by M. Bakri Musa
Among other things, in this election Malaysians have asserted in no uncertain terms that they do not approve of Abdullah’s inept administration and his tolerance if not encouragement of corruption and shady practices among those closest to him. With his new cabinet however, Abdullah once again demonstrated that he has learned nothing from the election debacle, his frequent declarations to the contrary notwithstanding.
While the addition of fresh talent in the persons of Amirsham Aziz and Zaid Ibrahim makes this a good cabinet, the retention of the same old tired faces as Syed Hamid, together with the inclusion of tainted characters like the “double Muhammad” Taib, smudges what otherwise would be an excellent team. It was, as the Economist noted, Abdullah’s shuffling deckchairs on a personal Titanic.
This election did what Abdullah could not, that is, get rid of deadwoods like Samy Vellu and incompetents like Zainuddin Maidin. Voters showed the way but Abdullah did not carry it further with his choice of a new cabinet. This good new team is cursed with the same old bad captain.
A team no matter how talented could not turn an incompetent captain into a good one. Neither would a prolonged “warm up” time accomplish much; a bad captain will still remain so. As one blogger cheekily noted, today even Abdullah’s “sign dah tak laku” (signature is worthless, as on a bounced check), in reference to the Raja of Perlis ignoring Abdullah’s choice for a Mentri Besar. As of my writing, the Sultan of Trengganu too is set to do likewise.
Abdullah’s cabinet remains bloated with 33 ministers, including five in his own department. His “reform” consists of nothing more than changing faces. He fails to address more fundamental issues like whether any of those ministries are needed at all.
For example, what is glaringly obvious from this election is that the Ministry of Information has no credibility with Malaysians or foreign observers. It is nothing more than the propaganda arm of the ruling party, and an inept one at that. Replacing its minister would not alter that reality. In the Age of the Internet, this is one ministry Malaysia can do without. Abolishing it, together with other unneeded ministries like Sports, Tourism, and Federal Territory, among others, would shrink the cabinet and streamline the administration.
This huge cabinet is unwieldy. No meaningful or robust discussions could take place. Even if each minister were to speak for only a few minutes, cabinet meetings would stretch for hours.
Lee Kuan Yew, who knows something about forming an effective cabinet and selecting capable ministers, once said that he would appoint only those for whom a cabinet appointment would mean a reduction in their personal earnings. This does not mean that Singapore pays its ministers miserly – on the contrary they are very well compensated – rather that those ministers have excelled elsewhere and thus are earning considerably more before they become ministers.
Only two of Abdullah’s appointees, Amirsham and Zaid Ibrahim, meet Lee’s stringent criterion. Long-serving former Trade Minister Rafidah Aziz would find few takers in the private sector for her talent. The only reason she remains calm after being fired is not to jeopardize her chance of being given plump directorships in the many GLCs. Further, if she were to complain too loudly, watch the ACA suddenly becoming diligent in scrutinizing her old AP files.
Blemishes and Kudos
Abdullah’s commitment to combat corruption is made hollow by his bringing Muhammad Taib into the cabinet. He was the former Mentri Besar of Selangor who was caught at an Australian airport with literally millions in cash on his person. He was acquitted from the criminal charge of not declaring the currency, but he has yet to explain how he secured the loot in the first place.
If Abdullah has not asked Muhammad that pertinent question, then he (Abdullah) is derelict in his duties by not exercising due diligence in selecting his ministers. If Abdullah did ask and was satisfied with Muhammad’s answer, then Abdullah owes the public to share that explanation. Failure to do so would make Abdullah’s renewed call to combat corruption more than hollow; it would be hypocritical.
Yes, that incident took place over a decade ago, old story Muhammad would claim. However, there is no statute of limitation with criminal acts. Time does not make a corrupt act less corrupt.
I applaud Zaid Ibrahim’s appointment. He is one of the few independent minded and unafraid to challenge the leader, a rare quality especially among Malays. We are still feudalistic, blindly loyal to leaders regardless of circumstances. I also applaud him for his commitment to the rule of law. Also rare among Asian leaders and newly rich, Zaid is well known for his philanthropic works. Forbes magazine recently listed him as one of Asia’s top philanthropists.
Of interest here is that Zaid Ibrahim was only recently found guilty of “money politics” by UMNO’s Disciplinary Committee, whose esteemed members included Zaki Azmi, now Court of Appeal President, the second highest position. Zaid strenuously appealed his “conviction” right up to the President of UMNO, Abdullah, but to no avail. It reflects more on the credibility and prestige of that disciplinary committee (more correctly, the lack of both) that Abdullah would now appoint Zaid to the cabinet to be in charge of law and the judiciary!
I have the highest regard for Zaid’s personal integrity and professional honor. I bring this up merely to demonstrate Abdullah’s and also UMNO’s hypocrisy towards disciplining its members. The fact that members of UMNO Disciplinary Committee would choose to remain silent on Zaid’s appointment attests to the “seriousness” with which they executed their duties. Let us acknowledge openly what was previously simply alluded to, that disciplinary committee was nothing more than a kangaroo court, its deliberations not worth considering, not even by UMNO’s president.
Zaid should consider his “conviction” a singular badge of honor. When knaves and crooks rule and do the judging, the virtuous and honorable would be considered criminals.
Presidential Power versus Collective Cabinet
In the previous cabinet, Abdullah was also the Minister of Finance and of Internal Security. That would be a tough assignment for even the most accomplished executive. With Abdullah, well, the results were obvious; he was totally ineffective. He held the Finance portfolio only to ensure that his family and cronies would get plump government contracts and privatization projects. In the new cabinet, Abdullah still holds on to Finance but he has given up Internal Security.
Abdullah continues to have the five full plus four deputy ministers in his department. He is developing a presidential-type administration in tangent with our customary collective cabinet responsibility. This could potentially give rise to unnecessary conflicts. Eliminating those positions would reduce the size of the cabinet and enhance its efficiency.
As a former civil servant Abdullah revels in the committee system. His answer to every problem is to appoint a committee; it is a sly way to duck personal responsibility.
I have an observation: The executive talent of a leader is inversely related to his penchant for forming committees. Abdullah is “Exhibit A” for my thesis; he has never seen a committee he does not like.
Therein lies the problem; Malaysia is being “committeed” to death. We cannot allow Abdullah to do that; we must force him step down for the good of the country.
Ahmad Said, who was appointed chief minister by the Sultan of Terengganu, has been sacked from UMNO for accepting the job. Badawi has issued instructions to all UMNO assemblymen not to attend the swearing in, warning them of disciplinary action if they do, setting up a showdown with the Terengannu royal house and the constitutional monarchy. The 21 Terengganu assemblymen, headed by Datuk Rosol Wahid, have agreed not to boycott the swearing in ceremony, meaning more trouble for the besieged prime minister.
http://asiasentinel.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1112&Itemid=31
the break down of federation of malaysia is imminent
UMNO need a good leader not a stupid leader who practice double standard. If we are in the same boat everyone has equal chance and equal rights. I really can’t stand the shameful act created by certain individual to prevent other from been chosen. Foreigner leader will laugh at our leader that our leader has no class, and uneducated at all.
The US sub-prime crisis in graphics – Part 1
The US sub-prime mortgage crisis has lead to plunging property prices, a slowdown in the US economy, and billions in losses by banks. It stems from a fundamental change in the way mortgages are funded. There seems to be no end to this and with the collapse of the investment banking giant Bear Stearn last week, it is believed more is to come.
It is inevitable the there is going to be a global economic crisis unlike the 1997 crash which started in the stock market, this has started in the core of the economy – Housing. In no time it will see our shores and our new cabinet has to be ready to face it. This two part article is to give us Malaysians a better understanding of this crisis preempt our government.
How it went wrong!
visit http://www.wagthedog-malaysia.blogspot.com
Abdullah has lifted his ineffectiveness, inefficiency and incompetence as a leader by another 3 notches! How can he publicly stand off with the Sultan? Where is his respect?
He should have seek audience with the Sultan to resolve the matter, listen to what His Majesty has to say, before allowing this to turn into a fiasco!
Future of the country will doom with this man at the leadership helm!
Telling the decision of the Sultan unconstitutional? It has been my opinion that after he became the PM, he has acted imagining himself as god – almighty who knows everything, capable of doing everything to the extent he thinks he is right always!
The more he talks, the more we can see his true self – a big time hypocrite! Bikin tak serupa cakap!
aab doing a mahathir ……..
Wonder what has happened to Nazri? As long as UMNO continue to be arrogant and press for Ketuanan Melayu ignoring the social contract as enshrined in the constitution, we will see rotten MPs handled by rotten sleepy head and everything going down the drain …
The reason why Pak Lah can be so inept and still able to hold on to power is that other UMNO ministers, leaders, supreme council members are equally inept, probably corrupted and incompetent. Otherwise how do you explain only those who are not holding any positions dare to say something? If fact, I dare venture to say that they would prefer Pak Lah to remain in power so that they can have a field day to whack as much as possible before the regime change hand. The governance standard is collapsing in almost every level and facet of government administration, not just at the highest level. Incompetence is bad, but incompetence plus corruption is disaster. The private sector and the vested interest groups have taken the government to Holland (for a ride). I think what LGE revealed recently on land matters in Penang is only the tip of the iceberg.
I have one more question for discussion. Everybody says Zaid and Amirsham are good and capable people. I have no view on them because I simply don’t know much. But assuming they are good and capable, my question is can good people do the right thing in a wrong political party – a party saddled with colossal rent seekers, vested interest groups, corruption and ketuanan mentality.
“…..Malaysia is being “committeed” to death. ”
Never a truer word spoken. Just ask Najib. I have stopped counting the number of committees he chairs. I suspect he doesn’t know himself either. Every time a mess appears, a committee is formed and Najib chairs it. This is splashed all over the main media. After the hue & cry dies down, complete silence. Take the committee on public transport formed after the petrol price increase last year for example. I am sure the public would be interested to know what have they achieved since the price increase.
Ok ,I agree Bodowi is bad enough, but can anybody tell me who should take his place. I think nobody in UMNO is capable! Some even are dangerous leaders.
So whoever become the next PM. The situation remain the same or even worse. Habislah M’sia!!!
AH! Muhammad2.
Remenber him as one who spurt out treaths of May 13 at every opportunities. Run away (married) Sultan daughter with His Highnest permission.
What can I say about Badawi, one step forward, two step backwards.
limkamput,
Let’s give Zaid Ibrahim some time to walk his talk otherwise no point for him to just talk and talk.
Yeah his inclusion in the new Badawi II Cabinet after a disgraceful BN defeat in GE 2008, surprised many of us even after he was literally pushed out by the insecurities of some ‘unseen forces’ dancing behind the Prime Minister. Perhaps as an afterthought, they thought it’s safer to have him hauled in to be ‘toilet-trained’ under close scrutiny than to be left out hopping all over the place, soiling their already dirty linens.
We’ll see and I am sure all eyes are on him, the pressure is on!
limkamput Says:
Today at 14: 15.21 (45 minutes ago)
……my question is can good people do the right thing in a wrong political party – a party saddled with colossal rent seekers, vested interest groups, corruption and ketuanan mentality.
——-
Spot on.
It only leads people to suspect that this is only a temporary put up show to cool the so called anger of the rakyat, the Bar etc etc. to save the fast sinking BN boat
Like the info minister sent out out to cool the bloggers.
One writer pointed out that the reformers have been given a seat at the table. And that is exactly what has happened.
Rather than look at Zaid and Amirsham appointment as hopeful, I rather put it that its more of the same in the last 4 years – Badawi is just putting the responsibilities of tough decisions and acts onto others. He is obrogating leadership, letting them fight it out while he look on until he feel its safe to make a decision.
In other words, whether Zaid and Amirsham succeed or fail depends still on the debates in Cabinet and Supreme Council of UMNO. If you look at it the composition of both, there is no chance in hell there will be substantial/revolutionary change.
Chances of Zaid resigning is bigger than any revolutionary change. I can bet you that the likes of Azmi Zaki who dreams of being CJ is already working all day and night to scare the daylights out of this weak PM.
Its likely Badawi PMship will end soon. mark my word.
what’s ketuanan mentality?
Will Doulah be toppled by this political has-been?
http://asiasentinel.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1113&Itemid=31
The opposition should start planning to clobber the BN at the next GE and take over the government , else we’re all goners!
The US sub-prime crisis in graphics – Part 2
THE HOUSING PRICE CRASH
The wave of repossessions is having a dramatic effect on house prices, reversing the housing boom of the last few years and causing the first national decline in house prices since the 1930s.
Visit http://www.wagthedog-malaysia.blogspot.com
Like a family,we can`t choose our parents. We are in the same predicament in this case. We have a good team,but bad / lousy leader/parents.
Our up bringing will depend on their wisdom,attitude and personal qualities. A country future will depend on our leader wisdom, attitude and personalities.
How are we to get out of this situation if we are aware of our fate as children to this family? Rebel or take on the role of tolerance?
As a nation, the raayat have been very tolerance to the lousy leadership of the earlier ruling party where accountability, transparency is virtually absence and abuses, corrupt pracitices and wastages is the order of the day. With the tsunami of changes
voiced by the people on 8th March 2008, we still see the ruling party squabble with the royalty for appointment of a leader in power! Has the Malaysian political leader voted in by the raayat still have not change their ACT but claim that they want to change? The raayat have over the years been very tolerance to their abuses and been patience as they mature to be an adult!
Did’nt our leaders grown up over the years or is just treating the raayat like a child or a down sydrome kid?
It is time the parent/leaders start to change for a better or they will find that one day they may land up in the old folk home or voted out of office with their thinking that the World still Owe them a Living!
From Star Online, “Terengganu Mentri Besar saga … Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, who called the appointment unconstitutional, held a series of meetings with the state’s politicians.”
Can you all remember? When Uncle Lim mentioned a issue on the appointment of PAS member as Perak’s MB, there was a very big commotion from some “people”. But look at Terengganu now! Are BN and Pak Lah now showing DISRESPECT to the Palace???
call for by election now.. pas win….
then petronas money is all ours !!!!!!
we want full subsidy…..!!!!!!
I doubt it is going to be a good team. Zaid Ibrahim is in the wrong party to begin with, that’s enough reason why he shouldn’t be a minister, especially the minister of law when he owned the largest lawyer firm in the country, that’s conflicts of interest, that’s wrong.
yup, if they dare to call for re-election, please do so,
and I strongly believe that PAS will WIN big time!
Gua baru turun padang 15 minit and lu orang alreddi call me a bad captain… macam ini mana boleh
Perhaps the heading “Good Team, Bad Captain” is also applicable to DAP. The reason is ????????????? i m tired to elaborate !
DAP’s Selangor EXCO will become a laughing stock, DAP state chief hiding behind a new comer when campaigning in Serdang yet being picked as EXCO. He is totally lack of leadership and character. Worst still, Roonie Liu deleted my critical but comment posted in his blog. Seems those preaching democracy is “same-same” with BN.
Its is a bunch of ppl craved for power and position operating DAP Selangor. All this originated when LGE intervened and destroyed the previous elected state commitee headed by Ong Chee Kin. The picture is crystal clear that no dissenting voice is allowed in DAP. LKS, hope u read or get somebody to translate to u the article by Dr Boo Cheng Hau on Sin Chew (23/3/08).
Absolutely disgusted and angry , can’t continue my comment anymore.
Disgusting and fed up to continue for more comment.
Aiya, Pak Lah is lost for direction la!!! Baru kahwin saja. Belum warm up.
He is not consistent.oop! Maybe he is giving order in his sleep la!
He sacked Ahmad Said because he goes agaunst order.
What about MB for Perlis? He also went against his order. His choice was Shahidan. But the new MB could not be bothered about Pak Lah’s order. No sacking eh?
Hi Baoqingtian,
in order to have clean politicians in BN and opposition, the only way is “fast washing”, let the existing leader gone, and successor also gone in 2 years (if corrupted), successor of the successor gone again in another 2 years (if corrupted). Repeatation of this process for 3 or 4 times. Then may be the upcoming leader will think and do the right thing. Hopefully by the year 2020, Malaysia can have a clean government both for ruling and opposition party.
Basically, all the existing well known politician in BN and opposition party especially those have relationship with existing big shot such as in laws, sons, daughter, father, mother, uncle, aunty…..must go before we can have clean parties in both side because all the big shot has a wrong idea to join politic (both ruling and opposition) and those with correct ideas are always being surpressed by them because they are the one that not “cooperate” in those people eyes.
Hopefully, Malaysia will be lucky in future.
Regarding the existing cabinet, i can only say, “PM still think that rakyat is stupid and eneducated.” the simplest 1 is the Muhammad square, if he deserves to be minister, whoelse cannot be minister? Hopefully, the one can still be PM on 31 DEC 2009. However, if this really happen, it is a disaster for Malaysia and Rakyat. My words to the member of the party, don’t blame other ppl for your poor and miserable life, just blame yourself for supporting the one.
What a shame. Is this call Malaysia Boleh !@#$#@@
How can a leader sing his own melody before even thinking why the Sultan don’t want the candidate of choice. This proven how immature he is on tackling issue of such kind. Even we as ordinary people also think he should seek an audience with the Sultan before mumble. Maybe from the source I read, this ex-MB which got 22 supporter is capable of building a crystal mosque cost 360mil (act said only 50mil) and yearly monsun cup which cost till 250mil. Just imagine every year, there is a pie of 250mil to share. For me, I’m also support ex-MB…..rich liaw after 5 years.
Yesterday show him on TV at F1 circuit giving away prize to the race winner. Suprise, he got time for F1, no wonder he is so orragant. My thought was he is busy at house or somewhere else putting up solid plan for Malaysia Malaysian. I saw he was so happy, from the face I think he completely forgot Mar 8th liaw. At paper he praise BMW and petronas cause managet to win 2nd place. Come on la…. without petronas BMW also can win 1st place la. Petronas only wasting m$$$$$$$$$$$ on the sponsorship. Give the vitamin m to people la, education and welfare.
Reall sick of seeing all those.
If you are Donald Trump and Pak Lah is one of your subordinates, looking at how he managed the Terengganu MB crisis, what is the two words you will tell him?
UMNO has become completely paralyzed, I’m saddened because each day the old parasites that rot the party from within is becoming more and more daring even to defy the ruler using boycott, media and press.
“You are hired”
That’s 3 words! Lady Godiva
Is it correct to discriminate own members? Is it correct to boycott the royal appointment? Do you think Pak Lah will write formal apology letter just like the one written by YB LKS to seek Royal forgiveness. How long it takes to resolve the MB crisis in Terengganu compare to Perak? Is the opposition party more effective and efficient compare to the BN coalition in resolving issues? Therefore, Rakyat, all should know that Barisan Rakyat will prevailed after BN coalition become irrelevant in Malaysia tomorrow. There will be a new Dawn for us to enjoy a more accountable, transparent and united government.
I am surprised that Bakri is so effusive in his praise of Zaid Ibrahim. Within a few days of being made a senator and being sworn in as a minister, Zaid is already talking like the true politician that he is. Read what he said to the NST carefully. He did not say that the government was going to admit mistakes in the judiciary crisis involving Salleh Abbas. Neither did he say that the culprits for that crisis will be held accountable. He merely said that there must be apologies to those “involved” in the crisis.
For there to be true healing, and for any apology to be meaningful to Salleh Abbas and those upright judges who were unceremoniously stripped of their posts, those accountable – including Mahathir, the sycophant judges that supported Mahathir, the AG at the time, etc – must be brought to book. Problem is that Badawi was also part of that corrupt administration and he said nothing. In the current cabinet, several ministers are part of that corrupt administration too – including Muhyiddin, Najib, Syed Hamid. These people must at least admit that by saying nothing and doing nothing then, they were wrong, and that they should ask for forgiveness.
You have written an excellent and in-depth analysis of the current cabinet by Abdullah Ahmad Badawi.
I fully concur with your analysis which are based totally on facts which cannot be denied in court of laws.
And the title to you article is most ept and stike the nail on the head.
We hope more would have read your analysis, especially those UMNOPUTRA.
This is serious…
In Perlis….AAB was overruled.
Kedah….PAS rules
Kelantan….PAS rules
Penang…..DAP rules
Perak…….PAS,DAP,PKR rules
Selangor….PKR rules
WP…….Opposition rules
Pahang…..BN rules
NS………..BN rules
Johor……..BN rules
M’cca……..BN rules
Terengganu…….?? overuled again
Singapore….independent
S’wak……across the laut
S’bah……across the laut
Fourplustwo out of thirteen…this is serious.
Tell the BOSS, only four are really with you, four out of 13. This is serious.
Pray for Malaysia.
eyuppie Says: “Can you all remember? When Uncle Lim mentioned a issue on the appointment of PAS member as Perak’s MB, there was a very big commotion from some “people”. But look at Terengganu now! Are BN and Pak Lah now showing DISRESPECT to the Palace???”
I think you ought to be careful when comparing Trengganu and Perak. In Perak, the political parties, not able to rule alone, decided to let the Sutlan of Perak to make the final decision. Once the Sultan has made the decision, it was expected that all parties who earlier agreed to the process must abide by the decision. If I am not mistaken, Sdr Lim went against the Sultan’s decision citing that the CEC of DAP did not give the mandate to DAP Perak to go along with the decision to let the Sultan to make the final choice on MB. But the Sultan has the signed letter from the three parties to give him the ultimate say. That was why Sdr Lim has to apologise to the Sultan.
In Trengganu, I think the situation is different. The Sultan ought to select the MB who enjoys the confidence of the majority of the state assembly. The sultan technically/constitutionally can not select anybody according to his fancy. I think that is the issue now confronting Trengganu. We have to be fair. In this case the BN in Trengganu has the right to decide who shall be the MB. This is people’s rule; this is democracy.
Wag the dog,
What is your problem? The central bankers worldwide especially the US has been creating one bubble to replace another. It is time to let those who are highly leveraged to suffer. The most central bankers, including Malaysia, are never interested in managing the economy. Instead, they are all interested in managing assets prices. Monetary policy is always skewed toward rewarding the highly geared and the adventurous and punishing those who are the prudent and the savers. I think most central bankers have ignored the basic lesson of economics which is: there is no free lunch. You can’t keep on creating money each time a bubble bursts. By doing that, you are actually creating another bubble.
It is ok to let the price of houses come down. For a long time, this asset class is the playground of the wealthy. Let it come down by 30 to 40 percent. I think it is good. We must in fact ask ourselves why ordinary workers need 25 years repayment period when buying a decent house. Either the price of house is too high or the wage is too low, or both. I am not sour grape. I am saying this for the greater good of our economy.
A good team needs good captain and quality leader, the same theory goes to DAP.
It was disappointed to see that DAP team leader or captain does not proposed Teng to be the Exco Member of Selangor DUN.
As everybody know Teng always have his own idea and opinion in the party and sometimes it is against the will of the party top leader. A democratic party should allow the members to voice up his own opinion.
We should learn from the failure of BN, which goes against the will of the people and do not listen to the people’s voice. A good leader should accept different opinion.
From the point of experience and the ability, we can’t see any reason why Teng should not appointed as the Exco.
It is disappointed to see the outcome of the Selangor DUN final Exco list.
JOM UBAH! is time to change…DAP.
Otherwise the people will do the same to DAP as BN in the next election.
KENAPA AGUNG TAK SUKA IDRIS JUSOH
One thing that Malaysia Today would like to raise is the matter of
Terengganu’s oil royalty which we hope Mahathir will address on 28
July. Since the mid-1970s, Terengganu had been enjoying a 5% royalty
on all the oil and gas extracted in the state. That is what is
provided for under the Petroleum Development Act. In fact, not only
Terengganu, but any state in Malaysia where oil and gas is extracted
they would enjoy the same. However, in 2000, this royalty was
withdrawn and converted to Wang Ehsan (goodwill money). Suddenly, the
RM800 million or so a year that Terengganu was supposed to get as its
5% share of the oil and gas revenue was transferred out of the state
and into the hands of one man, Idris Jusoh.
Malaysia was then already suffering from an outbreak of JE. But in
Terengganu it was JE of another kind, Jusoh Enterprise, Idris Jusoh’s
family business. Jusoh Enterprise or JE was suddenly flush with funds,
RM800 million a year to be exact. Then, in 2004, Umno, under the
stewardship of Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, won back the state from the
opposition. But the state did not win back its 5% oil royalty. The
Wang Ehsan continued and Idris Jusoh, who now became the Chief
Minister, continued to single-handedly manage the fund. Even the State
Economic Development Corporation (SEDC) and the Terengganu State
Economic Planning Unit (UPENT) were left totally in the dark. One man,
Idris Jusoh, decided how the money was spent, and it is a lot of
money.
But the new Prime Minister, Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, would not tolerate
one man managing the state’s coffers. He wanted Idris Jusoh’s hands
out of the RM800 million a year cash box. However, to revert to the 5%
royalty only meant that the money would come directly under state
control. That would not serve their purpose. They wanted direct
control of the RM800 million. Now it was under the control of the
Prime Minister’s Department but passed down to Idris Jusoh’s hands.
What they needed to do was to get Idris Jusoh’s hands out of the
equation.
Then Khairy Jamaluddin, Abdullah’s son-in-law cum adviser, came out
with a fantastic new ‘umbrella concept’, better than even Mahathir’s.
They wanted control of the RM800 million a year. But they did not want
to get it out of Idris Jusoh’s hands by putting it into the hands of
the state. That would merely be a case of out of the frying pan, into
the fire. They wanted direct control of the money without Idris Jusoh
deciding on how the money is spent.
And this is how they did it.
First they appointed Wan Farid, Khairy’s ‘running dog’, as Abdullah’s
Political Secretary. Then they appointed Wan Hisham, Wan Farid’s
brother, as the State Exco Member in-charge of tourism. Then they gave
Patrick Lim, Khairy’s business partner, the sole monopoly of all state
tourism projects. Now the network is intact and Idris Jusoh has been
cut off.
Patrick Lim’s job is to create all sorts of state tourism projects at
hugely inflated prices. He would then propose these projects to Wan
Hisham, the man in-charge of tourism. Wan Hisham would then pass them
on to his brother, Wan Farid. Wan Farid would then pass them on to
Khairy. Idris Jusoh would of course be left out of the loop and he
would only know about them when it was a fait accompli — as the
Malays would say, “Nasi sudah jadi bubur.”
They built 30 houses at RM1 million each on an island in the
Terengganu River. They launched a RM300 million a year yacht race
called the Monsoon Cup. Hundreds of millions a year is being spent to
‘attract tourists to Terengganu’. It seems this year the amount of
Wang Ehsan has shot up from RM800 million to RM1 billion — so there
is even more money to play around with.
To ensure that Idris Jusoh keeps his hands out of the cash box,
Abdullah himself chairs the state meetings though he is the Prime
Minister and not the Terengganu Chief Minister. Of course, Idris
Jusoh, being the Chief Minister, is allowed to sit in on these
meetings though he has no say on what they propose. Patrick Lim,
though he is not in the government, is also allowed to attend these
meetings.
Abdullah would then propose all sorts of tourism projects conjured by
Wan Hisham, Wan Farid and Khairy. Details are of course not discussed;
only the gist of things and the amounts involved. Whenever Idris Jusoh
raises any questions, he would be told to ‘leave it all to Patrick Lim
who knows what to do’. Idris Jusoh is not to involve himself in the
details.
After awhile Idris Jusoh got quite pissed and tried to resist. One
project that he knew nothing about was placed before him and he was
told by Patrick Lim to sign the papers. But how could he sign the
papers when he knew nothing about it and would eventually have to bear
responsibility for it?
Patrick Lim walked out of Idris Jusoh’s office and phoned Wan Farid
who complained to Khairy. Within an hour Idris Jusoh received a phone
call from Abdullah who ordered him to sign the papers, which he of
course did straight away.
Patrick Lim’s hold on Abdullah was apparent to all but somehow not to
Idris Jusoh. One day Abdullah visited Terengganu to chair the regular
meetings on how to spend Terengganu’s RM800 million (which is now RM1
billion because of the increase in oil prices). Idris Jusoh fetched
Abdullah from the airport but before his car could move Patrick Lim’s
car cut in front of Idris Jusoh’s car and Abdullah got out of Idris
Jusoh’s car and got into Patrick Lim’s car. Idris Jusoh should have
realised then who really runs Terengganu.
Yes, RM1 billion a year is a lot of money. This money, which should
belong to Terengganu, is not going to the state. It is going to Wan
Hisham, Wan Farid, Patrick Lim and Khairy. And Abdullah chairs the
state meetings to decide how the money is spent. And Wan Hisham, Wan
Farid, Patrick Lim and Khairy help spend the money. And they spend it
all. And Idris Jusoh has no say in how it is spent. And if he refuses
to sign the papers he will get a phone call from Abdullah.
Now do you know who runs this country? Abdullah says he and not his
son-in-law runs this country. Idris Jusoh however will tell you that
Khairy runs this country. And Khairy also runs Terengganu and manages
its RM1 billion a year through Wan Hisham, Wan Farid and Patrick Lim.
And Abdullah chairs the Terengganu State meetings on behalf of Khairy
and according to the plan on how Patrick Lim wishes to spend the RM1
billion a year.
And now do you know why Mahathir is so pissed? And he has every reason
to be pissed. In fact, I too am pissed. And that is why I agree that
Mahathir stays pissed with Abdullah and his son-in-law. The Terengganu
issue alone is enough for me to get pissed. And rest assured that
Terengganu is but the tip of the iceberg.
Yes, it is nice being able to walk in the corridors of power. And much
can you do when you walk in the corridors of power. And RM1 billion a
year is nice to manage if you have that power to do so. And when you
walk in the corridors of power you would of course have that power
if the current PM falls
we should opt for a whole new concept of having any race as the
PM….this is Malaysia not a MALAY country.
Seriously if the Federal Government wanted to be relevant in the next election? Someone must be fired, rejuvenation can only work effectively.
Badawi has left out a lot of Sabahan & Sarawakian eligible MPs for the Cabinet line-up. Clearly this is unfair as they have won a big % of seats & without them, BN will lose the govt.
But a blessing in disguise is that they may defect to opposition, maybe not now but in 4-years time :) Good right?!
Let’s Check the Chinese Astrology Horoscope of AA Badawi…
Badawi was born in 26 November 1939, that makes him a Rabbit!
Reading “ Rabbit Career
This year of the Earth Rat may see a mixed bag for you career-wise. Your job could be frustrating, as the Rat’s energy could cause delays and mix-ups for you. However, some progress and expansion is possible, as the Earth element promotes growth for the Wood element, which is native to your Rabbit sign. There may also be opportunities for those who seek a change in careers. Relationships with your co-workers could also pose a problem, especially if you get involved in office politics and gossip.
Rabbit Relationships
While life at work might prove to be somewhat unfavorable for you, your domestic situation could well make up for turmoil on the job front. Your time is best spent with loved ones engaging in your favorite activities or just plain relaxing. In times of stress, your loved ones could prove to be your best ally. You are likely to find a new romantic interest, but try to take things slowly to avoid any disappointments in love — especially if you are not single! Friends might not be able to hold up their end of the bargain. Be emotionally prepared just in case.
Rabbit Health
The optimistic outlook from your relationships does not seem to carry over to your health. The fast-paced action from the Rat year could play havoc with your delicate Rabbit constitution. Your jangled nerves may cause you to be more accident-prone than normal. You may want to take more precautions, like being a little more alert and conscious of your environment. It is a good idea to bolster your immune system by getting plenty of exercise.
Rabbit Wealth
Along the same lines as your health, your wealth situation may have a dim outlook. Be vigilant in this year of the Rat, as you could be an easy target for swindlers and con men. When taking financial advice from others, it would be best to stick to people with whom you had a previous relationship with and can trust. The bright spot of the year is that long term investment such as a purchase for your home will bring you a good return. ”
So in conclusion = Badawi should spend more time with Jeanne & less time cracking his head on politics!!!
Aiyaa, just checked Khairy’s horoscope – he is also a little rabbit!!!
Rabbit – Rabbit compatibility very good one!
Good Team? Muhammad2Taib – sebab nila setitik rosak susu sebelanga! If he can be a Minister..I can be double times better Minsiter …I can read and write English mah ! Dont know what al Tiduri was thinking or who the hell advised AAB to select this nut?
AS for the Captain : Hanya Tuhan dapat membantu Malaysia ! ANyway ah,…better Pak Lah then Najib lo ! Then all of us get C4 !
Only one way now : all BN crossover to Opposition (BR) Please do it for us, Malaysian…. to save our beloved country.Lets paint Malaysia with colours of honestly!!!
uncle kit,
i love it, when u objected on sultan selection on MB, Umno ya ya only go after u. now in terenganu umno is shiting on each others face. i got the Hari Raya feeling. padam muka…….now you don’t say anything just sit behind and look see.
Mostly disagree with M Bakri Musa’s analysis of the supposedly ‘good tream’.
Nazri Aziz is good team?
Maximus Ongkili the rep of Sabah’s poorest Kota Marudu?
Bernard Dompok previously from Sabah’s second poorest district Ranau?
Ong Ka Chuan of Ong Brothers Ltd?
Ng Yen Yen Mrs Double Citizenship?
Liow Tiong Lai for health without any medical inkling?
Come on man….
M. Bakri Musa should come back to Malaysia if he wants to comment on Malaysian affairs.
It’ so easy to be armchair critics….
Disagree with Bakri – good team?? With a bad commander and mostly familiar faces in the cabinet, how good can the team be. In other countries, leaders resign over blunders and poor performances while some even shoot themselves in the head!
Only in the boleh land of Malaysia that leaders cling on to posts like leeches inspite of incompetence. Malaysia Boleh!!
Limkamput, if Amirsham Aziz has the same structure that he enjoyed in Maybank, then I am sure he’d be more than a capable minister. But unfortunately, I am sure he’d find that there is a world of a difference between the corporate world and the world of the government. We can’t compare Malaysia to Singapore in this respect. Singapore has created a cabinet of professionals and run the country like a business. Malaysia on the other hand has a cabinet with just one or two professionals and the country is run like a fiefdom.
AAB has too much trust in his fengshui master who put AAB at great risk to use 4 and 8 or combinations of them:
13 February dissolve parliament
13 days to canvass for votes
8 March GE
8pm results would be known
8 and 13 each repeated twice.
As I wrote in February and reproduced below, what I feared would happen DID HAPPEN!
AAB is a “eight” person. Birthday 26th: 2 + 6 = 8. According to popular numerology an eight person should at all costs avoid or not use any number with combinations of 4 or 8; such as 4, 8, 13, 17, 22, etc., as it may be in conflict with vibrations of “eight”. However, if he feels very strongly about a 4 or 8 number then he would go for it and dissolve Parliament on 13 February. But beware it could be great success or total failure. We believe he has taken a big risk tempting the “stars” to decide on his fate. His name number is “two” using modern numerology. If it had been also a “four” or “eight” also then his going for the 13th date would have been much more dramatic as the success or failure would be of tremendous impact not only on himself but also on the country. Just my two cents. Will the real numerologists please comment.
AAB should sue his fengshui master.
“But beware it could be great success or total failure.”
what is this, both ways you are correct.
“as the success or failure would be of tremendous impact not only on himself but also on the country.”
so if AAB won big on March 8, you can also claim credit now.
“Either the price of house is too high or the wage is too low, or both. I am not sour grape. ” limkamput
Now we know why he stays in an attap house! As a small time pimp, he struggles to make ends meet.
Here’s the entire letter [translated from Bahasa Malaysia] that could
mend Umno or break Mukhriz’s political career.
12th March 2008
Dato’ Seri,
Let me take this opportunity to thank you and the party’s leadership
for the faith in me and the chance to contest in Jerlun as a Barisan
Nasional candidate. With the blessing and hard work of the party’s
leadership and machinery as well as the people of Jerlun, I have won
the elections and am now a new Member of Parliament.
However, sadly enough, my victory is rendered meaningless in view of
the defeat that Umno and the Kedah BN suffered in the hands of the
opposition. Apart form Kedah, four other states as well as the Federal
Territories also received similar humiliation in defeat.
In fact your own state of Penang was wrested by the DAP from the BN.
Kelantan is again under Pas rules. In other states, the BN also
suffered a similar humiliation when the level of BN support by the
people has tremendously reduced. This, Datuk Seri, has never happened
in the history of BN rule.
The sole intention of my letter to you is meant to save UMNO and BN
from being rejected further by the people and from being no longer
relevant to our religion, race and nation.
Dato’ Seri, the people are unhappy and the message from them is very
clear, and that is they have rejected you as the nation’s chief
executive.
Contrary to your claim that you still have the support of Umno and
other component parties, the reality is that even our own party members
had reneged in their voting pattern by supporting the Opposition and
inflicting the BN its defeat.
Dato’ Seri, when the people held street demonstrations you openly dared
them to resort to the ballot boxes to demonstrate.
They took your challenge by coming out, especially tho people in the
Peninsular, and they demonstrated their feelings by voting us out at
the BN at State and Parliament levels.
It is therefore clear that your leadership and your handling of the
issues faced by the people and the nation are no longer accepted. Let’s
not deny the truth just for the sake of keeping your seat as Prime
Minister.
For the love of this country and the people, I beg that you take
responsibility for the defeat. We can save UMNO, the BN and the nation
only if you relinquish your positions as Prime Minister and the
President of UMNO.
Dato’ Seri, I hope you will understand that I make this plea with the
intention of salvaging a very dire situation. A move has been made to
woo the BN representatives to join the Opposition. The enemy needs just
35 seats more to topple the government of your leadership.
If you do not resign in the near future, I fear that the situation will
become untenable and that the Malay support for Umno and BN will be a
thing of the past.
This plea I make without malice, and I am aware that your reaction and
that of other UMNO members could very well be hostile.
But come what may, I am prepared, for the sake of the Malays and UMNO,
to face the consequences of my action. With all humility, I leave my
fate to Allah SWT.
Dato’ Seri, I am sure that you will do the right thing for the sake of
the people and the nation. May Allah SWT bless you for the sacrifice
you make by stepping down.
Wasallam
Yours Sincerely
Mukhriz Mahathir
Jerlun Member Parlament
Regarding his reasons for asking the other to step down as ‘Prime Minister and the President of UMNO’, Mahathir junior talks of people being unhappy judging from election results and that they have rejected him as the nation’s chief executive.
He talks as if the election debacle BN suffered has nothing to do with the depredations and corruption within BN in general and UMNO in particular and that PM was solely to blame.
Then he says that the sole intention of writing letter is “to save UMNO and BN from being rejected further by the people and from being no longer relevant to our religion, race and nation”, that in writing letter he is prepared to face consequences “for the sake of the Malays and UMNO”.
Next breath, he urges him to “ do the right thing “ for the sake of the people and the nation”.
You will notice that Mahathir junior, just like the senior, has equated the interest of “the people and the nation” as if it were the same as interest of “UMNO and BN” and their relevance to “our religion, race and nation”. This I submit is a parochial and exclusive approach excluding other Malaysians, typical of the stance of communal warlords waving keris and asking others labelled pendatang to go back to China or India! This kind of mentality has been going on for 50 years that is infinitely worhe stance more dangerous than the ineptitude of AAB’s leadership. If as Mahat elyhir junior says, the election results – that have brought a new dawn to Malaysian politics by allowing the development of an opposition coalition of strength equal and neck to neck with the ruling one, applying a brake to abuse of power by the latter, if the results evince that Malaysians have come of age basing their votes on parties transcending race and religion and all these paradigm shift is due to the alleged ineptitude of AAB’s leadership, then I say lets support this alleged ineptness and incompetent leadership of AAB, without which the shift in Malaysian voting behavior would not have changed and the parochial warlord mentality of such as Mahathir junior, still identifying the interest of “the people and the nation” as if it were the same as interest of “UMNO and BN” and their relevance to “our religion, race and nation” will be allowed to persist as it did in last 50 years to the detriment of the very concept of Bangsa Malaysia.
Sorry for typo errors in last paragraph – should be “This kind of mentality has been going on for 50 years that is infinitely WORSE and more dangerous than the ineptitude of AAB’s leadership….”
To Bakri I would say that if you express so glorious commendations of Amirsham Aziz’s and Zaid Ibrahim’s appointment – which I have no problem with – how come you don’t give an iota of credit to the one who made this appointment even if Amirsham/Zaid had not been fielded to contest seats in last election?? Why the selective criticisms? You complain about ‘Abdullah’s inept administration’ and said “we cannot allow Abdullah to do that; we must force him step down for the good of the country”.
If it were not for him, would Malaysians have been able to discuss freely the so called ineptness of the administration in the blogs and public discourse arena like for eg Bakri’s own blog which once being in public domain, is next taken up by an otherwise manacled mainstream media, bringing these issues to national attention even amongst those without internet access all playing a part as catalyst for this “political tsunami” that has come????
You happy with this “political tsunami”, then you thank AAB and don’t criticize and support his stepping down or else no more favourable “political tsunami” for us in the future!
Bakri Musa while he is right on his points, fails to ask the simple question – can Badawi simply ignore the realities of BN/UMNO politics? Can he simply get rid of the old guards and just replaced them with reformers?
Lets examine first the appointments from MCA, MIC and Gerakan which he has limited say. They are almost all new but they are not different than the old and not reformers. Those from Sabah and Sarawak are not reformers either. Meaning that 40% of the Cabinet are not reformers from the start.
Then the realities of UMNO politics – Even if you have optimistically 40% reformers in UMNO (reality is more like 10%), that means that you can only have 20% reformers at best in the Cabinet.
Reforming UMNO-led BN is just that hard. Its why a mediocre leadership can not get it done. Its why Badawi has to go despite the fact that no one else is actually better at the top. After you get rid of him, then you get rid of the next guy and the next until you get to the reformist group. Its the only way i.e., churning the top as quickly as possible.
During Senior Mahathir’s administration, he manacled Judiciary and restricted powers of traditional rulers by constitutional amendments.
To me, AAB’s appointment of Royal commission to enquire into Lingam Video Clip, albeit half hearted, did much to publicize the shenanigans of fixing of judicial appointments to the public’s horror, and his appointment of Zaid Ibrahim is intended to help restore public confidence in judiciary.
In Senior Mahathir’s administration, rulers were curtailed in their powers and they ceased to be powerful counterweight to the elected government as regards abuse of power by the latter.
Thanks to AAB’s perceived weak leadership, we see a resurgence of rulers’ power to have a say in appointment of MBs, the traditional preserve of the ruling government.
What has happened is that AAB’s “inept” administration has deconstructed and is promising further deconstruction of Senior Mahathir’s legacy of removing all check and balance.
That is why both Senior and junior Mahathirs are asking AAB to step down. Unless we relish Senior Mahathir’s legacy, we should support AAB’s continuance to further dismantle Senior Mahathir’s legacy, whether unwittingly or intentionally.
Who is the smiling guy in the photo?
A. the new king
B. the anak angkat
C. the new MB
D. the new PM
http://kickdefella.files.wordpress.com/2008/03/629s1197.jpg
http://www.futurecasts.com/Book%20review%206-1.htm
What is your problem? The central bankers worldwide especially the US has been creating one bubble to replace another. It is time to let those who are highly leveraged to suffer. The most central bankers, including Malaysia, are never interested in managing the economy. Instead, they are all interested in managing assets prices. Monetary policy is always skewed toward rewarding the highly geared and the adventurous and punishing those who are the prudent and the savers. I think most central bankers have ignored the basic lesson of economics which is: there is no free lunch. You can’t keep on creating money each time a bubble bursts. By doing that, you are actually creating another bubble.
I think most central bankers have ignored the basic lesson of economics which is: there is no free lunch” limkamput
Wow!! Hear! Hear! Kg. Attap’s kopi korek ‘economist’ takes on the world’s central bankers! Dr. Zeti Aziz, you need to take evening classes in economics. Your degree in Applied Economics from the University of Malaya is not worth anything! Alan Greenspan, you’ve been a fool! And President Bush, your MBA from Harvard is not worth the paper it is written on, and you’re an idiot for appointing Ben Bernanke as Chairman of Federal Reserve Board.
“You can’t keep on creating money each time a bubble bursts. By doing that, you are actually creating another bubble. “ limkamput
What money? What bubble? Purrleeease…!! And to think that this comes from someone who doesn’t know the difference between fiscal and monetary policy, their interaction and the rationale provided by new Keynesian economics favoring government intervention?! Gimmee a break!
this comment would probably be moderated again or even deleted.
ITS the pot calling the kettle black, i seriously think the so called barisan raayat has its own share of croynism and lousy wakil raayat.
commenting on barisan nasional is forgone conclusion. there is no credibility. corruptions started long before badawi, but unfortunately, he failed to stamp it off and rid it, but worst still harp on lies and more lies. he has bought the executive jet and build million ringgits mosque. it is not the size of the mosque,but the ummat that solat that matters most. as for the cabinet make up – sharir and zaid will probably resign soon. i met them, and they are guys with character. a fact.
back to the barisan raayat.
[deleted]
so uncle kit. strange partners you are having too !!
nevertheless, i hope the election promises will be fulfiled or else, next ge, the pendulum swings ……..
rgds
I am sure the two RCIs did a lot to educate Malaysians and prodded them to wake up to create more check and balance.
In fact if they just proceed further with the Lingam tape findings, there is much good that can come out to make Malaysia a more enlightened nation.
http://malaysiawatch3.blogspot.com/2008/03/forgiveness-is-good-human-trait-but.html
Ladygorilla,
I don’t want to sound cocky, but with coward like you I have to. I own more properties than you; I am sure about that.
Did I say those people you mentioned are not clever? They are too clever to be good. Clever people do not naturally do the right things. They can do things that favour the interest groups (like the bankers), big businesses and the highly geared. By the way, Dr. Zeti’s qualification is not Applied Economics but Analytical. Do you know the difference? And she has a Phd from Pennsylvania. Even one simple fact you can’t get it right, how can you ever open your big mouth.
When I first studied fiscal and monetary economics, you probably were still sucking milk from your mother breasts. So please don’t throw some big words to give an impression that you know a lot when in actual fact you know nothing. Ok, may be you know a bit, but not enough to know the exception.
I would love to debate further with you on this subject. But judging from the questions you asked, I don’t think it is worth my time. First, you don’t know what you are asking and second your questions are meant to insult. Why don’t you tell me something instead of asking incoherent questions that you yourself probably don’t understand. In case you felt in love with the new Keynesian and government intervention, that is actually another word for free lunch and I have told you there are no free lunches. Anyway if you understand Krugman rightly, you would not have asked me those stupid questions. But of course there are exceptions when the government ought to intervene sparingly to correct imbalance rather than to create a bigger imbalance. I don’t expect you to understand and therefore it is not meant for you. It is meant for other bloggers.
I would like to quote
“alaneth Says:
Badawi has left out a lot of Sabahan & Sarawakian eligible MPs for the Cabinet line-up. Clearly this is unfair as they have won a big % of seats & without them, BN will lose the govt.”
The truth for Sabahan and Sarawakian, Pak Lah don’t really give a shyt, He will rather share the federal cakes with familiar face thru senator appointment, he don’t really bother much abt it as there is not much business connection Sabahan & Sarawakian has to offer his son in law Khairy, as it has become a norm these ppl are consider outsider since they join BN coalition. Look at how he threatened Ahmad Said to prevent him to become MB of Terengganu, is this how a party leader treat its member? today he can threatened Ahmad Said, tomorrow who within UMNO will get such treatment? he’s pushing Hishamuddin to punish Mukhriz, but at press conference Hishamuddin chicken out to announce no action taken for Mukhriz. He’s now completely powerless, to punish people, to propose people to MB post, and the only thing he can do is wait for his time.
Jeffrey Says:
To Bakri I would say that if you express so glorious commendations of Amirsham Aziz’s and Zaid Ibrahim’s appointment – which I have no problem with – how come you don’t give an iota of credit to the one who made this appointment even if Amirsham/Zaid had not been fielded to contest seats in last election?? Why the selective criticisms?
Bakri has got an axe to grind with AAB lah… and he seems confused by AAB’s new cabinet: good team but Muhammad x 2… etc.
I don’t know about you guys but within UMNO I see AAB as the lesser evil amongst the possible replacements.
Malaysia’s hope: THE NEW OPPOSITION COALITION PROVE THAT IT CAN DO BETTER. Then we can truly have a new dawn.
One suggestion: If the coalition is seriously considering those wanting to cross over, they should work together to formulate a common guideline to weed out the opportunists from the genuine ones who wants change.
At he moment we have DAP proposing law against cros over and PKR wooing the BN MP’s which is a sign of disagreement.
The US sub-prime crisis in graphics – Part 1 & 2
The US sub-prime mortgage crisis has lead to plunging property prices, a slowdown in the US economy, and billions in losses by banks. It stems from a fundamental change in the way mortgages are funded. There seems to be no end to this and with the collapse of the investment banking giant Bear Stearn last week, it is believed more is to come.
It is inevitable the there is going to be a global economic crisis unlike the 1997 crash which started in the stock market, this has started in the core of the economy – Housing. In no time it will see our shores and our new cabinet has to be ready to face it. This two part article is to give us Malaysians a better understanding of this crisis preempt our government.
How it went wrong!
visit http://www.wagthedog-malaysia.blogspot.com
KUALA LUMPUR: The impasse over the appointment of the Terengganu Mentri Besar has to be solved by the palace, said Datuk Zaid Ibrahim, the minister in charge of law.
“The solution has to rest with the palace. The istana should undo this thing. They must pick the person who has the support of the House, otherwise this (crisis) will not end,” he said when contacted yesterday.
“It’s a constitutional government, and any attempt to thwart it is not justified.”
Zaid stressed that the appointment of Ahmad Said was not valid because he clearly did not enjoy the support of the House.
On whether the Prime Minister should go to the Terengganu palace to sort things out, Zaid said efforts should be made by all sides to find an amicable solution, otherwise the people would suffer. – STAR
Given the bleak outlook on the ruling party’s cabinet, it is a GOLDEN opportunity for Barisan Rakyat (BR) to make a clean sweep in the next general election.
BR work harder and don’t miss the opportunity!!!
“But of course there are exceptions when the government ought to intervene sparingly to correct imbalance rather than to create a bigger imbalance.” limkamput
What imbalance? What bigger imbalance??
It is clear from this one statement who doesn’t know what he’s talking about!
For someone who thinks monetary policy is about tax cuts and government spending and fiscal is about influencing money supply through interest rates, this is hardly surprising.
Here he’s talking about laissez faire economics whereas the issue is with how new Keynesian economics and supply-side economics interact to influence government policies.
I agree with what lkt-56 said in his posting at 10:16.34 above – “ I don’t know about you guys but within UMNO I see AAB as the lesser evil amongst the possible replacements”.
In contrast Bigjoe said in posting 08. 1400 above, “after you get rid of him, then you get rid of the next guy and the next until you get to the reformist group” but who is the “next guy and the next” that you think UMNO would endorse??? What if the next is another Mahathir in relation to whom ABB is opposite??? And where is the reformist group anywhere in sight near the vice presidency? You must ask whose premiership, whether intentionally or unintentionally and unwittingly, competence or incompetence directly or indirectly promotes nascent democracy and provides Opposition better than a fighting chance to be juxtapositioned almost 50-50 against the ruling coalition??
If we’re pro Malaysia, we must support he who feathers our nest and advance our Cause for the country’s betterment, even if he does so by default….
We are proud to tell the world that our country is lead by prime minister for 45 years since independence 50 yrs ago. Do you see any transformation beside rising fuel cost, more tolls, frequent use of ISA, press & media manipulation, corruptions, high profile crime (Atlantuya & Lingam), PM threaten to kick members, Istana Zakariah, the rise of Khairy, MB appointment, and SCOMI deals.
Tunku Abdul Rahman 1963-1970
Tun Abdul Razak 1970-1976
Tun Hussein Onn 1976-1981
Tun Dr. Mahathir Mohamad 1981-2003
Dato’ Seri Abdullah Hj. Ahmad Badawi 2003-Present
Will Pak Lah deserve the Tun title when he step down?
One thing for sure!
That old man will never change.
Never and ever!!!
ladygorilla says: “For someone who thinks monetary policy is about tax cuts and government spending and fiscal is about influencing money supply through interest rates, this is hardly surprising.”
When did I say this? You said it and there is no doubt in my mind at all you are a mega moron. You can’t even get the 101 right on fiscal and monetary measures.
Ok wise guy, how do you see the US problem today, supply side or demand side? How do you explain impending recession with high inflation or inflationary expectation? A little knowledge is a dangerous thing. Please don’t keep telling me economics theories. I know how and where to look up.
What I am saying is the government, either through the budget (fiscal) or the central bank (monetary), can’t keep on bailing out the adventurous and the highly geared, and those who believe in free lunches like you – doing nothing but getting all the benefits.
Ok, sorry, I have no free lunch like you. I have to go make some money first. If you want to debate further, tonight 8 p.m. Malaysian time.
A man who’s horny, greedy, and have a good apetite of woman will lost his leadership skill. Once this happen, he will listen to advisor like Khairy. This remind me the story of “Yue Fei” when he’s betrayed by “Chin Kui” an advisor to the king. UMNO has lost capable man like “Yue Fei” who is powerful enough to reform the party. In history many kingdom collapsed because their king indulge in woman & greed.
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For the sake of the people and the country, I do hope that the sultan and the king will not give in to him easily.
Giving in to him is just for his own party and today’s Umno do not represent all malays.
He needed Trengganu very badly is just because of the oil and that’s what President Bush is doing now in Iraq.
Dear leader Lim Kit Siang and Lim Guan Eng,
I heard that YB Teng Chang Kim had critisize the DAP top management which causing him to be totally out of the list for Selangor state exco nomination and out of everything…he had done a good job for democracy, for DAP and for the RAKYAT for so many years for 3 terms as state assembly man, I believe that RECONCILIATION is possible in DAP and let all of the top guns in DAP forget about the pass and work together as ONE for a better future for the RAKYAT who support them!Learn from other party or MP, who facing the same issue but able to solve it will benefit DAP and the supporters. It will be heart breaking for us, as supporters, to see the situation like this. We want to see a united DAP and leaders who care for all DAP MP and state assembly man. Come on, they are all your children as you had said in the newspaper, you will not disown a son or a daughter in DAP, right ?
You take, for example, the ‘Evil’ Soviet Empire.
Sure, the Soviet Union had economic problems, and had been ailing for most of the 20th century. But it was militarily mighty. In spite of American superior weapons of war, the Americans dared not take the Cold War powerful enemy, the Soviet Union on. For to do so would inflict unacceptable losses.
Then the Soviet Union got a half baked reformist leader in the person like Mikhail Gorbachev with his political rhetoric “Glasnot” (open up) and “Perestoika” (reform) – the two scalpels ostensibly to cut on the ailing patient- Soviet Union.
American President Ronald Reagan immediately recognized Gorbachev as a new breed of Soviet leader: he supported and encouraged Gorbachev.
Although Gorbachev could not implement reforms effectively within government in the face of rightist and conservative opposition within Soviet’s ruling establishment, yet his rhetoric of “Glasnot” (open up) and “Perestoika” (reform) posed a contradiction to the close and totalitarian and conservative mindsets of the Soviet’s ruling establishment.
It established a bench mark against which the ordinary people could take measure and be galvanized against the ruling soviet ruling establishment that later led to President Boris Yeltsin supporting Gorbachev against moves to oust him, with Yeltsin’s dissolving (illegally) the country’s legislature, opposing the rightists’ moves to re-consolidate power and to push forward with neo-liberal reforms, supported by the people…
What Gorbachev had done despite talking and not walking the talk (within a political culture and milieu discredited by the talk) was to cause an IMPLOSION of the totalitarian soviet system that even American Pershing and cruise missiles and nuclear weapons of war could not achieve.
The rest is history when US emerged sole super power without a single bullet spent.
All Reagan did was to brilliantly support he who undermined and caused implosion of a mighty totalitarian system from within. Never mind that someone was a half baked reformer and never walked his talk – as long as he talked and gave others space to talk. The rest would all fall in place neatly in due course.
There is a lesson to be learnt here on how to deal with a power otherwise unassailable reactionary and totalitarian enemy.
To all DAP leaders, don’t ever follow the footstep of the BN.
If any of you are not nominated in the state exco, why not forget about it and stick on as a parliament assemblyman.
Four or five years is not far away from now and don’t ever let greed destroy your future.
Neither you or the party will gain.
In the period of privatisation and globalisation, the foundation of responsible and accountable governance was not implemented….there were too many loop holes in the administration for exploitation and gross excesses and abuses.
The situation in the country is a direct result of decades of bad leadership and governance of the country.
Here’s some basic rules (not in any order of importance) if become BN PM:
#1. Never appoint anyone smarter than you. “Yesmen” preferred.
#2. Hire someone that is known to be more evil/idiotic than you. To make you look good. (including lack of language proficiency).
#3. Sent others (that you dislike) to clean-up any political mess for you.
#4. Appoint only a few good reputation people into cabinet, for PR purpose…just in case.
#5. Adopt “Banknegara” as Rukunegara.
#6. Sensationalise corruption issues but no need to convict anyone.
#7. Stay in power as long as possible.
#8. Set up corridors…or “back-doors” all over the country.
#9. Use up all oil-$ & royalties (Terennganu) while it last during tenure. Reducing subsidies will increase more chance of mark-ups.
#10. BN must be immune to all Laws of the country…including holding illegal demonstrations at mosques/state-buildings/etc, shouting racial issues over media, keris-poking, insulting or revolting against the Royalty & so on.
Dear YB LKS
Not sure if it was mentioned, but it is also high-time that our country adopt the max. 2 term as PM. Deputy-PM can also be of any race/religion. What’s wrong if a Kadazan or Bidayuh become a Deputy-PM if he/she is capable for the country? Are we not depriving talents to have a chance to serve the country? Malaysia cannot truly claim to be Truly Asia in this respect.
We need a re-borned of the late honourable TAR (in the 21st century) for the country. It all started off so well 50 years ago when TAR brought with him leaders of other communities to join him for the independence of Malaya. He initiated alone without success. But when he had the support of the other community leaders, the result was fruitful. The spirit of unity has been wiped out gradually since TAR step-down…especially in governing the country.
It’s high time we take back whatever pride that was lost 50 years ago. We need a 21st century TAR. We need a new independence. Independence from race-base politics & policies.
Jeffrey
“Glasnost” is the correct term I think.
DAP propaganda -> make use of the best and talented person … we hate ??
we support for open tender to make it transparent, since it is good and convincing …
BUT
can DAP top leaders give an explaination why Teng from Sungai Pinang is eliminated from Selangor exco list?
We critic UMNO that only give benefits to own favourite group or so called ?? …
Can DAP leaders give a tranparent explaination on how you select a candidate for Selangor exco?
Please stick back to the propaganda that DAP always have, that’s why u are choosen … we want to see opposition can take over BN … but this issue have let many ppl down … please well taken onto this issue
It is not the end of the world for Teng. People of his calibre can always leave DAP to set up another party.
Dear YB
Hope YB Teng CK will be given the Dep-CM post when the right time comes…? Presuming that it will be too hasty (for YB Tan Sri KI) to form that position right now & hope that YB TCK is working from within the BR-exco. Korek?
One person and two issues I think should be burried and not appear again in this blog, Teng Chang Kim, Selangor Exco and Deputy Chief Minister of Selangor.
This is not about the future about Teng, this is about the principle of DAP …
We critic UMNO that they only give benefits to their own favourite group … we critic why a non-bumi score many As with his hardwork and achievement, but rejected to enter local university, yet other has less achievement can enter
DAP critic this, but now DAP did this … this issue show that DAP doing the same thing that we critics always for the unfair policies … selection of your favourite person instead of talented …
We want to see opposition can take over the federal goverment or stregthen the support in the 5 states … but this issue let many people down …
Before 8th March election, i have to convince ppl around especially the eldest to vote for PAS, since the area of mine has only PAS and BN, tell them why we should vote for opposition … but now, they are asking me on this issue, how am i going to answer? They are not stupid person to know this situation …
Thanks HJ Angus, “Glasnost” it is, in this case it was a typo omission.
The impression that I got from reading Teng Chang Kim’s blog is that I feels he is a bit of an anarchist. I may be wrong.
There sure be enough reason why YB TCK is not in the Selangor exco list, the decision from the leader should be respected and take it gracefully. It is difficult to trust the leader, but to trust is to respect any decision even to omit a chance to become exco.
kit,
we have come to a point where we are cultivating a culture of highlighting the negatives so much so that we have overlooked the positives. This would be very bad if this negativity intrudes into our everyday life behaviour. When youngsters gets negative they looses their patience and eventually it transcends into low/bad behaviour patterns. That is why amongst the youth the culture of rebellion is prevailent. Its time we accentuate the positives and only then we will move on and become better souls.
Badawi is now reported to have said that he is going to seek an audience with the Sultan of Trengganu. HRH should simply give Badawi 5 minutes and tell him to either put up with the palace decision on the MB, or lose the state to PAS.
Faced with this choice, Badawi doesn’t need the 4th floor boys to choose the first option and live to fight another day.
I would like to bring up this matter to Lim Kit Siang and the rest of the DAP, PKR and PAS members on what really happened to Shahidan. I was in Perlis last weekend and spoken to the locals there. The reason why Shahidan wasn’t selected by the Raja of Perlis is because of the following reasons:
a) Land : Shahidan when he was a Menteri Besar amass great fortune by claiming land that do not have names listed it under his name. Raja of Perlis, of course do not like it as any land in Perlis without names or Title of the land belongs to the Raja of Perlis, not Shahidan.
b) Investor : There were many occassions when there were investors who came into Perlis and wanting to invest by opening up factories but Shahidan wants to have a share in it. Therefore, no investor have any interest in investing in Perlis. That is why the old Perlis 15 years ago still looks the same in 2008 except for the Ferri Terminal at Kuala Perlis to Langkawi. There was a hotel right in front of the Ferri Terminal in Kuala Perlis and part of the share of the hotel belongs to Shahidan.
c) Miss using public funds: There are a few government projects, eg. Little Putrajaya which was build recently and has just completed was spent unnecessarily. Who money were those? public!
Now, do you know why Raja of Perlis do not want Shahidan to be the Menteri Besar again? He’s lucky that he wasn’t dragged to the court for corruption. In fact, any UMNO members like him are easily off the hook because they have the backing of their cronies. The case of Idris is the same.
Many people asked me how was Kota Bahru when I was there on the election day (I was there for a business). I said I could not see any BIG MOSQUE there!!! Why?
But do you know the biggest sleeping Buddha temple in Malaysia is located in Kelantan?
And do you know that the biggest Glass Mosque in Malaysia is located in Terengganu (because the state is controlled by Barisan Nasional).
So, who’s the Islamic state here? Kelantan or Terengganu?
Jeffrey
I am sure it was a typo.
I just wanted others who read your good write-ups not to go away with the wrong info.
Anyone care to explain how come some constituencies having just 6000-10000 population is allocated for 1-MP seat & while in some areas of 100,000-150,000 also 1-MP seat only. The MP having to serve only 6000-10000 rakyat should have less pay/allowance/perks than the MP having to serve >100000…food for thought.
pjboy … there is no explanation … if you want explanation … ask uncle lim why Teng from Sg. Pinang that have 4 times of ADUN experience is not in the Selangor exco list, but choosen another 3 new faces
“Badawi is now reported to have said that he is going to seek an audience with the Sultan of Trengganu. HRH should simply give Badawi 5 minutes and tell him to either put up with the palace decision on the MB, or lose the state to PAS.” Godfather
Yep, one sure way to break the impasse is for the Party to allow the Sultan backed MB to formally take his place as head of the state EXCO, appoint his members, and then the Party can move a motion of no confidence against the man during the assembly. That would then force the Sultan to dissolve the state assembly and make way for fresh elections. If the sultan using his discretion refuses to dissolve the assembly, then administration would be paralyzed.
What next?? It would be interesting to see how the frail BN ship fares in unchartered waters.
Undergrad2,
Is our analysis here based on our biasness against BN. Can the Sultan really do this based on the state constitution (as well as the principles of constitutional monarchy and democracy; I give you the liberty to interpret whatever way you want on these principles)? May I know what happen if the Queen of England refuses to sign the bill pass by the House of Common that call for her abdication?
I am sure there is some arrangement made that we will know nothing about.
After all, “Malaysia Boleh!”
I think the Terengganu people have been cheated of their oil royalties.
sorry wrongly worded
not “is” but “will be”
“May I know what happen if the Queen of England refuses to sign the bill pass by the House of Common that call for her abdication?” limkamput
Wow…!! What do we have here?? A kopi korek ‘economist’ who is also a contitutional history and law ‘expert’???
hi pervert gorilla, what is your problem? I am sure you have no idea right, wannabe? You law also cannot, economics also cannot. I really don’t know what you are good at. Ya, i forget, pimping, making passes at female bloggers, expert in STD because you often get it. You have some expertise after all, sigh again…
# limkamput Says:
Today at 01: 37.10 (21 hours ago)
“But beware it could be great success or total failure.”
what is this, both ways you are correct.
so if AAB won big on March 8, you can also claim credit now.
*************
Thanks limkamput for your comments.
I apologize if I had given such impression.
What I meant was if he had chosen any other day say 10 March which is still a holiday or even another Sunday 16 March, he might have better luck and not severe swing up or down.
As I mentioned those were only my “two cents” and I requested, “Will the real numerologists please comment”.
there is no such thing as real numerologists or real fongsui masters. but there are real conmen.
Lebai Kamal bin Put,
So you are calling “fengsui masters” conmen and frauds! What next??
There’s a hokkien song
“sa hun ti chu tiah” “chit hun koh pak piah”
30% due to fate, 70% rely on yourself
Fengshui may account 30% the remaining 70% should rely on whether the leader fight hard to earn the respect from Rakyat. Once these leaders are arrogant, now some was fired (AP Queen – Rafidah & Tolls or parliament tools King – Sammy), some retained but slapped 5 times from the state (Opposition took 5 states), and 2 times (Perlis & Terengganu MB fiasco) from the Royal family.
For those who think that UMNO will be forced to reform itself, or risk becoming irrelevant, think again. There are now forces at work, led by Mike Tyson, to postpone the general assembly by 18 months. The official reason: To avoid confusion and anarchy.
The real reason: Need more time to consolidate power and to flush out the “traitors” who are supporting Razaleigh and Mukhriz.
A leader that tries to cling on to power when all around him are crumbling – the caption by Bakri should be “Same Team, Useless Non-playing Captain”.
Nothing short of a purge will save UMNO and that’s not gonna happen or happen fast enough to save some of them. Forces within UMNO are re-aligining themselves and for which time is needed.
I think Tengku Razaliegh may have waited too long to act. But then wounds run deep and the healing process takes time. Some sort of face facing is needed to smooth Abdullah’s exit.
Nothing can save BN UMNO…..their days in government are numbered.
The quicker the people put them out of their misery, the better it is for the country – in term of unity, harmony and advancement in a globalised and competitive world.
UMNO is trying to postpone their general assembly+ election to 2009. It was scheduled for 2007 but because of the GE2008, they decided have it after the general election in 2008, expecting a clean sweep to victory, I guess? The last UMNO election was in 2004.
What do you guys think of that? I take it as an attempt to delay Badawi’s ouster. His ‘advisors’ need more time to attend to get things in position, unfinished business perhaps?
ladygorilla, So you are calling “fengsui masters” conmen and frauds! What next??
Did I say that? What is next? Oh, i forget you are the biggest fraud and coward in town.
Jong, this is the one that impersonate you and I in other blogs.
“His ‘advisors’ need more time to attend to get things in position, unfinished business perhaps?” – Jong
I guess this time they are awaiting a LARGE import order of toilet paper. Remember, they say the job is not complete till the paperwork is done!. Either that or they are awaiting the arrival of a BIG eraser to erase the big mistakes.
“Jong, this is the one that impersonate you and I in other blogs.” limkamput
What’s the matter? Can’t fight your own battles?? Why should I want to ‘impersonate’ anybody but Lady Godiva – a character out of 11th century England that you have no inkling exists? It is not “Govina” but “Godiva” – dick head!
It is gorilla, you dick head! Didn’t you see this long ago? It was never godiva or govina, it is gorilla. Obviously you look like one, sound like one, and you are one.
Oh I have been fighting my own battle. I just want to alert Jong because she was the one who told me that pervert like you have impersonated me. Please don’t try to deny – a pervert can’t hide.
Unlike you who will take every opportunity to team up with anybody to whack me. I never behave like you although Richard Teo has repeatedly wallop you on my behalf. You are a pathetic ass, shame really.
ric23_my,
Someone ought to tell you that word “propaganda” that you used so often here is not the right choice of word.
hey limkaput,
don’t beat up on the poor lady! if you feel the need to beat up on somebody, take it up with somebody your own size.
you’re whining about your old lady and your mother on another thread and insulting the royal family on another! what’s that all about??
Ladies! Ladies!! It is time to leave this ‘ol fart alone. Enjoy instead the music of Bob Dylan
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VfF0uHekcc8
It is timely that we have our Royals acting upon what they deem is not right to the people. At least, the Royals (or Regents) have better advisers – they should replace the 4th floor hooligans! Some credit should go also to the palace advisers of today (they are the unsung heroes) to the Royals. Now I understand the importance of our Royals. In the younger days, it was only the Rukunegara being drilled into our heads but not the actual significance of it. Previous PM (also UMNO President) tried very hard to strip the Royals (previous generation) hold when they were not so united. Perhaps for this reason, they sent their prince to get the best education possible. We hope the future generations of Royals will continue with this height of wisdom. The recent events should be well analysed & put into true historical text & analysis for future generations to know the significance in a Monarchy-Democracy system like ours. The Royals have been quiet far too long or perhaps waiting for the right / important moments of calling – the current 21st century Royals have given us all Malaysians a light in the end of a tunnel. I have to admit the recent events also reconciled my feelings for our Royals. It is also good to know that we have more than one !!! DAULAT TUANKU (infinitely).
limkamput,
why the word “propaganda” is not appropriate? it will remain as “propaganda” as long as if we shout it loud, but we do not implement it … that’s my point …
(1) We laugh at abdulah holding too many posts as prime minister,finance minister and internal security minister.
– But we have exco in selangor that holding senior exco title, ADUN and Parliament.
(2) We fight against corruption and want transparency of properties that we belonged to BeeAnn leader.
– But when we take over the selangor government and claim that we will expose the properties of each exco. At the end? Give reason due to some family reason and will not expose it
(3) We shout Malaysian Malaysia, but after 2008GE, we argue and fighting to see which race one to lead which race and allocation of races within the state government
This is our goal, we should stand firm and go ahead with it … it not, it will always remain as a propaganda
ric23_my,
Points taken. Gradually I am also feeling the same. But I guess we still have to give them some time to do what they say they will do. May be through years of conditioning by our system of governance, I even fear that one day this blog too will be subjected to some censorship if our criticisms become too sharp and direct. But I hope not.
limkamput,
can take time, but they dont have much time.
Opposition should behave like a government now especially the selangor state, must responsive and careful with the words thrown out from the mouth …
statement from teresa like “i am the first one who swear in the assembly ceremony” and “i am senior execution exco that will take over menteri besar job when he is not in” is not appropriate … will only give impression that they are hungry for power …
if aware that declaration of assets of exco member involve some privacy issue, then dont promise the ppl that they will going to do that but at the end say cant make it …
ppl now are rational to understand that a change is not as easy as we can change it in a short time. ppl understand the reality of politic and there is huge efforts need to make in order to change …
what ppl dont like is if you know you cant make it in a short time then better dont promise. ppl dont like if we dont show an example when we asking ppl to do the same thing (eg: transparency) …
can someone give me the background of Teresa Kok? I have not really follow her rise to power.
Teresa Kok, she’s a sassy mp, she’s the ladies who has won the most majority approximately 33K, not even the prime and deputy ministers can beat that kind of record.