Wanna Opine on Da Bridge Referendum?

The former PM Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad is now suggesting the Barisan Nasional Government -- which he led for 22 long years -- should now really practise DEMOCRACY and CONDUCT A REFERENDUM!

A Referendum to see if the Rakyat support the Crooked/Scenic/Cynic Bridge ... which Pak Lah had just cancelled after much money had been expended on the project.

The former PM was frontpaged in several papers' today as saying he would exercise his right to voice his views on national issues -- as a COMMON CITIZEN, even though he gave the assurance when he retired as Prime Minster on Oct 31, 2003 he would not indulge in politics.

But politics is akin a basic essential of living nowadays -- it hits you right in the face everyday -- whether you like it or not. Unavoidable -- because the decisions made by the top politicians affect our everyday life -- for better or worse.

In that case, I agree with the ertswhile PM he can speak up like any other citizens.
But his status of having been once a long-serving CEO of Malaysia surely places a heavier burden of responsibility on Dr Mahathir, as all views and news would be judged against what had happened (ACTIONS) or had not happened (OMISSIONS) under his Administration -- which in terms of time span is some nine times longer than what his successor Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi has chalked up in two years plus.

I belatedly reprise the following news item, guess it's still hot for scrutiny and debate.

From last Sunday Star April 16, 2006


Dr M: We could have gone to ICJ

JOHOR BARU: Malaysia should have brought the dispute over the construction of the “scenic bridge” to the International Court of Justice if it has legal implications, said Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad.

The former prime minister believed many Malaysians wanted the bridge and he proposed a referendum to get public views.

“We backed off from the project as if we have surrendered. I was told we couldn’t carry out any projects in the Tebrau Straits even if it is on our side.

“I was involved in the (bridge) project from the start, and I know our position. When Singapore did not agree to a bridge, we decided to build a crooked one,” Dr Mahathir said after visiting the Customs, Immigration and Quarantine complex here yesterday.

He added that the relocation of water pipes was not an issue as the cost would have to be borne by Singapore if they were given six months' notice.

“We should have referred the matter to ICJ, just like how we handled the Sipadan and Ligitan islands.”

In Kota Tinggi, Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Syed Hamid Albar said there was no need to publicise the discussions on outstanding matters such as water price.

He said with this approach, negotiations and its solutions could be achieved in a rational manner.

Syed Hamid, who is Kota Tinggi MP, was speaking to reporters after a Majlis Pemimpin Bersama Rakyat at Felda Lok Heng Selatan yesterday.

He added that the Central Provident Fund (CPF) was also no longer an issue as in 1995 the Singapore government amended its laws to exempt foreigners from contributing to the CPF.

“I was told that only five Malaysians have savings in the CPF which is equivalent to our Employees Provident Fund,” he said.

At a fellow Blogger's place, Desiderata had suggested that, just like the Bar Council started an OnlinePetition on the setting up of the Police commission (thingy), I proposed another body like the Federation of Malaysian Consumers Associations (FOMCA) starting a similar petition protesting full payment of RM100million as compensation to the Bridge Project Company (who the blardy hell it is connected to!), perhaps restrict it just to payment for ACTUAL WORK DONE capped at maximum of RM50million. Pak Lah needs a demonstration by Joe Public behind him for him to now ACT WITH FIRMNNESS against buddy businessmen/cronies of the departed/departing regime. Otherwise, he will always be functyioning with an albatross around his neck, and we common citizens suffer. I wonder where the DPM truly stands on thiis issue because until just weeks back, he said it was full steam ahead for the Crooked Bridge project.


DESIDERATALet me recap some important events before referring to Dr Mahathir's latest initiative for a Referendum

1. The Bridge project was conceived during the former PM Dr Mahathir's time, and the contract was awarded before Pak Lah took over.

2. Dr Mahathir had had his bite as NegaraKu's CEO for 22 years; I think it's only fair Pak Lah be given at least two terms of five years each to prove his mettle as the CEO now.

3. Pak Lah inherited many other Mega-Projects before assuming office Nov 1, 2003, but thanks to longer-term decision-making, he scrapped several.

The important question now arises: Dr Mahathir in his 22-year reign NEVER did once call for a Referendum, which can be a "sort" of vote-of-confidence on the present Government if one is held now as proposed.
There were many issues to my mind that could've demanded such a Referendum during the former PM's administration, such as:

Amending the Federal Cosntitution; Sacking of Top 5 Judges; bailouts of many Billion-dollar Projects -- MISC, MAS, Perwaja; Bakun Dam(ned!) ...I think nausea would set in if I added: ad nauseum...?

So why does the retired PM think he has good rationale to call for a Referendum for this "Bridge to Nowhere" imbroglio that was actually of HIS own making.

My analysis from a political angle is that Pak Lah is now dealing with Realpoitik, national, but essentially UMNO-politik, olde guarde-on-the-wane Vs new guarde on the rise.
This CitizenJoe has tasted too much of murky, shitty water flowing under the Bridge, not just over the Johor Straits, but under many bridges, smaller mayhaps, thoughout this Lucky Land we call Malaysia.
I'd put my bet on a GOD-fearing PM that I know
Pak Lah is and represents.

Pak Lah might have appeared "weak" on several occasions, but in recent weeks, he had shown some "mettle" in making some frim decisions, even upsetting many UMNO stalwarts -- cronies of the old regime?

I think the majority of Malaysians felt being "let down" in Pak Lah maintaining a great number of Cabinet members he inherited when forming his post-GE Cabinet, and he indeed missed a golden opportunity to cash in on a 90-percent strong mandate from the electorate in the General Elections 0f 2004. He again disappointed with the more recnt Reshuffled Cabinet -- no initiatives for real change. Are his hands really that bound and tied? By whome? Many of the Rakyat have been asking -- and Pak Lah owes them some answers IF he intends to stay another term as Malaysia's CEO. Maybe he's tired of IT all, like many of my Malaysian friends?

It's better late than never -- we sincerely hope Pak Lah will from now on put aside and junk several of the "old guards" who don't perform and continue to be a liability in his much bloated Cabinet. Listen and act in tune with the wants and wishes of the "silent" majority of comoon Citizen JoePublic.

Will Pak Lah deliver before his current mandate fades out in another two-three yaers?

His survival as a Premier depends on following up on his bold moves.
One more brave act will be to set up the much needed Independent Public Complaints Against the Police Commission as recommended by the Royal Polce Commission. The other 100-plus recpommendations too.

Desi waits with bated breath.
How about you?

Have you done your little part by signing the PetitionOnline?

PS: An APology for a "late" post today -- outstaion to cari-cari makan.
Still, better late than never, rite?

IT can both be a Rhetorical Q OR non-R Q, depends on whether you move your but/ts!