One theft,one semi-, one Rakyat's dilemma...

Desiderata stole from mGf ancient mariner's shipto try to land on dry Malaysian shore.
I half-stole from cpiasia.net because part of the loot was mine anyway.

BUT THE DILEMMA THE RAKYAT FACE ALL ORIGINATES FROM A ROTTEN APPLE -- UMNO in Malaysiana just as Adam and Eve faced the slimy one a long time ago in the Garden of Eden, that isjust one version of the origin of species, and human SIN. Sorry I tiptoed into terrortry that even angels fear to tread -- but it's ****Tuesday morn, and Morrie's wit is wit' Desi, hence inspired. -- YL, nu'eshound of Jurassick age.:)

ERRATA @8.37AM the dae after!:

I realised I was semi-asleep when I penned this piece in the devilish hours of the moUrn when normally only angels and thieves roam...so DesiFOOLofERRATA witnessed a correction to Saturdae 28 MARCH 2008 when new robber barons ascend the collapsing PWTC Stage where they also stage Sandy Goes to War to entertain hard-pressed Rakyat who can't, except for those robbers and barren! -- go to the Hiltons for such...

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Friday, March 27, 2009
Winners and Losers

By Capt Yusof Ahmad aka ancient mariner

An anonymous reader wrote a one-liner in my blog recently: "Kamulah Melayu yang akan meranapkan bangsa sendiri". He didnt elaborate on how he came to this earth shattering conclusion so I consigned his remark to the trash bin.

It didnt strike this twit that UMNO, a party corrupt to the core, has lost its moral authority to govern the country and are destroying the Malays.

Najib, Muhyiddin, Hishamuddin, Zahid and that Sabah fellow whatshisname. A "dream team", my ass.

A big bunch of delusional and misguided 'youths' with Class F contractors and mat rempit mindsets elected Khairy Jamaludin, found guilty of "money politics" - a glorified term for bribery and corruption if you ask me, as the new UMNO Youth head. This makes him a prime candidate for a post in Najib's new cabinet.

The others voted in UMNO's Majlis Tertinggi are nobodies who do not really inspire much confidence, either.

Winners all perhaps but the losers are definitely the rakyat.

And former prime minister Tun Dr M did indeed vow that he will work to oust incoming premier Najib should he appoint "corrupt leaders" in his cabinet.

Over to you, Tun.

Logged by The Ancient Mariner

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DESI's LOVE NOTE TO AM, penned @8.33AM the dae after!



"Dear AM:

It's GOoD morn - with corrupt leaders elected into new UMNO majlis the faster the RIP template would be planted at THSAT place where we can lay some flowers -- is it wreath or writhe? -- and ZZ can join them for a sleeping forever journey one way -- Utara ke, Selatanke2? -- YL, DesiFOOLofErotica as this is a wickedend and I'm inspired. UMNO OhNo! --swett four-letter words like sh*t! can now expire..."


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From cpiasia.net a not totally altrustic theft!:(


Home Media Monitor A Consolidated Post on UMNO new Chief and his Team
A Consolidated Post on UMNO new Chief and his Team
Media Monitor
Written by Various
Friday, 27 March 2009 15:32


http://asia.news.yahoo.com/090326/3/3y6z5.html

"Unknown" Najib ready to be Malaysian PM
by Reuters

KUALA LUMPUR, March 27 — Datuk Seri Najib Razak, who is set to be Malaysia's sixth prime minister, has been in Parliament for over 30 years, yet outside of a close coterie of friends and family he is an enigma. Yesterday, the 55-year-old, who is the son of Malaysia's second premier, was endorsed as the leader of Umno, the main party in the Barisan Nasional coalition that has ruled the country for 51 years.

The position effectively guarantees him leadership of the country as well.

Although Najib trained as an economist at a British university, he has little direct experience of economic management. He has held the defence and education portfolios as well as his current posts of deputy prime minister and finance minister.

''Najib is the most known unknown,'' said Bridget Welsh, a Malaysia specialist at Johns Hopkins University in the United States.

He has promised to use the current global economic downturn to boost the Southeast Asian country up the economic value chain and to liberalise services, reduce dependence on commodities and oil exports as well as low-end electronics.

He has however provided few clues on how he can do that in an economy that relies on millions of cheap immigrant labourers to produce electronics that account for nearly 40 per cent of the country's exports.

Whether he can do that in a country of 27 million people that imprisons people without trial, divides on racial lines and with a ruling coalition that is still wounded from its worst ever election losses at national and state level a year ago, is also moot.

He has been labelled as a hardliner by the opposition which cites recent sedition charges against one of its lawmakers, a ban on their newspapers and pressure on opposition-supporting websites as evidence of a coming crackdown.

Najib initially appeared to promise action to end economic and social privileges for the 60 per cent of the population that is Malay and that have been criticised for nurturing corruption and hampering economic growth. But he recently backed off any ''drastic'' move.

In his previous ministerial posts he spent lavishly and as finance minister unveiled Malaysia's biggest ever budget spend of RM60 billion to help stave off recession and layoffs in an economy that is the third most dependent on exports in Asia after Hong Kong and Singapore.

The composition of the budget spending showed caution. Only RM15-17 billion was new government spending, the rest came from various investment funds and bank guarantees.

That measure was criticised by some economists for lack of transparency or impact, but it cannily preserved Malaysia's credit rating and cash for a prolonged downturn where more firepower may be needed as government revenues slide.

Najib is said by people who work for him to have a strong appetite for detail and he is also popular with his staff.

Married for a second time, Najib has five children and plays golf with close political allies from Malaysia's elite and has close links to business, including his brother who heads Malaysia's second largest bank, CIMB.

Najib has taken his time to get to the top job, perhaps learning lessons from the fall of former Deputy PM Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim who was over-eager in his bid to oust then-Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad and ended up out of government and in jail.

Some say that while Najib is good at details he lacks the capacity for decisive action.

Dr Mahathir, who led the country for 22 years and is still an influential force, damned him with faint praise in a recent interview with Reuters, although much of his anger was reserved for incumbent Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi who succeeded him.

''Najib can do well, but we will have to see, because when I asked Abdullah to appoint him as deputy I had a lot of hope for him, but he did not perform the way I expected,'' Dr Mahathir said.

There are also issues of character. Najib has been mauled on opposition-supporting Internet sites which have linked him to the lurid murder of a Mongolian model, although there has been no evidence and Najib has repeatedly denied involvement.

Nonetheless it provides a rallying point for the opposition and any in Umno who may wish to attack Najib's suitability to be prime minister. Those attacks are in public and becoming more intense, with an opposition legislator recently being banned from Parliament for shouting ''murderer'' at Najib.

The honeymoon for Najib will be short, with one parliamentary by-election and two state seat by-elections on April 7. ''Throughout his political career, Najib has never had to fight like this before,'' said political analyst Ong Kian Ming. — Reuters

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All the president’s men
by Carolyn Hong, STS

MARCH 27 — When Deputy Premier Datuk Seri Najib Razak appealed to Umno delegates to vote him a good team, he had an unspoken list in mind. By the time the two-day party elections closed, it appeared that he did get most of what he wanted.

Indeed, he seems to have a fairly formidable team. A strong slate of the president's men will mean that Najib can count on the support of loyalists, and unite a fractious Umno that has been locked in leadership tussles for a year.

Just as important, the newly elected team is likely to be acceptable to many Malaysians. They are mostly in line with the choices named by Malaysians in a survey by the independent Merdeka Centre.

Najib, who became Umno president yesterday, never did disclose his preferences, but subtle signals were enough to prompt educated guesses.

The delegates picked up the right signals.

They voted in International Trade and Industry Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin as Umno deputy president.

All the three vice-presidents who won are also seen as Najib's men. They are Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Datuk Ahmad Zahid Hamidi; Education Minister Datuk Hishammuddin Hussein; and National Unity, Culture, Arts and Heritage Minister Datuk Shafie Apdal.

These wins have given much-needed breathing space to Najib as he sets out to unite Umno and push the party to undertake the reforms he has promised. He will have less of a task to deal with the factionalism that so often arises after a bitterly fought contest in the party.

It makes up for the disappointments of Wednesday when it was perceived that the winners of the top post of the Youth and Wanita wings may not have been Najib's choices.

A supporter of the Deputy Premier told The Straits Times that “the Youths did not heed the DPM's call” although it was never clear what Najib himself thought of new Youth chief Khairy Jamaluddin.

Some also said the new chief of the Wanita wing, Datuk Seri Shahrizat Jalil, was not his choice but this is not entirely clear.

Clearly, the poll results yesterday show that Najib has a firm control of the party, thanks to his long political career that began at the age of 23. He climbed up the ranks over 30 years, creating a vast network of loyalists that permeates to the grassroots.

The Deputy Prime Minister is now likely to start consolidating his strength in Umno. And analysts expect him to do so by sticking to the time-honoured tradition of appointing the poll winners to his Cabinet.

Since most are acceptable to Malaysians, there is less risk of a public outcry.

The winners may not be wholly reformist — very few in Umno are truly so — but neither are too many of them severely tainted by corruption or hardline champions of the Malay agenda.

Tourism Minister Datuk Azalina Othman Said, who is under investigation for graft, lost her seat in the supreme council.

“Iron Lady” Tan Sri Rafidah Aziz, tainted with corruption allegations, also suffered a shock defeat as the Wanita chief.

Despite all the bad press, many see Khairy — the 33-year-old son-in-law of outgoing Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi — as falling in both the reformist and tainted categories. In victory or defeat, he stirs mixed feelings.

Muhyiddin as deputy president falls into the neutral category. He does not have a particularly reformist image, but is seen as moderate and reasonable.

The one and only clear-cut reformist candidate — Foreign Minister Datuk Rais Yatim — did not make it as vice-president.

Najib's main difficulty will be a Cabinet post for Khairy. The outgoing Prime Minister's son-in-law will be a controversial choice for a Cabinet post, but leaving him out in the cold could invite trouble.

“People always swing to the new president, but trouble starts if they are not accommodated despite winning party posts,” said analyst Khoo Kay Peng.

Khairy's entry into government will spark criticism, undoubtedly partly led by former premier Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad. His dislike for Khairy is legendary.

But the Youth chief himself is tainted, having received a warning from the party's disciplinary board for money politics.

Still, some analysts say Khairy may actually be good for reforms. The Oxford-educated leader was one of the very few in Umno who had articulated liberal ideas and multiracial ideals.

His baggage: his ultra-Malay past, whispers about his finger being in every lucrative business pie, and the mixed messages he sends out.

Merdeka Centre director Ibrahim Suffian believes that Khairy has actually been the most consistent in advocating an Umno more open to criticism.

“It also helps the party by having a more multifaceted approach towards rejuvenating its image and incorporating representation from different sides of the party, and to avoid group think,” he said.

All in, yesterday was a good day for Najib. — Straits Times

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Umno's new line-up
By Zedeck Siew, The Nut Graph

THAT Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin is Umno deputy president is probably a good thing for Malaysia's largest political party.

Analysts have been looking to him as the most competent contender for the deputy president's post, especially since Umno's deputy president is almost certain to be made deputy prime minister, as tradition dictates. With his vast experience in politics and government, Muhyiddin, who is also International Trade and Industry Minister, was the clear favourite.

Another reason for the confidence in Muhyiddin stemmed from his declaration that the party needs to reform. Speaking of change, Muhyiddin said: "There is no choice. If you don't change, they will change you. If we wait for 10 more years there will be nothing left."

While not as radical as he could be, Muhyiddin's reasoning is a clarion call when contrasted with the relative conventionality — and dubious baggage — of his erstwhile rival Tan Sri Muhammad Muhd Taib.

A poll by the Merdeka Centre found that of three candidates before Datuk Seri Mohd Ali Rustam was barred because of money politics, Muhyiddin had the highest approval ratings among the Malaysian public.

Therefore, his convincing win may also be read as the party thinking ahead to the expected cabinet line-up under soon-to-be Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak. It appears that the wishes of the leading party in the Barisan Nasional (BN) coincided with the wishes of a majority of Malaysians. At least in this instance.

Such inclusiveness may signal an end to Umno's perceived callousness towards those outside its ranks or race. And if that is the case, it is a step towards making good outgoing Umno president Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi's recommendation that "the loyalty of every Malaysian irrespective of race must always be appreciated."

The new VPs

The new vice-presidents also deserve a look, as this will divine Umno's internal atmosphere from here on out.

Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi's 1,592-vote win was seen by many observers to be inevitable. Popular within the party, observers saw Ahmad Zahid as being able to appeal to all Umno factions. His entrance into the upper echelons may accompany a willingness in the party to set aside differences and present a unified front.

However, as Minister in the Prime Minister's Department in charge of Islamic affairs, Ahmad Zahid has been at the forefront of championing a particular brand of Islam that views the use of "Allah" by non-Muslims, for example, as a challenge to Muslims.

Indeed, in certain circles, he is seen to have an ultra-religious streak in him. Prior to the "Allah" issue, Ahmad Zahid was clear in warning groups not to question the fatwa on pengkid.

Whether Ahmad Zahid's determined promotion of such restrictions, and the imposition of rules that have caused Malaysians distress, will influence how Umno approaches such matters in future will be something to watch out for.

Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein also went on to secure a vice-presidency with 1,515 votes despite some initial doubt.

After having been gifted the Panca Warisan by Umno Youth, Hishammuddin implied that the tradition of unsheathing the keris had left the wing with him — and will follow him into Umno proper. "I am now responsible to bring it to the main body if, God willing, I manage to secure a place at a higher level in the party," Hishammuddin, who was the wing's chief until the night of 25 March 2009, said.

hat statement bears with it a degree of ominousness — and it now appears that his stance remains popular within the party. The supping of non-Malay Malaysian viscera, however, may be at a temporary end. The Umno Youth assembly saw Hishammuddin preferring to turn down racial dichotomies, sticking to opposition party-bashing instead.

The reasons for Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal's 1,445-vote victory are clear-cut. Umno has voted him as the third vice-president, the highest post an East Malaysian has ever held within the party. By doing so, the party appears to be facing down the criticism that Sabah and Sarawak have been unfairly treated in BN-led Malaysia, in terms of development and representation.

The issue of equal suffrage for the East Malaysian states gained immediacy following March 2008. The BN's success in Sabah and Sarawak offset its setbacks in the peninsula, and helped the coalition keep a parliamentary majority. The situation has since allowed Sabahan and Sarawakian politicians from the BN to have more leverage in its negotiations with the central leadership in the peninsula.

While last year's new cabinet featured the most East Malaysian faces in Malaysian history, such politicians were still given portfolios with relatively light political weight. Shafie, for example, was appointed to head the culture, arts, heritage and national unity ministry. Now, his ascendancy in Umno may be read as being indicative of the party's awareness of its weaknesses, and its willingness to address them.

The golden question now, of course, is whether the new line-up of Umno leaders will really be conducive to Najib's stated aim of party rejuvenation. Will Umno — and therefore the BN — be able to regain some of its relevance? Only time will tell.

And, with the grave misgivings that Najib brings into his premiership of the country, it's still left to be seen whether the rest of us will be able to live with our new prime minister and deputy prime minister.

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KJ's win spells end of UMNO?
By Rocky Bru

March 26, 2009

Or light at the end of the Umno tunnel? Two newspapers called for my views earlier today on Khairy Jamaluddin's victory. First to call was Harakah. The journo asked me if KJ's win was a petanda buruk (bad omen) for Umno. Sure, I had a nightmare last night [read about my meeting with KJ at a Muslim cemetary in the comment box here] but the outcome of the Youth chief contest is an opportunity for Umno.

Firstly, it is a chance for KJ himself to prove everyone wrong. That he is not averse to change. That he ain't as bad as they (and I) claimed.

Secondly, it is an opportunity for Najib Razak, Umno's new President, to help Pemuda to close ranks (remember, KJ garnered only about 35 per cent of the delegates who voted last night; the remaining went to losers Khir Toyo and Mukhriz Mahathir). To rapatkan saf, Najib could appoint KJ and Mukhriz to his Cabinet and Khir to the Supreme Council. Conditional, of course, on their being cleared of all corruption charges.

Thirdly, it is also a signal for the party to move fast and adopt a review of the voting system. The 1 member = 1 vote system will make Umno the most democratic party in the country, help abolish money politics, and even encourage Malays who have shunned Umno all this while to join the party.

The Oriental Daily reporter told me that the MCA debated the 1 member = 1 vote system and found that it would be costly and time-consuming. I said whatever the cost, it would not be greater than the cost of losing the next General Election because of the party's failure to fight money politics and corruption in the party.

In short, I see a silver lining ahead for Umno. And yes, if you allow each Umno member one vote to elect the party's leaders in 2012, I would consider signing up as an Umno member.

But if they elect in Muhammad Muhammad Taib as the Deputy President tonight, I will have to take back my words.

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CPI EDITOR'S COMMENTARY:

The above is a sampling of news reports and commentaries from various sources on the results flowing from the just concluded UMNO party elections which was postponed from a year ago, and it marked a changing of the guards with outgoing UMNO President-cum-Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi handing over the nation's chief exceutive's baton to deputy UMNO President-cum-DPM Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak who inherited the UMNO presidency witout contest.

Except for two "exceptional" wins by Khairy Jamaludin, former deputy UMNO chief, in defeating Mukhriz Mahathir and Khir Toyo, in capturing the top youth wing's post, and by Sharizat Abdul Jalil in upsetting incumbent Rafidah Azizfor the top Wanita UMNO's post, the rest of the contests saw mainly victories for the new President's men. This point was well noted by Carolyn Hong of the Sinpore's Staits Times too. Another point made by Carolyn worthy of stress which this Editor concurs with is: "Still, some analysts say Khairy may actually be good for reforms. The Oxford-educated leader was one of the very few in Umno who had articulated liberal ideas and multiracial ideals.

But past UMNO politics has witnessed much shortfall, distortion and non-complaince between pledges made and performance and delivery of those pledges, epitomised by the euphoria premised on promises of all-round "change" for the better created by outgoing Prime Minister Pak Lah when he swept into a landslideelectoral victory in leading his first general elections in 2004 after inheriting UMNO captaincy from Dr Mahathir Mahathir, followed by a damning March 8, 2008 electoral performance, with Barisan Nasional losing for the first time its two-thirds majority in Parliament.

We have heard a lot of the UMNO leaders' promises of a clean, responsible and accountable government before, and Abdullah Ahmad Badawi knows he had to pay a huge price in giving up the nation's CEO post for lacklustre performance -- an outstanding example of the potential power of the Rakayt/People in punishing the Leader's failure of "walking the talk".

Will the new UMNO President Najib and his team prove to the Rakyat that they have learnt well a lesson from his (Najib's) precedessor's fate, especially concerning instituting "reforms" that are essential to improving all branches of Government, to enure truly responsible, transparent and accountable service delivery, especially in the Judiciary, the Police and Civil Service? The Rakyat's patience will be sorely tested for the next three to four years in a new and ever-changing political and challenging economic environment to which many of Pak Lah's old team could not rsie up to. Najib's work has indeed been cut out for him. -- YL Chong