M'sians see end of the road for Najib, but fear 'racial' Muhyiddin

Written by Dana Kay, Malaysia Chronicle

Talk of Prime Minister Najib Razak faltering is buzzing all round the coffee-shops that dot the nation, with all eyes wide open to catch a glimpse of who will succeeed him.

The feelings for Prime Minister Najib Razak are mixed. There were some people who believed that Najib should continue as president of UMNO while many more see his career as "finished".

It is surprising to see that a hawker, a lecturer, a lawyer, a teacher and an IT analysis shared the same idea that Najib has to go, while a Malay professional and a BN leader think Najib is still the best man amongst the lot to continue as UMNO president and PM of Malaysia.

Change is necessary, step down graciously

With so much turbulence going on in the country, a lot of which is due to leadership mismanagement, many people are resigned to the fact that if the leadership of the country is not changed in the next general election, Malaysia will stand to lose big in terms of democracy and economy. It will also affect the growth of the nation, with more brain-drain bringing the reality of bankruptcy to the country’s door steps sooner than the officially predicted 2019.

Janet Edwin, a lecture from a college said Najib’s future as a leader in the country is gone, judging him from the way he handled the current crisis facing the country. She felt that he had failed in his role as a husband to the country's top post. Janet said that Najib should gracefully step down instead of being booted out to ‘save face’. Seriously, she felt, he should go as he has made the country look like it’s being run by an amateur, and the nation has become a laughing stock to the world, she added.

“I felt sorry for him as he appeared to be ‘controlled’ in the home ground and he should give his wife a talking down, not the other way round," she pointed out.

Muhyiddin and Mukhriz

Lau, an IT man, shared Janet 'sidea about Najib and agreed that Muhyiddin should not be the next as he does not care much for racial integrity. “And he makes a mess of the education system being the top guy there, what with Interlok and all that. On Pak Lah who might make a comeback, Lau yawns and said, next,” When Mukhriz Mahathir was mentioned, Lau said he was too green in politics and too dependent on Daddy, Dr Mahathir Mohamad.

Ah Lung who sells chicken rice ranted about Najib being born with a silver spoon. Ah Lung who praised to the skies the second Prime Minister said it is sad that a son seldom take after his father, especially one born with a silver spoon. “No lah, not his deputy, if he runs this country, there will be more people migrating especially the non Muslims,” said Ah Lung.

He believed that the best PM would be someone from Pakatan Rakyat.

“I don’t care who, just change the government. Let whoever want to be the president of UMNO take over, but the government, we need to change. Just like SUPP, whoever takes over as president is also going to go down like UMNO. They have all been too arrogant in the past,” he added.

Showed his real colours

Voon Shiak Ni, a PKR Women's leader who is also a lawyer, said if Najib had been firm and did as he preached especially on his 1 Malaysia: People First, Performance Now concept, he would have been a great leader.

“Alas, he turned out to be the opposite, not wanting to hear what the masses said, rely on his ill-informed people around him and took a hard stand on issues that affected the people. That is not how a good PM acts,” Voon told Malaysia Chronicle.

She said although Najib has the look of a kind person, his action said otherwise. “I think he won't be the president again, too much internal rift in UMNO. And Mudyiddin is too racial to make a good president or PM. People will never forget his statement of Malay first, Malaysian next. Ku Li will not make it as he looks too ancient and Pak Lah would be too sleepy to do the job. I think there is no more capable leader who has a firm hand after Dr M but unfortunately he has turned too racial after stepping down,” she reasoned.

Voon felt that Mukhriz would be too green to go for the post. “Whatever it is, let them fight it out as whoever is the next President will face the lack of confidence like that of Najib. Pakatan Rakyat will get a PM ready to fill the post in the next general election,” she stated.

Muhyiddin also not popular

A teacher who declined to be named said he would pick Muhyiddin as the last person to be the country's leader. The teacher said Muhyiddin proved to be a failure as an Education minister and the ministry was in a big mess. His racial tone certainly would not warm him to the Chinese and non-Muslims. "Even, I a Malay, is worried of the damage that would be caused if a country become too racial in nature." he said. As far as he is concerned, Najib is the lesser devil of the two.

Azim, a professor from Semenanjung based in one of the institutes of higher learning here, believed Najib will make it and continue to be the president and PM.

“There is a deep respect for leadership amongst the Malays," he said, adding that he does not think the DPM will challenge Najib. "And Ku Li has passed his time" too.

For the first timer voters, Azim said they tended to vote for Opposition but once they mature, they will realize that there is no need to oppose just for the sake of opposing.

“I am talking not only Malay but the younger ones, who are more gullible as a whole. When we were young, we were more rebellious but as we mature, we look at things in a broader manner,” he said. However, Azim, admitted that Kelantan youngsters will still think PAS is the best in the world.

Azim said in any country, no leader is perfect. And when the going gets tough, the people have to display a more mature outlook instead of worsening the situation. Bersih, he added, will not affect Najib in any way except for the young and internet savvy. “The conservative will still pick Najib over Muhyiddin,” he said.

Anxious to see change

As for Mukhriz, Azim thinks he is still young politically, despite the father’s ambition for him to be the PM in waiting.

A Dayak BN leader likes Najib because he has the "maturity". Najib, said the BN leader, wants to do good but unfortunately, his Cabinet is not with him. Let him win in the next general election, and then he can pick his own cabinet and win the people back. At the moment, his own cabinet are creating problem for him, he added.

In summary, the overall sentiment after speaking to the various interviewees is that whether Najib, Muhyiddin or whoever takes over, Malaysians are wary after over 50 years of the BN regime, which has worsened since the last few years.

The people seem to be more anxious to see a change in the government to get the country out of the gutter to at least on a level as other neighbouring countries.

Malaysia Chronicle

A citizen's nightmare: Najib slammed for Utusan's 'Christian tweet' row

Written by Dana Kay, Malaysia Chronicle

A social networking tweet meant for friends has turned into a seditious act, a nightmare come true for Malaysians whose fundamental constitutional right of freedom of speech is often curtailed by Prime Minister Najib Razak's increasingly hardline government.

Normal Malaysians are trying to come to terms with what is happening in the country, where it is now forbidden for wear a T-shirt with the word Bersih or even just the colour yellow, depending on the occassion. To the outside world, this may seem ludicrous but there is a long list of 'No-Nos' and the latest to join the banned list is 'tweet'. Yes, Twitter's tweet.

Chan Lilian who tweeted last month 'I think all Christians should march for all the persecution they had done to us and our Lord. Don’t you think so? I go sleep now, bye-bye. :)' was considered seditious after oneTony Yew lodged a police report, which was immediately played up by the UMNO-owned Utusan. Lilian is now being investigated by the police and faces jail if found guilty.

Blaming Najib's UMNO party for the latest blow to social freedoms, state assemblywoman for Pending Violet Yong accused the federal government of picking on Christians as part of its usual game of racial and religiuos politicking.

According to her, tweeting was just a social networking tool meant to be shared amongst friends and UMNO should not politicise and turn it into something seditious.

It also does not help to appease unhappy citizens or boost confidence in the federal leadership that police seem to have "nothing better to do" except go around looking for unfortunate people, who are brave enough to speak their minds, she added.

"There is no freedom of expression, no allowance for one to express our own thoughts and minds to our own group of friends. The government has become so paranoid now,” Violet told Malaysia Chronicle.

“So it is alright for people like Ibrahim Ali to announce his racial remarks and getting away with it but not right for someone who tweet to friends. Or is it because Chan Lilian is a Christian and need to be taught a lesson."

Consistent speech and action

Violet was also extremely upset with the PM’s recent speech, where he called on Malaysian to move from racial tolerance to acceptance. Before doing do, Najib should ensure certain reforms were in place rather than just make 'pretty' comments on which no further action was ever taken, she said.

"If we say we are tolerant of each other, that means there still exists walls that will make us fell a bit uneasy with each other. But if we accept each other, then we can celebrate our togetherness and be fully united as Malaysians," Star had reported Najib as saying on Thursday.

According to Violet, the PM has not done anything to tackle the deep-seated unhappiness felt by the Chinese minority, who have been marginalised and hit by verbal onslaughts from the likes of rabble rousers, such as Malay rights group Perkasa.

"Is he telling us to accept Ibrahim Ali’s racist remarks and not just to tolerate it? Is he telling us to accept the brutality of the police during Bersih rally, to accept the tear gas fired into the hospital, to accept the Teoh Beng Hock’s RCI? It may sound emotional but it comes to that, you know. I think Najib should learn to accept the people’s real feelings of unhappiness and grouses first before he asks for acceptance,” she said.

What is the measure for 'seditious', who decides?

State assemblyman for Padungan, Wong King Wei also shared the view that the tweet from Lilian did not promote hatred amongst any religion. To him, there was no sign of any seditious element.

He threw his moral support behind Lilian, saying she was a brave citizen who dared to stand up against Utusan and those who were made used of to go against her.

“The government is trying all means to stop, curtail and destroy the Internet influence. A good government welcomes social media to spread the truth without fear or favour. For a recalcitrant government, it is afraid of the truth to be exposed,” said Wong.

Wong also pointed out that the police were also trying to find out who had posted the negative remarks in the Prime Minister’s Facebook, telling him to 'shut up' or 'diam lah'. Such an incident had broken out last Tuesday, shocking the nation but also speaking volumes about Najib's hold on the people following his harsh and extremely unpopular crackdown against the July 9 Bersih rally for free and fair elections.

“If the prime minister wants to know the truth of his people, he must allow the people to air their views and not only accept ‘good’ statement and praises,” Wong lamented.

Shutting down dissent is not the answer

See Chee How, state assemblyman for Batu Lintang also wondered which part of Lilian’s statement was seditious and what was the yardstick in the tweet to say that it was seditious. Again, See pointed to the example of Ibrahim Ali, who is famous for attacking the Chinese community with his racial taunts so as to win the hearts of the Malay community, of which he insists he is a protector and champion.

“Is the government saying that Ibrahim Ali’s statements are never seditious when even people from UMNO have thought so? How does the government measure seditious words uttered or written. Or is it just to whim and fancy?” See asked.

The PKR leader warned that the people regardless of race would only 'listen' to Najib if his specch and actions were consistent. So far, the PM has been accused of saying different things to different groups. Neither has there been much action taken by his administration at all to really reduce the racial polarisation which has intensified since he took over the top job in April 2009.

"This is a clear sign of the government's violation of freedom of speech. A government that is mature does not have to silence the public even when the truth hurts. A smart government not only hears but listens to the voices of discontentment and acts on it in the right way. Silencing the masses by force and initimadtion is the last thing a government should do. It will only create more noise," admonished See.

- Malaysia Chronicle

EC is Not Telling The Truth: It Can Make Changes Without BN Approval

16 days after Bersih 2.0 and finally the Election Commission meets Ambiga Sreenevasen on a public stage to discuss election reforms. Yet, all is not well with the Election Commission as more questions have been raise in the aftermath of its lacklustre answers.

EC deputy chairman Wan Ahmad Wan Omar absolved himself and his colleagues of any responsibility towards electoral reforms amid boos and jeers during a public dialogue with Bersih chairman Ambiga Sreevenasan, stressing that there was “nothing wrong” with the EC.

“The EC is not an enforcement agency; it is only a management body for elections. The best we can do is to propose relevant laws to the Attorney-General’s Chambers.

“But ultimately it is the government of the day, which obtained majority votes, which has the final say. If the government decides that voting age is 21 years old, whatever proposal we send to the A-G’s Chambers can never go to Parliament,” he said at a public forum titled What next after July 9.

A lie of a statement

This is a rather funny statement from the EC deputy chairman, as the manager for elections in Malaysia, the EC is provisioned to make rules as stated in Article 113 (5) of the Federal Constitution. This provision within the Federal Constitution was pointed out by the Bersih chairperson to the EC deputy chairman.

Rules of conduct for elections are well within the boundaries of the EC since these are the rules that go into effect during an election. There is no need for such rules to pass through the AG chambers as long as these rules uphold and stay within the context of federal law.

Thus among other things, the use of indelible ink, a period of 21 days for campaigning and equal access to main-stream media are all measures that the EC can decide on, without having to refer to the AG chambers.

The only time such rules should be referred to the AG chambers is if there is a possibility a rule can contradict a federal law. Even then, if it does contradict a federal law, the EC does have the responsibility to stand by its decision or decide on an alternative.

It is the responsibility of the EC to uphold its role in ensuring that elections are conducted fairly and properly in Malaysia. Appointments are by the Agong and members to the EC must not have any other affiliation whether to political parties or to business entities.

This means they have to ensure that they are neutral and unbiased. If they are unable to be neutral or believe that they cannot play an impartial role as Wan Ahmad himself suggested, then they should immediately resign or be in gross disobedience to the King.

Cheating starts in the EC database itself

Instead, the EC has turned a deaf ear to allegations of phantom voters. When cornered with proof of such voters, the EC states that it is powerless to remove them from the voter listings. To remove a deceased person from the roll, a death certificate needs to be produced. Such technicalities have uncovered some rather funny instances of voters reaching more than 100 years old, still being eligible to vote.

Then there is the case of multiple voters residing under one address. The EC is powerless to remove such voters as it needs to be proven they do not reside at the location. This is their excuse.

But above all, the question that begs an answer is, how did such voters get registered in the first place? Voter registration is conducted by the EC, and an identity card is needed upon registration. All voter registration is entered into a computer database, thus it can be inferred that any manipulation of voter’s registration data happens within the database that is eventually printed out as the electoral roll.

Further points of contention comes from the refusal of the EC to extend postal votes to those who qualify but do not fall into the category of police personnel or the military. In the recent Sarawak state election, this deprived the Sarawak diaspora who work in the peninsula or West Malaysia, their right to ballot. Voters who wanted to vote were forced to pay unnecessarily for airfare back to Sarawak in order to cast their votes.

Making it harder for voters to vote

As overseers of the election process, it is the responsibility of the EC to ensure that all citizens of Malaysia have the opportunity to cast their vote as granted by Article 114 of the Federal Constitution. The EC has instead chosen to make it even harder for Malaysians to cast their votes if they happen to reside away from the state of their origins.

The EC’s non-supportive stance is further evidenced by its refusal to provide automatic registration for Malaysians who reach the age of 21. Why then would the EC not grant Malaysians this facility and ensure that all get the opportunity to vote? Only the EC can answer.

In the wake of Bersih, the EC has shown itself as a toothless and clueless commission. Unwilling to stand up for the rights of everyday Malaysians and instead selling their souls to please their political masters – the BN goverment of the day.

Bebaskan Malaysia dari penjajahan ketakutan dan keganasan!

Lim Hong Siang | Jul 30, 2011

Meskipun Tanah Malaya merdeka dari penjajahan British pada tahun 1957, dan seterusnya untuk Sabah dan Sarawak pada tahun 1963, namun pada hakikatnya negara Malaysia tidak pernah bebas dari penjajahan ketakutan dan keganasan. Kita bukan sebuah negara merdeka, selagi kita boleh dipukul polis pada bila-bila masa.

Demikianlah kata-kata ahli jawatankuasa BERSIH 2.0, Wong Chin Huat ketika berucap dalam candle light vigil, sebagai solidariti kepada keluarga mendiang Teoh Beng Hock untuk mencari kebenaran.

"Kita turun ke jalan raya untuk mencari demokrasi, namun akhirnya kita menemui negara," kata Wong Chin Huat, yang mendakwa bahawa tanggal 9 Julai 2011 menandakan kelahiran Malaysia 2.0. Teruja dengan sambutan hadirin, beliau memimpin untuk melaungkan "Merdeka!"

Wong Chin Huat berkata, tahanan EO6 kehilangan kebebasan untuk kira-kira 30 hari, dan mendiang Teoh Beng Hock kehilangan nyawanya pada usia 30 tahun - kedua-duanya berlaku dalam zaman pemerintahan Najib Razak. Beliau menaruh harapan agar rakyat Malaysia tidak perlu lagi bertoleransi kepada keganasan pada masa depan, hanya kerana alasan bahawa masyarakat kita terdiri daripada berbilang kaum.

Kira-kira 600 orang menyertai candle light vigil yang diadakan oleh Malaysians for Beng Hock di Dewan Perhimpunan Cina KL-Selangor (KL-SCAH), semalam. Pengerusi BERSIH 2.0 Ambiga, Presiden KL-SCAH Tan Yew Sing, wakil NGO, pemimpin politik seperti Teo Nie Ching, Ean Yong Hian Wah, Jenice Lee, Sivarasa Rasiah, Zuraida Kamaruddin dan lain-lain lagi turut hadir untuk memberi solidariti kepada ahli keluarga mendiang Teoh Beng Hock.

Ambiga: EO6, BERSIH, TBH semuanya menuntut keadilan


Pengerusi BERSIH 2.0 Ambiga Sreenevasan berkata, kita tidak akan melupai Teoh Beng Hock. Malah, kita gagal menggantikan Teoh Beng Hock sebagai seorang suami, anak dan abang yang baik kepada ahli keluarganya. Beliau berkata, usaha menuntut pembebasan EO6, BERSIH 2.0, hinggalah kembalikan kebenaran untuk Beng Hock - kesemuanya menuntut satu perkara, iaitu keadilan, dan mendukung semangat negara hukum (rule of law).

Zuraida Kamaruddin mengakui bahawa dirinya turut merasai kesedihan apabila dimaklumkan kematian Teoh Beng Hock. Beliau pernah bertemu dengan Teoh Beng Hock di pejabat EXCO Selangor, Ean Yong Hian Wah. Beliau mendakwa dirinya nampak harapan apabila bertemu dengan orang muda seperti Teoh Beng Hock.

Ahli parlimen Serdang, Teo Nie Ching dan EXCO Selangor merangkap ADUN Seri Kembangan, Ean Yong Hian Wah menolak kesimpulan Suruhanjaya Siasatan Kematian Teoh Beng Hock bahawa mendiang mati kerana membunuh diri. Mereka merakamkan penghargaan kepada orang ramai kerana tidak melupai Teoh Beng Hock sepanjang dua tahun ini, malah menyeru agar rakyat terus mendesak agar kebenaran dikembalikan kepada keluarga Teoh.

*Lim Hong Siang ialah Editor MerdekaReview, edisi bahasa Malaysia. Sebahagian kandungan daripada tulisan di atas diterjemahkan daripada laporan MerdekaReview, edisi bahasa Cina.

Sambutan pembebasan EO6: Rakyat tidak boleh ditakut-takutkan lagi

Lim Hong Siang | Jul 30, 2011

Keenam-enam orang tahanan di bawah Ordinan Darurat merakamkan setinggi-tinggi penghargaan kepada rakyat Malaysia, sebulat suara mendakwa bahawa kuasa rakyat yang membebaskan mereka daripada penahanan. Malah, keberanian rakyat untuk turun ke jalan raya pada 9 Julai 2011, dan kecekalan untuk terus mendesak agar EO6 dibebaskan, membuktikan bahawa rakyat Malaysia sudah tidak takut lagi.


Ahli parlimen Sungai Siput Micheal Jeyakumar Deveraj (gambar kiri, kiri) menjangkakan dirinya bersama rakan seperjuangannya akan ditahan untuk tempoh 60 hari, malah mungkin dilanjutkan kepada dua tahun - namun akhirnya kerajaan terpaksa akur kerana desakan daripada rakyat Malaysia untuk membebaskan mereka.

Micheal Jeyakumar menganggap penangkapan EO6 bertujuan untuk menakutkan rakyat Malaysia agar tidak menyertai perhimpunan BERSIH 2.0 pada 9 Julai, namun strategi ini terbukti gagal.

Ketika menggulung selepas EO6 yang dibebaskan jam 5.30 petang semalam berucap, Setiausaha Agung PSM Arutchelvan menyimpulkan bahawa "Rakyat Malaysia tidak boleh ditakut-takutkan lagi dengan cerita karut!"

Arutchelvan menceritakan bagaimana PSM sebagai parti yang paling miskin, meraih sokongan ramai selepas penahanan aktivis partinya berikutan perhimpunan BERSIH 2.0. Mereka sempat untuk mengumpul wang sebanyak RM192,000 dalam masa dua jam, untuk mengikat jamin aktivisnya yang ditahan. Malah, selepas penahanan EO6, ada orang yang mengunjungi ibu pejabatnya untuk mengisi borang kemasukan parti.

Kira-kira 400 orang dari latar belakang kaum yang pelbagai hadir untuk menyambut pembebasan EO6 di Dewan Perhimpunan Cina KL-Selangor. Satu forum untuk membincangkan Ordinan Darurat dijadualkan untuk diadakan semalam, bertukar kepada perkongsian pengalaman EO6. Forum ini juga bertembung dengan candle light vigil untuk mendiang Teoh Beng Hock, yang diadakan pada 9 malam.

Selepas EO6 berkongsi pengalaman mereka, hampir kesemua hadirin menyertai candle light vigil di tingkat bawah Dewan Perhimpunan Cina KL-Selangor (KL-SCAH) menambahkan bilangan peserta kepada kira-kira 600 orang. Pengerusi BERSIH 2.0, EO6 dan wakil-wakil NGO turut hadir untuk memberi solidariti kepada keluarga mendiang Teoh Beng Hock.

Rakyat adalah wira demokrasi


Laungan slogan "Hidup Rakyat", "Mansuh Akta Zalim", "Hancur EO", terus kedengaran, malah penyokong PSM menyanyikan lagu "Suara Rakyat" dan lagu "Internasionale" untuk menyambut ketibaan EO6. Selain penyokong PSM dan aktivis sosial, pemimpin politik yang turut hadir termasuklah Naib Presiden PKR Nurul Izzah Anwar, ahli parlimen Subang Sivarasa Rasiah dan lain-lain. Puluhan polis berada di sekitar bangunan KL-SCAH, tetapi tidak mengganggu perjalanan aktiviti.

Ketika berucap, AJK PSM Choo Chon Kai menjangkakan bahawa dirinya akan ditahan untuk tempoh yang panjang, namun beliau tidak pernah berasa gentar sama sekali.

"Saya ada kepercayaan kepada rakyat di luar sana. Saya percaya rakyat kita sudah matang," katanya disambut dengan sorakan. Beliau menambah, "Saya tidak merasa kami enam orang ini adalah wira. Wira yang sebenarnya adalah anda semua. Setiap orang, setiap rakyat yang turun ke jalan raya pada 9 Julai. Anda semua adalah wira demokrasi kepada politik di Malaysia ini!"

Penahanan di bawah Ordinan Darurat kali ini tidak melunturkan semangat R Saratbabu, malah beliau telah berjanji kepada dirinya, bahawa beliau akan bersama perjuangan PSM selepas dibebaskan. AP Letchumanan pula berkata, Ketua Polis Negara hanya boleh memenjarakan badannya, tetapi gagal memenjarakan semangat perjuangannya.

Sugumaran a/l Munisamy mengisahkan pengalamannya dalam nada berjenaka, menceritakan betapa lucunya cara soal-siasat pegawai penyiasat. Beliau ditanya soalan apa yang dilakukan pada bulan pertama tahun 1990, diminta untuk bernyanyi, malah pegawai penyiasat cuba membandingkan PSM dengan Parti Komunis Malaya (PKM) - PSM dengan hanya seorang pemimpin berketurunan Melayu, iaitu Nasir Hashim, sementara yang selainnya adalah berketurunan India. Sugu berkata pegawai penyiasat cuba menyamakan situasi ini dengan PKM, yang mana Rashid Maidin seorang sahaja Melayu di kalangan pemimpin PKM, dengan pemimpin selebihnya adalah berketurunan Cina.

Timbalan Pengerusi PSM, M Sarasvathy, turut mengalami pengalaman yang agak sama, di mana pegawai penyiasatnya cuba menyamakan sosialisme dengan komunisme. Beliau yang tidak tahan dengan kenyataan pegawai penyiasat itu berkata mereka telah puluhan tahun ketinggalan, sedangkan kita kini berada dalam abad ke-21.

Desakan rakyat akhirnya membebaskan EO6!

MerdekaReview | Jul 29, 2011

Desakan rakyat akhirnya berhasil, apabila enam orang tahanan di bawah Ordinan Darurat (EO) dibebaskan, pada jam 5.30 petang tadi. Enam orang tahanan EO termasuklah Micheal Jeyakumar Deveraj, Sarasvathy Muthu, Choo Chon Kai, Sukumaran Munisamy, A.Letchumanan dan Saratbabu.

Setiausaha Agung PSM, Arutchelvan mengesahkan kepada MerdekaReview bahawa keenam-enam tahanan telah dibebaskan tadi, dan beliau kini berada bersama mereka.

Menurut peguam mereka, Yudi, keadaan keenam-enam orang EO6 agak baik. Bagaimanapun, beliau berkata dirinya gagal menilai keadaan kesihatan mereka secara teliti kerana dirinya bukan doktor.

Jeyakumar Devaraj mula melancarkan mogok laparnya sejak semalam, mendesak agar kerajaan membebaskan diri dan rakan seperjuangannya. Malah, 36 orang warga Malaysia menyatakan kesediaan untuk mencukur rambutnya pada pagi esok sebagai bantahan terhadap penahanan EO6.

Bagaimanapun, candle light vigil yang dijadualkan untuk berlangsung pada jam 9 malam ini akan diteruskan di Dewan Perhimpunan Cina KL-Selangor. Menurut Arutchelvan dalam Facebooknya, satu majlis menyambut pembebasan EO6 bakal dijalankan pada jam 7.30 petang ini, di tempat yang sama.

4 things Najib must do to salvage his tattered credibility after his greatest leadership failure as PM post-Bersih post-EO6

The past five weeks are undoubtedly the worst period for Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak since becoming the sixth Malaysian PM 27 months ago – making him the object of ridicule and scorn not only in the country but also internationally, forcing him to cut short his overseas trip.

It was his greatest failure of leadership as Prime Minister leaving his credibility in tatters – which is why his claim yesterday that the release of the PSM6 under the Emergency Ordinance was in accordance with the rule of law was met with nation-wide derision.

Najib cannot be more wrong if he thinks that he had restored his credibility with the release of the PSM6 yesterday, as nothing could wipe out the fact of his government’s high-handed and unsuccessful action to suppress the 709 Bersih 2.0 rally for free and fair elections, resulting in the arbitrariy and totally unjustifieable arrests of the PSM6, first on the ridiculous grounds of “waging war against the Agong” and “reviving communism” and then under EO for being “prime movers” of Bersih.

There are four things Najib must do, immediately and urgently, if he wants to salvage his tattered credibility after his greatest leadership failure as Prime Minister post-Bersih post-EO6.

Firstly, the Home Minister, Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein and the Inspector-General of Police should tender a public apology to the PSM6 for their unlawful detention and Najib should make public commitment to annul the four Proclamations of Emergency which are obsolete, going back from 34 to 47 years ago, repeal the EO and all oppressive legislation.

Secondly, lift the ridiculous ban on Bersih 2.0 and end the government’s even more ridiculous Xanthophobia (irrational fear of yellow) arresting people for wearing the yellow Bersih 2.0 T-shirt and set up a Royal Commission of Inquiry on free and fair elections to make recommendations in time for the forthcoming 13th General Elections.

Thirdly, take firm action against the UMNO official organ, Utusan Malaysia, which had in the past few months carried out a most insidious and seditious campaign to incite ethnic hatred and religious tensions in the country totally against the spirit and objective of a united, harmonious, inclusive multi-racial and multi-religious nation – making Utusan the greatest threat to and destroyer of Najib’s 1Malaysia campaign.

Fourthly, charge Malaysian Anti-Corruption Agency (MACC) officers found by Teoh Beng Hock Royal Commission of Inquiry as having committed a host of offences and crimes, including perjury before the TBH Inquest and TBH RCI, and setting up a special investigation squad for fuller investigation into the real causes and circumstances of Teoh Beng Hock’s death. This is because the TBH RCI, despite its unacceptable “driven suicide” finding, had provided several new leads which must be further pursued, in accordance with the Prime Minister’s undertaking to Teoh Beng Hock’s family in July 2009 to “leave no stone unturned”, to find out the real causes and circumstances of Beng Hock’s death.

It is only when Najib is prepared to tackle these four basic things that he can hope to begin to recover his credibility which suffered a fatal blow in the past five weeks as a result of the government’s gross mishandling of the 709 Bersih 2.0 Rally and arbitrary arrests of the PSM6.

Lim Kit Siang

The EO6: Six thoughts on the day after their release

The EO6: Six thoughts on the day after their release
I am happy. The EO6, six members of PSM, the Socialist Party of Malaysia, six people immorally detained by my government, have been released.

I am exhausted. I have thought deeply about why the EO6 were detained, why they might have been detained for much longer and why they have now been released.

I am relieved because I can take a rest from spending two hours a day attending candle-light vigils and an average of two hours a day writing about the EO6.

I am thoughtful because I want to review what I have learned in the last thirty days and build on it. Here are six key thoughts:

1. Salam Perjuangan. Salam, is from the Hebrew root Shalom, which means 'peace.' It's one of the Arabic words in the greeting Salamalaikom. Perjuangan means 'struggle.'

UMNO leaders use Perjuangan to 'remind' the majority Malays of the 'Malay struggle' for progress. It's an open secret that 'progress' is a euphemism for Ketuanan Melayu, Malay Superiority and 'takut Cina,' or 'be afraid of Chinese dominance.' (About 90 % of the civil service and the armed forces in Malaysia are ethnic Malays. The wealth gap between rich and poor Malays is enormous.)

PSM (Socialist Party of Malaysia) members say Salam Perjuangan when they meet and when they depart. The PSM use Salam Perjuangan to remind their members of the people's struggle for justice and equality.

2. Zalim. Zalim means 'cruel.' This was one of the words chanted at candle-light vigils. The chants were 'EO zalim' and 'Police zalim.'

I'm not normally a person who uses strong words. I'll admit to not chanting zalim on the first day. I needed to think about it. From the second day onwards, I too chanted zalim. I decided to do so after thinking it through.

The EO, Emergency Ordinance is cruel. It allows separation of loved ones from their families for days – with no end in sight – on mere 'suspicion,' devoid of substantial evidence. It's a tool of repression. If the EO is not cruel, what is?

Are the police cruel? Are all (Norwegian) Christians terrorists? Are All (Arab) Muslims terrorists? To say the police are cruel is a sweeping statement

Yet, the colour of the present police force is cruel. There have been too many unanswered, unpunished deaths in custody. There are too many videos of police wrong-doing. There are too many reports of wrong use of force.

A Royal Commission recommended the creation of an Independent Police Commission to allow citizens redress against wrongful treatment. The police resisted; the government, under former PM Abdullah Badawi, caved in.

3. Mansuh. Mansuh means destroy, but in context is better translated 'repeal.' Those at the candle-light vigils chanted 'Mansuh EO' and 'Mansuh ISA' (Internal Security Act).

Like zalim, mansuh is a strong word and because I want people to take me seriously, I only use a strong word if I support the full force of the word.

The question confronting me was “what do I think ought to be destroyed?” It was easier to rephrase the question as “what do I think out to be repealed?” But I could not evade the question of what should be destroyed.

I think anything which promotes or enables injustice should be destroyed; in this instance, the means of destruction is a repeal. I want some sections of the EO and the ISA repealed – and I want the government to declare there is no emergency in Malaysia: which is what we tell foreign diplomats and journalists.

4. Common goals. When we have common goals, we can work together despite our differences.

One of the EO6 detainees said a police interrogator pointed out that the PSM leadership is a group of Indians lead by a Malay – this is true. The detainees also spoke of recalling what Dr Nasir Hashim, the PSM president, had taught them about being detained. The recollections helped them be strong while being taken away, while being isolated and while being interrogated.

When we gathered together at the candle-light vigils, we had common goals.

We wanted haughty Malaysian leaders to stop acting like tyrants. We wanted the immoral detentions – of members of the opposition, by the ruling coalition – to end. We wanted politicians and policemen to respects human rights: freedom of assembly, right to legal representation, right to liberty, right to decent treatment, right to judicial review.

5. We were Chinese, Indians, Malays, East Malaysians. Young and old. Loud and reserved. Rich and poor. Titled and belittled. We stood together. We won.

Interrogation. Despite the Americans confession of guilt and their published examination of the use of 'unacceptable' interrogation methods at their facilities in Abu Ghraib and Guantanamo, I've thought little about 'right interrogation.'

Examples of 'wrong interrogation' abound in the case of the EO6. They were interrogated with the goal of proving they were leaders of BERSIH, the movement for free and fair elections, although the true leaders issued statutory declarations that the EO6 had nothing to do with organizing the march on 09 July. Since there was contrary evidence, the police 'interrogation' turned into 'badgering.'

The EO6 were isolated – under a law which allows for never-ending detention without trial – to 'psychologically disorient them' before they were questioned.

The EO6 were asked questions unrelated to the charge under which their liberty was denied.

We live in the shadow of Teoh Beng Hock, who died as a result of interrogation.

It seems our police force has learned nothing about interrogation. It seems the police are operating as if Teoh Beng Hock's life – and that of many others – was a pimple on the methods of interrogation, not a cancer.

We live in the shadow of terrorism. Are our police capable of conducting ethical interrogations which will result in useful information and, eventually, convictions?

I wonder if have interrogators who will be able to find evidence to convict Khir Toyo (Balinese mansion) and Ling Liong Sik (Port Klang Free Trade Zone)? We all know that in a civil society confessions obtained under duress cannot be admitted as evidence. So, do we have the capability to punish those who rob us?

6. People power. The detention of the EO6, and the spirit of the Malaysian Socialist Party – cultivated and strengthened over many years of hardship – has shown us we have power to bring forth change. Even Hisham can be shamed.

I confess that if Dr Jeyakumar had not been one of the EO6, we would not have risen as we did. Dr Jeyakumar is an example of faith – a long obedience in the same direction. He, and his wife Rani, set their lives to helping the poor; they are known for humility, fairness and compassion. Some of us disapprove of some rude foreign socialists like Hugo Chavez, but we will not hold them against Dr Kumar and the PSM. We know our own UMNO-BN 'champions of democracy.'

It's been a wild ride. It's time for a short rest. Then, it's time to learn from Saras, 58, activist for justice and equality, PSM deputy chairperson. She's not retired. She's hard at it. It's time to learn from Arutchelvan, the fearless man who kept us going and helped Hishammuddin see the light. It's time to learn from Nalini who kept us chanting. It's time to learn from Dr Nasir Hashim who was worthy of being detained under the ISA and strengthens others to stand up against injustice and inequality.

write2rest

Jeyakumar haunted by fear of police frame-up


Hours after being released from detention under the Emergency Ordinance (EO), Sungai Siput MP Dr D Jeyakumar said that he feared police would frame him and his comrades to hold them indefinitely.

"When we gave our statement to police, they asked us about our overseas trips. I have gone to Senegal (for the) World Social Forum, to Australia (for the) World Socialist Alliance and M. Saraswathy went to Vietnam.

"I was scared they will link - Communist Party of Vietnam, Communist Party of Senegal, I think they were going for that, (to) frame us up.

"I was very scared they will use that to create awe among Malaysians, (to say) oh there is a communist plot in Parti Sosialis Malaysia (PSM), luckily the police have arrested these people," he said.

Jeyakumar accompanied by his father, Dr T Devaraj spoke toMalaysiakini last night, shortly after a victory celebration for his release and five others at Kuala Lumpur-Selangor Chinese Assembly Hall (KLSCAH).

Jeyakumar shared that while he was physically well treated, solitary confinement raised several fears in him and made it a challenge to pull himself together.

"I was scared they will create stories (like waging war against the Agong) and use that to arrest other people in the party or cancel the party's registration. I worried they will hold us for two years, I was very stressed, we did not have contact with the outside world.

"You have to keep it together, in the evening I did some light exercise (in the cell) and when I met the IO (investigating officer), I'd go through the questions (in my mind), (trying to figure) what were they going for, where were they heading," he said.

psm eo6 release pc 290711 jeyakumarRelating his routine during his 28-day incarceration, Jeyakumar (left) said that aside from meeting the police for questioning and medical assistant for his daily check-up, there was little that he could do.

"We had breakfast at 7.30 in the morning, (they gave us) a bun and Teh-O, and about 30 minutes to an hour later they brought us to the medical assistant's room to check our blood pressure and give us our medication.

Blindfolded when going to clinic

"Every time we went out, I was blindfolded and handcuffed, everyday. Even when going to the clinic you don't know where you are going, once you are at the clinic only then the blindfolds are removed.

"After that, between 9.30 and 11.30, the IO will come, sometimes in the morning or afternoon or sometimes he doesn't come at all and sometimes he comes twice a day.

"When the IO is done, they take you back to the cell (for lunch). The food is fine, we get white rice with chicken or fish. At 2pm to 2.30pm, we are taken back to the IO and only return to our cells at 5.30pm," he shared

Despite the harrowing experience, Jeyakumar is unfazed by his detention or the authorities accusations that he is a communist and remains firm in his conviction and PSM work.

"This is an old bogeyman they (the government) are using. When formed the party in 1998, we formed the party because we felt there was a need for a group to put forward the problems of ordinary Malaysians who are sometimes marginalised by the forces of development.

"We were working that time in the estate sector, (when a lot of) development (was taking place and) people were getting retrenched with so little compensation (and) no proper housing, coming into squatters area. After few years the area is developed, they are chased out.

"We became the socialist party not because of some theory (orpsm eo6 release 290711 group photothat) we were going to study communism and say it a good idea. We saw what was happening on the ground, that there is a need now to put forward consistently for all the marginalised group, whenever they raised.

"And then we found as we were putting these things forward, we realised it came under socialism," he explained..

'Papa, mama my inspiration'

Coming out of an Ivy League university, the Yale graduate could have led a more than a comfortable life, however, Jeyakumar opted to work as a government doctor in Sarawak's interior until he opted for retirement in 1999 to join politics.

Asked why he chose a road less travelled, Jeyakumar joked that it was his father fault.

"That was how my parents raised us, the concept of stewardship, that those who were born with more things are suppose to give at least part of that back to society, this is why all of us, my siblings are in a way similar," he said.

Jeyakumar's 86-year-old father, Devaraj nodded in agreement, saying that it runs in the family.

"Generally true, I tell people that he can help it, because he got genes from both sides of the family and I think those of us who are fortunate in terms of health and education means that we should share it with others," said Devaraj.

In spite of the trials and tribulations his son has had to endure, Devaraj has consistently remained proud and supportive of his offspring even during his almost 12-year attempt for the parliamentary seat of Sungai Siput until he finally unhorsed the incumbent S Samy Vellu in 2008.

"We were happy for him, his focus was about changing society, helping people, he was there for many years even before 1999, even in his school days he was involved in some kind of society activity. He was happy to do what he was doing," he said.

True to his spirit of service, Jeyakumar appeared to be prepared to roll up his sleeves and get back to work.

"We don't want the Goods and Services Tax (GST), the labour law amendment is not good, the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with Europe and America, healthcare and tertiary education are not good. We will work with other groups on this kind of issues," Jeyakumar said.

The other five PSM members released yesterday were Choo Chon Kai, Sarat Babu, M Sarasvathy, M Sukumaran and A Letchumanan.

They were stopped at Sungai Dua Toll Plaza with 24 others on June 25 after police searched their bus claiming that there were weapons on it and subsequent arrested them for allegedly attempting to wage war on the Agong

They were immediately rearrested under the EO after their release seven days later, this time for allegedly being the movers of electoral reform group Bersih 2.0.

The interview was jointly conducted by Jimadie Shah Othman and Nigel Aw.

Malaysiakini

Johor Sultanah: Bersih 2.0 was hijacked

Almost 3 weeks after the Bersih 2.0 rally, the debate over the event still continues with a key member of royal family saying today that the electoral reform movement "had in someway been hijacked" by other groups and individuals.

NONEJohor Sultanah Raja Zarith Sofia Sultan Idris Shah, said though the original cause of Bersih rally was genuine, it had been taken over by others.

"They had in someway been hijacked by other groups and individuals... the original idea about general elections and the transparency of general elections were lost," she said.

She was fielding a question from a student after officiating the 5th Annual Malaysian Student Leaders Summit at the Kuala Lumpur Hilton this morning.

Raja Zarith Sofia, who is also the Chancellor of Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, advised the students against total belief in media reports on the Bersih rally.

NONEInstead, she said they should on their own decide on what is right or wrong and try to grasp as much as they can on the current events of the country.

"Of cause you can see from the mainstream media that perhaps Bersih is founded by wrong people and bad guys and other groups are good guys.

"It maybe or may not, there is no right or wrong question, but it may indicate that the country is heading for some kind of maturity."

NONEShe also said the Bersih rally organizers may have been influenced by the Middle East revolution but claimed that the scenarios are different between the two.

"We must realise that in Middle East, what they were reacting - especially in Egypt - was against the rule of one person," she said, referring to the Egypt's former president, Hosni Mubarak.

"The fact that there was so much poverty and they don't really have a big middle class like we do."

'Get rid of vernacular schools'

To another question on the nation education system, the Johor Sultanah commented that Malaysia should abolish the vernacular school system.

jerit tamil school parliament protest 290307 illThis, she explained, is because Chinese and Tamil school students do not possess a good command of the English language to communicate with foreigners.

"Ideally ridding vernacular schools would be a very forward move," she said, adding that this was her personal view.

Earlier in her speech, she said she has noticed that mainstream media reports, as well as responses of readers of blogs and news portals, have become worryingly provocative.

"It is quite apparent that we need to communicate more with each other in order to avoid conflict, whoever and wherever we are, and perhaps one of the best ways is by dialogue."

She suggests that the Rakyat organize more interfaith and inter-racial dialogues because what is reported in the media or what the people read on the Internet, is only talking to each other rather than with one another. - Malaysiakini

Where lies the Indian community’s priority?

B Nantha Kumar | July 30, 2011

A PKR man raises concern over the increasing number of Indian youth involved in illegal activities.

PETALING JAYA: A PKR state level leader chided the Indian community’s obsession with Tamil schools and temples when its youths are sinking into the abyss of vice and social ills.

Malacca PKR vice-president G Rajendran said current reports showed that about 110,000 Indian youths are involved in illegal activties.

“There is something very seriously wrong when one out of 10 (Indian) youngster is going the wrong way.

“Do you know that 7,000 Indians in Malaysia between 20 and 40 years are in jail for various criminal activities? Yet we seem to be more concerned about Tamil schools and temples.

“What is the point of having nice facilities in Tamil schools and temples when our children live in deplorable conditions.

“Don’t get me wrong…I don’t blame peoples’ concern for temples and schools but I feel our children are more important than temples,” he told FMT.

Rajendran said the BN and Pakatan Rakyat MPs who recently held a roundtable discussion in parliament to chart a blueprint for the future of Tamil schools should setup a committee to meet the needs of the Indian youngsters.

“Our main problems is gangsterism.. nowadays some of these gangs operate better than some small political party.

“The Indian community should engage all political parties no matter BN or Pakatan and form a united group to tear down gangsterism,” he added.

Rajendran also said several former gangsters whom he met recently told him that the situation was becoming worst whereby school students were being forced to join gangs.

He added that the social ills among the Indian community is like cancer which will slowly kill the community.

Rajendran admitted that one of the reasons the community is at its lowest point was because the government and the Indian leaders who do not care about youngsters.

He said he will raise his concerns with several Indian leaders and propose the setting up of a special committee to engage with youth.

Palanivel made a full minister but in PM's dept

B Nantha Kumar | July 30, 2011

"It's time we had two Indian in the cabinet," says the Najib

PUTRAJAYA: Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak announced that MIC president G Palanivel would be made Minister in Prime Minister’s Department.

“The Agong has given consent,” said Najib during the launch of MIC’s 65th AGM. “I’m going back to Tun Razak’s time when there were two Indians in the cabinet.

In the process of making Palanivel a minister, MIC gives up the deputy ministership that is held by Palanivel and the deputy minister’s post held by T Murugiah.

“He (Palanivel) is made a minister as a mark of appreciation for the contribution of the Indians,” said Najib at a press conference.

Najib also acknowledged contribution of the Indians dubbed as 3Rs in the nation’s economy – rubber, railway, road.

Palanivel, 61, is currently Deputy Minister of Planta­tion Industries and Commo­dities. The other Indian in Najib’s cabinet is Dr S Subramaniam.

Dr S Subramaniam, who is also MIC deputy president, is Human Resources Minister. The last time MIC had two ministers was in 1976. They were M Manikavasagam and Athi Nahappan.

Palanivel held his last position in the Malaysian government as the Deputy Minister of Welfare and Family Development of Malaysia.

In the March 8, 2008 general election, he was defeated in his bid for another five year term as a Member of Parliament.

He was appointed as Senator in May 2010 and became the deputy minister for Plantation Industries and Commodities.

On Dec 6, 2010, he became the president of the MIC following the retirement of Samy Vellu.

Palanivel obtained a Bachelor of Arts from University Malaya in 1972, majoring in History.

Initially he became a teacher at the Goon Institute and then at Maktab Adabi. In the same year as his graduation, he was elected secretary of Petaling MIC Branch.

He has been with the party since 1968.

Former press sec to Samy

He moved on to become a research assistant at the National Museum. In 1974, he joined the Consumer Association of Penang. There he rose to the position of Executive Director.

His next career move was to join Bernama as a journalist in 1977. There he was elevated to become the Economic News Editor.

It was during this period he was invited to become a press secretary to Samy Vellu, who was then the Minister of Works and MIC president.

He was picked to stand as a candidate the 1990 general election and had won every single election as a MP since until his loss in the March 2008, when a majority of Indian groups deserted BN.

Following the massive defeat of MIC representatives, MIC’s top leadership has been conspicuously absent in the cabinet of the ruling coalition.

In June 2006, Palanivel, previously a vice president entered a new era of top level MIC leadership by defeating a 27-year incumbent, S Subramaniam, to become the new deputy president of MIC.

He retained his position in the MIC elections on September 12, 2009. On May 3, 2010, he was appointed a Senator.

On 6 December 2010, G. Palanivel appointed as 8th MIC President succeeding Samy Vellu who held the post for 31 years.

Kedai Rakyat 1M’sia: Mydin dapat RM1 bilion, Kedai Melayu RM0.00

Bagaimanapun, pemberian peruntukan RM1 bilion kepada Mydin tidak disenangi oleh pemimpin perniagaan Melayu.

PETALING JAYA: Pasar raya besar Mydin mendapat peruntukan kewangan dari kerajaan sebanyak RM1 bilion bagi projek pembukaan Kedai Rakyat 1Malaysia.

Menurut sumber, peruntukan besar itu diluluskan oleh Pasukan Petugas Khas Pemudahcara Perniagaan (Pemudah) yang dipengerusikan oleh Menteri di Jabatan Perdana Menteri Datuk Seri Idris Jala.

Kedai Rakyat 1Malaysia dirasmikan oleh Perdana Menteri, Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak pada 22 Jun 2011 di LRT Kelana Jaya di sini.

Bagaimanapun, pemberian peruntukan RM1 bilion kepada Mydin tidak disenangi oleh pemimpin perniagaan Melayu.

“Mengapa diberikan kepada pasar raya Mydin, apa yang mereka bantu kepada peniaga Melayu.

Gergasi runcit

“Begini bukan cara untuk membantu peniaga Melayu…..ia untuk mengkayakan lagi gergasi runcit itu,” kata seorang pemimpin dewan pernigaan Melayu yang enggan namanya disiarkan.

Beliau menambah, sepatutnya peruntukan sebegitu besar diberikan kepada dewan perniagaan kerana mereka lebih tahu dan memahami bagaimana untuk memajukan peniaga Melayu.

Sementara itu, Presiden Dewan Perniagaan Melayu Kuala Lumpur (DPMMKL) Datuk Syed Amin Aljefry berkata, tahap perniagaan orang Melayu masih tidak berganjak.

Bagaimanapun, beliau menolak dakwaan pihak tertentu kononnya peniaga Melayu tidak mampu bersaing dengan peniaga kaum lain.

“Cuma barangkali peniaga Melayu masih menghadapi kelemahan dalam bidang pemasaran tetapi dalam bidang yang lain kita boleh bersaing dengan sesiapa pun,” tambahnya.

Bye Bye..

We first heard of a Muhyiddin - Hishamuddin pact some time late last year, there was apparently a secret meeting towards this understanding of the terms of the pact where they will take over the leadership of the country in the in-eventual departure of the husband and wife team or should it be wife and husband team.
And later sometime in March this year there were some buzz in within the inner circle of a 3M Team of which were made clear today with the recent article in the Malaysian Chronicle HERE and in Malaysia TodayHERE.

But this insight provided by the Finance Twitter website clarify and sum up all the information we heard from the grapevine, truly an illuminating article as follows:
Resign or Snap Election for Najib, Here're the Reasons
By Finance Twitter
As much as I would like to stop writing about PM Najib administration, the plot just got interesting and I think he may just hit the bull’s eye as far as my prediction that his downfall may be faster than his predecessor, Abdullah Badawi, is concerned. Compared with Najib, Badawi now seems like a cute adorable little kitten, who merely likes to sleep (on the job). Malaysians tend to be more forgiving on lazy prime minister but not a prime minister wholies, cheats, brutal, dirty (allegation on Mongolian Altantuya’s murder),hypocrite but above all stupid yet arrogant.

One cannot help but fell off the chair laughing after read that Najib said he cancels a family vacation because he wants to spend more time with Malaysians. This was perhaps the best joke ever by premier Najib since he took over from Abdullah Badawi. This joke actually worth a thousand “Like” on his facebook page. Forget about Bersih 2.0 because this guy may quit under pressure – not from opposition parties or Bersih 2.0 but from his internal UMNO party. Boy, if it was true that the US$24 million controversial diamond ring indeed belongs to his wife Rosmah Mansor, that ring is cursed.
Anyone notice the deadly silence from Mahathir after the Bersih 2.0 rally that instantly flush Najib’s popularity into the toilet bowl? I’ve wrote earlier that Najib administration’s extreme stupidity in tackling the simple issue of Bersih 2.0 made the whole episode smells rat. Najib can’t be that foolish (or was he?) and even if he was indeed stupid, his wife would have save the day, unless of course the plan to unseat him has been brought forward by his own circles.Mahathir doesn’t like Najib for two main reasons - his wife and his close connection with Singapore Government.
It seems Najib may have to quit soon, probably before his term expires in 2013. And if Najib plans to stay until next year to enjoy more free overseas holidays using taxpayers money under his capacity as the prime minister, his dream is now short-lived based on his emergency return to take control of Putrajaya. How on earth could everything turns upside-down before his “shopping” trip to United Kingdom and Italy ends? It appears he has no other option but to call an early election, possibly before 11-11-2011 in order to neutralize his enemy from within UMNO, if he’s able to do that.
Read the Full Article HERE