Umno’s caveman politics

 – Sakmongkol AK47

The Malaysian Insider

December 30, 2013

The donkeys in Umno are coming out braying. Here and there, they were elected as leaders. The most fundamental building block of excellence – demanding and insisting upon excellence, is totally absent from Umno’s selection criteria.

And so, Umno Malays have a voracious appetite for dullards and dolts as leaders. Despite that, its paramount leader still talks senselessly about transformation. Does that drop from the sky or what?

In that sense, Malays have not progressed at all – in the olden days, the musclemen and strongmen get to become leaders. These people get to lay first claim on sources of wealth, land, women, other people’s wives and so forth. Today, in the 21st century, Umno want Malays to stay mute as democratic rights get assaulted because they are done in the name and on behalf of Malays.

All right-thinking Malays must resist this and reject Umno-style rule, because it will eventually lead to acquiescence and acceptance of intrusion into our lives. One day, it will be all right if the Umno overlord comes into our house, sleep with our daughters and even wives, and we are asked to tolerate that kind of repression because it’s done by one of us anyway.

The Malay family will be told to accept that cruelty and abuse, because it is done by another Malay. That is how Umno define government as.

Umno likes this kind of rule. Nowadays, it’s called the Malay government – a “kerajaan Melayu”. But we want to know, what does kerajaan Melayu mean? A government synonymous with leaders who are corrupt, abusive, mediocre, discretionary, repressive, incompetent, led by donkeys?

A kerajaan Melayu that demands complete obeisance and any form of challenge to it is treated as treasonable, as an assault on the supremacy of Malay rule and government?

Wasn’t a challenge to Malay royalty once upon a time deemed as treasonable? So has Umno become the new monarchy?

The business of Umno then is to perpetuate the myth of a kerajaan Melayu. It seems Umno can only extend its shelf life on the myth of Malay rule. It perpetuates these myths because it does not have to answer the issues of income and wealth distribution among Malays; it does not want to answer issues of corruption and abuse of power. It does not have to answer the pillage and plunder done in the name of agama bangsa dan tanah air. It does not tolerate question on the excesses of the government.

This is the reason we must continue to fight Umno. Because, as how Umno defines it, absolute and unquestioning acceptance and subservience to Umno Malay rule is their version of a final expression of our political will. We must never accept that.

The BN government and for that matter any government, that of PKR or DAP are not the final expression of our political will. A government is a work in progress, inching and moving towards better government and better governing. That is why we fight for better, as well as good governance, getting rid of corruption, rejecting incompetence, fighting for the rule of law, until these traits get adopted fuller and fuller by a reigning government.

Our collective political will demands a government that exhibits the traits of a good government, free from corruption, clever government, efficient and productive. It must also be a government founded on the principles of the rule of law and one of these requirements is that all citizens are treated as equals before the law and the provisions in our constitution.

Umno leaders are bringing us back to the Stone Age. In modern times, leaders are selected from the stupid and the loud and the feudal bullies. Notice lately, how Umno gravitates towards glorifying the absolute and discretionary rule of Malay rulers?

In a regression of history, the tyranny of absolute rule of kings and overlords is elevated to prominence. We even want a Universiti di-Raja believing that stature confers immunity from challenge and adulteration from non-Malay elements.

Za’aba, the early Malay political thinker, warned against the repressive and absolute rule of ancient kings and rulers. He was specific in identifying the repressive rule of Malay rulers as the single source of Malay tragedy.

The tyrannical rule of old was singularly responsible for Malays inheriting negative inhibiting personal traits that became ingrained as a result of hundreds of years being subject to untold tyranny and enslavement – “kena picit, perah dan ramas di tangan pemerintahnya pada zaman dahulu, iaitu pemerintah daripada bangsa mereka sendiri”.

It’s all politics in the name of Malay feudal triumphalism which is supported by feudal-minded Umno.

Ever heard the Queen of England demanding the return of honorific titles? That would be un-queenly, right?  But what does Umno know about what’s right and what’s wrong?

Einstein said there are two things that are infinite; the universe and stupidity. But he is not sure about the former. If he had lived today, all he needs to do is to look at Umno and affirmed that stupidity indeed has no limits.

So how do we treat statements given by the Kuantan Wanita Umno chief recently? Answer: we should treat it as statements coming from someone at the bottom of her class. Call it bottom-of-the-class thinking. Do we want to be led by ignoramuses? And that is much loved by Umno people, they just loved to be led by stupid people.

That’s why we hear of things like 1Melayu shouted out by a person who doesn’t even looked Malay from Penang, and worse, that is accepted by the Malays. We have things repeated by normal people like only the mentally retarded do (the latter’s conduct is excusable) – like if you don’t like things around here, migrate, leave for another country.

That kind of stupidity materialises in several forms, if the price of sugar is high, consume it less, if the price of toll increases, use other roads. If you want strong libido, consume less sugar.

PJ O’Rourke, the writer of a number of books on political satire, offered an interesting observation on the fundamental cause of many of our troubles. If are looking for the source of our troubles, he said, we shouldn’t test people for drugs, we should test them for stupidity, ignorance, greed and love of power.

Stupidity, it seems, filters downwards slowly. But like water, stupidity will find its own level. The recent statement by the Wanita Umno leader from Kuantan is an example of such stupidity revealing itself eventually. This is the kind of Malay leadership regarded by Umno that can uplift the Malays. That is also the level of leadership offered by Umno to the Malays.

Only stupid people like the wanita Umno leader equates Umno/Putrajaya Government as the final expression of our political will. Therefore, according to her logic, those not happy, disagree with Umno and Putrajaya, should leave the country. This kind of thinking was discredited extensively recently but appears to have filtered down very slowly until eventually settling down in wanita Umno Kuantan.

This kind of thinking is like something that floats in the gutter – unpleasant and revolting. It however comes naturally from the bottom-of-the-class thinking. – sakmongkol.blogspot.com, December 30, 2013.

* Sakmongkol AK47 is the nom de guerre of Raub MP Datuk Ariff Sabri Abdul Aziz.

                This entry was posted on Monday, 30 December 2013, 9:10 am and is filed under
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Despite rising Islamic conservatism, non-Muslim groups stick to peaceful engagement in Malaysia

The Malaysian Insider

by V Anbalagan

December 30, 2013

As 2013 draws to a close, Malaysia has seen its fair share of events with people who either inspire or bring despair to the country. It has been a year where some feel a sense of entitlement, that it is their way or the highway, that they have to make a name for themselves no matter what, and where the little people’s hopes have risen and have also been shattered. Yet, there are the few who do good work quietly to help their fellow man, to make Malaysia a better place. Over the next few days, The Malaysian Insider will feature some of them – Malaysia’s Inspiring People 2013 – the ordinary heroes who never cease to amaze us with their perseverance, diligence, empathy and vision for a happier nation.

Malaysia has been touted as a model of multi-racial and multi-religious harmony over the years under a coalition government that seeks consensus to prevent a recurrence of racial riots over 40 years ago.

Yet, in recent years, there has been a rise in Islamic conservatism, especially within the ruling government, putting pressure on non-Muslims in the Muslim-majority nation.

Despite that, the Malaysian Consultative Council of Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Sikhism and Taoism (MCCBCHST) has taken it upon itself to champion the cause of about 40% cent of the 29 million population.

Their weapon of choice is peaceful engagement and communication, says council president Jagir Singh, despite the uphill battle to ensure religious freedom in the country.

“It is a challenging task, but we believe in the power of persuasion over the other side during meetings, and dialogue to resolve potential conflict arising from differences in a plural society. We believe that there can be unity in diversity of many faiths like in Malaysia,” said Jagir, who was elected council president last July.

There are difficult times, he said, adding that the council had gone through some 10 closed-door meetings to discuss thorny issues such as the effect of a non-Muslim converting to Islam.

“We are not getting the desired results as the Muslim representatives are adamant on holding their ground as Islam is the official religion of the country,” he said.

Jagir said the MCCBCHST could have opted to stay away from such a meeting, but it would not have served any purpose.

“We will return to reason out our case and hopefully the other side will better understand our position over time,” Jagir said, adding that he believed that the communications channel must remain open at all times.

A lawyer by profession, Jagir said solutions could be found over religious differences, given enough time and space to ventilate arguments rationally.

“Look at some other countries which were torn apart due to religious conflicts. We do not want that to happen here. So the MCCBCHST will strive to be responsible in what it demands from the authorities,” he said.

Jagir said being a pressure group, its leaders were aware that they must always respect the law.

He has been appointed a member of the National Unity Consultative Council, a body set up by Putrajaya to advice on ways to enhance cooperation among the people.

“We are looking forward to use this forum to give our views. One of the places to foster unity must be the schools,” he said.

Formed 30 years ago, the MCCBCHST has come a long way from the organisation that initially engaged the authorities to get land to build places of worship, crematoriums and burial grounds.

Apart from engaging Muslim groups and government officials in discussions, the MCCBCHST are also involved elsewhere in making its presence felt. In July, it managed to persuade Putrajaya to withdraw amendments to the Administration of Islamic Law for the Federal Territory that allowed for a single non-Muslim parent to convert children below 18 to Islam.

Another was giving powers to the Syariah Court to declare whether a living person was a Muslim and to determine whether the dead had embraced Islam during his life time.

“We met Barisan Nasional MPs and explained to them the far-reaching implication if Parliament were to approve the Bill. We argued our case for the lawmakers to understand why we strongly objected,” said Jagir.

The MCCBCHST last July scored a small but significant battle in court where the High Court in Ipoh set aside the conversion of the three children which was done without the consent of the mother.

“For this case, we assigned a lawyer from the MCCBCHST legal panel to argue the case,” Jagir said.

The Roman Catholic Church has taken its case to the Federal Court on whether its weekly publication, Herald could use the word Allah in its Bahasa Malaysia section.

“We have taken a strong stand on this matter. We are hoping the Federal Court will put matters right and reaffirm the fundamental religious right of citizens,”  said Jagir.

He said whatever the outcome of the legal battle, the organisation was ready to extend its support and cooperation to Putrajaya to preserve religious harmony – December 30, 2013.

                This entry was posted on Tuesday, 31 December 2013, 4:17 pm and is filed under
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Perutusan Tahun Baru 2014

Kita akan mengucapkan selamat tinggal kepada 2013 dengan dada yang lapang; dengan kesedaran bahawa pada setiap penghujung tahun adalah permulaan bagi hari-hari baru yang bakal menjelang. Kita harus sentiasa optimis bahawa segala yang terjadi sepanjang tahun lalu adalah batu-batu asas yang akan merintis jalan ke arah perubahan.

Perubahan itu sifatnya abadi. Setiap waktu, setiap hari; perubahan tidak berhenti. Tidak ada siapa yang mampu menahan perubahan daripada berlaku ketika ia datang tepat pada waktu.

2008 yang lalu Malaysia telah melihat tsunami politik yang begitu besar, dengan beberapa buah negeri berjaya ditadbir oleh koalisi politik parti-parti oposisi yang kini dikenali umum sebagai Pakatan Rakyat.

Lima tahun kemudian pada 2013, ombak perubahan politik yang lebih kuat terus membadai lantas berkesudahan dengan pertambahan kerusi Pakatan Rakyat di Parlimen, selain menafikan majoriti undi popular parti pemerintah.

Pasca 505, negara menyaksikan harapan dan impian baru yang selama ini jarang-jarang diyakini boleh tercapai. Meski pun harapan rakyat untuk melihat perubahan rejim tidak kesampaian, kita masih boleh merasakan kehendak rakyat yang semakin berkobar-kobar mahukan sebuah perubahan, dan tanggungjawab membawa perubahan ini haruslah digalas bersama.

Pilihanraya Umum ke 13 menyaksikan gerak gempur yang begitu berjaya; terutamanya di Selatan tanah air, di mana kubu-kubu UMNO dan BN selama ini luluh hasil daripada keazaman rakyat menuntut perubahan. Kita telah menafikan angan-angan politik perkauman BN apabila DAP bersama-sama Pakatan Rakyat menang di Gelang Patah sungguhpun ada cubaan oleh pemimpin UMNO untuk menjadikan pertandingan tersebut sebuah isu perkauman.

Begitu juga halnya dengan kerusi-kerusi seperti Raub dan Bukit Bendera di mana DAP telah meletakkan calon-calon Melayu yang menang di kawasan majoriti pengundi Cina. Ilusi politik perkauman yang dibikin UMNO hancur lebur, dan oleh kerana kegagalan itu mereka lantas mudah menyalahkan pengundi Cina.

Mereka barangkali lupa dengan kerusi Temerloh yang dimenangi mantan Ketua Pemuda PAS, Saudara Nasruddin Tantawi yang mengalahkah Dato Saifuddin Abdullah yang bukan calang-calang orangnya. Bukan sahaja di kerusi bandar, malah di kawasan luar bandar seperti Temerloh juga rakyat sudah kian berani menolak UMNO dan kuncu-kuncunya.

Semua ini adalah indikator bahawa segala propaganda kerajaan hampir sahaja tidak berjaya apabila berdepan dengan keazaman rakyat yang begitu kuat.

Keazaman ini lah yang bakal merintis jalan ke arah impian rakyat Malaysia yang mahu melihat sebuah negara yang demokratik, adil dan memberikan peluang saksama untuk semua; serta menolak kelakuan pelampau kaum dan agama serta mencela politik perkauman sempit yang memecahbelah perpaduan bangsa Malaysia.

Keazaman ini harus sentiasa diperbaharui dengan memperkukuhkan pendirian kita bersama ke arah sebuah masyarakat berbilang kaum yang tidak lagi fobia dan tidak mampu saling mempercayai akibat daripada operasi politik pembodohan dan perkelahian yang disemai UMNO dan BN selama puluhan tahun.

Saya mengajak semua rakyat Malaysia untuk mengingat kembali segala pahit manis yang telah kita lalui sepanjang tahun lalu dan terus berusaha ke arah Malaysia yang lebih baik untuk generasi akan datang.

Generasi akan datang harus dipersiapkan dengan ilmu dan maklumat yang benar, selain dipastikan tidak menjadi mangsa pembodohan terancang pihak pemerintah yang tidak lain hanya mahu supaya rakyatnya tidak terlalu cerdik sehingga mampu melawan kezaliman dan salahguna kuasanya. Zaman sudah berubah dan hari ini rakyat dari segenap lapisan usia kian celik dan sedar melalui jaringan maklumat di internet dan laman media sosial.

Politik pembodohan dengan menggunakan aparat-aparat perkauman dan agama tidak lagi relevan dan hanya membawa negara ke arah kemunduran. Adalah amat dayus bagi pihak pemerintah untuk mengaburi mata rakyat daripada melihat kegagalannya mengurus ekonomi sehingga mengakibatkan inflasi dan kenaikan kos sara hidup yang begitu teruk, dengan menyajikan penipuan, fitnah serta politik permainan sentimen agama dan perkauman sempit.

Di ambang tahun 2014 ini, saya menyeru semua warga Malaysia yang berakal waras untuk meneruskan usaha menolak politik lapuk dan merintis jalan politik baru demi sebuah negara yang lebih baik, Malaysia impian kita bersama.

                This entry was posted on Tuesday, 31 December 2013, 3:57 pm and is filed under
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When He’s Alone, What Does Najib Think About?

by Kee Thuan Chye

Yahoo! News

31.12.2103

I wonder, when Najib Razak has his private moments, what does he think about?

Does he think about what a liability his wife, Rosmah Mansor, is turning out to be? About the bad press that has been mounting against her and her allegedly extravagant spending and her use of the government jet to go to Qatar? And now her son’s purchase of a RM110 million condo in New York City?

Lavishing that amount of money at a time when Malaysians are being compelled to pinch pennies is obscene. It also shows up the glaring contrast between the lifestyles of the ruling elite and those of the common people. While the ruling elite forces us to tighten our belts in the face of rising prices, its own family members appear to be having a whale of a time.

It may be claimed that Rosmah’s son, Riza Aziz, came to great wealth through his own talent and initiatives, like investing successfully in Hollywood movies such as The Wolf of Wall Street, and is therefore entitled to his enjoyment of luxuries, but the next question that begs to be asked is: Why, in the midst of the brain drain Malaysia is suffering, does he not come back instead to contribute his talent and wealth to developing his own country? And helping his stepfather to achieve the goal of making Malaysia a high-income nation?

In his private moments, does Najib think of reining Rosmah in? Of sitting her down and having a good talk with her about the need to be sensitive to his position as prime minister, and certainly not to do anything that could inadvertently hurt his public image?

But then, does he even think that what she does is politically unbefitting? Is he at all concerned that it has angered Malaysians? Well, from his ardent defense of her at the recent Umno general assembly, at which he praised her for her “contributions” to the country – which avowedly amounted to only bringing Malaysian students home from crisis-torn Egypt – it would seem not. He appears more concerned about protecting her feelings.

One might well ask: Is he languishing under some kind of stupor?

In his private moments, does he think about the association he is alleged to have had with the late Altantuya Shaariibuu, who was blown to bits with a C4 explosive allegedly by his former bodyguards? Although attempts have been made by government agencies to expunge her from Malaysian memory, culminating in the acquittal of the accused by the Court of Appeal last August, has her ghost been exorcised from Najib’s mind? Or does it come back to continually haunt him because the mystery remains as to who would want her killed? Does it bother him that as long as it remains unsolved, his name is not quite cleared? At least, not as far as the public is concerned?

Does he, when he sits alone by himself or lies in bed before falling asleep, think of the bad press he himself is getting? Of late, the worst must be about the rise in prices because of his allowing the petrol and sugar subsidies to be cut, and electricity tariffs and toll rates to be raised. So much so that there are groups calling for the Government to be toppled.

Does he feel any pang of conscience thinking about the rakyat’s suffering while he is spending the rakyat’s money like there is no tomorrow? In November, the news weekly The Heat gave an excellent breakdown of his spendthrift ways. For instance, he and Rosmah spent RM17 million on overseas travel between 2008 and 2011.

Then in 2012, the rakyat had to pay RM134,317 for Rosmah’s trip to Saudi Arabia, Oman and Bangladesh, plus RM140,000 for an overnight stay in Dubai’s luxury hotel, Atlantis. Doesn’t this go beyond the bounds of decency and the limits of the rakyat’s tolerance? Why should we have to pay for these expenses when Rosmah holds no public office and is therefore not a representative of the Malaysian government? And why must she stay at Atlantis when RM140,000 can go a long way towards funding the needy?

Incidentally, about two weeks after that report came out, The Heat had its licence suspended.

In his quiet moments, does Najib think about the impracticality of his being finance minister as well? Doesn’t he have enough on his plate already as prime minister? Does he want to keep the finance portfolio so that there won’t be checks on his spending of public funds? And he can give his own Prime Minister’s Department a budget allocation of RM15 billion, which, according to The Heat, is 3.5 times the allocation for the entire state of Sabah?

Is holding two jobs too much for him? To the extent that between 2009 and October 2013, his government paid private consultants a hefty RM7.2 billion to give advice and even create the education blueprint although we have 1.4 million civil servants from whom it could surely tap some great ideas?

More important, is holding two jobs making Najib lose control of the way the country is going?

His ministers come out and say the most horrifying things, and he lets them. Like telling the police to shoot suspects first and ask questions later. Or telling the public, “You fight with me, I fight you, I kill you.”

His ministers clamour for preventive detention to be revived and Najib tamely agrees, breaking the promise he made in 2011 that preventive detention would be a thing of the past.

The Malay right-wing group Perkasa makes provocative statements that incite ill feelings against non-Malays and non-Muslims, but Najib doesn’t even say a word, not even to reassure the targets of attack. In fact, when he’s expected to say something to reduce tension over a heated issue, he often plays mute.

Then there’s religion. He’s allowing it to split Malaysians. In his Maal Hijrah address on November 5, he vowed to uphold the word ‘Allah’ for the exclusive use of Muslims – even if the world laughed at Malaysia for doing so.

Now the Selangor Islamic Religious Department (Jais) is setting out to track down Christians who use ‘Allah’ to refer to God. It is also reminding churches in Selangor that a 1988 state law forbids them from using ‘Allah’ and 34 other Arabic words, including ‘nabi’ (prophet), ‘injil’ (gospel) and “Insya’Allah” (God willing).

And yet Najib could still say at Christmas that Muslims should not offend Christians and Christians should not offend Muslims. After having taken the combative stance during the Muslim day of celebration a month before, he now said that although there were differences in their interpretations of the concept of God, these should not lead to disputes because “Islam and Christianity can be said to have common origins”.

Most pertinently, he reiterated that he was not interested in winning an argument because he was more keen on preserving peace, harmony and stability. If he truly means this, he should right away retract what he said on November 5, and issue a directive to all government agencies to drop the dispute over the use of ‘Allah’.

Forget about the court verdicts – the High Court ruling allowing the Catholic weekly The Herald to use it, and the Court of Appeal’s decision against it. These are arguments, after all.

Acknowledge that both religions have common origins, which is also the reason for the Christians using ‘Allah’. Acknowledge the history of the use of the word. Not only here, but even in Arab countries, the centres of Islam. Acknowledge that in Indonesia, the most populous Muslim country in the world, there is no restriction against Christians using the word.

If Najib dares to stop the dispute, he will move nearer his much-touted 1Malaysia. If he dares not, it will simply remain a salesman’s slogan.

But does he really give a toss? In his private moments, does he agonise over doing the right thing? Does he even do his own thinking or does he leave it to consultants? Is he too much in a stupor?

Well, if I were his uncle, I would advise him to break out of his stupor. But then again, could he?

* Kee Thuan Chye is the author of the book The Elections Bullshit, available in bookstores.

                This entry was posted on Tuesday, 31 December 2013, 6:08 am and is filed under
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10,000 defy warning, police give in to protesters

Malaysiakini

7:40PM Dec 31, 2013

In anticipation of a gloomy 2014, demonstrators took to the streets in Kuala Lumpur tonight to protest the rising cost of living as a result of the government’s austerity measures.

The New Year’s Eve protest, organised by a coalition of NGOs led by Gerakan Turun Kos Sara Hidup (Turun), saw participants gathering at three meeting points – Sogo Shopping Complex at Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman, Pasar Seni and Masjid Jamek

 They then marched to Dataran DBKL before proceeding to the adjacent Dataran Merdeka where the Kuala Lumpur City Hall is organising a New Year’s concert.

The authorities have accused protest organisers of planning to overthrow the government and police have branded the rally “illegal”.

Police claim to have intelligence that dangerous weapons and bombs will be present at the demonstration but protest organisers have vehemently denied this.

Turun chief Mohd Azan Safar said the government was attempting to distract attention from the cost of living issues, which is the focus of the protest.

LIVE REPORTS

Videos

Photo Gallery

1.00am
 – This conclude our LIVE coverage of the rally. And no, the federal government has not been toppled. Happy New Year.

12.15am, Dataran Merdeka
 – Addressing the crowd, Turun chief Azan Safar leads the protesters to pledge for a corruption free 2014, while Solidarity Anak Muda Malaysia (SAMM) chief Badrul Hisham Shaharin later takes over the microphone and asked: “Was there any violence? Was there any bombings?”

He then leads the protesters in a comedic song which contains the lyrics “We love the police and the police loves us… We are only just upset that BN cheated us because they said toll will go down, but instead it went up”.

When it was Pandan MP Rafizi Ramli’s turn to speak, he notes that the clock at the Sultan Abdul Samad building was five minutes fast and it showed 12.05am when fireworks in neighbouring areas went off.

12.05am, Dataran Merdeka – Surprisingly, there are no fireworks display at Dataran Merdeka and the flood lights that illuminated the field had been switched off.

Undaunted, the protesters decided to light up the field with their mobile phones held high.

12.00am, Malaysiakini HQ
 – Happy new year from everyone in Malaysiakini!

11:55pm, Dataran Merdeka
 – Kuala Lumpur Ahmad Phesal Talib takes to the stage and greets everyone with BN’s slogan – 1Malaysia.

This triggers continous boos from the protesters.

“We will maintain peace. I hope there will be no problem about about public safety that can affect other visitors.

“Do not endanger the children and families here. I hope this event tonight will go on peacefully even though there are some of us here to express their feelings but we do not need to create animosity,” he said.

This triggers a crescendo of vuvuzela horns from the protesters.

11.55pm, Dataran Merdeka
 – Political analyst Wan Saiful Wan Jan tweets: KL Mayor now on stage making remarks that are completely uncalled for. There can’t be a worse provocation than this.

11.50pm, Dataran Merdeka
 – The field is now silent as police and protesters quietly watch each other as the clock ticks to midnight.

Some revellers are upset that the concert has been cancelled and were heard yelling “Baliklah! (Go home!)” at the protesters while some were heard chanting “1Malaysia!”.

11.30pm, Dataran Merdeka
 – The concert at Dataran Merdeka has been halted in view of a surge of protesters with a large Malaysian flag on the concert side of the field.

DBKL personnel are seen forming a line in front of the stage, which now has its lights turned off. Journalists then occupy the stage to photograph and film the protesters.

11.15pm, Dataran Merdeka
 – PAS supporters are sitting in a circle at the Jalan Parlimen-Jalan Raja intersection and listening to speeches from several leaders instead of joining the crowd making a bee-line for Dataran Merdeka.

PAS central committee member Dzulkefly Ahmad explains how the public will be burdened by their recent policies while vice-president Salahudin Ayub says that the people have shown courage by attending the rally despite threats from the government.

“There is no way for the government to ignore voices from all walks of life,” he said.

11pm, Dataran Merdeka
 – After more than 15 minutes of stand-off with police and DBKL officers in front of the Tourism and Culture Ministry, protesters attempt to breach the barricade once again.

The crowd, led by two Malaysian flags, is seen pouring pass the police cordon into Dataran Merdeka. The authorities eventually  relent and do nothing to stop the protesters.

10.45pm, Dataran Merdeka
 – Some protesters are trying to force their way past a second police barricade. It was breached, but just briefly. DBKL personnel came to aid the police to force the protesters back.

Dang Wangi district police chief Zainuddin Ahmad quickly intervenes.

“Relax, relax! Please be patient. The fireworks will be on your side, not the other side. Let’s just wait together,” he says.

“Don’t distrust the police. We are doing our job and taking care of both sides (of the barricade). I ask your cooperation.”

Zainulddin’s jovial tone managed to calm down the protesters, many of whom are youths, who stop the pushing.

10.30pm, Dataran Merdeka
 – There are about 7,000 people gathered near the police barricade near the Jalan Tun Perak-Jalan Raja intersection.

Protesters formed a line of their own to face the police line which is directly in front of the Tourism and Culture Ministry building on Jalan Raja.

The other protesters have filled up their entire width of the road until the intersection.

Protesters are also passing a number of Malaysian flags that has been sown together back and forth from above.

The bottleneck is causing a lot of squeezing and pushing. They are chanting “Masuk! Masuk! Masuk! (Enter)”.

10.12pm, Dataran Merdeka
 – A grandmother who wishes to be known only as Julie says she was compelled to join the protest to urge the government to respect the people’s wishes.

“The rakyat is suffering. The government cannot play deaf now,” she said, who was seen holding a sign stating “respect the voice of the people” in front of the police barricade (left).

10.10pm, Jalan Raja Laut
 – There is easily 3,000 people now on the march from Sogo to Dataran Merdeka, along Jalan Raja Laut.

The multi-racial crowd is chanting “Turun, turun” and “Hidup Rakyat”, interspersed with “Reformasi” and have filled up the entire width of the road.

10.00pm, Dataran Merdeka
 – Two hours to midnight – it appears the police are allowing the protesters to gather near Dataran Merdeka.

They are letting people into Dataran if they are there to watch the concert, while protesters can gather at the edge of the field.

“Inside is for those who want to celebrate New Year’s Eve. If you want to protest, you may do so on the other side,” said Dang Wangi OCPD Zainulddin Ahmad.

9.52pm, Sogo
 – Just as the Sogo shopping complex prepares to close for the day, about 1,000 protesters gathered in front of the building begin their march towards Dataran Merdeka.

The majority of the protesters are youths. The atmosphere is boisterous with the singing of the national anthem, speeches and slogan chanting throughout the entire procession.

Interestingly, the traffic police who were directing traffic at the nearby intersections have left their posts.

9.45pm, Pasar Seni
 – More than 300 protesters march to Dataran Merdeka while chanting slogans “Turun! Turun!”, “Tipu! Tipu!” and “Najib Penipu!” (Najib is a liar). The group plans join the massive crowd already gathered at Dataran Merdeka.

Earlier, the Solidariti Anak Muda Malaysia (SAMM) spokesperson urged the protesters to remain peaceful.

9.40pm, Dataran Merdeka
: Protesters mock the government’s claim that they want to “guling” (overthrow) the government.

Two protesters lie down on the floor while other protesters shouted, “Give way! We want to ‘guling’ into Dataran Merdeka!” in front of the police line.

‘Guling’ in the Malay language can mean either ‘overthrow’ or ‘roll’.

9.30pm, Sogo
 – This area means the main congregation point for protesters and they are singing to drum up support before the march. While waiting for the go-ahead, many protesters are seen helping themselves to food stalls at Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman and Jalan Raja Laut.

9.30pm, Pasar Seni
 – Suaram coordinator Syukri Razab says 10 personnel are deployed at several spots near Dataran Merdeka to monitor the situation.

“We are here to check if there is any crackdown by the police and will provide legal assistance to those protesters who are arrested,” he says.

He adds that several lawyers are on stand-by. Syukri urges the public to call or send SMS to a list of numbers if they need help.

9.30pm, Dataran Merdeka
 – Even though protesters from Masjid Jamek march to Dataran DBKL as planned, some of the overflowing crowd proceed directly to Dataran Merdeka. Others follow suit.

They come face-to-face with a police line near the intersection of Jalan Tun Perak.

Some protesters enter Dataran Merdeka using the sidewalk, while others squeeze through the police line. Police are not stopping them.

9.25pm, Dataran Merdeka
 – Protesters from Masjid Jamek who made it Dataran DBKL are slowly weaving their way past the first barricade manned by DBKL personnel.

However, they were blocked from entering Dataran Merdeka at a second barricade manned by the police.

9.15pm, Sogo
 – There are currently about 1,000 protesters gathered near the shopping complex. DAP Youth chief Teo Kok Seong addresses the crowd, reminding them to cooperate and show discipline during the march.

9.15pm, Masjid Jamek
 – The protesters gathering near the Masjid Jamek LRT station begin moving toward Dataran Merdeka, shouting ‘Reformasi’, ‘Hidup Rakyat’ dan ‘Bangkit Rakyat’.

With the police forming a defensive line around Dataran Merdeka, confrontation appears imminent.

9pm, Sogo
 – A representative from Solidariti Mahasiswa Malaysia, Fazli Zainul, gets things under way by addressing some 400 protesters and urges them to be patient.

“Tonight, we will march in protest against the price hikes. We will be marching to Dataran Merdeka shortly,” said Fazli.

Following this, a student from Kelantan was given a chance to speak. No sign of the police thus far but there is a Kuala Lumpur City Hall truck parked nearby.

Over at Masjid Jamek, the number of people are swelling and spilling over to Jalan Tun Perak, causing traffic to slow down.

At Dataran Merdeka, Kuala Lumpur deputy police chief Amar Singh is spotted addressing his staff. About 50 police personnel are manning the Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman-Jalan Tun Perak intersection where protesters from Sogo must pass to enter Dataran Merdeka.

At Central Market, there are slightly over 100 protesters clad in black waiting for instructions. Among them is Petrus Keloni, 32, a factory worker who hails from Sarawak.

“I don’t want people to suffer from rising cost of living, that’s why I’m here today,” said Petrus, who considers himself a patriot and was seen clutching a Malaysian flag.

8.40pm, Dataran Merdeka
 – Hundreds of police personnel are streaming into the Dataran Merdeka area. Seven police trucks and four buses are spotted.

After disembarking, some police personnel are forming a line in front of the Sultan Abdul Samad building while the rest are headed for the Royal Selangor Club building.

Over at the concert stage, organisers announces a short break for Ishak prayers.

8.30pm, Sogo
 – An administrative clerk, Chang For Bun, 27, tells Malaysiakini that she is part of the rally because of the rising cost of basic necessities are a big burden for her.

“If cost of basic good goes up, vegetables and meat will go up as well. The government shouldn’t be making us eat into our savings,” she said.

Student Leong Yung Hong, 19, says rising cost of living is making life difficult for him as a student.

“I want to tell the government that we are in a difficult situation. Don’t make it worse,” he said.

Meanwhile, hawkers are doing brisk business around the area due to the influx of protesters.

8.20pm, Pasar Seni
 – An undergraduate from Universiti Teknologi Mara (UiTM) Shah Alam slams BN for failing to stick to its election promise of not increasing the road tolls.

The 19-year-old who wants to be known as Yoi, says he decides to join the Turun rally to express his unhappiness over BN’s policies.

“Why the price of toll and petrol increase soon after the election? Is this the way you (government) serve the people? BN should know that we’re very angry,” says the mechanical engineering student.

Yoi, who is with five other friends, says they are heading to Sogo before marching to Dataran Merdeka.

Meanwhile, only a few protesters are seen in the vicinity of Central Market but there are a lot of people clad in black seen walking towards Dataran Merdeka.

8:20pm, Dataran Merdeka
 – The concert for the New Year 2014 countdown has started to the tune of Europe’s The Final Countdown.

The crowd, mostly youths and families numbering at around 500 and are scattered across the field opposite the Sultan Abu Samad building.

8:15pm, Dataran Merdeka
 – There is a sudden increase in number of police personnel who were seen disembarking from at least two police trucks and nine police busses. There looks to be at least 400 police personnel present.

They are moving towards the Royal Selangor Club, away from public view. At least five ambulances can be seen within the vicinity.

Over at Masjid Jamek, hawkers selling protest paraphernalia such as t-shirts, headbands and masks and doing brisk business.

8.05pm, Sogo
 – A group of students had made their way from Kelantan to be part of the rally because they believe that the recent rise in cost for essential goods to be an injustice.

“We came here because we want to uphold justice. We are here to defend the rights of the people,” says student Aziz Afiq Abdul.

There is minimal police presence within the vicinity of the mall while the protesters are slowly trickling in.

7.50pm, Dataran DBKL
 – The weather is cloudy and breezy. Low rumblings from the sky could be heard and rain appear likely later tonight.

The site here, where protesters from the three meeting points will march to before proceeding to Dataran Merdeka, remains open to the public.

Only a few of DBKL (City Hall) officers are spotted along the edges of the square. A handful of protesters, clad in black, have also gathered here instead of the designated meeting points.

7.40pm, Sogo
 – More than 200 people have gathered in front of the shopping complex. Most of them appear to be PAS members and they perform their maghrib prayers in front of the mall.

7.45pm, Central Market
 – No obvious signs of protesters within the vicinity yet but there are several traffic police personnel spotted, along with one patrol car. The place is still teeming with tourists.

7.35pm, Dataran Merdeka
 – The crowd for the New Year 2014 countdown has begun to gather on the field opposite the Sultan Abdul Samad building where a stage has been set up. The event organisers are preparing for a concert, which is expected to kick off at 8pm.

Police personnel are few and far in between and the entrance into Dataran Merdeka from the direction of Sogo, one of the gathering points for protesters, remains open to access.

However, some 50 DBKL (City Hall) officers are camped near the intersection of Dataran Merdeka and Jalan Tun Perak.

                This entry was posted on Wednesday, 1 January 2014, 10:02 am and is filed under
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As costs spiral, Putrajaya urged to trim Cabinet, civil service for real reforms

By Boo Su-Lyn

The Malay Mail Online

January 1, 2014

KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 1 — The Barisan Nasional (BN) government remains in a difficult position despite announcing cost-cutting measures in an attempt to match the rising cost of living faced by ordinary Malaysians, with political analysts saying real reforms are needed to cut waste and appease an unhappy public.

Political analysts dismissed Putrajaya’s spending cuts as tokenism, calling instead for the downsizing of a giant civil service and the Cabinet to create real reforms.

Last night, thousands of Malaysians ushered in the New Year in protest, taking to the streets of the city’s capital to rally against the sudden series of spending cuts — from higher fuel and sugar prices to the expected spike in toll and assessment rates.

Critics have also said that Putrajaya’s measures to cutback on government spending, which include reducing the entertainment allowance of ministers and trimming electricity bills, were too superficial and would do little to rein in the wastage of public funds.

To Wan Saiful Wan Jan, the chief executive of the think tank Institute for Democracy and Economic Affairs (IDEAS), “true reform” would mean reducing Prime Minister Najib Razak’s Cabinet.

“A token announcement is good in order to appease the public, but unless it’s followed by real reforms, it’ll just remain tokenism,” said the analyst.

In the Gallery

He pointed out that the United Kingdom has a population of about 63 million people that is served by fewer than 20 Cabinet members, while Malaysia’s population is half the size of the UK’s, but has a Cabinet that is almost twice as large.

Shortly after last May’s general election, Najib appointed 30 Cabinet ministers and 26 deputy ministers.

Wan Saiful also said that the 1.4 million-strong civil service force should be downsized, pointing out that staff size was not reduced despite the Ministry of Higher Education merging with the Ministry of Education this year.

On Monday, Najib announced 11 measures that Putrajaya will implement from January 1 next year to slash public expenditure, such as cutting the entertainment allowance of ministers and deputy ministers by 10 per cent and that of senior government officers on the Jusa C Grade and above by between five and 10 per cent.

Apart from the allowance, the prime minister said the government would also trim its consumption of food and drinks, as well as the use of buntings and banners during conferences, seminars, meeting, courses, workshops and other official functions.

The use of event management firms and the handing out of door gifts or souvenirs during such events will also be reduced, he said.

Other measures include a reduction of 30 per cent or between RM50 and RM100 in the toll facility offered to senior government officers.

The eligibility for domestic and international flight tickets for civil servants will also be amended, where those in the Jusa C Grade and below will only be eligible for economy class tickets on domestic flights.

Wan Saiful Wan Jan, chief executive of the think tank Institute for Democracy and Economic Affairs (IDEAS), said ‘true reform’ would mean reducing Prime Minister Najib Razak’s Cabinet. — AFP picWan Saiful Wan Jan, chief executive of the think tank Institute for Democracy and Economic Affairs (IDEAS), said ‘true reform’ would mean reducing Prime Minister Najib Razak’s Cabinet. — AFP pic

Najib also announced that the electricity cost at all ministries, government departments and agencies would be reduced by five per cent.

Fresh applications for the renovation of government offices will be put on the back burner for the time-being, Najib said, while existing office space will be fully optimised to keep spending low.

The appointment of consultants for government projects, and for the conducting of feasibility studies will be tightened further, with each application to be first approved by the National Development Planning Committee, which is chaired by the Chief Secretary to the Government.

James Chin, political analyst from Monash University’s Malaysian campus, said that the size of the civil service could easily be slashed by 30 per cent.

“The measures are not enough to save money because the real issue is the bloated civil service and wasteful spending by ministers and the ministries,” Chin told The Malay Mail Online via email.

“The 10 per cent cut here and there will not have an impact since it’s the overall figure that is important. The budget will still be in deficit with the reduced spending. Yesterday’s (Monday) announcement was a PR job,” he added.

Malaysia’s 1.4 million civil servants currently cost the country some RM60 billion in wages annually, accounting for a third of total government spending. Malaysia also has one of the highest public workers to population ratios in the world.

DAP’s Gelang Patah MP Lim Kit Siang said last October that Malaysia’s civil servants-to-population ratio was 4.68 per cent in 2009, compared to Singapore’s 1.4 per cent, Indonesia’s 1.79 per cent, South Korea’s 1.85 per cent and Thailand’s 2.06 per cent.

James Chin, political analyst from Monash University’s Malaysian campus, said that the size of the civil service could easily be slashed by 30 per cent. — Reuters picJames Chin, political analyst from Monash University’s Malaysian campus, said that the size of the civil service could easily be slashed by 30 per cent. — Reuters pic

Professor Jayum Jawan, political analyst from Universiti Putra Malaysia, pointed out that despite the entertainment allowance cut for ministers, deputy ministers and senior civil servants, legislators in various Barisan Nasional (BN) and Pakatan Rakyat (PR) states have received large salary hikes.

“How does that measure to the small cuts?” Jayum said.

“The entertainment allowance is not really big. It does not really do much. How much would that contribute to the state and federal coffers after they raise the salaries two or three times? They need to go into substance,” he added.

PR states Selangor and Penang recently announced pay raises of 88 per cent for state assemblymen. Selangor had also increased the salaries for its mentri besar, Speaker, deputy Speaker and state executive councillors by between 106 and 373 per cent.

BN state Perak has also increased the salaries of state representatives, while Johor is similarly considering a salary hike for its assemblymen.

Political analyst Khoo Kay Peng said that Najib’s announcement did not address the long-standing factors behind government wastage.

“I’d rather that a mechanism be put in place to strengthen the procurement process and government expenditure, to build KPIs, and to have a check and balance system tied to government KPIs and promotion KPIs,” Khoo told The Malay Mail Online.

He pointed out that Putrajaya should address the leakages and mismanagement of public funds that are revealed by national audits every year.

                This entry was posted on Wednesday, 1 January 2014, 8:07 am and is filed under
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Malaysians are tired of “sweet-sounding” speeches by Najib, what they want are deeds and delivery  of “One Malaysia, People First, Performance Now” promise  which he made in his maiden speech as Prime Minister some five years ago

The Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Najib Razak made another “sweet-sounding” speech yesterday in his  2014 New Year message, trying to explain away his “Chinese tsunami” statement on the night of the 13th General Election as well as declaring that he “understand and sympathise with concerns” of the people at the impact of rising costs.

Malaysians are tired of “sweet-sounding” speeches by Najib as what they want are deeds and delivery of the “One Malaysia, People First, Performance Now” promise which he made in his maiden speech when he took over the reins as Prime Minister some five years ago.

Najib says he “understand and sympathise” with the people’s concerns but the more important question is whether the people feel that the Prime Minister “understand and sympathise” with their deepest concerns as a result of the spiral of rising prices, and the answer is a loud and categorical “No”!

It is no use Najib’s highly-paid consultants drafting the most high-sounding speeches and messages for delivery by the Prime Minister if they are hollow-sounding and totally unconvincing to the people, as is the case with Najib’s “moderate”  speeches.

Malaysians will remember his “Malaysia the best democracy in the world” speech on Malaysia Day  on Sept. 16 in 2011, and the recent government policies and actions which run counter to it – whether the restoration of detention-without-trial legislation, suppression of free press as in the suspension of the printing licence of weekly “The Heat”, inability to restore public confidence in the independence of the judiciary or the worsening corruption in the country.

Najib will not be in the plight today if he had seriously delivered his “One Malaysia, People First, Performance Now” promise he made in April 2009.

Let Najib present a White Paper in the March meeting of Parliament for a frank and truthful account on where he had succeeded and failed in the “One Malaysia, People First, Performance Now” policy he enunciated on becoming Prime Minister, and submit the White Paper for a full debate in Parliament.

It is sad but true that after the 13th General Elections on May 5, Najib has virtually abandoned  the 1Malaysia Policy, as what is left are only the 1Malaysia gimmicry totally bereft of the 1Malaysia policy and philosophy to create a Malaysian nation where every Malaysian regards himself or herself as Malaysian first and race, religion, region or socio-economic status second.

In fact, the Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhiddin Yassin is still more famous for his “I am a Malay first, Malaysian second” declaration than as Education Minister or Deputy Prime Minister.

If Najib had delivered on “One Malaysia, People First, Performance Now” policy, Malaysians regardless of race or religion throughout the country would be not plunged into multiple political economic, educational and environmental crises  today – with ever-increasing economic disparity between the haves and have-nots; unending price increases slashing the quality of life of Malaysians; unchecked deteriorationn in educational standards whether at the primary, secondary or tertiary level and worsening corruption, cronynism and abuses of power.

Najib has yet to prove after some five years that he is Prime Minister for all Malaysians, including the 52 per cent electorate who had voted against the Barisan Nasional in the 13th general election.

If Najib is not prepared to be fair to the 52 per cent of the electorate   who voted against the Barisan Nasional in the 13th general election on 5th May 2013 and be their Prime Minister as well, is he prepared fto orgo the taxation paid by this  52 % of the Malaysian electorate or set aside their taxation for their  fair disbursements and expenditures for the national interests and not for the sake of Barisan Nasional only?

                This entry was posted on Wednesday, 1 January 2014, 3:10 pm and is filed under
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On New Year’s Eve, thousands march to protest price hikes but Putrajaya still in BN’s hands

by Lee Shi-Ian & Muzliza Mustafa

The Malaysian Insider

December 31, 2013

Thousands defied Putrajaya and rallied at Dataran Merdeka tonight against the rising cost of goods and services, as police looked on after warning for days earlier it was a gathering to topple the ruling coalition.

The boisterous crowd which had streamed to the fringe of the square from Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman, Masjid India and Central Market was largely peaceful, but several lines of police officers stood between them and revellers who had gathered in the square for the national new year’s eve countdown celebration.

“Inside is for those who want to celebrate New Year’s Eve. If you want to protest, you may do so on the other side,” said Dang Wangi OCPD Zainulddin Ahmad.

However, police, just after 11pm, relented as the streaming crowd breached the police and City Hall barricades to join the revelers in the square.

Just before midnight the concert at the Dataran Merdeka was halted in view of the surge of protestors. City Hall personnel formed a line in front of the stage, and the lights were turned off.

Despite a pledge to stay apolitical, the crowd repeatly chanted slogans against the Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak, Umno and his Barisan Nasional coalition partners

Several opposition politicians present lending their support included P. Kasthuri, Nik Nazmi, Steven Sim and Teoh Kok Seong.

PAS supporters sat in a circle at the Jalan Parlimen-Jalan Raja intersection and listened to speeches from several party leaders instead of joining the throng that made it to Dataran Merdeka.

PAS central committee member Dzulkefly Ahmad explained how the public will be burdened by recent government policies, while vice-president Salahudin Ayub said that the people have shown courage by attending the rally despite threats from the government.

“There is no way for the government to ignore voices from all walks of life,” he said.

A grandmother who wished to be known only as Julie said she was compelled to join the protest to urge the government to respect the people’s wishes.

“The rakyat is suffering. The government cannot play deaf now,” she said, holding a sign stating “Respect the voice of the people” in front of the police barricade.

The protesters had gathered earlier at the Sogo shopping centre in Kuala Lumpur with most clad in black, with some wearing the masks of English revolutionary Guy Fawkes, who has now become a global symbol of public revolt against the establishment.

However, the mood remained carnival and traders who had set up stalls in the vicinity of the Dataran Merdeka are doing a brisk business.

The crowd chanted “Bangkit, bangkit. Bangkit rakyat.”

At Dataran Merdeka, a 1,000 strong crowd has begun to gather, also voicing their displeasure at the rising cost of living. A group of people were seen attempting to break through police barricades at Jalan Raja to get to Dataran Merdeka.

The protest is being organised by a group calling itself Gerakan Turun Kos Sara Hidup or Turun

Suaram, who has promised legal aid to any protestor detained by the police, had 10 personnel deployed in Dataran Merdeka

“We are here to check if there is any crackdown by the police and will provide legal assistance to those protesters who are arrested,” said its coordinator Syukri Razab, adding that several lawyers were on stand-by to help.

The mass protest was prompted by the various recent increase in the prices of goods and services, such as the cutting of fuel and sugar subsidies, while other hikes are looming for next year, including electricity tariffs, assessment rates for KL properties, public transport charges and toll rates for major highways.

Police have been on high alert after claims circulated online purportedly claiming the intention of the protest is to topple the government.

Police said four non-governmental organisations (NGO) – Gerakan Turun Kos Sara Hidup (Turun), Solidarity Mahasiswa Malaysia (SMM), PKR-backed group Jingga 13 and youth group Solidariti Anak Muda Malaysia (SAMM) – as being the organisational and motivational force behind tonight’s protest.

SMM chairman Mohamed Bukhairy Sofian, however, maintained that the gathering is to protest against the rising cost of living, and not to overthrow the Barisan Nasional (BN) government.

Anti-price hike movement Gerakan Turun Kos Sara Hidup (Turun) chairman Azan Safar had clarified also last week that the price hike protest is not linked to another gathering allegedly aimed at ousting the government. – December 31, 2013.

                This entry was posted on Wednesday, 1 January 2014, 7:22 am and is filed under
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Police should show real remorse for wrongly uploading picture claiming to be a bleeding policeman injured at New Year’s Eve protest at Dataran Merdeka by adopting principles of democratic policing to protect the people and not just the government

The Police has rightly apologised for wrongly uploading a picture of an injured man claiming that it was a police officer on duty during the New Year’s Eve anti-price hikes protest at Dataran Merdeka.

The force’s official Facebook had uploaded a picture of a shirtless man with a head injury who was bleeding profusely that it assumed was a police offier on duty during the anti-price hike rally on Tuesday night.

The picture was denounced by many netizens who pointed out that it was inconsistent with the police’s own statement that the three officers injured on duty were only injured on their arms.

The police admitted to the mistake and apologised for the “carelessness in uploading a picture assumed to be a police officer who got injured while on duty on New Year’s Eve”.

A police statement said PDRM “has no intentions of making the situation any worse” and that police officers were “normal humans” who are “prone to mistakes”.

This is a very serious matter. How could such a mistake happen. Which police officer or officers were  responsible and what actions are being taken to ensure that it would not be repeated?

It is good to see the PDRM being humble enough to apologise and admit its mistake, although nobody is sure whether the police would have been so swift to admit its mistakes if it had not been caught red-handed in the age of instant communication in the Internet era, not only by netizens who immediately pointed out to the inconsistency of the police’s own statement and the picture uploaded, but by the person in the photograph himself, Mohd Zulhilmi Mustafar.

Zulhilmi was injured after being assaulted on December 29 and he had lodged a police report to clarify that he had not participated in the New Year’s Eve celebrations or protest.

Be that as it may –  whether the police’s swift apology for the mistake in wrongly uploading the photograph of a person bleeding profusely and falsely claiming that he was a police office injured at Dataran Merdeka was genuine or forced – the Police should show real remorse.

It can do this by beginning to adopt the  principles of democratic policing to protect the people and not just the government.

It is for instance no business of the police to adopt any political stance against Malaysians  who wish to exercise their fundamental right to peacefully protest against the series of price hikes which undermine the economic plight of the majority of Malaysians by making baseless claims about a fictitious plot to “topple the government”.

In fact, the police should apologise for such a baseless allegation if it is prepared to show a new face of democratic policing to protect the people and not just the government.

Similarly, it is most improper for the Bukit Aman Internal Security and Public Order director Salleh Mat Rashid yesterday to make another far-fetched allegation, that the New Year’s Eve anti-price hike protest was “merely a ploy engineered by certain quarters bent on a bigger agenda to cripple the country’s democratic system”.

Nobody would be surprised if such an allegation had  come from BN/Umno cybertroopers or one of the trigger-happy BN/Umno Ministers, but it reflects very poorly on the independence, integrity and professionalism of the police for any top police officer to indulge in such fanciful speculations – like the Inspector-General of Police, Tan Sri Khalid Abu Bakar’s “fairy tale” plot on New Year’s Eve to “topple the government” as if Malaysia is a “basket case country” on the verge of political and economic collapse at any moment.

The police should leave irresponsible politicking to BN/UMNO Ministers, leaders and cybertroopers so as not to jeopardise its independence, integrity and  professionalism, both among Malaysians and outside the country.

In this connection, I call on the police to give top priority to fighting crime to keep crime low so  as to ensure high quality and standards of safety and security for Malaysians, investors and tourists instead of draining police resources on such “wild goose chase” as trying to prosecute and persecute those who took part in the New Year’s Eve anti-price hike protests.

Artikel ini juga boleh didapati dalam Bahasa Malaysia di:
https://blog.limkitsiang.com/2014/01/06/polis-sepatutnya-menunjukkan-rasa-kesal-secara-bersungguh-sungguh-kerana-mendakwa-gambar-seorang-lelaki-yang-dimuat-naik-dalam-laman-facebook-rasmi-polis-adalah-gambar-seorang-anggota-polis-yang-ceder/

                This entry was posted on Thursday, 2 January 2014, 1:52 pm and is filed under
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Barisan risks losing further urban support with 20% toll rebate removal, say critics

by Eileen Ng

The Malaysian Insider

January 02, 2014

The ruling Barisan Nasional (BN) government will continue to lose further support in Selangor and Kuala Lumpur by ending the 20% toll rebate for frequent users, even as most Malaysians tighten their belts to face the rising cost of living, say opposition lawmakers.

The Pakatan Rakyat (PR) lawmakers warned that the latest move, coming on the heels of an impending toll hike, will further burden Selangor and Kuala Lumpur residents who use privatised highways that criss-cross Malaysia’s wealthiest area in their daily commute.

BN has lost the majority of seats in Kuala Lumpur and Selangor in the last two general elections, apart from losing the popular vote in the 2013 elections. The next election is due by 2018 and BN is expected to continue relying on rural seats to keep power.

PKR’s Pandan MP Rafizi Ramli said the toll rebate removal was yet another in a series of decisions by the Najib administration which proved that it was out of touch with the people’s needs.

“BN can write off its chances from urban centres in the next 10 years. While they can get away with handouts to rural folk, the same cannot be said for urbanites because the hardships they are subjected to are across the board regardless of race and age,” he told The Malaysian Insider.

He said abolishing the toll rebate was “uncalled for”, adding that the public would not be able to empathise with Putrajaya’s explanation as it was seen as trivialising their hardship.

“The 20% rebate no matter how small can still contribute towards easing expenses, especially for those living in the Klang Valley,” Rafizi said.

DAP’s Serdang MP Dr Ong Kian Ming said the average user would have chalked up a rebate of between RM30 and RM40 per month and would feel the impact of the removal of this latest facility.

“This is in violation of Putrajaya’s mitigation measures that were introduced as part of the subsidy rationalisation programme.

“For Klang Valley folk, this is yet another sign that BN has abandoned them and it looks like BN is not interested in winning back their votes,” he said.

Petaling Jaya Utara MP Tony Pua said the toll rebate was never meant to be permanent and was never the solution to the overpriced highways.

Instead, it was a stop-gap policy to dampen the anti-government sentiment in the run up to the 13th general election.

“It is not surprising the rebate is withdrawn and toll rates are raised in accordance to the lopsided concessionaire agreements,” he said.

The Selangor DAP chairman said the only way for the government to stop the vicious cycle of toll hikes of toll operators making astronomical profits was to buy back the highways.

However, he said, it was clear Putrajaya was unwilling to do this, and as a result, concessionaires would continue to rake in lucrative profits.

PAS’s Kota Raja MP Dr Siti Mariah Mahmud said the rebate removal would cause hardship to the people and contribute to a rise in household debts as transport costs increased.

“It is a double jeopardy for consumers, on the heels of subsidies being slashed and rising prices of goods and services.”

She said while some might opt to use toll-free roads which would increase traffic at these alternative roads, there were also many places without alternative toll-free routes.

The move proved that the government was desperate to save money on the back of its fiscal deficit and this, unfortunately, came at the expense of the people, she said.

Datuk Seri Najib Razak, who celebrated his 100th day in office after taking power in April 2009, had introduced the rebate through the Touch ’n Go card as a “gift” to motorists.

To qualify for the rebate, motorists needed to use the Touch ’n Go card a minimum of 80 times to pay at any toll booth in the Klang Valley in a calendar month.

A 20% rebate was to be given to qualified cardholders, calculated at 20% of the total transaction.

Cardholders could redeem the rebates through a card reload at all Touch ’n Go sales counter.

A source told Malay daily Sinar Harian the rebate was Putrajaya’s prerogative as it was a “gift” and it could withdraw it any time.

Motorists have until June to claim whatever rebate that had been credited into their accounts, say highway officials.

However, the Najib administration which trumpeted the scheme at its 2009 launch as another caring government initiative has kept mum, leaving frantic motorists jamming counters to redeem the rebate since Monday.

“Yes, it was packed in the morning. They thought today was the last day. I had to explain that the rebate will be stopped, but they have until June to claim it,” said a cashier at the Sungai Besi Plus toll plaza visited by The Malaysian Insider.

The decision to scrap the rebate comes close on the heels of a proposed hike in toll. However, Putrajaya had reassured road users that it was still considering the options to reduce the impact of impending toll hikes.

Works Minister Datuk Fadillah Yusof said the government had yet to issue a directive to any of the concessionaires to hike up their rates.

“In reviewing the best steps to reduce the effects on the people, the government has to respect the concession agreements which were signed to ensure it continues to get investors’ confidence,” he said in a statement yesterday. – January 2, 2013.

                This entry was posted on Thursday, 2 January 2014, 8:10 am and is filed under
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For 2014, church leaders seek respect, equality before Constitution

by Boo Su-Lyn

The Malay Mail Online

January 2, 2014

KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 2 — As religious tensions from the five-year-old “Allah” controversy spilled over into the new year, senior Christian clergymen here have appealed for mutual respect from Malaysian Muslims with a reminder that they too have the right to practice their faith according to the precepts of their own religion.

Asked for their wishes for the year ahead, several church leaders here said they want the constitutional rights of Christians recognised and an end to the hate-mongering fueled by the tussle over on word – “Allah” – which has divided Malaysians along geographical and racial lines.

“We are not expecting Malaysia to be a Christian country. The main thing is respect.

“Respect and recognise that each individual has the right to choose whatever they believe,” said Rev Datuk Jerry Dusing, president of the evangelical Sabah Sidang Injil Borneo (SIB).

“That’s the central tenet of human rights,” the head of Sabah’s second-largest church told The Malay Mail Online in an interview on his hopes for 2014.

Dusing said interfaith tensions surfaced when the “Allah” dispute went to court, and recounted the three lawsuits filed separately by the Catholic Church, Sabah SIB and a Sarawakian Christian, against the Home Ministry, to regain what they see as an erosion of their constitutional freedoms.

Numbering some 2.6 million people, Christians make up Malaysia’s third-largest religious group, after Muslims and Buddhists.

Almost two-thirds of them are Bumiputera and are largely based in Sabah and Sarawak, where they routinely use the national language, Bahasa Malaysia, and indigenous languages in their religious practices, including describing God as “Allah” in their prayers and holy book.

However, this minority demographic appears to have been singled out in recent years by certain national leaders and accused of running a clandestine campaign to convert the Muslim majority, an act that is barred under Malaysia’s supreme law even as it provides for each religion’s followers to freely practise their faith and in peace.

Dusing, a cautious man who weighs his words before speaking, has lately found himself having to remind the federal government of the terms and conditions in the Malaysia Agreement, after Sabah Christians dwelling in the north Borneo state as well as in Peninsular Malaysia fell victim to restrictive state Islamic laws to infringe on the constitutional right of non-Muslims.

Islamic enforcement officers in Selangor are planning a crackdown on churches in the new year after the state Ruler, whose mostly ceremonial powers stretches to cover the religious administration of Islam, forbid non-Muslims from using a laundry list of 35 words it regards as exclusive to Muslims, most notably “Allah”, the Arabic word for God.

The chairman of the National Fellowship (NECF) Commission on Sabah Affairs (COSA) noted that such measures in Malaysia’s wealthiest and most industrialised state would impact the religious lives of the many Sabahans—a significant number who are also Christian—who work the factory assembly lines and now call Selangor home.

The pastor pointed out that Sabah and Sarawak had agreed to form Malaysia in 1963, together with Malaya and Singapore, on the express condition that freedom of religion would be protected.

“Christians have equal rights as Muslims [sic],” Dusing said.

“Under the Malaysia Agreement, we are supposed to protect the right of this community,” he said, referring to the minority non-Malay, Bumiputera Christians hailing from Sabah and Sarawak who have settled in the country’s west.

“Now, because of the way Malaysia has developed, this group of people has been oppressed,” he said.

The long-running Muslim-Christian tensions pending the court hearing of the “Allah” lawsuits may have fatigued church leaders, but some believe the shredded ties can be mended and have cast for a way forward to close the rift.

Rev Dr Hermen Shastri, the general secretary of the Council of Churches of Malaysia (CCM), proposed taking a leaf from a Jordanian interfaith initiative to promote interfaith dialogue.

Known as “A Common Word”, a group of 138 Islamic personalities inked an open letter dated Octover 13, 2007, urging the-then Pope Benedict XVI, to promote dialogue between Muslims and Christians.

“In fact, Malaysia even won recognition by the Jordan-based organisation that oversees the progress of the Common Word initiative some two years ago for promoting interfaith harmony,” Shastri told The Malay Mail Online, referring to the Jordanian Interfaith Coexistence Research Center.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak had mooted a special Cabinet Committee to Promote Harmony and Understanding Among Religious Adherents in 2010, a year after houses of worship nationwide were attacked following the landmark High Court judgment in favour of the Catholic Church, which ruled that “Allah” was not exclusive to Muslims.

Progress within the interfaith committee appeared to have slowed since the death of its charismatic first chairman, Datuk Ilani Ishak, from cancer on February 24, 2011 even though various activities aimed to bridge Muslim and non-Muslim differences continue to be held annually.

Despite that, Shastri appeared upbeat that relations will improve so long as people kept their minds on the goal.

“Religion espouses loving God and neighbour, and adherents to any faith community should seek to live to that high and noble ideal, rather than disagreeing about how God should be called,” he said.

The representative of the umbrella body of Protestant churches said the upcoming appeal of the Catholic Church’s lawsuit to the Federal Court would be a test on how religion can promote peace and harmony.

The Home Ministry had succeeded in overturning the High Court judgment last October, after a three-judge panel in the Court of Appeal ruled that the use of the word “Allah” was not integral to the Christian faith.

“The whole world will be looking at Malaysia. Peace in society can be fostered when religious freedom is actively prompted to teach people to love God and neighbour,” said the Methodist pastor.

Rev Father Clarence Devadass, director of the Catholic Church’s Archdiocesan Pastoral Institute, said he hoped that the country’s leaders would stop acting in racially divisive ways in 2014 for the sake of political expediency.

“In 2014, I hope to see that Malaysians will work sincerely towards building peace and harmony among all peoples, that we learn to respect all communities in Malaysia,” he said.

Christian Federation of Malaysia (CFM) chairman Rev Dr Eu Hong Seng prayed that Putrajaya would honour Article 11(3) of the Federal Constitution that protects the right of every religious group to manage its own religious affairs.

“And this includes the right to use their scriptures without any interference, which has been practised since Merdeka,” the pastor told The Malay Mail Online.

Eu said the tussle over usage of the “Allah” word need not have become a complicated conflict if all Malaysians adhered to the Federal Constitution, and steered clear of trying to interpret another person’s religion for him.

“Everyone is entitled to his view of another person’s faith, but what is integral or not, is for the religious leaders of that particular faith to determine. We need to respect boundaries,” he said.

Since the appellate court’s October ruling, the Catholic Church has appealed to the country’s top court for clarity on the religious row that has drawn deep lines between Malaysia’s non-Muslim minorities and its 60 per cent Muslim population.

The Federal Court has fixed February 24 to hear the application for appeal.

                This entry was posted on Thursday, 2 January 2014, 7:28 am and is filed under
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Najib, are you taking us towards disaster?

by Ahmad Mustapha Hassan

The Ant Daily

9/11/2013

SPEAKING PLAINLY

OUTSPOKEN:
 It is quite normal for anyone to ask this question: Where are we going and where are you taking us? Since you took over the reins of government, we seem to be moving neither here nor there. Most people are baffled because you seem to enjoy life while the country is facing innumerable critical problems.

Even as these problems are left unattended, more problems are being added. Your words have no meaning whatsoever as your cabinet ministers have been acting to dismantle what you had promised the people before you were given the mandate to run the country.

Your father was so different. Tun Abdul Razak’s words were meant as instructions to all, ministers, civil servants and the people. No member of his cabinet would go against what he desired for the people. All worked towards achieving that aim.

He was very prudent and would not spend people’s money unnecessarily. He limited his overseas travel to no more than twice a year. He would cut out all non-essential expenses. He did not believe in creating unwanted and expensive icons.

He was interested in uplifting the economic situation of the whole nation, not just creating a few wealthy and self-centred individuals. He believed that he should not waste the rakyat’s money by bringing those who did not matter on his overseas trips.

That was how astute and concerned Tun Razak was about the welfare of the people and the country.

You appear to be away from the country most of the time and it had been reported that so far your travels had cost the country RM44 million. That is a very huge amount even for a prime minister.

Your father depended on advice from local experts, and he placed trusted people in positions, in the knowledge that their contribution would see to the success of projects. He started Mara to take over the role carried out by Rida (Rural and Industrial Development Authority) before and placed capable officers to man the various divisions in Mara. He had the late Mansor Osman (later MB of Negeri Sembilan) placed in the division to offer scholarships and aid to needy rural students.

He trusted Tan Sri Arshad Ayub to steer the Mara College towards developing more Bumiputera professionals. He placed people where he knew they would be able to assist his goal in uplifting the professional capabilities of those who had been neglected before.

He placed an able and dedicated civil servant Tan Sri Thong Yaw Hong in a position to assist him realise the objectives of his rural development programme.

He recognised and trusted those civil servants whom he knew personally and appointed them to positions of trust, like Tan Sri Ramon Navaratnam , Tan Sri Tunku Shahriman, Dr Agoes Salim, Raja Alias and Tan Sri Rama Iyer in planning and development units in the Prime Minister’s Department.

To him, all were Malaysians and he overrode any racial or religious sentimentality. He was a man of the people of all shades and religious beliefs.

He had only one goal in mind and that was the welfare of the people and to him it would take all Malaysians to achieve this. He was also not distracted by petty and hollow sloganeering.

None would dare to approach him and shout “Ketuanan Melayu” or any such nonsense. The government would help all the people towards achieving a better life.

Government involvement in religion, to him, should also be at a minimum scale. Religion was a faith adhered to by individuals and that should be about all there was to it.

He did not encourage the religious department to expand its jurisdiction whereby it could pose a threat to national harmony.

But unfortunately, at present, things seem to have gone out of hand. Ministers contradict what the prime minister had promised. Voices of disharmony were allowed free reign. Acts that harm the sensitivities of those not of the Muslim faith are on the rise.

And yet you champion 1Malaysia. It was there all along but subsequent leaders, especially those from Umno Baru, had dismantled that by allowing anti-national elements from the cabinet itself to “flourish” uncontrollably.

You told the Sabah and Sarawak people of the freedom in practising their religion and then a ban was imposed on their newsletter. Sarawak and Sabah together with Malaya then had formed Malaysia, and there was no need to tell them that they are part of Malaysia. They definitely were and are part and parcel of Malaysia.

One very important factor was that Tun Razak walked the talk.

The Malay paper Utusan Melayu with national calibre editors like Yusof Ishak and Said Zahari had been vocal in fighting for the truth and even when it was taken over by Umno, it still remained as a national paper that was very much respected.

But once Umno Baru took over the country, the paper has become the party’s organ and has been allowed to become a national trash. The TV channels have also become the mouthpiece of the party. They have miserably failed to play a positive role in fostering national unity.

Every single effort should be coordinated like during Tun Razak’s time to achieve the national goal of equality, prosperity and happiness for all.

Pray! Tell us! Are you taking us towards disaster!

Ahmad Mustapha Hassan is a former press secretary to second Prime Minister Tun Abdul Razak Hussein and the writer of the book, “The Unmaking of Malaysia”.

                This entry was posted on Thursday, 2 January 2014, 7:03 pm and is filed under
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The 2014 school year to produce Malaysia’s first batch of “miracle students” who would catapult to  top-third of international educational benchmarks in 2021 and 2022 has started but Muhyiddin is still mysteriously silent how this “miracle” is to be achieved

The Deputy Prime Minister and Education Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin should be the most excited man in the country, as he should be  conscious more than anyone else that the new school year of 2014 is the most special, historic and even unique in the nation’s 56-year history.

This is because entering school this year will be Malaysia’s first batch of  “miracle students” who would rank among the   top-third of world students in international educational benchmarks for critical subjects, whether TIMSS (Trends in International Maths and Science Study) or PISA (Programme for International Student Assessment), at the beginning of the next decade.

That is IF the Malaysia Education Blueprint 2013-2025 (MEB) launched by Muhyiddin in September last year is to achieve its objective,  that by 2021-2025 or Wave 3 of the National Education Transformations under the MEB, the performance of Malaysian students in international education assessments like TIMSS and PISA would be in the “top third” of the systems.

The opening of the 2014 school year for 449,067 Year One pupils nationwide, which began yesterday for Johore, Kedah, Terengganu and Kelantan and today for other states, should therefore be  specially exciting and challenging for Muhyiddin, if he is really expecting the present batch of Year One pupils to perform an “educational miracle” to double leap-frog from the present bottom-third to top-third of world educational assessments like PISA and TIMSS in a decade.

In fact, not only the eyes of the country but the eyes of the world should be focussed on the present batch of 449,067 Year One pupils to ascertain whether  and how they could do what no other country or batch of students had ever done or attained, i.e. to achieve a triple “hop-step-jump” from the bottom-third to the top-third of international educational benchmarks in a decade.

One would have thought that with the first batch of “miracle students” which the  MEB would produce  entering school, Muhyiddin  would have difficulty restraining his excitement by the occasion and would have nothing to talk about except the challenges and excitement of the implementation of MEB to produce “miracle students” not only in Malaysia but in the the world.

But strangely enough, the excitement of the occasion to produce the first batch of “miracle students” to perform “educational miracles” seemed to have passed him by!

Muhyddin visited several schools today on the occasion of the first day of the new school year in the federal territories of Putrajaya and Kuala Lumpur like SK Presint 14(1), SMK St Gabriel in Kampung Pandan, SJK Tamil Kampung Pandan and SJK China Chung Hwa Setapak, but  he had nothing to say on the “education miracle” to the horde of reporters covering his tour of schools.

Its not that Muhyiddin was totally reticent and uncommunicative. He was very forthcoming in giving full backing to Selangor Umno on the “Allah” issue and about State education department directors getting  authority to approve school  construction and maintenance projects worth up to RM5 million. He  shied away from commenting on the Riza Aziz “hot potato” – the purchase of RM110 million condominium in New York by the step-son of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak and Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor’s son.

But Muhyiddin was completely mum about “educational miracles” or Malaysia’s adverse performance in the 2011 TIMSS and 2012 PISA and how Malaysia is to achieve the educational miracle of double leap-frogging from bottom-third to top-third of international educational benchmarks in a decade!

It would appear that he is not excited at all by the “educational miracles” the MEB expects the present batch of Year One students to perform in a decade!

The MEB was formulated to deal with the adverse performance of Malaysian students in the quadrennial 2007 TIMSS and triennial 2009 PISA, with the following objectives and time-lines:

•	Wave 1 (2013-2015) to achieve a “turn-around” of the system of deteriorating educational standards;

•	Wave 2 (2016-2020) where Malaysia’s performance will be at par with the international average of PISA and TIMSS benchmarks; and

•	Wave 3 (2021-2025) where Malaysia’s performance on PISA and TIMSS will be in the top third of PISA and TIMSS assessments.

However, far from preparing the national education system for a “turn-around” so that Malaysia can be at par with the international average of PISA and TIMSS systems in Wave 2 and jump to the top third of PISA and TIMSS systems in Wave 3, Malaysia has fallen further down the educational ladder in the 2011 TIMSS and 2012 PISA.

Malaysia suffers the ignominy of being the only country in the world which suffered the biggest drop in scores among all participating countries for both maths and science in the series of four TIMSS in 1999, 2003, 2007 and 2011: in maths dropping by 79 points from 519 in 1999 to 440 in 2011; in science, dropping by 66 points from 492 in 1999 to 426 points in 2011.

Although the latest PISA scores showed improvement in maths, the scores for science and reading fell in the 2012 PISA compared to 2010. Evidence also suggests that English proficiency has deteriorated over time.

As a result, Malaysia’s current educational standards are at an even lower level than that assumed by the MEB, making its objective to catapult Malaysia from the bottom-third to the top-third of the TIMSS and PISA systems in a decade an impossible task.

By keeping mum  for a full month on the adverse 2012 PISA results, showing Malaysia is going backwards rather than forwards in educational standards, Muhyiddin is virtually admitting that the present batch of Year One students are not going to be “world beaters” let alone achieve “double miracle” in a decade to catapult from bottom-third to top-third of international educational benchmarks.

This is why Pakatan Rakyat is calling for a emergency session of Parliament this month on the educational crisis of falling standards which had afflicted the system for a decade as well as to revise the unrealistic and utopian Malaysian Education Blueprint 2013-2015.

Muhyiddin cannot continue to be responsible for Malaysians living under a lie that we expect the present batch of Year One students to be “miracle students” to perform a double miracle in a decade in international educational benchmarks, or he will be doing the greatest disservice to the nation in the field of education in the history of all Education Ministers since Merdeka in 1957.

                This entry was posted on Thursday, 2 January 2014, 5:37 pm and is filed under
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Time for goodwill, sobriety and sanity to restore unity

by Ahmad Mustapha Hassan

The Ant Daily

31/12/2013

SPEAKING PLAINLY

OUTSPOKEN:
 2013 has been a very traumatic year for Malaysia. We have a prime minister who is seldom in the country. We have his wife who has been proclaimed as the first lady of Malaysia or FLOM and who has been given the privilege of using government facilities as if she is a member of the cabinet or government.

We have a racist Home Minister who behaves more like a gangster than a sober and responsible cabinet minister. He is out to flog the Shiites by demonising it as being a deviant sect.

He is out to blemish the image of Mat Sabu, the number two in PAS, as being a follower of this sect and asking him to prove that he is not one. This is the first time someone is being asked to prove his innocence rather than the authorities proving that he is guilty.

The minister seems unaware that the majority of the people in Iraq are the followers of the Shiite sect and he had praised the country as being peaceful while it was under the minority rule of the Sunnis led by the late Saddam Hussein. He might have forgotten how Saddam had tried to annihilate the Shiites while he was in power.

He is also thinking of establishing the Syariah Police squad to hunt the Shiites.

We also have non-governmental organisations specifically formed to fight for Malay rights. That the rights have been there, used and overused, misused and abused by the elite in power was never acknowledged.

Against all logical evidence and advice, the government felt it necessary to proclaim that the word Allah is only the prerogative of the Malay/Muslims, making the country a laughing stock in the international Islamic community.

Umno Baru, at its annual gathering recently, felt that the country’s constitution should be amended to specify that the Islam the country has as the official religion should be mentioned as being Sunni – Ahlil Sunnah Wal- Jamaah (ASWJ).

And at this gathering also, a call was made that the country’s slogan should be One Melayu and not One Malaysia.

Amidst all these cacophony of calls and counter calls, the prime minister has stayed mute.

He also has turned a deaf ear to all rumblings and anger shown by the people. He has condoned the actions of his lieutenants that had gone against his concept of national unity and religious moderation unless of course this was only meant for political consumption.

His speeches and his actions are the very opposite in nature.

He embarked on the apartheid approach to economic development by instituting the Bumiputra Economic Empowerment Programme, whereby only one ethnic community would be given the sole attention of overcoming economic disparity. He had put aside the economic needs of the dispossessed of other Malaysians.

Corruption in the country had now become a culture and the agency in charge of combating this disruptive and evil menace is powerless in tackling it effectively due to reasons best known to it only.

Malaysia was formed by the coming together of Malaya, Sabah or North Borneo, Sarawak and Singapore. Singapore was, however, dismissed from this federation. It is now an independent sovereign country and progressing well.

As it is today, from the actions by the federal government, Sabah and Sarawak have not been accorded the same status as equal partners in this federation. They have been treated like colonies of Peninsular Malaysia. But the leaders in these two territories seemed to be very servile to the actions of the federal government.

Only now, loud rumblings to the need to adhere to the 20 and 18 points agreed upon when the federation was formed can be heard. This was not heard before.

The country had since its formation experienced peace and harmony. The various communities respect each other and also respect their religious practices.

It was only when Umno Baru took power that cracks to this understanding began to appear. The people should realise that this has been deliberately done by Umno Baru so as to maintain its stranglehold on power. People will have to be wise to these machinations.

All Malaysians should unite and bring back that Malaysian spirit that was there before during the time of the first prime minister to the third, before Umno Baru came into being.

2014 should be a year of awakening and realisation by the people that the country has had enough of this mismanagement, uncontrolled corruptive practices and maladministration, and ethnic and religious rhetoric created by Umno Baru, the devil incarnate.

Ahmad Mustapha Hassan is a former press secretary to second Prime Minister Tun Abdul Razak Hussein and the writer of the book, “The Unmaking of Malaysia”.

                This entry was posted on Thursday, 2 January 2014, 7:22 pm and is filed under
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UmnoBN follies but blame it on PR and the States they rule?

Richard Loh

1.1.2014

What is wrong with this nation? Nothing wrong at all. The right question should be, “What is wrong with the 56 years old UmnoBN led government”? The answer would be, too many wrongs that we lost count.

In this article I will just highlight a couple of wrongs which I deem are prerequisite to the overall poor performances of the UmnoBN led government.

Admission of Guilt

No one has ever admitted the wrongs that were originated right from the heart of PutraJaya, starting from the Prime Minister, Ministers down to the civil servants. While it is acceptable to many that they don’t admit their guilt what is worst is that they can use all the highest authorities to defend their wrongs, from Bank Negara, PDRM, MACC and if necessary the judiciary. Cases such as the NFC, PKFZ, the billions of illegal capital flight, ‘Extravagant expenditures’ and the year in year out Auditor General Annual Reports, just to name a few.

It is fine if you do not admit guilt but to continue with the wrongs instead of correcting and putting a stop to it reflects how bad the government is performing.

Attitude of US against YOU

UmnoBN seem to have forgotten that they are running the federal government and all authorities, except the Inland Revenue Department, also have forgotten they are there to serve everyone. They are running the nation like it belongs to them solely and if you voted against UmnoBN, express in any way against government policies or simply not happy with what they are doing, YOU are told to leave the country. After 56 years they have become so arrogant that they would not allow any slightest dissent and whatever they do YOU have to accept it, failing which they use their famous phrase ‘National Security’ and turn YOU into a criminal.

PDRM is supposed to maintain law and order and act without fear or favor, ARE THEY? As the highest law authority of the nation they cannot simply imagine, concoct nor speculative of crimes without clear evidence or facts. Case in point is the TURUN rally on New Year eve.

As for MACC and other authorities, do I need to go into details? They may all claim to be impartial and act without fear or favor but their actions (the exact opposite) speak louder than their words.

The whole UmnoBN machineries are not performing like any government should be but working hard to destroy anyone that are against or not happy with them by using whatever means. This kind of attitude “If you’re not with US, you’re against US” does not bode well for the nation progress at all.

UmnoBN Federal Government against PR State Governments

The rise of Pakatan Rakyat has weaken and brought UmnoBN to it’s knees. They are trying to show off that they are still capable of standing tall but not doing it in a gentleman’s way. They are not just hitting below the belt but much further down trying to create as much pain as possible to Pakatan Rakyat. Being famous for who they are the past 56 years, they can never admit that the states under PR are doing very well with competent leaders. They are on the look out for any slightest mistake to create a very big issue out of it. If they found none they will fear nothing to create something out of nothing.

This bring me to the issue of the Mercedes Benz purchased by the Penang state government for use by the Chief Minister. What is wrong with that, may I ask? UmnoBN came out in full force to chastise the CM and even Malaysiakini unashamedly came out with the headlines
As rakyat tightens belt, Penang CM rolls in new Benz.

Has UmnoBN critics and Malaysiakini find out why, who, what, how that cause the rakyat to tighten their belts? Is it really because of CM Lim Guan Eng’s Mercedes Benz and his poor performances that will cause hardship to the rakyat?

UmnoBN federal government controls everything in this nation as a whole and economically as well. The well being of the rakyat and nation, be it good or bad, to tighten belt or not lie solely on UmnoBN federal government performances. Penang no doubt is under PR but Penangnites have to tighten their belts is not because of the state government but UmnoBN federal government mismanagement.

To put it simply, Penang is under PR management but controlled by UmnoBN federal government. All taxes go to federal coffer but unfair and unequal distribution back to PR states, even funds allotted to MPs bypass the opposition. Penang government has to find its own money to sustain running the state well and well being of Penangnites and CM Lim Guan Eng is doing a fine job. Since 2009 the state government has being distributing cash allowances to various groups of societies, the retired, students, schools and many others on a yearly basis. Road upgrading, paving and playgrounds are being carried out where necessary or required. These are all carried out irrespective whether there is any election.

As a Penangnite I can see that Penang under PR and CM Lim Guan Eng is well managed with the least leakage/wastage/corruption but as a Malaysian I can see that UmnoBN led federal government is leading the nation to oblivion. So, for such a good performance by CM Lim Guan Eng the reward of a Mercedes Benz is too much? Just for comparison, is the PM 1Malaysia Air Force One a necessity or waste?

When UmnoBN critics are blind to their own follies and blame others for it, YOU should wake up and make your stand against such a government that cares not about YOU but themselves. The case in point is that Gerakan BIG chief Tan Keng Liang twitting and holding a forum #OhMyGaji aiming at Selangor assembly salary hike claiming boldly that he is fighting for the rakyat but chicken out when ask to hold the same forum in Kuching and another on the toll hike #OhMyToll. YOU can all clearly seen the hypocrisy of these UmnoBN leaders when they start talking about championing and fighting for the rakyat.

2014 is here, will UmnoBN continue doing what they are best at or start managing the country in a proper and right way?

                This entry was posted on Thursday, 2 January 2014, 9:38 am and is filed under
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