My PM & SIL-1st Session of 12th Malaysian Parliament

Wah! That's the spirit.

With the placard "Kotakan Kata!” he sure is very motivated to make good the "not 2/3 majority vote" that his party had garnered in recent election.

Hopefully things will turn out for the better for the old man, how wishful thinking that may sound. Well, the PM has all the rights to make amends, let's be fair.

But what about this?

Khairy Jamaluddin (BN-Rembau) then got into the petty and childish act of counting words when he pointed out that Parliamentary Opposition leader Wan Azizah Wan Ismail (PKR-Permatang Pauh) had also asked a question that exceeded the 40-word limit as outlined in the Standing Orders.

But he got shot down as the Opposition lawmakers pointed out that her question had yet to be asked.

Read more here

Certainly not good for this eager beaver & man-in-a-hurry MP that comes with an Oxford reputation. ...Tak begitu? Poor SIL!

Kit Siang seems to have summarized it up for KJ and his "first day in school" experience when he lamented with regard to the whole proceedings. He said, "This is a very bad start, this a terrible start, this is an atrocious start for parliamentary proceedings in the 12th Parliament". Poor us!

Jokers & Clowns

They are still at it! Rugi ... I missed the live telecast. Live circus show! Damn shame, you know what, the series could be cancelled. It could be a pilot episode released only. Rugi ... it would be a good therapy session for some. Rugi ! tsk, tsk, tsk...

You can read it here though.

Updated!

Oh! Lucky us, we can view the "reality tv cum circus" pilot episode here. And here too, thanks to youtube (wink!)

Everything Must Be Moved! Everything Must Go!

Poor MP Jeff Ooi...

MP's car towed away outside Parliament

KUALA LUMPUR: An opposition MP had an unpleasant start in Parliament when his car was towed away by the traffic police for parking outside the Parliament house.Jelutong MP Jeff Ooi, was shocked when he could not find his car after attending the official opening of Dewan Rakyat and Dewan Negara by the King.Ooi said he was upset with the Parliament officials and the police as he was earlier instructed by the police to park outside the premises due to lack of parking space.
Read more here

Poor tanjong... bunga tanjong too has been infected with "all must move" virus...

Penang goes Balkis' way

R. Nadeswaran and Terence Fernandez

PETALING JAYA (April 28, 2008): Penang has joined the ranks of Selangor – transferring money from the wives’ association for “safekeeping” with – Bakti, the federal Association of Wives of Ministers and Deputy Ministers.

Although the amount is small compared to the RM9.9 million which was transferred by the Association of Wives of State Assemblymen and Members of Parliament in Selangor (Balkis), its Penang equivalent – Bunga Tanjung – could only spare RM350,000. But it’s the principle involved.

In an immediate response, Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng said he is shocked by the turn of events and asked for the relevant documents, adding that the state government is seeking legal advice.“This is a chaitable organisation and not a Barisan Nasional (BN) organisation or a sendirian berhad. I want Bakti to return the money as soon as possible plus interests. After all, it is in an interest-earning fixed deposit account,” he told theSun.
Read More here

And moving on with the saga, balkis going all the way but with a twist...

'Not right for judge to act as adviser to Bakti'
Maria J .Dass

PETALING JAYA (April 29, 2008): It is inappropriate and wholly unacceptable for any member of the judiciary to act as legal adviser or in any legal capacity for any body or person while holding the office of a judge, says the Bar Council."More so if the body or person is associated with a state or federal government or a political party," said its president Datuk Ambiga Sreenevasan today.

“The Bar Council is deeply concerned by the report in theSun that suggests the involvement of a Court of Appeal judge as legal adviser to Bakti on matters pertaining to the transfer of funds from Association of Wives of State Assemblymen and Members of Parliament in Selangor (Balkis) and its Penang equivalent - Bunga Tanjung,” she told theSun.
Read more here

These charitable organizations surely are in no mood for charity. Maybe all of their hubbies lost in recent GE? Hence no more "wives of State Assemblymen and Members of Parliament"... Come on, don't be foolish. Really, who is actually giving these lovely ladies legal advice? Lawyers? Judge? Or their hubbies?

The Registrar of Societies should take action, fast. But what about current eligible members and "members-to-be" (wives of those ADUN & MP of Pakatan Rakyat) for those associations, why no injunction and such? Why only polemics in the media? Lache, not good ladies, not good at all. Don't listen to your hubbies. Take immediate action before its too late.

Stuck In The Middle With You

Surfing the web today, I just can't get my mind of Stealers Wheel's song "Stuck in The Middle With You". The song kept playing on and on in my heads as I headed for lunch. It's haunting me.

Yes I'm stuck in the middle with you,
And I'm wondering what it is I should do,
It's so hard to keep this smile from my face,
Losing control, yeah, I'm all over the place,
Clowns to the left of me,
Jokers to the right,
Here I am, stuck in the middle with you.

(View/Listen to the song here )

And that's your lawmakers, ladies & gentlemen! ...oopps mine too!

He Got A Point!

..it has been 51 days since but better late than never... now if only his party members would listen!

Pak Lah: Umno must serve, stop politicking

KUALA LUMPUR, April 28 — Fifty-one days after his ruling Barisan Nasional coalition was mauled at the polls, Umno president Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi said the party should serve the people's needs instead of getting distracted by internal politicking.

"Our party problems should not overshadow what the people need," Abdullah, who heads the Barisan Nasional government for a second term, told the media after chairing an Umno supreme council meeting in Kuala Lumpur.

Read more here

Federal versus State II

Another day, another story. Read 'No intention of cancelling projects' Confused lot? Hope not. Anyway, who blinked first? Who cares, eh? As long as the people gets what they wanted. Yes, suddenly everyone seems very cooperative. Read Penang CM disappointed over bridge delay.

Is this for real? Are we playing politicians instead of playing doctors?

No more drama please.

"Kebiasaannya" & "Secara Tradisinya"

Beliau berkata:

Ahmad sedia terajui UMNO Terengganu

Ini kerana, jelasnya, pada kebiasaannya Menteri Besar akan memegang jawatan tertinggi UMNO di sesebuah negeri bagi memudahkan urusan pentadbiran dan parti, bagaimanapun terpulang kepada Perdana Menteri yang juga Presiden UMNO, Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi untuk menentukannya.
''Secara tradisinya, Menteri Besar akan memegang jawatan nombor satu dalam parti di sesebuah negeri. Biasanya begitulah dan saya tidak akan menolak jika ditawarkan (jawatan)," ujarnya yang merupakan Ketua UMNO Bahagian Kemaman.

Tetapi bukankah "kebiasaannya" dan "secara tradisinya", Menteri Besar yang dilantik selepas sesuatu Pilihanraya Umum sekiranya BN memenangi pilihanraya berkenaan adalah Pengerusi Badan Perhubungan UMNO atau seorang ADUN yang mendapat kepercayaan majoriti Dewan Undangan Negeri untuk memimpin negeri?Bukankah "kebiasaannya" dan "secara tradisinya", Menteri Besar yang dilantik adalah ADUN yang dilantik oleh pucuk pimpinan parti? Bukankah itu kebiasaan dan secara tradisinya Datuk MB?

Mungkin UMNO boleh memulakan dasar "check and balance" daripada dalam UMNO sendiri dengan mengekalkan sistem seperti yang sedia ada di Terengganu dengan mengasingkan jawatan parti dengan jawatan di dalam kerajaan. Bukankah jawatan MB adalah jawatan kerajaan manakala jawatan Ketua Perhubungan UMNO negeri adalah jawatan parti? Tiada sangkut-paut antara satu sama lain sama-sekali.

Alang-alang Datuk MB telahpun membelakangkan kebiasaan dan tradisi, untuk dilantik sebagai MB sebelum ini, teruskanlah melakukannya (untuk membelakangkan kebiasaan dan tradisi) dengan menjadi MB pertama dari UMNO Terengganu yang bukannya Ketua Perhubungan UMNO negeri.

Sejak perlantikan (yang membelakangkan kebiasaan dan tradisi) Datuk MB sendiri sebagai Menteri Besar, bukankan itu "kebiasaannya" dan "secara tradisinya" yang berlaku?

Who will blink first? (Federal versus State)

Federal versus State.

Always an interesting issue that sparked debates among us, the students when I was studying Constitutional Law in University Malaya. Sadly nowadays I am more occupied to other civil matters pertaining to credit and loan recovery, land and chattel disputes, corporate litigation and personal tortuous claims. But let's make an exception tonight. Let's talk about Constitutional Law, about "Federalism", about the state versus federal, shall we?

Here goes. Unlike the U.S. where establishment of its government is based on pure "federalism," (ideal power sharing between federal government and the state governments), under the westminster system and the common law, which we in Malaysia adopted, is the opposite of federalism but more towards centralized governments. Simply put, federal government maintains total power over the state. Despite moving towards decentralization, doctrine of centralized government is fully adopted in countries such as England and France. Having said that, unfortunately so for Malaysia, it is not such a clear cut case and some adjustment needed for total adaptation, of the common law and applicable doctrines, despite the Federal Constitution has provided specific powers and controls to both, federal and state governments. To an extent, although Malaysia is a federal state, political scientists have suggested that its "federalism is highly centralized". Isn't that confusing?

This is because when it comes to man made law as oppose to God's law, there are lacunas and overlaps in which detail judicial interpretation are needed to determine the situation and further addressed the conflicting instances.

Oh! Yes, there are saving clauses in Federal Constitution for Federal Government to overrule the States but such saving clause are not that effective when it comes to our unique nation as what we have seen in recent constitutional dilemma such as that in Terengganu recently pertaining to an issue with regard to appointment of its Chief Minister. If that is the case, can't we just go to court and resolved all this issue once and for all? Easier said than done. Yes, I am a lawyer and I shouldn't say all that but as we all know to go through all that proper channels just to determine the grey arrears with regard to what are yours and what’s mine would mean precious time and money. That luxury, we as a developing nation, does not have.

You said it! I am taking into consideration the element of common sense here as opposed to law purely. That's why I am calling this blog as the place "where law meets common sense"! Now, what about Malaysian and its current situation, in particular, somewhat closer to home, most recent impasse facing the delivery of several development projects here in Penang. A point on issue is as what reported in The Malaysian Insider below:

Federal government threatens to scrap Penang monorail project
PENANG, April 26 ─ All pretence was dropped today when the federal government signaled that it would scrap the monorail project and other infrastructure projects in Penang if the state government does not play ball. Also in the frame to be cancelled is the expansion of the Penang airport, the Insider has learnt.

Delivering the government’s hardline message was Second Finance Minister Tan Sri Nor Mohamed Yakcop. This approach could spook foreign investors who have adopted a wait-and-see attitude after Election 2008 put the Barisan Nasional back into control but placed five states in the hands of Pakatan Rakyat.Investors wondered whether there would be mature cooperation between the Federal government and the five states or whether political posturing would be the order of the day.

Speaking to reporters in Penang, Nor Mohamed noted that the federal government had not received any approvals from the state government on the monorail project. “If the state government has other plans with regard to the monorail, we are not doing it. The project is scrapped."

Ultimately in this show of power, the people of Penang will be at the losing end, not the "non 2/3 majority" elected Federal government nor the newly formed State government. Projects can be scrapped and projects can be put on hold. 5 years is a very short period for politician and they can afford to halt certain development just to make some political points. After all, 5 years is just about coming from one General Election to the other for them.

But for the people, they cannot afford to wait 5 years. Without progress and development their present livelihood could not longer be sustained. Having to wait for 5 years would mean hell for some. It is an interesting time we are living now and a more mature approach and a higher level of tolerance must be sought with regard to the workings between both, the federal and state government to ensure that the people will not suffer in the process.

Politics must be put aside. To adjourned or worst scrapped development earmarked for the state would be more like punishing the people and not the state government. Simultaneously, to make past state government pays to the extend of launching vigorous witch hunt and halting all prior planning made by them is also tantamount to punishing the people. The same people that have put you in your place as the ruling state government. Now is not the time for vengeance. Now is the time to show your worth and sensibleness.

Keris

One stop waving his keris and now safely keeping the keris where it belongs..

Finally, Hishamuddin Apologizes For His Keris Waving

The Malaysian Insider

KUALA LUMPUR, April 25 — It’s over. The single act which alienated many Malaysians and was responsible for driving many Chinese and Indians into the clutches of the Opposition will not be repeated. Umno Youth chief Datuk Hishammuddin Hussein today cut his losses and apologised for the keris waving act which he introduced as an opening gambit at the Umno assembly three years ago.

His colleagues in the Barisan Nasional Youth were surprised when he broached the subject of the keris during their closed-door meeting. He said that it was time he offered Malaysians an apology over the act which was criticised as a saber-rattling and threatening gesture towards non-Malays.

Otherwise, it would be difficult to move on politically, he said. Officially, he will have to get the support of the Umno Youth exco before canning the keris act but in reality that is just a formality for a politician who commands a strong grip on the wing.

While the other one is coming out with "all keris(es) blazing"...

Ku Li tetap bertanding Presiden UMNO

25/04/2008 9:50pm

Utusan Online (Terkini)

KOTA BHARU 25 April – Ketua UMNO Bahagian Gua Musang, Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah akan tetap menawar kan diri untuk bertanding jawatan Presiden Umno pada pemilihan parti pada Disember walaupun berlaku perali han kuasa.

Beliau berkata, peralihan kuasa di antara Perdana Menteri Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi dan Timba lan Perdana Menteri, Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak tidak ada kena mengena dengan parti dan beliau mempunyai hak untuk bertanding sekiranya mendapat pencalonan yang mencukupi.

“Soal UMNO bukan kerajaan, saya cuma menawar diri kalau cukup pencalonan daripada bahagian untuk UMNO, tidak ada kena mengena dengan kerajaan..".

What’s next?

P/S

KJ, we are missing you bad... (wink!)

How Is Terengganu These Days II

Everyone is on the mood to perform better than the rest nowadays. Yes, it is a normal virtue but you don't have this everyday in Malaysia. Well, we Malaysian usually like to kick it back and go with flow. Take it easy on things. We love to "lepak". But not this few days! Everyone wants to be better than the others. He also wants to be better than his predecessor. He said it here.

Excerpt from Mingguan Malaysia ("Saya tidak mahu diampu" dated 19th April 2008)

Datuk mewarisi satu kepimpinan yang dianggap cemerlang dalam membangunkan Terengganu, tidakkah Datuk rasakan ia sebagai satu tekanan untuk mengekalkannya?

AHMAD: Bagi saya ini satu cabaran. Kalau orang katakan Datuk Seri Idris Jusoh hebat, saya mesti berusaha untuk lebih hebat. Kita mesti berfikiran positif.
Sikap saya daripada dahulu, kalau orang kata saya tidak bagus, saya akan buktikan saya bagus. Orang kata saya tidak baik, saya akan buktikan bahawa saya baik. Ini satu cabaran bagi saya. Kalau saya mengambil sikap menarik diri, saya tidak akan ke hadapan.
Saya selalu beritahu anak buah dan dalam ceramah-ceramah, kita perlu berlatih dan mempersiapkan diri. Kita perlu menimba pengalaman, pemerhatian dan mendengar kehendak rakyat.
Sebagai seorang pemimpin, kita jangan bersikap mengarah sahaja, kita perlu juga mendengar kehendak rakyat.

He mentioned "kehendak rakyat" in the interview. Now, he's in the Tug of War game with the federal government. Going by what he said in the news today, it seems that this is what the people of Terengganu wants.

Is that so?

Read the followings:

Ahmad Said akan jumpa PM bincang royalti minyak
Utusan Online (Terkini)

25/04/2008 5:27pm
KEMAMAN 25 April – Menteri Besar, Datuk Ahmad Said akan mengadakan pertemuan dengan Perdana Menteri, Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi bagi membincangkan isu royalti minyak Terengganu dalam tempoh dua minggu lagi.
Ahmad berkata, beliau sedang mencari tarikh yang sesuai untuk mengadakan pertemuan tersebut yang dijangka diadakan pada pertengahan bulan depan.
"Kita akan cuba yang terbaik berhubung isu royalti minyak ini"

Ahmad berkata, isu berkenaan akan diselesaikan dengan cara terbaik dan rakyat Terengganu perlu menunggu untuk menyaksikan penyelesaiannya.
"Rakyat berdoalah untuk menyaksikan penyelesaian isu ini,'' katanya.
Ditanya maklum balas yang diterima daripada rakyat terhadap tindakan kerajaan negeri tersebut, Ahmad berkata, ``Para wartawan lebih maklum mengenai reaksi rakyat.''."

Whether the above is really the "kehendak rakyat" or not and whether the people has actually benefited from the royalty money, and that the money all the while has trickled to the rightful coffers, the rapid development in Terengganu inherited from the previous administration, economically, spiritually and mentally, together with the higher standard of living in Terengganu bear witness to the same. Politics aside, one must view this objectively and look around one self to find the answer. If there was wrongdoing, where is the charge? If the people felt that this was an issue, did they not vote for BN Terengganu to come to power on 8th March 2008, with a 2/3 majority win, despite the political tsunami in other states? It's that simple.

The big question is will he perform? Is this issue with regard to petroleum royalty tug of war will be the key index of his performance? If this is going to be the indicator of what to come from the new MB, it will be one long sad term of BN ruling for the people of Terengganu. From the look of things now in Terengganu, he's hired by the people et al. for what he was previously known, as a foot soldier, good for nothing but "wars" only. For the sake of Terengganu and its people, I hope I am wrong.

A testament of one good foot soldier?

I wonder. I honestly do.

Dateline: 16th September 2008 II (DPM Not Taking It Lightly)

Najib not taking it sitting down.

Taking cue on what I have said in previous blog entry titled "Dateline: 16th September 2008", I presumed. How I wish, tongue-in-cheek... (wink!).

Utusan Online (Terkini) has the report:

BN pandang berat laporan 30 wakil rakyatnya berpaling tadah - Najib

25/04/2008 1:06pm

PUTRAJAYA 25 April — Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak berkata, Barisan Nasional (BN) memandang berat dakwaan kononnya sekurang-kurangnya 30 Anggota Parlimen dari parti itu akan menyertai pembangkang bagi membolehkan Pakatan Rakyat membentuk kerajaan.“Kita tidak boleh mengetepikan saja laporan ini. Memanglah ada elemen mainan politik (dalam dakwaan ini) tetapi kita tak boleh pandang ringan,” kata Timbalan Perdana Menteri kepada pemberita di pejabatnya di sini.

Beliau diminta mengulas kenyataan penasihat Parti Keadilan Rakyat Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim bahawa sekurang-kurangnya 30 Anggota Parlimen BN akan menyertai Pakatan Rakyat, yang mengandungi PKR, DAP dan PAS, untuk membolehkannya membentuk kerajaan kerajaan kerana pembangkang kini mempunyai 82 wakil dalam Dewan Rakyat berbanding 140 daripada BN. Sekiranya 30 wakil rakyat BN keluar parti, ia akan hanya mempunyai 110 orang saja.

Ketika ditanya sama ada BN akan berbuat sesuatu untuk memastikan semua Anggota Parlimennya tidak menyertai pembangkang, Najib berkata : “Kita akan lakukan sesuatu tetapi saya tidak akan beritahu anda.”“Kita dengar ura-ura (lompat parti) ini tetapi tidak ada siapapun yang datang untuk mengucapkan selamat tinggal kepada BN.”

“Namun, kita tetap pandang berat dan tidak boleh ketepikannya walaupun ada unsur mainan politik.” - Bernama

Mentaliti Sempit

Terdetik hati saya bila membaca berita di dalam The Star Online berkaitan dengan keangkuhan seorang rakyat Malaysia yang beroleh gelaran "Yang Berhormat" atas kepercayaan dan undi daripada masyarakat majmuk di negara ini. Seorang wakil rakyat daripada parti yang dikatakan berteraskan demokrasi tulin begitu angkuh dalam mengatakan bahawa parti politik beliau adalah berpegang teguh kepada suatu polisi yang tidak ada pengecualiannya, sehinggalah baru-baru ini apabila mereka berjaya membentuk kerajaan campuran di Selangor.

Sedutan daripada berita di dalam The Star Online berkaitan (Teng explains why DAP changed position on headgear):

In the posting, Teng explained that when DAP was in the Opposition before the March 8 polls, leaders had the option not to attend any official function which required the songkok to be worn as part of the dress code.
“The party chose to exercise that option, which had been a DAP policy for years.“However, now that DAP is a partner in a coalition government, leaders have no choice but to follow the dress code. Otherwise, the coalition government can never be formed,” wrote Teng.

Sila klik disini untuk membaca keseluruhan berita berkenaan.

"Kita Tidak Boleh Memakai Songkok". Itulah polisinya. Polisi inilah antara teras yang dipegang oleh parti politik berkenaan. Pelik dan menjengkelkan. Bagaimana hendak memperjuangkan demokrasi dan hak saksama sekiranya ada lagi unsur-unsur negatif seperti pemakaian polisi yang menampakkan keangkuhan dan keengganan untuk menerima adat dan resam setempat?

Apa salahnya memakai songkok? Sepertimana tiada salahnya seorang yang bernama Aminah memakai cheongsam, mahupun seorang Kumari memakai baju kebaya, tiada salahnya seorang yang bernama Teng untuk memakai songkok di kepalanya.

Kenyataan bahawa "kerna terpaksa" maka songkok dipakai juga amat dikesali. Di manakah keikhlasan hati dan kesungguhan diri untuk memperjuangkan cara hidup masyarakat majmuk sepenuhnya, sepertimana yang sering dilaungkan sebagai konsep "Malaysian Malaysia", apabila kita sendiri enggan mempelajari dan menghormati resam dan adat yang lain.

Jika hal sekelumit kuman ini pun perlu diputuskan sebagai satu "pengecualian kepada polisi", saya tidak yakin DAP berada di landasan yang tepat untuk membentuk mahupun memperjuangkan konsep "Negara Malaysia untuk Rakyat Malaysia" dan boleh membentuk satu negara Malaysia yang ideal, sekiranya mereka memerintah negara, sepertimana yang digembar-gemburkan selama ini. Yang menjadi soalnya sekarang adakah wajar untuk PKR dan PAS bersekongkol dengan pihak yang mempunyai pandangan sempit seperti Parti "Polisi Tidak Boleh Pakai Songkok" ini? Seingat-ingat saya, DAP adalah merupakan sebahagian daripada Pakatan Rakyat dan pakatan ini memperjuangkan politik yang menembusi batas perkauman. Masih berjuangkah pakatan ini untuk mencapai cita murni sedemikian?

Cermin-cerminkanlah sendiri.

Lo & Behold!

Asian Sentinel has it here.

An excerpt of the above

Among other shortcomings, according to the Bank Negara report, was a RM13 million (US$4.13 million at today’s exchange rate) loan to companies related to BTM Resources Group Bhd ‑ Besut Tsuda Wood Products Sdn Bhd, Besut Tsuda Industries Sdn Bhd and Gimzan Plywood Sdn Bhd. The name of Besut Tsuda Wood was earlier changed from Mizan Timber Industries Sdn Bhd to BTM Timber Industries Sdn Bhd. Mizan Zainal Abidin is the name of the current Malaysian king. Sources within the Exim Bank and other Malaysian financial industry sources say the group is headed by Mizan, who is also the Sultan of Terengganu.
Besut Tsuda Wood Products, according to the Bank Negara audit report, “suffered repeated losses, tight liquidity and was technically insolvent" and "appeared less efficient than the market because its competitors were making profit despite lower sales." The report described the firm as a "loss making company, (that) resulted to declining shareholders funds."
The loans were classified as "high risk lending that may expose Exim Bank to unnecessary losses" and "potential NPLs." Additionally, as valuation reports were not addressed to the bank, the auditors indicated, it might not be possible to claim assets pledged as collateral should the loans turn bad, which they apparently did.

Malaysia Today is seeing it from this angle here.

Mathias Chang has throw down the gauntlet here.

Round & round we go... the wheel keep on rolling and spinning.

Dateline: 16th September 2008

DSAI claiming that latest by 16th September 2008, Pakatan Rakyat will oust the present BN Government. And yes, I am taking this with a grain of salt too... But what about paklah & the gang? After all you made it easier for DSAI to boldly claim as such. The latest being the announcement of RMK-9 to be reviewed and all. No, the BN government should not take this claim lightly. You do not have the luxury like what we the people have. We can take this with a grain of salt. No antidote will help you. Think of something fast. Maybe what Dr. M said in hard talk BB World program last night could help you. Go and watch it!

Malaysian Insider has the story:
Pakatan Rakyat to take over 'by Sept 16'
First time Anwar puts a deadline to fall of BN govt
See also 'I will be a much better PM'
KOTA KINABALU, April 23 — By Malaysia Day, Pakatan Rakyat will form the new government. Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim today said that he expected the crossover of Barisan Nasional MPs to take place before Sept 16.This was the first time that the defacto leader of the Opposition alliance has put a deadline to the collapse of the Abdullah administration. His choice of Malaysia Day is interesting given that today’s press conference was in Kota Kinabalu and he is due to visit Kuching soon. The people of Sabah and Sarawak have a special attachment for Sept 16 – the day they became part of Malaysia.By putting a deadline, Anwar is attempting to rattle further the Abdullah Badawi-led coalition already weakened by infighting in Umno and hamstrung by the difficulty MCA, MIC and Gerakan are having in reinventing themselves.But this gambit is also a double-edged sword. The former deputy prime minister is also putting his just regained credibility with Malaysians at stake. If Sept 16 comes and goes without incident, he can expect Malaysians to be more skeptical and questioning of anything he says in future.
Read more here

Grano salis, anyone? (wink!)

"With the little experience I have"

With that "little" experience of being in the government, he believed he can do better.

Quite a statement I see. It shows confidence and determination. Strong will to be better than the rest. But, to what extend? For me that statement only goes to show that you are going to better your own personal record. Nothing more, nothing less.

What DSAI is saying now is as if he was not involved with whatever has happened to Malaysia with regard to past government conducts. As if he was saying, I have been in the government, the previous government, but I don't do much.

And that is all hear.

As the then Deputy Prime Minister, Finance Minister and Education Minister, among others, I was not doing anything. During that time I have not collectively made any cabinet decisions.

Is that what he is trying to say here? It could be that.

What little experience? Nearly 2 decades in UMNO and more than a decade in the BN government. You were once the most influential politician on the land, more influential than the then UMNO President, some would say. You can say this and that, but you can't run away from the fact that you were part of the machinery that is now being ridiculed at.

By simply switching sides, suddenly you have the power to right the wrong that you have done. This I can't understand. It is nothing personal, but I believed there's too much drama going on currently.

As such let us all take the statements made with a pinch of salt. It is hard to run away from the ghosts of your past. TDM and AAB can stand witnessed to that. Well in AAB's case, it is worst. Even the ghosts of his present are haunting him like mad. Those ghosts will keep on haunting them.

DSAI is no exception. The ghosts of his past will keep haunting him too. The skeleton in your closet, if there is any, would want to come out some day, on its own accord or by force.

But then again, I could be wrong. DSAI may not have any skeleton or ghost that would want to haunt him later on. If that is the case, Malaysia certainly has a bright future ahead of her.

A new dawn, shall we say? Let the people be the judge of that. DSAI said that in this interview and I am all for it.

The Straits Times has the report. The followings are an excerpt of the news.

I will check corruption for sure," Anwar said. "With the little experience I have (in the government), I believe I can do much better, but it is for people to judge. But first I have to be there to consider the question relevant."

Anwar was Mahathir's finance minister and deputy prime minister, and was once considered Mahathir's likely successor. But Mahathir sacked him in 1998 during a power struggle, accusing him of corruption and homosexuality.

Read more here.

He ended the interview with this:

"Either way, it is good for us," he said. If Abdullah is ousted, "it will break Umno. If Abdullah continues, it is also good for us because he is weak."

Hobson's choice for some? I think so.

Terlajak Perahu Boleh Di Undur...

..terlajak kata.....

Kos meningkat, projek RMK-9 dikaji semula
22/04/2008 11:27am
Uusan Online Terkini

KUALA LUMPUR 22 April – Beberapa projek pembangunan di bawah Rancangan Malaysia Kesembilan (RMK-9) dikaji semula berikutan masalah kenaikan kos, kata Perdana Menteri, Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi hari ini. – Utusan.

....buruk padahnya...

Second Penang Bridge Delayed Due To Land Issue And Rising Costs
BERNAMA
KUALA LUMPUR, April 22 (Bernama) -- Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi said the construction of the Second Penang Bridge will be delayed following problems getting the allocated land, the best design and increasing building costs."Several matters have delayed its construction. Firstly in getting the land that had been allocated for building the bridge."Secondly, there is a need to ensure that the given design is the most suitable and also the issue of cost where there may be changes due to increased prices," he told reporters after officiating the Asia-Europe Culture Ministers Meeting here Tuesday.

Abdullah said this when asked on why the building of the bridge was being reviewed under the Ninth Malaysia Plan (9MP). Several projects under the 9MP are also being reviewed, he said.

Sedihnya hati bukan kepalang,
Melihat negeriku lintang-pukang,
Diperintah oleh si lebai malang,
Ke hulu ke hilir, tetap di simpang.

Kolet, Kolek, Koleq

Yes, what about Hishamudin Yunus J? Well, I have had the pleasure of appearing before him quite extensively when he was sitting on the bench of Alor Setar High Court. I was chambering then and just started my law practice in Sungai Petani, that was way back in 1996-1998. A good judge, his lordship's elevation to higher courts has been long overdue.

I am saying this not because he wrote a judgment that was in my client's favour in an appeal that I argued before him, which accidentally became the very first case of mine that was reported in the Malayan Law Journal (MLJ) back in 1997. In some instances, he was not with me. I have had applications dismissed by him. I am saying this because he is good. He writes judgments. And he has been on the High Court bench since 1994.

Maybe they have forgotten about him. But how can they when he has been delivering judgment on lots of high profile cases?

Malaysia Today has the story here. Excerpts of the said article by RPK below:

Since we are riding this euphoria of righting the wrongs done to judges, let us look at another case that appears to have gone unnoticed and uncorrected. This is with regards to the injustice done to Hishamuddin Yunus. I know, some of you are going to ask, Hishamuddin who? For those ignorant of whom this most illustrious judge is, read the sections below this piece.

Hishamuddin Yunus, who could actually be the Chief Justice of Malaysia, or at the very minimum the President of the Court of Appeal, has been placed in cold storage. Many other judges below him, some who have the habit of not writing their written judgements resulting in many prisoners still languishing in jail -- have been promoted above his head.

Yes, it has been revealed that many judges do not write their written judgements. Some even get their lawyer friends to write their judgements on their behalf. Some do not bother to write anything at all their entire career and many people are languishing in jail, some in death row, and they can’t file their appeals because there is no written judgement. And, to add icing to the cake, some of these delinquent judges have even gone up to become the Chief Justice of Malaysia.

Kolet, Kolek, Koleq ...looks like old boy, sounds like an old boy... And I am writing this not because he is an old boy of MCKK either. Wink!

Paklah Keeping On With The Momentum

It's good to hear, looking forward to the implimentation. Mmmmm....

Read more here

Malaysian Insider:

PM invests significant powers and proper oversight in new and improved anti-graft agency

KUALA LUMPUR, April 21 — The veil of secrecy which has hung over Malaysia’s anti-corruption efforts for decades should be lifted by the year end. And then Malaysians will know why some ministers were never charged in court or the status of other high profile investigations.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi today announced changes to the Anti-Corruption Agency (ACA), saying that it will be known as the Malaysian Commission on Anti-Corruption (MCAC). It will have the power to hire and fire its own personnel and will grow from 2,000 to some 7,000.

Governing Via Media

The boss has answered, partially. Nothing has been said about the request per se. Maybe that will be done in closed doors. This was the request. Both request and partial answer has been done via mass media, for all the world to see and read into.

Now, true colours can be seen. One of the reason on why the past brouhaha and what at stake may have surfaced. Was the request made for the people or for an institution in particular? Much more will be surfacing and coming our way. Some of the most sorted questions during the Terengganu Fiasco back in March 2008 will be answered. No need to read between the lines though, the guy in charge is kind of an open book.

Hardtalk BBC World - Dr. M

UPDATED!

View the Interview here

(To view, if you don't have Real Player, download here)

“Opportunity for him, now. He was in Government before. He did not complain"

He said "Why Should I keep quiet?"

“Democracy is good when the leader is good. It was a leader of a democratic country who dropped atomic bombs”, he said.

Big Dog has the scoop here

All these came from someone not relevant anymore some say in this country but not BBC World.

For me this is far more better than "..I can't hear you, you see there's a plane flying above my head..."

More to come. Stay Tuned.

Vintage Mahathir Retorts...

By Leslie Lau
KUALA LUMPUR, April 21 — IT was pretty much the kind of answers expected of Tun Mahathir Mohamad: Prime Minister Abdullah Badawi must resign to save Umno and the Barisan Nasional government; the PM gave priority to his family over the country, he told the BBC on the international news station’s "HardTalk" programme aired today.
But in the 20 minutes or so in which he was uncharacteristically at the mercy of host Stephen Sackur, Malaysia’s former strongman showed how vulnerable he was to the rapid fire questioning of his own legacy as Prime Minister of Malaysia.
At times, he was literally squirming, and his discomfort showed through a forced smile as Sackur asked him tough questions and interrupted frequently.
“You make up these stories and take as the truth. Who are these hundreds who end up in jail,” he asked in answer to a question from Sackur about his human rights record and charges that hundreds of his political enemies had been locked up in jail.

Malaysian Insider has it here

When An Apology Is Not An Apology.

What is an Ex-Gratia Payment? When something has been done ex gratia, it has been done voluntarily, out of kindness or grace. In Law, an ex gratia payment is a payment made without the giver recognising any liability or legal obligation. Now do we need to spell it out?

Najib: The Ex-G Payment Does Not Equal Apology

BERNAMA

CYBERJAYA, April 18 (Bernama) -- The ex gratia payment announced by the government Thursday for six former judges involved in the 1988 judicial crisis is not a form of apology to them, Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak said Friday."The ex gratia payment does not tantamount to revisiting whatever that has been decided. It is not to be construed as any form of apology but this is our way of addressing some of their personal considerations and some of the personal experiences, hardship that they have gone through."That is all..so it is to be seen in that light. It should not be construed as anything beyond that," he told reporters after witnessing the signing of a joint-venture agreement between automakers Chery Automobile Co Ltd and Alado Corporation Sdn Bhd, here.The six former judges were the late Tan Sri Eusoffe Abdoolcader and Tan Sri Wan Suleiman Pawanteh, and Tun Salleh Abas, Tan Sri Azmi Kamaruddin, Tan Sri Wan Hamzah Mohamed and Datuk George Seah.On Thursday, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi announced that the government, apart from paying the ex gratia to the six former judges, would set up a Judicial Appointments Commission to nominate, appoint and promotejudges in a transparent and representative manner.

A moral victory is still a victory, nonetheless. Legally the act may not be an admission of guilt but applying all common sense to the same, an admission it is still. The timing may not be good, right after massive political tsunami and all, but at least the government is moving into the right direction. Kudos!

Paklah & Co. must keep the momentum going.

It's That Time Of The Year Again.

Extracted from MCOBA homepage:

The Old Boys Weekend ® 2008
The Malay College Kuala Kangsar
April 18-20, 2008

The Old Boys’ Weekend, or OBW® for short, is an annual homecoming event for the old boys of the Malay College Kuala Kangsar (MCKK). The weekend is usually filled with games between the old boys and the students as well as teachers of the College. There are also other activities such as a forum; career talks; a dinner and musical show; and other fares. The old boys enjoyed the weekend (without their families) and re-lived their experiences during the school days years ago. They played their favourite games, eat at their favourite joints, stayed at the old dormitories, and passed their times by telling old stories of their escapades during their times in College. Those who have been to the OBW® will usually look forward to go to the next one!
This year’s itinerary:

Friday, April 18, 2008
3.00 pm Registration starts
Projek Wakaf Buku untuk Perpustakaan
5.00 pm Soccer: MCOBA vs Staff (Big School field)
8.30 pm Badminton: MCOBA vs Staff (Dewan Merdeka)
8.30 pm FORUM @ Hargreaves Hall (All students in full Malay dress) OBs are encouraged to attend in full Malay dress too.

Saturday, April 19, 2008
6.00 am Solat Subuh berjemaah (Main Surau)
Kuliah/Motivasi Subuh by an OB
9.00 am Games: MCOBA vs MCKK
Hockey (Hockey field)
Basketball (Basketball court @Big School)
Badminton (Dewan Merdeka)
Squash (Squash court)
Petanque (C-Field)
Table tennis (Medan Pelajar)
Tennis (Tennis court)
Sepak Takraw (Sepak Takraw court)
Volleyball (East wing court)
Chess (Secretariat area)
9.00 am Cricket (Big School field)
10.00 am Water polo (Swimming Pool)
4.00 pm Rugby misMatch: MCOBA Under-60 vs MCKK Under-15 (Ryan’s field)
5.00 pm Soccer: MCOBA vs MCKK (Big School Field)
8.00 pm Special OBW Special Dinner @ Carey Hall
Courtesy of Class of ’78 (Serpents)
9.00 pm Wind Orchestra & Bandstand @ Hargreaves Hall

Sunday, April 20, 2008
9.00 am Rugby Match: MCOBA vs MCKK (Ryan’s field)
11.00 am Speeches by HM & MCOBA President
Prize presentation
12.00 noon OBW closes

Accomodation will be provided at Pavilion only. Registration fees are RM30 for MCOBA members; RM40 for non-members; RM10 for student-MCOBs (please present student card)

What's In A Pic?

A picture worth a thousand words.


Pic taken at the 2008 Bar Dinner last night.

Of Millionaire Ex-Judges, Regrets and Reforms

Malaysian Insider and Rocky's Bru have more on that for tonight's event.

Mea culpa, tua culpa.... mea maximus culpa, vostra maximus culpa!

...guess it's time for another song..

That's It! No More Politics....

This morning, as usual (actually as and when I can), I fetched my 8th year old girl, the eldest, from the surau after her "mengaji quran" session.

On the way to the nanny's house, she told me "Abah, Pakcik Idrus (her school bus driver) asked me, Abahtok (her granddad) supported which, UMNO or PAS?"

I asked her back, "What did you tell him?"

She replied, "Oh, I told him that abahtok supports UMNO".

"Why you said that?" I asked her.

She confidently answered, "Well my grand uncle is someone whatever in UMNO, so that's why." I asked back, "What did Pakcik Idrus said about that?"

"Pakcik Idrus just said, 'why?'. Pakcik Idrus doesn't like UMNO, he likes PAS"

"Why do many people dislike UMNO abah?" she asked nonchalantly.

I tried to keep apolitical as I could at that moment while driving.

I said to her, "Well kakak, you know how some people like ice cream right, but some loves vanilla and dislike chocolate like our Hanna and some is the direct opposite. That's how."

At the moment, I sort of know that she's going for the bonanza question. And I was right.

"Abah, so who do you like, PAS ke UMNO ke?" she asked without looking at me.

Guess. What was my answer? I wish I could have told her that I like neither, but that would be lying because she sees how excited I am despite how calmly I would portrait myself as whenever I took the three of them to Baskin Robbins.

I wished I could choose one and tell her that, but that wouldn't be right, right? She's only a child. But then again, hey, I am not the one starting this conversation. She did. Do not underestimate your children, nowadays they know more than you think they do.

Your guess is right. Yes, I answered like a father should. I am what I must be, the apolitical dad. No compromise on that.

I felt great as I left her at the nanny's house. While driving to the office, I remembered this John Mayer's latest song titled "Say" from the movie "The Bucket List". Great movie by the way, starring Jack Nicholson & Morgan Freeman. I quickly searched for the song and listen to it from the car stereo. And listen to it I have.

If you could only...

Say what you need to say (x8)

Have no fear for givin' in.

Have no fear for giving over.

You better know that in the end

It's better to say too much,

than never to say what you need to say again

Damn it. Excuse my language. Next time I need to consult Rusmin first before I answered my children on anything of this sort, or for that matter on anything at all. I wish I could tell all Malaysian, politician and royals, here the same thing, listen to the song, listen to the lyrics, go watch the movie and most importantly consult your dear missus before issuing statement and making news like the one here.

Come on, let the Regent says what he needs to say. If I remembered correctly, there was this craze going on just recently that royals should speak up and speak their mind they should. And the support for that was fantastic, from all Malaysian of all walk and sundry. Why the sudden change of mood? Or was Karpal Singh correct? That all royals must be apolitical and instead of speaking their minds and making political decision that was not theirs to make in the first place, be the royals that they should be, royals that befit their roles as constitutional monarch in a parliamentary democratic nation.

Take all of your wasted honor.

Every little past frustration.

Take all of your so called problems,

Better put 'em in quotations.

Posted Using Flock

How Is Terengganu These Days?

Conversations heard over lunch, just recently in Terengganu between a group of UMNO grassroots in that state.

"UMNO Terengganu is not getting any better."

"Is that so?”

“Why?"

"Good YBs for example Rosol, Din Dam & Alias Abd are not being appointed as Exco because the Ketua Bhg are afraid of being challenged.”

“YBs who have defended PM's decision, or shall we say the party's decision against MB Mohd Said are now being branded as ''Traitors''."

"Oh, that's bad indeed. I know these guys. They are good People's people.”

“They got the job done!”

“But aren't all new Excos have been fully endorsed as good line-up by the new MB? It was also reported that these line up are the best of the best, people with experienced and all?"

"The YB being appointed as the Most Senior Exco has no previous experience as ADUN (as such no experience as Exco before).”

"Why?”

“Ha, you tell me why.”

“That's not good. How on earth the state machinery to smoothly continue with the development and programs initiated previously?"

"And, do you know?"

"What?"
"Officers who's not seen as supportive will be transferred.”

“Yes, seen that too. Some contract officers are given 24 hour notice to quit."

"Ya Allah, the situation happening is as if there has been changed in government."

"Yes, If BN need to survive in Terengganu....... we have to be more careful."

Something Closer To Home

Another mexican stand-off in the offing. But this time somewhat closer to home. If this is true, I say this to that person, "you'll reap what you sow, brother". But I jst can't help to think if this is just another "non-apolitical" games played by the people that keep urging others to be apolitical? What does it mean by demanding to "to peacefully co-exist"? Are we all not now co-existing together here? What you are trying to say? That I am holding a gun to your head? Be good with me and I'll be good to you.

It's a damn shame if this is just another threat to make others to toe the line and shut their mouth up. So much for transperancy, politics that transcend race, a new dawn for Malaysia and all those flowery slogans. Damn shame.

Malaysian Insider has the report:

No let up in the war of words on Penang's past land deals

PENANG, April 16 — Former Penang deputy chief minister Datuk Abdul Rashid Abdullah has until April 28 to explain why some developers were able to change the status of their land from leasehold to freehold without paying much of a premium.
He will also have to open the books and justify several transactions in Penang. If he does not respond by April 28, Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng has threatened to expose him and the former state government.
Guan Eng today upped the stakes in an ongoing campaign to show up his predecessors. It is a strategy with two aims: to keep up his election pledge of pushing for a more transparent style of governance and force the Federal Government to appreciate that it can either have a foe or choose to peacefully coexist with the Opposition.
Rashid was the chairman of the state’s Development and Land Affairs Committee. He has denied any wrongdoing and has even challenged Guan Eng to learn about land matters before making statements in public.

Read more here

Hey, if there are evidences of wrongdoing, by all means proceeds with all the legal recourse available. Catch the damn cuplrit, charge him in court. Why play "I dare you, you dare me!"? Don't reveal too much of yourself. It will eat you up one day. After all, you got 4 more years to go and the clock is ticking fast.

Stop the bickering.

Don't be political. Start serving the people.

He has the numbers!

So he claimed. Interesting. With a Prime Minister who has "two ears and listen very well", I am not surprised how DSAI could asserted as such. It's going to get more interesting in the days to come, that we can be sure of.

Let's see who dances better!

Anwars says it: I've the numbers to form a govt.

DE FACTO Opposition leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim made this stunning claim at a press conference after a police interrupted speech at the Sultan Sulaiman Club, Kuala Lumpur. He wasn't forthcoming with more details. The lawmen were obviously nervous about the size of the crowd at the gathering — estimated at 10,000 within the premises and another 20,000 outside.
Anwar had spoken for about an hour before police cut short his address. He gave reporters his comments on Dr Mahathir's barbs: I've refrained for a long time from responding to Dr Mahathir's vicious and venomous personal attacks. I consider his views obsolete. Unfortunately, he's getting crazier, he's never consistent and has a particular personal agenda to promote Najib and free him from all scandals. Read more here.

Oooh Saucy!

"Never mind. I just listen. I have two ears. I am not deaf. In a democracy, everyone wants to talk. So what can we do? If we don't allow them to speak out, they say we are scared...there's no freedom, so let them talk."

"Why shouldn't I contest? You tell me."

"They can announce anything they want. They can say anything they want. The decision is mine, people can say anything they like."

Read more here

This came from a guy who was on the same day (few hours back) urged the BN leaders to go back to basic and be humble. "Don't be arrogant", he said. Read here

It's a sickness.

Wiseman Speaks

He has spoken. Brave and direct, they say.

The Malaysian Insider has the story.

Tells BN reps they're in charge, to transcend racial thinking, be humble and return to basics

KUALA LUMPUR, April 14 — With pressure mounting on the prime minister to quit now rather than later, this afternoon’s briefing by Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi to all BN Members of Parliament, senators and state assemblymen had an air of seriousness befitting the circumstances BN finds itself in after 50 years of near uncontested rule that was disrupted by the tsunami of March 8.
The Dewan Tun Hussein at PWTC filled up quickly before 3pm with politicians from all BN component parties present to size up the PM and see for themselves whether he is a dead man walking.
While the PM’s poltical future depends more on Umno than the BN component parties, any desertion of the BN ranks will surely spell the end for Abdullah. Some representatives from states in which BN is now the Opposition came to listen to what Abdullah had to say about how to deal with life on the other side of the fence. MPs wanted to know what the tone of the debate should be like when Parliament convenes in two weeks.
Generally there was uncertainty in the air before the function. Just after 3pm, Abdullah walked in with Najib. As he made his way on stage there was a warm but subdued applause for him. As the emcee called out the names of the leaders on stage, beginning with Abdullah, Najib,and then all component chiefs including those who lost, the applause became warmer and the hard edge that people felt initially was softened.
There were no introductory speeches and Abdullah immediately took to the podium. Just as he had done with at the Umno information machinery gathering more than a week ago, Abdullah came out firm and confident.
He didn’t waste time on platitudes and boring sound bytes – typical of pre-tsunami Abdullah. He was sharp, articulate and bold. He told the BN representatives that the party cannot afford to continue to dwell on the
result of the election. It was time to move on.

Read More here

But, it has been said too that a wiseman speaks when he has something to say, a fool speaks when he has to say something. Go figures!

Abdullah umum tanding jawatan Presiden

14/04/2008 5:05pm
Utusan Online-Terkini
KUALA LUMPUR 14 April – Perdana Menteri, Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi berkata, beliau akan mempertahankan jawatan Presiden pada pemilihan UMNO Disember ini.Mengenai pelan peralihan kuasa, beliau berkata, perkara itu akan dibincangkan dengan timbalannya, Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak untuk menentukan bila ia akan dilaksanakan. - Utusan

And spoken he has...

Perbahasan sentuh sensitiviti kaum boleh dikenakan tindakan - Abdullah

14/04/2008 6:03pm
Utusan Online Terkini
KUALA LUMPUR 14 April – Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi mengingatkan anggota Parlimen supaya tidak membahaskan isu yang boleh menimbulkan sensitiviti kaum di dalam negara ini semasa perbahasan di Dewan Rakyat kerana Akta Hasutan boleh dikuatkuasakan di dalam dewan yang mulia itu.Perdana Menteri berkata, mereka perlu memastikan perbahasan yang berkualiti di samping sentiasa ingat bahawa isu yang boleh menimbulkan sensitiviti kaum dan yang melanggar Akta Hasutan dielakkan daripada dibawa.“Kerana Akta Hasutan boleh dikuatkuasakan dalam Dewan Rakyat dalam erti kata Akta Hasutan boleh dipakai juga di dalam Dewan Rakyat.“Mereka tidak dibebaskan untuk bercakap apa juga yang melanggar Akta ini,” katanya selepas majlis perjumpaan beliau bersama Anggota Dewan Negara, Dewan Rakyat dan Dewan-Dewan Undangan Negeri Barisan Nasional (BN) di Dewan Tun Hussein Onn, Pusat Dagangan Dunia Putra (PWTC) di sini hari ini. - Bernama

Ketuanan Melayu?

Read about what DSAI have to say on the current polemics on "Ketuanan Melayu" in the Malaysian Bar Council website today,


'Umno, not Malays, under threat'

Sunday, 13 April 2008 05:30pm
©Malaysiakini (Used by permission)by Chan Kok Leong
Parti Keadilan Rakyat de facto leader Anwar Ibrahim said the ‘Ketuanan Melayu' card increasing played up by Umno is to divert attention from the party's internal problems following its unprecedented setback in last month's general election.

The former Umno deputy president said this today at a hotel in Shah Alam when he was asked to comment on Utusan Malaysia's ‘Ketuanan Melayu tercabar' front-page headlines in the Umno-owned newspaper.

At a gathering organised by newly formed Barisan B Tengku Faris Petra told the crowd that it was not appropriate for other ethnic groups to seek equality and privileges accorded to Malays."We didn't hear much about this (Malay rights) issue last month or before the elections. I believe their intentions are to divert the attention of everyone," said Anwar.

He said that instead of the ‘Ketuanan Melayu' concept, the more important cause is ‘Ketuanan Rakyat'."And when we say 'rakyat', it includes the Malays...especially the downtrodden ones and not the rich ones," said Anwar, who is former finance minister. Read more of it here

Catch what DSAI has to say on various issues here (7 Parts Video in all). To view all of it, go here. This is Part 6 of The Star Q&A with him:

When asked about his immediate political plan, this is what he had to say:

Sunday April 13, 2008-The Star Online
Anwar: No immediate plans
By WANI MUTHIAH
SHAH ALAM: Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) adviser Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said he had no immediate political plans after he becomes eligible to contest for public office on Tuesday.
He said his immediate priority would be to ensure that the Pakatan Rakyat coalition leads with good governance, accountability and democracy.
“People ask me what are your plans but my personal plans are not the priority now,’’ Anwar told a press conference at a leadership seminar organised by PKR for its elected representatives here Sunday.
However, he said the plan for a PKR-held parliamentary seat to be vacated for him to contest to become an elected representative still stood. Read more here.

Our PM-in-waiting? Mathematically the odds are not against him. What are 30 or 40 seats? Just numbers.

DSAI has made some arguably valid and interesting points. Ketuanan Melayu v Ketuanan Rakyat. It's fresh, it's original and it's appealing.

What is UMNO doing by the way? Are we still politicizing everything under the sun?

Who is actually wagging the dog now?

Freedom Of Speech

The right to freedom of speech is guaranteed under international law through numerous human-rights instruments, notably under Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and Article 10 of the European Convention on Human Right

In Malaysia, Article 10 (1) Federal Constitution guarantees the freedom of speech, the right to assemble peacefully and the right to form associations to every Malaysian citizen.

Of all the people, I would believed a senior lawyer and statesman should be the one who are in the know of these provisions. However I am sad to see a news report of statements made by him which suggested that such guaranteed fundamental right does not apply "in toto" to all. Some people are just not allowed to criticize and speak of their mind.

Mahathir should stop criticising Abdullah, says Karpal
The Star 12th April 2008
PETALING JAYA: There is no political mystery for Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad to solve and his services are definitely not needed to criticise the Government, DAP adviser Karpal Singh said.Responding to a letter in The Star by Dr Mahathir yesterday, Karpal Singh said there was no question of any conspiracy by the DAP or Pakatan Rakyat, as alluded to by Dr Mahathir.Dr Mahathir had said that the DAP wanted him to stop criticising Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi so that the Opposition could continue to capitalise on Abdullah’s apparent weakness in the next general election.However, Karpal Singh said he and Lim Kit Siang had not spared the Government of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, including his ministers, from sometimes scathing criticism over policies undertaken by them.“I repeat once again, Dr Mahathir should not drag himself further into the political mud by trying to resurrect his political career. It is too late,” Karpal Singh said. “Dr Mahathir should accept reality and let his successor carry out the mandate secured in the recent election.“The Opposition, in the form of 82 MPs, is more than enough to keep the Government in check. Dr Mahathir is not needed for that purpose,” he said.
Read more of the above story here

Nevertheless, it seems now that a political party, which has been labelled as undemocratic and led by authoritarians and dictators all the while, is singing a different tune. I for one see this as a positive sign and good progress.

No gag order, says Najib
The Star 12th April 2008By SIMON KHOO

PEKAN: Umno will not issue gag order on its leaders expressing views as it shows democracy is alive in the party, deputy president Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak said.He said the party would continue to allow Umno division leaders to speak out in the open on issues close to their hearts."What is important now is to provide an avenue to the grassroots to express their views in an open and sincere manner."We will then leave it to the party's leadership particularly Umno president Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi to come up with the best measures to reform the party and regain the people's trust," he said Saturday after launching the fish protech aquaculture project in Kuala Pahang here. Read more about it here

If you believe in freedom of expression and objected to such authoritarian act as seen in the past in the form of "Ops Lalang" etc. you therefore should not practice a selective application of the same. If you believe in freedom of speech, you believe in freedom of speech even for views you don't like. If we don't believe in free expression for people we despise, we don't believe in it at all.

As said by Voltaire " I may not agree to what you say, but I'll defend to death your rights to say it". All of us, practising lawyers in particular, who have sworn to uphold the constitution and duty bound to protect the rule of law, should subscribed to the said saying, without qualification.

Again if I may hereby reiterate, to all Malaysian politician, please "walk the talk" and don't just "wag the dog"!

Finally!

Not that it is something for us to overly rejoice as the damage has already been done. At least, we know that signal we sent is getting through, bit by bit. Hopefully the "line" will get better by the day so that the rest of the message can be received in full, loud and clear.

It's not the sender or radio bandwidth issue, but the problem lies more with the receiver unit at the other end. It needs repair or to save us all the trouble, just change it with a new unit altogether.

Abdullah akui beliau antara penyebab BN kehilangan undi

UTUSAN ONLINE-Terkini
11/04/2008 7:24pm
JOHOR BAHARU 11 April – Perdana Menteri, Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi mengakui beliau merupakan di antara faktor yang telah menyebabkan Barisan Nasional (BN) kehilangan undi pada pilihan raya umum ke-12 bulan lepas.

Abdullah yang juga Presiden UMNO berkata, disebabkan perkara tersebut beliau merasakan bertanggungjawab untuk berbuat sebaik-baiknya bagi memulihkan BN dan UMNO.

"Saya merasakan saya adalah penyebab kepada 'pembuangan undi' (undi tidak diberikan) kepada Barisan Nasional. Dan saya merasakan bertanggungjawab untuk membuat sebaiknya-baiknya untuk memulihkan BN dan UMNO," katanya kepada pemberita di sini hari ini.

It's long overdue. Sigh.

Nevertheless, congrats to you, though it took you quite a while to come to your senses. It's not that hard to admit. To be in denial will not do you, your party or the country any good.

Now the healing process can start. Make haste!

No Reason What?!

"What for?" "Got no reason what?"

Kalau ada sebab boleh jumpa - Abdullah
Utusan Online

PUTRAJAYA 10 April - Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi berkata, jika ada sebab, beliau akan bertemu sekali lagi dengan Tun Dr. Mahathir Mohamad.
''Kita tengoklah bila... kalau ada sebab-sebabnya," katanya ringkas hari ini.
Beliau ditemui pemberita selepas mempengerusikan mesyuarat Majlis Kebangsaan Hal Ehwal Agama Islam Malaysia Ke-47 di Jabatan Kemajuan Islam Malaysia (Jakim) di sini.
Abdullah diminta mengulas pandangan jika pertemuan antara beliau dan Dr. Mahathir diadakan dalam waktu terdekat ini.


"Yes, there's no reason."

"What reason? Can't see any at the moment!"

Jangan dengar khabar angin desak Abdullah berundur
Utusan Online - Terkini
11/04/2008 11:05am

KUALA LUMPUR 11 April – Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak meminta orang ramai supaya tidak melayan khabar angin kononnya terdapat gerakan di kalangan UMNO Kedah dan Pulau Pinang yang mendesak supaya Perdana Menteri, Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi berundur.
Timbalan Perdana Menteri berkata, perkara itu adalah tidak benar kerana segala perasaan tidak puas hati di kalangan ahli UMNO akan ditangani secara dalaman. - Utusan

"Let's wait for a reason. It's only "puting-beliung"

"..not yet a tsunami..."

"While we at it, let's wait till kingdom come, shall we?"

"Why not?"

Puting beliung landa Pulau Pinang

Utusan Online

TASEK GELUGOR 10 April - Angin kencang diikuti puting beliung yang disifatkan paling buruk pernah berlaku, melanda beberapa buah kampung sekitar sini hari ini. Ribut hampir lima minit mulai pukul 3 petang itu merosakkan kira-kira 50 buah rumah di samping banyak tanaman penduduk musnah. Di Kampung Padang Chempedak, penduduk menjadi cemas dan bertempiaran menyelamatkan diri apabila bumbung rumah mereka diterbangkan angin sehingga ada yang tersangkut di pokok.

Even nature is trying hard to get the message through.

Ain't No Reason-Brett Dennen

People walk a tight rope on a razors edge

Carrying their hurt and hatred and weapons.

It could be a bomb or a bullet or a pen

Or a thought or a word or a sentence.....

There Ain't no reason things are this way.

It's how they always been and they intend to stay

I don’t know why I say the things I say, but I say them anyway.

....The wind blows wild and I may move,

The politicians lie and I am not fooled.

You don't need no reason or a three piece suit to argue the truth.