Posts Tagged politic
Ethnic cracks widen in Malaysia’s ruling coalition
KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia – Malaysia’s governing coalition sought to defuse a racial row Tuesday after a Malay official made a stunning outburst by warning the ethnic Chinese minority not to become greedy for political and economic power.
Ahmad Ismail, a district chief in the United Malays National Organization ruling party, claimed that the Malay majority was losing patience with minorities, particularly ethnic Chinese politicians.
“I urge the Chinese not to become like the Jewish in America, where it is not enough that they control the economy, but they also want to dominate politics,” Ahmad told a news conference late Monday in northern Penang state.
“Consider this a warning from the Malays,” Ahmad said. “The patience of the Malays has a limit. Do not push us against the wall, for we will be forced to turn back and push the Chinese for our own survival.”
Gerakan, an ethnic Chinese-based party in the National Front coalition government, later announced it was severing ties with Ahmad and Malay officials in Penang who publicly backed him. Gerakan leaders have recently warned they may consider quitting the government, largely due to dissatisfaction over racial issues.
The National Front comprises 14 groups spearheaded by Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi’s Malay party, which shares power with parties that have traditionally represented ethnic Chinese, Indians and other minorities.
The dispute is a fresh headache for Abdullah, who is struggling to hold the coalition together amid a threat by opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim to seize power by luring government lawmakers to his side by next week.
Growing dissatisfaction about racial policies prompted many Chinese and Indians to vote against the government in March general elections. Many Malays also backed the opposition, causing the National Front to retain power with only a simple parliamentary majority.
Abdullah said he was “utterly unhappy” with Ahmad’s comments and promised to “take stern action over the matter.”
Chinese officials are likely to pressure Abdullah at a National Front meeting Tuesday to penalize Ahmad, who rankled ethnic Chinese last month when he described them as “squatters” and “immigrants.” Police said last week they were investigating Ahmad for possible sedition, which is punishable by three years in prison.
Most Chinese and Indian Malaysians are descendants of 19th and early 20th century immigrants who came as traders, laborers and miners during British colonial rule.
Ethnic Chinese now comprise a quarter of Malaysia’s 27 million people, while Indians form less than 10 percent. They have grown increasingly vocal about alleged government discrimination in economic, social and religious policies.
Malays, who constitute about 60 percent of the population, enjoy a host of privileges in jobs, education and business as part of an affirmative action program launched in 1970 following racial riots fueled by Malay frustration over the Chinese community’s wealth.
Add comment September 9, 2008
Najib: Talks won’t be at expense of non-Muslims
We are supposed to trust our leaders, as we need faith in them to lead the nation towards better tomorrow.
But how could we trust a Flip-Flop King’s statement. He said he doesn’t know the Mongolian lady, after a short while he said “NO! I did meet her”. He said he doesn’t the guy who claimed to be sodomized, but suddenly he said “NO! I met him before”.
From now on, we should say “NO” to whatever he says. Fair and square!
Add comment July 30, 2008
Ex-MCA leader to join PKR
PETALING JAYA: Former MCA central committee member Datin Paduka Dr Tan Yee Kew, who quit the party on Thursday, will be joining PKR soon.
Dr Tan, who was still discussing the details with PKR leaders, said she had decided to join the party.
“However, we never discussed party posts. As for me, the party positions are for those younger politicians who want to move up the ladder. I am not keen on party posts.
“I am looking for a platform to contribute to the nation. PKR is a good option for me to continue serving the people,” she said in a telephone interview here yesterday.
She said many of her supporters, including MCA members, might follow her footsteps in joining PKR.
The former Klang MP also denied that she had been offered the Klang Municipal Council president’s job by the Pakatan Rakyat state government.
On Thursday, Dr Tan, who described her decision to leave the party that she had served for 20 years as painful, sent her resignation by facsimile to the MCA headquarters.
Dr Tan said she had talked to PKR leaders, including its de facto leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, on various national issues and Anwar had personally extended the invitation to her.
“I feel very touched. We have discussed how we can work together for the people as well as in handling sensitive issues.”
During a meeting with PKR members yesterday afternoon, vice-president Azmin Ali announced that Dr Tan and several MCA members would be crossing over to the party.
Ivan: She is a rare politician who has good reputation tagged by Klang residents. I did hear compliment to her from time to time. Datin Paduka Dr Tan Yee Kew joining PKR is definitely a great asset to the party, as I believe she is faithful to work for Rakyat, not someone crazy for “President seat” like “Wong X X”. I wish her all the best!
Add comment July 20, 2008
Raja Petra arrested, charged in court
Malaysia Today editor Raja Petra Kamarudin, 58, was arrested today and charged for defaming Deputy Prime Minister Najib Razak’s wife, Rosmah Mansor, and two others.
Editor: If one read newspaper not long ago, Deputy Prime Minister Najib Razak’s wife said she will not take action against Raja Petra, but less than a month, such decision is rebuked. Can you trust what politician or their spouse said?
You can catch Raja Petra and put him in jail, but there are many Raja Petra out there. One can never destroy justice, if yes, he destroys the country as well. I am very sad to see the dead of justice and democracy in my lovely homeland – Malaysia.
Add comment July 17, 2008
Debate between Anwar and Shabery
Upon viewing the debate conducted yesterday, here is my comment against both “tokoh”:
Against Shabery’s wisdom:
1. Shabery shall focus on the topic of debate not personal attack at Anwar. It is totally not professional to conduct such personal attack on such public debate. It implies Barisan National tricks.
2. The debating topic is a disadvantage to you. Why should you attend to such debate? My poor YB Shabery
Against Anwar:’s wisdom:
To be follow.
KUALA LUMPUR: Information Minister Datuk Ahmad Shabery Cheek took on PKR adviser Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim in a rarely seen debate on live television last night.
The one-hour debate, entitled “Today we form the Government, tomorrow the fuel prices will go down” proceeded smoothly with both speakers backing their points with facts.
The event was organised by online news portal Agenda Daily and was broadcast live over TV9, Astro Awani and Bernama TV.
Invited to be the first speaker, Anwar started off by saying that fuel prices would be reduced by 50 sen a litre to alleviate the economic burden faced by the people if Pakatan Rakyat formed the Government tomorrow.
Anwar said it would only cost the Government RM5bil to bring down fuel prices by 50 sen.
He said RM2bil could be saved by reducing the country’s electricity buffer of 40% to 20%, as the extra capacity only benefited independent power producers (IPP).
Anwar hit out at the recent increase in fuel prices, saying such drastic measures within a short period had pushed inflation up.
“It was said that while prices go drastically up, inflation levels would not rise. Who was the one who taught that economic theory?” he said.
In response to that point, Shabery stressed that the inflation faced now could not be attributed solely to fuel prices.
He said major oil producers such as Venezuela and Iran experienced higher inflation than Malaysia although their fuel prices were much lower.
“In Venezuela, inflation is 30%, while Iran is one of the eight nations worst hit by inflation.
“It is not just oil prices that have gone up, but food as well. Our rice is cheaper than Thailand and that is because of our policies.
“We do not have to demonstrate on the streets or organise improper concerts,” he said.
On claims that as an oil producer, Malaysia stood to profit with from higher crude oil prices, Shabery said Malaysia was only a minor oil producer.
“In 2015, Malaysia will become a net importer of oil. By then, will we be forced to raise the price of fuel drastically?” he said.
Both Shabery and Anwar managed to squeeze in a few pot shots at each other.
Before leaving, Shabery told reporters that he was satisfied with the debate but would leave it to the Government to decide how he had performed.
Shabery had earlier said he would resign as Information Minister if he failed to defend the Government’s fuel policy.
Anwar said he was disappointed that several personal attacks had been made on him.
Add comment July 16, 2008
Anwar barred from Parliament; barred from Prime Minister Post?
KUALA LUMPUR: Police have obtained a court order barring Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, his supporters and the public from holding any rally or participating in it within a five-kilometre radius of the Parliament building today.
Magistrate Nazran Mohd Sham issued the ex-parte order after considering an application from Sentul OCPD Asst Comm Ahmad Sofian Md Yassin
The order states that the court has found Anwar is planning to hold a rally today at 10am to support a no-confidence motion to be tabled in Parliament against Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi.
It also states that ACP Ahmad Sofian did not receive any application from any party applying for a permit to hold a rally at Parliament as the House comes under his jurisdiction.
Starting at 7am today, all roads leading to Parliament will be cordoned off to members of the public.
In a press conference, ACP Ahmad Sofian said copies of the order had been placed in public places to notify the public.
Off limits: End of the road for Anwar and the public. The ban is effective from 7am today.He said although roadblocks had been set-up in several places in the district, the public could still continue with their daily routine.
Most major roads leading to the city experienced massive traffic congestion since police launched Ops Padam from 2pm on Saturday.
The roadblocks are expected to continue until midnight on Monday or until further notice.
Police mounted roadblocks at 12 entry points to the city.
Ivan: Everyone in the city is talking about if Anwar will be our next Prime Minister. Thumb up or thumb down? Share you point of view…
Add comment July 14, 2008
Ex-PKR aide: Let’s debate on future of the country and Malays [with Editor's Comments]
Ivan: I never trust what betrayer says, so you should forget what about this Ex-PKR guy statement. For me, he said rubbish!!!
KOTA BARU: Former PKR Youth head Ezam Mohd Nor has challenged PKR de facto leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim to a debate on the future direction of the country and the Malays.
Editor: What do you [Ezam] want to debate? Don’t show your ass if no one pull your pants down. Rakyat can see PKR is doing their job even though they are just in tenure for slightly more than 100 days. PKR is reducing the water bill, trying to reduce Rakyat burden, implement fair government project tender system, which benefit Malays and non-Malays. You bloody stupid and narrow minded politician, why would you still insist the future of Malays? The future of the country and Malaysian prevail!!
Ezam, now an Umno member, said Anwar wanted to become a “prime minister at all costs” without realising how shaky the country had become, particularly in the three Pakatan Rakyat-led states of Penang, Perak and Selangor.
Editor: You are also trying to ruin the ruling of PKR in Perak, Selangor and Penang at all cost. Rakyat can see your selfish politician intention. Come on, Rakyat is not stupid at all!
He said the debate was timely as people were confused and addressing these issues could put an end to uncertainties.
He said he deserved some respect for having fought for Anwar during the reformasi period, adding only later did he come to realise that the former deputy prime minister was “a chameleon who says things to please everybody but forgets about the implications of his actions or policies”.
Ezam said PKR Youth leaders have no grounds to criticise him.
“I will only respond to Anwar and (Datin Seri Dr) Wan Azizah Ismail as they know that I deserve such respect based on my sacrifices for them, particularly for Anwar,” Ezam said at a ceramah on Thursday.
Describing the no-confidence motion against Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi as a political gimmick, Ezam said Anwar was using various tactics to distract the people from the internal squabbles in Pakatan Rakyat.
Earlier, Ezam called on PAS and DAP to be fair in their comments regarding the sodomy allegations brought by former PKR volunteer Mohd Saiful Bukhari Azlan against Anwar.
“They cannot simply side with Anwar just because he is their leader as it is unfair to demean a layman like Saiful,” he said.
Editor: As I said in my of previous blog, I miss Father of Malaysia – Tunku Abdul Rahman, his leadership, his capacity and with the effort of all other races at that time “make” Malaysia. Now, with all these politician who is only care of their own pocket, is destroying the country. It’s sad indeed to see what the country is nowadays.
Add comment July 12, 2008
Lies akin to treachery, says Pak Lah [with Editor's comments]
PUTRAJAYA: The allegations being spread to create an unsettled political atmosphere lately are tantamount to treachery, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi said.
He said the allegations and news championing those who broke the law through SMS, blogs and YouTube were akin to treachery.
“These stories and SMS do not have any benefit. It is a deliberately attempt to create a negative perception (of the Government).
“This is not the doing of a race that wants to progress,” he said, hoping that the rakyat would not be influenced by it all.
“There is total disregard for the law and no one is giving importance to what is right and wrong any more,” he said, advising Malaysians to disregard all such attempts.
Unfortunately, however, he said that these allegations made interesting fodder for gossip.
Addressing staff of the Prime Minister’s Department at its monthly gathering here yesterday, Abdullah said he was also sad that the recent spate of events showed that the principles of the Rukunegara had been tarnished.
Abdullah assured Malaysians that the Government, which was given the mandate to rule in the last general election, had come up with various measures to reduce their financial burden due to the rising cost for fuel and goods.
Stating that peace had to be given priority, he added that enforcement agencies must continue to strictly perform their duty to help alleviate the people’s fear of food shortage and the safety of their family.
“The rakyat must be convinced to continue to progress and help develop the country and that this country is safe for all,” he said.
Later, speaking to reporters after holding bilateral talks with several leaders of the Developing Eight countries, Abdullah said he wanted bloggers to stop speculating and spreading rumours on the Internet.
“I want to tell the blogs to stop all this. They are also responsible for what has happened. The best thing they could do is to stop.”
Editor: A strong and responsible leader is the one accepts and improve from criticisms, not shutting the door of allowing people to voice out.
Add comment July 8, 2008
Mahathir: There’s a concerted campaign against Najib [with Editor's Comment]
KUALA LUMPUR: Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad is convinced that there is a concerted campaign against Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak and that “somebody is behind it” besides Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
The former prime minister said he could not understand why the Deputy Prime Minister was coming under constant attack, adding that he believed the allegations against Najib were all hearsay.
“There is a concerted campaign against Najib. I don’t know why. Not just by Anwar but also by this other chap (Malaysia Today editor) Raja Petra (Kamaruddin) and also a number of others.
“Somebody is working behind this, maybe to undermine Najib’s possibility of challenging the Prime Minister,” he said after calling on Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, who is here to attend the 6th Developing Eight Nations Summit.
Dr Mahathir said there was no proof to the allegations against Najib.
“You can’t just say that I heard somebody did this. This is not proof,” he said.
Dr Mahathir said he could not understand why his former deputy (Anwar) was “going after Najib” when it was not the latter who reported on Anwar’s behaviour.
“I think he has always been attacking Datuk Najib. Maybe he thinks that Najib is standing in his way of becoming the Deputy Prime Minister or even the Prime Minister,” he said, adding that Anwar could never join Umno again as the party would not accept him.
Editor: We need evidence to prove Dr. Mahaitir statement is valid, isn’t? There is no proof to show that Najib is not involved or related in the scandal at all.
Add comment July 8, 2008
