Is There Anyone Really In Charge of Our Economy? If The Central Bank, Treasury and EPU Can’t Get Their Facts and Figures Right, How Can Najib Get It Right? - By Matthias Chang (30/5/09)
By Matthias Chang
Saturday, 30 May 2009 16:49
I have given up hope that our Prime Minister who is also the Finance Minister will be able to chart a course that will enable Malaysia to overcome the deepening global financial crisis.
One would have thought that with all the resources and expertise at their disposal and the benefit of hindsight, our experts ought to be able to put their act together and get their economic analysis right, but the recent press statements by Bank Negara, Treasury and EPU regarding the massive contraction of our economy are most distressing.
What is more depressing is that the data presented by the relevant institutions show that the key advisers to Najib are involved in some sort of turf war and are at logger heads with one another as to the extent of the downturn and what needs to be done.
Judge for yourselves from the following news reports:
New Straits Times, May 27, 2009
Remarks by Second Finance Minister
Malaysia economy may contract by more than 1 per cent this year but is expected to return to positive growth next year, Second Finance Minister Datuk Ahmad Husni Mohamed Hanadziah says. ‘It will be lower than minus 1 per cent this year. This is below the forecast we made last year,’ he told reporters after officiating at the launch of the Securities Commission Executive Enhancement and Development Programme in Kuala Lumpur.
The SUN, May 28, 2009
Remarks by the Governor of Bank Negara (Central Bank)
Malaysia’s first quarter gross domestic product this year contracted by 6.2% from a growth of 0.1% in the fourth quarter last year, but the prognosis for improved economic conditions looks brighter in the second half of the year.
Bank Negara Malaysia Governor Tan Sri Dr. Zeti Akhtar Aziz, in announcing the GDP figures, attributed the contraction to the significant deterioration in external demand following the deepening recession in advanced economies. ‘Export demand continues to be weak and the environment is still challenging. Despite early signs of improvement, Q2 will be similar to Q1,’ she told a press conference on the country’s economic performance here yesterday. ‘However, economic conditions are expected to improve in the second half of this year supported by fiscal stimulus measures and enhancing access to financing,’ said Dr. Zeti. ‘Malaysia is expected to see a significant improvement in the third quarter this year and a higher degree of positive growth in the fourth quarter that would continue into next year.’
So who is right – positive growth in second half of this year or next year? Or will it continue to be negative next year?
The STAR Biz, May 29, 2009
Remarks by the Director General, Economic Planning Unit
There are mixed signals on the economic recovery front although some confidence has returned. However, a clearer picture will emerge in the next two to three months when more impact from the stimulus package would have been felt.
Based on some economic indicators we believe there are signs of improving demand in the market, for instance, the rising price of crude oil (US$36 per barrel in mid-January to US$62 per barrel), palm oil (RM1,700 per tonne in January to RM2,772 per tonne) and rubber (lowest RM4.48 per kg in January to RM5.64 per kg) as well as better performance of the stock market, said Tan Sri Sulaiman Mahbob, the Director General of the Economic Planning Unit.
We believe the current economic crisis is about to bottom out…
However, he believed the Malaysian economy would experience a relatively gradual recovery before picking up in the second half of next year.
So the EPU takes the view that it is only in the second half of 2010 that we can see growth and not the second half of 2009!
The STAR Biz, May 29, 2009
Remarks by PM Najib
The worsening external economic situation has prompted a revision of the country’s economic performance to a contraction of between 4% and 5% for this year from a contraction of 1% and a growth of 1% before.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Abdul Razak said at a press briefing yesterday that the economic climate had deteriorated more than expected.
In tandem with new developments, the government is revising the real gross domestic product performance of Malaysia for the year to a contraction between 4% and 5% from a contraction of 1% and growth of 1% previously, he said.
According to Najib, private sector investment had fallen by 26% from a year ago while foreign direct investment was also down by half compared to last year.
So who is right, the Second Finance Minister’s contraction of more than 1% or Najib’s 4% and 5%? Of course “more than 1% can mean anything from 2% to 6%.
Why the difference in approach and evaluation from three key institutions?
By any measure, a 6.2% contraction in the first quarter of 2009 is huge. How these experts could underestimate the deepening crisis even with the benefit of hindsight as the global financial crisis had deteriorated further in the last quarter of 2008 is hard to comprehend.
If they could not get it right in the last quarter of 2008 moving to 2009, how can we trust their prognosis that second half of 2009 or that 2010 will be rosier and we will have economic recovery?
In all my previous articles in 2008, especially in the second half of 2008 I had warned the government that we will have negative growth in 2009 but the warnings were all ignored.
Let me say it here and now, loud and clear – we will have negative growth even in 2010 and will be lucky to see some “green shoots” in 2011.
Recent appointments by the Prime Minister, specifically the former CEO of Malayan Banking to be the chairman of the NEAC do not inspire confidence when this banker was responsible for the acquisition of an Indonesian bank which turned out to be a multi-billion ringgit scandal!
It goes without saying that Malaysia’s economy will definitely be beyond repair when our Prime Minister appointed the 5th Prime Minister, Abdullah Badawi as adviser for the development of the various “economic corridors” when these pet mega projects of Badawi have been utter failures.
Adding fuel to the fire, there have been rumours that Najib is putting his cronies in charge of Petronas – our country’s cash cow!
I suppose, if one is going to be a one term prime minister, there is only so much time to loot the dwindling coffers!
Malaysia deserves better.
Saturday, May 30, 2009
Monday, May 25, 2009
Even Anwar agrees Dr M is great, whether he means it or not..
Replying to a question on what he would say about Mahathir if he were writing his biography, Anwar said: “He had a very strong passion and desire to undertake necessary changes to make Malaysia great. I was persuaded to join (Umno) because of that.”
However, with time, Dr Mahathir became “too confident” and thought of Malaysia as his “own property”.
“I believe Malaysia has to move on beyond not only Mahathir,” Anwar said, “but also beyond old, obsolete policies and parties such as Umno and BN.” — Today
However, with time, Dr Mahathir became “too confident” and thought of Malaysia as his “own property”.
“I believe Malaysia has to move on beyond not only Mahathir,” Anwar said, “but also beyond old, obsolete policies and parties such as Umno and BN.” — Today
Saturday, May 23, 2009
BADAWISM
SUNDAY COMMENTARY
MAY 24 - Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad has a legitimate grouse.
He should not be the only former Malaysian prime minister with an "ism'' tagged on to his name.
Sure, he emasculated Malaysia's proud and independent institutions; encouraged and then watched helplessly as form over substance Islamization forever changed the complexion of this once progressive and moderate nation; swatted away dissenters like pesky mosquitoes and put Malaysians on a path which left them strangers.
The impact of Mahathirism goes on and on. Hardly surprising since he led this country for 22 years.
If today, some Malaysians, Opposition politicians, NGOs and foreign commentators dread the return of Mahathirism, it is because they have been witnesses to the excesses of the Mahathir years.
They also understand a fact of life here: the former premier will not stay retired or a disinterested observer of politics when his ideas, policies and plans are disregarded by the Najib administration.
But let's be fair. Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi is also culpable for the fine mess we find ourselves in. In some ways, he was more dangerous for the country than Mahathirism.
With Dr Mahathir, what you got was what you saw. There was little pretence. He did not care for human rights, democratic space and opinions other than his own.
The ends justified the means. Full stop.
Now Abdullah was more difficult to pigeon hole. He sold Malaysians a dream. He offered Malaysians an illusion of change.
He deluded the public into believing that he was interested in the software of the country, in rehabilitating the judiciary, police and the civil service.
Badawism represents an illusion of change. Important announcements, followed by spin, followed by the realization that the more things changed the more they remained the same.
Think about it. Just what changed between October 30 2003 and April 2 2009?
Did the Father of Democracy really open up the democratic space in Malaysia, unshackle the timid mainstream media, respect human rights, restore the credibility of the judiciary and put the zip back into the fight against corruption?
Did he preside over real change?
For Abdullah to claim that he encouraged dissent and debate in Malaysian society is akin to Al Gore saying that he invented the Internet.
Fact is that the Malaysians starting shedding their fear of government after the sacking of Anwar Ibrahim in 1998.
And the birth of the alternative media platform, the sheer disgust at the excesses of the ruling coalition and a more educated population unwilling to swallow officialspeak as the truth had more to do with free flow of ideas and open debate than the fifth PM.
If Abdullah was sincere about bringing meaningful change, he would not have dithered over abolishing or at least overhauling the Internal Security Act (ISA).
Opposition from Umno ministers in Cabinet saw him put the review on the backburner, a familiar position every time his party objected to change.
If Abdullah was sincere about bringing meaningful change, he would have done away with the archaic law that requires newspaper to obtain a publishing licence from the Home Ministry.
He did not. How can the man who is credited with opening democratic space leave in place the legislation that continues to manacle the ability of the media to report without fear?
If Abdullah was sincere about making the judiciary credible in the eyes of the public, he would not have selected loyal Umno servant Tan Sri Zaki Tun Azmi as the Chief Justice.
Malaysia must be one of the few countries where the top judge used to serve as the legal adviser and chairman of the disciplinary board of the ruling party. He could have gone for someone untainted with political affiliation but that would have been too much of a risk for a man whose first loyalty was to his party.
So he selected a safe choice - a safe choice by his party's standards.
If Abdullah was sincere about improving the sullied image of Malaysia's institutions, he would have opted for real change rather that the cosmetic variety.
Remember the Royal Commission of the Police Force and the Royal Commission on the V K Lingam video clip.
When his administration pushed for the setting up of the two commissions, he was feted as a leader who was unwilling to sweep dirt under the carpet, a man genuinely interested in holding accountable those who tarred the reputation of the police and judiciary.
Prominent members of Malaysian society were appointed to the two commissions, reports and recommendations were made.
But there has been little substantial change. The original independent police complaints tribunal proposal is in the KIV tray somewhere in the Home Ministry and the half-hearted attempt to take action against those named in the Lingam judge-fixing scam has all but petered out.
Oh yes, nearly everyone one of the "big names" charged with corruption just after Abdullah took office (it was supposed to show Malaysians that he really meant business) has been acquitted.
Eric Chia, Saidin Thamby…
So what really changed between October 30 2003 and April 2009?
What changed was that the enduring patience Malaysians have shown towards Umno/Barisan Nasional finally snapped. They were unwilling to settle for a return of Mahathirism (I know best) and had given up on Badawism (illusion of change).
MAY 24 - Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad has a legitimate grouse.
He should not be the only former Malaysian prime minister with an "ism'' tagged on to his name.
Sure, he emasculated Malaysia's proud and independent institutions; encouraged and then watched helplessly as form over substance Islamization forever changed the complexion of this once progressive and moderate nation; swatted away dissenters like pesky mosquitoes and put Malaysians on a path which left them strangers.
The impact of Mahathirism goes on and on. Hardly surprising since he led this country for 22 years.
If today, some Malaysians, Opposition politicians, NGOs and foreign commentators dread the return of Mahathirism, it is because they have been witnesses to the excesses of the Mahathir years.
They also understand a fact of life here: the former premier will not stay retired or a disinterested observer of politics when his ideas, policies and plans are disregarded by the Najib administration.
But let's be fair. Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi is also culpable for the fine mess we find ourselves in. In some ways, he was more dangerous for the country than Mahathirism.
With Dr Mahathir, what you got was what you saw. There was little pretence. He did not care for human rights, democratic space and opinions other than his own.
The ends justified the means. Full stop.
Now Abdullah was more difficult to pigeon hole. He sold Malaysians a dream. He offered Malaysians an illusion of change.
He deluded the public into believing that he was interested in the software of the country, in rehabilitating the judiciary, police and the civil service.
Badawism represents an illusion of change. Important announcements, followed by spin, followed by the realization that the more things changed the more they remained the same.
Think about it. Just what changed between October 30 2003 and April 2 2009?
Did the Father of Democracy really open up the democratic space in Malaysia, unshackle the timid mainstream media, respect human rights, restore the credibility of the judiciary and put the zip back into the fight against corruption?
Did he preside over real change?
For Abdullah to claim that he encouraged dissent and debate in Malaysian society is akin to Al Gore saying that he invented the Internet.
Fact is that the Malaysians starting shedding their fear of government after the sacking of Anwar Ibrahim in 1998.
And the birth of the alternative media platform, the sheer disgust at the excesses of the ruling coalition and a more educated population unwilling to swallow officialspeak as the truth had more to do with free flow of ideas and open debate than the fifth PM.
If Abdullah was sincere about bringing meaningful change, he would not have dithered over abolishing or at least overhauling the Internal Security Act (ISA).
Opposition from Umno ministers in Cabinet saw him put the review on the backburner, a familiar position every time his party objected to change.
If Abdullah was sincere about bringing meaningful change, he would have done away with the archaic law that requires newspaper to obtain a publishing licence from the Home Ministry.
He did not. How can the man who is credited with opening democratic space leave in place the legislation that continues to manacle the ability of the media to report without fear?
If Abdullah was sincere about making the judiciary credible in the eyes of the public, he would not have selected loyal Umno servant Tan Sri Zaki Tun Azmi as the Chief Justice.
Malaysia must be one of the few countries where the top judge used to serve as the legal adviser and chairman of the disciplinary board of the ruling party. He could have gone for someone untainted with political affiliation but that would have been too much of a risk for a man whose first loyalty was to his party.
So he selected a safe choice - a safe choice by his party's standards.
If Abdullah was sincere about improving the sullied image of Malaysia's institutions, he would have opted for real change rather that the cosmetic variety.
Remember the Royal Commission of the Police Force and the Royal Commission on the V K Lingam video clip.
When his administration pushed for the setting up of the two commissions, he was feted as a leader who was unwilling to sweep dirt under the carpet, a man genuinely interested in holding accountable those who tarred the reputation of the police and judiciary.
Prominent members of Malaysian society were appointed to the two commissions, reports and recommendations were made.
But there has been little substantial change. The original independent police complaints tribunal proposal is in the KIV tray somewhere in the Home Ministry and the half-hearted attempt to take action against those named in the Lingam judge-fixing scam has all but petered out.
Oh yes, nearly everyone one of the "big names" charged with corruption just after Abdullah took office (it was supposed to show Malaysians that he really meant business) has been acquitted.
Eric Chia, Saidin Thamby…
So what really changed between October 30 2003 and April 2009?
What changed was that the enduring patience Malaysians have shown towards Umno/Barisan Nasional finally snapped. They were unwilling to settle for a return of Mahathirism (I know best) and had given up on Badawism (illusion of change).
Friday, May 22, 2009
Acknowledgement to Tun from PKR's program director
By Din Merican
I personally reserve my judgment. I am too close to be completely objective since I was part of his Administration and he was once my boss. I had also the benefit of learning good business management skills from working for him in the 1970s.
History will be a better judge of his achievements and policy failures. But there is no doubt in my own mind that Tun Dr. Mahathir is a superb politician and an intellectual with strong work ethics. Some of us may not like his politics because of his Machiavellian streak. But we must at least acknowledge that it was the Tun who put our country on the world map.
I have of late been critical, especially his performance at the Lingam Tape hearings but overall, I am an admirer of the man’s intellect, guts and strong convictions. There is no one from his generation who has done more for our country than this illustrious Malaysian son from Kedah.
I personally reserve my judgment. I am too close to be completely objective since I was part of his Administration and he was once my boss. I had also the benefit of learning good business management skills from working for him in the 1970s.
History will be a better judge of his achievements and policy failures. But there is no doubt in my own mind that Tun Dr. Mahathir is a superb politician and an intellectual with strong work ethics. Some of us may not like his politics because of his Machiavellian streak. But we must at least acknowledge that it was the Tun who put our country on the world map.
I have of late been critical, especially his performance at the Lingam Tape hearings but overall, I am an admirer of the man’s intellect, guts and strong convictions. There is no one from his generation who has done more for our country than this illustrious Malaysian son from Kedah.
Wednesday, May 20, 2009
Sad RPK...truly sad...
NO HOLDS BARRED
Raja Petra Kamarudin
I offer no excuses. My wife, Marina, and I have five children, all now grown up. Four have made a life for themselves -- two are now married and have blessed us with four grandchildren. One, Raja Azman, left home when he was still in lower secondary school and chose to end all ties with the family. That was about 18 years ago or so.
Since he left home, he has been in and out of trouble, the result of living on the streets and sleeping in the back alleys of Kuala Lumpur. Invariably, life on the streets like an urchin turned him into what he is today.
Muslims believe that heaven lies beneath the feet of one’s mother. It is therefore seldom a Muslim mother would bring herself to curse her offspring. Doing so would condemn that child for eternity. That is what Muslims believe.
My wife made it very clear to our prodigal son that he turns his back on the family and resorts to a life of crime at his own peril. It does not matter the severity of the crime. Crime is crime whatever it may be, big or small. And is it not the tendency that petty criminals eventually migrate to hardcore crimes? He therefore invites his mother’s curse if he brings shame to the family. That was my wife’s final word on the matter.
Our son was warned that if he ever got into trouble he was entirely on his own. He can’t expect the family that he has disowned to rally to his side. He has made his bed so he must now lie in it. That was our irrevocable and uncompromising stand and this was delivered in no uncertainty to our son. He would have to make the decision as to what it was going to be.
Marina and I received a phone call a couple of months ago that our son, yet again, was in trouble. It was a call from a police officer. The phone was passed to our son so that we could be assured he was in the hands of the police. Although it was a huge disappointment to both of us, it was no shock, neither a surprise. This was yet another brush with the law that our son has got himself into over more than a decade.
The purpose for the phone call became clearer after our son handed the phone back to the police officer. They wanted to negotiate a settlement. The problem is small, we were told. This can be settled easily enough. They know we would rather bury this problem than let it become public knowledge. We are, after all, high profile. And bad publicity such as this would not help our image.
I made it very clear there would be no negotiations. How can I agree to bribing police officers to get my son off the hook after speaking out against crime, corruption, abuse of power and cover-ups of criminal acts by those who walk in the corridors of power? Sure, maybe no one would know about it. Once I pay up, the matter will be buried so deep no one would be the wiser. But I would know. My wife would know. My family would know. And the police officers who I had bribed would know.
How can I continue speaking out against what ails this country when I am not able to walk the talk? It is so easy to talk when you have nothing to lose, except maybe your freedom. But when it comes to a member of your family, you compromise your principles and violate the very thing that you speak out against.
When I hung up the phone, I could see the pain in my wife’s heart. After all, are not the eyes the window to the heart? Which mother can abandon a child, never mind how evil that child may be. It takes a very determined woman to put principles before the welfare of the family.
We knew it was with dire consequences that we had turned down the offer to settle the matter. We would be made to pay dearly for our stubbornness. They would make sure that we would suffer shame never before suffered by our family.
My children are devastated. The thought of our son having to spend a good part of his life in prison is only part of it. The fact that he carries the family name and that this would be held against the family was their main concern. They knew we would be made to suffer for what Raja Azman had done.
This was a predicament we would never be able to avoid. It would have been so simple to just agree to meet the police officers and pay them the money they wanted and all would have been settled. But it would have been settled only for that short moment in time. I would have to carry the knowledge that I sold out my principles and was not able to walk the talk for the rest of my life.
How can I continue doing what I am doing knowing that I am not able to practice what I preach? I would lose the moral high ground and would no longer be qualified to talk about change and about a better Malaysia. I am, after all, as corrupted as those people who walk in the corridors of power. My son may walk free. But I shall be taking his place in prison -- not a physical prison, but a prisoner of my own nagging conscience, which will haunt me till my last day on earth.
As a father, it was a most difficult choice I had to make. It was more difficult for Marina, the mother who gave birth to that son. We held each other’s hands and looked each other in the eye without speaking. Words were unnecessary. In that silence our hearts did all the talking. We knew we had to bite the bullet and face whatever lies ahead of us without wavering.
Marina and I apologise to the nation for what our son has done. As parents, Marina and I accept that responsibility.
Raja Petra Kamarudin
I offer no excuses. My wife, Marina, and I have five children, all now grown up. Four have made a life for themselves -- two are now married and have blessed us with four grandchildren. One, Raja Azman, left home when he was still in lower secondary school and chose to end all ties with the family. That was about 18 years ago or so.
Since he left home, he has been in and out of trouble, the result of living on the streets and sleeping in the back alleys of Kuala Lumpur. Invariably, life on the streets like an urchin turned him into what he is today.
Muslims believe that heaven lies beneath the feet of one’s mother. It is therefore seldom a Muslim mother would bring herself to curse her offspring. Doing so would condemn that child for eternity. That is what Muslims believe.
My wife made it very clear to our prodigal son that he turns his back on the family and resorts to a life of crime at his own peril. It does not matter the severity of the crime. Crime is crime whatever it may be, big or small. And is it not the tendency that petty criminals eventually migrate to hardcore crimes? He therefore invites his mother’s curse if he brings shame to the family. That was my wife’s final word on the matter.
Our son was warned that if he ever got into trouble he was entirely on his own. He can’t expect the family that he has disowned to rally to his side. He has made his bed so he must now lie in it. That was our irrevocable and uncompromising stand and this was delivered in no uncertainty to our son. He would have to make the decision as to what it was going to be.
Marina and I received a phone call a couple of months ago that our son, yet again, was in trouble. It was a call from a police officer. The phone was passed to our son so that we could be assured he was in the hands of the police. Although it was a huge disappointment to both of us, it was no shock, neither a surprise. This was yet another brush with the law that our son has got himself into over more than a decade.
The purpose for the phone call became clearer after our son handed the phone back to the police officer. They wanted to negotiate a settlement. The problem is small, we were told. This can be settled easily enough. They know we would rather bury this problem than let it become public knowledge. We are, after all, high profile. And bad publicity such as this would not help our image.
I made it very clear there would be no negotiations. How can I agree to bribing police officers to get my son off the hook after speaking out against crime, corruption, abuse of power and cover-ups of criminal acts by those who walk in the corridors of power? Sure, maybe no one would know about it. Once I pay up, the matter will be buried so deep no one would be the wiser. But I would know. My wife would know. My family would know. And the police officers who I had bribed would know.
How can I continue speaking out against what ails this country when I am not able to walk the talk? It is so easy to talk when you have nothing to lose, except maybe your freedom. But when it comes to a member of your family, you compromise your principles and violate the very thing that you speak out against.
When I hung up the phone, I could see the pain in my wife’s heart. After all, are not the eyes the window to the heart? Which mother can abandon a child, never mind how evil that child may be. It takes a very determined woman to put principles before the welfare of the family.
We knew it was with dire consequences that we had turned down the offer to settle the matter. We would be made to pay dearly for our stubbornness. They would make sure that we would suffer shame never before suffered by our family.
My children are devastated. The thought of our son having to spend a good part of his life in prison is only part of it. The fact that he carries the family name and that this would be held against the family was their main concern. They knew we would be made to suffer for what Raja Azman had done.
This was a predicament we would never be able to avoid. It would have been so simple to just agree to meet the police officers and pay them the money they wanted and all would have been settled. But it would have been settled only for that short moment in time. I would have to carry the knowledge that I sold out my principles and was not able to walk the talk for the rest of my life.
How can I continue doing what I am doing knowing that I am not able to practice what I preach? I would lose the moral high ground and would no longer be qualified to talk about change and about a better Malaysia. I am, after all, as corrupted as those people who walk in the corridors of power. My son may walk free. But I shall be taking his place in prison -- not a physical prison, but a prisoner of my own nagging conscience, which will haunt me till my last day on earth.
As a father, it was a most difficult choice I had to make. It was more difficult for Marina, the mother who gave birth to that son. We held each other’s hands and looked each other in the eye without speaking. Words were unnecessary. In that silence our hearts did all the talking. We knew we had to bite the bullet and face whatever lies ahead of us without wavering.
Marina and I apologise to the nation for what our son has done. As parents, Marina and I accept that responsibility.
Tuesday, May 19, 2009
Perak is indeed a failed state!
Not long ago, when the Barisan Nasional won about 92% of the majority in Parliament in 2004 under the Badawi regime, PAS in Kelantan almost got wiped out for it's concurrent DUN elections. The Kelantan MB, Nik Aziz Nik Mat has narrowly scrapped through with a 1 or 2 seat majority and since then nothing has changed. There was not even a single frog who dared to cross parties and hence bring down the PAS-led state government during that time. BN could have easily engineered the defections of 1 or 2 ADUNs from PAS to UMNO and Nik Aziz's administration would fall. But they will never get to do that. They will not succeed. Why? The answer is simple. Greed. Perak's politicians are a bunch of greedy and selfish people. They do not care about the rakyat;s welfare. All they care about is their pride, ego, wealth, Toyota Camrys, land for their cronies and so on and so forth. The rakyat's interests can go to hell for that matter.
As for the Kelantanese, they are known for their loyalty to their state and the government of the day. Kelantanese leaders accept the decision made by the rakyat. If the rakyat voted for PAS for that DUN, so be it, there will never be any defections vice versa. That is why although Kelantan may look poor, it is certainly never a failed state, unlike Perak. Perak is not only a failed state, but a failed society as well. Perak today has been reduced to ruins by ignorant and moronic politicians from both sides of the political divide. This impasse has taken its toll. Nobody is the clear government in Perak today and investments have since dropped in the state due to political instability. Although this Perak constitutional crisis has triggered the rakyat to be more aware of their surroundings, it must be made clear of the fact that, 'gajah sama gajah berjuang, pelanduk mati di tengah tengah'. It is very clear that the politicians from BN and PR do not really suffer, it is the people who end up suffering the most in the end.
It is unacceptable that Perak has been reduced to a hell-hole (as Matthias Chang puts it). I have many lovely friends from Perak who are just normal citizens trying to live a peaceful life and expects earnest responsibility from the leaders they have elected. What happened in the Perak State Assembly is clearly childish and bullshit! It is time for them to stop this unnecessary drama and focus on the economy. PR, clearly, as RPK puts it, if you seem to lose the state, get out of the quaqmire now and help the rakyat, whether you are the government or opposition. Your position in the DUN does not change one bit because as wakil rakyats, you are supposed to serve the rakyat, regardless of political position. The notion that opposition lawmakers cannot serve the rakyat well due to inhibitions and lack of resources is utter rubbish. Many from the opposition had served with excellent distinction since Merdeka, and are well-known and acknowledged even among the establishment and government leaders of today. So please, behave like adults and concentrate on getting Perak to be the silver state it once used to be! Do not be blinded by gutter politics and dig your own grave deeper. The global financial tsumani has hit our shores!
As for the Kelantanese, they are known for their loyalty to their state and the government of the day. Kelantanese leaders accept the decision made by the rakyat. If the rakyat voted for PAS for that DUN, so be it, there will never be any defections vice versa. That is why although Kelantan may look poor, it is certainly never a failed state, unlike Perak. Perak is not only a failed state, but a failed society as well. Perak today has been reduced to ruins by ignorant and moronic politicians from both sides of the political divide. This impasse has taken its toll. Nobody is the clear government in Perak today and investments have since dropped in the state due to political instability. Although this Perak constitutional crisis has triggered the rakyat to be more aware of their surroundings, it must be made clear of the fact that, 'gajah sama gajah berjuang, pelanduk mati di tengah tengah'. It is very clear that the politicians from BN and PR do not really suffer, it is the people who end up suffering the most in the end.
It is unacceptable that Perak has been reduced to a hell-hole (as Matthias Chang puts it). I have many lovely friends from Perak who are just normal citizens trying to live a peaceful life and expects earnest responsibility from the leaders they have elected. What happened in the Perak State Assembly is clearly childish and bullshit! It is time for them to stop this unnecessary drama and focus on the economy. PR, clearly, as RPK puts it, if you seem to lose the state, get out of the quaqmire now and help the rakyat, whether you are the government or opposition. Your position in the DUN does not change one bit because as wakil rakyats, you are supposed to serve the rakyat, regardless of political position. The notion that opposition lawmakers cannot serve the rakyat well due to inhibitions and lack of resources is utter rubbish. Many from the opposition had served with excellent distinction since Merdeka, and are well-known and acknowledged even among the establishment and government leaders of today. So please, behave like adults and concentrate on getting Perak to be the silver state it once used to be! Do not be blinded by gutter politics and dig your own grave deeper. The global financial tsumani has hit our shores!
Dear Anwar, please accept Matthias Chang's dare to debate!
We Demand In No Uncertain Terms A Report Card From Leaders Of The Pakatan Rakyat - What Have You To Show To The Citizens of Kelantan, Kedah, Penang, Perak and Selangor After One Year In Power? - By Matthias Chang (19/5/09)
Matthias Chang
Tuesday, 19 May 2009 14:25
We, at Future Fast-Forward have been very critical of the Barisan Nasional government and we make no apologies for our biting criticisms.
We do so because as the Federal Government, you set the standards by which others are judged. Should you fall below our legitimate expectations, it is inevitable that your failures will snowball and overwhelm the rest of the body politic.
This is an awesome responsibility.
You stepped on the plate and asked us to elect you to lead the nation, thereby asking us to put our faith in your leadership. The electorate has re-elected you to manage the country in accordance with the highest standards so that we may hold our heads high and be proud to be Malaysians.
However, we do not believe that our role is merely to criticise and not to demonstrate our appreciation when correct policies are being implemented.
We therefore applaud the Prime Minister and the leaders of the Barisan Nasional for heeding the sentiments of the rakyat in not falling into the trap of the political mischief-maker, Anwar Ibrahim by contesting the Penanti By-elections.
For too long, over a year after the General Elections in March 2008, we have witnessed gutter politics practiced by Anwar and his fascist band of bloggers and the incredible stupidity of the Barisan Nasional reacting to each and every provocation.
It is a welcome change of strategy that the Barisan Nasional has finally found the wisdom in rejecting the taunts and provocations of Anwar Ibrahim and his spin doctors.
For over a year, the focus was on the Barisan Nasional. They only have themselves to blame for being in the tight spot.
Pakatan Rakyat and Anwar Ibrahim got away with political murder and distracted the entire country from the urgent tasks at hand – to overcome the impact of the global financial crisis and lay a solid foundation to propel our country to achieve greater excellence in all fields of our national endeavour.
At long last, we can now focus on critical issues.
We have highlighted the various challenges in the financial and economic areas in numerous articles and we shall not repeat them here.
Every citizen who loves Malaysia must now make an objective analysis and evaluation of the two competing political forces – the Barisan Nasional and the Pakatan Rakyat.
Choice is important and before we make our choice, we must be level headed and examine every facet and angle of the policies and plans supposedly conceived and executed for the benefit of the rakyat by these political leaders.
If we make the wrong choice, we may plunge the country into chaos and at the minimum, ten to fifteen years of mediocrity, if not failure.
The Barisan Nasional has a report card of fifty years of governance.
In contrast, only PAS has some record of governance and then only in the state of Kelantan. DAP and Keadilan are novices and have yet to prove their mettle.
By all means, visit the blogs that are pro-opposition and that of their leaders, but please apply common sense when reading what they have to offer. They are all heavy on sound bites but what is most glaring:
is the total absence of coherent policies, practical measures and direction from the state governments which they are in control.
Notice also that these blogs do not tolerate any dissension from their perspective. They adopt a fascist mindset. Say anything contrary, and you will receive a heap of profanities. This is their standard operating procedure, one designed to intimidate and discourage rational debate.
Just pause and think and think hard.
If a man, whose only reputation is that of taking some photos allegedly of Dato Lingam and who had no prior experience in politics and or public administration, was recruited by Anwar’s PKR to contest in the General Elections, how can such a person contribute effectively to developing our country? The rest of Anwar’s political entourage is no better and does not inspire confidence.
Hence, Anwar’s diversionary tactics and distractions. Anwar is a master in manufacturing “political noise”, massive amount of noise to cover up his inadequacies and to prevent people from asking the right questions and focusing on critical issues.
We are now issuing a public challenge to Anwar and the leaders of the PR state governments.
Give us a report card on your achievements after one year in power!
Give us your blueprint for the states under your control, specifically your policies in ensuring the continued wellbeing of the rakyat suffering from the impact of the global financial tsunami.
Give us your strategies in making Malaysia the most dynamic country in ASEAN.
Give us specifics, not spin, in achieving a higher degree of national unity, as this is always a work-in-progress.
Take Notice:
If Anwar, Hadi, and Lim Kit Siang fail to respond within 48 hours from the date hereof, as it is their duty to do so, they must be exposed for what they are – political charlatans.
Finally, Anwar, I dare you to debate with me in public on the above issues. Let this be a No Holds Barred debate.
The rules are simple.
We speak for half an hour.
We cross-examine each other without mercy for another half hour.
We let the rakyat decide the winner of the debate.
Matthias Chang
Tuesday, 19 May 2009 14:25
We, at Future Fast-Forward have been very critical of the Barisan Nasional government and we make no apologies for our biting criticisms.
We do so because as the Federal Government, you set the standards by which others are judged. Should you fall below our legitimate expectations, it is inevitable that your failures will snowball and overwhelm the rest of the body politic.
This is an awesome responsibility.
You stepped on the plate and asked us to elect you to lead the nation, thereby asking us to put our faith in your leadership. The electorate has re-elected you to manage the country in accordance with the highest standards so that we may hold our heads high and be proud to be Malaysians.
However, we do not believe that our role is merely to criticise and not to demonstrate our appreciation when correct policies are being implemented.
We therefore applaud the Prime Minister and the leaders of the Barisan Nasional for heeding the sentiments of the rakyat in not falling into the trap of the political mischief-maker, Anwar Ibrahim by contesting the Penanti By-elections.
For too long, over a year after the General Elections in March 2008, we have witnessed gutter politics practiced by Anwar and his fascist band of bloggers and the incredible stupidity of the Barisan Nasional reacting to each and every provocation.
It is a welcome change of strategy that the Barisan Nasional has finally found the wisdom in rejecting the taunts and provocations of Anwar Ibrahim and his spin doctors.
For over a year, the focus was on the Barisan Nasional. They only have themselves to blame for being in the tight spot.
Pakatan Rakyat and Anwar Ibrahim got away with political murder and distracted the entire country from the urgent tasks at hand – to overcome the impact of the global financial crisis and lay a solid foundation to propel our country to achieve greater excellence in all fields of our national endeavour.
At long last, we can now focus on critical issues.
We have highlighted the various challenges in the financial and economic areas in numerous articles and we shall not repeat them here.
Every citizen who loves Malaysia must now make an objective analysis and evaluation of the two competing political forces – the Barisan Nasional and the Pakatan Rakyat.
Choice is important and before we make our choice, we must be level headed and examine every facet and angle of the policies and plans supposedly conceived and executed for the benefit of the rakyat by these political leaders.
If we make the wrong choice, we may plunge the country into chaos and at the minimum, ten to fifteen years of mediocrity, if not failure.
The Barisan Nasional has a report card of fifty years of governance.
In contrast, only PAS has some record of governance and then only in the state of Kelantan. DAP and Keadilan are novices and have yet to prove their mettle.
By all means, visit the blogs that are pro-opposition and that of their leaders, but please apply common sense when reading what they have to offer. They are all heavy on sound bites but what is most glaring:
is the total absence of coherent policies, practical measures and direction from the state governments which they are in control.
Notice also that these blogs do not tolerate any dissension from their perspective. They adopt a fascist mindset. Say anything contrary, and you will receive a heap of profanities. This is their standard operating procedure, one designed to intimidate and discourage rational debate.
Just pause and think and think hard.
If a man, whose only reputation is that of taking some photos allegedly of Dato Lingam and who had no prior experience in politics and or public administration, was recruited by Anwar’s PKR to contest in the General Elections, how can such a person contribute effectively to developing our country? The rest of Anwar’s political entourage is no better and does not inspire confidence.
Hence, Anwar’s diversionary tactics and distractions. Anwar is a master in manufacturing “political noise”, massive amount of noise to cover up his inadequacies and to prevent people from asking the right questions and focusing on critical issues.
We are now issuing a public challenge to Anwar and the leaders of the PR state governments.
Give us a report card on your achievements after one year in power!
Give us your blueprint for the states under your control, specifically your policies in ensuring the continued wellbeing of the rakyat suffering from the impact of the global financial tsunami.
Give us your strategies in making Malaysia the most dynamic country in ASEAN.
Give us specifics, not spin, in achieving a higher degree of national unity, as this is always a work-in-progress.
Take Notice:
If Anwar, Hadi, and Lim Kit Siang fail to respond within 48 hours from the date hereof, as it is their duty to do so, they must be exposed for what they are – political charlatans.
Finally, Anwar, I dare you to debate with me in public on the above issues. Let this be a No Holds Barred debate.
The rules are simple.
We speak for half an hour.
We cross-examine each other without mercy for another half hour.
We let the rakyat decide the winner of the debate.
Sunday, May 17, 2009
Dear PM Najib, please take serious note!
Is The New Captain Another Football Captain Just Warming Up? It May Be Worse, The Team (i.e. Advisers) Is Still In The Dressing Room! - By Matthias Chang
By Matthias Chang
Thursday, 16 April 2009 00:06
When the Badawi regime was listless and napping, Badawi gave the excuse that he was merely warming up.
I pointed out that he had five years to warm up as the deputy prime minister to the then prime minister, Tun Dr. Mahathir Mohamad and that he cannot have the luxury to “warm up” when the game has already started.
Badawi did not heed my advice and when the game resumed after half-time, he gave away five goals. A third rate team scored five massive goals and was surprised that the much touted BN team was unimaginative in offensive play and its defenders were four overweight and over-rated players.
Badawi refused to accept responsibility for the massacre and demanded that he remain as Captain. The whole team sheepishly agreed that the captain should be allowed to serve the full term. The stupid rationale was that “a captain should not be challenged” as it was against the “culture”.
The fans and critics were so pissed off that they gave the ultimate warning that if there was no change in the leadership, they would bury the entire team.
Some team members asked the Deputy to take over the leadership but he refused. He calculated that it would be safer for his long term future that others should do the heavy work of pushing aside the captain. The Deputy knew that sooner or later, the captain would be toppled as the fans were really pissed off.
The Deputy’s advisers, being opportunists and lacking in principles agreed to this game plan.
The fans and critics fed up with the charade, mounted a massive campaign and indicated that events would turn ugly and the whole team beaten to a pulp, if the captain was not booted out. That scared the shits out of the entire team. And as they say, the rest is history, albeit a recent history.
One would have thought that the Deputy who had assumed the captaincy would be more than grateful to the fans and critics who for five years, did all the heavy work to boot out the under-performing captain.
To the utter consternation of the fans and critics, this new captain was not only ungrateful but worse, he has informed his opportunist “advisers” (a carbon copy of the 4th Floor Boys) that he intends to appoint the moribund and just retired captain as his adviser. It was reported that the new captain was fond of saying that the just retired captain was an “honourable man” as he had kept his word to retire.
Maybe we should remind this new captain that the just retired captain wanted to “retire” in 2010 as he had “unfinished business” to attend. The fans went ballistic and demanded “December 2008 or else….”
The just retired captain, with the tacit agreement of the Deputy, deviously postponed the Annual Meeting from December 2008 to March 2009 in the hope of buying time. But it was not to be, as the fans were adamant that the captain must get out of their sight for good!
So how in the world can this new captain and his opportunist advisers claim that IT WAS THEIR STRATEGY THAT WROUGHT THE CAPTAINCY from the just retired captain?
I am not going to waste my time arguing this point.
I will be blunt and frank.
I will now issue a warning to the new captain and his opportunist advisers.
You had five years of warming up. Enough is enough!
You had five years of experience in mismanaging the country under the just retired captain.
You had five years of experience in how to destroy a political party under the just retired captain.
You had five years of our patience and tolerance.
You had five years to address our grievances but you neglected our frustrations and F#@K up big time and paid a heavy price, when your team gave away five massive goals to our opponents. A day of infamy!
You had five years to prepare a program to make good the damage, but you and your team just did not have the balls to do what it takes to make things right.
You had five years, and it freaks us out that you and your team, right at this moment is still figuring out what is required to put things right.
If your bloody idiotic advisers, whoever they are, cannot see the shits that have hit the ceiling fan and messed up the whole place by now, its about time, you ditch each and everyone of these ass#@L#@!!!!!!!!!!
AFTER FIVE WASTED YEARS, HOW CAN YOU AND YOUR TEAM HAVE THE AUDACITY TO CONTINUE WITH THE SPIN OF THE JUST RETIRED CAPTAIN?
You must be freaking out to think we will fall for more spin!
AS A GOVERNMENT, YOU ARE EXPECTED TO PERFORM AND PERFORM WELL. SO DON’T TELL US THAT YOU WILL MONITOR YOUR TEAM’S PERFORMANCE.
YOU ARE THE CAPTAIN. ACT LIKE ONE!
YOU BETTER SHAPE UP FAST OR WE WILL SHIP YOU AND YOUR TEAM OUT!
WE WILL MONITOR YOU AND YOUR TEAM.
So why are you and your team still warming up, when you should be up and running and scoring some spectacular goals so that we have something to cheer, instead of hearing more excuses?
Team BN lost by five goals in the big game in March 2008. Since then you have lost three critical games. It would have been a consolation of sorts to have scored at least one goal in the three matches. But you came up with duds!
That is just not acceptable. It is the same old team, with the same tactics, and the same cheer leaders. Can you just tell us what is new, different and really meaningful? And for heaven’s sake, don’t do or say anything that will remind us of the just retired captain, his arrogant son-in-law and their baggage.
If you should utter again that the just retired captain is OK and you will look to him for advice, then all bets are off. We are tired of watching the same movie over and over again. Is this so difficult for you and your idiotic and opportunist advisers to comprehend?
FINALLY, get into your head that it is the economy that is our priority and if you don’t get it right by July, your time is up and you will have to go the same way as the just retired captain.
Please do the following as proof that you are listening to the rakyat.
Ask yourself the following questions:
Since you became the Finance Minister, why were you not up to speed on the global financial crisis?
If it is because you were getting the wrong data and advice (inspite of all the public warnings and publications), then why are you still keeping these advisers and or officials at the Central Bank and the Treasury?
What is the single most important thing that you must do as captain and treasurer of the team to win the confidence and support of the fans?
If you and your team do not know the answer, I suggest that you join the just retired captain and save us a whole load of aggravation.
You have been warned!
By Matthias Chang
Thursday, 16 April 2009 00:06
When the Badawi regime was listless and napping, Badawi gave the excuse that he was merely warming up.
I pointed out that he had five years to warm up as the deputy prime minister to the then prime minister, Tun Dr. Mahathir Mohamad and that he cannot have the luxury to “warm up” when the game has already started.
Badawi did not heed my advice and when the game resumed after half-time, he gave away five goals. A third rate team scored five massive goals and was surprised that the much touted BN team was unimaginative in offensive play and its defenders were four overweight and over-rated players.
Badawi refused to accept responsibility for the massacre and demanded that he remain as Captain. The whole team sheepishly agreed that the captain should be allowed to serve the full term. The stupid rationale was that “a captain should not be challenged” as it was against the “culture”.
The fans and critics were so pissed off that they gave the ultimate warning that if there was no change in the leadership, they would bury the entire team.
Some team members asked the Deputy to take over the leadership but he refused. He calculated that it would be safer for his long term future that others should do the heavy work of pushing aside the captain. The Deputy knew that sooner or later, the captain would be toppled as the fans were really pissed off.
The Deputy’s advisers, being opportunists and lacking in principles agreed to this game plan.
The fans and critics fed up with the charade, mounted a massive campaign and indicated that events would turn ugly and the whole team beaten to a pulp, if the captain was not booted out. That scared the shits out of the entire team. And as they say, the rest is history, albeit a recent history.
One would have thought that the Deputy who had assumed the captaincy would be more than grateful to the fans and critics who for five years, did all the heavy work to boot out the under-performing captain.
To the utter consternation of the fans and critics, this new captain was not only ungrateful but worse, he has informed his opportunist “advisers” (a carbon copy of the 4th Floor Boys) that he intends to appoint the moribund and just retired captain as his adviser. It was reported that the new captain was fond of saying that the just retired captain was an “honourable man” as he had kept his word to retire.
Maybe we should remind this new captain that the just retired captain wanted to “retire” in 2010 as he had “unfinished business” to attend. The fans went ballistic and demanded “December 2008 or else….”
The just retired captain, with the tacit agreement of the Deputy, deviously postponed the Annual Meeting from December 2008 to March 2009 in the hope of buying time. But it was not to be, as the fans were adamant that the captain must get out of their sight for good!
So how in the world can this new captain and his opportunist advisers claim that IT WAS THEIR STRATEGY THAT WROUGHT THE CAPTAINCY from the just retired captain?
I am not going to waste my time arguing this point.
I will be blunt and frank.
I will now issue a warning to the new captain and his opportunist advisers.
You had five years of warming up. Enough is enough!
You had five years of experience in mismanaging the country under the just retired captain.
You had five years of experience in how to destroy a political party under the just retired captain.
You had five years of our patience and tolerance.
You had five years to address our grievances but you neglected our frustrations and F#@K up big time and paid a heavy price, when your team gave away five massive goals to our opponents. A day of infamy!
You had five years to prepare a program to make good the damage, but you and your team just did not have the balls to do what it takes to make things right.
You had five years, and it freaks us out that you and your team, right at this moment is still figuring out what is required to put things right.
If your bloody idiotic advisers, whoever they are, cannot see the shits that have hit the ceiling fan and messed up the whole place by now, its about time, you ditch each and everyone of these ass#@L#@!!!!!!!!!!
AFTER FIVE WASTED YEARS, HOW CAN YOU AND YOUR TEAM HAVE THE AUDACITY TO CONTINUE WITH THE SPIN OF THE JUST RETIRED CAPTAIN?
You must be freaking out to think we will fall for more spin!
AS A GOVERNMENT, YOU ARE EXPECTED TO PERFORM AND PERFORM WELL. SO DON’T TELL US THAT YOU WILL MONITOR YOUR TEAM’S PERFORMANCE.
YOU ARE THE CAPTAIN. ACT LIKE ONE!
YOU BETTER SHAPE UP FAST OR WE WILL SHIP YOU AND YOUR TEAM OUT!
WE WILL MONITOR YOU AND YOUR TEAM.
So why are you and your team still warming up, when you should be up and running and scoring some spectacular goals so that we have something to cheer, instead of hearing more excuses?
Team BN lost by five goals in the big game in March 2008. Since then you have lost three critical games. It would have been a consolation of sorts to have scored at least one goal in the three matches. But you came up with duds!
That is just not acceptable. It is the same old team, with the same tactics, and the same cheer leaders. Can you just tell us what is new, different and really meaningful? And for heaven’s sake, don’t do or say anything that will remind us of the just retired captain, his arrogant son-in-law and their baggage.
If you should utter again that the just retired captain is OK and you will look to him for advice, then all bets are off. We are tired of watching the same movie over and over again. Is this so difficult for you and your idiotic and opportunist advisers to comprehend?
FINALLY, get into your head that it is the economy that is our priority and if you don’t get it right by July, your time is up and you will have to go the same way as the just retired captain.
Please do the following as proof that you are listening to the rakyat.
Ask yourself the following questions:
Since you became the Finance Minister, why were you not up to speed on the global financial crisis?
If it is because you were getting the wrong data and advice (inspite of all the public warnings and publications), then why are you still keeping these advisers and or officials at the Central Bank and the Treasury?
What is the single most important thing that you must do as captain and treasurer of the team to win the confidence and support of the fans?
If you and your team do not know the answer, I suggest that you join the just retired captain and save us a whole load of aggravation.
You have been warned!
Thursday, May 14, 2009
Rais Yatim thinks Pak Lah is a nincompoop!
NO HOLDS BARRED
Raja Petra Kamarudin
Dear Datuk Seri,
I read your interview in Malaysiakini yesterday, which I believe was an extract of your interview with the BBC the same day. I really have no quarrel with what you said merely because I believe everyone is entitled to his and her views and that we should respect this. Of course, this does not mean we must agree with these views. We are definitely at liberty to disagree with them. But just because we disagree with them does not mean we should silence these people and not allow them to express their opinions.
On the point that I never say nice things about the government but only know how to criticise, I would also certainly agree with you and will plead guilty as charged. Have you, however, maybe not noticed that I also never say nice things about the opposition as well?
When have I ever said even one nice thing about Anwar Ibrahim, Lim Kit Siang, Karpal Singh, Hadi Awang, Lim Guan Eng, Nik Aziz, Ustaz Azizan, Tan Sri Khalid, Nizar Jamaluddin, or whoever? But I did say I think Khairy Jamaluddin is very intelligent and that I have confidence he might yet become Prime Minister at the age of 40. And I said Matthias Chang, Mahathir’s adviser whom you also know well enough, is a genius, and whatnot.
And did you read the comments my readers posted in Malaysia Today? They called me a Mahathir stooge, a Mahathir boot-licker, and much worse.
So, while I may not say nice things about the government, neither do I say nice things about the opposition. Would you, therefore, not consider that as balanced?
Okay, on the point that I only criticise and never praise. That too is also true. But while I criticise the federal government, which happens to be Barisan Nasional, I also criticise the state governments, which are not all Barisan Nasional.
Now, Datuk Seri, this fact may have escaped you. I criticise the Pakatan Rakyat states like Kelantan, Kedah, Penang and Selangor, and before this Perak, but have you ever seen me criticising states like Johor, Melaka, Negeri Sembilan, Pahang and so on?
Yes, that’s right, I whack Pakatan Rakyat state governments good and proper. But I never touch Barisan Nasional state governments. Okay, I did write about the RM7 billion Wang Ehsan for Terengganu, which has been pilfered. But, hey, even His Majesty the Agong is upset about this. Why do you think Tuanku rejected Idris Jusoh as Menteri Besar if not for the fact that Idris was managing the Wang Ehsan since 2000 and most of it had ‘evaporated’.
I admit I also whacked Sabah and Sarawak on what these two states did to their timber resources. But let’s face it, Datuk Seri, are you not also personally outraged by what these two states have done to forests that took millions of years to develop? And is it not downright criminal that what took millions of years to develop was utterly destroyed in less than 30 years?
One more point I would like to make here, Datuk Seri, I do not praise the federal government or state governments because I consider it their duty to do good things. For example, if I pay someone to repair my toilet, and if I am paying a hell of a lot of money on top of that, I expect the job to be done well. If the toilet still can’t flush then I am going to complain like hell. I would probably also refuse to pay the bill until the chap redoes it properly this time. But if he did a great job I will just pay him his money and would most likely call him again the next time I need my toilets repaired. But I am not going to pat the chap on the head and say, “Good boy. Clever boy.” Or whatever.
Have you seen how rich people summon waiters in an expensive restaurant? They click their fingers and scowl if the waiter is too slow and will order their food and drinks without even looking the waiter in the face or offering the poor chap a smile. Why? Well, these rich people are paying good money for the service so they need not be nice to the hired hands.
You give them the bill and they pay, never mind how much it may be, and they may even include a 10% tip if there is no service charge and if they are satisfied with the service. But they are definitely not going to summon the manager and tell the manager how great his waiter is and that he should be given a raise. But if they are not satisfied with the service, they will certainly call the manager and complain and demand that the waiter be sacked or something like that.
This is a fact of life, Datuk Seri. We are paying good money, a lot of money in fact, to upkeep our government. We are paying you to do a job. Our hard-earned money is paying for the cost of this government. You do a good job and we continue employing you. You do a bad job and we kick your sorry behind. But we are not going to sing your praises just because you did something you were supposed to do in the first place.
Okay, now on the point that I have libelled or defamed people and that action would have to be taken against anyone who commits such crimes.
Around two years or so ago, I wrote something about Zaid Ibrahim, who was then a Minister in Abdullah Ahmad Badawi’s government. Zaid did not sue me or make a police report against me, as do the other Umno people. Instead, he replied to the allegation in writing and I published his letter in Malaysia Today so that the readers can decide for themselves who is right and who is wrong.
The readers were delighted and full of praise for Zaid, in spite of the fact he is, at that time, an Umno Minister and the readers were mostly opposition supporters. After reading his letter, they believed Zaid’s interpretation of events rather than the interpretation of the one who made the allegation against him. In short, Zaid won the ‘argument’ because he rebutted it in a civilised and matured manner.
On the other hand, how do the rest of the Umno people respond to allegations? They just deny, deny and deny. But they never rebut the allegation or give their side of the story. Then they make police reports against me and ask that I be arrested or detained without trial under the Internal Security Act. Umno Bloggers suggest that a war should be waged against us and that the government should deal with us the way the Sri Lankan government deals with the LTTE. Others suggest I should be killed with a bullet in my head and e-mails are sent to me threatening the life of my daughter.
Datuk Seri, are you aware of what is happening in Sri Lanka? Do you know the carnage going on in that country? I would not wish for something like that even on my most bitter enemies. How can we justify chopping to pieces women and children and burning them while they are still alive in the name of politics? I would not even do that to dogs and cats. But the Umno Bloggers feel that this is the most appropriate punishment for those who oppose the government.
Do you remember, Datuk Seri, more than two years ago I ran a series of 12 articles about the links between the police and the underworld? Were all these lies? I included eight Affidavits by senior police officers, another two Affidavits by underworld bosses, and two police reports by a police officer and his wife. That is 12 documents in all.
We are not talking about mere articles here, Datuk Seri. We are talking about Affidavits and police reports. I even made an appointment to meet Dr Mahathir and handed copies of all these documents to Tun. And I believe Tun spoke to ex-IGP Hanif about it; who in turn then spoke to the IGP.
Datuk Seri, you can personally speak to Dr Mahathir and ask him whether what I say is true or not. I did everything I could to make sure this matter was looked into. But was it? What action was taken? Instead, I was scolded by the Selangor Sultan who accused me of lying in an attempt to smear the good name of the IGP. It seems they complained to the Sultan about what I had done. That 12-series revelation against the IGP was the beginning of my crisis with the Sultan. Jojo was there. He can confirm this incident if you wish to seek clarification.
For your information, Datuk Seri, in spite of the many Affidavits and police reports I was given, I still did not take all these at face value just yet. I met up with someone very senior in the police force who works in the IGP’s office and ‘interviewed’ him about all these allegations regarding the links between the IGP and BK Tan. This man produced documents to prove that BK Tan decided on which police officer got promoted, which got transferred, and which got sent into cold storage for refusing to cooperate.
I was invited to dinner at a very expensive Japanese restaurant by a few very senior but retired police officers who wanted me to reveal where my sources came from. That was in fact the second meeting. Earlier, I was invited to dinner by very senior but retired Special Branch officers, who also wanted to know the same thing. On both occasions I did not hold back anything and told them what they wanted to know.
What transpired from all this effort? Was anything done about the matter? As far as I can see, the IGP is still in office while all those I named as my source have been ‘eliminated’. Instead of using this information and evidence to take action against the IGP, what happened was the whistleblowers were severely dealt with. Even the lawyer who acted on behalf of one of the police officers was roughly manhandled and arrested in his office and was made to spend a night in the Putrajaya lockup on Hari Raya eve.
Therefore, Datuk Seri, what do I do? Do I attempt to solve this through ‘normal channels’ like in the past and expose all my sources to risk, like what has been proven thus far? Or do I bang away as you and Umno said, making ‘false allegations’? How do you know they are false allegations? Is it because I offered no evidence so therefore they must be false? But the problem is, even when I do offer evidence, the evidence is destroyed while the whistleblowers suffer retaliation.
Let us talk about the ‘hottest’ allegation I have made thus far which appears to be what has made Umno all hot around the collar. And this is of course my Statutory Declaration.
When I was under ISA detention in September last year, Datuk Zamri Ahmad interrogated me about that SD. You may know his father very well, Ahmad Sarji. Now, Zamri is not just any Special Branch officer. He is quite senior and tipped to be the future Director of the Special Branch, maybe within ten years or so from now.
I told Zamri everything he wanted to know. I revealed the source. Zamri confirmed he personally knows the source. Okay, what did the Special Branch do with that information? Did they act on it? So you see, Datuk Seri, it is well and fine to scream that we Bloggers are irresponsible and make wild allegations and never support these allegation with evidence. But even when we do prove it or support our allegations with evidence or reveal our sources, either nothing is done or our sources face the wrath of the powers-that-be.
When I revealed information regarding the RM200 million jetliner which Pak Lah bought for his personal use, it was denied and we were accused of lying. In fact, one of those who fed me this information and helped me with the technical details of the jetliner is an Umno Blogger, Zakir, who runs BigDogDotCom (http://bigdogdotcom.wordpress.com/). You can read his piece called Raja Petra the compulsive liar.
You see, Datuk Seri, I am not a technical person or a plane enthusiast. So I know very little about the technical specifications of aeroplanes. Zakir, however, is an expert on the matter and he helped put the report together. In fact, his Blog came out with the full report earlier, ahead of Malaysia Today. Now he calls me a compulsive liar?
Zakir denies his links with the Special Branch. However, on 5 September 2008, he told me that the Special Branch was about to detain me under the ISA. That same day I went underground and did not resurface until the 10th September. I met some MIC leaders very close to Samy Vellu during that period and they suggested I remain underground because the police are looking for me. I can get them to meet you to confirm all this if you required so Datuk Seri. These people also have strong links with the police.
However, on the 10th September, I got bored and decided to resurface. These MIC chaps were very disturbed and suggested I continue remaining in hiding. I did not listen to them though. On the afternoon of the 10th I went home. On the 11th I went to Bangsar for dinner and spotted two Special Branch officers monitoring me. I commented to the dinner crowd, “It looks like tomorrow they will come and take me”. Two of the chaps stood up and walked towards the Special Branch officers who quickly hightailed it out of there. The next day I was detained under the ISA.
Am I lying? I in fact told the police I was expecting them. When they asked why I said that, I related the story about the two Special Branch officers lurking around the Bangsar restaurant watching me while I was with a group of friends having dinner the night before. I also told them about the tip from the Umno Blogger, without mentioning his name though, plus the information from those MIC people who had links with the police. Today, this same Umno man who was my source of information calls me a compulsive liar.
Datuk Seri, I can go on and on and turn this letter into a thesis and would probably be awarded a doctorate just like you. Nevertheless, what I would have to say would just be more of the same thing. If my arguments are not already convincing enough as they are, then I really don’t know what else to say.
But I know you, Datuk Seri. I mean; we first met more than 25 years ago when we had dinner together with Tan Kay Hock at the Kuala Lumpur Hilton. So that is how long we have personally known each other. (By the way, are you aware that Kay Hock is now Najib’s golf partner?). And because I know you that well I know you would have by now grasped the spirit of what I have written and you would not have any problems understanding the gist of my arguments. If I may say so, Datuk Seri, without appearing as if I am trying to apple-polish you, you are probably one of the more intelligent Umno leaders. So maybe I can stop here and allow what I have written thus far to sink in.
If you feel I am still not convincing enough I can always continue with a part 2 or something like that. But I feel I would just be saying more of the same thing, and would that really be necessary? By the way, Datuk Seri, I still remember what you told me when we met on the first day of Hari Raya at Dr Mahathir’s house more than two years ago. I would like to believe what I am doing is not a departure from the advice you gave me then.
Anyway, it was nice to be able to reply to your comments and I sincerely thank you for giving me the opportunity to tell my side of the story. I still have very high regards for you and I still remember the Semangat 46 days when you were one of the key players and mastermind behind the party’s strategy. It is most unfortunate that you decided to close down the party and everyone rejoined Umno en bloc. If not, today, there would be no need for PKR as Semangat 46 would probably, by now, be the lead partner in a Pakatan Rakyat federal government.
Yours truly,
Raja Petra Bin Raja Kamarudin
*****************************************
On Raja Petra, who is living in self-imposed exile ostensibly to escape being detained again under the ISA, Rais described him as an expressive individual who has had his say on many matters.
“I only hope that he also gives us credit for some of the things we do. But he appears to be on a one-slice action all the time.
“I respect him for his views and for his style of (comment), but I do hope that Raja Petra comes up with both sides of the spectrum, so that his reporting (is) balanced. (This will make) him more popular.
“For example, if we are successful in helping the community in an anti-poverty drive, why can't he say that it is a good move?”
Rais called on the blogger to be fair in his assessment of situations in Malaysia.
“My prime minister (Najib Abdul Razak) is entitled to his view (on Raja Petra) and I am entitled to mine. But if everything in this world is too fair and too just, of course we would not have this talk, would we?”
Rais also said people need not be fearful of arrests under the Communication and Multimedia Act 1998, which his ministry enforces.
However, he said the public should “always respect” laws like the ISA and the Printing Presses and Publications Act 1984, which are under the home minister’s purview.
Several bloggers have already been charged with sedition since February, for posting comments on the Perak royalty amidst the ongoing political imbroglio in the state.
Rais described the emergence of blogging as a new trend that has overcome the limitations posed to the public in accessing the print media to express their views.
He said blogs are still a novelty in Malaysia, but that no party can curtail blogging because of the emergency of a value system that demands freedom of expression.
“However, do it responsibly. If you libel a guy or you defame a guy, you have to answer for it in the court of law,” he added.
“I think that is fair... It is better that you verify your facts (before you write). If they bring you to court, you have answer to it.”
Malaysiakini
Raja Petra Kamarudin
Dear Datuk Seri,
I read your interview in Malaysiakini yesterday, which I believe was an extract of your interview with the BBC the same day. I really have no quarrel with what you said merely because I believe everyone is entitled to his and her views and that we should respect this. Of course, this does not mean we must agree with these views. We are definitely at liberty to disagree with them. But just because we disagree with them does not mean we should silence these people and not allow them to express their opinions.
On the point that I never say nice things about the government but only know how to criticise, I would also certainly agree with you and will plead guilty as charged. Have you, however, maybe not noticed that I also never say nice things about the opposition as well?
When have I ever said even one nice thing about Anwar Ibrahim, Lim Kit Siang, Karpal Singh, Hadi Awang, Lim Guan Eng, Nik Aziz, Ustaz Azizan, Tan Sri Khalid, Nizar Jamaluddin, or whoever? But I did say I think Khairy Jamaluddin is very intelligent and that I have confidence he might yet become Prime Minister at the age of 40. And I said Matthias Chang, Mahathir’s adviser whom you also know well enough, is a genius, and whatnot.
And did you read the comments my readers posted in Malaysia Today? They called me a Mahathir stooge, a Mahathir boot-licker, and much worse.
So, while I may not say nice things about the government, neither do I say nice things about the opposition. Would you, therefore, not consider that as balanced?
Okay, on the point that I only criticise and never praise. That too is also true. But while I criticise the federal government, which happens to be Barisan Nasional, I also criticise the state governments, which are not all Barisan Nasional.
Now, Datuk Seri, this fact may have escaped you. I criticise the Pakatan Rakyat states like Kelantan, Kedah, Penang and Selangor, and before this Perak, but have you ever seen me criticising states like Johor, Melaka, Negeri Sembilan, Pahang and so on?
Yes, that’s right, I whack Pakatan Rakyat state governments good and proper. But I never touch Barisan Nasional state governments. Okay, I did write about the RM7 billion Wang Ehsan for Terengganu, which has been pilfered. But, hey, even His Majesty the Agong is upset about this. Why do you think Tuanku rejected Idris Jusoh as Menteri Besar if not for the fact that Idris was managing the Wang Ehsan since 2000 and most of it had ‘evaporated’.
I admit I also whacked Sabah and Sarawak on what these two states did to their timber resources. But let’s face it, Datuk Seri, are you not also personally outraged by what these two states have done to forests that took millions of years to develop? And is it not downright criminal that what took millions of years to develop was utterly destroyed in less than 30 years?
One more point I would like to make here, Datuk Seri, I do not praise the federal government or state governments because I consider it their duty to do good things. For example, if I pay someone to repair my toilet, and if I am paying a hell of a lot of money on top of that, I expect the job to be done well. If the toilet still can’t flush then I am going to complain like hell. I would probably also refuse to pay the bill until the chap redoes it properly this time. But if he did a great job I will just pay him his money and would most likely call him again the next time I need my toilets repaired. But I am not going to pat the chap on the head and say, “Good boy. Clever boy.” Or whatever.
Have you seen how rich people summon waiters in an expensive restaurant? They click their fingers and scowl if the waiter is too slow and will order their food and drinks without even looking the waiter in the face or offering the poor chap a smile. Why? Well, these rich people are paying good money for the service so they need not be nice to the hired hands.
You give them the bill and they pay, never mind how much it may be, and they may even include a 10% tip if there is no service charge and if they are satisfied with the service. But they are definitely not going to summon the manager and tell the manager how great his waiter is and that he should be given a raise. But if they are not satisfied with the service, they will certainly call the manager and complain and demand that the waiter be sacked or something like that.
This is a fact of life, Datuk Seri. We are paying good money, a lot of money in fact, to upkeep our government. We are paying you to do a job. Our hard-earned money is paying for the cost of this government. You do a good job and we continue employing you. You do a bad job and we kick your sorry behind. But we are not going to sing your praises just because you did something you were supposed to do in the first place.
Okay, now on the point that I have libelled or defamed people and that action would have to be taken against anyone who commits such crimes.
Around two years or so ago, I wrote something about Zaid Ibrahim, who was then a Minister in Abdullah Ahmad Badawi’s government. Zaid did not sue me or make a police report against me, as do the other Umno people. Instead, he replied to the allegation in writing and I published his letter in Malaysia Today so that the readers can decide for themselves who is right and who is wrong.
The readers were delighted and full of praise for Zaid, in spite of the fact he is, at that time, an Umno Minister and the readers were mostly opposition supporters. After reading his letter, they believed Zaid’s interpretation of events rather than the interpretation of the one who made the allegation against him. In short, Zaid won the ‘argument’ because he rebutted it in a civilised and matured manner.
On the other hand, how do the rest of the Umno people respond to allegations? They just deny, deny and deny. But they never rebut the allegation or give their side of the story. Then they make police reports against me and ask that I be arrested or detained without trial under the Internal Security Act. Umno Bloggers suggest that a war should be waged against us and that the government should deal with us the way the Sri Lankan government deals with the LTTE. Others suggest I should be killed with a bullet in my head and e-mails are sent to me threatening the life of my daughter.
Datuk Seri, are you aware of what is happening in Sri Lanka? Do you know the carnage going on in that country? I would not wish for something like that even on my most bitter enemies. How can we justify chopping to pieces women and children and burning them while they are still alive in the name of politics? I would not even do that to dogs and cats. But the Umno Bloggers feel that this is the most appropriate punishment for those who oppose the government.
Do you remember, Datuk Seri, more than two years ago I ran a series of 12 articles about the links between the police and the underworld? Were all these lies? I included eight Affidavits by senior police officers, another two Affidavits by underworld bosses, and two police reports by a police officer and his wife. That is 12 documents in all.
We are not talking about mere articles here, Datuk Seri. We are talking about Affidavits and police reports. I even made an appointment to meet Dr Mahathir and handed copies of all these documents to Tun. And I believe Tun spoke to ex-IGP Hanif about it; who in turn then spoke to the IGP.
Datuk Seri, you can personally speak to Dr Mahathir and ask him whether what I say is true or not. I did everything I could to make sure this matter was looked into. But was it? What action was taken? Instead, I was scolded by the Selangor Sultan who accused me of lying in an attempt to smear the good name of the IGP. It seems they complained to the Sultan about what I had done. That 12-series revelation against the IGP was the beginning of my crisis with the Sultan. Jojo was there. He can confirm this incident if you wish to seek clarification.
For your information, Datuk Seri, in spite of the many Affidavits and police reports I was given, I still did not take all these at face value just yet. I met up with someone very senior in the police force who works in the IGP’s office and ‘interviewed’ him about all these allegations regarding the links between the IGP and BK Tan. This man produced documents to prove that BK Tan decided on which police officer got promoted, which got transferred, and which got sent into cold storage for refusing to cooperate.
I was invited to dinner at a very expensive Japanese restaurant by a few very senior but retired police officers who wanted me to reveal where my sources came from. That was in fact the second meeting. Earlier, I was invited to dinner by very senior but retired Special Branch officers, who also wanted to know the same thing. On both occasions I did not hold back anything and told them what they wanted to know.
What transpired from all this effort? Was anything done about the matter? As far as I can see, the IGP is still in office while all those I named as my source have been ‘eliminated’. Instead of using this information and evidence to take action against the IGP, what happened was the whistleblowers were severely dealt with. Even the lawyer who acted on behalf of one of the police officers was roughly manhandled and arrested in his office and was made to spend a night in the Putrajaya lockup on Hari Raya eve.
Therefore, Datuk Seri, what do I do? Do I attempt to solve this through ‘normal channels’ like in the past and expose all my sources to risk, like what has been proven thus far? Or do I bang away as you and Umno said, making ‘false allegations’? How do you know they are false allegations? Is it because I offered no evidence so therefore they must be false? But the problem is, even when I do offer evidence, the evidence is destroyed while the whistleblowers suffer retaliation.
Let us talk about the ‘hottest’ allegation I have made thus far which appears to be what has made Umno all hot around the collar. And this is of course my Statutory Declaration.
When I was under ISA detention in September last year, Datuk Zamri Ahmad interrogated me about that SD. You may know his father very well, Ahmad Sarji. Now, Zamri is not just any Special Branch officer. He is quite senior and tipped to be the future Director of the Special Branch, maybe within ten years or so from now.
I told Zamri everything he wanted to know. I revealed the source. Zamri confirmed he personally knows the source. Okay, what did the Special Branch do with that information? Did they act on it? So you see, Datuk Seri, it is well and fine to scream that we Bloggers are irresponsible and make wild allegations and never support these allegation with evidence. But even when we do prove it or support our allegations with evidence or reveal our sources, either nothing is done or our sources face the wrath of the powers-that-be.
When I revealed information regarding the RM200 million jetliner which Pak Lah bought for his personal use, it was denied and we were accused of lying. In fact, one of those who fed me this information and helped me with the technical details of the jetliner is an Umno Blogger, Zakir, who runs BigDogDotCom (http://bigdogdotcom.wordpress.com/). You can read his piece called Raja Petra the compulsive liar.
You see, Datuk Seri, I am not a technical person or a plane enthusiast. So I know very little about the technical specifications of aeroplanes. Zakir, however, is an expert on the matter and he helped put the report together. In fact, his Blog came out with the full report earlier, ahead of Malaysia Today. Now he calls me a compulsive liar?
Zakir denies his links with the Special Branch. However, on 5 September 2008, he told me that the Special Branch was about to detain me under the ISA. That same day I went underground and did not resurface until the 10th September. I met some MIC leaders very close to Samy Vellu during that period and they suggested I remain underground because the police are looking for me. I can get them to meet you to confirm all this if you required so Datuk Seri. These people also have strong links with the police.
However, on the 10th September, I got bored and decided to resurface. These MIC chaps were very disturbed and suggested I continue remaining in hiding. I did not listen to them though. On the afternoon of the 10th I went home. On the 11th I went to Bangsar for dinner and spotted two Special Branch officers monitoring me. I commented to the dinner crowd, “It looks like tomorrow they will come and take me”. Two of the chaps stood up and walked towards the Special Branch officers who quickly hightailed it out of there. The next day I was detained under the ISA.
Am I lying? I in fact told the police I was expecting them. When they asked why I said that, I related the story about the two Special Branch officers lurking around the Bangsar restaurant watching me while I was with a group of friends having dinner the night before. I also told them about the tip from the Umno Blogger, without mentioning his name though, plus the information from those MIC people who had links with the police. Today, this same Umno man who was my source of information calls me a compulsive liar.
Datuk Seri, I can go on and on and turn this letter into a thesis and would probably be awarded a doctorate just like you. Nevertheless, what I would have to say would just be more of the same thing. If my arguments are not already convincing enough as they are, then I really don’t know what else to say.
But I know you, Datuk Seri. I mean; we first met more than 25 years ago when we had dinner together with Tan Kay Hock at the Kuala Lumpur Hilton. So that is how long we have personally known each other. (By the way, are you aware that Kay Hock is now Najib’s golf partner?). And because I know you that well I know you would have by now grasped the spirit of what I have written and you would not have any problems understanding the gist of my arguments. If I may say so, Datuk Seri, without appearing as if I am trying to apple-polish you, you are probably one of the more intelligent Umno leaders. So maybe I can stop here and allow what I have written thus far to sink in.
If you feel I am still not convincing enough I can always continue with a part 2 or something like that. But I feel I would just be saying more of the same thing, and would that really be necessary? By the way, Datuk Seri, I still remember what you told me when we met on the first day of Hari Raya at Dr Mahathir’s house more than two years ago. I would like to believe what I am doing is not a departure from the advice you gave me then.
Anyway, it was nice to be able to reply to your comments and I sincerely thank you for giving me the opportunity to tell my side of the story. I still have very high regards for you and I still remember the Semangat 46 days when you were one of the key players and mastermind behind the party’s strategy. It is most unfortunate that you decided to close down the party and everyone rejoined Umno en bloc. If not, today, there would be no need for PKR as Semangat 46 would probably, by now, be the lead partner in a Pakatan Rakyat federal government.
Yours truly,
Raja Petra Bin Raja Kamarudin
*****************************************
On Raja Petra, who is living in self-imposed exile ostensibly to escape being detained again under the ISA, Rais described him as an expressive individual who has had his say on many matters.
“I only hope that he also gives us credit for some of the things we do. But he appears to be on a one-slice action all the time.
“I respect him for his views and for his style of (comment), but I do hope that Raja Petra comes up with both sides of the spectrum, so that his reporting (is) balanced. (This will make) him more popular.
“For example, if we are successful in helping the community in an anti-poverty drive, why can't he say that it is a good move?”
Rais called on the blogger to be fair in his assessment of situations in Malaysia.
“My prime minister (Najib Abdul Razak) is entitled to his view (on Raja Petra) and I am entitled to mine. But if everything in this world is too fair and too just, of course we would not have this talk, would we?”
Rais also said people need not be fearful of arrests under the Communication and Multimedia Act 1998, which his ministry enforces.
However, he said the public should “always respect” laws like the ISA and the Printing Presses and Publications Act 1984, which are under the home minister’s purview.
Several bloggers have already been charged with sedition since February, for posting comments on the Perak royalty amidst the ongoing political imbroglio in the state.
Rais described the emergence of blogging as a new trend that has overcome the limitations posed to the public in accessing the print media to express their views.
He said blogs are still a novelty in Malaysia, but that no party can curtail blogging because of the emergency of a value system that demands freedom of expression.
“However, do it responsibly. If you libel a guy or you defame a guy, you have to answer for it in the court of law,” he added.
“I think that is fair... It is better that you verify your facts (before you write). If they bring you to court, you have answer to it.”
Malaysiakini
Thursday, May 07, 2009
Today, I pledge my support for Matthias Chang!
A Day of Infamy - Constitutional Rule and Law Down the Toilet Bowl - A Shameful Display of Arrogance and Lust for Power - By Matthias Chang (8/5/09)
By Matthias Chang
Friday, 08 May 2009 00:03
As expected and as warned by me, the events leading to the convening of the Perak State Assembly yesterday can only be described as disgraceful. It was a display of our elected representatives’ despicable conduct without precedent in our country’s history.
SHAME! SHAME! SHAME!
I pray and hope that in any future elections, all the elected representatives, without exception, who have disgraced our constitution today will be rejected by the electorate and cast into the rubbish heap of history.
May each and every one be condemned as hooligans, pariahs, men and women without a shred of honour!
The representatives of both sides of the political divide have by their actions destroyed what every citizen hold dear – constitutional rule and law.
It was a mockery of constitutional government and the country will pay a heavy price for this arrogant display of lust for power.
If it is correct that police personnel entered the august chambers of the Perak State Assembly to forcefully remove the Speaker, it is a black day for democracy and constitutional rule and law.
DISGRACE! DISGRACE! DISGRACE!
It is clear that the leadership of the Barisan Nasional and Pakatan Rakyat has failed and humiliated the country when they planned and executed their diabolical schemes to retain political power.
I hoped that political maturity would prevail, but it is apparent that my confidence in our political leaders from both sides of the political divide has been misplaced.
If there is one lesson to be drawn from this ugly and disgraceful episode, it is that the political leaders are all power hungry and will resort to any means fair and foul to hang on to power.
They do not deserve our trust and support.
I therefore appeal to all Malaysians to send a clear message to the leaders of Barisan Nasional and Pakatan Rakyat that we reject their unbridled lust for power and their crass means to achieve it.
I call upon all Malaysians to consider and work towards the formation of a government led by leaders that have not been infected with the disease that have afflicted the Barisan Nasional and the Pakatan Rakyat.
Since March 2008, many Malaysians took the view that maybe with the Pakatan Rakyat having captured 5 state governments, there would be a viable “two party system” to ensure that constitutional government would be further enhanced and sustained in our unique multi-racial and multi-religious society.
On this day of infamy, our faith and hopes for such a future has been shattered.
We must find another way, to seek new paradigms that would better suit the demands and needs of our society and country.
I have no illusions that the road ahead will be arduous and full of pitfalls.
The last five years of misrule by the Badawi regime have been bad enough but to witness the ugly and shameful destruction of constitutional government yesterday by the Barisan Nasional and the Pakatan Rakyat is the last straw and my patience and tolerance have run out. These politicians have crossed the forbidden red line.
Enough is enough!
Starting today, we have about three years to bring about meaningful change.
Let us all come together and kick out all these power crazy politicians so that we can chart a new course for our country.
Where and how do we begin?
For a start, our first step, we must set up a network of concerned citizens.
It will take time and effort, but it can be done. Have faith in the collective power of the people. These corrupt rascals can and must be swept away.
Let this website be the focal point. Once you have registered, we will have a data bank from which we can harness our collective strength and launch our movement for a Malaysia:
Free of the Barisan Nasional power structures.
Free of the Pakatan Rakyat power structures.
Free of religious intolerance and bigotry.
Free of racism and chauvinism.
Free of extremism.
Free of corruption.
Free to realise our fullest potential.
If you share this simple vision, let us get together and work towards a better future for our children and our children’s children.
God bless you all.
Matthias Chang
This Appeal is solely my responsibility.
I do not represent or write on behalf of anyone but myself in making this call.
If you share my disgust and utter contempt for all those politicians, join me.
By Matthias Chang
Friday, 08 May 2009 00:03
As expected and as warned by me, the events leading to the convening of the Perak State Assembly yesterday can only be described as disgraceful. It was a display of our elected representatives’ despicable conduct without precedent in our country’s history.
SHAME! SHAME! SHAME!
I pray and hope that in any future elections, all the elected representatives, without exception, who have disgraced our constitution today will be rejected by the electorate and cast into the rubbish heap of history.
May each and every one be condemned as hooligans, pariahs, men and women without a shred of honour!
The representatives of both sides of the political divide have by their actions destroyed what every citizen hold dear – constitutional rule and law.
It was a mockery of constitutional government and the country will pay a heavy price for this arrogant display of lust for power.
If it is correct that police personnel entered the august chambers of the Perak State Assembly to forcefully remove the Speaker, it is a black day for democracy and constitutional rule and law.
DISGRACE! DISGRACE! DISGRACE!
It is clear that the leadership of the Barisan Nasional and Pakatan Rakyat has failed and humiliated the country when they planned and executed their diabolical schemes to retain political power.
I hoped that political maturity would prevail, but it is apparent that my confidence in our political leaders from both sides of the political divide has been misplaced.
If there is one lesson to be drawn from this ugly and disgraceful episode, it is that the political leaders are all power hungry and will resort to any means fair and foul to hang on to power.
They do not deserve our trust and support.
I therefore appeal to all Malaysians to send a clear message to the leaders of Barisan Nasional and Pakatan Rakyat that we reject their unbridled lust for power and their crass means to achieve it.
I call upon all Malaysians to consider and work towards the formation of a government led by leaders that have not been infected with the disease that have afflicted the Barisan Nasional and the Pakatan Rakyat.
Since March 2008, many Malaysians took the view that maybe with the Pakatan Rakyat having captured 5 state governments, there would be a viable “two party system” to ensure that constitutional government would be further enhanced and sustained in our unique multi-racial and multi-religious society.
On this day of infamy, our faith and hopes for such a future has been shattered.
We must find another way, to seek new paradigms that would better suit the demands and needs of our society and country.
I have no illusions that the road ahead will be arduous and full of pitfalls.
The last five years of misrule by the Badawi regime have been bad enough but to witness the ugly and shameful destruction of constitutional government yesterday by the Barisan Nasional and the Pakatan Rakyat is the last straw and my patience and tolerance have run out. These politicians have crossed the forbidden red line.
Enough is enough!
Starting today, we have about three years to bring about meaningful change.
Let us all come together and kick out all these power crazy politicians so that we can chart a new course for our country.
Where and how do we begin?
For a start, our first step, we must set up a network of concerned citizens.
It will take time and effort, but it can be done. Have faith in the collective power of the people. These corrupt rascals can and must be swept away.
Let this website be the focal point. Once you have registered, we will have a data bank from which we can harness our collective strength and launch our movement for a Malaysia:
Free of the Barisan Nasional power structures.
Free of the Pakatan Rakyat power structures.
Free of religious intolerance and bigotry.
Free of racism and chauvinism.
Free of extremism.
Free of corruption.
Free to realise our fullest potential.
If you share this simple vision, let us get together and work towards a better future for our children and our children’s children.
God bless you all.
Matthias Chang
This Appeal is solely my responsibility.
I do not represent or write on behalf of anyone but myself in making this call.
If you share my disgust and utter contempt for all those politicians, join me.
BN, get out of Perak now!!! You are falling for the biggest trap as predicted by Matthias Chang!!!
Datuk Dr Zambry Abdul Kadir, bring your BN ADUNs and get out of Perak now. This is a trap!!! As a former Anwar supporter and been to ISA before, you should have known better!
If I am a Perakian, I would be damn ashamed!
Looking at the behaviour of our ADUNs today in the Perak State Legislative Assembly makes me wanna puke!
No wonder it is a failed state as Ku Li has said.
Enough said.
No wonder it is a failed state as Ku Li has said.
Enough said.
Wednesday, May 06, 2009
Tun Pak Lah, you are forgiven!
Abdullah also asked for forgiveness for any shortcomings during his six-year tenure as the fifth Prime Minister.
“I have asked myself what have I done after 45 years in the civil service. I think, Alham-dulillah, I have been a good man who served the rakyat.
“Maybe I did not manage to give my very best and there might have been some shortcomings. I apologise,” he said
“I have asked myself what have I done after 45 years in the civil service. I think, Alham-dulillah, I have been a good man who served the rakyat.
“Maybe I did not manage to give my very best and there might have been some shortcomings. I apologise,” he said
Tuesday, May 05, 2009
Matthias Chang's energy and quality time sucked out terribly in removing Mat Ngantuk and Mat Rempit
Time Out Until July '09 - Giving Benefit of Doubt to PM Najib - By Matthias Chang (29/4/09)
Matthias Chang
Tuesday, 28 April 2009 22:20
In my previous article, I said that if PM Najib avoids falling into the By-election trap deviously manipulated by Anwar Ibrahim, it would mark the defining moment of his administration.
There is an urgent need to address the financial and economic issues.
PM Najib is beginning to do just that.
But some of the measures are clearly not appropriate. However, I have decided not to criticize PM Najib, as my views have been clearly spelt out in my books and articles posted to my website.
July is only three months away and as I have stated that if things don’t get better by then, Barisan Nasional will be in deep shits.
Getting rid of Badawi has been an effort that took a lot of energy and quality time from my family. Many were involved in that effort and made huge sacrifices in the hope that things will change for the better.
We now have a new Prime Minister and a new administration.
Promises have been made and we will just have to wait and see whether they will be fulfilled.
The Countdown has begun. July is the dateline.
I wish the Prime Minister every success.
But if ………..
Your guess is as good as mine, if he fails to deliver.
I am giving myself three months time out to recharge my batteries, just in case, heavy work is needed again.
I hope not.
Matthias Chang
Tuesday, 28 April 2009 22:20
In my previous article, I said that if PM Najib avoids falling into the By-election trap deviously manipulated by Anwar Ibrahim, it would mark the defining moment of his administration.
There is an urgent need to address the financial and economic issues.
PM Najib is beginning to do just that.
But some of the measures are clearly not appropriate. However, I have decided not to criticize PM Najib, as my views have been clearly spelt out in my books and articles posted to my website.
July is only three months away and as I have stated that if things don’t get better by then, Barisan Nasional will be in deep shits.
Getting rid of Badawi has been an effort that took a lot of energy and quality time from my family. Many were involved in that effort and made huge sacrifices in the hope that things will change for the better.
We now have a new Prime Minister and a new administration.
Promises have been made and we will just have to wait and see whether they will be fulfilled.
The Countdown has begun. July is the dateline.
I wish the Prime Minister every success.
But if ………..
Your guess is as good as mine, if he fails to deliver.
I am giving myself three months time out to recharge my batteries, just in case, heavy work is needed again.
I hope not.
Matthias will always label Anwar as 'Chow Kar'
The Perfect Trap For Anwar In Perak On May 7, 2009 - By Matthias Chang (5/5/09)
By Matthias Chang
Monday, 04 May 2009 21:05
Anwar and his storm-troopers are up to no good once again in Perak. His bloggers at the Malaysia Today website are working overtime spinning all sorts of rumours that would make Goebbels proud.
They are going to have a massive gathering when the State Assembly convenes on May 7, 2009 in the hope of provoking a crisis. Anwar wants maximum media coverage and he will get it if Barisan Nasional is stupid enough to react to his immature nonsense and provocation.
Enemies within UMNO are only too eager for a showdown to further Khairy’s long term agenda. Think about that.
So why should Barisan Nasional react to this provocation?
Anwar has to have noise, lots of noise to stay relevant. So why play his political game?
I would therefore advise the Prime Minister and his Home Minister not to deploy the FRU and or police to cordon off the access to the State Assembly. Agent-provocateurs will create situations that will compel the FRU and the police to react and you can be sure that the major dailies will have “police brutality” as their headlines!
By all means deploy three or four policemen to direct traffic, but no show of force.
Let the whole country see how Anwar’s fascist storm-troopers break the peace and their utter contempt for law and order. Should violence and or any untoward incidents were to happen, Anwar must take full responsibility and then let the law take its course.
Should the Barisan Nasional state assemblymen be prevented from taking their rightful place in the chamber by the Speaker, just turn round and walk out of the chamber with quiet dignity and let the rakyat see for themselves how the Pakatan Rakyat members behave.
Then let the law take its course!
Anwar’s provocation will fizzle out, a crisis diffused and you can bet your bottom dollar that he will be perceived as a Chow Kar.
Whenever Anwar provokes a fight, walk away.
Whenever his bloggers (especially those of the Malaysia Today pedigree) heap profanities, be assured that they are desperate and frustrated and are at a loss as to how to react to our silent counter-attack.
The more we control our emotional responses, cultivate patience and ignore their theatrics, the more desperate and frustrated will Anwar be and he will begin to make mistakes, even major blunders. Then the fun starts. His hidden ugliness will surface and before you know it, everyone will be pointing at Anwar, shouting, “the King has no clothes.” And what a sight!
Remember that Barisan Nasional has control of the major dailies.
Whenever Anwar and his storm-troopers get into the act, consign their theatrics to page 11 or whatever. As owners of the dailies, surely it is your absolute right to determine whether such childish politics should even be reported and if so, the extent of the coverage.
Be assured again that when Anwar is not getting his media coverage, he will lose his mind and embark on desperate measures to stay relevant.
That is when we will catch him by his dumb#@ls and knock him down for good.
Someone asked me why I do not get stressed whenever Malaysia Today bloggers heap profanities at me.
Simple!
It means I had scored a bull’s-eye! And it has hurt them so much that the only reaction from such fascist zombies is to resort to profanities.
It is they who are getting stressed out. Just picture them striking the keyboard and swearing at the same time when posting their comments:
“I am going to get this son-of-a-b@#*h!”
“I am going to gun him down!”
“Why don’t you stop writing this silly stuff, you make me puke, you bas@#*d!”
If reading my article makes Anwar’s faggots puke, it sure is satisfying to know that they have been screwed big time. So who is having the last laugh?
So, Barisan Nasional I hope that you will have the last laugh and not Anwar.
Ignore that political charlatan and convicted criminal.
____________________
PS: If silent counter-attack, why reveal about the existence of the silent counter-attack in the first place...Anwar would know!
By Matthias Chang
Monday, 04 May 2009 21:05
Anwar and his storm-troopers are up to no good once again in Perak. His bloggers at the Malaysia Today website are working overtime spinning all sorts of rumours that would make Goebbels proud.
They are going to have a massive gathering when the State Assembly convenes on May 7, 2009 in the hope of provoking a crisis. Anwar wants maximum media coverage and he will get it if Barisan Nasional is stupid enough to react to his immature nonsense and provocation.
Enemies within UMNO are only too eager for a showdown to further Khairy’s long term agenda. Think about that.
So why should Barisan Nasional react to this provocation?
Anwar has to have noise, lots of noise to stay relevant. So why play his political game?
I would therefore advise the Prime Minister and his Home Minister not to deploy the FRU and or police to cordon off the access to the State Assembly. Agent-provocateurs will create situations that will compel the FRU and the police to react and you can be sure that the major dailies will have “police brutality” as their headlines!
By all means deploy three or four policemen to direct traffic, but no show of force.
Let the whole country see how Anwar’s fascist storm-troopers break the peace and their utter contempt for law and order. Should violence and or any untoward incidents were to happen, Anwar must take full responsibility and then let the law take its course.
Should the Barisan Nasional state assemblymen be prevented from taking their rightful place in the chamber by the Speaker, just turn round and walk out of the chamber with quiet dignity and let the rakyat see for themselves how the Pakatan Rakyat members behave.
Then let the law take its course!
Anwar’s provocation will fizzle out, a crisis diffused and you can bet your bottom dollar that he will be perceived as a Chow Kar.
Whenever Anwar provokes a fight, walk away.
Whenever his bloggers (especially those of the Malaysia Today pedigree) heap profanities, be assured that they are desperate and frustrated and are at a loss as to how to react to our silent counter-attack.
The more we control our emotional responses, cultivate patience and ignore their theatrics, the more desperate and frustrated will Anwar be and he will begin to make mistakes, even major blunders. Then the fun starts. His hidden ugliness will surface and before you know it, everyone will be pointing at Anwar, shouting, “the King has no clothes.” And what a sight!
Remember that Barisan Nasional has control of the major dailies.
Whenever Anwar and his storm-troopers get into the act, consign their theatrics to page 11 or whatever. As owners of the dailies, surely it is your absolute right to determine whether such childish politics should even be reported and if so, the extent of the coverage.
Be assured again that when Anwar is not getting his media coverage, he will lose his mind and embark on desperate measures to stay relevant.
That is when we will catch him by his dumb#@ls and knock him down for good.
Someone asked me why I do not get stressed whenever Malaysia Today bloggers heap profanities at me.
Simple!
It means I had scored a bull’s-eye! And it has hurt them so much that the only reaction from such fascist zombies is to resort to profanities.
It is they who are getting stressed out. Just picture them striking the keyboard and swearing at the same time when posting their comments:
“I am going to get this son-of-a-b@#*h!”
“I am going to gun him down!”
“Why don’t you stop writing this silly stuff, you make me puke, you bas@#*d!”
If reading my article makes Anwar’s faggots puke, it sure is satisfying to know that they have been screwed big time. So who is having the last laugh?
So, Barisan Nasional I hope that you will have the last laugh and not Anwar.
Ignore that political charlatan and convicted criminal.
____________________
PS: If silent counter-attack, why reveal about the existence of the silent counter-attack in the first place...Anwar would know!
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