The BN media and spin-meisters must surely feel like fools. Just last weekend, they rushed out to slam Umno's arch rival PKR for being a party devoid of issues and able only to slam the BN.
Some PKR Youth delegates even went to so far as to soul-search in public, voicing their concerns about their party's ability to grow and press on with the struggle for justice in Malaysia. They needn't haven't worried.
As for the Umno media, despite all their coordinated efforts to do a hatchet job on the PKR, they have once again been exposed to be purveyors of anything but the truth.
RELATED ARTICLE http://muslimmalaysia786.wordpress.com/2011/08/18/mca-chulia-street-prostitute-aka-penang-wanita-mca-chief-tan-cheng-liang/
When President Obama took office, the idealistic "Yes We Can" and "change" rhetoric of the campaign gave way to a far more pragmatic and centerist idea: "getting it done".
To counter their outsider image, he recalibrated his image to reassure insiders - bankers, generals and senior members of Congress. He reassured one and all, with middle-of-the-road appointments and revised rhetoric that said plainly they were in business to do business - to make whatever deals and compromises were required to "get it done".
If that meant letting the health care companies and their loyal political supplicants shape the reform he had promised, so be it.
If that meant showing the Pentagon that he was willing to kill bad guys with more bloodlust than theirs, he would do it with surges, drones and Seal Team 6 assassins.
Peace? Forget it.
(Datuk S. Nallakaruppan, bekas pengarah hal ehwal awam Magnum …. satu cubaan untuk memaksa bekas Pengarah Eksekutif Magnum Corporation … Kata Anwar: ”Bekas Ketua Polis Negara itu berkata orang ini lahir di Madras, Katanya: Lelaki India itu lahir di Madras, daripada miskin menjadi kaya …… bekas Pengarah Hal Ehwal Awam Magnum Corporation,
“He (Nallakaruppan) doesn’t have to reveal anything… We know who Nallakaruppan is,” PAS vice-president Datuk Dr Mahfuz Omar said.
Fifty years down the line, we have in the sub-continent Muslim … the form of collective hate, leading thousands of fanatic Sangh recruits to rape, plunder ….. 1980s, refer to the speeches made by Shiv Sena Supremo Bal Thackeray, recorded in the …. village level in Gujarat itself, to ‘infiltrate‘ schools of PAS
READMORE
Speechifying in Cairo made the headlines, but follow-up was rarely to be seen.
Ameliorating climate change? Yes, but not now or - shh - ever. What's a little smog among friends?
Interests, not issues, drive policy. And those interests are always defined by the self-interested.
Wars are moneymakers for contractors and companies, even as they drove up national debt. Label it "national security", and the critics go silent.
Wall Street was now represented by faithful alumni like Tim Geither and Larry Summers. Bush's Pentagon chief was back in the saddle.
Ameliorating climate change? Yes, but not now or - shh - ever. What's a little smog among friends?
Interests, not issues, drive policy. And those interests are always defined by the self-interested.
Wars are moneymakers for contractors and companies, even as they drove up national debt. Label it "national security", and the critics go silent.
Wall Street was now represented by faithful alumni like Tim Geither and Larry Summers. Bush's Pentagon chief was back in the saddle.
So, as Mr Obama became Mr President, an army of insiders were soon advising on how to "get it done" by placating this one, or benefiting that one.
How psychologically satisfying it must be to be cheered by people who took you at your word! They don't realise that the pretensions of office and political appearances always trump changes that could make enemies or take risks.
How psychologically satisfying it must be to be cheered by people who took you at your word! They don't realise that the pretensions of office and political appearances always trump changes that could make enemies or take risks.
Umno has reaffirmed that it is still a party that champions the Malays and as such it is important that the Malay political power be protected especially from attacks by the opposition who tried to create the perception that Umno is no longer capable of doing so.
Stressing the points in serious tone, Umno deputy president Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin said Umno had never surrendered to the pressure by the opposition parties which intended to "weaken every aspect of Umno's struggle to champion the Malay cause."
He said the Malays were getting increasingly uneasy following the large number of slanders levelled against Umno.
"Even in the crazy days of slander, our number one leader was not spared from by slanderous sparks. Even while performing the haj, he was distracted by slander factories working overtime to unleash the slanderous sparkles," Muhyiddin said when opening the simultaneous general assembly of the Umno Wanita, Youth and Puteri movements at the Dewan Merdeka, Putra World Trade Centre here Tuesday night.
He said Umno had recovered from the political tsunami of 2008, which had caused great concern among the Malays regarding their future, by taking a balance and wise approach so that the Malaysia remain strong while Islam was empowered.
While the Malays were troubled over their progress in the economic sector, Muhyiddin said the Barisan Nasional government led by Umno had unapologetically created the Bumiputera Agenda Supreme Council, the Unit Peneraju Agenda Bumiputera (Teraju), the Bumiputera Economic Transformation Programme, and the Rural Transformation Programme.
"All these are the continuation of efforts implemented by Umno all this while in the struggle to enhance the economic status of the Bumiputera," said Muhyiddin, who is also the deputy prime minister.
He said Umno leaders were also steadfast in defending the rights of the Malay and Bumiputera students who were qualified to receive scholarships and other educational subsidies from the government.
"And recently, we set up the Yayasan Peneraju Pendidikan Bumiputera to assist Bumiputera students in getting education funding. With a fund of RM500 million, we target 12,000 Malay and Bumiputera students to benefit from the foundation in the next five years," said Muhyiddin, who is also the education minister.
Muhyiddin subsequently criticised the opposition parties, describing the DAP as the most racist party, Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) as a ultraliberal party without moral consideration while PAS was willing to drop the struggle for an Islamic nation purely to avoid being criticised by the DAP.
"Now, we hear the DAP is actively trying to woo the Malays to join the party. They are offered positions in the party and promised to be selected as the party's candidates in the next general election," he added.
He described Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) as being in critical situation because almost all the founders of the party had left and supported Umno.
On PAS, Muhyiddin said the party, which was deeply committed on its agenda to set up an Islamic nation previously, had now forgotten this objective in its political dictionary.
He said for PAS, which was facing a new political landscape, the support of the DAP and PKR was more important that its principle to champion its own cause.
Excerpts Of Muhyiddin's Speech
KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 29 (Bernama) -- Herewith are excerpts of the speech by Deputy Prime Minister and Deputy Umno president Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin entitled "Championing the Nation's Survival: A Jihad" when he simultaneously launched the general assemblies of the party's Wanita, Puteri and Youth wings at the Putra World Trade Centre here today.
** Indeed, the Malay expectations of Umno are very high. As a party built on a strong resolve, Umno shoulders a heavy responsibility in defending the sanctity of the religion, dignity of the race and sovereignty of the country. Umno shoulders a million hopes and aspirations of the Malays, who want to see the Malays to be dignified, supreme and independent.
** All slanders against Umno are like fire destroying every bit of deeds contributed by Umno. Even in the crazy days of slander, our number one leader was not spared from by slanderous sparks. Even while performing the haj, he was distracted by slander factories working overtime to unleash the slanderous sparkles. To the honorable president, do not fret, do not be nervous, do not be depressed, do not fear. Continue the fight. Let's climb the mountain, let's descend the valley, let's swim the ocean together. La takhaf wa la tahzan innallaha ma'ana (Do not be afraid and neither should you be sad for Allah is certainly with us).
** In fact, the sparkles of slander that are being hurled and being spread widely are stoking sentiments of hatred. The objective of the malicious slanderers is very clear, that is to erode public confidence in the capability of the top Umno leadership and to destroy the dreams of the Malays for Umno. Their intention is nothing more than just to wrest political power.
** Subsequently, the Malays are asking, can the Malay political power be sustained if the opposition continue to make relentless attacks on Malay institutions? Can Umno continue to champion the rights of the Malays? Can Umno continue to fulfill the aspirations of the Malays? Or will Umno continue to be trapped in the political psychology of the 2008 post-tsunami which is causing concern among the Malays?
** Actually, the answers to these questions lie with us all. As Umno members, as Umno leaders, we are tasked with the heavy responsibility of continuing the Umno struggle in the interest of religion, race and country.
** The fact is, Umno has recovered from the crash of the 2008 tsunami. We have never relented to the political onslaughts of the opposition who intend to destroy each and every struggle by Umno to champion the cause of the Malays.
** Umno is certainly aware that to maintain stability, peace and harmony in the country, the reality of the political landscape of the multi-racial country must be preserved. Let us not sow the seeds of hatred between the races. Let us not throw insults against the religious beliefs of the other races. Let us not be prejudiced against the other cultures.
** The candidates are the party's weapons for victory. Let us give our full confidence to the top leadership to decide on this matter. What is important is that is that our candidates must be of calibre, knowledgeable, of high integrity, people-oriented, clean, sincere, trustworthy, of high morals and acceptable to the people. Let us accept the decision of the top leadership. Give our solid support to all our candidates. Mobilise our machinery to assist them.
** Let us defend the party with all our resources. Let us not retreat from the battle ground. Never surrender in the face of battle. Let us not bring shame to the party.
** Don't ever sabotage. Don't ever boycott. Let us avoid infighting. Don't drown our candidates. Do not shut down the operations room. Don't leave the country. Don't stab your friends. Don't ever do anything that can jeopardise the party's chances of winning in the election. Remember that, the election is a do-or-die battle. Remember that winning the election is not a personal victory but a victory for the party.
** As an organisation, Umno is not spared from any shortcomings and weaknesses. Umno is not an angel. We are appreciative and alert. We always strive to carry out changes and improve the weaknesses without sacrificing the principles of our struggle.
** In this struggle, Umno cannot be alone. Let us call upon all the Malays to join us in our struggle.
** The war drums have been sounded. We have planned our strategy. Let us rise! Let us fight! Go to all the 222 parliamentary constituencies and 576 state legislative assembly constituencies and 7,470 district polling centres. Don't leave out anything. We should not forget anything in our struggle. Woo every voter in every area. Remember, even one vote can decide our victory.
** Pay attention to the problems of the people. Feel their pulse. Listen to their woes and problems. Provide assistance to them. We are the eyes, ears and voice of the people. Of utmost importance, we must be responsible. We must discharge our moral responsibility as Umno warriors to assist the people.
** Indeed, the Malay expectations of Umno are very high. As a party built on a strong resolve, Umno shoulders a heavy responsibility in defending the sanctity of the religion, dignity of the race and sovereignty of the country. Umno shoulders a million hopes and aspirations of the Malays, who want to see the Malays to be dignified, supreme and independent.
** All slanders against Umno are like fire destroying every bit of deeds contributed by Umno. Even in the crazy days of slander, our number one leader was not spared from by slanderous sparks. Even while performing the haj, he was distracted by slander factories working overtime to unleash the slanderous sparkles. To the honorable president, do not fret, do not be nervous, do not be depressed, do not fear. Continue the fight. Let's climb the mountain, let's descend the valley, let's swim the ocean together. La takhaf wa la tahzan innallaha ma'ana (Do not be afraid and neither should you be sad for Allah is certainly with us).
** In fact, the sparkles of slander that are being hurled and being spread widely are stoking sentiments of hatred. The objective of the malicious slanderers is very clear, that is to erode public confidence in the capability of the top Umno leadership and to destroy the dreams of the Malays for Umno. Their intention is nothing more than just to wrest political power.
** Subsequently, the Malays are asking, can the Malay political power be sustained if the opposition continue to make relentless attacks on Malay institutions? Can Umno continue to champion the rights of the Malays? Can Umno continue to fulfill the aspirations of the Malays? Or will Umno continue to be trapped in the political psychology of the 2008 post-tsunami which is causing concern among the Malays?
** Actually, the answers to these questions lie with us all. As Umno members, as Umno leaders, we are tasked with the heavy responsibility of continuing the Umno struggle in the interest of religion, race and country.
** The fact is, Umno has recovered from the crash of the 2008 tsunami. We have never relented to the political onslaughts of the opposition who intend to destroy each and every struggle by Umno to champion the cause of the Malays.
** Umno is certainly aware that to maintain stability, peace and harmony in the country, the reality of the political landscape of the multi-racial country must be preserved. Let us not sow the seeds of hatred between the races. Let us not throw insults against the religious beliefs of the other races. Let us not be prejudiced against the other cultures.
** The candidates are the party's weapons for victory. Let us give our full confidence to the top leadership to decide on this matter. What is important is that is that our candidates must be of calibre, knowledgeable, of high integrity, people-oriented, clean, sincere, trustworthy, of high morals and acceptable to the people. Let us accept the decision of the top leadership. Give our solid support to all our candidates. Mobilise our machinery to assist them.
** Let us defend the party with all our resources. Let us not retreat from the battle ground. Never surrender in the face of battle. Let us not bring shame to the party.
** Don't ever sabotage. Don't ever boycott. Let us avoid infighting. Don't drown our candidates. Do not shut down the operations room. Don't leave the country. Don't stab your friends. Don't ever do anything that can jeopardise the party's chances of winning in the election. Remember that, the election is a do-or-die battle. Remember that winning the election is not a personal victory but a victory for the party.
** As an organisation, Umno is not spared from any shortcomings and weaknesses. Umno is not an angel. We are appreciative and alert. We always strive to carry out changes and improve the weaknesses without sacrificing the principles of our struggle.
** In this struggle, Umno cannot be alone. Let us call upon all the Malays to join us in our struggle.
** The war drums have been sounded. We have planned our strategy. Let us rise! Let us fight! Go to all the 222 parliamentary constituencies and 576 state legislative assembly constituencies and 7,470 district polling centres. Don't leave out anything. We should not forget anything in our struggle. Woo every voter in every area. Remember, even one vote can decide our victory.
** Pay attention to the problems of the people. Feel their pulse. Listen to their woes and problems. Provide assistance to them. We are the eyes, ears and voice of the people. Of utmost importance, we must be responsible. We must discharge our moral responsibility as Umno warriors to assist the people.
Re-election possible?
Even though he had been in the Senate for under four years, Obama fancied himself an expert on using charm, charisma and contracts to move a political process that was not only stalemated but also stuck.
This self-styled outsider soon shed one persona for another to become the consummate insider.
How else to "get it done"?
He relied on tough guys like Rahm Emanuel to handle Congress and appointed some Republicans to signal how bi-partisan he could be. He reached out across the aisle time and again, but in the eyes of some of his adversaries, he was an illegitimate evildoer of questionable American heritage, with a political agenda that was mad and Marxist.
They understood how to play to racial fears with code words, and turn the game of politics into a blame game.
No matter how far he would go in the direction of bailing out our businesses and selling out his core constituency, it was never far enough. Soon, there was little he could say or do to "get it done" in the way he envisaged.
By focusing on the affairs of state, he ignored his party and his base, and then blew the 2010 midterm elections.
Opening the door to the Tea Party and their handlers, who would rather blow things up than get anything done, made it so much harder to "get things done".
Not just harder, impossible.
How else to "get it done"?
He relied on tough guys like Rahm Emanuel to handle Congress and appointed some Republicans to signal how bi-partisan he could be. He reached out across the aisle time and again, but in the eyes of some of his adversaries, he was an illegitimate evildoer of questionable American heritage, with a political agenda that was mad and Marxist.
They understood how to play to racial fears with code words, and turn the game of politics into a blame game.
No matter how far he would go in the direction of bailing out our businesses and selling out his core constituency, it was never far enough. Soon, there was little he could say or do to "get it done" in the way he envisaged.
By focusing on the affairs of state, he ignored his party and his base, and then blew the 2010 midterm elections.
Opening the door to the Tea Party and their handlers, who would rather blow things up than get anything done, made it so much harder to "get things done".
Not just harder, impossible.
So what now? The political insiders believe that with all his failures, flaws and foibles, Obama can still be re-elected if he only makes fewer mistakes than his adversaries, who, in trying to please the far right, are alienating the public.
Obama positions himself as the adult in the room - the guy who tried to make progress in the face of unreasonable opposition and an economic crisis that was not his fault. Sure, he made some mistakes, his supporters admit, but he also prevented the depression that all the experts feared. (Where's the evidence for that?)
Hope is now off the agenda - the appeal is "I am not as bad as they are". And that may be true, but to think that Obama will emerge as some kind of FDR in a second term is an illusion.
Obama positions himself as the adult in the room - the guy who tried to make progress in the face of unreasonable opposition and an economic crisis that was not his fault. Sure, he made some mistakes, his supporters admit, but he also prevented the depression that all the experts feared. (Where's the evidence for that?)
Hope is now off the agenda - the appeal is "I am not as bad as they are". And that may be true, but to think that Obama will emerge as some kind of FDR in a second term is an illusion.
Occupy the mainstream
So where does that leave the Occupy movement, who are as critical of the Democrats as the Republicans? They know that song by the Who: "Won't Get Fooled Again".
They are talking about holding a political convention on July 4, 2012 - but given the history of third parties, that's not an encouraging prospect. Do we want another 1968, with a new Nixon winning as the opposition fragments?
So where does that leave the Occupy movement, who are as critical of the Democrats as the Republicans? They know that song by the Who: "Won't Get Fooled Again".
They are talking about holding a political convention on July 4, 2012 - but given the history of third parties, that's not an encouraging prospect. Do we want another 1968, with a new Nixon winning as the opposition fragments?
Occupy has to fight on terrains it has some experience with. It has to be careful not to get bum-rushed into a political race it can't win.
Millions of Americans are out of work. Millions more are losing homes or dealing with draconian debt burdens. Student debt is a problem on the scale of subprime mortgages.
To get anything "done", you need muscle - and that comes from building and sustaining a movement in the mainstream, not the margins.
Much of what Obama has "gotten done" is not what most activists really want: a prison-industrial system. More military adventures. Authorised assassinations. Few new regulations on Wall Street. No tax on financial transactions. Only a trickle of prosecutions of financial criminals.
The health care reform may not survive a Supreme Court decision. New jobs are not being created, and Obama is quickly moving from getting it done to devoting more time to his re-election campaign.
The financial system is unraveling in Europe, and enriching the .01 per cent here. No progress on the economic front.
The idea of more wars - whether in Africa or Iran - are not really popular, but that's never stopped imperial adventures before. They do create jobs, after all.
So in the end, the pragmatists have not delivered, and in this environment they cannot get much done.
The Washington Post published an article pronouncing Occupy Wall Street "over". It's up to the movement to prove them wrong with an "Occupy The Mainstream" strategy that uses media and direct action to reach out to a large and victimised constituency waiting for leadership and eager for change.
Millions of Americans are out of work. Millions more are losing homes or dealing with draconian debt burdens. Student debt is a problem on the scale of subprime mortgages.
To get anything "done", you need muscle - and that comes from building and sustaining a movement in the mainstream, not the margins.
Much of what Obama has "gotten done" is not what most activists really want: a prison-industrial system. More military adventures. Authorised assassinations. Few new regulations on Wall Street. No tax on financial transactions. Only a trickle of prosecutions of financial criminals.
The health care reform may not survive a Supreme Court decision. New jobs are not being created, and Obama is quickly moving from getting it done to devoting more time to his re-election campaign.
The financial system is unraveling in Europe, and enriching the .01 per cent here. No progress on the economic front.
The idea of more wars - whether in Africa or Iran - are not really popular, but that's never stopped imperial adventures before. They do create jobs, after all.
So in the end, the pragmatists have not delivered, and in this environment they cannot get much done.
The Washington Post published an article pronouncing Occupy Wall Street "over". It's up to the movement to prove them wrong with an "Occupy The Mainstream" strategy that uses media and direct action to reach out to a large and victimised constituency waiting for leadership and eager for change.
Former Umno president Mahathir Mohamad is very desperate indeed. He has no choice but to sing praises for Najib – right or wrong. If BN falls under Najib in the next general election, UMNO would relapse into a coma. It’s then going to be a new political era in Malaysian politics, which most Malaysians are looking forward to. UMNO is now already caught in quicksand. A disenchanted Mahathir now observes UMNO as a party of opportunists – all out to grab power and secure huge contracts from government. The members are no more loyal to the party or work for party sake. Money and power have muddled their minds and visions.
UMNO’s AGM this week is probably the last before the 13th General Election. The delegates would once again be babbling on unrelated issues such as race and religion – the same old tales being repeated regularly to lull and sedate the delegates and the poor Malays out there. This, as usual, would be prime fodder for the pro-UMNO media to be used to propagate and win sympathy from the rural Malays, when in reality UMNO has let down the poor Malays. Customarily, the AGM would always be out of focus – adopting to its usual ‘denial syndrome’ on many crucial issues affecting the party and the nation.
It's only talk and a lot of hot air
UMNO has not learnt that the people have become tired of listening to their racial and religious rhetoric and clichés for umpteen years during their AGMs. The delegates now are gradually shifting their focus on more germane issues affecting the ailing party. Some despondent delegates are now more keen to know how UMNO has failed the nation. They would want to know how fraud, deception and corruption have crept into the party and government; why the country is not managed as it should be and, why the past four years has not seen any shift in the country’s economic development prompted by Najib’s government – the transformation agenda that has yet to see any transformation on the ground.
This failure only reminds the people of Najib’s predecessor’s era – the era of a ‘sleeping’ prime minister. It seems like, even post that era it is only talk and a lot of hot air by the leadership to again delude the people into thinking that everything in the country is hunky-dory. Some UMNO delegates would most likely be gracefully silent to see Najib failing the nation. Many UMNO delegates aligned to Najib are so desperate now that they are expecting non-other than the Grand Old Man – Mahathir – to intervene before UMNO is doomed forever. But, Mahathir is also not seen as the saviour for Najib, as there is a huge faction within UMNO itself who are against Mahathir and would want to see the fall of Najib. They are just impatient to see Najib fall to get to the top.
The delegates who are not in favour of the present leadership are expecting some fireworks during this AGM. They would not hesitate to enquire on the poor management of the economy and financial leakages that have given a bad image to the UMNO-led BN government. When states under Pakatan prosper and have shown apposite financial management as reported in the AG’s Reports, states under Barisan rule were found to be not that impressive in their performance despite UMNO and BN helming the country for almost six decades. It only took less than four years for Penang, Selangor and Kedah to school UMNO-BN led state governments on what prudent financial management is when the latter are still being mired in the sludge of wastage and corruption for many years.
This time around, some disgruntled UMNO delegates would want to ponder over this failure. Most of these delegates are not ‘village fools’. Many are educated and aspire to climb up the UMNO ladder and thus might air concerns about the poor governance with the hope that they be elevated to top party posts, candidates for elections or even ministers.
False pride in their ailing party
The UMNO AGM would want to delve into the governance of the country to transform UMNO’s image. The majority are not interested in pay increase and bonuses given to a selected few in the country. They are more worried about the escalating cost of living that would chase away voters from UMNO. They are aware that the non-wage earners are the worst affected by the price increase of essential items. The UMNO-led government seems to have no solution to overcome this problem. This shows how incompetent the government could be. To rub salt into the wound, taxpayers money has not been wisely spent. Each year the Auditor General (AG) would come up with solid evidence on how negligence and irresponsibility of the authorities have led to financial leakages. UMNO delegates are aware that Malaysians are getting fed up with the endless deception and misappropriation of funds of this nature.
The delegates would also be aware that there is a lack of transparency and accountability when it comes to government expenditure. UMNO’s superciliousness during these many years of holding on to power is failing the country due to these perennial financial fiascos. High inflation rate, diminishing rate of economic growth, high crime rate, lack of foreign investment, poor standard of education, corruption, lack of faith in the police, judiciary and the MACC are testimony to UMNO and BN’s failure in governance. UMNO’s AGM should allocate time to discuss all these issues instead of using emotions to stir up the delegates into having false pride in their ailing party.
On the ‘Malays’
Race, religion, and sex must always shade UMNO AGMs. These have always been UMNO’s trademarks. Perhaps this time around corruption and misappropriation of taxpayers’ money could be added to the agenda to clout the delegates’ thoughts.
Malays are perceptually divided because they perceive the government to be corrupt. They would however unite to deprive the incumbent of another chance to govern the country like what they almost did in the 2008 General Election. The media spin that the Malays or Islam is under threat in the country would not convince the people. Neither would sexploitation make the voters turn against the Opposition. Yet we could sense that these issues would be spun during the AGM to make the sessions more spicy.
Mahathir is possibly sober now. At one time he hinted that corruption could be a form of ‘lubricant’ to get things done faster. Mahathir has finally come to his senses after helming the party for 22 years and now seeing corruption rotting UMNO. He now says that corruption is a menace to society:
“ A civilised race would be the one that is able to control the urge to commit any wrongdoing, including corruption. If the society regards corruption as normal, then we will never be able to progress. Corruption could bring about adverse consequences, including precipitating a disaster such as building collapsing because substandard materials were used due to corrupt practices. Corruption could destroy the country if leaders were elected in a corrupt manner. A government that is corrupt will not be able to bring the country forward."
Mahathir, corruption and money politics
Mahathir – sensing that Najib is already standing on the edge for his final plunge – is making himself relevant for UMNO this time around. The AGM would not hesitate to make him deliver a speech. He may then likely espouse on party and corruption – one of his favourite topics these days. Money politics has messed up UMNO’s image though nothing much was done during his time as premier to curb this problem. When it was alleged that a lawyer wrote a judgment for a judge during his time, no further investigation was made. The much publicized Eric Chia’s case was a buried mystery. Many more corrupt cases during his time did not reach or failed in the court of law. Corruption was rife during his tenure as prime minister but nothing much was done to contain this pain in the neck. After all corruption was euphemistically known as ‘lubricant’ then. This culture of corruption and money politics now seem to have found its way into UMNO and BN. Hopefully, the AGM could come up with an antidote to this severe syndrome affecting the fabric of our society.
Mahathir may touch on the AG’s Report and give his two cents worth on how to overcome the misappropriation of government funds. This abuse and misuse of government funds are not new though. It happened almost every year during his time as premier too. The best person to decide on this unprofessional conduct would be the AG himself, not politicians. However, there has been no political will thus far to act on what the AG’s Reports have revealed to instil fear in those involved. Some delegates must be irked by the 2010 AG’s Report and the AGM hence would be a fine platform for the delegates to air their frustrations. Disclosures in the 2010 AG’s Report should be a special agenda at this AGM to show that UMNO is very concerned about proper management of the country. Fraud, deception and corruption cannot be tolerated, as espoused by born-again Mahathir.
Weak in Mathematics
To start the ball rolling, many delegates would condemn those who want the PPSMI – Mahathir’s brain child – to continue branding the proponents of this policy with all sorts of names to show to the delegates that they are not less patriotic than the others. This would offend Mahathir who still feels that the sciences should be taught in English in schools. The people are aware that this issue by the delegates at the AGM would be more to play on Malay sentiments. Anyway, most of them would not give a hoot about this issue as they are aware that most of the wealthy UMNO delegates’ children are studying overseas or in private schools.
Some delegates would cite that Malay children are weak in Mathematics just because it’s being taught in English. And they would probably pose this question: Why are some government servants incompetent and incapable of understanding the importance of proper placement of decimal points and making accounting mistakes that have resulted in improvident overspending? As the result of their lackadaisical attitude, a pensioner received RM21,433 a month instead of RM214.33 for 16 months. The gaffe was only detected after more than a year. This would justify the delegates’ reason why Mathematics should not be taught in English.
The good news is that the delegates would be treated with sumptuous food and drinks with sweet drinks aplenty to make them cheery. Following this would be talks on building more training centres for youth to make them more employed since many youths are unemployed these days and also there would be a lot to say about poverty in the country. Perhaps, a delegate would then want to raise this question: How could Giatmara Centre mistakenly pay RM170 per kg instead of RM1.70 per kg for sugar for a poverty eradication programme – RM25,500 for 150 kg of sugar? Could this be sugar of a special super brand from outer space?
To some delegates from Sabah this AGM would be a form of recreation or amusement for them far away from their state. Perhaps, a delegate from Sabah would want to raise this question: How could the Malaysian Marine Parks Department spend a whopping RM56,350 for a pair of night vision Marine binoculars – they paid 29 times more than the binoculars’ market value of RM1,940 a pair? A supplementary question to this would be: How could they pay for a pair of night vision Bushnell binoculars 1,893 percent more than its actual price of RM2,827?
Financial misdeeds
There would also be talks by delegates on sports and fitness by UMNO youths and Puteri UMNO. Perhaps a delegate would want to pose this question: How could the National Sports Institute acquire 23 horses totalling RM5.66 million without a Financial Ministry go-ahead and why none of these horses competed in two recommended international championships by the Sports Ministry?
There would be some fiery talk on the financial state of the country by the Minister of Finance – none other than Najib himself. Perhaps a delegate would want to pose this question: For the year 2010, the government approved a budget of RM149 billion for operating expenditure (OPEX). It was found to be not enough and they had to increase the OPEX to RM151 billion. How could nine ministries overspend their allocated budget? Why didn’t the government spend the RM2 billion on Capital Expenditure (CAPEX) to create more wealth for the country?
Though people would be more glued to their favourite TV programmes on Astro ignoring what is being televised by TV3 on the AGM, the people cannot deny that a lot of other forms of communication would be going on among UMNO delegates and the members in this digital era. Perhaps a delegate would want to pose this question: How could the RM142 million RazakSAT satellite malfunction barely a year after it was being commissioned?
With about 1300 pages of exposes of financial misdeeds, hanky-panky as well as misappropriation of public funds in the 2010 AG’s Report, UMNO delegates could have a gala day posing questions to their leaders to help rehabilitate UMNO and the government.
The people would just ignore them
Money spent by the government is taxpayers’ money. Some UMNO delegates would edify their leaders on this. The money does not belong to UMNO, BN or the Opposition. UMNO and BN should not be arrogant thinking that money dispensed to the people generously comes from their own pocket. If a party wants to be in power, the interests of the people is foremost and in managing taxpayers’ money those responsible must be accountable. They cannot afford to remain in power if deception and dishonesty are going to be their way of management. This is about the management of the country and not politics to grab or stay in power.
The fraud and deception mentioned in all the past Auditor General’s Reports must be accounted for and those responsible must be punished – whether or not they have connections with UMNO leadership. The UMNO AGM must allocate at least one whole day to debate on the voluminous documents relating to repeated transgressions by the authorities. Following that, ministers and authorities involved should be asked to resign or dragged into the MACC’s net. This is the only way for UMNO to regain trust from the people. If they decide to ignore the many complaints against abuse of position and money, the people would just ignore them in the next general election.
Imaginary threats to UMNO
As practised in the past, mere rhetoric on irrelevant issues would dominate the AGM. This is to divert the people’s attention and perception that sleazy and deceptive activities are going on in the government and that the country is not managed to people’s expectations. The AGM would certainly be entertained to the usual circus antics – jokes and satires – to sidetrack people’s attention to UMNO’s and BN’s incompetency in governance of the country. Deprived of pride and responsibility, the rhetoric would border on the imaginary threats on Malays by the Christians, the split in Malay unity, sexploitation to demean the Opposition and the sanctity of the Royalty.
All these have become political clichés that no ordinary people would want to listen to. The people know that these are issues created by UMNO to domestic the ordinary Malays into supporting them. In actuality, the people know that there is no threat whatsoever to the Malays in this country from any religion or race. They are aware that the less than ten percent Christian population in the country could never be a threat to the Malays. If truth is to be told, the Malays of today are united with all other Malaysians to seek a better government. They are aware that sex is just an implement to bring down political opponents. They are also aware that UMNO’s relationship with the Istana had never been sincere in the past. It’s a relationship merely for political expediency.
Mahathir’s stand on Royalty
The AGMs must touch on the Royalty without miss. However, using the word ‘ill-bred’ to describe a learned professor, or any human being for that matter, is so unbecoming of a real Malay.
Mahathir’s comments on the royalty in his Memoirs (2011) is testimony to UMNO stands for when it comes to the Royalty. On the constitutional amendments relating to the Rulers in 1982 and 1993 to limit the power of the Rulers, Mahathir had this to say:.
“Although the Malays had accepted democracy they were still very feudal in their thinking.” (p452)
The majority party should be able to reject the ruler’s choice simply by passing a vote of no confidence in him when the legislative body is convened. But the Malay custom and feudal attitudes can actually override the Constitutions. This is not healthy.” (p456)
“I felt strongly that somehow the amendments must be part of the Constitution.” (p457)
After the 1993 amended Bill on the Royalty was passed and gazetted, Mahathir had this to say:
“I felt much relief and so did all the leaders of the Barisan Nasional component parties.” (p464)
UMNO did it and now they should stop exploiting the Royalty to favour them at times when they face any political impasse. If this is done then it becomes a hypocrisy of the whole state of affairs involving the Constitution. UMNO should stick to the Constitution that they had partially amended – was passed in the Parliament with the full support of the Opposition at the time – for people to cherish true democracy in the country. There should not be any flip-flop as far as this matter is concerned.
UMNO delegates do not have to worry as the people of this country generally do not have complaints on our system of Constitutional Monarchy. They revere their Sultans. They would only become uneasy with UMNO when the Royalty is used to politically favour them.
Sweeping the matter under the carpet
There has to be a paradigm shift to UMNO’s AGM this time. UMNO delegates should be more concerned with what is happening to the taxpayers’ money, instead of harping on trivial issues like sex, race and religion or royalty – overdose of which is not healthy for the people’s mind. They should instead debate on corruption, abuse of taxpayers’ money, overpricing in procurement, negligence, incompetency, haughtiness and transgressions due to bureaucratic arrogance of officers – issues which are of more concern for the people.
UMNO-led government owes the taxpayers and the electorate an explanation. Year in, year out taxpayers have been outraged by the revelations of the 2010 Auditor-General Reports on the continuing financial scandals, hanky-panky and gross financial negligence in governance. It has all gone awry and off-beam since the year 1981. Away from routine sex, race and religion issues, the delegates should debate on the repeated irregularities of financial management under UMNO dominated BN, the poor race relations in our society, lack of opportunities for all Malaysians in education and jobs and the inflationary trend in prices of goods.
The over 1,300 pages of exposes of financial irregularities, hanky-panky as well as misappropriation of public funds in the first full year of Najib’s premiership should be debated to bring back honour to UMNO. Failing which – sweeping the matter under the carpet – would incur the wrath of UMNO members as well as the people at large. They would inevitably deny their support for the present government. The people on the street are not interested to hear trivial matters discussed at party AGMs. They are more concerned about all the financial leakages under Najib’s government and governments prior to this. Bringing Mahathir to rescue tumbling Najib is not the solution, and continuous arrogance would make UMNO none the wiser.
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