My Anthem

Monday, August 21, 2006

The path to hell is paved with...

many good intentions.

And the CEO of Malaysia's sole and earliest to attain developed nation status State, Selangor, has said his officers have "good intentions", and hence cannot be guilty of any "wrongful" actions taken on State projects. Because his officers acted with "good intentions".

With such a pilot, soon the State's ship will reach a false dawn of heavenly state ... adopting all the Menteri Besar's own parameters of what constitute a Developed Nation Status, and even using olde 15th/16th century Melaka maps to steer the ship. Remaking of the Titanic anyone -- maybe the hero and heroine can have a wedding of the year with a State banquet lasting one 'hole month on State expense because they have brought the "good name" of Selangor to super-advanced nation status?

Imagine:

* 21-year-old campus youth caught having sex witha 15-year-old in the lush green bushes.

Officer: Her IC shows she's under the age of consent, so do you know that you can be charged with statutory rape, young man? And you're NOT even using a condom!

Youth: Sorry, tuan. I did it with good intentions.
To show her what heavenly ecstasy having sex can bring. No need drugs like syabu or heroin. Oh, I will definitely use Durex the next time -- thanks for well-intentioned avice.


** 31-year-old woman caught shop-lifting.

Officer: Why did you have to steal baby diapers and girl's wear and Dumex worth only RM100? It can land you in jail for up to two years, Puan (Lady), you know that, don't you!

Woman: Sorry, tuan. I was forced by circumstances to do it. My husband just lost her job. My third child is just one-month-old. And I couldn't go back to work as my two other children are just three- and five-year-olds. I stole with the good intentions of keeping my family in survival state.Can I appeal to your godly intentions to let me go? I promise I won't do it again...


*** Undergraduate caught "copying" during written final examinations.

Officer: Hey young man, this "cheating" can cause you to be expelled from the University, you know that, don't you?

Undergrad: Yes, Sir, I know that. But if I don't resort to "copying", I would definitely fail -- because I had to work half the time and missed half the lectures. My parents are poor rubber tappers and have to sacrifice so much for my studies' sake, and I still owe the Admin 50% of this semester's fees. Please let me off just this time.
I did it with good intentions that my family don't have to suffer for another year.

Desi: So there you have it -- Three possible scenarios where the State admin "underlings" might similar act in good faith to allow the three offenders free. Or the Undergraduate, the Woman, and the Youth could be expected to appeal to the Chief Minister's Office for intervention, with optimism for a kind heart's consideration. The MB indeed has the power to let another three offenders off the hook because they "did it with good intentions".

DESIDERATA: I wonder if the nation's CEO, Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, is as kind-hearted to bend the law just a wee, little, bit.
A spiritual leader like Pak Lah must surely be "blessed with many good intentions", Yes?

From the discerning TheSun, and the emphasis is Desi's (THUS BOLDED)~~
(Web edition):

CASE CLOSED

No, Yang Berhormat, you can't decide on your own case and also cannot close the case which involves your own officers. This wouldn't sound right, would it? Only an impartial panel, after thorough investigations, can absolve the officers from blame. If there's nothing to hide, please set up a truly independent panel and hold a public inquiry and come out with the truth."



LAST week, Selangor Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Mohd Khir Toyo blamed senior government officers for adding outdoor advertising billboards to an agreement approved by the state executive council to privatise the building and maintenance of pedestrian bridges and gantries. Asked then if heads will roll, he replied:
"We have to check. We have to see who the culprit is because at the Exco (meeting) it was stated clearly. When I chair a meeting, I remember (what was discussed) even after a year. That's why I am very confident when I say something.

"The Exco only made a decision on (pedestrian) bridges but when the agreement was signed, they added another thing ? outdoor advertising."

But on Friday, he declared that no action will be taken against the officers because "they acted in good faith", with the intention of speeding up the building of pedestrian bridges.

~~~~~~~~~~

Here is another view opposing the Honourable MB's:


`Good intentions' excuse not good enough: TI

`OFFICIALS INVOLVED IN BILLBOARDS FIASCO SHOULD NOT BE LET OFF THE HOOK'



PETALING JAYA:
No civil servant should be freed from blame because he incurs expenditure in good faith or for "good intentions".

"In that case, a RM100,000 contract can end up a RM100 million contract instead if an officer just feels he should vary the contract on the basis of good intentions," Transparency International Malaysia (TI) president Tan Sri Ramon Navaratnam said.

He was commenting on the Selangor mentri besar's decision not to take action against officials involved in an agreement with a private company regarding outdoor advertising on pedestrian bridges.

The state exco had privatised the building and maintenance of overhead bridges, gantries and road signs to a company, Bernam Kiara Sdn Bhd, but somehow outdoor advertising rights entered the picture when the agreement was signed in January last year.

The contract was signed by the then state secretary Datuk Ramlam Othman, who is now Shah Alam mayor, and his then deputy director for development, Datuk Dr Abdul Munit Kasmin.

Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Mohd Khir Toyo had on Wednesday promised to find out who had caused the mess.


However, two days later, Khir told reporters that the officers had signed the contract in good faith with the intention of speeding up the building of the pedestrian bridges.


Therefore, he sees no reason for action against them.

In response, Ramon said any variation in contract should have been brought to the attention of Mohd Khir.

"The mentri besar should not tolerate this abuse of authority as it will boomerang on him sometimes because he can be let down by his officials.

"He must discharge action and draw inspiration from the Sultan of Selangor who could commission an inquiry into this very serious matter," Ramon said.

Transparency International also hopes the Sultan would intervene to safeguard good governance in Selangor and to restore public confidence in its leadership.

"Political leaders should not think they have the sole authority to lift public officials off the hook," Ramon said.

"That decision should be left to the public through a public inquiry. Any attempt to close the case now is a violation of the principles of transparency and accountability," he said, adding the mentri besar owes taxpayers a full explanation.


DESIDERATA:


I have good intentions too. I want to invite all my ER to join me in a Merdeka Day banquet in Furong on 31 August 2006 from 8.00AM till midnight. Please bring a cheque for 1million -- my intentin is to raise that magical amount to buy our I-LAND for all our worn-out and weary Blogger frineds to adjourn to for a HI-atus, remember?
That idylic island in the sun off Terengganu, or off, Queensland Coast, down under.

RSVP by 24 August: Restricted to only 20 acceptances.
From 25-28th late-comers, surcharge of 0.1million, that's honourable penalty, yes?

Now be a good boy/gal: Can't raise that 1million, never mind. As long as you send Desi that Essay, semuanya Okay! I'd still offer tehtarik, plus choice of Furong Coffee! ~~ Desi

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