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Royal Address Monday – will PM redeem failures of past 40 months to “walk the talk” of reform?

Every March, the Yang di Pertuan Agong will officially launch Parliament with a Royal Address which spells out the government’s programme for the new year.

The Royal Address is not the personal speech of the Yang di Pertuan Agong but the policy presentation of the government-of-the-day for the next 12 months.

The official opening of the third session of the current 11th Parliament will be on Monday (19th March) by the new Yang di Pertuan Agong for the first time, and Malaysians are entitled to know whether the Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi will redeem his failures in the past 40 months to “walk the talk” of reform agenda to spell out the government’s policy initiatives and legislation programme for the coming year to finally deliver his reform pledge.

Let me touch on three areas which should be top priority in the Abdullah government’s policy initiatives and legislation programme for the coming year, if Abdullah is to retain credibility and even legitimacy for his unprecedented 91% parliamentary majority in the March 2004 general election.

Firstly, announce a Royal Commission of Inquiry into the Anti-Corruption Agency (ACA) and why corruption had worsened in the past three years instead of improving — as reflected not only by the seven-placing drop from No. 37 to 44 in the Transparency International (TI) Corruption Perception Index (CPI) from 2003 to 2006 but also the latest corruption survey last week of Hong Kong-based Political and Economic Risk Consultancy (PERC) that Malaysia is perceived to be more corrupt than the previous year and that Malaysia would soon lose out and be overtaken by China and India in anti-corruption rankings.

The Royal Address on Monday should also incorporate the Abdullah premiership’s commitment to introduce legislation to confer full autonomy to the ACA, removing it from the jurisdiction of the Prime Minister’s Office and making it fully independent and answerable only to Parliament.

Secondly, announce that a Bill to establish the independent Police Complaints and Misconduct Commission (IPCMC) will be taken through all three readings in the forthcoming meeting of Parliament, in view of the worsening crime index as well as the repeated blows to public confidence in the ability of the police to implement the 125 recommendations of the Royal Police Commission to become an efficient, incorruptible, professional world-class police service to combat crime, uphold law and order and respect human rights.

The public reprimand of the Deputy Internal Security Minister, Datuk Johari Baharom by Abdullah, who is also the Internal Security Minister, telling the latter that he should just answer the allegations of bribery without accusing or blaming others has come as another blow to public confidence in the efficiency, effectiveness, professionalism and integrity of the forces with the responsibility to maintain law and order.

Abdullah’s response – “Now that there are allegations, answer the allegations one by one. No need to accuse other people. Just answer all the questions.” — when asked to comment on the ACA investigation into allegations that Johari had received more than RM5mil to release at least three suspects arrested under the Emergency Ordinance raises many questions, including:

Firstly, why has Abdullah taken two long weeks to come out with such a response, which should have been made at most after 24 hours.

Secondly, Abdullah’s unusual comment testifies to the unsatisfactory nature of Johari’s response to the allegations on Internet websites implicating him in a RM5.5 million “freedom for sale” scandal involving Emergency Ordinance (EO) detentions.

There was clearly a finger-pointing exercise between Johari and the police, with Johari loudly proclaiming his innocence while accusing the police of being sloppy, slipshod and using the EO as a “short cut to detain suspects who have insufficient incriminating evidence against them”.

As even the Prime Minister-cum-Internal Security Minister is not satisfied with Johari’s public response, the Deputy Internal Security Minister should present a ministerial statement when Parliament meets on Tuesday to start its working session to give a full and satisfactory accounting of his rebuttal of the RM5.5 million “freedom for sale” allegations. It is clearly invidious and untenable for Johari to continue a single day as Deputy Internal Security Minister when the Prime Minister is not satisfied with his public explanation.

Thirdly, in keeping with Abdullah’s pledge to lead an open, accountable and transparent government, the Royal Address on Monday should contain the government’s commitment to introduce a Freedom of Information Act to replace the Official Secrets Act(OSA). There should also be a firm commitment to remove from the OSA all privatization contracts, whether toll and water concessions, to put them in the public domain for the scrutiny of the Malaysian public.

(Speech at opening of Wisma DAP Perak in Ipoh on Saturday, 17.3.07)

29 Replies to “Royal Address Monday – will PM redeem failures of past 40 months to “walk the talk” of reform?”

  3. “Firstly, why has Abdullah taken two long weeks to come out with such a response, which should have been made at most after 24 hours.”

    72 hours would be “cautious” and 168 hours would be “overly cautious” but 336 hours?? The guy does not know what he should say, is afraid to say what he knows and looks towards consensus – but finding none he goes about in his own confused way to admit to what is already obvious i.e. “we have to look into it and find out more” and “if we find out something we’ll let you know”.

    He is so weak and isolated from the “inner Cabinet” headed by Najib that makes the decisions for him on a daily basis, I don’t think he really cares one way or the other where the country is heading. He knows he would not survive a leadership crisis. He is not a hands on manager, depends on his subordinates to help him make up his mind and show him the way –even ‘management by crisis’ rings hollow and is meaningless to his style of ‘leadership’.

    This man should do the decent thing and step down.

  4. The Royal address is written by the Prime Minister. The Agong is not allowed to put his input into the speech.

    The Royal Address cannot be expected to be anything more than the ramblings of an old man who has lost touch with reality. If at all it is the general statement of policies of his administration punctuated by meaningless re-commitment to values like ‘transparency’, ‘good governance’ and ‘accountability’.

    He must be asking himself who this Agong is when he is the real head of state and it is his speech.

  5. Kit,

    You missed this part reported in The Star, March 17th – Besides telling Johari to answer the allegations without the need to accuse other people, the PM also said, “If he (Johari) says he is innocent, then Alhamdulillah (thank God).” Please refer here: http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2007/3/17/nation/17175662&sec=nation

    What does “then Alhamdulillah (thank God)” mean? Does it mean that if he (Johari) says he is innocent, then it means that he is or we can all accept that he is innocent of those allegations?

    I don’t think that there is any seriousness in having an open, accountable and transparent government.

    In fact it is the opposite based on what the Online Bulletin Malaysiakini reported on 17th March under the report with caption “ Don’t quote websites and blogs, media told”.

    According to its report, (quote) “The Internal Security Ministry has warned mainstream newspapers in the country against quoting and publishing “anti-government articles” from online portals and blogs.

    The March 13 letter, which was sent to the country’s top editors, was signed by the ministry’s Publications Control and Al-Quran Texts Unit senior officer Che Din Yusof, on behalf of the ministry’s secretary-general.

    Malaysiakini has obtained a copy of the circular from a source.

    The ministry reminded newspapers that under Section 8A(2) of the Printing Presses and Publications Act 1984, it is the responsibility of newspaper editors to take reasonable steps to ensure the correctness and truth of news before publishing them.

    “As a responsible newspaper, the owner must observe the principles and code of ethics of journalism, which among others is to ensure that every news report must have a sound and proper basis.

    “It would not be advisable for a mainstream newspaper to play on public sentiments and deliberately go against the basic principles of journalism as this could undermine stability and national security.”

    Such an action, the letter stressed, would not be in conformity with the “principles of openness and truth as desired by the government”.

    In the circular, the Internal Security Ministry also reminded mainstream newspapers not to publish or “give any consideration whatsoever” to online articles which are found to have no basis at all, or based on mere speculation” (Unquote).

    This Internal Security Ministry’s circular is probably necessitated by websites and blogs having highlighted in the past few weeks, allegations of corruption against ACA chief Zulkipli Mat Noor and Internal Security Deputy Minister Mohd Johari Baharum.

    It shows the government is scared of the exposes on corruption and abuse of power on the Internet.

    By not asking Johari to go on leave of absence pending investigations, people are also wondering if the circular sent by the Internal Security Ministry’s Publications Control and Al-Quran Texts Unit senior officer Che Din Yusof, on behalf of the ministry’s secretary-general was actually directed by Johari as deputy minister of that ministry for a self serving cause of saving himself from further allegations.

  6. YB, you are being gracious.

    How long does it take for someone to recognise a potato from a ciku even from afar? Perhaps, after a few squints.

    We have taken over 3 years and AAB is every bit a ‘couch potato’. Please don’t expect a ‘couch potato’ to be creative, innovative, energetic or even responsible!

    I believe Malaysians have all given up on him. It’s not a question of whether, it’s a question of when he will lose his PMship. And that’s obvious – at the next GE. Either PKR/DAP wins a thumping victory over BN (which many, many millions of people are cheering you on) or even if BN loses its 2/3 majority, AAB will have to very graciously vacate his seat. No two ways about that. UMNO will burn his bottom to get him off the driver’s seat. Then what?!!! Najib must never be given a chance to be the new PM. Can you imagine the national disaster!!!!

    This is why all the people who understand must work hard now to ensure BN not only loses the 2/3 majority (which is almost a foregone conclusion) but also the GE. We cannot let Najib be the next PM (God forbid! Undergrad2, this time only, please allow special dispensation). AAB will then get the boot and this is as sure to happen as daylight will break forth on the Election day.

  7. I never bother with all those new year, hari raya, chinese new year, christmas or whatever special greetings ….

    why bother with an opening address written by spin-maestros?

    So boooorrrrriiiing …. All talk, no walk. Coz we’re still in warming up stage, not yet ready for the big walk. how to breakout into a run?

    Vietnam is running well ahead of us. We can only run up the corruption index and the current bad publicity in Indonesia.

  8. Re my last posting it appears that the circular could be sent by the other Deputy Internal Security Minister Fu Ah Kiow.

    He was reported in same Online Bulletin to have said that despite challenges posed by the Internet, the mainstream media must not waiver from fair, correct and accurate reporting – that is one way to counter the influence from cyberspace – be always balanced in what you want to report, he stressed.

    He said journalists must adhere to provisions in the Printing Presses and Publications Act 1984 and be responsible in discharging their duties.

    “As the deputy minister responsible in enforcing the Act, sometimes I’ve to call up to remind the media concerned when sensitive issues are published,” Bernama quoted Fu as saying at a dinner with press corps in Kuantan last night.

  11. According to the pm, “If he (Johari) says he is innocent, then Alhamdulillah (thank God).” Then why the blazes was Mona Fandley and her husband hanged because they also said they were innocent. And why the hell was the death sentence on Ahmad Najib Aris, the murderer (and BBQer) of Canny Ong, upheld because he also claimed he was innocent.

    Kasitah Gaddam on trial for corruption also claimed he is innocent. Free Razak Bagindo at once because he claims he is innocent. Close down all the courts because the accused will all claim innocence, because only BLOODY FOOLS AND VILLAGE IDIOTS without brains do otherwise

  13. ‘Free Razak Bagindo at once because he claims he is innocent. Close down all the courts because the accused will all claim innocence…’ k1980

    The accused when asked by the magistrate how he pleads, “Guilty” or “Not Guilty” would invariably answer, “Not Guilty” even though every knows he did the crime. The accused is never asked to plead “Guilty” or “Innocent”. It is important that we understand the difference between “not guilty” and “innocent”. If you’re found not guilty it does not mean you didn’t do the crime. There is insufficient evidence that you did the crime.

    The presumption of innocence works to ensure that the minority (who may not be innocent) who may go free does so in order to protect the rights of the majority who may not be guilty.

    When the accused pleads “Not guilty” to the crime or crimes he is charged with, he does so in the exercise of his constitutional right of free speech. It is important that our constitutional rights be protected and an individual who stands accused of a crime, sitting in the dock has the same rights as any other individual, and is innocent until proven guilty. A serial killer may have confessed his crime to the police but if he did so because he was tortured, the confession forced out of him and in breach of his constitutional rights of free speech then his confession cannot be used in a court of law. We know he did it because he confessed to it. Eye witness evidence generally believed to be accurate may in many instances turn out to be inaccurate; and heresay evidence generally excluded from evidence may be reliable. The rules of evidence admits one and excludes the other.

    This may sound all strange to the layperson sitting in the public gallery watching the lawyers go for each others throats – one representing the accused and the other the government. The adversarial system imperfect though it may be, is still the best protection we have against a possible miscarriage of justice.

  14. OPENS MONDAY 19TH MARCH 2007

    200

    A Circus featuring 200 exotic creatures pitted against 20 Trojan lambs!!!!

    Yes!!! 200 exotic specimens gathered from the mountains of Jerai, the tributaries of the Kinabatangan and from the jungles of Kota Gelanggi in Johor among other places!!! See, hear, read them in action!!!

    The performances:

    – see the one-eyed-closed crocodile captured from the Kesang River

    – hear the mating call (zzzz, zzzz, zzzz) of the sleepy eyes-wide-shut (“see-no-evil”) Bungling Premier Bee

    – see Dracula’s all new act, in his new toupee and false teeth

    – if you are lucky, you might even see the very elusive bionic, clucking, fiesty mother-hen who might fly in from her AP Wintering Lands

    – hear the manic cock crow “racist, racist, racist” to every one and more

    – also featuring the new rock drummers Jungle Jam with exotic specimens who can thump their paws in unison and in solo

    – also, there will be daily name-calling competitions; hear jewels like “you monkey”, “baboon”, “barua”, “kurang ajar”, “apek”, “monyet”, “ular”, “kambing” etc etc to the accompanyment of the Jungle Jam

    – see the world famous, mystical magician Al-Noh who can pull a rabbit out of a hat, or make RM 32 billion disappear by saying “spekulasi”

    – see the final performances of the beruang who will spar with just about every one about everything, anytime, or he’ll splash you with his sputters.

    And much, much more.

    See the circus master crack his whip or get somebody to threaten the 200 with a keris to perform.

    All 200 performers are trained and choreographed by the well-known Taiping Zoo-keeper, K V As who has had extensive practical experiences himself and will gladly join in the performances.

    And watch the Trojans stand their ground against the 200.

    So ladies and gentlemen. The show will begin soon.
    Premiere will be telecast live Monday, 19th March.
    Other perfromances will be reported by the media as they deem fit.

  16. Abdullah Badawi: “I have spoken to both sides and told them that such things should not be happening.” Johari is being investigated for allegedly releasing Emergency Ordinance detainees for RM5 million.”

    Is that the way to go?? Tell Johari he should not have done it? Which part? Releasing the detainees because there was no ground for their continued detention or receiving the RM5.0 million for their release?

  17. YB, ‘PM to walk the talk’? Walk what talk!

    THis PM is lame – lame duck, lame excuses, lame ideas. He’s just plain lame.

    The lame just can’t walk. No hope of independent thinking. No way they can be dynamic and robust. They need prosthetics. So UMNO and BN are always looking for artificial supports, all kinds of appendages and crutches to get by.

    Why do we need a lame government?

  18. The real situation on the ground is bad but UMNO and its puppets continue to paint a false picture through the media under its control. The BN government is disguising itself under a cloak of “Bersih, Cekap, Amanah”, “Cermelang, Gemilang, Terbilang”, “Islam Hadhari”, “Vison 2020”, etc, but the devastating results after 50 years cannot be denied. Foreigners are even concerned if they can get a fair trial in Malaysia, with the involvement of corrupted politicians, and corrupted judiciary http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jaZygFdYlGk Malaysia badly needs a clean and competent government. Do not make the mistake of voting for UMNO and its puppets in the next GE!

  19. After the BN supreme council meeting, Abdullah came out and announced vision 2057. The possibilties are endless with PM Abdullah, surprises after surprises. And I am quite sure it won’t be “Walk the Talk Campaign” to rid corruption and improve public delivery system.Wonder what this royal address will end up with?

  20. The Royal Address is just a “Talk the Talk Campaign.”

    Just like the junked IPCMC which has been so ignored perhaps it has been reclassified under OSA?

    Might as well scrap the royal address and save some money on the proceedings.

  21. Uncle Lim, what was Badawi’s response to your to do list? You should continue asking him, what happened if he doesnt deliver. What is the repercussions? Who is Badawi going to answer to for delivering another red report card? When you are drunk with power, the word cause and effect, consequences, integrity etc etc are all but a blur white noise.

  23. Whether “Royal Address” touches on the issues mentioned by the above blogger shall not deter the Parliamentarians from raising the issues in the current session of the Parliament sittings.

    More so, if the issues are not contained in the “Royal Address”, the concerned and conscientious Members of Parliament should make every effort to raise them in the sessions.

    Let us heard from the coming Parliamentary debates the issues raised in the blogs.

  25. Walk the talk ? Nah, where would Bodowi be able to find replacements for the cabinet vacancies or the civil service vacancies as a result of walking the talk ? You think some of us should volunteer and be ACA chief, or Minister of Trade or some other post that would become available ? Heck, I want to live in an 18-room mansion too…..

  26. Even if AAB decides to walk the talk, I think it’s too little to late. The question on the rakyat minds would be, why now? Why not then? I hope the Royal Address will not touch on arresting the trend of corruption in the country because it is already a lost cause. I hope the King will be able to touch on something else closest to the hearts of the rakyat without the preachy contents.

    Corruption is here to stay so long as UMNO is in control. In Hong Kong, ICAC stands for Independent Commission Against Corruption. However, the senior officers prefer to drum into their subordinates that it stands for “I Cannot Accept Corruption”. So, what does our ACA stand for? “Any Corruption Acceptable”?

    I believe a new series on the ICAC will soon be screened over Wah Lai Toi channel. Although it will be over-dramatised, but I hope our ACA fellas will still watch it to see how these Hongkies chaps mean business with no interference from the top.

  28. Failed statistician who moved on to become a religiously inspired ‘leader’ of men (and ladies)? Obviously he waited too long when sitting for his Statistics Paper for that inspiration. He didn’t know that there’s a time limit for answering questions on Average Mean, Geometric Mean and skewness etc. – simple concepts.

    What happened to the influence of his maternal grandfather (genetically speaking) who was a Chinese from Hunan province??

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