They don’t really care about us!!

The Hero of Malaysia – V Sivakumar

Dear Mr. Speaker,

We, the Dandelions salute you. You are the hero – You da’ man – Jantan Tulen.

Just when we – the citizens of Malaysia – thought there is no one else worthy in the realm of politics, you prove to us that a Malaysian can be a hero. Better than any Rajnikanth … ever.

You have shown great courage – standing alone in battle – against the mighty combined forces of the Federal Government, the Monarchy and the Police.

You did not step aside – you did not budge – you did not waver. I had expected you to falter. After all, any ordinary man would.

But you held on, demonstrating nerves of steel.

And held on you did – from morning till three in the afternoon – before you were physically removed from the speaker’s chair.

Had you not been so roughly and bodily manhandled, I bet you can stay in that chair till all others drop dead from no water, starvation or sheer exhaustion.

I come to understand that you were mildly injured during the scuffle. Worry not, for you shall wear those physical scars proudly as your crowning glory for the people of Malaysia.

You are someone that our soldiers should emulate. Fight on – hold post – and never say die. They should erect a statue of you in every markas tentera, to instil on our young tentera’s heart the qualities of courage, bravery and valour.

I bow to you, dear sir, for you richly deserve my praise.

Thank you, dear sir. God bless.

Black Thursday (7th May)

I received an email that calls out for everyone to wear black to express our dissatisfaction concerning the constitutional issue in Perak. Us Dandies propose, do wear black if you believe that the ruckus in Perak’s downright malicious and a nuisance (and I don’t mean one-sided, I mean on both sides of the issue). I certainly do. =)

Oh, we might prowl around with a camera capturing people wearing black, or not. How about everyone publishes pics of themselves (faces conveniently photoshopped out of course) wearing black together?

See ya!

—————–

KUALA LUMPUR, May 5 — The Coalition for Free and Fair Elections, Bersih, today called on Malaysians to protest the power grab in Perak and put on a show of civil disobedience by wearing black on May 7 in conjunction with the sitting of the state assembly.

In a press conference today, Bersih accused Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak of orchestrating the political coup in Perak and lambasted him for allegedly failing to keep his promise made under his 1Malaysia philosophy which puts people first, saying that putting people first would mean giving the voters of Perak the chance to determine the state government.

Taking a leaf from other civil obedience movements such as those organised by Mahatma Gandhi, Martin Luther King and even Umno’s “berkabung” movement to oppose the Malayan Union, Wong Chin Huat, a spokesman for Bersih, urged Malaysians who oppose the power grab to “let everyone see a sea of black walking into an office, market, mosque, temple, church, college, park, bus… let us be united in one black colour to show the world that the 1Malaysia under Najib Razak is 1BlackMalaysia living in darkness.”

Bersih also criticised the BN for practising “old politics” and trying to clamp down on media coverage and peaceful gatherings.

The Perak government had initially allowed only selected media to cover the assembly sitting. However, the decision was later reversed by Perak Mentri Besar Datuk Zambry Abdul Kadir.

The police have also warned political parties against organising mass gatherings in front of the state secretariat.

Teo Nie Ching, DAP’s federal legislator from Serdang, says that she was queried by the Police Special Branch after she tried to organise a bus to ferry supporters to Ipoh and expressed her disappointment with the Special Branch.

“Why stop us from going to witness the assembly?” she told reporters.

Lim Teck Ghee, who represented the Centre for Policy Initiatives, urged solidarity despite “a propaganda war” to tar dissenting views as unpatriotic and treasonous.

“It is the duty of Malaysians to oppose illegal and unconstitutional acts of power grabbing,” he declared. “We are the patriotic ones.”

Lim was referring to accusations from BN that Nizar was committing treason by going against the Sultan of Perak’s wishes that he resign as mentri besar.

The political crisis in Perak was triggered by the defection of four state representatives from Pakatan Rakyat (PR) to BN earlier this year, giving BN an edge in numbers over PR in the state assembly.

The Perak state assembly speaker however, claimed that three of the representatives who defected had resigned but this was disputed by the latter, who got the backing of the Election Commission.

Datuk Seri Nizar Jamaluddin, who maintains he is the rightful mentri besar, then sought permission from the Sultan of Perak to dissolve the state assembly to pave the way for a state election but his request was rejected and he was told to resign instead.

Nizar refused to resign but at the same time, Zambry was sworn in as the new mentri besar by the Sultan on February 6.

Since then, PR and BN have been locked in a struggle over who is the legitimate government of Perak and whether or not to dissolve the state assembly.

—-

Sourced from MalaysianInsider.com

A System Based On Animalistic Brutality…….Malaysia Surely “Boleh”!!!!

I was not surprised at all when the second post mortem by an independant pathologist revealed Kugan was beaten to death. But what truly shocked me to the core was the way he was repeatedly beated and tortured……….It definitely looked like Kugan was set upon by a pack of crazy rabid dogs…..I don’t care how much of a hardened criminal he was, but to die in such brutal circumstances……….It’s an OUTRAGE!!!!

Whoever did that the first post mortem report should have his practising license revoked!!! Does that look like a body of someone who died from water in his lungs!!?? And the AG is still dragging his feet on this, as expected, purportedly still waiting for more evidences to fall onto his lap from the sky or something…….One wonders why Anwar Ibrahim’s sodomy case was executed with so much more speed……

I really wonder sometimes, did we Malaysians pay taxes to hire police officers to ensure the security and safety of all Malaysians or did we hire “Al-Qaeda Rejects” as someone’s personal watchdogs and mercenaries?

Speaking of cold blooded murders on the Taxpayers’ payroll, Raja Petra and Susan Loone were one of the first blogs to feature this write up in a French newspaper.

Check out http://mt.m2day.org/2008/content/view/18841/84/ for the original sworn statement, which so far was kept hidden, by one of the murderers, Sirul Azhar Omar during interrogation by the police on 19 November 2006.

It basically not only confirms how and why Altantuya was killed but also that they were hired to kill her…..and believe me, you’d weep like I did when you come to that part where they described killing her in cold blood like as if she was just a piece of worthless meat…………..

The Altantuya Shaaribuu’s case: how and why she was killed
Published in the Liberation French newspaper on 5th March 2009

This is the English translation of the Liberation French article:

Shaaribuu Setev is a bitter and disappointed man. Yet, behind the saddened face of this Mongolian lies a fierce determination. Seated in a sofa in the lobby of an Ulaan Baataar hotel rattled by gushes of a freezing wind, this sixty years old man is ready to fight. His face features, hardened by the suffering and the stern climate, and his intense gaze tell all. “My daughter has been murdered by Malaysians on Malaysian territory. And they did not have even offer a word of apology,” states this professor of psychology at the National University of Mongolia.

The assassination of his daughter, Altantuya Shaaribuu, took place in October 2006. This was a murder unlike others in a region where business conflicts or petty politics are often settled with a gun. Everything in this case, which started in 2002 when the French Spanish company Armaris concluded the sale of three submarines to the Malaysian government for the amount of one billion Euros, is out of the ordinary.

The impact of the “Altantuya case” in France, Malaysia and Mongolia has yet to reach its climax. The murder of the 28 year old Mongolian was the result of a “commission” at the price of 114 million Euros by Armaris to its Malaysian counterpart. This “commission,” which was acknowledged by the Malaysian government in front of the Parliament in Kuala Lumpur, has triggered a chain of events that has led to the assassination of Altantuya and the disappearance of several key witnesses in the case.

A report from the Malaysian police, written on 19th november 2006 and which has been kept secret until now (can be read below), reveals dry and precise descriptions as to how this young woman, a member of Asian high society, has been killed. In this document, one of the killers, a policeman of the Malaysian Special Branch named Sirul Omar, replied to the questions of an officer at a police station close to the murder scene. “When the Chinese woman saw that I was taking a gun, she begged me to spare her, saying she was pregnant. Azilah (the commanding officer of Sirul) grabbed her and [threw] her on the ground. I immediately shot the left side of her face. Then Azilah took off her clothes and put them in a black plastic bag. Azilah noticed that her hand was still moving. He ordered me to shoot again, which I did”, said Sirul. This is the first confirmation of Altantuya’s assassins’ identity. “Then we carried her body into the woods. Azilah wrapped the explosives around her legs, her abdomen and her head, and we exploded her.” (Do these people have souls!!!!!!???????)

The revelation of this report in the French newspaper Liberation is the latest chapter in this colourful and dramatic saga featuring French weapon sellers, Mongolian Shaman, and Malaysian politicians. This case is explosive not only for the Malaysian government, since the deputy Prime minister Najib Razak (who is scheduled to become Prime minister at the end of March) is suspected of having links to the case, but also because it could embarrass the DCNS, this French company specialising in military shipbuilding. The French Spanish company Armaris, which sold two Scorpène and one Agosta submarines to Malaysia in June 2002, was bought by DCNS in 2007.

With her magnetic beauty and sophistication, Altantuya is reminiscent of the troubling image of a Far East Mata Hari. She grew up in Saint Petersburg (Russia), then studied at the Institute of Economic Management in Beijing. Besides speaking English, she is fluent in Russian, Chinese and Korean. The fateful cycle for Altantuya came into gear when she met Abdul Razak Baginda in Hong Kong in 2004. Baginda is a security expert and the director of the Malaysian Strategic Research Centre, a pro-government think-tank. The two quickly became romantically involved. Altantuya, nicknamed Tuya by her friends, proved to be a useful assistant, helping Baginda translate from Russian to English.

Whereas Altantuya is young and beautiful, the rich and alluring Baginda is a well known figure of the Kuala Lumpur’s elite, notably because of his proximity to the Malaysian Deputy Prime minister and minister of Defense Najib Razak (he is also his security affairs adviser). Baginda parades in the most exclusive circles of Kuala Lumpur, sometimes accompanied by his legitimate wife.

In March 2005, Altantuya and Baginda departed for Europe, touring France, Germany, Italy and Portugal in the red Ferrari of Baginda, staying in posh hotels and dining in the finest restaurants of the old Continent. This trip, however, was not only for tourism: the contract for the sale of the submarines had been signed in 2002, but important details had yet to be settled. “We knew that Baginda was used by Deputy Prime minister Najib Razak as an intermediary for weapons systems deals, especially the high level ones,” says a regional security affairs expert.

At the end of March 2005 the couple was in Paris, where they met with Najib Razak. A picture shows the threesome in a Parisian private club. “Tuya showed me the pix. She said that one of the men was her boyfriend, Abdul Razak Baginda, and the other the “big boss”, Najib Razak. I asked her if they were brothers because of the names, but she said no, and that Najib Razak was the ‘prime minister’”, said Amy, Altantuya’s best friend (Najib Razak has sworn on the Koran that he has never met Altantuya). According to a private detective, now in hiding in India, the beautiful Tuya was also the occasional mistress of the deputy Prime minister, who was introduced to her by Baginda at the end of 2004.

The story became dramatic when, in October 2006, Altantuya was informed that the commission paid by the French-Spanish company Armaris had arrived on a Kuala Lumpur bank account. It had been paid to Perimekar, a company owned by Baginda. Altantuya rushed to Kuala Lumpur, in order to claim her share of the commission from Baginda ; she said she was entitled to 500,000 dollars. Baginda and Altantuya broke up prior to this. A jealous Rosmah Mansor, the feared businesswoman and wife of Najib Razak, objected any payment to Altantuya. Altantuya arrived in Kuala Lumpur with two other Mongolian women, one of them was a Shaman responsible for putting a spell on Baginda if he refused to pay. For several days, Altantuya harassed her ex-lover. (Funny isnt’ it? That even a foreigner knows her reputation….)

On the 18th of October, Baginda could no longer tolerate the daily scenes made by Altantuya in front of his house. He contacted the Director of the Special Branch, Musa Safrie, who happened to also be Najib Razak’s aide de camp. On October 19th, 2006, a little before 9 pm, two police officers of the Special Branch, Azilah Hadridan and Sirul Omar, were sent in front of Baginda’s house where Altantuya was gesticulating and shouting. They had the order of “neutralising the Chinese woman.” They kidnapped her, and drove her ten kilometers away and shot her several times. Then, they destroyed her body with C4 explosives, a type which can only be obtained from within the Defense Ministry. Her entry into Malaysia was erased from the immigration records. It would appear that Altantuya had never come to Malaysia, because there is no trace left of her.

There is no perfect crime. The taxi driver hired by Altantuya for the day did not appreciate that his passenger was kidnapped under his eyes without payment for the fare. He took note of the registration plate of the kidnapper’s car and filed a complaint at the local police station. In a few days, the police identified the car and realised that it was a government vehicle.

Events unfolded that even the Deputy Prime minister Najib Razak could not impede. He tried to cover the case. A few hours before the arrest of Baginda, he sent him a SMS: “I will see the Inspector General of Police at 11 am today… The problem will be solved. Be cool”. A few hours after, Baginda was arrested as well as the two police officers of the Special Branch, Azilah and Sirul.

After a trial considered dubious by many observers, Baginda was acquitted with the accusation of having ordered the murder and released in November 2008. Accused of having perpetrated the murder, Azilah and Sirul appeared in front of the Court last month. If convicted, their sentence is death. The verdict is scheduled for the 9th of April.

Thousands of miles from there, in the Mongolian capital city Ulaan Baataar, Shaaribuu Setev, Altantuya’s father, is trying to control his anger. To him and his family, the acquittal and release of Baginda is symbolic of the unfairness of the Malaysian judicial process: “The Malaysian government is not even answering to the letters from the Mongolian Foreign Affairs Ministry,” he says.

When Shaaribuu came to the Malaysian Parliament to meet Najib Razak, the Deputy Prime minister had to escape through a back door in order to avoid an embarrassing encounter. The Altantuya case has become a key element of the Malaysian political game between Najib Razak (who is expected to become Prime Minister after the United Malay Nation Organisation (UMNO) Congress in March) and the opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim. So far, Najib Razak has navigated around the obstacles, but the murder of the young Mongolian remains a sword suspended over his head.

One of the most obscure aspects of the Altantuya case is the role of the Armaris company. In October 2007, the Malaysian Deputy Defense minister, Zainal Abdidin Zin, acknowledged in front of the Parliament that Armaris had effectively paid 114 million Euros in commission to Perimekar. He maintained that it was not a bribe, but a payment for “support and coordination services.”

Was there corruption as in the case of the Taiwanese frigates in which the French DCNS was also implicated? DCNS, a private company with public financing, has declined our request for a meeting. “Nobody can comment on this case,” was the sober reply of the DCNS Press relations officer in Paris. A document, which could establish a link between Altantuya and the French company is the guarantee letter written by Abdul Razak Baginda so that his mistress could obtain a visa to enter the Schengen zone (of whom France is a member country). The French embassy could not refuse this service to a man decorated with the Legion d’Honneur. But the role of Altantuya in the submarines negotiations is still not clear. Intelligence agencies find her background intriguing and the Russian FSB (ex-KGB) is following closely the case.

In Ulaan Baataar, Mungunshagai, the eldest son of Altantuya, who is 12 years old, is traumatised by the death of his mother. Altanshagai, the youngest, who is five years old and mentally handicapped, has not understood that he will never see again his mother. “He is asking for her all the time and is staying the whole day prostrated on his chair. Every evening, I bring him sweets and I tell him that his mother gave it to me for him”, says Shaaribuu Setev, the grandfather of the two boys. As for Baginda, he settled down in the United Kingdom with his family. He never uttered a word of regret on the deadly fate of the one who shared his life for two years.

Arnaud Dubus (in Kuala Lumpur, Ulaan Baataar and Paris)

Do you still trust Mr. Policeman with your life and safety?

Do you trust our justice system to uphold justice and truth?

Do you trust our future PM and his scary wife with out nation’s well-being?

So, who can we trust????????????????????????????????????

An Economic-Bimbo’s Guide To Surviving The Crunch…..

Brace yer-self people!!!

The effects of incompetent economic management by our gutter-government combined with the current world-wide economic crisis, is almost upon us. Though the full effects of recession has yet to set in, one can just sense the glooming dark clouds coming in.

They say the first clear signs of recession is when shoppers start holding back on their spending…….and by the looks of how quiet the cash registers are these days, I’d say the signs are loud and clear.

You know Jusco? Everyone’s favourite Japanese retail chain store?

Remember whenever they have their very popular “Members’ Day Sale“, one would always avoid the roads leading to where these stores are because the traffic jam can be so darn horrendous? And if you’re one of the Jusco member card holders who would take a day off work just so to go grab some bargains, you’d see so many people that it may just give you claustrophobia? Or where it takes at least 30 minutes to pay for something?

Well, Jusco had one of those “Members’ Day Sale” two days ago, and guess what? The road in front of my office which leads to Mid Valley, that houses a Jusco, which used to be jammed pack during such sales, was clear of traffic!!!! Even the internal roads within Mid Valley was clear!!!

So what is going on!!??

A friend told me that, apparently, retailers at a high end shopping mall (the one that is standing on what was previously a convent school in KL’s golden triangle?) are planning to appeal for a waiver off several months of rental due to bad bad bad sales.

Recently, I checked out Metrojaya’s Members’ Preview Sale………it used to be so packed that one would potentially lose weight just by standing while waiting to try out an outfit at a fitting room. Well, not this time………the crowd was not only a lot smaller but it felt like any normal shopping day, despite the great discounts and free supper 😀

Even prudent spending has gone to healthcare.

Wednesday February 25, 2009

It’s a sign of an ailing economy

IPOH: Longer queues at government hospitals and health clinics. That’s one of the side effects of the economic crisis.

Deputy Health Minister Datuk Dr Abdul Latiff Ahmad said more people were seeking treatment at public hospitals instead of private ones to save on expenses.

And patients did not mind waiting for three hours to seek treatment, he said. “Even those with minor problems are seeking aid at the Accident and Emergency units,” he told reporters after launching the third Perak Health Conference.

“When there’s a reduction in purchasing power, you naturally spend less. This is why people try not to seek treatment at private establishments.” – The Star

I’m an economic bimbo……….when economists discuss or explain how the economic machinery works, they’d probably get 5 minutes, max, of my attention, after which my eyes just glazed over and thoughts wander into space.

But when you see empty retail shops, or hear about family or friends being laid off, it certainly doesn’t take an economic genius to have one’s worry nerves being tickled? How NOT to know and worry about the recession that is round the corner, or if not, already setting in, as far as some folks are concerned. How many of us here who are already living within the boundaries of our salaries even before this economic turmoil started?

Our current Deputy Prime Minister, who is also our Finance “Tai Kor” (God help us all…….),  has announced a much bigger 2nd stimulus plan to be injected into the ailing economy.

Firstly, “Thank You” Mr DPM, for FINALLY acknowledging that our economy is in trouble, instead of insisting that we still going strong…..that our “economic fundamentals” are rock solid. However, like the 1st  stimulus package, we can expect zilch or minimal details as to how this “stimulation” is going to be carried out.

So, let’s just discount this government from coming up with anything brilliant to save us.

Although things have not gone to the “bottom of the sewers” just yet, but based on what’s going on now, think there’s no other way but to take matters into our own hands and consider these options, in order to survive this round of economic woes ;

1. Cut down on impulsive and frivolous spending.

Easier said than done, I know, but one way of achieving that would be to leave your credit card behind if you’re going out window shopping. And get rid of all but one ATM card for emergencies only.

(Darn!!! And just when all the major retail stores are having their sales!!! AArrrgghhhh!!!)

2. Find a better paying job.

If local employers are using the economic downturn as an excuse to pay Peanuts, then wish them “Monkeys“. Look for jobs elsewhere or overseas. Check out jobstreet.com or similar websites.

I know it’s tough leaving one’s family and loved ones behind, but consider the overseas stint as a temporary measure and the experience would definitely make one’s resume look good.

3. If No.2 is not an option, then increase your earnings.

I know a lot of people who are supplementing their current pay by taking on a 2nd job or operating a small-time business. The extra earned could go into your emergency fund, which would come in handy during times of financial emergency.

4. Identify and eliminate nonessential and discretionary expenditures

Some experts call it “Trimming away the Fats”.

That may mean terminating your Astro, club membership, weekly buffet treats, Starbucks or club-hopping. Also, you may want to consider cutting down on those cigarettes, alcohol and high-maintenance dates.

That may put a damper on your social life, but just think of it as a “temporary reprieve” and it’ll help.

 5. Last but not least…..stay focused, determined and always adopt a positive outlook.

Being depressed will not help anyone, much less yourself. Face each challenge head on and always remember that when one “door” is shut, there will always be other “doors” opened……..PERSEVERENCE is the key

(Sounds totally cheesy, I know, but it’s sooo true!!)

 

Najib’s ruthless plan to restore absolute power of UMNO?

I have been wondering why Barisan Nasional was behaving themselves. Maybe I was deluded into thinking, well, considering the grim global economic forecasts this year, they’re perhaps trying to save as many middle class in the country as possible. Think of something other than the rubbish economic stimulus packages that doesn’t seem to work long-term.  After all, people who pay taxes are those in the middle-lower class catagory, and the super rich usually gets aways without paying much. Except I forgot one thing, the reason BN’s political hold onto the country’s wavering is due to the fact that the middle class can afford internet access, is more or less well educated, and makes decisions on their own, rather than what is fed through the mass media. They don’t want that. No. So they decided to plan an ambush.

They were planning to topple the hold that the Pakatan Rakyat has in the 5 states one by one, using proven effective techniques.  The first technique we have seen is bribery, where there are those 4 from Perak who fell to the ploy. There is an alleged claim that the former DAP MP’s actually incurred numerous debts, and the woman chose her husband over her own other loyalties, or so the whispers in the wind say.  Second technique is the digging out dirt on the head or those who hold the parties together, as poor Elizabeth Wong has sufffered and Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim is finding out. The third is by psychological pressure, by giving death threats, putting the MPs in fear of harm to their families, which unfortunately knowing as how things are evolving in this country, might be carried out.

What all of us must understand is that the next Prime Minister of Malaysia (a dictator who would rival Mahathir’s iron grip, with less tact, less consideration for the economy, and a womanizer to boot)  is one ruthless sneaky fellow, and he’ll do anything to keep his imagined god-given right to rule and leech off the land. These people don’t care about us common folks who work 10 hour days and want only to be good at what their chosen profession does. No matter what, free access to the nation’s coffers would ensure that the powers that be in BN UMNO always be more than comfortable. They’re already wealthy, and the only way to keep things that way is to maintain hold on power in the country and be Deities (in their minds) above the law. No one is safe from being their pawns. Whatever it takes, it will be done.

Pakatan Rakyat as it is right now exists on a fragile balance. Everyone has ideals, everyone wants justice and equality, everyone has their own motives and reasons. Everyone is human. Make no mistake, Najib’s plan is to prey on PR MPs’ weaknesses, expose/threaten/pay them off then play dumb and innocent officially. PAS, for all their excessive enthusiasm for religion, does not lack of loyalty and solidarity amongst themselves, it is after all the Muslim way. Cannot the DAP and PKR do the same? We are facing a common enemy, it is now time to strategize and effective counter-attack. One has to be smart, and trust one another. They cannot break a bound bundle of sticks, but it’s easy to break them one by one untill all has fallen.

Pakatan Rakyat, worry, strategize, and prepare yourselves. This 4-year-term you have earned will be unchartered territory as far as Malaysian political scene is concerned. Everything is possible, even assasinations. Remember, the people have supported you, so kindly do you end of the bargain.

Hamidah Osman, The Indian and The Snake!

Barisan Nasional ADUN from Sungei Rapat, Hamidah Osman was sworn in this morning as a Perak EXCO member.

Malaysian Insider had earlier reported Hamidah Osman was not too happy with Zambry’s appointment because she had great expectations to be the country’s first female Menteri Besar.

She was probably not made the MB because Hamidah Osman prefers a certain type of reptile more than some of her constituents.

Remember this???

Noooo…Hamidah Osman did not mean our Feather-Indian friend here…

Let’s reminisce together…

Hamidah says ‘sorry’ for racial slur – MalaysiaKini

Ahti Veeranggan | Jun 28, 08 6:55pm

Sungai Rapat state assemblyperson Hamidah Osman, who caused a furore in the Perak legislative assembly on Friday with her racial slur, has publicly apologised for hurting the Indian community.

At a packed press conference in the Ipoh Country Club this morning, the Barisan Nasional elected representative issued the public apology before newsmen, saying that it was not her intention to hurt the Indian community with a racial slur.

“I have already retracted my statement in the House and now, I am  offering my humble and sincere apology here to all Indians for uttering the racist remarks in the heat of the moment.

“I regret for saying that and promise not to repeat it anywhere anymore,” said a visibly moved Hamidah, who plans to embark on a ‘constituency road-show’ to explain and apologise over the incident to electorates in Gopeng, which encompasses Sungai Rapat.

Her apology came in the wake of several police reports lodged by Perak Indian-based public interests groups such as cultural-based organisation Ipoh Tamilar Tirunaal (ITT) organising committee, which has 30 Indian NGO affiliates.

Remarks spark furore

ITT advisor M Mathialagan, a lawyer, lodged the report condemning Hamidah’s racial slur and called upon her to openly apologise to all Indian Malaysians.

During a fiery state assembly meeting in Ipoh yesterday, Hamidah earned the wrath of Pakatan Rakyat assemblypersons when she asked whether speaker Sivakumar (an Indian) ‘agreed to disagree’ with a well-known fable of whether a snake or a man from a certain racial community should be killed first.

Her ‘un-assembly-like’ question sparked a furore, prompting Pakatan Rakyat elected representatives led by executive councillor Nga Kor Ming (DAP-Pantai Remis) to demand that she retracts her words.

However, Hamidah maintained her innocence and said she was merely asking if Sivakumar “agreed to disagree” with it.

The speaker who is also DAP Tronoh assemblyperson instead let her off the hook with a mere warning of “not to repeat such sensitive remarks.”

She later retracted her words.

Hamidah was roundly criticised by elected representatives and public interests groups from inside and outside Perak for uttering racist remarks in the House.

DAP Buntong state assemblyperson A Sivasubramaniam did not mince his words, labeling her “a racist upholding BN tradition of racial brand politics”.

“It is ungainly graceless for a people’s representative to utter such racist remarks against the speaker and his community,” he said.

Playing with fire

Sivasubramaniam also said Hamidah’s remarks was proof that BN, particularly Umno, had yet to accept its electoral defeat and conform to the reality that “a speaker of Indian origin was presiding the House”.

“She and Umno are playing with fire by hurting the racial sentiment of others,” he told Malaysiakini.

Meanwhile, Penang’s Datuk Keramat assemblyperson Jagdeep Singh Deo said the Perak assembly should have suspended Hamidah immediately and referred her to the Privileges Committee for disciplinary action.

Over the years, Jagdeep’s father, Bukit Gelugor MP Karpal Singh has had in several instances clashed with Barisan MPs in Parliament over similar racist remarks that implicitly portrayed “the Indian community as more venomous than a snake”.

The Penang assemblyperson said Hamidah’s racial slur clearly showed BN had not learnt its lessons from the last general election.

He suggested that another round of elections would remind the coalition that “its racial brand politics no longer appeals to the majority of Malaysians”.

However, a Perak government insider said Hamidah was not referred to the Privilege Committee because she was deliberately left to “suffer public condemnation”.

“She could have become an Umno ‘heroine’ and evaded public humiliation since she would gain ‘immunity’ if referred to the committee.

“The game plan worked to force Hamidah to come out and openly apologise to Indians in Perak and the country as well,” the insider said.

Maybe it’s a blessing in disguise: the newly (I still cannot believe MY SULTAN DID THIS) installed Perak state government does not have a single Indian rep.

So with this new (I still cannot believe MY SULTAN DID THIS) state government in place, Hamidah Osman can no longer threaten to beat up anyone from the ruling (I still cannot believe MY SULTAN DID THIS) coalition.

Or can she still?

URGENT APPEAL: PERAK CONSTITUTION CRISIS FROM MISINTERPRETATION OF WORDS?

The Dandelions found this comment at the DYMM Sultan Azlan Shah’s guest book.

Kim Quek

E-mail address: kimquek@hotmail.com

Comments: PERAK CONSTITUTION CRISIS FROM MISINTERPRETATION OF WORDS?

Urgent appeal to the Sultan to re-look the constitution.

06.02.2009, 1020 hrs.

Is it possible that a slight difference in wording between the state constitution of Perak and the federal constitution pertaining to the loss of confidence of Mentri Besar/prime minister has misled the Sultan of Perak into thinking that the constitutional requirement necessitating the Mentri Besar to resign has been fulfilled?

Judging from the Sultan’s statement explaining his decision to appoint a new mentri besar that seems to be the case. Let me quote the relevant paragraph of the Sultan’s statement explaining why Mentri Besar Nizar Jamaluddin must step down:

After meeting all the 31 assemblymen, DYMM Paduka Seri Sultan of Perak was convinced that YAB Datuk Seri Mohammad Nizar Jamaluddin had ceased to command the confidence of the majority of the State Assembly members.

This statement would have been a correct interpretation of the constitution if applied to the Prime Minister, but an incorrect interpretation, if applied to the Mentri Besar. This is because the loss of confidence of the majority is prescribed differently in the two constitutions (relevant parts of the constitutions are shown at the end of this article). Under the federal constitution, the loss of confidence refers to members of the House of Representatives whereas under the state constitution, it refers to the Legislative Assembly. This means that while the ascertainment of loss confidence can conducted outside Parliament (such as collective appearance before the Agung) in the federal case, it cannot be repeated in state case. In the state case, the loss of confidence must be ascertained within the state assembly, meaning through a vote of no confidence in the state assembly.

The reason why I said the Sultan could have been misled is that in his statement extracted above, he mentioned the confidence of the majority of the State Assembly members. Notice the statement refers to State Assembly members, and not to State Assembly.

Under the circumstances, the Mentri Besar was right when he said that he was legally obliged to step down only when a motion of no confidence on him has been passed in the state assembly, but not otherwise.

And since the Mentri Besar has not resigned, any appointment of another Mentri Besar will be ultra vires the state constitution.

The swearing-in of another Mentri Besar is only few hours away from now (at 1530 hrs). Perhaps His Royal Highness can spare a few minutes to take another look at the two constitutions, so as to avert a major constitutional crisis?

The relevant extracts from the two constitutions are as follows:

Federal constitution: Article 43 (4): If the Prime Minister ceases to command the confidence of the majority of the members of the House of Representatives, then, unless at his request the Yang di-Pertuan Agong dissolves Parliament, the Prime Minister shall tender the resignation of the Cabinet.

Perak state constitution: Artikel XVI(6): If the Mentri Besar ceases to command the confidence of the majority of the Legislative Assembly, then unless at his request His Royal Highness dissolves the Legislative Assembly, he shall tender the resignation of the Executive Council.

Kim Quek

Updated at 12:40pm (06 Feb, 2009)

DYMM Sultan Azlan Shah’s statement

THE following is the media statement issued by the office of Duli Yang Maha Mulia Paduka Sultan of Perak, Sultan Azlan Shah, which was signed by the ruler’s private secretary, Col Datuk Abd Rahim Mohamad Nor:

Yang Amat Berhormat Datuk Seri Mohammad Nizar Jamaluddin was granted an audience by Duli Yang Maha Mulia Paduka Sultan of Perak Darul Ridzuan on Feb 4, to ask for his Royal Highness’s consent to dissolve the Perak State Assembly.

Yang Amat Berhormat Datuk Seri Mohd Najib Razak, Deputy Prime Minister of Malaysia, also requested for an audience with his Royal Highness in his capacity as the Perak Barisan Nasional chairman and consent was granted to be present before his Royal Highness on Feb 5.

Yang Amat Berhormat Datuk Seri Mohd Najib informed that the Barisan Nasional and its supporters, now comprising 31 state assemblymen, had the majority in the State Assembly.

On the order of the Duli Yang Maha Mulia to ascertain that the information given was accurate, all the 31 state assemblyman were to present themselves before Paduka Seri Sultan.

After meeting all the 31 assemblymen, DYMM Paduka Seri Sultan of Perak was convinced that YAB Datuk Seri Mohammad Nizar Jamaluddin had ceased to command the confidence of the majority of the State Assembly members.

DYMM Paduka Seri Sultan of Perak had also considered thoroughly YAB Datuk Seri Mohammad Nizar Jamaluddin’s application on Feb 4, 2009 for his Royal Highness’s consent to dissolve the Perak State Assembly.

His Royal Highness had used his discretion under Article XVIII (2)(b) of the Perak Darul Ridzuan State Constitution and did not consent to the dissolution of the Perak State Assembly.

YAB Datuk Seri Mohammad Nizar Jamaluddin was summoned to an audience with the Sultan to be informed of his Royal Highness’s decision not to dissolve the State Assembly, and in accordance with the provisions of Article XVI (6) of the Perak Darul Ridzuan State Constitution, DYMM Paduka Seri Sultan of Perak ordered YAB Datuk Seri Mohammad Nizar Jamaluddin to resign from his post as Perak Mentri Besar together with the members of the state executive council with immediate effect.

If YAB Datuk Seri Mohammad Nizar Jamaluddin does not resign from his post as Perak Mentri Besar together with the state executive council members, then the posts of Mentri Besar and state executive councillors are regarded as vacant.

This statement is issued with the consent of Duli Yang Maha Mulia Paduka Seri Sultan of Perak Darul Ridzuan.

RIP Kugan Anandan: Scenes from the funeral.

MalaysiaKini reports 500 people accompanied Kugan Anandan on his final journey. There were more people waiting for him at the Hindu cemetary at Batu 14, Puchong.

As expected, the police were there but not in their usual numbers. Perhaps most of them were away looking for the culprit who had the gall to take off with three pairs of shoes from the home of former finance minister, Tun Daim Zainuddin.

RPK at Kugan's funeral procession while a police helicopter hovers above.

Scenes from the funeral procession at Batu 14, Puchong

Our constant companion throughout the whole event.

One of the many children at the funeral.

Dark clouds loom ahead as the casket is taken out of the hearse for Kugan's final journey.

The heavy downpour that came with the dark clouds did not deter the crowd from giving Kugan a dignified send off.

Prayers before the burial.

Standing on whatever they could find for a better view.

The crowd around the Hindu cemetary.

Many of the hardworking people from Pakatan Rakyat were at the funeral. We only managed to capture photos of Nik Nazmi, Gobind Singh and Teresa Kok.

Young life, forever gone: In his final resting place.

A family's anguish and pain: Nothing hurts like the death of a child, say those who have struggled to go on.

Towel wet from Kugan's mother's tears accidentally fell onto the coffin bearing his remains. For her Kugan's death contradicts all reasonable human expectations that our children will bury us, not vice versa.

No Impact On National Political Landscape…You Sure Or Not?

Gosh, yet another defeat for UMNO. Right after being trashed in a humiliating defeat at Permatang Pauh, another loss with such a convincing majority for Pakatan Rakyat, should jolt any leader of the losing team up from their slumber, shouldn’t it?

I mean, this loss, is despite all the “last-minute-but-decided-long-ago”(yea, right…) grants to the residents, threats of discontinuing development, alleged vote buying, phantom voters, well-tuned singing of the trusty ole’ MSMs, threats by Auntie Rosmah that she’ll never set foot in KT if UMNO losses (hhhmmm..perhaps that’s why they lost, hehe)and so many more trademark UMNO/BN by-election campaign styles. 

Apparently NOT!!!!

“It’s only a minor setback,” so says our PM-in-waiting, while eyeing the nearest exit after his obligated loser’s press conference…because dear PM was smart to run off to another country first.

“I believe the people will return to Barisan’s fold,” he added. (While head still buried in sand box?)

Yes, but which Barisan are your referring to? HeHeHe    😛

We can, of course, discount Najib to ever learn to be a gracious loser, not now, not in the near future, not ever.

And of course with MCA despearately seeking to curry UMNO’s favour again, dictator-wannabe Ong Tee Keat and his machais were, of course, what else  but boasting about higher Chinese votes this time round, as compared to the March elections (I’m still wondering how on earth did they manage to come up with such favourable statistics so soon, hhhhmmmmmmm)………..parading around like peacocks on heat. So, MCA is still relevant?

But KUDOS to the winning party…..I was truly impressed that even though the PAS candidate won, their president Hadi Awang was quick to credit the other members of Pakatan Rakyat for the victory. And how true he was.

DAP, PAS and PKR are definitely settling down quite comfortably in their partnership and at the moment, I’m truly excited about the prospect of having this new coalition run our country. Goodness knows how badly we need to replace the current incompetent captains running this ship.

And HATS OFF to the group of bloggers who helped Pakatan Rakyat in their campaigning while keeping us (those who were not able to join them in KT) updated, especially one “celebrity” blogger, who commanded more photo ops with the humble folks of KT, than all the BN ministers and big wigs put together, including dear ole’ DPM.

So what’s next?

Yes, UMNO has lost and no doubt humiliated beyond comprehension but they still hold the key to the government and of course the nation’s coffers, and hence can be expected to continue splurging like money grows on trees. I mean, as the saying goes, “You can’t teach old dogs new tricks”. Let’s forget about UMNO ever being taught a lesson. For that matter, MCA and MIC too…..they’re still talking about unwavering ground support and still singing the same racist tunes.

I think it’s time we bank our country’s future with the Pakatan Rakyat coalition. More and more folks are begining to realise the great potential this new coalition has. The news that their leaders are going to hold a summit to discuss and map out a future for a more cohesive partnership certainly brings good tidings and let’s hope and pray that Malaysians will not have to wait another few more decades to see changes for the better.

Oooo…….Exciting times we’re heading, folks ;D