Hantu Laut
It is a prosperous, clean and functional city, with imposing skyscrapers and state of the art shopping complexes. You can buy any brand name you've ever heard of. The roads are crowded with Mercs, BMWs and whatever brand you fancy. The highways are lined with tropical flowers and a public transportation system unmatched elsewhere.
This tiny red dot at the southern tip of Peninsula Malaysia is one of the most prosperous nations in the world with per capita income higher than the United States and many other Western nations.The IMF lists Singapore at No. 4 with PPP of US$51,142 in 2008.
Once upon a time at the head of this thriving free-market city state is a clever, benevolent, fatherly and no nonsense socialist dictator.
This is Lee Kuan Yew's Singapore.A tiny island nation without any natural resources that have not stopped to amaze the world.Singapore had come a long way to what it is today by the way of, not pure democracy, but 'enlightened absolutism'.The sheer determination and perseverance of one man, the founding father of modern Singapore, Lee Kuan Yew or Harry Lee as he is popularly known among his close friends.
From a tiny mosquito infested tropical island to a sprawling metropolis, the economic and developmental vibrancy have not slowed down.This is a government with a bit of everything, a mixture of democracy, socialism and feudalism and an enviable success story.
In his memoirs 'The Singapore Story" Lee admitted he look upon Switzerland as his model.To defy logic, if such is illogical, today, Singapore had overtaken Switzerland in its PPP (Purchasing Power Parity).
Lee Kuan Yew has interfered with every aspect of Singaporean life, from not allowing long hair for male person during the flower power era, to limit only 2 babies per family, to banning chewing gum and mandatory canning for vandals. These are just a few of Lee's decree of what best for Singapore which some defender of democracy would call infringement of human rights.
Lee is an advocate of corporal punishment.In his memoirs he mentioned that during his time at Raffles Institution in the 1930s that he was caned there for chronic lateness by the then headmaster, D.W. McLeod. He wrote: "I bent over a chair and was given three of the best with my trousers on. I did not think he lightened his strokes. I have never understood why Western educationists are so much against corporal punishment. It did my fellow students and me no harm".
The world have seen good and bad dictators.Bad dictators are mostly self-serving,cruel and more often than not would run down the nation to the ground through massive corruptions and unconscionable abuses of power.Good and benevolent dictator is passionate about his country and the people but believe democracy is a hindrance to progress.
Some examples of good dictators are Napolean Bonaparte of France, Antonio Salazar of Portugal,Mustapha Kemal Ataturk of Turkey, Fidel Castro of Cuba, Pervez Musharraf of Pakistan and of course not forgetting Mahathir Mohammad of Malaysia.
What is the yardstick for determining a benevolent dictator? It's a very simple equation. A continuous economic growth and economic development for the benefits of the people and not just for the dictator, his families or cronies.These are the characteristic of a benevolent dictator.A deep passion not to do for himself but to do for the nation.
Some may argue that Musharraf or even Mahathir should not be in this category.
Let start with Musharraf first.
In 1999 under Nawaz Sharif Pakistan was a bankrupt country, almost 65% of its revenue had to be utilized for debt servicing leaving very little for development expenditure.Public and external debt exceeded 300% of foreign exchange earnings.The country was in deep financial trouble.During Musharraf time from 1999 to 2007 Pakistan went through unprecedented economic growth as shown below:
Pakistan’s economy grew by 100%
Per Capita Income grew by 100%
Foreign Reserves grew by 500%
Exports grew by 100%
The list is not exhaustive.Under Musharraf's watch Transparency International's corruption index improved tremendously, falling from 11th to 41st position.
If anything that can go wrong will go wrong, an adage known as Murphy's Law.When Mushraff suspended Chief Justice Mohammad Ali Chaudhry for corruptions and abuses of judicial power the law fraternity took to the streets in massive numbers in protest of the suspension.In less than two months political parties joined in the fray and took to the streets demanding Musharraf to step down. In August 2008 the Pakistan People Party and Pakistan Muslim League led by Asif Ali Zardari and Nawaz Sharif agreed to force Musharraf to step down and begin impeachment proceeding against him.It is speculated that Pervez Musharraf would have had to face corruption and even murder charges if he had kept refusing a graceful exit from the president house.
On Monday, 18 August 2008, in a speech defending his record, Musharraf announced that he had resigned.While announcing his resignation Musharraf said "After viewing the situation and consulting legal advisers and political allies, with their advice I have decided to resign. I leave my future in the hands of the people. Not a single charge in the impeachment can stand against me. No charge can be proved against me because I never did anything for myself, it was all for Pakistan. On the map of the world, Pakistan is now an important country, by the grace of Allah. Whether I win or lose the impeachment, the nation will lose. They don’t realize they can succeed against me but the country will undergo irreparable damage."
"Nonetheless, despite those mistakes, he has been that rare phenomenon in Pakistani politics — an honest man with good intentions who tried to serve his country to the best of his abilities. In a country that has suffered so much over the years from corrupt and self-serving politicians, there have been too few figures like him" ____an extract from Arab News, a leading Middle East English language daily.
As I have said in my earlier posts the Pakistani people have thrown out a good man and brought back not one but two known crooks to rule their country.These are crooks voted in by the masses under a Western-styled democratic system.What Pakistan need is 'enlightened absolutism' not pure unadulterated democracy.Musharraf was right when he said it is Pakistan that will suffer.The country is now in the early stage of anarchy and on the road to being a failed state.
Mahathir Mohammad ! Do I need to refresh everything he has done for Malaysia.No, I don't need to.He has left his footprints everywhere in the country.The physical presence of his untiring efforts to make this nation a great nation and the legacy he left behind is visible for all of us to see.He has a passion for the country and the people to excel. Anwar Ibrahim has a passion to be prime minister whatever it takes.
Will Malaysians make the same mistake the Pakistani people have made.Vote for those who are good at organising protests, demonstrations and candlelight vigil to bring down a legitimate government.Those who are good at sweet talking, fabricating wall of lies and inculcate materials of discontent to create political instability to show the rest of the world how rotten this government is.
Give me enlightened absolutism or benevolent dictator anytime rather than a rotten democratic system and rotten politicians than cause instability and political upheavel.
Don't throw the baby out with the bath water just because you heard the thunder.
Friday, June 5, 2009
Thursday, June 4, 2009
Anwar's Sodomy: Wall Of Lies ?
Hantu Laut
Below is a letter from a regular visitor to my blog who suffers the same allergic reactions as I do when it comes to Anwar's brand of politics.
Bro,
I think you already noticed that Anwar Ibrahim has started
a trial in the media to disparage the police and prosecutors
involved in his upcoming sodomy trial starting on 1st July 2009.
Excerpt from Malaysiakini a report from his ceramah at Penanti:
Open quote" Sodomy trial II: The knives are out
Athi Veeranggan | May 29, 09 12:31pm
The recent efforts to smear the reputation of former Kuala Lumpur CID
chief Mat Zain Ibrahim is to help shore up the attorney-general’s
position ahead of July’s sodomy trial, said Pakatan Rakyat leader
Anwar Ibrahim.
The sodomy trial, Anwar’s second in 10 years, will kick off on July 1
and the hearing will continue for three weeks.
Without deliberating much on the trial, parliamentary opposition
leader Anwar indicated that he would certainly raised the issue of the
alleged fabrication of evidence in his black-eye case during the
trial.
AG Abdul Gani Patail and Inspector-General of Police Musa Hassan are
both embroiled in the infamous 1998 black-eye episode for allegedly
tampering with evidence in the bid to protect the culprits who had
assaulted Anwar while he was held in police custody.
“The personal attack on Mat Zain is an effort to strengthen AG’s
position and defence in my upcoming trial,” said Anwar, the Permatang
Pauh parliamentarian.
Given that the testimony of Mat Zain, who had led the investigation
into the black-eye incident, would be vital, Anwar believes a
concerted character assassination campaign is being carried out
against the retired top cop.
He said the May 14 bankruptcy notice against Mat Zain was issued a
month after the former CID chief had submitted an appeal to the
Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission seeking a review to the findings
of the three-member independent panel which cleared Gani and Musa of
criminal wrongdoings in the black-eye incident.
Mat Zain’s bankruptcy order was widely reported in the media on
Wednesday, which prompted the former chief investigating officer in
the police force to suggest that “powerful hidden hands” were at work
to destroy his credibility.
"It would only enhance my resolve to disclose the whole truth of the
'black-eye' episode. Believe me, this is not the only case the duo
(Gani and Musa) had their fingers in. There are others which are just
as sensational. The truth shall prevail," Mat Zain had vowed.
Speaking to journalists after a Pakatan Rakyat rally in Mengkuang Titi
during Penanti by-election last night, Anwar described the smear
campaign was to spook Mat Zain from testifying in the upcoming trial.
“I sympathise with him ... I know he is upset, and feel alone and
embarrassed. (But) he has the courage from the very beginning to
reveal the truth,” said Anwar, the PKR supremo.
Malays urged to reject ‘racist’ Umno
On July 7 last year, Anwar filed a police report accusing Gani, Musa
and one Dr Abdul Rahman Yusof and Mat Zain of falsifying a medical
report on the black-eye incident.
“The issue of fabrication of evidence involving top public officers in
the country is a serious issue,” said Anwar.
Earlier at the political rally, Anwar slammed Umno of being intolerant
of non-Malays where many of them were arrested during a series of
candlelight vigils. He called on Malays to denounce such an arrogant
show of power.
Anwar added that the recent police raid on DAP headquarters in
Petaling Jaya exposed Umno’s racism where it is widely seen as an
attempt to crack down on a leading predominantly Chinese party.
“Umno is trying to demonstrate that it can wield its power at will
against the non-Malays. Malays should be ashamed of this.
“The Malay populace shall only revere a Malay leadership which has
earned respect from non-Malays through its goodwill, not by abusing
its power and acting unjustly,” he told the 500 mostly Malay crowd at
the ceramah.
Anwar also questioned the sincerity of Umno in seeking to win over the
non-Malay electorate on one hand while “victimising” them at the same
time.
“Is this the leadership that the Malays want? A true Malay Muslim
citizen should reject such leadership,” said the Pakatan leader.-- "
end quote
This is only a start, bro. I am sure Anwar will come up with all
engines fired up in June this month to create a wall of lies and
perception to smear his sodomy trial even before it began, during the
proceedings and after the verdict has been pronounced. He is in a
fight of his political life so nothing will be a sacred cow.
Regards
Eddy Daud
Eddy analysis of the whole scenario is absolutely correct. His pre-empative action before the court case to disparage the AG and IGP were one clever ruse to influence the court of public opinion and to attract more sympathy for him that would expedite his political cause to be prime minister, by hook or by crook, doesn't matter, what matters is, he must be prime minister.
The question now:
1. Why didn't Mat Zain exposed the criminal act of the two accused when he first discovered it? Even though they may be his superior he has a duty to report any wrongdoings especially fabrication of evidence to fix an innocent person.Where was his conscience then?.Wasn't he equally involved in the conspiracy?
2. Being a senior police officer didn't he know money borrowed must be paid back and if he failed to do so the lender has the right to sue him and declare him a bankrupt or seize his property to make good the loan he took?
3.Can Anwar prove his accusation other than that based on the testimony of Mat Zain who has now become an unreliable witness and got an axe to grind against the AG and IGP?
Below is a letter from a regular visitor to my blog who suffers the same allergic reactions as I do when it comes to Anwar's brand of politics.
Bro,
I think you already noticed that Anwar Ibrahim has started
a trial in the media to disparage the police and prosecutors
involved in his upcoming sodomy trial starting on 1st July 2009.
Excerpt from Malaysiakini a report from his ceramah at Penanti:
Open quote" Sodomy trial II: The knives are out
Athi Veeranggan | May 29, 09 12:31pm
The recent efforts to smear the reputation of former Kuala Lumpur CID
chief Mat Zain Ibrahim is to help shore up the attorney-general’s
position ahead of July’s sodomy trial, said Pakatan Rakyat leader
Anwar Ibrahim.
The sodomy trial, Anwar’s second in 10 years, will kick off on July 1
and the hearing will continue for three weeks.
Without deliberating much on the trial, parliamentary opposition
leader Anwar indicated that he would certainly raised the issue of the
alleged fabrication of evidence in his black-eye case during the
trial.
AG Abdul Gani Patail and Inspector-General of Police Musa Hassan are
both embroiled in the infamous 1998 black-eye episode for allegedly
tampering with evidence in the bid to protect the culprits who had
assaulted Anwar while he was held in police custody.
“The personal attack on Mat Zain is an effort to strengthen AG’s
position and defence in my upcoming trial,” said Anwar, the Permatang
Pauh parliamentarian.
Given that the testimony of Mat Zain, who had led the investigation
into the black-eye incident, would be vital, Anwar believes a
concerted character assassination campaign is being carried out
against the retired top cop.
He said the May 14 bankruptcy notice against Mat Zain was issued a
month after the former CID chief had submitted an appeal to the
Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission seeking a review to the findings
of the three-member independent panel which cleared Gani and Musa of
criminal wrongdoings in the black-eye incident.
Mat Zain’s bankruptcy order was widely reported in the media on
Wednesday, which prompted the former chief investigating officer in
the police force to suggest that “powerful hidden hands” were at work
to destroy his credibility.
"It would only enhance my resolve to disclose the whole truth of the
'black-eye' episode. Believe me, this is not the only case the duo
(Gani and Musa) had their fingers in. There are others which are just
as sensational. The truth shall prevail," Mat Zain had vowed.
Speaking to journalists after a Pakatan Rakyat rally in Mengkuang Titi
during Penanti by-election last night, Anwar described the smear
campaign was to spook Mat Zain from testifying in the upcoming trial.
“I sympathise with him ... I know he is upset, and feel alone and
embarrassed. (But) he has the courage from the very beginning to
reveal the truth,” said Anwar, the PKR supremo.
Malays urged to reject ‘racist’ Umno
On July 7 last year, Anwar filed a police report accusing Gani, Musa
and one Dr Abdul Rahman Yusof and Mat Zain of falsifying a medical
report on the black-eye incident.
“The issue of fabrication of evidence involving top public officers in
the country is a serious issue,” said Anwar.
Earlier at the political rally, Anwar slammed Umno of being intolerant
of non-Malays where many of them were arrested during a series of
candlelight vigils. He called on Malays to denounce such an arrogant
show of power.
Anwar added that the recent police raid on DAP headquarters in
Petaling Jaya exposed Umno’s racism where it is widely seen as an
attempt to crack down on a leading predominantly Chinese party.
“Umno is trying to demonstrate that it can wield its power at will
against the non-Malays. Malays should be ashamed of this.
“The Malay populace shall only revere a Malay leadership which has
earned respect from non-Malays through its goodwill, not by abusing
its power and acting unjustly,” he told the 500 mostly Malay crowd at
the ceramah.
Anwar also questioned the sincerity of Umno in seeking to win over the
non-Malay electorate on one hand while “victimising” them at the same
time.
“Is this the leadership that the Malays want? A true Malay Muslim
citizen should reject such leadership,” said the Pakatan leader.-- "
end quote
This is only a start, bro. I am sure Anwar will come up with all
engines fired up in June this month to create a wall of lies and
perception to smear his sodomy trial even before it began, during the
proceedings and after the verdict has been pronounced. He is in a
fight of his political life so nothing will be a sacred cow.
Regards
Eddy Daud
Eddy analysis of the whole scenario is absolutely correct. His pre-empative action before the court case to disparage the AG and IGP were one clever ruse to influence the court of public opinion and to attract more sympathy for him that would expedite his political cause to be prime minister, by hook or by crook, doesn't matter, what matters is, he must be prime minister.
The question now:
1. Why didn't Mat Zain exposed the criminal act of the two accused when he first discovered it? Even though they may be his superior he has a duty to report any wrongdoings especially fabrication of evidence to fix an innocent person.Where was his conscience then?.Wasn't he equally involved in the conspiracy?
2. Being a senior police officer didn't he know money borrowed must be paid back and if he failed to do so the lender has the right to sue him and declare him a bankrupt or seize his property to make good the loan he took?
3.Can Anwar prove his accusation other than that based on the testimony of Mat Zain who has now become an unreliable witness and got an axe to grind against the AG and IGP?
Wednesday, June 3, 2009
Najib Shall Return The Glory
Hantu Laut
The Malaysian Insider which used to be more balanced in its reporting has recently turned the table and post many anti-establishment materials.It's probably trying to compete with Malaysiakini for readership.Although, the write-up on the opinion polls on Najib is not anti-establishment the headline speaks volume of the message it's trying to send across.
It recently published a survey of Najib's popularity poll and came out with some very surprising results.
Overall only 16% of respondent are dissatisfied with Najib as PM while 45% gave him a thump-up.Even more surprising and unexpected is the results according to racial breakdown where 64% of Indians are happy with him and only 15% are not.The figure with the Chinese was a bit dismal, only 24% are happy and 23% are not and 53% did not respond which means the Chinese are mostly fence-sitters.
The Malays formed the majority of the survey and 53% are happy and 13% are not.An encouraging sign and could be improved on as time goes by.
I would have expected the Indians would rank the highest in the 'not satisfied' category.They have been the most vocal against the government since the rabble-rousing and demagogic incitement by Hindraf.The 45% 'aye' was a big shock to me.
The result for the Chinese is not a surprise at all as the Chinese have always kept their options a secret.They reserve their support according to where the wind blows.We are still a long way from the general elections, therefore, there are a lot of fence-sitters.
With an overloaded baggage and constant scathing attacks against him by the oppositions to demoralise the people against him the result of the survey did not reflect the effectiveness of the opposition's dirty campaign.
He has been less than 100 days in office, give it a year, if he can resolves the economic crisis Najib and the BN will cruise back to its former glory at the next general elections.
Read what this anti-Najib blogger says here.
The Malaysian Insider which used to be more balanced in its reporting has recently turned the table and post many anti-establishment materials.It's probably trying to compete with Malaysiakini for readership.Although, the write-up on the opinion polls on Najib is not anti-establishment the headline speaks volume of the message it's trying to send across.
It recently published a survey of Najib's popularity poll and came out with some very surprising results.
Overall only 16% of respondent are dissatisfied with Najib as PM while 45% gave him a thump-up.Even more surprising and unexpected is the results according to racial breakdown where 64% of Indians are happy with him and only 15% are not.The figure with the Chinese was a bit dismal, only 24% are happy and 23% are not and 53% did not respond which means the Chinese are mostly fence-sitters.
The Malays formed the majority of the survey and 53% are happy and 13% are not.An encouraging sign and could be improved on as time goes by.
I would have expected the Indians would rank the highest in the 'not satisfied' category.They have been the most vocal against the government since the rabble-rousing and demagogic incitement by Hindraf.The 45% 'aye' was a big shock to me.
The result for the Chinese is not a surprise at all as the Chinese have always kept their options a secret.They reserve their support according to where the wind blows.We are still a long way from the general elections, therefore, there are a lot of fence-sitters.
With an overloaded baggage and constant scathing attacks against him by the oppositions to demoralise the people against him the result of the survey did not reflect the effectiveness of the opposition's dirty campaign.
He has been less than 100 days in office, give it a year, if he can resolves the economic crisis Najib and the BN will cruise back to its former glory at the next general elections.
Read what this anti-Najib blogger says here.
Tuesday, June 2, 2009
Will Najib Survive The Next Term ?
Hantu Laut
If Najib were to survive the next term as prime minister of this nation he needs to create a nation of thriving communities where everyone feel they have a share in the nation.A sense of belonging.A sense of being proud to be Malaysian, not as Malay, Chinese, Indian or Others but as Malaysians.His 1 Malaysia fits well only if it is implemented true to the word.The only way this can be achieved is through the creation of prosperity, eradication of poverty and fair treatment of all the races. The NEP need not be abolished in toto but should be fine-tuned to be in line with the current situation and not to be used as a gravy train but genuinely use for helping less fortunate Malays.
Prosperity of a nation depended on the soundness of its economy.Setting the economy properly on the spindle should be Najib's priority if he wants it to spin at optimum speed.He has only three years to redeem the loss of confidence under Abdullah Badawi.It would be a feat but not impossible.
After almost four decades in government he should have the experience to do the job.He would be a better finance minister to take the country out of the current economic crisis, certainly better than Anwar Ibrahim who had been proven to be a standard issue when he wanted to seek assistance of IMF and comply with their terms during the Asian financial crisis in 1997 against the wishes of the then Prime Minister Mahathir Mohammad. Malaysia got out of the financial mess unscathed and credit should be given to Mahathir for his grit when his finance minister at that time has thrown in the towel.
Najib should ignore the political rhetoric of the oppositions.Their dirty political campaign is for the sole purpose of diverting his attention from the real danger, the falling economy. All the mud-slinging and dirty campaigns against him were intended to inflict maximum damage to his reputation and kill his enthusiasm.They seriously wanted him to fail to revive the economy.A failed economy would give the oppositions a better chance of taking over the central government.
Responding to such organised dirty tactic with police action is exactly what the oppositions wanted him to do so they can use it as political capital to convince the people that he is an unfit leader. The video below is just one of the many examples of organised dirty campaign and mud-slinging by the oppositions against him and the BN government.What's the point of harping on the same sour note every time they take to the podium.This MP sounds ridiculously stupid by saying it was also published by the international media implying there is truth in it.That is the sorry state of Pakatan leaders, their fixated holier than thou attitude and half-arsed rhetoric.
Former Prime Minister Mahathir Mohammad managed to rule this nation for 22 years with authoritarian hand and yet the nation had stayed peaceful with no major racial tension, even if there were some, they were nicely tucked away below the surface.Mahathir was able to do this because of prosperity.The nation economy grew substantially during his tenure and though the NEP was there he did not apply it stringently. The Chinese and Indians were fairly happy and played very supportive role in keeping the BN government in power.One just have to look at the KLSE and it would not be wrong to conclude that most of the listed companies are controlled by Chinese businessmen. The majority of the heavy league bumiputra companies on the KLSE are government-linked.The number of individual bumiputra companies are no match with that of the Chinese.
One must admit that the Chinese are laborious people and have much longer history of business culture in them.The story of rag to riches were aplenty in this particular community gained through perseverance and hard work.Needless to say the Chinese also controlled over 90 percent of the retail trade.Although, Malays formed the majority in this country, go to any major cities and towns and see how almost all kind of businesses are dominated by the Chinese.
Najib should pay serious attention to the Chinese contributions to the economy and should tap their expertise and resources in the economic field and not only confine himself to bumiputra advisers.The people around him should have a cosmopolitan look.
There are many resource rich countries that can't be considered prosperous.Countries like Brazil,Russia, South Africa,Nigeria are just some example of resource rich countries that definitely wouldn't fall in the prosperous category.On the other hand countries like Singapore,Finland,Switzerland,Austria lack natural resources but enjoy tremendous stability and prosperity.In some cases the people don't even bother about politics or try to change the government unless the political system made it mandatory to do so as in the case of the US where the President can only hold office for two terms.
I have always been a proponent that UMNO should not contest the Penanti by-election to see how popular the Pakatan camp is without UMNO upsetting the nest.The result of Penanti, which is within Anwar's impenetrable fortress, is obvious that they are not as hot as they made it out to be.The turn-out was less than 50 percent. The Malays are not falling head over heel to vote for them.As usual to pull wool over the people's eyes they have to blame Najib and UMNO for the low turn out.
The Malaysian Insider which lately seems to have turned the table and are more vocal against the establishment published a survey of Najib's popularity poll and came out with some very surprising results.Overall only 16% of respondent are dissatisfied with Najib as PM while 45% gave him a thump-up.Even more surprising and unexpected on racial breakdown 64% of Indians are happy with him and only 15% are not.The figure with the Chinese was a bit dismal, only 24% are happy and 23% are not and 53% did not respond which means the Chinese are mostly fence-sitters.
For a man with a heavy baggage and constantly under personal attack by the oppositions the results is most unexpected.However, see what this anti-Najib blogger wrote here. So, there is hope for Najib after all.
He has been in office for less than a hundred days, give him a year, I believe the rating would rise in his favour.
It's the state of the economy that's going to decide the future of BN as a government and it fell on Najib to find the magic formula to bring back prosperity and unity to the people.
If Najib were to survive the next term as prime minister of this nation he needs to create a nation of thriving communities where everyone feel they have a share in the nation.A sense of belonging.A sense of being proud to be Malaysian, not as Malay, Chinese, Indian or Others but as Malaysians.His 1 Malaysia fits well only if it is implemented true to the word.The only way this can be achieved is through the creation of prosperity, eradication of poverty and fair treatment of all the races. The NEP need not be abolished in toto but should be fine-tuned to be in line with the current situation and not to be used as a gravy train but genuinely use for helping less fortunate Malays.
Prosperity of a nation depended on the soundness of its economy.Setting the economy properly on the spindle should be Najib's priority if he wants it to spin at optimum speed.He has only three years to redeem the loss of confidence under Abdullah Badawi.It would be a feat but not impossible.
After almost four decades in government he should have the experience to do the job.He would be a better finance minister to take the country out of the current economic crisis, certainly better than Anwar Ibrahim who had been proven to be a standard issue when he wanted to seek assistance of IMF and comply with their terms during the Asian financial crisis in 1997 against the wishes of the then Prime Minister Mahathir Mohammad. Malaysia got out of the financial mess unscathed and credit should be given to Mahathir for his grit when his finance minister at that time has thrown in the towel.
Najib should ignore the political rhetoric of the oppositions.Their dirty political campaign is for the sole purpose of diverting his attention from the real danger, the falling economy. All the mud-slinging and dirty campaigns against him were intended to inflict maximum damage to his reputation and kill his enthusiasm.They seriously wanted him to fail to revive the economy.A failed economy would give the oppositions a better chance of taking over the central government.
Responding to such organised dirty tactic with police action is exactly what the oppositions wanted him to do so they can use it as political capital to convince the people that he is an unfit leader. The video below is just one of the many examples of organised dirty campaign and mud-slinging by the oppositions against him and the BN government.What's the point of harping on the same sour note every time they take to the podium.This MP sounds ridiculously stupid by saying it was also published by the international media implying there is truth in it.That is the sorry state of Pakatan leaders, their fixated holier than thou attitude and half-arsed rhetoric.
Former Prime Minister Mahathir Mohammad managed to rule this nation for 22 years with authoritarian hand and yet the nation had stayed peaceful with no major racial tension, even if there were some, they were nicely tucked away below the surface.Mahathir was able to do this because of prosperity.The nation economy grew substantially during his tenure and though the NEP was there he did not apply it stringently. The Chinese and Indians were fairly happy and played very supportive role in keeping the BN government in power.One just have to look at the KLSE and it would not be wrong to conclude that most of the listed companies are controlled by Chinese businessmen. The majority of the heavy league bumiputra companies on the KLSE are government-linked.The number of individual bumiputra companies are no match with that of the Chinese.
One must admit that the Chinese are laborious people and have much longer history of business culture in them.The story of rag to riches were aplenty in this particular community gained through perseverance and hard work.Needless to say the Chinese also controlled over 90 percent of the retail trade.Although, Malays formed the majority in this country, go to any major cities and towns and see how almost all kind of businesses are dominated by the Chinese.
Najib should pay serious attention to the Chinese contributions to the economy and should tap their expertise and resources in the economic field and not only confine himself to bumiputra advisers.The people around him should have a cosmopolitan look.
There are many resource rich countries that can't be considered prosperous.Countries like Brazil,Russia, South Africa,Nigeria are just some example of resource rich countries that definitely wouldn't fall in the prosperous category.On the other hand countries like Singapore,Finland,Switzerland,Austria lack natural resources but enjoy tremendous stability and prosperity.In some cases the people don't even bother about politics or try to change the government unless the political system made it mandatory to do so as in the case of the US where the President can only hold office for two terms.
I have always been a proponent that UMNO should not contest the Penanti by-election to see how popular the Pakatan camp is without UMNO upsetting the nest.The result of Penanti, which is within Anwar's impenetrable fortress, is obvious that they are not as hot as they made it out to be.The turn-out was less than 50 percent. The Malays are not falling head over heel to vote for them.As usual to pull wool over the people's eyes they have to blame Najib and UMNO for the low turn out.
The Malaysian Insider which lately seems to have turned the table and are more vocal against the establishment published a survey of Najib's popularity poll and came out with some very surprising results.Overall only 16% of respondent are dissatisfied with Najib as PM while 45% gave him a thump-up.Even more surprising and unexpected on racial breakdown 64% of Indians are happy with him and only 15% are not.The figure with the Chinese was a bit dismal, only 24% are happy and 23% are not and 53% did not respond which means the Chinese are mostly fence-sitters.
For a man with a heavy baggage and constantly under personal attack by the oppositions the results is most unexpected.However, see what this anti-Najib blogger wrote here. So, there is hope for Najib after all.
He has been in office for less than a hundred days, give him a year, I believe the rating would rise in his favour.
It's the state of the economy that's going to decide the future of BN as a government and it fell on Najib to find the magic formula to bring back prosperity and unity to the people.
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