HAPPY INDEPENDENCE DAY !

LOOK AT THE PICTURE ON THE FRONT PAGE AND IMAGINE HOW IT WOULD HAVE FELT LIKE IF YOU WERE THERE AT THE STRIKE OF MIDNIGHT ON 31st AUGUST 1957 LISTENING TO THE LAST PLAY OF BRITAIN'S NATIONAL ANTHEM AND THE FIRST RECITAL OF NEGARAKU.

IT'S ON THE WALL !

The words are written in large CAPITAL letters for everyone to see.

Perhaps Datuk Seri Najib Tun Abdul Razak needs to read it aloud for the One who is hard at hearing and possibly blind as well. The voters have spoken in Permatang Pauh.

Congratulations to Saudara Anwar Ibrahim. It needs to be said that there were more UMNO members there then the number of votes our man received, i.e. even the UMNO members chose not to back our nominee. Nonetheless, Anwar's win is legitimate.

Barisan Nasional got WHIPPED! Plain and simple. The voter turnout was less than the March election yet the winning margin increased for Pakatan despite the advantage BN had using the government machinery with unlimited financial resources. That's a TRIPLE WHAMMY!!!

Some argued that Anwar won resoundingly because of the September 16th deal that he's selling to the Rakyat. So the Permatang Pauh people were hoping to get a homegrown Prime Minister. I'd rather not venture on what worth they put on the current Prime Minister who is also the Chairman of the Penang State UMNO Liasion Committee.

It is shameful and selfish to stay longer than one's welcome. It's also mind boggling that the presumptive heir apparent who is supposedly highly intelligent puts much faith in the pledged power transition due to take place in two years time when several indicators including strong political intuition seem to show and feel that it is very unlikely to materialize.

We are told not to misconstrue the Permatang Pauh election results. Going back to the basics, I feel that some things should be taken at face value and we should snap out of this state of denial that we're in before we start believing in our own lies.

HOME RULE ! ! !

This is the most popular Merdeka picture. I wasn't born when this was taken of course and I'm sure none of the VVIPs sitting down behind the Tunku are with us today. If you look carefully, long and hard enough, you'll almost hear those famous exclamations of MERDEKA! MERDEKA! MERDEKA! The call of Merdeka covered the whole stadium and through thousands of radio transmitters across the whole Peninsula seven times over. Tears flowed sending chills through the spine knowing they were finally Masters of their own Soil. If we were there, on the concrete seats of the Merdeka Stadium, perhaps we would be more compassionate about it today and fly our flags (upright) with more conviction without having them to be given to us for free. Enough said. Give this photograph a hard long look and give it due appreciation.

FREE MERDEKA T - SHIRTS

In the Spirit of Merdeka, this blog would like to offer T-Shirts like the above which is also available in Black to the first 10 applicants for each colour, limited to one T-Shirt per person.
Please send the address for the delivery. Sizes are limited to S-M-L only. Since most of you prefer to read and not leave comments, for the purpose of privacy, your application will not be posted by the moderator.

The first FIVE applicants will also receive an exclusive notebook (not a computer) with historical pictures, from the signing of the "Perjanjian Persekutuan oleh Raja-raja Melayu dengan Kerajaan British, 1948" to the first opening speech of His Majesty the Yang Di Pertuan Agong in Parliament after Merdeka.

A real classic must have for true Patriots! Gimme a Holler!!!

MERDEKA!!!

SELAMAT MENYAMBUT BULAN KEMERDEKAAN

We are living in one of the most peaceful countries in Asia. A multi-racial nation rich with different cultures, customs and a variety of food that is compared to none in the world. Malays, Chinese, Indians, Eurasians, now Bangladeshis and off late Ghurkas from Nepal reside on our shores today. Besides the last two having joined us more recently, we have all lived side by side in peace and harmony for the most part of the last 51 years since Independance.

Peace is usually taken for granted as we claim that it is our right to have it. Well it is actually but how we handle delicate and sensitive issues relating to each other's customs and religion would determine how long we will enjoy this peace. We have history to fall back on and learn from. Once this peace that we have grown accustomed to is corrupted and destroyed, it will take generations to mend. Life is too short and the stakes are too high for us to gamble with it.

I miss the times when the only difference that mattered between us was religion. The fact that we were Malay, Chinese or Indian were almost insignificant because everyone then didn't step on each others' toes and knew their limits. Today, I don't see children of different races playing with each other in the playground anymore. It's pathetic how it has become.

The spirit that was forged between Tunku Abdul Rahman, Tan Cheng Lock and V.T Sambanthan has faded and strangely, it has done so rather rapidly in the last four years .

Below are pictures of the 50th Merdeka Anniversary Celebration that I organized at the Danga Bay in Johor that I would like to share with you which brought family members of the late Tunku Abdul Rahman Putra Al-Haj, Tun Tan Cheng Lock and Tun V.T. Sambanthan together. Through them, I felt the spirit of comraderie of the Merdeka era come back to life that my eyes swelled up on stage while handing them portraits of their respective patriarchs with the Malaysian Flag flying behind each of them.







YM Tunku Muinuddin Putra Ibni Tunku Dato Ahmad Nerang. Grandson of Tunku Abdul Rahman Putra Al-Haj.

Madam Kunjari Tun Sambanthan, daughter of Tun V.T. Sambanthan.


Madam Tan Siok Choo, Grandaughter of Tun Tan Cheng Lock, daughter of Tun Tan Siew Sin and the Patriot himself.

In their veins flow the blood of true Patriots.

While the pioneers of Merdeka worked towards getting us closer together, those that came after them one after the other spread us apart making us aliens with one another. While it was the responsibility of our leaders to promote peace and harmony in this blessed land, the burden is now left on us to secure it. So let us salvage what is left of the Merdeka spirit and build on it to ensure a better future for all Malaysians. We can begin by appreciating, understanding and respecting our Constitution. Reflect on it.

MERDEKA!

DEFEND OUR SOVEREIGNTY & PROTECT OUR INDEPENDENCE

Asalamualaikum WBT and greetings to everyone.

Yes I am back! I saw no reason to remain quiet while all the other UMNO candidates from top to bottom continue to air their views on a host of matters.

I have decided to come out of hybernation especially because important events have cropped up that begged for UMNO participation but couldn't garner even one UMNO Youth EXCO member to defend such as Article 121 (1A) in the Constitution. All that was offered was the lip service given by the Youth Head and the EXCO in charge of Religious affairs. What appalls me is that they can come screaming their lungs out, when Islam is threatened thousands of miles away in the Middle East like Palestine but remain like sick mice when it is threatened here in Malaysia.

Yes, I'm talking about the Bar Council's recalcitrant behaviour touching on Islam, the religion UMNO leaders so heartily claim to defend but was nowhere to be seen when it needed defending. The Council's representative argued that they have no issue with Article 121 (1A) contradicting themselves in their agenda asking it to be revisited. On this score, in the name of God, King and Country, I would like to commend our counterpart in PAS, namely their Youth Wing and most importantly Saudara Zulkifli Nordin, MP, whom I was told is the former Youth Chief of the Kotaraya UMNO branch for their gallant effort and success in getting the forum to be aborted. Isn't it a shame that UMNO has to lose the real fighters for " Agama, Bangsa dan Negara " to the opposition leaving the lame ducks who are only good for crying out the slogan instead and getting rich doing it?

On that sorry note, I'd like to take this opportunity to urge every Malaysian citizen to Rise, Protect and Defend our Sovereignty, without which there would be no Independence. May Allah bless those who fought tooth and nail, and sacrificed much to achieve Home Rule from Great Britain without a shed of blood. and curse those who forsake the struggle.

To my fellow members in UMNO from the Supreme level down to the Roots, repent and be righteous again. We have astrayed from our original struggle. Work for the people and be grateful to those who have served. Make the change or be prepared to turn opposition in the next General Elections.

LET THE GAMES BEGIN

Ladies and gentlemen,

This could be my last posting if the Little Red Book that denies all UMNO candidates the right to issue anything through the electronic media etc takes effect by tomorrow as announced on TV1.

I will seek further clarification on this from the UMNO HQ and if permitted to continue blogging, I will do so only after getting a definite clearance from the powers that be.

In the meantime, from this day forth until six months after the UMNO elections (believe it or not), I will be in hybernation, ie. if I win my bid for Division Vice Chief. If not, then I won't be compelled to comply any further.

Thank you for reading me.

Happy Birthday to HRH The YDP Negeri Sembilan, Happy Birthday to His Majesty The Sultan of Terengganu, Selamat Menyambut Hari Kemerdekaan, Selamat Menyambut Bulan Ramadhan, Selamat Hari Raya Aidilfitri, Happy Birthday to HRH The Sultan of Pahang, Happy Deepavali, Selamat Hari Raya Aidil Adha, Happy Birthday to HRH The Sultan of Selangor, Merry Christmas & A Happy New Year and Selamat Menyambut Awal Muharram all in advance. May God Bless Malaysia. I hope we're still in one piece post December.

DO UMNO MALAYS DESERVE GOOD LEADERSHIP

A DEFINITE YES! But as they used to deserve good leadership then, they are now forced to earn it, no thanks to Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad.

I try not to sound like a broken record so I'll skip repeating the score in the last General Elections. Under the current circumstances and with the widespread cry for the Prime Minister of Malaysia and President of UMNO to retire, it is indeed a monumental task to replace him through the current system if he wishes to remain President.

Much power had been vested in the UMNO President and the Supreme Council to suggest and propose with little resistance the rules and regulations or even guidelines that sometimes go against the UMNO constitution but to their own advantage. These powers were introduced sometime during the 22 years of Tun Dr Mahathir's rule. One of them is the 30% quota for a Presidential candidate to qualify to contest. This comes to 58 nominations needed to cross the bar.

Today, most Malays are tired of the bickering amongst their current leaders, tired of the bad leadership that they know needs changing but is made more difficult to affect, and tired of the previous leader who says the right thing but was guilty of imposing then the very system that is failing the party now. Most Malays are so frustrated that they prefer to throw their hands down and let the chips fall where they may.

The system has made local leaders more subservient to their superiors than to the party. The grassroots generally want change but with strong resistance from the division with much self interest, they would have to fight for it even harder than they should.

The New Malay Dilemma is that we want change but not many are ready to make the sacrifices our forefathers made when they achieved Independence. Today, although the country is independent, the UMNO Malays are not entirely so. Most of them are dependent on leaders at different levels all the way up to the top, either for contracts, state decorations or most often than not for positions. We seem to have lost our direction because the struggle is no longer to preserve the special privilege to be a Malay born in Malaysia, but to preserve the positions of our respective leaders in order to maintain our power in the community and the spoils that come with it.

To make this big change, we the Malays must be brave and independent in our thoughts and exercise our rights without fear or favour. We must remember to repay the good deeds of those who were and are constantly at hand to assist us, not only the last hand that does so. We must choose the right person who has the charisma, foresight, wisdom and who is also independent from family interference be it from a brilliant son in law or even a saucy consort.

The Malays have expected and received good leadership since Merdeka. Today however, if they fail to earn it, they will cease to deserve it.

There is a Hadith that says, " Destruction awaits those who choose a man who knows not of the field he is chosen for. "

May the best man win the day for the sake of our Nation.

TIDAKKAH BADAN PERHUBUNGAN NEGERI-NEGERI PULAU PINANG DAN SELANGOR MELANGGAR TATAETIKA PARTI?

Dalam dua hari yang berlalu, di dalam Berita Perdana, pemimpin-pemimpin UMNO dari dua buah negeri telah mengumumkan secara terbuka sokongan mereka kepada kedua-dua pemimpin Negara untuk di kekalkan kerusi-kerusi mereka di dalam pemilihan UMNO yang bermula tidak lama lagi. Mungkinkah perbuatan mereka itu telah melanggar Tataetika UMNO yang telah di persetujui dalam Mesyuarat Majlis Tertinggi pada 27hb Mac 2008?

Perkara 5 SALAHLAKU.

Ahli parti di larang dari melakukan perkara -perkara berikut:

5.3 Penerbitan dan Penggunaan Media Massa Elektronik atau Internet.

" menerbit, menyiar atau menulis apa-apa risalah, majalah, makallah, buku atau lain-lain karya secara langsung atau tidak langsung, yang mempunyai unsur-unsur menyokong, memfitnah, mencela, mengkeji, atau mengandungi kenyataan palsu terhadap mana-mana Ahli parti yang di siarkan melalui media massa, elektronik atau internet dengan tujuan untuk mengelirukan sesorang berkenaan Ahli UMNO yang lain, mempengaruhi atau mendapat undi atau sokongan bahgi pihaknya atau orang lain dalam mana-mana Pemilihan Parti."

Mungkinkah dengan menggunakkan televisyen untuk mengisytiharkan sokongan terbuka kepada YAB Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi dan YAB Dato' Sri Najib Tun Razak sebagai Presiden dan Timbalan Presiden oleh Timbalan Pengerusi Perhubungan Pulau Pinang dan Pengerusi Perhubungan Negeri Selangor itu bersifat sebagai pelobi yang secara terang berkempen dan boleh menjejaskan pencalonan penyandang Presiden dan Timbalannya? Apakah tindakan yang akan diambil keatas mereka? Ini perlu dihalusi supaya ahli-ahli dari MKT ke akar umbi dapat tahu dimana batasannya. Rakyat jelata yang bukan ahli UMNO sedang melihat bagaimana UMNO sedang menjalankan peroses pemilihannya. Sudah tentunya kritikan keras akan di keluarkan apabila jelas kelihatan ada darjah berkembar (double standard) didalam pentadbiran parti yang menguasai kerajaan yang boleh menjejaskan kredibilitinya untuk terus memimpin.

Ahli-ahli UMNO seluruh negara sekadar ingin tahu dengan jelas dan tepat apa yang boleh dan apa yang tidak boleh di lakukan dan samada peraturan ini berkuatkuasa keatas kesemua ahli-ahli UMNO atau hanya yang bertanding di peringkat bahagian-bahagian sahaja.

KONSPIRASI MENGKUSUTKAN LAGI PEMIKIRAN RAKYAT

Tidak cukup dengan kemelut yang diwujudkan oleh ahli-ahli politik dan orang-orang suruhan mereka, para ulamak juga mula masuk campur. Ada yang kerana benar-benar ingin mengamankan keadaan dan ada pula kerana ingin mencari publisiti untuk bertentang sesama sendiri dikhalayak ramai membuat rakyat khususnya yang berbangsa Melayu dan umat Islam meluat dengan tabiat mereka yang lebih jijik dari ahli-ahli politik.

Saranan Mufti Perlis adalah tepat kerana masalah fitnah-memfitnah ini bukan sahaja dosa besar tetapi ia juga adalah masalah persepsi orangramai. Walaupun hukuman telah dijatuhkan oleh mahkamah, ramai juga yang akan mempunyai syak buruk tentang keputusan hakim, lebih-lebih lagi apabila hukuman tersebut tidak memihak kepada mereka. Dari itu, sebagai umat Islam, ada kaedah lain yang boleh mententeramkan jiwa orangramai, iaitu dengan cara "Muhabalah" sebagaimana yang di sarankan oleh Mufti Perlis dan disokong oleh Tok Guru Nik Aziz. Pada firasat saya, sudah tentunaya umat Islam tidak akan bersyak-wasangka dengan keputusan Allah SWT.

"Muhabalah" adalah dimana pihak-pihak yang terlibat menyerahkan kepada Allah SWT dengan lafaz meminta Allah supaya melaknati mereka yang bersalah yang bersembunyi di belakang tabir pembohongan.

Umum mendapati bahawa apabila kaedah undang-undang masih membawa kemusykilan, kaedah ini sahaja yang boleh mengamankan pemikiran umat Islam dan di dalam keadan yang kusut seperti yang kita alami pada hari ini, kaedah ini patut di guna pakai, lebih-lebih lagi apabila peruntukan ini ada disediakan di dalam Agama Islam.

Terasa kecewa apabila saya membaca di Bernama hari ini bahawa Ketua Pengarah Jabatan Kemajuan Islam Malaysia berpendapat bersumpah dengan menjunjung al-Quran atau 'mubahalah' tidak perlu dilaksanakan kerana ia bukan sahaja akan mendedahkan keaiban seseorang di khalayak umum malah akan menimbulkan kesan lebih besar terhadap umat Islam.

Mungkin beliau tidak bergaul dengan khalayak umum dari itu beliau tidak dapat merasa nadi rakyat ketika ini khususnya orang Melayu dan umat Islam kerana ini menyentuh maruah pemimpin-pemimpin Melayu dan perbuatan luar tabi'i dari segi Agama Islam.

Celikkah mata hati Ketua Pengarah tersebut. Adakah beliau sedar bahawa kita sudah melepasi lingkungan keaiban dan sekarang apa yang kita mahu adalah keadilan bagi yang teranyaia? Beliau menyambung " Banyak cara lain boleh digunakan bagi menentukan kesahihan dan kebenaran terhadap setiap tuduhan yang dibuat. " Saudara, anak-anak saya yang belum baligh pun boleh menidakkan usaha-usaha orang lain seperti Saudara tetapi yang kita mahu adalah cadangan yang proaktif bukan sahaja untuk mendapatkan kesahihan dan kebenaran tetapi juga yang boleh meyakinkan rakyat.

Pada hari ini, rakyat sudah meluat dengan telatah ahli-ahli politik negara. Tidak payahlah Mufti-mufti berlaga-laga di khalayak ramai untuk menunjukkan kononnya dialah yang lebih Islam atau berpengetahuan dari rakan sejawatnya dari negeri lain. Ini adalah lebih jijik dimata kasar rakyat kerana kita muak apabila melihat ulamak-ulamak kita pula yang cuba bermain politik di antara satu sama lain demi untuk mencipta nama di dalam media.

Mufti Perlis telah memberikan cadangan yang baik untuk ketenteraman jiwa rakyat lebih-lebih lagi yang beragama Islam. Ramai di kalangan rakan-rakan saya dan tentunya orangramai yang terasa seolah-olah dipermain-mainkan, turut berdoa agar sesiapa yang telah menkhianati kita dengan kes-kes yang menggoncangkkan Negara ini sehingga terasa gegarannya di Amerika Syarikat akan dilaknati Allah dan ditimpanya kecelakaan yang setimpal dengan angkara pembohongan yang dilakukan kepada kita, Rakyat Malaysia.

Andaikata Mufti Perak atau Ketua Pengarah JAKIM tidak ada cadangan lain yang boleh menyenangkan hati rakyat, maka dipersilakan berdiam dari berkata-kata seolah-olah Khatib sedang berkhutbah kerana RAKYAT SUDAH MELUAT dengan karenah kamu-kamu dan mereka yang bersekutu dengan kamu itu!

Seharusnya ulamak-ulamak negara kita menjadi contoh kepada ahli-ahli politik untuk mensucikan perjuangan mereka, bukannya mengikut tabiat buruk ahli-ahli politik negara kita itu untuk di bawa kedalam institusi Agama Islam. Kalau tidak mahu bermuhabalah pun tidak mengapa, tetapi sila bermuhasabah diri sebagai pemimpin di dalam Agama suci kita ini. Jangan sampai kamu-kamu juga dituduh turut berkonspirasi untuk mengkusutkan lagi pemikiran rakyat yang sedang merana akibat kenaikkan harga barangan keperluan hidup.

Allahu Alam.

CORRECTION TO MCA YOUTH LEADER'S PERCEPTION

I would like to respectfully make a small correction to the statement by the MCA youth leader YB Datuk Liow Tong Lai.

While it is correct that UMNO was responsible in dragging down MCA in the last election it isn't entirely true that the reason for it was due to MCA's soft stance on UMNO's governance. If at all this is true as perceived by many, why then did GERAKAN, the opposition in residence get blown out of the water, so to speak? They were utterly outspoken in issues and were in direct confrontation at times with UMNO, yet they lost one whole state.

“People feel that Umno (has) become arrogant. When it is too powerful, (the people) feel that (Umno) ignores the feelings of other races,” said Liow, who is also health minister.

This statement implies that only the Chinese were responsible for putting MCA in it's place and because they lost confidence in MCA's ability to stand up to UMNO, they turned to the opposition. Need he be reminded that MCA enjoyed the confidence of a large number of Malay voters too and they won many seats the last time because these voters had confidence in the government then. They lost this time because the Malay voters chose the opposition and I'm sure it's not because MCA didn't stand up to UMNO. If anything, they lost the Malay votes because UMNO became too liberal that topics which were deemed seditious were allowed to be touched unchecked by the current administration.

If I can remember vividly, when the MCA Youth delegation met Hishammuddin on the issue of the Keris, they went home with a certain allocation in the millions for Chinese schools and everyone smiled from ear to ear leaving Hisham's office letting bygones be bygones. I guess it was not meant to last long as Hishammuddin had to apologize for his gesture when the MCA Youth that were happy with his explanation and allocation then didn't bother to convince their voters of the same. I wager UMNO delegates in turn this December, will not let this one go as a bygone for Hishammuddin . He will pay his price.

UMNO under Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi tried to change even before MCA and MIC did after their bashing. It changed by being more open, liberal and allowing more freedom of speech. The other parties who were not accustomed to it under the previous administration didn't know how to handle this newfound freedom and went overboard with their demands turning UMNO into being more arrogant and forcing Hishammuddin to brandish the Keris (which he so foolishly apologized for). This liberalization which later turned UMNO into an arrogant party after the fact was the cause of the setback experienced by BN.

When too many people are allowed to talk and the wrong emotional statements are registered and printed, all hell breaks loose. MCA, MIC, GERAKAN and PPP should equally be blamed. They should collectively take responsibilty because they were unable to handle the changes made by UMNO post Dr Mahathir.

BN is still the best solution for our Nation. Now let's heal the wound, pull together and work hard to win back our lost ground.

JOHOR MALAY VETS' EVENT

Kelab Veteran Melayu Negeri Johor
&
Kelab Veteran UMNO Bahagian Pulai
Dengan Takzimnya Menganjurkan Majlis
“PERJUMPAAN MELAYU BERHEMAH”

Sebagai Bangsa Melayu yang berhemah, bersopan, setia dan santun di hiaskan dengan menjemput hadir semua orang Melayu untuk kita bersama mengkata dan mengkota-kata suara keramat

“MELAYU BERHEMAH PEMIMPIN UMMAH”

Ucaptama dari
Y.B.M. TENGKU RAZALEIGH HAMZAH
Ketua UMNO Bahagian Gua Musang

Tarikh: Sabtu 28hb Jun 2008
23 Jamadilakhir 1429
Tempat: M Suites Hotel
Johor Bahru
Masa: Jam 2.30 petang

Pakaian: Semolek-moleknya Baju Kebangsaan Melayu
MOHON DIPERSUDIKAN

SPLITTING THE PARTY

I'm constantly amazed at how everytime the incumbents want to remain in their respective positions or in power, they would equate avoiding a contest to avoiding a split in the party.

This is a problem created by people who demand personal allegience from the supporters of the party using their government positions as a tool to remain strong in the establishment. When this happens, then the loyalty shifts from the party to the individual leaders. It is a an understatement to say that it is unethical but the leaders advocate this behaviour to ensure their continued strength over the rest. When such leaders leave the party, we will see an exodus of his supporters following suit. This didn't happened when Dato' Onn Jaafar left UMNO because at that time, UMNO members were taught to be loyal to the party which is not the case today. I'd like to believe that today's UMNO members are equally loyal judging by the lukewarm response to Tun Dr Mahathir's call to leave the party but then this is election year in UMNO and everyone is gearing up with more zest then during the General Election because of personal interests.

I wonder how many have served earnestly in their respective divisions and actually made annual reports of their activities during the last, say four years of holding office. But they are still fighting tooth and nail, even challenging those deserving office bearers just so they can be recognized and bribed handsomely if they win coming up to the UMNO elections in December. Some even have outside leaders backing their bid out of spite just because the incumbent can see through the hypocritical methods of these leaders.

I don't see the willingness to offer oneself to contest in any position as an attempt to split the party. However, I see the willingness of certain powerful individuals demanding loyalty to him/herself as a crime towards party unity.

Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah's bid for President is not harmful. It is democratic. In fact he is being truthful to the current President by declaring his bid openly. It is up to the members to listen to him or any other possible and "honest" candidate before deciding who is best to lead the Party and subsequently the Nation.

Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi has declared that he will be defending his seat and with that, there are two candidates to choose from for the position of President. The members can make comparisons between the two and decide swiftly even before the last division holds its delegates' meeting.

Dato' Sri Najib Tun Abdul Razak has repeatedly said or implied that he will not contest the Presidency and will wait for the transition of power to take affect, which both he and Datuk Seri Abdullah had come to terms with.

The 3 million odd members are now aware of this and appreciate Dato' Sri Najib as he, like Tengku Razaleigh and Datuk Seri Abdullah are honest men and have declared their positions. This should give an indication to the Divisions of who is willing to contest for which posts.

This will not split the party as everyone knows what they want. What would split the party and give a rude headache is if Dato' Sri Najib says one thing while working to do the other, like contesting for President, confusing and not giving people enough time to digest and decide with a clear mind.

UMNO leaders must conduct themselves as gentlemen. This means they must say what they mean and mean what they say.

If there are any other contenders for President, please step up NOW and be accounted for or forever hold your piece. If there should be any amendments made to the UMNO constitution, they should add a clause whereby a candidate vying for the post of President in the party must declare it openly at least six months from the election date. The members must be given the space and time to choose the most appropriate candidate not only for President of UMNO but also for the Prime Ministersip of Malaysia.

UMNO members must not degrade themselves by being subservient to certain leaders. They must pledge their allegience to the Party and not to individuals with positions within the party and government. If they do the latter, they are prostituting themselves and helping the irresponsible leaders to destroy the party. UMNO must be given back to its members and this can only be done if the members themselves act with full responsibilty and with dignity.

Serve the Party, not the Leader. Remember this doctrine and we shall be saved.

ABOUT LAST NIGHT

“I am not out to be popular. We try our best, and this is something we are very serious about, but naturally people will not be happy", said the Prime Minister. Well Sir, if not being popular is the main objective, I'd say you've met your target.

Yesterday I tried to reason with people when the announcement was made in the afternoon thinking that the implementation would be sometime in August. Then I gave up defending what I thought would be a form of National Service in fear of being slapped silly by my audience when we were told that the hike would take effect at 12 midnight.

There was no room left for the rakyat to adjust. It came down just like that, like a blade from the guillotine. Kuala Lumpur was paralysed for a few hours last night because of this. Everytime I pressed down the power windows I heard profanities, no prizes for guessing right whom it was for.

I thought March 2008 was the lowest ebb as far as support for the government was concerned. But if a snap election is called this week, I'd give a ten to one odds that BN would be slaughtered like the cows during Aidil Adha, and it'd be so quick there won't be enough time for the religious recital before the knife strikes either.

The act was necessary I suppose, but the timing is suspect. This involves the everyman. It could have been more subtle. There will certainly be a converse effect in relation to other goods. Unscrupulous merchants will take advantage of the situation, and bad words will continue to flow out of the consumers everytime they go out shopping. Are we able to get out of this political doldrums or could Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi be The Last Prime Minister from UMNO.

78 SEN HIKE

78 sen hike. I dare not think of the repercussions in relation to other goods. But we have to face the reality of it all. Continued total subsidy will stunt national growth. We have to come to terms with the fact that we are living beneath the cost of living of other developing countries such as ours due to to the heavy subsidies.

I trust this won't go down well with the rakyat but if we are loyal citizens then we should accept it and hope that the cut in subsidy will be used to help develop the infrastructure as promised. We are still waiting to see an improved public transport system. Poeple travelling to Johor Bahru still ride on bashed up buses boarded from a tight and dusty depot. The better ones are used for the KL-Singapore route. Even the MARA Executive coach has ceased to exist for Johoreans when they were rerouted to Singapore via Tuas.

In the midst of all this, there is still a deafening silence on Singapore registered vehicles being treated the way it should. I still think they should be allowed to buy petrol in Johor Bahru but at the market price and not subsidized. This is one way of not hurting too much the operators within the 50km radius as they can still make some profit from other sales at the station. We should do away with the ban within the 50 km radius but charge the full market rate up till Malacca.

SHOOT FIRST THINK LATER

PKR's Ezam has finally decided to re-enter UMNO. Generally from the ground, no problem except for one issue. Why has his re-entry been blown out of proportion? Why should the Honourable President of UMNO himself be receiving him? What's the big fuss over a known "party traitor" who finally saw the light and came back? He wasn't even the head of the PKR. Was it wise for the number one man in UMNO to degrade his office by receiving an application form from an ex-youth leader from a small opposition party? Same goes with the Honourable Deputy President, lowering his status by recieving application forms from lower officers from the PKR when it is the job of leaders at the branch level. These are the queries from the grassroot leaders. We tried to justify our leaders' actions but it just didn't sit well with the hardcore UMNO workers on the ground.

One classic case was the contention by a fellow who was a member of the BN machinery in several elections . He claimed he was cursed and jeered at by the people supporting the opposition when he was putting up pictures and posters of these two leaders, yet they are the ones who took it upon themselves to organize a special VIP reception for these "traitors". He went on to say that in wanting to win the hearts of those who left UMNO to come back to the fold, the leaders shouldn't hurt the feelings of the loyalists within the party.

Now there is a survey to ask the people on the ground for their response to the Ezam saga. It is a case of shoot first think later. Instead of avoiding a catastrophy, we are constantly controlling one damage after another. If there is no quick end to this, there will certainly be a premature end to the party. May God forbid.

EMERGENCY BREAK TO BARRING SINGAPORE VEHICLES FORM FILLING UP

Doesn't it look like a real kitchen in the current Cabinet? I mean it's like a trial and error thing. Just mix the ingredients and then add sugar or hold on to the spice for a bit then sprinkle some cinamon till it tastes good for someone else.

Decisions are made then withdrawn till a certain date on the issue of subsidized petrol on Singapore but not on Thai vehicles. Why is it that when it involves Singapore everyone gets spooked?

According to The International Herald Tribune, the Deputy Prime Minister who was in Singapore to attend a security summit, told reporters that an anti-inflation Cabinet committee would meet Tuesday to review the plan.

"We have to find a new effective date because there are other matters, like for example, can we have separate pumps because the Singaporeans are saying that they don't mind paying the market rate," he said.

Hmm...I am very sure that this matter of having saparate pumps (islands) was suggested by an UMNO member to the Deputy Prime Minister two years ago. It appalls me to think that this method is considered not because of a suggestion from the UMNO gentleman trying to save money for the treasury, but because " Singaporeans are saying that they don't mind paying the market rate." Forgive the recurrence. This is a good idea as it would only subsidize Malaysians driving Malaysian vehicles and would ease the burden off the treasury to the tune of RM1 billion a year. It has always been a good idea but I guess it didn't have the blessing from our neighbours down South.

Now they are saying we'll have to pay the market rate which is double the current price. Don't even think about calling for a snap election after this kind of an announcement. This practically puts our backs against the wall and takes away whatever remedy we might have in the event that there are crossovers from BN to the opposition. Sometimes I wonder if our Captain is really playing for our side or for the opposing team.

What a drastic measure right after we ponder over charging the Singaporeans the same. Could it be a sort of a punishment meted out on us just because we were about to jack the subsidy off the Singaporeans?

Time will tell. But for now, lay off Singapore or risk suffering more.

STOP BLEEDING HISHAM!

After the pathetic episode of apologizing for the failure to defend our heritage, I thought Dato' Sri Hishammuddin's situation in the eyes of the UMNO folks couldn't get any worse. I was wrong. The press keeps on hounding him for his position on certain matters making him think that he is an important figure in today's politics when they are actually doing it to make him look more insignificant than he already is, by his own doing. Instead of working hard and quick about improving the state of the party after the recent setback which would make the president's life easier, he is out defending the president into regression. To add to that, his goodwill effort isn't reciprocated by the person he is defending.

Malaysiakini quoted Hishammuddin as saying: "Ezam perlu bermula dari bawah", yet Ezam handed his UMNO application form to the highest authority in the party with much fanfare. Some say that the Youth Chief is shooting blank cartridges. I say that he is shooting live bullets which have homing devices zoomed in to his own foot.

Dato' Sri Hishammuddin is bleeding profusely politically speaking, and if he doesn't stop haemorrhaging, he will lose whatever ancesteral leverage he has left to his advantage.

What Hisham says means nothing anymore to anyone. He is uselss and a wasted talent. In short Hishammuddin was someone with promising political prospects for higher office. But we can no longer ignore the gap between reality and the promise. His days of riding on his family name are numbered.

Hisham, if you can't make a difference, remain silent or risk looking daft. You are Chief Of the UMNO Youth!!! Live up to it!!!

THE MIGHT OF THE KERIS

Keris Panca Warisan. What a magnificent name for a Keris. It is claimed that it almost brought the downfall of the Barisan Nasional in the recent General Elections. Yes indeed ladies and gentlemen, it wasn't the blatant arrogance of the UMNO leaders campaigning in their flashy cars, showing off their corporate friends from the City promising to bring vast development translating into a higher cost of living in an already comfortable area; It wasn't the reckless eagerness of candidates forcing the PM's hand to allow them to stand in constituencies they have no business contesting in, thereby denying the local leaders who were much, much more deserving the privilige to serve; It wasn't the brash leaders of one or two component parties within the Barisan Nasional who were behaving like the opposition in residence while the DAP were the opposition in exile, questioning openly the government's stand on several issues discarding the opportunity to discuss it in the weekly Cabinet meetings. No, it wasn't the failure of the other component parties to convince their constituents to consider the good work they have done for the community and not the petty antics of a youth leader who was merely trying to inject spirit into his members in an annual general assembly. No, it wasn't the major failure of a feared leader who has ruled his party with an iron fist for more than 20 years to improve the economic status of his people, but whose family lives very comfortably nontheless, leading to his community spreading their discontent on the Streets of Ampang. No it wasn't the failure of a leader who didn't take obvious pre-emptive measures over seditious remarks that led to an open and violent demonstration that literally cracked the head of a police personnel. The list goes on for many of the more obvious reasons that should take precedence over the matter of a ritual in an Annual Meeting of a Malay party. The Keris it seems has more power to negate all the good work done by all the politicians of all ethnic backgrounds stacked together in Barisan Nasional. Can you swallow this theory? If you can, then you must have a big and deep throat.

" Our dignity does not depend on the Keris" , said the Deputy Prime Minister, but he must remember that it is our symbol nonetheless. The Keris is placed in the centre of the UMNO flag and also the logo, and Hishammuddin has admitted that he "cannot defend the symbol of our heritage", which is smack in the middle of both.

So to summarise. The Keris is not our dignity but is no less the symbol of our heritage placed in everything that is UMNO that Hishammuddin cannot defend.

In conclusion. Hishammuddin's enhancement in Malay politics might be cut down to bits by the very Keris that he brandished. It is said by a wise man that the Keris, once unsheathed will protect the person as long as he uses its power with full responsibilty and fairness in the struggle for the community. If there is impurity in its use, then the hand that grips it will in turn earn its wrath.

If the Custodian of the Panca Warisan cannot defend it, then he should not be accorded the privilige that comes with the responsibility. With God's will, those who have forsaken it will be delivered a cruel hand come December 2008.

Such is the might of The Keris.

RESPONSIBLE LEADERSHIP BY EXAMPLE

The General Elections have passed and we’ve witnessed the worst winning record Barisan Nasional has ever scored in the history of this country. Contrary to general consensus, we didn’t lose the elections, we only lost 5 States and 10 out 11 Parliamentary seats in the Federal Territory.

Naturally, in such shocking circumstances (by BN standards), everyone’s crying for blood in the political sense. It burns the blood even more when everyone down to the grassroots are asked by the members of the UMNO Supreme Council to look upon themselves to self-criticize, evidently to distract the nation from their hand in this widely uncelebrated victory.

Besides a very small number of “straight from the hip shooters” like Shahrir Samad and Zaid Ibrahim, (who have been appointed ministers leaving there a smaller number yet of straight shooters among the members) a larger number of officials in this beloved party of ours prefer to remain quiet and is only seen to come out fighting not in the name of God or the Party but to defend our leader. What they fail to realize is that if they took personal responsibility for the sake of the party on a collective decision made based on their reports, the President wouldn’t have to be defended as those more directly responsible would have cushioned the deep impact that came with the worst winning record for the Barisan in 50 years.

I personally take umbrage on behalf of the thousands in my division whom I have witnessed work tirelessly to maintain the comfortable hold that UMNO has in our constituency , to the fact that WE are asked upon by esteemed members of the Supreme Council to self criticize and look at our own mistakes ( that is my understanding of “muhasabah diri”). The grassroots in UMNO are like "the forward pack" while the leaders are like the backs in rugby. The “forwards” work like cows to win the ball only for the "backs" to score and take all the glory. It is usually the forwards who come out ugly and dirty while the backs sometime come out of the game with minimal dirt on their shirts with lovely companions at the party afterwards.

Why should the members below have to look within themselves for fault when year in and year out at the branch and divisional delegates meetings, they have identified through their motions the problems being faced within their respective communities? In addition, in the meetings they also expressed their fears and even identified the problems they would face in their respective branches come election time. Have those at the UMNO house in PWTC taken their fears seriously?

The government has a good number of intelligence sources all over the country. I know in my division alone we have these officers who interview people in villages and parks and take notes to file reports. Many of these agencies exist to check on the general sentiments on the ground and send these reports to the top echelon at state and federal levels. They also check up on possible candidates to ensure that they are well screened and squeaky clean. This is not an advantage that is enjoyed by the opposition. So, with the reports from the thousands of UMNO branches and the advantage of having these government agencies serving the leaders, shouldn’t they be in a position to make the best possible decisions in relation to the general elections?

I ask again, why should we on the ground be asked to self criticize when we have been providing the true picture and statistics to the top? We don’t make the decisions, the Supreme Council does and if this is the result, I’m beginning to wonder what usually transpires in that august meeting room weekly. Do all these people speak the truth to our President, or do they even speak? I’m told of at least one person in there who has not spoken once since holding office by virtue of a quota from one of the wings. Do we need passengers in the Supreme Council? The wings are already represented by their respective leaders in there, why add more representatives if they can’t give good input to the leadership?

I would like to shorten your misery reading this article by sincerely congratulating Dr Khir Toyo for taking the bold (because it is almost never done in our form of politics) and responsible step of withdrawing from holding the office as Chairman of the Selangor Barisan Nasional and Selangor UMNO Liaison Committee. This is indeed a handsome gesture showing responsible leadership that needs to be emulated by his peers that suffered the same hand in the last General Elections. A leader taking responsibility is indeed a rare breed in Malaysia. Very seldom one owns up until he is truly exposed as we’ve seen in many cases before.

Dr Khir’s action displays his respect and love for the party and even more, his sincere respect and support for the President and Prime Minister. If the other Menteris Besar and State Liaison Chiefs had taken full responsibility for their losses in their respective states, the Prime Minister wouldn’t have been under much pressure to resign. Did they hand in their reports to the Supreme Council before the PM announced the dissolution of Parliament? Did they run a mock run of the elections in their States? Who were their sample voters? What were the results?


Those members of the Supreme Council from Vice President downwards would have defended the President more accurately had they collectively called for the resignation of the State Liaison Chiefs that lost BN’s control in their respective states instead of hanging on to the age old Malay cliché of “ Ini bukan masanya untuk menuding jari”, and asking us to “muhasabah diri”. The former is usually employed to absolve those saying it from any responsibility. The selfishness of the losing State Liaison Committee Chiefs and their fake support for our President is evident in the absence of responsibility being taken. I ask these Malay leaders who so loosely use this cliché, when is it ok for the mass to point their fingers? There is a strong contradiction in their call. What is the point of holding postmortems if you do not intend to point the finger on the causes of the defeats in these states?

The Prime Minister is not totally responsible for the defeat. This is debatable but I can swallow it. What I cannot accept is that none of those more directly responsible for the State defeats barring the good Dr Khir Toyo is stepping up to take full responsibility for the defeats. The Supreme Council has also failed to pressure them to this end. The Prime Minister is sincere in wanting to instill integrity in the running of this great Nation. It is sad to see that very few of those whom he has entrusted in UMNO are willing to carry out his pure aspirations. I strongly urge those Members of the Supreme Council who have failed to speak the sincere truth and assist the President accordingly in the management of UMNO and the country, to withdraw from contesting in the coming UMNO elections. The UMNO delegates are well informed today and I’m sure they will make the right choices.

As it is the will of God that disposes while men proposes, as a practicing Muslim, I surrender my arguments but all things being equal, leaders have to take some responsibility and not blame God for their actions.

Dr Khir Toyo has shown great strength in taking responsibility and putting UMNO above self interest. Let us hope the same light is shown upon the State Liaison Chiefs of UMNO Kedah, Perak and Kelantan. Let us see if they are sincere supporters of YAB Datuk Seri Abdullah Hj Ahmad Badawi.

Finally, I read a few days ago a comment by a leader that “for a person to ask someone to step down he must first have some credibility. I put it to him if he is reading, what political credibility will we all have if UMNO is no longer deemed relevant amongst the Malays?

LEVEL HEADED RESPONSE NEEDED

One of the many reasons why Malays are feeling tired with UMNO and have turned elsewhere in search of an alternative party that also represents the Malays and Islam is because many UMNO leaders tend to insult their intelligence by not pausing to think before they speak in response to reporters, whose main aim is to pit one UMNO leader against another just to acquire cheap publicity and news. These same leaders also say one thing while blatantly exhibiting the contrary, in the same interview. Some also make the most illogical statements thinking the Malays watching are silly enough to absorb whatever they say without processing it. Let me justify my comment.

While we flip the TV channel away from the loud mouthed Melodi host from TV3, we pause and pay attention when UMNO leaders make press conferences thinking that there are important messages for the grassroots. Last night, little did we realize when we watched yet another press conference by the recently dropped Wanita leader and her deputy, that they would behave not unlike the TV host from Melodi, instead of showing class, finesse and strong leadership of the likes of Tun Fatimah Hashim and Tan Sri Aishah Ghani, the Wanita leaders of the past.

Emotions were running high in the press conference and despite the many microphones placed on the table in front of them, they were speaking loudly, insinuating that there are outsiders trying to break them up, evidently displacing their disappointment and clearly trying hard to hide their contempt for the Prime Minister’s decision of not appointing anyone from the Wanita Exco to the Cabinet.

While asking all the UMNO members to come and ”gel” the party together and “not have factions within the party”, Rafidah and her gang showed strong animosity towards Azalina Othman, a second term Cabinet Minister who is an UMNO member and is a woman by gender but not quite accepted to represent the wing.

This is clearly an instance where emotions spoke without the benefit of intellect and the hypocrisy was shown on TV and felt by the viewers. The hypocrisy is in the call for the grassroots to mend their ways to heal the party yet the bigwigs in the party are openly showing contempt for each other. This is what makes the Malays sick to the bone.

I used the word “gang” two paragraphs above because it seems like the Wanita is creating a party within a party and the leadership of the wing is using this and their membership numbers to extort the top leadership with many demands, often reminding everyone of their strength.

Sharizat said “ We have one common struggle. No one should underestimate the spirit of Wanita UMNO. Please remember we will rise again.”

No one here is underestimating their spirit, and the wing has not fallen from grace just because their leader is not in the Cabinet. If Wanita is a wing representing the gender, then there is a very capable Minister in Azalina and, although Sharizat didn’t win in the last elections, she still carries Ministerial status and is an Advisor to the Prime Minister. The Prime Minister decided to field new faces. I’m sure the Wanita wing that is 1.3 million strong which includes Azalina has equally if not more capable leaders to allow Rafidah to rest from the Cabinet after 20 odd years. There are 1.3 million members to choose from for heaven’s sake.

Had Noraesah or Sharizat won their seats, we would be very surprised if they were not appointed full ministers. How many of the current EXCO members won their seats and of the few, how many are academically qualified and have good command in the Malay and English languages? A Ministerial post is not quite the same with a State Executive Councilor’s post, if they are considering the lady from Johor, because it is more universal and the one offering stewardship must be of the same caliber of Rafidah, Sharizat or Noreasah. By looking at those behind Rafidah last night, I’d say the Prime Minister made the right decision.

It is time for the elders to start grooming the young and qualified to replace them so that they won’t have to hog the position for decades.

UMNO Leaders should also refrain from commenting on issues brought to them by reporters which they have no inkling of. For instance, they shouldn’t dismiss Tengku Razaleigh’s effort to call on everyone to discuss the issues without carefully giving it enough thought, or even viewing his full press conference. Dismissing people is easy. Even my 10 year old can do it. More importantly do they have a better plan or do they just know how to make passive comments about their peers in the same Party as though they are wiser? It’s alright to dismiss one’s effort if an alternative one of a better scale is put in its place. These people would have more respect from us than the pessimist within our leadership.

One statement that defies logic was uttered by the Youth Chief, that this time is “unsuitable” and not “conducive ” for anyone to offer himself to change the leadership. Now, I’m NOT saying that we need a leadership change here but I’m just challenging Hishammuddin’s statement for clarification. The party just lost 5 States and 10 out of the 11 Parliamentary seats in the Federal Territory. This is undoubtedly the worst record in the history of Barisan Nasional. Despite the strong feeling amongst the UMNO Supreme Council, everything is not hunky dory within the party on the ground. Now, thinking with a clear and lucid mind, would this be a good time to make a change or would it be easier to do so when we command 90% of Parliament, recapture all the lost States and have the UMNO party at its strongest? Logic would dictate that under no circumstances should the party leadership be changed when we are at our strongest position. It would be political suicide for the challenger.

Again, not well thought of comments such as these from second line leaders pisses off the well informed Malays of today because they simply won’t swallow the verbal diarrhea that comes from these people.

Leaders should just remember that we have constitutions i.e. Federal Constitution for Malaysia and the UMNO Constitution for the Party etc. Let’s just follow them and refrain from forming unnecessary and silly opinions. One doesn’t have to speak just because reporters stick a microphone near one’s mouth. More often than not reporters start instigating by spinning the question to draw an angry remark and true enough, one says something unintelligent feeding them with more ammunition to instigate the original source with one’s response. For example: Tengku Razaleigh didn’t hold a press conference to announce his bid for the Presidency but to explain about the widely circulated letter to all the branch leaders. He was however asked by one reporter if he would contest for the President’s post. His response was he would only if the members wanted him to and if he had enough support. Even he didn’t think it was an easy achievement. Now having heard that, the reporters itched to reach other leaders within the party to spin the question and put it like this; ” Dato’, what are your comments on Tengku Razaleigh’s announcement that he is challenging Pak Lah for UMNO President?” (Making it sound like the Press conference was solely to launch his challenge for the seat). Why do these overzealous second-liners in UMNO always fall into the reporters trap like this? I would have thought those whom I voted in to lead were intelligent enough not to be manipulated by the media and stacked against each other like clowns. Pak Lah has more sense when dealing with these culprits; either dismiss them or be short and sassy.

Coming back to Tengku Razaleigh’s suggestion, since it is not seen or felt like the members of the UMNO Supreme Council is assisting the President in solving the issue at hand facing the party, he has called UMNO members to seek an EGM to frankly discuss the problems we faced in the recent elections as provided for in the UMNO constitution.. It may be supported by the grassroots, but if an affirmative action plan is seen initiated by the Supreme Council, the grassroots might just reject Tengku Razaleigh’s suggestion. Members can think, weigh the consequences and decide wisely for themselves without having to be told what to do by people with vested interests at the top.

Similarly, his offer to stand in the election for President of UMNO should not be over-killed to the extent that people support him not because they believe in him but out of spite for the second-liners who are overzealous in showing their support for the incumbent. Why the much hue and cry over such an offer which is provided for in the Constitution? Why do people have to form an opinion on it other than say it is his right and wish him good luck in getting the 58 nominations to qualify? He has offered himself before but only managed one nomination. The members are matured enough to make the right decision without being treated like children.
The more sensible voices amongst the second line UMNO leaders came from Khaled Nordin and Muhyiddin Yassin. The Higher Education Minister Mohamed Khaled Nordin said today that Tengku Razaleigh has every right to offer himself for the post of UMNO President and members have the same rights to reject him too. "That is his right. If the members do not support him, that is also their right," said the Johor UMNO Liaison Committee Deputy Chairman after attending a meeting with branch leaders of the Pasir Gudang division.

UMNO Vice President and new Minister for International Trade and Industries Muhyiddin Yassin also didn’t object outright to Tengku Razaleigh’s suggestion for the EGM. "Please ensure that whatever action we take will not weaken the party. If it can strengthen the party, then we cannot prevent it. "It's up to Ku Li (Tengku Razaleigh). As a member of the UMNO Supreme Council, I believe in the party constitution. He is free to do what he likes as long as it is not against the constitution," he said.

Those who are quick to jump to the microphone every time a reporter shows up should learn from these two leaders on how to address the media.

SIAPA YANG HARUS MEMUHASABAH DIRI?

Pilihanraya umum yang ke-12 telah pun berakhir dan keputusannya sudahpun diketahui umum. Sungguh memeranjatkan!.

Pada malam 8 Mac 2008, saya dan rakan-rakan yang telah memerhatikan Bilik Gerakan BN Pengkalan Rinting (A) di kediaman saya selama 37 hari di Pulai Johor, telah bersetuju untuk memerhatikan keputusan-keputusan pilihanraya dari seluruh Negara di Saujana, iaitu kediaman rasmi Dato’ Menteri Besar Johor. Sambil membuat persiapan, saya mengikuti rancangan di beberapa rangkaian televisyen Malaysia dan mendapati bahawa berulang-ulang kali keputusan kemenangan yang sama dari Sabah dan Sarawak diumumkan. Dengan rasa kurang senang, kami melayari laman maya (internet) untuk mendapat keputusan-keputusan terkini dari tempat lain. Sebagaimana yang kami sangkakan, laman berita dimaya memberi keputusan dengan pantas dan tepat membuat rasa tidak sedap hati itu bertukar menjadi realiti. Banyak kerusi-kerusi di 5 buah negeri telah jatuh ketangan pembangkang. Keputusan-keputusan ini belum dikeluarkan di televisyen yang masih lagi mengulangi keputusan kemenangan yang sama selama setengah jam.

Kami pun membuat keputusan untuk menangguhkan rancangan kita ke Saujana oleh kerana yakin hanya keputusan dari rangkaian televisyen utama yang kurang telus dan tepat sahaja yang akan ditayangkan disana.

Keputusan untuk ke Saujana hanya dibuat setelah kami mendapat tahu bahawa negeri-negeri Kedah, Pulau Pinang dan Selangor sudah jatuh ketangan pembangkang dan negeri Perak juga menuju ke nasib yang sama.

Sampai sahaja kami di Saujana, sepertimana yang di jangkakan, ramai yang berada di sana masih tidak tahu menahu tentang kejatuhan Kedah dan Selangor ketangan pembangkang dan sebaik ianya dimaklumkan, suasana bertukar menjadi muram dan gusar kerana dengan Kelantan dan Pulau Pinang, ia bererti 4 buah negeri sudah bukan di bawah pemerintahan kita lagi. Kemudiannya dimaklumkan juga bahawa Perak telah jatuh ketangan lawan dan di Wilayah Persekutuan, kita telah kalah 10 dari 11 kerusi Parlimen.

Tiba-tiba mee rebus dan pasembur yang di hidangkan di Saujana terasa tawar. Kehangatan darah yang mengalir di tubuh kita pun seolah-olah terasa beku.

Alhamdulillah, di Johor, kita menang 25 dari 26 kerusi parlimen dan 50 dari 56 kerusi DUN. Tetapi tumpuan beralih kepada keputusan yang tidak disangka-sangka dikawasan dan negeri-negeri lain.

Dalam mencari-cari mengapa terjadinya tsunami politik yang melanda kami ini, kami diberitahu di antaranya mungkin kerana 82 ketua-ketua bahagian tidak terpilih untuk menjadi calon-calon dipilihanraya yang lepas. Selain dari mereka yang dengan rela mengundur diri seperti Ketua UMNO Bahagian Kluang, Datuk Ghaffar Garahu, adakah yang lain ikhlas dan menerima keputusan itu dengan penuh rela hati? Mungkinkah penyokong-penyokong mereka boleh menerima keputusan untuk tidak mencalonkan ketua mereka itu dan terus berkerja keras untuk calon yang lain? Mereka sahaja yang boleh menjawabnya.

Diperhatikan juga ramai dikalangan calon-calon pula yang telah melobi dan berjaya menjadi calon di kawasan atau negeri tempat mereka dilahirkan namun mereka menetap sepenuh masa di Kuala Lumpur dan tidak pernah peduli untuk mengunjungi kawasan yang mereka hendak mewakili waimah seminggu sekalipun. Sedangkan manusia yang berpasanganpun memerlukan lebih kurang setahun untuk berkenalan sebelum membuat keputusan untuk bernikah, adakah mereka fikir jangkamasa dua minggu berkempen itu cukup untuk berkenalan dan bermesra dengan 50 ribu pengundi dikawasan baru itu? Adakah mereka telus dan ikhlas kepada Perdana Menteri apabila mereka melobi dan meyakinkan beliau tentang kemenangan yang boleh diraih oleh mereka di tempat yang mereka sendiri dianggap seperti orang asing? Adakah ia adil pula kepada mereka-mereka yang sudah mencurahkan jiwa, raga dan segala kemewahan demi untuk bangsa Melayu di kawasan masing-masing, dan menaiki hairaki UMNO dibahagiannya secara berperingkat-peringkat dari bawah selama 20 tahun semata-mata untuk melihat orang luar menjadi calon di kawasannyua itu? Inilah persoalan yang selalu bermain-main dibibir orang-orang tempatan dan penganalisa politik UMNO amnya di seluruh Negara.

Turut diperhatikan ialah trend dimana setiausaha-setiausaha politik, pegawai-pegawai khas menteri-menteri dan setiausaha eksekutif Perhubungan Negeri yang mungkin tidak memegang jawatan tinggi didalam bahagian tetapi diberi tempat atau dicadangkan untuk menjadi calon. Ini bererti perkhidmatan mereka kepada Menteri lebih di hargai dari perkhidmatan pemimpin-pemimpin tinggi di bahagian yang dipilih oleh akar umbi, kepada masyarakatnya.

Di pasca pilihanraya setelah kita mengalami kekalahan yang paling teruk dalam sejarah (kekalahan 5 negeri dan 10 dari 11 kerusi parlimen di Wilayah Persekutuan), kita diakar umbi pula disuruh bermuhasabah diri oleh Naib-naib Presiden dan ahli-ahli Majlis Kerja Tertinggi UMNO. Persoalannya sekarang,siapakah yang harus berbuat demikian memandangkan di peringkat bahagian-bahagian dan cawangan-cawangan, kita telah bertungkus lumus dan bermati-matian untuk menegakkan keunggulan parti dan segala rumusan dan suara-suara sumbang dari peringkat bawahan sudahpun di utarakan melalui usul-usul dan ucapan penangguhan disetiap Persidangan Agung UMNO Bahagian-bahagian untuk dibawa keperingkat pusat. Adakah usul-usul dan cadangan-cadangan dari peringkat bawah ini diambil perhatian dengan teliti oleh pihak MKT? Kerajaan mempunya berbagai-bagai agensi risikan di bawah mereka dari JASA, Cawangan Khas, risikan tentera, BKN, Kemas dan lain-lain. Adakah hasil risikan mereka ini yang diajukan kepada pihak atasan diambil kira langsung? Apa pula dengan laporan-laporan dari Pengerusi-pengerusi Perhubangan Negeri-negeri yang berkenaan? Hukum akal yang semporna akan membuktikan jika ianya diambil kira secara menyeluruh, mustahil kita boleh menerima azhab kekalahan di 5 negeri dan Wilayah Persekutuan.

Maka dari pandangan kami di peringkat bawahan ini, yang SEHARUSNYA MEMUHASABAH DIRI adalah pemimpin-pemimpin atasan khususnya Ahli-ahli Majlis Kerja Tertinggi dan Pengerusi-pengserusi Perhubungan UMNO Negeri yang turut menghadiri mesyuarat tertinggi UMNO. Y.A.B. Perdana Menteri merangkap Presiden UMNO tidak boleh dibenarkan memikul tanggungjawab ini berseorangan melainkan jika masalah-masalah dan petanda-petanda cemas atau nasihat yang telah diajukan kepada beliau oleh ahli-ahli MKT tidak dihiraukan dan keputusan secara keseorangan diambil.

Pengerusi Perhubungan UMNO Negeri Selangor iaitu Dato’ Seri Dr Mohd Khir Toyo telah mengambil langkah yang tepat dalam meletakkan jawatannya sebagai peneraju kepimpinan UMNO dan Barisan Nasional Selangor. Langkah ini wajib diikuti oleh Pengerusi-pengerusi Perhubungan UMNO dan BN negeri Kedah, Perak dan Kelantan. Sebagai Pengerusi-pengerusi, merekalah yang seharusnya arif tentang masalah yang di alami oleh BN di negeri masing-masing dengan jentera-jentera kerajaan yang lengkap dibawah pemerintahan kita untuk membantu mereka. Perlu di ingat pihak pembangkang tidak mempunyai kelebihan menggunakkan jentera-jentara ini. Apakah laporan atau hasil dari “election mock run” yang dibuat oleh mereka ini? Siapakah “sample” rakyat yang di jadikan pengundi? Adakah semuanya laporan baik yang dipersembahkan di dalam mesyuarat Majlis Kerja Tertinggi?

Jika mereka benar-benar ikhlas dalam hendak mempertahankan Presiden UMNO dan Perdana Menteri kita, maka merekalah orang-orang yang pertama tanpa teragak-agak seharusnya meletakkan jawatan supaya tekanan terhadap Perdana Menteri untuk mengundur diri menjadi hambar dan kurang bermakna. Naib-naib Presiden, Ketua Penerangan dan yang lain-lain di dalam MKT seharusnya dengan nada yang sama menuntut Pengerusi-pengerusi Perhubungan ini (jika memberi laporan salah di dalam mesyuarat) untuk mengundur diri supaya maruah dan integriti yang selama ini ditekankan oleh Perdana Menteri didalam kerajaan kita sentiasa di jaga. YAB Perdana Menteri telus dan ikhlas dalam usahanya untuk menegakkan integriti didalam kerajaan beliau tetapi malangnya pemimpin-pemimpin yang dibawah beliau tidak mahu mendukung asprisai beliau itu. Ini menunjukkan bahawa kepentingan peribadi mereka adalah lebih mustahak dari kepenting parti dan sokongan mereka kepada Datuk Seri Presiden adalah semata-mata sokongan yang palsu.

Sebaliknya, untuk mengelakkan diri dari mengambil tanggungjawab yang diamanahkan rakyat dan perwaklian UMNO, mereka mengambil jalan senang untuk menyuruh kita pula supaya “tidak menuding jari”. Perlu mereka menginsafi andaikata Pengerusi-pengerusi Perhubungan negeri-negeri ini lebih bertanggungjawab diatas kekalahan mereka, maka akar umbi sendiri akan membela Datuk Seri Presiden dari menerima tekanan yang kuat.dari mana-mana pihak. Kebiasaannya, orang yang bersalah samada secara langsung atau tidak yang selalu menyuruh orang lain supaya jangan menuding jari.

Ada juga dikalangan pemimpin-pemimpin yang saya sanjungi menggunakan perkataan “hikmah” dan “ taqdir “sebagai alasan. Apabila Taqdir Illahi sudah dimasukkan didalam sesuatu perbahasan, sebagai umat Islam yang taat, saya terpaksa akur tetapi saya tahu bahawa pertanggungjawaban juga dituntut di dalam Agama Islam. Ironinya, pemimpin yang saya masih sanjung ini ( kerana beliau bersifat terbuka dengan perbahasan walaupun ianya bertentangan dengan pandangan beliau ) pernah memegang jawatan dalam jawatnakuasa kira-kira wang Negara. Seharusnya beliau lebih menekankan tentang pertanggungjawaban didalam tugas disamping kewangan walaupun ada hikmah disebalik semuanya yang berlaku. Tidak mungkin alasan hikmah itu boleh menenangkannya jika wang Negara telah tersalah guna dan beliau pula yang ditanggungjawabkan untuk mencari puncanya.

Berbalik kepada persoalan siapakah yang harus memuhasabah diri. Ramai yang hendak melakukan postmortem. Postmortem biasanya dilakukan kepada mayat untuk mendapatkan sebab-sebab kematian dan bukti-buktinya boleh digunakan didalam kes-kes pembunuhan untuk membawa sipenjenayah itu kemuka pengadilan.

Andaikata mayat itu dilanggar oleh bas penumpang yang laju, umpamanya, maka postmortem tidak perlu dilakukan kerana sudah tentu simati itu meninggal dunia kerana kepalanya pecah dan tulangnya hancur dan bukan matinya kerana kencing manis atau darah tinggi.

Maka, dalam konteks politik pula, jika kita sudah tahu sebab-sebab kekalahan ini, buat apa lagi perlu dipostmortemkan? Jika ia dilakukan juga, apakah mereka bersedia bertanggungjawab apabila hasil postmortem itu menunjukkan kelemahan mana-mana pihak atau hanya mengenal pasti kelemahan itu untuk tujuan simpanan fail? Jika kesilapan yang besar boleh kita maafkan, maka pihak yang ditanggungjawabkan pada masa-masa akan datang tidak akan mengambil terlalu berat akan amanah yang dipikulnya nanti. Allahu Alam.

Maka saya merayu kepada Pengerusi-pengerusi Perhubungan UMNO dan BN Negeri-negeri Kedah, Perak dan Kelantan untuk mengikuti jejak Dato’ Seri Dr Khir Toyo demi untuk mendukung dan mempertahankan integriti parti selaras dengan aspirasi YAB Datuk Seri Presiden. Syabas Dato’ Seri Dr Khir kerana andalah yang benar-benar menyokong kepimpinan Presiden dan menjaga integriti sebagai pemimpin UMNO.

Presiden UMNO sahaja mungkin tidak harus dipertanggungjawabkan. Perbahasan ini boleh diterima walaupun pahit, tetapi ahli-ahli MKT yang gagal membantunya harus mengambil tanggungjawab dan berundur dari menerajui atau menawarkan diri untuk duduk di kerusi empok Majlis Kerja Tertinggi UMNO di masa akan datang. Insha’Allah, para perwakilan sudah celik dan tahu tentang perkembangan diperingkat UMNO pusat dan akan lebih berwaspada apabila memilih calon-calon yang menawarkan diri dipemilihan akan datang.