I can't help but agree with Gerakan Youth chief candidate, Tan Keng Liang. The concern about the top two posts are not just an Umno matter. It is the concern of all parties in Barisan Nasional (BN).
And in the last general election, the people has spoken. Pak Lah should have taken the cue rightaway. What is the point of delaying the Umno AGM/party election to March next year when the division meetings will proceed as scheduled from 9 October till 9 November.
If Pak Lah cannot get enough numbers to be nominated, nothing he can do to change that March next year. He knows he cannot get the numbers. He just want to stay on as a PM for a little bit longer. At least, Umno Muar has got the guts to speak out.
I think, Keng Liang is being diplomatic. Gerakan acting president, Koh Tsu Koon is kinda fed up. Who doesn't? In fact, some Gerakan members have quit to join the opposition. However, they're not the MPs who can make up the numbers for Pakatan Rakyat (PR) to take over the government. In fact, there's not enough MPs in Gerakan to fulfill that quota should they pullout of BN to join PR.
As far as I am concerned, I'm just tired of having a PM who doesn't pay attention to his surroundings and thinks everything is ok.
Tuesday, 30 September 2008
Wednesday, 24 September 2008
Fools rush in
I don't understand why Anwar Ibrahim is in such a rush to be a Prime Minister. I think, he should just focus on the current five states, do really well and in the next general election, they will at least win a simple majority if not 2/3 (not that I want him to be a Prime Minister).
You see, whenever Anwar makes a public appearance, the police force has to mobilise more personnels to the venue. His supporters can get out of control. The police is already having problem with shortage of men. That is why the crime rate has increased.
If I am Anwar, I will not ask the BN MPs to defect. If they can defect from BN today, they can defect again tomorrow. I will doubt their loyalty. But of course, I am not Anwar. All he wants is the numbers for him to take control of the government. So, he doesn't care about their loyalty and if they're men of principle.
Unfortunately, all the rakyat care about now is a change in leadership and they don't care who will be at helm.
You see, whenever Anwar makes a public appearance, the police force has to mobilise more personnels to the venue. His supporters can get out of control. The police is already having problem with shortage of men. That is why the crime rate has increased.
If I am Anwar, I will not ask the BN MPs to defect. If they can defect from BN today, they can defect again tomorrow. I will doubt their loyalty. But of course, I am not Anwar. All he wants is the numbers for him to take control of the government. So, he doesn't care about their loyalty and if they're men of principle.
Unfortunately, all the rakyat care about now is a change in leadership and they don't care who will be at helm.
Sounds like Danaharta
In 1997 when we had to face a severe economic downturn, the government under the stewardship of Mahathir Mohamed setup Danaharta to help bail out ailing companies.
Danaharta was our national asset management company. When the sick companies are back in black, Danaharta sold of the companies back to the rightful owners. When all is well, Danaharta was to be dissolved (remember it used public funds to damper the situation).
We were heavily critisised by the US for coming up with such radical solution. Our government then, among others instructed some banks to cut loss and merge to reduce losses and avoid bankruptcy.
This month, in the US, Lehman Brothers, an investment bank collapsed. And AIG is also filing for bankruptcy. Guess what the US government is doing to manage the situation? They copy us. When I read this story here, I told myself, this sounds very much like Danaharta which the US used to critisise.
I just smiled.
Danaharta was our national asset management company. When the sick companies are back in black, Danaharta sold of the companies back to the rightful owners. When all is well, Danaharta was to be dissolved (remember it used public funds to damper the situation).
We were heavily critisised by the US for coming up with such radical solution. Our government then, among others instructed some banks to cut loss and merge to reduce losses and avoid bankruptcy.
This month, in the US, Lehman Brothers, an investment bank collapsed. And AIG is also filing for bankruptcy. Guess what the US government is doing to manage the situation? They copy us. When I read this story here, I told myself, this sounds very much like Danaharta which the US used to critisise.
I just smiled.
Hard to let go
Pak Lah has handover the finance portfolio to Najib Razak last week. But he's still holding on to the chairmanship of Khazanah Nasional, an investment holding arm of the government.
That is another indication that Pak Lah will not step down anytime sooner despite the advise by some senior Umno supreme council members.
However, from 9 October, Umno divisions will convene their meetings and will nominate the candidates of their choice.
There are 191 divisions and Pak Lah needs at least 30% of them to nominate him for the president's post. As it is now, apparently, he was given the heads up that he may not get the numbers (just like Anwar who has not got the numbers yet). So, he was advised to step down gracefully instead of being humiliated for the lack of nominations.
Nothing can make him quit now.
That is another indication that Pak Lah will not step down anytime sooner despite the advise by some senior Umno supreme council members.
However, from 9 October, Umno divisions will convene their meetings and will nominate the candidates of their choice.
There are 191 divisions and Pak Lah needs at least 30% of them to nominate him for the president's post. As it is now, apparently, he was given the heads up that he may not get the numbers (just like Anwar who has not got the numbers yet). So, he was advised to step down gracefully instead of being humiliated for the lack of nominations.
Nothing can make him quit now.
I've got the power
The boy who sang a parody of NegaraKu was questioned by the police. I thought it's settled and he has made a public apology.
The kid was just being creative and was having fun with it. Why question him now when the world has forgotten about him? I think, the government is on an arrest spree. They just want to tell people what they can do to you if you don't tow the line.
I saw Namewee on TV3 news tonight and he's a very cool guy. I think, his training in mass communications has helped him face the media very well. He said all the right things which couldn't possibly upset any parties including the police. Very PR-savvy.
For the government to suddenly want to investigate this boy under the Sedition Act after a year of his video on YouTube, it shows the government is really flip flop.
The kid was just being creative and was having fun with it. Why question him now when the world has forgotten about him? I think, the government is on an arrest spree. They just want to tell people what they can do to you if you don't tow the line.
I saw Namewee on TV3 news tonight and he's a very cool guy. I think, his training in mass communications has helped him face the media very well. He said all the right things which couldn't possibly upset any parties including the police. Very PR-savvy.
For the government to suddenly want to investigate this boy under the Sedition Act after a year of his video on YouTube, it shows the government is really flip flop.
Monday, 22 September 2008
Ahmad is Brutus
Ahmad Ismail, the former Umno division chief of Bukit Bendera is Brutus in Umno. Why? Because he's actually a staunch supporter of Anwar Ibrahim.
He was one of Anwar's many beneficiaries when he was the Finance Minister. Ahmad is of course not the only sympathiser of Anwar in Umno. There are lot more in there who have not surfaced.
That is why Ahmad who uttered a racial slur during the Permatang Pauh by-election campaign was not arrested under the Internal Security Act (ISA). Instead, Sin Chew's reported was detained. Umno top brass realised that it was a bait by Anwar. So, they had to thread with care. Remember, Ahmad supporters are standing behind him. And these people, being "ultra Malays", may rally behind him and makes matters even worse. Remember, Ahmad insisted he's right.
Ahmad made that racist remark in the presence of Deputy Prime Minister, Najib Razak. So, when the news spread like wild fire, Najib came forward to apologise on behalf of Umno, not Ahmad. He was there, and he heard it loud and clear. Najib had to do that because Ahmad told Pak Lah he didn't mean it. And Pak Lah, in his "tidak apa" attitude just brushed it aside, not realising the impact of Ahmad had on national security.
If Pak Lah, a leader of the ruling party thinks this is a small matter, then he's seriously wrong. He has insulted the feelings of the Malaysian-Chinese and the members of his alliance, MCA and Gerakan. If Pak Lah cannot control what comes out from his divisional Umno heads, he is a damn weak leader.
Gerakan is considering leaving BN. Perak MCA also suggested that it leaves BN. Pak Lah forgot, he's not only the president of Umno but also the president of BN. If he's not sensitive to the feelings of his member parties, then we don't want him as a leader.
He was one of Anwar's many beneficiaries when he was the Finance Minister. Ahmad is of course not the only sympathiser of Anwar in Umno. There are lot more in there who have not surfaced.
That is why Ahmad who uttered a racial slur during the Permatang Pauh by-election campaign was not arrested under the Internal Security Act (ISA). Instead, Sin Chew's reported was detained. Umno top brass realised that it was a bait by Anwar. So, they had to thread with care. Remember, Ahmad supporters are standing behind him. And these people, being "ultra Malays", may rally behind him and makes matters even worse. Remember, Ahmad insisted he's right.
Ahmad made that racist remark in the presence of Deputy Prime Minister, Najib Razak. So, when the news spread like wild fire, Najib came forward to apologise on behalf of Umno, not Ahmad. He was there, and he heard it loud and clear. Najib had to do that because Ahmad told Pak Lah he didn't mean it. And Pak Lah, in his "tidak apa" attitude just brushed it aside, not realising the impact of Ahmad had on national security.
If Pak Lah, a leader of the ruling party thinks this is a small matter, then he's seriously wrong. He has insulted the feelings of the Malaysian-Chinese and the members of his alliance, MCA and Gerakan. If Pak Lah cannot control what comes out from his divisional Umno heads, he is a damn weak leader.
Gerakan is considering leaving BN. Perak MCA also suggested that it leaves BN. Pak Lah forgot, he's not only the president of Umno but also the president of BN. If he's not sensitive to the feelings of his member parties, then we don't want him as a leader.
Blah
Opposition leader, Anwar Ibrahim didn't topple the government as scheduled on 16 September. Then he asked Pak Lah to convene parliament on 23 September, a day before his court case on the sodomy charge.
He said, he has the numbers but I know he doesn't have enough to takeover the government away from Barisan Nasional (BN). He doesn't even have a shadow cabinet yet. It's just another ploy of his.
He's just playing a game with the current leader. He wants the focus to be on him. And he's wasting the people's time for his own personal agenda. A trader in Penang was so fed up with Anwar's antic that he lodged a police report saying that he caused fear among the people.
Yes, we don't have a strong leader and Pak Lah should step down. But Anwar is not going to make the situation better. However, I understand that the people wants change so badly. It's not because they love Anwar more, but they love BN less.
If Anwar becomes the prime minister, we'll be aligned with the U.S. Do we want to be told by the U.S what to do? We want to be friendly with the U.S but we don't want our friend to be telling us what to do. We don't want to be like the Philippines during Ferninand Marcos' rule. We also don't want to be like Indonesia when they were taking orders from the U.S. What happens when the U.S pulls the carpet under your feet? You'll fall flat on your face.
Do we really want to rush to make Anwar the prime minister just because we're not happy with Pak Lah?
During the regional economic crisis in 1997, Anwar wanted to take the rescue package offered by the Internatioanl Monetary Fund (IMF). Former Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamed was very against it because he doesn't want us to suffer like Mexico. Mexico went through an economic crisis and took the IMF offer. Even when their economy recovered, its people are still paying through their nose. So, they never really get to enjoy the country's economic prosperity.
Anwar was the one who opposed former Prime Minister Tun Razak Hussein when he wanted to establish Petronas. He said, it's too expensive for the government to invest in oil exploration. Today, we're a net petroleum exporter. And Anwar wants to reduce the price of oil when he becomes the prime minister. How? The price of oil was increasing and so does the cost of oil exploration when you're not guaranteed of oil discovery when you drill. He's not the prime minister. That's why he can make this promise.
When Anwar was the Education Minister, he refused to table the bill to protect the vernacular schools.
It was Anwar, even as an ordinary minister then, who put his cronies in the media. He was the one who was controlling the media and not Mahathir.
He also awarded contracts to his cronies, mostly from his alma mater, the Malay College Kuala Kangsar (MCKK) and made them instant millionaires. Now, to gain popularity among the non-Malays, he's suggesting that the National Economic Policy (NEP) to be dismantled. But is this his top priority? Anwar cannot commit.
Remember when Mahathir said Anwar was enriching his cronies? Anwar challenged Mahathir to release the list. Mahathir published the list in the papers the very next day. Pak Lah also made the same claim. But when challenged, he did not make the list public. That's how Anwar looks good. Pak Lah should just dig out the archive.
Anwar is not the Prime Minister. He can make all kinds of promises just to garner support from all quarters.
It was Anwar who inculcated Islamic values in the government. He's the one who encouraged tudung wearing in government departments.
And now, the secular DAP and the Islamic PAS together with PKR formed a coalition called the Pakatan Rakyat (PR). I think, it's just a marriage of convenience.
Remember, PAS and Umno top guns met right after the general elections. Although PAS is an Islamic party, it's still very much a Malay-based party. They were having dialogues about the future of Malays.
How does Anwar intends to balance the demands of DAP and PAS when he becomes the PM? PAS has always wanted an Islamic state. But Anwar denied that saying that PAS wants the Muslims to be allowed to practise Islam. Errr....like they're not allowed to do that all these while?
Last month, after Anwar won the Permatang Pauh by-election, he was interviewed by Al-Jazeera on East 101. He was asked how he's going to balance the demands of the secular DAP and the Islamic PAS and that there might be some tension. Anwar said, definitely there will be tensions. If there's no tension, life would be dull.
And you want Anwar to be our PM? He likes tensions. He likes havoc. He likes street demonstations. He loves drama.
In 1987, Anwar defended the "Ops Lalang" where many personalities from DAP, PAS, Umno and MCA were arrested under the Internal Security Act (ISA). I really hate racial tensions but remember, Anwar was the Education Minister then and it has something to do with the Chinese school controversy.
When Selangor senior state exco, Teresa Kok was arrested under ISA, Anwar urged for her release. What a hypocrite Anwar is?
Nelson Mandela was jailed for many years under the apartheid regime in South Africa. When he was released, it was his country he fought for and not for a position. But when Anwar, was released, all he do is to seek revenge.
I know we all want change. So, did the people of Iran. They were so oppressed under the rule of Shah Reza Pahlavi and wanted change, they got the Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini to topple the royal ruler. Then, they had to suffer with the Ayatollah fanatic Islamic shiite rule and bilateral trade became practically non-existant.
In Poland, Lech Walesa, a charismatic orator like Anwar, brought "change" the Polish want. But Walesa could not manage the country as well as he claim to move the country forward.
Anwar wants to seize power through the backdoor. Think about it. Is it proper?
So, be careful what you're wishing for.
He said, he has the numbers but I know he doesn't have enough to takeover the government away from Barisan Nasional (BN). He doesn't even have a shadow cabinet yet. It's just another ploy of his.
He's just playing a game with the current leader. He wants the focus to be on him. And he's wasting the people's time for his own personal agenda. A trader in Penang was so fed up with Anwar's antic that he lodged a police report saying that he caused fear among the people.
Yes, we don't have a strong leader and Pak Lah should step down. But Anwar is not going to make the situation better. However, I understand that the people wants change so badly. It's not because they love Anwar more, but they love BN less.
If Anwar becomes the prime minister, we'll be aligned with the U.S. Do we want to be told by the U.S what to do? We want to be friendly with the U.S but we don't want our friend to be telling us what to do. We don't want to be like the Philippines during Ferninand Marcos' rule. We also don't want to be like Indonesia when they were taking orders from the U.S. What happens when the U.S pulls the carpet under your feet? You'll fall flat on your face.
Do we really want to rush to make Anwar the prime minister just because we're not happy with Pak Lah?
During the regional economic crisis in 1997, Anwar wanted to take the rescue package offered by the Internatioanl Monetary Fund (IMF). Former Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamed was very against it because he doesn't want us to suffer like Mexico. Mexico went through an economic crisis and took the IMF offer. Even when their economy recovered, its people are still paying through their nose. So, they never really get to enjoy the country's economic prosperity.
Anwar was the one who opposed former Prime Minister Tun Razak Hussein when he wanted to establish Petronas. He said, it's too expensive for the government to invest in oil exploration. Today, we're a net petroleum exporter. And Anwar wants to reduce the price of oil when he becomes the prime minister. How? The price of oil was increasing and so does the cost of oil exploration when you're not guaranteed of oil discovery when you drill. He's not the prime minister. That's why he can make this promise.
When Anwar was the Education Minister, he refused to table the bill to protect the vernacular schools.
It was Anwar, even as an ordinary minister then, who put his cronies in the media. He was the one who was controlling the media and not Mahathir.
He also awarded contracts to his cronies, mostly from his alma mater, the Malay College Kuala Kangsar (MCKK) and made them instant millionaires. Now, to gain popularity among the non-Malays, he's suggesting that the National Economic Policy (NEP) to be dismantled. But is this his top priority? Anwar cannot commit.
Remember when Mahathir said Anwar was enriching his cronies? Anwar challenged Mahathir to release the list. Mahathir published the list in the papers the very next day. Pak Lah also made the same claim. But when challenged, he did not make the list public. That's how Anwar looks good. Pak Lah should just dig out the archive.
Anwar is not the Prime Minister. He can make all kinds of promises just to garner support from all quarters.
It was Anwar who inculcated Islamic values in the government. He's the one who encouraged tudung wearing in government departments.
And now, the secular DAP and the Islamic PAS together with PKR formed a coalition called the Pakatan Rakyat (PR). I think, it's just a marriage of convenience.
Remember, PAS and Umno top guns met right after the general elections. Although PAS is an Islamic party, it's still very much a Malay-based party. They were having dialogues about the future of Malays.
How does Anwar intends to balance the demands of DAP and PAS when he becomes the PM? PAS has always wanted an Islamic state. But Anwar denied that saying that PAS wants the Muslims to be allowed to practise Islam. Errr....like they're not allowed to do that all these while?
Last month, after Anwar won the Permatang Pauh by-election, he was interviewed by Al-Jazeera on East 101. He was asked how he's going to balance the demands of the secular DAP and the Islamic PAS and that there might be some tension. Anwar said, definitely there will be tensions. If there's no tension, life would be dull.
And you want Anwar to be our PM? He likes tensions. He likes havoc. He likes street demonstations. He loves drama.
In 1987, Anwar defended the "Ops Lalang" where many personalities from DAP, PAS, Umno and MCA were arrested under the Internal Security Act (ISA). I really hate racial tensions but remember, Anwar was the Education Minister then and it has something to do with the Chinese school controversy.
When Selangor senior state exco, Teresa Kok was arrested under ISA, Anwar urged for her release. What a hypocrite Anwar is?
Nelson Mandela was jailed for many years under the apartheid regime in South Africa. When he was released, it was his country he fought for and not for a position. But when Anwar, was released, all he do is to seek revenge.
I know we all want change. So, did the people of Iran. They were so oppressed under the rule of Shah Reza Pahlavi and wanted change, they got the Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini to topple the royal ruler. Then, they had to suffer with the Ayatollah fanatic Islamic shiite rule and bilateral trade became practically non-existant.
In Poland, Lech Walesa, a charismatic orator like Anwar, brought "change" the Polish want. But Walesa could not manage the country as well as he claim to move the country forward.
Anwar wants to seize power through the backdoor. Think about it. Is it proper?
So, be careful what you're wishing for.
No weekend break
The new Finance Minister, Najib Tun Razak is busy working this weekend. He has asked all the agencies under the Ministry of Finance to give him briefings today (21 September) and tomorrow.
Apparently, some projects worth hundreds of millions of ringgit which was rejected by the Economic Planning Unit (EPU) and other relevant agencies but was given the greenlight by an invisible hand, have to be put on hold now that Najib is in charge. The agencies find the projects were not feasible.
It seems, Najib will not agree to those projects which would benefit only certain people with strong cable to some people in power.
Najib will have to watch his back.
Apparently, some projects worth hundreds of millions of ringgit which was rejected by the Economic Planning Unit (EPU) and other relevant agencies but was given the greenlight by an invisible hand, have to be put on hold now that Najib is in charge. The agencies find the projects were not feasible.
It seems, Najib will not agree to those projects which would benefit only certain people with strong cable to some people in power.
Najib will have to watch his back.
Sunday, 21 September 2008
He's staying
Pak Lah is staying put. He's not leaving sooner than 2010 as speculated by some. Some even said that it could be as early as 9 October. That is an utter rubbish because it's only a date when Umno division meetings will convene.
In July when Pak Lah announced the transfer of power to his deputy, Najib Tun Razak in 2010, he said that it would give them both sometime to complete various projects and programmes which they've planned together.
However, last Thursday, Pak Lah handover the finance portfolio to Najib while he takes over the Defence Ministry from his deputy.
My first take, the warning made by Malaysian Armed Forces chief, General Abdul Aziz Zainal about the racial issues sparked by the then Bukit Bendera's Umno division chief, Ahmad Ismail may have sent jitters to Pak Lah. Is he afraid of military coup if he did not take it over from Najib?
It is very rare for an armed forces chief to make a remark in relation to the country's political situation. We have never been under a military rule. It was something of concern when Aziz made that remark. But he assured us that the armed forces will remain apolitical.
In July when Pak Lah announced the transfer of power to his deputy, Najib Tun Razak in 2010, he said that it would give them both sometime to complete various projects and programmes which they've planned together.
However, last Thursday, Pak Lah handover the finance portfolio to Najib while he takes over the Defence Ministry from his deputy.
My first take, the warning made by Malaysian Armed Forces chief, General Abdul Aziz Zainal about the racial issues sparked by the then Bukit Bendera's Umno division chief, Ahmad Ismail may have sent jitters to Pak Lah. Is he afraid of military coup if he did not take it over from Najib?
It is very rare for an armed forces chief to make a remark in relation to the country's political situation. We have never been under a military rule. It was something of concern when Aziz made that remark. But he assured us that the armed forces will remain apolitical.
But then Pak Lah also said, he will leave office with a sound economy so that Najib will not have any problems.
Now that the world economy is looking gloomy, the finance portfolio is handed over to Najib. Why? So that Najib can be blamed if our economy slides down? Is this the kind of leader we want? When the going gets rough, he just finds a scapegoat?
I can only hope that the people in Umno can just forget about giving Pak Lah the nominations to contest for the top post this December. That is the only way to get him to step down.
After all, despite the transition plan, Najib has said that it should be decided by the Umno delegates when they start their division meets from 9 October.
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)
