This morning when I trod softly into anwaribrahimblog.com, I was pleasantly surprised by the host's sharing of thoughts on one of my fave subjects -- William Shapespeare. Just to whet your appetite, I reprised the opening paragraphs, and will myself re-visit the Post freshly uploaded from Brisbane, Queensland, Australia, where he spoke at the
Kongres Shakespeare Sedunia VIII .
July 21st, 2006 | Category: Transkrip, Lit - Arts
"Ucapan saya di Kongres Shakespeare Sedunia VIII Ahad 16 – Jumaat 21 Julai 2006 di Brisbane City Hall, Queensland, Australia
Our answer is that those who hold positions of power also carry a moral responsibility to listen to the people. To interfere with individual freedom is to rob individuals not just of their freedom, but of the right and responsibility they have to reason. No one has a right to take away that liberty, not a single despot and not even a duly constituted legislative majority.
Teks lengkap seterusnya…
Between Tyranny and Freedom: A Brief Voyage with the Bard
Plenary paper by Anwar Ibrahim at the VIII World Shakespeare Congress Sunday 16 – Friday 21 July 2006 at Brisbane City Hall, Queensland, Australia.
Anwar Ibrahim is currently Distinguished Visiting Professor at the School of Foreign Service, Georgetown University, Washington DC, and Honorary President of Accountability, London.
~~~~~~~
"Ten years ago, I addressed an audience at the Ateneo de Manila University in the Philippines. I began with the following lines:
Midway in the journey of our life I found myself in a dark wood, for the straight path was lost. Ah, how hard it is to tell what that wood was, wild, rugged, harsh; the very thought of it renews fear! It is so bitter that death is hardly more so.
While I do not intend to sound like an antique drum, I do want to remind ourselves of our inter-connectedness in the face of the forces that threaten to separate us. It is said that throughout its history, the West has defined itself in opposition to the East, in terms of the rational against the irrational, the superior against the inferior, or as Edward Said puts it, the Orient is the West’s great complementary opposite since antiquity. To paraphrase William Hazlitt in his characterization of Leontes, this discourse is “beset with doubts and fears, and entangled more and more in the thorny labyrinth” of mutual distrust and jealousy. We will have more to say about The Winter’s Tale and the overriding theme of tyranny later, but, for now, let us just say that, it is this blinkered view of the world with vociferous advocates on both sides that has led us into mutual suspicion, acrimony and hostility, and threatens to suck us into the quicksand of an even greater clash.
:
:
:
DESIDERATA will not post anything new for this weekend as his plate will be filled with relecting on ex-DPM Anwar's rumination. Yes, on with Da Bard!If you forego next week's newspapers reading for just one Essay, I recommend Anwar Inbrahim's lecture. Not that I love the local newspapers less, it's that I love Da Bard more. aMORE with Desi?
Serve thee -- my dear ER whom I urge to join me to ponder over Anwar's writes -- with a special goblet of tehtarik, kurang manis to safeguard your health, tinged with Miss Sunthi to perk us up to face many challenges in NegaraKu in truly interesting times.
Godspeed.
Friday, July 21, 2006
Thursday, July 20, 2006
Epic Play: Anwar is right man to lead JUSTICE option
This instalment ends the series which I started with a Prelude to Viewing Malaysia's Political Landscape on July 8, 2006.
Today I go back from where I started, with two points raised by Readers Xpyred and Mave in the discourse about what Options are on the Malaysians' plate in selceting the leaders to progress NegaraKu to developed nation status, never mind it's not done by targeted date 2020, at least we have started on the right footing.
mGf at xpyred.textfiend.net in an entry entitled
"on khairy jamaluddin: i’ve got my version, what’s your’s?"
dated June 16, 2006 had raised the question of ETHICS in the field of POLITICS.
"...suppose I tell myself, "But only the real issues matter: housing, jobs, press freedom, etc.". The question I will have to ask myself is: will I accept these issues being raised, discussed and handled by people who got to power through less than ethical means?
If I were to be pragmatic, I'd probably tell myself, "well, that's realpolitik for you". After all, politicians manage the interests of self-interested people. And self-interested people, following that logic, should root for politicians who can protect their interests best - and perhaps that also means rooting for "politicians who survive best"? Or perhaps it merely means rooting for politicians who can pander to the interests of self-interested people the best?
And that is exactly what Pericles, in his second speech, does, isn't it? Pericles, however, was recognized as the First amongst his peers; would I vote for a scoundrel who is willing to protect my interests? There are a whole host of other questions related to Pericles that I'm ignoring, but I suppose those can be set aside for the moment.
Anyway. What is the most pragmatic option? Basically, if everything RPK says about Khairy is true, if Khairy demonstrates that he can protect your interests, would you root for him?
DESIDERATA's short answer that Politics has been pragmatically defined as THE ART OF THE POSSIBLE. Another saying is also relevant -- That there are no permanent friends or foes in politics -- only permanent interests.
I had said several times that Malaysians find themselves in a neat conundrum of being caught twist THE DEVIL AND THE DEEP BLUE SEA.
Realistically, we then make decisions to minimise the negatives that impact on us in daily living, and try to maximise the positives. Through active participation in politics -- whether you like it or not. The Epic Play on the PWTC Stage is NOT like As You Like It from The Bard -- PWTC is where the nation's policies are determined, like tghe NEP. Not in Parliament which has been turned into a ZOO sometimes; others may beg to disagree saying MOST TIMES, and who's Desi to disagree?
One of xpyred's readers, sigma,wrote:
"Ummn, I’ve been reading a bit about the Khairy Chronicles, but I don’t remember reading that he would protect my interests?
I think that one should read that chronicles with 2 pinches of salt, as a lot of what it says is through the grapevine. Not entirely RPK’s fault, mind you, but an appropriation of the blame has to go towards Malaysia’s untransparent political system too, hence forcing people to have to resort towards listening to corridor gossips for the ‘inside’ news.
I initially had great hopes for the Oxford grad. Me thought that a sound foundation of proud traditional Anglo education would expound into him the virtues of egalitarianism, equality, multiculturalism, logical reasoning and intellectual wit.
I based these assumptions of mine from the Anglo institution that I am attending, the University of Sydney. Almost all of the political clubs here, as well as the aspiring student politicians incorporate these traits in their platform. And would guess that such a premier institution lik Oxford University would be similar, if not more enamoured with these beliefs.
And since Khairy has had the chance to apply those beliefs in the real-life workings of a real country, a chance that many of those student politicians would die for, he doesn’t seem to have, through his father,(Desi: I believe he meant father-in-law, the PM?) implemented any of those admirable traits to Malaysia as yet. Hence by dissapointment with him.
Its clear that RPK isn’t a pro-Khairy fellow. Those chronicles, IMO, are bordering on libel, since they are without substantial proof.
But in none of those articles have I came across the fact that Khairy is a pragmatic politician. In fact, I still don’t know what he stands for.
To me, the epitome of a chameleon politician has got to be Anwar Ibrahim. Defender of UMNO for a moment, darling of the Opposition and the West the next moment."
Answering Sigma directly, I'm reprising this extract:
:
:
July 1st, 2006, at 11:13 am #
"ylchong wrote:
xpyred:
:
I can safely make ONE CONCLUSION about Khairy J, by his public demonstration of KETUANAN MELAYU with his boss Hishamuddin Tun Hussein wielding the “keris” at the UMNO Youth Assembly he is the “typical” UMNO upstart following in the footsteps of current DPM Najib Tun Razak, ex-MB Selangor Muhammah Muhd Taib who similarly cried for “blood” (of non-Malays) to be shed also at a public gathering in a stadium decades earlier. SO I’d rule this “bast…” if I hope to have a Bangsa Malaysia … progressing on politics above Race, Colour, Creed and Gender; politics based on NEEDS, not RACE which I advocate in my mainly Civic Society blog.
I take a break to refer to articulate, but shakily facts-based arguments from Sigma, in particular just this point “…To me, the epitome of a chameleon politician has got to be Anwar Ibrahim. Defender of UMNO for a moment, darling of the Opposition and the West the next moment. ”
Defender of UMNO “for a moment” — close to 1-1/2 decades can’t be a moment. Anwar parachuted into UMNO — courted from his PAS-leaning ways as nationally, first as ABIM head — by Dr Mahathir, and quickly rose in UMNO to Minister, Finance Minister cum DPM by passing many other “senior” leaders, including present PM!
“…darlin of the Opposition and the West the next…”is TRUE after he was sacked (under highly controversial circumstances. still under debate to this day, in future too… BUT LET’S GIVE HIM SIME CREDIT THAT HE GAVE MALAYSIANS A CHANCE FOR “REFORM & REFORMATION” (ala French Revolution, maybe West-dervived BUT is it inherently BAD?) So on balance, this partial judgment by Sigma cannot be totally be seen as NEGATIVE to be held against the former UMNO PM-in-waiting.
:
:
July 2nd, 2006, at 11:42 pm #
"xpyre wrote:
Ever since I saw Khairy standing behind Hishammudin as the latter wielded his keris, I grew ever more suspicious about his intentions. But here’s the difficulty: if Khairy does indeed pose as a possible, enlightened leader, what are we willing to ignore?
I think this issue is quite complicated. What’s currently on my mind is: what sort of person is Khairy - apart from the little tidbits RPK issues on his blog? How will that affect my decision about supporting him or not? IF he’s worth supporting, what price do I have to pay for that support? Is any price worth paying?
If Khairy trumps everyone and emerges the most powerful contender to the throne, how will this affect the democratic process - a party leader does not a member of parliament make; he still needs to be elected, doesn’t he? What’s going to be ‘fixed’ this time?
It’s quite a.. well. I mean, look at the democratic process. We vote, but we can only vote for candidates. Who are the candidates? Who decides on the candidates? Not the people, but the party, I suppose? Unless we’re talking about independents stepping up to the plate. Who has control? I mean, real control?
Well, just some unordered thoughts..."
July 3rd, 2006, at 12:06 am #
"ylchong wrote:
hi xpyred:
"... Basically, Under the Social Contract, ideally the Government lives up to its Compact (Agreement) as spelt out in its Election Manifesto/es to the people/electorate.
If the Rakyat/electorate are not happy, they can “vote” the present government “out of office” at the next General Elections, but this is only good in theory. The odds are stacked heavily against the opposition –with the incumbent government using the “gerrymander” in parliamentary constituencies to iit great advantage eg.a Bn constituency may have 30,000 electors but an Oppo area may have double ie. 60,000 voters!
And in realpolitik, the current destabilised stage at PWTC is due to the FACE-OFF between two camps within UMNO, the old order represented by a former PM, Dr Mahathir (plus proxies in Camp1) and the new order led by current PM Pak Lah (plus his proxies in Camp2).
My main thesis is the war is really about fighting for the Bigger Pie of the Malaysian Cake, especially blatantly open and vicious in economically challenging times. Why do you think that *”MEGA-PROJECTS” and billion-dollar old scandals being frely opened up for public scrutiny, and both new and old “Pandora’s boxes” are being opened up one by one — via the courts and mass media — for all Malaysians to SEE. As I noted, an unintended outcome of this FACE-OFF is that the mass media “seem” (Yes, I said this is a transient illussion, not a permanent reality) to be enjoying a more open and liberal environment (a “Springtime” that will last…we pray). Another sidenote is to witness the secondary roles played in the unfolding drama by ex-GEICs and current GEICS of the NST, eg Klimulah Hassan (in cahoots with Khairy Jamaludin), Brendan Pereira vs Kadir Jasin, RockyBru.
Please share your opinions if you have the time!:) ..."
July 15th, 2006, at 9:35 pm #
"xpyre wrote:
It’s as you say: they are just fighting for a larger piece of the pie. Yesterday, while leaving a client’s place, I was asked for my opinion on the whole matter and what I said then probably applies here: it’s just two self-interested clans - probably separated by a generation - who are fighting over the scraps of what remains of Malaysia.
I can’t see this current tussle as anything more than Mahathir protecting his own interests - the same interests he protected and depended on while he was prime minister. And now? Why, isn’t it surprising how expensive dismantling big mega projects are? I wonder who’s getting a share of the pie in this case…
Behind all of this is a fear yet another friend expressed quite well: what happens when these ravenous dogs run out of blood to suck out of the national coffers? Well, we’ve got rich Chinese fat cats. Might as well do them.
:
:
:
The exchanges engaged by Desi with xpyred are relevant as it was primarily in answering Xpyred and Mave SM's challenge I embarked with this LONG ESSAY in several instalments -- maybe I shoould submit to UPM to publish as a textbook, and then share the "loot" eh? Just an aside, I'm happy to read today's NST frontapge:
ETHNIC RELATIOINS GUIDEBOOK WITHDRAWN
'Ther facts of history
can never be changed...
There is no need for
us to hurl accusations
at other races.' -- (PM) Abdullahj
Just add that I still would urge my ER to give Pak Lah until the end of this term -- and should he lead the BN into another term, up to second term's tenure -- to "fully deliver" his election pledges. I have mentioned some BABY STEPS taken -- Judiciary being given back some independence and dignity; the Police has come aroubnd to the establishment of the IPCMC; and some spruingtime of media freedom and openness -- whether permanent (freal) or temporal (illussion) is yet to be seen...
Okay, back to KJ and accusations some of my ER have thrown up, also by readers at several other Blogs I care to spend time at -- that Khairy and PM's son are using the PM's position to advance their business interests.
TO SUCH ALLEGATIONS about the PM's family being involved in business, I would rebut with: "Is this something new in UMNO politics?"
With this rhetorical response, I am not saying I support or condone their activities, but re-state what is a fact of UMNO politics -- otherwise, how do you explain away similar actions involving one of Mahathir's sons buying controlling interests amounting to billions in MISC (Malaysian International Shipping Corp) at one time? About the subsequent action to use Petronas to bail out MISC following the 1997/98 financial crisis. I indeed posit this was the key issue that Anwar resisted against his boss' insistence to bail out the son that led to Anwar's subsequent downfall -- of course, Anwar's being in favour of IMF (International Monetary Fund) measures to tackle the financial crisis did not help.
At about the same time, remember one MCA minister's son was approved by banks in facilities up to RM1.2billion (he did not deny the press reports which touted him then as a role model for Malaysian youths, becoming athe youngest biollionaire at age 27 in Malaysia; even Bill Gates would have envied this enterprising chap! But when the stock market soon crashed, this guy disappeared from the Malaysian corporate radar for a long time ... but that's another story.
What I am highlighting here is that UMNO, MCA and MIC and to a lessr extent, the junior component parties wityhin the 15-member BN, are all helping themselves in business, directly or via proxies. IS THIS SOMETHING NEW -- that the press has to keep harping of Khairy Jamaludin getting RM10million bank facilities to buy shares of ECM-Libra, and then using his influence, with enhanced force of Kalimullah Hassan, in bringing about the merger of ECM Libra with Avenue .....
From Tajudin Ramli's case, we see that any individual in the good books of the incumbent UMNO chief (also the PM), could be assisted in obtaining RM1.8billion to buy controlling interests in MAS; so what else is new? And do you think there is NO FUNDS (LIKE 10% COMMISSION) BEING SYPHONED OFF TO AID UMNO'S POLITICAL STRUGGLE? Desi would be naive for once and say that I do believe the marines when they said they did not fire any shots in defence when they were attacked by the Japs during Pearl Harbour attacks one Christmas morn..
If Desiderata had not started on this series on the EPIC PLAY much earlier or not just a few days ago, many of my EsteemedReaders would have a misconception I'm writing as a "fan" of Anwar. This I would like to categorically say: No, I am writing as a trained journalist studying the current politics in NegaraKu and suggesting to my ER the options before us and what I, as a concerned citizen, think is about he best, viable option on the plate. I urge that Malaysia should give Anwar a "secong chance" to become what should have taken place, the Prime Minister, as he had "expressed some regrets" serving under the Mahathir regime. Such regrets I had known being expressed only yesterday, but my series had already been planned and this is my last instalment for now, even as the PWTC saga enters into higher gear which I would report on a on-going basis.
In an exclusive interview with Malaysiakini which ran Part 2 yesterday, I extract the fololowing highlights:
* Former deputy prime minister Anwar Ibrahim has revealed the key players who went behind the back of the then Bank Negara governor - the late Jaffar Hussein (right) - to make foreign exchange (forex) speculations resulting in losses of up to RM30 billion between 1992 and 1994. The three survivors include current Finance Minister II Nor Mohamed Yakcop (then deputy governor of BNM during forex trading period),
and former finance minister Daim Zainuddin and their big boss, PM Dr Mahathir Mohamad. "That was the time I just came in (as finance minister). But I trusted Jaffar who did not know about it until I asked. He genuinely thought that it was a small amount," Anwar said.
And Nor Mohamed, then a Bank Negara assistant governor who was the point man in the forex speculation, could have been charged in court had he (Anwar) not been forced to step down. But this also resulted in the dismissal of Jaffar, who also had to take responsibility for the losses.
** Meanwhile, Anwar also expressed his regrets for failing to bring reforms when he was in government.
He said he was in the midst of tabling a new Education Act which would have seen the repeal of the Universities and University Colleges Act and given more protection for vernacular schools when he was transferred to the Finance Ministry.
According to him, his efforts only went as far as circulating the draft bill, which was later neglected by his successors in the Education Ministry.
He also regretted not putting his foot down to object the construction of the Kuala Lumpur International Airport in Sepang and the Bakun dam in Sarawak
"Some said that I should have been more firm but I wasn't. But if I had done that, I would have been sacked in 1993," said Anwar, who is now the opposition Parti Keadilan Rakyat adviser.
*** Asked to comment on International Trade and Industry Minister Rafidah Aziz's statement that Malaysia was still an attractive destination for foreign investors, Anwar accused her of being in "a state of denial".
**** And most significant of all, IMHO, Anwar also spelled out at length some of the economic reforms the country must undertake in order to regain its competitiveness, which included the dismantling of the 35-year-old New Economic Policy.
A day before, Part 1 of Malaysiakini's report said that Anwar was of the opinion that
"... he does not expect Najib to mount a challenge against Abdullah because the DPM is too "guarded and calculative" to take advantage of the on-going crisis within the ruling party. '
“He is never known to have strong views. We would probably have to consult (Najib's wife) Rosmah on her views too… but I don't foresee this sort of challenge,” he quipped.[...]
"...Najib has always been seen to follow this feudal tradition... he's not the new liberal Malay except for the facade.
Anwar, however, said Najib's statements of support for Abdullah has been "far from convincing".
DESIDERATA: I believe Najib has had a life handed him on a "silver spoon" from the ascension into Parilament (following the demise of his father, Tun Abdul Razak) at a young age (interrupting his studies in London...), later he became the "youngest state Menteri Besar, of Pahang", and of course, I had relared Razaleigh's "unfortunate" tasting of Najib's bending with the wind politics or the "fence-sitter", with his own ambitions, as an astute foreign journalist recently noted!
Anwar also alleged that Umno, which he was once part of, had amassed a cash horde of RM8 billion. He said this was done through an opaque system of Umno-linked tycoons and companies holding the money on behalf of the party.
Anwar also noted that there was a tinge of racism in Mahathir's criticisms against the Singapore government, especially on the crooked bridge issue. Quote:
“This is Singapore, our neighbour - setting aside that it is a difficult neighbour - but still the subtle racist undertones to my mind is very irresponsible on his (Mahathir's) part,” said Anwar...
“Not only (he raised the issue of) nationalism but (he) also (spoke) against the Chinese and Singapore (whom he claimed are) trying to act tough against the Malay leadership and that they (the Chinese leadership in Singapore) should be taught a lesson.
DESIDERATA: My reading tells me that the present (former PM) Dr Mahathir-Pak Lah (current PM )FACE-OFF will take to a higher level -- so approprate between former DPM (Anwar Ibrahim) and current DPM (Najib Razak.
Sdr Anwar was also coincidently in Australia when Pak Lah went for his long holiday (cum sinus operation) -- I believe the two could have "accidentally" met up, as Oxford-trained Khairy Jamaludin can be relied on to set up such incidents.
Regarding Pak Lah's son's involvement in business, there is an "old" write-up dated
Thursday, March 03, 2005 entitled
Scomi Group Berhad: Malaysia’s new ‘hungry ghost’
which you have top take the trouble to read, but as I say, since when have Malaysians been surprised with political scions to leverage advantage in politics and business? Just a few paragraphs:
"Scomi Group Berhad first hit the radar screens when it became known that one of its subsidiaries, Scomi Precision Engineering Sdn Bhd (Scope), was being investigated by both the Malaysian and international police with regards to its links with a Dubai-based Sri Lanka businessman, BSA Tahir, over his alleged involvement in the supply of nuclear technology to Libya. Suddenly Scomi became a household name and it was then that Malaysians became aware that this oil and gas group was linked to the family of Malaysian Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi.
In the end, the investigation cleared Scomi of any wrongdoing, though Tahir himself was not so fortunate. "
To reiterate, What do you expect of UMNO politics-corporate nexus? It won't end with Mr Nice Guy's ascension to PMship, but I believe he's the lesser of the evils represented by Najib supported by Mahathir!
It's just changing of the guards -- more of the same, perhaps with robber baronry and seepage on a lower level because of closer scrutiny, not least from Bloggers! -- but I hope the blardy Opposition gathers some Economic ThinkTank to focus on the BIG picture and fighting for nation's priorities, not partisan gamemanship! (like some of the BN components have, but their objective is to MAXIMISE INCOMES for the party&cronies! Just mention UMNO (pro-Najib) Baginda Razak, Gerakan's Khoo Khay Peng, and Sabah's Jeffrey Kitinggan...).
Before parting temporarily to await ACT 2 of the Epic Play, may I share an observation or two with thee?
Reading about Anwar's "dig" at Najib's wife, can I just add that the "wife" factor does indeed play a BIG part in the present Acts. It is commonly known that Pak Lah's late wife, Datin Seri Endon Mahmood, (may her soul rest in peace) got on pretty well with Anwar's wife Datin Seri Wan Azizah, PKR President. And we wall know while Endon and Rosmah had attended some functions together, they tried darn'd hard NOT to establsih eye-contact. Sorry for Raja Petra-style story-spinning, but that's all I can say at the moment.
In the coincidence of Pak Lah and Anwar being in Australia at the same time, do you think they would have met up to exchange greetings?
In the coincidence of Najib's hurried trip to the UK when Dr Mahathir also adjourned there from his European holiday, do you think they would have met up to exchange greetings?
Today I go back from where I started, with two points raised by Readers Xpyred and Mave in the discourse about what Options are on the Malaysians' plate in selceting the leaders to progress NegaraKu to developed nation status, never mind it's not done by targeted date 2020, at least we have started on the right footing.
mGf at xpyred.textfiend.net in an entry entitled
"on khairy jamaluddin: i’ve got my version, what’s your’s?"
dated June 16, 2006 had raised the question of ETHICS in the field of POLITICS.
"...suppose I tell myself, "But only the real issues matter: housing, jobs, press freedom, etc.". The question I will have to ask myself is: will I accept these issues being raised, discussed and handled by people who got to power through less than ethical means?
If I were to be pragmatic, I'd probably tell myself, "well, that's realpolitik for you". After all, politicians manage the interests of self-interested people. And self-interested people, following that logic, should root for politicians who can protect their interests best - and perhaps that also means rooting for "politicians who survive best"? Or perhaps it merely means rooting for politicians who can pander to the interests of self-interested people the best?
And that is exactly what Pericles, in his second speech, does, isn't it? Pericles, however, was recognized as the First amongst his peers; would I vote for a scoundrel who is willing to protect my interests? There are a whole host of other questions related to Pericles that I'm ignoring, but I suppose those can be set aside for the moment.
Anyway. What is the most pragmatic option? Basically, if everything RPK says about Khairy is true, if Khairy demonstrates that he can protect your interests, would you root for him?
DESIDERATA's short answer that Politics has been pragmatically defined as THE ART OF THE POSSIBLE. Another saying is also relevant -- That there are no permanent friends or foes in politics -- only permanent interests.
I had said several times that Malaysians find themselves in a neat conundrum of being caught twist THE DEVIL AND THE DEEP BLUE SEA.
Realistically, we then make decisions to minimise the negatives that impact on us in daily living, and try to maximise the positives. Through active participation in politics -- whether you like it or not. The Epic Play on the PWTC Stage is NOT like As You Like It from The Bard -- PWTC is where the nation's policies are determined, like tghe NEP. Not in Parliament which has been turned into a ZOO sometimes; others may beg to disagree saying MOST TIMES, and who's Desi to disagree?
One of xpyred's readers, sigma,wrote:
"Ummn, I’ve been reading a bit about the Khairy Chronicles, but I don’t remember reading that he would protect my interests?
I think that one should read that chronicles with 2 pinches of salt, as a lot of what it says is through the grapevine. Not entirely RPK’s fault, mind you, but an appropriation of the blame has to go towards Malaysia’s untransparent political system too, hence forcing people to have to resort towards listening to corridor gossips for the ‘inside’ news.
I initially had great hopes for the Oxford grad. Me thought that a sound foundation of proud traditional Anglo education would expound into him the virtues of egalitarianism, equality, multiculturalism, logical reasoning and intellectual wit.
I based these assumptions of mine from the Anglo institution that I am attending, the University of Sydney. Almost all of the political clubs here, as well as the aspiring student politicians incorporate these traits in their platform. And would guess that such a premier institution lik Oxford University would be similar, if not more enamoured with these beliefs.
And since Khairy has had the chance to apply those beliefs in the real-life workings of a real country, a chance that many of those student politicians would die for, he doesn’t seem to have, through his father,(Desi: I believe he meant father-in-law, the PM?) implemented any of those admirable traits to Malaysia as yet. Hence by dissapointment with him.
Its clear that RPK isn’t a pro-Khairy fellow. Those chronicles, IMO, are bordering on libel, since they are without substantial proof.
But in none of those articles have I came across the fact that Khairy is a pragmatic politician. In fact, I still don’t know what he stands for.
To me, the epitome of a chameleon politician has got to be Anwar Ibrahim. Defender of UMNO for a moment, darling of the Opposition and the West the next moment."
Answering Sigma directly, I'm reprising this extract:
:
:
July 1st, 2006, at 11:13 am #
"ylchong wrote:
xpyred:
:
I can safely make ONE CONCLUSION about Khairy J, by his public demonstration of KETUANAN MELAYU with his boss Hishamuddin Tun Hussein wielding the “keris” at the UMNO Youth Assembly he is the “typical” UMNO upstart following in the footsteps of current DPM Najib Tun Razak, ex-MB Selangor Muhammah Muhd Taib who similarly cried for “blood” (of non-Malays) to be shed also at a public gathering in a stadium decades earlier. SO I’d rule this “bast…” if I hope to have a Bangsa Malaysia … progressing on politics above Race, Colour, Creed and Gender; politics based on NEEDS, not RACE which I advocate in my mainly Civic Society blog.
I take a break to refer to articulate, but shakily facts-based arguments from Sigma, in particular just this point “…To me, the epitome of a chameleon politician has got to be Anwar Ibrahim. Defender of UMNO for a moment, darling of the Opposition and the West the next moment. ”
Defender of UMNO “for a moment” — close to 1-1/2 decades can’t be a moment. Anwar parachuted into UMNO — courted from his PAS-leaning ways as nationally, first as ABIM head — by Dr Mahathir, and quickly rose in UMNO to Minister, Finance Minister cum DPM by passing many other “senior” leaders, including present PM!
“…darlin of the Opposition and the West the next…”is TRUE after he was sacked (under highly controversial circumstances. still under debate to this day, in future too… BUT LET’S GIVE HIM SIME CREDIT THAT HE GAVE MALAYSIANS A CHANCE FOR “REFORM & REFORMATION” (ala French Revolution, maybe West-dervived BUT is it inherently BAD?) So on balance, this partial judgment by Sigma cannot be totally be seen as NEGATIVE to be held against the former UMNO PM-in-waiting.
:
:
July 2nd, 2006, at 11:42 pm #
"xpyre wrote:
Ever since I saw Khairy standing behind Hishammudin as the latter wielded his keris, I grew ever more suspicious about his intentions. But here’s the difficulty: if Khairy does indeed pose as a possible, enlightened leader, what are we willing to ignore?
I think this issue is quite complicated. What’s currently on my mind is: what sort of person is Khairy - apart from the little tidbits RPK issues on his blog? How will that affect my decision about supporting him or not? IF he’s worth supporting, what price do I have to pay for that support? Is any price worth paying?
If Khairy trumps everyone and emerges the most powerful contender to the throne, how will this affect the democratic process - a party leader does not a member of parliament make; he still needs to be elected, doesn’t he? What’s going to be ‘fixed’ this time?
It’s quite a.. well. I mean, look at the democratic process. We vote, but we can only vote for candidates. Who are the candidates? Who decides on the candidates? Not the people, but the party, I suppose? Unless we’re talking about independents stepping up to the plate. Who has control? I mean, real control?
Well, just some unordered thoughts..."
July 3rd, 2006, at 12:06 am #
"ylchong wrote:
hi xpyred:
"... Basically, Under the Social Contract, ideally the Government lives up to its Compact (Agreement) as spelt out in its Election Manifesto/es to the people/electorate.
If the Rakyat/electorate are not happy, they can “vote” the present government “out of office” at the next General Elections, but this is only good in theory. The odds are stacked heavily against the opposition –with the incumbent government using the “gerrymander” in parliamentary constituencies to iit great advantage eg.a Bn constituency may have 30,000 electors but an Oppo area may have double ie. 60,000 voters!
And in realpolitik, the current destabilised stage at PWTC is due to the FACE-OFF between two camps within UMNO, the old order represented by a former PM, Dr Mahathir (plus proxies in Camp1) and the new order led by current PM Pak Lah (plus his proxies in Camp2).
My main thesis is the war is really about fighting for the Bigger Pie of the Malaysian Cake, especially blatantly open and vicious in economically challenging times. Why do you think that *”MEGA-PROJECTS” and billion-dollar old scandals being frely opened up for public scrutiny, and both new and old “Pandora’s boxes” are being opened up one by one — via the courts and mass media — for all Malaysians to SEE. As I noted, an unintended outcome of this FACE-OFF is that the mass media “seem” (Yes, I said this is a transient illussion, not a permanent reality) to be enjoying a more open and liberal environment (a “Springtime” that will last…we pray). Another sidenote is to witness the secondary roles played in the unfolding drama by ex-GEICs and current GEICS of the NST, eg Klimulah Hassan (in cahoots with Khairy Jamaludin), Brendan Pereira vs Kadir Jasin, RockyBru.
Please share your opinions if you have the time!:) ..."
July 15th, 2006, at 9:35 pm #
"xpyre wrote:
It’s as you say: they are just fighting for a larger piece of the pie. Yesterday, while leaving a client’s place, I was asked for my opinion on the whole matter and what I said then probably applies here: it’s just two self-interested clans - probably separated by a generation - who are fighting over the scraps of what remains of Malaysia.
I can’t see this current tussle as anything more than Mahathir protecting his own interests - the same interests he protected and depended on while he was prime minister. And now? Why, isn’t it surprising how expensive dismantling big mega projects are? I wonder who’s getting a share of the pie in this case…
Behind all of this is a fear yet another friend expressed quite well: what happens when these ravenous dogs run out of blood to suck out of the national coffers? Well, we’ve got rich Chinese fat cats. Might as well do them.
:
:
:
The exchanges engaged by Desi with xpyred are relevant as it was primarily in answering Xpyred and Mave SM's challenge I embarked with this LONG ESSAY in several instalments -- maybe I shoould submit to UPM to publish as a textbook, and then share the "loot" eh? Just an aside, I'm happy to read today's NST frontapge:
ETHNIC RELATIOINS GUIDEBOOK WITHDRAWN
'Ther facts of history
can never be changed...
There is no need for
us to hurl accusations
at other races.' -- (PM) Abdullahj
Just add that I still would urge my ER to give Pak Lah until the end of this term -- and should he lead the BN into another term, up to second term's tenure -- to "fully deliver" his election pledges. I have mentioned some BABY STEPS taken -- Judiciary being given back some independence and dignity; the Police has come aroubnd to the establishment of the IPCMC; and some spruingtime of media freedom and openness -- whether permanent (freal) or temporal (illussion) is yet to be seen...
Okay, back to KJ and accusations some of my ER have thrown up, also by readers at several other Blogs I care to spend time at -- that Khairy and PM's son are using the PM's position to advance their business interests.
TO SUCH ALLEGATIONS about the PM's family being involved in business, I would rebut with: "Is this something new in UMNO politics?"
With this rhetorical response, I am not saying I support or condone their activities, but re-state what is a fact of UMNO politics -- otherwise, how do you explain away similar actions involving one of Mahathir's sons buying controlling interests amounting to billions in MISC (Malaysian International Shipping Corp) at one time? About the subsequent action to use Petronas to bail out MISC following the 1997/98 financial crisis. I indeed posit this was the key issue that Anwar resisted against his boss' insistence to bail out the son that led to Anwar's subsequent downfall -- of course, Anwar's being in favour of IMF (International Monetary Fund) measures to tackle the financial crisis did not help.
At about the same time, remember one MCA minister's son was approved by banks in facilities up to RM1.2billion (he did not deny the press reports which touted him then as a role model for Malaysian youths, becoming athe youngest biollionaire at age 27 in Malaysia; even Bill Gates would have envied this enterprising chap! But when the stock market soon crashed, this guy disappeared from the Malaysian corporate radar for a long time ... but that's another story.
What I am highlighting here is that UMNO, MCA and MIC and to a lessr extent, the junior component parties wityhin the 15-member BN, are all helping themselves in business, directly or via proxies. IS THIS SOMETHING NEW -- that the press has to keep harping of Khairy Jamaludin getting RM10million bank facilities to buy shares of ECM-Libra, and then using his influence, with enhanced force of Kalimullah Hassan, in bringing about the merger of ECM Libra with Avenue .....
From Tajudin Ramli's case, we see that any individual in the good books of the incumbent UMNO chief (also the PM), could be assisted in obtaining RM1.8billion to buy controlling interests in MAS; so what else is new? And do you think there is NO FUNDS (LIKE 10% COMMISSION) BEING SYPHONED OFF TO AID UMNO'S POLITICAL STRUGGLE? Desi would be naive for once and say that I do believe the marines when they said they did not fire any shots in defence when they were attacked by the Japs during Pearl Harbour attacks one Christmas morn..
If Desiderata had not started on this series on the EPIC PLAY much earlier or not just a few days ago, many of my EsteemedReaders would have a misconception I'm writing as a "fan" of Anwar. This I would like to categorically say: No, I am writing as a trained journalist studying the current politics in NegaraKu and suggesting to my ER the options before us and what I, as a concerned citizen, think is about he best, viable option on the plate. I urge that Malaysia should give Anwar a "secong chance" to become what should have taken place, the Prime Minister, as he had "expressed some regrets" serving under the Mahathir regime. Such regrets I had known being expressed only yesterday, but my series had already been planned and this is my last instalment for now, even as the PWTC saga enters into higher gear which I would report on a on-going basis.
In an exclusive interview with Malaysiakini which ran Part 2 yesterday, I extract the fololowing highlights:
* Former deputy prime minister Anwar Ibrahim has revealed the key players who went behind the back of the then Bank Negara governor - the late Jaffar Hussein (right) - to make foreign exchange (forex) speculations resulting in losses of up to RM30 billion between 1992 and 1994. The three survivors include current Finance Minister II Nor Mohamed Yakcop (then deputy governor of BNM during forex trading period),
and former finance minister Daim Zainuddin and their big boss, PM Dr Mahathir Mohamad. "That was the time I just came in (as finance minister). But I trusted Jaffar who did not know about it until I asked. He genuinely thought that it was a small amount," Anwar said.
And Nor Mohamed, then a Bank Negara assistant governor who was the point man in the forex speculation, could have been charged in court had he (Anwar) not been forced to step down. But this also resulted in the dismissal of Jaffar, who also had to take responsibility for the losses.
** Meanwhile, Anwar also expressed his regrets for failing to bring reforms when he was in government.
He said he was in the midst of tabling a new Education Act which would have seen the repeal of the Universities and University Colleges Act and given more protection for vernacular schools when he was transferred to the Finance Ministry.
According to him, his efforts only went as far as circulating the draft bill, which was later neglected by his successors in the Education Ministry.
He also regretted not putting his foot down to object the construction of the Kuala Lumpur International Airport in Sepang and the Bakun dam in Sarawak
"Some said that I should have been more firm but I wasn't. But if I had done that, I would have been sacked in 1993," said Anwar, who is now the opposition Parti Keadilan Rakyat adviser.
*** Asked to comment on International Trade and Industry Minister Rafidah Aziz's statement that Malaysia was still an attractive destination for foreign investors, Anwar accused her of being in "a state of denial".
**** And most significant of all, IMHO, Anwar also spelled out at length some of the economic reforms the country must undertake in order to regain its competitiveness, which included the dismantling of the 35-year-old New Economic Policy.
A day before, Part 1 of Malaysiakini's report said that Anwar was of the opinion that
"... he does not expect Najib to mount a challenge against Abdullah because the DPM is too "guarded and calculative" to take advantage of the on-going crisis within the ruling party. '
“He is never known to have strong views. We would probably have to consult (Najib's wife) Rosmah on her views too… but I don't foresee this sort of challenge,” he quipped.[...]
"...Najib has always been seen to follow this feudal tradition... he's not the new liberal Malay except for the facade.
Anwar, however, said Najib's statements of support for Abdullah has been "far from convincing".
DESIDERATA: I believe Najib has had a life handed him on a "silver spoon" from the ascension into Parilament (following the demise of his father, Tun Abdul Razak) at a young age (interrupting his studies in London...), later he became the "youngest state Menteri Besar, of Pahang", and of course, I had relared Razaleigh's "unfortunate" tasting of Najib's bending with the wind politics or the "fence-sitter", with his own ambitions, as an astute foreign journalist recently noted!
Anwar also alleged that Umno, which he was once part of, had amassed a cash horde of RM8 billion. He said this was done through an opaque system of Umno-linked tycoons and companies holding the money on behalf of the party.
Anwar also noted that there was a tinge of racism in Mahathir's criticisms against the Singapore government, especially on the crooked bridge issue. Quote:
“This is Singapore, our neighbour - setting aside that it is a difficult neighbour - but still the subtle racist undertones to my mind is very irresponsible on his (Mahathir's) part,” said Anwar...
“Not only (he raised the issue of) nationalism but (he) also (spoke) against the Chinese and Singapore (whom he claimed are) trying to act tough against the Malay leadership and that they (the Chinese leadership in Singapore) should be taught a lesson.
DESIDERATA: My reading tells me that the present (former PM) Dr Mahathir-Pak Lah (current PM )FACE-OFF will take to a higher level -- so approprate between former DPM (Anwar Ibrahim) and current DPM (Najib Razak.
Sdr Anwar was also coincidently in Australia when Pak Lah went for his long holiday (cum sinus operation) -- I believe the two could have "accidentally" met up, as Oxford-trained Khairy Jamaludin can be relied on to set up such incidents.
Regarding Pak Lah's son's involvement in business, there is an "old" write-up dated
Thursday, March 03, 2005 entitled
Scomi Group Berhad: Malaysia’s new ‘hungry ghost’
which you have top take the trouble to read, but as I say, since when have Malaysians been surprised with political scions to leverage advantage in politics and business? Just a few paragraphs:
"Scomi Group Berhad first hit the radar screens when it became known that one of its subsidiaries, Scomi Precision Engineering Sdn Bhd (Scope), was being investigated by both the Malaysian and international police with regards to its links with a Dubai-based Sri Lanka businessman, BSA Tahir, over his alleged involvement in the supply of nuclear technology to Libya. Suddenly Scomi became a household name and it was then that Malaysians became aware that this oil and gas group was linked to the family of Malaysian Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi.
In the end, the investigation cleared Scomi of any wrongdoing, though Tahir himself was not so fortunate. "
To reiterate, What do you expect of UMNO politics-corporate nexus? It won't end with Mr Nice Guy's ascension to PMship, but I believe he's the lesser of the evils represented by Najib supported by Mahathir!
It's just changing of the guards -- more of the same, perhaps with robber baronry and seepage on a lower level because of closer scrutiny, not least from Bloggers! -- but I hope the blardy Opposition gathers some Economic ThinkTank to focus on the BIG picture and fighting for nation's priorities, not partisan gamemanship! (like some of the BN components have, but their objective is to MAXIMISE INCOMES for the party&cronies! Just mention UMNO (pro-Najib) Baginda Razak, Gerakan's Khoo Khay Peng, and Sabah's Jeffrey Kitinggan...).
Before parting temporarily to await ACT 2 of the Epic Play, may I share an observation or two with thee?
Reading about Anwar's "dig" at Najib's wife, can I just add that the "wife" factor does indeed play a BIG part in the present Acts. It is commonly known that Pak Lah's late wife, Datin Seri Endon Mahmood, (may her soul rest in peace) got on pretty well with Anwar's wife Datin Seri Wan Azizah, PKR President. And we wall know while Endon and Rosmah had attended some functions together, they tried darn'd hard NOT to establsih eye-contact. Sorry for Raja Petra-style story-spinning, but that's all I can say at the moment.
In the coincidence of Pak Lah and Anwar being in Australia at the same time, do you think they would have met up to exchange greetings?
In the coincidence of Najib's hurried trip to the UK when Dr Mahathir also adjourned there from his European holiday, do you think they would have met up to exchange greetings?
Wednesday, July 19, 2006
Epic Play: The Keadilan -- JUSTICE -- Option
This is the first part of my thesis on why Anwar is the only viable option on the people's plate.
The Barisan Nasional will serve the Rakyat more of the same -- only the degree of corruption will decline under Pak Lah, theoretically if his moves to clean up are fruitful. Let's him have another 2 years to prove himself -- WALKING THE TALK!
I had bemoaned the role of DAP, and Islamist PAS, as opposition leaders; they can't deliver nationwide. And they will never go to bed together, not after DAP's disastrous showing at the 1999 polls, with PAS emerging much strengthened, just for a term capturing Terengganu, very much due to the deposed as DPM ANWAR AFCTOR.
So what's the option left?
PARTI KEADILAN RAKYAT
For reformation and change.
To replace the present Status Quo.
Let me take you back to tumultuous times in Malaysia's history which led to the budding of a new party resembling some real efforts among the masses crying for "reforms". Maybe the Filipino victory that saw Corazon Aquino sweeping to power with People's Power did bring some winds of change to Malaysain shores then.
A Deputy Prime Ministry was recently dismissed on alleged charges of being unfit morally for the next high ofice -- Prime Minister, and the then PM made his decision only after a few months earlier saying he and his deputy were "getting on fine". He even asked the media "Do you want me to hug and kiss him in public?" -- words to this efect -- in order for the press to dismiss the rumours of their "enstrangement".
I wrote an entry dated Sept 19, 2005 entitled: "Five years ago, Today"
Relevant Exerpts with some editing follow:
"Be true to your work, your word, and your friend." -- Henry David THOREAU
"Time is first a neutraliser, then an eraser, and for most Malaysians, memory fades rather quickly. Desiderata likes to treasure the Nuggets in writing as From Moment to Moment, as "momentous" means something or event of import or impact that registers in our consciousness that much longer compared with the ordinary events -- normally mundane and inconsequential.
Five years ago today I wrote a two-part article of which I am very proud. A writer in his professional output will always look back and stand tall on certain works he has had crafted. Today on Sept 19, 2005, I reprise a NUGGET to share with those not in the kNOw, and for those who have read it before, it's a re-visit which Desi feels is worthwhile, because it is about Malaysia's important crossroads.
It was significant because I believe the nation took a quantum leap into maturing as a democracy, the main Players pursuing political agendas, yet with others pursuing their dreams, main and bit parts players, like in a Shakespearean Play, caught in the current that swept them along, some as passersby, and some as victims Desi would categorise as The Unsung Heroes. The Bard had likened the world as a stage, and all the people are the actors (actresses are contained within the 'actors':)
I just pray my EsteemedReaders won't choose to remain as mere spectators. Cos Malaysia belongs equally to everyone of US -- which includes You and Me. We have equal stakes in the present, and the future, in this land called MALAYSIA -- NegaraKu.
Summary of a review of:
Face Off, the book by Sabri Zain chronicling the Reformasi, truly traumatic times for a young nation of 43 years.. I couldn't help but recall a film I had seen "The Year of Living Dangerously", in which the protagonist was also a newsman.
Sabri's chronicles benefit from his journalism background as most of his paintings and narratives were objective enough, though the choice of words, emotive and descriptive ones, clearly reflects the bent of his loyalties to the burning issue of the day: the reformation movement spawned by former deputy prime minister Anwar Ibrahim.
For those who missed the "action" where it happened, centred mainly around Dataran Merdeka (Independence Square) and its vicinity starting in September two years ago, Sabri brings the readers to the arena where the episodes of Malaysian history were played out. The writer's baptism that led him to cross Anwar's path - that Abim kid, his term of endearment - was that moment in 1974 where it started with a
demostration exactly 26 years ago - led by that "Abim kid" highlighting peasants' plight in Tasek Utara, Johor.
For whom the bell tolls
Key figures revolved around Anwar and his family and, of course, the puppet master or script writer or political conductor himself, Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad, in person, or via his proxies, and the band of Malaysians that visiting American vice-president Al Gore proudly described as "brave Malaysians". Most importantly, the less heralded players, nameless yet exalted, faceless and unobtrusive yet endearing and enduring, are the ordinary Malaysians whom Sabri observed and recorded their "involvement". These bit players cared, and stood up to be counted. To me, the diarist has done them justice by his anecdotes of the true Malaysians ... the sum total of their contributions will form the substance of the reformasi, not just the rhetoric of politicians, though their roles should not be under-estimated.
In "Shopping For Justice" (Oct 10, 1998), Sabri notes:
* "Despite the attacks on demonstrators in the weeks before, despite the warnings almost every day this week that the authorities would crack down on any form of demonstration, despite the fear, despite the
threats, despite the solemn pronouncements by the powers-that-be that the Reformasi ... movement is dead - tens of thousands of Malaysians came out today - defiant and free."
The Birth of ADIL (Justice)
In the chapter titled "The Eye Of Justice" (April 4, 1999), Sabri records the graduation of social justice movement ADIL into a full fledged political party - Parti Keadilan Nasional or the National Justice Party, at the Grand Ballroom of the Hotel Renaissance, Jalan Ampang, Kuala Lumpur ... the party's mission is crystal clear: to uphold truth and justice.
* "Everywhere (at the hotel) - on the walls, on tables, on posters, even along the staircase banisters - the blue-and-white "eye" of the Keadilan logo stared out at you.
Then came the moment everyone waited for. The whole room rose to its feet in wild cheers as Dr Wan Azizah walked to the podium to deliver her first-ever speech as the leader of a political party.
‘We're gathered here to fulfil a demand from the people - they are demanding justice. We are here to fulfil the demand of the Malaysian race - bangsa Malaysia. They are demanding the dignity of their race. And we are fulfilling the demands of our changing times - the time has arrived.
‘Ten years of rapid development has given us confidence. But for some, that confidence has turned to arrogance. Our economy was driven by ego and the desire to show off. Crony capitalism dominated the New Economic Policy. Corruption, cronyism and nepotism grew like an cancer. Massive mega-projects eroded our economic fundamentals and shook the stability of our banking system. The lust - nafsu - for mega-projects left our defences weak. Because of these weaknesses, the currency speculators attacked.'
She explained the party logo, which consists of a white sphere on a sky blue background, representing a pure cause, and a smaller blue sphere on the white, representing justice for all. "At first sight, you might think it looks like an eye. There are reasons for that.
‘Firstly, I am an ophthalmologist!' she quipped, to peals of laughter and applause from the crowd. ‘Secondly, it's to remind us of the infamous black eye,' she added, more seriously.
‘But it also has a deeper meaning,' Dr Wan Azizah continued. ‘It is our mata hati - our inner eye that helps us distinguish between what is right and what is wrong. It is a symbol of our quest for truth and our struggle for justice. It is the ‘eye' that seeks justice.'"
(ends extracts:)~~
The rest, as they say, is HISTORY.
A DPM Anwar almost punched to a pulp while under detention, by none less than the chief police officer in the land.
Two lengthy court trails which many had said resembled OZ, oops,not Aussie, but "kangaroo" courts.
I think the unfolding saga on the PWTC Stage now going on will come full circle with the central figure -- retired former PM DR Mahathir, engaged in another Confronttion with the Deputy he had sacked, imprisoned, now released just serving out a five-year time "bar" from politics. But this time Anwar will have the implicit support of the current Prime Minister, and he will not face Mahathir in person, but Mahathir's proxy, the current DPM, Najib Tun Razak. But a direct confrontation between Mahathir and Anwar awaits at the Court, and this time around I'm sure the "defamation" suit would be before a Paul or a Jaka.
:
:
:
Anwar on sabbatical, but...
Though Anwar was holding visiting Fellowships at British and American universities the past two years, he had ocasionally returned, and Anwar has been going around the States delivering political speeches. (Desi attended a rally in Port Dickson plus another function at a club in Ulu Kelang.) The PKR adviser was mainly urging the party members to organise themselves, spread the party's ideology on the platform of Justice, Democratic and Open Governance, Accountability, and yes, Fighting Corruption. What impresses Desi most is his call to do away with THE NEW ECONOMIC POLICY, which has bred much Cronysm, Nepotism and daylight robbery OF THE COUNTRY'S RESOURCES, as summarily narrated by Wan Azizah in her maiden political speech.
ALL THESE WERE/ARE HAPPENING WHILE ANWAR IS SERVING A TIME-BAR OF FIVE YEARS FROM POLITICS. A "Time-bar" under Mahathir would have seen Anwar thrown behind bars yet again -- for indeed Anwar was not "exactly" put on time-out under Pak Lah, and that's another primary reason for Mahathir's anger towards Pak Lah. So I have cited two main reasons. The earlier one -- more significannt -- was Anwar's release from prison after a successful final appeal against the alleged "sodomy" charges. And this would never have happened if Mahathir was still around as CEO, my humble reading, though you can beg to differ! okay!
What could be other foreseeable reasons on the horizon leading to the FACE-OFF?
That a "repreive" could be given to Sdr Anwar -- no, DATUK SERI ANWAR IBRAHIM.
It's an anachronism that a "convicted" person still maintains his Royal title. I know of one other person in a similar situation, also once an aspiring MCA politician; served time for CBT? in prison, but still keeps his Royal title of Datuk. Poor ex-boss ex-MCA President never had any such prefix in front of his Presidential name, but that's another story. Another night, for such stories can only be whispered in the dark. But it demonstrates the "humanity" in Pak Lah that endears him to the Rakyat, also earning him the diminishing-in-value "Mr Nice Guy" moniker.
Pointers to the common ground between Anwar and Pak Lah
Back to the Chinese Datuk; his saving grace was "helping out" Pak Lah when the latter was in political wilderness, and UMNO princes and princesses wouldn't like to be seen in his company. (Most of them were not far-sighted to know Pak Lah would go on to become PM; otherwise, they would have sent lorry of durians to...Ah, I digress.)
But do you know Pak Lah was driven to selling off his only house during his "low period" in political wilderness?
Yes, a VVIP driven to such financial straits, which only those who have tasted well-nigh bankruptsy -- like the late Tun Ghafar Baba -- could empathise with. It shows that Pak Lah was indeed a "decent" fellow, clean like an angel amongst those crocodiles and sharks, what do you call them, ....putras?
Like can I suggest that Anwar Ibrahim might just be about to face a similar fate -- forced to sell off his "humble" home in Damansara Heights? For a former DPM, Desi thinks many corporates living in that neighbourhood are at several rungs higher living in luxury than Anwar -- so can you beleive all those rumours about him having acquired millions during his time in Cabinet?
Come on, put on your thinking caps. Have an open mind. Use your unique brain that God has given everyone of us. I am directing this at many sceoptics who would not give Sdr Anwar a "chance" to prove himself -- on the ground he had been "part and parcel" of the UMNOP regime under Mahathir.
I re-state here an important eye-opener -- former MAS boss Tajudin Ramli in court papers recently had already given some vivid paintings about the former regime's shenanigans -- telling the nation he was forced to borrow RM1.8billion to but control of the national carrier as a form of national service. He claimed that the PM offered him a money-back guarantee in the form of an "Over-riding Agreement". THe information was revealed when he counter-sued the Government and Danaharta for some RM13.6billion when Danaharta sued him earlier for some RM589million.
Obviously in the current FACE-OFF, Pak Lah had no choice but resort to court proceedings to uncover the Pandora's boxes, ONE BY ONE. No need to repeat the cases here, okay, oytherwise, you would be reading half a book which UPM has not CONmissioned Desi to write, nyet. (A little DDC okay, Mave SM, Helen of Troy?)
And most importrant of all, the highest appeal court in the land had absolved Anwar of his earlier conviction of what he consistently had claimed to be the "trumped up" sodomy charges (he alleged by Mahathir "to kill him off politically"). This was the greatest "injustice" done to a fellow Malaysian that roused the rage of many right-thinking Malaysians. That's such a thing called Honour among thieves, and here Politikus claiming they serve national intetrests behaving below the levelf of vermins. WITHOUT CONSCIENCE.
I would surmise this was the primary reason why Mahathir started to find fault with Pak Lah -- for Anwar on the return to politics would be a "most dangerous" ex-PM, compared with Musa Hitam, the late Ghaffar Baba before Anwar met his "Waterloo". And at the young age of 59, Anwar at an age just one or two years older than his once-Mentor Mahathir started his premiership.
What Goes Around Comes Around
I recall Parti Keadilan Rakyat or its supporters had petitioned the Rulers for a "royal pardon" for Anwar, for his conviction on corruption charges (purportedly interfering with the police force who were investigating him on the sodomy/corruption charges.
But Anwar still maintains his royal title "Datuk Seri" -- which means Pak Lah and the majority of the royal houses are sympathetic to his cause. Yes?
Just as Pak Lah is sympathetic to a "Friend in need is a friend in deed", Yes?
So an important forthcoming surprise could be a National Day's announcement of a "Royal Pardon", is my educated guess, to enable Anwar to come out officially to lead PKR. The wife, being an MP, will still have an important role to play, especially now that "women power" is of great potential. Remember university entrance statitics recently announced show that FEMALE students number 60% upwards, and if only 25% of these "better informed and more liberated" undergrads could be harnessed -- See my point about Sabrina, Kyels and THeels, and bloggers like Anak Merdeka and Primrose, et al, being actively canvassed by Desi to show some poltical activism?
Don't underestimate your individual voice and strength ~~~ remember that little ripples would energise into waves, then into a Tsunami? The good tsunami...
Okay. I'm calling a Time-out to continue this play the morrow, can? And that's a rhetorical question that this blardy Desi's infamous for:(
The Barisan Nasional will serve the Rakyat more of the same -- only the degree of corruption will decline under Pak Lah, theoretically if his moves to clean up are fruitful. Let's him have another 2 years to prove himself -- WALKING THE TALK!
I had bemoaned the role of DAP, and Islamist PAS, as opposition leaders; they can't deliver nationwide. And they will never go to bed together, not after DAP's disastrous showing at the 1999 polls, with PAS emerging much strengthened, just for a term capturing Terengganu, very much due to the deposed as DPM ANWAR AFCTOR.
So what's the option left?
PARTI KEADILAN RAKYAT
For reformation and change.
To replace the present Status Quo.
Let me take you back to tumultuous times in Malaysia's history which led to the budding of a new party resembling some real efforts among the masses crying for "reforms". Maybe the Filipino victory that saw Corazon Aquino sweeping to power with People's Power did bring some winds of change to Malaysain shores then.
A Deputy Prime Ministry was recently dismissed on alleged charges of being unfit morally for the next high ofice -- Prime Minister, and the then PM made his decision only after a few months earlier saying he and his deputy were "getting on fine". He even asked the media "Do you want me to hug and kiss him in public?" -- words to this efect -- in order for the press to dismiss the rumours of their "enstrangement".
I wrote an entry dated Sept 19, 2005 entitled: "Five years ago, Today"
Relevant Exerpts with some editing follow:
"Be true to your work, your word, and your friend." -- Henry David THOREAU
"Time is first a neutraliser, then an eraser, and for most Malaysians, memory fades rather quickly. Desiderata likes to treasure the Nuggets in writing as From Moment to Moment, as "momentous" means something or event of import or impact that registers in our consciousness that much longer compared with the ordinary events -- normally mundane and inconsequential.
Five years ago today I wrote a two-part article of which I am very proud. A writer in his professional output will always look back and stand tall on certain works he has had crafted. Today on Sept 19, 2005, I reprise a NUGGET to share with those not in the kNOw, and for those who have read it before, it's a re-visit which Desi feels is worthwhile, because it is about Malaysia's important crossroads.
It was significant because I believe the nation took a quantum leap into maturing as a democracy, the main Players pursuing political agendas, yet with others pursuing their dreams, main and bit parts players, like in a Shakespearean Play, caught in the current that swept them along, some as passersby, and some as victims Desi would categorise as The Unsung Heroes. The Bard had likened the world as a stage, and all the people are the actors (actresses are contained within the 'actors':)
I just pray my EsteemedReaders won't choose to remain as mere spectators. Cos Malaysia belongs equally to everyone of US -- which includes You and Me. We have equal stakes in the present, and the future, in this land called MALAYSIA -- NegaraKu.
Summary of a review of:
Face Off, the book by Sabri Zain chronicling the Reformasi, truly traumatic times for a young nation of 43 years.. I couldn't help but recall a film I had seen "The Year of Living Dangerously", in which the protagonist was also a newsman.
Sabri's chronicles benefit from his journalism background as most of his paintings and narratives were objective enough, though the choice of words, emotive and descriptive ones, clearly reflects the bent of his loyalties to the burning issue of the day: the reformation movement spawned by former deputy prime minister Anwar Ibrahim.
For those who missed the "action" where it happened, centred mainly around Dataran Merdeka (Independence Square) and its vicinity starting in September two years ago, Sabri brings the readers to the arena where the episodes of Malaysian history were played out. The writer's baptism that led him to cross Anwar's path - that Abim kid, his term of endearment - was that moment in 1974 where it started with a
demostration exactly 26 years ago - led by that "Abim kid" highlighting peasants' plight in Tasek Utara, Johor.
For whom the bell tolls
Key figures revolved around Anwar and his family and, of course, the puppet master or script writer or political conductor himself, Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad, in person, or via his proxies, and the band of Malaysians that visiting American vice-president Al Gore proudly described as "brave Malaysians". Most importantly, the less heralded players, nameless yet exalted, faceless and unobtrusive yet endearing and enduring, are the ordinary Malaysians whom Sabri observed and recorded their "involvement". These bit players cared, and stood up to be counted. To me, the diarist has done them justice by his anecdotes of the true Malaysians ... the sum total of their contributions will form the substance of the reformasi, not just the rhetoric of politicians, though their roles should not be under-estimated.
In "Shopping For Justice" (Oct 10, 1998), Sabri notes:
* "Despite the attacks on demonstrators in the weeks before, despite the warnings almost every day this week that the authorities would crack down on any form of demonstration, despite the fear, despite the
threats, despite the solemn pronouncements by the powers-that-be that the Reformasi ... movement is dead - tens of thousands of Malaysians came out today - defiant and free."
The Birth of ADIL (Justice)
In the chapter titled "The Eye Of Justice" (April 4, 1999), Sabri records the graduation of social justice movement ADIL into a full fledged political party - Parti Keadilan Nasional or the National Justice Party, at the Grand Ballroom of the Hotel Renaissance, Jalan Ampang, Kuala Lumpur ... the party's mission is crystal clear: to uphold truth and justice.
* "Everywhere (at the hotel) - on the walls, on tables, on posters, even along the staircase banisters - the blue-and-white "eye" of the Keadilan logo stared out at you.
Then came the moment everyone waited for. The whole room rose to its feet in wild cheers as Dr Wan Azizah walked to the podium to deliver her first-ever speech as the leader of a political party.
‘We're gathered here to fulfil a demand from the people - they are demanding justice. We are here to fulfil the demand of the Malaysian race - bangsa Malaysia. They are demanding the dignity of their race. And we are fulfilling the demands of our changing times - the time has arrived.
‘Ten years of rapid development has given us confidence. But for some, that confidence has turned to arrogance. Our economy was driven by ego and the desire to show off. Crony capitalism dominated the New Economic Policy. Corruption, cronyism and nepotism grew like an cancer. Massive mega-projects eroded our economic fundamentals and shook the stability of our banking system. The lust - nafsu - for mega-projects left our defences weak. Because of these weaknesses, the currency speculators attacked.'
She explained the party logo, which consists of a white sphere on a sky blue background, representing a pure cause, and a smaller blue sphere on the white, representing justice for all. "At first sight, you might think it looks like an eye. There are reasons for that.
‘Firstly, I am an ophthalmologist!' she quipped, to peals of laughter and applause from the crowd. ‘Secondly, it's to remind us of the infamous black eye,' she added, more seriously.
‘But it also has a deeper meaning,' Dr Wan Azizah continued. ‘It is our mata hati - our inner eye that helps us distinguish between what is right and what is wrong. It is a symbol of our quest for truth and our struggle for justice. It is the ‘eye' that seeks justice.'"
(ends extracts:)~~
The rest, as they say, is HISTORY.
A DPM Anwar almost punched to a pulp while under detention, by none less than the chief police officer in the land.
Two lengthy court trails which many had said resembled OZ, oops,not Aussie, but "kangaroo" courts.
I think the unfolding saga on the PWTC Stage now going on will come full circle with the central figure -- retired former PM DR Mahathir, engaged in another Confronttion with the Deputy he had sacked, imprisoned, now released just serving out a five-year time "bar" from politics. But this time Anwar will have the implicit support of the current Prime Minister, and he will not face Mahathir in person, but Mahathir's proxy, the current DPM, Najib Tun Razak. But a direct confrontation between Mahathir and Anwar awaits at the Court, and this time around I'm sure the "defamation" suit would be before a Paul or a Jaka.
:
:
:
Anwar on sabbatical, but...
Though Anwar was holding visiting Fellowships at British and American universities the past two years, he had ocasionally returned, and Anwar has been going around the States delivering political speeches. (Desi attended a rally in Port Dickson plus another function at a club in Ulu Kelang.) The PKR adviser was mainly urging the party members to organise themselves, spread the party's ideology on the platform of Justice, Democratic and Open Governance, Accountability, and yes, Fighting Corruption. What impresses Desi most is his call to do away with THE NEW ECONOMIC POLICY, which has bred much Cronysm, Nepotism and daylight robbery OF THE COUNTRY'S RESOURCES, as summarily narrated by Wan Azizah in her maiden political speech.
ALL THESE WERE/ARE HAPPENING WHILE ANWAR IS SERVING A TIME-BAR OF FIVE YEARS FROM POLITICS. A "Time-bar" under Mahathir would have seen Anwar thrown behind bars yet again -- for indeed Anwar was not "exactly" put on time-out under Pak Lah, and that's another primary reason for Mahathir's anger towards Pak Lah. So I have cited two main reasons. The earlier one -- more significannt -- was Anwar's release from prison after a successful final appeal against the alleged "sodomy" charges. And this would never have happened if Mahathir was still around as CEO, my humble reading, though you can beg to differ! okay!
What could be other foreseeable reasons on the horizon leading to the FACE-OFF?
That a "repreive" could be given to Sdr Anwar -- no, DATUK SERI ANWAR IBRAHIM.
It's an anachronism that a "convicted" person still maintains his Royal title. I know of one other person in a similar situation, also once an aspiring MCA politician; served time for CBT? in prison, but still keeps his Royal title of Datuk. Poor ex-boss ex-MCA President never had any such prefix in front of his Presidential name, but that's another story. Another night, for such stories can only be whispered in the dark. But it demonstrates the "humanity" in Pak Lah that endears him to the Rakyat, also earning him the diminishing-in-value "Mr Nice Guy" moniker.
Pointers to the common ground between Anwar and Pak Lah
Back to the Chinese Datuk; his saving grace was "helping out" Pak Lah when the latter was in political wilderness, and UMNO princes and princesses wouldn't like to be seen in his company. (Most of them were not far-sighted to know Pak Lah would go on to become PM; otherwise, they would have sent lorry of durians to...Ah, I digress.)
But do you know Pak Lah was driven to selling off his only house during his "low period" in political wilderness?
Yes, a VVIP driven to such financial straits, which only those who have tasted well-nigh bankruptsy -- like the late Tun Ghafar Baba -- could empathise with. It shows that Pak Lah was indeed a "decent" fellow, clean like an angel amongst those crocodiles and sharks, what do you call them, ....putras?
Like can I suggest that Anwar Ibrahim might just be about to face a similar fate -- forced to sell off his "humble" home in Damansara Heights? For a former DPM, Desi thinks many corporates living in that neighbourhood are at several rungs higher living in luxury than Anwar -- so can you beleive all those rumours about him having acquired millions during his time in Cabinet?
Come on, put on your thinking caps. Have an open mind. Use your unique brain that God has given everyone of us. I am directing this at many sceoptics who would not give Sdr Anwar a "chance" to prove himself -- on the ground he had been "part and parcel" of the UMNOP regime under Mahathir.
I re-state here an important eye-opener -- former MAS boss Tajudin Ramli in court papers recently had already given some vivid paintings about the former regime's shenanigans -- telling the nation he was forced to borrow RM1.8billion to but control of the national carrier as a form of national service. He claimed that the PM offered him a money-back guarantee in the form of an "Over-riding Agreement". THe information was revealed when he counter-sued the Government and Danaharta for some RM13.6billion when Danaharta sued him earlier for some RM589million.
Obviously in the current FACE-OFF, Pak Lah had no choice but resort to court proceedings to uncover the Pandora's boxes, ONE BY ONE. No need to repeat the cases here, okay, oytherwise, you would be reading half a book which UPM has not CONmissioned Desi to write, nyet. (A little DDC okay, Mave SM, Helen of Troy?)
And most importrant of all, the highest appeal court in the land had absolved Anwar of his earlier conviction of what he consistently had claimed to be the "trumped up" sodomy charges (he alleged by Mahathir "to kill him off politically"). This was the greatest "injustice" done to a fellow Malaysian that roused the rage of many right-thinking Malaysians. That's such a thing called Honour among thieves, and here Politikus claiming they serve national intetrests behaving below the levelf of vermins. WITHOUT CONSCIENCE.
I would surmise this was the primary reason why Mahathir started to find fault with Pak Lah -- for Anwar on the return to politics would be a "most dangerous" ex-PM, compared with Musa Hitam, the late Ghaffar Baba before Anwar met his "Waterloo". And at the young age of 59, Anwar at an age just one or two years older than his once-Mentor Mahathir started his premiership.
What Goes Around Comes Around
I recall Parti Keadilan Rakyat or its supporters had petitioned the Rulers for a "royal pardon" for Anwar, for his conviction on corruption charges (purportedly interfering with the police force who were investigating him on the sodomy/corruption charges.
But Anwar still maintains his royal title "Datuk Seri" -- which means Pak Lah and the majority of the royal houses are sympathetic to his cause. Yes?
Just as Pak Lah is sympathetic to a "Friend in need is a friend in deed", Yes?
So an important forthcoming surprise could be a National Day's announcement of a "Royal Pardon", is my educated guess, to enable Anwar to come out officially to lead PKR. The wife, being an MP, will still have an important role to play, especially now that "women power" is of great potential. Remember university entrance statitics recently announced show that FEMALE students number 60% upwards, and if only 25% of these "better informed and more liberated" undergrads could be harnessed -- See my point about Sabrina, Kyels and THeels, and bloggers like Anak Merdeka and Primrose, et al, being actively canvassed by Desi to show some poltical activism?
Don't underestimate your individual voice and strength ~~~ remember that little ripples would energise into waves, then into a Tsunami? The good tsunami...
Okay. I'm calling a Time-out to continue this play the morrow, can? And that's a rhetorical question that this blardy Desi's infamous for:(
Tuesday, July 18, 2006
Bonus track from a Young&Articulate
A late comment came in response to my weekend post entitled Epic Play -- Maintaining the Status Quo?
When I first interacted with this Y&A, I thought he was an undergraduate at least -- but I later learnt he was still at high-school or pre-college or matriculation level studies. I first read his thoughts ON THE DAP at his website and I thought to mysellf: So mature observations from one so junior in age, but as they say, you come across some Gems when you least expect it. I just hope such Gems stay back in NegaraKu and not lured away...
johnleemk said...
I thought it seemed relevant, so I'll repost an ancient piece of my mind about the DAP and opposition. Hope nobody minds the length.
------------------------------------------
For a long time (since 1965), the Democratic Action Party (DAP) has been a major force in the opposition side of the Malaysian political divide. And for a rather long time, Lim Kit Siang has been helming the DAP. However, the recent defeat of his son (Lim Guan Eng, party Secretary-General) and his daughter-in-law (Betty Chew, Guan Eng's wife) in internal party elections raises a considerable number of questions about the party's future.
It should be made clear that I have never been a fan of the DAP. Its socialist economic stance runs contrary to my beliefs regarding a free market, and its abrasive nature of opposing for the sake of opposing have made me always wary. In addition, its underreliance on grassroots support, in favour of pilih kasih (favouritism) from the party leadership, has alienated me - I don't believe a party that rules from an ivory tower should be ruling. (Some commentators like Joceline Tan of The Star have attributed this to the party's socialist nature - I wouldn't know how true this is.)
There is also no denying that the DAP has, intentionally or otherwise, cultivated a very Chinese-centric image. Most of the issues it champions tend to be of concern more for Chinese voters than for anyone else. Oh, sure, the DAP says it's a pro-Malaysian party, not a pro-Chinese party. Maybe that's true. But the DAP doesn't seem to be concerned about rehabilitating its image, aside from some minor squealing about "We're looking out for the interests of Malaysians!"
Another group notably missing from the DAP is the youth. This crucial demographic segment is what will make or break the party's fortunes in the future. After all, one can only rely on support from senior citizens for so long. However, little bodes well in this direction. Most of the young faces in the DAP tend to be the children or relatives of party members - Lim Guan Eng is an excellent example. There also appears to be no serious concern about reaching out to the youth. The DAP seems to expect new voters to come to it, instead of actively hunting them down for their support.
Some recent discussions I've had with a party "insider" have also fuelled my concern. For instance, it appears that the DAP is not so much a coherent organisation as it is a feuding bunch of fiefdoms, all squabbling for political (and occasionally) economic power. Apparently there is a lot of internal jockeying for position, both within the party and the various state assemblies.
Perhaps the Lim/Chew defeat in the recent election to the DAP Malacca committee serves as an excellent example. As it turns out, Lim's style of politicking, and his wife's meteoric rise in the party organisation, have led to some considerable backlash from the grassroots (if they can be called that). Allegations of nepotism are never nice, but, honestly, who can see the DAP ruling Malaysia if they're just more of the same? What is Malaysia, a new sultanate?
Just look at some of the prominent politicians in the government, led by the United Malays National Organisation (UMNO). Khairy Jamaluddin, Deputy UMNO Youth Chief - Prime Minister Abdullah Badawi's son-in-law. Hishamuddin Hussein, UMNO Youth Chief and Education Minister (real title: "I'm Gonna' Be A PM!") - grandson of UMNO founder Dato' Onn Ja'afar, and son of third Prime Minister, Hussein Onn. Najib Razak, Deputy Prime Minister - son of second Prime Minister, Abdul Razak. Can anyone squeal nepotism? Maybe if we're going to hunt for an alternative to UMNO, it might be wise to avoid more of the same.
Let's return to Lim and Chew. When they were defeated, what was the reaction? Member of Parliament (MP) Teresa Kok accused unnamed conspirators of orchestrating their defeat. The Selangor and Negeri Sembilan DAP branches came out in support of Lim and Chew. Quite a bit of bad blood in the party, isn't it?
Perhaps one can attribute this intense politicking to the structure of Malaysian party elections. Typically, delegates representing each constituency are elected by ordinary party members, and these delegates in turn go on to vote for the party leadership. This is hardly fair, as these delegates aren't bound to vote in a particular matter - they just vote for what would ostensibly be in their constituents' best interests. (This is an inherent weakness of the Westminster Parliamentary system, which has its head of government indirectly elected by Members of Parliament.) This situation has led to money politics and outright on the table vote-buying in UMNO. I would not be too surprised if this has occurred in the DAP.
After all, the DAP is not very well known for its transparency either. Heck, it's not even known for principled leadership in its equivalent of corporate "middle management". After all, more than a few have used the party to get elected to public office, and then enrich themselves by virtue of their positions. Rather than join the Chinese tycoon party (the Malaysian Chinese Association, or MCA), where competition for the opportunity to run in an election is tough, many have opted to rise through the DAP ranks to gain public office - and then jump ship to MCA. Some specific cases: Tiger Le from Lobak Seremban, Khoo Seng Hock from Temiang, Seremban and Chin Nyok Soo et al from Penang.
All this could be solved if the DAP reached out to the grassroots by electing its leadership through primary elections. But does the DAP value the grassroots that highly? Or does its leadership value their own skin more than the party and the nation? Tough question. But looking right at the top to Karpal Singh, that fiery bulldog, I'd be surprised if the former were true. After all, this is the same man who couldn't be bothered to open a service centre for his constituents in Penang, forcing them to visit his legal office for help.
The DAP is undoubtedly the best of a rotten lot (this lot is the Opposition, of course). But how much of a compliment can that be? The DAP needs to drastically reform itself, and reposition itself as a new party - one with vigour, full of young energy and dedicated to Malaysians and not just the Chinese or non-Malays. Here, it's all a question of PR - window-dressing. But before that is attended to, there is much more that has to be addressed. Deep faultlines threaten to tear the party apart if it doesn't get its act together. The DAP has to act now to reform itself, or risk becoming yet another footnote in the history of Malaysian politics.
------------------------------------------
3:38 PM
DESIDERATA:
Dear Esteemed Readers,
Treat the above as coming from a GUEST BLOGGER, so it's his field today in answering your Comments. Be generous, yes so I offer thee tehtarik2! Tiga pun boleh, tapi bagi Komento-lah!:)
Please share your thoughts on Y&A johnleemk's views: I'm sure he would be delighted to brainstorm with you! ~~ Desi
When I first interacted with this Y&A, I thought he was an undergraduate at least -- but I later learnt he was still at high-school or pre-college or matriculation level studies. I first read his thoughts ON THE DAP at his website and I thought to mysellf: So mature observations from one so junior in age, but as they say, you come across some Gems when you least expect it. I just hope such Gems stay back in NegaraKu and not lured away...
johnleemk said...
I thought it seemed relevant, so I'll repost an ancient piece of my mind about the DAP and opposition. Hope nobody minds the length.
------------------------------------------
For a long time (since 1965), the Democratic Action Party (DAP) has been a major force in the opposition side of the Malaysian political divide. And for a rather long time, Lim Kit Siang has been helming the DAP. However, the recent defeat of his son (Lim Guan Eng, party Secretary-General) and his daughter-in-law (Betty Chew, Guan Eng's wife) in internal party elections raises a considerable number of questions about the party's future.
It should be made clear that I have never been a fan of the DAP. Its socialist economic stance runs contrary to my beliefs regarding a free market, and its abrasive nature of opposing for the sake of opposing have made me always wary. In addition, its underreliance on grassroots support, in favour of pilih kasih (favouritism) from the party leadership, has alienated me - I don't believe a party that rules from an ivory tower should be ruling. (Some commentators like Joceline Tan of The Star have attributed this to the party's socialist nature - I wouldn't know how true this is.)
There is also no denying that the DAP has, intentionally or otherwise, cultivated a very Chinese-centric image. Most of the issues it champions tend to be of concern more for Chinese voters than for anyone else. Oh, sure, the DAP says it's a pro-Malaysian party, not a pro-Chinese party. Maybe that's true. But the DAP doesn't seem to be concerned about rehabilitating its image, aside from some minor squealing about "We're looking out for the interests of Malaysians!"
Another group notably missing from the DAP is the youth. This crucial demographic segment is what will make or break the party's fortunes in the future. After all, one can only rely on support from senior citizens for so long. However, little bodes well in this direction. Most of the young faces in the DAP tend to be the children or relatives of party members - Lim Guan Eng is an excellent example. There also appears to be no serious concern about reaching out to the youth. The DAP seems to expect new voters to come to it, instead of actively hunting them down for their support.
Some recent discussions I've had with a party "insider" have also fuelled my concern. For instance, it appears that the DAP is not so much a coherent organisation as it is a feuding bunch of fiefdoms, all squabbling for political (and occasionally) economic power. Apparently there is a lot of internal jockeying for position, both within the party and the various state assemblies.
Perhaps the Lim/Chew defeat in the recent election to the DAP Malacca committee serves as an excellent example. As it turns out, Lim's style of politicking, and his wife's meteoric rise in the party organisation, have led to some considerable backlash from the grassroots (if they can be called that). Allegations of nepotism are never nice, but, honestly, who can see the DAP ruling Malaysia if they're just more of the same? What is Malaysia, a new sultanate?
Just look at some of the prominent politicians in the government, led by the United Malays National Organisation (UMNO). Khairy Jamaluddin, Deputy UMNO Youth Chief - Prime Minister Abdullah Badawi's son-in-law. Hishamuddin Hussein, UMNO Youth Chief and Education Minister (real title: "I'm Gonna' Be A PM!") - grandson of UMNO founder Dato' Onn Ja'afar, and son of third Prime Minister, Hussein Onn. Najib Razak, Deputy Prime Minister - son of second Prime Minister, Abdul Razak. Can anyone squeal nepotism? Maybe if we're going to hunt for an alternative to UMNO, it might be wise to avoid more of the same.
Let's return to Lim and Chew. When they were defeated, what was the reaction? Member of Parliament (MP) Teresa Kok accused unnamed conspirators of orchestrating their defeat. The Selangor and Negeri Sembilan DAP branches came out in support of Lim and Chew. Quite a bit of bad blood in the party, isn't it?
Perhaps one can attribute this intense politicking to the structure of Malaysian party elections. Typically, delegates representing each constituency are elected by ordinary party members, and these delegates in turn go on to vote for the party leadership. This is hardly fair, as these delegates aren't bound to vote in a particular matter - they just vote for what would ostensibly be in their constituents' best interests. (This is an inherent weakness of the Westminster Parliamentary system, which has its head of government indirectly elected by Members of Parliament.) This situation has led to money politics and outright on the table vote-buying in UMNO. I would not be too surprised if this has occurred in the DAP.
After all, the DAP is not very well known for its transparency either. Heck, it's not even known for principled leadership in its equivalent of corporate "middle management". After all, more than a few have used the party to get elected to public office, and then enrich themselves by virtue of their positions. Rather than join the Chinese tycoon party (the Malaysian Chinese Association, or MCA), where competition for the opportunity to run in an election is tough, many have opted to rise through the DAP ranks to gain public office - and then jump ship to MCA. Some specific cases: Tiger Le from Lobak Seremban, Khoo Seng Hock from Temiang, Seremban and Chin Nyok Soo et al from Penang.
All this could be solved if the DAP reached out to the grassroots by electing its leadership through primary elections. But does the DAP value the grassroots that highly? Or does its leadership value their own skin more than the party and the nation? Tough question. But looking right at the top to Karpal Singh, that fiery bulldog, I'd be surprised if the former were true. After all, this is the same man who couldn't be bothered to open a service centre for his constituents in Penang, forcing them to visit his legal office for help.
The DAP is undoubtedly the best of a rotten lot (this lot is the Opposition, of course). But how much of a compliment can that be? The DAP needs to drastically reform itself, and reposition itself as a new party - one with vigour, full of young energy and dedicated to Malaysians and not just the Chinese or non-Malays. Here, it's all a question of PR - window-dressing. But before that is attended to, there is much more that has to be addressed. Deep faultlines threaten to tear the party apart if it doesn't get its act together. The DAP has to act now to reform itself, or risk becoming yet another footnote in the history of Malaysian politics.
------------------------------------------
3:38 PM
DESIDERATA:
Dear Esteemed Readers,
Treat the above as coming from a GUEST BLOGGER, so it's his field today in answering your Comments. Be generous, yes so I offer thee tehtarik2! Tiga pun boleh, tapi bagi Komento-lah!:)
Please share your thoughts on Y&A johnleemk's views: I'm sure he would be delighted to brainstorm with you! ~~ Desi
Good Editors and f***Up Ones...
A short Post today as I have to run -- like brother Mave SM, "work" comes first because we aren't -- luckily, or unluckily? -- rentseekers.
Comparing frontpage lead news treatment by two English dailies today:
From the profiteering
(oops, should read profit-making!) The Star
Almost fullpage colour icture of smiling couple
Sitinurhaliza plus her Datuk Khalid
'We are fated for each other'
See (more) reports in pages 6, 8 and 10.
(Second lead is on
Woman in nude squat video
seeks RM10mil compensation)
From the Sun,
Book seditious
Nazri: UPM TEXT
ON ETHNIC TIES
INSENSITIVE
(Second lead carrioes pic plus story on
Siti sets weding date)
You -- my EsteemedReaders -- tell me which is the more importamnt story for the day.
Siti Nurhaliza's impending wedding -- has been speculated already for weeks! -- or a national issue that a Minister talks seriously about that will impact future leaders and thousands of youths soon-to-be working citizens of NegaraKu?
You will guess Desi's choice of course, as a trained journalist -- old school? --
and I reprise the importrant news of the day in substatntial portion:
KUALA LUMPUR: The book on ethnic relations
being taught at Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) is seditious,
said Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Datuk Seri
Mohd Nazri Abdul Aziz.
"This is seditious. We already do not need such things to be
taught to our students. It is very insensitive of those who
published tyhe book," he said, after perusing an extract
of the book at Parliament lobby yesterday.
He advised those who are unhappy with the book's contents
to lodge a police reeport so that the matter can be
investigated. "We can take it from there," said Nazri,
whose portfolio covers law.
He suggested the Higher Education Ministry re-look the
contents of the book, which have drawn objections from
some quarters incl;uding the DAP, as it does not benefit
anyone.
Nazri said that the book, which was prepared in just
three weeks, should be renamed "Ethnic Dis-relations"
as it will only cause tension within various communities.
:
:
:
Desiderata stops here for a break (not -fast as some days
this scribe has to go without a bite!). I will re-visit
this topic after lunch, hopefully read the Canteen's NST copy
to see how it treated Frontpage news today. Maybe you guys
shaking legs, or hands, can input via Comments?
Just before passing out, I congratulate the Minister, whom I had
derided a bit relating to the Mahathir-Pak Lah's FACE-OFF
for his sense of humour, in suggesting the book be renamed
"Ethnic Dis-relations" or isit "insiduous satire"?
For this line of sarcasm, brother Mave can provide a wry answer.
I owe him ONE.
Meanwhile, I'm also dropping by the Malaysian GuinNURSE Book Of Rekods
to include said book as the fastest book to be produced, also fastest-selling
best seller2! Talk aboyut killing three biords with one rock?
UPDATE after tea @4.15PM:
I managed to browse through a canteen copy of The NST during tea-break; yes, tehtarik plus kuih-muih less sugar nowadays (makcik says she is restricted to buyinmg ONE kg per trip to supermarket). To its credit, NST ran the Nazri's item as frontpage lead. Since I could C&P from its online edition, here goes, the issue merits your education!
Dis-integration
Book used to teach racial unity described as seditious
18 Jul 2006
V. Vasudevan, Azura Abas and Minderjeet Kaur
(Desi's ckicky aside, not on Siti N: 3 reporters assigned, so I guess it's pretty&important!)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
KUALA LUMPUR: A noble approach in tackling racial polarisation in universities has backfired. It has even prompted a harsh reaction from Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Seri Nazri Aziz. He described as seditious the contents of the textbook which students have to study in the newly-introduced Ethnic Relations course.
Debate on the issue was heated in the Dewan Rakyat yesterday and Nazri, the de facto Law Minister, even suggested that anyone unhappy with the contents could lodge a police report.
"The police can then investigate the contents of the book. We can take it from there," he said at the Parliament lobby.
Higher Education Minister Datuk Mustapa Mohamed, who spoke in the House earlier, said the Government was prepared to make amendments if there were factual mistakes in the book.
However, he said the contents were based on facts.
The Ethnic Relations textbook has been in use by Universiti Putra Malaysia since early this year. The authors are Jayum Anak Jawan and Zaid Ahmad.
Among the contentious parts are:
• Condemning as "extremist" the 1999 Election Appeal of the Malaysian Chinese Election Appeals Committee (Suqiu), which was endorsed in principle by the Barisan Nasional parties;
• Blaming Indian youths for the 2001 Kampung Medan incident; and,
• Blaming the DAP for the May 13, 1969 riots. Both are on page 78 of the book.
Nazri felt the whole approach to fostering better ethic relations as promoted by the book was flawed.
"We should be stressing the positives of various ethnic groups. Why talk about the past? Blaming anyone for the past is not going to do any good today. Let us talk about the good."
Loh Seng Kok (BN-Kelana Jaya) said the book was a classic case of inciting hatred among the races in Malaysia.
"At first look, a reader is taken through historical events, which is supposed to educate and promote ethnic relations for the good of the country.
"But, what do we have here? Historical facts that are being distorted. One race is being made a scapegoat," he said of the contents of the book.
Datuk Dr Madius Tangau (BN-Tuaran) said emphasis should be on understanding other ethnic groups.
"For far too long we have been teaching how to be tolerant. We should understand the mindset of one another, not try to apportion blame on anyone for bad events in history."
Mustapa’s statement was in reply to Opposition leader Lim Kit Siang’s question expressing concern that the Ethnic Relations course could do more harm than good.
"Historical facts cannot be altered like the May 13 racial unrest, Kampung Medan incident and Dong Jiao Zong. All these have taken place and we cannot question them. If we look back, there are certain claims made by Suqiu which are against the provisions under the Federal Constitution."
Mustapa told the House that the Government stood by its stand that incidents listed in the textbooks were correct.
Lim said in a statement later that Mustapa had given "a most unsatisfactory answer" to his supplementary question in Parliament yesterday. He argued that the course was biased, tendentious and divisive.
Ethnic Relations is a mandatory subject for university students beginning from this year’s academic session.
DESIDERATA: I welcome your comments, dear Readers, converse with each other too, as this host is pretty tied/tired up with work, will just do hit&run interrupted asides, as broadsides or this&that sides, never mind, as long as we are one happy multi-racial family in cyber-space.
Comparing frontpage lead news treatment by two English dailies today:
From the profiteering
(oops, should read profit-making!) The Star
Almost fullpage colour icture of smiling couple
Sitinurhaliza plus her Datuk Khalid
'We are fated for each other'
See (more) reports in pages 6, 8 and 10.
(Second lead is on
Woman in nude squat video
seeks RM10mil compensation)
From the Sun,
Book seditious
Nazri: UPM TEXT
ON ETHNIC TIES
INSENSITIVE
(Second lead carrioes pic plus story on
Siti sets weding date)
You -- my EsteemedReaders -- tell me which is the more importamnt story for the day.
Siti Nurhaliza's impending wedding -- has been speculated already for weeks! -- or a national issue that a Minister talks seriously about that will impact future leaders and thousands of youths soon-to-be working citizens of NegaraKu?
You will guess Desi's choice of course, as a trained journalist -- old school? --
and I reprise the importrant news of the day in substatntial portion:
KUALA LUMPUR: The book on ethnic relations
being taught at Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) is seditious,
said Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Datuk Seri
Mohd Nazri Abdul Aziz.
"This is seditious. We already do not need such things to be
taught to our students. It is very insensitive of those who
published tyhe book," he said, after perusing an extract
of the book at Parliament lobby yesterday.
He advised those who are unhappy with the book's contents
to lodge a police reeport so that the matter can be
investigated. "We can take it from there," said Nazri,
whose portfolio covers law.
He suggested the Higher Education Ministry re-look the
contents of the book, which have drawn objections from
some quarters incl;uding the DAP, as it does not benefit
anyone.
Nazri said that the book, which was prepared in just
three weeks, should be renamed "Ethnic Dis-relations"
as it will only cause tension within various communities.
:
:
:
Desiderata stops here for a break (not -fast as some days
this scribe has to go without a bite!). I will re-visit
this topic after lunch, hopefully read the Canteen's NST copy
to see how it treated Frontpage news today. Maybe you guys
shaking legs, or hands, can input via Comments?
Just before passing out, I congratulate the Minister, whom I had
derided a bit relating to the Mahathir-Pak Lah's FACE-OFF
for his sense of humour, in suggesting the book be renamed
"Ethnic Dis-relations" or isit "insiduous satire"?
For this line of sarcasm, brother Mave can provide a wry answer.
I owe him ONE.
Meanwhile, I'm also dropping by the Malaysian GuinNURSE Book Of Rekods
to include said book as the fastest book to be produced, also fastest-selling
best seller2! Talk aboyut killing three biords with one rock?
UPDATE after tea @4.15PM:
I managed to browse through a canteen copy of The NST during tea-break; yes, tehtarik plus kuih-muih less sugar nowadays (makcik says she is restricted to buyinmg ONE kg per trip to supermarket). To its credit, NST ran the Nazri's item as frontpage lead. Since I could C&P from its online edition, here goes, the issue merits your education!
Dis-integration
Book used to teach racial unity described as seditious
18 Jul 2006
V. Vasudevan, Azura Abas and Minderjeet Kaur
(Desi's ckicky aside, not on Siti N: 3 reporters assigned, so I guess it's pretty&important!)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
KUALA LUMPUR: A noble approach in tackling racial polarisation in universities has backfired. It has even prompted a harsh reaction from Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Seri Nazri Aziz. He described as seditious the contents of the textbook which students have to study in the newly-introduced Ethnic Relations course.
Debate on the issue was heated in the Dewan Rakyat yesterday and Nazri, the de facto Law Minister, even suggested that anyone unhappy with the contents could lodge a police report.
"The police can then investigate the contents of the book. We can take it from there," he said at the Parliament lobby.
Higher Education Minister Datuk Mustapa Mohamed, who spoke in the House earlier, said the Government was prepared to make amendments if there were factual mistakes in the book.
However, he said the contents were based on facts.
The Ethnic Relations textbook has been in use by Universiti Putra Malaysia since early this year. The authors are Jayum Anak Jawan and Zaid Ahmad.
Among the contentious parts are:
• Condemning as "extremist" the 1999 Election Appeal of the Malaysian Chinese Election Appeals Committee (Suqiu), which was endorsed in principle by the Barisan Nasional parties;
• Blaming Indian youths for the 2001 Kampung Medan incident; and,
• Blaming the DAP for the May 13, 1969 riots. Both are on page 78 of the book.
Nazri felt the whole approach to fostering better ethic relations as promoted by the book was flawed.
"We should be stressing the positives of various ethnic groups. Why talk about the past? Blaming anyone for the past is not going to do any good today. Let us talk about the good."
Loh Seng Kok (BN-Kelana Jaya) said the book was a classic case of inciting hatred among the races in Malaysia.
"At first look, a reader is taken through historical events, which is supposed to educate and promote ethnic relations for the good of the country.
"But, what do we have here? Historical facts that are being distorted. One race is being made a scapegoat," he said of the contents of the book.
Datuk Dr Madius Tangau (BN-Tuaran) said emphasis should be on understanding other ethnic groups.
"For far too long we have been teaching how to be tolerant. We should understand the mindset of one another, not try to apportion blame on anyone for bad events in history."
Mustapa’s statement was in reply to Opposition leader Lim Kit Siang’s question expressing concern that the Ethnic Relations course could do more harm than good.
"Historical facts cannot be altered like the May 13 racial unrest, Kampung Medan incident and Dong Jiao Zong. All these have taken place and we cannot question them. If we look back, there are certain claims made by Suqiu which are against the provisions under the Federal Constitution."
Mustapa told the House that the Government stood by its stand that incidents listed in the textbooks were correct.
Lim said in a statement later that Mustapa had given "a most unsatisfactory answer" to his supplementary question in Parliament yesterday. He argued that the course was biased, tendentious and divisive.
Ethnic Relations is a mandatory subject for university students beginning from this year’s academic session.
DESIDERATA: I welcome your comments, dear Readers, converse with each other too, as this host is pretty tied/tired up with work, will just do hit&run interrupted asides, as broadsides or this&that sides, never mind, as long as we are one happy multi-racial family in cyber-space.
Monday, July 17, 2006
Some UMNO PROgressives...
besides JB Member of Parliament Sharir Samad,
there is Kota Baru MP Zaid Ibrahim, whose full report in theSun today, page 6 is heart-lifting, despite it being Bluesey Monday.
Abdullah right man to
bring about reforms: Zaid
KUALA LUMPUR: Some may see Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah
Ahmad Badawi as weak and unassertive, but for Kota Baru MP
Datuk Zaid Ibrahim, he is still the best leader to push
democracy forawrd in Malaysia.
Speaking on "Democracy mattwers to Malaysia" at StraughtTalk,
a dinner talk organised by the Public Relations Consultants'
Association of Malaysia last Thursday, Zaid listed what he
believes are important factors for a strong and haelthy democracy.
:
:
:
(DESI: I ain't gonna spoonfeed my ER on the rest of the contents,
which I had planned to C&P but the item's still not available
on the Sun online, so you just have to do with this, plus
the closing paragraphs:)
:
:
In a global world, he said, it is important for the people to be
united and share resources in order to compete with outside "enemies".
"Malaysia is justv a small country, so why not give priority
to multi-racial harmony and reduce policies which are divisive?
We still talk about affirmative policy, but this must be seen
in the context of politics," he added.
DESIDERATA:
Zaid has realised that it's no more a "katak dibawah tempuriong" world out there -- it's a GLOBAL VILLAGE, and people and talents will sell goods and services and skills across all borders. Indeed, while the elephants back hokme fight over terrotorial turfs and realproperty gains, while the mousedeer sit hapless and helpless being entertained tarnsfiexed and in transition by the Sandiwara on the PWTC Stage, the neighbours around NegaraKU are laugfhing their way quietly to the banks.
Zaid's "...reduce policies which are divisive?
We still talk about affirmative policy..."is discerning, and he must in his heart realise the impediments in racial harmony are embedded in the New Economic Policy, championed so aggressively by UMNO Youth, which DISCRIMINATES -- not affirms! --on RACE. I wonder if Zaid is too scared to think aloud that he agrees with Anwar Ibrahim that the days of the NEP -- latter transformed into National Economic Policy -- are truly over and haveno place in a blobalised environement.
For harmony and that sense of belonging, we need to replace RACE-BASED WITH NEEDS-BASED POLICIES. Zaid, tell OPak Lah that when you see him next, will you?
The competition does not come just from across the Cuaseway, but from 1.3billion-populated China, and 1billion-populated India and of course, First World Economies like Japan and Germany. I'm leaving out USA because it's the greatest debtor nation and is in fact the cause of much of the world's economic woes, but that's another story, for another day.
From one of my earlier postings, I wrote about the "discrimination against women during a raid by FT Islamic Religious Department at a nightclub in January", and the setting up of a spy squad by Malacca 4B Youth (incidentally, launched by Malacca CEO Ali Rustam).
Among the NGOs listed protesting the authorities actions were the Sisters in Islam, Malaysian Aids Council (MAC), Women's Aid Organisation, and Suara Rakyat Malaysia. I also applaud the presence of Kota Baru MP from Barisan Nasional, Datuk Zaid Ibrahim, at the press conference in KL on March 22 to launch the campaign, calling for, among others:
* The repeal of provisions in religious and municipal laws that deny their fundamental rights; and
* The strengthening of pluralism through community dialogue on morals in society."
So like Sharir, Zaid is able to see issues from a wider perspective, and on principles, speak their mind, and dare to break party (UMNO) conventional lines. I laud such PROGRESSIVES, and I agree in general that for the meantime, Malaysians have to pray that Pak Lah acts tough in the next 2-1/2-years before GE2009 beckons, though indications the General Elections will be called much earlier before time. The previous regime&cronies won't let Pak Lah rule in peace.
there is Kota Baru MP Zaid Ibrahim, whose full report in theSun today, page 6 is heart-lifting, despite it being Bluesey Monday.
Abdullah right man to
bring about reforms: Zaid
KUALA LUMPUR: Some may see Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah
Ahmad Badawi as weak and unassertive, but for Kota Baru MP
Datuk Zaid Ibrahim, he is still the best leader to push
democracy forawrd in Malaysia.
Speaking on "Democracy mattwers to Malaysia" at StraughtTalk,
a dinner talk organised by the Public Relations Consultants'
Association of Malaysia last Thursday, Zaid listed what he
believes are important factors for a strong and haelthy democracy.
:
:
:
(DESI: I ain't gonna spoonfeed my ER on the rest of the contents,
which I had planned to C&P but the item's still not available
on the Sun online, so you just have to do with this, plus
the closing paragraphs:)
:
:
In a global world, he said, it is important for the people to be
united and share resources in order to compete with outside "enemies".
"Malaysia is justv a small country, so why not give priority
to multi-racial harmony and reduce policies which are divisive?
We still talk about affirmative policy, but this must be seen
in the context of politics," he added.
DESIDERATA:
Zaid has realised that it's no more a "katak dibawah tempuriong" world out there -- it's a GLOBAL VILLAGE, and people and talents will sell goods and services and skills across all borders. Indeed, while the elephants back hokme fight over terrotorial turfs and realproperty gains, while the mousedeer sit hapless and helpless being entertained tarnsfiexed and in transition by the Sandiwara on the PWTC Stage, the neighbours around NegaraKU are laugfhing their way quietly to the banks.
Zaid's "...reduce policies which are divisive?
We still talk about affirmative policy..."is discerning, and he must in his heart realise the impediments in racial harmony are embedded in the New Economic Policy, championed so aggressively by UMNO Youth, which DISCRIMINATES -- not affirms! --on RACE. I wonder if Zaid is too scared to think aloud that he agrees with Anwar Ibrahim that the days of the NEP -- latter transformed into National Economic Policy -- are truly over and haveno place in a blobalised environement.
For harmony and that sense of belonging, we need to replace RACE-BASED WITH NEEDS-BASED POLICIES. Zaid, tell OPak Lah that when you see him next, will you?
The competition does not come just from across the Cuaseway, but from 1.3billion-populated China, and 1billion-populated India and of course, First World Economies like Japan and Germany. I'm leaving out USA because it's the greatest debtor nation and is in fact the cause of much of the world's economic woes, but that's another story, for another day.
From one of my earlier postings, I wrote about the "discrimination against women during a raid by FT Islamic Religious Department at a nightclub in January", and the setting up of a spy squad by Malacca 4B Youth (incidentally, launched by Malacca CEO Ali Rustam).
Among the NGOs listed protesting the authorities actions were the Sisters in Islam, Malaysian Aids Council (MAC), Women's Aid Organisation, and Suara Rakyat Malaysia. I also applaud the presence of Kota Baru MP from Barisan Nasional, Datuk Zaid Ibrahim, at the press conference in KL on March 22 to launch the campaign, calling for, among others:
* The repeal of provisions in religious and municipal laws that deny their fundamental rights; and
* The strengthening of pluralism through community dialogue on morals in society."
So like Sharir, Zaid is able to see issues from a wider perspective, and on principles, speak their mind, and dare to break party (UMNO) conventional lines. I laud such PROGRESSIVES, and I agree in general that for the meantime, Malaysians have to pray that Pak Lah acts tough in the next 2-1/2-years before GE2009 beckons, though indications the General Elections will be called much earlier before time. The previous regime&cronies won't let Pak Lah rule in peace.
Saturday, July 15, 2006
Epic Play: Maintaining The Statu Quo?
NOTE BELATED: This Post should be dated Sunday July 16, 2006 (NOT July 15), but since I started the draft on Saturday, the time-line remains... and I contracted some "Blur"-ness from Mentees like Theels & kyels...Minta maaf, iA!:)
Still, IF we could only travel back in time, yes? Imagine the opportunities and potential for one like DR Mahathir...
This Sunday's Inter:lude marks almost the end of The Interval of The Play.With the two PMs having re-charged their batteries at foreign holiday resorts -- Langkawi and Pangkor are not good enough! -- the main protagonists will soon re-enter the stage. The DPM Najib was forced to "make a cameo pre-appearance" reading from a long script written by a team of speech writers including some edirors from the NST -- extracting mainly from some important Rahsia documents were de-clasified for the purpose -- to provide detailed answers to ex-PM Dr Mahathir's four questions. So that The Truth be revealed?
A sidebar story headed At a glance in The Star yesterday, companion to main piece Setting the record straight, had run the following the four answers to Dr Mahathir's questions, but I won't bore my ER except quote the LAST, viz:
Saturday July 15, 2006
A half-past-six country with no guts:
Dr Mahathir: Malaysia is a “half-past-six country with no guts” for calling off the bridge project.
The Government says: A crooked bridge is not a legacy to leave for future Malaysians. The bridge project was aborted after studying the Wayleave Agreements, the Johor-Singapore Water Agreements 1961 and 1962, the Separation Agreement 1965 and taking into consideration advice by the Attorney General’s Chambers.
Malaysia cannot take unilateral action without taking into consideration international law principles and requirements, and without taking into account the rights and interests of its neighbouring states.
The half bridge would have been left in a limbo with no commitment from Singapore. Running the government is not about scoring points or engaging in brinkmanship. It is about weighing the pros and cons and reaching a decision that is good for Malaysia.
It was a political decision, based on the sentiments, sovereignty and integrity of the people of Malaysia.
DESIDERATA is of the view that reading the last point by itself alone, Dr Mahathir will conmtniue the FACE-OFF with Pak Lah because in essence, the point as reported implied that Dr Mahathir's proposed crooked bridge that was aborted "is not a legacy to leave for future Malaysians..."
And that would add a greater and more intense pain in the stab in the former PM's back. "Ingrates!" I could read the PM's lips. for I have covered Dr Mahathir on some beats. He is a personality whom the media adore because he makes "good copy". But also, he's one "You either love or hate him, no two ways about it!"
For a Prime Minister who had ruled Malaysia for 22 years with an iron-fist, he has bequeathed NegaraKu with many feats, I would even add, several acts of greatness, but at the same time, as can be expected from a human being, also many "disastrous legacies". For better or worse, that's for future hstorians to rule. For me, I have a balance sheet of negatives and positives with the latter being outweighed.
IF ONLY DR MAHATHIR HAD THE WISDOM OF STEPPING DOWN AT THE ZENITH AFTER 10 YEARS -- but that's wistful thinking on Desi's part ...anyway, it is academic now.
"Running the government is not about scoring points or engaging in brinkmanship..." really adds salt to the wound, and a wounding Tiger would just not LET IT BE!
A man of his status used to fighting to "right a wrong" will not keep elegant silence. And it's matter of time Pak Lah may be forced out of hiding or hiatus to break his. SILENCE I mean, not hiatus. For that the two weeks in Perth nded yesterday must have worked wonders to pep up his spirits. Or his script-writers have updated the lines -- as is seen when the NST followed in The Star's footsteps in "deleting" online versions on the ongoing spinnings of the Sandiwara. You mousedeer, please go into hiatus when the Elephants-cum-tribal members continue their epochal fights that will come in many Acts before the final curtain comes down on the PWTC Stage, my guess will be at the Next UMNO General Assembly, or at the next General Elections called before time by the diminishing-in-value "Mr Nice Guy" PM.
Desi has given due credit to Dr Mahathir's efforts in trying to raise Malaysia to developed nation's status, but what is a glaring failure is is the field of mentality and cultural mindset. Malaysian civil society has not developed in tandem with its superb physical infrastructure. In factm in certain areas like the justice delivery system -- it has regressed, and compromised, thanks mainly to the Goevrnment's emasculation of the Third Estate under Dr Mahathir's watch -- the Judiciary, epitomised by the Sacking of a Lord Presdent and five senior Judges at one go.
But let's be entertained by more "minor" -- or "minion" is more apt? -- actors akin to Nazri Abdul Aziz and Matthias Chang who I liken as the court jesters in a play like "As You Like It".
GREAT DEMOCRATS WITHIN UMNO
From The Star comes Malacca CEO, also once President of WAY, now as aspitring DPM? ~~
Ali: Efforts to explain issues well received
KOTA BARU: Umno vice-president Datuk Seri Mohd Ali Rustam is confident that the ongoing efforts to explain current political issues have been well received by the grassroots.
He called on members to close ranks as the next general election was looming.
“Umno often has internal differences, it is normal in a democracy-practising party.
“But we have the reputation of closing ranks and I am calling for it now,” Mohd Ali said before joining the Pengkalan Chepa Umno division in declaring its unreserved support and loyalty to Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi as Prime Minister and Umno president.
Among those present were division head Datuk Dr Nik Mohd Zain Omar, deputy Che Rosli Hassan and vice-head Rahim Mohd Zain.
Mohd Ali said divisions could invite any supreme council member to clarify issues emerging from the perceived rift between Abdullah and Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad.
He urged Kelantan divisions to come together and help deflect issues being exploited by the opposition.
:
:
:
DESIDERATA: Wow, this same guy preaches democracy, and claims that his party is a real practitioner of democracy. Repeat: "“Umno often has internal differences, it is normal in a democracy-practising party. May I advise Sharir to under-study Ali Rustam, if Sharir neeeds some independent advice. Free too.
For the benefit of many Malaysians who tend to forget, I would like to recap here that soon after the BN won the state assembly election in 1999, the Malacca CM, Ali Rustam,“ ...gave an official directive that public officials who were known to have supported the Opposition in the general elections would be transferred out of the historic state. And likewise, private businesses who had won government contracts would also be “blacklisted†from future contracts if they were identified to have supported the Opposition, Ali Rustam gave his order to his obedient sub-ordinates.
So, it's timely to remind Malaysian politicians the famous quote by a British Judge:
Power tends to corrupt, and absolute power corrupts absolutely. *** Lord Acton
So we also see that the BN, at the federal and the State levels, are acting as Oligarchs delivering official administration and governance at their "whims and fancies" (remember "Semuanya okay!" state chief unilaterally claiming Selangor as having arrived at Developed Status? These state warlords in the name of parliamentray democratic systems, and literallt get away with blue nurder -- a former CM losing millions at a London caSINo and so far, I hear of NO action being taken against him to account for where the millions came from. Yet the same Ali Rusta -- trust the wisdom of UMNOputras promoting the wise concept of BIRDS OF A FEATHER FLOCK TOGETHER, Yes! --went on to be elected as an UMNO Vice-President, just a few steps away from the UMNO Presidency and the Nation's CEOship; so help us GOd, I Say Amen.
SO WHAT OPTIONS DO THE RAKYAT HAVE?
(A) Maintaining the Status Quo?
If this is what the majority want -- "seems" to be the case for the past 49 years, then as I had summarised earler, Most of you are happy now, Don't Complain-lah!
May I humbly add: Don't Condemn Others Who Are Trying THeir Level Bset to Make a Change!
(B) Replace the long-standing Barisan Nasional Government
I am lending my thoughts to this Option. I say it's about the ONE AND ONLY OPTION LEFT FOR NEGARKU-KU, TO MOVE BEYOND THIRD-WORLD TO CLIMB THE LADDER TOWARDS FIRST-WORLD STATUS.
Assuming you're with Desi on (B), then read on. If not, no point proceeding-lah. Adjourn back into thy coccon of "complacencY" and let business "go on as usual", as wisely observed by a foreign newsman, maybe the context is slightly different.
So let's examine the various parties that make up the Opposition at the Federal level. PAS flagged off the Opposition Leader in Parliament after their "outstanding performance" in 1999 (on account of riding on Anwar Ibrahim's horse); suffered a humiliating setback in GE2004, losing the Opposition Leader post bak to the DAP. (PAS also lost the State of Terengganu back to the BN.)
One of the strongest indictments against PAS politics came from a letter writer to Malaysiakini.com from Umar Mukhtar recently; I find many of his letters well articulated, citing good rationale, which I truly appreciate even when I disagree with this gentlemn's views sometimes.
Bridge, APs, Proton merely smokescreens
Umar Mukhtar MAR
Jul 7, 06 5:51pm
"Recent reports of PAS cosying up to Dr Mahathir Mohamad over his criticisms of Pak Lah smack of unprincipled political opportunism. Wasn't it PAS which benefitted from the voters' disgust in 1999 at Mahathir's underhanded treatment of Anwar Ibrahim? And now suddenly Mahathir is PAS' paragon of virtue?
It should be obvious to seasoned observers that Mahathir's biggest concern upon giving up power was the protection of the dark secrets of his administration. Granting of executive immunity is not part of our political tradition, so it was imperative that Mahathir selected a successor whom he was confident would do his bidding in this matter."
:
:
:
DESIDERATA has always averred that Race and Religion is an explosive mixture which Malaysia can't afford to experiment with. To Desi, it's either NEEDS-BASED POLICIES thatwill deliver us the climate for nation-building, NOT THE NEP< NOT RELIGION, which will be the case if you support PAS, as ISLAM is the party's raison de'tre (Reason for being).
Then let's look at DAP as the viable option...
I have asked of Sdr LIM KIT SIANG -- QUO VADIS?
Is the DAP merely happy playing the role of an Opposition in Parliament and at State Assemblies?
Lim spearheaded "Project Tanjung" several terms to wrest Penang from Gerakan, but failed, and among several reasons, there were "factions" among the {enang DAP. So what's so different among DAP leaders' indset comapred with BN components -- they were "quarreling" among themselves, anticipating sitting on the Chief Minister's chair? even before the battles started!
And let me tell it at first hand (personal experience) that its represenatives mirrored MCA and MIC's -- witness how Chin Nyok Soo, Tiger Lee and Khoo Seng Hock, and M. Kuppusamy, all jumped ship? For the Ignoramuses, these named were all DAP state assemblymen, from Penang, Negri Sembilan, the notorous one where I am resident but not-so-proud-of except for its Siew Pau! One of them was in serious debt of the verge of being sued for bankruptsy, then MCA beckoned and he switched parties, and soon was driving a new Mercedes Benz! SO, WHAT ELSE IS NEW?
I have also asked of Sdr ANWAR IBRAHIM -- QUO VADIS?
Another extract I sighted:
"The Islamic Party of Malaysia (PAS) is attempting to bring together Ex-Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad, his one-time deputy Anwar Ibrahim, and Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah to team up for the good of the ‘Malay cause’. Is the hidden agenda really to challenge the Prime Minister?
Dr Mahathir has categorically stated in his Malaysiakini interview last week that there is no possibility of any reconciliation with Anwar. Then there are certain forces who are attempting to open a channel for Anwar to meet Dr Mahathir so that the former can apologise to the latter. It is hoped that once Anwar does this, then the old man would give his blessing in the event that Umno would like to take Anwar back."
I would say the above speculation is "mind-boggling"? That is, of Anwar making peace with Dr Mahathir.
The former PM and DPM are deadly enemies, and mainly it's due to the Act of smashing a fellow human being using the most vile tactic. Demeaning his character with accusations of Sodomy, not once, but twice, now there is a Defamation suit for millions by Anwar against Mahathir. Reconciliation? -- Go tell it to the marines! -- no, not the US!
This said event also is linked inextricably with the sacking of the Lord President and five senior judges -- so that what followed in the trials of Anwar showed truly what's likened to Aussie -- oops, my mistake, KANGAROO COURTS! Under A. Paul and A. Jaka, but that's another story for when we go Down Under...
THE PARTI KEADILAN RAKYAT -- YOUR ONLY VIABLE CHOICE!
2B Continued Tomorrow, can?
I'm flaggd out, is that the right word? -- NOT ENOUGH SUGAR in my TehHa!Lia...this mrUrning, lots of Miss Sunthi though, and I had to forego CON BF because someone who's supposed to pay did not keep his/her AP...sigh loudly so that it reaches his/her ears!
Still, IF we could only travel back in time, yes? Imagine the opportunities and potential for one like DR Mahathir...
This Sunday's Inter:lude marks almost the end of The Interval of The Play.With the two PMs having re-charged their batteries at foreign holiday resorts -- Langkawi and Pangkor are not good enough! -- the main protagonists will soon re-enter the stage. The DPM Najib was forced to "make a cameo pre-appearance" reading from a long script written by a team of speech writers including some edirors from the NST -- extracting mainly from some important Rahsia documents were de-clasified for the purpose -- to provide detailed answers to ex-PM Dr Mahathir's four questions. So that The Truth be revealed?
A sidebar story headed At a glance in The Star yesterday, companion to main piece Setting the record straight, had run the following the four answers to Dr Mahathir's questions, but I won't bore my ER except quote the LAST, viz:
Saturday July 15, 2006
A half-past-six country with no guts:
Dr Mahathir: Malaysia is a “half-past-six country with no guts” for calling off the bridge project.
The Government says: A crooked bridge is not a legacy to leave for future Malaysians. The bridge project was aborted after studying the Wayleave Agreements, the Johor-Singapore Water Agreements 1961 and 1962, the Separation Agreement 1965 and taking into consideration advice by the Attorney General’s Chambers.
Malaysia cannot take unilateral action without taking into consideration international law principles and requirements, and without taking into account the rights and interests of its neighbouring states.
The half bridge would have been left in a limbo with no commitment from Singapore. Running the government is not about scoring points or engaging in brinkmanship. It is about weighing the pros and cons and reaching a decision that is good for Malaysia.
It was a political decision, based on the sentiments, sovereignty and integrity of the people of Malaysia.
DESIDERATA is of the view that reading the last point by itself alone, Dr Mahathir will conmtniue the FACE-OFF with Pak Lah because in essence, the point as reported implied that Dr Mahathir's proposed crooked bridge that was aborted "is not a legacy to leave for future Malaysians..."
And that would add a greater and more intense pain in the stab in the former PM's back. "Ingrates!" I could read the PM's lips. for I have covered Dr Mahathir on some beats. He is a personality whom the media adore because he makes "good copy". But also, he's one "You either love or hate him, no two ways about it!"
For a Prime Minister who had ruled Malaysia for 22 years with an iron-fist, he has bequeathed NegaraKu with many feats, I would even add, several acts of greatness, but at the same time, as can be expected from a human being, also many "disastrous legacies". For better or worse, that's for future hstorians to rule. For me, I have a balance sheet of negatives and positives with the latter being outweighed.
IF ONLY DR MAHATHIR HAD THE WISDOM OF STEPPING DOWN AT THE ZENITH AFTER 10 YEARS -- but that's wistful thinking on Desi's part ...anyway, it is academic now.
"Running the government is not about scoring points or engaging in brinkmanship..." really adds salt to the wound, and a wounding Tiger would just not LET IT BE!
A man of his status used to fighting to "right a wrong" will not keep elegant silence. And it's matter of time Pak Lah may be forced out of hiding or hiatus to break his. SILENCE I mean, not hiatus. For that the two weeks in Perth nded yesterday must have worked wonders to pep up his spirits. Or his script-writers have updated the lines -- as is seen when the NST followed in The Star's footsteps in "deleting" online versions on the ongoing spinnings of the Sandiwara. You mousedeer, please go into hiatus when the Elephants-cum-tribal members continue their epochal fights that will come in many Acts before the final curtain comes down on the PWTC Stage, my guess will be at the Next UMNO General Assembly, or at the next General Elections called before time by the diminishing-in-value "Mr Nice Guy" PM.
Desi has given due credit to Dr Mahathir's efforts in trying to raise Malaysia to developed nation's status, but what is a glaring failure is is the field of mentality and cultural mindset. Malaysian civil society has not developed in tandem with its superb physical infrastructure. In factm in certain areas like the justice delivery system -- it has regressed, and compromised, thanks mainly to the Goevrnment's emasculation of the Third Estate under Dr Mahathir's watch -- the Judiciary, epitomised by the Sacking of a Lord Presdent and five senior Judges at one go.
But let's be entertained by more "minor" -- or "minion" is more apt? -- actors akin to Nazri Abdul Aziz and Matthias Chang who I liken as the court jesters in a play like "As You Like It".
GREAT DEMOCRATS WITHIN UMNO
From The Star comes Malacca CEO, also once President of WAY, now as aspitring DPM? ~~
Ali: Efforts to explain issues well received
KOTA BARU: Umno vice-president Datuk Seri Mohd Ali Rustam is confident that the ongoing efforts to explain current political issues have been well received by the grassroots.
He called on members to close ranks as the next general election was looming.
“Umno often has internal differences, it is normal in a democracy-practising party.
“But we have the reputation of closing ranks and I am calling for it now,” Mohd Ali said before joining the Pengkalan Chepa Umno division in declaring its unreserved support and loyalty to Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi as Prime Minister and Umno president.
Among those present were division head Datuk Dr Nik Mohd Zain Omar, deputy Che Rosli Hassan and vice-head Rahim Mohd Zain.
Mohd Ali said divisions could invite any supreme council member to clarify issues emerging from the perceived rift between Abdullah and Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad.
He urged Kelantan divisions to come together and help deflect issues being exploited by the opposition.
:
:
:
DESIDERATA: Wow, this same guy preaches democracy, and claims that his party is a real practitioner of democracy. Repeat: "“Umno often has internal differences, it is normal in a democracy-practising party. May I advise Sharir to under-study Ali Rustam, if Sharir neeeds some independent advice. Free too.
For the benefit of many Malaysians who tend to forget, I would like to recap here that soon after the BN won the state assembly election in 1999, the Malacca CM, Ali Rustam,“ ...gave an official directive that public officials who were known to have supported the Opposition in the general elections would be transferred out of the historic state. And likewise, private businesses who had won government contracts would also be “blacklisted†from future contracts if they were identified to have supported the Opposition, Ali Rustam gave his order to his obedient sub-ordinates.
So, it's timely to remind Malaysian politicians the famous quote by a British Judge:
Power tends to corrupt, and absolute power corrupts absolutely. *** Lord Acton
So we also see that the BN, at the federal and the State levels, are acting as Oligarchs delivering official administration and governance at their "whims and fancies" (remember "Semuanya okay!" state chief unilaterally claiming Selangor as having arrived at Developed Status? These state warlords in the name of parliamentray democratic systems, and literallt get away with blue nurder -- a former CM losing millions at a London caSINo and so far, I hear of NO action being taken against him to account for where the millions came from. Yet the same Ali Rusta -- trust the wisdom of UMNOputras promoting the wise concept of BIRDS OF A FEATHER FLOCK TOGETHER, Yes! --went on to be elected as an UMNO Vice-President, just a few steps away from the UMNO Presidency and the Nation's CEOship; so help us GOd, I Say Amen.
SO WHAT OPTIONS DO THE RAKYAT HAVE?
(A) Maintaining the Status Quo?
If this is what the majority want -- "seems" to be the case for the past 49 years, then as I had summarised earler, Most of you are happy now, Don't Complain-lah!
May I humbly add: Don't Condemn Others Who Are Trying THeir Level Bset to Make a Change!
(B) Replace the long-standing Barisan Nasional Government
I am lending my thoughts to this Option. I say it's about the ONE AND ONLY OPTION LEFT FOR NEGARKU-KU, TO MOVE BEYOND THIRD-WORLD TO CLIMB THE LADDER TOWARDS FIRST-WORLD STATUS.
Assuming you're with Desi on (B), then read on. If not, no point proceeding-lah. Adjourn back into thy coccon of "complacencY" and let business "go on as usual", as wisely observed by a foreign newsman, maybe the context is slightly different.
So let's examine the various parties that make up the Opposition at the Federal level. PAS flagged off the Opposition Leader in Parliament after their "outstanding performance" in 1999 (on account of riding on Anwar Ibrahim's horse); suffered a humiliating setback in GE2004, losing the Opposition Leader post bak to the DAP. (PAS also lost the State of Terengganu back to the BN.)
One of the strongest indictments against PAS politics came from a letter writer to Malaysiakini.com from Umar Mukhtar recently; I find many of his letters well articulated, citing good rationale, which I truly appreciate even when I disagree with this gentlemn's views sometimes.
Bridge, APs, Proton merely smokescreens
Umar Mukhtar MAR
Jul 7, 06 5:51pm
"Recent reports of PAS cosying up to Dr Mahathir Mohamad over his criticisms of Pak Lah smack of unprincipled political opportunism. Wasn't it PAS which benefitted from the voters' disgust in 1999 at Mahathir's underhanded treatment of Anwar Ibrahim? And now suddenly Mahathir is PAS' paragon of virtue?
It should be obvious to seasoned observers that Mahathir's biggest concern upon giving up power was the protection of the dark secrets of his administration. Granting of executive immunity is not part of our political tradition, so it was imperative that Mahathir selected a successor whom he was confident would do his bidding in this matter."
:
:
:
DESIDERATA has always averred that Race and Religion is an explosive mixture which Malaysia can't afford to experiment with. To Desi, it's either NEEDS-BASED POLICIES thatwill deliver us the climate for nation-building, NOT THE NEP< NOT RELIGION, which will be the case if you support PAS, as ISLAM is the party's raison de'tre (Reason for being).
Then let's look at DAP as the viable option...
I have asked of Sdr LIM KIT SIANG -- QUO VADIS?
Is the DAP merely happy playing the role of an Opposition in Parliament and at State Assemblies?
Lim spearheaded "Project Tanjung" several terms to wrest Penang from Gerakan, but failed, and among several reasons, there were "factions" among the {enang DAP. So what's so different among DAP leaders' indset comapred with BN components -- they were "quarreling" among themselves, anticipating sitting on the Chief Minister's chair? even before the battles started!
And let me tell it at first hand (personal experience) that its represenatives mirrored MCA and MIC's -- witness how Chin Nyok Soo, Tiger Lee and Khoo Seng Hock, and M. Kuppusamy, all jumped ship? For the Ignoramuses, these named were all DAP state assemblymen, from Penang, Negri Sembilan, the notorous one where I am resident but not-so-proud-of except for its Siew Pau! One of them was in serious debt of the verge of being sued for bankruptsy, then MCA beckoned and he switched parties, and soon was driving a new Mercedes Benz! SO, WHAT ELSE IS NEW?
I have also asked of Sdr ANWAR IBRAHIM -- QUO VADIS?
Another extract I sighted:
"The Islamic Party of Malaysia (PAS) is attempting to bring together Ex-Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad, his one-time deputy Anwar Ibrahim, and Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah to team up for the good of the ‘Malay cause’. Is the hidden agenda really to challenge the Prime Minister?
Dr Mahathir has categorically stated in his Malaysiakini interview last week that there is no possibility of any reconciliation with Anwar. Then there are certain forces who are attempting to open a channel for Anwar to meet Dr Mahathir so that the former can apologise to the latter. It is hoped that once Anwar does this, then the old man would give his blessing in the event that Umno would like to take Anwar back."
I would say the above speculation is "mind-boggling"? That is, of Anwar making peace with Dr Mahathir.
The former PM and DPM are deadly enemies, and mainly it's due to the Act of smashing a fellow human being using the most vile tactic. Demeaning his character with accusations of Sodomy, not once, but twice, now there is a Defamation suit for millions by Anwar against Mahathir. Reconciliation? -- Go tell it to the marines! -- no, not the US!
This said event also is linked inextricably with the sacking of the Lord President and five senior judges -- so that what followed in the trials of Anwar showed truly what's likened to Aussie -- oops, my mistake, KANGAROO COURTS! Under A. Paul and A. Jaka, but that's another story for when we go Down Under...
THE PARTI KEADILAN RAKYAT -- YOUR ONLY VIABLE CHOICE!
2B Continued Tomorrow, can?
I'm flaggd out, is that the right word? -- NOT ENOUGH SUGAR in my TehHa!Lia...this mrUrning, lots of Miss Sunthi though, and I had to forego CON BF because someone who's supposed to pay did not keep his/her AP...sigh loudly so that it reaches his/her ears!
Epic Play: Revisiting the Social Contract
UPDATED @ 9.00AM in view of some "timely" input just a couple of hours ago by a regular conversationist here, Maverick SM, who was actually among a few Readers who prompted (or was it challenged?) Desiderata to embark on this ongoing (hope it is not dull!) discussion on what would turn out to be a Face-Off leading to lots of political upheavels and adjustments in the Malaysian body politic. I sincerely hope it's for the better of NegaraKu. His Comments +++ are promoted to Frontpage and appear later as it is a nice fit for a better understanding of what the Social Contract is about.
When a 17-year-old johnleemk expressed his disillussionment to see the present state of the nation is in, epitomised by UMNO's obsession with "Ketuanan Melayu", there is hope yet as far as Desiderata is concerned. There is a sizeable section of Malays (who are eligible to join UMNO and more easily enjoy the spoils of dominance of the nation's largesse, but don't join the gravy train...), like Bakri Musa, who provide a more far-sighted and balanced view to progress NegaraKu. Likewise I see some progressives within UMNO like MP for Johor Baru Sharir Samad and Zaid Ibrahim, another MP-lawyer, who have stood up on a matter of principles even to breach the Party Whip (for Sharir, he LOST the BBC chair as a price to pay. Two salutes.)
In his Part 2 of Open Letter to the Prime Minister, Bakri, based in California, USA, but constantly writes about Malaysian affairs, had condensed an article carried in Malaysiakini.com titled, and the parts highlighted (BOLDED THUS) are Desi's:
Ketuanan Melayu: False Premise and Promise
M Bakri Musa
July 5, 06 12:07pm
from which I extract some sombre thoughts worth reflection by ALL MALAYSIANS, especially the future leaders of Malaysia who wish to get out of the present Prety Conundrium we are in, not mcuh better than some three decades ago.
"Malay leaders are again selling to their followers a bill of goods with the doctrine of Ketuanan Melayu (Malay hegemony). These leaders delude themselves and the masses into thinking that we Malays have been anointed Tuan (master) of Malaysia, with all the implied glories and privileges.
Both the premise and promise of Ketuanan Melayu are false. The sooner Malays grasp this stark reality, the better it is for us and for all Malaysians, as well as for the nation. In this competitive world, you work to be a Tuan; you must earn it! In feudal societies, whether you are fated to be master or servant is determined at birth by your heritage. Malaysia has long passed that stage though many are still entrapped in the feudal mindset.
:
:
:
"More destructively, this collective delusion in our destiny to be Tuan encourages a variety of non-productive behaviours. We have leaders content only with endless speech-making rather than bucking down to hard work; university vice-chancellors who debase their titles with their singular lack of scholarly contributions; and civil servants who act as mini-sultans (or Little Napoleons, in the prime minister's words) of their departments.
Such are the meaningless consequences of the empty promises of Ketuanan Melayu. It is a cruel hoax perpetrated upon our people by our very own leaders.
:
:
:
Ketuanan Melayu is premised upon false foundations. Tanah Melayu (Land of the Malays) or not, Malays are not ordained to be Tuan , in our own land or elsewhere. On the other hand, if Malays were competitive, rest assured that we would then be Tuans even in lands other than Tanah Melayu.
(I advise Readers to read the whole of the article avaiable @bakrimusa.com) as I end the extract from Bakri Musa's essayhere just to demonstrate the point that not all is Pessimism, something I had encountered when discusiing Politics with fellow Malaysians whp feel the situation is "hopeless" as the system is useless and beyond repair after 49 years of Alliance, followed by Barisan Nasional rule.)
~~~~~~~~~
Here I seek your indulgence by going into a summary of Forms of government and the Social Contract,from philosophyclass.com:
FORMS OF GOVERNMENT
The are many forms of government. In a monarchy supreme power is placed in a single person. In an oligarchy, power is placed in the hands of a few people. In an aristocracy rule is placed in the hands of the best qualified people. In a timocracy the power is placed in the hands of the wealthy. In a democracy power is placed in the hands of the people. Which of the above forms is the best? The answer to this question depends on how you view the purpose of a government.
SOCIAL CONTRACT
This political philosophy was proposed by Thomas Hobbes, an English philosopher (1588-1679). It was further developed by John Locke (1632-1704) and Jean-Jacques Rousseau (1712-1778). It was an attempt to answer the question concerning the origin of government. The social contract concept was an attempt to challenge the divine right of kings philosophy which was used by monarchs of the time.
According to this philosophy, people in a society made a contract with each other or with a ruler to guarantee them certain needs such as peace, safety and justice. If the ruler did not meet his part of the contract, then the people had a right to select a new ruler. This is the basic philosophy that a democracy is based on.
NATURAL LAW
This philosophy goes as far back as ancient Greece. It is the view that there is a higher law to which specific written laws of a government must be compared. This higher law or natural law, was universally valid and thus applied to all governments. The natural law was known by the use of human reasoning.
+++2 comment(s):
You have become a jurist. I am amazed at your knowledge of jurisprudence.
However, I would suggest that you should include Jeremy Bentham and John Austin's Command Theory of Law which not only posed the question of: "what is law" but also the normative question of what the law ought to be.
For Bentham, the question of what constitute good law is to be answered in terms of utility - the maximisation of pleasure and the minimisation of pain.
For Austin, normative jurisprudence relates to the question of the goodness and badness of the existence of the law and this relates to the advancement of the greatest happiness of the greatest number of the members of society.
To summarise the your thesis here, I like to quote John Stuart Mill:
"It is better to be a human being dissatisfied
than a pig satisfied;
Better to be a Socrates dissatisfied than a fool satisfied;
And if the fool or the pig are of a different opinion,
It is because they only know their own side of the question;
The other party to the comparison knows both sides.
To Mills, we can draw more pleasure from a small amount which have much higher and greater value than large amount of pleasure which are less refined.
Intelligence, rather than sentience, is far more important characteristics of human beings.
By Maverick SM, at 7:30 AM
I like to add John Mill's notion between relationship between justice and social values:
Justice shall imply the identification of interests which came together to form "something which is not only right to do and wrong not to do, but which some individual can claim from us as his moral right. That Equality of treatment is an essential element of social life and its contribution to the maximisation of happiness or satisfaction cannot be denied. Liberty clarifies the distinction and balance the interests and goals of society (Harm Principle - 'harm to the interests of others').
In Harm Principle, Mills argue that:
"The only purpose for which power can rightfully be exercised over any member of a civilised community, against his will is to prevent harm to others... that rights are determined by reference to justice."
Justice is to be defined from the sphere of conduct where the society as a whole have overriding interest and the individual race takes second place.
It must be noted that the liberty and privileges which people in society have in their pursuit of their own good in their own way must be limited by the need to protect the interest of others, for if not, chaos thrives.
By Maverick SM, at 7:44 AM +++
DESI adds in this Update that he's glad that fellow Blogger Mave has included the attribute of JUSTICE in the thesis as any society that aspires towards a higher plane of Civilisation must include as a Pre-requisite Goal of a Civil Society the promotion and practice of Justice. This has a great bearing on a subject I'll be priming for in the Epic Play -- the third-most important Protagonist, former DPM Sdr Anwar Ibrahim.
IN THE CASE OF MALAYA, the fight for independence led by Bapa Merdeka, Tunku Abdul Rahman, has always earned praise for the new nation as it traveled the road to Independence on August 31, 1957 in a "bloodless" manner detaching from the colonial masters that "Great" Britain represented. The kwailo (foreign devils') left behind an adminstration steeped in Whitehall-type traditions -- an education system using mainly English as language of instruction, a relatively "independent" Judiciary, and General Elections conducted at four to five years' intervals; a noticeable bias towards supporting Christian missionaries who perpetuated the Christian faith via Brothers' schools, especially dominant in the Straits Settlement states -- Penang and Malacca, and to some extent the federal Capital, Kuala Lumpur, but distinctly absent in the more Islamic belt states like Kelantan, Terengganu and Kedah.
The first decade of nationhood was relatively peaceful and serene, and the Tunku described himself as the "happiest" head of government in the world.
The Social Contract ascribed to the new nation, which reamains an active member of The Commonwealth of Nations, worked pretty well for the early years. The Social Contract provides for a Constitutional Monarchy (with the unique Kingship at the National level as a new Yang DiPertuan Agong is chosen every five years from among the nine brother State royal houses...); with a Lower House of Parliament elected every five years (or earlier at the discretion of the incumbent Administration); and a Judiciary staffed by members trained largely in England and hence were well schooled in Westminster politics and the indpependent Judiciary.
The vestiges of the colonial masters began to dissipate after Malaya graduated to being Malaysia from September 16, 1967 -- when Sabah and Sarawak joined as the 12th and 13th states, adding two more Yang diPertua or Governors to the two from Penang and Malacca.
"The problem is to find a form of association which will defend and protect with the whole common force the person and goods of each associate, and in which each, while uniting himself with all, may still obey himself alone, and remain as free as before." This is the fundamental problem of which the Social Contract provides the solution.
So the reality Malaysians have to contend with is that while the leaders want the world at large to think the Government is a democracy with a people-elected Parliament, the reality in practice is far from that image.
Essentially, what Malaya and Malaysia experience to day is AN OLIGARCHY. Yes, we all know it is an elitist group within UMNO that wields the real power in a government where the EXECUTIVE -- First Estate-- is supremely predominant, reflecting as stated: " In an oligarchy, power is placed in the hands of a few people.
In the so-called 15-member coalition that is the Barisan Nasional led by UMNO, the 14 minor coalition partners are there to give an image of "multi-racial" government. One of my fellow blogger mates, Mave SM, wrote so discerningly: In an oligarchy,
Those who sought to change others instead often find that it is they need change.
Witness the present Sandiwara played out as what I term as an
EPIC PLAY ON THE PWTC STAGE.
Why PWTC?
That's the heart of the leading Big Brother party called UNITED MALAYS NATIONAL ORGANISATION. It's at its Annual General Assembly where national policies are decided and announced, and the other 14 component parties are expected to "rubber stamp".
Recall for your benefit was when The New Economic Policy or National Economic Policy -- NEP -- was "revived" after the UMNO YOUTH adopted such a resolution at the last Assembly at PWTC, marked clearly in the Public Mind by its chief Hishamuddin Tun Hussein, son of a previous PM, raising the "keris" to show the Ketuanan Melayu lamented by Young johnleemk, and Not-So-Young Desiderata and Dr Bakri.
And it's UMNO that controls the nation's purse strings through its monopoly-as-of-right-holders of the three topmost positions in the Cabinet beyond question by third parties -- of the Prime Minister, Deputy Prime Minister and the Finance Minister. (In thhe early terms under Tunku Abdul Rahman, an MCA head Tan Siew Sin did serve as Finance Minister.)
So in the present scheme of things, the Social Contract is between the Barisan Nasional government headed by the UMNO President (Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi) and the Rakyat (citizens of Malaysia) at the federal level, and State Governments headed by Menteri Besar or Chief Minister, all from Barisan Nasional except for Kelantan (under PAS, an Islam-based party in opposition to BN.)
Under the Social Contract, ideally the Government lives up to its Compact (Agreement) as spelt out in its Election Manifesto/es to the people/electorate.
If the Rakyat/electorate are not happy, they can "vote" the present government "out of office" at the next General Elections, but this is only good in theory. Even johnleemk at 17 realises that in realpolitik,the odds are stacked clearly to the advantage of the incumbent government, with the "gerrymander" in parliamentary constituencies being an outstanding example, among many other factors.
And in realpolitik, the current destabilised stage at PWTC is due to the FACE-OFF between two camps within UMNO, the old order represented by a former PM, Dr Mahathir (plus proxies in Camp1) and the new order led by current PM Pak Lah (plus his proxies in Camp2).
My main thesis is the war is really about fighting for the Bigger Pie of the Malaysian Cake, especially blatantly open and vicious in economically challenging times. Why do you think that *"MEGA-PROJECTS"and billion-dollar old scandals being frely opened up for public scrutiny, and both new and old "Pandora's boxes" are being opened up one by one -- via the courts and mass media -- for all Malaysians to SEE. As I noted, an unintended outcome of this FACE-OFF is that the mass media "seem" (Yes, I said this is a transient illussion, not a permanent reality) to be enjoying a more open and liberal environment (a "Springtime" that will last...we pray). Another sidenote is to witness the secondary roles played in the unfolding drama by ex-GEICs and current GEICS of the NST, plus a few "reluctant" players from other press, but that's just some inconsequential dressings, unless you're also a millionaire-corporate-cum-scribe.
*1. Metramac vis UEM-PLUS (occurrence under Mahathir's premiership)
*2. Billion-ringgit "Crooked Bridge" spanning both Mahathir's and Pak Lah's premierships
*3. Billion-ringgit suits between Danaharta/MAS vs Tajudin Ramli (Occurrences under Mahathir's premiership)
*4. Bank Negara's forex losses -- first announced standing at RM10billion; then revealed by Tajudin Ramli as between RM15-20billion; last mentioned in Parliament only two days ago at RM25-30billion.
*5. Tenaga Nasional Bhd's compulsory acceptance of the electricity generated by the privatised Independent Power Producers (to the tune of some RM6billion, a condition that Tenaga ex-chief Ani Arope said recently was "forced on TNB" by the PM's Department, under Dr Mahathir's watch.
Desi would even number as *6. PETRONAS' lack of transparency when announcing its Profits for financial year ended March 2006 because it did not have proper details breaking down the Incomes and Expenditures figures. A net profit from a national oil corporation of RM43.6billion -- surpassing one year's allocation of RM40billion under the 9th Malaysia Plan -- surely this deserves a scrutiny by Parliament?
So what we have is that the Parliament is given Scant Power -- that is, the Second Estate, the Legislature, is rendered a necessary nuisance that is easily dispensed with by the Executive.
So the power lies within the Inner Circle of Advisers to the incumbent Prime Minister, headed by Oxfordian Khairy, but even at 31, he has already learned to step on many toes. This ongoing Epic PLay will continue with various Acts and Scenes like a Shakespearean Play because the old order is not ready to give up its power base. Hence, Camp1 represnted by Mahathir&Corporate Nexus is challenging the new order of PakLah&Corporate Nexus. Caught in between is Deputy Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak who already has been identified as a nigh-Brutus, in dissociating with the old regime soon after war was declared by Dr Mahathir on June 7. But Mahathir's disclosure that Najib was in fact his "first choice" as successor put Najib in a bind. But behind the public rhetorics, could the duo be working in concert?
Here's some interesting extracts from an Australian newspaper, selected by Desi only for their relevance in the discourse on current topic; the reporter's observations on Najib which I totally endorse as sensible and obvious from past events in UMNO fights...
The Age by Michael Backman
July 12, 2006
~~~~~~~~~~~
Mahathir Mohamad, Malaysia's former prime minister, is not happy. He was content to leave politics in late 2003 in return for a degree of reverence as an elder statesman, and perhaps to be consulted from time to time. He wasn't banking on being largely ignored, openly blamed for current and past errors, and seeing initiatives he backed dismantled in a way that seems calculated to make him lose face, particularly in the Asian context.
But Mahathir has retaliated in the past fortnight. He has claimed publicly that his successor, Abdullah Badawi, has stabbed him in the back. He has rebutted criticisms made of him and he has questioned Abdullah's policies.
:
:
:
Also last week, a former political secretary of Mahathir, who weighed in to support his former boss, (added by Desi: "Matthias Chang") was rewarded with a defamation suit for RM50 million ($A18.3 million) from the deputy chairman of Malaysia's biggest newspaper group (Desi: "Kalimullah Hassan").
And a former owner of the national airline (Desi: Tajudin Ramli")filed a court document to say he never wanted it and that Mahathir's government made him buy it. Presumably, that is what led him to strip millions from it in related-party transactions.
And former deputy prime minister Anwar Ibrahim lodged with the High Court his reply to Mahathir's attempt to get his defamation suit against Mahathir quashed. Anwar made a range of new allegations about how the government was run under Mahathir, seemingly neglecting the fact that it was also Anwar's government at the time.
:
:
:
And, despite all the talk of getting rid of nepotism, the families of most politicians remain involved in businesses that rely on Government contracts, including Abdullah's own.
Furthermore, he appears to be excessively reliant on his son-in-law, the unelected 31-year-old Khairy Jamaluddin.
Mahathir no longer wants Abdullah to remain Prime Minister. He hasn't for quite some time. His preference is for Najib Razak, the current deputy.
So what is Najib like? He's certainly no Mahathir. He rarely takes a strong position on anything, and when he does, it's usually because he's worked out which way the numbers are. Accordingly, he has few strong enemies; nor many passionate supporters.
Ever the good deputy, Najib was quick to pledge loyalty to Abdullah last week but he also refrained from saying anything critical of Mahathir. A fence-sitter but a splendid one, he is rich, Malay, well-educated, and his father (Tun Abdul Razak) was prime minister.
But will Najib take the tough decisions that so far have eluded Abdullah? Nothing in his career suggests he will. It will probably be business as usual, and in Malaysia politics is always about business.
Najib's younger brother, Nazir Razak, is chief executive of CIMB, Malaysia's largest investment bank. He and two other brothers, Nizam and Johari, are involved in GP Ocean Food, which describes itself as the country's biggest integrated fisheries group.
The company planned to issue a prospectus to enable it to list on the stock exchange this year, but that was shelved last week after the Securities Commission announced an investigation into alleged irregularities in the company's accounts. That's the thing about Malaysia: so much of the regulatory apparatus almost works.
But back to Mahathir. Is all his noise a bad thing? Not at all. Mahathir must keep up his criticisms. It doesn't matter whether he is right or wrong. What matters is that he keeps going. Monopolies are never a good thing, particularly when it comes to a monopoly of ideas. Mahathir has given Malaysians a lot of things. Giving them what might turn out to be the most effective opposition voice they've had is his latest contribution.
Flashy buildings make a country look modern. But real modernity comes from open public debate. Mahathir is dragging Malaysia forward while Abdullah is disappointing.
michaelbackman@yahoo.com
DESIDERATA: Note especially the description of Najib as a "fence-sitter" -- this was the "bitter lesson" that Tengku Razaleight learnt from his challenge of DR Mahathir for UMNO presidency, when Najib waited until the "last minute" to swing his support to the incumbent Mahatir to enable the PM to retain the UMNO presidency by a "razor-thin" 43 votes. Now the names of Khairy, Pak Lah's son-in-law, Nasir Razak, Najib's brother who is a corporate highflier, like Khairy who is by comparision a johnny-come-lately; but more importantly, former DPM Anwar Ibrahim.
I wish to re-state that as far as the common people are concerned, I have described the present poltical scenario as us being caught Twist the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea.
I'll discuss a little about Khairy's adventures in corporate world; also a little about Pak Lah's son being involved in business, particularly in SCOMI, not named here, who's a low-profile corporate, who would be cited in good time by Camp1.
In my opinion, like I said earlier, Najib leads Camp3 and Anwar leads Camp4. Between the two would-be successors to Pak Lah, my proposed choice to my EsteemedReaders is Anwar, not the present DPM. For Najib also played the RACE CARD to the hilt in climbing the UMNO ladder to the present situation. I wonder how many citizens can recall a scene when he, accompanied by then Selangor MB Muhammad Muhd Taib, raised the "keris" at a certain padang in Selangor to show the power of "Ketuanan Melayu". For this Act alone, I'm writing him off my wished for political landscape.
I'll spin the stories tomorrow, God-willing, okay!
When a 17-year-old johnleemk expressed his disillussionment to see the present state of the nation is in, epitomised by UMNO's obsession with "Ketuanan Melayu", there is hope yet as far as Desiderata is concerned. There is a sizeable section of Malays (who are eligible to join UMNO and more easily enjoy the spoils of dominance of the nation's largesse, but don't join the gravy train...), like Bakri Musa, who provide a more far-sighted and balanced view to progress NegaraKu. Likewise I see some progressives within UMNO like MP for Johor Baru Sharir Samad and Zaid Ibrahim, another MP-lawyer, who have stood up on a matter of principles even to breach the Party Whip (for Sharir, he LOST the BBC chair as a price to pay. Two salutes.)
In his Part 2 of Open Letter to the Prime Minister, Bakri, based in California, USA, but constantly writes about Malaysian affairs, had condensed an article carried in Malaysiakini.com titled, and the parts highlighted (BOLDED THUS) are Desi's:
Ketuanan Melayu: False Premise and Promise
M Bakri Musa
July 5, 06 12:07pm
from which I extract some sombre thoughts worth reflection by ALL MALAYSIANS, especially the future leaders of Malaysia who wish to get out of the present Prety Conundrium we are in, not mcuh better than some three decades ago.
"Malay leaders are again selling to their followers a bill of goods with the doctrine of Ketuanan Melayu (Malay hegemony). These leaders delude themselves and the masses into thinking that we Malays have been anointed Tuan (master) of Malaysia, with all the implied glories and privileges.
Both the premise and promise of Ketuanan Melayu are false. The sooner Malays grasp this stark reality, the better it is for us and for all Malaysians, as well as for the nation. In this competitive world, you work to be a Tuan; you must earn it! In feudal societies, whether you are fated to be master or servant is determined at birth by your heritage. Malaysia has long passed that stage though many are still entrapped in the feudal mindset.
:
:
:
"More destructively, this collective delusion in our destiny to be Tuan encourages a variety of non-productive behaviours. We have leaders content only with endless speech-making rather than bucking down to hard work; university vice-chancellors who debase their titles with their singular lack of scholarly contributions; and civil servants who act as mini-sultans (or Little Napoleons, in the prime minister's words) of their departments.
Such are the meaningless consequences of the empty promises of Ketuanan Melayu. It is a cruel hoax perpetrated upon our people by our very own leaders.
:
:
:
Ketuanan Melayu is premised upon false foundations. Tanah Melayu (Land of the Malays) or not, Malays are not ordained to be Tuan , in our own land or elsewhere. On the other hand, if Malays were competitive, rest assured that we would then be Tuans even in lands other than Tanah Melayu.
(I advise Readers to read the whole of the article avaiable @bakrimusa.com) as I end the extract from Bakri Musa's essayhere just to demonstrate the point that not all is Pessimism, something I had encountered when discusiing Politics with fellow Malaysians whp feel the situation is "hopeless" as the system is useless and beyond repair after 49 years of Alliance, followed by Barisan Nasional rule.)
~~~~~~~~~
Here I seek your indulgence by going into a summary of Forms of government and the Social Contract,from philosophyclass.com:
FORMS OF GOVERNMENT
The are many forms of government. In a monarchy supreme power is placed in a single person. In an oligarchy, power is placed in the hands of a few people. In an aristocracy rule is placed in the hands of the best qualified people. In a timocracy the power is placed in the hands of the wealthy. In a democracy power is placed in the hands of the people. Which of the above forms is the best? The answer to this question depends on how you view the purpose of a government.
SOCIAL CONTRACT
This political philosophy was proposed by Thomas Hobbes, an English philosopher (1588-1679). It was further developed by John Locke (1632-1704) and Jean-Jacques Rousseau (1712-1778). It was an attempt to answer the question concerning the origin of government. The social contract concept was an attempt to challenge the divine right of kings philosophy which was used by monarchs of the time.
According to this philosophy, people in a society made a contract with each other or with a ruler to guarantee them certain needs such as peace, safety and justice. If the ruler did not meet his part of the contract, then the people had a right to select a new ruler. This is the basic philosophy that a democracy is based on.
NATURAL LAW
This philosophy goes as far back as ancient Greece. It is the view that there is a higher law to which specific written laws of a government must be compared. This higher law or natural law, was universally valid and thus applied to all governments. The natural law was known by the use of human reasoning.
+++2 comment(s):
You have become a jurist. I am amazed at your knowledge of jurisprudence.
However, I would suggest that you should include Jeremy Bentham and John Austin's Command Theory of Law which not only posed the question of: "what is law" but also the normative question of what the law ought to be.
For Bentham, the question of what constitute good law is to be answered in terms of utility - the maximisation of pleasure and the minimisation of pain.
For Austin, normative jurisprudence relates to the question of the goodness and badness of the existence of the law and this relates to the advancement of the greatest happiness of the greatest number of the members of society.
To summarise the your thesis here, I like to quote John Stuart Mill:
"It is better to be a human being dissatisfied
than a pig satisfied;
Better to be a Socrates dissatisfied than a fool satisfied;
And if the fool or the pig are of a different opinion,
It is because they only know their own side of the question;
The other party to the comparison knows both sides.
To Mills, we can draw more pleasure from a small amount which have much higher and greater value than large amount of pleasure which are less refined.
Intelligence, rather than sentience, is far more important characteristics of human beings.
By Maverick SM, at 7:30 AM
I like to add John Mill's notion between relationship between justice and social values:
Justice shall imply the identification of interests which came together to form "something which is not only right to do and wrong not to do, but which some individual can claim from us as his moral right. That Equality of treatment is an essential element of social life and its contribution to the maximisation of happiness or satisfaction cannot be denied. Liberty clarifies the distinction and balance the interests and goals of society (Harm Principle - 'harm to the interests of others').
In Harm Principle, Mills argue that:
"The only purpose for which power can rightfully be exercised over any member of a civilised community, against his will is to prevent harm to others... that rights are determined by reference to justice."
Justice is to be defined from the sphere of conduct where the society as a whole have overriding interest and the individual race takes second place.
It must be noted that the liberty and privileges which people in society have in their pursuit of their own good in their own way must be limited by the need to protect the interest of others, for if not, chaos thrives.
By Maverick SM, at 7:44 AM +++
DESI adds in this Update that he's glad that fellow Blogger Mave has included the attribute of JUSTICE in the thesis as any society that aspires towards a higher plane of Civilisation must include as a Pre-requisite Goal of a Civil Society the promotion and practice of Justice. This has a great bearing on a subject I'll be priming for in the Epic Play -- the third-most important Protagonist, former DPM Sdr Anwar Ibrahim.
IN THE CASE OF MALAYA, the fight for independence led by Bapa Merdeka, Tunku Abdul Rahman, has always earned praise for the new nation as it traveled the road to Independence on August 31, 1957 in a "bloodless" manner detaching from the colonial masters that "Great" Britain represented. The kwailo (foreign devils') left behind an adminstration steeped in Whitehall-type traditions -- an education system using mainly English as language of instruction, a relatively "independent" Judiciary, and General Elections conducted at four to five years' intervals; a noticeable bias towards supporting Christian missionaries who perpetuated the Christian faith via Brothers' schools, especially dominant in the Straits Settlement states -- Penang and Malacca, and to some extent the federal Capital, Kuala Lumpur, but distinctly absent in the more Islamic belt states like Kelantan, Terengganu and Kedah.
The first decade of nationhood was relatively peaceful and serene, and the Tunku described himself as the "happiest" head of government in the world.
The Social Contract ascribed to the new nation, which reamains an active member of The Commonwealth of Nations, worked pretty well for the early years. The Social Contract provides for a Constitutional Monarchy (with the unique Kingship at the National level as a new Yang DiPertuan Agong is chosen every five years from among the nine brother State royal houses...); with a Lower House of Parliament elected every five years (or earlier at the discretion of the incumbent Administration); and a Judiciary staffed by members trained largely in England and hence were well schooled in Westminster politics and the indpependent Judiciary.
The vestiges of the colonial masters began to dissipate after Malaya graduated to being Malaysia from September 16, 1967 -- when Sabah and Sarawak joined as the 12th and 13th states, adding two more Yang diPertua or Governors to the two from Penang and Malacca.
"The problem is to find a form of association which will defend and protect with the whole common force the person and goods of each associate, and in which each, while uniting himself with all, may still obey himself alone, and remain as free as before." This is the fundamental problem of which the Social Contract provides the solution.
So the reality Malaysians have to contend with is that while the leaders want the world at large to think the Government is a democracy with a people-elected Parliament, the reality in practice is far from that image.
Essentially, what Malaya and Malaysia experience to day is AN OLIGARCHY. Yes, we all know it is an elitist group within UMNO that wields the real power in a government where the EXECUTIVE -- First Estate-- is supremely predominant, reflecting as stated: " In an oligarchy, power is placed in the hands of a few people.
In the so-called 15-member coalition that is the Barisan Nasional led by UMNO, the 14 minor coalition partners are there to give an image of "multi-racial" government. One of my fellow blogger mates, Mave SM, wrote so discerningly: In an oligarchy,
Those who sought to change others instead often find that it is they need change.
Witness the present Sandiwara played out as what I term as an
EPIC PLAY ON THE PWTC STAGE.
Why PWTC?
That's the heart of the leading Big Brother party called UNITED MALAYS NATIONAL ORGANISATION. It's at its Annual General Assembly where national policies are decided and announced, and the other 14 component parties are expected to "rubber stamp".
Recall for your benefit was when The New Economic Policy or National Economic Policy -- NEP -- was "revived" after the UMNO YOUTH adopted such a resolution at the last Assembly at PWTC, marked clearly in the Public Mind by its chief Hishamuddin Tun Hussein, son of a previous PM, raising the "keris" to show the Ketuanan Melayu lamented by Young johnleemk, and Not-So-Young Desiderata and Dr Bakri.
And it's UMNO that controls the nation's purse strings through its monopoly-as-of-right-holders of the three topmost positions in the Cabinet beyond question by third parties -- of the Prime Minister, Deputy Prime Minister and the Finance Minister. (In thhe early terms under Tunku Abdul Rahman, an MCA head Tan Siew Sin did serve as Finance Minister.)
So in the present scheme of things, the Social Contract is between the Barisan Nasional government headed by the UMNO President (Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi) and the Rakyat (citizens of Malaysia) at the federal level, and State Governments headed by Menteri Besar or Chief Minister, all from Barisan Nasional except for Kelantan (under PAS, an Islam-based party in opposition to BN.)
Under the Social Contract, ideally the Government lives up to its Compact (Agreement) as spelt out in its Election Manifesto/es to the people/electorate.
If the Rakyat/electorate are not happy, they can "vote" the present government "out of office" at the next General Elections, but this is only good in theory. Even johnleemk at 17 realises that in realpolitik,the odds are stacked clearly to the advantage of the incumbent government, with the "gerrymander" in parliamentary constituencies being an outstanding example, among many other factors.
And in realpolitik, the current destabilised stage at PWTC is due to the FACE-OFF between two camps within UMNO, the old order represented by a former PM, Dr Mahathir (plus proxies in Camp1) and the new order led by current PM Pak Lah (plus his proxies in Camp2).
My main thesis is the war is really about fighting for the Bigger Pie of the Malaysian Cake, especially blatantly open and vicious in economically challenging times. Why do you think that *"MEGA-PROJECTS"and billion-dollar old scandals being frely opened up for public scrutiny, and both new and old "Pandora's boxes" are being opened up one by one -- via the courts and mass media -- for all Malaysians to SEE. As I noted, an unintended outcome of this FACE-OFF is that the mass media "seem" (Yes, I said this is a transient illussion, not a permanent reality) to be enjoying a more open and liberal environment (a "Springtime" that will last...we pray). Another sidenote is to witness the secondary roles played in the unfolding drama by ex-GEICs and current GEICS of the NST, plus a few "reluctant" players from other press, but that's just some inconsequential dressings, unless you're also a millionaire-corporate-cum-scribe.
*1. Metramac vis UEM-PLUS (occurrence under Mahathir's premiership)
*2. Billion-ringgit "Crooked Bridge" spanning both Mahathir's and Pak Lah's premierships
*3. Billion-ringgit suits between Danaharta/MAS vs Tajudin Ramli (Occurrences under Mahathir's premiership)
*4. Bank Negara's forex losses -- first announced standing at RM10billion; then revealed by Tajudin Ramli as between RM15-20billion; last mentioned in Parliament only two days ago at RM25-30billion.
*5. Tenaga Nasional Bhd's compulsory acceptance of the electricity generated by the privatised Independent Power Producers (to the tune of some RM6billion, a condition that Tenaga ex-chief Ani Arope said recently was "forced on TNB" by the PM's Department, under Dr Mahathir's watch.
Desi would even number as *6. PETRONAS' lack of transparency when announcing its Profits for financial year ended March 2006 because it did not have proper details breaking down the Incomes and Expenditures figures. A net profit from a national oil corporation of RM43.6billion -- surpassing one year's allocation of RM40billion under the 9th Malaysia Plan -- surely this deserves a scrutiny by Parliament?
So what we have is that the Parliament is given Scant Power -- that is, the Second Estate, the Legislature, is rendered a necessary nuisance that is easily dispensed with by the Executive.
So the power lies within the Inner Circle of Advisers to the incumbent Prime Minister, headed by Oxfordian Khairy, but even at 31, he has already learned to step on many toes. This ongoing Epic PLay will continue with various Acts and Scenes like a Shakespearean Play because the old order is not ready to give up its power base. Hence, Camp1 represnted by Mahathir&Corporate Nexus is challenging the new order of PakLah&Corporate Nexus. Caught in between is Deputy Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak who already has been identified as a nigh-Brutus, in dissociating with the old regime soon after war was declared by Dr Mahathir on June 7. But Mahathir's disclosure that Najib was in fact his "first choice" as successor put Najib in a bind. But behind the public rhetorics, could the duo be working in concert?
Here's some interesting extracts from an Australian newspaper, selected by Desi only for their relevance in the discourse on current topic; the reporter's observations on Najib which I totally endorse as sensible and obvious from past events in UMNO fights...
The Age by Michael Backman
July 12, 2006
~~~~~~~~~~~
Mahathir Mohamad, Malaysia's former prime minister, is not happy. He was content to leave politics in late 2003 in return for a degree of reverence as an elder statesman, and perhaps to be consulted from time to time. He wasn't banking on being largely ignored, openly blamed for current and past errors, and seeing initiatives he backed dismantled in a way that seems calculated to make him lose face, particularly in the Asian context.
But Mahathir has retaliated in the past fortnight. He has claimed publicly that his successor, Abdullah Badawi, has stabbed him in the back. He has rebutted criticisms made of him and he has questioned Abdullah's policies.
:
:
:
Also last week, a former political secretary of Mahathir, who weighed in to support his former boss, (added by Desi: "Matthias Chang") was rewarded with a defamation suit for RM50 million ($A18.3 million) from the deputy chairman of Malaysia's biggest newspaper group (Desi: "Kalimullah Hassan").
And a former owner of the national airline (Desi: Tajudin Ramli")filed a court document to say he never wanted it and that Mahathir's government made him buy it. Presumably, that is what led him to strip millions from it in related-party transactions.
And former deputy prime minister Anwar Ibrahim lodged with the High Court his reply to Mahathir's attempt to get his defamation suit against Mahathir quashed. Anwar made a range of new allegations about how the government was run under Mahathir, seemingly neglecting the fact that it was also Anwar's government at the time.
:
:
:
And, despite all the talk of getting rid of nepotism, the families of most politicians remain involved in businesses that rely on Government contracts, including Abdullah's own.
Furthermore, he appears to be excessively reliant on his son-in-law, the unelected 31-year-old Khairy Jamaluddin.
Mahathir no longer wants Abdullah to remain Prime Minister. He hasn't for quite some time. His preference is for Najib Razak, the current deputy.
So what is Najib like? He's certainly no Mahathir. He rarely takes a strong position on anything, and when he does, it's usually because he's worked out which way the numbers are. Accordingly, he has few strong enemies; nor many passionate supporters.
Ever the good deputy, Najib was quick to pledge loyalty to Abdullah last week but he also refrained from saying anything critical of Mahathir. A fence-sitter but a splendid one, he is rich, Malay, well-educated, and his father (Tun Abdul Razak) was prime minister.
But will Najib take the tough decisions that so far have eluded Abdullah? Nothing in his career suggests he will. It will probably be business as usual, and in Malaysia politics is always about business.
Najib's younger brother, Nazir Razak, is chief executive of CIMB, Malaysia's largest investment bank. He and two other brothers, Nizam and Johari, are involved in GP Ocean Food, which describes itself as the country's biggest integrated fisheries group.
The company planned to issue a prospectus to enable it to list on the stock exchange this year, but that was shelved last week after the Securities Commission announced an investigation into alleged irregularities in the company's accounts. That's the thing about Malaysia: so much of the regulatory apparatus almost works.
But back to Mahathir. Is all his noise a bad thing? Not at all. Mahathir must keep up his criticisms. It doesn't matter whether he is right or wrong. What matters is that he keeps going. Monopolies are never a good thing, particularly when it comes to a monopoly of ideas. Mahathir has given Malaysians a lot of things. Giving them what might turn out to be the most effective opposition voice they've had is his latest contribution.
Flashy buildings make a country look modern. But real modernity comes from open public debate. Mahathir is dragging Malaysia forward while Abdullah is disappointing.
michaelbackman@yahoo.com
DESIDERATA: Note especially the description of Najib as a "fence-sitter" -- this was the "bitter lesson" that Tengku Razaleight learnt from his challenge of DR Mahathir for UMNO presidency, when Najib waited until the "last minute" to swing his support to the incumbent Mahatir to enable the PM to retain the UMNO presidency by a "razor-thin" 43 votes. Now the names of Khairy, Pak Lah's son-in-law, Nasir Razak, Najib's brother who is a corporate highflier, like Khairy who is by comparision a johnny-come-lately; but more importantly, former DPM Anwar Ibrahim.
I wish to re-state that as far as the common people are concerned, I have described the present poltical scenario as us being caught Twist the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea.
I'll discuss a little about Khairy's adventures in corporate world; also a little about Pak Lah's son being involved in business, particularly in SCOMI, not named here, who's a low-profile corporate, who would be cited in good time by Camp1.
In my opinion, like I said earlier, Najib leads Camp3 and Anwar leads Camp4. Between the two would-be successors to Pak Lah, my proposed choice to my EsteemedReaders is Anwar, not the present DPM. For Najib also played the RACE CARD to the hilt in climbing the UMNO ladder to the present situation. I wonder how many citizens can recall a scene when he, accompanied by then Selangor MB Muhammad Muhd Taib, raised the "keris" at a certain padang in Selangor to show the power of "Ketuanan Melayu". For this Act alone, I'm writing him off my wished for political landscape.
I'll spin the stories tomorrow, God-willing, okay!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)