Undur lah, Pak Lah!
Undur lah, Pak Lah
(Step Down, Pak Lah!)
Few images could match the pathos of a man struggling to keep his head above water as he is drowning. A more tragic scene would be seeing a Mongoloid child quietly slipping underwater, oblivious of the mortal danger he is in as he sinks down, grinning. No intimations of fear or helplessness; a few moments later he would be found lifeless at the bottom of the pond.
This is the image Prime Minister Abdullah currently projects, and it is not far from the reality. He is way above his head, and is blissfully unaware of it. He still maintains the “elegant silence” of a Pak Bisu (the lovable deaf-mute uncle), and a “What? Me Worry?” grin of Mad Magazine’s Alfred Neuman.
He is sinking fast, and he does not know it. He is also taking his party and the nation down with him. Unfortunately, it is not within our culture for those closest to him to warn him of the impending disaster, much less to rescue the poor soul. On the contrary, they would continue to shield him from the harsh reality, all the way down to the bottom of the pond. They are more interested in protecting their own interests rather than in saving the man or the nation.
Undur lah, Pak Lah! Step down, Pak Lah! Spare your party, race and the nation you love needless grief.
It would be presumptuous of me to suggest that you might also be sparing yourself, your loved ones, and those closest to you. That is not for me to say.
Right Decision; Right Timing; Right Reason
By stepping down now, Abdullah would be making the one right decision at the right time and for all the right reasons, something that has sorely eluded him since becoming Prime Minister.
This would be an appropriate time for him to announce his resignation, to be effective following the election of a new leader at UMNO’s forthcoming annual convention in November. Doing so now would spare his party and the nation the endless distractions of a leadership tussle. With Ramadan coming up, there will be only a few weeks for the members to focus on electing their leader. The restraining influence of that holy month would curtail the more blatant “money politics” that has plagued UMNO. That would help ensure a clean election; at least I hope so.
Were Abdullah to reveal his stubborn streak and hang on however tenuously, rest assured that the party and nation would be consumed by the leadership brawl. Forget about the Ninth Malaysia Plan, economic growth, or even plain normalcy. Even if Abdullah were to survive (a very big “if”), it would be a hollow victory. He, the party, Malays, and Malaysia would have been senselessly and irreparably battered in the process.
Clinging on would only make him look even more pathetic and helpless than he is already now. Please spare us the sorry sight!
I trust the collective wisdom of UMNO members to select Abdullah’s worthy successor. They have been through the exercise many times before. When Datuk Onn left the party in a huff, sulking because the members would not do his bidding, they demonstrated great judgment in picking the hitherto unknown and colorless civil servant, Tunku Abdul Rahman. It was a prescient choice for later he would lead the nation to Merdeka. In contrast, the daring, brilliant and charismatic Datuk Onn was content to remain in the false security of the colonial cocoon.
Similarly later when the Tunku was enjoying himself too much in being the “world’s happiest Prime Minister” while the nation was fracturing, UMNO members again asserted themselves. That famous genuflecting letter to Tunku from Dr. Mahathir may be from one person, but not its sentiment.
Granted, the UMNO of today is a far cry from its earlier being; it is now corrupted to its core. The rot accelerated when Anwar Ibrahim introduced the party and its members to “modern” forms of campaigning, as with “money politics.” It was only through outright corruption and blatant bribery, condoned by the party’s senior leaders, was Anwar successful in dislodging Ghaffar Baba as Deputy President and thus, Deputy Prime Minister. However, as we Muslims would observe, Allah has His Ways; nothing happens without His Will.
Today money politics is entrenched; it seems futile to have faith in UMNO’s ability to make wise decisions, uncorrupted by money and influence peddling. Examine the last leadership convention, and that was with the two top positions not contested. Imagine the ugly tussles and ensuing gross corruptions had both positions been vacant.
There is some reason to hope that this time it would be different, if Abdullah were to resign now. With the restraining influence of Ramadan and Hari Raya, as well as the short notice, there would not be a prolonged disruptive and acrimonious campaign. There would be corresponding less time for intrigue and bribery. It takes time to form alliances and to engage in backstabbing.
This may well be the only opportunity for the party to have a relatively honest election, and for its members to express freely their collective wisdom. This may also be the only chance the party has to cleanse its leadership, and thus itself.
If Abdullah does not seize this rare opportunity and instead succumb to the flatteries of his courtiers, rest assured that the party and nation would needlessly be distracted until he is out. Not a pretty prospect, for him, the party, and the nation.
Contrary to Abdullah’s perception, Mahathir is not the problem; silencing him would not be the solution. Mahathir is getting wide hearing not because he is the former Prime Minister (although that is a factor), rather the issues he raises resonate with the citizens.
Undoing Mahathir’s Legacy
If Abdullah were intent on undoing Mahathir’s legacy, as Abdullah’s many interlocutors seemed to convey, then stepping down now would do it. He would have effectively broken UMNO’s ill-advised “tradition” of not contesting the two top positions. This presumes that Najib would contest the top slot with Abdullah’s withdrawal, and thus automatically vacate his Deputy President post. There is nothing to indicate that he would not do so.
It was just over two years ago that Abdullah received an overwhelming mandate from the people. He has not committed any egregious deeds, which would be the usual reason in calling for a resignation. On the contrary, he has done a few things right; that is to say, I agree with those decisions.
That is precisely Abdullah’s problem. Even when he did the rare right thing, as with trimming the budget deficit, canceling that silly crooked bridge, and reducing the petroleum subsidy, his timing was off and or his reasoning flawed.
It was pathetic and painful to see his ministers and other defenders going through contortions to justify canceling that bridge. As for the timing, the penalty payments may yet exceed the cost had the boondoggle been built!
As for Abdullah’s overwhelming mandate of 2004, do not read too much into it. Malaysians are by nature generous and forgiving of our leaders, at least the first time around. When Tunku took over from the towering Datuk Onn, Tunku’s Alliance Party won all but one of the 52 seats. Datuk Onn scrapped through with the only one seat.
This was not because Malaysians were mudah lupa (easily forgetting) or being ungrateful to Datuk Onn for his great service in establishing UMNO and saving the nation from becoming a dominion. Rather, Malaysians prefer giving their new leaders a rousing start and a generous chance.
Resigning the prime ministership is quite the tradition in Malaysia. Chalk one up for the nation! Tunku did it temporarily to concentrate running his campaign in1959. A decade later the Tunku missed the subtle Malay signals and was more or less forced out, albeit civilly and with decorum in 1970. Hussein did it gracefully in 1981, without prompting, when he found himself overwhelmed.
Fast-forward to today, Hussein Onn is fondly remembered despite his forgettable tenure. In contrast, during the recent celebration of Merdeka’s 49th anniversary, few recalled the Tunku’s pivotal leadership in that fateful event.
Mahathir made it clear that he now deeply regrets anointing Abdullah as his successor. That point is irrelevant. By resigning now and simultaneously opening up the nomination process by letting anyone to participate by doing away with the onerous branch nomination requirements, Abdullah would reduce the corrupting influence of money politics and help ensure getting the best candidates. Let the membership decide who are serious and who are frivolous candidates. By resigning now, Abdullah would also ensure that the next generation of leaders would truly be the choice of the membership. That is a legacy that even Mahathir could not match. That is also the one enduring legacy worth leaving.
Undur lah, Pak Lah!
September 3rd, 2006 at 9:31 pm
Someone did point out TDM had a roaring start to his premiership without much prior coaching.He implemented 30 min daylight saving almost immediately with S’pore following suit and everybody coming to work earlier(of course Gov dept staff still had their compulsory coffee break earlier too)
AAB had 3 years of internship period but alas it started with long delayed muffled ‘ puufff ‘.Probably his tutor was reluctance to let his pupil go off earlier,fully aware his ‘gov-staff-pahat -penungkul’ attitude became the new culture(old culture revisited actually)
Stories abound of how AAB came late to Cabinet meeting and fell asleep while at it ,though sounding pedantic,to me its more like a harbinger to further unsound decisions…hope its not true.Raja Petra wrote an interesting script for comedy show Yes!PM albeit Malaysian version ,though funny ,its a bit scarry for me.
The Caliph Syaidinna Omar said,” The leader must be Strong but not Cruel,Yielding but not Weak And Generous but not Wastrel ”
And to choose between two candidates ,one is Pious but not Strong and another who is Strong ,practise Islam though not necessarily pious ,would depend on the need of the country at the moment in time .
There is economic uncertainty ,the people are uncertain with the world economic onslaught, UMNO members uncertain with their role(either to make money or serve rakyat) and The Leader is uncertain to make decision…meanwhile the populace bleed and wither
September 3rd, 2006 at 9:57 pm
Dr Bakri, I visit your blog often and I thought you are an okay guy.
But when I read the intro to this post, I was shocked and appalled.
If you want to make comparitive descriptions, don’t make the poor little ‘Mongoloids’ your subject. We don’t call them that anymore any way.
We call them ’special children’.
I am a parent of one of those sweet childre.
You offend me and like parents of these ’special children’.
You can call those politicians anything you like, but don’t compare them with these sweet innocent children.
Salams to you.
September 3rd, 2006 at 10:33 pm
I do share a lot of your sentiments about the disservice Pak Lah has done to the nation. Therefore I would even join you in calling for Pak Lah to withdraw (berundur). I would never couch that call, however, with the sentiment about saving Mahathir’s legacy. It is that legacy that is the source of everything that has gone wrong with this society. What is wrong woth Pak Lah is that he does not have the political strength nor the moral courage to have a clean break from that legacy that he inherited. He cannot articulate his thoughts on what is to be done — therefore the deafening “elegant silence”. Look further down the line of the current Umno leadership and what do you see? I actually cannot see that there is much hope for the future. Perhaps it is not just Pak Lah that should “berundur”. Perhaps it it the whole brand of conservative, racialist Umno brand of politics and political leadership that need to be put down to rest permanently. It is not a new PM that is needed — really new or just recycled that is — but a totally and radically new era that is really needed in Malaysia.
September 3rd, 2006 at 10:43 pm
Dear Pak Shah:
Everything you say about children with Down’s syndrome is correct. They are loveable, and the Good Lord in His Wisdom and Mercy has spared them from the worries that afflict us other mortals. I have many such patients (children and adult) in my practice, and I enjoy tremendously taking care of them.
I thought long and hard over the choice of word but could not think of another one. A child with Downs syndrome would be the best phrase but decided against using that thinking that few of my readers would know. I wanted to convey a particular imagery. Using the term mentally challenged as someone suggested in his comment elsewhere would not do it either as those children behave very aggressively.
Again, it was not my intention to in any way denigrate such children. I apologize if I offended you. Children with Downs syndrome are indeed special.
Sallam, Bakri Musa
September 3rd, 2006 at 11:44 pm
By the way the The Caliph GreatGrand son,Khalifah Umar Abd Aziz ,who became Caliph for only a short period of 2 years ,manage to restructure the societyto become more caring and economically better of, and being rememberd throughout history…..in just 2 short years of his reign.
I dont expect AAB to be him but to think that 3 years for just warming up??!!!! The fastest world cup goal 23 seconds..the opponent just warming up.The fastest 100 m 9.77sec ,it doesnot include warming up.After 2hrs PM has not turn up for cabinet meeting…warming up.
Someone get him a wife please
September 4th, 2006 at 12:17 am
…and here i am reading this blog with great hope of a reform, daydreaming pretty much the name of the game…
Once, there was a cruel ruler and the populace were all unhappy… today sins of the former number one are all forgotten…well justified with the weakness of AAB…
…I do not choose KJ to be my leader, it was the idiots who wanted to kiss ass of the highest ranking… well there he is Mr KJ acting like he is a man of choice, leading the youth as if he’s the king for the young lions… sad, so sad but that is what we could expect…
half, if not all of the 2700 people in PWTC every year are opptunists. making choices with tummies, not brains. So what do you expect Bakri?WHAT? Ever heard of this dog barking towads hill thing… that’s what most Malaysian are doing…
let’s hope for the world to end earlier, at least I won’t be seeing the same s**t overtime. Damn it I’m 30 this year, long way to go…
p/s Bro Din Merican, i love(does that sounds gay?- LIKE) reading your comments, so please, fill up the barrels.
September 4th, 2006 at 1:40 am
Look further down the line of the current Umno leadership and what do you see? I actually cannot see that there is much hope for the future. Perhaps it is not just Pak Lah that should “berundur”. Perhaps it it the whole brand of conservative, racialist Umno brand of politics and political leadership that need to be put down to rest permanently. It is not a new PM that is needed — really new or just recycled that is — but a totally and radically new era that is really needed in Malaysia
Well said Rustam. I also cannot see the future for this country with taxpayers money being plundered. Then, they tell rakyat petrol price has to be raised, highways need toll to build. Today, many parents are already paying through their nose for their families healthcare and education. Expect use to take instant noodles and ride bicycles to work?
The country is a net exporter of oil. In fact, we should be further subsidised. It is true that subsidy distort allocation of resources. So, the extra revenue will be diverted to improve public transaportation. If that is the case, then all other subsidies should be removed as well.
If public transportation gets better, then less people will need to drive. It will certainly affect the sales of motor vehicles. Look at Proton sales and we can see the writing on the wall. Too much resources have been wasted there. Protection for 20 years and still see no light at the end of the tunnel. Any businessmen would accept defeat and abandon the business. But not us. Why? Because protection can line up APs to fill the pockets of certain people?
Our economic planners do not even have basic common sense .We cannot have the cake and keep the cake.
We need a radical change. It is true, no cabinet ministers below him have the PM materials. But, I would not call Pak Lah to berundur. In fact, I think Pak Lah should stay and fight on with Najib and rakan-rakan.
Tun M should team up with Tengku Razaleigh and maybe even Anwar to rival BN. After all, there is no permanent friends or foes in politics. They can invite DAP, PAS and other smaller non-Malay based parties to set up alternative BN. They are secular in outlook, have governing experiences and are acceptable to all races.
That is the only hope for our country. A two-party system, so that people will have a choice to choose every 5 years. Only the better coalition will get to rule the country.
September 4th, 2006 at 2:59 am
Our PM and deputy were not democratically elected. If the choice by former PM is wrong then the blame rest squarely on him for such misjudgement.
Unless we allow free election of our top leaders, we might as well forget about the rest of the lesser ranks.
September 4th, 2006 at 3:32 am
Dr Bakri,
Would u come back to serve the nation?
Here in Malaysia, we needed Malays who can chart the nation’s path to prosperity, peace and harmony. The other races are looking towards the Malays for leadership and competence. U are one of them.
September 4th, 2006 at 5:05 am
Ya Dr Bakri .. it’s about time you come back from your “hiding” and give yourself to the nation .. provided you still are a Malaysian!
September 4th, 2006 at 5:07 am
Dr. Bakri,
I applaud your need to present/publish your thoughts on Malaysia, however here’s mines, I question your ikhlas in all of this. Why are you in a ranch somewhere is california? why are you so selfishly practising your expertise the the silicon valley? and yet taking your time every sunday to write about malaysia? Have some integrity, serve the country you so high handedly talk/bash week in week out, if you think you can do good by us, than leave the comforts of your ranch, become a malaysian in all the sense of the word and then, only then try to make sense of your rambles.
September 4th, 2006 at 5:20 am
Abang Bakri,
Kemaluan sangat besar bila ketahuan yang mana pendapat abang telah jadi “center of national controvery” since attracting the attention of the country’s Opposition leader.
blog.limkitsiang.com
September 4th, 2006 at 5:30 am
I doubt puasa month is the better time to call for Umno elections. In the 70s and 80s we used to remind each other to be extra careful with mata-mata hiding behind trees at road junctions.
From the 80s onwards buka puasa at five star hotels become a norm. They need more money for Hari Raya. As such money politics come under the guise of duit raya.
September 4th, 2006 at 6:37 am
Actually being an armchair critique has its merits too, no axe to grind, and “no balls to carry” to put it crudely.
So let’s focus on the message, and not the messenger. That Bakri is willing to make his voice heard is more than one can say of the silent majority, both within and outside the country.
September 4th, 2006 at 10:03 am
Lim Kit Siang got himself into a mess trying to explain Bakri’s choice of word. He was heckled and the Umno backbenchers were, obviously, not impressed. They ought to realise that one Malay firebrand in California had the guts to call on the PM to quit. But their hands are in the cooky jar so how do you expect them to react?
Our cabinet has quantity but no quality. Just look how the MPs perform on TV. They argue about Siti’s media coverage, sales of confisicated luxury cars, Customs Dept etc. Trivial matters are being highlighted for publicity sake. Unfortunately, that is their level of maturity. And they blame the rakyat for ther miseries.
Leaders are borned not bred but in Umno leaders are picked not for their brains or qualities but rather their propensity to please and not to rock the boat.
The nation is currently like a ship without a crew, drifting aimlessly in a calm sea. And when a storm hits, it will sink to the bottom never to be seen or heard again.
Is this the fate that awaits us?
September 4th, 2006 at 10:12 am
Dr. Bakri:
Your assessment on Pak Lah is not without merits. Since obtaining a landslide victory (though disputable and I will explain why shortly), he had squandered his opportunity to lead the nation.
The election of 2004 was the worst in my memory. The chaotic situation that prevailed during the voting process had many seething with anger and robbed many of the opportunity to vote. Lucky for me, after a five-hour wait and crossing one booth to another, I managed to pin down my centre. My wife was not so lucky. She could not vote at all, despite the fact that both of us have had voted together at the same polling centre since we had got married. We had even checked before the elections and have been confirmed of the polling station. The tempers at the polling station was so high that even the police officers, after trying to manage the crowd, just simply gave up, expressing their dismay. What seemed as a matter of innocent management then and deemed excusable now appears as a cynically engineered episode, and most would guess who would have been that person behind all this. Sadly, instead of being an asset, he has ended as the nightmarish liability.
Now, to our main topic. I cannot agree with you more on the suspect leadership of Pak Lah and blaming Tun Dr. Mahatir for the current ills is to diminish his own capability and leadership. While TDM was no angel and has been largely responsible for the inimical culture that seems to be deeply embedded in UMNO, Pak Lah just screwed it up.
Your “ultimatum” seems to strike a chord but would your suggestion for others to take over could mean Najib? Your reverend argument against the deeply entrenched corruption in UMNO would certainly disqualify him as a possible candidate. The truth is, I cannot see in UMNO anyone who has not been tainted by corruption. So, what is there left in UMNO except corruption? Not many choices, isn’t it or is it none?
There are no angels in politics. It is kind of between the devil and the deep blue sea. So, do we settle for someone who is also tainted but less tainted than the others? Although I was somewhat undecided earlier, now I am more or less decided to cast it for Anwar. He had, through his past policies, had hurt me, even personally affected, but I see a different Anwar. Not that he is an angel, but a better devil than the other devils. Perhaps, it is the destiny or is it about time that UMNO and BN had become so cancerously inflicted that uprooting them would be the only solution and making a pact with the lesser devil would be in order?
September 4th, 2006 at 10:18 am
Maverick SM ,i suggest you go and join UMNO and contest for the supreme council seat as there are people will support with your 50’s/60’s age minds.what kind of comment you are giving that other races are eying the leadership?hey man,we are in 21st century,please don’t make such a mindless statement.please.this kinds of statement will only said by vaporing politician.you are a lonely fighther who fools by some of the dull politician.wake up before it is too late.
as a malaysian,a chinese,i don’t care who become the PM,as long as the leader is integrity and someone who can help the needed and develope the country.Do you think that UMNO so called New Economy Policy is really helping wretched bumiputra?No,NEP is only helping a small portion of bumiputra,as example:AP king,commissariat king,banking & finance’s monarch.
This is a structural problem but not a racial issue.The wealth delivery system is a failure.The money is controlling by those tycoon.How much wealth has been pass to the needed?i don’t know but what i know bumiputra in rural area is still struggling for the living.they facing the electricity supply problem,their children is illiterate.In other eye,i see those tycoon is driving Benz S-class,BMW750.It is a strong contrast,isn’t it?
it’s not a racial issue nor religion issue.It is a anti-corruption issue.
as my wish,i wish to have a leader who can help the nation and people.
malaysia do not need cajolery leader.Talk is Cheap…Prrof to us you are capable,show us your capability.
Last but not least,i am not intended to offend anyone here,if i did,i apologize here,however,i really hope that racial issue is not an issue anymore.
September 4th, 2006 at 4:51 pm
Wah..! Encik Bakli arh..lu bikin dia olang bising di Parlimen arh! Saya banyeeak susah loh! DAP talak boleh buta maceam itu loh! Nanti dia olang buat May 13…saya mana mahu lali - California arh?!!
Aiyaaah…! Jangan maceam itu arh!
September 4th, 2006 at 5:01 pm
Dr Baki has a good call.
BUT where is the alternative candidate to replace AAB in the forseeable time frame?
TDM has himself to blame for his current displacements in his umno relevancies. In power for 22 years & yet cultivate no potential successors due to his ego.
NOW the country suffers, despite his current laments due to more of his own doings.
DAP has been played into a corner to be a chauvinistic, Chinese Malayisan party, while PAS has been moulded into a over-jealous, pro-Taliban religious freak.
However, there are still good people, both inside & outside of the present political machinery.
The only bane is will these people jump the present party lines & form themselves into a new coercive force?
Musa Husin is a very good start……. Please just built up the list.
Let the conscience of our NATION starts from here!
September 4th, 2006 at 5:04 pm
Sorry,
it should be Husam Musa.
September 4th, 2006 at 5:05 pm
LKS heckled in Parliament …falling into Dr. Bakri’s trap. Well even seasoned politician can be so stupid ….
http://powerpresent.blogspot.com/2006/09/malaysian-opposition-leader-attacked.html
September 4th, 2006 at 5:52 pm
Hi Atanque:
What LKS brought-up in Parliament may not be the exact-cut of a clarion call but nevertheless the near consensus is that Pak Lah does not make the cut - calls for his abdication have been mounting even at home. Just that it came from LKS with the attached reference to Dr. Bakri does not mean far from the truth. What we have in the Malaysian parliament are a bunch of monkeys holding a bunch of bananas, as they have proved themselves to be, time and again. Sad that anything coming from LKS is seen as racist, a price he has to pay forever for his past dabbling with what was generally perceived as Chinese oriented politics. Perhaps, this could be a lesson to all politicians, or would it ever be?
September 4th, 2006 at 5:54 pm
Earlier I had mentioned as “innocent management”, this should read as “innocent mismanagement”
September 4th, 2006 at 6:07 pm
I find the call for resignation of Pak Lah highly irresponsible politicking. Any call of resignation should involve the entire Cabinet and UMNO leadership including all MBs, Parliament Sec, Supreme Council members.
Is Pak Lah leadership not up to snuff? Yes but calling for his resignation does little, the bench leadership is EVEN WORST. The entire UMNO and BN leadership is to be blamed and in fact blamed first before Pak Lah…
Call should be for Pak Lah to have his entire top leadership resign many times before Pak Lah is asked to resign..
September 4th, 2006 at 7:24 pm
Malaysian need to be awaken ,like an young lion that need to be kicked to start hunting again.We need that leader that can inspire us and lead .
Leadership vacuum? Its own UMNO doing ,and to some extend TDM too.It became feudalistic ,the son must inherit and the leadership make sure that it happens. Najib and Hishamuddin were certainly no leadership material ,as they neeed to ‘hunus keris’ once in awhile to garner support.It used to symbolised their willingness to die for malay cause ,but to the youngs now its more like they are willing to kill to maintain the status quo….ie.to continue making money for themselves and their family.
Who choose PM? and candidate? A few thousand (4000?) of well fed ,corrupted delegates that came to PWTC every year?
YES YES YES . One delegate bought luxury car by cash from to money that came thru his hotel doors during convention!!
Anyone with enough fund can influence the leadership selection CIA? Didnt it cross their mind?
This was suggested before, all UMNO members,2 to 3 million at last count ,vote for the leadership.It was thrown out because impractical.IMPRACTICAL MY FOOT!!! Get India gov advise if SCC is not competent enough,it just that evryone want to maintain staus quo…its so comfortable.Leadership has all been line up from 1 to 100 and from what i can see every supposedly leader is so patiently waiting in que.
There is a malay song ,Si Luncai Terjun Dgn Labu labunya shout the leader and the chorus go …biarkan,biarkan….that must be the thing with the malay psyche ….The King must be upheld regardless of his wrong doings or incompetence …..biarkan,biarkan..
/
September 4th, 2006 at 8:13 pm
Sdr Bakri
Saya curious, apa jadi Blog A Kadir Jasin?
September 4th, 2006 at 8:39 pm
[...] usa to Abdullah Badawi to step down as Prime Minister of Malaysia. This called was made by M.Bakri Musa in a recent posting on his blog. In putting this link here, I in no way endorse [...]
September 4th, 2006 at 8:55 pm
Dear Sir,
Let me proceed in Bahasa Melayu as I want to share my pov with only those who understand it.
Saya dilahirkan pada tahun 1970 dan adalah ahli UMNO Segambut dan bekas ketua pemuda UMNO cawangan untuk dua penggal bermula 1994. Bagimanapun saya menganggap kedudukan saya di dalam parti UMNO sebagai pinggiran kerana semenjak masuk menjadi ahli UMNO selepas Parti Melayu Semangat 46 dibubarkan, saya dapati ahli-ahli Pemuda UMNO Segambut hanya lebih berminat untuk bercakap pasal projek dan bagaimana nak jumpa orang-orang tertentu dan mendapat lebih projek. Budaya Ketapang ini memang begitu ketara di segenap pelusuk Pemuda UMNO Segambut. kebayakannya adalah terdiri daripada mereka yang tidak berpendidikan tinggi dan sepenuh masa mengharap pada UMNO sebagai sumber rezeki. Jika mereka tidak bercakap pasal projek, mereka akan bercakap pasal santau dan bomoh dan ubat kuat seks. Sepanjang 12 tahun di dalam UMNo amat membazir sekali. Itulah sebabya saya tidak meneruskan untuk melangkah lebih jauh di dalam UMNO.
Sebagai rakyat Malaysia, saya keluar mengundi pada pilihanraya umum 2004 dan memangkah Barisan Nasional adalah sebagai tanda penghormatan saya kepada Tun Dr. Mahathir. Saya tidak pernah memandang tinggi kepada Abdullah. Mungkin kerana sikapnya menikam belakang Tengku Razaleigh tak mungkin dapat saya maafkan selagi nyawa dikandung badan. Apabila Tun melantik Abdullah sebagai TPM, saya pernah melahirkan rasa kekesalan saya kepada kenalan rapat saya dan menyatakan, kalau Abdullah jadi PM, saya ingin behijrah ke New Zealand saja. Tak sanggup saya ber PM kan Abdullah.
Itu luahan naluri saya. tetapi akal saya menasihatkan saya memberi beliau peluang. Maka hari ini setelah saya memberi beliau peluang, saya membuat keputusan untuk terus di Malaysia sehingga akhir pilihanraya akan datang sebab saya merasakan adalah tanggungjawab saya untuk menasihati kawan-kawan dan saudara mara saya untuk ikut serta saya buat pertama kalinya untuk tidak memangkah calon BN sekiranya pada pilihanraya tersebut Abdullah masih Perdana Menteri.
Dahulu, saya sering berfikir bahawa tiada Parti lain yang layak memerintah Malaysia dan membawa pembangunan yang penting untuk negara. tetapi hari ini saya merasakan antara BN pimpinan Abdullah sebenarnya lemah dan lembik dan mereka sebenar penembak curi dan penikam belakang. Hari ini, tokoh seperti Husan Musa nampak jauh lebih dinamik untuk mentadbir negara daripada Abdullah dan budak soraknya.
Di atas dasar yang demikian, saya seiring dengan saudara di dalam berkata “UNDURLAH PAK LAH, UNDURLAH”.
Demi negara Malaysia yang tercinta, Abdullah seharusnya berundur. Lebih baik berundur sekarang sebelum keadaan menjadi bertambah genting. Undurlah Pak Lah. Dan sedarlah, Kamu tidak dilantik oleh rakyat Malaysia. Kamu tidak dilantik oleh ahli UMNO. Kami di letakan di jawatan sekarang disebabkan Tun telah bersara. Kamu mewarisi kepimpinan UMNO secara feudal bukan demokratik. Demi nama baik negara Malaysia, dan demi nama baik keluarga kamu sendiri, berundurlah dan sedarlah kamu sebenarnya Perdana Meneri Malaysia yang terlemah. Undurlah sebelum kamu di undurkan dan di beri gelaran Bapa Kemusnahan Malaysia.
September 4th, 2006 at 9:36 pm
Why is it that there are still immature people here who think that only Malaysians who reside in Malaysia can speak their minds about the state of the country?
Many Malaysians who work overseas are the ones who the ones who project a positive image about the qualities of the sons and daughters of Malaysia, through sheer committent and integrity to their jobs. They contribute in their own way and I hope this fact is appreciated.
Many times talented people cannot find their niche in Malaysia because of all the politicking that goes around. But this has got nothing to do with their love for the country. Would one who does not give a damn about a place care enough to spend time commenting and coming up with suggestions for improvement?
I wish certain groups do not try to hijack the privilege of being a patriot. Each of us serve in our own way as long as the intention is pure.
So read, and let people write.
September 4th, 2006 at 9:44 pm
As begining today, http://kickdefella.blogspot.com/ is launching a peaceful internet campaign to call for Pak Lah Resignation.
Those who agreed to it can download the campaign banner dan paste it at their forum, bloq or website.
Thank you.
http://kickdefella.blogspot.com/
September 5th, 2006 at 7:13 am
Greetings Fair Malaysian,
Need to live up to your “name” …. AAB done it thru the ballots box and AAB will only go the same way! No Dr Bakri or LKS views or frustrations will made any diffferent to him being the PM. So next time …be sure you make it to the election booth …. and there is where you decide and as for the good doctor Bakri …. when is the last time you vote !
September 5th, 2006 at 7:28 am
Greetings agains Fair Malaysian,
You wrote that “…What we have in the Malaysian parliament are a bunch of monkeys holding a bunch of bananas….”
See how you looked at people ? How are we going to take you seriously if these are words that you used to address others? My son use to tell me ….. What you say is what you are !!!
Need to be true to yourself and live up to your “name” !!!!!
September 5th, 2006 at 7:47 am
o_chu_bi Says:
Maverick SM ,i suggest you go and join UMNO and contest for the supreme council seat as there are people will support with your 50’s/60’s age minds.what kind of comment you are giving that other races are eying the leadership?
“# Maverick SM Says:
Dr Bakri,
Would u come back to serve the nation?
Here in Malaysia, we needed Malays who can chart the nation’s path to prosperity, peace and harmony. The other races are looking towards the Malays for leadership and competence. U are one of them.”
Mr o_chu_bi,
I can’t read other people’s minds but my 2 cents guess is that what Maverick would have wanted to write is “The other races are looking towards the Malays of leadership and competence. U are one of them.” A typo error of for and of.
September 5th, 2006 at 9:35 am
Malaysia is suffocating with too many Sedition Acts, ISA, lack of public forums, increasing instability of the status of religion and the state and crippling quota systems that bring the country to an unthinking, free riding but pathetic state.
It is sad that Malaysia will never be as progressive as other countries because of the mindsets and mentalities we hold on to.
Look at India. It has a population of 81% Hindu and 13% Muslim. (https://www.cia.gov/cia/publications/factbook/geos/in.html#People)
Yet, it has Muslim Presidents demonstrating that even when it has a majority of a certain religion it promotes meritocracy (three/four so far including the current one – DR. A.P.J. ABDUL KALAM.)
“Dr. Kalam became the 11th President of India on 25th July 2002. His focus is on transforming India into a developed nation by 2020.”
http://presidentofindia.nic.in/scripts/presidentprofile.jsp
India has a vision 2020 too. With India having even greater problems of poverty than Malaysia, which do you think will succeed better to reach its vision?
India’s Presidents demonstrate high accomplishments through success in secular careers, high academic achievements and publications. Dr Kalam is constantly glad to be the role model being the India Boleh person himself by achieving India Book of Records stunts and doing lots of great achievements constantly. I am sure we have similar individuals in Malaysia.
But why do we not have the same achievements? Because we know it is pointless to demonstrate our achievements in Malaysia where mediocrity is celebrated. The unthinking is proudly the status quo. Elegant silence is much the safer way to go.
Which do you think have better chances to achieve Vision 2020?
A country with meritocracy system to motivate its citizens?
A country with separation of religion from the state?
A country with a well achieved Prime Minister selected from the best of the crop regardless of race and religion?
Or a country which continues to help Malays who seem to be the sole Bumiputeras while the Orang Asli loses their status? And this NEP is by name but only increases the pockets of a selected few and not the whole impoverished community.
Let us think logically on which would be better environments for growth for Malaysia. You be the judge. 2020 will be the measurement for us to know who is right. Let us hope Malaysia will at least not become more backward than now. I suspect that the past 3 years since Badawi’s reign has seen increasing instability because Malaysians have grown mature to question through blogs and even through the news media and of course we do not publish them all but still better than 3 years ago. This has merits and demerits. The possibilities are we are pushing the country to face its options. The whole world is going this direction through globalisation and the growth of the Internet. But, underlying conservative mindset of the grassroots who would rather die for akhirat then live victoriously will be the stacks. Though, crisis is part of building a new state of existence.
If India can do it, why can’t we? Because we have a low self esteem? Let us think about it.
I look forward to the day, when the Prime Minister of Malaysia encourages full religious freedom and reminds everyone of the multiracial country and that all religions and race are equal in Malaysia. The Prime Minister would echo the words of Abraham Lincoln -
“…Let us discard all this quibbling about this man
and the other man–this race and that race and the
other race being inferior, and therefore they must be
placed in an inferior position…Let us discard all
these things, and unite as one people throughout this
land, until we shall once more stand up declaring that
all men are created equal.”
– Abraham Lincoln
September 5th, 2006 at 9:47 am
Salam semua,
When people who are in Malaysia try to give this guilt thing about others to “come back” and fix the country, are they saying that they are unfit or incompetent to do this? or is it just passing the buck.
Quote 1
======
“Ya Dr Bakri .. it’s about time you come back from your “hiding” and give yourself to the nation .. provided you still are a Malaysian”
Quote 2
=====
“Dr. Bakri,
I applaud your need to present/publish your thoughts on Malaysia, however here’s mines, I question your ikhlas in all of this. Why are you in a ranch somewhere is california? why are you so selfishly practising your expertise the the silicon valley? and yet taking your time every sunday to write about malaysia? Have some integrity, serve the country you so high handedly talk/bash week in week out, if you think you can do good by us, than leave the comforts of your ranch, become a malaysian in all the sense of the word and then, only then try to make sense of your rambles”
XX—————————————————————————–XX
IMO, Like it or not, the one who has more at stake should try to do more .. pure and simple. People who are in Malaysia should be doing a lot more than they are. Malaysian who are abroad are a small percentage of the population that is in the country.
Kak Dar
California
September 5th, 2006 at 5:45 pm
dear kak dar,
too bad you don’t compute when some wrote sarcastically
September 5th, 2006 at 6:02 pm
Gentlemen,
The issues here is nothing got to do with Mr. Bakri being exploiting its talent elsewhere. He has the right to exploit it talent anywhere on earth. Why should he come back to Malaysia where you are not judge by merit by by who you know or who your contact is. I am damn sure plenty more talented Malaysian here in Malaysia itselft get so frustrated that make they thinking for every moment of running away from this country at first glance of oppurtunity.
Let me continue the issues in Bahasa Melayu.
Selagi pentadbiran di Malaysia diselaputi oleh korupsi, ia hanya membunuh mereka yang tidak sanggup terjebak dengannya. Ambil contoh kontrak kecil-kecilan kementerian pendidikan. Ianya hanya diberi kepada kontraktor bumiputra YANG TERBABIT DI DALAM UMNO. Projek-projek besar pula di beri kepada pihak yang kita sendiri tidak tahu kenapa mereka mendapatinya.
Rasuah bukan sahaja menyelubungi sektor awam, malah sektor swasta turut bergelumang dengan rasuah. Untuk menjual program di stesen TV, sekarang bukan sahaja setakat perlu ada hubungan baik dengan pengurusnya tetapi harus ada ‘kickback’. Di sektor swasta terutama stesen TV, bukan sahaja pengurus yang mengambil rasuah, bahkan eksekutif muda pun berani mengambil rasuah, dulu orang memperkatakan soal RTM bergelumang rasuah, tapi Media Prima dan Astro sebenarnya tak kurang dashyatnya. Apabila siasatan dalaman walaupun siasatan dalaman sering dilakukan dan walaupun bertimbun buktinya dikemukakan, akhir sekali kes di tutup. Kerana kes yang bermula dari kakitangan bawahan ini sebenarnya menata sehingga ke puncak. Dan mereka dipuncak itu siapa orangnya? Mereka dipuncak itu di lantik oleh pemimpin negara. Saya sendiri sudah berapa kali berhenti kerja dan mencari kerja baru kerana masalah ini. Tetapi nampaknya semuanya sama. Kata orang pejam mata sebelah sudahlah. Tapi bagi saya tak semudah itu.
Selagi budaya rasuah tak diatasi dan selagi ramai rakyat Malaysia yang mengamalkan dasar tutup mata sebelah terhadap isu rasuah. Ia hanya akan membunuh mereka yang benar-benar mampu bekerja dengan baik. Ini baru satu sektor. Tak tahu sektor lain. Tapi rungutan yang didengar sama sahaja.
September 5th, 2006 at 6:10 pm
Hi Atanque:
When was the last tme you stepped into the gallery of the August House (Pariament)? Just take a trip there and see for yourself what our elected reps are up to. And again, I have lost my respect for them generally. They are not our wakil rakyats, but fighting to see whether they or the customs guys can fill the pockets faster, to quote one example. While you may bring up your children the way you desire, which I have no qualms over, and understand as your right, but I definitely have made it clear to my children that they should stand up for inquisitive knowledge and not to accept anything and everything that they come across.
Tony Blair was elected so was margaret Thatcher. While the latter was forced out of office, the former has been facing a near revolt. Closer to home, Tunku and Tun Hussein were unceremoniously forced out of office. Not that I have anything personal against Pak Lah but he simly does not keep his word and yes, I believe he has a credibility problem. When he told Malaysians, I am for all Malaysians and work with me and not for me, the common people aligned with him, and so did I and I even supported him when a few of my friends wanted to give up. He just does not have the leadership pulse. Of course, bringing back Mahatir, as some have penchantly argued in favour would be a no-no, as most believe the dire straits this country has been pushed to is largely due to him. Today, he is crying foul over many things that he did not give a hot while in power. When power was in his head, he lost his head. Now, he seems to woken up from his “dream”. Some have argued that he was the one who hand-picked Pak Lah and that if there had been free contest, others might have won. Therein lies Mahatir’s selfishness in wanting to protect his own back. Well, he has learnt the hard way. The very ministers he nurtured are paying dividends to him. Well, I feel like saying, “serves him right”.
This is not to say that I do not respect your stand but we have to respect our respective views, too. Cheers
September 5th, 2006 at 8:30 pm
i think everone should stick to the topic discuss…ie.leadership.
September 5th, 2006 at 8:53 pm
An honest question: How will Pak Lah’s resignation change the country for the better?
September 5th, 2006 at 9:28 pm
Dear Dr Bakri:
Following the dictum by Voltaire: I may disagree with what you say but I will defend, to the death, your right to say it. In that spirit, I have written, as a courtsey to inform my esteemed discourse mate, that I wrote a point-by-point rebutal to your piece. Cheers ~~ Desi
September 5th, 2006 at 9:29 pm
greetings Fair Malaysian,
been to the parliament once and and you are right ..it is not what you expected it to be. but they sure have lots of passions with their job and this is want they do best. maybe some of their behavior can be unaccepatable but are neccessary so as to get message across. but IMO they are still very “tame” and since your are making comparison ..have ever seen how parliamentarian in Taiwan, Japan, Korea do their business (on TV). If you called Malaysian parliamentarian as “monkeys” ..what’s the word for them then?
as for AAB not being effective ..well it’s a matter of opinion. the reality is you will never be able to satisfied all. how hard you try there are sure some who will never be satisfied ..that is the beauty of a democratic nation. so if your are a politician ..your must satistfied your majority voters first …and i think the majority in this country are more that satisfied with AAB. see any street demonstrations lately like the reformasi time?
AAB should never do things because some dude hiding in the ISA is not happy with things here in Malaysia. some claimed that this dude have made valid arguement ..still it’s his opinion and many does not think that he’s right.
September 5th, 2006 at 9:44 pm
ISA = USA ..that is sorry !!!
September 5th, 2006 at 9:51 pm
Thanks to rj for helping me to clarify my statements.
To o_chu_bi : I am Chinese and not permited to join UMNO.
My statement did not connote that other races are eyeing the leadership; no matter how you interpret or transliterate it.
What I meant was:
Here in Malaysia, we needed Malays who can chart the nation’s path to prosperity, peace and harmony. The other races are looking towards the Malays for “THEIR” leadership and competence to lead and make the nation a prosperous, peaceful and harmonoius nation (IT’S FACTUAL THAT THE MALAYS FORMED THE MAJORITY OF VOTERS & WILL EFFECTIVELY CONTROL THE LEGISLATIVE BODY) . U (DR. BAKRI) are one of them.”
September 6th, 2006 at 1:43 am
Dr. Bakri,
If you (or anyone of your calibre and moral fibre) were in the running for the UMNO Presidency, I’d join your call for Pak Lah to undur in an instant. Unfortunately, nobody in the running can even hold a candle to any of our past PMs (unless you consider the Tun a viable candidate for becoming PM another time). I do not endorse your call not because I support Pak Lah, but because I oppose him less than anyone else likely to take over the reins of power.
September 6th, 2006 at 2:17 am
Hi Atanque:
Points noted. Yes, what is one man’s medicine could be another man’s poison. Stark this may seem but nonetheless our divided opinions have been premised on different understanding and I respect your view.
On what happens in the parliaments of other nations may be there for us to see. The once ruckus which ended up in blows in the Taiwanese parliament was shown live on major tv stations. However, would that mean the emulation by our parliaments which is nothing more than rowdyism can be a tenantable justification. In fact, we citizens should insist that the decorum of our parliamentarians should be on top of the list when they come to seek our votes. Shame on them, sometimes behaving like uneducated hooligans. They may be discussing important issues but to me it is just numbers and not brains or reps. Is it a wonder they are so shy to telecast live parliamentary proceedings (except for the budget)? They are not our wakil rakyats but prefer to be yang berhormats. Show me one ruling party parliamentarian who is a “rakyat” first? These are guys who want to fill the pockets. Sorry for this uneasy assessment but I am firm in my conviction that they are nothing more than halfpast-six morons. They have to learn from people like Ghandi to know what it means to serve people - isn’t that what they claim to do but, Yes, a big but?
September 6th, 2006 at 2:57 am
The MPs reflect the mentality of the people who elected them. I doubt Dr Bakri can win the Umno presidency if he offers himself as money talks. The slogan pembela bangsa dan ugama is just a front to make quick bucks.
Agree with Johnleemk in the immediate horizon, the national leadership looks bleak.
September 6th, 2006 at 3:07 am
Internal Security Minister says (in today’s NST) crime is up by 11.3% compared to the same period last year!
Another hike, another achievement!
The only thing that is going down is the fines! A noble way to compensate the petrol hike! So bruder, drive as fast as you can, dont use low gear, safe petrol, and safe fines as well!
September 6th, 2006 at 7:28 am
Maverick SM,sorry that i missunderstood with your statement.
i am furious by the issue raise by kahairy to gain support and at the meanwhile,i read this comment with misapprehend your meaning.Sorry
What i can is the cabinet must dismiss,SPR must reform,parliaent must dismiss and recall for a clean election.Then we will know who is giving who a 90% mandate to manage the country.Pak Lah,do no need to under,just dismiss SPR and call for general election.
i believe my comp’s CEO/manager are able to manage this country or hold the PM post and do even better than the existing goverment.
September 6th, 2006 at 7:31 am
We have all been living in a closed mindset in regards to change. Pak Lah and UMNO is not all to Malaysia. We need to voice dissent and seek after social change where the best are elected that do not come from UMNO. A new political party is in the making and if we call for the eradication of corruption and expect it hard enough, we may see a social change. We need to want it hard enough by being firm that we will not vote for anything less than a corrupt party. Do not take this as a joke. Many have stood firm to challenge reality and have succeeded. We need to be bold.
September 6th, 2006 at 1:09 pm
Asking Abdullah Badawi to undur is easy but who will be the ‘better” PM to replace him? Lets do an online poll from the following candidates.
Najib? Son of a former PM but pales in comparison. Certainly not like father.
Muhiyuddin? Apart from being a former MB for Johore Muhiyuddin has not demonstrated other leadership qualities.
Muhamad Taib Mike Tyson? Too much excess baggage
Shahir Samad? Probably
Rafidah? Anybody still not convinced?
Hishamuddin? The new generation Jebat
Any more names to toss into the hat?
The list is kind of short and then again we have to deal with the horse trading within UMNO, I mean serious Horse Trading.
With UMNO annual bash coming just after Ramadhan serious money will be spent in Majlis Berbuka Puasa this year. Hotels will have a boom time and crowds will be hosted to RM 100 per head breaking of the fast sponsored by your aspiring UMNO Why Be (YB)
September 6th, 2006 at 5:48 pm
Ogre,
Just for the heck of it, may I suggest Zam Zam, the pantun crazy guy from Jerai and the Customs Dept’s nemesis from Jasin for the coveted post as PM See the fun these candidates will bring to the scene.
I just wonder how they got into politics in the first place.
September 6th, 2006 at 7:40 pm
We must stop thinking of UMNO politics. We must bring it down at all cost. And then, with the fear of the anger of the public against corruption, newer parties will toe the line set by the public. UMNO if it wants to stay in power will also follow the lead.
Is this too difficult? Some may laugh. But, this was how slavery was banished. This was how communism fell. This was how the Berlin Wall was torn down.
Why be stupid and live in misery? We must stand up for what is right. Live for fairness. All over the world, humans have challenged social structures that discriminate and that bring misery.
Enough is enough. Let us voice dissent over Corruption, Crime, Illegal Immigrants in Sabah and Sarawak (simply to increase the Bumiputera population and the winnings of Barisan Nasional). Let us fight the Merdeka fight to free Malaysia.
It starts with us voicing our dissent and expecting more than the status quo.
September 6th, 2006 at 10:31 pm
If Pak Lah go, who will be the PM?
September 6th, 2006 at 11:06 pm
Fathol Zaman
If you nominate Zam Zam Allakazam, then maybe Shahidan Towkey Beras will also want to join.
Don’t forget Boy with Runny nose Oxbridge grad son in law. Kesian kat Tajol and Idris Jusoh, having to sokong.
Maybe we should also include the Anak Perak Jati Nazri and his talking from the rear end,
How about The son Of Singa UMNO Syed Hamid Gabrar (oops)
If you include the Jasin MP then we may have to close Customs and Excise DiRaja and with the latest reduction in fines offered by Polis Dia Raja Malaysia, the government will have to find new sources of revenue, mayse sell more sand to Singapore.
Wow the list is now expanded but certainly not exhaustive. Maybe the semuanya OK Toyo or anak Hassan Pencuri.
September 6th, 2006 at 11:34 pm
Ogre,
We hit rock bottom when it comes to naming a candidate. You name one and an ominous gloom hangs over your head.
May be, we all should partake in this naming game. Let’s choose from among the current Umno leadership One picks his candidate of choice and the other rattles off his sins until we exhaust the whole list and then we go to the second list and so forth.
I have a dirty feeling we’ll never get to name anyone.
September 7th, 2006 at 1:47 am
Fathol Zaman,
I agree with you in total.
So we are going in circle !!!
Without a clear good candidate within UMNO to take over as PM , all the frustrations expressed here on Pak Lah still bring us to nowhere .
Look for a candidate outside UMNO ! We need to wait for UMNO to collapse, and opposition parties to win the next GE to form the next government. But there is no sign for it to happen in near future.
So we are going in circle by expressing our frustration here !!!
September 7th, 2006 at 2:04 am
What about a country without a PM? Seriously, do we really need a PM here? It seems to me that even there’s a PM, no one’s really in charge now.
September 7th, 2006 at 3:11 am
Taishan
Why do you think we are not capable to change Malaysia? UMNO is but a small machinery. In the past centuries, humankind have abolished slavery, communism, the Berlin Wall, caste system. We determine our destiny. We live in this system and we need to create awareness for people to wake up and change the system.
We need to voice dissent.
We need to separate the evil and good. When we criticise corruption, fanaticism, laziness and incompetence, those who are good will come out of the system.
We then create a new system. Parties within Barisan Nasional begin to come out - MCA, MIC. Or leaders that follow the citizens cry, come out. When the good leaders are out, the party is but a wrecked evil not capable of any good and not getting the support of the people.
We then can begin to start anew. Debate policies and build a new Malaysia.
We are in the making of this. Already we are using blogs and forums to discuss what we want of Malaysia. When we debate this in Parliment and in open forums, we will be so much closer when all the people want change.
Change is inevitable with globalisation. If not today, then tomorrow.
September 7th, 2006 at 3:14 am
Remember that UMNO does not have 2/3 majority in Parliment. We are Malaysians - we need one another and we can change Malaysia if we want it much. Let us live for Malaysia like the forefathers of Malaysia - the merdeka fighters who free Malaysia for the coming generations.
September 7th, 2006 at 3:30 am
Dear Mr Bakri Musa, its been a long time since i met you at your hospital in California. Now i am back in Malaysia after spending some time in California. For those of us Malaysian that have yet to spend time with you, i would say pity them for not understanding who you are really as a person. To me you are really a nice person and honest.
Your article urging Pak lah to undur is a timely yet somehow the strenght is not there, me and you is just one voice among the many. But will the resignation of Pak lah solved the problematic,chaotic or the alleged corruption plaguing UMNO?
I for one would like to present the following scenario,
People who are economically at disadvantages or “mentally unsound and does not have the guide of what is right or wrong” will always resort to quick rich method or easy money.
People in power will always try to maintain their holding and control over their subordinate.
To those of us that have tastes freedom and went abroad we know what freedom, justice and peace of mind entails, but to those that is living in a chaotic state they must adapt in any way they can.
Majority of the Malay elder and rural, what mode of mind alteration or thinking capabilities are they exposed to, if the main stream Bahasa Malaysia newspaper only fancied themself with entertainment news, political function ceremony and all the crime and daily happening.
The younger generation are being fed with entertainment and “hiburan” while the elite professor and thinker hide in Universities and colleges,
Malay mental development is being barred, while the young is being fed with fun joy and laughter,
Finally until the next comment’
I wish you (reader-malays) knew what it meant to be free, I wish i knew how to share this love that i have in my heart, i wish i can show you freedom and justice. But this dream will take a long road to be acheived,
Each Nation Awaits the Light of truth to set itself free.
God Speed: http://1force.blogspot.com/
September 7th, 2006 at 3:43 am
Dear Hawaiichee
Do you seriously think that we can change? Melayu ke, Cina ke or India sama saja. We can only talk but when it comes to the voting booth, pangkah dacing jugak. Everybody is playing politicslah. The non-Malays will say discriminationlah, second class citizenlah etc tapi who swayed the votes to BN in 1999 if not the non-Malays? The best chance ever to change government. And then cakap “better the devil we know…… blah, blah, blah ” Why don’t we just try the opposition. Kalau tak jadi tukarlah balik macam Trengganu. Mati kebulor ke orang Tengganu masa PAS. Actually kan for whatever the faults, BN is still the better choice. But I have to say that the Chinese are smart, within the government MCA ada and outside government DAP ada. Tapi deep inside, even the non-Malays prefer the status quo because they can still prosper, rightly or wrongly. Bising-bising tu smokescreen aja. Orang Melayu pun sama jugak, yang marah sebab tak dapat habuan. Yang kenyang tu, sokong jugak.
The only way to change is during election, but as I said we can only talk but no action. Orang Islam pun tak nak PAS, orang Cina pun tak nak DAP. I doubt it will ever happen, not in my life time, I am sure. So, camno?
September 7th, 2006 at 4:25 am
Dear Kuala Pilah
Times are changing. People make mistakes. During the Japanese occupation, ada yang jadi tali barut. Tetapi ada juga yang berjuang mati-matian. In the end, as time goes on, people realize that the enemy bukan susah sangat nak jatuhkan. In the end, people realize that they can not live each day being discriminated upon.
It takes a few courageous souls to fight and to realise the whole community that they do not need to put up with misery and suffering.
Lina Joy is one of them. Why would someone want to risk her life for something she believes in? The issue is not in which religion is right or wrong. The issue is in freedom of religion and she is fighting for freedom with her life. She could easily migrate and leave but she wants to make a point.
Just like the many people who stand up for what they believe in. In America, there was an Afro-American with the name of Rosa Parks. On December 1, 1955, Parks was sitting on a bus in the front row of the section reserved for blacks. But when a white man got on, there were no more seats in the white section, so the bus driver told Parks to move back.
But Parks was convinced that to do so would be wrong—and she refused to get up. “Since I have always been a strong believer in God,” she says, “I knew that He was with me, and only He could get me through that next step.” Her courage later freed discrimination towards Afro-Americans in America decades later.
We as Malaysians need to have courage to stand up for what we believe in and not just live a passive life sheltered by the government, by governments Acts, by threats of ISA. We need to free ourselves from these chains that make our lives not worth living. If we do not believe in something, first discuss our disbelief with others and if after hearing from others, we can make a better decision.
September 7th, 2006 at 5:11 am
Dear Hawaiichee
I do not dispute your points at all, furthermore I support it. But my contention is that the only way to change is through the ballot box then parliament and then amend whatever laws that are obsolete. I am not fond of BN but what is wrong is when UMNO is being made the scapegoat by the non-Malays for whatever ‘discriminatory policy’ being passed. And the non-Malays being made the scapegoat for the disunity among the Malays. This is politicking, as simple as that. The Malays has shown courage to vote an opposition in Trengganu and also supported the opposition on federal level in 1999 GE. Like I said earlier, who swayed the votes the status quo? Don’t just say you want changes but do not have the courage to change the government. The very people who shouted discrimination are the ones who maintained the status quo. If we do that, at best we are insincere and at worst manipulative.
September 7th, 2006 at 5:49 am
Kuala Pilah made very strong points.
BN govt will not allow any new political party led by Malays to be formed that could threaten Umno, with the exception of Keadilan.
Can PAS do better when it comes to power? History and current events are not in favour of religion mixing with politics. Opressions have been committed in the name of religion, be it Christian or Islam.
Politicians who play up to the gallery are not leaders. Very hard for men and women of high moral fiber to succeed in politics.
September 7th, 2006 at 6:05 am
“UMNO is being made the scapegoat by the non-Malays for whatever ‘discriminatory policy’ being passed. ”
We should definitely fight against discriminatory policies whether they come from UMNO, PAS, DAP or any ruling party of the state or Parliment. Hence, we should not only determine by ballot, but voice our dissent.
Each of us have a role to play in the community. You as a blogger, another as a news reporter, still another a lawyer. We can ensure justice is done by voicing out dissent. Only when we speak out, the people in leadership positions can hear us.
No use voting and not voicing out strong enough. The leaders who listen will of course be good leaders. But sometimes, we keep to ourselves our dissatisfaction and it does us no good.
In the coming months, there will be manifestos written out clearly so that the public can disagree peacefully. This is one way to make our voice heard and push for social change and not accept mediocrity. Voting is one but we need to also voice out dissent.
September 7th, 2006 at 6:07 am
If Rosa Parks did not choose to stand up for her rights and sue in the court, there will be less reasons for politicians to fight for her case. If Lina Joy did not choose to risk her life to stand for what she believes in, that Malaysians need to have freedom of religion, there will be no awareness and no avenue for politicians to lobby for change.
Just like the police only act when a crime has happened, we need to highlight crimes and incidents and that is why we need to lobby for dissent.
September 7th, 2006 at 6:58 am
Do we think the Umno politicians are interested in Lina Joy or anyone leaving Islam? They may shout pembela ugama, do their lives reflect their faith?
I am not demanding we should live up to high moral standards. Willful arrogance is against any tenet.
September 7th, 2006 at 7:09 am
Lina Joy is not pembela ugama but pembela hak asasi manusia. We should continue to stand up against injustice.
September 7th, 2006 at 7:24 am
Dear Hawaiichee
Again, I reiterate that only through the ballot box that change will happen. Voice of dissent, yes definitely. I have high regard for Lim Kit Siang, Syed Husin, Abdul Razak PSRM (don’t know where he is now), Patto, Fadhil Noor, Dr Kumar and a lot others. These people are the voices of dissent. How do we support them? By shouting? By writing? By demonstrating? Of course not. We support them by voting them and those who support them into the parliament. You don’t shout at ‘discriminatory’-UMNO, ‘greedy’- MCA, ‘yes sir’-MIC etc and come GE and still vote them in droves. What’s the point? The point is that we are hypocrites. We want the status quo to remain because deep inside we know we prosper because of BN. If not the Malays will lose the corruption edge to make money and the Chinese will lose the corruption machine to make more money. Is it not true?
So, let’s be sincere and don’t kid ourselves.
(Apologies to Dr Bakri for going off topic)
September 7th, 2006 at 7:37 am
I do not vote for Barisan Nasional. That is a fact. I can tell you where I vote and my IC number but of course i would not do so here.
The point is if we do not campaign, one vote does not count. We need to have a strong voice to tell others as well. We need to make clear what we are disagreeing as the leaders need to hear from us.
September 7th, 2006 at 7:38 am
We need checks and balances. The problem is we don’t have the critical mass to effect change. Affluence lulls most of us into complacency. The country is sliding downward. Soon it will spiral into a freefall. But the time it will be too late. Signs are Malaysia is in the making of Philippines.
September 7th, 2006 at 8:02 am
I was fortunate that I grew up in a kampung. Had the opportunity to grow up with Real Malaysians. Citizens like Bashirs, Jinnahs, Abus,Ismails, Ah Chongs,Rajas and Singhs.
Sadly today our children grow up in these polarized environments who hardly know each other. They can even come from the same school or the same suburban. They would still be alien to each other. We can debate till the cows come home why we end up in this “status quo”, it will not help. Every race in this country looks at themselves as Melayu, China, India, North Borneo rather than Malaysian. What had transpired over the years are gone, this was the result of the policies of the past leaders. It has split, cut and divide the many races in this country. To change course and steer it back to the kampung days may be an impossible task but the possibility is there.
Back in those days, all of us were mostly poor. Civil service consists mostly of Chinese and Indians. As time goes by , more and more Malays entered into the civil service. Not an issue actually, but the over zealous implementers overdo it. In their haste to fast track the malays, a lot were compromised. A very good example is the quality of our Universities graduates. Most are unable to converse in simple English. That is still alright but the substance is missing. Even the Professors are way way below par and no doubt there are few good ones too.
Your are both (Kuala Pilah and hawaiichee ) right and there isn’t much both of you can do. Maybe not in this lifetime but the “renaissance” should begin today. Be the main players. Fight for the just cause. Take our stand. Look at each other as fellow Malaysians. Change our ways, adopt good values. Hopefully Malaysian will once again be like children, for they are “Colour Blind”.
Thanks for the opportunity to share …. Salam Muhibbah.
September 7th, 2006 at 8:04 am
I was fortunate that I grew up in a kampung. Had the opportunity to grow up with Real Malaysians. Citizens like Bashirs, Jinnahs, Abus,Ismails, Ah Chongs,Rajas and Singhs.
Sadly today our children grow up in these polarized environments who hardly know each other. They can even come from the same school or the same suburban. They would still be alien to each other. We can debate till the cows come home why we end up in this “status quo”, it will not help. Every race in this country looks at themselves as Melayu, China, India, North Borneo rather than Malaysian. What had transpired over the years are gone, this was the result of the policies of the past leaders. It has split, cut and divide the many races in this country. To change course and steer it back to the kampung days may be an impossible task but the possibility is there.
Back in those days, all of us were mostly poor. Civil service consists mostly of Chinese and Indians. As time goes by , more and more Malays entered into the civil service. Not an issue actually, but the over zealous implementers overdo it. In their haste to fast track the malays, a lot were compromised. A very good example is the quality of our Universities graduates. Most are unable to converse in simple English. That is still alright but the substance is missing. Even the Professors are way way below par and no doubt there are few good ones too.
Your are both (Kuala Pilah and hawaiichee ) right and there isn’t much both of you can do. Maybe not in this lifetime but the “renaissance” should begin today. Be the main players. Fight for the just cause. Take our stand. Look at each other as fellow Malaysians. Change our ways, adopt good values. Hopefully Malaysian will once again be like children, for they are “Colour Blind”.
Thanks for the opportunity to share …. Salam Muhibbah.
September 7th, 2006 at 8:13 am
If we continue to voice our dissent, we can see change ,,,
1. A strong police form.
Visibility of police stations and rukun tetangga stands in every corner of the street. Have you seen how visible the police booths are in Japan. Police should be patrolling every moment. Large budgets should be placed on the police force with ensuring there is no corruption. The citizens will be indoctrinated that the country is safe and that they should not commit crime.
2. A strong anti corruption force
In order for the police force to be clean, there should be a strong anti corruption force. Period.
3. A strong corporate governance law framework
Such as the Sarbanes Oxley. There need to be strong accounting.
4. Abolishing of all inequitable forces.
Cancelling all race priviledges, religious superiority, quota systems, family and clan assistance.
Competition should be strictly based on the most talented, intelligent and skillful.
5. A talented, skillful government role model
When the government are the brightest and most intelligent, the citizens will follow. Example India’s president being a PhD with many publications and a genius. This will attract young minds to enrol to be in the government.
6. Ensure a good political system that is fair.
No one wants to join politics now because it is full of corruption, back stabbing and even hanky panky crimes. If the Prime Minister is elected from the smartest and you do not need to give corruption, then a moral political system will fuel good leadership and have the best brains for leadership.
There is no other way for Malaysia to attain Vision 2020. Already we have fall short of the 6% yearly growth rate needed for 2020. We are now below 6% growth rate. We have failed …. we need to buck up at all means!!! The longer we wait, the worst we will get.
September 7th, 2006 at 8:21 am
Dear Hawaiichee
Sorry, but from this government, no matter how hard we shout, we would not achieve those aspirations. Do you think Malaysians want to try someone else? Naaahh….
September 7th, 2006 at 8:26 am
Saya setuju dengan kata kata Hawaiichee. Dan saya bankyeeak sokong dia.
“setelong police, setelong anti colluption and setelong gomen” - everyting setelong.
Hidup DAP!
September 7th, 2006 at 8:30 am
So funnylah Kit. Really.
September 7th, 2006 at 10:20 am
I am disappointed with Badawi.
But I abbhor Mahathir and his politics more.
Who, from within UMNO which has a reputation whither than snow, will replace him?
But maybe what Badawi is doing is good for the country. Create a weak government.
So private sector will be weaned of the govt projects.
People will learn to think for themselves and not just accept “PM says…”.
Media has never been freer.
Dividing UMNO. UMNO is too strong for its own good.
Avoid using the “visible hand”, so institutions (press, kehakiman, ACA, universities, police) will be de-politicised.
In many ways, he is showing and proving that the office of the PM does not need to know everything or be responsible for everything. Mahathir turned his seat into that of quasi-dictator.
And now, when Malaysia becomes great, the people themselves can claim credit. If we fail, we only have ourselves to blame.
We won’t blame the govt then.
September 7th, 2006 at 11:05 am
So what happens after Pak Lah ‘berundur”? You reckon the next person can do better … fat chance!!! 22 years of downright bird droppings cannot be undone overnight. The ex PM has succeeded in surrounding himself with nicompoops that succeeded in halting an otherwise momentous growth.
Wake up Doc, you don’t have a clue. Stop blaming Pak Lah, he mayy be an idiot, lethargic or whatever, but he was there because of the system, moulded during 22 years of hogwash.
Mahathir was lucky, he happened to be at the right place at the right time. Malaysian growth is not due to his foresight or ingenuity but policies set by his predecessors. Our growth relative to Korea, Taiwan Thailand and Singapore is discreditable.
The nation is in a mess. There is little values left in us. We have lost all sense of right or wrong and “amanah” is lost. The politicians plundered our wealth outright and we accept is as ‘rezeki dia’. The rest of us will scramble for the crumbs yet bellowing praises for the so called leaders.
Whence malevolonce occured before our every eyes, our scrotums shrunk and eyes shut because of what ….’cari makan’. There is no honour in us and we have turned into a nation of cowards.
I have no allegiance to any parties or persons but why Pak Lah now? Why don’t you do this before.
Get real! Leave the man alone.
September 7th, 2006 at 11:14 am
Dear Ogre & Fathol Zaman,
There is one name you have left out, Tg Razaleigh Hamzah. There is potential there. He is intelligent, has the experience and has shown he is not afraid of making unpopular decisions or mounting challenges against the leadership of the day. Almost a Dr M lite.
TRH has shown the courage of his conviction a number of times. Of course some will point out his 180 degress vis-a-vis Semangat 46, but that could be seen in the light of an expediency dictated by the events of the time.
Other than him and perhaps Shahril Samad, the others not only should not be allowed to come close to the #1 post, they should be kicked out of their present posts/positions.
To hawaiichee and Kuala Pilah: Thank you. Really enjoyed your thoughtful exchanges. I tend to favour hawaiichee’s arguments because we will never creat the critical mass necessary to institute changes without every responsible citizen voicing out and passing on the message. Sedikit-sedikit, lama-lama jadi bukit!
September 7th, 2006 at 1:52 pm
That is exactly the point Anakhujanbatu. Our voice needs to be stronger and we need to not just say Hidup DAP or Hidup PAS but voice out our unhappiness - what are the happiness. The issues need to be clear - among others - the death of corruption, setting up of a meritocracy system, increase safety, independence of the judiciary, freer press. We must see a total revamp of Malaysian system before it is too late.
Yes, we will have consequences and we will need to debate more seriously and not have U-turns such as the fine collection. But, we need awareness that we are going to pursue such directions so that the Malaysian public know that Malaysia is willing to do what it takes if necessary to head towards Vision 2020.
No excuses that we can not do it, or we are screwed too hard already. Everyone can come up and fight again … there is no such thing as failure, only failure to learn.
September 7th, 2006 at 8:00 pm
Hi Friends:
Shahrir is a man of reputable integrity and most Malaysians would love him to be the PM but unfortunately no matter how hard he tries, the system that he is in seems to mark him out as an odd one. The fact that he had to reliquish his BBC Chairman’s position on a matter of principle and also the fact that, despite his known credibility, he had not reached the higher ranks within UMNO shows abundantly that there is nothing much he can do while in UMNO, as the forces of the “dark side” are too strong. Of course, without a shred of doubt, my vote will be for him if he goes for the coveted position. The years of politics and the political wilderness have shown he has not been tainted by corruption, greed, etc.
However, there is nothing much he can do while in UMNO, as he sadly found out when he resigned from the BBC Chairman position. I believe that the move to set at least something going should come from the outside and I have recently pinned my hopes on Anwar. The “block” of us have evaluated this position and have taken a position that something forceful should be done to move strongly against corruption and anyone from within UMNO would always be encumbered by the patronage factor, as almost everyone has dirt on his/her hands. This is very evident in Pak Lah’s case where not only he has to come to terms with the warlords or risk losing the support base and also has been plagued by the “toe the line” demand by the former PM - incredibly on the patronage line. Ask any sane person and the answer would be that there is no chance of UMNO reforming, at least not under the present circumstances. So, mine and our block vote is for Anwar.
September 7th, 2006 at 8:34 pm
Their Commenters
The void in leadership was created for a purpose…so that TDM can rule.Lucky for for us,under TDM with all the backward and forward steps ,the sum total is still positive.More than anything we,Mlaysian, were given some pride in the internationalm arena.
With all this power and arrangement of succession in order ,AAB took the mantle of leadership.
So much were on his plate that he does not know where to start.The SIL and his cohorts were given free asses to all the power at hand ,in the process enriching themselves regardless what the fund initially meant for.
Eg.Wang Ehsan fund as the name imply is meant for the poor and deprived…I dont see SIL and his Cohort belongs to the group but they were main beneficiary in “Monsoon Cup” staging.In their defence,they are poor in character and their soul deprived of humanity .
Out of guilt they potrayed themselves as a caring leaders with the interest of rakyat at heart ..thus ‘hunus keris ‘ once in a while.
At kg level the UMNO is helmed by honcos who barely passed secondary school .The unofficial meetings were mainly to discuss how to apply for tender and projets .They would in turn influence their representatives in the selection committee to reject any applicant who are not UMNO member or opposition party member.Of course they claimed that the contract obtained is for the UMNO branch ,but more often than not ,its for their own benefits.The contract would eventually subcontracted to more capable chinese contractor thus ALI BABA continues.
These simpleton cohorts do play a role as well for their bosses and masters.Since Politician cant enter into biz they become their proxy with little renumeration and minimal work.One simpleton leader fr Perak who barely passed his form 5 drove home a Porshe for all to see. Those unemployed university graduate must have knock their head silly for squandering their time in U …it should have been better spent in kg politic biz as the reward is so much more .Its even better than what you can earn working as a professionals.
So the simpletons became the gold diggers, enjoy their motherlode and rise in the party hierachy…All in all majority of UMNO leaders are like this and this is the status quo that they prefer to keep that nothing we can do about it period.So, am not surprised if their decisions were moronic as they are morons gathering together to make moronic decisions.
September 7th, 2006 at 8:39 pm
Anwar is unable to lead on impartiality as he has to maintain his pious views and risk hurting the Muslims. With the need to please the religious institutions, it is hard to make drastic changes in the Malaysian landscape and to bring Malaysia towards the path to 2020. It is clear that unless Malaysia introduces meritocracy and ensures the Malay race does not depend on race and religion but free economy capitalism as proposed by the author of this blog, there is no hope for Malaysia. Not unless a strong and driven leader leads this community to accept the fact that they have to face change either now or in the future in the wake of globalisation.
September 7th, 2006 at 9:25 pm
[...] Bakri Musa mengenai pendekatan politik wang dalam kempen Dato’ Seri ketika masih dengan UMNO? http://www.bakrimusa.com/archives/undur-lah-pak-lah Saya rasa adalah wajar untuk kami mendengar penjelasan pihak Dato’ Seri, lagi-lagi dengan ga [...]
September 7th, 2006 at 10:23 pm
Dear Friends,
We will be heading the wrong and fruiteless direction if we think we can make a change thru. politic!
No, this is not the way, we must initiate the change first thru. economic, just like how the Communist Party is doing in China.
Set up a special economic zone which practice non-racial base FREE ECONOMY; i’m confident we, Malaysian cam produce 1-2 Mr Bill before 2020, fast and sure, and cost effective!!!!
To Be Continue……..
September 7th, 2006 at 10:36 pm
Dear Friends,
IT FREE ECONOMY THAT WORKS!!!
Am i the first Malaysian suggesting a special economic zone for all Malaysian regardless of their race, in non-interferent TRUE FREE ECONOMY?
The Govn don’t need to offer FTZ to foreigners, just offer to all of us as PURE MALAYSIAN, in where, only meritocracy is champion, i can assure you, in less then 5 years, this will be the most happier and rich of all land in Malaysia! Tax them (those riches), and channel the fund into good cause, FAIR AND JUST!!! AND, i can also assure you we will have too many Datuk Jimmy Choos in this land to the extent that we do not need them to come back!!!!!
HETYAK!! Malaysia Boleh!!!!!
To Be Continue…..
September 7th, 2006 at 11:54 pm
Dear Friends,
Let’s set up a SPECIAL ZONE (SZ) for every Malaysian, in where, regardless of race, but by practising meritocracy, everyone has and enjoy the equal chance from doing biz as well as become the Chief Administrator within that SZ.
Let do it step by step, VOTE ME!
To Be Continue…..
September 8th, 2006 at 12:11 am
Dear Pak Cik,
I’m a politic idiot. Speaking economically, Malaysia current economic development is so narrow and failed that we can no longer progress any longer under the trend of globalisation.
For any Economic student, free enterprise/market talk nothing but productivity and effectiveness, any result fall short of this is recognised as failed, a good marketeer does not practise failed policy.
But look at us, in Malaysia, we keep upholding our policies even we know it will fail the next time, the next next time….
Look into this project that put their ads in the Star today, the bio tech company…hai…hai….luck
To Be continue
September 8th, 2006 at 4:27 am
Hi hawaiichee:
I was once “personally” affected by the policies of Anwar. It robbed me of something that I had nothing but hate for this man. However, when Anwar was humiliated and beaten-up and also was locked up, my conscience never allowed me to blur my personal infliction and always acknowledged that he has been denied justice.
However, now he is out of UMNO and he has specifically spelt out his policies. I did mention once in this blog that between two evils, I would go for the lesser evil, unless I have the abslute choice to avoid evil at all. Of course I do not know whether he will keep hs pre-election promises but the alternative is “horrible”. Election promises by UMNO and BN have never seen the light of the day. So, unless someone better comes along, I will still pin my hopes on Anwar. You should have hear him speak at the PKR convention (you may also download that speech from the Malaysia Today site, thanks to RPK). You have to hear it yourself and then decide as I did after hear him explain the various issues. I even have no problem with the way he explained the special position of Islam in the Constitution. It was the first time that our group, who always end up “quarreling” whom we should vote for the next time around, had consensus that it should be Anwar. We all have choices. Looking at the Malaysian pattern of voting and the situation we are in now, particularly non-malays, we only have ourselves to blame. Even in worst-case scenario, it would do a world of good to boot-out BN so that it would know and regret for taking us for granted. We are tired of BN politicians taking us for a ride all the time and make a fool of us.
September 8th, 2006 at 7:33 pm
For Anwar to rise again, I definitely hope his money politics way has gone. I am not too hopeful. I am also sure he has religious agenda. We need leaders who are free from any religious agenda, money politics and corruption but fully focused on Vision 2020.
September 8th, 2006 at 8:54 pm
I think the time is ripe for the minor parties in BN to consider their position in the party. For too many times UMNO have taken advantage of their size to rule with impunity. For too many times UMNO have bullied the minor parties, treated them like dirt and even used them as punching bags, bogeymans and what not to advance their cause.
Corruption has never been worse, it’s becoming blatant as in the case of the close one eye. It’s almost like becoming a right to be corrupt.
Only by leaving the BN party MCA, MIC and Gerakan can save the country from further decadence. They should also join up with a Malay based party to form one single multi racial party to take on UMNO. I believe this can be done and could mount a credible enough challenge to UMNO.
But are the leaders of the minor parties willing? It means having to give up ministerships and the various positions in the govt.
Not too long ago Gerakan was considering merging with MCA but somehow it felt thru. Even at such a level it failed what more at a higher level but I believe this is probably the only way to stop UMNO and its hegemony.
September 8th, 2006 at 10:46 pm
If MCA, MIC and Gerakan leave BN and join PAS in Kedah, PAS will immediately rule Kedah instead of UMNO. But this will never happen. Even DAP suffered by teaming up with PAS in one of the earlier GE.
Will Keadilan be able to quickly gain more support from Malay community to form another malay based party ?
If it can do it without using religion , only then MCA, MIC and Gerakan will have a choice of not to work with the corrupted UMNO.
September 9th, 2006 at 3:29 am
Hi Friends:
The component parties, MCA, MIC, Gerakan, etc are as corrupt as UMNO. Insofar as the entire BN is concerned, all are nothing but rogues who appear to champion the rights of their respective races but are essentially chameleons and worst can be none other than the MIC. Those witihin the ruling BN can never summon the courage to tackle issue like corruption. I had a lot of faith in Shahrir but I now hear that he had turned a blind eye to the anomalies pointed out in the auditor’s report. I am convinced that personally he is a man of integrity but abdicating your responsibility does not bode well. He, too, now perhaps faces mounting difficulties in dealing with the anomalies cited in the report, what more when the report glaringly shows the misuse and abuse. It is like everywhere he turns or whatever he touches seem to speak the “corruption” language. That is, he may have to find everyone guilty and may end up having none to run the govt. It makes me laugh that these jokers have made “the belief in God” as the first slogan in the Rukunegara but the gods of all the religions would just laugh at the mockery that these hypocrites seem to so well play-up.
Of course, the component parties would like to jump ship if they know that UMNO becomes a sinking ship and ends up as a liability (Mahatir now knows them all too well) but if other parties consider them as allies then they will be no better than these rogues. They are so arrogant that they believe that election after election they can go on hoodwinking people and get a ticket to continue with their corruption activity and plunder the wealth of this country. As Mahatir eventually find out on his pay-back time, these people, too, will face the music of the public eventually. What makes me very sad is that, like many others, I had a lot of hope on Pak Lah when he became the Prime Minister, particularly after his landslide victory but, alas, he just had let us down very, very terribly. Well, he is paying the price for letting his family between him and the rakyat. A belated lesson that is, but nevertheless quite damaging.
September 9th, 2006 at 5:30 am
mrasasai Says:
……but he was there because of the system, moulded during 22 years of hogwash…..
yes…and most malaysian voted his party and that’s why he’s there now.
September 9th, 2006 at 11:40 am
nor’aini Says
yes…and most malaysian voted his party and that’s why he’s there now.
yes…and saddam used to get 100% of iraqi vote
yes…and mugabe garnered more than mxxxthir ever got
yes…and my buddy used to get all the all the hampers in lucky draws
yes…and all the leaders always wins at golf
yes…and bakat president always happens to be the best cook
yes… and yes..yes and i’ll vouch for all the yesses
September 9th, 2006 at 10:19 pm
Anwar Ibrahim! - indeed, memories are short. Does anyone remember that it was Anwar who introduced the aching “Bahasa Baku” that made us look and sound so silly! These leaders when they have power in their hands, they forget the people, would do anything simply for name and change.
September 10th, 2006 at 1:00 am
I also believe that Anwar Ibrahim is a much stronger leader than Pak Lah to bring changes to this country if he is given a chance. But I can not be sure whether it will be for better or worse.
Anwar Ibrahim can say all the beautiful things now, but a lot of us still find hard to believe him because of the wrong things he had done in the past when he was DPM.
He might be a new man now. But how can he get us to believe him as we have seen so many of these leaders say one thing and do totally opposite thing especially when they are in power.
September 10th, 2006 at 2:43 am
First time make comment here, I read through most of the comments here but one “similarity” is most of comments here have the perception that Malaysia is like no future if there is no BN. This mindset is the “3rd world mentality” we are “spoon feeding” by BN to be in power, which in turn BN inherited from our master colonial - “DIVIDE AND RULE POLICY”.
Put straight into record for democratically country: -
1. BN like to say “don’t bite the hand that feed you”. The reality is “BN is biting the hand of voters that voted them into power”. The moment voters not cross them in election, then sending them packing and “balik kampong tanam jagong”.
2. Who can say for certain that there is no suitable candidate(s) to replace or lead this nation. Leader is choose by voters, therefore their future is in the hand of voters, not vice versa.
3. If today there is an election and BN lost badly, definitely there is credible alternative and many ….. many …… many ….. I repeat many…….. suitable candidates to lead this nation. If we look at current leader and ask their opinion, definitely they will say that they are the only hope for leading our government and protect the citizen? If that is the case, than are other countries in the world is hopeless? Simply because there is no BN. However, one thing for sure is that in any democratic countries - there must be a voters! Today BN lost power, second later there are many credible and good candidates can line up to lead the nation. What the big fuss? Bakri Musa, you are one of them.
Do US future depend on George Bush? The answer is he is elected to lead US into future. But definitely Bush or any other former presidents make their future as US president because of voters voted them!
September 10th, 2006 at 5:39 am
Grass:
Most of us would understand your concern. I have never even met this man called Anwar. For argument sake, let us forget about Anwar. Who then? Anyone from the ruling party? Not certainly, but I am settling for a lesser evil and it has to come from outside BN. Bahasa Baku was only one of the many episodes most of us faced. I was personally affected by his policies, too. Well, it was Anwar who introduced the sharing of the Chief Minister’s post in Sabah. Lucky for us because if Osu Sukam had continued to be the Chief Minister “forever”, then he may have gambled away the whole of Sabah. Now that Musa Aman has got his wish to rule “perpetually” look at the state of affairs there.
Let us assume for also argument sake that we contend with your statement
“These leaders when they have power in their hands, they forget the people, would do anything simply for name and change.”
Does this mean your statement applies to the current leadership also? Then what next. I have been telling myself election after election that I have no choice but to vote BN because of the lack of a viable alternative. Our experience has been that our rights have continued to be diluted and we stand at a pathetical position because of the trust we placed on BN. The component parties have very little to say because of the dominance of UMNO. I have come to a stage where I just simply do not care because, look at us, can anything be worse than the bluffs and lies and propaganda by BN. When they come to seek our votes, they talk so sweet and mind you all the time we feel cheated. If recent events do not wake you up, then I am sorry, you will never wake up. Just sleep comfortably while some of us make a pact with the devil, a lesser devil that is. Just kick BN out and let them learn their lesson.
September 12th, 2006 at 1:27 am
I think Malaysia’s leadership and government are in serious crisis. Using a car as anology, is like the engine is failing to perform as expected. It require to be overhaul or even to be replaced. Like it or not, that is the state. So sad…
I don’t know how we, Malaysian, can do that to correct this. I really don’t believe we can use election process as I think the election process itself is flaw. Maybe we will just need to live like that and kiss goodbye to our “beautiful” Vision 2020.
September 12th, 2006 at 7:56 pm
Dr Bakri,
I wonder are UMNO MPs have the right qualifications? It seems to me they are out to make personal glory….pity the country if these “clowns” still in parliament.I wonder if Pak Lah is aware abt this or pretending not to know.
September 13th, 2006 at 12:20 am
It is sad that everyone is just living and letting live all the problems in Malaysia. We should not accept it but to voice out the dissent. It is because we voice out dissent, that the government realises that something needs to be done on crime before the citizens revolt and do not vote them. Hence, we do have the power to change Malaysia.
Let us continue to voice dissent against.
1. Corruption in all government bodies.
2. Corruption and money politics in UMNO and in the election process.
3. Crime if the IGP just gives lip service and is unable to solve the problems that have been created by the absence of meritocracy and the presence of corruption starting from examples from the leaders - even from the Prime Ministers office.
4. A meritocratic sy