Hantu Laut
The answer is definitely NO!
There are serious flaws in this writer's exposition and I have to accept with bemused resignation that she was no student of history and did absolutely no research before putting her opinion to the pen.A good writer but succumbed to unfounded and excoriating oppositions propaganda and disinformation.One should write with the head not the heart.
Apart from no allowing street demonstrations, for all intents and purposes, Malaysia is still a very democratic country and adopts a capitalist approach to its economy.It has never failed to call a general elections when it's due.The ISA may be a necessary evil due to the delicate nature of our ethnic composition.
Just for the heck of it, let's compare those Arab countries with Malaysia,
Let us start with Tunisia, how it became a sovereign nation and how the leaders came to power.
Tunisia gained independence from France in 1957 as a republic led by its first President Habib Bourguiba.In March 1975 the Tunisian National Assembly voted Bourguiba president for live.In November 1987 he was toppled by Ben Ali in a coup d'etat.Ben Ali started off good but eventually became a dictator and had 24 years of uninterrupted rule. The country have known only two leaders over a period of 54 years and both ruled the country with an iron fish.
Though, all came from the same ruling party, Malaysia have had 6 prime ministers over the same period.
By comparison Tunisia is considered a poor country with GDP of US9500.00 against Malaysia's US14700.00.About 8-10 percent of Tunisians live below the poverty line but are better off than their Egyptian counterparts because of its smaller population.
Egypt gained independence in 1953.Egyptians have known only 3 presidents up till today.They were Nasser, Sadat and Mubarak.The first president Mohammad Naguib was only in office for 16 months when the country got rid of the monarch and declared itself a republic.
Some 30 percent of Egyptians live below the poverty line earning less than US$60.00 a month and live in abject poverty, with limited food supply, poor and overcrowded housing and inadequate access to clean water, good quality health care and education.If you live on that kind of wage you have two options, you either become a beggar or a thief.
Very few Malaysians earned less than US$200.00 a month.
With a population of 80 million against 28 million for Malaysia it is not belittling to say the Egyptian economy is in a shambles because of improbity, Egypt's GDP is below that of Malaysia.Egypt's per capita for 2010 stood at US$6200.00 against Malaysia's US$14780.00
Libya is not even worth to put a comparison to. Its mainstay is oil and the small population gave it a false per capita GDP reading as most of the oil revenue go to corruptions, mainly the pockets of Gaddafi, his family and his cronies.
After disposing King Idris in a coup d'etat in 1969 Muammar Gaddafi, a captian in the army with his junior officer co-conspirators abolished the constitution and made Libya a republic.
Gaddafi has ruled the nation with blatant disregard for human rights ever since.
Libya has a per capita of US$13800.00 and if anyone believed it is fairly distributed to the population than they should decry the revolution and go out and save Gaddafi.
What does it tells you?
It tells you many crucial things about Malaysia, that it is still a democratic country and to a great extent practising free market economy.That's why you have many billionaires, millionaires and significant middle class in the country.Unlike, the Arabs, no leaders or prime ministers had or ever attempt to abolish or abrogate the constitution to deprive the basic human rights of its citizens.It also shows that Malaysia has, over the years, executed sound economic policies that have given it moderate economic growth.It may not be the best in the region but it is better than many other countries.We are ranked 30th in the world's GDP ranking.Not too bad for a small nation of 28 million.With the new economic reforms we should do better.We have one of the lowest below the poverty line.Only about 5 percent of Malaysians live below the poverty line according to the CIA Factbook.
Corruptions, should be our main concern, this is where we should spare greater effort to combat the sickness .Though, I agree with her on the worrying degree of corruptions in the country I don't believe that there would be less corruptions with Pakatan taking over the helm.Many politicians in Pakatan bound for the higher office are cut from the same cloth.
She wrote "Najib is in denial for there are many similarities between the two countries. The Egyptians were fed up with the repressive rule of Hosni Mubarak. The reasons for their dissatisfaction were mainly financial. They were angry with life in the autocratic police state, of poor living conditions, economic stagnation, unemployment, corruption and abuses by the police"
I have done business with that region for almost 20 years.
No! Malaysia do not have the same similarities as those godforsaken places.
This one is even more idiosyncratic, political backwashing from a flat in London.
Everyone wants Taib out but would he flutters and falls?
Not likely, he would lose some seats to the oppositions but he and the BN should prevail to rule Sarawak again.
Showing posts with label Middle East. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Middle East. Show all posts
Monday, February 28, 2011
Wednesday, February 23, 2011
People's Power:Who's Next ?
Hantu Laut
It started most unexpectedly in Tunisia that dethroned Ben Ali's 24- year rule , spilled over to Egypt that forced out Hosni Mubarak's 30 year totalitarian regime.Spread like wildfire to Yemen, Bahrain and Libya which have not flared up completely but are likely to end up in the same fashion.
The waves of people power that first engulfed Tunisia seemed contagious to spread even more.
Libya, the most unexpected, is on the verge of collapse that will see the longest serving Arab despot exiled or dead.A leader with a penchant for Bedouin tents, heavily armed female bodyguards and blond Ukrainian nurses had mind-caged his people for over 40 years under rule of fear.
US President Ronald Reagan called him a "mad dog" and bombed Libya in 1986 in retaliation of the West Berlin disco bombing by Libyan agents that killed 2 American servicemen and a woman and wounding 200 others.Subsequent event, the tragic bombing of Pan Am Flight 103 over Lockerbie, Scotland that killed 270 people linked to Libyan agents. The US accused Gaddafi of sponsoring terrorism and got the UN Security Council to pass trade and economic sanctions on Libya.Sanction was lifted in 2003.
Libya, is now a war zone of civil unrest that have turned bloody with Gaddafi using the might of his military to crack down fiercely on demonstrators against his 42-year despotic rule.Over 500 civilians have been killed by the army and forces friendly to him.
In pure desperation to hang on to power Gaddafi even deployed fighter jets and helicopters to strafe protesters and civilian population.Two of his pilots refused to obey the order defected to Malta with the jet fighters and the pilots seeking political asylum.Obviously, he wanted to inflict maximum collateral damage to scare the population.
The current trouble in Libya seemed imminent that Gaddafi days are numbered.He has resorted to excessive violence and bloodshed to stay in power.He vowed to fight to the end and die as a martyr.A tyrant or despot is more befitting of him.Killing your own people to preserve yourself does not make one a martyr.
He appears to be losing support of his army.Of the 45,000 strong regular army only about 5000 are still loyal to him.It was reported that he has ordered oil sabotage by blowing up pipelines to the Mediterranean.He may be copying Saddam's scorch earth policy when the Iraqi army exited Kuwait.
The story is the same wherever you go in the Arab world, despotic rule and leaders taking liberty of the nations wealth and couldn't care two hoots about the people and nation.
A new awakening is hitting the Arab world where tyrants, despots and dictators ruled with impunity, disenfranchising the people, looting the country's wealth without any remorse and sense of shame. In the name of the religion they have suppressed the people, stole the nation's wealth and ravaged the country.
Spontaneous uprising to centuries of suppression in the world of despotism and primeval feudalism. Brutal leader who ruled by fear and violence and run the country as their own business empire, enriching themselves and their families.From Morocco spanning the Arab countries of Northern Africa to the Middle East the story is the same.Brutal and greedy leaders who overstayed their welcome.
Bahrain, is ruled by the Sunni Al Khalifa royal family. A shimmering hatred against the ruler by the majority Shia population has now boiled over. Saudi Arabia, ruled by the Al Saud royal family, the most repressive regime, rife for political change, is sitting nervously not knowing when it will be their turn.
We have seen it in the Philippines, we have seen it in Indonesia, we have seen it in the Arab world.
People's power! Who's next?
Also read:
How Qaddafi Lost Libya
It started most unexpectedly in Tunisia that dethroned Ben Ali's 24- year rule , spilled over to Egypt that forced out Hosni Mubarak's 30 year totalitarian regime.Spread like wildfire to Yemen, Bahrain and Libya which have not flared up completely but are likely to end up in the same fashion.
The waves of people power that first engulfed Tunisia seemed contagious to spread even more.
Libya, the most unexpected, is on the verge of collapse that will see the longest serving Arab despot exiled or dead.A leader with a penchant for Bedouin tents, heavily armed female bodyguards and blond Ukrainian nurses had mind-caged his people for over 40 years under rule of fear.
US President Ronald Reagan called him a "mad dog" and bombed Libya in 1986 in retaliation of the West Berlin disco bombing by Libyan agents that killed 2 American servicemen and a woman and wounding 200 others.Subsequent event, the tragic bombing of Pan Am Flight 103 over Lockerbie, Scotland that killed 270 people linked to Libyan agents. The US accused Gaddafi of sponsoring terrorism and got the UN Security Council to pass trade and economic sanctions on Libya.Sanction was lifted in 2003.
Libya, is now a war zone of civil unrest that have turned bloody with Gaddafi using the might of his military to crack down fiercely on demonstrators against his 42-year despotic rule.Over 500 civilians have been killed by the army and forces friendly to him.
In pure desperation to hang on to power Gaddafi even deployed fighter jets and helicopters to strafe protesters and civilian population.Two of his pilots refused to obey the order defected to Malta with the jet fighters and the pilots seeking political asylum.Obviously, he wanted to inflict maximum collateral damage to scare the population.
The current trouble in Libya seemed imminent that Gaddafi days are numbered.He has resorted to excessive violence and bloodshed to stay in power.He vowed to fight to the end and die as a martyr.A tyrant or despot is more befitting of him.Killing your own people to preserve yourself does not make one a martyr.
He appears to be losing support of his army.Of the 45,000 strong regular army only about 5000 are still loyal to him.It was reported that he has ordered oil sabotage by blowing up pipelines to the Mediterranean.He may be copying Saddam's scorch earth policy when the Iraqi army exited Kuwait.
The story is the same wherever you go in the Arab world, despotic rule and leaders taking liberty of the nations wealth and couldn't care two hoots about the people and nation.
A new awakening is hitting the Arab world where tyrants, despots and dictators ruled with impunity, disenfranchising the people, looting the country's wealth without any remorse and sense of shame. In the name of the religion they have suppressed the people, stole the nation's wealth and ravaged the country.
Spontaneous uprising to centuries of suppression in the world of despotism and primeval feudalism. Brutal leader who ruled by fear and violence and run the country as their own business empire, enriching themselves and their families.From Morocco spanning the Arab countries of Northern Africa to the Middle East the story is the same.Brutal and greedy leaders who overstayed their welcome.
Bahrain, is ruled by the Sunni Al Khalifa royal family. A shimmering hatred against the ruler by the majority Shia population has now boiled over. Saudi Arabia, ruled by the Al Saud royal family, the most repressive regime, rife for political change, is sitting nervously not knowing when it will be their turn.
We have seen it in the Philippines, we have seen it in Indonesia, we have seen it in the Arab world.
People's power! Who's next?
Also read:
How Qaddafi Lost Libya
Tuesday, February 22, 2011
Kill Gaddafi!
Hantu Laut
Typical Arab dictator's bullshit......find a bogeyman for all the troubles.
To divert attention and he thinks the world is stupid to believe him, Gaddafi has made Israel the source of his trouble, foreign forces out to topple him.
This biggest and longest plunderer of Libya has sent his army to kill peaceful protesters and his son promised a bloodbath, to spill Libyan's blood on the street if they did not stop the protest against his father.
Gaddafi will die at the hand of his own people.Unless, he escaped, he will be killed by his own army.
Prominent Sunni thinker Sheikh Yusuf al-Qaradawi, who is considered the spiritual leader of the global Muslim Brotherhood movement called for the assassination of Libyan ruler Muammar Gaddafi during an interview with Al-Jazeera news network. "Whoever can kill Gaddafi should kill him," he said, "Whomever can shoot him should, in order to liberate the people from the evilness of this crazy man."
Gaddafi has deployed fighter jets and helicopters to bomb protestors and snipers to pick out targets on the streets.Two Libyan air force jets defected to Malta and asked for political asylum saying they were ordered to bomb protesters.
The end is near for Muammar Gaddafi and I hope the same for all Arab despots who have ravaged the people and milked the country dry.
Typical Arab dictator's bullshit......find a bogeyman for all the troubles.
To divert attention and he thinks the world is stupid to believe him, Gaddafi has made Israel the source of his trouble, foreign forces out to topple him.
This biggest and longest plunderer of Libya has sent his army to kill peaceful protesters and his son promised a bloodbath, to spill Libyan's blood on the street if they did not stop the protest against his father.
Gaddafi will die at the hand of his own people.Unless, he escaped, he will be killed by his own army.
Prominent Sunni thinker Sheikh Yusuf al-Qaradawi, who is considered the spiritual leader of the global Muslim Brotherhood movement called for the assassination of Libyan ruler Muammar Gaddafi during an interview with Al-Jazeera news network. "Whoever can kill Gaddafi should kill him," he said, "Whomever can shoot him should, in order to liberate the people from the evilness of this crazy man."
Gaddafi has deployed fighter jets and helicopters to bomb protestors and snipers to pick out targets on the streets.Two Libyan air force jets defected to Malta and asked for political asylum saying they were ordered to bomb protesters.
The end is near for Muammar Gaddafi and I hope the same for all Arab despots who have ravaged the people and milked the country dry.
Arabs Revolution:Gaddafi hits with deadly force
| Libya's official news agency blames Israel for unrest, as security forces attack protesters. |
Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi has unleashed a bloody crackdown against pro-democracy protestors seeking his ouster, killing dozens of people in only four days of protests.
On Sunday, the unrest spread to capital Tripoli from the eastern port city Benghazi.
Libyan Internet activists have denounced the international community's failure to act over the "massacres" in Libya.
The Cairo-based Arab Organisation for Human Rights has decried the use of violence against the protestors in Libya and called for an international investigation. The Vienna-based Friends of Humanity said the Libyan regime's onslaught was tantamount to "war crimes".
There are conflicting reports on the death toll but it is generally believed to be in the hundreds now.
Human Rights Watch reports that 173 people had died prior to Monday. The London-based private newspaper Libya Al-Youm quoted a local doctor as saying that 285 people died in the eastern city of Benghazi alone.
Some 300 people have been killed in Benghazi, the country’s second largest city, witnesses told Al Jazeera by phone.
The crackdown by Gaddafi, who has ruled Libya since 1969, threatens to make the revolt the most costly in terms of human lives and bloodshed in the wave of demonstrations sweeping across the region for greater freedoms.
Gaddafi, trying to stave off the fate of the presidents of Tunisia and Egypt who were removed from power after facing similar protests, has resorted to much harsher military tactics than those used in uprisings in neighbouring Egypt or Tunisia.
His tactics include cutting off food, fuel and medical supplies as well as electricity to revolting cities. The regime also cut off most communications to try to make sure the unrest does not spread to other cities. But the move failed to prevent protests erupting in capital Tripoli on Sunday.
Pan-Arab news outlets report that Gaddafi's troops have used live ammunition and heavy military equipment such as anti-tank missiles in Benghazi. Late on Sunday fierce clashes were being reported in Tripoli.
Libya Al Youm reported on its website on Sunday that the regime was using "heavy weapons" and shooting at random. Read more.
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