In the pass election ever since the Pakatan Rakyat alliance was formed, Parti Keadilan Rakyat or PKR under the leadership of Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has always employed this tactic of having something 'unveiling' to announce.
The pass 'unveiling' announcements were nothing but mere farts and this 'cry wolf' tactic is starting to get old, moldy and lame. As the by-election for Bukit Selambau nears, PKR yet again has got some 'major surprise' to announce that they claim will determine the outcome of the said polls.
Think that those expecting a bomb of an announcement tonight will be nothing but passing wind into the night. Poor sympathizers of the party as usual will be bitterly disappointed again. PR has lost its political footing and all this said revelations are nothing but gimmicks to get crowds to attend their 'ceramahs' after all having a near empty 'ceramah' is even more embarrassing than losing the election.
To all politicians and ministers.....
Showing posts with label DSAI. Show all posts
Showing posts with label DSAI. Show all posts
Friday, April 3, 2009
Tuesday, January 6, 2009
Malaysia gifts Palestine US1million while millions of Malaysians get high taxes
Big fan of war, violence and hostilities I am not and it saddens me to read about the hardship that the Palestinians are going through. It is unfortunate that their country is engulfed in such atrocious inhumane conditions now. Everyday lives are lost, women, children, babies and infants are not spared from this perils as Israel continues its assault on the country.
What at first seemed to be a return of compliment at the Palestine, Israel has now upped a gear and it is more of an invasion now as ground troops and tanks have been deployed. Till date about 500 Palestinians and 4 Israelis have been killed and with seemingly no end to the hostilities in sight, death tolls will sure continue to rise. A lesson to be learned that this is what happens when you supply a bunch of idiots with weapons.
All over the world people have been condemning the military action of the Israelis. I too is in agreement with the views of the majority that the Isreali attacks have been brutal, inhumane and should cease immediately. War never should be an option in any kind of situation or crisis. Lives will be lost, properties damaged and the only one that stands to gain in all this chaos is the arm dealers. Victory though might award the country’s leader immortality in history but being politicians that they are, they wouldn’t mind it even though they have blood on their hands.
Having said this though it is ironic that none has condemn the Palestine government for their stupidity since it was them that drew first blood in this recent out break of hostilities. The Palestinians were the ones that let fly 2 rockets into Israel and killed 4 Isreali civilians. Though it does not justify the brutal counter fire from Israel but it was the Palestine government themselves courting with disaster. I mean you can’t possibly be that dumb as to shoot rockets into people’s backyard and not expect any serious repercussions. The fate that have befallen their country and the lives of their many innocent civilians are pretty much all of their own doing. Honestly think about it, if we were Israel, won’t we be doing the same???
Our country Malaysia has also jumped on the bandwagon at criticizing and condemning Israel. Everyday so far you can read of our ministers and politicians, both government and opposition, having a go at Israel. Needless to say we all know why the sudden relentless condemnation of Israel, because election is in the air. Sad that they are merely using other people’s misfortune to gain popularity as the Kuala Terengganu by-election nears. There is also another 2 probable reasons.
First of the other 2 reasons for Malaysia being so vocal is that the fact Malaysia just hates America and the American have always supported Israel in the past. Second probable reason could be that Palestine is a Muslim country. If memory serves me right, Malaysian government has never given a cent to any other non-Muslim country as relief aid for war.
This point can be validated by the fact that our Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi has approved a US1million help package to Palestine despite there are millions of Malaysians still living in poverty especially in states of Sabah and Sarawak. These communities have been living without the bare necessities for generations and our Government is instead giving more than RM3million to other country. Just to make themselves look good the Malaysian Government has once again neglected the needs of the many Malaysians.
Another point to mention of our Government’s continuous neglect is that currently a few states in Malaysia is going through bad flooding and won’t that RM3.8million be much of an aid and relief to the victims. Residents of an old folks home in Kulim has even publicly criticized the government for not sending them any help. It was understood that all these senior aged Malaysians had to evacuate themselves. Don’t these Malaysians deserve aid and assistance first before our Government tries to save the world??? Weren’t they the Government elected and they themselves have sworn to safe guard the well being of every Malaysian??? Seeing the ant across the river but failing to see the elephant standing in front of their eyes is the classic short comings of the retarded mentality that our Government is suffering from.
Apart from that, with our country facing economic slowdown and the prospect of hundreds of thousand Malaysians in risks of losing their jobs in the near future, one does wonder if the RM3.8million was money well spent. I am pretty sure Malaysian taxpayers are not fond of the fact that as trying times are near, our resources have been nonchalantly given away by our Government. It would be a real bitch if at the end the Government comes back saying it lacks funds and starts increasing or creating new taxes and increasing fuel prices. Knowing our flip flopping Government, that is what they are capable of doing. In the end, as usual the Rakyat is the ones that falls victim to the idiocy of the morons administering the country.
Being Malaysian, I am sure we are all used to the fact that not being a part of the crony chain of the Government goons, we will just have to continue to fend for ourselves as we have always done all this while. Help from our Government is the last thing we have all come to learn to expect. The Government whether the present or the new isn’t going to change despite all the promises and what not. It has been more than 5 decades of the same old same old so what is going to make this 2008 global economic slowdown change anything in Malaysia, or who will make the change, Najib? UMNO? Anwar? PAS? Pakatan Rakyat??? By the look of things so far, sadly to say but…..susah la!!!
What at first seemed to be a return of compliment at the Palestine, Israel has now upped a gear and it is more of an invasion now as ground troops and tanks have been deployed. Till date about 500 Palestinians and 4 Israelis have been killed and with seemingly no end to the hostilities in sight, death tolls will sure continue to rise. A lesson to be learned that this is what happens when you supply a bunch of idiots with weapons.
All over the world people have been condemning the military action of the Israelis. I too is in agreement with the views of the majority that the Isreali attacks have been brutal, inhumane and should cease immediately. War never should be an option in any kind of situation or crisis. Lives will be lost, properties damaged and the only one that stands to gain in all this chaos is the arm dealers. Victory though might award the country’s leader immortality in history but being politicians that they are, they wouldn’t mind it even though they have blood on their hands.
Having said this though it is ironic that none has condemn the Palestine government for their stupidity since it was them that drew first blood in this recent out break of hostilities. The Palestinians were the ones that let fly 2 rockets into Israel and killed 4 Isreali civilians. Though it does not justify the brutal counter fire from Israel but it was the Palestine government themselves courting with disaster. I mean you can’t possibly be that dumb as to shoot rockets into people’s backyard and not expect any serious repercussions. The fate that have befallen their country and the lives of their many innocent civilians are pretty much all of their own doing. Honestly think about it, if we were Israel, won’t we be doing the same???
Our country Malaysia has also jumped on the bandwagon at criticizing and condemning Israel. Everyday so far you can read of our ministers and politicians, both government and opposition, having a go at Israel. Needless to say we all know why the sudden relentless condemnation of Israel, because election is in the air. Sad that they are merely using other people’s misfortune to gain popularity as the Kuala Terengganu by-election nears. There is also another 2 probable reasons.
First of the other 2 reasons for Malaysia being so vocal is that the fact Malaysia just hates America and the American have always supported Israel in the past. Second probable reason could be that Palestine is a Muslim country. If memory serves me right, Malaysian government has never given a cent to any other non-Muslim country as relief aid for war.
This point can be validated by the fact that our Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi has approved a US1million help package to Palestine despite there are millions of Malaysians still living in poverty especially in states of Sabah and Sarawak. These communities have been living without the bare necessities for generations and our Government is instead giving more than RM3million to other country. Just to make themselves look good the Malaysian Government has once again neglected the needs of the many Malaysians.
Another point to mention of our Government’s continuous neglect is that currently a few states in Malaysia is going through bad flooding and won’t that RM3.8million be much of an aid and relief to the victims. Residents of an old folks home in Kulim has even publicly criticized the government for not sending them any help. It was understood that all these senior aged Malaysians had to evacuate themselves. Don’t these Malaysians deserve aid and assistance first before our Government tries to save the world??? Weren’t they the Government elected and they themselves have sworn to safe guard the well being of every Malaysian??? Seeing the ant across the river but failing to see the elephant standing in front of their eyes is the classic short comings of the retarded mentality that our Government is suffering from.
Apart from that, with our country facing economic slowdown and the prospect of hundreds of thousand Malaysians in risks of losing their jobs in the near future, one does wonder if the RM3.8million was money well spent. I am pretty sure Malaysian taxpayers are not fond of the fact that as trying times are near, our resources have been nonchalantly given away by our Government. It would be a real bitch if at the end the Government comes back saying it lacks funds and starts increasing or creating new taxes and increasing fuel prices. Knowing our flip flopping Government, that is what they are capable of doing. In the end, as usual the Rakyat is the ones that falls victim to the idiocy of the morons administering the country.
Being Malaysian, I am sure we are all used to the fact that not being a part of the crony chain of the Government goons, we will just have to continue to fend for ourselves as we have always done all this while. Help from our Government is the last thing we have all come to learn to expect. The Government whether the present or the new isn’t going to change despite all the promises and what not. It has been more than 5 decades of the same old same old so what is going to make this 2008 global economic slowdown change anything in Malaysia, or who will make the change, Najib? UMNO? Anwar? PAS? Pakatan Rakyat??? By the look of things so far, sadly to say but…..susah la!!!
Wednesday, December 3, 2008
Getting sacked from UMNO probably the best thing to have ever happened to Datuk Zaid
Former de-facto Law Minister Datuk Zaid Ibrahim has been sacked from UMNO with immediate effect s announced by Prime Minister and UMNO president Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi. Reasons for the sacking, Datuk Zaid attended one too many events that were organised by the opposition.
According to the lame Prime Minister, Datuk Zaid attending these opposition's events is against UMNO ethics and drastic action needs to be taken. The Prime Minister also said that UMNO does not practice double standards and will act tough against those who breach the party's code of ethics. Datuk Zaid will not be allowed to appeal the decision as the sacking was agreed and approved by the UMNO Supreme Council.
Think without doubt that the sacking is a blessing in disguise and probably the best thing to happen to Datuk Zaid. A man of such righteousness and vision as him should not waste his time in UMNO. All his efforts would only be filtered and suppressed by UMNO. Datuk Zaid's intentions to bring about change would have more effect and his message will reach further now that he is out of UMNO.
Thanks to Datuk Seri Abdullah and UMNO for yet again releasing another thorn from their party that I'm very sure will come back and prick them in the arse. Hmm.....maybe this is also a clever move by the outging Prime Minister to have all those influential individuals out of UMNO so they can make life a living hell for Najib as means of getting back after his successor forcibly forced him out of power.
According to the lame Prime Minister, Datuk Zaid attending these opposition's events is against UMNO ethics and drastic action needs to be taken. The Prime Minister also said that UMNO does not practice double standards and will act tough against those who breach the party's code of ethics. Datuk Zaid will not be allowed to appeal the decision as the sacking was agreed and approved by the UMNO Supreme Council.
Think without doubt that the sacking is a blessing in disguise and probably the best thing to happen to Datuk Zaid. A man of such righteousness and vision as him should not waste his time in UMNO. All his efforts would only be filtered and suppressed by UMNO. Datuk Zaid's intentions to bring about change would have more effect and his message will reach further now that he is out of UMNO.
Thanks to Datuk Seri Abdullah and UMNO for yet again releasing another thorn from their party that I'm very sure will come back and prick them in the arse. Hmm.....maybe this is also a clever move by the outging Prime Minister to have all those influential individuals out of UMNO so they can make life a living hell for Najib as means of getting back after his successor forcibly forced him out of power.
Tuesday, December 2, 2008
Joke of the day.....
And today's winner for the "Joke of the day" goes to the Chief Minister of Sarawak Tan Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud for his comment that PKR advisor Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim's credibility is doubtful.
He was commenting on Anwar's failed attempt to topple the BN government as promised on Sept 16, 2008. Have to admit that Anwar's failed promise has some what taken the gloss off the shine.
Now that Pakatan Rakyat and Anwar have realised that their key to victory is the votes in Sarawak and now efforts have been put in to bringing the party here. Don't think it needed rocket science Mr. Ibrahim to know the importance of the votes in Sarawak but I guess realising it now is better than later.
With the good turn out and show of support to Anwar and PR in Sibu recently, Taib is sure to be a little sore. Feeling restless and threaten as the possibility of the state election soon, Taib has jump the gun and started to his attack by character assasinating Anwar.
Well Mr. Taib, Anwar's credibility might have been somewhat shot but at least he still has character to doubt unlike you. All Sarawakians know what a lying cheat and corrupted dictator you are.....!!!
He was commenting on Anwar's failed attempt to topple the BN government as promised on Sept 16, 2008. Have to admit that Anwar's failed promise has some what taken the gloss off the shine.
Now that Pakatan Rakyat and Anwar have realised that their key to victory is the votes in Sarawak and now efforts have been put in to bringing the party here. Don't think it needed rocket science Mr. Ibrahim to know the importance of the votes in Sarawak but I guess realising it now is better than later.
With the good turn out and show of support to Anwar and PR in Sibu recently, Taib is sure to be a little sore. Feeling restless and threaten as the possibility of the state election soon, Taib has jump the gun and started to his attack by character assasinating Anwar.
Well Mr. Taib, Anwar's credibility might have been somewhat shot but at least he still has character to doubt unlike you. All Sarawakians know what a lying cheat and corrupted dictator you are.....!!!
Sunday, November 16, 2008
Strong Dayak winds in Sarawak sending shivers up Taib's arse!!!
Ngemah state representative, Gabriel Adit along with former PRS Balleh division publicity chief Beginda Minda and 12,000 Sarawakians have applied to join Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim's Parti Keadilan Rakyat or PKR.
Their application forms were submitted to the PKR de facto leader Anwar Ibrahim at a huge dinner gathering in Sibu which saw more than 4,000 people in attendance. During his speech at the function, Adit, a four term assemblyperson, told the crowd that the main reason for joining PKR was due to the "political castration" of the Dayak under the BN state government.
"Enough is enough of BN. Now change is coming to Sarawak." he said, adding that there are many BN members waiting to join PKR.
The Dayak community of Sarawak are disgruntled with the BN government's management (maybe mismanagement is more of a right word) of native customary rights land.
This land rights issue has been going on for quite some time now. Groans and moans from the Dayaks of being short changed or forced out from their land by the government is an everyday norm here in Sarawak. Some more intelligent once will make it known publicly and some not so fortunate ones doesn't even know that they've been had till it's too late to do anything about it.
Now with PKR and people like Adit fighting for them, we do hope that the Dayaks will finally get what they deserve being one of the true natives of this land of the Hornbills.
Former PRS Balleh division publicity chief Beginda Minda joining up with PKR will add even more strength and dimension to the party here in Sarawak. This feistly fella resembles the spicy pepper that Sarawak is famous for. He was forced to leave the state BN component party following his bold call for the Chief Minister and his 2 deputies to step down.
Over the years under the same Chief Minister and BN administration, we Sarawakians are not spared from the marginalisation, poverty, oppression and discriminations as faced by our counterparts in other states. It is a plague that is killing Malaysia slowly and must be rid of as soon as possible. Failure to adhere to these dictator ministers then consequences such as lost of job, tenders and projects, you will have to bear. Now with the 12,000 new PKR members with a promise of more to come the government will not think that they can always have their way and get away with things like they have grown use to over the past 20 years or so.
News of such turn out in support of PKR must have ruined Chief Minister and long time UMNO suck up, Taib Mahmud's weekend. Honestly, don't think majority of Sarawakians will pity Taib at all. This white haired demon and his family has been sucking Sarawak and its people dry all these years and it is time for him to go.
It is time for the people of Sarawak to unite and fight for our rights as Sarawakians. It is time to fight to ensure that the 'Burung Kenyalang' will forever fly free from the racist and oppressive UMNO and BN.
Their application forms were submitted to the PKR de facto leader Anwar Ibrahim at a huge dinner gathering in Sibu which saw more than 4,000 people in attendance. During his speech at the function, Adit, a four term assemblyperson, told the crowd that the main reason for joining PKR was due to the "political castration" of the Dayak under the BN state government.
"Enough is enough of BN. Now change is coming to Sarawak." he said, adding that there are many BN members waiting to join PKR.
The Dayak community of Sarawak are disgruntled with the BN government's management (maybe mismanagement is more of a right word) of native customary rights land.
This land rights issue has been going on for quite some time now. Groans and moans from the Dayaks of being short changed or forced out from their land by the government is an everyday norm here in Sarawak. Some more intelligent once will make it known publicly and some not so fortunate ones doesn't even know that they've been had till it's too late to do anything about it.
Now with PKR and people like Adit fighting for them, we do hope that the Dayaks will finally get what they deserve being one of the true natives of this land of the Hornbills.
Former PRS Balleh division publicity chief Beginda Minda joining up with PKR will add even more strength and dimension to the party here in Sarawak. This feistly fella resembles the spicy pepper that Sarawak is famous for. He was forced to leave the state BN component party following his bold call for the Chief Minister and his 2 deputies to step down.
Over the years under the same Chief Minister and BN administration, we Sarawakians are not spared from the marginalisation, poverty, oppression and discriminations as faced by our counterparts in other states. It is a plague that is killing Malaysia slowly and must be rid of as soon as possible. Failure to adhere to these dictator ministers then consequences such as lost of job, tenders and projects, you will have to bear. Now with the 12,000 new PKR members with a promise of more to come the government will not think that they can always have their way and get away with things like they have grown use to over the past 20 years or so.
News of such turn out in support of PKR must have ruined Chief Minister and long time UMNO suck up, Taib Mahmud's weekend. Honestly, don't think majority of Sarawakians will pity Taib at all. This white haired demon and his family has been sucking Sarawak and its people dry all these years and it is time for him to go.
"Good riddance Pehin, sorry but we won't miss you....."
It is time for the people of Sarawak to unite and fight for our rights as Sarawakians. It is time to fight to ensure that the 'Burung Kenyalang' will forever fly free from the racist and oppressive UMNO and BN.
Ngelaban Sarawak, NGELABAN!!!
Friday, October 10, 2008
It's kiss ass time!!!
Only 5 years and 5 months (come March 2009) ago Malaysia experienced a change in its leadership. Tun Mahathir's administration came to an end and began the administration of Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi.
Come March 2009, Malaysia once again will go through the Premiership change as Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi steps down and gives way to Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak.
What can be expected of the DSNTR administration???
Pretty much the same old crap la.
Of course there will be changes like in the Government's policies and reforms but basically it is just a change of name with the same results, the enrichment of the PM and his fellow cronies. The Rakyat as always will suffer the get rich scheme of these politicians. So what's new right.....
This might be new, the introduction of the new ISA C4 unit. Their purpose, to stick a pack of C4 explosives up your ass if you are deemed a threat to the PM and cronies job security. The detonator, nah, not Najib. Most probably the pleasure on pushing the button will be given to his wife. At least like this we can't say that she do nothing like DSAAB's wife, Jeanne, apart from just standing and smiling beside the hubby, she doesn't do anything else.
Advice for Khairi Jamaluddin, you'd better stop making so much noise and cause ripples just because your father-in-law is still the PM now. 5 months will come and go so quickly that by the time you step up to the post of UMNO Youth Chief your father-in-law would be stepping down already and then you will be step on all over. Poor fella, this time he can't go sobbing to his daddy-in-law.....Muahaha!!!
Come March 2009, Malaysia once again will go through the Premiership change as Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi steps down and gives way to Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak.
What can be expected of the DSNTR administration???
Pretty much the same old crap la.
Of course there will be changes like in the Government's policies and reforms but basically it is just a change of name with the same results, the enrichment of the PM and his fellow cronies. The Rakyat as always will suffer the get rich scheme of these politicians. So what's new right.....
This might be new, the introduction of the new ISA C4 unit. Their purpose, to stick a pack of C4 explosives up your ass if you are deemed a threat to the PM and cronies job security. The detonator, nah, not Najib. Most probably the pleasure on pushing the button will be given to his wife. At least like this we can't say that she do nothing like DSAAB's wife, Jeanne, apart from just standing and smiling beside the hubby, she doesn't do anything else.
Advice for Khairi Jamaluddin, you'd better stop making so much noise and cause ripples just because your father-in-law is still the PM now. 5 months will come and go so quickly that by the time you step up to the post of UMNO Youth Chief your father-in-law would be stepping down already and then you will be step on all over. Poor fella, this time he can't go sobbing to his daddy-in-law.....Muahaha!!!
For those who wanna get into the good graces of the incoming PM, you may and better start kissing his ass and carrying his old wrinkled dangling balls now.
Get in queue now, don't miss the bandwagon. The well known 'Yes' men 'Muakz Muakz' ass kissing ministers I'm sure has already taken their number and patiently waiting their turn lo.
All the politicians have nothing to complain about though. Think they are some what happy and relieved la for it is not Anwar that's next to be the PM. If not they'll have to learn a whole new ball game or should I say.....a whole new anal game.....Hehehe!!!
Ministers - Najib ok la, maybe ass a bit more smelly smelly la but no problem. Kiss ass and 'angkat bola' only ma. Dah buat bertahun-tahun, dah biasa. If Anwar susah oh, kiss ass he don't like. He 'ai tong ka cheng kang eh ah'.....PAIN PAIN AH!!!
Friday, September 19, 2008
Joke of the day...
A trader, Wan Abidin Zain, 45, lodged a police report against Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
The charge?? No, Wan Abidin didn't make a report on his crap hole being shafted by DSAI. Instead he lodged the police report on the grounds that DSAI has caused alarm in the country after claiming that he has enough MPs to topple the Federal Government.
"What Anwar is doing now is causing instability in the country. The people have given their verdict in the March 8 general election. He should wait for the next general election if he wants to form the Federal Government. He is not the country's saviour but a traitor." Wan Abidin said (The Star 20.09.2008)
He (Wan Abidin) even claimed that many were scared to go out or even send their children to school.
HAHAHA!!! Now that's just bloody LAME!!!
Doesn't his statement sounds like what the UMNO and BN cronnies has been saying all along. If the BN is trying to gather sympathy towards the Government, at least get this fellow to read a different new script. I wonder how much reimbursement he is getting for his report??!!!
Scared to go out or even send their children to school is dramatising at its best. So people are so afraid of this 61 year old politician who is trying to topple the present Federal Government peacefully within all constitutional laws of Malaysia till they would lodge a police report but they did not lodge a report cause they are not afraid of the racist slur made by a certain 'Datukshit Pig' that fanned the racial fire and could have boiled over into a full blown race war?!!!
To Wan Abidin Zain, the 'Kambing suruhan of the DSAAB Government', you've had your minutes of fame with your name published in the papers and all so now please.....SHUT UP!!!!!
The charge?? No, Wan Abidin didn't make a report on his crap hole being shafted by DSAI. Instead he lodged the police report on the grounds that DSAI has caused alarm in the country after claiming that he has enough MPs to topple the Federal Government.
"What Anwar is doing now is causing instability in the country. The people have given their verdict in the March 8 general election. He should wait for the next general election if he wants to form the Federal Government. He is not the country's saviour but a traitor." Wan Abidin said (The Star 20.09.2008)
He (Wan Abidin) even claimed that many were scared to go out or even send their children to school.
HAHAHA!!! Now that's just bloody LAME!!!
Doesn't his statement sounds like what the UMNO and BN cronnies has been saying all along. If the BN is trying to gather sympathy towards the Government, at least get this fellow to read a different new script. I wonder how much reimbursement he is getting for his report??!!!
Scared to go out or even send their children to school is dramatising at its best. So people are so afraid of this 61 year old politician who is trying to topple the present Federal Government peacefully within all constitutional laws of Malaysia till they would lodge a police report but they did not lodge a report cause they are not afraid of the racist slur made by a certain 'Datukshit Pig' that fanned the racial fire and could have boiled over into a full blown race war?!!!
To Wan Abidin Zain, the 'Kambing suruhan of the DSAAB Government', you've had your minutes of fame with your name published in the papers and all so now please.....SHUT UP!!!!!
Monday, September 8, 2008
Could be RPK's last article before ISA gets him...
Is Anwar Ibrahim unstoppable?
With the big margin he attained in the by-election, it does look as if Barisan Nasional (BN) will have a hard time stopping him. But then, as Anwar himself said, a week is a long time in politics, meaning that nothing is definite.
He is stoppable as a person, but I think what has happened to him is that he has become the focus of a lot of hope for Malaysians disillusioned with the BN system. Because he is a wily politician — or a chameleon, as critics like to say — he has been able to remake himself in the image of the reform movement that his arrest 10 years ago inspired and that developed more intensely than he could have expected. That movement has aligned itself with other oppositional forces and that new combined force now places him as its front man. In turn, he has become indispensable to that force.
Understood that way, Anwar does look unstoppable. The long-term way BN and the United Malays National Organisation (Umno) can take the wind out of his sail is to reform themselves radically, and in the process, change Malaysian politics to the extent that the polarised situation that makes someone such as Anwar so iconic disappear, or weaken. As long as BN refuses to change, the situation that created the strong opposition that adopts Anwar as its front man will continue.
His court case relating to a sodomy charge, starting on September 10, is a big worry for the opposition. A lot of resources will be focused on defending Anwar, and on weakening the prosecution's case, including proving that the charge against him is politically motivated.
What is Mr Abdullah's future?
History will perceive Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi as the accidental politician and will forgive him for many of his failures because of that. But for the moment, many Malaysians on both sides are simply exasperated by his weak leadership and his inability to adapt to changes. No one mistakes his reticence for astuteness any longer.
His time is up. He has to realise how critical reforms actually are to the future of the country.
If Anwar's attempt at toppling the government does not materialise, then the attention will turn to Umno's general assembly in December. Many Umno leaders are not willing to allow Abdullah to bide his time while they run the risk of being sidelined forever. One goes into politics to gain power, and if the power pyramid that one is part of is sinking, then at some point, one decides that it is every man for himself.
What about Umno's future?
One day quite soon, Malaysians will learn to see political coalitions as temporary solutions to imbalances in power, and not as monolithic and eternal beings that become a goal in themselves. There are no permanent allies and no permanent enemies.
It will be nearly impossible for Umno to regain its former glory. That glory depended on the BN model. Today, it is like the Kuomintang of Taiwan in the '80s. It must go through a radical change, and to do that, it may have to leave the seat of power for a while. Its members have to realise that Malaysia's wellbeing is not necessarily Umno's wellbeing.
Even if the party loses power, it can return, but in a new shape and in new alliances. The worst-case scenario is that Umno may go the way of the Communist Party in Yugoslavia and disappear. The fear then is that the country will disintegrate along with it. The best-case scenario is that politics in Malaysia will mature to the extent that political opponents no longer wish destruction on each other.
Losing will not be everything; winning will not be everything.
From now to September 16 and December, what are the signs to look for?
Abdullah presented his budget on August 29 and Parliament is now in recess until the fasting month of Ramadan is over. In the meantime, we have Wednesday to watch, when Anwar goes on trial. Should the sodomy charge be dropped, then BN admits that its tactic has backfired and it withdraws to fight another day. Should it stick, Anwar's camp will try its best to keep him out of jail.
Given how Anwar was treated the last time he was in detention, his closest supporters fear that some serious harm will come to him while in jail.
September 16 is the day to watch — Malaysia Day, the day 45 years ago when Sabah, Sarawak and Singapore joined the federation. Anwar chose that day as a day of reckoning because it is very symbolic to the East Malaysians who feel let down by the federal government. He promises them a better deal, a simple enough strategy.
Even if Anwar cannot convince 30 BN Members of Parliament (MPs) to cross over to his side, he is expected to mark that day in a dramatic fashion. What he could do is perhaps to get some defectors to announce their intention publicly on September 16, and then hope for a snowball effect from there. He could also announce a defection by Umno MPs. Should nine of them defect, it would mean that Umno loses its majority within the ruling BN coalition. A bigger scoop would be to get a whole party to defect, threatening the existence of BN itself.
Also important to watch will be the Umno's division elections next month. What support Abdullah still has will become clearer from that. The main challenger to Abdullah within Umno, Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah, will also be gauging his own strength during that time.
If Anwar were to be Prime Minister, what kind of leader would he be?
His rhetoric seems to echo the wishes of a large segment of the Malaysian population at the moment, and that segment will be dictating what kind of PM he will be. Malaysia is suffering from a leadership problem at the moment, and many are putting a lot of hope in him.
Anwar has to balance the aims of the parties in his coalition, and we will see compromises being made. That is the reality in Malaysia. But I think a culture of dialogue will be developed under his watch and that will be a great achievement indeed. I think at least that can be accomplished by him.
Anwar can be expected to use a global economic focus to expedite institutional changes and minimise differences in the agendas of various parties. There is a lot of room for change, and with the political support he seems to enjoy, he should be able to do a good job. I think the new democratic atmosphere in Malaysia will see to that.
The writer is a fellow at the Institute of Southeast Asian Studies. He is the author of Lost in Transition: Malaysia under Abdullah and The Reluctant Politician: Tun Dr Ismail and His Time.
*************************************************************
16 September 2008. That is Malaysia Day. That is also the day Anwar Ibrahim is supposed to take over the government. Today, some well-known personalities are joining Parti Keadilan Rakyat. From thereon, more are expected to follow, culminating in the final exodus of Barisan Nasional Members of Parliament.
Stay tuned for the announcements to follow.Many just can’t believe that Anwar will really take over on 16 September 2008.
Some just wish it were true. Some say it’s too good to be true. Others say Anwar is just playing poker. The sceptics say Anwar is laying the ground for a self-fulfilling prophecy. What is foremost in everyone’s mind is: is Anwar playing a high-stakes poker game or will this be a gunfight at the OK Corral?
At this point of time, Anwar can no longer just play poker. No one asked him to take over the government. No one set 16 September 2008 as the deadline. This was entirely Anwar’s own choice with no pressure or cohesion whatsoever on anyone’s part. It was Anwar who 'volunteered' the entire exercise. No one forced him into the situation.
Taking all this into consideration, there is no way Anwar can renege on his ‘promise’. To do so would result in a serious erosion of credibility. If Anwar fails to deliver his 16 September 2008 promise, he might as well disappear from the scene. If 16 September 2008 comes and goes as a non-event, Anwar too will become a non-event and will have to throw in the towel and call it quits.
Anwar is no novice. He is not an amateur politician. He is as seasoned as they come. And no seasoned politician like Anwar will commit Hara Kiri. And Hara Kiri it will be if Anwar turns around on 16 September 2008 and say, "I was just joking lah."
So my money is on 16 September 2008 happening. Not happening would mean the death knell of Anwar Ibrahim. And Anwar is not ready to die just yet. If Anwar fails to deliver, that would trigger the beginning of the end for Parti Keadilan Rakyat.
Parti Gerakan Rakyat is on the verge of leaving the ruling coalition. No, it is not going to join Pakatan Rakyat. It is going to remain as an ‘independent’ party. And from there it is going to re-build its lost fortunes and revert to what it used to be when it was first launched 40 years ago in 1968.
Gerakan is going to be a most attractive party once it leaves Barisan Nasional and it launches its 'remaking' exercise. Hell, even I might get attracted to it once it transforms into what it started out in 1968. Gerakan will of course need to attract not only many professionals but from amongst all the races as well. And if Anwar falls short on 16 September 2008, Gerakan will be there with open arms to receive all the disappointed ex-Anwaristas who no longer have any confidence that Anwar is true to his word.
So, the stakes are too high not to succeed. This is not a game. It is not even a high-stakes poker game. It is a fight to the finish. It is a winner-takes-all situation. It is a last-man-standing duel. It is a gunfight at the OK Corral. And only one walks away from such a fight. And that one will be Anwar. My money is on that happening. Hell, my freedom is on that as well.
Today, I received many phone calls from concerned friends who told me that the government is considering detaining me under the Internal Security Act ‘very soon’. If that does happen, then this could probably be the last article I write, at least until 16 September 2008. So I too need Anwar to succeed. If not I will be in Kamunting for quite some time to come and you will not hear from me over the next couple of years.
Yes, I too have placed, not only my money, but also my freedom on Anwar. And if Anwar fails to deliver his promise on 16 September 2008, not only he but I as well am headed for a fall. But I have confidence he will do it. And I have confidence that my stay in Kamunting will not be for two years but for a mere two weeks.
But if I am wrong…..well, then see you maybe in six or seven years time, because for sure Najib Tun Razak will not release me in 2010 when he becomes Prime Minister. What he would do, instead, would be to rollover my two-year detention another two years, and another two years, and another two years, until I am too old to think and write anymore.
Till we meet again, if we do meet again, take care and keep the flame burning. There is still a long fight ahead of us in bringing reforms to this beloved country of ours.
With the big margin he attained in the by-election, it does look as if Barisan Nasional (BN) will have a hard time stopping him. But then, as Anwar himself said, a week is a long time in politics, meaning that nothing is definite.
He is stoppable as a person, but I think what has happened to him is that he has become the focus of a lot of hope for Malaysians disillusioned with the BN system. Because he is a wily politician — or a chameleon, as critics like to say — he has been able to remake himself in the image of the reform movement that his arrest 10 years ago inspired and that developed more intensely than he could have expected. That movement has aligned itself with other oppositional forces and that new combined force now places him as its front man. In turn, he has become indispensable to that force.
Understood that way, Anwar does look unstoppable. The long-term way BN and the United Malays National Organisation (Umno) can take the wind out of his sail is to reform themselves radically, and in the process, change Malaysian politics to the extent that the polarised situation that makes someone such as Anwar so iconic disappear, or weaken. As long as BN refuses to change, the situation that created the strong opposition that adopts Anwar as its front man will continue.
His court case relating to a sodomy charge, starting on September 10, is a big worry for the opposition. A lot of resources will be focused on defending Anwar, and on weakening the prosecution's case, including proving that the charge against him is politically motivated.
What is Mr Abdullah's future?
History will perceive Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi as the accidental politician and will forgive him for many of his failures because of that. But for the moment, many Malaysians on both sides are simply exasperated by his weak leadership and his inability to adapt to changes. No one mistakes his reticence for astuteness any longer.
His time is up. He has to realise how critical reforms actually are to the future of the country.
If Anwar's attempt at toppling the government does not materialise, then the attention will turn to Umno's general assembly in December. Many Umno leaders are not willing to allow Abdullah to bide his time while they run the risk of being sidelined forever. One goes into politics to gain power, and if the power pyramid that one is part of is sinking, then at some point, one decides that it is every man for himself.
What about Umno's future?
One day quite soon, Malaysians will learn to see political coalitions as temporary solutions to imbalances in power, and not as monolithic and eternal beings that become a goal in themselves. There are no permanent allies and no permanent enemies.
It will be nearly impossible for Umno to regain its former glory. That glory depended on the BN model. Today, it is like the Kuomintang of Taiwan in the '80s. It must go through a radical change, and to do that, it may have to leave the seat of power for a while. Its members have to realise that Malaysia's wellbeing is not necessarily Umno's wellbeing.
Even if the party loses power, it can return, but in a new shape and in new alliances. The worst-case scenario is that Umno may go the way of the Communist Party in Yugoslavia and disappear. The fear then is that the country will disintegrate along with it. The best-case scenario is that politics in Malaysia will mature to the extent that political opponents no longer wish destruction on each other.
Losing will not be everything; winning will not be everything.
From now to September 16 and December, what are the signs to look for?
Abdullah presented his budget on August 29 and Parliament is now in recess until the fasting month of Ramadan is over. In the meantime, we have Wednesday to watch, when Anwar goes on trial. Should the sodomy charge be dropped, then BN admits that its tactic has backfired and it withdraws to fight another day. Should it stick, Anwar's camp will try its best to keep him out of jail.
Given how Anwar was treated the last time he was in detention, his closest supporters fear that some serious harm will come to him while in jail.
September 16 is the day to watch — Malaysia Day, the day 45 years ago when Sabah, Sarawak and Singapore joined the federation. Anwar chose that day as a day of reckoning because it is very symbolic to the East Malaysians who feel let down by the federal government. He promises them a better deal, a simple enough strategy.
Even if Anwar cannot convince 30 BN Members of Parliament (MPs) to cross over to his side, he is expected to mark that day in a dramatic fashion. What he could do is perhaps to get some defectors to announce their intention publicly on September 16, and then hope for a snowball effect from there. He could also announce a defection by Umno MPs. Should nine of them defect, it would mean that Umno loses its majority within the ruling BN coalition. A bigger scoop would be to get a whole party to defect, threatening the existence of BN itself.
Also important to watch will be the Umno's division elections next month. What support Abdullah still has will become clearer from that. The main challenger to Abdullah within Umno, Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah, will also be gauging his own strength during that time.
If Anwar were to be Prime Minister, what kind of leader would he be?
His rhetoric seems to echo the wishes of a large segment of the Malaysian population at the moment, and that segment will be dictating what kind of PM he will be. Malaysia is suffering from a leadership problem at the moment, and many are putting a lot of hope in him.
Anwar has to balance the aims of the parties in his coalition, and we will see compromises being made. That is the reality in Malaysia. But I think a culture of dialogue will be developed under his watch and that will be a great achievement indeed. I think at least that can be accomplished by him.
Anwar can be expected to use a global economic focus to expedite institutional changes and minimise differences in the agendas of various parties. There is a lot of room for change, and with the political support he seems to enjoy, he should be able to do a good job. I think the new democratic atmosphere in Malaysia will see to that.
The writer is a fellow at the Institute of Southeast Asian Studies. He is the author of Lost in Transition: Malaysia under Abdullah and The Reluctant Politician: Tun Dr Ismail and His Time.
*************************************************************
16 September 2008. That is Malaysia Day. That is also the day Anwar Ibrahim is supposed to take over the government. Today, some well-known personalities are joining Parti Keadilan Rakyat. From thereon, more are expected to follow, culminating in the final exodus of Barisan Nasional Members of Parliament.
Stay tuned for the announcements to follow.Many just can’t believe that Anwar will really take over on 16 September 2008.
Some just wish it were true. Some say it’s too good to be true. Others say Anwar is just playing poker. The sceptics say Anwar is laying the ground for a self-fulfilling prophecy. What is foremost in everyone’s mind is: is Anwar playing a high-stakes poker game or will this be a gunfight at the OK Corral?
At this point of time, Anwar can no longer just play poker. No one asked him to take over the government. No one set 16 September 2008 as the deadline. This was entirely Anwar’s own choice with no pressure or cohesion whatsoever on anyone’s part. It was Anwar who 'volunteered' the entire exercise. No one forced him into the situation.
Taking all this into consideration, there is no way Anwar can renege on his ‘promise’. To do so would result in a serious erosion of credibility. If Anwar fails to deliver his 16 September 2008 promise, he might as well disappear from the scene. If 16 September 2008 comes and goes as a non-event, Anwar too will become a non-event and will have to throw in the towel and call it quits.
Anwar is no novice. He is not an amateur politician. He is as seasoned as they come. And no seasoned politician like Anwar will commit Hara Kiri. And Hara Kiri it will be if Anwar turns around on 16 September 2008 and say, "I was just joking lah."
So my money is on 16 September 2008 happening. Not happening would mean the death knell of Anwar Ibrahim. And Anwar is not ready to die just yet. If Anwar fails to deliver, that would trigger the beginning of the end for Parti Keadilan Rakyat.
Parti Gerakan Rakyat is on the verge of leaving the ruling coalition. No, it is not going to join Pakatan Rakyat. It is going to remain as an ‘independent’ party. And from there it is going to re-build its lost fortunes and revert to what it used to be when it was first launched 40 years ago in 1968.
Gerakan is going to be a most attractive party once it leaves Barisan Nasional and it launches its 'remaking' exercise. Hell, even I might get attracted to it once it transforms into what it started out in 1968. Gerakan will of course need to attract not only many professionals but from amongst all the races as well. And if Anwar falls short on 16 September 2008, Gerakan will be there with open arms to receive all the disappointed ex-Anwaristas who no longer have any confidence that Anwar is true to his word.
So, the stakes are too high not to succeed. This is not a game. It is not even a high-stakes poker game. It is a fight to the finish. It is a winner-takes-all situation. It is a last-man-standing duel. It is a gunfight at the OK Corral. And only one walks away from such a fight. And that one will be Anwar. My money is on that happening. Hell, my freedom is on that as well.
Today, I received many phone calls from concerned friends who told me that the government is considering detaining me under the Internal Security Act ‘very soon’. If that does happen, then this could probably be the last article I write, at least until 16 September 2008. So I too need Anwar to succeed. If not I will be in Kamunting for quite some time to come and you will not hear from me over the next couple of years.
Yes, I too have placed, not only my money, but also my freedom on Anwar. And if Anwar fails to deliver his promise on 16 September 2008, not only he but I as well am headed for a fall. But I have confidence he will do it. And I have confidence that my stay in Kamunting will not be for two years but for a mere two weeks.
But if I am wrong…..well, then see you maybe in six or seven years time, because for sure Najib Tun Razak will not release me in 2010 when he becomes Prime Minister. What he would do, instead, would be to rollover my two-year detention another two years, and another two years, and another two years, until I am too old to think and write anymore.
Till we meet again, if we do meet again, take care and keep the flame burning. There is still a long fight ahead of us in bringing reforms to this beloved country of ours.
Tuesday, September 2, 2008
KEADILAN 2009 National Budget and Economy Policy Brief by Anwar Ibrahim
PARTI KEADILAN RAKYAT MALAYSIA2009 NATIONAL BUDGET AND ECONOMIC POLICY BRIEF
Parti Keadilan Rakyat (KEADILAN) recognizes that for millions of Malaysian citizens the economic climate has become a troublesome one. Malaysians today face ongoing reduction in their purchasing power, job insecurities, increased fuel prices, low wages, and a high gap between the rich and poor. KEADILAN believes that Malaysia can no longer afford to stand on the sidelines and allow the BN government to pursue a ‘too-little-too-late approach’ to addressing these issues. That is why, on this day, KEADILAN is pushing forward one more step its positions on the Malaysian Economic Agenda, to relieve the burden on Malaysians struggling with record high inflation levels and dwindling economic prospects. Whereas the current government has failed to adequately assess or address these issues, KEADILAN will pursue the policies critical to reasserting Malaysia’s quality of life, economic strength and competitiveness in the global economy.
1.0 Summary:
The KEADILAN proposals on the budget and response to the current BN government’s Malaysia Budget 2009 are based on a new model of socio-economic development drawing on an analysis of some of the best performing economies in the world. This specifically includes understanding the successes of Taiwan, Korea and Ireland, and integrating the best practices of these economies with the enormous potential of Malaysia’s natural and human resources as well as the positive aspects of Malaysia’s past development plans.
When KEADILAN model is implemented, the gap between Malaysia and other developed countries in terms of economic performance and living standards must be narrowed, instead of growing as it has under the current government. KEADILAN’s policies will spur a rapidly growing economy that can effectively compete at the regional and global level as well as open up numerous opportunities for all Malaysians and for all scales of business at the individual and sector level. KEADILAN’s educational and human development reforms will bring about an improved educational system and knowledge based economy and enable Malaysia’s domestic businesses to meet the global challenge with a locally sourced and higher skilled labor force.
KEADILAN’s policy changes target attracting increased foreign and domestic investment and improving labour skills and productivity in the private and public sectors. Underlying this, and in contrast to Malaysia’s recent trends, KEADILAN is unwavering in its focus on the systemic foundations to ensure Malaysia’s success: fairness, transparency, accountability and good governance.
The key features of the KEADILAN Model include:
• Faster pace of economic liberalization
• Extensive investment in quality education
• Higher rate of investment in public-oriented infrastructure
• Integration with more developed ASEAN and East Asian countries
• Stronger role for the private sector
• Merit and need driven policies with a stronger safety net for poor
• Higher standards of governance and accountability In the near future, Pakatan Rakyat will publish and promote in greater detail the entire policy regime of its Malaysian Economic Agenda.
2.0 Response to Barisan Nasional (BN) Malysia 2009 National Budget:
2.1 BN Government’s Misrepresentation of the Current Situation – The BN government’s budget has been described in mainstream BN controlled government papers as a budget with 'something for everyone'. KEADILAN acknowledges that on the surface that seems to be the case, but much of it is illusory. Furthermore, this economic plan will clearly not produce the concrete results that BN has been promising Malaysians. Unfortunately, it follows the trend of previous years which resulted in gross examples of mismanagement, inefficiency and missed opportunities to take Malaysia and its people forward. Since this BN government came to power, they have repeatedly emphasized to Malaysians that their economy is becoming more resilient, that people are more prosperous, that standards of living have gone up, that the country has become more competitive, and that everyone has benefited equally from the country’s growth. Yet, KEADILAN believes that many citizens are aware that the reality of Malaysian achievement compared with other countries, particularly in the context of the country’s enormous potential in human and natural resources, is far from the BN government’s rosy rhetoric. KEADILAN believes that this was clearly demonstrated at the ballot box both in March and again in August of this year.
The realities of the current BN government’s mismanagement have been:
• Worsening socio-economic disparities
• Rising income inequalities
• Spiraling costs of living
• Growing urban and rural poverty undetected or underestimated by the Government’s unrealistic poverty line
• Endemic corruption
• Falling competitiveness and sluggish growth
• Rising cost of doing business
The above shortcomings do not touch on the key non-economic factors of quality of life, namely civil liberties, judicial independence, media freedom, race relations, religious tolerance, national unity, crime and security. While not addressed in this brief, these are all key issues whose resolution the current government has either mismanaged or manipulated for the sake of certain individuals to secure narrow interests against that of the greater public good.
2.2 Deteriorating Public Finances and Economic Sluggishness –
As the current government has neither been open nor honest about Malaysia’s current economic state and financial position, KEADILAN has outlined below several indicators which raise grave concerns amount financial and economic mismanagement under BN rule:
1. Operational expenditure in the 2009 National Budget has increased to RM154.2 billion, from RM128.8 billion in 2008, an alarming increase of almost 20%. This is close to a 100% increase or doubling from the RM80.5 billion in operating expenditure from 2004 when Abdullah Badawi first became Prime Minister. Of even greater concern is that the current operating budget is nearly a 200% increase from that in 2000.
2. Malaysia is suffering from sluggish domestic investment, despite not being short of domestic capital. Private fixed capital formation averaged less than half of total fixed capital formation. In addition, since the current government first entered office, Malaysian investment abroad (outward FDI) has risen dramatically: from less than 50% of inward FDI in 2004, to approximately equal to inward FDI in 2006, to now actually exceeding inward foreign investment. This is entirely uncharacteristic of any growing economy in the world, and raises grave concerns with KEADILAN about the policies driving Malaysian capital flight.
3. The economy grew 6.3 percent in the three months ended June from a year earlier, down from a 7.1 percent gain in the first quarter. Economic growth is forecast to ease to 5.7 percent this year and 5.4 percent in 2009, the weakest pace since 2005. The figures suggest potentially a growth of just 4% for Q4 2008. The government’s proposed budget will be unable to do the heavy lifting required of it in 2009. KEADILAN is concerned about the government’s irresponsible reliance on a global upturn in 2009 that could directly impact Malaysia’s economy and growth.
4. Inflation was at a 27-year high of 7.7 percent in June as a result of the government’s mismanagement of the petrol subsidy issue. There are signs that it is worsening. For July’s inflation rate Bank Negara’s Monthly Statistical Bulletin (Table VI.13), gives a figure of 8.5% incease in the CPI, with food rising 11.2%, non-food rising 7.2%, transport rising 22.7%l, and consumer non-durables rising 15.4%. While KEADILAN acknowledges that higher transport and food prices are working their way through the economy, the government continues to appear oblivious to this fact.
5. The fiscal deficit has risen from 3.2% in 2007 to 4.8% of GDP this year.
6. The KL composite index is down from 1,374 points to 1,163 year to year.
7. The KL market capitalization lost over RM200B, or almost 1/5th of its value, within one year.
8. The ringgit’s value has weakened against the major currencies. Against the US dollar, the RM recently completed its biggest monthly loss since the end of a peg against the dollar in 2005.
9. Recently, Malaysia's credit rating outlook was downgraded by Standard & Poor's to the fourth lowest investment grade, indicative of government mismanagement and excesses that are putting credit ratings and currency at risk.
10. Short-term (less than one year) federal debt, the bulk of it domestic has ballooned from RM21 billion at end Mar 2004 to RM51 billion at end Jun 2008, and total federal government debt has gone from RM192 billion at end Mar 2004 to RM285 billion at end Jun 2008. This is a cause for concern of worsening fiscal health.
2.3 Government Budget Initiatives are ‘Too Little, Too Late” -
The 2009 National Budget presented by the current government last week clearly appears to collect piecemeal proposals to allocate what have been described as ‘little goodies’ across all quarters – the poor, the middle class, the rich, the corporate sector, and civil servants. The plan lacks concerted vision, and is again indicative of the government’s failure to provide sound economic direction in a challenging global and domestic environment.
This analysis, however, does not focus on the small handouts and various fiscal ‘goodies’ which are fairly transparent in their purpose and overall ineffectuality. Instead, this brief is focused on analysing the substantive thrusts and programs, and assessing whether they can meet short term needs, while recognizing their medium and long term consequences.
2.3.1 Suspicious Public Transport Measures
The various initiatives finally focusing $35billion on public transportation are ostensibly to address the needs of Malaysia’s urban population, especially in Klang Valley and KL as well as Penang. But characteristic of this budget it is simply too little and too late.
This will not resolve the public transport woes of the country, not even for urban commuters. Given the current systemic flaws and the past track record of BN, building new infrastructure without good governance, proper execution and maintenance has resulted in large portions of funds going to waste, bribery and other leakages with the public transport issue largely left unresolved.
KEADILAN has two specific concerns on this issue:
First, the proposed Public Land Transportation Commission is a central federal body in the PM’s Department, although these projects are almost entirely local or regional issues. Until and unless power over public transport planning and design is devolved to state and local authorities, the problem cannot be properly solved.
Second, based on previous examples, there is a strong possibility of misguided centralized planning attempts and award of tenders and contracts to insider and favored companies such as Scombi which may lead to allegations of nepotism. To forestall this, KEADILAN emphasises the need for open competitive tenders, with special consideration given to genuine multi-racial partnerships in those tenders. In addition, KEADILAN has additional policy proposals for more productive public transportation initiatives it would pursue.
2.3.2 Failure to Strengthen the Safety Net
KEADILAN has for many years consistently criticized the meager safety net provided to Malaysia’s poorest and most vulnerable citizens. While the current government has finally taken heed to these concerns and deemed it advisable to raise the cut off point for welfare assistance and the increase in pensions for the lower levels, it is again 'too little, too late'. Besides being adjustments needed several years earlier, the proposed increases only appear to be intended to raise beneficiaries above the PLI (Poverty Line Income) established in 2004, and as published in the 9MP (Ch 16), adjusted by a mere 10%.
Of grave concern, and indicative or irresponsible policy, is that the beneficiaries of this initiative will still be below the nominal Poverty Line Income's for Peninsula Malaysia, Sarawak and Sabah. Going by the overall CPI for the 3 regions, the adjustment from 2004 to 2008 should be closer to 120% than the 10% proposal. (As of mid-year 2008, CPI for PM was 113.4 [2005=100]. Seeing that the 60+% of the PLI is the food PLI, the actual adjustment should have been higher since the food weight in the CPI is around 31%). (See “Note on Safety Net for the Poor, KEADILAN 2009 Budget & Econ Policy Brief” for more details on this proposal)
KEADILAN has also been clear about its concerned regarding the importance of targeting Malaysia’s most vulnerable segments exposed to escalating inflation. The government has not only ignored this problem but by its flip-flopping over the fuel price increases has been the main culprit in the galloping inflation which has hit Malaysia and inevitably has most affected Malaysia’s poor.
2.3.3 Meaningless Corporate Sector Initiatives
While the 2009 National Budget has been touted in the mainstream government press as a "business friendly budget" ( Star, 30 Aug.), experts have already contradicted that notion. This can be seen in the two page coverage of responses by leading tax experts (from Ernst & Young, PricewaterhouseCoopers, Deloitte and KPMG) acting on behalf of the country’s top businesses and corporate clients. Their verdict was that this is a budget that whilst not penalizing business is going to do practically nothing to encourage business. The plan has not substantive initiatives to encourage business big or small, and no compelling proposals to improve Malaysia’s competitiveness in the context of the global economic slowdown.
It is not only the tax experts and business consultants that have lost faith in the government’s business policies. Clear evidence can be found in the government’s own data. From table 8.2, Investment in Approved Projects by Industry, it is seen that there has been a significant reduction in investment of almost all industries this year - most significantly in textiles and textile products; paper, printing and publication; and petroleum products; and electric and electronic products. KEADILAN is concerned that if this trend were allowed to continue, domestic and foreign investment would continue to avoid Malaysia due to the BN government’s continuing failure to develop attractive and meaningful policies, within the context of structural reform, reducing of business costs and to improvements in government response and operating efficiency. Without a clear investment and business oriented strategy, BN’s lack of planning would have serious implications for overall economic growth and private-sector employment.
2.3.4 Exaggerated Claims and Unsubstantiated Targets, Food Sector
KEADILAN is concerned that the BN government is exaggerating claims and misrepresenting statistics to create a ‘rosy’ picture of its achievements and the economic progress achieved under its administration. One example comes from the food production and padi sector, to which KEADILAN attaches great importance. Firstly BN 2009 National Budget refers to laying the foundations for achieving 86% self-sufficiency in rice by 2010, from 73% in 2008, through a variety of interventions. This implies an increase in domestic production of 18 % in 2 years, or a compound annual rate of increase of over 8% per year in the two years left. This is an implausible and unachievable target given that since 1980 to the present, despite billions spent on new irrigation system intensification, research, extension services, and allocations to agencies and padi based IADPs, Malaysia has not been able to achieve an annual rate of increase in national padi output even approaching 1%. The reality is that domestic rice production nationally has been flat.
KEADILAN proposes greater research invested to understand why some farmers are able to get yields of around 10 tonnes per hectare, amongst the highest in the world especially in the tropics, and transmit that knowledge and technique to all farmers. This does not require huge expenditure, nor an obsession with large-scale farming and the subsidies the government provides such large-scale farms. Instead it will benefit smaller, lower income farmers, almost all of whom are Malay. KEADILAN also proposes further investment to research improvement of hill rice yields in Sarawak and Sabah, as it is possible to obtain up to 5 tonnes per hectare. This not only will improve food security, but also incomes; it is also sustaining a form of agriculture that is often the most environmentally friendly for the terrain in question.
2.3.5 Opening the Door to Wider Corruption and Abuse
KEADILAN’s concerns do not stop with misleading targets. The concerns are with the BN’s historical practices of spending large sums of scarce public funds on a problem – without proper concern for prudent and responsible spending and a strong commitment to high execution standards and results that merit the expenditure. This has been clear across all the major sectors of government spending. In agriculture and padi we see that what is not specified in the 2009 National Budget document, but included in the lump sum allocations are a number of handout programs which are likely to have the following outcomes:
• Special yield enhancing inputs to be given free, whose efficacy in terms of yield increase is questioned by many parties, but which will enrich suppliers. Hence the scramble now for many UMNO and BN companies to get their products on the favoured list.
• Farm machinery handouts, again immediately benefiting a small group.
• Various production incentives in cash but in practice subject to significant abuse in implementation. For example: the yield increase bonus.
These KEADILAN concerns extend equally to many other sectors. For example, in Sarawak, there is a 20% allowance for Sarawak tenders, on top of the 10% allowance for bumiputera, i.e., a total of 30% allowance for those individuals and companies that can claim Sarawak bumiputera status. If the RM3 billion allocated to Sarawak for infrastructure is subject to this, it means that, RM1 billion will immediately have been siphoned into pockets of such companies as CMS and individuals directly associated with key BN political leaders and their families.
In conclusion, the current BN government’s 2009 Budget Proposals reflect on the large and small scale the same ineffectiveness and mismanagement that is undermining the basic resilience of the Malaysian economy. KEADILAN endorses a plan of constructive stewardship of the economy and of aggressive realization of policy to restore business and consumer confidence in the years ahead.
3.0 Key KEADILAN Policy Initiatives:
The policy initiatives that comprise KEADILAN’s Malaysian Economic Agenda, cover the full spectrum of social, political and economic development for Malaysia. The following are examples of specific policies which KEADILAN will put forth with specific impact on Malaysian economic growth.
3.1 STIMULATING INVESTMENT
Increasing both domestic and foreign investment, the key drivers for Malaysia’s productive growth, is a primary focus of KEADILAN’s policy proposals. Despite strong fundamentals in Malaysia that would be expected to lead to domestic investment and FDI – such as high domestic savings, high private consumption, and high domestic demand – yet FDI has underperformed for the region and even more domestic capital is flowing out of the country than investment is flowing in. KEADILAN believes there are fundamental regulatory and business environment factors which must be addressed to truly reach Malaysia’s goals of global competitiveness within the next decade and to make any significant changes to this situation.
First, KEADILAN recommends a shift away from the historic equity restrictions for approved investments, and that the FIC should be retasked to monitor the national distribution of equity under present policy. The foreign share of the national economy has reduced significantly since the NEP (and its consequent policies) and the FIC was introduced. The equity restrictions imposed by FIC are now seen as a barrier to investment while not materially assisting the growth of disadvantaged groups. For example, corporate transactions through mergers and acquisitions when they fall under the Guidelines of the FIC on Take-Overs and Mergers, have to restructure their ownership structure to comply with the NEP (now the NVP). Moving away from equity limitations at the enterprise level will stimulate investment (and FDI) while FIC can act as a facilitator and monitor for participation of disadvantaged groups in macro economic context using incentives to encourage participation rather than restrictive legislation.
Second, KEADILAN proposes that tariffs and other entry barriers need to be eliminated in order to negotiate trade agreements with other ASEAN countries, Japan, the EU and others. To sustain the competitive advantage against especially India, China and Singapore, Malaysia will need to upgrade the educational system to educate and attract high skilled labour in focus sectors, such as engineers, biochemists, industrialized farmers, etc.
3.2 PRODUCTIVE BUSINESS INCENTIVESKEADILAN believes that reduction in taxes and other levies to the business sector, in the proper environment, will result in increased investment and consequently job growth. Additionally, KEADILAN’s proposals are to focus on key sectors to maximize impact of tax-rebates on industries strategic to Malaysian growth and development. After opportunities to lower the overall business tax burdens, KEADILAN would then offer more sector- and productivity-driven incentives to increase investment in critical areas and companies. Examples of these policies are:
i. Tax rebates for those who export to a certain level (similar to Chinese initiative)
ii. Tax rebates or even direct subsidy to fuel efficient and labor intensive operations to help provide incentives for companies to migrate to more fuel efficient production methods and keeping people on the payroll.
3.3 REFORMING THE PUBLIC TENDER SYSTEM
One of the core pillars of the KEADILAN economic agenda is that all government contracts must be tendered in an open, competitive and transparent manner. Towards this end, the following policies will be implemented by KEADILAN as quickly as possible:
1. All qualified companies shall be provided with equal opportunities to secure Government supply contracts and projects.
2. To prevent destabilizing disruption to the current system, this policy shall be implemented on a gradual basis, commencing with projects or supply contracts sized above RM10 million for 2009.
3 In view of the challenges brought by globalization and to honor our international commitments to free trade, all tenders shall be made competitive, open and transparent by 2015.
KEADILAN projects that on the conservative assumption a 10% savings is achieved via the new tendering system, it will generate an absolute savings in excess of RM5 billion per annum as well as bring about quality improvements that are of a large magnitude.
3.4 DOWNWARD ADJUSTMENT OF THE FUEL PRICE
KEADILAN proposes to review the downward adjustment of fuel price so as to reduce growth constraint pressure brought about by the government’s mismanaged and excessive fuel price hike other inflationary factors in the economy. The downward adjustment will mean lower fuel costs for businesses which will enable them to expand production. Further growth will also come about as a result of the increase in disposable income of the average Malaysian arising from reduced energy related prices. The impact of the oil price adjustment will also result in a stimulation of consumer spending and help moderate the current slowdown in consumer credit growth.
With our proposed downward adjustment of the fuel price, our aim is to reduce inflation to less than 5 percent
3.5 STRATEGIC PUBLIC TRANSPORT INITIATIVES
KEADILAN considers public transportation infrastructure a priority for investment, but also formajor systemic reform. KEADILAN will improve the quality of the nation’s transportation infrastructure by optimizing the development expenditure for the sector. Key attention will be given to the 3 highly congested urban centres – the Klang Valley, Penang Island and Johor Bahru. A blueprint for a “Klang Valley Circle” rail network will also be developed to improve inter-suburban connectivity, by-passing the congested Kuala Lumpur city centre.
KEADILAN also supports a policy to strengthen and link up the public transportation network nationwide in a manner that revisits Malaysia’s “old” cities such as Ipoh, Seremban, Melaka, and Alor Star and links them with fast rail service. KEADILAN projects that just Singapore’s population of 3 million tourists, with income 4 to 5 times that of Malaysia, would be introduce to innumerable new tourism spending opportunities if from Singapore they can take a train to Melaka in 45 minutes or Ipoh in 1.5 hours. This inflow of high income individuals would have marked impact on local economies and foreign reservesIn addition, the interconnectivity of these cities will foster greater trade and information flows with affect domestic consumption and investment. Finally, improved rail transport opens the path to future re-developments of these older cities in the medium term with less infrastructure costs as compared to current investment in new city-creating mega projects. KEADILAN believes Malaysians must think of the public transportation network of the future in terms of the flow of people, investment and business -- not simple mega-projects for funds to be siphoned off from the economy.
3.6 CURBING PUBLIC EXPENDTURE ON MEGA-PROJECTS
Historically, the BN government has a notorious track record for wasteful and extravagant mega projects that cannot justify close scrutiny. In addition to the aborted RM1.13 billion crooked scenic bridge, a RM9 billion undersea cable-tracking project has also been proposed and there is now a proposal for a RM15.2 billion high speed broadband (HSBB) project to wire up 2.2 million so-called high economic impact premises.
Not many details have been released about the HSBB project since the plan was initially made known by Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak last September. If this latest example of a mega project is approved, the expenditure will cost the public approximately RM7,000 to wire each premise – a totally unjustifiable sum.
To prevent the likelihood of financially irresponsible mega projects burdening the public, KEADILAN proposes for the current budget year and the remainder of the 9th Malaysia Plan period to undertake a rigorous priority review of all proposed mega projects costing RM1B upwards and to assess their socio-economic viability, affordability and intended impact on national development. This review will be conducted as transparently as possible and will include the use of independent and credible professional bodies and individuals.
The strict adherence to higher standards of fiscal prudence by the KEADILAN government – beginning initially with mega projects and to be extended to all new projects - will prevent public funds from being wasted or hijacked by political cronies of the BN. It will also enable the savings to be channeled towards programmes bringing higher returns for the public, including those aimed at helping the low and middle income earners.
3.7 REFORMING THE CURRENT SYSTEM OF AWARD of AP’s
KEADILAN proposes as a part of our new source of revenue as well as to negate the rent-seeking culture, the approved permits (APs) currently issued for free by the Ministry of International Trade & Industry to a select pool of “businessman” shall be auctioned to the highest bidders. Based on an estimated 70,000 APs issued per annum and a conservative RM25,000 market price, the auction will provide an additional RM1.75 billion to the government coffers.
3.8 MEDIUM TERM PROPOSALS
KEADILAN’s medium term proposals are focused on the policies that KEADILAN believes must be changed as well as on the new policies that need to be put in place in order to raise the Malaysian economy to a higher level and to realize the full potential of Malaysia’s diverse human resources and geographical regions. These proposals are also based on the removal or liberalization of archaic or self defeating entry barriers that stand in the way of ensuring sustainability and improving growth in the various sectors to benefit all Malaysians. Finally, they are based on taking the country’s economy forward in meeting the unprecedented challenge from other regional and global players and in coping with the more uncertain and rapidly changing external economic environment.
Parti Keadilan Rakyat (KEADILAN) recognizes that for millions of Malaysian citizens the economic climate has become a troublesome one. Malaysians today face ongoing reduction in their purchasing power, job insecurities, increased fuel prices, low wages, and a high gap between the rich and poor. KEADILAN believes that Malaysia can no longer afford to stand on the sidelines and allow the BN government to pursue a ‘too-little-too-late approach’ to addressing these issues. That is why, on this day, KEADILAN is pushing forward one more step its positions on the Malaysian Economic Agenda, to relieve the burden on Malaysians struggling with record high inflation levels and dwindling economic prospects. Whereas the current government has failed to adequately assess or address these issues, KEADILAN will pursue the policies critical to reasserting Malaysia’s quality of life, economic strength and competitiveness in the global economy.
1.0 Summary:
The KEADILAN proposals on the budget and response to the current BN government’s Malaysia Budget 2009 are based on a new model of socio-economic development drawing on an analysis of some of the best performing economies in the world. This specifically includes understanding the successes of Taiwan, Korea and Ireland, and integrating the best practices of these economies with the enormous potential of Malaysia’s natural and human resources as well as the positive aspects of Malaysia’s past development plans.
When KEADILAN model is implemented, the gap between Malaysia and other developed countries in terms of economic performance and living standards must be narrowed, instead of growing as it has under the current government. KEADILAN’s policies will spur a rapidly growing economy that can effectively compete at the regional and global level as well as open up numerous opportunities for all Malaysians and for all scales of business at the individual and sector level. KEADILAN’s educational and human development reforms will bring about an improved educational system and knowledge based economy and enable Malaysia’s domestic businesses to meet the global challenge with a locally sourced and higher skilled labor force.
KEADILAN’s policy changes target attracting increased foreign and domestic investment and improving labour skills and productivity in the private and public sectors. Underlying this, and in contrast to Malaysia’s recent trends, KEADILAN is unwavering in its focus on the systemic foundations to ensure Malaysia’s success: fairness, transparency, accountability and good governance.
The key features of the KEADILAN Model include:
• Faster pace of economic liberalization
• Extensive investment in quality education
• Higher rate of investment in public-oriented infrastructure
• Integration with more developed ASEAN and East Asian countries
• Stronger role for the private sector
• Merit and need driven policies with a stronger safety net for poor
• Higher standards of governance and accountability In the near future, Pakatan Rakyat will publish and promote in greater detail the entire policy regime of its Malaysian Economic Agenda.
2.0 Response to Barisan Nasional (BN) Malysia 2009 National Budget:
2.1 BN Government’s Misrepresentation of the Current Situation – The BN government’s budget has been described in mainstream BN controlled government papers as a budget with 'something for everyone'. KEADILAN acknowledges that on the surface that seems to be the case, but much of it is illusory. Furthermore, this economic plan will clearly not produce the concrete results that BN has been promising Malaysians. Unfortunately, it follows the trend of previous years which resulted in gross examples of mismanagement, inefficiency and missed opportunities to take Malaysia and its people forward. Since this BN government came to power, they have repeatedly emphasized to Malaysians that their economy is becoming more resilient, that people are more prosperous, that standards of living have gone up, that the country has become more competitive, and that everyone has benefited equally from the country’s growth. Yet, KEADILAN believes that many citizens are aware that the reality of Malaysian achievement compared with other countries, particularly in the context of the country’s enormous potential in human and natural resources, is far from the BN government’s rosy rhetoric. KEADILAN believes that this was clearly demonstrated at the ballot box both in March and again in August of this year.
The realities of the current BN government’s mismanagement have been:
• Worsening socio-economic disparities
• Rising income inequalities
• Spiraling costs of living
• Growing urban and rural poverty undetected or underestimated by the Government’s unrealistic poverty line
• Endemic corruption
• Falling competitiveness and sluggish growth
• Rising cost of doing business
The above shortcomings do not touch on the key non-economic factors of quality of life, namely civil liberties, judicial independence, media freedom, race relations, religious tolerance, national unity, crime and security. While not addressed in this brief, these are all key issues whose resolution the current government has either mismanaged or manipulated for the sake of certain individuals to secure narrow interests against that of the greater public good.
2.2 Deteriorating Public Finances and Economic Sluggishness –
As the current government has neither been open nor honest about Malaysia’s current economic state and financial position, KEADILAN has outlined below several indicators which raise grave concerns amount financial and economic mismanagement under BN rule:
1. Operational expenditure in the 2009 National Budget has increased to RM154.2 billion, from RM128.8 billion in 2008, an alarming increase of almost 20%. This is close to a 100% increase or doubling from the RM80.5 billion in operating expenditure from 2004 when Abdullah Badawi first became Prime Minister. Of even greater concern is that the current operating budget is nearly a 200% increase from that in 2000.
2. Malaysia is suffering from sluggish domestic investment, despite not being short of domestic capital. Private fixed capital formation averaged less than half of total fixed capital formation. In addition, since the current government first entered office, Malaysian investment abroad (outward FDI) has risen dramatically: from less than 50% of inward FDI in 2004, to approximately equal to inward FDI in 2006, to now actually exceeding inward foreign investment. This is entirely uncharacteristic of any growing economy in the world, and raises grave concerns with KEADILAN about the policies driving Malaysian capital flight.
3. The economy grew 6.3 percent in the three months ended June from a year earlier, down from a 7.1 percent gain in the first quarter. Economic growth is forecast to ease to 5.7 percent this year and 5.4 percent in 2009, the weakest pace since 2005. The figures suggest potentially a growth of just 4% for Q4 2008. The government’s proposed budget will be unable to do the heavy lifting required of it in 2009. KEADILAN is concerned about the government’s irresponsible reliance on a global upturn in 2009 that could directly impact Malaysia’s economy and growth.
4. Inflation was at a 27-year high of 7.7 percent in June as a result of the government’s mismanagement of the petrol subsidy issue. There are signs that it is worsening. For July’s inflation rate Bank Negara’s Monthly Statistical Bulletin (Table VI.13), gives a figure of 8.5% incease in the CPI, with food rising 11.2%, non-food rising 7.2%, transport rising 22.7%l, and consumer non-durables rising 15.4%. While KEADILAN acknowledges that higher transport and food prices are working their way through the economy, the government continues to appear oblivious to this fact.
5. The fiscal deficit has risen from 3.2% in 2007 to 4.8% of GDP this year.
6. The KL composite index is down from 1,374 points to 1,163 year to year.
7. The KL market capitalization lost over RM200B, or almost 1/5th of its value, within one year.
8. The ringgit’s value has weakened against the major currencies. Against the US dollar, the RM recently completed its biggest monthly loss since the end of a peg against the dollar in 2005.
9. Recently, Malaysia's credit rating outlook was downgraded by Standard & Poor's to the fourth lowest investment grade, indicative of government mismanagement and excesses that are putting credit ratings and currency at risk.
10. Short-term (less than one year) federal debt, the bulk of it domestic has ballooned from RM21 billion at end Mar 2004 to RM51 billion at end Jun 2008, and total federal government debt has gone from RM192 billion at end Mar 2004 to RM285 billion at end Jun 2008. This is a cause for concern of worsening fiscal health.
2.3 Government Budget Initiatives are ‘Too Little, Too Late” -
The 2009 National Budget presented by the current government last week clearly appears to collect piecemeal proposals to allocate what have been described as ‘little goodies’ across all quarters – the poor, the middle class, the rich, the corporate sector, and civil servants. The plan lacks concerted vision, and is again indicative of the government’s failure to provide sound economic direction in a challenging global and domestic environment.
This analysis, however, does not focus on the small handouts and various fiscal ‘goodies’ which are fairly transparent in their purpose and overall ineffectuality. Instead, this brief is focused on analysing the substantive thrusts and programs, and assessing whether they can meet short term needs, while recognizing their medium and long term consequences.
2.3.1 Suspicious Public Transport Measures
The various initiatives finally focusing $35billion on public transportation are ostensibly to address the needs of Malaysia’s urban population, especially in Klang Valley and KL as well as Penang. But characteristic of this budget it is simply too little and too late.
This will not resolve the public transport woes of the country, not even for urban commuters. Given the current systemic flaws and the past track record of BN, building new infrastructure without good governance, proper execution and maintenance has resulted in large portions of funds going to waste, bribery and other leakages with the public transport issue largely left unresolved.
KEADILAN has two specific concerns on this issue:
First, the proposed Public Land Transportation Commission is a central federal body in the PM’s Department, although these projects are almost entirely local or regional issues. Until and unless power over public transport planning and design is devolved to state and local authorities, the problem cannot be properly solved.
Second, based on previous examples, there is a strong possibility of misguided centralized planning attempts and award of tenders and contracts to insider and favored companies such as Scombi which may lead to allegations of nepotism. To forestall this, KEADILAN emphasises the need for open competitive tenders, with special consideration given to genuine multi-racial partnerships in those tenders. In addition, KEADILAN has additional policy proposals for more productive public transportation initiatives it would pursue.
2.3.2 Failure to Strengthen the Safety Net
KEADILAN has for many years consistently criticized the meager safety net provided to Malaysia’s poorest and most vulnerable citizens. While the current government has finally taken heed to these concerns and deemed it advisable to raise the cut off point for welfare assistance and the increase in pensions for the lower levels, it is again 'too little, too late'. Besides being adjustments needed several years earlier, the proposed increases only appear to be intended to raise beneficiaries above the PLI (Poverty Line Income) established in 2004, and as published in the 9MP (Ch 16), adjusted by a mere 10%.
Of grave concern, and indicative or irresponsible policy, is that the beneficiaries of this initiative will still be below the nominal Poverty Line Income's for Peninsula Malaysia, Sarawak and Sabah. Going by the overall CPI for the 3 regions, the adjustment from 2004 to 2008 should be closer to 120% than the 10% proposal. (As of mid-year 2008, CPI for PM was 113.4 [2005=100]. Seeing that the 60+% of the PLI is the food PLI, the actual adjustment should have been higher since the food weight in the CPI is around 31%). (See “Note on Safety Net for the Poor, KEADILAN 2009 Budget & Econ Policy Brief” for more details on this proposal)
KEADILAN has also been clear about its concerned regarding the importance of targeting Malaysia’s most vulnerable segments exposed to escalating inflation. The government has not only ignored this problem but by its flip-flopping over the fuel price increases has been the main culprit in the galloping inflation which has hit Malaysia and inevitably has most affected Malaysia’s poor.
2.3.3 Meaningless Corporate Sector Initiatives
While the 2009 National Budget has been touted in the mainstream government press as a "business friendly budget" ( Star, 30 Aug.), experts have already contradicted that notion. This can be seen in the two page coverage of responses by leading tax experts (from Ernst & Young, PricewaterhouseCoopers, Deloitte and KPMG) acting on behalf of the country’s top businesses and corporate clients. Their verdict was that this is a budget that whilst not penalizing business is going to do practically nothing to encourage business. The plan has not substantive initiatives to encourage business big or small, and no compelling proposals to improve Malaysia’s competitiveness in the context of the global economic slowdown.
It is not only the tax experts and business consultants that have lost faith in the government’s business policies. Clear evidence can be found in the government’s own data. From table 8.2, Investment in Approved Projects by Industry, it is seen that there has been a significant reduction in investment of almost all industries this year - most significantly in textiles and textile products; paper, printing and publication; and petroleum products; and electric and electronic products. KEADILAN is concerned that if this trend were allowed to continue, domestic and foreign investment would continue to avoid Malaysia due to the BN government’s continuing failure to develop attractive and meaningful policies, within the context of structural reform, reducing of business costs and to improvements in government response and operating efficiency. Without a clear investment and business oriented strategy, BN’s lack of planning would have serious implications for overall economic growth and private-sector employment.
2.3.4 Exaggerated Claims and Unsubstantiated Targets, Food Sector
KEADILAN is concerned that the BN government is exaggerating claims and misrepresenting statistics to create a ‘rosy’ picture of its achievements and the economic progress achieved under its administration. One example comes from the food production and padi sector, to which KEADILAN attaches great importance. Firstly BN 2009 National Budget refers to laying the foundations for achieving 86% self-sufficiency in rice by 2010, from 73% in 2008, through a variety of interventions. This implies an increase in domestic production of 18 % in 2 years, or a compound annual rate of increase of over 8% per year in the two years left. This is an implausible and unachievable target given that since 1980 to the present, despite billions spent on new irrigation system intensification, research, extension services, and allocations to agencies and padi based IADPs, Malaysia has not been able to achieve an annual rate of increase in national padi output even approaching 1%. The reality is that domestic rice production nationally has been flat.
KEADILAN proposes greater research invested to understand why some farmers are able to get yields of around 10 tonnes per hectare, amongst the highest in the world especially in the tropics, and transmit that knowledge and technique to all farmers. This does not require huge expenditure, nor an obsession with large-scale farming and the subsidies the government provides such large-scale farms. Instead it will benefit smaller, lower income farmers, almost all of whom are Malay. KEADILAN also proposes further investment to research improvement of hill rice yields in Sarawak and Sabah, as it is possible to obtain up to 5 tonnes per hectare. This not only will improve food security, but also incomes; it is also sustaining a form of agriculture that is often the most environmentally friendly for the terrain in question.
2.3.5 Opening the Door to Wider Corruption and Abuse
KEADILAN’s concerns do not stop with misleading targets. The concerns are with the BN’s historical practices of spending large sums of scarce public funds on a problem – without proper concern for prudent and responsible spending and a strong commitment to high execution standards and results that merit the expenditure. This has been clear across all the major sectors of government spending. In agriculture and padi we see that what is not specified in the 2009 National Budget document, but included in the lump sum allocations are a number of handout programs which are likely to have the following outcomes:
• Special yield enhancing inputs to be given free, whose efficacy in terms of yield increase is questioned by many parties, but which will enrich suppliers. Hence the scramble now for many UMNO and BN companies to get their products on the favoured list.
• Farm machinery handouts, again immediately benefiting a small group.
• Various production incentives in cash but in practice subject to significant abuse in implementation. For example: the yield increase bonus.
These KEADILAN concerns extend equally to many other sectors. For example, in Sarawak, there is a 20% allowance for Sarawak tenders, on top of the 10% allowance for bumiputera, i.e., a total of 30% allowance for those individuals and companies that can claim Sarawak bumiputera status. If the RM3 billion allocated to Sarawak for infrastructure is subject to this, it means that, RM1 billion will immediately have been siphoned into pockets of such companies as CMS and individuals directly associated with key BN political leaders and their families.
In conclusion, the current BN government’s 2009 Budget Proposals reflect on the large and small scale the same ineffectiveness and mismanagement that is undermining the basic resilience of the Malaysian economy. KEADILAN endorses a plan of constructive stewardship of the economy and of aggressive realization of policy to restore business and consumer confidence in the years ahead.
3.0 Key KEADILAN Policy Initiatives:
The policy initiatives that comprise KEADILAN’s Malaysian Economic Agenda, cover the full spectrum of social, political and economic development for Malaysia. The following are examples of specific policies which KEADILAN will put forth with specific impact on Malaysian economic growth.
3.1 STIMULATING INVESTMENT
Increasing both domestic and foreign investment, the key drivers for Malaysia’s productive growth, is a primary focus of KEADILAN’s policy proposals. Despite strong fundamentals in Malaysia that would be expected to lead to domestic investment and FDI – such as high domestic savings, high private consumption, and high domestic demand – yet FDI has underperformed for the region and even more domestic capital is flowing out of the country than investment is flowing in. KEADILAN believes there are fundamental regulatory and business environment factors which must be addressed to truly reach Malaysia’s goals of global competitiveness within the next decade and to make any significant changes to this situation.
First, KEADILAN recommends a shift away from the historic equity restrictions for approved investments, and that the FIC should be retasked to monitor the national distribution of equity under present policy. The foreign share of the national economy has reduced significantly since the NEP (and its consequent policies) and the FIC was introduced. The equity restrictions imposed by FIC are now seen as a barrier to investment while not materially assisting the growth of disadvantaged groups. For example, corporate transactions through mergers and acquisitions when they fall under the Guidelines of the FIC on Take-Overs and Mergers, have to restructure their ownership structure to comply with the NEP (now the NVP). Moving away from equity limitations at the enterprise level will stimulate investment (and FDI) while FIC can act as a facilitator and monitor for participation of disadvantaged groups in macro economic context using incentives to encourage participation rather than restrictive legislation.
Second, KEADILAN proposes that tariffs and other entry barriers need to be eliminated in order to negotiate trade agreements with other ASEAN countries, Japan, the EU and others. To sustain the competitive advantage against especially India, China and Singapore, Malaysia will need to upgrade the educational system to educate and attract high skilled labour in focus sectors, such as engineers, biochemists, industrialized farmers, etc.
3.2 PRODUCTIVE BUSINESS INCENTIVESKEADILAN believes that reduction in taxes and other levies to the business sector, in the proper environment, will result in increased investment and consequently job growth. Additionally, KEADILAN’s proposals are to focus on key sectors to maximize impact of tax-rebates on industries strategic to Malaysian growth and development. After opportunities to lower the overall business tax burdens, KEADILAN would then offer more sector- and productivity-driven incentives to increase investment in critical areas and companies. Examples of these policies are:
i. Tax rebates for those who export to a certain level (similar to Chinese initiative)
ii. Tax rebates or even direct subsidy to fuel efficient and labor intensive operations to help provide incentives for companies to migrate to more fuel efficient production methods and keeping people on the payroll.
3.3 REFORMING THE PUBLIC TENDER SYSTEM
One of the core pillars of the KEADILAN economic agenda is that all government contracts must be tendered in an open, competitive and transparent manner. Towards this end, the following policies will be implemented by KEADILAN as quickly as possible:
1. All qualified companies shall be provided with equal opportunities to secure Government supply contracts and projects.
2. To prevent destabilizing disruption to the current system, this policy shall be implemented on a gradual basis, commencing with projects or supply contracts sized above RM10 million for 2009.
3 In view of the challenges brought by globalization and to honor our international commitments to free trade, all tenders shall be made competitive, open and transparent by 2015.
KEADILAN projects that on the conservative assumption a 10% savings is achieved via the new tendering system, it will generate an absolute savings in excess of RM5 billion per annum as well as bring about quality improvements that are of a large magnitude.
3.4 DOWNWARD ADJUSTMENT OF THE FUEL PRICE
KEADILAN proposes to review the downward adjustment of fuel price so as to reduce growth constraint pressure brought about by the government’s mismanaged and excessive fuel price hike other inflationary factors in the economy. The downward adjustment will mean lower fuel costs for businesses which will enable them to expand production. Further growth will also come about as a result of the increase in disposable income of the average Malaysian arising from reduced energy related prices. The impact of the oil price adjustment will also result in a stimulation of consumer spending and help moderate the current slowdown in consumer credit growth.
With our proposed downward adjustment of the fuel price, our aim is to reduce inflation to less than 5 percent
3.5 STRATEGIC PUBLIC TRANSPORT INITIATIVES
KEADILAN considers public transportation infrastructure a priority for investment, but also formajor systemic reform. KEADILAN will improve the quality of the nation’s transportation infrastructure by optimizing the development expenditure for the sector. Key attention will be given to the 3 highly congested urban centres – the Klang Valley, Penang Island and Johor Bahru. A blueprint for a “Klang Valley Circle” rail network will also be developed to improve inter-suburban connectivity, by-passing the congested Kuala Lumpur city centre.
KEADILAN also supports a policy to strengthen and link up the public transportation network nationwide in a manner that revisits Malaysia’s “old” cities such as Ipoh, Seremban, Melaka, and Alor Star and links them with fast rail service. KEADILAN projects that just Singapore’s population of 3 million tourists, with income 4 to 5 times that of Malaysia, would be introduce to innumerable new tourism spending opportunities if from Singapore they can take a train to Melaka in 45 minutes or Ipoh in 1.5 hours. This inflow of high income individuals would have marked impact on local economies and foreign reservesIn addition, the interconnectivity of these cities will foster greater trade and information flows with affect domestic consumption and investment. Finally, improved rail transport opens the path to future re-developments of these older cities in the medium term with less infrastructure costs as compared to current investment in new city-creating mega projects. KEADILAN believes Malaysians must think of the public transportation network of the future in terms of the flow of people, investment and business -- not simple mega-projects for funds to be siphoned off from the economy.
3.6 CURBING PUBLIC EXPENDTURE ON MEGA-PROJECTS
Historically, the BN government has a notorious track record for wasteful and extravagant mega projects that cannot justify close scrutiny. In addition to the aborted RM1.13 billion crooked scenic bridge, a RM9 billion undersea cable-tracking project has also been proposed and there is now a proposal for a RM15.2 billion high speed broadband (HSBB) project to wire up 2.2 million so-called high economic impact premises.
Not many details have been released about the HSBB project since the plan was initially made known by Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak last September. If this latest example of a mega project is approved, the expenditure will cost the public approximately RM7,000 to wire each premise – a totally unjustifiable sum.
To prevent the likelihood of financially irresponsible mega projects burdening the public, KEADILAN proposes for the current budget year and the remainder of the 9th Malaysia Plan period to undertake a rigorous priority review of all proposed mega projects costing RM1B upwards and to assess their socio-economic viability, affordability and intended impact on national development. This review will be conducted as transparently as possible and will include the use of independent and credible professional bodies and individuals.
The strict adherence to higher standards of fiscal prudence by the KEADILAN government – beginning initially with mega projects and to be extended to all new projects - will prevent public funds from being wasted or hijacked by political cronies of the BN. It will also enable the savings to be channeled towards programmes bringing higher returns for the public, including those aimed at helping the low and middle income earners.
3.7 REFORMING THE CURRENT SYSTEM OF AWARD of AP’s
KEADILAN proposes as a part of our new source of revenue as well as to negate the rent-seeking culture, the approved permits (APs) currently issued for free by the Ministry of International Trade & Industry to a select pool of “businessman” shall be auctioned to the highest bidders. Based on an estimated 70,000 APs issued per annum and a conservative RM25,000 market price, the auction will provide an additional RM1.75 billion to the government coffers.
3.8 MEDIUM TERM PROPOSALS
KEADILAN’s medium term proposals are focused on the policies that KEADILAN believes must be changed as well as on the new policies that need to be put in place in order to raise the Malaysian economy to a higher level and to realize the full potential of Malaysia’s diverse human resources and geographical regions. These proposals are also based on the removal or liberalization of archaic or self defeating entry barriers that stand in the way of ensuring sustainability and improving growth in the various sectors to benefit all Malaysians. Finally, they are based on taking the country’s economy forward in meeting the unprecedented challenge from other regional and global players and in coping with the more uncertain and rapidly changing external economic environment.
Abdullah and Anwar — flip sides with the same thinking
The Bukit Bendera Umno division chief reminded Malaysian Chinese that they are immigrants and assigned them second-class status. He has not apologised for his comments which have upset the MCA and Gerakan, many of whom want him to be suspended or hung out to dry by Abdullah and the Umno leadership.
The Malaysian Insider Commentary
Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi and Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim share several similarities. They both call Penang home. They both have managed to get on the wrong side of their former mentor, Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad.
And it seems they both will go the extra mile to protect their own political comrades, sometimes even sacrificing their principles and convictions about Malaysia, and tenets of the Federal Constitution.
No?
Let’s consider the facts. When Parti Keadilan Rakyat’s Zulkifli Nordin led the mob against the Bar Council for organising a forum on conversion to Islam, he was slammed by many from his own party for his thuggish behaviour. Except Anwar.
The Bandar Baru Kulim MP went into hiding after the incident and emerged more than a week later, defiant and unrepentant. He said that he had explained his actions at the forum to Anwar and had been cleared. He then lashed out enemies of Islam and said that he would reprise his role in breaking up the forum if necessary.
The silence from Anwar was deafening. Incidentally, no action has been taken against Zulkifli, despite threatening noises from Dr Syed Husin Ali, Sivarasa Rasiah and Tian Chua who were upset at the force and language used by protestors to disrupt the forum. Among other things, the demonstrators told the Chinese in not so polite terms to return to the land of their ancestors.
On hindsight, it is easy to understand why Anwar did not come out strong against Zukilfi.
He knew that though the MP’s actions were slammed by the chattering class and non-Muslims, they were hugely popular with Muslims who felt that Zulkifli and the protestors were standing up for Islam and its special position in Malaysia. He also had his eye on the Permatang Pauh by-election where ground reports suggested that he had the full backing of Chinese and Indian voters but had yet to win over a significant portion of the Malay vote.
So the best solution: stay clear of the Zulkifli controversy and hope that the controversy goes away.
Political consideration was also pretty much on Abdullah’s mind when he responded meekly to the controversy surrounding Datuk Ahmad Ismail’s comments about the Chinese at a political rally on the eve of the by-election.
The Bukit Bendera Umno division chief reminded Malaysian Chinese that they are immigrants and assigned them second-class status. He has not apologised for his comments which have upset the MCA and Gerakan, many of whom want him to be suspended or hung out to dry by Abdullah and the Umno leadership.
Abdullah has attempted to diffuse the situation by saying that Ahmad did not mean to offend anyone, adding that the he would tell the division chief not to repeat those words. This assurance is akin to applying. minyak angin on an open sore — it just worsened the situation.
On the face of it, it is difficult to understand why Abdullah is going out on a limb for Ahmad. Ahmad was a staunch Anwar soldier in the old days and enjoyed rubbishing the prime minister when he was not elected as one of Umno’s vice-presidents in 1993.
Abdullah’s loyalists still remember Ahmad’s choice words against Abdullah when the PM was a political nobody.
So why is Abdullah not prepared to chastise this man whose arrogant comments only serve to entrench the antipathy that non-Malays feel towards Umno and the Barisan Nasional?
Put it another way. Why is Abdullah prepared to stand by and watch the stature of the MCA and Gerakan sink further among Chinese? Every time an Umno leader makes a stinging comment about non-Malays or their religious practices and it goes unpunished, stronger is the view among Chinese and Indians that the MCA, Gerakan and MIC are political weaklings, and not worth supporting.
Abdullah knows this very well. But the fact is between now and December only one thing matters to him — obtaining the bulk of nominations from 191 Umno divisions and being re-elected as the party president.
Everything else is a distant second. And that includes pushing through legislation for a Judicial Appointment Commission (which incidentally is also unpopular with the Umno crowd). Or disciplining a party warlord, who comments about the status of Chinese just happens to be the majority view in the ruling party.
It is an open secret that many Umno politicians feel “betrayed’’ byChinese and Indian voters and want to punish them for supporting Pakatan Rakyat in Election 2008. They also believe that the non-Malays have become too vocal since March 8 and need to be put in their place.
So Ahmad Ismail’s comments are not isolated thinking. It is the majority view in a party that will not accept that non-Malays also have an ownership stake in the country.
Abdullah is not prepared to challenge this view and risk upsetting the support of party warlords like Ahmad Ismail. His survival comes before anything else. Between now and December, political consideration trumps everything else.
So maybe Abdullah and Anwar have got more in common than they wish to acknowledge. They both are prepared to leave their ideals of a Malaysia for all by the wayside if it means keeping the support of their home constituency.
Sad but true. -RPK (author of Malaysia Today blog)
The Malaysian Insider Commentary
Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi and Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim share several similarities. They both call Penang home. They both have managed to get on the wrong side of their former mentor, Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad.
And it seems they both will go the extra mile to protect their own political comrades, sometimes even sacrificing their principles and convictions about Malaysia, and tenets of the Federal Constitution.
No?
Let’s consider the facts. When Parti Keadilan Rakyat’s Zulkifli Nordin led the mob against the Bar Council for organising a forum on conversion to Islam, he was slammed by many from his own party for his thuggish behaviour. Except Anwar.
The Bandar Baru Kulim MP went into hiding after the incident and emerged more than a week later, defiant and unrepentant. He said that he had explained his actions at the forum to Anwar and had been cleared. He then lashed out enemies of Islam and said that he would reprise his role in breaking up the forum if necessary.
The silence from Anwar was deafening. Incidentally, no action has been taken against Zulkifli, despite threatening noises from Dr Syed Husin Ali, Sivarasa Rasiah and Tian Chua who were upset at the force and language used by protestors to disrupt the forum. Among other things, the demonstrators told the Chinese in not so polite terms to return to the land of their ancestors.
On hindsight, it is easy to understand why Anwar did not come out strong against Zukilfi.
He knew that though the MP’s actions were slammed by the chattering class and non-Muslims, they were hugely popular with Muslims who felt that Zulkifli and the protestors were standing up for Islam and its special position in Malaysia. He also had his eye on the Permatang Pauh by-election where ground reports suggested that he had the full backing of Chinese and Indian voters but had yet to win over a significant portion of the Malay vote.
So the best solution: stay clear of the Zulkifli controversy and hope that the controversy goes away.
Political consideration was also pretty much on Abdullah’s mind when he responded meekly to the controversy surrounding Datuk Ahmad Ismail’s comments about the Chinese at a political rally on the eve of the by-election.
The Bukit Bendera Umno division chief reminded Malaysian Chinese that they are immigrants and assigned them second-class status. He has not apologised for his comments which have upset the MCA and Gerakan, many of whom want him to be suspended or hung out to dry by Abdullah and the Umno leadership.
Abdullah has attempted to diffuse the situation by saying that Ahmad did not mean to offend anyone, adding that the he would tell the division chief not to repeat those words. This assurance is akin to applying. minyak angin on an open sore — it just worsened the situation.
On the face of it, it is difficult to understand why Abdullah is going out on a limb for Ahmad. Ahmad was a staunch Anwar soldier in the old days and enjoyed rubbishing the prime minister when he was not elected as one of Umno’s vice-presidents in 1993.
Abdullah’s loyalists still remember Ahmad’s choice words against Abdullah when the PM was a political nobody.
So why is Abdullah not prepared to chastise this man whose arrogant comments only serve to entrench the antipathy that non-Malays feel towards Umno and the Barisan Nasional?
Put it another way. Why is Abdullah prepared to stand by and watch the stature of the MCA and Gerakan sink further among Chinese? Every time an Umno leader makes a stinging comment about non-Malays or their religious practices and it goes unpunished, stronger is the view among Chinese and Indians that the MCA, Gerakan and MIC are political weaklings, and not worth supporting.
Abdullah knows this very well. But the fact is between now and December only one thing matters to him — obtaining the bulk of nominations from 191 Umno divisions and being re-elected as the party president.
Everything else is a distant second. And that includes pushing through legislation for a Judicial Appointment Commission (which incidentally is also unpopular with the Umno crowd). Or disciplining a party warlord, who comments about the status of Chinese just happens to be the majority view in the ruling party.
It is an open secret that many Umno politicians feel “betrayed’’ byChinese and Indian voters and want to punish them for supporting Pakatan Rakyat in Election 2008. They also believe that the non-Malays have become too vocal since March 8 and need to be put in their place.
So Ahmad Ismail’s comments are not isolated thinking. It is the majority view in a party that will not accept that non-Malays also have an ownership stake in the country.
Abdullah is not prepared to challenge this view and risk upsetting the support of party warlords like Ahmad Ismail. His survival comes before anything else. Between now and December, political consideration trumps everything else.
So maybe Abdullah and Anwar have got more in common than they wish to acknowledge. They both are prepared to leave their ideals of a Malaysia for all by the wayside if it means keeping the support of their home constituency.
Sad but true. -RPK (author of Malaysia Today blog)
Monday, September 1, 2008
Joke of the day...
"Anwar should concentrate on being a responsible opposition leader instead of stirring up the people's emotion now that he is an MP." -Sarawak Environment and Public Health Minister Datuk Wong Soon Koh (The Star 28.08.2008)
Anwar is being a responsible opposition leader, much more than any BN MP's will ever be. Anwar saw the duress the Rakyat was put under by the DSAAB led BN coalition government and answered the people's call. Even with the new sodomy charges flung at him, he still didn't back down. Now that's the qualities of a strong and great leader.
DSAI needn't stir up the people's emotion, DSAAB, DSNTR and UMNO has been doing it for him.
Under these hard and trying time what have you BN MPs been doing?? Nothing accept the same job of kissing the ass of DSAAB so they can keep their high paying jobs safe. With DSAI and the Pakatan Rakyat slowly but surely growing from strength to strength, I am sure the BN cronnies are crapping in their pants now.
It's alright la, there is still a way for you goons to save yourself and your jobs when DSAI takes over. He doesn't like ass kissing but he'd sure love some ass action.....
Anwar is being a responsible opposition leader, much more than any BN MP's will ever be. Anwar saw the duress the Rakyat was put under by the DSAAB led BN coalition government and answered the people's call. Even with the new sodomy charges flung at him, he still didn't back down. Now that's the qualities of a strong and great leader.
DSAI needn't stir up the people's emotion, DSAAB, DSNTR and UMNO has been doing it for him.
Under these hard and trying time what have you BN MPs been doing?? Nothing accept the same job of kissing the ass of DSAAB so they can keep their high paying jobs safe. With DSAI and the Pakatan Rakyat slowly but surely growing from strength to strength, I am sure the BN cronnies are crapping in their pants now.
It's alright la, there is still a way for you goons to save yourself and your jobs when DSAI takes over. He doesn't like ass kissing but he'd sure love some ass action.....
Anwar Ibrahim - next PM of Malaysia???
Firstly, congrats to DSAI for such a kick ass, egg in your face win over BN in the Permatang Pauh by-election. Garnering more than 31 thousand votes and winning by a thumping fifteen thousand plus majority is quite an achievement. Clearly the people of Permatang Pauh desires change and change is what they are gonna get.
"It is a significant victory for the Pakatan Rakyat philosophy of democracy, justice, racial equality, freedom of religion, rule of law and transparency."
"This is particularly galling to UMNO to see that their traditional Malay ground has rejected their policy of Ketuanan Melayu, corruption and cronyism."
"The people have spoken. Anwar is THE ONE. He will lead the country to a new Malaysia of democracy, justice, rule of law and equal opportunity for all." -Dr. Chen Man Hin
There has been lots of congratulatory words and well wishes to DSAI for his success and now has taken a giant step towards maybe becoming Malaysia's next Prime Minister.
But before everyone gets too excited and starts putting the bullock cart in front of the bull, lets take time to make some considerations.
Hasn't all Prime Ministers to be hopefuls has all promised us the same things...what makes DSAI so different from the pass PM???
The Pakatan Rakyat philosophy of democracy, justice, racial equality, freedom of religion, rule of law and transparency sounds good doesn't it but if I'm not mistaken, one of Pakatan Rakyat component party is PAS. The party that has since its establishment been bitching for a Islam state for Malaysia and implementing the 'Hudud Laws' into our society.
PAS, now with the Pakatan Rakyat coalition ever closer to succeeding BN as the new ruling coalition, I am sure they are even more insistant of their leaders preaching and vision. Regards to this it will be interesting to see how the new Pakatan Rakyat government will be able to keep their promise of racial equality, freedom of religion and the abolishment of Ketuanan Melayu.
Equal opportunity for all and what does this imply to?? Is the new Pakatan Rakyat under DSAI leadership gonna abolish the NEP, open all universities in Malaysia so Bumiputera's will not have any admission privelleges, civil servants intakes will be more open and no favouritism will be given, projects and tenders will be open to all and the "Bumiputera only" status to be gone with???
There are more other race discrimination issues so when it was said of democracy, justice, racial equality, freedom of religion, rule of law, transparency and such does it not mean abolishment of such double standards of Bumiputera favouritism or to be more precise, Malay privelleges.....
Will Anwar be any different from DSAAB once he takes office, or will he just be like the one before him, inital talk and promise of equality but end up another totalirian dictator.....
It is great to see DSAAB, DSNTR and BN getting slapped around in the recent general and by-election but lets just not pop the champagne first. DSAI still has to become the Prime Minister first to bring any change to the country and society, and that is barring he hasn't been bullshitting about it just to get elected...
Only time will tell and it might be a welcomed change as I'm sure we are all just so fed up of the present government that we are willing to take a roll of the dice and just cross our fingers.....
"It is a significant victory for the Pakatan Rakyat philosophy of democracy, justice, racial equality, freedom of religion, rule of law and transparency."
"This is particularly galling to UMNO to see that their traditional Malay ground has rejected their policy of Ketuanan Melayu, corruption and cronyism."
"The people have spoken. Anwar is THE ONE. He will lead the country to a new Malaysia of democracy, justice, rule of law and equal opportunity for all." -Dr. Chen Man Hin
There has been lots of congratulatory words and well wishes to DSAI for his success and now has taken a giant step towards maybe becoming Malaysia's next Prime Minister.
But before everyone gets too excited and starts putting the bullock cart in front of the bull, lets take time to make some considerations.
Hasn't all Prime Ministers to be hopefuls has all promised us the same things...what makes DSAI so different from the pass PM???
The Pakatan Rakyat philosophy of democracy, justice, racial equality, freedom of religion, rule of law and transparency sounds good doesn't it but if I'm not mistaken, one of Pakatan Rakyat component party is PAS. The party that has since its establishment been bitching for a Islam state for Malaysia and implementing the 'Hudud Laws' into our society.
PAS, now with the Pakatan Rakyat coalition ever closer to succeeding BN as the new ruling coalition, I am sure they are even more insistant of their leaders preaching and vision. Regards to this it will be interesting to see how the new Pakatan Rakyat government will be able to keep their promise of racial equality, freedom of religion and the abolishment of Ketuanan Melayu.
Equal opportunity for all and what does this imply to?? Is the new Pakatan Rakyat under DSAI leadership gonna abolish the NEP, open all universities in Malaysia so Bumiputera's will not have any admission privelleges, civil servants intakes will be more open and no favouritism will be given, projects and tenders will be open to all and the "Bumiputera only" status to be gone with???
There are more other race discrimination issues so when it was said of democracy, justice, racial equality, freedom of religion, rule of law, transparency and such does it not mean abolishment of such double standards of Bumiputera favouritism or to be more precise, Malay privelleges.....
Will Anwar be any different from DSAAB once he takes office, or will he just be like the one before him, inital talk and promise of equality but end up another totalirian dictator.....
It is great to see DSAAB, DSNTR and BN getting slapped around in the recent general and by-election but lets just not pop the champagne first. DSAI still has to become the Prime Minister first to bring any change to the country and society, and that is barring he hasn't been bullshitting about it just to get elected...
Only time will tell and it might be a welcomed change as I'm sure we are all just so fed up of the present government that we are willing to take a roll of the dice and just cross our fingers.....
The House of Parliament - An overly priced rumpus room for ministers to act like 9 year olds...
Parliament and Malaysian politics officially welcome the return of Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim after an absence of 10 years on the 27th of August 2008.
Former opposition leader, Lim Kit Siang (DAP - Ipoh Timur), was overjoyed by the occassion of the return of their charismatic leader that during question time in the Parliament sitting, he used that opportunity to give his welcome speech instead...
"With the success of the second political tsunami in Permatang Pauh and the coming of the 'Titanic' next time..." he said, while his voice was drowned out by Barisan Nasional backbenchers who shouted at him not to waste time and told him to ask the relevant question.
Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Datuk Seri Nazri Aziz rudely stood up and interrupted Lim, much to the displeasure of the DAP veteran.
"I admit there is such a thing as tsunamis and titanics in politics, and that is why your seat has been blown to that side." said Datuk Seri Nazri Aziz refering to the first seat of the opposition bench which is designated as the Opposition Leader's seat.
Lim is now sitting four places away from his original seat, the Opposition Leader's seat, which he was occupying before the March 8 general election.
Damn good punt there Datuk Seri Nazri Aziz.....HAHAHA!!!
Former opposition leader, Lim Kit Siang (DAP - Ipoh Timur), was overjoyed by the occassion of the return of their charismatic leader that during question time in the Parliament sitting, he used that opportunity to give his welcome speech instead...
"With the success of the second political tsunami in Permatang Pauh and the coming of the 'Titanic' next time..." he said, while his voice was drowned out by Barisan Nasional backbenchers who shouted at him not to waste time and told him to ask the relevant question.
Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Datuk Seri Nazri Aziz rudely stood up and interrupted Lim, much to the displeasure of the DAP veteran.
"I admit there is such a thing as tsunamis and titanics in politics, and that is why your seat has been blown to that side." said Datuk Seri Nazri Aziz refering to the first seat of the opposition bench which is designated as the Opposition Leader's seat.
Lim is now sitting four places away from his original seat, the Opposition Leader's seat, which he was occupying before the March 8 general election.
Damn good punt there Datuk Seri Nazri Aziz.....HAHAHA!!!
Friday, August 29, 2008
Anwar Ibrahim’s radioactive cult of personality...
After Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim was sworn in this morning as MP for Permatang Pauh and immediately assumed the position of Parliament Opposition Leader, a depressing scenario may have confronted the Barisan Nasional MPs, Government and backbenchers alike, especially the ones with immense loathing molded on their faces the moment Anwar comfortably eased himself into the custodial seat reserved for an elected representative like him: how do you contain a radioactive moving target?
If there was anything that the BN learnt in the 10 years they tried to handle, check, curb, neutralise and combat Anwar is that absolutely nothing – no penal code and no media attacks – can contain him. Detain him and jail him, yes but containing his ideas, his influence, his reach and his seductive charisma are beyond the failed conventional containment tactics (general election, by-election, TV debate, mass media et al). Even unconventional tactics sputtered, if you add in the sordid mix a convicted power abuse charge, a convicted sodomy charge and a pending but tenuous sodomy charge.
Anwar engages attacks of all persuasions like a “nuclear demon”, absorbing the battering with sly counter-tactics of his own while growing stronger by each defensive maneuvre. The way he has slickly and aggressively operated, the BN could have dropped a political nuclear bomb with enough yield to destroy or at least debilitate most powerful overlords (think Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah) and yet Anwar scraped through, emerging like the Terminator emerges from a lethal crossfire, bruised, bloodied and savaged perhaps but intact, never annihilated and more determined.
If anything, the attacks against him and the perceived setbacks that threatened to scuttle his homecoming today served as “nuclear fuel” that boosted his “irradiating radioactiveness”. Anwar’s millions of supplicants will ensure that he transcends beyond mere politics – he has constructed for himself a newfangled cult of personality even the mullahs of Pas would kill to emulate.
Following the BN’s general election debacle and the Permatang Pauh by-election that had odds stacked against them, there appears to be little the coalition could envisioned to accost Anwar’s warring juggernaut towards that Malaysian political nirvana – the Prime Minister’s Office in Putrajaya. Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad is the closest foe that could have taken on Anwar on a hand-to-hand political combat but the ex-PM is a fading spirit even if his acidic blog musters massive devoted fans and antagonising critiques are spot on.
So, the dynamics inside the House’s political divide have verily transformed, even if the BN-Pakatan Rakyat balance of power still stands at 140–82. What does Anwar bring to shift the dynamics? For starters, that Sept 16 Malaysia Day date, predestined (hyped beyond belief by Anwar’s spinmeistering is more like it) as the moment the PKR supremo takes over the Federal Government, assuming that he has secured adequate BN MPs to defect to the PR and all BN’s efforts to dissuade the desertion have troublingly failed.
The Sept 16 pre-destiny also works on the tactic of “danger by proximity” – the fact that Anwar is a whisper away from these shifty Sabah MPs adds a toxic value to BN’s ability to preserve the House political equation. While in the past Anwar had to travel all the way to Kota Kinabalu or where he could hold private consultations, now he can simply invite them to his Opposition Leader’s office in Parliament for tea and muffins during breaks and work his charm offensive.
If ever Anwar’s charm offensive works, then he would certainly resuscitate the niggling vote of no-confidence against the Prime Minister after the motion presented by his wife and erstwhile Opposition Leader Datin Seri Dr Wan Azizah Ismail on June 23 was stopped in its tracks by the Speaker. This time though, a fresh motion of similar disruption may conjure better leverage that would seek to embarrass the BN Government and assuage their credibility before the alleged mass defection ensues.
But for now, these are all speculative drivel, political mindgames for the bored and idle, and a guessing game befitting a poker session that Anwar has nonchalantly called and raised. Is he upping the ante with a potent hand or might it be that he, like any good poker player, is "bluffing"? Nonetheless, it is a bluff that the Abdullah Administration is furiously trying to neutralise, though the bookies have likely placed favourable odds on Anwar. But does it mean that the BN simply falter and allow the defections to topple their 51-year invincibility? Hardly. There are powerful constitutional options that could be deployed although it carries a certain risk but may yet be functional for the coalition to survive Anwar’s brutal assault.
Even if we are able to dismiss all these conjecture as aggrandising junk, Anwar in the Lower House is still a feisty and frisky prospect. Let’s not ignore his fundamental House responsibility – represent his constituency, debate new laws and keep the Government honest with pointed questions and even pointed remarks on any credulous issue of the day.
In his triumphant homecoming just now after serving a 10-year sentence in the desolation of bewildering mass of a political outcast, Anwar Ibrahim was sworn-in as the MP for Permatang Pauh before the Speaker Tan Sri Pandikar Amin Mulia at exactly 10.05am to the cheering crescendos of his Opposition colleagues and family, and a ghostly representation of the Government, represented by Datuk Seri Nazri Aziz, Datuk Zaid Ibrahim and Datuk Mustapa Mohamed and a half-full complement of backbenchers. The oath taking didn’t make it on live TV, the excuse being that coverage was only for the question and answer session. Anwar has gotten use to that.
Ten minutes later outside the House, with the media horde clambering for position to record his initial utterances of erudition and enlightenment, it could be adduced that the burden of pariahdom has levitated from Anwar and in its place, a pervasive sense of vindication. "I was touched and vindicated coming back to Parliament after 10 years. After all that I had gone through in that time, now it feels good to be back. It is my right,” he said so with feeling.
Then, around noon, he blasted away the calibre of showmanship and articulation that he was accustomed to in dealing with plebeians in the BN backbenchers’ ranks, sounding off briefly in the debate on the disputatious DNA Identification Bill. Dr Siti Mariah Mahmud (PAS-Kota Raja) was arguing passionately on why the DNA Identification Bill should be gutted on the account that the Bar Council had grave reservations over the proposed law when BN perennial slugger, Datuk Tajuddin Abdul Rahman (BN-Pasir Salak), interrupted and demanded Siti Mariah to pronounce whether the Bar Council was a credible body to cast doubts on the Bill.
Wait for it...here it comes...Anwar cooly stood up, perhaps remembering how this moment, no matter how impossible and how incredible, had played in his mind for countless of times during his definition of the persecuted decade. In his sonorous and quick tenor, he cut in: “Doesn’t Yang Berhormat agree with me that the one with no credibility is the corruption-ridden Government? This is the Government which tabled a Bill last Monday, giving no opportunity to MPs, including those of friends from the other side, to study it, and presented it with malicious intention. This is a Bill opposed by both the Bar Council and non-Governmental groups. The Opposition would support any Bill that would benefit the people. But we are against the method employed by the Government to push this Bill through without taking heed of the public's voice.”
Any longer than those breathless sentences he expertly uttered and somebody might swoon and faint in the House but Anwar would have enjoyed this little stretch of time for himself, even if he was aware that the proposed Bill was grated by the Opposition as being "politically motivated" to meet his scheduled sodomy trial. Soon after, and perhaps to impress Anwar with their oratorical proficiency, Dr Hatta Ramli (Pas-Kuala Krai), Lim Kit Siang (DAP-Ipoh Timor) and Dr Lo' Lo' Ghazali (PAS-Titiwangsa) jumped into the cacophonic circus with the defiant Tajuddin.
And what was Anwar state of mind when he observed the exchange of candour? Amused and probably feeling that he has finally come home to rule and his foes would have to come to the horrific terms that one day in the near future, he just might sit on the opposite end of the current seating structure. -Azmi Anshar (New Straits Times 29.08.2008)
If there was anything that the BN learnt in the 10 years they tried to handle, check, curb, neutralise and combat Anwar is that absolutely nothing – no penal code and no media attacks – can contain him. Detain him and jail him, yes but containing his ideas, his influence, his reach and his seductive charisma are beyond the failed conventional containment tactics (general election, by-election, TV debate, mass media et al). Even unconventional tactics sputtered, if you add in the sordid mix a convicted power abuse charge, a convicted sodomy charge and a pending but tenuous sodomy charge.
Anwar engages attacks of all persuasions like a “nuclear demon”, absorbing the battering with sly counter-tactics of his own while growing stronger by each defensive maneuvre. The way he has slickly and aggressively operated, the BN could have dropped a political nuclear bomb with enough yield to destroy or at least debilitate most powerful overlords (think Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah) and yet Anwar scraped through, emerging like the Terminator emerges from a lethal crossfire, bruised, bloodied and savaged perhaps but intact, never annihilated and more determined.
If anything, the attacks against him and the perceived setbacks that threatened to scuttle his homecoming today served as “nuclear fuel” that boosted his “irradiating radioactiveness”. Anwar’s millions of supplicants will ensure that he transcends beyond mere politics – he has constructed for himself a newfangled cult of personality even the mullahs of Pas would kill to emulate.
Following the BN’s general election debacle and the Permatang Pauh by-election that had odds stacked against them, there appears to be little the coalition could envisioned to accost Anwar’s warring juggernaut towards that Malaysian political nirvana – the Prime Minister’s Office in Putrajaya. Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad is the closest foe that could have taken on Anwar on a hand-to-hand political combat but the ex-PM is a fading spirit even if his acidic blog musters massive devoted fans and antagonising critiques are spot on.
So, the dynamics inside the House’s political divide have verily transformed, even if the BN-Pakatan Rakyat balance of power still stands at 140–82. What does Anwar bring to shift the dynamics? For starters, that Sept 16 Malaysia Day date, predestined (hyped beyond belief by Anwar’s spinmeistering is more like it) as the moment the PKR supremo takes over the Federal Government, assuming that he has secured adequate BN MPs to defect to the PR and all BN’s efforts to dissuade the desertion have troublingly failed.
The Sept 16 pre-destiny also works on the tactic of “danger by proximity” – the fact that Anwar is a whisper away from these shifty Sabah MPs adds a toxic value to BN’s ability to preserve the House political equation. While in the past Anwar had to travel all the way to Kota Kinabalu or where he could hold private consultations, now he can simply invite them to his Opposition Leader’s office in Parliament for tea and muffins during breaks and work his charm offensive.
If ever Anwar’s charm offensive works, then he would certainly resuscitate the niggling vote of no-confidence against the Prime Minister after the motion presented by his wife and erstwhile Opposition Leader Datin Seri Dr Wan Azizah Ismail on June 23 was stopped in its tracks by the Speaker. This time though, a fresh motion of similar disruption may conjure better leverage that would seek to embarrass the BN Government and assuage their credibility before the alleged mass defection ensues.
But for now, these are all speculative drivel, political mindgames for the bored and idle, and a guessing game befitting a poker session that Anwar has nonchalantly called and raised. Is he upping the ante with a potent hand or might it be that he, like any good poker player, is "bluffing"? Nonetheless, it is a bluff that the Abdullah Administration is furiously trying to neutralise, though the bookies have likely placed favourable odds on Anwar. But does it mean that the BN simply falter and allow the defections to topple their 51-year invincibility? Hardly. There are powerful constitutional options that could be deployed although it carries a certain risk but may yet be functional for the coalition to survive Anwar’s brutal assault.
Even if we are able to dismiss all these conjecture as aggrandising junk, Anwar in the Lower House is still a feisty and frisky prospect. Let’s not ignore his fundamental House responsibility – represent his constituency, debate new laws and keep the Government honest with pointed questions and even pointed remarks on any credulous issue of the day.
In his triumphant homecoming just now after serving a 10-year sentence in the desolation of bewildering mass of a political outcast, Anwar Ibrahim was sworn-in as the MP for Permatang Pauh before the Speaker Tan Sri Pandikar Amin Mulia at exactly 10.05am to the cheering crescendos of his Opposition colleagues and family, and a ghostly representation of the Government, represented by Datuk Seri Nazri Aziz, Datuk Zaid Ibrahim and Datuk Mustapa Mohamed and a half-full complement of backbenchers. The oath taking didn’t make it on live TV, the excuse being that coverage was only for the question and answer session. Anwar has gotten use to that.
Ten minutes later outside the House, with the media horde clambering for position to record his initial utterances of erudition and enlightenment, it could be adduced that the burden of pariahdom has levitated from Anwar and in its place, a pervasive sense of vindication. "I was touched and vindicated coming back to Parliament after 10 years. After all that I had gone through in that time, now it feels good to be back. It is my right,” he said so with feeling.
Then, around noon, he blasted away the calibre of showmanship and articulation that he was accustomed to in dealing with plebeians in the BN backbenchers’ ranks, sounding off briefly in the debate on the disputatious DNA Identification Bill. Dr Siti Mariah Mahmud (PAS-Kota Raja) was arguing passionately on why the DNA Identification Bill should be gutted on the account that the Bar Council had grave reservations over the proposed law when BN perennial slugger, Datuk Tajuddin Abdul Rahman (BN-Pasir Salak), interrupted and demanded Siti Mariah to pronounce whether the Bar Council was a credible body to cast doubts on the Bill.
Wait for it...here it comes...Anwar cooly stood up, perhaps remembering how this moment, no matter how impossible and how incredible, had played in his mind for countless of times during his definition of the persecuted decade. In his sonorous and quick tenor, he cut in: “Doesn’t Yang Berhormat agree with me that the one with no credibility is the corruption-ridden Government? This is the Government which tabled a Bill last Monday, giving no opportunity to MPs, including those of friends from the other side, to study it, and presented it with malicious intention. This is a Bill opposed by both the Bar Council and non-Governmental groups. The Opposition would support any Bill that would benefit the people. But we are against the method employed by the Government to push this Bill through without taking heed of the public's voice.”
Any longer than those breathless sentences he expertly uttered and somebody might swoon and faint in the House but Anwar would have enjoyed this little stretch of time for himself, even if he was aware that the proposed Bill was grated by the Opposition as being "politically motivated" to meet his scheduled sodomy trial. Soon after, and perhaps to impress Anwar with their oratorical proficiency, Dr Hatta Ramli (Pas-Kuala Krai), Lim Kit Siang (DAP-Ipoh Timor) and Dr Lo' Lo' Ghazali (PAS-Titiwangsa) jumped into the cacophonic circus with the defiant Tajuddin.
And what was Anwar state of mind when he observed the exchange of candour? Amused and probably feeling that he has finally come home to rule and his foes would have to come to the horrific terms that one day in the near future, he just might sit on the opposite end of the current seating structure. -Azmi Anshar (New Straits Times 29.08.2008)
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