Undue Influence

I totally agree with the Chief Minister of Penang. It shows openly that the Prime Minister is pushed around against his will. Nevertheless now that the PM has less than 6 months, he should continue with his 2004 pledge. Malaysians have not forgotten it. Malaysians gave him a huge majority the last time.

------- from the Malaysian Insider

PENANG, Oct 8 — Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi was forced to retire against his will at a time not of his choosing.

He said the abrupt and undignified nature of Abdullah's departure was a sad reflection of his weakened political position that lost him the respect of his party.

“Unlike his predecessor Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, Abdullah was forced to retire against his will at a time not of his choosing,” he said in his statement released here by his office.

Ironically, he said, the public respected Abdullah more than his party, Umno, because he was seen as a “well-intentioned man who is probably one of the few clean leaders left in Umno”.

“Abdullah should leave a legacy of fighting corruption by having open tender and taking action against the leaders in Barisan Nasional and Umno who abuse the power,” he added.

Lim was commenting on the Prime Minister's decision not to defend his Umno presidency in the coming party election.

After chairing the BN supreme council today, Abdullah announced that he would not defend his post as Umno president and would step down as prime minister in March next year. – Bernama

Rock and Roll

It was reported in the Star that the government had just appointed an independent panel to investigate the VK Lingam's video. The Panel consists of Tan Sri Haidar Mohd Noor (left), Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye (below right) and Datuk Mahadev Shankar (below left). Question, is that all? Or should there be more? Earlier the PM declared that he was disappointed. So will he be happy with the appointment of an independent panel to probe. I find it a little difficult to understand why not a Royal Commission of Inquiry? Is that so difficult? Or is he afraid that it will lead to something bigger? A mega scandal that would certainly rock Malaysia.

Malaysians I believe are waiting for tough action and measure. Malaysians still felt the controversy surrounding the judiciary in 1988. I remember recently when the Bar Council wanted to propose a royal commission of inquiry to revisit events surrounding the removal of Tun Salleh as Lord President and the government was against the move because it was a little too late. If it had been earlier, the government would probably consider the idea. BULL SHIT.

Well, well, what about now then? Since the VK Lingam's video is currently hot in the news and we are saying WHY NOT, a royal commission of inquiry to inquire not only the recent scandal but at the same time to restore public confidence on the judiciary which means EVERYTHING. Why not make Malaysia judiciary independent and an example for all.

I endorse Kit's press statement when he says, "The establishment of a Royal Commission of Inquiry to conduct a full and comprehensive investigation is particularly urgent and imperative to restore public confidence in the system of justice as up to now, Ahmad Fairuz has been conspicuously silent in failing to personally issue a statement on the Lingam Tape – five days after its expose by Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim. The denial which the Minister in the Prime Minister's Department, Datuk Seri Nazri Aziz had made on Ahmad Fairuz' behalf is just not good enough, with zero credibility."

As such Malaysians call on the government to walk the talk instead to talk and talk.

PM disappointed....what for

Excerpts from the Sun newspaper....

"Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Badawi says he is disappointed by the release of a video clip depicting a conversation, allegedly between a lawyer and a judge, on the fixing of judicial appointments.....

"This issue is important as it has caused a lot of damage to the country's judiciary system. If the evidence show what transpired in the video was not the truth, action should be taken against those who released the video, as well as all those who lodged ACA reports.

"I am disappointed. The video was released with the aim of getting the people angry with the country's judiciary system....

Asked whether a special commission would be set up to investigate the case, he said: "There is no need for one."

JOKE of the year. Scrutinize the interview I can conclude :

(i) PM is disappointed

(ii) PM is disappointed because of the release of the video

(iii) PM is disappointed because of the release of the video depicting the rot of the judiciary

WORST still....

(iv) PM disappointed because of the release of the video depicting the rot of the judiciary as the video is aimed to get people angry with the judiciary.

WHAT THE TOOOOOOOOOT..... this is unbelievable when statements like that comes out from the Premier. He should look at it more positively and do the necessary act to correct the rot. Unfortunately he is seen not wanting to do anything except to say "I am disappointed". What a response?

Double error of judgement .... NO ROYAL COMMISSION OF INQUIRY. Mana boleh? Tetapi Malaysia Boleh

MCA kowtowing to UMNO...as usual

I cut and paste a press statement by Guan Eng on MCA usual political stunt on the issue on Islamic State.

PRESS STATEMENT BY LIM GUAN ENG

Ong Ka Ting should prove that MCA is fighting for the rights of all Malaysians and not for UMNO’s interests by demanding that the Prime Minister state clearly that Malaysia is a secular state where non-muslims are not subject to the jurisdiction of syariah courts

______________

Press Statement

by Lim Guan Eng

__________________

(Petaling Jaya, Monday): Despite his puzzling and confusing explanation that Malaysia is neither a secular state nor a theocratic state but a parliamentary democracy, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi’s latest statements show that he has clearly defined Malaysia as an Islamic state. By stating in an interview with The Edge September issue that the syariah courts can be fair to non-Muslims and that non-Muslims can get justice from syariah courts is a dangerous indication that the jursidiction of syariah courts extends to non-Muslim.

Abdullah even said that the adminstration of the syariah courts shall be improved to prove that it is not against non-Muslims. For the Prime Minister to declare that syariah courts can be fair to non-Muslim and is not against non-Muslims is a statement of intent to compel non-Muslims to seek justice in syariah courts.

This goes against the fundamental constitutional principle that non-Muslims are not subject to syariah courts but only to civil courts. For Abdullah to extend the syariah courts’ jurisdiction to cover non-Muslims is both wrong and a dangerous extension that is illegal and contrary to our 1957 social contract that gave rise to Merdeka and our Federal Constitution.

MCA has issued a statement expressing disagreement with Abdullah. However such statement again only appears in the Chinese press but not in the non-Chinese press. This proves that both Gerakan and MCA are playing “double-faced” politics in saying a different thing to the Chinese community but showing their true version in the Malay community of quiet submission and complete obedience to UMNO.

MCA President Datuk Seri Ong Ka Ting should prove that MCA is fighting for the rights of all Malaysians and not for UMNO’s interests by demanding that the Prime Minister state clearly that Malaysia is a secular state where non-Muslims are not subject to the jurisdiction of syariah courts in accordance with the Federal Constitution. Failure to do so would show that Ong does not comply with his own statements that the Federal Constitution is the guiding principle in the resolution of all disputes.

A financial scandal?

I can't help myself but to blog this.... I see a financial scandal soon. Yes I'm blogging about the Port Klang Free Zone (PKFZ) RM4.6 billion 'bailout'. Interestingly the government had approved a loan to the Port Klang Authority and that the details of the loans are being ironed out. I wonder in this situation is this a soft loan or a bailout utilising the rakyat money.

The loan to the Port Klang Authority in my opinion tantamount to a bailout of the highest scandal after BMF. I now doubt our PM pledge during his 2004 general election manifesto to curb corruption and to boost transparency and battle financial mismanagement in mega-projects. Looks like Malaysians all over are fooled by the pious character of Mr Clean.

Enough is enough, please stop your ways.

Muhammad Taib again.... a disgrace for Malaysia

Reading what Information Chief of UMNO, Muhammad x2 Taib talking is liken as a cry baby crying for milk. Calling bloggers coward? I don't think so. The cowards are none other then members of the ruling party especially UMNO who uses the law and play above it. Very unkind and unfair but it is always true. AND when you challenge them, they cry 'Ketuanan Melayu' and 'Penumpang'. That happened to me not once but many times. I'm a citizen but that is how I'm treated.

My opinion whosoever cling in UMNO are more coward then anybody else. People in UMNO can do everything, behave like gangsters and still above the law. I remember seeing in the net KJ not wearing a helmet riding a motorcycle definitely breaching rules pertaining to the Road Transport Act. Hisham and gang during UMNO general assembly calling for the keris to be used, is clearly seditious that is wrong in law. The blogs by UMNO calling Christian worshipping false God is definitely going against the Printing Presses & Publication Act. AND same goes a comment made in the Prime Minister's website calling the the unity of the Chinese race in Malaysia to challenge the Malays. That is more wrong than blogs written by members of Blog United. What happen? Have they all being prosecuted? Have they being investigated by police even though police reports were lodged? MY ANSWERS : NEGATIVE.

I call upon the Prime Minister who is the Home Affair Minister to do likewise to reflect JUSTICE, INTEGRITY, and RIGHTEOUSNESS. This is Malaysia and we are 50th years old free from tyranny and free from foreign powers. Malaysia must be free from corruption and that the long arms of the law must be dealt for those that breach the law.

Rulers vs PM

Unbelievable or rather believable, as it can only happen to Bolehland, Malaysia. I was pretty upset to read in the NST today under the heading “PM makes decisions on key judicial posts, says top judge”. Reading it literally makes a mockery to the Rulers as the Constitution do stipulate that the Rulers must be consulted in appointments of key judicial posts such as the Chief Judge of Malaya which is currently vacant. The Chief Judge had also being reported, which I hope that the report is not true that, and I quote from the report, "Consultation means you consult. It is not binding on you. The prime minister consults me and it is not binding on him. I cannot force the prime minister to accept what I want. It is not binding, the prime minister still decides."

Now who is the Chief Judge to compare with the Rulers and the Yang DiPertuan Agong (the Supreme Leader). Though the role of the Yang DiPertuan Agong is largely ceremonial in Malaysia's constitutional monarchy, the PM in my opinion should treat the advise as important and not a mere rubber stamp. Though legally under Article 40(1) of the Federal Constitution, the Yang DiPertuan Agong was bound by the Prime Minister's advice, yet at the same time His Highness must show respect to the views of the Conference of Rulers as the Rulers have the right to express their opinions and concerns.

I would prefer the views taken by Prof Shad Faruqi, Professor of Law at UITM who pointed out that even though there was no provision in the Federal Constitution to by-pass the King in making the appointment, the letter of appointment must come from the King. So legally, that would mean that the Rulers were a party to the appointment process of key government posts and as such must be consulted.

It is true that our conduct is stated in the constitution, there are many grey areas that aren’t stipulated and as such convention and customs play a pivotal role in seeing the harmony between procedures and laws. More so, why is it the framers of our Constitution stipulates the importance of consultation by the Rulers in the first place? Now having said that, there is a great possibility that the roles by the Rulers are deemed to be important so as to give some check and balance on the conducts of the Executive. As such the Rulers views must be consulted at all times.

Wor Pu Huey Ming Pai Ni Chang Se Mok (I dun understand what th' hell you are talking?)

Reading PM's Bernama Post make me all the more confuse. The title in Bernama, "Malaysia not a secular or theocratic State, says Abdullah" literally trying to understand what is he talking about. Looks like Najib the Deputy PM and himself have conflicting views as to what system of government Malaysia is. DPM says it's Islamic State, whereas PM is saying it's not theocratic state like Iran and Pakistan and at the same time not a secular state. It Parliamentary Democracy. Well to a certain extent what he says is correct but in reading in between the lines, I think the PM himself is confuse. Why can't he just say Malaysia is a secular state base on the Social Contract and the Malaysia Agreement where Islam is the official religion of the country thus making Malaysia an Islamic country. Is that not so difficult.

To emphasize 'Islamic state' would mean to establish a legal system base on Islam. The concept of the state can be distinguished from two related concepts with which it is sometimes confused: the concept of a form of government or regime, such as democracy or dictatorship, and the concept of a political system. So base on that, PM is I would say unsure as to what it is. AND that makes us all the more very confused.

A statement unheard of

I am very impressed for his thoughts and eloquences. Very apt, straightforward and wise comment that is unheard of. Yes indeed I'm talking about Raja Nazrin Shah. He spoke that those with chequered past or clear evidence of questionable morality should be prevented from taking office. The time has come for leaders in public office to come clean and this is important and integral to good governance. His highness further states that figures in authority must be chosen base on integrity first and qualification second. Words by His highness should be adhered to as it is not a norm for members of the royalty to make public statements.

Integrity and honesty are elements that are utmost important in leadership. It was Ahmad Badawi image as Mr. Clean that cause the BN government to win an unprecedented 92% in the 2004 general election. Malaysians were taken by the new image of the Prime Minister at that time. Malaysian were swayed by his promises to eradicate corruptions. That was dictated in his manifesto to make Malaysia "Cemerlang, Gemilang dan Terbilang" and with his infamous "Walk the Talk" statement. But what happen to his manifesto and promises to the people. It seems to be that all these are "Temberang" comments and speeches that does not hold any weight at all. It is so true what Lord Acton have said in his famous pronouncement that "Power tends to corrupt, and absolute power corrupts absolutely". That seems to suggest that if the PM have such majority in both Houses of Parliament and at the same time controlling the Executives, and when you have a concentration of power in a few hands, all too frequently men with the mentality of gangsters get control. History has proven that.

Cabinet Ministers, Parliamentarians, State Assemblymen, Local Councillors etc are all stakeholders of power in our country. They have power to influence members of the public. What they utter are seen by their supporters as words of wisdom and guidance. As such they must be seen to be honest and sincere. Corruption must be rooted out from this society and must be buried and burned. People in high places must be careful not to indulge in corrupt practices, and there must be concrete anti corruption plan and measures based on efficiency, transparency and accountability.

Malaysia MUST say NO to corrupt practices and immorality BUT to say yes to INTEGRITY, HONESTY and RIGHTEOUSNESS

Going Red Anyone?

I can't help but to post this - RED. Yes, it came from the recent PM Department weekly gathering. There seems to be a directive that everyone would have to wear a red tie or a red scarf and so on, probably like Maverick says in Cakap Tak Serupa Bikin... includes panties, and I add 'suspender'. The Star reported it as a new Corporate Image of the Prime Minister Department. Why Red? I simply don't know... probably it gives a more 'garang' image rather than the 'Sentiasa Berkhidmat' or the other public service slogans which Malaysia Public Services just so 'loving it'. Simply said this is what we call Budaya Malaysia or the Culture of Malaysia. Can anybody tell me what is the colour RED got to do with administrating and managing the country other than RED TAPE?

There are many things Malaysia love doing. As my late father once said ... the Malaysian Administration loves singing, and yes, we sing for nearly everything and anything from the 'Aku Anak Malaysia' right to the 'Oh Tandas' song. I remember during the general assembly in my school days, we students of a prestigious school in Malacca, literally sang almost 5 songs. I have no qualms singing the NEGARAKU, and the MELAKA state anthem song and "Am Proud Of It" (I hope I've not infringe this slogan) but then again to sing "Aku Anak Malaysia" and the others making me feel a little stupid....probably that is why we now have Akademi Fantasia and Malaysian Idol.

We even have mottoes and slogan, lots of it in everywhere and anywhere, from signboards to stationeries and that includes just below the ending of a letter, above the signature. Not that these slogans are winning slogans for competition. Sometimes I wonder, do we really need those in our letters etc?

So coming back to the RED Tie, I just hope that the civil service will improve tremendously due to a change in its corporate image and after tying themselves with RED TIE, I just hope that there is no more unnecessary RED TAPE, that will make all Malaysians go RED.

Prime Minister getting married...rumours are true

Taken from the Malaysian Bar website, PM will be marrying Jeanne Abdullah this coming Saturday. Congratulations to Mr. Prime Minister. This is the first sitting Prime Minister to wed during office. Finally the rumour became a truth

©Bernama (Used by permission)

PUTRAJAYA, June 6 (Bernama) -- Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi will marry Jeanne Abdullah, 53, on Saturday, the Prime Minister's Office announced Wednesday.

The wedding will take place at the prime minister's official residence, Seri Perdana, here and will be attended by close relatives, the Prime Minister's Office said in a statement.

Jeanne was born in Kuala Lumpur on July 29 1953 and is the eldest of four siblings.

She was educated at Sekolah Menengah Assunta and has wide experience in administration and hotel management and has worked as supervisor of the official residence of the deputy prime minister and manager of the Seri Perdana Complex.

Jeanne has two daughters, Nadiah and Nadene.

Abdullah's wife, Datin Seri Endon Mahmood, died on Oct 20 2005 after a long battle with breast cancer.

Abdullah, 67, has two children, a son Kamaluddin and a daughter Nori, from his marriage of 40 years with Endon.