Wednesday 15 December 2010

Najib's "Elegant Silence" & the "four diseases" of BN ....

"The muted response from the Najib camp is glaring ......
This places Najib’s officials in a dilemma.
If they were to agree to the revelations about Anwar,
then they are also confirming that Anwar was deliberately ‘trapped’.
So what should they do? Either way, they are stumped.
Hence the collective silence."


Mariam Mokhtar, Malaysia Chronicle

Wednesday, December 15, 2010

Soon after the damaging WikiLeaks revelations emerged early on Sunday 12 December, two different reactions were noted in the two opposing camps of opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim and Prime minister, Najib Abdul Razak.

Although initially slow to react to the news, (it was after all Sunday and he was overseas then) Anwar responded with a series of tweets followed by the Pakatan publicity machinery press statement.

Meanwhile, Prime minister Najib Abdul Razak who was present at two official functions, declined the opportunity on each occasion, to speak to the press. Even his supporters and members of his Cabinet maintained a collective silence. After last week’s BN convention, when all the leaders of the component parties were vocal in their support for him, WikiLeaks appears to have had a calming influence over them.

Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad, the Communications Director of Parti Keadilan Rakyat issued a statement which expressed the seriousness of the disclosures: “The sodomy charges against Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim fabricated by the Malaysian Special Branch is a serious matter as this is the surest sign yet that the persecution stems from a conspiracy at the highest levels.”

He questioned the cosy arrangement between the intelligence services of the two countries, “We must ask why the Singaporean intelligence services chose to collude with Malaysia’s Special Branch in spreading such lies about Anwar.”

There was shock that the Singaporeans had been complicit in this wrongdoing. “What is more shocking is the fact that the leadership of the Republic of Singapore has chosen to partake in this deception by deliberately spreading disinformation to an Australian intelligence agency, the Office of National Assessments (ONA).”

They were nothing more than “sensationalized personal opinions” according to Saifuddin N asution Ismail, the Secretary General of PKR.

“It must be stated very clearly that this is raw information that has yet to be screened and verified and that is what is causing the WikiLeaks commotion worldwide,” said PKR information chief, Latheefa Koya.

Part of the Wikileaks disclosures claim that a senior Singapore official said, “A lack of competent leadership is a real problem for Malaysia”, citing the need for Datuk Seri Najib Razak to prevail politically over the murder case of Mongolian model Altantuya Shaariibuu.

The muted response from the Najib camp is glaring.

Already that Sunday, Najib had twice avoided meeting the press. However, government officials, when contacted, said it would be best to wait for Singapore’s explanation before any reaction was given.

One senior official said, “I am sure Singapore will explain soon enough. I am sure some people are already embarrassed with the leak”.

Malaysia’s relationship with Singapore will come under intense pressure with the revelation that “Malaysia’s decline” is fuelled by incompetent politicians. Derogatory comments were posted about Malaysia’s prime ministers, past and present. Najib was called “an opportunist”.

Another warned the “situation in neighbouring Malaysia is confused and dangerous”, fuelled by “a distinct possibility of racial conflict” that could see ethnic Chinese “flee” Malaysia and “overwhelm” Singapore.

Malaysia’s senior government officials would also be aware that WikiLeaks revealed that Anwar Ibrahim - Najib’s political rival – was trapped in a “set-up job” but the opposition leader had walked right into it.



What is strange is that no one has lambasted the Singaporeans for making those totally inappropriate comments about Najib. Or condemned the Singaporeans for saying Malaysia was confused or that the country was in decline.

Unless, they believed all these to be true.

After last week’s call to arms at the BN convention, the delegates had responded with gusto and warmed to Najib. They showed their approval for his speech, style, content and delivery by interrupting with loud raucous support.

“He is a true national leader,” said MIC CWC member S. Manivasagam, one of the delegates. “He is Barisan’s best asset.”

What did Najib said about BN’s four diseases - delusion, amnesia, inertia and arrogance?

Shame on these delegates! Amnesia already? None of them have shown support for Najib by condemning the Singaporeans for badmouthing their leader.

Najib Going For 2/3 Majority by Cheating the Parliament?

Pakatan accuses BN of brute force MP suspensions - The Malaysian Insider

The Shape of Things to Come under UMNO/BN ...

"Apart from Muafakat, the forum was also supported
by government agencies such as
the Selangor Islamic department (Jais),
Federal Territory Mufti Department,
federal Islamic missionary foundation (Yadim)
and Information Ministry’s Special Affairs Department (Jasa)."

Muslim scholars call Anwar ‘anti-Islam’

December 15, 2010
Anwar was accused of supporting religious pluralism in his talks. — file pic
KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 15 — Islamic scholars from government departments and NGOs gathered yesterday to demonise Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim for allegedly undermining the Islamic faith for political mileage.

The scholars at the forum also issued reminders to other Muslim leaders, including Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak, to refrain from attending other religious celebrations, claiming that it would threaten the position of Islam as a supreme religion.

A speaker at the forum, Dr Yusri Mohammad, claimed that Anwar has been promoting religious pluralism through his think tank, the Institute for Policy Research (IKD).

The forum, organised by Muslim NGO Muafakat, claimed that religious pluralism promotes religious equality and supports freedom to convert out of Islam.

Apart from Muafakat, the forum was also supported by government agencies such as the Selangor Islamic department (Jais), Federal Territory Mufti Department, federal Islamic missionary foundation (Yadim) and Information Ministry’s Special Affairs Department (Jasa).

“If you look at Anwar, when commenting on certain issues like the use of Allah by the non-Muslims, he has been very supportive and consistent about it,” said Yusri as quoted by Malay daily Utusan Malaysia.

The Umno-owned newspaper gave extensive coverage to the event, with a front-page lead headlined “Awas Ancaman Pluralisme” (Beware of pluralism threat).

MORE ...

Right ON, Pete!! Welcome, MCLM!!!



The MCLM (Malaysian Civil Liberties Movement) has been officially launched in London - many thanks to RPK, Haris Ibrahim & guys.
Latest entry on MCLM in MT is as follows:-

The MCLM membership is now open. If you have registered earlier we hope you can register again. Unfortunately there was a computer glitch and we were not able to capture your application earlier.

Please go here to register: http://mclm.org.uk/join-us.html

MCLM's First KL Public Forum will be as follows:-

Date : 21st December, 2010

Time : 7.30pm

Venue :
First Floor, KL & Selangor Chinese Assembly Hall.

Speakers :

1. Haris Ibrahim

2. Malik Imtiaz Sarwar

3. Andrew Yong (Malaysian Overseas Votes)

4. The second independent candidate


Allow me to state here that I support this noble endeavor - simply because it provides for a better Malaysia should it work. I'll be registering myself as a member as soon as I manage to finish reading up on it- becos I have had the fortune to speak to Haris Ibrahim personally to discuss about the plan they have, and therefore understand what they wish to achieve.
(Actually, I myself didn't understand it all too well initially, until my questions were answered by Haris personally-although some doubts do remain). My confidence has been boosted further by the announcement that Malik Imtiaz is the first candidate to offer himself for "National Service".
The question remains though, if it is really "workable" considering the "hostile" environment around in Malaysia.

While I definitely agree that it is a brilliant idea, I'm a little sceptical about the workability of the idea among a very "politically primitive" (for lack of a better word right now) electorate & politicians (yes- our politicians are nothing but "Neanderthals", especially when they spout "Ketuanan Melayu" to the detriment of the nation). Politically- they're all the same (that's a generalization, okay- don't charge me for sedition or insulting someone okay ...). As I said earlier - Malaysians are really political simpletons - right from the PhDs to the Alam Flora guy, to the clerics, to the doctors, engineers & lawyers, to the to the kiasu fella who wants to make a fast buck. The "awakening" didn't happen until 308 - and now they're still in a blur. (Evidence of that abounds all around us - even in the MT comments section- and I'd say that they're still better than many on the street).
Since they have only started thinking about politics & the nation, all the misinformation & spin in the media is beginning to "overwhelm" them. Malaysians are generally easily manipulated by the media and lack faith in their power to change things for the better- even though they have actually started to think. Many are confused, some fed-up, others frustrated.

Our politicians- as RPK put it, high-school students would put our parliamentarians to shame. Most of them are fit to be street hawkers - but instead, are today hawking away the nation's resources by their sheer stupidity. Many cringe in shame when their antics are mentioned by foreigners- while the politicians accuse "non-Malays" of being unpatriotic or accuse others of shaming the country abroad.

When our politicians appeal to the lowest denominator to seek support among insecure racists, or make vulgar signs in signs, or spout vulgar language in parliament, preach bigotry, support child marriages .... When the media proudly publishes Muhyiddin passing stupid remarks like "we will not provide federal allocations to opposition held constituencies" while they collect taxes (that's daylight extortion/blackmail!!), or death in Police custody is covered up, or the Chief Justice Tun Zaki announces laws which offer "discounts" on sentences to those who plead guilty disregarding the Executive and other "leaders" remain silent about it - it is difficult to blame the "average joe" for being confused, frustrated, disgusted, angry or losing faith.

Many still don't understand that the purpose of these MCLM "sponsored" candidates is to change this very disease perpetuated by an UMNO which is corrupt to the core- not that PKR isn't learning real fast from them. Many don't understand that to change to political culture, we need "quality" in parliament - those who can be "Wakil Rakyat" instead of "Wakil Parti" as RPK put it. We need to have pool of intellects who are capable of articulating ideas that can prevent the same rot from setting in to Pakatan Rakyat - more specifically, PKR.

[Nobody can be blamed for being sceptical of PKR's ability to govern when they are "small" & is practically chaotic (of course- fueled by the negative publicity and the many bushfire created by the "Umno-ites"). Although they fight on a more palatable platform, it would be safe to say that PKR hasn't left the UMNO/BN mold- and after the long lasting euphoria of success on 308, the rot is beginning to set in. It is a known fact that there still are the much cliched "trojans" within- simply because the leadership "let the cat out of the bag" before they surfaced. Even if they weren't, they are actually disillusioned "hard-core" Umno-ites in heart & mind - and they need to be weeded out.]

Here is a comment I got on FB from a friend:

"but I still see some people think that Barisan Rakyat is still a THREAT to PR!!!
They do not understand the whole idea of MCLM and think it is juz
"RPK got nothing to do, so he started this". I really don't underst
and.
Why they do not know how to THINK? Why, why, why.."
~SanJiun 善君 , on Facebook

SanJiun- don't be so harsh. I really don't blame them la .... to vote for a "non-partisan & independent" candidate on a Pakatan Rakyat (or maybe even BN) ticket- it is a "very complex" concept for people to understand, when they don't even understand their own rights, and believe that much of the exploitation by political/bureaucratic warlords are perfectly fine.
Some people think MCLM is a political party meant to "throw PR out". Politicians with self-interests view it as a threat to their political future- more so the corrupt ones.
Y'see- as RPK says, our YBs think their job is to be "wakil parti" as opposed to being the "wakil rakyat" they're elected to be- and the people too have come to believe that.
Let's hope that will change, with the advent of MCLM.

Maybe Haris & RPK didn't quite articulate themselves well, to allow people to understand. As it is, Malaysians are politically naive- to make matters worse, our political scene is pretty chaotic & confusing to the average man on the street. Now you throw in a new concept of civil society speaking for itself, and people will go "WHAAT?!".
Maybe the ideas need to be stripped of the "hi-fi" concepts, and made clear to the average joe/pakcik/makcik/Muthu/AhBeng/Ali in simple terms. Or else, with the power of the party machinery & media, opposing forces (on both sides) can easily twist things to complicate matters from a legal perspective .... that is my only concern.

But still- this is a very bold effort by our patriots, and they deserve our full participartion and support.