The Enigm@ Chronicles

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Did Khir Toyo Back Out For Reasons Mentioned Or….

Mar 22

Posted by Jasraj Sandhu in Uncategorized | Comments

Apparently Khir Toyo is out.

And supposedly it’s because he suddenly ‘felt responsible‘ for the devastating defeat BN suffered in Selangor. DUH!!!

After nearly two weeks post-election Khir Toyo’s conscience has finally caught up with him. And he’s now stepping forward to take the brunt of the responsibility, albeit being 2weeks late on that account. In that time he’s been pandering of going around to round up those 63-years and above and also young children in order to register them for the respective promises of free medication and free education. And let us not forget his call to the citizens of Selangor to NOT pay their water bills until the promises 20 cubic meters of water is given for free – this from the former MB of the state!

So all in all to me the timing of the matter is at best questionable.

The way I see it Khir Toyo’s handling of matters in his doing it ‘My Way‘ approach during his time as MB of Selangor is going to come back and bite him. There are documents missing (my guess: minutes of the state exco meetings) and when there are documents missing one cannot be faulted in thinking that there something to hide.

So while Khir Toyo bids adieu, I have a feeling he is soon to be under a very different spotlight than he’s normally used to. I’m expecting some though questions to be put forward pretty soon and as it is – all roads lead to Khir Toyo.

 

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PM Badawi’s Same Old ‘New’ Line

Mar 21

Posted by Jasraj Sandhu in Op-ED, Politics | Comments

Corruption...the Vicious Circle

 

He hyped on it during the 2004 elections.

His image was built on being against it!

He promised to bring an end to it.

And the people practically handed the mandate to him back in 2004 with the hopes that he would solve the it problem!

It is non other than Corruption!

4 years on it’s become apparent to most Malaysian’s that PM Badawi’s talk of fighting corruption was exactly that – all talk and no action. Oh sure there were some arrest and court cases once in a while, but no credible nor tangible action to bring down the major players of the corruption disease festering in this country today was ever made.

Even worse are the cases of the State Assemblymen who circumvent the rule of law as if immune to it when building his ‘palace’ and also that of an MP’s literarily asking the authorities to “Close One Eye” – all added up to an even more desponding outlook for the battle against corruption.

Thus this time around the people have spoken. Among the many grouses of the people, corruption was indeed a key issue. A clear message has been sent to the people in power, especially PM Badawi, that more action is needed.

So this time around PM Badawi’s same old ‘new’ line is once more – Fight Against Corruption.This time though the thoughts on many peoples mind is whether or not he seriously make the effort or not this time?

For now he has made some small steps in the long road to bringing a credible fight to corruption by stating that all cabinet ministers and deputies will have to publicly declare their assets. While this is a good first step, still it’s definitely not enough in my opinion.

I say if the rot extends to the state exco’s and local councilmen, then PM Badawi must also extend the same requirement to all such personage under the BN umbrella.

(Pics courtesy of Catch the dream)

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Is The Possibility Of A Non-Malay Deputy MB That Bad?

Mar 20

Posted by Jasraj Sandhu in point out | Comments

TJL_demo_03

I am somewhat perplexed with the current state of the mentality of certain parties here in Malaysia.

One would think that after 50 years of nationhood and progression that has allowed this country to progress to it’s current state, albeit things could certainly be much much better, the mentality of all Malaysian’s would similarly be well progressed.

Instead I find that the mere mention of nominating a non-Malay citizen to the position of Deputy Menteri Besar (Deputy Chief minister) has raised the hackles of certain groups. It’s very disappointing to see that the people of the most developed state in Malaysia are still clinging on to outdated mentality that the position of MB or DMB should be race specific.

My questions are:

  • Can’t anyone irrespective of race and religion be entrusted with the responsibility to lead us?

  • Why can’t appointments to such positions be made based on the merit of the candidates?

Sadly it would seem that in certain quarters this archaic belief of race specific agenda is still prevalent – which to me is a clear signal that we Malaysian still have a ways to go before be mature out of the stagnant race based game of politics.

(Pics courtesy of The Just Life)

 

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Penang Protest: A Voice of Reason

Mar 16

Posted by Jasraj Sandhu in point out | Comments

In the wake of the blowing out of proportion of the recent move by the Penang State government to implement open and transparent tenders instead of the direct-negotiation method previously employed – there have been warnings issued and there have been illegal protest. All this can be traced to the misinterpretation of the statement issued by the Chief Minister of Penang who was quoted saying that he would drop the New Economic Policy (NEP) in favour for a more balanced, open and transparent policy.

Yet it would seem that the ruling coalition’s head UMNO and by proxy their well placed “peoples” are bent on inflaming the Malay community against the BR led Penang government. From shortsighted statements issued (here), to insinuation made from the Prime Minister himself on the issues and of course not forgetting the usual one-sided view expressed by the local main stream media – who are by the way partially owned by the political party – it is a blatant sign that UMNO is attempting to stoke the racial tension by provoking the “Malay Agenda”.

On can but shake his or her head in bewilderment as it would seem that the racial card and political fear seems to be game plan of UMNO. After 50 years of leadership at the helm of this great country apparently the race based mentality is still the mantra of UMNO!

Thus as I watched the news coverage of the recent UMNO rally in Penang where the members of UMNO took to the street to protest the recent remarks of Penang CM Lim Guan Eng, I could only shake my head at the statements made. The Penang UMNO leaders were all issuing various statements that in my mind had only 1 clear objective – that is to fire up the coals of racial tension. Yes the true face of these so called UMNO leader are revealed for one and all to see.

And what really peeved me was that with all the statements uttered that ran foul of the Sedition Act and also that the protest held and led by UMNO Penang was deemed illegal by the Police – can someone please tell me why not a single person was arrested?

Can the Police force actually say with any sincerity that they have carried out their job as they are normally wont to do? Personally I don’t think so!

It was then that I stumbled across this article – Pesanan Khas kepada Orang Melayu Pulau Pinang – Jangan Cepat Melatah.. – that was wonderfully worded and full of insight. This article made me realize, and thank god fervently, that not all Malaysians are easily fired up all over nothing

 

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UMNO Showdown: Mukhriz vs. Badawi

Mar 14

Posted by Jasraj Sandhu in Politics | Comments

First he (Mukhriz) scheduled a press session the other day where the street talk was that Mukhriz Mahatir will officially state the request that Badawi steps down from the UMNO chairman post in lieu of the devastating defeat scuffed this past election.

Then he did an abrupt U-Turn and instead voice his support for Badawi. Then word on the street was that Mukhriz was intimidated by pro-Badawi UMNO supporters converging on the site of his press conference – supporters sent by the ’son in-law’ none the less.

Now it’s apparently ‘go time‘ once more for Mukhriz, but instead of a formal press conference he’s going the time and tested way of the pen is mightier than the sword i.e. an an official letter to Badawi requesting his resignation.

Below is the 2 pages of the above said letter. Make your own conclusion.

 

Is UMNO full of Resentment and Ill Intent?

Mar 14

Posted by Jasraj Sandhu in Politics, point out | Comments

Idiocy

 

 

There are some general expectation in politics that are standard anywhere around the world. One of these is the accepting of defeat gracefully. The Japanese have the hara-kiri equivalent in politics where politician will step down due to the loss of honour. And yet this very concept is alien and apparently does not exist in the UMNO party here in Malaysia.

Unsurprisingly there are already statements that highlight the gross short-sightedness prevalent among the UMNO party and as I’ve posted before here also a similar streak in the MCA component party of BN.

When given the boot out of Penang by the voters, The Penang UMNO leadership in a major show resentment and ill intent had this to say:

Penang Umno to recommend stopping all state mega projects

Penang Umno will recommend to the Federal Government to stop all proposed mega projects in the state, include those planned under the Northern Corridor Economic Region (NCER), the second Penang Bridge, the light monorail transit system, the Penang Outer Ring Road, the Penang Sentral and the RapidPenang bus service. State Umno secretary Datuk Azhar Ibrahim said the previous Gerakan-led state government had worked together with the federal government to bring all sorts of development to Penang.
“Since the people have clearly rejected development and made their choice for a change, we will recommend to the federal government to cancel all such projects. Don’t blame us for this,” he said after a state liaison committee meeting here today. In March 8 polls, Umno only won two parliamentary seats and 12 state seats.
The meeting was chaired by the deputy state Umno liaison committee chairman Datuk Seri Abdul Rashid Abdullah. Also present were Umno division chiefs from all 13 divisions.
Asked if this was Umno’s revenge, Azhar, who was appointed opposition chief, said: “This is not revenge…it is the new government’s responsibility to bring development to the state. We have done so many things in the past but we were criticised…we were blamed for wasting this and wasting that.”
To another question if this would bring about any implications to the people, he said: “The people have chosen and they wanted a new leadership.”

First they challenged the people to make their voice heard via the ballot box. Then when the people send a clear message to these power hungry bafoons, all of the sudden they get pissed off

So my fellow Malaysians, can there be any more clearer a message on how UMNO has always looked out for itself first and foremost (i.e. the UMNOputeras) – then only in the context of importance comes the Malay community, and then the rest of Malaysia.

This is the core of the government we have been ignorantly voting into power for 50 years!

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Is BN a Sore Loser or are They Trying to Provoke Racial Tension

Mar 14

Posted by Jasraj Sandhu in Op-ED, point out | Comments

It’s barely been a couple of days and already the attacks have begun. Instead of reviewing their many mistakes that had contributed to the stunning loss to the oppositions parties of DAP, PKR & PAS, Barisan is apparently quickly getting on the “blame wagon” – either that or they are actively trying to cause racial tension.

For my first example is this report on MCA’s Ong Ka Chuan’s statement in the article following article from The Star on the 11th of March.

DAP has duped voters, says Ka Chuan

IPOH: The DAP has revealed its “true face” to the people by cooperating with PAS to form the next state government, Perak MCA chief Datuk Ong Ka Chuan said.

“All this while, the DAP has been denying that it is working with PAS when they sought the support of the Chinese community in Perak during the campaigning period,” he said.

“After getting their votes, the DAP is doing otherwise,” he said yesterday when commenting on the new ruling coalition government of the DAP, PKR and PAS.

The DAP, he said, should apologise to the voters for having duped them about not working together with PAS when wooing them before the just-concluded polls.

Ong, who is also the MCA secretary-general, said the DAP might even go to the extent of allowing a PAS leader to be the new Mentri Besar.

“How are they going to explain to the Chinese community? The DAP had not been honest right from the start,” he asked.

The DAP should have told the community right from the beginning that they were cooperating with PAS so that the voters would be able to make a wise decision at the ballot box, he said.

“Now the DAP is doing otherwise. I feel sad that the situation has become like this,” he added.

“The people gave the DAP their trust and this is how the DAP is repaying them – by working with an Islamist party,” said the newly-elected Tanjong Malim MP.

Then there this article, again by The Star on the 12th of March, from BN’s former MB of Selangor Khir Toyo:

Barisan will act as a watchdog, says Khir

SHAH ALAM: The state Barisan Nasional will act as watchdog to ensure that the three parties forming the state government delivered on election promises as stipulated in their manifestoes, said former Selangor Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Dr Mohamad Khir Toyo.

Breaking his silence for the first time since the recently concluded general election, Dr Khir said, “I hope the three parties (PKR, DAP and PAS) will take the best care possible of the people and this beautiful and good state, after receiving the mandate from the people.

“We will work together with the state government if the projects benefit the people and are carried out transparently.”

He was speaking at a press conference yesterday at the Selangor Umno building here.

Dr Khir, who left the building on Saturday without talking to the press after learning of Barisan’s defeat in the state, had cancelled several scheduled press conferences before last night.

He said Barisan would register all pre-schoolers, senior citizens, single mothers and students so that they could receive all the benefits such as free education, allowances and healthcare that were promised.

Asked about rumours that the state Barisan had tried to woo PAS assemblymen to gain a simple majority, Dr Khir said this was not true.

Commenting on claims that Barisan had tried to destroy documents kept at the state secretariat building, Dr Khir said these were just rumours and that he had always been transparent and all the papers were in order.

“We have nothing to hide,” he said.

And if anymore proof is needed to justify my point, there is this third example available from The Star (13th of March):

Ong: Perak voters cheated

KUALA LUMPUR: DAP has cheated its voters as a PAS state assemblyman will be sworn in as the Perak mentri besar today, Perak MCA chief Datuk Ong Ka Chuan said.

Ong, who is also the MCA secretary-general, said DAP should apologise to its voters, saying it was sad to hear that Perak PAS secretary Mohammad Nizar Jamaluddin will be the mentri besar.

He said Mohammad’s appointment went against the wishes of voters, especially non-Muslims.

“Having a mentri besar from PAS creates fear among non-Muslims. This also creates political instability.”

Ong, who is also the newly-elected Tanjong Malim MP, said the Chinese in Perak voted for DAP to uphold justice and change for the better but the opposite seemed to have happened.

On Perak DAP chief Ngeh Koo Ham as the Deputy Mentri Besar (I), Ong said the Perak constitution states that the MB must be a Malay, though the Sultan has the discretion to waive this.

However, it did not state the existence of a deputy MB post, said Ong.

“There is no such post in the Perak constitution,” said Ong.

The Regent of Perak, Raja Dr Nazrin Shah, met the three nominated candidates for the mentri besar’s post at 5pm yesterday.

The candidates were Ngeh (Sitiawan), state PKR treasurer Jamaluddin Mohd Radzi (Behrang) and Mohammad (Pasir Panjang).

My Two Cent’s

Way to go Ka Chuan!

Play the racial card even more. Stoke the coals under the racial issue even more. Show the people of Perak and the rest of Malaysia what exactly is the narrow mentality of MCA and by extension BN. Your instigation and attempts to drive the wedge between the Chinese voters and the rest of the races are pathetic at best and down right kolot (backwards) in my opinion.

And shall we not forget the sore loser former MB Khir Toyo. He’s probably never heard of the concept of losing gracefully. That one is by no means a gentleman.

BN, BN, BN…. what has thou become! Disgraceful is your true nature once again revealed.

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An Apt Summary for the Elections

Mar 13

Posted by Jasraj Sandhu in Op-ED | Comments

I couldn’t have summed it all up any better myself. From highlighting the glaring faults of the current Election Commissions’ voter list to commentary on the chance the Opposition line has been handed – all in all this is what I call a good news segment piece.

 

 

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Gerakan To Possibly Start Blogging

Mar 11

Posted by Jasraj Sandhu in Humour, point out | Comments

Support Blogging Pins (by SteveHargadon)

At first the government labeled bloggers as liars and spreaders of malicious rumors on the Internet. If memory serves correct the word ‘Bodoh‘ (Stupid) was regularly bandied by Barisan MP and assemblymen in reference to bloggers.

Now with the delivery of a stunning blow to the Barisan Government with the recent loss of the 2/3 majority and 5 states being lost to Opposition hands – these very same people are now singing a different tune. This possible reverse in policy speaks volumes on the effectiveness of the oppositions front’s concentrated cyberspace campaigning. Traditionally censored and often mistreated by the main stream media, the opposition parties made the decision to totally abandon the pro-government main stream media’s in favour for the uncensored and increasingly vocal avenue of The Internet.

Banking on the various blogs and party portals setup in the recent years, added with the inclusion of young and new technocrats into the parties, the strategy has undoubtedly paid off with the voice of the opposition finally being heard fairly. Additionally the move to cyberspace was a stroke of genius as the Internet proved to be a focal point in attracting the younger generation in greater numbers that ever before. Thus has the opposition’s message gone out and found willing ears to hear them.

Today with the stinging defeat being the proverbial slap in the face for the BN coalitions most damaged by the recent election, the blogging landscape seems to be a plausible venture that the coalition members are now eyeing. According to The Star’s article (following) Gerakan is already hinting at this possibility.

Gerakan to play role of opposition

Gerakan will play the role of a responsible and effective Opposition in the DAP-led Penang Government despite not winning a single seat in the state assembly.

Party adviser Datuk Seri Dr Lim Keng Yaik said it was a similar case with the DAP when it, too, did not win a single seat in the state assembly in 2004.

“They did not win then and they are forming the state government today. It depends on your determination. We have our organisation. All we need is to rebuild it,” he said.

On Sunday, acting Gerakan president Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon offered to step down after the party’s poor showing in the general election and said he was not sure how it was possible for the party to play the role of an effective Opposition in Penang when it did not win a single state seat.

Dr Lim said he would tell Dr Koh to “shut up and carry on” with his work. “You don’t abandon ship. Tsu Koon is always the gentleman. It’s time he becomes a political charger.”

He added that Gerakan would set up a team to monitor opinions voiced in blogs and websites on the Internet and maybe even come out with their own blogs to criticise the governments in the five states which fell to the Opposition.

It is the opinion of this blogger that it’s better late than never. The main reason the coalition members had lost can be attributed to the various coalition parties losing touch with the communities and people who put them in power in the first place. It is possible that with move to get online, these parties can begin to see the bigger picture and get in sync with the pulse of the people.

It is also my hope that the new ruling government will put and end to the whitewashing and the black-labeling of credible and sincere bloggers out there.

 

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The Tale of Menteri Besars & Chief Ministers

Mar 11

Posted by Jasraj Sandhu in Op-ED, Politics | Comments

As the choppy day winds down yesterday, a whole lot of decision had and were being made. Even the largest single stock market plunge of 9.5% on the KLSE Composite Index did not deter the Barisan Rakyat coalition from putting forward their agendas and plans. First and foremost on the mind of everyone will be the naming of the 4 Menteri Besar’s (Governor) and the single Chief Minister for the 5 opposition led states of Penang, Selangor, Kedah, Perak & Kelantan. This should closely be followed by the naming of their deputies and the state executive councilors for each state. Not to be left out is the the Federal Territory of Kuala Lumpur where the opposition has swept most of the seat.

For now the expected and confirmed candidates for the MB and CM posts are:

Penang

DAP Secretary-General Lim Guan Eng will be officially instated as the Chief Minister of Penang today. He is expected to lead a formation of Barisan Rakyat (DAP-PKR-PAS) executive councilors in forming the next Penang state government.

Already DAP are making all the right noises – from pledging to stand by the promises made and its manifesto for Penang, to putting public interest first in the implementation or review of any project or policies & also projecting a business-friendly environment for existing MNCs to operate in Penang. In fact word on the street is that a 3-man team of newly elected parliamentarians led by Jeff Ooi will be given the task of liaisoning with investors, MNC & SME on Penang’s business outlook following the recent political changes.

Selangor

PKR Secretary-General Tan Sri Abdul Khalid Ibrahim has officially been announced to the Menteri Besar designate of Selangor. After consultation with the Sultan of Selangor the official blessing to form the state government is contingent on the Sultans meeting with the DAP & PAS components of the proposed Barisan Rakyat state government.

Meanwhile Khalid Ibrahim is expected to name the state executive councilors as early as tomorrow or Thursday and will be looking into the possible naming of a Deputy Menteri Besar of Chinese or Indian ethnic decent. Khalid Ibrahim comes into the position of Menteri Besar will a top credentials from his time as CEO of Permodalan Nasional Berhad (PNB) and later on CEO of Kumpulan Guthrie.

Khalid Ibrahim is off on a great start. He has already bringing his business experience to bear by stating that he will implementing a quarterly development report to the Selangor citizens. Also he has stated that transparency in governance in the new state government will a fact and no more fiction as was wont in the previous establishment. Better still is a possible move, pending a legal review, to free Selangor from the Official Secrets Act – the every act that has allowed the previous state government to dissemble and hide previous bureaucratic decisions and paperwork. Selangor citizens are on track to get what they have long wanted – proper governance, transparency and check and balance in place!

Kedah

Kedah PAS Commissioner, Azizan Abdul Razak has been sworn in as the Menteri Besar of Kedah. PAS has the most seats in the 3 opposition parties and is expected to from a joint PAS-PKR state assembly. The current word is that the newly formed state government will see the inclusion of 2 non-Muslim PKR assemblypersons and 1 DAP post as state exco members.

Right now the ball is is the hands of PAS Menteri Besar and his soon to be announced councilors. The people of Kedah will be eyeing any overt introduction of Islamic administrative systems and regulations. YB Azizan has stated that the state government will approach this matter sensitively and also reassures that PAS will not be on an Islamic agenda in the state. He also said that a review of the project initiated by the previous BN led state government is on the cards.

Perak

Speculation is rife on the possible candidates for the post of the Menteri Besar of Perak. It’s widely expected that the future MB will be chosen from the ranks of either PAS or PKR. Even though DAP leads in terms of number of seats, they are expected to make way for a Malay MB as its required by the state’s law – unless the Sultan’s waves the prerogative for a Malay MB out of the way.

The latest news has it that the PAS candidate is Mohamad Nizar Jamaludin (Pasir Panjang) while the PKR candidate is Jamaluddin Mohd Radzi (Behrang). Still a third candidate from DAP was possibly named in a list submitted to the purview of the Regent of Perak. Thus far as the decision seems to be in the air, the state leaders of the Barisan Rakyat coalition have already reassured that a joint-ruling will be the focus of the state government.

Kelantan

The traditional long time seat of PAS will continue as usual. With an even bigger mandate compared to the 2004 election, the state government of Kelantan will remain in the control of PAS with Dato’ Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat expected to continue on as Menteri Besar.

 

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