Rais's Skodeng reminded of Mexico

It is not so much the country Mexico but the song Mexico by James Taylor. Just play the You Tube above.

The lyric is not quite that direct but I think it is close to the Rais episode with Rocky and Bigdog.

Way down here you need a reason to move
Feel a fool running your stateside games
Lose your load, leave your mind behind, Baby James

Oh, Mexico
It sounds so simple I just got to go
The sun's so hot I forgot to go home
Guess I'll have to go now

Few bloggers expressed hope that Rais and Rocky will shake hand. Bujai here is one of them.

But, the question is: Is it that simple?

Oh, down in Mexico
I never really been so I don't really know
Oh, Mexico
I guess I'll have to go

Oh, Mexico
I never really been but I'd sure like to go
Oh, Mexico
I guess I'll have to go now

Dato Ahmad Talib knows better.

Rais had initiated an action to make a police report. That will not reverse police and MCMC investigation.

Do they think that by a handshake, police and MCMC should stop? What kind of a third world country do they think Malaysia is?

What made they think, if MCMC officer called Rocky Bru within 2 hours after Rais filed a police report, someone is willing to shake hand? That is not the message I get. And, I can't see a Senior Minister, an UMNO Senior Minister would apologise to just a blogger.

Even, if my perception that Rais flexed his authority and political muscle to direct MCMC to initiate investigation immediately (and I am not alone. Read here), it was done within the ambit of the law.

Thus, it demean the law and order of this country, if things are swept under the carpet. These bloggers are too simplistic Melayu.

Police and MCMC should continue their work without interference.

For Rais and the affected bloggers, berani buat berani tanggung. But if there is no case, there must not be interference to insist on making it a case.

Jangan menyusahkan orang. Nanti orang dendam.

Rais and Rocky in better times

As far as I see, Rais did a Skodeng and it is not too difficult to understand. He was being hypersensitive.

What Bigdog wrote can be simplistically understood. He heard a rumour that Rais's son was given a contract. He explicitly did not believe it. And he proposed the bidding process be more transparent to quash such rumours. Kapish.

Rocky was reported by NST saying, "It was not an accusation, not even a claim. It was a constructive message for the minister and the ministry.

"To stop people from talking, he should make the award of the grants as transparent as possible."

Get it?

If that is not understood, Rocky's posting mentioned a phrase "talk is cheap."

Rais is claimed by someone close to him as having a great command of English and a master in the Queen's English. But that phrase is an American colloquil term or bahasa pasar for those not so conversant in English. Maybe, I say it again, maybe Rais did not understand it.

"Talk is cheap" is almost similar to the Malay phrase "cakap senang" or talking is easy but doing or in this case, proving is difficult.

Do you understand why the rigid British education is inferior now, Bigdog?

It is rigidity and hypersensitivity that had implicated Hasan Skodeng. Che Khalid of TNB wrongful interpreted a satire as a serious act of distributing false news.

Similarly, only a hypersensitive Rais could presumed such words as, as he claimed in his report below:

1. Datuk Rocky’s innuendo was malicious in intent, which breached the Sect 233 of the Multimedia Act

2. He never regarded himself of his ministry as a “Santa”

3. He vehemently denied Datuk Rocky’s allegations which is smearing the good name of his officers

4. The acticle was published in Rocky’s Bru on 9 October 2010.

I had been warned of this side of Rais's character. One such talk is written by blogger Aspan Alias here.

But, I thought I was smart and dispelled it becuase I was impressed with him. I lent him support for Vice Presidency in the last UMNO election of office bearer.

It is not so much what is written in the police report but more of Rais taking it as a personal offense and dishonour when his son was implicated. Bigdog's reply from here is right. Read below:

If Rais thinks that Rocky’s posting challenged his pride and shamed his family, then the Police report also had the same affect on Rocky.

Yesterday when the Police and MCMC vehicles came to his home, imagine the impression the neighbours had on him. Imagine Rocky’s children and mother-in-law who had to go through the ‘confiscation’ process.

Not to mention his children were denied connectivity to broadband till Telekom Malaysia could reinstate another machine. We are very sure Rais as a Minister-in-charge of Information, Communications and Culture and lawyer very well know of this process!

Such claim of implicating a son dishonours ones family does not make common sense.

While this blogger may not know much of the Pepatih tradition, but with some level of confidence, I'd say that the general traditional practises of the world would be the son defending the father to preserve family honour.

And, not the other way around.

It could badly reflect on Rais as an overprotective parent. Usually children of overprotective parent are spoilt. Hope not for Rais's children.

In all these, many would be wondering. Is there more than midst the eyes? My Anger here think so.

Oh, Mexico
It sounds so simple I just got to go

Go Guadalajara!

'DYMM' Rais doing a Skodeng

Does these postings here and here constitute defamatory and offense under MCMC Act?

Does it warrants the Information, Communication and Culture Minister, Dato Seri Utama Dr Rais Yatim to lodge a police report and instruct MCMC, an agency under his purview to investigate Rocky Bru and Bigdog?

In their postings, neither Bigdog nor Rockybru accused Rais or did a character assasination. Off course, some may argue otherwise.

For reasons best not known, comments by bloggers Jebat Berkokok, Hero Kecik and Warta Citra Cafe comes as no surprise.

For the time being, let's leave aside Lenggong Valley's word that Rocky has succumbed to gutter journalism. And take his claim that he "does not know DS Rais personally", but could highlight statement of MCMC.

And also, will assume writing "... another poor attempt at pandering to some unsavory parties in the run up to the UMNO Pemilihan next year to move DS Rais out of the way and nudge someone else to fill the void" is not considered gutter journalism.

Rais has denied any such possibility. The Malay Mail reported it here and here. The paper that Rocky rebuilt gave him the space. It shows Rocky's sense of fair play.

That should have ended there.

But no, Rais decided to flex his political muscle and authority to do more than that to this Skodeng-like offense. It is Skodeng-like because it is considered as spreading "false news." Frankly, there is no case. If there is, it could be defended.

Journo-blogger Jailani described here of Rais's reaction as "complicate the matters" as though they are not Mesra-BN bloggers. Syed Akbar warned here that "This one is going to cost the Government plenty. You are going to lose the support of the Bloggers again."

How inconsistent and foolish can one's ego make one to be?

When pro-PAS Aduka Teruna posted nasty words against my Sultan Johor, Rais uttered forgiveness without any consent from the Sultan to do so.

He could 'forgive' Aduka Teruna, but why is he edgy on this one?

The directly affected son is silent, despite the whole ordeal is already described by The Malay Mail today as Rais' son telco fiasco.

Is it because of the mere mention of his name? If that is the case, it would seemed he is above the Sultan, and Rais and Maznah have to be addressed with a DYMM acronym in front.

While Rais did ordered investigation into cases like Namewee, he did not on "false news" on Tun Dr Mahathir written by Barry Wain in his book, Malaysian Maverick. Even PAS can sense the inconsistency. Read PAS supporter blog Tempayan Retak here.

Sadly, not only did Rais not realise his inconsistency, he did not realise that he is attracting attention and self-fulfilling a growing negative perception of himself, his Ministry and Ministry personnel.

When Rocky's did the Santa Rais posting, it did not picked up much attention.

Now that Rais decided to do the police report and had given the impression of flexing his power by instructing an agency under him to go after the bloggers, he has attracted attention on himself.

He may not be aware but his Ministry have been attracting much attention and rumours among bloggers in the last six months.

Few bloggers have hinted that the "KSU", described in Awang Selamat Mingguan Malaysia's column of a "KSU" more powerful than the Minister, is his Secretary General, Dato Kamaruddin Siaraf.

Rumours circulating is that Kamaruddin have been ignoring and overriding Rais's directives and instructions. Suppliers have a long list of complains against his purchasing practices.

Bloggers were suspicious of the RM1 billion broadband initiative spending to giveaway free laptop in exchange for broadband subscription.

Some industry players are saying tax incentives to bring price of broadband lower or use the fund as grant for telco to improve infrastructure were significantly more effective option.

It seems any comments against this Ministry will attract attention.

If this comment attracts a police report and MCMC investigation, then do be fair to report all the blogs that made the comments. Should they not do so, all the bloggers should do the reports. Rocky and Bigdog would appreciate some company.

The more the merrier.

The manner Rais is pursuing bloggers will only substantiate a long held suspicion that he is out to get bloggers. Listen to Rais's "Pertemuan Persahabatan" speech on April 23, 2009 in the You Tube video below:

For a first encounter, it was inappropriate for him to mention all those laws. The late Ancient Mariner thought then that he had nothing new to say and was "mildly threatening."

And it proves.

That is bad. So beware all bloggers. If he can be nasty to Mesra-BN bloggers, he will be nasty to all. Or he is only brave against Melayu and Mesra-BN bloggers?

Certainly hope his memory is not failing, it was the many episodes against bloggers by BN politicians and leaders in pre-2008 that contributed to BN's dismal result that has yet to reverse.

With the UMNO and BN political machinery weak, Rais should not forget that it is the relentless effort of Mesra-BN bloggers that is filling up their slacks.

That is one issue. The law is the law. Was Rocky and Bigdog malicious in their posting?

Bigdog's posting was about calling for the bidding process for the 2.6GHz spectrum to be transparent. Is that wrong?

Let me pick out the except from his posting below:

... However only three out of the nine companies bidding would benefit from this grant. The three is not ascertained yet at this time.

One damning rumour that looms with this is that a close family member of the minister-in-charge Dato’ Seri Utama Dr Rais Yatim has been associated in lobbying for part of the grant for one of the operators bidding. This cannot be true as Dr Rais is a respected senior member of the Cabinet and has been around in the Federal Government since third Prime Minister Tun Hussein Onn’s time (with the exception of the interegnum period between 1987 – 1999). If this rumour is true, then it would be a scandal which Prime Minister Dato’ Seri Mohd. Najib Tun Razak is gravely unable to afford.

The right way to do this is transparency. The industry is very small. Any movements would be known. More over if it involves grants which are RM hundreds of millions.

Favourtism would simply be detected almost automatically. How the grants would be awarded would create negative perception. It is imperative that the delivery of the 2.6GHz spectrum is done properly to the parties who are deserving and able to follow it through.

It was a good reminder. An extract of Rocky's questionable posting reads below:

... Close to a billion ringgit, courtesy of existing telco players, including Telekom Malaysia. The money will go to three out of nine companies which have been awarded licences to operate Wimax and 3G. Why three companies? Dunno. Which three? Dunno, but Big Dog heard some disturbing rumor about a Minister's son being part of the nine, or three. There's also talk about a D-G's son or KSU's son being involved. But talk is cheap and gets cheaper by the day. ...

After reading all that does by mere mention of Rais name constitute character assasination?

Bigdog qualified by explicitly saying he did not believe the rumour. Rockybru said talk is cheap to mean prove it. The exact argument the Setiakawan bloggers are ganging up and expressing their ill-intention against Rocky and Bigdog.

Hope Rais is not deceived by their new posturing. They were never on Rais side or were ever Rais supporters because they will not support anyone close to Tun Dr Mahathir.

Instead of giving a simple denial, Rais could have cleared the air by divulging the background of the nine companies bidding - Celcom, Maxis, DiGi, U-Mobile, P1, Redtone, YTL, Airspace and Puncak Semangat - that is not common household names or new entry in the 'game'.

That is transparency. Rumours has it that YTL is a sure winner. Can he clarify that also?

There is no way of guessing why Rais is jumpy.

As far as my memory of Rais's political career, which is only of his days at Federal level, he is generally seen as having a spotless record and has never been heard linked to any corrupt act in his 40 years in politics. This was the virtue that made this blogger supported him for the Vice President race.

His record should speak for itself.

By reacting this way, he is attracting suspicion. There will be those speculating that he is in a "too close for comfort" situation.

This blogger suspect the last thing Rais wants now is to have his name tainted and surface in any hanky panky. He needs to keep his good name intact to face a career crossroad event in the not so distance future.

It is not politics.

Sorry Lenggong Valley your suspicion is way out.

‘Pondan’ undeserve the helm of nation leadership

It all started out many months back out of concern by a group of pro-BN bloggers to find out about the new amendment to the Internal Security Act (ISA). Or was it a year back?

With the Government’s public relation rather weak in handling the political propaganda generated from the other side, this group of bloggers felt that the new amendment would be fodder for the other side to get political mileage.

The problem was BN members of Parliament, particularly the Backbenchers do not seem to debate effectively in Parliament and seldom being seen swarmed by opposition MPs in the jungle-like atmosphere in Parliament.

BN politicians are not effective in giving out views for media to publish as a report. They keep repeating same old arguments and cliches without much new input and creativity.

Despite the different attitude of us bloggers on the ISA, whether liberal or conservative inclined, we felt we need to give the Government a hand and use the opportunity to constructively contribute.

Since our issues are more political and the gist is also political communication in nature, the best person to talk to will have to be the ‘political master’ and guardian of the ISA.

‘Political master’ phrase means the person is not a Government servant. Only one person that fit the description and before it was mimicked as Menteri Amaran Dalam Negeri, it is the Menteri Dalam Negeri or Minister of Home Affairs.

Having agreed that we meet up with Dato Hishamuddin Hussein Onn, one of us with access got in touch with him.

Initially he agreed and an appointment was set. Then it was cancelled, another time will be set. To meet with Ministers, it will have to be at his convenience. Their schedule is understandably pact.

Another time was given and at a different place. When it is almost near the scheduled time, again it was cancelled and another time promised.

There was some hot news and it was thought he was held up by the event. Another time and place to be given.

This set and change pattern was going for a while. Other than ISA, Hishamuddin was developing a strange trend then.

Unbecoming of a Minister of Home Affairs, who is suppose to be quiet but decisive and effective in his role, Hishamuddin was becoming media crazy. He wants to be reported in the media regularly and getting political mileage could be the motivation.

Being placed second to Dato Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi in the UMNO Vice President race was not enough, he could only sense that he felt his rightful position is in first place.

There is a widely held belief that Tan Sri Muhyudin does not aspire to be Prime Minister and is contented with his role as Deputy to Dato Seri Najib by virtue of being seven years older than Najib. Hishamuddin want to be positioned as first Vice President so it justify him to be the next PM after Najib.

Having aspiration is fine and working towards it is also fine. What is not fine is when one is manouvring but bad mouthing others and putting words into others mouth that someone else is planning to topple Muhyiddin is not fine. Furthermore, vice Presidents are supposed to set an example to focus on strengthening the party.

Sources within Zahid Hamidi’s circle are sore with this ‘baling batu sorok tangan’ game of Hishamuddin. Political observers with inside track of happening behind the scene confirmed this.

As usual I’ll call a spade a spade. Zahid is another story of incompetence and questionable integrity but Hishamuddin’s cunningness is unbecoming of a man coming from bangsawan family.

He maybe stealth in his political game but not as a Minister. Instead of keeping a low profile but effective, he was making warning after warning but nothing is seen to be done by his Ministry. Racist and seditious remarks that contributed to rising interracial tension are being left without any action.

Hishamuddin indecisiveness and inaction encouraged these trouble makers to push the envelope further. Constitutionally taboo subject are being questioned. Institutions like judiciary, police, and royal are being slandered and insulted upon.

Thus the description Menteri Amaran Dalam Negeri caught the imagination of blogger Husin Lempoyang.

Hishamuddin issues is not limited to those mentioned. Lately, he was put under fire by Tan Sri Musa Hasan for interference and suddenly my old friend, Raja Petra Kamaruddin is a big fan of Hishamuddin and giving “support” to him.

Do beware. Pete is only hitting Musa on behalf of certain organised crime group and vengeful “corrupted” former Deputy IGP denied the IGP post. Corrupted is described in quote unquote because Ramli Yusof and accomplice lawyer Rosli Dahalan got away in court.

Pete is also doing some posturing into a new political identity. This new posture could send shivers to Anwar.

Why did Hishamudin not act against Namewee? His inaction and warning only made the boy a bigger name? Yet TNB and SKMM could act against Hasan Skodeng. That maybe be about TNB and SKMM but the point here is offenses done by Malays are seen to be swiftly addressed to but non Malays getting away with “murder”. Dato Patmanathan?

It seemed Hishamuddin is more worried about his Chinese majority Sembrong constituency then the security of the nation.

He is seen as being indecisive on racist Uthayakumar’s statement against the Sultan of Johor. Why only now is he seeking audience with the Sultan? Does he consider himself Johorean or shall we consider him Selangorian since he is Kuala Lumpur born? He should pursue the challenging Selangor MB post then.

These are among many issues that Hishamuddin is besieged with. We intend to hear his side of the story and it was way before all these became issues.

He is not the first Minister, or politician (BN or opposition), or Government official or CEO or corporate captain that we meet to hear their side of the story. It is just that we do not take pictures to show off in our blog.

Our group of bloggers is kept small within our circle of trust. The subject range is wide and beyond the usual subject of partisan politics most Mesra BN bloggers are accustomed too.

Our discussions are serious, honest and no holds barred. Having that access, we not only conveyed our views, agreement or disagreement, but used the opportunity to convey the Rakyat’s grievances and also issues raised by opposition.

For instance, when one CEO of a GLC called Anwar a big liar with regard to remark against his company, we told point blank that Anwar may have screwed up his numbers but he is conceptually right.

We believe such honest feedback is useful for them. If they can’t pass the scrutiny of Mesra BN bloggers, what chance do they have with opposition bloggers or public.

Anyway, thus far, this is what we have done outside the written words in our blogs. Alhamdulillah, our effort is being appreciated and much sought after as a group or as individuals. In fact, we look forward to engage with Pakatan leaders and Government officials because Anwar was one of the first to have such session with us.

Unfortunately, our extended helping hand is not appreciated but insulted upon by Hishamuddin. I have lost count how many times and excuses he has come up to cancel out appointment. One say three but it fell to me like five or six.

If he does not want to meet, then do not set appointment and not come up with excuses like improper time, improper place or not neutral site, and perhaps waiting for some bomoh to determine right sun setting.

These excuses were known later when he was under pressure. It is begining to feel like a debate between UMNO and Pas that never materialise.

Adding to the insult, he sent us go-betweens to know the questions ahead to prepare as though he is Amisham getting 'soalan bocor' from Khairy to answer in Parliament. Does he know his job?

At first, he had his boy, an Exco of Pemuda UMNO member, arrange us to meet a Government official, and he will determine whether the issues warrant the Minister to see us. We intentionally stood him up out of distaste. The issues we seek are political in nature, why the Government official must sibuk?

After getting much heat from pro BN bloggers, he then sent his political Secretary, Markiman to deal with us. There is nothing to deal with us as though we are some political worms hustling for money from politicians.

That is insulting. And that’s it!

This attitude of Hishamuddin deserve to be made known to the public because the rakyat deserve to know who their future leaders really are.

It seems Hishamuddin feels he deserve the position of Prime Minister in the future as though there is a royal tradition that he represent the heir for the Tun Hussein Onn lineage that should succeed after the Tun Abdul Razak lineage premiership.

I have seen pictures of Hishamuddin in a Ministry of Education event sitting with wife Tengku Marsilla like King and Queen on a throne like chairs!

Hishamuddin must know that many believe he does not deserve the position and many elders in UMNO, except for survivalist Dato Seri Rais Yatim, agree. He will only become President of UMNO by cheating the political selection process.

If he becomes President, he will further diminish UMNO and BN, just like his legacy to turn the tigerous Pemuda UMNO of Syed Jaafar Albar and Harus Idris into a timid Persian house cat, and for bringing in Si Kitol, Khairy Jamaluddin.

Hishamuddin will be doing a great service to the nation by dousing such burning desire to be PM. To put a coward or ‘pondan’ at the helm of the nation leadership, it will only put the nation in grave danger.

I hope cousin Najib hear this. His cousin fail and made fundamental mistakes that does not deserve him to be his heir apparent.

Do stop this nepotistic practise of passing the premiership within family members. Since Najib wants to be his openness and liberal ways, dump his cousin.

Let the fittest lead, even if the person is women and come from a poor lowly kampung family. The people want someone who truly understand their hardship!

Kickdefella claimed Husam did promise

Since raising the issue of Husam's offer to Tengku Razaleigh to run for Galas and Pas promise to sit out, Nik Aziz have been giving strange statements. He claimed it is beneath Ku Li and an insult for him to run a state seat.

While browsing on some blogs, came across Kickdefella's latest posting here. An extract below:

Husam too proposed that Tengku Razaleigh be considered as BN candidate for Galas. I fully supported him at that time not knowing that twelve months later it could be considered as an insult to Tengku.

Kickdefella, who used to work with Husam, confirmed that Husam did made such an offer to Ku Li.

Taking that Kickdefella is not doing a wayang, Husam must have made that offer on Nik Aziz's instruction or if the idea was his, Nik Aziz gave his agreement. Isn't Nik Aziz's remark strange?

The Election Commission announced yesterday that the nomination date for Galas will fall on October 26th, few days after the UMNO General Assembly. Polling date will be on November 4th.

Both side is toying with their list of candidate. For PAS, they will have to see what is Ku Li's move. Basically it is not Ku Li's style to want to hold another seat.

But why is Husam making statement of PAS may consider fielding an Orang Asli candidate?

The Orang Asli is Malaysian. Why not?

But if that is the case, Husam is acknowledging the allegation by this blog and today acknowledge by Kickdefella. It is as though PAS is giving away the seat.

If an Orang Asli candidate is fielded, it will not be fair on him. His or her candidacy would be described by Kelantanis as aye denok or a sacrificial lamb.

Sacrificial lamb for what?

For PAS, it will be seen as not taking the contest seriously. It will be an insult to Ku Li, who of late, they seem to rever. Ku Li promised to appear as witness in PAS lawsuit against Federal Government for oil royalty. But to many the oil royalty issue should be seen as a seperate issue.

Not only PAS wants Kelantan to benefit from the oil royalty, even this blogger agree with PAS. What has been agreed in principle should be honoured?

Another argument is, if DAP Penang can benefit from insfrastructure spending by Federal Government to build second bridge, why not Kelantan get some money for themselves? After all, it is a state with more than 90% Malay.

UMNO leaders should not forget the struggle and purpose of UMNO that is to champion and empower the Malays. It doesn't say only UMNO Malays. Otherwise UMNO can lose out the claim to win back the heart of Malay voters?

Another idiotic words coming out from PAS, first was Khalid Samad was to ask Perkasa to run in Galas. Are you freaking stupid? Are you not listening? Perkasa is an NGO. Hope Perkasa ignore such irritating stupidity.

With oil royalty out of the equation, opposition UMNO should just bomb away now. What are they waiting for?

Perhaps they are waiting for Ku Li's choice of candidate. Whoever is the candidate PAS is fielding, UMNO have the responding candidate. It seems it depends on who PAS is fielding.

Ku Li will be returning Saturday morning. Heard Tok Pa is gathering people to receive him. That is something ku Li is not used too for a long time. There will be a press conference.

And I ... will not inconvenient him. Just value my late morning sleep.

Ask that to Husam

In Sinar Harian today, PAS Vice President, Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man said PAS will field a candidate for the galas state assembly.

Good.

And for the sake of democrasy, UMNO should also field their candidate to give a choice to the voters.

Be done with call by Kelantan exco member Dato Takiyuddin Hasan or Zulkifli Nordin for UMNO should just give the seat to PAS.

Why should it be left to UMNO? Why not PAS, whose already with a comfortable majority in the Kelantan State Assembly?

Tuan Ibrahim also seek proof that PAS had agreed to not run if Tengku Razaleigh run. He was refering to statement by Ketua Pemuda Kelantan, Anuar Safian and not as raised by this blog here.

That request should be directed to Husam. Since the death of the late Galas assemblymen, Husam's silence is deafening.

It turns out the story about Husam promising a safe passage to Ku Li by not fielding a candidate is no more an exclusive secret. Not only yours truly knows about it, but also the Kelantan Ketua Pemuda UMNO.

In fact, this blogger got a Ku Li loyalist to confirm of Husam's several visits to meet Ku Li at his Langgak Golf residence. There are a whole list of other leaders meeting Ku Li.

Perjanjian Langgak Golf as coined by blogger RBF here can be damaging to both Husam and Nik Aziz.

RBF is the blogger Husam had sent a stalkers to serve a writ of summon to sue him. It is for an allegation he made in his blog that Husam gave timber concession to Tamrin Ghaffar.

Really unnecessary.

Husam is a political figure with access to media, thus he could easily deny and brush off the allegation from a low traffic and relatively unknown blog.

The impact of the allegation on his reputation has minimal impact. The murmurs within PAS is more damaging than that.

If he feels inconvenient by the lawsuit by Khairy upon him, then he should not do onto others what he does not want others to do onto himself.

By pursuing RBF, he has created himself a relentless enemy. RBF is raising issues on Husam's Gold Dinar project and also on the offer to Ku Li. Young man like this will not stop and continue to hound him till he withdraw his suit.

RBF ridiculed Nik Aziz's statement that it is beneath royal Ku Li to run for state assembly seat. He rebutted by asking why then is Nik Aziz still running and defending his seat in Pulau Melaka?

Nik Aziz had promise to retire the moment Tun Dr Mahathir retire from his Prime Ministership but has not done so. This is eight years ago.

RBF reminded what Nik Aziz's former Press Secretary and now controversial Melor State Assemblymen, Wan Ismail Wan Jusoh said in 1999:

"Jika Sultan Kelantan bertanding menentang Menteri Besar, Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat dalam pilihan raya nanti, raja pun akan kalah. Jika Sultan Kelantan sendiri ditolak oleh rakyat, apatah lagi Pengerusi Badan Perhubungan UMNO Kelantan, Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah yang hanya bapa saudara Sultan."

Comment by his press Secretary must have his concurrence. Thus, his current view on Ku Li is seen as ridiculous and inconsistent.

RBF also questioned Husam's silence on this issue. He believes Husam would not make such offer without the concurrent of Nik Aziz.

By that, RB+F feels that if PAS insist on fielding their candidate as said by Tuan Ibrahim, it will showcase to the whole of Malaysia that Nik Aziz is a habitual liar and unbecoming of a Spiritual leader of PAS.

And PAS will branded as a party of liars.

PAS or their supporter should not waste time trying to deny this here because this blogger have heard many PAS leaders feeling uncomfortable everytime a microphone is directed at Nik Aziz's mouth.

Tuan Ibrahim should neither waste time to demand proof nor be ridiculous to take such frivolous political exchange to court.

All he has to do is ask Husam. Hopefully he admit.

Rumah terbuka lari dari adat Melayu

Rakan blogger saya, Jailani Harun menyuarakan keluhan akan pembaziran wang rakyat oleh pemimpin-pemimpin kita yang mengadakan rumah terbuka berkali-kali yang dibiayai kerajaan.

Wang kerajaan bermakna wang rakyat. Lain kata, wang kita semua. Baca di sini.

Noraini Abdul Razak, Utusan Malaysia mempersoalkan konsep disebalik rumah terbuka ini.

Menurutnya, adat Melayu pula tidak pernah membataskan ‘waktu melawat’ atau menziarah. Tetamu dilayan tanpa mengira sama ada pada bulan perayaan atau hari-hari biasa.

Bertambah anih padanya apabila rumah terbuka yang sudah menjadi formal hingga ada perlu ditunggu tetamu istimewa sebelum semua boleh makan.

Awang Selamat pula mengeluh mengenai lalu lintas yang sentiasa sesak sepanjang bulan raya ini.

Dia bertanya adakah ini amalan yang wajar dan sihat? Dalam kita mendukung semangat Syawal untuk saling kunjung mengunjung dan bermaaf-maafan, apakah wajar merayakannya secara berlebihan?

Citrawan ini pun turut mempersoalkan perkara-perkara yang sama. Ini satu amalan konsep baru yang tidak mahu diikuti.

Kalau dibandingkan dengan amalan Arab Saudi, tempat turun kebanyakkan syariat ugama kita, Eidil Fitri diraikan hanya satu hari saja. Begitulah menurut nenek saudara saya yang berkahwin seorang Sheikh Haji dan kini berwarganegara Saudi.

Malamnya raya tiada bunyi meriam buluh atau bunga api, tetapi dipenuhi dengan amalan ibadat sunat dan takbir di Masjid hingga ke pagi. Selepas solat Eidil Fitri, mereka kembali rumah dan cuba mendapatkan tidur.

Mereka bangun waktu zohor dan sembahyang zohor. Nenek saudara saya selalu berkunjung dan berkumpul dengan sahabat rapatnya di salah satu rumah selepas asar. Tiada pula dia perlu melayan anak dan cucu yang berpuloh-puloh.

Esok mereka mula berpuasa Syawal dan kembali pada amalan biasa dan tidak lagi 'siang jadi malam dan malam jadi siang' seperti pada bulan puasa.

Pastinya saya tidak mengharap kita mengikuti amalan Arab sedemikian. Di Malaysia, hari Raya kita gunakan sebagai peluang untuk kunjung mengunjung, ziarah menziarah dan mengikatkan silatulrahim.

Suatu yang menjadi persoalan buat saya adakah kita benar mengiratkan silatulrahim atau hanya mengikut adat secara membabi buta?

Dalam keluarga isteri saya, ada salah seorang sepupu yang berada. Tiap-tiap tahun dia mengadakan rumah terbuka tetapi tidak pernah pula sepanjang perkahwinan kami melihat sepupu isteri saya membawa suami dan anak-anaknya menziarahi rumah Pakcik Makcik.

Itu adat menghormati orang tua-tua. Jadi orang tua-tua dijemput ke rumahnya seolah orang tua-tua datang mengadap menghormatinya dan dia tidak perlu menghormati mereka.

Satu lagi peliknya amalan rumah terbuka. Seseorang membuka rumah dan ajak orang ramai memeriahkan perayaan hari rayanya. Jadi kalau dia tidak buka rumah, tak boleh atau tidak ada orang berziarah rumahnya.

Kebanyakkan kita yang duduk di kota, jarang sekali ziarah menziarahi rumah saudara mara atau adik beradik sendiri sekali pun. Hari minggu kita mahu berihat atau menghabiskan masa dengan anak-anak atau keluarga.

Apabila hari raya kita bergegas sebagai satu kewajipan untuk memenuhi adat istiadat Melayu. Dibulan lain, batang hidung atau talipon pun tak ada.

Mungkin kerana rumah saya kecil dan tidak menarik, maka saya tidak dapat memanggil orang datang makan-makan berkumpul, tapi ziarah menziarah bukan hanya setakat makan-makan.

Apakah erti semua ini?

Arwah bapa saya adalah seorang yang menghayati amalan ziarah menziarah. Menurutnya, ziarah menziarahi adalah satu amalan yang digalakkan Islam. Disebalik ziarah menziarah itulah amalan merapatkan silatulrahim sesama keluarga dan rakan.

Dengan ziarah menziarah, kita mengambil tahu susah senang seseorang rakan atau saudara mara atau keluarga. Sering kali, amalan ziarah digalakkan apabila seseorang mendapat anak atau ada yang sakit atau kematian.

Tetapi sebenarnya amalan ziarah digalakkan sepanjang masa mengikut cara-caranya.

Apa yang berlaku hari ini adalah ziarah menziarah itu hanya pada hari raya. Sebenarnya lawatan dan ziarah menziarah semasa hari raya pun tidak merapatkan pun pertalian.

Bagi keluarga saya yang besar dan senarai lawatan begitu panjang, kami tidak dapat lama di satu-satu rumah. Setelah sekian tahun berhari raya, tidak juga dapat saya merapati kaum keluarga itu.

Malahan untuk mengingati nama isteri atau suami sepupu-pupu yang ratusan ramainya pun susah. Kita hanya bertemu sebentar dan tidak cukup masa untuk mengenali dengan rapat.

Apa pula jika rumah terbuka yang mana kita masih duduk dikelompok meja yang kita kenal dan kadang-kadang tidak bertegur sapa dengan orang yang kita tidak kenal dalam meja kita.

Saya faham praktikaliti rumah terbuka tetapi tidak nampak baiknya konsep hari raya rumah terbuka ini.

Sering kali saya tertanya mengapa perlu saya menziarahi seseorang atas diajak datang?

Mengapa saya pergi rumah seseorang itu yang sepanjang tahun tidak pula berusaha sekurang-kurangnya untuk menalipon untuk bertanya khabar. Banyak kawan atau sadara mara yang sentiasa kekal dalam silatulrahim yang lebih layak saya ziarahi.

Boleh jadi jawabnya, inilah peluang untuk mengikatkan silatulrahim? Sungguhkah demikian? Jika sungguh, kenapa tidak di hari-hari pada bulan lain? Adakah lawatan rumah terbuka betul dapat mengiratkan silatulrahim?

Kadang-kadang saya terfikir balik, hari kebesaran yang tuhan syariatkan itu hanya satu hari raya. Mengapa perlu hari raya dirayakan sampai sebulan sementang kita berpuasa sebulan?

Yang saya fahami perayaan sebenar adalah Ramadhan bukannya Syawal.

Adat adat ... Diluah mati emak, ditelan mati bapak. Rumah terbuka, adat apa pula?

Lepas Khamis ini, berakhir hari raya. Cukuplah buat saya adat rumah terbuka ini. Kalau boleh, tidak mahu saya amalkan langsung.

Syukur sudah habis bulan raya, kerana barulah ujian silatulrahim yang sebenar dan bukan silatulrahim yang agak palsu sepanjang hari raya. Baru kita dapat mengenali siapa saudara mara dan sahabat sebenar.

Did Nik Aziz forgot he gave concurrence for Husam to suggest Ku Li run for Galas?

Nik Aziz had once claimed that he would quit his Menteri Besar post the moment Tun Dr Mahathir stepped down as Prime Minister.

In case he claim old age for his forgetfullness, Dr Mahathir raised the issue recently in his speech at Perkasa Pasir Mas do in front of Pasir Mas train station.

Dr Mahathir reminded what Nik Aziz's promise eight years ago.

Nik Aziz had questioned talk within UMNO on the possibility of Tengku Razaleigh to run for the Galas state by-election.

The reply everyone is giving Nik Aziz, Salahuddin Ayub and Takiyuddin Hasan's comments with regard to Ku Li's role in Galas by-election is: Why be busy body in UMNO's internal party affair.

This blogger is asking: Has Nik Aziz forgotten again?

This information is spreading amongst certain pro-UMNO bloggers in an SMS last night. The source is reliably linked to PAS. The claim is someone close to Nik Aziz had suggested Ku Li to run for UMNO for the Galas state assembly seat.

According to the information, Husam had met Ku Li at his Langgak Golf, Kuala Lumpur residence cum office in October or November last year.

Husam had suggested to Ku Li to run for the Galas seat with the promise that PAS will not run against him if he runs.

Why would Husam who hardly hold any position in the party promise such a thing on behalf of PAS?

Since Husam is close to Nik Aziz, it can naturally be assumed that he has the concurrence of Nik Aziz, PAS Commissioner for Kelantan and Spiritual Leader of PAS to offer such a preposition.

It seems John Pang, Ku Li's de factor Press Secretary then had called back three days later during the seating of the Kelantan State Assembly. He said was Ku Li had received the suggestion and shall consider.

Sorry couldn't confirm with John Pang. He seemed to have change his handphone number.

Ku Li's response was just a matter of being polite.

What is the fuzz for Nik Aziz and other PAS leaders on talk of Ku Li running for the state assembly post?

Pious man shouldn't lie and be deceiving.

ABITW wouldn't be posting out of the blue without some level of confidence on the information.