Merry Christmas and Happy New Year 2009

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To All our Readers, Visitors and Friends all over the world, we wish all of you and your family a Merry and Blessed Christmas, and Happy New year 2009.

For some 2008 will have been their best year and for others not so good. Either way you need to take a break every now and then and this is a great time to do it.

Thank you for all your support this year. We appreciate every comment and all the feedback that we get. Without you there would be no SNAP.

May 2009 be your best year ever and don't forget - TO ALL THE MALAYSIAN VOTERS, "VOTE FOR CHANGE THE NEXT TIME YOU CAST YOUR VOTE".

APA MAKNA PENSWASTAAN

Wednesday, 24 December 2008 11:31

DARI JELEBU

Hishamuddin Rais

Penswastaan ialah satu dasar ekonomi yang dianjur oleh kaum pemodal kapitalis pada tahun 80'an dahulu. Ini adalah dasar ekonomi yang mula-mula dianjurkan oleh Ronald Reagan dan Margaret Thatcher. Ini adalah dasar ekonomi kapitalis fahaman kanan yang ekstrim.

Sebelum dasar penswataan di perkenalkan banyak negara dalam dunia ini masih memiliki harta-harta dan syarikat-syarikat awam. Banyak syarikat-syarikat yang berjaya ini dimiliki dan dikendalikan oleh kerajaan. Syarikat awam ertinya syarikat yang dimiliki oleh orang ramai.

Kaum pemodal meleleh air lior apabila melihat syarikat air, syarikat api, pejabat pos, syarikat talipon, syarikat kapal terbang, sekolah, hospital dan seribu satu macam syarikat yang dimiliki oleh rakyat. Kaum pemodal tidak dapat menahan nafsu duitan mereka untuk merompak syarikat-syarikat ini.

Syarikat-syarikat milik kerajaan bermula dengan cita-cita untuk memberi khidmat kepada orang ramai. Syarikat-syarikat in diusahakan bukan atas dasar mencari untung maksima. Dalam masa yang sama syarikat-syarikat ini juga berjalan dengan pengendalian yang baik dan profesional. Untung bukan slogan syarikat-syarikat ini. Rugi juga bukan moto syarikat ini.

Khidmat untuk orang ramai ialah shahadah untuk semua syarikat-syarikat milik kerajaan. Syarikat-syarikat ini berimankan - khidmat terbaik untuk kesejahteraan ramai. Syarikat milik orang ramai didirikan untuk memberi khidmat kepada orang ramai.

Tiba-tiba Mahathir Muhamad melancar skim cepat kaya pada tahun 80an. Syarikat-syarikat Tenaga Nasional, Telekom Malaysia, MAS, Pembeklan Air, Pejabat Pos, Hospital, Taman Negara, Jalan Raya, Balai Raya, Dewan Orang Ramai, Rumah Rehat – semua ini adalah contoh-contoh syarikat dan harta orang yang ditelah diagih-agihkan oleh Mahathir Muhamad kepada kaum kerabat dan kroni-kroninya.

Inilah skim cepat kaya Mahathir Muhamad yang dijadikan dasar gerombolan United Malays National Organisation. Di tahun-tahun itu, ketika Mahathir ditahta, kita ada mendengar berita Mamat Basikal Buruk jadi towkay gedung-gedung perniagaan. Kita mendengar Mat Driber Lori jadi pemilik empangan terbesar. Kita mendengar Mat Sekolah Tak Tamat menjadi tuan punya syarikat penerbangan. Kita mendengar cerita Mat Tak Pandai Cakap Inggeris menjadi pemilik loji air.

Semua harta-harta dan syarikat yang dimiliki orang ramai telah diambil alih untuk di jadikan milik pribadi. Semuanya dirompak untuk diagihkan kepada kroni. Cara rompakan ini cukup senang: Para kroni mengajukan cadangan-cadangan dengan kertas kerja kepada badan Unit Perancangan Ekonomi - EPU. Bunyinya cukup lunak tetapi hakikatnya amat berlainan. Badan perancangan ini juga dirasuah untuk meluluskan rompakan ini. Para birokrat di badan Perancangan ini juga mendapat habuan untuk meluluskan rompakan ini. Mereka bersubahat untuk sama-sama merompak.

Hasilnya di zaman Mahathir Muhamad banyak lanun dan perompak menjadi kaya raya.

Bayangkan berpuluh puluh tahun syarikat dan harta-harta ini telah dibagunkan sedikit demi sedikit. Syarikat MAS - dari dua buah kapal terbang yang disewa dari BOAC akhirnya menjadi sistem penerbangan antarabangsa. Bayangkan dari hanya beberapa buah peti pos akhirnya Pejabat Pos berjaya memberikan khidmat ke seluruh negara. Cuba fikirkan bagaimana hutan diteroka dan jalan raya dan landasan keretapi dibuat.

Berapa bilion ringgit pelaboran telah di curahkan oleh kerajaan? Berapa banyak masa, tenaga dan berapa banyak nyawa rakyat yang telah digunakan untuk mendirikan syarikat-syarikat ini? Dalam sekelip mata sahaja semua harta-harta ini telah dirompak oleh Mahathir Muhamad. Harta-harta milik kita semua ini dengan bagitu senang diagih-agihkan kepada kaum keluarga dan kroni.

Dasar rompak harta orang ramai inilah yang dipanggil dasar pengswastaan. Dasar ini juga dikaitkan dengan apa yang dipanggil dasar globalisasi. Dasar globalisasi ini membolehkan syarikat-syarikat gergasi antarabangsa datang sama menjarah dan merompak harta negara kita.

Apakah kita lupa syarikat Air Kelantan pada satu masa dahulu sebahagian besarnya adalah milik Thames Water dari United Kingdom. Tidak kah kita merasa takut apabila air yang kita minum ini tuan empunyanya ialah orang luar. Tidak kah kita merasa gerun apabila hospital kita adalah milik Singapura, Britain atau Amerika? Tidak kah kita terganggu apabila syarikat talipon kita kini dimiliki oleh Jepun, Korea dan Australia?

Dasar penswastaan ini telah berjalan lebih dari 20 tahun. Porak peranda hasil dari dasar ini sedang kita lihat. Sekolah dan universiti bukan lagi gudang ilmu untuk mendidik warga bangsa tetapi menjadi gedung 'menipu' untuk membuat duit. Hospital yang dulunya milik kita bersama kini apabila kita jatuh sakit kita pula kena bayar. Kita diberi ubat yang 'tidak bermutu' tetapi jika hendakkan ubat yang bermutu – sila bayar. Jika tidak ada duit maka jawabnya kita dapat rawatan lekeh atau tidak ada rawatan langsung.

Lihat pula berapa banyak jalan-jalan raya sedang dihalang dengan tol. Air dan api dinaikan harga saban tahun. Talipon terus melonjak sewanya. Untung, untung dan untung dijadikan akidah syarikat swasta ini.

Dahulu - ketika semua syarikat ini dimiliki oleh orang ramai – jika dapat untung – keuntungan ini akan dimasukkan ke dalam dana negara. Bila syarikat ini di swastakan bila ada untung maka untung ini masuk ke dalam poket tuan pemilik saham syarikat ini. Ini bezanya antara syarikat milik kerajaan dengan syarikat yang diswastakan.

Minggu lalu Najib Razak telah cuba melakukan rompakan di siang hari. Najib Razak sedang mula membuat jaringan kroni-kroni baru. Sime Darby adalah kroni pertama Najib Razak. Jika di selidik dan di halusi maka pasti akan kita ketemui bahawa Najib Razak dan kaum kerabatnya mungkin ada memiliki kepentingan dalam syarikat Sime Darby ini. Atau telah ada 'persetujuan' yang syarikat Sime Darby ini akan memperkukuhkan kedudukan Najib dari segi sokongan politik dan kewangan.

Sime Darby ingin merompak Institut Jantung Negara. Ini telah di persetujui oleh Najib Razak. Najib Razak sendiri membuat kenyataan - DIA TIDAK AKAN MENGHALANG NIAT SIME DARBY.

Lihat dengan jahat dan licik Najib Razak telah 'membocorkan' berita rancangan rompakan ini sesudah perlimen ditutup untuk bercuti satu bulan. Ini niat jahat.

Najib Razak tidak mahu projek rompakan IJN ini dibicangkan di parlimen. Pasti perancangan rompakan ini telah lama berjalan secara senyap-senyap. Secara sulit pasti ada 'deal' yang telah dibuat. Kenapa projek rompakan ini tidak diberitahu secara telus kepada wakil rakyat di parlimen? Kenapa dengan tiba-tiba Najib besetuju? Mana dia dasar ketelusan yang selalu di warwarkan oleh gerombolan United Malays National Organisation?

Semua rompakan penswastaan di buat dalam gelap. Hingga ke hari ini kita – orang ramai – masih belum dapat membaca perjanjian antara kerajaan dengan syarikat lebuh raya. Perjanjian syarikat ini telah dibuat dengan kerajaan. Ertinya perjanjian ini dibuat dengan kita semua. Kerajaan itu ialah orang ramai. Orang ramai ialah kita semua kerana kita yang melantik kerajaan. Kalau kita melantik kerajaan kenapa kita tidak boleh mengetahui apa yang di janjikan.

Justeru, dasar penswastaan ini wajib dihentikan. Dasar ini membawa mudarat kepada orang ramai. Tugas kerajaan bukan untuk mengkayakan kroni dan kaum kerabat. Tugas kerajaan yang berjiwa rakyat ialah mendahulukan kepentingan ramai dari kepentingan kroni dan anak bini. Tugas utama kerajaan ialah untuk memastikan rakyat terbanyak hidup selesa dengan pembahagian dan agihan ekonomi yang adil.

Rakyat wajib berwaspada dengan dasar penswastaan. Orang ramai perlu membuka mata dan berjaga-jaga kerana perompak-perompak harta orang ramai ini masih berkeliaran. Selagai mereka berkuasa rompakan harta rakyat akan berterusan. Untuk ini kita tidak ada pilihan –hentikan dasar ini dan mereka kita nyahkan dari tampok kuasa. --Malaysia Today

Will the 'Political Tsunami" hit Sarawak in 2010?

Political 'Tsunami' As Opposition Takes Five States

SHAH ALAM, Dec 22 (Bernama) -- The fall of four more states - Penang, Perak, Selangor and Kedah - to the opposition during the March 8 general election was the regarded as a "political tsunami" for the Barisan Nasional (BN).

The BN had also failed to recapture Kelantan from PAS since it was toppled in the state in 1990.

In SELANGOR, former corporate figure, Tan Sri Abdul Khalid Ibrahim became the menteri besar of the Pakatan Rakyat-led state government comprising Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR), PAS and DAP.

BN's downfall in Selangor, one of the most developed states in the country, was attributed to the disenchantment of the people towards the government over various issues especially irregularities in land matters.

The Chinese community also felt slighted over racist remarks by certain Umno leaders while the Indian community cried foul over demolition of Hindu temples.

The new Selangor state government faced a daunting task to honour its election promises.

However, it managed to provide 20 cubic metres of water free every month to Selangor residents from June, enjoyed only by consumers with individual water meters.

Former Selangor mentri besar Datuk Seri Dr Mohamad Khir Toyo (left) chided the state government for its failure to reduce the quit rent of private properties by 20 per cent and that of commercial properties by 10 per cent.

He claimed that certain quarters had defaulted on the quit rent payment to register their protest.

Hardly had the issue died down, Seputeh Member of Parliament Teresa Kok (right) filed two defamation suits against the Utusan Melayu Group over two articles published in the two newspapers under its stable on Sept 10 and Oct 12.

Calling them "highly defamatory", the Selangor executive councillor claimed that the first article in Utusan Malaysia had resulted in her week-long detention last month under the Internal Security Act.

On Oct 12, Mingguan Malaysia published a short story titled "Politic Baru YB Josephine", which Kok claimed referred either directly or by innuendo to her.

In Penang, DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng (left) took over as chief minister from Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon (right) after the opposition whitewashed the BN in the state.

DAP won 19 of the 40 state seats, PKR nine, PAS one while the BN could only manage 11 seats.

In a show of strength, PKR won the Permatang Pauh parliamentary by-election with a bigger majority on Aug 26 through PKR de-facto leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim (right).

It paved the way for him to return to Parliament following an absence of 10 years from political office and being appointed the opposition leader.

In September, the DAP-PKR government rejected the proposed RM25 billion Penang Global City Centre (PGCC) with Lim describing it "as good as dead."

Asymptote Architecture announces the design of Penang Global City Center.
Photo coutesy of Asymptote: Hani Rashid + Lise Anne Couture

He said the developers had failed to submit planning plans as required by the state.

The state government also put up multi-lingual road signs in Georgetown despite protests from the Unity, Culture, Arts and Heritage Ministry claiming it was part of its efforts to promote tourism in the Unesco World Heritage site.

In July, Georgetown on the island was declared a World Heritage site along with Melaka by Unesco.

The construction of the planned 26km second Penang bridge linking Batu Maung on the island and Batu Kawan on the mainland is expected to be a catalyst for growth in Seberang Perai besides the island.

In Kedah, former Kedah menteri besar Datuk Seri Mahdzir Khalid (right) and former opposition leader Azizan Abdul Razak (left) of PAS "swapped" positions.

The Sultan of Kedah, Tuanku Abdul Halim Mu'adzam Shah, 82, celebrated his Golden Jubilee in July after 50 years successfully reigning the state.

Several districts in Kedah were hit by floods in September, during the Ramadan fasting month, forcing about 5,000 people to seek refuge at relief centres.

In PERAK, the DAP had initially protested against the appointment of Mohamad Nizar Jamaluddin (now Datuk) of PAS as mentri besar as he represented only the third and smallest political party in the coalition.

Pas won six state seats while PKR seven and the DAP 18.

The state government's decision to allow 149,000 people living in 349 planned and 134 new villages in Perak, with an appreciated land value of over RM1.5 billion, to apply for freehold titles has also created a controversy.

Senior executive councillor Datuk Ngeh Koo Ham (left) said the freehold titles were in perpetuity and not for 999 years as claimed by certain parties.

He claimed that the issuing of freehold titles to those living in planned and new villages was not against the National Land Code, as the state had consulted a former Court of Appeal judge and a panel of experienced lawyers on the matter before implementing the move.

-- BERNAMA

Exclusive Interview With PM: An Epilogue

An intimate moment between Pak Lah and his wife Datin Seri Jeanne Abdullah after the interview. (Photo courtesy: Sin Chew Daily)

Some said that we are going to miss Pak Lah once he steps down. To be honest, I was having such a feeling right after the interview ended, even though he has not step down at the moment.

In any case, he is a good man. It is rare among politicians. This is also our first impression of him: gentle, moderate and honest. Otherwise, the ruling Barisan Nasional coalition would not gain 92% of the parliamentary seats in the 2004 general elections.

The people used to have high expectations of him, hoping that he could lead the country to change. But the 2008 general election results were the other way round. What are the problems?

Why he did not fully launched the reform when he was popular? Why he has to bear the consequences after the election to retire early?

Nothing can be done if Umno remains unchanged

Perhaps, his does not get the needed support from within the party like he does among the public. If he fails to control Umno, he can change nothing; if Umno remains unchanged, nothing can be done.

However, many are sharing the same thought with me. He should look pass Umno and go to the people. The people would back him and the result would be different.

However, all are now in past tense and Pak Lah must end his term of office early.

He wishes to speed up the completion of a number of commitments he made before he steps down. The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) and Judicial Appointments Commission (JAC) bills presented by him were passed in a very short period of time. It shows that he can still be dynamic.

The historical appraisal will be as well different.

He has to present the Special Complaints Commission (SCC) bill and call for the BN Supreme Council to restructure BN within the time left before his retirement. Meanwhile, he also has to improve racial elations and promote religious understanding.

Pak Lah will have more space to develop his ideas after getting rid of the party elections and interests. If he uses the past few years to complete these huge tasks, it would surely a different situation today.

When asked which were his most successful and unsuccessful efforts, he said he does not want to make a conclusion yet.

He added that he allows views from different people so that he can listen and observe before making any decision when dealing with a problem.

He thinks it is unfair of the public to fault his way of dealing with problems which sees it as his weakness.

Pak Lah's simple but comfortable single-storey house in Kuala Lumpur. (Photo courtesy: Sin Chew Daily)

Pak Lah is optimistic

Pak Lah's strengths and weaknesses have unexpectedly contributed to the rise of Pakatan Rakyat. He believes that Umno can change and BN is able to win back support. However, he didn't sound convincing. He feels like optimistic to me.

Along the interview, he bluntly expressed his views on some sensitive issues, as well as some inside stories. However, he thinks it is not the time to reveal them.

When we were still talking after the 45-minute interview ran over time for 80 minutes, his lunch arrived. A simple fried noodle and Indian rojak, which reflects his simplicity.

Just at that time, Datin Seri Jeanne Abdullah returned home and Pak Lah looked happy and contented.

What Pak Lah has lost is not as heavy as we imagined, and what he has gained is more than we thought. (By TAY TIAN YAN and LIM SUE GOAN/ Translated by SOONG PHUI JEE/ Sin Chew Daily)

---

More stories here:

• Change Or Perish, Pak Lah Tells UMNO
• Pak Lah: NEP No Longer In Existence
• Pak Lah: MACC Will Spare No Corrupt Officials
• Stop The Squabble, Says PM

Politics of education

by Muaz Omar

DEC 16 — Respectable as he may be, Prof Khoo Khay Kim's suggestion for the Chinese and Indian communities to do away with vernacular schools was greeted with dismay and anger by politicians and Chinese educationists alike.

On the other hand, Umno politicians especially Datuk Mukhriz Mahathir considered the backing by Khoo as “vindication” that their demand for the closure of vernacular schools is justified.

This tug-of-war between Chinese educationists and Umno politicians has been going on for decades.

One of the most bitter being the 17-point Suqiu demands in 1999 — with mother tongue education being one of the main demands — which was then followed by the highly-charged demonstration in front of the Selangor Chinese Assembly Hall led by former Umno Youth vice-chief Aziz Sheikh Fadzir.

Photos of this brutish thuggery were used widely as the main campaign material in the Lunas by-election in 2000, leading to the spectacular loss of the BN seat to Keadilan.

Chinese educationists have also had brushes with previous education ministers like Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and Datuk Seri Najib Razak in their quest for recognition and right for mother tongue education.

On the other hand, Malay educationists or academicians rarely express themselves nor do they invite hostile reception.

They are very much docile compared to their Chinese counterparts.

When the government bulldozed the implementation of the policy to teach Science and Mathematics in English in 2003, Malay educationists and interest groups like Gapena, Pena or Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka were muted in their response and did not object vociferously to the policy which clearly challenged the sanctity of the Malay language as the national language.

Except for one or two academicians who aligned themselves with the opposition to oppose the policy, the rest cowered in fear of losing power and position.

The policy is fast becoming a farce and the Education Ministry is now in a bind on whether to reverse the decision or persevere with its grave mistake of introducing the policy which lacks planning, foundation and support system.

Damned if they do, damned if they don't.

In Malaysia, politics and education are two main commodities that use and abuse each other.

The recent suggestion for UiTM to be opened up by 10 per cent to non-Malays was met by angry calls of “traitor” and “blasphemy” by Malay interest groups.

Dr Halimah Ali, Selangor state exco for Education, floated the idea which received the support of Menteri Besar Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim on the condition that studies indicate that it would improve the quality of Malay graduates.

Excessive politicisation of the issue has caused consternation and anxiety among ordinary Malays.

Notwithstanding that it remains a mere suggestion — the Selangor government has no jurisdiction over UiTM — the issue was overblown and exaggerated for cheap political mileage.

Rallies and demonstrations were well orchestrated to show thousands of UiTM students expressing their disapproval of the suggestion.

The fact of the matter is, opening up 10 per cent or even 30 per cent of the UiTM intake to non-Malays will not improve the quality of Malay graduates substantially nor will it improve the quality of teaching and learning in UiTM.

Education is not a commodity that can be traded or negotiated.

Just like healthcare, education should not be imparted with tainted and blemished quality.

Basic and quality education must be provided to everyone who is deserving, regardless of race or creed.

It is the responsibility of the government to ensure that adequate places are available for everyone to further their studies which will then render irrelevant the endless demands and counter demands for quota intakes into universities.

Those who are qualified academically must be given the opportunity to further their studies in higher education and provide a pathway to uplift them socially and economically.

This will be achieved not only with adequate infrastructural development but also with the latest and innovative teaching methodologies and tools.

Quality education will never be achieved if it is being manipulated to serve as a political tool.

Education and the higher education system in our country are already in a sorry state, mix it with politics and it is the students who will suffer the most.

During the era of Tan Sri Arshad Ayub as Vice-Chancellor of UiTM, there were many non-Malay lecturers imparting knowledge to deserving Malay students.

Malay College Kuala Kangsar also has a history of non-Malays and even foreigners as teachers in the institution.

Logic defies me: how is it that we can allow non-Malays to teach us but we cannot allow non-Malays to study alongside us.

Our leaders enforce rules and regulations to protect the Malays from their own shadows.

This will not allow the Malays to progress but keep the Malays more and more insulated in their own utopia.

The more I think about it, the more I feel threatened by my own race than anyone else.

About the author: Muaz Omar is a consultant with a regional stakeholders management firm based in Kuala Lumpur. The article above reflects the writer's personal opinion.

Siemens guilty of massive global corruption scandal

IANS
Tuesday 16th December, 2008

Washington/German corporate giant Siemens AG has pleaded guilty in a US court to a massive global corruption scandal that won it contracts around the globe from Argentina and Venezuela to Bangladesh, Iraq and Turkey.

The company Monday agreed to pay fines of $1.3 billion in two countries.

The multinational, which makes turbines, trams, telephone exchanges and other electrical products, admitted in the District Court in Washington that its executives paid kickbacks to win contracts using secret funds.

'Today's filings make clear that for much of its operations across the globe, bribery was nothing less than standard operating procedure for Siemens,' US acting assistant attorney general Matthew Friedrich said.

The court-approved US penalty of $800 million is nearly 20 times more than any other foreign company has faced in the United States for corruption and comprises $450 million in criminal damages under the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA) and $350 million in civil damages for violating stock exchange rules.

Siemens has also accepted a fine in Germany of $530 million (395 million euros) so that parallel cases do not go to trial.

US officials said Siemens employees had transported masses of money in suitcases across international lines, set up slush funds and used post-it notes on documents for executive signatures so they could be removed afterwards to erase the trail.

Three Siemens subsidiaries in Argentina, Bangladesh and Venezuela each also agreed to pay $500,000 fines.

Siemens was charged with bribing Argentine officials to get a contract for a $1-billion identity card project, Venezuelan officials in connection with two major mass transit projects and Bangladesh officials for a mobile telephone contract.

During Iraq's oil-for-food programme managed by the United Nations before Saddam Hussein was deposed, Siemens AG or one of its subsidiaries also paid $1.7 million in kickbacks to the Iraqi government for contracts which netted them $38 million in profits, US officials charged.

All told, from the time Siemens was listed on the New York Stock Exchange in March 2001 through 2007, Siemens made payments of $1.36 billion to business consultants for unknown purposes, and underhand payments to foreign officials, US officials charged.

That conduct violated rules under the US Securities and Exchange Commission that forbid falsification of corporate books and insist on internal controls, said Linda Chatman Thomsen, director of enforcement at the SEC.

Friedrich did not rule out prosecution of Siemens executives who were connected to the scandal, but refused to give details.

China to create domestic demand for economic growth

IANS
Tuesday 16th December, 2008

Beijing, Dec 16 (Xinhua) China will focus on expanding domestic demand as an effective way to stimulate economic growth in the backdrop of global financial crisis, premier Wen Jiabao said Tuesday.

Wen made the remarks during his meeting with World Bank (WB) chief Robert Zoellick.

The premier said that the country's move to expand domestic demand is aimed at gradually stimulating the consumption market by creating more jobs, removing or reducing the income disparity between urban and rural areas, improving infrastructure and expanding the social security network.

Zoellick said the current global crisis calls for closer cooperation among the international community and added that the WB will continue to play a role in helping China overcome difficulties in financing and employment.

Zoellick said sustaining its own economy in the wake of the financial meltdown will be China's biggest contribution to maintaining financial stability and the economic growth of the world.

Malaysia considering temporary freeze on foreign workers

IANS - Big News Network.com
Tuesday 16th December, 2008

Global recession and unemployment among locals is forcing Malaysia to consider a temporary freeze on the recruitment of foreign workers, a senior official has said.

The move could affect thousands of prospective job-seekers from South Asia and Southeast Asian neighbours of Malaysia.

At present, there are some 2.1 million foreign workers in Malaysia, which translates into about 20 percent of the total workforce.

Labour department director-general Datuk Ismail Abdul Rahim told Bernama, the official news agency, that this was one of the options the human resource ministry was actively studying to assist locals get employment.

The Malaysian trade unions have welcomed the move.

In an immediate reaction, both the Malaysian Trades Union Congress (MTUC), which represents 550,000 private sector workers, and the Congress of Employees in the Public and Civil Service (Cuepacs), which is an umbrella union for the 1.2 million government sector workers, welcomed the freeze as a 'logical move to protect local workers'.

MTUC vice-president A. Balasubramaniam, an ethnic Indian, said there was now a surplus of foreign workers in the country and it was time to reduce this to create jobs for Malaysians.

He suggested that contracts for migrant workers not be renewed.

Cuepacs secretary-general Ahmad Shah Mohd Zin said although the civil service was not affected by the foreign workers influx, it was nevertheless a worrying trend as it not only deprived Malaysians of jobs, but also caused social problems.

'We notice that there is an increase in crime in our country and this can be attributed to foreigners and jobless Malaysians,' he said.

Malaysians working abroad too are facing problems.

Ismail said Singapore had indicated that it would retrench about 500,000 workers and some of them would be Malaysians.

As a proactive measure, the Malaysian government has asked these workers to get themselves registered with the nearest labour office.

As of November, about 28,000 jobless Malaysians had registered with the labour department, and so far, the government has managed to find jobs for about only 6,000.

A recent report in The Sun newspaper said between 2,000 to 3,000 jobless Malaysians get registered with the ministry every month. Given the global meltdown, the figures are expected to rise in the coming months.

Muhyiddin: By-election Crucial Test For BN's Consolidation Process

KUALA TERENGGANU, Dec 11 (Bernama) -- The Kuala Terengganu parliamentary by-election will be a crucial test for the Barisan Nasional's (BN) consolidation process ahead of the country's leadership change in March, Umno vice-president Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin said.

"We hope that the people will return the BN in Kuala Terengganu as there are still a lot of things in store for the people.

"BN, under the future leadership of Datuk Seri Najib (Tun Razak), has taken into consideration the welfare of people from all races, youth development as well as other major issues which need to be tackled.

"We hope that the people will give us the opportunity to serve and see how the country's future leaders can improve on whatever it is that needs improvement," he told reporters after chairing the Terengganu BN meeting at the state Umno office here.

The by-election on Jan 17 is held following the death of Deputy Education Minister Datuk Razali Ismail on Nov 28.

Muhyiddin, who is International Trade and Industry Minister, said he believed that if given the opportunity, BN would be able to rectify weaknesses and fulfil the people's aspirations.

"The Kuala Terengganu people can be the catalyst in restoring confidence towards the BN... this by-election is the time for them to do so," he said.

Muhyiddin said that the BN had done its best in the past 50 years or so in administering the country.

"When Datuk Seri Najib takes over in March, we look forward to achieving greater heights for the country," he said, adding that the BN would deploy better strategy to defend Kuala Terengganu.

He said the by-election would be different from that of the Permatang Pauh in August because unlike Permatang Pauh, which was won by the opposition in the March general election, Kuala Terengganu was won by the BN. -- BERNAMA

BN Must Win Kuala Terengganu Seat, Says Najib

December 13, 2008 15:16 PM

KUALA TERENGGANU, Dec 13 (Bernama) -- Barisan Nasional has to win the Kuala Terengganu parliamentary seat as a proof of its revival from the August's defeat in the Permatang Pauh by-election.

Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Najib Tun Razak said Umno and BN could not afford to lose another seat and that the coalition's win in Kuala Terengganu was vital for Umno's future.

"We have to win (the Kuala Terengganu by-election) because we want to make the victory a starting point for BN and Umno's revival from the defeat in Permatang Pauh," he added.

He said this in his speech at the closing of the Terengganu Umno retreat and the launch of the Kuala Terengganu election machinery at the Islamic Civilisation Park here Saturday.

Also present were Najib's wife, Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor, Terengganu Menteri Besar Datuk Ahmad Said, Umno vice-presidents Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin and Datuk Seri Mohd Ali Rustam, Umno Youth chief Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Tun Hussein, Wanita Umno chief an Sri Rafidah Aziz, Umno Information chief Tan Sri Muhammad Muhd Taib and Information Minister Datuk Ahmad Shabery Cheek.

Najib said BN's victory in Kuala Terengganu would give an indication that the people had chosen a party capable of protecting them and their future.

"We want to give a clear signal to the country and the world that the people in this country choose BN as their party," he added.

The Kuala Terengganu by-election will be held on Jan 17 following the death of its Member of Parliament Datuk Razali Ismail Razali on Nov 28.

Najib also gave some tips to whoever was to be selected as the BN candidate for the by-election.

He said that in any elections, voters were the most important and priority should be given to them.

"We have to understand that in elections, what is more important is not the Umno machinery, neither the branch leaders nor its committee members, but the voters who are the king.

"Who is the candidate is not important, but the person has to be someone humble, not arrogant, people-friendly, shake hands with all the people, do things which please the voters because they will love you because of the qualities you have," he added.

He said the candidate should also have a desire to win the by-election, a feeling which should also be shared by all Umno leaders, and not just saying it but to walk the talk by working together with all members in the coalition.

As to the BN's candiadate, Najib said he would make the announcement next week.

"The party president (Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi) has left it to me to name the person but I am not announcing it today because our agenda is to launch the BN election machinery. Wait until next week," he said. -- BERNAMA

Give up use of mother-tongue language, says Prof Khoo

Press Digest by Kong See Hoh

ACADEMICIAN-HISTORIAN Prof Emeritus Tan Sri Dr Khoo Kay Kim says Chinese and Indians, being minority races in the country, should give up the use of mother-tongue language as the medium of instruction in their schools to be out of the racial box and stay competitive.

He said non-Malays need to compromise and relinquish the Chinese or Tamil education they are conducting in their primary schools in favour of the one school education system for peace in the country, China Press reported today.

His remark drew quick rebuttals from Chinese educationists who deemed him lacking race pride and in contempt of Chinese education.

Khoo, 71, said the current education system of having many types of schools in the country has created a batch of people who do not understand Bahasa Malaysia and English, unable to communicate with other races or compete with the outside world.

He said the United States adopted the single school system out of which born the first black president, Barrack Obama, whereas Malaysians are still arguing over race issues 50 years after Independence.

He felt that while making Chinese and Tamil the second languages in primary and secondary schools, the government should continue with the current policy of teaching Science and Mathematics in English.

When told by the daily that Singapore's national schools are using English as the medium of instruction, in response to his recent remark that Malaysia should look to Singapore in adopting a single school system, Khoo said that as Malays are the majority race in Malaysia, any proposal to use English as the medium of instruction in schools would surely meet with overwhelming objection.

Does this mean the Chinese and Indians will have to make sacrifice?
"As minority races, we have to give and take, and compromise," said Khoo.

He felt that the issue (single school system) will eventually be taken to parliament for debate and a decision. "Who will win in the end?"

He said development in Malaysia has been overtaken by Vietnam and Thailand and felt that there should not be any more delay in implementing the single school system.

He believed the system, which will propel the country's standard of education to world class, takes nine to 10 years to bear fruit.
Khoo also ticked off politicians for blowing their trumpet on such education for political mileage.

His eyebrow-raising remark drew sharp criticisms from both Dong Zong and Jiao Zong, the guardians of Chinese education.

Jiao Zong (United Chinese School Teachers Association) president Ong Chiaw Chuan said "it is purely Khoo Kay Kim's personal view", and warned that the suggestion can uproot Chinese education.

He did not agree with Khoo that parents can imbue Chinese cultural values and thinking at home, giving as an example that the third generation American Chinese no longer possess Chinese moral values and virtues.

"This shows the importance of Chinese education. If Malaysia adopts a single school system, (all) children will be exposed to Islamic teachings," he said.

Ong stressed that education not only nurtures talents, but more importantly, it also inculcates the moral values of a race.

Dong Zong (United Chinese School Committees Association) president Dr Yap Sin Tian said Khoo's remark showed that he did not know mother-tongue education is protected under Education Act 1966, or is in touch with the reality of Chinese education in the country.

He said Khoo's view that Chinese schools produced students who lacked knowledge in Bahasa Malaysia and English did not hold water as both languages are compulsory subjects in these schools.

PM pushing forward with anti-corruption Bill

DEC 5 — On Wednesday morning, just before the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MCAC) Bill is tabled in Parliament, Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi will meet Barisan Nasional lawmakers and move to kill off any attempt to oppose the legislation.

The Malaysian Insider understands that the Prime Minister will outline the main features of the commission and assure the MPs that there will be enough safeguards in the proposed commission to protect both parties — those who lodge reports and the accused.

There has been some restlessness among some BN MPs over the setting up of a commission which will have more autonomy and bite to tackle corruption in the country. They worry that there could be an explosion of reports and false allegations against politicians by members of the Opposition.

Some of them are also wondering if it is fair to saddle Prime Minister-in-waiting Datuk Seri Najib Razak with a body spawned from Abdullah's reform agenda. They were also upset that the Parliament session was lengthened until Dec 18 to debate the MCAC Bill.

It is unclear if the unease by some of the BN MPs would result in them voting against the MCAC Bill or is it a case of sabre-rattling. Still, Abdullah is not taking any chances. Senior Anti-Corruption Agency officials have been briefing editors of the mainstream media on the main features of the commission. The PM also gave an exclusive interview to an English-language daily to update Malaysians on the progress of his reform agenda.

Sources said that there will be several oversight mechanisms under the MCAC. One will be an advisory board, comprising eminent Malaysians. It will function like a board of directors in a corporate set-up. There will also be a committee which draws its members from both Houses of

Parliament; a committee which will hear complaints from those who lodge reports and those who are the target of corruption investigations.

A government official told The Malaysian Insider: 'This mechanism was insisted on by the Cabinet. It wants to make sure that there is transparency for all parties. Those who lodge reports now will be able to know the status of the case while those who believe that they are being vicitimised have recourse now.''

The proposed Commission will also not be allowed to sit on cases indefinitely. The oversight committees have powers to set a time frame for investigations to be completed. One of the complaints against the existing Anti-Corruption Agency is that nothing is heard of for years after the initial blaze of publicity. This situation has led to accusations of cover-ups by the government or incompetency by the ACA.

Under the MCAC Bill, the Commission will have to put forward its report to Parliament annually. As such, the cloak of secrecy which has enveloped all corruption investigations for decades will be lifted, slightly. Not everyone is comfortable with this prospect. - The Malaysian Insider

Dr M spooking Najib to go his way

COMMENTARY
DEC 6 — Here we go again.

That must be the sentiment being felt by Prime-Minister-in-waiting Datuk Seri Najib Razak and his band of supporters in recent days after Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad ratcheted up pressure on him to become his “own man” and support certain aspirants to senior positions in Umno.

The Deputy Prime Minister knows that the caustic comments and biting statements will not stop until the party elections are over in March or until he gives his full backing to candidates endorsed by Dr Mahathir.

On the flip side, he also has to accept that showing favour to one set of candidates or becoming a proxy for the former prime minister could provoke other candidates to go for broke and destroy any sense of stability in a ruling party already knee deep in controversy and facing an important by-election on Jan 17.

Running through Dr Mahathir’s recent statements and postings on his blog, he appears peeved that Najib has become too comfortable with the transition plan and not assertive enough in supporting Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin as his choice for the number two position in Umno.

Muhyiddin, who played a significant role in building up momentum for Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi’s ouster, has been Dr Mahathir’s only choice for the number two position.

He is up against Malacca Chief Minister Datuk Mohd Ali Rustam and Rural Development Minister Tan Sri Muhammad Muhammad Taib for the deputy president’s position.

Dr Mahathir is also partial to his son Datuk Muhkriz Mahathir being elected Umno Youth chief over Khairy Jamaluddin and Datuk Seri Dr Khir Toyo.

In a posting on his blog, he accused Abdullah of busy campaigning for his chosen candidates for the posts of deputy president, Wanita chief and Youth chief, noting that winners will be rewarded with appointments as ministers.

“Najib is going to be surrounded by Abdullah's people and through these people Abdullah will control the government of Najib. Najib has already abandoned Muhyiddin, the fierce critic of Abdullah. He does not want to incur the displeasure of his boss. Would he refuse to appoint Abdullah's nominees? Would he dare go against them?” he provoked.

Several days ago, he suggested that Najib may end up as the president of Umno but Abdullah will hold the ultimate prize — the prime ministership.

In an interview with Riz Khan on Al Jazeera, he followed up with another observation, noting that Najib is “more a follower than a leader and must change that.”

These statements are designed to spook Najib and his supporters and provoke them into action, namely showing clear support for candidates with antipathy towards Abdullah.

These statements must also be read together with the warning by Dr Mahathir to expose election candidates who he believes are guilty of buying support.

In his opinion, Muhyiddin should be a shoo-in for the number two job.

Instead, he appears to be in a dog fight with Ali and Muhammad Taib, two candidates said to be close to Abdullah.

Sources told The Malaysian Insider that Najib may prefer Muhyiddin over the other two candidates but will not publicly endorse anyone contesting the party elections.

The reason: he believes that it could complicate efforts to restore unity to the party after March.

Also, it is too early in the game to be showing his hand.

The party polls are a good four months away and no candidate in any category is an overwhelming favourite.

Finally, if Najib endorses any candidate or a slate of candidates, he runs the risk of exposing himself to fire from those left out of the equation.

Given the poisonous mood in the party, the return fire could be damaging.

So for the time being at least, staying on the sidelines makes sense for Najib.

Only problem is that Dr Mahathir is not going to be silent.

PKR expects more election victories

By Adib Zalkapli
Sunday November 30 2008

SHAH ALAM, Nov 29 – Parti Keadilan Rakyat declared that the opposition coalition Pakatan Rakyat expects to win more seats in Parliament.

PKR vice president Azmin Ali said the party is now preparing to face by-elections in Pensiangan and Kuala Terengganu.

An election court in September quashed Tan Sri Joseph Kurup's victory, who won uncontested in the March 8 general election and a by-election is expected pending an appeal by Barisan Nasional.

Yesterday, two term Kuala Terengganu MP Datuk Razali Ismail passed away while playing badminton.

"I believe Kuala Terengganu will become Pakatan Rakyat's seat," said Azmin at a public rally here today.

"The seat belongs to Pas. We accept the decision made by the Pakatan leadership and will fight to ensure our victory," he added.

In the last general election Pas candidate Mohamad Sabu was defeated by 628 votes. An independent candidate, Maimun Yusuf lost her deposit.

The PKR election director also told thousands of party supporters at Malawati Stadium that the party has activated its machinery to face the Sarawak state election.

He said that people's mood in the state has changed compared to during the last state election in 2006.

"We were chased out by the people then, as we are a Peninsular political party, but now they have become receptive to our struggle," he said while praising Ngemah state assemblyman Gabriel Adit who joined the party two weeks ago.

Prior to Adit's admission into the party, Dominic Ng of Padungan was PKR's sole representative in the Sarawak assembly.

Azmin also reiterated the party's stand that it would continue its struggle to topple the BN government and declared that the opposition coalition would take over Putrajaya soon.

"After March 8, the people keep asking for a change, we heard them during the Permatang Pauh by-election. We won with a bigger majority. The Malays who were threatened chose to be with us," said Azmin.

Azizah slams power transition plan

Rahmah Ghazali | Nov 29, 08 1:01pm

PKR president Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail today slammed the March transition plan of Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi and his deputy, Najib Tun Razak, saying it would not bring any positive changes to the country.

During a policy speech at the PKR annual congress in Stadium Malawati, Shah Alam this morning, she told the 4000-strong crowd that the transition plan would only impact the nation in a negative way.

"We are here to stress that the transition plan between the prime minister and his deputy, Najib Abdul Razak will not make any positive changes to the damage that has been done to the judicial system, the police, the Anti-Corruption Agency and Parliament," she said.

Wan Azizah, who is also former Permatang Pauh MP and the wife of PKR de-facto leader Anwar Ibrahim, said the transition plan would be "no different than the old regime", referring to the tenure of Dr Mahathir Mohamad.

"It will have so much similarities with the old regime, where the Internal Security Act and corruption were widely practised. The same regime also contributed to the terrible erosion of government institutions," she added.

The transition plan, which was originally planned for June 2010, had to be pushed forward to next March after Abdullah was forced to review his departure date after losing support from Umno grassroots in the wake of the huge loses suffered by Barisan Nasional in the last general election.

Najib, who is Umno deputy chief, last month won the leadership of the ruling party unopposed, paving the way for him to be appointed prime minister next March.

Touching on the good relationship between the political parties in Pakatan Rakyat, Wan Azizah also reiterated PKR’s commitment to DAP and PAS, saying the opposition coalition would do all in its power to preserve the special position of the Malay rulers, Malays, Islam and Bahasa Melayu.

"In fact, we are willing to return royal immunity in the spirit of a constitutional monarchy. This is the real meaning of the change we are committed to bringing to the country," she said.

However, she clarified in a press conference later that she was not talking about the restoration of royal immunity per se but restoring the power of the Agong in the law-making process.

According to Wan Azizah, she was referring to restoring the Agong's power to reject a Bill in enacting a new law. At present, any bill that is not assented by the Agong will be passed in 30 days.

Growing support from Sabah and Sarawak

Wan Azizah today also vowed to pull off an "incredible performance" during Sarawak’s state election next year. She said PKR had thousands of new members, mostly from Sabah and Sarawak, a strong indication of winds of change sweeping the two states.

"If we were able to gain power in Sabah and Sarawak during the previous general election, we could have formed a new federal government by now. Insya’Allah this hope will materialise when the time comes," said the 56-year-old politician.

She added that PKR was currently in the midst of strengthening the party’s relationship with the two states to "ensure a more successful future" with them.

"We are also committed to our promise - where 20 percent of petroleum and oil revenues in Sabah and Sarawak will be given back to the people.

"We also promise to give more pro-active roles to these states at the federal level if we are chosen to lead the country one day," stressed Wan Azizah - malaysiakini.com

Out of Touch Politicians

by Khoo Kay Peng
Straight Talk - Only for the Straight Talkers.

At lunch today, I spoke to a good friend and a journalist about Malaysian politicians. He opined they are a complacent lot. I would like to add that many of these politicians are incompetent too.

We elected politicians to help us govern the country. Politicians should work hand-in-hand with the public, NGOs and businesses to drive and coordinate policies. These policies are needed to regulate social life, public safety, economy, education and others. We do not need politicians to play moral cops.

At a time when the economy is facing a risk of downturn amidst the looming global economic crisis, we do not need politicians who are fixated with a ban on yoga, alcohol and other menial and insignificant issues.

The manufacturing sector is facing a slowdown. Many factories in the country are already cutting down production, freezing headcount and implement cost cutting measures. We need to create new jobs to cater for the workers retrenched especially those working in the financial industry in Singapore and abroad.

Starting from the first quarter of 2009, consumer demand is expected to face a downturn as more households will hold back spending after the Chinese New Year festive.

Car sales, a general barometer used to measure consumption, has fallen by 26% in October. Overall, the car industry can expect a double digit contraction in 2009.

Yet, the government is still struggling to come out with the right stimulus to help sustain and support job creation and consumer demand.

Prime Minister Abdullah Badawi is more prompt in his response to a ban on yoga than the economic crisis.

Individual income tax rates are still high. The government should reduce income tax rates by 3% for all Malaysians. More money should be put in the hands of Malaysians and allow them to make their own consumption decision. The government does not have a good track record in using public funds.

Government's decision to pump prime the economy through infrastructure development is a good move. But this sector does not hire that many local workers. The government should also consider spending on infrastructure and building maintenance and refurbishment. Several parts of Kuala Lumpur, Georgetown and other major cities are worn out. Urban renewal is necessary. It will create more jobs for local expertise.

Deputy Prime Minister Najib Razak should not talk about winning two-thirds majority before even taking over the hot seat. He should plan how to heal the economy, social rifts and racial bigotry in the country. Not to mention his own huge political baggage.

For goodness sake, we need sensible and smart politicians. Not those who are out-of-touch, complacent and simply incompetent.

About the Author
Khoo Kay Peng is an economics graduate from the University of Malaya. He pursued his postgraduate master's in International Relations at the University of Warwick, UK. He is a British Chevening scholar. Kay Peng is a corporate consultant and an independent political analyst. He is often invited to speak at various forums, corporate events and workshops. He co-authors the book on "Non-Sectarian Politics in Malaysia: The Case of Parti Gerakan Rakyat Malaysia". His views, articles and comments are carried by many local and foreign news agencies, newspapers, magazines, TV & radio stations. A 'Anak Malaysia', he advocates a non-racial society and a good governance. Contact Kay Peng at kpkhoo @ yahoo.com

Sultans flex their power

Malaysian Insider
By Leslie Lau, Consultant Editor

Tuesday, 25 November 2008 11:56

NOV 25 — As disputes between the various communities in Malaysia grow, and amid the constant tug-of-war between conservatives, moderates and liberals over social and religious values, the stature and position of Malaysia's royal households have shifted upwards.

Yesterday, the Sultan of Selangor Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah made it clear that his authority as head of Islam in the state would not be usurped by the National Fatwa Council.

Referring to the council's fatwa declaring yoga haram, the Sultan said he hoped future edicts which affected the general public would be referred to the Rulers Conference prior to being announced.

He also said the state fatwa committee would meet on the yoga issue and make recommendations to him.

In Perak, a state government official also retracted yesterday an earlier statement that the state would adopt the fatwa, saying royal consent was first needed.

The move taken by the two Sultans is seen by some quarters as taking a stand against the kind of creeping conservatism that could affect race relations in the country.

But it is also a reflection of a lack of political leadership.

Since the March 8 general election when the Barisan Nasional lost its two-thirds majority in Parliament, the Sultans have begun playing a more significant role.

In states like Perak, Selangor and Terengganu, the Sultans played a key role in determining the leadership of the state governments.

The Raja Muda of Perak, Raja Nazrin Shah, has grown in stature, especially among the more moderate and liberal groups in the country.

Last week, he made the kind of speech which is usually expected from political leaders in an attempt to calm the roiling debates over race relations.

He called on Malaysians to embrace multiculturalism and pointed out that society must reject radicalism and extremism.

Members of the royalty appear to have come forward to fill a vacuum created since March 8 in which Umno, MCA, MIC, Gerakan and other BN parties have found it rough going dealing with a much more significant opposition in Pakatan Rakyat.

The power struggles within Umno and MCA have also released a wave of strident, aggressive and more racial approaches as the two major parties try to retreat to their core support and race ideologies.

While there may still be some apprehension over a more active royalty, and their actual constitutional role, it is clear now that public support for them is growing.

The credibility of political leaders in the country has taken a severe battering recently, and their standing among the public remains low.

Ultimately they have their work cut out for them if they are to reclaim the leadership role from some of Malaysia's more socially-conscious Sultans.

JOHAN JAAFFAR: To be strong, Umno needs to be clean

Saturday, November 22, 2008

By : JOHAN JAAFFAR

THE secretary-general of Umno told the world "my party is sick". Perhaps he was asked to comment on the incidents of fighting and chair-throwing at the recent divisional meetings, but these are merely symptoms of the current problems bedevilling the party. The truth is, all is not well with Umno today.

Its detractors would argue that Umno has lost touch with reality and is fast becoming irrelevant. It is wrapped in a time capsule while the world moves on. Umno, the once venerable institution, is living on past glory. Umno is the party of yesteryear that refuses to reinvent itself. It does not speak the language of today's youth. It fails to understand the emergence of generations X and Y among the Malays. It has become largely a party of pakcik and makcik (uncles and aunties).

Not so, say its defenders. Umno will remain relevant forever. It is a party that has changed with time, in fact realigning itself to face the challenges of the day. It is not the myopic party that some would like to believe; it is in fact a dynamic one ferociously grounded in reality. More importantly, as long as the Malays are around, Umno will be their hope and legitimate representative.

The Malays are changing, more so their values and world views. These are not the same ones who had supported Umno in 1946. Those who fought the Malayan Union, the nationalists who were instrumental in demanding independence and the post-Merdeka generation of leaders are long gone.

Umno's policies have created a new generation of Malays -- educated, successful and more assertive. The rise of Malay businessmen and women is one of the proud legacies of Umno leaders' long-term vision and planning.

Umno is the victim of its own successes. Power corrupts, and being too long in power, corrupts indiscriminately. Power becomes an excuse for many of its leaders to become arrogant and lose their bearings. Like many established political parties in the world, longevity equals misuse and abuse of power. Umno produces leaders who are not fighters anymore. They are accidental leaders who are thrust to national prominence by default or worse.

There is no more idealism in the belly of Umno leaders, some would argue. The semangat perjuangan (fighting spirit) is gone. To be somewhere in the party, one has to play the game that others play. It is not just about schmoozing, cajoling and shedding a tear or two to win the hearts and minds of the general populace, but money, lots of money, is a critical prerequisite. Thus, politik wang or money politics is redefining the concept of trust, loyalty and patronage.

I do not know anyone in Umno today who denies the existence of money politics in the party. Some, even in Umno, believe that the coming party elections will probably be the dirtiest in its 62-year history. Everyone is aware of how money is being used to win elections even at the branch level. Someone estimated RM250 million as the "cost" of the coming Umno elections. Others think the figure is too demeaning to be taken seriously -- the amount is much bigger.

Where do they go from here? If money determines who gets the votes and who doesn't, what good is the party to the very people they say they are representing? Has its members become oblivious to what is happening to the party that has become the backbone of the Malays? Are they condoning the practice just for the sake of ensuring the party's continuity? Money will divide and eventually kill Umno. It will be a party fractured and fragmented.

Perhaps, more importantly, party members -- believed to be 3.2 million-strong -- ought to ask themselves what has become of their party. Is this the party that has gone through tough times fighting for the interests of the Malays? Is this not the party that has for more than six decades defended the Malay rights and ensured its dominance, politically or otherwise? Is it not the party that has produced some of the finest, outward-thinking and rational leaders the country had ever known? Is it true that Umno equals openness, tolerance and goodwill? And its leaders are respected by all Malaysians regardless of race? Are Umno leaders not just leaders of the Malays but also leaders of all Malaysians by virtue of their positions in government?

Perhaps things have changed. The political culture in Umno has changed. Umno used to be the party of Malay teachers and the common people. It is now a party whose members are businessmen and the rich. Uppity Malays are jostling for position and power with the royalties and the aristocrats. Lesser mortals, too, want their share of the spoils.

Little wonder that it matters to be rich in Umno. Wealth is the insurance policy everyone is looking for. Money matters. Money talks. And money is a surefire way for one to get elected. One aspiring vice-president cynically came out with a suggestion -- tender all the supreme council posts. May the highest bidders win. He was annoyed at how easily Umno members are swayed by the ringgit sign. Election year is musim menuai (harvest time) for the pecacai dan balaci politik (political operators). And the delegates as well.

Let us pray that what we hear are merely urban legends. I am sure there are many who still believe in honour and fair play. Umno depends on these people. Umno leaders must walk the walk and talk the talk. Making noise about curbing or crusading against money politics makes good news, but noise does not solve problems. Actions do.

For the sake of Umno, there must be enough members who have the audacity to say no to money politics and to choose only the worthiest among the leaders. Umno must take a strong and uncompromising stand to rid the party of rogue leaders and corrupt members. To be strong, Umno needs to be clean. Or at least seen to be clean.

I dread the day when the secretary-general will have to advise Umno members to look in the mirror and ask, "Mirror, mirror on the wall, am I not the dirtiest of them all?"

Read more story here

• Mahathir takes up cudgels for his men

• Dr M’s threat could break up Umno

Taxpayers' paid holiday

MALAYSIA TODAY

Deep Throat in Putrajaya
Tuesday, 18 November 2008 11:13

Informed sources in Putrajaya told me that the great Pretender to the throne, Najib Tun Razak, accompanied by aspiring ‘First Lady’ Rosmah, are heading for a grand trip abroad the government's VIP Jet to the APEC meeting in Peru on 22-23 November.

After the two-day meeting they will proceed for a week-long taxpayer-paid holiday in Washington DC, from 24 to 29 November to take advantage of the Thanksgiving holidays. This, as everyone knows, is the peak holiday shopping period in the US! The couple will therefore be making a great contribution to the recession-plagued US economy.

It is also possible that Rosmah may skip Peru altogether and go straight to Washington while Najib travels to Peru. Sources close to the Rosmah say that she has researched Peru and discovered that there is little by way of shopping as there no big malls -- and hence the preference for Washington and its well-known malls and outlets.

It will be all play and no work for the Finance Minister while he is in Washington, as no meetings or exchanges have been scheduled. Most interesting is that while almost all governments are seeking opportunities to interact with the incoming Obama Administration, Bolehland chooses to ignore the new Government of the most important country. It is also interesting that neither the Finance Minister nor the sidekick Second Minister attended recent IMF and World Bank Meetings.

It seems that these dudes have no time to engage themselves in serious consultations at a time when the Malaysian economy is in deep trouble. The Treasury's website reports that the MOF Secretary General Tan Sri Dr Wan Abdul Aziz represented Malaysia at this important meeting to discuss the global economic crisis. In contrast, the IMF/World Bank meetings were attended by almost all finance ministers of the world. It also seems that Putrajaya has not concerned itself with coordinating economic policy measures with other nations.

The weeklong stay in Washington for Najib, Rosmah, the aircrew and the entourage would probably cost taxpayers more than a million ringgit if we calculate the cost of hotel rooms, cars and food. Even if the trip requires a stopover, should it be for more than a week when there is a severe economic crisis unfolding in our country for which our citizens have been told to brace themselves? Should the rakyat be spending millions of ringgit for Najib’s and Rosmah's holidays while the country faces an uncertain future?

It is time that the engagements of our leaders, in particular their overseas travel, be posted on their website so that the rakyat can know how their money is being spent. We hope that Najib would do this as a new trend under his leadership to prove that the leadership is indeed "prihatin" about the rakyat.

Other khabar …… Ghazali Sheikh is rumoured to be heading for Washington on a private visit in pursuit of his shameless lobbying for the post of Malaysian Ambassador. Question is, will the lame duck Bush Administration agree to accept him or will the Obama Government want a tainted envoy?

Stay tuned !!

Deep Throat in Putrajaya

Bitter race politics still prevails, says Dr M

Dr M's diagnosis: Racial politics getting more bitter and blatant than ever before.

Malaysian Insider
By Shannon Teoh

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 17 - Malaysia is witnessing an explosion of racial politics that is more bitter and blatant than ever before, says former Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamed.

Writing in his blog, he claimed that "even the least observant cannot fail to notice how Malaysian politics now is more about racial inequities than about liberalism, human rights and openness."

"Malaysian politics have not been decoupled from racial sentiments and loyalties. And it is going to remain so for as long as the different races prefer to be separated and divided, prefer to strongly uphold their languages, cultures and their historical origins and links," he said while claiming that talk of reforms and liberalism was mere lip service.
While he conceded that there is now discussion on the Internal Security Act, the most bitter and angry debates were on Malay privileges, the social contract, the Deputy Prime Minister and Prime Minister being Malays, UMNO bullying, Chinese being immigrants and about Malay dominance.

"Even the criticisms regarding the way judges are appointed or promoted have elements of race that is hardly disguised," he added.

He wrote this in yet another attack on his successor Datuk Seri Abdullah Badawi's leadership of Barisan Nasional.

He rationalised that the losses suffered in the March 8 general election by the governing coalition were not due to a rejection of racial politics but due to PM Abdullah's weak administration.

"Foreign observers and many in this country were jubilant because they claimed that it marked the demise of racial politics and racial parties in Malaysia.

"If it is because the Malaysian electorate had rejected racial politics, why did they vote for such parties as PAS, a very Malay Muslim party, and DAP, a Chinese dominated party?

"Even PKR is made up of Chinese dissatisfied with the MCA's representation of the Chinese in BN, self-serving Malays who could not find a place in the other Malay parties and violently racist Hindraf

Indians," he said referring to the recently outlawed Hindu Rights Action Force and adding that PKR were "anti-Malay" racists.

Dr Mahathir, who was Prime Minister for 22 years, instead said that the opposition's success in the general elections was due to "the defection by BN party members which resulted in the opposition parties, regardless of the quality of their candidate, getting the large number of votes to win so many more seats than they or anybody else expected."

Sarawak state rep leads 12,000 into PKR

Tony Thien | Nov 15, 08 8:08pm

About 12,000 people in Sarawak, including 6,000 supporters of Ngemah state rep Gabriel Adit, have applied to join PKR.

Their application forms were submitted to PKR de facto leader Anwar Ibrahim at a huge dinner gathering in Sibu tonight which saw more than 4,000 people in attendance.

Also signing up with the opposition party is controversial former PRS Balleh division publicity chief, Beginda Minda.

He was forced to leave the state BN component party following his call on the chief minister and his deputy to step down.

Adit, 58, claimed that he had submitted the application forms for PKR membership from 6,000 of his supporters tonight.

The other 6,000 new applications were believed to be from former PRS members and non-party members.

In his speech, Adit, a four-term assemblyperson, told the crowd that the main reason for joining PKR was due to the “political castration” of the Dayaks under the BN state government.

He added that PKR was the best vehicle to address the plight of the Dayaks. Adit also declared that Anwar was the most suitable and acceptable leader to become prime minister.

“Enough is enough of BN. Now change is coming to Sarawak,” he said, adding that there are many BN members waiting to join PKR.

With Adit’s entry, PKR now has two seats in the Sarawak state assembly. The other is Dominique Ng representing Padungan.

Adit first won the Ngemeh seat on the now-defunct Parti Bansa Dayak Sarawak ticket in 1991 but in the 2006 state elections, he stood as an independent.

His entry is seen as a major boost for PKR which is gearing up for the next state polls, due in 30 months.

Ready for state polls

The party is banking on the support from the Dayak communities who are increasingly disgruntled with the state government’s management of native customary rights land issues.

The dinner at the Sibu Trade and Exhibition Centre was organised by ‘Friends of PKR’ with Adit chairing the organising committee. The gathering is believed to be one of the largest political dinners ever held in Sibu.

Present at the gathering were Ng, national PKR leaders Dr Jeffrey Kitingan, Tian Chua and Sallehuddin Hashim, state DAP leaders Wong Ho Leng and Chiew Chin Sing.

Earlier, Anwar was given a big welcome at Sibu airport upon his arrival at this central Sarawak town.

He was said to be visibly moved by the huge crowd who turned up to welcome him.

In his speech tonight, he described Adit as a “true people’s representative” and that he would help PKR bring change to Sarawak.

He urged everyone to work together to ensure Pakatan Rakyat take over Sarawak at the next state elections, which is due in two years’ time.

Anwar also said that a number of other elected representatives in Sarawak will follow Adit’s footsteps in joining the opposition front.

More news from Malaysiakini here:

• Taib has to go, says Kuching MP

• Many in favour of S'wak CM stepping down

State rep Adit's entry to boost S'wak PKR

Tony Thien | Nov 13, 08 12:31pm

Independent state assemblyperson Gabriel Adit’s decision to join PKR is expected to give a big boost to the opposition party as it prepares for the next state elections due in 30 months.

Adit, 58, is a four-term representative who retained the predominantly-Iban Ngemah seat in the 2006 state election on an independent ticket.He will officially hand over his membership application form as well as those from his supporters during a 300-table dinner organised by ‘Friends of PKR’ in Sibu on Saturday. Adit is the organising chair of the event.

It is learnt that many members of a Dayak-based state BN component party will also be handing over their application forms to PKR advisor Anwar Ibrahim, the guest-of-honour, for the evening.

Several top Pakatan Rakyat leaders from PKR, DAP and PAS as well as their state leaders will be present to witness the event.

Malaysiakini also learnt that Beginda Minda (left), the ex-publicity chief of PRS president Dr James Masing-led Balleh division who made the news recently with his call on Chief Minister Abdul Taib Mahmud and Deputy Chief Minister Alfred Jabu to resign, and his supporters are also expected to join PKR at the function.

Adit is one of the two Independent assemblypersons in Sarawak. Now that Adit is joining PKR, Dr Jonical Rayong, who contested under the Sarawak National Party (SNAP) banner but quit the party soon after, will become the sole Independent state representative.

Although several leaders of state BN component parties have been reported in a national daily as saying they are not perturbed by the news of Adit’s impending move to join PKR, it has come at a time when there are also reports of groundswell support for PKR, especially in the rural areas.

‘Most popular party‘ among Dayaks

An opinion poll conducted after the March 2008 general election among the Dayaks in Sarawak indicated that their most popular party is PKR.

There are several reasons why this is so, and among the concerns to Dayaks is the way the present Sarawak government handle the Native Customary Rights (NCR) land issue.

This has seen growing conflict on the ground between NCR landowners and plantation and logging companies and the government and increasing cases of litigation brought before the courts in Sarawak.

Adit (left) was first elected to the state assembly in 1991 and has retained it successfully ever since.

A Canadian graduate in sociology and political science and closely related to former PBDS president and former federal minister Leo Moggie, he is respected within his own community and is known to be patient and not afraid to criticise the state government.

This personality has not endeared him to some top leaders in Sarawak, including the chief minister.

It was hardly surprising that the state BN leadership did not pick him to contest in the last state election which forced him to defend the Ngemah seat as an Independent.

He defeated BN-PRS candidate Alexander Vincent, a Masing relative, by a majority of more than 500 votes.

With Adit joining PKR, the party will now have two state assemblypersons. The other is Dominique Ng who represents the Chinese-majority seat of Padungan.

Adit conceded that there is a limit to what he can do, but by joining PKR he hopes to open the doors for other BN representatives to fight for change which he says looks inevitable, given the growing discontentment among Sarawakians against the state government.

He would not want to say more except that once he is officially in PKR, he will help his colleagues at state and national levels to build up the party’s grassroots where it counts most ahead of the state elections.

Twenty-five minutes too late

Adit told Malaysiakini that over the past several days during the sitting of the state assembly, he was approached by a number of BN representatives who tried to dissuade him from joining PKR after news of his intention leaked.

“I quoted to one of them the title of a Michael Learns To Rock (MLTR) song Twenty-five Minutes Too Late and that I have made up my mind,” he added in jest.

Apart from the opinion poll findings on responses in rural constituencies to PKR, many state BN leaders, especially from the Dayak-based parties, acknowledge the growing anti-BN sentiments on the ground, sparked by issues such as land and certain policies on education and economic opportunities.

But that change may not come easy, with almost everyone acknowledging Taib’s strong and powerful grip on Sarawak’s power politics but one of his senior party colleagues has warned that unless the NCR land issue is resolved, it could potentially become a dynamite to create a political tsunami in the next state election.

But it has been noted that many state BN top leaders appear to be still in a state of denial, believing that under Taib’s leadership the state BN will remain formidable and should be able to remain in power for some time to come.

However, if Adit and more BN elected representatives who, to quote him, have a bitter-sweet experience inside BN, follow him to PKR, that might change the perception.

There are 29 Dayak-majority seats, 27 Malay/Melanau (Muslim)-majority seats and 15 Chinese-majority seats in the 71-seat state assembly.

Presently, DAP has six seats, all Chinese-majority, PKR one Chinese-majority seat and Independents two Dayak seats.

BN’s Sarawak United People’s Party (SUPP) could end up even worse in the next state election with the DAP expecting to make further inroads.

PBB’s Malay/Melanau-majority seats may be tough to crack but PKR is confident of giving PBB a run for their money given the known dissatisfaction within the Malay community against the state leadership over a number of issues.

The opposition will have to win half or more of the Dayak seats plus a majority of Chinese seats as well as a number of Malay/Melanau seats to topple the state BN government.

Remove personal differences

PKR’s prospects have been bolstered by a growing number of bumiputera professionals joining the party. It does not lack potentially good candidates to fill the many seats.

Supporters are urging PKR state leaders to remove personal differences and close ranks as well as for the party at the state level to forge a better working relationship with Sarawak DAP.

It’s not clear what role the other state opposition parties Snap and Star will play.

It is possible that if a broader understanding can be reached they will get to contest some seats if the right candidates come around, without opposition parties taking on each other for the same seats.

Learning from past electoral experiences and the need to avoid a clash among themselves, DAP and PKR are likely to agree on seat allocation, especially in Chinese-majority areas.

Sources said that the PKR national leadership want to see the party’s state organisation further strengthened, after Adit’s entry into the party, with strategies more focused on the objectives it has set out to achieve in Sarawak.

The question ahead of the huge Sibu gathering is after Adit’s entry and that of his supporters applying to join the party at the same time, what significant impact will it have especially in the rural areas.

Will, as the Ngemah state representative hopes, it open the doors for not just more BN reps but also the grassroots of other Dayak-based parties to join PKR?