Wednesday, February 19, 2014

Waytha, you are no hero!

Waytha, You Are No Hero!
By Datuk Huan Cheng Guan
President, Centre for Political Awareness

Famous for his fickle decisions, Waythamoorthy lost people’s trust long ago and has no right to call for the resignation of PM Najib . He lost the plot long ago while masquerading as a hero for his community when realistically, his actions show otherwise.

His call for the PM’s resignation and criticisms of the government’s effort to help the Indian community are hopeless insults rolling off its intended targets like water off a duck’s back. The PM has not betrayed anyone but Waythamoorthy who has betrayed his community via his childish attention-seeking tantrum.

What have you, Waythamoorthy, done to earn the respect of Malaysians and the high moral ground to call for the resignation of the Prime Minister of this country? Such delusional thinking does you nothing. You are oblivious to the fact that you have also lost the nambikei of ALL Malaysians because:

1.       You did not resign as a gentleman for you did not have the decency to see the PM to talk to him about your grouses or your intended resignation.  By that irresponsible and selfish move, you gave up that chance to make a difference in the community and the nation.
2.       Eight months ago, you signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the BN, just before the 13th general election last year  to champion the Indian community’s agenda. Then you were appointed Senator and deputy minister in the Prime Minister's Department to take care of affairs of the Indian community but you readily threw it away when the going seemed tough after some ministers asked you to resign.
3.       You have the audacity to accuse the government of ‘dragging its feet’ to help Indians when it is posted for all and sundry to see HERE and THIS LINK how the government has spent, invested and done so much to help the Indian community including:
•    Committing RM540 million for infrastructure development in Tamil schools since 2009, including two recent Budget allocations of RM100 million each in 2012 and 2013.
•    Allocating a special fund of RM20 million in 2013 for infrastructure development and refurbishment works in 13 fully-aided Tamil schools
•   Working with The Community Chest through a public-private partnership with Government to fund 53 Tamil schools a total of RM20.1 million
•   Approving 7 new Tamil schools in the country, the first big increase in the number of Tamil schools since 2000
•  Establishing the Action Plan for Tamil Schools Unit under the PM’s Department to monitor Tamil school issues and to develop a blueprint to chart a
bright future for Tamil schools in Malaysia
•  Cooperating with NGOs with funding from the Federal Government and The Community Chest to set up ICT labs in 38 schools nationwide

Where is your conscience, you make-believe hero? Who has not delivered promises? It is YOU!
You dare announce to the world about how over the last eight months, you ‘had at least 16 meetings with the prime minister at his office in Putrajaya and how you pushed for the naming of the new unit you want to head.  You are nitpicking over a name when the record shows that the government has really gone all out to do much more than before for the Indians.  Are you being fair?

In your resignation, why did you not tell Malaysians that under the Janji Ditepati  programme, the government has:

·         allocated RM50 million for skills training programs targeted at 3,200 Indian youth from plantation backgrounds to increase their employability
·          Funding an independent NGO to launch pilot programs and eventually establish a training center that can train and place 1,000 school dropouts
·         Establishing Koperasi Suria and provided funding of RM8 million to transform existing Indian sundry shops and automotive workshops, with 69 such transformations already completed
·         Establishing the Special Secretariat for the Empowerment of Indian Entrepreneurs (SEED) to assist Indian businesses in obtaining financing and to
·          Reserving RM150 million in SME loans for Indian SMEs etc, which Malaysians can read HERE.

Obviously, you have this penchant for stage theatrics and this exit from the Prime Minister’s Office should be your final curtain call. For all the failed projects, unkept promises for which you are infamous,  you should retire gracefully instead of continuing your attacks on others. Think of ways to help your brother.

Your hunger for power can never be satiated. When snubbed by Anwar before GE13, you ran to BN who took you in, gave you status and power but when you almost had it all, you threw it all away. But we must thank you for with that, you ended your masquearade, threw away your mask and revealed the real you.

So far, PM Najib has tried his best to keep to his promises and if you had not abandoned a ship sailing happily in the ocean, hundreds of thousands of poor Indians in need  could have benefited if only you cared enough to stay and to help. Of course, you did not because it is not in you to be so kind and selfless.

I challenge Waythamoorthy to a debate with the Prime Minister’s department to let the people know the real situation and who is the real traitor and/or  liar.

You betrayed yourself, Indians, Malaysians and people who believed in you after you enjoyed benefits bestowed upon you by the government and then you encouraged Indians to vote for BN. Now you doth protest, quit, and proclaim you have been used? Look at yourself in the mirror. What do you see?

You have left behind hardly anything of value safe for your meaningless theatrical tirades. So you think you were a hero, Waythamoorthy. Only in your dreams.

Wednesday, February 12, 2014

Distorted Reporting by Reporters Without Borders

Distorted Reporting by Reporters Without Borders

By Datuk Huan Cheng Guan
Presiden, 
Centre for Political Awareness Malaysia (CPAM)

In his haste to blast the status quo for Malaysia's ranking in the World Press Index 2014, DAP supremo Lim Kit Siang has forgotten that it is his own son, Lim Guan Eng, and other DAP members including Teresa Kok who have sued the media and activists for reporting issues that put them in a bad light. Shame on you, Lim Kit Siang, for clearly practising double standards.

To make a sweeping claim that the result was described as “a shame and the worst setback to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak’s ‘best democracy is a blatant attempt to ride on the report to cast aspersions on the credibility of the ruling coalition and to undermine confidence in our PM.

As always, Lim Kit Siang looks at Malaysia through distorted lenses. What is bad is exaggerated many times whilst what is good is swept under the carpet. He and he alone is Mr.Know-All, Mr. Say & do it right. That he has ruled DAP for over 50 years show the iron hold he has over the direction and action of the party.

If indeed press freedom does not not exist in Malaysia, why then did Lim Guan Eng threaten to sue reporters who asked him about his alleged connection with Rainbow? He is also the only CM to ban media from attending the state assembly.

If he and DAP  uphold press freedom, why did Lim Guan Eng take Free Malaysia, its staff Athi Shankar and activist Dr. Jimmy Lim to court over a report on Penang? That he does not allow criticism of his iron hand over Penang is evidence that he does not believe in press freedom.

If there is no avenue for citizens to voice their discontent, why then are netizens slamming the government for anything and everything? Even an innocent reference to kangkung has been viciously distorted to make international headlines.

If that is not clear evidence of press freedom and freedom of expression in Malaysia, what is press freedom?

“The World Press Freedom Index is a reference tool that is based on seven criteria: the level of abuses, the extent of pluralism, media independence, the environment and self-censorship, the legislative framework, transparency and infrastructure,” said Reporters Without Borders secretary-general Christophe Deloire. I would ask Reporters Without Borders to relook the situation in Malaysia. I believe there is too much press freedom and freedom of expression until many do not appreciate but abuse this privilege.

As for Lim Kit Siang, go look at the mirror and ask yourself whether you are a hypocrite!

Tuesday, February 11, 2014

Satire-gate Extraordinaire


The Satire-gate Extraordinaire: A Joke Gone Overboard?

 

Even a joker has its limits. That’s right. One must be able to draw the line where true satire ends and where sensitive criticism begins. This has been the failure of the Teresa Kok’s Chinese New Year video interview which has drawn so much flak and response from both sides of the political divide. These people cannot pretend to be in denial that such action will not provoke the anger of those who had sacrificed their lives in the Lahad Datu incident. As adults, you are fully responsible for your actions especially if the Youtube video goes viral and becomes public property. Anyone is entitled to lodge a police report or protest and demonstrate if they find the video offensive to them as long as it is within legal and decent limits.

 

Hence, the hoo-haa about this incident of an NGO offering a bountiful price to slap the politician in the video. In the first place, do expect this backlash if you were the one itching to make fun of them. Secondly, if you are really facing a critical situation such as facing real terrorists and extremists, would you think it is a joke anymore? Thirdly, these “actors” have no sense of decorum at all. Do you see PM Najib Razak go viral in a video and condemn Pakatan leaders? Do you see Najib in Youtube making funny interviews on the Pakatan leaders? If not, then why must the DAP leaders create such ruthless videos to attack the PM and the federal government of the day?

 

Remember, for every action there is an equal if not more powerful reaction. You have made your bed, now go lie on it. Because of this so-called political satire, the racial gap is widening and who then is the true cause of the demolition of the racial unity fabric in Malaysia?  Someone once said, “The DAP cyber troopers are worse than the communists.” Now what does that tell you? Tunku Aziz, the former special adviser to Kofi Annan, the former Secretary-General of the United Nations said he does NOT trust DAP leaders at all. Now what does that tell us? A man who is bestowed such highly acclaimed credentials in the international arena being in-charged of setting up the UN Ethics Office is saying that DAP is “unethical”, so what does that tell all of us?

 

The truth is, these fanatics and chauvinists cannot be trusted, not even one single bit. They will bite the hand that feeds them, they will not acknowledge you anymore once you are of no use to them, and they will not even care for your well-being once they are in power. These jokers are only crazy for power and Putrajaya is their ultimate prize. Hence they think that since 53% of the rakyat is supporting them, they think Putrajaya is within grasp by the next general election. But then again, with such attitude especially those video-makers and many more irresponsible, unintelligent comments from the Pakatan supporters, it is not surprising that they will not be able to run the nation well in bringing progress and development to this country.

 

Look at the track record. The track records speak for themselves. A lot of people in the Penang Free Industrial Zone will be losing their jobs and yet they still have the mood to joke here and there. Investments are down according to MIDA statistics and since the state government loves to say MIDA is a federal government agency, look at the real situation. Apart from the FIZ which Tun Dr Lim Chong Eu has engineered to bring jobs into the state, what has the current Chief Minister done to provide more jobs and increase the income of Penang workers? And we do not need a Malaccan-born joker to lead Penang. As they say, “Why ah? Penang got no more local talent ka?”

 

Look at Selangor now. It is also a joke too. Because Joker No.1 and Joker No.2 is having some in-fighting, hence Joker No.3 had to intervene and parachute into Kajang to become the so-called Menteri Besar as his launchpad to Putrajaya (again “Why ah? Selangor got no more local talent ka?”)

 

We can keep going on and on but the fact is Pakatan Rakyat is nothing more than a pact of Pakatan Lawak. They make fun of Barisan Nasional every day without realising their own emperor is naked. They condemn and criticize Najib Razak and anyone who is not in line with their lost ideology and rubbish philosophy. Instead of offering true concrete solutions for the betterment of the nation, they jump at every opportunity to belittle the work of the federal government, as if everything they do is correct and everything the government do is wrong and must be condemned.

 

You are the real jokers who have gone overboard in messing up this whole socio-political foundation which has taken time to be built since Independence. Now just because the rakyat is so-called behind your back, you assume you are given the mandate and green light to rule. You think you are very great. You think you are the only correct one. You think all those who disagree with you must be ridiculed, condemned and vilified. But when we touch you a little bit, you scream and cry baby as if the whole world owns you a living. You are not only the real jokers, but the real losers as well!

 

You have lost the plot even before the game has started. Now go home and lick your wounds…

 

Monday, February 10, 2014

The Kajang Saga: Personal Fiefdom or People's Interest

The Kajang Move: To fulfil a personal fiefdom or the people’s interest?
Much has been said and debated about the PKR gambit on the Kajang state constituency. Barely not even a year after the 13th general election in May last year, we are appalled to hear the antics of PKR leaders justifying the extremely unnecessary resignation of the former PKR ADUN for Kajang Lee Chin Cheh to pave the way for PKR de facto leader and Opposition Leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim to contest the state seat.
The bone of contention here is the bad blood between the current Selangor Menteri Besar Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim and the PKR State Assemblyman for Bukit Antarabangsa and Gombak MP Mohamed Azmin Ali who claimed that the Menteri Besar of Selangor is not doing enough for the people of Selangor. And Azmin has made his point clear in criticising the recent salary hike proposed by the Selangor state government.
Alas, the man of the moment had to step in to diffuse the tension but it did not end there. The latest fiasco on the PKNS issue has been ticking a time-bomb and finally exploded when Azmin was removed as a board member, followed by the sudden “removal” of the PKNS staff who have been victimized by this feud between the Selangor PKR Chief and the Selangor Menteri Besar.
One thing very pertinent, prominent and much noticeable for sure would be the absence of the PKR President herself, Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail in the recent scheme of things. She has been staying very silent lately and does not even show up in the so-called “reconciliatory and explanatory” press conferences, gatherings and interviews given by Anwar, Azmin and Khalid jointly nor separately.
It is said Dr Wan Azizah stands on Tan Sri Khalid’s side but Anwar prefers Azmin as the MB-successor-in-waiting. After all, Pakatan Rakyat has won a second term in Selangor with a two-thirds majority, perhaps the younger echelon of leaders feel that it is time that the baton is passed over from the elderly leaders. Whether they are impatient or not is another different story but the fact is the younger generation felt the time was ripe and right for a leadership change and power handover.
However, the manner and method in which this whole Kajang saga is being engineered by the so-called master strategist Rafizi Ramli who is also the Pandan MP sparks of dubiousness, dishonesty and unjustifiable. Although PKR may think it is a sure win for them, no matter what the outcome, whether with a reduced majority or not, the fact is that this move has once again confirmed the fulfilling of the personal agenda of an individual whom Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad said only harbours the ambition of beoming the Prime Minister of Malaysia.
The fact is that after falling in his quest to win the general elections, he now aims to be the Menteri Besar of Selangor. Why the need to import a Penangite to run Selangor just like how a Malacca-born is running Penang now? Is the richest state in Malaysia by revenue and GDP so ill afford to produce a local-born talent to administer Selangor? Khalid seems to be doing fine in the eyes of the people, hence why the sudden change. This move to install Anwar as the new MB has even raised the ire of Selangor PAS Youth and demand that if Khalid is forced to step down, then PAS shall have the right to appoint its own MB-candidate for the Sultan of Selangor’s consent and approval.
Contrary to what many people think, the Selangor Sultan has the right, privilege and constitutional powers bestowed to him by the State Constitution of Selangor to appoint and give royal consent to the MB appointee, although most of the time the wishes of the rakyat and the majority of the state elected representatives’ views would be taken into account. Hence, the Sultan of Selangor is not a puppet as many critics think. Obviously His Royal Highness would also take into account the stability of the state and also the well-being of His subjects before making any decision on appointing a Menteri Besar from any party from that matter. Did the PKR leaders even meet and discuss this crucial and serious issue with His Royal Highness the Sultan of Selangor before engineering this Kajang gambit? Since Anwar did not deny that there is a possibility he can be made MB if he wins the Kajang by-election, shouldn’t PKR or Pakatan Rakyat for that matter bring the attention of this plan to the Sultan first before deciding on the next step?
 
Why such a hurry in the resignation of Lee Chin Cheh and in a matter of 24 hours or so, announced Anwar as the replacement candidate? Why did the former Kajang ADUN resigned when he is still in good health and there seem to be no reasonable acceptable justification for his resignation apart from his so-called personal “sacrifice” for Anwar.
 
Again, is this a move to fulfil a personal satisfaction in a personal fiefdom or is this really a move for the rakyat’s interests for the betterment of Selangor?