The New Barisan Nasional: Affirmative Leadership, People’s Government.

Exactly three years ago today, the Right Honourable Dato’ Sri Mohd Najib Tun Abdul Razak was sworn in as the Sixth Prime Minister of Malaysia.  


Like his father, the late Tun Abdul Razak (fondly known as “The Tun”), he got down to work immediately upon returning from the oath-taking ceremony.

Three Years Ago Today

Najib took steps to take this country forward by creating a National Transformation Policy, which included the Government Transformation Program (GTP) and the National Key Result Areas (NKRA), which came under it.

Also introduced was the Economic Transformation Program (ETP) with 12 National Key Economic Areas (NKEA) and 131 Economic Entry-Point Projects (EPP) of which in unison, we have seen and will continue to see great success as reported yesterday by the Honourable Gentleman himself straight to the Rakyat on National Television.

In just over 1,000 days in office, the PM and his scrambled team have achieved for the Rakyat:

Short Term Measure:

1. 1.  People’s Aid (Bantuan Rakyat 1Malaysia) – RM 500 each to 4,000,000 families earning less than RM3,000 per month.
2. 2.     RM 100 each to every primary and secondary student as school assistance numbering 5,300,000 pupils.
3. 3.     RM 200 worth of book vouchers to students in tertiary institutions and sixth formers numbering 1,300,000.
4. 4.  7-13% salary hike for 1,400,000 civil servants benefitting more than 4,000,000 dependent Malaysians.
5. 5.     An announcement on a minimum wage to be implemented for the private sector will be announced this month’s end.

Medium Term Measure:

1. 1.  Kedai Rakyat 1Malaysia where prices of goods are a generous fraction lower than normal stores. People can usually save up to at least RM50 per time on a weekly shop of groceries.
2. 2.    1Malaysia Clinic nationwide where sickness can be addressed quickly and cheaply.
3. 3.   1Malaysia’s People’s Menu where participating restaurants serve quality lunch at RM4 and breakfast at RM2 for the rakyat.
4. 4.  5 year freeze on toll hikes in the North-South, and East Coast Highways and the scrapping of toll on several passes like Cheras-Kajang and Connaught Road.

Long Term Measures:

1. 1.    1Malaysia Housing Scheme (PR1MA), to build medium cost housing in urban areas and increase housing projects for the poor.
2. 2.  RM300,000,000 has been put aside for the Fishermen Special Housing Fund for restoration of their old houses and building of the new .
3. 3.    Maintenance of the subsidy in important essentials like rice, sugar, cooking oil, wheat, as well as commodities like petrol, diesel and cooking gas.
4. 4.     Subsidy for electricity for 1,000,000 homes under RM20 per month in power bills.

Security

1. 1.     Increased the number of police personnel in “hot” areas has resulted in the decrease in street crime by 39% while the overall crime rate has decreased by 11% since 2009.
2. 2.     Forged a co-operation between the Armed Forces and the Police Force in using each other’s training centres for cost efficiency and better service to the people. Also roped in to help curb crime are the Rela and Civil Defense Department.
3. 3.     Closed-Circuit Televisions will be widely installed.

Education

1. 1.     Primary and Secondary education is provided free for the first time ever.
2. 2.  Teachers are recognized for their service with the introduction of the time based teaching career path to compliment and expedite their enhancement to reflect and achieve their potentials.

Rural Infrastructure

1. 1    Almost 1,000 km of roads have been constructed. It is the most in kilometres done in two years in the history of this nation. The building of these roads, were with the help of the Armed Forces in East Malaysia.
2. 2.   27,000 rural households have got electricity.
3.      . More than 70,000 households have access clean water.

Public Transport

1. 1.     The light Rail Transit System will see an increase of coach trains from two to four and the extension of the Kelana Jaya-Ampang Jaya lines effecting 500,000 commuters daily.
2. 2.  The Keretapi Tanah Melayu (KTM) commuter services will be enhanced with the purchase of new coaches and this will affect 100,000 commuters daily. KTM is also completing the double tracking and the electrification of the northern routes.
3. 3.   The Bus Expressway Transit has also been introduced and will serve 370,000 users everyday.

War Against Poverty

44,000 households involving almost 250,000 Malaysians have been removed from the “hard-core poverty” category and effort is continuous in seeing that it is eradicated.

Corruption

1. 1. The effectiveness of Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission is being further enhanced.
2. 2.     A special court has been set up by the government to speed up corruption cases.
3. 3.     Over 900 convictions have been realized regardless of creed or stature so far.

Ec    Economy

1.    .     A report by the World Economic Forum saw Malaysia improve by five notches in the World Economic Competitiveness list since last year.
2.      .      We are among the 21 most competitive countries in the world.
3.      World Bank’s “ Doing Business 2012” report records Malaysia as the 18^th easiest country to start or operate a business above German, Japan Taiwan and even France.
4.   .   Malaysia is top ten in the Foreign Direct Investment Confidence Index for 2012.
5.     .       Our Per Capita income rose by US$3,000 in two years.
6.      .     Foreign Direct Investment increased by 12.3% to RM33,000,000,000.
7.      /    Private Investment was up by 19% to RM94,000,000,000.
8.      .     313,000 new jobs will be created.

Democracy and Transparency

1. 1.  Abolishment of the Internal Security Act, the Restricted Residence Act and the Banishment Act.
2. 2.     Amended the University and University Colleges Act to allow students the freedom to join political parties of their choice.
3. 3.  Amended the Printing Presses and Publications Act to cancel the annual license   renewal.               

When We Make Promises, We Deliver.           

            

           Much Has Been Done To Improve The Situation Of The Country And Most Importantly The Lives And Wellbeing Of The Rakyat. This Is All Done On Top Of The Nationwide Walkabouts While Listening To The Beat Of The Mass. The Writing’s On The Wall.  This Is Where The Rakyat Can Be The Jury And Judge At The Same Time. This Is Where The Rakyat Can Separate The Men For The Boys; An Organized Leading Government With A Serious Leader From A Disorganized Whining Ensemble With A Questionable Unelected One.

         

In A Hadith Transmitted By Al-Hakim And Cited In Ibn Taymiyyah In His Great Work, Al Siyasatus Shariah Fi Islaahir Raaie War Raiiyyah, Our Prophet (S) Said:

“Whosoever Delegates A Position To Someone Whereas He Sees Someone Else Is More Competent (For The Position), Verily He Has Cheated Allah And His Apostle And All The Muslims.”

We Should Place Our Emotions Aside, Be Rational And True. The Time Is Near. We Must Be Ready To Choose The Party That Can Best Represent Us And Maintain Our Harmonious Multiracial Country In Order For Us To Continue To Flourish And Prosper Together. Experience And Competence Has No Substitute In Managing The Future Of Our Nation.

In The Beginning Of Our Democratic Life, We Could Afford To Make Mistakes For We Knew Not Of What Was To Become Of Our Future. It Is Generally Understood That When We Start From The Bottom And Have Not Gone Far Up, It Is Not A Hard And Long Drop If We Were To Fall. But Having Gone This Far And High Up In World Economics Enjoying A Peaceful Democracy And Reasonably Comfortable Life In Co-Existence With One Another, Taking A Crucial Gamble Could Be Detrimental And Possibly Inflict Irreversible Damage To Us All For The Rest Of Our Remaining Lives.

We Are The Country. We Will Deserve Who We Elect. Let Us Deserve The Best And Be Served Right. The Writing Is On The Wall. The Uncountable Deeds Have Been Performed And Executed With Precision In A Little More Than A Thousand Days In Office. Give This Honourable Gentleman A Few Thousands More, And Watch The Positive Transformation Of Our Country Happen In Record Time Allowing Us All To Reap The Gains Of Our Concerted Endeavor In Our Very Own Lifetime.

God Willing.

ALL FOR ONE AND ONE FOR ALL WITH NAJIB RAZAK

On Guard!

No, Najib Razak is not one of the Musketeers though he can be called the Captain of his army, which in this case is the Barisan Nasional, and they WILL fight together!

It is a common culture in this region of Asia and I dare say even in Africa that when a person predicts a near accurate account of a certain state of affairs, he’d be referred to again for his “premonitions” and “clairvoyance”. More often than not, it’s taken as Gospel.

Tun Daim Zainuddin is the highly regarded financial wizard of Kuala Lumpur. He was called to the English Bar at 21 and began his early life as a Magistrate, before becoming the President of the Sessions Court in Johor and subsequently, Deputy Public Prosecutor in Perak.

A well-read gentleman, he gave up law in 1969 to venture into the world of business. He was appointed Senator in 1980, nominated and ran in the 1982 general elections and became a Finance Minister twice; first in 1984 straightening out the financial system of the country, and again in 1997 when the financial crisis swept through Asia.

Arguably the greatest tribute showered upon him was by the late Tan Sri Zain Azraai, the former Secretary General of the Finance Ministry and later Malaysian Ambassador to Washington, who described him as “an extraordinary man, a firm man, who came quietly to take over the Finance Ministry, did a splendid job, then left quietly.”

Prior to the 12^th General Elections, Daim “quietly” predicted BN’s loss of 5 States on the back of a major landslide victory for BN in 2004. Not many people knew about it and those who did, didn’t even take much notice. He was spot on!

Today, what seemed “quiet” before is becoming louder than thunder and more frequently, running up to the 13^th General Elections.

Financial Wizard Turned Political Clairvoyant, Tun Daim Zainuddin

Two weeks ago, he gave high marks for Najib’s leadership and his readiness to bring the country forward. Recently, he was reported to have said that if Najib fails to improve on the number of seats won from the last time, UMNO would naturally oust him. He may be right although I wouldn’t put my money on it since it is naturally difficult to pay for the sins of others. UMNO members, more than anyone else, should understand that fact.

Here’s my “quiet” take on it.

Statistically after having considered the internal affairs of the opposition parties, I doubt if they can take the Federal government although I’d throw in an exclusion clause that winning a 2/3 majority is also difficult though not impossible.

Looking from all angles, Najib is the best friend this multiracial country has at this point in time. He is the hardest working politician, backed by an earnest deputy covering all corners of the country with a sore throat keeping promises made and pre-delivering on other services even though they were never pledged by BN before.

Equally hard working for the Rakyat through BN albeit in the background is a man who has done wonders for the country in the United States of America and was called back temporarily for his strategic acumen and unselfishness to the Capital, Dr Jamaluddin Jarjis.

Having looked at the numbers and situation in the political parties concerned, the Rakyat should have the good sense to pull this one through for their favourite politician right now to avoid a predicted change in leadership in UMNO.

The whole nation already knows of Najib’s BN manifesto including the transformation planned and successfully executed in just 2 years, 11 months and 18 days as at this date in office.

Giving a comfortable mandate to the Prime Minister would enable him to choose his own dynamic team and respectfully phase out the inheritance from his predecessor. His new team will confidently propel this nation to greater frontiers in a shorter span of time with only the health of the nation to think about instead of never-ending politics.

If we win, but not handsomely, and Daim’s premonition comes true with Najib being asked to leave prematurely, we won’t necessarily witness a smooth transition seeing Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, whom many are also comfortable with having seen his cards on the table, slide into the PM’s seat with ease. On the contrary, we might experience an even vicious battle for the leadership not guaranteeing whether an Angel or the Devil will appear to lead the Country in the aftermath.

I don’t think the country would like to gamble on that. I don’t even think UMNO members dare to dream beyond Najib and Muhyiddin for now as far as party leadership is concerned.

In short, all Malaysia, be it in UMNO, BN and even the Rakyat at large should work hard to give this seasoned and longest serving “through the mill” politician a chance to bring us forward and in one piece, if not for Party affiliations, but for the Country.

The Rakyat needs to see this happen to avoid an “irreversible mistake” and have UMNO pick the wrong choice as Prime Minister of Malaysia, if it’s not Najib or Muhyiddin. More importantly, UMNO and Barisan Nasional need this to ensure their longevity in service in the ruling Government. We will never recover if we lose this nation to the opposition, and if that happens, Malaysia too, with bad government, will fall into the doldrums.

If In The Beginning We Borrowed The Title From The “Three Musketeers”, We Must Finish It With Another From “The First Knight”, Where All Are United In Rank And Loyalty To The Country But Najib Is First Among Equals.

 The First Knight Among Equals

And As This Ultimate Mother Of All Battles Will Determine The Mortality Of UMNO And The Barisan Nasional, Nay, The Continued Health And Well-being Of This Nation, It Is Incumbent Upon Us All To Work As One To Stay Politically Alive As We Know With The Fullest Conviction, That We ARE The Best Servants To The Rakyat.

To All The Members Of The BN Coalition, Let Us Pledge A Code To Our Leader Najib Razak From Now And Beyond The Day Of The Rakyat’s Judgement Upon Us. Alas, There Will Be No Resurrection For Our Demise!

“Brother To Brother, Yours In Life And Death.”

DONUTS AND COFFEE AT THE HOME OFFICE?

The Home Ministry seems to be enjoying the company of editors from The Star, and they keep on coming back for more visits. It has become almost a habit that I’m beginning to think that the Home Minister himself is serving them donuts and coffee over laughs and a mild apology after ridiculing Islam like the last time.

Last Ramadhan, the fasting month in the Muslim calendar, editors from the same newspaper were invited to the Ministry to explain their insensitivities towards the Muslim community and the official religion in this country by promoting Pork Ribs while also writing on the breaking of fast in their special supplement on the same day.

After being “cordially invited” to the Ministry at the pleasure of the Minister himself, the Star left with just a soft tap on the wrist with an official apology from them the next day.

A few days ago the same newspaper stretched its luck even further by provoking Muslims in this country by publishing a full page picture of a visiting entertainer with “Allah” inscribed on her bare bosom bordering SEDITION!

While Information Minister Datuk Seri Utama Dr Rais Yatim, took the bull by the horn and banned the concert performing his duty under the jurisdiction of his Ministry, Home Minister and “accidental” Vice President of UMNO which supposedly upholds the struggle of “ Agama, Bangsa dan Negara” Dato’ Sri Hishammuddin Hussein preferred to leave it to his MCA Deputy Minister to handle the issue pertaining to the serious insult on Islam. 

Picture Test: If This Doesn’t Burn Your Blood To A Boil, You Are Not Muslim Enough!

Apparently, the Home Ministry has issued a show cause letter and given The Star a week to respond. A show cause letter is usually an avenue to allow the perpetrators to go scot free if they are good at constructing a reasonable excuse.

In the meantime, I’m sure the ministry will refer this to the Cabinet to decide because the Minister in my view prefers to hide in the “closet” and NOT take a stand.

FACTS AND ANALYSIS OF THE SITUATION:

* Sedition is defined in the Colin’s English Dictionary as:  A) speech or behaviour directed against the peace of a state.  B) An incitement to public disorder.

* The Star is “owned’ by MCA.

* In August 2011, The Star promoted “Pork Ribs” on the same day they ran a special supplement on breaking fast in the month of Ramadhan.

* In December 2011, MCA owned The Star allowed an article by their royal “stooge” writer to call UMNO members attending the General Assembly at PWTC leeches.

* In 27 February 2012, The Star published a full-paged picture provoking Muslims. (The picture above explains itself)

* Deputy Home Minister Lee Chee Leong who was asked to handle this, is a MCA Central Committee member.  

* Michael Chong (Chairman of MCA’s complaints bureau) was appointed as Special Officer/ Advisor to the Home Minister in 2009.

* The action on The Star might be referred to the Cabinet.

* The Cabinet has 4 MCA Ministers.

*Apologies kept pouring in one after the other for their writers’ mistakes without one stern action being taken against them in the past.

QUESTIONS TO PONDER OVER.

* Is MCA a team player in the Barisan Nasional (BN) coalition?

* While the Chinese community are rejecting this party but are warming up to Prime Minister Najib himself, is this not sabotaging Barisan Nasional’s chances by hurting the feelings of the voting Muslims who usually support MCA because of BN?

* Would it not be biased for the MCA committee member as Deputy Home Minister to be involved at all in the issue at hand?

* What is Micheal Chong’s role as Special Officer/ Advisor to the Minister? Is he advising the Minister in the interest of the Country or his party and its members? Will he be advising the Minister to take stern action on the paper owned by his party?

* Will the MCA Ministers be rightfully asked to recuse themselves from participating in the meeting to avoid being biased in discussing the action on the paper that their party owns if it reaches the Cabinet for execution?

* Are the concert organisers Malaysian, and did they provide the picture without considering its sensitivies?

* Why did they go ahead with providing these pictures?

* If the organisers didn’t send that particular picture, the authorities might have allowed the concert to continue not knowing of the tattoo.

* Did we do enough research on the singer before we approved the concert in the first place?

* Can the fans sue the organisers and The Star because their actions caused the concert to be cancelled?

CONCLUSION:

This Is Not The First Time That The Star Has Hurt The Feelings Of The Muslims. No Show Cause Letter Should Be Issued This Time. They Must Be Dealt With Sternly And With Clinical Precision Without Hishammuddin Pushing The Envelope Up To The Cabinet. The Local Organisers Too Should Be Taken To Task For Being Imbeciles Neglecting The Fundamentals That Keep The Very Fabric Of Our Society In Tact. This Is Not About Race But Will Be Seen As Such Because The Paper Is Owned By The MCA Which Is Insulting Islam. This Is About An Individual And The Establishment That Allows The Individual To Be Reckless Jeopardizing Racial Harmony And National Security.

Hats Off To Yb Datuk Seri Utama Dr Rais Yatim On His Righteous Decision Without Fear Or Favour. 

Where Are The Muftis And Minister Of Religious Affairs In This Matter? Are They More Interested In Fighting Among Themselves On The Facets Of Our Religion Rather Than Defending Islam When It Is Clearly Attacked By Infidels?

The Entertainer’s Fans’ Wrath Should Not Be Directed At The Government Who Had No Qualms In Approving The Concert In The Beginning. It Should Be Duly Directed At The Organisers And The Star For Causing It To Be Cancelled Due To Their Negligence In The Basic Foundation That Holds Us All Together As One Harmonious Multiracial Nation.

The Home Minister Should Take Any Action Necessary According To The Provisions Under His Jurisdiction Without Sidestepping Or Prancing Around The Issue In His Ballet Slippers While Others Arrogantly Tap Dance In The Faces Of Muslims And Islam.  If The Action Is Done In Good Faith And Righteously According To One’s Official Responsibility In The Interest Of National Harmony, No Matter How Risky It Might Look, The Mature Rakyat Will Ensure That This Principled Government Will Be Retained In The Next General Election.

Most Of All, It Will Have The Blessings Of Our God The Al-Mighty.

THE SWORN OATH

It has been 75 days since “The Oath” was taken by the UMNO delegates led by the Deputy President Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin. Yes, one might ask why it has taken this long for me to write an article on it. I took my time, as I wanted to give a reasonable grace period to judge the impact it had on those who made the pledge.

The Pledge Of Allegiance

TRANSLATION (From The New Straits Times):

* We in UMNO pledge to close ranks, forge solidarity, rid ourselves of dispute, ill feelings and jealousy and put party interest above self.

* We in UMNO promise to be loyal to the party by giving our full confidence and support to the party President to lead us in achieving a landslide victory in the general election.

* We in UMNO swear to work tirelessly in an organised and systematic manner, to struggle and work in the path of Allah to ensure UMNO and Barisan Nasional's victory in the 13th general election.

* We in UMNO pledge to give our undivided support to candidates who will be selected by the party's leadership to contest in the election.

The Maestro, Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin Leading The Oath-taking Event

Many of my fellow delegates do remember it and will certainly hold true to their pledge.

But will those in the hierarchy keep their Oath solemn and do justice to it or will they compromise and renege on what they forced upon us all, in good faith.

Of late, I heard of efforts by both Ministers and deputy Ministers to lobby the Prime Minister to remain in office.

It had become intense that even the Prime Minister had to change his own holiday plans to enable him to be away from it all. Sources said some of them had planned to travel to where the Prime Minister was to be in the hope of getting some private time with him to further lobby their positions. Others have gone to the extent of asking to contest a safer parliamentary seat for fear of losing their own constituencies.

I know most, if not all, of the UMNO delegates who attended the General Assembly will keep to the oath that they took on that day.

But I am not convinced that those in office now such as the Ministers and deputy Ministers are equally convicted to the Oath. What if their names are dropped from being candidates in this coming General Elections? Is there a different set of Rules for the incumbent Cabinet members when it comes to putting Party above self-interest?

If any, I personally think that their acts portray them for who or what they really are.

One UMNO member, who was a former Minister, spoke against the party and government as if he holds high moral grounds. Another continues to be defiant in keeping her post despite having dragged the party and the government in what can be considered her own family matters.

In the meantime, there are also outgoing and aspiring candidates who are said to be trying to get cozy with the PM’s wife in order to keep their seats or get nominated. This is a despicable act if it is true and will definitely put the Prime Minister as well as his good wife’s name in bad light, especially if the former entertains such nonsense.

At the same time, I believe these acts would make it much easier for Dato’ Sri Mohd Najib Tun Razak to identify the good, from the bad and the ugly within the Party and the Government.

However, while the final sentence from the Oath is most reasonable and generally acceptable, it needs to be reminded that if the nominated Candidate is not from the party division and is an outsider shoved down the throats of the locals who’ve served the area tirelessly and unselfishly for the last 20 years since they were young, patiently waiting for their turn to rise, there will undoubtedly be a backlash.

Since known adversaries from within the divisions are willing to accept one another in the spirit of The Oath , they cannot be accused of reneging on it if an alien is put forth to represent them unsupported.

In this respect, the decision makers who are out to save their associates or Cabinet members by switching them to a safer seat would be the ones betraying the Party and be considered Traitors.

I Suggest If The General Election Is Further Postponed To Either The End Of The First Half Or Early In The Third Quarter Of The Year, Then We Should Use The UMNO Anniversary As A Forum To Renew Our Oath And Raise Again The United Spirit To Pummel Through Our Course To Imminent Victory.