Umno's Plan B for Malaysia

By the time Prime Minister Najib Razak announced his newly tweaked National Economic Model, Malaysia had experienced net capital out flows in the excess of US$27 billion from mid-2008 to mid-2009. Foreign Direct Investment had slowed to a trickle, US$15 billion of portfolio investment departed in 2009 and was slow to return.

This means that, despite the hype, Najib’s plan to revitalize the Malaysian economy was already too little and too late. And the greatest obstacle to economic reform and change was UMNO itself.

US Embassy communicates made available via WikiLeaks pointed to the various initiatives Najib had planned and was working on. At the core of these initiatives was a need to reform the whole economic model Malaysia had been relying on. In layman terms, this meant dismantling the NEP, a brainchild of former premier Mahathir Mohamad.

The turn of events ruffled feathers within UMNO itself, especially amongst the ruling elite, as these power barons depended on the various economic packages in the NEP to line their nests.

Full Article: The Malaysia Chronicle.

What does UMNO have to live for?

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Why a non-Muslim would prefer PAS to Umno

Since the late 1980s, PAS has been painted by the government of the day as being the worst thing to walk the planet. That non-Muslims in Malaysia will suffer the wrath of hell, if PAS ever forms the government. And this fear was played to great effect, with the majority of the non-Muslim votes going Barisan Nasional’s way.

For most Sarawakians and Sabahans, PAS was the epitome of evil in Malaysia. A phantom whose only agenda was to deprive the non-Muslims of their right to practise their faith of choice.

This was the religious propaganda fed by Barisan Nasional to the masses, but of late, the 'spin' has boomeranged back into its own face.

Adapting to the times

As PAS moves forward, adapting itself to meet a progressively changing world, UMNO is stuck in a rut of its own making and has now been reduced to being the spectator-stand critic.

So what if PAS decides to have a change in management? At least, PAS is not afraid to take on the risk of changing or to try and take on new ideas. It certainly seems more secure about its supporter base than UMNO.

Full Article: The Malaysia Chronicle.

Seems like the tables have turned on UMNO.

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Bankruptcy now firmly in sight: Are political games being played to hide this

For the 1st quarter of 2011, the central government debt sits at RM430,151 million compared to RM407,101 million for the same period in 2010, i.e up RM23 billion. Of the RM430,151 million, RM425,831 million is medium and long term debt.

Domestic debt sits at RM414,217 million whereas in the same period in 2010 it sat at RM390,356 million. Again the medium and long term debt is the bigger bulk of the debt at RM409,897 million.

Plainly stated, the Government of Malaysia owes the central bank and funds like the Employee Providence Fund monies that run into the billions. Such debts are a mystery when you take into account that the central government operational expenditure has actually decreased. For April of 2011, the figure stands at RM13,769 million; a reduction compared to RM19,416 million for the same period last year.

Bear in mind the figures above are for the first quarter of 2011, there are still eight more months to go for 2011, and this figure would surely be on the rise if we take into consideration the pending General Elections and various other government initiatives.

Full Article: The Malaysia Chronicle.

Malaysia is in a grim state, heading the way of Greece.

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Scorpenes and Altantuya: Does Khairy hold the key to Najib's Pandora Box

Khairy is no ordinary Youth leader. He is not only enormously wealthy but also richly connected. Khairy is the son-in-law of former premier Abdullah Badawi and has previously been reported to have said he wants to be PM by age 40. The Oxford graduate is now 34.

There is widespread belief that during the 2006 Altantuya trial, Badawi was prepared to take Najib out of the picture. It would have worked if not for the insistent hand of Mahathir Mohamed, who still itched to control and govern the country despite retiring in late 2003.

Dr M wanted to ensure that Najib, who was then the DPM, would replace Badawi, whom he hated for scrapping several of his beloved mega-projects and thereby stopping the tap of benefits accruing to these deals from flowing back to him.

The grandfather of Malaysian politics was pulling strings to eject Abdullah and his hand is evident in how the whole trial was mismanaged by the Malaysian judiciary and police department. A fact which was clearly stated in the US Embassy cables released via WikiLeaks, with one cable calling it, “prosecutorial misconduct”.

The cables also drew attention to an attempt by Badawi to use the Altantuya trial to sink Najib. It was an attempt which Najib fended off successfully with help from the powers that be in UMNO and their corrupt hold on the various institutions of government, such as the police, the immigration and even the judiciary.

Full Article: The Malaysia Chronicle.

There is a new player in town.

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Why is Anwar Ibrahim STILL the opposition leader?

Umno Youth chief Khairy Jama luddin said this was because Parti Keadilan Rakyat no longer held the majority among the Opposition following the defection of several MPs.

He said political convention dictated that the opposition party with the most number of seats in Dewan Rakyat should have the honour of having one of their MPs become the Opposition Leader.

Source: The Star Online

Sometimes you just want to ask this fellow to put a sock in it. Seriously, KJ; this is the reason why Anwar is still the Opposition leader. He holds the popular vote, not the majority vote.

All because one holds the majority vote, does not mean they can lead effectively. Instead, a popular leader may have the charisma and the personality to hold various entities together because he becomes a point of reference; much like a light-house during a storm.

Obviously, KJ is not the popular or majority vote.

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Malaysia should only have TWO political parties to accomplish 1Malaysia.

The PM has called for all to accept our differences and to celebrate Malaysia's diversity. It is a call to move forward from just being tolerant and to acceptance. It must be noted that at the beginning of the nation's creation there was a sense of acceptance of the nation's diversity, yet it was politics that changed everything.

PETALING JAYA: Total acceptance of Malaysia's diversity - that's what we need to move forward, said Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak.

The Prime Minister said Malaysians should move from being merely tolerant to accepting fully the country's rich cultural and racial diversity to become united, harmonious and prosperous.

"We started with the paradigm of tolerance. We say that we tolerate or we live in a society which is tolerant of one another.

"But under the concept of 1Malaysia, being tolerant of each other is just the beginning," he said at Sin Chew and Guang Ming Daily's Chinese New Year open house yesterday.

Source: The Star Online.

In order for acceptance to truly take root in Malaysia, first and foremost; the political environment needs to change. All race based parties should be abolished and instead Malaysia should have two parties, Government and Opposition.

Whoever holds goverment, has the right to call themselves the Government and the other group shall be called Opposition. Should the Opposition take government, then they would be called Government and the previous Government will be called Opposition.

Makes life easy, doesn't it?

A change in politics is the way to go, if Malaysia is to truly move forward and be a society of acceptance and not mere tolerance towards one another. And that means, we all need to be open to the idea that the world comprises of people from different backgrounds, and that everyone has equal rights to pursue success in whatever field they choose.

No one ethnic group should be push aside in favor for another, instead equal opportunity should be given and allowed for. Then truly, we would be able to accept one another.

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Protest note causes emotional response.

KUALA LUMPUR: About 500 people protested outside the Australian High Commission here against interference by Australian MPs in the sodomy trial of Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.

They carried banners criticising the action of the 50 Australian MPs who signed and handed over a protest note to the Malaysian High Commission in Canberra on Thursday.

Leading the noisy but non-violent protest here were Umno Youth chief Khairy Jamaluddin, his deputy Datuk Razali Ibrahim, Barisan Nasional Backbenchers Club deputy chairman Datuk Bung Mokhtar Radin, Perkasa president and Pasir Mas MP Datuk Ibrahim Ali, Makkal Sakhthi's R. Thanenthiran and MIC Youth chief T. Mohan.

After about 30 minutes, Khairy and the others were invited in to meet High Commissioner Penny Williams at about 10.35am.

People from various political parties and organisations holding placards and banners demonstrating outside the Australian High Commission in Kuala Lumpur yesterday. They were protesting against the interference of 50 Australian MPs, who signed and handed over a protest note to the Malaysian High Commission in Canberra against the sodomy charges faced by Opposition Leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim. - AZHAR MAHFOF / The Star

Full Article: The Star Online

It was a protest note. A protest note and that is deemed as interference by the Australian MPs? It is clear that this matter is over-blown and taken totally out of proportion.

What then about the super-fly news coverage of the trial that skews the truth before the truth has even been revealed?

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Billboard politics

KLANG: The removal of a giant billboard welcoming Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak to Pandamaran near here for the national-level Chinese New Year celebrations received more criticism yesterday.

Selangor Umno information chief Abdul Shukor Idrus said the state government had ordered the Klang Municipal Council (MPK) to remove the billboard.

"This is a blatant show of disrespect to the prime minister," he added, as the billboard was put up to acknowledge Najib's impending visit to Klang.

Article: The Star

Stuff like this makes the news..always a case of ruling government against the opposition.

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Court to decide on use of word.

It's up to the courts to decide on the use of the word Allah by the catholic publication The Herald. No doubt this has stock some sentiments from the muslim community in Malaysia, clearly shown when about 30 NGOs submitted a memorandum to the Prime Minister concerning the court's decision. The PM has called for calm among muslims in the country and I hope it will be like that, or else; what form of example muslims would show if a few bad apples run amok?

I like the comment by the former National Fatwa Council chairman Datuk Dr Ismail Ibrahim on this matter. It's good to have leaders who are able to comment on the broader issue at hand;

However, Ismail said Muslims must accept with an open heart whatever decisions made by the court and whatever perceptions made by the general public on the word Allah and its different concepts.



“They should strengthen their faith and knowledge so that they are not easily affected by any interpretations or challenges that may come from time to time.



“The kind of resistance by Muslims in the country towards this challenge is very important in maintaining their tolerance and openness while not compromising their faith and religion,” he added.



He said the morality and dignity of Muslims should not be jeopardised because of a few court decisions because courts have the liberty to interpret the laws and if it concerned a subjective matter, several stages of decision-makings will be involved.



“The concern that this matter would confuse the young Muslims should be a motivation factor for Muslim scholars to strengthen their agenda in order to give a better understanding about the religion to fellow Muslims,” he added.

Article: sun2surf

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Time to write...

I've been keeping quiet in this section of the blogosphere. Partly because I got disgusted at the state of matters in Malaysia. The same old problems keep swirling around with no solution in sight. Every year brings about the same issues and yet no real solution in sight. Corruption is still a problem, but then as a friend pointed out; corruption in our sights may not be corruption at all. Given the asian habit of giving gifts to their leaders. So corruption in the view of many may not be corruption but rather abuse of power.

So as of this new year, I hope to have the heart again to write and comment about the stuff in Malaysia.

So keep me in sight. I'll be writing again.

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Relocation minus the abuse to animals

It's amazing that an issue of relocation can turn ugly and envelope the country in a us versus them stance. It would have been perfectly normal to see a group of rather zealous residents protesting in front of a building but to bring in the head of an animal to prove a point is a little too much.

Thus, the issue has escalated into something short of a religious row. The sacred should not be brought into a man-vs-man argument. Which is exactly what this whole matter is about.

Would the placement of a religious building within range of a majority group hasten the "backsliding" effect on that group? Instead, it can be used as an image of tolerance and togetherness. A sign that two communities can co-exist in harmony together. Transcending any notion of race or religion. That all citizens are accepted on the basis of being a Malaysian and not by creed or belief.

This is the true loser in the whole matter. Malaysians are the losers as long as the lens of creed and belief clouds our eyes.

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Race = [ MALAYSIAN ]

Stating your race on official forms will no longer be a requirement soon.

Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin said the Cabinet was studying the move to drop the column requiring a person to provide information on his race in official forms.

“There is a need for us to look at Malaysians not from the perspective of race,” he said.

“But there are also views saying there is a necessity to continue with the race requirement for the purpose of gathering information,” he told reporters here after launching the book Lea­dership Evolution Serie 1: A Look at Selected Theories” by Prof Khairil Annas Ju­­soh, a special officer to the Prime Minister.

Source: The Star Online

What is there to mull about? What "purpose of gathering information" is so important? A Malaysian is Malaysian, any given way. What is there to think about? If we are to identify ourselves as a 1Malaysia, as harped so much by the local media of the day, then steps should be made to create a 1Malaysia. Rid those forms of the race box. I believe even the box marked "Religion" should also be struck out.

What does race and religion have to do with applying for a driving license? Or bank loan? Or applying for an educational institution?

Instead, the box should state whether we are Malaysian or Non-Malaysian and nothing more or less.

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1Malaysia. We don't need tolerance, we need respect.

For 1Malaysia to work, we do not need tolerance. No! Tolerance will only delay the inevitable, the decay of relations between all the groups living in Malaysia. What is needed is respect. The need to respect our differences and to live with them.

Being different is the key-stone of nature. All things are different, even identical twins are not truly identical. Our individuality gives us our personality. It is this that needs to be allowed precedence in Malaysia. Yes, we are different, we believe different things, we disagree yet lets live together and learn to understand what makes us different and find ways to come to a consensus on what can be shared values.

Yes, we are different yet our differences are what makes us unique. It is what makes Malaysia unique.

Yes, we are different, and yet we are all equal. We are Malaysian. We are equal. Equal opportunities. Equal say. Equal rights. No-one above the other. All allowed to carve a living on this fair country we call Malaysia.

We don't need tolerance, we need respect.

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A win is still a win by any other name

Penanti is a win for PKR and honestly, BN should just keep quiet and be the gentleman. But BN being BN, had to say something and it is not surprise that the two top BN leaders in Malaysia had to say something.

A win is still a win. All because BN did not contest doesn't mean the win is empty or hollow. Instead, BN chose not to take part in the election citing a million and one reasons but the obvious - if BN took part, it was a sure lost. So BN did not take part and when PKR won, BN turn sore losers. True, the voter turn out was low but it doesn't mean people did not want to vote PKR, it just means people did not turn out to vote. If BN was so sure that the people who did not come out to vote were BN-supporters, why then did you not field your candidate? At least, it would have cut the majority by half or PKR may not have won at all.

Whatever statement that comes out of the BN camp, after the Penanti election, to me are statements from sore-losers. They should keep quiet and concentrate on managing this fair country.

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Of DVDs and distraught candidates

In Malaysia all things are lead to a lonely place called politico-alley. It's an alley where one can sell their soul to the highest bidder and make a quick buck at the expense of the ordinary bloke living on the street. They pawn themselves to the masses and all they want is our super-fly ability to mark the ballot paper. And what happens when a candidate does not get the money they yearn to gain from politico-alley? Draw out a DVD of recordings that prove someone tried to buy you out. Use the DVD to blackmail and hopefully get back at those whom spurn you. Ironically, nothing is gain from this desperate act to gain 15 minutes of fame and glory on national television. It merely taints the very system from which the citizen elects its representatives. It exposes the fact that in Malaysia anything and everything is tied to politics. From the education system, concession to buy land, the right to one's own religion and the use of certain words in daily living; are all governed by politics.

In Malaysia nothing is spared. All are used for political gain.

In an environment such as this, it is small wonder that a candidate can claim that they were offered money to be a candidate. No surprise when it is the norm. So aside from selling the idea that the Opposition in Malaysia are all crooks, such revelation only serves as a headline to sell more newspapers or feed the Government propaganda machine.

I would welcome this distraught candidate to reveal all and allow the citizens to decide for themselves. If she can claim that the Opposition are crooks, then what more the current Government, whom have more resources and money to offer to the Opposition in order to manipulate them for the government gains. If a little is revealed, then allow the whole to be made visible.

Will this happen in Malaysia?

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New PM, Same Old Problems.

I took a long break from writing, primarily to focus on other matters in my life and also because looking at the current state of Malaysia, one would end up blogging about the same matter every week. Anyway, for those who have been wondering where I have been, well; I'm still here. And I'd like to put in a little two (2) cents bit on the UMNO General Assembly.

A new PM will step up and this is a most undemocratic step up. It is a PM by consensus, namely the President of UMNO will be PM of Malaysia. He was not voted in, neither were the other members of Malaysian society (namely non-UMNO) consulted or allowed to take part in the voting. Wait, for the presidency there was no voting...right, everyone kind of opted to save the trees by not printing ballot papers for president and just step up whoever the previous president said was good for the post.

So we'll have a new PM by next week. Still new PM but same old problems. PM-to-be spoke about eliminating corruption from the party polls. I think I heard the same speech last year and the year before. Same problem seems to appear every general assembly. Then there was that call to have more representation from the grass-roots in electing their leaders.

Currently, about 2500 delegates cast votes. PM-to-be wants to introduce a new system to elect the UMNO leaders. Sounds good but it would mean the rewards for votes would be slightly higher.

Talking about delegate votes. The PM-Son-In-Law won the delegate votes eventhough it was clear Former-PM-Son won the popular vote. So it shows, even if the grass-roots support you, it is still the delegates that determine the victor. The voice of the 3 million UMNO members can be stifled by 2500 who stand in as delegates.

Come next week and we'll see the new PM strut his stuff as he face three(3) by-elections which I am sure BN must win as a gift for the incoming new PM. Yup, new PM, same old problems.

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The Political Police

It is funny that whenever our politicians do not agree on anything, they make a police report. Take Perak for instance when the House Speaker suspends its members from doing their duties. Is the suspension a crime? Is suspension of a politician a cause for investigation by the police? This is funny indeed and far more funnier being that the PM was the one advising the BN fellas in Perak to make police reports.

So can the rakyat make police reports to say that their elected representatives are not doing their jobs? That these MPs have been squabbling over petty issues since March 8th and the rakyat have been suffering all along because of their irresponsible actions.

Can the Pakatan Rakyat make a police report on the disobedience of the BN representatives who question the power of the House Speaker?

No wonder our police force is over burdened with cases. Most of the cases fall outside their jurisdiction, yet due to the politicize nature of Malaysia, they have to entertain the powers that be.

The Perak government should just have fresh elections. What is BN scared about? If the people are behind the BN then surely fresh elections will solidify BN's hold on Perak. Or is the case otherwise? Is BN really afraid that Perak would grant PR greater footing into Malaysian governance? For all signals seem to point this way, that the threat of PR winning Perak completely is real...very real.

Right now, Perak is a confused state. Who is the government of Perak? For all you know it, the very people who would decide this may just be the police.

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Who is looking after our welfare?

We have been subjected to a deluge of silliness unheard off, these pass few weeks. This country is caught in an endless tug-of-war for the right to govern. And in all this noone is really listening to the people. Do we need to pull off a "People Power" movement in order for the government to hear us out? Do we need to sit in KLIA, ala Thailand government toppling movement, and force this government to listen to us?

The whole clock and dagger scenario which we are caught in should be put away and our elected representative start the process of looking after the welfare of our people. I can imagine the scene in parliament, where everyone is looking over their shoulders, wondering if they will be the next to pull the rabbit out of the hat. Our government is so caught up in this spiral of political intrigue that it has lost focus to what it should be doing, looking after the citizens of this fair nation. These are the people who have taken the choice to make this country great. The one's sitting in the August house are merely governing, but it is the citizens who make up this nation. It is on the shoulders of the everyday citizen that this nation is stand upon. It is the normal day citizen that suffers from this downward spiral of governance.

As a citizen of Malaysia, I would want a nation that is strong and stable for my children. I would want a strong economic environment where my children can seek a secure financial future. I would want an environment where knowledge is freely available, so my children can gain a fair education that allows them to express themselves to be the best they can be.

Stop the politics and start looking after the citizens welfare.

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So who is playing the frog game?

So what happened to the idea where there should be a ruling for "political frogs"? Much like everything else in Malaysia, if BN is the one doing it then it is alright but if anyone else does it...then it's downright sinful.

BN is just better at the game and they sure pulled out their joker in Perak. The government can call the Pakatan Rakyat sinners while BN hide their sins and still get away smelling like a saint.

So the drama would be long and straining for Perak as the power struggle continues and in the midst of it all, the people of Perak suffer. Malaysians suffer as the political game continues while the real issue of governing the nation takes a back seat. Have we all forgotten that the world is currently dealing with the worst financial crisis ever? And here we are, still squabbling over the spoils of a war played out by greedy politicians.

When will Malaysia seriously look at getting its act in place?

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No News unless its political

There is hardly any news in Malaysia unless it's political. Don't you agree?

It can be said that Malaysia is a land of the politician. Almost every aspect of life is controlled by the whims and fancies or statements of our politicians. Our politicians dictate what we read, hear, see and almost to a great degree, what we eat, drink and indulge in. Not to mention that funny fella who stated that those with AIDS should not be given the choice to marry (he has since retracted that statement).

When there is nothing political to report, our news becomes really boring stuff. Our whole economy is driven by political news. The local mamak store or kopitiam would not thrive if we did not have those "professional political analyst" who sit around, all day, drinking their coffee. Business as usual if there is political news floating about.

So come 2009 and we are in for a great 3 months of sensational political news. Namely, the row within PKR would be exaggerated while the tranquility of the UMNO change of guard would be carved into legendary status. Politics in Malaysia is a contrast of the evil Opposition versus the eternal BN-Government. This epic struggle is great for newspaper vendors, helps sell papers and keeps local television relevant. Hopefully they don't plaster news in the cinema, even if they feel it would add value now that there is this idea to bump up the price of a movie ticket.

Where are the human stories? What is Malaysia, without the politics? I'd like to know.

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