Will UMNO Youth Shout: Stop Interfering

In Malaysia's Internal Affairs?

I recalled in last week's Post on the terrible state of criminal activities reported in Johor Bharu and how many years back, a neighbouring republic's leader was ticked off for remarking that "Johor Bharu" was a "cowboy town".
Now it's citizens in Johor who recently showed their wrath by marching to the Menteri Besar's residence calling for his resignation.

So here's one recent assessment on NegaraKu. I wondered aloud if UMNO Youth led by its fiery second-in-command ( I dunno why other Bloggers like to refer to him as the SIL?) would yell: STOP INTERFERING IN OUR COUNTRY'S AFFAIRS?

June 21, 2007, 4:48AM
EU Envoy Blasts Malaysia's NEP


By EILEEN NG Associated Press Writer


KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia — Europe's top envoy to Malaysia Thursday urged the government to roll back its affirmative action policy for majority Malays, saying it is discriminatory and amounts to protectionism against foreign companies.

In unusually frank comments that ignored diplomatic niceties, Thierry Rommel openly criticized Malaysia's 37-year-old New Economic Policy, or NEP, that gives a host of privileges in jobs, education, business and other areas to ethnic Malays.

"In a dominant part of the domestic economy, there is no level playing field for foreign companies," Rommel, the ambassador and head of the European Commission Delegation to Malaysia, said in a speech to local and foreign businessmen.

Ethnic Malays and other indigenous groups, known as Bumiputras, comprise more than 60 percent of Malaysia's 26 million people. The government says they have a disproportionately low share of the corporate wealth compared to the minority Chinese, and need the NEP to increase their standard of living.

The government did not immediately respond to Rommel's comments.

Rommel said the government is using the NEP as an excuse to practice "significant protectionism of its own market," including the automotive sector, steel, consumer goods, agricultural products, services and government contracts.

Malaysia claims these are "infant" industries that need to be protected but "in reality .. it is the Malay-centered Bumiputra policy that drives protectionist policies," Rommel said.

As part of the NEP, all public-listed companies are required to allocate 30 percent of their shares to Malays. Companies without Malay directors or employees are excluded from lucrative government contracts. Employers have quotas for hiring Malays.

Eric Reuter, sales and marketing director of freight forwarder ABX Logistics, said the Belgium-based company has a 51 percent Bumiputra partner and is required to work with local companies on government-related projects.

The limitations have eroded his profit margin, he said.

"We cannot be as flexible as we want to be and chances that corruption comes into play is higher. It is an interruption to the free market," Reuter told The Associated Press.

Besides foreigners, minority ethnic Chinese and Indians also see the NEP as a discriminatory tool. Many Malays also have complained the policy has benefited only a few well-connected people.

NEP was started in 1970 when the Malays' corporate ownership was 2 percent. The aim was to raise it to 30 percent by 2010, from 19 percent now. Chinese, who form a quarter of the population, control 40 percent of corporate wealth.

Rommel stopped short of saying the NEP should be scrapped but told reporters separately: "We (in Europe) have bitten the bullet on a number of sensitive issues, why can't you?"

He warned the NEP could "lead to problems" in free trade negotiations between the EU and the 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations, of which Malaysia is a key member.

The two groups agreed last month to launch free trade talks, which could raise ASEAN's exports to the EU by up to 20 percent, Rommel said. Senior officials are expected to hold their first meeting in Vietnam next month, he added.

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So what else is new, dear Malaysians?
This same DIPLOMAT wrote to theSUN, June 22, 2007 page 18, to give us an outsider's take on the behaviour of these Wakil Rakyat who have turned the Parliament House into worse than a Zoo.
Don't pay an entrance ticket to Zoo Negara in Zoosville; you gget a more entertaining show down Jalan Parlimen.



'Bocor’ remark
hurts Malaysia

"I would wish to convey a third party opinion, prodded by internal discussions, on the possible effects of sexist remarks made by prominent Malaysian citizens on Malaysia's international reputation.

The short answer to this pertinent question is yes, for a number of reasons. It is a violation of the spirit of the Universal Human Rights Declaration more so coming from persons who are in a position of influence and power. Malaysia is a member of the UN Human Rights Commission, further raising expectations of exemplary and ambitious approach to upholding human rights, including gender equality, and fundamental freedoms. Finally, such remarks have a far greater and adverse impact than some people in position of power care to admit.

Witnessing moreover, the impunity that has accompanied such remarks, astonishment and disbelief prevail. "

Thierry Rommel
Ambassador - Head of the European Commission Delegation to Malaysia.



DESI: Can you tell me anymore "STUPID! STUPIID! STUPIIID!" remarks from the Yang Berhormat?

My saiko "JeffOoi" says: Malaysians get the government they deserve.

Desi's interpretation: Hey, the majority of you people crosse against the Dacing, GE after GE! So stop complaining-lah. Desi seconds Jeff's Thinking Allowed!

UPDATEd June 23, 12.48pm:

From The Star, June 22, 2007~~


Debate takes ugly turn

At the Dewan Rakyat


STRONG words were exchanged between Barisan Nasional MPs and their colleagues in the Opposition when the issue of corruption came up during question time.

Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Seri Nazri Aziz was speaking about Malaysia's poor ratings on the Transparency International corruption index when Opposition Leader Lim Kit Siang stood up and accused the Government of not doing anything about corruption.

Lim brought up the case involving Deputy Internal Security Minister Datuk Johari Baharum who is being investigated by the Anti-Corruption Agency.

Johari had earlier denied allegations made in the Internet of a politician receiving money to ensure the freedom of suspects detained under the Emergency Ordinance.

Lim questioned why Nazri, who was in charge of legal affairs, could not say anything about the investigations.

Nazri said he could not reply on behalf of the Attorney-General because that would be seen as trying to usurp his powers.

“Malaysia cannot become a successful and developed country if such people (Lim) are in the House.

“Why are you so bodoh (stupid). Sit down, Sit down!” Nazri shouted at Lim and several DAP MPs who began to stand up to argue with him.

At this point, shouts of bodoh flew between both sides of the floor.

Several DAP MPs then turned to Speaker Tan Sri Ramli Ngah Talib and asked him to cite Nazri for using unparliamentary language.

Ramli however said he could not make such a ruling because such language was used all the time.

“But I must say that everyone should not use improper language while debating,” he said.

When Nazri stood up again to continue speaking, he quickly said: “OK, tidak cerdik (not smart) then. It’s like stupid too.”

Ramli again had to tell the DAP MPs, who were shouting, to calm down and Nazri then continued with his reply.

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UPDATEd Sunday 24 June 2007:


UMNO Youth is Knot HI Enuf!

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June 23, 2007 17:25 PM

Don't Meddle In Malaysia's Domestic Affairs - Warns Najib


KUANTAN, June 23 (Bernama) -- Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak expressed regret over the statement by the Ambassador and Head of the European Commission Delegation to Malaysia with regard to the New Economic Policy (NEP), saying that the envoy should not interfere in Malaysia's domestic affairs or policy.

Refuting the facts submitted by the envoy, the Deputy Prime Minister said that as an ambassador accredited to this country, Thierry Rommel should play a role to forge closer relations between the two countries.

"Normally, an ambassador or envoy does not comment on the affairs of the country to which they are accredited. This has been the practice because when we comment on the policies adopted by the country concerned, it means that we are intefering in the affairs of the host country," he told reporters after launching the national level Campaign On Early Intervention To Prevent Children's Disability, here.

Najib said this when asked to comment on Rommel's statement yesterday which was carried by a foreign wire agency, The Associated Press.

The foreign news agency quoted Rommel as saying that the NEP gave a host of privileges in jobs, education, business and other areas to the ethnic Malays.

He also urged the Malaysian government to roll back its affirmative action policy for the Malays, saying it was discriminatory and amounted to protectionism against foreign companies.

"As part of the NEP, all public-listed companies are required to allocate 30 percent of their shares to the Malays. Companies without Malay directors or employees are excluded from lucrative government contracts," he said in a speech to local and foreign businessmen on Thursday.

On Malaysia's action or official protest against the statement, Najib said: "Wait first, I will seek the opinion of Wisma Putra (the Foreign Ministry)."

"The role of the ambassador is to forge closer relations between the country he represents and the host country. In terms of diplomatic principles and practice, his action contradicts the practice that we adopt.

"What was raised can certainly be disputed in terms of the fact," the Deputy Prime Minister said.

DESI: Online news, power of the Internet: You can yell butt you can't hyde or deny!
I hold my peace; everyone can say his/her piece. It's a free world.