Legislative Branch Undermined

Ever since the Linggam case, the Judiciary in Malaysia has been shoved under the public’s scrutiny. Some will point out the demise of the Malaysian Courts System began in the 80s under then Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad. Why the fuss? Because the Courts are the last bastion and platform for justice and appeal for the people and the final stronghold against the many political and personal agenda of politicians. Where one is wronged, she ought to be able to expect justice being dispense when she approaches the Bench. But with the development and exposure, she can expect her case to loose anytime its against the Government or a big corporation… (Urm… Why am I talking like a socialist?! I’m Tory!)

However, as a independent and sovereign federation of states, we have another institution where her dignity, honour, position, function and position is being compromised by petty bickering, ignorance, arrogance, politicking, self-interests and immaturity of those privileged to be part of: Parlimen (Parliament) and the various Dewan Undangan Negeri (State Legislative Assemblies).

We’ve Still Got A Long Way to Go

The stage is set. The players are beefed up - slowly but surely, they are shedding their skin to reveal their true colours. These colours are captivating; Malaysians are beginning to react in favour or with displeasure. The once proud and arrogant party who once fought for the people now see cracks. Cracks within themselves and in their relationship with those around them: the people, their allies, the country and their supporters. Truly, the foundation - though solid and strong - has reached its limit. That, dear reader, is how we can describe the current political landscape of Malaysia.

Yesterday, on June 19, 2008, the Barisan Nasional was shocked by the statement of Datuk Yong Teck Lee, President of the Sabah-based SAPP. Datuk Yong announce that his party intends to leave the ruling coalition due to inaction by Prime Minister Abdullah Hj. Ahmad Badawi with regards to issues in Sabah.

Allow me to set my views down. The reason the BN lost in West Malaysia was because of the weight of the inaction, arrogance and ignorance of the ruling coalition led by UMNO. Voters in West Malaysia, including Penang - home state of the Hon. Prime Minister and Member for Kepala Batas, were tired of how they were being played with. The Barisan Nasional, though insisting on the message of unity, in the same breath tried to sow fear among the populace on what would happen if the Malays voted the DAP Chinese. They toyed around with who shall be the next Chief Minister of Penang. Despite being the Government of Malaysia, the Pak Lah Government blamed the Elections Commission for failing to study the ink issue and the former Prime Minister for causing disunity. The methods employed to handle protestors were questionable. Flip flop policies and actions - similar to inaction - became the straw which broke the horse’s back.

Immediately after the elections, while pointing out the weaknesses of the Opposition, the ruling Coalition continued to hang their own dirty laundry. Bickering between members of standing in the Coalition helped more cats escape the bag.

In Parlimen, the elected reps acting like children defies the sanctity and dignity of the House of Parliament. Politicking overtakes the nation’s interests and denies real issues into the centre spot. Seemingly biased House rules were adopted and sustained under the the shadow of a whip. Not doing any good for BN’s case in West Malaysia.

At the end, it all comes down to Sarawak and Sabah. Sarawak helped the Coalition obtain 30 seats while Sabah giving the coalition 25. With the SAPP, two would be lost. The Pak Lah Government enjoys 140 seats in the 222-member Dewan Rakyat. Without East Malaysia, the Barisan Nasional has 85 seats. How much does the Opposition have? 82 seats in total. Pardon my ignorance, but I am clueless as to how many Opposition MPs are from Sabah. But from the map, they have at least one. What I do know is that Sarawak sent one for Bandar Kuching. Disbarring the recent development, East Malaysia, it seems, play a crucial role of kingmaker. The Opposition just need 30 seats to be Government.

Where did we go wrong?

Now it’s time to consider: where did we go wrong?

Many pointed out the arrogance of the ruling coalition and UMNO for the loss. The latter has consistently patronised other parties. The impression that the Malay-based party bosses everyone around is there in the mind of the rakyat, especially in West Malaysia. The way they played the Penang CM post, how they would bicker with the Sultans of Perlis and Terengganu, how they - it seems- pressure Gerakan to manage the latter’s affairs. These are among the seen and reported. I’m sure there are many unreported factors. Heck, I was told that the Kelantanese were furious of the way UMNO played and insulted them with the “Clean Up” campaign. Fundamentally, the rakyat is fed up with how the Federal Government conducts its affairs.

Let’s take a look at the Opposition now. Hey, I am a Member of the Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu Sarawak after all. The problem with the so-called Pakatan Rakyat is that they have no common ground, no common vision for Malaysia or any state. That is why many citizens are complaining, especially in the five Pakatan states, that they feel that it’s like no change in government happened! I think it’s because they only focused on winning the March 8 elections and forgot all about the days after. I’d like to point out, from my personal experience playing in Political Simulations (read: Politics UK <Link>), it’s easier to be in Opposition that to be in Downing Street… urm… I meant Putra Perdana. Take it from a one time Secretary of State for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food then Secretary of State for Health (90s Game) and Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (80s Game). Being a Shadow Secretary of State is way much easier!

The Common Problem: Leadership

One common problem that both sides of the floor have is leadership. It’s either the case of knowing the destination but clueless on how to get there or knowing how to get there but clueless of where they are going. Being in public office is unlike being a CEO. Your voters must know you genuinely care and work for them. Yes, politics is politics, but your responsibility is paramount.

In UMNO, there are calls for a change in leadership. In the Malaysian Indian Congress, the Youth Wing Office Bearers were asked to resign. In Parti Keadilan Rakyat/PKR, Anwar’s return isn’t as smooth sailing as they once thought. In PAS, well, they’re at loggerheads with noisy DAP leaders. Too many voices.

Fortunately, Sarawak is blessed with YAB Pehin Sri Abdul Taib Hj Mahmud and his Team. Under the same person, we get to see rapid development in the past 20 years or so compared to those in Sabah, Perlis, Kedah, Perak, Kelantan, Terengganu, Pahang, Johor, Melaka, Negeri Sembilan and Labuan FT. With limited resources unlike Selangor, Penang and KL, it is a challenge to lead a state having the size larger than West Malaysia. When people point out the corruption of the Taib family, especially if it is from West Malaysians and the Opposition, it is because they want to do the same thing. Remember Animal Farm, now it’s four legs good, two legs bad. Sooner than you know it, it will be four legs good, two legs better.

When Pehin Sri introduced the politics of development and consistently pursued it, Sarawak began to prosper. Today, we have the largest cash reserve among the states of Malaysia. Do not you forget: prior to March 8, Sarawak was the stepson and colony of the Federation. From what Pehin Sri has done for the State, I’m more than happy to support him until the day he retires. The next person to fill in his shoes will have a hard time. Hopefully it’s not another Pak Lah.

I don’t mind pointing out Pak Lah’s weaknesses here on my blog. However I would like to continue my studies in Universiti Teknologi MARA Malaysia for this final year in peace. So I will leave it as it is.

What I admire of the State’s Leadership is the way they conduct themselves in these tough times. They continue to fight for Sarawak, I assure you. Though it is not in ways that would jeopardise the State’s development.

Deny Them Presence

During the election campaign, the Opposition’s battle cry was “Deny them 2/3 majority”. For this section, deny them presence is the most appropriate.

I hope you remember, as Minister of Finance, Anwar Ibrahim never raised the royalty rates paid to the State. We did ask from him, but he said no. He barely did anything for us. On the issue of New Economic Policy, he once supported it, then he ‘realised his mistake’ and now oppose it. We’re talking of a career politician here. Remember why Parti Keadilan was formed? To secure the freedom of Anwar Ibrahim. Now he is free. What next? To make Anwar Ibrahim Prime Minister. Is that a vision for the country? Sounds more of the ambition of one family.

Let’s move on to Parti Islam Malaysiaor PAS. PAS’ playground is Islam. They have been consistent in promoting Islam. No problem where Muslims are the majority. But for Sarawak? Heck, the break down of religion would see Islam being in the minority. The lifestyle they promote and their mentality are at the opposite of those of the Sarawakians. We are a multi-ethnic society with our various religion. They, like UMNO, cannot comprehend unconditional and pure unity. One group must have an edge: the Malays and the Muslims. What about 80% of the Sarawakians? I find politics using religion as a platform is despicable. It’s worse than being race-based. They banned Mak Yong. Imagine all the cultures and heritage of the Sarawak people vanishing from existence, courtesy of PAS. I was told that in the last State Election somewhere in/near Lambir, the way the campaigners promoted their candidate was by saying “don’t vote the BN candidate, her father was Chinese”. Talk about meritocracy.

Then there’s DAP. The Opposition party with the most members in the DUN. Besides bickering and complaining about the songkok, I do not see them walk around like Datuk Tiong from Bintulu (Kidurong). They talk about this, then they talk about that. But that’s all they are good for: talk. Have you ever heard any DAP MPs talk about Sarawak’s interests in Parliament? Besides Bandar Kuching, that is.

None of the Opposition Parties are interested in the welfare and the development of the State or her People. All they care is becoming Government. That’s all. Have you heard them form a Shadow Cabinet all this while? Have you heard them offer alternative policies? Have you ever seen them walk about - outside election time? Have you seen them do what they blamed the BN MPs or Assemblymen not doing? They do not know how’s life in Sarawak. They live in the Klang Valley where there are Chinese, Indians and Malays. They don’t give a damn for the Iban, the Bidayuh, the Kayan, the Kenyah, the Melanau, the Penan, the Orang Ulu, the Orang Asli, the Kadazandusun and all other indigenous tribes of Malaysia. Why should they? They want power to advance their own agenda - to be Government. No more.

We’ve Still A Lot To Go

I will not sing the song of praise calling Malaysian voters as mature nor will I condemn them for being ungrateful. But I will say this: we have got a long way to go.

West Malaysian politicians are lost and confused. As they resort to bickering and politicking, they continuously smear their faces with coal. One is in denial - trying to cling on to power. Another is counting his chickens before they hatch. Two are bickering and complaining. One wants to avoid a Watergate scandal while his counter-part wants to bring the party back to its roots. One is still licking his wounds while facing pressure from another.

But if worse comes to worse, I’d rather Malaysia be just this:

 

Where are the two? Forming their own sovereign nations.

On Gas and Fuel Prices

I’m typing this entry at 9.41 am while tuning into Bernama TV and, later, CNN, BBC and CNBC. The big buzz now, apparently, is the announcement of the petrol price increase made by the Government last Wednesday. I’m personally appalled by this group of people who seem to capitalise from this rise.

Let’s do a reality check, shall we? Before a certain Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance was sacked in 1997, the price of oil was less than US$30 per barrel. Today, it’s passing the US$130 per barrel mark. Heck, there are predictions the price will march onto US$200 per barrel!

 

The Federal Government’s move is not populist one, as we can anticipate. But when global market dictates the prices of commodities traded internationally, there’s little thing that a nation’s government can do. Sure, as a country with it’s own oil and gas reserves, we can ban export of oil. If we’re going to do that, I hope that we could ban the export of oil and gas from the states producing them, i.e. Sarawak, Sabah, Kelantan and Terengganu.

The equilibrium, if you may, is a rather complex one. Certain quarters were insisting that the Government use the profits of PETRONAS, the National Petroleum Company linked to the Government, to subsidise the rising cost of gas. On the surface, it sounds like a sound idea. But throw in the number of employees, the rising cost of oil and gas exploration, the development programmes of this company etc. etc., will the idea be viable? Yes, if you want to see major retrenchment and a possible bankruptcy filed by the national oil and gas company. The then Minister of Finance could not offer the States of Sarawak, Sabah, Terengganu and Kelantan an increament in royalties rightfully entitled to that states then, now he’s promising the world? Good God!

Yes, the rising price of fuel and gas will take its toll on the lower income group. I’ve been saying this over and over again orally, the group to be under the spotlight should be on the poor. Those in the middle income and higher would be able to absorb the costs. But right now, the Government is seeing the backlash in policies which damages the mental of the populace. Namely, the subsidies and protectionist policies and its generics.

Again, the group which promotes demonstrations and offer nothing but criticisms and condemnations disgust me. While they proudly call themselves the Opposition and walk as if they are the next government, they offer nothing new to this country at the Federal Level. What they will do, I anticipate, is that they will initiate populist policies while under the same breath do away with the Barisan Nasional’s policies and intiatives. After that, it wouldn’t surprise me if they introduce similar policies but with a new and different packaging. Take the Internal Security Act, for example. Many members across the floor (pardon my Parliamentary Language… No, these words aren’t employed by the Parliament of Malaysia. I look up to the Parliament of the United Kingdom when it comes to decorum, order, dignity, honour etc.)… Any way, the members across the floor calls for its abolishment. Strangely, none from Pakatan Rakyat talks of repealling Article 149 and 150 which allows the passage of the ISA, nor do they talk of revoking the Proclamation of Emergency. These two components are the roots of the ISA, Sedation Act and all preventive measures laws. It seems that they do not like the leaf which grows but they want the roots.

My economic understanding is guided by the supply-side school. Demand for fuel and gas are increasing but the supplies are deminishing. Meaning, the humankind needs an alternative to gas anf fuel, IMHO, thus the Government needs to encourage, if not compel, for study and R&D going in this direction. We need to increase the supply to meet the demands.

Keperihatinan - What it does mean?

I’ve been trying to find the translation for the word ‘keperihatinan‘. Unfortunately it’s rather hard to find out without the Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka Malay Dictionary. If you know the English equivalent, do post a comment. But why the trouble for this word? What I can deduce is this: the translation for keperihatinan is concern. Concern as is ‘The company’s concern in the welfare of the employees’. Now to answer your question: the word keperihatinan have been used over and over again in Malaysian Mainstream Media to describe the Federal Government’s efforts as well as the move by Egyptian PM who promised a one month bonus to demonstrators in Cairo. Apparently, in the news, the Federal Government and anyone anti-Opposition (PAS, DAP, KeADILan) are all perihatin - or concerned - of the plight of Malaysians. There’s only one problem…

When the tide changes…

 

“Before, the Europeans were seen an invincible. They were so powerful, so superior and so intelligent. In fact, they promised us that as long as there were stars, the sun and the moon in the sky, they would be in Malaysia. But they lost the battle here to Japan, which shook our beliefs. The Europeans, we thought, would be defeated after all.”

- Dr. Mahathir Mohamad

As an Asian, I find that we have the tendency to not only admire, but also worship, those who are – supposedly – far more superior to us. At a more local level, I find that certain quarters not only expect but also demand that respect be given to them. Ironically, they got fear. Fear which does not equate to respect. Fear which would one day turn the tide against them. But does this mean we should not respect anymore? I cannot agree to that at all. I believe that your respect must be earned, not expected. Sadly many fail to grasp this despite preaching the same. But times are changing

MAHATHIR MOHAMAD - Achieving True Globalisation

Can you imagine conducting a 10-hour interview with one of Malaysia’s most prominent personality? Well, that’s what Dr. Kohei Hashimoto did in order to compose this wonderful tome. I’m still in the process of reading it - at page 113 of 152 that is. Rather insightful. Many issues addressed and discussed by the former premier.

The book covers many issues,from leadership to development. From the 1997 Economic Crisis to EAEG and Education. Suffice to say that this book delves into the mind of Dr. M.

I’m not sure how much it costs on the Malaysian market, but according to the website, it is US$59.00. The copy I’m reading I borrowed from the Second Tun Abdul Razak Libarary (PTAR).

I rank the book four on a scale of five.

So what are you waiting for? Get a hold of this book! Borrow or purchase. It’s a must read.

p.s. : You should also figure out, I’m a Mahathirist/Mahathirite. 

Boycott Malaysian Media Day

Did you know that April 1st is now also the ‘Boycott Malaysian Media Day‘? I did not know of the event if it wasn’t for the Facebook invitation.

Information

Name:	1st April, Boycott Malaysian Media Day
Tagline:	Free your mind for the truth!
Host:	People of Malaysia
Type:	Causes - Protest

Start Time:	Tuesday, April 1, 2008 at 12:00am
End Time:	Wednesday, April 2, 2008 at 12:00am
Location:	The Whole of Malaysia
City/Town:	Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

You Must Always BE Relevant.

If you’ve read Sen. Omar Faudzar’s comment to the New Straits Times, you would know what I am talking about. The topic of this article is: Veteran Umno leader urges drastic changes in party to remain relevant. His message should be heeded not only by UMNO but by everyone in Malaysia. For once, let us move away from political discussions and focus on the survival of the fittest in the globalised and fast-moving world.

For those of you who are still debating whether globalisation is good or bad, let me offer this quote for you to consider:

Complaining about globalization is as pointless as trying to turn back the tide. There are, I notice, no such debates in China. They are not worried about potential threats but are busy seizing the opportunities in ways that are transforming their society and ours as well. - Tony Blair “Europe is Falling Behind”,  Newsweek Special Edition December 05-February 06, p. 22.

The question now, are you seizing the opportunities that are coming your way? Or are you running away from the real issues?

Many are lamenting over the death of the New Economic Policy. With due respect, I believe that it stopped in 1991. After all these years, have you not learn from the policies of Mahathir? How he showed to us and to the world that we are able to stand on our two feet? Why do you need the luxury of an electronic and automated wheelchair with two nurses when you are able bodied? Think about it: how have the New Economic Policy helped you?

The talks of special privileges of the Malays and natives of Sarawak and Sabah are worrying. I like to remind my friends in UiTM, Malacca rose without the help of special privileges. Parameswara, Tun Perak, Sultan Alauddin Riayat Shah did not need Article 153. Yet they brought the Malacca sultanate to greater heights. What was once a small fishing village led by a Sumatran prince being hunted by the Siamese and Majahpahit Empires became a regional powerhouse. China and Inda traded with Malacca, remember? So did the Arabs. The fall of Malacca was not due to technological advancement of the Portuguese. To me, that assumption is crap. Why did Malacca fall? Remember who was the Bendahara after Tun Perak? Remember who opposed the new Bendahara and why? The local nobles and aristocrats opposed Sultan Mahmud’s decision to appoint Tun Mutakhir. Why? Because he was India Muslim - not Malay. That’s why Malacca fell, not because of the absence of Article 153.

Not convinced? Let’s take the spread of British influence into Perak. Remember your Form 2 History?How did Perak fell? Was it because the British Empire’s army? Come to think about it, in the 19th Century, the British Empire became the largest empire in the world! Are you saying Britannia, who has this large armada and empire, is incapable of taking over Perak by war? Again, how did the British came into the picture? Civil unrest. The Ghee Hin and the Hai San were fighting for dominance of tin mining. But that alone is insufficient. What was the key ingredient? Does Raja Yusuf, Sultan Jaafar Mua’azzam Shah, Raja Ali and Raja Ismail ring any bell? What was the coveted prize? The throne of Perak. I don’t think the British Empire just came in uninvited. Some from the inside opened the door.

Get the message yet?

In today’s world, we have something known as knowledge-based economy. The problem with this ever-growing  economy is that knowledge must be relearned every 2nd year. What you learn today will be obsolete in two years time, contend Robert T. Kiyosaki. Before March 8th, 2008, we all thought the Barisan Nasional would retain 2/3 majority. Is that premise true now? The good news is with the Information Revolution, acquisition and dissemination of knowledge is free and fast.

For those who are studying and son graduating, remember: in the past, your competition were fellow graduates. Today, many jobs cease to exist and are being replaced by technology. As good as it is, another global wave of enormous magnitude is the tide of technology. Can you harness the power of technology? Or are you swimming against it?

As a nation, we are facing a global tsunami. As time pass, it’s coming closer to our shores. What are we going to do about this? How will we rid/face this?