Parliament has just passed the RM60 billion Second Economic Stimulus Package in the form of a mini-budget, but there has been nothing “stimulating” on the economy.
Instead, the effect had been the opposite as illustrated by the unchecked fall in the Kuala Lumpur stockmarket index in the past six days since the announcement of the RM60 billion package, with the KLSE registering a fall from 858.22 points on March 10 to 841 points at the close of the market today.
Far from being able to stimulate the economy, the Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister, Datuk Seri Najib Razak is the main cause for the crisis of confidence gripping the country, even undermining the RM60 billion second economic stimulus package announced by him last week.
In fact, more and more Malaysians and international observers are asking whether, from recent events, Najib’s impending ascension as the next Prime Minister in the next two weeks herald the coming of a new Dark Age in Malaysia for freedom, democracy and the rule of law in the country.
Only yesterday, DAP MP for Puchong, Gobind Singh Deo was suspended as MP for one year without pay and privileges in a high-handed parliamentary proceeding no different from a kangaroo court, without even giving him a chance to defend himself, on a matter which concerned the Deputy Prime Minister.
This morning, together with other Pakatan Rakyat MPs, I was at the Jalan Duta Sessions Court where DAP National Chairman and MP for Bukit Gelugor, Karpal Singh, was charged under the Sedition Act for expounding a simple legal proposition in the country – that the royalty can be brought to court in their official and even personal capacities.
This is a legal principle which had been adopted by law experts and legal practitioners.
For instance Dr. Shad Saleem Faruqi, Professor of Law at UiTM, wrote in the Star on Feb. 11 in the article “Legal turmoil over Perak defections”:
“From day one of Merdeka, the King and the Sultans were open to civil suit for their official actions. They were only immune personally. In 1993 even the personal immunity was taken away.
“In sum it is not a violation of the Constitution to resort to the courts to seek an authoritative opinion on one’s rights and duties. Where else does one go, what else does one do, if one has a claim?”
Former Court of Appeal Judge, N.H.Chan has written an article entitled “Sultan has no powers to ask Nizar to quit”.
Have Shad Faruqi and N.H. Chan committed the offence of sedition, making them liable to prosecution under the Sedition Act?
Karpal had expounded the very same principles, that the royalty are liable to legal proceedings in their official and personal capacities under the law.
Karpal’s prosecution is politically motivated. It is a malicious prosecution. It is a selective prosecution.
The timing of Karpal’s prosecution, a week before the UMNO general assembly is clearly not fortuitous. It is to give the Prime Minister-in-waiting the opportunity to demonstrate that he is tough with the Opposition and Opposition leaders.
Karpal’s prosecution is politically-motivated. This is the political agenda of UMNO. But why should the Attorney-General compromise his constitutional responsibility and sole discretionary power to decide on prosecutions to kowtow to serve the political agenda of UMNO?
The lodging of 100 police reports against Karpal by Umno and Umno Youth divisions throughout the country cannot make what was not sedition into an offence under the Sedition Act!!
Karpal’s politically-motivated, malicious and selective prosecution is the latest in a series of developments which had undermined public confidence in the Rule of Law and important key institutions in the country, creating a full-blow crisis of confidence and raising the question whether Najib’s impending take-over as the sixth Prime Minister marks the coming of Malaysia’s New Dark Age for freedom, democracy and the rule of law for the country.
We have the scandal of the first Umno Chief Justice, and although Tun Zaki has said that he would not sit on cases involving Umno interests, everyone knows that he could still wield disproportionate influence with his powers to select judges and picking court quorums to hear particular cases.
We have the scandal of the Perak judicial commissioner denying the Pakatan Rakyat Speaker the fundamental and constitutional right to have a counsel of his choice, and although this ruling was subsequently overturned by the Court of Appeal, it has contributed greatly to the new round of crisis of confidence over the rule of law and the judiciary, when the country has not fully recovered from two decades of judicial darkness.
These cases, including the malicious and selective prosecution of Karpal, all stem from the undemocratic, illegal, unethical and unconstitutional power grab in Perak orchestrated by Najib himself, which have also seen the police, the Election Commission and even the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission, being dragooned to serve UMNO’s political agenda.
If Najib has no qualms in triggering a major crisis of confidence in the independence and credibility of national institutions like the police, the Election Commission and the MACC by launching an assault on the important doctrine of separation of powers by harassing the Perak Speaker and members of the Perak State Assembly Privileges Committee, what is in store for the country when he becomes Prime Minister?
The MACC is supposed to be another Hong Kong’s ICAC (Independent Commission Against Corruption) but it has proved to be a dismal failure, completely ineffective and impotent to address the problem of money politics and corruption in UMNO.
UMNO is awash with corruption, which is openly admitted by UMNO leaders.
Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department, Datuk Seri Nazri Aziz, for instance, said in a recent interview that money politics in Umno elections have got worse, saying:
“It’s still quite rampant except that it has gone underground.”
The Sunday Star report, “Crunch time for vote buyers” (8.3.09) has a very colourful description of the scourge of money politics and corruption in UMNO, viz:
“A PUTERI Umno candidate who was going to Kedah to meet some delegates was confused when she received a text message asking “Sek Kebangsaan atau Sek Inggeris?”
“After asking around, she found out that Sek Kebangsaan – or SK for short – means salam kosong, which literally translates to “empty handshake” meaning no money, while Sek Inggeris – or SI – stands for salam isi or “handshake with contents” meaning there is money.
“Later she learnt that delegates were also using other discreet terms like satu tiang for RM100, dua tiang for RM200 and tiang seri (seribu) for RM1,000 to demand for cash in exchange for votes.”
But MACC is blissfully unaware of the gravity of the scourge of money politics and corruption in Umno, to the extent that the MACC could declare early this month that it had completed investigations on claims of money politics in UMNO and found no cases!
Although subsequently, there was a MACC prosecution against an UMNO Youth leader, it has not been able to inspire confidence that the MACC is another ICAC capable of rising up to the occasion to combat and wipe out money politics and corruption in Umno.
In November last year, there were 900 complaints of money politics in Umno elections. By now, the complaints of money politics in Umno elections just in the past three months should be in four-figures.
In November, a report in the Umno-controlled mainstream media estimated that more than RM250 million had already been spent in Umno election compaigning. By now, this RM250 million figure would have doubled or even trebled.
But MACC is utterly helpless – with virtually nothing to show in its fight against money politics and corruption in Umno.
News has just come that the UMNO disciplinary committee has barred Umno deputy president candidate Datuk Seri Ali Rustam from contesting in UMNO party elections for involvement in money politics.
The question everyone is asking is how could Ali Rustam continue as Malacca Chief Minister if he is not fit to contest as a Deputy President candidate in Umno because of money politics.
The same question applies to Khairy Jamaluddin as well – how he could continue as MP Rembau when he had been warned for his involvement in money politics.
When is MACC going to act against Ali Rustam and Khairy Jamaluddin, or are there double standards where money politics and corruption in Umno is not corruption to MACC?
Nazri in his interview in Sunday Star (8.3.09) has rebutted the notion that money politics in Umno is an internal affair and not “corruption” which should be the concern of MACC, when he said:
“Actually, a corrupt act cannot be settled at the party disciplinary board level as it is not an offence just against Umno that can be sorted out internally. It goes beyond Umno. It is an offence against the state so nothing can stop MACC from coming in because all these complaints are made by Umno members.”
When is MACC going to move against Ali Rustam and Khairy Jamaluddin, which are only the tip of the iceberg of the scourge of money politics and corruption in Umno.
Pivotal to the whole question of the crisis of confidence besetting the nation is the image of the Prime Minister-to-be, Najib, not only over the credibility and legitimacy of important national institutions but also his own image, credibility and integrity, in particular over allegations about his involvement in the murder case of Mongolian woman Altantuya Shariibuu, especially with the latest publication in the French publication Liberation.
If Najib is innocent of all the allegations against him, he should voluntarily set up a Royal Commission of Inquiry to clear his name so that Malaysians, regardless of political differences, can have a Prime Minister whom they could be proud of and not embarrassed or ashamed because of a thick cloud of doubts dogging, haunting and hounding his every step.
(Speech in Parliament on 2008 Supplementary Estimates on Tuesday, 17.3.09)
My GOD, how I hate umno/bn political leaders. They always have the courage to talk about change, clean the act, promise this and promise that when they are about to become the PM. Mahathir and badawi were very brave to convince the rakyat about their good plans , changes to come and all the nice promises before they are the PM, and what do you see with your own eyes, TOTAL DESTRUCTION !
The Star 18 March 2009
Najib: We must clean up act
KUALA LUMPUR: Umno has to clean up its act because a large proportion of the people in the country view Umno as arrogant and steeped in unhealthy practices, said Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak.
Can you take the word of a person with so many baggages hanging around him to believe in what he said and promises. Most of what he described as things that need to be cleaned up and reformed are part and parcel of himself. If he does not reform and clean up himself first, how is he going to clean up umno?
Malaysia For All
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.
Another two were brought to court in northeastern Terengganu state on Monday. One of the eight has already pleaded guilty and has been fined 10,000 ringgit (2,699 dollars) in the first conviction of its kind in the country, while the others face trial after pleading not guilty and up to one year in jail. Amnesty urged the Malaysian government to drop all the charges, saying the move was a “very troubling step backward.” “This development is a serious blow to freedom of expression in Malaysia and has set a very dangerous precedent for people wishing to express their views on the Internet,” Sam Zarifi, Amnesty’s Asia-Pacific director, said in a statement. “The Internet was one of the few venues available for Malaysians to express their views relatively freely, and now it looks like the government will extend its restrictions on free press to the web,” he added.
@@http://asia.news.yahoo.com/090318/afp/090318063456asiapacificnews.html
Everything in Bolehland boleh kowtim. Razak Baginda’s involvement in the submarine deal commission already kowtim. Razak Baginda’s involvement with a murder already kowtim. Najis’ involvement in the cover-up of these issues already kowtim.
Don’t worry lah. Najis will kowtim everything.
The Star 18 March 2009
Najib: We must clean up act
KUALA LUMPUR: Umno has to clean up its act because a large proportion of the people in the country view Umno as arrogant and steeped in unhealthy practices, said Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak.
The party’s youth wing must have been acting out a party clean up job when a bunch of its members stopped Karpal Singh from entering the Parliament because they wanted to show him that they are not ‘celaka’…
“Karpal Singh, was charged under the Sedition Act for expounding a simple legal proposition in the country – that the royalty can be brought to court ..”
Prhaps it was the way he said it.
Have you missed a ‘not’ in the sentence starting The lodging of 100 police reports…? Between ‘was’ and ‘sedition’ perhaps?
[You are right. Corrected. Thanks – Admin]
If I remember correctly, there was one Hollywood star who sued one of our royalty for breach of something lah. Is it Brad Pitt or George Clooney? Can’t really recall.
Anyway, I think the Mat Salleh won the suit.
Why had the Malaysian court allowed the suit then? That is insulting to the “norms” of this country! Why did nobody speak up and defend the royalty?
Mr Karpal has merely remarked what possible processes could be initiated in legal terms if one would bypass (offend) the law. And he is now being charge with sedition for that?! What country is this?!
China is known as One Country Two System, I think Malaysia got 3 system! Go figure it out yourself lah clever politicians!
I am just wondering where the heaven the 60 billion came from, possibly from EPF again. If that is so, I dread to think how Malaysians who have been contributing to EPF is going to get their money back for retirement.
And just where and whom is the government going to “stimulate”? Cronies again I guess! So say good bye to taxpayers’ money and the national retirement fund! God bless Malaysia!
Setting up a royal commission of inquiry will not help clear Najib but will implicate him further. That’s the sole reason why he kept mum when Gobind challenged him.
Even with Najib helming the DPMship, aren’t we in the Dark Ages already?
My prognosis for the future with Najib as PM: medieval, feudal, autocratic, dictatorial, racist, parochial and pariahcal.
“New dark age? Perhaps because Najib is not like Badawi and neither will he give Pakatan the convenience as the latter did.
Pakatan (in its current form) is losing ground and the “new dark age” will indeed be dark for Pakatan, unless it removes the incompetent and cultish figure heads first and replaces them with a leadership that connects with the rakyat.
Uncle Kit,
From the newspapers reports, it seems only the men in UMNO are susceptable to corrupted practices.
What about the Wanita UMNO? The women are ok?
Has Rafidah Aziz’s AP issues been cleared already?
Or MACC forgotten about it?
No matter how, we shall never let Najib become the next PM. Let us pray to the God to avoid Najib from become the next PM!
Normal human being if challenge will response to it,either admit defeat or challenge to a duel. Wondering why NR didn’t response at all when challenge by Gobind. What is he afraid of ? Is he guilty as charged ? Come on NR,your silence is not golden under the current circumstances against you. One of Malaysia best lawyers Zaid Ibrahim has said you are not fit to be Malaysia’s 6th prime minister,there again another challenge,yet you still keep quiet.The nation now is waiting for you to break your stillness.
Even with Najib helming the DPMship, aren’t we in the Dark Ages already?
If Tuya’s father takes Najib and Rosmah to the International Court of Justice, a distinct possibility, then Malaysia will have the singular distinction of its PM and First Laddie being dragged to the ICJ court – that will take Mahathir’s Malaysia-Boleh dream one notch higher and make Malaysia a pariah nation like Zimbabwe and Sudan. Wow!
Mr Karpal and YB Lim is a living proof who are sacrifice for the peoples right and dignity instead of wealth and power. See all the Umno goons as bad examples. I only respect Mr Karpal and YB Lim who live their entire life for nothing.
The lesson to be learned here is never to underestimate one’s enemies because the cost could be disproportionate to the benefit to be gained.
Now Puchong is without a representative in Parliament. How does that benefit your constituents?
“If Najib is innocent of all the allegations against him, he should voluntarily set up a Royal Commission of Inquiry to clear his name …” Kit
Are you saying that we are all guilty until proven innocent??
You are right there undergrad2 but however,shouldn’t he sue the pants off his accusers who connect his name with the murder of the Mongolian girl,the latest being the investigative French reporter who spins out story connecting the murder with his name.Isn’t he interested to clear his name.Going to mosque to swear on the Koran isn’t going far to dispel that image, is it?
AhPek Says:
Today at 21: 23.31 (54 minutes ago)
You are right there undergrad2 but however,shouldn’t he sue the pants off his accusers …”
That’s the general idea i.e. that of his accusers. So far his accusers have lost. His accusers need to come up with something different.
Why do you say his accusers have lost undergrad2? So far only RPK has been sued for sedition and Anwar is running around having fun whenever he has an opportunity to tell about the Altantuya murder case to the audience.He isn’t sued,he is only sued for the ‘sodomy’ case.Then what about Dubus the French reporter who wrote in the Liberation newspaper in France.He had a thorough research interviewing many people from Paris(from people connected with the French-Spanish company Armaris which built and sold 3 submarines for 1 billion euros or RM4.7 billion to Malaysia with commission of 115million euros or RM 541 million paid to a company Perimekar owned by Abdul Razak who acted as proxy to Najib) to Kuala Lumpur and to Ulan Bator.It is a thorough piece of research meticulous in every detail including the fact that she was shot a second time when her hand was seen moving before her body was sent to the woods to be blown up to smithereens.Her share of the commission of USD500,000 and a jealous and feared wife of Najib who objected paying that amount of money to Altantuya were in the report as well as the 3 of them (Najib,Altantuya and Razak)meeting in Paris in March 2005.Vivid details like a SMS sent to Baginda from Najib a few hours before the arrest “I will see the Inspector General of police at 11.00am today.The problem will be solved.Be cool” is also in the report.Not only Najib is implicated in Dubus’s article in the Liberation newspaper of France but DCNS-the French military shipbuilding company which bought over Amaris in 2007 is highly embarassed by this episode.
What better opportunity for Najib to wipe the slate clean than to have a win in a French court should he take up the case against Dubus?Winning the sedition case against RPK will not be able to do that since not only the local public but also the world’s public have the perception the Judiciary of Malaysia is not independent.
Innocent until proven guilty. For umno they look at the rest of us from another perspective which is guilty until proven innocent. Putting umno’s glasses on I pronounce najib guilty.
zak_hammaad Says:
March 18th, 2009 (2 days ago) at 23: 53.20
“New dark age? Perhaps because Najib is not like Badawi and neither will he give Pakatan the convenience as the latter did.
Pakatan (in its current form) is losing ground and the “new dark age” will indeed be dark for Pakatan, unless it removes the incompetent and cultish figure heads first and replaces them with a leadership that connects with the rakyat.”
I seriously starting to enjoy this… a classic example of the “state of denial”.