Is Kalimullah and Singapore severing interest with Abdullah?

Ghost of Kamaluddin's past return to haunt.

And, the returning ghost is no other than BSA Tahir, the former ISA detainee whose detention in 2004 was seen as a coverup by Tun Abdullah for Kamaluddin and his Scomi partner, Shah Hakam who also participated in the manufacturing of nuclear centrifuge for Libya deal.

That incident led many to believe that Abdullah's administration was under seige and Abdullah was living under the swords of democles of the American.

BSA Tahir was a subject of a news piece on Singapore Times last Thursday. It was only known to Malaysian political blog readers when Malaysia Today republished the news here.

He is suing his former partners, Kamaluddin and Shah Hakam. The new development can only be expected when one's partner ripped oneself while in the slammer. If he can't get justice, at least get some money out of it. Best wishes BSA.

The significant aspect of the piece is the fact that it was published by Singapore Times and written by Leslie Lau, editor for Kalimullah's The Malaysian Insiders?

In case, someone asked what is the big deal, the answer is Singapore Times is not just a publishing company. If that needs further explanation, then find out about Xinhua News Agency role beyond a news agency. It is the same with Singapore Times.

Then apply the 4 Wives 1 Husband analysis to the Singapore Times news below:

Shareholder dispute revives Scomi past

Sri Lankan seeks $31m from ex-PM's son and another businessman

By Leslie Lopez (senior Regional Correspondent)
Singapore Times

A YET-TO-BE published shareholder dispute involving the son of former prime minister Abdullah Badawi is likely a renew debate over Malaysia's role in the clandestine trade of senstitive minitery technology.

Sri Lankan businessman Bahary Syed Abu Tahir has gone to the High Court to claim RM75 million (S$32 million) from the fromer primeir's son, Mr Kamaluddin Abudllah, and another businessman, Mr Shah Hakim Shazanim Zain.

In the suit filed by his wife late last year, Mr Tahir is demanding what he claims is money owed to him for his equity interest in engineering company, Scomi Group, lawyers family with the case told The Straits Times.

Mr Tahir was one of the founding shareholders of Scomi. His shares, held by his Malaysian wife, were in Kaspadu, which has a 34 per cent controlling interest in Scomi.

The remaining shares of Kuala Lumpur-listed Scomi are held by various funds and members of the public.

Mr Tahir's stake in Kaspadu, which amounted to 27.5 per cent of the equity, was transferred to Mr Kamaluddin and Mr Shah Hakim in a private arrangement in early 2004.

It took place amid an international scandal sparked after Scomi's link to the now-defunct nuclear smuggling ring headed by Pakistan Scientist Abdul Qadeer Kahn were exposed.

The deal gave Mr Kamuluddin and Mr Shah Hakim complete control as they are the only other shareholders of Kaspadu. But a dispute over the value of the transferred shares has persisted.

The low-profile Mr Tahir could not be contacted for comment. A lawyer who has acted for him on matters related to his requested to discuss the suit.

Mr Kamuluddin and Mr Shah Hakim, responding separely to The Straits Times' queries, acknowledged that they were entangled in a legal duspute over the equity holdings in Kaspadu.

Mr Kamuluddin said Mr Tahir had invested RM7.025 million toward the total cost of the acquisition and financial restruring of Scomi. As consideration for his contribution, 27,500 shares in Kaspadu were transferred to his wife Nazimah Syed Majid, who held the shares as his nominee, Mr Kamaluddion said.

The two businessmen did not elaborate further on the dispute.

Their close associates said that the original settlement for the Kaspadu shares was RM50 million and that Mr Tahir and his wife had already received half of that sum.

They claimed that the two men had made payment of an additional RM10 million to Mr Tahir's lawyers. But that instalment was never accepted by Mr Tahir or his nominees.

The increasing hostile turn in the business relationship between Mr Tahir and his one-time partners carries major remifications for Malaysia and Scomi, which has been pushing to secure infrastructure contracts outside the country.

The dispute is also likely to revive debate over Malaysia's somewhat cosy handling of Mr Tahir.

Malaysia's international reputation took a beating in late 2003 when a Scomi unit was identified as the manufacturer of crucial centrifuge components destined for Libya.

After a lengthy investigation into Scomi's affair, Malaysia police detained Mr Tahir in March 2004 under the Internal Security Act, which allows for indefinite detention.

They did so on the grounds that the Malaysian permanent resident had put the country at risk of possible sanctions from big power. He was also declared a national security threat.

Mr Tahir was granted a conditonal relase in mid-2008, and all conditonal relase on him were lifted in March last year, police sources said.

The police have long maintained that Scomi was duped by Mr Tahir into producing the centrifuge components for the Khan network, and that Mr Kamuluddin and Mr Shah Hakim were not guity of any crime linked to the nuclear scandal.

Just weeks before Mr Tahir's arrest in Kuala Lumpur, United States officials also publicly absolved Malaysia and Scomi of any wrongdoing.

But after his release, the US State Department slapped sanctions on him and several other individuals, including Mr Shah Hakim and Dr Khan, for involvement in nuclear proliferation.

The State Department said the actions were a result of a years-long US goverment review of nuclear proliferation activities.

ljlepez@sph.oom.sg

***************************

Detained for nuclear smuggling

MR BUHARY Syed Abu Tahir(left), a Sri Lankan national and Malysian permenent resident, remains the only person to have been detained for nuclear summgling under Malaysia's Internal Security Act.

He was declared a national security risk for his involvemtn in an illegal nuclear network, led by Pakistani secientist Abudl Qadeer Khan, which sold nuclear know-ho and technology to Libya, Iran dan North Korea.

Officials said he had also put Malaysia at risk of sanctions from big powers.

He spent nearly four years in detention, but only two of those at the Kamunting prison camp in northern Perak state.

Malaysia police sources said Mr Tahir was transferred to a secreat safe house in Kuala Lumpur that was gazetted by the goverment as a holding facility in mid-2006. He enjoyed regular access to his family.

He was granted a conditional release in mid-2008. The terms of this relase included reporting weekly to the police and limits on this overseas travel.

All restrictions were lifted at the end of March last year, said police sources.

He now lives in Kuala Lumpur with his family and maintains a low profile.

There is a lot of questions that need asking. Why would Kalimullah's own staff wrote a piece damaging to Abdullah's son?

Kalimullah a close associate and Abdullah's appointed GEIC for NST has a close association with Singapore. It was his link to Singapore Times that lost him a job to be the late Ghaffar Baba's Press Secretary when he returned as Minister. Failing that, he rebuilt his inroad into the Malaysian corridor of power through Abdullah and made amass a fortune.

Is there a US or Singapore interest in the play?

There have been some development other than BSA Tahir's release from ISA. As a recap, the nuclear centrifuge was caught in it's destiny for Libya in late 2003 just before Tun Abdullah's ascension to Premiership.

The police believed and cleared Kamaluddin and Tun Salleh Abas's son in law and Scomi CEO, Dato Shah Hakam on the basis that both were duped into it by BSA Tahir. However, my personal encounter with a business associate of Kamaluddin and BSA Tahir dispute that reason.

But, it is the police opinion that matters and BSA Tahir was subsequently detained under ISA in March 2004. The long held believe is that he was detained to save the skin of Abdullah.

At around the time of BSA Tahir detention, the US cleared Malaysia of any involvement.

Since then, Dr Qadeer Khan's nuclear program has defunct. Strangely, the US had slapped a travel sanction on Dr Qadeer Khan and Shah Hakam middle of last year. That's strange, but why now?

More questions.

It is public knowledge that during his premiership, Abdullah basically kow tow to Singapore's every other wishes. He is no more in power, thus the question: why the need to pressure on Abdullah and family?

Or is it a fluke chance of putting some pressure on Malaysia for something through the former PM's son?

Yes off course, that's far fetch.

A more far fetch explanation would be to link it to Singapore Navy's warning statement of piracy threat in the Straits of Malacca last Thursday. The straits seaway is of global strategic importance.

Singapore, the nation of banana people have been ever eager to be an American "Deputy Sheriff" for South East Asia. They have always wanted their involvement in the security of the Straits of Malacca. Any US presence will not stop there and Asean can kiss ZOPFAN goodbye.

A straight forward conclusion is that Singapore is sending the message Abdullah is of no consequence to them. The message is by Kalimullah's people writing on something sensitive and damaging on Abdullah.

They are viewing it as more practical to maintain ties and appease Najib.

In other words, Khairy should not expect police escort any more if he wishes to cruise on Singapore's highway in a Mercedes sportscar with stopovers at Raffles for tea and scones.

* New addition

Why would Kalimullah have ties with Raja Petra to whack on Najib?

Former PKR bloggers are revealing that he provided his wife's apartment at Trinity Court, Bayswater, London for Raja Petra's accomodation. Kalimullah denied such accusation and reasoned that Raja Petra was critical of Abdullah and himself.

The counter spin is simple.

There is no permanent enemies and friends in politics. But there are common enemy, motives, and objectives. It is respectively Najib, bringing down BN and PAP's pre-1965 vision of Malaysian Malaysia.

In at least in one of those, Abdullah is not likely to agree with Kalimullah.

* Edited 8:30 PM

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Zaid Ibrahim's inevitable political demise

Back in October 19, 2009, this blogger wrote a posting on Zaid Ibrahim entitled Azmin's seige mentality, Another missed opportunity.

This blog has always taken a critical view of Zaid since his less than sincere attempt to bring about judicial reform was nothing more than being Abdullah and Khairy's political errand boy. He handled the Tun Salleh compensation poorly. Basically, Zaid then was in the way of our fight to oust Tun Abdullah.

In that recent posting, despite citing his past habit of leaving things unfinished, the posting was kinder and supportive of his effort for a 2-party system. It may not be good immediately for BN in the near future and it is not easy for Pakatan so-called component parties but it is for the good of democrasy and in the long term, it is good for BN. Perhaps it nothing to do with all that, but just giving face to a friend and the name sake to the first law firm this blogger has ever hired to handle his first deal.

Since then, Zaid has gone back to his usual gullible self. He shot his mouth against Zulkifli Nordin under the guise of freedom of speech which he himself never practise such when he was Minister. It is obvious fringe thinking and super liberal Zaid despise and have ex-to-grind against Islamist in the likes Zulkifli Nordin.

That landed him to face the PKR's disciplinary board. My mental response was, "Here he goes again." He is returning from leave, and judging by his past habit to sulk and quit, Zaid's foray into politics may see an inevitable ending soon.

This article below echoes a similar view to this blogger of Zaid:

Zaid Ibrahim: A Political Failure

MyKMU

It is easier to fight for one's principles than to live up to them. ~Alfred Adler

It’s been a while since anyone has referred to Zaid Ibrahim as a maverick politician. Perhaps the severe warning from the Pakatan Rakyat’s elders over Zaid’s conduct or rather misconduct and political posturing has taken the wind out of the sails for this one time ruthless defender of Malay rights and beneficiary of UMNO influence.

From an active participant of the Muslim Lawyers Association that was fiercely loyal to the government of Tun Dr. Mahathir Mohamad to expelled back door minister in UMNO to a “severely warned” and on 6 months leave and near partyless Pakatan Rakyat member or soon to be ex-member-his failure is near complete.

Zaid Ibrahim has thus far only demonstrated that he is almost never consistent on where he stands on the issues, never loyal to any one political party and its struggles and is simply not a team player.

That raises the question of what does he really really stand for, and fights for whom and on whose platform. His political track record thus far seems to suggest that he stands for Zaid Ibrahim, fights for Zaid Ibrahim and is on (well U guessed it) on Zaid Ibrahim’s shaky platform.

But, surely he must have made some political achievements?

With Abdullah Badawi’s total support way back then and subsequently as the rising star who is whispered to be next in line to lead the charge for Pakatan Rakyat into the 13th Malaysian general elections, what tangible results does he have to show for all the political patronage whilst in either UMNO or Pakatan Rakyat coupled with all that goodwill of the Malaysian people and numerous foreign observers whom were cheering Zaid on?

He failed to bring the so-called judicial reforms that he was peddling as an UMNO back door minister and just quit instead of fighting the good fight and has now caused more than a whimper of uneasiness amongst grassroots members and leaders alike in the opposition coalition. Zaid wasn’t of any good for UMNO and has continued in his political failures for Pakatan Rakyat.

Perhaps, Zaid Ibrahim’s outburst when he was the minister in The Prime Minister’s Department as was reported by the New Straits Times, (29.5.08) wherein he was quoted as saying, “You can say anything so long as you do not violate party principles. You are at liberty to talk rubbish, nonsense or real stuff, but you have to follow the rules” – in respect of a debate on the Royal Address between Mukhriz Mahathir and Zaid Ibrahim offers some explanation to Zaid’s current predicament.

This spat that took place in Parliament was with Mukhriz Mahathir and Tajuddin Rahman of Pasir Salak in which Zaid insisted on action being taken against both of these Members of Parliament. Zaid Ibrahim kept asking during a press conference after the spat - “What did Mukhriz mean hit & run?”

Zaid’s singular actions since has proven this point. Abdullah Badawi whom appointed Zaid Ibrahim a senator and then a full minister over and above other worthy duly elected Members of Parliament was repaid in full by Zaid Ibrahim. What a booboo Pak Lah made by choosing him!

The fact is that we expect our politicians to be fighting for us and a better Malaysia and not talking rubbish and nonsense.

Perhaps, Zaid is making an exemption for those elected politicians of which he isn’t-to bar anyone from making the same conclusions about what he spews out. And apparently, it is Zaid Ibrahim who doesn’t follow the rules in UMNO or Pakatan Rakyat having been convicted of money politics by the UMNO disciplinary board amongst other things and now severely warned by the PKR disciplinary board.

He also doesn’t tolerate the principles of free speech if what is said is not to his liking and will even go so far to sack or destroy party colleagues as evidenced by his attempt to get the Barisan Nasional whip to take action against Mukhriz Mahathir and Tajuddin Rahman during the debate on the Royal Address as mentioned above and most recently Zaid’s attack on and call for Zulkifli Nordin of PKR to be sacked.

Not to mention that all the while Zaid himself is not an elected Member of Parliament.

It was Zaid Ibrahim who proved Mukhriz Mahathir right by joining the opposition despite Zaid’s repeated denials of harbouring any intentions of doing so. Thus, with the expiry of Zaid Ibrahim’s self-imposed “leave” from PKR near, all that’s left is to watch the further damage and chaos that he will inflict on the opposition coalition.

Heckuva job Zaid.

If this blogger's reading of Zaid is correct, he will defy the disciplinary board and land himself in bigger trouble. He is not unfamiliar to digging his own grave.

The reality with fringe thinking politicians like Zaid is that they do not go far. They are merely door openers for other more acceptable version of change to the masses.

With him unable to hold himself everytime he feels like talking and thinking he is right, this blogger is reading the end of his political career is around the corner.

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The scrap of 2-tier fuel plan reflects the "malas fikir" Malaysians in position

There has been many sources giving information in conflict with the decision of the PM on the MyKad payment system and 2-tier fuel.

When PM announced the cancellation the proposal, there were those involved with the proposal insisting the plan remains for May 1st.

Once and for all ... the two tiered fuel and the MyKad plan is scrapped!

Apalah Ministry and their paid Consultant?

Can't they conceive a plan that not only serve the objective it is intended to and is in tune with the spirit of "1Malaysia: Rakyat didahulukan, Pencapaian diutamakan."

Don't pay those consultants la.

For too long, Malaysian bureucrasy - be it in the public or private sector - are too shallow, lazy and bureaucratic when designing new policy and procedures to do the extra mile to consider the people's side of the story.

Very often than not, they tend to introduce additional procedures in the form of extra forms, extra steps, extra documents, extra signatures, extra authorities verification, etc etc for their selfish purpose of making their job easier and their ass covered.

Malaysian public and private sectors seldom take customers convenience and speed of service as priority.

They rather spend millions on computers and systems to make their process faster than using the neurons in their brains to give due consideration for customer or people's convenince in the planning of the process, procedures and policy.

Then they become reliance on system that they become inflexible. Usually when the system hang or temporary breakdown, their attitude is to stop work rather than revert to manual procedure or take the forms and deal with it later.

They have no guilt at leaving the customer and public wait and wait to build long restless queues and crowd.

Returning to the 2-tier fuel plan, the rejection by the PM is because the procedures and process are cumbersome which serve the bureaucrats needs than rakyat's convenience. The news on the scrapping below:

Tiered fuel plan officially scrapped, no increase for now

The Star March 4th, 2010

PUTRAJAYA: The Government has officially scrapped its plan to introduce the two-tiered fuel subsidy scheme, following negative feedback and response from the public over the proposed restructuring.

Domestic Trade, Co-operative and Consumerism Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob said the decision to “abandon” the plan was because the Government did not want to implement an important policy that did not get the support from or was not accepted by the people.

“Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak has said that this is the people’s government and it is open to views. Today, the Government has proven that it this is not mere rhetoric and that it is true to its word.

“We have heard the people’s voices and now we have proven that we are willing to scrap the plan because the rakyat does not want it to be done,” he told a press conference Thursday.

Ismail Sabri said the price of fuel remained the same for now as “there is no directive to announce a petrol price hike. I don’t know when that will happen, but the public must remember that fuel price fluctuates.”

He added that while the Government’s commitment was to subsidise 30sen per litre for RON95, it was not subsidising nine sen more as the price of the commodity had increased.

The Government is subsidising 16.5sen for every litre of RON97 and 32sen per litre for diesel. In 2009, the Government forked out RM3.4bil to subsidise petrol and another RM1.9bil to subsidise diesel.

The Government had wanted to introduce a new management system for the fuel subsidy this year as it felt that the subsidy did not fully benefit the target group and that even owners of foreign-registered vehicles were enjoying the benefit.

The plan, originally set to be implemented on May 1, was to introduce a tiered pricing system for petrol, depending on engine capacity, while foreigners would have to pay the market price.

It called for the mandatory use of MyKad to differentiate Malaysians from foreigners, requiring the need for MyKad readers at petrol stations.

Subsidised petrol would have been capped at a certain amount of litres a month per user for owners of vehicles with engine capacities of below a certain threshold. The reported upper limit eligibility for the petrol subsidy is 2,000cc. Owners of cars with bigger engine capacities would have been exempted from the subsidy.

Ismail Sabri also announced that a subsidy rationalisation laboratory headed by Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Seri Idris Jala was in place to study the implementation of all subsidies, adding that apart from the fuel subsidy, the laboratory was also tasked to review other areas which the Government subsidises.

“In the meantime, foreigners can still purchase petrol according to the pump price but the policy governing foreigners when purchasing petrol at the border areas remains.

“My ministry will propose to the Cabinet a certain policy to control the purchase of subsidised fuel among foreigners because we need to ensure that the subsidy goes to the targetted group,” he said.

Last December, the Government announced that foreign-registered vehicles would only be allowed to pump a maximum of 20 litres of fuel at petrol stations within a 50km radius from the border.

He also dismissed talks that the restructuring plan was not viable as it was difficult to implement, claiming that a study conducted showed that it could be done without much hassle and inconvenience, or cause consumers to wait long while their MyKad was scanned.

There is also the possibility of someone making a quick buck from supply of card readers.

Thank you Prime Minister for being sensitive to the people. Perhaps you need to push the point of doing the extra mile for the people with your Ministers.

Ismail Sabri seemed so insistance and defensive.

Tak setuju ke dengan PM. Kalau tak setuju dengan keputusan PM, letak jawatan sebagai protes terhadap keputusan PM.

Did Ismail consider that it reflects badly on him as he is unable to conceive a plan that makes sense and could be received by the people?

Rakyat didahulukan. Don't just say it but understand it. Ask himself has he considered the people's concern prior to conceiving his plan.

He could have done a survey to understand the public response and concern before pursuing what he wanted to do.

Sure hope he is not one of those Minister who "malas fikir" and think being a Minister is about the glamour of power.

It is actually artificial.

Things have also changed. Being a Minister is not a reward and to flaunt the glamour of power, it is about working.

Those who aren't capable, please find the door. It is a job many are willing to pay rather than be paid to be there.

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Mohsin today .... How will Syed Husin respond?

The amusing thing with the last two jumpers in the last two days - Mohd Fairuz and Tan Tee Beng - was the unbecoming respond from PKR Deputy President, Senator Dr Syed Husin Ali.

Even Husin Lempoyang find it amusing. Read here.

Another bomber came upon PKR today in the midst of their press conference at Tropicana where they had 10 MPs pledging support. Yesterday DAP and PAS pledge support to Anwar to remain as Opposition Leader, no matter what.

A close friend of Anwar, YB Tuan Haji Mohsin Fadzli bin Shamsuri of Bagan Serai quit on PKR. He expressed disappointment and disenchantment with the direction and practise of the party.

Muhsin, who was wearing a white skullcap, cited his disagreement with the position taken by PKR on the issue of Allah as the turning point with PKR. Dato Sallehuddin explained that the party took a position by the arbitrary decisionof few people without a discussion.

This is the 4th PKR MP withdrawal after Dato Zaharain Hashim (Bayan Baru), and Tan Tee Beng (Nibung Tebal), plus former Penang Deputy CM, Mohd Fairuz Khairuddin Hashim crossover to UMNO.

All the pledge of allegiances and commitments is still not answering to Dato Sallehuddin Hashim's claim that there are 10 PKR MPs abandoning ship for independent status. In fact today, he expressed the possibility of two third of PKR MPs leaving.

Could those MPs not there at PKR's Tropicana office be the ones leaving? For sure, "Mike" of Kapar and Azan Ismail of Indera Mahkota can forget about jumping ship. BN is not buying them. Who is buying over MPs of a sinking ship?

Gwo Burne (Kelana Jaya), Gobalakrishnan (Paya Serai) and Hee Loy Sian (PJ Selatan) is not present.

There is also Tian Chua whose High Court appeal, for his 6 months imprisonment for biting an arresting police officer, will be made known tomorrow. Words are Tian will not appeal to higher court should High Court reject his appeal raising the possibility of a by election for Batu.

How would quiet polite Syed Husin venomous response be like today? Will it be another fodder for a Husin Lempoyang joke? These days everything coming out of PKR, particularly from Anwar sodomy case is funny. ... Mokhtar, C.I.F.U.T. and the latest P.U.N.A.I.

Two years ago, 916 was a source of political jokes. Now it seems the joke is on PKR as it is those within PKR that is doing the 916 on Anwar. And please, no cheap conspiracy and blame it on UMNO, if no reason can be cooked up. Really ma, there's no UMNO hand.

With PKR MPs abandoning PKR, what kind of political senario are we looking at? It's too early to tell.

It could be the new trend of a third force of Independent in Parliament. See what Ibrahim Ali could do single handedly with his Malay agenda

It could also be a temporary refuge for these PKR MPs till a shift in power within PLR from the 3As to a new leadership able to provide a new direction the PKR grassroot yearning for.

Anwar has not been providing a direction for the party in the event he is imprisoned. All resources and party machinery is being harness to create Reformasi II albeit too slow pace.

This author is not convince that it is a power shift to BN. UMNO and BN still got their work cut out for themselves to rehabilitate the party.

How about an intriguing possibility of a wild horse in the name of Ku Li as being promoted by the desperately seeking attention Khairy and with some faint of support from certain Pemuda exco. However, this blogger is not ready to be convince. Too simplistic and not numerically possible.

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1Malaysia: Rakyat diutamakan, Tol dikurangkan?

Jawapan kepada Surat Kepada Pengarang di Utusan Malaysia dari blog baru Suara Hati menarik perhatian penulis. Kemungkinan surat ini mendapat siaran Utusan Malaysia, namun ingin saya memberi publisiti pada surat ini.

Surat ini adalah suara rakyat yang tidak boleh diketepikan begitu saja jika intipati disebalik slogan 1Malaysia itu mengutamakan rakyat. Surat tersebut berikut:

SAYA ingin merujuk kepada tulisan saudara Razak Thamrin (Utusan Malaysia, 24 Feb 2010) yang meminta pengguna lebuh raya menerima hakikat akan kenaikan tol terutamanya di lebuh raya PLUS dalam masa terdekat ini.

Saudara Razak masih menggunakan pendekatan lama untuk "menghalalkan" kenaikan tol di Malaysia dengan membandingkan kadar tol di Indonesia, Bangladesh dan Filipina.

Kenapa memilih negara-negara ini? Kenapa tidak membandingkan Malaysia dengan negara-negara maju di dunia yang menyediakan lebuh raya percuma dan tol murah kepada rakyatnya?

Kita masih lagi mengulangi kesilapan dengan menggunakan alasan lapuk apabila ingin menaikkan harga barang atau tol.

Penulisan Saudara Razak sama ada secara kebetulan atau dirancang disiarkan hampir pada hari yang sama keuntungan PLUS diumumkan.

Menurut laporan Utusan Malaysia, Plus mencatatkan keuntungan sebelum cukai sebanyak RM1.62 bilion bagi tahun berakhir 31 Disember 2009 dan kononnya sebahagian daripada keuntungan Plus datangnya dari pelaburannya di India.

Siapa pemegang saham PLUS?

Menurut kenyataan Pengerusi PLUS yang disiarkan didalam laman webnya, 64 peratus saham PLUS dipegang oleh Khazanah Holdings Berhad sementara 20 peratus lagi adalah dipegang oleh KWSP, Perkeso, Permodalan Nasional Berhad, Kumpulan Wang Amanah Pencen, Lembaga Tabung Angkatan Tentera dan Tabung Haji. 10 peratus dipegang oleh pelabur asing dan selebihnya 6 peratus dipegang pelabur awam.

Maknanya, PLUS adalah syarikat milik kerajaan dengan pegangan 84 peratus saham. Dengan kata lain, PLUS, sebuah syarikat kerajaan, mendapat keuntungan dengan mengutip berbilion ringgit dari rakyat dengan mengutip tol dilebuhraya. PLUS juga membayar dividen berjumlah hampir RM800 juta pada 2008 kepada syarikat-syarikat kerajaan ini. Begitu kayanya PLUS sebagai sebuah syarikat kerajaan. (Lihat laman web Plus)

Pada tahun 2008, kutipan tol PLUS berjumlah RM2.2 bilion, yang tertinggi dalam sejarah. Keuntungan yang berbilion ini sesuatu yang 'obscene' atau memilukan ketika rakyat mengharungi suasana ekonomi yang mencabar ini.

Perlukah sebuah syarikat kerajaan mengutip tol berbilion ringgit dari rakyatnya sendiri? PLUS mungkin akan merujuk kepada perjanjian konsesi dengan kerajaan mengenai jadual kenaikan tol. Tetapi ini perkara mudah kerana kerajaan adalah pemilik PLUS.

Saudara Razak perlu ingat bahawa bukan faktor "tol kita rendah, tol negara lain tinggi" sahaja perlu dijadikan landasan untuk menaikkan tol. Rakyat Malaysia sudah berubah. Yang perlu menjadi pertimbangan ialah apakah rakyat dapat menerima satu kenaikan tol ketika kos hidup meningkat? Apakah pertimbangan politik kita untuk menaikkan tol?

Mungkin kenaikan tol sebanyak 10 peratus satu jumlah yang kecil kepada Saudara Razak atau golongan yang berharta. Kepada saya yang mempunyai seorang isteri yang tidak bekerja, lima orang anak yang berada di universiti dan perlu menggunakan lebuh raya bertol untuk ke tempat kerja, ia satu beban yang amat berat untuk keluarga.

Oleh itu, fikirlah semasak-masaknya sebelum menaikkan tol demi kebaikan rakyat.

ISMAIL MAT
Rawang

Kos tol sudah mencapai tahap yang membebankan kepada rakyat dan suatu kaedah perlu dicari untuk menyelesaikan masaalah ini dalam kekangan dan perjanjian yang ada.

Semasa dibuat memang perlu dibuat pelbagai kaedah pembiayaan kerana ianya memakan belanja yang banyak. Rasanya sudah terlalu banyak sangat lebuhraya bertol dibina, terutama di pusat-pusat bandar seperti di Lembah Klang hingga sudah membebankan.

Yang menjadikan ianya suatu yang membebankan adalah jalan alternatif tanpa tol dalam pusat perbandaran bukan sahaja tidak memudahkan tetapi berkurangan. Beban ini ditambahkan dengan sistem minyak tanpa subsidi yang mahu diperkenalkan.

Sesuatu perlu difikirkan dan segera. Jangan sampai isu tol menjadi ahli komponen parti Pakatan Rakyat yang akan mengalahkan Barisan Nasional?

Tak sayangkah hilang kuasa, wahai pemimpin!

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Too early for a "kesyukuran" PC for PKR

Last night, former Deputy Chief Minister for Pulau Pinang, Ahmad Fairuz submited his application to join UMNO. SOurce told me that PKR held a press conference to express kesyukuran with the departure of Fairuz from PKR.

Ahmad Fairuz was the first victim of the DAP's "dictatorship, chauvanistic and communistic" Government of Penang. What was not known then was of Lim Guan Eng's attitude to any critical views and dissent to "fix" them with personal attack.

In the case of Fairuz, he was accused of abuse of power in some quarry deal, purchase of cars which was his entitlement, slackening in his job, and etc. It is believed Guan Eng had spread rumours of the personal attack including through the opposition blogs and was picked up by pro-UMNO bloggers.

Fairuz was investigated and cleared by MACC later on the quarry deal much to the chagrin of BN campaigners wanting to use it against Pakatan Rakyat in the Permatang Pasir by-election. But it was too late, for he had quit and Dr Mansor a close Anwar associate was standing in Fairuz's constituency

It's hardly 24 hours since Fairuz application to join UMNO. This morning Nibong Tebal PKR MP, Tan Tee Beng who is facing disciplinary action by the party has announced quit.

Update: 5:30 PM

In the press conference, he expressed his frustation to the much expectation of PKR in bringing change as per the slogan Harapan Baru. He said that will not happen under the current leadership which he described as cara politik kuno mengikut kesah dongeng purbakala.

The rakyat has been tricked by their promises and lofty ideals.

Tan expressed several reasons for his leaving PKR. First, he cited PKR provide no room to express critical views. He said they did not investigate and look into the matters he has raised with regard to issues in Penang Government. It seems PKR cannot be criticised and contracry to what the public is made to believe, do not celebrate differing views.

Second reason, the Penang Government habitually resorted to dirty tricks of character assisination whenever criticised and issues raised. This can be seen repeatedly happening.

This happened when the issue of local council member was raised by PKR grassroot and it went to the extent of one PKR member being bandied as Muslim terrorist. Again when Dato Zaharain Hashim and Tan himself criticised the much triumvirate of terror in Penang of Lim Guan Eng, Jeff Ooi and Ramasamy made personal attacks to the point of accusation of corruption against them.

Third reason, Tan cited PKR has sacrificed their principal in their overanxious pursuit for Putrajaya. They have ignored their responsibility to the people. Anwar has closed his eyes to the problems in the Penang Pakatan coalition and complains against Lim Guan Eng.

Fourth reason, Tan expressed his uneasiness with the dictatorial manner of administration by Lim Guan Eng and described Penang as a "kerajaan milik keluarga." He said many have become Pak Sanggup who merely shy away from the problem and let the reign of terror continue.

Before PKR Nibong Tebal, upon instruction from DAP Nibong Tebal, call for a kesyukuran press conference like that on Fairuz, it is too soon.

Former PKR Secretary General, Datuk Salehuddin Hashim who was present next to Tan at the press conference said he expect more than 10 PKR MPs are leaving. He confirmed he has quit PKR too.

Before Anwar and any Pakatan leader resort to conveniently blame UMNO, show first where is the UMNO hands. The problems are emanating from within PKR. Neither are the leaving MPs joining BN but are just going Independent.

Zulkifli Nordin has returned from South Korea and facing the disciplinary committee today at 3:00 pm. So hold on to your kesyukuran PCs.

---------------------------

Update: 5:30 PM

Venomous DAP-like press release by an unbecoming Syed Husin Ali

Tarikh: 1 Mac 2010

SYUKUR FAIRUS KELUAR KEADILAN

Parti Keadilan Rakyat (KEADILAN) perlu mengucap syukur ke Hadrat Allah (SWT) kerana Fairus Khairuddin akhirnya meninggalkan Parti. Sejak beliau menyertai Kerajaan Pulau Pinang dan selepas meletakkan jawatan sehingga terkini, beliau merupakan liabiliti.

Fairus tiada pilihan lain dari meletakkan jawatan sebagai Timbalan Ketua Menteri kerana beliau ketika itu disiasat SPRM dan prestasinya tidak memuaskan. Apabila berhenti, beliau menuntut supaya Parti melunaskan hutang untuk dua buah kereta mewahnya dan membayar beliau RM15,000 sebulan buat selama-lama yang ditentukannya.

Tidak ada sebab bagi Parti melayan tuntutan itu. Lagipun Parti tidak mampu berbuat demikian.

Atas rasa belas kasihan terhadap anak isterinya seorang baik hati memberikannya “kerja” dengan bayaran bulanan sebanyak RM4,000. Beliau tidak puas hati dan oleh itu terus memburukkan pimpinan Parti.

Kini beliau sudah berjumpa dengan pemimpin Umno yang boleh membayarnya jauh lebih besar dari itu. (?)

Fairuz memberikan alasan kaum dan agama kerana tindakannya. Sangat memalukan. Beliau sendiri, kawan-kawannya dan Allah mengetahui sebab sebenar.

DR. SYED HUSIN ALI
Timbalan Presiden, KEADILAN

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MyKad for Petrol has scam all over, Why didn't Ismail Sabri smell it?

On Thursday, the Star reported that the new Government’s proposed fuel subsidy scheme based on the engine capacity of vehicles and using MyKad "has apparently been shelved." This blogger heard the same and it shows the PM is listening to the people.

The Star quoted some source expressing frustation for the shelving because it seems they have done a loty of work.

The manner The Star wrote the report is such the country desperately need a no subsidy and market driven retail oil price. One can only feel these commentators have ulterior political motive to see BN lose the next General Election.

But what boggles the mind is why these dumb asses can't see the MyKad for Petrol smells of a scam from far away.

Before answering that, read the posting by Paul Tan here for information on the new subsidy scheme.

The Malaysian Instinct viewed it as impractical. The article reproduced below:

MyKad For Petrol:Painless But Practical-less

By Loan Shark, Malaysia Instinct

Recently, government has announced a new fuel subsidy mechanism set to be implemented on May 1 which will see the amount of subsidised fuel based on the engine capacity of a vehicle.

The revamp is being done to lessen financial burden on the Government, which spends billions ringgit each year to make petrol and diesel affordable to rakyat. However, the initiative to entail the use of MyKad for fuel purchases, seems to be not a good idea.

Malaysia’s concern that the new subsidy scheme which depends on MyKad for verification and transaction, could be troublesome for consumers and petrol station's operators.

This could possibly create hassle and congestion as people need to go through many verification processes and extra devices to identify their vehicle capacity, economic status, and the fuel price they entitled to.

Even though, MyKad will be functioned as a debit card where people can reload it upfront and use it later, but still people facing a messy time consuming to verify the MyKad and the process will even take longer if payment is made using a credit card or in peak time.

One more thing, it is envisaged that the scheme will be based on consumer's nationality. Absolutely for Malaysians and totally dismissed subsidized petrol or diesel for foreigners.

As such, the need for MyKad to purchase petrol is mandatory. The question arises as to whether it is eligible to those having foreign spouses could use their MyKad to buy fuel for their husbands or wives.

Other considerations for the new scheme will be the engine capacity as the amount of subsidised fuel based on the engine capacity of a vehicle.

The subsidy would be capped and limited to cars below 2.0cc which mostly owned by low and middle class citizens, whereas owners of cars with engine capacities bigger than 2.0cc would not enjoy it.

Some automobile experts have decried a new structure which merely based on engine capacity, does not solve any problem. They claimed, fuel consumption is not just about engine capacity but also engine technology by the manufacturer.

They are also suggesting the government to explores alternative means of reducing the overall cost of driving because, as the oil crisis in previous years have demonstrated, there are times when sustaining the petrol subsidy is simply economically unviable.

On the other hand, luxury car dealers believed the new subsidy system based on engine capacity is flawed and likely unfair. The luxury car owner is already more expensive petrol.

Hope the government will consider the scheme very carefully before implementing it.It may backfire and cause more frustration to the rakyat.

The main objective of the government is to remove petrol subsidies and yet ensure that those in need of assistance would receive it correctly. But the worrying factor is not so much the price but rather the mechanism to be adopted.

Should this new fuel Mykad-based mechanism takes place coming May simultaneously with fuel price hike,it's indeed adding fuel to a flame.

Malaysian Insider here reported the several tier system as too cumbersome.

One former American President use to say: If you can't convince, confuse them. But that remark was meant for politics and political propaganda, not for business and government policy.

That is unless decision have been made by some stakeholder of the proposal. Since it is difficult to sell, confuse them but still insist to approve.

Kudos to our PM who in his overdrive "rakyat diutamakan" mode, sensed the scheme is simply confusing and cumbersome. Perhaps he sense a scam too.

Those related to the project could neither promote nor convince others of the idea but are seeking support and help from every other groups in town. And they are protective of a certain information.

To enable the MyKad for Petrol to work, all petrol stations must be a equipped with a certain cardreader. Who pays for it?

It is definately Government and not the petrol station operators because it Government that wants to implement the scheme. Government is as good as a sure paymaster.

A cardreader like that would cost few thousands. Consider the fact that all the petrol station in the country must have the cardreader before May 1st to enable their customer to get petrol at subsidised price. You are talking multimillion supply deal.

There is this cardinal rule in corruption. Whack em at the front end.

Before some sceptics get political and claim me creating a mountain out of an innocent necessary capital expenditure just because there is a Khairy associate in the Domestic Trade and Consumer Affair Ministry, consider this information.

Do they know that only 15% for the police fleet of patrol cars is equipped with cardreaders?

Don't ask me how this blogger know about the 15% but the point is the police is in urgent need of cardreaders and yet aren't getting sufficient budget for it.

With expected business from police yet to crystalise, one can speculate someone in the cardreader business must be thinking of a scheme to create a must-buy-now situation. That someone whispered the scheme to someone high up. That big shot saw the oppurtunity in the new petrol subsidiy scheme.

One wonders why Ismail Sabri can't smell the scam from near.

A major cabinet reshuffling is heard in the offing. If Ismail can't explain, Najib should review his position in cabinet.

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Pemuda stole the Australian protest initiative of Perkasa and Bloggers

Pemuda UMNO masih angkuh, dan biadap ... tidak berubah!

The newspaper and media these evening and tomorrow will show Pemuda UMNO appearing to lead a protest against the 50 Australian MPs demanding the Malaysian Government interfere with our courts to stop the prosecution against Anwar.

Some in the media may have known that Pemuda UMNO stole the protest initiative from Perkasa and a group of bloggers.

Jailani was first to call for such protest on Saturday. He suggested the time of 3:00 pm Wednesday.

Perkasa also had a similar intention and made an announcement. It was reported in The Malaysian Insiders on Sunday that it will be holding a protest Wednesday.

Jailani and Perkasa got in touch with each other and decided to hold it at 10:30 am with Restoren Kampung Pandan at 8:30 am as the rendervous.

Pemuda UMNO came later and only made their intention known on Monday night. They decided to have their protest at 9:30, an hour before the Bloggers and Perkasa's planned.

That is what you call upstaging the earlier organiser.

Out of politeness, Perkasa and Bloggers allowed the desperate-for-attention Pemuda UMNO the space. Kita beralahlah. Perkasa call off their supporters and let Pemuda take the lead.

But despite that, Pemuda UMNO led by Khairy Jamaluddin had no decency and courtesy to offer the originators of the protest be represented into the Australian High Commission.

One would have thought the insult ends there. It did not.

Jailani had given a protest letter signed by all bloggers to a Pemuda representative going in to be handed to the Australian Commssioner. That letter was not handed and Jailani was told off as "tak ada masa."

What a load of crap of an excuse? That is sheer rudeness!

Read Bujai here where he claimed Bloggers were sidelined.

After much had been said in the past of the arrogance of Pemuda UMNO Malaysia and time would have made them more courteous and sensitive to others than themselves, unfortunately it did not. They are still full of themselves.

If the Pemuda UMNO feels the demonstration would help their case in their meeting with the Prime Minister today at 3:00 pm, the PM and UMNO President should take their words with much reservation.

Definately they would like to gloat to Dato Najib of their demonstration today.

The truth to the matter, the demonstration was not really their idea or initiative. The demonstration was made without much thinking. The numbers present by Pemuda was miniscule compared with the numbers opposition are capable of gathering. It could have been easily upstaged by NGOs if they wish to do so.

By participating in the protest, it shows Khairy led Pemuda UMNO lack the political maturity and anticipative ability.

In Michael Danby's letter, he accused of political hands fixing Anwar into a sodomy case. How does it look that the Youth arm of the ruling party were participating in these protest?

Doesn't it help their's and opposition to spin an argument that the ruling party is defending their alleged actions? Dumb! Perhaps Khairy didn't care for that.

The protest should not have been Pemuda UMNO led. Furthermore, the protest is about interference in the affair of our sovereign country.

Most of the Pemuda Exco were talking of Anwar's case and accusing him as peliwat openly. Did they think for awhile what they were thinking off? Or a more relevent, those Pemuda Exco giving speeches know what to talk about?

The report below:

BN, Perkasa protest at Australian mission

Some 250 people from the Barisan Nasional Youth and Malay rights group Perkasa gathered outside the Australian High Commission here today. – Picture by Syed Jaymal Zahiid

By Syed Jaymal Zahid
The Malaysian Insiders

KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 17 — Some 250 people from the Barisan Nasional Youth and Malay rights group Perkasa gathered outside the Australian High Commission here today to protest against 50 Australian MPs who had asked for Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim to be freed of his sodomy charge.

The crowd was led by the BN Youth chief Khairy Jamaluddin and his Umno Youth deputy, Datuk Razali Ibrahim, who led a delegation to hand over a protest memorandum to a representative from the mission.

The crowd had earlier gathered at a nearby restaurant some 200 metres from the mission as early as 8.30 am and later marched towards the building carrying placards, banners with “Don’t Mess With Our Affairs!”, “Jaga Negara Sendiri (take care of your own country)” written on it.

As they marched, the crowd shouted “mind, mind, mind your own business” and “to hell with Australia”.

A Light Strike Force squad was deployed to form a barricade and prevent the crowd from gathering at the mission’s outer compound.

Only Khairy, Razali and MIC youth chief T Mohan were allowed to pass through the barricade.

Khairy later told reporters that he had met Australian High Commissioner Penny Williams to hand over the memorandum, which among others, demanded the Australian government to make their stand on the issue clear.

“We also want an open apology from the 50 MPs and we want them to retract the petition,” he said.

“This act is a clear interference with our internal affairs and an encroachment to our sovereignty and we will tolerate none of this,” Khairy added.

The BN and Umno Youth chief said the Australian High Commission had assured him that their government has no intentions of meddling with Malaysia’s affairs and are not prejudging the ongoing Sodomy II trial, a charge Anwar and other opposition leaders claimed is “trumped up” to kill its surging influence.

Khairy, however, slammed the accusations and said he believed the ongoing trial will take place in a transparent and fair manner unlike what is claimed by the opposition.

The 50 Australian MPs last week said the Malaysian government should drop the sodomy charge against Anwar, who leads the Pakatan Rakyat opposition pact. Anwar is charged with sodomising his former aide Mohd Saiful Bukhari Azlan on June 26, 2008.

The former deputy prime minister has denied the charge, the second such charge in 12 years.

Perkasa president and Pasir Mas MP Datuk Ibrahim Ali was less diplomatic when stating his view to reporters outside the Australian High Commission.

Ibrahim said the reason why Michael Danby, the MP who led 49 others to hand in the petition calling for the charge to be dropped, is “supporting” Anwar is because he is a homosexual, a derogatory description leveled against Anwar by his political rivals.

“Birds of a feather flock together. I heard that Danby is a homosexual.”

The BN Back Benchers Club (BNBBC) also sent a separate protest note at 11.15 am.

BNBBC deputy chairman Kinabatangan MP Datuk Bung Mukhtar Radin handed over their protest memorandum to Williams.

Bung Mukhtar told reporters that Williams had assured them that the views of Danby and the 49 MPs do not represent the Australian government’s stand.

He also said that the Australian MPs should not be carried away by Anwar’s side of the story. The opposition icon has been vigorously engaging the international media in a bid to woo support.

“The case is not approached by the government but Saiful,” said the Kinabatangan MP.

“Because the case is not broached by the government so how can they ask the judiciary to drop the case?” he added.

Anyway Bujai ... better stop being so nicey nicey and trusting of that boy. He is immature and snakey.

Enough said, I am off for a PC on the revelation of Kalimullah and The Malaysian Insider. Kali was Khairy's political mentor and a Singapore "spy".

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Kasi saja royalti tu!

BN will win Kelantan

Ku Li has been on a vocal mode since he spoke on a PAS stage.

Since yesterday, he has upped it further to claim that Kelantan has the right to RM9.7 billion royalty at the border with Terengganu. He claimed Compassionate payment is not constitutional.

The old UMNO, thus far expressed by Syed Ali, Division Chief from Cheras, had called on Ku Li to leave for Pakatan Rakyat. There would be the expected demand for disciplinary action.

This is where UMNO must change.

UMNO must learn to cherish and celebrate diversity in views. Ku Li has been expressing himself on the Kelantan royalty issue for a while. As someone who can be described as the founder of Petronas, UMNO should have seek for his opinion and views.

This is one perennial problem of UMNO. They only respect power and people in power. They talk of knowledge economy, budaya ilmu, and etc but they rather hear from an idiot with position and power than a man of knowledge and experiance.

On this matter, even Dr Mahathir refrained from talking on the Kelantan royalty issue. His only commnet was to wish Ku Li had not spoken on a PAS platform.

Dr M refrains from criticising Ku Li

KUALA LUMPUR: Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad has refrained from criticising Gua Musang MP Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah for using an Opposition platform to voice his opinion on the Kelantan oil royalty issue.

He said that he had also been critical of the Government in the past.

“I do not think it is acceptable to use the platform of the Opposition but I have also spoken out using smaller groups critical to the Government.

“I am not in a position to condemn,” he said when asked for his reaction to Tengku Razaleigh’s comment that the PAS-led Kelan-tan government was entitled to a 5% royalty for petroleum extracted off its waters.

Last Thursday, Tengku Raza-leigh, who is a former Finance Minister and founding chairman of Petronas, told a gathering in Kota Baru that Kelantan was entitled to the royalty.

Speaking to reporters yesterday after giving a talk at the Asean Logics Conference at International Islamic University, Dr Mahathir said he had been very vocal against some of the moves made during the administration of Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi.

Dr Mahathir said he was of the view that Tengku Razaleigh was placing greater importance to Kelantan compared to the Federal Government.

“I suppose as a Kelantanese, he wants to see Kelantan get money. I am only guessing,” he said.

Kelantan Umno Youth was upset that Tengku Razaleigh chose to make his stand at a gathering organised by the PAS-led government, where he shared the stage with Mentri Besar and PAS spiritual adviser Datuk Nik Aziz Nik Mat at the Sultan Mohammed IV Stadium in Kota Baru.

Asked if Tengku Razaleigh’s ac-tions would affect the voters confidence towards Umno, Dr Maha-thir said: “Maybe, maybe. But whatever we do, we cannot win back Kelantan. Kelantanese have their own way of thinking.”

In his speech, Dr Mahathir said that Asean countries, together with China, Japan and South Korea, should have a common trading currency in place of the US dollar.

He also renewed his calls for the formation of the East Asia Economic Group (EAEG) , which would boost economic solidarity among the 10-member Asean group with the three north-east Asian countries.

Source: The Star February 3rd, 2010

The idiocracy in UMNO's reaction is to the extent of expecting Ku Li to leave for Pakatan Rakyat.

Many are speculating that Pakatan Rakyat needs a new leader with expectation for Anwar to be found guilty in the second sodomy charge rising by the day as evidences presented in court. Many within Pakatan Rakyat feel Ku Li would suit that role.

But Ku Li is not leaving UMNO. He has mentioned it so many times. Independent MP and Perkasa President, Dato Ibrahim Ali, who was believed to advised him against speaking on PAS platform, said he does not have intention to leave UMNO.

Other than problem with financial constraints, the Government should consider giving the royalty to Kelantan and the states.

They way this blogger see it politically benefit UMNO.

The last time Kelantan was given oil royalty was in 1976. The next two years, the PAS leaders governing the state then went into a hyenic chase for money and by 1978 was right for the picking by Barisan Nasional.

The lyric from the ole musical, Cabaret sings like this, "Money makes the world go round, the world go round, the world go round."

It will make Kelantan PAS Government round. as it is, it is already swarmed with internal political issues.

By giving that royalty and stop the compasionate fund which is disbursed through UMNO Divisional head, it will stop the money flow to them. As has been for decades, the Chiefs stand to benefit more from the Compassionate fund with Kelantan under PAS.

There is no incentive for them to win and that is the reason they continue to cah keting among themselves.

Once the royalty fund is given, PAS has no more basis to accuse UMNO of not fighting for the Malay by showcasing Kelantan being dominantly Malay.

Let's assume the worse that BN lose the Federal Government in the next GE but still retain few states. Those states will still have money flowing in.

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PKR and Anwar's lawyers used falsified evidence?

Saiful Bukhari revealed in court this morning that he did not undergo any examination with Dr Mohd Osman Abd Hamid at Pusat Rawatan Islam as claimed by Raja Petra Kamaruddin in Malaysia Today few weeks after the June 2008 incident.

Saiful described in court that he was asked by Dr Osman to put back on his pants and go to Government Hospital since it is only there where criminal cases are handled. There were no examination done.

In his posting on Malaysia Today back in 2008, Raja Petra made the claim that Dr Osman had examined Saiful and his report shows no physical evidence of any penetration.

This lie based on a falsified document had been repeatedly used by Anwar, PKR and PR leaders in their Ceramah and blog writings. The defense had used this falsified evidence as their argument in court to apply for dismissal of the case.

Below are the falsified medical reports:

Raja Petra had reproduced the medical report later with notes for mass distribution, below:


Karpal Singh had submitted the following medical report from Dr Osman in his opening address to dispell of any evidence of penetration, below:


What a mess they are in.

When the report was produced by Raja Petra, Dr Hasan Novandri of blog Minda Intelek had exa mined the report and raised doubts. In his blog posting dated July 30, 2008 here and other dates, Novandri questioned the diagnosis TRO used in the Medical Report as not the right procedure for sodomy cases.

There were also other obvious weakness with the report.

As far as criminal cases, the court will only use reports produced by Government Hospital. Specifically for this case, the hospital report used by the court is that produced by Hospital Kuala Lumpur where Saiful had went.

In his opening statement on Wednesay, Deputy Public Prosecutor, Datuk Mohamed Yusof Zainal Abiden was reported by The Star below:

"The prosecution says they will establish the sodomy charge against Anwar beyond reasonable doubt. They contend that they will prove the case from direct evidence from Mohd Saiful and forensic testimony from doctors and chemists."

What do they mean by direct evidence? Does it mean there is a medical physical evidence to be produced by HKL? Let's get our imagination wild, perhaps there is a video evidence.

All this while, blog followers have been lead to believe that there are only forensic evidence in the form of Anwar's DNA extracted from Saiful's anus.

Forensic evidence applies when there are no physical evidence and must be supported by other evidences like witnesses, CCTV, etc. But with a physical evidence, the prosecution is in a better position.

Anwar claimed he has some 13 alibi witnesses, but he still need to explain his DNA found in Saiful's buttock. Conspiracy? Malicious allegation? Fabrication? Those are old tricks. He better do more than that.

Does it really exist 13 alibis? Do they know the punishment for perjury is imprisonment?

The DNA specimen was presented to the court this morning.

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Self interest brat tinkering with Petronas succession plan

Is personal interest to deny Petronas of Wan Zulkiflee's leadership?

Words are Tan Sri Hassan Merican has an appointment to see the Prime Minister this morning. It is likely about the non renewal of his appointments in Petronas. Perhaps Dato Seri Najib would be seeking his advise on who best to replace him.

If he were to actually seek for advise, it is a surprise. Hassan Merican tenure is due to end on February 9th, give or take a day earlier or later. But why has Government not decided on a succession for Malaysia's biggest and Government-owned company?

This blog had wrote something on corporate succssion plan here. Replacing the CEO of a major company and furthermore an Internationally reknown company cannot be done in the manner of Minister's appointment or removal.

When Zaid Ibrahim was appointed Minister in charge of law in the PM Department, the morning before the evening announcement Zaid had no inkling of being appointed Minister. The night before he was still ridiculing and bashing Tun Lah.

The new CEO need to be made known earlier and for the business community, local and abroad, to receive him. Business partners, contractors, suppliers, clients, management & staff, policy makers, and array stakeholders need to familiarise with the new CEO.

Plainly said, Malaysia would look ridiculous and the Prime Minister would be looked at negatively by the corporate community if he made his appointment announcement and the man is placed immediately in the hot position.

It will destroy the credibility of Petronas long crafted and executed corporate succession plan. If Petronas has a succession plan, it's Board of Directors would have long had somebody in mind.

Sources within the lower floors of Petronas Tower are saying that the choices are between Datuk Shamsul Azhar Abbas (former MISC Berhad Managing Director who retired in January last year), Datuk Anuar Ahmad (Petronas Dagangan Berhad Chairman) and Datuk Wan Zulkiflee Wan Ariffin (former Managing Director/CEO of petronas GAs Bhd from 2003 to 2007).

Anuar and Wan Zulkiflee are a member of Petronas Management Committee and the all around preferred choice in the Petronas organisation is 49-year old Wan Zulkiflee. This blogger used to write about sucession plan and it is important for new CEO be accepted from within the organisation.

Why is the announcement not made? It seems The Malaysian Insider yesterday published the a report which had the same set of information as the one this blogger had, except for an additional candidate as in name Datuk Ahmad Nizam Salleh. It seems a young brat from within the Board of Directors of Petronas have been poking his nose into an are he is not supposed to.

Read the report below:

Like oil and water

FEB 2 — If there is one takeaway from the Petronas saga, it’s probably this: your sterling track record as a corporate captain will count for little if you and the chief executive of Malaysia have some baggage.

Without question, Tan Sri Hassan Marican has done well since becoming the top official at the national oil company in 1995, turning it into a respected energy player on the global stage, leading it to become the country’s most profitable company by a mile (Petronas contributes 45 per cent of Malaysia’s revenue) and yet at the same time ensuring that it earned a reputation for prudence and solid management (Petronas debt ratings is higher than the Malaysian sovereign).

And yet this is likely to be Hassan’s last week as the chief executive and chairman of Petronas. Officially, the 57-year-old has not been told that he will be replaced by either Datuk Shamsul Azhar Abbas, Datuk Anuar Ahmad, Datuk Wan Zulkiflee Wan Ariffin or Datuk Ahmad Nizam Salleh.

But the signs have been there for sometime, from the whispering campaign by some administration officials and their runners to paint him as dictator of sorts, to planted reports in the media, and the withering support from his one-time staunch promoter, Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad.

Some of Hassan’s supporters argue that he is paying the price of saying no to Datuk Seri Najib Razak who, as the prime minister, has complete authority over the affairs at the oil company.

They point out that the source of the friction between Najib and Hassan was the decision by the Petronas board to block the appointment of Omar Mustapha, one of the PM’s advisers, as a director.

The appointment of the thirty-something was blocked because he had defaulted on his scholarship loan agreement with Petronas. Najib’s inner circle took the rejection as an affront, a sign of disrespect not only by the board but more so by Hassan.

Their argument was simple: No one in Malaysia has the power to block any decision made by the PM pertaining to Petronas. Not the board. Not Hassan.

From then on, there has been a clamour among Umno officials and Najib’s aides for Hassan to be made an example for the rest of corporate Malaysia, with the hawks arguing that extending Hassan’s tenure at the top of Petronas would be seen as rewarding belligerence.

But Hassan’s supporters dismissed the notion that the Omar episode was the career-breaker, noting that Hassan and Najib have not had a comfortable relationship for years, ever since the latter was the deputy prime minister.

In fact, they argue that Hassan has not had a comfortable relationship with previous DPMs or Finance Ministers because he stubbornly held to the position that as the chief executive of Petronas, he only had to report to the PM.

He escaped the chop only because he had the support of Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad and Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi. But with the change of guard in Putrajaya, it was only a matter of time before Hassan’s streak of independence became a liability.

The manner of his impending departure is a sign of how poisonous ties have become between Malaysia’s top corporate figure and the administration. The long-drawn affair in selecting a successor is also a sign that Najib is aware that Hassan’s successor must not only be acceptable to him but to other stakeholders, especially Petronas staff.

This rotten young brat was a former Petronas employee and his boss then when he was in Corporate Planning was the retired Datuk Shamsul Azhar Abbas. It seems Datuk Samsul is also friendly with a daughter of a Tan Sri Mahmood that is closely related with that young brat.

This blogger have been press the brakes from being continually critical on this young brat since it was revealed by some sources that he had was never part of Khairy and the 4th Floor mafia.

But trying to lobby the Prime Minister with a sinister self interest and personal agenda is intolerable. This has to be exposed so as to make the PM aware. Like Dr Mahathir kept saying repeatedly, one must tegur pemimpin to prevent them from making a bad decision and to improve them.

All the candidates are technically qualified and have corporate experiance running PLCs, but young brat is lobbying someone so that he can dictate his agenda through and out of personal interest to repay some favour his former boss may have made for him. Certainly having a younger man will stand in his way to move into the CEO of Petronas position for himself.

That can't be the final decision-making criteria for Najib. Information passed to us that Datuk Shamsul has personal weaknesses that can be manipulated and taken advantage off by other parties. The weakness will not be disclosed but let just say that the detractors of Hasan Merican used to comment on something similar.

Let the choice be made on professional and tangible basis that is beneficial for Petronas and not for some young brat's personal agenda.

After all, when he was in Petronas he was just an entry level officer. He is practically novice in the bigger working of Petronas and knows only limited personalities.

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No need to be defensive, Khairy was ineffective

A career awaits Khairy in modelling

Hishamuddin made a statement trying hard to deny there were such call for Khairy's resignation in the eventful Pemuda Exco meeting. Razali Ibrahim made the same denial two days before.

Hishamuddin is no more in Pemuda and is amongst adult as UMNO Vice President. Why the need for such statement? It rings a sound of guilt. It is either he had voted for Khairy in the last Pemuda election. Or Pak Lah's claim that Hishamuddin insisted Khairy be placed as Naib Ketua Pemuda unchallenged, which most believed he lied, is true.

It is pointless for Hishamuddin or Razali to attempt to cover-up. So is the attempted excuse by members of Exco Pemuda UMNO that what transpired in the meeting is official party secret.

Thats all bullshit. Most of what transpired in meetings are seldom known outside before the meeting ended. In fact, one member of the Exco from Kedah claimed it as true.

And also, The Malaysian Insider's attempt to spin a sympathetic tone to the development in Pemuda UMNO is futile.

MI is Kalimullah's news portal and who is not aware of Khairy's close relationship with Khairy. Nice try but MI has never published any critical piece on Khairy!

The undisputed fact is Khairy is ineffective and has not exercise good judgement as leader. As Dr Mahathir described, Malays, if not Malaysians, do not like him.

Further Disunity Than Unity

When Najib called to meet Khairy as Ketua Pemuda, he explained that he will not be appointed Deputy Minister and set him a modest target to unify Pemuda.

But Khairy refused to heed the party President's suggestion. Instead, he went about in a childish selfish way to use his position to fortify his politics.

He should have used the opportunity to appease the factions align with Dato Mukhriz and Dato Dr Khir Toyo. Khairy should have realised that these two factions are rival but friendly and could easily join forces. When combined, they are larger than his faction.

Khairy helicoptered himself into positions in Pemuda UMNO, thus he is not familiar with UMNO culture. There is a way to tame rival factions within UMNO because factions in UMNO are never permanent but change with the political development.

Rather than placing his men as Ketua Pemuda Negeri, he should have allowed the Divisional Ketua Pemuda select from within themselves. This could have saved him from more problems compounded by the poor quality of people he selected as his Ketua Pemuda Negeri.

Follies

It does not help Khairy's cause by being overzealous in his pursuit for a Ministerial position. It was too obvious that he is using the Pemuda outfit for his personal pursuit when he rallied a Pemuda weekend training session in Janda Baik with the help of Zahid Hamidi for that purpose.

He has been sulking about this. Many Pemuda approching him for fund or proposal of programs is met with negatives. His response was he will not do anything as long as he is not appointed Minister.

Dr Mahathir raised a pertinent point too. It has never occured in UMNO history that a Ketua Pemuda is requested not to participate in a by-election campaign.

Khairy failed to realise that Pemuda is more about party machinery and being vocal and energetic than trying to play adult to dwell on ideology and policy.

His actions to stop Pemuda UMNO from being a pressure group on issues raised the suspect that Khairy is not in tune with the aspirations within UMNO. He has long been suspected as a PKR stooge inside UMNO.

The surprise for the night was when Dato Zaki Zahid himself criticise Khairy for ineffectiveness.

Don't for one believe that. If caught between the choice of a snake, Khairy and Zaki Zahid, go for Zaki first.

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Dr Mahathir mengulang ucapan mengenai Malayan Union

Ucapan Dr Mahathir di pelancaran Perkasa Selangor pada hari Sabtu Januari 28hb mengulang pembuka yang biasa didengar semasa dia mengeliling negara menegur dan mengkritik Tun Abdullah Badawi hingga ia berundur.

Selepas memuji kebolehan Presiden Perkasa Dato Ibrahim Ali dan Perkasa mengumpul ramai orang-orang Melayu dan Pribumi yang diluar dugaannya, Dr Mahathir mengulang kembali kata-kata lamanya tentang peristiwa penubuhan Malayan Union pada tahun 1946.

Menurutnya, peristiwa Malayan Union begitu siginifikan sebagai pertama kali orang Melayu ramai-ramai bangkit bersuara menegur pemimpin atas kesilapan keputusan yang telah mereka buat. Tahun dimana UMNO itu juga dipercayai pertama kali orang Melayu secara beramai-ramai memecahkan amalan feudel yang memberi taat setia membabi buta kepada ketua (feudalistic blind loyalty).

Setelah memperingati penuntun bahawa menegur itu tidak salah, Dr Mahathir sering menyambung ucapannya dengan pandangan-pandangan dan teguran yang kritis. Dia ingin memberitahu orang Melayu supaya berani menegur pemimpin supaya mereka sedar dan memperbetulkan kesilapan mereka.

Sebagaimana diberitahu oleh seorang wartawan, Dr Mahathir sudah mengulang ucapan yang sama seminggu dua lepas. Apakah maknanya?

Utusan Malaysia melaporkan dalam Mingguan Malaysia berikut:

Dr. Mahathir kecewa parti Melayu tidak bantu kaum sendiri

KUALA LUMPUR 30 Jan. - Tun Dr. Mahathir Mohamad berkata, tiga parti utama orang Melayu iaitu UMNO, Pas dan Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) terlalu 'asyik' mendapatkan sokongan bukan Melayu sehingga tidak mempedulikan rintihan kaum mereka sendiri.

Bekas Perdana Menteri itu berkata, ketika ini apa jua tuntutan bukan Melayu, sama ada beralas undang-undang, Perlembagaan atau perjanjian lalu, akan dilayan oleh parti-parti berkenaan.

Beliau percaya tindakan itu berpunca daripada keyakinan mereka yang menyedari bahawa orang Melayu tidak mempunyai banyak pilihan ketika pilihan raya dan akan tetap menyokong mereka.

"Tidak perlu saya nyatakan apa yang menyebabkan kita berasa kecewa. Tetapi kita lihat orang yang dulu kata orang Islam jika berkawan dengan bukan Islam akan jadi kafir, sekarang peluk cium orang bukan Islam dan dihalalkan segalanya bagi mereka kerana orang Melayu tetap akan bagi sokongan.

"Ia bukan tindakan yang bijak. Orang Melayu rasa tidak boleh lagi bergantung pada parti-parti politik, sebab itu ditubuhkan pertubuhan bukan kerajaan (NGO) untuk menyuarakan pendapat mereka," katanya.

Beliau berkata demikian ketika berucap di hadapan lebih 2,000 hadirin pada majlis pelancaran Pertubuhan Pribumi Perkasa Malaysia (Perkasa) Selangor di Dewan Serbaguna Majlis Perbandaran Ampang Jaya (MPAJ), Hulu Kelang di sini hari ini.

Turut hadir, Menteri Pertanian dan Industri Asas Tani, Datuk Seri Noh Omar; Presiden Perkasa, Datuk Ibrahim Ali serta beberapa pemimpin NGO Melayu.

Dr. Mahathir menambah, terdapat beberapa NGO Melayu yang menemuinya dan menyatakan kekecewaan mereka terhadap kerajaan dan parti-parti pembangkang.

"Tetapi apa yang mereka boleh buat. Mereka kata, jika terlampau giat suarakan pendirian orang Melayu, mereka akan dituduh rasis dan mungkin juga diambil tindakan oleh pihak berkuasa.

"Akhirnya, mereka datang bertemu bekas Perdana Menteri yang sudah tidak bertaring. Mereka kecewa tetapi tidak dapat suarakan kepada pemimpin Melayu sama ada kerajaan atau parti lawan," ujarnya.

Beliau bagaimanapun mengingatkan orang Melayu agar melakukan protes secara tertib dan tidak melakukan kekacauan sehingga menghancurkan keamanan negara.

"Kalau mereka tidak dengar, kita ada kuasa dalam pilihan raya. Jangan gunakan cara yang boleh merosakkan keamanan.

"Tetapi saya bimbang, sekiranya keadaan ini berterusan, orang Melayu yang sekian lama memendam kekecewaan akan 'meletup'," katanya.

Walaupun Perkasa bukan sebesar UMNO dan tidak ada penglibatan dalam politik, Dr Mahathir mengingatkan kembali bagaimana peristiwa dia kalah di Kota Setar pada tahun 1969 untuk menggambarkan kuasa yang ada pada NGO sebagai kumpulan kecil disatu-satu tempat.

Pemimpin Parti Harus Ambil Berat Pandangan NGO, Kata Dr Mahathir

KUALA LUMPUR: Pemimpin parti politik harus mengambil perhatian terhadap pandangan dan rintihan yang disuarakan oleh pertubuhan bukan kerajaan (NGO) kerana ianya merupakan suara rakyat.

Bekas perdana menteri Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad berkata walaupun bilangan NGO di negara ini adalah kecil namum mereka memainkan peranan yang cukup besar pada pilihan raya dengan mampu memberikan kemenangan kepada parti.

“Pada pilihan raya, kita tidak memerlukan beratusan ribu atau pun berpuluhan ribu (undi untuk menang), hanya 102 (undi) sudah mencukupi untuk menentukan menang atau tidaknya sesebuah parti politik itu,” katanya pada majlis pelancaran Pertubuhan Perkasa Selangor di sini semalam.

Dr Mahathir berkata malah beliau sendiri mengalami kekalahan dalam pilihan raya umum pada tahun 1969 apabila gagal mempertahankan kerusi Parlimen Kota Setar Selatan di Kedah kerana terlampau yakin bahawa pengundi Melayu akan menyokongnya di kawasan itu.

Ini adalah kerana pada pilihan raya umum 1964, beliau telah memenangi kerusi itu dengan mengalahkan calon PMIP, yang kini dikenali sebagai PAS, iaitu Mohd Shaari Abd Shukor dengan majoriti 4,210 undi.

“Itu adalah kawasan Melayu. Daripada 35,000 pengundi hanya 5,000 sahaja yang terdiri daripada orang Cina, India dan Siam. Oleh kerana saya cuba memperjuangkan nasib orang Melayu maka saya pun berpendapat tentulah ramai daripada mereka akan memberi kemenangan pada saya,” katanya.

Dr Mahathir berkata akibat memikirkan beliau akan tetap menang, beliau tidak mengambil berat sama ada pengundi kaum Cina di kawasan Parlimennya akan mengundinya atau tidak.

Akhirnya pada pilihan raya itu Dr Mahathir telah ditewaskan oleh Yusof Rawa dari PAS dengan kelebihan undi 989.

Katanya oleh sebab itulah, parti politik harus memberi perhatian kepada kumpulan kecil kerana mereka mampu menentukan kemenangan sesuatun parti dalam pilihan raya

Dr Mahathir turut mengungkit kembali sikap murah hati pemimpin terdahulu memberikan kira-kira 1 juta kerakyatan kepada bangsa lain hingga Melayu bukan lagi majoriti.

Malangnya, katanya, “Mungkin generasi pertama berterima kasih tetapi generasi baru ingin lupakan sikap murah hati ini. Bangsa lain lempar tuduhan bertalu-talu sebab Melayu lemah, bermurah hati dan tidak mahu menjawab kerana akan dituduh racist.”

Dia mengingatkan sebuah akhbar menulis Melayu tidak wujud tetapi yang wujud hanya kaum tertentu seperti Jawa, Bugis, Rawa, dan lain-lain. Ada yang sudah terlanjur hingga mengatakan Melayu adalah juga pendatang dari Indonesia dan saja tidak peduli pulau-lulau itu adalah gugusan kepulauan Melayu.

Sudah wujud orang-orang Melayu yang berjaya hasil Dasar ekonomi Baru tetapi kini tidak mahu lagi hak keistimewaan Melayu lagi. Perpecahan Melayu kepada tiga parti politik. Sudah mula timbul pemimpin berfikirkan liberal yang sudah tidak utama bangsa.

Kata Dr Mahathir, kalau orang Melayu itu kuat dan kukuh, tidak mengapa. Masaalahnya orang Melayu tidak kuat ekonominya.

Orang Melayu sudah mula merasai UMNO mengenepikan mereka. Walaupun Pakatan Rakyat sedang menghadapai masaalah tetapi selagi UMNO tidak dilihat tidak melakukan perubahan dan membela orang Melayu, belum tahu undi akan kembali kepada UMNO.

Dr Mahathir melantunkan persoalan. Kenapa sepanjang 46 tahun Barisan Nasional memerintah, orang Melayu tidak rasa terancam tetapi sekarang kita rasa terancam?

Katanya sekarang pemimpin menyeleweng, tidak boleh ditegur, dan susah untuk mendengar nasihat. Pemimpin juga ramai yang lebih mementingkan mencari kekayaan, mengutamakan kepentingan sendiri, dan terlibat dengan politik wang.

Pastinya ini bukan terakhir kita dengar Dr Mahathir menegur perkara-perkara ini. Cuma adakah ianya akan menjadi lebih lantang?

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KJ rejected by Pemuda Exco!

Looking lost and distanced visiting his constituency

By Triple X, Malaysia Instinct

Resistance towards Khairy Jamaluddin’s leadership in UMNO Youth reaches a boiling-point today when some of his exco members voice up asking him to resign from his post.

Reason cited was Khairy's failure to bring unity into the movements a year after helming the top UMNO youth post.

Malaysia-instinct.com has been made to understand that the call for him to resign was headed by Putrajaya UMNO Deputy Youth, Mohd Yahaya Hishammuddin during the youth exco meeting at PWTC today.

A significant number of exco members agreed to the call.

The UMNO Youth Exco meeting was held in a tense mood today with exco member loyal to Khairy exchanged words with those who were against him.

Rejection towards Khairy's leadership is a result from his failure to unite the movement after almost a year assuming UMNO Youth Movement Chief Post.

In addition, KJ's lack of attitude towards to Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak is also one of the rejections cause.

KJ however dismiss the idea and only promised to work harder to unite the movements.

Some parties in the UMNO Youth described what happened during the meeting today as the beginning of open pressure for Khairy to resign.

And what happened today also indicate that there is virtually no more hope to unite the movements as long as Khairy is the leader.

But in the best of interest of the movements and UMNO, he should leave ASAP.

Read also Barking Magpie here, MyKMU here and Malaysia Instinct Malay version here.

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A Prime Minister and A Primate

Two approaches to ‘Allah’ issue

Articles in the Wall Street Journal by Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak and Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim show their contrasting approaches and political styles.

The Star, January 27th, 2010

DATUK Seri Anwar Ibrahim has been on the ceramah trail the past couple of weeks. The last time he was this busy was when making his comeback as Permatang Pauh MP more than a year ago.

His sodomy trial starts next Tuesday and all this political activity is a sort of pre-trial campaign to reach out to as wide an audience as he can.

The Opposition Leader’s oratory at these ceramah have assumed a certain pattern.

Apart from providing his take on the forthcoming trial, his chief target has been Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak, the man who stands in the way of his political ambitions.

The PKR leader has also been at pains to explain his party’s stand on the controversial “Allah” issue and at times, has come across as rather defensive especially when the audience is Malay and rural.

An overwhelming majority of Malay-Muslims are very uncomfortable with the High Court ruling in allowing the use of the word “Allah” in The Herald and Anwar has been grappling with the Malay-Muslim sentiment on the ground.

But his stand would go down well with the Western liberals who want to see Islam in a way convenient to them.

This came across quite clearly in the Wall Street Journal which published two articles yesterday on the issue – one by Najib and the other by Anwar.

Najib’s piece was titled, “Finding Unity in Diversity” while Anwar’s carried the heading, “Muslims have no Monopoly over ‘Allah’.”

The articles were quite a contrast, not only in content but in reflecting the priorities and political styles of the two men.

The Allah issue has become very political and at the same time very personal to the religious beliefs of the various communities.

Najib chose not to take the political argument. He pointed out that citizen action and spirit had prevailed in helping to maintain calm and peace following attacks on places of worship.

There is no denying Najib has been under a great deal of pressure over this issue and he admitted there are passionate views on many sides and that this was a complex issue that the Government was trying to resolve .

He spoke about the reform path that his administration would take and said Malaysia’s society and the economy could only be built on that which unites rather than which divides.

His message was not about blame or justification but about unity, building bridges and looking forward.

As he put it: “I am determined that the vandalism of the places of worship and arson at the Tabernacle (the church that suffered the most damage) and the powerful response from everyday Malaysians can be transformed into a moment from which we can learn.”

Anwar, in his article, offered a concerted argument why Muslim do not own the word Allah.

But the politician in Anwar dominated in his article and he pinned the blame for what had happened squarely on reckless politicians, the mainstream media and NGOs linked to Umno.

He accused these quarters of fermenting fear to divert attention from controversial court decisions and missing jet engines.

It was the written form of what he had been saying at many of his ceramah, a political attack on his chief nemesis Najib and the ruling coalition.

He went beyond the Allah issue and pronounced this country as going down the drain because of corruption, incompetence and religious extremism.

He said the vision of Malaysia as a peaceful and stable location was in peril.

Anwar, some fear, is about to launch a repeat what he had done back in 1998 when he came under siege for charges of corruption and sodomy.

He blamed Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad for his troubles and in his anger, he not only ran down the former Prime Minister but the system and the country on the international front.

Anwar, they say, should try to draw the line between his personal issues and his politics from that of the country’s interests.

There is no denying that race relations have been affected by what has happened. Malaysians of all races are concerned about the future.

Some are pessimistic, others more hopeful. But what everyone wants now are solutions rather than finger-pointing.

Everyone wants a peaceful and acceptable solution to the “Allah” issue and the politics of blame will not help.

--------------------------

The rebuttal to Anwar's article in the Asian Wall Street Journal question below:

1) Mr. Anwar Ibrahim has stated that there have been conflicting statements from government regarding the church attacks and that Malaysia frequently fails to offer a safe and secure environment that accommodates its minority communities. He goes further to allege that tensions are “largely due to incitement by a few reckless politicians, the mainstream media and a handful of nongovernmental organizations linked by membership and leadership to the United Malays National Organization”.

Rebuttal: This is cynical politics at its worst. By politicising these events, Mr. Ibrahim is fanning the flames of division and attempting to erase the progress we have made over the last year. Malaysian’s interest continues to move beyond divisiveness politics and into strengthening their communities and families. We encourage Mr. Ibrahim to do the same.

THE GOVERNMENT CONDEMNS VIOLENCE OF ANY KIND. The government and the people of Malaysia have spoken with a unified voice in condemning the despicable acts of a few. People have joined as one to assert that violence is never an acceptable way to express views or resolve differences. Muslim and Christian groups are standing shoulder-to-shoulder to ensure all people can worship safely and free of fear as is guaranteed under the Malaysian Constitution.

THE GOVERNMENT IS FULLY COMMITMED TO RELIGIOUS FREEDOM. While buildings have been damaged, the values all Malaysians share - religious freedom, tolerance, peace and fairness - remain the cornerstones of our communities. Malaysia has a history of respecting the expression and practice of all religions. In Malaysia, people are free to celebrate religious holidays including Christmas and Thaipusam; and, religious expression in schools, such as wearing a headscarf, a cross or a bindi, is guaranteed.

GOVERNMENT SUPPORT FOR SAFETY AND REBUILDING. During a visit to one of the most badly damaged churches, the Prime Minister pledged resources to rebuild and emphasised that all Malaysians can attend their places of worship free of fear. While thankfully nobody has been hurt in these attacks, the police are enhancing security and intensifying their investigation to track down the perpetrators and have made several arrests.

INTENSIFYING EFFORTS TO BRING THE CRIMINALS TO JUSTICE. The Prime Minister and Home Minister have called on the police to leave no stone unturned in this investigation so that those responsible can be brought to justice. The Home Ministry is in regular contact with those leading the investigation and will ensure full communication and transparency to the people on this issue.

AS THE PRIME MINISTER STATED IN AN OPINION ARTICLE IN THE JANUARY 26TH EDITION OF THE WALL STREET JOURNAL ASIA: “Many Malaysians have been appalled by the irresponsible and dangerous finger-pointing of a few politicians who put personal political interests before Malaysia's national interest. They try to score political points by hammering on sensitive issues. My government chooses a different path. We will reach out to all parts of Malaysian society in the coming days to foster open dialogue and work to resolve sensitive issues together.”

2) Mr. Anwar Ibrahim says that recent attacks exemplify what’s wrong with the way Malaysia regards its non-Muslim citizens.

Rebuttal: This sceptical view of Malaysia and Malaysians is directly contradicted by the reaction of ordinary Malaysians of all religions following the attacks.

THE REACTIONS OF ORDINARY MALAYSIANS HAS SHOWN THEY REJECT VIOLENCE: The reaction of ordinary Malaysians to the Church attacks shows that Malaysians do not accept or tolerate acts of vandalism or intimidation against any religion. This is the true spirit of 1Malaysia.

AS THE PRIME MINISTER STATED IN AN OPINION ARTICLE IN THE JANUARY 26TH EDITION OF THE WALL STREET JOURNAL ASIA: “Many measures have been taken to counter this violence. Muslim groups volunteered to safeguard churches in their towns. Muslim social activists have written petitions to oppose these senseless acts of vandalism. Muslim civic groups are standing shoulder-to-shoulder with Christians, Hindus and Buddhists to ensure that all people can freely worship as they wish. Christian and civic leaders have urged calm and interfaith dialogue; they are fully aware that those who perpetrated these acts do not represent the Muslim majority in Malaysia.”

3) Mr. Anwar Ibrahim says recent incidents raise doubts as to the course of the country under the Prime Minister’s leadership and that the “vision of Malaysia as a peaceful and stable location for investment, tourism and migration is now in peril”.

Rebuttal: Malaysia’s overwhelming embrace of the respect, tolerance and community participation outlined in the 1Malaysia initiative prove Mr. Ibrahim wrong. A few despicable acts of cowardice can not derail our efforts, and the vision of Malaysia, and the social and economic progress it supports, remains sound.

STRENGTHENING THE CONCEPT OF 1MALAYSIA. Over the past year, the government has implemented a number of reforms to increase opportunities for all Malaysians regardless of their ethnicity, including establishing scholarships and other programs to support Malaysia’s ethnic communities. Some have attacked 1Malaysia in the wake of these attacks, but the vast majority of Malaysians will continue to foster unity, tolerance, and understanding because of the shared belief that we are stronger together, and weaker divided. - http://barkingmagpie.blogspot.com/

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