In American Football, the losing team is within reach of the end zone and the clock is ticking down. The team waits for the last 2 minutes known as the “2 Minute warning”. The Quarterback throws deep into the end zone hoping his wide receivers will catch the ball and score a final touchdown without anytime left for the opponent to come back. This is known as throwing a “Hail Mary.”
Pak Lah is in his final 2 minutes of the game. Will he have the tenacity to fight like a wounded tiger? Pak Lah, I hope you are reading this. You can leave office with your head down and tail between your legs or you can go with a legacy and guns blazing. For your name and for the country this is what you should do:
1) Insist that the trial of the decade be completed by December. Expose whoever was behind the murder of Altantuya and bring justice for the family of the deceased. Whoever it maybe even if it includes any VVIP.
2) Unleash the ACA fully and give them the green light to bring to book any corruption involving the Defence Ministry and the Ministry of Trade and Industry in the last 5 years. Prosecute those who have plundered and robbed from the citizens.
3) Reshuffle your cabinet and bring back Zaid Ibrahim. Remove all those who challenged your Presidency. Give Zaid Ibrahim a free hand in reforming the judiciary
4) Revisit and call for a Royal Inquiry into the 1988 judicial crises and prosecute those who have wronged the nation.
5) Investigate and prosecute all those involved in Project “M” where illegal immigrants flooded Sabah and were given Malaysian IC
6) Repeal the ISA and free all ISA detainees or bring to court those who are truly criminals.
7) Implement the IPCMC at the Royal Malaysian Police
Pak Lah must be firm to complete these reforms. He must carry it out swiftly and quickly. Do not even hesitate for a minute. It must all be completed or at least half way there by December 2008. Listen to nobody and each day focus on these reforms. You will be the best Prime Minister Malaysia has ever seen yet,. if you are courageous enough to complete these task. For all you know, you may lengthen your days as Prime Minister. Good luck.
Monday, September 29, 2008
Friday, September 26, 2008
Prime Minister in waiting did more for the economy today
Honestly; the world is literally at the door step of a financial meltdown with eyes on Washington and what they will do. At home; UMNO huddles not to discuss financial battle plans and how to shield ourselves from an impending crises but to chatter about how to remove their President and Prime Minister of Malaysia. These pictures taken today speaks volumes about who, in my mind is the more competent leader to take Malaysia forward and through this looming crises.
UMNO top leaders; Pak Lah and Najib giving a press conference after an Emergency UMNO Supreme Council meeting. It appears Pak Lah has only till March before he transfers power to his Deputy Najib.
Prime Minister in waiting; Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim this morning was in Hong Kong addressing as key note speaker at CLSA Asia Pacific forum. He spoke to Analysts from around the world, over a thousand investors from 30 countries and over 400 CEOs from the region.
UMNO top leaders; Pak Lah and Najib giving a press conference after an Emergency UMNO Supreme Council meeting. It appears Pak Lah has only till March before he transfers power to his Deputy Najib.
The Malaysian leaders were busy this morning and perhaps the last 6 months staying afloat amidst growing discontent.
Prime Minister in waiting; Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim this morning was in Hong Kong addressing as key note speaker at CLSA Asia Pacific forum. He spoke to Analysts from around the world, over a thousand investors from 30 countries and over 400 CEOs from the region.
He is competent or at least appears to be so and speaks confidently on the world financial situation and his plan for a new Malaysia. He is well respected and a much sought after speaker.
You can read Anwar Ibrahim's key note address to CLSA- Asia Pacific here:
I think the choice is quite obvious - wouldn't you say?
Wednesday, September 24, 2008
I want a change in government - letter to Malaysiakini
Letter to the Editor, Malaysiakini (unedited version):
The night YB Teresa Kok was arrested, I was with some friends having teh tarik. One friend commented; "whats happening to Malaysia?" Another friend replied; "The same thing thats been happening the last 20 years."
The difference is that the "new rakyat" have now a renewed sense of power and hope. By "new rakyat" I mean a young generation of Malaysians born a few years before 1969 and after, who are not scarred by the May 13 riots and have no first hand recollection of how bad it was. These are the ones, perhaps 45 years and below who stood up on March 8th 2008 to make a difference. On March 9th, many of their elders were afraid to leave their homes for fear of a race riot - but to the relief of all nothing happened.
Tengku Razaleigh in his description of the state of Malaysia and in his defence of the political party he had served all his life, today said; "Malaysians faced a dangerous situation where the rule of law was uncertain and the constitution was not being upheld." The truth is, Malaysians in the last 20 years have been facing a dangerous situation with the constitution being amended at the whims and fancies of a crazed, racist despot. Mahathir's sad description of the Parliament - "a mere rubberstamp". As a result of the BN government control of Parliament; our constitution in 51 years of history has been amended 42 times with a total of 650 amendments (more than one amendment at each time). The United States of America with over 200 years of history has amended the constitution a mere 27 times. Tell me when was the constitution never under any threat?
The BN's continued use of ISA shows a disregard for the rule of law. Since 1957, the BN government has detained 3,200 Malaysians under the ISA. Among victims of the ISA are opposition leaders; Lim Kit Siang, Anwar Ibrahim, Tian Chua and many activists who can hardly be considered a threat to "National Security". Unless "National security" is synonymous to "Barisan Nasional". There are now a total of 120 detainees who are languishing under the ISA.
The BN's constant reminder of May 13 1969 and the use of racial segregation to justify the existence of race based parties like UMNO, MCA and MIC are a stumbling block to a trully united Malaysia. BN's formula worked on the notion that only a malay can look after the interest of a malay and similarly a chinese for the chinese etc. As such each political party within BN worked in opposite directions fighting for the rights of their individual race. This rarely worked towards the good of Malaysia as a whole.
So after reading Tengku Razaleigh's desperate plea as a result of his observation of a nation under crisis; I must say that what we see today is the fruit of a callous generation of Malaysians who allowed UMNO and the BN to rule for 51 years without challenge and accountability. The last 20 years especially under a despot who would stop at nothing to accomplish his goals. Tengku Razaleigh will not disagree with me; him being a victim of injustice many times before.
In conclusion, ethics or morality aside; 51 years is too long and after 20 years of abusing the constitution and the various institutions of government that provide checks and balance I for one cannot wait to see a change in government.
Sent to http://www.malaysiakini.com/ 24th Sept 2008
The night YB Teresa Kok was arrested, I was with some friends having teh tarik. One friend commented; "whats happening to Malaysia?" Another friend replied; "The same thing thats been happening the last 20 years."
The difference is that the "new rakyat" have now a renewed sense of power and hope. By "new rakyat" I mean a young generation of Malaysians born a few years before 1969 and after, who are not scarred by the May 13 riots and have no first hand recollection of how bad it was. These are the ones, perhaps 45 years and below who stood up on March 8th 2008 to make a difference. On March 9th, many of their elders were afraid to leave their homes for fear of a race riot - but to the relief of all nothing happened.
Tengku Razaleigh in his description of the state of Malaysia and in his defence of the political party he had served all his life, today said; "Malaysians faced a dangerous situation where the rule of law was uncertain and the constitution was not being upheld." The truth is, Malaysians in the last 20 years have been facing a dangerous situation with the constitution being amended at the whims and fancies of a crazed, racist despot. Mahathir's sad description of the Parliament - "a mere rubberstamp". As a result of the BN government control of Parliament; our constitution in 51 years of history has been amended 42 times with a total of 650 amendments (more than one amendment at each time). The United States of America with over 200 years of history has amended the constitution a mere 27 times. Tell me when was the constitution never under any threat?
The BN's continued use of ISA shows a disregard for the rule of law. Since 1957, the BN government has detained 3,200 Malaysians under the ISA. Among victims of the ISA are opposition leaders; Lim Kit Siang, Anwar Ibrahim, Tian Chua and many activists who can hardly be considered a threat to "National Security". Unless "National security" is synonymous to "Barisan Nasional". There are now a total of 120 detainees who are languishing under the ISA.
The BN's constant reminder of May 13 1969 and the use of racial segregation to justify the existence of race based parties like UMNO, MCA and MIC are a stumbling block to a trully united Malaysia. BN's formula worked on the notion that only a malay can look after the interest of a malay and similarly a chinese for the chinese etc. As such each political party within BN worked in opposite directions fighting for the rights of their individual race. This rarely worked towards the good of Malaysia as a whole.
So after reading Tengku Razaleigh's desperate plea as a result of his observation of a nation under crisis; I must say that what we see today is the fruit of a callous generation of Malaysians who allowed UMNO and the BN to rule for 51 years without challenge and accountability. The last 20 years especially under a despot who would stop at nothing to accomplish his goals. Tengku Razaleigh will not disagree with me; him being a victim of injustice many times before.
In conclusion, ethics or morality aside; 51 years is too long and after 20 years of abusing the constitution and the various institutions of government that provide checks and balance I for one cannot wait to see a change in government.
Sent to http://www.malaysiakini.com/ 24th Sept 2008
Thursday, September 18, 2008
Press Statement 18th Sept 2008
Press statement in full:
Today Pakatan Rakyat leaders have submitted a letter to the Prime Minister requesting him to call an emergency session of Parliament to deliberate a motion of censure against the leadership of YAB Dato’ Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi no later than Tuesday 23 September 2008.
This is in accordance with Order 11(3) of the Standing Orders of Parliament and warrants an immediate response given the gravity of today’s political impasse. A delay in his response would be interpreted as nothing short of a further sabotage of the democratic process and abuse of Executive Power.
The Prime Minister’s haggling on the syntax of our first letter is puerile at best. The intent of our meeting as described in that letter was clearly to discuss the future course of the nation’s leadership – though in deference to his position and in accordance with acceptable norms we remain considerate and polite in our approach.
I find the Prime Minister’s comment about me in his press conference yesterday to be reckless and irresponsible in light of the disastrous outcome of last Friday’s ISA raids.
He has conflated what is essentially an issue of democracy, freedom and the rule of law with national security. The use of the ISA to harass and detain duly elected political opponents is a grave transgression of the law and its continued use would further erode confidence in the current government and exacerbate political instability.
As the incumbent Prime Minister actively holding office and exercising all Executive powers, and as the outgoing Finance Minister, we hold him fully accountable for the current political turmoil and mismanagement of the nation’s economy. His accusation that I have had an adverse impact on the nation’s economy is entirely without basis.
I have met with the key fund managers in the region, representing over USD 1 trillion in assets, and on multiple occasions they were unanimously in support of comprehensive reforms in Malaysia including judicial independence, a free media, a more professional police force and anti-corruption agency, investor friendly laws and assurances on the non-interference of politicians in the governance of Bank Negara. These are policies Pakatan Rakyat has promised to implement– and initiatives that the current administration has done virtually nothing to advance since March 8th.
ANWAR IBRAHIM
Leader of Opposition
De-facto leader, Keadilan
Today Pakatan Rakyat leaders have submitted a letter to the Prime Minister requesting him to call an emergency session of Parliament to deliberate a motion of censure against the leadership of YAB Dato’ Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi no later than Tuesday 23 September 2008.
This is in accordance with Order 11(3) of the Standing Orders of Parliament and warrants an immediate response given the gravity of today’s political impasse. A delay in his response would be interpreted as nothing short of a further sabotage of the democratic process and abuse of Executive Power.
The Prime Minister’s haggling on the syntax of our first letter is puerile at best. The intent of our meeting as described in that letter was clearly to discuss the future course of the nation’s leadership – though in deference to his position and in accordance with acceptable norms we remain considerate and polite in our approach.
I find the Prime Minister’s comment about me in his press conference yesterday to be reckless and irresponsible in light of the disastrous outcome of last Friday’s ISA raids.
He has conflated what is essentially an issue of democracy, freedom and the rule of law with national security. The use of the ISA to harass and detain duly elected political opponents is a grave transgression of the law and its continued use would further erode confidence in the current government and exacerbate political instability.
As the incumbent Prime Minister actively holding office and exercising all Executive powers, and as the outgoing Finance Minister, we hold him fully accountable for the current political turmoil and mismanagement of the nation’s economy. His accusation that I have had an adverse impact on the nation’s economy is entirely without basis.
I have met with the key fund managers in the region, representing over USD 1 trillion in assets, and on multiple occasions they were unanimously in support of comprehensive reforms in Malaysia including judicial independence, a free media, a more professional police force and anti-corruption agency, investor friendly laws and assurances on the non-interference of politicians in the governance of Bank Negara. These are policies Pakatan Rakyat has promised to implement– and initiatives that the current administration has done virtually nothing to advance since March 8th.
ANWAR IBRAHIM
Leader of Opposition
De-facto leader, Keadilan
"Calm and hopeful"
Lets hunker down and remain calm...
If we read the constitution, we'll understand what Anwar's plans are....
Here's a note from a friend I received this morning:
I'd like to encourage everyone to stay calm and hopeful. There is a process that is required for the change of government in mid term and the agenda as laid out by Anwar Ibrahim is compliant to the procedure.
To put it simply .. if Anwar has the numbers he just needs to advise the Speaker of the House and the PM and seek an audience with the Agung. The Agung then notifies the Speaker to undertake a head count of members for and against the Government and the PM either survives the motion or a new PM and cabinet is elected.
He has done the first bit, ie. advice the Prime Minister and now we're waiting on the second half of the process.
This is a perfectly legal process which is provided for in Article 43 (4) of the Federal Constitution:
"If the Prime Minister ceases to command the confidence of the majority of the members of the House of Representatives, then, unless at his request the Yang di-Pertuan Agong dissolves Parliament, the Prime Minister shall tender the resignation of the Cabinet."
This is probably the most prudent way at the moment to avoid any unrest or excuse to create any.
There will be rumours going around over the next few days and my advice would just be to sit tight and wait it out. Some of us have been waiting for this day for more than a decade, and some like Syed Husin Ali, since 1959!. So a few more days or weeks wouldn't really hurt.
Salam Reformasi
If we read the constitution, we'll understand what Anwar's plans are....
Here's a note from a friend I received this morning:
I'd like to encourage everyone to stay calm and hopeful. There is a process that is required for the change of government in mid term and the agenda as laid out by Anwar Ibrahim is compliant to the procedure.
To put it simply .. if Anwar has the numbers he just needs to advise the Speaker of the House and the PM and seek an audience with the Agung. The Agung then notifies the Speaker to undertake a head count of members for and against the Government and the PM either survives the motion or a new PM and cabinet is elected.
He has done the first bit, ie. advice the Prime Minister and now we're waiting on the second half of the process.
This is a perfectly legal process which is provided for in Article 43 (4) of the Federal Constitution:
"If the Prime Minister ceases to command the confidence of the majority of the members of the House of Representatives, then, unless at his request the Yang di-Pertuan Agong dissolves Parliament, the Prime Minister shall tender the resignation of the Cabinet."
This is probably the most prudent way at the moment to avoid any unrest or excuse to create any.
There will be rumours going around over the next few days and my advice would just be to sit tight and wait it out. Some of us have been waiting for this day for more than a decade, and some like Syed Husin Ali, since 1959!. So a few more days or weeks wouldn't really hurt.
Salam Reformasi
Wednesday, September 17, 2008
We're maturing...
Just got back from the Malaysia Day Rally. Many including myself agreed that at the closing we sang our National Anthem with much gusto and pride!! Its been a long journey and we're almost there. I wanted to post an old blog posting......and to say perhaps we're trully seeing the dawn of a new Malaysia and the beginning of a 2 party system of democracy. We're maturing into a democracy...
Monday, February 20, 2006
Who hijacked democracy in Malaysia?
Submitted to Malaysiakini but never made it. It is odd to hear people say that Anwar Ibrahim will never have a chance at being Prime Minister outside of UMNO. It is even funnier to hear people say that we should be grateful for our government. In Malaysia, we have only seen one political party in government and as a result we the people do not understand the fundamentals of democracy and our parliamentary system. We have not realized that we, the people elect the government to serve and to uphold the constitution of the country. We are fearful to understand what may lie ahead should we ever have a change in government.
Who hijacked democracy in Malaysia?
Submitted to Malaysiakini but never made it. It is odd to hear people say that Anwar Ibrahim will never have a chance at being Prime Minister outside of UMNO. It is even funnier to hear people say that we should be grateful for our government. In Malaysia, we have only seen one political party in government and as a result we the people do not understand the fundamentals of democracy and our parliamentary system. We have not realized that we, the people elect the government to serve and to uphold the constitution of the country. We are fearful to understand what may lie ahead should we ever have a change in government.
However, a mature democracy ensures the right of the people to change governments according to the majority of the people. The US alone had a republican in office in 1980 (the same time as Dr Mahathir), a democrat in 1992 and now a republican again in 2000. We not only had the same government we had the same leader in that 20 year span! This is nothing really to be proud off.
By having a change in government, it puts the onus on the government and his leader to perform. To govern with the highest calling of his office.The opposition in Malaysia in the last 2 decades have been seen as subversive elements and many have been arrested under the Internal Security Act. A threat to national security it seems. Now, our Dr Mahathir says it is not good to have too weak an opposition.
In the UK, the opposition is known as Her Majesty’s Opposition party. They are recognized as government in waiting. It is not impossible therefore for Malaysia who claims parliamentary democracy to have a change in government one day for the mark of a mature democracy is smooth transition of power.
This is only possible if the police and the Royal Malaysian army and armed forces and civil services understand their role as civil servants in nation building and protecting the constitution.
The result of almost 5 decades of rule is the blurriness between BN the political party and the seat of government which is an elected office. The blurriness extends to the civil servants who see themselves as BN officers rather than the Malaysian government. We must educate our young on the freedom of choice and with it comes the responsibility of electing a government that truly upholds and protects the freedom of all Malaysian people through the rule of law and ensures the sacredness of the Constitution of Malaysia.
So it should never be said that it is impossible for Anwar Ibrahim to be Prime Minister. He who says that, says democracy is dead in Malaysia. That our election is a farce and the rakyat will never have a say. I would like to believe that elections in Malaysia is free and fair and that any party can one day hold office in government and on the flip side any government who fails to protect the constitution and the Malaysian people by protecting their rights could be removed from government.
# posted by Meng @ 1:33 PM 3 comments links to this post
# posted by Meng @ 1:33 PM 3 comments links to this post
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