightly so, I see you as a tour de force in Asian intellectualism.

I have worked and lived in Malaysia and am familiar with its distinct political structure and social make-up. As an apolitical commentator, I would like to humbly offer my take on some of the ills plaguing Malaysian society that may or may not assist you in realising your reformist agenda. My perspectives could be a tad naVve but I have in the past uncovered several blind spots that most Malaysians have ignored owing largely to self-indulgence and an insular outlook.

On rolling back the NEP

You are right in saying that the NEP is obsolete, not so much because it has been socially unjust but because Malaysia is finally ready to move on. Inevitably, two or three decades from now, reference to this acronym would be politically incorrect. But for now, you face tremendous challenges in making this work. And I am certain that you’ll be able to convince the Malays that ‘a people cannot become special by getting special rights’.

Essentially, non-Malays including myself have to frequently discount the achievements of talented and educated Malays as somewhat ordinary. Modifying the NEP would accord more respect to and self-respect for the Malay community. Once this journey has begun, it won’t be long before it becomes habitualised in the Malay psyche. Merit will ensue and your team will then be tested with the issues of designing the appropriate metrics/measures. Better this test than tests of nepotism and cronyism. Poor design is how the NEP got hijacked by the Umno elite and their cronies in the first place.

Therefore, I urge you to put your best brains and resources towards this formative stage. Embracing meritocracy is one thing, getting it wrong can lead to much unintended social and economic costs. In Singapore’s case, its brand of meritocracy has created much systemic rigidity in the public service and general populace. They regarded a deviation from the metrics to be undesirable and even feared. Lee Kuan Yew’s willingness to go tough on corruption and his subsequent legislation further compounded these fears.

In sum, an entire generation of Singaporeans grew up fusing values of merit with conformity. During the 70s and 80s when SE Asia’s industrialisation had a price advantage, such mistakes can go unpunished. But in the more networked, creative-driven knowledge economy of today where human capital is the only true resource, a conformist society will only produce lacklustre ideas. I have every confidence that your team has the mental agility to avoid such a trap. Yet this is merely a fraction of the task.

On obsession with class

Running alongside the NEP malaise, is a centuries old practice that Malaysian society suffers from – an obsession with class. Now I do not presume to know all the nuances of this issue, although I do know that it transcends all the races. Before emigrating, the Chinese from Fujian and Guangdong provinces had their Emperor. The Indians had their caste system. And of course, there are the Sultans whose absolute rule only retreated post-1945. As a result, feudal mindsets are still very much alive in modern Malaysia, allowing an obsession with class to be deeply entrenched. I am not saying that class consciousness is necessarily bad, but it’s this obsession that is damaging and holds the country back.

Every society has elites that set the tone, however when elites behave in a manner that accentuates and even glorifies the differences between themselves and the rest, it cannot be for the greater good - a lesson in Motivation 101. You may ask, ‘How is this attitude a danger to the nation?’ Quite simply, people are chasing Datukships as a short-cut to achieving their life goals and have abandoned the usual habits that make for success. Much human talent has also been wasted by a business environment that places a greater value on ‘know-who’ than ‘know-how’. This in turn will continue to breed cynicism and disenchantment. It’s already a grave error that these titles do not entail quantitative criteria, what more the culture behind it is one of privilege/indulgence rather than duty.

Suffice it to say, very few Datuks are role-model quality for the next generation and some Tan Seris even invoke feelings of disgust. Removing or limiting these titles would be a most unifying force for the country. For it will redirect the people’s efforts and ambitions towards more life-enhancing goals; goals that are driven by Spartan-like values such as enterprise, discipline and thrift. This will not be an easy undertaking. While the NEP can be modified in parliament, class obsession involves group behavior. Strong culture change agents like you can lead the way.

On separating business and politics

From the Lee Kuan Yew journal of clean government – candidates must not need large sums of money to get elected, or it will trigger the cycle of corruption. I don’t know how you plan to achieve this, but this responsibility falls upon you. I choke at the thought of US candidates having to raise US$300 million to make a bid for the presidency. No common man need apply. Where then is the grand ideal in a government ‘of the people’? By comparison, Umno’s money politics may seem less rotten.

Nevertheless, over the interim four years, if your team is able to make gains in this arena, all decent Malaysians will be the better off. I applaud your partners in the DAP for initiating public disclosure of assets for all office bearers. This is a wholesome first step. And I think when the time is right, you may want to take it further by barring all high-office bearers including yourself from holding directorships and being direct or indirect shareholders in companies. Our mutual friend Kishore Mahbubani once said: ‘Successful societies have functional elites. They add more to society than they take from it. Unsuccessful societies have corrupt elites’.

Malaysians of your generation are typically more tolerant of corruption. Needless to say, you are an exception. My own father, who is of your age, is of the view that the best we can ever hope for is that our leaders are least corrupt. Sage advice? Perhaps. What of those of Nurul Izzah’s generation and that of your grandchildren’s who will accept nothing less than to see an effective clean government and equitable society? Malaysia may be a long way off from this lofty dream but it’s the endeavoring to get there that counts.

I am not Malaysian. I am neither Malay, Indian nor Chinese. I have no business interests in Malaysia but I do have family there and my wife is Malaysian. Still, that’s not enough for me to claim a stake in Malaysia’s future. Whatever it is, God bless you, your family and your team.

UMNO Protest at Komtar

Via Sim Kean Hong Blog
Image : Sloone





Updates from Georgetown 3.50pm:

My friend SY just called me that all shops in KOMTAR, Prangin Mall closed due to the protest. Can these shops claim their losses from UMNO which include shops that belong to peace-loving Malays, Indians, Chinese and most of all, Malaysian. SY also took video clip and photos of the protest, waiting for it now......

Older Post:

Now they also use protest and demo to express their views. LPPL.

News from MalaysiaKini:

Mar 14, 08 2:58pm

Some 500 Umno members and supporters staged a brief protest outside the Penang state government office in Komtar this afternoon.

The crowd - which gathered there after Friday prayers around 2.30pm - chanted slogans such as 'Don’t sideline the Malays' and 'Do not abolish the NEP'.

Upon being instructed by the police, the crowd dispersed some 15 minutes later. No untoward incidents were reported.

The protest, led by Penang Umno secretary Azhar Ibrahim, to protest Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng's declaration that the new DAP-led state government would do away with the New Economic Policy (NEP) policies.

Earlier today, Inspector-General of Police Musa Hassan had warned that the gathering in Komtar would be declared illegal and arrests would be made against the protestors.

However, no arrests were made this afternoon.

Perak is back ON TRACK...!!!

Source : M'Kini


The opposition has successfully averted an impasse after party leaders reached an amicable decision to reallocate the composition of the Perak state executive council posts last night.

PKR deputy president Dr Syed Husin Ali confirmed that the new composition will be six DAP, three PKR and one PAS to form the 10-person Perak state executive council.

Yesterday, PKR threatened to pull out from the Perak state administration on hearing that eight posts will go to DAP.

"In the spirit of sincere openness, we stress that the composition of the exco must reflect the composition of the population of Perak and represent the interests of all ethnic groups fairly," said Syed Husin in a statement yesterday.

Syed Husin said the new state government will also appoint a PKR representative to be one of its two senators.

More details will be revealed after the swearing-in of the new Perak Menteri Besar Mohammad Nizar Jamaluddin from PAS.

Syed Husin also said that a second deputy MB post will be allocated to PKR. It is expected that Perak will follow Penang's example of naming two deputy MBs.

He added that the compromise was reached after both Perak and central leaders concluded their discussions last night.

A letter to the PM by Stanley Sudhagaran

A letter to the PM by Stanley Sudhagaran via email

TO: -

Dato' Seri Abdullah bin Haji Ahmad Badawi Pejabat Perdana Menteri, Blok
Utama, Bangunan Perdana Putra, Pusat Pentadbiran Kerajaan Persekutuan,
62502 PUTRAJAYA No. Fax: 03-88884333

C: C : -

TAN SRI DATO' SERI HJ. AB. RASHID BIN AB. RAHMAN Chairman Election
Commission of Malaysia Aras 4 & 5, Block C7, Kompleks C, Pusat Pentadbiran
Kerajaan Persekutuan 62690 PUTRAJAYA. Tel : (603)-8885 6500 Fax :
(603)-8888 9117

And to all beloved Malaysians,

March 11 -08

Dear Prime Minister,

First of all, I would like to welcome you in to the new era of Malaysians
politics. The old money, racial and UMNO Putera politics is no more valid
in this country where people choose freedom of rights and a democratic
process. Many reasons have caused the big waves of change in your
government. Some of the points are as below. I hope this will help you to
restructure your government.

1. The peaceful assemblies being disrupted by the police for your own
political gain.
2. The use of ISA on innocent Malaysians.
3. The on going corruption.
4. The failure of the judiciary system.
5. The involvement of government officials in the murder of Altantunya.
6. The federal constitution law is violated especially in the freedom of
religion under article 11, example in the case of Subashini, Lina Joy, Holy
Scriptures and Bibles banned from entering the country, the movie Passion of
Christ being banned in Malaysia and the demolishment of holy temples.
7. The one sight media coverage.
8. Discrimination against the Indians.
9. Most of the government project are given to the UMNO Putera`s and fly.
10. The indecent and racial remarks made by your Ministers.
11. The keris issue by Hishamudin
12. No transparency in the accounts administration.
13. And of course much of the noise made by the empty vessel, Khairy.

I still remember just after the cabinet was dissolved, how BN tried to gain
its votes by instilling fear to the rakyat reminding them of the May
13
incident. Najib constantly repeated his speech about the May 13 in most of
his ceramah and press statements. Do you think that Malaysians are that
stupid to be fooled by the government? You took control of the media fully,
spending millions in advertising the campaign in TV and newspapers.
One advertisement in the STAR by MIC even stated that IF YOU VOTE THE
OPPOSITION, BE PREPARED TO PAY THE PRICE. What the hell! ! . Is not that
against the election law which prohibits candidates from threatening the
voters? For weeks there were articles on you and your Ministers doing this
and that. But when it was about the opposition, it would be a negative
report. Trust me on this, did you know how many Malaysians felt bored
looking at you muggy face daily. Some even told me, they felt like want to
vomit and was very angry with the press. This is the feedback from the
ground, not me. And all this emotions was transferred to the ballot boxes.
Personal letters by BN were sent to all citizen with your signature in it.
Even the electoral information letter, which provides information on the
voting centre and stream, was posted with the BN letter head. A helicopter
carrying the BN flag was seen for campaigning purpose.
You know
using government properties for campaigning is against the law, yet you
still choose to allow it. I even came to know that Ang Pow were given for
people who attended BN ceramah`s in Penang. All this gave a clear picture
to the citizens on the misuse of power given to you.

There was no fairness and equal treatment given to the opposition in this
election. But still, with the will of God, they managed to captured five
states and deny you the 2/3 majority. You have wasted Malaysians money in
millions campaigning in the elections. But it turns out that half of the
population did not choose you. How are you going to pay back the money to
the people now? Or will you just get on with it.

Lately in your press conference after the official results was out, you
answered back to the reporters in a rude way, SUDAH KALAH, KALAH LAH! This
attitude reflects your personality. How can a Prime Minister talk in that
way? Are you an uneducated Kampung Boy trying to run the show here?
Hey,
come on ya. Please learn from Mr. Koh Soo Khoon. He will teach you how to
accept failure and defeat being a gentleman.

When the Election Commission chairman announced the seats won by BN that
night, he was asked by reporters on how many seats were won by the
opposition, he answered back in a very angry face and an irresponsible
manner, shouting to them saying SAYA TAK TAHU LAH! ITU SAYA TAK TAHU ! !
! What the hell is wrong with our leaders? How can an EC Chairman say he
does not know anything on the seats won by the opposition when at that time
the whole of Malaysia had already come to know about the victory of the
opposition. Was he sleeping with his wife that night that made him not know
anything about the results? I then asked you to sack him from his post and
reform the election commission, for giving a reply which cannot be accepted
in this world of democracy. It has brought great shame to Malaysians as
many foreigners were watching his statement that night live in TV.

You used this election results to prove that Malaysia is a democratic
country and that there was no such thing as HANTU VOTERS or cheating. Let
me tell you, with or without you knowledge, I don't know, but there were
many cheating and fraud planned that day. Most of it was prevented by
various organizations volunteering to help in the election process.
Many
ballot boxes were found unsealed. The serial number was also written by
pencil in the ballot papers in some hot areas. This created fear in
government staffs casting their vote for the opposition. A police personal
even complained he could not vote for the opposition fearing that his vote
could be traced by the serial no written in the postal votes. In another
case, the Chief counting agent asked both the representative from BN and
opposition to stand outside the classroom while he closed the door and was
inside. But the candidate was informed about it and quickly responded to
the situation. Another case reported was on nearly three hundred people
registered in the one same address in Penang. From where did this people
come out about suddenly?

Barisan representative were seen pulling votes in the voting area and begged
voters to vote for Barisan. Barisan Booth were seen at all the voting
centre, claming to provide services such as checking the voters polling
stream, and after that they would say PLEASE VOTE FOR BN.
There is
no need for barisan to provide such services as the EC is already providing
it for them inside the voting centre. Why should you then miss use your
powers and waste our money on setting up thousands of booth nation wide.
Where are the accounts for all this expenditure? Has it not reach the limit
allowed to spend in a campaign. All this had gave a clear picture on the
unfairness in the election process and the cheating that was about to be
done. I then again, urge you to sack the EC Chairman from his post if you
say, you are clean and not involved in those matters, because the Election
commission has failed in its duties and task from holding a fair and clean
election. There were nearly three hundred police reports made that day on
the election.

The time has now come for you to change the attitude of your Ministers and
reinvent Barisan Nasional. Sack Ministers that does not perform well, and
do not tolerate racial hatred in the Ministers. Malaysians today are not
the Malaysians of 1969. They have grown to be more matured and they can now
think for the future of the country. They can reject you regardless of your
race and religion if you fail to perform your responsibilities.
No
more racial sentiments are tolerated in this community. We have change to
become a BANGSA MALAYSIA. Corruption is no more accepted. Unequal treatment
to the races has been strongly rejected by the Rakyat.

On people pressuring you to resign, this is my advice. You have to stay on
and answer for what mess you have brought upon to this country.
There is
no escape. Stay and change. The tigers and lions are now in the parliament.
And soon the king of the jungle "Tarzan" will be in too, if his wife makes
way for him. He is famous swinging in between the races.
And he
has achieved in bringing all the races together thus creating a new era of
politics in Malaysia. So be prepared to face this happy family elected by
the people of Malaysia. Don't ever think of giving Samy vellu a post or job
in your government. Not even a toilet cleaner. I wish you the best in the
future of your career.

May God bless you.

K. Sudhagaran Stanley,


(note from lucia: the earlier letter sent before the election can be found
here:
TO: -

Dato' Seri Abdullah bin Haji Ahmad Badawi Pejabat Perdana Menteri, Blok
Utama, Bangunan Perdana Putra, Pusat Pentadbiran Kerajaan Persekutuan,
62502 PUTRAJAYA No. Fax: 03-88884333

C: C : -

TAN SRI DATO' SERI HJ. AB. RASHID BIN AB. RAHMAN Chairman Election
Commission of Malaysia Aras 4 & 5, Block C7, Kompleks C, Pusat Pentadbiran
Kerajaan Persekutuan 62690 PUTRAJAYA. Tel : (603)-8885 6500 Fax :
(603)-8888 9117

And to all beloved Malaysians,

March 11 -08

Dear Prime Minister,

First of all, I would like to welcome you in to the new era of Malaysians
politics. The old money, racial and UMNO Putera politics is no more valid
in this country where people choose freedom of rights and a democratic
process. Many reasons have caused the big waves of change in your
government. Some of the points are as below. I hope this will help you to
restructure your government.

1. The peaceful assemblies being disrupted by the police for your own
political gain.
2. The use of ISA on innocent Malaysians.
3. The on going corruption.
4. The failure of the judiciary system.
5. The involvement of government officials in the murder of Altantunya.
6. The federal constitution law is violated especially in the freedom of
religion under article 11, example in the case of Subashini, Lina Joy, Holy
Scriptures and Bibles banned from entering the country, the movie Passion of
Christ being banned in Malaysia and the demolishment of holy temples.
7. The one sight media coverage.
8. Discrimination against the Indians.
9. Most of the government project are given to the UMNO Putera`s and fly.
10. The indecent and racial remarks made by your Ministers.
11. The keris issue by Hishamudin
12. No transparency in the accounts administration.
13. And of course much of the noise made by the empty vessel, Khairy.

I still remember just after the cabinet was dissolved, how BN tried to gain
its votes by instilling fear to the rakyat reminding them of the May
13
incident. Najib constantly repeated his speech about the May 13 in most of
his ceramah and press statements. Do you think that Malaysians are that
stupid to be fooled by the government? You took control of the media fully,
spending millions in advertising the campaign in TV and newspapers.
One advertisement in the STAR by MIC even stated that IF YOU VOTE THE
OPPOSITION, BE PREPARED TO PAY THE PRICE. What the hell! ! . Is not that
against the election law which prohibits candidates from threatening the
voters? For weeks there were articles on you and your Ministers doing this
and that. But when it was about the opposition, it would be a negative
report. Trust me on this, did you know how many Malaysians felt bored
looking at you muggy face daily. Some even told me, they felt like want to
vomit and was very angry with the press. This is the feedback from the
ground, not me. And all this emotions was transferred to the ballot boxes.
Personal letters by BN were sent to all citizen with your signature in it.
Even the electoral information letter, which provides information on the
voting centre and stream, was posted with the BN letter head. A helicopter
carrying the BN flag was seen for campaigning purpose.
You know
using government properties for campaigning is against the law, yet you
still choose to allow it. I even came to know that Ang Pow were given for
people who attended BN ceramah`s in Penang. All this gave a clear picture
to the citizens on the misuse of power given to you.

There was no fairness and equal treatment given to the opposition in this
election. But still, with the will of God, they managed to captured five
states and deny you the 2/3 majority. You have wasted Malaysians money in
millions campaigning in the elections. But it turns out that half of the
population did not choose you. How are you going to pay back the money to
the people now? Or will you just get on with it.

Lately in your press conference after the official results was out, you
answered back to the reporters in a rude way, SUDAH KALAH, KALAH LAH! This
attitude reflects your personality. How can a Prime Minister talk in that
way? Are you an uneducated Kampung Boy trying to run the show here?
Hey,
come on ya. Please learn from Mr. Koh Soo Khoon. He will teach you how to
accept failure and defeat being a gentleman.

When the Election Commission chairman announced the seats won by BN that
night, he was asked by reporters on how many seats were won by the
opposition, he answered back in a very angry face and an irresponsible
manner, shouting to them saying SAYA TAK TAHU LAH! ITU SAYA TAK TAHU ! !
! What the hell is wrong with our leaders? How can an EC Chairman say he
does not know anything on the seats won by the opposition when at that time
the whole of Malaysia had already come to know about the victory of the
opposition. Was he sleeping with his wife that night that made him not know
anything about the results? I then asked you to sack him from his post and
reform the election commission, for giving a reply which cannot be accepted
in this world of democracy. It has brought great shame to Malaysians as
many foreigners were watching his statement that night live in TV.

You used this election results to prove that Malaysia is a democratic
country and that there was no such thing as HANTU VOTERS or cheating. Let
me tell you, with or without you knowledge, I don't know, but there were
many cheating and fraud planned that day. Most of it was prevented by
various organizations volunteering to help in the election process.
Many
ballot boxes were found unsealed. The serial number was also written by
pencil in the ballot papers in some hot areas. This created fear in
government staffs casting their vote for the opposition. A police personal
even complained he could not vote for the opposition fearing that his vote
could be traced by the serial no written in the postal votes. In another
case, the Chief counting agent asked both the representative from BN and
opposition to stand outside the classroom while he closed the door and was
inside. But the candidate was informed about it and quickly responded to
the situation. Another case reported was on nearly three hundred people
registered in the one same address in Penang. From where did this people
come out about suddenly?

Barisan representative were seen pulling votes in the voting area and begged
voters to vote for Barisan. Barisan Booth were seen at all the voting
centre, claming to provide services such as checking the voters polling
stream, and after that they would say PLEASE VOTE FOR BN.
There is
no need for barisan to provide such services as the EC is already providing
it for them inside the voting centre. Why should you then miss use your
powers and waste our money on setting up thousands of booth nation wide.
Where are the accounts for all this expenditure? Has it not reach the limit
allowed to spend in a campaign. All this had gave a clear picture on the
unfairness in the election process and the cheating that was about to be
done. I then again, urge you to sack the EC Chairman from his post if you
say, you are clean and not involved in those matters, because the Election
commission has failed in its duties and task from holding a fair and clean
election. There were nearly three hundred police reports made that day on
the election.

The time has now come for you to change the attitude of your Ministers and
reinvent Barisan Nasional. Sack Ministers that does not perform well, and
do not tolerate racial hatred in the Ministers. Malaysians today are not
the Malaysians of 1969. They have grown to be more matured and they can now
think for the future of the country. They can reject you regardless of your
race and religion if you fail to perform your responsibilities.
No
more racial sentiments are tolerated in this community. We have change to
become a BANGSA MALAYSIA. Corruption is no more accepted. Unequal treatment
to the races has been strongly rejected by the Rakyat.

On people pressuring you to resign, this is my advice. You have to stay on
and answer for what mess you have brought upon to this country.
There is
no escape. Stay and change. The tigers and lions are now in the parliament.
And soon the king of the jungle "Tarzan" will be in too, if his wife makes
way for him. He is famous swinging in between the races.
And he
has achieved in bringing all the races together thus creating a new era of
politics in Malaysia. So be prepared to face this happy family elected by
the people of Malaysia. Don't ever think of giving Samy vellu a post or job
in your government. Not even a toilet cleaner. I wish you the best in the
future of your career.

May God bless you.

K. Sudhagaran Stanley,


(note from lucia: the earlier letter sent before the election can be found
here:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/mentaljog/message/110)

Perak MB's swearing-in put off

Source : M'Kini


In yet another dramatic twist to the formation new state government in Perak, the swearing-in ceremony of Mohammad Nizar Jamaluddin as mentri besar today has been cancelled.

Mohammad Nizar, a PAS assemblyman, was to be sworn in at the Istana Iskandariah in Kuala Kangsar at 4pm today.

However, palace officials made an announcement at 4.20pm that the ceremony had been put off. No reason was given.

It is learnt that the three candidates for the menteri besar post were involved in a prolonged meeting with the Regent of Perak Raja Nazrin Shah at the Kinta Palace in Ipoh just prior to the swearing-in ceremony.

The meeting lasted from 2.30pm to 4.05pm, hardly leaving any time for them to be at the 4pm swearing-in ceremony at the Kuala Kangsar palace, which is about one hour from Ipoh.

It is not clear what had transpired at the close-door meeting.

Yesterday the DAP-PKR-PAS coalition in Perak agreed to appoint Pasir Panjang state assemblyperson and Perak PAS secretary Nizar as the new menteri besar.

State DAP chairperson and Sitiawan state assemblyperson Ngeh Khoo Ham and an Indian state representative were to be the deputy menteri besar (1) and (2) respectively.

Along with Nizar and Ngeh, PKR’s Behrang assemblyperson Jamaluddin Mohd Radzi's name was also submitted to the regent by the DAP-PKR-PAS coalition.

More stumbling blocks

However the appointment of Nizar was objected by the DAP leadership with party stalwart Lim Kit Siang saying that the party had only agreed for a DAP or a PKR menteri besar.

This morning the problem seemed to have been solved with Lim apologising over his objections and Ngeh stating that all misunderstanding have been clarified.

But in another twist of never-ending problems, PKR today issued a statement threatening to pull out from the state administration on hearing that eight of the 10 executive council posts will go to DAP while the remaining two going to other parties.

Originally it is believed that an agreement was made whereby DAP would get six exco posts and two each for PKR and PAS.

However, there was a last-minute change where DAP was given eight seats in the exco, while PKR one and PAS one.

PKR disputes regent’s choice

Meanwhile more details are emerging as to the details of the meeting the three menteri besar candidates had with Raja Nazrin this afternoon.

According to sources the main reason for the postponement of the swearing-in ceremony this afternoon was due to an objection by the PKR’s Jamaluddin over Nizar’s appointment.

Apparently Jamaluddin told the Raja Nazrin that he disputed the choice made by the regent yesterday to make Nizar the menteri besar.

It is learnt that the regent became upset with this and instructed all three of them - Nizar, Ngeh and Jamaluddin - to go back to the drawing board again to determine their preferred choice.

A statement issued by Ngeh earlier today indicated that Nizar was the regent’s choice to be the state’s menteri besar. According to Ngeh, the regent had rejected his (Ngeh’s) and Jamaluddin’s name although these were the first two choices.

It is also learnt that the regent had asked all 31 state representatives from the three parties to be present before him to swear the allegiance to the new menteri besar, whoever it is.

Anwar Demands `Major' Changes in Malaysia Race Rules

Via Email - Bloomberg


March 13 - Malaysia's opposition parties, fresh from their biggest electoral gains ever, have vowed to dismantle the country's legalized system of preferences for ethnic Malays. Doing so won't be easy.

Opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim said after the March 8 elections that "major adjustments need to be made" to the race rules. The parties will be able to accomplish some incremental progress toward that goal in the five states they won. They also will pressure the ruling National Front coalition to move quicker in easing the requirements.

For now, that's about all they will be able to achieve, because most of the system is controlled at the federal level by a set of 37-year-old directives known as the New Economic Policy, instituted to help the majority Malays catch up with Chinese business owners. States have little say over the NEP, and some regions controlled by the opposition are dominated by Malays who don't want their advantages undone.

"A lot of the laws are central and federal", said Ooi Kee Beng, an analyst at Singapore's Institute of Southeast Asian Studies. The opposition parties "are in a daze and trying to feel their way around".

Anwar's People's Justice Party, the Democratic Action Party and the Pan-Malaysian Islamic Party, known as PAS, won enough seats to deny the ruling coalition the two-thirds majority it had enjoyed in parliament for 34 years.

Intel, Sony

They will stop setting aside projects for Malay businesses in their states, parting ways with National Front policies. These opposition-controlled areas include Penang, a base for Intel Corp., and Selangor, host to Sony Corp. Penang also plans to do away with racial quotas when licensing street vendors.

PAS, which has controlled northeastern Kelantan state since 1990, has said it doesn't discriminate based on race, and won't in Kedah, the state it has just won.

"That would resolve a major part of the problem, but only at the state level, where we are in charge", Anwar, 60, told reporters on March 11. "Hopefully, things will change, but not in the very near future".

Criticism of the rules was taboo after they were introduced in response to race riots in 1969. They were aimed at alleviating poverty and rebalancing national wealth concentrated in Chinese and British hands, a vestige of Malaysia's status as a U.K. colony until 1957.

"Creative Destruction"

Anwar's opposition to the NEP emerged over time. Early in his career, he was a champion of Malay preferences. Then, in 1998, he was ousted from the government and the ruling coalition's dominant party, the United Malays National Organisation, after calling for "creative destruction" of Malaysia's economic system. He later began criticizing the NEP for being used to justify institutionalized corruption.

Now he wants to dismantle it. "The New Economic Policy benefits the few family members of the ruling establishment and their cronies", he said.

The ruling coalition has eased the rules as it tried to lure global investment capital from China and Vietnam and explored free trade accords with the U.S. and European Union.

Malaysia's reluctance to increase access to government contracts by changing pro-Malay policies is among issues that have delayed a deal, U.S. Assistant Trade Representative Barbara Weisel has said.

"The NEP is very subjective", said Gan Kim Khoon, head of equity capital markets at OSK Investment Bank Bhd. "A lot of it is left to interpretation".

Lower Grades

The rules give Malays preferences over Chinese and Indians in education, jobs and investments. The country's 19 public universities admit Malays with lower grades than Chinese and Indians. Companies must sell 30 percent of their shares to Malays and declare how many Malays they employ to be listed on the local stock exchange.

"The country's economic development has been possible despite this expanding web of rules because the government has applied pragmatic exemptions", said Song Seng-Wun, an economist at CIMB-GK Research in Singapore. Malaysia's economy has grown an average 6.8 percent a year since 1970.

Selected foreign investors have been allowed 100 percent ownership of their local businesses since then under special provisions. In 1995, the government announced the first of a series of regions where the NEP wouldn't apply. Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, 68, launched a second such area in the southern state of Johor in 2006.

Suhaimi Ilias, an economist at Aseambankers Malaysia Bhd., a unit of the country's largest banking group, predicted Chinese and Indian parties in the UMNO-led coalition would call for the rules to be eased further.

"Whatever it is, something will happen", Suhaimi said. "The whole point is about reinventing. And that's what this country needed going forward".

While the opposition likely won't push for low-cost housing and other federal benefits to be dropped, the parties want them to be based on need, not race.
"Affirmative action will continue", Anwar said. Helping marginalized Malays "will not be purely on the basis of race".

Election post-mortem: Top 10 factors....

By Bridget Welsh via M'Kini


Few expected that the wave of protest would snowball into the record losses for the Barisan National. My own analysis was the gains would be at maximum 70 seats and two state governments, not the record five state governments and 82 seats for the opposition.

While the ground swell of disgruntlement was there, concerns about electoral fairness and persistent patterns of ethnic voting dampened the optimism, even among the opposition. Yet, the record breaking losses for the BN have created a fundamental rupture in Malaysian politics.

Based on following the campaign and the generosity of ordinary people and political elites sharing their views, here are my top 10 reasons for the outcome:

1. Reformasi spirit lives on

The BN severely miscalculated in its assessment of the Malaysian electorate. In 2004, Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi embraced the reform agenda that catapulted into the electoral agenda in the 1999 election.

The fight against corruption, increased transparency, and, most important, better governance underscored his 2004 campaign. Recall the advertisements for a more effective civil service, and the focus on building on his ‘Mr Clean’ persona.

Coupled with Abdullah's affable personal style and the groundswell of goodwill, Malaysians embraced his leadership, giving him then a record mandate. But the mandate was not just about Abdullah the man, it was also about the issues that he used to get himself and the BN elected.

The 2004 campaign was filled with promises of reform of the police to address crime and pledges to reduce corruption. Not only were these promises not fulfilled, the problems have been seen to deepen during his tenure as reform efforts were abandoned and anti-corruption efforts were selectively applied.

Many in the 2008 BN slate continued to have questions about alleged corruption, from S Samy Vellu (Maika scandal) to others close to the prime minister. These charges were not investigated, and in fact with the continued selection of candidates this round with corruption clouds, the Abdullah administration failed to show a commitment to address the problems it acknowledged in 2004.

At the core, Malaysians want - and deserve - a better government. The spirit of reform remained alive and kicked back in this election.

2. Abdullah's laissez-faire lackluster leadership

Abdullah brought about a profound transformation in liberalising the political system, allowing more voices to be heard, and graciously accepting the electoral results. In these areas, he deserves high praise.

Yet, he failed in the key area that has been the backbone of the BN's legitimacy - economic performance. The macro numbers in Malaysia are strong and the country remains one of the most competitive for investment regionally. Yet, it is falling behind in maintaining competitiveness and the economic gains are not being effectively distributed to the population.

Abdullah's administration corresponded to high inflation - the highest since the early 70s. Inequality is rising sharply and ordinary people, notably the middle-class based in the urban areas, are feeling the pinch. Even though commodity prices have brought more wealth to the rural areas, it is not keeping up with rising costs. This was brought home to me with conversations with Malay rubber tappers in Larut, Perak, who supported PAS in record numbers.

In fairness, the rising prices are the result of an appreciating ringgit, rising oil prices and high government subsidies, issues that are either out of Abdullah's control or he inherited. Yet, his economic team proved not able to manage domestic prices effectively and translate the oil and gas revenue into gains for society at large that could be felt in ordinary households.

The recent Hari Raya, Chinese New Year and Deepavali holidays were noticeably less plush than before, a real sign of fiscal difficulties. Wages have comparatively dropped and those working in the service sector make barely enough to survive. The starting take-home salary at 7-Eleven is RM700 a month. Unemployment among younger people remains too high, and not all of them can be absorbed into the civil service.

Difficult conditions are compared sharply to the wealth of the political elite, including Abdullah and his family with a reported new home in Perth. The conspicuous display of consumption of the elite is on display from the rural areas of Perak to the Kuala Lumpur shopping malls.

Beyond the bread-and-butter issues, was a more serious dynamic - the inability to instill confidence in promoting long-term economic development, increasing Malaysia's economic competitiveness. The economic vision was missing in Abdullah's first term, and the fiscal liquidity in the country was not adequately invested locally.

The economic reforms needed to bring about the changes were not pursued with the zeal to keep Malaysia ahead of countries like Vietnam. In particular, Malaysia faces the difficult task of making is domestic business entrepreneurs more competitive. This involves weaning them off a dependence on contracts. This is true for both the Malay and Chinese business communities alike.

Abdullah's administration strengthened its use of patronage, and did not send a clear message to end wasteful big projects. The new economic corridors have yet to be shown to be effective allocations of resources, rather than avenues for elite economic gain. Malaysia did not aggressively pursue trade liberalisation in a means to attract more foreign capital.

Moreover, the much-needed reforms in education, to strengthen Malaysia's human capital, were not effectively implemented, although good ideas were touted. Investors want confidence, and effective policy implementation.

Abdullah's decision-making style has yet to yield the results his 2004 mandate should have given him. The ideas were developed, but not implemented. The talent in Malaysia is there, but Abdullah was not able to effectively harness it. The BN is fooling itself if it thinks the electorate does not appreciate the larger issues that affect their children's futures.

3. BN coalition failings and infighting

Abdullah's poor management extended to the BN itself. The component parties within the BN were dismissed and ignored. Whether this involved the PGCC (Penang Global City Centre) project in Penang in which the opposition of Gerakan to the project was completely by-passed or the memorandum on Article 11 that the parties were forced to withdraw, the perception was created that voices for non-Malays in the coalition were not being heard.

Umno came across as too arrogant within the coalition. This came to a head in the Hindraf affair, when voices within the system rejected the concerns of ordinary voices and added salt to the wound by arresting the Indian Malaysian leaders. This seriously delegitimised the MIC as the voice of the Indian Malaysian community. It is not a coincidence that Devamany S Krishasamy, the MP from Cameron Highlands, who had the bravery to at least acknowledge concerns, was reelected and Samy Vellu, who justified the arrests, lost.

The issue of problematic BN management extended to the dominant party within the BN itself, Umno. Abdullah came into office without a strong political base within his party. The party rallied around him in the office of the PM, yet he continued to face dissension inside. Rumours of rifts between him and his deputy Najib Razak continued, and were denied as in fact their working relationship was overall sound in the first term.

Yet, the dissension continued to percolate, with former premier Dr Mahathir Mahathir leading the charge. The March polls were not just about national elections, they were also about positioning for the next Umno elections. In this regard, the March polls were used as a means to strengthen Abdullah and his allies positions within the party.

Mentri besars were given much more influence over the candidate slates. Popular candidates, those that hold important division chief positions within Umno, were dropped. It is no wonder the Umno machinery did not work as effectively in this election compared to the last. As one Umno elite described it, there were too many "fronts" opened this campaign to mend. The impact of Umno infighting is most obvious historically in Kelantan, but can account for losses elsewhere and reduced majorities even in safe areas such as Perlis.

The divisions within Umno were paralleled by splits within the other important component parties. For the MCA, the battle over leadership was already on the agenda before the election and the ouster of Chua Soi Lek, distancing of Chan Kong Choy and rise of Ong Ka Chuan, the brother of the party’s president have created serious ripples within the party.

The MCA knew defeat was coming, but not as serious as the outcome. They slated the least number of incumbents - 35% - due to infighting and the difficult Chinese electoral terrain. The MCA's loss in the urban areas shows that they lost both Chinese and English-educated Chinese, the latter of which have not been effectively included in Ong Ka Ting's tenure.

The MIC's crisis is well-known, as a similar dynamic over succession permeated the election, and the record number of new candidates for the MIC only served to have MIC fight itself in places like Perai in Penang. Gerakan's internal difficulties in the chief ministership issue were also on public display, although for the purposes of the election, the party maintained unity - to no avail.

4. Better messaging by the opposition

It is thus not surprising that the BN campaign lacked a coherence. In reading the messages about its record, the issues raised were disparate and lacked focus. While clearly polished posters and top printing quality, the BN content did not resonate clearly. The messages used in different states did not fit clearly under one umbrella, such as Umno's focus on it being the party of the struggle for Islam in Terengganu and Kelantan.

In fact, many of the messages belied the experience of ordinary Malaysians - end of poverty? clean police force? prices least in the region? The connection to society was missing. The tone of the campaign was one in which the voices of society were not listened to, and people were talked down to.

Many pointed to the arrogance of the BN in its campaign - highlighting the ‘One Choice’ poster as a fundamental lack of appreciation that there was another choice in this campaign, a choice that the majority of the electorate chose. The defensive posture of the BN campaign failed to offer hope to the electorate. "Be grateful for what you have" does not evoke support in a context of increased economic difficulties.

In comparison, the opposition was united in promoting one message of "change". While they differed in their priorities of what they wanted to change, they all concurred on introducing more checks and balances in the system. Each party had a common template and umbrella that allowed candidates that were unknown to build on the individual party's identity.

The message was modest in goals and a positive message. This more effective messaging allowed the opposition to reach out to new voters, and convinced many Malaysians to vote outside of ethnic lines.

5. Embracing modern campaigning: New mediums

A critical component of the opposition's stronger campaign was its more aggressive move to modern campaign techniques. While Malaysia elections continue to be labour intensive affairs, with house-to-house campaigning the norm, the use of polling of the electorate and the embrace of the Internet, blogs and SMS worked more the advantage for the opposition.

The opposition was denied balanced coverage in the mainstream media, and thus was forced to adopt new campaign techniques for greater penetration of their message. PAS was perhaps the most effective of all the opposition parties in using its website to reach out to its supporters, with its candidates profiled early on. Yet, PKR and DAP were also close behind, using email list-serves and YouTube. The uploading of ceramah allowed a wider audience to hear their message.

The BN lacked the same level of adoption of these techniques. In part, it believed that control over the media and resources would work. This is understandable. They have worked in the past. Yet, Malaysia is no longer the same place. Now 42 percent of Malaysians reportedly use the Internet, and they have access to alternative opinions.

No matter what level of control over blogging the government introduces, they cannot control cyberspace. The BN will need to adjust its campaigning methods to reach out effectively, especially to younger voters.

6. Timing of election and campaign period

The long campaign worked in favour of the opposition, not the government. This has to do in part with the cheaper means to conduct campaigns noted above - CD's, Internet and SMS are cheaper than paying campaign workers.

Yet the longer campaign period - the longest since 1969 - allowed the opposition to get its message out, to respond to the issues that the BN were raising. Instead of a blast in which the focus was on a few key messages, candidates from all parties had to adapt and change their messages as the campaign evolved.

This was most evident in Penang, where the response of outgoing chief minister Dr Koh Tsu Koon to the issue of the state's future leadership, provided fodder to the opposition during the campaign itself. The BN proved less willing to adapt as the campaign evolved.

Thirteen is clearly not Abdullah's lucky number. This election was called too early. While there is no doubt that economic pressures would have made the context difficult, the possible international recession might have given Abdullah more ability to deflect blame. As is, he alone was faced with an assessment of his economic management.

The scheduling of the elections only a few months after Hindraf and during the Chinese New Year celebrations did not help build confidence among non-Malays. Rushing the seat allocation within the coalition contributed to internal BN disgruntlement. More policies should have been implemented to address ethnic relations and more efforts to address the infighting within the coalition needed to be done before the election. The election was clearly poorly timed.

7. Opposition cooperation

The opposition is comprised of three different political parties with different political outlooks and philosophies. It is also comprised of strong personalities. After the DAP left the Barisan Alternatif in 2001, the divide between the opposition parties widened, as the ideological differences over Islamic governance split the DAP and PAS, and even had ripple effects within PKR.

Bringing the opposition together into the non-aggression pact of this election and the common umbrella was a massive effort, led by members within all the parties who recognised that national gains were not possible without cooperation.

All the parties needed cooperation to win new ground - DAP in Penang, PAS in Kedah and all the parties in Selangor and Perak. The seat negotiations were heated and difficult, but in West Malaysia successful. All the party leaders are responsible for this success. It involved moving PAS away from an openly Islamist agenda, which it adopted in the 2004 campaign, and all the parties to embrace multiracialism.

Operationally, cooperation involved joint PKR-DAP and PKR-PAS ceramah and on the ground canvassing, in which PKR and Anwar Ibrahim in particular brought parties together. For the campaign, the common goal of breaking two-thirds majority blinded the opposition to the ideological differences within itself and instilled more party discipline in all the parties.

Electorally, the opposition was seen as a viable alternative as the opposition, not individual parties.

8. Strong opposition candidates

The opposition also slated strong articulate candidates who spoke about the issues. From Nurul Izzah Anwar's discussion of housing, Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad's attention to education and Liew Chin Tong's focus on the chief ministership issue to Dr Syed Azman Syed Ahmad Nawawi's highlight of the royalty disbursement in Terengganu, the candidates in the opposition spoke concretely about concerns in their constituencies.

The opposition is now comprised of a greater number of professionals - up to over 45% - and now includes businessmen such as incoming PKR MB of Selangor Khalid Ibrahim as well as social activists such as Dr Lee Boon Chye in Perak. Those that have stayed in the opposition and joined the parties after the heyday of 1999 are deeply committed to the principles the opposition calls for. While lacking in governing experience, there is talent and many who listened to the ceramah recognised this.

This is not to say that the BN did not slate capable candidates. The share of professionals remained high - over 30% - and the parties have extraordinarily capable people. Yet, the few that are tainted by scandals spoil the chances for others. Clean politicians within the BN - and there are many hardworking representatives within the BN - are negatively affected by the image that BN governance is about gaining wealth, not public service.

This time round, even the hardest working parliamentarians such as Chew Mei Fun, could not meet the challenge of the younger dynamic slate for change.

9. Backfire from attack on Anwar Ibrahim

If there was one serious miscalculation that took place during the campaign, it was the attack on Anwar Ibrahim. Personal in nature, it was seen as unfair, especially in the Malay community.

No question, there are real concerns among many Malaysians about Anwar Ibrahim's tenure in government - from issues of education to Islamic governance. He will have to continue to build confidence in the Malaysian electorate to those who have reservations about this leadership in the opposition.

Yet, the attack on Anwar provoked a reaction, particularly among Malays. It reignited the 1999 reformasi spirit, and only served to add credibility to his influence nationally. Here, the BN served to alienate many Malays through negative campaigning, rather than convince the electorate to support its message of development.

10. Sophistication of Malaysian electorate

Finally, and it is finally (with apologies for the length of this article), the 2008 election illustrated the strengthening of Malaysian identity and growing sophistication of the electorate.

Gone are the days when resources and promises alone can woo support - except perhaps in East Malaysia. Malaysians want more responsiveness and voices, and they used this campaign to stand in the majority for change. They no longer can be talked down to, but need to be listened and heard, not just during the election.

The leadership in both the opposition and the BN will have to keep this in mind, as the terrain has fundamentally changed.

Toyo, destroying state files....??

Source : http://sloone.wordpress.com

Apparently, these photos were caught by journalists at the Selangor state office. There’s also nothing anyone can do - since police have cordoned off the whole area (Elizabeth Wong). Our Opposition state assembly persons haven’t been sworn in yet. This is simply too much. In fact, this is criminal.

Is there really something to hide Mr. Toyo...??

Subra wants to help reinvent MIC...he...he...he...how about reinvent Maika...??

Source : NST


PETALING JAYA: Former MIC deputy president Datuk S. Subramaniam wants to play a role in revitalising the Malaysian Indian Congress.

In addition to this, he has called on every Indian to help MIC in whatever way he or she could.

Subramaniam has suggested that Indian-based parties like the Indian Progressive Front join forces with MIC.

Subramaniam said: "We should bring back all those who left the party so that the party can recapture lost ground. As a former MIC deputy president, I would like to offer my services."

He said Indians should feel they were part of the party and let bygones be bygones.

"The average Indian wants to become part and parcel of the party.

"If every Indian's heart is with the party, then why not all of us be under one umbrella," he said during a press conference at his residence yesterday.

He said MIC should put in place new strategies to lure other Indian-based party members to join MIC.

Subramaniam said he was willing to put aside his differences with MIC president Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu for the sake of Indians and Barisan Nasional.

"If the party wants my services, I will accept. The position is not important at the moment," he said adding that he spoke to Samy Vellu two days ago.

It is learnt Subramaniam's call is part of an initiative by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, who is Barisan Nasional chairman, to bring Indians under a single party and consolidate the community under one banner.

It is also learnt that Samy Vellu has indicated he is not seeking a cabinet post but has instead suggested three names -- Datuk Dr S. Subramaniam (MP for Segamat), Datuk M. Saravanan (MP for Tapah) and S.K. Devamany (MP for Cameron Highlands) -- as MIC's representatives.

Asked if he thought race-based parties had lost their relevance in the country, Subramaniam said he did not think so.

"What is the reason for the formation of IPF? It is not a multiracial party.

"There are other MIC members who set up other Indian-based parties; they did not set up multiracial parties."

The other Indian-based party is former PKR member Datuk S. Nallakarupan's Malaysian United Indian Party.

Subramaniam said MIC should be people-friendly, not arrogant.

"It needs to get closer to the people. The party is weak.

"The MIC president has lost the election.

"I have no joy in seeing what we built being destroyed. As a long- standing member, I think we can bring in members who are not in the party."

He said the right talent should be recognised and young bright people should be identified to win the hearts and minds of the younger generation.

"We have to work very hard," he acknowledged.

Subramaniam is MIC division chief for the Seputeh constituency.

Should Samy Vellu resign?

"I don't believe that if he leaves the party it will regain its strength. But everyone has to leave at one point.

"I don't believe the party will automatically become strong if he leaves.

"We have to motivate people from inside and outside to become strong."

He said the party had also suffered badly in 1969 and lost many seats.

Thank You Malaysia for voting wisely….

By YennaMike


After failing to vote for the past 2 election I have finally decided to fly back to Malaysia to make my one vote counts – although my decision to fly back criticised as an insane move by some of my friends and family members. Being abroad does not mean that we are not aware of what is going on in Malaysia – infact we know more about what is going on, not to mention the “unfiltered” news that we get through international media.

The MAS flight that I took was full on the day I flew back to Malaysia, I could hear the passengers having serious conversation about the General Election. Through out the conversation I could hear the word “need to change them lah…., time to change lah…”. I decided to join their conversation. We got into chatting and they were quite surprised to hear the facts from me despite knowing that I have left Malaysia to work abroad 10 years ago.

Having got off the plane my lovely Wife and Uncle picked me up from the airport and I was quite amused with what I heard from my Uncle. A man with less education but great business mind spills out his thought – I want change…Makkal Sakthi will win. We arrived in Brickfields for a meal and the mood in Brickfields were the same.

I noticed that the Ruling party had more posters and banners compared to the Oppositions. In the midst of all these a Malay boy was distributing “Sivaji the Boss” pamphlets with Dato Seri Anwar’s face on it – people were taking it with great respect and I could see a mark respect and of unity – they whispered Makkal Sakthi when collecting it from the boy.

Come the Election Day we were getting ready to leave to the polling station when my mom’s friend came to visit us after casting her vote….she said I did my part and I hope you will do yours. She then turned to my mum and said listen to your son…vote what is best for your next generation…!!!. Funny enough my mom already decided to Vote for the Opposition for the first time in her life…!!!

After a while we excused ourselves and drove to our polling station, there were three tents erected near the polling stations – BN, PKR and Independent and guess what….the crowd was in the PKR tent and strangely no one was sitting in the Independent tent apart from few BN Campaigners – eeemmm that is very fishy.

The polling station was empty and we did out bit and left hoping to a good Majority win. Left to Klang that night and sat in front of the tele for the rest of the night. The first good news came around 9.00pm – Samy is out..!!!. Then the rest – many seats won in Klang and later came to know that PKR won at my hometown with a majority over 4000 votes…yippee my effort is paid off…!!!.

The following morning – I was desperate for a news paper to see the final results, nearly fell of the chair when came to know that the Opposition won majority in 5 state and Selangor being one of them….!!!. Met my Uncle for breakfast and I would see he was so excited – we were exchanging greeting “Makkal Sakthi”…!!! – The mood was the same in the Restaurant, each and every one of them had news paper on their table and they were referring this victory to Ramayana Epic…

I personally felt that people really wanted a CHANGE and I salute all those voted for the Opposition to allow them to prove themselves. Once again Thank You Malaysia for voting wisely….!!!