AG must go if MACC trio not charged, says DAP

By
Shazwan Mustafa Kamal
 | July 27, 2011

The Malaysian Insider

KUALA LUMPUR, July 27 — DAP has given Tan Sri Abdul Gani Patail an ultimatum: Either prosecute the three Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) officers linked with Teoh Beng Hock’s death or resign as Attorney-General.

MACC announced on Saturday the temporary suspension of the three officers named in the Royal Commission of Inquiry (RCI) report — former Selangor MACC deputy director Hishammuddin Hashim and enforcement officers Arman Alies and Mohd Ashraf Mohd Yunus — pending the outcome of an internal probe.

The commission also said yesterday that it will only probe the three officers, and has remained silent on extending investigations to other officers in connection to this case.

Last night, DAP national legal bureau chairman Gobind Singh Deo said that there were legal avenues through which Abdul Gani could prosecute the three MACC officers, citing Section 304A of the Penal Code for culpable homicide as an example.

“The AG is the only one who can prosecute, and he must inspire confidence by taking action when the RCI comes up with suggestions.

“If he cannot take action, then he must explain why action cannot be taken, and if he cannot explain why action cannot be taken he must resign!” said Gobind to loud applause from the 450-odd attendees at public forum here last night.

The Puchong MP, who is also lawyer for the late Teoh’s family, said that Abdul Gani had “no reason” not to prosecute the three MACC officers, saying that he would gladly “point out” the legal provisions under which they could be charged under.

He also said that he was preparing for a possibility of a judicial review over the RCI report.

“We did not fight for two years for you to say that no action can be taken against those responsible for Teoh’s death,” added Gobind.

DAP parliamentary leader Lim Kit Siang, who was also present, demanded the police reopen the investigations into Teoh’s death following the contents of the RCI report.

“There has to be a reopening of investigations,” the DAP veteran politician said.

The RCI’s report had ruled that Teoh committed suicide as a result of “aggressive, relentless, oppressive and unscrupulous interrogation” by MACC officers, particularly the trio.

The officers, described in the RCI report as “Arman the bully, Ashraf the abuser and HH the arrogant leader”, had wanted to pressure Teoh into becoming a witness in their case against his boss, Seri Kembangan assemblyman Ean Yong Hian Wah, for alleged abuse of public funds.

Teoh, a DAP political aide was found dead on July 16, 2009 on the fifth-floor corridor of Plaza Masalam in Shah Alam after he was questioned overnight by MACC officers at their then-Selangor headquarters on the 14th floor.

                This entry was posted on Wednesday, 27 July 2011, 11:23 am and is filed under
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For BN, a call to arms

By
G. Manimaran, Bahasa Malaysia Editor
 | July 27, 2011

The Malaysian Insider

KUALA LUMPUR, July 27 — As speculation rises over the likely date of the next general election, Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin rounded up over 100 Barisan Nasional lawmakers on Monday night and told them to work as if the “polls could be held at the end of the week”.

“The deputy prime minister did not give any indication except to tell us to be ready at all times, to assume as if the polls could be held at the end of the week… that was the only indication, nothing else,” one MP told The Malaysian Insider.

The first-term MP added that Muhyiddin also urged all representatives gathered for the annual meeting to make preparations as though they were already facing the polls.

“He (Muhyiddin) said there is a likelihood that the polls will be held this year or early next year, but we must continue working, to meet with the people and work as if the polls could be held at the end of the week. That was his message, yes, and it is his hope,” said the MP.

Monday’s discussion, which comes just three weeks after the tumultuous Bersih 2.0 rally calling for electoral reforms, was held in PWTC and saw the attendance of MPs from the BN Backbenchers Club and deputy ministers.

Several MPs also confirmed that the meeting centred largely on gearing up for the polls, which many speculate will likely be held sometime after Hari Raya, in the months of October or November.

The Najib administration’s mandate only ends in 2013.

“It (the discussion) contained a lot of advice on how to face the upcoming elections. More than 100 MPs attended this time,” said another MP.

Several MPs who attended the discussion were also seen exchanging messages with one another via the Twitter micro-blogging and believed to be related to the meet, with one comment saying, “You asked an interesting question”.

But details of the “question” or its response could not be ascertained.

Another MP who attended the meeting said that Muhyiddin, who is also BN’s deputy chairman, had told representatives to spend more time in their respective constituencies.

“The deputy prime minister told us, if we have no official duty, to try and spend time in our areas, to meet constituents and hold plenty of activities,” said the MP.

Muhyiddin also purportedly told MPs to use social media tools to get closer with their voters.

“According to Muhyiddin, now more voters are using social media, especially newly-registered voters. If possible, [we are to] use one more media platform, whether Twitter, blogs or Facebook to communicate with the people… this was the aspect stressed on by the deputy prime minister,” said another MP.

When officiating the 19th annual congress of the Indian Progressive Front (IPF) last Sunday, Muhyiddin had asked all BN component parties to work together as a team to face the coming 13th general election.

“We don’t have much time. It’s only a matter of a few months ahead and we must show to the people that we are solidly united to face the general election.

“We may have had team one or team two and so on, but from now on I want us to have only one team, that is Team BN,” he was quoted as saying by Bernama Online.

                This entry was posted on Wednesday, 27 July 2011, 5:32 pm and is filed under
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Government settles with ‘nude squat’ woman

The Malaysian Insider
 | July 27, 2011

KUALA LUMPUR, July 27 — The government has agreed to compensate the woman who was videotaped performing nude squats in a Petaling Jaya police station six years ago.

A settlement was reached between the government and Hemy Hamisa Abu Hasan Saari, 28, at the Kuala Lumpur high Court today.

However, the amount agreed upon by the government, the constable who recorded the video and the mother of three who had initially sought RM10 million in damages when she filed her civil suit, was not disclosed.

The widely-circulated 2005 video had embarrassed the police and resulted in a royal commission of inquiry (RCI) which called for the practice of stripping detainees and forcing them to perform squats a violation of human rights and Islamic principles.

Hemy, who was not present at court today, had sued in 2005, claiming that she was publicly humiliated by the video that was recorded while she was held for drug possession.

The verdict of the narcotics charge will be known on August 8 in the Petaling Jaya Magistrate’s Court.

“The constable who recorded the tape and distributed it was irresponsible and had caused her much humiliation. She is glad with the settlement and wants to continue on with her life,” said Hemy’s lawyer Baljit Singh Sidhu.

Hemy was arrested just after midnight on June 29, 2005, by narcotics police.

She was then told to strip by Lance Corporal Wan Zawati @ Zalina Wan Ismail and perform nude squats, said to be a method to dislodge items concealed in the body of detainees.

The first defendant in the suit, Constable Mohd Dzulfatah Saari, recorded it on his handphone through a window into the room without Hemy’s knowledge.

But the video was then leaked and widely circulated via handphones and the Internet.

Although the government said that it would ban the practice following the RCI’s recommendations, two Singaporean nationals were subjected to nude squats in June this year after they had crossed the Johor border without going through immigration.

They had claimed that they drove past the checkpoint as there was no officer manning their lane.

The home ministry is still probing the diplomatic incident, which has seen two immigration officers suspended so far.

                This entry was posted on Wednesday, 27 July 2011, 1:58 pm and is filed under
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Have the TBH  RCI absolved MACC and MACC officers of responsibility for the death of Teoh Beng Hock?

On Thursday, the Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Seri Nazri Aziz made public the James Foong Royal Commission of Inquiry Report on the death of Teoh Beng Hock while in custody, control and care of the MACC at the MACC headquarters at Shah Alam on July 16, 2009.

In an interview with  Mingguan Malaysia on Sunday, Nazri said among other things that although the MACC “needs to revamp itself, the RCI had absolved it of murder charges and this should not be questioned further”.

In my speech at the DAP Taman Housing Trust dinner/ceramah in Ipoh on Sunday night, I took Nazri to task for his Mingguan Malaysia interview and in particular his stand that the TBH RCI had absolved MACC and MACC officers of all responsibility for Teoh Beng Hock’s death.

This  was why I challenged Nazri to quote the RCI report to show where it had “absolved” MACC of responsibility for Teoh Beng Hock’s death.

I had instead quoted two paragraphs in the TBH RCI report where the RCI pointedly referred to “MACC officers responsible for TBH’s death”, viz:

1.	(when expressing “grave reservations” over the evidence of one MACC officer Raymond Nion anak John Timban who had testified that he saw Beng Hock at 6 am on the fateful morning of  16th July 2009 “lying on the sofa outside Nadzri’s room”),  the TBH RCI said:

“In our opinion, he was not a reliable witness and was used by those responsible for TBH’s death to distance them from their wrongdoings by creating an impression that TBH was not only alive at 6am on the 16th but was also resting comfortably and peacefully on the sofa outside Nadzri’s room.” – Para 198

2.	In Para 201, the TBH RCI said:

“ As it become obvious to us that Raymond’s evidence was tailored  to fit certain objectives which in this case dovetailed those of the MACC officers responsible for TBH’s death, we rejected his evidence as being unworthy of any weight or consideration in respect of the time he claimed to have seen TBH at 6am on the 16th.”

I had asked how Nazri could jump to the conclusion that the TBH RCI had “absolved” MACC of responsibility for Beng Hock’s death when it specifically in Paras 198 and 201 pinpointed on “MACC officers responsible for TBH’s death” (words used by TBH RCI)?

I continued:

“Any reasonable person who read the ‘horror stories’ of the lawlessness and heinous criminalities  rampant in MACC particularly in Selangor,  as described by the  TBH RCI report, can only arrive at the conclusion without having to rely on Paras 198 and 201 of the TBH RCI that several MACC officers must be held responsible for TBH’s death.

“Yes, the TBH RCI did not specifically name the MACC officers responsible for TBH’s death (although their identities are quite obvious to anyone reading the RCI report) but how can Nazri claim that MACC  had been “absolved” of responsibility for Beng Hock’s death when the TBH RCI had openly and directly pinpointed ‘MACC officers’ as responsible for the death?

“I would advise Nazri to re-read the TBH RCI report carefully.”

On Sunday night, I also challenged Nazri to defend his “clearly wrong and misguided stand that MACC and its officers are ‘absolved’ from all responsibility for Beng Hock’s death” to come tonight to the public forum  “Teoh Beng Hock Royal Commission Inquiry Report – Where is the promised truth?” to defend and justify his stand.

I subsequently learnt that Nazri had gone to London to attend the 57th Commonwealth Parliamentary Conference 21-28 July and his press secretary Ahmad Fazli posted on my twitter and facebook that he received instruction from Nazri to accept my “challenge for the  debate” but suggesting that the debate be held after Hari Raya Puasa due to the Holy month of Ramadan.

I had not used the word “debate” but had challenged Nazri to come to the forum tonight to justify his stand that the RCI had “absolved” MACC and MACC officers from responsibility for Beng Hock’s death  – which I disagreed.

This was why I had quoted two passages from the RCI report referring specifically to “MACC officers responsible for TBH’s death” although the RCI had come out of with the finding of “suicide” as the cause of Beng Hock’s death, viz:

“119. Having considered all the evidence in its entirety, we found that TBH was driven to commit suicide by the aggressive, relentless, oppressive and unscrupulous interrogation to which he was subjected by certain officers of the MACC who were involved in the ongoing operation by the Selangor MACC on the night of the 15th and into the morning of the 16th.”

Is this  a simple and  straightforward “suicide”, forced suicide or homicide, especially taking in account the “horror stories” in the TBH RCI report about rank lawlessness and heinous criminalities rampant with MACC officers involved in the TBH interrogation?

If asked, I believe all right-thinking Malaysians can only give a categorical and thunderous answer of: “homicide”!

Whether Teoh Beng Hock died of “suicide” or “homicide”  cannot be ascertained  by a public debate, but only through further thorough and  intensive police investigations and prosecution.

If Nazri, not  able to attend this forum  still wants to have an opportunity to justify his stand that  the TBH RCI report had “absolved” MACC and MACC officers of all responsibility for TBH’s death, I am prepared to oblige and we can discuss the details after Nazri’s return from London.

But the more important question is whether Malaysians can absolve MACC and MACC officers from TBH’s death.

The most pressing issue at present is what action could be taken to get the authorities to press on with further investigations into TBH’s death from the leads opened up by the TBH RCI.

Teoh Beng Hock’s wife and family members have rejected the “suicide” finding of the TBH RCI.

The Bar Council has rejected the TBH RCI finding of suicide as the cause of TBH death, demanding that the authorities should investigate the MACC officers for possible offences under Sections 304 and 304a of the Penal Code, for culpable homicide not amounting to murder and for causing the death of Teoh by negligence, respectively.

The Association for the Promotion of Human Rights (Proham) agrees that MACC and its officials must be held responsible and has called on the federal government “to take very seriously these findings and to take the immediate appropriate action necessary so as to send a message to all enforcement and investigating agencies that a person in their custody is their utmost responsibility”.

Malaysians  who do not accept that that TBH had committed suicide and believed that it was a case of homicide want further investigations to be conducted and his killers to be brought to justice.

[Speech (Pt 1) at the DAP forum “Teoh Beng Hock Royal Commission Inquiry Report – Where is the promised truth” at Kuala Lumpur-Selangor Chinese Assembly Hall on Tuesday, 26th July 2011 at 8 pm]

                This entry was posted on Wednesday, 27 July 2011, 3:25 am and is filed under
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MACC a house of criminals, says Kit Siang

By
Joseph Sipalan and Lee Way Loon
 | Jul 27, 11

Malaysiakini

INTERVIEW Responsibility for the death of political aide Teoh Beng Hock lies squarely on the shoulders of the BN, which created a monster in the form of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC), senior DAP leader Lim Kit Siang says.

Lim said the recently released report of the Royal Commission of Inquiry into Teoh’s death details a “horror” story that clearly outlines the gross abuses of the power MACC wields.

“… we let Parliament pass it (the MACC Act of 2009), gave it increased powers and funding, all sorts of support (were) given. What has happened? It became a monster,” he told Malaysiakini in an exclusive interview.

Lim, who marks 45 years in active politics this year, accused the BN of using the MACC, particularly the Selangor MACC, to further its political agenda in wresting the state back from Pakatan Rakyat rule.

He said the RCI finding – the first document he has personally read since undergoing an operation on his left eye last April – pointed to “utter contempt of the law” by MACC officers and gross abuse of power in carrying out an operation against Pakatan elected representatives that had no basis.

However, Lim’s biggest target was the then Selangor MACC deputy director Hishamuddin Hashim, who he accused of serving the will of the BN through the many officers he roped in to carry out the investigation and raids on Teoh’s boss, Seri Kembangan state assemblyperson Ean Yong Hian Wah.

Lim went on to accuse Hishamuddin, who was promoted to Negeri Sembilan MACC chief after he was taken off Teoh’s case, of leading a “massive operation”, with MACC officers who “broke law after law, not only the SOP (standard operating procedures) but all the laws”.

He added: “It is very clear. Hishamuddin (below, left) was the deputy director, but he acted as if he was more powerful than the director, even without referring to the headquarters.

“It cannot be only (an) anti-corruption operation. Definitely this was part of a political agenda, to topple Pakatan in Selangor (by) going for a DAP, Pakatan assemblyperson, and that must be (the) background to it.

“Otherwise, how can a person, a deputy director, have such great powers, acting and believing he can act with utter immunity and impunity? And he is not someone who is a newbie. He’s got 19 years in the MACC, and suddenly, he acted so arrogantly.

“I’m sure (this is) because he was serving a political agenda, and that can only mean the BN agenda to topple (Pakatan).”

‘Shut down the MACC’

Lim brushed aside claims that the DAP has been milking Teoh’s death in custody for political mileage, stressing that the issue at hand was holding the MACC to account, particularly since it was formed to replace the discredited Anti-Corruption Agency (ACA).

As an immediate measure, he said, the MACC should suspend Hishamuddin, investigating officer Mohd Anuar Ismail and assistant superintendent Mohd Ashraf Mohd Yunus – the three officers said to have used “aggressive” and “inappropriate” interrogation tactics on Teoh – besides charging them with breaking several laws in the course of their investigations.

Lim added that the trio, and most of the other MACC officers called to the witness stand during the Teoh RCI, should also be charged with perjury, since the Royal Commission had found that many of them – save for two officers – had lied in their testimonies.

“It’s not suicide, we don’t accept that… twice the phrase was used, ‘MACC officers who were responsible for the death of Teoh Beng Hock’. So it’s very clear, even the (RCI) commissioners are unanimous (in) that the MACC officers are responsible for the death of Teoh Beng Hock.”

Lim stressed that it was unacceptable for the MACC, which was formed with the aim of restoring public confidence in its ability to operate independently, professionally and efficiently in combating graft, had ended up doing the complete opposite.

Taking the example of the hostile takeover of the Perak state government in 2009, when the MACC investigated the then speaker V Sivakumar for alleged abuse of power, Lim said the three officers involved should likewise be investigated on the same grounds as in Teoh’s case.

“The MACC, particularly the Selangor (MACC), has (become a) house of criminals who break laws left, right and centre. (It’s) completely lawless.

“This is so ridiculous. If somebody lists down the crimes committed in the whole Teoh Beng Hock episode, I think you will have a very long list.

“I think we should seriously consider closing down the MACC and having another anti-corruption body, if that is possible. If that is not possible, then the only way is for a change in Putrajaya; maybe that (Teoh’s case) is the last straw… it is not a question of politics, but a question of survival,” Lim said.

                This entry was posted on Wednesday, 27 July 2011, 2:14 pm and is filed under
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Punish Bersih or risk losing support, Utusan warns BN

By
Melissa Chi
 | July 27, 2011

The Malaysian Insider

KUALA LUMPUR, July 27 — The Barisan Nasional administration must penalise the outlawed Bersih 2.0 movement and the people behind it or risk  losing electoral support for its perceived weakness, the Umno-owned Utusan Malaysia said today.

“The government needs to learn from this incident. To ensure peace and public safety, the authorities should immediately act against the troublemakers. Don’t waste the support of more than 4,000 non-governmental organisations and individuals who have lodged police reports against Bersih.

“The delay in taking action against the organisers and supporters of the illegal rally on July 9 can erode the people’s support because the government is seen as unable to implement the law. So, do not send the wrong message to the people, (that you are) afraid to take any action against the opposition leaders and Bersih organisers,” the Malay-language daily wrote in an editorial today.

Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Tan Sri Ismail Omar announced two days ago that Bersih 2.0 marchers arrested during the July 9 rally will be charged soon for taking part in what the authorities have classified as an illegal assembly, with the police confident of wrapping up investigations this week.

Police arrested nearly 1,700 people, including Bersih 2.0 chief Datuk Ambiga Sreenevasan, and Pakatan Rakyat leaders during the rally for electoral reforms.

Ismail was cited as saying two days ago by state news agency Bernama that his men were still looking into the issues played up by various individuals, saying that there are some who continued to make statements that did not portray the actual situation that day.

“Police chief Tan Sri Ismail Omar had said that a thorough investigation regarding the rally is expected to complete this week. But more importantly is that immediate action is taken, including charging those who were involved.

“As long as there is no legal action against the Bersih organisers who had triggered chaos in the capital city recently, it will seem like they are free to continue to spread accusations during their political talks,” the editorial continued.

City police obtained a court order banning 91 individuals from entering Kuala Lumpur on July 9, while almost 200 were picked up prior to the rally.

The police have released all those arrested except for six Parti Sosialis Malaysia (PSM) members, including Sungai Siput MP Dr Jeyakumar Devaraj, who are being detained under the Emergency Ordinance for allegedly attempting to wage war against the Yang di-Pertuan Agong.

The six were supposedly found with T-shirts bearing the likenesses of former communist leaders.

“What we are concerned about is the wrong perception will arise if the authorities are too careful and slow to take action against those who were involved. It will even give chance to the group to manipulate the Bersih demonstration as is happening now,” it said.

The ruling BN coalition has been on the defensive over the rally, with international media from Singapore to the UK criticising the government’s handling of public dissent.

Last week, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak also claimed the Bersih movement was a veiled attempt to topple his administration through street demonstrations akin to those that are now claiming Middle Eastern despots.

Bersih claimed that 50,000 people showed up for its rally despite efforts to prevent the gathering from taking place. Police said there were 6,000.

The protest turned chaotic when police fired tear gas and water cannons at demonstrators, resulting in nearly 1,700 arrests, scores injured and the death of former military man Baharuddin Ahmad, 59.

The government has promised to investigate allegations of police brutality while the Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (Suhakam) will hold a separate public inquiry into police conduct during the rally.

                This entry was posted on Wednesday, 27 July 2011, 1:54 pm and is filed under
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TBH inquisition reveals racist underpinnings

By
CPI
 | 27 July 2011

What is most telling about the Royal Commission report on Teoh Beng Hock is its total neglect of the two major structural factors accounting for the tragedy – the Umno and MACC agenda convergence, and the racist character of the civil service.

These ingredients together created a scenario where it is difficult to escape the implications that our independent public institutions, like the Malaysian Anti Corruption Commission, are neither independent nor public.

It is unsettling to see the MACC operate as a tool of the state. It could be even more unsettling if there was perversion in the MACC’s function such that it resembles the interrogation unit of the secret police as found in some autocracies.

A deconstruction of events leading and consequent to the deadly outcome is necessary to assess the repercussions of Teoh’s tragedy.

Mind and methods of MACC

Firstly, all the deliberate obfuscation and obstructions put up against the fact-finders seeking the truth of Teoh’s death implies a collusion to serve the interest of the executive branch. This type direction seemingly coming from high levels is an indication of a political landscape where the state is the party. So has our ruling party Umno become now indistinguishable from the state?

MACC investigation into Ean Yong Hian Wah, the DAP Seri Kembangan assemblyman who was Teoh’s employer, commenced amidst Barisan Nasional hopes that it could take over Selangor following its successful toppling of the Pakatan government in Perak. Was the initial investigation and subsequent campaign of harassment by the MACC started at Umno’s behest?

Kicking into action through selectively targeting DAP, the federal agency put the party assemblymen under the microscope. At the same time, the elephant in the room – former Selangor Menteri Besar Mohd Khir Toyo with his unexplained wealth and stunning ‘Bali castle’ for all to see – somehow escaped notice.

The difference in treatment against mere witnesses from the opposition ranks and suspects from within establishment circles is stark. This is demonstrable from the vast discrepancy in the sum for which Ean Yong (RM2,400 order for national flags) and Khir (millions to buy land and build mansion) were respectively investigated.

Further contrast is clearly seen in the varied harshness of the process – “aggressive, relentless, oppressive and unscrupulous interrogation” according to the RCI report on Teoh. A comparison between the two cases as well as drawing the necessary inferences will reveal the racial discrimination, on top of the political bias practised by the MACC.

Unless the agency is detached from state (read Umno) control and made answerable to an independent body – and Parliament be given oversight – it will continue to function as a political appendage of the party in power and not in any circumstances to regain public trust.

Everything under Umno umbrella

Secondly, the RCI ruling on Teoh Beng Hock runs contrary to the more compelling evidence suggesting murder. Its conjectures are weak speculation and too far-fetched for arriving at a finding of suicide whereas on the other hand homicide cannot be dismissed.

The issue of distrust re-emerges when the commissioners are seen as aligned to the powers that be. In the court of public opinion, the judiciary and public prosecutors are part of the Umno-dominated power axis or have been co-opted by the authorities (synonymous with Umno).

Previously, a royal commission had put forward concrete proposals, including the establishment of an Independent Police Complaints and Misconduct Commission (IPCMC) for the purpose of reforming the police force. The recommendations contained in the extensive RCI report have been largely ignored to date.

Yet another set of conclusions from a different RCI on the VK Lingam judge fixing has dissipated into thin air.

In the face of the aborted attempts at reform and NFA (no further action), the public is entitled to query the symbiotic relationship between Umno and judiciary and police. Does the 1party control the bench and the men in blue?

Inversely, do the police being in possession of sensitive intelligence hold certain levers to control key Umno personalities? Or else how do we explain the police top brass thumbing their nose at the implementation of the IPCMC?

Recently we had the royal commission with terms of reference to enquire into MACC investigative procedures. It doesn’t take a genius to figure out that the RCI recommendations will once again be more of the same morass. What traditionally arise from these so-called royal commissions are cosmetic changes (e.g. moving the MACC interrogation room to the basement), and the inevitable stonewalling on cleaning up the outfits.

After all, Selangor MACC deputy director Hishamuddin Hashim who was the field mastermind behind the torture of Beng Hock was even promoted to MACC director in Negri Sembilan.

The state-party nexus between those officials in government pay and Umno is more often than not reflected in the arrangement ‘you do our bidding, we cover your back’. It is this mutual protection racket that helped obliterate incriminating traces of what really happened the night of Teoh’s death. Instead of promoting the rule of law, such destructive living in each other’s pocket only promotes lawlessness as evidenced in the brutish behaviour of the MACC inquisitors.

How the long-drawn saga eventually panned out is not only causing immense anguish to the Teoh family and heaping insult on the memory of the deceased but has also inflamed public anger.

Race-baiting as national blood sport

Thirdly, the MACC and many other public agencies carry an embedded Ketuanan Melayu ideology. With the civil service considered as Umno’s safe deposit of votes, the elaborate patronage system that has been built around it for more than 50 years soon evolved into an integral component of party-civil service dynamics. The entrenched system is one today that is based on racial and opportunistic self-interest.

The staff composition of the MACC mirrors other government departments. As of Dec 31, 2009, the Malaysian civil service comprised 1.25 million employees, and their ethnic breakdown 78.2 percent Malay, 5.8 percent Chinese, 4.0 percent Indians and 4.2 percent ‘Lain-lain’.

Johor’s civil service is an example of even greater imbalance despite the state being among the most multiracial (Malays 54 percent, Chinese 35 percent, Indians 7 percent).

Of the 8,372 Johor government servants, Chinese are 0.12 percent and Indians 1.39 percent (The Star, April 8, 2010). The anomaly of Chinese as one-tenth of a miniscule one percent on the state payroll is equivalent to the size of a grain of rice in an abundant bowl.

Therefore, it is hardly surprising that the 10 MACC men on the DAP Selangor case were Hishammuddin Hashim, Mohd Ashraf Mohd Yunus, Arman Alies, Hairul Ilham Hamzah, Mohd Anuar Ismail, Nadzri Ibrahim, Azhar Abang Mentaril, Hafiz Izhar Idris, Mohd Najeib Ahmad Walat and K. Sachianandran – note the glaring absence of any Chinese officer.

On the night itself, core members of the team took turns to interrogate Teoh whose ordeal lasted for over 12 hours, nearly non-stop from dusk to dawn.

The anti-Chinese agenda in the MACC operation against DAP was quite perceptible. Kajang municipal councillor Tan Boon Wah (a DAP Selangor appointee), summoned to the MACC Selangor headquarters in Shah Alam the same night as Teoh, was abused too.

“They called me a stupid Chinese… Are you from China? You can’t speak Malay?” stated Tan Boon Wah regarding his questioning by the MACC conducted in a dark, tiny room. While waiting, he was also not permitted to converse in Chinese with another witness present in the building at the time.

Dariff Din, an assistant to Kampung Tunku DAP assemblyman Lau Weng San, told reporters: “They [MACC] asked me if I was Chinese or Malay and I told them that I was Malaysian but they kept insisting on [being told] my race.”

Due to Dariff’s Chinese-looking features (father Malay, mother Chinese), the MACC officers were more interested in his ethnic origin than in his boss Lau’s office expenditure, Dariff recalled in his press conference on July 18, 2009. “Everything went smoothly after they learned that I was a Malay Muslim.”

The Chinese ethnicity is doubtless a liability when dealing with or being dealt with by government officers. Insisting “I am not Chinese, I am purely Anak Malaysia” to the MACC inquisitors would not have gotten the victim off the hook as proven by the whole sorry episode involving the DAP members (whom Umno equates with the Chinese community at large).

Ostrich head in the sand

MACC casting its net on DAP – if not for Teoh’s inopportune and sudden death – would have certainly resulted in the undermining if not possible ouster of the Selangor state government. It was also racial persecution of Chinese from the outset as PAS and PKR were spared.

The Ketuanan Melayu propaganda on Teoh as can be discerned from Umno mouthpieces Utusan Malaysia and Berita Harian, and ideological cheerleaders such as NSTP group editor Zainul Arifin who wrote that MACC is a Malay-controlled institution and “Kenapa Menteri Besar Selangor, seorang Melayu, meragui kebolehan orang sebangsanya bertindak dengan tulus dan adil?” and Ridhuan Tee who slammed Teoh’s baby as ‘anak haram’ reflective of Chinese loose morals.

The damage control, spin and counterattack by Umno new media unit and their network of bloggers and cybertroopers who character assassinated Teoh and pinned slurs on DAP (‘Chinese chauvinist communists’) are racial in nature. Umno’s stance and the government’s response to the fallout is revealing in their racialist approach.

A word of advice; denying one’s Chinese or Indian or pendatang roots in surrender to the odious ideology of race supremacy contained in Ketuanan Melayu will in no way contribute to a meaningful reform of the overall system which browbeats and bludgeons those identifying outside the hegemony.

This is a fact that the political parties representing ethnic minorities or wanting their precious votes must not wilfully blind themselves to.

Neither the political parties nor civil society can hope to change the modus operandi of the government enforcement arms by the mere suspension of three MACC officers without taking into account the climate of ingrained racism. The racist mentality displayed by the MACC enforcers is no accident but most likely a characteristic of the larger macrocosm, that is, it is institutional and systemic.

Meanwhile, the people on the receiving end should, by now, surely have realised that overcoming racial discrimination is not through bleaching away one’s skin colour.

                This entry was posted on Wednesday, 27 July 2011, 5:47 pm and is filed under
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Teoh Beng Hock – unresolved death

                This entry was posted on Wednesday, 27 July 2011, 1:52 pm and is filed under
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The Amanah Agenda — part 1

By
Sakmongkol AK47
 | July 24, 2011

The Malaysian Insider

JULY 24 — Last Friday, Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah launched the setting up of another NGO. It is called Amanah. Its full name is Angkatan Amanah Merdeka. The name suggests that, independence and the wider meaning term, freedom, is a responsibility entrusted upon our shoulders.

It seems the main ingredients of an independent nation are being eroded and violated with irresponsible impunity. Our economy is slowly going to be run by powerful economic plutocracy. An elite group has taken over the planning and running of the country. We are simultaneously enthralled and goaded into believing that our economy can get better miraculously through stylish presentation using Microsoft PowerPoint authored by expensively paid consulting companies. Those people in Balakong, Sungai Besi and Jalan kelang Lama did not need power point presentations authored by McKinsey consultants. They didn’t have to pay Idris Jala for leveraging on McKinsey people either!

The economic elite are working hand in hand with the political elite of this country so that from democracy, we are moving toward Plutarchy. Plutarchy is the combination of plutocracy- the rule of the wealthy and oligarchy- the rule of the few. These people are no longer talking about development costs of millions- they are now talking about billions- the billion Ringgit MRT, the billion Ringgit River of Life Project, no billion- no talk. How is our country’s finances managed? Can we trust them?

Our founding fathers gave us a Westminster’s type of democracy and we accepted it. We accept wholeheartedly that the way to form a government is through peaceful means and that is through fair and clean general elections. It must also mean that combatants and contestant are accorded the same facilities and treatment en route to forming a government. We accepted also a constitutional monarchy whereby the Malay rulers accept unreservedly that this country belongs to the people. By that, the rulers accept that they are also subjected to the powers of the constitution, whereby, rulers are also governed by the rule of law and do not have unbridled and absolute discretionary powers. What has happened then? The tipping point came in the late 80s when one person hijacked the democratic heritage and enthralled the nation with the glitter of fast-tracked material advancements. Since then, this country has traveled only on one option- divisiveness. Our heralded and self-congratulatory development is generally paid by the erosion of the democratic ingredients that we spoke of above. We praised and patted ourselves by calling our leaders, fathers of this and that. These terms are alas, empty phrases aimed essentially at according ourselves the feel good feeling.

The aim of Bersih for example, was directed at one of these- which is, fundamental in a democracy is the way we choose our government. It must be done in a fair and clean manner. We have chosen a free market economy but nowadays, what is free, is the freedom by certain cliques in our country to plunder and gobble up the economy. Hence we no longer speak of millions and even 100 of millions but billions. The traffic congestion which is the bane of people in the Kelang valley can easily be solved cheaper by construction of elevated highways. But powerful economic oligarchs proposed to build an MRT whose final costs cannot be determined as yet.

I am not going to repeat its agenda, mission statement etc. these can be found in the concise booklets that were handed out on that day.

Let me cut to the chaff or cut to the chase what Amanah actually stands for. I attended the inaugural launch the other day. I had the chance to listen to the rather long welcoming speech by Kadir Sheikh Fadzir.

Now, Kadir has never struck me as a thoughtful and thinking person. He was the quintessential bon vivant with the bow tie. He would, I think be more at home dining at Lafite at Shangri-La rather than with the thrust and parry of raw politics. On that day however, he was talking sense. Perhaps the articulation was the product of a profound appreciation of the sorry state of affairs that has overtaken our country.

But that, my readers, will in another installment.

*
Sakmongkol AK47 is the nom de plume of Datuk Mohd Ariff Sabri Abdul Aziz. He was Pulau Manis assemblyman (2004-2008).

                This entry was posted on Wednesday, 27 July 2011, 11:22 am and is filed under
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The Amanah agenda (Part 2)

By
Sakmongkol AK47
 | July 25, 2011

The Malaysian Insider

JULY 25 — This is a gathering of concerned citizens. On the stage forming the committee members of Amanah were Kadir Sh Fadzir himself, Daniel Tajem, S. Subramaniam( a former MIC deputy president), Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah as chairman, Ong Tee Keat, Bujang Ulis from Sarawak and a sitting MP from Sabah.

The audience was made up of mainly concerned citizens of all races, with Malays making the predominant number. I am sure not everyone in there in the hall that day will commit themselves to the rigors of field politics; but I was sure of one thing. Everyone were united in the revulsion and rejection of what is going on in the country — the politics, economy, the divisiveness in our society, the future of democracy, the future of this country.

Being present there is already an indication that attendees cannot accept the things that are happening in the country.

The feelings were adequately expressed by Kadir Sh Fadzir. What he said was exemplary; coming from a person who has had everything — wealth, power, service to the country, enjoyed the esteem and respect of his peers.

He would rather be enjoying his leisure days. So too would the others. Daniel Tajem, a sincere looking fellow who is committed to uplift the Sarawak people out of misery, Subramaniam (he may be motivated by his own pursuits), BUjang Ulis, Ong Tee Keat — the MCA man who wanted to do the right thing with regards to the PKFZ.

What the current Umno is, MCA is that to the Chinese. MCA cannot be a den of thieves and plunderers irrespective of how many truckloads of Class A durians the perpetrators of the PKFZ financial fiasco bring over to the bosses. A former MCA leader when he was a deputy minister would often treat his boss at TNB first class durians from Bentong!.

What the country has got itself into is no longer tolerable. These “has-beens” and veterans of Malaysian politics cannot endure the transgressions, the abuse, the bullying and the direction the country is travelling in. It’s made worse by a leadership who is more suited to become a poster boy, popular but incapable of managing this country properly.

Amanah is really, for now, a group of conscientious objectors. Our objection must therefore be well put.

And what do we object to?

Utusan Malaysia recently revealed the kind of warped thinking the leadership of this country has or even worse, they are unthinking at all. It writes that it’s a common outcome of those subjected to interrogation to commit suicide.

This kind of thinking is just another unfortunate and grossly stupid gloss of the general notion that the all ends justify all means. Hence the deaths of persons under the duty of care of the custodians are but collateral damages to the desired end of achieving the truth.

Except the truth in this case, as Colonel Jessup says in “A Few Good Men”, can’t be handled by the truth seekers.

So, it will be used as a general explanation — that all transgressions- corruption, cronyism, are all justifiable means because of our desired end. What is the desired end then? This is the basic objection to these totalitarian tendencies. For that is what these transgressions amount to, unchallenged they will serve the interest of totalitarian tendencies. The government wants to govern and rule unchallenged.

This country is teetering towards totalitarian tendencies which require objections from all fronts. The diversity of parties and NGOs pursuing the same objectives must be seen as the necessary repeat of struggles and fights to overcome wrong politics.

So don’t decry if Amanah emerges by saying “Ah, it’s just ‘another one of those bodies’”. It’s NOT just another, but is instead the sufficiently and necessarily required instrument in the pursuit of victory over evil that must be fought over and over again not just by one, but by as many as possible.

We must be clear what our general objection is. Very often we inure ourselves and accept the various transgressions and abuses as necessary evil or the ends justifying the means thinking. We must also be clear about this.

When we object to the idea that the means are not justifiable no matter what the ends are, we mean, really that the actual end is not the end itself but the means for achieving that end. Hence to elicit truth does not justify murdering someone.

To achieve development can be never justify the cronyism and corruption and the marginalisation of the whole people. Solving the traffic woes of people cannot justify building RM 50 billion worth of edifices. The list goes on and on.

This is our most fundamental objection: The means by which we achieve whatever ends must be correct and principled. — sakmongkol.blogspot.com

*
Sakmongkol AK47 is the nom de plume of Datuk Mohd Ariff Sabri Abdul Aziz. He was Pulau Manis assemblyman (2004-2008).

                This entry was posted on Wednesday, 27 July 2011, 1:56 pm and is filed under
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The Amanah agenda (Part 3)

By
Sakmongkol AK47
 | July 27, 2011

The Malaysian Insider

JULY 27 — There’s a practical side as to why I usually break up my articles into several parts. One is that I am writing from memory and therefore the output depends on my power of recall; if the issue at hand has decelerated, I can discontinue. I am also able to include responses to comments that come in if I judge them to be of material relevance.

Many of the comments on my articles on Amanah for example said they know of Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah’s well-meaning intentions and all that. But they lamented that this country needs action. The action will come in the next elections is the short answer.

I think, if I may put it as such, we don’t have to rush Tengku Razaleigh into doing something strategically inopportune. It will eventually be incorporated into a political agenda on a political platform. For the moment a little patience is prudent.

It’s true, that the faces on the stage have long passed their political prime. But some of them are not looking for offices. Amanah isn’t a political party; it is at the moment, an NGO where like-minded concerned citizens come together to find the means for articulating their concerns. Kadir Sheikh Fadzir said so himself, we on this stage sudah tak tahan lagi. We have to speak out.

So why not speak out through existing political parties if it’s not Barisan Nasional they want to do so? My answer is they chose Amanah precisely because it’s led by Tengku Razaleigh. The other non BN political parties simply do not have a figure that can serve as a singular rallying point. DAP is practical minded. PAS knows its own limitations. PKR has other problems. But in Tengku Razaleigh, it is possible to find such a figure.

Why is Umno quiet about it? Because they can’t do anything about it. Even among Umno members there is increasing disquiet about how things are managed. Saifuddin Abdullah’s recent “out-of-line” statements and Khairy Jamaluddin’s conscientious objections are only tips of the icebergs.

Tengku Razaleigh is merely pointing out the realities. He is still an Umno member, so what can Umno do at the moment? It can’t sack a person of his stature without precipitating its own implosion. So go ahead, sack him and it will make the days of many.

Tengku Razaleigh is, of course, mindful of the possible repercussions of his actions. He may not be fielded as an Umno candidate in the next elections. He may lose the support of Umno Gua Musang. The last time I spoke to him, he was telling me of these reservations.

I pointed out to him that his victory doesn’t just depend on Umno votes. It depends on the rakyat. Given the history of seeing only 60 per cent of Umno members voting for their own candidates and 60 per cent of Malays voting for non Umno candidates, I would rate his chances as being above average. The opinion of the present Umno leadership is quite simply inconsequential.

So that is why Umno is quiet about the whole thing.

At the moment, this is what Amanah provides. A platform for speaking out against the abuses on the Merdeka heritage. The assault on fair and free elections. Because, if I may continue from the last article, the means by which we achieve our end, to get a clean and fair government, is also the end itself. The clean and fair government that is the end must be justified by clean and fair means.

We want to speak out against the endemic corruption that has engulfed this country; the assault on the judiciary that has caused public distrust and haplessness, the divisiveness of the people because of opportunistic racism and all that.

The first portion of Kadir’s speech was interesting. How does a government hold on to power?

Whoever wrote the American diplomatic dispatch that was made available to us through WikiLeaks and Malaysia Today gave what seems to be some correct observations:

The ruling party wants to stay in power indefinitely; for instance, the ruling party defines national security primarily as a matter of protecting Umno’s superiority and ensuring that “people power,” or a level electoral playing field, cannot become the opposition’s means of toppling the ruling party.

That would explain the bludgeoning of the Bersih planned rally.

The ruling party is relying primarily on its own party structure and the embedded system of carrots and sticks to keep party membership in line. As in other one-party states, the party is seen opportunistically as a mechanism for personal advancement and enrichment.

The ruling elite maintain control over the security apparatus through party stalwarts who run the security institutions, mainly the police but also the military. We believe the military will remain loyal to legitimate leadership and is not a likely tool to overturn an elected, royally-approved and Malay-led government from either the ruling or opposition side. The police, on the other hand, follow orders from the ruling party.

That is why I find Kadir’s anecdotal description of Nigeria’s political experience, while amusing, very instructive. He was telling the story of how the Nigerian President Goodluck Ebele Azikiwe Jonathan came to power.

In Nigeria, there is a rotation system whereby Christian and Muslim leaders take turns to become president. Goodluck Jonathan is a Christian and the current roster is for a Muslim to be president. Having served as deputy president for the maximum allowed period of two terms, he was obliged to retire. Jonathan does not have a standing to offer himself as presidential candidates when by convention, it’s the other fellow’s turn.

But he successfully offered himself by doing the unconventional but doing what Nigerians have always wanted. The North and the South gave him the victory. How? Jonathan did offer himself by promising to do what justifies the end of getting a clean and fair government. He did it by offering the Nigerians the only means to get the end — clean and fair means.

He changed the head of the judiciary, the head of the police install a neutral and fair minded elections commission and so forth. These fair and clean means to achieving a desired end, in the end rallied the people behind him.

Malaysians have a choice, really, to adopt the method by which Goodluck Ebele Jonathan retains power or the way, the American diplomat observed above.

That is the typical way by which totalitarian governments keep their power. Everything is defined in terms of primarily their interests. Hence Bersih’s march for fair and clean elections is taken as a challenge to Malay security, an assault on Islam and Malay rulers, etc, and hence a threat to Umno’s security is taken as a threat to the country.

The Amanah platform now serves primarily as a clarion call for people to set aside their partisan politics and see what the country has become into. The beneficiaries of an independent country are now witnessing the blatant abuse of what has been bequeathed to them by our founding fathers.

While it serves as a clarion call or sounding board, the cudgels will be picked up by others hopefully. True, Tengku Razaleigh hasn’t got the organisational structures at the moment, but only because it’s only just launched and it’s not a political organisation.

But more important, I think, by launching this Amanah, Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah is signalling that his is ready and willing to offer leadership. — sakmongkol.blogspot.com

*
Sakmongkol AK47 is the nom de plume of Datuk Mohd Ariff Sabri Abdul Aziz. He was Pulau Manis assemblyman (2004-2008).

                This entry was posted on Wednesday, 27 July 2011, 2:16 pm and is filed under
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The ghosts of Mahathirism

By
Stanley Koh
 | July 27, 2011

Free Malaysia Today

Is Mahathirism back with a vengeance?

Recent events do make it seem like the Najib regime has decided to adopt the former prime minister’s authoritarian style in saving its flagging political fortunes. It has resorted to using draconian laws and shameless propaganda in the face of an awakening electorate and increasing exposures of its misdeeds.

The government seems to have ignored the strong signal given by the 2008 election result that Malaysians want more democratic space. And what was Bersih 2.0’s July 9 rally if not a reaffirmation of that demand?

But instead of using the occasion to promote his much-vaunted liberalist image, Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak seemed to have done what Dr Mahathir Mohamad would have done—crush them and damn what the world says.

After May 13, 1969, Mahathir ominously proclaimed: “There is not going to be a democracy in Malaysia. There never was and there never will be.” He was speaking then as a critic of the government, but during his 22-year tenure as prime minister, he seemed to have applied himself to ensuring that his prediction would be realised.

Khoo Boo Teik, in his Paradoxes of Mahathirism, wrote: “Certainly Mahathir did not balk at using authoritarian means to restore his control over mass dissent in October 1987. Then he professed to lament the irresponsibility of misfits who had abused his liberalism, not unlike how, after May 13, 1969, he spoke of the immaturity of the people as an obstacle to the full practice of democracy.”

The Mahathir era witnessed the full exploitation of repressive laws, notably the Internal Security Act and the Police Act. The latter law requires police permits for public gatherings. This condition was stringently enforced against opposition groups but ignored for government parties. Things have not changed.

Mahathir’s government amended the Societies Act in 1981 and the Official Secrets Act in 1986 to constrict further the arena of public debate. It also consistently exploited its two-thirds majority in Parliament to make constitutional amendments aimed at strengthening its political position.

Money politics

It was also during the Mahathir era that the Malaysian judiciary lost its independence and respectability. Mahathir tried to keep whittling away at that independence even in the last years of his tenure. In 1999, he was quoted as suggesting that the judiciary needed further reform because judges “tend to favour” the opposition.

The practice of “money politics” deepened its roots during the Mahathirism era. Scholars Graham K Brown, Siti Hawa Ali and Wan Manan Muda wrote in their research paper on Policy Levers in Malaysia: “Initially, under the guise of the 1971 promulgated New Economic Policy, the regime developed a fearsome machinery for dispensing patronage to supporters of the government. This money politics involves both state and private funds the BN parties control between them, a massive corporate empire that operates on the individual, corporate and even state level. The abuse of public funds is often unabashed.”

Another defining feature of Mahathir rule was electoral gerrymandering. A Commonwealth observer group invited to oversee the 1990 general election concluded that the conduct of the elections in the country was free but not fair.

Academician Lim Hong Hai, who conducted research on the delineation of electoral constituencies, said regular constitutional re-delineation exercises carried out by the “nominally independent” elections committees invariably favoured the ruling regime.

In the 1999 general election, the BN regime won more than three quarters of the electoral seats on a popular vote of barely 56%. There were allegations of actual fraud during the election, but these have always been difficult to substantiate with proof.

In October 2003, Abdullah Ahmad Badawi succeeded Mahathir, inheriting a governing structure and a political system centralised in the hands of the prime minister. But he promised reforms and, largely on the strength of those promises, helped BN win a landslide victory in the 2004 general election.

But the ghosts of Mahathirism got the better of Abdullah. Vested interests in BN, particularly Umno, prevented him from delivering on those promises. And so he met his Waterloo in 2008.

Leadership blunders

Will Najib repeat the same mistakes? Before Bersih 2.0, many used to argue that Najib, born a snake according to the Chinese horoscope, was unlikely to commit the same leadership blunders, despite the limited success of his 1Malaysia campaign and widespread criticism surrounding his “transformation from within” rhetoric.

However, his handling of the Bersih issue has changed that perception somewhat. In the age of the social media, it is indeed a major mistake to resurrect the ghosts of Mahathirism, which thrived on government propaganda aimed at an electorate that had little access to alternative information.

The glossary of words used in Internet discussions about the anti-Bersih operation are telling: “demonise, discredit, doublespeak, double standards, draconian detention”.

Najib has failed in the leadership test, principally because of his failure to exorcise the ghosts Mahathirism.

Should we allow our nation to be made the laughing stock of the 2st century by our dependence on the communist bogey to silence dissent and by our use of black ink to censor articles widely available on the Internet?

Ironically, the one way we can escape ridicule is by following an advice given by Mahathir himself. In a press interview in 1995, he said the only form of censure he found acceptable for an elected government was its replacement through an election. “Hence, if they prefer another government, they are welcome to it.”

The choice is yours, Malaysians.

__

Stanley Koh is a former head of MCA’s research unit. He is also an FMT columnist.

                This entry was posted on Wednesday, 27 July 2011, 10:53 am and is filed under
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Those whom the gods would destroy, they first make mad

By
Zaharom Nain
 | July 27, 2011

The Malaysian Insider

JULY 27 — Many of us have long been opposed to monopolistic or oligopolistic control of institutions, including media institutions. More often than not, critiques of such control have been levelled at large corporations or moguls. Indeed, such concentration of control often invariably leads to lack of transparency and, of course, of accountability.

Hence, many who are concerned about media freedom and democracy are currently pleased, if not absolutely thrilled, with the reports about the closure of Rupert Murdoch’s News of the World (NOTW).

This, and the current revelations about the alleged dirty tricks employed by NOTW reporters and top executives, evidently now put Murdoch’s global media empire under much scrutiny and under threat.

But capitalists like Murdoch are not the only ones who wish to monopolise media ownership. Many tin-pot dictatorships and their authoritarian cousins also try to do so, believing in the maxim that those who own the means of material production (the economy, including media organisations) will also own and control the means of mental production (ideas).

Indeed, Malaysia presents a perfect example of such concentration of media ownership. But here it is very much political ownership, primarily in the hands of Barisan Nasional political parties, led by Umno. Sadly, though predictably of course, this has led to unethical reporting, deliberate distortion and misrepresentation and, more frequently now, the production of blatant lies.

One consequence has been the rapid decline in newspaper readership in Malaysia, with more people reading tabloids like Harian Metro and Kosmo, indicating perhaps the widespread assumption now that trivia is what’s important in a Malaysian newspaper (and television) and that “real’ news is to be got elsewhere.

And, with another layer of control being mooted through the government-proposed Media Consultative Council, it wouldn’t be much of a surprise if Malaysian press reports and television news lose even more credibility over the next few months or so.

The problem with such attempts to monopolise information production these days is that new and alternative sources of information are now quite easily available. And, really, the condescending (and largely official) view that the rural heartland can still be swayed (read duped) by newspapers and television clearly doesn’t wash anymore.

Even the (allegedly ignorant) oppressed do wise up in the end. There is just so much condescension and stupidity that one can take, however humble and `uneducated’ one may be. And lately, surely out of desperation, the mainstream media and, especially, their political masters appear to have gone stir crazy.

Just this past week, the continuing overreaction to Bersih 2.0, the comments made about the late Teoh Beng Hock, and the deportation of William Bourdon have been but three clear examples of those in power having lost the script and very much lashing out blindly.

Indeed, the act of arresting, detaining and then sending elderly activist, Hii Tiong Huat, to a psychiatric ward surely smacks of more over-reaction? The poor guy has been arrested thrice in two weeks for apparently wearing a yellow T-shirt and carrying a sign board supporting Bersih, culminating in his being sent to a psychiatric hospital by the police on Friday.

Perhaps just ignoring him and spending more time catching real criminals might be a better strategy. Especially since the crime rates in KL and Selangor aren’t exactly something to boast about.

Then there’s the recent conclusion of the Royal Commission of Inquiry into the death of Teoh Beng Hock. Of course, this being Malaysia, many had anticipated the outcome.

But the minister who announced the findings, himself purportedly a lawyer, surely went over the top with his `reading’ of Teoh Beng Hock’s character, when the RCI had made no such reference in its 124-page report. And what’s worse, when this was pointed out to him, he put the blame on his officers who had prepared the press statement for him.

This passing of the buck has become a shameful habit for many of those who like to see themselves as leaders, but really aren’t. And these days, they kid no one with this pathetic, uncouth behaviour.

The fact is, an innocent man is dead. Remember, he was summoned not as a suspect but as a potential witness.

And, whatever the shortcomings of the RCI, it has pointed out quite clearly at least three individuals who contributed to the death. Sure, they’ve now been suspended. But given that they are government officers, surely the least the minister could have done — indeed, surely the least the government must do — is tender an apology to Teoh Beng Hock’s family.

That’s precisely what the Malaysian Bar Council is asking of the government. Is that too much to ask of a government that talks about making Malaysia “a caring society”?

The third example of action and behaviour that make very little, if any, sense in this age of the internet has been, of course, the detention and deportation of French lawyer William Bourdon. Granted, Malaysian law does indeed allow for such action, without any explanation needed.

But, surely, if Bourdon had been left unimpeded to conduct his business — a high-profile case, we are now told by internet news sites, involving the French and the Scorpene submarine deal — fewer questions would have been raised and fewer people would now be talking about it while, perhaps, singing Yellow Submarine?

Indeed, last I heard, despite Bourdon being absent at the fund-raising dinner in KL, Suaram (the NGO at the heart of the case), still managed to get 500 attendees, raising RM200,000 to help fund the case in the French courts. And now more people know about it simply because this French lawyer was deported for “violating the conditions of his social visit pass”.

So, there you have it. Three very recent cases of overreaction, of intemperate behaviour, and of virtually blindly lashing out. All by people in authority. And I’ve deliberately left out UiTM’s Ibrahim Ali award (or is it non-award now?)

With all this happening, together with the ongoing detention of the PSM6 under the Emergency Ordinance, we may well ask, what is happening to this country of ours?

More pointedly, what is happening to make our “leaders” act this way?

Indeed, could Euripedes have been right all those centuries ago? — aliran.com

*
Zaharom Nain, an Aliran member, is an academic who researches on media and communications issues.

                This entry was posted on Wednesday, 27 July 2011, 5:42 pm and is filed under
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Why Najib must go

By
Mariam Mokhtar
 | Jul 25, 11

Malaysiakini

The rakyat is angry with all politicians, not just BN or the opposition.

We have had 54 years of Umno/BN rule and have things really got any better? The rich appear to get richer, whilst the numbers who make up the poor, are increasing.

The old class system was royalty versus the serfs. Then it was the colonialists against the Malayans. Now it looks like it is the Umnoputras versus the rest.

The Umnoputras are the new elite. Even royalty depends on the largesse of those who lead Umno/BN to get funding from the civil list.

When it suits them, BN will use emotional blackmail on the Malays to say that their heartland and their birthright is being threatened.

The British left us with a country that had enormous potential. Malaya had an abundance of wealth, from tin to timber, minerals to mining.

Singapore was only a trading port for all of Malaya’s riches. Look at Singapore now.

Malaya was rich in natural resources and it was these riches that helped fund the British war effort in the First World War. However, one untapped resource then as it is now, are its people – the Malaysians – Orang Asli, Malays, Chinese, Indians, the East Malaysians, Eurasians and all the rest.

Over the years, all these people contributed towards the success that we now see in the country. It is not BN or Umno or the Opposition who are responsible. It is the hard work and fortitude of those Malaysians who love their country.

However, the Umnoputras are the new royalty and they are siphoning away riches that should be shared with the rest of the rakyat. They take but they never give. They forget that all Malaysians deserve the same considerations and protections as other individuals working in the country.

Prime minister Najib Abdul Razak (right) was not elected to the post. He leads the country by default. He has shown very little ability to govern or to engage with the rakyat.

He only pays lip service to his speech to delegates of the 65th United Nations General Assembly; he said that extremists should not be allowed. At home, Malay extremists were permitted to express their insensitive racist and religious views without being punished.

Tighten belts

His administration tells us to tighten our belts but it appears he does not have to heed his own advice. He freely uses taxpayers’ money on his personal comfort. How does he have the gall to spend RM63 million on renovations on Seri Perdana when some people do not have a decent roof over their heads?

Taxpayers’ money is also used to fund his expenses abroad. One trip to the US was combined with his daughter’s graduation ceremony. Another trip to Kazakhstan with a large entourage of officials coincided with his daughter’s engagement ceremony. Quite a few regarded it as morally wrong.

When Najib’s wife, the self-styled “First Lady”, appeared in the New York Times centre-fold, the rakyat was irked further when it was alleged that US$4 million had been spent on this self-publicity drive.

Perhaps Najib is not at all bothered about emptying the public purse. In comparison, if we owed a government department one ringgit, we would be hounded like criminals.

Najib and his administration are devoid of morality. He need not go on about the opposition and their spending when people who have been found practising money politics to head government institutions.

How can he claim that other Muslim nations should follow Malaysia’s lead, because Malaysia’s system of governance is based on moderate Islam and has worked?

What about corruption, the abuse of power, the use of racial or religious sentiments to divide the public and the lack of credibility of the country’s institutions?

Why can Najib not make decisions which will lead to monumental improvements in democracy in Malaysia?

Instead he wants to build monuments to his vanity like the proposed 100-storey Warisan Merdeka. These are mere phallic symbols for Umno/BN.

Intolerance increasing

In Najib’s Malaysia, levels of aggression and intolerance by some Malays towards non-Malays or non-Muslims have increased. Malays who make racial and religious slurs go unchecked, despite Najib’s promises to eradicate extremism.

Bersih, which called for free and fair elections, has been outlawed by Najib. Is he not interested in clean elections? Does he not wish to prove that Umno has won every election by fair means? Why is he afraid of free and fair elections?

Why is he afraid of allowing international observers to oversee the elections? Surely, international observers would scotch all of the opposition’s claims that Umno tampers with the election results.

On the other hand, the recent deportation of French lawyer, William Bourdon, can only mean one thing. There is something to hide.

Bourdon, who is representing local NGO Suaram, believes that details of beneficiaries and kickbacks from the RM7.3 billion Scorpene submarine deal will be revealed when the matter is raised in an ongoing French corruption trial against defence giant DCNS.

If all is above board the parties involved would surely want to clear their name. Or even prove that the Scorpene scandal has nothing to do with them.

The shame is that other Umno/BN members are aware of the truth and that Najib is an incapable leader. However, these people are not willing to help the country because they only want to save themselves. Perhaps, they are themselves implicated or maybe they fear for their own safety.

But we, the rakyat, are telling Najib that it is time he went.

If he is still unconvinced that he is not the man for the job (of leading the country), he should have known by now, that being PM is a poisoned chalice.

—-

MARIAM MOKHTAR is a non-conformist traditionalist from Perak, a bucket chemist and an armchair eco-warrior. In ‘real-speak’, this translates into that she comes from Ipoh, values change but respects culture, is a petroleum chemist and also an environmental pollution-control scientist.

                This entry was posted on Wednesday, 27 July 2011, 6:26 pm and is filed under
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Apocalypse begins

By
Soothsayer
 | July 27, 2011

The Malaysian Insider

JULY 27 — Good is bad and bad is good. Those in power attempt to justify their acts of deceit, cruelty and oppression by hard-sell tactics using all the media tools at their disposal.

On Sunday, the news broadcast was filled with falsity and half-truths — one of which is that this country is rated one of the safest and most peaceful in the world. By whose measure, I wonder, in the face of so much murder, death, robbery and violence?

The credit for maintaining the peace should go to the brave “rakyat” who, unarmed, faced water cannons and tear gas on their peaceful march. The government of the day deserves nothing for sending its minions to taunt, provoke and injure the populace.

Instead, it deserves condemnation for oppressing the marginalised and those who defend them, imprisoning the innocent on questionable pretexts — and resurrecting bogeys and zombies, the undead that haunt those currently in power. Little do they realise that their monsters may turn on them.

 Who would think that our country would descend to this? The rot has been secretly spreading all these 50-plus years of our apparent independence. Covert repression is taking place with each wave of threatened political instability over the years.

Now, bursts its skin like an over-ripe fruit in the process of decay. The rotten, stinking, putrefying, maggot-infested sludge seeps out of pores and cracks in sticky black streamlets to pollute every corner of the country.

In this tragic-comedy, who will have the last laugh? This is the most unnatural country where innocuous actions are seen as crimes — the wearing of clean yellow T-shirts with the word “Bersih” on them and the possession of banners, pamphlets and flags, and images of long dead communist leaders. Where, indeed, are we heading?

Some are still afraid of shadows; how much longer can they use that as an excuse to do nothing? They, whose main concern is only for their own well-being, exist only for the present, not for the future. When they die, their fears will die with them and their existence will stop there. No achievements to speak of, no contribution to peace made, just the end of a mediocre life.

 The winds of change are swiftly gathering gale force, but where will this twisting cloud in all its terrible power take us?

 Yet, there are lambs that discover lions within themselves and these will pick up the gauntlet and accept the reality of the challenge for truth and justice. May these values be the only driving force propelling their spirits to selfless giving.

Many may rally to the cause but how many will fall along the way, as the journey progresses? How many will decide to abandon the cause and re-trace their steps to succumb to temptations of an easier path. Beware, the wolves in sheep’s clothing, and the smiling jackals hungry for power and wealth.

 Dealing with the current madness will not be easy or comfortable. So, evaluate yourselves and gauge the strength of your will power before you take the first step on this perilous journey to battle, as Apocalypse begins. — aliran.com

                This entry was posted on Thursday, 28 July 2011, 1:24 pm and is filed under
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BN MPs want more funds ahead of polls

By
Shazwan Mustafa Kamal
 | July 28, 2011

The Malaysian Insider

KUALA LUMPUR, July 28 — Barisan Nasional (BN) lawmakers have told coalition leaders that the government must ensure more funds trickle down to their constituencies instead of concentrating on big-ticket projects like the Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) construction in Kuala Lumpur if the ruling coalition wants to receive a strong mandate in the next general election.

The Malaysian Insider understands that the matter was raised during a meeting on Monday night between 100 BN federal lawmakers and Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin.

The lawmakers argued that if Putrajaya could set aside funds for the MRT project, a similar amount should be given to generate economic benefits in more constituencies.

While the BN representatives said they “understood” the purpose of the MRT project, some of them felt that development projects within “rural” constituencies should be given top priority.

MPs who attended the briefing told The Malaysian Insider that many had voiced out concerns that further announcements and implementation of “mega” projects would pose a financial constraint in funding to constituencies.

It is understood that some BN leaders present at the meeting had requested an extra RM1 million in allocation of funds on top of the estimated RM1 million usually allocated annually and signed by the district officer of a particular constituency.

“There was a general feeling that it (MRT project) is costly, and that the money could be used for the time being for constituencies for smaller projects. One MP needs millions to do a project in his or her constituency,” a BN source told The Malaysian Insider.

There is controversy over the estimated cost of the MRT project, which some reports have pegged to be as high as RM50 billion, although the authorities have said the cost cannot be finalised until the MRT alignment is confirmed.

But Umno MP Datuk Abdul Rahman Dahlan stressed that while BN MPs were very frank with their suggestions during the meeting, none of them voiced out any disagreement with the MRT project.

“Everyone present that evening understood what the MRT was for; questions and points were just raised to strengthen arguments to allow more allocation… it’s only as far as MPs who serve in rural areas feel that development projects in their own areas should have been given priority. They were quite frank in giving their input.

“It was not about objection towards MRT, it was about more about wanting more funds to spend on a constituency. They are just saying that the money could have instead been used in rural areas, but the government has a different view about the economy,” he told The Malaysian Insider.

The Kota Belud MP said the meeting was an “opportunity” for BN lawmakers to “touch base” with one another, to compare notes and discuss strategies.

He also said that several government ministers were present, including Second Finance Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Husni Mohamad Hanadzlah and Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Tan Sri Nor Mohamed Yakcop.

“There was a brief discussion on specific interest, on the improvement of one’s own constituency… the time is coming for the annual budget, so we have informed the government of what priorities we want individually,” added Abdul Rahman.

He admitted that there were requests for more allocations to be given to MPs’ constituencies, but stated that “a lot of numbers” were thrown about and that there was no final decision on the exact amount.

“The DPM said that he will try to accommodate (our requests), that he will talk to Prime Minister (Datuk Seri Najib Razak), but it will depend on whether the government feels the need to increase (the allocation of funds),” said the BN Backbenchers Club member.

Abdul Rahman also said the government’s decision to implement the MRT project was proof that BN was a “responsible” coalition.

“The government is responsible whether or not the area is pro-government or not… we still carry on with projects like MRT even though it may be built within areas which are not pro-Barisan, when we could have spent the money in rural areas which are primarily pro-BN. But we do not do this because we are not populist like Pakatan (Rakyat),” the Umno politician said.

Both Pakatan Rakyat and BN leaders have agreed that the next general election will still be won or lost on the economy, where sound reform policies will effectively garner maximum voter support.

Both coalitions have conceded that the Najib administration would still be able to ward off criticisms and win back support if it focused on reforming and addressing economic issues, specifically rising inflation and commodity prices.

The BN government’s image has taken a severe beating following the July 9 rally where tens of thousands poured into the city, resulting in nearly 1,700 arrests, scores injured and the death of a PKR division leader’s husband.

Its suppression of the Bersih rally drew widespread condemnation from the global media, with UK’s The Guardian going as far as to compare the Najib government to ousted Egyptian leader Hosni Mubarak’s regime.

                This entry was posted on Thursday, 28 July 2011, 11:39 am and is filed under
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Fed power not entirely impossible, says Kit Siang

By
Joseph Sipalan and Lee Way Loon
 | Jul 28, 11

Malaysiakini

INTERVIEW There are very few who can claim to be an equal to Lim Kit Siang, who has spent nearly as many years as Malaysia has existed in relentlessly pursuing his beliefs as opposition leader.

Having experienced first-hand practically every pivotal moment that shaped the country into what it is today, the 45-year political veteran can be excused if he maintains a critical view of even the most promising developments.

Lim became (right) DAP’s secretary-general in 1969, at a time when racial tensions blew up into the bloody rioting of May 13, was detained for more than a year on two separate occasions under the ISA – first in 1969 and again under the controversial Ops Lalang in 1987 – and even convicted for leaking official secrets related to dodgy arms deals with a Swiss company.

He also faced what he described as the “lowest point” in his political career – losing his first Parliamentary contest in Penang in 1999 after having been an MP for 30 straight years since 1969. This lead to his quitting his powerful and long-held post of party secretary-general.

But as he goes through his 70th year of life, Lim feels the opposition has finally reached a point where change is no longer a pipe dream.

“… I will say that for the first time, taking federal power is something not completely impossible, it is achievable,” he said in an exclusive interview with Malaysiakini, wearing a pair of dark glasses following eye surgery.

In characteristic fashion, Lim kept a lid on his enthusiasm going into the 13th general elections, but couldn’t help but admit that chances look brighter with each passing day

He highlighted the recent Bersih 2.0 rally as a strong indicator of Malaysians’ desire for change, coupled with the numerous gaffes committed by Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak and his administration.

“It would appear we have a PM and incumbent government that is unable to see and empathise with the changes that the people want… (the public is) more and more alienated, (and the government is) taking actions and steps making them more and more cut off from the ground.

“Can we achieve it (change of government), I really don’t know, but with the passage of time it looks more and more optimistic. Whether it is enough for us to make it is a separate question, but (we are) more and more optimistic,” he said.

Don’t underestimate electorate

Lim, who was with other Pakatan and Bersih 2.0 leaders at KL Sentral when police carried out one of several clampdowns on protesters on July 9, said he was “surprised” to see the large public turnout in support of the banned movement, despite what he called “threats and intimidation” issued by the authorities in the weeks preceding the rally.

Recounting his personal experience at the rally, Lim said it was “utter chaos” when police fired tear gas from opposite ends of the bus tunnel at protesters, who were sandwiched between two FRU blockades.

“… it appeared without any warning, no notice. Tear gas was fired and into an enclosed space, which I think is most criminal, reckless and dangerous, heedless of the harm they could do. And of course that was my worst tear gas attack.

“(I) tried to run away from (the) front, then found at the back tear gas (was) also fired in both directions, and then arrests were taking place, people gasping for breath… I also fell down, so in that confusion, there was utter chaos at that time,” said Lim, who eventually managed to escape with several party colleagues into Brickfields.

The alleged police brutality aside, Lim stressed that the greater significance of the Bersih 2.0 rally was that it presented a clearer representation of the true unity among the various races in Malaysia.

“Maybe the (general election) strategy will be to write off the Chinese voters, and hope on bringing back Malay and Indian votes and that is the formula… that is in a way underestimating Malaysians’ yearning for change.

“… I think that as (the) Bersih rally has shown, it is an opportunity for Malaysians regardless of race, religions, class, region, gender and age (to) come (sic) together, and when they sang Negaraku, it was the first time with real meaning, everybody (was) proud, and very moved.

“It’s different from when (the) PM and cabinet ministers go around and distribute (the) national flag for instance; it would evoke no feeling whatsoever. This is something which (shows), maybe we should not underestimate Malaysians,” he said.

Bersih 2.0 dispelled Utusan bogey

Lim, who is also Ipoh Timur MP, said the Bersih 2.0 rally is doubly important in that it has effectively proven that the pro-government spin perpetuated by Umno-owned Malay daily Utusan Malaysia no longer holds sway among the public.

He admitted that in the past, whatever negative press published by Utusan against the opposition would have had damaging and far-reaching consequences, especially when it touched on sensitive issues such as the recent alleged Christian state issue, racial rights and the May 13 racial riots.

“Of course we are (still) very upset and unhappy (with such reports now), but we felt that the times have changed, (and) people are not going to buy it, even among Malays as a whole.

“I think what Bersih 2.0 has created, (is) to show that all these poisons of Utusan have failed. The Malays, Chinese, and Indians (have) come together as Malaysians. It (poisons) just could not work.

“… before 709, all the terrible (sic) talk about racial and religious things, you sometimes wonder (if) it had (an) effect or not, but 709 wash(ed) them away. I think Utusan’s campaign is not as powerful as they think,” he said.

Sabah, Sarawak, Johor, hold future

Returning to the impending general elections, Lim declared in no uncertain terms that the fight for the country’s future lies in its two largest states – Sabah and Sarawak.

He acknowledged that the two states, with a total of 52 parliamentary seats on offer, are “fixed deposits” for the BN ruling coalition, but this only makes them more crucial in determining whether or not Putrajaya remains standing.

Pushing the ‘Save Sabah, Sarawak to Save Malaysia’ slogan, Lim insisted that changing the government at state level means little without federal support, particularly in Sabah which has a history of being an opposition hotbed.

“You cannot save yourself. The (illegal) immigrant (issue) for you remains, (and) you will need federal intervention. So if the people of Sabah want to save Sabah, they will need to save Malaysia. Change Malaysia in order to change Sabah.

“So for the first time in Sabah, it’s a question not only about Sabah politics… (for) Sabahans standing up to shape your own destiny, they must be able to also shape Malaysians’ destiny,” he said.

In the peninsula, Lim set his sights on Johor as the place where change would carry the most impact on the country’s future, coupled with Sabah and Sarawak.

He admitted that Johor is a “most difficult state” to penetrate, but in the same breath called it a “frontline state” – the same description DAP tagged on Penang before it fell to Pakatan hands after the 12th general elections in 2008.

“It (Johor) has been regarded as a fortress not only for Umno but also MCA. And (looking at) the history of Johor, Umno has always been very strong and considered as untouchable, in fact.

“But I think the 308 (March 2008 general elections) events have shown that Johor is not that invincible, and I think you can feel the type of change taking place also in Johor.

How far (change will happen) is the question,” he said, adding that a shift in one-third of the seats towards the opposition is enough to signal a “major change” in the national political landscape.

But while fellow opposition leader, PKR de-facto chief Anwar Ibrahim, came out declaring that the next general elections will be a sure win for Pakatan thanks to Bersih 2.0, Lim was far more cautious.

“I would say 709 gives a greater hope that Putrajaya is within reach. But I wouldn’t make the definitive statement that we are there,” he said with a laugh.

                This entry was posted on Thursday, 28 July 2011, 5:27 pm and is filed under
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Jeyakumar to go on hunger strike

By
Lisa J. Ariffin

The Malaysian Insider

Jul 28, 2011

KUALA LUMPUR, July 28 — Emergency Ordinance (EO) detainee and Sungai Siput MP Dr Jeyakumar Devaraj will begin a hunger strike today until he and five others detained under the EO are released or charged in court.

“Dr Jeyakumar told me that he would begin a hunger strike on July 28 to get justice. When I met my husband on July 27, he was feeling very frustrated and disappointed with the police and government’s stand on the six PSM activists detained under the EO since July 2,” Dr Jeyakumar’s wife Mohanarani Rasiah said today.

“I advised him against it because of his health but he resolved to do so until the PSM6 are released or charged in court.”

Mohanarani said Dr Jeyakumar had lost faith in the police.

“He said the police refused to budge even though the PSM6 have been fully co-operative and answered all the questions during interrogations.

“Dr Jeyakumar had told the police and Putrajaya to be honest when reviewing the work and activities of PSM. He said criticisms against the government are a democratic right,” she said.

“He demands the minister of home affairs (Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein) play a role in freeing the detainees or bringing them to court. Until that day comes, he will go on a hunger strike,” she added.

The six PSM members have been detained for allegedly promoting communism and “waging a war against the Yang di-Pertuan Agong” after they were found with T-shirts bearing the likenesses of former communist leaders.

All six have denied the allegations.

                This entry was posted on Thursday, 28 July 2011, 6:37 pm and is filed under
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Muhyiddin pledges RM100,000 to BN MPs as economy bites

The Malaysian Insider
 | July 28, 2011

KUALA LUMPUR, July 28 — The government will approve an immediate RM100,000 grant for constituencies after Barisan Nasional (BN) lawmakers complained to ministers on Monday that the administration’s focus on big-ticket projects in the Klang Valley would not help the coalition in the next general election.

The Malaysian Insider understands that Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin (picture) had promised the MPs the RM100,000 meant for constituency projects during his meeting with 100 BN federal lawmakers on Monday night.

The sum is expected to be dispersed in time for the Hari Raya Puasa holiday.

Lawmakers had told Muhyiddin and other ministers at the dinner meeting that the government must ensure more funds trickle down to their constituencies instead of concentrating on big-ticket projects like the Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) construction in Kuala Lumpur if the ruling coalition wants to receive a strong mandate in the next general election.

According to some of the MPs present at the dinner, many of their colleagues had questioned the value of the MRT project to BN’s campaign for the next general election.

They pointed out that Kuala Lumpur was an opposition hotbed, but would be receiving the bulk of the government’s development expenditure announced in recent years.

Many of the MPs argued for a more even distribution of public funds, especially to their constituencies.

The arguments appear to be a reflection of a tougher economic environment and part of concerns that by concentrating its funds on Kuala Lumpur the BN coalition could end up alienating its own voters.

As a reflection of concerns over the economy, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak announced yesterday his seventh National Key Results Area (NKRA) to curb the rising cost of living.

Food and fuel prices have risen steadily since Najib took office in 2009 and the complains from BN MPs reflect concerns that the economy is set to be a major issue in elections.

It is understood that some BN leaders present at the Monday meeting had requested an extra RM1 million in allocation of funds on top of the estimated RM1 million usually allocated annually and signed by the district officer of a particular constituency.

“There was a general feeling that it (MRT project) is costly, and that the money could be used for the time being for constituencies for smaller projects. One MP needs millions to do a project in his or her constituency,” a BN source told The Malaysian Insider.

There is controversy over the estimated cost of the MRT project, which some reports have pegged to be as high as RM50 billion, although the authorities have said the cost cannot be finalised until the MRT alignment is confirmed.

Speculation is rife that Najib may call snap elections as soon as November or early next year because of an uncertain global economic outlook.

                This entry was posted on Thursday, 28 July 2011, 1:29 pm and is filed under
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