Freedom of the press

By
Ishwar Nahappan

Dr Mahathir thrust a deep dagger into the heart of fundamental and civil liberties of Malaysia.  This is the legacy that he will be known best for.  Progressively under his rule the concept of “Free and Fair” elections were thrown out of the window.

The expression “Free and Fair” incorporates many underlying principles including legal, ethical, and internationally accepted historical conventions.  It does not just mean the freedom to vote.  An open free press to express its views without duress and manipulation is a fundamental liberty which is the absolute right of ALL MALAYSIANS OF ALL RACES.

The newspapers and visual media (government controlled) are blanketed and filled with goodies and ang pows from the barisan government and all opposition activities are blocked and blacked out by a pliant press and media under the control and ownership of the constituent parties of barisan. UMNO or UMNO members control the New Straits Times, Berita Harian, The Malay Mail, the Utusan, etc.  MCA control the Star and Nanyang Siang Pow and Datuk Samy Vellu’s personal family members control the Tamil Nesan.

Freedom of the press in Malaysia is like a wayang kulit, now you see it now you don’t. Or a water tap which can be turned on and off or reduced to a trickle whenever the government so chooses.

The press deliberately ignores:

•	Any mention by the opposition of continuing breaches of civil liberties, the incidents of endemic corruption, acts of wasteful expenditure, the list could go on and on but I will save that for another day.

•	It now appears that Bukit Bintang has 5,000 new postal voters who have suddenly appeared without any logical or legitimate rhyme or reason. One should ask WHY and the reason being is to neutralise one community’s voting strength.

•	The leadership of the MIC is fast losing any residual credibility with the Indian community.  Its great leader Datuk Samy Vellu has been harassed on two occasions in the last few days and just yesterday with eggs and slippers.  Consequently more and more Indians are joining the DAP, totally frustrated with Samy Vellu’s self-centered and self-aggrandizing leadership.  Last Thursday evening, at a dinner I hosted in Klang, 250 ordinary Indians, many of them from the MIC openly joined the DAP.

•	Samy Vellu can’t even speak out and on behalf of 300 men, women and children who were demonstrating peacefully and calling them criminal to boot.  Perhaps he should look at a mirror himself and adjust his coiffeur (hairdo), it might help him see things more clearly.  A meaningful response to this horrendous act by the police was made by Datuk Anwar yesterday.  His speech was reported in The New Paper.

Fortunately for us today and what makes this election a watershed is the power of electronic media communication both through the internet and the sms.  The Thaipusam celebration which was boycotted by the Indian community at large resulted in the number of devotees visiting Batu Caves reducing to a generous estimate of approximately 250,000 people as opposed to the usual 800,000 – 1 million people.  Samy’s days are numbered.  It could not happen sooner.  He will be the fourth of a pack of rotten apples who came to power in the seventies who so spoiled Malaysia.  I wish him a peaceful retirement.

                This entry was posted on Tuesday, 19 February 2008, 12:09 am and is filed under
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Mandate of heaven this nation awaits

Dr. Azly Rahman

Sometime ago, I wrote these:

1)”Let our children learn that it is terrifying to be corrupt; such as to build palaces while the homes of the poor are demolished. Let us teach them to vote with their conscience.”

2) “The current regime cannot solve the problems it creates. It must dismantle itself, die a natural death, destroy the symbols of power it has abused, and let a peaceful renewal take its natural course.”

We have 13 days of campaigning period and after that, the opportunity to exercise our fundamental rights as Malaysian citizens. We are doing this at a time when our political system is in utter chaos – the three branches of government are growing more visible thorns and climbing onto each other, while the roots are diseased in this wasteland called democracy in which the air is foul and toxic. Is this a curse of our obsession with the number 13?

These 13 days are crucial for our nation’s future. It might not be as dramatic as 10 days that shook Russia in October 1917 but nonetheless it is a time when the change we need is now. The process of getting there is “perestroikic”. The previous ruling regime that has served Malaysia for 50 years too I believe is asking for radical change to happen. This feeling resides in the collective unconscious of our race-based politics. It will be our bipolarist Freudian moment of Malaysian Machiavellianism. The calm of Mahathirism is now creating a storm of unknown proportions.

Sense of fear

Mahathirism is giving way for Radical Multiculturalism, or to be more accurate Radical Marhaenism. There is a sense of meaninglessness in the word “Agenda Melayu” these days. There is also a sense of fear of holding on to power for too long when the rakyat has lost its trust in a government that is no longer gentle, let alone clean, efficient or trustworthy. The Internet is helping raise critical awareness of what actually is going on. The blogs have become our last frontier of the spaces of justice we are yet to discover. “Thus Sprach Cyberspace” as a philosopher would say.

What goes on inside the mind of the present coalition is this: it wants to have a strong check and balance as being a coalition with absolute power can also be a painful experience. More force is needed to stop the growing wave of dissent. How much of the ideological state apparatuses must one abuse? “Dissent is patriotic”, as American philosopher statesman Thomas Jefferson once said. More water cannons, laced with chemicals are needed in a toxic democracy such as Malaysia’s on the eve of choosing a new regime. To be patriotic, one must dissent.

But there is still hope for detoxification. We all want this – ruling party or the opposition, regardless. It is a dictate of the mandate of heaven. We must go for a strong check and balance system.

Malaysia has achieved the goals for Agenda Melayu. Time’s up – game over? The 2007 report by Asli spearheaded by eminent scholar Dr. Lim Teck Ghee gave us a glimpse of objectivity in reporting what ought to be reported in regard to the economic pie Malaysians are so obsessed with.

We need to spend the next 50 years making Agenda Bangsa Malaysia a reality. We need a political will to go with it. We must be brave to ride the new wave of change – as brave as the astronaut we sent to experience the joys of being in outer space.

Agenda Melayu a bad excuse

Agenda Melayu has become a leit motif at best and a bad excuse at worst for the few to oligopolise this resource rich nation; a nation whose oil revenues should have best been used to finance the education, welfare and health services of Malaysians of all races instead of building tall structures and “corridors” to showcase the autocracy of our oriental despotism. Instead of building “corridors” all over, one might ask: why not build affordable houses for the poor and build minds that will learn how to live ethical lives and resuscitate this nation? These corridors will ultimately be of benefit only to local elites that will be plundering the nation in concert and in cohort with foreign investors from faraway and nearby lands. Or, why not meet the needs of Indian Malaysians and all those that are still in abject poverty?

Agenda Melayu is a base and superstructure of the hegemony of one race that lives and breathes the spirit of neo-cybernetic-feudalistic construction of elusive and heterogeneous power; a modern-day daulat that has lost the magic of “divine rights” that never was there in the first place – the power derived from materials, artifacts and the politics of language that colonises the mind of the silently-reproduced Malay.

The rise of Makkal Shakti (People Power) through Hindraf, the emergence of a yellow wave through Bersih, the persistence of rallies, the uncertainty of socio-political stability, and the increase in the use of state apparatuses to crush dissenting viewpoints – all these are the symptoms of mass dissatisfaction against the regime in power that is begging for a fresh mandate.

Unembarassingly too, Malaysian education ministries avowed their contradictory stand on political culture by releasing statements the students can cast political votes but cannot be involved politically. Education as an enterprise to create good citizens and through ars liberalis (the arts of the free man/women) has become a huge conveyor belt to create minds filter-funneled with ideologies of an outdated race-based politics surviving on the modus operandi of fear, ferociousness and phantasmagoric proclamations of world-class this or that.

The writings are on the wall. The graffiti of our national grouses and grievances are even written on the walls of that Petronas Twin Tower, a Caesar Pelli-an symbol of the Malay Agenda. We want to reach the heights that imitate the advanced industrial nation but our political and civic consciousness can at times be in the pits of neanderthalism. The height of this abysmal consciousness is embalmed in the Royal Commission of Inquiry, epitomised in the ideology of “Lingam-ism”. The narratives that we read on the proceedings of inquiry into the conduct of the judiciary is like a freestyle of a most vulgar form of gangsta rap that humiliates the minds of Malaysians yearning for blind justice to prevail.

Issues before the elections

The issues before the Malaysian general election are plenty, amongst these:

As it affects Malaysians of Malay origin, the continuing growth of the abject poor, now sprawling in the urban areas, the continuing exposure of corruption amongst primarily Malay leaders of the ruling regime, the clampdown on dissenting views in public universities and the recent warning by the minister of higher education for students not to be engaged in politics, the unresolved mystery of the Altantunya murder case involving Malay suspects, and the rising prices of basic necessities as a result of the rise of oil price.

As it affects Malaysians of Chinese origin, the continuing dissatisfaction of the way the NEP has favoured one race over others in terms of educational funding across the board.

As it affects Malaysians of Indian origin, the continuing marginalisation of the community left to fend for themselves in abject poverty, the demolition of Hindu temples, the neglect of their basic education via neglect of Tamil schools, and the continuing detention without trial of the five Hindraf activists as a result of the clampdown on now the internationally-broadcasted rally for their rights.

As it affects all Malaysians, the uncertainty of what is to be derived out of the Royal Commission of Inquiry into the “Lingam Tape” in which the public is now confused on the matter of how much information is being given to ascertain if indeed the entire workings of the judicial system is based on unethical practices; one allegedly based on rigging of the appointment of judges.

As it affects the rights of the indigenous people such as the Orang Asli and the peoples of Sabah and Sarawak, the systematic effort of failing to protect their rights in face of hypermodernity the government has embarked upon.

The tightly controlled government media has been playing up and down issues before the general election. It has played up Barisan Nasional’s “confidence of a winning big” at a time unlike the previous elections in which the Internet was never a tool of counter-hegemony. It is assumed that the ruling party will continue to be given the mandate (more that 2/3 majority) at every election even though the issues mentioned above continue to be unresolved. The nation continues to see parties carrying their baggage and unresolved critical issues into this election.

New masks, old spirits

The ruling party assumes that by announcing that “new faces” will be introduced to replace the old despots, the system will be rejuvenated, somewhat like a political dialysis. This reminds one of the blood transfusions of Keith Richards, the stoned-aged-but-still-alive guitarist of the legendary rock group The Rolling Stones; whose life defies the stories of the dangers of drug addiction. It is assumed that by getting new individuals to run in the elections, a fresh mandate to carry out the Malay agenda will be given.

But the issue is not about propping up new individuals – it is about ideology and institutions that support it. It is about a race-based ideology that is no longer in sync with changing times, as if the cognitive capacity of the nation will never progress and surpass the ideology of the Malay Agenda.

The overplayed doctrine of “Malay dictatorship/hegemony” (Ketuanan Melayu), an arrogant sounding developmentalist agenda pillared upon arrogant and truncated theories of development which brushes off new findings on the ownership of the NEP, continue to dominate the mind of campaign strategists.

The biggest issue before this election is the ideological shift. Because Umno as the dominant party actually does not have an ideology, except sentimentality and authority to deploy the ideological state apparatuses, and because the dissatisfaction of the masses/rakyat is growing in leaps and bounds and is tsunami-ing the streets, we have got a national problem.

What will the election bring us? It is you and I who will decide.

Did Marx the historian not say that we must become makers of our own history?

Or – if we are to become a superstitious nation who believes in numerology, we must also believe in a mandate of heaven, where it rains change predictably.

                This entry was posted on Tuesday, 19 February 2008, 8:55 am and is filed under
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Po Kuan incommunicado

Media Conference Statement (2) by Lim Kit Siang at the Perak DAP State hqrs in Ipoh on Tuesday, 19th February 2008 at 1 pm

There are four days left to Nomination Day on Sunday.  It is most unfortunate that in the past few days, particularly in the past 72 hours, the DAP had shifted from pace-and-agenda setting for the  12th general election, which is the  “Battle of the Century”,  to one of complete disarray because of party problems particularly over Fong Po Kuan’s shock announcement that she will not contest in Batu Gajah parliamentary seat and other   general election and candidature questions.

DAP leaders have been trying to reach Po Kuan since Sunday but have not been successful as she is incommunicado.  From the public responses to her and my blogs, she should know that she is held in very high regard as the voice of the oppressed and beacon of hope of the marginalized.

We all hope that Po Kuan can reconsider to return to the frontline of the Battle of the Century in the 12th general election for the third contest in the Batu Gajah parliamentary seat.

I fully respect the  right and responsibility of the  media to report and chase news and undoubtedly, Po Kuan and the DAP’s general election problems are newsworthy.

However, the media should be fair and balanced in the coverage of all newsworthy party developments, not just of the DAP but also of Umno, MCA, Gerakan,, MIC and all other Barisan Nasional component parties.

The media should not play  up Opposition problems while playing down even more serious BN problems in the run-up to the 12 general election.

All political parties, including those in the Barisan Nasional, have general election problems but there has not been a balanced coverage of BN problems.

One of the biggest political news  not only in recent times but probably in Malaysia’s political history is the transformation of MIC President and sole Indian Cabinet Minister for over 28 years, Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu into the most unpopular and most disliked politician in the country – being booed, jeered, car blocked, thrown stones, rotten eggs and even slippers almost every day in public places.

If this had happened to a DAP leader, this will be reported on the front page, back page and the inside pages.

In a majority of cases, the problems faced by the DAP are minuscule as compared to the gargantuan problems of the Barisan Nasional but it is the DAP problems which are played up in the media while the gargantuan problems of BN are played down or even “blacked out”.

I am not asking the media to side with the DAP but to be fair, balanced and responsible in their reporting in their general election coverage.

The Po Kuan issue has been fully exploited by Barisan Nasional parties and leaders, with one Minister after another jumping into the fray.

Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak said that Po Kuan is “a calibre MP” and criticized the DAP as not being able to keep its house in order and therefore lost the right to deal with governance issues.

Najib is right that Po Kuan is a “caliber MP” and this is why she had been fielded and elected twice as DAP MP for Batu Gajah.  Why has Najib taken eight  years to realize that Po Kuan is a “calibre MP”?

Najib should not forget that Umno, MCA, Gerakan, MIC and other Barisan Nasional parties have even more problems than the DAP about keeping their houses in order – and if Najib is right then all of them would have to get out of  government themselves!

For instance, in the run-up to the 2004 general election, Pak Lah had wanted to drop four Mentri Besar/Chief Minister from the Barisan Nasional slate of candidates to project an image of integrity but he was blocked by the Umno warlords and could only move one Mentri Besar – and by pushing him to Parliament and Cabinet!

In MCA, a National Vice President and Cabinet Minister was  brought  down by a high-level party conspiracy exposing a sex video tape scandal – showing the MCA “house” in complete disorder.  By Najib’s logic, should MCA be part of government at all?

                This entry was posted on Tuesday, 19 February 2008, 8:53 pm and is filed under
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Samy Vellu’s days are numbered – Subra as next MIC leader

Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu has become the most unpopular politician in the country and probably in Malaysian history, being booed, jeered, car blocked, thrown stones, rotten eggs and even slippers almost every day in public places.

This public rejection of Samy Vellu has spread to MIC and Barisan Nasional (BN) functions, with other MIC and BN leaders becoming also the target of public resentment and fury, as illustrated by the meet-the-people session led by Perak  Mentri Besar and Barisan Nasional chief Datuk Seri Mohamad Tajol Rosli Ghazali in Buntong,  Ipoh yesterday.

The  political days of Samy Vellu, MIC President and sole Indian Cabinet Minister for over 28 years, are numbered.  Moves in fact are afoot for the former deputy president, Datuk S. Subramaniam, to become the next MIC leader as Samy Vellu is slowly phased out of the political scene.

I expect Subra to make a political comeback on Sunday on his nomination as a Barisan Nasional candidate for the 12th general election and preparatory to his joining the Cabinet –  something Subra had been denied and been waiting for nearly three decades.

I understand that there are some Umno “movers-and-shakers” who want a faster pace of ending the political days of Samy Vellu – wanting to force  Samy’s political retirement and withdrawal as candidate in the next general election.

I am not interested in the internal politicking of UMNO, MIC, MCA, Gerakan or Barisan Nasional component parties but what must be a matter of grave national concern is the consolidation of Umno political hegemony and relentless marginalization of the other BN component parties like MCA, Gerakan and MIC.

Apart from this example of some Umno “movers-and-shakers” wanting to pressurize Samy Vellu to step down as MIC President, showing the utterly marginalized role of MIC in BN, there  is a host of examples of greater Umno political hegemony at the price of relentless  marginalization of MCA, Gerakan, MIC and other BN component parties.

Another recent example is the farce of the Acting Gerakan President, Tan Sri Dr. Koh Tsu Koon, submitting three names to the Barisan Nasional Chairman Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi to pick on who should be the next Penang Gerakan Chief Minister – a most unprecedented surrendering of the Gerakan prerogative to decide who should be the next Penang Gerakan Chief Minister.

When Tsu Koon became Penang Chief Minister in 1990, it was the decision of the Gerakan Central Working Committee (although more correctly the then Gerakan President Datuk Seri Dr. Lim Keng Yaik) in its choice between two candidates – Tsu Koon or Dr. Goh Cheng Teik.

The Gerakan CWC took the final decision on Tsu Koon as the Penang Gerakan Chief Minister to replace Tun Dr. Lim Chong Eu in 1990 and the then Prime Minister, Tun Dr. Mahathir Mohamad was not given two names by the Gerakan President to decide on who should be the Gerakan

Penang Chief Minister.

If Mahathir could respect Gerakan’s right, power and prerogative to decide on who should be the next Gerakan Penang Chief Minister, why is this political situation not respected by Abdullah 18 years later?

Why should Tsu Koon and Gerakan surrender its power to pick the next Penang Gerakan Chief Minister – if the Gerakan had not  been terribly marginalized in the past 18 years since 1990 that it dare not even stand  on its unchallenged  prerogative less than two decades ago?

Is Abdullah prepared to return the list of three names back to Tsu Koon, stating that he would respect the Gerakan’s prerogative to decide who should be the next Penang Gerakan Chief Minister?

The instances of MCA being relentlessly marginalized in the Barisan Nasional in the past few decades will fill volumes.

                This entry was posted on Tuesday, 19 February 2008, 5:35 pm and is filed under
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Time to walk the talk

The time has come for us to walk the talk. The time is now because we are marching into battle with little resources. We need your financial assistance to help force changes to a system that continues to repulse and insult us after 50 years of independence.

I had intended to put up the appeal for support for DAP Election Fund together with support for a Fund for the Foundation for Justice, Freedom and Equality to promote the betterment of Malaysian society, including public litigation, publications, educational programmes as well as outreach to marginalised Malaysians, but the latter project will now have to wait until after the 12th general election.

Let us unite with single-minded objective – to turn the 12th general election into the electoral battle of the century to initiate meaningful change in Malaysia, first time in the nation’s 50-year history. For this we need your generous support for the
DAP Election Fund
.

* This post was originally blogged on 2008-02-13 5:02:47 pm

==============================

Updated
:

* This is to explain the difference between the DAP Elections Fund and the candidates’ personal donation drive.

The Elections Fund is to finance the party’s HQ operations, prepare publicity materials, advertisement, logistic support, expenses for leaders to go round the country preparing the candidates and states to face the battle, etc.

After parliament is dissolved, the HQ’s main financial resources are also cut off as one of our main incomes is from our representatives’ monthly contribution.

The HQ’s expenses still have to be paid, staffs have to be paid, and we have to pay for extra manpower to meet the extra workload during the campaign period.

We can only afford to supply limited publicity materials to the candidates. Candidates will have to pay for their own posters, flags, personal publicity materials, that’s why they usually have a separate donation drive.

Please take note that the party will NOT be sending out anyone to solicit for cash donations apart from at our ceramahs and functions, where announcement will be made and the amount collected will be announced at the end of the function. If someone approaches you on the street of at your house for cash donation, please inform the nearest DAP office.

                This entry was posted on Wednesday, 20 February 2008, 3:22 am and is filed under
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Electoral Battle of the Century – hope or despair for the future

(Speech by Lim Kit Siang at the launching of the DAP Ipoh Timur general election operations centre at Jalan Kampar, Ipoh on Thursday, 21st February 2008 at 11.30 am)

This is the launching of the  operations centre for the DAP Ipoh Timur parliamentary constituency for the 12th general election on March 8, 2008.

In another two days on Sunday, 24th February 2008, the curtain raises for what I would describe as the “Electoral Battle of  the Century” as the March 8 election will decide not just  the future of Malaysia for the next five years, but what Malaysia is going to be in 2020 and the next half-century of our nationhood.

It is going to be the most important general election not only in 51 years but 100 years of Malaysia – with  many Malaysians  waiting for the outcome of March 8 polls to decide whether  there is still hope for change in Malaysia and to fully commit the rest of their lives to the building of a great Malaysian nation which can take its proud, proper and  rightful place in the global  arena in the face of the challenges of globalization or despair that there is no hope for the future in this land of our birth and spark another debilitating brain drain of the best and brightest to benefit foreign countries  – which have already seen the exodus and brain-drain of one-to-two million Malaysian talents as a consequence of the New Economic Plan, causing Malaysia to rapidly fall behind not only Singapore, Taiwan, Hong Kong, South Korea but in danger of being overtaken by Vietnam, Thailand and horror of horrors Indonesia.

In short, what the Electoral Battle of the Century is all about  – Is there hope for change in Malaysia whether 2020 or next 50 years or one can only despair about the future of a great nation which has lost its way!

What are the  great and critical choices in the hands of  the 11 million voters on March 8, 2008?

A full adumbration of the issues at stake in the historic March 8 general election will fill volumes as we are the real watershed of Malaysian history.

Let me just limit myself to five issues, which I call the “Five Cs to make Malaysia great and for all Malaysians to be able to stand tall again and  proud to be a Malaysian”!

•	Crime – for Malaysia to be a safe country again for  her citizens – men, women and children – visitors, tourists and investors.  No more child victims Sharlinie Mohd Nahar and  Nurin Jazlin,

•	Corruption – After four years of Pak Lah as “Justice Bao”, Malaysia’s corruption problem is nationally and internationally acknowledged as even worse than the times of “nepotism, corruption and cronyism” of the Mahathir era, a fact publicly acknowledged by Tun Mahathir himself as well as testified by the Transparency International Corruption Perception Index, plunging from No. 37 in 2003 to No. 43 in 2007, and heading south towards No. 50!

•	Cost of Living – Inflation and increasing economic hardships of the people camouflaged by  an oil bonanza to government coffers with the price of crude oil again shooting above US100 per barrel and good commodity aggravating the divide between the haves and have-nots as well as accountability and integrity in the disbursement of billions of public funds and mega-billion contracts.

•	International Competitiveness –  Continued decline in Malaysia’s international competitiveness from refusal to give top priority to “meritocracy coupled with need” to ensure efficiency and justice in education , economy, civil service and nation-building which are the preconditions for the creation of First-World Parliament  and world-class judiciary, universities, civil service and police force to position  the country as a developed nation with “First World Infrastructure, First-World Mentality”.

•	Merdeka Constitution and Social Contract – to return to the Merdeka Constitution and 1957 Social Contract that Malaysia is a democratic, multi-racial and multi-religious nation with Islam as the official religion but not an Islamic state, which suffered the most rapid and drastic erosion in the past four years as evidenced by the rise of Little Napoleons and Little Mullah Napoleons in the schools, universities and public service completely insensitive and dismissive of Malaysia as a nation of diverse races, languages, cultures and religions.

These are among the great and critical issues which will be decided in the March 8 general election.

I should have helped to spell out these great and critical issues before the 11 million voters in 16 days’ time, like:

•	The first great financial scandal in the Abdullah premiership, the RM4.6 billion Port Klang Free Zone (PKFZ) bailout scandal – which is even bigger than the first great financial scandal of the Mahathir premiership, the RM2.5 billion Bumiputra Malaysia Finance (BMF) scandal in the early eighties.  Also for the first time, the mega billion-ringgit financial scandals in the country come under the direct responsibility of MCA Minister of Transport, who is the MCA Deputy President Datuk Seri Chan Kong Choy.

•	The shame for two decades of a judiciary which lost national and international confidence in its independence, integrity and quality – with the rot in the judicial system fully exposed by the recent though restricted public hearings of the Royal Commission of Inquiry into the Lingam Tape.

•	The dropout of Malaysian universities, including the nation’s premier university, University of Malaya, from world’s  top 100, 200 or even 500 universities, according to various reputable international university rankings and surveys.

•	Unprecedented national disunity and division from alarming insensitivity to Malaysia as a plural society with diverse races, religious, languages and cultures, illustrated by holding of general election during the Chinese New Year, the holding of Umno general assembly on Deepavali, the unrepentant wielding of the Malay keris by Umno Youth leader, Datuk Seri Hishammudin Hussein at Umno General Assemblies, body snatchings, bible-banning and restrictions on building of places of worship by the proposed tallest Mazu statue in Kudat, Sabah.  Thanks to such insensitivity, there is no Chinese New Year for me and  Malaysians – no Day of Ren on the 7th Day of Chinese New Year, no Pai Tian Kong on 9th Day or Chap Goh Mei today.

In fact, I thank many Malaysians for reminding and wishing me Happy Birthday yesterday – for I had completely forgotten about it!

And  there is a very very  long list of  issues which are very very wrong with Malaysia although we have just celebrated the nation’s 50th Merdeka anniversary.

                This entry was posted on Thursday, 21 February 2008, 3:13 pm and is filed under
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Greater Scrutiny Needed for UM/PPC-MINT-Glomac Venture

BY
Bakri Musa

The proposal by the University of Malaya’s governing board to let a private entity, PPC-MINT-GLOMAC, develop 27 acres of campus land deserves greater scrutiny.  The university’s press release of February 9, 2008 did not contain sufficient details for the public or government to make an informed decision.

I am supportive of our universities going into partnership with private entities to develop campus assets, real estate and others.  That would conserve the universities’ limited financial and other resources which they could then focus on purely academic matters.  Creatively and properly structured, such partnerships would benefit the university and its community, the government and thus the public, as well as the participating private companies.  Handled less competently and it would result in the rapacious stripping of valuable public assets to benefit only the lucky few.  God knows, Malaysia has plenty of such examples, with the boondoggle Port Klang Development Project being the latest and most expensive.  Taxpayers will ultimately be left holding the multi billion ringgit tab; it is criminal that our leaders would let such scarce funds be squandered.

According to the press release, the university would stand to collect at least RM312M, or RM200M plus the profit from the project, whichever is higher.  Profit figures are tricky; they can be subjected to highly “creative” accounting.  Enron posted record profits the year before it filed for bankruptcy.  At the other end, it is the job of smart accountants to “reduce” profits (at least on paper) especially when reporting to tax agencies.  A quick and dirty maneuver would be to simply inflate your expenses by paying your executives, consultants and directors outrageous compensations.  Another would be to “expense” what otherwise would be capital expenditures; meaning, charging the expense in one year instead of spreading them over many.

Also not stated in the proposal is whether those profits would be a one time payment as when the developers would sell their finished projects, or a steady stream with the developers maintaining and operating their projects.  The latter would produce a smaller initial payout but the university would benefit from the steady and predictable stream of income.

One significant financial improvement would be to tie the payments not to profits but to revenues.  Top Hollywood stars know only too well the difference when their compensations are tied to profits as in the old days.  Thus today they all opt for a share of the revenue, not profits.

Yet another improvement would be not to sell but to lease on a long term basis (with renewal options) the land to private developers.  Those are valuable pieces of real estate; its value can only go up in land-starved Klang Valley.  By leasing instead of selling, the university would not lose future gains in value.

In subsequent separate statement, UM’s Deputy Vice-Chancellor Amin Jalaludin indicated that the university will maintain ownership (title) of the land.  This must mean some sort of lease arrangement.  The university owes the public a duty to declare the terms of that lease.

These are but some of the major financial considerations.  Others more financially savvy could come up with other creative and innovative financing schemes.

Non Financial Considerations

While financial considerations are important and a major determinant of the viability of the project, an equally if not more crucial consideration is to ensure that such a development and partnership scheme would enhance or further the goals and activities of the universities. Unfortunately on this important point, both the university and developers are curiously silent.

For one, what does the university intend to do with the money it would get?  If the funds were to go into the general revenue for running the campus, then the future benefits would be minimal and impact not noticeable.  However if the university were to dedicate the new money for specific projects like funding a new center for science research, expanding the library, or making the campus wireless, that would be much more meaningful and the impact more lasting and readily appreciated.  With the benefits so tangible and readily appreciated, that would encourage further similar beneficial partnerships.

Similarly with the developer; it is not forthcoming on what it wants to do with the precious property.  The company’s development plans should interest the university and the public.  If the developer plans for a convention center, then that would be positive as it would complement the university’s goals.  The university could use the facility for its convocations and for hosting conferences.  The same benefit would accrue to the university with the building of a Research and Development Park.

On the other hand if the developer plans to build exclusive high-end condominiums, that would not add value to or enhance the university’s goals or benefit its community.  For one, none of its professors could afford to buy or live in one of the units.  However if it is for modest and affordable flats, that could alleviate the campus housing problem.

So in addition to the financial arrangements, the university must also get a clear commitment from the developer and impose restrictions on the use of the property.  These should the minimal factors the university governing board members must deliberate.  Anything less and they would not be fulfilling their fiduciary and other responsibilities.  Minister of Higher Education Dato Mustapa must ensure these conditions are met before considering the venture.

                This entry was posted on Thursday, 21 February 2008, 9:59 am and is filed under
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Just Change!

DAP 2008 General Elections Theme Song

English Version

Mandarin Version

Tamil Version
(Coming Soon!!)

Update : 3GP Version for you to play and share (via bluetooth) on your mobile phones.

Jom Berubah (3.7MB)

Just Change (3.8MB)

Just Change – Mandarin (3.7MB)

Just Change MP3 ring tones :

Just Change – English, mp3 (692kB)

Jom Berubah – mp3 (689kB)

Just Change – Mandarin, mp3 (691kB)

                This entry was posted on Thursday, 21 February 2008, 7:53 pm and is filed under
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Shanty Chong filed class action for 856,484 acres of land promised to Sabahans but alienated to outsiders

Two days ago, Shanty Chong, who will contest the Sandakan parliamentary seat on the DAP ticket, was the lawyer who filed legal proceedings in the Tawau High Court over 856,484 acres of land promised to Sabahans but alienated to outsiders.

Shanty is the lawyer for the class action on behalf of three plaintiffs, Nasir Manaf and Wong Chaw Yen of Lahad Datu and Henry Apok from Menggatal.

Ex-PBS Cabinet sued

Daily Express

20 February, 2008

Tawau: Three land applicants filed a suit Tuesday against the entire State Cabinet Ministers under the tenure of the Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS) Government (1985-1994).

The suit filed in the Tawau High Court registry was in connection with a New Land Alienation Policy (Smallholders Scheme) which was introduced by the then Berjaya Govenrment on Dec. 4, 1979.

The three plaintiffs claimed that when PBS came to power, the then Chief Minister Datuk Seri Joseph Pairin Kitingan (first defendant) and his eight Cabinet Ministers failed to implement the promised policy.

Three of them – Pairin, Dompok and Kurup are presidents of PBS, Upko and PBRS parties respectively while most of the others no longer hold key political positions.

Pairin is a Deputy Chief Minister-cum-ural Development Minister in the current State Government while Dompok is a Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department. Kurup is chairman of SLDB, a government agency.

The plaintiffs Nasir Manaf and Wong Chaw Yen of Lahad Datu and Henry Apok from Menggatal filed their writ of summons through the legal firm of Messrs Chee & Co of Tawau.

The other named as second to ninth defendants are Tan Sri Bernard Dompok, Tan Sri Joseph Kurup, Datuk Ahmad Bahrom Abu Bakar Titingan, Datuk Kadoh Agundong, Datuk Tan Kit Sher, Datuk Haji Nahalan Damsal and Datuk Chau Tet On.

In their statement of claim, the plaintiff stated that on Dec. 4, 1979 then Chief Minister Datuk Harris Mohd Salleh announced that the State Government had reserved a total of 906,330 acres of State land for landless Sabahans under a New Land Alienation Policy.

The lands were to be alienated directly or through Government agencies at 15 acres to each landless Sabahan. The landless were invited to register at the nearest Land Office throughout the State. The plaintiffs claimed that they had registered for the lands in the early 1980s and had each waited for the 15 acres land to be given to them as promised.

They claimed that the defendants, who were Ministers in the new PBS State Government that had just toppled Berjaya, had all the authority, power and obligation to fulfill the Berjaya State Government’s contracts and had even from time to time made statements assuring that every Sabahan would be given 15 acres to uplift the standard of living of the rural people.

The plaintiffs claimed that the statements regularly made by those among the defendants were fraudulent because, in fact, the PBS Government headed by Pairin and including the eight other defendants deliberately breached the contract and assurance made in 1979 by the Berjaya Government. The plaintiffs further claimed that the nine defendants had committed fraud by violating and breaching the contract by not giving the lands to the landless, but to outsiders instead.

Further the plaintiffs claimed that one of the defendants had disclosed that out of the 906,330 acres promised by Berjaya Government, 856,484 acres had been alienated to outsiders.

They claimed that the defendant’s statement on this was published in the Daily Express on Dec. 7 and 15, 2005, publication.

The plaintiffs are seeking declarations that the Berjaya Government land policy was a binding contract and agreement between them and the defendants who had inherited the State Government.

They further sought a declaration that whatever subsequent alienation to other party or parties of the said reserved lands which had been promised, committed and reserved for the plaintiffs as landless Sabahans were null and void because of fraud allegedly committed by the defendants.

The plaintiffs now sought the defendants either to given 15 acres each or pay damages for loss of rights and opportunity to own land.

They sought that should the plaintiffs failed to give them 15 acres of land each, they are claiming damages at RM75,000 each from the defendants.

                This entry was posted on Thursday, 21 February 2008, 4:39 pm and is filed under
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Shanty Chong the new DAP MP for Sandakan?

Today, at the launching of the DAP Ipoh Timur election ops centre, I should be standing  before you breathing with confidence, vim, vigour, vibrancy and vitality to plunge into the Electoral Battle of the Century.

In the past one week, I should be helping the DAP leaders to develop the great and critical issues facing the people and nation in the 12th general election when 11 million voters exercise their vote – but I feel a great sense of failure that I had not been able to do so as I had been “floored” by the Penang and Perak general election problems that had cropped up in the past several days.

In fact, for the first time I started my blog more than two years ago, there was not a single word from me in  my blog yesterday!

With however heavy a heart and mind, I call on Party leaders, members and supporters to immediately and instantly re-focus and not to allow whatever heartaches and mental agonies  to undermine their single-minded objective – to fulfill the potential and promise of the March 8 general election as the political watershed for the country, marking a major stride in striking down the ever-powerful Umno political hegemony and the marginalization of other Barisan Nasional component parties by denying two-thirds majority to the Barisan Nasional in Parliament, Perak and Penang.

I call on all party leaders, members and supporters to give the fullest support to the party in this general election particularly on candidate decisions by the party leadership, as sometimes very difficult decisions have to be made, with everyone rallying behind the DAP in the Electoral Battle of the Century.

At least yesterday there is uplifting news, this coming from Sabah – that our Parliamentary candidate for Sandakan will be a person whom I had the greatest respect and admiration, who had been Sessions Court judge in Tawau and Registrar of Borneo High Court – Shanty Chong Chui Lin, 57.

I have no doubt that if she is elected DAP MP for Sandakan, Shanty Chong will bring to the Malaysian Parliament a powerful voice for justice and freedom, as well as for women, Sabah and Malaysia.

If elected, she will be one of the most exciting new MPs for the 12th Parliament.

                This entry was posted on Thursday, 21 February 2008, 3:19 pm and is filed under
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Opposition party’s YouTube is a hit with netizens

The Electric New Paper

February 22, 2008

JUST like in the ongoing race for presidential nominations in the US, Malaysian political parties are taking their campaigning to online video host site YouTube.

_____________________________________

The English version of
DAP’s video
has been viewed more than 15,000 times at press time. The Malay version has been viewed almost 10,000 times.

_____________________________________

And it seems the Democratic Action Party (DAP) has made the first inroads with a snazzy promotional video that has been delighting netizens since it was uploaded two weeks ago, reported Guang Ming Daily.

The video shows a relay race, with Malaysians of different races and ages passing the baton as they run or ride taxis along the country’s alleyways and thoroughfares.

The baton finally ends up in the hands of DAP leaders standing on the steps of Parliament.

The one-minute video comes in Malay and English versions.

Its cheeky message, ‘Just change it’, shown at the end, spoofs Nike’s ‘Just do it’ catchphrase. In Malay, the closing message says, ‘Jam ubah (Time to change)’.

DAP said that the relay race is meant to convey the idea that the party carries the hopes and voice of the masses.

Entitled The Voice Of Democracy, Conscience Of Parliament-DAP, the English version of the video has been viewed more than 15,000 times at press time. The Malay version has been viewed almost 10,000 times.

Not to be outdone, Malaysian Indian Congress (MIC), a part of the ruling Barisan Nasional coalition, yesterday launched the country’s first Indian Internet-based political television channel.

Called Putera iTV, the online video-streaming channel will feature the contributions and achievements of MIC and BN, reported New Straits Times.

In a video recording posted on the site, MIC president SSamy Vellu said the channel was a progressive way to reach the younger generation. Content on the site would include coverage of the 28 MIC candidates during the campaign period.

But it is the opposition parties which most appreciate the value of the Internet, reported AFP.

While mainstream media – many partly owned by BN parties – are awash with flattering stories about the government and its achievements, the opposition rates barely a mention.

‘Blogging is one way to get word out and an opportunity to circumvent media control,’ said DAP leader Lim Kit Siang, 67, who runs three blogs which are meticulously updated every day.

                This entry was posted on Friday, 22 February 2008, 10:22 am and is filed under
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Po Kuan returns to frontline of 2008 “Electoral Battle of the Century”

(Blog statement by Lim Kit Siang at a joint media conference with Fong Po Kuan at Ipoh Timur Election Operations Centre, Ipoh on Friday, 22nd Feb. 2008 at 2 pm)

Cili Padi Fong Po Kuan has returned to the frontline of  the 2008 “Electoral Battle of the Century” – to end the overpowering Umno political hegemony by denying the Barisan Nasional its unbroken two-thirds parliamentary majority in the March 8 general election.

The past six days since Po Kuan’s announcement that she would not recontest in Batu Gajah parliamentary seat had been an agonizing ordeal  for Po Kuan, party leaders,  members, supporters and the Malaysian public who see  the general election as the last opportunity for change and the nation’s tryst with greatness.

Whether at the national or  state party leadership, there had never been a second name for the DAP candidature for Batu Gajah in the 12th general election apart from Po Kuan.  All party and state leaders, together with the concerned Batu Gajah voters and the larger national constituency, had urged Po Kuan to reconsider and return to the frontline in the critical battle shaping up in the 12th general election.

One cannot run away from the reality that Po Kuan’s action had caused harm and damage to herself, the party and the cause for justice, freedom and democracy – although she never intended so.

I have had discussions with Po Kuan in the past two days and she had admitted to the great  harm her action had unintentionally and unwittingly caused to the party, party leaders  and the political momentum for change in the 12th general election, and she asks  for the party and people’s forgiveness for her mistake.

She has now bounced back to the frontline of the Electoral Battle of the Century and will reconstest and defend the Batu Gajah parliamentary seat.

In our discussions, we agreed that to should look forward and not back, that everyone should single-mindedly focus on one and only objective – to give a great  blow to the increasing and overpowering Umno political hegemony maginalising not only the other Barisan Nasional component parties, but also the ordinary Malaysian masses, whether Malays, Chinese, Indians, Kadazan-Dusun-Murut, Ibans and Sarawak indigenous people as well as orang asli in Peninsular Malaysia.

With Po Kuan’s  return to the frontline of the battle, let us make up precious lost ground and enter into the 12th election campaign with gusto and confidence, v igour and vitality.

Cili Padi FPK is back!

                This entry was posted on Friday, 22 February 2008, 4:30 pm and is filed under
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Po Kuan returns!

NEWS FLASH!

Press Conference announcement in Ipoh (2pm).

Details to follow.

                This entry was posted on Friday, 22 February 2008, 2:17 pm and is filed under
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Ling Hee Leong – what has happened to my 11-year-old ACA report over his RM1.2 billion corporate wealth?

(Media Statement by Lim Kit Siang  in Ipoh on the eve of nomination day for 12th general election on 23rd February 2008)

The Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi said on Thursday that he would present a progress report on the government’s performance from 2004 to 2007.

When he took over as the fifth Prime Minister more than four years ago, he took the country by storm with his pledge to be “Justice Bao” to eradicate corruption and all forms of abuses of power, culminating in a National Integrity Plan in May 2004 after Abdullah’s unprecedented 2004 general election victory, crushing the Opposition and commanding over 91 per cent of the parliamentary seats.

A few  days ago, the Police and the Anti-Corruption Agency (ACA) announced that they have cleared all the prospective candidates for the Barisan Nasional for the forthcoming 12th general election, formally beginning on Nomination Day tomorrow, presenting a slate of BN candidates which symbolizes integrity and incorruptibility.

If the Barisan Nasional slate of  candidates for the 2008 general election  all stand for integrity and incorruptibility, then let Abdullah and the MCA President, Datuk Seri Ong Ka Ting explain what  has happened to my 11-year-old ACA report  in June 1997 calling for investigations as to how  the announced MCA Parliamentary Candidate for Gopeng, Ling Hee Leong could at the age of 27 embark on corporate acquisitions exceeding RM1.2 billion in a matter of months and whether there had been improper use and influence of his father, Liong Sik’s political and Ministerial position.

Liong Sik was at the time the MCA President and the predecessor of Datuk Seri Chan Kong Choy as Transport Minister – with Kong Choy  now mysteriously announcing that he would not be seeking re-election citing health as reason, although “political and good governance” health connected with the RM4.6 billion Port Klang Free Zone (PKFZ)  bailout scandal appeared to be a greater “health” consideration.

The RM4.6 billion PKFZ bailout scandal, the first biggest financial scandal of the Abdullah premiership which is greater than the first financial scandal of the 22-year Mahathir era – the RM2.5 billion Bumiputra Malaysia Finance (BMF) scandal 25 years ago will  be a major subject concerning corruption and integrity in the 12th general election campaign, which I will dwell another time.

In July 2003, the ACA announced a new policy of transparency to be more responsive towards public demand for information about its investigations, viz:

•	The ACA will keep all complainants informed on the status of investigations into their reports if they want it.

•	Heads of government departments will be  informed of the decision of the Attorney-General on investigations involving their subordinates.

•	The ACA   will issue statements about cases that are still under investigation if it feels necessary, including those already decided by the Attorney-General.

However, after 11 years, I have still to get a proper report on the  status of ACA investigations into my June 1997  report to the ACA as to  how Ling Hee Leong, son of Liong Sik, could at the age of 27 embark on corporate acquisitions exceeding RM1.2 billion in a matter of months and whether there had been improper use and influence of his father’s political and Ministerial position.

This is the first double test – not only of the four-year Report Card of Prime Minister Abdullah but also the integrity and character of the Barisan Nasional slate of candidates.

                This entry was posted on Saturday, 23 February 2008, 2:32 pm and is filed under
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Little Napoleon at SK Sungai Puyu utterly unrepentant

I have received a letter from “A Parent” that the Little Napoleons at SK Sungai Puyu are utterly unrepentant about their excesses, abuses of power and insensitivity about the views of the parents and the best interests of the students. The letter is reproduced below.

With the country poised to kick off the 12th general election campaign with Nomination Day tomorrow, this is an era of the government at its  best conduct as part of the highly-orchestrated campaign to mislead the voters  to vote for the ruling coalition once again so they have the blank cheque for the next five  years to do what they like!

If during this period, when the Barisan Nasional government would not challenge any claim that “The People Are The Boss” (although BN leaders would strut about as the People’s Bosses for the next five years after a great general electoral victory), Little Napoleons are still so  unrepentant and uncontrollable as illustrated by the following letter, one can only imagine the lengths these Little Napoleons and Little Mullah Napoleons will go in the schools, universities and the public sector in the next five years after the March 8 vote!  Unless, of course, the voters exercise their vote wisely!

The parent’s letter about the Little Napoleons at SK Sungai Puyu follows:

Sudden Transfers of Indian Teachers from SK Sungai Puyu

The worst nightmare of the parents of SK Sungai Puyu came true today. Most of the parents just can’t believe that this is happening right in front of the eyes and they can’t do anything about it. We came to know that two most dedicated Indian teachers are transferred out from SK Sungai Puyu with immediate effect and it seems another Indian teacher is to follow suit soon. It’s all because they became the victims of suspicions of the school authority especially the penolong kanan 1 whose name is Norhazlizah bt Mokhdar. It seems she reported the matter to the PPD and JPN with the support of the headmaster and got them transferred out.

The Indian teachers were all blamed for some complaint letters sent by some parents to the school and the truth which was revealed in your blog recently about the marginalization of the Indians in the school.

http://blog.limkitsiang.com/2008/02/13/1009/#more-1009

With reference to the above link based on a telephone conversation with the headmaster by some parents, the headmaster admitted that he overlooked the content of the letter and just sign it without reading it first because it was drafted and written by the penolong kanan 1 herself. He admitted his mistake and told he will be more careful the next time BUT the penolong kanan 1 is one stubborn lady and denies that she is wrong and speaks with a very egoistic tone all along with parents.

The penolong kanan 1 even commented that that SK Sungai Puyu is better off without such Indians pupils and Indian teachers around. And for your info she is one of the teachers who teach Moral to the Indians ever since she got into this school. And she is the very same teacher together with her cronies who don’t enter the class and totally neglect their pendidikan moral pupils as mention in the previous letter because moral lessons is considered free periods for them as they never teach at all.

 Please do something about this transfer of Indian teachers and get them back to remain in the same school. These two Indian teachers are the most respected and the most dedicated teachers in the school and the community here. You can ask any parents from the school especially the PIBG chairman (the present and the previous) and you will know the truth. They have contributed so much for the PIBG and the development of pupils of this school especially in the teaching of English language and also in sports up to the state level. Last year’s UPSR results of the school is the proof where most number of pupils in this school got A’s for English and the percentage also went up because of improvement in the English language.

Majority of the parents here are worried because it is a very well known fact here that almost all the Malay teachers who teach Mathematics and Science in “English” have failed their compulsory Etems English Profiency test. What is going to happen if even the remaining few Indian teachers who are source of strength for the English Language are also transferred out due to racial discrimination by the authority of the school especially the penolong kanan 1 who seems to have more power and influence than the headmaster. We say she herself should be transferred instead and that could solve all the problems. In fact we are worried that she would be promoted in this school itself as talks are rife that the present headmaster would be getting his promotion soon to State Education Department and she would be replacing her.

                This entry was posted on Saturday, 23 February 2008, 4:04 pm and is filed under
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Nomination Night Ceramah at Chin Woo Hall, Ipoh

I will be defending the Ipoh Timur parliamentary constituency in the 12th general election.

Tomorrow is Nomination Day and Polling is Saturday, March 8, 2008.

On Nomination Night (i.e. Sunday 24th February), the first ceramah will be held at Chin Woo Hall, Jalan C.M. Yusuf, Ipoh starting at 7.30 p.m.

The DAP candidates for the 12th general election in the Kinta Valley will be introduced to the public for the first time.

Other major speakers at the Nomination Night ceramah include two incumbent parliamentary candidates M. Kulasegaran (Ipoh Barat) and Fong Po Kuan (Batu Gajah).

All are welcome to the Nomination Night ceramah, which starts at 7.30 pm.

Inquiries can be made to DAP Ipoh Timur Election Operations Centre, Jalan Kampar, tel: 05 – 2533096.

I will need help in the defence of Ipoh Timur – financial, manpower, publicity, etc.

Details for the rendering of such  assistance will be announced shortly.

                This entry was posted on Saturday, 23 February 2008, 9:12 pm and is filed under
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Stop and dismantle Umno political hegemony, deny Barisan Nasional  two-thirds majority

(12th General Election Nomination Day statement by DAP Ipoh Timur parliamentary candidate Lim Kit Siang in Ipoh on Sunday, 24th February 2008)

This 12th general election, unlike the previous 11 general elections,  is not just about the next five years but a  vote about the first 50 years of Malaysian nationhood and the next 50 years!

To many Malaysians, this general election is the  last hope for change and an acid test whether there is a future for the building of a democratic, competitive, multi-racial, multi-religious, secular and  just nation which our forefathers pledged to build through the Merdeka “social contract”.

It will be the clincher in the decision-making of many Malaysians whether there is hope to build a democratic, just and competitive Malaysia or there will be a new exodus of braindrain of the best and brightest of Malaysians to other lands in despair at  any possibility that all Malaysians, regardless of race or religion, can have an equal place under the Malaysia sun.

Most challenging of all, the March 8 general election  offers a golden opportunity to halt and dismantle  the four-decade Umno political hegemony which has become the greatest threat to democracy, international competitiveness  and national unity in Malaysia.

Umno political hegemony has marginalized not only whole communities of ordinary Malaysians, but even the other Barisan Nasional component parties as illustrated by the ordeal of the Gerakan Wanita Chief, Datuk Tan Lian Hoe, being kicked around like a football Bukit Gantang, back to Gerakan’s  Taiping  seat, then to Lenggong and now  Gerik.

The Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi has said that none of his cabinet ministers except for his deputy Datuk Seri Najib Razak were guaranteed a cabinet position even if they won in the general election – meaning that the top leaders of MCA, Gerakan, MIC for the first time in 51 years are not assured of a Cabinet position if elected.

This the latest twist in the Barisan Nasional ‘power-sharing” and proof of greater marginalization of the other Barisan Nasional component parties because of the unchecked rise of Umno political hegemony.

The challenge on March 8 is whether history can be made to check and dismantle the Umno political hegemony, which marginalized ordinary Malays, Indians, Chinese, Kadazan-Dusun-Muruts, Ibans and indigenous people, orang Asli, by depriving the Barisan Nasional of two-thirds majority.

If DAP, PKR and PAS can each secure 25 parliamentary seats, denying BN of 75 parliamentary seats, then the beginning of the end of the umno political hegemony threatening democracy, international competitiveness and national unity would have begun.

                This entry was posted on Sunday, 24 February 2008, 12:27 pm and is filed under
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Kit Siang’s Team for Ipoh Timur

We need people to assist in the following:

(A) Ipoh Timur Elections Operation Centre Administrative Assistants

Volunteers will work in shifts of 9am to 1pm; 1pm to 5pm; 5pm to 9pm

(B) Polling and Counting Agent

Job description:

Polling agent sits in a polling stream (the classroom where the voting takes place) and observes the voting process. Each school may have a different number of polling streams (
saluran mengundi
) depending on the number of voters in that area.

Counting agent observes the counting of the votes when polling closes at 5pm. Two counting agents are needed for each
saluran
.

Minimally, 300 personnel are required for the above two jobs.

Schedule:

7am – 1pm (morning shift) and double up as counting agent from 5pm – 7pm

1pm – 7pm (afternoon shift and double up as counting agent)

7am – 7pm (full day and double up as counting agent)

(C) Financial contribution

Cash contribution – please walk-in to our operation centres, we appreciate your cash (every ringgit counts!) and please ask for a receipt from the person on duty. During ceramah and function, we will send our cadres down to collect donation from the public. WE HAVE NOT AUTHORISED NOR DO WE SEND ANYONE TO SOLICIT FOR CASH DONATIONS!

Cheque – make payment payable to “LIM KIT SIANG” and hand the cheques to us at our operations centres or bank into Lim Kit Siang’s CIMB a/c No. 14080048869005.

(D) Sponsorship:

We need plenty of drinking water;
(27 Feb 08 at 1pm, 40 boxes donated by a supporter; 27 Feb 08 8.30pm, another 10 boxes arrived at ops center)

Stationary such as pencils, rulers, erasers, sharpeners etc for polling agents during polling day;

Food and beverages for personnel on duty everyday.

How to reach us:

Come and fill up the Volunteer Form at the Ipoh Timur Operation Centre (No. 61 & 63 jalan Kampar 30250 Ipoh, Perak; Tel: 05-2533096)

Email us at
[email protected]

SMS us at 012-4383060, and give us your name and contact number.

Lets join Kit Siang’s Team!

                This entry was posted on Sunday, 24 February 2008, 3:50 am and is filed under
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Nomination papers submitted

Flash – Nominations for Ipoh Timor parliamentary and three state assembly constituencies of Pasir Pinji, Canning and Tebing Tinggi accepted without objections – a one-to-one fight.

Nominations papers for Ipoh Timor submitted to Returning Officer at Majlis Bandaraya Ipoh Nomination Centre at 9.07 am. Also submitted are nomination papers for Thomas Su Keong Siong (Pasir Pinji), Wong  Kah Woh (Canning) and Ong Boon Piow (Tebing Tinggi).

This was followed by the submission of the nomination forms for the Barisan Nasional candidates.

Awaiting for conclusion of nomination process, with nomination closed in 10 minutes’ time, followed by one hour for objections.

The curtain rises for the Electoral Battle of the Century – which is just not about the next five years but a vote about the first 50 years of Malaysian nationhood and the next 50 years.

                This entry was posted on Sunday, 24 February 2008, 9:48 am and is filed under
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Ceramahs tonight and tomorrow

Sorry many missed the DAP Kinta Valley Nomination Night ceramah at Chin Woo Hall, Ipoh last night as they were not informed.

The election preparatory system could not withstand the pressures of a general election in full swing and this is why we have sent out
a SOS appeal
for  public support, financial, manpower, materials, IT expertise and all forms of assistance for the remaining 12-day campaign period.

The next and last Chin Woo ceramah (we are being shut out as MCA has booked Chin Woo Hall from March 1 to polling day, even just to keep the hall idle) is Friday, 29th Feb. 2008.

The theme of my speech last night was to issue a nation-wide call from Ipoh to summon all Malaysians, regardless of race, religion or territory, to unite on a historic national mission to check and dismantle Umno political hegemony which is the single greatest threat to democracy, international competitiveness and the building of a united plural Malaysia.

In the nature of the Barisan Nasional set-up, Umno will continue to assert dominance but what we are seeing today is the transformation of Umno political dominance in BN to Umno political hegemony, which has marginalized all communities – Malays, Chinese, Indians, Orang Asli, Kadazan-Dusun-Muruts and  Ibans – as well has marginalized all the other component BN parties.

The perpetuation and consolidation of Umno political hegemony at the expense of the ordinary Malaysians, whether Malays, Chinese, Indians, Orang Asli, Kadazan-Dusun-Muruts and Ibans  must be stopped in its tracks in the 12th general election.

Tonight, I have three ceramahs –

Bukit Bintang (Jalan Tiong Nam) (Enq : 012-455 0074)

Kg Aman, Serdang (Enq : 012-223 9529)

Petaling Jaya Utara [
SS2 MJ Cafe
 (Next to Hong Leong Bank), Jalan SS2/63 (Enq : 016-220 8867)

Tomorrow night, I will also have three ceramahs  in Perak – Canning, Ipoh Timur  (Ipoh Garden South), Bercham, Ipoh Barat (Kg Tawas) and Jalong.

                This entry was posted on Monday, 25 February 2008, 4:55 pm and is filed under
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Challenge – distribute BN’s 2004 general election manifesto together with its 2008 manifesto

(Media Conference Statement by DAP Parliamentary Candidate for Ipoh Timur Lim Kit Siang at DAP Ipoh Timur election centre, Ipoh on Tuesday, February 26, 2008 at 1 pm)

I challenge Barisan Nasional Chairman Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi and the Barisan Nasional (BN) to distribute its 2004 general election manifesto on “Excellence, Glory and Distinction” together with its 2008 manifesto of ‘Security, Peace and Prosperity”  to the 11 million  voters to judge whether BN had failed or dishonoured its pledges.

Abdullah has produced a report claiming that the Barisan Nasional has fulfilled the pledges it made in its 2004 general election of “Towards a Malaysia of Excellence, Glory and Distinction” but he should not pre-empt any public  judgment. He  should facilitate the Malaysian people to pass such a judgment by circulating the 2004 Barisan Nasional manifesto together with the  2008 BN general election manifesto for comparison and study.

I have no doubt that if the Barisan Nasional dare to distribute its 2004 BN  manifesto together with its  2008 BN manifesto, the judgment would not be a flattering one for the BN as the Malaysian public would be able to see at a glance the great divide between the BN promise and delivery.

In fact, many Malaysians will find that instead of the 2004 BN Manifesto of “A Malaysia Of Excellence, Glory and Distinction”, the past four years have seen “A Malaysia of Mediocrity, Humiliation and Dishonour” as illustrated by the plunge in Malaysia’s Transparency International Corruption Perception Index from No. 37 in 2003 to No. 43 in 2007; the fall-out of Malaysia’s premier university from being ranked no. 89 among the World’s Top 200 Universities in 2004 to No. 169 in 2005, 192 in 2006 and completely out of the Top 200 league in 2007; the shame and ignominy  of a judiciary disgraced  by one scandal after another about its independence, integrity and quality in the past two decades, and a whole host of other events and indicators.

I have not got the time to read the 2008 BN manifesto in detail, or to undertake a detailed comparison  with the 2004 BN  manifesto, but a quick check shows that  in the first seven paragraphs of the 21-paragraph 2004 BN manifesto (four paragraphs of prelude and 17 paragraphs of contents), there are at least 43 violations, deviations and broken pledges!

Let me for the moment just focus on two issues:

Firstly on crime.  In the 2008 manifesto, BN promised: “Bring down the country’s crime index”.

What did the 2004 BN manifesto promised on crime, law and order? Let me quote from it: “Improve the level of personal safety for every individual”!

What is the BN record  on this  pledge of its  2004 manifesto in the past four years?

It was a total failure and disaster.  After four years, Malaysia today is even more unsafe to its citizens, visitors, tourists and  investors because of endemic crime.

When Abdullah became Prime Minister in October 2003, the crime situation was already out of control which was why one of his first reform promises and measures which won him all-round plaudits and support among Malaysians was the establishment of the Royal Police Commission to reduce crime to restore to Malaysians their twin fundamental rights to be free from crime and the fear of crime, whether in the streets, public places or the privacy of their homes.

In the past four years, however, the crime index had worsened from 156,315 cases in 2003 to 224,298 cases in 2007 – a sharp rise of some 45% when it should have gone down as recommended by the Royal Police Commission which proposed a 20% drop in the crime index in the first 12 months of its report.

For the first time in the nation’s 50-year history, the crime index last year crashed through the 200,000 psychological barrier. Women in Malaysia are now more unsafe today than four years ago – as the incidence of rape had more than doubled from a daily average of four women in 2003 to 8.5 women last year!

Secondly, on corruption.  On this subject, the 2008 BN Manifesto pledge to “continue to enforce anti-corruption measures without fear or favour”.  This is a far cry from its 2004 manifesto where it declared “an all-out campaign against corruption, without fear or favour” and pledged to  “promote a culture of zero-tolerance for corruption”.

The 2008 BN manifesto is a big letdown as it  has abandoned the 2004 pledge to promote “a culture of zero-tolerance for corruption”. Today, there is a culture of even greater tolerance of more rampant corruption than the time of the Mahathir administration as evidenced by Malaysia’s worsening ranking in the Transparency International Corruption Perception Index in the past four years of Abdullah premiership.

And the phrase “zero-tolerance for corruption” had disappeared from the lexicon of the Abdullah administration!

If Abdullah is honestly confident about the great successes of the BN 2004 manifesto as boasted by his own report card, he should accept another challenge – to have  television  debates  which should be telecast live of  political leaders of parties contending in the 2008 general election on whether the 2004 BN  General Election Manifesto of “Excellence, Glory and Distinction” had been honoured or had ended up in “Mediocrity, Humiliation and Dishonour”!

                This entry was posted on Tuesday, 26 February 2008, 4:33 pm and is filed under
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Four ceramahs in Perak tonight and at least three in Penang tomorrow

My ceramah schedule tonight will begin at

(1)	Ipoh Garden South (near RHB) – (contact 012-5011822) (from 8 – 8.30 pm);

(2)	Jalong, Sungei Siput (245 Sg Buloh, Sg Siput, contact 019-9188838));

(3)	Kg Tawas (market), Ipoh Barat, (contact 016-5621986); and

(4)	Pasir Pinji (DAP service centre – 05 – 3233056).

DAP Secretary-General Lim Guan Eng has three ceramahs in Bruas parliamentary constituency and will end up in Ipoh Garden South ceramah after 11 pm.

Tomorrow I will have at least three ceramahs in Penang, viz: Prai, Bagan and Paya Terubong (Bukit Glugor).

                This entry was posted on Tuesday, 26 February 2008, 3:12 pm and is filed under
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Penang ceramahs tonight

(Update – No police approval for Taman Lumba Kuda ceramah, so I will be speaking at the ceramah at Desa Mawar,  opposite  Farlim Sin Kang Primary School at about 11 pm – kit)

Details of my Penang ceramah schedule for four parliamentary constituencies  tonight and the times of my speeches: –

(1) – Prai : Dewan Perkampongan Juru, Bukit Tengah 8 pm;

(2) – Bagan: Ng Yam Huat hawkers’ centre, Raja uda 9 pm;

(3) – Bukit Glugor – Tingkat Paya Terubong 10 pm

(4) – Bukit Bendera – Jalan Goh Guan Ho, Taman Lumba Kuda 11 pm
Police Permit Denied

(5) – Desa Mawar Opp Farlim Sin Kang Sch – Karpal Singh and Kit Siang
(updated)

                This entry was posted on Wednesday, 27 February 2008, 1:59 am and is filed under
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Removal of BN 2/3 majority – prerequisite to achieve BN 2004 manifesto and Vision 2020

(Media Conference Statement at the DAP Ipoh Timur Election Ops Centre, Ipoh on Wednesday, 27th Feb. 2008 at 12 noon)

Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak said yesterday that it was crucial for the Barisan Nasional to retain its two-thirds majority in Parliament as a prerequisite of strong government.

He said: “In this era of globalization, they would only invest in our capital market if they had confidence.

“If we have a weak government which can collapse at any time, they would just go and invest in other countries which have a stronger and more stable government.”

This is the political myth which had led Malaysia up the “garden path” for half a century and why Malaysia had failed to fulfill the potential to be a great competitive global nation, contributing our assets and resources to make other nations like Singapore more successful and pulling  ahead us while we continue to fall  behind one nation after another.

Is Najib seriously suggesting that if Barisan Nasional (BN) loses two-thirds parliamentary majority in the 8th March polls, the Barisan Nasional cannot govern and there will be anarchy and chaos in Malaysia?

Clearly Najib is not very good in maths.  If BN is to lose its two-thirds parliamentary majority, it must lose at least 75 out of a total of 222 parliamentary seats, i.e. leaving the BN still with a solid phalanx of 147 MPs.  This will give the BN a huge  majority of 72 seats which will be the envy of all governments in first-world developed nations.

I challenge Najib to state and justify why the BN with a 72-seat parliamentary majority cannot govern effectively and will  be a “weak government which can collapse any time”?

Is the Barisan Nasional coalition government so fragile and unstable that even with a 72-seat majority in Parliament, it could collapse any time?

Do we now have a new meaning of “Malaysia Boleh”, which was invented by the previous Prime Minister Tun Mahathir , under the Abdullah premiership?

Is Najib serious when he said that if Barisan Nasional loses its parliamentary two-thirds majority, Malaysia will lose out in the era of globalization as investors will shy away from Malaysia and will not invest in Malaysia?

Leaving aside Asia, I challenge Najib to name the first-world developed nations in the West whose ranks  Malaysia hopes to join under Vision 2020 which are uncompetitive and unable to attract foreign investors because they do not have two-third parliamentary majorities for the ruling government or coalition.

I would like to know which fully-developed nation in the First World has a two-third parliamentary majority for the ruling government or coalition!

Najib  is indulging in the irresponsible  politics of fear and scare in the 12th general election campaign.

In fact, it is the removal of the BN two-thirds parliamentary majority and end of Umno political hegemony which are the  prerequisites for Malaysia to achieve BN 2004 manifesto of “excellence, glory and distinction” and  Vision 2020 objective of an united, dynamic, progressive fully developed nation.

If Malaysia is to become truly competitive and to become a first-world developed nation by 2020, we must now develop the mindset, mentality  and culture of a first-world developed nation and not wait until  2020 to remove the two-third parliamentary majority – for then we will have to wait for another 30 years until 2050!

                This entry was posted on Wednesday, 27 February 2008, 5:02 pm and is filed under
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Revisiting the Keris: How We Betrayed Our Ancestors

Announcement

www.othermalaysia.org Lecture Series

Kicking off what we hope will be a semi-regular (well, sort of) series of public lectures, the team at www.othermalaysia.org invites you to a free public lecture by Dr. Farish A. Noor on the theme:

Revisiting the Keris: How We Betrayed Our Ancestors

To be held at 3.00 pm on 1st March (Saturday) at the Annexe, Central Market, Kuala Lumpur.

Deconstructing the Keris in the Context of Malaysia’s Essentialist Racialised Politics:

The keris today has been redefined as an exclusive (and sometimes violent) marker of ethnic – and specifically Malay – identity. Yet this simplification of the keris as a political symbol overlooks the fact that the keris emerged at a time when Asia was already globalised, and that the keris was in fact a product of cross-cultural borrowing and overlap. This lecture will attempt to relocate the keris in its proper cultural-historical context, calling for the de-racialisation of the keris and the reminder of our shared cultural heritage.

The talk is free and open to all.

                This entry was posted on Wednesday, 27 February 2008, 7:05 pm and is filed under
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Vote for Change to ensure that Malaysia is United, Prosperous and Progressive

BY
Dr Chen Man Hin (DAP Life Advisor)

IDENTITY CRISIS

It was clear that during the 50th Merdeka celebrations there was uncertainty and frustration among the people because they were unsure of their identity. Some were bumiputras, while others were non-bumiputras, Some were called ketuanan Melayu but others were not. They thought they were Bangsa Malaysia (Malaysian), but now they were told by UMNO that they do not accept Bangsa Malaysia.

The Federal Constitution clearly states that there is only one category of citizens. There is no mention of bumiputras or ketuanan melayu, which are actually inventions of UMNO.

Prime Minister in 2004 promised that all citizens in Malaysia are treated equally. He has not reinstated the Bangsa Malaysia status for all citizens.

VOTE FOR CHANGE. Vote for your birthright. Vote for political freedom, political equality and for BANGSA MALAYSIA.

ECONOMIC FREEDOM IS LACKING in Malaysia.  It ranks 68 out of 157 countries in the world. Because of this, foreign investments into Malaysia are low compared with Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam and Hong Kong. In a global world, liberalisation with a free market economy is important for the economy to progress.

The New Economic Policy has frightened investors from Europe and America. It is also the cause of slow economic growth. since its launching in 1971, the economy has fallen badly behind Singapore, Taiwan, Hong Kong and South Korea.

Per capita income 2007

           Malaysia          US$          6146     (IMF)

           Singapore                     34,152

           Taiwan                         16,246

           Hong Kong                    29,149

           South Korea                  19,624

The figures speak for themselves. It means that the Barisan has been telling one big lie to the people. Because of the NEP and corruption, Malaysia is way behind the four Asia dragons. Malaysia per capita income is one third that of a South Korea and one fifth that of a Singaporean.

Bear in mind that in 1970, Malaysia and Singapore started at about the same per capita income  level. With the present economic progress in Malaysia, vision 2020 will remain a dream at the targeted date of 2020

VOTE FOR CHANGE FOR PROSPERITY!

There is no religious and cultural freedom.

The modern global world is moving towards religious and cultural freedom. We are a secular state but Barisan’s leaders like DPM Datuk Razak claims Malaysia is an Islamic state.  It is therefore not surprising that although there is an inter-faith council, all religions are represented in the council, but not Islam. It is also shocking that the courts have made rulings which imply that syariah law supersedes the jurisdiction of civil law.

Prime Minister Dato Abdullah insists there is freedom of religion, but the syariah court determines otherwise, and refused an applicant to change her religion.

Cultural freedom is also lacking in education. Mother tongue schools are not given the same treatment as national schools. In a multicultural society, all cultures must be accorded just and equal treatment. in practice, the Barisan government gives miserly allocations to mother tongue schools.

VOTE FOR CHANGE. VOTE FOR RELIGIOUS AND CULTURAL FREEDOM!.

RULE OF LAW HAS DETERIORATED UNDER THE BARISAN GOVERNMENT.

The shocking revelations of the Lingam Commission of Enquiry indicate that the integrity, credibility and independence of the judiciary have been comprised. The impression is given that judges can be bought and sold like chattels and goods in the market. it is quite evident that rule of law has been corrupted by wheeling and dealing in the courts.

Because the highest levels of justice have been corrupted, it is not surprising that it has a corrupting influence down the chain of administration of law and order.

This has set a bad example for the whole country resulting in a decline of morals and an increasing crime rate. Security has become a major problem, and the people are afraid for their lives and property.

VOTE FOR CHANGE TO HAVE RULE OF LAW, FREEDOM FROM THE THREAT OF INCREASING CRIME!

FREEDOM OF SPEECH CLAMPED DOWN BY BARISAN

Contrary to world trends towards more democracy, the Barisan government has suppressed press freedom more and more. under PM Abdullah, Malaysia’s World Press Freedom index slipped from 104 in 2003 to124 in 2007

Peaceful demos internationally accepted as human rights are outlawed in Malaysia.

Freedom of speech is banned in colleges and universities

This is a regressive law and resembles the harsh ban on free speech in communist countries, and causes them to fall behind in economic development.

Countries like Finland and Norway with free speech, the students and people are inspired with creativity and innovations. they are top countries with the highest per capita incomes and great competiveness.

Reject the backward Barisan’s policies of the communist era.

VOTE FOR CHANGE. VOTE FOR FREEDOM OF SPEECH AND ASSEMBLY

CORRUPTION AND CRONYISM HAVE MARGINALISED THE AVERAGE MALAY, CHINESE AND INDIAN AND MADE THEM POOR

Corruption is a cancer eating into the political, economic and social development. Transparency International states that the corruption perception index of Malaysia in 2007 ranked 43 out of 163 countries, far behind Singapore, Denmark, New Zealand.

It is widespread and rampant, every department is affected.

Government contracts are never on open tender but are given to cronies and well connected personalities.

The NEP has legalised corruption. The 30% quota has been used to enrich Umnoputras and cronies. APs for privileged and connected UMNO leaders have made them millionaires overnight.

Unfortunately, poor Malays continue to be poor and they have been marginalised

The average Malaysian whether Malays, Chinese or Indians or indigenous natives has been marginalised.

The 9th Malaysia plan figures show that the average household income  per month was

   Malay household   RM 2711  or    RM 540 per person

        ( 5 persons)

   Indian household       3455   or        659 per person

   Chinese household     4437   or        880 per person

According to economists, the poverty line for Malaysia is RM 1200 per person. The figures above indicate that the average Malaysian whether Malay, Indian or Chinese is all living below the poverty line

PM Dato Abdullah boasts that the poverty rate has been reduced to 6%, but the average household income statistics indicate that the average Malaysian has been marginalised.!

VOTE FOR CHANGE.  VOTE FOR A CLEAN, HONEST AND EFFICIENT GOVERNMENT

                This entry was posted on Wednesday, 27 February 2008, 7:26 pm and is filed under
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Building of Ong MCA political empire at the expense of MCA leaders, Ministers and MPs

(Media Conference Statement (3) at DAP Ipoh Timur Ops Centre on Thursday 29th February 2008 at 1 pm)

I take great offence at  the highly defamatory allegation by MCA President, Datuk Seri Ong Ka Ting hurled at DAP leaders that they are greedy and selfish in contesting in two seats, parliamentary and state assembly,  as wanting  to collect two allowances of Member of Parliament and State Assemblyman.

DAP leaders are very different from MCA leaders including Ka Ting. DAP leaders are in politics not for self gain, wealth, position or  government position but for our ideals and principles, and love for our country.

DAP MPs and State Assembly members do not get the constituency development allocations which have now mushroomed to RM5 million per parliamentary constituency for Barisan Nasional MPs –the most blatant example of  discriminatory and unaccountable disbursement of public funds, money politics and the root cause of the rampant corruption in the country as it is open knowledge that there are BN MPs and State Assembly members who demand a “cut” for themselves before allocations are made to the public from the constituency development funds.

DAP leaders who are fielded in both parliamentary and state assembly constituencies will have to bear a heavy political responsibility – not to get more allowances but to play a greater role in the larger national objective to strive for a more just and democratic Malaysia.

DAP Secretary-General, Lim Guan Eng, for instance, who is contesting both parliamentary and state assembly seats in Penang, is not in these two contests for the allowances or he would not have stood up on his convictions ten years ago  to defend  the dignity of an under-aged Malay girl resulting in his conviction under unfair and draconian laws of Sedition Act and Printing Presses and Publications Act,  leading to his disqualification as elected MP for Kota Melaka, being jailed for 18 months in Kajang Prison, forfeit of his parliamentary pensions and being disqualified from standing for elective office for five years after his release from prison.- missing two general elections.

Guan Eng had also been detained under the Internal Security Act in the 1987 Operation Lalang dragnet – with both of us among the first to be detained but the last two of the Operation Lalang detainees to be released in April 1989.

It is highly presumptuous and intolerable  for a politician, who could climb so high up the political ladder as to become a Cabinet Minister without having to make any  personal sacrifices whatever  in his political life,  to cast aspersions against political leaders who have paid a very high  price in terms of personal liberty for their political convictions.

DAP Perak Chairman, Ngeh Koo Ham, who is contesting both Bruas parliamentary and Sitiawan state assembly seat, is not in politics for the money!

I can vouch that Ngeh has given to the cause for a Malaysian Malaysia far more than he had received as Perak State Assemblyman for the past four years.

Can Ka Ting say  that he had personally given more in terms of money in politics than he had received from his parliamentary and Ministerial allowances as in the case of Ngeh?

I deplore Ka Ting for such mischievous, malicious and irresponsible politicking. He should have the decency and humility to openly apologise for his misconduct.

While making baseless accusations against DAP leaders, Ka Ting should heed the rumble of discontent in MCA at his building up of a Ong Brothers political empire in the MCA over the bodies of MCA leaders, including Ministers and parliamentarians.

Two MCA Ministers had recently fallen by the wayside – Chan Kong Choy and Chua Soi Lek.  Who is really responsible for their downfall?

Chan must be held responsible for the RM4.6 billion Port Klang Free Zone (PKFZ) scandal, the biggest financial scandal in the Abdullah premiership which is even bigger than Mahathir’s  first mega financial scandal, the RM2.5 billion Bumiputra Malaysia Finance scandal 25 years ago!

Chan cannot escape accountability for the RM4.6 billion PKFZ scandal, but it is unfair if he is alone left to “eat dead cat” as the entire Cabinet, including Ka Ting, cannot shirk responsibility as well.

Is it true that Ka Ting is the reason why Chan dropped as a MCA candidate in the 2008 general election?

Who was responsible for the political “killing” of MCA National Vice Chairman and Health Minister, Datuk Seri Dr. Chua Soi Lek over the sex videotape scandal?

This is not an outside job but a MCA high-level operation.  Was Ka Ting responsible for Chua’s removal from the MCA front-line of contenders for the top political post in MCA?

Be that as it may, Ka Ting should not try to distract attention from his MCA troubles by hurling defamatory allegations against DAP leaders.

                This entry was posted on Thursday, 28 February 2008, 6:51 pm and is filed under
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