Friday, 7 November 2008
RPK many Malaysians are with you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Raja Petra, surrounded by his wife and supporters, is all smiles after his release from detention. — Picture by Choo Choy May
It is not only a happy moment for Marina Lee but also to all those did candle vigil and effort through out the country from the day RPK was arrested. I am personally as a fan of RPK's articles waiting to read more and more of his wonderful writings which can change the nation.
Bravo PRK. National Express Malaysia wish you happy coming back.
Greetings,
Admin NEM
Raja Petra freed following court ruling
Controversial blogger Raja Petra Kamarudin was released from his Internal Security Act (ISA) detention at 3.20pm.
The editor of the popular Malaysia Today website was brought to the Shah Alam High Court just five minutes earlier.
Expressing surprise with the decision, Raja Petra said: "Not many people have challenged the act (ISA) so much and I did not have much high hopes (of being released).
"This application allowed under Section 8 is a special prize. I am tired."
"This showed ISA cannot be used. I hope this is not a political decision. I don't want to be the prime minister. I want Anwar to be the PM," he said.
This morning, the Shah Alam High Court this ruled that the detention of Raja Petra under the ISA was illegal and ordered his immediate release.
Judge Syed Ahmad Helmy Syed Ahmad said that Raja Petra's detention was unconstitutional.
He said the home minister had not followed proper procedure under Section 8 of the ISA to issue the detention order against Raja Petra.
The judge also ordered that Raja Petra be produced in court by 4pm today after which he should be immediately released.
Raja Petra was being held at the Kamunting detention camp in Perak.
"Now is about 10.30am, and I think there is enough time for Raja Petra to be released. I do not want this matter to be prolonged as the weekend starts tomorrow," said the judge.
"I thank the prosecution for their cooperation in handling this case and require your assistance to ensure that the order would be carried out."
Senior federal counsel Abdul Wahab Mohammad said he would make the necessary arrangements by 4pm.
The release comes more than a month after Home Minister Syed Hamid Albar signed the ISA detention order on Sept 23, although Raja Petra was initially arrested under the Act on Sept 12 at his house in Sungai Buloh.
Reasons for the detention
Raja Petra, 58, had named the home minister as the defendant in the habeas corpus application which sought among others for his immediate release and an order that his detention under the ISA was unlawful.
The minister had stated three reasons for Raja Petra's detention:
- that he owns and operates the Malaysia Today website;
- publishing his articles and readers' comments intentionally and recklessly which were critical and insulted Muslims, affecting the purity of the religion and the personality of Prophet Muhammad; and
- publishing articles deemed defamatory or false concerning Malaysia's leaders, with the intention of undermining public confidence and inciting hatred against the government; the articles are alleged to be a threat to national security.
The articles in question were 'Malays, the Enemy of Islam', 'Let's send the Altantuya murderers to hell', 'I promise to be a good, non-hypocritical Muslim' and 'Not all Arabs are descendents of the Prophet'.
Upon hearing the judgment, Marina broke into tears and hugged her daughters.
Raja Petra's supporters who were wearing black, yellow, green and orange t-shirts with the message 'No ISA' and 'Free RPK' had clapped when the decision was made.
A procedural non-compliance
Syed Ahmad Helmy in his judgment said the court looked into two factors, namely the constitutionality of the Act and whether the home minister acted correctly within his jurisdiction to issue the order.
He said Section 8(b) of the ISA indicated that those issued with the detention order by the minister might not be allowed for judicial review. However, the court could hear such an application if there were instances of possible abuse of powers.
Syed Ahmad Helmy said there was no relevance for the minister to issue the order against Raja Petra on the basis of 'mala fide' (bad faith).
"Following this, the court finds there is a procedural non-compliance as stated under Section 8(1) of the ISA based on the minister's affidavit.
"Hence the court finds the minister had acted 'ultra vires' (beyond his powers) in issuing the detention order under the ISA section. For example, the minister cannot issue an order if a person has in bad faith decided to colour his hair red.
"Following this, the court is allowing the plaintiff's application and orders for his release," the judge said.
Raja Petra's lawyer Malik said during submissions earlier that the court has jurisdiction to scrutinise the detention order and to determine if it was made in bad faith.
"This is not a situation like Jemaah Islamiyah or communists. This is just a man whom the government thinks can bring it down to its knees," the counsel had argued.
Wife: A good sign
Marina, when met by reporters, said she had been hopeful but had not expected the decision.
"I am speechless and satisfied with the decision. I have not taken breakfast and will do so and wait for my husband's return."
Marina also thanked all her lawyers for their effort in securing her husband's release. Their two daughters - Suraya, 34, and Sarah, 19 - were present as well.
This was the second time that Raja Petra has been arrested under the ISA.He was also detained in 2001 at the height of the reformasi movement triggered by the sacking and jailing of former deputy premier and now Opposition Leader Anwar Ibrahim.
However, Raja Petra was released after 53 days in police custody, without being sent to Kamunting.Sodomy trial: Anwar wins first round
(Malaysiakini) The Kuala Lumpur Sessions Court today ruled in favour of Opposition Leader Anwar Ibrahim and decided that his sodomy trial would be heard in the same court.
The court fixed next Friday for mention.
The decision will pave the way for the sodomy trial to begin - three months after Anwar claimed trial after being charged with sodomising his former aide, Mohd Saiful Bukhari Azlan, 23.
If convicted, he could face up to 20 years in jail. He is currently out on a RM20,000 personal bond.
AG's role disputed
In previous arguments on the case transfer, Anwar had objected to the application because the transfer certificate was signed by Abdul Gani.
The defence team's objection was on the basis that the AG should not have played any role in this case as he is being investigated for allegedly having tampered with evidence in Anwar's trials 10 years ago.
The defence has also argued that Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi had given an assurance that Abdul Gani would not be involved in the case.
Raja Petra freed
SHAH ALAM, Nov 7 — The High Court today ordered that Raja Petra Kamarudin, editor of the popular news portal Malaysia Today, be released from detention after ruling that his arrest for allegedly causing racial tensions was unlawful.
High Court Justice Syed Ahmad Helmy Syed Ahmad ruled that the Home Minister acted outside his powers in having Raja Petra arrested on Sept 12, said the blogger’s lawyer Malik Imtiaz Sarwar.
He quoted the judge as saying the grounds given for Raja Petra's detention were insufficient and that his arrest under the Internal Security Act was unlawful.
The ISA allows the government to detain anyone for an initial two-year period without charges, and to extend the detention indefinitely.
Raja Petra, who was accused of threatening public security and causing racial tension by publishing writings that ridiculed Islam, will be taken to court later today to be formally set free.
Malik said the order was a "historic ruling”.
It's not the first time that a court has ordered the release of ISA detainees, and the ruling also does not prevent the government from re-arresting him under the ISA. The government can also appeal the ruling.
Raja Petra, 58, has increasingly infuriated authorities by publishing numerous claims about alleged wrongdoing by government leaders on his highly popular site, Malaysia Today. The government has denounced most of Raja Petra's allegations as lies.
He is also on trial in a separate case, having been accused of sedition by implying that Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak was involved in the murder of a Mongolian woman. Raja Petra denies the allegation. If convicted, he faces up to three years in jail.
The detention came at a time when the government's popularity hit at an all-time low and is riven with factional fighting and faces the threat of being ousted by the opposition.
The ISA is a holdover from British colonial days, when it was used against communist insurgents. Independent Malaysia's post-colonial government has kept it in the statute books and has used it sparingly against political dissidents, ignoring calls from opposition groups and others to disband the law.
Raja Petra's arrest triggered widespread protests by civil society groups, lawyers and other online commentators.
Some of Malaysia's most popular blogs offer strong anti-government commentaries and present themselves as a substitute for mainstream media, which are controlled by political parties or closely linked to them. The government estimates there are more than 700 Malaysians who blog on social and political issues.— AP
Raja Nazrin: Rulers may disagree with government leaders
Raja Nazrin says the Rulers cannot accede to acts which do not symbolise justice. — Bernama pic
"Generally, the Rulers act based on the advice by government leaders elected by the people. Nevertheless, the Rulers cannot accede to acts which do not symbolise justice or sanction moves which do not mirror truth.
"The Rulers' views, observation and counsel in the administrative affairs of the country touching on the question of integrity which encompasses justice, law, judiciary, misappropriation, power abuse, corruption and wealth distribution, are with the desire to strengthen the government so that it is stable and receives the people's trust," he said at a dinner in conjunction with National Integrity Day here.
To ensure the Rulers' integrity is not questioned and the throne remains respected, Raja Nazrin said the Rulers shall always be intelligent and wise, master knowledge, understand the surroundings and changes, and possess a group of advisers comprising experts and people knowledgeable in the relevant fields.
"This will enable the Rulers fulfil their roles with integrity and make the smart, accurate, just and fair decisions," he said.
Present were Sarawak Chief Minister Tan Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud and Chief Justice Tan Sri Zaki Azmi.
Raja Nazrin said the Rulers are part of national institutions whose role is to strengthen the democratic system by carrying out the check and balance responsibility and the function as an independent tribunal for the legislative, executive and judiciary branches.
As a source of reference should a crisis occurs, he said, the Rulers function as the balancing mechanism which safeguards national stability, protects people's wellbeing, ensures justice, enhances the government's integrity and strengthens the democratic practice in the country.
"The Rulers have a role as the pillar of stability — source of justice, thrust of unity — hence enhancing the level of people's confidence in the systems of governance and society based on democratic practices, rooted on the doctrine of separation of powers.
"The Rulers have constitutional responsibilities and the responsibilities need to be carried out intelligently so that it can help build a high-integrity country," he said.
Raja Nazrin said the institution of Rulers shall have the role and function to productively and constructively contribute to the nation.
"The Rulers reside at a special position, have the opportunity to give smart views to influence and determine the direction of the nation positively and constructively through counsel, encouragement, persuasion, reminder and admonition," he said.
To strengthen integrity, Raja Nazrin said, the Rulers shall hold consultations and negotiations, gather opinions and be open minded to assess each advice rationally, objectively and fairly. — Bernama
Announcement on fatwa on yoga postponed
KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 7 — The announcement of the ruling on yoga exercise for Muslims, which was to have been made today, has been postponed to a date to be fixed.
Malaysian Islamic Development Department (Jakim) director-general Datuk Wan Mohamad Sheikh Abdul Aziz said this was because the National Fatwa Council chairman, Datuk Abdul Shukor Husin, was overseas on official business.
"A news conference will be held to make the announcement and the date will announced later," he told Bernama.
It was reported that the council would issue a fatwa on the matter today.
A lecturer of Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia's Faculty of Islamic Studies, Prof Zakaria Stapa, said recently that yoga, which is based on Hindu elements, could affect the faith of Muslims practising it. — Bernama
Zaid: Judges were sacked
Zaid insisted the judges were sacked.
KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 7 — Former de facto Law Minister Datuk Zaid Ibrahim has refuted his successor Datuk Seri Nazri Aziz's claim that the six Supreme Court judges who lost their jobs in the 1988 judicial crisis were not sacked.
"I have only this to say. The judges had been sacked and a miscarriage of justice of the gravest kind has been committed," he told The Malaysian Insider today of the judges who were removed in the fallout from an intense dispute in Umno which saw the party being deregistered.
Yesterday, Nazri, the Minister in the Prime Minister's Department, announced in Parliament that RM10.5 million was paid as ex-gratia to former Lord President Tun Salleh Abas and the five others, explaining that requests from MPs had forced the government to renege on a promise by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Badawi to keep the amounts secret.
Stating that "if they were sacked, there would be no pension," Nazri claimed that the judges were not sacked as pensions were paid to and "accepted faithfully" by Salleh, Tan Sri Azmi Kamaruddin, Tan Sri George Edward Seah Kim Seng, Tan Sri Wan Hamzah Mohd Salleh and the families of the late Tan Sri Eusoffe Abdolcadeer and the late Tan Sri Wan Suleiman Pawanteh.
Former Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad had been portrayed as the villain in the saga considered by the Bar Council to have marked the end of judicial independence, but he has consistently denied the charge by pointing out that the judges had been removed by properly set up tribunals.
Abdullah’s government had announced the decision to pay the judges the ex-gratia sum in his speech at the Bar Council dinner on April 17.
"The government would like to recognise the contributions of these six judges to the nation, their commitment towards upholding justice and to acknowledge the pain and loss they have endured," he had said.
Zaid, then the de facto Law Minister, had initiated the effort which came under criticism from Dr Mahathir and his supporters.
The Malaysian Insider understands that the Cabinet had decided to refer to the monies as "goodwill ex-gratia payments," as stated in Abdullah's April 17 speech, instead of "compensation" as the latter would imply an admission of guilt.
Since his resignation from the Cabinet and Senate, there has been a push by some ministers, including his successor Nazri, to disclose the sum in the name of accountability.
"Any responsible government would do the only right thing and that is to compensate them. That's what I had done and the Prime Minister was right in supporting the decision," Zaid told The Malaysian Insider.
Entering the Malay mind
by Azly Rahman
[Lecture notes of a recent speech given to Malaysian students in New York]
In this digital age of postmodernity, hypertextuality, alienation, and of chaos and complexity in which the historical march of capitalism has dictated the way nations think, it is becoming difficult for us to understand how the mind of a people work – unless we build a metaphysical chariot (like the one Krishna prepared for Arjuna in the battlefield of Kurusektra) to journey into it, through the eyes that will also bring us through their soul. At strategic points in that much the soul is corrupted by the material condition created by those who own the means of controlling the march of “progress” and the definition of “history”. At every epoch in the history of nations, there will be those who will be clueless of what they exist for and who they exist for; marginalized by those who have a better command of the art and science of social control and in the art of war.
I realize that the above sentences, for some, are dense and complex and require clarifications through simpler language; but like the monologue of Colonel Kurtz in Francis Ford Coppola’s classic, “Apocalypse Now,” we ought to try to understand the meaning of such a statement. Like James Joyce’s stream of consciousness, sentences may flow gracefully with intensity.
The subject of our inquiry is the Malay mind in this time of chaos and complexity, cynicism and uncertainty. These are the times that try the Malaysian soul and it is through cognitive science and the archeology of the mind, and through deep probing questions alone that one may accomplish the task of entering the mind of the Malay.
How do we do this?
Interpretations of what the Malay is – from the time of Frank Swettenham, Munsyi Abdullah, Tun Sri Lanang, the Sumatran Sufi scholars of ancient times, and others paid or unpaid writers of Malay history or from scribes who do not know the meaning of neutrality – all these are useful to a certain extend for us to understand what exactly the mind of the Malay.
Because we are rooted language and language constructs one Inner sensibility and determines how we construct our social reality and next, because we then use language to define how we create our economic condition, educate our tribe, govern each other, and work and play, we will need to define how the Malay mind works through the use of definitions.
But however we define what a Malay is, we will have linguistic difficulties and we will have problems determining from what and from whose historical perspective we are defining it.
Each definition of what a Malay is is contingent upon premises that are rooted in culture as some point and the Constitution in modern times. The world “Malay” is elusive, as argued by many a Malay and non-Malay cultural analysts trying to justify this or that rights and privileges. At every argument in history, conflict either bloody or bloodless may happen – because we are trapped in the prison-house of language. Only philosophy may free us from this shackle. Only by consistently attacking words and definition and demanding for their clarity may we be liberated. Connotations and denotations arise not only out of history but also out of the class divisions and antagonisms as a result of the evolution of who gets to own the tool of domination called “literacy”.
Malaysia has prepared herself to enter the Age of Deconstructionism in which in every sphere of our lives we are experiencing rupture and waning of affect; an age in which relationships have become meaningless and power is used to set fire to the voices in the wilderness. Consider these in we enter our very own “postmodern condition” wrought but the “cultural logic of our own brand of late capitalism”. We are experiencing rupture in our Judiciary, Executive, and Legislature. We know we want justice for all but we may have none. We know we want power to be executed the good of all, but we may have power concentrated in the few to let evil prevail. We want to be governed by the rule of law but we may end up seeing our lives governed by the iron fist of lawlessness.
How do we enter the Malay mind? What set of questions do we need? What will our metaphysical chariot look like? We need the following questions:
What is a Malay? Herein lies the need to consider the idea of “Constitutional versus cultural” aspect of the definition
What shapes the Malay mind? Herein lies the need to consider the idea “The Historical material condition”
How has history define Malay culture and consciousness? Herein lies the need to consider the idea of “social construction of reality”
How has economic condition create the Malay mind? Herein lies the need to consider the idea of “technology and culture”
How has globalization affect the consciousness of the Malays? Herein lies the need to consider the idea of “border crossings and heteroglossia”
How has modernization and hypermodernity shape the newer character of the Malay mind? Herein lies the need to consider the idea of “the neo-feudalistic cybernetic capitalistic Malay
Herein lies the beginning of the phase of self-reflection of the Malays as a people who has arrived at a historical juncture in which more and more rhetoric and words left undefined are used to construct the meaning of the word “Malay”.
Entering the postmodern Malay mind is a complex journey worth taking. It will be a journey like the poems of T.S. Elliot or Rilke. But to engineer this Copernican Revolution, we must take the first step.
Abdullah would fail in judicial reforms if original Article 121(1) not restored
The parliamentary reply of the Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department, Datuk Seri Nazri Aziz, yesterday on judicial reforms and the RM10.5 million ex gratia payment to six judges who were victims of the 1988 “Mother of all judicial crisis for two decades” has raised more questions.
Firstly, Nazri most irresponsibly tried to rewrite history about the 1988 “Mother of all judicial crisis for two decades” when he denied that the judges, particularly the then Lord President Tun Salleh Abas and two supreme court judges the late Tan Sri Wan Suleiman Pawanteh and Datuk George Seah were “sacked” , saying that they were asked to “retire early”.
Nazri was flying in the face of facts of history in making such a claim, for there can be no dispute that Salleh Abas, Wan Suleiman and George Seah were sacked after the outcome of the two “kangaroo” judicial tribunals set up by the then Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Dr. Mahathir Mohamad time, while the other three judges, Tan Sri Azmi Kamaruddin, Tan Sri Wan Hamzah Mohd Salleh and the late Tan Sri Eusoffe Abdolcadeer were victimised when they were suspended and virtually “sent to conventry” for the rest of their judicial service after their suspension was lifted.
Why did Nazri openly mislead Parliament yesterday in his dishonest and revisionist version of Malaysian judicial history?
Secondly, Nazri backtracked from the promise of judicial reform given by his predecessor Datuk Zaid Ibrahim when he responded to my speech the day earlier (see video) and categorically denied that there is any plan to amend the Malaysian Constitution to restore the original wording of Article 121(1) and the position of judicial power in the Merdeka Constitution.
One of the first pledges of Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi when he became Prime Minister five years ago was to uphold the doctrine of the separation of powers among the Executive, Legislature and Judiciary, which implicity includes the restoration of the original wording of Article 121(1) on the inherent power of the judiciary, which was arbitrarily usurped by the Executive in a 1988 Constitutional amendment using the Barisan Nasional’s brute two-thirds parliamentary majority.
Nazri’s predecessor, Zaid Ibrahim has publicly stated that the restoration of Article 121(1) was one of the judicial reforms in the pipeline, and the then Chief Justice, Tun Abdul Hamid Mohammad had publicly supported such an amendment, when he said that the government’s proposal to amend Article 121(1) “shows that an amendment made in anger as a reaction to a decision of the court could last (only) for one generation” and that just as “water tends to find its own level”, the country was finding its way back “to the original provision”.
Why has the government lost its way and will on judicial reforms on the amendment of Article 121(1) after Nazri replaced Zaid, who resigned on a point of principle in September in protest against the abuse of power and arbitrary use of the Internal Security Act to detain senior Sin Chew reporter, Tan Hoon Cheng, DAP MP for Seputeh Teresa Kok and blogger Raja Petra Kamaruddin.
A clear and unmistakable message must be sent to Abdullah, that he would have failed in his promise to push through judicial reforms before he steps down as Prime Minister next March if there is no constitutional amendment to restore the original wording and position of judicial power in Article 121(1).
The Prime Minister should direct Nazri, as the Minister responsible for shepherding the necessary legislation through Palriament on judicial reforms, to consult with the Pakatan Rakyat MPs to reach a consensus on the necessary constitutional amendments to ensure far-reaching judicial reforms – not only on the appointment of a Judicial Appointment Commission but also to restore the original wording of Article 121(1).
"Don't let my hubby rot inside Kamunting"
Triumph against ISA: One out, 65 still inside. The Court, ordering for RPK's immediate release, has described his the Malaysia Today editor's detention "illegal".
What, does that mean the detention of others still languishing inside Kamunting on the orders of the Home Minister "legal"?
When I heard of the news of RPK's release from Elviza, who was at the Shah Alam court this morning, I wondered about the families of the other detainees. Nuraina Samad, who late Bapak was detained for 5 years throughout Hussein Onn's premiership, called me. Excited. This isn't the first time she's wished that the people of three decades ago had the power they do now to go against the ISA dread.
I got in touch with with Laila, whose beloved husband Mat Sah Mohd Satray s one of the longest-serving Kamunting detainees. I told her about the good news.
"Alhamdulillah", she said. But, at the same time, she's sad. "I Sedih. Nothing much I can do except to compose myself and be steadfast in the struggle.
"Will I be alone?"
Laila's wish:"I wish there'll be vigils, the MPs will walk their talk, the momentum to abolish ISA will be maintained or raised higher than now. One released but 65 still inside. Plse dont let my hubby rot inside ..."
| Court orders Raja Petra's release |
| Hafiz Yatim | Nov 7, 08 9:46am |
| The Shah Alam High Court this morning ruled that the detention of well-known blogger Raja Petra Kamarudin under the ISA was illegal and ordered his immediate release. Judge Syed Ahmad Helmy Syed Ahmad said that Raja Petra's detention was unconstitutional. |
Court orders Raja Petra's release
The Shah Alam High Court this morning ruled that the detention of well-known blogger Raja Petra Kamarudin under the ISA was illegal and ordered his immediate release.
Judge Syed Ahmad Helmy Syed Ahmad said that Raja Petra's detention was unconstitutional.
He said the Home Minister had not followed proper procedure under Section 8 of the ISA to issue the detention order against Raja Petra.
The judge also ordered that Raja Petra, editor of the popular Malaysia Today website, be produced in court by 4pm today after which he should be immediately released.
Raja Petra is being held at the Kamunting detention camp in Perak.
A handful of Raja Petra supporters were also present in the court.
The ruling by the court followed a habeas corpus application by Raja Petra's counsel seeking his release from detention under the security law.
The blogger was arrested on Sept 12 by police and held at an unknown location before he was sent to Kamunting on Sept 23.
Home Minister Syed Hamid Albar on Sept 22 had signed a detention order for him to be held under section 8(1) of the ISA. Under the Act, the initial two-year detention period without trial can be renewed indefinitely
Syed Hamid had at the time told reporters that he was satisfied with the reasons given by the police for the blogger's detention.
"The police had recommended his detention and after going through the papers, we are satisfied that there are strong grounds for him to be further detained for two years (in Kamunting)."
According to his lawyer J Chandra, Raja Petra (left) was arrested for publishing articles on his news portal which allegedly tarnished the leadership of the country and insulted the sanctity of Islam.
The former newspaper columnist had earlier been charged with sedition and defamation after linking Deputy Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak and his wife to the sensational murder of a Mongolian national.
He had first been detained in 2001, at the height of the reformasi movement triggered by the sacking and jailing of former deputy premier and now Opposition Leader Anwar Ibrahim.
However, Raja Petra was released after 53 days in police custody, without being sent to Kamunting.
Thursday, 6 November 2008
Foreign Correspondent: Video - Scandal, sodomy & murder
Watch the ABC video HERE which includes interviews with Anwar Ibrahim, Marina Lee Abdullah and Najib Razak.
http://www.abc.net.au/foreign/content/2008/malaysia_scandal_200k.asx
OBAMA – MERAYAKAN MERITOKRASI
DARI JELEBU
Hishamuddin Rais
Hegemoni budaya gerombolan United Malays National Organisation amat meluas. Hegemoni budaya yang selama 50 tahun ini telah meresapi ke dalam semua jalur falsafah dan cara pemikiran warga Malaysia.
Hegemoni ini telah memaksa kita semua melihat diri kita bukan sebagai warga Malaysia – anak semua bangsa - tetapi melihat kewujudan kita sebagai orang berbangsa Melayu, Cina atau India atau bangsa-bangsa lain. Dalam identiti diri yang luas ini kita telah gagal untuk melihat diri kita sebagai warga negara bangsa dalam satu kesatuan. Jauh sekali untuk melihat diri kita sebagai warga dunia.Tekanan hegemoni ini telah memaksa semua warga berfikir dengan menggunakan pendekatan, kayu ukur dan kaedah gerombolan United Malays National Organisation berfikir. Hegemoni ini memaksa kita melupakan meritokrasi.
Meritokrasi boleh kita hayati dengan memahami bahawa :
1 – berasas keupayaan individu bukan kerana kelas, derajat, seksualiti atau kekayaan
2 - individu di anugerah kerana keupayaan dan ketrampilan untuk mencapai anugerah itu
3 – memajukan individu berdasar ketrampilan individu
Konsep meritokrasi ini tidak ada memasukkan bangsa, kelas, agama, seksualiti atau gender. Konsep ini mengajukan keupayaan individu. Konsep meritokrasi ini mengajukan ketrampilan fikrah individu tanpa mengira bangsa, kelas, agama, seksualiti atau gender. Jika individu itu memiliki berkeupyaan terunggul maka individu itulah yang akan dipilih. Jika susuk itu bijak berilmu maka susuk itulah yang diangkat untuk dinobatkan sebagai Professor – bukan kerana dia Melayu atau kerana dia ketua cawangan atau kerana dia saudara kepada Menteri Pelajaran.
Meritokasi ini agak senang di hayati kerana ianya sedang diamalkan dengan terbaik dalam arena sukan.
Jika seorang Mamat pelari 100 meter itu deras berlari maka dia akan menjadi jaguh. Tidak ada huh tidak ada hah disini. Jika Minah Cun itu cekap berenang maka Minah Cun ini akan mendapat pingat emas di sukan Olympik. Yang terbaik adalah asas meritokrasi.
Terbukti jelas dalam arena sukan meritokrasi telah diamalkan. Justeru sukan dilihat sebagai satu aktiviti yang adil , telus dan jujur. Terlalu susah untuk rasuah masuk dalam budaya sukan yang mementingkan merit individu.
Jika ada percubaan untuk mengangkat seorang pelari 100 meter kelas kedua untuk ke kelas pertama kerana dia saudara Menteri Sukan atau kerana ayahnya dulu jaguh negara, lambat laun akan terlihat juga oleh orang ramai. Ahli sukan kelas kedua ini akan tetap di kelas ke dua apabila diduga. Yang bukan jaguh tetap bukan jaguh.
Justeru, konsep meritokrasi ini amat berguna untuk sesebuah tamadun mara maju ke hadapan. Apa yang menghalang meritokarsi dari dirayakan dan dinobatkan dalam sesebuah masyarakat ialah nilai feudal. Nilai feudal akan menghalang meritokrasi dari berkembang.
Dalam negara kita budaya feudal ini yang masih menebal terutama dalam masyarakat Melayu. Budaya ini telah digunakan sebaik mungkin oleh gerombolan United Malays National Organisation untuk dijadikan sebahagian dari proses politik mengaut penyokong.
Nilai budaya fuedal gagasan gerombolan United Malays National Organisation ini gagal melihat kejaguhan dan keupayaan individu tetapi melihat susuk berbangsa apa, kelas apa, ada-kah dia memiliki derajat atau harta kekayaan.
Disinilah lemahnya nilai budaya feudal. Kalau buah fikiran itu kurang baik tetapi ianya wajib diterima pakai kerana tuan empunya pandangan itu seorang yang berderajat tinggi, berharta atau berpangkat atau kerana bangsanya. Akhirnya kita sebagai warga dipaksa melakukan sesuatu yang bodoh kerana idea bodoh ini datangnya dari seorang yang berderajat tinggi.
Jika budaya feudal jadi amalan pasti tamadun itu tidak akan berkembang.
Gerombolan United Malays National Organisation telah mengamalkan konsep Ketuanan Melayu. Konsep dan falsafah Ketuanan Melayu ini melanggar dan menghancurkan nilai meritokrasi.
Contoh terbaik untuk melihat bagaimana nilai Ketuanan Melayu menghancurkan tamadun negara bangsa ialah dalam bidang keilmuan dan pembelajaran. Pada satu ketika dahulu Universiti Malaya adalah diantara gedung-gedung ilmu yang unggul dalam dunia. Hari ini ianya telah merosot kerana keilmuan itu bukan lagi berasaskan meritokrasi tetapi berasaskan Ketuanan Melayu.
Susuk-susuk yang berilmu tidak dapat mencari ruang untuk mengembang potensi keilmuan jika susuk-susuk ini bukan orang Melayu. Atau jika pakar keilmuan ini tidak menelan Ketuanan Melayu.
Masa demi masa budaya keilmuan semakin merosot maka akhirnya orang bodoh akan menjadi guru untuk mengajar orang yang lebih bodoh. Orang yang lebih bodoh ini akan juga menjadi tenaga pengajar untuk orang yang lagi banyak banyak bodoh. Ini terjadi di semua gedung keilmuan dalam negara ini. Hasilnya universiti dan gedung keilmuan kita hanya sanggup mengeluar graduan-graduan yang bodoh-bodoh dan tidak memiliki pemikiran kritikal tetapi mereka Melayu.
Inilah satu contoh teragung betapa bodohnya konsep Ketuanan Melayu yang menjadi paksi budaya gerombolan United Malays National Organisation.
Sayugia disedari gerombolan United Malays National Organisation telah berkuasa 50 tahun lebih, maka hegemoni budaya feudaal yang anti meritokrasi telah menyerap dalam mempengaruhi semua jalur pemikiran warga.
Akhir-akhir ini kita telah melihat bagaimana hegemoni budaya ini tanpa disedari telah juga digunakan dalam hujah yang diguna pakai oleh ahli-ahli dan simpatisan Pakatan Rakyat. Contoh terbaik apabila kedengaran tuntutan agar di wujudkan Timbalan Perdana Menteri Kedua dari yang Bukan Melayu.
Pesoalan timbul - Apakah jika Yang Bukan Melayu ini akan menjamin seorang yang itu hebat pimpinannya, hebat jiwa juangnya, berhati rakyat atau hebat pemikiranya? Susuk Bukan Melayu tidak menjamin apa-apa.
Hujah ini tidak ada bezanya dengan tuntutan agar Perdana Menteri itu mesti seorang Islam. Menjadi Islam sahaja tidak akan menjamin ketrampilan fikrah seseorang itu. Menjadi Islam sahaja tidak menjamin kualiti pimpinan. Terbukti dengan jelas dan tidak perlu bersuluh bahawa yang Islam juga amat bijak berasuah. Yang Islam juga cukup hebat dan bijak melakukan kezaliman dan keganasan. Kezaliman bukan sahaja kepada yang tidak seagama malah yang seagama pun di libas sama.
Apakah kita lupa bahawa ahli-ahli dan pucuk pimpinan gerombolan United Malays National Organisation semuanya penganut Islam. Ramai diantara gerombolan ini telah berpuluh kali berumrah. Berbelas kali naik haji. Tetapi lihat hasinya- taraaak.
Kita wajib menobatkan yang berilmu. Kita wajib menobatkan yang jaguh. Dalam semua bidang yang bijak fikrahnya wajib dihadapan. Anak semua bangsa kita wajib merayakan meritokrasi.
Bipartisan talks on ISA
By Shannon Teoh
KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 6 — Umno Youth deputy chief Khairy Jamaluddin today invited Pas Youth chief Salahuddin Ayub to meet and address the Internal Security Act in a bipartisan approach.
Salahuddin, the Kubang Kerian MP, made the call in Parliament for the ISA to be repealed and replaced during the Budget 2009 debate.
Khairy (BN-Rembau) then invited Salahuddin to discuss the matter with him outside the Dewan Rakyat if it could be agreed that preventive detention was still relevant.
Salahuddin welcomed it "on the condition that the ISA is abolished”.
Met outside the House later, Khairy said he would write a formal letter to Salahuddin "from one MP to another" so they could reach a consensus and bring back the suggestion to their respective coalitions.
Khairy added that he felt this was possible as "Kubang Kerian never said that preventive detention was out of the question”.
"He wants it to be repealed and replaced with a new law whereas I believe we only need to amend the ISA to ensure it will not be abused for political purposes," he added.
Khairy, who is seeking to be Umno Youth chief in the party's elections in March, said that such a meeting could depoliticise the issue.
"A caucus is political and nobody wants to cross the aisle because it appears to be organised by a particular party," he said, referring to the anti-ISA parliamentary caucus headed by the opposition which has not seen any participation from Barisan Nasional MPs.
The legislator felt that the reason the ISA had become such an issue was that the law was not transparent.
He also called the recent ISA arrests of Seputeh MP Teresa Kok, blogger Raja Petra Kamarudin and journalist Tan Hoon Cheng "dubious”.
"Nobody should be detained for political purposes and the ISA is not acceptable because people believe it is used that way. The legislation does not allow for transparency," he explained.
He also said another issue that needed to be addressed was the right for a detainee to a habeas corpus trial as legal recourse to end such a detention.
Khairy also stated that in light of current economic and political challenges, bipartisan solutions should be pursued when possible as "it is ridiculous to claim, as some of my colleagues do, that we won the elections and therefore the public supports us”.
Malaysia debates possibility of Obama-like leader
KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 6 - Malaysians impressed by US President-elect Barack Obama's groundbreaking victory debated today whether someone who is not from the Malay Muslim majority could ever lead their ethnically diverse country.
Malaysia's Constitution does not impose racial or religious restrictions on the prime minister's post, but the country has always been run by Malay Muslim leaders of its biggest political party since independence from Britain in 1957.
Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi told reporters yesterday that it was possible Malaysia could have a non-Malay leader, saying "it is up to the people to decide."
Abdullah's comment sparked a flurry of reactions from politicians and ordinary Malaysians. Many from the large ethnic Chinese and Indian minorities welcomed his comments but voiced scepticism that such a breakthrough could occur anytime soon.
Abdullah's United Malays National Organization is the linchpin of a 13-party multi-ethnic governing coalition. The prime minister is supposed to be the head of the coalition or party that holds a majority in Parliament.
Muslim Malays account for nearly two-thirds of Malaysia's 27 million people while ethnic Chinese and Indians, who are mainly Buddhist, Christian and Hindu, are the main minorities.
Malaysia prides itself on its multi-ethnic stability, but the minorities have increasingly complained about affirmative action policies that they say unfairly favour Malays. Some also allege their religious rights are being ignored.
"Can a Chinese, Indian (or a member of another minority) become prime minister?" senior opposition figure Lim Kit Siang, an ethnic Chinese, wrote on his blog. "There will be strong voices ... who would rise up to say 'no.'"
Lim's statement received more than 100 comments within 12 hours. One ethnic Malay reader who identified himself as Kasim Amat criticised Lim for raising "a very sensitive issue in Malaysia which can lead to chaos," adding that minorities should respect the leadership of Malays.
Nevertheless, Jaymee Goh, a 24-year-old ethnic Chinese, who said her childhood ambition had been to become prime minister, said Obama's triumph made it easier for her to imagine having a non-Malay leader eventually.
"If America can get a black man in that high a leadership position ... then there is no reason left for Malaysia to hold" to any racial discrimination, Goh said. "The chant has been 'Yes We Can' for the Obama campaign, and if they can, Malaysia can too." - AP
Another lawyer questioned by police
Putrajaya police today recorded statements from lawyer
Surendran, however, said the police did not get much out of him as he had refused to answer more than one question until they informed him of the offence he was being investigated for.
"Police can’t randomly call up people for questioning without notifying them of the offense," he said when contacted today.
Surendran was among a team of lawyers representing 10 individuals in a remand hearing on Oct 24 after they were arrested outside the prime minister’s office the day before.
The 10 were accompanying 6-year-old W Vwaishhnnavi, daughter of Hindraf chairperson-in-exile P Waytha Moorthy and her mother K Shanti in handing a letter to the prime minister.
During the remand hearing, one detainee NV Lourdes Mary, 44, fainted. Lourdes Mary is a diabetic and did not have access to insulin while in detention.
After she fainted, Surendran allegedly told Kajang Magistrate Nurdiana Mohd Nazari that the police were negligent in ensuring Lourdes Mary’s well-being.
Surendran said based on the police report against him, it appeared that the police were solely examining his statement about Lourdes Mary.
"The only conclusion we can come to is that this is an attempt to harass lawyers who are trying to perform their duties," he said.
Lawyers slam 'dangerous trend'
Surendran was accompanied by his lawyer Sulaiman Abdullah. Among the lawyers who turned up in a show of support for Surendran today included Bar Council president Ambiga Sreevenasan and her deputy K Ragunath.
"This is a dangerous trend because it affects the independence of lawyers in protecting the interest of their clients," she said.
In July, a total of four lawyers were questioned in relation to the controversial statutory declaration made by private investigator P Balasubramaniam who is now ‘missing’. Bala later retracted his first declaration, saying he made it under duress.
Back then, the Bar Council had expressed concern that police tactics would undermine lawyer-client privileges.
"First they arrested us for illegal assembly. Then, they said we violated the Societies Act. Now, they want to investigate our lawyer. It sounds like victimisation to us," he said.
Jayathas was among the 10 detainees Surendran had represented. He and Lourdes Mary were present at the Putrajaya district police headquarters today to show support for their lawyer.
MPs FONG & CHONG SUSPENDED FROM PARLIAMENT TODAY
(Malaysiakini)DAP parliamentarians Fong Po Kuan (Batu Gajah) and Chong Chieng Jen (Bandar Kuching) were suspended from the Dewan Rakyat for the rest of the day for disobeying Speaker Pandikar Amin Mulia.
At a press conference later, Fong said she was suspended because she questioned Pandikar on why she was not allowed to speak.
"I then questioned what was the yardstick used by the speaker to decide on which MP gets to debate first," she added.
Fong said she waited since yesterday to ask what happened to the RM2.4 million spent in purchasing the indelible ink which was not used during the March general election.
The last thing she heard on the issue is that a certain party has expressed interest to purchase the ink from the Election Commission.
"I have tried my best to get the speaker to allow me to raise these matters but time and time again I was not allowed to do so," she lamented.
Chong - who came to Fong's defence when Pandikar slapped her with the suspension - was also barred from the rest of the proceedings without warning or given a reason.
"I felt that it was unnecessary for the speaker to suspend Fong and I do not believe it is wrong to query the decision of the speaker if it is an unjust one," the Bandar Kuching MP told the same press conference.
He said the decision of the speaker was unjust if compared to an incident yesterday where a Barisan Nasional MP had used a highly offensive word against an opposition MP.
Yesterday, Tajuddin Abdul Rahman (BN-Pasir Salak) during a heated exchange with M Kulasegaran (DAP-Ipoh Barat) had called the latter a "bloody bastard."
The Pasir Salak MP however escaped punishment when he was asked to retract his statement by deputy speaker Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar which the former did.
Chong believes that the deputy speaker would have acted differently if an opposition MP had uttered those words.
"He (Tajuddin) was not even given a warning and we are sent out for making (valid) queries to the speaker," he said.
This morning, Karpal Singh (DAP-Batu Gelugor) urged the speaker to take stern action against Tajuddin.
He said the BN politician should not be let off the hook simply because the he had retracted his statement.
"Pasir Salak should be made to apologise or be referred to the House privileges committee," said Karpal at the conclusion of the question-and-answer session.
1988 JUDICIAL CRISIS - RM10.5 MILLION PAYOUT
Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Datuk Seri Mohd Nazri Aziz revealed at the Dewan Rakyat today that RM10.5 million was paid out by the government as ex-gratia payment to six ex-top judges and the breakdown were as follows:
Last week, Datuk Seri Nazri came under fire from the Opposition MPs when he was unable to quote the payout and had blamed Datuk Zaid Ibrahim, who has since resigned as Minister and Senator in the wave of the recent ISA arrest.
Zaid has pulse on race relations
(Malaysiakini)news analysis In one of the most important political speeches delivered in recent years, former de facto law minister Zaid Ibrahim took on race relations in Malaysia and the evolution of racial politics that has bedeviled the nation for the past few decades.
At independence in 1957, Malaya was a model of parliamentary democracy, governed under a written constitution “that accorded full respect and dignity for each and every Malayan”. 
The racial riots in 1969 changed the balance of political power and Umno, through the enlarged coalition of Barisan Nasional (BN), eventually assumed absolute control.
With its coalition partners unable to put up any resistance, Umno became increasingly racist and the master affirmative action plan known as the New Economic Policy (NEP), which was intended to eliminate poverty and redress economic imbalance, became synonymous with Malay privileges.
By the 1980s, Umno’s supremacist ideology became entrenched and found expression in ketuanan Melayu (Malay supremacy) and it was then that the term ‘social contract’ started to be flashed around to justify its racist conduct.
In parallel with the growth of racism was the steep rise in authoritarianism through amendments to the constitution and tightening a host of repressive laws. The rule of law became so subverted that democracy in Malaysia became history.
To cope with globalisation, Zaid calls for Malays to discard ketuanan Melayu and re-embrace democracy and rule of law to spur an economic renaissance of reviving innovation and creativity through co-operation and competition.
Predictably, Umno’s reaction to Zaid’s speech was a chorus of abusive language from its leaders, ranging from “traitor to his race” to “apologise and repent, or get out of rumpun Melayu (the Malay stock)”.
And characteristically, none of these vocal critics engaged Zaid on any substance of his wide-ranging speech that also touched on religion, judiciary and the economy. This was reflective of Umno’s traditional role as ‘big bully’ who is good at telling people to shut up but unable to articulate why.
Umno has not only told Zaid to shut up, but his speech has also been largely blacked out by the local press, which is another manifestation of how tightly the press is controlled to shield the incumbent power from unfavourable exposure.
Umno does not have the slightest intention to carry out any reform that may alter the status quo of entrenched racism and corruption. This is evident not only from its angry rejection of Zaid’s speech, but also from the thumping support given to ultras in the nominations for leadership posts ahead of party elections.
BN component parties, which have cherished false hope of political survival through a reformed Umno, would be well advised to take note of this development.
Racial equality
Umno’s rejection aside, the speech must be studied by all Malaysians, for it touches the bottom line of race relations.
At the heart of the issue is racial equality. This may be a non-issue in most countries, where racial equality is taken for granted, but not in Malaysia.
Due to historical factors, and due to the intertwining of race and religion, and economic disparity among the races, racial equality is a sensitive subject in Malaysia.
The problem lies mainly in the fact that Umno/BN have became too powerful and have ruled without any checks and balances. This has bred unbridled racism and corruption in Umno.
The NEP, in addition to being used to uplift educational and economic level of Malays, was hijacked to enrich party leaders and cronies, who used it abundantly as master key to open up all kinds of channels to state wealth.
As Umno’s hegemony grew, and through mass indoctrination, many came to regard NEP privileges as birthrights of Malays, though this belief is fallacious.
The line between constitutional rights and the privileges derived from a political agenda such as the NEP has thus become blurred.
One may thus ask: is there racial equality under our constitution? The answer is yes, as this is clearly and unambiguously guaranteed under Article 8 and other articles.
The existence of Article 153 does not detract from this guarantee. The racial privileges granted under Article 153 are limited to the provision of quotas.
And these quotas, which fall in the fields of public service, education and commerce are meant as protective measures, and are to be applied to the extent deemed necessary and reasonable by the Agong.
One must also understand that Article 153 mandates the Agong to safeguard not only the special position of Malays and natives of Sabah and Sarawak, but also the legitimate interests of other communities.
It will be seen from a study of the constitution that many racial privileges and racial discriminations couched under the umbrella of the NEP. Particularly those accorded to party leaders and cronies are extra-constitutional.
What should change?
Should Malays worry when NEP is removed as suggested by Pakatan Rakyat? Certainly not, affirmative action programmes will continue to be implemented, except that these will be needs-based instead of race-based.
This should engender more equitable distribution, promote justice, enhance national unity and eliminate abuses. 
Umno’s recalcitrant leaders who are hell-bent on clinging to this racial supremacist ideology for political survival should realise that such thinking has become extinct since South Africa abandoned its apartheid policy two decades ago. It has no place in a globalised world.
It is an affront to universal values, besides conflicting with fundamental values of all religions including Islam.
Finally, it is detrimental to common Malays whose interests these leaders profess to champion. Continued racial hegemony will require increased repression which, in turn, will cause more political unrest and further economic retardation.
In such a downward spiral, no community will be spared.
KIM QUEK is a retired accountant and a member of PKR. He is author of 'Where to, Malaysia?'.
Razak Baginda no-show
 KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 6 — Political analyst Abdul Razak Baginda, recently acquitted of abetting in the murder of a Mongolian woman, failed to turn up this morning for a scheduled press conference, initially sparking speculation as to his whereabouts. He was seen later at his house in the leafy Damansara Heights neighbourhood, but he did not come out to the gate to speak to reporters gathered there. Members of the press who turned up at the swanky boutique Maya Hotel earlier today were told by reception that the press conference had been cancelled. No reasons were given. Earlier this week, Abdul Razak had told reporters camped outside his residence that he would meet them at the hotel this morning for an extensive question-and-answer session. His acquittal last week in the murder trial of his former lover Altantuya Shaariibuu has given rise to a host of questions because of the sensational nature of the case. The affable political analyst's close ties as a confidant of Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak also sparked wild rumours and speculation. Najib was even forced to swear that he had never met Altantuya and was not involved in the case. If Abdul Razak does not make a public appearance soon to answer many lingering questions about the case, it will probably add grist to the rumour mill. So far he has remained in the country, unlike his private investigator P. Balasubramaniam. Balasubramaniam, the private investigator hired by Abdul Razak to help him deal with an alleged bid by Altantuya to blackmail him for money over their love affair, fled Malaysia after making a series of statutory declarations which first appeared to implicate Najib, and then clear the DPM subsequently. The no-show by Abdul Razak today will certainly add to the intrigue, twist and turns and sensational nature of the trial. Rowena Razak, 21, the daughter of Abdul Razak, spoke to reporters briefly outside their house and apologised for her father's absence. "There is much re-adjustment that my father has to do. He is still adjusting to life as a free man after being in prison for close to two years. "He is also concerned with his health and as such he will be staying on in Malaysia for the coming weeks," she said. Rowena appeared to suggest her father was planning an overseas trip soon but she did not give any direct explanation as to why he did not turn up for the press conference which he had called himself. After she spoke to reporters, Abdul Razak and his wife Mazlinda Makhzan were seen driving out of the house in a silver Mercedes car. They were followed behind by their daughter and her grandmother who left in a Volvo SUV. Through the gates, reporters could see that a tent had been set up with tables and chairs brought in. Rowena told reporters that a kenduri would be held tonight to mark her father's acquittal. Malaysians were shocked by the gruesome discovery in late 2006 of what remained of Altantuya in a remote forest area just outside the city. She was found to have been blown into pieces with military grade C4 explosives strapped to her body. Abdul Razak was arrested subsequently and later charged with abetting in her murder. Two policemen, Chief Insp Azilah Hadri and Cpl Sirul Azhar Umar, remain on trial for her murder. |
Top official cleared of RM9m cheating charge
KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 6 - Former Rural Development Ministry secretary-general Datuk Dr Abdul Aziz Muhamad was acquitted of cheating RM9 million in funds from a Terengganu state agency in 1999.
Abdul Aziz had been found guilty of abetment in cheating and criminal breach of trust by a sessions court in 2005. Today, the High Court here overturned that decision.
Dr Abdul Aziz had been charged with abetting Ketengah general manager Datuk Alwi Said, 57, in cheating RM9mil from the Terengganu Tengah Development Authority (Ketengah) funds. The offences took place in 1999.
Abdul Aziz had been found guilty of abetment in cheating and criminal breach of trust by a sessions court in 2005. Today, the High Court here overturned that decision.
Dr Abdul Aziz had been charged with abetting Ketengah general manager Datuk Alwi Said, 57, in cheating RM9mil from the Terengganu Tengah Development Authority (Ketengah) funds. The offences took place in 1999.
RM7 billion economic stimulus - Najib wants MPs and nation to live a fiction
(Lim Kit Siang)Yesterday, the Speaker, Tan Sri Pandikar Amin Mulia made the ruling that Parliament was debating the Abdullah budget presented on August 29, 2008 and not the Najib Budget of an additional RM7 billion economic stimulus package announced during the 2009 Budget winding-up debate on Tuesday, as no changes to the Abdullah Budget had been tabled in the House.
The Speaker is right as MPs could not possibly be debating a revised 2009 Budget incorporating an additional RM7 billion economic stimulus package, when neither the details of the supplementary RM7 billion package have been tabled in the House nor an amendment to the 2009 Budget proposed in Parliament.
The trouble with such an interpretation is that MPs would have to live the fiction of pretending that the RM7 billion economic stimulus package announced by Deputy Prime Minister and the new Finance Minister, Datuk Seri Najib Razak, in his speech winding-up the2009 Budget policy debate had disappeared into thin air within 24 hours and does not exist!
In fact, the nation and Malaysians are being asked to join in his fiction, if Najib persists with this unprecedented solution to the parliamentary faux pax he had committed in failing to follow the correct parliamentary procedure of submitting a proper parliamentary amendment to the 2009 Budget incorporating the new RM7 billion economic stimulus package.
This was why I had likened Najib to the illusionist David Copperfield yesterday when the Deputy Finance Minister Datuk Ahmad Husni Hanadzlah, responded to my query in Parliament and explained that the RM7 billion economic stimulus package announced by Najib on Tuesday was a hypothetical one, as it depended on savings made from the downturn in global fuel prices, and what the government will do with RM7 billion when the situation arises.
I agree with Najib when he announced the RM7 billion package on Tuesday that “extraordinary times require extraordinary measures”, like amending the 2009 Budget with an additional RM7 billion economic package in the face of the worst world economic crisis in 80 years because of the global financial meltdown – but this is no justification in breaking all parliamentary rules and procedures by one day presenting a RM7 billion economic stimulus package and claiming in the next 24 hours that it is just a hypothetical proposal!
Isn’t the entire 2009 Budget of RM207 billion, made up of RM154 billion operating estimates and RM53.7 billion development estimates equally “hypothetical” as being based on on a whole architecture of assumptions about revenues and expenditures which only time can tell whether they will come true?
If so, why then is Parliament debating and passing a “hypothetical” 2009 Budget but is not required to debate and pass a “hypothetical” supplement to the 2009 Budget in the form of the additional RM7 billion economic stimulus package?
This is not a good start for Najib as the new Finance Minister and five-month Prime Minister-in-waiting, as this is not the way a responsible Finance Minister should conducted himself – telling Parliament and nation one thing and saying a completely different thing 24 hours later.
Najib never qualified his announcement on Tuesday that his RM7 billion economic stimulus package was a hypothetical one.
Instead, he wanted Parliament and the nation to take his RM7 billion economic stimulus package seriously, and this was why there was a two-week build-up of an important announcement he would be making in Parliament on Nov. 4.
All the media, whether television, radio or newspapers, treated his RM7 billion package as his important first test as the new Finance Minister and not just as a flight of imagination, with all front-page newspaper headlines yesterday like “RM7b KICK-START – Government responds to global financial crisis” (New Straits Times), “RM7 bil spending – Najib unveils plans to ensure continued growth of economy” (Star), “$PEND, $PEND, $PEND” (Sun), “RM7b rangsang ekonomi” (Utusan Malaysia) and “Dana RM7b rangsang ekonomi – Penjimatan subsidi minyak jana pertumbuhan negara” (Berita Harian).
Are all these just mirages in the desert?
Najib came to Parliament on Tuesday like Santa Claus before Christmas announcing a whole litany of goodies from the RM7 billion economic stimulus package, including
· RM1.2 billion allocations for the construction of 15,000 low-cost and medium-cost houses.
· RM500 million to refurbish police stations and police quarters, as well as army camps and their living quarters.
· RM600 million for small projects under the Public Infrastructure Maintenance (PIAS) for repairing village roads, building of community halls and small bridges.
RM500 million for the preservation and repair of public amenities such as schools, hospitals and roads.
RM500 million for upgrading and construction of rural roads and village roads.
·
RM200 million to four groups of schools. RM50 million each for fully-aided religious schools, mission schools, Chinese schools and Tamil schools.· RM300 million for creation of funds and to implement skills training programmes in the Development Corridors.
· RM500 million to strengthen the public transport especially the LRT, Komuter and bus systems in urban areas.
RM1.5 billion ringgit as investment funds to attract more private sector investors.
· RM400 million to expedite the high-speed broadband project implementation.
· RM200 million to build human capital through various training programmes by various ministries.
· RM100 million for Rakan Muda projects.
RM200 million to revitalise abandoned housing projects.
· RM200 million for early education for kids.
After raising high hopes from the beneficiaries of the RM7 billion economic stimulus package, is Najib now pouring “cold water” by suggesting that the various allocations announced by him in Parliament on Tuesday are tentative, hypothetical and not meant to be taken seriously?
Parliament and the Barisan Nasional would forfeit all public respect if this be the case.
Najib had committed a grave parliamentary faux pax in not following the proper parliamentary procedure in his first parliamentary outing. He should be man enough to admit his mistake and rectify it and not compound it by claiming that his RM7 billion economic stimulus package is a mere fiction and need not be debated and approved in Parliament.
Then why announce it in Parliament in the first place?
DAP and Pakatan Rakyat MPs are prepared to co-operate with the Barisan Nasional government in the interests of the people and country and we are ready to work with Najib to rectify his parliamentary faux pax.
But he must have the humility and decency to admit his parliamentary faux pas or there will be no way to rectify it.
One solution is for Najib to introduce a motion to amend the 2009 Budget to incorporate the RM7 billion economic stimulus package he announced on Tuesday, so that MPs could debate on both the Abdullah Budget presented on August 29 as well as the RM7 billion supplementary Najib Budget announced on Tuesday.
It is a great disservice to Parliament as well as a most adverse reflection on him if Najib persists in wanting MPs to live a fiction that the RM7 billion economic stimulus package does not exist and need not be debated.
This is the first test of Najib’s quality of leadership five months before he becomes the sixth Prime Minister of Malaysia next March.
Singapore to Become Water-Sufficient
| When Singapore’s newest reservoir was opened this weekend, it was billed as the garden city’s latest leisure hub, designed to attract boaters and picnickers keen to escape the hectic pace of urban life. But the Marina Reservoir, the 15th to be built in Singapore and the first to be located in the city center, has a much more important role to play. It is the latest advance in the city-state’s drive to wean itself away from imported water from Malaysia and its concomitant political entanglements. In the process, Singapore has emerged as an unlikely world leader in water conservation, reclamation and desalination. Singapore still sources around half of its water from Malaysia and frequent disputes over the water supply have dogged relations between the two neighbors virtually since the two became independent countries. But after billions of dollars of investment into transforming its water supply, Singapore is getting ever closer to the day when it will become totally self-sufficient, finally kicking one of the most poisonous bilateral issues into the long grass. With no proper rivers of its own and a land area too small to collect enough rain water, Singapore has been dependent on water brought across the Strait of Johor ever since it gained its independence from the British. But despite the two long-term supply deals signed in 1961 and 1962, once Singapore was unceremoniously booted out of the nascent Federation of Malaysia in 1965, the water issue began to drive a wedge between the two. It wasn't long before Tunku Abdul Rahman, Malaysia's first post-independence prime minister, was threatening to turn off the taps if Singapore pursued a foreign policy that was "prejudicial" to Malaysia's interests. Singapore's first post-independence leader and current Minister Mentor, Lee Kuan Yew, also said that he would have been prepared to send the troops in, if Malaysia had carried out an "act of madness" like cutting off the water. As the imposing figures of Lee Kuan Yew and his long-time sparring partner, former Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad, begun to fade – neither is there yet – the tensions over water have dissipated somewhat. However, with the first water agreement set to expire in 2011 and no replacement deal in sight, the Singaporean government has moved ahead at a fearsome pace with its push to reduce its dependence on imported water. "Singapore seems to be doing quite well and I think it will be self-sufficient within the next five-10 years," explained Chan Ngai Weng, a geography professor at Universiti Sains Malaysia who specializes in water supply issues. "If Singapore is able to do this, then there will be no problem between the two countries. Malaysia will lose some money but there will not be any issue any more." "I think it’s unlikely that there will be more problems between Malaysia and Singapore over water," added Kog Yue Choong, a Singaporean engineer and academic who has written on water security in Southeast Asia. "Many of the problems happened when Mahathir was in control but now the game has changed because the additional water sources Singapore has developed will reduce its vulnerability." Singapore's Public Utilities Board has spearheaded the campaign, investing S$4.9bn (US$3.3 billion) over the last five years alone in its four-pronged approach: increasing the area used to catch and store rainwater, recycling sewage to produce 'NEWater', building new desalination plants and working to reduce water usage. In 2005, the government opened the biggest desalination plant in Asia, delivering 110,000 cubic meters of desalinated seawater a day, enough to meet 10 percent of the country’s national water demand. The Marina Reservoir, which was first suggested by then Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew back in 1987, is a vital part of the plan. It will supply another 10 percent of Singapore's water needs and, together with two further reservoirs that are currently being built, it will expand the catchment area used to collect rainwater from half to two-thirds of the island’s land area. Yet despite the apparent easing of tensions between Malaysia and Singapore over recent years, Lee Hsien Loong, Singapore’s current prime minister and Lee Kuan Yew's son, hinted at the importance of continuing to reduce the country’s reliance on Malaysian imports at the opening ceremony of the reservoir last Friday. "Through the concerted efforts and ingenuity of government agencies, and the full support and cooperation of the population, we have become more self-sufficient in water, and can become completely self-sufficient should we need to," he said. "We have also turned our vulnerability into a capability." While disputes over water have done much to harm Singapore-Malaysia relations over the last 50 years, the silver lining for Singapore at least has been that the tensions have spurred the development of a world-leading water technology industry. With industrialization, urbanization and climate change all threatening to put ever greater pressure on water supplies in Asia and around the world, Singapore has positioned itself to capitalize on the demand for technological solutions to the growing water shortages. “More and more countries want to industrialize and the West is exporting pollutive industries to developing countries that don’t have the same capacity to deal with the problem,” noted Dr Kog. “Water supplies are increasingly being polluted and with global warning, it will be a big problem that may develop to an extent that it rivals the issue of oil.” Australia, where farmers have been hit by severe droughts over recent years, is already looking at Singapore’s NEWater as a possible solution to its woes. More importantly, India and China, which have been developing at a lightning pace, are facing serious water crises in the coming years. The growing water shortages are a massive threat to China, where the World Bank estimates that more than half of the 660 cities are already facing supply issues, but a big opportunity for Singapore. Companies that honed their expertise in water technology while working on Singapore’s own water problems, such as Hyflux and Keppel, have expanded into China, where the World Bank has argued that billions of dollars more must be invested to head off a major water crisis. But while Singapore has seemingly defused the potential for further disputes over water with Malaysia, it remains to be seen if relations between the two countries will continue to improve. Although the global financial storm ought to push these neighbors closer together, there is the very real danger that a deepening economic slowdown pushes both countries to take a more protectionist and antagonistic approach to each other. Much will depend on the extent of the economic slowdown and the eventual outcome of Malaysia’s continuing political crisis. But, for the first time in many years, some Singaporeans and Malaysians are starting to believe that their bilateral problems could be water under the bridge. |
Obama's exciting victory and the boredom of 'Ketuanan Melayu'
Azly Rahman
http://azlyrahman-illuminations.blogspot.com/
'O people! Your God is one and your forefather (Adam) is one. An Arab is not better than a non-Arab and a non-Arab is not better than an Arab, and a red (i.e. white tinged with red) person is not better than a black person and a black person is not better than a red person, except in piety. Indeed the noblest among you is the one who is deeply conscious of God.' - a saying of Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon Him)
Malaysia - to whom does it belong? To Malaysians. But who are Malaysians? I hope I am, Mr Speaker, Sir. But sometimes, sitting in this chamber, I doubt whether I am allowed to be a Malaysian. This is the doubt that hangs over many minds, and ... [once] emotions are set in motion, and men pitted against men along these unspoken lines, you will have the kind of warfare that will split the nation from top to bottom and undo Malaysia.' - Lee Kuan Yew, now Senior Minister, Republic of Singapore
Instead of defining Ketuanan Melayu as 'Malay superiority' which is quite meaningless, philologically inaccurate, and philosophically arrogant, I think the word 'dictatorship' is closer in meaning. As you read this piece, please refrain from value judgment and from bring trapped in the prison-house of language pertaining to the word 'dictatorship'.
To dictate connotes to tell, which connotes to narrate. To narrate means to weave a story based on an ideology. To ideologise means to encapsulate. To encapsulate means to be trap. Dictatorship, here might also mean an entrapment. Instead of acknowledging one's freedom to rule, one is acknowledging being in an entrapment - and to rule out of that condition. This is a form of false consciousness.
Words, as a literary theorist Raymond Williams might say, must also be contextualised/situated within the economic condition they emerge in. Marx's famous dictum that human beings' existence is defined by the economic condition they are in and that this condition is already predetermined. This is a deterministic view of human history.
I first read heard the phrase "Tuntutan Melayu" in the mid-1980s from a book by one Malik Munip. I was reading his work, at the same time reading Lim Kit Siang's 'Malaysia in the dangerous 80s', to get a sense of the argument. I was an undergraduate reading Literature, Education and International Politics.
I also heard that Malay students were discouraged from reading Kit Siang's work and encouraged to read 'Ketuanan Melayu'. I love banned books and books that others tell me not to read. There is a sense of intellectual challenge to be able to read banned books.
I read Mahathir Mohamad's 'The Malay Dilemma' and Syed Husin Ali's 'Malays: Their Problems and their Future' and Syed Hussein Alatas' 'The Myth of the Lazy Native' at the same time. Again, to get a sense of balance.
I read Malaysian official publications on economic outlook, juxtaposing them with a close reading of analyses on the political-economy of the Malaysian capitalist state.
I read the work of Freud and Marx to see where some of the major authors of the Frankfurt School of Social Research are going with their arguments on totalitarianism. I read the Quran and the Bhagavad Gita, the Ramayana, and the Mahabharata to see where the arguments on race superiority lie and what the fate of humankind will be.
The idea of social dominance and racial superiority might all be primarily about economics, if we are to read the history of the development of ideologies of superiority. But my question is - who has the right to claim that this or that land belongs to this or that group of people. At what point does culture and citizenship meet and negotiate the issue of egalitarianism? When does 'the truth of one's culture' reach its limit and the question of 'the truth of citizenship' dominate?
This is a very complex question Malaysians must answer after 50 years of Independence. We must open up the dialogue on this issue.
Lyrical propaganda
Let us look at how the idea of ketuanan Melayu is disseminated to the young. One way is through indoctrination camps in which songs are used.
Over the decades, perhaps millions of Malay students like me were taught the dangerous propaganda song, 'Anak Kecil Main Api'(A Child Plays with Fire). One verse concerns the power of the Malays::
… kini kita cuma tinggal kuasa
yang akan menentukan bangsa
hasil mengalir, ke tangan yang lain
pribumi merintih sendiri…
My loose translation of this 1980s propaganda song by the Biro Tata Negara reads:
… political power is what we are only left with
one that will determine the fate of our nation
wealth of this nation flows into the hands of others
sons and daughters of the soil suffer in solace...
I do not think we have a clear understanding of what the lyrics mean. I doubt if the songwriter even understand what a 'people's history of Malaya' means. It is a song based on racist intents; its lyrics penned by one who does not have a good grasp of the political-economy of Malaysian history, let alone the latest advances in the field of psychology of consciousness.
The training programes that encapsulate the theme of this song are meant to instill fear of the Malays, not of others but of themselves, and to project hatred onto other ethnic groups without realising who the enemy of the Malays really are.
Using relaxation techniques to bring the brain waves in the alpha and state (conducive for suggestive and subliminal messages), trainees were put under 'half-asleep' conditions to get the ketuanan Melayu message to colonise the consciousness. The technique pioneered by Russian brain scientists Barzakov and Lozanov in the1970s, called 'suggestopedia', is used to instill the deep sense of fear for oneself and hatred of others.
History is a complex syntagmatic pattern of interplay between technology, ideology, culture, inscription and institutionalisation not easily reduced to simplistic lyrics as such sung to the tune of pre-war German-nationalistic-sounding compositions.
History is about the complex evolution of the ruling class which owns the technologies of control. As Marx would say, at every epoch it is the history of those who own the means of production that will be written and rewritten. The winners write history, the losers write poetry or study anthropology, some would lament.
Back to the lyrics. After 50 years of independence, who is suffering in Malaysia? Who has become wealthy? Who has evolved into robber barons? What has become of our judiciary system, our universities, our city streets, our sense of public safety and security, our schools, our youth, and our entire socio-economic arrangements at the eve of the 12th general election. How has the idea of ketuanan Melayu contributed to this state of affairs?
Language of power and ideology is at play in those lyrics. The definition of 'bumiputera' is at play. It has become a problematic word in this age of deconstructionism; an age wherein as the poet WB Yeats said, "the centre cannot hold".
Rock musicians will recall the Scorpions' famous song 'Winds of Change' to serenade the fall of the Berlin Wall and the beginning of the breakdown of the Soviet Empire. We have to face the 'wrath' of the word.
Put an end to Ketuanan Melayu
For Muslims in Malaysia, this saying by Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) is familiar: 'Your descent is nothing to be proud of. Nor does it bring you superiority. O people! All of you are the children of Adam. You are like equal wheat grains in a bowl ... No one has any superiority over anyone else, except in religion and heedfulness. In order to consider someone a wicked person, it suffices that he humiliates other people, is mean with money, bad-tempered and exceeds the limits…'
I would say that ketuanan Melayu is a dangerous concept that is threatening race relations. It is an arrogant interpretation of selective history; of a history that is largely benefiting those who profits from the ideology.
Those promoting this concept are not well-versed in the matters of philosophy of history. I do not think thinking Malays these days subscribe to the idea of 'Malay dominance and dictatorship'. If there is a ketuanan of one race, then the rest are 'slaves' and 'serfs' and 'sub-citizens', if we are to analyse it from the point of view of 'Master-Slave' narrative?
As a Malay wishing to see the withering of and an end to the concept of "ketuanan Melayu" and the birth of a new consciousness that will respect the dignity of all races and the humility of all ethnic groups, I call upon Malaysians to continue to be critical of any attempt by any race to project their own sense of false superiority that would only breed dangerous ethnocentrism bordering on xenophobia.
We should work together to deconstruct all forms of race-based political arrangement and work towards establishing a new order based on a more egalitarian economic design that takes into consideration the basic needs and dignity of all races.
We should teach our schoolchildren how to deconstruct such sense of racial superiority, through the teaching of not only tolerance but social egalitarianism - via peace education strategies. We will have a lot to gain for generations to come.
Let us learn from the message of multiculturalism, peace, and reconciliation
crafted in the victory speech of Barack Obama and work towards the kind of
Malaysia all Malaysians want.
For -- is not Malaysia too a land of immigrants?
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