I am C&Ping from the NST Online a news development that's historic because of the Player involved -- Yes, Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, who ruled NegaraKu for 22 long years with an iron fist.
The former Prime Minister who handed over the reins of power to Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi in November 2003 willingly now acknowledges he has made a BIG mistake in picking Mr Nice Guy as his successor.
My picking up this report is mainly FOR THE RECORD, this being Wesak Day holiday I had not planned to write anything, but leisurely surfing for past one hour saw Dr Mahathir's latest "move" totally IN CHARACTER with the person/personality I know as a journalist tracking the ex-PM's acts and scenes on the UMNO Stage.
I have said often you either like Dr M or you hate him -- seldom there's the shades of love-hate inbetweens. But one thing all newhounds like about him-- Dr M never fails in giving the press contents for GOOD COPIES!
So here's another one, and before September 16, 2008, expect at least ONE MORE NEWS-BREAKING -- or is it NERVE-CRACKING? -- MOVE!
2008/05/19
Dr M quits Umno after accepting ‘dare’ to be first to resign
By : Noor Adzman Baharuddin & Adib Povera
ALOR STAR, Mon:
After goading Umno members today to temporarily resign from Umno as a sign of protest against the party president, Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad took up a “dare” to take the lead by resigning from the party he had been a founding member of since
1946. However, he implored Umno members taking up his challenge not to join any other party and remain independent, at least until the Umno leadership was determined (after the December party elections). He indicated that he will only rejoin the party when Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi steps down as Umno president.
Dr Mahathir, an Umno life member, was answering questions from the floor after giving a talk at a forum entitled 'Future of the Malays after the 12th General Election' at the Star City Hotel in Alor Star, organised by the Kedah Malay Assembly Hall, when a member of the audience asked him if he would take the lead in quitting Umno.
Identifying himself as Ismail Jaziz, he asked Dr Mahathir if he would take the lead since he had mooted the idea. To this, Dr Mahathir, in a serious tone said: “Waa, saya di cabar ni…(looks like I have been dared). Yes, I will leave Umno...until the party leadership is determined. Other Umno members should follow me.”
Loud cheers erupted from the 1,500 attendees, which included assembly chairman Tan Sri Khalid Ahmad, Jerlun Umno division chairman Datuk Abdul Rahman Ariffin, State Assemblyman for Kuala Nerang Datuk Syed Sobri Syed Hashim, State Assemblywoman for Sungai Tiang Suraya Yaacob and former Kedah Menteri Besar Tan Sri Sanusi Junid.
"Malays, Umno members and many other people have sent Abdullah messages to express dissatisfaction with his leadership, especially after the March 8 general election but he remains unaffected. We have to be radical and brave and this is the only way to bring him down," he said.
It is not immediately clear if his son, Datuk Mukhriz, also the MP for Jerlun and an Umno Youth Exco member, would follow suit. Another of Dr Mahathir’s son, Datuk Mokhzani, was reported as saying that his father's decision was a “sign of no confidence” in Abdullah’s leadership.
Abdullah, in an immediate reaction, expressed shock at Dr Mahathir's resignation, saying" I didn't expect him to leave but I will continue to fight for the party."
One notable Umno leader who has apparently took on Dr Mahathir's call to resign is Sanusi, who said he will release an official statement later.
However, Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah, once Dr Mahathir's greatest foe but now seen as a key ally, dismissed expectations that he too would quit Umno, saying that he will continue with his bid to challenge Abdullah for the party presidency in the December party elections.
Datuk Shahrir Samad, an Umno supreme council member and Minister of Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs, was quoted by AFP as saying that Dr Mahathir's resignation may precipitate a general election.
"The shock resignation may compel many Umkno members, especially MPs, to quit Umno, thus forcing the Prime Minister to form a new Government or call for a snap election," Shahrir was quoted as saying.
The former Prime Minister's announcement also caught his aides by surprise.
Dr Mahathir explained that this was not the first time he was out of Umno. “Between 1969 and 1970, I was expelled from Umno but later, when many Malays and Umno members still supported me, I re-entered Umno. There was no problem. Just don’t join other parties.”
At a Press conference later, Dr Mahathir said he will submit his resignation from Umno as soon as possible.
He explained that that he decided to leave Umno because he felt the party could no longer serve as a genuine political party to protect Malay rights and interests, Umno's founding objectives.
Dr Mahathir claimed Umno had now been made a party to only recognise Abdullah as Umno president and accord importance to the prime minister's family interests, with the nation's welfare taking a backseat.
"I can list out the things that Abdullah had done to the detriment of our nation's interests," he said. "The Umno of today no longer holds to the party's founding goals when it was formed 62 years ago. That is why I have no hesitation whatsoever to leave the party," he said.
Dr Mahathir said it was high time for Umno members who love the party to be bold for the future of Malays and that such a move would not cause the Malays to lose their political power.
"The Malays would not lose their political power. They want to correct things not because they simply want to leave. If they are brave to safeguard the party and the Malay struggles, then they must also be brave to take actions. However, we find that many Umno members can't even attend certain gatherings...division chairmen also cannot attend...what is this?"
Dr Mahathir said when Tengku Razaleigh opposed him in 1988, former prime minister Tunku Abdul Rahman had thrown his support for his opponent but he had never stopped any member to campaign against him (Dr Mahathir).
"Now, we cannot say anything against the prime minister or the party president. This is not Umno," he said.
Asked if Umno state assemblymen and MPs should also quit the party, he said they should if they truly love the party.
Asked if his call and decision could be construed as him giving up on Umno, Dr Mahathir said he would not ask others to follow him if he himself was afraid to do so.
Asked if his call would give added pressure for Abdullah to resign from his posts soon, Mahathir said: "I don't know about pressure. This man could not understand anything."
Dr Mahathir insisted that his resignation had nothing to do with the Royal Commission of Inquiry into the Lingam video clip.
"That is a court matter and I go to the courts. If they make allegations against me, I could also do the same and if I am found guilty, they can put me in jail but if I am not guilty, please don't arrest me anyway," he said. “I am just protesting against the Abdullah’s leadership of Umno and country."
In their report leaked to the Press, the Commission of Inquiry named Dr Mahathir, lawyer Datuk V. K. Lingam, former chief justices Tun Ahmad Fairuz Sheikh Abdul Halim and Tun Eusoff Chin, tycoon Tan Sri Vincent Tan and former tourism minister Datuk Seri Tengku Adnan Mansor, for conspiring to fix the appointments and promotions of judges.
The government's then instructed the Attorney-General to begin investigations into the six figures named but Dr Mahathir responded by claiming that he would "not settle for less" than his day in court so that he could defend himself against allegations that he was at the centre of a judicial appointments scandal in 2001.
Dr Mahathir had hoped that when investigations into the conspiracy were completed, he would be charged so that he can reveal what really went on behind the scenes at the time, including instances of judges lobbying him for promotions.
Mahathir’s resignation was a culmination of two years of vitriolic criticisms against Abdullah. Dr Mahathir began finding fault with Abdullah after the latter cancelled several mega projects initiated by the ex-PM, notably the new bridge that would link Singapore with Johor Baru.
In an immediate reaction, former Umno secretary-general Tan Sri Mohamed Rahmat said Dr Mahathir is was the only leader who left Umno, pointing to Tunku Abdul Rahman and Tun Hussein Onn who never returned to Umno.
“Yet, they were founding fathers of the party. They never return to the party after retiring so there is nothing unusual about his resignation. It has happened in the past and it happens now. It is unfortunate that after making so much noise, he is leaving the party.
“His leaving would not have a serious effect to the party and I do not think that his action will be heeded by other members as they still love the party. After the last general election, Umno members have reflected deeply on what they should do to revive and revitalise Umno. They would not desert the party.”
MCA vice president Datuk Ong Tee Keat said the resignation came as a shock to him because he never expected Dr Mahathir to do it. “Not at this juncture. At the moment, I am not sure what sort of effect or ripples it will cause BN and MCA. But I am convinced Umno, as an established party within the BN coalition, would have sufficient experience and maturity in resolving such problem. What is more important now is for BN to stay firmly together”.
Gerakan secretary general Datuk Seri Chia Kwang Chye expressed shock at Dr Mahathir’s resignation. “This is shocking, it’s hard to believe. I hope this will not bring further instability to Barisan Nasional. I also hope things will settle down and the matter resolved in a calm manner.”
MIC secretary-general Datuk Dr S. Subramaniam said it was unfortunate for Dr Mahathir to resign from the party which he had been a president for a long time. “His instigating others to follow suit in light of the current problems faced by the party, will further weaken it. We hope other members will be clear-headed in this matter.”
Sabah Progressive Party (SAPP) president Datuk Yong Teck Lee said Dr Mahathir’s resignation sent shock waves because of his immense influence among Umno grassroots.” I think the nation is in for some exciting politics,” he said.
Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) president Datuk Liew Vui Keong said Dr Mahathir’s decision should be respected and accepted by all concerned. “I can only wish him the best. His resignation may cause a ripple, but how far it will have an effect is best left to the party.”
Sabah Umno liaison committee secretary Datuk Yahya Hussin described the resignation as “very unfortunate” because he was “our president.”
PS:I found this peace of flotsam along Sungei Ujong late this evening -- I didn't know there were swans in Seremban Ribber. Are we now twoinned wit' Perth, Capt Yu...The Great White is kambing!
Monday, May 19, 2008
Swan Song
Picturise the picture that the
tsunami swept away!:(
(Source: Malaysiakini)
The silver Swan, who living had no Note,
when Death approached, unlocked her silent throat.
Leaning her breast against the reedy shore,
thus sang her first and last, and sang no more:
"Farewell, all joys! O Death, come close mine eyes!
"More Geese than Swans now live, more Fools than Wise"
- Orlando Gibbons, The Silver Swan
In a breaking news, Malaysiakini reports, here, that former UMNO president Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad today announced that he was quitting UMNO with immediate effect and urged other members to emulate him. "I will only come back to the party when there is a change in leadership," the ex-premier said. However, he asked these members not to join other political parties.
Well, he has jumped ship, which is clearly sinking into murky waters and hoping that his other misguided and delusional ship mates will join him. Lets hope the sharks don't get him first.
He also probably must have thought that this was going to be his last hurrah, but it may just turn out to be his swan song instead.
Logged by The Ancient Mariner at 16:37
3 comments:
Mahatir quits UMNO !
It is indeed sad to read so many fawning accolades that Tun Mahatir is such a great leader and such like. It just shows how blinkered you Malays are; you just do not have vision and you are so naïve that you do not fully appreciate your own predicament. Has Mahatir been a good and caring leader ? This generation of Malays will say that he is, but it will be history that will judge Mahatir as the most self serving and selfish leader, who has no clue what he was doing. I am Chinese living in Australia and it does not worry me too much to say what is best said without any fear or embellishment; just say it as it is.
Mahatir created an illusion that Malays benefited by his one sided pervasion of the Constitution; but I will not go into that area because there is no useful purpose to state what is obvious(too much energy wasted ). Let me ask you was HITLER a great leader ? From your reaction you Malays will say, “YES”. Hitler too had the German people fawning after him as their FEURER Sounds like the word “father”, yes Hitler was the father to the German people, but was he a good leader ?
I see a direct comparison between Hitler and Mahatir, they both created the myth that the Jews and the Chinese are suck the blood of the Malays and the Aryan German people. I am fully convinced that Mahatir had learned a great deal from both Goerbels and Hitler; this comparison is uncanny ! The question that I want to ask is “IF IT WERE IN THE POWER OF MAHATIR TO GAS 5 MILLION CHINESE WILL MAHATIR HESITATE ? I will ask the Malays, if it were in your power to gas 8 million Chinese, will you do it ? I say without hesitation that you would ! Malaysia and UMNO has called the tragedy of May 13th a “RIOT” but it is in scale cruelty and destructiveness a pogrom and in the history of Nazism, there was a similar pogrom called the Crystalnach (crystal night) and it also marked the beginning of the extermination of the Jews. The same sort of discrimination against the Jews are today practiced on the non Malays only it is justified by that grossly misunderstood social contract. There was never ever been any social contract and I say it as my own understanding of this bullshit social contract, when did the UMNO ever implemented any social contract; it was a case of the Malays taking it all for themselves ! Can Chinese go and obtain a Banking license ? Can Chinese go and obtain a government contract without a Malays holding 51% equity in the tendering company ? The Chinese has to put up 100% money capital and expertise and GET ONLY 49% OF WHAT IS LEFT AFTER THE MALAY CHAIRMAN HAS GRABED 60% OF THE PROFITS. THIS WAS EXACTLY THE SITUATION THAT EXISTED UNDER HITLER AND IT STILL EXIST IN MALAYSIA.
Mahatir had perverted the system and polarized Malaysia, on the one side Malays and on the other side, the Chinese. Among the Chinese, those who can leave Malaysia for better climes. It will not be in this generation that you Malays will see Mahatir for what he really is. Mahatir wanted to be another Robert Mugabe, a 94 year old man still clinging on to power; WHAT FOR ? I had said it once that Mahatir appointed the weakest of his Ministers AAB to be his successor because Mahatir wanted to control AAB like a puppet on a string, but from the very first days of that fateful election AAB had uncoupled Mahatir from Aab’s influence. That was when trouble started.
The reason why I say that Mahatir will be judge by history as the most retarding force that held back the progress of the Malay people is because he created the myth of the
Chinese being the EXPLOITERS of the Malays and in so doing HE WON OVER CONTROL OF THE MALAYS. This too was how Hitler controlled the German people by creating the myth of the superior Aryan race that saw the Jews as the sub-human and to do what they wanted with the Jews.
The full rigors of Mahatirs exploitation of the weakness of the Malays cannot be assessed today (can’t see the forest for the trees), but reading a few of the comments from some Malays, we can see that this truth is creeping out and very soon it will be a flood. Let me discuss this aspect of the debate by questions rather than answers. Why and to what purpose is it beneficial for the Malays to retard and BLOCK the progress of the Chinese ? If a Chinese becomes rich by his own sweat and hard work and business talent, HOW DO YOU MALAYS EQUATE THIS PERFORMANCE TO EXPLOITATION ? Is this to be viewed as a zero sum equation, ie if the Chinese makes a profit then it must also mean that the Malay will not make any profit ? How can that argument hold when we all know that the Malays are not in business as the Chinese are ? This deals with the issues relating to obtaining licenses to do business.
Mahatir by giving all scholarships to Malays and to those Malays who are connected reduced the selection of Malay scholars to a very small clique, hence the best Malays are kept out of these scholarships. Those who graduated under this system of patronage graduate as useless “pen-pushers”, who can only gain work in the government services. Billions are wasted training nothing but graduates who can only work as clerks. This patronage did not develop a class of competent entrepreneurs and therefore for 50 years Malaysia has been producing too many incompetent GENERALS and not enough soldiers.
This was the legacy of the Mahatir years; years that develop nothing that is worth mentioning as his contribution towards developing a competitive Malaysian society. YES YOU MALAYS TAKE ALL BUT CAME OUT WITH NOTHING.
There is one other point that I want to raise, which is that Mahatir ploy to undermine ABB will fizzle out like a wet cracker ! Mahatir is naïve because only an incumbent can win supporters; a retired PM is like a retired GENERAL, nobody listens to a retired general because one just cannot get anything from a retired general ! Another word, I do not believe that Tengku Li can benefit from the rumblings within UMNO because ABB is the incumbent and power resides in the incumbent.
yapchongyee:
I am a believer of Voltaire's ethos of discourse which I won't repeat here, but sometimes you tax your listeners too much.
You have "visited" many blogs, including mine, putting ofrth very strong views and in a few cases, including at my Blog, DIVERTING attention from the Blog's topic with your personal personal"vendetta" which I abhor, relating to a court involving your family.
Now you are more to the topic BUT I STILLABHOR RHETORICS WHICH SERVE TO CREATE CONTROVERSY and UNNECESSARY STRRING SHIT IN NEH+GARAKU while you are safely escounced on Oz shore (that's your choice I respect but this does affect your shit-stirring intentions, no?
EG:
"The question that I want to ask is “IF IT WERE IN THE POWER OF MAHATIR TO GAS 5 MILLION CHINESE WILL MAHATIR HESITATE ? I will ask the Malays, if it were in your power to gas 8 million Chinese, will you do it ? I say without hesitation that you would ! "
The other arties can pose similar EXTREMIST rhetorical Q/Qs to hit you back, would it srerve any purpose?
Frankly I think you must follow mGf mave's advice which I had once reprised here: Go get a life, Move on...
yapchongyee:
I have discussed with several of my blog mates about your constant intrusion into Malaysian blogs and not observing the ethics and rules of civic behaviour eg going completely off topic to personalise your family "court case" so often you jeopardise the hosts' hospitality(including ine)>
I am letting this NOTICE stand that you are now barred from Desi's Place ebcause I am convinced, despite my warnings and also counsel by several other Bloggers I have read, you are deemed to be incapable of change.
I have decided to DELETE all future Posting of your comments with immediate effect, and I will let your earlier Comment satnd here as your RIP comment.
NO APOLOGIES from Desi because you dig your own cyber grave as far as I am concerned. -- YL Chong,
11.50pm Msian time, May 20, 2008
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