APAKAH SEBAB PERLEMBAGAAN UMNO HENDAK DI PINDA DAN SIAPAKAH YANG SEBENARNYA MENDAPAT KEUNTUNGAN DARINYA?

"Dengan cadangan pindaan yang dilakukan secara musyawarah, bermakna mandat untuk memilih pemimpin pusat akan diserahkan ke tangan lebih ramai ahli Umno sehingga di peringkat akar umbi, sepertimana cadangan sebelum ini.” Inilah yang dikatakan oleh Setiausaha Agong UMNO Malaysia sebagaimana dilaporkan di Bernama kelmarin.

1. APAKAH SEBAB UTAMA PERLEMBAGAAN INI HARUS BERTUKAR MEMBOLEHKAN LEBIH RAMAI AHLI UMNO MEMILIH PEMIMPIN PUSAT? ADAKAH IANYA DENGAN HARAPAN UNTUK MEMBENTERAS RASUAH POLITIK?

Manakah yang lebih ramai? Jumlah tangan yang memberi rasuah untuk mendapatkan tempat di Majlis Kerja Tertinggi UMNO atau tangan yang menerima di kalangan perwakilan yang telah teruk di hina dan dicaci oleh perasuah-perasuah ini di dalam media? Sudah tentu tangan yang menghulur rasuah lebih sedikit jumlahnya dan jika mereka ini di ambil tindakan dengan tegas dan secara telus tanpa memilih kasih, sudah tentu rasuah boleh dihapuskan kerana jika tiada langsung orang yang memberi rasuah, maka tiadalah yang menerimanya menyebabkan para perwakilan terpaksa mengundi juga nama-nama yang mereka fikir benar-benar boleh berkhidmat sebagai Ahli Majlis Kerja Tertinggi.

Jangan kita fikir sesekali bahawa rasuah politik boleh dibenteras dengan cara meramaikan ahli2 yang mengundi. Penjenayah politik ini, ideanya sememangnya hebat dan cerdik, mereka akan sentiasa mencari kaedah bagaimana hendak mencapai matlamatnya dan jika ramai ahli yang terbabit dalam pengundian, mereka akan menggunakan system piramid semacam “direct selling” untuk mencapai matlamat mereka itu. Kita sudah melihat bagaimana nama-nama orang-orang yang tidak pernah disebut-sebut di dalam bahagian UMNO kita berkumandang apabila lepas satu, satu perwakilan cawangan merampas microfon untuk mencadangkan nama-nama mereka di mesyuarat Agong UMNO Bahagian yang lepas.

Ini bukan cara untuk membenteras rasuah politik, ini adalah cara untuk MENGFARA’IDKAN dengan lebih luas lagi rasuah politik dan memperkenalkannya pula di kalangan akar umbi. Jika benar usaha itu ikhlas untuk membenteras rasuah politik, maka tindakan tegas seperti perlucutan keahlian tanpa rayuan dan kelucutan kedudukan di dalam kabinet termasuk yang lain-lain hukuman yang lebih berat harus di praktikkan. Bukankah ianya lebih senang menjaga dengan teliti dan tegas tingkah laku para pemimpin yang merasuah dari menjaga 74,000 orang yang mungkin menerimanya nanti.

2. BUKANKAH KAEDAH INI AKAN MEMIHAK KEPADA PEMIMPIN-PEMIMPIN ATASAN YANG SEDIA ADA YANG SENTIASA DI PAPARAN TELIVISYEN DAN MEDIA CETAK?

Tentu sekali. Jika kita guna kaedah ini, maka ahli-ahli kabinet dan Timbalan-timbalan menteri yang inginkan kedudukan didalam Majlis Tertinggi akan menggunakan peruntukan kementerian mereka untuk menjelajah satu Semenanjung dan Sabah untuk mengadakan program- program dan membuat sidang akhbar supaya muka dan nama mereka sentiasa di lihat dan dibaca akar umbi memudahkan keadaan untuk mereka di calon dan sekali gus diundi manakala ahli2 yang lain yang sudah lama berkhidmat di kawasan masing-masing tanpa publisiti tetapi berpotensi yang ingin berkhidmat di peringkat pusat pula sudah tentu tidak akan berpeluang untuk dipilih walaubagaimana ikhlas pun mereka itu didalam perjuangannya. Dengan ini ahli-ahli MKT yang memegang jawatan di dalam kerajaan akan terus menerajui UMNO samada sehingga mereka meninggal dunia atau di hentikan dari memegang jawatan kerajaan. Jika ini berlaku, maka dimanakah akan terletaknya keinginan kita untuk melihat Parti menguasai Kerajaan?

3. JIKA 74,000 ORANG YANG AKAN MENGUNDI PUCUK PIMPINAN UMNO, ADAKAH KES-KES TERTENTU YANG ISTIMEWA UNTUK MEMBANTU AHLI-AHLI AKAR UMBI YANG LAYAK, AKAN DILAYAN OLEH PEMEGANG JAWATAN YANG INGIN KEKAL SEBAGAI AHLI MAJLIS TERTINGGI NANTI?

Jangan diharap ianya akan berlaku kerana dengan seramai demikian berbanding dengan 2000 perwakilan, mereka tidak perlu melayan permohonan seorang dua dari ahli-ahli akar umbi kerana jika 1000 orang pun yang tidak mengundi mereka, masih ada lagi 73,000 yang mungkin akan mengundi secara buta oleh kerana kedudukan yang mereka pegang itu. Sebaliknya jika system yang sedia ada ini di kekalkan, jika layanan buruk yang diberikan keatas satu-satu kes yang sahih yang memerlukan perhatian penyandang jawatan itu, maka padahnya akan menjadi buruk untuk pemimpin tersebut kerana untuk mempengaruhi 500 atau 1,000 orang teramat senang berbanding dengan 74,000 orang.

Pernah berlaku seorang pemimpin negeri mendapat pencalonan yang kedua tertinggi di kalangan 7 orang yang bertanding jawatan Naib Presiden UMNO. Tetapi oleh kerana beliau tidak berkhidmat dengan sempurna kepada ahli-ahli UMNO dinegerinya sementara ahli-ahli itu mendapat layanan yang cukup mesra oleh pemimpin-pemimpin negeri lain, maka semasa pemilihan tersebut, Hamba Allah yang mendapat pencalonan kedua tertinggi itu telah mendapat tempat yang ke enam.

Sememangnya sedap bunyinya jika didengar oleh ketua-ketua UMNO Cawangan dan para akar umbi apabila dikatakan bahawa mereka akan diberi kuasa untuk mengundi pucuk pimpinan parti, tetapi tanpa di sedari, mereka sendiri akan kehilangan kenikmatannya apabila ada masalah2 persekolahan atau perkerjaan anak-anak mereka yang memerlukan perhatian yang lebih sedikit dari para pemimpin memandangkan mereka tidak akan di layan di pejabat orang-orang yang mereka tolong naikkan didalam politik, kerana mereka adalah hanya SATU sahaja dari 74,000 orang yang mengundi. Jangan terperanjat jika ada nanti yang menjawab dengan sinis, “kalau saya nak tolong 74,000 orang macam awak yang mengundi saya, bila yang saya nak buat kerja saya ini?”

4. APAKAH KOS YANG DIPERLUKAN DIDALAM PEMILIHAN GERGASI SEPERTI INI, YANG MELIBATKAN LOJISTIC DAN HARI PENCALONAN YANG BERASINGAN DARI MESYUARAT CAWANGAN DAN BAHAGIAN?

Kesemuanya ini harus dihalusi dan ditimbang sebaik-baiknya sebelum kita membuat keputusan samada menyokong atau tidak pindaan Perlembagaan yang melibatkan pemilihan secara gergasi ini.

Siapakah yang sebenar-benarnya mendapat faedah dan menafaat dari Pindaan Perlembagaan ini? Tepuk dada tanya selera tetapi apabila keputusan sudah kita buat umpamanya di atas pengaruh beragenda sesuatu pihak, jangan disalahkan sesiapa lagi kerana kita yang harus bertanggungjawab diatas keputusan kita sendiri mengenai Pindaan Perlembagaan ini.

NAJIB IS CUTTING IT A LITTLE TOO THIN

Dato’ Sri Mohd Najib Tun Abdul Razak signing the letter of his appointment as the Sixth Prime Minister of Malaysia

Within the first 100 days in office, Prime Minister Dato’ Sri Najib Tun Razak had made many changes mostly relaxing the rigid policy on Bumiputera equity participation in the economy and other concerns perceived to have the same effect.

Let’s recapitulate and see how many announcements he has made regarding the matter.

1. 1 Malaysia.

2. Dissolution of the Ministry of Entrepreneur and Co-operative Development (MECD). This is the agency responsible for coordinating the development of Bumiputera entrepreneurs. The MECD when it was in existence provided training and development programmes to Bumiputera entrepreneurs.

3. Liberalization of 27 services sub-sectors in our economy, whereby the 30% Bumiputera equity is no longer mandatory in this area.

4. Merit-based scholarships and in the same breath hints of doing away with race based quotas by next year.

5. Deregulation of Investment Guidelines http://www.bernama.com/bernama/v5/newsindex.php?id=421826 cutting down the percentage of the mandatory Bumiputera equity in Malaysian companies seeking public listing, though 50% of the Public Shareholdings spread must be offered to them.

While I can appreciate that these changes will have positive affects to the Bumiputeras and the Nation as a whole, I fear that not enough information is forthcoming and reaching the Malays in the heartland which could prove to be costly for us if they are left to make their own interpretation to the changes in the government policies.

It seems UMNO Members of Parliament are in full support of the Prime Minister’s new economic policy. Yes well, that’s an understatement because they will always be the first to say they support him, either out of duty or sheer sucking up without comprehending the real situation, even if it is a brilliant idea on the Prime Minister’s part.

Now let us see if these overzealous UMNO MPs will do justice to the good efforts of the Prime Minister by going back to their constituents, particularly the Malays who are not too clear as to the mechanics of these newly introduced measures which DO NOT, contrary to consensus, alter the rights and privileges of the Malay people. Dato’ Sri Najib is putting too much faith in his UMNO soldiers to do the right thing for him. The UMNO Information Chief must crack the whip on these MPs to ensure that the Malays in the kampongs do not lose heart in view of the current standing due to the lack of understanding. In general they are feeling like the good Prime Minister is over-reaching and giving away too much. Trust me on it, I've been on the frontlines and had to face ballistic queries on these issues from branch leaders every weekend of late.

If UMNO fails to inform the heartland of this progressive yet harmless development, then their support for us which we have usually relied upon during general elections will grow thin, while the majority of the Chinese and Indians will remain with the opposition without a doubt in view of the weak and troubled MCA and the lost in trust of the Indian community towards MIC and PPP.

Let NOT Najib’s hands end what his father started.

ALLAH SELAMATKAN SULTAN!

Almutawakkil Alallah Sultan Iskandar Al-Haj Ibni Almarhum Sultan Ismail

Allah Selamatkan Sultan are the last three words from the Johor State Anthem known as the Lagu Bangsa Johor. The loyal Citizens in Johor usually pray for the well-being of H.R.H. the Sultan, the Royal family, government servants, the rakyat and for peace and harmony in the State in one go after Friday prayers every week. UMNO was given birth on the steps of the Johor Palace. As such, the rakyat feels like they have a special relationship and bond with H.R.H. the Sultan.

Yesterday His Highness’ decree delivered by the Tunku Mahkota, Tunku Ibrahim Ismail on his behalf at the opening of the State Assembly, rejected the proposed third bridge linking Johor to Singapore.

In the first place, the topic of the originally proposed Crooked Bridge has been a sore point in the souring relationship between Malaysia and Singapore mainly because of the cancellation of the project by the former Prime Minister Tun Abdullah Badawi on the false pretext that the cancellation was in the best interest and wishes of the Johor people. This was an outright lie because the Johor leaders were never consulted nor asked to seek feedback from the people they represented. I specifically remember not long after Dato Sri Najib Razak, the then Deputy Prime Minister, inspected the CIQ, he was asked whether the project was on track in a press conference and his answer was something to the effect that the government was going ahead with it and will not turn back on their decision. A week later, it was reversed and the decision was announced by Abdullah Badawi himself blind-siding Najib entirely, almost turning him into a liar. Naturally, being the Deputy, he had to concur with his Prime Minister.

The people of Johor became weary of Federal decisions made on the State of Johor in their name ever since the infamous “lie” by the former Prime Minister and this was compounded by the decision regarding Johor yet again by the same person, this time on the Joint Committee with the Singapore Government on the Iskandar Region.

We are wondering why the Johor Government, which is supposed to be the Custodian of the State and her people, remained silent when Abdullah lied about Johorians wanting the Crooked Bridge to be cancelled and we still wonder why the Johor Government are mute and is evidently agreeable to the Joint Committee with Singapore on matters regarding our Sovereignty in Iskandar. Do we not have qualified consultants who are equal to the task, perhaps those who’ve developed Kuala Lumpur, Selangor, Penang or even Putrajaya that we have to include our “not so friendly neighbour” to participate in this development? If Singapore wanted to develop Sentosa Island or even Jurong which is closer to Johor for instance, would they opt to form a Joint Committee with the Johor State Government? I think not.

I’ll just cut through the chase and say it straight up. We are fed up with our State representatives in the Assembly and the Johor State Government for not speaking their minds until it is too late. The idea of a third bridge linking us with Singapore was a rude shock when we were expecting an announcement of the revival of the Crooked Bridge instead. When I was asked about it once before, I was a little apprehensive about demanding for its revival in view of the economic outlook and wasn't sure whether the Prime Minister had the resources in his hands to afford such an endeavor not to mention the opportunity cost for it's resurrection. However, if we can afford to build a much longer bridge from Pengerang albeit with shared costs with our “nemesis” as announced by the Government, we can damned well afford the shorter bridge over the waters and within the territories of the Pulai UMNO Division as originally planned.

Surely being the head of the State Government, the Menteri Besar would know how the general public feels about it and he should be honest enough to convey the message to the Prime Minister instead of going along and taking for granted the support that we are currently enjoying from the people. Yes, Johor UMNO cured the disease from spreading by pressuring the former Prime Minster out of office. Let’s not have to do it again and save Johor from losing more seats to the opposition because of the lack of preventive measures taken by the Menteri Besar and the BN State Assemblymen who are there to serve the interest of the People, not the leaders in Putrajaya, least of all Singapore.

We, the Barisan Nasional are holding on by a thread in the other States and drowning in the affluent towns and cities in the Peninsula. Are we sure we can afford to gamble with the support from our stronghold in Johor by kowtowing and addressing the needs of our kiasu friends?

ARE YOU REALLY FEELING THE PULSE AND LISTENING TO THE HEARTBEAT OF THE PEOPLE?

Dato’ Sri Najib, the man I have always prayed for to be Prime Minister of Malaysia ever since I was twelve, should take a long hard look at Johor and have a dialogue with local leaders to get honest feedback and in his very own words during one of his rallies, “ feel the pulse and heartbeat of the Rakyat, “ because he sure is not getting those vibes from the State Government and the UMNO division chiefs who try to remain in his good books not knowing that by doing so and not giving him the true picture, they are hurting him and his aspirations to lift the country to greater heights.

The State leaders should be sincere to the Prime Minister by telling him of the real situation on the ground. Granted, perhaps this idea mooted by Dato’ Sri Najib is capital in the macro aspect because it will bring long term benefits to the East Coast not to mention allowing the rich Singaporeans to stretch the legs of their Ferraris and Porsches along the other length of the Peninsula. The Johor leaders should do their job earnestly and save H.R.H. Sultan Iskandar from having to intervene after having felt the heartache of his subjects, most of whom voted for the BN Ruling Government.

During the lapse in judgment of our State leaders in advising the Prime Minister of the weakening pulse and heartbeat of the Rakyat of Johor, we would like to offer our most humble gratitude to His Royal Highness Almutawakil Al-Allah Al-Sultan Iskandar Ibni Almarhum Sultan Ismail Ibrahim for alerting the national leadership of the same and wish His Royal Highness the very best of health under the protection and guidance of Allah The Most Gracious, Most Merciful.

ALLAH SELAMATKAN SULTAN! DAULAT TUANKU!

UMNO VICE PRESIDENTS PAY HOMAGE TO LEE KUAN YEW?

Two of my most admired personalities other than Tun Dr Mahathir; A young Lee Kuan Yew and Abdul Hamid Jumat of Singapore in this 2 June, 1958 file picture.

Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, Dato Sri Hishammuddin Hussein, and Datuk Seri Shafie Afdal were reported in the Malaysian Insider to have altogether paid a courtesy call on Singapore’s Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel in Kuala Lumpur. All three Ministers are Vice Presidents of UMNO.

Granted, the meeting was also with other officials who accompanied LKY on his official visit but why did our Ministers have to go to them at the Mandarin Oriental? Why couldn’t the meeting be at the conference room in the PM’s Department at Putrajaya? If indeed it was just a courtesy call and not an official one, why did it happen to be by three Ministers who are apparently also UMNO Vice Presidents? If Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong were to come, would he be accorded the same courtesy by our UMNO Vice Presidents? Have we officially recognized the position of a Minister Mentor while we don’t have one here?

Have the three UMNO Vice Presidents paid a courtesy call on the Tun at the Perdana Leadership Foundation for “45 minutes of advice and candor” ever since their victory to show their respect for the man who had shaped our Nation into being the fastest developing country in the world besides making UMNO a fully respected political party?

Whose idea was it that all three of them had to meet LKY? What was the reason behind it? Yes you may say that this posting is full of questions but isn’t it too coincidental just to be a matter of fact?

If we are doing it because LKY is a friend of the ruling government, then why, according to the same report in http://m.themalaysianinsider.com/articles.php?id=29162-young-leaders-welcome-lees-visit is he meeting with the opposition as well? When any of our officials go to Singapore, do you think he’d dare pay a courtesy call on the opposition party leader? Would he be accorded the same courtesy we are giving to LKY, i.e. providing police escort complete with sirens to meet with the opposition? We’re being thumbed in the nose and thanking him for it at the same time. This doesn’t send a good signal to the ground.

If anything, I hope at least these three stooges who are humble to the extent of being obedient LKY protégé wannabes, learnt 3 things from the Statesman whom I too admire as a leader in his own City State. They are:

1. How to make the minorities behave themselves, while taking pride and feeling like it’s a privilege in doing so.

2. How to deal with the opposition, i.e. bankrupt their backsides till they are left with only their singlets and shorts having lost their wives and family because of the same, and not being able to drive in posh vehicles to by-election campaigns.

3. How to control the Courts to the extent that it is more painful to go through the judicial process than to be stuffed under the I.S.A. making the latter available but insignificant.

Now if these UMNO Vice Presidents came out of the Mandarin Oriental having learnt all that during their courtesy call with my model politician, LKY, than I’d say it was a very good meeting indeed and hope that Mr Lee Kuan Yew would return to Malaysia on a follow up visit very soon.

WELCOME TO MALAYSIA HARRY!

NAJIB SHUTS THE DOOR ON CHIN PENG AND HIS COMMIE SYMPATHIZERS!

From left to right: Tan Sri Tengku Abdul Hamid Jumat, Mr David Marshall, Tun Sir Tan Cheng Lock, YTM Tunku Abdul Rahman Putra Alhaj on the way to the meeting with Chin Peng.

Standing second from left is Tan Sri Syed Jaafar Albar; extreme right is Tan Sri Tengku Abdul Hamid Jumat; seated from left to right are Mr David Marshall, YTM Tunku Abdul Rahman Putra Alhaj and Tun Sir Tan Cheng Lock at the Baling Talks.

Note : There is a letter dated 9th November 1957 from the then Prime Minister YTM Tunku Abdul Rahman Putra Alhaj to my late father preceeding the events in the two pictures above but I am awaiting clearance from the National Security Division before publishing it as it has the Prime Minister's seal with the words "Top Secret" marked on the top right hand corner of the document pertaining to the Baling Talks with Chin Peng.

Back to the present, Prime Minister Najib Razak took his time but was crisp in his message last week to the communist sympathizers residing in this country. NO ENTRY TO CHIN PENG!! (I won’t use the word homecoming because it is only for those whose home this is. It does not apply to this retired butcher!).

Some of my friends have aired similar sentiments to my earlier one that Chin Peng should be brought home to face charges for War Crimes. Though I agreed with the idea initially, on hindsight, I think it would bring chaos because certain parties will surely politicize the issue and demonstrate and this time, there WILL be blood on the streets. Furthermore, we don’t need his carcass to contaminate our soil!

According to Professor Dato’ Dr Ramlah Adam in the program Isu on TV1 Sunday night, due to certain sensitivities, some of the facts were suppressed since the beginning in fear of raising anger and anxiety among the people but since there have been recent calls for the return of Chin Peng by ignorant parties, what happened during those trying times have to be told, some of which were the tearing of the Quran by them and using pages from the Holy Book to clean their private parts with. This gives credence to the story told by the grandmother of a close friend who is also the mother of a former Minister from Pasir Salak, that the communists came into the kampongs and made speeches ordering the Muslims to perform their Friday prayers on Sundays instead. Naturally many of them never made it out of the kampongs after that and the Muslims who ventured into towns in return were never to be seen again in their kampongs. But we can see what their main agenda was. They wanted the Muslims to eventually give up their faith, abolish the Sultanates and rule by terror. Today, though indirect in the beginning stages, we can see that it is heading towards that, this time with the help of Malay traitors who openly defy the Perak Sultan’s decision in accordance to the Perak Constitution.

Therefore, instead of entertaining and responding to fake democrats who are communists at heart here in Malaysia, the Government would do better by looking up the records to see who were massacred by the communists and left to float in the river, and search for their families to give them some kind of compensation or recognition in the form of funds or pieces of land for their sacrifices in the service of the Nation.

The Commander in Chief, His Majesty the King should present it personally in a ceremony to show the Nation's gratitude, and to send a LOUD signal to the Commie lovers in this country that we give no quarter to their forefathers!

FOREIGN VIS-À-VIS LOCAL DATUKSHIP

The P.M.N. (Panglima Mangku Negara) was bestowed upon my late father by His Majesty the First Yang Di Pertuan Agong which first carried the title " Dato " but was later changed to " Tan Sri " maintaining the old Order or Initials.

I really can’t fathom the front page attention given to foreign Datukships being conferred on social climbers and the sort. I say that I can’t understand what the big fuss is all about because judging by the ridiculous number of people being conferred yearly by Their Royal Highnesses the Sultans and Their Excellencies the Yang Di Pertuas Negeri in Malaysia, the title of Datuk has become less significant and is almost of no value in today’s society.

I mean there have been occasions when one State gave out up to 90 Datukships at one time and in the usual events in other States except for the State of Johor Darul Taqzim, they run up to half a century every time. I have also seen some people of very dubious characters receiving these awards by Sultans, not knowing how to construct even one simple sentence in Bahasa Melayu. We have also read in the past that there were people receiving awards with police records. Again, I am wondering why we are fussing over foreign Datukships.

Once I was at a wedding and there were two speeches made on the evening, one by the bride’s father and the other by the groom’s buddy who was the sponsor for the wedding, a young gentleman who got rich the traditional way, by inheritance. Both speakers were Datuks. The first and elder one was a retired civil servant. I knew this because when the second chap spoke he said it was difficult for him, a corporate Datuk, to have his speech be compared to the more seasoned civil servant Datuk. What does that mean? Did he insinuate that his title was bought?

I also know of one lady who abuses her title to the max, talks down and loudly to people wherever she is regardless of the company she is with, talks with her mouth full and wears clothes like she has no mirror at home. Whenever I see this Dato’, I wonder if the person who recommended her to H.R.H. was mentally stable the day he made his decision. I also wonder if those conferring the awards know and are aware of the characters they pin their State Medals on. This lady Dato’, and I’m sure there are many more Dato's like her out there, reflects badly on the Palace every time she opens her mouth and people have asked me before with their heads shaking, "please tell me which State conferred this title on her?" Of course, without hesitation, I respond swiftly registering to them that Datukship from that particular State is of cheap value, not because it was purchased, but because of the high number it produces and the characters it is decorated on.

About three years ago, on two occasions I flipped through the newspapers and saw a congratulatory message for two gentlemen from the same company being conferred the title Dato’ by one of the Royal Houses in Malaysia. In another event I was introduced at a Country Club to a young Dato’ in his early 20s. I believed his title to be authentic because I was introduced to him by a former Menteri Besar before he retired. I wonder at that age, what could have been his deed to the State in question to deserve such an honour?

My argument here is that we should forget about highlighting the foreign Datukships as these procurers never misrepresented themselves as producing titles from local Palaces. Also those who were “donating” to their funds were well aware that they were conferment from a foreign land. Before we do take them seriously, we should first raise concerns over the almost unlimited number of Datukships given to people who have absolutely nothing to do with the respective States giving them out locally.

Gone are the days when initials followed the surnames like the one I saw in my late father’s call card that had P.M.N. (Panglima Mangku Negara) after his titled name. Perhaps it’s because so many fake Datuks are roaming around not wanting to be checked but feeling absolutely free because they are among tens of thousands with the same title in town. So outrageous are the number of Datuks today, even the car-jockeys at the hotels are calling everyone stepping out of their vehicles “Datuk” because nine times out of ten, he is spot on!

I strongly urge with the utmost respect and loyalty to the Royal Households in this country and the Government of the States with Governors, to restrict the decoration of Datukship to only those deserving and who have served in their respective States, to PRESERVE or rather RESTORE, the prestige and privilege that come with the title.

In this respect, I have the highest regard for the Johor Palace because the H.R.H. only bestows two or three of them every year to deserving civil servants in the State. Politicans and corporate people are the most difficult ones to receive this honour in the State for some reason. The Johor Palace can never be accused or suspected of “selling” the title to anyone.

I read in Fauziah Ismail’s blog Latte @ Chinoz on the Park, http://xmatters.blogspot.com/2008/12/johor-buzz-he-is-datuk-but-its-not-sir.html “ that the only Datukships recognised by England’s Court of St James are those from Johor and Kelantan ”. That explains, through my observation, why ladies and gentlemen who were decorated by these two Malay States carry themselves with utmost respect and honour.

p/s. Rule of thumb: Spelling for State decorations from Royalty is "Dato" while those from the Federal level and States with Yang Di Pertua Negeri is "Datuk".

FIRST UMNO BRANCH IN THE NATION TO PROPOSE THE ONE SCHOOL SYSTEM

Last Sunday I had to officiate the Taman Bukit Kempas UMNO branch meeting in my Division. It was attended by close to one hundred members, quite unusual as they usually come in the figure of 25 or 30 in a small branch although the members in it number up to 200 or more.

Their proposal was very simple but crystal clear. In his speech the gentleman questioned how we will achieve One Malaysia, an idea mooted by our Prime Minister, if we don’t have a One School System where children from all races can mingle and understand better each others’ culture and norm. He continued with a Malay proverb “ Melentur Buluh Biar Dari Rebung “, meaning if we want to shape the future we must start from the young. It makes perfect sense since being separated makes the Malay, Chinese and Indian children feel alien from one another understanding that they are different right from day one instead of feeling comfortable with each other only to ask later in their lives what their differences are making these differences insignificant. The proposal also emphasized on the usage of Bahasa Melayu as the compulsory National language and mode of communication in this country, a decree that has been abused, ignored and neglected in the last decade or so.

The Education Minister earlier rejected any effort by a group of responsible bloggers to promote the One School System and it is shameful that the rejection had to be done so hastily without due consideration. On the contrary, a few days ago, the Minister received a group of Chinese Educationist who sought more help and financial allocations to develop their schools including assistance for an independent Chinese school. I can’t understand how an “ independent ” entity seeks aid and subsidy but at the same time insists that they stay as independents. Again, this must be the sort of merit that they advocate.

I'm taking great pains in understanding how Malay Ministers / leaders can dismiss sensible requests from the Malay grassroots even before the issue gets warm while they allow outrageous demands from non-Malays to fester till it reaches boiling point where we then have to compromise. I’m wondering if we are beginning to sabotage ourselves in respect of the Malay votes in the future general elections. Have we all turned " masochists "?

REVERSE PSYCHOLOGY WITH MALICE

I’ve been reading the Malaysian Insider with much amazement lately. I’m amazed at how they can exponentially spin stories that would sometimes over-kill their sick agenda. Sometimes I read it not for the news but just to see how they’ll spin the damn thing.

A recent attempt is by far the most brilliant, reverse “psychologizing” ( I know it’s not a real word but there’s a perfect ring to it and you know what I mean) the government into perhaps appointing Ong Ka Chuan as the Malaysian Ambassador to China in their article entitled “A Chinese Heads For Beijing In A Gesture Of Trust “.

In the article it said “ In the past, the government has been reluctant to appoint Malaysian Indians or Chinese as the High Commissioner to India or ambassador to China because of worries about their loyalties to the motherland.”

They’re implying and it should rightfully be so based on recent developments, that to an extent the government doesn’t trust the diplomats of these ethnic origins to be commissioned in the country of their ancestors. They are hoping that by pre-empting the announcement, it would pressure the Prime Minister into following through with it in fear of being accused of breaching the “trust” after being commended for it earlier.

I’m sure being an exceptional graduate from the University of Nottingham, the Prime Minister will not be sucked into this mind game and give in to this attempt by malicious people of less intelligence, or will he?

THE MALAYSIAN INSIDER’S FETISH FOR CONTROVERSIAL FIGURES

Of late, this news portal has been giving an ex Mufti from Perlis some raving reviews, mainly I suspect because of his unorthodox stand on Islam. Some Malays from my observation like to take an opposing view inclined to the “ other side “ just to be popular and look like they’re “ intelligent ” when in actual fact they’re just being used as servants by irresponsible and malicious parties in exchange for a few exposures in their media.

The most recent case is the ex Mufti of a State which is probably not bigger than my UMNO division, who is claimed to be an influential scholar with a strong following among the young Muslims in this country. He is said to be in support of the word “Allah” being used by non Muslims and ” against the propensity of religious authorities in conducting raids on Muslim couples engaged in khalwat “. Naturally this will go down well with those inclined towards these activities, making him an” icon for progressive Muslim voices”.

He said that allowing the word Allah to be used by non Muslims would enable the religion to be spread amongst them. On the contrary, being honest, he forgets that Malays who are mainly Muslims are the easiest people to be led astray. This is most true by the existence of Mat Rempits, and the Malays’ fascination for cheap entertainment such as Jom Heboh, Akedemi Fantasia and the like. If for instance they are God fearing and practicing Muslims, would they forego their prayers just to participate and watch these events? The non Muslims however are stronger in their faith and would know how to differentiate the word Allah from their God and they wouldn’t be reading the Malay version of their articles in the first place. Looking at it at face value without taking these sensitivities into consideration, it frames a picture of a scholar who isn’t very bright.

On another article in the same portal the ex Mufti implied that the Sultan’s decision on Perak was being related to Islam by the BN government when in actual fact, it being tantamount to treason is the law of the land and has nothing to do with religion. In wanting us to stop equating Islam with being Malays, he is doing the exact thing by making infidels think that all this while Derhaka is presumed Islamic in nature and should be corrected.

Well, I guess we shouldn’t expect too much from a Muslim scholar who is doing research on Islam in WALES! It’s like a Roman Catholic scholar doing research on Catholicism in the Holy City of Mecca.

This is an example of the shady characters used by the Malaysian Insider to queer things up in the country.

STRIVE TO ACHIEVE ONE BN BEFORE PROMOTING ONE MALAYSIA

The hits just keep on coming from our “ trusted ” and “ loyal ” buddies from the component parties in the Barisan Nasional who are shooting their mouths off in public without consulting the main body behaving, and I say it yet again, like the opposition in residence disrespecting the Prime Minister who is not inclined towards holding snap elections in Perak.

While Prime Minister Najib Razak is busy promoting the One Malaysia concept nationwide and giving face to undeserving parties to save their diminishing influence over the rakyat, the public at large is having a tough time embracing the concept wondering if the Prime Minister is capable of materializing it when he is not even able to control the recalcitrant fellows within the BN

Recently, we have read that the Penang GERAKAN chief and the MCA Deputy President has openly said that we should hold State elections in Perak. While they have every right to their opinions, being members of an organization, they should know that there are proper channels that they should go through without ruffling feathers and showing disunity.

Then there is Kayveas doing a routine in PPP that is apparent in another Indian party in BN, also shooting his mouth off forgetting that the sole representative he is buggering off from PPP was made Deputy Minister without PPP even winning a seat in Parliament.

BN or Prime Minister Najib rather, had rewarded the GERAKAN President with a Cabinet’s post even when GERAKAN didn’t pull their weight in the last general elections, yet without being grateful and following the chain of command and forgetting that they should focus on winning back their lost state in Penang, their lowly state party chief wants to teach the Top Gun on how to deal with Perak which we have taken back. This is an example of the failure trying to teach the successful what to do. I guess again this is the meritocracy that they’ve been barking about. The MCA too, equally recalcitrant in their behavior is reported to be rewarded soon with the important appointment of Ambassador to China. It’s as if we don’t have enough trouble with them here instigating people and questioning the provisions in the Constitution and Government policy which they are a part of, now we have to trust them not to do the same complaining to mother China on “atrocities ” we impose upon them here.

All along I thought they had put a spell on the previous Prime Minister and I wasn’t surprised as he was weak and naturally an easy prey, but it seems this spell has overflowed to the current PM which is of great concern since he is seen all along as a capable and strong leader.

While we are all for One Malaysia which is vigorously being promoted by the good Prime Minister, it is essential that he makes the proper correction in the Barisan Nasional to ensure that everyone toes the line and be united while being seen to be united. If we fail to see the governing party as One Barisan Nasional, then One Malaysia will quickly lose its credence in the eyes of the Rakyat even before it gets off the ground.

PERFECT MAN FOR WASHINGTON

Dr Jamaluddin Jarjis a.k.a. J.J.

Dato’ Sri Dr Jamaluddin Jarjis is reported by a news portal today to be the candidate to head the Malaysian Mission in Washington DC while maintaining the status of a Minister. If this prevails, then this will be the best choice made by the government since Tun Dr Ismail Abdul Rahman was appointed Ambassador to the United Nations in the 50s.

J.J, as he is fondly known is one of the sharpest minds in UMNO today and will be a fitting candidate for Ambassador to Washington because of his impeccable public relations skills and long term fine relationship with parties on Capitol Hill. He will get down to the business of promoting Malaysia – U.S. ties from day one in office as opposed to others who would have to take six months to settle down and get acquainted with the Big Boys on the Hill.

He is also one of the very few dynamics in Malaysian politics who is well received by all “factions” within the UMNO party and is a close associate of Prime Minister Najib Razak having served under him in the Youth Wing and coming from the same division very early in their political lives. His affable character being able to mingle with everyone at all levels with ease and his connection within those in power makes him an easy target for those who would want to bring the Prime Minister down. He was mentioned by the allegedly bankrupt fugitive Raja Petra Kamarudin in Malaysia Today and accused without the slightest evidence of trying to buy his silence over the case of the Mongolian woman who was murdered for alleged extortion. J.J. has dismissed this as “rubbish” and is seeking legal redress which might be futile if the fugitive is indeed a bankrupt. Last night, over a late night “teh tarik”, I was asked by my peers, as men of reasonable intelligence, wouldn’t it be easier for us to believe a man who has served the nation well over a bankrupt who is on the run from the law? I leave this question to your good judgment.

What is sure is that Malaysia’s position will be undoubtedly enhanced on the American front with Dr Jamaluddin Jarjis as our man in Washington. He will take the battle with Anwar to the source of the latter’s strength, and if I know J.J. well enough, I’d bet my last buck that he will deliver.

JACKIE CHAN SAYS IT ALL

"Drunken monkey in the snake's shadow"- My favourite Jackie Chan Movie

JACKIE CHAN SAYS CHINESE PEOPLE NEED TO BE 'CONTROLLED'

“Jackie Chan has triggered controversy by claiming Chinese people are so chaotic they need to be firmly controlled by the government.”

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/asia/china/5182114/Jackie-Chan-says-Chinese-people-need-to-be-controlled.html.

“I'm not sure if it's good to have freedom or not. I'm gradually beginning to feel that we Chinese need to be controlled. If we're not being controlled, we'll just do what we want." He reportedly said this at a business forum in the country’s Hainan Province

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/blogs/dailydish/detail?blogid=7&entry_id=38876.

Yesterday, Prime Minister Najib Razak liberalized 27 sub-sectors of the service industry from the 30 % Bumiputera equity participation. Instead of applauding this gesture as a way forward and assisting in seeing its success hand in hand in the spirit of One Malaysia, the MCA through their official loudspeaker/ mouthpiece, it’s Secretary General has pushed the Prime Minister further by asking for all sectors to be opened up without having to gradually progress step by step ensuring that it is fail-proof.

http://www.utusan.com.my/utusan/info.asp?y=2009&dt=0425&pub=utusan_malaysia&sec=Politik&pg=po_12.htm&arc=hive.

Give these people an inch, they’ll ask for the Universe! I wonder if the MCA Secretary General started using chopsticks from the moment he was delivered in the labour room.

Jackie Chan’s evaluation on the bahaviour patterns of his race is very difficult to rebut based on the attitude of the current MCA ingrates. In addition, the way the Singapore Government handles its citizens, further amplifies his views on it and is testiment of the case in question.

SUSPEND THE CHINESE DAILIES!

The Home Minister should suspend the Chinese dailies which constantly misquote Malay Ministers on Chinese matters inciting anger and pitting the two communities against each other like it was the company’s top agenda.

In the most recent case, the deputy prime minister was reportedly using the word “ungrateful” to describe the community in the wake of the ruling party’s defeat in the Bukit Gantang by-election. Though this was not what he said about the Chinese community although it would have been right on target if he had done so, the response by the Chinese leaders who didn’t bother to investigate beforehand were direct and could strain the relationship in the Cabinet.

According to the Home Minister, he himself was misquoted in his winding up speech in the recent UMNO General assembly when he said the party and the Malay Rulers were the only parties who fought for Malaya's independence. If indeed this is so and judging by the frequency of this malicious act by the dailies concerned, then the minister should stop being defensive and start doing his job by taking action on them maintaining national security and social order before it gets out of hand.

His first act as Home Minister was to appoint Datuk Michael Chong, head of the MCA Public Services and Complaints Department as his advisor and special officer. I dread to think how much further he is willing to bend backwards to please the Chinese community who are a little unappreciative, though not entirely "ungrateful” to BN, but I hope at the very least as UMNO Vice President, he would tap on Michael Chong’s experience to create a complaints bureau for UMNO that mirrors the exemplary and exceptional work of its MCA counterpart.

KHAIRY CONTESTED FOR YOUTH CHIEF, NOT MINISTER!

I don’t see what all the fuss is about. Khairy Jamaluddin or KJ as he is fondly known, wasn’t included in Dato Sri Najib Razak’s Cabinet last week. The Youth Chief’s post doesn’t necessarily come with a seat in the Cabinet. If in the recent past it has, we can all consider that a terrible accident as the Youth Wing and its role in the party were totally neglected because of the previous person’s conviction towards his job as a Minister.

Prime Minister Najib’s decision not to appoint Khairy minister is dead on target enabling him to correct the mistakes of his predecessor. Khairy should work the Youth Wing like a four wheel drive vehicle, roll up his sleeves and get his hands dirty going to the ground gaining the confidence of the youths and to an extent even the public at large. A lot can be done if indeed his intention to contest was for the sole purpose of leading the Wing and not to be Minister.

If Khairy is safe from further persecution, he can turn the tables and come out smelling like a French eau de toilette by proving his mettle. Let us see if UMNO does well by recycling him or writing him off like scrap metal.

MIC SHOULD WORK LIKE KHAIRY JAMALUDDIN

In recent days, it has been reported that the MIC might withdraw its representatives from the Cabinet possibly for these reasons; 1) MIC didn’t get enough respect in the latest Cabinet line up. 2) The President wasn’t appointed Senator and Minister like Koh Tsu Koon, the GERAKAN President. 3) MIC will concentrate on strengthening their support base within the community it represents.

If the offer to withdraw from the Cabinet is put forth, Najib should do the country a big favour and accept it. Like Khairy Jamaluddin, MIC should forget about sitting in comfort and enjoying the perks. They should go down and meet the Indians and the Youths who are either on the fence or on the other side to win their confidence in us, preparing for the next general election which is not very far down the road.

Barisan Nasional, namely UMNO has been very generous in that it has gone against its members’ wish for a Malay candidate to stand in a Malay majority constituent out of respect for comradeship, even when it was crystal clear that the particular comrade was undeserving. Now after failing yet again to live up to our expectations, they disappoint us one more time with their ungrateful gesture.

It is time to call a spade a spade. MIC will fair better without its current President. He is beyond recycling and MIC has become a liability to the National Front. The message should be loud and clear to them. They should either SHAPE UP OR SHIP OUT!

SECOND DEPUTY PREMIERSHIP FOR THE MCA MY FOOT!

Recently I read in one of the news portals that a lowly Central Committee member from the MCA demanded for a second Deputy Prime Minister’s post for the Chinese. The MCA big wigs of course remained quiet but are ever ready to say that it was his personal view if they are at all pressed. That is their standard answering procedure. They can’t even afford enough Chinese support to win back Bukit Gantang and they are asking for the world! Is this the kind of MERITOCRACY that they’ve been advocating? Fail in your effort but ask for the number two post in the Country? Perhaps they need the post first to win the support from their people. Yeah right! It’s like saying, you give me the Ferarri and I’ll bring in the girls for you. Heck! If you’ve got an ugly face and an obnoxious personality, not even an F50 will bring in the chicks!

My message to the MCA is go back to the drawing board, win back Chinese support for Barisan Nasional, and look at yourselves and your shortcomings before blaming others. If I had the ear of the Prime Minister, I’d ask him to REDUCE THE NUMBER OF MCA SEATS IN THE CABINET AND CANCEL THE MIC SEAT ALTOGETHER UNTIL THEY START PULLING THEIR WEIGHT IN THE BARISAN NASIONAL. THEY ARE BEHAVING LIKE PARASITES IN THE CABINET! AT BEST GIVE THEM CABINET POSTS WITHOUT PORTFOLIOS. I was in Bukit Gantang till voting day. I didn’t see enough Chinese and Indian faces doing their rounds and canvassing for votes, and those who were there to campaign were stupid at it giving the opposition more ammunition to fire us with, like the commissioning of those dancing girls in hot pants in a dinner engagement. First of all, they looked horrifying with their skinny legs and dancing out of tune. Secondly, having the Malay Minister in charge of Islamic Affairs attend, was it a clever move to have those chopsticks dancing in hot-pants? I mean, were the organizers born stupid or did they have to go to school to learn to be stupid? If it wasn’t the Chinese culture then why have it in the first place making it difficult for the UMNO leader to answer to journalists?

Perhaps next time there is a by-election, the MCA should hire pole dancers to “whip” up support from the Chinese with UMNO leaders in attendance, and then ask for the Prime Minister’s position for the party. So much for meritocracy!

SUGGESTIONS TO THE PRIME MINISTER ON HIS LINE UP

LEAVE PEMUDA OUT OF THE CABINET

If I had the ear of the freshly-minted Prime Minister, this would be my advice. The youth wing in the last 10 years has failed UMNO as well as Barisan Nasional miserably in their role to rope in youths and yuppies to join programs that could benefit both parties. Some people also remarked, “it would have helped if there were programs in the first place”. After Zahid Hamidi left the Youth stage, no motivational, mental strengthening courses or the sort were organized. This led to a very large void in our effort to reach out to the future generation in our society. This is evident in our failure to secure the votes from the channels 4 & 5 (saluran 4 & 5 – new and young voters) in the last election.

Perhaps the main reason for this is because the past youth head was busy being a Minister that he forgot his role in the party. He also failed in his duties to uphold the position of the Malays perhaps trying hard not to sit uncomfortably in the Wednesday Cabinet meetings with the MCA and Gerakan leaders in the room.

So judging by the misjudgments from our previous youth chief while he was a Cabinet Minister, it would be wise for the Prime Minister not to appoint the current one into the Cabinet so that he can concentrate on leading the youth wing and win back the support of the younger generation like he did when his father-in-law first came into office riding on rhetoric. Furthermore, we need a strong youth chief to hit back when parties like the MCA try to blindside the new Prime Minister by using a lowly Central Committee member to press for a second Deputy Premier’s post for their party. If there is to be a strong youth leader that we can bank on, it would be Khairy Jamalauddin. Of course, that is an unfair statement because if we want to make a comparison with his predecessor, even the sick Noraini from Puteri would have a stronger advantage.

If he is indeed safe from further prosecution, and can continue to lead the wing, let’s not waste his talent but use him to UMNO’s advantage, Khairy has the charisma, the intelligence and the aggression. He may have major faults, some perhaps unforgivable, but as far as UMNO Youth is concerned, he has done more in the last 4 years than his predecessor had in the last 10. I almost forgot that the wing was still in existence after Zahid’s term until this chap came along.

UMNO Youth started off as a pressure group. Let’s go back to basics and not pretend that they belong to the Big Boys’ Club.

APPOINT SHARIZAT SENATOR OR PUT RAFIDAH BACK IN.

I understand only two Wanita members won their parliamentary seats, they are Rafidah Aziz and Halimah Saddique. Based on this, if Sharizat or any other academically qualified member of the Wanita wing won’t be appointed Senator to fit in as minister, then Rafidah should be appointed instead of Halimah to avoid a MAJOR embarrassment to UMNO. Being a losing candidate in the recent Wanita elections, Rafidah would just concentrate at being a minister with much humility considering she hasn’t got the Wanita wing to extort the leadership with anymore. Noraesah would have made a good candidate for Minister but her tenure as Senator will end soon and she lost in the previous general elections for a Parliamentary seat.

I realize that suggesting Rafidah’s name is inflammable but if Sharizat’s not in, she’d be a good stand-in, at least until the next elections. Ironically, the others who are academically qualified and can lead a ministry can’t be promoted because of technicality, while one who can be promoted is academically unqualified and wouldn’t know what to do with herself in the ministry.

NAMES WORTH CONSIDERING FOR PROMOTION

1. Dr Latiff Ahmad
2. Dr Puad Zakarshi
3. Jamaluddin Jarjis
4. Hamzah Zainuddin
5. Lajim Hj Ukin
6. Idris Haron
7. Saifuddin Abdullah
8. Husni Hanadzlah
9. Zainal Abidin Osman
10. Rosnah Shirlin
11. Mukhriz Mahathir

NAMES WORTH MAINTAINING

1. Khaled Nordin
2. Dr Rais Yatim
3. Syed Hamid Albar (if dropped should seriously be considered for a UN’s post)
4. Azalina Othman (if she is not prosecuted)

NAJIB TAKES OVER AT THE BEST POSSIBLE TIME POLITICALLY

Tun Dr Mahathir left an economically sound country to his successor Tun Abdullah but the latter was unable to handle it. Granted, it is difficult to compete with a successful predecessor. He tried to create his own legacy, spent millions on Islam Hadhari which didn’t make much difference to those who already knew the religion, influenced the release of a very dangerous politician from jail just to be popular, had his advisors further promote him at the expense of the ruling coalition party and UMNO and overturned important national projects to create his own less important ones while making countless policies which proved detrimental to the wellbeing of our national harmony. The ruling party lost 5 States plus Kuala Lumpur as the result.

On the contrary, Najib, the more polished and able politician is handed a country much divided facing an economic and racial situation that direly needs healing. Under normal circumstances, this can be said as the worst possible time to take over as Prime Minister but on the positive side, when we’ve reached rock bottom, the only way to go is up. The Rakyat can’t blame Najib if it gets just a little worse than this but will hail him as our hero when he takes us out of the doldrums. He’ll shine brighter than the Star of David on a bright Jerusalem night.

Time will tell.

THE UMNO CONVENTION WEEK THAT WAS

SHORT TAKES

There were many things I wanted to write about during the UMNO week but the gross deficit in time failed my intentions. So after returning from Bukit Gantang, here I am with my attempt.

GOOD OMEN

After 5 consecutive years of getting sick for a week right after the convention, I am as fit as a fiddle after this one. Could it be because the rightful gentleman has taken his place in the UMNO hierarchy? Could this be a good sign of things to come for our Party and Nation?

CIRCUS CLOWNS

It was a cross of a circus, the night market and a football stadium outside the convention hall with campaigners dressed as court-jesters, wearing masks and chanting names of their preferred candidates as the escalator brought us up to the main floor. Emotions were running high and even name calling was heard by supporters of the losing candidates later. This certainly wasn’t a scene that is to be attributed to the most respected and oldest ruling party in the world. The Secretary General should be SACKED for allowing security and decorum to be breached in such a manner. I am disgusted to be associated with these characters who were probably not even members of UMNO but hired mercenaries to do the candidates’ bidding. This is not the culture we should encourage. The Jom Heboh nonsense should just remain at Danga Bay in Johor Bahru or Dataran Bandaraya Perak or wherever else it may go to intoxicate the minds of the Malays who have nothing better to do. It shouldn’t creep into the August building where we decide on the leaders of the most powerful party in the Nation. The candidates who commissioned these campaigners too should be “shot” for turning the party polls into a circus of clowns. They should bring good character to the people on the ground, not adopt the “Raja Lawak” mentality of the mass into our leadership.

CURIOUS

It took more than 6 long hours to get the results from 700 odd Youth, Puteri and Wanita voters but only 4 ½ hours for the results from 2511 voters from the main body. It defies logic. Either the tabulators learnt really fast or the system for the main body was far superior than for the three wings. A third possibility is also available but I leave that to the imagination of the readers.

THE KERIS IS PUT TO SLEEP

After being pressured by Non-Malays to play down the presentation of the Keris in the opening of the Youth meeting, the Keris which was introduced with all it's Regalia only a few years ago was given its last rights this year. The three year old tradition will not be continued next year and the Keris will reside with the man who created the tradition but was unable to defend it, the undeservingly newly elected Vice President of UMNO, Hishammuddin Hussein.

GRACEFUL IN DEFEAT

One can tell a character of a true gentleman not in victory, but in defeat. Such a person is Datuk Seri Utama Dr Rais Yatim. He held a luncheon to thank his friends and supporters after the Convention before his flight to London on a working trip. He was gracious and calm. His defeat is actually a loss to the party because he is the most knowledgeable leader as far as the Constitution is concerned. His explanation is well received and easily understood. The Perak crisis begs for a crystal clear explanation yet even the ministers directly involved shy away from the responsibility. He will be an asset in Bukit Gantang when he returns from London to speak in the by-election.

GLOATFUL IN VICTORY

While all candidates humbly stand whenever their names are mentioned before and after the vote, one victor decided to sit and wave divinely at the cheering delegates when her name was mentioned. This is one person who took pride on taking calls at odd hours before the election. Do you think she continues the tradition after her win especially after having an extraordinary advantage over her peers? I leave that to your good judgment. Nonetheless, she deserved her seat for her professional capabilities.

WHAT SHARIZAT CAN LEARN FROM KHAIRY

Being clever is capitalizing on your strength while compromising on your weakness. Khairy Jamaluddin measured the sentiment on the floor and knew he was going to have a tough time appeasing the jeering audience. He worked on his speech and delivered it without receiving catcalls and even received an overwhelming all-round applause at the end. Of course the jeering continued every time his name was mentioned in salutations but he survived his speech unscathed. On the contrary, Sharizat who didn’t have much to worry about with the general audience, having won against a much disliked Rafidah, went through hell during her speech because she didn’t study the audience who despised apple polishers. Instead of amplifying on her abilities and future plans for Wanita, she began her speech by sucking up to the new leaders which earned her the wrath of the delegates.

QUALITY OF DELEGATES

The quality of delegates have become from bad to worse. Firstly, many of them didn’t think it was important to attend the debates and left their seats empty after the first day. Secondly, those who attended, behaved like the audience of “Showtime at the Apollo”, where they jeer continuously at the performer or in our case the speaker half way when they disagree with him or cheer him on to speak longer than the allocated period of time when they like him. They are not interested in important issues, but amusement and humour. This worries me much because these delegates are supposedly the “crème de la crème” of our party but some behave like retards (no offence to the latter).

TUN’S GRAND ENTRANCE

The delegates may not have realized it but I suspect it was carefully planned to achieve maximum impact. Firstly, Mukhriz entered the hall just before Khairy Jamaluddin took the stage perhaps to gauge the sort of welcome his father would receive later if he chose to attend. He had a warm reception as most delegates disagreed with his victor. This signaled to Tun that he would receive a much warmer reception when he walked in. He then chose the most opportune moment to enter while Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yasin was on centre stage sending a strong signal of his endorsement on the man he backed as the Deputy President all along. Such theatrics telling people much without having to utter a word is Capital! Hollywood class choreography I’d say!

NON – EMOTIONAL / HAPPY FAREWELL

While most speakers thanked the outgoing President for his services, the delegates in general felt that there was nothing much to be grateful for. Under the leadership of Pak Lah, we lost 5 States and Kuala Lumpur; Malay leadership became weak because of his so called “transparency” and “openness” that led to others questioning our position in society; UMNO was made to look like the main reason for the loss in confidence among the Rakyat when the other component members of Barisan Nasional were the major losers contributing to the overall performance; UMNO is openly portrayed as a party of useless and corrupted leaders.

Delegates asked why they should feel sad when the person leaving has brought more grief than development to the Party. In actual fact, UMNO should be celebrating! That we shall do on Friday 3 April 2009. Insha’Allah.

NEW STRAITS TIMES' 5 QUESTIONS

This was in NST's Friday edition covering the UMNO Convention last week.

WIN BACK THE HEARTS OF THE MALAYS

The vice chief of Umno’s Pulai division talks to FAUZIAH ISMAIL about where the party should head.

Q: Do you think delegates took heed of the president's advice to them on how they should vote?

A: No, even if it was a sound one because we had pretty much made our minds up to clean up

the house after him.

Q: How did you arrive at the decision?

A: Well, I actually could think of only 15 worthy candidates. Unfortunately, I'm compelled to add another 10 names who are not so worthy leaders or my ballot will be considered spoiled. I offered my friends from the general public to provide me with 10 names, who they think are capable, willing and responsible from an outsider's point of view. They gave me six that I hadn't already chosen and I forced myself to complete the task by adding four of the best among the worst from the remainder.

Q: What is the importance of state representation? Do you think all the candidates from your state will make it?

A: State representation shouldn't be the way to choose our leaders because if we decide on quotas, we will end up with the lousy ones from the losing states again.

Johor delegates are very strict in ensuring that only the best and quality leaders are picked from the state. I declare that I did not vote for three of them; one for vice-president and the others for the supreme council.

Q: What are your hopes post-Umno general assembly, with a new president, a new deputy president and some new office bearers?

A: My hope is for the new president to remember that he is the president of Umno first before he is the prime minister of Malaysia and, together with the deputy president and the new brass, win back the hearts of the Malays who are split almost in the middle. They should work towards making Barisan National popular as opposed to making the prime minister a household name like in the past.

From the new office bearers, I hope for more sincerity in serving the members of Umno and people of Malaysia instead of serving their boss, because the better they serve the rakyat, the longer their boss will have a job and BN will stay in power.

Q: What do you personally want to see the new president do first?

A: I want the new president, having been guided by Allah SWT, to safely take his oath of office as the sixth prime minister of Malaysia, to stonewash the whole cabinet and fill it with a mixture of many new faces and some senior ones who can work with him proactively to serve the Malays and the people of Malaysia.

May Allah guide Dato' Sri Mohd Najib Tun Razak to steer this great nation forward.

FAILURE TO UNSHEATH THE KERIS MAY PROVE COSTLY FOR HISHAM

In about four hours, the UMNO Youth Wing will begin it’s meeting with the traditional Keris being presented in what will be Hishammuddin Hussein’s last appearance in the Youth stage as it’s leader.

In a report by a news portal on the 22 March, it said that Hishamuddin will not unsheathe the Keris but “will lift up a covered keris as part of the opening ceremony of the youth assembly.”

When I bumped into a close associate of the Youth Chief earlier at the PWTC prior to the closed door meeting with the President, he said that after due deliberation, it was decided that Hishammudin will continue with the tradition of unsheathing the Keris and will be supported by the UMNO Youth Excos in his act because this is a Malay tradition and the others have no business in it.

As at yesterday afternoon, support from the ground for Hishammuddin for VP has been lukewarm because a good number of the members think that he is generally overrated. This comes from delegates who had not much power in their divisions’ nominations but have voting rights on the 26th to decide who they want to lead the party. This is the level where nominations mean nothing, and division chiefs have no influence whatsoever on the delegates as their votes will be by secret ballot. Most of them are waiting for him to continue being cowed into submission by non-Malays so that they can go to town even before the youth meeting ends running him down before voting begins for the main body.

Hishammuddin will either win or lose his Vice Presidential attempt on the Youth stage and not on the voting day proper. If he does the right thing and redeems himself in the eyes of the Malays with his world famous rhetoric, he may end his tenure as a hero and sail through the next day with his face on the front covers of all newspapers before voting begins for the main body. The Malays usually get carried away and get easily sold by rhetoric, especially if it is driven by emotion. In the end, others will benefit while they only get that brief satisfaction of exhibiting strong emotions, hence the old Malay proverb “Menang sorak, kampong tergadai”. It means literally that we may win in loud arguments but we lose our village.

As I have written in my posting http://tpj-one-thepatriot.blogspot.com/2008/04/might-of-keris.html entitled “The Might of the Keris”, a wise man once said that the Keris, once unsheathed will protect the person as long as he uses its power with full responsibility 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.

Let us see if Hishammuddin repents and does justice to it this time. The Keris will either defend his future or end his political advancement with one fatal stroke.

A FINAL RUNDOWN ON JOHOR CANDIDATES FOR SUPREME COUNCIL

PART TWO

Johor being the State that gave birth to UMNO and is the biggest benefactor in the Ruling Government is fielding the most number of Candidates in the coming UMNO elections. While many are deserving and capable leaders, there are also several who are taking advantage of the State’s reputation to make it big in National Politics. Let’s go through them one by one and maybe after that you’ll be able to determine who they are with a little help from me.

ABDUL GHANI OTHMAN – MENTERI BESAR OF JOHOR

He was appointed Treasurer of the Johor UMNO Liaison Committee by Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, the then Menteri Besar which kick started his career in politics. Later he was appointed Senator before being elected as Member of Parliament in 1986. From 1987 to 1993, he was Deputy Minister before becoming the Sports Minister at the end of 1993. One of his achievements was to initiate a National Youth Program called “The Rakan Muda”.In 1995 he was appointed Menteri Besar of Johor succeeding Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin. He still enjoys this position at the behest of the Sultan of Johor.

He has since promoted Malay Arts and Culture specifically the Zapin and Ghazal keeping it alive and well in the Malay Community. He also introduced mandatory Quran readings every Friday morning before work begins in the government sector to promote the comprehension of the Holy Book. As an UMNO leader protecting Religion and defending the Race, he has done his part in both aspects and is a worthy candidate for Supreme Council.

SHAHRIR ABDUL SAMAD – MINISTER OF DOMESTIC TRADE

He was the youngest Political Secretary in the country serving Musa Hitam. Later he served Tun Razak in the same capacity until the latter died in London. In 1978, he won the Parliamentary seat in Johor Bahru. He was Deputy Minister of Trade and Industry, then Minister of Welfare, Youth and Sports before being the Minister of the Federal Territories. He was out of mainstream politics for a long spell before finally being re-appointed into the Cabinet by Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi after the recent elections in 2008.

He is generally not a team player and has a mind of his own as proven twice when he resigned his seat in Parliament to stand and win as an independent and later when he resigned as the Backbencher’s Club Chairman for voting in support of the Opposition in Parliament.

He serves his constituency well and I once followed him to tend to a complaint by one of his constituents at 3 am just to confirm the report and take immediate action.

He is a good candidate for Supreme Council as we need a maverick to stand up for what’s right even if it’s against the wishes of the President as opposed to being a rubber stamp and an apple polisher.

AZALINA OTHMAN SAID – MINISTER OF TOURISM

She established the Puteri UMNO wing from scratch which was a mountainous task. She helped reach the young and restless ladies who were not too inclined towards politics and turned the Wing into a powerhouse envied by the Wanita wing under the leadership of Rafidah Aziz, which proved that they were of tremendous significance in UMNO prepared to replace the senior ladies in the Party.

She was Minister of Sports in 2004 before assuming the current post after the recent elections. She is currently a sitting member of the Supreme Council winning in the last UMNO election after having reached the maximum age in Puteri UMNO.

She is a “hands on” leader who gets things done quickly and was recently elected as the only female Division Chief in the country after her rival failed to get enough nominations to qualify in Pengerang.

We need more Ministers like her. Unfortunately, her officers are currently being investigated by the SPRM for political corruption, but if she is cleared of any wrongdoing, she would be a superb candidate for Supreme Council for her action oriented mentality which is not a widespread characteristic in Malay leadership.

DR ABDUL LATIF AHMAD – DEPUTY HEALTH MINISTER

He is the Mersing Division Chief and was one of the youngest State Executive Councillors in Johor serving two terms while also sitting in the Youth Wing as an EXCO member. He is a second term Deputy Minister and almost didn’t make the cut in the line-up after the elections. He was said to be vocal in the last few meetings while supporting the quick transfer of power.

He is affable but not quite in the frontlines because he is overshadowed by a strong Minister from the MCA, yet he is experienced enough and would be a good candidate to be considered for another term in the Supreme Council at least.

NORAINI AHMAD – DEPUTY MINISTER FOR LABOUR

She is the outgoing Chief of the Puteri Wing. She was appointed Deputy Minister presumably in respect of her position in the wing. She was secretary to the Backbencher’s Club and was deputy to Azalina who did all the work building Puteri while she just took over an already well established wing.

Ever since she took over the wing, the number of branches is said to have reduced out of lack of interest within the outfit. In Pulai alone, it started with around 26 branches under Azalina but at the last count, there were barely 18, this with the fact that our last Puteri Chief is a serving member of the Puteri Exco.(until 25 March) In the eyes of the majority in UMNO, not much have been achieved under Noraini’s leadership and because of this, there have been calls for the Wing’s role and position to be reduced to that of Putera UMNO. A Vice President’s equivalent is too high a position for a wing that is not quite up to the mark. The Puteri Wing should just be a bureau within the Wanita Wing. In addition, members are asking why they should consider a seat in the Supreme Council for every Puteri leader coming of age in every UMNO election.

Noraini is NOT a worthy candidate for Supreme Council although she might barely make the cut considering there are not more than 15 worthy candidates, meaning we have to still elect another 10 lousy ones to complete the 25 or our votes will be considered spoilt.

HALIMAH MOHD SADIQUE – HEAD OF THE JOHOR WANITA UMNO

She was an Executive Councilor in the Johor Government for several terms and was tipped to be at least a Deputy Minister in the new line up after the elections. However the Prime Minister was said to have come to his senses and opted not to appoint her even when Shahrizat Jalil lost her seat and Rafidah was not reappointed to the Cabinet.

She is currently just an ordinary member of the Tenggara Division and is reduced to being just a delegate after deciding not to defend her post as Division Chief. She was once considered a liability to the Menteri Besar in Johor because of her proximity with the leader although it was just merely a “rumor”.

She is a staunch supporter of Rafidah Aziz and it is said that if they both win in their respective contests, she will be looking at Rafidah every time there is a call to vote in the Supreme Council instead of doing what is best for the UMNO mass.

In several State functions introducing nationwide candidates running for Supreme Council, she is said to have brought busloads of Wanita members to cheer loudly when she is introduced on stage exhibiting artificial support for her fooling the locals.

Halimah too is NOT a worthy candidate for Supreme Council though she would be riding on the Johor and Wanita UMNO reputation to sail her through. Again, if she pulls through, it would be because the delegates will have little choice in completing the 25 person ballot.

DR PUAD ZAKARSHI – MP BATU PAHAT

He is currently the Batu Pahat Division Chief and Member of Parliament of the same. In 1997 he was appointed the Executive Secretary of the Johor State UMNO Liaison Committee and was Senator in 2004.

He is very vocal and is consistent in voicing the concerns and needs of the UMNO grassroots without fear or favour. When Prime Minister Badawi met with the Johor Liaison Committee for the first time after the disastrous showing (by BN standards) in the 2008 General Elections, he was only one of the two members in the Committee who asked outright for the PM to make way. The other person is Pulai Member of Parliament and UMNO Division Chief Nur Jazlan Mohamed, reflecting the views of Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin and the great majority of UMNO members.

Dr Puad Zakarshi is a NECESSARY candidate for the Supreme Council, and I consider him a National Candidate as opposed to one from Johor because if his past reputation is anything to go by, he will bring the voice of the grassroots in there.

As a Malaysian citizen from Johor, I urge my fellow State delegates to choose ONLY the best and qualified amongst those from the State offering themselves for posts, even if it means there won’t be many who will succeed. Allegiance to the Party, and voting ONLY quality leaders from Johor, maintaining our leadership standard, would be the best way to exhibit our loyalty to the State and People of Johor.

For a recap of PART ONE covering the Deputy and Vice Presidential Candidates please go to http://tpj-one-thepatriot.blogspot.com/2008/12/9-candidates-qualify-to-contest-from.html. A slight correction: There are a total of 11 Candidates not counting the one for Deputy Chairmanship won uncontested from Johor, not 9. I stand corrected.

OF DOUBLE STANDARDS, FUNNY JUDGEMENTS & BREACH OF PROTOCOL

DOUBLE STANDARD

1. Why is it when Pakatan Rakyat’s EXCOs were charged in Court, no one, neither Pakatan members, nor the Rakyat asked them to resign from their posts and they continued to serve in their respective capacities until they decided to go Independent but when Ali Rustam is reprimanded by the Party Disciplinary Board, not charged in Court, he is asked to resign his post as Chief Minister of Malacca?

2. Why is it when Tan Sri Isa Samad, the sitting Vice President at that time was found guilty by the UMNO Discplinary Board chaired by the same person handing down judgment on Ali Rustam, he was forced to vacate his position as Minister of Federal Territories but when Ali Rustam was found guilty, he remains as Chief Minister of Malacca?

Now I can understand the political reasoning which is perhaps because we are afraid to lose Malacca in the next elections due to Ali’s huge influence in the State, but what escapes me is how this decision can come from a Chairman who claims, almost by thumping on his chest that the Disciplinary Board is Independent which has Separation of Powers bla bla bla, yet acts like he has been advised to compromise on his decision and went against precedent.

FUNNY JUDGMENT

1. A person can be guilty of the most watched out for and ONLY crime in a Party election, but he is let off with a warning.

I would think that in politics, either you are guilty or innocent. No two ways about it! It’s not like murder where they will have to determine whether you had the intention to kill to decide whether it is first degree murder, culpable homicide or manslaughter etc. In politics, would you ask a person giving out money or buying delegates the most expensive Chinese dinner whether or not he had the intention to bribe the fellows? Can you really be that daft? If the evidence is loose because the agent is an insignificant acquaintance, should he really be declared guilty? If there is an aiota of guilt, should he be allowed to contest at all?

How can one go on serving as a public official with the words “guilty” hanging over one’s head? How does this sound? “ The Honorable Khairy Jamaluddin is the guilty candidate running for UMNO Youth Chief”. He was found guilty by the Disciplinary Board for money politics but is allowed to contest for the top post in the UMNO Youth Wing.

Queer don’t you think? The Board would have done better by just declaring him innocent.

BREACH OF PROTOCOL

1. I would think also that the Disciplinary Board, although independent in their investigations, findings and judgment, is still answerable to the Supreme Council. This is because they were appointed by the Party Council, not the government or even Parliament. Therefore any judgment made by the Board should be recommended to the Supreme Council for their endorsement. They should have no right to make any independent announcements pre-empting the powers of the Supreme Council. A messy situation could have been avoided with Ali Rustam being persuaded to withdraw from the race in the name of unity without tarnishing his image and angering his supporters whom he can appease when they know the real reason for his withdrawal.

This is Party business and should remain there. Antagonizing factions within the party will only make things difficult in our effort to win back our lost ground in the coming elections. The Disciplinary Board should be headed by someone who can appreciate this front and not someone who perhaps can be influenced by old friends discussing it at the Country Club.