As Najib says emergency sitting of Perak Assembly cannot be held, he slapped his illegitimate BN MB in Perak so hard where Zambry's justification was not measuring up to Najib's logic. Obviously, they just do not have a good reason to convince rakyat Malaysia why UMNO should rule Perak, not to mention it even lacks the mandate from Perakians.
Recalling that Pak Lah asked Zambry to lodge a Police report and defy the suspension few days ago, we can confidently judge that UMNO's top leadership capabilities are no better than any Pak Mat, Ah Ong, and uncle Samy (Tom, Dick, and Harry).
Found the following comment in Malaysian Insider.
Najib says court, Zambry say no court. So court or no court??
written by Durian Besar, February 28, 2009
Look at these dialogues:-
Najib said: "Whatever it is, we have to wait for the decision of the court first. We have to first establish the status of the Perak government in terms of the constitution."
Zambry said: "That is what he (Sivakumar) wants, bring everything to the courts. We must understand the state constitution and the assembly's Standing Orders are very clear on these matters. You can interpret them any way you want but they must be followed."
Najib says must wait for decision from court. Zambry says no court, accusing Sivakumar of wanting to bring everything to court. This is typical UMNO, they inteprete laws, regulation, constitution to their advantage. If all else fails, they play dirty.
Saturday, February 28, 2009
MIC, Chitrakala, and Samy... oh! And the Money
By Baradan Kuppusamy
KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 28 — A former confidant of Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu has alleged that MIC misappropriated a government allocation meant to help the hardcore poor in the Indian community.
The charge was made by P. Chitrakala Vasu, former CEO of MIED, the MIC’s education arm, at a dramatic “tell-all” press conference in Petaling Jaya today.
Chitrakala, who lodged two police reports in Subang Jaya today, turned up at the press conference with guns blazing, blaming Samy Vellu for a variety of ills faced by the MIC and the Indian community.
She told of how the party misused government funds to shore up support for party leaders, including Samy Vellu, in the runup to the MIC elections.
According to her, the party had asked the federal government for an allocation of RM120 million to be paid out over four years to help poor Indians, as voters from the community had stopped backing the Barisan Nasional government.
After the elections Chitrakala said Samy Vellu had instructed her to put up a paper and ask for government funds for hardcore projects to win over the Indians who had gone to the opposition.
“I prepared a paper outlining eight categories of hardcore poor needing urgent assistance,” Chitrakala said and “we asked for RM30 million a year over four years for the projects to be undertaken by the Yayasan Pemulihan Sosial or YPS”.
"The Prime Minister (Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi) was very happy with the paper and agreed to approve the funds. He open the MIC AGM and announced his approval of the funds,” she said.
However the Finance ministry wanted the YPS management team strengthened before payment was made. They wanted new people on the board, meaning fewer people beholden to Samy Vellu.
By the time the first instalment was to be paid out to YPS, Datuk Seri Najib Razak had become Finance Minister and wanted further “strengthening” of YPS.
He also decided not to give RM30 million at one go.
Instead instalment payments of RM10 million each was to have been paid out while a report was to be prepared before the next tranche could be released.
The first instalment of RM10 million was disbursed in December 2008.
But Chitrakala claims that the money ended up in the pockets of MIC branch chairmen and supporters of the incumbent leadership team instead.
======
Chitrakala says the MIC president is now trying to blame her for all sorts of financial improprieties.
KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 28 — P. Chitrakala Vasu, the woman at the centre of a row with Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu over missing MIED files and funds, has given the public a rare inside look into the dealings of the MIC president.
At a press conference today, she offered up a glimpse into how her former boss thinks, works and manages the millions that the government has allocated over the years to the MIC to alleviate Indian poverty.
But before opening the window into the world of Samy Vellu and his inner circle, Chitrakala said: “I am very scared of this man.
"He has got money, people. I am an ordinary person, I am very scared. He has got everybody with him; I don’t have anybody with me. But I thought going public is my best protection.”
She was once so close to Samy Vellu that she became the subject of gossip, suggesting she was having an affair with him.
“It is all lies but I was that close to him,” Chitrakala told the press conference at the crowded Lotus restaurant in Jalan Gasing, Petaling Jaya.
She said Samy Vellu was now going after her and trying to pin on her all sorts of allegations of financial improprieties connected with MIED, the MIC arm that operates the AIMST University and other colleges.
“MIED is worth RM1 billion compared to Maika Holdings which is worth zero,” Chitrakala said, adding that her relationship with Samy Vellu started to sour after the March 8 general election as he became suspicious of everybody around him.
“He felt very insecure after losing in Sungei Siput and losing as minister. Not being a minister anymore and without it he was a nobody. He knew his days were numbered and he would be challenged for the president’s post. So he got very insecure and saw enemies everywhere,” she said.
One of the issues that arose was the future of MIED which, being worth RM1 billion, was the jewel in the crown of the MIC.
But Samy Vellu saw MIED as a different entity and having nothing to do with MIC or the Indian community.
According to her, he knew he could lose as MIC president but he wanted control of MIED.
“He did not want to let go of MIED. He wanted to remain as MIED chairman and chancellor of AIMST University,” said Chitrakala.
“The way to do it was simple, he wanted MIED removed from MIC,” she said. “MIED is for Indians. He wanted to divorce it from MIC. Legally it can be done but morally it is very wrong.”
“I cannot let what happened to Maika Holdings happen to MIED. I told myself that I have no strength to challenge Samy Vellu on this but my husband supported me,” he said.
One of the first acts Samy Vellu ordered, and over which Chitrakala baulked at, was an instruction to remove former MIC deputy president Datuk S. Subramaniam as a director of MIED.
“After that Samy Vellu wanted to get rid of nearly everybody, all the 35 members of MIED. He even wanted to get rid of Palani (MIC deputy president Datuk G. Palanivel). He marked a whole list of people for removal and asked me to do it.”
Chitrakala told Samy Vellu he could not do it. “I said MIED is not MIC where he can sack and put in anybody he likes at his whims and fancy. MIED is governed by company law and he can’t do as he likes.
“He got very angry with me,” she said.
Then Samy Vellu asked her to move the MIED office out of the MIC building in Jalan Rahmat here to somewhere else.
“I also disagreed but I did not say no directly. I just delayed the matter. People visit the MIC office for MIED help. We are tied together, we cannot be separated physically,” she said.
“So this is the background of why we had a falling out and finally the crunch was he tried to force me to make payments to AMIST University contracts without proper documentations,” she said.
"Samy Vellu also asked me to make advance payment to contractors."
The fight between the two even got down to little things like the wording on the plaque unveiled when AIMST was opened by the Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi last year.
The plague had the words: Malaysian Indian Congress, MIED presents AMIST University to all Malaysians.
“A few days later Samy Vellu called and ordered me to remove the words Malaysian Indian Congress. I asked why and he said MIED was not linked to MIC.”
======
The following article is taken from The Malaysian Insider.
Samy Vellu in the case of the missing files and government funds
By Baradan Kuppusamy
Chitrakala makes a point at today’s press conference. She said she and her family now live in fear for their lives. — Picture by Choo Choy MayKUALA LUMPUR, Feb 28 — The murky financial dealings of MIC were laid bare today after a one-time loyalist implicated Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu in mismanagement of party funds and misappropriation of government money.
P. Chitrakala Vasu, who is at the centre of a raging row with Samy Vellu over the MIED financial fiasco, alleged today that up to RM2 million raised for tsunami victims in 2004 was transferred from government accounts to a party foundation controlled by the MIC president.
She also alleged that lorry-loads of files were removed from the office of MIED, MIC's education arm of which she was once the chief executive.
MIED had raised millions of ringgit from the Indian community, in addition to receiving about RM300 million from government sources and a loan of RM220 million from Bank Pembangunan Malaysia, which is outstanding, for the construction of the AIMST university in Kedah.
Today, Chitrakala made public two reports she made earlier in the morning in Shah Alam urging police to probe the whereabouts of the MIED files and also RM2 million in donations collected in 2004 for tsunami victims in Sri Lanka.
In her report, she claimed the RM2 million was deposited from the Works Ministry into the account of the Yayasan Pemulihan Social (YPS) of which Samy Vellu is chairman and Chitrakala the CEO. Samy Vellu was then the works minister.
“Some time in February 2008 (just before the March 8 election) Samy Vellu telephoned me and informed me that the Works Ministry Treasury would transfer RM2 million into the YPS account and asked me to place the money in fixed deposit,” she said in the report.
“He told me this money was for the people of Sri Lanka but since it was not used he was transferring to YSS for later use,” she said.
"The money was put in a CIMB fixed deposit account and was still there when I left on Jan 2, 2009,” she said in the report, adding that she was making the report to prevent Samy Vellu from using the money for any other “unauthorised purpose”.
She also fears she might be blamed if the money when “missing”.
In the second report, she urged police to investigate “missing” MIED files and gave details of a heated confrontation she had with Samy Vellu in his office on Dec 31, 2008 in the presence of MIC vice-presidents Datuk S. Veerasingham and Datuk S. Sothinathan.
“A heated argument broke out after Samy Vellu made baseless accusations and I told him I will see him in court but he replied court is not the place,” she said in the second report.
In the report, she said Samy Vellu allegedly told her that he would "make sure the police arrest and embarrass you”.
“Soon thereafter I was slammed with five show-cause letters and more followed after this,” she said.
“After I left on Jan 1 without even taking my personal belongings I learned lorries were used to remove files from the MIED office and taken to an undisclosed location on orders of Samy Vellu,” she said in the report.
At the press conference, Chitrakala said the police must investigate how so many files had gone missing and why she is being blamed for it.
“What secrets these files hide?” she asked.
“This is only the first part… there is more coming,” a defiant Chitrakala told a press conference at a restaurant here today.
“I was followed, photographed, harassed and threatened in the days leading to this press conference,” said a visibly angry Chitrakala, 38, who is married with four children.
Even major newspapers considered close to Samy Vellu were not invited to the event for fear the news would be leaked and she could be waylaid or the press conference somehow scuttled.
“He pushed me to the wall, he asked for this (revelations). I worked hard for him and protected him for 14 years but in the end he came after me and pushed me to the wall,” Chitrakala told The Malaysian Insider before the press conference.
“I am not afraid of him… I know the truth behind him,” she said, adding all the accusations Samy Vellu had made against her over the missing MIED files and for involvement in corrupt deals were false and designed to shatter her.
“He has to answer not me,” Chitrakala said, breaking down in tears at how she and her family now feared for their lives.
“He is powerful, he is big… we are nothing. But we have the truth, the people behind us. That’s why I am going public. The people have a right to know,” she said.
Monday, February 23, 2009
Pak Lah - A Failed Legacy of Malaysia
Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, Prime Minister (Perdana Menteri) of Malaysia, known for falling asleep during meetings and conferences.
Under this prime minister, gas price at the pump for unleaded RON97 was increased from RM1.92 to RM2.70, a whopping 78cents increase in one go, while the country itself is a net exporter for petrolium. And there onwards, everything in our daily lives increased with no ability to bring them back down later to relief the suffering on citizens.
Under this prime minister, Malaysia continue to worsen in terms of corruption in every possible areas link to government or semi-government. Acts of corruption and cronism floated to the surface without the need to take cover.
Under this prime minister, dissenting voices appeared to be tolerated, but probably due to his inability in effort of clamping down.
Under this prime minister, divide-and-rule based on race continues in its bid to favour the Malay supremist political party - UMNO.
Under this prime minister, judiciary and anti-corruption agencies were renamed and restructured but remained impartial and political apparatus for UMNO/BN against oppositions, with heads of the agencies came from or supporting UMNO.
Under this prime minister, commitments to election manifesto were all forgotten and trashed down the drain.
Under this prime minister, the legacy of a premiership and leadership FAILED.
The following news article is taken from Malaysian Insider.
I was planning to stay two terms, admits Pak Lah
By Lee Wei Lian
KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 24 – At a dinner soiree in honour of his time as prime minister last night, Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi wistfully admitted that he was planning to stay for two terms until it was cut short by the transition plan.
He said that his second term was when he had planned to introduce his reforms.
The prime minister told the members of the Kuala Lumpur Business Club that he was proud of the two commissions he managed to persuade parliament to pass – the Judicial Appointments Commission (JAC) and the Malaysian Anti Corruption Commission (MACC).
“That, to me, is satisfying,” he said in response to a question from a dinner guest on what was his proudest achievement as prime minister and Umno president.
“It was what was promised but a bit late. It may not be the best but it is a beginning – a good beginning. In the coming years, there will be amendments made.”
He said that he had been discouraged as many doubted he could pass the laws without a two-thirds majority in parliament or working with the opposition.
“I said ‘never mind, just try it’,” he said, adding that he made the decision not to try to amend the constitution rather than work with the opposition.
When asked on his advice for Muslims leaders trying to deal with a world that has become increasingly suspicious of Islam, Pak Lah replied that the solution lies with the Muslims themselves.
“The real threat to the Muslim community is not from the non-Muslims,” he replied.
“The real threat is that the big percentage of Muslim countries suffer from poverty, illiteracy and are lacking in progress.”
Asked what his advice was for Malaysians facing adversity, he replied that Malaysians should work hard and have faith in their ability to survive.
“I myself was thrown out of the cabinet for three years and nine months,” he recalled.
“I called it my sabbatical. And I still made it to the top. We have survived so many crises because we have faith in our abilities and ourselves.”
When asked for his comments on his role as the person who expanded the space for expression in the country, he said that he wished for more responsible exercise of expression.
“I know I have a high level of tolerance. But I wish that, if I give you more freedom, please remind yourselves you have to be more responsible. There is no such thing as absolute freedom. We have to think what is good for the public.”
When asked what he plans to do next, Pak Lah replied: “Gardening, planting fruit trees and melons. A kampung boy returning to his old ways.”
When the moderator – noted regional news presenter Lorraine Hahn – pressed him on what he will miss the most about being prime minister, he said he would not know “until I am out of office.”
Pak Lah’s term as prime minister is expected to end by the end of March or early April, soon after he hands over the reins of the Umno presidency to his deputy, Datuk Seri Najib Razak.
By convention within the BN coalition, the Umno president also assumes the mantle of prime minister.
The nation’s fifth prime minister was pressured into stepping down prematurely after the worst ever showing by the BN coalition in the general elections in March last year.
His time in office began on an optimistic note when he promised to tackle corruption and be the prime minister for all Malaysians, regardless of race.
In the intervening years, however, he failed to make good on his promises and also suffered relentless attacks from his predecessor, Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, and this resulted in the opposition making unprecedented gains in the 2008 general elections, winning five states and denying BN a two-thirds majority in parliament.
His two proudest achievements – the JAC and MACC – have also come under heavy criticism for not being fully independent of the executive branch and not being answerable to parliament, rendering them flawed from inception.
There are some quarters within Umno who are believed to be urging Pak Lah not to step down as prime minister as it is not a written requirement that the Umno president has to be prime minister.
The Pakatan Rakyat is also said to prefer Pak Lah over Najib who is seen to as a throwback to the more authoritarian Mahathir era.
But Pak Lah is not giving them much hope.
“Who is interested to listen to a prime minister about to leave the stage?” he quipped at the beginning of the evening.
Thursday, February 19, 2009
Perak - constitutional crisis in Malaysia
The Flag of Perak state, Malaysia. 
The Royal Emblem of Perak state, Malaysia. 
Datuk Seri Mohammad Nizar Jamaluddin, Chief Minister (Menteri Besar) of the Perak state, Malaysia
Clown Datuk Dr Zambry Abdul Kadir, self-proclaimed [UMNO/BN installed] Chief Minister (Menteri Besar) of Perak state, was suspended in less than 2 weeks by the Speaker of the State Assembly together with his 6 excos.
Sultan Azlan Shah, ruler of Perak state and being a UMNO/BN puppet, has completely lost the respect of his subjects and all Malaysians overnight - simply because he does not practise what he preaches on good governance and the integrity of the judiciary.
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Perak snap polls inevitable?
The following article is taken from THE NUT GRAPH.
Perak snap polls inevitable?
19 Feb 09 : 5.00PM
BN's newly-installed Menteri Besar (MB) Datuk Zambry Abdul Kadir and his six executive councillors yesterday found themselves suspended from the assembly for 18 months and 12 months, respectively.
If the 59-seat house were to sit today, PR would have 27 assemblypersons on its side (the 28th being the Speaker) and BN only 21. The three independents are no longer members of the House, as far as PR is concerned.
This unprecedented move throws up questions about parliamentary democracies under a constitutional monarchy never before faced by Malaysia.
Can the Speaker, V Sivakumar from the DAP, run a House with an MB (Datuk Seri Mohammad Nizar Jamaluddin) who was sacked by the Sultan? Was the Speaker's move sub judice considering that a court case to declare the appointments of Zambry and his exco illegitimate is still pending?
Lawyers are at loggerheads over what has been done. But politically, it was a masterstroke by PR to drag the impasse in attempts to force a snap poll.
In limbo
The Perak state assembly must convene before May 13, six months from its last sitting on 13 Nov 2008.
block the entry of the three independents, Jamaluddin Mohd Radzi (Behrang), Mohd Osman Jailu (Changkat Jering) and deputy speaker Hee Yit Foong (Jelapang), and create a hung assembly with 28:28 ratio of BN:PR assemblypersons. The three PR party deserters have disputed their undated and pre-signed letters of resignations with the Election Commission. But as far as PR is concerned, they are resigned from their elected positions.
block any motion to pass a BN-initiated vote of no-confidence against Nizar; and,
block any attempt to vote him out as Speaker. The Speaker is elected by the House, and can only be removed by a vote, his resignation or if he ceases to become an assemblyperson.
Another possibility would be for all the 28 PR assemblypersons to protest the new BN government by not attending the assembly when it convenes.
Perak snap polls inevitable?
19 Feb 09 : 5.00PM
By Deborah Loh
deborahloh@thenutgraph.com
COULD fresh state elections in Perak, which Barisan Nasional (BN) worked so hard to avoid, happen after all?
BN's newly-installed Menteri Besar (MB) Datuk Zambry Abdul Kadir and his six executive councillors yesterday found themselves suspended from the assembly for 18 months and 12 months, respectively.
If the 59-seat house were to sit today, PR would have 27 assemblypersons on its side (the 28th being the Speaker) and BN only 21. The three independents are no longer members of the House, as far as PR is concerned.
This unprecedented move throws up questions about parliamentary democracies under a constitutional monarchy never before faced by Malaysia.
Can the Speaker, V Sivakumar from the DAP, run a House with an MB (Datuk Seri Mohammad Nizar Jamaluddin) who was sacked by the Sultan? Was the Speaker's move sub judice considering that a court case to declare the appointments of Zambry and his exco illegitimate is still pending?
Lawyers are at loggerheads over what has been done. But politically, it was a masterstroke by PR to drag the impasse in attempts to force a snap poll.
In limbo
The Perak state assembly must convene before May 13, six months from its last sitting on 13 Nov 2008.
With Zambry and his excos out of the House, it is possible that PR would call a special assembly to vote out the BN government earlier, in the middle of the Umno party elections which are from 24 to 28 March.
To forestall that, Zambry and his excos could go to court to seek a declaration that the suspensions were ultra vires. But even that would take time.
"If Sultan Azlan Shah wants to avoid a continued impasse, or worse, to have his appointments booted out through a vote in a special sitting, he would have to make a new decision on whether to allow a dissolution," Perak Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) legal adviser Mohamed Asri Othman tells The Nut Graph.
The BN side is now locked in meetings to decide whether to take the suspensions up in court. Gerakan deputy president and Perak MCA chief Datuk Chang Ko Youn told The Nut Graph this morning via text message that they were still discussing the issue.
Chang, a lawyer, is advising the new BN state government on the impasse. Chang is also one of the special advisors with exco status appointed to assist Zambry on Chinese Malaysian affairs.
All powerful Speaker
Even without the suspensions, Perak was likely heading for a showdown in elections anyway.
"If the House is in constant deadlock, if bills cannot be passed, it would be bad for the state. Investors would not come, the state budget cannot be passed, the administration would grind to a halt. Ultimately, elections would be required," says Asri, a former DAP deputy secretary-general, and the Dermawan assemblyperson in 1990.
All scenarios hinge on Speaker Sivakumar who holds wide-ranging powers and whose position gives him the authority of a High Court judge, Asri notes.
Law lecturer Prof Dr Abdul Aziz Bari of the International Islamic University adds that the Speaker's decisions, if reached according to the House's standing orders, are final and difficult to challenge in court.
"This was BN's biggest mistake. They overlooked the problem with the Speaker," he says.
Even if the assembly sat with all BN assemblypersons present, Sivakumar could:
block the entry of the three independents, Jamaluddin Mohd Radzi (Behrang), Mohd Osman Jailu (Changkat Jering) and deputy speaker Hee Yit Foong (Jelapang), and create a hung assembly with 28:28 ratio of BN:PR assemblypersons. The three PR party deserters have disputed their undated and pre-signed letters of resignations with the Election Commission. But as far as PR is concerned, they are resigned from their elected positions.
block any motion to pass a BN-initiated vote of no-confidence against Nizar; and,
block any attempt to vote him out as Speaker. The Speaker is elected by the House, and can only be removed by a vote, his resignation or if he ceases to become an assemblyperson.Another possibility would be for all the 28 PR assemblypersons to protest the new BN government by not attending the assembly when it convenes.
"They would render the house dysfunctional. The BN assemblypersons on their own cannot elect a Speaker without first having removed Sivakumar. The House cannot proceed without a Speaker," Asri says.
Partisan vs professionalism
Sivakumar's powers as Speaker, and what he chooses to do with it, are lessons on being professional versus partisan.
Clearly, Sivakumar will continue to hold fast to PR's stand that the palace-endorsed takeover of the state was illegal and unconstitutional.
But even in such a situation, should he act as Speaker or as PR representative?
"The Speaker has the power to block motions initiated by BN, but on what basis would he do this? He is supposed to be neutral. If Sivakumar's decisions are biased, PR would be guilty of the same thing they complain about in Parliament regarding the Dewan Rakyat Speaker's (lack of) neutrality," says lawyer Andrew Khoo.
"This is where you need [leadership]. If PR refuses to let the assembly sitting proceed by throwing up obstacles at every juncture, then it is really a question of whether this is a political tactic to force elections," Khoo notes.
People's will?
PR can arguably say that the partisan actions of its Speaker are meant to let the will of the people settle the impasse through a snap poll.
Ipoh-based Asri believes this is inevitable. He speculates that Sultan Azlan Shah will be left with little choice.
He also believes that BN itself is considering this possibility, based on Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi's statement that he will brief the Conference of Rulers on Perak's political crisis at their next meeting.
"If BN now wants the state assembly to be dissolved, Umno akan malu. I wouldn't be surprised if the PM will seek the advice of the Conference of Rulers on a dissolution. It would be convenient for Umno to say they have to abide by the Rulers' decision as they have been rallying in support of the royalty."
Considering Asri's political affiliations, he may just be agitating for a snap poll. But if his speculations turn out to be true, what a bitter irony it would be for BN.
Partisan vs professionalism
Sivakumar's powers as Speaker, and what he chooses to do with it, are lessons on being professional versus partisan.
Clearly, Sivakumar will continue to hold fast to PR's stand that the palace-endorsed takeover of the state was illegal and unconstitutional.
But even in such a situation, should he act as Speaker or as PR representative?
"The Speaker has the power to block motions initiated by BN, but on what basis would he do this? He is supposed to be neutral. If Sivakumar's decisions are biased, PR would be guilty of the same thing they complain about in Parliament regarding the Dewan Rakyat Speaker's (lack of) neutrality," says lawyer Andrew Khoo.
"This is where you need [leadership]. If PR refuses to let the assembly sitting proceed by throwing up obstacles at every juncture, then it is really a question of whether this is a political tactic to force elections," Khoo notes.
People's will?
PR can arguably say that the partisan actions of its Speaker are meant to let the will of the people settle the impasse through a snap poll.
Ipoh-based Asri believes this is inevitable. He speculates that Sultan Azlan Shah will be left with little choice.
He also believes that BN itself is considering this possibility, based on Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi's statement that he will brief the Conference of Rulers on Perak's political crisis at their next meeting.
"If BN now wants the state assembly to be dissolved, Umno akan malu. I wouldn't be surprised if the PM will seek the advice of the Conference of Rulers on a dissolution. It would be convenient for Umno to say they have to abide by the Rulers' decision as they have been rallying in support of the royalty."
Considering Asri's political affiliations, he may just be agitating for a snap poll. But if his speculations turn out to be true, what a bitter irony it would be for BN.
Press Release from YB Elizabeth Wong
This is indeed sad. Sad to see that an energetic, hardworking, and talented human rights fighter, given up just to retain her dignity and privacy. As a responsibled citizen who would uphold justice and human rights, I urge all bloggers...to refrain from further publishing, relaying, circulating, or describing her controversial photos.
We have lost a fighter for justice, and we must do no more damages. Spare YB Elizabeth the privacy she deserved by not dwelling further into, and give her time to heal. We must stand firm together, fight against the corrupts, the immoral, and the tyrants.
If you would hope YB Elizabeth to, hopefully, reverse her decision, and plead to YAB Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim, Menteri Besar Selangor to retain her, you may participate and support the following petition:
The incident had assainated a selfless person, but let's remember her contributions to the society, the rakyat, and the country during her public serving time.
Sincerely,
datoseri
Below is the Press Release from YB Elizabeth Wong:
Dear friends,
I have departed today.
Despite having tendered my resignation from all posts, the media and websites continue to intrude into my private life and privacy. I have been informed by several media that they will continue to publish even more lewd graphical, sensational stories of my private life. I have also been told there will be a fresh assault, with more photographs and videos released and circulated in order to completely degrade and bury me.
This is the darkest episode in my life. I have never felt so alone, vulnerable and humiliated. I need to rest and to search for peace of mind to get away from the stormy events surrounding me.
I appreciate the overwhelming support from all quarters, especially my voters, women in particular and party comrades. Words cannot express my gratitude for your gentle kindness. I have informed my party leaders that I am determined to relinquish all my positions, as a Selangor State Exco Member as well as the State Assemblywoman for Bukit Lanjan. I am thankful for the party leadership's concern and encouragement. I seek their understanding for my predicament.
My commitment to the ideals of the Parti Keadilan Rakyat remains unwavering. I shall retain my party membership and continue to struggle for a just society with the party.
The nation is at a crisis facing a serious economic recession. Unemployment is rising, while corruption remains rampant. I wish public discussions would concentrate on these important issues rather than analysing my private life. My principle remains the same –
I will not answer any questions pertaining to my private life. My private life is not for public scrutiny as I have not broken any law or caused harm to anyone.
I plead to the media as well as my supporters to allow me some peace of mind, and to give me space. I urge the media to leave my family, friends and I alone. Please do not continue to shame my family and I, so that we have a chance to lead a normal life as ordinary citizens.
Lastly, I wish to thank the support from the public that has been pouring in ceaselessly. I am very moved and eternally grateful to my friends and colleagues who stand by me. There is nothing in this world that can repay your kindness.
Elizabeth Wong
We have lost a fighter for justice, and we must do no more damages. Spare YB Elizabeth the privacy she deserved by not dwelling further into, and give her time to heal. We must stand firm together, fight against the corrupts, the immoral, and the tyrants.
If you would hope YB Elizabeth to, hopefully, reverse her decision, and plead to YAB Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim, Menteri Besar Selangor to retain her, you may participate and support the following petition:
The incident had assainated a selfless person, but let's remember her contributions to the society, the rakyat, and the country during her public serving time.
Sincerely,
datoseri
Below is the Press Release from YB Elizabeth Wong:
Dear friends,
I have departed today.
Despite having tendered my resignation from all posts, the media and websites continue to intrude into my private life and privacy. I have been informed by several media that they will continue to publish even more lewd graphical, sensational stories of my private life. I have also been told there will be a fresh assault, with more photographs and videos released and circulated in order to completely degrade and bury me.
This is the darkest episode in my life. I have never felt so alone, vulnerable and humiliated. I need to rest and to search for peace of mind to get away from the stormy events surrounding me.
I appreciate the overwhelming support from all quarters, especially my voters, women in particular and party comrades. Words cannot express my gratitude for your gentle kindness. I have informed my party leaders that I am determined to relinquish all my positions, as a Selangor State Exco Member as well as the State Assemblywoman for Bukit Lanjan. I am thankful for the party leadership's concern and encouragement. I seek their understanding for my predicament.
My commitment to the ideals of the Parti Keadilan Rakyat remains unwavering. I shall retain my party membership and continue to struggle for a just society with the party.
The nation is at a crisis facing a serious economic recession. Unemployment is rising, while corruption remains rampant. I wish public discussions would concentrate on these important issues rather than analysing my private life. My principle remains the same –
I will not answer any questions pertaining to my private life. My private life is not for public scrutiny as I have not broken any law or caused harm to anyone.
I plead to the media as well as my supporters to allow me some peace of mind, and to give me space. I urge the media to leave my family, friends and I alone. Please do not continue to shame my family and I, so that we have a chance to lead a normal life as ordinary citizens.
Lastly, I wish to thank the support from the public that has been pouring in ceaselessly. I am very moved and eternally grateful to my friends and colleagues who stand by me. There is nothing in this world that can repay your kindness.
Elizabeth Wong
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
Great Pleasure to Suspend an Illegitimate Government
The following article is taken from THE NUT GRAPH.
The latest twist to the Perak political saga came after Sivakumar ruled that Zambry and the six executive councillors (exco) were in contempt of the assembly.
Zambry and his exco were barred for 18 months and 12 months respectively, effective today.
Sivakumar of the DAP announced the decision after Zambry and the six executive councillors were summoned before the state legislative assembly's Rights and Privileges Committee today.
"The decision is taken after they failed to offer any explanation pertaining to their actions which are in contempt of the assembly," Sivakumar said in a statement.
The BN took over the state government when an assemblyperson from the DAP and three from Parti Keadilan Rakyat left their respective parties, the one to rejoin the BN, and the three to become "BN-friendly" independent assemblypersons.
Zambry took his oath of office on 6 Feb, while the six executive councillors were sworn in four days later.
All of them were summoned to appear before the Rights and Privileges Committee following complaints by Wong Kah Woh, DAP assemblyperson for Canning, that the swearing-in ceremony contravened the state constitution, and was in contempt of the assembly as the 10th Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Mohammad Nizar Jamaluddin had not officially resigned.
Sivakumar said that after deliberating the complaint, the committee found that Zambry and his executive council were in contempt of the assembly.
Apart from Zambry, the other executive councillors are Manong assemblyperson Datuk Ramly Zahari, Datuk Saarani Mohamad (Kota Tampan), Hamidah Osman (Sungai Rapat), Zainol Fadzi Paharuddin (Sungai Manik), Mohd Zahir Abdul Khalid (Kamunting) and Dr Mah Hang Soon (Chenderiang).
Zambry and the executive councillors testified before the committee at the financial division's meeting room of the State Secretary Building at 3pm. They emerged some 30 minutes later but declined to meet the press who were waiting outside.
The Rights and Privileges Committee is chaired by Sivakumar. The committee's other members are Husin Din (PAS-Selingsing), Chan Ming Kai (PKR-Simpang Pulai), Ong Boon Piow (DAP-Tebing Tinggi), Loke Chee Yan (DAP-Kepayang) dan Sum Chok Leng (DAP-Bercham), while the BN's sole representative is Datuk Hasbullah Osman (Temenggor).
In KUALA LUMPUR, Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Datuk Seri Nazri Aziz said Sivakumar's move to suspend the MB was a joke, and accused the speaker of making a mockery of the Perak State Assembly.
He said the whole episode was a "comedy" because the decision by Sivakumar was "very ridiculous".
"The speaker took it upon himself to become judge and jury when he has no jurisdiction at all. This is really a joke and a mockery of the whole episode," Nazri told a press conference at the Parliament building here today.
"I feel that this must be stopped. Barisan Nasional state assembly members should take to court to resolve the stalemate to clarify the situation," he said. – Bernama
.
IPOH, 18 Feb 2009: In an unprecedented move, Perak state legislative assembly speaker V Sivakumar today suspended Menteri Besar Datuk Dr Zambry Abdul Kadir and his executive council members from attending the state legislative assembly.
The latest twist to the Perak political saga came after Sivakumar ruled that Zambry and the six executive councillors (exco) were in contempt of the assembly.
Zambry and his exco were barred for 18 months and 12 months respectively, effective today.
Sivakumar of the DAP announced the decision after Zambry and the six executive councillors were summoned before the state legislative assembly's Rights and Privileges Committee today.
"The decision is taken after they failed to offer any explanation pertaining to their actions which are in contempt of the assembly," Sivakumar said in a statement.
The BN took over the state government when an assemblyperson from the DAP and three from Parti Keadilan Rakyat left their respective parties, the one to rejoin the BN, and the three to become "BN-friendly" independent assemblypersons.
Zambry took his oath of office on 6 Feb, while the six executive councillors were sworn in four days later.
All of them were summoned to appear before the Rights and Privileges Committee following complaints by Wong Kah Woh, DAP assemblyperson for Canning, that the swearing-in ceremony contravened the state constitution, and was in contempt of the assembly as the 10th Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Mohammad Nizar Jamaluddin had not officially resigned.
Sivakumar said that after deliberating the complaint, the committee found that Zambry and his executive council were in contempt of the assembly.
Apart from Zambry, the other executive councillors are Manong assemblyperson Datuk Ramly Zahari, Datuk Saarani Mohamad (Kota Tampan), Hamidah Osman (Sungai Rapat), Zainol Fadzi Paharuddin (Sungai Manik), Mohd Zahir Abdul Khalid (Kamunting) and Dr Mah Hang Soon (Chenderiang).
Zambry and the executive councillors testified before the committee at the financial division's meeting room of the State Secretary Building at 3pm. They emerged some 30 minutes later but declined to meet the press who were waiting outside.
The Rights and Privileges Committee is chaired by Sivakumar. The committee's other members are Husin Din (PAS-Selingsing), Chan Ming Kai (PKR-Simpang Pulai), Ong Boon Piow (DAP-Tebing Tinggi), Loke Chee Yan (DAP-Kepayang) dan Sum Chok Leng (DAP-Bercham), while the BN's sole representative is Datuk Hasbullah Osman (Temenggor).
In KUALA LUMPUR, Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Datuk Seri Nazri Aziz said Sivakumar's move to suspend the MB was a joke, and accused the speaker of making a mockery of the Perak State Assembly.
He said the whole episode was a "comedy" because the decision by Sivakumar was "very ridiculous".
"The speaker took it upon himself to become judge and jury when he has no jurisdiction at all. This is really a joke and a mockery of the whole episode," Nazri told a press conference at the Parliament building here today.
"I feel that this must be stopped. Barisan Nasional state assembly members should take to court to resolve the stalemate to clarify the situation," he said. – Bernama
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
Bubarkan DUN Perak - Biar Rakyat Perak Pilih
Pak Abu kena tangkap kerana menyuarakan hasrat rakyat Perak, dan tidak mengiktiraf rampasan kuasa UMNO yang tidak mengikut perlembagaan.
Selain dari aktiviti-aktiviti korap yang dijalankan selama 50 tahun, UMNO dan kroni-kroninya dalam BN mengaturkan rampas kuasa di Perak dan menubuhkan kerajaan yang haram.
UMNO/BN telah merampas kuasa di negeri Perak dengan taktik secara tidak berperlembagaan. Perlantikan Menteri Besar baru dan Exco-exco adalah haram dari segi perlembagaan.
Adakah kita akan biarkan mereka yang berdosa begitu sahaja? Adakah kita akan biarkan seorang jenayah yang korap menjadi Perdana Menteri?
Perak Menteri Besar Mohd Nizar Jamaluddin today clocked in to work as usual at 10 am, along with his exco members, but 45 minutes later they were forced out of the state secretariat building.
In that 45 minutes, Mohd Nizar's press conference was rudely interrupted twice by state secretary Abdul Rahman Hashim and Ipoh police chief Azisman Alias.
Mohd Nizar refused to hold a meeting with Abdul Rahman and left with his convoy to his official residence where he is expected to hold a press conference later.
And the so called new BN government was conspiring with PDRM and the Royals to supress the voice of democracy. The UMNO has claimed that they are trying to preserve the Malay Rights (Ketuanan Melayu), but look at how they treated the consciencious Malays here. If you are not supporting them, you are their enemies. So, how much do you think this newly installed illegal state government can do for the people of Perak in its sincerity?
Sunday, February 15, 2009
Privacy Invaded for Political Gain
Being nude at home within four walls is strictly my own business, aside from being my rights. So why then when the incident happened to Elizabeth Wong - Selangor state executive councillor and Bukit Lanjan assemblyperson (whose nude photographs are being circulated in public), Khir Toyo jumped on it and demanded she resigned?
Morally, if one intentionally posed nude for distribution, then it is wrong. However, when one’s privacy was invaded and photo being taken unknowingly, he or she is not to be blamed. Else, what would you say if your nude photos were taken without your approval when you were taking bath, changing, or ... (you get the idea)?
Any calling of her resignation or attacking her on the incident is clearly politically motivated and IMMORAL.
Morally, if one intentionally posed nude for distribution, then it is wrong. However, when one’s privacy was invaded and photo being taken unknowingly, he or she is not to be blamed. Else, what would you say if your nude photos were taken without your approval when you were taking bath, changing, or ... (you get the idea)?
Any calling of her resignation or attacking her on the incident is clearly politically motivated and IMMORAL.
Saturday, February 14, 2009
SPR Keterlaluan Ikut Telunjuk Najib
The following article is taken from anwaribrahimblog.com
13 Feb 09
SPR Keterlaluan Ikut Telunjuk Najib
Sebaik nama Tan Sri Aziz diumumkan sebagai pengerusi baru Suruhanjaya Pilihan Raya (SPR), saya kaitkan prestasi dan rekod baiknya dalam perkhidmatan awam. Kebimbangan saya hanya keupayaan beliau mengendali SPR yang tercemar sebagai alat ampuh pimpinan UMNO-BN yang tidak mampu memikul amanah dengan jujur dan adil.
Agak mengejutkan kerana harapan tipis kecundang dalam tempoh singkat. Keputusan SPR mengenepikan keputusan Speaker DUN Negeri Perak mengenai perletakan jawatan ADUN menjurus kepada kesediaan mudah SPR menjadikan diri sebagai kuda tunggangan. Tan Sri Aziz gagal membedakan antara tugas seorang KSU dengan Pengerusi SPR.
Dan kini dengan menganjak tarikh pilihanraya kecil Parlimen Bukit Gantang dan DUN Bukit Selambau selewat mungkin satelah selesai pemilihan Umno, SPR bertindak keterlaluan menurut telunjuk Dato’ Seri Najib.
Kepada Allah SWT kita berserah disamping kerja kuat dalam saf untuk memastikan kezaliman, penipuan dan rasuah ditumpaskan.
ANWAR IBRAHIM
13 Feb 09
SPR Keterlaluan Ikut Telunjuk Najib
Sebaik nama Tan Sri Aziz diumumkan sebagai pengerusi baru Suruhanjaya Pilihan Raya (SPR), saya kaitkan prestasi dan rekod baiknya dalam perkhidmatan awam. Kebimbangan saya hanya keupayaan beliau mengendali SPR yang tercemar sebagai alat ampuh pimpinan UMNO-BN yang tidak mampu memikul amanah dengan jujur dan adil.
Agak mengejutkan kerana harapan tipis kecundang dalam tempoh singkat. Keputusan SPR mengenepikan keputusan Speaker DUN Negeri Perak mengenai perletakan jawatan ADUN menjurus kepada kesediaan mudah SPR menjadikan diri sebagai kuda tunggangan. Tan Sri Aziz gagal membedakan antara tugas seorang KSU dengan Pengerusi SPR.
Dan kini dengan menganjak tarikh pilihanraya kecil Parlimen Bukit Gantang dan DUN Bukit Selambau selewat mungkin satelah selesai pemilihan Umno, SPR bertindak keterlaluan menurut telunjuk Dato’ Seri Najib.
Kepada Allah SWT kita berserah disamping kerja kuat dalam saf untuk memastikan kezaliman, penipuan dan rasuah ditumpaskan.
ANWAR IBRAHIM
Friday, February 13, 2009
For the love of the sultan
For the love of the sultan
13 Feb 09 : 11.00PM
13 Feb 09 : 11.00PM
By Wong Chin Huat
editor@thenutgraph.com
editor@thenutgraph.com
AS in most other monarchies, Malaysians have been taught to love king and country. But rarely have we asked or been told why. This appeared to be okay until innocence was lost. For some of us, this occurred during the recent Perak crisis; for others, it could have occurred earlier. While innocence lost cannot be regained, it can be replaced with enlightened reconciliation and reasoned affection.
Enlightened reconciliation and reasoned affection — this is what is most urgently needed in Perak. This is especially true after a recent Merdeka Centre poll revealed that 74% of 507 Perak voters feel "the state assembly should be dissolved to pave the way for elections."
Sultan Azlan Shah (Source: sultan.perak.gov.my) Like the democratically elected Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Mohammad Nizar Jamaluddin, they have begged to differ with the sultan. In polite court address, they too have "menyembah mohon derhaka".
Deputy Umno youth chief Khairy Jamaluddin and his supporters have suggested banishment for people who "defy" the monarch. Well, then, Perak's neighbouring states — Kedah, Penang, Kelantan, Selangor, and Barisan Nasional (BN)-ruled Pahang — should be prepared to accept 882,953 political refugees, or 74% of Perak's total electorate in the last elections. Ipoh would be a ghost town.
Dignified and efficient
Now is the time for Malaysians to truly understand why we should love the constitutional monarchy as we know it from its British or European origins.
King Louis XIV (Public domain) In a typical absolute monarchy, the hereditary ruler enjoys absolute power and is unconstrained by a constitution or other institutions. Its extreme form was succinctly expressed by France's King Louis XIV: "L'etat c'est moi" ("I am the state"). An absolute king is not only the personal embodiment of the state, but also effectively the head of government.
Historically, the democratisation of absolute monarchies took two different paths. In the US, after the war for independence (1775-1783), the king was replaced with a president, who is effectively an elected monarch. The US president is both the head of state and chief executive, whose power is checked only by Congress and the judiciary.
With the most profound change in the method of selection — from "genetic lottery" in royal succession to popular mandate via democratic elections — the presidential republic was born.
Britain's gradual transformation — beginning with the Magna Carta in 1215, ending with the Glorious Revolution in 1688 and the passage of the Bill of Rights in 1689 — kept the hereditary monarchy. It merely changed from absolute to constitutional.
"Constitutional" does not merely refer to having a written constitution, like Malaysia, or a set of constitutional conventions and precedents, like the UK. The UK's constitutional monarchy has the monarch as the state's figurehead.
In other words, the head of state (the constitutional monarch) and the head of government (the prime minister) became separated in the UK. The prime minister, indirectly elected and checkable via no-confidence votes in Parliament, has exercised the real power in government.
Compare the constitutional British monarchy with the absolute Bruneian sultanate. Currently, the sultan is also the prime minister, defence minister and finance minister.
Walter Bagehot (Public domain)
What is the rationale of having a constitutional, passive monarch? Cynics in Britain will say the changing of the guard in Buckingham Palace and all the pomp and ceremony of Queen Elizabeth II are good for tourism. It is worth spending taxpayers' money on the royals.
In 1867, the constitutional authority Walter Bagehot argued that a constitution should have two parts. The first part, what he called "the dignified", is meant "to excite and preserve the reverence of the population". The second part, or "the efficient", is meant to "employ that homage in the work of government".
In other words, the head of state must be above partisan politics because his or her main function is to unite citizens of different political persuasions.
Political parties may be at each other's throats. Ultimately, however, one party or coalition will form His or Her Majesty's Government while the other serves as His or Her Majesty's Loyal Opposition.
In this sense, "menyembah mohon derhaka" — a loyal plea for the ruler's permission to oppose him or her — displays the true spirit of the Westminster constitutional monarchy.
Lovable rulers
In contrast, when the head of state is both symbolic and powerful, his or her function of dignity will be affected by the function of efficiency, positively or negatively.
Hence, with a popular president like Barack Obama, the esteem for the US presidency increases. However, with a polarising president like George W Bush, half of the population might have felt ashamed to be identified with the country.
%2520art_es_anna%2520Flickr.jpg)
Mr President (© art_es_anna / Flickr)
Bagehot's insights were apparently shared by many European states — even when they decided to throw out their monarchies, they opted to have ceremonial presidents instead of executive presidents.US-style presidentialism is mostly found in Latin America today. Few examples throughout the world can be considered successful. The bigger part of the democratic or democratising world chooses to become either parliamentary republics or constitutional monarchies.
If there must be one person whom everyone can look up and plead allegiance to, he or she must not be partial. The need to seek popular mandate in this sense has paradoxically become a disadvantage, making a dependence on the "genetic lottery" more sensible.
I would argue that this is the best defence for the constitutional monarchy. A head of state must be loved by all, for being loved by all is his or her main function. A hereditary head of state fits best — although inherited leadership flouts democratic ideals — because he or she is free from electoral pressures and can therefore be dignified.
But dignity of the palace, the very rationale of constitutional monarchy, could be at risk in Perak and perhaps the entire country.
This is the best time for true loyalists to offer their services to the throne. Restore that dignity so that the monarch remains loved by all.
If the majority of Perak subjects want fresh elections, then the only way to mend the fence is to call for fresh elections.
The Pakatan Rakyat is doing the rightful thing in their defence of the constitutional monarchy by asking the court to confirm the legality of their government. However, a favourable outcome for the constitutional monarchy might be a double-edged sword. People might ask why the Perak Sultan seemed to deviate from what he said in 2004, that a ruler's role was "purely formal" — Bagehot says "dignified" — upon request to dissolve the legislature.
To prevent embarrassment to the palace, the best solution is for the BN-installed Menteri Besar Datuk Dr Zambry Abdul Kadir to request for dissolution of the assembly. That would make the Pakatan Rakyat's constitutional suit academic.
The opinion poll result is a call of duty. If Zambry is a loyalist, now is the time for him to act accordingly. If the people want him, he may return as the 14th menteri besar after fresh elections. If they do not, why should he insist on staying and tarnishing the reputation of the 481-year sultanate?
While others may argue if Nizar is Hang Jebat or Tun Perak, this is a good chance for Zambry to play Hang Tuah.
For the love of the sultan, Zambry could ask urgently for the state assembly to be dissolved.
_______________________________
An anak Perak, Wong Chin Huat believes that good sense among the public must prevail to restore the dignity of constitutional monarchy, democracy and political stability in Perak and Malaysia. Tolerating political falsehood is as dangerous as taking fake medicine. A political scientist by training and a journalism lecturer by trade, he is based in Monash University Sunway Campus.
Thursday, February 12, 2009
Who's afraid of the rakyat?
The following article is taken from THE NUT GRAPH.
Who’s afraid of the rakyat?
13 Feb 09 : 10.00AM
By Jacqueline Ann Surin
jacquelinesurin@thenutgraph.com
ONE of the most lucid things I've read above the din of the political fiasco in Perak is Datuk Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat's statement about respecting Sultan Azlan Shah's decision.
Mohd Osman Mohd Jailu (left), Hee Yit Foong (middle) and Jamaluddin Mohd Radzi (right)
Additionally, the resignations of these three pivotal assemblypersons have yet to be determined in court. It would thus seem that while the Sultan was constitutionally right, he may still have been wrong.
So, why then did the Sultan make one decision over two others which would also have been constitutionally correct? And more importantly, which would have returned to the people their right to choose which government they wanted? After all, allowing for snap polls would also have been a constitutionally sound decision for the Sultan to make.
If Nik Aziz has done anything for me, he has really prodded me into asking this question, even if that wasn't his original intention. And I think it is a question worth asking. If this is a democracy, shouldn't people be ruled by their choices during an election rather than by the fickle-mindedness of elected representatives?
Other lessons
There are other lessons we can learn from other statements which have been made about the Perak political impasse and the ensuing confrontation between BN and Pakatan Rakyat.
For example, the statement by outgoing Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi that Pakatan Rakyat should accept BN's Perak takeover just like the BN accepted 2008's election results.
Additionally, when S Veerasingam was appointed special advisor to BN-installed Menteri Besar Datuk Dr Zambry Abdul Kadir, he said this solved the absence of Indian Malaysian elected representatives in the Perak BN government.
Both these statements really demonstrate that the BN remains clueless about the meaning of a government by the people.
Additionally, the BN, led primarily by Umno, has been calling for the institution of the monarchy to be respected. But surely, a far more fundamental principle that needs defending is the rakyat's right to choose who should govern them.
We are a democracy, not a feudal state even if some Umno leaders would prefer we were the latter. Hence, how can it be a threat to society or even treasonous to question decisions which do not uphold the people's right to choose their government?
Who’s afraid of the rakyat?
13 Feb 09 : 10.00AM
By Jacqueline Ann Surin
jacquelinesurin@thenutgraph.com
ONE of the most lucid things I've read above the din of the political fiasco in Perak is Datuk Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat's statement about respecting Sultan Azlan Shah's decision.
Following the Perak Ruler's decision, the PAS spiritual leader and Kelantan Menteri Besar, who is himself of royal lineage, said, "I don't question the decision of the Sultan of Perak in not consenting to the dissolution of the state assembly as it is the Sultan's right."
However, Nik Aziz said what needed to be reviewed and questioned was what led to the Sultan's decision. Nik Aziz was ostensibly referring to how it came about that Pakatan Rakyat assemblypersons deserted their parties, adding: "There must be something that's not right, and planned by certain quarters."
Perhaps Nik Aziz's statement calls on the DAP and Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) to be self-analytical on the fall of the Perak Pakatan Rakyat government. But I believe his statement calls us to ask one other thing: What led to the Sultan's decision? In other words, how did our respected former Supreme Court Lord President arrive at the decision he did?
Right yet wrong
I am no constitutional lawyer. But I understand from the experts that the Sultan was constitutionally right in not acceding to Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Mohammad Nizar Jamaluddin's request to dissolve the state assembly.
In fact, the country's best legal minds think it will be hard to challenge the Ruler's decision in court. From what I hear, even lawyers within Pakatan Rakyat know that it will be a tough challenge although there are, of course, opposing views.
Still, while the Sultan may have been constitutionally right in the decision he made, he would also have been constitutionally right in testing Nizar's popularity through ordering a vote in the state assembly. Or he could test the popularity of either the Pakatan Rakyat or the Barisan Nasional (BN) by dissolving the state assembly so that snap polls can be held.
Mohd Osman Mohd Jailu (left), Hee Yit Foong (middle) and Jamaluddin Mohd Radzi (right) Indeed, the desertion of the three state assemblypersons — Jamaluddin Mohd Radzi (Behrang), Mohd Osman Mohd Jailu (Changkat Jering), and Hee Yit Foong (Jelapang) — were dubious at best, suspect at worst. And as independents "friendly" to the BN, rather than being clear-cut BN members, their allegiance is hardly tenacious. Surely this is critical in a situation where the BN and Pakatan Rakyat have an equal number of seats in the state assembly, and everything hangs on these three independents?
Additionally, the resignations of these three pivotal assemblypersons have yet to be determined in court. It would thus seem that while the Sultan was constitutionally right, he may still have been wrong.
So, why then did the Sultan make one decision over two others which would also have been constitutionally correct? And more importantly, which would have returned to the people their right to choose which government they wanted? After all, allowing for snap polls would also have been a constitutionally sound decision for the Sultan to make.
If Nik Aziz has done anything for me, he has really prodded me into asking this question, even if that wasn't his original intention. And I think it is a question worth asking. If this is a democracy, shouldn't people be ruled by their choices during an election rather than by the fickle-mindedness of elected representatives?
Other lessons
There are other lessons we can learn from other statements which have been made about the Perak political impasse and the ensuing confrontation between BN and Pakatan Rakyat.
For example, the statement by outgoing Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi that Pakatan Rakyat should accept BN's Perak takeover just like the BN accepted 2008's election results.
Additionally, when S Veerasingam was appointed special advisor to BN-installed Menteri Besar Datuk Dr Zambry Abdul Kadir, he said this solved the absence of Indian Malaysian elected representatives in the Perak BN government.
Both these statements really demonstrate that the BN remains clueless about the meaning of a government by the people.
Additionally, the BN, led primarily by Umno, has been calling for the institution of the monarchy to be respected. But surely, a far more fundamental principle that needs defending is the rakyat's right to choose who should govern them.
We are a democracy, not a feudal state even if some Umno leaders would prefer we were the latter. Hence, how can it be a threat to society or even treasonous to question decisions which do not uphold the people's right to choose their government?
What is really a threat to society is the kind of thuggery and intimidation involved in silencing questioning voices. I think it is critical for the rakyat to note where the calls for the use of the
Internal Security Act, stripping of citizenship, banishment, or murder are coming from. It is the BN and their supporters.
-- -- -- -- Zambry -- -- -- --
Critical voices, including from within the Pakatan Rakyat, are raising issues of principle, law, democracy and legitimacy. But the BN, and Umno in particular, continue to resort to obnoxious arrogance, hoping they can mask their empty rhetoric by sheer volume and force.
Rakyat's vigilance
Sure, the Pakatan Rakyat is not blameless. After all, Pakatan Rakyat was not averse to party-hoppers themselves and was bent on taking over the federal government on 16 Sept 2008 through exactly the same methods.
Indeed, little do I trust politicians from either camp to stay true to the rakyat's interest unless we hold them to it. Nobody, after all, is above being corrupted by power and delusions of authority.
And if nothing else, the three deserting assemblypersons, and the Bota representative, Datuk Nasarudin Hashim, who couldn't decide which party to remain in, have proven that politicians can be severely lacking in principles. Indeed, none of the four assemblypersons seemed too concerned that they were really letting the people down by doing what they did.
And if institutions such as a constitutional monarchy cannot be expected to always make the best decision, what recourse do citizens have?
(Anne James in "In Between Things", © Five Arts Centre)
My friend Anne James happens to be the spouse of a PKR Member of Parliament. But, in the face of shameful behaviour and rhetoric from politicians and disappointing decisions from the monarchy, she has this to say: "The rakyat cannot just serahkan everything to politicians and institutions like we have over the past 20 years."
James adds that if nothing else, the crisis in Perak has reinforced the fact that in a democracy, the rakyat need to actively participate to protect their interests. "We have to be ever-vigilant."
And that means being ever-vigilant of the state, politicians and the monarchs who make decisions on our behalf.
_________________________________________________
Despite the royal seal of approval, Jacqueline Ann Surin notes that the new BN government in Perak is having a tough time defending itself. She wonders why politicians continue to be afraid of the people's right to choose.
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