Santa Claus politics underscore Malaysia’s elections - the "sweeteners" will be paid for by the same voters who thought they got them for free

Santa Claus politics underscore Malaysia’s elections, says Singapore paper

MARCH 17, 2013

As Election 2013 fever spurs Malaysian politicians from both sides to serve up expensive sweets to boost their bid. - file picKUALA LUMPUR, March 17 — As Election 2013 fever spurs Malaysian politicians from both sides to serve up expensive sweets to boost their bid, a Singapore paper reminded voters today that they would be the ones to pick up the tab. 

“The intense fight for votes has led both the administration of Prime Minister Najib Razak and the opposition PR to promise more and more populist measures. 

“You could call it Santa Claus politics,” Reme Ahmad, assistant foreign news editor in the widely-read Straits Times, wrote in an opinion piece for the paper’s Sunday edition. 

He noted that Najib who leads the ruling Barisan Nasional (BN) has been dishing out more cash “gifts” to offset rising living costs that are the main concerns of a significant 40 per cent of the 13.3 million voters struggling with bread-and-butter issues; and signal there may be more to come if the coalition maintains power. 

Among the billions of ringgit worth of sweeteners he listed were the second round of RM500 cash aid for each household, RM200 smartphone rebates for the hundreds of thousands of youths, the RM250 student book vouchers and just last week, pay hikes for the country’s 230,000 policemen and soldiers who are seen to form a core deposit in the coalition’s vote bank. 

The writer noted that the Pakatan Rakyat (PR) opposition, which is seen to be a viable contender to take federal power for the first time, has also promised many goodies. 

Among them, he listed free university education, cheaper utility bills, lower transport costs through cuts in car and petrol prices and highway tolls that formed the key proposals in PR’s manifesto launched last month. 

“But here is one worry the politicians are downplaying. 

“With all the goodies disbursed or promised, will the next government shift more public money towards productive activities such as upgrading ports and boosting worker education, or will it be forced to give yet more sugar and spice to voters fattened by everything nice?” the writer asked. 

Reme said that the reality was that sugary deals and promises of more handouts will not necessarily reel in the votes, as several political observers here have said. 

“The harsh reality is that the more you give, the more people want. 

“A second point is that the freebies have to be paid for by somebody down the line,” Reme said. 

He pointed that Malaysia is already into its 16th year of a budget deficit since the 1997 Asian financial crisis that the money to pay for the government’s spending came from taxes and “other piggy banks, such as national oil firm Petronas”. 

He reminded that tax revenue that could have been spent to build new roads may instead be funnelled for other purposes to keep the political election pledges, like petrol price subsidies or compensating highway companies to remove their toll booths. 

“In other words, they will be paid for by the same voters who thought they got them for free.”

http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/malaysia/article/santa-claus-politics-underscore-malaysias-elections-says-singapore-paper

Are you amazed at what goes on without the public knowing?

Come and see ‘land grab’ plots, Tee Yong told

By Ida Lim

December 05, 2012

Chua was challenged to pursue reparations for Selangor if it can be shown that BN parties had profited from the 24 plots of land involved. — File pic

KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 5 ― DAP’s Tony Pua today invited MCA’s Datuk Chua Tee Yong to visit the 24 plots of land in Selangor that were allegedly sold to the Barisan Nasional (BN) coalition in a suspected multi-million land grab scandal.

http://themalaysianinsider.com/malaysia/article/come-and-see-land-grab-plots-tee-yong-told/

Politicians should not assume that the Malaysian voters are not smart.

'Exodus at MCA dinner not sign of flaccid support'

Politicians should not assume that the voters are not smart.  In fact, the Malaysian voters are very intelligent in exercising their votes.  This was evident over the many elections over the years since Independence.  Let us bring forth a new political era whereby the government is a clean, efficient, responsible and responsive one.  Above all, everyone will benefit from having a good government in place.  For this, our institutions need to be respected and strengthened.  Due respect to the processes should be in placed and applied fairly and equally to all.  The checks and counter-checks to ensure an efficient, clean, and responsive government should be in placed.  

The focus should be on issues.  Addressing these issues adequately and pragmatically is the least demanded of the politicians by the voters.  Issues should be debated responsibly, carefully and intelligently in the context of our multi-ethnic, multi-cultural, multi-religious and multi-racial country.  The politicians with integrity, intelligence and who are willing to work hard, should be elected to serve.

Since the last election, there was enough time for parties to reform their political agenda and directions to accommodate the changing views and desires of the Malaysian.

This forthcoming election is above all allowing Malaysians to freely exercise their rights as citizens to pick the good government that they wish to have in place.  Hopefully, through our democratic processes and the high quality responsible leaderships provided by the leaders of all parties, Malaysians can be proud of the outcome of any elections carried out irrespective of whichever party wins.

My mission was to establish a clean government — Lee Kuan Yew

September 19, 2012

SEPT 19 — In a region where corruption is endemic, Singapore has remained clean. From 1959 when the PAP first formed the government, we have stamped out corruption. The challenge is to keep corruption free. We have to rid our society of greed, corruption and decadence. When I became Prime Minister in 1959, my mission was to establish a clean and efficient Government against the backdrop of a corruption-ridden region. We set up systems and processes to ensure that every dollar in revenue was properly accounted for: we sharpened the instruments that could prevent, detect and deter instances where discretionary powers could be abused. The Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau (CPIB), which was under my care, has succeeded in keeping the country clean.

The CPIB was established by the British in 1952 to tackle the increasing corruption. However, little was done because the CPIB lacked the necessary resources and legal powers. When I took over in 1959, I strengthened the laws and the organisation of CPIB.

We tightened the law on corruption. Wealth disproportionate to a person’s earnings would serve as corroborative evidence when a person is charged for corruption. The CPIB was placed directly under the Prime Minister. And if the Prime Minister were to refuse giving his consent for the CPIB to make any inquiries or to carry out any investigations into any person including the Prime Minister himself, the Director CPIB can seek the concurrence of the President to carry on with the investigations. In other words, nobody is exempt.

Over the years, Singapore has established an effective anti-corruption framework. Leaders must be above suspicion. They must insist on the same high standards of probity of their fellow ministers and of the officials working for them. We do not tolerate corruption. CPIB has since developed a formidable reputation for its thorough and fearless investigations. The bureau has successfully dealt with a number of corrupt senior government officials including Ministers, Members of Parliament, senior civil servants and prominent businessmen. This is testament to CPIB’s independence. The bureau can discharge its duties in a swift and sure, but firm and fair manner.

The most dramatic case was that of Teh Cheang Wan, then minister for National Development. In November 1986, he was investigated by the CPIB for accepting two bribes totalling US$1 million (RM3 million). In one case, it was to allow a development company to retain part of its land, which had been earmarked for compulsory government acquisition, and in the other to assist a developer in the purchase of state land for private development. These bribes had taken place in 1981 and 1982. Teh denied receiving the money and tried to bargain with the senior assistant director of the CPIB for the case not to be pursued. He had offered to pay back SG$800,000 in exchange for immunity. The cabinet secretary reported this and said Teh had asked to see me. I replied that I could not until the investigations were over as I could become a witness. A week later, on the morning of December 15, 1986, my security officer reported that Teh had died and left me a letter:

Prime Minister,

I have been feeling very sad and depressed for the last two weeks. I feel responsible for the occurrence of this unfortunate incident and I feel I should accept full responsibility. As an honourable oriental gentleman, I feel it is only right that I should pay the highest penalty for my mistake.

Yours faithfully,

Teh Cheang Wan

CPIB has been and is a tenacious and effective instrument against corruption. The bureau and its officers have contributed to Singapore’s standing, giving confidence to investors that has led to our progress and prosperity. We must remain vigilant and ensure that Singapore continues to be regarded as one of the least corrupt nations in the world, with a clean public service and businesses that abhor corruption. — TR Emeritus

* Former Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew, who was Singapore’s first Prime Minister, wrote a preface for the Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau 60th anniversary commemorative coffee table book.

http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/sideviews/article/my-mission-was-to-establish-a-clean-government-lee-kuan-yew/

Economics In One Lesson - The Basic Lesson of The "Broken Window"

The "victim" - The Taxpayer

The "vandal" - The Politician

This basic economic lesson is quite simple.

It has been given credibility by major economists.

It has been ignored for over 150 years!

What happened in 308 was a blessing for Malaysia.

... according to Ho Chin Soon. Many will agree.

MCA: The government of the day must listen to the rakyat and act in accordance with national interest

MCA is the government.

What are the issues raised by the PAS in their ceramah?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iqgbbZhILeg&list=UUFznwgrJ0SorgTbQlpOKOaQ&index=13&feature=plcp

Auditors declare Talam deal ‘sound commercial decision’

September 05, 2012

Selangor had appointed the auditors following claims of impropriety from MCA. — File pic

KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 5 — Independent auditors have cleared the Selangor government of any irregularities in its debt recovery exercise involving the company formerly known as Talam Corporation and declared it a “sound commercial decision,” Mentri Besar Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim said today.

Khalid’s administration had appointed KPMG Transaction and Restructuring Sdn Bhd (KPMG) in July to review its RM392 million debt recovery exercise following allegations by MCA that the state government’s dealings with Talam — now known as Trinity Corporation — was lopsided and had ended up costing taxpayers up to RM1 billion.

Khalid said the debt settlement was in the form of assets comprising nine plots of land, two properties, a 60 per cent stake in a subsidiary of Talam and cash/debt assignment.

“From the review exercise, KPMG is of the view that the Selangor state government made a sound commercial decision under the circumstances at that point in time in relation to the settlement arrangement.

“The settlement process is still ongoing and based on currently available information, the gross consideration is sufficient for Menteri Besar Selangor Incorporated (MBI), being the party tasked with recovering the debts on behalf of the Selangor state government and its subsidiaries, to recover the Talam debts, with no debt waiver by MBI.”

In July, Khalid had said the Selangor government would appoint independent auditors to review its debt restructuring agreement with Talam Corporation and clear the air over claims of funds abuse by MCA.

Khalid insisted his administration had not relieved Talam Corp of its debts as claimed, but instead had recovered monies that the troubled property developer owed the state’s subsidiaries.

MCA Young Professionals Bureau chairman Datuk Chua Tee Yong had recently alleged that Khalid’s administration bought over Talam Corp’s RM676 million assets to clear the firm’s outstanding debts of RM392 million to three state subsidiaries.

He further claimed that the RM392 million in the supplementary budget approved by the state assembly in November 2010 to the MBI was used by the state government for the alleged bailout.

Trinity Corporation had also denied allegations that it sold land to the Selangor state government at above market value, pointing out that the valuation fell under the scrutiny of the Securities Commission’s Assets Valuation Department.

The company added in a stock exchange filing in July that the valuation was also approved by SC and Bursa Malaysia.

Speaking today, Khalid said the auditor’s conclusion demonstrated that the debt recovery was legal, ethical, done in good faith and had in no way compromised the interests of the state, its subsidiaries or the people of Selangor.

Khalid added that the state had appointed four spokesmen to speak about the matter. The four are MPs Dr Dzulkifli Ahmad from Kuala Selangor, Tony Pua from Petaling Jaya Utara, William Leong from Selayang and political secretary to the mentri besar, Faekah Husin.

“These four are authorised to discuss and debate the issue with any individuals or organisations they deem fit. We are confident that with their expert command of the facts at hand, they will able to facilitate healthy and informative discourse,” said Khalid.

http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/malaysia/article/auditors-declare-talam-deal-sound-commercial-decision/

Related:
http://myinvestingnotes.blogspot.com/2012/07/talam-for-dummies.html

Talam for Dummies

Received this in my email.   Peruse this and form your own opinion.

Talam for Dummies

Nathaniel Tan 11:40AM Jul 7, 2012

COMMENT “Confusing” probably describes most of our initial attempts to get to the bottom of what the deal was between Talam Corporation and Selangor.

With a little diligence, clear thinking and attention to detail however, most mysteries can be unravelled and articulated efficiently.

This article attempts to explain in easy to understand terms the background and context of this issue, how Selangor recovered the debt owed to it by Talam, and how this debt recovery differs from the bailouts we have seen at the federal level.

In the beginning

The story begins in the late eighties and early nineties, with an engineer and project manager who worked in Selangor state subsidiary PKNS - one Chan Ah Chye.

This man later goes on to form Talam Corporation, and before long - possibly due to close connections with the ruling elite in Selangor, then headed by BN menteri besar Muhammad Muhammad Taib - becomes a major player in the Selangor property and development scene.

Over time, an extremely large amount of state land is alienated to Talam, who basically gets it for free. A strong imagination is not required to speculate in whose pockets any resulting profit eventually ends up.

Talam’s modus operandi seems to be to pledge this land to the bank in exchange for huge loans, which they then use to finance their development and profit making projects. In essence, since they got the land free, they have successfully achieved money for nothing (it is uncertain as to whether “chicks for free” were involved).

The ‘wise’ businessmen of that era believed in the dictum of never using your own money when you can use someone else’s. This heavy lending continued to characterise Talam’s business approach, and their loans consistently kept getting bigger and bigger.

Tumbling down

Of course, no student of recent economic trends is unfamiliar with the concept of a bursting bubble.

The financial collapse of the late nineties brings Talam’s debt-ridden house of cards crashing down. An overgearing of loans and inability to service them halts various half-completed projects, rendering them idle, half-built ruins.

Incredibly however, this does not prevent Talam and their political patrons from altering their basic modus operandi.

In 2001, under BN menteri besar Khir Toyo (right), three parcels of land are alienated by Selangor to Talam via their subsidiary Maxisegar Sdn Bhd, who undertakes to construct Unisel’s campus at an estimated cost of RM750 million.

It will probably come as no surprise that Talam failed to complete this project. By September 2006, the company had been classified as an affected company under Practice Note 17 (PN 17), indicating dire financial straits.

New sheriff in town

In 2008, when Khalid Ibrahim assumes the menteri besar’s post, he inherits a situation in which Talam owes the state and its subsidiaries (among other creditors), a great deal of money.

Urban legend has it that when Talam was called in to explain why they have never endeavoured to pay their debts, the sheepish reply given was, “No one ever asked us to.”

Thankfully for the citizens of Selangor, there was a new sheriff in town.

Corporate finance is not only an area of expertise for Khalid (left) - it is a passion. With great gusto, he set out to solve this problem, and recover that which was owed by Talam to the people of Selangor.

The problem was undoubtedly challenging, but after some work and careful strategising, a plan was set into motion.

The end goal was simple: to leverage the assets still held by Talam to repay the debt Talam owed to the Selangor and its state subsidiaries.

The technical nitty-gritty

Making this happen was a technically complicated process that required considerable financial acumen.

The summary is this: firstly, the debts that were owed by Talam to Selangor state subsidiaries were properly booked and accounted for - something that, very suspiciously, had not been done before. Once these debts were acknowledged by all parties, the debts were consolidated and transferred to one state subsidiary - Menteri Besar Incorporated (MBI), which was then responsible for collecting the debts from Talam in the form of land and cash.

The rest of this section explains how this was done. It is a boring and complex explanation, but I list it here for the record and for those interested.

Talam owed RM392 million in debt to three Selangor state subsidiaries: KHSB, PIYSB, and PNSB. After acknowledging and booking these debts, the next step was to have another state subsidiary, Selangor Industrial Corporation (SIC), purchase these debts from the other three companies.

A loan from CIMB Bank of RM 392 million was given to SIC to complete this purchase. In November 2009, the state exco and legislative assembly both approve a grant of RM392 million to MBI, who then use the funds to purchase the original consolidated debt from SIC. SIC then uses those funds to pay off their CIMB loan.

The end result is as simple as the transaction itself is complex - without any major or excessive transactional expenses, Talam now owes the same amount of money to just one state subsidiary, instead of the original three.

Restructuring and successful collection

It is important to note that at no point are funds transferred from taxpayer monies to Talam. Funds have instead only been transferred from one pocket of the state to another.

This differs wildly from federal bailouts of corporations like Indah Water Konsortium, MAS, or the Putra/Star LRT, where taxpayer money was injected directly into companies that had probably lost untold amounts via mismanagement, corruption and plundering.

The transfers in the Talam debt restructuring allowed for a structure in which there is a clear acknowledgement and accounting for the RM392 million owed by Talam, and a single company for them to pay it to.

The story does not end there.

Another extremely important milestone in this tale is that MBI has in fact already succeeded in recovering all RM392 million in debt owed by Talam.

For those who would like to keep score, this recovery came in two forms.

RM340.88 million was recovered via acquisition of land and assets: 1,322 acres of land in Bukit Beruntung worth RM150.28 million, 2,264 acres of land in Bestari Jaya worth RM105.3 million, 400 acres of land in Ulu Yam and 60% equity in Ulu Yam Golf & Country Resort worth RM22.2 million, 134 acres of land in Danau Putra worth RM52.1 million and five office units in Menara Pandan worth RM11.1 million.

The remaining RM51.12 million was collected in cash: RM12 million from sales of land in Puncak Jalil, RM5 million in cash assignments from EON, RM7.68 million in payments by Unisel for earthworks, RM9.04 million from the sale of 25.94 acres of land in Bukit Beruntung, and RM17.4 million from sales of 218 acres of land in Bestari Jaya.

Go ahead, count it - it's all there.

Facts trump hype - again

How can we summarise this? For more than a decade under BN, one corporation owed the state hundreds of millions of ringgits.

Within a year or two of taking over, Khalid managed to collect on these debts, instantly increasing the amount of money available to spend on welfare programmes throughout Selangor.

Scandal?

Yes, it’s a scandal that Talam was allowed to get the free lunch it did under BN, and it’s a scandal it took this long for to create the change in government that succeeded in cleaning up the mess.

It would be insulting to suggest that this article is titled specifically in the hopes that Chua Tee Yong (left) would take the time to carefully peruse the facts within. Nevertheless, perhaps he may find the exercise beneficial in his longer term efforts to maintain what little credibility he has left.

Said credibility is shrinking at about the same rate at which he is reducing the amount of money claimed to be ‘misused’ by Selangor - from RM1 billion, to RM260 million, to RM42 million. Before long, he may have to measure in sen instead.

Perhaps Chua fancies himself a Rafizi Ramli. What he fails to understand however, is that Rafizi’s exposes are not just all about ‘glamorous’ press conferences and big numbers. Behind every expose is a ton of hard work and solid research.

Behind Chua appears only to be blind ambition that extends far beyond ability, and a shameful mainstream media that think that hype can overturn facts.

See this video and form your own opinion on the Talam issue. 

Also read:

'PERMANENTLY DEAD' : Guan Eng-Soi Lek debate shows complete public apathy for BN

Written by  Moaz Nair, Malaysia Chronicle

Political Debate: Chua Soi Lek versus Lim Guan Eng

To choose either tyranny or liberty?
This is your choice.

Related:
Lim Guan Eng vs Chua Soi Lek Debate Videos

Debate 2.0 – Guan Eng vs Soi Lek – The Beautiful Goals

'PERMANENTLY DEAD' : Guan Eng-Soi Lek debate shows complete public apathy for BN  Written by  Moaz Nair, Malaysia Chronicle

What are the objectives of all this?

Let The Public Judge for Themselves

Matters of the Heart - Politics

Shortage of School Teachers

50 years of Chinese school problems fuels anger at rally

March 25, 2012

An angry crowd jeer at Datuk Wee Ka Siong at a rally in Kajang today. - Picture by Choo Choy May

KAJANG, March 25 — The angry reaction to Datuk Wee Ka Siong at a rally opposing the shortage of Chinese school teachers here is the result of 50 years of frustration, say protestors.

The deputy education minister was greeted with loud jeers calling for him and MCA to step down when he arrived, and someone in the crowd had allegedly tried to punch him as he was being chased out by the crowd when the rally ended. 

Dr Wong Fort Pin (picture) from Malacca said he made the two-hour drive to lend his voice to the anger over the government’s track record over the hot button issue of Chinese language education. 

“This is a 50-year-old problem,” the father of five told The Malaysian Insider. “This problem has been here all along. It feels engineered (by the government) and a calculated move.” 

He said that he was not politicising the issue but felt “fed-up” and frustrated. 

“You think I have no better things to do than to come here?” he said. “For 50 years the issue has been going on, but now the government cannot hide.” 

Chinese schools and issues that plague them are key to the hearts of many Chinese-educated Malaysians. 

The issue is also a thorny one for Umno, MCA’s senior partner in Barisan Nasional, as it has to be seen as championing the Malay language and national government schools. 

For Serdang resident Tan, the issue was that a new Chinese school had been promised for Serdang in 2008 but had yet to materialise. 

“Until now there is still no news of the location,” he said. 

Tan claimed that he had emailed Wee on the matter but had not received a reply to date. 

“I am so sad there was no reply,” he said but added that he was glad that Wee made the effort to attend the rally. 

Later at a press conference at a hotel away from the crowd, Wee said that he was “shocked” and “saddened” by the hostile reaction. 

Wee acknowledged that the shortage of teachers was a problem and said that the government was giving it immediate attention. 

“Of course we know this needs immediate attention, that’s why the cabinet formed a committee (to look into it)”, he said. 

“We will study each of their (Dong Zong’s) resolutions and demands and consider it. We have come up with strategies.” 

He urged patience as the solution needed to be a holistic one. 

“We need to identify the root of the problem. If we don’t know the root, how are we going to solve it? We cannot concentrate on one side and ignore the other side.”

http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/malaysia/article/demonstrators-protest-over-shortage-of-chinese-teachers-for-50-years/ 

There is too much money in Malaysian politics

Mix of politics with business fuelled economic woes, says Ku Li

By Clara Chooi

February 16, 2012

KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 16 — Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah today charged that years of political patronage and the long standing system of co-dependency between business and politics arising from the Mahathir era had led to neglect of the people’s “real socio-economic problems”.

The outspoken veteran Umno leader added that economic policies of the past, which kicked off from the 1980s onwards, had also widened inequality in Malaysia and would worsen if the present administration does not move to separate business from politics.

“With this pre-condition, Malaysia’s economy can avoid a crisis worse that what we see in the West,” he said during a luncheon talk today.

There is “too much money in politics”, he continued, adding that this forced further disparities between those who benefit from this “dysfunctional system” and those who suffer from it.

“No democratic system, no institution as envisaged by our Constitution, can survive a political economy of this nature.

“There is just too much money in politics and it has become inseparable from power and the electoral process,” said the Kelantan prince popularly referred to as “Ku Li”.

Ku Li (picture), known to be one of the greatest critics of the New Economic Policy (NEP) and Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad’s handling of it, was speaking on the state of Malaysia’s political economy during a luncheon at the Royal Selangor Club here.

The Gua Musang MP said what happened in the 1980s was a “deviation” from the ideals of promoting unity and equitable distribution of wealth, as enshrined in the 1971 Second Malaysia Plan.

The NEP, he said, had “unfortunately” failed to survive the leadership prior to 1980 and faded before its full impact could be felt.

“What happened from 1980 onwards was an intervention of a new form of capitalism that was not obvious but reflected in the way the leadership that came after the mid-1980s conducted itself in the implementation of economic policies and the exercise of political power,” he said.

Eventually, said Ku Li, political power became a means to business and accumulation of wealth, thus creating a co-dependency between the two.

“All those in the hierarchy of the system also benefited and, in order to maintain that system, they supported the centralisation of power within the party leadership and the government,” he said.

To ensure its political survival, this “centralised power”, he said, had to feed those within the system with business opportunities.

As such, those on top enabled the discretionary use of political power to distribute public procurements, contracts and privatisations programmes and created a self-serving economic system, he added.

“In these circumstances, money became a dominant political weapon in political parties and the entire political process. This new culture of politics released forces within the political parties and the public arena unseen before,” he said.

But, added Ku Li, the system eventually led to neglect of the people’s socio-economic problems as essential changes to the economy were either ignored or misconceived.

He pointed to the growing household debts of Malaysians across the racial divide and employment problems, caused by the alarming presence of foreign labour in the job market.

Ku Li also drew links between Malaysia’s political system and the Arab Spring and urged the present administration to learn from the Middle Eastern uprising.

“The lesson we have to learn from the Arab Spring is that a dysfunctional democracy, however well-dressed by public relations exercises or subsequently by media, cannot withstand the realities that are the natural consequence of abuse of power and wanton accumulation of wealth.

“That is the most important message, I think, that the Arab Spring has conveyed and we must take cognisance of it,” he said.

http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/malaysia/article/mix-of-politics-with-business-fuelled-economic-woes-says-ku-li/

Ku Li: Corruption may see BN’s downfall

Syed Jaymal Zahiid

 | February 16, 2012

Razaleigh pointed that no 'public relations exercises' can mask corruption and 'dysfunctional democracy'.

KUALA LUMPUR: Respected Umno veteran Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah today said no government rife with corruption can survive public anger and warned Putrajaya that it may suffer the same fate as ousted regimes in the Arab Spring.

Speaking at the Royal Selangor Club luncheon talk earlier today, the Kelantan prince spoke of Malaysia’s “dysfunctional” political economy, which he blamed on money politics as a result of the of the policies under the tenure of former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad.

Malaysia under Mahathir is often characterised by neo-liberal policies which Razaleigh said kickstarted the politics-business relations and resulted in crony capitalism.

“As a consequence of economic policies in the past, inequalities have also widened. Today, Malaysians suffer from a very wide inequality… and the widening inequality will go into a deeper crisis of confidence among the people.

“No democratic system, no institution as envisaged by our Federal Constitution, can survive a political economy of this nature.

“There is too much money in politics and it has become inseparable from power and the electoral process,” he said.

Razaleigh, the Gua Musang MP, often described as “the country’s last statesman”, has been vociferous in his criticism against the Najib administration and his own party Umno.

He had helped set up Angkatan Amanah Merdeka (Amanah), an NGO aimed at rekindling the spirit of the Federal Constitution.

But observers say he is using it as a platform to put pressure on the ruling coalition to clean up and buck up.

Lesson from the Arab Spring

His deputy in Amanah, a former minister and a senior Umno member, Sheikh Kadir Fadzil, had also been vocal against the Najib government.

He claimed leaders from the ruling party practised widespread money politics to win votes and posts in party elections.

International observers and economists say corruption remains the biggest problem in Malaysia, denting the country’s economic edge and repelling investments.

Foreign direct investments to Malaysia have dropped significantly as investors now opt for its neighbours.

Razaleigh said that no “public relations exercises” can mask corruption and “dysfunctional democracy”, citing the bloody Arab Spring that saw voters ousting governments that had ruled for decades.

“The lesson we have to learn from the Arab Spring is that a dysfunctional democracy, however well dressed by public relations exercises or subsequently by the media, cannot withstand the realities… of the abuse of power and wanton accumulation of wealth.

“That is the most important message, I think, that the Arab Spring has conveyed and we must take cognizance of it,” he said

http://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/2012/02/16/ku-li-corruption-may-see-bns-downfall/

Darkest Days of Lim Kit Siang and Lim Guan Eng

Anwar says will end racial discrimination if elected PM

By Shazwan Mustafa Kamal

January 07, 2012

PETALING JAYA, Jan 7 — Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim pledged last night he would rid the country of the “culture” of racial discrimination if he is elected prime minister, affirming that Pakatan Rakyat would uphold the rights of all races.

The PKR de facto leader said he would abolish the PTPTN undergraduate loan system, and not burden the poor with such mechanisms.

Anwar speaking at the ceramah in Subang Jaya on January 6, 2012. — Picture by Choo Choy May

“We will assist and help all races, that is our difference compared to Umno,” he proclaimed to a 2,000-strong crowd at a ceramah in Subang Jaya.

Anwar pointed out that upholding Islam did not give any Muslim the right to insult or bully non-Muslims, and that this act was against Malay cultural norms.

He recalled a time when a Chinese student (whom he named as Sui Lin) came to him to ask for financial aid to further her studies, and that her family could not afford to pay the university fees.

“This will be my stand. God willing when I get to Putrajaya I will make sure Sui Lin is protected as my daughter is.

“It is conscience, we need to have conscience,” Anwar said.

The 64-year-old grandfather charged that Barisan Nasional’s failure to govern the country has led to rampant corruption.

“The problem is that our system defends the corrupted,” said Anwar, specifically focusing on the scandal surrounding ....

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