Real Empowerment

His Highness says....

Raja Nazrin: Five ways to empower the people

KUALA LUMPUR: The world financial crisis could worsen the divide between rich and poor in Asia, and pose the greatest challenge to the continent, Raja Muda of Perak Raja Nazrin Shah said.

"The single biggest challenge, the dividing line on which its future hinges, is preventing the great global economic crisis from precipitating the great Asian social crisis," he said in his address at the 21st Lawasia Conference 2008, themed "Challenging Asia", at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre yesterday.

The global financial system, he said, had been severely weakened by mounting losses in impaired and illiquid assets, uncertainty regarding the availability and cost of funding, as well as unwillingness to extend new credit to the wider segments of economy.

"Market confidence has dwindled, leading to the collapse of key financial institutions, which in turn has necessitated wide-scale public intervention and cross-border cooperation to support a more orderly deleveraging process, while minimising the potential risk to global economic growth."

He said it was time for cool heads, steady hands, pragmatism and decisiveness to critically determine the collective security and stability of our people for decades to come, as some were paying the price for the excesses of a few.
Global trade, Raja Nazrin said, created economic growth and a vastly wealthier society, which opened up an unprecedented consumerist hunger.

"Riding on this growth, we have seen new economic powers emerge in just the space of a generation. Nations like China and India stand pounding at the door of the West, wanting a voice, a presence, and recognition of their culture and their values."

Sadly, Raja Nazrin said, they had also engendered an impoverished and disenchanted society.

"It cannot be taken for granted for a building block can very easily become a stumbling block. Diversity is only strength if the unity of the whole, and not the differences, are being emphasised.

"An Asia that degenerates into modern-day tribalism and infighting will pose a danger to itself and to others and this must be avoided at all costs."

Raja Nazrin said it was necessary to hold firmly to the principle of inclusiveness so that no segment of society was disrespected, discredited, disenfranchised, unrecognised or unwanted, causing alienation and hostility.

He said there was no better way to express inclusiveness than through empowerment, which provided opportunities for those who did not walk the corridors of power and who had little say.

"We cannot morally turn our backs on the fundamental responsibility of ensuring that all stakeholders in our society, no matter how small or seemingly insignificant, have a place under the sun."

Raja Nazrin listed five sources of empowerment.

The first is to strengthen the rule of law which has the capacity to unite and enfranchise the people of Asia.

The second is greater political participation -- to convert residents into citizens and citizens into stakeholders so that there will be the widest sense of ownership of problems and challenges.

Third is reform of societal "software", consisting of its values and beliefs.

A fourth source of empowerment is information and communications technology which has shortened distances through the Internet and mobile phone, and has radically and dramatically changed lifestyles, leisure and business.

Fifth is education that breaks the chains of oppressive traditions and extremism, paves the way for many to find their way out of poverty, sharpen their competitive edge and share information and knowledge across borders.

Source : http://www.nst.com.my/Current_News/NST/Friday/National/2389513/Article/index_html

The extremist that is Zulkifli Nordin

My say...

This MP for Kulim Bandar Baru is getting into his sickening act again. He first gain prominence when he led a group of Islamists to barge into the Bar Council-led convention that aims to spell out the procedure of conversion from Islam.

Zulkifli defended himself against his outburst as well as his aggression stating that he is answerable only to Allah. If that is the reason, this writer wonders why he serves in PKR. He should be better of being a cleric. Secondly, he took a swipe at MCA for their claim of a deputy Prime Minister post for the non-Malay community. He got it wrong in that it is not a swipe against Islam but matter of politics. He indeed does not know his history since the collaboration between all the races when Malaya won independence. He is also showing hypocrisy and a Ketuanan Melayu trend. He said it is ok for non-Bumi to convert but came down hard against the other way around. Yes, the law is against apostasy, but when it is already determined by the courts, Zulkifli should respect the rule of law. For his information, all Malaysians respect the position of Islam as the national religion in spite and despite his arrogance.

Although you may admire his fervency for Islam, in truth he is close to being a militant in his championing for Islam. As far as many Malaysians are concerned, if the ISA is to be applied, it is long time coming for Zulkifli! In today's Star article, we have another idiot named Tian Chua, PKR's information chief, defending him by stating that their stance is in line of Islamic principles. Probably Tian Chua forgot that he is no expert in matters pertaining to teachings of Islam and he sticks out like a sore thumb. All Tian Chua has done is to show that PKR is leaning towards left-wing stance as well as condoning it. Anyway, Tian Chua needs to continue lying to staying relevant to his party since being exposed by his party boss against his non-existence claims (read my previous posting titled "Shooting their mouths?" dated 26 September, 2008). Tian Chua is doing a good job making a fool for himself and he is certainly no representative of the Chinese in the PKR fold. Most Chinese knew Anwar Ibrahim put him there as he is no threat to him, unlike the troublesome DAP, who refuses to be Anwar's lap dog in most instances.

The writer of the New Straits Times newspaper got it right :

Zulkifli Nordin (PKR-Kulim Bandar Baru) once again showed a streak of
intolerance towards other views when he railed against those who he claimed
"belittled Islam", "challenged Malay rights" or even the use of the Jawi script
on road signs.
(Source : NST, Friday, October 24, 2008, p.17)


If Anwar wanted to gain the Federal Government on a multiracial platform, he will do well to keep this firebrand as well as the other Chinese clown in check.

Going for broke?

My say....

Now that Sharizat Abdul Jalil is securing a lot of nominations to contest for the UMNO Wanita chief's post, she is saying that she will probably consider it, according to today's Star newspaper. Previously, she has been steadfast in her stance not to challenge for the top post of the UMNO Wanita wing.

This writer is of the opinion that Sharizat will change this to a zero-sum game if ever she reconsiders her decision not to defend her deputy's post and go for broke by contesting the chief's position. A few things will go against her in the long run.

Firstly, she will set the precedent of disloyalty in that status quo agreed upon are not to be respected. This in turn will cause all incumbents to be constantly watching their back because whatever agreed upon need not be honored. It lays the foundation for distrust.

Secondly, she will show the world that she is in a hurry to gain the Wanita wing. Afterall, Rafidah Aziz has really earned her stripes and do allow her to exit the political stage in dignity. Sharizat will do well to learn from Anwar Ibrahim's mistake on how he admittedly failed as a politician because he was a deputy in a hurry. Anwar failed as a result of undue pressure from his supporters. He is still left counting the cost til today!

Thirdly, it is only a matter of months to go. Rafidah had already said that she will leave in June next year. Sharizat has already been a loyal deputy thus far, so why not just wait a little longer? She will get the Wanita chief post eventually.

Fourthly, she will cause dissension within the ranks if she goes for it now. In the long run, these actions may be translated to bad blood to the whole Wanita wing between her supporters and that of Rafidah's loyalists. She will inherit not a united Wanita wing, but one rife with dissensions.

Fifthly, she should consolidate her current position now and earn all Wanita wing's loyalty and support. She will need all the Wanita's support to gain back her position as an MP as well as a shoo-in Cabinet Minister post if she regains her MP position. She is not an MP currently, and will be well-advised to concentrate on gaining an MP post first.

Lastly, she is reminded to look at the overall picture. Barisan is now at its lowest ebb. To cause strife now may not be the best in the overall survival for the coalition if they are showing a disunited front.

Its a tough choice between going for it or staying her hand to defend her current deputy position. She should weigh her decision carefully.

Jalan Alor fiasco

My say...

The latest exercise to rename Jalan Alor to Jalan Kejora has not gone down well with Malaysians. As if to continue to patronize, City Hall deputy director-general Mohd Amin Nordin Abdul Aziz is quoted that this will be the last name change. To defend their erroneous decision, they are throwing every explanations possible to defend their renaming of the famous street.

They said that firstly, the name change was done by a selected committee which consists of expert representation by Dewan Bahasa Dan Pustaka, Pos Malaysia, National Archive, NGOs and various government agencies. More pertinently, are the people residing there consulted in the first place? Do they know that changing their addresses in their National Identity card is very tedious and time consuming? Businesses will have to change their business names, when some of the names are already of household repute! Postal address changes always have far-reaching negative consequences than ever with unwarranted late or non-delivery? Tourists themselves are bewildered as to the reason on the change when if it is a landmark name. Knowing a famous name also helps them get around in our ever unreliable taxi operators. Even Federal Territories Minister, Zulhasnan Rafique is left scratching his head as to why this happened. So does it mean a total representation?

Secondly, if it was a number or English names, the changes would have been acceptable. But it is not! This is Jalan Alor and not Jalan Gurney. These experts might as well consider changing the name of the capital of the state of Kedah. Kejora Setar may have a better ring to it in light of what they are doing.

Thirdly, Mohd Amin mentioned that if one person objects to the changing of a name, they will not continue with it. Many Malaysians have already complaint and written in to the media to voice their grouses. So why the hard-nosed decision to continue with the changing of the name?

It is quoted as rebranding. This writer does not see any rebranding experts consulted in this process. We only have academia big-wigs in the Majlis Tindakan Negara doing what they do best without considering the the feeling of those affected there. Any form of losing identity and livelihood is probably ignored.

Fourthly, if we have a lot of money for the exercise, then go ahead by all means. The country is facing a likely recession and now we have so-called experts going around changing names for the sake of name-changing as if their duties, lives or reputation depended on it.

Lastly, if the place is filthy, it really has nothing to do with name-changing exercise. Be focus and spent the relevant money on cleaning up filth and not changing names of well known streets in a laissez-faire conduct. Mind you, this is not an academic exercise!

The Federal Territories Minister will do well to remember that grouses of people is translated to lost votes in the next election. This futile exercise is but a platform towards that. As for the committee in the Majlis Tindakan Negara, they might as well call a goat a horse as far as Malaysians are concerned.

See front page of "Streets pullout" - NST, Oct 23, 2008

No longer in a hurry eh?

Malaysia Insider says.....

Anwar no longer in a hurry to take power

By Shannon Teoh

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 23 — Pakatan Rakyat is not in a hurry anymore to take over the federal government, according to opposition leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.

Amid rising confidence from the Barisan Nasional that the takeover threat from PR is diminishing, Anwar said he would not focus on the element of surprise in the attempt to take power.

“We are not in a terrible hurry. In the current economic downturn we want to engage the government to take the right measures,” Anwar said.

“We are exploring the possibilities with respect to the constitutional process. We are working on it and we need the element of surprise,” he said to explain a lack of any further details.

Anwar, who has missed several deadlines to unseat the government, said in an interview with Bloomberg yesterday that he is running out of options to replace the ruling coalition.

Seven months after reducing the Barisan Nasional’s majority in Parliament in the March general election, he has failed to get BN lawmakers to cross over to the opposition and to table a vote of no confidence in Parliament against Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi.

The premier's response has been to accelerate a power handover to his deputy Datuk Seri Najib Razak, according to Bloomberg.

“I’m not saying we have no options left, but I’m saying it’s getting to be much more difficult,” Anwar said in the interview.

However, the former Deputy Prime Minister today rejected the idea that BN was re-establishing itself with the promise of Najib’s leadership after the Umno party polls in March.

“What makes you think they are more supportive of Najib than Abdullah?” was Anwar’s retort.

“To suggest Najib has consolidated his position is an exaggeration. Maybe within Umno but not BN and certainly not with the rakyat.

“This is the first time in history that a Prime Minister-designate is being hounded and haunted by such serious allegations which have gone unanswered.”

Najib has spent the past week fighting off a series of allegations, from his alleged involvement in the Altantuya Shaariibuu murder trial to improprieties in the proposed procurement of helicopters for the Malaysian Armed Forces.

Source : http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/index.php/malaysia/11043-anwar-no-longer-in-a-hurry-to-take-power

Well, he is losing grip and he doesn't want to admit it!

Verdict : Liar Liar!

Against money politics?

My say....

If UMNO or MCA for that matter really wants to see off money politics, it is advisable that all government contracts are scrutinized and open for tender. For MCA, this writer recalled once that a certain 28 year old Ling Hee Leong, the son of a former MCA president, claimed that he gained four public-listed company on his own merit then. Such utter nonsence.

What is currently the situation is that a lot of government contracts are given due to patronage as well as proxy system. Most tenders are already pre-determined in most cases as far as common sense will tell you. This in turn made those who "won" the contracts to be owing "favors" back to the benefactors. This so-called "open secret" is largely what the rakyat already knows. We can see that when senior government officers and leaders retire, they are immediately promoted to directors, CEOs or even advisors of these conglomerates. Of course, that is for the purpose of having "cable" back to the government for future references and contracts. All these eventually turned into a vicious cycle because the system is self-perpetuating and self feeding on itself. Money, it seems, is the oil that turns the wheel of this patronage and proxy system. Today, most wants to go into politics not to serve, but to enrich themselves.

This can be largely done away with easily with public scrutiny. All tenders are to be published for a certain amount of time and allowed to be challenged legally. Let the best offers or tenderer get their rightful claim. For too long we have RM2 companies holding on to multi-million ringgit projects to the detriment of our economy (with NPLs and what not) and real developments. The way for a level playing field will be cleared. Then for once we have the hope of doing away with money politics.

More readings :

http://blog.limkitsiang.com/2008/02/23/ling-hee-leong-what-has-happened-to-my-11-year-old-aca-report-over-his-rm12-billion-corporate-wealth/

http://www.mysinchew.com/node/6861?tid=14

The attacks are getting stronger against Khairy

Their say....

2008/10/19

'Detain Khairy under ISA'

By : Eileen Ng and David Yeow

KUALA LUMPUR: A Perak MCA Youth delegate who had called for Umno Youth deputy chief Khairy Jamaluddin to be detained under the Internal Security Act for making racist statements is sticking to his guns.

Ting Tai Fook said he was only voicing what people had been saying about Khairy.

"Am I afraid he will take action against me, seeing how well-connected he is?

"I think he doesn't have a case against me, since what I said is nothing new," he said.

Ting also believed MCA Youth would back him up.
At the MCA Youth assembly on Friday, Ting called Khairy a "political loser" who should be booked under the ISA.

He also wanted former Umno Bukit Bendera division chief Datuk Ahmad Ismail to be held under the same act for describing Malaysian Chinese as pendatang (squatters).

He expressed disappointment with the detentions of Sin Chew Daily reporter Tan Hoon Cheng and Seputeh MP Teresa Kok, whom he claimed had done nothing offensive.

"However, people like Khairy and Ahmad can talk all they want and no action was taken against them.

"If we want to use the ISA, let's use it against these people first. Lock them up for two years, let them think through everything they say so they can realise how nonsensical and narrow-minded they are."



Ting said he was opposed to the ISA, which "should be thoroughly reviewed and measures put into place to avoid any abuse".

He said it was incomprehensible for Khairy to question the ratio of government scholarships for Bumiputeras and non-Bumiputeras.

"Already our gifted students are being turned away from many public universities. So, how could he question the scholarship quota?"

Ting said he believed Khairy would lose the race for the Umno Youth chief post at the party's elections in March.

"I believe this irresponsible leader will su dao tuo ku (be badly defeated) at the Umno elections.

"That will be the ultimate embarrassment for him, to see that he is rejected even by his own people.

"After that, may we never hear from such a political loser again."



Source : http://www.nst.com.my/Current_News/NST/Sunday/National/2379611/Article/index_html

Mukhriz Mahathir versus Khairy Jamaluddin

My say....

Now that his father-in-law has stated that he does not intend to defend his presidential post, Khairy Jamaludin could be left in a lurch. He was never popular with the UMNO Youth and that he ascended to the deputy Youth post on the strength of his father-in-law's name is obvious. Mahathir Mohamed claimed that many Youth aspirants' "kaki telah diikat" when the last Youth nominations was on-going. Many still sees him as having all the trapping of a spoilt brat although he will still obtain some nominations out of gratuity for his father-in-law's patronage or even his own largesse during his tenure in the Youth ranks.

It now seems a mountain to climb to win the Youth post for Khairy. He faces Mukhriz Mahathir who is also the writer's choice of winning the Youth race! What made Mukhriz popular is not that he is the son of the former strongman PM, but indeed he has his own stance. He did not leave UMNO even when his dad left in a huff. Mukhriz has claimed that he will not seek any cabinet post should he win, because he wanted to concentrate his energy on rebuilding and rebranding the UMNO Youth. Mukhriz is focused in tackling the immediate issues at hand. Not only that, he is also eloquent and humble, something that cannot be said about Khairy. Khairy's manisfesto states that he wanted unity and friendship, but with whom? Maybe to the ones whose toes he has stepped on? Mukhriz's stand actually resonates well with many members of the Youth as well as the senior party. Youth support, if one remembers, is actually lost ever since the sacking of Anwar Ibrahim and never fully restored. Because of this, many educated Malays have since thrown their weight behind the opposition and their skills against all things government. Witness the explosion of anti-government bloggings!

Yes it will be Mukhriz versus Khairy. No offense to Khir Toyo, but he has lost his seat in parliament and the Selangor state to the opposition, so his words no longer holds weight to many. Go for it Mukhriz! As for Khairy without his father-in-law in power, he will be, well, who? For once the tide is turning to a level playing field and lets see how this guy fares against opponents whose "kaki tidak diikat". It is believed he will fade into memory since he no longer has his father-in-law's backing after this election. Good riddance!

The call for MCA's own deputy Barisan Chairman

My say....

When Liow Tiong Lai suggested that MCA has its own deputy Chairman in the Barisan coalition, this writer was initially all for it. In his thought, it is only a rightful reflection of the seniority of the party that is MCA.

But after much deliberation and thoughts, it now seems an unlikely good idea. Firstly, in typical Youth euphoria, he mentioned it much to the muse and guise for other senior MCA leaders to get a feel of what the other Barisan partners feel. This is how the Youth of any political party would be used to gauge the feelings of their partners without getting "too" involved.

Secondly, in light of mentioning in front of other coalition partners, it does not show much respect to the other parties too. MIC for example, has been a senior partner during the Alliance days too, although not a long as the MCA-UMNO partnership, albeit a few months late. They too deserved such a position as without the Indian support too, it is unlikely that the British would take heed for considering independence to Malaya. The Indians then, as it is now, were also the third largest community and held high ranking positions within the British empire.

Thirdly, one must not forget that Barisan was formed as extended coalition to include other political parties like Gerakan, PPP, PAS etc from the original Alliance. That UMNO is to helm the government is never in question being the largest single component party in the Barisan group as well as the one garnering most support in Parliament. This loose formation has the top two persons from UMNO to meet the leadership succession plan only. For all intent and purposes, it was simply a hierarchial show. It was to ensure continuity as well as stability within Barisan. It was never meant to be a challenge to political leadership change for the coalition. So, there is no need to make it a political circus there.

Fourthly, and most important, MCA did not do well in the last election. If not for UMNO holding the fort, generally speaking, the coalition would be sitting in the opposition bench now. Most of UMNO senior guys have been returned to Parliament. Yes, it took collective effort by all, but if gauging by each parties' performance in the last election, MCA does not have much to shout about then! It is good that Ong Ka Ting took full responsibility to salvage some pride for the second-largest political party in the coalition.

As much as it hurts the writer as a Chinese to rebutt, but just claiming a deputy Barisan Chairman post on mere strength of old ties is not warranted. That UMNO is still magnanimous to hold to the concept of power sharing is actually restoring the faith of this writer that all will be well when the Pakatan Rakyat bluff is finally called.

That Tiong Lai is the current blue-eye boy in MCA is not a doubt. He will win the vice president race easily. But he will do well to remember to drop the tirade being an ex-Youth chief if he wants to serve in the more senior ranks in MCA. Yes, Youth has its position, but its role is just that: challenging norms and nothing else!

Bapa Kemiskinan?

My say....

Now that crude oil price is hovering around the USD70 per barrel mark, it is not only proper that the price of fuel goes down, but all other prices in general as well.

The inflation of price started when suppliers said that the cost of transportation, as rightly so then, goes up. But when the price of fuel goes down, all things still remains status quo. This should not be. The Ministry of Domestic Trade and Consumer affair needs to come down hard on these unscrupulous people who is taking the rakyat's woes for granted. Mind you, the purchasing power essentially did not go up in tandem then as it is now. This writer would suggest that the same Ministry could come up with a list of prices for all essential goods first, very much like the car price listings we see in the printed media often. The list could then further expanded to non-essential ones on a later date. This needs to be done quickly.

We may allow market forces to take its place, as many thought so, but it must be remembered the inflation came about with ,for lack of a better word, the manupilation of fuel pricing by the government in the first place. This writer is not blaming the government for rising the price in the first place due to the global trend then, but the current pricing of goods, both essential and non-essential, are now deemed excessive.

Pak Lah has been blamed by many quarters for allowing prices to go up but not down, even though he did plead for it so recently. Mind you, the rakyat's misery was what caused the support of the Barisan coalition to plummet in the first place. If he ever leaves any legacy, then the very least is to see this terrible "injustice" corrected for the rakyat. That would probably be the real catalyst for all other reforms to follow as promised; with rightful backing of the rakyat. In the streets, many said he may be called "Bapa Kemiskinan" after he leaves office. The writer sincerely hopes this is not so.

Our Earth is getting warmer

Their say...

Report says Arctic temperatures at record high

By RANDOLPH E. SCHMID, Associated Press Science Writer – Thu Oct 16, 3:24 pm ET

WASHINGTON – Autumn temperatures in the Arctic are at record levels, the Arctic Ocean is getting warmer and less salty as sea ice melts, and reindeer herds appear to be declining, researchers reported Thursday.

"Obviously, the planet is interconnected, so what happens in the Arctic does matter" to the rest of the world, Jackie Richter-Menge of the Cold Regions Research and Engineering Laboratory in Hanover, N.H., said in releasing the third annual Arctic Report Card.

The report, compiled by 46 scientists from 10 countries, looks at a variety of conditions in the Arctic.

The region has long been expected to be among the first areas to show impacts from global warming, which the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change says is largely a result of human activities adding carbon dioxide and other gases to the atmosphere.

"Changes in the Arctic show a domino effect from multiple causes more clearly than in other regions," said James Overland, an oceanographer at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Pacific Marine Environmental Laboratory in Seattle. "It's a sensitive system and often reflects changes in relatively fast and dramatic ways."

For example, autumn air temperatures in the Arctic are at a record 9 degrees Fahrenheit (5 Celsius) above normal.

The report noted that 2007 was the warmest year on record the Arctic, leading to a record loss of sea ice. This year's sea ice melt was second only to 2007.

Source : http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20081016/ap_on_sc/sci_state_of_the_arctic

Deforestation in Malacca forest reserve

My say....

The de-forestation of Malacca Botanical Park in Ayer Keroh really sums up the mentality of the Malaysian government. Their indifferent attitude really is a cause of concern for arresting the global warming situation. In the name of giving out projects to the local bumiputera companies, a more pragmatic and wholistic stance needs to be approached with regards to preserving our natural green lungs and habitats. What was a forest reserve area are to be, indeed, reserved for future generation. Yes, the government is good in keeping tabs of our oil reserves, but they sing a different tune with regards to Mother Earth's own backyard and healing compound.

Does the government know that oxygen produced by the forests and greens are liken to the air-conditioning of the globe? Without the trees producing the natural air-conditioning, we are now stuck in this rut of global warming. As more trees fell, so will the depletion of the oxygen level that regenerates and heal the cracked ozone layer. Scientists today are warning that their prediction of global warming has reached epic proportion level faster than what they have anticipated.

On a short note, a visiting Japanese professor told me that for every plot of housing lands, he estimates that the natural forest surrounding needs to be at least four to five times the same size of the similar housing plot to sustain the environment condition. What we have indeed today is exactly an opposite with more trees being felled to convert lands for housing purposes. What was mentioned in my earlier post about global warming is indeed true. We may have advanced in terms of civilization, but at the expense of Mother Earth itself. It will not be in the distance future when the destruction of all natural habitat is Man's greatest contribution back to God. Stop the damn de-forestation in the name of commerce!

Another confusing statement

His say.....

“Umno should not write off Abdullah as he received the people’s majority.

“It is not fair to pressure him to step down. It is not in our culture to pressure anyone into submission,” he said yesterday.

Karpal Singh denied he wanted Abdullah to remain in power instead of Najib to make it easier for the Opposition to make their move, saying, “our chances are not slimmer under Najib.”

Source : http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2008/10/4/nation/2191011&sec=nation


Anwar Ibrahim should take heed what his own members in the Pakatan coalition is saying.

I think Pakatan Rakyat better get back to the drawing board. Their leaders' conflicting remark are not helping the rakyat to see they are united much less capable of governing the country.

Excerpt from Star Article dated 1st Oct 2008

His say.....

DAP national chairman Kar­pal Singh said Hari Raya was a time for Muslims to extend forgiveness which could be a laun­ching pad for better and cordial relationship among Malay­sians irrespective of race or religion.

“We should resolve, in the spirit of Hari Raya Aidilfitri, to make greater efforts to once again get back to the position before May 13, 1969 when all races in the country had shown commendable resilience in forging unity despite our diversity,” he said.

Source : http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2008/10/1/nation/2165251&sec=nation

I liked his touch on the "position before May 13, 1969". The innocence was lost when the clamouring for power by political parties made racial sentiments the highlight of the day rather than Malaysia to progress as a whole.

To all fellow Muslims in Malaysia celebrating Hari Raya, I wish you peace, prosperity and pahla always. Selamat Hari Raya Aidilfitri!

Another alternative for government?

My say....

Although this may sound far fetched, Malaysians may need to move forward with absolute but collective Monarchy if the current politics fails to break the current deadlock between Barisan Nasional and Pakatan Rakyat two-government system! Yes, it may be a learning curve for such a young country like Malaysia, but in reality our politics after the General Election is really going no-where. The MPs it seems, are still relatively new to this idea of two-government system. Barisan has to learn about losing graciously whereas Pakatan needs to learn to be magnanimous in victory. For Barisan, accusations and finger-pointing among coalition member is the order of the day. They have even gone to the extreme of fanning racial tension in some cases. For Pakatan, being impatient and greedy for more power and ultimately the federal position when it is an unproven entity may not beckon well for them in the long run. To subscribe to betrayal of raykat's trust and party hopping will never justify it on moral and legitimate ground. Just ask the President of the Philippines, Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, even though she is a brilliant economist and administrator. One exception in this whole fiasco is PAS, who may have proven their maturity by focusing on their task at hand, especially in the Perak government model.

The original idea of democracy process as oppose to absolute Monarchy was to protect the rakyat in case of abuse and tyranny, but current political parties seem to be offering that on a silver platter to the rakyat daily. They have failed to listen and act with justice and authority! Our Federal Constitution is being made a mockery. Every fabric of racial unity is being torn to shreds. Witness the recent destruction of the Hindu temple in Ampang. Could there be a possible alternative for the whole political scenario, especially when it involves governing the country? Sultan Azlan Shah has shown the way with the Ragu case of obtaining his national registration identity card with one simple order! What has the MPs got to say if they cannot even help the rakyat who chose them?

Interesting Utusan Malaysia article dated 6th June 1969

Their Say....

The Utusan Malaysia newspaper report of 6 June 1969 reveals:

KUALA LUMPUR 5 June - Some leading members of UMNO's Supreme Council have voiced their support for the decision by MCA leadership to exclude themselves from the Cabinet. Among them are Tan Sri Syed Jaafar Albar, Dr. Mahathir bin Mohamad and Syed Nasir bin Ismail.

In a meeting with Utusan Malaysia, Tan Sri Syed Jaafar emphasised his disapproval of efforts made to ask MCA to re-enter the Cabinet.

"I do not agree with the way some Chinese chambers of commerce have stated their confidence and support of Tun Tan Siew Sin and their asking him to reconsider MCA's decision to withdraw from the Cabinet," he said.

According to him, the problem now was not the question of confidence towards Tun Tan Siew Sin as the MCA leader, but whether the Chinese supported the present policies of the Alliance.

"This is the matter that should be considered by these people who are making a big fuss about giving their support to Tun Tan Siew Sin today," he added.

Tan Sri Jaafar Albar also stated that the support given to Tun Tan Siew Sin by the Chinese Chambers of Commerce was not sufficient because support had to come from the majority of the Chinese population.

He stated that discussions about MCA's inclusion in the Cabinet should not be confined to the newspapers or to MCA alone because UMNO, as the backbone of the Alliance party, had not decided yet if MCA and MIC should be included in the Cabinet or if the Alliance should remain as it was then.

He said: "It is not only the duty of MCA to discuss this matter as if it is its own peculiar problem, but it should be the responsibility of all the Alliance leaders from the UMNO, MCA, and MIC."

However, he did not want to give his final views before the party met to discuss the matter.

Mahathir, who supported Tan Sri Syed Jaafar's statement, stressed that MCA leaders had to adhere to their earlier decision of not wanting to be included in the Cabinet.

He said that he agreed with the view of MCA leaders that they could not actually represent the people they claimed to represent.

According to Mahathir, the support given to Tun Tan Siew Sin by the Chinese chambers of commerce and other Chinese organisations could not be taken as support from the Chinese community as a whole to MCA because those organisations did not represent the desires of the Chinese community as a whole.

"If MCA wants to know whether they have the support of the Chinese, they have to wait for the next general election. Since this will take quite some time, it is no longer necessary for MCA to remain in the Cabinet," he emphasised.

Mahathir also said that MIC's position in the Cabinet should also be reconsidered.

Syed Nasir stressed that on the whole, the relationship between UMNO, MCA and MIC had to be reviewed to take in the changes which had taken place after the general elections.

"The people have expressed their needs and desires, and there is little point in pretending that the policies of the Alliance party are the best acceptable to them," he said.

In a Press Statement released by UMNO's Secretary General, Senu Abdul Rahman, reported by the Utusan Melayu newspaper on 6 June 1969, it said:

"Mahathir Mohamad ceases to be a member of the UMNO Supreme Council with effect from today, 12 July 1969.

This decision was taken following the wide distribution to the public of Mahathir's letter to Tunku Abdul Rahman, President of UMNO Malaysia.

Letters containing important matters should first be discussed by UMNO's Supreme Council, especially in view of the present situation in the country.

The action taken by Mahathir is seen to be in breach of the party's etiquette and is capable of damaging party solidarity and the government which the party supports."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Now that MCA and Gerakan have stepped up their demand, it is good to let history reminds them what is at stake then as it will be now! As per the Utusan Malaysia case, they must not allow history to repeat itself. They must ask that communal and racial politics be done away with. The Utusan Malaysia article may have just shown that in the current political situation, as in the past, is just a toss between the devil and the deep blue sea. Divisive politics is not needed!