ZAHID: A VOICE IN THE WILDERNESS

Hantu Laut

I remember the famous speech made by George Bush after 9/11 when he tried to gather allies for invasion of Iraq whereby he warned other countries "If you are not with me, you are against me".

About a dozen or so European countries responded positively to his demand with the exception of French and Germany. To punish Germany and French for their refusal to give support to the invasion, Bush openly declared than no business dealing with Iraq would be given to French and Germany.

Back home in Malaysia, UMNO, the dominant partner in the BN coalition takes no nonsense approach to any member who criticises the party policies or makes suggestions for improvement if seen to clash with the orthodox practices of the party. Bright young ideas are not welcome in this Malay political fiefdom, where feudalism and autocracy are the rules rather than the exception.

Those that play balls would be rewarded while those who wanted to bring changes would be ignored, ostracized or expelled from the party.

In December 2007, I wrote a short review of Zahid Ibrahim's book "In Good Faith". He has been dropped to contest in this coming election, which I strongly believe was due to the inconvenient truth he wrote in his book about UMNO and the current government policies, lopsided and seriously imbalance to benefit mainly Malay bumiputras.

I reproduce below the relevant article:

Friday, December 21, 2007

Zahid Ibrahim's 'In Good Faith':An Inconvenient Truth

Hantu Laut

I have just finished reading Zaid Ibrahim's 'In Good Faith'. An explicitly honest analysis of the damning truth of the socio-political structure in this country. An admission, from an inside man, of the pseudo-interpretation of the social contract, perpetuated by those desirous of keeping the gravy train on track and on an infinite journey, more often than not, for pecuniary advantages and using hegemonic inculcation to subdue the minorities through coercion and consent.

The first Prime Minster, the late Tungku Abdul Rahman, in his book the 'Viewpoint', said "While I warmly welcome help for the bumiputras, I deplore any act that is likely to divide true Malaysians into two halves; division will benefit no-one.I have always said that this policy of"divide-and-rule" was a colonial practice, and with the era of colonialism behind us we should have seen an end of it.Yet "divide-and-rule" seems to linger on".

The discriminatory social contract should have been done with when it reached the end of its shelf life. However, the bumiputras, those in power and already spoilt by the easy picking have steadfastly refused to do away with this unfair and divisive policy. The iconic keris is a deplorable reminder to non-Malays not to toy with the idea of questioning the social contract.

Zahid, a Member of Parliament from the dominant ruling party, took a critical look at the various aspects of governance within the ambits of the bumiputra economic policy, Malay supremacy, economic mis-managment, rising religious intolerance, Islamisation of the country and encroachment of Sharia into the civil liberties of non-Muslims. His liberated views and forthrightness have given a breath of fresh air to many Malaysians. By the same token, I assume, it would have made him a pariah among his peers in UMNO. His views on some of the policies of government is diametrically opposed to those ossified by other leaders of his political party.As a lawyer with the biggest law firm in the country, he admits he had also benefited from the NEP, but would not lend his support to the perpetuation of such policy, which he thinks has a long-term negative side-effect on the bumiputras.A conclusion not far from the truth, as can be seen, from the failure to attain the 30% equity over the time frame initially given by the government. The NEP revivalists have unequivocally called for the NEP to be revivified without a time-frame.

Zahid must be the first elected representative in UMNO who was bold enough to go against the grain.An ideology that may make the top and middle echelon of the party very uncomfortable.Those before him that had fallen from grace, like Anwar Ibrahim, had been out of personal conflicts and power struggle, not differences of ideology. If there were more Malays like him in UMNO, this country would see a more progressive society.The unfortunate thing is, most Malays like him were not in UMNO.

The book was lucidly written, honest and splendidly readable.I would suggest every member of UMNO in particular and the Malaysian adult public in general to read this book. It was an unexpected surprise from a well-to-do and politically well-connected Malay.

ELECTION 2008: DO OR DIE

Hantu Laut

This coming election will see the demise of some political parties in Sabah.

One that faces mass desertion from some of its senior leaders is LDP (Liberal Democratic Party), formerly headed by former Chief Minister Tan Sri Chong Kah Kiat. Due to the Mazu controversy and a falling out with Chief Minister Datuk Seri Musa Aman, he resigned all his ministerial positions and as President of LDP and handed over the presidency to his deputy, Datuk Liew Vun Keong.

In 2004 LDP was given 1 parliamentary and 3 state seats in the ruling coalition. It lost the Sandakan parliamentary seat to an independent. Out of the three state seats, two were traditionally UMNO seats given to LDP during Tun Mahathir's rule. Objection from Sabah UMNO at that time was set aside by Mahathir. Chong was seen as his blue-eyed boy.Although his party only have 3 state seats at that time, he was made Chief Minister under the rotation system, to the consternation of other component parties in Sabah BN.Both seats, Tanjung Kapor and Merotai have predominantly Muslim voters.

Voting trends among BN coalition partners are based on comradeship. Every member of the coalition must deliver their support to any chosen candidate from any partner in the coalition irrespective of whether they like it or not. Occasionally there would be underhand tactics and sabotage if the candidate is not acceptable with other coalition partners, as was the case with LDP's loss of the Sandakan seat, which they blamed on SAPP headed by Datuk Yong Tet Lee. The seat was also coveted by SAPP on the basis of that it is a bigger party and has more members and supporters.

On Tuesday night nearly 200 Sandakan LDP members announced their resignation en bloc from the party due to dissatisfaction and objection to the fielding of an outsider to contest the Sandakan parliamentary seat. The candidate was the president himself, Datuk V.K.Liew. Sandakan LDP members have thrown their support behind Fong Vun Fui, LDP ex-State Deputy Youth Chief who resigned from the party and is standing as an independent against Datuk V.K.Liew. It appears that Liew is fighting an uphill battle and may lose the seat. Political pundits in Sandakan predicted he may even lose his deposit and rumours has it that the bookies are busy taking betting odds not in his favour.

The two state seats that are likely to end up the same way as Sandakan are Merotai and Tanjung Kapor. The dissatisfaction and objection was similar, putting an outsider to contest the seats.

The incumbent for Merotai Datuk Liew Vun Fah, although being a Chinese was a popular figure with the electorates in his constituency, was dropped as he was seen to be too close to Chief Minister Musa Aman. An outsider, Pang Yuk Ming was fielded in his place. LDP may have overlooked or didn't care that he obtained a majority of 4305 votes in 2004. The Muslims dominated constituency of Tanjong Kapur with eight-cornered fight would also see an uphill battle for LDP.

It is predicted that LDP may end up with zero seat or at the most only one, Karamunting in Sandakan, which was also given a slim chance.

Would it be do or die for LDP ?

SECOND DPM FROM SABAH:PKR's SABAH MANIFESTO

Hantu Laut

I am not a great fan of the BN government but I would not take it lightly that some wasted politician like Anwar Ibrahim thinks Sabahans are fools, stupid and gullible enough to swallow his lies and empty promises. He can fool some of the KDM people but he must not forget not all Sabahans are KDM and not all KDM are fools. How would he expects to get support from Sabahans when even a ten-year old child knew he was lying.

A second DPM from Sabah ? You must be joking, or you are just as mad as that half-baked self-proclaimed Harvard graduate from Tambunan who can't even read and interpret a P&L Account and Balance Sheet after spending umpteen years in politics and government. That's why during the PBS tenure he and his brother completely screwed up the states finances.

Now he gets delusion of grandeur, promising the people a DPM from Sabah, which he dreamt to be himself.

Dream on Jeffery.

The DAP's manifesto make more sense. Your PKR manifesto is a piece of crap.

Please read the promises below and make your own judgement.

DAILY EXPRESS NEWS

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Second DPM in PKR's Sabah manifesto

Kota Kinabalu: Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) Sabah, launched another manifesto here themed "A New Hope for Sabah and Malaysia" promising a second Deputy Prime Minister if it rules the land below the wind.

"As partners to the formation of Malaysia, the Borneo states deserve to have a Deputy Prime Minister for without the Borneo states, there would have been no Malaysia.

"Thus, under the PKR government there will be a second Deputy Prime Minister for East Malaysia," the PKR said in its 14-point manifesto launched Wednesday by State PKR Vice President Datuk Dr Jeffrey Kitingan. State PKR head Ansari Abdullah was also present.

Other points in the manifesto included termination of any petroleum agreement with national oil company, Petronas, and replacing it with a petroleum sharing agreement apart from a review of the Petronas Act to give a fair revenue to Sabah.

PKR would also ensure that state immigration be placed under "state matter," where the movement of people in and out of Sabah would come under the purview of the state government and "the director of immigration would be a Sabahan".

The party said if it rules Sabah, Federal Territory Labuan will come under the jurisdiction of Sabah without changing the status of the island as an Offshore Financial Centre.

PKR also promised to introduce a comprehensive economic and development plan for Sabah called the Development Agenda for Sabah.

For the March 8 election, the opposition is putting up 55 candidates for the 59 states seats.

It promised to resolve the illegal immigrant problem in Sabah, restore relevant State rights, see to land reforms as well as set up a comprehensive economic and development plan for the State.

The manifesto also focussed on increasing the State's per capita income from RM10,000 to RM15,000, promoting transparency in the government as well as ensuring more women participate in decision-making processes.

PKR also wants to replace the Federal Development Department in Sabah (JPPS), which it describes as a waste of public funds, with a State Development Department (JPN) to ensure development funds go straight to the State Government.

On land reforms, PKR promised to restore the role of the village chiefs (Ketua Kampung) and Ketua Anak Negeri in land applications besides setting up a Land Reform Committee to review existing land laws.

An agency known as the Sabah Native Land Development Authority (SNLDA) will also be established by a PKR government for native land and interest.

The party also vowed to democratise the appointments of Village Development and Security Committees (JKKKs) as well as village chiefs (Ketua Kampung) and ensure these JKKKs are actively involved in the development of the respective villages. As such all projects costing RM25,000 and below will be implemented directly by these JKKKs.

PKR Vice-President Datuk Dr Jeffrey Kitingan said the manifesto is a supplement to the national PKR manifesto entitled "A New Dawn for Malaysia", which was launched recently by party adviser Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.

"I am confident the people would accept the manifesto as they have had enough of Barisan Nasional's empty promises since it come to power", he said after the launching at his residence at Bukit Padang, near here.

He claimed the BN's just unveiled manifesto themed "Security, Peace and Prosperity" was just another of its sweet promises".

"We must remember that when BN launched 'Sabah Baru' in the previous election, it promised to reduce poverty to zero, housing for all, etcÉ but today we bear witness that all their promises have not been fulfilled and for that the current government must be change," he said.

Jeffrey went on to say that the real power in BN Sabah was Umno and that the 10 component parties have little say in the State Government.

He urged the people of Sabah, especially the young voters not to be misled by the BN's promises and instead vote PKR for change.

"Sabahans have a history of making brave changes when needed and together we can do it again," he said.

ELECTION 2008: UPDATE SABAH:ANOTHER BLOW TO PKR

Hantu Laut

The man with the fattest wallet will rule.

PKR received another blow today when its candidate for the Gum Gum state seat, Mohaspa Mohd Hassan pulled out from a straight fight with BN candidate, Datuk Zakaria Mohs Idris. This means that BN has won another state seat uncontested.

Two independents have also pulled out of Tanjung Batu and Senallang state seats.

Meanwhile, Datuk Jeffery Kitingan ( the father of all frogs) has accused his political secretary of betrayal:

DAILY EXPRESS NEWS

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A betrayal for not being chosen: Jeffrey

Kota Kinabalu: Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) Vice President Datuk Dr Jeffrey Kitingan (pic) described his former Political Secretary Kanul Gindol's pullout from the party as shameful and an act of betrayal.

"Wherever they go after this, people will knowÉ as betrayers they should be ashamed of themselves," he said in a statement, Tuesday.

He was commenting on Kanul's announcement of resignation from PKR with immediate effect stating, among others, that he had lost confidence and trust in the party's leadership.

Jeffrey was disappointed with Kanul and other friends who left the party "to sleep with the enemy just because they were not chosen as candidates".

"It is obvious they didn't know the true meaning of our struggle in the first place. Their action proves they are more interested in pursuing personal interests."

Keadilan leaders and members should know the party is more important than individuals and that they should have consistency with the interest of the people at heart, he said.

"If you believe in something you should stick with it to the end, no matter what the internal problems are and whatever incentive may be offered by the enemy," said Jeffrey.

Jeffrey, who is also the PKR State Steering Committee chairman, said the party must have a system and disciplinary control. At the end of the day, the party leaders would have to nominate the candidates and those not selected would have to accept it gracefully.

"I also know one of the BN candidates in Tuaran has been telling the people in speeches that I was going to join the BN today. They can keep on dreaming. It looks like the BN candidate there has no other valid issue, so he has to tell lies to the people," he said.

According to him, Kanul was also not telling the truth or is ignorant about the status of the Tambunan Declaration that had long been approved and adopted by the Supreme Council.

It was adopted with a slight amendment to the last item, i.e. "Membenarkan Sabah menggaris agenda pembangunan dan ekonominya sendiri" (allowing Sabah to underline its own development and economic agendas) with the addition of "selaras dengan pembangunan dasar pusat" (in line with the federal development policy).

For someone who had betrayed his own brother, Joseph Pairin, the late Mark Koding, Pendikar Amin, Joseph Kurup and God knows how many more lesser known souls and to shamelessly denounced another person as a traitor is beyond comprehension.

A man of the lowest common denominator.He has hopped from one political party to another.He is no stranger to switching political parties.He was in PBS, AKAR,PBRS and joined UMNO but was kicked out when he stood as independent in the last election.He tried to re-join UMNO but was snubbed.

Watch out Anwar Ibrahim ! You are next !

This man will take the KDM back to the political wilderness.