Ex-Judge Playing Politics

Hantu Laut

He might have been a judge before but he is also a shining example of the proverbial pot calling the kettle black.His summing up of the Perak crisis transcends the true verdict of the Sultan of Perak rights and powers under the Constitution, telling half a story.

I replicate below the relevant articles of the Perak State Constitution:

12. Appointment of Mentri Besar.
(1) His Royal Highness shall appoint by instrument under his
sign manual and State Seal, a Menteri Besar pursuant to paragraph
(a) of Clause 2 of Article 16.
(2) No person shall be appointed to be Mentri Besar unless he is
of the Malay race and professes the Muslim Religion:
Provided that His Royal Highness may in His discretion waive
either or both of the foregoing requirements of this paragraph
relating to race and the Muslim Religion whenever he shall consider
it expedient so to do.

16. The Executive Council.
(1) His Royal Highness shall appoint an Executive Council.
(2) The Executive Council shall be appointed as follows, that
is to say-
(a) His Royal Highness shall first appoint as Mentri Besar to
preside over the Executive Council a member of the Legis-
lative Assembly who in his judgment is likely to command
the confidence of the majority of the members of the Assem-
bly; and

b) he shall on the advice of the Mentri Besar appoint not more
than ten nor less than four other members from among the
members of the Legislative Assembly;
but if an appointment is made while the Legislative Assembly is
dissolved a person who was a member of the Last Legislative Assem-
bly may be appointed but shall not continue to hold office after the
first sitting of the next Legislative Assembly unless he is a member
thereof.

(3) Notwithstanding anything in this Article, a person who is a
citizen by naturalisation or by registration under Article 17 of the
Federal Constitution shall not be appointed Mentri Besar.
(4) In appointing a Mentri Besar, His Royal Highness may, in
his discretion, dispense with any provision in the Constitution of the
State restricting his choice of a Mentri Besar, if in his opinion it is
necessary to do in order to comply with the provisions of this Article.
(5) The Executive Council shall be collectively responsible to the
Legislative Assembly.
(6) If the Mentri Besar ceases to command the confidence of the
majority of the members of the Legislative Assembly, then, unless at
his request His Royal Highness dissolves the Legislative Assembly,
he shall tender the resignation of the Executive Council.
(7) Subject to Clause (6) a member of the Executive Council
other than the Mentri Besar shall hold office at His Royal Highness'
pleasure, but any member of the Council may at any time resign his
office.

The relevant articles are 16.2(a) and 16.6 which His Majesty Sultan of Perak has complied with.Article 16.2(a) clearly spelled out that " who in his judgment is likely to command the confidence of the majority of the members of the Assembly"

There is nothing in the Constitution that says that the Sultan must meet both parties before he decides who should he appoints as menteri besar as espoused by our learned judge below:

Q: Why do you think the people are angry?

A: Do you know why the Perakians were up in uproar against the Sultan of Perak?

It's because, as any lawyer will tell you, especially as he was Lord President before, that before you make a decision, you cannot see the parties. If you want to meet any of the parties, both of them must be present. You never do so by seeing one and then making a decision. The moment you do that, to the losing side or to any observer will think you have been influenced. So it's the impression that counts.

They were angry with the Sultan because they can sense it in their bones that it is wrong to make a decision to see the other side first.

Sure! the uninitiated men in the streets would be in uproar if too many half-cooked foods are thrown on the streets to feed them.

The Sultan had acted to the letter of the Constitution.To interpret otherwise is mischievous and rousing the rabble.

I must compare what the Sultan did and what I experienced in my many years of doing business.

I used to manage one of the biggest timber exporting companies in this country with markets that span the entire globe from Japan,Korea,the Middle East,Europe and the Americas.

A shipment that takes an entire ship can cost a couple of million ringgit.All the documents and the Bill of Lading would be submitted to the bank to negotiate the L/C (Letter of Credit).As long as all documents are in order and in compliance with the terms and conditions of the L/C the bank would pay you the full sum and get reimbursement from the issuing/reimbursement bank.

The Bill of Lading is the key document to show proof that you have shipped the goods for delivery to the buyer. The bank is only responsible in dealing with documents and not the cargo itself.It is not their business to check whether you have actually shipped the cargo or not or whether the Bill of Lading is genuine or forgery.You can ship a ton of shit as far as you are concerned or not ship anything at all and the bank would still pay you if they deemed your documents are in order.

The same goes with shipping companies.They only deal with carriage of goods and not responsible for what you ship.Take for example plywood in crates or coffee beans in sacks the content of which are not visible.A fly by night or crooked businessman could have loaded broken bricks in the crates and sacks and the shipping company wouldn't have a clue what it is and it is not their responsibility to check the content.They will issue the Bill of Lading and you joyfully go to your bank and get your money.That's why in international business there are a lot of mutual trust and where doubts exist buyer would either send inspectors or surveyors to check and survey the cargo before shipment.

I believe Sultan Azlan Shah has not been wrong in what he did, he deals with the constitution not with emotions and sentiments.

Read the ex-judge full interview here.

Najib's Arrow In A Quiver

Hantu Laut

The Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak should stay with his decision not to contest the Penanti by-election.It's a strategy worth considering.It may be an UMNO seat before but the politics of Penang has changed it is not an UMNO seat anymore and one that he must defend to the hilt. He should adopt Sun Tze's art of war.Fight the battle another day when you are sure of your strength.

After all the seat is a state seat in a state under the control of the opposition.It is also in Anwar's stronghold and contesting and losing it would be falling into Anwar's trap, that UMNO is no more relevant to the Malays.Losing another Malay seat will have serious repercussions and negative psychological effect on UMNO supporters throughout the nation.

Those in UMNO who think they can win this fight are flogging a dead horse.It is no more the Mahathir's era where the political roads were paved with gold for them.Today, the roads are full of potholes and pitfalls.You need to be different kind of political animal to survive the more treacherous journey now.

After the disastrous outing in Kuala Trengganu where majority of voters were Malays, Najib is right not to contest this non-critical seat.Winning this seat will not change the political scenario, losing it will have far-reaching negative fallout for UMNO and Najib's leadership.

Najib should concentrate his effort in administering the country and find right solutions to the economic crisis.Going into by-election every now and then is a distraction that wasted precious time for more productive work.It's a tactic employ by the oppositions to further weaken the BN and keep the momentum going and keep Anwar and Pakatan always fresh in the people's minds.

This country have seen too much politicking and little achievement for the past one year. To continue doing so would spell disaster for Najib's government and laughter for the Anwar's camp.

A nation that prosper will keep its leaders.

Mahathir had 22 years because he rode the waves of prosperity.

Can Pakatan Bring About A Clean Government ?

Hantu Laut

Indonesia has almost 240 million people and majority are Muslims.It is the largest Muslim country in the world but probably the only one that separates state and religion.Although, it has the largest Muslim population, Indonesians had never used Islam as tool to gain political power.

While in other part of the world such as Pakistan, Lebanon, Egypt and some other Muslim countries where militant Islam are gaining virulent ground, the situation in Indonesia is changing, militant Islam seems to be retreating.

In parliamentary election this months voters have shied away from Islamic political parties.Indonesians are alienating themselves from Islamic parties including moderate ones.The full result of the elections will only be known next month but all indications are showing that the people do not wish to integrate religion and politics.

In 2004, after the tragic 9/11 bombing of the World Trade Centre when militant Islam was at its highest level of violence and terrorist attacks, Islamist parties in Indonesia surged in popularity, made impressive gains and joined the coalition government of President Yudhoyono.

The parties gained support of the urban middle-class voters on the premise and promise of a clean government, anti-corruption policies and humanitarian activities. Once they were in office, the story was different, their clean image were tarnished after several of their elected representatives were caught and prosecuted for corruptions.

Back to Malaysia.Are we going through the same political journey as Indonesia. The March 2008 Elections was the culmination of the people's disillusionment after few decades of BN high-handed rule and a government perceived to be riddled with corruptions.

Pakatan Rakyat, a coalition of opposition parties promised a clean government, one that is free of corruptions once they take over the federal government.Would they end up like the Islamist parties of Indonesia, eventually rejected by the people when the people realized they have been had...... taken for a ride !

Can Pakatan ensure a clean government?

Looking at what have transpired so far in states under their control it is highly unlikely they can exercise control over their lawmakers. The ousting of Fairus Khairuddin was staged by Anwar Ibrahim to show that Pakatan will not tolerate corruptions. A carrot and stick ploy to convince the people that Pakatan would bring about radical change, a thoroughly clean government.

Can they?

The Hypocrisy Of It All

Hantu Laut

I am all for racial harmony and religious tolerance and desirably it should not be politics that bridge the divide. Malaysians should have a greater sense of togetherness irrespective of race, colour and creed.Politics should not be a barrier to the proverbial melting-pot and politics should not be used as a vehicle to disguise political expediency as racial and religious tolerance.In Pakatan it is all for politicial expediency unless they believe in their own lies.

Quoting verses from the Quran by non-Muslims I think is not wrong if done sincerely nor is reading the Koran.Using it as political expediency may not be wrong but it shows the kind of hypocrisy those in Pakatan capable of just to gain political mileage.



When DAP leader Nga Kor Ming repeated reciting verses from the Quran in front of Tok Guru and many PAS leaders it was purely a fervid show, a wayang and a sandiwara of hypocrisy. In another word he was showing off.What's the point of citing verses from a Quran if you are not giving religious sermon. Is he trying to impress the Muslims and the Malays. Of course, those in UMNO who lodged police reports against him is as ignorant as he is.How well-versed is he with the Quran I have no idea but he certainly explained the meaning well and his Bahasa Melayu is excellent.

Below is another of Pakatan's great religious exercise.

In PAS they trust

Malaysia's Islamic political party is winning over non-Muslims who find it principled and sincere

By Hazlin Hassan, Malaysia Correspondent

KUALA LUMPUR - MR B. Balendran is just like any other devout Hindu who celebrates Deepavali and does not eat beef.

But in his free time, he attends political rallies by Parti Islam SeMalaysia (PAS) and helps to recruit new members for its Supporters' Club.Read more.............

Where Is Raja Petra ?

Hantu Laut

Where is RPK? Shouldn't he stays back and fight for the truth? Is this another one of his demur and grandstanding?

He has written hateful invectives against those he doesn't like or political leaders he perceived of unsavoury characters.Reviled and dragged them through the muck without an ounce of guilty conscience. Sometimes, the truth is inconsequential. Sometimes, the truth will never be found.Sometimes, the truth prevails.Sometimes, we all failed to see the truth.

To be fair to him, he has brought openness and exposed abuses in government that many men in the streets wouldn't know of.He has thrown down the gauntlet at those he deems unsavoury.His fearless and insufferable ways have brought the law against him.

Shouldn't he stays back and prove to the people that "the proof of the pudding is in the eating" instead of running away from the law.

"You have made your bed, now lie in it" says an old adage.

Some people think he has left the country.It's unlike him. Once a fighter, always a fighter. He has come all this way, giving up is not a choice he would like to have.

You are a hero of the people, stay back and fight the injustice ?

Is Najib Ready To Dance With Wolves ?

Hantu Laut

Former Prime Minister Tun Mahathir Mohammad must have the crooked bridge very close to his heart. Even before Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak could warm the seat the issue of its resurrection from the ashes of former Prime Minister Abdullah Badawi's bonfire rises faster than the birth of the mythical Phoenix from the ashes of its maternity.

Former Prime Minister Abdullah Badawi and many uninitiated Malaysians and including many too smart for their own good foreign correspondents like this one who wrote for the Telegraph do not understand the benefits such bridge could bring to Malaysia.To them this is just another grandiose project of this crazy old man.

Singapore certainly wouldn't like the idea of such bridge purely to protect its economy particularly its shipping and maritime activities.Singapore is the second busiest port in the world after Shanghai which displaced Rotterdam in 2005.Singapore is also the world's busiest transhipment and bunkering port. Those were the reasons why Singapore is not keen on the crooked bridge because it may steal some of its maritime business if Malaysia could offer more competitive and efficient service. The crooked bridge has its merit, I don't think Mahathir wanted the bridge built for glory.

Mahathir might have forgotten it is now difficult times and a crooked bridge may not be a priority in such economic downturn.Although, he has contributed vastly to the economic growth of the nation, maybe, it's time he tones down a little and leave Najib to conduct his own affairs.

Najib has said that the government has not made any decision to restore the construction of the crooked bridge.

To constantly admonish Najib as he did with Abdullah would have dire effect on UMNO. The situation could be worse with Najib because of the excess baggage he carries.Najib has to do the right things in order to dispel the people negative perception of him.He has to bring about an ethos of good governance.

On the Penanti by-election Najib should not oblige or be obligated to agree with Mahathir.He must show he is a man of his own mind and not succumbs to pressure from anyone, more so, Mahathir.

By-election is Anwar's ball game to keep his shaky coalition alive. There are rumblings in Pakatan because Anwar is not the most democratic politician around and does not believe in consultation as can be seen from his poor handling of the forced resignation of Fairuz Khairuddin as deputy chief minister of Penang and assemblyman for Penanti that left Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng in a huff.

Fairuz claims the MACC has cleared him of any wrongdoing. What is Anwar going to do ? Should an innocent man be punished because of Anwar's political manoeuverings?

Dismantling some of the old regime wilful placards should be Najib's priority if he wishes to regain the trust of the people and to stamp out the three evils ---- corruptions,cronyism and nepotism which have been the reasons of Pak Lah's denigration and eventual loss of office.

Is Najib ready to dance with wolves ?

He has to decide between obligation and obliteration, between Mahathir and the deep blue sea.

Who Is The Prime Minister ?

Hantu Laut

It's different time and different ball game.Former Premier Tun Mahathir should not equate his time with what is happening now.The political landscape has changed.The people dread the long wearying journey under his autocratic regime and are not looking forward to a rendition of it. It may have worked well with his style of leadership then but things have changed, the people have come out of the coconut shell.The kataks are now smarter and liberated.

During his time the opposition was weak, disorganised and in disarray and he was in full control of the politics of the nation making it difficult for the oppositions to make major breakthrough in general elections, let alone in any by-elections. His government won almost all by-elections. A walk in the park.

After having ravaged Abdullah's reputation and successfully ousted him from office many would have thought this grand old man would stop active involvement in politics and leave Najib alone.It appears that Mahathir is not about to give up politics and Najib may be in for a long rough ride and if he is not careful may be weaken by the very same man.He had already criticise some of Najib's choices in the cabinet and termed them unsavoury characters.

Mahathir insisted Najib must allow the BN to contest the Penanti by-election after the prime minister said the BN may not contest the by-election.Mahathir is prepared to lead the campaign in this Anwar's stronghold. Previous elections had shown that the BN is not exactly popular in the areas.

Below are the results of the last two general elections:

PRU - 11
N12: PENANTI: 14,808
1. Anuar Shaari (Keadilan) 5,528
2. Abdul Jalil Abdul Majid (BN-UMNO) 6,195
Majoriti: 667
Jumlah Mengundi: 11,915
Peratus Mengundi: 80.5
Rosak: 192

PRU - 12
N12: PENANTI:15,421
1. MOHAMMAD FAIRUS KHAIRUDDIN 7,346
2. Abdul Jalil Abdul Majid (BN-UMNO) 5,127
Majoriti : 2,219
Jumlah Mengundi :12,657
Peratus Mengundi :82
Rosak :184

Even in 2004, at the height of Abdullah's popularity and a landslide victory for the BN, the BN/UMNO candidate Abdul Jalil Abdul Majid didn't performed that well, getting only majority of 667 votes.

Mahathir might have meant well for Najib and UMNO but the situation have not changed after Abdullah left the scene.The rancor against UMNO and the BN have not subsided in Pakatan controlled areas. It's still in favour of Anwar and Pakatan. Putting an UMNO candidate would be like sending a cow to the abattoir to be slaughtered.

As Prime Minister, Najib should stand by his decision.

Now that Mahathir has made some noises, the whole nation is watching which direction is Najib moving to.

Protester Killed By Police

Hantu Laut

Police brutality and violent handling of protesters is not only happening in Malaysia.In the US and UK cases of police brutality are on the rise with some resulting in death.The difference is, in Malaysia, it can become a hot political issue taken up by the oppositions to discredit the government.In the West it stays as police case investigation by the police or an independent body if the government deemed so.

Read the story below:

From The Times

April 18, 2009

Beaten G20 man Ian Tomlinson ‘died of internal bleeding’

Sean O’Neill and Adam Fresco

The masked policeman caught on film hitting and pushing a man who later died at the G20 protests has been questioned on suspicion of manslaughter.

The Metropolitan Police officer was interviewed under caution earlier this week after a second post-mortem examination concluded that Ian Tomlinson died of severe internal bleeding — contradicting an earlier finding that he had had a heart attack.

Video footage and photographs showed Mr Tomlinson, who was not a protester, being harassed by police dogs, struck by a masked officer and shoved to the ground minutes before he collapsed and died on April 1.

The Independent Police Complaints Commission, which is investigating his death, said: “Following the initial result of the second post-mortem a Metropolitan Police officer has been interviewed under caution for the offence of manslaughter.” The officer, a constable in the Territorial Support Group who has been suspended from duty, attended the interview voluntarily and has not been arrested.Read more.....

Fairus Pakatan's Sacrifical Lamb ?

Hantu Laut

Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak was right when he said there was no need for a by-election for the Penanti state seat. Less than a year after the last general elections the nation had seen 5 by-elections.All won by Pakatan except Batang Ai in Sarawak. Maybe, Sabahans and Sarawakians were better campaigners than their counterparts in the Peninsula.

It is not the money spent on these by-elections that matters.It is the diversion that Anwar planned to eventually break down the BN as they will spend more time defending themselves rather than governing the nation.

The resignation of Mohammad Fairus Khairuddin was forced by Anwar Ibrahim to further his psychological war against the BN. Fairus has not been charged for corruption yet Anwar sees it fits to force him to resign.The statute 'that one is innocent until proven guilty' is not in his lexicon because he has other more important political agenda. Fairus was the ultimate sacrificial lamb. Was the letter of resignation signed recently or was it signed before the March 2008 General Elections?

To maintain his popularity with the people Anwar needs to call for by-election every now and than to remind the people that Pakatan Rakyat is a force to be reckoned with and to re-assure himself that the people are still supporting him and PR. His alter ego necessitates him to take this course of action to keep the momentum of Pakatan popularity going and the road to Putrajaya on track.It is also his ways of keeping the coalition cohesive and intact until the next general elections.

Was it a question of integrity or mere hyperbolic rhetoric to capture the imagination of his supporters that PKR and Pakatan are the people's choice of a clean government? Was Anwar squeaky clean when he was in UMNO ? A question not many of PR supporters would want to know or care about. To them Anwar is infallible and of unquestionable integrity and all of BN leaders are corrupted and rotten to the core.A browse through Malaysian blogosphere would show how impressively loyal, to a fault, the majority of Pakatan supporters were to the Anwar's cause.A gullible lot may not be a far off remark and Pakatan will continue to win by-elections in Pakatan stronghold and denigrate the BN to the gutter by the support of this maddening lot.

Cleaning up the mess will not be easy for Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak unless he has some magic formula.

For a start, as envisaged by Najib, the BN should not contest the Penanti by-election or for that matter any by-election that came from Pakatan stronghold.It should only concentrate to defend those that came from its own constituency.The loss of Kuala Trengganu should not be repeated elsewhere.

It's high time the BN stop giving undue attention to Pakatan and concentrates in regaining its credibility and tackle the economic crisis.

We Are In A Haze! No Rhetoric And Histrionics Please.

Hantu Laut

Is 1 Malaysia going to be like 'Islam Hadari', an oracular slogan , widely misunderstood and nobody knows exactly what it is. The Prime Minister denied it is the same as Malaysian Malaysia promoted by Lee Kuan Yew when Singapore was still in Malaysia.What is it than ?

A slogan without substantive information and without the seriousness and sincerity to implement would end up making the people more weary and distrustful of the government.

With Mahathir we had 'Bersih Cekap Dan Amanah', a complete misnomer because corruptions actually grew under his administration as compared to previous administrations. Under Abdullah we have 'Islam Hadari' every one knows the name but doesn't know what it is and was never implemented other than staying on the lips of the progenitor. Now, under Najib we have '1 Malaysia', a catchy slogan but still a complete mystery to most Malaysians.

Rhetoric and histrionics bespeak the kind of politicians we have on both sides of the political fence.Mere voluble without any element of substance. Political gimmickry at best.Malaysians are more interested in how government actions can translate into benefits for them. Slogans are useless if they don't materialise into actions.

Najib has only three years to bring about drastic change to the government poor image.Recent racialist outbursts by those aligned to the ruling party are not doing him any good and may spoil his attempt to narrow the bridge among the races.He must fully explain his 1 Malaysia concept and how the various races can benefit from it.

The people have had enough of slogans, political bumbling and empty promises.It's time to give the realm of practicality, honesty and reality to the people.Action speaks louder than words.

Najib's government must make certain sacrifices if he seriously want to bring the people back to its fold.

The Dollar Is Still King

Hantu Laut

In November 2008 I wrote on the dominion of the US Dollar in world trades and currency reserves after some pundits predicted the crash of the dollar and its eventual replacement with other currencies. Below is the relevent article:

Will The US Dollar Crash And Be Gone ?

Hantu Laut

Will the US dollar crash and become an insignificant currency? Some pundits have predicted that the use of the dollar would decline and eventually be abandoned as an international currency.

At the moment the dollar is the most important international reserve currency.Many countries pegged their currency to the dollar and some even used it as their de facto currency.It is the currency used most in international trade transactions.Most countries kept their international reserves in dollars.

I believe the world is not yet ready to abandon the dollar or move to a multi-currency monetary system.The next most important currency after the dollar is the Euro which had taken over some of the dollar's role but were not big enough to displace the dollar significantly.Even Airbus, a consortium of European corporations still uses the dollar in its pricing. Read more.........

Below is a recent article written by Philip Bowring of Asia Sentinel:

Hostage to the Dollar
Although everybody would like a different reserve currency, the once-almighty dollar will probably prevail

Positioning and propaganda in the lead-up to the recent G20 meeting in London are at last focusing attention on the role reserve currencies play and the dollar in particular. But change is going to be very hard to achieve.

China has been in the forefront of this by arguing for a greater role for International Monetary Fund units of account, Sor pecial Drawing Rights (SDR) and a big new issue of SDRs. It has also begun to prepare the ground for its currency, the yuan, to play a role by agreeing currency swap deals with central banks of several countries including Malaysia , Indonesia and Argentina. And it has publicly raised concerns about the safety of its US investments in the wake of massive bank bail-out and stimulus deficits to which Washington is committed.

The US, for obvious reasons, is less than keen on changes that would reduce the role of the dollar and hence its ability to fund its deficits in its own currency. Europe may like to see a greater role for the euro but is worried that any move out of the dollar would push the euro too high and damage its trade, and the cautious Germans in particular are worried that a big SDR issue would simply boost future global inflation.Read more.......

Splitting Hairs:The New Kingmakers

Hantu Laut

Malaysian media, opposition leaders and those who are bent on making waves have found a new game called 'Splitting Hairs'.

Some from the Chinese community had taken the new DPM to task for his statement that the Chinese have been unappreciative of what the government have done for the Chinese community all this while and the Chinese were trying to be kingmakers.

The reality is, what Muhyiddin said is true and those who are quick to draw the gun and shoot him down and put him in a bad light were those who likes to split hairs and fish in troubled waters. He was right in his analysis that the Chinese and Indians have deserted the BN, otherwise, how could the BN lose miserably in 4 by-elections in the Peninsula. The bulk of Chinese and Indian votes did go to the opposition coalition. Majority of Malay votes are still with UMNO with exception of certain areas where PAS influence is strong and small section of disgruntled Malays supporting PKR.

Saying the Chinese were trying to be kingmakers was not untrue. The solid Chinese votes for PAS candidates are reflective of their role as kingmakers. Majority of Indians have voted in the same pattern. Muhyiddin was quite right in what he said and I am surprised people like Dr Toh Kin Woon and those from both the oppositions and BN components, MCA and Gerakan took exception to his honest opinion.

There is no fair play in politics and being called a kingmaker is not an insult. It's more a compliment of one's ability.

Thanks to Anwar Ibrahim, the Malays, Chinese and Indians are more divided now than ever before. His 'Bangsa Malaysia' is a call in the wilderness and a pipe dream.It can only happen if he forms one multi-racial party.How can there be racial unity and one bangsa if he uses the same formula as the BN.

For Muhyiddin it may be good for him to know that 'unappreciative' and 'ungrateful' can carry the same meaning depending in what context it is used and as politician, sometimes, these words are better left unsaid.

Those who are hell-bent on making trouble will have their own suternine concoctions of shit stirring.

Diberi Betis Nak Peha : Three Ministers and Five Deputies ?

Diberi betis nak peha.

After being trashed at the polls.This guy must be joking !

Jebat Must Die's Most Profound.

Discussing Malaysian democracy

April 13, 2009 by jebatmustdie

I have been meaning to post this article for the past couple of weeks but had decided to wait till today where I think the political atmosphere is much calmer. Anyway, a month ago I received this comment from Mojojojo regarding what he / she theorise as Malaysian Democracy and what constitutes and differentiate between our own social political structure and with those of other countries. I believe his / hers is a valuable insight into what the current mindset of some Malaysians have regarding this country of ours . I must thank Mojojojo for writing an excellent brief analysis for us to read and also, I am putting this out as a prelude to a future article of mine, God willing.

__________________________________________________________________________

I feel compelled to comment only because i find it difficult to comprehend the sheer naivete or perhaps it is the scarily fervent belief of the followers of certain political leaders in the almost messianic qualities of those leaders, who in the eyes of their followers can apparently do no wrong.

To those few who are so ‘taksub’ or fixated on the exaggerated and over-rated concept which is ‘ketuanan rakyat’, i wish to offer my take.

Going back to the original conception of democracy by the Greeks, the etymology of which comes from 2 words, i.e. demos (people) and kratos (initially power, force, strength, etc. Over time, evolving to mean rule or government), it would appear that the precedent for ‘ketuanan rakyat’ is clearly established.

However, even the brightest of them, i.e. Socrates, Plato and others were united in their belief that to hand over rule to the people would result in utter chaos for the greek city states. In essence, they considered that rule or governance was best exercised by a group of learned men. Of course, this may be simplifying this account to a great extent - but the foundations and precedents laid then reverberate and continue to ring true even today.

Thousands of years later, and in Malaysia no less, the prescience concerning the fallacy of rule by the people is being played out.

Unfortunately, the serious lack of political and administrative leadership of the present administration has resulted in a vacuum in which a pretender - supported by a cadre of fearsome and narrow-minded enforcers, purports to be the only saviour of the country to bring about a so called new dawn for Malaysia. The cult of personality around this person defies belief, which urgently brings to my mind the important lessons of Orwell’s Animal Farm.

I do not claim to have any solution to the seemingly intractable differences at home, only wishing to share my observations. In my view, the leaders of PR, despite the public shows and utterances of solidarity with the man in the street are in my humble opinion no different than the so-called crooks which they claim to have been in power for too long. It is now their time they say, their time to perhaps plunder and drive even deeper divisions.

It should not escape attention that the rise of violence in Malaysian politics coincides with the rise of PKR. Instead of cooling down the flames of animosity, certain PKR leaders appear to be fanning those flames, with scant regard for the consequences of their actions, as long as it yields them the seat of power.

In terms of what i believe constitute the primary elements of democracy, i am of the view that its definition hinges on its interpretation and more importantly, its implementation. I believe that we first need to have a clear idea of what democracy itself should mean for us. In our case, i believe that the best democracy for Malaysia takes into account the particularities of Malaysia’s social, economic, demographic and political landscape, among others.

In this regard, i am of the view that the kind of democracy that Malaysia should be is the one that has been decided by our leaders who negotiated Malaysia’s independence. I believe that the agreement then was acceptable to and endorsed by all communities and stakeholders.

The success of the approach mapped out then, particularly in terms of balancing and accounting for the interests of all communities is evidenced by the fact that now, 50 or so years on, Malaysia is no longer the colonial backwater it once was. Equally important is the fact that since independence, Malaysia as a country has been able to maintain a more or less independent approach, both in terms of its economic planning and foreign policy. In this context, you will find me staunchly opposing any section of our society that seeks to renegotiate the terms agreed by our founding fathers.

I do not pretend that the prosperity which has and continues to be bestowed on Malaysia has benefitted all communities equally, some have benefitted more than others. However, the fact that there remains pockets of marginalised and underdeveloped segments of society do not in any way justify the blatantly racist, poisonous and prejudiced accusations such as those espoused by HINDRAF leaders.

In my humble view, People Power, wielded injudiciously as we have witnessed in the Philippines and continue to witness in Thailand, cannot work. I believe that while it can function as a preliminary catalyst, it ultimately fails when its principles eventually need to be translated into practicable policies and actions. To me, people power inevitably spawns populist policies and measures which in turn require and rely on populist politicians to see them through. Given the flip-flopping posture and populist pandering, and not to mention the divergence and inconsistencies in positions among PR components themselves, i’ve become even more convinced that it would be an unmitigated disaster if PR were to helm the federal government . Read more......

Should Sabah Have A Coal Fired Power Plant ?

Hantu Laut

The long outstanding and most pressing problem facing the people on the East Coast of Sabah is the acute shortage of power supply. Constant disruption of power supply has affected businesses and development in the areas.

The state government may have to decide soon whether to listen to the environmentalists or the people at large. There were strong oppositions from environmental groups citing pollution as the reason they are against the use of coal.

The following are reasons for objection given by an environmental group in Sandakan:

30 Reasons Why Sabah Does Not Need a Coal-fired Power Plant

Tenaga Nasional Berhad (TNB) and its subsidiary, Sabah Electricity Sdn. Bhd. (SESB), have been ardently lobbying on behalf of an Independent Power Provider (IPP) called Lahad Datu Energy Sdn. Bhd. to set up a 300 megawatt coal-fired power plant in Sabah since 2007. Having failed in their efforts to build the project in Lahad Datu, they are now focusing their attention in trying to move the plant to Sandakan.

Political leaders, Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs), stakeholders, ordinary citizens and even TNB and SESB have spoken about the negative effects of coal-fired plants. They have voiced their concern regarding marine and forest ecology destruction, acid rain, biodiversity imbalance, mercury in food, health and welfare of future generations, depleting seafood source, global warming and climate change, destruction of famous tourism attraction sites, alternate and renewal energy options, economics of running a coal-fired fired plant and many other related issues. Read more.............

A TRIBUTE TO MAHATHIR: ARCHITECT OF MODERN MALAYSIA

Hantu Laut

Mahathir still carries that mixed aura of love, hate and fear.This is the man you either love or hate and both can be just as intense. He has had the greatest influence over the lives of Malaysians, more than any other prime minister before him. He has been the longest serving prime minister and one that have brought the nation to greater height.

When he became prime minister in 1982 I was still in my youth. Now, almost 27 years later I must admit I have less stamina than our octogenarian ex-premier, a man endowed with so much energy and sound mental faculty, putting many younger men to shame.

I wrote the article below in September 2007, just a few months after I started blogging.

Sunday, September 16, 2007

A TRIBUTE TO MAHATHIR; ARCHITECT OF MODERN MALAYSIA

HANTU LAUT

Tun Mahathir had his second heart bypass a week ago, eighteen years after his first. Not many man of his age could physically and emotionally be strong enough to go through such operation without fear of complications.The doctor operating him proclaimed him an octogenarian in a sexagenarian body. A man endowed with good physical and mental health that can only come from someone who leads a disciplined lifestyle.A close friend once joked and told me "Mahathir refuses to die before he sees Badawi out of office".

The day he was sacked from UMNO by the the late Tungku Abdul Rahman and his controversial book, the 'Malay Dilemma', which the Tungku took as an insult to the Malay race, was actually a book of self-examination and self-criticism... where and why the Malays have gone wrong and how to correct the social imbalance with other races in the country. He hasn't stopped trying ever since.

Mahathir, probably didn't realize that he has gone against the natural flow of Malay culture. The culture of subservience. An 'adat' of not questioning the elders, no matter how wrong they were. Such 'adat' exists, not only in the Malay culture, but in many other Asian culture.

During his tenure as Prime Minister he was probably the most misunderstood man. He has become an enigma to his own people.During his twenty two years in power he was also not short of controversies.He has thrown in prison opposition leaders, politicians to professionals and anyone whom he perceived as subversive element endangering security of the nation.Many Malaysians took this as an unpleasant behaviour of a dictator.As those who read Shakepeares would remember what Brutus told the people of Rome "Not that I loved Ceaser less, but that I loved Rome more." Mahathir has the notion. He is prepared to sacrifice your personal liberty if he thinks you are a risk to the bigger number.

Any deviant Islamist movement that posed threats to national security would be nipped in the butt during his time.On hind sight, we may have to thank him for his foresight and prompt action to arrest those deviant groups before they become too influential and irretrievably entrenched in the Muslim community. Malaysia, so far had been spared from terrorist's attacks. Al-Qaeida had not been able to make any foothold here. The Philippines and Indonesia weren't as lucky.Pakistan, a country with strong Islamist movement is now becoming a hot bed for terrorism and a potential candidate of a failed state. Civil disobedience and suicide bombing are growing with each passing day.

On the 19th November 1985, a chartered MAS Airbus full of government officials, politicians and Malaysian businessmen was on it way to Beijing, China. Also on board was Prime Minister Mahathir Mohammad.It was a trade mission and the first visit by a Malaysian Prime Minister to China.I was one of the passengers on that aircraft.

Two hours out of Kuala Lumpur we received a terrible news about a massacre in Memali.The initial report was sketchy and gave heavy casualties on both sides. A much clearer picture emerged when we arrived Beijing.The toll was 14 Islamists dead, 4 policemen killed and an unknown number injured.

Mahathir, by the stroke of good luck escaped the tragic moment and the eventual blame. Deputy Prime Minister Musa Hitam has to carry the burden for the tragic loss of lives and was accused of gross negligence and mishandling of the crisis. Incidentally, the leader of the group, Ibrahim Mahmud, also known as Ibrahim Libya used to worked as a prosecutor in the Religious division of the Prime Minister's Department.A graduate of Al-Azhar University in Cairo he pursued further religious courses in India and Libya. He must have picked up the extreme version of Islam while in Libya. He was also an active member of PAS.

Another dark chapter in the nation's political history was the Sabah state elections in 1985 where PBS, an opposition party in the state won the elections with a simple majority. A power grab ensued,engineered by sore losers in Berjaya. Having won only 6 seats the dawn raiders used Tun Mustapha of USNO which won 16 seats giving them a coalition of only 22 seats to justify Mustapha to be sworn in as Chief Minister. The rightful candidate Joseph Pairin whose party garnered 26 seats was barred from entering the Istana for swearing in as the rightful chief minister.

By a stroke of good luck, Mahathir was again outside the country.It fell on Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Musa Hitam to deal with the crisis. With a clear conscience and respect for democracy Musa averted an international outcry by advising the Yang Dipertuan Negeri to swear in Joseph Pairin. Mustapha, who has been sworn in earlier took the case to court but lost.After 11 months in office, PBS decided to call a fresh election and won with a bigger majority, collecting 34 out of 48 state seats.

Mahathir, certainly has not been free from faults. The rotation system for the Chief Minister of Sabah was a bad political decision.The system had put back the development of the state significantly behind other states in Malaysia due to break in continuity of a stable administration.If not for his high-handed ways people like Yong Tet Lee, Bernard Dompok and Chong Kah Kiat would never had a chance to be Chief Minister.

The constant bickering amongst the Sabah leaders and their selfishness were probably the reasons for the unconstitutional decision. I wouldn't completely blame Mahathir for it, he probably saw it as a suitable solution to the Sabahan problems.It's the greedy Sabah leaders who should take much of the blame. Even now, they are still harping on the issue of rotation. More ridiculous, there are people in Sabah UMNO who think the seat should be rotated amongst UMNO state leaders, a kind of Sabah UMNO musical chair.

Whatever wrongs he has done during his tenure as Prime Minister, he has done more for the good of the nation.The accelerated development of Malaysia from a tropical backwater into a modern nation was due to his visions and efforts. The whole GDP outlook changed during his time, from an agricultural based economy to multi-sector economy. Great emphasis was given in infrastructural developments. Major development of highways, ports, airports and other infrastructures were given priority.

The Penang Bridge at one time condemned and criticised by the oppositions as a megalomania and wasteful project has now reached maximum capacity. A second bridge is now needed to ease traffic congestion. Some of his seemingly grandiose projects, the butt of jokes and unfair criticism, are now the pride of the nation.

In 1982, when he took over office of Prime Minister, the Malaysia's GDP(at official exchange rate) was US$26.79 billion.In 2006, the GDP was US$138 billion.Much of the momentum for growth was set during his time.

In the early eighties, travel time by car from Kuala Lumpur to Singapore would take six hours or more.A nightmarish drive behind endless convoy of slow moving trucks and cars with little space for overtaking. A depressingly tense journey.Overtaking another vehicle is a risky business and a gamble with your life. Now, with the new highways, Singapore is just a stone's throw away from KL, a drive of less than 3 hours. When he first announced a toll system for the highways there were huge uproar from the opposition political parties and general public.Would anyone complain now that the new highways have cut down their travelling time and safer than before? Yes, they do.Malaysians want everything free.

Mahathir, is a man who learned a lot from observations.Things he sees on his visits to other countries which he thinks benefical to Malaysia would be introduced. His never ending search to pull the country out of the rut and on to the world stage have been met with scepticism, not only at home but also from the international community, particularly the West, whom were not exactly friendly with him.

Mahathir is a man of true grit. He will do what he had to do.No amount of criticism can discourage or stop him.

This man had a burning desire to rehabilitate the Malays.He had diagnosed the problem and believed he has the right prescription. He wanted them to excel in every fields particularly in commerce and industry.He wanted them to be good businessmen and leaders of industry. He wanted to build up the number of wealthy Malays in the hope that they would one day be the biggest contributor to the Malaysian economy and would then help other Malays to climb the corporate ladder. Many government owned companies were privatised to selected Malays whom he believed to have entrepreneurship qualities.He wanted them to be respected by their non-Malay peers.Unfortunately, many of those he helped had disappointed him. Good companies given on the platter were eventually wrecked by mismanagement, incompetence, greed and selfishness. MAS was one of his biggest mistakes. Others, like Pewaja, UEM and many others have incurred huge losses due to mismanagement and corruptions.

Towards the end his fifth term in office, Mahathir had become very unpopular with his own people. The very people he tried very hard to help to change their mindset and progress with the time.The Malays have no more room for him.They have had enough of his domineering ways and often insulting remarks about his kinships. They wanted him out but nobody has the balls to tell him. Nobody knew how much support he stills has.Many complained that he had become a liability to the party but none dare tell him in his face.

On June 22, 2002, Mahathir dropped the biggest bombshell and made a big sacrifice by announcing his resignation as prime minister at the 56th UMNO General Assembly. The delegates were caught by surprise and were in shocking disbelief as there wasn't even a whimper of what they just heard.There was chaos on the floor as delegates tried to make sense of what they just heard.

Sobbing Mahathir was quickly surrounded by senior UMNO officials. The first to reach him were Rafidah Aziz and Hishammudin Onn, pleading and sobbing that he reconsiders his decision. Abdullah Badawi, his deputy requested the delegates to reject his resignation. Mahathir was shunted out of the hall to a closed door meeting. Behind closed doors deals were worked out.

The 'sandiwara' ended with slight deferment to the date of his stepping down. It was later announced that Mahathir will stay on until October 2003 after hosting the OIC Summit.

Mahathir finally stepped down in October 2003 and was replaced by his anointed successor, Abdullah Badawi. Within less than two years the two men have drifted apart.Mahathir continually attacked Badawi for having reneged on his promises.

Mahathir, once the most powerful man in the country, revered and feared by some, hated and feared by some, had become a thorn in the flesh of Abdullah and members his cabinet.The very same people who kissed his hand when he was the giver and the Prime Minister. Mahathir lamented "Melayu senang lupa"(Malays easily forget)

Mahathir didn't have to resign.With his good health he could still carry on for at least another term or two.

Without the slightest doubt, the man resigned to save UMNO from the humiliation of not doing well at the poll because of him. A good leader knew when his tenancy has expired, the one who didn't tend to overstay.

Abdullah's government is now fighting an uphill battle to keep its creditability.The recent exposure by the the Auditor-General of massive mismanagement and corruptions in a number of Ministries and the costly bail-out of the PKFZ would have serious repercussions on the BN in future general elections.

Whatever his enemies say, history will be kind to Mahathir.

Absolute Nonsense

Hantu Laut

Just because I don't support PAS and Pakatan doesn't mean I am against my own religion and there was nothing against Islam in my article.It was a comparison of what had happened in Pakistan and what can happen in Malaysia in the future. It is within my democratic rights not to support PAS and Pakatan and it is also my democratic right if I support UMNO and the BN.

I have removed the article which Raja Petra is trying to sensationalise.

I must thank Raja Petra for the terrific amount of traffic he has brought to my blog.
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Due to popular demand I have brought back the article.Please read to your heart's content and see for yourself whether there is anything insulting to Islam.

Even the Muslims in Pakistan were outraged by what the Talibans did to the young girl and asking the Pakistani army to wipe them out.Are they insulting Islam? The whole world were outraged. The video was shown on all news channels of the world, CNN,BBC,Al-Jazeera and many more.

Al-Jazeera is a Muslim news network are they insulting Islam by showing the video.

Is not supporting PAS/Pakatan insulting Islam ?

I would like to know.

I have let the comments box opened to show how nasty, uneducated and dangerous Pakatan supporters are.

May God save this country from Pakatan rule.

Anyone who think the article deserves a police report, please go ahead.

Read Raja Petra's incendiary and embellished version here.

Vote For PAS/Pakatan ? Certainly Not!

Hantu Laut

Vote for Pakatan and you would probably be taking Malaysia on the road to this:

WARNING: This video contains images some people may find disturbing.

PAS have been harping of passing hudud law in this country.The graphic video above is a punishment under hudud law.That was for a minor offence but for more serious offence like stealing, no matter how small, the cutting of limbs are the appropriate punishment. Public executions are common practices in hudud law.If one was later found innocent those limbs could not be re-attached. Under hudud law miscarriage of justice is absolutely irreversible.

The DAP and PKR are helping Malaysia to eventually becoming a true republic and a truly Islamic nation with the prospect of 'hudud law'.

Pakistan is an example of a country that have all the making of a modern nation but where politics have gone terribly wrong because of religion and religious deviants. The Talibans claimed they are practising the purest form of Islam. They are nothing but religious deviants. Islam doesn't teach it followers to kill innocent civilians in the name of the religion.

If PAS get the most MP seats, which is not impossible, among the three partners in the next general elections whom do you think would be prime minister of this nation?

Anwar Ibrahim ?

Among the three, his party has been the most troublesome and eventually would be the weakest.

Don't kid yourself that this will never happen here.

Vote for Pakatan ? Certainly not me.

Read Raja Petra's incendiary and embellished version here.

The Burning Of Sabah Flags

Hantu Laut

The police nabbed 12 people including a man who claimed to be a descendant of the Sultan of Sulu, for burning Sabah state flags in the town centre of Lahad Datu. Police is investigating the motive.All are of Suluk descend between the age of 14 and 41. The Suluks, Bajaus and Iranuns are people coming from the same ethnic sub-group of the Austronesian family.In other word they are considered as Malays.

Has it got to do with the Philippines claim to Sabah or the recent appointment of a Suluk to one of the highest positions in UMNO? 

Shafie Apdal, a Suluk, was elected as one of the vice-presidents of UMNO.Shafie came from the east coast of Sabah where there are big concentration of these people and where the porous border gave them the freedom to criss-cross the border freely and without using any travel document.

All have Malaysian MyCard.Whether they are truly Malaysians or illegal immigrants it is difficult to tell and worse still if the policemen assigned to investigate the case came from Peninsula Malaysia, than they wouldn't know the different between a local Suluk and those from southern Philippines.

They burned the Sabah flags ?

Carried flags resembling 'Richard The Lionheart' flag.

Whilst Lionheart's flag bore three lions, the flag they carry only have one lion.

Islam Under Siege: Those Bloody Talibans

Hantu Laut

This can happen to us if we allow the religious fanatics and deviants take over this country.

Pakistan is on the way to becoming a failed state and a danger to the rest of the world. Because of its nuclear capability the world will be in great danger if those nuclear arsenal fall into the wrong hands.The hands of the religiously misguided Talibans.

The present leadership is too weak, incompetent, corrupted and rotten to the core to be able to take care of the worsening situation.

Asif Ali Zardari is a known crook and a suspected murderer. He made a pact with the devil.He made a pact with the Talibans and allowed them to rule the Swat valley under the Taliban's brand of Islamic law.

Pakistan should forget about democracy and should go back to military rule.What's the use of democracy if your country is going to the dogs.

I was against the invasion of Iraq and Afghanistan. Pakistan ? Yes, go ahead, invade it, before it's too late.

An ultimatum should be given to the Pakistani government to wipe out the Talibans in the next six months failing which an international invasion force should be deployed to take over the country and wipe out the Talibans.A UN international force headed by the US should be considered to spearhead the invasion.

Do not underestimate the madness of these religious deviants. If they can use suicide bombers to kill innocent civilians they will have no qualms about using weapon of mass destruction.

Outcry in Pakistan after video of a 17-year-old girl's flogging by the Taliban is shown on TV

• Taliban spokesman says 'they did the right thing'
• Renewed controversy over peace deal in Swat valley

• Declan Walsh in Islamabad
• The Guardian, Saturday 4 April 2009
• Article history

WARNING: This video contains images some people may find disturbing Link to this video

The Pakistani government has ordered an inquiry into the flogging of a 17-year-old woman by Taliban militants in the troubled Swat valley, after public outrage triggered by shocking video footage of the punishment.

The images, played yesterday on private television channels, show a burka-clad woman being pinned to the ground by two men while a third whips her backside 34 times. The woman is seen screaming and begging for mercy as a crowd of largely silent men look on. She is accused of having had an illegal sexual relationship, according to local law. Her brother is among those restraining her.

President Asif Ali Zardari led a wave of public condemnation, and ordered the arrest of the perpetrators. Prime minister Yousaf Raza Gilani termed it "shocking" and called for an immediate inquiry. At the supreme court, the newly reinstated chief justice, Iftikhar Chaudhry, summoned officials to a hearing scheduled for Monday to investigate the incident.

"Our constitution allows no space for such public brutality, and our civilisation and culture have no tolerance for it either," said Sherry Rehman, a former information minister.

But the talk of arrests and inquiries are unlikely to amount to much. The Pakistan government's writ has all but collapsed in Swat, where armed militants loyal to a hardline preacher named Maulana Fazlullah have taken control. The teenage woman was flogged in Kabbal, a remote district where Taliban rule is the law. An order by the chief justice to produce the woman in Islamabad next Monday is unlikely to be heeded.

Muslim Khan, a Taliban spokesman, defended the punishment as appropriate under Islamic law, but said it should have been applied by a pre-pubescent boy in a private setting. "She had to be punished," he told Geo News. "The punishment administered by local Taliban was in our knowledge and they did the right thing, but the method was wrong."

Read more......

Anwar Running Out Of Silver Bullets

Hantu Laut

A miss is as good as a mile they say and it looks like with Najib at the helm the distance between Anwar and the coveted title may have stretched far apart. An infinite journey for Anwar unless the bomb he planned to drop tonight has something to do with him staging another coup.

In his usual tongue in cheek style he ridiculed Najib releasing of the 13 ISA detainees quoting inconsistency.

Certainly, I don't expect Anwar to be jumping with joy and showers Najib with accolades. His strong advocate against the ISA and his negative response against Najib's recent actions shows his own inconsistency.Does he expect those people to be locked up for life? They must be a time when they have to be released from detention. Depending on the severity of their crime some may have to stay longer.

He said "Pakatan Rakyat still protests against this draconian law. They can still detain, then release, detain and release. Where is the justice? What kind of government is this?"

When he was in UMNO and was deputy prime minister he didn't talked like this.He was quite happy helping to lock up those who criticised the government with his eyes wide open and his conscience locked. What kind of politician is he?

He said UMNO is a party of flip-flops and in his usual demagogic rendering said "When we said the RM7 billion economic stimulus package was not enough, they said, no, this is enough. Then Najib announced a new RM60 billion plan and they said we support it. When the government called the detainees terrorists, they supported. Now it says they are suddenly innocent and they also support."

Anwar Ibrahim appears to have run out of silver bullets and is taking potshots at Najib.

Najib:He Is No Wimp !

Hantu Laut

He defies expectation of an authoritarian rule predicted by many.Surprises that have thrown the oppositions and skeptics in utter disbelief and one that may influence the outcome of the three by-elections.

Although to early to tell, Najib had started on the right footing, doing what the ethnocentric leaders in UMNO had refused to do for decades.A prime minister who has his ears to the ground will go a long way.

He has on his first day as prime minister did the unthinkable and the unexpected.He released 13 ISA detainees including some Hindraf leaders and lifted the suspension of two opposition publications - Harakah and Suara Keadilan. He has also indicated that his government will comprehensively review the ISA which has been a thorny issue and a rallying point for the oppositions.

Although, I don't expect him to abolish the ISA in totality, I believe he would find ways and means to fine tune it and to bring it in line with the justice system. I am not against the ISA and Seditious Acts as long as they are not abused by those in power and only used in its proper context.

One can now see that Najib is not a wimp or going to be wimpish and intimidated by the warlords in UMNO. His assertiveness to deal with a situation is a good sign.

As he has said earlier to judge him by his actions.

Throw Out A Good Man, Installed A Crook

Hantu Laut

This could, if it happens, be the most dangerous failed state ever.The clock is ticking waiting for the day the extremists and religious fanatics to take over the state and throw the world into utter chaos and possible nuclear holocaust.

Pakistan is now moving much faster than before into becoming a failed state and a nightmare for the rest of the world. The Talibans, the most extreme of all Islamists, had taken over the Swat valley in the north just 100 miles from the capital Islamabad.The government is powerless and have surrendered the territory to this hordes of mad men.

Throw out a good man and installed a known crook, this is what you get.

Can Pakistan Be Governed?

TO ENTER the office where Asif Ali Zardari, the president of Pakistan, conducts his business, you head down a long corridor toward two wax statues of exceptionally tall soldiers, each in a long, white tunic with a glittering column of buttons. On closer inspection, these turn out to be actual humans who have been trained in the arts of immobility. The office they guard, though large, is not especially opulent or stupefying by the standards of such places. President Zardari met me just inside the doorway, then seated himself facing a widescreen TV displaying an image of fish swimming in a deep blue sea. His party spokesman, Farhatullah Babar, and his presidential spokesman, Farahnaz Ispahani, sat facing him, almost as rigid as the soldiers. Zardari is famous for straying off message and saying odd things or jumbling facts and figures. He is also famous for blaming his aides when things go wrong — and things have been going wrong quite a lot lately. Zardari’s aides didn’t want him to talk to me. Now they were tensely waiting for a mishap.

The president himself, natty in a navy suit, his black hair brilliantined to a sheen, was the very picture of ease. Zardari beamed when we talked about New York, where he often lived between 2004, when he was released from prison after eight years, and late 2007, when he returned to Pakistan not long after his wife, Benazir Bhutto, was assassinated by terrorists. For all that painful recent history, Zardari is a suave and charming man with a sly grin, and he gives the impression of thoroughly enjoying what must be among the world’s least desirable jobs. Zardari had just been through the most dangerous weeks of his six months in office. He dissolved the government in Punjab, Pakistan’s dominant state, and called out the police to stop the country’s lawyers and leading opposition party from holding a “long march” to demand the reinstatement of Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry, who had been sacked, along with most of the high judiciary, by Zardari’s predecessor, Gen. Pervez Musharraf. Zardari defused the situation only by allowing Chaudhry’s return to office and giving in to other demands that he had previously and repeatedly rejected.

Yet, despite this spectacular reversal, the president was not in a remotely penitent state of mind over his handling of the protests against him. “Whoever killed my wife was seeking the Balkanization of Pakistan,” he told me. “There is a view that I saved Pakistan then” — by calling for calm at a perilous moment — “and there is a view that by making this decision I saved Pakistan again.” There had been, he said, a very real threat of a terrorist attack on the marchers on their way to Islamabad. That is why his government invoked a statute dating back to the British raj in order to authorize the police to arrest protesters and prevent the march from forming. I pointed out that Benazir Bhutto faced a far more specific threat and was outraged when General Musharraf kept her from speaking on the pretext of protecting her. The president didn’t miss a beat. “And therefore,” he rejoined, “we moved to the other side”: that is, he reversed his order to the police, and permitted the protesters’ march, just before giving in to their demands altogether. Read more....

Lure Of The Lucre And Bangkok Came To Bukit Gantang.

Hantu Laut

In Batang Ai both sides claim to have over whelming support and would win the by-election.What I heard through the grapevine is that the BN has the edge in this constituency.The people of Batang Ai may not be ready for change yet.

In Bukit Selambau, Kedah the crowded boxing ring is getting too too hot for the independents, attracted by the lure of the lucre but didn't get much attention from PKR and the BN. Both sides of the fence gave them both the lower and tall orders.All will lose their deposits. BN appears to be gaining ground but too early to tell.

In Bukit Gantang the Malays beginning to warm up to the BN but not good enough for a win without the Chinese and Indians supports. BN says it is not a referendum for Najib, Pakatan says it is. Pakatan has all the reasons not to lose this one.BN is in desperate mode here bringing half-naked singers and dancers to entertain the people in a Chinese fishing village and Zaid Hamidi says this is part of Chinese culture.

Look more like Western-influenced go-go dancers in Bangkok nightclubs.



Bukan budaya Cina lah ! Brother Zaid ! Yang lebih tepat ini budaya orang Barat yang disebar dan tersebar diseluruh dunia.

Sacrilegious ?

Hantu Laut

I can understand not to mention or ridicule the Sultan of Perak decision on the Perak crisis but why would mentioning Altantuya name is now considered sacrilegious.

If the Home Ministry acted on this just to carry balls of the new PM than it certainly is not good news for Najib and UMNO. Not a good move at all.

Najib has in no uncertain term said he has nothing to do with the girl and have sworn that he had never met her. There are no evidence that can tie him to the girl.The purported photograph, other than the one doctored by Tian Chua, have never made an appearance. Malaysians should give him the benefit of the doubt and stop the mud-slinging.

Anwar Ibrahim and the oppositions can say umpteen times her name and till kingdom come, if he is innocent he should not worry.

He should take them to the cleaners, otherwise, it wouldn't stop.