EKONOMI LAH...BODOH !
APA DIA KERAJAAN PERPADUAN
Saya cukup senang hati melihat apa yang sedang berlaku di arena politik hari ini. Heboh heboh tentang kerjaaan perpaduan ini cukup baik untuk anak anak muda memahami politik.
Politik bukan agama.
Politik ialah perebutan kuasa. Kuasa direbut untuk mendapat kedudukan. Kedudukan untuk mendapat harta benda. Ini hakiki. Jangan cuba di alih-alih atau ditutup-tutup dengan tabir dan langsir.
Manusia memerlukan makanan – makanan ertinya ekonomi.
BerPolitik ialah merebut punca-punca ekonomi.
Zambry merebut kuasa dari Nizar kerana ekonomi. Khalid merebut kuasa dari Toyo kerana ekonomi. Hassan Ali cuba merebut kuasa dari Khalid kerana ekonomi. Guan Eng merebut kuasa dari Tsu Koon kerana ekonomi.
Nasaruddin, Mustapha Ali dan Hadi ingin mendapat kuasa kerana melalui kuasa mereka akan mendapat peluang ekonomi.
Lee Kuan Yew datang melawat sambil menipu kerana ekonomi.
Mahathir ingin terus berkuasa kerana ekonomi.
Anwar Ibrahim dan Pakatan Rakyat ingin mengambil alih kuasa dari Barisan Nasional kerana ekonomi.
Semua ini ialah perebutan ekonomi. Ini samalah seperti Amerika berebut minyak dan gas dengan Russia. Ini samalah seperti Pakistan berebut tanah Kashmir dengan India. Ini samalah seperti Turkey berebut air dengan Syria. Air, gas, minyak dan tanah – adalah ekonomi.
Ekonomi ini ialah duit duit – harta – tanah – bangunan, perniagaan, lesen – semua ini harta yang menjadi rebutan dalam sistem ekonomi kapitalis. Atau untuk menipu Mak Cik Felda ekonomi ini di panggil ekonomi bebas. Tidak ada yang bebas dalam ekonomi kapitalis. Dalam ekonomi kapitalis – sesiapa yang memiliki punca-punca ekonomi akan memiliki kekayaan dan kuasa. Dengan kuasa akan mendapat punca-punca ekonomi. Punca ekonomi ertinya duit dan harta kekayaan.
Ini hakikat. Tak perlu kita berdulak dalik – aaahhh ..oooh ..eeeh lagi.
Agama ialah kepercyaaan. Kepercayaan ini berasaskan keyakinan. Ada yang yang percaya dan ada yang tidak percaya. Ada yang yakin dan ada yang tidak yakin.
Keyakinan agama juga boleh beralih–alih mengikut kepentingan ekonomi. Dulu Hadi mengeluar FATWA HADI. Hari ini fatwa ini tidak dipakai lagi untuk disesuaikan dalam merebut kepentingan ekonomi terkini.
Sekali lagi dinyatakan : Dalam ekonomi kapitalis TIDAK ada agama. Ini tebukti dengan apa yang sedang berlalu sekarang. Malah dalam satu parti yang mengakui asasnya agama pun ada perebutan. Perebutan kuasa ini tidak ada sangkut paut dengan agama. Ini perebutan ekonomi.
Perebutan ini adalah SEHAT jika diakui sebagai perebutan untuk merebut ekonomi. Ianya TIDAK sehat jika ditakrif sebagai perebutan garis agama.
Agama, bangsa, nasionalisma – ini adalah senjata/alat untuk mengolah persetujuan orang ramai akan menyokong satu-satu gerakan. Apakah tujuan gerakan ini ? Untuk memiliki punca-punca ekonomi.
United Malays National Organisation berslogan Hidup Melayu- Ketuanan Melayu untuk menipu orang Melayu agar gerombolan mereka mendapat mengambil punca ekonomi yang dulunya di tangan British dan China. Mereka mahu harta kekayaan dijadikan hak mereka. Ini hakikat. Tak perlu kita berkelentong.
Heboh-heboh tiap-tiap hari di parlimen ilahlah manifestasi perebutan ekonomi. Najib membuat dasar kerana hendak membolot ekonomi. Anwar menentang dasar Najib kerana ekonomi. Disini tidak ada agama atau bangsa.
Agama dan bangsa HANYA masuk dalam hitungan ini jika ianya boleh dijadikan ganja untuk mengolah persetujuan orang ramai – untuk mendapat sokongan.
Pas dahulu di kutuk oleh United Malays National Organisation. Gerombolan ini juga dahulu di kutuk oleh Pas. Ini dilakukan untuk mencari sokongan orang Melayu.
Hari ini gerombolan telah tidak mendapat sokongan Melayu lagi. Jika tidak ada sokongan mereka kalah. Jika kalah - mereka tidak ada kuasa. Jika tidak ada kuasa mereka tidak dapat kontrek dan projek.
Kontrek dan projek ialah ekonomi. Pusing-pusing akhirnya ekonomi juga.
Dalam Pas walau pun mengakui berasaskan agama kini telah terbukti bahawa ekonomi lebih kuat pengaruhnya dari agama.
Didalam Pas ada yang takut dengan Pakatan Rakyat kerana dasar KETUANAN RAKYAT. Dasar ini bukan dasar agama. Bukan dasar bangsa. Tetapi dasar untuk orang ramai – ertinya untuk semua – China, Melayu, India, Kadazan, Murut , Bajau dan Lain-Lain. Ertinya siapa bijak – berilmu, tidak malas, rajin bekerja – maka mereka akan berjaya.
Berjaya disini ertinya ada duit. Duit ialah ekonomi. Pusing-pusing mesti sampai juga kepada ekonomi.
Orang yang malas, pencari kontrek, mencari komisen, jual projek – pastilah TIDAK suka dengan dasar - Ketuanan Rakyat. Mereka takut bertempur disemua bidang. Nak masuk universiti nak pakai kouta. Nak projek nak kouta. Nak cari kerja nak pakai kouta. Nak buat drama tv nak minta slot kouta.
Justeru ketika ini United Malays National Organisation memerlukan Pas untuk masuk ke dalam kandang mereka. Apa yang di janjikan ialah kedudukan politik. Kedudukan politik ialah kuasa. Dengan kuasa akan dapat punca ekonomi.
Ekonomi lagi.
Justeru jangan hairan – terutama anak anak muda - kita patut memahami bahawa yang sedang berlaku dihadapan mata kita ialah perebutan ekonomi. Semua yang berlaku ini tidak ada sangkut paut dengan agama atau bangsa.
Perebutan ini ialah perebutan kelas elit yang kuasanya semakin terhakis. Kelas elit ini diwakili oleh United Malays National Organisation. Kelas elit yang hendak hilang kuasa ini sedang mencari ‘kawan’ dari Peking hingga ke Rusila. Ini pekara biasa dalam politik.
Apa yang maha penting untuk difahami ialah politik tidak ada sangkut paut dengan agama. Sekarang terbukti dengan jelas – serban atau kopiah – hanya pakaian ; bahawa agama hanya digunakan untuk mengolah persetujuan tidak lebih dari itu.(TT)
Wednesday, June 17, 2009
Monday, June 15, 2009
The 67 billion ringgit stimulus package question.
Economics 101 Revisited - Burn Your Textbooks, Use Common Sense - By Matthias Chang (15/6/09)
By Matthias Chang
Monday, 15 June 2009 09:31
The head of one of the think tanks in Malaysia recently said that Malaysian financial journalists should not be faulted for failing to warn against the global financial tsunami.
What utter rubbish. OK, they may be forgiven for burying their heads in the sand in 2007. But, they did not even get it right in the first quarter of 2008. In the last quarter of 2008, they were still singing praises about the Malaysian economy and that 2009 would register a robust growth.
Maybe the head of this think tank was making excuses for himself and deflecting any criticisms to that of financial journalists. How pathetic can one get?
And now, the Governor of Bank Negara has lately conceded that she underestimated the severity of the impact of the global financial tsunami on Malaysia.
Put it bluntly, such journalists are employed to sell good news so as to lure greedy and stupid investors to gamble in the stock market after the big boys and insiders have made their moves and are waiting to cash out.
Gamblers are driven by herd instincts. They care not about fundamentals. That is why I never hesitated to call them suckers. And they are suckers through and through.
Every country has been following the FED in stimulating the economy and pumping vast amounts of monies into the economy. These experts called it “quantitative easing” instead of the simple term, creating money out of thin air – printing money electronically.
For a technical explanation, I reproduce here an extract from Wikipedia:
The term quantitative easing describes an extreme form of monetary policy used to stimulate an economy where interest rates are either at, or close to, zero. Normally, a central bank stimulates the economy indirectly by lowering interest rates but when it cannot lower them any further it can attempt to seed the financial system with new money through quantitative easing.
In practical terms, the central bank purchases financial assets, including treasuries and corporate bonds, from financial institutions (such as banks) using money it has created ex nihilo (out of nothing). This process is called open market operations. The creation of this new money is supposed to seed the increase in the overall money supply through deposit multiplication by encouraging lending by these institutions and reducing the cost of borrowing, thereby stimulating the economy. However, there is a risk that banks will still refuse to lend despite the increase in their deposits, and in a worst case scenario, possibly lead to hyperinflation.
Quantitative easing is sometimes described as 'printing money', although the central bank actually creates it electronically by increasing the credit in its own bank account.
Examples of economies where this policy has been used include Japan during the early 2000s, and the US and UK during the global financial crisis of 2008–2009.
But seriously, how many Joe Six-packs reading the above extract can fully appreciate the implications and consequences of such policies of central banks the world over?
In my previous articles and in my book, The Shadow Money-Lenders I have given detail explanations, but I still receive e-mails requesting for further explanations.
In this article, I am adopting a different approach. I want you to think about certain issues and problems and see whether applying common sense will assist you in arriving at the logical conclusions.
Here we go:
Economic Stimulus
1. Right now, at this moment in time, is your government stimulating for growth or merely stimulating for consumption?
2. If it is the latter, does it make sense? The so-called experts say that “credit is the lifeblood of the economy”.
3. “Credit” to the banker means “loans” to you. “Loans” to the borrowers means “debts”. So why do you want to be in debt, just so as to consume?
4. You have a fixed income. Most people do. You are already committed to several debts – car loans, housing loans, financing for your children’s education. You have also your usual household expenses. So why do you want to borrow to consume on things or products that you do not really need or are necessary in your present state of finances?
5. Who gains by this excessive consumption?
6. Which is more critical, production or consumption?
7. Which, in the final analysis, ensures stability in the economy, employment and efficient allocation of resources and investments?
8. When exports are down and the economy has contracted, what are the implications?
Should we tighten our belts or consume and consume?
9. When exports are down, national revenue is down. Likewise, when your income is down, what do you normally do?
10. Which sectors of the economy will be stimulated and has the most benefit to the economy when we continue consuming, spending and borrowing?
Check out from the retail outlets, hypermarkets etc. and ascertain where are the majority of products produced? If they are mainly imported items, who benefits?
Too Big To Fail or Too Big To Sustain
11. When a bank through mismanagement fails, why should we use tax-payers monies to bail them out? Why are banks being treated differently?
12. If deposits are guaranteed by the government, why can’t the bank be liquidated, the old management sacked so that new investors and management can come in and revive the bank? After all, bank licenses are in great demand and few are granted. The new investors will re-capitalise the bank and revive it. Why the need for tax-payers’ monies to re-capitalise the bank?
13. When was the last time you heard a banker sent to jail for CBT? Corrupt bankers plunder in the billions and destroy economies. They get away time after time. Snatch thief is sent to prison and even whipped for stealing a few hundred ringgit.
14. Government linked companies use tax-payers monies to operate as opposed to private companies. In the case of the latter, when they fail, the investors bear the loss. Should we have tighter regulations and laws governing the management of government-linked companies over and above the laws governing private companies?
15. CEOs and board members are invariably political appointments. Should we allow this practice to continue?
Should the government inflate the stock market?
16. You have a bubble when you inflate, as in a balloon. When an asset is inflated, the price is artificially high. Thus, if a share price is inflated to RM10 when its actual value is RM1, why would anyone take the risk of buying such a share when sooner or later it will collapse?
17. Does it make sense for a government to use tax-payers’ monies to prop up the stock market when its values are artificially inflated?
18. Is this not misallocation of scarce resources?
19. Markets go up, markets go down and gamblers indulge in such activities with their eyes wide-open. So why should any government use tax-payers’ monies to sustain a market so as to prevent gamblers from suffering losses?
20. When a bubble has burst, what is the use of trying to reflate a burst bubble? In any event, physically can anyone reflate a burst balloon? When an asset’s actual value is RM1, does it make sense to maintain post-crisis, the artificial value of RM10 prior to the bursting of the bubble?
I want you to evaluate the RM67 billion stimulus in the light of the above questions.
Then ask yourself whether the policies make sense.
Finally, ask the RM67 billion question.
How did we fund this stimulus?
Where is the source for these funds?
By Matthias Chang
Monday, 15 June 2009 09:31
The head of one of the think tanks in Malaysia recently said that Malaysian financial journalists should not be faulted for failing to warn against the global financial tsunami.
What utter rubbish. OK, they may be forgiven for burying their heads in the sand in 2007. But, they did not even get it right in the first quarter of 2008. In the last quarter of 2008, they were still singing praises about the Malaysian economy and that 2009 would register a robust growth.
Maybe the head of this think tank was making excuses for himself and deflecting any criticisms to that of financial journalists. How pathetic can one get?
And now, the Governor of Bank Negara has lately conceded that she underestimated the severity of the impact of the global financial tsunami on Malaysia.
Put it bluntly, such journalists are employed to sell good news so as to lure greedy and stupid investors to gamble in the stock market after the big boys and insiders have made their moves and are waiting to cash out.
Gamblers are driven by herd instincts. They care not about fundamentals. That is why I never hesitated to call them suckers. And they are suckers through and through.
Every country has been following the FED in stimulating the economy and pumping vast amounts of monies into the economy. These experts called it “quantitative easing” instead of the simple term, creating money out of thin air – printing money electronically.
For a technical explanation, I reproduce here an extract from Wikipedia:
The term quantitative easing describes an extreme form of monetary policy used to stimulate an economy where interest rates are either at, or close to, zero. Normally, a central bank stimulates the economy indirectly by lowering interest rates but when it cannot lower them any further it can attempt to seed the financial system with new money through quantitative easing.
In practical terms, the central bank purchases financial assets, including treasuries and corporate bonds, from financial institutions (such as banks) using money it has created ex nihilo (out of nothing). This process is called open market operations. The creation of this new money is supposed to seed the increase in the overall money supply through deposit multiplication by encouraging lending by these institutions and reducing the cost of borrowing, thereby stimulating the economy. However, there is a risk that banks will still refuse to lend despite the increase in their deposits, and in a worst case scenario, possibly lead to hyperinflation.
Quantitative easing is sometimes described as 'printing money', although the central bank actually creates it electronically by increasing the credit in its own bank account.
Examples of economies where this policy has been used include Japan during the early 2000s, and the US and UK during the global financial crisis of 2008–2009.
But seriously, how many Joe Six-packs reading the above extract can fully appreciate the implications and consequences of such policies of central banks the world over?
In my previous articles and in my book, The Shadow Money-Lenders I have given detail explanations, but I still receive e-mails requesting for further explanations.
In this article, I am adopting a different approach. I want you to think about certain issues and problems and see whether applying common sense will assist you in arriving at the logical conclusions.
Here we go:
Economic Stimulus
1. Right now, at this moment in time, is your government stimulating for growth or merely stimulating for consumption?
2. If it is the latter, does it make sense? The so-called experts say that “credit is the lifeblood of the economy”.
3. “Credit” to the banker means “loans” to you. “Loans” to the borrowers means “debts”. So why do you want to be in debt, just so as to consume?
4. You have a fixed income. Most people do. You are already committed to several debts – car loans, housing loans, financing for your children’s education. You have also your usual household expenses. So why do you want to borrow to consume on things or products that you do not really need or are necessary in your present state of finances?
5. Who gains by this excessive consumption?
6. Which is more critical, production or consumption?
7. Which, in the final analysis, ensures stability in the economy, employment and efficient allocation of resources and investments?
8. When exports are down and the economy has contracted, what are the implications?
Should we tighten our belts or consume and consume?
9. When exports are down, national revenue is down. Likewise, when your income is down, what do you normally do?
10. Which sectors of the economy will be stimulated and has the most benefit to the economy when we continue consuming, spending and borrowing?
Check out from the retail outlets, hypermarkets etc. and ascertain where are the majority of products produced? If they are mainly imported items, who benefits?
Too Big To Fail or Too Big To Sustain
11. When a bank through mismanagement fails, why should we use tax-payers monies to bail them out? Why are banks being treated differently?
12. If deposits are guaranteed by the government, why can’t the bank be liquidated, the old management sacked so that new investors and management can come in and revive the bank? After all, bank licenses are in great demand and few are granted. The new investors will re-capitalise the bank and revive it. Why the need for tax-payers’ monies to re-capitalise the bank?
13. When was the last time you heard a banker sent to jail for CBT? Corrupt bankers plunder in the billions and destroy economies. They get away time after time. Snatch thief is sent to prison and even whipped for stealing a few hundred ringgit.
14. Government linked companies use tax-payers monies to operate as opposed to private companies. In the case of the latter, when they fail, the investors bear the loss. Should we have tighter regulations and laws governing the management of government-linked companies over and above the laws governing private companies?
15. CEOs and board members are invariably political appointments. Should we allow this practice to continue?
Should the government inflate the stock market?
16. You have a bubble when you inflate, as in a balloon. When an asset is inflated, the price is artificially high. Thus, if a share price is inflated to RM10 when its actual value is RM1, why would anyone take the risk of buying such a share when sooner or later it will collapse?
17. Does it make sense for a government to use tax-payers’ monies to prop up the stock market when its values are artificially inflated?
18. Is this not misallocation of scarce resources?
19. Markets go up, markets go down and gamblers indulge in such activities with their eyes wide-open. So why should any government use tax-payers’ monies to sustain a market so as to prevent gamblers from suffering losses?
20. When a bubble has burst, what is the use of trying to reflate a burst bubble? In any event, physically can anyone reflate a burst balloon? When an asset’s actual value is RM1, does it make sense to maintain post-crisis, the artificial value of RM10 prior to the bursting of the bubble?
I want you to evaluate the RM67 billion stimulus in the light of the above questions.
Then ask yourself whether the policies make sense.
Finally, ask the RM67 billion question.
How did we fund this stimulus?
Where is the source for these funds?
Thursday, June 11, 2009
Singapore - it's all about the money!
Why Is Lee Kuan Yew Strutting The Length and Breath of Malaysia? - By Matthias Chang (12/6/09)
By Matthias Chang
Friday, 12 June 2009 03:51
To many anti-colonial fighters of the third world, Lee Kuan Yew was contemptuously referred to as “ivory-skin Englishman”. He was and still is perceived as the lackey of the British power elites.
Malaysians can still recall the manner in which Lee Kuan Yew tried to wrest political power from Tunku and how he tried to supplant the MCA as the political party representing the Chinese. He was derisive of Tun Tan Siew Sin as not being a pure Chinese and as such not fit to represent the Chinese community.
However, the Chinese saw through his devious schemes and rejected emphatically PAP’s politics. Lee Kuan Yew thought he could out-maneuver Tunku and become the Prime Minister of Malaysia. But Tunku beat him at his own game and he was expelled from Malaysia.
Considering himself to be intellectually superior to Tunku, he could not accept that he was defeated so resoundingly by Tunku. He was devastated. When he announced that Singapore would be separated from Malaysia, he broke down uncontrollably. This was only to be expected as his dreams of being the Overlord of Malaysia, comprising of Peninsula Malaya, Sarawak and Sabah was shattered and he has to be content with being a bully of a city state!
Given such a traumatic experience, and possessing a vindictive disposition, it is a given that Lee Kuan Yew would harbour a secret agenda against Malaysia. And over the years, he has sowed and continue to sow discord among the races in Malaysia.
It was reported that one of the reasons for his recent visit to Malaysia is to find out how the Chinese are faring in Malaysia.
What arrogance!
The Chinese community in Malaysia has no need of a Lee Kuan Yew to meddle in its affairs or wellbeing. The Chinese community working with the other communities is more than able to look after themselves.
Why is there a need for such an elaborate programme – meetings with the prime minister, the deputy prime minister, an audience with the Agong, the Sultan of Perak and more meetings with other political leaders?
The picture of Lee Kuan Yew and the leaders of MCA displayed in the front page of Sin Chew Jit Poh says it all – why, may I add, was he wearing a traditional Chinese attire? And why were the leaders of MCA so willing to honour him when he had tried to topple Tun Tan Siew Sin at a critical juncture of our history?
I take the view that had Lee Kuan Yew succeeded in toppling Tun Tan Siew Sin, and PAP supplanted the MCA, social turmoil would have ensued and we as a nation would not have been able to achieve our present status.
No country is perfect and devoid of problems. We had our fair share, but we are better off without Lee Kuan Yew.
Malaysians must be vigilant. Lee Kuan Yew cannot be trusted and while Singapore is our neighbour and a member of ASEAN, we must never forget that Singapore has never ceased to dictate terms to Malaysia whenever she perceives Malaysia as being weak.
Do not forget the 1997 financial crisis and how Singapore treated us when we were in need.
Today, Singapore is reeling under the weight of the global financial tsunami, but Lee Kuan Yew is behaving as if Singapore has a bottomless vault of financial goodies, ever ready to invest in Malaysia as a favour.
We don’t need Singapore’s money!
Malaysia don’t need any favours from Singapore!
And Malaysians have no need for a Lee Kuan Yew telling us how to develop our country!
By Matthias Chang
Friday, 12 June 2009 03:51
To many anti-colonial fighters of the third world, Lee Kuan Yew was contemptuously referred to as “ivory-skin Englishman”. He was and still is perceived as the lackey of the British power elites.
Malaysians can still recall the manner in which Lee Kuan Yew tried to wrest political power from Tunku and how he tried to supplant the MCA as the political party representing the Chinese. He was derisive of Tun Tan Siew Sin as not being a pure Chinese and as such not fit to represent the Chinese community.
However, the Chinese saw through his devious schemes and rejected emphatically PAP’s politics. Lee Kuan Yew thought he could out-maneuver Tunku and become the Prime Minister of Malaysia. But Tunku beat him at his own game and he was expelled from Malaysia.
Considering himself to be intellectually superior to Tunku, he could not accept that he was defeated so resoundingly by Tunku. He was devastated. When he announced that Singapore would be separated from Malaysia, he broke down uncontrollably. This was only to be expected as his dreams of being the Overlord of Malaysia, comprising of Peninsula Malaya, Sarawak and Sabah was shattered and he has to be content with being a bully of a city state!
Given such a traumatic experience, and possessing a vindictive disposition, it is a given that Lee Kuan Yew would harbour a secret agenda against Malaysia. And over the years, he has sowed and continue to sow discord among the races in Malaysia.
It was reported that one of the reasons for his recent visit to Malaysia is to find out how the Chinese are faring in Malaysia.
What arrogance!
The Chinese community in Malaysia has no need of a Lee Kuan Yew to meddle in its affairs or wellbeing. The Chinese community working with the other communities is more than able to look after themselves.
Why is there a need for such an elaborate programme – meetings with the prime minister, the deputy prime minister, an audience with the Agong, the Sultan of Perak and more meetings with other political leaders?
The picture of Lee Kuan Yew and the leaders of MCA displayed in the front page of Sin Chew Jit Poh says it all – why, may I add, was he wearing a traditional Chinese attire? And why were the leaders of MCA so willing to honour him when he had tried to topple Tun Tan Siew Sin at a critical juncture of our history?
I take the view that had Lee Kuan Yew succeeded in toppling Tun Tan Siew Sin, and PAP supplanted the MCA, social turmoil would have ensued and we as a nation would not have been able to achieve our present status.
No country is perfect and devoid of problems. We had our fair share, but we are better off without Lee Kuan Yew.
Malaysians must be vigilant. Lee Kuan Yew cannot be trusted and while Singapore is our neighbour and a member of ASEAN, we must never forget that Singapore has never ceased to dictate terms to Malaysia whenever she perceives Malaysia as being weak.
Do not forget the 1997 financial crisis and how Singapore treated us when we were in need.
Today, Singapore is reeling under the weight of the global financial tsunami, but Lee Kuan Yew is behaving as if Singapore has a bottomless vault of financial goodies, ever ready to invest in Malaysia as a favour.
We don’t need Singapore’s money!
Malaysia don’t need any favours from Singapore!
And Malaysians have no need for a Lee Kuan Yew telling us how to develop our country!
Pakatan Rakyat, people first, performance now!
By SPAnK
I am is a pretty foul mood right now. A bunch of incompetent nincompoops in Dell pissed me off. I was on the phone to check my order status and they passed me here and there and everywhere including to the receptionist a couple of times. It was like I was dealing with a Malaysian government agency. Oh how the last few fellas who got passed the phone got it from me. I feel sorry for them. The tirades were aimed at Dell the company and not them. Dell has certainly got to improve their service system. Right now, it is plain poor. But enough about Dell.
Cirque Du Soleil is a very popular modern circus troop from Canada. Their shows are like none others in the world. Very niche. You get awesomely nice backdrops and lighting, props, highly skilled acrobats, excellent excellent music and what not. Everything about Cirque Du Soleil is just top marks. But at the end of the day, they are still a circus.
After a short term of glory, Pakatan Rakyat has revealed to us that they are also ultimately a circus. Honeymoon is over for PKR, DAP and PAS. Should there even be one in politics in the very first place. And they all start to show their ugly insides now. Politics will always be politics. All 3 parties have different agendas and with some luck and skills, Anwar Ibrahim pulled a miracle right before March 2008 and got the 3 stooges together. I had always feared that this UHU Glue bond will not stick. It's not easy to form an Elephant Glue bond. But we were all hoping that this UHU Glue will last a little longer - at least 2 or 3 terms of general elections while BN wakes up.
2 to 3 terms? What? You expect me to lean towards PR all my life? Forget it. I support a 2 party system. I support democracy. I DO NOT support any political parties. And neither am I a member of any political party. Any party who is in power long enough will ultimately turn into UMNO of today. I assure you of that.
So what is PR up to? PAS openly declared that they 'may' want to work with UMNO and that means ditching PKR and DAP. DAP is now not happy and openly whacks PAS. PKR is not happy that the DAP Chief Minister of Penang appointed someone who is not a PKR man as the Seberang Prai Municipal Council President and boycotted the swearing-in ceremony. And there's much more. So, who in PR is happy with anyone? Can you please stand up.
And to top it up, all of the above have been blown out of proportions. Does these idiots actually belief that the likes of UMNO, MCA and MIC will not take these to the roof? Those farkers have been salivating and waiting. Media don't do them justice? How naive. How farking naive.
We should give PR more time? Fuck off! Why don't you ask your employers to give you more time to learn the company's products even after you've joined the company for more than a year. Why don't you ask your lecturer to be more lenient with you on your papers because you have just been transferred from another course. Wake up PR. You knew from 9 March 2008 that you have a steep learning curve. This is politics. Your opponents are not going to give you even a day of honeymoon. We rakyat on the other hand have been patient with you long enough.
It is bad that you lost a state. An entire martha farking state! The signs were there weeks before. But you were arrogant. You were cocky. You were over-confident. And you now can't get it back. You owe us the very people who voted you in - 1 blardie state. UMNO did it the wrong deceitful way. Oh how poor thing. Cry cry sob sob. I've had enough of that bullshit. You let UMNO succeed - and that's a fault in itself. Stop pointing fingers but look within. The fault ultimately lies within the hierarchy of Pakatan Rakyat. Period.
Question. Why are the PKR councilors allowed to boycott the ceremony? Anwar, please explain. These are your men.
Lim Guan Eng and Karpal Singh. Can't you solve party matters internally. Do you go round telling people that your daughter is dating a gangster? You solve your home problem in your house, don't you? Why air your blardie dirty linen to the world? Why whack your fellow component party in public. Aren't you just making matter worse. Isn't reconciliation been made a tad more difficult? Because you want to be transparent. Well, goodie then. Go live in a glass house. Farking lame excuse.
And PAS, PAS, PAS. The blardie black sheep of the family. You fools. You think the Chinese and Indians have decided to love your preaches? You think so don't you? Read and spell this out loud - F.O.O.L.S! The wind of change has been brought about because the rakyat is fed-up of UMNO and BN. Because the rakyat wants change. Because the rakyat wants a 2 party system. You happen to be the alternative - along with other 2. Try going on your own the next by-election and we shall see how you get blown to smithereens.
And let me tell you this. There's gonna be some smart alec out there who will claim that all these are just a political ploy by PR to let UMNO think that all is not well in PR, that PR in crumbling, that UMNO has succeeded and what not. Fuck you guys who think like this because if UMNO has been fooled, so has the rakyat. And no rakyat in his right mind should vote in an unstable government. Remember that, PR!
PKR, DAP and PAS. Shame on you. We appointed you to serve us rakyat. Not your personal or party agendas. I for one don't give a flying fuck about your problems. Do you know what most employers tell you when you have personal problems? Don't bring it to office. And I am telling you shallow politicians of Pakatan Rakyat to keep your problems to yourselves. Your employers, the rakyat, do not give a shit. Don't bring your problems to office.
PKR, DAP and PAS. For crying out loud, stop the quareling and bickerings and get back to work.
I am is a pretty foul mood right now. A bunch of incompetent nincompoops in Dell pissed me off. I was on the phone to check my order status and they passed me here and there and everywhere including to the receptionist a couple of times. It was like I was dealing with a Malaysian government agency. Oh how the last few fellas who got passed the phone got it from me. I feel sorry for them. The tirades were aimed at Dell the company and not them. Dell has certainly got to improve their service system. Right now, it is plain poor. But enough about Dell.
Cirque Du Soleil is a very popular modern circus troop from Canada. Their shows are like none others in the world. Very niche. You get awesomely nice backdrops and lighting, props, highly skilled acrobats, excellent excellent music and what not. Everything about Cirque Du Soleil is just top marks. But at the end of the day, they are still a circus.
After a short term of glory, Pakatan Rakyat has revealed to us that they are also ultimately a circus. Honeymoon is over for PKR, DAP and PAS. Should there even be one in politics in the very first place. And they all start to show their ugly insides now. Politics will always be politics. All 3 parties have different agendas and with some luck and skills, Anwar Ibrahim pulled a miracle right before March 2008 and got the 3 stooges together. I had always feared that this UHU Glue bond will not stick. It's not easy to form an Elephant Glue bond. But we were all hoping that this UHU Glue will last a little longer - at least 2 or 3 terms of general elections while BN wakes up.
2 to 3 terms? What? You expect me to lean towards PR all my life? Forget it. I support a 2 party system. I support democracy. I DO NOT support any political parties. And neither am I a member of any political party. Any party who is in power long enough will ultimately turn into UMNO of today. I assure you of that.
So what is PR up to? PAS openly declared that they 'may' want to work with UMNO and that means ditching PKR and DAP. DAP is now not happy and openly whacks PAS. PKR is not happy that the DAP Chief Minister of Penang appointed someone who is not a PKR man as the Seberang Prai Municipal Council President and boycotted the swearing-in ceremony. And there's much more. So, who in PR is happy with anyone? Can you please stand up.
And to top it up, all of the above have been blown out of proportions. Does these idiots actually belief that the likes of UMNO, MCA and MIC will not take these to the roof? Those farkers have been salivating and waiting. Media don't do them justice? How naive. How farking naive.
We should give PR more time? Fuck off! Why don't you ask your employers to give you more time to learn the company's products even after you've joined the company for more than a year. Why don't you ask your lecturer to be more lenient with you on your papers because you have just been transferred from another course. Wake up PR. You knew from 9 March 2008 that you have a steep learning curve. This is politics. Your opponents are not going to give you even a day of honeymoon. We rakyat on the other hand have been patient with you long enough.
It is bad that you lost a state. An entire martha farking state! The signs were there weeks before. But you were arrogant. You were cocky. You were over-confident. And you now can't get it back. You owe us the very people who voted you in - 1 blardie state. UMNO did it the wrong deceitful way. Oh how poor thing. Cry cry sob sob. I've had enough of that bullshit. You let UMNO succeed - and that's a fault in itself. Stop pointing fingers but look within. The fault ultimately lies within the hierarchy of Pakatan Rakyat. Period.
Question. Why are the PKR councilors allowed to boycott the ceremony? Anwar, please explain. These are your men.
Lim Guan Eng and Karpal Singh. Can't you solve party matters internally. Do you go round telling people that your daughter is dating a gangster? You solve your home problem in your house, don't you? Why air your blardie dirty linen to the world? Why whack your fellow component party in public. Aren't you just making matter worse. Isn't reconciliation been made a tad more difficult? Because you want to be transparent. Well, goodie then. Go live in a glass house. Farking lame excuse.
And PAS, PAS, PAS. The blardie black sheep of the family. You fools. You think the Chinese and Indians have decided to love your preaches? You think so don't you? Read and spell this out loud - F.O.O.L.S! The wind of change has been brought about because the rakyat is fed-up of UMNO and BN. Because the rakyat wants change. Because the rakyat wants a 2 party system. You happen to be the alternative - along with other 2. Try going on your own the next by-election and we shall see how you get blown to smithereens.
And let me tell you this. There's gonna be some smart alec out there who will claim that all these are just a political ploy by PR to let UMNO think that all is not well in PR, that PR in crumbling, that UMNO has succeeded and what not. Fuck you guys who think like this because if UMNO has been fooled, so has the rakyat. And no rakyat in his right mind should vote in an unstable government. Remember that, PR!
PKR, DAP and PAS. Shame on you. We appointed you to serve us rakyat. Not your personal or party agendas. I for one don't give a flying fuck about your problems. Do you know what most employers tell you when you have personal problems? Don't bring it to office. And I am telling you shallow politicians of Pakatan Rakyat to keep your problems to yourselves. Your employers, the rakyat, do not give a shit. Don't bring your problems to office.
PKR, DAP and PAS. For crying out loud, stop the quareling and bickerings and get back to work.
Thursday, June 04, 2009
US President Barack Obama's keynote address in Egypt
CAIRO, June 4 — Below, the full text of President Barack Obama’s speech titled “A New Beginning”.
“I am honoured to be in the timeless city of Cairo, and to be hosted by two remarkable institutions. For over a thousand years, Al-Azhar has stood as a beacon of Islamic learning, and for over a century, Cairo University has been a source of Egypt’s advancement. Together, you represent the harmony between tradition and progress. I am grateful for your hospitality, and the hospitality of the people of Egypt. I am also proud to carry with me the goodwill of the American people, and a greeting of peace from Muslim communities in my country: assalaamualaykum.
We meet at a time of tension between the United States and Muslims around the world – tension rooted in historical forces that go beyond any current policy debate. The relationship between Islam and the West includes centuries of co-existence and cooperation, but also conflict and religious wars. More recently, tension has been fed by colonialism that denied rights and opportunities to many Muslims, and a Cold War in which Muslim-majority countries were too often treated as proxies without regard to their own aspirations. Moreover, the sweeping change brought by modernity and globalisation led many Muslims to view the West as hostile to the traditions of Islam.
Violent extremists have exploited these tensions in a small but potent minority of Muslims. The attacks of September 11th, 2001 and the continued efforts of these extremists to engage in violence against civilians has led some in my country to view Islam as inevitably hostile not only to America and Western countries, but also to human rights. This has bred more fear and mistrust.
So long as our relationship is defined by our differences, we will empower those who sow hatred rather than peace, and who promote conflict rather than the cooperation that can help all of our people achieve justice and prosperity. This cycle of suspicion and discord must end.
I have come here to seek a new beginning between the United States and Muslims around the world; one based upon mutual interest and mutual respect; and one based upon the truth that America and Islam are not exclusive, and need not be in competition. Instead, they overlap, and share common principles - principles of justice and progress; tolerance and the dignity of all human beings.
I do so recognising that change cannot happen overnight. No single speech can eradicate years of mistrust, nor can I answer in the time that I have all the complex questions that brought us to this point. But I am convinced that in order to move forward, we must say openly the things we hold in our hearts, and that too often are said only behind closed doors.
There must be a sustained effort to listen to each other; to learn from each other; to respect one another; and to seek common ground. As the Holy Koran tells us, “Be conscious of God and speak always the truth.” That is what I will try to do - to speak the truth as best I can, humbled by the task before us, and firm in my belief that the interests we share as human beings are far more powerful than the forces that drive us apart.
Part of this conviction is rooted in my own experience. I am a Christian, but my father came from a Kenyan family that includes generations of Muslims. As a boy, I spent several years in Indonesia and heard the call of the azaan at the break of dawn and the fall of dusk. As a young man, I worked in Chicago communities where many found dignity and peace in their Muslim faith.
As a student of history, I also know civilization’s debt to Islam. It was Islam – at places like Al-Azhar University - that carried the light of learning through so many centuries, paving the way for Europe’s Renaissance and Enlightenment. It was innovation in Muslim communities that developed the order of algebra; our magnetic compass and tools of navigation; our mastery of pens and printing; our understanding of how disease spreads and how it can be healed. Islamic culture has given us majestic arches and soaring spires; timeless poetry and cherished music; elegant calligraphy and places of peaceful contemplation. And throughout history, Islam has demonstrated through words and deeds the possibilities of religious tolerance and racial equality.
I know, too, that Islam has always been a part of America’s story. The first nation to recognise my country was Morocco. In signing the Treaty of Tripoli in 1796, our second President John Adams wrote, “The United States has in itself no character of enmity against the laws, religion or tranquility of Muslims.” And since our founding, American Muslims have enriched the United States.
They have fought in our wars, served in government, stood for civil rights, started businesses, taught at our Universities, excelled in our sports arenas, won Nobel Prizes, built our tallest building, and lit the Olympic Torch. And when the first Muslim-American was recently elected to Congress, he took the oath to defend our Constitution using the same Holy Koran that one of our Founding Fathers – Thomas Jefferson – kept in his personal library.
So I have known Islam on three continents before coming to the region where it was first revealed. That experience guides my conviction that partnership between America and Islam must be based on what Islam is, not what it isn’t. And I consider it part of my responsibility as President of the United States to fight against negative stereotypes of Islam wherever they appear.
But that same principle must apply to Muslim perceptions of America. Just as Muslims do not fit a crude stereotype, America is not the crude stereotype of a self-interested empire. The United States has been one of the greatest sources of progress that the world has ever known.
We were born out of revolution against an empire. We were founded upon the ideal that all are created equal, and we have shed blood and struggled for centuries to give meaning to those words – within our borders, and around the world. We are shaped by every culture, drawn from every end of the Earth, and dedicated to a simple concept: E pluribus unum: “Out of many, one.”
Much has been made of the fact that an African-American with the name Barack Hussein Obama could be elected President. But my personal story is not so unique. The dream of opportunity for all people has not come true for everyone in America, but its promise exists for all who come to our shores – that includes nearly seven million American Muslims in our country today who enjoy incomes and education that are higher than average.
Moreover, freedom in America is indivisible from the freedom to practice one’s religion. That is why there is a mosque in every state of our union, and over 1,200 mosques within our borders. That is why the US government has gone to court to protect the right of women and girls to wear the hijab, and to punish those who would deny it.
So let there be no doubt: Islam is a part of America. And I believe that America holds within her the truth that regardless of race, religion, or station in life, all of us share common aspirations - to live in peace and security; to get an education and to work with dignity; to love our families, our communities, and our God. These things we share. This is the hope of all humanity.
Of course, recognising our common humanity is only the beginning of our task. Words alone cannot meet the needs of our people. These needs will be met only if we act boldly in the years ahead; and if we understand that the challenges we face are shared, and our failure to meet them will hurt us all.
For we have learned from recent experience that when a financial system weakens in one country, prosperity is hurt everywhere. When a new flu infects one human being, all are at risk. When one nation pursues a nuclear weapon, the risk of nuclear attack rises for all nations. When violent extremists operate in one stretch of mountains, people are endangered across an ocean. And when innocents in Bosnia and Darfur are slaughtered, that is a stain on our collective conscience. That is what it means to share this world in the 21st century. That is the responsibility we have to one another as human beings.
This is a difficult responsibility to embrace. For human history has often been a record of nations and tribes subjugating one another to serve their own interests. Yet in this new age, such attitudes are self-defeating. Given our interdependence, any world order that elevates one nation or group of people over another will inevitably fail. So whatever we think of the past, we must not be prisoners of it. Our problems must be dealt with through partnership; progress must be shared.
That does not mean we should ignore sources of tension. Indeed, it suggests the opposite: we must face these tensions squarely. And so in that spirit, let me speak as clearly and plainly as I can about some specific issues that I believe we must finally confront together.
The first issue that we have to confront is violent extremism in all of its forms.
In Ankara, I made clear that America is not – and never will be – at war with Islam. We will, however, relentlessly confront violent extremists who pose a grave threat to our security. Because we reject the same thing that people of all faiths reject: the killing of innocent men, women, and children. And it is my first duty as President to protect the American people.
The situation in Afghanistan demonstrates America’s goals, and our need to work together. Over seven years ago, the United States pursued al Qaeda and the Taliban with broad international support. We did not go by choice, we went because of necessity.
I am aware that some question or justify the events of 9/11. But let us be clear: al Qaeda killed nearly 3,000 people on that day. The victims were innocent men, women and children from America and many other nations who had done nothing to harm anybody. And yet Al Qaeda chose to ruthlessly murder these people, claimed credit for the attack, and even now states their determination to kill on a massive scale. They have affiliates in many countries and are trying to expand their reach. These are not opinions to be debated; these are facts to be dealt with.
Make no mistake: we do not want to keep our troops in Afghanistan. We seek no military bases there. It is agonising for America to lose our young men and women. It is costly and politically difficult to continue this conflict. We would gladly bring every single one of our troops home if we could be confident that there were not violent extremists in Afghanistan and Pakistan determined to kill as many Americans as they possibly can. But that is not yet the case.
That’s why we’re partnering with a coalition of forty-six countries. And despite the costs involved, America’s commitment will not weaken. Indeed, none of us should tolerate these extremists. They have killed in many countries. They have killed people of different faiths – more than any other, they have killed Muslims. Their actions are irreconcilable with the rights of human beings, the progress of nations, and with Islam.
The Holy Koran teaches that whoever kills an innocent, it is as if he has killed all mankind; and whoever saves a person, it is as if he has saved all mankind. The enduring faith of over a billion people is so much bigger than the narrow hatred of a few. Islam is not part of the problem in combating violent extremism – it is an important part of promoting peace.
We also know that military power alone is not going to solve the problems in Afghanistan and Pakistan. That is why we plan to invest US$1.5 billion each year over the next five years to partner with Pakistanis to build schools and hospitals, roads and businesses, and hundreds of millions to help those who have been displaced. And that is why we are providing more than US$2.8 billion to help Afghans develop their economy and deliver services that people depend upon.
Let me also address the issue of Iraq. Unlike Afghanistan, Iraq was a war of choice that provoked strong differences in my country and around the world. Although I believe that the Iraqi people are ultimately better off without the tyranny of Saddam Hussein, I also believe that events in Iraq have reminded America of the need to use diplomacy and build international consensus to resolve our problems whenever possible. Indeed, we can recall the words of Thomas Jefferson, who said: “I hope that our wisdom will grow with our power, and teach us that the less we use our power the greater it will be.”
Today, America has a dual responsibility: to help Iraq forge a better future – and to leave Iraq to Iraqis. I have made it clear to the Iraqi people that we pursue no bases, and no claim on their territory or resources. Iraq’s sovereignty is its own. That is why I ordered the removal of our combat brigades by next August. That is why we will honour our agreement with Iraq’s democratically-elected government to remove combat troops from Iraqi cities by July, and to remove all our troops from Iraq by 2012. We will help Iraq train its Security Forces and develop its economy. But we will support a secure and united Iraq as a partner, and never as a patron.
And finally, just as America can never tolerate violence by extremists, we must never alter our principles. 9/11 was an enormous trauma to our country. The fear and anger that it provoked was understandable, but in some cases, it led us to act contrary to our ideals. We are taking concrete actions to change course. I have unequivocally prohibited the use of torture by the United States, and I have ordered the prison at Guantanamo Bay closed by early next year.
So America will defend itself respectful of the sovereignty of nations and the rule of law. And we will do so in partnership with Muslim communities which are also threatened. The sooner the extremists are isolated and unwelcome in Muslim communities, the sooner we will all be safer.
The second major source of tension that we need to discuss is the situation between Israelis, Palestinians and the Arab world.
America’s strong bonds with Israel are well known. This bond is unbreakable. It is based upon cultural and historical ties, and the recognition that the aspiration for a Jewish homeland is rooted in a tragic history that cannot be denied.
Around the world, the Jewish people were persecuted for centuries, and anti-Semitism in Europe culminated in an unprecedented Holocaust. Tomorrow, I will visit Buchenwald, which was part of a network of camps where Jews were enslaved, tortured, shot and gassed to death by the Third Reich. Six million Jews were killed – more than the entire Jewish population of Israel today.
Denying that fact is baseless, ignorant, and hateful. Threatening Israel with destruction – or repeating vile stereotypes about Jews – is deeply wrong, and only serves to evoke in the minds of Israelis this most painful of memories while preventing the peace that the people of this region deserve.
On the other hand, it is also undeniable that the Palestinian people – Muslims and Christians – have suffered in pursuit of a homeland. For more than sixty years they have endured the pain of dislocation. Many wait in refugee camps in the West Bank, Gaza, and neighbouring lands for a life of peace and security that they have never been able to lead. They endure the daily humiliations – large and small – that come with occupation. So let there be no doubt: the situation for the Palestinian people is intolerable. America will not turn our backs on the legitimate Palestinian aspiration for dignity, opportunity, and a state of their own.
For decades, there has been a stalemate: two peoples with legitimate aspirations, each with a painful history that makes compromise elusive. It is easy to point fingers – for Palestinians to point to the displacement brought by Israel’s founding, and for Israelis to point to the constant hostility and attacks throughout its history from within its borders as well as beyond. But if we see this conflict only from one side or the other, then we will be blind to the truth: the only resolution is for the aspirations of both sides to be met through two states, where Israelis and Palestinians each live in peace and security.
That is in Israel’s interest, Palestine’s interest, America’s interest, and the world’s interest. That is why I intend to personally pursue this outcome with all the patience that the task requires. The obligations that the parties have agreed to under the Road Map are clear. For peace to come, it is time for them – and all of us – to live up to our responsibilities.
Palestinians must abandon violence. Resistance through violence and killing is wrong and does not succeed. For centuries, black people in America suffered the lash of the whip as slaves and the humiliation of segregation. But it was not violence that won full and equal rights. It was a peaceful and determined insistence upon the ideals at the centre of America’s founding.
This same story can be told by people from South Africa to South Asia; from Eastern Europe to Indonesia. It’s a story with a simple truth: that violence is a dead end. It is a sign of neither courage nor power to shoot rockets at sleeping children, or to blow up old women on a bus. That is not how moral authority is claimed; that is how it is surrendered.
Now is the time for Palestinians to focus on what they can build. The Palestinian Authority must develop its capacity to govern, with institutions that serve the needs of its people. Hamas does have support among some Palestinians, but they also have responsibilities. To play a role in fulfilling Palestinian aspirations, and to unify the Palestinian people, Hamas must put an end to violence, recognise past agreements, and recognise Israel’s right to exist.
At the same time, Israelis must acknowledge that just as Israel’s right to exist cannot be denied, neither can Palestine’s. The United States does not accept the legitimacy of continued Israeli settlements. This construction violates previous agreements and undermines efforts to achieve peace. It is time for these settlements to stop.
Israel must also live up to its obligations to ensure that Palestinians can live, and work, and develop their society. And just as it devastates Palestinian families, the continuing humanitarian crisis in Gaza does not serve Israel’s security; neither does the continuing lack of opportunity in the West Bank. Progress in the daily lives of the Palestinian people must be part of a road to peace, and Israel must take concrete steps to enable such progress.
Finally, the Arab States must recognise that the Arab Peace Initiative was an important beginning, but not the end of their responsibilities. The Arab-Israeli conflict should no longer be used to distract the people of Arab nations from other problems. Instead, it must be a cause for action to help the Palestinian people develop the institutions that will sustain their state; to recognise Israel’s legitimacy; and to choose progress over a self-defeating focus on the past.
America will align our policies with those who pursue peace, and say in public what we say in private to Israelis and Palestinians and Arabs. We cannot impose peace. But privately, many Muslims recognise that Israel will not go away. Likewise, many Israelis recognise the need for a Palestinian state. It is time for us to act on what everyone knows to be true.
Too many tears have flowed. Too much blood has been shed. All of us have a responsibility to work for the day when the mothers of Israelis and Palestinians can see their children grow up without fear; when the Holy Land of three great faiths is the place of peace that God intended it to be; when Jerusalem is a secure and lasting home for Jews and Christians and Muslims, and a place for all of the children of Abraham to mingle peacefully together as in the story of Isra, when Moses, Jesus, and Mohammed (peace be upon them) joined in prayer.
The third source of tension is our shared interest in the rights and responsibilities of nations on nuclear weapons.
This issue has been a source of tension between the United States and the Islamic Republic of Iran. For many years, Iran has defined itself in part by its opposition to my country, and there is indeed a tumultuous history between us. In the middle of the Cold War, the United States played a role in the overthrow of a democratically-elected Iranian government.
Since the Islamic Revolution, Iran has played a role in acts of hostage-taking and violence against US troops and civilians. This history is well known. Rather than remain trapped in the past, I have made it clear to Iran’s leaders and people that my country is prepared to move forward. The question, now, is not what Iran is against, but rather what future it wants to build.
It will be hard to overcome decades of mistrust, but we will proceed with courage, rectitude and resolve. There will be many issues to discuss between our two countries, and we are willing to move forward without preconditions on the basis of mutual respect. But it is clear to all concerned that when it comes to nuclear weapons, we have reached a decisive point.
This is not simply about America’s interests. It is about preventing a nuclear arms race in the Middle East that could lead this region and the world down a hugely dangerous path.
I understand those who protest that some countries have weapons that others do not. No single nation should pick and choose which nations hold nuclear weapons.
That is why I strongly reaffirmed America’s commitment to seek a world in which no nations hold nuclear weapons. And any nation – including Iran – should have the right to access peaceful nuclear power if it complies with its responsibilities under the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty.
That commitment is at the core of the Treaty, and it must be kept for all who fully abide by it. And I am hopeful that all countries in the region can share in this goal.
The fourth issue that I will address is democracy.
I know there has been controversy about the promotion of democracy in recent years, and much of this controversy is connected to the war in Iraq. So let me be clear: no system of government can or should be imposed upon one nation by any other.
That does not lessen my commitment, however, to governments that reflect the will of the people. Each nation gives life to this principle in its own way, grounded in the traditions of its own people. America does not presume to know what is best for everyone, just as we would not presume to pick the outcome of a peaceful election.
But I do have an unyielding belief that all people yearn for certain things: the ability to speak your mind and have a say in how you are governed; confidence in the rule of law and the equal administration of justice; government that is transparent and doesn’t steal from the people; the freedom to live as you choose.
Those are not just American ideas, they are human rights, and that is why we will support them everywhere.
There is no straight line to realise this promise. But this much is clear: governments that protect these rights are ultimately more stable, successful and secure. Suppressing ideas never succeeds in making them go away.
America respects the right of all peaceful and law-abiding voices to be heard around the world, even if we disagree with them. And we will welcome all elected, peaceful governments - provided they govern with respect for all their people.
This last point is important because there are some who advocate for democracy only when they are out of power; once in power, they are ruthless in suppressing the rights of others. No matter where it takes hold, government of the people and by the people sets a single standard for all who hold power: you must maintain your power through consent, not coercion; you must respect the rights of minorities, and participate with a spirit of tolerance and compromise; you must place the interests of your people and the legitimate workings of the political process above your party. Without these ingredients, elections alone do not make true democracy.
The fifth issue that we must address together is religious freedom.
Islam has a proud tradition of tolerance. We see it in the history of Andalusia and Cordoba during the Inquisition. I saw it firsthand as a child in Indonesia, where devout Christians worshiped freely in an overwhelmingly Muslim country.
That is the spirit we need today. People in every country should be free to choose and live their faith based upon the persuasion of the mind, heart, and soul. This tolerance is essential for religion to thrive, but it is being challenged in many different ways.
Among some Muslims, there is a disturbing tendency to measure one’s own faith by the rejection of another’s. The richness of religious diversity must be upheld – whether it is for Maronites in Lebanon or the Copts in Egypt. And fault lines must be closed among Muslims as well, as the divisions between Sunni and Shia have led to tragic violence, particularly in Iraq.
Freedom of religion is central to the ability of peoples to live together. We must always examine the ways in which we protect it. For instance, in the United States, rules on charitable giving have made it harder for Muslims to fulfil their religious obligation. That is why I am committed to working with American Muslims to ensure that they can fulfil zakat.
Likewise, it is important for Western countries to avoid impeding Muslim citizens from practicing religion as they see fit – for instance, by dictating what clothes a Muslim woman should wear. We cannot disguise hostility towards any religion behind the pretence of liberalism.
Indeed, faith should bring us together. That is why we are forging service projects in America that bring together Christians, Muslims, and Jews.
That is why we welcome efforts like Saudi Arabian King Abdullah’s Interfaith dialogue and Turkey’s leadership in the Alliance of Civilizations. Around the world, we can turn dialogue into Interfaith service, so bridges between peoples lead to action – whether it is combating malaria in Africa, or providing relief after a natural disaster.
The sixth issue that I want to address is women’s rights.
I know there is debate about this issue. I reject the view of some in the West that a woman who chooses to cover her hair is somehow less equal, but I do believe that a woman who is denied an education is denied equality. And it is no coincidence that countries where women are well-educated are far more likely to be prosperous.
Now let me be clear: issues of women’s equality are by no means simply an issue for Islam. In Turkey, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Indonesia, we have seen Muslim-majority countries elect a woman to lead. Meanwhile, the struggle for women’s equality continues in many aspects of American life, and in countries around the world.
Our daughters can contribute just as much to society as our sons, and our common prosperity will be advanced by allowing all humanity – men and women – to reach their full potential. I do not believe that women must make the same choices as men in order to be equal, and I respect those women who choose to live their lives in traditional roles. But it should be their choice.
That is why the United States will partner with any Muslim-majority country to support expanded literacy for girls, and to help young women pursue employment through micro-financing that helps people live their dreams.
Finally, I want to discuss economic development and opportunity.
I know that for many, the face of globalisation is contradictory. The Internet and television can bring knowledge and information, but also offensive sexuality and mindless violence. Trade can bring new wealth and opportunities, but also huge disruptions and changing communities.
In all nations – including my own – this change can bring fear. Fear that because of modernity we will lose of control over our economic choices, our politics, and most importantly our identities - those things we most cherish about our communities, our families, our traditions, and our faith.
But I also know that human progress cannot be denied. There need not be contradiction between development and tradition. Countries like Japan and South Korea grew their economies while maintaining distinct cultures.
The same is true for the astonishing progress within Muslim-majority countries from Kuala Lumpur to Dubai. In ancient times and in our times, Muslim communities have been at the forefront of innovation and education.
This is important because no development strategy can be based only upon what comes out of the ground, nor can it be sustained while young people are out of work. Many Gulf States have enjoyed great wealth as a consequence of oil, and some are beginning to focus it on broader development. But all of us must recognise that education and innovation will be the currency of the 21st century, and in too many Muslim communities there remains underinvestment in these areas.
I am emphasising such investments within my country. And while America in the past has focused on oil and gas in this part of the world, we now seek a broader engagement.
On education, we will expand exchange programs, and increase scholarships, like the one that brought my father to America, while encouraging more Americans to study in Muslim communities. And we will match promising Muslim students with internships in America; invest in on-line learning for teachers and children around the world; and create a new online network, so a teenager in Kansas can communicate instantly with a teenager in Cairo.
On economic development, we will create a new corps of business volunteers to partner with counterparts in Muslim-majority countries. And I will host a Summit on Entrepreneurship this year to identify how we can deepen ties between business leaders, foundations and social entrepreneurs in the United States and Muslim communities around the world.
On science and technology, we will launch a new fund to support technological development in Muslim-majority countries, and to help transfer ideas to the marketplace so they can create jobs. We will open centres of scientific excellence in Africa, the Middle East and Southeast Asia, and appoint new Science Envoys to collaborate on programs that develop new sources of energy, create green jobs, digitise records, clean water, and grow new crops. And today I am announcing a new global effort with the Organisation of the Islamic Conference to eradicate polio. And we will also expand partnerships with Muslim communities to promote child and maternal health.
All these things must be done in partnership. Americans are ready to join with citizens and governments; community organisations, religious leaders, and businesses in Muslim communities around the world to help our people pursue a better life.
The issues that I have described will not be easy to address. But we have a responsibility to join together on behalf of the world we seek – a world where extremists no longer threaten our people, and American troops have come home; a world where Israelis and Palestinians are each secure in a state of their own, and nuclear energy is used for peaceful purposes; a world where governments serve their citizens, and the rights of all God’s children are respected. Those are mutual interests. That is the world we seek. But we can only achieve it together.
I know there are many – Muslim and non-Muslim – who question whether we can forge this new beginning. Some are eager to stoke the flames of division, and to stand in the way of progress. Some suggest that it isn’t worth the effort – that we are fated to disagree, and civilizations are doomed to clash. Many more are simply skeptical that real change can occur.
There is so much fear, so much mistrust. But if we choose to be bound by the past, we will never move forward. And I want to particularly say this to young people of every faith, in every country – you, more than anyone, have the ability to remake this world.
All of us share this world for but a brief moment in time. The question is whether we spend that time focused on what pushes us apart, or whether we commit ourselves to an effort - a sustained effort - to find common ground, to focus on the future we seek for our children, and to respect the dignity of all human beings.
It is easier to start wars than to end them. It is easier to blame others than to look inward; to see what is different about someone than to find the things we share. But we should choose the right path, not just the easy path.
There is also one rule that lies at the heart of every religion – that we do unto others as we would have them do unto us. This truth transcends nations and peoples - a belief that isn’t new; that isn’t black or white or brown; that isn’t Christian, or Muslim or Jew. It’s a belief that pulsed in the cradle of civilization, and that still beats in the heart of billions. It’s a faith in other people, and it’s what brought me here today.
We have the power to make the world we seek, but only if we have the courage to make a new beginning, keeping in mind what has been written.
The Holy Koran tells us, “O mankind! We have created you male and a female; and we have made you into nations and tribes so that you may know one another.”
The Talmud tells us: “The whole of the Torah is for the purpose of promoting peace.”
The Holy Bible tells us, “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.”
The people of the world can live together in peace. We know that is God’s vision. Now, that must be our work here on Earth. Thank you. And may God’s peace be upon you.
“I am honoured to be in the timeless city of Cairo, and to be hosted by two remarkable institutions. For over a thousand years, Al-Azhar has stood as a beacon of Islamic learning, and for over a century, Cairo University has been a source of Egypt’s advancement. Together, you represent the harmony between tradition and progress. I am grateful for your hospitality, and the hospitality of the people of Egypt. I am also proud to carry with me the goodwill of the American people, and a greeting of peace from Muslim communities in my country: assalaamualaykum.
We meet at a time of tension between the United States and Muslims around the world – tension rooted in historical forces that go beyond any current policy debate. The relationship between Islam and the West includes centuries of co-existence and cooperation, but also conflict and religious wars. More recently, tension has been fed by colonialism that denied rights and opportunities to many Muslims, and a Cold War in which Muslim-majority countries were too often treated as proxies without regard to their own aspirations. Moreover, the sweeping change brought by modernity and globalisation led many Muslims to view the West as hostile to the traditions of Islam.
Violent extremists have exploited these tensions in a small but potent minority of Muslims. The attacks of September 11th, 2001 and the continued efforts of these extremists to engage in violence against civilians has led some in my country to view Islam as inevitably hostile not only to America and Western countries, but also to human rights. This has bred more fear and mistrust.
So long as our relationship is defined by our differences, we will empower those who sow hatred rather than peace, and who promote conflict rather than the cooperation that can help all of our people achieve justice and prosperity. This cycle of suspicion and discord must end.
I have come here to seek a new beginning between the United States and Muslims around the world; one based upon mutual interest and mutual respect; and one based upon the truth that America and Islam are not exclusive, and need not be in competition. Instead, they overlap, and share common principles - principles of justice and progress; tolerance and the dignity of all human beings.
I do so recognising that change cannot happen overnight. No single speech can eradicate years of mistrust, nor can I answer in the time that I have all the complex questions that brought us to this point. But I am convinced that in order to move forward, we must say openly the things we hold in our hearts, and that too often are said only behind closed doors.
There must be a sustained effort to listen to each other; to learn from each other; to respect one another; and to seek common ground. As the Holy Koran tells us, “Be conscious of God and speak always the truth.” That is what I will try to do - to speak the truth as best I can, humbled by the task before us, and firm in my belief that the interests we share as human beings are far more powerful than the forces that drive us apart.
Part of this conviction is rooted in my own experience. I am a Christian, but my father came from a Kenyan family that includes generations of Muslims. As a boy, I spent several years in Indonesia and heard the call of the azaan at the break of dawn and the fall of dusk. As a young man, I worked in Chicago communities where many found dignity and peace in their Muslim faith.
As a student of history, I also know civilization’s debt to Islam. It was Islam – at places like Al-Azhar University - that carried the light of learning through so many centuries, paving the way for Europe’s Renaissance and Enlightenment. It was innovation in Muslim communities that developed the order of algebra; our magnetic compass and tools of navigation; our mastery of pens and printing; our understanding of how disease spreads and how it can be healed. Islamic culture has given us majestic arches and soaring spires; timeless poetry and cherished music; elegant calligraphy and places of peaceful contemplation. And throughout history, Islam has demonstrated through words and deeds the possibilities of religious tolerance and racial equality.
I know, too, that Islam has always been a part of America’s story. The first nation to recognise my country was Morocco. In signing the Treaty of Tripoli in 1796, our second President John Adams wrote, “The United States has in itself no character of enmity against the laws, religion or tranquility of Muslims.” And since our founding, American Muslims have enriched the United States.
They have fought in our wars, served in government, stood for civil rights, started businesses, taught at our Universities, excelled in our sports arenas, won Nobel Prizes, built our tallest building, and lit the Olympic Torch. And when the first Muslim-American was recently elected to Congress, he took the oath to defend our Constitution using the same Holy Koran that one of our Founding Fathers – Thomas Jefferson – kept in his personal library.
So I have known Islam on three continents before coming to the region where it was first revealed. That experience guides my conviction that partnership between America and Islam must be based on what Islam is, not what it isn’t. And I consider it part of my responsibility as President of the United States to fight against negative stereotypes of Islam wherever they appear.
But that same principle must apply to Muslim perceptions of America. Just as Muslims do not fit a crude stereotype, America is not the crude stereotype of a self-interested empire. The United States has been one of the greatest sources of progress that the world has ever known.
We were born out of revolution against an empire. We were founded upon the ideal that all are created equal, and we have shed blood and struggled for centuries to give meaning to those words – within our borders, and around the world. We are shaped by every culture, drawn from every end of the Earth, and dedicated to a simple concept: E pluribus unum: “Out of many, one.”
Much has been made of the fact that an African-American with the name Barack Hussein Obama could be elected President. But my personal story is not so unique. The dream of opportunity for all people has not come true for everyone in America, but its promise exists for all who come to our shores – that includes nearly seven million American Muslims in our country today who enjoy incomes and education that are higher than average.
Moreover, freedom in America is indivisible from the freedom to practice one’s religion. That is why there is a mosque in every state of our union, and over 1,200 mosques within our borders. That is why the US government has gone to court to protect the right of women and girls to wear the hijab, and to punish those who would deny it.
So let there be no doubt: Islam is a part of America. And I believe that America holds within her the truth that regardless of race, religion, or station in life, all of us share common aspirations - to live in peace and security; to get an education and to work with dignity; to love our families, our communities, and our God. These things we share. This is the hope of all humanity.
Of course, recognising our common humanity is only the beginning of our task. Words alone cannot meet the needs of our people. These needs will be met only if we act boldly in the years ahead; and if we understand that the challenges we face are shared, and our failure to meet them will hurt us all.
For we have learned from recent experience that when a financial system weakens in one country, prosperity is hurt everywhere. When a new flu infects one human being, all are at risk. When one nation pursues a nuclear weapon, the risk of nuclear attack rises for all nations. When violent extremists operate in one stretch of mountains, people are endangered across an ocean. And when innocents in Bosnia and Darfur are slaughtered, that is a stain on our collective conscience. That is what it means to share this world in the 21st century. That is the responsibility we have to one another as human beings.
This is a difficult responsibility to embrace. For human history has often been a record of nations and tribes subjugating one another to serve their own interests. Yet in this new age, such attitudes are self-defeating. Given our interdependence, any world order that elevates one nation or group of people over another will inevitably fail. So whatever we think of the past, we must not be prisoners of it. Our problems must be dealt with through partnership; progress must be shared.
That does not mean we should ignore sources of tension. Indeed, it suggests the opposite: we must face these tensions squarely. And so in that spirit, let me speak as clearly and plainly as I can about some specific issues that I believe we must finally confront together.
The first issue that we have to confront is violent extremism in all of its forms.
In Ankara, I made clear that America is not – and never will be – at war with Islam. We will, however, relentlessly confront violent extremists who pose a grave threat to our security. Because we reject the same thing that people of all faiths reject: the killing of innocent men, women, and children. And it is my first duty as President to protect the American people.
The situation in Afghanistan demonstrates America’s goals, and our need to work together. Over seven years ago, the United States pursued al Qaeda and the Taliban with broad international support. We did not go by choice, we went because of necessity.
I am aware that some question or justify the events of 9/11. But let us be clear: al Qaeda killed nearly 3,000 people on that day. The victims were innocent men, women and children from America and many other nations who had done nothing to harm anybody. And yet Al Qaeda chose to ruthlessly murder these people, claimed credit for the attack, and even now states their determination to kill on a massive scale. They have affiliates in many countries and are trying to expand their reach. These are not opinions to be debated; these are facts to be dealt with.
Make no mistake: we do not want to keep our troops in Afghanistan. We seek no military bases there. It is agonising for America to lose our young men and women. It is costly and politically difficult to continue this conflict. We would gladly bring every single one of our troops home if we could be confident that there were not violent extremists in Afghanistan and Pakistan determined to kill as many Americans as they possibly can. But that is not yet the case.
That’s why we’re partnering with a coalition of forty-six countries. And despite the costs involved, America’s commitment will not weaken. Indeed, none of us should tolerate these extremists. They have killed in many countries. They have killed people of different faiths – more than any other, they have killed Muslims. Their actions are irreconcilable with the rights of human beings, the progress of nations, and with Islam.
The Holy Koran teaches that whoever kills an innocent, it is as if he has killed all mankind; and whoever saves a person, it is as if he has saved all mankind. The enduring faith of over a billion people is so much bigger than the narrow hatred of a few. Islam is not part of the problem in combating violent extremism – it is an important part of promoting peace.
We also know that military power alone is not going to solve the problems in Afghanistan and Pakistan. That is why we plan to invest US$1.5 billion each year over the next five years to partner with Pakistanis to build schools and hospitals, roads and businesses, and hundreds of millions to help those who have been displaced. And that is why we are providing more than US$2.8 billion to help Afghans develop their economy and deliver services that people depend upon.
Let me also address the issue of Iraq. Unlike Afghanistan, Iraq was a war of choice that provoked strong differences in my country and around the world. Although I believe that the Iraqi people are ultimately better off without the tyranny of Saddam Hussein, I also believe that events in Iraq have reminded America of the need to use diplomacy and build international consensus to resolve our problems whenever possible. Indeed, we can recall the words of Thomas Jefferson, who said: “I hope that our wisdom will grow with our power, and teach us that the less we use our power the greater it will be.”
Today, America has a dual responsibility: to help Iraq forge a better future – and to leave Iraq to Iraqis. I have made it clear to the Iraqi people that we pursue no bases, and no claim on their territory or resources. Iraq’s sovereignty is its own. That is why I ordered the removal of our combat brigades by next August. That is why we will honour our agreement with Iraq’s democratically-elected government to remove combat troops from Iraqi cities by July, and to remove all our troops from Iraq by 2012. We will help Iraq train its Security Forces and develop its economy. But we will support a secure and united Iraq as a partner, and never as a patron.
And finally, just as America can never tolerate violence by extremists, we must never alter our principles. 9/11 was an enormous trauma to our country. The fear and anger that it provoked was understandable, but in some cases, it led us to act contrary to our ideals. We are taking concrete actions to change course. I have unequivocally prohibited the use of torture by the United States, and I have ordered the prison at Guantanamo Bay closed by early next year.
So America will defend itself respectful of the sovereignty of nations and the rule of law. And we will do so in partnership with Muslim communities which are also threatened. The sooner the extremists are isolated and unwelcome in Muslim communities, the sooner we will all be safer.
The second major source of tension that we need to discuss is the situation between Israelis, Palestinians and the Arab world.
America’s strong bonds with Israel are well known. This bond is unbreakable. It is based upon cultural and historical ties, and the recognition that the aspiration for a Jewish homeland is rooted in a tragic history that cannot be denied.
Around the world, the Jewish people were persecuted for centuries, and anti-Semitism in Europe culminated in an unprecedented Holocaust. Tomorrow, I will visit Buchenwald, which was part of a network of camps where Jews were enslaved, tortured, shot and gassed to death by the Third Reich. Six million Jews were killed – more than the entire Jewish population of Israel today.
Denying that fact is baseless, ignorant, and hateful. Threatening Israel with destruction – or repeating vile stereotypes about Jews – is deeply wrong, and only serves to evoke in the minds of Israelis this most painful of memories while preventing the peace that the people of this region deserve.
On the other hand, it is also undeniable that the Palestinian people – Muslims and Christians – have suffered in pursuit of a homeland. For more than sixty years they have endured the pain of dislocation. Many wait in refugee camps in the West Bank, Gaza, and neighbouring lands for a life of peace and security that they have never been able to lead. They endure the daily humiliations – large and small – that come with occupation. So let there be no doubt: the situation for the Palestinian people is intolerable. America will not turn our backs on the legitimate Palestinian aspiration for dignity, opportunity, and a state of their own.
For decades, there has been a stalemate: two peoples with legitimate aspirations, each with a painful history that makes compromise elusive. It is easy to point fingers – for Palestinians to point to the displacement brought by Israel’s founding, and for Israelis to point to the constant hostility and attacks throughout its history from within its borders as well as beyond. But if we see this conflict only from one side or the other, then we will be blind to the truth: the only resolution is for the aspirations of both sides to be met through two states, where Israelis and Palestinians each live in peace and security.
That is in Israel’s interest, Palestine’s interest, America’s interest, and the world’s interest. That is why I intend to personally pursue this outcome with all the patience that the task requires. The obligations that the parties have agreed to under the Road Map are clear. For peace to come, it is time for them – and all of us – to live up to our responsibilities.
Palestinians must abandon violence. Resistance through violence and killing is wrong and does not succeed. For centuries, black people in America suffered the lash of the whip as slaves and the humiliation of segregation. But it was not violence that won full and equal rights. It was a peaceful and determined insistence upon the ideals at the centre of America’s founding.
This same story can be told by people from South Africa to South Asia; from Eastern Europe to Indonesia. It’s a story with a simple truth: that violence is a dead end. It is a sign of neither courage nor power to shoot rockets at sleeping children, or to blow up old women on a bus. That is not how moral authority is claimed; that is how it is surrendered.
Now is the time for Palestinians to focus on what they can build. The Palestinian Authority must develop its capacity to govern, with institutions that serve the needs of its people. Hamas does have support among some Palestinians, but they also have responsibilities. To play a role in fulfilling Palestinian aspirations, and to unify the Palestinian people, Hamas must put an end to violence, recognise past agreements, and recognise Israel’s right to exist.
At the same time, Israelis must acknowledge that just as Israel’s right to exist cannot be denied, neither can Palestine’s. The United States does not accept the legitimacy of continued Israeli settlements. This construction violates previous agreements and undermines efforts to achieve peace. It is time for these settlements to stop.
Israel must also live up to its obligations to ensure that Palestinians can live, and work, and develop their society. And just as it devastates Palestinian families, the continuing humanitarian crisis in Gaza does not serve Israel’s security; neither does the continuing lack of opportunity in the West Bank. Progress in the daily lives of the Palestinian people must be part of a road to peace, and Israel must take concrete steps to enable such progress.
Finally, the Arab States must recognise that the Arab Peace Initiative was an important beginning, but not the end of their responsibilities. The Arab-Israeli conflict should no longer be used to distract the people of Arab nations from other problems. Instead, it must be a cause for action to help the Palestinian people develop the institutions that will sustain their state; to recognise Israel’s legitimacy; and to choose progress over a self-defeating focus on the past.
America will align our policies with those who pursue peace, and say in public what we say in private to Israelis and Palestinians and Arabs. We cannot impose peace. But privately, many Muslims recognise that Israel will not go away. Likewise, many Israelis recognise the need for a Palestinian state. It is time for us to act on what everyone knows to be true.
Too many tears have flowed. Too much blood has been shed. All of us have a responsibility to work for the day when the mothers of Israelis and Palestinians can see their children grow up without fear; when the Holy Land of three great faiths is the place of peace that God intended it to be; when Jerusalem is a secure and lasting home for Jews and Christians and Muslims, and a place for all of the children of Abraham to mingle peacefully together as in the story of Isra, when Moses, Jesus, and Mohammed (peace be upon them) joined in prayer.
The third source of tension is our shared interest in the rights and responsibilities of nations on nuclear weapons.
This issue has been a source of tension between the United States and the Islamic Republic of Iran. For many years, Iran has defined itself in part by its opposition to my country, and there is indeed a tumultuous history between us. In the middle of the Cold War, the United States played a role in the overthrow of a democratically-elected Iranian government.
Since the Islamic Revolution, Iran has played a role in acts of hostage-taking and violence against US troops and civilians. This history is well known. Rather than remain trapped in the past, I have made it clear to Iran’s leaders and people that my country is prepared to move forward. The question, now, is not what Iran is against, but rather what future it wants to build.
It will be hard to overcome decades of mistrust, but we will proceed with courage, rectitude and resolve. There will be many issues to discuss between our two countries, and we are willing to move forward without preconditions on the basis of mutual respect. But it is clear to all concerned that when it comes to nuclear weapons, we have reached a decisive point.
This is not simply about America’s interests. It is about preventing a nuclear arms race in the Middle East that could lead this region and the world down a hugely dangerous path.
I understand those who protest that some countries have weapons that others do not. No single nation should pick and choose which nations hold nuclear weapons.
That is why I strongly reaffirmed America’s commitment to seek a world in which no nations hold nuclear weapons. And any nation – including Iran – should have the right to access peaceful nuclear power if it complies with its responsibilities under the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty.
That commitment is at the core of the Treaty, and it must be kept for all who fully abide by it. And I am hopeful that all countries in the region can share in this goal.
The fourth issue that I will address is democracy.
I know there has been controversy about the promotion of democracy in recent years, and much of this controversy is connected to the war in Iraq. So let me be clear: no system of government can or should be imposed upon one nation by any other.
That does not lessen my commitment, however, to governments that reflect the will of the people. Each nation gives life to this principle in its own way, grounded in the traditions of its own people. America does not presume to know what is best for everyone, just as we would not presume to pick the outcome of a peaceful election.
But I do have an unyielding belief that all people yearn for certain things: the ability to speak your mind and have a say in how you are governed; confidence in the rule of law and the equal administration of justice; government that is transparent and doesn’t steal from the people; the freedom to live as you choose.
Those are not just American ideas, they are human rights, and that is why we will support them everywhere.
There is no straight line to realise this promise. But this much is clear: governments that protect these rights are ultimately more stable, successful and secure. Suppressing ideas never succeeds in making them go away.
America respects the right of all peaceful and law-abiding voices to be heard around the world, even if we disagree with them. And we will welcome all elected, peaceful governments - provided they govern with respect for all their people.
This last point is important because there are some who advocate for democracy only when they are out of power; once in power, they are ruthless in suppressing the rights of others. No matter where it takes hold, government of the people and by the people sets a single standard for all who hold power: you must maintain your power through consent, not coercion; you must respect the rights of minorities, and participate with a spirit of tolerance and compromise; you must place the interests of your people and the legitimate workings of the political process above your party. Without these ingredients, elections alone do not make true democracy.
The fifth issue that we must address together is religious freedom.
Islam has a proud tradition of tolerance. We see it in the history of Andalusia and Cordoba during the Inquisition. I saw it firsthand as a child in Indonesia, where devout Christians worshiped freely in an overwhelmingly Muslim country.
That is the spirit we need today. People in every country should be free to choose and live their faith based upon the persuasion of the mind, heart, and soul. This tolerance is essential for religion to thrive, but it is being challenged in many different ways.
Among some Muslims, there is a disturbing tendency to measure one’s own faith by the rejection of another’s. The richness of religious diversity must be upheld – whether it is for Maronites in Lebanon or the Copts in Egypt. And fault lines must be closed among Muslims as well, as the divisions between Sunni and Shia have led to tragic violence, particularly in Iraq.
Freedom of religion is central to the ability of peoples to live together. We must always examine the ways in which we protect it. For instance, in the United States, rules on charitable giving have made it harder for Muslims to fulfil their religious obligation. That is why I am committed to working with American Muslims to ensure that they can fulfil zakat.
Likewise, it is important for Western countries to avoid impeding Muslim citizens from practicing religion as they see fit – for instance, by dictating what clothes a Muslim woman should wear. We cannot disguise hostility towards any religion behind the pretence of liberalism.
Indeed, faith should bring us together. That is why we are forging service projects in America that bring together Christians, Muslims, and Jews.
That is why we welcome efforts like Saudi Arabian King Abdullah’s Interfaith dialogue and Turkey’s leadership in the Alliance of Civilizations. Around the world, we can turn dialogue into Interfaith service, so bridges between peoples lead to action – whether it is combating malaria in Africa, or providing relief after a natural disaster.
The sixth issue that I want to address is women’s rights.
I know there is debate about this issue. I reject the view of some in the West that a woman who chooses to cover her hair is somehow less equal, but I do believe that a woman who is denied an education is denied equality. And it is no coincidence that countries where women are well-educated are far more likely to be prosperous.
Now let me be clear: issues of women’s equality are by no means simply an issue for Islam. In Turkey, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Indonesia, we have seen Muslim-majority countries elect a woman to lead. Meanwhile, the struggle for women’s equality continues in many aspects of American life, and in countries around the world.
Our daughters can contribute just as much to society as our sons, and our common prosperity will be advanced by allowing all humanity – men and women – to reach their full potential. I do not believe that women must make the same choices as men in order to be equal, and I respect those women who choose to live their lives in traditional roles. But it should be their choice.
That is why the United States will partner with any Muslim-majority country to support expanded literacy for girls, and to help young women pursue employment through micro-financing that helps people live their dreams.
Finally, I want to discuss economic development and opportunity.
I know that for many, the face of globalisation is contradictory. The Internet and television can bring knowledge and information, but also offensive sexuality and mindless violence. Trade can bring new wealth and opportunities, but also huge disruptions and changing communities.
In all nations – including my own – this change can bring fear. Fear that because of modernity we will lose of control over our economic choices, our politics, and most importantly our identities - those things we most cherish about our communities, our families, our traditions, and our faith.
But I also know that human progress cannot be denied. There need not be contradiction between development and tradition. Countries like Japan and South Korea grew their economies while maintaining distinct cultures.
The same is true for the astonishing progress within Muslim-majority countries from Kuala Lumpur to Dubai. In ancient times and in our times, Muslim communities have been at the forefront of innovation and education.
This is important because no development strategy can be based only upon what comes out of the ground, nor can it be sustained while young people are out of work. Many Gulf States have enjoyed great wealth as a consequence of oil, and some are beginning to focus it on broader development. But all of us must recognise that education and innovation will be the currency of the 21st century, and in too many Muslim communities there remains underinvestment in these areas.
I am emphasising such investments within my country. And while America in the past has focused on oil and gas in this part of the world, we now seek a broader engagement.
On education, we will expand exchange programs, and increase scholarships, like the one that brought my father to America, while encouraging more Americans to study in Muslim communities. And we will match promising Muslim students with internships in America; invest in on-line learning for teachers and children around the world; and create a new online network, so a teenager in Kansas can communicate instantly with a teenager in Cairo.
On economic development, we will create a new corps of business volunteers to partner with counterparts in Muslim-majority countries. And I will host a Summit on Entrepreneurship this year to identify how we can deepen ties between business leaders, foundations and social entrepreneurs in the United States and Muslim communities around the world.
On science and technology, we will launch a new fund to support technological development in Muslim-majority countries, and to help transfer ideas to the marketplace so they can create jobs. We will open centres of scientific excellence in Africa, the Middle East and Southeast Asia, and appoint new Science Envoys to collaborate on programs that develop new sources of energy, create green jobs, digitise records, clean water, and grow new crops. And today I am announcing a new global effort with the Organisation of the Islamic Conference to eradicate polio. And we will also expand partnerships with Muslim communities to promote child and maternal health.
All these things must be done in partnership. Americans are ready to join with citizens and governments; community organisations, religious leaders, and businesses in Muslim communities around the world to help our people pursue a better life.
The issues that I have described will not be easy to address. But we have a responsibility to join together on behalf of the world we seek – a world where extremists no longer threaten our people, and American troops have come home; a world where Israelis and Palestinians are each secure in a state of their own, and nuclear energy is used for peaceful purposes; a world where governments serve their citizens, and the rights of all God’s children are respected. Those are mutual interests. That is the world we seek. But we can only achieve it together.
I know there are many – Muslim and non-Muslim – who question whether we can forge this new beginning. Some are eager to stoke the flames of division, and to stand in the way of progress. Some suggest that it isn’t worth the effort – that we are fated to disagree, and civilizations are doomed to clash. Many more are simply skeptical that real change can occur.
There is so much fear, so much mistrust. But if we choose to be bound by the past, we will never move forward. And I want to particularly say this to young people of every faith, in every country – you, more than anyone, have the ability to remake this world.
All of us share this world for but a brief moment in time. The question is whether we spend that time focused on what pushes us apart, or whether we commit ourselves to an effort - a sustained effort - to find common ground, to focus on the future we seek for our children, and to respect the dignity of all human beings.
It is easier to start wars than to end them. It is easier to blame others than to look inward; to see what is different about someone than to find the things we share. But we should choose the right path, not just the easy path.
There is also one rule that lies at the heart of every religion – that we do unto others as we would have them do unto us. This truth transcends nations and peoples - a belief that isn’t new; that isn’t black or white or brown; that isn’t Christian, or Muslim or Jew. It’s a belief that pulsed in the cradle of civilization, and that still beats in the heart of billions. It’s a faith in other people, and it’s what brought me here today.
We have the power to make the world we seek, but only if we have the courage to make a new beginning, keeping in mind what has been written.
The Holy Koran tells us, “O mankind! We have created you male and a female; and we have made you into nations and tribes so that you may know one another.”
The Talmud tells us: “The whole of the Torah is for the purpose of promoting peace.”
The Holy Bible tells us, “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.”
The people of the world can live together in peace. We know that is God’s vision. Now, that must be our work here on Earth. Thank you. And may God’s peace be upon you.
Wednesday, June 03, 2009
The truth about Malaysians
Care for Some Poison?
I have to admit, these days I’m typically amused when I come across remarks and comments by Mahathir which the media somehow insists on reporting. I can understand the compulsion to report his remarks as there are some who continue to actually find him not only agreeable but downright inspiring!
I have to say while I’ve tended to ignore what he says – as far as I’m concerned, he rarely made any sense – I am compelled to note just how ‘supportive’ Mahathir seems to be of his prodigy. Coming to his defense that Najib needs more time to establish himself in light of the devastatingly low public approval the latter seems to be inflicted by, simply affirms what most of us already know about Mahathir’s judgment. Like Samy Vellu and his ilk here is another ‘has been’ who, in my book, offers very little of substance to offer.
Perhaps we need to give Najib more time to make about as much of a mess and create a few more scandals of the like we saw in the ‘glory days’ under Mahathirism. Perhaps we need to do more of the same so that we create more superficial development in Kuala Lumpur aided by friends of the regime, while the poor and the marginalized around the country continue to be left in the dust. Perhaps we need to give Najib a bit more time to have a few more financial scandals like the PKFZ. Perhaps we need a few more gimmick projects worth a few billion before we also say good-bye to Najib. Perhaps, like Mahathir, we also should give Najib more time to dig-in his heels and put in place some draconian measures to clamp down on free speech.
If you ask me, we’re already on our way on this last count. After all, our police force seems very competent at finding candle-light vigils and other forms of truly threatening illegal activity. What’s the point of engaging in policing petty matters like violent criminals, purse snatchers, torture by law enforcement, abuse of power, and other forms of crimes which actually victimize the public? Indeed, what a waste of Umnoputra resources that would be.
I suppose we should give Najib more time to prove himself just as capable as Mahathir of being a dictator where accountability never mattered. Say, maybe if we’re lucky, there could be another twenty-two years of this in-store for us. Let us all heed Mahathir’s advise – once again, no?
Imagine our good fortune then.
G. Krishnan
__________________________________________________
Dear G. Krishnan,
Whether you like it or not, or you care or not, TDM still plays a significant role in the Malaysian political landscape. As RPK and even Anwar admitted it, TDM is a 'political animal' and his contributions to Malaysia for 22 years are not to be dismissed lightly. There are no two ways about it. If people whom are known to be very opposed to TDM for putting them in jail (as what has happened to RPK and Anwar themselves) can say good things about him, then I guess that it must be something good TDM has done. After all TDM gave Pak Lah 2 years before he started to criticised him publicly (For 2 years, he was very quiet even 2 weeks after he gave way to Pak Lah, he already realised KJ was on top of everything). Samy Vellu has been told by TDM to retire together with him plus Ling Liong Sik, but did Samy ever listened? That is why TDM lamented before that there are 'people' who promised him that they will retire when their time is up, but reneged it. No, he continued to stay and as a result, he lost in his own constituency (stronghold), held since 1972. Najib may be seen as TDM's prodigy but if Najib tries to be hanky-panky and does not put this nation back in the right track, rest be assured that TDM will fire even more salvo at him. Some criticisms are already being given now thru pro-TDM blogs. In fact, before TDM started attacking Pak Lah, it was bloggers like RockyBru and JeffOoi (yes, now DAP but then he was supportive of TDM, and even now so, I believe) who faced the wrath of court cases by the NST regime of Kalimullah. TDM only came in when it seems there is overwhelming support to topple Pak Lah. In this sense, it is the people who got restless against pak lah and not really TDM. Do you think TDM would be that stupid to launch this attack on his own if there were no support for him at all?
While I agree with you that the police are now in a shameful and useless state, we must also note that candlelight vigils are also becoming a nuisance to society, it does not solve anything, merely to provoke police involvement to 'prove' the brutality of the police. These candlelight vigil organizers are not stupid, they are smart. They invited media all over the world to capture the news. They know that they are going to be arrested anyway due to the pressure by the police chief responsible for the case. Do you think the police chief has any choice? If you really want change, go get those 7-9 million Malaysians who do not even bother to be registered voters and vote for Pakatan Rakyat. Have a nationwide campaign to get voters to come out to vote in the next 13GE, have a proper strategy to win the hearts and minds of the young and old, instead of candlelight vigils.
Yes, Malaysia is a corrupted nation. But so are most of Asian Pacific countries, Asia breeds corruption, just like South America. That is why America is ever too happy to deal in these two continents. But what are Malaysians doing about it? They don't even bother to go out and vote and change the government. Truth is, many Malaysians are selfish and a bunch of hypocrites. They attack because it's convenient to attack, but when asked them how to solve the problem, they chickened out, saying it's not their problem or fault. Some who proposed great ideas before joining the government, then became a lame duck once in the government. If they really want to change anything, they would be in the government by now. They would not use lame excuses such as racial quotas, biasness, government bureaucracy etc. Action is better than mere talk. TDM proved that, at least. He did not just talk, he acted, and action is what we all need. TDM did not promise an end to corruption, Pak Lah did and he did not deliver on that promise, Pak Lah asked us to work with him, not for him. Did we? Did he work with us then? Or just like any greedy politician, he took the nation's wealth all by himself?
Target the message and NOT the messenger. Nobody is perfect. TDM has certainly 'eaten salt more than all of us, eaten rice' as the Chinese would say. I'm just being objective. Equate him with Zimbabwe or Mugabe by all means. Equate him with a police state. Equate him with ISA and police brutality. Equate him with all the malaise in Malaysia. So does Najib. But what the majority of Malaysians are doing about it? Will they step up in apolitical terms to champion a better Malaysia? That is certainly a food for thought. I wonder why Malaysians are so relaxed compared to their Thai, Indon and Phillippines counterparts? Either BN is still doing a relative good job in putting the average people in the street happy or the people couldn't just be bothered and Malaysia can go to the dogs for all they care!
I have to admit, these days I’m typically amused when I come across remarks and comments by Mahathir which the media somehow insists on reporting. I can understand the compulsion to report his remarks as there are some who continue to actually find him not only agreeable but downright inspiring!
I have to say while I’ve tended to ignore what he says – as far as I’m concerned, he rarely made any sense – I am compelled to note just how ‘supportive’ Mahathir seems to be of his prodigy. Coming to his defense that Najib needs more time to establish himself in light of the devastatingly low public approval the latter seems to be inflicted by, simply affirms what most of us already know about Mahathir’s judgment. Like Samy Vellu and his ilk here is another ‘has been’ who, in my book, offers very little of substance to offer.
Perhaps we need to give Najib more time to make about as much of a mess and create a few more scandals of the like we saw in the ‘glory days’ under Mahathirism. Perhaps we need to do more of the same so that we create more superficial development in Kuala Lumpur aided by friends of the regime, while the poor and the marginalized around the country continue to be left in the dust. Perhaps we need to give Najib a bit more time to have a few more financial scandals like the PKFZ. Perhaps we need a few more gimmick projects worth a few billion before we also say good-bye to Najib. Perhaps, like Mahathir, we also should give Najib more time to dig-in his heels and put in place some draconian measures to clamp down on free speech.
If you ask me, we’re already on our way on this last count. After all, our police force seems very competent at finding candle-light vigils and other forms of truly threatening illegal activity. What’s the point of engaging in policing petty matters like violent criminals, purse snatchers, torture by law enforcement, abuse of power, and other forms of crimes which actually victimize the public? Indeed, what a waste of Umnoputra resources that would be.
I suppose we should give Najib more time to prove himself just as capable as Mahathir of being a dictator where accountability never mattered. Say, maybe if we’re lucky, there could be another twenty-two years of this in-store for us. Let us all heed Mahathir’s advise – once again, no?
Imagine our good fortune then.
G. Krishnan
__________________________________________________
Dear G. Krishnan,
Whether you like it or not, or you care or not, TDM still plays a significant role in the Malaysian political landscape. As RPK and even Anwar admitted it, TDM is a 'political animal' and his contributions to Malaysia for 22 years are not to be dismissed lightly. There are no two ways about it. If people whom are known to be very opposed to TDM for putting them in jail (as what has happened to RPK and Anwar themselves) can say good things about him, then I guess that it must be something good TDM has done. After all TDM gave Pak Lah 2 years before he started to criticised him publicly (For 2 years, he was very quiet even 2 weeks after he gave way to Pak Lah, he already realised KJ was on top of everything). Samy Vellu has been told by TDM to retire together with him plus Ling Liong Sik, but did Samy ever listened? That is why TDM lamented before that there are 'people' who promised him that they will retire when their time is up, but reneged it. No, he continued to stay and as a result, he lost in his own constituency (stronghold), held since 1972. Najib may be seen as TDM's prodigy but if Najib tries to be hanky-panky and does not put this nation back in the right track, rest be assured that TDM will fire even more salvo at him. Some criticisms are already being given now thru pro-TDM blogs. In fact, before TDM started attacking Pak Lah, it was bloggers like RockyBru and JeffOoi (yes, now DAP but then he was supportive of TDM, and even now so, I believe) who faced the wrath of court cases by the NST regime of Kalimullah. TDM only came in when it seems there is overwhelming support to topple Pak Lah. In this sense, it is the people who got restless against pak lah and not really TDM. Do you think TDM would be that stupid to launch this attack on his own if there were no support for him at all?
While I agree with you that the police are now in a shameful and useless state, we must also note that candlelight vigils are also becoming a nuisance to society, it does not solve anything, merely to provoke police involvement to 'prove' the brutality of the police. These candlelight vigil organizers are not stupid, they are smart. They invited media all over the world to capture the news. They know that they are going to be arrested anyway due to the pressure by the police chief responsible for the case. Do you think the police chief has any choice? If you really want change, go get those 7-9 million Malaysians who do not even bother to be registered voters and vote for Pakatan Rakyat. Have a nationwide campaign to get voters to come out to vote in the next 13GE, have a proper strategy to win the hearts and minds of the young and old, instead of candlelight vigils.
Yes, Malaysia is a corrupted nation. But so are most of Asian Pacific countries, Asia breeds corruption, just like South America. That is why America is ever too happy to deal in these two continents. But what are Malaysians doing about it? They don't even bother to go out and vote and change the government. Truth is, many Malaysians are selfish and a bunch of hypocrites. They attack because it's convenient to attack, but when asked them how to solve the problem, they chickened out, saying it's not their problem or fault. Some who proposed great ideas before joining the government, then became a lame duck once in the government. If they really want to change anything, they would be in the government by now. They would not use lame excuses such as racial quotas, biasness, government bureaucracy etc. Action is better than mere talk. TDM proved that, at least. He did not just talk, he acted, and action is what we all need. TDM did not promise an end to corruption, Pak Lah did and he did not deliver on that promise, Pak Lah asked us to work with him, not for him. Did we? Did he work with us then? Or just like any greedy politician, he took the nation's wealth all by himself?
Target the message and NOT the messenger. Nobody is perfect. TDM has certainly 'eaten salt more than all of us, eaten rice' as the Chinese would say. I'm just being objective. Equate him with Zimbabwe or Mugabe by all means. Equate him with a police state. Equate him with ISA and police brutality. Equate him with all the malaise in Malaysia. So does Najib. But what the majority of Malaysians are doing about it? Will they step up in apolitical terms to champion a better Malaysia? That is certainly a food for thought. I wonder why Malaysians are so relaxed compared to their Thai, Indon and Phillippines counterparts? Either BN is still doing a relative good job in putting the average people in the street happy or the people couldn't just be bothered and Malaysia can go to the dogs for all they care!
Saturday, May 30, 2009
We demand facts, not fiction!
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.
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.
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!
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