Datuk Seri Najib Razak failed his first test in Parliament as Finance Minister as he was nowhere around this morning to present a revised 2009 Budget for debate or to explain why a revised 2009 budget is not necessary.
When the Opposition Leader Anwar Ibrahim spoke this morning, the two blocks of Cabinet benches were totally empty – not a single Cabinet Minister was present.
Not only the second Finance Minister even the two deputy Finance Ministers were absent.
Where have they gone to? What could be more important than the start of the parliamentary debate on the 2009 Budget unless Parliament is totally unimportant in their eyes.
In fact, as I pointed out to the House, there was not a single official representative of the government who was present in the House to respond to the Pakatan Rakyat demand that the new Finance Minister should present a revised 2009 budget because the whole set of the 2009 Budget data tabled in Parliament on August 29 had been made obsolete in the past six weeks by the worst economic crisis confronting the world in 80 years.
In fact, the Barisan Nasional government has lost all sense of direction and is presenting a spectacle of a “headless administration” in Parliament – may be this was why there was the need for an “agricultural” study tour of BN MPs to Taiwan last month!
Anwar said UMNO and Barisan Nasional Ministers are guilty of “arrogance of power”
They are also guilty of the height of irresponsibility and contempt for Parliament.
Umno Ministers are more preoccupied with the Umno crisis and party elections than the world economic crisis and its impact on Malaysia – when the party crisis of Umno and other Barisan Nasional component parties after the March 8 “political tsunami” must be completely subsidiary and subordinate to the larger economic crisis facing the country as a result of the global financial meltdown.
Sad and pathetic that Parliament will have to debate an outdated and obsolete 2009 Budget – which cannot inspire confidence in the new Finance Minister or the entire BN Cabinet. Debating history of budget instead of budget for 2009.
If this is not dereliction of duty, I do not know what else to call it anymore.
You Pakatan Fellows, what are you waiting for? Vote of No-Confidence please.
What’s a timid -&- coward motion…
Be a man, show yourself, admit or responsible upon the mistakes!
If fail to deliver or resolve country economics, should they resign from the post of ministry? You -&- me know the answer, don’t you!
TQ.
Warmest regards.
Greetings! Kit
Is that mean we (PR) is now a government thus far Barisan N failed or doesn’t bother at all how nuch are the Rakyat’s sufferring.
Change over is a PRIORITY & MUST…
Yes 2009 Budget data tabled in Parliament on August 29 had been made obsolete in the past six weeks by the worst economic crisis confronting the world in 80 years…So Finance Minister needs time for officials in treasury to fine tune, refine for Minister to retable and meanwhile he dared not face questions in first sesson of parliament.
Pakatan Rakyat also dared not move motion of no confidence as promised on first session of parliament. So what’s the bourhaha last month about pressing the PM to convene on high priority basis a special parliamentary session during Ramadan month to enable PR to move such a motion just to preempt arrest of Anwar??? He has not been arrested yet, and Parlaiment has resumed session. Where’s the motion, more important than atacking the outdated budget and the FM?
I think we can now seriously ignore DSAI’s “I have 31 Kataks” comment.
Other PR leaders should resign to the fact that they will have to continue to play check & balance role against our incompetent government at least until PRU-13.
i think Najis and gang is meeting with some Alongs and seek their advice on the new budget.
YB LIM, aren’t this is the right time to table the vote of no confidence? how can the PM-to-be absent from such an important meeting?
go for it now!
Can we treat and afford to treat DSAI’s “I have 31 Kataks” comment so cavalierly?
DSAI at the press conference called Najib arrogant and irresponsible. At the same time he indicated that he was not going to move for a motion of no-confidence against the prime minister.
“For now, our focus is on the Budget,” he told reporters.
He did not give any reason why he was not going to move for a motion of no-confidence against the prime minister.
In what way is DSAI more serious and responsible than Najib that he criticised? Why is it that he could escape criticisms?
To vote against the budget tantamount of raising a no-confidence vote. I think the PR together with their 31 kataks will vote against the budget that are to be tabled. Absence of Najib may proved this.
He is escaping from the vote. Hahahahaha.
These BN MPs knew they were going to be hammered by the opposition today, especially when Najib himself is ignorant above what is going on with the world economy.
So, in order to avoid being shamed, they disappeared en bloc. Oh, they are so childish. Rather play hide and seek than to face the cane.
Apa punya sistem parlimen.
Bentang belanjawan, tapi perbincangannya selepas sesi yang seterusnya.
Maybe they have a covert agriculture study trip to Mugabe-land?
With DSAI’s failure to capture the govt by Sept 11, and the forever postponement of BN rep crossing over… the boiling point of the rakyat for a change in govt has quickly cool down. And many are slowly turning to Najib now, and giving him a chance instead.
Dunno what is taking PR so long to topple the govt?! Just to voice out how sad it is that the rakyat now has slowly lost confidence in PR’s empty promises.
Uh? I want a job like that. Got photos?
Does that happen often here?
If Malaysia was a real democracy, all the newspapers would be baying* for sackings on their front pages. I feel sorry for any Malaysian who is aware of a world beyond the NST – this has to be an awful embarrassment.
*I notice from recent postings that some visitors to this blog seem to think proficiency in English is what distinguishes the gods from the dogs. ‘Baying’ is the sound that hounds make when a pack of them is chasing a fox in the jolly English game of “scare the shit out of a poor creature and then rip it to shreds”. There you go, my act of magnanimity has elevated your position by one word. Perhaps you could use that word yourselves to impress a pompous old fart, should the opportunity arise.
Current Finance Ministers of Malaysia are COWARDS, IDIOTS, “IRRESPONSIBLE” and BUSY WITH THEIR OWN PERSONAL BUSINESS rather than helping the RAKYAT and not serious to represent the RAKYAT.
What a shocker that not even a cabinet minister was present in the Parliamentary meeting showing absolute total complete disregard to the welfare of 27 millions rakyat of Malaysia in face of global economic crisis. A formal complaint should be lodged with our Agong immediately. Our Prime Minister AAB should be reminded that even though he has officially said that he will step down in March 2009, but until then he is still very much the Prime Minister of Malaysia & therefore accountable as such.
Fed up of the govt and whoever claimed to have a reformasi!
Talk is cheap nowadays, anyone can make a police report and anyone can keep on talking without accountability. Many contestants to high posts in political parties which means to me many thought they have better qualities than whoever is currently holding the positions in leading the nation, the community. Are they seeing managing a nation is peanut stuff?… or are they taking rakyat for a good ride?
Don’t waste time on Badawi. Concentrate to nail down Najib and your are killing two birds with one stone.
What’s the big picture, Govt should be transparent and tell us.
Are any of our banks espcially smaller ones potentially illiquid with severe distressed assets wiping out the share capital requiring bail out to free balance sheet and recapitalisation? How badly severe downturn in consumer spending, manufacturing activity or contraction of labor market in the Developed world will affect us and our exports? What’s to be done? CPO exports down, will budget help our guys here to process Palm Oil Olein for example for exports? This downturn is likely most severe of the postwar recession we experienced thus far.
Give some time lah, a Finance minister need input and study by treasury officials on how to respond to crisis just unfolding the last few weeks. Think he could come out with solutions at his finger tips or revised budget so quick?
I agree with YB DSAI [ Parliamentary Opposition Leader] and YB LKS that new Finance Minister Najib should appear himself in Parliament to either tender a revised Budget or attend to questions from MPs on the Budget debate. It is sheer arrogance and irresponsible if he doesn’t do that. BN is still in a state of denial as the Sept. 29 2008 Budget is irrelevant now considering that facts and figures do not tally now with the world crude oil price dipping to US77.00 a barrel today!
There is a word for such atittude, it called “APATHY”. While the whole world is in financial turmoil and the gurus of finance and economy are trying to seek solutions to the problems. Here in Malaysia, UMNO is full hot air trying to score points as to who is going make what, under the new ‘so called leadership’ whatever that means. As for the people’s welfare? They be damned! The main stream media plays to the political gallery of the ruling party never mind that people are trying to earn living and the crime rate shooting up.
Very likely that C4 was hiding in one of those high class spas in the city. His favourite hunting ground :D
Who cares about the Parliament session. Enjoy first.
Jeffrey said: “Give some time lah, a Finance minister need input and study by treasury officials on how to respond to crisis just unfolding the last few weeks. Think he could come out with solutions at his finger tips or revised budget so quick?”
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Some time lar? There was 6 weeks lapse. Come on? What were the Treasury people doing for the last 6 months? Sleeping? Why wasn’t the new Finance Minister briefed and brought up to speed? Time and tide waits for no man.
This is pure dereliction of duties. The BN goons are too busy campaigning to maintain their gravy train.
bn mps are absent due to reasons only known to them or the fear of DSAI suddenly tabled vote of no confidence NOT ONLY ON PM BUT THE WHOLE BN or bn fearing their own MPs may JUMP SHIP!!!
in any case, if tomorrow’s sittings the same with lots of bn being absent, PK should doctored it & present to the Agung and Sultans that bn lacks interest in governing the rakyat to better prospect !!! thus, the Royals should be suggested to give the greenlite to PK to TAKE OVER !!!
no more mr nice guys to them as they have always being RUDE and arrogant towards the rakyat who put them to power to guide MALAYSIA !!!
bn still insists malaysia is still strong while the world collapse. what comment is this…just look at the KLSI and rakyats buying power will tell more than needs to be said. bn is surely being sleeping in front of the rakyat!!! they only need to wake up to ‘steal malaysia wealth’ and give sweet but empty promises to the rakyat!!!
sack ALL BN from parliament please…all are zero with economies and the concern of rakyat is also ZERO!!!
A First World Budget would clearly identify the key assumptions used in the Budget, and would have already considered the impact of changes to these key assumptions on the “Baseline” figures.
In other words, a proper and responsible Budget would have already run “Sensitivity” or “Scenario Testing”, and factored in changes to volatile inputs such as changes in Crude Oil Prices, Exchange Rates and other key variables. This is just prudent and standard budgeting process in first world countries and widely used in multi-national companies.
Najib’s non-presence speaks volumes! And definitely unacceptable.
If Najib as Finance Minister is serious about running the finances of this country, then, he should have been briefed by his people about the consequences of crude oil price falling to US$100, US$80, or even to US$60, and be already prepared a long time ago.
This non-attendance is utter stupidity by a completely irresponsible government.
Yes, go ahead and blame DSAI for all the country’s economic ills.
Let’s conveniently forget the role of the Government to run this country responsibly.
ha!ha!ha!ha!ha! I really cannot believe that the so-called UMNO goons are such COWARDS!!!!!!! Dare not face DSAI, is it? Ah, well, I think the rakyat now should give DSAI all the powers bestowed upon the rakyat to throw out our useless GOMEN!!!!! It is perfectly alright for you, DSAI, to bulldoze your way through. It is no more an unethical issue anymore. You have our permission to cause pandemonium in this country as long as dpm is kicked out for good!!!!!!!!
Oh yes, very disappointing indeed to see no-show amongst the Cabinet Ministers in today’s parliament. The fact that so many of those big headed bulls didn’t attend the session is absolute proof that they’re not interested in what Anwar has to say, and also a show of disrespect for parliament. I don’t think there’s any really important function that ministers need to attend today that could justify their absence.
Whatever we think, those blokes will make a statement – a stupid one – in the press to explain their absence and cover their asses. It’s time that we put a NO CONFIDENCE VOTE since the present cabinet is not the least interested in what the opposition has to say.
As the new Finance Minister, what could possibly be more important than Budget 2009, that caused Najib to be absent?
Should there be another thing in this country that is more important to the Finance Minister than Budget 2009?
If Budget 2009 is not important to the Finance Minister, then, this country might as well not have a Finance Minister.
It should be obvious to all that the Budget 2009 is the single MOST IMPORTANT thing to the Finance Minister, above everything else.
The Finance Minister, 2nd Finance Minister, the two Deputy Finance Ministers and everyone else should have been there.
To not be there is to clearly tell the world that Budget 2009 is simply not important, and that the views of the Opposition on Budget 2009 is simply equally not important.
What a load of croc by this half past six BN Ministers!
pakatan rakyat apa kau sibuk, aku berkuasa aku punya sukalah nak buat apa. aku sekarang sibuk nak perkuatkan kuasa aku dulu lepas tu aku nak relax kejap lepas tu baru lah kerja. apa kau susah debatlah dulu apa yang ada lepas tu barulah kita tengok macam mana.ala relax la…aku sibuk nak perhabiskan wang politik aku yang aku ambik dari kamu semua. relax dulu, rakyat jangan marah dan tak boleh biadap dengan pemimpin…kalau tidak siap kau…aku tak turunkan harga minyak…
In a prudently managed corporation, the risk managers would have simulated the various scenarios and the corresponding actions to take.
Running a country where 27 millions lives depend on the government action such inaction or apathy is completely intolerable.
Dereliction of duties! Vote of no-confidence!
In laying out the Proposed Spending in Budget 2009, the Government has clearly made many ASSUMPTIONS in its revenue.
The critical assumptions are probably Crude Oil prices, and global commodity prices, since a large chunk of Malaysia’s income is dependent upon Petronas profits.
It is obvious that with such huge fall in global commodity prices, our Budget 2009 Revenue will be adversely impacted.
And yet, the proposed Government Expenditures do not appear to be linked to the volatility of global commodity prices.
Can the nation afford to continue to spend this Record Planned Expenditures, when, it seems our Government Revenue will be hugely and adversely impacted?
The immediate question then is shouldn’t our Government scale back some of these Proposed Expenditures?
If not, what is the impact on the Deficit?
There are a million issues and questions, and for BN MPs to be absent and engage in a dialogue to explore all these implications suggests that BN Government is being completely irresponsible with the Budget 2009.
A prudent and responsible Government would already have the answers to all these questions, before they even submit the Budget 2009 for the First Reading!
Useless half past six BN Ministers!
Kevchua said: “Whatever we think, those blokes will make a statement – a stupid one – in the press to explain their absence and cover their asses. It’s time that we put a NO CONFIDENCE VOTE since the present cabinet is not the least interested in what the opposition has to say.”
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Yeah, must probably they will say that they have were in Zimbabwe on Mon, 13th Oct 2008 to study their agriculture.
The new FM and his lapdogs do not have any financial credentials at all. They are just too interested to fatten their pockets and survival. See, on the very first day of parliament they dare not face questions from the opposition on the new Budget 2009.
How to run the country and move forward with this bunch of bums who haven’t got a clue where the country is heading especially in terms of economy.
But PKR, keep pressuring these guys. Dont give them a chance. The rakyat is eagerly watching how these bums perform in the current political and economic scenarios.
Not only the second Finance Minister even the two deputy Finance Ministers were absent.
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This is absolutely appalling and deserves to be condemned. Can anyone doubt that BN has completely lost its legitimacy to govern if it exhibits such irresponsible and reprehensibel behavior? What are we paying this people for? At the very least, I would expect that they should be showing their presence and if not, arrange for a suitable back-up. This also indicates that Najib is not fit to be PM if he cannot handle the responsibilities of FM.
The world is going into a global recession because of the worst financial crisis in a lifetime. Just look at the amount of wealth that has been wiped out globally in the Americas, Asia Pacific, Russia and the Middle East (except for Iraq). This is going to work its way through the global system. That is why you see so much coordinated effort between all the countries to Central Bank interest rates not only to unfreeze the capital markets but also to try to avoid a global recession. Commodity prices are falling. Durable goods such as autos are already feeling it. Be sure this is going to hit Malaysia very soon in the next months as the shrinking demand works its way through and it is going to be bad. I have yet to see a pro-active plan on how we are preparing ourselves for this.
It is the height of total disregard and arrogance for our financial leaders to be absent when the Budget is being debated.
Is it not possible for the remaining MPs present today to vote against the Budget? Or are there more silly Standing Orders to contend with before this can be done?
When are the other branch of Government going to step in and settle this farce, once and for all? Are they allowed to act only during the Conference of Rulers no matter the state of the nation?
I am totally puzzled!
Member of Pakatan Rakyat just know how to talk, but dont know how to do. Member of BN know how to talk , how to do , even do more than they are needed to do, doing rubbish, enrich themselves, quarelling among themselves. Why cant Pakatan Rakyat shut their mouth if they cant do what they said and do what they can do as a opposition member. Voting for no confidence to PM, form PR government, lowering down the tax on Selangor … All fail. A father should do what he promised to their children, politician should do what he already anounced to the people. No credibility on the leader of both BN and PR. PM from Malaysia should be chosen from all citizen in Malaysia and not UMNO or Pakatan Rakyat. This two party cant be reliable. All make us disappointed
I really admire DSAI, the way he handled this budget issue today. He is an experience MP who should be the PM who are able to manage our country well. DSAI, we support you. Please take over the gomen if you have the number without further delay. However, I still believe that DSAI does not have the numbers. Hopefully I am wrong.
our law makers are they hiding now with current finacial meltdown.
how can they be so unresponsisble with 27 million Malaysian rakyat faith on thier hand?
oh LKS please make sure vote of no confidence in the next parliament open tomorrow.
“The international leaders of the world have finally agreed to guarantee “everything”. This is the most ridiculous thing I’ve ever heard in all my years of investing in the financial markets. Let’s think about this as a solution. With their guarantees, nothing really changes. Bad Debt is still bad debt. The Government will step forward to provide guarantees. It does not mean that the failures will stop. They will continue to be revealed in the news. The Government will print more money in an attempt to stop or slow the rate of failures.” quote david spurr
Jeffrey said, “Give some time lah, a Finance minister need input and study by treasury officials on how to respond to crisis just unfolding the last few weeks. Think he could come out with solutions at his finger tips or revised budget so quick?”
I tend to think that he is too busy putting out the fire which threatens to engulf him and his future as PM. The country is free falling.
Those who voted for BN on 8 March 08, what say you now? these BN ppl (cabinet ministers) are so irresponsible !
feel very sad for malaysia !
Sorry Kit, sidetrack a little.
Teresa Kok suit against utusan was bashed by the president of all bloggers.
Freedom Of The Press, the way rockybru sees it.
Blood-Suckers
GE 13 – No matter what, we must ensure that racist umno bn do not regain the power like they had for the past fifty one years.
It is a pity that the new Finance Minister has not present.
It was also look strange that our leaders are very quite on what is happening on the world finance crisis and no one seem to offer any clue what this mean to our Malaysian financial institution. Every one is busy at the party level.
May YB Lim offer some news how the current world crisis will affect us? It our banking and financial institution remain sound?
Easy …. just logged all the MPs attendance for each sitting.
put these reocrd up in this blog ….
rakyat will know what to do next..
Give some time lah, a Finance minister need input and study by treasury officials on how to respond to crisis just unfolding the last few weeks. Think he could come out with solutions at his finger tips or revised budget so quick? – Jeffrey
No matter what happens, shouldn’t they be in Parliament?
The Altantuya Scandal emerges again together with many other indecent stories related to DPM in Malaysia Today. Perhaps he was trying to avoid feeling awkward in front of everybody.
They are afraid that PR will call for a vote of no confidence on BN.
Don’t blame them. Najib wants to be a PM even if it is for a day
It must be very interesting to note the absence of several key cabinet ministers when Parliament reconvenes this morning. Why are they behaving like that? Why do they need to shy away from facts when this unbecoming behaviour of not attending the session is uncalled for. Rakyat Malaysia have elected the wrong choice of leaders to serve the Rakyats’ needs. Mr PM is very quiet over this and you called this an effective leader or CEO of the country? ? ?
There is something not right with the system anymore under the BN banner. BN are poor losers evidenced by the conduct of their leaders at State levels where they have lost recently.
Dear Mr. K S Lim,
In these difficult time it may be the right time to get the government to keep an eye on our total debt. At the moment it is presented in fragmented form. The figures should be consolidated and presented on a regular basis. Say like the currency exchange rate.
PS. Could you please reise this in Parliament.
I was gob-smacked to learn that the PM and the DPM/MoF were not in Parliament today. They ask for respect but they do not reciprocate. Mr Lim, I think they didn’t want to be in Parliament today because they didn’t want to be around to witness a vote of no-confidence. Methinks they were afraid of someone! You and the Opposition should assume the mantle of leadership as the so-called leaders have discarded it.
Again this reflects a tactical flaw on the part of the opposition. It is not something clearly that the BN feels challenged or threatened about enough to show their faces or to hear criticism. And thats often a device available to a government in parliament where they do have a majority.
They are like most governments with a majority able to push through whatever legislation they desire where the opposition has nothing clear in the form of a strategy and are found to be impotent with little to offer in alternative policies.
Complaining and wishful thinking will not in anyway cure the defect of the oppositions impotence in parliament and its ineffectiveness as a whole.
Oppositions can only be effective where challenges to government moves or strategy is well thought out and meaningfully coordinated to deliver a counter effect.
Where an opposition merely challenges a government because it feels it has an obligation to do so because it is in opposition is doomed to failure and is a dereliction of duty. It makes a mockery of the system.
There are other equally effective forums on which to challenge a government and its budget and this could involve the use of pressure and self interest groups and the media.
However, where the histrionics of parliamentary theatre is the preferred means to debate a budget, then you are going about it the right way.
It is time that heteredoxity found a place of prominence in the mindset of people who have for decades been only in opposition. Such a situation of being permanent opposition and professional opposition creates that “always the bridesmaid never the bride” mentality incapable of changing anything or creating anything new.
SMS from Kerala read” today’s the 13th,this number no good for you, avoid at all cost,pantang do not attend.Repeat do not attend,danger!!!”
On the one hand we have a Govt that is without direction or commitment. On the other, we have an Opposition that is toothless and beginning to sound like Pak Lah’s empty promises.
All these in the midst of the worst economic crisis the world has ever seen since the Great Depression.
Not sure which is worse. The Govt. that is oblivious of the impending financial tsunami and the Opposition that has promised to do something about it but unable to deliver.
The original record-breaking budget was crafted just for the UMNOputras to rape the country clean.
So what’s the need to revise the budget for?
ZZZzzzzzzzzzz
sigh… Pakatan Rakyat… quickly form the new federal government,
we then only have brighter future!
“On the one hand we have a Govt that is without direction or commitment. On the other, we have an Opposition that is toothless and beginning to sound like Pak Lah’s empty promises.” Cinapek
To those PR supporters like Cinapek, please show a certain modicum of patience. We have had 22 years of Mahathirism followed by 5 years of Bodowism, and yet we expect that we could turn things around after 7 months – AND in a minority at federal level.
If you look at the line-up of people like Najis, Muhyiddin, Mike Tyson, Mukhriz, Azalina, etc, it is clearly reflecting the return of Mahathirism – mega projects, cronyism, nepotism, use of the ISA, muzzling of the press. Merely trying to point out the excesses of Mahathirism will consume most of PR’s time.
Worst case is that we ensure that Najis will even have a shorter tenure than his predecessor at the next GE. Like I said in previous posts, don’t expect thieves to reform, so PR is still the better option.
Najis has more urgent matters to attend to (e.g., deleting the sms on Telco’s server), thus his absence in the parliament. He will pee in front of DSAI, so don’t expect him to turn up and debate with DSAI.
Absent from Parliament does not mean the government is afraid to face Anwar. It is because we feel totally unnecessary to debate with him on such matter which does not benefit anyone at all. Any responsible politicians will know that the budget has been approved and there is no need to have any revision just because of the financial meltdown in the US. The US has made a huge mistake and the consequences should go back to them and should not be shared by other countries. Furthermore, Malaysia’s economy is strong and robust enough to withstand any financial crisis. Datuk Seri Abdullah Badawi also said Malaysia is not affected by this crisis. It is very obvious that the opposition is using it as an excuse to attack the government and later try to pass no-confidence motion. We feel tired to see this old trick being used again and again. We feel that they are totally wasting time to argue over something that was over and done with. I believe our people are wise enough to see that so far, the only thing PR does is to argue over everything they could argue but did not come up with any that is constructive and sustainable. I feel ashamed for the people who still continue to give supports to this cunning liar and traitor.
It is like going through the motion in asking the new FM to present a new budget. If PK is quite certain about taking over within the next few months, probably before March 2008, then PK should make use of the time in parliament to discuss issues that PK had wanted to discuss when it requested AAB to convene on an emergency basis during Ramadan. The people are more interested in a change of government than in changes to the budget which in any case would be prepared by the same set of civil servants. The budget has always been used by the government to create vote bank. They should only be allowed once a year, but not another bite during the same year.
Would PK seriously believe that BN government would be able to do a good job expected of them? PK should look into creative use of the time when the parliament is in session.
Kasim Amat Says
“Absent from Parliament does not mean the government is afraid to face Anwar. It is because we feel totally unnecessary to debate with him on such matter which does not benefit anyone at all.”
Hello friend! If the government doesn’t need to answer to parliament then why the hell do we taxpayer’s need to pay the salaries of our parliamentarian’s? The government must be prepared to to put their policies and proposals under the scrutiny and questioning of the parliament.
That’s what we taxpayer’s are paying them to do. Else please fire all the parliamentarians immediately and stop paying their salaries and benefits. Why pay for yes-men that will not scrutinize and question the decisions of the government?
THIS COUNTRY IS REALLY GOING TO THE DOGS. DSIA, DON’T WASTE TIME BEING A GENTLEMAN. DO THE NECESSARY DO WHAT YOU MUST DO AND DO IT FAST.
I have said it before and I will say it again.In 1998,when the asian tiger economies were falling one by one,our leaders kept asssuring us that our economy is strong FUNDAMENTALLY! See what happened?We fell hard-economy and currency wise.So hard that No.1 and No.2 fought tooth and nail until one had to go to jail on trumped up charges.No one was spared-corporate as well as private enterprise fell flat.
And those who thought that ‘cash is king’ held on to it thinking that they were safe.They were not safe.Consequently,everybody suffered.
Fast 4ward to 2008,again we hear from our Finance minister that our economy is FUNDAMENTALLY strong,foreign reserves at all time high.Are we going to believe the same old line again?Look,If the world around us are falling like 10 pins,can our guru minister assure us-better still guarantee us- that we are so blessed not to be affected?Even our next door neighbor is now in recession.
Let us not go into denial mode again.
sighhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh
Kasim Amat says MPs don’t have to be present in Parliament. By the same token, all the civil servants can stay at home and still get their salaries. After all, Kasim Amat believes in “gaji buta”.
Stupidity at its height – this UMNOputra.
Kasim Amat also believes that if you question too much, and they cannot find the right answers, the gomen should just detain you under the ISA.
Thanks,Mr Lim, for telling the world about ministers who never turned up. They are just shooting themselves in the foot.
The Daily Mirror will scream on the frontpage: “Where have all the ministers gone?”
The London Sun will yell: “Ministers gone AWOL”
The NST will say: “???????”
It’s a crying shame the rakyat are going to be governed by this bunch of jokers. We are surely the laughing stock of the world.
There is no need to revise the budget bcos we are not facing recession in Malaysia according to AAB and our newly appointed British trained Finance Minister as our economics are fundamentally strong. Just revise our commissions will do. No need to debate on such trivial issues in Parliament.
though i want bijan down with aab together, but must be fair too with bijan also, he’s just recently promoted to finance minister, previously he’s defence, portfolio that no related with money – mana ada masa to study out the budget! you orang mesti gila punya to think he’s superman can absorb whole budget in 1 mth. even he’s economy background, he’s no lky or cambridge 1st stud lah….
speaking about dsai, last time he was finance that time, he too sparred with lks in 1998 when lks grilled him the effectiveness of the budget to tackle the crisis that saw greenback jump from 2.7 to 3.8! and all dsai did was repeating the same statement (he read from his paper) 2-3 times, and belittling lks saying he knows nothing. apalah dsai…..
If YB Najib absent but still have representative from Finance Minister to attend the parliment meeting, this still can be acceptable but nobody come. If the opposition has question to be asked then as the member of government has to be come to answer, the question relevant or not is depend on the view of Yang Dipertua Parliment and not YB Najib himself, or surely not Kasim Amat. If a question from opposition is not bordered, what for to have opposition, what for to have parliment. Then BN can do what they want to do freely. Strong country like Japan, Amerika , China are affected by bad economic situation, they are endeavour to find solution, will Malaysia are not affected ? YB Abdullah dont talk lie to us, we are not stupid and dont lie yourself.
parlimen is for bbc only, menteri got important things to deal rather doing idle chat with oppos that kept goal shifting, tak bermatlamat langsung….. what’s more important to negotiate billion investment deal with potential investors and discussing peaceful power transfer than empty talks.
Uncle YB LKS, you told the GOONS to burn the ‘midnight oil’ to come out with a revised budget, remember?
They took your advice but couldn’t come up with the new proposals, so they PONTENG en masse lah!
Ha ha ha.
YB LIM, from what i see is that Pak Lah is quite smart afterall, he is only handing over the premiership to Najis march 09. so PR cannot table the no confidence vote as he is leaving. since Najib is the FM now. PR should nail him now. Rakyat is dying to NAIL him.
it looks like Anwar has to wait till Najis swears in as a PM before the vote of no confidence can be tabled. correct me if i’m wrong.
five months is a long time, these crooks will by all means try to make sure that their MPs will not crossover. so Anwar will have to act now and approach the DYMM SPBYDP Agung with the Absentees list for not attending such an important sitting in the Parliament. an also the current market crisis the Rakyat is facing now. not forgetting the Crude oil prices.
my hammer is ready, just waitng for your nail.
Hey Kasim Amat,
Malaysia belongs to all Malaysians, the MPs are the representatives of rakyat. We rakyat MUST know how you spend our tax monies. Furthermore, UMNO does not have any talented people to convince us how to spend our monies. I repeat, the suppose budget is our taxed monies, NOT belong to UMNO and you. Absent from parliament means look down rakyat and insulting our votes. You just like other stupid UMNOputra, only use “kidney” to think, please regain your own brain.
Our economy may seem “fundamentally strong” for now. That does not mean our economy is immune from the financial meltdown occurring in the developed countries. Our central bank and finance ministry must have the ability to adapt and react immediately to the global economic changes.
We all live in a highly globalized world. The situations are interrelated and anything is possible. We must be able to prepare for the worst.
If the developed countries are down into recessions due to the credit crunch crisis spiralling out of control, our export industry will be impacted when global demand reduces especially from the west. There will be less palm oil or electronic goods to ship out from our country.
To sustain profibility, manufacturing plants may be forced to take steps to cut down expansion plan, cut head counts, freeze increment and bonus, or whatever downsizing measures. No matter how cheap our currency is, the export industry may shrink due to weak demand simply.
To address this issue and sustain economy growth, the government will have to spend more money on mega projects and encourage domestic spending, calling the support from the private sectors. To raise more money, the government will have to either issue additional bond, rely on the price of natural resources such as petroleum and commodity, cut subsidies, or cause the people to pay more taxes.
This is a complex situation, as we know the price of fuel and commodity has been falling. In either way if the government is spending more than its income, causing large deficits in the long run and finds itself in difficulty to repay debt; the government will be on the blink to file for bankruptcy protection and all of us will be in deep trouble.
Back from the sample scenario above. The announced 2009 budget was the highest ever, with RM208 billion being allocated. Where does all the money come from? I bet the government was banking largely on cashing in the high price of crude oil at the time. The economics world is volatile and prone to changes especially at times like now. The fuel price has been going south ever since due to fear of a potential global recession that may reduce energy demand (and yes everyone has been wondering when will the next pump price adjustment be?).
Yes, we have been able to pull through the 97 currency crisis and the government deserved a pat on the back for its strategy in handling the crisis, but every crisis is different in nature. 97 crisis was mainly caused by massive borrowings in the form of foreign currencies by domestic corporations to plan for business expansion.
It was brilliant and inexpensive way to raise capital until the crisis emerged where USD had strengthened enormously. This time around, we see crisis where financial turmoil has started from the subprime mortgages in the developed countries.
Question is: When globalization does hit us right on the nose and our country is in economy downturn, do we have plan B? Or do we stick to the original approved budget?
This is a sick country ….created by sick leaders and full of shit personalities and keep talking UMNO stuffs…and when matters concern most to Malaysians…..yes Lim Kit Siang is right…WHERE ARE THOSE BIG GUNS???
My comment seems to be under moderation. I will try again……
Yes…where are those big guns?
Why are they not present talking about budget….the most important subject to all Malaysians?
hahahahaha….must me mild mannered and nice to get approval!!
human1 says “To address this issue and sustain economy growth, the government will have to spend more money on mega projects and encourage domestic spending….”
I agree that spend money on so called “mega” projects will sustain the economy, but we have to correctly specify type of project to be implemented. Building more “monuments” will not sustain the economy. The BN government had built a lot of “overprice” & “underutilized” projects during the last 2 decades. For example, Clinic Tonggok in Sabah cost 16 mil with no fulltime medical officer, a 200mil hospital in Lahad Datu with only 6 MO (no speciliats) available at that time (2003). I called it a waste of money.
As for global economy meltdown. First, we must identify the possible effects onto Malaysia. It is financial market credit crunch mostly in G7 countries. Most of the central banks have taken action to bail out their trouble finance institutes or nationalized them. On another words, the governments become the biggest shareholders of the troubled banks. Meaning the biggest losers are the governments. But this does not mean that Malaysia will be weathered from this crisis.
Prior to this, the global market has been hardly hit by high oil rice, many people from the non-oil production countries have suffered from this (including Malaysian). The economy has already generally slow before the financial market meltdown. The financial meltdown is only further worsening the economy. People around the globe generally further tightening their belts. This means non-neccessity products like electronics products (world GDP around 25%) will be hit, property demand will be dropped. Cars demand will be dropped. Entertainment market will be hit. Tourism / travelling will less, …… well ,if these are to be happened, ask Pak Lah and Najib Malaysia still not to be affected???
It is very simple solution. Since these elected representatives are NOT interested in their elected duties and responsibilities, DO NOT elect them in the next general election.
Although the next election may be some time away, we take note of their failures, and record these failures in our diary to remind us that when the time come for general election, we will throw them OUT.
WHAT CAN WE DO TO CAUSE REFRESH RE-ELECTION?
jacksojulian,
The PM still insists that our country can weather this storm. I don’t know what the PM and other ministers were talking about on TV. They even insinuated that our neighbour Singapore was not good at managing their economy. Hence the economic recession is hitting them.
My view is that ours is a commodities exporting country, so the impact of economic recession hit us slower. But our ministers are smug to think that our economy is so well managed that they did not find it necessary to revise the 2009 budget to cope with the onslaught of this economic recession.
We export so much electronics products to USA and other G-7 countries. It will definitely hit us, especially here in Penang. Yet, it is strange that the ministers didn’t seem to bother. To them, party elections is all-important.
When our minister is bombarded with difficult questions from the Opposition, they answer in this manner: “soalan ini tidak relevan” as Finance Minister 2 did LGE yesterday. Think of it, when billions of rakyat’s money is involved, the Finance Minister still respond like this. Yes, somebody says it to this effect, ‘the government seems not in charge’.
Right-thinking Malaysians do not understand why the BN government, in particular the new Finance Minister, is so adamant and reluctant to table a revised 2009 Budget in Parliament. Are the so-called powers to be so scared to face reality in present-day politics? Are they thinking in terms of the nation’s economy and also the welfare of the people? Two polls [in the Bahasa Malaysia and English bulletins] conducted by NTV7 among viewers last night revealed that more than 90% agreed that a new 2009 Budget should be tabled in Parliament! So what about it?
Cant you all see.
Najib is of the view that malaysia’s fundamentals are still strong.
So no problem.
Dont worry.
Keep it cool man.
Like najib razak.
melurian,
you are wrong.
and i am not telling you why.
AS LONG AS NAJIB DO NOT “CLEAN” HIS IMAGE AND NAME THROUGH THE COURT OF LAW, “HE IS STILL LOOK DIRTY AND CORRUPT LEADER”. THEREFORE MAY NOT FIT TO LEAD THIS COUNTRY.
BE COURAGE TO “CLEAN” YOURSELF FROM :
1. MONGOLIA CASE
2. SCOPENE
3. C4
4. EUROCOPTER (LATEST)
5. “EXPENSIVE “WATCHES” (“MILLION RM”) and many more.
DON’T JUST “SUMPAH”. GO THROUGH THE PROCESS OF LAW AND SUMMON THOSE ACCUSED YOU!
SUMPAH IS JUST THE BEGINNING OR STARTING POINT AS “WITNESS” IN THE DOCK. THE PROCESS OF “CLEANING” YOURSELF IS NOT COMPLETE AT “SUMPAH(SWEAR)” STAGE. AGAIN I STRESS: IT JUST THE BEGINNING!
“BERANI KERANA BENAR TAKUT KERANA SALAH.”
Badawi looked really bad when trying to assure viewers on Najib’s good character.
Body language was lacking confidence and tone was so unenthusiastic.
http://malaysiawatch4.blogspot.com/2008/10/malaysiakini-on-pms-call-to-have-faith.html
another mentally retarded Kasim Amat guy is here.
it is alright no need to present to parliament all law makers just go back and sleep and counting your money. no debate in parliament,
thats what we taxpayer want?
stupid kasim Amat
The whole bunch of ruling MP can ignore parliment session mean they can too ignore the rakyat cries. I think the only solution on this matter is follow the thai people way of toppling the goverment.
What say you YB Lim, you lead the uprising like limthongkul?
Heard that some banks are already facing liquidity problems. This is real serious and its totally irresponsible and callous that the government of the day choose to run away from their duties. If they indeed were more engrossed in the UMNO elections than running the country then the rakyat was not wrong in wanting change. So, BN please do not blame the Opposition since you are totally incapable of running the country. Too bad the Opposition did not win the last GE. We will all suffer under the current regime now, more so with the global meltdown.
“Heard that some banks are already facing liquidity problems.” quote Toyol
wow ! is it true?
YB lim please make sure today parliament session bring up to debate the budget for 2009, and how we can counter the credit meltdown if thing get worsen. it is upmost important to the Rakyat.
NST today headline; Pakatan Rakyat wasting people time.
Let me tell you BN, you are wasting rakyat time and money lah.
Economic recession is a serious matter.
All of us, had better stop poking fun at the government and the ministers for a while and be serious. At this critical moment of the impending economic recession, ask what we can do for the government and ask not what the government can do for us.
Just do it for a few days….. see if confidence in the country can be restored
I feel very sad to all the Halp past 6 BN government when can they wake up ha…
now is no serious when will we be discuss the world credit meltdown, i think wait untill we go burst.
we ordinary peoples will be bad hit again this time.
Ministers are elected to do their duties at parliament work station
But instead all the cabinet ministers are missing in action
Not a single one of them can be seen
Where could all of them have been?
Are they playing hide and seek?
Will they show up later in the week?
PR must call for a vote of no confidence as soon as possible
Bring in a new gov’t that is more responsible
tak ada kerja tak apa?
loan rumah ,kereta tak bayar tak apa?
rompak sini sana tak apa?
nanti bank tutup tak apa?
terus tidurlah wahai Bn government
Economist Paul Krugman has just been made a Nobel laurate. Krugman made a conditional favourable comment on a temporary currency control in 1998. He was profusely quoted as a support for TDM until he had to issue a letter of clarification.
The second FM Nor Mohd Yakcop said “Now the United States is assisting their banks and adopting similar measures like we did”.
We do not know what similar measures Nor referred to. US Treasury is capitalising the banks and financial institutions so that money tiled to ‘loans’ will become available for bussiness and living activities of the people. This allow life to go on as usual. US has not bailed out the business of individual persons which Anwar tried to stop and got into trouble with the emperor in 1998.
Nor might soon suggest that the Nobel prize to Paul Krugman should be shared with Finance Ministry because US copies Malaysia action and that Krugman gave conditional agreement to its currency action in 1998.
The serial liar at work again
http://www.nst.com.my/Current_News/NST/Tuesday/Frontpage/2374558/Article/index_html
“God willing, we are not going into a recession. We have strong reserves, a good trade surplus, our savings are high and our currency is stable, so I think we will be able to withstand the shockwaves of the crisis.” quote AAB
hello sleeping AAB we already in recession now. if u are in business u will feel it early.still sleeping,we are no way better than any country like singapore, we are commodity rich country,it don’t no mean we can withstand the crisis.
The objective of spending acceleration on mega projects, is to ensure substantial amount of money being injected into the public, as one of the optional measures to counter economy downturn by the government.
The money reaching the suppliers or contractors, some in the form of corruption perhaps, will create job opportunities, pay the workers and benefit other sub-contractors. The end workers who receive their paychecks can subsequently afford to buy the necessities. That is the economic relations and capital circulation portion.
The implementation perspective however does not facilitate the prevention of white elephants from being created and fund wastage. This would require diligent planning, supervision and audit to develop quality infrastructures and projects that meet the people’s needs.
This depends on how efficient the government machinery is working. The same amount of money spent in building a public infrastructure for a purpose can have very different results, e.g. whether it is carried out in Malaysia or Singapore.
Probably their mathematics is so poor or they are not bothered to look into the people’s welfare that they dare not attend the Parliment debate for 2009 Budget. Good for them, so the next election, VOTE them OUT.
I think they are not bothered la.
Najis comfirmed nor better than Pak Lah… :-)
from afar Rakyat sense his arrogances…
from near only Saifool will knows…
Its a tit for tat situation. Formerly only opposition leave their benches, n now the disease spread to the ruling sector.
S a citizen I dont want this to continue. So can I have a confirmation from all sectors in parliament?
bodoh B. once again abuse of power to help to clean najis saying. he is nothing to do with altantuya.
he has not right to get involve and give comment.
he sure ask police to investigate fair and serious investigation
next GE, rakyat will send hapuskan BN. cos BN with a murderer leader
Don’t call my bisnes partner Kasim Amat a retard. He’s just a little slow, that’s all. If he were to be as fast as I am, then there would be no role for me in our Ali Baba venture.
With the return of Mahathirism, we are looking forward to the renewal of our Alli Baba venture – he supplies the connections (no real brains needed) and I do all the work. Win-win situation. Long live UMNO !
The fact is …… people are losing confidence at both sides, government and opposition ! They are just about the same. Talk good for nothing.
I was watching the ABC interview of Megalomania, and I can understand how much Anwar has been occupying his thought. If you listen carefully, when talking about AAB, he mentioned Anwar Badawi! so much for his confidence that Anwar would never become the PM of Malaysia!
Malaysia is probably one of the only country in the world that can weather the storm of the shocking financial meltdown. For we have the spirit of ” Malaysia Bolih ” mah ! In all things just shout bolih and it will indeed be bolih. How I wish it can be that simple and as such those in debts can just tell their bankers that they will surely pay, but someday when they have pysche up their bolih spirit.
Why they are not in Parliament, only they and their cronies know. Maybe busy cutting losses in their oversea investments or busy with their personal budgets. One of the first task for a new govt is to amend the parliamenterian act in allowing a select committee to sacked those absentee if they have missed parliament session too many times. This power should not be vasted only in the speaker alone as he is not being impartial as he is from a friendly camp.
Since the ministers are all not respecting the honour of the august house, can I as citizen also not respect the honour of the IRD, where paying taxes is indeed a pain for me when the minister involved with the country’s cashflow has no sense of interest.
Godfather said: “Don’t call my bisnes partner Kasim Amat a retard. He’s just a little slow, that’s all. If he were to be as fast as I am, then there would be no role for me in our Ali Baba venture.
With the return of Mahathirism, we are looking forward to the renewal of our Alli Baba venture – he supplies the connections (no real brains needed) and I do all the work. Win-win situation. Long live UMNO !”
==============================================
The Funniest poster award goes to Godfather.
human1,
We are arguing on the wise spending of our budget. Injection of monetary into the public has many ways and must serve the purpose, construction industry is one of the tools, and it always abused by the government of Malaysia.
Look into problems indepth:-
1. Contractors in Malaysia obviously divided into 2 groups, public job contractors that registered with PKK Class A (for unlimited contract amount) and CIDB G7. Another group is private development contractors and almost all in housing industry sector. If the government to implement more mega projects, the likely benefactors are the government appointed agents like UEM, MRCB, Putrajaya Holdings, Gamuda and etc. The subsequent sub-contractors with cut throat price after profits have been sucked up, are facing high possibility of making loss.
As for the private development, most developers will cut investment due to low demand on housing, their contractors and sub-contractors will left out from this monetary injection plan. If they have to wait until the economy stable and housing demand back to positive, this means they will be dead (or hibernated if they lucky) at least for this 1-2 years.
2. The average construction material costs and labour costs ratio is 70 : 30. This means 30% of the monetary injection will go to foreign workers like Indonesian, Filipinos, Bangladeshi, Indian, Chinese etc. If include the construction material factories, the percentage monetary of foreign workers received will be around 35 -40%. How about average Malaysian??
I am not against mega projects, but it must be worth for investment and make the economy “sustainable”. A wrong investment and waste of fund will burn a hole in our treasury’s pocket.
It is quite obvious that the BN gov is scared sh*tless and a good indication that they have no idea how to tackle the global financial meltdown. They can only spew out their rhetorics of ‘Malaysia is Stable, Good, Well Managed’ Yeah right!
malaysianagainstracism.blogspot.com
Kassim Amat said:
“Absent from Parliament does not mean the government is afraid to face Anwar.”
=============================================
No, but it is highly irresponsible and almost verging on dereliction of duties.
Kassim Amat said: “It is because we feel totally unnecessary to debate with him on such matter which does not benefit anyone at all. Any responsible politicians will know that the budget has been approved and there is no need to have any revision just because of the financial meltdown in the US. The US has made a huge mistake and the consequences should go back to them and should not be shared by other countries.”
=============================================
You are not debating with DSAI, you are debating against another bone fide MP, who do not share the same views on the ruling bloc.
Budget is a piece of plan, and it must be flexible enough to accomodate changing economic and financial scenarios. Stubbornly adhering to the budget is being sheer lazy and abdicating responsibilities.
Kasim Amat said: “Furthermore, Malaysia’s economy is strong and robust enough to withstand any financial crisis. Datuk Seri Abdullah Badawi also said Malaysia is not affected by this crisis.”
==============================================
I do not believe The Idiot’s statement anymore.. he has shown a consistency to lie.
Kasim Amat: “It is very obvious that the opposition is using it as an excuse to attack the government and later try to pass no-confidence motion. We feel tired to see this old trick being used again and again. We feel that they are totally wasting time to argue over something that was over and done with.”
==============================================
Obviously the opposition should attack the budget, because it is simply out of touch with the fast changing circumstances. The only wasting time I agree is that why the Pakatan is wasting time with Losers like BN and why they have not ask for the Vote of No Confidence yet.
Kasim Amat: “I believe our people are wise enough to see that so far, the only thing PR does is to argue over everything they could argue but did not come up with any that is constructive and sustainable. I feel ashamed for the people who still continue to give supports to this cunning liar and traitor.”
=============================================
Hey, YB LKS, didn’t MP PJ Utara (Tony Pua) did put up an alternative budget in his blog previously, are you guys going to use that as template and fine tune it to present it as an alternative budget for the country?
melurian said: “though i want bijan down with aab together, but must be fair too with bijan also, he’s just recently promoted to finance minister, previously he’s defence, portfolio that no related with money – mana ada masa to study out the budget! you orang mesti gila punya to think he’s superman can absorb whole budget in 1 mth. even he’s economy background, he’s no lky or cambridge 1st stud lah….”
==============================================
We don’t expect him to be genius, but what about the economic advisors from the EPU? The Treasury? Bank Negara? What are these guys doing? Sleeping? If he is a serious PM material, he should already be well verse with the budget… instead he is too busy playing masak masak with The idiot/nincompoop/bodoh from kepala batas.
melurian said: “parlimen is for bbc only, menteri got important things to deal rather doing idle chat with oppos that kept goal shifting, tak bermatlamat langsung….. what’s more important to negotiate billion investment deal with potential investors and discussing peaceful power transfer than empty talks.”
=============================================
I just do not how to answer you when you treat the august house with such discontent… go play with your masak masak toys… let the adults do the talking from now on OK.
“We don’t expect him to be genius, but what about the economic advisors from the EPU? The Treasury? Bank Negara? ”
gila, the fact these advisors particularly dr zeti aziz din raise the flag that means semuanya ok. the fact finance ministry/cabinet din want to talk on current budget that means malaysia ok to overcome the storm… maybank is no lehmann, bnm is no bank of america, and bank rakyat just posted profit! the fact is anwar like his old antic enjoying gaining attention, particular his first day in parlimen (and greeted with empty seats from pm and dpm) after 10yrs of absense. and you orang termakan his trick, just like this 916 trickery (and not 128)….
parlimen is where oppos just talk but no do, where as cabinet meeting is action louder than walk. and instead of bickering with the attention seeker, why no channel the time and effort to attracting investors and peaceful power transition instead….
Parliment is not a place for berbincangan only, parliment is a place for the representative of all Malaysian, the ahli parliment to raise out not only Pakatan Rakyat question but the all Malaysian concern. Menteri can not simply absent without reason since they need to answer the question of all Malaysian , not only Pakatan Rakyat. Since budjet 2009 is a concerned of many Malaysian, why not they go to parliment and membentang and answer the question. The absent of YB Najib, YB Nor Omar , the two vice menteri is terrible, is that all of them went to negotiate of investment which needed all four of them absent to gain busness for Malaysia. The time for parliment meeting is already short, if the member frequently absent, what for to choose them, PARLIMENT is one of the three most important substances of Malaysia, not just for suka-suka bincang then mari, tak suka tak mari.
Kasim Amat Says:
Yesterday at 22: 46.42
“Absent from Parliament does not mean the government is afraid to face Anwar. It is because we feel totally unnecessary to debate with him on such matter which does not benefit anyone at all. Any responsible politicians will know that the budget has been approved and there is no need to have any revision just because of the financial meltdown in the US. ”
REPLY: Kasim, wrong. In a true democratic nation, the Parliament is not a mere rubber stamp. The debate is absolutely necessary to provide check and balance. The Budget may be approved by BN, but not entire Parliament. There is a huge difference. To claim it is approved by Parliament is arrogant at the least, and downright lie. Don’t lie Kasim!
“The US has made a huge mistake and the consequences should go back to them and should not be shared by other countries. ”
REPLY: Irrelevant. If other countries have invested in the toxic assets, they suffer. Not a question of should or should not, but an issue of fact.
“Furthermore, Malaysia’s economy is strong and robust enough to withstand any financial crisis. Datuk Seri Abdullah Badawi also said Malaysia is not affected by this crisis.”
REPLY: Ass-u-me-ption. Dangerous. It would be stupid to blindly believe this propoganda.
“It is very obvious that the opposition is using it as an excuse to attack the government and later try to pass no-confidence motion.”
REPLY: No. It is very obvious the government MPs are being utterly and completely irresponsible when they skip Parliamentary sessions. Anyone can see this.
“We feel tired to see this old trick being used again and again. We feel that they are totally wasting time to argue over something that was over and done with.”
REPLY: Yes, I am sick and tired of BN MPs ignoring Parliament and ignoring the check and balance process. BN MPs think they are God is it?
“I believe our people are wise enough to see that so far, the only thing PR does is to argue over everything they could argue but did not come up with any that is constructive and sustainable.”
REPLY: There is an easy way to test this. Get BN MPs to resign, hand over power to PR, and we’ll see who is constructive.
“I feel ashamed for the people who still continue to give supports to this cunning liar and traitor.”
REPLY: I feel ashamed for the people who still continue to give support to irresponsible BN MPs who are not just total outright liars, but a true traitor to Malaysian Rakyats!
Old Observer
What we hear from the Finance Ministry, 2nd Finance Minister, each time when he need to say something for the pressman :
” Our banking sector is flushed with liquidity. We can weather the storm. We will not fall into a recession unlike the United States. Our GDP growth is stable and we are within the expected range forecasted earlier. We are resilient to this global meltdown crisis and this was supported by the BN Governor. Our exports have grown and we have a surplus in our balance of trade.”
These remarks are historical and a mismatch in present scenario. Everyday is a different scenario. Markets move very fast and we need to reevaluate the present indicators, like falling commodities prices, falling oil prices, our weak MYR vs the USD, tightening of banks’ lending policies, ….. where are we heading to as a trading nation with the big boys ?
Our performance for 3Q2008 and 4Q2008 would reveal some interesting figures for the KLCI to take a dive towards the 750 points level soon. Investors be cautious in your dealings as we are very near to it.
Is it any surprise that Najib was nowhere around to present a revised 2009 Budget for debate or to explain why a revised 2009 budget is not necessary?
You think a revised 2009 Budget has been prepared? And you must have such high regards for Najib to think that he can explain why a revised budget is or is not necessary. I won’t be surprised if he can’t even understand the budget. So what better way to opt for than to do the disappearing act and be thought a fool, rather than open his mouth to confirm it, LOL.